E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 112 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 157 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011 No. 41 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was last day’s proceedings and announces left a great legacy and his memory called to order by the Speaker pro tem- to the House his approval thereof. should be honored. pore (Mr. POE of Texas). Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- My wife, Mary, and I, as well as all f nal stands approved. West Virginians, will keep Private f Harper, his family, his friends and his DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER entire unit, the 3rd Squadron, 2nd PRO TEMPORE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Stryker Cavalry Regiment, in our The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the thoughts and prayers. fore the House the following commu- gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BARROW) nication from the Speaker: come forward and lead the House in the f WASHINGTON, DC, Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. BARROW led the Pledge of Alle- March 17, 2011. COMMEMORATING THE 46TH ANNI- I hereby appoint the Honorable TED POE to giance as follows: VERSARY OF BLOODY SUNDAY act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the JOHN A. BOEHNER, United States of America, and to the Repub- (Mr. BARROW asked and was given Speaker of the House of Representatives. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, permission to address the House for 1 f indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. minute and to revise and extend his re- PRAYER f marks.) Mr. BARROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER today to commemorate the 46th anni- Coughlin, offered the following prayer: PRO TEMPORE versary of Bloody Sunday and to recog- Lord, may this celebration of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The nize the courage of my colleague, Con- feast of St. Patrick give all people Chair will entertain up to five requests gressman JOHN LEWIS, and the many smiling eyes and grateful hearts. for 1-minute speeches on each side of other heroes of the civil rights move- Knowing that all work is sacred in the aisle. ment. Your sight, and well aware that work f in government is very difficult in to- A couple of weeks ago, I was privi- day’s world, we pray that the following TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE FIRST leged to retrace the footsteps of his- Celtic adage may be realized in all who CLASS ANDREW HARPER tory with JOHN LEWIS and walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, work here in the Congress of these (Mr. MCKINLEY asked and was given United States. permission to address the House for 1 Alabama. There, nearly 50 years ago, May you see in what you do, the minute.) some 600 demonstrators marched to take a stand for African American vot- beauty of your own soul. Mr. MCKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, this May the sacredness of your work past week, West Virginia experienced a ing rights. On the bridge, they were bring healing, light and renewal to tremendous loss. Private First Class savagely attacked by State and local those who work with you and those Andrew Harper from Maidsville, West lawmen to prohibit their crossing. who see and receive your work. Virginia, died from injuries he sus- Journalists captured those brutal at- May your work never weary you. tained while serving in Afghanistan. He tacks, sparking outrage that led to the May every dawn find you alert, ap- represented America with the utmost passage of the Voting Rights Act of proaching the new day with dreams, pride and dignity. 1965. possibilities and promises. A graduate from University High Congressman LEWIS recently re- May every evening find you gracious School in Morgantown, Private Harper turned to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. and fulfilled. was stationed in Kandahar province Again he was met by a large group of And may every good work, wrapped when he sustained his fatal injuries police—this time as an honor guard. in prayer, calm, console and renew you. during a noncombat incident. We have come a long way in the last Amen. The admiration our community felt 50 years, and we still have a long way f for this 19-year-old man and his service to go to ensure equality and justice for are immense. So many are shocked by all. But we never could have come as THE JOURNAL the news of Andrew’s passing. This far as we have without the courage and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The brave young man was so very prom- the devotion of countless men and Chair has examined the Journal of the ising. There is no question that Andrew women just like JOHN LEWIS.

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.000 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1910 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 VOTE ‘‘NO’’ ON TROOP WITH- How much is $1 trillion? It is a num- the other side of the aisle continue to DRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN ber so large it is hard to get your arms refer to the so-called health care re- (Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio asked and around it. But if you were to spend $1 form bill as the Affordable Health Care was given permission to address the million a day, $1 million every day, it Act. There are a lot of questions 1 year House for 1 minute.) would take you almost 3,000 years to after passage. But one question has Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, get to $1 trillion. been answered. It is not the Affordable in my nearly 27 years in the United This Nation right now is more than Medical Care Act. It is the States Air Force, I learned that one of $14 trillion in debt. The country is Unaffordable Medical Care Act. the most critical elements necessary to going to spend more than $3.5 trillion Why do I say that? Well, HHS has de- overcome a determined enemy is the over 12 months. More than $220 billion cided to give over 1,000 waivers to busi- element of surprise. Based on my expe- was added to our debt just last month. nesses, to unions, and now even to rience and the proven battle-tested his- Somehow, some way, this govern- States because they find they can’t af- tory of the many successful conflicts ment has got to recognize that we are ford what is required in the bill. Sec- that our Nation has endured over the going to have to do more with less; ondly, I haven’t met a single con- years, I must stand in opposition to that the proper role of government stituent whose health care cost by way House Concurrent Resolution 28. does not allow us to unilaterally use of their insurance policies or programs Surprise is a tactical element best this, the voting card of the United has gone down. They have all gone up determined by field commanders based States Congress, as the biggest credit as a direct result of the bill passed on on battlefield conditions. As such, deci- card that has ever faced this planet. We this floor and signed by the President. sions on troop movements should be have to do more with less. We have to So let’s at least have some truth in made by commanders in the field, not be disciplined. labeling. It is not the Affordable politicians in Washington. Should this f Health Care Act. It is increasingly be- coming the Unaffordable Health Care bill pass, we give up the element of sur- CUTS TO RESEARCH AND DEVEL- Act. prise, we break the trust and relation- OPMENT AND STEM EDUCATION ship we have built with the Afghan f (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of people and our allies, and the sacrifice Texas asked and was given permission WE WILL NOT GO BACK of our young men and women in uni- to address the House for 1 minute.) form would be meaningless if we sim- (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of ply walk away. given permission to address the House Texas. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor General Petraeus said, ‘‘The Taliban for 1 minute.) today to talk about a crisis that our and al Qaeda obviously would trumpet Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Friday, March country is facing. We all know that our this as a victory, as a success. Needless 25, marks the 100th anniversary of the Nation’s future strength is directly de- to say, it would completely undermine Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The pendent upon our commitment to a ro- everything that our troopers have deaths of 146 workers—mostly young bust science agenda. The cuts to our fought so much for and sacrificed so women—were avoidable. If the owners Nation’s science programs in the CR much for.’’ of the factory had not locked the doors threaten to set our Nation back even I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no.’’ to the stairwells and exits, if they had as we continue to look forward to our installed a stable fire escape or put in f future. sprinklers, many of those lives would GIVE HEALTH CARE REFORM A An investment in science is about en- not have been painfully and tragically CHANCE TO WORK suring our Nation’s memories are hon- lost. (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was ored, by investing in dreams that are The International Ladies Garment given permission to address the House yet even brighter. As an author of the Workers Union didn’t just mourn the for 1 minute and to revise and extend first bipartisan America COMPETES victims—they organized. Their activ- his remarks.) Act, we responded to many top aca- ism resulted in the passage of major Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, 1 demic, corporate and business leaders worker protections—not just new fire- year ago, President Obama signed the who knew that investments in STEM safety laws but laws against the 7-day historic Affordable Care Act into law. education is what will ensure that our work weeks and child labor. The Tri- Since that time, we have seen an all- Nation’s future science and engineering angle tragedy helped expand the right out assault by the special interests and leaders will never need to leave our to union representation—a voice at health insurance companies. shores in order to obtain a world-class work. Americans are tired of this debate. education. One hundred years later, we confront They are tired of the misinformation. December 2010 was one of our finest a coordinated effort to roll back those Congress must stand up for the middle hours when, as a Congress, we returned hard-fought gains. Just as the Triangle class. We must protect families. We to our triumphant moment of passing fire spurred people into action, the must stop companies from arbitrarily the comprehensive, bipartisan America anti-working family agenda of Wis- canceling coverage after patients be- COMPETES Reauthorization Act, to consin Governor Scott Walker has mo- come sick, prevent children from being provide our Nation with a roadmap for bilized millions. The message is clear: denied coverage due to preexisting con- investing in our global economic com- We will not go back. ditions, and never again let insurance petitiveness and our future growth. f Mr. Speaker, our country cannot afford to go companies place lifetime limits on THE NATIONAL DEBT health coverage. backwards by giving up on science and inno- Mr. Speaker, let’s give the reform a vation. (Mr. FATTAH asked and was given chance to work. Reject the special in- An investment in science is about ensuring permission to address the House for 1 terests and extreme rhetoric. Make America’s memories are honored by investing minute.) sure every American family is pro- in dreams that are even brighter. Mr. FATTAH. Let me wish everyone tected when it comes to health care. We all have a responsibility to preserve this a happy St. Patty’s Day. vision in order to help rebuild our economy. f It is unfortunate that we have so f much effort here in the House to recite DISCIPLINED SPENDING BY b 0910 the problem rather than to focus on so- CONGRESS lutions. We hear this discussion about (Mr. CHAFFETZ asked and was given UNAFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE our national debt. We have these paltry permission to address the House for 1 ACT efforts. We cut $6 billion on the same minute.) (Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- day that the debt went up $72 billion. Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, the fornia asked and was given permission We have a proposal by the majority to United States Congress is the only to address the House for 1 minute.) address the debt by cutting 11⁄2 percent place that I know of that we talk about Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- out of a small corner of the budget, trillions of dollars, trillion with a ‘‘T.’’ fornia. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues on doing serious damage to our Nation’s

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.003 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1911 efforts in education and science and in- Workforce, $8,346,254; Committee on Energy PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION novation. and Commerce, $10,980,940; Committee on OF H.R. 1076, PROHIBITING FED- I would hope that we would think for Ethics, $2,824,535; Committee on Financial ERAL FUNDING OF NATIONAL a minute about what we could actually Services, $8,441,264; Committee on Foreign PUBLIC RADIO Affairs, $8,952,470; Committee on Homeland do to take America’s exceptional past Security, $8,443,724; Committee on House Ad- Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, by direc- and create a real roadmap for our Na- ministration, $4,949,176; Permanent Select tion of the Committee on Rules, I call tion’s future, ensuring it on a fiscal Committee on Intelligence, $5,153,750; Com- up House Resolution 174 and ask for its footing that will be stronger. mittee on the Judiciary, $8,401,406; Com- immediate consideration. I have introduced this morning H.R. mittee on Natural Resources, $7,869,766; Com- The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- 1125. It is a proposal to address the Na- mittee on Oversight and Government Re- lows: form, $10,613,054; Committee on Rules, tion’s debt and create a debt-free H. RES. 174 America. I invite the House to debate $3,391,985; Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, $6,685,637; Committee on Small Resolved, That upon the adoption of this on it. Business, $3,214,891; Committee on Transpor- resolution it shall be in order to consider in f tation and Infrastructure, $9,915,223; Com- the House the bill (H.R. 1076) to prohibit Fed- eral funding of National Public Radio and PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENSES mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, $3,602,745; and Committee on Ways and Means, $9,801,365. the use of Federal funds to acquire radio con- OF CERTAIN COMMITTEES OF tent. All points of order against consider- THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- SEC. 3. SECOND SESSION LIMITATIONS. ation of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order TIVES IN THE 112TH CONGRESS (a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount provided against provisions in the bill are waived. The for in section 1 for each committee named in Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- previous question shall be considered as or- subsection (b), not more than the amount fornia. Mr. Speaker, I call up House dered on the bill to final passage without in- specified in such subsection shall be avail- Resolution 147 and ask unanimous con- tervening motion except: (1) one hour of de- able for expenses incurred during the period bate equally divided and controlled by the sent for its immediate consideration. beginning at noon on January 3, 2012, and chair and ranking minority member of the The Clerk read the title of the resolu- ending immediately before noon on January Committee on Energy and Commerce; and (2) tion. 3, 2013. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there one motion to recommit. (b) COMMITTEES AND AMOUNTS.—The com- objection to the request of the gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- mittees and amounts referred to in sub- tleman from Florida is recognized for 1 tleman from California? section (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, There was no objection. $6,045,553; Committee on Armed Services, hour. The text of the resolution is as fol- $7,525,264; Committee on the Budget, Mr. NUGENT. For the purpose of de- lows: $6,033,185; Committee on Education and the bate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New H. RES. 147 Workforce, $8,346,254; Committee on Energy and Commerce, $11,428,642; Committee on York (Ms. SLAUGHTER). During consid- Resolved, Ethics, $3,043,776; Committee on Financial eration of this resolution, all time SECTION 1. COMMITTEE EXPENSES FOR THE ONE Services, $8,958,018; Committee on Foreign yielded is for the purpose of debate HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS. Affairs, $8,952,470; Committee on Homeland only. (a) IN GENERAL.—With respect to the One Security, $8,443,724; Committee on House Ad- GENERAL LEAVE Hundred Twelfth Congress, there shall be ministration, $5,566,837; Permanent Select paid out of the applicable accounts of the Committee on Intelligence, $5,153,750; Com- Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask House of Representatives, in accordance with mittee on the Judiciary, $8,401,406; Com- unanimous consent that all Members this primary expense resolution, not more mittee on Natural Resources, $7,869,766; Com- have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- than the amount specified in subsection (b) mittee on Oversight and Government Re- tend their remarks. for the expenses (including the expenses of form, $10,613,054; Committee on Rules, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there all staff salaries) of each committee named $3,391,985; Committee on Science, Space, and objection to the request of the gen- in such subsection. Technology, $6,660,637; Committee on Small tleman from Florida? (b) COMMITTEES AND AMOUNTS.—The com- Business, $3,659,109; Committee on Transpor- There was no objection. mittees and amounts referred to in sub- tation and Infrastructure, $9,915,223; Com- section (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, Mr. NUGENT. I yield myself such mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, $3,682,512; and time as I may consume. $12,235,047; Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Ways and Means, $9,801,366. $15,050,528; Committee on the Budget, Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 174 $12,066,370; Committee on Education and the (c) REVIEW OF USE OF FUNDS IN FIRST SES- provides for a closed rule for consider- Workforce, $16,692,508; Committee on Energy SION.—None of the amounts provided for in ation of H.R. 1076. The rule provides for and Commerce, $22,409,582; Committee on section 1 for a committee named in sub- ample debate on this bill and gives Ethics, $5,868,311; Committee on Financial section (b) may be available for expenses of Members of both the minority and the Services, $17,399,282; Committee on Foreign the committee after March 15, 2012, unless majority an opportunity to participate the chair or ranking minority member of the Affairs, $17,904,940; Committee on Homeland in the debate. Security, $16,887,448; Committee on House committee appears and presents testimony at a hearing of the Committee on House Ad- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Administration, $10,516,013; Permanent Se- of this rule and the underlying bill. lect Committee on Intelligence, $10,307,500; ministration held prior to such date to re- Committee on the Judiciary, $16,802,812; view the committee’s use of the amounts H.R. 1076 prohibits direct funding to Committee on Natural Resources, $15,739,532; provided for in section 1 during the first ses- NPR—National Public Radio. In fiscal Committee on Oversight and Government sion of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress year 2010, NPR received over $5 million Reform, $21,226,108; Committee on Rules, and to determine whether the amount speci- in direct Federal funding from the Cor- $6,783,970; Committee on Science, Space, and fied in subsection (b) with respect to the poration for Public Broadcasting, the Technology, $13,346,273; Committee on Small committee should be updated on the basis of Department of Education, the Depart- the review. Business, $6,874,000; Committee on Transpor- ment of Commerce, and the National tation and Infrastructure, $19,830,446; Com- SEC. 4. VOUCHERS. Endowment for the Arts. Moreover, mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, $7,285,256; and hundreds of public radio stations re- Committee on Ways and Means, $19,602,731. Payments under this resolution shall be ceived direct radio grants in the SEC. 2. FIRST SESSION LIMITATIONS. made on vouchers authorized by the com- mittee involved, signed by the chairman of amount of $67 million. Radio stations (a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount provided for in section 1 for each committee named in such committee, and approved in the manner can use these grants for whatever they subsection (b), not more than the amount directed by the Committee on House Admin- want. It’s unrestricted. Often, stations specified in such subsection shall be avail- istration. use these funds to pay dues to NPR and able for expenses incurred during the period SEC. 5. REGULATIONS. pay fees for NPR programing. Accord- beginning at noon on January 3, 2011, and ing to NPR’s Web site, they are ‘‘an Amounts made available under this resolu- ending immediately before noon on January independent, self-supporting media or- 3, 2012. tion shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on ganization.’’ However, they also admit (b) COMMITTEES AND AMOUNTS.—The com- their revenue ‘‘comes primarily from mittees and amounts referred to in sub- House Administration. fees paid by their member stations.’’ In section (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, The resolution was agreed to. $6,189,494; Committee on Armed Services, fact, membership dues and station pro- $7,525,264; Committee on the Budget, A motion to reconsider was laid on graming fees account for 36 percent of $6,033,185; Committee on Education and the the table. NPR funding.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.004 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1912 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 In H.R. 1, we started the process of sponsibly reduce the deficit and to world. In fact, despite the challenges letting NPR operate on its own, with- bring our sons and daughters home facing the news media, a new report by out taxpayer involvement, by from the battlefields overseas, why are the Pew Foundation has shown that defunding it for the remainder of fiscal we wasting valuable floor time on an NPR is strong and is growing more year 2011. However, H.R. 1 only ad- ideological battle that does nothing to popular every day. According to the re- dressed appropriated funds for the rest achieve any of those goals? port, NPR’s audience has grown to 27.2 of the current fiscal year. The bill we Because the bill is a political stunt, million weekly listeners. This is a 58 have before us today addresses the au- it is being rushed through Congress percent increase since the year 2000. In thorized use of funds not just for the under draconian rules. Violating their addition, the Web site is a premier on- rest of fiscal year 2011, but going for- own promises of transparency, the Re- line news destination, garnering 15.7 ward. publican majority held no hearings, no million visitors a month, which is an Under this bill, NPR will continue to committee action of any kind, listened increase of more than 5 million people provide its programming. They just to no expert testimony, and provided over the course of a single year—and can’t use taxpayer dollars to subsidize no chance for the American people to are those people really going to be it. Moreover, our goal on H.R. 1076 is weigh in. Just by saying it is an emer- angry. that there won’t be a need for this gency, apparently, in many minds, it I’ve been a proud supporter of NPR funding going forward. This is some- does become one. By not providing a my whole life in public service. While thing the Appropriations Committee true 72 hours and because the bill, serving in the New York State Legisla- can factor into their funding decisions itself, omitted the fact that the bill ture, I fought for the launch of news for fiscal year 2012 and the future. Let would lay over to allow all Members to programming on my local public radio me stress again, this bill does not fully review the legislation, they violated station, WXXI. From that humble be- defund NPR. the spirit of the transparency they ginning over 30 years ago, I find myself promised the American people just 5 standing on the floor of the House of b 0920 months ago. Representatives, fighting for NPR What this bill does do is start My colleagues on the other side know again today. weaning NPR off of Federal dollars. that they must pass this legislation I stand here because, quite simply, Local radio stations are still allowed to quickly before the American people, at facts matter. This Nation wasn’t built pay membership dues, and they can the rate of 69 percent, are allowed to because we huffed and puffed and still buy NPR programs. They just speak and tell their representatives wished it were so. We didn’t become a can’t use your and my hard-earned tax something they don’t want to hear, for global leader by bloviating on 24-hour dollars to pay for them. the American people, unlike the far cable news, and we aren’t solving the Instead, the grants that these local right-wing, know that NPR is not an fundamental issues that face our Na- stations get will be used for local ideological news outlet and that NPR tion by passing this politically driven needs. They can create more original radio bases its reporting on fact, which legislation to appease the far right. Our Nation was built and will be re- programming about issues happening is really an anomaly today in the built by the quiet efforts of millions of in their areas that are important to United States. their communities. They can pay for NPR doesn’t try to blur the line be- Americans across the country who will never make it on cable news and who their staffs and even hire more local tween opinion, fact, and political agen- will never appear on national tele- producers and hosts for their new pro- da. Instead, it takes the time and vision. It is these very Americans grams. spends the money to do in-depth re- whom NPR dedicates its resources to The Federal Government’s addiction porting across the country and around finding, to covering, and to sharing the to spending has driven us to our cur- the globe and to go where no other world with. Their stories aren’t simple, rent $14 trillion debt. We need to news organization will go. Unlike com- and their efforts don’t sell advertising refocus on what our core mission is. We mercial news outlets that are driven by space, but their stories matter. NPR’s should not be using tax dollars that the need to garner ratings and sell work to find the stories that matter is American citizens worked hard to earn commercial advertising, National Pub- the in-depth intelligent reporting that for something that could be paid for lic Radio concerns itself, first and fore- privately. I fight for today. most, with informing the Nation on the No matter what I say, some will still Once again, Mr. Speaker, I rise in complex issues that face our country. believe that NPR isn’t worth funding support of this rule and the underlying In stark contrast to the bare bones because they want it to be true. Some legislation, and I encourage my col- and often sensationalist reporting will find it in their interests to scare leagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on the rule and found elsewhere, National Public Radio Americans into believing in an NPR ‘‘yes’’ on the underlying bill. operates 17 foreign bureaus. In fact, it straw man, while others will take com- I reserve the balance of my time. is one of the few news outlets to main- fort in watching the straw man fall. Ms. SLAUGHTER. I thank my friend tain a full-time bureau in Afghanistan, Yet, deep in our hearts, all of us from Florida for yielding me the cus- reporting from the front lines of a know that governing through fear and tomary time, and I yield myself such largely forgotten war. It is also in the divisive legislation is not a responsible time as I may consume. process of opening a bureau in Turkey way to move this country forward. It is Mr. Speaker, this bill yesterday was in order to report firsthand on the certainly no replacement for creating brought to the Rules Committee as an democratic uprisings throughout the jobs. With millions of Americans who emergency meeting. Now, what would Middle East. are unemployed and struggling to live, be an emergency in the United States? In the United States, it has cor- we can’t waste another minute on the The cost of the war? The damage of the respondents spread out from Texas to House floor without debating a bill war? Unemployment figures? The def- Oregon, telling the stories not covered that will put some Americans back to icit? Home foreclosure? The tragedy in by the cable news pundits that we see work. We should not waste another Japan? A no-fly zone over Libya? on TV every day. In rural America in minute ignoring the needs of millions No. The emergency is that they want particular, NPR can often be the only, of Americans while playing cheap po- to destroy National Public Radio. best source of news. Defunding NPR litical games. This is the latest in a long string of will cut off this valuable source of news Yesterday, I asked, Why only Na- misplaced priorities by the Republican from the southern tier of western New tional Public Radio? Why not tele- Party. It does nothing to fix the long- York to the plains of the upper Mid- vision? I think I know the answer to term fiscal condition. It doesn’t create west, and will put rural communities that. a single job. In fact, it will lose some. at a major disadvantage in the infor- A few years ago, that was tried. The The Congressional Budget Office has mation age. House of Representatives actually tried determined that the legislation does It is because of their valuable and to kill Big Bird, to destroy Elmo, and absolutely zero to reduce the deficit. unique reporting that Americans are to get rid of Bert and Ernie, but it When so many Americans want our increasingly turning to NPR in order didn’t work. I think they didn’t want representatives to create jobs to re- to learn about our ever-changing to try that one yet again.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.006 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1913 The backers of this bill said to me on the rule so we can have that oppor- the Department of Defense alone spent yesterday that taxpayers shouldn’t tunity to vote. over $600 million in taxpayer money have to fund with their hard-earned Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I advertising in 2007, and I believe we money what they don’t believe in. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from should figure out whether that spend- Well, that’s an interesting theory, but Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN), a ing is a good use of taxpayer dollars. democracies don’t operate that way. If member of the Rules Committee. That amendment was also blocked on a they could, my husband and I and two- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I want party-line vote. Again, this is a big fat thirds of the people in America would to thank the ranking member for the closed rule that we’re dealing with gladly be excused from paying the $8 time, and I rise in strong opposition to here. billion a month that we pay for a war this closed rule and to the underlying Mr. Speaker, this bill was rushed to which we profoundly do not believe in. bill. the House floor again without a single We simply must stop this nonsense. It Mr. Speaker, the process in this hearing, without a single markup. So makes us look ridiculous in the eyes of House is awful. On this bill, H.R. 1076, much for regular order. the world. there were no hearings at all; and to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The National Public Radio is something top it off, we had an emergency Rules time of the gentleman has expired. that you could turn off if you don’t Committee called last night for consid- Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield the gen- want to hear it, but for the millions of eration, an emergency. Do you think it tleman an additional 30 seconds. Americans who depend on it, this just was about jobs? Do you think it was Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, over cannot be done. For this reason, I urge about health care? No, it was about de- the last few days, my office has been my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on the rule funding NPR. That’s what this new ma- flooded with calls from constituents and ‘‘no’’ on the underlying bill. jority thinks is an emergency, not jobs, urging me to reject this bill and to con- I reserve the balance of my time. not the economy, but de-funding the tinue to support programming on Na- National Public Radio. tional Public Radio. b 0930 Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1076 is a horrible My friends talk about the will of the Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 idea, and I hope everybody in this American people. The will of the Amer- minutes to the gentleman from Utah Chamber realizes that this bill doesn’t ican people want us to reject what you (Mr. CHAFFETZ). cut $1, not one dime, not one penny are doing here today, and that’s ex- Mr. CHAFFETZ. I appreciate the from the Federal deficit. actly what I will do today. I urge my gentleman for yielding. We all know what’s going on here. colleagues to reject this closed rule I rise in support of this rule. I think The reason this bill is before us is that and vote ‘‘no’’ on the underlying bill. the American people deserve an oppor- a discredited, right-wing activist re- Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 tunity to have their Representatives cently made a selectively edited, mis- minutes to the gentleman from Cali- vote on the funding of NPR. leading, 11-minute video of a 2-hour fornia (Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN). Now, let’s also make sure we keep conversation. The target of his little Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- this in context because really what sting was a fund-raising executive at fornia. Thank you very much. this is ultimately going to do is talk NPR who no longer works there. I was actually not going to speak on about the funding of less than 5 percent Mrs. BLACKBURN from the Energy and this rule until I heard the ranking of NPR. It’s not as if this is going to go Commerce Committee made it clear in member of the Rules Committee speak, off the radio right away. I’m not here the Rules Committee last night that and she made our point so eloquently I to debate the content or make some their justification for this bill is that wanted to underscore it. I couldn’t be- editorial comment about their edi- the American people should not be lieve that she suggested that there was torial comment, but we have to deal forced to subsidize content with which somehow a parity between national de- with the fiscal reality of this country. they might not agree. Well, that’s a fense and NPR. She said, if we’re going Every time we turn around, nobody lousy way to make decisions, in my to come here and talk about de-funding wants to cut anything. We’re going to view; but if my Republican friends in- NPR, then why shouldn’t she get a shot have to figure out in this country how sist on going down this road, Mr. at denying the Defense Department $8 to do more with less. The reality is Speaker, then we should be fair and billion or whatever it is. we’re $14 trillion in debt. We pay more balanced in the way we do it. That’s the point we’re trying to than $600 million a day on interest on Over the past several years, it has be- make. We have a huge deficit, $228 bil- that debt. We can’t be all things to all come clear that the Fox News channel lion in 1 month. In fact, it was the people. We have to understand the is widely biased. They continue to em- shortest month of the year, which just proper role of government. ploy a talk show host who called Presi- happened to be the total deficit for, I Every time we make a decision about dent Obama a racist. They continue to think, the entire year of 2007. You spending, what we’re talking about is, employ several prospective Republican know, I don’t know, I heard people on should we go into somebody’s pocket, Presidential candidates as ‘‘analysts,’’ the other side of the aisle criticizing pull money out, and give it to some- giving them hours and hours of free air President Bush for deficits. He’s a body else? And in the case of our Fed- time, and their parent company has do- piker compared to what we’re seeing eral Government now, we’re also doing nated millions and millions of dollars right now in the White House. that, but we’re also borrowing the to GOP-linked groups. But the point is, how do we do any- money. We’re borrowing the money. Yesterday, I offered an amendment in thing here on the floor with respect to And so in the case of NPR, which has the Rules Committee to prohibit Fed- trying to bring spending under control been wildly successful, as the gentle- eral funds, taxpayer dollars from being if, as the gentlelady from New York woman properly accounted for, Mr. used for advertising on the partisan po- suggests, we should treat equally the Speaker—their listenership is rising— litical platform of Fox News. If my question of national defense and NPR? which gives a lot of us the belief that, friends on the other aisle want to strip That’s what the American people are really, they should be moving towards funding from NPR because they believe rejecting. They’re saying to you, why a model where they can sustain them- wrongly, in my view, that NPR is bi- don’t you establish priorities the way selves through their donations and ased, then we should be given the same we establish priorities. And to come to other funding mechanisms rather than opportunity. Unfortunately, my the floor and suggest that somehow relying upon the taxpayers to fund amendment was defeated on a party- NPR is contained in the Constitution, them, because we don’t have any line vote. Again, this is a closed rule. as is the subject of national defense, I money. We’re broke. So much for the open process that we think is, frankly, ludicrous. And so I’m proud of the fact that were promised. So I hope the American people are early in this Republican control of the I also offered an amendment to deter- listening. This is a debate on the rule House of Representatives that we’re mine how and where hundreds of mil- to allow the bill to be brought to the going to bring this up for a vote, let lions of dollars are spent on television floor. The gentlelady from New York the will of this body take its course, advertising, not particularly con- has done a very good job of crystal- and I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ troversial. According to a Rand study, lizing the issue. If you don’t believe we

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.010 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1914 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 ought to set priorities, if you believe for what they don’t believe in. If that’s where you attack home heating assist- NPR is as important to this Nation as going to be the way the majority is ance, but you leave exempt tax expend- national defense, then reject the rule going to run this House, then 66 per- itures for oil companies, a swollen Pen- and reject the bill because the gentle- cent of Americans would like to not tagon budget, that means that this is lady is correct. If they’re of equal pay for the war. not going to succeed. Even if we wiped weight, this is unfair because we are I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman out the entire non-defense discre- talking about NPR. We’re not talking from New Jersey (Mr. ANDREWS). tionary budget, we would still have a about somehow gutting national de- (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given deficit of $1 trillion. So, serious budget fense. permission to revise and extend his re- cutters have a serious plan that puts But if you believe that somehow na- marks.) everything on the table. tional defense has a slightly higher pri- Mr. ANDREWS. I thank my friend for Secondly, why have a proposal that ority in the Constitution and in our yielding. destroys institutions? Vermont Public constitutional governmental structure Mr. Speaker, for at least 15 million Radio is the link between 251 towns, than does NPR, then you would reject Americans, this is another day without cities, and villages in the State of the gentlelady’s suggestion and say we a job, and tomorrow will be another Vermont. Farmers listen to it in their came here to try and change things. We Friday without a paycheck. What are barns. Parents listen to it on their way came here to try and somehow balance we doing? to bringing their kids to school. People our books at some point in time in the After 11 consecutive weeks of this at work listen to it for the weather re- future, but the way to do that is to es- majority producing not a word, not a ports, and it welds together the polit- tablish priorities. bill, not one idea about how to create ical discussion in the State of Vermont If we, in fact, believe that saving jobs, what we’re doing this morning is which is vibrant, which is varied, NPR or giving NPR Federal funding is debating whether or not to defund and which has people with different points the same as funding our troops, then get rid of National Public Radio. Now, of view having a common reference all is lost, all is lost; but I frankly was the excuse that we’ve heard is that, point. Public radio is an institution surprised to hear the comparison of us well, this will save money. A prelimi- that allows democracy to thrive. debating on money to keep our troops nary estimate from the Congressional And why do we have to have a budget in the war zone versus NPR. That is Budget Office says this will save zero. plan that, A, by it’s design, will fail; the best example I have seen on the So what we are doing is spending the and, B, by its application and imple- floor, perhaps the most honest example time of the country on whether to mentation, will destroy institutions I’ve seen on floor, of the difference of defund National Public Radio. that democracy depends on? Vermont the two parties and the difference in, I Here is what we should do instead: Public Radio is an essential institution think, what the American people want With gasoline prices approaching $4 a to all of the people in the State of us to do and what some in the leader- gallon at the pump, why don’t we can- Vermont: Republicans, Democrats, and ship on the Democratic side want us to cel out $40 billion in giveaways to the Independents. We need to preserve it. do. oil industry. Why don’t we take most Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of that money and use it to reduce the such time as he may consume to my time of the gentleman has expired. deficit, and why don’t we take some of good friend, the chairman of the Rules Mr. NUGENT. I yield the gentleman that money and use it to put Ameri- Committee, the gentleman from Cali- an additional 1 minute. cans back to work, building clean fornia (Mr. DREIER). Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- water systems, schools, roads, research (Mr. DREIER asked and was given fornia. I thank the gentleman for yield- facilities, and other things that we permission to revise and extend his re- ing. need? Why aren’t we debating that bill? marks.) I am, as many are, going home hope- Now, Members of Congress can say Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, let me fully this afternoon and will have town they disagree with that bill. They begin by extending congratulations to halls when I’m home, and maybe I will could amend it. They could vote for it my very good friend, the gentleman ask the question at my town halls: Do or against it. Why don’t we debate that from Spring Hill, a former sheriff, Mr. you believe that funding NPR is of the bill instead of whether or not to pull NUGENT, for his maiden voyage in man- same importance or moment as funding the plug on National Public Radio? aging this rule. He has done a superb our troops in the war zone? I believe Eleven weeks, not one idea on jobs, job in taking on this issue. that I will have an overwhelming re- not one word of debate on jobs, and Let me say at the outset, having lis- sponse by the people of my district who abandonment of the issue Americans tened to the debate from my colleagues suggest what we are doing with this care most about. I am hopeful that the on the other side of the aisle, every sin- rule is to allow us to deal with those leader on our side of the Rules Com- gle thing that we have been doing on kinds of issues, setting priorities that mittee will give us a chance to vote on the floor of the House of Representa- they sent us to Washington to do. a real bill to create jobs for the Amer- tives is focused on job creation and ican people. economic growth. Virtually everything b 0940 Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve that we have done is focused on job cre- So I again thank the gentleman for the balance of my time. ation and economic growth. his time. I thank the gentlelady for ex- Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield 2 minutes Now, some say, Why is it you are plicating the difference between the to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. talking about National Public Radio two parties’ approaches on this and un- WELCH). now? What does that have to do with derstanding the sense of priorities that Mr. WELCH. I thank the gentlelady. creating jobs? Well, the fact of the either exist or don’t exist on this floor. There are really two questions that matter is, if we don’t take on the $14 For me, I will easily say that even this bill raises. The first: Is this a way trillion national debt that we have in though it may be a tough decision, I to deal with the serious problem we this country and the $1.6 trillion an- would vote to take Federal funding have in this country, which is the def- nual deficits that we have as far as the away from NPR in order to try to bal- icit? And the answer is: It isn’t. eye can see, we are not going to be im- ance our books in the future and do I salute the Republicans in this Con- plementing pro-growth economic poli- what is necessary to defend this coun- gress for focusing attention on the cies. try and those other things that are need to restore fiscal balance. You are Now, my friends on the other side of contained in the Constitution. right. But the plan you are pursuing to the aisle might argue that bringing Ms. SLAUGHTER. I am going to receive it is dead wrong. You cannot, about some kind of reduction in fund- yield myself 30 seconds to tell my col- by cutting 12 percent of the budget, the ing for National Public Radio will cost league from California to calm himself. non-defense discretionary budget, jobs. The disparity is that my friends He doesn’t have to worry. We are not achieve the fiscal balance that we on the other side of the aisle tend to equating war and NPR. What I had said need. And why you have a plan where focus on government-created jobs, and was that the basis of this bill today you attack Vermont Public Radio, we want to focus on what it is the was that people should not have to pay where you attack Planned Parenthood, American people desperately want and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.012 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1915 need, which is long-term, good private cally enhance the quality of coverage our communities. And it would endan- sector jobs. And so everything that we and the credibility of National Public ger over 9,000 jobs at local radio sta- do to try to reduce the size and scope Radio, and that is to have voluntary tions if this funding goes away. and reach of government is focused on support. Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 getting, as my friend from Vermont And I will say right here that when minutes to the gentleman from the has just said, getting our fiscal house we are successful, when we are success- great State of Georgia (Mr. WOODALL). in order so that we can create jobs. ful at weaning National Public Radio Mr. WOODALL. I thank my good Yesterday up in the Rules Com- and the Corporation for Public Broad- friend from Florida for yielding, and mittee, my California colleague Ms. casting away from compulsory tax- I’m pleased to serve beside him on the ESHOO referred to National Public payer dollars used to fund them, I per- Rules Committee. Radio as a ‘‘national treasure.’’ Now, sonally will increase my level of con- And I went to work on the Rules Mr. Speaker, I happen to be a fan of tributions, my level of contributions to Committee because of my enthusiasm National Public Radio. I think that the those local stations and to other as- about openness in this process. One of the very first things we learned during term ‘‘national treasure’’ may just be a pects. freshman orientation was that we have little bit of a stretch. I have been proud We need to look at ways in which a leadership team that is committed to to support three local stations, two in this shortfall that will exist is ad- openness the likes of which this Con- Los Angeles, KPCC and KCRW; here in dressed, and I believe that we can do gress hasn’t seen in decades, decades. Washington, D.C., WAMU. I have been that. I didn’t plan to come down and speak And I have to say that, procedurally, proud to participate in pledge drives this morning, but I’m sitting back in it’s very interesting to listen to people for all these stations. I have done it for my office, and I’m listening to the public television. I believe in voluntary talk about the characterization of this characterization of what’s happening contributions. rule that has come down before us. It’s down here today, and it caused me to Now, yesterday Ms. ESHOO said that simply because less than 48 hours was think about my 65 days here in Con- every American pays 77 cents for the provided for the announcement of sim- gress so far. benefit of National Public Radio. And ply the Rules Committee meeting, not You know, the process was more open while I am a proud listener of National the fact that we’re here on the floor. and involved more debate on the repeal Public Radio, I will say that I reckon And my distinguished friend from of health care than it did the imple- that there are probably half the Amer- Rochester had, on nearly 70 occasions, mentation of health care. I happen to ican people—that’s just a wild guess on when she was chairman of the Rules have brought down the NPR bill today. my part—maybe half the American Committee, including the several sce- Now, I’m here in strong support of people who have never even heard of, nic river studies that were put into the rule that’s bringing this bill to the much less even listened to, National place, and other legislation like that floor, and I hope folks will vote their Public Radio. And the notion of taking called emergency meetings of the conscience on the underlying bill. 77 cents from them for National Public House Rules Committee. And so I think That’s what we all came here to do, Radio is, to me, anathema to the whole that to characterize this procedure as and I hope that happens. concept of what it is that we are trying it’s been is not quite as appropriate as One, two, three, four, five, six, to do as a Nation. it should be. seven—seven pages here today that Now, my friend from Rochester, the And the fact is, Mr. Speaker, I wish we’ve asked Members to read and di- distinguished ranking member of the this could have been handled a little gest in 3 days. Seven pages. Now, I committee, the former chairman of the differently. We all know that we passed wasn’t here in the last Congress when Rules Committee, referred to National H.R. 1 as it is, that, in fact, does defund thousand-page bills rolled through this Public Radio as—and this is not the the Corporation for Public Broad- body under the same closed process and exact word that was used—but sort of a casting. But this measure, in and of the same closed length of time. paragon of virtue. Rather than itself, focuses on a problem that is out But I can tell you this: my constitu- ents sent me to read seven pages, and bloviating on cable television, we have there. It needs to be addressed. And I I’ve read them; and I’ll be voting my this great, great model of National urge my colleagues to support this rule conscience on the underlying bill. But, Public Radio up there, something to and to support the underlying legisla- folks, we are involved in a process here which we can all bow and listen to as tion. that we need to be applauding, not con- the one truth before us. Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. demning. We’re involved in a process b 0950 here that we need to be nurturing, not DAVIS). Well, with all due respect, Mr. Speak- Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speak- undercutting. er, I’ve got to say that I’ve heard some er, all I can say is our office is being Have you seen the debate on the floor of the House over the last 2 months? inaccurate things on National Public flooded by calls from people who are Have you experienced the back-and- Radio before, not just things with saying, I thought you all were working forth on the floor of the House in the which I disagree, but there have been on creating jobs for the American peo- last 2 months, and do you feel the dif- inaccuracies. And so, with all of the ple, on making sure that working class ference? Because I do. I absolutely do. choices out there, I believe that Na- families can support their families. I don’t just feel it; I hear it when I go tional Public Radio should be one of And, instead, we’re de-funding Federal back home. them; but they are only one of the funding of National Public Radio. And We are in the people’s House. The choices that people have. that seems like just a terrible distrac- chain across the front steps—must be a And since National Public Radio and tion to the calls that we’re getting. photo op going on out there this morn- the Corporation for Public Broad- For many people in the San Diego re- ing. The chain was down. It just felt casting came into existence, we all gion, we have KPBS radio, it’s an NPR different walking in this morning be- know that we’ve experienced this ex- station; and it’s a way to connect peo- cause you could just walk up the steps plosion of information from all kinds ple to local community issues and free. of sources. world events. Where else can you find Folks, the chains have come down in So that’s why, Mr. Speaker, while that kind of in-depth reporting? I don’t this House. The chains have come down this measure doesn’t obliterate funding think we can point to other stations in the House, and we’re free to engage for National Public Radio, what it does that do that. in this debate, and that’s what we’re is it puts us, as my friend from Spring So I’m not up here just to defend doing. Right here today we’re engaged Hill has said so well, on a glide path to- NPR, but my colleague said it’s not a in this debate. wards recognizing that since National treasure. Well, to a lot of people that Should we have extensive committee Public Radio receives a very small participate, yes, they will continue to hearings on absolutely everything that amount of its funding that they utilize fund it with their own dollars. But comes to the floor? I believe we should. totally from the Federal Government, there is a consistency, there is a con- Should we have an open process for ab- this puts them on a glide path towards tinuity, there is an expectation that solutely everything that comes to the something that I believe will dramati- this is something that is important to floor? I think that’s a laudable goal.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.014 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1916 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Do we have constraints that require available in the private sector should right. First of all, it is ironic that the the rules of the House, because there receive taxpayer funding. new Republican majority, having been are 435 of us. It’s not like that well-or- Apart from constitutional concerns, touted on the floor for its openness, dered body across the Hall where they as a country we no longer have this did, in fact, rush this to the floor with- only have 100 Members and they get luxury anymore. With the national out the 72-hour notice, not any sub- along so well together. We’ve got 435 debt over $13 trillion, the government stantive committee work. If it had folks with lots of passion and lots of simply can’t continue to fund non- been subjected to careful committee opinion, and we need some structure to essential services. analysis, the flaws in the argument make that happen. Let me add that no one can really would have been revealed. But this leadership team, with this argue that these programs will dis- It is not going to save a single penny Congress, both on the left and on the appear if Americans are no longer of taxpayer dollars, not one, even in right, has created the most open proc- forced to subsidize them with Federal the unlikely event that this legislation ess with the most extensive amend- tax dollars. NPR can survive on its passed through Congress, which it ment process, with the most full debate own. won’t. It won’t defund NPR. NPR will process that this body has seen in This bill will accomplish three exist. And those of us who are in Cleve- years. And I thank the leadership team things: land or New York or Los Angeles or for doing that. And I rise in strong sup- One, it will prohibit direct funding of Washington, D.C., will be able to enjoy port of the rule. NPR. It now receives money from the it, although it will be diminished a lit- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I Corporation for Public Broadcasting, tle bit. But what it do is hammer small yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the Department of Education and Com- rural American stations, small town Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH). merce, and the NEA, among others. and rural America, where it is more ex- Mr. KUCINICH. We need to go back Two, it prohibits the use of Federal pensive to broadcast and where they to basic principles here. In 1934, when funds provided to the Corporation for rely on this funding to be able to pur- the Federal Communications Act was Public Broadcasting for the payment of chase the programs. passed, people were given broadcast li- dues by local radio stations to NPR. It would not just hammer NPR, but censes to serve in the public interest, And, three, it prohibits the use of it would deny them the ability to use convenience, and necessity. The public Federal funds provided through Cor- the funds for that subversive show owns the airwaves. poration for Public Broadcasting for ‘‘Prairie Home Companion,’’ for ‘‘This In a country that wasn’t run by cor- acquiring or producing programming. American Life,’’ for the car guys. It porations, we wouldn’t be having this Now, local stations could use Federal would prohibit them from purchasing debate because the public has the in- funds from the corporation for their locally produced content from other herent right to ownership of the air- operating expenses, but they would public broadcasting stations. waves. Theoretically, it should all be have to produce their content or ac- This is lunacy. It unravels a carefully public radio, but it’s not. There’s just a quire it with non-Federal funds. crafted partnership that has delivered Unemployment is now about 9 per- small segment now of the airwaves year after year. It is why the American cent. When we get Federal spending we’re talking about here. And this bill public strongly supports this invest- under control, the economy will be would stop that from being funded. ment, less than one-half cent per day stronger and there will be more jobs. It is absolutely unimaginable that per American. In fact, 78 percent of the That is why we are doing this. Members of Congress are not aware of American public want it maintained or NPR reports that only 2 percent of the history of how broadcast radio and increased. And, most interestingly, its funding comes from the Federal TV came into being. This isn’t about that same bipartisan poll showed that Government; however, that is only half private ownership of the airwaves. This two-thirds of American Republicans the story. NPR local radio stations di- is about a basic public right; and if you support keeping the funding or increas- rectly received congressionally appro- take that right away, what you’ve done ing it. is totally capitulate to corporations in priated funds that reached $64 million in 2010 alone. Plus, local stations di- Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve America. the balance of my time. Protect NPR. rectly receive grants from other Fed- eral sources such as the National En- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am b 1000 dowment for the Arts. NPR stations pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield then use these taxpayer dollars on li- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- 1 KEY). 3 ⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from Col- censing fees for NPR programming orado (Mr. LAMBORN). which goes back to the headquarters in Mr. MARKEY. This bill would wipe Mr. LAMBORN. I thank the gen- Washington. Taking this indirect fund- ‘‘Car Talk’’ off the road. It would wipe tleman for yielding. ing into account, Federal funds now ‘‘Lake Woebegone’’ right off the map. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support make up, I would say, closer to 20 per- It would close down ‘‘Marketplace,’’ this rule, H. Res. 174, and the under- cent of their annual budget. and tell ‘‘Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell lying bill, my legislation, H.R. 1076, to But let me be clear. This measure Me!’’ to take a hike. prohibit Federal funding of National will not prohibit local stations from re- GOP used to stand for ‘‘Grand Old Public Radio and the use of Federal ceiving any funding. It will just not Party.’’ Now it stands for ‘‘Gut Our funds to acquire radio content. It is allow them to use taxpayer dollars to Programs.’’ time for American citizens to stop pay NPR programming and pay NPR This bill prohibits public radio sta- funding an organization that can stand dues. They can do it without Federal tions from using Federal funds to buy on its own feet. dollars by embracing the private sec- these programs and others produced by Long before any of the recent news tor. I want NPR to grow on its own. I National Public Radio or its competi- stories on videos or the Juan Williams want to see it thrive. Just remove the tors. As a result, this bill would silence fiasco, I sponsored legislation in Con- taxpayer from the equation. public radio stations across the coun- gress to pull the plug on taxpayer fund- I thank the Rules Committee for this try, depriving listeners of the news and ing for NPR. I enjoy some programs on resolution. I urge my colleagues to information they depend on. NPR, but I have long believed that it vote ‘‘yes’’ on the rule and to vote Public radio stations can just raise can stand on its own. ‘‘yes’’ on the underlying bill. the money from private donors, some The point at issue is not the quality Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I say. Not likely. Local public radio sta- or content of programming on NPR. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from tions need signature NPR programs The point is not the degree to which Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER). like ‘‘Morning Edition’’ and ‘‘All Americans support the arts, radio, Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the Things Considered’’ to attract audi- news, and educational programs. The gentlewoman’s courtesy and her advo- ences. By drawing listeners to local point today is whether government cacy here. stations, these programs and others programs and services that can be I just finished listening to my friend generate strong financial support from funded privately or that are otherwise from Colorado, and he gets it half the local listening area. Without these

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.016 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1917 prominent NPR programs, local sta- Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Happy The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tions won’t be able to attract the audi- St. Patrick’s Day. time of the gentlewoman has expired. ence and sufficient fundraising base to Mr. Speaker, today we debate the Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, let keep running. rule on whether or not to fund National me yield the gentlelady an additional Every month, more than 170 million Public Radio. This is an ideologically 30 seconds. Americans turn to their local public driven attempt at defunding a revered Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Thank broadcasting stations for free high- American institution, and the reason is you very much. quality programs that focus on the because you don’t like its content. You The resolution speaks nothing of fact issues most important to them. This can’t stand balanced, objective news. why do you desire to cut NPR. Why do bill would pull the plug. It would snuff So let’s defund it. you want to put the burden of a budget out stations from coast to coast, many Regardless of whether one supports or a CR on the NPR? The real issue is in rural areas where the public radio NPR or not—and I do—we can all be that no matter how much they keep station is the primary source of news clear this bill does not do one thing: It doing, no one on the other side wants and information. This makes no sense. does not create jobs. We have been here to address the cause of the issue of the Public radio is widely supported by for 11 weeks, Mr. Speaker, and the Re- deficit or the debt, that we have to bal- large majorities of Americans regard- publican majority has yet to bring a ance, we have to bring in a number of less of party affiliation. It is increas- single jobs bill to the floor of the issues that we have to address. ingly relied upon while fewer Ameri- House. That’s why I introduced the We can’t scapegoat. I refuse to scape- cans watch broadcast TV and read Build America Bonds Now to Create goat the National Public Radio, a rea- newspapers. Jobs Act, legislation to extend the suc- soned and responsible voice for the peo- This bill was rushed to the floor cessful Build America Bonds program— ple, no matter who you are. It is a ri- without a single hearing, completely a jobs bill. Creating jobs grows the diculous legislation. In my District, bypassing the committee process. It is economy, encourages American inno- KPFT and KTSU are great public com- unwise, ill-conceived. vation and positions us to remain the municators for many of the poor in my I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. global economic leader. During the last Mr. NUGENT. I continue to reserve district—don’t shut them down! I ask 2 years, $4.4 billion from the Recovery my colleagues to vote against it. the balance of my time. Act leveraged $181 billion to construct Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- and repair schools, bridges and roads in yield 1 minute to the gentleman from tlewoman from New York has 3 min- more than 2,270 projects in every State Colorado (Mr. POLIS). utes remaining. The gentleman from in the Union. Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in op- Florida has 7 minutes. According to Moody’s Analytics chief position today to this bill. Mr. NUGENT. My inquiry is to the economist and Senator MCCAIN’s 2008 Today, Republicans are trying to gentlewoman from New York, do you Presidential adviser, infrastructure in- modify the funding structure of Na- have any more speakers? vestments in the Recovery Act resulted tional Public Radio, one of the most Ms. SLAUGHTER. I do not. May I in- in 8 million additional or preserved widely used, universally supported, and quire if you have more? jobs between 2009 and 2010. By extend- efficient journalistic institutions in Mr. NUGENT. I do not. ing the Build America Bonds program, the country. The problem, Mr. Speak- Ms. SLAUGHTER. I am prepared to we can do even more. er, is that no one can figure out what close. I ask my colleagues, turn away from my Republican colleagues are trying to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The this ideologically driven debate on Na- accomplish and what they are trying to Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from tional Public Radio and let’s get down do with this trivial and misguided leg- New York. to basics. Let’s pass a jobs bill. Let’s islation. Why are we wasting our time Ms. SLAUGHTER. I thank you very defeat this rule and give ourselves an on this? Instead of creating jobs, in- much, Mr. Speaker. opportunity to address the underlying stead of cutting spending, here we are We have had a vigorous debate here issue of the American economy. changing the funding structure for I thank my colleague from New York this morning, just as we had in the something that fundamentally works. for yielding. Rules Committee. A lot was said, I Mr. Speaker, America is $14.2 trillion Mr. NUGENT. I continue to reserve guess, because it needed to be said. A in debt. Yet instead of working with the balance of my time. lot was said, I think, that we could Democrats to come to an agreement on Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I argue with. reducing our expenditures and getting yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman One is that we are doing this because the economy going, Republicans have from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). it puts us on the road to deficit reduc- decided to use their taxpayer-funded Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Good tion. It is clear to everybody who time on symbolic legislation that morning to the ‘‘fend for yourself’’ bill. reads, or maybe who listens to good doesn’t address America’s fiscal situa- That’s the message of my friends on programming, that this bill has no ef- tion, doesn’t save money, and, most the other side of the aisle—with short- fect whatsoever on the deficit and importantly, won’t create a single job. term CRs, $61 billion in reckless and lu- saves no money. Not a dime. This is Mr. Speaker, this is very transparent dicrous cuts that don’t make sense on purely an ideological bill so that our what is happening here. This bill is a 20 percent of the budget which is dis- Members can go home and brag about response to a far right agenda based on cretionary funding. what they have done to public radio. a manipulative ‘‘got you’’ video propa- But NPR. This morning, I listened to I want to talk a moment about gated by conservative activists. NPR, as I usually do, and someone who what’s in a New York Times editorial b 1010 designates themselves as a Republican this morning. This bill is, says the Don’t the American people know called in and said, ‘‘I’m through. I’m a Times, ‘‘The latest example of House where this Republican policy agenda registered Republican, but I’m leaning Republicans pursuing a longstanding comes from? I believe they do. Democrat. I’ve been listening to NPR ideological goal in the false name of Mr. Speaker, this bill is a distrac- for most of my life.’’ fiscal prudence.’’ tion, not a serious piece of legislation. Biased? No. Unbiased. NPR is a voice The Times says, ‘‘This is not a seri- The Republican Caucus can’t get them- of reason. Federal funding frivolous? ous bill. It will never survive the Sen- selves to agree on anything substan- No. Federal funding allows the objec- ate or a Presidential veto.’’ tial, so instead they’re bringing this tivity. And no one can account for the And further, ‘‘Cutting off that flow frivolous measure that doesn’t save fact that we believe in the First would have no effect on the deficit, but any money or create jobs before us. Amendment, but yet we want to defund it would allow certain House Members I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. NPR. to pretend for the folks back home that Mr. NUGENT. I continue to reserve NPR, National Public Radio, speaks they struck a blow for liberty.’’ the balance of my time. the truth on all of our cases. It pro- I really don’t understand this. I know Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am vides the American people far and wide that the present chair of the Rules pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- an opportunity to hear a fair and bal- Committee this morning said that all tleman from Virginia (Mr. CONNOLLY). anced presentation. the legislation that we have done this

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.018 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1918 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 term has been on job creation. I don’t ‘‘To compel a man to furnish con- rises and reports that it has come to no reso- believe there’s enough evidence to con- tributions of money for the propaga- lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- vict on that, Mr. Speaker. tion of opinions which he disbelieves tive day the House shall, immediately after the third daily order of business under clause This, again, will cause jobs to be lost and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.’’ 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of and does nothing for the deficit. I don’t With that in mind, I can’t in good the Whole for further consideration of the care what you want to say about it and conscience support continuing to fund bill. how you want to dress it up, those are NPR with tax dollars. SEC. 3. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of the bill speci- the absolute facts. b 1020 In a few moments, I will be calling fied in section 2 of this resolution. for a vote on the previous question. Mr. A large number of Americans fun- damentally disagree with the content (The information contained herein was Speaker, if we defeat that previous provided by the Republican Minority on mul- question, I want to do a real jobs bill and mission of NPR. Moreover, this is tiple occasions throughout the 110th and here. I am going to offer an amendment a program that can be privately fund- 111th Congresses.) to the rule to provide that immediately ed. NPR’s own officials said they don’t THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT after the House adopts the rule, it will need Federal dollars to continue. IT REALLY MEANS bring up H.R. 11, the Build America We are not trying to harm NPR. We This vote, the vote on whether to order the Bonds To Create Jobs Now Act. are actually trying to liberate them previous question on a special rule, is not This bill will spur job creation here from Federal tax dollars. We need to merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- dering the previous question is a vote at home by extending through 2012 the get back to the core mission of the Federal Government. As much as any against the Republican majority agenda and successful Build America Bonds pro- a vote to allow the opposition, at least for gram to help State and local govern- of us here, including myself, may enjoy the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It ments finance the rebuilding of Amer- programs like ‘‘Car Talk’’ and ‘‘Wait, is a vote about what the House should be de- ican schools, hospitals, water systems Wait, Don’t Tell Me,’’ you can’t tell me bating. and transit projects at significantly that that is a core mission of the Fed- Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- lower costs. It has been calculated that eral Government. Our good friends in the same sentence talked about war, scribes the vote on the previous question on every $1 billion in Federal funds will the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the create 34,800 jobs and $6.2 billion in eco- national defense, and NPR. They don’t consideration of the subject before the House nomic activity. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, equate. The Constitution is clear about being made by the Member in charge.’’ To weigh that against taking the little bit our requirement to protect the Amer- defeat the previous question is to give the of money away from National Public ican people. opposition a chance to decide the subject be- Radio. H.R. 1076 is a return to the normal fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s procedure of the House. Authorizing ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that Build America Bonds are broadly ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- supported by American business, the committees provide us with bills that mand for the previous question passes the construction industry, and State and set out the priorities for the House and control of the resolution to the opposition’’ local governments. At a time of fiscal the Appropriations Committee funds in order to offer an amendment. On March restraint, they are a good deal for the based on authorizations. 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- American taxpayer, wisely using small With H.R. 1076, we let the Appropria- fered a rule resolution. The House defeated public investments to leverage signifi- tions Committee know that National the previous question and a member of the Public Radio doesn’t need Federal tax opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, cant private funds to rebuild America asking who was entitled to recognition. and create jobs. dollars anymore. Local stations can Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- create their own programs. They can ‘‘The previous question having been refused, sent to insert the text of the amend- reorganize their financing so that the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- ment in the RECORD along with extra- grant money they might use for mem- gerald, who had asked the gentleman to neous material immediately prior to bership and programming fees can go yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to elsewhere, and they can do private the first recognition.’’ the vote on the previous question. Because the vote today may look bad for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there fund-raising they need for the dues and the Republican majority they will say ‘‘the objection to the request of the gentle- programming from NPR. vote on the previous question is simply a woman from New York? The material previously referred to vote on whether to proceed to an immediate There was no objection. by Ms. SLAUGHTER is as follows: vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] Ms. SLAUGHTER. I urge my col- AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 174 OFFERED BY has no substantive legislative or policy im- leagues to vote ‘‘no’’ and defeat the MS. SLAUGHTER OF NEW YORK plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what they have always said. Listen to the Repub- previous question so that we can de- At the end of the resolution, add the fol- lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative lowing new sections: bate and pass jobs legislation today, Process in the United States House of Rep- and I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the rule and SEC. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s the underlying bill. resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to how the Republicans describe the previous I yield back the balance of my time. cause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- Mr. NUGENT. I yield myself the bal- resolved into the Committee of the Whole though it is generally not possible to amend House on the state of the Union for consider- ance of my time. the rule because the majority Member con- ation of the bill (H.R. 11) to amend the Inter- trolling the time will not yield for the pur- Mr. Speaker, I just want to bring to nal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the Build your attention that the public watch- pose of offering an amendment, the same re- America Bonds program. The first reading of sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- ing this today on C–SPAN does not re- the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of vious question on the rule . . . When the mo- ceive a single Federal dollar in regards order against consideration of the bill are tion for the previous question is defeated, to the operation of C–SPAN. waived. The bill shall be considered as read. control of the time passes to the Member We’re not closing down local radio General debate shall be confined to the bill who led the opposition to ordering the pre- stations. We’re actually giving them and shall not exceed one hour equally di- vious question. That Member, because he vided and controlled by the Majority Leader then controls the time, may offer an amend- the ability to liberate themselves from and Minority Leader or their respective des- Federal dollars. ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of ignees. After general debate the bill shall be amendment.’’ My good friends on the other side of considered for amendment under the five- In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House the aisle continue to refuse to minute rule. All points of order against pro- of Representatives, the subchapter titled prioritize about what’s important for visions in the bill are waived. At the conclu- ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal America. They continue on a path of sion of consideration of the bill for amend- to order the previous question on such a rule just spend, because all programs are in- ment the Committee shall rise and report [a special rule reported from the Committee herently good. the bill to the House with such amendments on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- While you’ve heard a lot of us like as may have been adopted. The previous ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- question shall be considered as ordered on tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- NPR in regard to certain programming, the bill and amendments thereto to final jection of the motion for the previous ques- there’s others that we do not. Mr. passage without intervening motion except tion on a resolution reported from the Com- Speaker, I was reminded the other day one motion to recommit with or without in- mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- of a quote by Thomas Jefferson: structions. If the Committee of the Whole ber leading the opposition to the previous

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.020 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1919 question, who may offer a proper amendment Pompeo Ryan (WI) Thompson (PA) b 1046 Posey Scalise Thornberry or motion and who controls the time for de- Ms. ESHOO and Mr. GEORGE MIL- bate thereon.’’ Price (GA) Schilling Tiberi Clearly, the vote on the previous question Quayle Schmidt Tipton LER of California changed their vote on a rule does have substantive policy impli- Reed Schock Turner from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Rehberg Schweikert Upton cations. It is one of the only available tools Mr. AKIN changed his vote from Reichert Scott (SC) Walberg ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ for those who oppose the Republican major- Renacci Scott, Austin Walden ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- Ribble Sensenbrenner Walsh (IL) So the previous question was ordered. native views the opportunity to offer an al- Rigell Sessions Webster The result of the vote was announced ternative plan. Rivera Shimkus West as above recorded. Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield Roby Shuler Westmoreland Stated against: Roe (TN) Shuster Whitfield Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. back the balance of my time, and I Rogers (AL) Simpson Wilson (SC) move the previous question on the res- 189, had I been present, I would have voted Rogers (KY) Smith (NE) Wittman ‘‘no.’’ olution. Rogers (MI) Smith (NJ) Wolf The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Rohrabacher Smith (TX) Womack POINT OF ORDER question is on ordering the previous Rokita Southerland Woodall Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a Ros-Lehtinen Stearns Yoder point of order. question. Roskam Stivers Young (FL) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- The question was taken; and the Ross (FL) Stutzman Young (IN) tleman will state his point of order. Speaker pro tempore announced that Royce Sullivan Runyan Terry Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I object the ayes appeared to have it. to the consideration of this bill because Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on NAYS—179 it violates rule XXI, clause 11, which that I demand the yeas and nays. Ackerman Gonzalez Pallone requires a 72-hour layover of the bill The yeas and nays were ordered. Altmire Green, Al Pascrell and for it to be electronically noticed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Andrews Green, Gene Pastor (AZ) in order for it to be considered by this ant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair Baca Grijalva Pelosi House. This bill did not lay over for 72 will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum Baldwin Gutierrez Perlmutter Barrow Hanabusa Peters hours. It was noticed at 1:42 p.m. on time for any electronic vote on the Bass (CA) Hastings (FL) Peterson Tuesday; therefore, it has to wait until question of adoption of the resolution, Becerra Heinrich Pingree (ME) 1:42 on Friday to be in compliance with if ordered. Berkley Higgins Polis the rules of the House. The vote was taken by electronic de- Berman Himes Price (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. A point vice, and there were—yeas 233, nays Bishop (GA) Hinchey Quigley Bishop (NY) Hirono Rahall of order against consideration of H.R. 179, not voting 20, as follows: Blumenauer Holden Rangel 1076 is not timely until such time as [Roll No. 189] Boren Holt Reyes the bill is called up. Boswell Honda Richardson YEAS—233 PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRES Brady (PA) Hoyer Richmond Adams Emerson King (IA) Braley (IA) Inslee Ross (AR) Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, point of Aderholt Farenthold King (NY) Brown (FL) Israel Rothman (NJ) parliamentary inquiry. Akin Fincher Kingston Butterfield Jackson (IL) Roybal-Allard The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Alexander Fitzpatrick Kinzinger (IL) Capps Jackson Lee Ruppersberger tleman will state his parliamentary in- Amash Flake Kline Capuano (TX) Rush quiry. Austria Fleischmann Lamborn Cardoza Johnson (GA) Ryan (OH) Bachmann Fleming Lance Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, as you Carnahan Johnson, E. B. Sa´ nchez, Linda Bachus Flores Landry Carson (IN) Kaptur T. know, we are about to consider the Barletta Forbes Lankford Castor (FL) Keating Sanchez, Loretta rule. Members, if they are to vote on Bartlett Fortenberry Latham Barton (TX) Foxx LaTourette Chandler Kildee Sarbanes and understand it, need to know that Bass (NH) Franks (AZ) Latta Chu Kind Schakowsky they are waiving the rule. This is the Benishek Frelinghuysen Lewis (CA) Cicilline Kissell Schiff statement of the Speaker of the House: Clarke (MI) Kucinich Schrader Berg Gallegly LoBiondo ‘‘I will not bring a bill to the floor Biggert Gardner Long Clay Langevin Schwartz Bilbray Garrett Lucas Cleaver Larsen (WA) Scott (VA) that hasn’t been posted online for at Bishop (UT) Gerlach Luetkemeyer Clyburn Larson (CT) Scott, David least 72 hours.’’ Black Gibbs Lummis Connolly (VA) Lee (CA) Serrano Would the Speaker please clarify for Bonner Gibson Lungren, Daniel Conyers Levin Sewell the body that the 72-hour rule is either Bono Mack Gingrey (GA) E. Cooper Lewis (GA) Sherman Boustany Gohmert Mack Costa Lipinski Sires being waived or does not exist. Brady (TX) Goodlatte Manzullo Costello Loebsack Slaughter The SPEAKER pro tempore. The pe- Brooks Gosar Marchant Courtney Lofgren, Zoe Smith (WA) riod of time on which the rule is predi- Broun (GA) Gowdy Marino Critz Lowey Speier cated is not a number of hours but, Buchanan Granger McCarthy (CA) Crowley Luja´ n Sutton Bucshon Graves (GA) McCaul rather, a number of days, specifically Cuellar Lynch Thompson (CA) Buerkle Graves (MO) McClintock Cummings Markey Thompson (MS) calendar days other than weekends or Burgess Griffin (AR) McCotter holidays when the House is not in ses- Burton (IN) Griffith (VA) McHenry Davis (CA) Matheson Tierney Calvert Grimm McKeon Davis (IL) Matsui Tonko sion. For the sake of brevity, the Chair Camp Guinta McKinley DeFazio McCarthy (NY) Towns will call these ‘‘working days.’’ Campbell Guthrie McMorris DeGette McCollum Tsongas Under clause 11 of rule XXI, an unre- Canseco Hall Rodgers DeLauro McDermott Van Hollen ported measure may not be considered Cantor Hanna Meehan Deutch McGovern Vela´ zquez Capito Harper Mica Dicks McIntyre Visclosky until the third working day on which it Cassidy Harris Miller (FL) Dingell McNerney Walz (MN) has been available to Members. Chabot Hartzler Miller (MI) Doggett Meeks Waters For example, a measure that was Chaffetz Hastings (WA) Miller, Gary Donnelly (IN) Michaud Watt publicly available in electronic form in Coble Hayworth Mulvaney Doyle Miller (NC) Waxman consonance with clause 3 of rule XXIX Coffman (CO) Heck Murphy (PA) Edwards Miller, George Weiner Cole Heller Myrick Ellison Moore Welch as of Tuesday, March 15, 2011, would Conaway Hensarling Neugebauer Eshoo Moran Wilson (FL) qualify on or after Thursday, March 17, Cravaack Herger Noem Farr Murphy (CT) Woolsey Crawford Herrera Beutler Nugent 2011. Fattah Napolitano Wu Crenshaw Huelskamp Nunes Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, further Filner Neal Yarmuth Davis (KY) Huizenga (MI) Nunnelee parliamentary inquiry. Frank (MA) Olver Denham Hultgren Olson Fudge Owens The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Dent Hunter Palazzo tleman will state his inquiry. DesJarlais Hurt Paul Diaz-Balart Issa Paulsen NOT VOTING—20 Mr. WEINER. For the clarity of the Dold Jenkins Pearce Bilirakis Engel Nadler House, did this bill age for 72 hours, Dreier Johnson (IL) Pence Blackburn Garamendi Payne ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’? Duffy Johnson (OH) Petri Carney Giffords Rooney The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Duncan (SC) Johnson, Sam Pitts Carter Hinojosa Stark Duncan (TN) Jones Platts Chair does not enter findings on ques- Clarke (NY) Jordan Wasserman Ellmers Kelly Poe (TX) tions not actually presented.. Cohen Labrador Schultz Culberson Maloney Young (AK)

