Judy Biggert

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1170, congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program. The Voice of Democracy national scholarship program is an audio essay scholarship contest for American high school students across the world. Students in grades nine through twelve enter the contest by recording an audio essay on a selected theme. Since its beginning, the program has provided more than $3 million in scholarship funds to student winners. This year alone, $149,000 in scholarships was awarded to the winners. The Voice of Democracy's national competition is designed to foster patriotism by providing students with the opportunity to voice their opinion on selected themes. The 2009-2010 school year's theme was, ``Does America still have Heroes?'' America's youth responded with a resounding ``yes.'' Veterans of Foreign Wars began sponsoring this event in 1947 and also sponsor similar national essay competitions for middle school students. For example, Patriot's Pen encourages American students in grades six through eight to write an essay expressing their views on democracy, based on an annual theme. The VFW's 2.2 million members have fought for America's freedom and continue to give to our Nation through programs such as Voice of Democracy. The first, second, and third place winners of the 2009-2010 voice of America's national scholarship competition are Madison Mullen, Anthony Zendejas IV, and Lena Savell, respectively. The winners were selected from over 50,000 student entries based on originality, content, and delivery of their audio essays. Finalists were invited here to Washington, D.C., to deliver their oral essays. Participating students' essays described today's heroes in America, and I'm sure that many of these students will grow up to become tomorrow's heroes. I'd like to congratulate all the winners, finalists, and participants in the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program and thank the VFW for providing students with this opportunity. I'd also like to thank my colleague from California, Congressman Duncan Hunter, for sponsoring this resolution and thank the gentlelady from Hawaii for managing this bill, and I ask for my colleagues' support. Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. At this time I yield such time as she may consume to my friend and colleague, the sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1145, recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education. The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, was founded in 1885, and first opened its doors to students in 1891. Thirty-two students applied for the first semester, but only six were admitted to the freshman class. The remaining 26 students were enrolled in a specially established prep school, since there were no high schools in the area. Today, the University of Arizona has 29,719 undergraduate students, 6,962 graduate students, and 1,376 professional and medical students. The university is ranked number 16 among all public universities by the National Science Foundation. The university has a three-fold commitment to education, research, and community service, and offers more than 300 undergraduate degrees through 20 colleges and 11 schools. The university boasts excellent academic programs, but its students also excel in athletics. The university houses 18 NCAA athletic teams. The University of Arizona Wildcats basketball team has reached the NCAA tournament for the last 25 consecutive years. The women's softball team is among the top programs in the country, and has won eight Women's College World Series. The University of Arizona is designated as both a land-grant and space-grant institution, and research conducted at the university has led to advances such as the development of Pima cotton and new artificial hearts, and has helped in the building of the largest telescopes in the world. The mission of the university is ``to discover, educate, serve, and inspire,'' and the accomplishments of its students reflect this. I extend my congratulations to the University of Arizona for 125 years of excellence in higher education, and wish all of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni continued success. I would ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I thank the gentlelady from Hawaii for being the manager of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests for time, I would just, in closing, say I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) for his kind words and all he does in the Financial Services Committee on this type of issue and for his management of this resolution. I rise today to join not only Mr. Scott but also my good friend, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), in support of this year's resolution making the fourth annual America Saves Week. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Johnson as a cosponsor of the resolution, and I urge my colleagues to give it their full support. Mr. Speaker, as most of my colleagues are aware, I have been working for some years now to make financial literacy a top priority both in the classroom and here on Capitol Hill. In 2005, I joined the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), a cosponsor of today's resolution, to form the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus to help equip students and consumers with the tools that they need to prosper in today's sophisticated marketplace. Since then, the term ``financial literacy'' has become an integral part of our legislative lexicon, especially as the need for financial literacy has become clearer than ever with more and more American families relying on depleted savings to weather this period of financial hardship. When it comes to preparing against economic uncertainty, recognizing deceptive practices, building credit, or making dozens of other day-to-day financial decisions, nothing protects consumers and their financial security more effectively than arming them, even as young students, with a sound foundation in financial literacy, and that lesson begins with saving. Sixty percent of preteens do not even know the difference between cash, credit cards, and checks; and yet only 26 percent of students are actively learning financial literacy from their parents. It is