e clerk: mr. lee of new yor moves to recommit the bi -- mr. lee: i askunanimous const to dispense withhe reading. the spker pro tempore: obction is heard. e clerk will continue reading. the clerk: m lee of ew york moves to recommit t 5072 to the committee financial servic with instructions to report the same back to the house frthwith wth the following amendment. at the e of the the llowg w sections. sectio 16,rohibition of mortgage insurance for brrowers with segic default. the speaker pro tempore: the clk will suspend. the clerk will continue reading. the clerk: section 203 of the nation housing act, 12 united statesode 1709, as amdedy the procding provisions of this acts furer amended b adng at the end the following new subson. z,prohibition of mortga insurance for borrowers with strategicefaults. one,rohibition, the secretary his title that a is secured by a one to four-famy dwelling us t mortgae has kermed in accordce with such standas and requirements eabli by the secretary that the mortgagor under such mortge has not pruslyag i any strat

>> mr. lee. >> i don't think it's necessary to use any rhetoric.hey refer to the problem as a birthright liberal. there is federal legislation that i would support in the form of h.r. 1868. it make sure that a in -- that an american having been born on u.s. soil, only if that parent was the a lawful permanent resident of the united states or an immigrant who was engaged in active full-time military service to the united states government. this is an important step forward. it is important because we do not want to incentivize people coming into this country illegally, and we do not want to create citizens as a reward to their parents to have broken the law coming here. >> thank you for that question, michael. the biggest issue is to have a policy that can affect the issue. the federal government is ignoring its responsibility. sometimes people's feelings on both sides are not anti- immigrant. i have a lot of friends who are hispanic all over the world. and as americans, we need to get back to the fundamental principles. we have a system of legal im

jackson lee: i'm delighted to have mr. cao join my amendment that i had in the rules committee and i'm delighted he was able to rise to claim the time for this amendment. this is an amendment that i've written and asked mr. cao to join me as he had a similar amendment and i appreciate very much the support that he has given and recognize the concerns that he has expressed. i want to support the underlying bill as well and to make note of the fact that small businesses are now facing the most difficult time in the worst recession in our history. according to a february, 2010, report of the federal deposit insurance corporation, total bank loans and leases decliped for the sixth straight quarter with total loans to commercial and industrial borrowers declining 4.3% and real estate construction development loans declining by 8.4%. that means that small businesses get the strongest hit and this bill will focus in particular on the question of providing a lending scheme, a lending structure, which is paid for to provide the sta

jackson lee: mr. speaker, the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is right. will members please take their conversations off the floor. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, we have had a good week and i'm very grateful that we had the opportunity today to say to the doctors of america that we are committed to your practice, your medicine and your caring for our seniors. in addition we were able to say to iran, who has called for the extinction of israel, has caused the existence of a camp in iraq, and literally tried to destroy disdepartments and resisters -- dissidents and resisters for democracy, that we will not tolerate an iran that's nuclear armed. and so i'm glad that we passed iran sanctions act. but we have more to do and i'm grateful that the president saw fit to change command in afghanistan. it was unfortunate that the command of the commander in chief was not respected. but we know that this is a civilian government and the military respects a civilian leadership that must be. but now we must turn to estaa

mr. speaker -- ms. lee: mr. speaker, the wars in iraq and afghanistan will burden our children and grandchildren with the debt the republicans created. the wars have cost over $1 trillion, and it's mind-boggling to hear that the minority leader wants senior citizens to pay for these wars. he wants the increase in social security retirement age for 70 for people that have at least 20 years until retirement and wants to tie it to the consumer price index. boy, i tell you. instead of the wage inflation index. and wants it only to those who need them. several years ago the republicans -- let me remind you -- they wanted to privatize social security. democrats said no. can you imagine what would have happened to seniors had their retirements been given to wall street, given wall street their greed and their irresponsibility, their lives would be shattered. so democrats say no to republican ideas to slash social security to pay for the wars in iraq and afghanistan. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the ge

