November 4, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9685 growing. There are more people moving I think it is very, very important to okay, because they do not think it is into that middle class in Mexico, and also be mindful of the fact: If the job is okay. that is in large part because of the so good here in Congress, if we are Thirty-five percent of Americans feel trade relationship between the United doing everything that we are supposed that we are doing an okay job. What States and Mexico and the elimination to do as it relates to the American peo- does that mean? That means a number of tariff and non-tariff barriers that are ple and they feel so good about the of Americans feel that we are not doing taking place within the region with economy, they feel so good about secu- the job that we are supposed to be things like passage of the Central rity, they feel so good about health doing, whatever that may be. American Free Trade Agreement. care, they feel so good about the envi- I just want to go back again, Mr. Mr. Speaker, as you look at the chal- ronment, then why do American peo- Speaker, in case a Member was walking lenges that we have here at home, it ple, poll after poll polls this Congress around, had a phone call or something, really sickens me that people at a 35 percent approval rating? Thirty- did not quite understand. Forty-two mischaracterize the positive things five percent. Presidents, you name it, they are here, that have taken place. I do not dimin- I mean, if I was to call down to my 1776 to 2000, 224 years, 224 years. In the ish the problems that we have in any district and they were to take a poll on 224 years, they did not borrow from for- way. I do not diminish them at all. But how they felt about me and it was 35 eign governments as much as one I will say that we do have a lot that percent, that means that I need to President and the majority Repub- needs to be done, but we also have a lot start doing something right for me to licans here in this House have done. of great things that have been done. It be reelected to this Congress. The President did not do it on his is imperative that, as we deal with So when we start, our friends on the own. 224 years, Mr. Speaker, World War these challenges that are out there, opposite side of the side come in and I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea, other that we do not in fact eliminate the say, well, we are doing a great job and crises in the country, depressions, you very positive steps that have been I do not know what the problem, and name it. Things that my grandmother taken to see us have the success that folks are saying that we are not, and I and my father told me about took we are enjoying in the global war on hope our friends on the other side place in the time of these 42 Presi- terror, see us enjoy the kind of pros- starts to join us. I can tell you right dents. perity that is enjoyed across the now, I do not want to join anything Under this one President, one major- United States of America. where the American people feel that ity, they helped us get to this number. With that, Mr. Speaker, let me say you are doing a great job by 35 percent. So you know, the facts may hurt. The that I look forward anxiously to our That is not a team I want to be on. facts hurt. The facts hurt. The facts passage of the Deficit Reduction Act If I am going to go join a team or be hurt when you sit down at the dining next week, and I hope the Democrats a part of something, I am going to be a room table trying to figure out how will join with us in that goal. part of a winning team. I am going to you are going to get past this month f be a part of a team that is going to dealing with the money that you are make sure that we stand up on behalf making. 30–SOMETHING WORKING GROUP of everyday Americans, that makes Now, how are you going to get past The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. sure that we do not have States out this month? Those are hard facts. Well, DENT). Under the Speaker’s announced there with over $85 billion in deficits, the hard facts are, like it or not, it is policy of January 4, 2005, the gen- deficits that they have to clear up, not, you know, not the 30-something tleman from Florida (Mr. MEEK) is rec- they have to balance, unlike this Con- Working Group; it is not, you know, ognized for 60 minutes. gress. the Democrats. It is prepared and Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I want to remind the served by the majority here in this we want to thank the democratic lead- Members, last night I brought this House, and the majority in the Senate ership for allowing us to be here and chart out and I just want to remind and the White House; and that is a fact, for this hour, and we want to continue once again, because I want to make Jack. talking about the issues that we were sure that Members understand, Amer- I do not care. You can go and use big talking about in the hour before the ican people understand, Mr. Speaker, words, you can go around, read reports last one, the issues that are facing this is not the doing of the Democrats. that someone gave you that kind of Americans. As you know, within our This is the doing of the Republican ma- paint the pot black with the fact that working group we talk about what we jority. Forty-two Presidents. Forty- a lot of people out there use a lot of are doing and what the other side is two. And this is from the U.S. Depart- numbers, charts and graphs; but the doing or not doing and how we want to ment of Treasury. This is not the bottom line is we are borrowing our put this country and build a partner- Kendrick Meek Report. U.S. Depart- country away to foreign nations. ship, put it on a new direction. The ment of Treasury of the United States Then we want to call a budget up on only way we will be able to do that is of America, in case anyone gets con- the backs of the very people that we making sure that we are able to get fused. Forty-two Presidents, all the say that we are trying to help some of the ideas on this side of the way from the Whig Party before we had Mr. RYAN of Ohio. And the money aisle to the forefront, make sure that Republicans and Democrats. Since 1776 we are borrowing, this is the ultimate we work in a bipartisan way. to the year 2000, Democrats and Repub- irony of the whole deal, and this is why Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I licans, Whig Party and other parties we say that I did not hear our friend, must say that that is not happening alike, 42 Presidents only borrowed $1.01 the gentleman from California (Mr. right now on a lot of the major issues, trillion from foreign nations, from for- DREIER), when he was down here take issues that are facing everyday Ameri- eign countries. One, one President with responsibility for that. It was conspicu- cans, issues as it relates to the budget the majority here in this House, Re- ously absent from the argument. that is coming to this floor next week. publican majority and in the Senate, The most ironic piece of this whole I can tell you that this so-called budget has trumped 42 Presidents, 42 Presi- ordeal is that that money that we are was put together on the backs of every- dents, $1.05 trillion and counting. borrowing from China and Saudi Ara- day working Americans. Some may say bia and Japan is going to fund $16 bil- that it was in light of making sure that b 1315 lion in subsidies to the oil companies. we can respond to Hurricane Katrina So we bring to the floor the issues at That money that we are borrowing and the gulf coast, but cutting the very hand. These issues are real, and it is from China is going to subsidize the assistance that these individuals need the reality of America right now. And pharmaceutical industry to the tune of is almost like saying I am going to so when our friends on the other side $100 billion. take $5 out of this pocket and then I start saying, I do not know what is So the MO of the Republican major- am going to try to put it, the same $5 going on, I have a job, I think every- ity is to go borrow money from the I took out of your pocket, and put it in body else does, I think everything is Chinese and take that money and give your left pocket and we are done. That okay, somebody needs to go out and it to corporate America, and then go to is not good enough. tell the American people that it is corporate America and shake them

