Charles Boustany

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp). He is a cosponsor of this legislation and has authored similar legislation in previous Congresses.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. I thank the ranking member. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill. Frankly, I am disappointed that many of the amendments my Republican colleagues and I hoped to offer today were not made in order by the Rules Committee last night. My amendment would have provided workers the right to have their card returned if they had a change of heart. They don't have that buyer's remorse protection under current law. There are examples in Louisiana where employees tried to get their cards back, but were informed by a regional NLRB office that they had no authority to require the return of a signed card. Now, a cooling off period is standard in many areas of business. We allow it for purchases of homes and cars, but my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't think we should allow it for employees deciding whether or not they want the union as their exclusive bargaining representative in the workplace. A few years back, a company in South Louisiana, Trico Marine, became the unwilling target of a campaign to organize the vessel personnel who service our offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana is a proud right-to-work state and many hard-working mariners quickly came forward to protest the tactics used by the union. After eight visits, one vessel officers had to have an arrest warrant issued against a union organizer. But even more troubling, mariners were misled and told that they should sign the cards, and if they had a change of heart, they could vote their conscience in a secret ballot election. But the union's intent from the beginning was to bypass the secret ballot, gain the 50 plus one signed cards, and then publicly pressure the company to recognize them. That attempt failed and the union office has since disbanded. But that is what this legislation allows. It allows a union to gather a majority of signed cards, often under questionable circumstances, and bypass a secret ballot election where workers are free to vote their conscience in private without coercion or outside influence. This example provides some balance to the arguments made by my friends on the other side of the aisle. And let's be straight, there are bad actors on both sides. But our number one priority here should be protecting the right of all hard- working Americans. If the system is broke, let's work together to fry to fix it. But denying workers the fundamental right to a secret ballot election isn't the answer. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in vigorous opposition to this resolution. With all due respect to my colleagues across the aisle, this resolution does not outline a new strategy for how we move forward in Iraq and it will have absolutely no impact on the current strategy. Furthermore, it is the wrong signal to send to our allies in the region and the wrong signal to send to our troops, those brave, courageous men and women in uniform who have performed magnificently and done everything that we have asked them to do. This nonbinding resolution addresses a tactic, not an overall strategy; a tactic that the President of the United States as Commander in Chief has full constitutional authority to move with. Now, I respect my colleagues across the aisle, and I know we all want to see a disengagement of our troops from harm's way in Iraq. But I would submit that disengagement must be done under favorable circumstances in the interests of our national security. There is no other alternative. Let's look at what would happen with a failed policy in Iraq. Iraq is on the verge of anarchic fragmentation. There are 27 ethnic groups in Iraq. It is not as simple as a Sunni versus Shiia conflict. There are other splinter groups using violence for their own designs. Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq will lead to unprecedented violence, spilling over into neighboring countries such as Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and we will see Shiia uprisings in Lebanon and Bahrain, which have significant Shiia populations. Jordan is already facing massive numbers of refugees coming across the border, putting strain. And Iranian influence is growing. The regime is intent on gaining hegemony in the region, exerting its influence widely throughout the Middle East and controlling oil and gas reserves to use the money to further fuel terrorism. Al Qaeda will consolidate a base to work from in western Iraq to perpetrate further transnational terrorism, and Turkey will be compelled to cross borders to deal with separatist groups. America, dear America, will lose support of its vital allies in the region and our reputation will suffer immensely for a very long period of time, much longer than what we saw after the Vietnam conflict. It is clear to me that security and political reconciliation in Iraq run parallel, and without halting the spiral of violence, reconciliation within Iraq will