H1558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2015 GDP. There is no set of circumstances Dogs are trying to change that. They Mr. Speaker, Members, I came down where revenue will ever match spend- are focused on ending political polar- to the floor this afternoon to join my ing, Mr. Speaker. The President didn’t ization, reforming Congress, stopping Blue Dog colleagues in calling for all of provide that leadership; my friend from reckless government spending, and cre- us in Congress to come together and do Indiana is. That is why I am so proud ating economic opportunity for Ameri- the work that we have been asked to to be on the floor with you today. cans who have been left behind by this do, the work that we have been sent to Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I yield recession. Washington, sent to Congress to do on back the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I come to work every behalf of the people that we represent. f single day to get things done for Ari- I came to Congress to get things done, zona. I have a proven record of reach- to get things done for the people that I THE BLUE DOG COALITION ing out to members of both political represent, and to get things done for The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. parties to find common ground on the great country that we are all so CURBELO of ). Under the Speak- issues ranging from jobs and the econ- privileged to live in and to participate er’s announced policy of January 6, omy to reducing spending and govern- in. 2015, the gentleman from ment waste. As a cofounder of the As Mr. COSTA mentioned, he and I (Mr. COSTA) is recognized for 60 min- United Solutions Caucus and a No La- served together in the State legislature utes as the designee of the minority bels Problem Solver, I have worked in California, and I am very proud of leader. with members of both parties to get the work that we did there. We were Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, my name is things done. At home, Congressman able to get a lot of things done. In the Congressman from Fresno, MATT SALMON and I work together to time that I was there, the majority of California. Since I was first elected help veterans get the care they the time, I chaired the Senate Budget over 10 years ago, I have been a mem- deserve, and I have worked with Con- Committee. That was one of the rea- ber of the Blue Dog caucus. This after- gressman MICHAEL MCCAUL to intro- sons why I was so proud to be a Blue noon, members of the Blue Dog caucus duce legislation that puts an end to Dog, although the common thread that that stretch the width and the breadth automatic pay raises for Members of holds all Blue Dogs together is the of this great country of ours are going Congress. issue of fiscal responsibility. to speak about what brings us to- Neither party is always right. In fact, In my time in Sacramento chairing gether, about the passions that they both parties are often wrong. It is time the Budget Committee, we always had have and the people that they advocate for us to listen to each other and work a balanced budget. Fiscal responsi- for and why they believe that their ef- together to grow our economy, help bility was important, and it is equally forts at being a constructive and a very our country’s families, and honor our as important here in Congress. Nobody positive member of the Blue Dog cau- veterans. Recently, we came together likes the fact that we have huge defi- cus adds value to their ability to rep- to pass bipartisan legislation to pre- cits or huge debts. We understand that some things are unavoidable, but there resent their constituencies and to the vent veteran suicide and improve ac- has to be an understanding of and an vision that I think we, as Americans, cess to mental health care and health intentional effort on the part of all us all share together, which is to make services for veterans. Just this week, to make sure that we are fiscally re- our Congress, to make our representa- we agreed on legislation to expand col- sponsible and that we manage that tive democracy, a more functioning lege savings plans and make higher debt, we manage that deficit, and we system. Because clearly today, the education a reality for students and bring it down to a level that won’t bur- American public, in poll after poll after their families. We need more of these den our children and our grandchildren poll, demonstrate their frustration kinds of accomplishments in Congress. In Arizona, the voters established an in the years to come. with the inability of the United States independent redistricting commission So I was stunned when I came to Congress to come together and to work that allows for an open and transparent Congress and found out that it was on common solutions for our country, process and creates competitive dis- very, very difficult to get anything solutions that share our common val- tricts where neither party has a mo- done, to get people to work together. ues but also involve the art, the art of nopoly. We Blue Dogs have proposed As JIM pointed out, I am one of the the political compromise, too often I similar reforms to create impartial, longer serving Members, so I was believe an art that has become lost fairly drawn districts across the coun- stunned a long time ago