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:13 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.056 H04NOPT1 H9686 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 4, 2005 down, go out to shakedown street on K create wealth. And that is the whole need quarterbacks and running backs Street, shake down corporate America thing with the Democrats. We are try- and tight ends. And when they only for campaign contributions to run the ing to convince the Republican Party educate half, you are losing, you are election, and the group that is absent that together America can do better walking onto the field with only half a here, the American people. for all of us. team. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Our Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Where Mr. MEEK of Florida. I can tell the good friend, the gentleman from Cali- is their moral outrage? Where are their gentleman that when we start talking fornia (Mr. DREIER), was defending the morals? That is what I want to know. about what is happening here, and I Republican leadership’s position here I am a mom. I have three little kids. think the problem here within the that they are committed to cutting the The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Beltway, the fact that we are here on deficit, and that that is, you know, a MEEK) has two young children. this floor, or there is a report in the major reason why next week they are Can you imagine a circumstance newspaper, whichever newspaper it going to rain down these horrendous where you would allow your children to may be, they do not know what they terrible cuts in the budget on the peo- go hungry if you could do something are talking about, because the major- ple who are the most in need. about it? Our role here as Members of ity sees everything in their world, ev- I was not very good at math when I Congress, we are supposed to look out erything is fine. was younger. But you know, the most for the people who cannot look out for I am going to tell you the reason why simplistic mathematical calculation themselves. That is what government we are here, Mr. Speaker, is Repub- would tell you that if they are going to is for. licans permitted Democrats to offer cut $50 billion out of the budget next Children are our most vulnerable only 4 percent of the amendments sub- week, yet still provide $70 billion worth citizens. Laws are written and govern- mitted to major legislation in the 108th of tax cuts, than I guess I just wonder ment exists so that we can take care of Congress. And when this Congress is how they are going to reduce the def- kids because they cannot make their over, and we get the statistics on that, icit when you are still adding $20 bil- parents earn enough money to be able we will probably find the same. On pre- lion to it. to pay for their breakfast and their scription drugs, the energy bill and the I mean, and then that is to say noth- lunch. That is where we come in. That tax bill, only 4 percent. So much for bi- ing of the fact that when you cut the is where government fills in for the in- partisanship. budget, you are doing nothing to re- dividuals, society. To shift the debate, for example, in duce the deficit. That is just what is so It is not fathomable to me. When I the summer, the Republicans brought mind-boggling. gave birth to my children, my life the consideration of amendments that I think if we can, I would like to transformed overnight. Overnight. In a drastically shaped three important translate, because words like deficit matter of hours. And my whole life be- measures before Congress. When you and reconciliation and big Washington- came not about me any more, or my start looking at the issue of CAFTA, speak words like that are sometimes day-to-day needs; but about their day- medical malpractice, and the Chinese hard for regular folks in our districts to-day needs. That is why we are here, trade, these amendments were not even to understand, so let us talk about because we are supposed to be taking allowed to be heard on the floor, or what this reconciliation budget-cut care of the needs of people who cannot were limited and restricted. We are document that we are going to take up do it for themselves talking about bipartisanship. We next week, what it really means for Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I think there is a talked about the Katrina Commission in the hour before last. people. tremendous, huge magnificent moral They do not want an independent In the Agriculture Committee, they component to this that our friends who commission like the 9/11 commission voted to cut $844 million from the food in many instances invoke their religion that the country was pleased with be- stamp program, which would kick to pass legislation tend to forget when cause it was bipartisan, and it was out 300,000 families out of the program and it is dealing with the poor in our soci- of the reach of this Congress. They leave 40,000 children ineligible for free ety. They forget their religion. But know the reason why we passed the 9/11 school lunches. Now, that is not whin- there is also an economic argument bill is because we had an independent 9/ ing. That means a little boy or little here. 11 Commission that was able to have We talked in the last hour about the girl is going to have a grumbly tummy equal subpoena power, getting the Chinese producing 600,000 engineers. day after day. facts. Do you know what it feels like? I And the country of India, producing Guess what? Democrats, Republicans, know what it feels like to not have 350,000 engineers, and the United States Independents, those who do not even anything in my tummy. I do not have only producing 70,000 engineers. The vote in this country applauded it, the anything in my tummy right now. But reason the Democrats are fighting for work that that entity, the 9/11 Com- I have the ability to go out and buy a the free and reduced lunch program mission, brought about. So to say that sandwich. People who get free and re- and student loans and increased fund- we have a partisan commission here in duced school lunches do not have that ing for Pell grants and Medicaid is be- the House of Representatives does not luxury. cause we need healthy educated kids so serve the American people in the way Mr. MEEK of Florida. These are chil- that they can go to college and become that they should be served. We talked dren. It goes beyond empty tummies. It engineers and create wealth so that we about that for months. goes down to kids prepared and ready can keep this great democracy alive. Right now I want to yield to you, be- to learn regardless of their economic This is not just a moral argument. It cause we do have a special