Jason Altmire

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the achievements of Colonel David A. McCracken, a graduate of the Army ROTC program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania, who passed away on September 2, 2011 after a battle with brain cancer. I, along with all Americans, am extremely grateful for his brave and honorable service in the United States Army during such an important period in our Nation's history. Colonel McCracken's awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Bosnia), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with an ``M'' device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal and Army Engineer Associations and the Bronze DeFleury Medal. His career was celebrated and his bravery unflagging, even as he received treatment for cancer. His service is an example of courage, dedication, and the values that make western Pennsylvania and our country great. Our prayers, gratitude, and condolences go to his family in New Castle: his parents Theo and Laura McCracken, as well as his wife of 15 years, Tammy, sons, PFC Tyler Hindley and Connor, and daughter Maitlin.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Salt Smith as he retires from the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. I congratulate him on his outstanding career and extraordinary service to his community. Over the course of his education and career, Salt has worked tirelessly to better his hometown of Aliquippa, PA. A graduate from Aliquippa High School in 1956, Salt went on to attend Geneva College, Duquesne University, and Robert Morris College. A licensed barber, a licensed insurance agent, and a licensed real estate agent, Salt is a man of many talents. He put his degrees to good use working for LTV Steel Corporation, Prudential Insurance Company, and, finally, as the General Manager for the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. In addition to his career, Salt is an entrepreneur. Thirty years ago, he began what has proved to be a successful real estate company, E & J Smith Real Estate, in Aliquippa. His company has sponsored a little league baseball team for the past 30 years and has won the championship five times. As a member of the Aliquippa School Board for 32 years, Salt dedicated his time to improving the local school system. Additionally, Salt was the first African-American ever to be elected as a trustee of the Community College of Beaver County. As an active member of the community, Salt is the Chairman of the Aliquippa Democratic Party and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Beaver County Hospital Authority. Salt and his wife, Jackie, have been married for 51 years and still call Aliquippa their home. They have three children and six grandchildren. I commend Salt for the work that he does, making him an invaluable member of the Aliquippa community. It is with great joy that I pay tribute to him on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, with the clock tick, tick, ticking away towards a default on our financial obligations for the first time in American history, we need to come together to find bipartisan solutions. It's time to stop holding America's credit rating hostage. To be clear, what we face is not a possible government budget shutdown. The consequences of default would have far-reaching and long- lasting effects. The increase in interest rates resulting from a default could cost Americans an additional $10 billion in borrowing costs, and the loss in confidence from investors in government securities worldwide could easily send America into another recession. Default is simply not an option. I support commonsense compromise solutions to reduce our deficit and return to balanced budgets. I hope that my colleagues on both sides are ready to put the partisan politics aside and move forward with a plan to help keep America and the U.S. in good financial standing.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, in the midst of one of the most contentious congressional debates in recent times, I knew just who to bring to Washington to help bring people together. It is my great honor to welcome Reverend Miroslaus Stelmaszczyk, who today serves as our guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives. Known simply as ``Father Miro,'' he has led the Holy Family Parish in Creighton, Pennsylvania, for 12 of his 36 years in the priesthood. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his public service since he first came to the United States from Poland in 1986. As testament to his popularity among his congregation, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to welcome the three dozen Holy Family parishioners who made the trip to Washington, along with Father Miro, and are now seated in the gallery to witness his opening prayer today. Welcome to you all. On behalf of my colleagues in the House, welcome, Father Miro, and congratulations on being chosen as today's guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to modify my amendment with the text that has been placed at the desk.

