has 12 1/2 minutes. the gentleman from michigan is recognized and has five minutes remaining. mr. conyers: mr. speaker, i am pleased to recognize now the gentleman from tennessee, a member of the task force and also the chair of the commercial and administrative law subcommittee, two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan will suspend for just a moment. the gentleman from michigan has 4 1/2 minutes remaining. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for two minutes. mr. cohen: thank you, mr. speaker. and i want to thank the chairman and the chairman of the task force and the ranking member of the committee and mr. sensenbrenner. this unquestionably has the facts that are obvious for this house to vote on to vote for impeachment. this judge has abused his office and justice by pleading guilty to obstruction of justice, committing obstruction of justice and lying to an official panel. and has taken an action upon his employees in his position, women that is an affront to all women in this country, and these are actions that are worthy of the vote of impeachment. that's u

sales have fallen over the last three years you can see those jobs -- it is one of the reasons michigan hashe double- digit unemployment. there are some expectations of 20% by the end of the summer. even though my district is in southwest michigan where we have virtually no assembly jobs, we have a lot of auto parts suppliers. for the auto parts business today you do not have a lot of soul source suppliers. i have a glass company that makes windows for the chevy trailblazer and for the honda accord or civic. you have a lot of these multi- source suppliers, and as a result it is one of the reasons why ford -- many have hailed ford because they have not needed assistance, but ford like toyota says that if you let chrysler or gm old and a supplier. way, we will not have the parts to build our cars. so, this issue has a big impact on michigan. it is critical for them to be able to stay alive. host: we're talking about the automobile industry with michigan republican fred upton. we will take calls shortly. let's talk a little about the cultures of these companies. many people do not associate th

and including state governments, michigan has invested a lot and you will see new plants produced there. and you have a number of batteries companies into this. and even companies that have come to the federal government to seek help. it's one thing to go from the laboratory to prototype to manufacturing and having a car that meets the rigors and requirements to be a product. if you have one big mistake, that really is a set-back for the industry. so we are held to a different standard. host: is that part of your alliance? guest: it's not but we hope that all of these companies want to be a part of this. host: this is nathaniel on the republican line. caller: i have two questions, first g.m. has been a stable of the united states for as long as myself and my parents can remember. and they used to be the innovators, and ford, and the bringers of new technology to the market. but for the past 20 years, we are no longer

i know 200 that has a proposed plant in mississippi. also states like michigan and ohio are stepping up and working with the suppliers. again, looking at new technologies and innovation -- battery technology, there was an announcement recently that gm will build a battery facility in conjunction with a korean firm in michigan. another battery co. is investing in michigan. so states do

michigan has 12.9%. what is the administration doing in particular for those states that are hard hit when it comes to the long-term unemployed and the underemployed in those areas? >> in the recovery program that the president signed in february, there were different types of funding made available to the states. many of the stage you outlander benefiting from the extension of unemployment benefits. first of all, that went out and gave a $25 increase for anyone who is drawn down unemployment insurance. some states have gone as far as to change and modify their laws so they could receive what we call funding under the ui modernization act will now be able to get money to cover part- time workers. in many cases, women and people who have had to move on because the spouse has moved to another location, or they were a victim of domestic violence. this is an additional source of funding, and i would say to you that in two weeks i will be able to announce the money for creation of job training programs that w

has expired. the gentleman from michigan. mr. camp: i have one speaker remaining. the speaker pro tempore: and the gentleman has one minute remaining. mr. camp: i yield one minute to the the gentleman from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. nunes: don't be deceived by the comments of the democrat party. this bill is a tax increase. this bill is the largest tax increase in american history. i ask my democratic friends, is this what you've come to? do you want to throw away the economic prosperity for nothing, because that's what this bill does. and for what? to satisfy the twisted desires of radical environmentalists. i would ask my colleagues one important question, how will you force china and india to accept this economic suicide pact? the dirty secret is you can't. i remind my colleagues that the state of california is out of water. they have communities with 40% unemployment. in the meantime, democrats bring up fairy tale legislation to the floor, phantom green jobs legislation. however, we agree on one thing. we

a congressman from michigan has come back from afghanistan, and he said that he was there, they were reading the miranda rights to the high value presidents, this is now a common practice, to read them the miranda rights, this is a policy change -- policy change that shows that the administration has changed in the orientation that comes from fighting and the law- enforcement with the use of miranda rights. can you comment on that? >> i would need more information. >> is this true? >> i have no reason to disbelieve a member of congress, but i do not know the examples. >> would it be surprising that -- would this be surprising that this was happening? >> it would not be surprising to me but i would need more information to talk about what the congress -- with the congressman has seen. i do not know if he saw the general. i am have been to look at whatever information is coming through, and i hate to speculate on the sentences off of the report. >> when you said this would not come as a surprise, what do you mean? >> i am not surprised by this. >> you are not saying that this is being