guest here background. It is not their fault. It is is. But it is not just a moral argument. with us, and a great Member of this not their fault that they are in a poor This is an economic argument. Who do House. I want to you introduce him household and they are eligible, eligi- we suppose is going to come up with Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I would like to in- ble because the Federal Government the next alternative energy source? troduce one of my mentors in Congress, has found, and an education committee Who do we suppose is going to come up the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. and all of these folks came about dur- with the next great invention that is LARSON), an outstanding leader on a ing a time here in this Congress and going to lead to more manufacturing in variety of issues, a recent Member of said, you know, kids that are coming the United States of America, if we are the Ways and Members Committee, a to school hungry, we cannot actually not educating everybody? former quarterback at East Hartford teach them in the way that we want to. In our cities, my friends, when we High School. They are thinking about food. We need have 75 percent of our kids who live in Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. them thinking about preparing them- our cities living in poverty, they are Speaker, let me thank the gentlemen selves to become the next workforce never going to be on the economic from Ohio (Mr. RYAN) for yielding me here in America. playing field for us. And we need 11 on time and the gentlewoman from Flor- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. The next entre- both sides of the ball, my good friend. ida (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ) and her preneur, the next business person, the We need linebackers and cornerbacks colleague, the gentleman from Florida next person that is going to go out and and strong safeties and linemen. We (Mr. MEEK) as well.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:13 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.057 H04NOPT1 November 4, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9687 Mr. Speaker, you know, constituents false message, a message of false hope to be able to do the same thing that back in my district have written us. and false opportunity, and the only every other nation does for its seniors, And they have talked about listening push-back that they are getting are and that is to negotiate directly with to your voices, because truly you have from the voices of Democrats like the pharmaceutical companies. struck a cord with America. More often yourself. There is no way on that Medicare bill than not, we go home and we hear from I commend each and every one of that that is not a germane piece of leg- people, why are the Democrats not you, and I thank you for your contin- islation, but it was denied access to the speaking out, or we do not seem to ued efforts on this floor. floor because of the power of its ideas. hear the Democratic message. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- When the gentleman from California Well, frankly, in a one-party town, woman from Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN (Mr. DREIER) suggests that we do not where the Presidency and all of the at- SCHULTZ). have ideas, we have many ideas. The tendant agencies are controlled by the Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. ideas are squashed by the heavy-hand- Republicans, where the House has been Speaker, I thank the gentleman from ed Republican majority here. So, there- in control by the Republicans for more Connecticut (Mr. LARSON). He is in- fore, there was not a vote that had than a decade and where they control credibly eloquent, and I tremor fol- taken place that would allow the Sec- the Senate and are now putting a fur- lowing that eloquence. retary of Health and Human Services ther ideological grip on the Supreme I want to just follow up with some to negotiate directly with pharma- Court, it is in fact a one-party town. specifics, because our good friend from ceutical companies so that our senior As the gentleman from Florida (Mr. California (Mr. DREIER) was here ear- citizens could get the same kind of ben- MEEK) pointed out, when Democrats lier challenging our description of our efits and discounts, frankly, that the even try to get an amendment put to inability to make an impact and offer veterans do through the VA adminis- the floor, the heavy-handed Republican our ideas here. He described this myth- tration here. majority makes sure that no issues of ological bipartisan process. Well, let us But in the first 100 days the Demo- consequence are voted on in this Cham- counter some of the facts he threw out crats take back this Chamber, that is ber. there. the kind of change the American public Time and time again, the Democratic There have been 85 pieces of legisla- can expect to see; and that is why I am message is squelched. You have used tion that have had rules applied to so proud of your efforts that you have the analogy, I have heard throughout, them. For those who are listening that been doing on a regular basis on this of football. And sometimes when peo- do not know what that means, we have floor. Believe me, it is working. Be- ple ask about the Democratic message, restrictions placed on our ability as cause people are hearing all across this the best offense is a good defense. Members to offer amendments and country. We refuse to be drowned out offer our own ideas and help shape leg- by the Republican majority and their b 1330 islation every time, almost every time Republican message machine, a net- What stands between this ownership a bill is introduced on the floor. There work that is vast and large. And society juggernaut of privatization have been 85 such bills that have been whether it is Pat Robertson’s 700 Club that they want to foist on the Amer- introduced. or whether it is Rush Limbaugh or Cal ican public is the gentlewoman from Of those, 38 of them have had restric- Thomas or whether it is the Kato Insti- California (Ms. PELOSI) and the Demo- tive rules, meaning the Committee on tute or the Heritage Foundation or all cratic party. However underfinanced, Rules decides which, if any, amend- the other entities that converge in syn- however squashed by the heavy-handed ments we are going to be allowed to chronized and coordinated fashion to Republican majority, we continue to offer. Fifteen of those rules, 15 indi- try to stifle your voice, you have stood speak out in our only venue that we vidual pieces of legislation, have been up and spoke for America. God bless can, the public venue; and that is why entirely closed, meaning no Member is you. God bless America. people from my district have applauded allow to offer any amendments whatso- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ap- the efforts that all of you have made. ever. Three additional closed rules preciate what the gentleman just said. You know, Roosevelt said it best of were added into an entirely separate I did not know the gentleman was the our colleagues, They are frozen in the bill. Of the 85 pieces of legislation that one who tried to offer the amendment. ice of their own indifference. It is that have come on this floor that have had It is good for the 30–Somethings to un- indifference that troubles the Amer- rules apply to them, there has only derstand to put a face with the idea. ican people. You have pointed out how been one substantive bill that had an That idea to just negotiate down we are