Earl Blumenauer

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that Republican leadership is again attempting to score political points on the backs of our troops. I congratulate the Iraqi people for their brave actions during yesterday's election and hope for them that this is a turning point in their country's history. Had the Republican leadership allowed our ranking member on the House International Relations Committee, Mr. Lantos, to offer his resolution to this effect, we could have offered a unanimous statement of support from Congress and avoided this ugly and divisive debate. The basic flaw in the resolution that we are debating is that it assumes that victory in Iraq is a military outcome to be achieved by U.S. troops. Our men and women in uniform have done everything which we've asked of them. They have won every battle, but a successful future for Iraq requires a strategy to secure the peace that builds on what our troops have achieved. It makes no sense to remain in Iraq until victory is achieved if our continued military presence brings Iraq no closer to stability. Instead, we need a plan to change the course in Iraq and achieve the best possible outcome for Iraqis and Americans. I have laid out a plan, as have Mr. Murtha and others. Rather than a divisive debate over a politicized resolution, we should have an open and honest debate over how to best proceed in Iraq. The American people deserve no less.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the income security of Americans has been under constant attack by the administration and Congress this year, especially those families who have not had the good fortune to earn a living that places them in our highest income brackets. The year started with efforts to dismantle Social Security, an efficient program that is the primary source of income for a majority of retirees. Next, a slanted bankruptcy bill that puts no burden of responsibility on unscrupulous lenders and credit card companies and all of it on the families that face hardships from large medical bills, family breakups, and job losses. Congress has been wringing its hands the last couple of months over which programs for America's most vulnerable should be cut so tax cuts can be extended years from now. The latest attack on the security of American families is this pension bill. It is clear that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation must be strengthened and that rules must be put in place to ensure companies adequately fund the promises they make to employees. Instead, the Congressional Budget Office has reported that this bill would actually increase the PBGC's deficit by $9 billion over the next 10 years. The bill also legalizes cash balance plans without protections for long serving employees. It has been reported that without older worker protections over 90 percent of older workers would lose expected pension benefits if a defined benefit plan were converted to a cash balance plan. Additionally, this bill does nothing to help the struggling airline industry that has already seen United Airlines employees and retirees lose over $3 billion in earned pension benefits. Strengthening the pension system and providing security to all families should be a priority of Congress and can be achieved with fiscal responsibility and fair policy. This bill falls short on both accounts.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, with the PATRIOT Act set to expire at the end of the year, Congress has once again missed an opportunity to narrow and tighten the legislation.I opposed the original PATRIOT Act, as it was rushed into law in the wake of 9/11, and I strongly oppose the current conference report. The conference report tries to appease both sides of the debate by extending sunsets on the two most controversial provisions, library records and ``roving'' wiretaps, while making 14 of the existing 16 provisions permanent thus limiting Congress' ability to exercise checks and balances. This is a step backwards. But for the existing sunset provisions, we would not have been exercising our oversight function for this sensitive area. It puts the administration on too long of a leash and does not force Congress to review and modify the act as needed. We can keep America safe without compromising our civil liberties.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, a month ago, I voted against H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies first conference report, which failed in the House with 22 Republicans also voting against the bill. Today, a similar bill with some minor tweaks to gain a few more votes for a narrow passage is before the House again. While I am glad to see $90 million restored to rural health programs, the overall bill is still bad. It is irresponsible to raid from one program to pay for another program. This bill contains $1.6 billion in cuts from FY 2005 to important labor, health, social services, and education services. It is unfortunate that Republicans in Congress are choosing to strip away essential safeguards for families in order to implement tax cuts benefiting the wealthiest Americans. I am voting against this bill because Americans deserve better.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the last week of our work this session, there are 2 million people trapped in the unfolding nightmare in Darfur; 500 people a day being killed as we prepare for the holiday season. Since we are going to be delaying the work of the House until the end of January, this week is also the last chance for us to act to at least keep the African Union peacekeepers on the job; 7,300 people for an area the size of Texas seems like a fragile reed with which to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The Defense Appropriations train leaving the station could contain $50 million, which would be the smallest of steps to halt what all of us here say we condemn. We all ought to ask ourselves what we are going to do about it this week.