has said. first of all it is clearly windier in the dakotas for example bennett is in michigan. michigan has wind resource even on land but it is thought is wendy in the dakotas so instead of 42% roughly capacity factors you might 3-maxie in the range of 30% capacity factor however once the cost of transmission to get the power to the dakotas is taken into account it is cheaper to develop in michigan. michigan does have a very strong offshore wind resourced birkland fortunately offshored is still about twice as expensive to develop than entre resources though why not calculus is taken into account when need to make more sense to develop the onshore resources first. >> you were there earlier testimony about the problem getting renewable energy resources from the dakotas over to minnesota and the bling being laid it defeated the federal government? inner regioned do you believe that is one of the main problems that otherwise the region has been able to harmonize their electricity transmission policies and a way that is viewed as fair to all states? >> i am not familiar with specif

part of that a $3.2 billion, 765 kb project largely in michigan has been evaluated by the midwest systemndependent operator and determine not to meet the cost benefit test for the state of michigan. a number of independent system operators and planning authorities in the eastern interconnect recently studied a joint coordinated system plan that was referred to earlier involving a $56 billion high voltage overlay. some have referred to it as equivalent of constructing the interstate highway system. that study concluded state of michigan would receive no benefit at fairly large cost. looking at consumer customer s were spread on a postage stamp we're seeing an increase for a 2.5 billion annual benefit. michigan can't afford that. another $10 to $12 billion project that's been proposed to bring wind power from the dakotas to as far east as chicago but doesn't reach michigan but further when the cost of that transmission is included in the equation michigan based generation is less expensive to develop. on that score we agree with the northeastern mid-atlantic governors with regard to the po

michigan has wind resource even on land. but it's not as windy as in the dakotas.instead of 42% roughly capacity factors your might see in the range of 30% capacity factor. however, once the cost of transmission to get the power from the dakotas to michigan is taken into account it's cheaper to develop it in michigan. you mentioned offshore. michigan does have a very strong offshore wind resource. unfortunately, offshore is still about twice as expensive to develop than onshore resources so when that calculus is taken into account we think it makes more sense to develop the onshore resources in michigan first. >> you heard the earlier testimony about the problem of getting, of renewable energy resource from the dakotas over to minnesota and the blame being laid at the feet of the federal government. in that region do you believe that is one of the main problems that otherwise the regions have been able to harmonize their electricity transmission policies in a way that viewed as fair to all states? >> well, i'm not familiar with specific federal government problems

michigan has 12.9%. what is the administering doing particularly for those states particularly hard hit and when it comes to the long term under available to the states, and many states are benefiting from an extension of unemployment benefits. that went out and gave a $25 increase for anyone who is drawing down unemployment insurance. additionally some states that have gone so far as to change and modify their laws to receive funding under the ui modernization act will now be able to get moneys to help provide coverage for part time workers. and in many cases women and people that have to move on because a spouse has moved to oods location or they were a victim of domestic violence. this is an additional source of funding. and i would say to you that in two weeks i will be able to announce money for the creation of job training programs that will address green collar and renewable energy sebtors that we believe will show a good potential of growth if we make those investments now. >> are you -- what evi

it is a parsing of words to say -- i never said and i don't think my friend from michigan has ever said that mr. bloom said you have to close the dealership in milwaukee, wisconsin. they didn't do that. but they did determine the parameters and they did indicate that you to get down to a certain size, which then led to and will lead to 200,000 people being out of work. i yield. mr. mccotter: i thank the gentleman for yielding. again it cannot be emphasized enough that we talk about jobs in numbers. we have talked about the jobs that the united autoworkers will lose. i can attest to you that throughout this bankruptcy process the people of my community, the people of of michigan, the people in chrysler, and the people at g.m. thought that we had a chance to avoid a bankruptcy. that that was the hope we were given. by were given it by the first bush administration, which initially granted the bridge loan to the autos, early on in the process we were told the auto industry would not be be walked away from. early on in the process we started to get signals, however, that the bankruptcy migh

