Steve Buyer

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. I ask that----

Mr. BUYER. I will.

Mr. BUYER. Just protect veterans and I'll go sit down.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, the President and the Democrat leaders here in Congress are not listening to the American people. Today, our Nation's unemployment rate is 10.2 percent, the highest level in 26 years. This is an astounding level of unemployment. It tells only part of the story of the struggles Americans are experiencing and Washington is ignoring. A deeper look at the unemployment numbers reveals the true costs of the Obama-Pelosi economic policies. The actual unemployment rate in America is 17.5 percent. When the currently unemployed, those who are unable to find work and those who have given up looking for jobs are included, it is 17.5 percent unemployment. We must focus on the economy first. We should start by cutting government spending to shore up the U.S. dollar. We should encourage job creation in the private sector and increase private investment. We must rely on the proven methods to get our economy back on track such as an immediate tax relief, decreasing the capital gains tax rates, and reducing the tax burdens on small business. We are living in an economy in despair as we face a two-front war. The President needs to address the economy first; and, as Commander in Chief, he needs to make a decision on Afghanistan. Mr. President, you cannot vote ``present'' on Afghanistan. You need to make a decision. Instead, he and the Democrat leadership are jamming legislation through Congress with massive spending increases, bailouts, greater government control of businesses, and job-destroying taxes and regulations, all while leaving our troops in limbo in Afghanistan. Washington has it all wrong. Unfortunately, the President, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Leader Reid are proceeding with a 2,032-page bill that promotes the government takeover of health care; and most Republicans have been shut out of the process. With little room for engagement, though, I have been successful to help improve a bill that I do not like. I have done this for a reason. It is because of our veterans. I have been able to provide important protections for our veterans and servicemembers who would have been significantly impacted by this health bill had the Democrats had their way at the beginning. I have been able to ensure that the veterans enrolled in VA health care cannot be hit with a 2.5 percent tax. Also, I sought to ensure that the VA is reimbursed by the government-run health plan for nonservice-connected care it provides to the veterans. I appreciate them including these amendments. After succeeding with an amendment to ensure veterans and servicemembers have the ability to obtain additional health care in the health insurance exchange created by H.R. 3962, my amendment was altered; and, under H.R. 3962, veterans' and servicemembers' choice of health insurance will be left to the administration to determine. Again today I tried to fix this with an amendment, but it was denied in the Rules Committee. A number of veterans and military groups, including the VFW, share these concerns and support the amendment that I submitted to the Rules Committee today. I will include for the Record the letters from the AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association and the Retired Enlisted Association. Our veterans and military organizations in support of the Buyer- McKeon amendments are the VFW, the Air Force Sergeants Association, MOAA, the Association of the United States Army, National Military Family Association, and the Enlisted Army National Guard, U.S. Also, there are Members who are cosponsoring these amendments: Jerry Moran of Kansas, Henry Brown of South Carolina, Jeff Miller of Florida, Brian Bilbray of California, Doug Lamborn of Colorado, Gus Bilirakis of Florida, Dr. Phil Roe of Tennessee, Vern Buchanan of Florida, and Rodney Alexander of Louisiana. Our veterans have earned the VA health care as well as the liberty to choose whatever other coverage they prefer. I find it outrageous that the government would attempt to dictate where and how these veterans and servicemembers would obtain health care. Additionally, under H.R. 3962, the authorities of the VA and DOD Secretaries are jeopardized, and the health care systems that they oversee could be affected by the new health care czar created in all but one section of this bill. Again, the Democrat leadership has not addressed this issue that I sought to address, and these amendments have been denied today. As the Blinded Veterans Association stated in their letter to me: ``It is critical to ensure that the authority of the Secretary of the VA and the Secretary of DOD could never be challenged or obstructed by any provision in the bill or by a Secretary or a commissioner from another sector of government.'' Finally, it is important to note that under H.R. 3962, veterans and servicemembers enrolled in VA health care and TRICARE will not be eligible for the affordable tax credits . . . available to other Americans living under 400% of the federal poverty level. I submitted an amendment, which would have allowed individuals enrolled in VA health care and TRICARE to receive these tax credits, and this amendment was denied consideration by the Democrats. I oppose H.R. 3962. This legislation restricts veterans' health care options and imposes a sweeping government takeover of our nation's health care system, and I support the Republican plan to improve our nation's health care and lower premiums, thereby increasing access to quality healthcare. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Republican health care reform legislation would reduce health insurance premiums by up to 10 percent for employees working in small businesses, up to 8 percent for individuals who do not have access to employer- provided health insurance and up to 3 percent for employees who get coverage through large businesses. All told, under the Republican plan, health insurance premiums would cost Americans nearly $5,000 less than the least costly option under Speaker Pelosi's plan. All of this without a government takeover of our health care system and \1/6\ of our nation's economy. The Democrats' plan is not about insuring the uninsured or bringing down health care costs. In fact, under Democrat proposals in Congress, up to 114 million Americans could lose the private health insurance that they enjoy today, and CBO found that the House Democrats' bill will make health insurance more expensive than it is now, raising insurance premiums about 30 percent more than currently projected by the year 2016. We must focus on the uninsured and the uninsurable. The Republican health care plan does just that by creating new health insurance options for small businesses--the economic engines of our economy-- enacting real medical liability reform so that physicians can continue to focus on their patients and not junk lawsuits, guaranteeing affordable health insurance for individuals with preexisting conditions, protection seniors' Medicare benefits, and lowering health care premiums for all Americans. Our nation's health care system can be improved without increasing taxes and jeopardizing the jobs we still have in America. The President and Democrat leadership in Congress must reorganize their priorities. They must stop focusing on job-killing policies. It is time to start listening to Americans and fix our economy first.