mr. thompson: if the gentleman will yield? mr. akin: i do. mr. thompson: in terms of the cap and trade, cap and tax, the light switch tax, i guess, you know, in pennsylvania public utility commission sent a letter to the pennsylvania delegation adamantly opposing cap and trade because they did their analysis of that bill and electricity costs in pennsylvania would rise by 30%. that 30% tax, that increase will hit -- will not discriminate. it will hit the most wealthy of pennsylvania citizens, but just as much, and i think more severely, even, it's going to address those who are just living paycheck to paycheck today. even people that aren't getting by financially. to see a 30% increase in the cost of electricity, that's immoral to me. mr. akin: i'm an engineer by training and let's assume that all of this global warming supposedly science were all true, which we now know, particularly since east anglia and the scandal there that these guys were doctoring the numbers and stuff, let's assume that co-2 is really a bad gas and aside from the fact that

mr. thompson, we must find a way to make it work. i said mother height, you must convince the sears roebuck company to drastically reduce the price. my friends, she did more than that, she convinced the company to cut the price in half. determination. [applause] when it came time to buy the contract on the building, the day before it was to be done i was at my firm and received an urgent call from dr. height. i told my secretary to tell her i would call back and she insisted on speaking with me and said mr. thompson you must come now. now. i dropped everything and went to see her. when i walked into the office a certain gentleman on whose shoulders she climbed to achieve success and whom she had opened many doors before dared to back away from this company. i said mother height, what will you do? we must get this deal completed give me a few minutes to reflect. before i left her office, she said mr. thompson, see what you can do. plainspoken see what you can do. my friends, i knew how important this building was to have a home on pen

mr. thompson of pennsylvania. .2i=5pennsylvania. mr. thompson: i rarely have time to go to movies or watch television but i saw a movie the other night that will be forever etched in my memory, "telling amy's story," a 1998 graduate of penn state is producer and director of the film. it is a homicide that took place back in november of 2001 at state college, pennsylvania, in my district. police detective d.j. fischl talks about penn state and how it is called happy valley and nothing ever goes wrong in a place called happy valley, right? she goes on to explain that in the last two years, her unit has handled more than 200 domestic violence cases. she even comments that if you are not in a domestic violence situation, you are extremely safe in happy valley. according to the national domestic violence website, domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior in any intimate relationship where one partner seeks to gain power and control over the other. it can be sexual, physical, emotional. the person makes threats in order to keep the

mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman may proceed. mr. thompson: thank you. mr. speaker, last week the republican members of the education and labor committee sent a letter to chairman miller asking that the chief actuary at the medicare agency testify before the committee. the report from richard s. foster estimating the affordable care act includes a number of adverse implications from employer-sponsored group health plans, which make it worthy of consideration by the committee. the report shows that the act will cause health expenditures to grow by $311 billion over the baseline projections. the report raises the possibility of a substantial cost shift of private payers, such as employer-sponsored plans as health care provider will seek to recoup payments under the medicare program. i'm concerned that small businesses will be inclined to end this plan allowing worker

mr. thompson: request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. thompson: this week is police week, which has a particular sound in washington home to the national peace officers memorial. tuesday there was a mass in honor of the men and women killed in 2009 in the line of duty. on thursday, there is a candle light vigil in the memory of 117 police officers who gave their devotion to protect us from criminals. in my state of pennsylvania, seven officers died in the last year. among them paul g. ritchie. he left a wife and two children. texas, florida a california have more than pennsylvania. the number of deaths is up 21%. many of the events of police week help raise awareness and funding for concerns and proceeds help the family members of fallen officers, a worthy cause. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: are there further requests for one-minutes? for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. poe: i ask unanimous consent that today following legislative business and any special orde

mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and trevise and exte. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from pennsylvaa is recognized for one minute. mr. thompson: mr. speaker, the headline in "the los angeles times" read, "budget woes, just don't pass one." now, that's a novel idea. i think we can apply it to a number of things that are having right now. oil spill woes, think about it tomorrow. fannie and freddie problem, thinabout it tomorrow. 's too bad our constituents don't have the same luxury ignoring their budgets. the national deficit is currently $12.36 trillion. the president's budget calls for a $3.8 trillion in federal spending which will put the deficit of $1.6 trillion. these are numbers e majority want to keep qet. in my mind it would behoove the majority to take a look of how to get it under control. it would seem to me we can do a good job wh a red pencil if the majority would allow it. but that would be real work right