mr. lee: he took those straits to the marines. when asked why he wanted to enlist with the marines, he said, if you're going to do it, you go with the best. . tim tried to be the best and his life was taken far too soon. both him and his family, whom i know personally, have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country and we owe it to them to bring our men and women home as soon as possible. tim served our nation with valor and with honor. and he will be deeply missed by the many whose lives he has touched. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from nevada rise? ms. berkley: i rise to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. berkley: mr. speaker, it's time to put partisan politics aside and pass the jobs bill that would do the following -- extend unemployment benefits to the thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens that find themselves unemployed due to no fault of their own. that would protect the

mr. lee: i sharehe frustration that i hear from m constituents in west new york who have been responsible homeowners but who are increasingly paying the price for the inadquacy of fraud and abuse throughout the mortgage system. no one, no business, and no person, should be able to take risks without having the acceptance of consequences. we've all seen the consequences of the actions taken by irresponsible lending practices and congress has rightfully looked at outdated mortgage structures to ensure responsible homeowners have access to safe and affordable mortgages without forcing them to pay for the irresponsibility of others. earlier this year, i joined my friend from new jersey, mr. adler, in introducing h r. 3146, the 21st century f.h.a. housing act which took much of what we have learned from past f.h.a. shortages to ensure they don't happen again. i'm pleased that the bill before us today does this as well and includes many of the reforms we had proposed last year. h.r. 5078 will help

jackson lee: mr. speaker, the research by "usa today" show that americans are paying the lowest tax rate since the 1950's. not the 1990's, not 2001 or 2002, but since the 1950's. the democrats' tax cuts to middle class and small businesses are helping this economy. the economy continues to move in the right direction, and it is being sustained, unemployment is going down and 90% of our metropolitan areas, and the president is attacking the b.p. oil spill in the right way as i represent the gulf region where fishermen and oystermen are as well as oil workers we have to make sure we continue to save job. that means that the industry needs to reform itself. we need a plan that is approved by experts that is independent of the government and the industry. we are saving and creating jobs, but we are concerned about safety and security. this is a right path. democrats reduced taxes. the president's in charge. we're going to be able to see america recover. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelad

jackson lee: thank you very mmch, mr. speaker. on last saturday, june 19, was theecelebration of juneteenth, 36 states now recognize that as a state holiday. a holiday that is not just for one narrow community. but in actuality it is about perseverancc, determination, commitment and freedom. major gordon granger landed on the shores of texas to announce that those who had been enslaved are free. two years later past the emancipation proclamation of abraham lincoln. today we have the same challenges of restoring and being ersevering and determination to improve education, to restore summer jobs that have not been voted on yet, to ass a remedies bill that i'm introducing thaa is going to take a new look at the gulf oil spill and restore some new processes tt not have this happen again. and restore some dignity as it relates to the commander in chief, who should always be respected. let us restooe dignity and freedom to ttis nation and include the united states military he brats that ave to be more respectful of our president than i'

mr. garamendi: thank you, representative lee, and thank you for the work you did dealing with that problem in the san francisco bay when the ship hit the bridge. we had our own little spill over there. i have pulled this pla card up with the pictures of the oil and birds, i can't real -- i didn't realize until you started talking about the escalation in the amount of oil that spilled, my staff put this together about four weeks ago. they said by father's day, it will be the worst still ever. -- the worst spill ever. it was actually the worst spill after about the first three weeks. in any case, we've got a serious problem there. i notice i've been fortunately joined by three representatives from a wide, diverse part of america on the west coast, in the great metropolitan area of los angeles, congresswoman watson if you would care to join us. ms. watson: yes, i want to thank you, congressman garamendi, for your leadership in california and the leaderssip you're taking here. former lieutenant governor, you know our state so well, and your charts are depicting the problems that not only the g

jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman and to the speaker. whenever john dingell raises his voice to join in honoring a leader, you always have to take his affirmation as an honor of that leader. and so no one wants to be left out when it comes to honoring someone chairman dingell has designated as deserving that honor. but i come far away from michigan, down in texas, to be able to say that ron gettelfinger is an american hero, and america thanks him, because he understood the various assets of wealth. he might have understood a family in new york or down in houston or maybe in alabama who is able to get that first american-made car, made by the men and women of the united states and in this instance, those who reside in michigan. buying a car was a big deal. and i thhink this president, th past president of the u.a.w. understood that and i'm grateful. that is why he fought for the men and women of the u.a.w. so i rise today to join in this special order to honor ron gettelfinger and to thank him for caring about america, for those families

jackson lee: i rise, mr. speaker, in strong support of h.r. 2194 and i ask unanimous consent to submit my statement to avoid the nuclear attack that iran represents to the world and to israel. i rise to give strong support to h.r. 2194 and ask my colleagues to support it. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, -- the gentleman from california. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i'm very pleased to yield unfortunately only one minute to really the author of the procurement -- mandatory procurement sanctions in this legislation, the gentleman from florida. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i would like to support the act. i am proud the final bill includes my amendment requiring companies that are applying for contracts within the united states government to affirmatively certify they do not conduct business with iran. mr. kline: this legislation gives -- mr. klein: we cannot allow iran to continue to its pursuit of nuclear weapons. not on our watch and c

mr. conyers: i'm very pleased now to recognize the distinguished senior member of % the judiciary committee, sheila jackson lee of texas, one minute. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: thank you for your laidership and boldss on this issue. i hold in my hand a version of the constitution that is in this very distinct book of rules and clearly, i think it is important for the american people to understand really the% action items of this legislation. can you imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars? they might be doing the right thing, we don't know. but advocating, with your tax dollars, for a position you don't wa, without you knowing that is occurring. this bill is under the first amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. if we read the constitution in its entirety the opening says that we have come together to form a more perfect union that means if people are discity -- dissatisfied with this bill they have a right to petition tote the courts. we believer erring on the side of rightness, allowing people to be elected

mr. levin: i yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: --

mr. levin:i noyiel two muteso the gentlelady from texas, ms. jason lee. th speaker proempore: the gentlewomais recogzed for two mines. ms. jackson le i thank the gentleman for his leadership and i thank the full comttee o thwaysnd m f bng a feline for small businesses and i k my colleagues on t floor of the house to join them. thout this effort small busiss doors across america will clo and frankly i belie it is importa, as my lleague jt said, let us walk the lk antalk the talk. for it is nowime to invest in allusinees, which in acty create the backbone of the economy of ameca and provide for employment in our rural and urbaeas across th natio in fact, thinit is importan toote thill is paifor. by closg the black liquor loople and thether loophole ill create $8 billion to sure that we can do the ri thing for ourmall i come from an area that is now beg impaed by a major oil spill. i visit businesses whose dos are closinfo lack o assistance and i'm demrad tha we have president who realizes -- glad that we have a president whrealizes who iportant and is readt

mr. speaker. before i begin i know that representative barbara lee who is the author of this resolution had wanted to be here to express her position on it. unfortunately she could not. therefore i would ask unanimous consent that her statement be included in the record. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's request will be covered by general leave. mr. davis: now, mr. speaker, i rise in support of h.res. 1369, a resolution recognizing national caribbean american heritage month. congress has taken time each year since 2006 to recognize americans of caribbean descent while theer contributions to our nation and i am glad we could bring this measure to the floor today. h.res. 1369 was introduced by my friend and colleague, representative barbara lee, on may 18, 2010, and the committee on oversight and government reform ordered it to be reported by unanimous consent on june 17, 2010. ii comes to the floor with over 50 co-sponsors and i'm pleased to join them in celebrating the rich heritage of caribbean americans. millions of people from the caribbean island have integrated to our shores for centur