in what you here in our Nation’s Capital in Wash- try to cut back on the polarization can probably refer to today as ‘‘the ington, D.C. that cripples our system. good old days,’’ when we were actually So among the first of the members of Mr. Speaker, the American people de- able to work together and get things our caucus that will speak is the gen- serve leaders who do whatever it takes done, but we didn’t have a high level of tlewoman from Arizona’s Ninth Dis- to come up with practical, common- that cooperation even back then. trict, , a colleague of sense solutions that help us move for- Last week, I was with the Aspen In- mine who always is advocating for her ward. It is time for us to focus on areas stitute on a trade conference. Anybody constituency in the most positive of common ground and come up with who is familiar with them knows that ways. real answers to our country’s most they are able to bring together a bipar- Ms. SINEMA. Thank you, Mr. COSTA, pressing problems. So let’s put aside tisan and bicameral representation of and thank you today for organizing the finger pointing and the fighting. Congress, Members from the Senate this Special Order. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get back and Members from the House, Demo- Mr. Speaker, this is an important op- to work. crats and Republicans. They also bring portunity for us to come together and Mr. COSTA. I thank the gentle- together some of the most famous show how bipartisanship can fix our woman from Arizona. scholars to talk about whatever the broken system. Mr. Speaker, our next Blue Dog col- issue of the conference is. I was struck, At home in Arizona, I hear from ev- league who will speak is a gentleman at this trade conference, when one of eryone that Washington is broken. whom I have served with both in the the new Members that we serve with, There is too much time spent playing California State Legislature as well as now starting his sophomore term, after political games and too little time here in Congress. He and I are good the scholars spoke and he was recog- spent working together to get things friends. We both represent wonderful nized, said: I came to Congress to in- done. Most people are sick and tired of parts of California, and he is one of the volve myself in this type of problem Congress’ failing to do its job because longer serving members in the Blue solving, when people came together, of partisan politics. That is why I Dog caucus, the gentleman from north- talked about issues, talked about prob- joined the Blue Dog Coalition, because ern California, Congressman MIKE lems, and talked about solutions. He they prioritize the people they rep- THOMPSON from California’s Fifth Dis- said: And this is the first time since I resent more than their party leader- trict. have been here that we have been able ship. Mr. THOMPSON of California. I to engage in that type of dialogue. Everybody knows that Congress is thank the gentleman, and my friend, That is not right, Members, and we not working effectively, and the Blue for yielding. all know that. We are here to work on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Mar 04, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.039 H03MRPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1559 the problems that face our great coun- b 1630 We just had Mr. THOMPSON talking try, and we need to get down and do There is not a person that any one of about a transportation bill. Everyone that work. us represents who doesn’t know that talks about the need to fix our trans- Mr. COSTA. Will the gentleman we need to invest in America’s infra- portation infrastructure. We have yield? structure—in our roads, in our high- roads and bridges that are crumbling. Mr. THOMPSON of California. I yield ways, in our broadband, in our over- Our public transit also has infrastruc- to the gentleman from California. passes, in our bridges. And now with ture that is crumbling. We all need a Mr. COSTA. I appreciate your ex- the new Panama Canal coming on line good transportation system to get plaining your experience in the Cali- and the bigger ships coming into this wherever we need to go during the day. fornia Legislature because we not only country, we have huge investments Our Nation, for the sake of having an worked together in a bipartisan fash- that need to be made in our ports and efficient economy, needs a good trans- ion, but we also worked together with our harbors. These are investments portation system. We can put people to the lower house and the State senate, that not only put Americans to work work immediately fixing our transpor- because you could never get anything generating more revenue, but put bet- tation system, yet we haven’t been done if you didn’t work together with ter jobs and make our economy strong- able to come together to solve this both houses. Of course, that is part of er than it has ever been before. problem. That is one thing that we our problem here today. I submit, Members, that these are need to do, and it is something I think Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. things that we can do. As has been said that we can do. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. before, the things that bring us to- We have just seen all the trouble that That is how the legislative process gether, the things that bring us to- we had run into here with the Home- works. You don’t just punt something gether as Americans, are far greater land Security bill, an issue that should over to the other Chamber and then than the things that divide us. I will be easy. We all want to protect our say, ‘‘We have done our job’’; because plead, let’s get together, let’s roll up homeland. We all know the threats you haven’t done your job until the our sleeves, let’s work together on ad- that we are facing. And although we President, in the case of Congress, dressing the major issues that face may have disagreements on many signs his name on the line making that America. issues, protecting our Nation is not one bill or that job come to fruition, mak- I thank you, Mr. COSTA, for bringing of those. Yet, unfortunately, we do run ing it the law. us here today. into issues, and we really need to in- You are right. In the State capitol, Mr. COSTA. I thank the Congress- stead focus on what can we work to- we did that. We knew we had to work man from California. gether on and what is possible. together because the same piece of leg- Congressman MIKE THOMPSON, I We have a divided government now. islation had to pass both houses and think, expressly indicated why he is a It used to be that after an election, ev- had to meet there for the Governor’s Blue Dog and, over the years, his ef- eryone would come together, look signature in order to become law. The forts to bridge the gap, to reach across around and say: Okay. This is who is same thing happens here. the aisle, to get something done; be- the majority in the House, the major- I know it can be done. One of the cause he recognizes, as do all of us Blue ity in the Senate, who is in the White things that I did in some of my earlier Dogs, that the political dysfunction House. What can we agree upon? How years here, Mr. Speaker, is I was suc- that is occurring here in our Nation’s can we work together to solve prob- cessful in getting a wilderness bill Capital is real. It has measurable costs, passed, a wilderness bill that protected lems? Where can we find our agree- and it is preventing our country, sadly, ment? Instead, we seem to focus on into perpetuity 350,000 acres in my dis- from solving the problems that our trict in California. Wilderness bills how our party can get control of every- constituents send us here to solve, thing in the next election. Mr. Speak- have passed before, so that, in itself, whether it is the economic recovery was not the biggest thing that has ever er, this is not the way that the Amer- that could be stronger, whether it is ican people want us to work. They happened here. But I am particularly fixing our Nation’s deficit, whether it want us to come together. proud because I was in the minority is fixing a broken immigration system, then. Now, some of the previous speakers or an array of other issues that are talked about electoral reform and re- The chair of Natural Resources was pressing, that are important to the Richard Pombo from California, some- districting reform. Those can certainly people back home. help. Those are things that we support one whom I consider a friend, although The next gentleman who would like and that the Blue Dogs are working to not a political ally. He was not some- to address our Congress is the gen- get done. But even before we get those one who was favorable to approving tleman from the great State of , things done, we can work together and wilderness legislation. But I worked Congressman , my col- accomplish great things here. The with him and his committee. He had league and classmate from Illinois’ the bill up in for a markup. We had it Third District. American people aren’t demanding on the floor. We passed it. I com- Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank that of us. They are demanding that we promised; he compromised. That bill Mr. COSTA for putting this together change the way that Washington is went through the House. The com- today. working right now. That is what the panion bill went through the Senate, as The reason I came to Congress, the Blue Dogs are doing. Mr. COSTA was explaining has to be reason I ran for Congress, was to get That is the only way we are going to done, and it went to then-President things done. I think that is what all be able to face so many of the problems George W. Bush, who signed it into our constituents are expecting us to that we face, including the issue that is law. do. really at the heart of the Blue Dogs, So it is incongruent with the way we Unfortunately, when I am at home, I has always been, and continues to be: work today. Today you would just am constantly reminded that my con- dealing with our fiscal situation. We start by saying: An unfriendly chair- stituents are wondering why we don’t need to be fiscally responsible. The man, an unfriendly President, we can’t get more done, what is happening in American people understand this. They get anything done. That is just abso- Washington. When I am shopping at know we need to make the tough lutely not true. Menards or at Jewel, people come up to choices here in Washington to get our If we come together and if we work me and say: Why can’t everyone work fiscal House in order. together, we can find solutions to the together there in Washington? The Blue Dogs