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3949, the Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009, a bill which I am pleased to cosponsor. Mr. Speaker, this is an omnibus bill that would make improvements in several areas of veterans legislation by including provisions from bills introduced by Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ms. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Miller of North Carolina, Mr. Connolly, Mr. McIntyre, Ms. Jackson-Lee, and Mr. Frank. However, I am very disappointed that due to jurisdictional issues raised by the majority side of the Committee on Small Business, a provision from my bill, H.R. 3223 was withdrawn from the bill. My provision would merely change the word ``may'' to ``shall'' to authorize VA contracting officers to award non-competitive contracts worth less than $5,000,000 to qualified service disabled veteran-owned businesses. Such contracts would also be required to provide the best value to the government in the judgment of the contracting officer. Changing ``may'' to ``shall'' would merely put service-disabled veterans on an equal footing with businesses qualifying as an 8(a) firm under the Small Business Act. The word ``shall'' is used when awarding noncompetitive contracts to 8(a) firms. The disparity created by using ``may'' versus ``shall'' has a negative effect on the ability of service disabled veteran-owned businesses to obtain contracts with VA. It is important that service-disabled veterans are able to compete on a level field and I will continue to advocate for changing ``may'' to ``shall''. Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud of the provisions in Public Law 109-461 passed during the 109th Congress, that improve the competitive status of veteran-owned businesses, VOB, and service-disabled veteran- owned small businesses, SDVOB. We did that by giving Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, contracting officers additional tools to award contracts to those businesses and by making it plain that Congress believed that VOB and SDVOB have priority in VA small business contracting. One of those provisions required VA to maintain a database of veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and to verify the ownership and control of the businesses listed in the database. Unfortunately, VA has been slow to implement the verification process and has currently verified only about 2,000 of the 15,000 businesses listed in the database. Therefore, I am delighted that Subcommittee Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin has clarified Congress' intent on having a business included only after verification of ownership and control as a means to prevent awarding contracts to businesses which are not veteran-owned. With the implementation of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, it is more important than ever to ensure VA receives up-to-date advice from schools and State Approving Agencies on issues related to veterans education. I congratulate Ms. Kirkpatrick for extending the life of the Advisory Committee on Veterans Education through 2015. I am also especially pleased with H.R. 3949's provisions that would strengthen protections for servicemembers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, SCRA, by clarifying the rights and obligations of servicemembers and providers regarding service contracts for cell phone service, residential and automobile leases. The bill also makes important changes to SCRA by codifying a servicemember's private right of action and authorizing the U.S. Attorney General to bring appropriate action in U.S. District Courts. The bill also authorizes the Courts to award fines up to $110,000, and take other appropriate actions in violations of SCRA. Mr. Speaker, in addition to direct injuries to a servicemember's eyes, one of the hidden injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is the damage to vision done by explosions. Unfortunately, visual injuries as a result of one or more concussive injuries may not manifest for an extended time beyond the event. When combined with direct eye injuries, the number of veterans who will be seeking VA assistance with visual impairment will increase and I share Ms. Jackson-Lee's and her cosponsor, Mr. Boozman's concern that VA lacks sufficient staff who are experts in treating veterans with visual and mobility impairment. I congratulate them for the provisions that would create a scholarship program for those seeking a degree or certificate in that field. Mr. Speaker, I have long been an advocate on behalf of VA's National Cemetery System and compassionate treatment of the heroes that are buried there and their families. I appreciate Mr. Frank's initiative that would allow burial of a parent with a servicemember killed in combat or training for combat, as long as the burial would not displace another veteran or servicemember and it is limited to servicemembers who have no dependents.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 858, I was unavoidably detained and therefore did not vote on passage of H. Res. 868, honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that I must vote against the conference report for H.R. 2647, the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act, because it includes ``hate crimes'' provisions of H.R. 1913. The provisions were added by the Senate in an effort to facilitate the social engineering and partisan political agenda of the Democrat leadership in Congress. The ``hate crimes'' language has absolutely nothing to do with the funding and equipping of our servicemembers, and it is especially unfortunate that such a blatant partisan action would be taken during a time of war when our nation's sons and daughters are in harm's way. My no vote supports the values, goals, and mission of the United States military.