little wonder why 10 million U.S. households remain completely unbanked or without access to standard financial tools like a savings account. And that is what makes initiatives like America Saves Week important. It represents a special opportunity for financial leaders, from the FDIC and the Federal Trade Commission to the University of Illinois and the Jump$tart Coalition, to share important resources and lessons with future savers who may be able to ride out the next financial downturn, buy a home, or retire more comfortably thanks to the financial tools they gained access to today. As the text of today's resolution suggests, the national savings rate has risen slightly as Americans spend more conservatively in the down economy. But as we recover, the next step must be to help families set goals, plan effectively, and invest wisely during those times when they are most able to build an economic buffer against future needs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a brief moment here to urge my colleagues to consider joining the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, if they haven't already, by contacting either me or my distinguished cochairman, Mr. Hinojosa. As my colleagues are aware, just last week, the FTC teamed with our caucus to showcase consumer protection resources available to our constituents across America. Now we are getting ready for another exciting Financial Literacy Month, this April, with events and briefings to help Americans of all ages educate themselves on how to become more confident, savvy, and safe investors and consumers. I hope every Member will be able to find time to participate or send staff to learn more about how Members of Congress can help promote financial literacy in their own way. And I would also like to take a moment to honor a departed colleague and friend, the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. In previous years, she championed this resolution in the House and was a strong advocate for financial literacy through her career. I know that I am not alone in saying that her presence is missed here on the House floor. Mr. Speaker, let me just say once again that I urge my colleagues to join Congresswoman Johnson, Congressman Hinojosa, and me in supporting this resolution and sound saving habits during America Saves Week and throughout the year. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and support of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Approximately five to ten million Americans, both women and men, suffer from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. Not only do these mental illnesses have serious physical consequences, they also present substantive obstacles to students' educational achievement: 86% of affected individuals develop their eating disorders before age 20. On behalf of my constituents who have been personally affected by these illnesses as well as struggling young women and men nationwide, I introduced H. Res. 7 on January 9, 2009. H. Res. 7 will raise public awareness of eating afflictions, expand research for treatment and cures to end the suffering of millions of Americans, broaden access to treatment, and promote healthful eating habits and healthy body image. It is critical that we use this week as an opportunity to address this national tragedy. It's not just teenagers using whatever means necessary to achieve an ideal body image, it is a mental illness that requires treatment and compassion. I encourage my colleges to join me in recognizing the severity of eating disorders affecting millions of adolescent Americans, and beseech Congress to continue to expand funding for research and treatment as well as awareness of these diseases that plague the lives our young people.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I was absent from votes on Monday, February 22, 2010. The House considered two bills under suspension of the rules. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall 49 and ``yea'' for rollcall 50.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this closed rule for H.R. 4626, the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. Last night, I offered an amendment to crack down on fraud in Medicare, which costs taxpayers as much as $50 billion a year. My language, an update of my bill, the Medicare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2009, was actually endorsed by President Obama in the White House blueprint that was released early Monday. It was most recently included in the Medical Rights and Reform Act, introduced by my good friend Mr. Kirk. This amendment would have reduced waste, fraud and abuse by strengthening the Medicare enrollment process, expanding certain standards of participation, and reducing erroneous payments. The amendment also provides additional tools to pursue fraudulent healthcare providers, suppliers and billing agencies. These are bipartisan goals, and my language has true bipartisan support. Unfortunately, Democrats on the Rules Committee refused to even allow an up-or-down vote on the House floor that would have added this important, cost-cutting measure to a bill that is otherwise lacking in substance. I expect more political healthcare votes in the coming weeks, and I am prepared to offer my piece of the Obama healthcare plan as an amendment each time. If Democrats are serious about reducing costs and passing stand-alone bipartisan solutions, then I ask them to accept my language. The billions in waste that we save could go a long way toward providing health insurance for the millions of Americans who cannot afford it. I urge my colleagues to oppose this closed rule.