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the Republican fiscal mismanagement is so bad and their budget proposal so dreadful that even the Republican caucus is having difficulty swallowing it. Main Street Republicans don't agree with K Street Republicans who don't agree with Wall Street Republicans, and they are all hopelessly out of touch with the streets where most Americans live. It is irresponsible to claim that this is the only way to pay for our Hurricane Katrina assistance, while the Republican leadership works on extending $70 billion in tax cuts for those least in need. In reality, we can save the budget without breaking the bank and making harmful cuts to the most vulnerable Americans. The first step is to halt plans to provide an additional $70 million in tax cuts for those least in need while cutting $11.9 billion from Medicare and $14.3 billion from student loan programs. Even with these spending cuts, the proposal will still increase the national debt by more than $100 billion over the next 5 years. We can do better for America's future than cutting off assistance to society's most vulnerable. The budget is a reflection of our priorities and future path. We must provide the investment in education that will prepare our students for the high-tech and global world we live in. We need to create a health care system that is fair and affordable, and doesn't burden businesses in the global marketplace. We must stop shortchanging our infrastructure needs and put in place a world-class transportation system that moves people and freight seamlessly. In the long-run we are losing money by waiting in traffic-filled commutes, delayed movement of freight, and expensive patchwork repairs to inadequate systems. There is much talk of scandal here in Washington, D.C., but the true scandal is how tragically out-of-touch my Republican colleagues are from the needs and desires of the average American.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the final vote on Thursday, December 8th, 2005, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote No. 622: I would have voted ``no'' on the motion to table H. Res. 591, Leader Pelosi's Privileged Resolution on the culture of corruption surrounding the Republican's Prescription Drug Bill.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of two important resolutions: H. Res. 438, urging member states of the United Nations to stop supporting resolutions that unfairly castigate Israel and H. Res. 535, honoring the life, legacy and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. At a time when the death of Yasser Arafat and Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip have created the renewed possibility for a safer, more secure, and more peaceful future for Israel, these two resolutions highlight both the challenges and the hope of the current moment. While Israel has been the victim of unfair United Nations resolutions for much longer than I have been in Congress, the people of Israel should know that the United States will always stand side by side with them in the struggle against hatred and anti-Semitism. We join with them in the fight against terrorism, such as the recent suicide bombing in Netanya which killed 5 Israelis and wounded over 50 others. At the same time, the memory of Yitzhak Rabin reminds us all of the courage that the Israeli people and their leaders--from David Ben- Gurion to Ariel Sharon--have shown when peace appears possible. I commend the House for making these two important statements and join my colleagues in the hope that Israel will one day live out Prime Minister Rabin's dream, ``No more blood--no more tears.''

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is not often that we get everybody here in Congress to agree. But we do agree that Darfur's continuing nightmare is genocide. We have labeled it as such. We have all condemned it. The problem is we are not acting to stop it. The foreign ops appropriations inexplicably dropped $50 million in conference that would have gone to support peacekeepers from the African Union. We often use this opportunity here today to talk to the American people. Well, today I am talking to the 8,000 men and women on Capitol Hill who make things happen in Congress. Do not go home unless you ask what your office, your committee, your boss, your Member of Congress is going to do to stop the murder, the rape, the destruction and the violence. At the very least, work to restore the $50 million in the defense appropriations so that 7,700 African Union peace keepers can be on the job. 7,700 people for an area the size of Texas does not sound like too much. It is the least we can do as we enter the holiday season.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take the Special Order time of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, we have had a great deal of give and take on the floor this evening, important issues that we have discussed throughout the day. But I am pleased this evening to rise to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the women's soccer team for the University of Portland, which this last weekend won their second national championship in the last 3 years. The Lady Pilots finished the season undefeated. They set a single-season attendance record, or rather their rabid fans did, over 40,000, the first time this has ever happened. Mr. Speaker, it is a very solid program that was built by the late Clive Charles, the legendary soccer coach, a solid foundation that has made a tremendous difference for women's soccer in our State of Oregon and around the country. It is my pleasure to extend congratulations to President Bill Beauchamp, Coach Garrett Smith, and the players: the 2005 College Cup MVP for the offense, Christine Sinclair; the defensive MVP, Cori Alexander; and College Cup all tournament team members, Stephanie Lopez, Angie Woznuk, Megan Rapinoe, and Lindsey Huie. They are truly a work of art to watch, the camaraderie, the spirit, the drive and determination of this team. It has performed at an outstanding level for over a dozen years now. Somewhere in heaven I know the late Clive Charles is smiling, and in Portland the entire community is cheering.