not occur. Without halting the spiral of violence, our allies in the Persian Gulf and the broader Middle East will be forced to deal with their own political disruption, rather than starting multilateral dialogue that is so essential for a longer standing peace throughout this entire region, whether we are talking about the Palestinian issues, Lebanon, Iraq or Iran. Our allies in the region, particularly, need political cover. I have heard this from numerous Arab Ambassadors whom I have had many conversations with. The ground must be laid for multilateral diplomacy. It will not occur during a spiral of violence. Our allies in the region have given commitment that they will help with Iraqi military training, police training, as well as rebuilding of Iraq and further resources, once the stage is set with security and a move toward reconciliation. So, if we are going to be responsible in this body, there are questions we really need to ask if we are going to formulate a strategy and work with this administration for a winning strategy in Iraq. The questions that need to be asked are these: What are the benchmarks for its Iraqi military? What are the benchmarks for the Iraqi Government, for reconciliation and for internal reform in Iraq? What are the rules of engagement for our troops who will be going over there to assist in this Baghdad security operation? What resources are available? What manpower and personnel are available to our State Department and USAID to help and assist in the reform and reconciliation process so that we can create the groundwork for diplomatic resolution? And as we look at a clear holding bill, who is going to do the holding? Who is going to do the building? These are questions that a responsible Congress should be asking, not whether or not to support this surge. The American people voted for change. This resolution offers nothing to shape a new strategy on how to move forward successfully in Iraq. The American people deserve more from Congress, and, by God, our troops deserve more from this Congress.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend some of my constituents in Lake Charles, Louisiana for their efforts to help complete the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. As a result of the hard work of the Chamber of Southwest Louisiana and members of the Zeta Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a model of the historic Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will make Lake Charles its first stop on a national tour. The goal of the tour is to raise additional funding for the memorial, which is set to be erected on the National Mall in Washington, DC in 2008. Because of Dr. King's courage, words, and actions, America is stronger and stands as a beacon of hope for people around the world. The monuments on our National Mall tell the story of our achievements as a country, but they also tell the story of our struggles. It is only fitting that Dr. King be honored with a memorial to provide a living history of his role in the civil rights movement. Dr. King did not just talk about character, he lived it everyday. His leadership changed American life, and his legacy will continue to endure. Today, I commend the leadership of the Chamber of Southwest Louisiana and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for doing their part to ensure that Dr. King's legacy endures.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Acadiana High School Wreckin' Rams for winning the 5A Louisiana State Football Championship in the Superdome last month. The Wreckin' Rams defeated Sulphur High School 13-10 to win their first-ever state title. The victory was capped off by a last minute 32-yard field goal by Drew Alleman. After kicking a 42-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10, Alleman split the uprights on the game's final play to seal Acadiana's win. The championship ended a 13-2 season for the Rams. Acadiana's coach, Ted Davidson, expressed his excitement after the game. ``This is the most competitive team I've ever coached. This is the fifth game this year that we've won in the last 30 seconds of the game. They just refuse to lose,'' Davidson said in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Madam Speaker, with this victory, Acadiana High School's Wreckin Rams have made the residents of their entire state proud. I enter into the official Congressional Record the names of these players and their coaches, and I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating them for their achievement. State Champions: Justin Green, Dvan Alexander, Kip Jacob *, Jeb Stefan, Louis Hollier, Jonathan Morvant, Javinas Faulk *, Daniel August*, DJ St. Julien, Desmond Sam, Terrence Sinegal, Tory Caudill, Brian Sinegal, Jordan Figaro *, John Dean, Darius Eaglin *, Chris White, Kyle Ramsey, Sam Boersma *, Jarred Evans, Chris Nguyen, Jeremy Griggs, Terrance Broussard, Brad Melancon, Austin Romein, Jeremy Fontenot *, Daniel Arabie, Ethan Piazza, Jordan Burt, Keevan Breaux, Jarrid Durand, Dexter Bruno, Trent Noel, Fletcher Sanders *, Jordan Boykin *, Jordan Himel, Chase Southerland, Lora