Mr. ALTMIRE. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ALTMIRE. I rise today in support of an important program at the Library of Congress, whose sole mission is to preserve the books and documents that tell our Nation's history. The Library of Congress, a 211-year-old institution and our national library, offers an incredible range of research, interactive programming and innovative technologies. However, most would agree that books remain the fundamental components of any library. Since 1995, the Library of Congress has been conducting a specific preservation campaign to save its books. The current program, known as the Thirty-Year Mass Deacidification Program, aims to treat and preserve millions of hardbound books, paperback books, manuscripts, newspapers, maps, artworks, music scores, letters, pamphlets, and drawings. The program ensures that future generations are able to enjoy the important historical artifacts that are housed in the Library of Congress. Many of the older books and papers at the Library of Congress are printed on acidic paper, which can turn brittle and fall apart with age. Deacidification extends the useful life of these works for up to 1,000 years longer than their useful life without treatment. Delaying the acidification process means more books would deteriorate beyond repair. Unfortunately, many old books in the Library's collection are already too brittle or in such poor shape that they cannot be preserved further. We must continue the work now to maintain the remaining books that can still be saved before they deteriorate further. I am offering this amendment which would restore $1 million in funding for the Thirty-Year Mass Deacidification Program at the Library of Congress. Decisions that will affect the preservation of our Nation's heritage and history must be made carefully. We have to ensure that the Library has the resources it needs to maintain its collections. For example, Mr. Chairman, if we cut $1 million from this project for this 1 year, as this legislation proposes to do, the project will take an estimated 20 years longer to complete while books continue to age and lose years off their useful life. Furthermore, the cut to this particular program is about 20 percent. It's disproportionate to the overall levels of cuts to expenses in other programs within the Library of Congress. While cuts must be made, this program is something that cannot be put on hold. It cannot wait. Books will continue to decay, and we will risk losing irreplaceable works that chronicle and illustrate our Nation's history.

Mr. ALTMIRE. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. ALTMIRE. In reclaiming my time, I appreciate the gentleman's comments. I'm going to go ahead and read my last paragraph if the gentleman doesn't mind, but I do appreciate that. The Library of Congress, the repository of our national knowledge, does incredibly important work in preserving our Nation's history. In turn, we must provide them with the capacity to preserve their books for generations to come. I thank the gentleman for his acceptance of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2011, a hero from western Pennsylvania was lost in Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Edward D. Mills Jr. was killed by a bomb planted by insurgents as he was serving bravely on his third overseas tour since joining the Army in 2005. I, along with all Americans, am extremely grateful for his brave and honorable service in the United States Army during such an important period in our nation's history. Mills graduated from Union High School and is survived by his wife, Amanda Brenner and parents Edward Mills Sr. and Kathie Greenawalt from New Castle, Pennsylvania. During his 6-year career as an infantryman, Staff Sergeant Mills received the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He was an example of service, dedication, and the values that make western Pennsylvania and our country great. We will miss him dearly as a hero and asset to our community, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family in New Castle.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to former Congressman Frank R. Mascara, who passed away Sunday, July 10 at the age of 81. Born in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, Congressman Mascara proudly served southwestern Pennsylvania for over 30 years, first at the county level, then for four terms in the United States House of Representatives. A first-generation Italian-American, Mascara embodied the humble, hardworking nature of his immigrant parents and his constituents throughout his political career. Known as the ``Dean of Washington County politics,'' Mascara fought successfully for projects to spur economic development in his district, including the Mon-Fayette Expressway and the Southpointe development project, which is now home to 150 businesses. Congressman Mascara served in the Army and worked as an insurance salesman and an accountant before he entered politics as Washington County Controller in 1973. From there, he served as county commissioner as well as a trustee of his alma mater, California University of Pennsylvania. In 2009, he received his university's Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the third alumnus to receive such an honor. Although he was sent to Washington as a leader of his district, he never lost touch with the blue collar, middle-class values of his western Pennsylvania home of Charleroi. He famously spurned fancy Capitol Hill restaurants for cheaper eateries, always aware that he was spending the taxpayers' money through his salary. While in Congress, he continued to live in the same house in Charleroi that he purchased for $7,500. Congressman Mascara had a calm, good-natured manner, but he fought vigorously in Congress for his district. For a time, the Southpointe development project that he championed was popularly known as ``Frank's Folly.'' However, looking back on the project at the end of his career, despite difficulties getting it off the ground, he believed it to be his greatest political achievement. Through his blue-collar attitude and political wit, Mascara was a strong and effective advocate for his constituents. Frank Mascara is survived by his wife Dolores, two sons, Frank and Jon, a daughter, Karen, and a brother, John. He will be remembered as a dedicated family man and a hardworking, down-to-earth public servant. He will be deeply missed by his family, his fellow Pennsylvanians, and his former colleagues here in Congress.