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in yielding me this time. I am listening to my friend from Colorado saying that people back home may be confused when they listen to this debate. Well, I would suggest that they do not have to be confused at all. Listening to this debate and looking at the proposal that has been offered by the friends we have on the other side of the aisle reveals their true intentions and their true interest when it comes to tax justice in this country. The alternative minimum tax is the major tax reform issue of this decade, not 20 years ago, not 30 years ago, but this decade, when because of the interaction of the proposals that you have brought forward and the relentless pace of inflation, it has drug millions of Americans into a tax that was never, never, never intended to apply to them. But what we have seen, the Republican majority chooses instead to focus their time, their energy, and tax resources on other issues. The inheritance tax, which affects a few thousand families a year, you have lavished attention and mortgaged our future in terms of the dollars that it would mean. And what do you have to say about the alternative minimum tax? Well, every year you kick the can down the road, do it on the cheap, on the sly; not allowing, as my colleague, the distinguished ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, had offered, for it to be brought forward, have a full debate, allow a clash of priorities and intentions. I am convinced that the majority of people in Congress believe the rhetoric that you are saying about the pernicious nature of this tax that taxes people because they have families, because they take advantage of some of the tax preferences, because they pay their property and income tax. If we had a free and honest debate and a chance to offer meaningful alternatives, we would scale it down, if not repeal it. But, unfortunately, our friends do not believe in their own rhetoric. They have other priorities. If they believed it, this would be the centerpiece; but instead they are extending taxes that do not even expire for years and benefit only a few. I am sad to say that what we are doing here is going through the motions. We are going through the motions even if somehow the Senate buys into this for a 1-year extension. We are keeping people in limbo. We are skewing our fiscal and tax policies. And we are subjecting hard- working middle-class families who were never intended to be subjected to the minimum tax. They are going to suffer. I think it is shameful. I will vote for the extension because that is the best the Republican leadership is willing to do. But it is a sad day for this House, and it is a sad day for American families.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the words of our Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) this morning when he talked about a day that would live in infamy, referencing December 7. I appreciate that we have an opportunity now to do something to make sure that this is not a day that lives in infamy, because today another tragic chapter is being written in Darfur in the horrifying history of genocide, which people on both sides of the aisle have condemned. Indeed, the violence appears to be getting worse and 500 people a day are dying. Somehow, the money for the United States for the peacekeepers for the African Union has disappeared from the Foreign Operation Conference Committee. This would be a tragedy, if we did not meet our obligation to provide at least 7,700 peacekeepers for an area the size of Texas. Every man and woman on the Hill today should do something to make sure that the Defense appropriation bill is not finally approved without meeting America's obligation to stop this genocide.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I support the Conference Committee Report on the Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary Appropriations Act 2006, which provides essential funding for important infrastructure projects in Oregon and the rest of the nation. The bill provides $18 million to complete the Interstate MAX light rail project, which has been an incredible success in North Portland. Additionally, $15 million for a commuter rail project between. Wilsonville and Beaverton will provide further transportation alternatives in the region and anchor important development projects in each of these suburban cities. I was heartened to see the $1.3 billion set aside for Amtrak. I am concerned, however, that the bill separates Amtrak's operations funding from its capital funding, essentially allowing the Department of Transportation to serve as a steward for Amtrak's capital money, handing out grants for approved projects. I am wary of this being yet another attempt by the administration to dismantle America's passenger rail system. I am relieved to see that the Conference Committee did not eliminate funding for valuable for HUD programs such as Community Development Block Grants and the HOPE VI program. I am concerned, however, that many of these programs continue to be underfunded. The many individuals and families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will increase demand for these valuable programs. Despite these faults, the bill will fund important infrastructure improvements, create jobs, and make our communities safer, healthier and more economically secure.