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in strong support of House Resolution 1004, a resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. I thank the gentleman from Illinois, Congressman Danny Davis, for introducing this resolution. I am an alumni of Northwestern University School of Law, and I am pleased to see that the School of Medicine is continuing the Northwestern tradition of excellence. As was mentioned, according to U.S. News & World Report, Feinberg is now ranked in the top 20 medical schools in the country. When I attended law school, in the downtown campus was the School of Medicine, the School of Law, and then the business school, which moved out to Evanston. But the complex has grown, certainly in the medical school, since 1859 as the Medical Department of Lind University, then the Feinberg School of Medicine becoming a part of Northwestern University in 1870. People now that would see the complex in Chicago, it is huge and continues to grow and to provide the excellence for education for so many students. A couple of other notable alumni that went to the school there are Charles Mayo, one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic, which is certainly well known--it's nice to have that distinguished type of graduate from the school--and John Cooper, the first president of the Association of American Medical Colleges. So the illustrious 150-year history of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is such that we have to commend the administration, the doctors, the faculty, and all that are involved in making the School of Medicine one of the best in the country. I am proud to have gone to the school, and I am proud to support this resolution.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Army Specialist Kyle Wright, a 22-year-old from Romeoville, Illinois, who was killed in combat on January 13 while serving our country during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. Specialist Wright followed in his father's and grandfather's military footsteps by enlisting in the Army, and did so out of a strong desire to advance the freedoms and liberties of women in Afghanistan, a cause very close to my heart. He joined the Army after graduating in 2006 from Romeoville High School, where, even as a young man, he demonstrated his love for this country by serving in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. He was passionate, honorable, and loved by all who knew him, his family, his girlfriend, and his fellow soldiers. His dedication to women's rights in Afghanistan was inspired by his sisters, his mother, stepmother, and grandmother. And his dedication to upholding the American ideals and freedoms he believed in knew no bounds. I would like to extend my deepest condolence to the Wright family and to all who knew this brave soldier. Our Nation lost a true hero with Specialist Wright's passing. He will be missed.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 862, which congratulates the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, commonly known as IMSA, which is located in Aurora, Illinois, for winning the 2009 Star Innovator award. And I would like to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) for offering this resolution and also for all of the work he has done in math and science and in education. We really do need to continue to work to have more scientists, more engineers, and more mathematicians if we are going to compete in the global economy. IMSA was founded in 1985. It does enroll the most talented 10th through 12th graders in the State of Illinois. Since its founding, it has graduated 4,000 students, including many from nearby communities. I have had the opportunity to have many of those students come from my district. IMSA students go on to pursue exciting careers in the latest cutting-edge fields: mathematics, engineering, and science. And just a few more facts on where these IMSA alumni have gone. They were founding teams for many Web sites, many Web site innovations, including Netscape, PayPal, and YouTube, as the gentleman from Illinois recognized. Each year Intel gives this Star Innovator award to a school that provides high quality, cutting-edge math and science instruction in a unique and enriching environment. It is a boarding school, but the kids have the opportunity to go home on the weekend, but they work really, really hard and concentrate on their studies and they come out with a great education and are able to move forward. I am a long-time advocate also of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM education, and I have been since my tenure here in Congress. I am really delighted to see that this school is recognized for its innovative curriculum, its administration, its teachers, and the high caliber of graduates that it produces. If we are really to strive to develop a workforce for the 21st century and be able to participate in the global economy--we always think of our country as having the innovation and the creativity--well, this is where it comes from. It is from schools like this that produce the graduates that are able to carry forth in these fields. I hope that IMSA will be a model for other schools throughout the country. I think the more recognition it gets, the more we will find that these schools are so important to our economy. Please join us in supporting this important resolution in encouraging excellence among our Nation's schools and giving those best students the opportunity to participate in something like this.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1001, recognizing North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, my district, for exceptional athletic and academic achievements. On November 21, 2009, the North Central men's cross country team won its 13th NCAA Division III National Championship. Team members, and I am going to go over their names again because I think this is so important, Neal Klein, Michael Spain, Ryan Carrigan, Nathaniel Hird, Kyle Brady, Nathan Rutz, and Sean Carlson earned All-American status, placing them in an elite group of national athletes. Additionally, head coach Al Carius was named 2009 NCAA Division III National Cross Country Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association. These dedicated young men of the team spent countless hours training and preparing for their outstanding cross country season, ultimately winning nearly every meet in which they participated. The success of the North Central men's cross country team is but one example of the high caliber of the college students in both athletic and academic pursuits. I think this resolution is a great opportunity to encourage excellence among our Nation's best students. When you think of sports, they say, oh, this is athletics, this isn't academics. But they really go hand in hand. I think as we have learned how important exercise is, it doesn't really have to be athletics, but exercise is in improving the capabilities of our brains. And I think that so many times that you think, oh, well, this is just kind of a little aside. But it really is important. I am proud to say that Illinois really is the only State in the Union that requires gym or some sort of athletics for every student in the State. And I wish more States could have the same opportunity for the kids to pursue their sports. So this is a great opportunity to talk about excellence in both athletics and academics. I would urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the North Central men's cross country team for their victory at the NCAA Division III National Championship.