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to support H. Res. 679, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of American Legion Day. The American Legion is our nation's largest and oldest veterans' organization, and has been a steadfast supporter of our Armed Forces and veterans since Congress issued the venerable organization a federal charter on September 16, 1919. The American Legion has always proven itself to be a tremendous national asset that stands by our troops and veterans. The stalwart patriotism, leadership, and faith in our great country of its 2.7 million members are most commendable. Having grown up in a Legion family, I know firsthand the commendable programs and services The American Legion provides to veterans and communities. My mother is a former Auxiliary President for the Department of Indiana, so I am especially appreciative of the dedication and devotion of the members of The American Legion and its Auxiliary. They have raised millions of dollars for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund to help fund the education of children who have lost a parent in our nation's service. Another program, Heroes to Hometowns, works as part of the government's seamless transition effort to coordinate with the communities to ensure returning heroes and their families have the resources needed for a successful transition. The American Legion family also has over 6,000 volunteers that provide countless hours of services each year to their fellow veterans. Mr. Speaker, I offer my full and heartfelt support for this resolution to support the goals and ideals of American Legion Day and to call upon the people of the United States to observe American Legion Day with appropriate programs and activities.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I join my good friends and colleagues, Mike Michaud of Maine and Henry Brown of South Carolina, in introducing the Severely Injured Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2009. This bill will provide increased benefits to our most severely injured veterans. Madam Speaker, as servicemembers are returning from the Global War on Terror with more severe and complex injuries than in previous conflicts, the services and benefits that the Department of Veteran Affairs provides must change as well in reflection of their needs. This bill recognizes this need and provides significant increases for these veterans and their families. The bill increases compensation for catastrophically injured veterans who are in need of regular aide and attendance by fifty percent. Qualifying veterans would receive a monthly payment of $7,552, and those in need of the highest level of care would receive $8,642. We are all aware of the impact of attending to daily personal needs such as bathing and eating can have on family caregivers. Increasing the rate of the aid and attendance benefit for veterans would support family caregivers who experience a loss of income, and allow veterans to remain in their homes. This legislation would also expand eligibility for aid and attendance benefits to include veterans with service connected residuals of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It would permit these veterans in need of constant supervision and assistance to remain in their residences rather than being institutionalized. More servicemembers of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are surviving blast head injuries cause by an IED explosion than in any previous war. These servicemembers and veterans may not have any physical disabilities, but may suffer extreme cognitive disabilities as a result. A veteran with severe TIM can require constant supervision and assistance to perform all activities of daily living. However, current law does not provide veterans with severe TBIs with the same level of compensation that is available to veterans with severe physical disabilities. Further, the bill codifies a U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ruling that protects non-service connected pension payments for elderly, indigent, and severely disabled or house-bound American veterans. The bill also increases this benefit by ten percent. It would also authorize veterans with severe burns to receive specially adapted auto grants. Lastly, the bill honors the recipients of our nation's highest award for bravely by doubling the monthly pension given to Medal of Honor Recipients to $2,000. Madam Speaker, this bill makes all of these needed improvements without new increases in direct spending. I urge my colleagues to join me in improving the lives of these veterans by co-sponsoring this bipartisan bill.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: DoD RDT&E, Technology Transfer Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Technology Service Corporation Address of Requesting Entity: 116 West Sixth St., Suite 200, Bloomington, IN 47404 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $5,000,000 to continue support of the National Radio Frequency Research, Development, and Technology Transfer Center, which provides an efficient method of transitioning new technologies into DoD programs of record to provide for performance improvements at lower cost for the war fighter. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: USAF RDT&E, Technology Transfer Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Purdue University Address of Requesting Entity: 610 Purdue Mall, Hovde Hall, West Lafayette, IN 49707 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,640,000 to continue the development of the multi-faceted National Test Facility for Aerospace Fuels Propulsion, which supports development and testing of alternative energy sources for aerospace equipment, is aligned with the Civil Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative, and compliments DoD's commitment to transition all aircraft for flight on synthetic fuel blends.