Parker, Whitney Duplechin, Tayla Davis, Josh Bourque, Coach Bob Fabre, Coach Scott McCullough, Coach Ted Davidson, Cody Labat, David Guidry, Cody Mandell, Coach Myles Casbon, Brett Polaski, Kalen Comeaux *, Anthony Johnson, Derek Richard *, Jeffrey Trahan, Kevin Elston, Marcus Sam *, Bobby Davidson, Drew Alleman, Dexter Hall *, Quincy Mouton, Chance Brossette, Donovan Gallien, Casey Latiolais *, Hunter Thibodeaux, Kyle Hebert, Marcus Bazile, Lance Walker, Brandon Touchet *, Sheffield Taylor *, Jordan Magee, Aaron Guidry *, Sean McGovern, Matt Crooks, Hunter Hebert, Matt Boudreaux, Cherish Barton, Jared Prince, Dylan Terro, Robert Montgomery *, Taylor Wiggins, Mike Carvajal, Wilfred Journet *, Buck Smith *, Brady Hebert *, Chris Thibodeaux *, Spencer Trahan, Jesse Ledet, Jeremy Courville, Brent White, Brian White, Kynsi Sonnier, Ayriell Collins, Crystal Faulk, Coach Neal Lege, Coach Larry Breaux, Coach Gary Fontenot, Coach Chris Mitchell, and Brandon Siner.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the devoted service of Donald Hoffpauir to the people of Acadia Parish. Donald recently retired following twenty-two years of dedicated work in the Acadia Parish Tax Assessor's Office, where he served as a Personal Property Manager. Throughout his career, Donald was known as a skilled and loyal manager, always willing to assist his co-workers and the many customers who called upon the tax assessor's office. I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of Acadia Parish in wishing Donald Hoffpauir a happy retirement, and congratulating him for his invaluable accomplishments for the state of Louisiana.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the devoted service of Irvin ``Choppy'' Smith to the people of Acadia Parish. Choppy recently retired following 22 years of dedicated work as the Chief Deputy in the Acadia Parish Tax Assessor's Office. During his distinguished service to Acadia Parish, Choppy was known as a devoted public servant who always provided a warm and welcoming environment for the many parish residents that sought the service of the Tax Assessor's Office. Choppy's vast knowledge of Acadia Parish was invaluable as he assisted countless taxpayers. Madam Speaker, it is people like Choppy Smith that continue to inspire all of us, and I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of Acadia Parish in congratulating Choppy for his invaluable accomplishments for the State of Louisiana.

Mr. BOUSTANY

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

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such times as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 70. This resolution recognizes the outstanding 2006 record of the University of California at Santa Barbara men's soccer team as well as their triumph in winning the university's first-ever national title in soccer and only the second in any other sport. With a 2-1 victory over the University of California at Los Angeles at the 2006 NCAA men's College Cup, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos ended the season with a 17-7-1 record. The two rivals, whose schools are separated by less than 100 miles, played hard despite game time temperatures of 24 degrees and a windchill of 11. Still, in a testament to their strength and senior leadership, the Gauchos overcame the weather, as well as a 7-6 mid- season record, to become only the second unseeded team since 2000 to win the national title. Shortly after the season ended and for the second time in 3 years, UC Santa Barbara head coach Tim Vom Steeg earned the most prestigious honor a Division I coach can receive when he was named national Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. According to College Sports Television, ``in his eight seasons at the helm of UCSB, Vom Steeg has transformed a program that went 2-17-2 overall in the year prior to his arrival to a Division I power and reigning national champions.'' In the first 33 years of the program's existence, Santa Barbara had never reached the NCAA tournament but has now made five straight post- season appearances under Vom Steeg's guidance, including two trips to the College Cup. I extend my congratulations to head coach Tim Vom Steeg and all the hardworking players, the fans, and to the University of California at Santa Barbara. I am happy to join my good friends and colleagues, Representatives Capps and Gallegly, in honoring this exceptional team and all of its accomplishments and wish all involved continued success. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 82. This resolution recognizes the 12-1 season of the University of Louisville Cardinals, as well as the come-from-behind 24-13 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the 2007 Bowl Championship Series in the Orange Bowl. The Cardinals averaged 39 points a game and ranked second in the Nation in total offense this season, but fell behind 13-10 in the final quarter before their offense went into high gear. Touchdown drives of 81 and 71 yards on consecutive possessions sealed their first win in a major bowl since the 1991 Fiesta Bowl. The final victory capped a storied season for the Cardinals that included a Big East championship and the school's first-ever win in a Bowl Championship Series game. I extend my congratulations to head coach Bobby Petrino and all of the hardworking players and fans and to the University of Louisville. Mr. Speaker, 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. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, this ill-conceived legislation will halt recent efforts to increase domestic oil and gas production and will further boost our Nation's dependence on foreign oil. The price we pay for turning a blind eye towards our Nation's energy security is absolutely staggering. Most Americans don't realize the hidden cost of our reliance on foreign oil. According to the National Defense Council Foundation, the cost to defend America's access to foreign oil supplies rose to nearly $137 billion in 2006. The majority is pushing through this job-killing legislation that threatens thousands of jobs in my gulf coast district. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you firsthand, we are not talking about minimum wage jobs. Many times over minimum wage. Furthermore, the creation of an energy slush fund with no specific wording in this legislation about how it is going to be used is fiscally irresponsible. America deserves a comprehensive bill to address our Nation's energy security. H.R. 6 is not close, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I once operated on a Vietnam veteran who then needed lifesaving drugs. But the VA program was going to make him wait for 2 weeks. He had no choice but to pay out of pocket hundreds of dollars. This is completely unacceptable. And we certainly do not want the same thing for our seniors. I urge my colleagues to support seniors and vote ``no'' on H.R. 4 because this legislation prevents patients from getting the medication they need. When you scratch the surface, it becomes very clear that this legislation will lead to price controls and rationing. Furthermore, the idea of government negotiation is a joke. Mr. Speaker, this limits seniors' choices, it's not going to reduce cost, and once again it's the heavy hand of government telling people what is best for them. So I urge my colleagues to support seniors and vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose H.R. 3. As a heart and lung surgeon, I've seen the power of hope and the harms caused by those who give misinformation and false hope to patients and families. Too often, proponents of embryonic stem cell research promise an immediate cure to dying patients and their families. From a medical standpoint, embryonic stem cells have yet to produce a single human treatment. Embryonic cells also produce tumors and cause transplant rejection. Such techniques also raise grave ethical problems. The claim that most human embryos in fertility clinics ``will be discarded anyway'' is disingenuous. Research shows that ``the vast majority of stored embryos (88.2 percent) are being held for family building.'' Fortunately, science continues to discover more promising lines of stem cell research. Adult stem cells have already been used to treat a growing number of human diseases. Scientists at Harvard and Wake Forest University recently reported their success using stem cells in amniotic fluid and the placenta. They explained that these stem cells ``remain stable for years without forming tumors.'' All Americans depend on medical breakthroughs. Federal funding for all types of stem cell research rose above $609 million last year. It's disappointing that the Speaker would not permit a vote today to increase funding for the most productive stem cell research. Last year, the Bartlett bill passed the Senate unanimously. It would have increased funding for embryonic stem cell research that doesn't destroy an embryo, including embryo biopsy. The current House leadership defeated it to score political points against the President. It's irresponsible for Congress to spend scarce federal tax dollars on lines of scientific research that have proven least effective. Evidence proves it's possible to advance stem cell research without paying biomedical firms to destroy human embryos. Conclusion: For these reasons, I oppose H.R. 3 and urge my colleagues to oppose this bill as well. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Georgia for organizing this hour and for all the work he has done on this issue. Let me start by saying that, as a heart and lung surgeon, I have often seen patients whose illness did not respond to a particular drug, and I have seen the frustration and the anxiety among family members and among patients when a government bureaucrat or an HMO tried to save money by denying access to a more effective medication. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I once operated on a Vietnam veteran; I performed heart surgery on this gentleman, and afterwards he needed several very important medications to maintain his condition, but the VA program was going to make him wait between 2 and 3 weeks before he could get his medication. That is just simply unacceptable. This poor man had no choice but to pay out of pocket hundreds of dollars to get medication. This is something that we don't want to do for our seniors. Now, Secretary Leavitt has warned that H.R. 4 will result clearly in fewer choices and less consumer satisfaction. And we all know that we have had a tremendous success with this program in just 1 year, 80 percent satisfaction, premium prices dropping from $37 down to $22. Let's face it, government rationing harms patients, and calling it negotiation won't make it any less dangerous. The American people did not give Congress a mandate to force HHS to make unspecified cuts to Medicare. I also know that the idea of government negotiation is a joke. In fact, according to a Democratic polling group, 8 in 10 voters agree that government negotiation would limit access to prescription drugs and to life-saving medications. Let's face it, aggressive negotiation through the marketplace is already working, and it is driving down the prices of premiums as I mentioned earlier. Let me just say this. If the market is good enough for Members of Congress, why would we take that away from our seniors? I find it to be a profound irony that supporters of this bill, the Democratic leadership in the House, they are pushing for this government negotiation, this so-called government negotiation, but they won't allow that for their own medicine cabinets. There is a profound irony in this. Why doesn't a proposal that would limit the medical care of tens of millions of seniors deserve a fair hearing? I say it is reckless on the part of the Democratic leadership of the House to force the Federal Government to cut Medicare without specifying, where are we going to achieve those additional savings? How is this so-called negotiation going to take place? And before rushing into this bill, I think Speaker Pelosi has an ethical obligation to detail how the Federal Government would achieve additional savings without limiting seniors' access to medicines, hurting community pharmacies and increasing prices for our veterans. We know what the outcome of a recent CBO study showed, that the Secretary will be unable to negotiate prices that are more favorable than those under the current law. In fact, a Senate hearing was held on this. The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, and the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee is questioning whether there are savings to be achieved by direct negotiation. Furthermore, I have letters that I have received from community pharmacists throughout my district. I want to read from one of these. It is addressed to me and says, ``There will be a vote in Congress on Friday, January 12, which could dismantle the very important Medicare part D program. I am joining former U.S. Senator John Breaux,'' a Democrat, a former prominent Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Senate who worked on this Medicare part D program when it was put into law. He says, ``I am joining former Senator John Breaux and the Louisiana Medicare Prescription Access Network and more than 700 supporting member organizations in our State in asking you to vote against H.R. 4 on Friday, January 12.'' Price controls are not in the interest of our seniors. This is not something that we want to do. If we are going to reform our entitlement programs where costs are burgeoning, we need to introduce market forces; and lo and behold, in one year of operation we have a program where we introduced market forces to drive down premiums for our seniors, and it is working. It is too premature to change this. It is wrong to change this, and I urge all of my colleagues to listen to this and do what is right for seniors. And I will end by just asking one question: Why would the Democratic leadership in the House want to hurt our seniors? I think the American public and our seniors deserve an answer to that question.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, S. 4093. This bill will modify the expiration date of a provision of a farm bill dealing with farm credit so that it expires concurrent with the rest of the farm bill. Currently a provision of the farm bill dealing with guaranteed loans for farmers and ranchers expires on December 31 of this calendar year. The rest of the farm bill, however, does not begin to expire until December 30 of 2007. By passing this bill, we are ensuring that this credit program has the opportunity to be fully debated during the development of the next farm bill. Furthermore, should this provision expire in the next few days, it would create a hardship on the part of those farmers, ranchers, and lenders to whom it would apply. I ask my colleagues to support this bill so that this credit program, which is so important for America's young and beginning farmers, has the opportunity to be debated and reevaluated during the development of the next farm bill without causing undue hardship with limited notice to the farmers and ranchers that use this important program. I would also like to thank Michael Hare of my staff for his diligent work in the last week to bring this bill to the floor.