mr. thompson: request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. thompson: albert einstein said it is the supreme art of the teacher to enjoy creative expression and knowledge. when certain people come to mind who have inspired us and there are teachers who touch our lives and opened us to the thrill of discovery and research. the proper verb reads, tell me forget and show me and i will remember, involve me and i will understand. a teacher takes his and her students on a creative adventure each day. we ask our teachers, they must be babysitters, and police. teach our children need to know and do well on tests and in between we ask that they inspire our children to learn, create and invent. teachers have one of the hardest jobs around, on teacher appreciation day during teacher appreciation week i salute and appreciate our teachers. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota rise? mr. paulsen: permission to address the hou

mr. thompson: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so recognized. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, this week marks the 65th anniversary of brown vs. the board of education. it was a landmark case known throughout the country to putting an end to segregated schools. the case was argued before the supreme court, before the president of the naacp. it is that separate public schools for blacks and whites was unconstitutional. in 1965 congress passed the elementary and secondary act which established high standards and accountability if schools. 56 years after brown and 45 years after the first esea we are not finished with our common goal equity for all students, where they attend city schools or rural schools. as we contemplate this, i call upon my colleagues here in the house to support a world-class education system that provides every student with the opportunity to live up to his or her potential regardless of race, class or geographic location. this would be the best reme

mr. thompson: madam speaker, jackson health care in atlanta, georgia, serving 1,400 physicians. the survey found that physicians reported being taught the practice of defensive medicine. these are not necessary tests and treatments to avoid lawsuits. 19% of physicians over 65 were taught defensive medicine in medical school during their residencies. defensive medicine is negatively impacting patients beyond costs and limiting access, slowing innovations and discouraging future generations om pursuing the practice of medicine. the c.e.o. said the u.s. is the only country where physicians are liable for mistakes and he said this is a problem that needs to be addressed at state and national levels. republicans proposed to do that with medical liability reform but the new health care law did not address that and that is too bad for all of us. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: are there further requests for one-minutes? the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leaves of absence requested for mr. back cuss of alabama for today and may 20 and mr.

mr. thompson: mr. speaker, this spring a small town in my district, the bucktale area junior, senior high school dedicated its campus to another institution, raymond h. rathnell. he was involved with the school for 42 years first as a teacher and then as a principal and assistant principal. there are thousands of people whose lives he touched. the former principal is 87 years old and retired in 198 . he started his education in lock haven state teachers college in 1938, served from 1942 to 1945 in the army in world war ii. he served in europeor nine months and became active in his american legion post on his return. return to his college and finished his degree in 1947. it was that year he began teaching. over the years he has taught physical education, english, civics history, math, biology, and related sciences. as a person he was a person involved in nearly all aspects in the design and construction of both the high school and elementary school. naming the caus after him is a fitting tribute to his

mr. thompson. >> thank you, mr. chair. you thank you for all the panel members being here and i agree with much of the testimony here today. governor, i think you're right. i think we need to make these investments. i think it is important but right now is a very interesting time and the poll numbers that you, you gave us are equally as interesting. i think we would have a hard time passing a gas tax increase in the democratic delegation. i would, i would think we would have a hard time passing in pennsylvania democratic delegation. people are finally becoming aware that this debt and all the problems that coming about as a result of that, while i think one way to deal with that is to make these investments that we need in infrastructure, i just think that these polls may not be as telling as we would like to think. i would be interested in your comments. mayor villaraigosa, good to see you. i'm interested to know if you're able to get expanded financing and the ability to leverage local dollars, your transportation number

mr. thompson. >> thank you to all the pan members for being here and i agree with much of your testimonytoday. governor, if you are right. we need to make these investments. i think it is an importance. but right now it is an interesting time and the poll numbers that you gave are equally as interesting. i think we would have a hard time passing e gas tax increase in the democratic delegation i would think we would have a hard time passing it in the pennsylvania democratic delegation. people are finally becoming aware of the debt and problems coming about as a result of that while i think one way to deal with it is to make these investments we need an infrastrcture. i just think the polls may not be as telling as we would like to think. and i would be interested in your comments. and mayor rendell, good to see you. i'm interested to know if you are able o get expanded financing and the ability to leverage on the local dollars for transportation numbers were impressive. when you are doing is outstanding wor and i wouldn't have expected anything less from you. but what out transportation v

mr. thompson. >> thank you to all the panel members for being here and i agree with much of your testimony today. governor, if you are right. we need to make these investments. i think it is an importance. but right now it is an interesting time and the poll numbers that you gave are equally as interesting. i think we would have a hard time passing the gas tax increase in the democratic delegation. i would think we would have a hard time passing it in the pennsylvania democratic delegation. people are finally becoming aware of the debt and problems coming about as a result of that while i think one way to deal with it is to make these investments we need an infrastructure. i just think the polls may not be as telling as we would like to think. and i would be interested in your comments. and mayor rendell, good to see you. i'm interested to know if you are able to ge expanded financing and the ability to leverage on the local dollars for transportation numbers were impressive. when you are doing is outstanding work and i wouldn't have expected anything less from you. but what out transporta

