Earl Blumenauer

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Thank you, Madam Speaker. The irreplaceable role of healthy forests as havens for biodiversity, carbon sinks and renewable resources demands that we reverse a global legacy of environmental pillaging. Illegal logging and resource extraction is not just about environmental decimation, with watershed pollution, biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions, it's about the human loss as well: the local communities left with a culture of violence and corruption devastated without resources for survival, and beyond, to everybody on the planet. We all benefit from the medicines, carbon capture and species diversity these forests provide. For years, I've worked to eliminate the illegal logging trade. To make sure the United States can lead by example and stop our own use of illegally logged lumber, I authored the Legal Timber Protection Act whose provisions were signed into law last year. The U.S. Government is now empowered to determine where imported wood and plants actually come from to promote legal harvest. Yet the illegal trade continues. Last Thursday, with Chairmen Payne and Faleomavaega, I introduced a resolution to condemn the illegal logging and extraction of Madagascar's unique and invaluable natural resources. Madagascar hosts some of this planet's greatest diversity. Larger than the State of California, this island nation broke off from the African mainland about 160 million years ago, spawning a biological laboratory with over 150,000 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world: massive moths, towering trees, and a hundred different lemur species. The majority of Madagascar's people live on less than $2 a day, and protection of these incredible and unique resources, only 10 percent of which remain, could be key to a sustainable and economically secure future. Yet political turmoil is putting the honest livelihoods of many, as well as one of our planet's greatest treasures, in extreme peril. In March, the democratically elected President was ousted by a political rival with the backing of the military, a move which has been condemned by the United States, the African Union and others as a military coup d'etat. That ushered in a collapse of security for these precious treasures as political instability bred further corruption and mismanagement. Twenty years of partnership with the United States and nongovernmental organizations that has resulted in more effective local management and preservation is being undone in a matter of months. The de facto government uses the nation's endangered resources to boost its regime and has issued sweeping decrees allowing the harvest and export of wood from protected forests and World Heritage Sites. Reports from Madagascar are dire, detailing rampant illegal logging, mining, and resource degradation as detailed in an excellent report in last Friday's Washington Post. Traffickers smuggle record numbers of one of the world's rarest tortoises to Asian and European collectors; poachers kill and roast scores of lemurs for restaurants; and armed loggers brazenly plunder protected forests, looting dwindling hardwoods for furniture. These activities not only deny locals access to basic resources, they also degrade the country's thriving eco-tourism industry which brought in almost $400 million last year. The United States has condemned this current government and suspended all nonhumanitarian aid and terminated assistance through a Millennium Development Corporation compact. The World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society have all denounced the subsequent wholesale exploitation of some of the world's most diverse forests and the decimation of the local people's resources and livelihood. As the World Forestry Congress convenes this week, we have an excellent opportunity to raise awareness to stop rampant illegal logging and the harvesting of species. I am pleased that the United States Forest Service chief specifically referenced our resolution, H. Res. 839, during his address to the Forestry Congress as an example of United States commitment. The international community, all of us, must engage before it's too late for these protected species and do all we can to prevent the irreparable harm caused by illegal logging. This resolution condemns the ongoing tragedy and calls for the restoration of the rule of law and shows that the Federal Government will fight to help the people of Madagascar protect these resources. I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring House Resolution 839 so that the House can do its part to stop this outrage.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution to comdemn the illegal extraction of Madagascar's unique and invaluable natural resources. I am joined in this effort by Donald Payne, Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, and Eni Faleomavaega, Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. Madagascar hosts some of this planet's greatest diversity. Larger than California, this island nation hosts over 150,000 species found nowhere else. The people of Madagascar depend on these incredible and unique resources for survival. Yet, political turmoil is putting the honest livelihoods of many, as well as one of our planet's greatest treasures, in extreme peril. Reports from Madagascar are dire and detail rampant illegal logging, mining, and resource degradation. This resolution condemns this ongoing tragedy and calls for the restoration of rule of law. It is my hope that calling attention to this issue will spur change.