Charles Boustany

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. It has been a pleasure working with the gentleman from Kentucky on this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge its passage and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 385, which recognizes National AmeriCorps Week. This first ever National AmeriCorps Week gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the impact of AmeriCorps members, alumni and community partners around the country. As we recognize National AmeriCorps Week, we are reminded of the spirit of service that is such an integral part of our national character. Throughout our country, countless individuals of all backgrounds and ages engage in community service every day to address the common concerns of our neighborhoods, communities, Nation and the world. Our community has seen the inspiring example of citizens' willingness to serve others in the wake of tragedies large and small that touch our lives every day. But community service is also about lifting a hand to help a neighbor, teaching a child to read, restoring a neglected park and other numerous acts of goodwill that reaffirm our common humanity. Last month, we celebrated National Volunteer Week and learned that more than a quarter of this country's population volunteered in some capacity from September 2005 to September 2006, at an estimated value of $280 billion. These numbers are a clear indication of our commitment to service. AmeriCorps is part of that commitment. As this resolution says, AmeriCorps provides 75,000 citizens of this country opportunities to engage in work to improve our communities each year. In total, 500,000 individuals have become AmeriCorps members since the program began and have engaged in 630 million hours of work to help improve the lives of their fellow citizens. AmeriCorps works closely with a number of community partners across the country, and I also want to express my thanks to those organizations and their leaders. These organizations capture the spirt of service and bring that spirit to bear in a concentrated way to relieve suffering, provide opportunities to the needy, clean up our communities and bring hope to millions. These organizations and the public and private partners that support them provide the needed infrastructure to support the energy of our community service providers. As this resolution states, National AmeriCorps Week will continue our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of service in local, national and international communities, and the commitment of our community service providers to improving lives, strengthening communities and fostering civic engagement. I thank my colleague from Kentucky for introducing this resolution, and I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 216, commending Juniata College for winning the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship. On November 18, 2006, the Juniata College women's volleyball team defeated their longtime rival, Washington University of St. Louis, in a thrilling five-game championship match that might possibly be described as the best championship match in the history of Division III volleyball. The Juniata College women's volleyball team is one of the great little-known dynasties in college sports today. The program has a remarkable record of 1,100 wins to only 172 losses over 30 seasons. In fact, during the 2006 season, Juniata College did not lose a single match to any of their Division III opponents all season and the team's only 2006 loss was to Division I's Princeton University. The 41 win-1 loss record tied the program record for the fewest losses in a season and was the team's first 40-win season since 1997. During the season, senior Stephanie Kines was named the Division III women's volleyball player of the year, making her only the second Juniata player in the college's history to earn that honor. Sophomore Amber Thomas also played a vital role in Juniata's second Division III national championship. Thomas was chosen as the tournament's most outstanding player as she piled up 54 kills in the final three tournament matches, 25 of which came in the championship victory. I would also like to recognize head coach Larry Bock who is one of the most recognizable names in collegiate volleyball. His list of accomplishments and awards places him among the most successful volleyball coaches in the country at any level. I extend my congratulations to head coach Larry Bock, all of the hardworking players, the fans and to Juniata College. I am happy to join my good friend and colleague, Representative Yarmuth, in honoring this exceptional team and all of its accomplishments and wish all involved continued success. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, many Americans lack protection from catastrophic long-term care expenses related to chronic illnesses and disabilities. Worse yet, many of these families assume Medicare will pay for long-term care services, while it generally does not. Despite funding from Congress for long-term care education activities, the Department of Health and Human Services has done little to inform families and caregivers of this confusion. HHS has neglected to clarify these Medicare misperceptions with at least 90 percent of households contacted through its long-term care awareness direct mail campaign. HHS has a duty to use other communication methods to inform families. I recently introduced a bipartisan resolution with Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin to encourage Secretary Leavitt to be more proactive on this issue, so Americans can have greater independence, choice and control over the services they need in the setting they prefer. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 133.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a very special group from South Louisiana. On May 11, 2007 a group of 96 veterans and their guardians will fly to Washington with a very special program. Louisiana HonorAir is providing the opportunity for these veterans from my home state of Louisiana to visit Washington, DC on a chartered flight free of charge. During their visit I will accompany them to visit Arlington National Cemetery and the World War II Memorial. For many, this will be their first and only opportunity to see these sights dedicated to the great service they have provided for our nation. Today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these great Americans and thanking them for their unselfish service.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for yielding time to me. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 344, congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrars across the United States for their ongoing contributions to educational excellence. Charter schools are public schools that are created by teachers, parents, and other members of the community as innovative means to educate students and to stimulate reform in the public school system. As public schools, they must serve students from all backgrounds and educational abilities. In exchange for greater accountability for student achievements, these schools are exempt from many local and State regulations. Grassroots support for charter schools continues to grow, from one school in the 1992-1993 school year, to over 4,000 schools serving over 1 million students in the 2006-2007 school year. The demand is simply remarkable. The charter model itself is playing a critical role in these schools' success. Its flexibility and accountability are allowing individuals with nontraditional backgrounds and relentless attitudes to create high achievement cultures. These charter schools are setting new standards about what's possible and about what we should expect from all our public schools. Indeed, charter schools are shattering low expectations and breaking through long standing barriers that have prevented large numbers of at-risk students from achieving educational success. Charter schools are usually among the top performers in big city school districts and often rival the highest performing schools in surrounding suburban districts. These high performers are setting important examples about what public schools can achieve with disadvantaged students. More and more data indicates that charter schools deliver promising results for student achievement. In an analysis of almost three dozen charter school studies, a vast majority found that overall gains in charter schools were larger than in other public schools, sometimes in certain significant categories of schools such as elementary schools, high schools or schools serving at risk students. Yet, even with these outstanding results, of the 40 States that have passed charter school laws, 25 States and the District of Columbia have some type of legislative cap on charter school growth. These caps serve as blunt instruments that do not lead to high quality schools. Instead of stifling growth, States should focus on providing the resources, oversight and accountability that helps charter schools thrive. We know what produces high quality charter schools--dedicated students, parents, teachers and principals, rigorous approval processes, conscientious oversight and sufficient resources, including facilities funding. We should work to replicate these models of best practices and apply them to local school districts throughout the country. It is my hope that the charter community will continue to build on its 15-year history of providing a high quality option in public education that is based on innovation, freedom from red tape, and partnership between parents and educators, an option that is giving new hope to disadvantaged and minority families across the country. I also appreciate the contribution charter schools have made in ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen my home State of Louisiana after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, particularly in New Orleans. For these reasons, it is my honor to congratulate charter schools and their students, parents, teachers and administrars across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, as well as recognizing this week as National Charter School Week. I commend President Bush for his recent proclamation, ``recognizing the important contributions of charter schools,'' as well as my good friends and colleagues, Mr. Platts and Mrs. McCarthy for bringing this resolution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, and while I do not by any means think it is a perfect bill, I do believe it contains a number of important improvements over prior versions of the legislation. More importantly, it marks a commitment by this Congress to ensure that the law of the United States protects American workers and health care consumers from discrimination on the basis of their genetic makeup. Because that goal is so critical, I will vote for this bill today, and I urge my colleagues to do likewise. I would like to commend my colleagues, and fellow member on the Committee on Education and Labor, Representative Judy Biggert, and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter for their tremendous work and years of dedication on this important issue. Both of you have been persistent and effective on so many issues that