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 942 commending the Real Salt Lake Soccer Club for winning the 2009 Major League Soccer Cup. Last month on November 22 in front of over 46,000 fans at Qwest Field--you'd think that we were in the UK with the popularity of soccer out there. But the Real Salt Lake Soccer Club won the 2009 Major League Soccer Club, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the final victory of a remarkable five-game winning streak did not come easily. The Real Salt Lake Soccer Club outlasted a formidable opponent through two sudden-death overtimes and a penalty kick shoot-out en route to a brilliant 5-4 victory. Congratulations. This victory marked the culmination of a remarkable session for a team that I guess barely made the playoffs and only 5 years ago was a lowly expansion team. In fact, this victory is the first major pro sports championship in Utah for almost 40 years. Congratulations to the Real Salt Lake Soccer Club, their coach. Jason Kreis--the youngest coach to win a Major League Soccer Cup--and to Utah and their very many, many dedicated fans. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 160, honoring the American Kennel Club for its service to dog owners throughout the United States. Founded in 1884, the Kennel Club operates the largest registry for purebred dogs in the U.S. and is the country's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the study of dogs and their care. This organization has 609 member clubs and monitors 4,000 licensed and sanctioned clubs holding events under the American Kennel Club rules and regulations. I have to say, I did show one dog that I had for a period of time, a basset hound, in Chicago, in the American Kennel Club at one of the shows, and it's quite an experience for anybody to do that. It's well run and well regulated. The American Kennel Club has taken the lead in promoting responsible dog ownership and breeding practices as well as supporting thousands of volunteers across the country who teach safety to dog owners. In order to maintain the high standards for which the American Kennel Club is known, they conduct over 5,200 kennel inspections each year. And, as Mr. Price mentioned, youth ages 9 to 18 are enrolled in the National Junior Organization, which really helps to communicate the proper handling of dogs and allows them the opportunity to participate in shows at an early age. It has also created a Canine Health Foundation, which funds research projects focused on the genetics of dog diseases and clinical studies. The club annually awards over $170,000 in scholarships to veterinary students and veterinary technical students and has reunited thousands of dogs with their owners through its Companion Animal Recovery program. The American Kennel Club has been a part of communities of the United States since 1884 and continues to be a model for teaching responsible breeding, care, and ownership of dogs. So we congratulate the American Kennel Club on its 125th anniversary. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 779, the resolution recognizing the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month. This initiative is sponsored by my good friends at the National Runaway Switchboard and the National Network for Youth. As the gentleman from Massachusetts mentioned, between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away from home each year. According to the National Runaway Switchboard, crisis calls citing economic distress have increased 200 percent since 2006. Incredibly, one in every 50 children will experience homelessness at some point in their lives. And although some youth will return within a few days of running away, others will remain on the streets, never to return. In far too many cases, these children will fall prey to the worst forms of exploitation, including the sex industry. In fact, 30 percent more youth are using the sex industry as a means of survival today than in the year 2000. There are many reasons why children run away from home. Some are expelled from their homes by their families or separated from their parents because of death or divorce. In other cases, the child may be fleeing from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at home. Having run away, these youths are now homeless, without means to secure their own basic needs, and are often ineligible or unable to access medical or mental health resources. There are many individuals and organizations that are doing whatever they can to assist America's runaway youth by providing food, shelter, clothing, and counseling. Others are working with families to prevent a child from running away in the first place. And still others are intervening and advocating on behalf of the children and giving them options other than running away. With congressional support, the National Runaway Switchboard provides crisis intervention and referrals to reconnect the runaway youth with their families. It also helps link young people to local resources that provide positive alternatives to running away. Founded in the Chicago area in 1971, the NRS now provides comprehensive crisis intervention services for at-risk youth nationwide, including a 24-hour crisis hotline. In 1974, the National Network for Youth was founded to coordinate the work of community-based organizations that now represent hundreds of youth-oriented organizations and advocate at the Federal level, provide information on available services, and train organizations in best practices. I want to thank Mr. Wolf, Mr. Stupak and Ms. Lofgren, my fellow co- Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children for joining me on this important effort, and I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) for managing this bill. And I want to thank Mr. Israel, who has worked with me on this important resolution for years. It is fitting for Congress to endorse the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month and to highlight the effort of those organizations that work so hard to help the youth of America who have left or who are considering leaving their homes for a dangerous and uncertain life on the street. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. If the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill will bring some much-needed transparency to the Federal Government. Senate 303 reauthorizes and improves the Federal Financial Assistance Management Act of 1999, which sought to simplify the application and reporting requirements for Federal grants. It requires the OMB and Federal agencies to develop a strategic plan for streamlining Federal grant processes, and it codifies grants.gov, the Federal Government's one-stop-shop for grant announcements and applications submission. S. 303's new requirements are driven by a GAO assessment reporting that OMB and Federal agencies have made modest progress towards standardizing grant announcements and applications. The government has developed a standard format for grant announcements, began consolidating grant management systems, and set up a Web site, grants.gov. However, it, so far, has failed to develop a common system for a full-scale application, management, and reporting for financial assistance. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Chairman Towns' willingness to work with us to incorporate language from H.R. 2392, the Government Information Transparency Act, which was introduced by Ranking Member Issa. The provisions that were incorporated from the ranking member's bill will enhance the collection, analysis, and dissemination of business and financial information by the Federal Government through the use of a single data standard. Currently, the Federal Government mandates disclosure of large amounts of information in a multitude of ways. Financial reports in a uniform format will be more transparent and more easily analyzed and critiqued by the public, the media, and the oversight community. In addition, S. 303 will require grant applications and reports to be made public and prepared according to a single, consistent data standard. For the first time, watchdog groups, journalists, and ordinary citizens will be able to see for themselves the promises and projections that grant applicants make in order to receive taxpayer dollars and then hold them directly accountable. A watchdog group publicizing waste or abuse of taxpayer money could put up a blog post linking directly to applications and reports describing how the money has been appropriated and spent. A citizen or a news reporter searching for the name of a company might discover that the company had received taxpayer money to complete a local infrastructure project and be able to hold the company directly accountable for the use of public funds. Information about the amount of money requested, the amount of money spent, and progress on taxpayer-funded projects could be computed automatically and easily. Taxpayers could determine how much grant money had been awarded to a local business or nonprofit, and automatically compare the performance of different grant recipients and recognize disparities in grant funding between States or congressional districts. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Towns and his staff for working with the Republicans on this important legislation by incorporating bipartisan language to increase transparency in the Federal Government. I also want to commend Senator Voinovich for his hard work on this bill, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. We have no further speakers, and I would yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Republican alternative. It seems like every time we come down to debate this issue, we begin to focus on past history. History is good because we can learn from that, but I think we need to hear more about what the substantive issues are in this bill, what is happening, rather than to look at the past. We need to get it right, and I think the Republican alternative does that. There's no question that we have a need to reform the financial industry, but for consumers, for the health of our financial services and the economy, we must get it right. But this bill isn't the answer. There are a few good bipartisan provisions in the underlying bill, but the good doesn't outweigh the bad. America needs a financial recovery and reform bill, not a permanent Big Brother government bailout program. We need reforms that will facilitate competition in the marketplace and generate more choices for consumers. We need reform that will equip consumers with the information that they need to shop around and make the financial decisions that are best for their families. We need a stronger regulatory regime to quickly expose, stop, and put behind bars any Wall Street crooks that break the law. And financial firms that fail should do just that: fail through a new, orderly bankruptcy process. We also need greater transparency and improved regulation for over- the-counter derivatives. We must close the gaps in communication among regulators and give them the tools to be efficient and effective. We need to get credit flowing again so that small businesses like those in my congressional district can get the financing to expand and create the jobs that American families need so desperately. That's responsible financial reform, and our Republican alternative aims to get us there.