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentlewoman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on the rule. I was sitting here waiting to speak on the underlying legislation after the rule is passed because I think it is an important ingredient towards dealing with a serious problem in California that affects us all, but I am compelled to come to the floor to support briefly the rule that is brought before us. My friend from the other side of the aisle from Texas recently asked, wonders at what point the majority stops blaming the Bush administration. I would hope that at some point the minority looks at a lost decade of Republican stranglehold on reasonable environmental policy, not just for California, but throughout the West, that actually set us back. We're playing catch-up now on things that we should have done for years in water infrastructure and water policy. Second, the notion that somehow we are wasting water because it flows into the delta and on into the Pacific Ocean, I will tell you, my fishermen in the Pacific Northwest don't think that is a waste. They don't think the smelt--which is a proxy for a collapsing ecosystem that is posing problems throughout the Pacific Northwest on historic fisheries and speaking to other environmental problems--is not a waste. I find it amusing to hear some people come to the floor and talk about a man-made, government-made drought. For heaven sakes, look at what's happening to the water levels; look at the areas there where they don't even monitor what is happening with groundwater to keep careful control. The California legislature just tied itself into knots unable to advance sensible water policies. There is a governmental failure all right, a governmental failure that at the Federal Government, the State government, and the local government we haven't dealt meaningfully with these conflicts. Instead we have treated farmers, fishermen, the environment and local communities that rely on these sources, we have treated them shabbily. Well, now with the climate change and persistent drought and the fact that some people aren't going to sit back and take it anymore, it's coming home to roost. I hope that there is a more spirited and robust discussion about the reality. I hope California gets its act together on a State level.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. And I hope that the Federal Government makes up for that lost decade. We are in a situation now where water is the precious resource for going forward, and what we're seeing here is a blip on the radar screen that is going to be affecting each and every State across the country. We better stop pretending that this drought is somehow government caused. We need to get our act together, get policies in place, protect the environment, be rational and be fair.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I listened to my friend from California say that if we would just allow some of these proposals to come to the floor, they would just be approved without any controversy. I beg to differ. Suspending the Endangered Species Acts, overturning biops, dealing with issues that have been in the works for years to try and balance the equities would be noticed. It's one of the reasons why the Republicans, when they controlled everything for 6 years, didn't move anything remotely like that. The American public, Native Americans, hunters and fishermen, the fisheries industry, they rely on some semblance of reality when we are dealing with water policy. I commend the gentleman for bringing forward something that is a constructive solution that can pass and isn't going to be tied up in court for years. That's not going to put people out of work. That's, in fact, going to create jobs. It's going to create water. It's going to reduce the pressure. Instead, we are hearing our friends from the other side of the aisle ignore the very real problems that we are facing today. This is not a man-made government-enforced drought. The water isn't there. To overturn minimal protections for the environment, for the fisheries in the Pacific Northwest, for people at the end of these rivers is not a solution that's going to restore water that isn't there. It's not going to help California that's tied in knots. Its legislature can't even deal with meaningful management of its own groundwater. We have a crisis in this country that is man-made and government created, and that is that we haven't been serious about the management of water resources. This is going to get worse because of climate change, global warming, and extreme weather events. We are going to be facing things like this in the Pacific Northwest with the disappearing snow pack, more strain on reservoirs, more conflict between cities and towns in rural areas, between wildlife and Native Americans. We have got to get serious. We have to get serious with legislation like this and being realistic about working together to create a framework for dealing with water policy. Let's roll up our sleeves and do that together. In the meantime, let's not demagog important legislation that will make a difference for water in California now, putting people to work and maybe, just maybe, starting an honest conversation about how we are going to deal with a nationwide water crisis.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, providing for the common defense is one of the federal government's most important duties. I take my duty to rigorously review the Defense budget very seriously, supporting defense spending that is smart and sustainable and speaking out against funding that is wasteful or misdirected. As such, I support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. My first priority remains the protection of our forces already on the ground, including the Oregon National Guard's 41st Combat Brigade, and equipping our military to face current threats. I have been pleased with the Obama administration's willingness to begin a tough review of the U.S. military, requesting additional equipment and healthcare support for our service-men and -women--especially our Guard and Reserve, while requesting cutbacks on outdated programs. Although difficult in the short-term, cutting unnecessary programs to orient our military to face today's threats is the right thing to do and keeps us safer in the long run. Part of this also involves empowering the military to clean up its widespread environmental legacy. In every state, communities must deal with former training grounds contaminated with live bombs, leftover shells, and leaking chemicals. I'm frankly disappointed that in the past there has been a distinct lack of political will needed to clean up our backyards within our lifetime, and I will continue to support increased Environmental Restoration funding. However, I'm pleased that