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill which contains critical funding for Oregon veterans and their health programs. In addition, this bill contains funding for the BRAC process and military construction and housing that are important for Department of Defense efficiency and quality of life. I am disappointed that this conference report cut funds from the BRAC 1990 Account which is used to clean up unexploded ordnance and other contamination on closed military bases from a House-passed $378 million to $255 million. I will continue to work with Congress to ensure the military cleans up after itself and returns sites to productive use.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the most significant day in the war in Iraq since we first began our attack. As President Bush is learning that our few allies are withdrawing their troops, Congressman Jack Murtha has publicly concluded it is time to bring our troops home. Despite attacks by some who never had a hint of his military service, whose own mismanagement, not just of the information that got us into this effort, but whose inept mismanagement of the war itself left us with few good options, Jack Murtha remains the single most knowledgeable and respected Member of this House dealing with military affairs. I have not seen eye-to-eye with Jack from the beginning, when I opposed attacking Iraq, to a statement I just posted, after weeks of thought, for a more gradual withdrawal. But I and every Member who is thinking honestly about this sad episode will reconsider my conclusion because of Jack Murtha's courageous and heartfelt statement. He is the only Member of Congress who has earned the right to be listened to . . .

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise troubled, I must say, by this legislation. I appreciate the chairman's commitment to reform and also the ranking member. They have been steering, I think, a good course with Financial Services, and I am encouraged by their words that we are going to go ahead and attempt to continue the process of reforming the flood insurance program. But today in signing off on $22 billion that cannot be supported simply by the premiums by the individuals that are covered right now, I personally think is a tremendous lost opportunity. We heard a lot of rhetoric the last couple of days. People come to the floor talking about how to save taxpayer dollars, but we have not undertaken to make reforms that would protect taxpayers in the first place. Our colleague from Mississippi has been focusing on the problem with flood insurance not being available to a whole range of people. No expectation they should have it. People behind levees are not required to have flood insurance. We have not dealt with subsidized insurance for areas that are vacation homes, second homes. I am concerned that there is never really a good time to be able for us to seize this opportunity. While I say I am heartened by what I have heard from the ranking member and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), and certainly they steered a difficult course last time in being able to make some of these incremental achievements, but if there was ever a time that the attention of this Congress should be on the dangers of the way that the program works now and the people that are in harm's way, the opportunity to not just save money but save lives by these reforms. Nonetheless, I look forward to working with the ranking member and the Chair, and I will do anything in my power, but I would hope the House does not ever again allow something like this to come forward and miss such an opportunity.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, three years ago, I argued against the Bush Administration's proposal to attack Iraq for the very reasons we have seen emerge from this troubled region. We were prepared to defeat Saddam Hussein's military but the administration and congressional leaders were never prepared to win the peace. Not only was the premise for the war flawed, but the administration has made the wrong military, political, and diplomatic choices at every turn. The members of our armed services make up the finest fighting force in the world and they have done their duty with great distinction and honor, yet the administration has failed them as well. I take no satisfaction in my worst fears having been proven correct. The administration's spectacular failures in executing this war have set back our efforts against terrorism and left America with no good options in Iraq. But, as our military is being not just frayed but damaged and Iraq faces increasingly difficult prospects for democracy and stability, staying the course is simply not an option. Until now, I have resisted advocating for an accelerated pullout because of my fear of the downward spiral that could occur in the aftermath. Yet this is a question that must be faced sooner rather than later, and it's hard to imagine a policy that would be more destabilizing than the administration's current mismanagement of the war effort and continued estrangement from reality. There is no longer any basis for the hope that a sustained American military occupation will stabilize Iraq. Instead, we continue to lose credibility and influence in the region and with our allies, as well as strengthen the hands of those extremists who wish to do us harm. Even many of those who initially supported military action have come to admit that the administration's