mr. conyers: i'm very pleased now to recognize the distinguished senior member of the judiciary committee, sheila jackson lee of texas, one minute. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: thank you for your laidership and boldness on this issue. i hold in my hand a version of the constitution that is in this very distinct book of rules and clearly, i think it is important for the american people to understand really the% action items of this legislation. can you imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars? they might be doing the right thing, we don't know. but advocating, with your tax dollars, for a position you don't want, without you knowing that is occurring. this bill is under the first amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. if we read the constitution in its entirety the opening says that we have come together to form a more perfect union that means if people are discity -- dissatisfied with this bill they have a right to petition tote the courts we believer erring on the side of rightness, allowing people to be elec

lee: i yield back. the speakepro tempore: the gentleman frominnesota has one minute remaining. mr. oberstar: i yield myself the balance of our ti. the eaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. oberstar: 'm greatly appreciave of the partnership in our committee with the gentleman from florida and for working so expeditisly under minimal notice that both of us had to bring this unexpecd but welcomed legislation from the other body so quickly to the floor. i would hope that this and other measures that we will enact will be seen as testimonial to the victims of that explosion on the deepwater horizon. and the gentlem from florida said, i in him in commendg the president for welcoming the families, consoling with them and jn in aurances to those families thongress will continue to evething right so that their lives will not have been lost in vape. -- in vain. madam speaker, i ask unanius coent to extend debate time of five minutes each side. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection? hearing no objection, the time has been extended on eaide for five minutes. mr. oberstar: t

mr. bray of georgia. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the resolution is agreed to and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. does the the gentlewoman from from texas seek recognition. ms. jackson lee: i ask unanimous consent to speak out of order. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. jackson lee: because i was chairing the committee addressing the question of the united continental merger i was unavoidbly detained and missed the vote h. con. res. 242, monday -- honoring and praising the national association for the advancement of colored people on the occasion of its 101 anniversary. if i had been present i would have voted a yes and ask that it be placed in the appropriate place in the record for the record to be correct. i would have voted iowa. the speaker pro tempore: the lady's explanation will be recorded in the record. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. will other members please take their conversations out of the chamber. for what purpose does the gentleman from the northern mir yawn ast rise? -- miranas rise. without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. sablan: madam speaker, some families have an outside

mr. conyers: i'm very pleased now to recognize the distinguished senior member of the judiciary committee, sheila jackson lee of texas, one minute. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: thank you for your laidership and boldness on this issue. i hold in my hd a version of the constitution that is in % this very distinct book of rules and clearly, i think it is important for the american people to understand really the% acon items of this legislation. cayou imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars? they might be doing the right thing, we don't know. but advocating, with your tax dollars, for a position you don't want, without you knowing that is occurring. this bill is under the first amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. if we read the constitution n its entirety the opening says that we have come together to form a more perfect union that means if people are discity -- dissatisfied with this bill they have a right to petition tote the courts. we believer erring on the side of rightness, allowing people to be elected

mr. conyers: i'm very pleased now to recognize the distinguished senior member of the judiciary committee, sheila jackson lee of texas, one minute. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: thank you for your laidership and boldness on this issue. i hold in my hand a version of the constitution that is in this very distinct book of rules and clearly, i think it is important for the american people to understand really the% action items of this legislation. can you imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars? they might be doing the right thing, we don't know. but advocating, with your tax dollars, for a position you don't want, without you knowing that is occurring. this bill is under the first amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. if we read the constitution in its entirety the opening says that we have come together to form a more perfect union that means if people are discity -- dissatisfied with this bill they have a right to petition tote the courts. we believer erring on the side of rightness, allowing people to be ele