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.006 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1920 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Without objection, 5-minute voting Turner West Womack from Afghanistan, and ask for its im- will continue. Upton Westmoreland Woodall mediate consideration. Walberg Whitfield Yoder There was no objection. Walden Wilson (SC) Young (FL) The Clerk read the title of the con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Walsh (IL) Wittman Young (IN) current resolution. question is on the resolution. Webster Wolf The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. The question was taken; and the NOES—181 WOMACK). Pursuant to the order of the Speaker pro tempore announced that Ackerman Fudge Pallone House of Wednesday, March 16, 2011, the ayes appeared to have it. Altmire Gonzalez Pascrell the concurrent resolution is considered Andrews Green, Al Pastor (AZ) read. RECORDED VOTE Baca Green, Gene Payne Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I de- Baldwin Grijalva Pelosi The text of the concurrent resolution mand a recorded vote. Barrow Hanabusa Perlmutter is as follows: Bass (CA) Hastings (FL) Peters H. CON. RES. 28 A recorded vote was ordered. Becerra Heinrich Peterson The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Berkley Higgins Pingree (ME) Resolved by the House of Representatives (the 5-minute vote. Berman Himes Polis Senate concurring), Bishop (GA) Hinchey Price (NC) The vote was taken by electronic de- SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED Bishop (NY) Hirono Quigley FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN. vice, and there were—ayes 236, noes 181, Blumenauer Holden Rahall Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers not voting 15, as follows: Boren Holt Rangel Boswell Honda Reyes Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress di- [Roll No. 190] Brady (PA) Hoyer Richardson rects the President to remove the United AYES—236 Braley (IA) Inslee Richmond States Armed Forces from Afghanistan— Brown (FL) Israel Ross (AR) (1) by no later than the end of the period of Adams Gardner McMorris Butterfield Jackson (IL) Rothman (NJ) Aderholt Garrett Rodgers 30 days beginning on the day on which this Capps Jackson Lee Roybal-Allard concurrent resolution is adopted; or Akin Gerlach Meehan Capuano (TX) Ruppersberger Alexander Gibbs Mica Cardoza Johnson (GA) Rush (2) if the President determines that it is Amash Gibson Miller (FL) Carnahan Johnson, E. B. Ryan (OH) not safe to remove the United States Armed Austria Gingrey (GA) Miller (MI) Carney Kaptur Sa´ nchez, Linda Forces before the end of that period, by no Bachmann Gohmert Miller, Gary Carson (IN) Keating T. later than December 31, 2011, or such earlier Bachus Mulvaney Goodlatte Castor (FL) Kildee Sanchez, Loretta date as the President determines that the Barletta Gosar Murphy (PA) Chandler Kind Sarbanes Armed Forces can safely be removed. Bartlett Gowdy Myrick Chu Kissell Schakowsky Barton (TX) Granger Neugebauer Cicilline Kucinich Schiff The SPEAKER pro tempore. The con- Bass (NH) Graves (GA) Noem Clarke (MI) Langevin Schrader current resolution shall be debatable Benishek Graves (MO) Nugent Clay Larsen (WA) Schwartz for 2 hours, with 1 hour controlled by Berg Griffin (AR) Nunes Cleaver Larson (CT) Scott (VA) Biggert Griffith (VA) Nunnelee Clyburn Lee (CA) Scott, David the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Bilbray Grimm Olson Connolly (VA) Levin Serrano KUCINICH) or his designee and 1 hour Bilirakis Palazzo Guinta Conyers Lewis (GA) Sewell equally divided and controlled by the Bishop (UT) Guthrie Paul Cooper Lipinski Sherman Black Hall Paulsen Costa Loebsack Sires chair and ranking minority member of Blackburn Hanna Pearce Costello Lofgren, Zoe Slaughter the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bonner Harper Pence Courtney Lowey Smith (WA) Bono Mack Petri Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask Harris Critz Luja´ n Speier unanimous consent that the gentleman Boustany Hartzler Pitts Crowley Lynch Stark Brady (TX) Hastings (WA) Platts Cuellar Markey Sutton from North Carolina (Mr. JONES) be al- Brooks Hayworth Poe (TX) Cummings Matheson Thompson (CA) lowed to control half of my time. Broun (GA) Pompeo Heck Davis (CA) Matsui Thompson (MS) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Buchanan Heller Posey Davis (IL) McCarthy (NY) Tierney Bucshon Hensarling Price (GA) DeFazio McCollum Tonko objection, the gentleman from North Buerkle Herger Quayle DeGette McDermott Towns Carolina (Mr. JONES) will control half Burgess Herrera Beutler Reed DeLauro McGovern Tsongas Burton (IN) Rehberg the time allocated to the gentleman Huelskamp Deutch McIntyre Van Hollen Calvert Reichert from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH). Huizenga (MI) Dicks McNerney Vela´ zquez Camp Renacci Hultgren Dingell Meeks Visclosky There was no objection. Campbell Ribble Hunter Doggett Michaud Walz (MN) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Canseco Rigell Hurt Donnelly (IN) Miller (NC) Waters Cantor Rivera Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Issa Doyle Miller, George Watt Capito Roby Florida. Jenkins Edwards Moore Waxman Carter Roe (TN) Johnson (IL) Ellison Moran Weiner Cassidy Rogers (AL) b 1100 Johnson (OH) Eshoo Murphy (CT) Welch Chabot Rogers (KY) Johnson, Sam Farr Napolitano Wilson (FL) Chaffetz Rogers (MI) Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself Jones Fattah Neal Woolsey such time as I may consume. Coble Rohrabacher Filner Olver Wu Coffman (CO) Kelly Rokita King (IA) Frank (MA) Owens Yarmuth Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- Cole Ros-Lehtinen tion to this resolution, as it would un- Conaway King (NY) Roskam NOT VOTING—15 Cravaack Kingston Ross (FL) dermine the efforts of our military and Clarke (NY) Hinojosa Schock Crawford Kinzinger (IL) Royce our international partners in Afghani- Cohen Jordan Wasserman Crenshaw Kline Runyan Engel Labrador stan and would gravely harm our Na- Culberson Lamborn Ryan (WI) Schultz Garamendi Maloney Davis (KY) Lance Scalise Young (AK) tion’s security. Giffords Nadler Denham Landry Schilling Insanity has been described as doing Gutierrez Rooney Dent Lankford Schmidt the same thing over and over again and Latham DesJarlais Schweikert b 1057 expecting different results. Three thou- Diaz-Balart LaTourette Scott (SC) Dold Latta Scott, Austin So the resolution was agreed to. sand people died on September 11 be- Dreier Lewis (CA) Sensenbrenner The result of the vote was announced cause we walked away once from Af- LoBiondo Duffy Sessions as above recorded. ghanistan, thinking that it didn’t mat- Duncan (SC) Long Shimkus Duncan (TN) Lucas Shuler A motion to reconsider was laid on ter who controlled that country. We Ellmers Luetkemeyer Shuster the table. were wrong then. Let us not make the Emerson Lummis Simpson f same mistake twice. Completing our Farenthold Lungren, Daniel Smith (NE) mission in Afghanistan is essential to Fincher E. Smith (NJ) AFGHANISTAN WAR POWERS Fitzpatrick Mack Smith (TX) keeping our homeland safe. Flake Manzullo Southerland RESOLUTION As Under Secretary of Defense Fleischmann Marchant Stearns Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Michele Flournoy stated in testimony Fleming Marino Stivers Flores McCarthy (CA) Stutzman pursuant to the order of the House of to the Senate Armed Services Com- Forbes McCaul Sullivan March 16, 2011, I call up the concurrent mittee earlier this week, ‘‘The threat Fortenberry McClintock Terry resolution (H. Con. Res. 28) directing to our national security and the secu- Foxx McCotter Thompson (PA) the President, pursuant to section 5(c) rity of our friends and allies that ema- Franks (AZ) McHenry Thornberry Frelinghuysen McKeon Tiberi of the War Powers Resolution, to re- nates from the borderland of Afghani- Gallegly McKinley Tipton move the United States Armed Forces stan and Pakistan is not hypothetical.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.036 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1921 There is simply no other place in the war that doesn’t have any exit plan, for publicans as the chief constituency sup- world that contains such a concentra- which there is no timeframe to get out, porting his strategy. The results suggest tion of al Qaeda senior leaders and no endgame, where we haven’t defined that the war will be an awkward issue for the president as he looks for ways to end it. operational commanders. To allow our mission? The question is not Nearly 1,500 U.S. troops have died since the these hostile organizations to flourish whether we can afford to leave. The fighting began in 2001. in this region is to put the security of question is, can we afford to stay? And During his 2008 campaign, Obama promised the United States and our friends and I submit we cannot afford to stay. to withdraw American forces from the Iraq allies at grave risk.’’ In the next 2 hours, we are going to war, which he opposed, and devote more re- To quit the area before we have rout- demonstrate that the counterintel- sources to the flagging effort in Afghanistan, ed out the terrorists would not only which he has called an essential front in ligence strategy of General Petraeus is combating Islamist terrorism targeting the hand al Qaeda a propaganda victory of an abysmal failure, and it needs to be United States. immeasurable value, it would cede called as such. So I want to conclude After a months-long strategy review in the them a sanctuary from which they this part of my presentation with an fall of 2009, he announced the deployment of could mount fresh strikes at the west article by Thomas Friedman in The an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghani- with virtual immunity. To withdraw New York Times, which says, ‘‘What stan—taking the total to more than 100,000— from Afghanistan at this point, before and a July 2011 deadline for the start of their are we doing spending $110 billion this withdrawal. we finish the job, is to pave the way for year supporting corrupt and unpopular The number of respondents to the Post- the next 9/11. Therefore, the question regimes in Afghanistan and Pakistan ABC News poll who say the war is not worth that we must consider is, Can we afford that are almost identical to the gov- fighting has risen from 44 percent in late 2009 to abandon our mission in Afghani- ernments we are applauding the Arab to 64 percent in the survey conducted last stan? General David Petraeus, com- people for overthrowing?’’ week. Two-thirds of independents hold that posi- mander, International Security Assist- [From The Washington Post, Mar. 15, 2011] tion, according to the poll, and nearly 80 per- ance Force, ISAF, commander, U.S. POLL: NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS cent said Obama should withdraw a ‘‘sub- Forces Afghanistan, stated, ‘‘I can un- SAY AFGHAN WAR ISN’T WORTH FIGHTING stantial number’’ of troops from Afghanistan derstand the frustration. We have been (By Scott Wilson and Jon Cohen) this summer. Barely more than a quarter of independents say the war is worth its costs, at this for 10 years. We have spent an Nearly two-thirds of Americans now say and for the first time a majority feel enormous amount of money. We have the war in Afghanistan is no longer worth ‘‘strongly’’ that it is not. sustained very tough losses and dif- fighting, the highest proportion yet opposed Obama, who met with Petraeus on Monday ficult, life-changing wounds. But I to the conflict, according to a new Wash- at the White House, has said he will deter- think it is important to remember why ington Post-ABC News poll. mine the pace of the withdrawal by assessing we are there.’’ The finding signals a growing challenge for conditions on the ground. This is about our vital national secu- President Obama as he decides how quickly At the same time, U.S. and NATO forces to pull U.S. forces from the country begin- have come under sharp criticism from the rity interests, Mr. Speaker. It is about ning this summer. After nearly a decade of doing what is necessary to ensure that Afghan government. Over the weekend, after conflict, political opposition to the battle a NATO bombing killed nine children, Af- al Qaeda and other extremists cannot breaks sharply along partisan lines, with ghan President Hamid Karzai demanded that reestablish safe havens such as the only 19 percent of Democratic respondents international troops ‘‘stop their operations ones they had in Afghanistan when the and half of Republicans surveyed saying the in our land,’’ a more pointed call than pre- 9/11 attacks were planned against our war continues to be worth fighting. vious ones he has made following such dead- Nation and our people. The enemy, in- Nearly three-quarters of Americans say ly NATO mistakes. deed, is on the run. It is demoralized Obama should withdraw a ‘‘substantial num- The telephone poll was conducted March 10 ber’’ of combat troops from Afghanistan this to 13 among a random national sample of and divided. Let us not give up now. summer, the deadline he set to begin pulling 1,005 adults. Results from the full poll have a Let us not betray the sacrifices of out some forces. Only 39 percent of respond- margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 our men and women serving in harm’s ents, however, say they expect him to with- percentage points. way, and they ask for nothing in re- draw large numbers. The survey also asked respondents to as- turn, except our full support. Dedicated The Post-ABC News poll results come as sess Obama’s performance in managing the servants such as my stepson Douglas Gen. David H. Petraeus, the U.S. commander political changes sweeping across the Middle and daughter-in-law Lindsay, who in Afghanistan, prepares to testify before East and North Africa. Overall, 45 percent of Congress on Tuesday about the course of the respondents approve of his handling of the served in Iraq—and Lindsay also served situation, and 44 percent disapprove. in Afghanistan. Dedicated servants war. He is expected to face tough questioning about a conflict that is increasingly unpopu- In Libya, where Moammar Gaddafi is bat- such as Matt Zweig and Greg McCarthy lar among a broad cross section of Ameri- tling a rebel force seeking to end his 41-year of our Foreign Affairs Committee ma- cans. rule, Obama is under increasing pressure to jority staff, who just returned from Petraeus will tell Congress that ‘‘things implement a no-fly zone over the country to serving a year in Kandahar and Kabul. are progressing very well,’’ Pentagon spokes- prevent the Libyan leader from taking back And we thank them for their service. man Geoff Morrell said Monday. But because lost territory and to protect civilians from of battlefield gains made by U.S. and coali- government reprisals. Let us follow the lead of our wounded Nearly six in 10 Americans say they would warriors who, after long and arduous tion forces since last year, Morrell told MSNBC, ‘‘it’s going to be heavy and inten- support U.S. participation in a no-fly zone over Libya, the poll found, despite recent recoveries, volunteer to return to the sive in terms of fighting’’ once the winter warnings from Defense Secretary Robert M. battlefield to finish their mission. I cold passes. Gates that doing so would be a ‘‘major oper- urge our colleagues to oppose this dan- The poll began asking only in 2007 whether ation.’’ gerous resolution. the Afghan war is worth fighting, but sup- But the survey found that American sup- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of port has almost certainly never been as low port dips under 50 percent when it comes to my time. as it is in the most recent survey. unilateral U.S. action, as Democrats and Mr. KUCINICH. I yield myself 2 min- The growing opposition presents Obama independents peel away. utes. with a difficult political challenge ahead of When told that such a mission would entail In the next 2 hours, we are going to his 2012 reelection effort, especially in his U.S. warplanes bombing Libyan antiaircraft demonstrate that the American people pursuit of independent voters. positions and ‘‘continuous patrols,’’ about a Since Democrats took a beating in last oppose this war by a margin of two to quarter of those initially advocating U.S. year’s midterm elections, Obama has ap- participation turn into opponents. one. I will enter into the RECORD this pealed to independents with a middle-of-the- After a meeting Monday with Danish Washington Post poll that was pub- road approach to George W. Bush-era tax Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, lished on March 15 which says that cuts and budget negotiations with Repub- Obama said, ‘‘We will be continuing to co- nearly two-thirds of Americans say the lican leaders on Capitol Hil1. He called a ordinate closely both through NATO as well war isn’t worth fighting. news conference last week to express concern as the United Nations and other inter- In the next 2 hours, we are going to about rising gasoline prices, an economically national fora to look at every single option demonstrate that we are spending $100 pressing issue for many independent voters. that’s available to us in bringing about a But his approach to the Afghan war has better outcome for the Libyan people.’’ billion per year on this war. There are not won over the independents or liberal In general, Americans do not think that those who are saying the war could last Democrats who propelled his campaign two the changes in the Middle East and North Af- at least another 10 years. Are we will- years ago, and the most recent Post-ABC rica will prove beneficial to U.S. economic ing to spend another $1 trillion on a News poll reinforces the importance of Re- and security interests.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.029 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1922 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 More than seven in 10 respondents said Just as Arab regimes used the conflict with do not want the Taliban and their al demonstrators are interested in building new Israel for years to keep their people dis- Qaeda allies back in charge of Afghani- governments, although not necessarily tracted and to justify huge military budgets, stan or any significant part of Afghani- democratic ones. Almost half of those sur- Pakistan’s ISI tells itself, the Pakistani peo- stan from which they could plot at- veyed view the turmoil as undermining the ple and us that it can’t stop sponsoring prox- United States’ ability to fight terrorist ies in Afghanistan because of the ‘‘threat’’ tacks against us, as they are still try- groups in the region. from India. ing to do in the parts of Pakistan that Here’s a secret: India is not going to invade they are in. [From the New York Times, March 6, 2011] Pakistan. It is an utterly bogus argument. We need to get an Afghanistan Gov- THE $110 BILLION QUESTION India wants to focus on its own development, ernment that can stand up, and they (By Thomas L. Friedman) not owning Pakistan’s problems. India has are going to need our help to get there. the second-largest Muslim population on the When one looks across the Arab world Now there are many who have argued— planet, more even than Pakistan. And while today at the stunning spontaneous democ- and I am sure some on both sides of the Indian Muslims are not without their eco- racy uprisings, it is impossible to not ask: nomic and political grievances, they are, on aisle would be sympathetic with the What are we doing spending $110 billion this the whole, integrated into India’s democracy notion that we need to reduce our com- year supporting corrupt and unpopular re- because it is a democracy. There are no In- mitment there—that a full-scale coun- gimes in Afghanistan and Pakistan that are dian Muslims in Guantanamo Bay. terinsurgency effort, or 100,000 U.S. almost identical to the governments we’re Finally, you did not need to dig very far in applauding the Arab people for over- troops and 150,000 NATO and U.S. Egypt or Jordan to hear that one reason for troops combined, is too much. Let’s go throwing? the rebellion in Egypt and protests in Jordan Ever since 9/11, the West has hoped for a with a much lighter footprint. Many was the in-your-face corruption and crony war of ideas within the Muslim world that have advocated that. Focuses on coun- capitalism that everyone in the public knew would feature an internal challenge to the about. terterrorism, focuses on going after the violent radical Islamic ideology of Osama That same kind of pillaging of assets—nat- terrorists, and allows the Afghans to bin Laden and Al Qaeda. That contest, ural resources, development aid, the meager take the lead on everything else. And though, never really materialized because savings of a million Kabul Bank depositors there is a plausible argument for that. the regimes we counted on to promote it and crony contracts—has fueled a similar found violent Muslim extremism a conven- This resolution does not allow that. anger against the regime in Afghanistan and ient foil, so they allowed it to persist. More- I want the Members of this Chamber undermined our nation-building efforts over, these corrupt, crony capitalist Arab re- to understand this resolution requires there. gimes were hardly the ideal carriers for an complete withdrawal of all U.S. forces The truth is we can’t do much to consoli- alternative to bin Ladenism. To the con- date the democracy movements in Egypt and by the end of this year. And I can tell trary, it was their abusive behavior and vi- Tunisia. They’ll have to make it work them- you, as the ranking member on the cious suffocation of any kind of independent selves. But we could do what we can, which Armed Services Committee, that is not moderate centrist parties that fueled the ex- is divert some of the $110 billion we’re lav- in the national security interest of this tremism even more. ishing on the Afghan regime and the Paki- Now the people themselves have taken country. stani Army and use it for debt relief, schools down those regimes in Egypt and Tunisia, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The and scholarships to U.S. universities for and they’re rattling the ones in Libya, time of the gentleman has expired. young Egyptians and Tunisians who had the Yemen, Bahrain, Oman and Iran. They are Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentleman courage to take down the very kind of re- not doing it for us, or to answer bin Laden. gimes we’re still holding up in Kabul and 1 additional minute. They are doing it by themselves for them- Islamabad. Mr. SMITH of Washington. We may selves—because they want their freedom and I know we can’t just walk out of Afghani- have a legitimate debate about what to control their own destinies. But in doing stan and Pakistan; there are good people, our presence should be, how we should so they have created a hugely powerful, mod- too, in both places. But our involvement in ernizing challenge to bin Ladenism, which is change it, but the notion that we can these two countries—150,000 troops to con- why Al Qaeda today is tongue-tied. It’s a simply walk away from this problem, front Al Qaeda—is totally out of proportion beautiful thing to watch. as Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN pointed out, is today with our interests and out of all sync Al Qaeda’s answer to modern-day autoc- simply not true. And it is a problem with our values. racy was its version of the seventh-century that, believe me, I, as much as anyone Caliphate. But the people—from Tunisia to I reserve the balance of my time. in this body, would love to be able to Yemen—have come up with their own answer Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am walk away from. It is an enormous to violent extremism and the abusive re- pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- challenge. And what Mr. Friedman has gimes we’ve been propping up. It’s called de- tleman from Washington (Mr. SMITH), mocracy. They have a long way to go to lock to say about the governments of Af- the ranking member of the Armed ghanistan and Pakistan is spot on. But it in. It may yet be hijacked by religious Services Committee. forces. But, for now, it is clear that the ma- the problem is, we can’t simply walk jority wants to build a future in the 21st cen- Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. away from them and let them fall be- tury, not the seventh. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this cause of the national security implica- In other words, the Arab peoples have done resolution, and I do so as one who does tions that that has for us right here at for free, on their own and for their own rea- firmly believe that we need to, as soon home, given what the Taliban and al sons, everything that we were paying their as we responsibly can, end our military Qaeda would plan. I am all in favor of regimes to do in the ‘‘war on terrorism’’ but engagement in Afghanistan. The cost is a more reasonable plan for how we go they never did. very real. And that brings me back to Afghanistan forward in Afghanistan, but simply and Pakistan. Last October, Transparency I represent Joint Base Lewis- heading for the hills and leaving is not International rated the regime of President McChord, which includes Fort Lewis a responsible plan. It’s not even really Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan as the second Army Base, and we have lost many sol- a plan for how to deal with the very most corrupt in the world after Somalia’s. diers in Afghanistan. The families un- difficult challenges that we face in That is the Afghan regime we will spend derstand the cost. We need to wind that region, and I urge this body to op- more than $110 billion in 2011 to support. down this war as quickly and as re- And tell me that Pakistan’s intelligence pose this resolution. sponsibly as we can. Unfortunately, Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I want to service, ISI, which dominates Pakistani poli- this resolution does not give us the op- tics, isn’t the twin of Hosni Mubarak’s secu- thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. rity service. Pakistan’s military leaders play portunity to do that. And we have clear KUCINICH) for yielding me half of his the same game Mubarak played with us for national security interests in Afghani- time, and I yield myself such time as I years. First, they whisper in our ears: ‘‘Psst, stan. may consume. without us, the radical Islamists will rule. While I may agree with many of the So we may not be perfect, but we’re the only statements about the troubles and b 1110 thing standing in the way of the devil.’’ In challenges that we face in that region, Mr. Speaker, we are debating how reality, though, they are nurturing the devil. the one thing that you will hear today long we are going to be in Afghanistan. The ISI is long alleged to have been fostering that I cannot agree with is the idea Recently, Secretary Gates testified be- anti-Indian radical Muslim groups and mas- terminding the Afghan Taliban. that we have no national security in- fore the Armed Services Committee, Apart from radical Islam, the other pretext terests in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or which I serve on, and said that he the Pakistani military uses for its inordi- that we somehow do not have a clear thought by 2014 we could start substan- nate grip on power is the external enemy. mission. We have a clear mission. We tial reduction in our troop strength in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.008 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1923 Afghanistan, 2014, that it might be 2015, the same vague reassurances about accomplish our objectives by 2014, the 2016. progress we’ve supposedly made, while general also warned that this hard- That’s why this debate and this reso- being sure to say that challenges re- fought progress is fragile and revers- lution is so important, not important main so he can continue justifying a ible; and he urged that continued sup- for those of us in the House, but impor- substantial troop presence in Afghani- port from this Congress for our mission tant for our military and the American stan. But I’m not reassured in the in Afghanistan is vital to success. people. least. And much more importantly, the When asked specifically how our And Mr. KUCINICH did make reference American people aren’t reassured. troops and enemies would view the res- to The Washington Post-ABC poll that After 91⁄2 years, after seeing 1,500 of olution before us today, General was taken a couple of days ago that their fellow citizens killed, after writ- Petraeus stated: The Taliban and al said 73 percent of the American people ing a check to the tune of $386 billion, Qaeda obviously would trumpet this as said it’s time, this year, to bring our they’ve had enough. They are angry, a victory. Needless to say, it would troops home. they are frustrated, as well they should completely undermine everything our In addition, I would like to share a be. troopers have fought so much and sac- quote from the leader of Afghanistan, A new poll shows that nearly two- rificed so much for. Mr. Karzai. He’s our man in Afghani- thirds of Americans, 64 percent, think Mr. Speaker, when the President au- stan. All right, now, he’s our man. This the war isn’t worth fighting. This is thorized a surge of 30,000 additional was his quote 3 days ago: ‘‘I request one of the least popular things our gov- troops, he reminded us of why we are in that NATO and America should stop ernment is doing, and yet it’s just Afghanistan. It’s the epicenter of these operations on our soil,’’ Karzai about the only one Republicans don’t where al Qaeda planned and launched said. ‘‘This war is not on our soil. If want to cut. the 9/11 attacks against innocent this war is against terror, then this I think it’s about time the people’s Americans. It remains vital to the na- war is not here. Terror is not here.’’ House listened to the people on the tional security of this country to pro- The number of al Qaeda and their issue of war and peace and life and hibit the Taliban from once again pro- presence in Afghanistan is about 20 or death. We need to negotiate, and we viding sanctuary to al Qaeda leaders. 30. Most of them are in Pakistan. I need to sign the Status of Forces Moreover, withdrawing before com- would agree with that. But this debate Agreement, SOFA, with Afghanistan. pleting our mission would reinforce ex- is critical. We need to move quickly toward the tremist propaganda that Americans are Before I reserve the balance of my massive redeployment in July, as the weak and unreliable allies and could time, I want to share very quickly a President promised more than a year facilitate extremist recruiting and fu- letter from a retired colonel who’s a ago. In the name of moral decency, fis- ture attacks. marine that lives in my district: ‘‘I am cal sanity and constitutional integrity, Like most Republicans, I supported writing this letter to express my con- it’s time to bring our troops home. the President’s decision to surge in Af- cern over the current Afghanistan war. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, ghanistan. I believe that with addi- I am a retired marine officer with 31- before I yield to the gentleman from tional forces, combined with giving plus years of active duty. I retired in California (Mr. MCKEON), the chairman General Petraeus the time, space and 2004 due to service limitations, or I am of the House Armed Services Com- resources he needs, we can win this sure I would have been on my third or mittee, it is important to underscore, conflict. fourth deployment by now to a war as the Under Secretary of Defense During a visit last week with our that has gone on too long.’’ Michele Flournoy has, that to with- troops in Afghanistan, Secretary Gates And I’ll go to the bottom of this: ‘‘It draw from Afghanistan at this time, observed the closer you get to this makes no sense if we’re there 4 years or before we finish the job, is to pave the fight, the better it looks. Having just 40. The results will be the same.’’ way for the next 9/11. returned myself from Afghanistan a And he closed his letter this way: She and other U.S. and allied offi- few weeks ago, I couldn’t agree more. ‘‘This war is costing the United States cials note that we need look no further Our delegation to Afghanistan met billions of dollars a month to wage, and than the example of Ahmad Siddiqui, a with senior military commanders and we still continue to get more young 36-year-old German of Afghan origin diplomats, talked to airmen at Americans killed. The Afghan war has who U.S. interrogators talked to, and Bagram, marines in Helmand and sol- no end state for us. he revealed Osama bin Laden was plan- diers in Kandahar. It was clear to our ‘‘I urge you to make contact with all ning an attack on Europe. Without our delegation that our forces have made the current and newly elected men and boots on the ground in Afghanistan the significant gains and have reversed the women in Congress and ask them to plot against Europe might never have Taliban’s momentum. end this war and bring our young men been uncovered. Without our boots on 1120 and women home. If any of my com- the ground, we will not be able to stop b ments will assist in this effort, you are the next wave of attacks against our Our forces and their Afghan partners welcome to use them and my name. homeland, our citizens, our families, have cleared enemy strongholds, swept ‘‘Respectfully, Dennis G. Adams, and ourselves. up significant weapons caches, and Lieutenant Colonel retired, United Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the given more Afghans the confidence to States Marine Corps.’’ gentleman from California (Mr. defy the Taliban. We have made consid- I reserve the balance of my time. MCKEON), the esteemed chairman of erable progress in growing and profes- Mr. KUCINICH. I yield 2 minutes to the House Armed Services Committee. sionalizing Afghanistan’s army and po- the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Mr. MCKEON. Mr. Speaker, I join lice so these forces are more capable WOOLSEY). with my colleagues from the Foreign and reliable partners to our own Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Services Committee, Foreign Affairs troops. absolute support of the resolution of- Committee, and my colleagues from As significant as our troops’ achieve- fered by the gentleman from Ohio. the Armed Services Committee in op- ments in the fields are, they can easily The war in Afghanistan, almost 10 position to this resolution. This resolu- be undone by poor decisions made here years old, has been an utter failure in tion would undermine the efforts of our in Washington. Today’s debate is not every possible way. It hasn’t elimi- military commanders and troops as being conducted in a vacuum. Our nated the terrorist threat. It hasn’t de- they work side by side with their Af- troops are listening. Our allies are lis- stroyed the Taliban. It hasn’t advanced ghan and coalition partners. tening. national security objectives. It hasn’t Yesterday, in his testimony before The SPEAKER pro tempore. The promoted a vibrant democracy in Af- the House Armed Services Committee, time of the gentleman has expired. ghanistan. It hasn’t done any of the General Petraeus, commander of the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gen- things it was supposed to do. U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, tleman an additional 30 seconds. And General Petraeus’ testimony described significant progress made by Mr. MCKEON. The Taliban and al this week didn’t inspire much con- our troops and Afghan forces. But Qaeda are also listening. And, finally, fidence either. He continues to offer while the United States is on track to the Afghan people are listening.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.031 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1924 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Mr. Speaker, I want to send a clear war. I am troubled that the war very this time. And I want to pay tribute to message to the Afghan people and gov- much remains an American-led effort the gentleman from North Carolina ernment, our coalition partners, our and that the U.S. presence has created (Mr. JONES), who is one of the kindest, military men and women that this a culture of dependency in Afghani- most sincere, and most courageous Congress will stand firm in our com- stan. Members that we have in this body. mitment to free us from the problems Notwithstanding all that, I won’t I voted, Mr. Speaker, for this war, that the Taliban created for us on 9/11. support a call for a full withdrawal but I sure didn’t vote for a 10-year war We will not have this sanctuary ever until we give the President’s strategy or a forever or a permanent or an end- happen again. additional time, at least through the less war. I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on spring, to show results or, without a re- There is nothing fiscally conserv- this resolution. sponsible withdrawal strategy, to en- ative about this war, and I think con- Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield sure gains made thus far will not be servatives should be the people most myself such time as I may consume. lost. horrified by this war. I rise in opposition to the resolution. A number of positive developments Alfred Regnery, the publisher of the Mr. Speaker, this is the third debate make me unwilling to throw in the Conservative American Spectator mag- we have had pursuant to a war powers towel just yet. For example, as noted azine, wrote last October: ‘‘Afghani- resolution in the last year. by General Petraeus in testimony yes- stan has little strategic value, and the I completely agree with the gen- terday, coalition forces have been mak- war is one of choice rather than neces- tleman from Ohio that as we are mov- ing some progress against Taliban sity.’’ And he added that it has been a ing into the 10th year of this conflict, forces in southern Afghanistan. In ad- ‘‘wasteful and frustrating decade.’’ it is critical—not just nice, it is really dition, the training of Afghan security The worst thing about Iraq and Af- critical for the House to have an open forces has exceeded targets, and we are ghanistan is all the young people who and honest debate on the merits of our inching slowly toward the point at have been killed. But it is also very ongoing military operations in Afghan- which they may be able to secure their sad, Mr. Speaker, that we have spent istan, and that debate should be out- own borders. hundreds of billions of dollars—in fact, side of the context of a defense spend- A final plea to my colleagues, and some estimates are $2 trillion or $3 tril- ing bill. that is to some of my colleagues who lion now in indirect costs—to carry on But what I also do is take strong are joining me in opposing this resolu- these two very unnecessary wars. issue with the invocation of section tion. I am sure we are not going to suc- Our Constitution does not give us the authority to run another country, and 5(c) of the War Powers Act as the basis ceed in Afghanistan unless our civilian that is basically what we have been for this debate. If we are here to re- efforts are fully resourced. When I doing. We have been doing more nation spect the law and the procedures, you traveled to Afghanistan last April, I building and more civilian functions have to remember that it is that sec- was encouraged to see our military than anything else, and we have been tion which authorizes a privileged reso- forces, diplomats, and development ex- turning the Department of Defense, at lution, like the one we have before us perts working closely together in the least in Iraq and Afghanistan, into the today, to require the withdrawal of field. General Petraeus couldn’t have been Department of Foreign Aid. U.S. Forces when they are engaged in I had a conservative Republican hostilities and Congress has not au- more clear in his testimony: We are setting ourselves up for failure if we elected official from my district in my thorized the use of military force. office this past Monday. His son is in There may be aspects of our oper- fully fund the clear part of the Presi- dent’s counterinsurgency strategy, the Afghanistan in the Army, and he said ations around the world that people he asked his son recently what we were can claim under section 5(c) have not part carried out by the military, but shortchange the hold-and-build por- accomplishing there, and he said his been authorized. No one can make a son said, ‘‘Dad, we’re accomplishing contention that what we are now doing tions of the strategy, like economic de- velopment and building good govern- nothing.’’ in Afghanistan was not authorized by We seem to be making the same mis- the Congress. There can be no doubt ance. These are the keys to lasting suc- cess in Afghanistan. These are the keys takes in our policies toward Afghani- this military action in Afghanistan stan that we made in Iraq. Even Gen- was authorized. It was authorized in to a successful counterinsurgency strategy. And when we meet those eral Petraeus has said some time ago 2001, soon after 9/11. that we should never forget that Af- tests and do those works, we may be But let’s set aside the procedure and ghanistan has been known as the able to create the environment that the specific dictates of the statute. I do ‘‘graveyard of empires.’’ think and share my concerns, well ar- will allow our troops to return home. George C. Wilson, a military col- For all these reasons, I oppose the ticulated by the ranking member of the umnist for the Congress Daily, wrote a House Armed Services Committee, that resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. few months ago: ‘‘The American mili- it is not responsible to demand a com- Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, we will be tary’s mission to pacify the 40,000 tiny plete withdrawal of our troops from Af- debating this probably in 2015 or 2016. If villages in Afghanistan will look like ghanistan by the end of the year with- I am not here, somebody else will be, mission impossible, especially if our out regard to the consequence of our because that is how long we are going bombings keep killing Afghan civilians withdrawal, without regard to the situ- to be there. and infuriating the ones who survive.’’ ation on the ground, including efforts This general that served in the Ma- The Center for Defense Information to promote economic development and rine Corps that has advised me for 11 said late last year we have now spent expand the rule of law, and without months, back in November I asked: $439.8 billion on war and war-related any measurement of whether the cur- ‘‘What do you think about 4 more costs in Afghanistan, and $1.63 trillion rent strategy is indeed working. years?’’ so far on the war and war-related costs I am very sensitive to the arguments I am just going to read part of his in Iraq. As I said a moment ago, these posed by the gentleman from Ohio. The email: figures should astound fiscal conserv- cost of human life due to the war and ‘‘I do not believe that 40 more years atives. the heavy costs incurred by our coun- would guarantee victory, whatever Georgie Anne Geyer, a syndicated try at a time of great economic hard- that is; so 4 will do nothing. The war is columnist, wrote a few years ago: ship should give any Member of Con- costing money and lives, all in short ‘‘Critics of the war have said since the gress pause. supply.’’ beginning of the conflict that Ameri- I am also keenly aware of the con- I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman cans, still strangely complacent about cerns regarding our overall U.S. strat- from Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN). overseas wars being waged by minori- egy in Afghanistan. It remains to be Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. ties in their name, will inevitably seen whether a counterinsurgency Speaker, I rise in strong support of this come to a point where they will see strategy will succeed there and, equal- resolution. they have to have a government that ly important, whether the Afghans are First, I want to thank the gentleman provides services at home or one that taking sufficient responsibility for this from North Carolina for yielding me seeks empire across the globe.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.033 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1925 I just finished, Mr. Speaker, a few question of whether we can afford to ian deaths in 2010, an increase of 15 per cent weeks ago doing field hearings around fund a military presence in Afghani- compared to 2009. Over the past four years, the country in relation to the transpor- stan, it’s a matter of whether we can 8,832 civilians have been killed in the con- tation and highway bill. These were afford not to, particularly at this flict, with civilian deaths increasing each year. The worsening human impact of the done in Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Vir- point. conflict reinforces the urgent need for par- ginia, and west Tennessee—very con- I think my colleagues know that I’m ties to the conflict to do more to protect Af- servative districts. And in each of very uncomfortable spending taxpayer ghan civilians, who, in 2010, were killed and those places, I said that it’s time that dollars without a solid justification, injured in their homes and communities in we stop spending hundreds of billions and I would match my fiscal conserv- even greater numbers. UNAMA Human on these unnecessary foreign wars and ative credentials with anybody in this Rights and the Afghanistan Independent stop rebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan body. But when it comes to national Human Rights Commission urge the Anti- and start rebuilding the United States security and when it comes to the care Government Elements and Pro-Government Forces to strengthen civilian protection and of America. and protection of our troops in harm’s fully comply legal obligations to minimize way, we must not be, to use a phrase b 1130 civilian casualties. that you often hear on this floor, penny In each of those conservative dis- CIVILIAN DEATHS wise and pound foolish. Of the total number of 2,777 civilians killed tricts, the people erupted into ap- Further, a premature withdrawal of plause. Only 31 percent of the Amer- in 2010, 2,080 deaths (75 per cent of total civil- American troops from the Afghan the- ian deaths) were attributed to Anti-Govern- ican people, according to the latest ater would send a terrible message to ment Elements, up 28 per cent from 2009. Sui- ABC/Newsweek poll that just came out, both our friends and also to our adver- cide attacks and improvised explosive de- think this war is still worth it. saries. To our allies in the war on ter- vices (IEDs) caused the most civilian deaths, William F. Buckley, the conservative rorism whom we would leave essen- totaling 1,141 deaths (55 per cent of civilian icon, wrote a few years ago that he tially twisting in the wind, to those 47 deaths attributed to Anti-Government Ele- supported the war in Iraq and then he other nations that have joined the coa- ments). The most alarming trend in 2010 was the huge number of civilians assassinated by became disillusioned by it, and he lition in Afghanistan, we would essen- wrote these words: Anti-Government Elements. Four hundred tially be saying, ‘‘Good luck. You’re on and sixty two civilians were assassinated ‘‘A respect for the power of the your own.’’ Not exactly what they had representing an increase of more than 105 per United States is engendered by our suc- in mind when they joined us in this cent compared to 2009. Half of all civilian as- cess in engagements in which we take fight. sassinations occurred in southern Afghani- part.’’ And, of course, to al Qaeda and to the stan. Helmand province saw a 588 per cent in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Taliban, whom we would embolden by crease in the number of civilians assas- time of the gentleman has expired. adopting this ill-advised resolution, we sinated by Anti-Government Elements and Mr. JONES. I yield the gentleman an Kandahar province experienced a 248 per cent would be providing, once again, the increase compared to 2009. additional 30 seconds. sanctuary which they enjoyed in Af- Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. William Afghan national security and international ghanistan before our Armed Forces re- military forces (Pro-Government Forces) Buckley said: versed their momentum. were linked to 440 deaths or 16 per cent of ‘‘A point is reached when tenacity I don’t often find myself in agree- total civilian deaths, a reduction of 26 per conveys steadfastness of purpose but ment with President Obama’s policies, cent from 2009. Aerial attacks claimed the misapplication of pride.’’ but I did agree with him when he said largest percentage of civilian deaths caused President Karzai last year told ABC a little more than a year ago, ‘‘I am by Pro-Government Forces in 2010, causing News he wanted us to stay there an- 171 deaths (39 per cent of the total number of convinced that our security is at risk civilian deaths attributed to Pro-Govern- other 15 or 20 more years. That’s be- in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is cause he wants our money. This war is ment Forces). Notably, there was a 52 per the epicenter of violent extremism cent decline in civilian deaths from air at- more about money and power. Every practiced by al Qaeda. It is from here tacks compared to 2009. Nine per cent of ci- gigantic bureaucracy always wants that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is vilian deaths in 2010 could not be attributed more money, but this war has gone too here that new attacks are being plotted to any party to the conflict. far and too long, and I support this res- as I speak.’’ That was President I would like to put into the RECORD a olution. Obama. report from the Afghanistan Rights GENERAL LEAVE I also agree with General Petraeus Monitor relating to the number of ci- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I who said last week that ‘‘our core ob- vilians killed and wounded and dis- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- jective in Afghanistan, needless to say, placed. bers may have 5 legislative days in is to ensure that the country does not ARM ANNUAL REPORT which to revise and extend their re- become a sanctuary once again for al CIVILIAN CASUALTIES OF WAR marks and include extraneous material Qaeda, the way it was prior to 9/11.’’ JANUARY—DECEMBER 2010 on House Concurrent Resolution 28. I know memories fade with time, but Kabul, Afghanistan, February 2011 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there it’s been not quite 10 years since 3,000 Executive Summary objection to the request of the gentle- lives were lost on American soil—in woman from Florida? Over nine years after the internationally- New York, in Pennsylvania, and just celebrated demise of the repressive Taliban There was no objection. minutes from here down the street at regime in Afghanistan, civilian Afghans in- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. With that, Mr. the Pentagon. Let’s not forget what al creasingly suffer from the armed violence Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- Qaeda did then and let’s keep working and rights violations committed by various tleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT), the to prevent it from happening again. internal and external armed actors. More or- chairman of the Foreign Affairs Sub- Let’s not quit until the job is done. dinary Afghans were killed and injured in committee on the Middle East and Vote ‘‘no’’ on this resolution. 2010 than a year before. And while US offi- South Asia. Mr. KUCINICH. I would like to insert cials dubbed Afghanistan as their longest Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Madam foreign war, Afghans suffered it for 32 years into the RECORD a report from the relentlessly. Chair, and thank you for your steadfast United Nations that says that 2010 was Almost everything related to the war commitment to the men and women the worst year for civilian casualties in surged in 2010: the combined numbers of Af- who gallantly serve our country on the Afghanistan with nearly 3,000 civilians ghan and foreign forces surpassed 350,000; se- battlefield. killed. curity incidents mounted to over 100 per Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to AFGHANISTAN—ANNUAL REPORT ON PROTEC- week; more fighters from all warring side the resolution. First, let me get one ar- TION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT 2010 were killed; and the number of civilian peo- ple killed, wounded and displaced hit record gument out of the way. I’ve heard be- Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2011 fore some of my colleagues who sup- levels. Executive Summary Collecting information about every secu- port an American retreat from Afghan- The human cost of the armed conflict in rity incident and verifying the often con- istan describe this effort as a fiscal Afghanistan grew in 2010. The Afghanistan flicting reports about their impacts on civil- matter. I would respond to that argu- Independent Human Rights Commission and ian people were extremely difficult and ment by simply stating that it’s not a UNAMA Human Rights recorded 2,777 civil- risky. The war was as heatedly fought

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.034 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1926 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 through propaganda and misinformation as stan and other small Global War on Terror Iraq wars: Coalition support to cover the it was in the battlefields thus making inde- (GWOT) operations ranging from the Phil- logistical costs of allies, primarily Pakistan, pendent and impartial war reporting tricky ippines to Djibouti that began immediately conducting counter-terror operations in sup- and complex. after the 9/11 attacks and continues; Oper- port of U.S. efforts; Commanders Emergency Despite all the challenges, we spared no ef- ation Noble Eagle (ONE) providing enhanced Response Program (CERP) providing funds forts in gathering genuine information, facts security for U.S. military bases and other to individual commanders for small recon- and figures about the impacts of war on ci- homeland security that was launched in re- struction projects and to pay local militias vilian communities. Our resources were lim- sponse to the attacks and continues at a in Iraq and Afghanistan to counter insurgent ited and we lacked the luxury of strategic/ modest level; and Operation Iraqi Freedom or Taliban groups; Afghan Security Forces political support from one or another side of (OIF) that began in the fall of 2002 with the Fund and the Iraq Security Forces Fund to the conflict because we stood by our profes- buildup of troops for the March 2003 invasion pay the cost of training, equipping and ex- sional integrity. We, however, managed to of Iraq, continued with counter-insurgency panding the size of the Afghan and Iraqi ar- use our indigenous knowledge and delved and stability operations, and is slated to be mies and police forces; and Joint Improvised into a wealth of local information available renamed Operation New Dawn as U.S. troops Explosive Device (IEDs) Defeat Fund to de- in the conflict-affected villages in order to focus on an advisory and assistance role. velop, buy, and deploy new devices to im- seek more reliable facts about the war. In the ninth year of operations since the 9/ prove force protection for soldiers against From 1 January to 31 December 2010, at 11 attacks while troops are being withdrawn roadside bombs or IEDs. least 2,421 civilian Afghans were killed and in Iraq and increased in Afghanistan, the I would like to put into the RECORD over 3,270 were injured in conflict-related se- cost of war continues to be a major issue in- an article by Nobel prize-winning econ- curity incidents across Afghanistan. This cluding the total amount appropriated, the means everyday 6–7 noncombatants were amount for each operation, average monthly omist Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes killed and 8–9 were wounded in the war. spending rates, and the scope and duration of in the Washington Post that says there ARM does not claim that these numbers— future costs. Information on costs is useful is no question the Iraq war added sub- although collected and verified to the best of to Congress to assess the FY2010 Supple- stantially to the Federal debt. our efforts—are comprehensive and perfect. mental for war costs for the Department of [From the Times, Feb. 23, 2008] Actual numbers of the civilian victims of Defense (DOD) and State/USAID, FY2011 war THE THREE TRILLION DOLLAR WAR—THE COST war in 2010 could be higher than what we requests, conduct oversight of past war OF THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN CONFLICTS gathered and present in this report. costs, and consider the longer-term costs im- HAVE GROWN TO STAGGERING PROPORTIONS Unsurprisingly, about 63 percent of the re- plications of the buildup of troops in Afghan- ported civilian deaths and 70 percent of the istan and potential problems in the with- (By Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes) injuries were attributed to the Armed Oppo- drawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. This report The Bush Administration was wrong about sition Groups (AOGs) (Taliban, Hezb-e-Islami analyzes war funding for the Defense Depart- the benefits of the war and it was wrong and the Haqqani Group); 21 percent of deaths ment and tracks funding for USAID and VA about the costs of the war. The president and (512 individuals) and 22 percent of injuries Medical funding. his advisers expected a quick, inexpensive (655) were attributed to US/NATO forces; and TOTAL WAR FUNDING BY OPERATION conflict. Instead, we have a war that is cost- ing more than anyone could have imagined. 12 percent of deaths (278 individuals) and 7 Based on DOD estimates and budget sub- The cost of direct US military operations— percent (239) injuries were caused by pro-gov- missions, the cumulative total for funds ap- not even including long-term costs such as ernment Afghan troops and their allied local propriated from the 9/11 attacks through the taking care of wounded veterans—already militia forces. FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations Acts exceeds the cost of the 12-year war in Viet- In addition to civilian casualties, hundreds for DOD, State/USAID and VA for medical nam and is more than double the cost of the of thousands of people were affected in var- costs for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korean War. ious ways by the intensified armed violence enhanced security is $1,121 billion including: And, even in the best case scenario, these in Afghanistan in 2010. Tens of thousands of $751 billion for Iraq; $336 billion for Afghani- costs are projected to be almost ten times people were forced out of their homes or de- stan; $29 billion for enhanced security; and $6 the cost of the first Gulf War, almost a third prived of healthcare and education services billion unallocated. more than the cost of the Vietnam War, and and livelihood opportunities due to the con- Of this total, 67% is for Iraq, 30% for Af- twice that of the First World War. The only tinuation of war in their home areas. ghanistan, 3% for enhanced security and 1/2% war in our history which cost more was the In November 2010, ARM was the first orga- unallocated. Almost all of the funding for Second World War, when 16.3 million U.S. nization to voice concerns about the destruc- Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is for Af- troops fought in a campaign lasting four tion of hundreds of houses, pomegranate ghanistan. years, at a total cost (in 2007 dollars, after trees and orchards in several districts in This total includes funding provided in adjusting for inflation) of about $5 trillion Kandahar Province by US-led forces as part H.R. 4899/P.L. 111–212, the FY2010 Supple- (that’s $5 million million, or £2.5 million mil- of their counterinsurgency operations. In mental Appropriations Act enacted July 29, lion). With virtually the entire armed forces January 2011, an Afghan Government delega- 2010. committed to fighting the Germans and Jap- tion reported the damage costs at over Some 94% of this funding goes to the De- anese, the cost per troop (in today’s dollars) US$100 million. In compensation, US/NATO partment of Defense (DOD) to cover pri- was less than $100,000 in 2007 dollars. By con- forces have doled out less than $2 million. marily incremental war-related costs, that trast, the Iraq war is costing upward of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are is, costs that are in addition to DOD’s nor- $400,000 per troop. widely considered as the most lethal tools mal peacetime activities. These costs in- Most Americans have yet to feel these which killed over 690 civilians in 2010. How- clude: military personnel funds to provide costs. The price in blood has been paid by ever, as you will read in this report, there is special pay for deployed personnel such as our voluntary military and by hired contrac- virtually no information about the use of hostile fire or separation pay and to cover tors. The price in treasure has, in a sense, cluster munitions by US/NATO forces. De- the additional cost of activating reservists, been financed entirely by borrowing. Taxes spite Afghanistan’s accession to the inter- as well pay for expanding the Army and Ma- have not been raised to pay for it—in fact, national Anti-Cluster Bomb Treaty in 2008, rine Corps to reduce stress on troops; Oper- taxes on the rich have actually fallen. Def- the US military has allegedly maintained ation and Maintenance (O&M) funds to icit spending gives the illusion that the laws stockpiles of cluster munitions in Afghani- transport troops and their equipment to Iraq of economics can be repealed, that we can stan. and Afghanistan, conduct military oper- have both guns and butter. But of course the A second key issue highlighted in this re- ations, provide in-country support at bases, laws are not repealed. The costs of the war port is the emergence of the irregular armed and repairing war-worn equipment; Procure- are real even if they have been deferred, pos- groups in parts of Afghanistan which are ment funding to cover buying new weapons sibly to another generation. backed by the Afghan Government and its systems to replace war losses, and upgrade foreign allies. These groups have been de- equipment, pay modernization costs associ- Background plored as criminal and predatory by many ated with expanding and changing the struc- American voters must choose: more bene- Afghans and have already been accused of se- ture of the size of the Army and Marine fits or more defence; $3 trillion budget leaves vere human rights violations such as child Corps; Research, Development, Test & Eval- little for Bush to bank on; MoD forced to cut recruitment and sexual abuse. uation costs to develop more effective ways budget by £1.5bn; they’re running our tanks I would like to put into the RECORD a to combat war threats such as roadside on empty. report from the Congressional Re- bombs; Working Capital Funds to cover ex- On the eve of war, there were discussions search Service that the war in Afghani- panding the size of inventories of spare parts of the likely costs. Larry Lindsey, President stan has cost over $454 billion to date. and fuel to provide wartime support; and Bush’s economic adviser and head of the Na- Military construction primarily to construct tional Economic Council, suggested that INTRODUCTION: WAR FUNDING TO DATE facilities in bases in Iraq or Afghanistan or they might reach $200 billion. But this esti- Since the terrorist attacks of September neighboring countries. mate was dismissed as ‘‘baloney’’ by the 11, 2001, the United States has initiated three In addition, the Administration initiated Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. His military operations: Operation Enduring several programs specifically targeted at deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, suggested that post- Freedom (OEF) covering primarily Afghani- problems that developed in the Afghan and war reconstruction could pay for itself

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.014 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1927 through increased oil revenues. Mitch Dan- Our new research shows that the majority of of our troops is nonsense. Saying that iels, the Office of Management and Budget these injuries and illnesses can be tied di- we do not want brave Americans to director, and Secretary Rumsfeld estimated rectly to service in the war. continue in a very difficult situation in the costs in the range of $50 to $60 billion, a From the unhealthy brew of emergency portion of which they believed would be fi- funding, multiple sets of books, and chronic which they are at a great disadvantage nanced by other countries. (Adjusting for in- underestimates of the resources required to and that in fact we would like to bring flation, in 2007 dollars, they were projecting prosecute the war, we have attempted to them home is no criticism of them at costs of between $57 and $69 billion.) The identify how much we have been spending— all, and nothing undermines their abil- tone of the entire administration was cava- and how much we will, in the end, likely ity to be there. There is a policy deci- lier, as if the sums involved were minimal. have to spend. The figure we arrive at is sion as to whether they should be Even Lindsey, after noting that the war more than $3 trillion. Our calculations are there. could cost $200 billion, went on to say: ‘‘The based on conservative assumptions. They are successful prosecution of the war would be Now my friend from Washington and conceptually simple, even if occasionally my friend from California have said, good for the economy.’’ In retrospect, technically complicated. A $3 trillion figure Lindsey grossly underestimated both the for the total cost strikes us as judicious, and well, this isn’t the right forum costs of the war itself and the costs to the probably errs on the low side. Needless to parliamentarily, and my friend from economy. Assuming that Congress approves say, this number represents the cost only to Washington said, yes, we should have a the rest of the $200 billion war supplemental the United States. It does not reflect the change in strategy but not this way. requested for fiscal year 2008, as this book enormous cost to the rest of the world, or to But this is all we’ve got. goes to press Congress will have appropriated Iraq. Right now, the Members have a a total of over $845 billion for military oper- From the beginning, the United Kingdom ations, reconstruction, embassy costs, en- choice, and that’s the way this place is has played a pivotal role—strategic, mili- now being run: Either you vote for this hanced security at US bases, and foreign aid tary, and political—in the Iraq conflict. Mili- programmes in Iraq and Afghanistan. tarily, the UK contributed 46,000 troops, 10 resolution or you vote it down and you As the fifth year of the war draws to a per cent of the total. Unsurprisingly, then, give an implicit and, in some cases, ex- close, operating costs (spending on the war the British experience in Iraq has paralleled plicit approval to the administration itself, what you might call ‘‘running ex- that of America: rising casualties, increasing to stay there indefinitely. General penses’’) for 2008 are projected to exceed $12.5 operating costs, poor transparency over Petraeus said the other day he sees us billion a month for Iraq alone, up from $4.4 where the money is going, overstretched jointly there with the Afghans well billion in 2003, and with Afghanistan the military resources, and scandals over the total is $16 billion a month. Sixteen billion after 2014. squalid conditions and inadequate medical Now, yes, there is some gain we could dollars is equal to the annual budget of the care for some severely wounded veterans. United Nations, or of all but 13 of the US Before the war, Gordon Brown set aside £ 1 get in deterring terrorism there, al- states. Even so, it does not include the $500 billion for war spending. As of late 2007, the though the notion that if we stop ter- billion we already spend per year on the reg- UK had spent an estimated £ 7 billion in di- rorism in Afghanistan, that’s going to ular expenses of the Defence Department. rect operating expenditures in Iraq and Af- be the end of it when there are unfortu- Nor does it include other hidden expendi- ghanistan (76 per cent of it in Iraq). This in- nately other places in the world—So- tures, such as intelligence gathering, or cludes money from a supplemental ‘‘special malia, Sudan, Yemen, elsewhere. We funds mixed in with the budgets of other de- reserve’’, plus additional spending from the can’t plug every hole in the world. And partments. Ministry of Defense. Because there are so many costs that the The special reserve comes on top of the in fact this is an effort that, having Administration does not count, the total UK’s regular defense budget. The British sys- been tried for 10 years, has not, unfor- cost of the war is higher than the official tem is particularly opaque: funds from the tunately, looked to me like it’s going number. For example, government officials special reserve are ‘‘drawn down’’ by the to succeed. frequently talk about the lives of our sol- Ministry of Defense when required, without We’re told, well, but this was impor- diers as priceless. But from a cost perspec- specific approval by Parliament. As a result, tant because we deterred an attack on tive, these ‘‘priceless’’ lives show up on the British citizens have little clarity about how Pentagon ledger simply as $500,000—the Europe. But where are the Europeans? much is actually being spent. The thing that most astounded me amount paid out to survivors in death bene- In addition, the social costs in the UK are fits and life insurance. After the war began, similar to those in the U.S.—families who today was when my friend from Ohio these were increased from $12,240 to $100,000 leave jobs to care for wounded soldiers, and (Mr. CHABOT) said, well, what about our (death benefit) and from $250,000 to $400,000 diminished quality of life for those thou- 47 coalition partners? What about (life insurance). Even these increased sands left with disabilities. them? They’re sitting this one out. amounts are a fraction of what the survivors By the same token, there are macro- They’re pulling out. This is a virtually might have received had these individuals economic costs to the UK as there have been unilateral American action with a cou- lost their lives in a senseless automobile ac- to America, though the long-term costs may ple of flags that we fly for a few other cident. In areas such as health and safety be less, for two reasons. First, Britain did regulation, the US Government values a life not have the same policy of fiscal profligacy; countries. Some of them did have peo- of a young man at the peak of his future and second, until 2005, the United Kingdom ple there and they’ve suffered casual- earnings capacity in excess of $7 million—far was a net oil exporter. ties, but they’re all withdrawing, leav- greater than the amount that the military We have assumed that British forces in ing us alone. pays in death benefits. Using this figure, the Iraq are reduced to 2,500 this year and re- And then let’s talk about the cost of cost of the nearly 4,000 American troops main at that level until 2010. We expect that this war. The gentleman from Ohio killed in Iraq adds up to some $28 billion. British forces in Afghanistan will increase said it’s not a fiscal issue. Of course it The costs to society are obviously far larg- slightly, from 7,000 to 8,000 in 2008, and re- is. This war costs us well over $100 bil- er than the numbers that show up on the main stable for three years. The House of government’s budget. Another example of Commons Defense Committee has recently lion a year. You will see Americans die hidden costs is the understating of U.S. mili- found that despite the cut in troop levels, from a lack of police and fire and pub- tary casualties. The Defense Department’s Iraq war costs will increase by 2 per cent this lic safety here if you continue to fund casualty statistics focus on casualties that year and personnel costs will decrease by this futile war. result from hostile (combat) action—as de- only 5 per cent. Meanwhile, the cost of mili- Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve termined by the military. Yet if a soldier is tary operations in Afghanistan is due to rise the balance of my time. injured or dies in a night-time vehicle acci- by 39 per cent. The estimates in our model Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- dent, this is officially dubbed ‘‘noncombat may be significantly too low if these pat- self such time as I may consume. related’’—even though it may be too unsafe terns continue. I am grateful that we are having this for soldiers to travel during daytime. Based on assumptions set out in our book, In fact, the Pentagon keeps two sets of the budgetary cost to the UK of the wars in debate from both sides, those that books. The first is the official casualty list Iraq and Afghanistan through 2010 will total want to stay there for another 4 or 5 posted on the DOD Web site. The second, more than £ 18 billion. If we include the so- years versus those of us who would like hard-to-find, set of data is available only on cial costs, the total impact on the UK will to bring our troops home. I want to put a different website and can be obtained under exceed £ 20 billion. a face on this debate if I may, Mr. the Freedom of Information Act. This data I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman Speaker. shows that the total number of soldiers who This young man’s name is Tyler Jor- have been wounded, injured, or suffered from from Massachusetts, Mr. BARNEY disease is double the number wounded in FRANK. dan from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is at- combat. Some will argue that a percentage Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. tending his father’s funeral. He was a of these noncombat injuries might have hap- Speaker, first, any suggestion that this gunnery sergeant, Phillip Jordan, who pened even if the soldiers were not in Iraq. is any way disrespectful of the sacrifice was killed for this country. The 6-year-

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.016 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1928 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 old little boy, you can’t see his eyes, thing we have. If we are serious about Afghanistan; that our troops and coali- but they hurt. They’re pained. doing it, Mr. President, you go with ev- tion partners are making a significant How many more Tyler Jordans are erything. And until this President at- difference; that the progress is fragile going to be waiting for their daddy or tends more funerals than he does and reversible; but that it is essential mom to come home to be buried if we rounds of golf, this person will be high- that we keep it up because vital na- stay there 4, 5, 6, or 7 more years? And ly offended. tional interests are at stake. that is what has been indicated by the We have to define the mission. The I fear that as time has passed over leadership of the military and this ad- President of the United States has the last 10 years and so many other ministration. failed to define success in Afghanistan. events come and go in our Nation’s life, b 1140 We are participating in the business of that it is all too easy to forget that nation building, and I reject that. We this country was attacked on 9/11 and How many more moms and dads and are propping up a government that is that 3,000 Americans lost their lives. wives and husbands are going to be at fundamentally corrupt, and we all And we could come to the floor and Dover Air Force Base to receive the re- know it. It will not get us to where we hold up their pictures and the pictures mains of their loved ones? That is why want to go. of their children, of those who were this debate is so important, and why We must redefine the rules of engage- killed on that day by terrorists, the at- we need to have a date and a time to ment. Even when I was in Afghanistan tacks that were launched from Afghan- start bringing them home. visiting with General Petraeus, he ad- istan, that were planned in Afghani- My last poster: this absolutely hand- mitted that we are using smaller cal- stan and directed from Afghanistan. some couple. The marine went out with iber rounds. Again, we are trying to be This Congress at the time voted vir- PTSD. His beautiful wife, Katie, and more politically correct instead of ac- tually unanimously that we would take his little boy. Last year at Camp tually protecting American lives. military action to go make sure that Lejeune, McHugh Boulevard, he pulls Let me also say again that terrorism Afghanistan would no longer be used as his car over in the middle of the day, is a global threat. We must use our a launching pad for attacks against us and he shoots himself in the head and forces around the world when there is a and that from Afghanistan, people kills himself. direct threat on the United States of would no longer come here to kill How many more Tom Bagosys will America. That is not confined to just Americans. That is the reason we are commit suicide? How many Tyler Jor- the boundaries of Afghanistan. It is still there today, and that is the pur- dans will not have their daddies com- happening globally, and it is real. We pose of our military actions there ing home? How many moms and dads, have to deal with the threats in Iran today. wives and husbands will be at Dover to and not take our eye off the ball. It is true that we may have a hard see those in a flag-draped coffin? Finally, I would say that our na- time plugging all the holes that could I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman tional debt is a clear and present dan- develop somewhere in the world where from Utah (Mr. CHAFFETZ). ger to the United States of America, terrorist groups could squirt out to, Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I am and we must pay attention to that. but it is also true, in my view, that if going to be voting in favor of this reso- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE we don’t plug this hole, if we don’t ful- lution. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The fill the mission that we have set out to The United States military is the Chair notes a disturbance in the gal- fulfill in Afghanistan, we are going to greatest fighting force on the face of lery in contravention of the law and have more holes all over the world de- the planet. I could not be more proud rules of the House. The Sergeant-at- veloping, because people will know of our troops who have served our Arms will remove those persons re- that we are not serious about doing country with such valor and such sponsible for the disturbance and re- what we say, and our security will be vigor. store order to the gallery. severely affected if that happens. This is the longest war in the history The gentleman may continue. There have clearly been ups and of the United States of America. And Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, before downs in our military efforts there, let there be no mistake, the global war I continue, may I inquire as to how just as there were in Iraq. But I believe on terror is real. It is very real. much time I have left? that from General Petraeus on down, I reject the notion that polls should The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- we have our best. They deserve our matter in any way, shape, or form in tleman has 15 seconds remaining. support to fulfill the mission the coun- this debate. That is not how the United Mr. CHAFFETZ. May I ask the gen- try has given them. States operates. This is not how we de- tleman to yield me an additional 15 Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I in- cide whether or not we go to war or we seconds? clude for the RECORD a report from the bring our troops home. Mr. JONES. I yield the gentleman an Afghanistan Study Group that says I reject the notion that bringing our additional 30 seconds. that the current U.S. military effort is troops home at some point, which I Mr. CHAFFETZ. Aaron Nemelka, helping to fuel the very insurgency we consider to be victory, is somehow a Carlos Aragon, Nigel Olsen, Matthew are attempting to defeat. pathway or paving a pathway to an- Wagstaff: Since I have been in office, SUMMARY other 9/11. I think that is offensive, and these are the gentleman who have lost At nine years and counting, the U.S. war in I think it is inaccurate. their lives in Afghanistan. I honor Afghanistan is the longest in our history, Now, in many ways we have had suc- them. I thank them. And as I have surpassing even the Vietnam War, and it will cess over the course of the years. Let’s talked to each of their parents, they shortly surpass the Soviet Union’s own ex- understand that according to the Na- want those rules of engagement tended military campaign there. With the tional Intelligence Estimate, which has changed, and they want to end this war surge, it will cost the U.S. taxpayers nearly been printed in many newspapers, that in Afghanistan, with victory. With vic- $100 billion per year, a sum roughly seven the Taliban poses no clear and present tory. times larger than Afghanistan’s annual gross danger to the current Afghan Govern- national product (GNP) of $14 billion and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I greater than the total annual cost of the new ment, nor do they pose a danger to the am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the U.S. health insurance program. Thousands of United States of America. Further, we gentleman from Texas (Mr. THORN- American and allied personnel have been have had our CIA Director state that BERRY), the chairman of the Armed killed or gravely wounded. there are less than 50 al-Qaeda in the Services Subcommittee on Emerging The U.S. interests at stake in Afghanistan entire boundaries of Afghanistan. Threats and Capabilities. do not warrant this level of sacrifice. Presi- I believe it should be the policy of Mr. THORNBERRY. I thank the gen- dent Obama justified expanding our commit- the United States of America that if we tlelady for yielding. ment by saying the goal was eradicating Al send our troops to war, we go with ev- Mr. Speaker, this week General Qaeda. Yet Al Qaeda is no longer a signifi- cant presence in Afghanistan, and there are erything we have. We do not hold back. Petraeus testified before Congress, and only some 400 hard-core Al Qaeda members A politically correct war is a lost war, the essence of his testimony was that remaining in the entire Af/Pak theater, most and at the present time we are playing we are just now getting the necessary of them hiding in Pakistan’s northwest prov- politics. We aren’t going with every- assets in place to make a difference in inces.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.040 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1929 America’s armed forces have fought brave- Our current path promises to have limited repair eroding U.S. infrastructure, and other ly and well, and their dedication is unques- impact on the civil war while taking more critical national purposes. Our support of tioned. But we should not ask them to make American lives and contributing to sky- these issues will be better achieved as part of sacrifices unnecessary to our core national rocketing taxpayer debt. We conclude that a a coordinated international group with interests, particularly when doing so threat- fundamentally new direction is needed, one which expenses and burdens can be shared. ens long-term needs and priorities both at that recognizes the United States’ legitimate The bottom line is clear: Our vital inter- home and abroad. interests in Central Asia and is fashioned to ests in Afghanistan are limited and military Instead of toppling terrorists, America’s advance them. Far from admitting ‘‘defeat,’’ victory is not the key to achieving them. Afghan war has become an ambitious and the new way forward acknowledges the On the contrary, waging a lengthy coun- fruitless effort at ‘‘nation-building.’’ We are manifold limitations of a military solution terinsurgency war in Afghanistan may well mired in a civil war in Afghanistan and are in a region where our interests lie in polit- do more to aid Taliban recruiting than to struggling to establish an effective central ical stability. Our recommended policy shifts dismantle the group, help spread conflict fur- government in a country that has long been our resources to focus on U.S. foreign policy ther into Pakistan, unify radical groups that fragmented and decentralized. strengths in concert with the international might otherwise be quarreling amongst No matter how desirable this objective community to promote reconciliation among themselves, threaten the long-term health of might be in the abstract, it is not essential the warring parties, advance economic devel- the U.S. economy, and prevent the U.S. gov- to U.S. security and it is not a goal for which opment, and encourage region-wide diplo- ernment from turning its full attention to the U.S. military is well suited. There is no matic engagement. other pressing problems. clear definition of what would comprise We base these conclusions on the following The more promising path for the U.S. in ‘‘success’’ in this endeavor. Creating a uni- key points raised in the Study Group’s re- the Af/Pak region would reverse the recent fied Afghan state would require committing search and discussions: escalation and move away from a counter- many more American lives and hundreds of The United States has only two vital inter- insurgency effort that is neither necessary billions of additional U.S. dollars for many ests in the Af/Pak region: 1) preventing Af- nor likely to succeed. Instead, the U.S. years to come. ghanistan from being a ‘‘safe haven’’ from should: As the WikiLeaks war diary comprised of which Al Qaeda or other extremists can or- 1. Emphasize power-sharing and political more than 91,000 secret reports on the Af- ganize more effective attacks on the U.S. inclusion. The U.S. should fast-track a peace ghanistan War makes clear, any sense of homeland; and 2) ensuring that Pakistan’s process designed to decentralize power with- American and allied progress in the conflict nuclear arsenal does not fall into hostile in Afghanistan and encourage a power-shar- has been undermined by revelations that hands. ing balance among the principal parties. many more civilian deaths have occurred Protecting our interests does not require a 2. Downsize and eventually end military than have been officially acknowledged as U.S. military victory over the Taliban. A operations in southern Afghanistan, and re- the result of U.S. and allied strike accidents. Taliban takeover is unlikely even if the duce the U.S. military footprint. The U.S. The Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence United States reduces its military commit- should draw down its military presence, continued to provide logistics and financial ment. The Taliban is a rural insurgency which radicalizes many Pashtuns and is an support to the Afghan Taliban even as U.S. rooted primarily in Afghanistan’s Pashtun soldiers were fighting these units. It is clear important aid to Taliban recruitment. population, and succeeded due in some part that Karzai government affiliates and ap- 3. Focus security efforts on Al Qaeda and to the disenfranchisement of rural Pashtuns. pointees in rural Afghanistan have often Domestic Security. Special forces, intel- The Taliban’s seizure of power in the 1990s proven to be more corrupt and ruthless than ligence assets, and other U.S. capabilities was due to an unusual set of circumstances the Taliban. should continue to seek out and target Prospects for success are dim. As former that no longer exist and are unlikely to be known Al Qaeda cells in the region. They can Secretary of State Henry Kissinger recently repeated. be ready to go after Al Qaeda should they at- There is no significant Al Qaeda presence warned, ‘‘Afghanistan has never been paci- tempt to relocate elsewhere or build new in Afghanistan today, and the risk of a new fied by foreign forces.’’ The 2010 spring offen- training facilities. In addition, part of the ‘‘safe haven’’ there under more ‘‘friendly’’ sive in Marjah was inconclusive, and a sup- savings from our drawdown should be reallo- posedly ‘‘decisive’’ summer offensive in Taliban rule is overstated. Should an Al cated to bolster U.S. domestic security ef- Kandahar has been delayed and the expecta- Qaeda cell regroup in Afghanistan, the U.S. forts and to track nuclear weapons globally. tions downgraded. U.S. and allied casualties would have residual military capability in 4. Encourage economic development. Be- reached an all-time high in July, and several the region sufficient to track and destroy it. cause destitute states can become incubators Al Qaeda sympathizers are now present in NATO allies have announced plans to with- for terrorism, drug and human trafficking, many locations globally, and defeating the draw their own forces. and other illicit activities, efforts at rec- The conflict in Afghanistan is commonly Taliban will have little effect on Al Qaeda’s onciliation should be paired with an inter- perceived as a struggle between the Karzai global reach. The ongoing threat from Al nationally-led effort to develop Afghani- government and an insurgent Taliban move- Qaeda is better met via specific counter-ter- stan’s economy. ment, allied with international terrorists, rorism measures, a reduced U.S. military 5. Engage regional and global stakeholders that is seeking to overthrow that govern- ‘‘footprint’’ in the Islamic world, and diplo- in a diplomatic effort designed to guarantee ment. In fact, the conflict is a civil war matic efforts to improve America’s overall Afghan neutrality and foster regional sta- about power-sharing with lines of contention image and undermine international support bility. Despite their considerable differences, that are 1) partly ethnic, chiefly, but not ex- for militant extremism. neighboring states such as India, Pakistan, clusively, between Pashtuns who dominate Given our present economic cir- China, Iran and Saudi Arabia share a com- the south and other ethnicities such as cumstances, reducing the staggering costs of mon interest in preventing Afghanistan from Tajiks and Uzbeks who are more prevalent in the Afghan war is an urgent priority. Main- being dominated by any single power or the north, 2) partly rural vs. urban, particu- taining the long-term health of the U.S. being a permanently failed state that ex- larly within the Pashtun community, and 3) economy is just as important to American ports instability to others. partly sectarian. strength and security as protecting U.S. soil We believe this strategy will best serve the The Afghanistan conflict also includes the from enemy (including terrorist) attacks. interests of women in Afghanistan as well. influence of surrounding nations with a de- The continuation of an ambitious U.S. The worst thing for women is for Afghani- sire to advance their own interests—includ- military campaign in Afghanistan will likely stan to remain paralyzed in a civil war in ing India, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and work against U.S. interests. A large U.S. which there evolves no organically rooted others. And with the U.S. intervention in presence fosters local (especially Pashtun) support for their social advancement. force, the conflict includes resistance to resentment and aids Taliban recruiting. It The remainder of this report elaborates the what is seen as foreign military occupation. also fosters dependence on the part of our Af- logic behind these recommendations. It be- Resolving the conflict in Afghanistan has ghan partners and encourages closer co- gins by summarizing U.S. vital interests, in- primarily to do with resolving the distribu- operation among a disparate array of ex- cluding our limited interests in Afghanistan tion of power among these factions and be- tremist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan itself and in the region more broadly. It then tween the central government and the prov- alike. considers why the current strategy is failing Past efforts to centralize power in Afghani- inces, and with appropriately decentralizing and why the situation is unlikely to improve stan have provoked the same sort of local re- authority. even under a new commander. The final sec- sistance that is convulsing Afghanistan Negotiated resolution of these conflicts tion outlines ‘‘A New Way Forward’’ and ex- today. There is ample evidence that this ef- will reduce the influence of extremists more plains how a radically different approach can fort will join others in a long line of failed readily than military action will. The achieve core U.S. goals at an acceptable cost. Taliban itself is not a unified movement but incursions. instead a label that is applied to many Although the United States should support AMERICA’S INTERESTS armed groups and individuals that are only democratic rule, human rights and economic The central goal of U.S. foreign and de- loosely aligned and do not necessarily have a development, its capacity to mold other so- fense policy is to ensure the safety and pros- fondness for the fundamentalist ideology of cieties is inherently limited. The costs of perity of the American people. In practical the most prominent Taliban leaders. trying should be weighed against our need to terms, this means deterring or thwarting di- The Study Group believes the war in Af- counter global terrorist threats directly, re- rect attacks on the U.S. homeland, while at ghanistan has reached a critical crossroads. duce America’s $1.4 trillion budget deficit, the same time maintaining the long-term