have come before this committee and this Congress. Both should be commended for adding this important bill to your list of legislative accomplishments. As was noted during our committee's consideration of this bill, I believe that the title of the legislation before us, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, embodies a proposition that all members of our committee and, indeed, all Members of this Congress should endorse. Simply put, no employee should face discrimination on the basis of genetic makeup or on any characteristic other than the ability to do the job. Similarly, no employee should risk his or her health insurance status simply because of the possibility that they may someday develop an illness. This bill was drafted with those fundamental principles in mind, and I believe that through the legislative process we have taken steps toward ensuring that the bill we pass fulfills those principles, while minimizing the potential for unintended consequences. I would like to point out a number of improvements in the bill that I think merit attention. I am pleased that the bill before us today embodies the same logic as a past executive order issued by President Clinton to ensure that this legislation would not inadvertently serve as a broad, new Federal mandate requiring all insurance plans and employers to cover all treatments related to genetic-related conditions. That is exactly the type of unintended consequence we were seeking to avoid, and I am pleased that we were able to work this out. Second, I would like to highlight a provision in the legislation that ensures that employers, who are currently subject to a number of confidentiality and recordkeeping requirements under law, are not burdened by yet another redundant set of paperwork requirements. The bill before us today provides that with respect to genetic information, if an employer maintains employee records and treats them as it does confidential medical records under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is in compliance with this new genetics law. Third, I applaud a significant improvement in the bill, and namely, its extension of genetic nondiscrimination protection to all Americans. One of the issues raised during our committee's consideration of the bill was concern that the bill's protections did not adequately extend to cover children in utero or at early stages of development or in connection with in vitro fertilization and other technologies. I am very pleased that the final bill before us addresses these issues to the satisfaction of all Members on both sides of the aisle who have worked in good faith to ensure the broadest protection possible. The bill contains a number of other improvements over prior versions, representing issues we were able to work through over the past couple of months and which demonstrate how the committee process is truly meant to work. We were presented with well-intentioned legislation, heard meaningful testimony on it and its potential impact on employers and employees alike, raised and debated legitimate concerns, and worked together to bridge the gap between where we began and where we stand today. I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for making this a reality. I would be remiss if I did not point out concerns I have with the bill and express my hope that as the legislative process continues, and if and when the provisions of this bill are administered, we give due weight to these concerns. I remain concerned that the bill's penalty provisions are overbroad and will potentially subject employers to punitive damages for simple paperwork violations. I am equally concerned that the bill we pass today will not set a single national standard, but still leave employers subject to a patchwork of varying requirements on a State-by- State basis. And finally, I think the bill would be significantly improved if we made clear that employers would not be held liable for the acquisition and use of genetic information where such use was required or justified by business necessity. As we send this bill to the United States Senate for consideration, I would urge my colleagues in that body to take up and address these issues. Beyond that, as courts and administrative agencies interpret and enforce these laws, I would urge them to heed the intent of Congress; namely, that this bill's most egregious penalties must be reserved for the most egregious violations of the law, and that our intent is not to ensnare employers acting in good faith in a legal web of penalties and damages. As I noted at the outset of my remarks, our actions today will ensure that the law of the United States protects American workers and health care consumers from discrimination on the basis of their genetic makeup, a goal I think that is shared by every Member of this House. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Louisiana for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill. WRDA reauthorization is long overdue, and it is vital that we pass H.R. 1495 and get a bill signed into law this year. WRDA authorizes nearly $2.1 billion for the Louisiana coastal area, and it will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on many critical coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects statewide. I also want to thank Chairman Oberstar for accepting my amendment in committee to add projects identified in the Southwest Louisiana Coastal Hurricane Storm and Reduction Study to the list of priority projects and projects to be expedited under this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This study is the first comprehensive assessment of hurricane and flood protection needs of southwest Louisiana. The Corps has nearly completed the reconnaissance phase, and I anticipate that we will enter into an agreement with the State to proceed with the feasibility phase in the near future. It is important that we expedite these projects, not only for southwest Louisiana, but for the entire Nation because in southwest Louisiana our waterways protect much of the vital and necessary energy infrastructure that keeps this country running. We have one of the largest strategic petroleum reserves in my district that is affected here. Also, the Henry Hub, which is where pricing is set for natural gas for the country, is in my district. And it was actually flooded in Hurricane Rita. And nearly 25 percent of the liquefied natural gas will run through my district by 2015. These waterways and coastal wetlands are far more than just commercial routes or playgrounds. They are a critical buffer to protect homes, business and our energy infrastructure and our way of life in Louisiana. What we are talking about is America's energy coast, a working coast. So I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the devoted service of Robert L. Dominick, a resident of Crowley, Louisiana who recently retired after concluding 42 years of service to the United States government. Throughout his career, Robert devoted himself to public service. After graduating from Southern University in 1966 with a degree in Vocational Agriculture, Robert was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as an Assistant County Supervisor. In addition to his new career with USDA, Robert also enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1966, where he dutifully served for 22 years. Having a desire to continue his education, Robert enrolled at Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE), where he received over 30 hours in Administration and Supervision. Robert held various positions with USDA, including Assistant County Supervisor, County Supervisor, Rural-Economic and Community Development Loan Specialist, Lead Single Family Housing Specialist, and Guaranteed Rural Housing Specialist. In addition to his distinguished service to our country, Robert also is a devoted member of many organizations in his state and local community. He is a life member of the Southern University Alumni Association, the Peoples Investment Company, the County Supervisors Association, and the Israelite Baptist Church. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of Southwest Louisiana in wishing Robert Dominick a happy retirement, and congratulating him for his invaluable service to his state and his country.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Iota Lady Bulldogs basketball team, who ended a perfect season this year by claiming the Class AA Louisiana Girl's Basketball Championship with a 95-72 win over Many High School. The Lady Bulldogs sealed their victory in the second half, outscoring their opponents 56-30 to claim the school's first girl's State championship victory in 15 years. Previously, many had eliminated the Iota girl's team from the 2005 and 2006 State tournaments, but the third time was a charm for this year's Iota Lady Bulldogs squad. The win caps off a remarkable season for the team, which compiled a 43-0 overall record. Madam Speaker, these student athletes will always cherish the memory of this season. The players, their families, and their classmates who cheered them on will always look back to this season as a source of pride, accomplishment and satisfaction. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Iota Lady Bulldogs for their achievement.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Lieutenant Adam A. Dyer of Lafayette, Louisiana. A U.S. Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Dyer's life was tragically cut short on January 26, 2007 when a Navy Knighthawk helicopter carrying him and three other crew members crashed into the Pacific Ocean while conducting a routine training mission near San Clemente Island, California. Madam Speaker, Adam Dyer was an American patriot from day one. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, he attended Lafayette High School and graduated from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2002. While attending college Adam held several jobs, and at the time of his graduation worked for the State of Louisiana as an interpreter in the Department of Tourism. As a young Boy Scout, Adam attained the distinct honor of Eagle Scout and, following a tradition of that honor, always felt a natural calling to serve his Nation. For a Boy Scout project, Adam once wrote that his goal was to become a Navy pilot. In December 2002, his goal was accomplished when he was commissioned as a United States Naval Officer. After being commissioned, Lt. Dyer completed primary and advanced flight training in Pensacola, Florida. During training, Lt. Dyer's instructors often challenged his knowledge, but they soon came to realize he had a gifted intellect as well as a photographic memory. This allowed him to recite correct procedures back to his instructors verbatim, including the page numbers. On November 5, 2004 Lt. Dyer was designated a Naval Aviator. He was then assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 in San Diego, California for training in the MH-60S, and upon completion reassigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21. Lt. Dyer was also instrumental in the formation of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. In 2005, he participated in hurricane relief operations in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, for which he was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Lt. Dyer was deployed to the Middle East twice. During these missions, he and his team were credited with rescuing numerous people. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals. Before his tragic and untimely death on January 26, 2007, he was in training to return to the Middle East for a third tour of duty. Lt. Dyer realized his lifelong dream of being a Navy pilot, and in his final moments, he sacrificed his life as unselfishly as he lived it, trying to save those around him. Whatever the circumstances surrounding his all too sudden death, there is no doubt that to the point of his last breath, Lt. Dyer's efforts were focused more on saving his crew than on saving himself. Lt. Dyer came from a military-oriented family, with his father and both grandfathers having served in the military. In addition to flying helicopters, Lt. Dyer loved golf and running. His family and friends remember him as a strong person who would never quit anything, no matter how hard things were. He always saw things through from start to finish. As a Naval Aviator, Lt. Dyer was the consummate professional. He knew his aircraft and his procedures backwards and forwards. Though certainly possessing natural talent, Lt. Dyer's best attributes were his never-ending desire to learn, the great responsibility he felt for his crew, and the fact that he was a loyal friend. Lt. Dyer was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on March 9, 2007. He is survived by his parents, David and Stephanie Dyer, and a sister, Lindsay Dyer, of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. I thank my colleague from Texas for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, prior to coming to Congress, I was a practicing cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon with extensive experience in open heart surgery, as well as trauma surgery. But I want to speak about the importance of this bill not as a physician but as a parent of a son who was in a severe car accident. About 6 years ago, I will never forget this, this was a Wednesday night, about 11:30 in the evening, and I received a phone call from the hospital from a friend of mine who is an emergency room physician who told me, was your son driving a black Alero? I said, what do you mean, ``was''? He went on to say, ``Well, I think he's going to be okay.'' He started to read off the litany of injuries that my son had. So I immediately rushed over to the hospital, and I didn't think about it, but I happened to be on call for chest trauma that night, so I was worried that I might have to operate on my own son. I get to the hospital and found out that he was in the emergency room, sitting there for about 3 to 4 hours. He was in shock. There was no organization with regard to prioritization of his injuries. I immediately jumped in and started kind of prioritizing things, and we managed to get him stabilized. He went through some extensive surgery that night. He subsequently had to be transferred to another hospital 180 miles away for further treatment of his extensive orthopedic injuries. Because of lack of trauma coordination at that hospital, he developed severe malnutrition, lost about 50 pounds, had a lack of coordination with his antibiotics, developed infections, and spent nearly 6 or 7 weeks in the hospital, followed by about 3 to 4 to 5 months of further care to get him back to where he could walk with crutches. Thankfully now, today, he is doing well. But if it wouldn't have been for my personal experience as a physician, overseeing the care of my son, he would not have gotten the appropriate care, and that is because we didn't have a coordinated trauma center. Trauma cannot be fragmented. It requires a coordinated effort by a team of experts. As was mentioned, the mortality rate from trauma is significantly higher in rural areas than it is in urban areas. There are nearly 20- to 25,000 trauma deaths each year that are preventable if we had the proper coordination. We have learned much from the military. Much of trauma surgery has evolved from military activity and stream of the wounded afterwards. There have been tremendous advances, but this does not translate to civilian area, where we do not have trauma centers. Clearly, this is a bill that is important, and I appreciate the committee for bringing this forward and the hard work that has been done. This bill will ensure that severely injured patients get coordinated care, get care by experts, by a team of experts, not just in the emergency room and the operating room but in the aftermath, where it's so critical to full recovery and full rehabilitation. This bill will award grants to the States for planning, implementing and developing trauma care systems. The Institute of Medicine has said the availability of Federal funds through the Trauma Care Systems and Planning Development Act appears to have helped increase the number of trauma centers and urged, in 1999, the reauthorization of the Trauma Care Act. This bill is absolutely necessary. It's critical, and it also will serve to build a trauma registry, which is so important, so that we can catalog these injuries and learn from these things so that we can actually improve trauma care further in the civilian arena. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It's a superb bill. It's an excellent bill.