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to Jackie S. Rowles, CRNA, MBA, MA, FAAPM, of Indiana. Ms. Rowles will soon complete her year as national president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). I am very pleased that a fellow Hoosier served as the 2008-2009 President of this prestigious national organization. Celebrating its 78th Anniversary, the AANA is the professional organization that represents more than 40,000 practicing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Founded in 1931, the AANA is the professional association representing CRNAs nationwide. As you may know, CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who administer more than 27 million anesthetics in the United States each year. CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered: traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; critical access hospitals; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, the U.S. military, Public Health Services, Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities, and finally, like Ms. Rowles, some are specialists in the management of pain. Ms. Rowles was educated in the art and science of Nurse Anesthesia, at the Truman Medical Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. In addition, Ms. Rowles also holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Biology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Memphis State University in Memphis, Tennessee. Currently, she is an Anesthetist within the Meridian Health Group, which provides pain management services in and around the Indianapolis area. Ms. Rowles has held numerous leadership positions in the AANA as Regional Director, Vice-President, and President-elect before becoming the National President of the AANA in 2008. In addition, Jackie has served terms as President, President-Elect, and Secretary, for the Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (INANA). She has received the Excellence Award from the Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists; the Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award from Ball State University; and the AANA Alice Magaw Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award. Ms. Rowles has been a Member of the Indiana Commission on Health Care Excellence; a Member of the Accreditation Association Ambulatory Health Care; Associate Member in the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and Indiana Society of IPP; a Member of the Society of Pain Management; and finally, a Fellow and Member of the Board of Directors in the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM). Considered an expert in interventional pain management, Jackie Rowles developed a nationally recognized system of CRNA skill competency assessment that has served as a tool in patient safety initiatives. Adding to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Rowles has been recognized for speaking on anesthesia- and pain management-related topics over the years. During her AANA Presidency, Ms. Rowles advocated for CRNAs and patients before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and other federal agencies. In addition, Ms. Rowles directed that the AANA be represented before this Congress to testify about the contributions of CRNAs in the Veterans Affairs and military health systems. Finally, Ms. Rowles has been an invaluable advocate for the value of CRNAs in health reform. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the outgoing President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Ms. Jackie S. Rowles, CRNA, MBA, MA, FAAPM, for her notable career and outstanding achievements. And, on a personal note, Jackie, stay out of the sand traps and enjoy the fairways and greens.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, the President and the Democratic leadership here in the House and in the Senate are on the fast track to transitioning our country's Republic into a European social democracy. There were many reasons that the ancestors of the people of America fled from where they were to come to America. It was because of the oppressions of the freedoms by the governments under which they had resided. We have made our share of mistakes and have had successes throughout history, but when America embraces freedom and liberty, we have the ability to inspire and to lead the world through many industries, and we have done so. In health care, we attract the greatest minds of the world to come to America's marketplace. We attract at-risk capital to press the bounds of science that improve the quality of life of our people and of millions around the world. So, when we talk about health care reform, we want to preserve that which is right, and we want to work on that which is wrong. When my Democrat colleagues of the leadership talk about health care reform, it's about a government-run, socialized health system. Let's reject that and let's work together.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3219, as amended, the Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009, which would amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to insurance and health care. H.R. 3219, as amended combines several pieces of legislation including H.R. 2349, the Veterans' Group Life Insurance Improvement Act of 2009, and H.R. 2270, the Benefits for Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009, both of which I introduced earlier this year. H.R. 2349 gives eligible veterans the option of purchasing additional life insurance coverage under the Veterans Group Life Insurance Program. They would be able to purchase this coverage every five years in $25,000 increments up until age 60. This provision gives these veterans that choice to increase their life insurance as they get older and may see the need to purchase more as their family grows. The costs of such increases in coverage would be offset by premiums veterans pay, so there is no direct cost to the government. Another provision included in H.R. 3219, as amended, is the substance of H.R. 2270, which provides a $1,000 monthly payment to all World War II civilian groups that were later given veteran status under the process set up by the G.I. Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Earlier this year, the House created an inequitable situation when we singled out one of these civilian groups, merchant mariners, to receive this payment while excluding the other 28 groups who also served bravely in defense of our country. I am pleased that the bill before us corrects this situation. One of these groups that are now eligible under this provision is American Volunteer Group also known as the Flying Tigers. These were civilian pilots and ground crew who fought against the Japanese before and after Pearl Harbor and had one of the most impressive combat records in the Pacific Theater. During the subcommittee legislative hearing on H.R. 2270, members had the opportunity to meet and hear testimony of 90-year-old former Flying Tiger, Ed Stiles, Sr. I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Stiles and his family, and it was an absolute pleasure to hear his stories about the brave pilots and ground crews of the Flying Tigers who saved countless American lives by tying up Japanese air forces in China before and after Pearl Harbor. I want to thank my colleagues for including these two provisions in H.R. 3219, as amended. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1293, the Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009. H.R. 1293 is a bill I introduced to increase the amount payable to a disabled veteran under the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Program. Known as the HISA grant, this is a significant benefit that provides seriously disabled veterans the ability to make home alterations to receive in-home medical care. Congress first authorized VA to establish the HISA program as part of outpatient care for home health services in 1973. The benefit is paid from the medical care appropriation and is available to both veterans with service-connected and non-service connected disabilities. A service-connected veteran can receive a HISA grant in addition to other home adaptations grants available through the Veterans Benefits Administration. We have been engaged in the Global War on Terror for nearly eight years and are seeing an increasing number of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan utilizing VA health care. Last year, a joint Department of Defense, DOD, and VA Inspectors Generals review of the care transition process for injured OEF/OIF service members found that continuity of care was hindered by the inability of an injured active duty service member to obtain a HISA grant prior to discharge. Responding to this need, we enacted Public Law 110-289 to allow VA to provide such grants to eligible service members prior to their discharge from military service. However, we did not raise the amount of the grant which is currently $4,100 for service-connected veterans and $1,200 for non-service connected veterans. In fact, the ceiling has not been raised since 1992. H.R. 1293 would raise the maximum amount of a HISA grant to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and $2,000 for non-service connected veterans. The proposed increase reflects an additional 3 percent for each year since 1992 to account for inflation and the increased cost of making home improvements--a long overdue 66 percent increase. It is important that we make sure that VA benefits, such as the HISA grant stay relevant and adequately meet the needs of today's veterans. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1293. It is a good bill that shares bipartisan support.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2770, as amended, the Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009. I am pleased to join with Chairman Filner in introducing and supporting this legislation that would revise and improve the laws governing VA Nonprofit Research Corporations (NPCs). These state chartered, private organizations are dedicated entirely to supporting approved research and education at affiliated VA medical centers. They rely solely on non appropriated funds to conduct their activities, but are subject to VA oversight and regulation. There are 86 NPCs located in forty-one states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. However, the law that authorized and governs the operation of these organizations has not been updated since 1988. Last year, the VA Office of Inspector General (IG) conducted an audit and found that there is a need to strengthen VA oversight and control over NPC funds and administration. H.R. 2770, as amended would address concerns raised by the IG and update other provisions of the law to improve the operation of the non- profits to better meet the needs of the VA. The primary enhancements would include allowing VA to establish Multi-Medical Center Research Corporations, which is a voluntary sharing of one NPC among two or more VA Medical Centers, to increase research capabilities at smaller facilities. The bill would change requirements for Board membership to include at least two non-federal employee members that have business, legal, financial, medical, or scientific expertise that would benefit the NPC. It would clarify the circumstances in which an NPC could accept, administer, retain, and spend funds received; enter into contracts and agreements; charge and retain fees for educational programs; and provide certain reimbursements to VA for legal services. The bill would also raise the threshold for requirements to conduct independent audits and require that all NPCs establish a comprehensive conflict of interest policy. It is timely that we enact this legislation to strengthen VA's authority to guide expenditures and increase accountability and oversight of NPCs. It is important to enhancing VA's ability to capitalize on private research funds to improve the quality of care for our nation's veterans. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2770, as amended.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Elizabeth Regional Health Address of Requesting Entity: 1501 Hartford Street, Lafayette, IN 47904 Description of Request: Provides $300,000 for St. Elizabeth Regional Health's Adult In-Patient Psychiatric Unit which provides short term, intensive, and specialized care to patients who have an acute mental illness. Project ensures community will continue to have access to mental health services in an appropriate setting. Funding ensures continued improvement of mental health services in our nation. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hendricks Regional Health Address of Requesting Entity: 100 East Main Street, Danville, IN 46122 Description of Request: Provides $550,000 to address the health concerns of our nation by providing for comprehensive prevention and wellness programs which seek to improve the overall health of the community and ultimately to decrease health costs. Hendricks Regional Health will build central Indiana's first fully integrated YMCA and hospital collaboration. The hospital will provide physical and occupational therapies, cardiac rehabilitation, complete lab and x-ray services, new medical practices, sports medicine and other hospital outreach services such as nutrition counseling and diabetes education. Additionally, the project is projected to create 300 new jobs. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Clarian Health and Riley Hospital For Children Address of Requesting Entity: 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Description of Request: Provides $400,000 for project to renovate outdated burn unit in hospital. Once the project is complete, Riley Hospital will be able to treat children with moderate and severe burns in a more efficient and effective way. Riley Hospital houses and runs the only pediatric burn unit in Indiana and serves children throughout the entire state. Improving the facility will help children make quicker recoveries and should decrease overall health care costs.