Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to a member of the Ways and Means Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), who is an author of the reform to the refundable child tax credit.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I would just note that this legislation incorporates more than a dozen proposals that the President has either offered, supported, or signed into law. In fact, more than 90 percent of the bill is paid for with such policies. With that, I would yield 3 minutes to a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis).

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit is a further illustration of the glaring differences in priorities between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans have brought a plan to the floor today that is about protecting taxpayers and creating American jobs. And instead of joining us in that important task, my Democratic friends are offering yet another politically motivated motion. In fact, one senior Democratic aide recently said to the press, and I quote, ``MTRs are all political.'' You can read it right here. My colleagues and the American people should not be fooled. They should not be distracted by these political games. Make no mistake. Our bill extends the payroll tax cut for every employee in this country. And if my friends on the other side of the aisle choose to vote against it, they are supporting a tax increase on every American who collects a paycheck. This motion contains a massive 10-year tax increase. It increases taxes on employers, on small businesses, on investors, the very people we need paying more paychecks, not more taxes. In fact, this exact provision has been defeated multiple times in the U.S. Senate by Republicans and Democrats alike in a bipartisan effort. Our bill is about strengthening our economy, getting Americans back to work through commonsense reforms to the unemployment insurance program. It will ensure American seniors and the disabled are protected by preventing massive cuts to doctors working in the Medicare program. And it will be paid for with fiscally responsible reforms, not job- killing tax hikes. I urge my colleagues, vote against this motion to recommit and vote for the underlying bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 674) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the imposition of 3 percent withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities, to modify the calculation of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility for certain healthcare-related programs, and for other purposes.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I come to the floor today in support of permanently repealing the onerous, job-killing 3 percent withholding law. During House action last month, this legislation garnered more than 400 votes for repeal and passed, as amended, with an overwhelming 95 votes in the Senate last week. The legislation, which has been championed by Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Wally Herger and our Democrat colleague Earl Blumenauer, is supported by President Obama and makes clear that when we work together, we can find bipartisan solutions to the laws and regulations that stifle job creation. This legislation does just that and frees up valuable resources businesses can use for hiring. In addition to the provisions in the House-passed 3 percent withholding bill, the Senate amendment contains a variety of veterans- related provisions--a group of Americans clearly deserving of our support. Finally, the Senate amendment retains another provision passed by this House with bipartisan support and authored by one of the newest members of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Diane Black. Mrs. Black's legislation modifies the income definition for determining eligibility for exchange subsidies, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, conforming the definition of income in the Democrats' health care law to the standards used by other Federal low- income programs such as food stamps and public housing. In doing so, taxpayers save $13 billion, and Medicaid funds will not be diverted away from serving America's low-income families. Madam Speaker, today we can take the final step and send this deficit-reducing and job-creating legislation to the President's desk. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Senate amendment to H.R. 674, and I look forward to seeing the President sign this bill into law. I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) control the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bill Goodwin in recognition of his 75th birthday this Wednesday, November 2nd. Bill Goodwin served as a page in the United States House of Representatives during the 83rd Congress. Sponsored by former Michigan Representative George Dondero, he began his time as a bench page in January of 1953 at the age of 15 in an effort to support his widowed mother and four siblings back home. Bill was quickly moved to work in the Democratic Cloakroom where he answered calls, organized the transportation of documents and later guarded lobby doors and access to the House floor. Additionally, he participated in the page glee club, sang for page graduations, and was even asked by members of Congress to sing the Lord's Prayer on the Floor while the House was in recess. Most notably, Bill can be remembered for his valiant efforts during the 1954 Puerto Rican shootings in the House Chamber where he assisted in carrying stretchers from the House floor. In a widely popularized photograph of the events, he can be recognized carrying a stretcher bearing Representative Alvin Bentley down the House steps. In 1955, Bill graduated from the Capitol Page School and returned to Michigan to finish his studies. He entered Wayne State University as a veterinarian student, but left two years later to return home to support his family. He worked as a technician at National Cash Register for several years, and left the company to begin his own cash register business. An avid entrepreneur, Bill later delved into the hovercraft business, where he secured several patents for the vehicle over the years. Ever the businessman, Bill currently operates his own landscaping business and enjoys taking part in activities such as hunting, and singing in the church choir. Bill Goodwin's contributions to his family, the State of Michigan, and this House of Representatives have been truly remarkable. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Bill Goodwin in celebration of his 75th birthday. I hope the year to come will bring him health, happiness, and special times with family and friends.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my point of order and seek time in opposition to the motion.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill that we're talking about here today which repeals the 3 percent across-the-board rule is cosponsored by two-thirds of this House. This bill has been endorsed by the President of the United States as is. And when the current minority was in the majority, in the stimulus bill they offered this exact legislation, full repeal, without any complications. And then when the final version came over, it was full repeal for 1 year without any changes or complications. I obviously am in strong opposition to this motion to recommit. Then we get the analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation which says, in typical understatement from the joint committee: Your proposal poses some administrative difficulties. Some? The burden is going to be on State and local governments to figure out which contractors are or are not delinquent. And either there's a violation of taxpayer privacy, which I don't think anybody in this House would support, a violation of rule 6103, or very complex procedures are going to have to be put in place for government to figure out which contractors are in compliance and which aren't. As the Joint Committee on Taxation goes on to say: The IRS would need to build the infrastructure to handle the volume of requests from State and local government entities. Implementation difficulties limit somewhat the revenue gain from withholding on State and local governments. This is more complication in the Tax Code. It goes against what a majority of this House wants to do. It goes against what the President of the United States wants to do. Vote ``no'' on this motion to recommit. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 448, I call up the bill (H.R. 674) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the imposition of 3 percent withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 674.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I come to the floor today in strong support of H.R. 674 to repeal the onerous, job-killing 3 percent withholding law. While this legislation has 269 cosponsors, I'd like to acknowledge the leaders on the bill, Ways and Means Health Committee Chairman Wally Herger and our Democrat Ways and Means colleague Congressman Earl Blumenauer. In addition to these advocates, we also have 25 other members of the Ways and Means Committee supporting this legislation--a clear signal of the strong bipartisan support for repeal of this 3 percent withholding rule. Job creators know all too well that this provision, like many efforts to increase Federal revenue and tax compliance, is lined with paperwork, complexity and costs--all of the things that hinder, rather than help, promote a climate for job creation. By considering and passing this bipartisan bill, we will unlock new opportunities for hiring. Job creators have told us just that, and it's why this legislation has the support of a diverse coalition of more than 170 groups, including the Government Withholding Relief Coalition. Like those job creators, others recognize the need for repeal, including President Obama. In the statement of administration policy in support of H.R. 674, the administration noted that ``the effect of the repeal of the withholding requirement would be to avoid a decrease in cash flow to these contractors which would allow them to retain these funds and use them to create jobs and pay suppliers.'' Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more. Supporting the repeal of the 3 percent withholding law is a demonstration that Washington can work together. With a strong bipartisan vote, we can reduce the uncertainty facing America's job creators, and we can free up valuable resources businesses can use for hiring. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 674 and urge the Senate to swiftly take up and pass this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) be designated to control the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 448, I call up the bill (H.R. 2576) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the calculation of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility for certain healthcare-related programs, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2576.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to come to the floor today and share my time with one of our committee's newest members, the gentlewoman from Tennessee, Representative Diane Black. In taking the lead on this legislation, Mrs. Black has identified an area of poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and she's taken steps to save the taxpayers $13 billion. I'm happy to support her and this legislation. H.R. 2576 modifies the income definition for determining eligibility for exchange subsidies, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The legislation conforms the definition of income in the Democrats' health care law to the standards used by other Federal low- income programs such as food stamps and public housing. By aligning this definition with other Federal subsidy programs, the legislation ensures that taxpayer funds will not be used to enroll middle class