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. I want to thank my colleague. I also want to thank Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery for bringing this bill to the floor. And while I am pleased that this bill is being brought to the floor this evening, its title is actually a misnomer. The Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act also covers many areas hit by my district in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, those areas hit by Hurricane Rita. My district in southwest Louisiana received about $10 billion in damage from Hurricane Rita, and this was to small rural communities that don't have the ability to bounce back. As we recover in southwest Louisiana, we have learned all too well that government cannot micromanage the full recovery process, and this GO-Zone legislation has played a very important role in providing a foundation for businesses and families to get back on their feet. So I am pleased that today's legislation extends many of these successful provisions and programs for southwest Louisiana communities. Two of the most important include an extension of the placed-in- service deadline and a waiver of the 10 percent rule for GO-Zone credits. These provisions will help those who are on the front lines of our housing recovery, rather than revert funding back to the State. Additionally, the bill allows GO-Zone low-income housing projects to receive additional federally subsidized loans without facing a reduction in tax credits. Mr. Speaker, while I take issue with the bill's title, I fully support its provisions. It is a good bill. Again, I thank Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery for their support and urge support of this bill.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I rise in opposition to the rule and to this underlying bill, and I will tell you that it gives me no satisfaction to vote against a bill that has so many things that are important to my State in terms of gulf coast recovery and the relief effort after the hurricanes. But I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that is going to do unspeakable harm to our troops in the field and to our national security. I want to point out the fiscal fantasy also in this bill. I want to point out one item. There is $15 million in this bill for rice farmers in my district for salt water mitigation. That is twice the number of dollars that we needed months ago for this. So if we have that kind of bloating in the bill on one small item, I can't imagine what this $28 billion extra in the bill is all about. This bill is fiscal fantasy, and it does unspeakable harm to our national security. For those reasons, I oppose it vehemently.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana, my colleague, for yielding. Let me just say, we all recognize that there is a funding gap here, and there are many, many needs throughout our Nation with regard to repairing our water infrastructure. But on the other hand, I think it is wrong to play politics with this. When I heard we were going to bring forward a bill to deal with our State Revolving Loan Funds, I was very happy about it. I said, yes, this is something that is very much needed in Louisiana and certainly needed for small rural, disadvantaged communities throughout our Nation. Yet, what we have got now is a situation with the Davis-Bacon provisions inserted into this bill which is going to create significant problems. I know we are all frozen politically on this issue, Davis-Bacon or no Davis-Bacon, depending upon which philosophical stripe you wear. But let me just say, we could have done something better coming out of committee with this bill if we would have created exemptions for poor, disadvantaged, small communities throughout the rural United States. My fear is, with the bill as it stands, it is going to put our communities at a point where they can't access these funds. Now our friends on the other side of the aisle talk about protecting the American worker and making sure that we are taking care of this big funding gap we have with regard to our aging water infrastructure. But on the one hand, if we create the State Revolving Loan Fund, and on the other hand, we make it unaffordable for our small and disadvantaged communities to access these funds, what good have we done? I think we need to put aside politics and let's talk about practical policy here. Earlier this week I met with the president of our Police Jury Association, which is the equivalent of county commissioners. He told me that he was excited that we were looking at these funds for water. But when I mentioned the fact that we have Davis-Bacon provisions in the bill, he was very despondent. And he said to me, basically, that this is going to stifle our ability to repair our water infrastructure. He estimated that it is going to add a 20-25 percent additional cost for sewer treatment facilities in his parish, Evangeline Parish, in rural Louisiana. The bottom line is, we shouldn't be talking about inside-the-Beltway rhetoric. We need to listen to what real leaders in the real world are telling us. I would say, if Members on the other side, if you talk to those rural community leaders and find out what they need and how we can bridge this gap, you will find out that it is not by putting in Davis-Bacon provisions that will weight this bill down. I believe Congress has a responsibility to address this growing need, but at the same time, we need to do it in a responsible way that is going to work and not something that is going to be just more political tit for tat, back and forth. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill because of the underlying provisions, the Davis-Bacon provisions, which are going to hurt small, disadvantaged communities. And ultimately, it is going to hurt the American worker.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. He has been very eloquent on this subject. Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I rise in opposition to this rule. I am deeply disappointed in the Rules Committee and its actions yesterday by limiting the number of amendments that we could have taken to the floor. We all recognize that there is a gap, or a shortfall, in the funding that exists to help deal with our water infrastructure, and this is most pointedly affecting our small rural and disadvantaged communities; but I have to say the actions of the Rules Committee and the majority on the Rules Committee really disappoint me, because what we have seen now is politics trumping practical policy. Sure, we don't agree on Davis-Bacon, and having an up-and-down vote is fine, but that is a political vote. We are all frozen in our positions. But we could have taken a chance to protect our small and disadvantaged communities by creating some exemptions. I had hoped to offer two amendments to this bill yesterday, and they were not ruled in order for the bill. One would have exempted small, disadvantaged communities as defined by law from Davis-Bacon big labor provisions in the bill. This would have given our small communities a chance to access these funds. What good are the funds if the communities can't get to them? The gentlelady across the aisle here says, talk to local leaders. I can tell you, I have spoken to local leaders, Democrat and Republican alike, those who favor labor and those who don't, in my communities across my district, which is largely rural; and they have uniformly told me that these Davis-Bacon provisions and this State revolving loan fund will really put a burden on our small communities. It will inflate the costs by 20 to 25 percent. So on the one hand we are saying, yes, let's create the revolving loan fund; let's fund it. On the other hand, we are telling our small communities, no, you can't have the money, because you can't afford it. You can't afford the match. You can't afford to access this money. Our small and rural communities are the ones that are most often in need of adequate waste water infrastructure. I have visited every community in my district. Mr. Speaker, this is a huge need, and I want to support this underlying bill; but we could have acted responsibly. We could have created exemptions that help our small and rural and disadvantaged communities. But, no, we have chosen to play politics instead of dealing with good, practical policy. My amendments would have put the power back in the hands of local leaders. But, no, the Federal Government, the Federal Government is the one that has to dictate and mandate all. Once again, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have chosen to empower Big Labor at the expense of small disadvantaged communities and local leaders. I have to say I am deeply disappointed. There is plenty of evidence. The CBO, as my colleague mentioned earlier, has noted that repealing Davis-Bacon, raising the threshold for projects it covers, would allow appropriators to reduce Federal funds and therefore we could get more bang for the buck. The Department of Labor, after nearly 50 years, has not developed an effective program to issue and maintain current and accurate wage determinations. It may be impractical to ever do so. There are many problems with this. We could have acted responsibly, but, no, we have chosen to play politics. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule. We could have done better by the American public in putting together a bill that would create the State revolving loan funds and allow our communities to access them. But, no, we have chosen to play politics. I urge defeat of this rule and defeat of the underlying bill.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Reclaiming my time, I would say that if small, disadvantaged communities cannot access the funds to repair their infrastructure, it is going to hurt the worker, and it is going to hurt the disadvantaged small community. I would say there is a practical way to move through this with regard to policy rather than simply playing politics.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. BOUSTANY. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pose a question to the distinguished gentleman from the Rules Committee: Yes, it is political with regard to Davis-Bacon, strip it or leave it, but what about exemptions? Why couldn't we entertain exemptions for small, disadvantaged communities? What is the fear on your side in not allowing that to come to a floor debate? I simply ask the question, and I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 569 reauthorizes grants to help communities address the widespread problem in our country of sewer overflows. As a result of inadequate or outdated wastewater infrastructure, raw sewage can overflow into rivers or back up into people's basements, and this has been a nationwide problem. To correct these problems, local communities will have to make infrastructure investments totaling as much as $150 billion. To provide communities some assistance to meet these needs, H.R. 569 authorizes additional resources for EPA to make sewer overflow control grants to States and local communities. This was a program that was authorized before and is now needing reauthorization. I urge all Members to support this bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentlelady from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend from Tennessee, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Duncan. Mr. Duncan chaired the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in the previous Congress and has been a leader on this issue.