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hendricks County Board of Commissioners Address of Requesting Entity: 355 S. Washington Street, Danville, IN 46122 Description of Request: Provides $400,000 for the continuation of construction on the Ronald Reagan Parkway, which ultimately connects I- 70 and the Indianapolis International Airport to I-65 in Indiana. With the original northern and southern segments of the project completed or underway, this project will focus on the construction of the middle segments from US 40 to the northern interchange with I-74, including the construction of the County Road 100S-200S segment and the road widening from US 36 to County Road 100N. The Ronald Reagan Parkway is a joint project between Hendricks County, Boone County, the Indianapolis International Airport, and the towns of Plainfield, Avon, and Brownsburg, Indiana. These partners are working together to develop a limited access roadway connecting I-70 and I-65 in west-central Indiana, offering business owners and residents a powerful impetus for future industrial, commercial and residential development. The completion of this corridor will provide a significant north south corridor in Indiana, mitigating congestion on I-465 and providing an efficient multi-modal linkage. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: White County Board of Commissioners, Indiana Address of Requesting Entity: 110 N. Main Street, Monticello, IN 47960 Description of Request: Provides $400,000 for the 6th Street Corridor Project which is a 5.25 mile corridor project that is a joint effort between the City of Monticello and White County, which consists of several smaller phases. The scope of the project is to widen 5.5 miles of an existing road to a new, 3 lane major urban arterial street capable of serving traffic volumes forecast to occur during the 20 year design life of the improvements. Principal intersections will be designed to include turn lanes and traffic signals will be installed as warranted. The proposed improvement is a three lane roadway surface consisting of 12 foot wide through lanes in each direction separated by a 14 foot wide two-way left turn lane. Concrete curb and gutters will border the roadway. The goal of the corridor project is to provide relief for: (1) the current and impending mainline and intersection congestion, (2) the evident operational problems (crash frequency), and (3) the current impending seasonal congestion in downtown Monticello during the time when Indiana Beach is open creating a more direct alternate route. The improvements to the Sixth Street corridor will significantly benefit traffic destined to Indiana Beach and also many commercial, industrial and residential properties along the corridor by relieving current congestion. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corp. Address of Requesting Entity: CityBus, 1251 Canal Road, Lafayette, IN 47902 Description of Request: Provides $450,000 for the redevelopment of Riehle Plaza which is a new transit transfer center. This transit hub will leverage existing linkages between CityBus, Greyhound and Amtrak commuter rail service. The saw tooth design of the transfer center accommodates enough buses for its existing operations in addition to accommodating potential growth. This design also provides designated parking for specific bus routes. For riders, this takes the guess work out of trying to locate their connections and provides better accessibility for disabled riders. The transfer center will also provide shelters which will keep riders protected from snow and rain in the winter and provide much needed shade in the hotter months. CityBus understands that for citizens to use transit, transit must work for them. The proposed transfer center has been designed with this in mind. A key component of the planned development is a downtown annex for Ivy Tech Community College. This will allow for easier access for students who are dually enrolled in both the Community College and Purdue University. Ivy Tech is filling a critical need for Purdue students that are not able fulfill their core curriculum graduation requirements at Purdue. At present, these students spend a minimum of an hour driving between the Purdue and Ivy Tech campuses. The Riehle Plaza site is less than two miles from Purdue and provides students a reliable transit option to get to and from class. A 20% local match is committed towards this project. The local match will be generated with revenue from CityBus and PMTF through the State of Indiana. This local match, and any Federal support, will be used to leverage greater private investment for the overall project. The Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation is embarking on a proposal that will reshape downtown Lafayette into a livable, walkable and vibrant community. Nestled between two existing education centers, Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College, the Riehle Plaza location is an ideal site for transit-oriented development. The project will provide much needed shelter for riders as well as better access to transit for disabled riders. It will also reduce vehicle miles traveled by creating a downtown annex for Ivy Tech Community College. Federal funds received for this project will help to leverage a private investment in the redevelopment of the Riehle Plaza area. This is a true public-private partnership. Already downtown Lafayette has benefited from redevelopment that has been focused along Main Street. However, the area north of Main Street is ripe for redevelopment and will be greatly enhanced by the proposed project. The planned redevelopment has strong support from the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette, Ivy Tech Community College and the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Brookston Wind Turbines Study, Brookston, IN Address of Requesting Entity: Town of Brookston and Chalmers, Indiana, 205 East 3rd Street, Brookston, IN 47923 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $75,000 in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy money to conduct a study to determine where wind turbines may be placed to generate 6 megawatts of power to replace what they currently use from coal fired power plants. The study will include not only technical requirements, but also regulatory and administrative requirements and needed backup power to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the municipalities. Requesting Member: Congressman Steve Buyer Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Purdue Solar Energy Utilization Laboratory, West Lafayette, IN Address of Requesting Entity: Purdue University, Indiana, Hovde Hall, Room 233, Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 49707 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $475,000 in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy money to facilitate the development of conversion devices to reduce the cost and scale of solar equipment and devices to use concentrated sunlight on smaller devices and solutions to other disruptive solar energy issues in Indiana.