Mr. BOUSTANY

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

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 4093) to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend a suspension of limitation on the period for which certain borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, S. 4093. This bill will modify the expiration date of a provision of a farm bill dealing with farm credit so that it expires concurrent with the rest of the farm bill. Currently a provision of the farm bill dealing with guaranteed loans for farmers and ranchers expires on December 31 of this calendar year. The rest of the farm bill, however, does not begin to expire until December 30 of 2007. By passing this bill, we are ensuring that this credit program has the opportunity to be fully debated during the development of the next farm bill. Furthermore, should this provision expire in the next few days, it would create a hardship on the part of those farmers, ranchers, and lenders to whom it would apply. I ask my colleagues to support this bill so that this credit program which is so important for America's young and beginning farmers has the opportunity to be debated and reevaluated during the development of the next farm bill without causing undue hardship with limited notice to the farmers and ranchers that use this important program. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the NOAA Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In September 2005, as Hurricane Rita was approaching the coast of Southwest Louisiana, the WFO Lake Charles developed a life saving partnership with elected officials and emergency managers that was instrumental in minimizing deaths from the storm. While Rita destroyed critical infrastructure and forever changed the landscape of Southwest Louisiana, WFO Lake Charles lived up to the motto of the National Weather Service by ``Working Together to Save Lives.'' With up-to-date storm-tracking information, elected officials, law enforcement and emergency response personnel were able to lead a safe and thorough evacuation. In recognition of their heroic efforts, the staff of the WFO Lake Charles was recently awarded the Bronze Medal from the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as a special award from the American Meteorological Society. Although Hurricane Rita has changed the coast of Southwest Louisiana, it has also reinforced the belief in all of us that preparation is the key to ensuring our families, and our homes, are safe from future disaster. To that end, I commend the WFO Lake Charles for their outstanding job and dedication to the people of Southwest Louisiana.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today. I want to thank my colleague and friend from Georgia for organizing this hour and for yielding me time. A December 1 Congressional Quarterly article mentioned that a colleague from California across the aisle shed crocodile tears, ``crocodile tears for providers who faced a cumulative cut of almost 30 percent under the Medicare physician payment formula.'' This colleague quipped that he had difficulty sympathizing with providers who might be giving up their golf games. Instead of revoking negative stereotypes to justify cuts under an artificial price control formula, Congress ought to consider the real injustice the formula imposes on patients, such as an 85-year-old caregiver who has to wait longer and drive further so her ailing husband can visit a physician. While Medicare does not force providers to treat Medicare patients, especially when the cost of providing care exceeds declining payments, for seniors who turn 65, it is Medicare or no care. It is virtually impossible for someone at age 65 to find insurance coverage for physician services outside of Medicare part B. Medicare needs to honor its commitment, and seniors need more than access to a waiting list. MedPAC, the independent Federal body created to advise Congress on Medicare reimbursement issues, calls the Medicare physician payment formula ``a flawed inequitable mechanism for volume control.'' It says it could ``threaten beneficiaries' access to care.'' In fact, the agency already warns that subsets of beneficiaries report access problems. In 2005, more than one in five Medicare beneficiaries reported that they sometimes, usually or always experienced delays in getting an appointment. The same proportion indicated that they had difficulty finding a new primary care physician to treat them. MedPAC also writes that among the subset of people who reported any problems, Medicare beneficiaries were somewhat more likely in our 2005 sample to characterize the problem as big versus small than their privately insured counterparts. Also, the share of Medicare beneficiaries indicating that they experienced big problems accessing a primary care physician grew in both 2004 and 2005 samples. One in four seniors who faced access problems said that their problem finding a doctor was because they were covered by Medicare, and this is simply unacceptable. Equally troubling is a recent survey reporting that 38 percent of responding physicians indicate that they would decrease the number of new Medicare patients they accept when the next physician payment cut occurs and Medicare payments continue falling below the cost of providing care. Congress might avoid a cut this year, and it is imperative