mr. diaz-balart: thank you, madam speaker. i'd leak to thank my friend, the gentleman from california, for cardoza, for the time. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: over a year ago, madam speaker, the president promised that if congress passed the so-called stimulus bill, unemployment would not reach 8%. here we are today with unemployment just under 10%. it turns out that the stimulus bill was anything but a job creator. instead, it was a monumental waste of money that created tons of debt for the nation. since then the people have demanded that the majority stop their unbridled spending spree. they wanted congress to focus our work on commonsense job creation legislation that does in the spend away the nation's future. yet two days ago the majority ignored the american people and passed the so-called health care bill that costs over $1 trillion. a bill that just like the so-called stimulus does nothing to create jobs except for new i.r.s. agents in

mr. diaz-balart. >> i agree with mr. polis.but i think that as ill-conceived as the amendment is, it's still something that should be able to be considered by the house and i would vote against. >> any other discussion? if not, the vote occurs on the motion by mr. sessions. all in favor, say aye. opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. >> recorded vote, please, madame chair. [roll call] >> the clerk will report the totals. the motion is not agreed to. mr. sessions. >> thank you, madame chair. i have an amendment to the rule and move that the committee make an order to provide the appropriate waivers for amendment number 14 offered by the gentleman, mr. stearns of florida which would require the coequal heads of the three branches of government, the president, congress and supreme court justices to enroll in the health exchange. >> you have heard the gentleman's motion. any

mr. diaz-balart: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask my colleague -- no other speakers. >> i'm the last speaker. mr. diaz-balart: i think this has been a good discussion today. i think it's appropriate to have it. i certainly hope that the result is clear and that this congress today strongly and in a bipartisan way reject the resolution that is being brought forth. it would be a grave mistake to -- for us to allow the taliban to regain power in afghanistan. sometimes the lessons of history may be a little bit more difficult to explain. in this case when the taliban was in power they opened the country up to training camps for terrorists to attack the united states. and that was in 2001. it's not ancient history. so i hope we don't forget the lessons of history. in addition, as i said before, mr. speaker, we are in the midst. our armed forces, our coalition allies is in the first major offensive in president obama's new strategy so i think it would be a grave mistake if this congress does not emphatically reject the resolution toda

mr. diaz-balart. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart, is recognized for as much time as he may consume. mr. diaz-balart: thank you, mr. speaker, and my dear friend he, mr. roskam, for the time and i simply rise to join my voice in praise and commendation for all those who have made possible that this resolution come to the floor. and i think it speaks very highly of this congress. mr. speaker, there is no more generous nation in the world than the american nation, the american people. and one sees that generosity time and time again. as mr. blumenauer mentioned we just saw an extraordinary outpouring of generosity toward the people of haiti and then we've seen another tragedy and the american people with regard to chile are demonstrating once again that extraordinary generosity and so i think it's so appropriate and that's why i rise to commend all of those that have made this resolution possible, to accelerate the deduction for the donations that americans have made, extend that policy with regard to haiti and to make it pos

mr. diaz-balart: i thank my -- mr. smith: i thank you for yielding and i say to both diaz-balart brothers, mario and lincoln diaz-balart, you have spoken for so long and with such clarity for those all over the world, including especially in cuba, the people of cuba have no greater friends than you brother the diaz-balart brothers. there is -- isn't a single argument, fight, debate, amendment, bill, that you -- the two of you -- are not out in front taking all of the flak, all of the disinformation that is dished by those enablers of tyranny, who believe that somehow if you coddle dictatorship you'll see an amealoration of their egregious acts. it doesn't happen. it didn't happen with the nazis, it has not happened with the chinese communist regime. it has not happened in north korea. and other this last half century it has not happened in cuba. the more you enable dictatorship, the more of an appetite it has for political prisoners, for repression, because there's no check no tourniquet on their horrific abuse. let me

