Kevin Brady

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yielding myself 15 seconds, yesterday we learned the Federal Government is paying millions of dollars to prisoners for unemployment benefits, millions of dollars of your money to cons in prison. But don't worry, we'll stop the fraud in ObamaCare. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as I yield the balance of our time to the gentlelady from Tennessee, I make the case, this is simply choice. Those who want to stop fraud in ObamaCare support this bill. Those who want to turn a blind eye to that fraud oppose it. I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black).

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleague Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) to re- introduce the Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act. This bipartisan legislation is part of our commitment to efforts to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare. This legislation was previously introduced by our former colleagues Wally Herger (R-CA) and Pete Stark (D-CA). This bill provides Medicare with important fraud-fighting tools and so we are continuing their mission to strengthen anti-fraud efforts in the Medicare program. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, Office of the Inspector General, OIG, lacks authority to exclude an individual or entity that is affiliated with an entity that has been sanctioned for fraud. This enables individuals and entities to continue to receive Medicare payments even if they contributed to the sanctioned behavior. It is important that we change the law to provide the Inspector General with these additional, requested tools to better protect Medicare. The legislation would provide OIG with two important authorities: First, the OIG would have the authority to prevent individuals involved with fraudulent entities from receiving Medicare payments. This would essentially ban executives whose companies have been convicted of Medicare fraud from the program. These executives currently defraud Medicare, then circumvent exclusion by moving to another company. I believe we can all agree these individuals should not be allowed to use this loophole to steal from the program that serves seniors' medical needs. The OIG would also have the authority to prevent entities involved with other fraudulent entities from receiving Medicare payments. This would ban the use of shell companies by corporations engaging in fraudulent activities. It is irrational to think that while these shell corporations are engaged in illegal activities their parent companies hold zero liability. Where individuals and entities are involved with fraudulent entities, they should not be permitted to continue to defraud the Medicare program. This legislation passed the House of Representatives in 2010 by voice vote. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to act on it. We encourage our colleagues to cosponsor this common sense legislation so we can add simple, anti-fraud tools to better protect Medicare beneficiaries and American taxpayers.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Price, control the remainder of the time for us.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana, a physician who practiced medicine for 30 years, chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee, Dr. Boustany.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), the chairman of the Budget Committee, a father of three children who understands how tough it is to make ends meet for health care.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, this is just about fairness. What families and workers in my district are asking is this: Isn't it unfair to grant businesses relief from this Big Government mandate but still force average workers to comply with it? If the President's health care law isn't ready for business, how is it ready for my family, for my children, for my loved one? At its heart, both families and workers are worried and wondering: Why isn't the White House listening to us? This isn't fair. The President has proclaimed the law is working the way it's supposed to, and the White House, Treasury Department, and every agency tells us things are right on track, but they're not. They miss deadline after deadline after deadline in this troubling implementation. The truth is it's not ready. With the temporary relief from the business mandate, yes, it was welcome news, but it didn't solve the problems our local businesses are struggling with under ObamaCare. In fact, the President's health care law is causing more confusion and more uncertainty. Workers are seeing fewer hours and smaller paychecks. That's not fair. Businesses are struggling to find the money to pay for higher health care costs under ObamaCare. That's not fair. And our neighbors are struggling to find full-time jobs; 20 million Americans can't find them. It's fewer jobs to apply for. That's not fair. Why is it that, under this White House, Warren Buffett gets a break from ObamaCare but Joe Six-Pack, the single mom working at the local restaurant, they don't get any kind of break? Well, we just want fairness for workers, fairness for families. We're tired of the White House picking winners and losers. This is about fairness and equality. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor a passionate voice for American values and her community. My dear friend, Judy Smith is retiring as Precinct 72 chair, a position she has held since the Precinct's founding in 1998. For nearly three decades, Republicans in Harris and Montgomery County have counted on Judy and her dedication to our democratic process. It has been my honor to call Judy and her husband, Bob, my friends for many years. We have all been in awe of the amazing growth of her precinct's Republican participation rate. It's over 5 times what she started with and has the highest percentage Republican turnout in the entire county. Because she never takes success for granted, she has held that turnout record for the entire 15 years she's been Precinct 72 chair. Judy served two terms on the State Republican Executive Committee, as Chairman of both Senatorial District 7 in Harris County and District 3 in Montgomery County and as a delegate for the last three national conventions. I remember well when Judy and Dorothy Woodall organized the North Shore Republican Women. Judy served as president in its first years, before serving as the Texas Federation of Republican Women Co-Chairman of Victory 2002, Chairman for TFRW State 2004 Voter Registration, 2006- 2007 Vice President of Membership, and 2008-2010 Vice President of Programs and currently as Co-Chairman of Patrons. These are just some of the many accomplishments that led to her being honored as one of the TFRW's Ten Outstanding Republican women in Texas in 2005. As a member and a former Regent of the National Federation of Republican Women, she helped bring the Texas success story to the White House. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Willis, Judy and Bob have been married for 55 years, raised 3 grown children and are currently enjoying being grandparents. Much soul searching led my friend, Judy, to step down as chairman of what she called 'a great experience'. I just would like her--and the entire country--to know how much we all appreciate what she has done for her country. This weekend, the North Shore Republican Women's club are hosting a retirement picnic for Judy in Bentwater. But her presence will continue to be felt, because of the amazing example she has set for us all.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor my friend, Roy Harris of Cut and Shoot on his 80th birthday. All across America, there are living legends every American should know about and Montgomery County, Texas has a special icon: Roy Harris. To fully understand Roy's legendary status, we have to take a trip back in time. Roy's first brush with fame came during his early teenaged years when he and his brother captured a 14 foot alligator and brought it to a pond on their family's property. At the time, that was the largest alligator ever captured in Texas. In his early 20's, Roy stepped into the boxing ring with determination. He won his first 23 fights, beating some of the top boxers of his generation, earning Ring Magazines' progress of the year for 1957. He was featured on the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated which played up his East Texas roots having him stand on a cabin porch with a 19th century rifle and loyal canine companion at his side. Roy's legend grew even larger when he stepped into the ring to battle reigning world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Floyd Patterson for the world's heavyweight boxing title. The referee stopped the fight after 12 rounds, but not before Roy became a national hero. It was Roy's fame, and a boost from his hit record ``Cut'n Shoot, Texas USA'', that literally put his hometown on the map and garnered it an official U.S. Post Office. But Roy is so much more than an alligator wrangler, a top flight boxer or radio hit maker, Roy was also a college honor student and a reserve officer in our military. He taught elementary school before becoming a lawyer, real estate mogul and popular public servant serving several terms as our county treasurer. I can tell you from personal experience, no one campaigns harder, longer, and more for the people than Roy Harris. He and his wonderful wife, Jeannie, raised six impressive children. He told his story much better than I could in his book ``Roy Harris: Backwoods Battler.'' My only question was how is this autobiography not in multiple volumes? With 30 wins in the ring and many, many more wins in life, it was fitting that our community came together last month for a public birthday bash for Roy's 80th. Roy, thanks for being a great example for your children, my children, and millions of others. Your legend will only keep growing.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor the memory of a bright light for the arts that my community lost on Tuesday, July 2nd. But more importantly, Andy DuBois and their children, Madeline, 15, and Hunter, 11, lost a wonderful wife and a special mother. From her birth in Austin she grew up in New Braunfels where she was class president and homecoming queen at Canyon High School. She graduated from the University of Texas where she met the love of her life, Andy. At every step in her life Cindy DuBois put her heart and soul into everything she did. She started her career deep in the Rio Grande Valley at a PBS station in Harlingen and went on to manage public relations for South Padre Island before her family moved to The Woodlands and she found her calling in the arts. From helping grow major events like The Woodlands Children's Festival and the Waterway Arts Festival, Cindy DuBois will always be remembered for her smile and her determination to bring the arts to everyone. It's fitting that her CEO called her a ``driving force'' for the arts, because under Cindy DuBois' leadership, attendance nearly tripled for art events at The Woodlands' famed Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. From the Houston Symphony to performances by the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera and many more artists, the growing enthusiasm for the arts in The Woodlands is a testament to Cindy DuBois. The outreach, savvy marketing/public relations efforts, and many smiles from this 2007 graduate of Leadership Montgomery County moved mountains. That same spirit, determination and grace sustained her during a lengthy battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer. At her touching and emotional funeral service held July 5th at The Woodlands Pavilion, where her remarkable children, sisters, friends and family paid tribute to her, it's clear The Woodlands and all who know her have been touched forever by Cindy's positive attitude and infectious glasshalf-full philosophy. As Andy, Madeline, and Hunter begin a much different phase as a family, they have wonderful memories of bowls of homemade salsa, scary movies and board games and her cheers at Rush soccer and ORWALL baseball. While the community is heartbroken, we are so grateful for all Cindy has given us to remember her by. In every concert, in every fine arts performance, I'm confident she will always be there.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is a commonsense amendment that helps us responsibly develop our traditional energy sources for more jobs, more revenue to help balance this budget, and more affordable energy for America. I urge my colleagues' support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. I am ready to close whenever the ranking member is.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield 1 minute to the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings).