strategy has failed and that a large United States military presence inhibits the development of a stable and democratic Iraq. Iraqis in key positions are arguing for at least some withdrawal of US. forces. Most telling is a recent poll of Iraqis themselves, commissioned by the British Ministry of Defense, which showed that 82 percent of Iraqis were ``strongly opposed'' to the presence of foreign troops and less than 1 percent believe the their presence is helping to improve security. Iraq's future depends on creating a secure space for politics and the rule of law to replace violence. This is a process at which only Iraqis themselves can succeed, with America and the international community playing a supporting role. Elections scheduled for December provide the perfect opportunity to begin the withdrawal of American troops, a refocused U.S. effort, and transfer of responsibility to Iraqis. American forces should be redeployed out of Iraq in two phases. First, let's bring the 46,000 National Guard and Reserve forces home immediately. These elements in our total force have been most overburdened by ever-increasing deployments and are most needed here in the United States. Continued U.S. aid and military support must be tied to performance objectives for the Iraqi government and military. On that basis, the rest of the American forces should be withdrawn over the next one to two years, based on a detailed plan for the sector by sector transfer of security responsibility. The majority of these troops should be brought home. Others should be redeployed to Afghanistan to create a larger security footprint and help prevent the reemergence of the Taliban. A small rapid-reaction force should be left in Kuwait that can protect against any destabilizing coups. The administration must reengage diplomatically by seeking a new United Nations resolution that supports international efforts to stabilize Iraq and by beginning a regional security dialogue with Iraq's neighbors. We should also work with the Arab League to facilitate a renewed effort towards a political solution within Iraq by engaging with nationalist faction leaders who might be a force for stability in that country if U.S. troops were withdrawn. We must also change the nature of our economic assistance. By shifting reconstruction aid to Iraq away from large projects undertaken by foreign contractors towards small, locally oriented projects run by Iraqis, we create jobs, give Iraqis a greater investment in their success, and minimize corruption and price-gouging. President Bush's model of ``go it alone, do it cheap, and put it on a credit card'' has not only led to grave instability in Iraq, it is crippling our ability to deal with the more serious strategic threats, from Iran and North Korea to a terrorist movement that we have inadvertently strengthened. We must now do our best to salvage what we still can of American credibility, military readiness, democratic ideals, and Iraqi stability through a change in strategy and the beginning of a responsible phase-down of American troops and the orderly transfer of authority to Iraqis.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank certain organizations and individuals for their outstanding work on the important, but often overlooked, issue of pollinators. As you know, pollinators are vital to food and medicine production, and their irreplaceable ecosystem services and declining populations merit attention and protection. I am happy to say that significant progress is being made. On October 21, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, NAPPC, signed a joint memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agreement proposes protecting pollinators on the nearly 100 million acres of habitat over which the Fish and Wildlife Service has jurisdiction. These lands, combined with another 200 million acres protected by the U.S. Forest Service, attest to the growing momentum behind this issue. The successes of these organizations are impressive and encouraging, as is the dedication of certain individuals. On October 20, four such individuals were awarded the First Annual NAPPC Pollinator Advocate Award. Don Pedro Cahun Uh, of Mexico, was recognized for his outstanding efforts to preserve not only traditional Mayan culture, but also the declining populations of the Yucatan Peninsula's native stingless bees. Dale Bosworth, chief of the USDA Forest Service, pioneered pollinator awareness among U.S. Government agencies and paved the way for the protection of native plants and their pollinators on almost 200 million acres of land. Bruce Knight, chief of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, exhibited exemplary leadership in the creation of a highly successful pollinator habitat program. Ron Krystynak, of the Canadian Embassy, was recognized for taking a lead role in North American pollinator conservation, and for his holistic approach to sustainable agriculture and ecology. These individuals represent a variety of perspectives and a singularly effective leadership on this issue. Their achievements will carry us closer to the goal of sustainable ecosystems and communities.