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. I rise today in opposition to this rule because H.R. 3082 represents a dramatic shift in the way that we provide funding for VA medical care by providing advance appropriations for medical services, medical facilities, and medical supports and compliance accounts. Now I have some great concerns because the stress placed on the budget model could place us in the VA supplemental business. It also leaves out the IT and medical research accounts. So my amendment that was not made in order under this rule tried to correct what I viewed as a flawed process. The amendment would have added the VA information technology systems and the VA medical and prosthetic research accounts to the other VA medical care accounts that are included in the advance appropriations section. Now many issues were raised about the potential legislative proposals that authorize advance appropriations for certain Veterans Health Administration accounts at the Committee on Veterans Affairs' oversight hearing on the future funding of the VA, including the following: funding some accounts under an advanced appropriation and some accounts under regular fiscal appropriation could potentially create accounting complexities. Secretary Shinseki expressed concern that the VA's information technology is very much integrated into the medical care accounts and should be considered for advance appropriation. The Congressional Research Service observed that not including IT in advance appropriations could ``create a situation whereby, for example, VHA could not purchase computer software although it has procured medical equipment that needs the IT software,'' or would not be able to provide the necessary IT infrastructure for new Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. CRS also pointed out the failure to include medical and prosthetic research could potentially raise an issue with regard to the timing of funding research projects and research support such as personnel costs and administrative support. When I offered a similar amendment at the full committee markup of H.R. 1016, as amended, which is the bill that authorized the advanced appropriations proposal, it received broad bipartisan support and passed the Veterans' Affairs authorizing committee 17-8. Since the language of my amendment was also part of the final version of the bill when it passed the House, all I was trying to do was bring consistency between H.R. 1016, as amended, and the bill before us today. Every member of the Rules Committee voted in favor of H.R. 1016, so I'm disappointed to see that the very same provision was not made in order. The American people--in particular, our veterans--deserve a fair and open process of debate on this issue, and it's unfortunate that this opportunity has been blocked by the Rules Committee for partisan reasons. Since open debate on this issue was disallowed, it's my hope to continue to work with Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wamp to include these accounts in next year's budget resolution and then in the 2011 appropriations bill. That's the only choice that I now have. So I will attempt to work with you if you want to work with me. What I've learned around this place is bipartisanship is a choice. It's a choice. And I have been here now for 17 years and I've listened to Chairman Obey not only in the majority, in the minority, and now back in the majority, and being consistent--to my good friend--is really important. So if you can remember what you were like in the minority, be consistent to how you're like in the majority. And that's how you endure respect from all of us. And that's just my good counsel to my good friend.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. I want to commend my friend Mr. Wamp and Chairman Edwards for your strong advocacy on behalf of America's veterans. Mr. Chairman, last year, as you may remember, I offered an amendment that would have provided direct funding for VA to advance projects at 16 VA medical centers that were identified for the use of solar photovoltaic roof applications, but the amendment was ruled out of order on a technical issue. You and I have had several conversations about renewable energy issues and, however, working with the Secretary, as I had indicated, I was able to ensure that the VA funded these projects with the overall amount that included the fiscal year 2009 appropriations act, of which you had no objection. Subsequently, at the beginning of this Congress, with the prospect of a forthcoming stimulus bill, I had met with the Secretary of the VA on renewable energy projects to benefit our veterans and to provide additional funding to invest in these renewable energy projects at the VA. I was pleased the stimulus bill provided the VA with more than $1.4 billion. That's almost half a billion more than what I even submitted in the request, so I thank the chairman. And the VA stimulus spending for the additional 31 solar photovoltaic feasibility studies also included studies for cogeneration, of which the chairman must have done, along with wind and geothermal projects. And based on those study results, the VA plans to fund up to eight solar projects, nine cogenerations, six wind, and five geothermal using stimulus dollars. Mr. Chairman, the VA also expects to implement the remaining 23 solar projects, 29 cogeneration, 4 wind and 4 geothermal in fiscal year 2010, subject to the feasibility determinations. With this in mind, I want to ask my friend: Do I have your assurance that the bill before us would provide the sufficient funds for the VA to move forward with these renewable energy projects? I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. BUYER. I would thank the leadership of Mr. Edwards and Mr. Wamp for your commitment for renewable energy within the VA.