has take not a checkered flag in a sprint cup race. he'll return to the track where he won this weekend at michigan. s finished in the top 10 just 7 times in 35 races. through 14 races in 0 #. here's alan bestwick with more. >> what to watch for over 400 miles at michigan international speedway on sunday. first, this is who to watch for. carl edwards has been a master at that track in recent years. >> last year carl was one of the best at saving fuel. now we have a new guy, tony stewart. he got good at saving fuel at pocono on sunday. the roush-fenway racing team cars have been heads above most recently. >> i think when you get into a situation and everybody runs well, and you go back with your expectations higher, it seems it always works out. i know michigan gives options to drivers, they've got three or four lanes and they'll use every one of them. in a year roush has struggled, each of their drivers has said so. they were really good at pocono. despite the fact that the results did not show it of because it ended under fuel mileage. all three of the big three of roush were up front all day. >> wi

host: rose mill, michigan, sam has the last question for jared allen of the hill. caller: i would hope that your next guest would be a democratic reporter because this one is so one-sided. one thing about this segment is at that meeting the republican senator that left the meeting running his mouth is the one who left the meeting extremely early, so how can he even tell you what happened at the meeting? and you keep saying we when we referred to the republican party. i thought the reporters walked the middle of the line. host: sorry to cut youoff. are you in fact republican? guest: i'm a journalist. and i will say to sam that this was an issue that did in fact come up. the ranking member who held the hearing did accuse mr. klein of leaving early and not having all the facts. she would not say, though, what might have been different had he stayed for the whole hearing. and the republicans, mr. klein and mr. hoekstra -- mr. hoekstra said he discussed this with a number of members of the panel and that -- of the subcommittee -- and he drew the same conclusion. but the

has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from ohio is recognized. ms. sutton: thank you, madam speaker. at this time, it's my honor to yield two minutes to the distinguished chairman rim tuss and a leader in this effort as well, congressman john dingell. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. dingell: i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman is recognized. mr. dingell: i rise in strong support of this fine bipartisan bill. the consumer steens recycle and save act, authored by my friend and colleague ms. sutson of ohio. i commend her and her bipartisan co-sponsors for their work on behalf of this. the bill has the support of the obama administration, the u.a.w., domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. it also will result in meaningful reductions in vehicle fleet and carbon emissions and fuel consumption while providing much-needed stimulus to our ailing automak

it has our total attention in michigan. >> congresswoman just from that one comment from our perspectiveas the guidance that we have issued no match will be required. >> for the stimulus? >> yes. >> your time has expired. >> as i said earlier i will take my time now. i guess there is a couple of questions how we properly measure the impact of the stimulus package. there is a statement made by the ranking member the finding is trickling out too slowly because excessive regulations and i will ask for a quick response in terms of the records that are kept here where half of the highway money had to be used within 120 days of a portion may aunt -- apportionment my understanding 43 states and the district have complied. does not sound like we have a red tape problem do we mr. tea nine? >> no. as of last friday all 50 states met the test. >> bell managed to meet the deadline to get it obligated? >> as of the latest data 15 states have obligated more than 80% so the states are moving with great speed to obligate the funds. >> it does not sound like we have a red tape problem. >> baidu nazi one.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan's time has expired. the gentlelady from florida reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. berman: yes, mr. speaker. i'm pleased to yield two minutes to the principal co-sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from illinois, mr. kirk. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from illinois is recognized for two minutes. mr. kirk: thank you, mr. chairman. and i want to praise the chairman and his team for putting together a bipartisan bill regarding our assistance to pakistan. this is a very critical region for the united states, and assistance is authorized under this legislation and necessary. but as was stated before, when colin powell called the president of pakistan right after september 11 he offered a choice, you're either with us or against us, and president musharraf picked well. under that arrangement we did provide $12 billion to pakistan, but largely without strings attached. and the pakistani effort against the militants, especially in the frontier autonomous region w

michigan is really new. most are first or second generations, however this community has established strong routes in michigan, establishing churches, community centers and small businesses. these places preserve and celebrate their culture and help enrich the lives of fellow americans and the broader community alike. st. paul's church in rochester hills, michigan a city in my district, boasts nearly 5,000 members and is a shining example of how they have taken root in southeast michigan. these roots are nourished by the community's focus on family, a value embedded in their culture and one that i greatly respect. with many new immigrant communities, the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. our nation has provided many with their first opportunity for business success. members of the community have embraced these opportunities and worked tirelessly for the success of their endeavors, helping to grow our economy and create jobs in our region. the community's affinity for entrepreneurship is coupled with a deep appreciation for education. they recognize the invaluable return on education that educational achieveme