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this amendment offered by my colleague from Idaho, which is similar to one that I offered during the Financial Services Committee markup. This amendment is a bipartisan, commonsense alternative to provisions in the underlying bill that would do a disservice to consumers. One of the lessons that we have learned throughout this process is that bigger, uncoordinated government does not work when it comes to protecting consumers and regulating financial institutions. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my colleague from Idaho. Similar to one I offered during a Financial Services Committee markup, this amendment is a bipartisan, commonsense alternative to provisions in the underlying bill that would do a disservice to consumers. What's the answer to the financial meltdown? How do we prevent it from happening again? What's not the answer is to create another federal agency. We already have the OCC, the OTS, the NCUA, the FDIC, the FTC, the SEC, the Fed, and the list goes on. The underlying bill would layer on a new federal bureaucracy that would allow five D.C. bureaucrats to dictate what financial products and services can be offered to consumers by anyone--from the church offering a funeral payment plan to a plumber charging to fix the kitchen sink. The personalized services offered by your local 100-year-old community banks, churches, or plumber didn't create the financial crisis. Did our local 100-year-old community banks, churches, or your plumber create the mess? No. But all could fall under the burden of new regulations and taxes imposed by a new agency. One of the lessons we've learned throughout this process is that bigger, uncoordinated government does not work when it comes to protecting consumers and regulating financial institutions. Instead, it only creates more cracks, confusion, and costs for consumers. Americans are calling for stronger, smarter consumer protections. But that doesn't mean they want government to run their lives or the businesses in their communities. Nor do they want bigger government, more spending, and limited choice. Some Members of this body think the government knows best. Others of us believe that with the right information, proper transparency, and full disclosure, families can and do make their own financial decisions. They don't need Big Brother to do it for them. My colleague from Idaho offers a proposal today that answers the question: what about the consumer? His amendment codifies, expands, and energizes an existing body, a council of regulators, and charges it with a clear mission to better protect consumers. It establishes a mechanism for creating uniform consumer protection rules, maintains enforcement by prudential regulators, utilizes existing regulatory framework with no new bureaucracy or cost to taxpayers or small businesses, and it maintains national standards. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this restrictive rule. I filed several amendments to protect taxpayers in the economy from regulatory mismanagement. Unfortunately, they were summarily rejected by the Rules Committee. On a bill of this magnitude and significance, I would hope the majority wouldn't be so eager to shut the door on bipartisan amendments or, for that matter, any good ideas from Members of any party that would improve the bill. Thanks to the rule, Madam Speaker, amendments I offered to prevent a shift of U.S. businesses overseas are barred from consideration. My amendments would have preserved language in the underlying bill, a result of amendments that I offered in the Financial Services Committee that unfortunately will be undone by the Peterson-Frank amendment. The result, according to testimony provided by one of my constituents who is the head of the largest U.S. futures exchange in the world, will be a dramatic shift of transactions out of the U.S. exchanges and over to foreign competitors abroad. The two amendments I offered at Rules would have safeguarded competition, flexibility, and innovation in the U.S. markets. At a time of record job losses, how can we afford to push businesses out of the country? My third amendment would have prevented the misuse of housing counseling funds by ACORN and its affiliates. It would withdraw ACORN's Federal housing certification. Given the group's clear link to illegal and inappropriate activities, how can we divert precious resources from legitimate housing counselors working overtime to help struggling homeowners? Unfortunately, this bill will not allow an up-or-down vote on any of these amendments. Madam Speaker, these issues deserve a full and fair debate and a vote on the House floor. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. This massive financial overhaul would permanently entrench the Federal Government and taxpayers in the very position we have worked to avoid since the beginning of this economic crisis. We must crack down on illegal, unfair, and deceptive activity, eliminate regulatory gaps, and strengthen the effectiveness of the enforcement agencies. We should create a culture of transparency and accountability on Wall Street that will discourage, not promote, risky behavior, and never ever allow taxpayers to be left holding the bag when those deemed ``too big to fail'' cannot make their obligations. Instead, this bill creates a vast new government agency, permanently codifies the practice of bailouts, and doubles down on government intrusion in the financial sector. I have joined my colleagues in the Financial Services Committee at every step of the way to offer ideas for smarter, stronger financial regulations, and yet this proposal continues to weaken the economic competitiveness of our markets, limit consumer choice, and place taxpayers on the hook for Wall Street's mistakes. Mr. Speaker, American taxpayers cannot afford any more bailouts, and our financial markets cannot weather another storm of mismanagement. I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and the underlying big bill.