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Thank you, Chairman Hastings. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chairman, our Nation is in the middle of an exciting energy revolution, but we will never truly reach energy security as long as 85 percent of our offshore areas remain off limits to oil and gas manufacturers. Chairman Hastings' Offshore Energy and Jobs Act on the floor today will open more offshore areas to energy development and bring our Nation closer toward the bipartisan goal of energy independence. This is a great thing. In particular, Chairman Hastings' innovative bill allows State Governors to request that certain offshore areas be included in the 5- year leasing plan. This gives States more power to unlock offshore energy resources and the jobs and the affordable energy that go along with responsible offshore energy development. I'm offering an amendment to strengthen that language based on my More Energy, More Jobs legislation recently introduced with my colleagues, Mr. Wittman of Virginia and Mr. Shimkus of Illinois. It will require the Interior Department to include all these areas requested by State Governors in the environmental review process for the leasing plan. The National Environmental Policy Act requires all major Federal actions, including offshore leasing plans, to undergo an environmental review. For offshore leasing, this is an environmental impact statement. Typically, this is a 2-year process at least, and a first step for including any area in an offshore leasing plan. Without environmental impact statements, new areas can't be leased for offshore drilling. My amendment will bring more areas into consideration for offshore energy development and move them further along in the leasing process, regardless of whether they are included in the final leasing plan. More importantly, it will make it easier for future Congresses to pass leasing plans like the underlying bill because more offshore areas will have gone through the necessary environmental review process. I'd like to thank Chairman Hastings for working with me both on this amendment and including some of our ideas in the underlying bill. With this struggling economy and our Nation in the midst of an energy revolution, now is the time to act to unleash more American-made energy and more American jobs. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Johnson, thank you for your leadership on this issue and, Mr. Doggett, for your eloquent support. When American families are fortunate enough to have children, they often face an important decision: Can they afford to have one parent stay at home to care for the children or is it financially necessary that both parents continue to work outside the home? If they choose to have one parent stay home, it is often a great financial sacrifice that affects not only their day-to-day living but their retirement security as well. I believe the government should support their decision by encouraging them to save for their retirement by using the Spousal IRA tax provision which became law in 1996. This provision brings a measure of equality to the Code and allows parents to contribute to IRA retirement accounts whether they work outside the home or not. While the Spousal IRA provision was included in the Contract for America and the Contract with the American Family, it only exists today because of our dear friend and former Texas Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison. Years ago, she recognized the unfairness of the Tax Code to those moms and dads who chose to stay home with their children, even if it meant missing out on the usual tax incentives enjoyed by those with outside jobs who were putting money away in a traditional IRA as a nest egg. Well, stay-at-home parents didn't have that IRA option, so Senator Hutchison went to work to balance the scales a little for those parents. I remember Senator Hutchison for years tirelessly crisscrossing the State of Texas and lobbying her colleagues in the House and the Senate for a spousal IRA because it was the right thing to do for our families and families across the country. She never stopped raising awareness of this inequity and never gave up. I think all of us would agree that ``never giving up'' is a Kay Bailey Hutchison hallmark. She also turned her incredible energy to getting it passed in Congress. She was finally and justifiably successful in 1996, working across the aisle with leaders like Dick Armey and the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Bill Archer; but also signed by and supported by President Clinton. Since that time, millions of American children have benefited from their stay-at-home parents, and their parents have benefited from Senator Hutchison's magnificent work to bring some retirement fairness to these wonderful families. Therefore, I join with my colleagues to urge them to vote in support of renaming the Spousal IRA section of the Tax Code the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA. It is an honor much reserved for the one person most responsible for its existence.