have always led on problems that we face. There are any They know that I have been doing that. We continue to lead on that, but number of issues that need to come to- that. That is why I am part of the Blue it is going to take bipartisan coopera- gether and need to be put on this floor Dog coalition, because we want to tion to get that done because we have for a vote. You can look at immigra- bring people together here in Wash- a divided government. But we need to tion reform, tax reform, gun violence ington—in the House, the Senate— do it. We need to take care of these prevention, and certainly one that ev- bring everyone together to work out issues. The Blue Dogs continue to work eryone can agree with is an infrastruc- the many, many problems that our Na- on these things. We really need the ture bill. tion has. support of everyone to come together

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Mar 04, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.040 H03MRPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2015 here in Washington and across the Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: us a better chance at getting things country to solve these great problems ‘‘Ultimately a genuine leader is not a done. That is how we rebuild trust with that we have, that we face. searcher for consensus but a molder of the American people, by showing them Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are peo- consensus.’’ that we are doing the job we were sent ple who may be out there watching this Debate is a natural consequence of here to do. on C–SPAN, and probably a lot of peo- representative democracy. Gridlock, on Today, many folks might suppose ple who are just so happy to finally the other hand, is not. that bipartisanship is dead. The Blue turn on C–SPAN and hear people talk- Sitting down with those across the Dogs have been here and are still here ing about working together, not talk- aisle is not just an act of placing faith to say that it is not dead. We are com- ing about what is wrong with the other in political or ideological adversaries, mitted to working—not to finger point, side, how I am right and the other side but an act of placing faith in our egali- not to fight, but to fix. I believe that is wrong, but the need to work to- tarian democratic system, a system, as problem solving together across both gether. That is what the Blue Dogs are it was, founded on the art of creating sides of the aisle we can make that about. That is what it continues to be consensus in order to move forward. happen. about, and that is the way that we are All of us here speaking from the well So I am delighted that my colleague, going to make America the greatest this hour believe in working together Mr. COSTA, and my colleagues from the Nation on the face of the Earth—but a for better government, working for re- Blue Dog Coalition have come together Nation that faces, as we all under- sponsible government, working for with this Special Order so that we can stand, many issues, many problems, transparent government. The moderate say to each other, say to the American just as our families are facing many Blue Dogs are here not only to find people, that we cry out for a govern- issues right now. By working together, common ground between lawmakers, ment that will work for the people to we can make our Nation even greater, but to forge an understanding of what get the needs, the common goals, the and only by working together will we it is to truly work together. common hopes, and their common aspi- get there. The Blue Dog Coalition is dedicated rations addressed. I am very happy to join my Blue Dog to a core set of beliefs that transcend We may have differences, but we have colleagues here tonight and every day partisan politics. We represent the cen- more similarities than we have dif- working to help make America a better ter of the House of Representatives and ferences. If we find those common de- place to live. So let us all come to- appeal to the mainstream values of the nominators of experience that combine gether, Mr. Speaker, and work on some American public. The coalition devel- us, we can get the job done for the of these problems. ‘‘Compromise,’’ I ops substantive proposals and positions American people. know, sometimes is a dirty word. You distinct from those advocated by the I thank you for this time. don’t have to give up your principles to extremes in both parties. Needless to b 1645 compromise. Stick to your principles, say, we Blue Dogs are less swayed by but compromise. Get done what we can the leadership of either party and more Mr. COSTA. Congressman BISHOP, my get done, and make this Nation a persuaded by the needs and the con- friend, I could not have said it better: greater place. cerns of mainstream Americans. for the people and by the people. I thank my Blue Dog colleagues very But this is nothing new. Twenty Mr. Speaker, for those who are much. Thank you, Mr. COSTA, for this. years ago, the Blue Dog Coalition was watching on C–SPAN this afternoon, We are going to continue to bring the formed following the 1994 election. we welcome your input, and we wel- message to the American people and Over the past 20 years, many of our come your comments. For those of you get things done. proposals have been praised as fair, re- who