mr. diaz-balart has the desk. >> you have two separate issues. have a 2700 pages senate bill and we have a large reconciliation bill, there are two different pieces of legislation. okay, you're going to have a vote on a roll number one, and then if you do what chairman waxman said you're going to have a vote on the senate-passed bill number to it, and if that passes then you'll have a vote on this reconciliation. if you don't do it that way is is a version of the process. >> do you have a point? >> mr. diaz-balart, they do raising the point because we have to go through a process of due policy so to respond, what we are doing is we are passing a legislative package which you knew having sex on the rules committee for so many years and many now that we oftensput together a package of proposals into one bill that is passed on the floor. i give the example that i've heard from some of my colleagues that best explain this. you have purchased a house and i have, when you make an offer on a house you have now signed a contract that says it will buy tha

mr. diaz-balart: may i inquire how many speakers? mr. perriello: no additional speakers. mr. diaz-balart: i want to thank the gentleman, particularly the gentleman from mississippi. he mentioned a little while ago that there are some individuals that we name buildings after that are very herer tos you but this is a little bit -- that are very meritorious. but this is a little bit different. they gave their lives to change our country to make our country a better place. this is one of those that frankly is of great historic significance. i know it's important to the family members, but it is also equally important for our nation, for all too see, for all to member, -- for all to remember, for all to note. the sacrifices so many, including these three individuals made, this is the country that it is because people have been willing over the years to sacrifice, to even give their lives. this was a tragic moment and again, what a fitting tribute and a reminder it is to name this building. so i want to thank the gentleman from mississippi, i also need to thank the chairwoman, chair

mr. diaz-balart has the desk. >> you have two separate issues.e have a 2700 pages senate bill and we have a large reconciliation bill, there are two different pieces of legislation. okay, you're going to have a vote on a roll number one, and then if you do what chairman waxman said you're going to have a vote on the senate-passed bill number to it, and if that passes then you'll have a vote on this reconciliation. if you don't do it that way is is a version of the process. >> do you have a point? >> mr. diaz-balart, they do raising the point because we have to go through a process of due policy so to respond, what we are doing is we are passing a legislative package which you knew having sex on the rules committee for so many years and many now that we oftensput together a package of proposals into one bill that is passed on the floor. i give the example that i've heard from some of my colleagues that best explain this. you have purchased a house and i have, when you make an offer on a house you have now signed a contract that says it will buy th

mr. diaz-balart. >> i agree with mr. polis.but i think that as ill-conceived as the amendment is, it's still something that should be able to be considered by the house and i would vote against. >> any other discussion? if not, the vote occurs on the motion by mr. sessions. all in favor, say aye. opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. >> recorded vote, please, madame chair. [roll call] >> the clerk will report the totals. the motion is not agreed to. mr. sessions. >> thank you, madame chair. i have an amendment to the rule and move that the committee make an order to provide the appropriate waivers for amendment number 14 offered by the gentleman, mr. stearns of florida which would require the coequal heads of the three branches of government, the president, congress and supreme court justices to enroll in the health exchange. >> you have heard the gentleman's motion. any discussion? if not, the focus on the motion. all in favor, say aye. opposed, no, in the opinion of the chair come the noes have it. >> ma

mr. diaz-balart has the desk. >> you have two separate issues.e have a 2700 pages senate bill and we have a large reconciliation bill, there are two different pieces of legislation. okay, you're going to have a vote on a roll number one, and then if you do what chairman waxman said you're going to have a vote on the senate-passed bill number to it, and if that passes then you'll have a vote on this reconciliation. if you don't do it that way is is a version of the process. >> do you have a point? >> mr. diaz-balart, they do raising the point because we have to go through a process of due policy so to respond, what we are doing is we are passing a legislative package which you knew having sex on the rules committee for so many years and many now that we oftensput together a package of proposals into one bill that is passed on the floor. i give the example that i've heard from some of my colleagues that best explain this. you have purchased a house and i have, when you make an offer on a house you have now signed a contract that says it will buy th