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal year 2006 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations is not just an underfunded bill but is harmful. A bill which should be a stepping stone towards providing good education, employment opportunities and access to affordable health care, instead takes away important safeguards upon which Oregonians and Americans depend. It is another example of how out of touch the Republican leadership is with the rest of the Nation. This bill shortchanges education programs and imposes a burden on our college students. At a time when the global economy demands a highly trained, educated workforce, we are making it more difficult for our students to succeed by cutting financial aid programs, impacting over 90,000 Oregonians who are borrowing money to attend college. Oregonians have already been saddled with at least a $1,000 increase in college tuition over the last year. And while there are over 55 million children in public schools nationwide and State budgets are already stretched thin, No Child Left Behind funding is cut by $784 million. Students are not the only ones feeling the squeeze. Several health care programs are threatened or eliminated in the legislation. While over 600,000 Oregonians are without health insurance, this bill essentially eliminates many of the safety net clinics and community health centers on which uninsured people depend. We may end up seeing more people in emergency rooms with severe conditions that could have been prevented with regular access to health care. With over 7 million Americans out of work and over 100,000 Oregonians unemployed, the bill cuts the Department of Labor by $430 million. Without assistance the gap between the wealthy and the less fortunate will continue to widen. Americans deserve better and it is irresponsible to say that these eliminated programs and funding cuts are the only way to solve our budgetary mess.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague from Georgia's courtesy in permitting me to speak on this bill, and I rise in support of it. It is a very important initial step that we need to make. I take modest exception with my friend, the primary sponsor of this legislation, because I do think the range of disasters actually were, in fact, foreseeable and foreseen. I have been talking about this precise situation on the floor of the House for several years. It is one of the reasons why I worked in the previous Congress to deal with the reform of the Flood Insurance Act that was signed by President Bush last summer. As I mentioned the last time we had an extension on the floor to extend the borrowing authority, this is absolutely critical. We must do it, we should do it, but it is only part of an overall solution. I deeply appreciate the leadership that has been displayed by Chairman Oxley, Ranking Member Frank and Mr. Ney and Ms. Waters in the hearing that was held today in Financial Services, looking at the long- term consequences of the flood insurance program and where it needs to go. The simple fact is that what we saw in the gulf region from East Texas to the Florida Panhandle is not something that is unforeseen or something that is not going to occur again. In fact, science tells us that we are seeing coastal erosion. We have seen increases in storm events. Over 70 percent of the American population lives in areas where they are in harm's way to one or more natural disasters, of which flooding is the most frequent and the most damaging. We need to not just extend the borrowing authority. We need to look at the fundamentals of the program as Financial Services did today. It is time to stop the fiction that somehow a levee protects people and they should not have flood insurance. People behind the levee in the 100-year flood plain absolutely should be mandated to have flood insurance, since we are at the point where the ``flood of the century'' is happening two times a decade. We need to change that definition, and in fact, the proposal to study or even extend flood insurance requirements for people in the 500-year flood plain is probably in order. We need to be looking consistently at the big picture. We cannot afford to throw more and more taxpayer dollars at people who are going to repeatedly be in harm's way. Our hearts go out to the victims of Katrina and Rita, and I absolutely approve this legislation and extending the borrowing authority and not burying it in the flood insurance rates. That is not fair to everybody else. However, we do need to make fundamental changes in that program, build on the reforms of last session. We need to make sure that people in repetitive flood loss situations are either moved out of harm's way or they flood proof their property. FEMA must get on the stick in implementing the reforms that we passed last session, and we need to expand the scope of the program itself. This will make sure that people change their behaviors. It will put more money into the program by people who should be investing in it, and we will be able to have a more coordinated approach to make sure that we are not only fiscally responsible but we are helping people stay out of harm's way in the first place. Last but by no means least, Mr. Speaker, our attention needs to go beyond the flood insurance program. We have people who are in danger for wind storms, mud slides, wildfires, forest fires. I have already mentioned coastal erosion. This is all part of a big picture, to sort out the limits of where the Federal Government provides relief as a last resort for an unforeseen natural disaster and where the private sector steps in to extend the principle of insurance. Along the way, we make some changes so that State and local governments are responsible for what happens in their communities. I must say, as I began working on issues related to Katrina recovery, I was stunned to find that there were three Louisiana parishes and seven Mississippi counties that do not even have building codes. I am not talking about comprehensive plans and zoning. I am talking about building codes. It is time that we coordinate what we do on the Federal Government to provide resources, carrots and sticks, to make sure that we have a balanced partnership to save people's lives, limit damage and, of course, be responsible with the taxpayers' money.