ms. hayworth? >> thank you, mr. chairman. welcome, chairman bernanke. it's always a pleasure to hear you because you are eminently sane about all of these issues. i have heard from our life insurers and grantors or providers of annuities that they are very concerned, as you can imagine, about an interest rate squeeze that may occur in the future. almost feels predictable in some respects. how do you recommend that they proceed, that they anticipate the challenges that we're facing because of the way in which we have to have an accommodative monetary policy? >> well, we've had numerous discussions with insurance companies and pension funds and others. and there certainly is a problem in the sense that they're under a current accounting rules. obligations to put money into the fund or what can be greater with low interest rates. i agree that's a problem and one we've discussed with them. again, going back to my conversation to mr. mccotter, on the other side we're trying to strengthen an economy that gives them higher return on portfolios. so it cuts both

ms. hayworth: as a physician and i practiced in the hudson valley in new york, the importance of extending reimbursement insurance for our seniors who rely on medicare, for the doctors who care for them, who have to keep their doors open, is a crucial issue. but not only did we provide that assurance through the end of this year, we also provided for some other crucial provisions for our rural hospitals, for our ambulance services for a number of other aspects of care that rely on our action and on the responsible action that we take today. and, yes, we did pay for those extensions in a responsible way , as we must, in a time of looming fiscal crisis. . we have a debt that extends to $50,000, roughly, per man, woman, and child in this country. it is unconscionable for us to fail to acknowledge that responsibility and for all of us to do our part in that way. we have, yes, asked our federal employees to help us because as the employer, the federal government has to take its responsible steps as well. and the hope that all of us have is that we will continue to work through this year. we wil

ms. hayworth: thank you so much and thank you for holding this special order session which is so important. one thing -- the comments by our distinguished colleagues have been perceptive and enlighten and mofpking. -- enlightening and movingment one aspect i might be able to add. they have said so much, but i'd like to invite our seniors and those who love them and who may accompany them in the course of their care, as i have had the privilege of doing for my own parents, both of whom have relied on medicare for many years i'd like to urge our seniors and their families to talk with their doctors about what it means when medicare changes the way it deals with the doctors' practices. and what it will mean for our seniors having the ability to be cared for by the doctors they prefer and in the places where they're comfortable and that are familiar and that they like and trust. what may happen if medicare loses the funds that now exist in the trust fund and that are running out very, very rapidly. and i think it's important for patients and doctors throughout the united states to have that co

ms. hayworth: as a physician and i practiced in the hudson valley in new york, the importance of extending reimbursement insurance for our seniors who rely on medicare, for the doctors who care for them, who have to keep their doors open, is a crucial issue. but not only did we provide that assurance through the end of this year, we also provided for some other cruci provisions for our rural hospitals, for our ambulance services for a number of other aspectof care that rely on our action and on the responsible action that we take today. and, yes, we did pay for those extensions in a responsible way , ase must, in a time of looming fiscal crisis. . we have a debt that extends to $50,000, roughly, per man, woman, and child in this country. it is unconscionable for us to fail to acknowledge that responsibility and for all of us to do our part in that way. we have, yes, asked our federal employees to help us because as the employer, the federal government has to take its responsible steps as well. and the hope that all of us have is that we will continue to work through this year. we will move

ms. hayworth: trade, environment, education, financial services and health care all burdening this great local business. but the number one problem that mr. fire would like us to fix here in the federal government is the federal deficit. so as we approach our work this year, i will keep this vividly in mind. we must have sympathy, respect and a sense of awe for our hardworking, hard-pressed taxpayers and job creators. they are the true engine, not the federal government. they are the true engine of growth and the ultimate purchaser and securer of our liberties. and i yield back. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from maine rise? ms. pingree: address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. pingree: thank you. thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, last month i submitted comments to the consumer product finance protection bureau about the rising problem of student loan debt. i've heard from many people in my state, students, former students, parents, who are struggling to

ms. hayworth: this is what is being done to keep companies made in the u.s.a. productive. we're working to remove burdensome and unnecessary regulations and we're working to take less so we can spend and save and invest right here in our communities and in our country and we've sent 30 bills to the senate, 27 of which still sit unanswered. so week in the house of representatives we are working further to shrink the federal government and to make our budget process have common sense the way you do in your own homes. i urge the senate to join us to work together, to revive our economy and to make america open for business again. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from north carolina rise? >> i ask permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. butterfield: mr. speaker, i rise today in complete disgust of republican conferees attempt to include an education requirement as a condition of receiving unemployment benefits. to require people who would otherwise be eligi

ms. hayworth: as a physician and i practiced in the hudson valley in new york, the importance of extending reimbursement insurance for our seniors who rely on medicare, for the doctors who care for them, who have to keep their doors open, is a crucial issue. but not only did we provide that assurance through the end of this year, we also provided for some other crucial provisions for our rural hospitals, for our ambulance services for a number of other aspects of care that rely on our action and on the responsible action that we take today. and, yes, we did pay for those extensions in a responsible way , as we must, in a time of looming fiscal crisis. . we have a debt that extends to $50,000, roughly, per man, woman, and child in this country. it is unconscionable for us to fail to acknowledge that responsibility and for all of us to do our part in that way. we have, yes, asked our federal employees to help us because as the employer, the federal government has to take its responsible steps as well. and the hope that all of us have is that we will continue to work through this year. we wil