we have seen in a number of states, i referred to michigan, 77% of the funding that has been obligated to date in michigan is used in economically distressed areas. we are seeing similar figures in mississippi and idaho. it is giving us some sense that the provisions are being adhered to and we are seeing money flow to economically distressed areas as part of the economic recovery funding. >> does your agency had any kind of mechanism to make sure the money obligated to use in order to actually put it to good use rather than abdicating the money that has it sit there? movement -- >> we are seeing the project move very quickly from obligation to advertisements to underway. we are looking at 5,000 projects that have been approved, 1500 of those projects. we are seeing projects move very quickly through the pipeline. the dots are committed to that, as are the local governments. we are not going to see a lot of money. we are seeing projects move very quickly. >> the transportation outlays on this map provide certain money allocated to each state. are the numbers set in stone or is there ro

witnesses included michigan congressman john conyers has authored a bill on single payer health care. rob andrews of new jersey chairs this hour 40 minute hearing of the education and labor subcommittee on health. [inaudible conversations] >> good morning, ladies and gentleman. welcome to the subcommittee. having determined we would proceed we would like to welcome our colleagues who are present this morning. ladies and gentlemen who would be witnesses and the members of the public and the press. it is great to have you with us. the united states is spending more of our national wealth, more of our business firms i ncome, more of our family and individual income on health care than any of our industrial competitors anywhere in the world. and i do think there is an emerging consensus we are not getting what we are paying for. we are not getting the quality that everyone wants and deserves, and we are certainly not getting the coverage that everyone wants and we believe deserves. there are too many people left out of our system. there is too much money spent within our system on other t

been authorized has been authorized for projects in the economically distressed areas in michigan. so i do think we are saying the spirit of the legislation being adhered to and that state devotees are in fact trying to move the money to the most economically distressed areas within their states. .

has expired. >> gentleman from michigan. >> i yield one minute to a true american hero from texas. >> the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i believe we should be good stewards of the earth and its resources. we are in the midst of a long recession. the democrats want to impose a mass of new energy tax on american families and businesses costing every american family heavily. americans are sick and tired of democrats spending too much, taxing too much, and borrowing too much. with the price of the pulverizing 65 cents this year, -- with the price of gasoline rising 65 cents this year, the democrats would kill 2.5 million jobs per year with this bill. my district would lose 3000 jobs per year. one person said it best. nobody in this country realizes the cap and trade is a tax, and a great big one. this is america. we should not sell a down the river. >> the gentleman yield spec is tom -- the gentleman yield back his time. gentleman from new york. >> i would like to yield one minute to this person. >> the last 2.5 years i have had the privilege of working on a future

bishop: i thank my good friend from michigan for yielding time. it has been an enjoyable experience being part of the page board, part of the page process. the pages who are here and the ones who are not here because you're set to do work in the morning, we are very grateful for you having joined us here. some for a semester, some for a year. but your time and dedication in helping to serve the house of representatives. i think if nothing else as -- put many of the eloquent words about what you have seen, what you have not seen, what you have experienced here. but if nothing else, i hope that it instilled within you this idea the united states had of self-government still does work. that you put together people who are not experts, not trained to be parliamentarians, put us all together and give us the information and still in a very cumbersome process we can come up with the right answers, solutions. man can govern himself. and through all the years that i have stayed involved in politics, first in the state legislative system and here in congress, i st

has been doing. it was not as soft-ball question. host: will we see more of this? guest: i don't think so. host: our republican from michigan is next kerik calle. caller: this says -- congress has done nothing -- the passing of the bill the ramification on corporations. all on something that is not proven yet. it is like the old fable, you tell a lie enough times and it becomes true. we are ready to hand over responsibility of our health care to the government. host: your thoughts? guest: the president said he is expecting unemployment race to -- and employment rates to rise to 11%. if you look at the polls, the public policy agenda of the president is to confront the problems that we face. the stimulus was about asserting a government role and addressing these problems. the private part has failed. host: florida on the independent line. caller: thank you for having me on. my main question and concern about is merrick -- america itself is that right now, americans say they want to go energy-efficient and green, why do we just don't improve or invest in more solar power, wind, and that will create more jobs. the bill that wi

in terms of the regional economy, we have the state of michigan in my district. the auto industry has been difficult. chicago is attractive -- is tracking the nation very well at the moment. >> it got about the economy turning positive in the second half which many forecasters agree with now. the idea of whether or not it is a jobless recovery or not -- many people are arguing that there is an opportunity for the real time losses in employment make them back because they were over shot. what issues perspective on that? what is the chance of hiring coming back quicker than many have forecasted? what is the probability of that occurring? >> we are experiencing recessions on the order of 7475 which were deeper than the most recent recessions. we are experiencing that unfortunate that, hopefully we can experience job rebounds that gained more quickly after those recessions. i think it will depend to on how businesses fail on how things are going. since the mid-1980s to keep businesses have been more in tune with keeping their inventories in line. they have not become excess said. they hav