mr. nungasser the past several weeks, as he was talking about the oil and mousse coming in on the wetlands of louisiana. they were not lees, because the winds took the fresh oil to thee louisiana wetlands. the winds bless us for at least a while because it kept it to the west, but now it is moving to the east into the northeast. when the wind shifts agn to take it to the southand gets into the loop current, it kkys and of the east ast ofa florida n the gulf stam. you are clairvont in what needs to be examined, and just ow that you have some folks in florida that are mad as wet hens right now. we have to get this command-and- control raightened out, where communication is goi to evybody at the local level. >> thank you, senator nelson, and thanks forour comments. i want to thank all the memrs for being here. whate have now is three nels. a war first panee is the local government witnesses. e second panel- our first panel is the local government witnesses. the thirpanel is british petroleum. what i would like to do is quiikly introduce each one of yoall and allow you to me your opening staments. i would love you to keep you

mr. conyers: i'm very pleased now to recognize the distinguished senior member of the judiciary committee, sheila jackson lee of texas, one minute. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: thank you for your laidership and boldness on this issue. i hold in my hand a version of the constitution that is in this very distinct book of rules and clearly, i think it is important for the american people to understand really the% action items of this legislation. can you imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars? they might be doing the right thing, we don't know. but advocating, with your tax dollars, for a position you don't want, without you knowing that is occurring. this bill is under the first amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. if we read the constitution in its entirety the opening says that we have come together to form a more perfect union that means if people are discity -- dissatisfied with this bill they have a right to petition tote the courts. we believer erring on the side of rightness, allowing people to be ele

mr. chairman, and let me give you -- let me thank all of you in uniform who are dying lee protecting us.eneral petraeus, one thing that i thought was so important and i am happy that we're seeing this happen right now, is the establishment of the benchmarks to be able to judge progress. we achieved the save -- the same goal with iraq, and we are approaching this the same way in afghanistan. two of the major objectives were submitted in the benchmark progress report and the committee in april. we were trying to develop a good afghan security force and a more capable government in afghanistan. i certainly agree that these are critical to our success. but if you were to use the membrane, -- this would measure the current progress, would you take this, with respect to the afghan security force, that this is 10% or 20%? and is there some calculation in your mind as to where we are at? some calculation in your mind as and what is the goal? and the same thing is there for the revival government. reliable government. this could apply to the secretary as well. >> with respect to the afghan nation

mr. nungasser the past several weeks, as he was talking about the oil and that orange mousse coming in on the wetlands of louisiana. they were not lees, because the winds took the fresh oil to thee louisiana wetlands. the winds blessed us for at least a while because it kept it to the west, but now it is moving to the east into the northeast. when the wind shifts again to take it to the south, and it gets into the loop current, it kkys and of the east coast of florida n the gulf stream. you are clairvoyant in what needs to be examined, and just know that you have some folks in florida that are mad as wet hens right now. we have to get this command-and- control straightened out, where communication is going to everybody at the local level. >> thank you, senator nelson, and thanks for your comments. i want to thank all the members for being here. what we have now is three panels. a war first panee is the local government witnesses. the second panel -- our first panel is the local government witnesses. the third panel is british petroleum. what i would like to do is quiikly introduce each one of you all and allow you to make your openin

mr. speaker, i d now like to yield to my frnd who has joed us and has been constentor the peoe of this uny, the gentl from texas,heila jacksee. msjackson lee: ihanky colleague fromveuc and i'm delighted to be able to oin her and asel my chawoman theonession ack causnd other mbe w know ha a great ntest ithe ea of remding the ican people of the great strides we haveadin the attitude forealth re iing ne me. it's long overdue and a enormous struggle. i can remember at weeke i ma 2010 and the days we stayed over on saturday, to ga ouresources continue to wond to push workinensuring tt e ate woulbring e ll over we cod cast a ve for what has be a monual ge in american life and willo down as a montalovin americ hisry. st a few miteag i had t ecretary of agricuur eryill sack, d he remie us w vast ameriis. we stood in sice to knowledge e loss of lives in arkansas and the terrib flooding and he expssed the inequity itermof povertyn r rural commities and e need for investmenin th ommunies an would venture to say alon side of that inveme, this health ce billit'sot a respectiveion orpart u are inyowie acess healtcare. th mns tt many of the whom ericans,