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a friend and a man beloved by his family, friends and community. Russell ``Russ'' Martineau would be described by anyone as a humble and a genuinely decent man who took no acclaim for himself but who worked tirelessly in support of others. Russ dedicated his career as a licensed clinical social worker to serving aging veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. During his career, he earned many accolades including recognition for Outstanding Social Work Team from the William Hearst Foundation for his work with colleagues in forming the AGIF Consortium promoting and developing Gerontology studies for graduate students. His dedication to our veterans followed his own service to our nation. Russ enlisted in the United States Air Force serving during the Vietnam War with the Pacific Air Forces. Those that knew Russ would tell you that his most cherished role was that of family man. He met Julie, his wife of 33 years, and someone I am glad to count as a dear friend, while a student at California State University Long Beach. Julie has done so much in her own right for our region through her leadership of the Friendship Center and the Montgomery County United Way. Yet, none of her efforts would have been possible without Russ as her strongest supporter and confidant. Russ proudly played his part as the father of two wonderful daughters and two delightful grandchildren. To see his warm smile or the gleam in his eye when surrounded by those he loved was proof enough of the great pride he had for his family. I will forever remember the quiet courageousness with which Russ valiantly faced his battle with Multiple Myeloma for the last six years. Russ Martineau was a devout man who gained peace from the grace of his Lord and fortitude from those he dearly loved. Today, the friends and loved ones who stood in faith and encouragement will celebrate his life at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, Texas. To Julie, his daughters Adria and Brittany, grandchildren Brice and Delaney, his stepmother Elizabeth Hypes Martineau, sister Barbara Moore and his brothers Don, Bill and Jeff Martineau, I offer the words of Thomas Campbell, ``To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.''

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama, a former district attorney, State legislator, and county commissioner, who understands how communities struggle with health care, Mr. Brooks.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. At this time, Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a long distinguished Member of this House and one who is very knowledgeable of health care and the costs to families and businesses, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am honored to yield 1 minute to the author of the legislation that we are debating today, the gentlelady from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann).

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. What is disgraceful are these thousands of pages of a bill that was rushed through this Congress with little chance to read it, laden with special interest provisions to buy off votes, while promises were made to the American people that their costs would go down, that they could keep their plans if they would like, and that the economy would boom. None of it happened, and Republicans were denied even one vote on the House floor to provide a real alternative. That's the disgrace. Today, health care costs are going up. Independent experts say it could double in some States. Workers are finding out they can't keep their plans at work and that they'll be forced into the exchange. Who can afford more expensive health care? Almost two out of three small businesses aren't hiring because of this legislation. I toured a power plant in Conroe where the cost of ObamaCare is so high that it's the equivalent of building two new plants and of hiring 100 new workers. That won't happen. Local businesses are cutting jobs and cutting hours. One restaurant owner in Houston told his managers he will not hire another full-time worker--period. ObamaCare simply makes it too expensive. When these concerns are voiced, what Democrats in Congress and the President say is, It's the law. Get over it. Just get over it. The bottom line is that we are fighting to repeal ObamaCare because it will hurt too many patients, too many people, too many families. Bad laws should be stopped early before people get hurt. Year in and year out we've wrestled with this Medicare formula to reimburse doctors. We got it wrong, and doctors and seniors are being hurt. The alternative minimum tax has been a mess for years. The death tax, as well. Can you imagine how much pain we would have avoided if these bad laws had been stopped early before they hurt so many Americans? Make no doubt about it, we needed health reform. But the President and Washington Democrats got it wrong. So let's repeal it now and replace it with real reforms that help patients, that help families, that help small businesses. Let's get government out of the office room, let's give patients real choices, and let's lower health care because ObamaCare, this Affordable Care Act, has failed on all of its promises. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LEWIS, Madam Speaker, it is unbelievable. With so much to be done--so much good that we could do--this Congress stops work to vote a 37th time to destroy health care reform. Thirty seven times! The voters have spoken. The Supreme Court has ruled. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and we will not go backwards. The American people are counting on us to do what is right; what is just. We made a promise of health care to the American people. We must keep that promise. Vote no. Keep the promise of health care.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to a new leader in health care, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to a new member of the Ways and Means Committee, a job creator, a businessman himself, who has had to deal with rising health care costs, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).