has expired. the gentleman from michigan? >> i yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from california. >> the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> not only is this legislation not the right thing, this legislation is what -- one of the most overreaching, damaging pieces of legislation that has ever come to this house of representatives. this national energy tax is a job killer and will cost the american families over $3,000 per year. it will do very little to affect global temperatures. rule america, low and middle income families will suffer the most under this new tax. mr. speaker, we all want to protect our environment, but we should accomplish that for innovation and advancement, not by government micromanagement that undercuts america's ability to compete globally. i urge all members to protect the american economy and livelihoods of millions of american families and say no to this gigantic national energy tax. i yield back. >> the gentleman from new york? >> i would like to yield two minutes to the gentle

he has not been in office for four years. i live here in michigan. * here are really tough. if a person like me can understand that we need time for this to work, i know this may seem a kind of strange to compare it to, but it is like a plan. they will add some water to the plant and give it time to grow. host: are you currently working? caller: yes. i work the front desk of a hotel. i deal with the public and the people every day. host: thank you for your call. a story on the front page of the washington post. recovers missing ingredient, new jobs. experts warn of a long dry spell. the likelihood of unemployment extending into the 2010 midterm elections and beyond poses a significant political hurdle for president obama and democrats who are barred under fire for spending, continuing high unemployment would undercut the argument behind much of that spending. the promise that it will create new jobs and improve the prospects of working america. this morning from usa today. eight story on where the stimulus money is going. cash goes to districts with legislators directing mor

i do know information found recently that 77% of the money thus far that has been authorized for projects in areas of michigani do think we are seeing the spirit of the legislation that we adhere to >> no end in site. we are interested in making sure. when we talk about the stim luis, i was one that said it's too bad we had to use the highway trust fund formula if we are trying to get to areas that have economic employment, i made that point. i'd like to make one other point going forward. buzz of the work of this committee and others, we were able to negate the opportunity for a match. >> our governor just a week or so ago said we were going to forego a week or so of projects because we don't have the match. i don't know if i'm saying you for a response. i did want to mention this. our motorists are already paying this at the gas pump. if there is some way to get a waiver from the match. it appears as though we are now going to loose almost $800,000 because we don't have the match. i realize i sound like i'm groff eling here i don't know if i can have anyone comment on that. jo just one comment. the depide a

the president has already called the mayor of detroit and assured him that he is on his side in keeping the headquarters of gm in detroit so the executives want move it to warren, michigan and the mayor of detritus said he has had plenty of conversations with members of the president's auto task force to have assured him there on his side as well. then there's the treasury secretary and then the undersecretary the want to keep up with what is happening to the taxpayers $50 billion. there is a very active economic czar in the white house used to be the president of harvard. there are the epa officials who want to be telling them what size cars to build and there was not very long ago that the administration told general motors it was building too many suv's and that its vault was too expensive to work and the president himself-- so given the stock to the taxpayers who actually pay for it. it is the only way to get the government out of the company's hair and give them a chance to succeed. and, it will create an investor fan base of $120 million are so americans who are now stockholders in those companies, who may be a little more interested in what the next model chevy m

law designed to correct that problem as dangerous gaps, when the faa has been warned about four years. oakland township in michigan. tanya, good morning. caller: i never thought i would say i missed the good old days. it has just been up holland the last eight or nine years in our country house everyone -- how everyone is rushing to make a buck and the customer is bottom on the line for receiving attention. particularly incensed when i read that major airlines slide through other countries and have mechanics that are inexperienced working on the plains. and how of repair schedules are not maintained with any honesty, i guess is the word i really wanted to say. i think everyone is rushing to make the bulk and the poor customer is out here in limbo because even when they tried to pass laws so that the airplane's would not inconvenience the passengers by being on the tarmac for six to seven hours, all of those things, they are talked about and two weeks later they are forgotten. i think they really need someone to really tighten up on things and particularly the regional airlines. i would be deathly afraid to fly on