that we do that, while leaving the artificial price control intact, as it did for 2003, 2004 and 2005. Yet officials with the Congressional Budget Office have repeatedly explained that the formula requires these automatic cuts to be made up in future years. This kick-the-can approach might seem like the least expensive on paper, but it is clearly unsustainable. The formula must be changed. Otherwise, the annual cuts will become more difficult to avoid, and the problem of access will only grow worse. Congress needs to look past government accounting gimmicks and realize that adequate payments will help to ensure timely care and be more cost-effective for the overall program than addressing serious health problems with more intrusive and costly medical procedures later. Also, all Americans have a personal stake in this issue, and once informed of the cuts, people understand that cuts mean more than just a canceled golf game. Almost 9 out of 10 respondents agree that cuts would severely limit seniors' access to physicians. Seniors want the freedom to access their physicians, but cuts will exacerbate projected provider shortages as the baby-boom generation, one-third of our workforce, becomes Medicare eligible. MEDPAC aptly warns that the formula's cuts could ``discourage medical students and residents from becoming primary care physicians.'' Today, fewer radiologists specialize in mammography and fewer surgeons complete breast cancer fellowships. In addition, fewer students are entering the specialty of heart and lung surgery, while half of the heart and lung surgeons in the United States intend to retire within the next decade, and more than 70 percent plan to retire within 13 years. Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing that some lawmakers want to expand price-fixing in Medicare under the false label of negotiation. Economists widely agree that artificial price controls lead to scarcity, which is why Americans do not rely on them in other sectors of our economy and why we must develop market-based alternatives in Medicare. Congress, Mr. Speaker, has a duty to avoid the cuts and to replace the artificial price control formula with a realistic physician payment system that protects patient access.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6166. I want to compliment both Chairman Hunter and Chairman Sensenbrenner for bringing forth a very good bill and their prodigious work on this issue. I also want to commend Chairman Steve Buyer for his fine leadership as well on this issue. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the terrorists responsible for planning the most horrendous attack on U.S. soil and who continue to plan terrorist acts to be brought to justice. We have an obligation to the American people to deliver justice upon these criminals, as well as an obligation to the international community to uphold our treaty obligations. I, too, had some concerns about this at the outset, but I think this bill addresses the concerns. I am pleased that this bill contains provisions that will maintain our commitment to common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, while also providing the necessary protection to U.S. personnel. This bill sets forth a fair, effective process consistent with our values, our laws and our obligations. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge swift passage of the Military Commission Act of 2006, so that we can continue to prosecute these terrorists intent on causing violence to innocent victims.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of turn.

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, this week southwest Louisiana will pause to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Rita, the third most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. Rita was as equally devastating as Hurricane Katrina, causing widespread destruction to our communities and our Nation's critical energy infrastructure. Since then there has been a palpable view among many of my constituents that their story has been forgotten and their needs unknown. Throughout the past year, I have worked hard to ensure that Rita does not become ``the forgotten storm'' among Members of this body, and to date Congress has approved unprecedented Federal funding for our recovery. And for this the people of southwest Louisiana are grateful. But not until you visit the coastal parishes of southwest Louisiana, Vermilion Parish, Calcasieu Parish, and Cameron Parish, can you understand the scope and magnitude of the destruction of Rita and the long road we have to protect our coast and our energy infrastructure from future disaster. In the year since Rita, I have brought 19 House Members, including Speaker Hastert, to southwest Louisiana to see these towns and communities and to meet the great residents of my district who were able to ensure a safe and thorough evacuation that did not result in the loss of life as we saw in New Orleans. All of my colleagues who have joined me in visiting the communities hit hardest by Rita have come away with an increased awareness of the importance of southwest Louisiana to the energy infrastructure of the United States, as well as the need to protect our coastal wetlands and provide a continuous stream of funding to protect our communities. The eye of Hurricane Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, bringing