are interested, please sign onto Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I want to sponsible, and positive additions to a our Web site, which is www.bluedog thank the gentleman from Illinois, my Congressional environment too often .schrader.house.gov, as a way by which classmate, for his good words. Clearly, marked as partisan and antagonistic. you can communicate with us. We all I think he speaks on behalf of not only Throughout those years, the Blue have our Web sites. Obviously, not only the Blue Dogs, but the majority of Dogs have been dedicated to solving our constituents from our respective Americans who believe that we need to problems based on five principles of po- districts but people from throughout be working together to solve problems, litical leadership: tell the truth; govern the country, we would urge you to whether it is our budget, our fiscal def- for the future; put the country first; be weigh in. Let us know how you feel, icit, or whether it is our transportation responsible; work together. which is an appropriate segue for our system, as the gentleman from Illinois My job is to represent the interests next speaker. so succinctly pointed out. It can never and the values of the people in my dis- The Blue Dogs every 2 years select be ‘‘my way or the highway,’’ because trict in middle and southwest . three leaders to represent them and to if that is the case, we will never get As a Blue Dog Democrat, I push for organize our agenda. We have a policy anything done, as has been witnessed commonsense measures that will make individual who will be speaking in a here for the last couple of months. But government work better for my con- moment, Congressman . We when we do work together, as the com- stituents. have the communications director, promised bipartisan vote that we saw The people of Georgia’s Second Con- which is the position I serve, and then this afternoon on Homeland Security, gressional District, like all Americans, we have our chairperson. Our chair- we can get something done. deserve a government that puts their person is a gentleman whom I have the My next friend and colleague is the needs ahead of partisan politics. We honor and privilege to serve with. He is gentleman from Georgia, Congressman seek to use the legislative process to my friend, and he is doing an excellent , from the Second Dis- create a higher, better quality of life job, the gentleman from Oregon’s Fifth trict. He has distinguished himself over for all of our citizens. Eliminating gov- District, Representative KURT SCHRA- the years and has been a member of not ernment waste and inefficiency are DER. only the Blue Dog caucus, but he rep- crucial to achieving this goal. Mr. SCHRADER. Thank you very, resents some of the best parts of Geor- We work with our colleagues on the very much. I want to thank my friend, gia—Fort Benning and agriculture, like right and the left, on both sides of the the gentleman from California, for I represent. aisle, to pass commonsense reforms hosting this particular Special Order. SANFORD, we are glad to have you that will make government work for Mr. Speaker, I think it is important here this afternoon to tell us the the people of our great Nation. As for America to realize that we all don’t thoughts of the people of Georgia’s Members of Congress, it is our respon- hate one another. We actually get Second District on the terrific job you sibility to ensure that government along pretty well on a personal level, do on their behalf. works for the American people. and there are those of us on both sides Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am committed to working together of the aisle who want to work together I thank the gentleman for putting to- with my colleagues to pass legislation to solve our country’s problems. You gether this Special Order, and I thank that eliminates Federal waste and inef- have heard a little bit about that al- the gentleman for yielding. ficiency. If we can do this, it will give ready.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Mar 04, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.042 H03MRPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1561 I think, at this time, more than ever, Mr. COSTA. Will the gentleman Dog Coalition is all about—building it is important for Congress to come yield? those relationships. together. The little debate we had last Mr. SCHRADER. I yield to the gen- If you have noticed in the 114th Con- week or a week and a half ago on the tleman from California. gress, in the first 2 months, while DHS, Department of Homeland Security, I Mr. COSTA. We have talked a lot the , and some- think, drives that point home. Often- about this among our fellow Blue Dogs, times choice or abortion have gotten a times, within families, there are dis- but I think the point that you raise lot of the headlines from the media, I agreements. Whether it is a Republican there is worth repeating because, would urge you to look at the votes for family or a Democratic family, we are frankly, I think there are a lot of Mem- the big, important bills that have come not going to agree on all of the issues bers on both sides of the aisle who, if forward. There are a number of bills all of the time. That doesn’t make one they had the opportunity, would like that leadership—and I