mr. diaz-balart, i would like now to go down to go too. >> reclaiming my time. >> may i? thank you. we have four votes purses getting over at the beginning, after you have voted which you come back? >> i would just like to say to my friend mr. hastings that after that vote is when the supreme court made clear and emphasizing the importance of exactly which and that's the point i'm making today. anyways, thank you all very much. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> and the house rules committee in recess at the moment. members on their way to the house floor, a series of floor votes for votes under way. the house rules committee meeting today to consider changes to the health care reconciliation bill. this is one of two health care bills the house is considering tomorrow, one passed by the senate in december and a second reconciliation bill making changes to the federal student loan program. and today again house rules committee setting floor debate parameters. now and mit economist jonathan gruber, he recently spoke at the college of the h

mr. diaz-balart. mr. iaz-balart: i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this flawed health bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. dreier: for unanimous consent request, i yield to the the gentlewoman from minnesota, ms. bachmann. mrs. bachmann: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this dangerous health care bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. dreier: i would like to yield to the the gentleman from colorado, mr. could have man. mr. coffman: i ask unanimous consent to extend and revise my remarks in opposition to this flawed health bill. mr. dreier: i yield to mr. hoekstra. mr. hoekstra: i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this flawed health care bill the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. dreier: i yield to the the gentleman from iowa, mr. king. mr. king: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this fla

mr. diaz-balart and my friend mr. hastings talk about sections of the constitution that were implicated in the process are undergoing but the substance i believe is discussed right in our section 1 of the 14th amendment to the constitution which guarantees each and every one of us equal protection of the laws. people with prior illnesses are not getting that equal protection, so if this bill does nothing else, then to assist individuals who have prior conditions, it has advanced the ball for americans from coast to coast and i see my friend would like to say something and i will offer him, i will yield to him. i would say we have now gone almost six hours on this thing and this is my first opportunity to say anything that i will yield to my friend. >> i thank the gentleman. i am trying to take time at the end of your time. >> i would like to say something else. i have another daughter who just turned 23 and under the federal plan, she can no longer be part of my plan. under my law firm, a lot of people say you guys in

mr. diaz-balart if you would help me there. that will close the hearing for today. well, it has been a long 17 months. as i stated this morning, i thought ms. eshoo's, it was so important. i want want to thank all of you for your patience and for your knowledge. it has been a good hearing. it has been really enlightening. i think to everybody. i appreciate all the work you have done here. i appreciate all the members of this committee for their patient's. >> madam chair? when you finish i would like to ask one quick question if you before you close the hearing. >> alright. we are not going to close the hearing. >> close the panel. >> i'm going to let the panel go but thank you all very much. >> thank you madam chair. >> see you all tomorrow. >> without objection. [inaudible conversations] dr. fox, i believe you wted. >> i wanted to get a clarification. >> one of the panel is? >> no, from you if i can. i meant to bring this up when my time was here but it is, we keep talking about the thousands of hours that have been spent on talking about these bills, but is it not

mr. diaz-balart. mr. simpson. mr. mchenry. mr. campbell. mr. jordan. ms. lamas. mr. aderholt. mr. aye. >> mr. ryan. >> no. >> mr. ryan, no. >> are there members who wish to record their votes who have not voted, or change their votes? if not, the clerk will report the votes. >> mr. chairman, the ayes are 21, the no's, 16. >> the motion is agreed to and the reconciliation act of 2010 will be reported to the house without recommendation. i would note for the record that a quorum is present. without objection, the question of reconciliation is laid on the table. the request is noted for the record did i recognize that the gentleman from pennsylvania for another request. >> ask unanimous consent with respect to the reconciliation that the chair be authorized to offer such motions in the house as may be necessary on the reconciliation act of 2010. this is pursuant to clause 1 of house rule 22. that this gap be authorized to make any necessary technical or conforming corrections parts -- that the staff be authorized to make any necessary technical or conforming corrections. >> without o