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.018 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1930 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 health of the U.S. economy. A sound econ- outside help can and cannot accomplish. It bases, but if the Afghans want us here, we omy is the foundation of all national power, must also take care to ensure that specific are certainly prepared to contemplate that,’’ and it is critical to our ability to shape the policy actions do not undermine the vital in- While in Afghanistan, Gates also said that global order and preserve our core values and terests identified above. The current U.S. there were unlikely to be U.S. withdrawals independence over the long-term. The United strategy has lost sight of these consider- in July from the hard-fought areas of the States must therefore avoid an open-ended ations, which is why our war effort there is south—Helmand and Kandahar provinces. commitment in Afghanistan, especially faltering. But he added, ‘‘While no decisions on num- when the costs of military engagement ex- Mr. Speaker, I include for the bers have been made, in my view, we will be ceed the likely benefits. well-positioned to begin drawing down some What Is at Stake in Afghanistan? RECORD an article by Amanda Terkel of U.S. and coalition forces this July, even as The United States has only two vital stra- the Huffington Post that says that we redeploy others to different areas of the tegic interests in Afghanistan. Its first stra- military commanders expect the country.’’ tegic interest is to reduce the threat of suc- United States to have a significant Braley said that one of the most profound cessful terrorist attacks against the United presence in Afghanistan for another 8 comments made by Petraeus during their States. In operational terms, the goal is to to 10 years, this according to a Member meeting was that there wasn’t the ‘‘right prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a of Congress who was there. combination at play’’ in Afghanistan until ‘‘safe haven’’ that could significantly en- the fall of last year, which accounts for the hance Al Qaeda’s ability to organize and con- [From huffingtonpost.com, Mar. 10, 2011] slow pace of progress. Incidentally, Petraeus duct attacks on the United States. COMMANDERS EXPECT A ‘SIGNIFICANT’ U.S. took command in Afghanistan from ousted The United States drove Al Qaeda out of PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN FOR 8 TO 10 Gen. Stanley McChrystal in June. Afghanistan in 2002, and Al Qaeda’s presence MORE YEARS: DEM REP ‘‘One of the significant challenges that you in Afghanistan is now negligible. Al Qaeda’s (By Amanda Terkel) face is dealing with a sovereign state that remaining founders are believed to be in hid- was sovereign in name only, which was a WASHINGTON.—Military commanders ex- ing in northwest Pakistan, though affiliated comment that Ambassador Eikenberry pect the United States to have a ‘‘significant cells are now active in Somalia, Yemen, and made,’’ said Braley. ‘‘You’ve got a country presence’’ in Afghanistan for another eight several other countries. These developments with a high illiteracy rate, so that when Af- to 10 years, according to a member of Con- suggest that even a successful counterinsur- ghan army and police are trained, they are gress who just returned from a trip to the re- gency campaign in Afghanistan would have also being taught to read and basic math gion and has introduced legislation calling only a limited effect on Al Qaeda’s ability to skills. It’s a very long-term project to get for a full accounting of the costs of the war. conduct terrorist attacks against the United Afghanistan to the point where it can sus- Rep. Bruce Braley (D–Iowa) spent his con- States and its allies. To the extent that our tain itself economically. That doesn’t even gressional four-day weekend on a fact-find- presence facilitates jihadi recruitment and take into account the activities that are ing trip to Afghanistan, meeting with Gen. draws resources away from focused counter- going on in Pakistan, which have enormous David Petraeus, Amb. Karl Eikenberry and terror efforts, it may even be counter- implications in Afghanistan.’’ members of the Iowa National Guard. In an productive. On Wednesday, Braley, a member of the interview with The Huffington Post on The second vital U.S. interest is to keep House Committee on Veterans. Affairs, in- Wednesday, Braley said that while there has the conflict in Afghanistan from sowing in- troduced the True Cost of War Act, which clearly been some significant progress, chal- stability elsewhere in Central Asia. Such dis- would require the president and pertinent lenges will remain even after 2014, when com- cord might one day threaten the stability of cabinet members to submit a written report bat operations are supposed to end. the Pakistani state and the security of Paki- to Congress on the long-term human and fi- ‘‘It was very clear that under the best-case stan’s nuclear arsenal. If the Pakistani gov- nancial costs of the war in Iraq and Afghani- scenario, there will be some significant U.S. ernment were to fall to radical extremists, stan through 2020. or if terrorists were able to steal or seize ei- presence, according to them, for the next Braley said this legislation has been a pri- ther a weapon or sufficient nuclear material, eight to 10 years,’’ Braley said, adding that ority of his since he came to Congress in then the danger of a nuclear terrorist inci- he expected that presence to include both 2006, in large part because of the toll the Iraq dent would increase significantly. It is there- military and civilian personnel. ‘‘That in- war was taking on the country. fore important that our strategy in Afghani- cludes a very clear commitment that the ‘‘The whole point of my legislation is that stan avoids making the situation in Paki- drawdown will begin on schedule in July, and the American people—especially at a time stan worse. that the targeted date of being out with when Republicans have been pushing all Fortunately, the danger of a radical take- most combat forces by 2014 will be met. They these budget cuts—are entitled to know over of the Pakistani government is small. continue to maintain that they are on pace what the true costs are, because the young Islamist extremism in Pakistan is con- to maintain those objectives.’’ men and women coming back with these in- centrated within the tribal areas in its The key transition benchmark, Braley juries certainly have a clear understanding northwest frontier, and largely confined to said, will be the readiness of local law en- of what they are,’’ he said. its Pashtun minority (which comprises about forcement to assume principal responsibility Braley added that on his trip, he brought 15 percent of the population). The Pakistani of what are now largely U.S. security oper- up this issue at nearly every single briefing army is primarily Punjabi (roughly 44 per- ations. ‘‘I think that the whole point is to he attended, recounting the experiences he cent of the population) and remains loyal. At transition the burden of maintaining secu- had just before his trip visiting wounded sol- present, therefore, this second strategic in- rity to the Afghan army and Afghan police, diers and their families who had been treated terest is not seriously threatened. but there would be an obviously advisory at the National Naval Medical Center in Be- Beyond these vital strategic interests, the role, they anticipate, for the U.S. military thesda, Md. and the Walter Reed Army Med- United States also favors democratic rule, for the foreseeable future,’’ he said. ‘‘The big ical Center in D.C. human rights, and economic development. question right now is when they start draw- ‘‘I wanted them to realize that in a single These goals are consistent with traditional ing down in July, where they’re going to do congressional district in Iowa, the implica- U.S. values and reflect a longstanding belief that and the size of the redeployment.’’ tions of this war were enormous,’’ said that democracy and the rule of law are pref- Pentagon spokespersons told The Huff- Braley. ‘‘I have to tell you that I was very erable to authoritarianism. The U.S. believes ington Post that the Defense Department is impressed by how moved the people I shared that stable and prosperous democracies are not ready to discuss specific timelines at those experiences with were. They tend to less likely to threaten their neighbors or to this point, and so far, no U.S. military or get caught up in talking policies, numbers challenge core U.S. interests. Helping the Af- NATO official has publicly cited the time and long-term objectives, and I think they ghan people rebuild after decades of war is frame mentioned by Braley. appreciated the fact that I brought it down also appealing on purely moral grounds. On Monday, Defense Secretary Robert to a very real, human level.’’ Yet these latter goals, however worthy in Gates, who was also in Afghanistan to meet On Monday, Rasmussen released a poll themselves, do not justify a costly and open- with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said finding that for the first time, a majority of ended commitment to war in Afghanistan. that both countries agree U.S. involvement Americans want U.S. troops withdrawn from Afghanistan remains one of the poorest should continue beyond 2014, although he Afghanistan within one year. didn’t specify at what levels or for how long. countries in the world and is of little intrin- I include for the RECORD a statement ‘‘I would say that if the Afghan people and sic strategic value to the United States. (Re- relating to a challenging of the claims cent reports of sizeable mineral resources do the Afghan government are interested in an not alter this basic reality.) Afghan society ongoing security relationship and some sort of progress in Afghanistan that I issued is divided into several distinct ethnic groups of an ongoing security presence—with the 2 days ago. with a long history of conflict, it lacks permission of the Afghan government—the DEAR COLLEAGUE: Today, many of us are strong democratic traditions, and there is a United States, I think, is open to the possi- hearing from General Petraeus that ‘‘signifi- deeply rooted suspicion of foreign inter- bility of having some presence here in terms cant’’ progress is being made in Afghanistan. ference. of training and assistance, perhaps making We have heard it before. Military and civil- It follows that a strategy for Afghanistan use of facilities made available to us by the ian leaders have, for years, told lawmakers must rest on a clear-eyed assessment of U.S. Afghan government for those purposes,’’ said and the public that they were making interests and a realistic appraisal of what Gates. ‘‘We have no interest in permanent ‘‘progress’’ in Afghanistan. For instance:

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.019 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1931 In a speech to a joint session of Congress in Res. 28 and direct the President to end this the argument a number of times that 2004, President Karzai said, ‘‘You [Ameri- war by the end of the year. when you’re dealing with fundamental cans] came to Afghanistan to defeat ter- Sincerely, issues of national security, you spend rorism, and we Afghans welcomed and em- DENNIS J. KUCINICH, money, even under difficult times, a braced you for the liberation of our country. Member of Congress. point that I have no disagreement . . . This road, this journey is one of success Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the and victory.’’ with. And they argue the issue of what gentleman from Michigan (Mr. CON- In a joint press conference with President the alternatives will be and the poten- Karzai after that speech, President Bush YERS). tial for providing new safe havens for said, ‘‘Today we witness the rebirth of a vi- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I have a terrorists or more safe havens for ter- brant Afghan culture. Music fills the mar- senior member of the Judiciary Com- rorists or a return of Afghanistan as a ketplaces and people are free to come to- mittee on the floor with me, the gen- safe haven for terrorists if we pass this gether to celebrate in open. . . . Years of war tleman from California (Mr. BERMAN). I resolution, and I don’t disagree with and tyranny have eroded Afghanistan’s econ- don’t see any other members here. But omy and infrastructure, yet a revival is that point. this is an important matter for the Ju- What I find upsetting about the ma- under way.’’ diciary Committee in that article I, At another joint press conference with jority’s position is their denial of the President Karzai in March of 2006, President section 8, says only Congress has the fundamental point. They quote General Bush said, ‘‘We are impressed by the progress right to declare war. Petraeus for every position that they that your country is making, Mr. President Obviously, we haven’t declared war find philosophically and factually sat- [Karzai], a lot of it has to do with your lead- in a very, very long time, so I think isfying and ignore General Petraeus ership.’’ that we have to find out what is the and Secretary Gates on the funda- In February of 2007, Lt. Gen. Karl constitutional basis that we are oper- mental concept of how we hope to Eikenberry told National Public Radio that ating under in—well, I will skip Iraq. change the course of what is happening Afghanistan was ‘‘on the steady path, right We all know that was based on false in- now . . . to, I believe, success.’’ in Afghanistan. Because if we don’t formation promulgated from the Presi- In April 2008, President Bush told news re- change it, then we have to come and porters, ‘‘I think we’re making good progress dent of the United States. address the fundamental question of in Afghanistan.’’ b 1150 what we’re doing there through a coun- October 2008, General McKiernan, Com- terinsurgency strategy. mander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, told But, now, getting to Afghanistan, we So we talk about clear and hold and the press ‘‘We are not losing in Afghani- find that we have a resolution dating build. And it is the military’s job to stan.’’ In May 2009, he was replaced by Gen- back to September 14, 2011, a use of clear and, for a time, to hold, but build eral McChrystal. force resolution. But that has expired, is fundamentally a civilian program. October 2008, President Bush said Afghani- by any rational investigation of it. It General Petraeus over and over again stan is ‘‘a situation where there’s been was designed to respond to the 9/11 ter- progress and there are difficulties.’’ has said this conflict in Afghanistan November 2009, President Obama, visiting rorist attack and to fight al Qaeda. But cannot be won unless we strengthen troops in Afghanistan, reportedly said, ‘‘Be- today we’re in Afghanistan on a long- the governance of a very flawed gov- cause of the progress we’re making, we look term effort at rebuilding the nation. ernment in Afghanistan, unless we pro- forward to a new phase next year, the begin- Nation building is unrelated to that vide economic opportunities for that ning of the transition to Afghan responsi- original resolution. And now we’re in society to progress and win the hearts bility.’’ Afghanistan and an unlawful incursion and minds of the people of Afghanistan December 2009, General Stanley into Pakistan. to the cause for which we are fighting. McChrystal, the top commander, predicted The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that the U.S. troop buildup in Afghanistan It’s also a view of Afghanistan as if will make ‘‘significant progress’’ in turning time of the gentleman has expired. it’s isolated from the rest of the world. back the Taliban and securing the country Mr. KUCINICH. I yield the gentleman I can go through countries around the by the coming summer. ‘‘By next summer I an additional 30 seconds. world—failed states, nearly failing expect there to be significant progress that Mr. CONYERS. So now we’re in Paki- states, terrible problems—which are is evident to us,’’ McChrystal said in con- stan and the CIA is operating covert certainly becoming safe harbors for gressional testimony. combat activities there, and those are terrorism. In January 2010, General McChrystal was unlawful. We’re violating the UN Char- So when the same party that makes asked by Diane Sawyer, ‘‘Have you turned ter, which we are supposed to be a lead- the tide?’’ McChrystal answered, ‘‘I believe a strong case for our national security we are doing that now.’’ er in. And so the Obama administra- interests here at the same time passes In May 2010, General McChrystal told Con- tion is carrying on the same military legislation which slashes every aspect gress that he saw ‘‘progress’’ in Afghanistan. operations of its predecessor. of efforts to strengthen governance and In May 2010, President Obama told the Mr. BERMAN. May I inquire how development assistance and to provide press that ‘‘we’ve begun to reverse the mo- much time is remaining on the time al- the kinds of opportunities that serve mentum’’ in Afghanistan. lotted to me? our national security interests, I find In June 2010, Secretary Gates told a Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- it a strange kind of logic and a flaw in gressional committee that we are ‘‘making tleman from California has 22 minutes their approach to this. headway’’ in Afghanistan. In June 2010, Gen- remaining. I understand the economic hardships eral McChrystal was replaced by General Petraeus. Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would we have. If one wanted to look at the In August 2010, General Petraeus said, like to ask unanimous consent that 8 foreign assistance budget and take spe- ‘‘there’s progress being made’’ in Afghani- of those 22 minutes be yielded to the cific things that aren’t working and stan. gentleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON), get rid of them, I understand that, and In February 2011, General Petraeus said, who is now controlling the time for the if one wanted to make proportional ‘‘We have achieved what we set out to majority on the committee. cuts in the foreign assistance budget. achieve in 2010’’ which was to reverse the in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there But to come with the argument of, surgency momentum, solidify our accom- objection to the request of the gen- ‘‘We’re broke; we’ve got to cut spend- plishments, and build on successes. ‘‘We took away safe havens and the infrastructure that tleman from California? ing,’’ and then disproportionately focus goes with it.’’ There was no objection. on that aspect of our national security The President has requested another $113.4 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- strategy which will do a tremendous billion to continue the war in Afghanistan in tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) will amount and will be fundamental to any FY12. That sum will be on top of $454.7 bil- control 8 minutes. effort to stop them from being safe har- lion already spent (and borrowed) on the war Mr. BERMAN. I yield myself such bors for terrorism, and that is to mas- to date. On Thursday, March 17, 2011, Con- time as I may consume. sively slash disproportionately foreign gress will have the opportunity to consider I just want to take a couple of min- assistance, it’s a terrible mistake. It whether all of this ‘‘progress’’ has been worth the money. It is time for Congress to utes to talk about one point. That part terribly undermines the national secu- exercise fiscal responsibility and to assume of the majority party that is urging rity strategy that we’re trying to its Constitutional responsibilities and end the same position I am on this resolu- achieve through our operations and our the war in Afghanistan. Vote YES on H. Con. tion, which is a ‘‘no’’ vote, has made presence and the money we’re spending

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.010 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 in Afghanistan. It’s not thinking, I progress and allow the Taliban and debate to the floor. It’s like the 600- think, as clearly as needs to be other extremists to regain their foot- pound elephant in the Nation. This war thought. And I urge those in the major- ing in Afghanistan. has gone on and on—and we never dis- ity to think again about how much the We must honor the men and women cuss it. cuts that we need to make should be of our Armed Forces, who have fought I want to applaud the courage of Mr. coming from that part of the budget so hard. We must honor the men and JONES from North Carolina. He has that constitutes 1 percent of the Fed- women of the international armed taken more than a lot of grief from his eral budget. forces, who have fought so hard. We own party, and he has stood up to that I reserve the balance of my time. must honor the men and women of the with courage that is admirable. Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, the gen- Afghan forces, who have fought hard to I want to look at this debate, my col- tleman from California, I have great defend their own country. They have leagues, from the point of view of respect for him in many, many ways. sacrificed so much, and we cannot former chairman of the Veterans’ Af- We talk about we’ve got to enhance the abandon them now. Most importantly, fairs Committee, a position in which I governance of Afghanistan. Well, this it is not in our national interest to do was honored to serve. is President Karzai’s quote from March so. Mr. KUCINICH, I think you underesti- 12, 2001. I have read it before, but I Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I mate the cost of this war. I’ve never want to submit it for the RECORD: would like to thank Mr. BERMAN for seen you so conservative. ‘‘I request that NATO and America giving us 8 minutes of his time, and I I had a hearing last year before the should stop these operations on our reserve the balance of my time. Veterans’ Affairs Committee in which soil,’’ Karzai said. ‘‘This war is not on Mr. KUCINICH. May I ask, Mr. Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph our soil. If this war is against terror, Speaker, how much time each group Stigleitz testified. He said these wars then this war is not here. Terror is not has remaining. in Iraq and Afghanistan will be $5 tril- here.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- lion to $7 trillion wars over their whole I reserve the balance of my time. tlewoman from Florida controls 22 course. Let us not forget—and that’s Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I minutes; the gentleman from Ohio con- not calculated in your costs. Mr. would like to yield 2 minutes to the trols 22 minutes; the gentleman from KUCINICH—the veterans, those who 1 gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. GRIF- California controls 9 ⁄2 minutes; and have served in this war with great FIN), the vice chair of the Foreign Af- the gentleman from North Carolina courage, with great professionalism. fairs Subcommittee on Europe and controls 16 minutes. Treating these veterans costs hundreds Mr. KUCINICH. I yield myself 1 Eurasia, and an Iraq war veteran who of billions of dollars more, and we’re minute. continues to serve as a major in the not considering that when we talk Mr. Speaker, Members of this House U.S. Army Reserves. about ending this war. are talking about cutting $100 billion Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. I rise We’ve been told that there have been from the budget. Well, we can trim the today in opposition to H. Con. Res. 28 about 45,000 casualties in these two Federal budget of more than $100 bil- because it would undermine our na- wars in the last 10 years. Then why lion in out-of-control spending. tional security and our ability to keep Members have been very concerned have almost 1 million people shown up us safe right here at home. I under- about out-of-control spending. They at the Veterans Administration hos- stand that many Americans are frus- are calling for a reduction in the Fed- pitals for war-related injuries? One trated with the length of this war. I eral budget. Cutting spending on the million. This is not a rounding error. also understand the American people war in Afghanistan would solve their This is a deliberate attempt to mis- have demanded the U.S. Government concerns. Spending on the war is great- guide us on the cost of this war. This get its fiscal house in order. I know we er than the minimum amount of Fed- war is costing, in addition to what the cannot afford to fund this war indefi- eral spending certain Members believe budget says, hundreds of billions more nitely. But some think that cutting must be cut from the budget for fiscal for treating our veterans. We must cal- and running immediately from Afghan- responsibility. culate that into the cost of this war. istan is the solution. That’s simply not In the fiscal year 2012 budget request, When you guys say, ‘‘deficit and an option. the President has requested $113.4 bil- debt,’’ we are going to say, ‘‘Afghani- This is a reckless resolution. We’ve lion to continue the war. In fact, con- stan.’’ made progress in Afghanistan, and we gressional appropriations of over $100 In recent weeks, we have heard much from cannot afford to abandon that progress billion for the Afghanistan war has our Republican colleagues about out-of-control by immediately withdrawing our been the rule in recent years; and as Federal spending. They want to cut $100 bil- troops. What we must do, however, is we’ve seen, there is talk of extending lion from our budget. demand that our military and civilian this war for another 10 years. $1 tril- If my friends are serious about cutting the leaders set clear and definable goals for lion, perhaps? budget, they should vote for H. Con. Res. 28. our military efforts in Afghanistan. We Spending on the Afghanistan war has Since 2001, our Nation has wasted $1.121 also must listen to our military com- increased much faster than overall gov- trillion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. manders who are there on the ground ernment spending in recent years. Con- We are spending $5.4 billion a month in Iraq day in and day out. sider a comparison of the average an- and $5.7 billion a month in Afghanistan. This General Petraeus has testified to our nual rates of growth of government is a waste of our national resources and tax- military’s substantial progress in im- spending versus the Afghanistan war payer funding! peding the Taliban’s influence and in- spending from 2008 through 2011. For FY2012, the President has requested creasing the number of Afghan security The SPEAKER pro tempore. The $113.4 billion to continue the war in Afghani- forces. He cautioned, however, that time of the gentleman has expired. stan. this recent success is fragile and re- Mr. KUCINICH. I yield myself 10 Between 2008 through 2011, overall govern- versible. more seconds. ment spending went up 9 percent annually. We must allow our troops to remain Overall government spending has in- But this is nothing compared to the 25 percent in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban creased 9 percent from 2008 through annual increase in spending in Afghanistan. and al Qaeda so that we can keep 2011, but Afghanistan war spending has Furthermore, spending on the Afghanistan Americans safe here. We must continue increased 25 percent. If you want to war is rising at an accelerating rate. Over just to train and support local security save $100 billion, then vote for this res- three years (2010, 2011, and 2012), we will forces because this will bring about the olution. spend 45 percent more on the war in Afghani- safe and successful full transition of I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman stan than we did in the preceding 8 years! the country’s security to the Afghan from California (Mr. FILNER). There is no better example of out-of-control people. (Mr. FILNER asked and was given Federal spending. permission to revise and extend his re- If Congress is really serious about being fis- b 1200 marks.) cally responsible and about cutting the Federal To withdraw now, to withdraw imme- Mr. FILNER. Mr. KUCINICH, I thank budget by three figures, then cutting spending diately, would be to forfeit that you for your courage in bringing this on the out-of-control, hundred billion dollar a

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.049 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1933 year war in Afghanistan must be a serious are willing to give their legs and their ignorance and brutality, and al Qaeda consideration. lives for us. saw an advantage, and they took it. Today, we have an opportunity to do just The SPEAKER pro tempore. The They established there a safe haven that! A Yes vote will cut the 2012 budget by time of the gentleman has expired. where they recruited, where they fi- at least $113.4 billion. Mr. JONES. I yield the gentleman an nanced, where they planned, where If you are serious about reducing the deficit, additional 30 seconds. they armed themselves, where they re- then vote ‘‘yes’’ on H. Con. Res. 28! Mr. ROHRABACHER. It is now up to cruited people around the world from Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve us in Congress to stand up for those other countries to come to train, and the balance of my time. Americans in uniform who will be they sent some of them to the United Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 needlessly giving their lives to accom- States of America to slaughter 3,000 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- plish a mission that cannot be accom- people. fornia (Mr. ROHRABACHER). plished. If it can’t be done, we should And if you want to talk about money, Mr. ROHRABACHER. You’re some- not be sending them over there. the trillion-plus dollars that 9/11 has one who says ‘‘billions of dollars’’ and The most responsible course of action cost us just in economic loss, that’s ‘‘Afghanistan’’ both. is to, as quickly as possible, get our why we’re there. We should not forget Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the people out of this predicament, not to the mission today and why they risk resolution and in support of our mili- dig us in deeper and not to wait until their lives. If you want to talk about tary personnel who are putting their this bloody quagmire kills even more the State Department policies, I’m all lives in jeopardy in Afghanistan. They Americans and we have to leave with- in. I’d love to have that debate. If you are doing their duty for us, for which out success. If we can’t win, we should want to talk about rules of engage- every American should be eternally pull out now. ment, I’m in, that’s a place, let’s do it, grateful. Now we must do our duty to Mr. JONES. I reserve the balance of let’s have that debate. them. If our military is engaged in a my time. But if you want to tell the enemy dangerous mission that we believe can- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I today—and by the way, for the first not be successful and but for face-sav- am pleased to yield 3 minutes to a gen- time, we’ve got information that their ing we are keeping them there, we are tleman who knows a lot about the commanders are saying we don’t want doing a disservice to our defenders and threats that are facing our Nation, the to go fight. The spring offensive is to our Nation. gentleman from Michigan (Mr. ROG- being planned now, right now. Our sol- The people of Afghanistan are as cou- ERS), the chairman of the House Per- diers are preparing for battle right rageous and independent as any on manent Select Committee on Intel- now. This may be that last great battle Earth. They are indomitable and un- ligence. in Afghanistan on behalf of our soldiers conquerable—a lesson invaders have b 1210 to eliminate the major components of learned the hard way for centuries. The the Taliban taking over their country. liberation of Afghanistan from the Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Taliban was accomplished, not by a Speaker, there is a lot of power and time of the gentleman has expired. massive influx of American troops, but emotion in this debate today, and I’m Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gen- instead by fighters of the Northern Al- glad for that. There should be. tleman an additional 30 seconds. liance militia and the air support that I recall the first time I had the Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. So if that we provided them. It was a tremendous chance to get to Afghanistan in late woman doctor who trained here, taking success. 2003. I met a woman there who had care of kids, who cried for help and When they were doing the fighting, it been trained as a doctor in the United support doesn’t move you, and maybe was a success. When we try to do the States. She went to practice medicine it shouldn’t; for the pain of that fu- fighting all over the world, we lose. We in her home country of Afghanistan. neral, that loss, that soldier who gave cannot be a Nation that occupies the When the Taliban took over, they it all for this country doesn’t move; rest of the world. We cannot be a coun- stripped her of her medical duties. then what ought to move you is the try that sends its troops all over the They sent her home. She was impris- fact that these folks are gearing up and world to handle every problem. oned in her own home for 6 years. I met hoping and praying that we give up and After the great success of elimi- her at a children’s hospital, and in the we pull these troops out before the mis- nating the Taliban from Afghanistan, days of the first conflict, she stripped sion is done. our foreign policy bureaucracy, not our off her burka, she walked 10 miles to We all want them home. We want troops, set in place a government the town to show up to provide medical them home with no safe haven and a structure totally inconsistent with the care for the first time to these children way that we can continue to put pres- village and tribal culture of the Afghan as a woman in Afghanistan. With tears sure on al Qaeda and its supporting af- people. That information is no surprise in her eyes she said, Thank you. These filiates. to anybody. Most of us understand children have no chance. Afghanistan Mr. KUCINICH. I would like to in- that. has no future. clude in the RECORD an article on They have a tribal culture there in And we saw the soccer field where AlterNet by Tom Engelhardt which dis- Afghanistan and a village system. That they took people down and summarily cusses the open-ended nature of the Af- is what works for them. Our State De- executed them for violations that they ghanistan war. partment has tried to foist upon them deemed to be executable offenses under HOW TO SCHEDULE A WAR: THE INCREDIBLE a centralized system in which they no law of their own, the burned buses SHRINKING WITHDRAWAL DATE don’t even elect their provincial gov- where the modern conveniences were (By Tom Engelhardt) ernors. After being liberated from the burned to get them out of the system Going, going, gone! You can almost hear Taliban by Afghans, our troops are now when the Taliban took over to apply the announcer’s voice throbbing with excite- there to force the Afghan people to ac- sharia law. And none of that would ment, only we’re not talking about home cept an overly centralized and corrupt matter from the pain and the loss if runs here, but about the disappearing date system which was put in place by our you’ve attended one of these fine sol- on which, for the United States and its mili- tary, the Afghan War will officially end. State Department bureaucracy. dier’s funerals; it is an emotional Practically speaking, the answer to when I’m sorry, it won’t work. It will not thing, and there is pain, and hurt, and it will be over is: just this side of never. If work. Any attempt to subjugate these sorrow, and something lost in all of us. you take the word of our Afghan War com- people and to force them to acquiesce So none of those other things would mander, the secretary of defense, and top of- to our vision of Afghanistan will fail. be alone a reason to send our soldiers ficials of the Obama administration and We all understand that. If we are hon- to risk their lives in defense of this NATO, we’re not leaving any time soon. As est with ourselves, we know that that country, but because of the things I with any clever time traveler, every date that’s set always contains a verbal escape tactic won’t succeed. To keep our talked about, because they have im- hatch into the future. troops over there any longer is sinful. prisoned women in Afghanistan, be- In my 1950s childhood, there was a cheesy It is a disservice to our country, and it cause of the things that they’ve done (if thrilling) sci-fi flick, The Incredible is also sinful to those young men who to the people there, it created hate and Shrinking Man, about a fellow who passed

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.022 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1934 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 through a radioactive cloud in the Pacific This follows the Iraq pattern where 50,000 case, on the ruins of the old Soviet base in- Ocean and soon noticed that his suits were American troops remain after the departure frastructure). At the same time, the former too big for him. Next thing you knew, he was of U.S. ‘‘combat’’ forces to great media fan- Cold Warriors in Washington let their living in a doll house, holding off his pet cat, fare. Richard Holbrooke, Obama’s Special dreams about pushing the former commies of and fighting an ordinary spider transformed Representative for Afghanistan and Paki- the former Soviet Union out of the former into a monster. Finally, he disappeared en- stan, was typical in calling for ‘‘the substan- soviet socialist republics of Central Asia, tirely leaving behind only a sonorous voice tial combat forces [to] be phased out at the places where, everyone knew, you could just to tell us that he had entered a universe end of 2014, four years from now.’’ (Note the about swim in black gold and run geopoliti- where ‘‘the unbelievably small and the unbe- usual verbal escape hatch, in this case ‘‘sub- cally wild. lievably vast eventually meet, like the clos- stantial,’’ lurking in his statement.) Then, when the invasion of Iraq was ing of a gigantic circle.’’ Last Saturday, behind ‘‘closed doors’’ at a launched in March 2003, Afghanistan, still a In recent weeks, without a radioactive NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, Afghan ‘‘war’’ (if barely) was forgotten, while the cloud in sight, the date for serious War commander General David Petraeus pre- Taliban returned to the field, built up their drawdowns of American troops in Afghani- sented European leaders with a ‘‘phased four- strength, and launched an insurgency that stan has followed a similar path toward the year plan’’ to ‘‘wind down American and al- has only gained momentum to this moment. vanishing point and is now threatening to lied fighting in Afghanistan.’’ Not surpris- In 2008, before leaving office, George W. Bush disappear ‘‘over the horizon’’ (a place where, ingly, it had the end of 2014 in its sights and bumped his favorite general, Iraq surge com- we are regularly told, American troops will the president quickly confirmed that ‘‘tran- mander Petraeus, upstairs to become the lurk once they have finally handed their du- sition’’ date, even while opening plenty of head of the Central Command which oversees ties over to the Afghan forces they are train- post-2014 wiggle room. By then, as he de- America’s war zones in the Greater Middle ing). scribed it, ‘‘our footprint’’ would only be East, including Afghanistan. If you remember, back in December 2009 ‘‘significantly reduced.’’ (He also claimed Already the guru of counterinsurgency President Obama spoke of July 2011 as a firm that, post-2014, the U.S. would be maintain- (known familiarly as COIN), Petraeus had, in date to ‘‘begin the transfer of our forces out ing a ‘‘counterterrorism capability’’ in Af- 2006, overseen the production of the mili- of Afghanistan,’’ the moment assumedly ghanistan—and Iraq—for which ‘‘platforms tary’s new war-fighting bible, a how-to man- when the beginning of the end of the war to . . . execute . . . counterterrorism oper- ual dusted off from the Vietnam era’s failed would come into sight. In July of this year, ations,’’ assumedly bases, would be needed.) version of COIN and made new and magical Afghan President Hamid Karzai spoke of 2014 Meanwhile, unnamed ‘‘senior U.S. offi- again. In June 2010, eight and a half years as the date when Afghan security forces cials’’ in Lisbon were clearly buttonholing into our Second Afghan War, at President ‘‘will be responsible for all military and law reporters to ‘‘cast doubt on whether the Obama’s request, Petraeus took over as Af- enforcement operations throughout our United States, the dominant power in the 28- ghan War commander. It was clear then that country.’’ nation alliance, would end its own combat time was short—with an administration re- Administration officials, anxious about the mission before 2015.’’ As always, the usual view of Afghan war strategy coming up at effect that 2011 date was having on an Amer- qualifying phrases were profusely in evi- year’s end and results needed quickly. The ican public grown weary of an unpopular war dence. American war was also in terrible shape. and on an enemy waiting for us to depart, Throughout these weeks, the ‘‘tweaking’’— In the new COIN-ish U.S. Army, however, grabbed Karzai’s date and ran with it (leav- that is, the further chipping away at 2014 as it is a dogma of almost biblical faith that ing many of his caveats about the war the a hard and fast date for anything—only con- counterinsurgencies don’t produce quick re- Americans were fighting, particularly his de- tinued. Mark Sedwill, NATO’s civilian coun- sults; that, to be successful, they must be sire to reduce the American presence, in the terpart to U.S. commander General David pursued for years on end. As Petraeus put it dust). Now, 2014 is hyped as the new 2011. Petraeus, insisted that 2014 was nothing back in 2007 when talking about Iraq, It has, in fact, been widely reported that more than ‘‘an inflection point’’ in an ever ‘‘[T]ypically, I think historically, counter- Obama officials have been working in con- more drawn-out drawdown process. That insurgency operations have gone at least cert to ‘‘play down’’ the president’s 2011 date, process, he insisted, would likely extend to nine or 10 years.’’ Recently, in an interview while refocusing attention on 2014. In recent ‘‘2015 and beyond,’’ which, of course, put 2016 with Martha Raddatz of ABC News, he made weeks, top administration officials have officially into play. And keep in mind that a nod toward exactly the same timeframe for been little short of voluble on the subject. this is only for combat troops, not those as- Afghanistan, one accepted as bedrock knowl- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (‘‘We’re signed to ‘‘train and support’’ or keep ‘‘a edge in the world of the COINistas. not getting out. We’re talking about prob- strategic over watch’’ on Afghan forces. What this meant was that, whether as ably a years-long process.’’), Secretary of On the eve of NATO’s Lisbon meeting, Pen- CENTCOM commander or Afghan War com- State Hillary Clinton, and Chairman of the tagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, waxing near mander, Petraeus was looking for two poten- Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen, attending poetic, declared 2014 nothing more than an tially contradictory results at the same a security conference in Australia, all ‘‘cited ‘‘aspirational goal,’’ rather than an actual time. Somehow, he needed to wrest those 2014 . . . as the key date for handing over the deadline. As the conference began, NATO’s nine to 10 years of war-fighting from a presi- defense of Afghanistan to the Afghans them- Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen dent looking for a tighter schedule and, in a selves.’’ The New York Times headlined its insisted that the alliance would be com- war going terribly sour, he needed almost in- report on the suddenly prominent change in mitted in Afghanistan ‘‘as long as it takes.’’ stant evidence of ‘‘progress’’ that would fit timing this way: ‘‘U.S. Tweaks Message on And new British Chief of the Defense Staff the president’s coming December ‘‘review’’ Troops in Afghanistan.’’ General Sir David Richards suggested that, of the war and might pacify unhappy publics Quite a tweak. Added Times reporter given the difficulty of ever defeating the in the U.S. and Europe. Elisabeth Bumiller: ‘‘The message shift is ef- Taliban (or al-Qaeda) militarily, NATO Now let’s do the math. At the moment, de- fectively a victory for the military, which should be preparing plans to maintain a role pending on how you care to count, we are in has long said the July 2011 deadline under- for its troops for the next 30 to 40 years. the 10th year of our second Afghan War or mined its mission by making Afghans reluc- WAR EXTENDER the 20th year of war interruptus. Since June tant to work with troops perceived to be 2009, Petraeus and various helpers have Here, then, is a brief history of American leaving shortly.’’ stretched the schedule to 2014 for (most) time in Afghanistan. After all, this isn’t our American combat troops and at least 2015 or INFLECTION POINTS AND ASPIRATIONAL GOALS first Afghan War, but our second. The first, 2016 for the rest. If you were to start count- Barely had 2014 risen into the headlines, the CIA’s anti-Soviet jihad (in which the ing from the president’s December surge ad- however, before that date, too, began to be Agency funded a number of the fundamen- dress, that’s potentially seven more years. In chipped away. As a start, it turned out that talist extremists we’re now fighting in the other words, we’re now talking about either American planners weren’t talking about second), lasted a decade, from 1980 until 1989 a 15-year war or an on-and-off again quarter- just any old day in 2014, but its last one. As when the Soviets withdrew in defeat. century one. All evidence shows that the Lieutenant General William Caldwell, head In October 2001, in the wake of the 9/11 at- Pentagon’s war planners would like to ex- of the NATO training program for Afghan se- tacks, the Bush administration launched tend those already vague dates even further curity forces, put it while holding a Q&A America’s second Afghan War, taking Kabul into the future. with a group of bloggers, ‘‘They’re talking that November as the Taliban dissolved. The about December 31st, 2014. It’s the end of De- power of the American military to achieve ON TICKING CLOCKS IN WASHINGTON AND KABUL cember in 2014 . . . that [Afghan] President quick and total victory seemed undeniable, Up to now, only one of General Petraeus’s Karzai has said they want Afghan security even after Osama bin Laden slipped out of two campaigns has been under discussion forces in the lead.’’ Tora Bora that December and escaped into here: the other one, fought out these last Nor, officials rushed to say, was anyone Pakistan’s tribal borderlands. years not in Afghanistan, but in Washington talking about 2014 as a date for all American However, it evidently never crossed the and NATO capitals, over how to schedule a troops to head for the exits, just ‘‘combat minds of President Bush’s top officials to war. Think of it as the war for a free hand in troops’’—and maybe not even all of them. simply declare victory and get out. Instead, determining how long the Afghan War is to Possibly tens of thousands of trainers and as the U.S. would do in Iraq after the inva- be fought. other so-called non-combat forces would stay sion of 2003, the Pentagon started building a It has been run from General Petraeus’s on to help with the ‘‘transition process.’’ new infrastructure of military bases (in this headquarters in Kabul, the giant five-sided

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.025 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1935 military headquarters on the Potomac pre- ‘‘irked’’ by Karzai’s comments and was said that nearly three-quarters of the sided over by Secretary of Defense Gates, to have warned Afghan officials that their American public favors action to speed and various think-tanks filled with Amer- president’s criticism might be making his up U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. ica’s militarized intelligentsia scattered ‘‘own position ‘untenable,’ ’’ which was taken Yes, the Congress authorized the use of around Washington—and it has proven a as a resignation threat. Meanwhile, the classically successful ‘‘clear, hold, build’’ COIN-meister was in the process of imposing force in 2001, which I voted against be- counterinsurgency operation. Pacification in a new battle plan on Afghanistan that leaves cause it gave the President, any Presi- Washington and a number of European cap- counterinsurgency (at least as usually de- dent, a blank check to use force, any- itals has occurred with remarkably few cas- scribed) in a roadside ditch. No more is the time, anyplace, anywhere in the world ualties. (Former Afghan war commander byword ‘‘protect the people,’’ or ‘‘clear, hold, for any period of time. It was not a dec- General Stanley McChrystal, axed by the build’’; now, it’s smash, kill, destroy. The laration of war, yet this has been the president for insubordination, has been the war commander has loosed American fire- exception, not the rule.) longest war in American history, the power in a major way in the Taliban strong- longest war in American history. Slowly but decisively, Petraeus and com- holds of southern Afghanistan. pany constricted President Obama’s war- Early this year, then-commander As the daughter of a 25-year Army of- planning choices to two options: more and McChrystal had significantly cut back on ficer who served in two wars, let me sa- yet more. In late 2009, the president agreed U.S. air strikes as a COIN-ish measure meant lute our troops, let me honor our to that second surge of troops (the first had to lessen civilian casualties. No longer. In a troops and just say our servicemen and been announced that March), not to speak of striking reversal, air power has been called -women have performed with incredible CIA agents, drones, private contractors, and in—and in a big way. In October, U.S. planes State Department and other civilian govern- courage and commitment in Afghani- launched missiles or bombs on 1,000 separate stan. But they have been put in an im- ment employees. In his December ‘‘surge’’ Afghan missions, numbers seldom seen since address at West Point (for the nation but the 2001 invasion. The Army has similarly possible situation. It’s time to bring visibly to the military), Obama had the te- loosed its massively powerful High Mobility them home. There is no military solu- merity as commander-in-chief to name a spe- Artillery Rocket System in the area around tion in Afghanistan. cific, soon-to-arrive date—July 2011—for be- the southern city of Kandahar. Civilian As we fight here in Congress to pro- ginning a serious troop drawdown. It was deaths are rising rapidly. tect investments in education, health then that the COIN campaign in Washington ramped up into high gear with the goal of Mr. KUCINICH. I yield myself such care, public health and safety, the war driving the prospective end of the war back time as I may consume. in Afghanistan will cost more than $100 by years. We keep coming back to 9/11. We’re billion in 2011 alone. It took bare hours after the president’s ad- near the eighth anniversary of the in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The dress for administration officials to begin vasion of Iraq, which had nothing to do time of the gentlewoman has expired. leaking to media sources that his drawdown with 9/11, and which was predicated on Mr. KUCINICH. I yield the gentle- would be ‘‘conditions based’’—a phrase guar- woman an additional 30 seconds. anteed to suck the meaning out of any dead- a lie, no weapons of mass destruction. line. (The president had indeed acknowl- The war in Afghanistan is based on a Ms. LEE. No one can deny that the edged in his address that his administration misreading of history. The Soviet increasing costs of the war in Afghani- would take into account ‘‘conditions on the Union understood that at hard cost. stan are constraining our efforts to in- ground.’’) Soon, the Secretary of Defense and The occupation is fueling an insur- vest in job creation and jump-start the others took to the airwaves in a months-long gency. economy. campaign emphasizing that drawdown in Af- Now, Jeremy Scahill in the Nation Yesterday, I joined a bipartisan ghanistan didn’t really mean drawdown, that points out that Taliban leaders have group of 80 Members of Congress in leaving by no means meant leaving, and that the future was endlessly open to interpreta- said they’ve seen a swelling in Taliban sending a letter to President Obama tion. ranks since 9/11 in part attributed to calling for a significant and sizeable re- With the ratification in Lisbon of that 2014 the widely held perception that the duction in United States troop levels in date ‘‘and beyond,’’ the political clocks—an Karzai government is corrupt and ille- Afghanistan no later than July of this image General Petraeus loves—in Wash- gitimate, and that Afghans, primarily year. ington, European capitals, and American ethnic Pashtuns, want foreign occupa- This debate that we’re having today Kabul are now ticking more or less in uni- here should have occurred in 2001 when son. tion forces out. They’re only fighting Two other ‘‘clocks’’ are, however, ticking to make foreigners leave Afghanistan. Congress authorized this blank check. more like bombs. If counterinsurgency is a Occupation fuels insurgency. That is It was barely debated. It was barely de- hearts and minds campaign, then the other an ironclad fact. bated, and the rush to war has created target of General Petraeus’s first COIN cam- I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman not less anger towards the United paign has been the restive hearts and minds from California (Ms. LEE). States but more hostilities, and it’s of the American and European publics. Last Ms. LEE. Thank you very much. not in our national security nor eco- year a Dutch government fell over popular Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong nomic interests to continue. opposition to Afghanistan and, even as support of this resolution, of which I’m NATO met last weekend, thousands of Mr. KUCINICH. I want to point out antiwar protestors marched in London and proud to be an original cosponsor, and that for those Members who are con- Lisbon. Europeans generally want out and I’d like to thank Representative cerned about the finances of this gov- their governments know it, but (as has been KUCINICH for his work on this resolu- ernment, U.S. debt soared from $6.4 true since 1945) the continent’s leaders have tion and also mainly for his continued trillion in March 2003 to $10 trillion. no idea how to say ‘‘no’’ to Washington. In and passioned defense of congressional Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize winner the U.S., too, the Afghan war grows ever war powers authority. Also, I, too, economist, and his associate, Linda more unpopular, and while it was forgotten want to commend Congressman JONES during the election season, no politician Bilmes, pointed out that at least a should count on that phenomenon lasting for his leadership on this issue and so quarter of that increase is directly at- forever. many other issues. tributable to the war in Iraq. As a re- And then, of course, there’s the literal This resolution is simple and sult of two costly wars, funded by debt, ticking bomb, the actual war in Afghanistan. straightforward. It directs the Presi- our fiscal house was in abysmal shape In that campaign, despite a drumbeat of dent to end the near decade-long war in even before the financial crisis, and American/NATO publicity about ‘‘progress,’’ Afghanistan and to redeploy United those fiscal woes compounded the the news has been grim indeed. American States Armed Forces from Afghanistan and NATO casualties have been higher this downturn. The global financial crisis year than at any other moment in the war; by the end of this year. Al Qaeda is not was due at least in part—this is a the Taliban seems if anything more en- in Afghanistan, and Osama bin Laden quote—to the war. trenched in more parts of the country; the still has not been found. This resolu- Afghan public, ever more puzzled and less tion comes at a time when a growing b 1220 happy with foreign troops and contractors number of Members of Congress, mili- Now they continue. The Iraq war traipsing across the land; and Hamid Karzai, tary and foreign policy experts, and, in didn’t just contribute to the severity of the president of the country, sensing a situa- particular, the American people, are the fiscal crisis, though it kept us from tion gone truly sour, has been regularly responding to it effectively. So, my challenging the way General Petraeus is calling for an immediate end to this fighting the war in his country. (The nerve!) war. Enough is enough. friends, finance is a national security No less unsettling, General Petraeus him- Let me just say something. First of issue. If we are broke, we can’t defend self has seemed unnerved. He was declared all, we’ve heard that polls are showing ourselves.

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I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman Mr. BERMAN. I reserve the balance also will have a vote against NPR, to from Vermont (Mr. WELCH). of my time. cut the funding of NPR. There is a seri- Mr. WELCH. I thank the gentleman. Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, at the ous question about whether that will Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the present time, I would like to yield 5 even cut one penny. But at least the other side, America does have a na- minutes to the gentleman from Texas fiscal conservatives are going to be tional security interest in protecting (Mr. PAUL). overwhelmingly in support of slashing American citizens from terrorist at- (Mr. PAUL asked and was given per- NPR, and then go home and brag about tack. But the question before us is this: mission to revise and extend his re- how they are such great fiscal conserv- Is that national security interest being marks.) atives. And the very most they might served by 10 years of nation building in Mr. PAUL. I thank the gentleman. save is $10 million, and that’s their the third most corrupt country in the The question we are facing today is, claim to fame for slashing the budget. entire world? Is our national security should we leave Afghanistan? I think At the same time, they won’t consider interest being served by sending 100,000 the answer is very clear, and it’s not for a minute cutting a real significant troops and $454 billion in taxpayer complicated. Of course we should, as amount of money. money to a country where there are 50 soon as we can. This suggests that we All empires end for fiscal reasons be- members of al Qaeda? Is it a winning can leave by the end of the year. If we cause they spread themselves too far and likely successful strategy when al don’t, we’ll be there for another dec- around the world, and that’s what we Qaeda simply moves where we aren’t? ade, would be my prediction. are facing. We are in the midst of a They move out of Afghanistan into The American people are now with military conflict that is contributing Pakistan, to Sudan, to wherever they us. A group of us here in the Congress, to this inevitable crisis and it’s finan- can find a safe haven. a bipartisan group, for nearly a decade cial. And you would think there would Does it make sense to ask our sol- have been talking about this, arguing be a message there. diers and our taxpayers to sacrifice not to expand the war, not to be over How did the Soviets come down? By when our Afghan partner is so pro- there, not to be in nation building. And doing the very same thing that we’re foundly corrupt? And I mean world- the American people didn’t pay much doing: perpetual occupation of a coun- class corrupt: $3 billion in pallets of attention. Now they are. The large ma- try. cash moved out of the Kabul airport to jority of the American people now say We don’t need to be occupying Af- safe havens for warlords; an Afghan it’s time to get out of Afghanistan. It’s ghanistan or any other country. We Vice President who flies to Dubai with a fruitless venture. Too much has been don’t even need to be considering going $52 million in walking-around money; lost. The chance of winning, since we into Libya or anywhere else. Fortu- when the U.S.-backed Afghan major don’t even know what we are going to nately, I guess for those of us who crimes unit tries to get Karzai to act win, doesn’t exist. So they are tired of would like to see less of this killing, we on corruption and Karzai gets his it. Financially, there’s a good reason to will have to quit because we won’t be buddy out of jail. Yes, we have a na- come home as well. able to afford it. tional security interest in protecting Some argue we have to be there be- The process that we are going America from attack, but this is a los- cause if we leave under these cir- through is following the War Powers ing strategy. cumstances we’ll lose face; it will look Resolution. This is a proper procedure. Mr. KUCINICH. I yield 11⁄2 minutes to embarrassing to leave. So how many the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. It calls attention to how we slip into more men and women have to die, how these wars. VELA´ ZQUEZ). (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ asked and was many more dollars have to be spent to I have always claimed that it’s the given permission to revise and extend save face? That is one of the worst ar- way we get into the wars that is the her remarks.) guments possible. problem. If we would be precise and Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise We are not there under legal condi- only go to war with a declaration of in strong support of this resolution. tions. This is a war. Who says it isn’t a war, with the people behind us, know- After 10 long years, $336 billion spent, war? Everybody talks about the Af- ing who the enemy is, and fight, win, 1,500 American lives lost, and thou- ghan war. Was the war declared? Of and get it over with, that would be sands maimed, it is time to bring our course not. It wasn’t declared. There more legitimate. They don’t do it now troops home. Our servicemen and was a resolution passed that said that because the American people wouldn’t -women and their coalition allies have the President at that time, under the support it. Nobody is going to declare performed valiantly. The United States emergency of 9/11, could go and deal war against Afghanistan or Iraq or has done everything possible to provide with al Qaeda, those who brought upon Libya. opportunity for the Afghanistan people the 9/11 bombings. But al Qaeda is not We now have been so careless for the and the chance for a democratic gov- there anymore. So we are fighting the past 50 or 60 years that, as a Congress ernment there to mature and take Taliban. and especially as a House, we have hold. Afghanistan must now take re- The Taliban used to be our allies at reneged on our responsibilities. We sponsibility for its own destiny. one time when the Soviets were there. have avoided our prerogatives of saying The fact of the matter is this: If now The Taliban’s main goal is to keep the that we have the control. We have con- is not the time to leave, then when? Af- foreign occupation out. They want for- trol of the purse. We have control of ghanistan has become the longest war eigners out of their country. They are when we are supposed to go to war. Yet in U.S. history, with a price tag of $100 not al Qaeda. Yet most Americans— the wars continue. They never stop. billion a year. At a time when we are maybe less so now. But the argument And we are going to be completely contemplating cutting services for sen- here on the floor is we have got to go brought down to our knees. iors, educational programs for chil- after al Qaeda. This is not a war We can’t change Afghanistan. The dren, and tuition assistance for work- against al Qaeda. If anything, it gives people who are bragging about these ing college students, that money could the incentive for al Qaeda to grow in changes, even if you could, you are not be spent more wisely elsewhere. numbers rather than dealing with supposed to. You don’t have the moral Mr. Speaker, too much of our coun- them. authority. You don’t have the constitu- try’s treasure has gone toward this The money issue, we are talking tional authority. war. But more importantly, the cost in about a lot of money. How much do we The SPEAKER pro tempore. The human life, American and Afghan, has spend a year? Probably about $130 bil- time of the gentleman has expired. been enormous. As the world’s greatest lion, up to $1 trillion now in this past Mr. JONES. I yield the gentleman 30 democracy, what kind of message does decade. additional seconds. this war send to other nations? Do as Later on in the day, we are going to Mr. PAUL. So I would say, the soon- we say, not as we do? have two votes. We are going to have a er, the better, we can come home. This It is time to make our actions reflect vote on doing something sensible, mak- process says come home. Under the our words. Get out of Afghanistan now. ing sense out of our foreign policy, law, it says you should start bringing Mr. KUCINICH. I reserve the balance bringing our troops home and saving troops home within 30 days. This al- of my time. hundreds of billions of dollars. Then we lows up to the end of the year after

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There’s one of them, The steep increase in both the rate and lieve that we should do this forever. So and it’s the other side’s President. number of amputations clearly disturbed I would say this is the day to be on The SPEAKER pro tempore. The both Holcomb and members of the board, record and vote for this resolution. time of the gentleman has expired. which met at a Hilton hotel near Dulles Mr. JONES. I reserve the balance of Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gen- International Airport. my time. Holcomb, who spent two weeks at tleman an additional 30 seconds. Landstuhl in December and is a former head Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. HUNTER. If you want to quote am so honored to yield 2 minutes to of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Re- somebody who’s been there, feel free to search, said he had heard of ‘‘unwritten the gentleman from California (Mr. quote me. If you want to talk about it, pacts among young Marines that if they get HUNTER), a member of the Armed Serv- feel free to come to my office. And if their legs and genitals blown off they won’t ices Committee and a distinguished you want to hold up pictures of fami- put tourniquets on but will let each other die combat veteran who has served our lies, hold up pictures of mine because on the battlefield.’’ country honorably in Iraq and Afghani- they’ve been impacted by it. Richard H. Carmona, who was U.S. surgeon stan with the United States Marine But I thank the gentleman from Ohio general from 2002 to 2006 and is now on the board, said the information was ‘‘very dis- Corps. for bringing up this debate because Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, first, I turbing.’’ what has happened is our side has cut He said it has made him ask: ‘‘What is the was in the Marine Corps. I did two defense by $16 billion in H.R. 1. If we’re endgame here? Is the sacrifice we are asking tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. I not going to support our troops while of our young men and women worth the po- didn’t do anything exceptional; but if we’re fighting, this type of resolution tential return? I have questions about that anybody else has served in Afghani- might need a look at later. I don’t now.’’ stan, I will yield to you right now. If think now is the right time. Carmona, 61, served as an Army medic in anybody in this Congress who has I oppose the resolution. Vietnam before going to college and medical served in a military capacity in these school. He has a son who is an Army ser- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE geant and is serving in Iraq. wars in Afghanistan, I’ll be happy to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jay A. Johannigman, an Air Force colonel yield to you. MCCLINTOCK). All Members are re- who has served multiple deployments as a You might have taken a few trips minded that remarks in debate should trauma surgeon, said his stint at the mili- over, and you can tell stories about the be addressed to the Chair and through tary hospital at Bagram Airfield in Afghani- families that are impacted who you the Chair and not to each other. stan last fall ‘‘was different’’ both personally know. You can talk about people who Mr. KUCINICH. I would like to insert and medically. you know that have been impacted. ‘‘We see the enormous price our young men into the RECORD a recent report from and women are paying. It should not be for You can talk about those marines and The Washington Post that says that naught,’’ he said. He didn’t want to elabo- soldiers and sailors and airmen that we we’ve seen the steepest increase in lost rate. see injured at Bethesda and Walter limbs among soldiers and marines oc- Why amputation-requiring injuries in- Reed; but if you want to quote some- curring in the last 4 months. creased so much in recent months isn’t en- body, you can quote me. I’m in 223 Can- [From the Washington Post, Mar. 9, 2011] tirely understood. It is partly a function of non. tactics that emphasize more foot patrols in REPORT REVEALS STEEP INCREASE IN WAR rural areas. Some people have speculated the If you want to talk to a family that’s AMPUTATIONS LAST FALL been impacted by three deployments, mines may be constructed specifically to (By David Brown) cause the devastating wounds. two of my kids, all of them 10 or The majority of American soldiers under- ‘‘Do the Marines know? Probably,’’ said under—I have three—two of them have going amputation for war wounds last fall Frank Butler, a doctor and retired Navy cap- been through three deployments. One lost more than one limb, according to data tain who has spearheaded improvements in child, my youngest daughter, has been presented Tuesday to the Defense Health battlefield first aid over the last decade. through one deployment, the Afghan Board, a committee of experts that advises ‘‘But they’re not releasing a thing. And they deployment in 2007. the Defense Department on medical matters. shouldn’t.’’ If you want to talk to somebody, feel Military officials had previously released I would also like to insert into the data showing that amputations, and espe- free to talk to my family because they RECORD a report from the ‘‘American cially multiple-limb losses, increased last understand what it’s like. What they year. The information presented to the 20– Conservative’’ which says that late last also understand is the reason that member board is the first evidence that the year IED deaths among our own sol- we’re there. steepest increase occurred over the last four diers were up, not down. Less than 2 percent of America’s pop- months of the year. [From The American Conservative, Mar. 10, ulation serves. The burden from Af- In September 2010, about two-thirds of all 2011] ghanistan is on their shoulders. It’s on war-theater amputation operations involved HOW’S THAT POPULATION-CENTRIC COIN a single limb (usually a leg) and one-third my family’s shoulders. They know GOING? two or more limbs. The split was roughly 50– what’s at stake. That’s why they basi- 50 in October and November. In December, (Posted by Kelley Vlahos) cally allowed me to do it. They allowed only one-quarter of amputation surgery in- If the success or failure of the Afghan mili- me to go to Iraq and Afghanistan be- volved only one limb; three-quarters in- tary ‘‘surge’’ rests on whether the U.S. can cause of the number one reason that volved the loss of two or more limbs. bring down the level of violence and protect we’re there, the number one reason. The Marines, who make up 20 percent of the civilian population from the Taliban—a And it’s not to nation-build. It’s to the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, were es- metric that the now fading COINdinistas had pecially hard hit. Of the 66 wounded severely once insisted could be achieved with the make sure that radicalized Muslims right strategy—then two new statistics to stop killing Americans. It’s to stop enough to be evacuated overseas in October, one-third lost a limb. emerge this week don’t bode well for the them from destroying this country. In the first seven years of the Iraq and Af- prospects of the nearly 2-year-old counter- They want to murder us. Every sin- ghanistan wars, about 6 percent of seriously insurgency operation in Afghanistan. gle person in this room, every Amer- wounded soldiers underwent amputation. First, more of our soldiers today are com- ican, radicalized Muslims want to mur- Wounds to the genitals and lower urinary ing home this year with amputations than in der. That’s why we have men and tract—known as genitourinary injuries—ac- the previous year, according reports coming women over there right now fighting. counted for 11 percent of wounds over the out of the Defense Health Board this week. According to The Washington Post, which That’s it. There’s no other reason for last seven months of 2010, up from 4 percent in the previous 17 months, according to data was apparently the only mainstream news it. presented by John B. Holcomb, a trauma sur- outlet to cover the board’s meeting in North- Nation building is a thing we have to geon and retired Army colonel. ern Virginia on Tuesday, the steepest in- do there on the side to get the people, The constellation of leg-and-genital crease in lost limbs among soldiers and Ma- the Afghan people, on our side. But wounds are in large part the consequence of rines occurred in the last four months.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.062 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 The Marines, who make up 20 percent of Petraeus’ apology came a week after he sug- like a good follow-up to ‘‘Triage,’’ but will the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, were es- gested that the young victims of another anyone there have the guts to write it? pecially hard hit. Of the 66 wounded severely NATO attack in Kunar had gotten their burn I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman enough to be evacuated overseas in October, marks not from the strike, but from their from Texas, Representative JACKSON one-third lost a limb. parents, who might have hurt the kids them- LEE. In the first seven years of the Iraq and Af- selves in disciplinary actions. It didn’t go ghanistan wars, about 6 percent of seriously over so well, especially since Afghan au- Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I re- wounded soldiers underwent amputation. thorities say 65 people were killed, many of spect my President, our President. Wounds to the genitals and lower urinary them women and children. NATO has now I thank the previous speaker for his tract—known as genitourinary injuries—ac- admitted that some civilians may have been service. I thank all of the United counted for 11 percent of wounds over the hurt, but insists the operation had targeted States military, at home and abroad, last seven months of 2010, up from 4 percent insurgents. for their brave and courageous service. in the previous 17 months, according to data Again, my mind goes back to the I beg to differ. The Constitution indi- presented by John B. Holcomb, a trauma sur- COINdinistas, many of whom remain delu- cates that the Congress can declare geon and retired Army colonel. sional about the direction of the war, and war, which has not been so declared. I The constellation of leg-and-genital others who might be furiously back-peddling wounds are in large part the consequence of or remolding themselves as we speak. In would make the argument that we stepping on improvised explosive devices— June 2009, Triage: The Next Twelve Months have shed our blood in Afghanistan, homemade mines—and are known as ‘‘dis- in Afghanistan and Pakistan, was published and my hat is off to those families who mounted IED injuries.’’ by the pro-COIN Center for a New American have lost their loved ones, and cer- The data regarding the increased amputa- Security (CNAS). In it, fellow Andrew Exum, tainly those who fight on the front tions were already reported in Friday’s CNAS CEO Nathaniel Fick, David Kilcullen lines today. WaPo, but apparently the fact they spiked in and Ahmed Humayun wrote this (emphasis I believe it is important for Congress the last few months only came out in the mine): to be engaged in this effort because meeting. Who knows if that point would’ve ‘‘To be sure, violence will rise in Afghani- ever seen the light of day if a reporter hadn’t stan over the next year—no matter what the this is the people’s House. A few been there. A source close to the board told United States and its allies do. What mat- months ago, a year ago, I may not have me that media rarely show up to cover the ters, though, is who is dying. And here a par- supported this move. But here we are DHB, which is a pity, because its members, ticular lesson may be directly imported from again, facing the same obstacles. which include both civilian and retired mili- the U.S. experience in Iraq. In 2007, during This amendment or resolution says tary doctors and scientists, probably know the Baghdad security operations commonly within 30 days, but up to December 31, more about the ‘‘big picture’’ regarding the referred to as ‘‘the surge,’’ U.S. casualties if necessary. health and welfare of our troops in the bat- actually increased sharply. What U.S. plan- It is time now to push the Kabul gov- tlefield than anyone else and tend to talk ners were looking for, however, was not a ernment to be able to negotiate and en- candidly among themselves about conditions drop in U.S. casualties—or even a drop in gage. It is time to use smart power. It there. Iraqi security force casualties but a drop in The data was presented Tuesday by John Iraqi civilian casualties. In the same way, is time to let girls go to school, let B. Holcomb, a trauma surgeon and retired U.S. and allied operations in Afghanistan leaders lead, and for our combat troops Army colonel. As a former head of the U.S. must be focused on protecting the population and others to come home. Army Institute of Surgical Research, he said even at the expense of allied casualties.’’. It is time to recognize that our re- he had heard of ‘‘unwritten pacts among Afghan civilian casualties, whether at the sources are needed around the world. young Marines that if they get their legs and hands of the coalition, the Taliban, or the Af- Libya is in need. genitals blown off they won’t put tour- ghan government, will be the most telling meas- But it is time for us to end with Af- niquets on but will let each other die on the ure of progress. ghanistan and to push them to be a battlefield.’’ Well, violence is up, and deaths among New DHB member Richard Carmona, a NATO and its allies are up. And so are civil- sovereign nation, and to work with former U.S. Surgeon General under Bush, ap- ian casualties. them on diplomacy and to be able to parently didn’t get the memo about keeping Meanwhile, while the CNAS team said in save lives. his emotional responses in check. The Viet- June 2009 that NATO/Afghan soldier deaths I support this resolution. I wish that nam veteran called the new statistics ‘‘very were expected to rise, they also claimed that it would pass now. disturbing,’’ and then asked, ‘‘What is the another metric of success would be an even- Mr. KUCINICH. I yield 1 minute to endgame here? Is the sacrifice we are asking tual flattening of IED (Improvised Explosive the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. of our young men and women worth the po- Devices) incidents. LEWIS). Another indicator of cooperation (with tential return? I have questions about that Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, now.’’ local Afghans) is the number of roadside He should definitely have questions, con- bombs (improvised explosive devices, or I rise today in strong opposition to the sidering that Gen. David Petraeus, Lt. Gen. IEDs) that are found and cleared versus ex- longest running war in our Nation’s William ‘‘svengali’’ Caldwell and others have ploded. IED numbers have risen sharply in history. I want to thank my friend and been all over the press in recent weeks talk- Afghanistan since 2006 (though numbers are colleague from Ohio for introducing ing about how promising it looks in Afghani- still low, and IEDs still unsophisticated, this resolution. stan the Taliban’s ‘‘halted momentum,’’ and compared to Iraq). The coalition should ex- War is not the answer. It is not the all that. pect an increase in numbers again this year. way to peace. We must root out the Meanwhile, the other big news today is However, a rise in the proportion of IEDs causes of hate and violence. that civilian deaths in Afghanistan are up, being found and defused (especially when dis- Gandhi once said: ‘‘Power is of two too. covered thanks to tips from the local popu- According to a new U.N. report, civilian lation) indicates that locals have a good kinds. One is obtained by the fear of deaths as a result of war violence rose 15 per- working relationship with local military punishment, and the other by acts of cent from the year before in Afghanistan units a sign of progress. love. Power based on love is a thousand (some of the highest levels since the war Despite all his spin to the contrary, times more effective and permanent began in 2001). More than two-thirds of those Petraeus cannot hide the fact that late last than the one derived from the fear of deaths—2,777—were caused by insurgents (up year, IED deaths among our own soldiers punishment.’’ 28 percent) and 440 were caused by Afghan were up, not down. A chart issued within its Our path to peace in Afghanistan is Army/NATO forces (down 25 percent*). While own November progress report to Congress not through war; it is not through vio- the Taliban is responsible for most civilian last November shows that, and it shows that deaths, the U.S. has made ‘‘protecting the the found and cleared IEDs had not risen lence. Enough is enough. The time is population’’ a major strategic goal for win- above the attacks in most areas of the coun- long overdue. ning over the Afghan people, legitimizing try. We are spending billions of dollars a the Karzai government and draining the Plus, metric or no metric, the recent data week. Not another nickel, not another Taliban of its authority. Instead, it’s been indicating serious injuries of U.S. soldiers dime, not another dollar, not another publicly blamed and repudiated by Afghans this late in the game—while every other as- hour, not another day, not another for a number of civilian bombing deaths, the sessment outside the military bubble says week. We must end this war and end it most recent being nine Afghan boys killed the Taliban are making more gains not now. ‘‘by accident’’ in a U.S. air strike in Kunar less—should leave any thinking person at I urge all of my colleagues to support province. this point to question, ‘‘is it really worth This week, President Karzai, rejected an it?’’ the resolution. apology from Petraeus for the killings, and Not sure what it will take before the Mr. KUCINICH. I yield 1 minute to later accepted another attempt at apology COINdinistas admit events on the ground are the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. from Sec. Def. Bob Gates. It didn’t help that falling short of their own metrics. Sounds POLIS).

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.028 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1939 Mr. POLIS. I thank the gentleman would never have even worked here, be- where it becomes a permissive environ- from Ohio for bringing forth this im- cause we believe that local people ment, where they can use that to de- portant resolution and finally bringing should run the police and should elect stabilize Afghanistan, to assist the to the floor of the House the discussion their own local officials. If we don’t be- Taliban on the other side of the Durand about the war in Afghanistan. lieve that that system will work, and Line. We need some base of operations Wrong war, wrong time, wrong place. that is our plan, we should get our peo- in Afghanistan to be able to strike al Intelligence estimates are that there ple out of there before more of them Qaeda targets in the federally adminis- are under 50 al Qaeda operatives in Af- are killed and maimed. tered tribal areas of Afghanistan. I be- ghanistan. With the current cost of the Yes, we do respect DUNCAN HUNTER lieve that we can do it with a lighter war effort, we’re spending between $1.5 and all those people who have served. footprint. I think we ought to be fo- billion and $2 billion per al Qaeda oper- That is the reason, that is what moti- cused on supporting factions within ative. vates me. this region that share our strategic in- There is a very real terrorist threat Here we have WALTER JONES, who terests. to our country that comes from the represents the Marine Corps down at The SPEAKER pro tempore. The loosely knit al Qaeda terrorist net- Camp Lejeune. If they thought that time of the gentleman has expired. work, but that threat does not emanate they were defending our country and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gen- from Afghanistan. It does not emanate were going to save our lives, all of tleman an additional 30 seconds. from any one particular nation-state. them would give their lives for us. But Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. I thank It is a stateless menace. They go wher- they are not on that mission. They are the gentlewoman from Florida. ever they’re able to thrive on the lack on that mission to get the Afghan peo- We have strategic interests in Af- of order. ple and coerce them into accepting a ghanistan. It would be wrong, it would To effectively combat this menace, corrupt central government, and that be irresponsible at this time to expedi- we need targeted special operations, we won’t work. It didn’t work when I was tiously withdraw all of our forces from need aggressive intelligence gathering, there fighting the Russians. It won’t Afghanistan, again, without recog- and we need to make sure that we com- work now. nizing our strategic interests there. bat this menace wherever they are Mr. JONES. I continue to reserve my Although I differ on the strategy with the appropriate resources. time. that we are using right now, I recog- Being bogged down, occupying one Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, nize the security interests of the particular nation-state is a waste of re- with all due respect to the gentleman United States that are vital for us to sources and not the best way to keep from California, I would not compare a maintain not only peace and stability the American people safe. staff delegation trip to the valiant in the region but also at home. I strongly support this resolution. forces of our armed services who are Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I fighting overseas. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from b 1240 I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the Texas (Mr. CONAWAY), a member of the Mr. KUCINICH. I reserve the balance gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Armed Services, Intelligence, Agri- of my time. COFFMAN), a member of the Armed culture, and Ethics Committees. Mr. BERMAN. I reserve the balance Services Committee, a combat veteran Mr. CONAWAY. I thank the gentle- of my time. of the first gulf war, who served again woman. Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 in Iraq 5 years ago with the United We have to get this right. I rise in op- minutes to the gentleman from Cali- States Marine Corps. position to this motion. I use that fornia (Mr. ROHRABACHER). Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. I thank phrase, it comes from David Petraeus’ Mr. ROHRABACHER. I rise in sup- the gentlewoman from Florida, and I testimony in the last 2 days in front of port of the resolution, and again with thank the gentleman from Ohio for the House Armed Services Committee. great respect and concern for those bringing this resolution forward, and I He tells a poignant story about a great people who we are sending over- reluctantly rise in opposition to it. black day in Iraq when he was com- seas to defend us. If we don’t think I volunteered to serve in Iraq not be- mander of the 101st in which two heli- they can succeed, it is incumbent upon cause I believed that invading, paci- copters collided midair and 17 troops us to bring them home as soon as pos- fying, and administering the country were killed. Really, one of his darkest sible. was the right course of action, but I be- days. And in the emotions of all of that I was not in the United States mili- lieved that once we had made the com- and the trauma and the fight to move tary in Afghanistan, but I did partici- mitment that we had to follow it forward, a young PFC came up to this pate in a battle in Afghanistan when through and bring it to a reasonable two-star general, which is pretty odd, the Russians were there. I went in with and just conclusion. and he said: General, I know of 17 rea- the Mujahideen unit and fought in the In Afghanistan, I think that what sons why we have to get this right. Battle of Jalalabad in 1988. I got to this Nation first did was great: That we That analogy can be spread across all know these people of Afghanistan. For- were attacked on 9/11. The Taliban con- of the lives lost, all of the grievous in- eign troops will never conquer the peo- trolled much of the country and gave juries that we have suffered in this war ple of Afghanistan. safe harbor to al Qaeda, and we gave over the last 10 years in Afghanistan. And, yes, radicalized Islams did mur- air, logistical, and advisory support to We have to get this right. And this der Americans on 9/11. By the way, the anti-Taliban forces in the country emotion that they have brought for- most of them were Saudis. Most all of and they pushed the Taliban out. ward is not remotely going to get it them who hijacked the planes were We made a wrong turn after that, by right. Whatever your position is, this is Saudis. And Saudi Arabia still has the forcing the victors on the ground aside not the right thing to do. We should radical Islamic tenets that we are talk- instead of using our leverage to have not do this. ing about that supposedly brought us them reach out to the Pashtun ele- These conversations have con- into this battle. ments of the country, and we super- sequences. They are heard around the We will not succeed if we are plan- imposed a political process on them world. And while the other side, the ning to force the Afghan people to ac- that doesn’t fit the political culture of folks who will vote for this, the folks cept the centralized government that the country, a government that is who brought this forward have a right our State Department has foisted upon mired in corruption and has little ca- to do this and, in their mind, perhaps them. All we are going to do is lose pacity to govern outside of Kabul. I be- an obligation to do this, to have this more people. All we are going to do is lieve it is wrong to use conventional conversation, these conversations af- have more wounded people and more of forces against an irregular force that fect the men and women in the fight. our military sent over there, because make our military vulnerable to asym- And for us to stand here over and over that is what they are telling us is the metric capability. But we have secu- to tell them that they cannot win, that method of getting out. To get out, we rity interests in Afghanistan that we they cannot make this happen, is irre- have to have Karzai accepted. must accept. sponsible on our part. We have foisted on them the most We need to make sure that the David Petraeus is the man who centralized system of government that Taliban doesn’t take over the country knows more about what is going on on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.066 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 the ground in Afghanistan today than [From The National Interest, Mar. 9, 2011] pect of turning the Pakistanis. This is the anybody walking the face of the Earth. PULLING A FAST ONE IN AFGHANISTAN crucial other piece in the puzzle. Nearly ev- And, Mr. Speaker, in all deference to (By Christopher A. Preble) eryone in the meeting agreed that the un- willingness of the Pakistanis to cooperate the fellows who served 20 years ago I have just returned from a discussion of with the United States had allowed a safe U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan there in whatever capacity, that was 20 haven to be created in North Waziristan and hosted by the Foundation for the Defense of years ago. Today, David Petraeus says elsewhere along the AfPak border. Most in Democracies. The meeting of 25 or so jour- the strategy is correct. We have got the meeting admitted that Pakistan’s inter- nalists, think tankers, and current and the inputs correct. We are moving for- ests in Afghanistan did not always align former government officials featured intro- ward, and we can make the cir- with our own. None had an answer for deci- ductory remarks by Gilles Dorronsoro, vis- sively changing this calculus, but some cumstances to get the end results that iting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment, agreed with Roggio that evidence of progress we want in which the Afghan people and FDD’s Bill Roggio. FDD President, Cliff in Afghanistan—combined with a credible are in charge of Afghanistan and re- May, moderated the session. The meeting commitment on the part of the U.S. to re- sponsible for Afghanistan security. was officially on the record, but I’m relying main for the long-haul—would convince the solely on my hand-written notes, so I won’t This resolution is incorrect. It will Pakistanis to side with the Americans. not get it right, and I strongly urge a quote the other attendees directly. If you’re reading carefully, you can see a ‘‘no’’ vote on this resolution. I would characterize the general mood as circular logic here, brilliantly encapsulated Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I grim. A few attendees pointed to the killing by Dorronsoro. I paraphrase: We cannot win yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from of a number of Taliban figures in both Af- Afghanistan without turning Pakistan, but ghanistan and Pakistan, and reports of Texas, Judge POE, vice chair of the we cannot turn the Pakistanis without warn- progress in Marja and the rest of Helmand ing in Afghanistan. It is no wonder that one Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Over- province as evidence of progress. These sight and Investigation. attendee declared herself growing increas- gains, one speaker maintained, were sustain- ingly depressed as the meeting wore on. Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentle- able and would not necessarily slip in the woman for yielding. event that U.S. forces are directed where I would like to insert into the War is expensive; and it should not be elsewhere. RECORD an article from Cato-at-Lib- measured in the cost of money, which Dorronsoro disputed these assertions. He erty’s Web site entitled America’s has been, really, the discussion today. I judged that the situation today is worse than Aimless Absurdity in Afghanistan. it was a year ago, before the surge of 30,000 have the greatest respect for Mr. JONES AMERICA’S ‘AIMLESS ABSURDITY’ IN additional troops. The killing of individual AFGHANISTAN and Mr. ROHRABACHER and you, too, Taliban leaders, or foot-soldiers, was also ac- (Posted By Malou Innocent On March 7, 2011) Mr. KUCINICH, but this is an important companied by the inadvertent killing of in- issue before us. nocent bystanders, including most recent Rasmussen reports that 52% of Americans Today, as we are here in the House of nine children. So there is always the danger want U.S. troops home from Afghanistan Representatives, Mark Wells is being that even targeted strikes based on timely, within a year, up from 43% last fall. Of buried. He was killed on March 5, rep- credible intelligence, will over the long term course, polls are ephemeral snapshots of pub- resenting us in Afghanistan. He had replace one dead Talib with two or four or lic opinion that can fluctuate with the pre- eight of his sons, brothers, cousins, and vailing political winds; nonetheless, it does been to Iraq. And, yes, he is of Irish appear that more Americans are slowly com- heritage, so his family decided, ‘‘We tribesman. How many people have said ‘‘We can’t kill our way to victory’’? ing to realize the ‘‘aimless absurdity’’ of our want to have his service on St. Pat- For Dorronsoro, the crucial metric is secu- nation-building project in Central Asia. rick’s Day.’’ rity, no number of bad guys and suspected Earlier today, former Republican senator I talked to his father, Burl, earlier bad guys killed. And, given that he can’t Judd Gregg of New Hampshire said on this week. And Burl is proud of his drive to places that he freely visited two or MSNBC’s ‘‘Morning Joe’’: ‘‘I don’t think we son’s service, and he is proud of Amer- three years ago, he judges that security in can afford Afghanistan much longer.’’ He ica’s service in Afghanistan. And Burl the country has gotten worse, not better. continued: ‘‘The simple fact is that it’s cost- ing us. Good people are losing their lives told me, he said: ‘‘Congressman POE, it Many U.S. and Western troops cannot leave their bases without encountering IEDs or there, and we’re losing huge amounts of re- is my fear that there are dark days sources there.... So I think we should have ahead for America because we may not more coordinated attacks from insurgents. U.S. and NATO forces don’t control terri- a timeframe for getting out of Afghanistan, choose to persevere.’’ tory, and there is little reason to think that and it should be shorter rather than longer.’’ And what I believe he meant by that they can. Effective counterinsurgencies Gregg is absolutely right. It is well past was that his son and others who have (COIN) are waged by a credible local partner, time to bring this long war to a swift end. died for this country, died for that con- a government that commands the respect Yet Gregg’s comments also reflect a growing cept of freedom, people that live after and authority of its citizens. That obviously bipartisan realization that prolonging our land war in Asia is weakening our country them, our soldiers that are over there, doesn’t exist in Afghanistan. The Afghan mi- litia, supposedly the key to long-term suc- militarily and economically. and we who make decisions, may not To politicians of any stripe, the costs on cess, is completely ineffective. persevere and finish this war. paper of staying in Afghanistan are jarring. Secretary Gates asserted on Monday that War is hard. It is expensive. And Pentagon officials told the House Defense the draw down of U.S. troops would begin as Appropriations Subcommittee that it costs America never quits, and America scheduled this July, although, as the Wash- an average of $400 per gallon of fuel for the should never quit in this war. ington Post’s Greg Jaffe writes, ‘‘he cau- aircraft and combat vehicles operating in Our enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan tioned that any reductions in U.S. forces land-locked Afghanistan. The U.S. Agency have always had the policy and philos- would likely be small and that a significant for International Development has spent ophy: America will get weary. Ameri- U.S. force will remain in combat for the rest more than $7.8 billion on Afghanistan recon- of 2011.’’ NATO remains committed to 2014 as cans will quit. They don’t have the struction since 2001, including building and the date to hand over security to the Afghan stomach for it. refurbishing 680 schools and training thou- government. Whether the United States re- sands of civil servants. Walter Pincus, of The b 1250 tains a long-term presence in the country is Washington Post, reported that the Army We need to send a message to them the subject of much speculation. For the people from FDD, it shouldn’t be. Corps of Engineers spent $4 billion last year and the rest of the world and to our on 720 miles of roads to transport troops in troops that are on the front lines in Af- Roggio stressed that the problem with U.S. strategy is that Americans were looking for and around the war-ravaged country. It will ghanistan today that we support them an exit, when we should be making a long- spend another $4 to $6 billion this year, for and we will not get weary, we will not term commitment to Afghanistan. May con- 250 more miles. War should no longer be a left-right issue. quit, we will not give in or give up just curred. When I asked them to clarify how It’s a question of scarce resources and lim- because this war has been long and long term, both demurred (Roggio said ‘‘a iting the power of government. Opposition to decade or more’’ but didn’t elaborate). I also hard. the war in Afghanistan can no longer be inquired about the resources that would be And that’s just the way it is. swept under the carpet or dismissed as an required to constitute ‘‘commitment’’. Given Mr. KUCINICH. I would like to put issue owned by peaceniks and pacifists, espe- that we have over 100,000 troops on the into the RECORD an article from the cially when our men and women in uniform ground, and that we will spend over $100 bil- National Interest which states that are being deployed to prop up a regime Wash- lion in Afghanistan in this year alone, how ington doesn’t trust, for goals our president many U.S. and western troops cannot much more of a commitment would they find can’t define. leave their bases without encountering acceptable? Again, no definitive answer. IEDs or more coordinated attacks from Roggio did claim, however, that a long- I would like to put into the RECORD insurgents. term commitment would increase the pros- an article from Truthdig posted on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.068 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1941 AlterNet entitled Afghanistan: Ob- The campaign in the outskirts of Kandahar TomDispatch offers the first actual count of scenely Well-Funded but Largely Un- had been modeled on last winter’s attack on American, NATO, and other coalition bases successful War Rages on Out of Sight the farming area of Marjah in Helmand Prov- there, as well as facilities used by the Af- of the American Public. ince. Marjah was a demonstration project, ghan security forces. Such bases range from intended to show that the U.S., NATO and relatively small sites like Shinwar to mega- [From AlterNet, Nov. 18, 2010] Afghanistan security forces could ‘‘take, bases that resemble small American towns. AFGHANISTAN: OBSCENELY WELL-FUNDED, BUT clear, hold and build.’’ Today, according to official sources, approxi- LARGELY UNSUCCESSFUL WAR RAGES ON Petraeus’ counterinsurgency doctrine de- mately 700 bases of every size dot the Afghan OUT OF SIGHT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC pends on taking territory away from the in- countryside, and more, like the one in (By Juan Cole) surgents, clearing it of guerrillas, holding it Shinwar, are under construction or soon will Not only is it unclear that the U.S. and for the medium term to keep the Taliban be as part of a base-building boom that NATO are winning their war in Afghanistan, from returning and to reassure local leaders began last year. the lack of support for their effort by the Af- that they need not fear reprisals for ‘‘col- Existing in the shadows, rarely reported on ghanistan president himself has driven the laborating,’’ and then building up services and little talked about, this base-building American commander to the brink of res- and security for the long term to ensure that program is nonetheless staggering in size ignation. In response to complaints from his the insurgents can never again return and and scope, and heavily dependent on supplies constituents, Afghanistan’s mercurial Presi- dominate the area. But all these months imported from abroad, which means that it dent Hamid Karzai called Sunday for Amer- later, the insurgents still have not been is also extraordinarily expensive. It has ican troops to scale back their military oper- cleared from Marjah, which is a site of fre- added significantly to the already long se- ations. The supposed ally of the U.S., who quent gun fights between over-stretched Ma- cret list of Pentagon property overseas and only last spring petulantly threatened to rines and Taliban. raises questions about just how long, after join the Taliban, astonished Washington There is no early prospect of Afghan army the planned beginning of a drawdown of with this new outburst, which prompted a troops holding the area, or of building effec- American forces in 2011, the U.S. will still be warning from Gen. David Petraeus that the tive institutions in the face of constant snip- garrisoning Afghanistan. president was making Petraeus’ position ing and bombing. Marjah is only 18 square ‘‘untenable,’’ which some speculated might miles. Afghanistan is more than 251,000 400 FOREIGN BASES IN AFGHANISTAN be a threat to resign. square miles. If Marjah is the model for the Colonel Wayne Shanks, a spokesman for During the past two months, the U.S. mili- campaign in the outskirts of Kandahar, then the U.S.-led International Security Assist- tary has fought a major campaign in the en- the latter will be a long, hard slog. Kandahar ance Force (ISAF), tells TomDispatch that virons of the southern Pashtun city of is even more complicated, since the labyrin- there are, at present, nearly 400 U.S. and coa- Kandahar, launching night raids and at- thine alleyways of the city and its hundreds lition bases in Afghanistan, including camps, tempting to push insurgents out of the or- of thousands of inhabitants offer insurgents forward operating bases, and combat out- chards and farms to the east of the metropo- new sorts of cover when they are displaced posts. In addition, there are at least 300 Af- lis. Many local farmers were displaced, los- there from the countryside. ghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Na- ing their crops in the midst of the violence, Counterinsurgency requires an Afghan tional Police (ANP) bases, most of them and forced to become day laborers in the partner, but all along the spectrum of Af- built, maintained, or supported by the U.S. A slums of Kandahar. Presumably these ghan institutions, the U.S. and NATO are small number of the coalition sites are Pashtun clans who found themselves in the seeking in vain for the ‘‘government in a mega-bases like Kandahar Airfield, which crossfire between the Taliban and the U.S. box’’ once promised by Gen. Stanley boasts one of the busiest runways in the put pressure on Karzai to call a halt to the McChrystal. The people in the key provinces operation. world, and Bagram Air Base, a former Soviet of Helmand and Kandahar are largely hostile facility that received a makeover, complete That there has been heavy fighting in Af- to U.S. and NATO troops, seeing them as dis- ghanistan this fall would come as a surprise with Burger King and Popeyes outlets, and respecting their traditions and as offering no now serves more than 20,000 U.S. troops, in to most Americans, who have seen little protection from violence. They see cooper- news on their televisions about the war. Var- addition to thousands of coalition forces and ating with the U.S. as collaboration and civilian contractors. ious websites noted that 10 NATO troops want Mullah Omar of the Taliban to join the In fact, Kandahar, which housed 9,000 coa- were killed this past Saturday and Sunday government. alone, five of them in a single battle, but it lition troops as recently as 2007, is expected Although the U.S. and NATO have spent was hardly front page news, and got little or to have a population of as many as 35,000 $27 billion on training Afghan troops, only 12 no television coverage. troops by the time President Obama’s surge percent of them can operate independently. The midterm campaign circus took the is complete, according to Colonel Kevin Wil- Karzai and his circle are extremely corrupt, focus off of foreign affairs in favor of witches son who oversees building efforts in the taking millions in cash payments from Iran in Newark and eyes of Newt in Georgia. Dis- southern half of Afghanistan for the U.S. and looting a major bank for unsecured tant Kandahar was reduced to an invisible Army Corps of Engineers. On the other hand, loans, allowing the purchase of opulent villas battle in an unseen war, largely unreported the Shinwar site, according to Sgt. Tracy J. in fashionable Dubai. It is no wonder that in America’s mass media, as though it were Smith of the U.S. 48th Infantry Brigade Petraeus is at the end of his rope. The only irrelevant to the big campaign issues—of Combat Team, will be a small forward oper- question is why the Obama administration is deficits and spending, of taxes and public ating base (FOB) that will host both Afghan not, and how long it will hold to the myth of welfare. Since it was President Obama’s of- troops and foreign forces. counterinsurgency. fensive, Democrats could not run against it. Last fall, it was reported that more than Since it is billed as key to U.S. security, Re- I would like to put into the RECORD $200 million in construction projects—from publicans were not interested in running an article published on AlterNet titled barracks to cargo storage facilities—were against it. Kandahar, city of pomegranates Totally Occupied: 700 Military Bases planned for or in-progress at Bagram. Sub- and car bombs, of poppies and government Spread Across Afghanistan, by Nick stantial construction funds have also been cartels, lacked a partisan implication, and so set aside by the U.S. Air Force to upgrade its no one spoke of it. Turse at TomDispatch.com. air power capacity at Kandahar. For exam- In fact, the war is costing on the order of [From AlterNet, Posted on February 10, 2010, ple, $65 million has been allocated to build $7 billion a month, a sum that is still being Printed on March 17, 2011] additional apron space (where aircraft can be borrowed and adding nearly $100 billion a TOTALLY OCCUPIED: 700 MILITARY BASES parked, serviced, and loaded or unloaded) to year to the already-burgeoning national SPREAD ACROSS AFGHANISTAN accommodate more close-air support for sol- debt. Yet in all the talk in all the campaigns (By Nick Turse, Tomdispatch.com) diers in the field and a greater intelligence, in the hustings about the dangers of the fed- surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. eral budget deficit, hardly any candidates In the nineteenth century, it was a fort Another $61 million has also been earmarked fingered the war as economically used by British forces. In the twentieth cen- unsustainable. tury, Soviet troops moved into the crum- for the construction of a cargo helicopter The American public cannot have a debate bling facilities. In December 2009, at this site apron and a tactical airlift apron there. on the war if it is not even mentioned in pub- in the Shinwar district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar is just one of many sites cur- lic. The extreme invisibility of the Afghani- Nangarhar Province, U.S. troops joined rently being upgraded. Exact figures on the stan war is apparent from a Lexis Nexis members of the Afghan National Army in number of facilities being enlarged, im- search I did for ‘‘Kandahar’’ (again, the site preparing the way for the next round of for- proved, or hardened are unavailable but, ac- of a major military campaign) for the period eign occupation. On its grounds, a new mili- cording a spokesman for ISAF, the military from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. I got only a few tary base is expected to rise, one of hundreds plans to expand several more bases to accom- dozen hits, from all American news sources of camps and outposts scattered across the modate the increase of troops as part of Af- (National Public Radio was among the few country. ghan War commander Stanley McChrystal’s media outlets that devoted substantial Nearly a decade after the Bush administra- surge strategy. In addition, at least 12 more airtime to the campaign). tion launched its invasion of Afghanistan, bases are slated to be built to help handle

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:16 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.073 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1942 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 the 30,000 extra American troops and thou- medical, pharmacy and command post tent still nearly 300 American bases and outposts. sands of NATO forces beginning to arrive in occupied the center of the COP, complete Similarly, U.S. bases in Afghanistan—a sig- the country. with a few computers with internet access nificant percentage of the 400 foreign sites ‘‘Currently we have over $3 billion worth of and three primitive operating tables. Show- scattered across the country—are noticeably work going on in Afghanistan,’’ says Colonel ers had just been installed with hot [water] absent from the Pentagon inventory. Wilson, ‘‘and probably by the summer, when . . . only available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Counting the remaining bases in Iraq—as the dust settles from all the uplift, we’ll 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. . . . many as 50 are slated to be operating after have about $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion worth of ‘‘An MWR [Morale, Welfare and Recre- President Barack Obama’s August 31, 2010, that [in the South].’’ By comparison, be- ation] tent was erected on Thanksgiving Day deadline to remove all U.S. ‘‘combat troops’’ tween 2002 and 2008, the Army Corps of Engi- with an operating television; however, the from the country—and those in Afghanistan, neers spent more than $4.5 billion on con- tent was rarely used due to the cold. Most of as well as black sites like Al-Udeid, the total struction projects, most of it base-building, the troops used a tent with gym equipment number of U.S. bases overseas now must sig- in Afghanistan. for recreation . . . A cook trailer provided a nificantly exceed 1,000. Just exactly how At the site of the future FOB in Shinwar, hot simple breakfast and supper. Lunch was many U.S. military bases (and allied facili- more than 135 private construction contrac- MREs [meals ready to eat]. Nights were ties used by U.S. forces) are scattered across tors attended what was termed an ‘‘Afghan- pitch black with no outside lighting from the the globe may never be publicly known. Coalition contractors rodeo.’’ According to base or the city.’’ What we do know—from the experience of Lieutenant Fernando Roach, a contracting WHAT MAKES A BASE? bases in Germany, Italy, Japan, and South officer with the U.S. Army’s Task Force According to an official site assessment, Korea—is that, once built, they have a tend- Mountain Warrior, the event was designed future construction at the Khost Farang Dis- ency toward permanency that a cessation of ‘‘to give potential contractors a trict police headquarters will make use of hostilities, or even outright peace, has a way walkthrough of the area so they’ll have a sand, gravel, and stone, all available on the of not altering. solid overview of the scope of work.’’ The spot. Additionally, cement, steel, bricks, After nearly a decade of war, close to 700 construction firms then bid on three sepa- lime, and gypsum have been located for pur- U.S., allied, and Afghan military bases dot rate projects: the renovation of the more chase in Pol-e Khomri City, about 85 miles Afghanistan. Until now, however, they have than 30-year old Soviet facilities, the build- away. existed as black sites known to few Ameri- ing of new living quarters for Afghan and co- Constructing a base for American troops, cans outside the Pentagon. It remains to be alition forces, and the construction of a two- however, is another matter. For the far less seen, a decade into the future, how many of kilometer wall for the base. modest American needs of American troops, these sites will still be occupied by U.S. and In the weeks since the ‘‘rodeo,’’ the U.S. builders rely heavily on goods imported over allied troops and whose flag will be planted Army has announced additional plans to up- extremely long, difficult to traverse, and on the ever-shifting British-Soviet-U.S./Af- grade facilities at other forward operating sometimes embattled supply lines, all of ghan site at Shinwar. bases. At FOB Airborne, located near Kane- which adds up to an extraordinarily costly affair. ‘‘Our business runs on materials,’’ General Petraeus and others in the Ezzat in Wardak Province, for instance, the administration continue their PR cam- Army intends to put in reinforced concrete Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp, bunkers and blast protection barriers as well commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, paign. Overwhelming evidence is prov- as lay concrete foundations for Re-Locatable told an audience at a town hall meeting in ing their upbeat assessments of our Buildings (prefabricated, trailer-like struc- Afghanistan in December 2009. ‘‘You have to strategy is false. A recent article by tures used for living and working quarters). bring in the lumber, you have to bring in the the Los Angeles Times cited a report Similar work is also scheduled for FOB steel, you have to bring in the containers released by the Foreign Affairs Com- Altimur, an Army camp in Logar Province. and all that. Transport isn’t easy in this country—number one, the roads themselves, mittee and the British Parliament that THE AFGHAN BASE BOOM number two, coming through other countries concluded that ‘‘despite the optimistic Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- to get here—there are just huge challenges appraisals we heard from some mili- neers, Afghanistan District-Kabul, an- in getting the materials here.’’ tary and official sources, the security nounced that it would be seeking bids on To facilitate U.S. base construction situation across Afghanistan as a ‘‘site assessments’’ for Afghan National Se- projects, a new ‘‘virtual storefront’’—an on- whole is deteriorating. Counterinsur- curity Forces District Headquarters Facili- line shopping portal—has been launched by gency efforts in the south and east ties nationwide. The precise number of Af- the Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency ghan bases scattered throughout the country (DLA). The Maintenance, Repair and Oper- have allowed the Taliban to expand its is unclear. ations Uzbekistan Virtual Storefront website presence and control in other pre- When asked by TomDispatch, Colonel and a defense contractor-owned and operated viously relatively stable areas in Af- Radmanish of the Afghan Ministry of De- brick-and-mortar warehouse facility that ghanistan.’’ fense would state only that major bases were supports it aim to provide regionally-pro- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the located in Kabul, Pakteya, Kandahar, Herat, duced construction materials to speed surge- gentleman from New York, Mr. and Mazar-e-Sharif, and that ANA units op- accelerated building efforts. CHARLES RANGEL. erate all across Afghanistan. Recent U.S. From a facility located in Termez, Army contracts for maintenance services Uzbekistan, cement, concrete, fencing, roof- (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given provided to Afghan army and police bases, ing, rope, sand, steel, gutters, pipe, and other permission to revise and extend his re- however, suggest that there are no fewer construction material manufactured in marks.) than 300 such facilities that are, according to countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mr. RANGEL. This afternoon some- an ISAF spokesman, not counted among the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and time, I will reintroduce my bill calling coalition base inventory. Turkmenistan can be rushed to nearby Af- for a mandatory draft, making certain As opposed to America’s fast-food-fran- ghanistan to accelerate base-building efforts. that every young person has an oppor- ‘‘Having the products closer to the fight will chise-filled bases, Afghan ones are often de- tunity one way or the other to serve cidedly more rustic affairs. The police head- make it easier for warfighters by reducing quarters in Khost Farang District, Baghlan logistics response and delivery time,’’ says this great nation of ours, whether Province, is a good example. According to a Chet Evanitsky, the DLA’s construction and we’re talking about in our schools, our detailed site assessment conducted by a local equipment supply chain division chief. hospitals, or just to provide some pub- contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers AMERICA’S SHADOWY BASE WORLD lic service. and the Afghan government, the district The Pentagon’s most recent inventory of But the main part of this bill is that headquarters consists of mud and stone bases lists a total of 716 overseas sites. These the President, when he asked us to de- buildings surrounded by a mud wall. The site include facilities owned and leased all across clare war, or however we get involved even lacks a deep well for water. A trench the Middle East as well as a significant pres- in these things with loss of lives, we’re fed by a nearby spring is the only convenient ence in Europe and Asia, especially Japan going to have these people that come water source. and South Korea. Perhaps even more notable The U.S. bases that most resemble austere than the Pentagon’s impressive public for- to the well and explain how we have to Afghan facilities are combat outposts, also eign property portfolio are the many sites get involved, we have to fight, we can’t known as COPs. Environmental Specialist left off the official inventory. While bases in give up, to see whether or not if their Michael Bell of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Persian Gulf countries of Bahrain, Ku- kids and grandchildren were mandated Afghanistan Engineer District-South’s Real wait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates that they would have to go into these Estate Division, recently described the fa- are all listed, one conspicuously absent site areas and put themselves in harm’s cilities and life on such a base as he and his is Al-Udeid Air Base, a billion-dollar facility way, how soon it will be before we take co-worker, Realty Specialist Damian in nearby Qatar, where the U.S. Air Force se- another look at this. Salazar, saw it in late 2009: cretly oversees its on-going unmanned drone ‘‘COP Sangar . . . is a compound sur- wars. Let me congratulate the gentleman rounded by mud and straw walls. Tents with The count also does not include any sites from Ohio for allowing our priests, our cots supplied the sleeping quarters . . . A in Iraq where, as of August 2009, there were rabbis, our ministers to recognize that

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:16 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.031 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1943 we’re talking about human lives being had the intestinal fortitude to see it Company, commonly referred to as lost because of our concern about oil in through. Sappers, based in Lucedale, Mis- this part of the world. It hasn’t got a This year, we’re going to complete sissippi. They have the most dangerous darn thing to do with our national se- our objectives in Iraq, and the remain- mission in Afghanistan. They were the curity. I just hope and pray that one ing 48,000 troops that are there are ones that cleared routes so that our day we would be able to say we know going to come home. There’s going to men and women in uniform could have we made a mistake and withdraw from be a small contingent, about 150 or so, safe passage. They’re the ones that this type of thing now and for the fu- that are going to move underneath the rooted out the IEDs and the roadside ture of this great country. Embassy, but we will have completed bombs. And I’m happy to say they Thank you for this opportunity. our objectives and Iraq will be stable came back 100 percent, with one Mr. BERMAN. I reserve the balance and friendly. wounded warrior, but they did their of my time. Now, Afghanistan is different from mission. Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve Iraq, but our approach should be simi- While they were obviously overjoyed the balance of my time. lar. The surge has accomplished its pri- to see their loved ones again, the sol- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I mary aim, to seize the initiative from diers I spoke with were good to go with am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the the Taliban. But now we need to finish that mission and what they had accom- gentleman from Maryland (Mr. BART- the job of building out the institution, plished. They fully understand that LETT), the chairman of the Armed the security and the civil institutions. there are those who want to indiscrimi- Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air I’m recently back from Afghanistan, nately kill and maim Americans and and Land Forces. and I had an opportunity to meet the we would rather take the fight to them (Mr. BARTLETT asked and was given leadership there. I feel confident we’ve overseas and abroad instead of having permission to revise and extend his re- got the right plan going forward. And I them come to our backyard, to our marks.) support the President’s plan, the Presi- schools and our playgrounds. Mr. BARTLETT. Thank you very dent’s plan to begin withdrawal this b 1300 much for yielding. year and to complete combat oper- If our only reason for being in Af- ations by 2014, because I believe this Just yesterday, I had the chance to ghanistan was to deny sanctuary to al plan will stabilize Afghanistan and speak personally with General Qaeda, I probably would have asked help protect our cherished way of life, Petraeus after his testimony before the time from the gentleman from Ohio preventing al Qaeda from regaining House Armed Services Committee. and be speaking from the other side, sanctuary. Again, as a Marine veteran of the Per- because when we are successful in Af- Now going forward, I think we need sian Gulf war and currently serving in ghanistan, that will not have denied to learn from these experiences. Some the Mississippi National Guard, I know sanctuary to al Qaeda because they comments were made here earlier firsthand what good military com- will simply go over into Pakistan. If about us, whether or not we’re a Re- mands look like, and General Petraeus not there, they’ll go to Yemen and So- public or an empire. I share those con- is a great leader, a professional soldier, malia. If we leave Afghanistan now or cerns and those sentiments. We’re a and someone whose opinion I respect if we leave Afghanistan before victory Republic, and we need to learn from very much. in Afghanistan, we will have sent a these experiences. But we need to see Based on this resolution, his quote message to the world that their sus- this through. We need to stand with was, ‘‘The Taliban and al Qaeda obvi- picions are really true, that all you our Commander in Chief. We need to ously would trumpet this as a victory, have to do to the United States is stand with our troops. Complete this as a success. Needless to say, it would make it tough for them and they will task. completely undermine everything that pull out. We did it in Beirut. We did it And then finally let me say that I our troopers have fought and sacrificed in Somalia. It is absolutely essential join all today on both sides of the aisle so much for.’’ that we win here, or our credibility is who honor our service men and women Mr. Speaker, Congress’ constitu- gone forever as a major player in geo- who have fell in the line of battle. We tional responsibility is to ensure that political things in the world. pray for their souls. We pray for their the courageous men and women in our A second good reason for staying in families. We remember those wounded armed services have the tools and Afghanistan is that if we can have a in battle, those who bear physical equipment and training to do their job fledgling democracy there, that will scars. Those who bear no physical scars and come home safely to their family. send a very powerful message to the who are emotionally scarred, we pray Our warfighters don’t need armchair Middle East from which most of the for them. We honor them. generals in this Congress arbitrarily world’s oil comes. There is a lot of up- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The dictating terms that will cause irrep- heaval there, and a stable democracy time of the gentleman has expired. arable harm to them and to the na- in Afghanistan would be enormously Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gen- tional security of this country. important. tleman an additional 30 seconds. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Beyond denying sanctuary to al Mr. GIBSON. And let me say this: resolution. Qaeda, there are very good reasons for That going forward, that this body, Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, may I staying in Afghanistan until we have whether it be this issue or any issue, inquire how much time is remaining victory. Our young people there are that this body and that this country for each individual. doing an incredible job. I just came shall be worthy of the sacrifices of our The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- from there a bit over a week ago. We service men and women. tleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) has can succeed there, and I think we must Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 53⁄4 minutes remaining; the gentle- succeed for the two reasons I men- am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- tioned. gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. LEHTINEN) has 31⁄2 minutes remaining; Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I PALAZZO), a member of the Armed the gentleman from California (Mr. am honored to yield 2 minutes to the Services Committee and a Marine vet- BERMAN) has 91⁄2 minutes remaining; gentleman from New York (Mr. GIB- eran of the first gulf war who continues and the gentleman from North Caro- SON), a member of the Armed Services to serve with the Army National lina (Mr. JONES) has 5 minutes remain- Committee and a decorated combat Guard. ing. veteran who ended his 24-year military Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, the res- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield career as a colonel in the United States olution proposed by my colleague from myself 30 seconds. Army. Ohio does a disservice to the men and Mr. Speaker, spending on the Afghan- Mr. GIBSON. I thank the lady. women who have courageously de- istan war is rising at an accelerating Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- fended our country from our enemies in rate. Over just 3 years, in a period of 3 tion to the resolution. I served in Iraq Afghanistan. This past weekend I had years—2010, 2011, and 2012—we will when it was hard and unpopular, and I the distinct pleasure and honor of wel- spend 45 percent more on the war in Af- thank God that I live in a country that coming home the 287th Engineering ghanistan than we did in the preceding

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:16 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.075 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 8 years, $336.9 billion versus $231.2 bil- illiterate, and undisciplined. The South nantly Muslim countries. That is not lion. This is an example of out-of-con- Vietnamese soldiers were much better to justify what they do, but it is to trol Federal spending. trained, and they could not stem the clarify the condition that we have in If Congress is serious about being fis- tide.’’ Afghanistan. cally responsible and about cutting the He further states, ‘‘What is the end For how long are we going to con- Federal budget by three figures, then state we are looking to achieve? What tinue to dedicate hundreds of billions cutting spending on the out-of-control are the measures of effectiveness? of dollars and thousands of lives before $100 billion-a-year war in Afghanistan What is our exit strategy? Same old we realize we can’t win Afghanistan must be a serious consideration. This questions, no answers.’’ militarily? legislation, House Concurrent Resolu- He closed by saying this: ‘‘What do At the end of the year, the adminis- tion 28, gives those who are concerned we say to the mother and father, the tration and U.S. military leaders were about the costs of this war an oppor- wife, of the last Marine killed to sup- touting peace talks to end the war with tunity finally to have a choice. port a corrupt government and a cor- high-level Taliban leaders. These I reserve the balance of my time. rupt leader in a war that cannot be Taliban leaders turned out to be fake. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Who won?’’ A November 2010 article in The New seeks recognition? I reserve the balance of my time. York Times detailed joint U.S. and Af- The Chair will recognize Members for Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, if ghan negotiations with Mullah Akhtar closing speeches in the reverse order of I could ask my good friend the gen- Muhammad Mansour, a man the U.S. opening. That is, the gentleman from tleman from California if he would claimed was one of the most senior North Carolina, the gentleman from yield 2 minutes of his time to me. commanders in the Taliban. According California, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would to the New York Times, ‘‘the episode and finally the gentlewoman from like to ask unanimous consent to yield underscores the uncertain and even bi- Florida. 2 minutes of my remaining time to my zarre nature of the atmosphere in PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES chairman, the gentlewoman from Flor- which Afghan and American leaders Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I have a ida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN). search for ways to bring the American- parliamentary inquiry. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there led war to an end. The leaders of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- objection to the request of the gen- Taliban are believed to be hiding in tleman will state it. tleman from California? Pakistan, possibly with assistance of Mr. KUCINICH. Is it the province of There was no objection. the Pakistani government, which re- the Chair to determine that closing The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ceives billions of dollars in U.S. aid.’’ statements are in order? tlewoman from Florida may control How can we claim that a cornerstone The SPEAKER pro tempore. Recogni- that time. of our counterinsurgency strategy is to tion is in the discretion of the Chair. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, take out Taliban strongholds across Mr. KUCINICH. Further parliamen- how much would I have, then, to close? the country while at the same time tary inquiry. Does the Chair have the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- conducting negotiations with the right to determine that closing state- tlewoman from Florida has 51⁄2 minutes Taliban in an effort to end the war? ments are the order of business here? remaining. This episode further underlies the The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I reserve the significant weakness in our strategy. custom of the House for the Chair to balance of my time. We think we can separate the Taliban recognize Members in the reverse order The SPEAKER pro tempore. Who from the rest the Afghan population. of their opening statements to make seeks recognition? Our counterinsurgency strategy fails their closing statements. Seeing none, we will proceed with the to recognize a basic principle: Occupa- Mr. KUCINICH. Further parliamen- closing statements in the reverse order tions fuel insurgencies. Occupations tary inquiry. Does the Chair have the of the opening statements. fuel insurgencies. Occupations fuel ability to direct individual Members First, the gentleman from North insurgencies. that they are to give their closing Carolina. The Taliban is a local resistance statements? Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, how much movement that is part and parcel of The SPEAKER pro tempore. A Mem- time do I have remaining? the indigenous population. ber may yield his last amount of time The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- to another Member at his discretion. tleman from North Carolina has 31⁄2 b 1310 The Chair recognizes the gentleman minutes remaining. from North Carolina. Mr. JONES. I yield the balance of my We lost the Vietnam war because we Mr. JONES. I yield myself 3 minutes. time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. failed to win the hearts and minds of Mr. Speaker, first I would like to say KUCINICH). the local population. Without pro- to every Member that has been on the Mr. KUCINICH. The 2001 authoriza- viding them with a competent govern- floor that served in our military, thank tion of military force and the justifica- ment that provided them with basic se- you and God bless you, as I say all the tion for our continued military pres- curity and a decent living, we’re com- time to those who are overseas for this ence in Afghanistan is that the Taliban mitting the same mistake in Afghani- country. in the past provided a safe haven for al stan. Because I did not serve, I sought out Qaeda or could do so again in the fu- News reports indicate the Taliban is a Marine general that every Marine ture. General Petraeus has already ad- regaining momentum. The increase in that spoke on the floor today, if I said mitted that al Qaeda has little or no civilian casualties due to higher levels his name—but I don’t have permis- presence in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda is an of violence by insurgents further un- sion—they would salute him. They international organization, and, yes, dermines the assurances of progress. As know him. they are a threat to America. The we send more troops into the country Let me share with you what this Ma- Taliban is only a threat to us as long and kill innocent civilians with errant rine general said to me back in Novem- as we continue our military occupation air strikes, the Taliban gains more sup- ber when I told him I read an article in in Afghanistan. port as resistors of foreign occupation. The New York Times that an Army After more than 9 years of military If we accept the premise that we can colonel was saying, Oh, the training of occupation of Afghanistan, can we real- never leave Afghanistan until the Afghans is going so well. So I emailed ly continue to claim to be acting in Taliban is eradicated, we’ll be there him. This is a six-point response, and I self-defense? The premise that the forever. am going to read three very quickly: presence of our troops on the ground I would like to insert into the ‘‘Continued belief that we can train keeps us safer at home has been repudi- RECORD an article from The Nation, the Afghan army to be effective in the ated by recent terrorist attacks on the ‘‘America’s Failed War in Afghani- time we have is nonsense. The vast ma- United States, all done by people other stan—No Policy Change Is Going to Af- jority cannot even read. They are peo- than Afghans outraged at continuing fect the Outcome.’’ That’s by Jeremy ple from the villages hooked on drugs, U.S. military occupation of predomi- Scahill.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:16 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.077 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1945 [From The Nation, Mar. 17, 2011] American troops in Afghanistan are not Today on MSNBC, Pentagon spokesperson AMERICA’S FAILED WAR IN AFGHANISTAN—NO clear to the people and therefore Afghans Geoff Morrell continued to insist that U.S. POLICY CHANGE IS GOING TO AFFECT THE call the Americans ‘invaders,’ ’’ says and NATO forces have facilitated safe pas- OUTCOME Muttawakil. ‘‘Democracy is a very new phe- sage for Taliban leaders for reconciliation nomenon in Afghanistan and most people (By Jeremy Scahill) meetings in Kabul. The Taliban maintain don’t know the meaning of democracy. And there have been no meetings. At the end of the NATO summit in Lisbon, now corruption, thieves and fakes have de- The Taliban impostor incident also calls Portugal this weekend, the leadership of the famed democracy. Democracy can’t be im- into question scores of deadly night raids Afghan Taliban issued a statement charac- posed because people will never adopt any that have resulted in the deaths of innocent terizing the alliance’s adoption of a loose value by force.’’ Afghans. Several survivors of night raids re- timeline for a 2014 end to combat operations The U.S. strategy of attempting to force cently told The Nation that they believed as ‘‘good news’’ for Afghans and ‘‘a sign of the Taliban to surrender or engage in nego- they were victims of bad intelligence pro- failure for the American government.’’ At tiations rests almost exclusively on at- vided by other Afghans for money or to set- the summit, President Barack Obama said tempts to decapitate the Taliban leadership. tle personal grudges. that 2011 will begin ‘‘a transition to full Af- While Taliban leaders acknowledge that Contrary to the rhetoric emanating from ghan lead’’ in security operations, while the commanders are regularly killed, they say NATO and Washington, the Taliban are not Taliban declared: ‘‘In the past nine years, the targeted killings are producing more on the ropes and, from their perspective, the invaders could not establish any system radical leaders who are far less likely to ne- would gain nothing from negotiating with of governance in Kabul and they will never gotiate than the older school Taliban leaders the U.S. or NATO. As far as they are con- be able to do so in future.’’ who served in the government of Mullah Mo- cerned, time is on their side. ‘‘The bottom While Obama claimed that the U.S. and its hammed Omar. ‘‘If today Mullah Omar was line for [NATO and the U.S.] is to imme- allies are ‘‘breaking the Taliban’s momen- captured or killed, the fighting will go on,’’ diately implement what they would ulti- tum,’’ the reality on the ground tells a dif- says Zaeef, adding: ‘‘It will be worse for ev- mately have to implement . . . after colossal ferent story. Despite increased Special Oper- eryone if the [current] Taliban leadership casualties,’’ stated the Taliban declaration ations Forces raids and, under Gen. David disappears.’’ after the recent NATO summit. ‘‘They In October, there were a flurry of media re- Petraeus, a return to regular U.S.-led air- should not postpone withdrawal of their strikes, the insurgency in Afghanistan is ports that senior Taliban leaders were nego- tiating with the Karzai government and that forces.’’ spreading and growing stronger. ‘‘By killing Depending on who you ask, the fact that U.S. forces were helping to insure safe pas- Taliban leaders the war will not come to an Gen. Petraeus has brought back the use of sage for the Taliban leaders to come to end,’’ said the Taliban’s former foreign min- heavy U.S. airstrikes and is increasing night ister, Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, in an inter- Kabul. The Taliban passionately refuted those reports, saying they were propaganda raids and other direct actions by Special Op- view at his home in Kabul. ‘‘On the contrary, erations Forces could be seen as a sign of ei- things get worse which will give birth to aimed at dividing the insurgency. Last week the Taliban appeared vindicated on this ther fierce determination to wipe out ‘‘the more leaders.’’ enemy’’ or of desperation to prove the U.S. Former and current Taliban leaders say point as Karzai spoke in markedly modest terms on the issue. He told The Washington and its allies are ‘‘winning.’’ Over the past that they have seen a swelling in the Taliban three months, NATO claims that Special Op- ranks since 9–11. In part, they say, this can Post that three months ago he had met with one or two ‘‘very high’’ level Taliban leaders. erations Forces’ night raids have resulted in be attributed to a widely held perception more than 360 ‘‘insurgent leaders’’ being that the Karzai government is corrupt and He characterized the meeting as ‘‘the ex- change of desires for peace,’’ saying the killed or captured along with 960 ‘‘lower- illegitimate and that Afghans—primarily Taliban ‘‘feel the same as we do here—that level’’ leaders and the capture of more than ethnic Pashtuns—want foreign occupation too many people are suffering for no reason.’’ 2400 ‘‘lower-level’’ fighters. In July, Special forces out. ‘‘We are only fighting to make Update: [On Tuesday, The New York Times Operations Forces averaged 5 raids a night. foreigners leave Afghanistan,’’ a new Taliban reported that NATO and the Afghan govern- Now, according to NATO, they are con- commander in Kunduz told me during my re- ment have held a series of ‘‘secret’’ peace ne- ducting an average of 17. Secretary of State cent trip to the country. ‘‘We don’t want to gotiations with a man who posed as a senior Hillary Clinton called the raids ‘‘intel- fight after the withdrawal of foreigners, but Taliban leader, Mullah Akhtar Muhammad ligence-driven precision operations against as long as there are foreigners, we won’t talk Mansour. A Western diplomat involved in high value insurgents and their networks,’’ to Karzai.’’ the discussions told the Times, ‘‘[W]e gave adding, ‘‘There is no question that they are ‘‘The Americans have very sophisticated him a lot of money.’’ It is unclear who, if having a significant impact on the insurgent technology, but the problem here in Afghani- anyone, the impostor was working for, leadership.’’ stan is they are confronting ideology. I think though the Times speculated that he could The raids undoubtedly have produced ideology is stronger than technology,’’ says have been deployed by Pakistan’s ISI spy scores of successful kill or capture oper- Abdul Salam Zaeef, a former senior member agency or by the Taliban itself. ‘‘The ations, but serious questions abound over the of Mullah Mohammed Omar’s government. Taliban are cleverer than the Americans and NATO definitions of Taliban commanders, ‘‘If I am a Taliban and I’m killed, I’m mar- our own intelligence service,’’ said a senior sub-commanders and foot soldiers. Most sig- tyred, then I’m successful. There are no re- Afghan official who is familiar with the case. nificantly, the raids consistently result in grets for the Taliban. It’s very difficult to ‘‘They are playing games.’’ Last month, the the killing of innocent civilians, a fact that defeat this kind of idea.’’ White House asked the Times to withhold is problematic for NATO and the Karzai gov- But it is not simply a matter of ideology Mansour’s name ‘‘from an article about the ernment. ‘‘A lot of times, yeah, the right versus technology. The Taliban is not one peace talks, expressing concern that the guys would get targeted and the right guys unified body. The Afghan insurgency is talks would be jeopardized—and Mr. would get killed,’’ says Matthew Hoh a fueled by fighters with a wide variety of mo- Mansour’s life put at risk—if his involve- former senior State Department official in tivations. Some are the dedicated jihadists ment were publicized. The Times agreed to Afghanistan who resigned in 2009 in protest of which Zaeef speaks, but others are fight- withhold Mr. Mansour’s name,’’ according to of U.S. war strategy. ‘‘Plenty of other times, ing to defend their land or are seeking re- the paper. the wrong people would get killed. venge for the killing of family members by This incident is significant on a number of Sometimes it would be innocent families.’’ NATO or Afghan forces. While al Qaeda has levels. If true, it underscores the ineffective Hoh, who was the senior U.S. civilian in been almost entirely expelled from Afghani- and inaccurate nature of U.S., NATO and Af- Zabul province, a Taliban stronghold, de- stan, the insurgency still counts a small ghan government intelligence. It also con- scribes night raids as ‘‘a really risky, really number of non-Afghans among its ranks. firms what Taliban leaders have stated pub- violent operation,’’ saying that when Special Bolstering the Taliban’s recruitment efforts licly and to The Nation, namely that it has Operations Forces conduct them, ‘‘We might is the perception in Afghanistan that the not negotiated with the Afghan government get that one guy we’re looking for or we Taliban pays better than NATO or the Af- or NATO and that it will not negotiate un- might kill a bunch of innocent people and ghan army or police. less foreign troops leave Afghanistan. The now make ten more Taliban out of them.’’ The hard reality U.S. officials don’t want fake Mullah Mansour, according to the Hoh describes the current use of U.S. Spe- to discuss is this: the cultural and religious Times, ‘‘did not demand, as the Taliban have cial Operations Forces in Afghanistan as a values of much of the Pashtun population— in the past, a withdrawal of foreign forces or ‘‘tremendous waste of resources,’’ saying, which comprises 25–40 percent of the coun- a Taliban share of the government.’’ ‘‘They are the best strike forces the world’s try—more closely align with those of the In October, a U.S. official said that reports ever known. They’re very well trained, very Taliban than they do with Afghan govern- in U.S. media outlets of senior Taliban nego- well equipped, have a tremendous amount of ment or U.S./NATO forces. The Taliban oper- tiating are propaganda aimed at sowing dis- support, and we’ve got them in Afghanistan ate a shadow government in large swaths of sent among the Taliban leadership. ‘‘This is chasing after mid-level Taliban leaders who the Pashtun areas of the country, complete a psychological operation, plain and simple,’’ are not threatening the United States, who with governors and a court system. In rural the official with firsthand knowledge of the are only fighting us really because we’re in areas, land and property disputes are re- Afghan government’s strategies told the their valley.’’ solved through the Taliban system rather McClatchy news service. ‘‘Exaggerating the In an interview with The Washington Post than the Afghan government, which is wide- significance of it is an effort to sow distrust in mid-November, President Karzai called for ly distrusted. ‘‘The objectives and goal of the within the insurgency.’’ an end to the night raids. ‘‘I don’t like it in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:16 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.037 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1946 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 any manner and the Afghan people don’t like feating the Taliban or forcing them to the All of which makes one wonder why cer- these raids in any manner,’’ Karzai said. ‘‘We negotiations’ table. tain Washington circles are rushing to ad- don’t like raids in our homes. This is a prob- For example, while the U.S. military’s de- vance the ‘‘success story’’. lem between us and I hope this ends as soon cision to withdraw from the Pech valley was Running out of options as possible. . . . Terrorism is not invading justified on tactical need to redeploy troops The Afghan government’s incapability to Afghan homes and fighting terrorism is not for the task of ‘‘protecting the population’’, take on the tasks of governing or securing being intrusive in the daily Afghan life.’’ keen observers saw it as a humiliating re- the country beyond the capital, and the inca- Karzai’s comments angered the Obama ad- treat from what the Pentagon previously pacity of the Obama administration to break ministration. At the NATO summit, Presi- called a very strategic position and sac- the Taliban’s momentum does not bode well dent Obama acknowledged that civilian rificed some hundred soldiers defending it. for an early conclusion of the war. deaths have sparked ‘‘real tensions’’ with the Likewise, strategic analysts close to the To their credit some of Obama’s war and Karzai government, but reserved the right to administration speak triumphantly of U.S. surge supporters realise that there is no continue US raids. ‘‘[Karzai’s] got to under- surge and hi-tech firepower inflicting ter- military solution for Afghanistan. Clearly, stand that I’ve got a bunch of young men and rible cost on the Taliban, killing many in- their claims of battlefield successes help jus- women . . . who are in a foreign country surgents and driving many more from their tify the rush to talk to the Taliban. being shot at and having to traverse terrain sanctuaries. But it is not yet clear whether the presum- filled with IEDs, and they need to protect But news from the war front show the ably ongoing exploratory secret negotiations themselves,’’ Obama said. ‘‘So if we’re set- Taliban unrelenting, mounting counter- with the Taliban are serious at all, or will ting things up where they’re just sitting attacks and escalating the war especially in lead to comprehensive negotiations and ducks for the Taliban, that’s not an accept- areas where the U.S. has ‘‘surged’’ its troops. eventually a lasting deal. The last ‘‘Taliban able answer either.’’ Republican Senator And while the majority of the 400 Afghan dis- commander’’ Washington dialogued with in Lindsey Graham blasted Karzai’s statement tricts are ‘‘calmer’’, they remain mostly out the fall turned out to be an impostor—a calling for an end to night raids, saying, ‘‘it of Kabul’s control. shopkeeper from Quetta! would be a disaster for the Petraeus strat- What success? If the Taliban does eventually accept to sit egy.’’ Those with relatively long memories recall down with Obama or Karzai envoys, the U.S. Along with Afghan government corruption, the then defence secretary Donald Rums- needs to explain why it fought for 10 years including a cabal of war lords, drug dealers feld’s claims that most of Afghanistan was only to help the group back to power. and war criminals in key positions, the so- secure in early 2003 and that American forces Secretary of state Hillary Clinton has called Petraeus strategy of ratcheting up air had changed their strategy from major com- begun the humiliating backtracking last strikes and expanding night raids is itself de- bat operations to stabilisation and recon- month: ‘‘Now, I know that reconciling with livering substantial blows to the stated U.S. struction project. an adversary that can be as brutal as the counterinsurgency strategy and the much- But the Taliban continued to carry daily Taliban sounds distasteful, even unimagi- discussed battle for hearts and minds. The attacks on government buildings, U.S. posi- nable. And diplomacy would be easy if we raids and airstrikes are premiere recruiting tions and international organisations. Two only had to talk to our friends. But that is points for the Taliban and, unlike Sen. years later, the U.S. was to suffer the worst not how one makes peace.’’ Graham and the Obama administration, and deadliest year since the war began. Facing up to the reality Karzai seems to get that. In the bigger pic- Today’s war pundits are in the same state ture, the U.S. appears to be trying to kill its The mere fact that the world’s mightiest of denial. For all practical purpose, Wash- way to a passable definition of a success or superpower cannot win over the poorly ington has given up on its counterinsurgency even victory. This strategy puts a premium armed Taliban after a long decade of fight- (COIN) strategy devised under McChrystal on the number of kills and captures of any- ing, means it has already failed strategi- and Petreaus. one who can loosely be defined as an insur- cally, regardless of the final outcome. Instead, it is pursuing a heavy handed and gent and completely sidelines the blowback The escalation of violence and wasting bil- terribly destructive crackdown that includes these operations cause. ‘‘We found ourselves lions more cannot change that. It is history. special operations, assassinations, mass in this Special Operations form of attrition The quicker the Obama administration demolitions, air and night raids etc. that warfare,’’ says Hoh, ‘‘which is kind of like an recognises its misfortunes, minimises its have led to anything but winning the coun- oxymoron, because Special Operations are losses and convenes a regional conference try, let alone its hearts and minds. not supposed to be in attrition warfare. But over the future of Afghanistan under UN aus- The killing of nine Afghan children last we’ve found ourselves in that in Afghani- pices, the easier it will be to evacuate with- week—all under the age of 12—by U.S. attack stan’’ out humiliation. helicopters has once again put the spotlight Whether the U.S. eventually loses the war I would like to put into the RECORD on the U.S. military’s new aggressive meth- and declares victory; negotiates a settlement an article from Aljazeera.net, which ods. and withdraw its troops, remains to be seen. points out that for all practical pur- The results are so devastating for the con- What is incontestable is that when you fight poses, Washington has given up on its duct of the war and to Washington’s clients, the week for too long, you also become weak. counterinsurgency strategy. that President Karzai not only distanced All of which explains the rather blunt com- himself from the U.S. methods, but also pub- ments made in a speech at the end of Feb- [From Aljazeera.net, Mar. 7, 2011] licly rejected Washington’s apology for the ruary, by U.S. Defence Secretary Robert FAILING IN AFGHANISTAN SUCCESSFULLY—DE- killings. Gates when he said ‘‘. . . any future defense SPITE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS Nor is the recruitment and training of the secretary who advises the president to again AND THOUSANDS OF TROOPS, THE U.S. IS UN- Afghan forces going well. Indeed, many seem send a big American land army into Asia or ABLE TO CONCLUDE ITS LONGEST WAR to give up on the idea that Afghan security into the Middle East or Africa should ‘have (By Marwan Bishara) forces could take matters into their hands if his head examined,’ as General MacArthur so While we have been fixated on successive the U.S. withdraws in the foreseeable future. delicately put it.’’ Arab breakthroughs and victories against Worse, U.S. strategic co-operation with Amen. tyranny and extremism, Washington is fail- Pakistan—the central pillar of Obama’s I would like to insert into the ing miserably but discreetly in Afghanistan. PakAf strategy—has cooled after the arrest RECORD, from AlterNet, an article by The American media’s one-obsession-at-a- of a CIA contractor for the killing of two Derrick Crowe and Robert Greenwald time coverage of global affairs might have Pakistanis even though he presumably en- put the spotlight on President Obama’s slow joys diplomatic immunity. posted on February 6, 2011, titled and poor reaction to the breathtaking devel- Reportedly, it has also led to a ‘‘break- Damning New Report Shows U.S. opments starting in Tunisia and Egypt. But down’’ in co-ordination between the two Strategy is Blocking Chance for Peace they spared him embarrassing questions countries intelligence agencies, the CIA and in Afghanistan. about continued escalation and deaths in Af- the ISI. [From AlterNet, Feb. 6, 2011] But the incident is merely a symptom of a ghanistan. DAMNING NEW REPORT SHOWS U.S. STRATEGY In spite of its international coalition, mul- bigger problem between the two countries. A IS BLOCKING CHANCE FOR PEACE IN AFGHANI- tiple strategies, hundreds of billions of dol- reluctant partner, the Pakistani establish- STAN lars, and a surge of tens of thousands of ment and its military are unhappy with U.S. troops, the U.S. is unable to conclude its strategy which they reckon could destabilise (By Derrick Crowe and Robert Greenwald) longest war yet or at least reverse its trend. their country and strengthen Afghanistan See: http://www.alternet.org/story/149815/ Recent ‘‘reports’’ from the war front have and India at their expense. The new report from NYU’s Center for been of two kinds. Some official or analyt- That has not deterred Washington from of- International Cooperation is a damning de- ical in nature and heavily circulated in fering ideas and money to repair the damage. scription of the U.S. policies in Afghanistan Washington portray a war going terribly However, it has become clear that unlike in since 2001, and a warning that the escalated well. On the other hand, hard news from the recent years, future improvement in their bi- military strategy blocks the road to peace ground tell a story of U.S. fatigue, back- lateral relations will most probably come as while making the Taliban more dangerous. tracking and tactical withdrawals or re- a result of the U.S. edging closer to Paki- Separating the Taliban from al-Qaeda: The deployments which do not bode well for de- stan’s position, not the opposite. Core of Success in Afghanistan is the latest

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.040 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1947 in a continuous string of statements from the rugged mountains of eastern Afghani- thing; they just want to be left alone,’’ said Afghanistan experts that the U.S. war poli- stan, the United States military has begun one American military official familiar with cies that were launched a year ago aren’t to pull back most of its forces from ground the decision. ‘‘Our presence is what’s desta- making us safer and aren’t worth the sub- it once insisted was central to the campaign bilizing this area.’’ stantial costs: $1 million per U.S. troop in against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Gen. Mohammed Zaman Mamozai, a Afghanistan per year, for a total of more The withdrawal from the Pech Valley, a re- former commander of the region’s Afghan than $375.5 billion wasted so far. The report mote region in Kunar Province, formally Border Police, agreed with some of this as- is written by Alex Strick van Linschoten and began on Feb. 15. The military projects that sessment. He said that residents of the Pech Felix Kuehn, Kandahar-based researchers it will last about two months, part of a shift Valley bristled at the American presence but who’ve spent more than four years research- of Western forces to the province’s more pop- might tolerate Afghan units. ‘‘Many times ing the Taliban and the recent history of ulated areas. Afghan units will remain in the they promised us that if we could tell the southern Afghanistan. valley, a test of their military readiness. Americans to pull out of the area, they While American officials say the with- wouldn’t fight the Afghan forces,’’ he said. I would like to place into the RECORD drawal matches the latest counterinsurgency It is impossible to know whether such an article from ABC News titled Af- doctrine’s emphasis on protecting Afghan ci- pledges will hold. Some veterans worry that ghan Security the Worst in a Decade, vilians, Afghan officials worry that the shift the withdrawal will create an ideal sanc- according to the U.N. of troops amounts to an abandonment of ter- tuary for insurgent activity—an area under ABC NEWS—AFGHAN SECURITY THE WORST IN ritory where multiple insurgent groups are titular government influence where fighters A DECADE: UN well established, an area that Afghans fear or terrorists will shelter or prepare attacks The security situation in Afghanistan has they may not be ready to defend on their elsewhere. While it is possible that the insurgents will worsened to its lowest point since the top- own. And it is an emotional issue for American concentrate in the mountain valleys, Gen- pling of the Taliban a decade ago and at- troops, who fear that their service and sac- eral Campbell said his goal was to arrange tacks on aid workers are at unprecedented rifices could be squandered. At least 103 forces to keep insurgents from Kabul, the levels, a United Nations envoy said. Robert Watkins, the outgoing UN deputy American soldiers have died in or near the country’s capital. ‘‘There are thousands of isolated moun- special representative of the Secretary Gen- valley’s maze of steep gullies and soaring peaks, according to a count by The New tainous valleys throughout Afghanistan, and eral for Afghanistan, says from a humani- York Times, and many times more have been we cannot be in all of them,’’ he said. tarian perspective, security ‘‘is on every- wounded, often severely. The American military plans to withdraw one’s minds’’. Military officials say they are sensitive to from most of the four principal American po- ‘‘It is fair to say that security in the coun- those perceptions. ‘‘People say, ‘You are sitions in the valley. For security reasons, try is at its lowest point since the departure coming out of the Pech’; I prefer to look at General Campbell declined to discuss which of the Talibans,’’ he said. might retain an American presence, and ex- Mr Watkins says before last year’s surge in it as realigning to provide better security for the Afghan people,’’ said Maj. Gen. John F. actly how the Americans would operate with NATO military forces, the insurgency was Campbell, the commander for eastern Af- Afghans in the area in the future. centred in the south and south-east of the ghanistan. ‘‘I don’t want the impression As the pullback begins, the switch in country. thinking has fueled worries among those who ‘‘Since the surge of NATO forces last year, we’re abandoning the Pech.’’ The reorganization, which follows the com- say the United States is ceding some of Af- we have seen the insurgency move to parts of plete Afghan and American withdrawals ghanistan’s most difficult terrain to the in- the country where we’ve never seen before,’’ from isolated outposts in nearby Nuristan surgency and putting residents who have he said. Province and the Korangal Valley, runs the supported the government at risk of retalia- ‘‘We’ve now confronted with security prob- risk of providing the Taliban with an oppor- tion. lems that we’d never dream that we’d have. tunity to claim success and raises questions ‘‘There is no house in the area that does ‘‘While NATO is claiming that it has not have a government employee in it,’’ said turned the corner . . . we still see these very about the latest strategy guiding the war. American officials say their logic is simple Col. Gul Rahman, the Afghan police chief in difficult security problems.’’ the Manogai District, where the Americans’ UN relief agencies now have regular access and compelling: the valley consumed re- largest base in the valley, Forward Oper- to just 30 per cent of the country. Access is sources disproportionate with its impor- tance; those forces could be deployed in ating Base Blessing, is located. ‘‘Some work mixed for another 30 per cent while there is other areas; and there are not enough troops with the Afghan National Army, some work hardly any access to the remaining 40 per to win decisively in the Pech Valley in any with the Afghan National Police, or they are cent. Mr Watkins says a key issue is the case. a teacher or governmental employee. I think ‘‘If you continue to stay with the status ‘‘conflation of political, military, develop- it is not wise to ignore and leave behind all quo, where will you be a year from now?’’ mental and humanitarian aid’’. these people, with the danger posed to their ‘‘Because of the way aid is dispersed in Af- General Campbell said. ‘‘I would tell you lives.’’ ghanistan . . . it has contributed to percep- that there are places where we’ll continue to Some Afghan military officials have also tion in parts of the Afghan population that build up security and it leads to development expressed pointed misgivings about the pros- somehow humanitarian work is lumped into and better governance, but there are some pects for Afghan units left behind. ‘‘According to my experience in the mili- this political and military effort,’’ he said. areas that are not ready for that, and I’ve ‘‘We have to emphasise that we recognise got to use the forces where they can do the tary and knowledge of the area, it’s abso- that there has to be separation and we have most good.’’ lutely impractical for the Afghan National to be very careful to try to address this per- President Obama’s Afghan troop buildup is Army to protect the area without the Ameri- ception.’’ now fully in place, and the United States cans,’’ said Major Turab, the former second- But he pointed out that a positive develop- military has its largest-ever contingent in in-command of an Afghan battalion in the ment was that the international and Afghan Afghanistan. Mr. Obama’s reinforced cam- valley, who like many Afghans uses only one military have publicly acknowledged that paign has switched focus to operations in Af- name. ‘‘It will be a suicidal mission.’’ some kind of negotiated settlement was nec- ghanistan’s south, and to building up Afghan The pullback has international implica- essary to end the instability. security forces. tions as well. Senior Pakistani commanders ‘‘[This year] can be a crucial year if there The previous strategy emphasized denying have complained since last summer that as is a breakthrough in finding some kind of sanctuaries to insurgents, blocking infiltra- American troops withdraw from Kunar Prov- reconciliation efforts,’’ he said. tion routes from Pakistan and trying to ince, fighters and some commanders from The Taliban, a hardline Islamist move- fight away from populated areas, where the Haqqani network and other militant ment, was forced from power in late 2001 NATO’s superior firepower could be massed, groups have crossed into Afghanistan from after a US invasion launched in the wake of in theory, with less risk to civilians. The Pakistan to create a ‘‘reverse safe haven’’ the September 11 attacks on New York and Pech Valley effort was once a cornerstone of from which to carry out attacks against Washington. this thinking. Pakistani troops in the tribal areas. The new plan stands as a clear, if unstated, The Taliban and other Afghan insurgent I would like to place into the RECORD repudiation of earlier decisions. When Gen. groups are all but certain to label the with- an article from The New York Times Stanley A. McChrystal, the former NATO drawal a victory in the Pech Valley, where discussing the counterintelligence commander, overhauled the Afghan strategy they could point to the Soviet Army’s with- strategy titled U.S. Pulling Back in Af- two years ago, his staff designated 80 ‘‘key drawal from the same area in 1988. Many Af- ghan Valley it Called Vital to War. terrain districts’’ to concentrate on. The ghans remember that withdrawal as a sym- [From The New York Times, Feb. 24, 2011] Pech Valley was not one of them. bolic moment when the Kremlin’s military Ultimately, the decision to withdraw re- campaign began to visibly fall apart. U.S. PULLING BACK IN AFGHAN VALLEY IT flected a stark—and controversial—internal Within six months, the Soviet-backed Af- CALLED VITAL TO WAR assessment by the military that it would ghan Army of the time ceded the territory to (By C. J. Chivers, Alissa J. Rubin and Wesley have been better served by not having en- mujahedeen groups, according to Afghan Morgan) tered the high valley in the first place. military officials. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN.—After years of ‘‘What we figured out is that people in the The unease, both with the historical prece- fighting for control of a prominent valley in Pech really aren’t anti-U.S. or anti-any- dent and with the price paid in American

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.033 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1948 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 blood in the valley, has ignited a sometimes I yield back the balance of my time. In 2001, Mr. Speaker, I joined with painful debate among Americans veterans The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Members of this House in voting for and active-duty troops. The Pech Valley had tleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) has the authorization of military force fol- long been a hub of American military oper- 51⁄4 minutes remaining. lowing the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I ations in Kunar and Nuristan Provinces. Mr. KUCINICH. Thank you, Mr. American forces first came to the valley in don’t take a backseat to anyone in force in 2003, following the trail of Gulbuddin Speaker. standing up to defend this country. But Hekmatyar, the leader of the Hezb-i-Islami We’ve stated over and over in this de- as the United States continues in what group, who, like other prominent insurgent bate the cost of this war in this budget is now the longest war in our history, leaders, has been said at different times to alone will be over $113 billion—$113 bil- it has become clear that the authoriza- hide in Kunar. They did not find him, though lion. There are Members who have tion for military force is being used as Hezb-i-Islami is active in the valley. come to this floor trying to whack a a carte blanche for circumventing Con- Since then, one American infantry bat- billion dollars in spending here and gress’ role as a coequal branch of gov- talion after another has fought there, trying there. This is $113 billion. You want to to establish security in villages while weath- ernment. cut out waste, let’s get out of Afghani- I want you to hear this. We’re a co- ering roadside bombs and often vicious stan. fights. equal branch of government. We’re not Keep in mind that when you go to the Along with other slotlike canyons that the lap dogs for the President. We’re not Pentagon, and some of our Members United States has already largely aban- servants of generals. We are a coequal have, and have gone to Afghanistan, doned—including the Korangal Valley, the branch of government expressing the Waygal Valley (where the battle of Wanat there’s an open-ended war going on sovereign will of the American people. was fought in 2008), the Shuryak Valley and here. There’s no end in sight. I’ve sub- It has become clear this administra- the Nuristan River corridor (where Combat mitted for the RECORD articles with re- Outpost Keating was nearly overrun in spect to that. Hear this: We’re going to tion, just as the last administration, is 2009)—the Pech Valley was a region rivaled be there through at least 2020. And willing to commit us to an endless war only by Helmand Province as the deadliest that’s going to cost us an extra, at and an endless stream of money, just a Afghan acreage for American troops. year after a commitment of an addi- On one operation alone in 2005, 19 service least an extra trillion dollars. Where are we going to get that tional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan and members, including 11 members of the Navy continued assurances of ‘‘progress.’’ Seals, died. money? Are we going to cut Social Se- As the years passed and the toll rose, the curity for that? Are we going to cut They have been walking that dog down area assumed for many soldiers a status as health care and cut funds for edu- the road for the last 7 years. Progress. hallowed ground. ‘‘I can think of very few cation? Are we going to cut more funds My legislation invokes the War Pow- places over the past 10 years with as high for home heating aid? ers Resolution of 1973, and if enacted, and as sustained a level of violence,’’ said Where are we going to get this would require this President to with- Col. James W. Bierman, who commanded a money? Are we ready to give up our en- draw U.S. Armed Forces out of Afghan- Marine battalion in the area in 2006 and istan by December 31, 2011. helped establish the American presence in tire domestic agenda so that we can the Korangal Valley. continue on the path of a war to prop Regardless of your support or opposi- In the months after American units left up a corrupt regime whose friends are tion to the war in Afghanistan, this de- the Korangal last year, insurgent attacks building villas in Dubai, presumably bate has been a critical opportunity to from that valley into the Pech Valley in- with money that comes through the evaluate the human and the economic creased sharply, prompting the current United States that’s shipped out in cost as this Congress works to address American battalion in the area, First Bat- planes out of the Kabul airport? our country’s dire financial straits. talion, 327th Infantry, and Special Oper- We have to start standing up for Those of us that supported the with- ations units to carry out raids into places America here. drawal may not agree on a timeline, that American troops once patrolled regu- I appreciate and respect every Mem- larly. but an increasing number of us agree Last August, an infantry company raided ber of this Congress who served in the it’s time to think and rethink our cur- the village of Omar, which the American military. We honor them, just as I rent national security strategy. And military said had become a base for attacks honor the members of my own family; we have to know the costs are great. into the Pech Valley, but which earlier units my father, Frank, who was a World We can’t get away from the costs of had viewed as mostly calm. Another Amer- War II veteran; my brother Frank, who this war. ican operation last November, in the nearby was a Vietnam veteran; my brother Nobel Prize-winning economist Joe Watapor Valley, led to fighting that left Gary, a Vietnam-era veteran; my sister Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes, his asso- seven American soldiers dead. Beth Ann, an Army veteran. I come This article has been revised to reflect the ciate, wrote a book about the Iraq war. following correction: from a family that appreciates service They projected then a minimum of $3 Correction: February 24, 2011 to our country. trillion in costs. But how are we serving our troops by An earlier version of this article referred I would like to include in the incorrectly to a pullback of American forces letting them in a situation that is ab- RECORD, Mr. Speaker, a statement that in eastern Afghanistan. It is a pullback from solutely impossible, whether it’s great- I made over 8 years ago at the begin- remote territory within Kunar Province, not er numbers of them returning home ning of the Iraq war, where I pointed from the province as a whole. with injuries from IEDs. How are we out there was nothing—no reason why The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- serving our troops by telling them we should be going to war in Iraq be- tleman from California (Mr. BERMAN) we’re going to keep extending the pe- cause there was no proof that Iraq had has 71⁄2 minutes remaining. riod of the war? Who’s speaking up weapons of mass destruction. Mr. BERMAN. I simply would very truly for our troops here? Is it General I mention that in terms of this de- quickly make the case that the resolu- Petraeus, who says, Well, we’ll just bate because we’re at the confluence of tion should be voted against for several keep the war going and maybe— the events—the anniversary of the Iraq reasons. Initially, because it improp- maybe—we’ll send 2,000 troops out of war; the confluence of the funding of erly invokes a provision of the War Afghanistan or redirect them by 2014. the war in Afghanistan. We’ve got to Powers Act that’s inapplicable. This He doesn’t get to make the choice. get out of Afghanistan. We’ve got to war was authorized by the U.S. Con- That choice must be made by the Con- get out of Iraq. We’ve got to start tak- gress. Secondly, the manner in which it gress of the United States. would force withdrawal is irresponsible It’s time that we started to stand up ing care of things here at home. and I don’t think is the right way to do for the Constitution of the United ANALYSIS OF JOINT RESOLUTION ON IRAQ BY it. And, thirdly, that I am not pre- States, which, last I checked, in Arti- DENNIS J. KUCINICH pared, from this point of view, to say cle I, section 8 provides that Congress WASHINGTON, Oct 2, 2002.—Whereas in 1990 that failure is in any way inevitable, has to make the decision whether or in response to Iraq’s war of aggression and that we should not at this time not to send our troops into war. We against and illegal occupation of Kuwait, the United States forged a coalition of nations make the judgment to pull the plug out have not the right to give that over to to liberate Kuwait and its people in order to from what we are doing in Afghanistan. a President, over to a general, or any- defend the national security of the United I would urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the reso- body else. It’s our prerogative inside States and enforce United Nations Security lution. this Congress. Council resolutions relating to Iraq;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.044 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1949 KEY ISSUE: In the Persian Gulf war there ening international peace and security in the tion. If Iraq has successfully concealed the was an international coalition. World sup- region, by refusing to release, repatriate, or production of such weapons since 1998, there port was for protecting Kuwait. There is no account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully de- is no credible evidence that Iraq has the ca- world support for invading Iraq. tained by Iraq, including an American serv- pability to reach the United States with Whereas after the liberation of Kuwait in iceman, and by failing to return property such weapons. In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq had 1991, Iraq entered into a United Nations wrongfully seized by Iraq from Kuwait; a demonstrated capability of biological and sponsored cease-fire agreement pursuant to KEY ISSUE: This language is so broad that chemical weapons, but did not have the will- which Iraq unequivocally agreed, among it would allow the President to order an at- ingness to use them against the United other things, to eliminate its nuclear, bio- tack against Iraq even when there is no ma- States Armed Forces. Congress has not been logical, and chemical weapons programs and terial threat to the United States. Since this provided with any credible information, the means to deliver and develop them, and resolution authorizes the use of force for all which proves that Iraq has provided inter- to end its support for international ter- Iraq related violations of the UN Security national terrorists with weapons of mass de- rorism; Council directives, and since the resolution struction. Whereas the efforts of international weap- cites Iraq’s imprisonment of non-Iraqi pris- Whereas United Nations Security Council ons inspectors, United States intelligence oners, this resolution would authorize the Resolution 678 authorizes the use of all nec- agencies, and Iraqi defectors led to the dis- President to attack Iraq in order to liberate essary means to enforce United Nations Se- covery that Iraq had large stockpiles of Kuwaiti citizens who may or may not be in curity Council Resolution 660 and subsequent chemical weapons and a large scale biologi- Iraqi prisons, even if Iraq met compliance relevant resolutions and to compel Iraq to cal weapons program, and that Iraq had an with all requests to destroy any weapons of cease certain activities that threaten inter- advanced nuclear weapons development pro- mass destruction. Though in 2002 at the Arab national peace and security, including the gram that was much closer to producing a Summit, Iraq and Kuwait agreed to bilateral development of weapons of mass destruction nuclear weapon than intelligence reporting negotiations to work out all claims relating and refusal or obstruction of United Nations had previously indicated; to stolen property and prisoners of war. This weapons inspections in violation of United KEY ISSUE: UN inspection teams identi- use-of-force resolution enables the President Nations Security Council Resolution 687, re- fied and destroyed nearly all such weapons. to commit U.S.046 troops to recover Kuwaiti pression of its civilian population in viola- A lead inspector, Scott Ritter, said that he property. tion of United Nations Security Council Res- believes that nearly all other weapons not Whereas the current Iraqi regime has dem- olution 688, and threatening its neighbors or found were destroyed in the Gulf War. Fur- onstrated its capability and willingness to United Nations operations in Iraq in viola- thermore, according to a published report in use weapons of mass destruction against tion of United Nations Security Council Res- the Washington Post, the Central Intel- other nations and its own people; olution 949; ligence Agency has no up to date accurate Whereas the current Iraqi regime has dem- KEY ISSUE: The UN Charter forbids all report on Iraq’s WMD capabilities. onstrated its continuing hostility toward, member nations, including the United Whereas Iraq, in direct and flagrant viola- and willingness to attack, the United States, States, from unilaterally enforcing UN reso- tion of the cease-fire, attempted to thwart including by attempting in 1993 to assas- lutions. the efforts of weapons inspectors to identify sinate former President Bush and by firing Whereas Congress in the Authorization for and destroy Iraq’s weapons of mass destruc- on many thousands of occasions on United Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolu- tion stockpiles and development capabilities, States and Coalition Armed Forces engaged tion (Public Law 102–1) has authorized the which finally resulted in the withdrawal of in enforcing the resolutions of the United President ‘‘to use United States Armed inspectors from Iraq on October 31, 1998; Nations Security Council; Forces pursuant to United Nations Security KEY ISSUES: Iraqi deceptions always KEY ISSUE: The Iraqi regime has never Council Resolution 678 (1990) in order to failed. The inspectors always figured out attacked nor does it have the capability to achieve implementation of Security Council what Iraq was doing. It was the United attack the United States. The ‘‘no fly’’ zone Resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, States that withdrew from the inspections in was not the result of a UN Security Council 670, 674, and 677’’; 1998. And the United States then launched a directive. It was illegally imposed by the KEY ISSUE: The UN Charter forbids all cruise missile attack against Iraq 48 hours United States, Great Britain and France and member nations, including the United after the inspectors left. In advanced of a is not specifically sanctioned by any Secu- States, from unilaterally enforcing UN reso- military strike, the US continues to thward rity Council resolution. lutions with military force. (the Administration’s word) weapons inspec- Whereas members of al Qaida, an organiza- Whereas in December 1991, Congress ex- tions. tion bearing responsibility for attacks on the pressed its sense that it ‘‘supports the use of Whereas in 1998 Congress concluded that United States, its citizens, and interests, in- all necessary means to achieve the goals of Iraq’s continuing weapons of mass destruc- cluding the attacks that occurred on Sep- United Nations Security Council Resolution tion programs threatened vital United tember 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq; 687 as being consistent with the Authoriza- States interests and international peace and KEY ISSUE: There is no credible intel- tion of Use of Military Force Against Iraq security, declared Iraq to be in ‘‘material ligence that connects Iraq to the events of 9/ Resolution (Public Law 102–1),’’ that Iraq’s and unacceptable breach of its international 11 or to participation in those events by as- repression of its civilian population violates obligations’’ and urged the President ‘‘to sisting Al Qaida. United Nations Security Council Resolution take appropriate action, in accordance with Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor 688 and ‘‘constitutes a continuing threat to the Constitution and relevant laws of the other international terrorist organizations, the peace, security, and stability of the Per- United States, to bring Iraq into compliance including organizations that threaten the sian Gulf region,’’ and that Congress, ‘‘sup- with its international obligations’’ (Public lives and safety of American citizens; ports the use of all necessary means to Law 105–235); KEY ISSUE: Any connection between Iraq achieve the goals of United Nations Security Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing support of terrorist groups in Middle East, is Council Resolution 688’’; threat to the national security of the United an argument for focusing great resources on KEY ISSUE: This clause demonstrates the States and international peace and security resolving the conflict between Israel and the proper chronology of the international proc- in the Persian Gulf region and remains in Palestinians. It is not sufficient reason for ess, and contrasts the current march to war. material and unacceptable breach of its the U.S. to launch a unilateral preemptive In 1991, the UN Security Council passed a international obligations by, among other strike against Iraq. resolution asking for enforcement of its reso- things, continuing to possess and develop a Whereas the attacks on the United States lution. Member countries authorized their significant chemical and biological weapons of September 11, 2001 underscored the gravity troops to participate in a UN-led coalition to capability, actively seeking a nuclear weap- of the threat posed by the acquisition of enforce the UN resolutions. Now the Presi- ons capability, and supporting and harboring weapons of mass destruction by inter- dent is asking Congress to authorize a uni- terrorist organizations; national terrorist organizations; lateral first strike before the UN Security KEY ISSUES: There is no proof that Iraq KEY ISSUE: There is no connection be- Council had asked its member states to en- represents an imminent or immediate threat tween Iraq and the events of 9/11. force UN resolutions. to the United States. A ‘‘continuing’’ threat Whereas Iraq’s demonstrated capability Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act (Public does not constitute a sufficient cause for and willingness to use weapons of mass de- Law 105–338) expressed the sense of Congress war. The Administration has refused to pro- struction, the risk that the current Iraqi re- that it should be the policy of the United vide the Congress with credible intelligence gime will either employ those weapons to States to support efforts to remove from that proves that Iraq is a serious threat to launch a surprise attack against the United power the current Iraqi regime and promote the United States and is continuing to pos- States or its Armed Forces or provide them the emergence of a democratic government sess and develop chemical and biological and to international terrorists who would do so, to replace that regime; nuclear weapons. Furthermore there is no and the extreme magnitude of harm that KEY ISSUE: This ‘‘Sense of Congress’’ res- credible intelligence connecting Iraq to Al would result to the United States and its olution was not binding. Furthermore, while Qaida and 9/11. citizens from such an attack, combine to jus- Congress supported democratic means of re- Whereas Iraq persists in violating resolu- tify action by the United States to defend moving Saddam Hussein it clearly did not tions of the United Nations Security Council itself; endorse the use of force contemplated in this by continuing to engage in brutal repression KEY ISSUE: There is no credible evidence resolution, nor did it endorse assassination of its civilian population thereby threat- that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruc- as a policy.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.045 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1950 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Whereas on September 12, 2002, President I am pleased and honored to yield the would fail, and there were enemies who Bush committed the United States to ‘‘work balance of my time to the gentleman sought its destruction. Yet, at the with the United Nations Security Council to from Michigan (Mr. MCCOTTER), a founding time, the people of the United meet our common challenge’’ posed by Iraq member of the Financial Services Com- States and their leaders were able to and to ‘‘work for the necessary resolutions,’’ while also making clear that ‘‘the Security mittee, a former member of our For- take this Nation’s democracy and turn Council resolutions will be enforced, and the eign Affairs Committee. I would like to it into one that not only secured free- just demands of peace and security will be remind my good friend that we still dom for itself but one that expanded it met, or action will be unavoidable’’; have a GOP vacancy in our committee to others. Whereas the United States is determined and we need freedom and democracy I said that it was within the Halls of to prosecute the war on terrorism and Iraq’s believers like the gentleman from the United States Congress, within the ongoing support for international terrorist Michigan; seniority retained. Halls of our institution, that you could groups combined with its development of Mr. MCCOTTER. I thank the gentle- see the pictures of the Founders, like weapons of mass destruction in direct viola- Jefferson and Madison, hanging from tion of its obligations under the 1991 cease- lady. I thank her for her kind words fire and other United Nations Security Coun- and her attempt to draft me. the walls, which remind us of what we cil resolutions make clear that it is in the In this age of hope and peril, today have endured, what we enjoy, and what national security interests of the United we all assemble with earnestness and we must return. States and in furtherance of the war on ter- sincerity to discuss matters of liberty I told the Afghan National Assembly rorism that all relevant United Nations Se- and tyranny, matters of life and death. women that one day their daughters curity Council resolutions be enforced, in- and granddaughters would look up and cluding through the use of force if necessary; b 1320 see on the walls their portraits hanging KEY ISSUE: Unilateral action against Iraq What we see in Afghanistan is a in a free Afghanistan that was allied will cost the United States the support of counterinsurgency operation being led with the Free World against terrorism the world community, adversely affecting the war on terrorism. No credible intel- by the United States. It is the most dif- and that was a beacon, itself, to those ligence exists which connects Iraq to the ficult and painful type of military op- who were oppressed—because they will events of 9/11 or to those terrorists who per- eration to witness because it does in- be free, because we will honor our duty petrated 9/11. Under international law, the volve working with the population, not to seek miserly to hold our own United States does not have the authority to winning hearts and minds, and helping freedom for ourselves, and because we unilaterally order military action to enforce to build the institutions of democracy will follow what Lincoln said: UN Security Council resolutions. and liberty at the community and na- In seeking to extend freedom to the Whereas Congress has taken steps to pur- tional levels, which have been non- enslaved, we ensure freedom for our- sue vigorously the war on terrorism through existent for decades. selves. the provision of authorities and funding re- We will continue to stand with the quested by the President to take the nec- Yet because the cause is difficult, it essary actions against international terror- does not mean we can turn away from Afghan people. We will continue to ists and terrorist organizations, including it, because the Afghan people cannot honor the commitment to the solemn those nations, organizations or persons who turn away from it. word of the United States as she gave planned, authorized, committed or aided the In 2006, I was fortunate to be on a to that country; and one day, we will terrorist attacks that occurred on Sep- CODEL with many of my colleagues, look back, and we will be proud of the tember 11, 2001 or harbored such persons or and we had the opportunity to meet votes we cast today. organizations; Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, we have now KEY ISSUE: The Administration has not women who were serving in the Afghan National Assembly. Despite the dif- been in Afghanistan for 113 months, ten provided Congress with any proof that Iraq is months longer than the war in Vietnam. The in any way connected to the events of 9/11. ficulties in translation, it was very Whereas the President and Congress are clear that they wanted to accomplish war in Afghanistan is now the longest conflict determined to continue to take all appro- two things: they wanted to serve the in United States history. Here at home, Americans are out of work, priate actions against international terror- Afghan people, who had entrusted them teachers are facing budget cuts, police depart- ists and terrorist organizations, including with their positions; and they wanted those nations, organizations or persons who ments are overstretched, and yet the Presi- to honor the men and women of the planned, authorized, committed or aided the dent and much of Congress continue to cling United States military, who had risked terrorist attacks that occurred on Sep- to the notion that if given more time and more and given so much for them to have tember 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or precious taxpayer dollars borrowed from China organizations; that opportunity. we will finally—after a decade of war—gain KEY ISSUE: The Administration has not As I said, I deeply appreciate the sin- the edge to ‘‘finish the job’’ in Afghanistan. provided Congress with any proof that Iraq is cerity and earnestness of this debate in any way connected to the events of 9/11. Mr. Speaker, I don’t buy it. There is no com- today because, in this instance, clear- prehensive political outcome in sight. There is Furthermore, there is no credible evidence ly, it is not one based upon partisan di- that Iraq has harbored those who were re- no decisive military outcome that will allow us sponsible for planning, authorizing or com- vision, but one based upon the dictates to declare ‘‘victory.’’ There is no meaningful mitting the attacks of 9/11. of conscience. I think it is very impor- government outside of Kabul, the Afghani se- Whereas the President has authority under tant that we look into this situation curity forces are in disarray, and there is un- the Constitution to take action in order to and see that it is not simply the United believable corruption throughout the Karzai deter and prevent acts of international ter- States that is involved here and that it government, police, and security forces. rorism against the United States, as Con- is not simply a question of leaving Despite these realities, the U.S. taxpayer is gress recognized in the joint resolution on without consequence. If we leave now, being asked to foot a $100 billion bill per Authorization for Use of Military Force if we back this resolution, there will be (Public Law 107–40); and year—again, all borrowed money that future KEY ISSUE: This resolution was specific consequences to the female Afghan Na- generations will have to pay back with inter- to 9/11. It was limited to a response to 9/11. tional Assembly parliamentarians, who est—to continue a failed strategy in Afghani- Whereas it is in the national security of are trying to build freedom within that stan. I continue to be extremely concerned the United States to restore international country. that the Afghanistan war has drawn the U.S. peace and security to the Persian Gulf re- In my discussion with those brave into a black hole not completely unlike Viet- gion; women, they brought up how difficult nam, where we propped up a corrupt govern- KEY ISSUE: If by the ‘‘national security it was for them: how hard it would be interests’’ of the United States, the Adminis- ment that had no relationship to the rest of the tration means oil, it ought to communicate to build a sustainable democracy; to country. Recent events in North Africa and such to the Congress. A unilateral attack on build an economy; to build, in many throughout the Middle East have shown us the Iraq by the United States will cause insta- ways, what we here take for granted. consequences of similar policies. bility and chaos in the region and sow the I said to them that it was very im- Mr. Speaker, I strongly support our troops. seeds of future conflicts all over the world. portant to remember that the United They have fought heroically and done every- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- States, itself, was not always a great thing we have asked of them. We should tlewoman from Florida has 51⁄2 minutes national power and a beacon of hope honor those who have served and sacrificed remaining. and freedom and that in our darkest for their country. But we are not honoring Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. days after the Revolution there were those who have served and those who con- Speaker. many who thought this free Republic tinue to serve by supporting a war without

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.046 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1951 clear objectives, a clear exit strategy, and Republicans keep expressing the absolute redirect war funding. The scope of our interest without any substantial hope for a ‘‘military vic- necessity in cutting $100 billion from the budg- in Afghanistan has been exceeded and it is tory.’’ et over the next five years. Pulling out of Af- time to bring this war to a successful conclu- Clearly an orderly withdrawal can not be ac- ghanistan would, all by itself, save us over sion. While we have achieved hard-earned complished in 9 months. But supporting H. $100 billion in the upcoming budget. milestones, the situation in Afghanistan has Con. Res. 28 provides an opportunity to send It is time for Congress to reassert its Con- deteriorated and the threat to our national se- a message to the President that the current stitutional war powers authority and set a time curity remains unaffected. strategy and cost of the war in Afghanistan line for complete withdrawal of our troops from We can no longer fight this war. We have to are unsustainable. We need a clear exit strat- Afghanistan. leave it up to the Afghan people to determine egy. We need a less expensive, less troop in- I am proud to support this resolution by their own fate and future. I ask my colleagues tensive policy that could bring about a much Representatives KUCINICH and JONES that to join me in taking a stand to bring our troops better result in Afghanistan. We need to gives Congress, and therefore the American home. Our economy is at stake, the precious prioritize the needs here at home instead of people, the power to decide whether America lives of our troops and their families hang in spending treasure and blood on a seemingly enters into or continues a war. the balance and the integrity of the United open-ended war in Afghanistan. I urge my col- I urge my colleagues to follow the will of the States has been severely jeopardized. leagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. American people and support this resolution. Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, my 28. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. colleagues, we’re debating the wrong resolu- Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today the House Con. Res. 28, a resolution that directs the tion here today. has a chance to make a judgment about the President, pursuant to the War Powers Reso- We should be debating a resolution that wisdom of continuing our combat role in Af- lution, to remove our troops from Afghanistan honors the continuing sacrifice, service, the ghanistan. In 2009, I came to the floor of the no later than December 31st, 2011. courage and the steadfastness of our men House and declared that I would give the Secretary Gates recently stated that we and women in uniform—all volunteers—as President at least a year to show that his ap- could be in Afghanistan past the 2014 dead- they work to carry out their missions in the proach could work. For those who choose to line for complete troop withdrawal. Meanwhile, global war on terror. And their families back at actually look at the facts and the results to more than 60 percent of Americans oppose home. These warriors serve today in Afghanistan, date, the conclusion is clear: it is time—past the war, with more than 70 percent of people believing that we should withdraw most troops and yes, in Iraq. time—for us to leave Afghanistan. Both are active war zones where there are Time and again, our military forces would from Afghanistan this summer. I recently con- no ‘‘front lines’’ and every deployed service- ducted a survey in my district inquiring about take out one of their field commanders, and member lays his or her life on the line every constituents’ priorities and discovered that get- every time several more rise to take their day. place. This is the nature of insurgency, it is ting out of Afghanistan was second only to job And they have made significant progress. the nature of the problem that confronts us, creation. They also agree that one of the best General Petreaus told our Defense Sub- and it is not a problem that will be resolved by ways to reduce the deficit is through extensive committee this morning that ‘‘The momentum the continuous, endless use of military force. defense spending cuts. of the Taliban has been halted in much of the The number of insurgent attacks is at an all- This is the longest war in U.S. history and country and reversed in some important time high. The corruption and dysfunctionality all we have to show for it is a higher deficit areas.’’ of the Afghan government has become leg- and more debt. Yet Republicans, who con- The Afghan Security Forces are growing in endary. And the cost of this conflict—both in tinue to tout the merits of a balanced budget, number and capability. killed and wounded, including the long-term refuse to consider ending this expensive war, And the day when we turn all operations care costs for the hundreds of thousands of let alone consider modest defense-spending over to the Afghans gets closer and closer. veterans of this war—continue to rise. I voted cuts. None of this has been easy. for this resolution today in order to show that Defense spending currently constitutes al- Progress has been made through hard fight- I am no longer willing to allow our military and most 60 percent of our discretionary spending. ing and considerable sacrifice of so many our nation to bear the endless, deadly burden As we are forced to consider cutting important Americans and our allies. of a war without end that is moving neither our programs that working families depend on, we There have been tough losses along the country nor theirs closer to safety and secu- should not continue to throw money down an way. And there have been setbacks as well as rity. I hope the President takes note and works endless hole in Afghanistan. Republicans con- successes. with us to bring our troops home. tinue to express the absolute necessity in cut- But instead of debating a resolution that Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, Secretary Gates ting $100 billion from the budget over the next honors the sacrifice of our brave warfighters, recently stated that we could be in Afghani- five years. Pulling out of Afghanistan would, all we are considering a measure that seeks to stan past the 2014 deadline for complete troop by itself, save us over $100 billion in the up- ‘‘turn off the lights and slam the door as we withdrawal. Meanwhile, more than 60 percent coming budget. withdraw.’’ of Americans oppose this war, with more than The Majority is not listening to the American Well, we’ve been down this road before. Two decades ago we celebrated alongside 70 percent of people believing that we should people. The American people want us out of our Afghan allies as the invading Russian mili- withdraw a substantial number of U.S. troops Afghanistan and they want a solid plan to im- prove the economy and create jobs, neither of tary rolled back into the USSR in defeat. from Afghanistan this summer. And when the celebration ended, we walked This is the longest war in U.S. history and which the Republicans deem worthy enough away—we did not follow-up with the nec- to address. all we have to show for it is a higher deficit essary investments in diplomacy and develop- I am proud to be an original cosponsor of and more debt. ment assistance, turning our back on Afghani- We already spend the most of any country this resolution proposed by Representatives stan and Pakistan. in the world on defense. The next closest de- KUCINICH and JONES that gives Congress, and Had we not done that in the early 1990s, we fense-spending country is China—and we therefore the American people, the Power to would have better secured our own country’s spend seven times what they do. decide whether America enters into or con- future, as well as peace and stability in the re- Defense spending currently constitutes tinues a war. I urge my colleagues to follow gion. about 60 percent of our discretionary spend- the will of the people and support this resolu- Instead of intensifying our humanitarian ef- ing. And it has increased 86 percent since tion. forts to help the Afghans meet their postwar 1998, becoming more entrenched than any Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I challenges, we simply walked away—leaving a entitlement program. As we’re talking about am writing to urge my support to bring our destroyed country that lacked roads, schools, cutting important programs that working fami- troops our home. The recent debate on re- and any plan or hope for rebuilding. lies depend on, we should not continue to moving the United States Armed Forces from Into this void marched the Taliban and al- throw money down an endless hole in Afghan- Afghanistan has been the topic of many dis- Qaeda. My Colleagues, as they say, ‘‘the rest istan. cussions and now is the time to take action. is history’’ for the Afghans and for all Ameri- I recently conducted a survey in my district This devastating war has continued on for cans: inquiring about constituents’ priorities and dis- nearly a decade and it has taken the lives of Horrors perpetrated on Afghan men, women covered that getting out of Afghanistan was more than 1,400 Americans and cost tax- and children; second only to job creation. They also agree payers over $366 billion. A curtain of oppression which denied half that one of the best ways to reduce the deficit The war in Afghanistan is not worth fighting. the population—women—any rights and dig- is through extensive defense spending cuts. We need to end this national humiliation and nity;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.051 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Closed schools. Destroyed cultural institu- able to sacrifice more money and more lives view the Obama Administration’s assessment tions and national treasures; this way. I urge my colleagues to join me in of the war effort, including plans for a draw- A modern-day Dark Ages; voting to bring the U.S. involvement in the war down, in the coming months. Insufficient Mr. Speaker, the resolution we debate today in Afghanistan to a close. progress in withdrawing U.S. troops by July would have us repeat that sad and dangerous Now, I want to say a word about supporting 2011 will compel me to support a resolution saga. the troops. I believe it is more supportive of like this in the future. I urge defeat of the resolution. the troops to bring them home from a war that CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support they should not be fighting than it is to give Washington, DC, March 16, 2011. of the Kucinich resolution directing the Presi- them weapons to fight an unnecessary war in Hon. BARACK OBAMA, dent to remove United States Armed Forces which some of them, unfortunately, will lose President of the United States, from Afghanistan. their lives. The White House, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, We write to you to: It is time to bring U.S. involvement in the So I say support our troops. Bring them express our utmost support for your planned war in Afghanistan to an end and to bring our home. Support the country. Stop fighting drawdown of the U.S. military presence in troops home. The war effort in Afghanistan is where it no longer makes sense. Afghanistan beginning no later than July of no longer serving its purpose of enhancing the Vote for this resolution. Let’s bring our this year. We, the undersigned members of security of the United States, which should be troops home. Congress, believe the forthcoming reduction our goal. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. in U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan must be We were attacked on 9/11 by al Qaeda. Al significant and sizeable, and executed in an Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Con. Res. orderly fashion. Qaeda had bases in Afghanistan. It made 28, a resolution requiring the removal of all Our nation’s economic and national secu- sense to go in and destroy those bases. And United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan. rity interests are not served by a policy of we did. We have every right, we have every I believe it is time to bring the United States open-ended war in Afghanistan. At a time of duty to destroy bases which are being used to Military’s involvement in Afghanistan to a severe economic distress, the war in Afghani- plot against the United States. But the CIA close. stan is costing the United States more than tells us that there are now fewer than 100 al Since the beginning of the Afghanistan War, $100 billion per year, excluding the long-term costs of care for returning military Qaeda personnel in all of the country of Af- the United States and Coalition Forces have servicemembers. At the same time, military ghanistan. lost 2,347 service men and women. Tens of and intelligence officials agree that Al It is past time to admit that our legitimate thousands have suffered from other disabilities Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan is dimin- purpose in Afghanistan—to destroy al Qaeda or psychological harm. With thousands of ished and that there will not be a military bases—has long since been accomplished. Texas Guardsmen currently serving in Iraq solution to resolve the current situation. It But it is a fool’s errand to try to remake a and Afghanistan, I will never forget their brav- is simply unsustainable for our nation to country that nobody since Genghis Khan has maintain a costly, military-first strategy in ery in fighting for the freedoms, liberties, aid Afghanistan. managed to conquer. What makes us think, human dignity of the Afghanistan people. A significant redeployment of U.S. troops what arrogance gives us the right to assume Our nation’s economic and national security from Afghanistan beginning in July 2011 will that we can succeed where the Mongols, the interests are not served by a policy of an send a clear signal that the United States British, the Soviets failed? No government in open-ended war in Afghanistan. does not seek a permanent presence in Af- Afghanistan, no government in Kabul, has Mr. Speaker, our soldiers have fought for ghanistan. This transition will provide in- ever been able to make its writ run in the en- us, now it’s time for us to fight for them. I en- centive for internal stakeholders to improve upon the political status quo, reduce corrup- tire country. courage my colleagues to support this resolu- tion, and take meaningful steps toward the Why have we undertaken to invent a gov- tion and help bring our soldiers home. establishment of an effective, trustworthy, ernment that is not supported by the majority Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, while I support and inclusive governance structure. A mean- of the people, a government that is corrupt, the intent of this bill, I rise in reluctant opposi- ingful start to withdrawal will also empower and try to impose it on this country? Afghani- tion to H. Con. Res. 28, legislation introduced U.S. diplomatic engagement with regional stan is in the middle of what is at this point a by Congressman KUCINICH directing the Presi- and global stakeholders who share a common 35-year civil war. We have no business inter- dent to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Af- interest in the long-term stability of Afghan- istan. vening in that civil war, we have no ability to ghanistan within 30 days. The majority of the American people over- win it for one side or the other, and we have I agree with Congressman KUCINICH that we whelmingly support a rapid shift toward no necessity to win it for one side or the other. must have an exit strategy and a concrete withdrawal in Afghanistan. In fact, a Gallup This whole idea of counterinsurgency, that we plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Poll released on February 2, 2011 indicated are going to persuade the people who are left However, I voted against this resolution when that 72% of Americans favor action this year alive after our firepower is applied to love the it came up for a vote last year because I be- to ‘‘speed up the withdrawal of troops from government that we like is absurd. lieved that withdrawing all troops 30 days after Afghanistan.’’ Let us be clear. The redeploy- ment of a minimal number of U.S. troops It will take tens of years, hundreds and hun- enactment of the bill was unrealistic. from Afghanistan in July will not meet the dreds of billions of dollars, tens of thousands Yesterday, along with a large number of my expectations of Congress or the American of American lives, if it can be done at all, and like-minded colleagues in the House, I sent a people. we don’t need to do it. It’s their country. If they letter to President Obama urging him to pre- Mr. President, as you work to finally bring want to have a civil war, we can’t stop them. pare for a significant and sizeable drawdown an end to the war in Iraq by the end of this We can’t choose the rulers that they have, we of troops from Afghanistan that begins this year, we must commit ourselves to ensuring don’t have to like the rulers that they have, July. I ask for permission to include this letter that our nation’s military engagement in Af- ghanistan does not become the status quo. It and we don’t have to like their choices. It’s not for the record. is time to focus on securing a future of eco- up to us. Last December, the Obama Administration nomic opportunity and prosperity for the At this point we must recognize that rebuild- concluded in its review of the war in Afghani- American people and move swiftly to end ing Afghanistan is both beyond our ability and stan that we will be ready to begin a respon- America’s longest war in Afghanistan. beyond our mandate to prevent terrorists from sible drawdown in July 2011. This week, Gen- Mr. President, we look forward to working attacking the United States. And if it be said eral Petraeus testified before Congress that he with you to make that goal a reality. that there are terrorists operating in Afghani- would keep our military and counterinsurgency Sincerely, Joe Baca; Tammy Baldwin; Karen Bass; stan, that may be, but it is also true of Yemen, gains in mind as he begins to provide rec- Lois Capps; Michael E. Capuano; Andre´ Somalia and many other countries. We do not ommendations to the President on com- Carson; Yvette D. Clarke; Steve Cohen; need to invade and conquer and occupy all mencing our military drawdown in July. John Conyers, Jr.; Jerry F. Costello; those countries, and Afghanistan provides no We have now entered the tenth year that Elijah E. Cummings; Danny K. Davis greater necessity or justification for military op- American troops have been in Afghanistan, (IL); Peter A. DeFazio; Rosa L. erations. the longest war in U.S. history. An over- DeLauro; Theodore E. Deutch; John J. We are throwing $100 billion a year—plus whelming majority of the American people—in- Duncan, Jr. (TN); Donna F. Edwards; countless lives—down a drainpipe, for no use- cluding an increasing number of Members of Keith Ellison; Sam Farr; Bob Filner; Barney Frank; Marcia L. Fudge; John ful purpose at all—and with very little discus- Congress—supports a safe and significant re- Garamendi; Rau´ l M. Grijalva; Luis V. sion of our purposes and of whether our policy deployment of U.S troops from Afghanistan Gutierrez; Alcee L. Hastings; Maurice matches our purposes. soon. D. Hinchey; Mazie K. Hirono; Rush D. To continue so bad a policy at so high a There is no question that we need to end Holt; Michael M. Honda; Jesse L. Jack- cost is simply unconscionable. It is unjustifi- our mission in Afghanistan. I will carefully re- son, Jr.; Sheila Jackson Lee; Eddie

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.055 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1953 Bernice Johnson; Hank Johnson, Jr.; calation of this war and want all of our troops The yeas and nays were ordered. Timothy V. Johnson; Walter B. Jones; home soon, does not dictate size or set a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Barbara Lee; John B. Larson; John timetable for those withdrawals after July ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Lewis; Zoe Lofgren; Ben Ray Luja´ n; ceedings on this question will be post- Carolyn B. Maloney; Edward J. Mar- 2011. key; Doris O. Matsui; Jim McDermott; That letter however did make clear that ‘‘a poned. James P. McGovern; Michael H. significant redeployment from Afghanistan be- f ginning in July 2011 will send a clear signal Michaud; George Miller; Gwen Moore; PROHIBITING FEDERAL FUNDING that the United States does not seek a perma- James P. Moran; Christopher S. Mur- OF NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO phy; Grace Napolitano; Eleanor Holmes nent presence in Afghanistan.’’ Norton; John W. Olver; Bill Pascrell, Even though July does not begin for over Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, pur- Jr.; Ron Paul; Donald M. Payne; 100 days from now, sending that letter in suant to House Resolution 174, I call up Chellie Pingree; Jared Polis; David E. March allows the military to have plenty of the bill (H.R. 1076) to prohibit Federal Price; Mike Quigley; Rep, Charles B. time to plan for a sizeable withdrawal. funding of National Public Radio and Rangel; Laura Richardson; Lucille This was the same gist of several bills by the use of Federal funds to acquire Roybal-Allard; Linda T. Sa´ nchez; Lo- retta Sanchez; Janice D. Schakowsky; Mr. MCGOVERN last year that asked the mili- radio content, and ask for its imme- Bobby Scott; Jose´ E. Serrano; Albio tary to give us their withdrawal plan by a cer- diate consideration. Sires; Louise McIntosh Slaughter; tain date, including any reasons for why a re- The Clerk read the title of the bill. Jackie Speier; Pete Stark; Mike deployment might be delayed, rather than hav- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Thompson (CA); John F. Tierney; ing Congress mandate that date. ant to House Resolution 174, the bill is Edolphus Towns; Niki Tsongas; Maxine Again, I support this resolution reluctantly considered read. Waters; Anthony D. Weiner; Peter because it sends an important signal to the Af- The text of the bill is as follows: Welch; Lynn C. Woolsey, Members of ghanistan government and its people that the H.R. 1076 Congress. U.S. is not intent on an endless occupation Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support and that after ten years in America’s longest resentatives of the United States of America in this resolution with great reluctance. war in history, we cannot morally or financially Congress assembled, I have had many great conversations and continue to afford this war. To the extent this SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDING discussions with the sponsor of this resolution resolution does that, I am in full support. How- OF NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AND since coming to Congress about the issues of RADIO CONTENT ACQUISITION. ever, again, my concerns remain about its (a) IN GENERAL.—No Federal funds may be war and peace and justice. He even came to method. my district last year to join me in a town hall made available— Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, once again (1) to an organization that is incorporated on the war in Afghanistan. He’s been a great we are debating this issue. And once again I as of the date of the enactment of this Act leader on this issue and a great friend. will vote in support of ending our involvement for each of the purposes described in sub- I agree with the gentleman about the need in Afghanistan. section (c), or to any successor organization; to bring our troops home from Afghanistan as Our ongoing commitment in Afghanistan has (2) for payment of dues to an organization soon as possible. Recently, I joined a number proved exceedingly difficult and costly—and at described in paragraph (1); or (3) for the acquisition of radio programs of my colleagues in writing to the President to a time when we can ill-afford the $100 billion make clear our belief that the troop with- (including programs to be distributed or dis- a year to sustain it. After years of war, the seminated over the Internet) by or for the drawals from Afghanistan should be ‘‘substan- economic and military costs are straining our tial, significant, and orderly.’’ The gentleman use of a radio broadcast station that is a servicemembers, their families, and the coun- public broadcast station (as defined in sec- from Ohio did not join that letter although as try—they are simply too high. tion 397(6) of the Communications Act of 1934 I said, I know he shares the same goals of all President Obama increased our commit- (47 U.S.C. 397(6))). those who signed it. ment there while also defining a goal of with- (b) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— A few weeks ago, I voted for an amendment drawal. But our increased efforts have not (1) OTHER PURPOSES.—Paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall not be construed to to H.R. 1 that would limit funding for the war yielded enough progress. in Afghanistan to $10 billion, with the hope prohibit the making available of Federal I have joined with my colleagues in sending funds to any entity, including an entity that that those funds would be used by the De- a letter, led by Rep. BARBARA LEE, to the fense Department to plan and implement a engages in the payment described in such President supporting his planned drawdown of paragraph (2) or the acquisition described in timetable for the safe and expeditious with- the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan be- such paragraph (3), for purposes other than drawal of our troops. ginning no later than July of this year. such payment or acquisition. I want an end to these wars. One of the cri- It is time to bring this war to a responsible (2) RADIO CONTENT ACQUISITION BY BROAD- teria that I have used for supporting those ef- end. CASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS OR DEFENSE forts and similar efforts in the past by a num- Our brave men and women in uniform have MEDIA ACTIVITY.—Subsection (a)(3) shall not ber of my colleagues is that we have to allow fought well and continue to deserve our full be construed to apply to the acquisition of radio programs by the Broadcasting Board of our military planners to implement that with- support and commitment to return them home drawal in a way that is safe, orderly and re- Governors or the Defense Media Activity. safely to their families and loved ones. They (c) PURPOSES DESCRIBED.—The purposes de- sponsible. have fought with honor, at great cost, in the scribed in this subsection are the following: I doubt that the 30 day-withdrawal deadline face of great challenges. I am humbled by (1) To propose, plan and develop, to ac- in this bill meets that criteria. The bill itself rec- their sacrifice. quire, purchase and lease, to prepare, ognizes that by giving the President the option While I support the President and our mili- produce and record, and to distribute, license to delay that withdrawal through the end of the tary leadership, I believe we must send a and otherwise make available radio pro- year. message that the U.S. cannot sustain further grams to be broadcast over noncommercial Although I am eager to withdraw, I am beset commitments in Afghanistan. educational radio broadcast stations, net- with a nagging question: how practical is it to works and systems. I believe the resolution before us today (2) To engage in research study activities move 100,000 troops and the associated sends that message, and that is why I support equipment out of a country half way around with respect to noncommercial educational it. radio programming and broadcasting. the world in 30 days in an orderly, safe, and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I (3) To lease, purchase, acquire and own, to responsible fashion? yield back the balance of my time. order, have, use and contract for, and to oth- I support getting our troops out of Afghani- The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time erwise obtain, arrange for and provide tech- stan. But we have to do so wisely. We can’t for debate has expired. nical equipment and facilities for the pro- waive a magic wand today and they are gone Pursuant to the order of the House of duction, recording and distribution of radio tomorrow or dismiss concerns about their Wednesday, March 16, 2011, the pre- programs for broadcast over noncommercial safety. That is why on the issue of how that vious question is ordered. educational radio stations, networks and withdrawal is conducted, I have always sup- The question is on the concurrent systems. ported legislation that defers that question to (4) To establish and maintain one or more resolution. service or services for the production, dupli- our military planners. The question was taken; and the cation, promotion and circulation of radio Again, even the letter that was sent to the Speaker pro tempore announced that programs on tape, cassettes, records or any President recently by a number of my col- the ayes appeared to have it. other means or mechanism suitable for non- leagues, such as BARBARA LEE and JIM Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, commercial educational transmission and MCGOVERN, who like myself opposed the es- on that I demand the yeas and nays. broadcast thereof.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.059 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1954 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 (5) To cooperate and participate with for- GENERAL LEAVE Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of eign broadcasting systems and networks in Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I my time. all aspects of international radio program- ask that all Members be given 5 legis- b 1330 ming and broadcasting. lative days within which to revise and (6) To develop, prepare and publish infor- extend their remarks on the legislation Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield mation, data, reports and other materials in and to insert extraneous material on myself 3 minutes. support of or relating to noncommercial edu- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. cational radio programming and broad- the bill. casting. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 1076. This bill will cripple National (7) To otherwise forward and advance the objection to the request of the gentle- Public Radio, public radio stations, and development, production, distribution and woman from Tennessee? programming that is vital to over 27 use of noncommercial educational radio pro- There was no objection. million Americans. We are now voting grams, materials and services, and to assist Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield myself to deny the public access to one of our and support noncommercial educational such time as I may consume. Nation’s most credible sources of news radio broadcasting pursuant to the Public Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support coverage. CBO has scored this bill. It Broadcasting Act of 1967, as it may from of H.R. 1076, a bill to get the Federal does not save a penny. This means that time to time be amended. Government—and Federal taxpayers— this legislation does not serve any fis- (d) FEDERAL FUNDS DEFINED.— out of the business of buying radio pro- (1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term cal purpose, but it does serve an ugly ‘‘Federal funds’’ means, with respect to re- gramming they do not agree with. This ideological one. ceipt by a non-Federal entity from the Fed- is a bill that is long overdue. Regard- This legislation is not about reform- eral Government, the following: less of what you think of NPR, its pro- ing NPR. It is about punishing NPR. (A) Grants. gramming or statements by its man- We’ve held no hearings on this bill. It (B) Loans. agement, the time has come to cut the didn’t get referred to the committee (C) Property. umbilical cord from the taxpayer sup- for consideration. It’s being handled as (D) Cooperative agreements. port that has become as predictable as if it were an emergency. We don’t even (E) Direct appropriations. an entitlement program. (2) GRANTS OR SUBGRANTS FROM NON-FED- know all the facts, but that’s appar- Much has changed, Mr. Speaker, in ently no impediment. ERAL ENTITY.—Such term also includes the media landscape since the Corpora- grants or subgrants from Federal funds made For decades, decisions on Federal available to a non-Federal entity. tion for Public Broadcasting was cre- support for public broadcasting have ated in 1967, followed by its creation of (e) CHANGES TO FUNDING FORMULA.—Sec- been made 2 years in advance to insu- National Public Radio in 1970. Today, tion 396(k)(3)(A) of the Communications Act late public broadcasting from politi- we have multiple listening choices. of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 396(k)(3)(A)) is amended— cally motivated interference. This bill (1) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘fiscal year’’ There is analog radio, digital radio, removes that buffer. NPR is now ex- and all that follows and inserting ‘‘fiscal satellite radio, streaming radio over posed to the full force of the political year, such amounts shall be available for dis- the Internet, and podcasts—both com- winds that blow through the House of tribution among the licensees and permit- mercial and the self-published variety. Representatives. That means the inde- tees of public radio stations pursuant to Choice and available content are not paragraph (6)(B).’’; and pendence and objectivity that public the problem. If you want to find some (2) in clause (v)(II), by striking ‘‘clause broadcasting has tried so hard to up- content, the only question is where you (ii)(II) and (III)’’ and inserting ‘‘clause (iii)’’. hold is now subject, clearly, to polit- (f) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 396 will find it. In these challenging economic times, ical interference. of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. For those who complain that they 396) is amended— committing the taxpayer to fund and (1) in subsection (g)(2)— support particular content, including don’t want content to be one way or (A) in the matter before clause (i) of sub- content he or she may never listen to, the other on the political spectrum, to paragraph (B), by inserting ‘‘(except for the highlights this absurd anachronism of be honest and fair, the right-wing Re- acquisition of radio programs)’’ after ‘‘public the past. It is time to move forward publicans are trying to impose their telecommunications services’’; and and to let National Public Radio spread view of what NPR should be saying in (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘(ex- the content of their programming. cept for the acquisition of radio programs)’’ its wings and support itself. This legislation does several impor- They will say that’s not the case; but, after ‘‘public telecommunications services’’; Mr. Speaker, that is the case. (2) in subsection (k)— tant things. It prohibits the direct Fed- (A) in the 1st sentence of paragraph eral funding of National Public Radio; There is no reason for this bill. It is (3)(B)(i)— and more importantly, it ensures that vindictive, it is mean-spirited, it is (i) by striking ‘‘and subparagraph American taxpayers will not be funding going to hit the smallest stations in (A)(iii)(II)’’; and through their tax dollars radio pro- rural areas particularly hard. Public (ii) by striking ‘‘or radio’’; gramming from NPR or other outlets radio is indispensable for access to (B) in the 3rd sentence of paragraph (6)(B), with which they may not agree. news that’s hard to get, especially by striking ‘‘paragraph (3)(A)(iii)(I)’’ and in- It is also important to recognize that where broadband service is limited. serting ‘‘paragraph (3)(A)(iii)’’; and I urge my colleagues to vote against (C) in paragraph (7)— this bill does not do a few things. It (i) by striking ‘‘(iii)(I)’’ and inserting does not defund public radio stations. I this bill. ‘‘(iii)’’; and want to repeat that, Mr. Speaker, be- Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- (ii) by inserting ‘‘(except for the acquisi- cause I think it is such an important sent that the gentlewoman from the tion of radio programming)’’ before the pe- point. It does not defund public radio State of California (Ms. ESHOO), the riod at the end; and stations. They still may use Federal ranking member of the Subcommittee (3) in subsection (l)(4)— funding to operate their stations or to on Telecommunications, be allowed to (A) in the matter before clause (i) of sub- produce their own programming. Pub- control the balance of my time. paragraph (B), by striking ‘‘(iii)(II)’’ and in- lic radio stations may also continue to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there serting ‘‘(iii)’’; (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘sub- purchase programming from NPR or objection to the request of the gen- section (k)(3)(A)(iii)(III)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub- other sources, just not with Federal tleman from California? section (k)(3)(A)(iii)’’; and taxpayer dollars. Also, this bill has no There was no objection. (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘sub- impact—I want to repeat that—no im- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at section (k)(3)(A) (ii)(III) or (iii)(II)’’ and in- pact on public television. this time, I yield 5 minutes to the gen- serting ‘‘subsection (k)(3)(A)(ii)(II) or sub- The added benefit of this legislation tleman from Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN), section (k)(3)(A)(iii)’’. is that it ensures that, if taxpayer dol- the author of the legislation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- lars are necessary and given to local Mr. LAMBORN. Thank you, Madam tlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. stations, the money will not be used to BLACKBURN, for your great work that BLACKBURN) and the gentleman from purchase generic national program- you do on the committee. California (Mr. WAXMAN) each will con- ming but, instead, can be used to I introduced H.R. 1076 because the trol 30 minutes. produce local content that actually Federal Government can no longer af- The Chair recognizes the gentle- will meet the needs of the communities ford to fund programs that are fully ca- woman from Tennessee. in which these are located. pable of standing on their own. This is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.036 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1955 not about the ideology of NPR execu- I’m a strong believer in the free mar- crippling NPR is hardly an emergency. tives or the content that NPR pro- ket. I’d like to see NPR rework its And it does it in a very sneaky back- duces; but whether, in this age of tril- business model and begin to compete door way. What the bill does is it cuts lion-dollar annual deficits, taxpayers for all of its income. NPR already re- off the use of all Federal funding to should subsidize a nonessential entity. ceives a huge amount of funding from NPR by preventing any grants to it. It Plain and simple, this bill accom- private individuals and organizations prevents any support to NPR by the plishes three things. First, it prohibits through donations and sponsorships. Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public radio stations from using Fed- NPR can and should be entirely sup- and it prevents support to NPR pro- eral funds to purchase programming. ported with private sources. gramming from public radio stations Current Federal law requires that In my own State of Colorado, Colo- across the country. In other words, it about 26 percent of Federal grants to rado Public Radio received in fiscal cripples it, it hobbles it, which is really public radio stations be used for the year ’10 only 6 percent of its funding what the majority is seeking to do. production or acquisition of program- from the Corporation for Public Broad- This proposal is not going to do any- ming. Many stations use these re- casting. Now, according to this bill, thing about reducing the deficit. The stricted grants to purchase program- Colorado Public Radio is still per- CBO has weighed in. It doesn’t cut any ming from NPR. These programming mitted to apply for and receive Federal Federal spending. In fact, the bill fees are the largest single source of grants through the Corporation for doesn’t produce one penny in savings. NPR revenue at $56 million in fiscal Public Broadcasting, but they cannot What’s very clear is what it does do, year ’10. use Federal money for the NPR dues or and it’s really purposeful. And that is Second, H.R. 1076 prohibits stations purchasing of content. They could use to hobble NPR, threatening 9,000 jobs from using Federal funds to pay NPR the other 94 percent of their money to at stations across the country. Why? I dues: in fiscal year ’10, over 400 member purchase program content. Will this think the motivations behind this ef- stations paid a total of $2.8 million in potentially require them to review and fort are quite clear: They are rooted in dues to NPR. reprioritize where money is spent? I’m an ideological view about what NPR Third, my bill prohibits direct Fed- sure it will. But will it kill its pro- broadcasts, and it capitalizes on recent eral fundings of National Public Radio. gramming? No way. headlines involving Ron Schiller and For fiscal year ’10, NPR received over According to NPR, Federal funding Juan Williams. This attack on NPR $5 million in direct funding from the to supplement operations amounts to strikes at the core of a wide array of Corporation for Public Broadcasting, less than 2 percent of its annual budg- NPR programming that Americans Departments of Education and Com- et. Some have said this Congress enjoy every single day, all week long merce, and the National Endowment should not bother with such a small across the country, from ‘‘The Diane for the Arts. These three sources of amount of money. Only in Washington Rehm Show’’ to ‘‘Morning Edition’’ revenues I just described totaled about would anyone say $64 million is not and two of my favorites, ‘‘Car Talk’’ $64 million in fiscal year ’10. worth saving. You have to start some- and ‘‘World of Opera.’’ I acknowledge Local public radio stations would not where if you’re truly serious about get- that our Nation faces threats, but ‘‘Car be able to use Federal tax dollars under ting our fiscal house in order. If Con- Talk’’ is hardly one of them, and nei- this bill to purchase content, whether gress cannot make difficult decisions ther is ‘‘Diane Rehm.’’ Silencing what it’s from NPR or any other vendor. in the small areas, how can we even However, under this bill, a station some disagree with—make no mistake begin to tackle entitlements or other about it—is a threat to our democracy. could use other dollars for the payment major programs? of NPR dues or the acquisition of pro- A great democracy does not silence If we look at the sting video that has voices. We want many voices to the gramming. Should this bill become received so much attention, Ron law, the prohibition of funds would many. Shuler admits that NPR would be bet- NPR programming reaches more take effect immediately. ter off without Federal funding. There than 900 independently owned and oper- But the real issue today is the proper is no need for further debate. NPR does role of the Federal Government with ated stations across the country, from not need taxpayer dollars. We can save San Francisco’s KQED, the most lis- National Public Radio and whether a program, or we can save our country. government programs and services that tened to public radio station in the Americans want Washington to get se- country with more than 740,000 lis- can be funded privately should receive rious about ending our overspending. If taxpayer dollars. We live in an age of teners each week, to small rural sta- we can do that, the economy will get tions like that of the chairman of the digital radio, computerized digital better, and we will have less unemploy- streaming, commercial all-news radio, subcommittee, KCUW in Pendleton, Or- ment and more jobs. egon. These stations provide an impor- and radio talk shows, many of which The SPEAKER pro tempore. The are also streamed on the Internet or tant public service to the local commu- time of the gentleman has expired. nity, and people trust it, and they over satellite radio; and these provide Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield the gen- enjoy it. They want it. They like it. sources of news and opinion without tleman an additional 30 seconds. This is national programming with Federal taxpayer dollars. NPR should Mr. LAMBORN. To wrap up, like local listenership. do the same. many Americans, I enjoy much of And NPR’s listenership has in- With the national debt over $13 tril- NPR’s programming; but let it live on creased, unlike other stations, by 72 lion, the government should simply not its own. It can do that simply by percent over the last 10 years. A recent continue to fund nonessential services, changing its business model. Just take national survey found—and that’s why and this bill is just one step. the taxpayer out of the equation. I think this is an ill-begotten proposal Long before any firings, videos, and Ms. ESHOO. I yield myself such time by the majority. You say you listen to executive comments at NPR, I spon- as I may consume. sored legislation in Congress to pull Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fierce op- the American people. I think you have the plug on taxpayer funding for the position to this bill which is going to to take the plugs out of your ears. A Corporation for Public Broadcasting, adversely affect more than 34 million recent national survey found that al- NPR’s parent company, as well as NPR. National Public Radio listeners most 70 percent of all voters across the Last year, many of you will remember through 900 local stations across our entire political spectrum oppose termi- this issue came up as a YouCut item, entire country. nating the funding for public broad- and we voted in support of de-funding. My Republican colleagues have de- casting, including 56 percent of Repub- Last month, this House passed H.R. 1. clared an emergency to rush this bill to licans in the country. Within that bill, the Corporation for the floor without any hearings whatso- So I think it’s time to stand up for Public Broadcasting’s unobligated ever to examine the proposal. I think NPR. I think that this is a phony emer- funds for fiscal year ’11 would be re- that’s a bad way to do business. gency measure, and I don’t think NPR scinded. When you couple H.R. 1 with deserves to be treated this way. I urge this bill, H.R. 1076, we end up with tax- b 1340 my colleagues to vote to preserve real- payers having to subsidize National We have many emergencies to deal ly what I think is a national treasure. Public Radio. with in our country, but attacking and It provides in very tough times very

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.092 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 clear and important news and informa- tinguished colleague from our beau- dom to fail. We have an open market- tion to instruct our country and lis- tiful State of California, Congress- place. We have an opportunity to sell teners in local communities around our woman DORIS MATSUI. advertising around the ideas that we Nation. Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank express on the radio. I reserve the balance of my time. the gentlewoman for yielding me time. I’m a success story in using the open Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong marketplace, the freedom to succeed. yield 1 minute to the majority leader, opposition to H.R. 1076. I can’t believe But it also comes with the freedom to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CAN- what I am hearing from the other side fail. And earlier in the year, or last TOR). of the aisle. It’s not a lefty-type orga- year, rather, I started a radio station, Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentlelady. nization. This bill would prohibit pub- a small venture. I populated that staff Mr. Speaker, let’s really be honest lic radio stations from using Federal with folks that were on unemployment; and talk about what this bill is about. funds to buy popular programs like so I know what it means to create jobs. This bill is about making sure that we ‘‘Morning Edition,’’ ‘‘All Things Con- And certainly this is not about fur- are spending taxpayer dollars the way sidered,’’ and ‘‘This American Life.’’ ther burdening our taxpayer with sup- that the people that earned them Mr. Speaker, this would be a huge dis- port of an industry that is perfectly ca- would spend them. And we saw, as the ruption to our Nation’s public radio pable of supporting itself. gentlelady from California indicated, system, economy, and most impor- Ms. ESHOO. I yield 2 minutes to the on video executives at NPR saying that tantly, the intellectual content and gentleman from New York (Mr. they don’t need taxpayer dollars. So news that so many Americans rely WEINER). that’s number one. That’s out there. upon. Mr. WEINER. Crisis averted, ladies That was demonstrated for all of Amer- According to a recent study, NPR’s and gentlemen. What a relief. What a ica to see. We are also in the process of overall audience grew last year to over relief. I’m glad we got the economy making sure that Washington begins to 27 million weekly listeners, up 60 per- back going. I’m glad we’ve secured our do what every American family and cent overall since 2000. And this is nuclear power plants. I’m so glad that small businessperson is having to do when most other media outlets are Americans are back to work. right now. It’s called tightening the struggling. We finally found out our problem. We belt. It’s called trying to learn how to And as a former board chair of Sac- discovered a target that we can all do more with less. And inherently, ramento’s local PBS TV station, I can agree upon. It’s these guys. This is the what that means is, we have got to attest to the value that national public problem. It’s Click and Clack, the Tap- start prioritizing the things that are broadcasting programming offers to pet brothers. We’re finally getting rid important to the American people. my constituents. Mr. Speaker, thou- of them. Thank God we solved this The problem is, we have seen NPR sands of my constituents rely on local problem for the country. programming and its programming NPR stations to get their news, and Now, let’s look at the record here. often veer far from what most Ameri- this is a very diverse group. In fact, For one, they talk in that Boston ac- cans would like to see as far as the ex- since this bill was introduced, I have cent. ‘‘Cah’’ talk. It’s a ‘‘car.’’ I need to penditure of their taxpayer dollars. received a significant number of calls call Congressman CAPUANO whenever That’s the bottom line. Nobody is on a from them voicing very strong support they’re on the air. rampage. Nobody is trying to say that for NPR and very, very strong opposi- Secondly, they talk about master we don’t like NPR for NPR’s sake. We tion to this legislation. One of my con- cylinders and slave cylinders. It’s have seen how they spend their money. stituents told me that listening to kinky. I am glad my Republican So that’s why we are saying, it’s time NPR makes him a more informed, more friends are finally getting to the bot- to prioritize. It’s time to reflect the engaged citizen. tom of this. common sense of the American people. Moreover, this bill will not produce And then with all the giggling and And that’s why the bill takes the form any savings for the taxpayer and will snorting that they do every weekend that it does. It says that we have got not reduce the deficit. For my con- on their show, it’s got to be some kind to, number one, listen to the execu- stituents, it’s a simple equation of of a code. They’re clearly talking to tives at NPR who say that they don’t value for money. need taxpayer funding. the Russians or the Chinese or some- Well, listen, we are all about looking b 1350 thing with all that giggling and snort- for ways to cut right now and save on And also, this is about jobs. We need ing. It is fine. I’m so relieved that we had both sides of the aisle. We ought to to talk about jobs. Public radio sta- this emergency session, that we waived take that advice for what it is. But we tions employ over 9,000 workers across the rules of the House that require 72 also know that NPR takes its funding the country, including 40 in Sac- hours so we finally get these guys off and benefits from taxpayer dollars ramento. Mr. Speaker, these are jobs my radio. Click and Clack, the Tappet through the payments of local stations we cannot lose. across the country. So what we are I urge my colleagues to vote against brothers on ‘‘Car Talk.’’ I know it. Be- saying by this bill, those stations are this harmful legislation. cause these guys, clearly they’re polit- not going to be starved from Corpora- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at ical. Well, I don’t know if they’re polit- tion for Public Broadcasting grants, this point I would like to yield 2 min- ical. They make no sense about most of unlike the lady indicated. What they utes to one of our new freshman Mem- what they say. are going to be told is, You are not bers, the gentleman from Arkansas But you know what? I’m glad we’re going to be using those taxpayer dol- (Mr. CRAWFORD), who is a broadcaster finally not going to have to listen to lars for programming because we have and brings that expertise to this Cham- them. I’m glad the Republican Party fi- seen how NPR has used that funding ber. nally said enough of Click and Clack, and the kind of programming that has Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise the Tappet brothers. That clearly was been involved. in support of H.R. 1076. what the American people said in cam- We are trying to find commonality. As a broadcaster, I understand the paign 2010. Clearly it’s in their con- Our country is made up of much diver- importance of the free marketplace, tract with America or something; sity with people of a lot of differing the freedom to express yourself, but to right? Get rid of Click and Clack? opinions. Why should we allow tax- do it on your own merit. It’s about time, I have to say, be- payer dollars to be used to advocate I brought an idea to the marketplace cause the last thing we want is inform- one ideology? Why should we? We to develop a radio news network, start- ative solutions to how we fix our cars shouldn’t. We should insist that our ed with four stations, and within 4 and the Car Talk Puzzler. And think taxpayer dollars are prioritized, and years was able to grow that to 50 sta- about all the people we’re finally going the people’s interests of this country tions serving five States. I did not ask to put out of work, you know, their are honored. That’s why I urge my col- for one thin dime from the Federal Customer Care Rep, Heywood leagues to support this bill. Government. Yabuzzoff—I’ll tell you how to spell Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am I think freedom to succeed in this this later, I say to the stenographer— pleased to yield 2 minutes to our dis- country has to exist also with the free- and the Director of Ethics, Youlyin

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.093 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1957 Sack, all of these guys that finally are Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I So I would just encourage my col- going to be taken off the public pay- want to clear up what I think are prob- leagues across the aisle here to remem- roll. ably a couple of misunderstandings ber, this is about freeing up those local The Republican Party, no one can that my colleagues have across the radio stations. It is about getting NPR say they’re not in touch. They get it. aisle. out of the taxpayer pocket. It is mak- They understand where the American One of the things I think it’s impor- ing certain that we are good stewards people are. The American people are tant for everyone in this Chamber to of the taxpayer money. not concerned about jobs or the econ- realize, and I know some want to make I reserve the balance of my time. omy or what’s going on around the fun of the fact that we’re here talking Ms. ESHOO. I would just like to add world. They’re staring at their radio about $100 million, $92 million, $67 mil- something here, and that is that one of saying, Get rid of Click and Clack. Fi- lion, different funding that goes in and the mantras of our friends on the other nally my Republican friends are doing through NPR. Mr. Speaker, every sin- side of the aisle was ‘‘read the bill.’’ it. gle penny that comes from the tax- If the gentlewoman from Tennessee Kudos to you. payer is important. And every single would read the bill, she would know Mrs. BLACKBURN. I reserve the bal- penny that we appropriate comes from that there is not one dime, not one ance of my time. those taxpayers, and we are charged cent that is saved in this bill. And ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE with being good stewards of that what this bill does is you can talk all The SPEAKER pro tempore. The money. Changing the structure in you want about NPR and how much Chair will remind all persons in the which NPR does their business, as Mr. you love it, but what you are doing is gallery that they are here as guests of LAMBORN said, looking at that business killing off the local stations from being the House, and that any manifestation model, this is a step that we can take able to have the money to buy NPR’s of approval or disapproval of the pro- to save those taxpayer dollars. This is programming. So you are hurting local ceedings is in violation of the rules of a step that is going to change that broadcasting. the House. business model and free NPR. I now would like to yield 2 minutes Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would Now, contrary to what some across to the distinguished woman from the now like to yield 2 minutes to a highly the aisle are saying, this doesn’t take Santa Barbara, California area, a val- respected member of the Energy and NPR off the air. What this does is to ued member of the committee, Con- Commerce Committee and the Tele- say, NPR, you’ve got to get out of the gresswoman LOIS CAPPS. communications and Internet Sub- taxpayers’ pocket, because the tax- Mrs. CAPPS. I thank the ranking committee, the gentleman from Penn- payer is not going to allow those tax- member of the committee. payer dollars to be spent to pay those sylvania, Mr. MIKE DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- And Happy St. Patrick’s Day. NPR dues and to buy that NPR pro- tion to this effort to defund public Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, today the gramming. radio. House Republicans want to eliminate Now, another misconception that Right now, millions of Americans funding for NPR, some because they seems to be out there is about jobs and tune in to NPR stations across the saying that programming is going to be think the government shouldn’t oper- country for one reason, the consistency denied because these stations won’t be ate a news service and some because of the high quality of its programming. able to use taxpayer money to acquire they think the reporting is biased. I be- In a world awash by often ill-informed some of this government NPR pro- lieve they’re wrong on both counts. and sensationalist cable news and ever gramming. Let me tell you, what we’re Public radio plays an important role louder voices, public broadcasting pro- doing is empowering these local radio in our communities as a source of news vides thoughtful, even-handed analysis stations, and I hope, Mr. Speaker, that and entertainment. My colleagues of the issues of the day. And they do it our colleagues understand this. should consider the studies that show every day. The bill before us seeks to that NPR listeners are more aware of b 1400 end that. It is nothing more than an ef- indisputable facts than viewers and lis- We are turning to these local affili- fort to cripple NPR by crippling our teners of most other news sources. ates and saying, look, there are still local public radio stations. Opponents of NPR hold up a video hit going to be grants out there. You can The bill would decimate local NPR piece to show that NPR is biased. Even create your own programming. stations by restricting their ability to Glenn Beck’s Web site, The Blaze, ex- This is a great jobs program for these choose programming best suited to plains that the video is neither fair nor local radio stations. This is telling their community. balanced, how it’s basically a lie. them you don’t have to buy program- In my district, NPR stations like And my colleagues should consider ming you don’t want and that your lis- KCLU, KCRW, and KCBX provide valu- the fact that many NPR programs have teners really don’t want to listen to. able international and domestic news. nothing to do with news or politics. We are saying, get creative. Get that They bring ‘‘All Things Considered,’’ Where’s the bias in ‘‘Car Talk’’? There American spirit to work just as Mr. ‘‘Morning Edition,’’ and ‘‘Car Talk’’ might be a bias against Pintos or Pac- CRAWFORD was talking about. Find a into our cars and our living rooms. But ers, but not a political bias. Where’s niche in your marketplace and create a these stations also cover local news, the political bias in music broadcasts? program. concerts, local and school events. They There might be a bias against Pro- Do you want to talk about the jobs produce shows like ‘‘Ears on the Arts,’’ kofiev, but not a political bias. that are created? Every time that you ‘‘Community Calendar,’’ and ‘‘From Even so, if this bill were simply to create a new radio show, you have got Ballet to Broadway.’’ The bill throws defund NPR’s direct public contribu- a writer, an editor, a producer, a direc- all that out the window. tion, then at least it would only impact tor, a sound engineer, a sound tech, a NPR reports and media coverage are the organization with the alleged polit- systems engineer. You have got post- consistently even-handed, driven by a ical bias, which is, again, based on a production work to take place. You high standard of journalistic ethics. lie. But this bill goes further. It hurts have got a host. You have got a call They are not politically biased. NPR local public radio stations and tens of screener, you have got a board oper- lets the stories do the talking, not the millions of listeners from across the ator, you have got a research assistant commentators. And apparently the country. working with that writer and working public, the tax-paying public, likes If this bill is enacted, communities with that editor. You have got a sales that. across the country will be denied pro- and marketing team working. You According to the Pew Project for Ex- gramming that their residents want. have got advertisers that are looking; cellence in Journalism, in the last year Whatever happened to the philosophy now, of course NPR calls them spon- the television networks’ audience that more choice is better? sors. You have affiliate relations teams slipped 3.5 percent, newspapers were My colleagues, this is bad public pol- that are working. And you also have down 5 percent, radio fell 6 percent, icy. This is a terrible bill. This is a ter- attorneys that are working on the in- magazines were down almost 9 percent. rible waste of our time, and I urge my tellectual property to make certain NPR, up 3 percent. Since 2000, NPR’s colleagues to reject it. that they protect that content. audience is up 58 percent. In the last

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.095 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 year, it’s Web site, npr.org, drew an av- in Wisconsin nearly 450,000 people lis- what was going on in that conversation erage of 15.7 million unique monthly ten to Wisconsin Public Radio weekly with Mr. Schiller at that table for 2 visitors, up more than 5 million visi- over three statewide networks. In addi- hours that day. If you look at the tors. tion, 2.3 million visitors visited the whole video, you’ll see, the cast of the This is a reflection of the quality of Wisconsin Public Radio Web site in character and the content reflected, its programs and its dedication to its 2010. the culture of NPR; in the same way, mission. Public broadcasting helps edu- Those who listen to Wisconsin Public in my view, that the videos of ACORN cate our society, celebrates the arts, Radio know how much there is to love. reflected accurately the actual inter- education, respectful debate, and civil Wisconsin Public Radio provides over 9 nal culture of ACORN. We shut off the discourse. NPR and the 900-plus local hours each weekday of interactive funding to ACORN for that reason. Of stations are valuable resources for our radio programming, engaging Wis- all the data that we’ve put out on country. consin residents and experts from ACORN, you couldn’t be convinced to I urge my colleagues to stand up for around the world in public policy, cul- shut off the funding until you saw the public broadcasting and oppose this ture, arts, and educational discussions. reality of the video. legislation. And because Wisconsin is largely a Then we looked into Planned Parent- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, rural State, our citizens rely on over- hood, and of all the data that was since the previous speaker talked a lit- the-air broadcasting more than almost brought out here to the floor of the tle bit about NPR and its listening au- any other State. This means that Wis- House, Mr. Speaker—and I compliment dience, I would like to make certain consin audiences significantly rely on MIKE PENCE for doing so and all of that the record reflects a little bit public radio. those who stood with him and for life— about that listening audience. Not only would this horrible bill, still, the American people didn’t under- We know that more men than women rushed before us today, cripple local stand the real culture of Planned Par- listen to NPR, except for the classical radio stations and programming that enthood until they saw the video. music, which is 48 percent female. Baby we enjoy in Wisconsin; it severely The SPEAKER pro tempore. The boomers are a big part of their audi- harms listeners’ access to national time of the gentleman has expired. ence. shows, like ‘‘Morning Edition,’’ ‘‘All Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield the gen- We also know that NPR, according to Things Considered,’’ ‘‘This American tleman an additional 30 seconds. their Web site, says that their audience Life,’’ ‘‘A Prairie Home Companion,’’ Mr. KING of Iowa. I thank the gen- is extraordinarily well educated. Near- and one of my personal favorites, tlelady. ly 65 percent of all listeners have a ‘‘Whad’ya Know,’’ among many others. Of all the data that we’ve seen, we bachelor’s degree, compared to only a Mr. Speaker, the Republican major- still had not absorbed the real culture quarter of the U.S. population. ity is clearly not interested in creating of NPR, until we saw the video of that We also know that they are wealthy jobs or dealing seriously with this def- dinner, those 2 hours that day. listeners, Mr. Speaker. NPR households icit. Despite all of the talk, we are here So I stand in support of this act and tend to be more affluent than other today considering legislation that at- this resolution, and I believe it’s time households as a result of their edu- tacks public radio. I strongly oppose for us to draw a bright line in our budg- cational attainment. The median this bill, and I strongly urge all of my et and cut this funding. I will be voting household income of an NPR news lis- colleagues to do so, too. to adopt the cutting of the funding, as tener is about $86,000, compared to the Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at will my colleagues. national average of about $55,000. this time I yield 2 minutes to the gen- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, may I in- We also know that when it comes to tleman from Iowa (Mr. KING). quire how much time we have left on geography, more than 99 percent of the each side? b 1410 U.S. population has access to at least The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- one NPR station. And then, when it Mr. KING of Iowa. I thank the gen- tlewoman from California has 13 min- comes to employment, the majority of tlelady from Tennessee for yielding utes remaining. The gentlewoman from NPR listeners, 63 percent, are em- time. Tennessee has 11 minutes remaining. ployed full time. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to Ms. ESHOO. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, again, I repeat the rise in support of this bill. The Federal I now would like to yield 2 minutes point. The object of this today is to get Government has a few constitutional to the gentleman from Massachusetts, NPR out of the taxpayers’ pockets. It duties, and we seem to have taken on a Congressman ED MARKEY, whom I is time for us to do this. It is time for lot of Federal responsibilities. As time think possesses the broadest and the this structure to be changed. It is time goes on, every time we see a need, we deepest knowledge about telecommuni- for us to be good stewards and save the think we have to tap into the tax- cations in the Congress. money of the American taxpayer. This payers and create another government Mr. MARKEY. I thank the gentle- is another step toward that goal. function. But this is not one of those lady. I reserve the balance of my time. functions that is an enumerated power Mr. Speaker, in an era when Edwar- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I now yield of the United States Congress. It is not dian drama is the only way to charac- 2 minutes to Congresswoman TAMMY something that we are compelled to do. terize the way in which cable news BALDWIN from Wisconsin, a highly val- It is something that is discretionary. deals with the public affairs of our ued member of the committee. We are into operations at a time of country, there is an oasis of real news Ms. BALDWIN. I thank the gentle- austerity, a time when we see what’s that begins with Morning Edition, goes woman. happened as a prelude to the American right through the day to All Things Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong economy, if we just look over to Eu- Considered, which focuses on that most opposition to this bill which prohibits rope, in places like, oh, Portugal, Ire- unusual of all subjects, hard news, that Federal funding of National Public land, Italy, Greece, Spain, for example. the American people can use to make Radio and the use of Federal funds to That’s the direction we’re heading with judgments about the affairs of our acquire radio content. our economy. And as we see this discre- country and the affairs of the world. It I am incredibly disappointed in my tionary spending grow along with our is an oasis of information that is sup- Republican colleagues for this needless entitlements grow and our economy plemented, yes, by Lake Woe Begone, attempt to cripple NPR and threaten contract, we also need to take a look On Point, other programs that raise thousands of jobs in the public broad- at these items that are at our discre- the cultural level but serve as a place casting community. Without so much tion as to whether or not to fund. where people, 170 million Americans, as a single hearing on this subject, this I think that the image that we have can go to get real information. bill dissolves a vital public radio sys- seen on the videos tells us something Now what is this debate all about? tem depended upon by millions of about the internal culture of NPR. If Well, it’s really about an ancient ani- Americans across the country. you haven’t seen the videos, or if mosity which the Republican Party has Twenty-seven million Americans lis- you’ve just seen the little text in there, had to the very creation of NPR, ten to NPR each week, and back home that doesn’t give you the real sense of through Newt Gingrich, through the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.098 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1959 early years of the 21st century, right I rise in strenuous opposition to H.R. My good friend from Tennessee just up to today where it’s on a list of 1076, visited upon us without any atten- went through all the steps that are grievances which they have about this tion to regular order, hastened to the necessary to produce local content. ability of NPR to provide this news and floor in defiance of the commitments That is complex and it is expensive. information. That’s what the debate’s of the Speaker, and without any hear- That is why they voluntarily buy about. You don’t have to be Dick Tracy ings or consideration by the Com- ‘‘Morning Edition’’ or ‘‘Prairie Home to figure out what this debate is all mittee on Energy and Commerce. No Companion’’ or ‘‘Car Talk.’’ about. They have right from the very opportunity for the public to speak or NPR never said it didn’t need the beginning of the creation of this net- to be heard on what we’re doing. money. They are relying on a discred- work wanted to destroy it. The majority continues to force ited video that was exposed by Glenn I think that they are going to run Members of this body to waste time Beck’s Web site, of all places. Our into a razor blade sharp edge reaction and energy of the House, a critical friends should talk to the thousands of from the American public as they find asset of this Nation, on political witch- volunteers at home who rely upon pub- that, in place of Morning Edition and hunts with respect to health care and lic broadcasting resources to provide Car Talk and All Things Considered, the environment. Now we find that the content that Americans love. they want to move to radio silence, and we’re adding public broadcasting to Reject this travesty. when the American people find out this list. Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, in about that, they are going to be out- Public broadcasting is a national response to this statement that there raged. treasure. It provides us impartial, hon- are no savings, may I point my col- I would vote ‘‘no’’ and urge strongly est coverage of facts and news. It pro- leagues to a CRS report on the Cor- a ‘‘no’’ vote for all Members of this vides information not available else- poration for Public Broadcasting, Fed- body. where. And, yes, it sheds a little bit of eral funding and issues, and I will be Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield myself culture on our people, something which happy to submit this for the RECORD. such time as I may consume. probably my Republican colleagues Reading from it: ‘‘NPR, Incorporated, Mr. Speaker, I want to address one find offensive. It has done so at very which oversees the NPR system, states thing. This is not an ancient animos- low cost to the public, with huge con- that annually NPR receives direct ity. I don’t think I’m quite that old. tributions from the people for the sup- funding in the range of $1.5 million to And I don’t think you have to be Dick port of this. $3 million from three Federal agencies Tracy to figure out what this debate is This legislation is going to prohibit and the Corporation for Public Broad- about. This debate is about saving tax- local stations like Michigan Radio in casting. Those are the National Endow- payer money. We do not have a revenue Ann Arbor, and in your own districts ment for the Arts, the CPB, the De- problem in this town. We have a spend- and in your States, from using money partment of Commerce’s National ing problem in this town. The Federal from the Corporation for Public Broad- Telecommunications and Information Government does not have the money casting to acquire or produce any pub- Administration, and the Department of to fund these programs. We are bor- lic radio programs. As regards process, Education.’’ rowing 42 cents of every single dollar we are completely evading the proc- Now, Mr. Speaker, what we are say- that we spend. We have to get the esses and the commitments that are to ing is you can’t do that anymore. This spending under control. We have to get be found in the rules and the pro- is one of the steps that we have to take an environment where the American nouncements of the leadership on the in order to straighten out this budg- people can get back to work. And we’re other side. And we are finding that the eting process. Our country does not talking about funding for NPR. history of this, which goes back to the have the money to spend on this. NPR I just gave the demographics. It is a 1934 Communications Act in the Com- does not need the money. They will not wealthy, educated listening audience. merce Committee, has been grossly dis- be able to get these grants. We will If people want this programming, Mr. regarded. save those dollars. Speaker, they’re going to be willing to So much for regular order. And so The American taxpayer has said, Get pay for it. But the American taxpayer much for transparency that the major- your fiscal house in order. This is a has said, get NPR out of our pocket. ity made such a big fuss about at the step in that process. I know they don’t I pulled the sponsors for NPR, and I beginning of this year. What’s next? like it, but, you know what? This is think my colleagues would be inter- Are we going to amend the Endangered something we can do. This is some- ested in this. When you go to the NPR Species Act on the floor to declare an thing we will do. This is something the Web site and you start pulling the open season on Big Bird? Or upon pro- American people want to make certain sponsors, they don’t sell advertising, grams which educate our kids or which that we do so that we get this Nation but they do have many sponsors. They contribute to the advancement of our back on a firm fiscal and sound fiscal have some sponsors that land in the $1 society? policy. million plus category. And then they I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. The day has come that the out-of- list sponsors all the way down to $5,999. 1076. It’s a bad bill. control Federal spending has to stop. A This is how wealthy the sponsorship b 1420 good place to start is by taking NPR base and the subscribership base is for Mrs. BLACKBURN. I reserve the bal- out of the taxpayer’s pocket. them. It is time for us to remove the ance of my time. I reserve the balance of my time. Federal support system that they have Ms. ESHOO. I am pleased to yield 1 Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 relied on. They have told us they do minute to the gentleman from Oregon minute to the gentleman from Rhode not need the money. We need to cut the (Mr. BLUMENAUER), who is the chair- Island (Mr. CICILLINE). umbilical cord. We need to see what man of the House Caucus on Public Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentle- NPR can do on their own. Broadcasting. lady from California. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BLUMENAUER. I thank the gen- I rise in strong opposition to H.R. Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 tlelady. 1076 to defund National Public Radio. minutes to the dean of the House of I want to make five basic points. Overwhelmingly, my Rhode Island con- Representatives, the gentleman from Number one, there are no savings to stituents agree, this legislation is no Michigan (Mr. DINGELL). the taxpayer in this bill. It simply more than an ideological attack on (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given passes on higher costs and fewer public broadcasting masquerading as a permission to revise and extend his re- choices to local stations. fiscal issue. That is because Federal marks.) Second, it is not going to stop NPR, funding accounts for less than three- Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank which will go on in New York and Los thousandths of one percent of the an- the distinguished gentlewoman from Angeles and even Portland, Oregon. nual Federal budget. In addition to California for her yielding me this What it will cripple is what happens in that, the nonpartisan Congressional time, and I commend her for her oppo- smaller local stations around the coun- Budget Office says this legislation will sition to this outrageous piece of legis- try who rely on NPR and other public not reduce the deficit by a single lation. broadcasting entities for their content. penny.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.099 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Without as much as a hearing, this Under the guise of dealing with the (Mr. SOUTHERLAND asked and was legislation undermines public broad- deficit, they are planning to privatize given permission to revise and extend casting, a system that 34 million Amer- Social Security and voucher Medicare, his remarks.) icans turn to weekly and in which as if they had anything to do with Mr. SOUTHERLAND. We talk about Americans across the political spec- causing the deficit and the problem we Big Bird and that sounds wonderful. We trum place high trust. are in. had a couple of Big Birds in my family. These funding restrictions will dev- And under the guise of saving tax- We have four small children, and they astate the economy of public radio. It payers’ dollars, what they are doing is love Big Bird. will harm local stations. It will inhibit silencing NPR, not because it saves But I will tell you this: When the their ability to attract audiences, de- money, but because it is not on the CEO of Sesame Street is compensated velop stable local revenue bases, and, same ideological frequency of the ex- $956,000 in 2008 compensation, that’s most importantly, their ability to con- treme right. over double what the leader of the free tinue to produce local programming. Mrs. BLACKBURN. I continue to re- world makes. Think about that: Public broadcasting gives voice to the serve the balance of my time. $956,000, when, in the same year, Ses- smallest and most diverse communities Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would ame Street received $211 million in toy in our country. I know firsthand the like to yield 1 minute to the gentle- and consumer product sales. high quality broadcasting the NPR pro- woman from California (Ms. WOOLSEY). So to stand here and say that we vides in Rhode Island and all across Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, when is have the luxury at this incredibly crit- this country. the majority going to try to solve a ical crisis moment in our deficit strug- It would also endanger 9,000 jobs at real problem? The reaction to unem- gles that we have the luxury of making local public radio stations and commu- ployment is ‘‘so be it.’’ The reaction to sure that PBS can pay Mrs. Kerger nities across the country. an immoral Afghanistan policy is a big $632,000 in salary, and that the Corpora- I urge my colleagues to vote against shrug. But a modest investment in edu- tion for Public Broadcasting can pay this assault on the free exchange of cational, commercial-free program- its President and CEO $300,000 apiece, I ideas and instead support a democracy ming, now, that is a national crisis. I mean, really. Are we serious? Are we that continues to listen carefully to its guess they figure if they can’t catch serious? people. bin Laden, they might as well go after We can do better. We must do better. Mrs. BLACKBURN. I reserve the bal- ‘‘A Prairie Home Companion.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ance of my time. Public broadcasting, Mr. Speaker, tlewoman from California has 3 min- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am very performs a vital function in a democ- utes remaining. The gentlewoman from pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentle- racy. It is also twice as popular as the Tennessee has 6 minutes remaining. woman from New York (Mrs. LOWEY), Afghanistan war, and it supports 21,000 Ms. ESHOO. At this time I would who is one of the great advocates of jobs. That is 21,000 jobs more than the yield 1 minute to the gentleman, the public broadcasting in the Congress. Republican agenda would create. great Irishman from Virginia (Mr. Mrs. LOWEY. I thank the gentlelady. Vote against H.R. 1076. MORAN). Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, National b 1430 tion. 170 million Americans use public Public Radio has the strongest intel- media for vital news. Sixty-one percent Mrs. BLACKBURN. I reserve the bal- lectual, artistic, and informational in- of voters who support deficit reduction ance of my time. depth content of any radio network in also support funding for public broad- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 this country because its content is not casting. Yet the assault on public minute to the gentleman from Texas compromised by corporate ownership. I broadcasting continues, when jobs and (Mr. DOGGETT). love it. But I won’t lose it. the economy should be our top pri- Mr. DOGGETT. While Republicans It’s the rural stations that depend on ority. insist today that NPR is a four-letter NPR for half their budget. They can’t This outrageous bill would prohibit word, the real attack is on KUT and afford to lose this national asset, nor public radio stations from using Fed- similar public radio across America. can the 36 million people who rely on eral funds to acquire any radio pro- Two hundred fifty thousand Texans emergency alerts from NPR in times of gramming from any outside source. rely upon KUT’s in-depth radio news crisis. The commercial market won’t That means that your local stations scrutiny of the Texas legislature and do that because there’s no profit in it. may not be able to air quality pro- local government. The only ‘‘bias’’ of Nor can the visually and hearing-im- gramming. those who begin with Morning Edition paired afford to lose the technology We were not sent here to silence is a bias for truth. My constituents NPR developed. ‘‘Prairie Home Companion,’’ ‘‘Car tune in to KUT because they want fact- This has nothing to do with the def- Talk’’ and ‘‘Morning Edition.’’ Let’s based, not faux-based, not FOX-based icit. It’s an infinitesimal fraction of stop trying to put Diane Rehm out of coverage. our national debt. It jeopardizes 9,000 work and focus on putting more Ameri- Like their continued assault on PBS, jobs, and it distracts us from solving cans back to work. these Republicans just can’t tell the the real problems that this Nation Reject this bill. difference between Big Government faces while trying to destroy one of the Mrs. BLACKBURN. I continue to re- and Big Bird. While they pander to primary sources of an enlightened elec- serve the balance of my time. Wall Street, they continue to want to torate. Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would terminate support of Sesame Street. Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I like to yield 1 minute to the distin- ‘‘All Things Considered,’’ their attack think that this is one of those things guished gentleman from Connecticut really has nothing to do with balancing that’s kind of what’s wrong around (Mr. LARSON), the chairman of the the budget. It is an ideological crusade here. Everybody says, Don’t do this, House Democratic Caucus. against balanced news and educational don’t do this; that’s not much money, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. programing. Cutting access to the that’s not much money. Mr. Speaker, Speaker, I thank the gentlelady. I wish power of knowledge decreases our abil- it all adds up. And the American people her a happy St. Patrick’s Day. ity to hold our government account- have had it with the Federal Govern- Mr. Speaker, there is a pattern here. able. Don’t weaken our democracy by ment spending money they do not Americans are seeing through what weakening this vital source of reality- have. amounts to an ideological purge. based journalism. With that I yield 1 minute to a won- In Wisconsin, under the guise of deal- Don’t cut KUT. Public radio serves derful new Member who has joined us, ing with the deficit, they are taking the public interest. the gentlewoman from Dunn, North away collective bargaining rights. Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at Carolina (Mrs. ELLMERS). In Washington, under the guise of this time I yield 1 minute to one of our Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise dealing with the deficit, they are cut- freshman Members, the gentleman today in support of this legislation. ting Planned Parenthood and taking from the Florida Panhandle (Mr. Let us be clear: This legislation away women’s rights. SOUTHERLAND). would simply prohibit direct Federal

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.101 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1961 funds—taxpayer money—from being were only about one-fourth as likely to Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not made available to National Public hold a demonstrably false belief about only support National Public Radio, but to Radio, or as we know it, NPR, and important issues relating to the Iraq speak against a bill that is a top example of would prohibit public radio stations war as those who primarily consumed thoughtless political pandering. from using Federal funds to pay for news from our colleagues’ favorite The consequences of this legislation are their NPR dues. The bill would prohibit news channel. A similar study con- much broader than simply defunding NPR, public radio stations from using Fed- ducted last year on mainly economic which provides thoughtful news broadcasts eral funds for the production or acqui- issues produced similar results. Those and well-known programs that are listened to sition of programing. who primarily listened to NPR were by my constituents and over 27 million people I want to be very clear: I am in sup- considerably less likely to hold demon- nationwide. This bill will cause all locally port of the arts. However, I do not be- strably false beliefs. owned public broadcasting stations across our lieve that NPR has the right to public So now our colleagues across the country to lose key funding. Yes, this is a job funds from our hard-earned taxpayer aisle want to pull the plug on NPR, one killing bill brought forth by my Republican col- dollars when they receive plenty of of the most accurate sources of demon- leagues. funding from private sources. These strably true news and information. Our The Republican leadership wants the public prohibitions would not affect a local colleagues want to fire the messenger. to think that they’re working hard to cut spend- radio station’s ability to use Federal This is not a move to create jobs or ing and that this legislation will help taxpayers. funding for their operations or for the save money. This is a move to save face Let’s call them out on what they’re really reduction of their own programing. at the expense of truth. And I believe doing: putting jobs at risk so that they can ap- NPR already receives direct Federal that such a move comes at a price that peal to right-wing voters. This is not just petti- funding through the Corporation for we simply cannot afford to pay. ness—it’s pure hypocrisy and goes against ev- Public Broadcasting, Department of This country needs NPR. Vote erything that my colleagues on the other side Education, Department of Commerce, against the Republican bill. of the aisle supposedly stand for. Does this bill and the National Endowment for the b 1440 save a great deal of money? No—it doesn’t do Arts. They also get a considerable Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield myself the a thing to reduce the deficit. Does this bill cre- amount of money from local radio sta- balance of my time. ate jobs? Absolutely not—in fact, it does the tions. Why do they need more? Mr. Speaker, I do think our col- opposite. And what happened to the Repub- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would leagues across the aisle are missing the lican commitment to transparency? This bill like to inquire how much time we have point on this. We are responsible for has not been available for 72 hours, breaking remaining. making certain that this fiscal house the Republican leadership’s pledge to allow The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- gets in order. This is just another of three days for the public to read legislation, tlewoman from California has 2 min- those steps. This bill is not about tak- and several germane amendments have been utes remaining. The gentlewoman from ing NPR off the air. There is nothing rejected. Tennessee has 41⁄2 minutes remaining. here that says you will take NPR off This bill sacrifices jobs and well-loved pro- Ms. ESHOO. I yield 1 minute to the the air. grams to score political points. It is a waste of brilliant, brilliant gentleman from New What it simply says is, if you are an this Congress’s time and the legislators behind Jersey (Mr. HOLT). affiliate station and if you want to pay it should be ashamed of themselves. I am Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentlelady. NPR dues, you can’t use taxpayer dol- happy to work with my colleagues toward real Mr. Speaker, NPR provides news and lars. If you want to buy NPR program- deficit reduction and job creation strategies. cultural enrichment—yes, enrich- ming, you cannot use taxpayer dollars Until that happens, I urge Members to vote no ment—that adds value to the lives of for that. The taxpayers want NPR out against this harmful and tactless legislation. millions of Americans. It reaches into of their pockets. Now, there is plenty Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. all parts of our country, even into that of popular programming out there, and Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. fact-free universe where the other side if listeners want to hear that, we are 1076, a Republican bill to prohibit federal seems to be living, saying that factual not trying to disenfranchise those lis- funding for National Public Radio. information is somehow a liberal bias. teners. Indeed, if listeners like the Congress has been in session this year for We talk about the need for a well-in- NPR they have, they can keep it. What nearly three months, and what have the Amer- formed public. Just this morning, we we’re saying is that they need to raise ican people gotten? had a reminder of the benefits that the money for this. The House voted to repeal new patients’ NPR brings to America. Today, there We went through the demographics rights and benefits and to strengthen the rights was a news report on the slow progress for NPR: college-educated; 63 percent of insurance companies. the U.S. Army is making towards see- have full-time jobs; the average house- The House voted to cut funds for education ing that wounded soldiers get the Pur- hold income is upwards of $86,000 a and Pell Grants at a time when we need to ple Hearts they deserve. General year. They have a list of sponsors who build up, not tear down, our educational and Chiarelli, the Army’s second in com- give over $1 million a year to NPR. economic competitiveness. mand, remarked in this story that it NPR, itself, has said it does not need The House voted to eliminate funds for was previous reporting by NPR that our taxpayer funding. So this is a place Planned Parenthood, a highly regarded source was removing the confusion and the that we can save some money. for medical and health information and serv- misunderstanding that had prevented Now, to those who say it is a job-kill- ices for women. the serving soldiers from getting the ing program, may I remind you, indeed, The House voted to take away the rights of Purple Heart recognition. This is good to develop local programming, I articu- workers to contest workplace abuses by their reporting. The other side seems to lated 17 different positions that are at- employers, weaken the reporting system for think that this is, that this is, this is— tached to creating even one radio show. workplace safety violations, and lower the wait, wait, don’t tell me—biased re- Unlike some of my colleagues, Mr. wages of construction workers on federal con- porting. Speaker, I fully believe there are tal- tracts. We need NPR. ented people—talented writers and edi- And now, today, the House is voting to kill The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- tors and programmers—all across this the small amount of federal funding for Na- tlewoman from California has 1 minute great Nation who would love to have a tional Public Radio, an important and unbiased remaining. platform for the great ideas and the source of news for tens of millions of Ameri- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am content they would like to create. cans across the country. pleased to yield my remaining 1 minute I want to encourage all of my col- Not one bill so far to create jobs. Not one to the gentlewoman from New York leagues to take a step in the right di- bill so far to invest in America. Not one bill (Mrs. MALONEY). rection in getting our fiscal house in that makes it clear America will be ready to Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, a order. The time has come for us to claw compete in the global economy and win the study conducted by the Center for back this money. The time has come race to produce the best college graduates in International and Security Studies for us to send a message. We need to the world. found that those who said they re- get NPR out of the taxpayers’ pockets. Instead, the American people are being fed ceived most of their news from NPR I encourage a ‘‘yes’’ vote on H.R. 1076. a steady diet of right-wing ideological attacks

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.105 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 on our rights, on our values, and on middle I urge my colleagues to vote against this mis- Not only was this bill rushed to floor of the class economic opportunities. American fami- guided bill. National Public Radio (NPR) pro- House without sufficient review and scrutiny lies are desperate for work, but they are get- vides an essential public service to our nation by the public, but the Republican Leadership ting nothing but a cold shoulder from the at a minimal cost to taxpayers. In Rhode Is- has brought this bill to the floor that prohibits House of Representatives under this new land, WRNI utilizes federal funds to provide any opportunity for any other Representative leadership. local coverage of news events with local re- in this House to offer a single amendment to The attack on NPR, just like the attack on porters. Without these funds, which account improve it. Planned Parenthood, or on Head Start, and on for nearly 8 percent of their annual budget, This is not the way to run the people’s workers’ rights and safety, has nothing to do WNRI would lose its ability to bring local infor- House. This legislation is pure political pos- with reducing the deficit and the debt. It is mation to local communities, from the breaking turing and is distraction from what we should nothing more than a partisan political agenda news of the day to upcoming arts and cultural be doing today, which is working to create that is out of step with, and very dangerous to, events. jobs and improve our economy. the American people. This bill will not reduce our deficit by one I urge all of my colleagues to stand with me The attack on NPR is outrageous and it penny and it will not save or create any jobs. today in voting ‘‘no’’ on this bill. should be rejected. The American people ben- In fact, some have estimated that 9,000 jobs Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in efit greatly having this source of news that is will be lost due to the elimination of federal strong disapproval of H.R. 1076, which would free from the influence and demands of cor- funding for NPR. In a time of unprecedented prohibit federal funds to National Public Radio. porations and that consistently delivers top global events, from natural disasters to citizen The proposal today is a draconian attempt to quality, in-depth, and breaking news on for- uprisings to dramatic economic upheaval, we kill public radio to millions of listeners across eign affairs, science and technology, politics, must ensure that people have access to accu- our nation who depend and cherish this es- the arts, and business. rate information, not limit it even more. Once sential service. If this leadership is so concerned with the again, I urge my colleagues to put politics The bill would significantly impede NPR’s deficit, why hasn’t it called up legislation to re- aside and oppose this bill to eliminate federal local station in Detroit, WDET 101.9 to con- duce tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer sub- funding for NPR. tinue its public service. Over 150,000 listeners sidies to major oil companies, companies with Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. in southeast Michigan, northwest Ohio and our record profits quarter after quarter and no Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition neighbors in Canada would be deprived of need for subsidies to carry out their work? to H.R. 1076, a bill to Prohibit Federal funding such great shows such as The Diane Rehm Why hasn’t this leadership called up legisla- of National Public Radio and the use of Fed- Show, Jazz Profiles hosted by my friend tion to reduce some of the billions of dollars in eral funds to acquire radio content. Nancy Wilson and many other news and cul- Pentagon waste documented year after year? NPR is a congressionally chartered non- tural programs. Furthermore, WDET and other And why was this leadership’s first major profit organization that provides independent NPR stations are one of the few radio pro- action in the House a bill that would increase and non-partisan news and education to ap- viders of local news. The station carries many the deficit over the next ten years by more proximately 27 million Americans each week. diverse perspectives that strengthen the social than $210 billion by repealing our historic This is a politically motivated bill that would fabric for Detroiters. health care law? hurt over 900 local radio stations across Media consolidation, for a variety of rea- Why? Because their rhetoric about deficit America that rely on NPR for fact based news sons, has resulted in a less progressive, less reduction is just a cover for a divisive political content and the millions of Americans who lis- diverse, and a narrower set of viewpoints. For agenda that they hope will help them in the ten to NPR for their daily news. years, public radio has successfully been able next election. NPR enjoys very strong support from the to provide Americans with cutting edge, so- I strongly support eliminating wasteful gov- American public as nearly 70 percent voiced phisticated, and culturally relevant news that ernment spending, and I have a long and doc- their opposition to eliminating funding for pub- otherwise would not be able to enjoy this umented track record of deficit reduction. lic broadcasting according to recent polling. much needed public service. Whether it was my successful effort to in- Constituents in my home of Dallas, Texas Today’s bill jeopardizes public radio’s ability crease student loan aid by reducing taxpayer have contacted my office by the hundreds; to operate at an optimal level, and could result support to private lenders, or passing the making phone calls, sending emails and faxes in a dramatic decrease in Americans’ access health care reform law, or through my early to express how important NPR is to them. to this vital medium. It is a shame that our na- support for Pay-As-You-Go budgeting, I have This bill will do nothing to create jobs or im- tion’s children and young people may not have always made this a priority. prove our economy. In fact, the non-partisan the ability to listen to classical music, opera, I know how hard it is to make tough choices Congressional Budget Office has stated that and other intellectually stimulating broadcast about saving taxpayer money and being fis- this bill would produce zero savings to the tax- that are vitally important to the intellectual and cally responsible. payer, and do nothing to reduce the deficit. cultural of our future Americans. In short, to- I know it is not hard for politicians to cut Families with low incomes, families living in day’s vote is a needless attack on one of Head Start, but it’s really hard on low-income rural areas, and minorities would be especially America’s cherished institutions—public radio. mothers trying to educate their children. And I hurt by this legislation. I urge my colleagues to look at other ways to know it is not hard to cut the small amount of Smaller radio stations in rural America rely balance our Nation’s budget that do not in- federal funding for NPR, but it is really hard on on NPR more than large cities for radio con- clude cuts to education and culture. the millions of Americans who hunger for infor- tent so they would be more greatly impaired Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, here the mation from a wide variety of sources. by the bill’s prohibition against using federal Republicans go again. I guess no one in this I’ll tell you what’s hard to cut. It is really funding to local radio stations to pay for any country, as they envision, it should ever have hard to cut land subsidies to multi-national content from any source, depriving them of a different point of view than theirs. Liberty mining companies, or royalty subsidies to oil hours of programming every day. cannot be just an empty word. It certainly is companies, or water and price subsidies to At a time when our national news is driven not to us Democrats. We opposed the elimi- major agricultural corporations. I know, be- more and more by commercial interests and nation of National Public Radio last year and cause I have fought to make those cuts. And obsession with viewing ratings, it’s more im- I oppose it today. corporations fight back, hard. portant than ever for Americans to have an Thinking and discerning people like to get So, Mr. Speaker, again I rise in opposition objective and unbiased source of news and their information from different sources and to this bill that will not reduce our deficit but national commentary that is based on facts different points of view and then make their will reduce the level of information Americans and reporting. own decisions. That is what NPR provides. have about really complex and important I also object to the process that the Repub- The American people are smart and do not issues facing our country. And I rise in opposi- lican Leadership has brought this bill under want to be spoon fed propaganda and brain- tion to the past three months of partisan, ideo- consideration today. The Republican Leader- washed by any one ideology or political party. logical and political attacks on the basic rights, ship have reversed themselves on their own And they support Public Broadcasting—Re- values and services that are so important to promise to for every bill to undergo 72 hours publicans, Democrats and Independents alike. our country. of review. When asked, more than two-thirds oppose the And I urge my colleagues to reject this bill. The American people have not heard a sin- elimination of federal funding for public broad- Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong gle hearing on this bill nor have they heard a casting as this bill would do. opposition to H.R. 1076, which would prohibit single minute of testimony from any expert wit- This bill has nothing to do with reducing the federal funding of National Public Radio, and ness on the merits of this bill. deficit. It is an ideological battle—all about

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.062 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1963 never supporting and always wanting to get rid In my district, Hawaii Public Radio (HPR) being arrested and convicted of attempting to of public radio and public TV. Republicans are engages its island listeners through countless infiltrate the office of a Democratic U.S. Sen- showing again that they are out of touch with events statewide. These include the Hawaii ator while impersonating a telephone repair- the American people. Book and Musical Festival as well as a series man in an attempt to eavesdrop on calls be- This attempt to shut down free radio is mis- of pre-performance lectures at the Hawaii tween constituents and congressional staff. guided and based on deliberately distorted in- Opera Theatre. HPR also embraces Native Now Mr. O’Keefe’s criminal and unethical be- formation. Hawaiian culture with its daily Hawaiian lan- havior is being used by the Republican-Tea Taking funding away from national Public guage newsbreak and the ‘‘Hawaiian Word of Party majority in the U.S. House to pass a law Radio would hurt local stations, small sta- the Day’’ feature. to defund NPR. tions—many even in Republican districts— With the program Aloha Shorts, HPR pro- I guess today’s legislation could be called which depend on NPR programming to survive motes local poets and actors. HPR has even an example of yellow policy-making based so that they can carry local news, events and given our children an opportunity to be heard upon yellow journalism—except for the fact programming and even provide the opportunity by a national audience having young musi- that any reference to journalism even in its for any of us to speak to the public. cians featured in the sold out From the Top most pejorative form in association with Mr. Colleagues, let’s vote for Democracy. Vote performances, which received national broad- O’Keefe is a discredit to journalism. ‘‘no’’ on this bill cast. With over 400 volunteers and audiences Mr. O’Keefe is in better company with Re- Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, had I been on all islands, HPR shares the diversity of Ha- publicans such as former President Richard able to vote on H.R. 1076, legislation that Nixon and former House Majority Leader Tom waii with communities across the country. would decimate public radio in America, I Hawaii Public Radio is not just a radio sta- DeLay in their efforts to embrace criminal be- havior in the pursuit of political advantage. would have voted ‘‘no.’’ tion—it’s an essential part of our island com- National Public Radio (NPR) is one of The millions and millions of Americans who munity and deserves federal support. America’s most vital and trusted news seek unbiased news, information, educational, I urge my colleagues to recognize the im- sources, utilized by 27 million Americans each and cultural programming should not be sur- portance of NPR in people’s daily lives and week. Taking away federal assistance for pub- prised that the Republican-Tea Party Con- vote against this bill. lic radio would hurt 900 public radio stations, gress and their corporate sponsors want to Ms. MCCOLLUM. The legislation on the eliminate funding for National Public Radio. especially smaller stations in rural America floor today, a bill to defund National Public that lack a sizable donor base. This legislation is not about deficit reduction Radio, is another example of a Republican- Access to popular and informative news because this bill fails to reduce the federal Tea Party agenda which kills jobs and im- programming, including All Things Considered, budget deficit by even $1 according to the Morning Edition, Forum, On Point, and This poses an extremist right-wing ideological Congressional Budget Office, but it is about American Life, would be jeopardized in smaller agenda on the American people. This bill and advancing a right-wing political agenda at markets. Broadly available access to inform- debate is about titillating right wing passions NPR’s expense. ative and objective news in America would be and silencing public broadcasting—nothing This week, the Republican-Tea Party held compromised. more. It is time for listeners of public radio, an emergency meeting about so-called ur- My office has received many calls and let- viewers of public television, and all citizens gently needed legislation. ters from residents throughout the 10th Con- who value non-commercial broadcasting to What was the emergency? Were we finally gressional District, urging Congress to pre- make their voices heard or some valuable going to consider a jobs bill? No. serve NPR’s budget. My constituents under- radio stations and important programming will The ‘‘emergency’’ declared was to prohibit stand that public broadcasting is a critical and disappear. federal funding to go to NPR. cost-effective American investment, and I In my state, Minnesota Public Radio is a This bill will prevent all public radio stations stand with them. treasured source of information and an impor- from using federal funds to purchase any pro- H.R. 1076 harms our economy and Amer- tant employer. The effects of this legislation gramming from any source. The Republican- ican competitiveness. The Congressional would hurt National Public Radio, hurt Min- Tea Party majority wants to take control away Budget Office has determined that this legisla- nesota Public Radio, and Minnesotans who from our local stations, like Minnesota Public tion will have zero impact on the budget and value this critical public media resource. Cur- Radio. It means that local stations, across the the deficit, but it will likely destroy 9,000 jobs. rently, public broadcasting in Minnesota re- country, will not be able to use these funds to Our support of public broadcasting is a tre- ceives over $4.2 million in federal grants, and get programming from two of the largest public mendous bargain for the American people. At that funding is at risk as a result of this bill. radio organizations in the country—American Public Media and Public Radio International— a time of increasing competition in the global This ill-conceived and mean-spirited attack both located in Minnesota. That means sta- economy, America’s future prosperity depends on an important non-profit employer would tions could not use the funds to purchase pro- on a knowledgeable workforce, and our robust mean hundreds of lost jobs in Minnesota and grams like the beloved ‘‘A Prairie Home Com- democracy depends on a well-informed citi- the silencing of important public broadcasting panion’’ and ‘‘This American Life’’. zenry. content currently heard by tens of millions of Americans every week. Again, this is not sur- Why have the Republicans brought this bill H.R. 1076 takes away vital information from to the floor without as much as a single the American people, and that is why I am prising coming from a Republican-Tea Party majority that has already passed legislation minute of consideration in a hearing or in deeply opposed to this pointless and destruc- committee? that would eliminate nearly a million American tive bill. This NPR ‘‘emergency’’ is not to help strug- Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong jobs. gling families and debate a badly-needed jobs While Democrats are fighting to strengthen opposition to H.R. 1076, which prohibits fed- bill right before we leave on a week-long eral funding for National Public Radio (NPR) the economy and create jobs, the Republican- recess. and radio content acquisition. Tea Party is pursuing an agenda that kills It is to consider legislation that will weaken According to a preliminary estimate from jobs, busts unions, and rewards big corpora- our community. That will cost jobs in Min- Congressional Budget Office, this bill will tions with taxpayer handouts. This extreme nesota. And all the Republican-Tea Partiers produce no savings for the taxpayers and will agenda is an affront to the American people will vote for it based on the antics of a Repub- not reduce the deficit. This is an ideologically and seriously diminishes the ability for bipar- lican operative who makes a living from lying. driven piece of legislation that does nothing to tisan solutions to our nation’s most serious I would urge Members of the U.S. House reduce our deficit. challenges. and all Americans who value journalistic integ- Each week, 27.2 million Americans nation- The bill is on the floor today in large part rity and valuable public media outlets, like wide turn to NPR to find the kind of news, because of the exploits of a Republican opera- Minnesota Public Radio, to fight against a very music programs, and interesting entertainment tive who doubles as a muckraking dirty trick- bad bill and the harm it would cause to our they can’t get elsewhere. NPR offers quality ster. This faux-journalist lied to a National communities. in-depth reporting, insightful commentary, and Public Radio executive to secure a meeting Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I an on-air forum that allows a wide range of and then pieced together a deceptively-edited rise today to strongly oppose H.R. 1076, the voices to be heard. With political rhetoric and video of a secretly taped meeting. One media bill to stop federal funding for National Public ideological name-calling filling cable news pro- expert called the media sabotage of NPR by Radio (NPR). The bill bars making federal grams, NPR’s news coverage has become an James O’Keefe, ‘‘. . . unethical. It’s pretty funds available for: NPR; payments of dues to essential source for people looking for the scummy.’’ NPR; and the acquisition of any radio pro- facts. This is why 8 out of 10 voters oppose Mr. James O’Keefe, the Republican opera- gramming by or for the use of a public radio cutting federal funding for public broadcasting. tive who deceived NPR, is most famous for station.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.063 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Earlier this week the Republican led House Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, routinely show large majorities of American in passed a three week CR that contained $50 I rise to urge my colleagues to vote to against support of federal funding for NPR—and that million in cuts for NPR’s parent organization, H.R. 1076 which would prohibit federal funding breadth of support is consistently strong the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The for NPR and the use of federal funds to ac- across the political spectrum. new House majority is looking to cut all federal quire radio content. So what are we doing here today? Creating funding of public radio and television stations. Today’s Republican attempts to defund NPR jobs? Exactly the opposite. Enactment of this Mr. Speaker, without federal funding, many will affect stations all across the country. In my bill would endanger 9000 jobs at local public public radio and TV stations, especially in rural district alone, KTSU and KPFT will have to radio stations in communities across the coun- and small communities would go off air. Pro- cope with the aftermath of the Republican pro- try. Reducing the deficit? Hardly. CBO says hibiting local stations from using federal funds posal. These two stations serve predominately this bill produces no savings. Honoring the to acquire or produce local/national program- poor, minority populations in my district, and majority’s commitment to 72 hours notice and ming will interfere with the operating independ- the House Republicans are attempting to transparent governance? Mr. Speaker, this bill ence fundamental to the American’s public eliminate their opportunity to provide National was introduced on Tuesday and is now being radio system. Public Radio to their listeners. If this bill were rushed to the floor 48 hours later without a Barring public radio stations from using fed- to become law, radio stations in my district single hearing. eral funds to acquire public radio programming would no longer qualify to receive over Mr. Speaker, this is not the people’s busi- would be a huge disruption to the economic $743,000 in Corporation for Public Broad- ness, and it is no way to run this House. It won’t create a single job. It doesn’t reduce the model used by public radio stations to serve casting grants, and prohibiting the use of deficit. The American people haven’t asked for audiences and to develop local programming, these funds to purchase popular NPR pro- it, and they don’t want it. including local/regional news. gramming will make it difficult for stations to I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. If this measure were to pass, New York attract local listeners and raise funds for the Ms. DEGETTE. Mr. Speaker I rise today to Public Radio’s own station WNYC’s national production of local content and station oper- express the voices of the hundreds of people morning news program, The Takeaway, with ations. Hundreds of stations rely on public flooding my offices with calls and emails to an audience of younger and more diverse lis- broadcasting funding as a major source of plead for us to do the right thing and vote teners, will be in serious jeopardy. New York funding, especially rural and minority stations. down this misguided legislation. Public Radio produces more than 150 original Some people in my district exclusively listen H.R. 1076 would cripple the public radio hours of programming each week, including a to these stations. These two stations in Hous- system in this country that currently provides broad range of daily news, talk and cultural ton and hundreds across the country do not vital news and information to over 27 million and classical music programming. New York have the money to compete with big corporate Americans each week. Public Radio has two million weekly listeners stations, and they cannot compete with con- I would first like to set the record straight— in NYC metropolitan region and 3 million lis- servative talk shows because they do not this bill will not save a single taxpayer dollar. teners across the country. spew out biased, partisan, uncomplimentary, Not one. And it will not reduce our federal def- After 11 weeks with no jobs legislation, the critical messages. They are just reporting the icit by one dime. Not one. Republican Majority is bringing up this bill that news and bringing it from all over the world. My colleague from Colorado and his leader- does not create jobs or reduce the deficit. I Further, I think it is shameless that once ship have tried to portray this bill as a savings urge my colleagues to reject this legislation. again the Republicans have violated their so to taxpayers—and with all due respect, that is Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, while the media called promises of transparent government by simply untrue. may focus on NPR, the federal dollars being refusing to allow this bill to go through normal This bill is no more than a punitive measure targeted by this awful bill now go directly to committee processes. There have been no reflecting an extreme agenda. local public radio stations, not to NPR. hearings or expert testimony for Members to It would devastate 900 public radio stations The federal dollars received make up a review. There has only been politically across the country unfairly targeting smaller small percentage of the budget for larger sta- charged rhetoric and lies about the impact of stations in rural and regional areas where tions, but these dollars represent a significant public radio. there are fewer news outlets and where percentage of budgets for local public radio Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I simply cannot broadband is insufficient. stations, like KAZU and KUSP in my district. believe we are focusing on this right now. At The bill threatens almost 9,000 jobs in the It’s important to note that stations are then a time when millions are out of work, people broadcasting community and, frankly is an un- able to leverage those federal grants into mil- are looking for jobs, and trying to get back on warranted attack on the content of public lions of dollars in donations from listeners, cor- their feet, why is this body focused on NPR, radio. porate supporters and foundations. That’s the of all things? Is this really the best we can do? And the ultimate agenda of my Republican definition of a good federal investment. For a minute, let’s put aside the fact that na- colleagues is laid bare when one considers Those federal grants enable our local public tional public radio is a part of our tradition as that the Leadership rushed this bill through, ig- radio stations to do in-depth stories on local a country and provides quality programming to noring promises to take legislation through issues important to our region—our world fa- millions of listeners in urban, suburban and regular order, and in short, breaking all their mous tourism events like the AT&T Pebble rural America. Let’s put aside for a minute that own professed rules to get this legislation to the Floor. Beach golf tournament, the Monterey Jazz funding for NPR is but a drop in the bucket Mr. Speaker, we’ve now been in session for and Pops festivals, our multi-billion dollar agri- compared to the giveaways and budget bust- 11 weeks, and the Republican leadership has culture industry or the budget crisis in Cali- ing tax breaks Republicans support for Big Oil not yet introduced a single bill to create jobs. fornia. companies. They’ve instead focused on advancing an Unlike commercial media, local public radio Here we are, eleven weeks into a new Con- extreme agenda that does nothing to get employees have only one concern—to serve gress—still putting politics over policy. Make Americans back to work. their audience. Public broadcasting gives no mistake about it, cuts to NPR will not solve And today, rather than coming together to voices to the smallest and most diverse com- our budget crisis and it will not create jobs. create jobs for the American people and ad- munities in our country that are overlooked by Mr. Speaker, we can and we must do bet- dress the fiscal situation squarely before us, commercial broadcast radio. These are the ter. This body should be focusing on jobs. we are spending our time debating and voting voices that will be lost if H.R. 1076 is enacted. Plain and simple. Instead we are focused on on a bill that is nothing more than social com- H.R. 1076 is an ideological attack on public defunding NPR. I urge a no vote. mentary in action to impugn one of our na- broadcasting masquerading as a fiscal issue. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to tion’s most vital news sources. Without so much as a single hearing on a voice my strong opposition to HR 1076, a bill When we began our session, we all proudly subject that affects 34 million Americans to eliminate federal funding for NPR and pro- read from the Constitution, and in that process weekly who depend on public broadcasting for hibit local public radio stations from using fed- were reminded of our core values as a nation their commercial-free news and more, this leg- eral funds to acquire programming content. and a government. islation dismantles fifty years of quality public Mr. Speaker, National Public Radio provides One of those values is reflected in the First broadcasting and thousands of jobs because 27 million Americans with access to high-qual- Amendment which supports the ability of of a political bias. ity, non-commercial programming every week. Americans to access news and information I hope my colleagues will consider the im- In many cases, NPR’s network of 900 local through a free press. pact that any cuts or elimination of the ability public radio stations is the only way Ameri- Sadly Mr. Speaker, this bill would ultimately to buy NPR programming would have on insti- cans can access this kind of news and infor- limit vital news coverage millions of Americans tutions in your district. mation. For that reason, public opinion polls so desperately need.

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So I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on this thank my colleague, Mr. KUCINICH from Ohio, (3) AMBER ALERTS.—Notwithstanding any damaging and unwarranted bill. for re-introducing this Resolution. I was proud other provision of this Act, nothing in this Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today, to cosponsor it in the last Congress, and I will Act shall limit the eligibility of an organiza- on March 17, 2011, the House will consider tion described in subsection (a)(1) or an enti- firmly offer my support today in hopes that we ty that makes a payment described in sub- H.R. 1076, to prohibit Federal funding of Na- can finally end this war. section (a)(2) to receive Federal funds to tional Public Radio and the use of Federal Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise broadcast or otherwise disseminate alerts funds to acquire radio content. Unfortunately, today in opposition to H.R. 1076, a bill to pro- issued by the AMBER Alert communications I have a prior commitment that will prevent me hibit federal funding of National Public Radio network regarding abducted children. from taking this vote. However, I feel strongly and the use of federal funds to acquire radio The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- about this issue and I wanted to make those content. Our constituents sent us to Congress ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from feelings known. to address the economy and jobs, and to date Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes in sup- According to people that I have met with at we’ve only considered legislation to cut jobs port of her motion. the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and cut investment in our local communities. Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker and my a public radio or broadcasting station is con- CBO projects this bill will have $0 impact on colleagues, there are many times when sidered critically dependent on federal funding the deficit, and this bill represents nothing we come to this floor and engage in if thirty percent or more of its funding comes more than an attack on news and program- heated debate, and we have heard some from federal funding. There are twenty-six Na- ming that is valuable to 34 million Americans, heated debate on the bill before us; but tional Public Radio (NPR) stations in Alaska and a further attack on American jobs. in this moment, Mr. Speaker, my and nearly half of them are critically depend- National Public Radio programming provides amendment offers us the opportunity ent on federal funding. These stations serve a breath of ‘‘Fresh Air’’ in a toxic media envi- to come together and to do something cities, like KUAC in Fairbanks and KSKA in ronment, and this bill would threaten the ability extraordinarily important, and that is Anchorage. They serve salmon runs, like of Iowa Public Radio in my home state to con- to protect our children. KDLL in Kenai and KDLG in Dillingham. The tinue to provide access to that content. By I happen to oppose the underlying even serve places that are seemingly at the prohibiting funding use on national program- bill, but regardless of how one feels end the world, like KHUB on St. Paul Island ming, Iowa Public Radio expects to see a re- about the underlying legislation, this and KBRW in Barrow. In many cases, these duction in corporate underwriting and other amendment is something upon which radio stations are the ONLY broadcast signal fundraising, fundamentally impacting their abil- we can all agree. Nothing is more pre- that many Alaskans get. To deny them access ity to operate. cious, more valuable than our children, to basic news, early childhood education pro- I’m proud to be a long time listener of Iowa and when a child goes missing in a community, no one asks whether he or gramming, and even emergency alerts, merely Public Radio. This Iowa treasure provides ac- she is a Republican or a Democrat. We to serve a political agenda, is irresponsible. cess to valuable national content like Morning simply ask: How can we help find the I must, first and foremost, consider what is Edition, All Things Considered, Prairie Home child and return him safely home? best for Alaska. When 11 NPR stations in Companion and Car Talk, and local program- When the unthinkable happens, we all Alaska would have to close their doors to the ming like The Exchange covering current public if this bill becomes law, I must stand up seek in common purpose to do all that events and news from across the political we can to ensure a successful outcome, for all Alaskans. As Alaska’s lone voice in the spectrum, and programs that highlight the arts House of Representatives for the last four and it is in pursuit of that successful in Iowa communities like Orchestra Iowa in outcome that this amendment is of- decades, I am proud to support NPR. Cedar Falls. This bill would jeopardize this val- Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fered today. uable source of non-partisan news and enter- This amendment will ensure that, strong support of swift U.S. troop withdrawal tainment to fulfill a political vendetta. when a child goes missing, every re- from Afghanistan. This decade-long war is ‘‘All Things considered,’’ Mr. Speaker, we source available to find that child and costing our country tens of hundreds of lives need to address the deficit, but this bill does to return him or her to safety will be and hundreds of billions of dollars. In 2010 nothing to solve our problems. The CBO utilized, including NPR’s satellite. We alone, nearly 500 brave American men and projects this bill will save the taxpayers noth- all know that, when a child is ab- women lost their lives, which is 63% more ing, and threatens 9000 jobs across the coun- ducted, a rapid and coordinated re- than the 2009 death toll. And as I speak, our try. I know National Public Radio is a constant sponse can make a life-and-death dif- government, which has vowed to reduce the companion in my home, just as it is across the ference. This amendment will make deficit, has sent millions more overseas for a nation, and I have heard loud and clear from sure that we do not undermine the war with no foreseeable end. From 2008 to my constituents, do not cut funding for NPR. AMBER Alert System that has been ef- 2011, overall government spending has in- Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield back the fectively used to recover missing chil- creased by 9%, while funding for the war in balance of my time. dren. Afghanistan has increased by a startling 25%. The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time The AMBER Alert System was cre- As many of my colleagues demand $100 bil- for debate has expired. ated after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year- lion budget cuts, they need look no further Pursuant to House Resolution 174, old girl from Arlington, Texas, was ab- than our reckless war spending. For the good the previous question is ordered on the ducted while riding her bicycle and of our troops and the health of our economy, bill. then was brutally murdered in 1996. Her this war must end. The question is on the engrossment kidnapping and murder still remain un- And this viewpoint is shared across the na- and third reading of the bill. solved. Amber’s tragic story led to a tion. According to a recent Washington Post The bill was ordered to be engrossed partnership between broadcasters and poll, nearly two-thirds of the American people and read a third time, and was read the police to develop an early warning sys- support an immediate withdrawal from Afghan- third time. tem to help find abducted children. istan. Mr. Speaker, our job in this chamber is MOTION TO RECOMMIT Named in Amber’s memory, it stands to represent our constituents, and they have Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I have a for ‘‘America’s Missing: Broadcasting spoken loud and clear. The American people motion to recommit at the desk. Emergency Response.’’ The AMBER are fed up with a war that has done little to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the Alert program began as a local effort in improve our national security or bolster our gentlewoman opposed to the bill? Texas, and it has since grown into a international standing. Furthermore, after near- Ms. SUTTON. I am opposed to the successful national program, saving ly ten years of fighting, it is crystal clear that bill. hundreds of lives of children. the problem in Afghanistan cannot be solved The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Today, all 50 States, the District of by military means alone. Stabilization and re- Clerk will report the motion to recom- Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. construction, governance, and peace-building mit. Virgin Islands have AMBER Alert activities can help to stabilize states, promote The Clerk read as follows: plans. The AMBER Alert program in- rule of law, and bring enduring peace at a sliv- stantly galvanizes the entire commu- Ms. Sutton moves to recommit the bill, nity to assist in the search for and in er of the cost we pay for troops on the ground. H.R. 1076, to the Committee on Energy and Make no mistake about it: I firmly support Commerce with instructions to report the the safe recovery of an abducted child. our men and women in uniform. For this rea- same back to the House forthwith with the Since its inception, the AMBER Alert son, we must bring them home from a battle- following amendment: has helped to find and successfully re- front with no real hope of military victory. I Page 2, after line 24, insert the following: cover 538 children nationwide.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.080 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Mr. Speaker, we go to great lengths We all agree that it is important that Pastor (AZ) Ryan (OH) Sutton Payne Sa´ nchez, Linda Thompson (CA) to protect our children from sexual we put this Nation on a firm fiscal Pelosi T. Thompson (MS) predators and abductors—and right- footing. Now, while we all heartily sup- Perlmutter Sanchez, Loretta Tierney fully so. We talk to them about keep- port the AMBER Alert program, we Peters Sarbanes Tonko ing themselves safe. We teach them also know there is nothing in the H.R. Peterson Schakowsky Towns Pingree (ME) Schiff Tsongas how to recognize and how to avoid dan- 1076 that would prohibit the AMBER Polis Schrader Van Hollen gerous situations, and we talk to them Alert program. What we also know is Price (NC) Schwartz Vela´ zquez about making smart decisions. Today, that this is a procedural move by the Quigley Scott (VA) Visclosky we have the chance to make a decision minority to try to derail the funding to Rahall Scott, David Walz (MN) Rangel Serrano Waters to ensure that, regardless of how we NPR. Reyes Sewell Watt feel about the underlying bill, we will As I said, as we talked about the bill, Richardson Sherman Waxman not undermine the effectiveness of our it is imperative that we be good stew- Richmond Shuler Weiner Ross (AR) Sires Welch AMBER Alert network system. ards of the taxpayers’ money, that we Rothman (NJ) Slaughter Wilson (FL) NPR is designated as a disseminator get this fiscal house in order. It is time Roybal-Allard Smith (WA) Woolsey of AMBER Alerts via arrangements to get NPR out of the taxpayers’ pock- Ruppersberger Speier Wu with the Department of Justice and the et. The underlying bill does that. Rush Stark Yarmuth National Center for Missing and Ex- I encourage a ‘‘no’’ vote on the mo- NAYS—235 ploited Children. The deployment of tion to recommit. I encourage an Adams Gibbs Myrick next-generation emergency alert sys- ‘‘aye’’ vote on H.R. 1076. Aderholt Gibson Neugebauer tems is in progress, and NPR is posi- I yield back the balance of my time. Akin Goodlatte Noem tioned to play a vital, necessary role The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Alexander Gosar Nugent Amash Gowdy Nunes with its satellite-based capabilities. objection, the previous question is or- Austria Granger Nunnelee Recklessly eliminating funding crit- dered on the motion to recommit. Bachmann Graves (GA) Olson ical to the effective functioning of the There was no objection. Bachus Graves (MO) Palazzo AMBER Alert System would be a trag- Barletta Griffin (AR) Paul The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bartlett Griffith (VA) Paulsen ic mistake. Children of every age, gen- question is on the motion to recommit. Barton (TX) Grimm Pearce der and race are vulnerable to child ab- The question was taken; and the Bass (NH) Guinta Pence duction, and when it happens, time is Speaker pro tempore announced that Benishek Guthrie Petri the enemy. Communities must mobi- Berg Hall Pitts the noes appeared to have it. Biggert Hanna Platts lize quickly. Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I Bilbray Harper Poe (TX) The widespread use of the AMBER demand the yeas and nays. Bilirakis Harris Pompeo Alert network is the Nation’s most Bishop (UT) Hartzler Posey The yeas and nays were ordered. Black Hastings (WA) Price (GA) powerful tool for bringing abducted The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Blackburn Hayworth Quayle children home. AMBER Alerts also ant to clause 8 and clause 9 of rule XX, Bonner Heck Reed serve as deterrents to those who would this 15-minute vote on the motion to Bono Mack Heller Rehberg prey upon our children. AMBER Alert Boustany Hensarling Reichert recommit H.R. 1076 will be followed by Brady (TX) Herger Renacci cases demonstrate that some perpetra- 5-minute votes on passage of H.R. 1076, Brooks Herrera Beutler Ribble tors release the abducted children after if ordered; and adoption of House Con- Broun (GA) Huelskamp Rigell hearing the AMBER Alerts on the Buchanan Huizenga (MI) Rivera current Resolution 28. Bucshon Hultgren Roby radio or seeing them on television. The vote was taken by electronic de- Buerkle Hunter Roe (TN) In my hometown of Copley, Ohio, a 1- vice, and there were—yeas 184, nays Burgess Hurt Rogers (AL) year-old little girl was taken by her fa- 235, not voting 13, as follows: Burton (IN) Issa Rogers (KY) ther after a domestic fight grew vio- Calvert Jenkins Rogers (MI) [Roll No. 191] Camp Johnson (IL) Rohrabacher lent. The father, known to have a drug Campbell Johnson (OH) Rokita YEAS—184 problem, took the young girl from her Canseco Johnson, Sam Rooney home and drove erratically off with her Ackerman Cuellar Johnson (GA) Cantor Jones Ros-Lehtinen Altmire Cummings Johnson, E. B. Capito Kelly Roskam in a car. An AMBER Alert was issued, Andrews Davis (CA) Kaptur Carter King (IA) Ross (FL) and because of the continued press cov- Baca Davis (IL) Keating Cassidy King (NY) Royce erage, the man made the decision to re- Baldwin DeFazio Kildee Chabot Kingston Runyan turn his daughter. Thankfully, she was Barrow DeGette Kind Chaffetz Kinzinger (IL) Ryan (WI) Bass (CA) DeLauro Kissell Coble Kline Scalise brought to safety. Becerra Deutch Kucinich Coffman (CO) Lamborn Schilling Let’s be clear. The passage of this Berkley Dicks Langevin Cole Lance Schmidt amendment will not prevent the pas- Berman Dingell Larsen (WA) Conaway Landry Schock Bishop (GA) Doggett Larson (CT) Cravaack Lankford Schweikert sage of the underlying bill. If the Bishop (NY) Donnelly (IN) Lee (CA) Crawford Latham Scott (SC) amendment is adopted, it will be incor- Blumenauer Doyle Levin Crenshaw LaTourette Scott, Austin porated into the bill, and the bill will Boren Edwards Lewis (GA) Culberson Latta Sensenbrenner be immediately voted upon. So, though Boswell Ellison Lipinski Davis (KY) Lewis (CA) Sessions Brady (PA) Engel Loebsack Denham LoBiondo Shimkus we may disagree on the bill, today we Braley (IA) Eshoo Lofgren, Zoe Dent Long Shuster have the opportunity to speak with one Brown (FL) Farr Lowey DesJarlais Lucas Simpson voice to protect our children. It is up Butterfield Fattah Luja´ n Diaz-Balart Luetkemeyer Smith (NE) Capps Filner Lynch Dold Lummis Smith (NJ) to us. I urge everyone to vote ‘‘yes’’ on Capuano Frank (MA) Maloney Dreier Lungren, Daniel Smith (TX) this final amendment. Cardoza Gonzalez Markey Duffy E. Southerland The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Carnahan Green, Al Matheson Duncan (SC) Mack Stearns time of the gentlewoman has expired. Carney Green, Gene Matsui Duncan (TN) Manzullo Stivers Carson (IN) Grijalva McCarthy (NY) Ellmers Marchant Stutzman b 1450 Castor (FL) Gutierrez McCollum Emerson Marino Sullivan Chandler Hanabusa McDermott Farenthold McCarthy (CA) Terry Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I Chu Hastings (FL) McGovern Fincher McCaul Thompson (PA) rise to claim the time in opposition to Cicilline Heinrich McIntyre Fitzpatrick McClintock Thornberry the motion to recommit. Clarke (MI) Higgins McNerney Flake McCotter Tiberi Clarke (NY) Himes Meeks Fleischmann McHenry Tipton The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Clay Hinchey Michaud Fleming McKeon Turner tlewoman from Tennessee is recognized Cleaver Hirono Miller (NC) Flores McKinley Upton for 5 minutes. Clyburn Holden Miller, George Forbes McMorris Walberg Connolly (VA) Holt Moran Fortenberry Rodgers Walden Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I Conyers Honda Murphy (CT) Foxx Meehan Walsh (IL) think we all agree that this Nation’s Cooper Hoyer Napolitano Franks (AZ) Mica Webster children, our children and our grand- Costa Inslee Neal Frelinghuysen Miller (FL) West children are an incredibly important Costello Israel Olver Gallegly Miller (MI) Westmoreland Courtney Jackson (IL) Owens Gardner Miller, Gary Whitfield part of our lives and protecting those Critz Jackson Lee Pallone Garrett Mulvaney Wilson (SC) children, protecting their future. Crowley (TX) Pascrell Gerlach Murphy (PA) Wittman

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.109 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1967 Wolf Woodall Young (FL) Paul Rooney Stivers NOT VOTING—11 Womack Yoder Young (IN) Paulsen Ros-Lehtinen Stutzman Cohen Hinojosa Pence Pearce Roskam Sullivan NOT VOTING—13 Fudge Jordan Wasserman Petri Ross (FL) Terry Garamendi Labrador Schultz Cohen Gohmert Nadler Pitts Royce Thompson (PA) Giffords Nadler Young (AK) Fudge Hinojosa Wasserman Platts Runyan Thornberry Garamendi Jordan Schultz Poe (TX) Ryan (WI) Tipton b 1524 Giffords Labrador Young (AK) Pompeo Scalise Turner Gingrey (GA) Moore Posey Schilling Upton So the bill was passed. Price (GA) Schmidt Walberg The result of the vote was announced b 1515 Quayle Schock Walden as above recorded. Reed Schweikert Walsh (IL) A motion to reconsider was laid on Messrs. DESJARLAIS and JOHNSON Rehberg Scott (SC) Webster of Illinois changed their vote from Renacci Scott, Austin West the table. ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Ribble Sensenbrenner Westmoreland f Rigell Sessions Whitfield Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York Rivera Shimkus Wilson (SC) changed her vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ AFGHANISTAN WAR POWERS Roby Shuster Wittman RESOLUTION So the motion to recommit was re- Roe (TN) Simpson Wolf jected. Rogers (AL) Smith (NE) Womack The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- The result of the vote was announced Rogers (KY) Smith (NJ) Yoder finished business is the vote on adop- Rogers (MI) Smith (TX) Young (FL) tion of the concurrent resolution (H. as above recorded. Rohrabacher Southerland Young (IN) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Rokita Stearns Con. Res. 28) directing the President, question is on the passage of the bill. pursuant to section 5(c) of the War The question was taken; and the NOES—192 Powers Resolution, to remove the Speaker pro tempore announced that Ackerman Gonzalez Pascrell United States Armed Forces from Af- the noes appeared to have it. Altmire Green, Al Pastor (AZ) ghanistan, on which the yeas and nays Andrews Green, Gene Payne RECORDED VOTE were ordered. Baca Grijalva Pelosi The Clerk read the title of the con- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I Baldwin Gutierrez Perlmutter demand a recorded vote. Barrow Hanabusa Peters current resolution. A recorded vote was ordered. Bass (CA) Hanna Peterson The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. This Becerra Hastings (FL) Pingree (ME) question is on the concurrent resolu- Berkley Heinrich Polis tion. will be a 5-minute vote. Berman Higgins Price (NC) The vote was taken by electronic de- Bishop (GA) Himes Quigley This will be a 5-minute vote. vice, and there were—ayes 228, noes 192, Bishop (NY) Hinchey Rahall The vote was taken by electronic de- answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 11, as Blumenauer Hirono Rangel vice, and there were—yeas 93, nays 321, Boren Holden Reichert follows: answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 17, as Boswell Holt Reyes follows: [Roll No. 192] Brady (PA) Honda Richardson [Roll No. 193] AYES—228 Braley (IA) Hoyer Richmond Brown (FL) Inslee Ross (AR) YEAS—93 Adams Dold Jenkins Butterfield Israel Rothman (NJ) Baldwin Inslee Quigley Aderholt Dreier Johnson (IL) Capps Jackson (IL) Roybal-Allard Bass (CA) Jackson (IL) Rangel Akin Duncan (SC) Johnson (OH) Capuano Jackson Lee Ruppersberger Alexander Duncan (TN) Johnson, Sam Campbell Jackson Lee Richardson Cardoza (TX) Rush Austria Ellmers Jones Capuano (TX) Richmond Carnahan Johnson (GA) Ryan (OH) Bachmann Emerson Kelly Chaffetz Johnson (IL) Rohrabacher Carney Johnson, E. B. Sa´ nchez, Linda Bachus Farenthold King (IA) Chu Johnson, E. B. Rush Carson (IN) Kaptur T. Barletta Fincher King (NY) Cicilline Jones Sa´ nchez, Linda Castor (FL) Keating Sanchez, Loretta Bartlett Fitzpatrick Kingston Clarke (MI) Keating T. Barton (TX) Flake Kinzinger (IL) Chandler Kildee Sarbanes Clarke (NY) Kucinich Sanchez, Loretta Bass (NH) Fleischmann Kline Chu Kind Schakowsky Clay Larson (CT) Schakowsky Benishek Fleming Lamborn Cicilline Kissell Schiff Cleaver Lee (CA) Serrano Coble Lewis (GA) Berg Flores Lance Clarke (MI) Kucinich Schrader Shuler Conyers Lofgren, Zoe Biggert Forbes Landry Clarke (NY) Langevin Schwartz Slaughter Costello Maloney Bilbray Fortenberry Lankford Clay Larsen (WA) Scott (VA) Speier Crowley Markey Bilirakis Foxx Latham Cleaver Larson (CT) Scott, David Stark Bishop (UT) Franks (AZ) Davis (IL) Matsui Latta Clyburn LaTourette Serrano Thompson (CA) Black Frelinghuysen Lewis (CA) DeFazio McDermott Connolly (VA) Lee (CA) Sewell Thompson (MS) Blackburn Gallegly LoBiondo DeGette McGovern Conyers Levin Sherman Tierney Bonner Gardner Long Doyle McNerney Cooper Lewis (GA) Shuler Tonko Bono Mack Garrett Lucas Duncan (TN) Michaud Costa Lipinski Sires Towns Boustany Gerlach Luetkemeyer Edwards Miller, George Costello Loebsack Slaughter Tsongas Brady (TX) Gibbs Lummis Ellison Moore Courtney Lofgren, Zoe Smith (WA) ´ Brooks Gingrey (GA) Lungren, Daniel Eshoo Moran Velazquez Critz Lowey Speier Broun (GA) Gohmert E. Farr Napolitano Visclosky ´ Buchanan Goodlatte Mack Crowley Lujan Stark Filner Neal Waters Bucshon Gosar Manzullo Cuellar Lynch Sutton Frank (MA) Olver Watt Buerkle Gowdy Marchant Cummings Maloney Thompson (CA) Grijalva Pallone Waxman Burgess Granger Marino Davis (CA) Markey Thompson (MS) Gutierrez Pastor (AZ) Weiner Burton (IN) Graves (GA) McCarthy (CA) Davis (IL) Matheson Tiberi Hastings (FL) Paul Welch Calvert Graves (MO) McCaul DeFazio Matsui Tierney Hinchey Payne Wilson (FL) Camp Griffin (AR) McClintock DeGette McCarthy (NY) Tonko Holt Pingree (ME) Woolsey Campbell Griffith (VA) McCotter DeLauro McCollum Towns Honda Polis Yarmuth Canseco Grimm McHenry Deutch McDermott Tsongas NAYS—321 Cantor Guinta McKeon Dicks McGovern Van Hollen Capito Guthrie McKinley Dingell McIntyre Vela´ zquez Ackerman Berkley Braley (IA) Carter Hall McMorris Doggett McNerney Visclosky Adams Berman Brooks Cassidy Harper Rodgers Donnelly (IN) Meeks Walz (MN) Aderholt Biggert Broun (GA) Chabot Harris Meehan Doyle Michaud Waters Akin Bilbray Brown (FL) Chaffetz Hartzler Mica Duffy Miller (NC) Watt Alexander Bilirakis Buchanan Coble Hastings (WA) Miller (FL) Altmire Bishop (GA) Bucshon Edwards Miller, George Waxman Coffman (CO) Hayworth Miller (MI) Andrews Bishop (NY) Buerkle Ellison Moore Weiner Cole Heck Miller, Gary Austria Bishop (UT) Burgess Engel Moran Welch Conaway Heller Mulvaney Bachmann Black Burton (IN) Cravaack Hensarling Murphy (PA) Eshoo Murphy (CT) Wilson (FL) Bachus Blackburn Butterfield Crawford Herger Myrick Farr Napolitano Woodall Barletta Blumenauer Calvert Crenshaw Herrera Beutler Neugebauer Fattah Neal Woolsey Barrow Bonner Camp Culberson Huelskamp Noem Filner Olver Wu Bartlett Bono Mack Canseco Davis (KY) Huizenga (MI) Nugent Frank (MA) Owens Yarmuth Barton (TX) Boren Cantor Denham Hultgren Nunes Gibson Pallone Bass (NH) Boswell Capito Dent Hunter Nunnelee Becerra Boustany Capps DesJarlais Hurt Olson ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Benishek Brady (PA) Cardoza Diaz-Balart Issa Palazzo Berg Brady (TX) Carnahan Amash

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.041 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 Carney Himes Pitts Nadler Sullivan Young (AK) those who needed the food, and yet he Carson (IN) Hirono Platts Pence Wasserman Carter Holden Poe (TX) Rokita Schultz was brought down. Cassidy Hoyer Pompeo It is important that we not enter a Castor (FL) Huelskamp Posey b 1530 war, but that we create with our allies Chabot Huizenga (MI) Price (GA) a no-fly zone. Otherwise, Qaddafi is Chandler Hultgren Price (NC) So the concurrent resolution was not Clyburn Hunter Quayle agreed to. going to slaughter the people of Libya. Coffman (CO) Hurt Rahall The result of the vote was announced Where is our heart? Where is our com- Cole Israel Reed as above recorded. passion? Conaway Issa Rehberg As we seek to bring our heroic sol- Connolly (VA) Jenkins Reichert A motion to reconsider was laid on Cooper Johnson (GA) Renacci the table. diers home from Afghanistan who have Costa Johnson (OH) Reyes Stated against: fought for peace and freedom, let us Courtney Johnson, Sam Ribble Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 193, not forget those who stand unarmed al- Cravaack Kaptur Rigell most in their civilian clothes fighting Crawford Kelly Rivera Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ Crenshaw Kildee against tyranny. We must have a no-fly Roby f Critz Kind Roe (TN) zone. We cannot tolerate the slaughter. Cuellar King (IA) Rogers (AL) COMMEMORATING BRAIN We must stand for peace. Culberson King (NY) Rogers (KY) Cummings Kingston Rogers (MI) AWARENESS WEEK f Davis (CA) Kinzinger (IL) Rooney (Mr. RUNYAN asked and was given NEW YORK TIMES JOURNALISTS Davis (KY) Kissell Ros-Lehtinen DeLauro Kline Roskam permission to address the House for 1 DISAPPEAR Denham Lamborn Ross (AR) minute.) (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was Dent Lance Ross (FL) Mr. RUNYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise DesJarlais Landry given permission to address the House Rothman (NJ) today to commemorate Brain Aware- Deutch Langevin Roybal-Allard for 1 minute.) Diaz-Balart Lankford Royce ness Week and to highlight the Dicks Larsen (WA) Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it Runyan progress scientists are making to bet- Dingell Latham has been said that the first casualty of Ruppersberger Doggett LaTourette ter understand the brain and brain- Ryan (OH) war is the truth. In war, the way infor- Donnelly (IN) Latta based illnesses that impact millions of Ryan (WI) mation reaches the people is through Dreier Levin Sarbanes Americans. Such illnesses include mul- Duffy Lewis (CA) the messengers of truth, a free and Scalise tiple sclerosis, autism and a disease Duncan (SC) Lipinski independent press. Schiff Ellmers LoBiondo that affects my family personally, Alz- Schilling One way to hide the truth in Emerson Loebsack heimer’s disease. Schmidt Engel Long Qaddafi’s war is for the dictator to pro- Schock During Brain Awareness Week, sci- Farenthold Lowey hibit the media from finding out the Fattah Lucas Schrader entists work to educate students and facts, from finding out the truth. So it Schwartz Fincher Luetkemeyer the public about the work that they do should come as no surprise that four Fitzpatrick Luja´ n Schweikert to unravel the mysteries of the brain Scott (SC) New York Times journalists covering Flake Lummis and how their work can result in treat- Fleischmann Lungren, Daniel Scott (VA) the war have disappeared in Libya, pre- Fleming E. Scott, Austin ments for many brain-related illnesses. Scott, David sumably captured by Omar’s troops. Flores Lynch Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that dur- They are Anthony Shadid, Stephen Forbes Mack Sensenbrenner ing this upcoming constituent work- Fortenberry Manzullo Sessions Farrell, Tyler Hicks, and Lynsey Foxx Marino Sewell week, I will join students from Shaw- Addario, all veteran journalists and Sherman Franks (AZ) Matheson nee High School in Medford Township, photographers that have covered other Frelinghuysen McCarthy (CA) Shimkus New Jersey, as they recognize Brain Shuster world conflicts. Gallegly McCarthy (NY) Awareness Week during their sixth an- Gardner McCaul Simpson More than 300 other journalists have Garrett McClintock Sires nual Brain Day. I applaud the students been attacked during the recent tur- Smith (NE) Gerlach McCollum at Shawnee High School, along with moil in the region, and four have been Gibbs McCotter Smith (NJ) scientists engaged in this important Gibson McHenry Smith (TX) killed. Last year, 57 journalists were Gingrey (GA) McIntyre Smith (WA) work. Their hard work is key to find- murdered worldwide. Gohmert McKeon Southerland ing future treatments that we need Journalists are the eyes and ears for Gonzalez McKinley Stearns desperately. Goodlatte McMorris Stivers the world, so when they are assaulted, Gosar Rodgers Stutzman f kidnapped, harassed, censured, or mur- Gowdy Meehan Sutton dered by dictators, those actions are a SUPPORTING A NO-FLY ZONE Granger Meeks Terry direct attack on truth and human free- Graves (GA) Mica Thompson (PA) OVER LIBYA Graves (MO) Miller (FL) Thornberry dom. Green, Al Miller (MI) Tiberi (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked And that’s just the way it is. Green, Gene Miller (NC) Tipton and was given permission to address f Griffin (AR) Mulvaney Turner the House for 1 minute.) Griffith (VA) Murphy (CT) Upton CALLING FOR A NO-FLY ZONE IN Grimm Murphy (PA) Van Hollen Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Guinta Myrick Walberg Speaker, while we are here in the LIBYA Guthrie Neugebauer Walden United States, and I am privileged and (Mr. ENGEL asked and was given Hall Noem Walsh (IL) Hanabusa Nugent Walz (MN) honored that we are comforted by our permission to address the House for 1 Hanna Nunes Webster flag, our values, and the fact that we minute and to revise and extend his re- Harper Nunnelee West can live in peace and security, Mr. marks.) Harris Olson Westmoreland Speaker, there are those who are fight- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise Hartzler Owens Whitfield Hastings (WA) Palazzo Wilson (SC) ing for freedom all over the world, but today to call for a no-fly zone in Libya. Hayworth Pascrell Wittman in this instance in the Mideast, and I don’t think that the United States Heck Paulsen Wolf they are dying as we speak. should do it ourselves, but I think in Heinrich Pearce Womack Heller Pelosi Woodall We had the uprising in Egypt and conjunction with our European allies, Hensarling Perlmutter Wu Yemen and Bahrain. Bahrain is moving the European Union, and the Arab Herger Peters Yoder people out of the streets. But then you League, we should do it. The Arab Herrera Beutler Peterson Young (FL) move to Libya and people are dying. League called for a no-fly zone, so it Higgins Petri Young (IN) Today I stood with a mother who certainly would not be interpreted as if ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 lives in the United States, and her Lib- we were doing something unilaterally. Amash yan American son, who was born here, But I would like to take it one step is lost in Libya. At first she thought he further. We have been selling to our NOT VOTING—17 was dead, but she is looking to see Arab allies multiple planes and weap- Baca Garamendi Labrador whether or not there is news that he ons for years and years and years, and Cohen Giffords Marchant Dold Hinojosa Miller, Gary was only wounded. Even so, he was not I certainly think if there is a no-fly Fudge Jordan in battle. He was providing food to zone, the Arab nations which called on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.049 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1969 us to support a no-fly zone ought to lowing of Iraq: ‘‘We know they have bi- the United States of September 11, participate with us in terms of making ological and chemical weapons.’’ That 2001, underscored the gravity of the sure that no-fly zone is sustainable. was March 17, 2002. threat that Iraq will transfer weapons We cannot sit by and allow Qaddafi On March 19, 2002, Vice President of mass destruction to international to kill more and more innocent people Cheney said: ‘‘And we know they are terrorist organizations. in a bloodbath, to use the power, air pursuing nuclear weapons.’’ President George W. Bush rep- power, of his force to massacre civil- On March 24, 2002, Vice President resented to this Congress that Iraq will ians. We cannot allow that. Cheney said of Saddam Hussein: ‘‘He is either employ those weapons to launch So I think the time is now. We can’t actively pursuing nuclear weapons at a surprise attack against the United keep waiting, because if we wait, it will this time.’’ States or its Armed Forces or provide be too long and the bloodbath will have Later, on May 19, 2002: ‘‘We know he’s them through international terrorists already occurred. I think the time for got chemicals and biological and we who would do so; that an extreme mag- action is now. Let’s do it in conjunc- know he’s working on nuclear.’’ That nitude of harm would result to the tion with the EU and the Arab League. was Vice President Cheney on ‘‘Meet United States and its citizens from the Press.’’ f such an attack; and that the aforemen- August 26, 2002, speaking to the tioned threats justified action by the b 1540 VFW’s convention, Vice President Che- United States to defend itself. ney said: ‘‘Simply stated, there is no SUPPORTING PUBLIC RADIO Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation doubt that Saddam Hussein now has as a Nation to defend ourselves. To pro- (Mr. CLARKE of Michigan asked and weapons of mass destruction. There is vide for common defense is one of the was given permission to address the no doubt that he is amassing them to foundational principles of this country House for 1 minute.) use against our friends, against our al- in the preamble to our Constitution. Mr. CLARKE of Michigan. Mr. lies, and against us.’’ Those who are charged with the re- Speaker, I’m standing here opposing September 8, 2002, again, on NBC’s sponsibility of guiding the affairs of the action taken by this House today ‘‘Meet the Press,’’ Vice President Che- our Nation, the President and the Vice and urging the Senate to allow the val- ney said this: ‘‘Based on intelligence President—in this case, President ued listeners of Metro Detroit’s WDET that’s becoming available, some of it Bush, Vice President Cheney—had a re- to hear the best quality national pro- has been made public, more of it hope- sponsibility to be totally clear and graming, and here’s why. What happens fully will be, that he has indeed’’—he’s honest with the American people. It is around the world impacts the quality speaking of Saddam Hussein—‘‘he has to their shame that they were neither of life of people living in Metro De- indeed stepped up his capacity to honest nor candid with the American troit. The valiant listeners of Detroit’s produce and deliver biological weapons; people and with this Congress. WDET deserve to hear this news and that he has reconstituted his nuclear Here we are on the eighth anniver- this programing. program to develop a nuclear weapon; sary of the attack on Iraq. And I think, f that there are efforts underway inside Mr. Speaker, it would be instructive Iraq to significantly expand his capa- for this Congress to have the oppor- MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE bility.’’ tunity to review what it is we were A message from the Senate by Ms. On September 8, 2002, on ‘‘Meet the told in early October of 2002, when we Curtis, one of its clerks, announced Press,’’ Vice President Cheney went on voted as a Congress to authorize the that the Senate has agreed to without to say of Hussein: ‘‘He is in fact ac- President to take action against Iraq, amendment a joint resolution and a tively and aggressively seeking to ac- action which commenced 8 years ago. concurrent resolution of the House of quire nuclear weapons.’’ Listen to some of these claims that the following titles: March 16, 2003, a few days before the were made. I will state the claims that H.J. Res. 48. Joint resolution making fur- attack: ‘‘And we believe he has in fact were made and then I will rebut them. reconstituted nuclear weapons.’’ ther continuing appropriations for fiscal b 1550 year 2011, and for other purposes. I mention this, Mr. Speaker, because, H. Con. Res. 27. Concurrent resolution pro- for those Members who were not in the We were told that, in 1990, in re- viding for the acceptance of a statue of Ger- House of Representatives at the time of sponse to Iraq’s war of aggression ald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for the October debate and at the time against an illegal occupation of Ku- placement in the United States Capitol. that the attack commenced and for wait, the United States forged a coali- f those who are just citizens watching tion of nations to liberate Kuwait and these events unfold, there was created its people in order to defend the na- END THE WAR IN IRAQ in this country a climate of belief, a tional security of the United States The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. certainty, as to the grave peril which and enforce United Nations Security MCKINLEY). Under the Speaker’s an- Saddam Hussein of Iraq was alleged to Council resolutions relating to Iraq. nounced policy of January 5, 2011, the represent. That was the Vice President. Mr. Speaker, the thing that was said gentleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) is Now, the President, in various ap- then at that time in response: I pointed recognized for 60 minutes as the des- pearances and statements and in the out that, in the Persian Gulf War, ignee of the minority leader. legislation he presented to this Con- there was an international coalition. Mr. KUCINICH. March 20, 2003, 8 gress, the President made the following World support was for protecting Ku- years ago, the United States launched material representations with respect wait. There was no world support for a full-scale attack on Iraq. Many of us to Iraq. He said that Iraq was con- invading Iraq. remember watching the images of tinuing to possess and develop a sig- The resolution that President Bush shock and awe as violence was wreaked nificant chemical and biological weap- submitted to this Congress which re- against the people of Iraq and, in par- ons capability. He said that Iraq was sulted in the invasion of Iraq 8 years ticular, the city of Baghdad. That mo- actively seeking a nuclear weapons ca- ago said: Whereas, after the liberation ment at which America arrived to ex- pability; that Iraq was continuing to of Kuwait in 1991, Iraq entered into a press its military might had ante- threaten the national security inter- United Nations-sponsored cease fire cedents that we should study this ests of the United States and inter- agreement, pursuant to which Iraq un- evening. national peace and security; that Iraq equivocally agreed, among other I want to review, Mr. Speaker, the had demonstrated a willingness to at- things, to eliminate its nuclear, bio- climate that was created for this Con- tack the United States; that members logical, chemical weapons programs gress that caused this Congress to of al Qaeda, an international organiza- and the means to deliver and develop make a decision back in October of 2002 tion bearing responsibility for attacks them and to end its support for inter- to go to war against Iraq—a war that on the United States, its citizens, and national terrorism; was executed beginning March 20, 2003. interests, including the attacks that Whereas, the efforts of international It was 9 years ago to this date that occurred on September 11, 2001, are weapons inspectors, United States in- Vice President Cheney said the fol- known to be in Iraq. That attacks on telligence agencies, and Iraqi defectors

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.117 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 led to the discovery that Iraq had large that proved that Iraq was a serious ing responsibility for attack on the stockpiles of chemical weapons and a threat to the United States and was United States, its citizens and inter- large-scale biological weapons program continuing to possess and develop ests, including the attacks that oc- and that Iraq had an advanced nuclear chemical and biological nuclear weap- curred on 9/11, are known to be in Iraq. weapons development program that ons; and there was no credible intel- But back in October of 2002, when we was much closer to producing a nuclear ligence connecting Iraq to al Qaeda in were having the debate on President weapon than intelligence previously 9/11. Iraq didn’t have anything to do Bush’s war resolution, there was no had indicated. with 9/11. Iraq had nothing to do with credible intelligence that connected In advance of any attack, to answer al Qaeda’s role in 9/11. Iraq to the events of 9/11 or to the par- what the President was saying, I point- The President went on to assert to ticipation in those events by assisting ed out more than 8 years ago: U.N. in- this Congress in the resolution which al Qaeda. spection teams identified and de- was a call to war against Iraq that Iraq The President told Congress back in stroyed nearly all such weapons that persists in violating resolutions of the 2002: Iraq continues to aid and harbor President Bush referred to in his reso- United Nations Security Council by other international terrorist organiza- lution. A lead inspector, Scott Ritter, continuing to engage in the brutal re- tions, including organizations that said that he believes that nearly all pression of its civilian population, threaten the lives and safety of Amer- other weapons not found were de- thereby threatening international ican citizens. stroyed in the gulf war. Furthermore, peace and security in the region by re- It was pointed out back then, in re- according to a published report in The fusing to release, repatriate or account sponse to President Bush’s assertions, Washington Post, the Central Intel- for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully de- that any connection between the Iraq ligence Agency had no up-to-date accu- tained by Iraq, including an American support of terrorist groups in the Mid- rate report on Iraq’s WMD capabilities. serviceman, and by failing to return dle East is an argument and was an ar- The President said: Whereas, Iraq, in property wrongfully seized by Iraq gument then for focusing great re- direct and flagrant violation of the from Kuwait. sources on resolving the conflict be- cease fire, attempted to thwart the ef- It was said at the time that the lan- tween Israel and the Palestinians. It forts of weapons inspectors, to identify guage of this resolution was so broad was not sufficient reason for the U.S. and destroy Iraq’s weapons of mass de- that it would allow the President to at- to launch a unilateral preemptive struction stockpiles and development tack Iraq even when there was no ma- strike against Iraq. capabilities, which finally resulted in terial threat to the United States. The The President went on to say that the withdrawal of inspectors from Iraq resolution authorized the use of force the attacks on the United States of on October 31, 1998. for all Iraq-related violations of U.N. September 11, 2001, underscored the I pointed out back then, more than 8 Security Council directives, and the gravity of the threat posed by the ac- years ago, that Iraqi deceptions always resolution cited Iraq’s imprisonment of quisition of weapons of mass destruc- failed. Inspectors always figured out non-Iraqi prisoners. tion by international terrorist organi- what Iraq was doing. It was the United This resolution would have author- zations. States that withdrew from the inspec- ized the President to attack Iraq in It was pointed out again that there tions in 1998. The United States then order to liberate Kuwaiti citizens who was no connection between Iraq and launched a cruise missile attack may or may not have been in Iraqi the events of 9/11. Yet think about this: against Iraq 48 hours after the inspec- prisons even if Iraq had met compli- there was a consistent effort to try to tors left. In advance of a military ance with all requests to destroy the link Iraq to 9/11 and to al Qaeda’s role strike, the U.S. continued to thwart alleged weapons of mass destruction; in 9/11, but there was no connection. the weapons inspections. though, in 2002, at the Arab summit, The President kept on insisting there President Bush went on to tell this Iraq and Kuwait agreed to bilateral ne- was, as did the Vice President. Congress: Whereas, in 1998, Congress gotiations to work out all claims relat- b 1600 concluded that Iraq’s continuing weap- ing to stolen property and prisoners of ons of mass destruction program war. The President went on to say that threatened vital U.S. interests and So this use of force resolution en- Iraq demonstrated capability and will- international peace and security. It de- abled President Bush to commit U.S. ingness to use weapons of mass de- clared Iraq to be in ‘‘material and un- troops to recover Kuwaiti property. struction, the risk that the Iraq regime acceptable breach of its international The President told this Congress: The would either employ those weapons to obligations,’’ and urged the President current Iraqi regime had demonstrated launch a surprise attack against the to take appropriate action in accord- its capability and willingness to use United States or its Armed Forces, or ance with the Constitution and rel- weapons of mass destruction against provide them to international terror- evant laws of the United States to other nations and its own people; that ists who would do so. The extreme bring Iraq into compliance with inter- the Iraqi regime had demonstrated its magnitude of harm that would result national obligations. continuing hostility toward and will- in the United States and its citizens The President went on to assert to ingness to attack the United States, from such an attack combined to jus- this Congress: Whereas, Iraq both pos- including by attempting in 1993 to as- tify action by the United States to de- sesses a continuing threat to the na- sassinate former President Bush; and fend itself. tional security of the United States by firing on many thousands of occa- The picture that was painted for the and international peace and security in sions on United States and Coalition American people, for the Congress at the Persian Gulf, and remains in mate- Armed Forces engaged in enforcing a that time was that we had no choice rial and unacceptable breach of inter- resolution of the United Nations Secu- but to get ready to attack Iraq; and national obligations by, among other rity Council. yet, back then, prior to Congress vot- things, continuing to possess and de- It was pointed out back then, prior to ing on a resolution to authorize use of velop a significant chemical and bio- Congress passing the resolution to au- military force against Iraq, an attack logical weapons capability, actively thorize an attack on Iraq, that the having occurred 8 years ago, on March seeking a nuclear weapons capability, Iraqi regime had never attacked nor 20, 2003, we knew back then that there and supporting and harboring terror- does it have the capability to attack was no credible evidence that Iraq pos- ists. the United States. They couldn’t at- sessed weapons of mass destruction. It was pointed out back then, Mr. tack us. The no-fly zone was not the re- There was no credible evidence that Speaker, that there was absolutely no sult of a U.N. Security Council direc- Iraq had the capability to reach the proof that Iraq represented an imme- tive. It was illegally imposed by the United States with such weapons. diate or imminent threat to the United United States, Great Britain, and In the 1991 gulf war, Iraq had a dem- States. A continuing threat does not France and not specifically sanctioned onstrated capability of biological and constitute a sufficient cause for war. by any Security Council resolution. chemical weapons, but didn’t have the The administration refused to provide The President went on to say: Mem- willingness to use them against the Congress with credible intelligence bers of al Qaeda, an organization bear- U.S. Armed Forces. Congress was not

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.120 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1971 provided with any credible information died pursuant to the bloodshed and tions, that Mr. Maliki, his government, which proved that Iraq had provided chaos that occurred during the Iraq is stalled on appointing ministers, that international terrorists with weapons war. How can anyone in public life who the U.S. wants a contingency force of of mass destruction. understands that not come into public 10,000 to remain, that the State Depart- President Bush went on to assert forums and demand justice? ment is increasing contractor presence that the United States could unilater- This Nation was led to war based on of 17,000 at the cost of $2.5 billion. We ally enforce U.N. resolutions and that lies. The U.S. has already lost 4,439 of are not going to be done with this war we could do so with military force. He our brave men and women. We’ve had for God knows how long. went on to assert a chronology of over 33,000 troops wounded. There are We know the war in Iraq is being international process; and when you casualties on all sides here. And cer- privatized. We know that all these pri- look at where we are today, $3 trillion, tainly some of the nations who closed vate firms that are lining up to provide according to Joseph Stiglitz and Linda ranks with the Bush administration, security in Iraq will be there for some Bilmes, will be the minimum cost of their sons and daughters also suffered time. As a matter of fact, it’s in their this war. as well. interest to keep the environment un- One has to ask, what was going on in It’s hard to believe, though, that we stable because they will keep making this Congress at the time? When we could have known all that we knew in money. were told by the President of the advance of passing the legislation and So this handoff to the State Depart- United States and by the Vice Presi- it was passed anyway; know all that we ment occurs with much skepticism. dent of the United States that Iraq had knew in advance of passing the legisla- But at this very moment, Mr. Speaker, weapons of mass destruction, it had the tion, the legislation’s passed, and we go it’s not clear that we are truly going to intention and capability of attacking to war anyway; know all that we know be leaving Iraq. I mean, you are either the United States, the implication was today back then and still be in Iraq in or you are out. You can’t be in and that Iraq worked with al Qaeda to today, March 17, 2011. And I quoted to out at the same time. You can’t talk bring about 9/11. That’s what they led you at the beginning of this from Vice about going and you still have 10,000 this Congress to believe. That’s what President Cheney 9 years ago. The troops there or 50,000 troops there. We they led the American people to be- Iraqis are still paying a price and so are told that it’s the end of combat op- lieve. are the American people. erations. Well, some of the insurgents But you know what, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to say something on this aren’t getting that message, because way back then I didn’t buy a word of it, floor, Mr. Speaker, that seldom gets they are still attacking our troops. and there are other Members of Con- discussed here, and that is, that I sin- There have been 4,439 U.S. casualties, gress who didn’t buy a word of it ei- cerely believe that President Bush, approximately 33,000 wounded. I have ther. We know that there was no proof. Vice President Cheney, Secretary been to a number of funerals of young We knew that there was no proof of- Rumsfeld and others should be held ac- people who believed in this country, fered by the administration at that countable under international law for who loved this country, who saw serv- time that would give us a cause to go waging a war against people who had ice to this country as the highest pur- to war against Iraq, but we executed no quarrel with the United States of pose of their lives. I remember all of the war against Iraq. This is a great America at all. them, but there is one in particular tragedy upon the Iraqi people and upon that I want to share with you. It was a b 1610 the people of our Nation, too. young man who, when he died in com- We executed the war against Iraq There have to be international laws bat, his mother was notified that he that, according to Joseph Stiglitz, ex- that have to be followed by U.S. offi- would at last be made a U.S. citizen. trapolating from a study that was done cials, and, in fact, there are: the Gene- I grew up at a time when we were by the Lancet organization, as many as va Convention, the U.N. Charter. There dealing with the Vietnam War. And 1 million innocent Iraqi people have are express prohibitions against waging years ago, before I got into politics, I died in that war. I want everyone here aggressive war. was a copyboy at a newspaper in Cleve- to wrap their thinking around this It doesn’t matter what this Congress land called The Plain Dealer. My job at statement. Joseph Stiglitz in his book, blesses because of what we were told. The Plain Dealer, among the things I ‘‘The Three Trillion Dollar War,’’ The President, the Vice President, and had to do, I had to go out on what they wrote it with his associate Linda the Secretary of Defense, they all knew called art runs to pick up pictures of Bilmes, citing the Lancet report on ci- better. They are all trying to cover young men, primarily, who were killed vilian casualties in Iraq, extrapolated their tracks right now with various in Vietnam. I remember driving the from that report and the figure that books and PR tours, but they knew company’s car up to a house. And, Mr. comes up is approximately 1 million in- better. They put the lives of our young Speaker, all these houses after a while, nocent civilians lost their lives as a re- men and women on the line for a lie. they look the same. The houses were sult of the United States’ attack upon, They put the lives of 1 million and wooden clapboard houses that needed a and occupation of, Iraq. more Iraqi people on the line for a lie. little bit of paint, and the front door People will criticize the Lancet They put over $3 trillion of our pre- was flapping a little bit in the breeze. study; and they will say, well, you cious resources here on the line for a There wasn’t a latch on it. When you know, that can’t be true. But what lie. walked up the steps, the steps would they did was they looked at how many I challenge anyone in this Congress creek, and you would see faded white excess deaths occurred during that pe- to prove me wrong on any of this, be- curtains in the window with a shade riod, and they did a very comprehen- cause it is impossible to prove to the pulled down and a blue star in the win- sive study; and they were able to come contrary the statements that I have dow, signifying that they had someone to this determination that these were made today about assertions that were who served. all deaths that should not have oc- made to this Congress, to the American When I knocked on the door, people curred or they attributed them to the people for a cause of war against Iraq, would invite me into their house, and I war. A million people. Why? Because and they were all lies. would sit on a worn sofa, a threadbare this Congress was told that Iraq had And now, Mr. Speaker, we are about rug. At that time, they would have a weapons of mass destruction and was to begin another year of occupation of picture of the President of the United going to use them against the United Iraq. There is no question that occupa- States, often a picture of President States of America. tion fuels insurgencies. There is no Kennedy, who, by then, had been de- Could I ask how much time is left, question that we are likely to be in ceased, and a picture of Christ, you Mr. Speaker? Iraq for some time to come. Just in the know, around the TV. I would sit down The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- last 24 hours, it was reported that on their sofa, and they would go over tleman has approximately 35 minutes while the U.S. troops who are there at the pictures. Then I would take one of remaining. this moment, 50,000 troops, are sup- those pictures to the newspaper so they Mr. KUCINICH. So I was saying, Mr. posed to leave at the end of the year, could print it the next day to announce Speaker, over 1 million innocent Iraqis there are problems with the negotia- that this young person had been killed.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.122 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 And I remember how incredible it Fifteen million Americans out of Now they want to blame it on some was to be there at that moment when work. Think of how many jobs you character called Curveball. Look, when the family was in such incredible could create with trillions of dollars. I was growing up if somebody was agony and grief and to get the feeling Fifty million Americans still don’t throwing you a curveball you knew of their loss, just to feel it. Even think- have health care. Over 10 million what that meant. It meant that it ing about it right now, I can feel it. Americans have lost their homes. So wasn’t coming at you straight. It was I went out and picked up so many many Americans go to bed hungry. So coming like this, okay? pictures over the course of a year or so, many Americans can’t afford to send It was almost somebody in the CIA just while I was doing that job; and it their kids to decent schools. So much was telegraphing to all of us, hey, this was just the same thing over and over of our public education system is fail- guy’s a curveball. Be very careful again, people talking about how proud ing because they don’t have enough re- about this pitch that he’s making. they were of their young person who sources. But anyhow, this character, served and wanting everyone to know And yet, we are spending trillions of Curveball, when it comes to WMDs, he how much they loved the country and dollars now on wars, one war based on said he made it all up. He said that he how much they loved service. lies, the other one based on a funda- had a problem with the Saddam re- Those memories stay with me. I mental misreading of history. I mean, gime. He wanted to get rid of them, mean, all of us who had friends who who in history has conquered Afghani- and he had the chance. fought in Vietnam and didn’t come stan? Well, maybe somebody can go Now, there are those who would say, back. They included people who I back to Genghis Khan’s time and an- well, see, it was this guy. He said this. played baseball with, people who I just swer that question, but you can’t an- We were fooled. Right. Yeah. No. Those used to pal around with. And when you swer it in this century or the last cen- who were charged with the responsi- know people who get killed in war, it tury. bility of taking this country into war becomes personal. When you have fam- Now, the House just had 2 hours of against Iraq, they weren’t fooled. They ily members who are out there and are debate today on the issue of Afghani- cooked the books with respect to the exposed to that environment, it’s very stan and the war powers resolution. I’m intelligence. They had the intelligence personal. pleased to see that more voted in favor shaped to fit their preconceived designs So here I am in the United States of withdrawal this year than voted last to go to war. For them to try to main- Congress. Here we are, 2011. And I year. It’s a good sign, particularly tain they were fooled would be an in- think back to those times, and I think, since about two-thirds of the American teresting defense. you know, if we’re sending these young people favor getting out of Afghanistan The former head of the CIA in Eu- men and women to put themselves in in the near future. rope, Tyler Drumheller, wasn’t fooled. harm’s way, we had better be right. We I mean, it’s easy to understand why He warned against the reliability of cannot afford not just to not make a the American people feel that way. The Curveball. But the administration at mistake, but there cannot be any de- American people have to be feeling, that time, the Bush administration, of- ception involved in things like that. how can we afford these wars? How can So, you see, when I talk about the fered no alternatives to the Congress. we afford to spend $1 million a year to importance of holding people account- So instead of accepting the truth able for the deceptions, I come from a equip a soldier in Afghanistan, or Iraq that Iraq didn’t possess WMDs, the place of great sadness about the trag- for that matter? Don’t we have things Bush administration decided to pick edy of war generally, but the com- to take care of here at home? and choose their facts in order to sell a Mr. Speaker, I look at our cities, and pounded tragedy of war specifically war to the American people, at a cost all across this Nation, we have cities when it is based on something that is of trillions of dollars. really not true. that are falling apart. Our infrastruc- When I think of the road that we ture’s falling apart. It’s fair to say that have gone down, when I think, Mr. b 1620 we have trillions of dollars in infra- Speaker, that someone in the Bush ad- Whether those of us in Congress structure needs that are unmet. ministration, way back when we were voted for the war or not, we all have They’re not being met because we’re about to attack Iraq, announced that grave concerns for the safety of our being told, well, we don’t have enough he thought the Iraq war would cost $100 troops. But there’s a sense in which the money. As a matter of fact, some billion, Larry Lindsey, he was fired for troops themselves become hostage to States are using the deficit to be able that. One hundred billion. Imagine the war. We had so many moments to crush workers’ rights. now, this war’s going to cost 30 times where we were told that we should vote But we know that when it comes to that, if not 50 times it, when you look to continue to fund the wars to support these wars, these wars are contributing at the long-term effect of caring, for the troops. to the deficit. In one way or another, the rest of their lives, for the soldiers Now, Iraq, March 20, 2011, the eighth we end up borrowing money to keep who come back maimed. anniversary. Afghanistan, already the these wars going. How can these wars b 1630 longest war in our history, more than be more important than everything 10 years. How can we afford the lost else in America? Let’s bring it back. On March 20, 2003, lives anymore? How can we afford the We know right now that occupations the United States Armed Forces at the deaths of innocent civilians? How can fuel insurgency in Afghanistan. Our direction of President George W. Bush we afford the trillions upon trillions of presence there has caused the Taliban commenced a very vigorous and violent dollars? to become stronger. Our actions there attack upon the nation of Iraq and its There’s a point at which we have to help ensure the Taliban will have even people. That was the beginning of the ask ourselves some fundamental ques- more support. Iraq war, and it was the beginning of tions. If we didn’t go to war to make General Petraeus himself, with re- the United States assault on and subse- America safer, why did we go to war spect to Afghanistan said, well, al quent occupation of Iraq. And he did it against Iraq? I maintained then and I Qaeda doesn’t have much of a presence because this Congress approved of it; maintain now that oil certainly had anymore. What are we doing there? and this Congress approved of it be- something to do with it. How can we keep affording the kind of cause we were told that Iraq had weap- We have to ask ourselves, why are we money that we’re spending there? ons of mass destruction, that Iraq had still in Iraq? Why are we still in Af- The American people are saying it the intention and capability of hurting ghanistan? Why are we continuing in- loud and clear. They want out. the United States, and Iraq had some- cursions along the Pakistani border? But what I wanted to do this evening, thing to do with 9/11 and al Qaeda’s role Why are we still debating whether to though, is to bring us back to the time in 9/11. Mr. Speaker, all false. become involved militarily in Libya? that Congress was faced with the deci- Now, the Bible says you shall know Don’t we, as Americans, get to the sion about going to war against Iraq; the truth, and the truth shall set you point where we just say maybe it’s that we were told things by Vice Presi- free. We are taught that truth crushed time we started taking care of things dent Cheney, we were told things by to the ground will rise again. We are at home first? President Bush. waiting to be freed from the lies that

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.123 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1973 took us into war, but we cannot be free lies that cost this country over $3 tril- creating the fullness of the democratic until we have a reconciliation with the lion? That is impractical. How about a process, which we were assured would people of Iraq. And we can’t do that war that cost the lives of over 1 million have the chance to unfold with the until we have truth. America is going innocent Iraqi civilians, a war that independence of the United States and to have to go through that period. We cost the lives of thousands upon thou- with the creation of our Constitution? will never recover from 9/11 if we con- sands of our troops, and tens of thou- Mr. Speaker, I intend to keep bring- tinue to move down the rabbit holes of sands of our troops injured? That’s im- ing forth the truth of what happened war that were based on lies or based on practical. that resulted in the United States a misreading of history and a We need to summon our capacity and being taken into war against Iraq misapplication of power. our capabilities to be able to take this based on lies, and I intend to keep So where do we go from here? Well, Nation in a new direction that does not bringing forward alternatives so that we have to get ready to leave Iraq and include a quest or reach for empire; we can not just get out of Iraq and Af- we have to get ready to leave Afghani- that pulls back its military resources ghanistan, but stop this reach for stan, and we have to stop bombing the which are spread all around the world power abroad which comes at the ex- borders along Pakistan. And we have to the cost of tens of billions of dollars pense of our vital needs at home. to start working with the international annually, and we need to start coming community on matters of security. home, create peace at home. Let’s look f And if we need to continue to track at gun violence in our society. Let’s go b 1640 down anyone who is associated with to domestic violence, spousal abuse, AMERICAN ENERGY POLICY mass violence against the people of our child abuse, violence in the schools, country or any other country, that gang violence, racial violence, violence The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. should be a matter of international po- against gays. FLEISCHMANN). Under the Speaker’s an- lice action. If we started to focus on addressing nounced policy of January 5, 2011, the And we must stop the policies of violence in our society, the causal na- gentleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) interventionism. We must stop the ture of it, not just the symptoms of it, is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- reach for empire. It is destroying our not just the effects of it, we may put ignee of the majority leader. Nation. It is destroying us morally, ourselves on a path where we could in Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- and it is destroying our capacity to be our Nation create what many years ago er, I wish every one of my colleagues able to meet the needs of the American people called a New Jerusalem, a shin- and everybody in America would listen people for jobs, for housing, for health ing city on a hill, the potential to be to this Special Order tonight, not be- care, for education, for retirement se- able to have all of our material con- cause I want the attention, but I just curity. We have to challenge the under- cerns met, and be able to have peace. think there are some facts that the lying premise about war being inevi- Frankly, I don’t know any other way American people ought to know and table. Because as soon as people start that we can do it except working to- my colleagues ought to know about our beating the drums of war, there is an wards peace. But we have to build dependence on energy from other parts entire marching band and Shouter So- structures of peace in our own Nation, of the world. ciety at the Pentagon and their people in our own neighborhoods. That is what It really bothers me that we continue in the contracting business who are legislation to create a Department of to depend so much on our adversaries ready to try to make a case for war at Peace is about, not creating a new bu- or people that aren’t our friends rather any time and any place. We have to reaucracy. than we do on ourselves. We could be begin to critically analyze the men- Think about it. If we spend more energy independent within a relatively tality that issues forth that causes us than $1 trillion every year for wars in short period of time, and I am talking to put so much of our resources on the Iraq and Afghanistan and the Pentagon about 5 to 10 years, if we just did cer- line. budget all combined, wouldn’t you tain things. So tonight what I want to General Eisenhower warned about it. think we ought to have a few bucks do is I want to point out to my col- He served as President of this United available to talk about how we can cre- leagues and anybody else that might be States two terms, and he recognized in ate a more peaceful society so we don’t paying attention where the energy is in his valedictory that we should beware doom future generations to continue to America, what it is, and how difficult of the military-industrial complex, we support these endless wars? it would be to extract it. have to be careful about what we are We have to start redefining who we Now, right now, people that are pay- being told and the motivation of those are as a people, and this is as good a ing attention in their offices know that from outside this Congress who are time as any to begin to do it. We are on we are paying $3.60 or more for a gallon telling us certain stories about why we the eighth anniversary of the initiation of gasoline. Diesel fuel is over $4 a gal- should go to war. It is time for us to of the war against Iraq, March 20, 2011. lon. And my chief of staff went to the try to come into resonance with our In the last hour, Mr. Speaker, I have grocery store the other day, and he power to achieve diplomacy. sought to create a review of the record I am not naive about the world, but I of what was said at the time to bring told me he bought two tomatoes and it also understand that if we do not try to about the war, how the President and cost $5. He bought one avocado and it exercise our capacity to relate to peo- the Vice President at that time did not cost $3. ple in other places, people who may tell the truth to the American people, People are telling me there is no in- have different ideologies, different reli- did not tell the truth to Congress; how flation. That is baloney. The cost of gions, different colors, creeds; if we do the consequences have been extraor- food is going up. The cost of gasoline is not try to pursue that, then we are des- dinary for the people of Iraq, for the going up. The cost of everything is tined to have more wars. But if we pur- people of the United States; how many going up, and in large part it is going sue what President Franklin Roosevelt innocent civilians died; how we have to up because the cost of energy is rising called the science of human relations, find a way to reconcile with the people very, very rapidly. And it need not be then we have the possibility that we of Iraq, how we will have to find a way that way. can move toward making peace, not to reconcile at some point with the I talked to a fellow the other day war, inevitable. people in Afghanistan the innocents that came in to see me about new tech- It is that type of thinking that led who have died. How we have to recog- nologies, and he told me if we devel- me to bring forward a proposal to cre- nize that there are some things in the oped our coal shale, converted it into ate a Cabinet-level Department of world that are beyond our control, that oil, we could lower the price per barrel Peace. I know there are people who we can’t tell other people what kind of of oil from $105 a barrel to $30 a barrel. say, ‘‘Oh, peace. Right. Okay, Dennis. political system they should have. We Do you know what that would do to the We got it. You want peace. Next.’’ And cannot try to redesign the world ac- price of gasoline if we were to do that? they try to project peace as imprac- cording to what our idea of a democ- It would lower the price of gasoline tical. racy is. from $3.60 down to about $1.40 or $1.30 a Mr. Speaker, you want us to talk im- Wouldn’t it be nice if here in the gallon. And what do you think that practical? How about a war based on United States we actually focused on would do to the economy and what

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.125 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 would that do to lowering the prices of Oil is the lifeblood of this country. It that took place in the Gulf of Mexico. goods and services that we go all the supplies more than 40 percent of our And yet we continue to import with way across the country in dealing energy needs and 99 percent of the fuel these tankers, and we say it is an envi- with? Yet we are not doing anything. that we use in our cars and trucks. ronmental problem because look at So I want to read tonight a little bit They talk about the new Volt auto- what happened in the Gulf of Mexico. about where we are, what we could do, mobile, electric car, that that is going That is an excuse to not drill in this and what we can accomplish if we just to solve our problems. They talk about country, because we are wasting en- start paying attention to what is here windmills that are going to solve our ergy by not getting it right here. And, in the United States. problems. They talk about nuclear en- as I said before, we are spilling more The old adage goes that those who ergy, which is very problematic right out of those tankers than we had in the don’t learn from history are going to now. They talk about all these other Gulf of Mexico tragedy. make the same mistakes over and over things, including solar energy. But all So we ought to be drilling. And we again. And apart from creating what of that combined will not put a dent, could do it in an environmentally safe we call the Strategic Petroleum Re- not even a dent, in our energy needs. way if the government of the United serve in this country, we haven’t done And as we know right now, 99 percent States and our regulators made sure anything over the last 30 years to be- of the fuel that we need for our cars they watched these oil wells. The tech- come energy independent. and trucks comes from oil, and our cur- nology is there. Now, the Strategic Petroleum Re- rent energy demand is about 21.5 mil- Now, as I said before, we have 1.8 tril- serve is a reserve we set up so that if lion barrels a day. lion barrels of oil and as much as 8 tril- we have an emergency, we will have What a lot of people don’t realize is lion barrels of oil if we use the deposits some oil in the ground that we could for every one penny that it costs more that we have in oil shale. Maybe I use for energy purposes. And it goes for for gasoline, it increases the cost to haven’t said that yet, but we do have. maybe 90 days, but 90 days is not a very consumers by $4 million a day. So Now, listen to this. I had a fellow long time, and we could exhaust that every time you go to the gas pump and come in to me the other day, and I may in a very short period of time if we you see the gas price has gone up a have mentioned it to some of the peo- don’t move toward energy independ- penny or a nickel or 10 cents, for each ple earlier, and I sometimes get mixed ence. penny it is a $4 million hit on our econ- up because we have covered this thing Right now on the northern tier of Af- omy each and every day. before, but he told me if we drilled here rica, everybody that is paying atten- Now, there are a lot of things I want tion knows we have got problems in and used oil shale, we could reduce the to talk about, but I won’t have time to Libya. We have problems in Egypt, cost of oil dramatically, dramatically, get into all of them tonight. But the problems in Tunisia, problems all as much as 60 or 70 percent, and it thing that is very disconcerting to me along the Persian Gulf coast, Bahrain would reduce overall costs of energy is that we have the energy that we and the other countries, and we have dramatically to our houses, our cars need right here. got Iran there; and there is a real pos- and our trucks which bring goods and For instance, if you look at this sibility that we could see a terrible services and food all across this coun- chart, this is the oil production in this problem occur there in the future try. country. If we use the recoverable oil which would minimize our ability to Currently, the United States pro- we have, the natural gas we have and get oil from that part of the world. duces roughly 30 trillion cubic feet of We get over 30 percent of our energy the coal resources that we have, that is natural gas every year, 30 trillion feet from countries in that region and other equivalent to 1.3 trillion barrels of oil, of natural gas every year. If we went places in the world where people don’t 1.3 trillion. Now, when you realize we after the Marcellus shale formation like us very much. And if that place are using only about, what, 21 million where they have 500 trillion cubic feet goes up in smoke, the cost of energy, barrels of oil a day, you can see we of natural gas, we could more than the cost of gasoline, the cost of every- would have an almost inexhaustible double our domestic production of nat- thing that we have is going to sky- supply of oil if we just used the re- ural gas almost immediately, and we rocket. So we have to do something sources that we have. could use that natural gas to move our about that. Let me just give you some examples. trucks. In 1972, we imported 28 percent of our In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, I had some of the leaders in the nat- oil and energy from outside this coun- we have about 10.4 billion barrels of oil, ural gas industry come to see me not try. Do you know what it is today? It more than double the proven reserves too long ago, and they told me if we is 62 percent. So we said we are going of the entire State of Texas and almost just converted our 18-wheelers that to be energy independent. It was 28 per- half of the total crude reserves in the transport goods and services across cent in the seventies. We said we were U.S., which is 22 billion barrels of oil. this country and food, if we just con- going to be energy independent. A lot That is in ANWR alone, almost half of verted those to natural gas, we could of people remember the long gas lines what we need. If we drilled in ANWR, cut our dependency on foreign oil by 50 when OPEC tried to do us in. They re- we could increase our reserves by near- percent. ly 50 percent in that one area. member people carrying gas cans to get b 1650 5 gallons of gas to get to work. They President Clinton vetoed the ANWR remember all that. But we didn’t do energy production in 1995, and the Just that one thing. Yet we’re not anything but create the Strategic Pe- United States could be today getting drilling for that natural gas because troleum Reserve, which is only a 90-day almost 1.5 million barrels of oil a day if the administration will not give the supply. we did that. But instead of moving to- permits and move to utilize those re- So we imported 26 percent or there- ward energy independence, we continue sources that we have. abouts in the seventies, and today, in- to talk about it, but we don’t do any- The Obama administration, for what- stead of being energy independent, we thing about it. ever reason, I don’t know if it’s inten- are importing 62 percent. We are more Currently, the President of the tional or just because of ignorance, dependent on Saudi Arabia, Venezuela United States will not allow us to get they’re not using our resources and not and other parts of the world now than new permits to drill offshore in the exploring for our resources. It makes we were then by more than double, Gulf of Mexico or off the continental we wonder sometimes if the environ- more than double our dependency on shelf or in ANWR or anyplace else. We mental extremists in this country foreign oil. just aren’t drilling, so we continue to don’t want us to go back to horse and So today oil has gone up to over $105 import oil. buggy and using wood to heat our a barrel. It may be down a little bit Now, a lot of people don’t realize houses. They wouldn’t want wood to be now. We are paying in many parts of this, but we spill more oil from the oil used to heat our houses because obvi- the country close to $4 for gasoline and tankers that bring oil from Saudi Ara- ously they’re concerned about things over $4 a gallon for diesel fuel, which bia and Venezuela, we spill more oil like the spotted owl. transports our goods and services each and every day than the oil that But the fact of the matter is we in across this country. was spilled from that horrible tragedy this country could reduce our cost of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.126 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1975 living, could reduce our dependency on fuels because we’re not going to be able One-sixth of our society is health foreign oil. All we have to do is use our to get where they want us to be by re- care; and that’s been nationalized by resources, but we need the administra- lying on these other sources of energy the ObamaCare plan, which we’re try- tion to do what is necessary. And at a for at least 10, 15, 20 years. ing to repeal because that will create time when the world is on the precipice So what are we supposed to do in the long lines to get to see a doctor and so- of some major wars, we need to move meantime? I don’t think we should cialized medicine. That’s all a result of toward energy independence. If the continue to depend on foreign sources more government control and more Persian Gulf goes up in smoke, it’s of energy. America’s reliance on nat- government spending and more na- going to be disastrous for this econ- ural gas, as I said, is going to continue tional debt. omy. If Venezuela and President Cha- for decades to come; and trying to ig- Can you imagine what it would be vez down there, who’s a Communist nore that reality by arguing that it like if we came back in 50 years—and I dictator, if he decides not to let us takes time for new fields to come on- probably won’t be around then; I’m have the oil that we’ve been buying line is simply passing the buck to the sure I won’t—but we come back in 50 from him, it will be tragic for this next generation. years and there’s some young person country. If we responded to the widespread struggling to get along and they say, And he’s working with Tehran. They outcry to drill 3 years ago, the last Why in the world did our fathers and have flights going back once every time oil and gasoline prices were over grandfathers leave this kind of a soci- week—back and forth—and they’re $3.50 a gallon, we would be that much ety for us? They lived so much better. working together for things other than closer to having additional supplies of The cost of living was lower. The cost the good of the United States of Amer- domestic energy. But we aren’t. We’re of energy was lower. The cost of health ica. And so we’re dependent on people importing 62 percent of our energy, and care was lower. Everything was lower. that don’t like us, would like to see our just a couple of decades ago it was only They lived so much better than us. free enterprise system and the free- 26 or 28 percent. Why didn’t they do something to make doms we enjoy dissipate into nothing, Expanding America’s energy produc- sure we had that quality of life? And tion will lower prices, create new jobs, and we’re continuing to depend on the answer is simply: we’re not doing reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it. We’re opening up the government them for foreign energy. The President has said it’s a real and strengthen our national security credit card, we’re charging all this danger to drill in the Gulf of Mexico; and raise revenue to help tackle our money, we’re depending on other we want to protect the environment. historic $14 trillion in national debt. sources of energy from other countries, One of the things that I hope all Yet we just sent $1 billion down to and the credit card just keeps gath- young people in this country will real- Brazil so they could drill offshore. Now ering steam and gathering more debt ize and all the seniors will realize is think about that. We’re concerned and gathering more debt and gathering that we’re passing on to that young about the environment, and yet we’re more debt. generation $14 trillion in debt. The If my colleagues in their offices are sending billions of our taxpayers’ dol- debt has increased in the last 3 years paying attention right now and they lars to a country like Brazil so they by $4 trillion. From the beginning of said to their wives, We overspent last can do deepwater exploration for oil. It the Republic to the last 3 or 4 years, we month by $5,000; what are we going to makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. didn’t come close to that kind of spend- do, their wives and the wives of the The administration—just to let peo- ing. Yet we increased the debt in 3 people that might be paying attention ple know what is going on in their of- years by $4 trillion. ObamaCare is would say, We’ve got to cut back on fices—the administration canceled 77 going to add a great deal more to that, spending. We’ve got to budget our onshore drilling leases in Utah just in addition to rationing health care money. We can’t live like this. We’ll go weeks after taking office. So we had 77 and all the other things that people bankrupt. And I tell you right now, onshore, in the Continental United have heard about. America is in the same situation. We States, drilling leases in Utah that But the thing that concerns me the will go bankrupt. In fact, we are bank- were going to be used to bring oil to most is the standard of living that we rupt, but we’re printing money as fast the surface—and natural gas—and they have today and what we’re passing on as we can to keep from declaring bank- stopped those weeks after they took of- to the future generations. By not be- ruptcy. fice. And they later re-offered only 17 coming energy independent, by running They talk about Social Security of them. So we lost 60 potential areas up these huge debts because we’re com- being insolvent in 15 or 20 years. If you of oil and gas. ing up with these new programs that go into the vaults and look at Social The administration has consistently we can’t afford, by creating a bigger Security receipts, it’s all a bunch of delayed oil and shale development bureaucracy in Washington, including paper. They’ve used that money for leases. The administration has repeat- 15,000 new IRS agents to implement the other purposes. We’re robbing Peter to edly blocked development, as I said be- rules and regulations of things like pay Paul for Medicare and Social Secu- fore, in places like the ANWR. And I’ve ObamaCare, all those things are going rity as we live today. So we just add to been up to Alaska. People talk about to add to the debt and the quality of the debt and add to the liability that how it’s going to hurt the environment life that I’ve had and my parents had is we leave to the future generations. up there and the bears and all the going to deteriorate. So if I were talking to the President other animals. The ANWR is way out I’m afraid we will pass on to our chil- tonight, Mr. Speaker, I would say: Mr. in the boondocks. It’s not going to hurt dren and our grandchildren higher President, if you love this country as a thing. People don’t realize Alaska is taxes, higher inflation, a lower stand- much as we love this country, then 31⁄2 times the size of Texas. There’s ard of living because we’re living way take steps to do what’s necessary to only 500,000 people up there. There’s beyond our means today. Natural gas cut spending, to do away with a lot of tremendous oil and other natural gas and coal shale and oil are ways that we these wasteful programs that aren’t ac- resources up there, and we can’t drill can cut our dependence on foreign oil complishing anything, to make sure for them because of environmental and reduce that dependency on govern- that we come up with a health care concerns. It makes absolutely no sense. ment and lower the cost that we’re in- plan that does not create a dependency No sense whatsoever. curring as far as our national debt is on government but on the private sec- America’s reliance on oil and natural concerned. tor by doing tort reform and coming up gas is going to continue for decades to I don’t know what we have to do to with savings accounts that people can come. There’s no question about it. convince the administration. Some- deduct from their taxes so that they When the administration says we have times I wonder if it’s because they’re can pay for a lot of their own health to transition to other forms of en- not aware of the future, they’re not care needs. There’s a whole bunch of ergy—nuclear and solar and wind and aware of what is going on, or maybe things we can do without socialized hydro ways of getting energy—that’s they’re just doing it on purpose be- medicine. great. All of us want to do that. We all cause the President believes in more So I would say: Mr. President, let’s want a clean environment, but in the government control over various parts look at the other avenues. Let’s re- meantime we have to rely on fossil of our society. evaluate ObamaCare and come up with

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.128 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1976 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 a solution that’s not going to put this 584.5 billion tons. Our reserves in coal All right. Well, let’s give you some country in red ink ad infinitum. And I at these blue places that you see on the facts and figures while my colleague is would say, These new programs you’re map are 4 trillion tons of coal. Now, on his way over here. I was going to talking about are the programs that they say that that will hurt the envi- save this for my next Special Order, we’ve tried for years and years that ronment. Well, we’ve got to make sure but we’ll cover it right now. have been nothing but a drain on tax- that we protect the environment, and The total demand for coal reached payers’ dollars but haven’t improved that we’ve got scrubbers on the gener- 1.12 billion tons in 2008. Over half of our anything. ating plants and all kinds of things electricity is generated from coal, so Let me give you one example. I hate that do protect the environment, but you can imagine, if we don’t do what’s to digress from this energy issue, but I even if we had an environmental prob- necessary to get coal out of the ground, think it’s important that we talk lem, we would still work to clean that we’re going to become more dependent about this. If you look at the grade lev- up. on foreign sources of energy. els in our schools and high schools and Even if we had that, do we still want Nine out of every 10 tons of coal our colleges across this country, you to be dependent for our existence, for mined every year in the U.S. is used for will find that the last 20 years, the the defense of this Nation, for the econ- domestic electricity. So, when they grade levels have not gotten better. omy of this Nation on foreign sources tell you we can’t use coal anymore be- The quality of education has not got- of energy like Saudi Arabia and Ven- cause of environmental concerns, well, ten better. ezuela and others that don’t like us what are we going to do?—because 9 and would love to see us go down? Go b 1700 out of every 10 tons of coal is used for under? electric generation. If you look at the chart and see how We need to use our resources, and the Each person in this country and ev- much we’re spending through the De- President is succumbing to pressure erybody who is paying attention uses partment of Education at the Federal from radical environmentalists and 3.7 tons of coal a year. So what are we level, you’ll find that we’re spending others to not drill for these resources— going to do without it if we don’t have billions and billions and billions of dol- natural gas, coal shale—that can be it? Coal is the most affordable source lars, and they’re not accomplishing a converted into oil, oil that we have on- of power fuel per million Btus histori- thing except for paying a lot of bureau- shore and offshore, and coal, itself. crats’ salaries and sending money back cally, averaging less than a quarter of It is time that we realize that we can the price of gas and oil. There are ap- to some of the unions that feel like be energy independent. The future of proximately 600 coal-generating facili- they need that money to take care of America can be great. We can see this ties generating 1.4 generating units in their union members, and those union city, as Ronald Reagan said, in 20, 30, manufacturing utilities across this members continue to support people 40, 50 years as a shining city on a hill country, according to the U.S. Energy who want to keep that gravy train if we move toward energy independ- Information. Coal accounts for 32 per- going. ence. That one thing alone would help cent of U.S. total energy and 23 percent So there are things we can do. We solve our economic problems. It’s a de- of total energy consumption. could say let’s leave education where it fense issue as well as a national eco- Now, that’s all I want to talk about belongs, at the State and local levels, nomic issue. which is where it has always been, in- So, like I said, if I were talking to as to coal, but it’s important that we stead of spending all this money at the the President tonight—and I presume, realize that we are dependent on that local level. Do away with the Depart- from time to time, the White House source of energy and that we need to ment of Education. We could do that does watch what we’re doing on the continue to use it until we come up and save hundreds of billions of dollars, floor—I would say: Mr. President, if with an alternative that’s going to and that money could be passed on to you love this country—and I believe work and will be with us. Solar and debt reduction and to lower our de- you do—I would start doing what’s nec- wind and the other sources will replace pendence on the future generations of essary to move toward energy inde- that over time, but we are still going this country. pendence. You will be revered as a to need oil, coal, and gas for at least 10 I’d like to just end tonight, Mr. great President if you do that, and or 15 or 20 years at the levels or at Speaker, by saying that, if you look at you’ll probably get reelected. But if we more than the levels that we’re using these charts, you’ll see, first of all, we continue with this huge deficit spend- today. have—it’s unbelievable—trillions and ing that, in large part, is caused by our May I inquire of the time remaining? The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. trillions of cubic feet of natural gas in dependence on foreign energy, then you MEEHAN). The gentleman has 32 min- the United States. All these pink run the risk of being a one-term Presi- utes remaining. spaces here show where shale gas is in dent. the lower 48 States, and it doesn’t even So I think the President, being a pa- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I can talk include Alaska. Those trillions of cubic triotic citizen as I believe and hope he about anything, I guess, but I don’t feet of natural gas could be brought is, will take to heart what we’re talk- want to bore my colleagues back in out of the ground and used to take care ing about in this body and become as their offices or bore anybody else who’s of our energy needs to a very large de- close as possible to energy independ- paying attention to this other than to gree. ence within the next 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 say these charts that we have here are As a matter of fact—and let’s put years. If he would do this, his legacy things that everybody ought to be fa- that chart up here—as to the coal shale that will be left behind will be some- miliar with, and I will be happy to that we have, they estimate that the thing that we’ll all be proud of. make these available to my colleagues. amount of coal shale we have in this If we don’t do that, and if I were It shows that we have plenty of oil, country would create 1.8 to 8 trillion talking to the President, I would say: coal, natural gas, and coal shale to barrels of oil—1.8 to 8 trillion barrels of Your legacy will not be very bright, take care of our energy needs within oil—right here in this country and that Mr. President. I don’t think any Presi- the next decade if we’d just get on with it would immediately reduce our de- dent wants to leave behind for history it. pendency on foreign oil. If you think that kind of a legacy. I am told everybody has gone home. that the Saudis and the others With that, Mr. Speaker, I will just Everybody is going back to their dis- wouldn’t lower their prices per barrel say that I hope that everybody has paid tricts. It’s kind of interesting that very quickly if they thought we were attention to this tonight, and I will be these issues that we’re talking about producing that, you’re just not paying back on the floor to talk about this in here tonight are so important, and yet attention, because if they saw that we the future. people are going back to their districts were becoming energy independent, Mr. Speaker, I am told we have an- to talk to their constituents. I wish I they would want to keep their market other colleague who wants to come had been able to talk to them before share, and they would lower their over, so I’m not going to do my imita- they left and give them copies of all prices as quickly as possible. tion of Al Jolson or tap dance, but I these illustrations so that they could Then you talk about coal, itself. We guess I could talk about the deficit a go to their town meetings and show the have tremendous resources of coal— little longer. people of this country that we do have

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:36 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.129 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1977 the energy we need to be independent. And so with that, Mr. Speaker, I dent—or king, whatever you want to I will try to do that next week, the yield back the balance of my time. call him—Mubarak had $70 billion in next time we have a recess and they go f the bank. Another account said he had back to their districts for their town $7 billion in the account. Either way, CUT FOREIGN AID TO meetings. can’t help but wonder if that couldn’t UNFRIENDLY NATIONS b 1710 be a whole lot of U.S. taxpayer dollars The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under back when we weren’t having to borrow For those who are wondering why I’m the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- to give away money like we are now. standing down here, the rules of the uary 5, 2011, the gentleman from Texas We were giving $2 billion or so a year, House are that when we adjourn at (Mr. GOHMERT) is recognized for 30 min- and it wouldn’t be surprising if most of night we have what’s called Special Or- utes. that money were United States dollars ders, and when we have Special Orders, Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I am that had been given to Egypt. each side gets 1 hour, and I’m taking grateful to my dear friend DAN BURTON. the leadership hour on the Republican He is a patriotic American. He stands b 1720 side. Each side gets 1 hour to discuss for what he believes in. And if we had On the other hand, we know that issues of relevance to the American a lot more DAN BURTONs in Wash- there are despots, there are dictators, people and to their colleagues. And ington, the country would be that there are corrupt leaders of countries then after that, each side gets a half an much better off. So we’re grateful to around the world who believe that it’s hour, and we go back and forth like him and his service. fine to even force women to have abor- that until we’ve used up 4 hours of It is an honor to serve in this body. tions. As my friend and I both believe, time. It’s been rather frustrating lately, and abortion is wrong. It is wrong. It is So my colleague, Mr. GOHMERT, who one of the things I wanted to mention taking innocent life. Yet, we are just is on his way over here right now, is was that another good friend, former handing money out around the world going to use, I presume, part of our fellow judge as I was, a district judge— hand over fist, and people taking inno- first half-hour when he gets here, and I I lost credibility as far as some of the cent lives, the unborn of others. imagine LOUIE is going to be talking district judges believed when I became We know that there was about to be about constitutional law because he chief justice of the Court of Appeals— a hanging of a man who converted from was a judge, and he will also be talking but my friend TED POE from Houston is Islam to Christianity over in Afghani- about the national debt and the legacy pushing a bill that I’m sure glad to co- stan, and we’re still just pouring we’re leaving behind for our kids. And sponsor with him. I’m glad he’s doing money into Karzai’s regime. There are so when LOUIE gets here, after I hit him it. It goes a bit hand-in-hand with a issues about him and his brother, in the nose for not being here on time, bill that I’ve been pushing ever since whether or not there is corruption I will turn it over to him and let him I’ve been here. there, and we’re just pouring money in talk about these issues. But Congressman POE’s bill would there that we don’t have. And we’re What are you laughing at? We have allow an up-or-down vote on all the dif- having to pay, 40, 42 cents in interest of the staff up here, and I think they’re ferent countries that we provide for- every $1 on loans because we don’t have eign assistance. It’s a good idea. I getting a little giggly since we’re here the money to do that. mean, for all of the years that I’ve been not talking about anything of rel- In any event, my friend CHRIS SMITH here in each Congress, three times we evance. Where is LOUIE? Coming from is here, and I would be happy to yield have filed a U.N. voting accountability the Moon? I mean, we’ve got the press to him. bill, and my friend TED POE has been up there that’s being entertained. Oh, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank on that bill cosponsoring with us, and it’s St. Patrick’s Day. You don’t think my very good friend and colleague for I’m glad to support his bill. he’s been having a little green libation, My bill simply says any country that yielding. I do raise my voice today, and I join do you? votes against us more than half the I guess I should digress and talk time gets no foreign assistance the fol- my friend from Texas and others in a about some of the other issues facing lowing year. We know there’s some- bit of a celebration—although it needs this country. There are so many. But I times when there are emergencies, to be a cautious celebration because don’t want to get started on that and there are things we need to do, and so the tyranny on the island of Cuba con- then have LOUIE come in and have to there’s an exception for that in the tinues unabated for so many others. stop my discussion right in the middle event of an international emergency, But Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. of our talk. You need to write about but otherwise, we’re not going to tell Oscar Biscet of Cuba, one of the brav- this in the papers, folks. foreign countries how they vote in the est and brightest human rights defend- Well, there’s a new movie out. You U.N., but you can tell a lot about who ers on Earth, was released on March 12 know, last night they had an Irish is your friend and who isn’t by who from a wretched Cuban prison where he American function here in the Capitol, stands with you during difficult times had endured 8 years of torture with pe- and they had some of those Irish danc- and on difficult issues, and you’re able riods of solitary confinement for his ers that were extraordinary. And I was to discern who has the same moral be- exemplary human rights work. It was watching television this morning, and liefs as you do. Dr. Biscet’s second long-term, totally they had Michael Flatley on, who’s got For example, there are countries unjustified incarceration by Cuba, by a new movie that’s coming out today where sharia law is the rule of the Castro, totaling almost 12 years in about the Irish dancers, and I would land, and life does not have the value prison. According to his wife, Elsa urge all of my friends and neighbors to that we in America believe that God Morejo´ n, he was arrested at least 27 pe- go see that movie if they like Irish gave life to have. So it’s okay. In fact, riods and jailed for short periods of dancing. you can find your way to paradise, time between 1998 and 1999 alone, yet Folks, I want you to know that some believe, and not all Muslims be- he persisted and has an indomitable Judge LOUIE GOHMERT, with his green lieve this, but there are those who be- will that continues to this day. Dr. tie, has just arrived, and LOUIE, what lieve that you can find your way to Biscet’s release and that of other pris- are you going to talk about tonight? paradise and differing number of vir- oners of conscience was negotiated and Mr. GOHMERT. I appreciate the gen- gins waiting for you if you die while announced by Cardinal Jaime Ortega, tleman yielding. We’re going to talk you’re killing infidels, people that archbishop of Havana. some about the CR. We’re going to talk don’t believe in the same things you Yesterday, I had the high honor and about government spending and what do. Well, that’s fine, but if you believe the privilege to speak by phone with we ought to be doing. in torturing, killing, taking a life, tak- Dr. Biscet who is still in Cuba. And I Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Well, there ing innocent lives for nothing, or just conveyed my and, I would say, our col- you have it, folks. I was very psychic. because of someone’s religious beliefs, lective respect, admiration, and abid- I told you he would be talking about then we should not be financing that. ing concern for his welfare and well- government spending and how we can It’s deeply troubling to see that in being as well as that of his wife. He get control of this budget. Egypt, one account said that Presi- said during the conversation that she

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:08 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.131 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1978 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 was pleasantly shocked and very happy that noted that ‘‘the repression of Activist Ne´stor Rodrı´guez Lobaina, was re- to finally have him home. I let him Cuban dissidents persists despite the cently named a prisoner of conscience by know that he and his amazing work releases.’’ I will put the entire state- Amnesty International after being detained without trial for over three months. was never and will never be forgotten. ment in. But they point out that nu- The president of the Cuban Youth Move- Awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom merous, numerous activists, new activ- ment for Democracy was arrested after orga- by President George W. Bush, Dr. ists, men and women who are speaking nizing an activists’ meeting inside his own Biscet suffered the depravity of Cas- out for human rights are now being home. tro’s infamous gulag in order to bring rounded up, put under house arrest, ‘‘Cubans are still at the mercy of draco- the rule of just law, respect for human and some held in detention. nian laws that class activism as a crime and rights, and a robust democracy to They pointed out that on February anyone who dares to criticise the authorities is at risk of detention,’’ said Gerardo Ducos. Cuba. 23, on the 1-year anniversary of a great ‘‘In addition to releasing long-term pris- In our phone conversation, he abso- man named Tamayo’s death, according oners of conscience, to properly realize free- lutely insisted that freedom will and to the Cuban Commission on Human dom of expression the Cuban government must be procured only through peace- Rights, the authorities placed over 50 also has to change its laws.’’ ful means, and of course that work is people under house arrest before free- Seventy-five people were jailed in a mas- far from finished. He said that faith in ing them hours later. And the presi- sive crackdown against the dissident move- ment around 18 March 2003 for the peaceful God was paramount and that ‘‘prayer is dent of the Cuban Youth Movement for exercise of their right to freedom of expres- of utmost importance.’’ He is truly a Democracy was arrested after orga- sion. Most of them were charged with crimes man of God. nizing an activist meeting. Where? In- including ‘‘acts against the independence of Dr. Biscet, an OB/GYN, told me that side his own home. And he now has the state’’ because they allegedly received the truth about what Castro has done been arrested. funds and/or materials from US-based NGOs to his people and continues to do must Dr. Biscet hopefully will receive the financed by the US government. reach—these are his words—the truth Nobel Peace Prize. As my friend and They were sentenced to between six and 28 years in prison after speedy and unfair trials must reach the Cuban people, and he colleague knows, we have really or- for engaging in activities the authorities singled out Radio Martı´ as a valuable chestrated an effort all over the perceived as subversive and damaging to means to that end. world—parliamentarians were gladly Cuba. ‘‘Were you tortured?’’ I asked him. writing in letters, including the Prime These activities included publishing arti- He said last night, ‘‘Yes, yes.’’ And his Minister of Hungary, asking the distin- cles or giving interviews to US-funded multiple serious health conditions that guished body that gives out the Peace media, communicating with international must now be addressed obviously are Prize to consider Dr. Biscet and hope- human rights organizations and having con- testimony to the cruel and severe mis- tact with entities or individuals viewed to be fully the other Cuban dissidents for hostile to Cuba. treatment that he suffered. He told me that prize. Liu Xiaobo got it last year. Mr. GOHMERT. I certainly thank my that in prison, he had to eat putrified He couldn’t travel. They put the Peace friend from New Jersey. CHRIS SMITH, food and rice that was laced with Prize on the empty chair. Dr. Biscet is you are a leader. You are a man of con- worms. He endured solitary confine- out of prison, and it would be a great viction who cares deeply about those ment with a mentally ill person, sur- lifting of spirits and hopes for the peo- who have suffered for no good reason vived a dungeon with a knife-throwing ple of Cuba for that Peace Prize com- and standing for freedom. You are a criminal, and withstood burns all over mittee to award him. true patriot, and it’s an honor to serve his body from the prison’s kitchen ex- REPRESSION OF CUBAN DISSIDENTS PERSISTS with you as a friend here. haust pipe that emptied into his cell. DESPITE RELEASES I don’t know if you were aware; but The Cuban Government even at- The Cuban authorities are continuing to in the discussion about all the foreign tempted to take him for shock therapy stifle freedom of expression on the island in aid to countries who do not have the at a mental institution in order to rid spite of the much-publicised recent wave of releases of prominent dissidents, Amnesty same abiding love and desire for free- him of his passion for human rights. dom for all people and the same value None of it worked. And by the grace of International warned ahead of the eighth an- niversary of a crackdown on activists. of human life, I didn’t know if my God, he has persevered with unparal- Hundreds of pro-democracy activists have friend was aware of the fact that in leled bravery. suffered harassment, intimidation and arbi- 2008—I don’t have the 2009 and 2010 Freedom House has ranked Cuba as trary arrest in recent weeks as the Cuban numbers in front of me—but for 2008, one of the least free countries in the government employs new tactics to stamp this country, the United States, pro- world. The only country which ranked out dissent. Of 75 activists arrested in a crackdown vided $45,330,000 in aid to Cuba. And lower on the freedom scale than Cuba you can’t help but wonder over the was the nightmare gulag of North around 18 March 2003, only three remain in jail after 50 releases since last June, with years, like with Dr. Biscet, how much Korea. Yet in an insane paradox, the most of the freed activists currently exiled American money might have ever been Cuban tyrants remain romantic heroes in Spain. Amnesty International has called used to help restrain heroes of this for many in the United States, includ- for the remaining prisoners to be released whole Earth that should have been ing some Members of this Congress who immediately and unconditionally. praised and appreciated. Yet we’re giv- in 2009 visited Cuba and gushed with ‘‘The release of those detained in the 2003 ing money to brutal dictators who admiration for the dictators Fidel and crackdown is a hugely positive step but it tells only one side of the story facing Cuban treat the best that humanity has to Raul Castro, showing no compassion offer in this manner. Does the gen- for the pain their courting and their human rights activists,’’ said Gerardo Ducos, Cuba researcher at Amnesty International. tleman has some thoughts? enabling of Castro gave to all those ‘‘Those living on the island are still being Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. The gen- suffering under his dictatorship. targeted for their work, especially through tleman from Texas makes an excellent Castro has not succeeded in crushing short-term detentions, while repressive laws point. When you provide foreign aid, the spirit of Dr. Biscet. That same spir- give the Cuban authorities a free rein to pun- when you provide economic lifelines to it and vision animates the so-called la- ish anyone who criticises them.’’ dictatorships, it enables them to con- dies in white, Las Damas de Blanco, ‘‘Meanwhile, three of the prisoners de- tinue their repression. Years ago, we the wives and relatives of imprisoned tained eight years ago still languish in pris- on and must be freed immediately.’’ took a very principled stance against political dissidents like Dr. Biscet who In one recent crackdown the authorities South Africa because of that abomina- attend mass each week and march detained over one hundred people in one day tion known as apartheid. And when the through the streets dressed in white to in a pre-emptive strike designed to stop ac- world united and said, No more, it did symbolize peaceful dissent. Cuban po- tivists marking the death of activist Orlando lead to an end to that racist regime. lice have detained and beaten these Zapata Tamayo, who died following a pro- Now Cuba, for some reason—and women for their peaceful protest. longed hunger strike while in detention. China would fall into this category as And lest anyone construe Dr. Biscet’s On 23 February, the one-year anniversary well. But Cuba, to keep on point, has of Tamayo’s death, according to the Cuban release as the harbinger of immediate Commission of Human Rights and National had trade with Canada and with the peace and respect for human rights in Reconciliation, the authorities placed over European countries and the European Cuba, consider this: Yesterday Am- 50 people under house arrest before freeing Union, and there’s been no matricula- nesty International published an alert them hours later. tion from dictatorship to democracy at

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:51 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.134 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1979 all. If anything, Cuba has gotten worse we were talking out of both sides of our And the point that you make is so in many cases, clearly underscoring mouth, like Janus, the Roman god, important. We’ve heard it from those that when a brutal dictatorship is saying two things, you know, like some who suffer and have suffered in gulags, given the money and wherewithal, they in diplomatic circles often do. And the who have been later released, and when will continue their repressive ways. foreign ministry in Beijing told me, we hear whether it was those held in We’re getting Most Favored Nation b 1730 Poland or in the Russian gulags or Chi- status. We don’t care what you think nese or Cuban, for example, when Ron- I believe, and I asked Dr. Biscet this about human rights. ald Reagan said this is an evil empire, last night, about lifting the travel ban Fast forward to just a few weeks ago what we’ve heard in the more recent and lifting the trade embargo, which when Hu Jintao, the unelected Presi- years is that gave us hope. Somebody are two things that the Obama admin- dent of China, visited with President was willing to stand up and call it what istration is seeking to do. And he said Obama; not a single public statement it was. And at the time, that kept them don’t do it unless there are on human rights. It was so bad that going. conditionalities, human rights, democ- when there was a press conference with And our colleague here in the House, racy, free and fair elections. Otherwise, Hu Jintao and President Obama at the SAM JOHNSON, when he was a POW for the secret police, the neighborhood White House, the President defended 7 years in North Vietnam, being tor- block committees, and those who re- Hu, President Hu. When asked about tured daily, one of the most difficult press every person in Cuba who, espe- human rights by an Associated Press things to endure was the information cially those who articulate the vision reporter, President Obama said, ‘‘Well, that our country did not care. of freedom and democracy and human they have a different culture and they Now, it’s heartbreaking to think rights, are given additional power. have a different political system.’’ about our friends who were suffering in Hard currency, as Dr. Biscet said on That was an outrageous statement horrible prison conditions, and we the phone, the Cuban Government runs that undermines all of the peace and gave—not only gave the impression we everything. So when you lift the trade freedom loving people of China, tens of didn’t care, we had people running embargo, when you have people trav- thousands of whom are in the laogai or around blaming those very people for eling to Cuba bringing hard currency, the gulag system suffering for peace their own troubles when all they were you throw a lifeline. Better condition and human rights and religious free- trying to do was keep horrible, repres- it, all of it, to human rights conditions. dom. And it’s as if to say somehow the sive regimes from taking over and kill- Again, had it worked, if that was the Chinese people don’t get it or they ing millions, as they did when we left. answer, as he said in the conversation don’t understand human rights. They And so one of the great attributes of last night, having a travel ability from sure do, and they want it. Ask Wei Reagan was he called things like he Canada, and trade, and from the Euro- Jingsheng, Harry Wu, Chai Ling and all saw them, and it gave hope to the pean countries, we would have seen a the great human rights defenders, world. change towards democracy. It has not many of whom have spent years in the And I don’t know if my friend from happened. It has gotten worse. gulag system. New Jersey has heard me mention this, It was so bad that The Washington I appreciate you bringing up that but last year, around Easter, I was in Post did an editorial, and it said, Presi- very good point. West Africa and met with some of the dent Obama defends Hu, Hu Jintao, on Mr. GOHMERT. Well, thank you. West Africans who were Christians. rights, and took the President, right- And what an anomaly to have a And the oldest said he wanted to make country that believes in freedom and fully so, you know, a very liberal news- paper, The Washington Post, to task sure that I knew that they were so ex- liberty and human life and human cited when we elected an African value, and yet at the same time we de- for being so silent. Here it is, President Obama, 2009 American president, that that was mean it—whether it’s giving money to thrilling to them, until they began to entities that take unborn lives or Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Liu Xiaobo, 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the see that his policies were weakening whether it’s giving money to brutal America. And this elderly, wonderful, dictators who certainly don’t believe in man who put him in prison, Hu Jintao, and they’re at a State dinner, first at a wise gentleman, with others younger, freedom of religion but are willing to all in agreement, said, You have got to take the lives of people because of press conference, all kinds of other meetings, and not a single word about make sure people in Washington under- their religion or who repressively say, Liu Xiaobo. He should have said, Mr. stand. If you keep becoming weaker, We told you you could have one child, President, Release the dissidents. He we lose hope in this life. We know so we’re going to kill your other chil- did no such thing, kept it all to himself where our hope is in the next life. But dren. even if he had those thoughts. as far as our hope for having a peaceful It is just a mind-boggling thing, as And in China, because I went on Peo- life in this world, it will be gone when Bo Pilgrim used to say. I’m sure he ple’s Daily because I read it often. I you become too weak. Please tell your still does. But it’s mind-boggling. How read it the next day. Filled with acco- friends in Washington, do not let do we think that we’re helping the lades from the American President for America grow any weaker. world when we give massive amounts a dictator. It demoralizes people in the And here we overspend. We give mon- of money to people that are the very laogai, just like people in this Cham- ies to countries who hate us, who hate antithesis of the things that Americans ber, just like the President I believe is the things we stand for, who hate the have given their last full measure of demoralizing those suffering in the fact that we believe in freedom, be- devotion to preserve and protect? gulags all over the world, including in cause they believe freedom leads to de- I yield to my friend. Cuba. bauchery, and so they believe you Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. You know, So the gentleman is absolutely right. should have some dictator, caliphate, the date we lost China, in my opinion, We need to be very serious and use— somebody that tells you everything was May 26, 1994. On that date, Presi- what if it were I or my wife or my fam- you can do and what you can’t do be- dent Bill Clinton completely severed ily that were suffering this? Would we cause freedom, they believe, corrupts; and de-linked human rights with Most just then look askance and embrace whereas, we know in our hearts, it’s in Favored Nation status, after getting these dictators? I don’t think so. I our Constitution, it’s in our Declara- accolades when he linked it a year be- would hope not. tion of Independence, God gave us free- fore. He said, unless there’s significant I thank the gentleman for yielding. dom to make choices. progress in human rights, we’re going Mr. GOHMERT. I appreciate the gen- to condition our trading relationship, tleman’s insights. But, unfortunately, b 1740 and we will only look at performance. based on our modern history in this And it is one of the greatest things He shredded his Executive order. We country, the indications are if you that America has done that I think has had the votes to take away MFN that were being tortured and held in prison, helped cause this Nation to be blessed. year, which dissipated over time. it doesn’t appear that this government We have stood for those freedoms. Not I met with the human rights groups. would do anything different than what just for America. There is no country I even went to China and realized that we’ve been doing. in the history of the world that has

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:08 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.136 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 ever given treasure and life of that cially the Chinese dictatorship, they these very things on each country, on country’s people to get freedom for beat us more in prison. But when you whether or not we should give them as- other countries and other people of are tough, transparent, you look the sistance. Isn’t that wonderful? So I whom we ask nothing in return. That dictator in the eye and say we are not look forward to that in the time to is unheard of in the history of the kidding; we want these people released, come. world, and yet this Nation has done it they beat us less.’’ That is from a man Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the time over and over. We have done it to help who spent 20 years in the Chinese to discuss this very important issue, protect Muslims and give them free- laogai. Harry Wu and all the others and especially now that money is so dom of choice, Christians, Buddhists. It have said the exact same thing. critically needed and that we should did not matter. It was all about human So when President Obama kowtowed not be wasting it to help those who re- rights, human dignity, and human free- for the better part of a week in front of press others. dom. And we see that slipping away Hu Jintao, it was, in my opinion, a f every time we prop up some brutal dic- shameless exercise of lack of commit- IT IS TIME FOR THE SENATE TO tator, every time we look the other ment to human rights and they beat ACT way and pat cruel, evil people on the the dissidents more because, ‘‘They back and say, ‘‘Oh, we’re so proud of will tell us, America has abandoned The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under you; we’re glad to be your friend,’’ you.’’ the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- when those like who have been re- Thankfully, in a bipartisan way—be- uary 5, 2011, the gentleman from Mis- pressed by Cuba say, ‘‘Please, do not cause when Hu Jintao came right here sissippi (Mr. NUNNELEE) is recognized give more credibility to the oppres- on Capitol Hill, it was our Speaker, for 30 minutes. sors.’’ Speaker BOEHNER, who raised human Mr. NUNNELEE. Mr. Speaker, it is I yield to my friend for any final rights and raised the inherent violation time for the United States Senate to thoughts. of human rights in the one child per act. The Democrats in the United Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Well, I couple policy, the missing girls, 100 States Senate, the Democrat leader- think you just made an articulate de- million missing girls in China, the re- ship in the United States Senate, have fense of why a consistent, transparent sult of a one child per couple policy failed the American people. human rights, pro-freedom, pro-democ- where brothers and sisters are illegal. Last year when the Democrats con- racy foreign policy is absolutely essen- And over the course of 30 years, since trolled the House of Representatives, tial if we want a world that is free of 1979, when that horrific policy, the the Senate, and the White House, their tyranny. worst crime against women ever, went leadership failed to adopt a budget. In Pope John Paul II once said: If you into effect, they have systematically fact, for the first time since adopting want peace, work for justice. Then he exterminated the girl child, and now the Budget Act of 1974, the House of said: If you want justice, work on be- many of them are not here even as Representatives failed to pass a budget. half of the disenfranchised, unborn young women. NANCY PELOSI and HARRY REID left our child, which I feel is a very good con- Forty million men won’t be able to country in a mess. Today, we are oper- nection of human rights from womb to find wives by 2020 in China because ating without a long-term spending tomb. women have been forcibly aborted as plan. It must stop. But you made an excellent point part of this one child per couple policy. Earlier this year, a new majority about Ronald Reagan. Yesterday, It’s a huge gender disparity, which came in to the House of Representa- Natan Sharansky, the great dissident— raises problems about potential war. tives; and under the leadership of JOHN and FRANK WOLF and I actually got There is a book called ‘‘The Barren BOEHNER, this new majority adopted a into the prison camp, Perm Camp 35, Branches’’ that talks about this rest- long-term spending plan that would where he spent so many horrible days less male population that can’t ever outline the priorities of our govern- and nights in the ShiZO, which was the get married because women are not ment through September 30 of this punishment cell. We were there in the there. It is also a magnet for human year. late eighties right after he got out. trafficking. In this very Chamber, we stayed up And you remember, he didn’t just walk Our President should have stood late at night for four nights in a row. in a straight line when the KGB said boldly, I say diplomatically. FRANK We debated and we hammered out a you walk right across. He did a zigzag, WOLF and I met with Li Peng when he long-term spending plan. That plan in- his ultimate final act of defiance to the was Premier. We had a list of political cluded the largest cut in spending in KGB. prisoners. We talked about the one American history. But he said just what you brought child per couple policy. We talked b 1750 out, Judge GOHMERT, and that was that about religious freedom. We looked when Ronald Reagan talked about the him right in the eye. Almost no one We defunded Planned Parenthood, we Evil Empire, he said it again yester- ever does that. You will do it. I will do defunded NPR, we defunded day, they knew that we got it, that it. Our President should do it. Presi- ObamaCare. We placed significant re- there was hope. And it gave him hope. dent Bush did it. He raised religious straints on regulatory agencies that It gave the other political dissidents freedom robustly with the Chinese have gone out of control, such as the hope. Jewish, Christian, whatever their Government on his trips. Mrs. Clinton EPA. And then the bill moved down to denomination or religious belief, they on her first trip to Beijing said, I am the Senate, and the Senate has failed said America understands the inherent not going to let human rights, quote, to act. failure of communism, the militant interfere with global climate change Since then, in order to give them atheism which it represents, as Sol- issues and the issue of debt. more time, we have granted two budget zhenitsyn said it in his books, and he So it really is a very serious aban- extensions, one for 2 weeks and then had hope. donment of the people who need it earlier this week we extended it for 3 Wei Jingsheng correspondingly, who most, who will be the next Lech Walesa more weeks. But included in those is the father of the democracy war or Harry Wu or Wei Jingsheng. You budget extensions were $10 billion movement in China, a great leader, he bring up an excellent point, and I worth of spending cuts. While we have told me when they let him out to get thank you for your leadership on offered those temporary extensions, Olympics 2000—not the one they just human rights and the peace agenda, the permanent plan that has passed had, Olympics 2000, and the Olympic which is really the freedom agenda. this Chamber still languishes in the committee didn’t give it to them be- Mr. GOHMERT. It is certainly an Senate. The leadership of that body has cause they were such violators of honor to serve with you. And I don’t not passed our spending plan, or, for human rights. Unfortunately, they know if you are aware, our friend TED that matter, any spending plan. capitulated some years later. He said, POE, our colleague, has a bill that is We are waiting. But, more impor- ‘‘When you kowtow, when you enable, trying to force all foreign aid to come tantly, the American people are wait- when you pander to dictatorship, in- to a vote country by country. That ing. We cannot negotiate with silence. cluding the Chinese dictatorship, espe- would give us the chance to discuss If they don’t like our spending plan,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:08 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.139 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1981 then let them put forth one of their The motion was agreed to; accord- fiscal years 2011 through 2015; to the Com- own. But it is time for the Senate to ingly (at 5 o’clock and 55 minutes mittee on Oversight and Government Re- act. These temporary extensions are no p.m.), under its previous order, the form. way to run a business, and they are House adjourned until Friday, March 912. A letter from the Inspector General, certainly no way to run a country. 18, 2011, at 10 a.m., unless it sooner has Consumer Product Safety Commission, Earlier this week our negotiators received a message from the Senate transmitting the 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission Improvement Act Report asked for 3 more weeks. Since we have transmitting its adoption of House only been in office for a little over 10 to Congress; to the Committee on Oversight Concurrent Resolution 30, in which and Government Reform. weeks, I thought it was wise to grant case the House shall stand adjourned 913. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- that extension and I voted for it. pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Here the House has been doing the ment of the Interior, transmitting Annual work of the American people. We have f Operating Plan for Colorado River System EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Reservoirs for 2011, pursuant to 43 U.S.C. passed H.R. 2, the bill that repeals 1552(b); to the Committee on Natural Re- ObamaCare. We have defunded ETC. sources. ObamaCare in its entirety, including Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive 914. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- the $105 billion of preapproved spend- communications were taken from the fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- ing; and we are moving forward. In Speaker’s table and referred as follows: tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- fact, I don’t think we should stop until tion, transmitting the Administration’s final ObamaCare is completely defunded. 903. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- ment of Agriculture, transmitting the De- rule — Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of The House is working on legislation partment’s report entitled, ‘‘2010 Packers Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migra- that will eliminate permanently that and Stockyards Program Annuual Report’’, tory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico mandatory slush fund, and I hope we pursuant to the Packers and Stockyards Act and South Atlantic [Docket No.: 001005218- will vote on that in the upcoming of 1921, as amended; to the Committee on Ag- 0369-02] (RIN: 0648-XA195) received March 4, weeks. But it is time for the Senate to riculture. 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the act. 904. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- Committee on Natural Resources. America wants real spending reform ment of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a re- 915. A letter from the Director, Adminis- so that we can give businesses large port of a violation of the Anti-deficiency Act trative Office of the United States Courts, and small the confidence they need, the in an account of the Department of Veterans transmitting sixth annual report on crime predictability they need, and they can Affairs, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1351; to the victims’ rights; to the Committee on the Ju- Committee on Appropriations. diciary. go out and be about the business of cre- 905. A letter from the Director, Defense 916. A letter from the Director, Adminis- ating jobs that will grow our economy. Procurement and Acquisition Policy, De- It is time for the White House and the trative Office of the United States Courts, partment of Defense, transmitting the De- transmitting the granting of the application Senate to listen. House Republicans partment’s final rule — Defense Federal Ac- for a one-year extension of the District of can only do so much. We only have quisition Regulation Supplement; Preserva- Arizona’s declaration of a judicial emer- control of one-half of one-third of the tion of Tooling for Major Defense Acquisi- gency; to the Committee on the Judiciary. tion Programs (DFARS Case 2008-D042) (RIN: government, so we cannot act by our- 917. A letter from the Director, Adminis- 0750-AG45) received February 28, 2011, pursu- selves. It is past time for the Senate to trative Office of the United States Courts, ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee act. transmitting the Office’s report entitled, on Armed Services. Over the next 3 weeks we will be ‘‘Report of the Proceedings of the Judicial 906. A letter from the Under Secretary, De- waiting, and we will be watching, to Conference of the United States’’ for the partment of Defense, transmitting a report September 2010 session; to the Committee on negotiate a long-term solution that that the Department is taking essential the Judiciary. will get us out of this mess that they steps to award a Joint Service Multi-Year left us in when they concluded last Procurement (MYP) contract; to the Com- 918. A letter from the Director, Regula- year. mittee on Armed Services. tions Policy and Management, Office of the f 907. A letter from the Executive Director General Counsel, Department of Vererans Af- and Designated Federal Officer, Military fairs, transmitting the Department’s final CONDITIONAL ADJOURNMENT TO Leadership Diversity Commission, transmit- rule — Copayments for Medications After FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2011 ting a report entitled From Representation June 30, 2010 (RIN: 2900-AN65) received Feb- Mr. NUNNELEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask to Inclusion: Diversity Leadership for the ruary 18, 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 21st-Century Military; to the Committee on 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Veterans’ unanimous consent that when the Affairs. House adjourns today on a motion of- Armed Services. 908. A letter from the Chief Counsel, De- fered pursuant to this order, it adjourn 919. A letter from the Director, Regula- partment of Homeland Security, transmit- tions Policy and Management, Office of the to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18, ting the Department’s final rule — Changes General Counsel, Department of Veterans Af- 2011, unless it sooner has received a in Flood Elevation Determinations [Docket fairs, transmitting the Department’s final message from the Senate transmitting ID: FEMA-2010-0003] [Internal Agency Docket rule — Updating Fire Safety Standards (RIN: its concurrence in House Concurrent No.: FEMA-B-1143] received March 2, 2011, 2900-AN57) received February 18, 2011, pursu- Resolution 30, in which case the House pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee shall stand adjourned pursuant to that mittee on Financial Services. on Veterans’ Affairs. concurrent resolution. 909. A letter from the Chief Counsel, De- 920. A letter from the Chief, Publications The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there partment of Homeland Security, transmit- and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue ting the Department’s final rule — Changes objection to the request of the gen- Service, transmitting the Service’s final rule in Flood Elevation Determinations [Docket — Industry Director’s Directive #3 on Super tleman from Mississippi? ID: FEMA-2010-0003] received February 24, There was no objection. Completed Contract Method (LB&I Control 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the No.: LB&I-4-1010-029) received March 2, 2011, f Committee on Financial Services. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- 910. A letter from the Director, Office of mittee on Ways and Means. ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, Commission, transmitting the Commission’s 921. A letter from the Chief, Publications reported and found truly enrolled a bill final rule — Notice of Availability of the and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue of the House of the following title, Proposed Models for Plant-specific Adoption Service, transmitting the Service’s final rule of Technical Specifications Task Force — 10 Tax Sheltered Annunity Contracts which was thereupon signed by the (Rev. Rul. 2011-7) received March 2, 2011, pur- Speaker: (TSTF) Traveler TSTF-423, Revision 1, ‘‘Technical Specifications End States, suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- H.J. Res. 48. Joint Resolution making fur- NEDC-32988-A’’, for Boiling Water Reactor mittee on Ways and Means. ther continuing appropriations for fiscal Plants Using the Consolidated Line Item Im- 922. A letter from the Chief, Publications year 2011, and for other purposes. provement Process [NRC-2009-0403] received and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue f February 23, 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Service, transmitting the Service’s final rule ADJOURNMENT 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and — Determination of Issue Price in the Case Commerce. of Certain Debt Instruments Issued for Prop- Mr. NUNNELEE. Mr. Speaker, pursu- 911. A letter from the Chairman, Com- erty (Rev. Rul. 2011-6) received February 23, ant to the order of the House of today, modity Futures Trading Commission, trans- 2011, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the I move that the House do now adjourn. mitting the Commission’s Strategic Plan for Committee on Ways and Means.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:08 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.141 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H1982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2011 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON H.R. 1144. A bill to increase the trans- Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. DANIEL E. LUN- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS parency of the Federal Government, and for GREN of California, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. other purposes; to the Committee on Over- GOWDY, Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas, Mr. Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of sight and Government Reform. ROSS of Florida, and Mr. COBLE): committees were delivered to the Clerk By Mr. REICHERT (for himself, Mr. H.R. 1153. A bill to provide for consultation for printing and reference to the proper MATHESON, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of by the Department of Justice with other rel- calendar, as follows: California, and Mr. GARY G. MILLER evant Government agencies before deter- mining to prosecute certain terrorism of- Mr. SMITH (TX): Committee on the Judici- of California): H.R. 1145. A bill to provide construction, fenses in United States district court, and ary. H.R. 3. A bill to prohibit taxpayer fund- architectural, and engineering entities with for other purposes; to the Committee on the ed abortions and to provide for conscience qualified immunity from liability for neg- Judiciary. protections, and for other purposes; with an ligence when providing services or equip- By Mr. CARTER (for himself, Mrs. amendment (Rept. 112–38 Pt. 1). Ordered to ment on a volunteer basis in response to a BACHMANN, Mr. BACHUS, Ms. be printed. declared emergency or disaster; to the Com- BORDALLO, Mr. BRADY of Pennsyl- Mr. SMITH (TX): Committee on the Judici- mittee on the Judiciary. vania, Mr. CARNAHAN, Mr. CHAFFETZ, ary. H.R. 5. A bill to improve patient access By Mr. PAUL: Mr. CULBERSON, Mrs. DAVIS of Cali- to health care services and provide improved H.R. 1146. A bill to end membership of the fornia, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. GRIMM, medical care by reducing the excessive bur- United States in the United Nations; to the Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. FLORES, Mr. den the liability system places on the health Committee on Foreign Affairs. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Ms. KAPTUR, care delivery system; with an amendment By Mr. NUNES (for himself and Ms. Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. (Rept. 112–39 Pt. 1). Ordered to be printed. BERKLEY): KISSELL, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. ISSA: Committee on Oversight and H.R. 1147. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MICA, Mrs. MIL- Government Reform. H.R. 471. A bill to reau- enue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for LER of Michigan, Mr. NEAL, Mr. thorize the DC opportunity scholarship pro- certain payments made to reduce debt on PENCE, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. ROE of Ten- gram, and for other purposes; with an commercial real property; to the Committee nessee, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. amendment (Rept. 112–36). Referred to the on Ways and Means. WESTMORELAND, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. Committee of the Whole House on the State By Mr. WALZ of Minnesota (for himself YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. CHABOT, and of the Union. and Ms. SLAUGHTER): Mr. STIVERS): Mr. ISSA: Committee on Oversight and H.R. 1148. A bill to prohibit commodities H.R. 1154. A bill to amend title 38, United Government Reform. H.R. 899. A bill to and securities trading based on nonpublic in- States Code, to prevent the Secretary of Vet- amend title 41, United States Code, to extend formation relating to Congress, to require erans Affairs from prohibiting the use of the sunset date for certain protests of task additional reporting by Members and em- service dogs on Department of Veterans Af- and delivery order contracts (Rept. 112–37). ployees of Congress of securities trans- fairs property; to the Committee on Vet- Referred to the Committee of the Whole actions, and for other purposes; to the Com- erans’ Affairs. House on the State of the Union. mittee on Financial Services, and in addi- By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. f tion to the Committees on Agriculture, GARDNER, Mr. WELCH, Mr. CARNEY, House Administration, the Judiciary, and and Mr. POLIS): REPORTED BILL SEQUENTIALLY Ethics, for a period to be subsequently deter- H.R. 1155. A bill to establish procedures for REFERRED mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- the expedited consideration by Congress of sideration of such provisions as fall within Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and the recommendations set forth in the Termi- the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. nations, Reductions, and Savings report pre- reports were delivered to the Clerk for By Mr. BILBRAY (for himself, Mr. INS- pared by the Office of Management and printing, and bills referred as follows: LEE, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mrs. DAVIS of Budget; to the Committee on the Budget, Mr. UPTON: Committee on Energy and California, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. DREIER, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, Commerce. H.R. 358. A bill to amend the Pa- Mr. CARNAHAN, and Mr. BARTLETT): for a period to be subsequently determined tient Protection and Affordable Care Act to H.R. 1149. A bill to amend the Clean Air by the Speaker, in each case for consider- modify special rules relating to coverage of Act to include algae-based biofuel in the re- ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- abortion services under such Act; with an newable fuel program and amend the Inter- risdiction of the committee concerned. amendment, (Rept. 112–40 Pt. 1); referred to nal Revenue Code of 1986 to include algae- By Mr. DENT: the Committee on Ways and Means for a pe- based biofuel in the cellulosic biofuel pro- H.R. 1156. A bill to amend the Immigration riod ending not later than April 15, 2011, for ducer credit; to the Committee on Ways and and Nationality Act with respect to a coun- consideration of such provisions of the bill Means, and in addition to the Committee on try that denies or unreasonably delays ac- and amendment as fall within the jurisdic- Energy and Commerce, for a period to be cepting the country’s nationals upon the re- tion of that committee pursuant to clause subsequently determined by the Speaker, in quest of the Secretary of Homeland Security; 1(t), rule X. each case for consideration of such provi- to the Committee on the Judiciary. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Mr. REHBERG: f committee concerned. H.R. 1157. A bill to require the Secretary of TIME LIMITATION OF REFERRED By Mr. GOSAR: the Army to conduct levee system evalua- BILL PURSUANT TO RULE XII H.R. 1150. A bill to restore the application tions and certifications on receipt of re- of the Federal antitrust laws to the business quests from non-Federal interests; to the Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII the of health insurance to protect competition Committee on Financial Services. following actions were taken by the and consumers; to the Committee on the Ju- By Mr. REHBERG: Speaker: diciary. H.R. 1158. A bill to authorize the convey- By Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts: ance of mineral rights by the Secretary of H.R. 3. Referral to the Committees on En- H.R. 1151. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior in the State of Montana, and for ergy and Commerce and Ways and Means ex- the Treasury to make risk-based assess- other purposes; to the Committee on Natural tended for a period ending not later than ments on financial companies to recoup the Resources. April 7, 2011. amount of assistance made available for un- By Mr. HASTINGS of Washington (for H.R. 5. Referral to the Committee on En- employed homeowners under the Emergency himself, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, ergy and Commerce extended for a period Mortgage Relief Program and for States and Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. ending not later than May 13, 2011. communities under the Neighborhood Sta- BURGESS, Mr. OLSON, Mr. BARTON of f bilization Program; to the Committee on Fi- Texas, Mr. SCHWEIKERT, Mr. CARSON nancial Services. of Indiana, Ms. JACKSON LEE of PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS By Mr. RANGEL (for himself and Mr. Texas, and Mrs. BLACK): Under clause 2 of rule XII, public STARK): H.R. 1159. A bill to repeal certain provi- bills and resolutions of the following H.R. 1152. A bill to require all persons in sions of the Patient Protection and Afford- the United States between the ages of 18 and able Care Act relating to the limitation on titles were introduced and severally re- 25 to perform national service, either as a the Medicare exception to the prohibition on ferred, as follows: member of the uniformed services or in civil- certain physician referrals for hospitals and By Mr. CUMMINGS (for himself, Mr. ian service in furtherance of the national de- to transparency reports and reporting of TOWNS, Mr. CLAY, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. fense and homeland security, to authorize physician ownership or investment interests; NORTON, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. TIERNEY, the induction of persons in the uniformed to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. COOPER, Mr. services during wartime to meet end- and in addition to the Committee on Ways CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. QUIGLEY, strength requirements of the uniformed serv- and Means, for a period to be subsequently Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. BRALEY of ices, and for other purposes; to the Com- determined by the Speaker, in each case for Iowa, Mr. WELCH, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. mittee on Armed Services. consideration of such provisions as fall with- MURPHY of Connecticut, and Ms. By Mr. SMITH of Texas (for himself, in the jurisdiction of the committee con- SPEIER): Mr. MCKEON, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, cerned.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:08 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.070 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1983 By Mr. KISSELL (for himself, Mr. grams, to provide additional work require- H.R. 1174. A bill to amend title 31, United JONES, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. MCIN- ments, and to provide an overall spending States Code, to provide for the licensing of TYRE, Mr. SHULER, Mr. COBLE, Mr. limit on means-tested welfare programs; to Internet gambling activities by the Sec- PRICE of North Carolina, Mrs. the Committee on Ways and Means, and in retary of the Treasury, to provide for con- MYRICK, Mrs. ELLMERS, and Mr. MIL- addition to the Committees on the Budget, sumer protections on the Internet, to enforce LER of North Carolina): Rules, Agriculture, and Energy and Com- the tax code, and for other purposes; to the H.R. 1160. A bill to require the Secretary of merce, for a period to be subsequently deter- Committee on Financial Services, and in ad- the Interior to convey the McKinney Lake mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- dition to the Committees on the Judiciary, National Fish Hatchery to the State of sideration of such provisions as fall within and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be North Carolina, and for other purposes; to the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. subsequently determined by the Speaker, in the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. RIGELL (for himself, Mr. each case for consideration of such provi- By Mr. CHAFFETZ (for himself, Mr. COBLE, Mr. POSEY, and Mr. RIBBLE): sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. COBLE, Mr. CON- H.R. 1168. A bill to amend title 5, United committee concerned. YERS, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. JORDAN, Mr. States Code, to provide that matching con- By Mr. CARDOZA (for himself, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, Mr. tributions to the Thrift Savings Fund for COSTA, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsyl- ROSS of Florida, and Ms. WASSERMAN Members of Congress be made contingent on vania, and Mr. CRITZ): SCHULTZ): Congress completing action on a concurrent H.R. 1175. A bill to establish an Oleoresin H.R. 1161. A bill to reaffirm state-based al- resolution on the budget, for the fiscal year Capsicum Spray Pilot Program in the Bu- cohol regulation, and for other purposes; to involved, which reduces the deficit, and for reau of Prisons, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. other purposes; to the Committee on House the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. DICKS: Administration, and in addition to the Com- By Mr. COURTNEY (for himself, Mr. H.R. 1162. A bill to provide the Quileute In- mittee on Oversight and Government Re- MCGOVERN, and Ms. DELAURO): dian Tribe Tsunami and Flood Protection, form, for a period to be subsequently deter- H.R. 1176. A bill to amend the Specialty and for other purposes; to the Committee on mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to include Natural Resources. sideration of such provisions as fall within farmed shellfish as specialty crops; to the By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Ms. the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Committee on Agriculture. BALDWIN, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. HINCHEY, By Mr. ANDREWS: By Mr. CRITZ: Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. H.R. 1169. A bill to amend titles 5, 10, and H.R. 1177. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- KAPTUR, and Ms. SUTTON): 32, United States Code, to eliminate inequi- enue Code of 1986 to provide for tax preferred H.R. 1163. A bill to provide Federal con- ties in the treatment of National Guard savings accounts for individuals under age tracting preferences for, and a reduction in technicians, to reduce the eligibility age for 26, and for other purposes; to the Committee the rate of income tax imposed on, Patriot retirement for non-Regular service, and for on Ways and Means. corporations, and for other purposes; to the other purposes; to the Committee on Armed By Mr. FORTENBERRY (for himself, Committee on Ways and Means, and in addi- Services, and in addition to the Committee Mr. LOBIONDO, and Mr. KISSELL): tion to the Committee on Oversight and Gov- on Oversight and Government Reform, for a H.R. 1178. A bill to amend title 10, United ernment Reform, for a period to be subse- period to be subsequently determined by the States Code, to extend military commissary quently determined by the Speaker, in each Speaker, in each case for consideration of and exchange store privileges to veterans case for consideration of such provisions as such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- with a compensable service-connected dis- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee tion of the committee concerned. ability and to their dependents; to the Com- concerned. By Mr. BACA (for himself and Mr. mittee on Armed Services. By Mr. KING of New York (for himself, CULBERSON): By Mr. FORTENBERRY (for himself, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. H.R. 1170. A bill to amend titles 10 and 14, Mr. BOREN, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, BROUN of Georgia, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. United States Code, to provide for the use of Mr. SCALISE, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. BARTLETT, and Mr. gold in the metal content of the Medal of CONAWAY, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. FORBES): Honor; to the Committee on Armed Services. WALBERG, and Mr. LIPINSKI): H.R. 1164. A bill to amend title 4, United By Mr. FARR (for himself, Mr. YOUNG H.R. 1179. A bill to amend the Patient Pro- States Code, to declare English as the offi- of Alaska, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Ms. tection and Affordable Care Act to protect cial language of the Government of the BORDALLO, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, and rights of conscience with regard to require- United States, and for other purposes; to the Mr. PIERLUISI): ments for coverage of specific items and Committee on Education and the Workforce, H.R. 1171. A bill to reauthorize and amend services; to the Committee on Energy and and in addition to the Committee on the Ju- the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Commerce. diciary, for a period to be subsequently de- Reduction Act; to the Committee on Trans- By Mr. GARDNER (for himself, Mr. termined by the Speaker, in each case for portation and Infrastructure, and in addition PAUL, Mr. PITTS, Mr. PEARCE, and consideration of such provisions as fall with- to the Committee on Natural Resources, for Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado): in the jurisdiction of the committee con- a period to be subsequently determined by H.R. 1180. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- cerned. the Speaker, in each case for consideration enue Code of 1986 to establish small business By Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas (for of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- start-up savings accounts; to the Committee herself, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. THOMPSON of tion of the committee concerned. on Ways and Means. Mississippi, and Mr. DAVIS of Illi- By Ms. BERKLEY: By Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas (for him- nois): H.R. 1172. A bill to amend title XVIII of the self and Mr. CRITZ): H.R. 1165. A bill to amend title 49, United Social Security Act to provide an increased H.R. 1181. A bill to amend title 11 of the States Code, to establish an Ombudsman Of- payment for chest radiography (x-ray) serv- United States Code to include firearms in fice within the Transportation Security Ad- ices that use Computer Aided Detection the types of property allowable under the al- ministration for the purpose of enhancing technology for the purpose of early detection ternative provision for exempting property transportation security by providing con- of lung cancer; to the Committee on Energy from the estate; to the Committee on the Ju- fidential, informal, and neutral assistance to and Commerce, and in addition to the Com- diciary. address work-place related problems of mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be By Mr. HENSARLING (for himself and Transportation Security Administration em- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in Mr. BACHUS): ployees, and for other purposes; to the Com- each case for consideration of such provi- H.R. 1182. A bill to establish a term certain mittee on Homeland Security. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the for the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and By Mr. ISSA (for himself, Ms. committee concerned. Freddie Mac, to provide conditions for con- WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. JONES, Mr. By Mr. BOUSTANY (for himself, Mr. tinued operation of such enterprises, and to HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. RIVERA, Mr. GINGREY of Georgia, Mr. LIPINSKI, provide for the wind down of such operations ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Mr. Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr. PAUL, Mr. and the dissolution of such enterprises; to PIERLUISI, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mrs. the Committee on Financial Services. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. DEUTCH, and BLACKBURN, Mr. AKIN, and Mr. By Mr. HERGER (for himself and Mr. Ms. WILSON of Florida): ROYCE): MATHESON): H.R. 1166. A bill to modify the prohibition H.R. 1173. A bill to repeal the CLASS pro- H.R. 1183. A bill to amend title 18, United on recognition by United States courts of gram; to the Committee on Energy and Com- States Code, to prohibit the use of interstate certain rights relating to certain marks, merce, and in addition to the Committee on commerce for suicide promotion; to the trade names, or commercial names; to the Ways and Means, for a period to be subse- Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary. quently determined by the Speaker, in each By Mr. ISSA (for himself and Mr. By Mr. JORDAN (for himself, Mr. case for consideration of such provisions as WALSH of Illinois): SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. GAR- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee H.R. 1184. A bill to require greater trans- RETT, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. concerned. parency concerning the criteria used to GOHMERT, and Mr. CHAFFETZ): By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. grant waivers to the job-killing health care H.R. 1167. A bill to provide information on FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. KING of law and to ensure that applications for such total spending on means-tested welfare pro- New York, and Mr. PERLMUTTER): waivers are treated in a fair and consistent

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manner, irrespective of the applicant’s polit- CHEY, Mr. WEST, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. sideration of such provisions as fall within ical contributions or association with a labor CUMMINGS, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. union, a health plan provided for under a col- H.R. 1193. A bill to ensure that the courts By Mr. PASCRELL (for himself, Mr. lective bargaining agreement, or another or- of the United States may provide an impar- KING of New York, Mr. HOLT, Ms. ganized labor group; to the Committee on tial forum for claims brought by United BALDWIN, and Mr. PRICE of North Energy and Commerce. States citizens and others against any rail- Carolina): By Mr. ISSA (for himself and Mr. road organized as a separate legal entity, H.R. 1199. A bill to authorize the Secretary WALSH of Illinois): arising from the deportation of United of Education to make grants to support fire H.R. 1185. A bill to delay the implementa- States citizens and others to Nazi concentra- safety education programs on college cam- tion of the health reform law in the United tion camps on trains owned or operated by puses; to the Committee on Education and States until there is final resolution in pend- such railroad, and by the heirs and survivors the Workforce. ing lawsuits; to the Committee on Energy of such persons, and for other purposes; to By Mr. MCDERMOTT: and Commerce, and in addition to the Com- the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addi- H.R. 1200. A bill to provide for health care mittees on Ways and Means, Education and tion to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for every American and to control the cost the Workforce, House Administration, the for a period to be subsequently determined and enhance the quality of the health care Judiciary, Natural Resources, Appropria- by the Speaker, in each case for consider- system; to the Committee on Energy and tions, and Rules, for a period to be subse- ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- Commerce, and in addition to the Commit- quently determined by the Speaker, in each risdiction of the committee concerned. tees on Ways and Means, Oversight and Gov- case for consideration of such provisions as By Mr. MCDERMOTT (for himself and ernment Reform, Armed Services, and Edu- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky): cation and the Workforce, for a period to be concerned. H.R. 1194. A bill to renew the authority of subsequently determined by the Speaker, in By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: the Secretary of Health and Human Services each case for consideration of such provi- H.R. 1186. A bill to repeal changes made by to approve demonstration projects designed sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the health care reform laws to the Medicare ex- to test innovative strategies in State child committee concerned. ception to the prohibition on certain physi- welfare programs; to the Committee on Ways By Mr. PAUL: cian referrals for hospitals; to the Com- and Means, and in addition to the Committee H.R. 1201. A bill to amend title 5, United mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad- on the Budget, for a period to be subse- States Code, to provide for the establishment dition to the Committee on Ways and Means, quently determined by the Speaker, in each of a precious metals investment option in for a period to be subsequently determined case for consideration of such provisions as the Thrift Savings Fund; to the Committee by the Speaker, in each case for consider- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee on Oversight and Government Reform. ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- concerned. By Mr. PEARCE (for himself, Mr. MIL- risdiction of the committee concerned. By Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS (for LER of Florida, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. By Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois (for herself, Mr. ROSS of Arkansas, and BISHOP of Utah, Mr. GINGREY of Geor- himself and Mr. INSLEE): Mr. MCINTYRE): gia, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. BURTON of In- H.R. 1187. A bill to amend title XIX of the H.R. 1195. A bill to amend the Public diana, Mr. GOHMERT, and Mr. FRANKS Social Security Act to direct Medicaid EHR Health Service Act to provide for the partici- of Arizona): incentive payments to federally qualified pation of optometrists in the National H.R. 1202. A bill to restart jobs in the tim- health centers and rural health clinics; to Health Service Corps scholarship and loan ber industry by providing for the protection the Committee on Energy and Commerce. repayment programs, and for other purposes; of the Mexican Spotted Owl in sanctuaries; By Mr. LANCE (for himself, Mr. to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. to the Committee on Agriculture, and in ad- BLUMENAUER, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. By Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California dition to the Committee on Natural Re- DEFAZIO, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Ms. WOOL- (for himself, Mr. CAMPBELL, Mr. sources, for a period to be subsequently de- SEY, and Mr. HANNA): MARCHANT, and Mrs. MYRICK): termined by the Speaker, in each case for H.R. 1188. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- H.R. 1196. A bill to remove the incentives consideration of such provisions as fall with- enue Code of 1986 to terminate incentives for and loopholes that encourage illegal aliens in the jurisdiction of the committee con- alcohol fuels; to the Committee on Ways and to come to the United States to live and cerned. Means. work, provide additional resources to local By Mr. PIERLUISI (for himself, Mr. By Mr. LATTA (for himself, Mr. law enforcement and Federal border and im- FALEOMAVAEGA, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, MCKINLEY, and Mr. LATOURETTE): migration officers, and for other purposes; to Ms. BORDALLO, and Mr. SABLAN): H.R. 1189. A bill to amend the Federal the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addi- H.R. 1203. A bill to amend title 17, United Water Pollution Control Act to assist mu- tion to the Committees on Oversight and States Code, to include the United States nicipalities that would experience a signifi- Government Reform, Education and the territories in the application of certain stat- cant hardship raising the revenue necessary Workforce, House Administration, Financial utory copyright licenses related to low to finance projects and activities for the con- Services, Homeland Security, Ways and power television stations; to the Committee struction of wastewater treatment works, Means, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, on the Judiciary. and for other purposes; to the Committee on for a period to be subsequently determined By Mr. POLIS (for himself, Mr. HIN- Transportation and Infrastructure. by the Speaker, in each case for consider- CHEY, Mr. HOLT, Mr. CONNOLLY of Vir- By Mr. LEWIS of Georgia (for himself ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- ginia, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. QUIGLEY, and Mr. PLATTS): risdiction of the committee concerned. Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. STARK, and Mr. H.R. 1190. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- By Ms. NORTON: HONDA): enue Code of 1986 to provide that a deduction H.R. 1197. A bill to direct the Mayor of the H.R. 1204. A bill to amend the Clean Air equal to fair market value shall be allowed District of Columbia to establish a District Act to eliminate the exemption for aggrega- for charitable contributions of literary, mu- of Columbia National Guard Educational As- tion of emissions from oil and gas develop- sical, artistic, or scholarly compositions cre- sistance Program to encourage the enlist- ment sources, and for other purposes; to the ated by the donor; to the Committee on ment and retention of persons in the District Committee on Energy and Commerce. Ways and Means. of Columbia National Guard by providing fi- By Mr. QUIGLEY (for himself and Mr. By Mr. LEWIS of Georgia (for himself, nancial assistance to enable members of the CUMMINGS): Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. National Guard of the District of Columbia H.R. 1205. A bill to amend title 40, United GRIJALVA, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. STARK, to attend undergraduate, vocational, or tech- States Code, to enhance authorities with re- and Mr. HOLT): nical courses; to the Committee on Oversight gard to the disposal of real property, and for H.R. 1191. A bill to affirm the religious and Government Reform. other purposes; to the Committee on Over- freedom of taxpayers who are conscien- By Ms. NORTON: sight and Government Reform. tiously opposed to participation in war, to H.R. 1198. A bill to extend to the Mayor of By Mr. ROGERS of Michigan (for him- provide that the income, estate, or gift tax the District of Columbia the same authority self, Mr. BARROW, Mr. WALSH of Illi- payments of such taxpayers be used for non- over the National Guard of the District of nois, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. AUSTRIA, Mr. military purposes, to create the Religious Columbia as the Governors of the several ROKITA, Mr. BOREN, Mr. CARTER, Mr. Freedom Peace Tax Fund to receive such tax States exercise over the National Guard of HECK, Mr. ROSS of Arkansas, Mr. payments, to improve revenue collection, those States with respect to administration STIVERS, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, and for other purposes; to the Committee on of the National Guard and its use to respond Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. ROSKAM, and Mr. Ways and Means. to natural disasters and other civil disturb- MCCLINTOCK): By Mrs. LUMMIS (for herself and Mr. ances, while ensuring that the President re- H.R. 1206. A bill to amend title XXVII of WU): tains control of the National Guard of the the Public Health Service Act to preserve H.R. 1192. A bill to extend the current roy- District of Columbia to respond to homeland consumer and employer access to licensed alty rate for soda ash; to the Committee on defense emergencies; to the Committee on independent insurance producers; to the Natural Resources. Oversight and Government Reform, and in Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Ms. addition to the Committee on Armed Serv- By Mr. SABLAN (for himself, Mr. CAR- ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. ices, for a period to be subsequently deter- SON of Indiana, Mr. HONDA, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. HIN- mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of

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Georgia, Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. couraging schools to teach civic education This bill is enacted pursuant to Sections 5 CHRISTENSEN, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. KIL- and civil discourse in public schools; to the and 8 of Article I of the United States Con- DEE, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. Committee on Education and the Workforce. stitution. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mrs. By Mr. NADLER (for himself, Mr. By Mr. BILBRAY: CAPPS, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. H.R. 1149. GRIJALVA, Mr. BOREN, Mr. AL GREEN RANGEL, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. ACKER- Congress has the power to enact this legis- of Texas, and Mr. PIERLUISI): MAN, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1207. A bill to authorize the Secretary MEEKS, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. TONKO, Mr. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: The Congress of the Interior to establish and operate a vis- OWENS, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. BERMAN, shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, itor facility to fulfill the purposes of the Mr. PAYNE, Mr. SIRES, Ms. WOOLSEY, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Marianas Trench Marine National Monu- Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. GEORGE MILLER Debts and provide for the common Defense ment, and for other purposes; to the Com- of California, Mr. OLVER, Ms. WILSON and general Welfare of the United States; but mittee on Natural Resources. of Florida, and Mr. LEWIS of Georgia): all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uni- By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself and H. Res. 182. A resolution recognizing the form throughout the United States. Mr. SESSIONS): historical significance of the Triangle Fire By Mr. GOSAR: H.R. 1208. A bill to amend the Individuals in the struggle to improve worker safety H.R. 1150. with Disabilities Education Act to permit a standards and protections on the 100th anni- Congress has the power to enact this legis- prevailing party in an action or proceeding versary of the fire; to the Committee on Edu- lation pursuant to the following: brought to enforce the Act to be awarded ex- cation and the Workforce. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. ‘‘The Con- pert witness fees and certain other expenses; By Mr. SABLAN (for himself, Mr. gress shall have Power * * * To regulate to the Committee on Education and the PIERLUISI, Mr. WU, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. Commerce with foreign Nations, and among Workforce. GUTIERREZ, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. MOORE, the several States, and with the Indian By Ms. WATERS (for herself, Mr. Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. Tribes.’’ Further, pursuant to the Supreme FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. GUTIER- FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. GEORGE MILLER Court ruling in United States v. South-East- REZ, Mr. COHEN, and Mr. PIERLUISI): of California, Mr. FILNER, and Mr. ern Underwriters Association, 322 U.S. 533, H.R. 1209. A bill to reform the housing BOREN): 552–53 (U.S. 1944), insurance is constitu- choice voucher program under section 8 of H. Res. 183. A resolution recognizing Com- tionally subject to Congressional regulation. the United States Housing Act of 1937; to the pany E, 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regi- As set forth by the Court: Committee on Financial Services. ment of the United States Army and the sac- By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: Our basic responsibility in interpreting the H.R. 1210. A bill to provide limitations on rifice of the soldiers of Company E and their Commerce Clause is to make certain that maritime liens on fishing permits, and for families in support of the United States; to the power to govern intercourse among the the Committee on Armed Services. states remains where the Constitution other purposes; to the Committee on Trans- ´ portation and Infrastructure. By Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of Cali- placed it. That power, as held by this Court By Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Mr. GENE fornia (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Ms. from the beginning, is vested in the Con- GREEN of Texas, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BORDALLO, Ms. CLARKE of New York, gress, available to be exercised for the na- HINCHEY, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. LOEBSACK, tional welfare as Congress shall deem nec- JACKSON LEE of Texas, Mrs. Ms. MOORE, Mr. PIERLUISI, Ms. SUT- essary. No commercial enterprise of any MALONEY, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. RANGEL, TON, Mr. COURTNEY, and Ms. BALD- kind which conducts its activities across Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, and Mr. TOWNS): WIN): state lines has been held to be wholly beyond H. Res. 176. A resolution commending the H. Res. 184. A resolution expressing support the regulatory power of Congress under the progress made by anti-tuberculosis pro- for designation of a ‘‘Welcome Home Viet- Commerce Clause. We cannot make an ex- grams; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, nam Veterans Day’’; to the Committee on ception of the business of insurance. and in addition to the Committee on Energy Veterans’ Affairs. Speaking directly on the power of Congress and Commerce, for a period to be subse- f to regulate insurance, or to exempt the in- quently determined by the Speaker, in each surance industry from monopolistic prac- case for consideration of such provisions as CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY tices under the Sherman Act, the Court ex- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee STATEMENT plained: concerned. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of Whether competition is a good thing for the By Mr. GRIMM: the Rules of the House of Representa- insurance business is not for us to consider. H. Res. 177. A resolution expressing support Having power to enact the Sherman Act, for internal rebuilding, resettlement, and tives, the following statements are sub- mitted regarding the specific powers Congress did so; if exceptions are to be writ- reconciliation within Sri Lanka that are ten into the Act, they must come from the necessary to ensure a lasting peace; to the granted to Congress in the Constitu- Congress, not this Court. Committee on Foreign Affairs. tion to enact the accompanying bill or United States v. South-Eastern Under- By Mr. HECK: joint resolution. writers Association, 322 U.S. 533, 561 (U.S. H. Res. 178. A resolution amending the By Mr. CUMMINGS: 1944). This bill eliminates the exemption cre- Rules of the House of Representatives to re- H.R. 1144. ated by Congress, under powers expressly quire a committee report on a bill or joint Congress has the power to enact this legis- enumerated in the Constitution. As for the resolution to include a statement of whether lation pursuant to the following: proscription on class action suits based on the legislation creates any duplicative pro- Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Con- antitrust legal theories against insurers, the grams; to the Committee on Rules. stitution of the United States grants the Constitution does not guarantee the right to By Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. Congress the power to enact this law. a class action lawsuit. Rather, individuals BILIRAKIS, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. GRIMM, By Mr. REICHERT: are simply guaranteed an individual jury Ms. TSONGAS, and Mr. SARBANES): H.R. 1145. trial under the Seventh Amendment. There H. Res. 179. A resolution recognizing and Congress has the power to enact this legis- is no collective right to a civil legal remedy. appreciating the historical significance and lation pursuant to the following: This act preserves private rights of action the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of Clause 3, of section 8, of article I of the brought by aggrieved individuals and there- the people of Crete during World War II and Constitution, which states that the United fore comports with the Seventh Amendment commending the PanCretan Association of States Congress shall have power ‘‘To regu- America; to the Committee on Foreign Af- and maintains enforcement of the public late Commerce with foreign Nations, and goals by the appropriate public entities, the fairs. among the several States, and with the In- By Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. states or the federal government. dian Tribes.’’ That the Interstate Commerce Clause has BILIRAKIS, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. GRIMM, By Mr. PAUL: been construed to grant Congress the power Ms. TSONGAS, and Ms. BERKLEY): H.R. 1146. to regulate unfair or anticompetitive busi- H. Res. 180. A resolution urging Turkey to Congress has the power to enact this legis- respect the rights and religious freedoms of ness practices that harm interstate com- lation pursuant to the following: merce, was recently commented upon by the the Ecumenical Patriarchate; to the Com- Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- U.S. Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Raich, 545 mittee on Foreign Affairs. tion. U.S. 1 (2005): By Ms. MOORE (for herself, Mrs. By Mr. NUNES: MYRICK, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, H.R. 1147. The Commerce Clause emerged as the Fram- Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- ers’ response to the central problem giving RUSH, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. BRADY of lation pursuant to the following: rise to the Constitution itself: the absence of Pennsylvania, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Clause 1 of section 8 of article I of the Con- any federal commerce power under the Arti- Texas, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. NORTON, Mr. stitution of the United States. cles of Confederation. For the first century CLEAVER, Ms. BASS of California, and By Mr. WALZ of Minnesota: of our history, the primary use of the Clause Mr. BACA): H.R. 1148. was to preclude the kind of discriminatory H. Res. 181. A resolution honoring the Congress has the power to enact this legis- state legislation that had once been permis- memory of Christina-Taylor Green by en- lation pursuant to the following: sible. Then, in response to rapid industrial

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Finally, Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- this Bill respects the Tenth Amendment and lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: preserves the rights of each state to estab- Article I, Section 8 of the United States Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. The Congress lish and enforce their own anti-trust or un- Constitution. shall have Power to establish a uniform Rule fair competition statutes, and it narrowly By Mr. REHBERG: of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the construes the Interstate Commerce Clause to H.R. 1157. subject of Bankruptcies throughout the actions that involve actual commerce, a Congress has the power to enact this legis- United States. product that is purchased and sold, adminis- lation pursuant to the following: By Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas: tered and utilized across state lines, and has Clause 2 of Section 3 of Article IV of the H.R. 1165. a clear effect on national commerce. In this Constitution: ‘‘The Congress shall have Congress has the power to enact this legis- manner, this Act would satisfy even Justice Power to dispose of and make all needful lation pursuant to the following: Thomas’ concurring view of the Interstate Rules and Regulations respecting the Terri- Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Commerce Clause, set forth in United States tory or other Property belonging to the By Mr. ISSA: v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 586–87 (1995), that the United States; and nothing in this Constitu- H.R. 1166. Commerce Clause empowers Congress only tion shall be so construed as to Prejudice Congress has the power to enact this legis- to regulate the buying and selling of goods any Claims of the United States, or of any lation pursuant to the following: and services trafficked across state lines. particular State.’’ Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Modern class action lawsuits typically seek The specific Constitutional Authority Constitution. out class members from multiple jurisdic- cited here is not intended and should not be By Mr. JORDAN: tions, advertise nationwide, and predominate construed to be exclusive of any other gen- H.R. 1167. interstate issues to such a degree courts of eral or specific Constitutional Authority Congress has the power to enact this legis- multi-district jurisdiction are sometimes ap- that is otherwise applicable. lation pursuant to the following: pointed. In this regard, class action lawsuits By Mr. REHBERG: The bill makes specific changes to existing also engage in commerce across state lines H.R. 1158. law in a manner that returns power to the and have been subjected to Congressional Congress has the power to enact this legis- States and to the people, in accordance with regulation, including the Class Action Fair- lation pursuant to the following: Amendment X of the United States Constitu- Clause 2 of Section 3 of Article IV of the ness Act of 2005. tion. The Interstate Commerce Clause does not, Constitution: ‘‘The Congress shall have By Mr. RIGELL: as some have suggested, contain federal pow- Power to dispose of and make all needful H.R. 1168. ers that are ‘‘unlimited’’ and indeed, the Rules and Regulations respecting the Terri- Congress has the power to enact this legis- original application of this clause was quite tory or other Property belonging to the lation pursuant to the following: narrow, as most aptly described in Federalist United States; and nothing in this Constitu- Amendment I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the No. 42. In that tract, James Madison explains tion shall be so construed as to Prejudice United States Constitution. ‘‘All Senators that the purpose undergirding the regulation any Claims of the United States, or of any and Representatives shall receive a Com- of commerce among the States was to pre- particular State.’’ pensation for their Services to be vent each state from imposing taxes, duties The specific Constitutional Authority ascertained by Law, and paid out of the or tariffs on goods from another state that cited here is not intended and should not be Treasury of the United States.’’ would in effect limit trade among the states construed to be exclusive of any other gen- By Mr. ANDREWS: H.R. 1169. and create animus that ‘‘would nourish un- eral or specific Constitutional Authority Congress has the power to enact this legis- ceasing animosities, and not improbably ter- that is otherwise applicable. lation pursuant to the following: minate in serious interruptions of the public By Mr. HASTINGS of Washington: H.R. 1159. The constitutional authority of Congress tranquility.’’ We follow here today, however, Congress has the power to enact this legis- to enact this legislation is provided by Arti- an accepted and long standing interpretation lation pursuant to the following: cle I, Section 8 of the United States Con- of the Commerce Clause that is not broad in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. To regulate stitution (Clauses 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18), which that it regulates actual commerce involved Commerce with foreign Nations, and among grants Congress the power to raise and sup- between or transacted across state lines. the several States, and with the Indian port an Army; to provide and maintain a By Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts: Tribes. Navy; to make rules for the government and H.R. 1151. Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. KISSELL: regulation of the land and naval forces; to H.R. 1160. lation pursuant to the following: provide for organizing, arming, and dis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Com- Congress has the power to enact this legis- ciplining the militia; and to make all laws merce Clause). lation pursuant to the following: necessary and proper for carrying out the Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2. The Con- By Mr. RANGEL: foregoing powers, and any other constitu- H.R. 1152. gress shall have Power to dispose of and tional authority appropriate and relevant to Congress has the power to enact this legis- make all needful Rules and Regulations re- the provisions of this bill. lation pursuant to the following: specting the Territory or other Property be- By Mr. BACA: Congress is given the power under the Con- longing to the United States; and nothing in H.R. 1170. stitution ‘‘To raise and support Armies,’’ this Constitution shall be so construed as to Congress has the power to enact this legis- ‘‘To provide and maintain a Navy,’’ and ‘‘To Prejudice any Claims of the United States, lation pursuant to the following: make Rules for the Government and Regula- or of any particular State. Article I, Section 8 of the United States tion of the land and naval Forces.’’Art. I, § 8, By Mr. CHAFFETZ: Constitution, Clauses 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18. cls. 12–14. See also: Rostker v. Goldberg, 453 H.R. 1161. By Mr. FARR: U.S. 57 (1981). Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1171. By Mr. SMITH of Texas: lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1153. This law is enacted pursuant to Article I, lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Section 8, Clauses 1 and 3, and the 10th and Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution. lation pursuant to the following: 21st Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. By Ms. BERKLEY: The authority to enact this bill is derived By Mr. DICKS: H.R. 1172. from, but may not be limited to, Article I, H.R. 1162. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Section 8, Clauses 1 and 3 and the Fifth Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Amendment of the United States Constitu- lation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1. tion. Article I, Section 8. By Mr. BOUSTANY: By Mr. CARTER: By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY: H.R. 1173. H.R. 1154. H.R. 1163. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 7. This bill is enacted pursuant to the power Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. The Congress By Mr. CAMPBELL: granted to Congress under the Fourteenth shall have Power—To regulate Commerce H.R. 1174. Amendment, Section 1 of the United States with foreign Nations, and among the several Congress has the power to enact this legis- Constitution. States, and with the Indian Tribes. lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. PETERS: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. The Congress Clause 2 of Section 3 of Article IV of the H.R. 1155. shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Constitution of the United States.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:09 Mar 18, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.074 H17MRPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1987 By Mr. CARDOZA: cle I, section 8 of the United States Constitu- United States, or in any Department or Offi- H.R. 1175. tion, specifically clause 1 (relating to pro- cer thereof.’’ Congress has the power to enact this legis- viding for the general welfare of the United By Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS: lation pursuant to the following: States) and clause 18 (relating to the power H.R. 1195. Congress has the power to enact this legis- to make all laws necessary and proper for Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to its authority under carrying out the powers vested in Congress), lation pursuant to the following: Clause 9 of Section 8 of Article I and Section and Article IV, section 3, clause 2 (relating The bill is enacted pursuant to the power 1 of Article III of the Constitution to create to the power of Congress to dispose of and granted to Congress under Article I, Section and regulate Federal Courts. make all needful rules and regulations re- 8, Clause 3 to regulate Commerce among the By Mr. COURTNEY: specting the territory or other property be- several States. H.R. 1176. longing to the United States).’’ By Mr. GARY G. MILLER of Cali- Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois: fornia: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1187. H.R. 1196. The Constitutional authority for this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation can be found in Article I, Clause 8, lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Section 18, that grants Congress the power to According to clause 7 of Section 9 of Arti- Section 5 of Amendment XIV to the Con- make all laws necessary and proper for car- cle I of the Constitution, Congress has the stitution. rying out the powers vested by Congress in authority to control the expenditures of the Clause 1 of Section 8 of Article I of the the Constitution of the United States or in federal government. Constitution. any department or officer thereof. By Mr. LANCE: By Ms. NORTON: By Mr. CRITZ: H.R. 1188. H.R. 1197. H.R. 1177. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: The Congress Clauses 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 of Section Article I, Section 8. shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, 8 of Article I of the Constitution. By Mr. FORTENBERRY: Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the By Ms. NORTON: H.R. 1178. Debts and provide for the common Defense H.R. 1198. Congress has the power to enact this legis- and general Welfare of the United States; but Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uni- lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United form throughout the United States. Clause 17 of Section 8 of Article I of the States Constitution. By Mr. LATTA: Constitution. By Mr. FORTENBERRY: H.R. 1189. By Mr. PASCRELL: H.R. 1179. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1199. Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. The Congress lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United shall have Power to .... regulate Com- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. merce with foreign Nations, and among the States Constitution. By Mr. GARDNER: several States, and with the Indian Tribes. By Mr. MCDERMOTT: H.R. 1180. By Mr. LEWIS of Georgia: H.R. 1200. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1190. Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Clause 1, Section 8 of Article I of the lation pursuant to the following: Clause 1, Section 8 of Article I of the United States Constitution which reads: This bill is enacted pursuant to the powers United States Constitution, and Clause 3, ‘‘The Congress shall have Power to lay and granted to Congress under Article I of the Section 8 of Article I of the United States collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, United States Constitution and its subse- Constitution. to pay the Debts, and provide for the com- quent amendments, and as further clarified By Mr. PAUL: mon Defense and General Welfare of the and interpreted by the Supreme Court of the H.R. 1201. United States; but all Duties and Imposts United States. Congress has the power to enact this legis- and Excises shall be uniform throughout the By Mr. LEWIS of Georgia: lation pursuant to the following: United States.’’ H.R. 1191. This legislation is authorized by Article I, By Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Section 8 of the Constitution: ‘‘To make all H.R. 1181. lation pursuant to the following: Laws which shall be necessary and proper for Congress has the power to enact this legis- This bill is enacted pursuant to the powers carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- lation pursuant to the following: granted to Congress under Article I of the ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- Article I Section 8 Clause 4 (Bankruptcy United States Constitution and its subse- stitution in the Government of the United Clause). quent amendments, and as further clarified States, or in any Department or Officer Article I Section 8 Clause 18 (Necessary and interpreted by the Supreme Court of the thereof.’’ and Proper Clause). United States. This includes the ability to hire staff to as- By Mr. HENSARLING: By Mrs. LUMMIS: sist in the execution of the foregoing powers H.R. 1182. H.R. 1192. and to define the salaries and benefits of Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- those staff. lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. PEARCE: Under Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Article IV, Section 3. The Congress shall H.R. 1202. United States Constitution, which states: have power to dispose of and make all need- Congress has the power to enact this legis- ‘‘No Money shall be drawn from the Treas- ful rules and regulations respecting the ter- lation pursuant to the following: ury, but in Consequence of Appropriations ritory or other property belonging to the Article 4, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Con- made by Law . . .’’ United States; and nothing in this Constitu- stitution of the United States grants Con- By Mr. HERGER: tion shall be so construed as to prejudice any gress the power to enact this law. H.R. 1183. claims of the United States, or of any par- By Mr. PIERLUISI: Congress has the power to enact this legis- ticular state. H.R. 1203. lation pursuant to the following: By Mrs. MALONEY: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. H.R. 1193. lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. ISSA: Congress has the power to enact this legis- The constitutional authority on which this H.R. 1184. lation pursuant to the following: bill rests is the power of the Congress to Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, which reads: enact copyright law, as enumerated in Arti- lation pursuant to the following: ‘‘To regulate Commerce with foreign Na- cle I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Article I, Section 8 the Commerce Clause. tions, and among the several States, and Constitution, and to regulate commerce By Mr. ISSA: with Indian Tribes.’’ among the several states, as enumerated in H.R. 1185. By Mr. MCDERMOTT: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1194. tion. lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. POLIS: Article I, Section 8 the Commerce Clause. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1204. By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1186. that grants Congress the authority, ‘‘To lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- make all Laws which shall be necessary and Clause 3 of Section 8 of Article I of the lation pursuant to the following: proper for carrying into Execution the for- Constitution. ‘‘The constitutional authority of Congress going Powers, and all other Powers vested by By Mr. QUIGLEY: to enact this legislation is provided by Arti- this Constitution in the Government of the H.R. 1205.

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Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 396: Mr. WEST. H.R. 900: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 401: Mr. COHEN. H.R. 903: Mr. SIMPSON and Mr. HUNTER. Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2. The Con- H.R. 402: Ms. LINDA T. SA´ NCHEZ of Cali- H.R. 906: Ms. BASS of California, Mr. gress shall have Power to dispose of and fornia and Mr. GRIJALVA. GRIJALVA, Mr. YARMUTH, and Mr. JACKSON of make all needful Rules and Regulations re- H.R. 412: Mr. CARTER. Illinois. specting the Territory or other Property be- H.R. 431: Mr. RIGELL. H.R. 910: Mr. POSEY and Mr. FLAKE. longing to the United States; and nothing in H.R. 436: Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas and Mrs. H.R. 920: Mr. GIBBS, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, this Constitution shall be so construed as to DAVIS of California. Mr. MULVANEY, Mr. RIBBLE, Mr. MILLER of Prejudice any Claims of the United States, H.R. 450: Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Florida, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, and Mr. or of any particular State. H.R. 452: Mr. FITZPATRICK. GINGREY of Georgia. By Mr. ROGERS of Michigan: H.R. 455: Mr. BACHUS. H.R. 925: Ms. HIRONO. H.R. 1206. H.R. 456: Mr. KISSELL. H.R. 929: Ms. HIRONO. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 457: Mr. POMPEO. H.R. 937: Mr. ROKITA, Mr. LAMBORN, Ms. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 459: Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. FOXX, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: The Congress MICHAUD, and Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. H.R. 938: Ms. MOORE, Ms. JACKSON LEE of shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, H.R. 462: Mr. HURT and Mr. WOODALL. Texas, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. FIL- Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the H.R. 470: Mr. GOSAR and Mrs. BONO MACK. NER. Debts and provide for the common Defence H.R. 471: Mr. LATTA. H.R. 942: Mr. RAHALL. and general Welfare of the United States; but H.R. 515: Mr. MARINO. H.R. 960: Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. GRIFFITH of all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uni- H.R. 529: Ms. TSONGAS. Virginia, and Mr. MCKINLEY. form throughout the United States. H.R. 539: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. H.R. 968: Mr. SCHOCK, Mr. HUNTER, Mrs. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Con- H.R. 546: Mr. HANNA, Mr. BASS of New ROBY, and Mr. PLATTS. stitution, which states ‘‘To make all Laws Hampshire, Mrs. CAPPS, and Mr. HALL. H.R. 984: Mr. STIVERS and Mr. BASS of New which shall be necessary and proper for car- H.R. 591: Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Hampshire. rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, H.R. 601: Mr. CICILLINE and Mr. VAN H.R. 993: Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee, Mr. and all other Powers vested by this Constitu- HOLLEN. BROUN of Georgia, and Mr. BURTON of Indi- tion in the Government of the United States H.R. 602: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia and Mr. ana. or in any Department or Officer thereof.’’ ENGEL. H.R. 998: Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. By Mr. SABLAN: H.R. 603: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia and Mr. H.R. 1000: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. H.R. 1207. ENGEL. H.R. 1006: Mr. CHAFFETZ. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 604: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia and Mr. H.R. 1022: Ms. WILSON of Florida, Ms. NOR- lation pursuant to the following: ENGEL. TON, and Mr. ELLISON. H.R. 1032: Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. AKIN, and Mr. Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 and Ar- H.R. 605: Mrs. EMERSON. BISHOP of Utah. ticle IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitu- H.R. 616: Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. H.R. 1041: Mr. TIBERI, Mr. WILSON of South tion. H.R. 620: Mr. CANSECO, Mr. GARY G. MILLER Carolina, Mr. HARPER, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN: of California, and Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. GRIJALVA, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. H.R. 1208. H.R. 639: Mr. CARNAHAN, Mr. MILLER of RUSH, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- North Carolina, Ms. TSONGAS, and Mr. SHULER, Mr. BARROW, Mr. PRICE of Georgia, lation pursuant to the following: YARMUTH. Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. GRAVES of Missouri, Mr. This bill is enacted pursuant to Clause 1 H.R. 640: Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. CRITZ, Mr. AUSTRIA, Mr. KISSELL, and Mr. and Clause 18 of Section 8 of Article I of the H.R. 642: Mr. GOODLATTE and Mr. BARTLETT. United States Constitution. FITZPATRICK. H.R. 1051: Mr. REICHERT. By Ms. WATERS: H.R. 653: Ms. SCHAKOWSKY and Mr. H.R. 1055: Mr. BUCSHON. H.R. 1209. GARAMENDI. H.R. 1057: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 661: Mr. RAHALL. HIRONO, and Mr. FILNER. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 667: Mr. POLIS. H.R. 673: Mr. BOREN. H.R. 1058: Mr. POSEY, Mr. DUNCAN of Ten- Article I, Section 8, Clause I of the Con- H.R. 674: Mr. BUCSHON, Mrs. MCMORRIS nessee, Mr. ROYCE, and Mr. THOMPSON of Mis- stitution of the United States. RODGERS, Mr. CALVERT, and Mr. BOSWELL. sissippi. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 712: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. PE- H.R. 1065: Mr. TERRY, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. H.R. 1210. TERS, and Ms. PINGREE of Maine. KELLY, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. WEST- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 721: Mr. KLINE. MORELAND, Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 729: Mrs. MALONEY and Mr. WELCH. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. RIGELL, Mr. ISSA, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. H.R. 733: Mr. MCKINLEY, Mrs. DAVIS of Cali- Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. CAMP, Mr. ROE f fornia, Mr. LYNCH, and Mr. MCGOVERN. of Tennessee, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. H.R. 735: Mr. LANDRY and Mr. PLATTS. POSEY, Mr. FORBES, Mr. LATTA, and Mr. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 748: Mr. GOODLATTE. LATOURETTE. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 756: Mr. LATOURETTE. H.R. 1070: Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. were added to public bills and resolu- H.R. 763: Mr. DUFFY and Mr. BONNER. H.R. 1075: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona and Mr. H.R. 765: Mr. TIPTON. COLE. tions as follows: H.R. 773: Ms. HIRONO. H.R. 1077: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. H.R. 21: Mr. MANZULLO. H.R. 787: Mr. BACHUS, Mr. LANDRY, and Mr. H.R. 1080: Mr. COHEN. H.R. 91: Mrs. ELLMERS, Mr. GIBBS, Mrs. POSEY. H.R. 1081: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. ADAMS, and Mrs. CAPITO. H.R. 822: Mr. CRITZ, Mr. NUGENT, and Mr. BONNER, Mr. LANDRY, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. H.R. 110: Mr. LOEBSACK and Mr. DOYLE. POMPEO. RAHALL, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. H.R. 121: Mr. MCCOTTER. H.R. 826: Mrs. MYRICK. CUELLAR, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. FOXX, and Mr. H.R. 140: Mr. SCHWEIKERT and Mr. H.R. 835: Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. LUJA´ N. FORTENBERRY. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. JONES, Mrs. H.R. 1082: Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. STIVERS, and H.R. 156: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. MALONEY, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. PETRI, Ms. Mr. BACHUS. H.R. 178: Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. MAN- SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SMITH of New H.R. 1084: Mr. SMITH of Washington and Mr. ZULLO, and Mr. RAHALL. Jersey, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. KING of New York, CLEAVER. H.R. 191: Ms. DEGETTE. and Mr. CRITZ. H.R. 1086: Mr. KISSELL. H.R. 192: Mr. OLVER. H.R. 853: Mr. STARK. H.R. 1089: Mr. GRIJALVA. H.R. 198: Mr. KILDEE, Mr. GRIJALVA, and H.R. 854: Mr. POLIS, Mrs. EMERSON, Mr. H.R. 1090: Mr. DEUTCH and Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. COBLE. CALVERT, Mr. BONNER, Mr. HOLDEN, and Ms. H.R. 1093: Mr. POSEY, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, H.R. 210: Mr. FILNER, Mr. STARK, Mr. HIN- TSONGAS. Mrs. LUMMIS, and Mr. BUCHANAN. CHEY, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, H.R. 863: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. H.R. 1106: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, and Ms. H.R. 871: Mr. CICILLINE. Texas, Mr. CARNAHAN, and Ms. HIRONO. ZOE LOFGREN of California. H.R. 872: Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. H.R. 1111: Mr. STEARNS, Mr. ROSS of Flor- H.R. 219: Mr. CHABOT. BOREN, Mr. SHULER, Mr. SIRES, Mr. TIBERI, ida, and Mr. MCCLINTOCK. H.R. 258: Mr. SARBANES. Mr. LATOURETTE and Mr. AUSTRIA. H.R. 1113: Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. H.R. 276: Mr. MORAN. H.R. 881: Mr. BILBRAY and Mr. WESTMORE- SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. RUSH, Mr. FILNER, Ms. H.R. 308: Ms. BASS of California. LAND. WILSON of Florida, and Mr. GUTIERREZ. H.R. 321: Mr. FARR. H.R. 892: Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. H.R. 1118: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. H.R. 333: Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. CHANDLER, H.R. 893: Mr. RUNYAN and Mr. CRENSHAW. H.R. 1119: Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. MCKINLEY, and Mr. CARDOZA. H.R. 894: Ms. MOORE, Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. H.R. 1121: Mr. HURT and Mr. MCCOTTER. H.R. 374: Mr. BACHUS, Mr. GUTHRIE, and Mr. COHEN, Mr. FARR, and Ms. PINGREE of Maine. H.R. 1122: Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. BROWN of SAM JOHNSON of Texas. H.R. 895: Mr. OLVER. Florida, and Ms. WILSON of Florida.

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H.R. 1128: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. MANZULLO, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. SIRES, Mr. H. Res. 142: Mr. POLIS. H.R. 1142: Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. MORAN, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. BUCHANAN, H. Res. 163: Mr. GRIJALVA, and Ms. HIRONO. H.J. Res. 1: Mr. HELLER. Ms. JENKINS, Mr. NUNES, Mr. BILBRAY, and H. Con. Res. 21: Mrs. MCCARTHY of New Ms. BERKLEY. H. Res. 165: Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. WAXMAN, York, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. WALBERG, H. Res. 86: Mr. GOODLATTE. Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New Mrs. ELLMERS, Mrs. ADAMS, Mr. CRAWFORD, H. Res. 98: Mr. MCKINLEY, Mr. BUCSHON, York, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. BENISHEK, Mr. OSS OGERS Mr. R of Florida, and Mr. R of and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. FITZPATRICK, Mr. SULLIVAN, and Mr. RAHALL. Michigan. H. Con. Res. 25: Mr. LUCAS, and Mr. H. Res. 106: Mr. FORBES. H. Res. 172: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. CASSIDY. H. Res. 111: Mr. PETERSON, Mr. PAULSEN, COSTA, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. TIPTON, Ms. H. Res. 44: Mr. LATTA, and Mrs. ADAMS. Ms. FOXX, Mr. MANZULLO, and Mr. TOWNS. BERKLEY, Mr. SIRES, Mr. KEATING, Ms. WIL- H. Res. 77: Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. RI- H. Res. 130: Mr. SIRES. SON of Florida, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. GUTIERREZ, VERA, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. CICILLINE, H. Res. 137: Mr. FARR, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. and Mr. PAYNE. Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SCHOCK, Mr. PIERLUISI, MCNERNEY, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. CALVERT, Ms. SEWELL, and Mr. BOREN. H. Res. 173: Mr. JONES.

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