with it a storm surge over 15 feet. In the coastal parishes of Vermilion, Cameron, and Calcasieu, the destruction was undescribable, but no lives were lost. Local officials in southwest Louisiana were commended for managing an orderly evacuation of residents and offering a detailed plan for recovery and rebuilding. In short, the people of southwest Louisiana did, and are doing, everything right. Amidst the ruin, the one constant was the spirit and determination of the people of southwest Louisiana. The common question from local residents was not, ``Where do we go from here?'' but rather, ``When can we rebuild our homes, our businesses, and our way of life?'' More than any other storm, Rita exposed the critical state of our coastal wetlands and the role they play in supporting the energy infrastructure of the United States. These wetlands serve as a critical buffer against ocean storms as well as protect industries and cities further inland. Before Rita, the projected land loss in Louisiana was approximately 24 square miles per year, the equivalent of two football fields an hour. After Rita, our coast is even more vulnerable, and some worry a modest category one hurricane could deal an even more destructive blow to our coastal parishes and the energy infrastructure that they support. During Rita, oil platforms and drilling rigs in the storm's path were forced to shut down and evacuate their workers. This led to the halting of 98 percent of oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. And when the Nation's 12th largest port in Lake Charles was forced to shut down, energy production and distribution were brought a virtual standstill. Protecting and strengthening our coasts is not only a Louisiana problem, it is an American problem. And it is one that affects American families and businesses that rely on energy we produce in Louisiana and transport throughout this country. Thousands of oil and gas facilities are concentrated throughout the gulf coast and in southwest Louisiana, meaning that any future storm could have a crippling effect on our Nation's domestic energy production. Over one-third of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is stockpiled in Cameron Parish in my district, and soon over 25 percent of our Nation's natural gas supply will run through that parish as well. Mr. Speaker, often in the past year I am stopped by my colleagues here in the body who ask, how can I help? My answer to them now is very clear. Help us to protect ourselves. This year the House and Senate have already responded to this request by approving legislation that would give Louisiana its fair share of oil and gas revenues produced off our shores. This solution will provide our State with the necessary funding to protect our coastal wetlands and, in turn, the critical energy infrastructure that is so important to our U.S. economy. The Louisiana congressional delegation is working to ensure a final compromise is presented to President Bush before the end of the this year. Now, it is up to the leadership in this body and in the Senate to bring the bill to conference and to get a compromise to President Bush. The sooner Congress acts, the sooner southwest Louisiana can protect itself from the devastation we saw from Hurricane Rita 1 year ago. Mr. Speaker, in closing, the people of southwest Louisiana never asked for a Federal handout, but rather for a helping hand. For many Americans last year's hurricane season will be remembered by the images of chaos and confusion. For those of us who were there to witness the devastation in southwest Louisiana, the recovery of the people whose lives it forever changed, we come away with a much different story, one that gives us hope, one that shows the resiliency of the people of southwest Louisiana.

Mr. BOUSTANY

Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5295, the Student and Teachers Safety Act of 2006, and I commend my friend and colleague Geoff Davis for introducing this important legislation. According to a 2004 study by the National Center for Education Statistics, one in 10 students reported being threatened or injured with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property; three out of 10 students in grades nine through 12 reported that someone had offered, sold, or given them an illegal drug on school property. Moreover, more than seven out of 10 public schools experienced one or more violent incidents in 1999 and 2000, amounting to over 1.5 million violent incidents. Louisiana families are demanding safe schools for their children, and H.R. 5295 would codify the guidelines established by the U.S. Supreme Court in New Jersey v. T.L.O., which held that reasonable searches by school officials do not require a warrant signed by a judge if the search would reveal that the student violated the law or school rules. The bill would also require that any searches be conducted in a manner appropriate to the age, gender and nature of the offense. This is just codifying what the Supreme Court already has ruled upon, and it simplifies this matter as opposed to confusing it as is suggested by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. This legislation is supported by the National Education Association, and it will help promote a safe school environment for both students and teachers. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.