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. There's no question and no disagreement among Members from both sides of the aisle that we need financial reform, for consumers, for the health of our financial services industry, and for the economy. But this bill isn't the answer. In fairness, you can find some good bipartisan provisions in this bill. For example, Mr. Kanjorski and I worked out insurance language to bridge the gap in communication among regulators and address problems with multifaceted businesses like AIG. Mr. Hinojosa and I worked on language to bolster housing counseling efforts at HUD. And the bill contains much-needed credit rating agency reform. Unfortunately, the good does not outweigh the bad. Today credit is less available than ever, small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, and a record number of Americans are jobless. According to a report issued yesterday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the number of homeless and hungry families is still on the rise. We need a bill to unfreeze the credit markets so that financing is available to allow U.S. businesses to grow and create jobs. We need a bill to improve regulation. We need a bill to help Americans get back to work so that they can provide for their families and put food on the table. Instead, Mr. Frank's bill sets us back. It imposes a new tax on financial institutions, diverts financing away from lending and job creation, and creates a permanent Federal bailout fund, TARP II. Successful businesses and taxpayers will pay in advance for the failings of those that are reckless. And guess what? Taxpayers are on the hook once again if there isn't enough money. Does that sound familiar? Of course, because it's more of the same. This bill doubles down the government intrusion in the private sector, and it increases fees and Federal spending. Instead of strengthening consumer protections, it creates a giant new Federal bureaucracy. Five D.C. bureaucrats will tell groups across America, anyone involved in financial activities, including churches that provide payment plans for funerals, what products and services they can offer. Did churches cause the financial meltdown? No. Why not address the disconnect among dozens of existing Federal agencies before layering on a new one? Are we creating another agency or another problem? Finally, we need straightforward, over-the-counter derivatives reform. What we don't need is regulation that charges regulators with creating a one-size-fits-all approach to regulatory compliance, enforces unjustified mandates, and kills jobs. We must crack down on illegal, unfair, and deceptive activity, eliminate regulatory gaps, and strengthen the effectiveness of enforcement agencies. We should create a culture of transparency and accountability on Wall Street that will discourage, not promote, risky behavior, and never ever, ever again leave taxpayers holding the bag when those deemed ``too big to fail'' cannot meet their obligations. That's what our Republican alternative aims to do. My Republican colleagues on the Financial Services Committee and I have offered, at every step of the way, solutions for smarter, stronger financial regulations, and yet Mr. Frank's bill steamrolls ahead, threatening to weaken the economic competitiveness of our markets, tie up capital, tie the hands of businesses, limit consumer choice, and place taxpayers on the hook for Wall Street's mistakes. This bill is an overreach and an overreaction, and it should be thrown overboard. It will cause irreparable harm. We need bipartisan reform to get our financial system and our country back on track. Americans, consumers, taxpayers, job seekers, the homeless, the hungry, and Main Street businesses deserve financial reform. This bill is not it. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill and support the Republican alternative.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. According to the American Physical Society, science is the systematic enterprise of gathering knowledge about the universe and organizing and condensing that knowledge into testable laws and theories. The success and credibility of science are anchored in the willingness of scientists who, number one, expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by others. This requires the open exchange of data, procedures and materials, and, two, abandon or modify previously accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental or observational evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self- correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. Madam Speaker, the recent emails out of the University of East Anglia on the subject of climate change call into question the scientific integrity of several of the researchers involved in developing the climate science that is being used by decisionmakers around the world. While allegations of fraud and manipulation in the scientific community are troubling in and of themselves, they are even more concerning when the data in question is being used by United Nations negotiators as the basis for a global agreement to limit greenhouse gases. Such a situation should give international and domestic negotiators pause on the eve of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen. Recent events have uncovered evidence from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, which show that researchers around the globe discussed hiding, destroying, and altering climate data that did not support their narrow global warming claims. Their emails further indicate an attempt to silence academic journalists who publish research that is at odds with their ideology, and they even refer to efforts to exclude contrary views from publication in scientific journals. Scientific research should meet high standards of quality and should not be held hostage to the ideologies of those presenting the data. It is beyond comprehension that we would even consider implementing a carbon reduction scheme which will irrevocably alter the economy and lead to more joblessness based on these fabrications. Before we move any further, we must restore scientific integrity to the process. Recent events really show that this has not happened. The hacked emails provide evidence that researchers suppressed science and data which did not conform to the preferred outcomes. For example, one researcher commits himself to ensuring that no nonconforming science will be mentioned in the IPCC's fourth assessment report. He writes, ``Kevin and I will keep them out somehow even if we have to redefine what peer-review literature is.'' As a senior member of the House Science and Technology Committee, I cannot stress enough how important the availability of objective scientific data is for both decisionmakers and researchers. When it comes to our economy and environment, we cannot afford to make decisions on the basis of corrupted data. With this in mind, the President should call on the IPCC to establish a robust oversight mechanism governing its work before further climate legislation or regulatory measures are taken. Such action is necessary to prevent future infringements of public trust by scientific falsification and fraud.