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I thank the gentleman from Indiana. I rise in support of the Gosar-Gibbs-Altmire amendment to protect the Second Amendment rights of our Nation's sportsmen. The Army Corps of Engineers owns or manages more than 11 million acres of Federal lands, where Americans are not allowed to carry firearms for self-defense, including 90,000 camp sites and thousands of miles of trails where law enforcement is scattered. Our amendment will simplify regulations for law-abiding citizens by defunding a Federal regulation that bans firearms for self-defense on Army Corps lands. This will not change rules against bringing firearms into Federal buildings, such as Army Corps headquarters, or locks and dams. It will simply guarantee that sportsmen are able to defend themselves while they legally hunt and fish on property that the Army Corps owns and operates. To correct this problem in the long term, Mr. Gibbs and I have also introduced the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act. But this amendment is a necessary first step and is supported by the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan bill, which was crafted and introduced with job protection and regulatory clarity as its top priorities. The Clean Water Act originally created a working relationship between the Federal Government and the States. But recently that relationship has been undermined by unnecessary intervention by the EPA. When the government imposes impossible standards on job creators, the entire economy suffers. Businesses go through rigorous processes to receive permits from State governments to proceed with work that creates jobs and provides revenue to local governments, only to be undercut at the last minute by EPA regulations that do not take into account local context or economic impact. My colleagues should vote ``yes'' on this bill to prevent this further EPA overreach.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I continue to hear my colleagues promote the fantasy that government has banned the incandescent light bulb. They think if they say it over and over again that it will be true. But it's not true. The incandescent light bulb is not banned. Manufacturers are not told which technology to use to produce light bulbs, and consumers will still be able to buy the incandescent light bulb for years to come. Incandescent bulbs that meet the new standards are already on the market. Three American-made brands are here before me. They have the same look and emit the same light as traditional incandescent bulbs. But there is a difference: They last much longer and offer substantial energy efficiency savings for consumers. Hopefully, a symbolic light bulb will soon go on above the heads of my colleagues to enlighten them to let them know that their rhetoric bears no fact to reality, and the incandescent bulb is here to stay whether they like it or not.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, this week, I cosigned a letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood expressing concern about the waste of taxpayer dollars at the Federal Highway Administration's International Scan Program. This program has likely wasted millions of dollars over the past 10 years, sending government officials abroad most recently to study billboards in five different countries, over 17 days, at a cost of $300,000 to the taxpayers. Rightly, Secretary LaHood responded to our letter by immediately suspending the program, but the question remains: Why did it exist in the first place, and how many others like it exist throughout the Federal bureaucracy? We must continue to scrutinize the budgets at all Federal agencies so we can put an end to this type of wasteful spending once and for all. Hopefully, the suspension of this billboard program is just a sign of things to come.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I appreciate the gentleman from Louisiana yielding his time as he prepares his remarks, which I look forward to hearing. Earlier this afternoon and into the evening, this House considered an appropriations bill related to Veterans Affairs and Military Construction. At that point I asked my colleagues to support an amendment that I offered for the FY 2012 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, and that amendment I am thankful to say was accepted. It was bipartisan acceptance. Both the majority and minority agreed it should be added to the bill, and I just wanted to tell the gentleman and my colleagues that amendment is very straightforward. It moves $22 million from the VA general administration to solve a dramatic cut in medical and prosthetic research. This bill that we are talking about, the VA-Military Construction account, as it was written, funds medical and prosthetic research at $509 million in FY 2012, but that is a $72 million cut over last year. But the amendment that I offered restores funding to an account that directly impacts treatment of amputees and other wounded veterans. Like all of my colleagues, I want to do everything I possibly can to support our veterans and to promote these programs. And like many of us, I have visited the facilities for amputees at Walter Reed Army Medical Center right here in Washington, DC, and I have spoken with those disabled wounded warriors who have lost limbs in the line of duty. Through technological and medical improvements at that facility, the DOD has demonstrated its ability to improve world-class health care to amputees and other wounded servicemembers. The VA must have the funding necessary to carry on that mission after veterans leave the service. Just last week, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a hearing entitled: ``Seamless Transition--Meeting the Needs of Servicemembers and Veterans.'' During the hearing, multiple wounded warriors testified about the difficulty of transferring between DOD and VA care. In particular, one witness, Lance Corporal Tim Horton from Oklahoma, highlighted the disparity between health care he received as he sought out prosthetics