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Nancy Russell is a woman of great courage, vision, and determination who has made heroic efforts in protecting the Columbia River Gorge. Her singleness of purpose and determination was a driving force that led to the unique Gorge National Scenic Area legislation in 1986. She and her late husband, Bruce Russell, made significant personal financial commitments securing the purchase of key properties and easements. Without Nancy and her efforts, this national treasure would undoubtedly have been spoiled by sprawling development, pollution, and traffic. Nancy Russell and her efforts have earned much recognition and acclaim, but perhaps nothing is as meaningful as when hundreds of her friends, supporters, and admirers gathered this weekend to honor her in the 25th anniversary of the advocacy group she founded, the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge. Notwithstanding her recognition, the true legacy of Nancy Russell is to be found every time anybody hikes, bikes, drives, or flies over the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, which she has protected for generations to come.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, the Republican fiscal mismanagement is so bad, and their budget proposals so dreadful, that even the Republican Caucus is having difficulty swallowing it. Mainstream Republicans do not agree with K Street Republicans, who do not agree with Wall Street Republicans; but they are hopelessly out of touch with the street where most Americans live. The Republican Congress seeks to mask their fiscal irresponsibility with cuts for millions of poor, the sick, for students and their families, literally taking food from the mouths of poor children to pay for more tax cuts for people who need them the least. There is much talk of scandal here in Washington D.C., but to have a proposal offered up that would actually increase the deficit more than if they just gave up and went home is a scandal. It is a scandal how tragically out of touch my Republican colleagues are from the needs and desires of the average American.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina taught us again the importance of investing in our Nation's water infrastructure. While I believe that significant changes need to be made in the operations and management of the Army Corps of Engineers, I support this legislation which acknowledges the lack of prioritization process for Corps projects. I support language in the bill that directs the National Academy of Public Administration to study and recommend factors to be used in determining the allocation of the Corps' limited resources. I also strongly support funding contained in the bill that will benefit my constituents and the Pacific Northwest environment. I appreciate the funding included for floodplain restoration on Johnson Creek, which will enable the Corps to undertake a cost-effective environmental improvement within an area slated for industrial development and will help leverage private development by proactively addressing important stream corridor needs. I am also pleased that the conferees chose to fund an energy conservation program at the Armory Theater in Portland and a Solar Photovoltaic Test Facility System at Portland State University. The conference report also contains important funding, although not nearly the amount necessary, for the St. Johns Landfill Dike Stabilization, which will help prevent municipal and industrial waste from contaminating sensitive wetlands. Finally, I appreciate the funding in the bill directed towards dredging, maintenance, and environmental restoration on the Williamette and Columbia Rivers. However, I am strongly opposed to language in the conference report directing the Bonneville Power Administration, BPA, to cease funding of an important independent scientific research center based in Portland, OR, known as the Fish Passage Center, FPC. For over 20 years, the FPC has been vital in ensuring that State and tribal fishery managers are armed with the best available scientific information about the status of salmon populations. In this role, the FPC fulfills a legal obligation under the Federal Northwest Power Act and under tribal treaties. Without the Fish Passage Center, the myriad of Federal, State, and tribal agencies responsible for Pacific salmon recovery could lack valuable data and information on what works and what doesn't to recover salmon. Federal efforts to recover Columbia and Snake River salmon are currently in flux after a recent Federal district judge overturned the most recent Salmon plan. With so much uncertainty surrounding future recovery efforts, now is not the time to reduce access to the best available scientific information. Although the language in the conference report directs PBA and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council to transfer the functions of the FPC to ``existing and capable entities,'' I am concerned that it does not provide enough direction about how this should take place and does not ensure that State and tribal fish and wildlife agencies will have a say in how and where these functions will be transferred. I hope that BPA and the Council set up a process that actively engages and is fully responsive to the needs of the State fish and wildlife agencies and tribes for whom the FPC was originally created. The Pacific Northwest is about to embark on a 1-year-long court- ordered process to correct the flaws in the Federal Columbia Basin Salmon Plan. It is my hope that the transfer of the FPC functions does occur seamlessly and in full collaboration with our State and tribal managers so they may fully participate in discussions and negotiations concerning the operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.