Mr. BUYER. Is there any remaining time on the majority side?

Mr. BUYER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment to increase funding for the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events by $3.5 million. Seven or eight years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Olympic training center in San Diego, and I was inspired by the attitude and positive example that our Olympians that train there continue to set for all Americans. It is truly a remarkable place. Then as I drove away from the training center, I was also upset. I was upset because at that time in history the United States Olympic Committee was embroiled in a scandal. I was very bothered that individuals were seeking to profit off of someone else's ideal, the pursuit of excellence. I then set the course to help reorganize the United States Olympic Committee. I am very pleased that the committee was reorganized. They did great things as we went into the 2004 Olympics and then the 2008 Olympics, summer Olympics on both. Based on the experience and the relationships that developed with the Olympic Committee and the relationships of the VA, we were able to create a memorandum of understanding between the Olympic Committee and the VA to further create these sports programs. That led then to our bipartisan legislation, Public Law 110-389, to authorize a total of $10 million to fund a VA grant program to increase participation in sports at all levels by disabled athletes. This program creates a partnership between the VA and the United States Paralympic program and grassroots disabled sports programs such as those sponsored by the Veterans Service Organizations, Disabled Sports U.S.A., and local parks and recreation organizations. Madam Chair, it is well known that sports are a great venue to rehabilitate a wounded veteran both physically and mentally. We need to offer every possible avenue for our wounded heroes to regain their self-esteem in the face of what are often severe disabilities. By increasing the funding to the full authorization, we will ensure a fast start for the program and maximize its impact on the disabled veteran community. I want to thank Chairman Edwards and Mr. Wamp for meeting this request. I ask all Members to support my amendment. You say, Steve, ``my'' amendment? What do you mean? Well, the amendment before the House--are you ready for this--is word for word, comma for comma, period for period the amendment that I submitted to the Rules Committee. Now bipartisanship is an affirmative act. It requires two people. It is a choice. You can either do things the partisan way or you can do things the bipartisan way. You see, when I drafted this amendment, I sent my staff down to speak with Mr. Filner's staff. I made an offer to him that if he wanted to be on this amendment. His staff then said, Mr. Filner is working on an amendment. The two staffs then exchanged both amendments. My staff said to Mr. Filner's staff, Your amendment could be subject to a point of order, but if you would like Mr. Buyer to be on your amendment, that's fine. Mr. Filner made a choice. He wanted to have his own amendment. So he submitted his amendment to the Rules Committee, which was subject to a point of order. I submitted my amendment to the Rules Committee clean. Clean. It is mystical, almost magical, how my amendment ends up with somebody else's name on it before the House floor. It is truly magic. But in the end, bipartisanship is a wonderful thing, because through that magic and mystery that is what we have here, Mr. Chairman. We got our bipartisanship in the end because the most important thing is these disabled veterans will have an opportunity to use a platform of healing. That is what we are about. So it is important that we get rid of the politics. That is my quest here. That is why I enjoy working with you, Mr. Edwards and Zack. Stop the games. And I would yield to the gentleman.

Mr. BUYER. I reclaim my time, you are absolutely right. I applaud Mr. Filner for his legislation. He worked with me to create that legislation. But, Mr. Filner, I want to work with you, and it is a choice. You chose not to, but in the end, through mystery and magic, we got our bipartisanship. So I will continue to extend my arm of the magic dust. I ask for everyone to support this mystical and magical amendment. I yield back.

Mr. BUYER

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