two bipartisan amendments I offered with my colleague Ginny Brown-Waite remain in this bill. These provisions will increase the transparency of programs responsible for clean-up and require the Department to start thinking strategically about ways to lessen the longer-term health and environmental consequences of war and training. I thank the Chairman and the Committee staff for working with me on these points. In addition, I am proud to support the inclusion of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention provision in this bill. This bipartisan, long-awaited legislation will help prevent violence and ensure that justice is served for perpetrators of these hateful acts, chipping away at violent intolerance and protecting all our citizens. I am continually mindful of the fact that today's threats--extremism, economic upheaval, pandemics, and environmental devastation--cannot be addressed by military force alone. In addition to supporting this legislation, I will continue to advocate for national security strategies that also address issues of poverty, intolerance, and mismanagement.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the record.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. In addition, I, along with Ways and Means Ranking Member Camp, have asked the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation to make available to the public a technical explanation of the bill. The technical explanation expresses the committee's understanding and legislative intent behind this important legislation. It is available on the Joint Committee Web site at www.jct.gov, and is listed under the document number JCX-3909. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act, is about basic fairness for those who serve our country. In June of this year, a constituent contacted me regarding an issue of great concern to his family because they had purchased a home in my district, with the first-time homeowner tax credit. Yet, because of a temporary USAID Foreign Service assignment overseas, they must repay the credit. This constituent eloquently expressed his frustration and asked my office to help him and the thousands of Foreign Service families like him. The next month I introduced the Call to Service Homebuyer tax credit to protect families in the Foreign Service, intelligence community and military who serve our country away from home. I would note that my friend and colleague, Congressman Kind from Wisconsin, has been working on similar legislation focused on the military, and I deeply appreciate his partnership and coordination in working together to move this expeditiously, and of course that of the Ways and Means leadership, Chairman Rangel, Ranking Member Camp and the Ways and Means staff. Currently, the credit provides up to $8,000 towards the purchase of a home through November 30 of this year, provided that the home is the primary residence for 36 months afterward. The program has been so successful that the National Association of Realtors estimates that almost 2 million families will file for the credit, and that approximately 350,000 wouldn't have been able to purchase a home without it. But for all its popularity, the credit is inaccessible to many Americans, who, like my constituents and Congressman Kind's, are serving in the military, Foreign Service or intelligence sector. These occupations obviously often require time served abroad, rendering a 36- month commitment to a domestic residence difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Even now there are hundreds of thousands of men and women who are overseas serving our country on bases and embassies and other posts away from family, friends and community, often in very hazardous circumstances. Those serving our government should not have to choose between their job and their home. This bill protects those called to service, now or in the future, by waiving the recapture time for duty away from home. It also gives a second chance for those who served away from home in 2009 by extending the credit for 1 year. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner), the distinguished Chair of the Social Security Subcommittee of Ways and Means, for 2 minutes.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), a tireless champion of veterans with whom I've been pleased to work with on this legislation, for 3 minutes.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. It is my privilege to yield 2 minutes to a tireless member of the Ways and Means Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. It is my pleasure to recognize for 2 minutes a gentleman who often shares his insights about military families, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize for 2 minutes a gentleman who's been long active on this issue, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kagen).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. At this time I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to a tireless champion of Las Vegas, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. I would express my appreciation to Mr. Camp and his team for helping move this legislation through in a bipartisan and expeditious fashion. I would conclude, Mr. Speaker, by saying you have heard today strong testimony from people on both sides of the aisle why this legislation is important. Over the course of the last 6 months I've had an opportunity to make it personal in terms of Oregonians: people in the Peace Corps, in the Foreign Service in Swaziland, in China, in Mozambique, who are posted overseas but for whom their roots are still here. We want to make sure that it makes a difference for them. Likewise, in Oregon we have significant deployment of our 41st Brigade of the Oregon National Guard who will be serving in Iraq and scheduled to not return until the spring of 2010. It's personal for all of these people. It's a pleasure to see the rapid response to respond to the needs of these Americans serving abroad. I note that this legislation is endorsed by The American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors, the National Military Family Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. I strongly urge my colleagues to add their support to this bill and give the men and women who serve our country the same opportunity as other Americans to own a home.