that help him go about his everyday life. Lance Corporal Horton said: ``I know other veterans who live in close proximity to Walter Reed who are able to walk in and out with the services and equipment they need within the same day, all without ever needing to go through their local VA. While waiting weeks for an appointment might seem like a minor inconvenience, for a warrior like myself, spending weeks without necessary prosthetics equipment, or sometimes even worse, equipment that causes extreme discomfort and other medical issues, can be wholly disruptive to our daily lives. The timeliness and consistency of care should not be a function of where warriors happen to live.'' I have spoken with amputees with similar stories from my district in western Pennsylvania who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the medical care they receive after retiring from the military. I am sure all of my colleagues would agree, we can never repay America's veterans for the sacrifice that they have made for our country. What amount of money could replace an arm or a leg lost in the line of duty? I firmly believe, as I am sure we all believe, that we need to get our fiscal house in order, but in this extreme time of fiscal restraint and prioritization of appropriations, I believe that no one should stand ahead of our Nation's veterans when making these difficult funding decisions. I believe that medical and prosthetic research is a higher priority than bureaucratic administration. CBO has scored my amendment as having no impact on budget authority, and it would actually reduce FY 2012 outlays by $5 million. This amendment helps direct the priorities of the VA towards the veterans that deserve its funding and support, and I want to thank the American Legion for its support in helping craft this amendment because it is good for veterans, and I am so happy that my colleagues have agreed to accept this amendment as part of the bill. Hopefully, it will survive in the Senate and become law. I greatly appreciate the gentleman from Louisiana yielding me some time to allow me to discuss this.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Chair, I rise in support of American steel and maintaining security along our southern border. This amendment is actually very simple. I am offering it because it requires that any repairs, modifications, maintenance, or construction of new portions of the fence along our southern border be made with American steel, American iron, and American-manufactured steel goods. Now, as I am sure my colleagues are aware, the Buy American Act, which was enacted in 1933, already requires the government to purchase domestic goods for a direct Federal procurement. And for some particularly important areas critical to our national security, such as nearly all defense projects and spending, the requirements for our government to buy American goods are even stronger. I believe that the steel used in the fence along our southern border should be included in that category. And that is simply what this amendment does. I can't imagine that there would be opposition in this Chamber to the use of American-made steel in the construction of our border fence along our southern border. Many of my colleagues, I am sure, remember in 2007 when it came to our attention that we were in some cases using Chinese-made steel in construction of the Mexican border fence. We were all equally outraged by that. We were able to encourage, and finally, through hard work and bipartisanship, encourage successfully the Department of Homeland Security to use American-made steel. This amendment gives that the force of law, as I said, under the Buy American Act, which already applies to many American-made goods in the defense industry. So that's the purpose of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the LaTourette- Pascrell amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill to restore funding for the Assistance to Firefighters and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant programs. The AFG and SAFER programs are essential to our public safety and security. These programs improve the readiness of our Nation's firefighters, ensuring that the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day for the safety of our communities are prepared with the capabilities they need to continue protecting and serving our communities safely and effectively. These grants provided by the AFG and SAFER programs are the single most important source of Federal assistance to volunteer fire departments. They help fire departments equip, train and maintain their personnel so they are prepared to respond to all emergencies. These programs are able to address the immediate and individualized needs of fire departments efficiently and effectively because funding is awarded directly to fire departments instead of being funneled through other layers of government bureaucracies. As a result of the recent economic downturn and budget constraints at all levels of government, many fire departments have been forced to cut personnel and services. Without adequate funding for AFG and SAFER, thousands of firefighters could be laid off, and communities across the country could be put further at risk. There are more than 150 fire departments in my district alone, and each one plays a critical role in keeping local communities safe. Many of these fire departments have benefited from AFG funding. Beaver Falls, Hanover, New Brighton, and Raccoon Township fire departments are just a few of the many that have used the grants to purchase new equipment or to train additional personnel. Just this year, Berkley Hills Fire Department used an AFG grant to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck that will help the department better protect the numerous multistory apartment complexes, retirement homes and businesses in Ross Township. The West Deer Township Volunteer Fire Company also received an AFG grant this year that allowed the fire company to replace outdated equipment with new portable radios and automated external defibrillators. These upgrades will not only increase firefighter safety; they will also improve the services provided to the communities those fire departments serve. Enacting the cuts to the AFG and SAFER programs in the underlying legislation will only make it harder for fire departments to avoid layoffs and protect our communities. By adequately funding AFG and SAFER programs, we can help volunteer fire departments nationwide obtain the equipment and personnel they need to effectively respond to emergencies. According to the International Association of Firefighters, over 1,600 firefighters could lose their jobs as a result of the funding cuts that are in this bill. I urge all Members to support firefighters in their districts and vote in favor of increased funding for firefighters and to support the amendment of Mr. LaTourette and Mr. Pascrell. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ALTMIRE. I thank the gentleman from Texas, and we are joining the Office of Congresswoman Giffords in offering this amendment. I had the opportunity last week to travel to Congresswoman Giffords' district and the 114-mile border that she has along the Mexican border and her district. And when you see, as my colleague from Texas knows, these ranchers and the territory that they have to cover--and we have a national community campaign now: ``If you see something, saying something.'' Well, these are areas where you don't have the communications. Even if you see something, there's no one to tell. There's no way to get that message out. So what the gentleman from Texas is trying to do with this amendment is trying to make sure that the equipment is there so that these ranchers and community citizens, if they see somebody coming across the border, if they see something that is alarming to them, they're able to communicate it. Right now that technology does not exist. They are literally in the dark as far as communicating it. There is a public safety aspect to this amendment. And there is a Border Patrol aspect-- the ability of our law enforcement personnel to communicate with each other and communicate with the local citizens who, in some cases, are out miles and miles away from any form of mobile communications. So I strongly support this amendment. I thank the gentleman from Texas for his leadership in offering it, and I thank Congresswoman Giffords and her office for leading the charge on this very important technology.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. I appreciate the gentleman from California. I come from a region of the country, western Pennsylvania, bordering my friend from Ohio, and I was listening to the debate, and I just wanted to talk about this same issue. This is the key to our recovery and our continued leadership and innovation in this country because, as we have seen in western Pennsylvania and all across this country, the American worker is going to compete and win on a level playing field against anybody in the world any day of the week. We just want to make sure that we have a tax policy that is in place, a trade policy that is in place, and a manufacturing and jobs policy that is in place that is going to allow the American worker that level playing field to compete and win against the rest of the world.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation I introduced to encourage the development of a vital component to the next generation of nuclear reactors that will provide clean, domestic energy solutions for all Americans. The Department of Energy initiated the Nuclear Power 2010 Program in February 2002 as a joint public-private program to develop advanced reactor technologies and encourage the private sector to build new nuclear power plants in the United States. My legislation, the Nuclear Power 2021 Act, applies the Nuclear Power 2010 model to small modular reactors. Under the bill, the Department of Energy would be able to enter into public-private partnerships to design and license two small modular reactors by the year 2021. As my colleagues may know, today's traditional larger reactors range from 1,000 to 1,700 megawatts and cost between $5 billion and $10 billion to construct. In contrast, small modular reactors generate 10 to 300 megawatts and cost about $750 million to construct. These small reactors offer several advantages to large reactors in certain situations, including shorter construction times, increased safety controls, and electricity generation. While large reactors are built on a future generation site, a process that can take up to 5 years, smaller reactors can be manufactured in modular pieces in factories and transported by rail or truck, cutting construction times in half. Small reactors can also be completely manufactured and fueled in a factory. They can be sealed and shipped to the site for power generation, and after use, they can be shipped back to the factory for defueling, minimizing the potential spread of nuclear material. Additionally, small modular reactors produce a small nuclear reaction which generates less heat, making them easier to shut down in the event of a malfunction. Another advantage of small modular reactors is that, unlike large reactors, they can generate power in any location. While large reactors require millions of gallons of water per day for cooling and must be located near large water sources, small reactors can be water-cooled or air-cooled. This technology could open up new parts of the country to nuclear development, such as the arid West and locations that cannot support larger capacity generation, such as isolated rural areas or regions with smaller grids. Unfortunately, development and deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies can currently take upwards of two decades. Time and resources are limited for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop the institutional capacity to license new reactor designs, and traditional public-private partnerships are often insufficient to mitigate the business risk of bringing small modular reactors to market. This is why I believe this legislation is crucial for developing this all-American technology that could help us lead the world in electricity innovation and generation. I encourage my colleagues to join me in making America more energy independent, creating good-paying American jobs, and working toward the future of clean energy generation by cosponsoring the Nuclear Power 2021 Act.