basically prevented from work- open rule, meaning any Member can drug prices on a $700 billion prescrip- ing in a bipartisan fashion. But what is offer, meaning any Member elected in tion drug bill, now that may save 10 even more disturbing is when you our own right, each by the same 633,000 percent, that may save 20 percent, reach out to this administration, people that we all represent, only one some people would say that would save whether you are mothers and fathers substantive bill has had an open rule 30 percent. Let us say, for the sake of waiting outside in Crawford, Texas, where we can offer any amendment and argument, that we could save 20 per- and you find there is indifference to any idea that we would like to offer. cent of a $700 billion bill. That is $140 your sons and daughters who have Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. billion that we would have here to ei- given up their lives, or whether you are Speaker, it is also the gentlewoman ther return back to the middle class in on the rooftops of New Orleans and from Florida’s (Ms. WASSERMAN the form of middle-class tax cuts or to there is indifference to your pleas for SCHULTZ) voice that stood out almost fully fund student loans or to fully help, or whether you have to go to Can- singularly when again the heavy-hand- fund the Pell grant or No Child Left ada to get prescription drugs because ed control of this Republican-domi- Behind. $140 billion goes a pretty long there is indifference to the kind of need nated majority tried to foist the Terry way, and that is what the Democrats that you have, indifference to the kind Schiavo incident upon us. I thank the want to do. of energy needs that you will have this gentlewoman for your strong voice at We have a Member here who is will- winter, it is that indifference that has that time. It was resounding all across ing to sit in committee until 4:00 in the consumed this body. this Nation. It was picked up by the morning to try to get that provision But because of voices like yours, and Hartford Current editorial board, to tacked on to the bill, and you get shot I commend each and every one of you, name just a few of the people it has im- down. the American public is listening, and pacted. But we are here to say that we are there will be a change in the ballot box The gentlewoman is right. It is not fighting on behalf, and I was telling my come 2006 because this message is only specifically we can cite but it is friend, the gentleman from Florida going to be heard. the anecdotes that we can understand. (Mr. MEEK), earlier, there is an old Yes, we are on the defensive because I waited in the Rules Committee until Irish saying, Is this a private fight or we have to deal with this enormous 4 o’clock in the morning to try to get can anyone get in it? And I believe that juggernaut in Orwellian fashion that a bill that would provide for the Sec- is what the mentality of the 30–Some- continues to perpetrate its message, a retary of Health and Human Services thing group. We are ready to scrap

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:06 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.058 H04NOPT1 H9688 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 4, 2005 here. We are not going to sit back and morning, to be able to get lunch, I we know what they are doing, and the let anyone push us around and let any- guess left up to the majority since American people know what they are one tell us that we do not have ideas. there is something about this depend- doing, and that is why the American Because we do have ideas. And just be- ency thing that is going on, I guess it people see this Congress on the ap- cause the Republican majority does not is okay to have 60 percent of the kids proval end at 35 percent. We did not do like them, just because it may be con- eating lunch and 40 percent of the kids the poll. That is what the American trary to their fund-raising opportuni- looking outside of the lunchroom in- people are saying. It is not only Demo- ties, that does not mean we are going side wanting lunch but they cannot crats, it is Independents, Republicans to stop. have it. and others. I have to go catch a plane, and I am I guess it is okay to have those kids So we are here to make sure that all sorry about that because I would love then to go to the classroom for the sec- Americans know exactly what is going to sit here and continue this discus- ond half of the education day in front on and let the chips fall where they sion. But let me say, in closing, that of a teacher hungry, while the other may and make sure everyone under- the Democratic party wants to take half of the class are picking their teeth stands and we have transparency in this country into a new direction. We from the lunch that they are able to af- this process. want to change the way things are ford because the gentlewoman from b 1345 going in Washington right now, and Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ) is that is part of what this is all about. able to provide that for her children Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. What We also want to say to the American and I am able to provide it. we are here going to say is that the people that when you put us in charge, So I guess those of us that have, we emperor truly does have not clothes. If we are going to put the interests of the are going to be okay. It is just those you remember that story, everyone in country before the interests of our own other folk out there making up beds, the kingdom in that story refused to party. popping sheets in hotels and driving acknowledge that the emperor was The system that we just talked about cabs around here, good luck to them. buck naked because they were worried where the pharmaceutical companies I guess when faith-based organiza- about the consequences. They wanted are getting middle-class taxes, they tions in my district and throughout to make sure that nothing happened to come to Washington and it returns to this country are trying to do all they them. Well, we are not afraid. We are the oil companies and to the pharma- can to hold this thing together, pro- not afraid. ceutical companies, that system is in- viding after-school programs with pa- It needs to be highlighted and under- herently corrupt. And that when our rishioners, giving money to fill the gap scored. What they are doing to the Republican majority friends appoint that is no longer being filled because American people needs to be brought someone who is in charge of an Arabian we have cut the local commitment in out, and we are saying do not believe horses outfit to run FEMA, we are juvenile justice and prevention pro- us. This is not what KENDRICK MEEK going to end the cronyism, and we are grams. When we say ‘‘prevention’’ we and DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ are going to end the incompetence and the are talking about programs. We are saying or TIM RYAN or any of the other incompetent way they govern. We want talking about programs that help Members that have come to this floor to take the country in a new direction. young children stay out of trouble, to share angst and concern. I thank my friends. I thank my homework centers. All of those activi- We are saying look at the third party friends. I thank my friends. ties that we have put in Leave No Child validators that we have saying the Mr. MEEK of Florida. I want to say Behind and will not fund those, Mr. exact same thing. We are saying look to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. RYAN) Speaker. We