mr. lincoln diaz-balart of florida. mr. diaz-balart: thank you, madam speaker. inside the gulag of prisons in the caribbean totalitarian state of the castro brothers a few days ago six heroes managed to get a statement out of one of the prisons. and i'd like to read it at this time. we continue to suffer cruel treatment, inhuman, degrading treatment and even torture in the communist regime's prisons. we ask all who support cuba's freedom to between march 12 and march 31 unite in short periods of fasting and study of the bible, demanding the liberation of all political prisoners and liberty and democracy in cuba, to engage in short fasts and prayer sessions in your homes, churches or other public gathering places and speak out in articles and conferences to reflect upon and help implement through peaceful, just and patriotic means the long-sought objectives of the cuban people. this statement is from julio, recardow -- ricardo and others who are in a prison in cuba. this was sent march 3. the parliamentary forum of the community of democracies was formed this las

mr. diaz-balart, and ms. foxx.urs, considered that measure and it was a very important time, madam speaker, because that's when the american people got it. they began this chant, read the bill, read the bill. the next day we will all recall when the customary one minute was yielded to the distinguished minority leader, the gentleman from ohio, mr. boehner, he spent one hour going through the 300 pages in that amendment that members of this house had not yet read and had only had before them for a matter of a few hours. and i talked about that just yesterday when we were, for the second time in as many weeks, proceeding under martial law rule. i was arguing that that takes place at the end of a congress, when we're dealing with very, very pressing situations, not in the third month of the second session of the 111th congress, which is where we are today. so madam speaker, we once again have it again, i know that my friends from texas, mr. culberson and mr. sessions, have both referred to the fact that we met this mo

mr. lincoln diaz-balart for today, march 16, 17, and 18, and mrs. capito for march 16. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. for what purpose does the gentlelady from california rise? ms. woolsey: i ask unanimous consent that today following legislative business and any special orders heretofore entered into, the following members may be permitted to address the house for five minutes to revise and extend their remarks and include therein extraneous material. ms. woolsey of california, mr. engel of new york, ms. jackson lee of texas. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. under the speaker's announced policy of january 6, 2009, and under a previoused orer of the house, the following members are recognized for five minutes each. the gentleman from texas, mr. poe. mr. poe: i request permission to address the house for five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. poe: the new health care bill is an invasion of people's privacy. it's another reason why we should vote it down. the government shouldn't be sticking its nose i

mr. diaz-balart: in 2017 the medicare bill goes insolvent. it goes broke in 2017. do they have a plan to reform and save medicare? no. their plan, the democrats' plan actually raids half a trillion dollars from medicare to create a massive new government-controlled health care program. so even though the speaker is writing this bill behind closed doors in secret, madam speaker, the american people, particularly senior citizens, are not being fooled. they oppose this massive bill that will nationalize health care and that will raid half a trillion dollars from medicare. now, they oppose it and so should we. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. gohmert: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, this bill is based on so many fictions it should not be passed. one is that we are going to do a rule and then that is going to be self-effectuating and that's going to pass the bill. that's

lincoln diaz-balart. mrs. capito. mr. smith. under the speaker's announced policy of january 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from pennsylvania, mrs. dahlkemper, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. mrs. dahlkemper: thank you, mr. speaker. i look forward tonight to, in this next hour, to discuss the democratic small business agenda. one that i believe will really help to bring our country further out of the recession we are now climbing out of. i'm glad that some of my colleagues are able to join me tonight as we talk about this agenda doing forward. as our country struggles to overcome the effects of the financial crisis and economic recession we must look for innovative ways to help create new jobs and foster the private sector growth. we must act aggressively to counter the job losses of the past two years and those job losses have been great. more than eight million jobs have been lost since the recession began in late 2007. our nation's unemployment rate is near 10% and in many areas, well above 10%.