i know that toyota has a proposed plant in mississippi. and michigan and ohio are stepping up to look at suppliers. and looking at new technology and innovation and battery technology. there is an announcement that g.m. will build battery facility with conjunction with korea firm. and states do have a role to play. and they also have a role to play in working with the industry on some infrastructure issues. california has always been interested in hydrogen. again another leading-edge technology, that requires infrastructure and support. and they is to provide incentives, just not mandates. although we ask for clarity of the rules, but we have to be careful not to see cascading the rules because it's an easy way out. we need the fuel and consumers and technology. host: one more caller, john. caller: i was wondering with the gas prices going back up that started the recession. and with g.m. talking about a brand of the saturn? guest: one of the core brands is the largest seller in china. and china will surpass the u.s. in total sales. so there are market

has expired. the gentleman from michigan, for what purpose do you rise, sir? mr. dingell: to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. dingell: mr. speaker, yesterday was a sorry day in the history of the house. repetitious, unnecessary, unwise votes set about to obviscate the business of this body was the order of the day. we set a record for the number of votes cast in a single day. but we also set a record for irresponsible mischief yuss and infescatory behavior. the time of this institution is a public resource during which we are supposed to do the nation's business. we are supposed to conduct that business on the floor, in the committees and in our offices. no opportunity was made available for the members of this body to do that. the institution has not been helped by that behavior, nor has this reputation been helped. i say that if this kind of behavior persists we will fall lower in the respect of the american people as very well we shou

epa has announced millions of dollars to revitalize industrial and commercial sites in other communities. michiganwas the largest recipient of those funds. one of the most pressing challenges has it been to ensure auto communities have access to existing federal programs and new funding. we have taken steps to ensure auto communities have an equal chance to access federal funds. examples included a promise of energy for county and local municipalities to train leaders and energy efficiency conservation block grants. the department of energy held meetings with local businesses and financial officials to talk about how to make sure small business can access their loan guarantee program. the commerce department and manufacturing extension, economic development administration held numerous workshops in the ottawa region to help companies diversify, provide assistance as well as to help with strategic planning. the department of labor convened the rapid response coordinators' to provide a consistent level of service to help states with their planning efforts. the administration approach realizes there

the president has weighed on whether general motors should move to warren, michigan. here's an invitation for those who may be listening, if you know of a washington car czar who deserves to be honored, please e-mail me at car award at alexander.credit. and after you write me, i hope you'll write or call your congressmen and senators and remind them to enact the auto stock for every taxpayer act as soon as general motor emerges from bankruptcy. all you need to say are these eight magic words: i paid for it, i should own it. mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to include in the record the wall street article entitled "barney frank car sphwhrar." thank you, mr. president, i yield the floor. -- car czar". thank you, mr. president, i yield the floor. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from vermont. mr. sanders: mr. president, let me be very clear, our health care system is disintegrating. today 46 million americans have no health insurance and even more are underinsured with high deductibles and h and co-paymen. at a time when 06 million peopl

michigan. caller: hello, i just want to tell everyone to just calm down. the man hasnly been in office five months, not four years. you have to give things time to work. a live here in michigan. * here are really tough. now if a person like me can understand that we need time for this to work, and i know this might be something strange to compare it to, but this will be like a plan. -- it will be like a plant tour you need to add water and it must have time to grow. that is all that i have to say. host: are you currently working? caller: yes, a worker very modest job, the front desk of a hotel. i do with the public and the people every day. host: thank you for your call. here's a front-page story -- missing recovery -- missing ingredient is new jobs. experts warn of a long dry spell. he writes that the likelihood of severe unemployment will extend into the 2010 elections and poses a significant political hurdle to president obama and congressional democrats. high unemployment rates would undercut it fundamental argument behind much spending. also, this morning from "t

has been the largest automobile company in the world. the detroit free, gm, ford, and chrysler have filled the engines of michigan's economy and that of the u.s. for generations. through their vehicle manufacturer, the industry has created and supported millions of jobs. with the recent global financial collapse, much of the domestic auto industry has been brought to its knees. in 2008, gm and chrysler lost $30.9 billion and $70 billion respectively. in order to survive, the both filed for bankruptcy. in the bankruptcy process, gm has announced plans to close roughly to predict zero hundred dealerships and chrysler announced plans to close 789 dealerships nationwide. the government has loaned billions of dollars to them and offer -- in an effort to help stabilize them. committed to assist them while emerging from bankruptcy. today's hearing will focus on several issues associated with general motors and chrysler is decisions to close more than 2,000 dealerships across the country. among the questions to be answered r -- why did the manufacturers believe they need to close so many dealerships? what criteria were used to determine which dea