mr. thompson being in government for 10 years, he is probably going to be getting a full-pension with full benefits. perhaps this gentleman can el elucid the fringe benefits for people in congress for a short time. and if we could mention the trillions of dollars we are losing because our companies are offshore. say for example that halliburton is in dubai, they have people in houston but do not pay taxes. guest: it's true, the federal workers in general get an unbelievably sweet deal and that extends to congress and the president. the average federal worker makes twice what the private sector worker makes. and i think frankly that is out of whack and totally not defensible. and that's just the benefits and not the pension. host: back to pensions, you wrote about state and government, and do you see a day of reckoning for federal? guest: the voters in the last two years, this is a sort of issue that sort of crept up on people. and more and more people are paying attention to it. and i think that voters are generally discontent about it. particularly with the sour economy. the federal gover

mr. thompson. >> thank you to all the panel members for being here and i agree with much of your testimony today. governor, if you are right. we need to make these investments. i think it is an importance. but right now it is an interesting time and the poll numbers that you gave are equally as interesting. i think we would have a hard time passing the gas tax increase in the democratic delegation. i would think we would have a hard time passing it in the pennsylvania democratic delegation. people are finally becoming aware of the debt and problems coming about as a result of that while i think one way to deal with it is to make these investments we need an infrastructure. i just think the polls may not be as telling as we would like to think. and i would be interested in your comments. and mayor rendell, good to see you. i'm interested to know if you are able to get expanded financing and the ability to leverage on the local dollars for transportation numbers were impressive. when you are doing is outstanding work and i wouldn't have expected anything less from you. but what out transport

mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, stamp collecting is a hobby that teaches history, art, geography. stamps have branched out into film and iconic figures, there seems to be no limit to the subjects it covers, from elvis to dinosaurs. i rise today to honor stamp camp u.s.a. the camp is -- her camp introduces stamp collecting using creative three dimensional and creative format. they learn stamp cash. there is a whole network of supporters, including the boy scouts, girl scouts, ymca, ywca, americorps, vista. it has expended to other regions of the country. this month we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the camp and attempt to break a new again is world record for the collection of rainbows on stamps. we wish them luck in the competition and continued success in teaching children the love of collecting stamps. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: are there further one-minute requests? the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leave of absences requested for mr. rangel of new

mr. schwartz right behind him. they arrived just a short time ago at that hearing. mary thompson is down at capitol hill for us. michelle? >>> a coast guard spokesman confirms the valve installed by bp has successfully capped one of the three leaks, but adds this will not stem the flow of oil. up to 5,000 gallons of oil are spilling into the gulf still and the environment and public works committee plans to hold a hearing focusesed on the impact on the economy and the environment. officials from bp, halliburton and transare talking today. crude oil for delivery just next month is 81 bucks but if you want it in july of next year, it will cost you 91 bucks. often a bearish signal when you price it more expensively out in the future. sharon epperson is standing by with the latest on the oil market. >> you are right, michelle. a lot of traders are watching that curve very carefully and while we're watching what is happening in the gulf, it's not having an impact here on oil pri prices, as you can tell. what is happening in europe. and as that situation ebbs and flows, we're watching the euro very carefully. we did

thompson and congresswoman hakowsky of illinois. atthis point, i would like to -- i'm managing the time, correct? i would like to yield to mr. berman, my trusted and distinguished california from california. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized for 1 1/2 minutes remaining. mr. berman: thank you, very much , mr. chairman. the amendment cuts right to the heart of our constitutional authority. congressional oversight of matters in this case, within the intelligence community, basic functions, financial management, acquisitionsinformation technology, a fundamental prerogative of this body, a prerogative that should not be limited to the intelligence committees. bottom line, g.a.o. plays a critical role in helping the committees examining agencies within their jurisdictions and its expertise needs to be brought to bear on the intelligence community. this is particularly true after 2000 reforms that established odni. there is no agencies that have undergone anoverhaul and that is within the intelligence community. committees of appropriate jurisdiction are blocked fm investigating areas within their domain for ov

mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to executive session for the purpose of consideration of calendar number 628, jill long thompson that the noim nation be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, no further motions be in order, the president be immediately notified of the senate's action, and that any statements reelgt to the nominee appearing at the appropriate place in the record as if read. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. coburn: i object. the presiding officer: objection is heard. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, next, james p. lynch to be director of the bureau of scrusties statistics. again as a former prosecutor, it is incredibly important that we have statistics on crime understand that we know what's going on so we can develop the best policy and triage the cases so we can keep our neighborhoods safe. i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to executive session for the purpose of consideration of calendar number 705, james p. lynch, that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, no further motions be in order, the president be immedia