will not fund those. I at the religious leaders who are urging and the gentleman from Connecticut guess that is a dependency for after- and who just yesterday came to the (Mr. LARSON) as they depart, I just school homework. Congress to urge the congressional want to say what they are saying is But guess what? We have a nice cozy leadership not to put forth these dras- right on. We do not have to be con- jail cell if someone was to step out of tic cuts that are going to hurt people. cerned with what outside people and line. So I think it is important for us This is from today’s Washington outside groups say and do. We must be to remember that this is very, very se- Post. This is not a quotation from concerned about what our colleagues rious. someone else. This is in the story on are doing or not doing on the other Now there was an amendment in the budget cuts. It says, With so many side. I think it is very important for us committee by the Democrats that said controversial provisions, the House to remember that. that, okay, let us talk about the tax measure is forcing Republican leaders Talking about this budget is some- cuts so we can expose the real reason to scramble for support in what could thing that really needs review. And I why we are going through this exer- be the most difficult vote of the year. encourage the American people, I also cise. Let us talk about the tax cuts for Well, I would agree. This should be the encourage Members to figure out what the special interests and billionaires most difficult vote of the year. When is in it and what is not in it. The cuts first. Let us bring that up first and you are cutting people’s food stamps, that are being made in the budget, make that a part of this budget and re- when you are cutting their children’s well, let us just call it what it is. flect it and put it out front so everyone ability to get free and reduced lunch, Let me ask the gentlewoman from can see it. when you are cutting $4.9 billion from Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ), I But the majority did not want that child support programs that help peo- know she has a third-party validator, to happen because it just would have ple collect money from deadbeat dads, the cuts that are in this budget, in the been too easy for the folks back home. yeah, I would guess that is a tough light of hurricane relief, the cuts that So say, okay, you are raising fees on vote. Lord, I would hope so. are being made are really to clear the students, our future workforce, by It goes on to say, Some Republican way for the $106 billion tax cut mainly $5,000 apiece, to the tune of $14 billion. moderates are balking at cuts to anti- for special interests and billionaires in And then you turn around and this par- poverty programs, especially in light of this country on the backs of Medicare, ticular industry is receiving a $10 bil- the $70 billion tax cut that could come on the backs of Medicaid, on the backs lion, what you call, ‘‘incentive,’’ we to a vote soon after the budget bill, of free and reduced lunch for children. call tax cut, even though they have more than wiping out that bill’s deficit And the reason why they were on the record profits to go out and find oil off reduction. backs of those, and some may call it the coast of Florida. Yeah, that is the Well, here it is. It is not what DEBBIE dependency, I call it making sure that ticket. That is. And that is actually WASSERMAN SCHULTZ and KENDRICK the seniors can get their prescription happening. MEEK are saying. The article describ- drugs. I call it making sure that chil- So that is why it is important that ing the budget cuts, the reconciliation dren that happen to be born into a poor we come to this floor every time we get bill, specifically says that there is no community and in a poor family and a the opportunity, within the frame of deficit reduction in what they are struggling family that is trying to the rules, Mr. Speaker, to share with doing. What they are doing is to try to make way to get a hot meal in the the Members on the majority side that preserve the tax cuts for the wealthy,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:13 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.059 H04NOPT1 November 4, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9689 make sure that their right wing, that I think if we are going to subscribe to sign up for Medicaid because they can- their right flank does not go absolutely anything it is the physician’s oath. not afford to give them real health ballistic, because that wing of the That should be something we live by, care. Sign up for Medicaid. party does not care about taking care which is first do no harm. When we get But guess what, I want to say this to of people. They are trying to make sure here, we should commit to doing no the small businesses. There is a $10 bil- they preserve what they have and what harm, and it appears unfortunately as lion cut in this budget. So, guess what, the upper echelon has. though the Republican leadership came that option is no longer going to be Let us talk about because if you do here to do the opposite. there if the Republican majority has not believe the Washington Post, you Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I their way. If they continue to have think it is paper that is off the mark, think it is very evident that nowhere their way, it is okay for them to go let us just go through what some of our in this budget is it talking about cuts into what is left of a poverty, if you religious leaders are saying. We are not in tax breaks to special interests. want to call it, health care program talking about liberal religious leaders There is nothing in here that says that out there for people that need health or progressive religious leaders. We are we are going to make sure that we tell care to be able to make sure that they talking about mainstream religious billionaires that we have some things provide tax cuts, not for you, small leadership that came here yesterday that we need to do here in this govern- business person, not for you, company and joined in prayer at the Capitol. ment and we can no longer give them of 100 or 200 people or company of 500 They included Reverend Dr. Bob that tax break. We are not saying it to people, not for you, Republican, Demo- Edgar, who is the general secretary of special interests, but we are saying it crat or Independent, but for the indi- the National Council of Churches of the to those who cannot fight for them- viduals that have the ear apparently of United States; Jim Wallis of Sojourn- selves. the majority at this particular time. ers magazine; Rabbi David Saperstein We are saying it to not only students, We know that this is the people’s of the Religious Action Center; and El- but we are saying to parents that if the House, and I have said it before and I eanor Giddings Ivory of the Pres- majority side have their way, they will say it again. It is supposed to be byterian Church. Let me go through a need to go out and meet with their col- the people’s House and we are the only couple of things that they said in urg- lege fund adviser because you will be body here in Congress, the Senate you ing the Republican leadership not to do paying more for higher education so can be appointed if it is in midterm, this, not to harm and cause harm to that your children will be able to be a but only in the House of Representa- the people that this budget will affect. part of this workforce or what is left of tives is it that you have to be elected. Reverend Jim Wallis: ‘‘As this moral it and has not gone to China and other That is in every State, and no one can battle for the budget unfolds, I am call- countries. touch that. If a Member was to say I I think it is also important to under- ing on Members of Congress, some of resign today or I am moving on to stand that child support, like Ms. whom make much out of their faith, to something or I am appointed to this WASSERMAN SCHULTZ said, has been cut start some Bible studies before they position, you do not see someone here in this budget, and now over on the cast votes to cut food stamps, Med- tomorrow. There is a special election Ways and Means on the committee side icaid, child care and more that hurt set, and the local people in that dis- is $8 billion as it relates to the cuts the weakest in our Nation.’’ trict will vote to replace that indi- over 5 years. The cuts come where? Rabbi David Saperstein: The budget vidual that left Congress. So I think Human services, child support and fos- reconciliation package with its $50 bil- you could not get closer to the people lion in program cuts and $70 billion tax ter care. So I want to warn States, including of the United States than we should be cuts giveaway is morally unjustifiable. my State in Florida, I want to warn here in the Congress, and I will tell you Reverend Eleanor Giddings Ivory of you, you are going to have to deal with this, that I am very, very concerned the Presbyterian Church: I am here enforcement of making sure that single about what is being done here in Wash- today to express concern for the Fed- moms are able to get money from dead- ington, D.C., right now. eral budget reconciliation packages beat dads or vice versa. You are going I am going to just show this quick under consideration in the House and to be responsible as it relates to kids chart because I showed it at the begin- the Senate. Our Nation is about to bal- that are orphans to find some sort of ning, but I just want to keep reminding ance its budget on the backs of the shelter when they have to go into a fos- folks. Folks feel that, oh, they are poor. Is that a moral thing to do? ter home environment because the Fed- alarmists. Some people walking around Clearly the answer is, no, it is not. eral Government, we are not partners here in the Capitol, they are saying Let me just tell you, I was so moved with you anymore because we are try- something and what is the problem. by Rabbi Saperstein’s comments in ing to clear the way so that we can What is the problem? There is no prob- their effort yesterday. He, as is the keep our promise to billionaires and lem. What are you talking about? practice of many of our religious col- special interests here in Washington, Things are great. You know, I had leagues on both sides of the aisle but D.C. lunch today, did you? particularly because the Republican I want to also put the States on But when it comes down to security leadership and its Members like to use warning, every State, red, blue or pur- and financial security, 42 Presidents, their faith so often to underscore how ple, I am giving you forewarning that and I am going to say it again and I am they have injected values into govern- you are going to see the largest what going to keep saying it, 42 Presidents, ment, Rabbi Saperstein urged our col- we call devolution of taxation in the $1.0 trillion loaned from foreign hold- leagues and said that they ought to re- history of this country, where we back ings, and this is from the U.S. Depart- member that the Bible urges us to out of the responsibility of being a part ment of Treasury that we have gone to ‘‘deal thy bread to the hungry,’’ not of making sure that we have vibrant other countries to borrow money, ‘‘steal thy bread from the hungry.’’ He communities and making sure that we World War I, World War II, you name asked us to remember Proverbs’ stern treat people like they are supposed to it, Depression, all 42 Presidents, one warning: ‘‘Do not steal from the weak be treated because you are going to President $1.05 trillion in 4 years. because he is weak and do not oppress have to make the cuts because you Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. That is the poor in the gate.’’ have to balance. You have to balance combined. I could go on, but there have been your budget. Mr. MEEK of Florida. All of these many more than just the religious So what we hand down with the phi- Presidents combined could not do as leaders that were here yesterday who losophy that if you are middle income much as this administration has done have urged this Congress not to take in this country, if you are not a billion- as it relates to borrowing from foreign these actions. It not only will harm aire or a millionaire, good luck. Good countries to support mainly tax cuts people, cause grave harm for people luck on health care because we do not that we cannot afford for billionaires who have already been on the brink, it have health care, real health care here and millionaires and special interests. will not improve anything. It does not in the United States. I could see if it was something where reduce our deficit. It does not improve There is story after story about there was billions of dollars going into our economy. It only brings harm, and small businesses telling folks to go U.S. cities and to rural America to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:13 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.061 H04NOPT1 H9690 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 4, 2005 build economic development, to be able little that is happening on that. And So, Mr. Speaker, if someone wants to to help farmers that are trying to com- thanks to the Democrats in the Senate impress the American people that the pete with foreign countries, thanks to that pushed a—— budget is so good, let us follow the us, okay, or thanks to the majority. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. If the House rules and do the vote in 15 min- I can see if we were going into gentleman will yield before we branch utes. Do the vote and do not have the schools and saying that we are going to off to Iraq just for a second. Members standing here at 3 a.m. in the be the leaders of the world in educating Mr. MEEK of Florida. I am coming morning saying, well, Mr. Speaker, engineers, that we are going to have right back. I am not going into Iraq. they said it was a 15-minute vote and science and math and we are going to This is an example. we are now on 90 minutes. When are we lead the world in education. I could see That is fine that the Senate came to- closing the board? that. gether, three Democrats, three Repub- I think the reason why the voting I can see if we had real homeland se- licans, who will come together with a board was not closed, and probably will curity where our border would be pro- report on the intelligence piece. Okay. not be closed next week, is that as long tected and that we would have the en- Okay. as the majority is not getting their forcement officers out there with the Do we have a strategy for success? way, they are going to change the spir- tools that they need to make sure it is Well, we do not have that answer. Do it of the rules of the House of Rep- protected and have a process to be able we have a strategy of when we will be resentatives, and that is the problem to deal with the issue of illegal immi- able to have American men and women too. grations and even if they are in this come back home? Well, you know, we Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. You country, I can see if