michigan? >> we have a great relationship with the studio. he has done good work for us. he is fast, reliable, and he was willing to do it in one day. he got us the final by this morning. he read it himself. he is an audio book producer and it is the downloadable -- by any people who distribute those. >> will this be available on kindle? >> it will be on every format that is, which includes sony reader and everybody who jumped in and said we want to offer this book. for many of them, i believe you could buy it today. >> how important our ebook to your business? >> they're very important because they represent growth and innovation and a way to continue reading in another form and format. the books right now are small percentage of overall business but the potential and how they add to the choices readers have about when and how they want to read a book is significant for us. and in this world where everything is happening so quickly, we have gone books out in thebook format faster than in prince. the latest book on the financial crisis, we released it as an e book and it

michigan. it was through a program called pioneering healthier communities. it has become a $2.2 million investment in community prevention from private sources. one initial fund showed people what could be done and then they raised a lot of money, leveraged a lot of money, from outside sources. that's what i see us doing. some communities will engage in smoking prevention. on a community-wide basis, i know of another community that got together with their grocery stores and they decided to put heart healthy things along every aisle, what was heart healthy for them to shop at. not a bad yt. didn't find any of them along the candy counters or potato chips or things like that. the different communities did different things to, again, be engaged in a community the-based prevention program. >> the key question on that, senator, is what is the results of spending the $2.2 million in grand rapids? what's the decline in chronic disease? what's the decrease in incidence in hypertension and diabetes? >> that's where we got -- >> you're making it based on something that you h

has gone to justice ginsberg. inside of "the washington post," "general motors must change its image but it is conflicted." anita, michigan. caller: good morning. we are having a serious problem. back in michigan, we are in a total depression. the fiat deal needs to go through. we need to figure out a way to get more cars built in the united states, bringing jobs back to the united states. the people in michigan are hurting. and they have no place to live. you would be shocked and surprised to drive around and see the state of michigan right now. also, the last eight years of administration, their policy was to take everything from the middle-class and the poor and bring us down to zero, which is where we are. everybody in america needs to wake up and see what is going on. president obama cannot straighten it out in 100 days. it is not possible. i do not know what the answer's going to be as far as general motors and chrysler in what we can do. $3 per gallon gasoline. host: "one of the watergate burglars, bernard barker, 92- years old, died on friday. he was born in cuba. back in 1971 he was involved in the break-in invol

michigan. caller: i'm surprised no one is talking about the gnp for oil, 70%. ahmadinejad's election has a direct impact on the caller from detroit a few minutes ago. that's part of the reason gm had to go into>e5áÑ because of the $4 a gallon for gas. it has a direct i am pact. we'll get through this. hopefully our new president will extend and olive branch. host: going to the next call. thank you. caller: i'd like to agree with our previous caller. part of the reason iran has kept a more closed coirnt is because of this country going over there and trying to privatize their oil resources and steal their oil like this country did over there in iraq. we all know that that war in iraq was for oil. i think that's part of the reason they continue to be a more closed nation. host: next north carolina on our independent line. go ahead. we'll go next to new york city then. tony on the democrat line. caller: good morning everybody out there listening to c-span. i was glad to see iran have an election and have it exposed to the news media. my second point is, how do we know any election is really

much of the past 100 years general motors has been the largest auto company in the world, the detroit three -- gm, ford and chrysler have fuel the engine of michigan's economy as well as of the u.s. for generations here to do their vehicle manufacturing, countless suppliers and vast dealer network the automotive industry has gritted and supported millions of jobs. with the recent global financial collapse much of the domestic auto industry has been brought to its knees. in 2008 general motors and chrysler lost $30.9 billion and $17 billion respectively. and in order to survive they both filed for bankruptcy. in the bankruptcy process general motors has announced plans to close at roughly 1200 dealerships and chrysler announced plans to close 789 nationwide. the federal government has loaned billions to gm and chrysler in an effort to help stabilize them. billions more have been committed to assist them while emerging from bankruptcy. today's hearing will focus on several issues associated with general motors and chrysler is decisions to close more than 2,000 dealerships across the country. among the questions to be answered r -- why did the manufact

has expired. the gentleman from texas. mr. barton: madam speaker, i'd like to yield two minutes to a member of the committee, mr. rogers from michigan. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan is recognized for two minutes. mr. rogers: my appreciation to your years in the house, my congratulations and great success in your new endeavor. i agree, madam speaker, with president obama and warren buffett. under this bill, quote, electricity rates will necessarily skyrocket. under this bill we cite the single largest energy tax in the united states history. warren buffett called it a huge tax. very poor people are going to pay a lot more for electricity, end quote. last night in my district a utility company calculated its estimate of what this bill will cost the families in my district. it will increase their electric rates by $2,500 a year. not your statistics from those who don't live in a place like michigan. $500 a year. and that doesn't incorporate the fact that their clothes will now be more expensive, their groceries will not be more expensive, their school supplies will now be more expensive. if you haven't noticed, p