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. I reflect on what the distinguished majority leader just said. I agree with much of what he advanced. But my concern, I guess, is that what we have done is symbolic of how we have sort of jerry-rigged a system. We have the entire burden fall upon 27 percent of the population, some of whom perhaps can afford it, others who may not; and we are at a time when there is great stress on a number of these 27 percent. They will bear the entire burden. I would hope that this would be the last time that we are dealing with a fix of this nature that is surgical, trying to deal with the inherent complexity that we have. One of the reasons I am supporting comprehensive health care reform and Medicare modernization is so that we can tease out these anomalies; that we can provide an underpinning for all--not just our seniors citizens--but for all our citizens. I agree this is suboptimal, but from my vantage point, this is the best that we can do in an unpleasant situation.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, while we understand the need to extend our transportation programs while the other body deals with health care and climate change legislation, we must stand firm about passing a new authorization of our transportation programs in the next 6 months. Investing in America's infrastructure is the surest way to put Americans back to work. We can't afford to miss another construction cycle. Nor should we fall into a short term extension ``trap''. Even worse would be to punt until the next Congress the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act. Throughout America, our infrastructure is falling apart. Communities large and small--urban and rural--are suffering from deteriorating roads and bridges, aging water and sewer pipes, and an inadequate electrical grid. It is so bad that the American Society of Civil Engineers has given our nation's infrastructure an overall grade of ``D''. They say that we need $2.2 trillion to repair highway, transit and water projects after years of neglect. If it were not for the economic recovery package, we would be spending less than at any time in recent history and far less than our international competitors on this critical component of our nation's strength. Real highway spending per mile traveled has fallen by 50 percent since the Highway Trust Fund was established. Total combined highway and transit spending as a share of gross domestic product has fallen by 25 percent during that period, to 1.5 percent of GDP today. By not adjusting the tax rate for inflation, the gas tax has lost 33 percent of its purchasing power since 1993. Over this time, we have failed to pursue the type of innovation necessary to ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs of future generations. While America must and will spend more on infrastructure, it is critical to have the vision for what we are buying. More important, we must change the value proposition to get more from each dollar invested. The House has that vision and leadership. Let's take the next 6 months to write it into law.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating the 45th anniversary of Job Corps. Since its inception in 1964, Job Corps has educated over 3 million people, helping them secure their high school diplomas, improve literacy and find secure employment. Oregon has six Job Corps centers, one of which is in the Third Congressional District of Oregon. The Springdale Job Corps Center houses over 120 students and offers services to an additional fifty day students. The Center helps prepare students for careers in the culinary, administrative, security, automotive and health care fields, as well as assists students with their high school diplomas or equivalent. I am impressed by the energy, thoughtfulness and passion of those who work at the Springdale Center and the discipline and drive of the students they prepare. On the 45th anniversary of Job Corps founding, I would like to acknowledge the great work being done in Springdale, Oregon and across the country.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, in June, I introduced a bill to name a post office in my district, northeast Portland, Oregon, the ``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.'' Located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue, this post office shall serve as a daily reminder of the civil rights leader who, even now, inspires our Nation and serves as a catalyst for change. In fact, this bill itself is a result of a community-led effort, and the hard work of two local letter carriers. In 2007, Mr. Jamie Partridge and Mr. Isham Harris collected employee signatures supporting this naming, as well as letters of support from several neighborhood associations. I am pleased to carry this effort forward in D.C., with the full support of the entire Oregon congressional delegation. I thank the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform for working with me to ensure speedy passage of this bill through the House. I look forward to equally expeditious consideration in the Senate.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, with record 12.2 percent unemployment, Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. That translates into 236,000 Oregonians without work. In the Portland region, nearly 140,000 residents are out of work. For those without work, the average weekly unemployment benefit in Oregon is $310. Each week, I receive letters indicating how much of a lifeline these unemployment benefits are. Tragically for many families, this benefit is running out. Without this legislation, 6,000 Oregonians will have exhausted their unemployment benefits by the end of September. Each week thereafter 500 more will lose their coverage. Unless we authorize this extension, federal aid for these Oregonians will end. The economic losses from unemployment will last long after these workers--and the millions like them around the country--have again found work. Income losses for workers who are let go in a recession can persist