those dollars went are fighting a war against terror, a know, I have been seriously consid- towards that. global war, and we have got to go after ering coming to the Chamber next Fri- I can see if we said we want to deal the terrorists. Okay. But what is our day in my pajamas, given the track with energy with those dollars, Mr. strategy? Well, we do not have one. record of controversial votes, where Speaker, to be able to say that we want So we are spending billions and bil- they make their Members, the Repub- to pull back on our dependency on oil lions of dollars of the taxpayers’ money lican leadership makes their Members and that we will use alternative energy in Iraq at this particular time. And it puke blood in not allowing them to de- sources. I can see that. is not about the troops; it is about cide what to do, to stand on the cour- But I do not see people coming to the some other things that we are trying to age of their convictions. They keep the floor and saying, well, on behalf of the accomplish. board open, and we watch it light up economy, billionaires need another tax What is the strategy? Well, there is like a Christmas tree up there, red to break, millionaires need another tax no strategy, and why are you asking, green, green to red. It is just unbeliev- break, this special interest group with by the way. Why are you asking what able. record profits, unprecedented history is the strategy? Sometimes I think the board is mal- of these oil companies, that we need to I am on the Armed Services Com- functioning. Maybe it is not func- give them additional billions of dollars mittee, and folks say, do we have an tioning. Maybe we should get an elec- in taxpayers’ money to go out and do exit strategy? Democrats and Repub- trician in here. Maybe we should have what they should be doing with their licans have asked that. And I want to the electrician check the wiring behind profits anyway. You get a small busi- say that on the minority, the majority the Republican Members’ names and ness that makes a profit, some of that of the minority of the members over their lights, because they do not seem goes towards a security fund and some there, in the majority, have asked that to be able to pick one and have it stay of that goes towards what? Growing question, along with several members there. Every time they have to cast a their business. No, no, no, not in this on the Democratic side, because we controversial vote, it goes from no to majority, no, no. You get the profit want to know exactly where we are yes, then yes to no; or they do not ap- and then you come over here to the going. Are we going to be in Iraq as pear to be able to turn their own light Congress and you get the taxpayer long as there is a small insurgency? on for a very long time, because they money to go out and do the things that So that is the issue when it comes cannot decide. Is it that they cannot you should be doing in the first place. down to oversight and governance and decide? It does not make sense, Mr. Speaker, making sure that we do what we need I just want to make sure, because it and I do not care who says different. I to do. So I just wanted to mention that is deeply concerning to me that they do not care if the chairman of the bas- because the ideas that we have, the would not know when they came to the ket weaving committee was to come to ideas as relates to pay-as-you-go, the floor how to vote on a bill that is going this floor and say what is the problem. ideas as relates to being energy effi- to cut food stamps, that is going to cut What is the problem? We have enough cient by 2010, 2012, those ideas cannot financial aid, that cuts access to af- baskets. What are you complaining surface in this Congress because the fordable energy, that allows drilling about. Well, there is a lot to complain majority has their foot on those ideas. around the entire coastline of the about, and there is a lot to let the So when folks come to the floor and United States of America where it is Members know and the American peo- say what is the problem, I guarantee not currently allowed. So there has to ple know that we are willing to lead in when that budget comes up next week, be something wrong with the wiring. the area of individuals who are not and there is talk on the other side of, Next week, I am going to be here in leading in right now on the majority I wish our friends on the Democratic my pajamas and a teddy bear with a side as it relates to energy, as it re- side would join us in this budget reso- nice cup of coffee because we are really lates to making sure that we have a lution that is coming to the floor, well, going to have to settle in for a long health care plan here, making sure pre- I have to say this to the Republican night. It is not going to be a normal 15- scription drugs are affordable for majority: I hope that Republicans join minute or a normal 5-minute vote, be- Americans, making sure that our men you on it, because that seems to be a cause I think the wiring under that and women in Iraq have what they problem, Mr. Speaker. board is going to go haywire next need. Every time there is a major bill that week. They are clearly not going to get comes to the floor and it is a 15-minute their way right away because this is b 1400 vote, that 15-minute vote turns into a going to be a gut-wrenching angst-rid- And let me just mention something 2-hour vote. Why does it turn into a 2- den vote. Woe to the Member on their for a minute, since I mentioned Iraq. hour vote? Not because Members can- side that does not vote how the leader- The bottom line is that on the major- not make it from their offices to the ship wants them to. ity side and the President you start floor. No, it boils down to whose arm Sometimes when we talk in trillions saying, okay, let us talk about Iraq. can be twisted, who can be pushed into and billions and millions it is a hard All right, we had bad intelligence, and a corner, and who can be pushed into concept for people to understand. I that is a big question right now. We do voting for an unjust budget to clear the know it is hard for me. A trillion is not know if the Congress was given bad way for special interests and for bil- such a huge number. An $8 trillion def- intelligence or not, but there is very lionaires. icit is what we are in the middle of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:13 Nov 05, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04NO7.062 H04NOPT1 November 4, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9691 right now. That is a huge number. I the Republicans would join the Repub- expansion of the Special Services Office, sometimes cannot understand how big licans on it, because they know exactly which now conducts tours of the U.S. Capitol that number is. It is also hard to un- what is not happening. for the blind, deaf, and wheelchair-bound, derstand what an $844 million cut from I want to give our Web site out here. and publishes Senate maps and documents in Braille; the food stamp program is, or the kind It is [email protected]. Whereas in 2003, Henry Giugni received an of cuts they are going to be passing That is Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for down in this budget reconciliation doc- [email protected]. We the University of Hawai’i at Hilo in recogni- ument that is going to affect affordable want to make sure that everyone tion of his extraordinary contributions to housing. knows exactly what is going on here in Hawai’i and the Nation; I want to show this picture. This pic- Washington, D.C. Whereas Henry Giugni carried Hawai’i’s ture is of me standing in the apartment Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my col- flag while marching with Dr. Martin Luther of one of my constituents whose roof league from Florida, as well as the gen- King for civil rights in Selma, Alabama; Whereas Henry Giugni presided over the tleman from Connecticut (Mr. LARSON) caved in on her during Hurricane inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, Wilma. These are the people that, on and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. and escorted numerous foreign dignitaries, top of what they have already gone RYAN), who joined us here today; and including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatch- through, on top of what they have al- we will continue to work hard not only er, and Vaclav Havel when they visited the ready gone through, now we are going to bring fresh ideas to the floor but to United States Capitol; and to cut the budget that funds the very make sure that we point out where the Whereas on November 3, 2005, Henry Giugni programs that exist to help them. inequities are within our own institu- passed away at the age of 80; Now therefore There are people in dire straits in tion. be it south Florida after Hurricane Wilma Resolved, That the Senate has heard with f profound sorrow and deep regret the an- and in the gulf coast region after COMMUNICATION FROM THE HON- nouncement of the death of Henry Giugni. Katrina. There are people who before ORABLE ROBERT W. NEY, MEM- Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate the hurricanes hit were in dire straits. BER OF CONGRESS communicate these resolutions to the House This is what the problem really looks of Representatives and transmit an enrolled like for people. These people cannot The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. copy thereof to the family of the deceased. live in homes like this because this DENT) laid before the House the fol- Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns home was condemned. Obviously, no- lowing communication from the Honor- today, it stand adjourned as a further mark body can live in the apartment in this able ROBERT W. NEY, Member of Con- of respect to the memory of Henry Giugni. picture, and I wish that there was only gress: The message also announced that one that looked like this in south Flor- CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, pursuant to section 1928a–1928d of title ida. This is the plight that we are put- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 22, United States Code, as amended, the ting people through. Washington, DC, November 4, 2005. Chair on behalf of the Vice President, Before we give out the Web site, I Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT, appoints the following Senators to the want to close by saying that we are in Speaker, House of Representatives, Senate Delegation to the Nato Par- Washington, DC. liamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, the middle of adding ‘‘C’’ after ‘‘C’’: DEAR MR. SPEAKER: This is to notify you with the culture of corruption, cro- formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules Denmark, November 11–14, 2005, during nyism, and the lack of confidence that of the House of Representatives, that my of- the One Hundred Ninth Congress: the American people have in their gov- fice has been served with a grand jury sub- The Senator from Mississippi (Mr. ernment, and now we have the coverup poena, issued by the U.S. District Court for LOTT). Congress. That is what came to light the District of Columbia and directed to the The Senator from Colorado (Mr. AL- here this week. We have repeatedly ‘‘Custodian of Records,’’ for documents and LARD) testimony. The Senator from Alabama (Mr. SES- asked for investigations, that this lead- I will make the determinations required by ership stand up and do what is right. Rule VIII. SIONS). And Leader PELOSI has tried to get Sincerely, The Senator from Kentucky (Mr. them to do that, and they have unani- ROBERT W. NEY, BUNNING). mously rejected that. Member of Congress. The Senator from Ohio (Mr. We are going to continue to come f VOINOVICH). back to this floor and stand up for the The message also announced that MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE American people, and I look forward to pursuant to Public Law 107–273, the continuing this dialogue with my col- A message from the Senate by Ms. Chair, on behalf of the Majority Lead- league. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced er, announces the appointment of the Mr. MEEK of Florida. Just to add to that the Senate agreed to the following following individual to serve as a mem- what I was saying before the gentle- resolution: ber of the Antitrust Modernization woman made her statements, October 7 S. RES. 300 Commission: the board was open for 40 minutes to In the Senate of the United States, Novem- Makan Delrahim of the District of pass the ‘‘energy bill,’’ as relates to ber 3, 2005. Columbia. Whereas Henry Ku’ualoha Giugni was born home heating. Special interests were f able to get their profits out of that. on January 11, 1925, in Honolulu, Hawai’i; Whereas Henry Giugni served with distinc- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN The board was open for 40 minutes, tion in the United States Army, after enlist- REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS even though it was a 5-minute vote. ing at the age of 16 after the attacks on November 22, 2003, broke the record Pearl Harbor, and served in combat at the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under here in the House of Representatives Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II; the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- by holding the vote open. It was origi- Whereas Henry Giugni began his service in uary 4, 2005, the gentleman from New nally set for 15 minutes but lasted over the Senate in 1963 as Senior Executive As- Mexico (Mr. PEARCE) is recognized for 3 hours into the middle of the night. It sistant and Chief of Staff to Senator Daniel 60 minutes. was obvious on the prescription drug K. Inouye; Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I appre- Whereas Henry Giugni served as Sergeant- bill that it was a failing bill, but it at-Arms from 1987 until 1990; ciate the opportunity to address the took 3 hours for the majority to get Whereas Henry Giugni was the first person body. We are at a time right now where their way. of color and first Polynesian to be appointed literally the stakes of America lie in The reason why there are two dates to be the Sergeant-at-Arms; the balance. Our future is going to be on this, July 27 and 28, is because the Whereas Henry Giugni promoted minori- determined by our actions today. board was left open, the voting board ties and women by appointing the first mi- Many people often ask me exactly was left open for an hour, well past the nority, an African American, to lead the Ser- what is the difference between the two geant-at-Arms’ Service Department, and was 15-minute voting time on CAFTA, the first to assign women to the Capitol Po- approaches, and I will tell you that which actually passed by 227 to 215. So lice plain-clothes unit; there are significant differences be- when the majority says I wish the Whereas Henry Giugni’s special interest in tween the Republican and Democrat Democrats would join us, I wish that people with disabilities resulted in a major approach in Congress. Dennis Prager, a

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