like the famous now checklist that you know and i know has really improved outcomes in surgical arenas. and actually saved lives. i think michigantold us it saved $200 million. so it's not the clinical practice that i worry about in your amendment. it's the quality health care standards that i worry about. >> may i ask you a question? >> i'd like to just finish because we could have endless questions. >> we need to have endless questions -- >> but they are also -- so i'm coming back, though, what is it about quality health care standards? you've said over and over, using the same arguments and now i know them, you know them, we all know them. on clinical practice. let's go to the quality health standards. what is it that you -- >> federal and private health plan reports a recommendation shall not be construed as mandates. that's a big difference than saying they will not be used as mandates. >> might i make a suggestion? >> rather than this whole thing -- >> i think it's doesn't -- >> let me make my point. >> i'm trying to be helpful. >> let me make my point for a minute. where in medicare law do we have the right, right now, to

has reached 11.5%. the highest jobless rate since world war ii. this is the natural average -- higher than the national average of 9.4%, more than the state's of michigan, 4% and rhode island at 12.1%. now, i have -- i heard what you said and the question he just asked related to this but what else can the president do for the people now that the stimulus package and all the things that you are doing, what else can be done for the people who have lost jobs right now? >> well, let's not -- i appreciate you've accepted my answer on the recovery act but let's not paper over what is involved in the recovery act that addresses the needs of states and localities. again, california, as i said earlier, has gotten over $3 billion in increased medicaid funds, nearly $4 billion in additional education funds and many of the states that you mentioned have also gotten money. we have extended unemployment insurance and ix tended healthcare for those that are losing their jobs, there is no doubt, i think there is 14 or 15 of the states, some of which you mentioned that exceed the 9.4% national average after bls introduced their state by state sticks on friday, there i

has expired. the gentlewoman from florida. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you. mr. speaker, i'd like to yield five minutes to the gentleman from michigan, mr. hoekstra, the ranking member on the house permanent select committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan is recognized for five minutes. mr. hoekstra: i'd like to thank my colleague for yielding the time. pakistan, afghanistan is a very difficult part of the world. as we develop the strategies, i think many of us all have the same goals and objectives in mind. but we need to take a look at exactly what we are doing today. i'm proud to support the republican amendment to the pakistan enduring assistance and cooperation act of 2009. interestingly i believe that this substitute supports our current president's direction that he has outlined for pakistan and afghanistan. it supports president obama's strategy to address the situation in pakistan, to restore peace and stability to that region. maybe once again this is another foreign policy initiative where president obama has decided that perhaps following some of the direction outlined under the bush administration may

michigan. the idea that we haven't done anything for the automobile industry is really hard to accept. $83 billion has been spent for the automobile industry. the idea that a billion dollars is just a small amount of money is also very hard to accept. a billion dollars in new debt is a billion dollars that our children are going to have to pay. and it's want a small amount of money. and it compounds. and the idea that we would fly in the face of the procedures which the democratic leadership set up around here to have pay-go and to also have the open and honest leadership act, we fly in the face of that by putting in this bill, this special interest piece of legislation, unpaid for, is totally inexcuseability. this has nothing to do with funding the troops. nothing. and the fact that a billion dollars is being spent and not paid for is totally irresponsible. it's debt our children do not need to receive. at this point, i would yield to the senator from oklahoma ten minutes. the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. inhofe: mr. president, i ask you to let me know when i have one infinite re

the doom of some redundant departments of detroit and michigan, but the sort of general, it's up to the educator in chief in the white house, he has certainly been out there doing, just yesterday in fact actually in laying down tougher rules about emission. it's necessary to educate the public that really that our economic future in some sense depends how much short-term pain -- and there will be an awful lot of pain especially in the collapse of the automobile industry in transitioning to a greener future for us all. we have no choice. i mean, it's extraordinarily ironic -- doesn't quite answer your question. i was in shanghai and you would think the chinese would be in gloat mode really. our creditor, once our debtor, saying turn in your bonds, the bottom falls out of what is left of the american economy but actually they're not. they're not at all. and they are instead actually not wanting the american model to fail, but on the other hand what they don't like is the message that we really have to at least deliver to ourselves, shanghai -- and i have been in some polluted plays, shanghai takes the cake. it is staggeringly temper