for as long as two decades, sometimes longer. During this recession, older workers' wages will likely fall farther than those of younger workers. Those without college degrees will likely do worse than those with. These challenging economic conditions are only the tip of an economic iceberg. The typical American household made less money last year than the typical household made a full decade ago. Median household income fell to $50,303 last year; in 1998, the median income was $51,295. With six job seekers for every opening, these numbers are not likely to improve soon. Every year, our constituents have to do more with less. Every day in America jobs are being created and jobs are being lost. The real question is the balance between job growth and job loss. Since 1940, Republicans have been in charge of the United States more years than Democrats, 36-33. But, despite that fact, in terms of actual job creation, you can go back and look at the Department of Labor's statistics, for those 33 years, Democrats created 64.2 percent of the jobs in this country. Republicans were responsible for 35.8 percent of the jobs. The Obama administration has inherited the worst financial collapse in American history since the Great Depression, with the effects that are still being felt on the State and local level and will continue to ripple throughout the economy even after it is corrected. In response, President Obama produced a strong economic recovery package that the Congress passed in a few days. The current credit crisis facing the United States is one of the greatest economic challenges that the country has faced. It can be squarely traced to the ideology of economic deregulation, which left the government with few tools to address the reckless actions of many financial institutions until too late. It is time to rebuild the foundations of our economy, to improve America's fiscal fitness. I'm proud that the Recovery Act has begun this process. I look forward to working with my colleagues to invest in good jobs, improve wages, and create a nation where every family is safe, healthy, and economically secure.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I am proud today to support House Resolution 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This is long-overdue legislation that will provide funding directly to students, rather than to bankers. In addition, this bill expands a successful, much needed program to help more students go to college, supports job training at a time when millions of Americans are searching for ways to survive in a tough and changing economy, simplifies the financial aid process to make it easier for families to apply, and supports early childhood education so that more children graduate from high school and proceed to higher education. At the same time, this bill streamlines government programs to put an additional $87 billion back into the federal budget over ten years. I've heard from individuals in my home state about how this bill would impact their lives. It will mean that 20,594 students will be eligible for Pell Grants next year and the 107,677 Oregon students who applied for subsidized loans last year will be guaranteed low interest rates. An additional $1.6 million per year will go towards Oregon's College Access Challenge Grant program, which will have a huge impact on the 25,000 students who use it to help prepare for and make undergraduate and graduate work affordable. I am also pleased that the bill reinvests in our community colleges. I am impressed by the work that the two community colleges in my district, Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College, have done to help individuals struggling to prepare themselves for a changing economy. I am pleased that President Obama has recognized the importance of higher education and the need to make it accessible and affordable in today's changing economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, in June of this year, a constituent contacted me regarding an issue of great concern to his family. He and his wife had purchased a home in my district with the First Time Homebuyer Credit. Yet, because of a temporary government assignment overseas, they were being forced to repay the credit. This constituent eloquently expressed his frustration and asked my office to help him, and the thousands of Foreign Service families like his. I'm proud to say that today we are doing just that by introducing the ``Call to Service Homebuyer Credit Act of 2009.'' This bill would allow members of the armed services, Foreign Service, and intelligence community to take full advantage of the 2009 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Currently, the credit provides up to $8,000 towards the purchase of a home, from December 31, 2008 through November 30, 2009, provided that the home is a primary residence for 36 months afterward. The program has been so successful that the National Association of Realtors estimates 1.8 million families will file for the credit, and that 350,000 wouldn't have been able to purchase a home without it. But for all its popularity, the credit is inaccessible to many Americans--like my constituent--serving our country in the military, Foreign Service, or intelligence community. These occupations often require time served abroad, or otherwise away from home, rendering a 36-month commitment to a primary residence a difficult proposition. Even now, hundreds of thousands of men and women are overseas serving our country on bases, embassies, or other posts, away from friends and family, and often in hazardous locations. Those serving the public should not have to choose between their job and their home. This bill protects those called to service, now or in the future, by counting duty away from home as time spent fulfilling the primary occupancy requirement. It also gives a second chance to those who served away from home in 2009 by extending the credit for one year. This bill will give these men and women the same opportunity as other Americans to own a home. I appreciate the engagement of the Ways and Means Committee on this issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to quickly enact these thoughtful provisions.