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Small Business Innovation Research program. For over a quarter century, SBIR has been key to American competitiveness around the world. It has provided quality research, spurred technological advancements, and allowed innovative small businesses to partner with the government for the development of some of today's most cutting-edge goods and services. The region I represent in western Pennsylvania is home to a number of companies that have benefited from the SBIR program, yet these companies have been faced with uncertainty over the past few years because Congress has failed to act on a full reauthorization. Short- term extensions are putting the future of research and development at risk. In this fragile economy, Congress owes it to these innovators to give them the certainty they need to fully pursue their ideas. I have supported legislation to reauthorize this program for the past 4 years because I understand the importance of innovation and the Federal Government's unique role in creating a fertile climate for it. In the past, whenever our Nation has bounced back from economic downturns, innovation has been the catalyst. Time and again, inventive ideas have led to new products, generating a wave of job creation and putting us on a path back to prosperity. This year, I have joined with my colleagues on the Small Business Committee to introduce a full 3-year reauthorization of the SBIR program. As Congress looks for ways to reduce spending yet keep America globally competitive, the SBIR program is that rare piece of legislation that can accomplish both goals simultaneously. At its most fundamental, the SBIR program provides valuable seed money for entrepreneurs who are willing to explore untested concepts and, ultimately, develop new products. Additionally, it solves one of the primary concerns facing small businesses today--access to capital. This reauthorization would make important changes to the current program that will allow more entrepreneurs to participate by allowing companies that receive funding from multiple venture capital groups to competitively apply for a portion of SBIR grants. Reauthorization of SBIR will allow us to continue to foster research and innovation that will translate into a wealth of new employment opportunities and economic growth for western Pennsylvania and all of America. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation that encourages creativity and ensures America will stay a global leader in innovation for years to come.

Mr. ALTMIRE

Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, 4 years ago I began to express my concerns about the competitive bidding program that CMS proposed for durable medical equipment. The goal of the program was laudable--to save money and to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the Medicare program--but the implementation of the program has been fraught with problems. This issue is of particular importance to me because the Pittsburgh region, which I represent, was one of the first nine regions chosen by CMS to implement the competitive bidding demonstration. As I learned more about the design of the program, it became clear that CMS did not foresee the unintended consequences that could result, including the possibility that patients could lose the personal relationship they've developed with their local provider, in turn compromising their quality of care; or the possibility that small suppliers, which make up well over 90 percent of the Nation's medical equipment providers, would not be able to compete in the new market. I also realized that western Pennsylvania would be disproportionately impacted by competitive bidding because of our large Medicare population and the growing medical device industry that is key to the success of our region's economy. After a poor start to the competitive bidding program in 2008, Congress intervened and passed legislation that I helped introduce to direct CMS to delay the program for 18 months. Critical flaws in the initial bidding process produced fewer competitors, fewer home care services, and a substantial decrease in the quality of care offered to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Congress also instructed CMS to redesign the program to avoid these programs when it conducted the re-bid. Last fall, CMS launched the re-bid and this past January the program went into effect in the nine regions in the country, including western Pennsylvania. In the first few months of implementation, the worst fears expressed by patients, providers, and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have been realized. It is clear that despite the delay and the direction from Congress, no significant improvements have been made to the program or the bidding process. Providers who have served beneficiaries for years are closing their doors, and patients have been left confused and unsure where to turn for their care. While CMS hopes the program will ensure beneficiary access to quality medical supplies and services and improve the effectiveness of payments, the results suggest otherwise. So 2 weeks ago, CMS announced it would delay the second round of its competitive bidding program for 6 months, until the summer of 2013. Additionally, the chief Medicare expert at the Congressional Budget Office recently said the CMS competitive bidding process is ``seriously flawed.'' This is a good sign, but the round two delay does nothing to help the beneficiaries and small businesses that have already been negatively impacted by round one. The program continues to be a bad deal for seniors and small business owners. That's why I joined with my colleague from Pennsylvania, Glenn Thompson, to introduce legislation to repeal the DME competitive bidding program. Our bill would fully repeal the program in a budget-neutral manner, not adding one penny to the Federal deficit. To date, we have 75 bipartisan cosponsors and over 30 advocacy groups that have endorsed our legislation. I cannot support the DME competitive bidding program when it has become evident the program will unravel the DME small business community and compromise quality of care for seniors and others who rely on durable medical equipment devices. I will continue to work with Congressman Thompson to advance this legislation, and I would ask my colleagues to join us in this effort to repeal DME competitive bidding.