individuals into Medicaid, which is an abuse of the program's mission, to provide targeted assistance to those who are in most need of help. One of the most encouraging outcomes of Representative Black's legislation is that it has garnered bipartisan support, including the support of President Obama. In its Statement of Administration Policy, the Obama administration affirms its support for passage and goes so far as to say that, and I quote, ``The Administration looks forward to working with the House to ensure the bill achieves the intended result.'' Today, I urge my colleagues in the House to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2576. I encourage our colleagues in the Senate to quickly follow suit. I ask unanimous consent that Mrs. Black be designated to control the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I support H.R. 2832, the bill that renews the Generalized System of Preferences, known as GSP, and also contains the Trade Adjustment Assistance, also called TAA. This bill really is the cornerstone of the carefully crafted bipartisan and bicameral agreement that then prompted the President to send the three trade agreements to the Congress last Monday. So this has allowed us, this legislation today, has allowed us to move forward on a long-stalled trade agenda. The bill renews GSP, which the House passed last month, and that is the largest trade preference program and is estimated to account for 82,000 U.S. jobs that are directly or indirectly related to that program. The second portion of this bill, the bill that reauthorizes Trade Adjustment Assistance, is absolutely critical because it is one of the core items that has allowed these trade agreements to come forward. And this legislation really does ensure smaller government and less spending on an important program in these difficult economic times where we have a growing debt and deficit. This program was streamlined and scaled back, and just quickly I'll note some of the highlights. There is no TAA for public sector workers. The number of weeks was reduced from 156 in the 2009 law down to 117 weeks. Also, there is no double-dipping. These benefits run concurrently with current unemployment insurance, or UI benefits, and the health care subsidy was reduced in this legislation. We also eliminated half of the allowable justifications for the program's training waivers to ensure that those who are eligible for TAA are in those training programs with only limited exceptions. We also consolidated and reduced all the non-income support expenditures. We reduced funding for the TAA for firms, and also added enhanced performance measures. Now, no worker will qualify for this unless certified by the Department of Labor. This is an important attempt to bring some reform and integrity to our unemployment programs, particularly by strengthening the job training provision where 80 percent of the waivers were used to waive people out of the requirement they job train. This is an important reform; and it's going to be an important reform in this bill to make sure we implement it so as we move forward on the employment insurance debate later this year, as the gentleman from Washington State alluded to, we actually have a track record on some of these items and can see how they're at least beginning to work. So I urge my colleagues to support not only all three trade agreements, but also what really was the cornerstone for bringing those three trade agreements to the floor, H.R. 2832. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I would advise the gentleman from Washington that I have no other speakers and am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker may postpone further proceedings on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2832 as though under clause 8(a)(1)(A) of rule XX.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier). (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. I reserve a point of order.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, the implementing bill before us reflects a carefully negotiated agreement that involved the White House, the U.S. Trade Representative, and bipartisan staffs and members from both Ways and Means and Finance. All four offices were consulted at every step of the process and all sides were fully involved. This provision was not part of that negotiation. In fact, it was not even raised during negotiations. This threatens to undue the carefully negotiated terms of this compromise and set our trade agenda back. This motion is a true poison pill. Any change, even moving a single comma, would strip the bill of fast-track protections under Trade Promotion Authority in the United States Senate. Thus, this motion really isn't about Chinese currency practices. It's an effort to kill the Colombian free trade agreement. In fact, the irony is that the only reason the minority is even allowed to offer this motion is because then-Speaker Pelosi took the unprecedented step of turning off the clock on TPA 3 years ago on the Colombian free trade agreement. Passing this or any other motion would reward that decision to put our trade agenda on ice--a decision that hurt our economy, cost us jobs, as U.S. farmers and exporters lost out on opportunity in that fast-growing country. Finally, with respect to the substance of this motion, everyone agrees that China's currency is undervalued. China must let its currency appreciate and commit to allowing market supply and demand to determine its value. But at the same time, we need to recognize that currency is not the only barrier that U.S. businesses face in China and that legislation on currency is not a silver bullet. I plan to hold a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee this month on all of these issues, including currency; but this is the wrong vehicle for such legislation and would kill the very important Colombian trade agreement. I therefore urge defeat of this motion and passage of this important trade agreement. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I withdraw the point of order, and I rise in opposition to this motion to recommit.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I do want to just touch on some points raised by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). We did work closely together on the supplemental agreement last year with the administration, with automakers, with autoworkers, and that is incorporated in the legislation before us today. It does address, as the gentleman from Michigan pointed out, key tariff and nontariff barriers, including numerous provisions to ensure that South Korea cannot use a regulatory system or process to block our exports. The International Trade Commission estimates that the removal of nontariff barriers alone will add an additional between $48 million and $66 million in new exports. That's in addition to the $194 million dollars in new exports expected from lower Korean tariffs on autos alone. Inaction on the Korean trade agreement has allowed the European Union and other competitors to step in and take our market share. That's diminished our leadership in Asia. The Korean trade agreement is key to our engagement in Asia, and it will be a critical counter to Chinese influence in the region. We've heard a lot about China today, but how do we counter Chinese influence in the region through this agreement? This agreement, also, I think, is critically important because it deepens our ties with a strong and important ally. The United States and South Korea have had a 60-year history of standing together. This agreement is really a step forward in our bilateral relationship, and it is an important step that we need to take today. I would urge passage of this agreement. It has been endorsed--and I have a 4-page list of organizations and associations, including the American Farm Bureau, the Business Roundtable, Heritage, and other groups, a 4-page list--by many organizations supporting the passage of this agreement. [From The Committee on Ways and Means] The Support for Job Creating Trade Agreements Is Large . . . and Growing Aerospace Industries Association, Agri Beef Co., American Apparel & Footwear Association, American Automotive Policy Council, American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, American Chemistry Council, American Council of Life Insurers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Forest & Paper Association. American Frozen Food Institute, American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA), American Iron and Steel Institute, American Meat Institute, American Peanut Product Manufacturers, Inc., American Potato Trade Alliance, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, Americans for Tax Reform, Animal Health Institute, Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce. Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Blue Diamond Growers, Business Roundtable, Business Software Alliance, California Cherry Export Association, California Date Commission, California Dried Plum Board, California Fig Advisory Board, California Pear Growers. California Strawberry Commission, California Table Grape Commission, California Walnut Commission, Campbell Soup Company, Cargill Incorporated, Club for Growth, Coalition of Service Industries, Commodity Markets Council, Computer & Communications Industry Association, ConAgra Foods, Inc., Corn Refiners Association. Dairylea Cooperative Inc., Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Dow Chemical Company, Emergency Committee for American Trade, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America, FreedomWorks, Grocery Manufacturers Association. Heritage Action, Hormel Foods Corporation, Idaho Barley Commission, Idaho Grain Producers Association, International Dairy Foods Association, International Intellectual Property Alliance, JBS USA, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, Kraft Foods. Land O'Lakes, Inc., Latin America Trade Coalition, Montana Grain Growers Association, Motion Picture Association of America, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council. National Confectioners Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Fisheries Institute, National Foreign Trade Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Grape Cooperative Association, Inc., National Meat Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association. National Pork Producers Council, National Potato Council, National Renderers Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, National Taxpayers Union, National Turkey Federation, North American Equipment Dealers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold. Northwest Horticulture Council, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, Outdoor Industry Association, Pet Food Institute, Produce Marketing Association, Recording Industry Association of America, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Seaboard Foods, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. Smithfield Foods, South Dakota Wheat Inc., SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, Sunmaid Growers of California, Sunsweet Growers, Inc., Sweetener Users Association, TechNet, Texas Wheat Producers Association, The Financial Services Roundtable, Third Way. Travel Goods Association, Tyson Foods, Inc., U.S. Apple Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Council for International Business, U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S.-Korea FTA Business Coalition, U.S. Meat Export Federation, U.S. Premium Beef. Unilever United States, United Egg Association, United Egg Producers, United Producers, Inc., US Dry Bean Council, US Wheat Associates, US-Colombia Business Partnership, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, USA Rice Federation, Valley Fig Growers, Washington State Potato Commission, Welch Foods Inc., Western Growers Association. I urge passage of this agreement, and I yield back the balance of my time.