give the Repub- side wrong and the other side right. to figure out how they could work to- lican leadership credit for this— What it does mean is there is an honest gether. I know, as the chair of the Blue brought forward that moderate Demo- difference of opinion. In the way our Dog Caucus, it is your desire to reach crats had voted for in past Congresses forefathers set the system up, we are out and continue to make that effort. I or had expressed interest in, and they supposed to work through that. There just want to applaud you for that. got overwhelming and sometimes sig- are checks and balances. No one party, I also want to ask: Are there other nificant Democrat support. That is not no one Chamber, no one individual is ways in which constituents can make talked about by the media, folks. supposed to have ultimate veto over their Congresspeople feel more com- You have got to realize that there the rights of everyday, Main Street fortable about doing that? With this are many opportunities like that that Americans. notion of ‘‘it is my way or the high- go below the radar screen. It may not What we in the Blue Dog Coalition way,’’ I think the majority of my con- be the sexiest topic in the world, but it try to do is to bridge those differences, stituents wonder what is going on is stuff like making sure the Affordable to provide a forum to find ways to there. I mean, ‘‘What are you folks Care Act works, making sure that agree, not to disagree with the other thinking in Washington? because that small businesses are able to function team. As for the Homeland Security is not the way we do it at home.’’ properly, making sure that the Dodd- bill, whatever you think about some of Mr. SCHRADER. In reclaiming my Frank financial reform actually is the attachments to the bill or about time, I totally agree with the gen- workable and respects the interests of some of the actions by the President of tleman from California. the different members of the commu- the United States, it is important to I think, sometimes, there is that bub- nity out there, even the Keystone vote. fund Homeland Security more now ble we operate under here in Wash- I mean, we have to be thoughtful about than ever. With the stuff that has gone ington, D.C., and we forget that the it, and Democrats and Republicans on overseas that could possibly threat- people back home, frankly, are some- need to work together and find areas en our own shores, it makes it impera- times not watching C–SPAN. They are they can agree on. We have tried to do tive that we work together. I am actu- busy trying to put food on their tables, that time and again. It is the heartbeat ally proud, despite the sausage-making seeing if their kids can get great edu- of the Blue Dog Coalition. look of it in the media and, perhaps, to cations. Frankly, in recent times, they Basically, what we are standing for, a lot of Americans, that there were Re- are just trying to keep their bloody as you have heard, is fiscal reform and publicans and Democrats who came to- jobs. So I think it is important for us fiscal responsibility. It has been a hall- gether to solve that problem. to relate to the people who are paying mark of the Blue Dogs over the last 20 We will live to fight another day on our salaries. This is their Chamber— years. We are generally a government immigration reform and on some of the this is their building—not a bubble of efficiency organization. We believe other issues which we have genuine, le- Washington, D.C., types. It is impor- government is not evil, but it could gitimate differences of opinion on, but tant for us to sit down and represent sure work a heck of a lot better. Every it should not be lost on the American what they are talking about. one of the folks out there in America people that it was Democrats and Re- When I went home in this last elec- understands that some government publicans coming together to solve a tion cycle and, frankly, in every elec- rule is making a problem for them, and very basic problem that our Congress tion cycle, the big issue for Americans it shouldn’t have to happen. We as Blue and Nation are charged to solve, which in the Congressional Fifth District in Dogs try and cut through that govern- is to provide for the security of the the great State of Oregon—the Willam- ment regulation. American people. ette Valley-central Oregon coast—is We are also business friendly. Yes, The Blue Dogs have been doing this not any one issue. It is: ‘‘Will you Democrats can be business friendly, be- for years. You heard of our inception please work together.’’ This is com- lieve it or not. They are called ‘‘Blue after the 1994 elections, when the Blue plicated stuff—some of these bills are Dogs.’’ There is another group called Dogs felt we were getting choked. We pretty darned complicated—but I think . There is another were regular , if everyday Americans understand. group growing outside this that wants you will, at that time. It has branched ‘‘Okay. That is why I hired you. Work to include all Americans, which is out, like Mr. COSTA has indicated, to it out. Figure it out.’’ To their credit, called No Labels. Most Blue Dogs are, include the whole country now. Yellow they don’t give me a lot of room for ex- frankly, members of No Labels. There Dog Democrats were getting ‘‘choked cuses. is another group that works together, blue’’ by their rather liberal leadership ‘‘Well, gee. I am not in the majority. Democrats and Republicans. Yes, folks. that they felt did not respect or, frank- I don’t control it.’’ There are a lot of different people in ly, represent some of their interests, so ‘‘Kurt, I elected you. I want you to this Congress who are very interested out of that came the Blue Dogs. figure out a way of how to work with in trying to work together to make The body has grown and decreased in folks.’’ your Congress work and deal with your numbers with every election cycle. We can do that. The farm bill in the lunch bucket issues that mean the There has been a consistent drumbeat, last Congress was a classic example of most to you—job creation, educational however, for folks like us in moderate how we actually worked together, Re- reform, infrastructure—as was alluded districts, not just on the Democratic publicans and Democrats. You could to. These are values, I think, every side, but on the Republican side. We ac- not tell a Democrat or a Republican American holds dear, and those are the tually have quarterly meetings with a based on what they were talking about, issues we should be working on. Republican group called the Tuesday because they were representing dif- Senator Lieberman said at one point Group, where we try and get together ferent districts, different geographies that it is kind of ironic that everyone and share ideas about things we can around this country, lobbying hard for is interested in bipartisanship, but if work together on—not in opposition to their farming interests or nutritional you don’t agree with somebody 100 per- but work together on. Boy, I wish lead- programs that they felt passionately cent of the time, you don’t agree with ership would work in that same vein. about. That is the way Congress is sup- them any of the time. The real world We would be a lot better off. posed to work. That is what the Blue is: life is complicated, and you are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Mar 04, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.044 H03MRPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2015 going to have times when you agree mental Protection Agency from pro- braska unicameral legislature for 16 and times when you disagree. One of posing, finalizing, or disseminating years. I never went to a caucus in my the basic axioms of politics is: you regulations or assessments based upon life. I didn’t really know exactly what don’t have enemies or friends; you have science that is not transparent or re- a Democrat or Republican really was. I allies and adversaries at the end of the producible, which was referred to the suppose I would have to look, but of day because issues change over time, House Calendar and ordered to be the 49 members of the Legis- and you will find that the ebb and flow printed. lature, I would have to think long and of interests will conflate with party, Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, the next hard about what party they belonged geography—all of those issues. Blue Dog Coalition member who will to. The Blue Dog Coalition is dedicated speak is one of our newest members. He And in the 16 years that I served to trying to bring people together hails from the great State of Nebraska, there, we had many tough issues. In across this country—Republicans and and we are honored to have him as one fact, one of the toughest issues we had Democrats, business interests, individ- of our newest members of the Blue Dog in the State was the pipeline issue, and uals—trying to make your government Coalition. He is BRAD ASHFORD from that was referenced earlier—the Trans- more responsible and more efficient Nebraska’s Second District. A lot of Canada pipeline. Well, it goes through with electoral reform, congressional agriculture and a lot of good people Nebraska. As originally routed, it reform, getting back in this great, au- Congressman BRAD ASHFORD has the would have gone through some of the gust Chamber to regular order—to opportunity to represent, and we ap- most sensitive areas of our State, the where your interests are represented preciate the fact that he is here. Sandhills area and the Ogallala Aqui- through the committees, through the Mr. ASHFORD. Thank you, Mr. fer. elected Representatives you have. That COSTA. I am privileged to have the op- We spent a year together, the 49 of is what is important here, and that portunity to speak today. us. Not every day. We would kill each binds Democrats and Republicans, lib- Mr. Speaker, you mentioned, just other if we spent every day together, but we spent a lot of time. At the end erals and conservatives and moderates, briefly, the concept of ‘‘Profiles of of the day, we came up with a process like us. That is the hallmark of the Courage.’’ John Kennedy, in writing that book, wrote about a great Nebras- to reroute the TransCanada pipeline to Blue Dog Coalition. I won’t belabor the point. I thank the kan, George Norris. George Norris was move it away from the most sensitive gentleman for bringing us to the floor a Senator from Nebraska, and prior to parties of the Ogallala Aquifer. We did here. I think it is important for Amer- that time, he served in this House. In it with a vote of 49–0, environmental- ists and those on the other side of the ica to be a little inspired that there are 1908, he led a bipartisan effort in the issue coming together to pass a routing people who care about this country, House to change the rules of the House in order to make the House more trans- bill. who cut through the partisan politics parent and more accountable to the So the idea that George Norris had and even go against our respective American people. was, number one, be transparent. Let leaderships to try and solve the prob- the people of Nebraska know exactly b 1700 lems you want us to solve. I think, at what you are doing. the end of the day, that is where Amer- In that regard, in John Kennedy’s What is interesting about the 16 ica is. To get back to a greatness, book he wrote about Congressman Nor- years that I was there—and, quite which was alluded to before, it is going ris, and then, subsequently, Senator frankly, if you do count Republicans to require more members of the Blue Norris. In the 1930s, Senator Norris, and Democrats in the unicameral legis- Dog Coalition and of the Tuesday who had worked to create the Ten- lature, you will find that there are a Group on the other side of the aisle to nessee Valley Authority, worked across lot more Republicans, traditionally, be elected to Congress and hope Amer- the aisle with FDR—he was a Repub- than there are Democrats, at least dur- ica gets mad as hell and starts to hold lican—to pass the Rural Electrification ing the 16 years I was there, and I don’t their Members accountable for working Act that electrified the country. He did think that at any time I was there, any together and making America great so working across the aisle. year, any legislative session I was again. And in the 1930s—and 1934, specifi- there, that there were not an equal Mr. COSTA. I want to thank the gen- cally—he reached out to the people of number of committee chairs that were tleman from Oregon for his leadership Nebraska and said to them: We can do Republican and Democrat. There was as the chair of the Blue Dog Coalition. better. We can have a more transparent nothing magic about that. It was just Your efforts to reach out to the Tues- government. We can have a bipartisan, the way we balanced things out in our day Group and to the No Labels Caucus nonpartisan government that will ad- State. We did it and do it intuitively. and your efforts to take difficult posi- dress the tough issues of Nebraska in We do it intuitively. tions and cast hard votes, I think, are the Depression of the 1930s. And he rec- I don’t suggest that we are going to all examples of political profiles in ommended to the voters: Look, let’s do decide tomorrow or even next year or courage, and we commend you for your this. Let’s have a unicameral, non- 10 years from now to have a unicam- leadership and your efforts. partisan legislature. eral, bipartisan, nonpartisan legisla- f And the lobbyists and the special in- ture, but the lessons that I learned terests said: George, you should go REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- there are the lessons that I have back to Washington. This isn’t going to VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF brought here. And when I had the op- work in Nebraska. OSTA, to meet the Blue H.R. 1029, EPA SCIENCE ADVI- portunity, Mr. C Well, the voters of Nebraska, in 1934, Dogs, it reminded me of home. It re- SORY BOARD REFORM ACT OF voted for a unicameral, nonpartisan minded me of the 2015, AND PROVIDING FOR CON- legislature, and I am proud to say that and the idea that Republicans and SIDERATION OF H.R. 1030, SE- we have such a legislature today. Democrats make that decision for CRET SCIENCE REFORM ACT OF I am so proud and honored to be here. themselves. 2015 There was a discussion earlier by prior But as my good friend and former Mr. BURGESS, from the Committee speakers about relationships. And what Senator from Nebraska Ed Zorinsky on Rules, submitted a privileged report is so interesting to me and amazing to used to say, there are no Republican (Rept. No. 114–37) on the resolution (H. me—not amazing, really, but grati- Senators or Democratic Senators. Res. 138) providing for consideration of fying—are those relationships, are the There are only American Senators, the bill (H.R. 1029) to amend the Envi- relationships that I have been able to U.S. Senators. It is in the water in Ne- ronmental Research, Development, and achieve through my association with braska. That is how we think. That is Demonstration Authorization Act of the Blue Dogs and relationships with how we are. And what is great about 1978 to provide for Scientific Advisory Republicans and Democrats alike. It is this place is those same relationships, Board member qualifications, public very, very gratifying that that exists. those same committed people are there participation, and for other purposes, That is what I am used to in Nebraska. to make those kinds of relationships and providing for consideration of the When I first arrived here, I went to a work in a bipartisan way. We have bill (H.R. 1030) to prohibit the Environ- Democratic Caucus. I served in the Ne- heard examples of that today.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Mar 04, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.045 H03MRPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE