House Session 2011 - 12 - 14 - 11 - 59 - 51 - 13 - 02 - 35

AND ON C-SPAN3, A HEARING CONTINUES ON THE OVERSIGHT OF THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION LIVE ON C-SPAN3. AND NOW LIVE TO THE HOUSE FLOOR HERE ON C-SPAN. [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE] [CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT NATIONAL CABLE SATELLITE CORP. 2011] THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER CONROY. CHAPLAIN CONROY: LET US PRAY. GRACIOUS GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR GIVING US ANOTHER DAY. YOU HAVE BLESSED US WITH ALL GOOD GIFTS AND WE'RE -- AND WITH THANKFUL HEARTS WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE. YOU HAVE CREATED US WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR NEED TO SHARE TOGETHER IN RESPECT AND AFFECTION, AND TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE RESPONSIBILITYINGS WE WE WISH TO ACKNOWLEDGE BEFORE YOU, O GOD, THE SACRIFICE OF SO MANY AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN AND MANY ALLIES, DURING MANY YEARS OF COMMITMENTS IN IRAQ. WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED BLESSING UPON THEM AS THEY NOW LIVE INTO A FUTURE MORE SECURE BECAUSE OF THEIR EFFORTS. IN THIS MOMENT OF PRAYER, PLEASE GRANT TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS PEOPLE'S HOUSE THE GIFTS OF WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT THAT IN THEIR WORDS AND ACTIONS THEY WILL DO JUSTICE, LOVE WITH MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOU. MAY ALL THAT IS DONE THIS DAY BE FOR YOUR GREATER HONOR AND GLORY. AMEN. SBOIK THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS APPROVAL THEREOF. -- THE SPEAKER: THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND APPROVAL THEREOF. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1 THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TODAY WILL BE LED BY MR. GRAVES. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO 15 ONE-MINUTE REQUESTS ON EITHER SIDE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED HE WILL VETO THE PAYROLL FAX EXTENSION BILL PASSED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS DUE TO THE INCLUSION OF THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION. THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNS FOR JOBS BUT WILL SADLY VETO A JOBS BILL. FALL I WAS FORTUNATE TO VISIT ALBERTA, CANADA, AND SEE FIRSTHAND THE SAFEGUARDS TO DEVELOP CANADIAN OIL SANDS. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY ADVANCED PIPELINE WILL CREATE AT LEAST 120,000 NEW AMERICAN JOBS WITHOUT COSTING TAXPAYERS A DIME AND WILL STIMULATE OUR ECONOMY. WALTER C. JONES IN "THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE" REPORTED THAT REFINED OIL PRODUCTS WITH NO PIPELINE WILL BE DENIED TO SOUTH CAROLINIANS AT A NORTH AUGUSTA TERMINAL. WITH A RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OVER 8% OVER 34 MONTHS AND AMERICANS LOOKING FOR JOBS, IT'S VERY SAD THE PRESIDENT WOULD VETO LEGISLATION CREATING JOBS. IN CONCLUSION, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 11 AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND I RISE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM. IT WAS CREATED TO DEVELOP CAPABILITIES TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO ATTACKS AND CATASTROPHES IN OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIES. IT HAS DEVELOPED JOINT INITIATIVES AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN MY COMMUNITY OF BUFFALO-NIAGARA. THE CAPABILITY GAINS DEVELOPED ACROSS THE COUNTRY. YET, DRASTIC -- RECENT DRASTIC COUNTRIES IN THE FUNDING HAVE RESULTED IN THE ELIMINATION OF 32 OF THE 64 URBAN AREAS FROM THE PROGRAM. THAT PUTS THE PREPAREDNESS AND CAPABILITY GAINS WE'VE ACHIEVED AT RISK. IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS PROBLEM, THIS WEEK I FORMED THE PRESERVING THE UE WASY CAUCUS -- UE BECAUSEY CAUCUS. AND THE CAPABILITIES GAINED THAT WAS DROPPED FROM THE MY COLLEAGUES WHO REPRESENT THESE COMMUNITIES TO JOIN OUR CAUCUS SO WE CAN PROTECT OUR CAPABILITY GAINS PROPERLY SECURED. TIME. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE? ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, SOME LABOR. OTHERS WORRY ABOUT BIG BUSINESS. BUT WHAT REALLY SCARES MOST AMERICANS IS THE MASSIVE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SNOOPING AROUND, MEDDLING AND CONTROLLING EVERY ASPECT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. ACCORDING TO A GALLUP POLL RELEASED THIS WEEK, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, 64% OF THOSE SURVEYED, THINK THAT BIG GOVERNMENT WILL BE THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE. IT'S WORTH NOTING ABOUT HALF OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED WERE DEMOCRATS THAT AGREED THAT BIG GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM. NO SURPRISE. WHEN I MEET WITH MY NEIGHBORS IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS THEIR MESSAGE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CLEAR. BACK OFF. STOP SADDLING EXPENSIVE JOB-KILLING AND UNNECESSARY REGULATIONS TO BUSINESSES. THE MERE PHRASE, I'M FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND I'M HERE TO HELP YOU, BRINGS FEAR AND TRENDATION INTO THE HEARTS AND SOULS OF -- TREPIDATION INTO THE HEARTS AND SOULS OF FRUITED PLAIN. THE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE TO CONTROL GOVERNMENT, NOT THE OTHER WAY GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT RUN ROUGH SHOT OVER OUR -- ROUGH SHOCK OVER OUR PERSONAL LIBERTY. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. GENTLEMAN RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, DURING THIS SEASON OF GIVING WHEN OUR NATION SHOULD BE REFLECTING ON THE NEEDS OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO ARE OUT OF WORK STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES, THIS CHAMBER YESTERDAY CUT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR OVER ONE MILLION OF OUR CITIZENS. IT IS PROVIDED UP TO 99 WEEKS IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR OWN. IF THIS LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW, THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT WILL FALL ABOUT 40 WEEKS. THIS LEGS WOULD ALSO ALLOW STATES, MANY OF WHICH IS STRUGGLING TO BALANCE THEIR I'M STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ANY REDUCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE KEYSTONE X.L. PIPELINE. IT MAKES BOTH ENERGY AND ECONOMIC SENSE TO OUR COUNTRY AND I HOPE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL FIND A WAY TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMMENCE IN SOME STATES WHILE STILL REVISITING THE ROOT IN NEBRASKA. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF OVER 13 MILLION AMERICANS LOOKING FOR WORK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND PASS A CLEAN EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MINUTE. SPEAKER. I RISE TO GIVE THANKS TODAY TO MY HOUSE COLLEAGUES WHO YESTERDAY IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION MOVED TO START SFRUX ON THE KEYSTONE X.L. PIPELINE BECAUSE THIS IS TRULY A SHOVEL-READY PROJECT THAT WILL PROVIDE GOOD JOBS AND SECURE ENERGY FOR AMERICANS. THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE WILL CREATE NEARLY 100,000 PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS COMPLETED. 20,000 JOBS IMMEDIATELY. THIS PIPELINE WILL PUMP 700,000 GALLONS OF CRUDE OIL A DAY FROM OUR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR, CANADA. A GOOD, RELIABLE AND SECURE SUPPLY OF OIL. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THE PATH FOR THE PIPELINE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. THE ONLY THING STANDING IN THE WAY IS POLITICS. PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS POSTPONED HIS DECISION ON WHETHER THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN BUILD THIS PIPELINE UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION. IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH AFTER THE ELECTION, SURELY IT'S GOOD ENOUGH TODAY. GOOD JOBS, SECURE ENERGY, NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS, IT'S A NO-BRAINER. GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO MINUTE. THE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY THE MAJORITY UNWISELY GAMBLED WITH ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE MIDDLE CLASS. THEY VOTED ON LEGISLATION THAT WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL. FULLY KNOWING IT WOULD BE DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE SENATE AND THE VETO BY THE PRESIDENT. BY TYING THE PAYROLL TAX TO UNRELATED POLICIES, THE MAJORITY IS PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME THAT COULD HURT -- DANGEROUS GAME THAT COULD RESULT IN TAX HIKES FOR 160 MILLION WORKERS. MOREOVER, ATTACHING THE MEDICARE DOC FIX TO THE SAME DIVISIVE POLICY, THEY HAVE ENDANGERED SENIORS' ACCESS TO WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE PAYROLL HOLIDAY. WE SHOULD NOT DO THAT AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC HEALTH. IF WE FAIL TO PASS A CLEAN EXTENSION OF THE PAYROLL TAX CUT HOLIDAY, OUR ECONOMY WILL LOSE $30 BILLION, THE UNEMPLOYED WILL LOSE MUCH-NEEDED ASSISTANCE. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PAY A GAME. WE MUST CONTINUE ASSISTING THE UNEMPLOYED. I YIELD BACK . THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. AS MY COLLEAGUE FROM WEST GEORGIA, CONGRESSMAN GRAVES, JUST SAID, I STAND BEFORE YOU NOW TO EMPLOY SENATE DEMOCRATS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA FOLLOW SUIT AND SUPPORT THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE PROJECT. THE PIPELINE, WHICH HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS BY THIS ADMINISTRATION, WOULD BE A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND JOB CREATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PIPELINE WOULD TRANSPORT 1.4 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PER DAY FROM CANADA DOWN TO THE GULF COAST REFINERIES, DRASTICALLY REDUCING OUR RELIANCE ON MIDDLE EAST IMPORTS AND CREATE, YES, MORE THAN 100,000 JOBS NATIONWIDE. THIS DOES INCLUDE GEORGIA WHERE KEYSTONE FUEL WILL BE SHIPPED BY EXISTING PIPELINES THROUGH TERMINALS IN ATLANTA, ROME, AUGUSTA, ATHENS AS WELL AS TO OTHER EAST COAST CUSTOMERS. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW, MR. SPEAKER. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ALLOW PRODUCTION TO BEGIN. AND I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO HONOR AN EXTRAORDINARY AMERICAN, FISHING CAPTAIN JAMES HENRY FROM MYSTIC TOWN, HE WROTE HIS FIRST BOOK AT THE AGE OF 98. WHAT'S EVEN MORE EXTRAORDINARY CAPTAIN HENRY WAS ILLIT RATE UNTIL THE AGE OF 91 BUT AFTER LEARNING THE STORY OF A YOUNG SLAVE WHO TAUGHT HIMSELF TO READ AND WRITE AT THE AGE OF 98 HE BEGAN HIS JOURNEY TO LITERACY. LITERACY VOLUNTEER FROM EASTERN CONNECTICUT, MARK HOLGREN, HELPED HIM EDIT HIS BOOK. IN A FISHERMAN'S LANGUAGE, HE WEEFED TOGETHER THE LIFE OF THIS LOBSTERMAN, SHARING HIS STORIES FROM LIFE ON HIS GRANDFATHER'S FARM IN PORTUGAL, HIS WORKS ON THE BOATS, A MEMBER OF THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD, A PROFESSIONAL BOXER AND ELECTRIC FISH BOAT SHIP YARD, HE SOLD THE ORIGINAL 750 COPIES IN A FEW WEEKS, HE'S BEEN CONTACTED BY OTHERS WHO WANT TO SHARE HIS STORY WITH IT'S A JOURNEY FROM BEING UNABLE TO READ AND WRITE AND BEING A SOURCE OF -- I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO READ THIS AMAZING BOOK AND SALUTE CAPTAIN HENRY FOR HIS AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR JOB CREATION. THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION HAS TRIED TO DOWNPLAY THE EFFECT NEW REGULATIONS WILL HAVE ON COMPANIES STRUGGLING IN THE WEAK ECONOMY. TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" DOCUMENTS EFFORTS OF THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE ON INFORMATION AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS TO MUDDY THE WATERS ABOUT REGULATIONS. THE OFFICIAL OBAMA ADMINISTRATION COMPILATION OF REGULATION IGNORES SIGNIFICANT INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD COMMISSION. YET, THE NUMBER OF ECONOMICALLY SIGNIFICANT RULES AT ALL STAGES HIGH. VAST SECTIONS OF INDUSTRY ARE WAITING TO HEAR HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL CHANGE THE WAY THEY HAVE TO DO BUSINESS. HOW ON EARTH CAN WE EXPECT THEM TO HIRE NEW WORKERS WHEN THEY CAN'T PLAN WITH THIS REGULATORY UNCERTAINTY? THE ADMINISTRATION CAN TRY TO MANIPULATE THE NUMBERS BUT THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT THE FEDERAL REGULATORY JAGGER KNOTT IS HOLDING BACK -- JUGGER NOT IS HOLDING BACK JOB GROWTH. I YIELD BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. TALKING ABOUT DEBT AND DEFICIT FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HERE WE WILL ADD NEARLY $200 BILLION TO THE DEFICIT. WE ARE GOING TO USE A BUNCH OF PAY-FORS THAT WE WILL SET ASIDE FOR THE DEFICIT. THIS IS PLOAST DISINGENUOUS GROUP OF FOLKS WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. WE ARE WILLING TO PASS ANOTHER PAYROLL TAX CUT THAT ADDS TO THE DIFFICULTY OF FUNDING OUR SYSTEM. OH, NO. WE ARE GOING TO ISSUE SOME I DON'T THINK THERE IS A SINGLE AMERICAN OUT THERE THAT BELIEVES ANOTHER I.O.U. IS A GOOD THING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. WE HAVE GOT TO STOP BORROWING AGAINST OUR SOCIAL SECURITY. NOT ONLY THAT, THE PAYROLL TAX, YOU GET ONLY 60 CENTS BACK FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU INVEST. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD INVESTMENT. PRESIDENT BUSH TRIED THAT IN 2008 AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN CONSUMPTION. WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS FOCUSING ON UNEMPLOYMENT WHERE YOU GET $1.60 BRACK IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU PUT IN, JUST LIKE THE PRESIDENT ASKED FOR. AND WE SHOULD HAVE A MORE ROBUST DOC FIX THAT MAKES SURE SENIORS AND DOCTORS GET PAID WHAT THEY NEED TO KEEP MEDICARE SOLVENT AND I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. PASSED H.R. 12 A 58. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE NOT TAKEN FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND TO PAY FOR THIS RELIEF. MOST PORNLY, THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES A MEASURE TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF MORE THAN 100,000 NEW AMERICAN JOBS BY EXPEDITING THE CREATION OF THE KEYSTONE X.L. ENERGY PIPELINE. THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE GIFT OF JOBS AND TAX RELIEF THAT THEY NEED WITH WITHOUT SPENDING MORE MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE. IT IS TIME FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA TO LIVE UP TO HIS OWN RHETORIC OF WE CAN'T WAIT AN PUT PARTISAN POLITICS ASIDE AND GET I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. WHEN A GOVERNMENT COMPROMISES THE RIGHT TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE, THE RIGHT OF EXPRESSION AND THE RIGHT OF INDEPENDENT THOUGHT, THE PEOPLE OF SUCH A COUNTRY ARE NOT FULLY FREE. WHEN THEY TAKE THE PROPERTY OF SIT ZEPPS WITHOUT DUE COMPENSATION AND PROCESS OF LAW THE PEOPLE ARE NOT FREE. AND WHEN A GOVERNMENT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST CITIZENS ON THE BASIS OF RELIGION, FREEDOM IS DENIED. WHILE TURKEY HAS TAKEN SOME STEPS TOWARD FREEDOM, IT IS NOT A MEASURE OF -- A MATTER OF HALF MEASURES. THEY MUST ZEALOUSLY DEFEND THE FREEDOM OF ALL ITS CITIZENS. I URGE THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO SAFEGUARD ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND RETURN CONFISCATED CHURCH PROPERTIES. I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. FRUP DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE? I RISE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. THE MINUTE. I RISE TODAY TO IMPLORE MY COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENT, IT'S TIME TO STAND WITH THE AMERICAN WORKER. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING 20,000 JOBS AS WE APPROVE THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE, COMING FROM ALBERTA, CANADA, TO THE GULF SHORE. BUT CANADA IS A LEADING SOURCE OF OUR OIL. THEY PRODUCE MORE OIL THAN SAUDI ARABIA. MICHIGAN IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT PARTNERSHIP. ENBRIDGE, WHICH IS A COMPETITOR TO TRANSCANADA, IS LOOKING AT INCREASING ITS CAPACITY AND EXTENDING ITS PIPELINE. MARATHON REFINERIES LOOKING TO EXPAND THE PIPELINE TO HANDLE CANADIAN CRUDES. ZERO TAXPAYER DOLLARS WILL BE USED FOR THIS. IT PILL PUT THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN WORKERS BACK TO WORK AT A CRITICAL TIME. THE OIL WILL BE EXTRACTED, THE QUESTION IS WHERE WILL IT GO? WILL IT BE SHIPPED TO THE UNITED STATES OR GO TO ASIA TO HELP FUND THE ENGINE TO COMPETE IT'S TIME TO STAND WITH THE AMERICAN WORKER, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE MINORITY LEADER RISE? I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. THE PRESIDENT IS AT FORT BRAGG THANKING OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM FOR THEIR SERVICE, AND FOR THE SACRIFICES THEY HAVE BEEN WILLING TO MAKE TO KEEP US THE HOME OF THE BRAVE AND LAND OF THE FREE. AMERICA'S BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ASKED OF THEM -- ASKED OF THEM. THEY HAVE PERFORMED WITH VALOR, DEDICATION, TAI PAIS TROTISM AND A DEDICATION TO DUTY. IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR TROOPS AND THE LEDER SHIP OF PRESIDENT OBAMA THAT THIS MONTH WE ARE ABLE TO SAY THE WAR IN IRAQ IS OVER, OUR TROOPS ARE COMING HOME, COMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES. AS WE THANK OUR TROOPS, WE THANK THE MEN AND -- THE FAMILIES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM FOR THE SACRIFICES THEY HAVE BEEN WILLING TO MAKE FOR OUR COUNTRY. PRESIDENT OBAMA PROMISED TO END THE WAR RESPONSIBLY, PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT. WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE, 150,000 TROOPS WERE DEPLOYED IN IRAQ THIS MONTH, OUR TROOP PRESENCE WILL WIND DOWN TO JUST AROUND A FEW THOUSAND. IN WINDING DOWN THE WAR, THE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. AS WE MARK THE END OF THE WAR, WE HONOR THE NEARLY 4,500 AMERICANS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN IRAQ. TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE HAVE BEEN WOUNDED. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO WERE LOST IN THE -- WERE LOST AN THE -- AND WE WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. I'M FROM BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. WHEN THEY BUILT THE STADIUM THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF WHAT TO CALL IT AN THE UNANIMOUS DECISION WAS MEMORIAL STADIUM. GENERAL PERSHING SAID, AND IT WAS ENGRAVED ON BALTIMORE MEMORIAL STADIUM, TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS. TIME WILL NOT INDEED DIM THE GLOR OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED IN IRAQ. I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD TO HAVE PRESIDED OVER FOUR YEARS OF A CONGRESS THAT MADE MORE PROGRESS FOR OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES THAN MADE SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ORIGINAL G.I. BILL IN 1944 BUT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE. ON THE BATTLEFIELD, OUR TROOPS -- ON THE BATTLEFIELD, THE MILITARY SAYS WE WILL LEAVE NO SOLDIER BEHIND. AND WHEN THEY COME HOME, WE PROMISE, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WORKING TOGETHER VETERAN BEHIND. OVER A MILLION OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM SERVE SERVED WE MUST HONOR THEIR SERVICE WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND THE BENEFITS THEY DESERVE. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS IS NOT WHILE THEY SERVE, OR EVEN FOR LIFE. IT IS A COMMITMENT FOREVER. TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE MUST BUILD A FUTURE WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE. AS THE WAR IN IRAQ COMES TO AN END, WE EXPRESS OUR ENORMOUS GRATITUDE TO THESE WHO HAVE SERVED AND BECAUSE OF THEM, WE EXPRESS OUR GREAT OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE? I RISE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE REDUCTION ACT AND I THANK THE THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT IRAN FOSES A THREAT TO OUR NATION, OUR INTERESTS, AND OUR ALLIES. IN THE WAKE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC AGENCY REPORT, IT'S CLEAR THAT THE YATES MUST TAKE SWIFT ACTION TO PROACTIVELY ENFORCE POLICIES THAT WILL NOT ONLY DETER BUT DISENGAGE THE IRANIAN REGIME FROM ITS HOSTILE NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION PROGRAM. THIS WILL TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION BY TAKING AIM AT ITS PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING, ITS ENERGY SECTOR, ADDING MORE SANCTIONS, INCLUDING A PROVISION TO -- ON THOSE WHO CONDUCT PETROLEUM INDUSTRY IN IRAN. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND TIME. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND RISE? UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. MILLIONS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. BUT RATHER THAN STANDING UP AND HELPING STRUGGLING AMERICANS THIS CHAMBER ADVANCED A BILL DOOMED TO FAIL BECAUSE OF THE UNRELATED AND CONTROVERSIAL RIDERS THAT WERE ATTACHED. ACCORDING TO THE RHODE ISLAND STATE DIRECTOR OF LABOR, FOR EVERY TWO PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME POSITIONS IN RHODE ISLAND, THERE ARE SEVEN APPLICANTS. THERE'S AN URGENT NEED FOR CONGRESS TO EXTEND FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION. IN MY STATE WITH A TOAL OF 50,000 UNEMPLOYED RHODE ISLANDERS, THIS PROVIDES A LIFELINE TO STRUGGLING INDIVIDUALS, HELPING THEM PAY THEIR MORTGAGE AND UTILITIES AND PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. FAMILIES LIKE BETSY IN RHODE ISLAND WHO SUPPORTS HER DISABLED HUSBAND AND SEVERELY DISABLED SON BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE ENDS MEET WHILE CONTINUING TO LOOK FOR WORK IF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS NOT EXTENDED. IT'S TIME TO STOP PLAYING PARTISAN GAMES AND STAND UP FOR BETSY AN EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS NOW. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED ONE MINUTE. ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENT BRIAN TERRY LOST HIS LIFE HE SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN THE U.S. MARINE CORE, THEN AS A -- MARINE CORPS THEN AS A POLICE OFFICER. HE WAS OFFERED A JOB IN THE BORDER PATROL, A JOB HE'D DREAMED OF HE LOST HIS LIFE IN A SHOOT OUT WITH ARMED THUGS. HIS SISTER MICHELLE TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, QUOTE, HIS FEDERAL AGENT. I WANT TO BE A COP, I WANT TO GET THE BAD GUYS, IT WAS HIS LIFE HE SAID IT WAS DANGEROUS BUT HE LOVED WHAT HE DID AND WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. MR. SPEAKER WE'LL NEVER FORGET AGENT TERRY AND THE SACRIFICE HE MADE. WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP HIS PRAYERS. I YIELD BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION THE ONE MINUTE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AS WE HEAR FROM MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSE EVERY DAY, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE REFRESHING TO BRING THE PEOPLE'S VOICE DIRECTLY TO FLOOR. SO I ASKED MY CONSTITUENTS TO SEND ME THEIR THOUGHTS I COULD DELIVER AS A ONE-MINUTE SPEECH, THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SUE SAB SIGMUND OF SAN DIEGO WHO SENT ME THIS ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO BE REVIEWED BY THE SUPREME COURT. BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU, I WANTED TO MAKE THESE 60 SECONDS WITTY, TIMELY AND RELEVANT TO ALL, BUT HAVING FAILED THAT, SHE WROTE, I'LL TELL YOU MY CONCERN. IT'S THE FUTURE OF THE HEALTH THE SUPREME COURT COULD STRIKE IT DOWN NEXT YEAR. I HAVE A PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITION, SHE WROTE, AND I WILL DIE IN ABOUT THREE YEARS UNLESS I'M ABLE TO PIE A HEALTH I'M SURE I AM ONE OF MANY FACING THIS BLEAK POSSIBILITY. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, SHE WROTE IF THE MANDATE SECTION REQUIRING A POLICY GOES SO GOES THE PROVISION BARRING PRE-EXISTING CONDITION DISCRIMINATION. SO IF THE TIME COMES, PLEASE DO THE HONORABLE THING AND VOTE TO ALLOW YOUR CONSTITUENTS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS TO BUY HEALTH CARE INSURANCE. THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO THANK SUSAN SIGMUND FOR BRINGING TO THE HOUSE HER THOUGHTS ON THANK YOU. THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. YESTERDAY, MEMBER OS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS INTRODUCED AN IMPORTANT BILL, THE REBUILD AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE 99% ACT. THIS BILL, THIS IMPORTANT REBUILD THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE 99% ACT, WOULD CREATE FIVE JOBS, MR. SPEAKER, OVER TWO YEARS AND CUT THE DEFICIT BY $2 TRILLION OVER 10 YEARS. THE REBUILD THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE 99% ACT CREATES DIRECT HIRE PROGRAMS TO PUT AMERICANS BACK TO WORK, PROVIDES GRANTS FOR ON THE JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, INVESTS $50 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, CREATES A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE BANK, IMPROVES BUY AMERICA PROVISIONS, ENDS THE PRACTICE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY MANIPULATION, PROTECTS WOUNDED VETERANS FROM JOB DISCRIMINATION, EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE INCLUDING FOR PEOPLE AT 99 WEEKS. SUPPORTS THE EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUND TO HELP STATES PAY FOR THE COST OF HIRING UNEMPLOYED WORKERS. WE CAN DO THESE THINGS, THE REBUILD THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT FOR THE 99% ACT DOES IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, IN THE CALAMITY OF NEWS REPORTS PROLIFERATING ACROSS AMERICA REGARDING THE EPIDEMIC PROPORTION OF CHILD *** ABUSE, I INTRODUCE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CHILD *** ABUSE, H.R. 3650, I CAN MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME FOR A NATIONAL STATEMENT OF JAB HORING AND STANDING AGAINST THE ABECAUSE OF OUR CHILDREN. FOR A MUCH MORE HAPPIER TOPIC, I THANK OUR LEADER FOR HER COMMENTS ON OUR RETURNING TROOPS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO INTROTUSING H.RES. A RESOLUTION THANKING AND CONGRATULATING OUR RETURNING TROOPS AND AS WELL HAVING A DAY OR TWO DAYS WHICH OUR MEMBERS WILL JOIN ME IN WEARING A YELLOW RIBBON AND AS WELL COMMEMORATING THE RETURN OF OUR WONDERFUL TROOPS AND THANKING THEIR FAMILIES FROM WHEREVER THEY HAVE COME FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WHAT GREATER GIFT THAN THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE FRONTLINES TO HONOR US BY THEIR SEASON. OUR MESSAGE SHOULD BE NO SILENT STATE, NO SILENT NEIGHBORHOODS, NO SILENT COMMUNITY IN REFERENCE TO HONORING THEM AS THEY COME HOMISM YIELD BACK. THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE -- WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE ONE MINUTE. THE BILL EXTENDS SOME UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR SOME JOBLESS AMERICANS AND CUTS MONTHS OFF BENEFITS FOR OTHERS AND MAKES ALL UNEMPLOYED JUMP THROUGH DEMEANING HOOPS TO GET ANY. AND IN ORDER TO GIVE A MIDDLE-CLASS STAY ROLL TAX CUT THEY ASK SENIORS TO PAY MORE FOR MEDICARE BUT DOESN'T ASK MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES TO PAY ANYTHING. AND IT DOES NOT LET THE E.P.A. TO REGULATING DANGEROUS TOXINS AND IT THREATS THE PUBLIC HEALTH BY CUTTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH FUND. THIS IS A POLITICAL STATEMENT, NOT A SERIOUS PROPOSAL. AND WHAT A STATEMENT TO MAKE. MORE SUPPORT FOR DIRTY AIR AND WATER, INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR MIDDLE-INCOME PEOPLE AND LESS HELP FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO FIND JOBS. AND I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE? THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MY REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO A VETERAN PROGRAM AT THE VETERANS' HOSPITAL IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON IT'S APPROPRIATE TO GIVE THANKS. OF THE MILITARY FOLLOW THE SACRED OATH OF LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND. THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT EVERY VETERAN KNOWS THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN IN THEIR REMAINING MEN AND WOMEN, SOME WHO WORK AT THE HOSPITAL, VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO WORE THE UNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. THIS INNOVATIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM HELPS OUR VETERANS' HOSPICE PATIENTS SPEND THEIR WARMTH. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, MAY WE SEEK TO LEAVE LIDSE AS COMPASSIONATE AS THE NO VETERAN DIES ALONE PRANLED THE VOLUNTEERS WHO SELFLESSLY SERVE TIME . THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME . FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON RISE? I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I URGE SUPPORT OF THE PRIMARY CARE ACT. THIS BILL, WHICH I INTRODUCED WITH MR. THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA, ENSURES THAT RURAL AREAS WILL HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO DOCTORS AND HEALTH CARE THAT WE VALUE AS AMERICANS WILL CONTINUE. RIGHT NOW SOME AREAS OF WASHINGTON STATE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DOCTORS BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ENOUGH FUNDING FOR THEIR RESIDENCY. OTHER AREAS LIKE GARFIELD COUNTY SIMPLY HAVE NO DOCTORS AT ALL. AS CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL HEALTH CAUCUS I CAN TELL YOU THIS LEGISLATION DIRECTLY HELPS BY BRINGING MORE PHYSICIANS TO PLACES LIKE EASTERN WASHINGTON BY PROVIDING CREATIVE AVENUES FOR FUNDING OUR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION. IT ALSO HELPS SOLVE THE LONGER TERM PROBLEM OF TOO FEW DOCTORS IN RURAL AREAS BECAUSE STUDIES SHOW WHEN SOMEONE DOES THEIR RESIDENCY IN THE RURAL AREAS WORKS IN THE RURAL AREAS. I URGE SUPPORT OF THIS LEGISLATION AND I THANK MR. THOMPSON FOR INTRODUCING IT WITH ME AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN RELUCTANT OPPOSITION TO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2012 WHICH WE'LL BE VOTING ON TODAY. THE BILL DOES INCLUDE PROVISIONS THAT ARE VITAL TO OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT PRESENTS A FALSE CHOICE BETWEEN OUR SAFETY AND OUR VALUES. SECTION 1021 WOULD AUTHORIZE THE INDEFINITE MILITARY DETENTION OF ALL TERRORISM SUSPECTS, ALLOWS THE UNITED STATES TO OBTAIN AN INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT CHARGE OR TRIAL DURING THIS ENDLESS WAR ON TERRORISM UNDERMINES OUR MOST DEFINING PRINCIPLES AS A NATION OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. MR. CHAIRMAN, OUR CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES CAPABLE OF APPREHENDING, INTERROGATING AND PROSECUTING TERRORISM SUSPECTS. IN FACT, CIVILIAN COURTS HAVE OVERSEA THE SUCCESSFUL TERRORISTS. THE MILITARY COURTS, ONLY SIX. THIS CONGRESS SHOULD NOT IMPOSE THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES UPON OUR TROOPS. IT IS UN-AMERICAN AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WE SHOULD REJECT THE FALSE CHOICE BETWEEN OUR SHORT-TERM SECURITY AND OUR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL AS THE LEADER OF THE THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT RISE? TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE IRAN THREAT REDUCTION ACT. MR. SPEAKER, I BELIEVE IN DIALOGUE, AND I VERY MUCH BELIEVE IN DIPLOMACY. BUT DESPITE AN UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN HIS SPEECH TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE FOR OUTRAGE -- FOR OUTREACH, THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT WAS UNRECIPROCAL IN ANY KIND OF RESPONSE AND INSTEAD WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THEY ARE PURSUING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS FULL SPEED AHEAD. LAST MONTH THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY ADMINISTRATION CONFIRMED THEIR EFFORTS WITH DETAILED EFFORTS BY THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE THE SKILL NEEDED TO WEAPONIZE HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY HAVE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH HEZBOLLAH WHICH CONTINUES TO CONDONE VIOLENCE AS A POLITICAL TACTIC. IN IRAN -- AND IRAN IS CONTINUING TO BE THE SUPPORT FOR THE BRUTAL CRACKDOWN BY THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS OF ITS PEOPLE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE IRAN REDUCTION ACT. I YIELD BACK. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RISE? THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. COMMITTEE ON RULES, I CALL UP HOUSE RESOLUTION 493 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. THE RESOLUTION. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 100, HOUSE RESOLUTION 493. RESOLVED, THAT UPON ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION IT SHALL BE IN CONFERENCE REPORT TO ACCOMPANY THE BILL H.R. 1540, TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012 FOR MILITARY ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR DEFENSE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, TO PRESCRIBE MILITARY PERSONNEL STRENGTHS FOR SUCH PURPOSES. ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE CONFERENCE REPORT AND AGAINST CONSIDERATION ARE WAIVED. THE CONFERENCE REPORT SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ. THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE CONFERENCE REPORT TO ITS ADOPTION WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION EXCEPT ONE, ONE HOUR OF DEBATE, AND TWO, ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT IF APPLICABLE. SECTION 2, IT SHALL BE IN ORDER AT ANY TIME THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 112TH CONGRESS FOR THE SPEAKER TO ENTERTAIN MOTIONS THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES, AS THOUGH UNDER CLAUSE 1-C OF RULE 15, IF THE TEXT OF THE MEASURE PROPOSED IN A MOTION IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS, DELEGATES, AND THE RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, INCLUDING PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 3 OF RULE 29, ON THE CALENDAR DAY SECTION 3, ON ANY LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 112TH CONGRESS AFTER DECEMBER 16, 2011, A, THE JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PREVIOUS DAY SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS APPROVED, B, THE CHAIR MAY AT ANY TIME DECLARE THE HOUSE ADJOURNED TO MEET AT A DATE AND TIME, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF CLAUSE 4, SECTION 5, ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION, TO BE ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIR IN DECLARING THE ADJOURNMENT, AND C, BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED DURING THE PERIOD ADDRESSED BY THIS SECTION SHALL BE NUMBERED, LISTED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, AND WHEN PRINTED SHALL BEAR THEDATE OF INTRODUCTION, BUT MAY BE REFERRED BY THE SPEAKER AT A LATER TIME. SECTION 4, ON ANY LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE 112TH CONGRESS BEFORE JANUARY 17, 2012, A, THE SPEAKER MAY DISPENSE WITH ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS, B, THE JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PREVIOUS DAY SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS APPROVED IF APPLICABLE, AND C, THE CHAIR AT ANY TIME MAY DECLARE THE HOUSE ADJOURNED TO MEET AT A LIMITS OF CLAUSE 4, SECTION 5, ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION, TO BE ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIR IN DECLARING THE ADJOURNMENT. SECTION 5, THE SPEAKER MAY APPOINT MEMBERS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE CHAIR FOR THE DURATION OF THE PERIOD ADDRESSED BY SECTIONS 3 AND 4 AS THOUGH UNDER CLAUSE 8-A OF RULE 1. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR. SPEAKER. FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. HASTINGS, PENDING WHICH I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. DURING THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS RESOLUTION, ALL TIME YIELDED IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY. AND I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS. WITHOUT OBJECTION. THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES A STANDARD CONFERENCE REPORT AND OTHER HOUSEKEEPING PROVISIONS. H.R. 1540, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE ACT FOR 2012, HAS BEEN CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE, DEBATED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR. IT INCLUDED 152 AMENDMENTS AND THAT WAS DONE IN MAY WITH AN OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN MAJORITY, WENT TO THE SENATE AND NOW WE BRING TO YOU TODAY A BIPARTISAN CONFERENCE REPORT. I HAVE TO COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. MCKEON, AS WELL AS THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON, MR. SMITH, FOR HAVING MUTUAL COOPERATION IN THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE AND THIS PARTICULAR BILL. THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHEN CONGRESS HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING SOMEWHAT CONTENTIOUS AND PARTISAN, SOMETIMES DESERVINGLY SO. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE MYSELF FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THEY CLEARLY UNDERSTAND ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES A COMMON DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY AND THAT IN THAT PARTICULAR COMMITTEE PARTISANSHIP REALLY HAS BEEN CHECKED AT THE DOOR REGARDING THE PRODUCT OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE WHICH IS THIS ANNUAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL. IN ESSENCE, I THINK THE PROCESS HAS BEEN GOOD. THE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN GOOD AND IT HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT WE ARE BRINGING HERE TO THE FLOOR READY TO PASS IN ITS FINAL VERSION FROM THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT UNDERLYING ISSUES I THINK WE WILL TALK ABOUT DURING THE COURSE OF ITS DISCUSSION ON THE RULE AND PERHAPS THE BILL AS WELL THAT THOSE THINGS I THINK WILL BE HANDLED AS THEY APPEAR AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME. AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I AM GOING TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM, MR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. AND I THANK MY FRIEND FROM UTAH FOR YIELDING THE TIME. MR. SPEAKER, IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 10 YEARS SINCE THE ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11. WE FOUGHT TWO WARS AND ENGAGED IN MILITARY ACTION IN NUMEROUS OTHER COUNTRIES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND MANY MORE HAVE BEEN WOUNDED. WE'VE SPENT MORE THAN $1 TRILLION. OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS HAVE DECLARED THAT AL QAEDA IS OPERATIONALLY INEFFECTIVE. HERE AT HOME WE'VE REFORMED OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, COMPROMISED OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES, SPENT BILLIONS ON A SURVEILLANCE STATE AND CREATED A CULTURE OF PARANOIA IN WHICH EVEN IN THE LAST FEW DAYS A REALITY TV SHOW ABOUT MUSLIM AMERICANS IS SUBJECTED TO A CAMPAIGN OF HATE AND INTOLERANCE. BEFORE PROCEEDING, LET ME COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN AND THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE RELEVANT COMMITTEE OF JURISDICTION THAT PUT THIS PACKAGE TOGETHER. I'M FUNDAMENTALLY OPPOSED TO MANIES A PECKS OF IT, BUT I AM -- MANY ASPECTS OF IT BUT I AM IN TREMENDOUS AGREEMENT WITH THEIR BIPARTISAN EFFORTS AND THE STAFFS OF BOTH OF THEM AND THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR PUTTING FORTH THE EFFORT TO BRING US TO THIS POINT OF DISCUSSION. WE SHOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AT THIS MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY TO SERIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY DELIBERATE OUR NATION'S COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER WHICH POLICIES ARE EFFECTIVE AND WHICH IN THE END ONLY CREATE MORE ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER WHICH POLICIES ALIGN WITH OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND WHICH INSTEAD UNDERMINE THEM. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER WHETHER WE SHOULD CONTINUE USING THE FULL THRUST OF THE UNITED STATES IN COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY OR RATHER A MORE NUANCED APPROACH MIGHT BETTER SERVE OUR NEEDS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEGISLATION BEFORE US DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. INSTEAD IT COMMITS US TO DIVE EVEN FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD OF FEAR. IT COMMITS US TO MORE WAR AND MORE WASTEFUL SPENDING AND IT COMMITS US TO CEDING OUR FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES ON THE MERE SUSPICION OF WRONGDOING. THIS LEGISLATION ERODES OUR SOCIETY AND OUR NATIONAL SECURITY BY MILITARIZING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND EMPOWERING THE PRESIDENT TO DETAIN ANYONE IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING AMERICAN CITIZENS, WITHOUT CHARGE OR TRIAL, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. IF THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THE DIRECTION OF OUR COUNTRY, MR. SPEAKER, WE DON'T NEED A DEMOCRATIC PARTY OR REPUBLICAN PARTY OR OCCUPY WALL STREET PARTY OR TEA PARTY. WE NEED A MAYFLOWER PARTY. IF WE ARE GOING TO UNDERMINE THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, WE MIGHT AS WELL SALE AWAY TO SOMEPLACE ELSE. THIS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES AN AUTHORITY FOR OPEN ENDED WAR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND AGAINST ANYONE. IT COMMITS US TO SEEING A TERRORIST IN ANYONE WHO EVER CRITICIZES THE UNITED STATES IN ONE. THE LACK OF DEFINITIONS AS TO WHAT CONSTITUTES SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT AND ASSOCIATED FORCES OF AL QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN THAT ANYONE COULD BE ACCUSED OF TERRORISM. CONGRESS HAS NOT TRIED TO CURTAIL CIVIL LIBERTIES LIKE THIS SINCE THE MCCARTHY ERA. HERE WE ARE TODAY, TRYING TO RETURN TO AN ERA OF ARBITRARY JUSTICE, WITCH HUNTS, AND FEAR MONGERING. WHILE THIS MEASURE INCLUDES AN EXEMPTION FOR UNITED STATES CITIZENS, IT DOES NOT PROTECT THEM FROM INDEFINITE DETENTION. IN ONE FELL SWOOP, WE'RE SETTING UP A SITUATION WHERE AMERICAN CITIZENS COULD HAVE THEIR FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, AND EIGHTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS VIOLATED ON MERE SUSPICIONS. AND BY PLACING SUSPECTED TERRORISTS SOLELY IN THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY, THESE PROVISIONS DENY CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND CIVILIAN COURTS HAVE PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THEY ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF HANDLING COUNTERTERRORISM CASES. I HAD THE DISTINCTION PRIVILEGE IN THIS COUNTRY OF SERVING AS A FEDERAL JUDGE AND SHEPHERDING CASES AND PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES, VITAL SECURITY INTERESTS, DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME AND IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE CASES, SOME 11 OVER THE PERIOD OF 9 3/4 YEARS, ALL THE DEFENDANTS WERE FOUND GUILTY, THAT IS BEFORE, NOW, 2001. MORE THAN 400 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRIED IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WE SHOULD NOT BREAK SOMETHING THAT ALREADY WORKS. THE IDEA THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH'S CURRENT POWERS ARE INADEQUATE TO FIGHT TERRORISM IS PROVEN FALSE BY 10 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL COUNTERTERRORISM THE IDEA THAT THE PRESIDENT, ANY PRESIDENT, NEEDS A WHOLE NEW EXPANSION OF HIS, AND I HOPE ONE DAY SOON, HER POWERS, IS JUST WRONG. MOST NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, ARE TELLING US NOT TO ADOPT THIS MANY OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR HOMELAND SECURITY ARE TELLING US NOT TO ADOPT THIS A LOT OF OUR MILITARY LEADERS ARE TELLING US NOT TO ADOPT THIS LANGUAGE, MR. SPEAKER. THIS LEGISLATION GOES TOO FAR. WE SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR ON COUNTERTERRORISM BUT WE WEAKEN THOSE EFFORTS BY TOSSING ASIDE OUR OWN SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. WE TELL THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT WE'RE FIGHTING OVERSEAS IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS BUT THEN WE PASS LEGISLATION THOSE VERY SAME FREEDOMS HERE IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE AND AT HOME. WE TELL THE REST OF THE WORLD TO EMULATE OUR DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS AND OUR RULE OF LAW, BUT WE DISREGARD THOSE VALUES IN A MAD RUSH TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN PRETEND TO BE THE TOUGHEST ON TERRORISM. WE WILL DEFEAT TERRORISM BY USING THE MILITARY TO LOCK UP INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES ON THE MERE SUSPICION OF WRONGDOING. WE WILL NOT DEFEAT TERRORISM BY CLAIMING THE ENTIRE WORLD AS A BATTLEFIELD, AND WE WILL NOT DEFEAT TERRORISM BY REPLACING OUR RULE OF LAW WITH RECKLESS, UNCONTROLLED, AND UNACCOUNTABLE POWERS. MR. SPEAKER, WE NEED TO HAVE A MORE CONSIDERED DEBATE ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO CONDUCT OUR DEFENSE AND COUNTERTERRORISM POLICIES. THIS BILL CONTAINS OVER $600 BILLION IN SPENDING, RUNS TO OVER 1,000 PAGES, AND IS COMING TO THE FLOOR LESS THAN 48 HOURS AFTER IT WAS FILED. WHILE THE DETAINEE PROVISIONS IN THIS LEGISLATION MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE MOST ATTENTION IN THE LAST FEW KAYS -- DAYS, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER CRITICAL PROVISIONS MEMBER MISS MAY HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT AND THAT'S WHY ON THESE KINDS OF MEASURES UNDER OPEN RULE. I REALIZE THAT I SAID CONGRESS, AND WE ARE PROVING IT AT THE END OF THIS SESSION, HAS A BAD MY FRIENDS IN THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY DON'T ONLY HAVE DEADLINE-OPHILIA. YESTERDAY WE CONSIDERED A PACKAGE THAT WILL HARM THE MIDDLE CLASS AND OUR ECONOMY. TODAY WE ARE CONSIDERING A DEFENSE BILL THAT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT AND WILL HARM CIVIL LIBERTIES OF I APPRECIATE THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITYMARK OF WHOM ARE MY FRIENDS, DON'T WANT THEIR HOLIDAY SEASON RUINED BY HAVING TO WORK. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO RUIN EVERYONE ELSE'S HOLIDAY SEASON BY PASSING THIS. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED. THE ISSUES AND ACCUSATIONS BROUGHT UP BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA WILL BE ADDRESSED, BUT I WANT TO DO THIS IN A SORT OF REGULAR ORDER. TO DISCUSS THE FIRST OF THE ISSUES, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. QUAYLE, FOR TWO MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE RULE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT. THIS INCLUDES RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS BILL. IT HAS BEEN AN EFFECTIVE TOOL SUPPORTING INNOVATION AMONG OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THIS COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM HAS ENABLED MORE THAN 100,000 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ACROSS THE NATION AND HAS HELPED SPAWN FAMILIAR COMPANIES SUCH AS QUALCOMM, SON CARE ANDCY MAN TECH. -- AND SIMBINGS YMANTEC. IT OPENS UP THE PROGRAM FOR MORE SMALL COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE AND INCREASES EMPHASIS ON COMMERCIALIZATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENS THE DATA ELECTION AND OVERSIGHT REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAMS. TECH COMMUNITY. BY PASSING TODAY'S BILL AND PROVIDING LONG-TERM RE-AUTHORIZATION, WE WILL PROVIDE OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THE CERTAINTY THEY NEED TO CONTINUE TO INNOVATE AND GROW AND CREATE JOBS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN HALL AND CHAIRMAN GRAVES FOR ALL THEIR WORK IN USHERING THROUGH THIS AGREMENT AND I YIELD BACK THE PLANS OF MY TIME. THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS MR. SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED AT THIS TIME TO YIELD TO MY GOOD FREN, THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. LEE, 2002 MINUTES. -- TWO MINUTES. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. LET ME THANK THE YIELDING. HE'S A FORMER MEMBER OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND I HAVE TO THANK HIM FOR HIS TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP AND FOR HIS OPENING STATEMENT WHICH LAID OUT MANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT MANY OF US HAVE ABOUT THIS BILL. I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS VERY CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT DIRECTLY ATTACKS THE BEDROCK VALUES OF AMERICA. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES OF DUE PROCESS FOR THOSE CHARGED WITH CRIMES. NOW, AGAINST THE WISHES OF PRESIDENT OBAMA, OUR DEFENSE SECRETARY, MR. PANETTA, THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, MR. CLAMPER AND F.B.I. DIRECTOR MR. MUELLER THIS BILL ALLOWS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SEIZE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS, INCLUDING, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES -- INCLUDING UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND HOLD THEM IN INDEFINITE DETENTION. ARRESTING CITIZENS AND HOLDING THEM WITHOUT TRIAL VIOLATES THE FIFTH AMENDMENT'S DUE PROCESS GUARANTEE. THIS BILL FUNDAMENTALLY IS UN-AMERICAN AND THREATENS ALL OF OUR LIBERTIES. WE CANNOT ALLOW THOSE WHO SEEK TO TERRORIZE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO WIN -- TO WIN BY TRASHING THE CIVIL LIBERTIES AT THE HEART OF OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY. GIVING UP AMERICAN IDEALS WILL NOT MAKE US SAFER. THIS LEGISLATION UNDERMINE OURS NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR DEMOCRACY. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD THIS LETTER FROM 26 RETIRED GENERALS AND ADMIRALS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE UNITED STATES TREATS DETAINEES. WITHOUT OBJECTION. THESE VETERAN NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS WROTE THIS RARE PUBLIC LETTER DENOUNCING THE DETENTION PROVISIONS. I WILL CONCLUDE WITH THE HONORABLE RETIRED GENERALS AND OFFICERS WHO WARN THAT THIS LEGISLATION BOTH REDUCES THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMAND FOR THE CHIEF TO INCAPACITATE TERRORISTS AND VIOLATES THE RULE OF LAW AND WOULD SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE SAFETY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO DEFEND THE CIVIL FREEDOMS WHICH WE ALL CHERISH TO SUPPORT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, TO SUPPORT OUR DEMOCRACY, AND TO VOTE NO ON THIS VERY DANGEROUS BILL AND THIS RULE. THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED. I'M -- I WILL YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR HIS VIEW ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL, MR. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING TO ME TO OFFER A DISSENTING VIEW ON SECTION 221 OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT, THE SECTION REFERENCED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA THAT SPECIFICALLY EA FIRMS THE PRESIDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DETISSUE AFFIRMS THE PRESIDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DENY DUE PROCESS THE GOVERNMENT CHARGES WITH QUOTE SUBSTANTIALLY SUPPORT AL QAEDA, TALIBAN OR ASSOCIATED FORCES, WHATEVER THAT MEANS. WOULD SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT OF AN ASSOCIATED FORCE MEAN LINKING A WEBSITE TO A WEBSITE THAT LINKS TO AN AL QAEDA SITE? WE DON'T KNOW. THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS, DO WE REALLY WANT TO FIND OUT? WE'RE TOLD NOT TO WORRY, THE BILL EXPLICITLY STATES THAT NOTHING IN IT SHALL ALTER EXISTING LAW. BUT WAIT, THERE IS NO EXISSING LAW THAT GIVES THE PRESIDENT THE POWER TO IGNORE THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND DETAIN AMERICANS WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. THERE IS ONLY AN ASSERTION BY THE LAST TWO PRESIDENTS THAT IN AN OPEN-ENDED -- INHERENT IN AN OPEN-ENDED AND ILL DEFINED WAR ON TERRORISM, IT IS A POWER NOT GRANTED BY ANY ACT OF CONGRESS UNTIL NOW. WHAT THIS BILL SAYS IS, WHAT PRESIDENTS HAVE ONLY ASSERTED, CONGRESS NOW AFFIRMS IN STATUTE. WE'RE TOLD THIS MERELY PUSHES THE QUESTION TO THE SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE IF INDEFINITE DETAINMENT IS COMPATIBLE WITH ANY REMAINING VESTIGE OF OUR BILL OF RIGHTS. THAT'S A GOOD POINT. IF THE COURT WERE THE SOLE GUARDIAN OF THE CONSTITUTION. BUT IT IS NOT. IF IT WERE, THERE'D BE NO REASON TO REQUIRE EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO SWEAR TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, WE WILL ARE ALSO ITS GUARD YAPS. TODAY -- GUARDIANS. TODAY, WE WHO HAVE SWORN FEMALITY TO THAT CONSTITUTION SIT TO CONFER A -- CONSIDER A BILL THAT AFFIRMS A POWER CONTAINED IN NO LAW THAT HAS THE FULL POTENTIAL TO CRACK THE VERY FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN LIBERTY. BACK. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TO MY GOOD FRIEND FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. PASCRELL, TWO MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. THREE MINUTES, MR. SPEAKER. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. OVER EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE START OF THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, WE ARE NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SIGNATURE INJURY OF BOTH WARS. I WANT TO THANK CHAIRMAN MCKEON, RANKING MEMBER SMITH, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS ISSUE. I WISH WE HAD THE SAME COMPROMISE AS WE DO IN -- AS WE WOULD HAVE IN OTHER ISSUES. I COMMENT THEM FOR THAT'S WHAT OUR FOREFATHERS TALKED ABOUT. I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THE DEFENSE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP AND BRAIN INJURY WILL MOVE OVERSIGHT TO THE ARMY. THERE WILL BE INCREASED EFFICIENCY FOR OUR SOLDIERS. THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS TROOPS. RECENTLY, N.P.R. RAN AN EXPOSE ON HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HAS TESTED OVER 500,000 SOLDIERS WITH A PREDEPLOYMENT COGNITIVE TEST BUT PERFORMED FEWER THAN 3,000 TESTS POST DEPLOYMENT TO ACTUALLY COMPARE THE RESULTS THE FISCAL 2008 NATIONAL DEFENSE BILL BIPARTISANLY SUPPORTED PUBLIC LAW 110-181 REQUIRED PRETHE EMPLOYMENT AND POST-DEPLOYMENT SCREENINGS OF A SOLDIER'S COGNITIVE ABILITY, CURRENT IS CLEARLY VIOLATING THE INTENT OF THE LAW. WE CAN'T GAUGE THE COGNITIVE HEALTH OF OUR TROOPS WITHOUT COMPARING TESTS. LAST YEAR MY AMENDMENT, TO ADDRESS THIS, PASSED THE HOUSE BUT IS NOT IN THE TIME BILL. WE NEED TO CORRECT IN THE NEXT YEARS DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BEFORE ANYMORE SOLDIERS SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS. IT HAS CONSEQUENCES WITHIN SERVICE AND WHEN THEY GET OUT OF SERVICE IT HAS BIGGER CONSEQUENCES. THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS RAISED CONCERN WITH THE CURRENTLY ADMINISTERED TEST, BUT AS STATED IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SELECT AN ALTERNATE UNTIL 2015. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE LONGER OUR TROOPS SUFFERING FROM UNDIAGNOSED T.B.I.'S, GO UNTREATED. I AM CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT PROVIDING PROPER OVERSIGHT FOR THOSE SOLDIERS WHO COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IN THEATER BEFORE EFFECT IN 2010. MANY OF THESE SOLDIERS REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY. WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEY ARE TESTED AND TREATED. I FEAR WE ARE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THEM AND THE ARMED FORCES BY NOT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM IN THIS BILL. I ASK EVERYONE TO CONSIDER THIS. THIS IS A CRITICAL, CRITICAL ISSUE GIVEN LITTLE ATTENTION EXCEPT BY MR. MCKEON AND MR. SMITH. I ASK THAT YOU DO REVIEW THAT. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH. CONTINUE TO RESERVE. THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. THANK YOU VERY