Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Ramstad], a fellow member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I would state that I would like to work with the gentleman from Kansas to address his concerns. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Johnson].

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Tiahrt].

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, and I thank him for his efforts in this matter. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Roemer-Ganske amendment. This November NASA will begin to launch $94 billion into orbit. This is a project plagued with delays, cost overruns, and unfulfilled promises. Russian assurances have fallen short, and the American taxpayer has been left holding the bag. We cannot afford this big budget action adventure in space. The space station, originally budgeted at $8 billion, has become the black hole of the taxes of hardworking Americans. It threatens our ability to balance the budget. Space is infinite, but our resources are not. It is time for Congress to get its spending priorities in order, and admit that we cannot afford a $94 billion playground in space. We need to get serious about what the core functions of the Federal Government are while we continue to run budget deficits year after year, and have a national debt of almost $5.3 trillion. We are all amazed by the promises of space exploration and the excitement the space station generates. We should be amazed at the $200,000 every child in this country owes in interest on the national debt during their lifetime. Congress should invest this $94 billion in our children's future.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce legislation to provide much-needed tax relief to America's middle class. Today--April 15--millions of Americans are putting their tax forms in the mail. Last year, the average American family paid 38 percent of their income taxes--Federal, State, and local taxes--to feed an ever hungry Government that demands more and more taxpayer dollars. Contrast this April 15 with April 15, 1947. Fifty years ago, Americans paid just 22 percent of their income in taxes. My bill, the Family Tax Relief Act of 1997, would provide a $500 per child family tax credit to every middle-class family with children under age 18. The Family Tax Relief Act of 1997 will cut the income tax burden of a family of four earning $30,000 per year 51 percent, and the tax burden of a family earning $40,000 by 30 percent. Families earning $75,000 would see their tax burden reduced by 12 percent. The credit is for truly middle-class families--phaseouts begin to cut or eliminate the credit for families making over $75,000. Fifty million children, from 28 million Americans families, are eligible for the credit. The credit eliminates the total tax burden for families making less than $23,000. In the last Congress this family tax credit was a part of the Balanced Budget Act that was vetoed by the President. The American people sent us to Washington with a clear mandate--reduce the crushing weight of taxes on everyday middle-class American households and cut spending. But one key thing has been left out--middle-class tax relief. That is why I am introducing this legislation today. I believe that it is vitally important for Members of Congress to send a clear signal to all that middle-class tax relief will be an absolutely required component of budget negotiations and any budget deal reached with the President. It is time for the Congress to deliver on our promise and give tax relief to hard-working, overtaxed middle-class American families.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time, and I rise in support of this protaxpayer bill. For years the American people have told us that our Tax Code needs reform. Seventy-five percent of Americans believe we need a fundamental overhaul of our tax law. We in the Committee on Ways and Means are continuing a series of hearings today on doing just that. Incidents like those reported recently, IRS employees browsing through tax records of neighbors, relatives, friends, and with friends like that who needs enemies, IRS employees even browsing the records of celebrities like Tom Cruise, all this shows how badly reform is needed. With 108,000 IRS employees, twice as many as DEA, CIA, and FBI combined, there is plenty of time, apparently, to fool around. In only 2 years, over 1,500 cases of unauthorized browsing have occurred. Clearly, these IRS employees are doing the wrong things. Do these people have no sense of respect for the privacy of the customers they serve? We and they work for the U.S. taxpayer, and now IRS employees are arrogantly snooping wherever they choose. Let us pass this bill today. Then we will be able to take appropriate action against those who violate our trust. Meanwhile, we in the Congress must continue our work and, as the gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Archer] is so fond of saying, tearing our present Tax Code out by the roots and putting in its place a fairer and simpler tax system with less room for such fraud and abuse.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 968, a bill introduced by the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Ehrlich]. The gentleman's legislation would amend the Social Security Act to permit a waiver of the prohibition of offering nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs in certain facilities. As chairman of the Speaker's Advisory Group, it was my pleasure to work with Congressman Ehrlich and the minority ranking member, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and the rest of the minority members and majority members of the committee to expedite consideration of this Corrections Day legislation. This bill was favorably reviewed by the Speaker's Advisory Group and is fully supported by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The advisory group was able to work with the Speaker and the committees of jurisdiction to bring this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, this bill is particularly well suited to be considered here under the Corrections Day procedure as we are doing today. Despite the good intentions of the nurse aide training legislation of the 1980's, certain aspects have created significant problems with its implementation. The 1987 reconciliation bill instituted training standards for nurse aids working in long-term care facilities. Under existing law, nursing facilities which are subject to an extended survey are prohibited from offering facility-based nurse aide training and competency evaluation for a period of up to 2 years. As an unintended consequence, a nursing home that is subject to a review is not allowed to have a nurse aide training program at their facility, even if the care provided by the nurse aide is unrelated to the review itself. This bill would waive the prohibition on nurse aide training programs if the State determines there is no other training program within a reasonable distance of the facility. The State must also assure that an adequate environment exists for operating a program. Nurse aide training programs are vital to health care delivery. Our current law, however, is particularly burdensome in rural areas which face difficulties recruiting nurse aids. It does not make sense that these very nurse aide training programs are improving patient care as rural providers find it increasingly difficult to recruit nurse aids. This legislation is technical in nature, has strong bipartisan support, and was scored by the Congressional Budget Office as having no budgetary impact. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward, bipartisan bill that corrects an inefficient and burdensome law. This targeted bill will lead to improved health care in rural areas like the Fourth District of Michigan which I represent. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 968. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Burr].

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Ehrlich].

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 968, the bill just passed.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention to an editorial in the Saginaw News. To open the New Year, the editors published a set of principles. These principles remind us that our local communities are the wellspring of America's greatness, and an endless source of inspiration for our national leaders. Put forth in these principles are many of the driving forces behind the work we do in Congress and the vision we share for our country: lower taxes, a smaller government, and economic opportunity for all Americans. I believe these principles serve as goalposts for the 105th Congress as well. I urge my colleagues to read the News' basic principles as we begin work in the new Congress. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to submit the editorial from the January 1, 1997 edition of the Saginaw News: Issues and Opinions: Our Basic Principles The principles a newspaper holds may often be obscured by the rush of day-to-day events. But we think it's important for readers to know that our views of those issues are guided by a set of fundamental beliefs. That's why The Saginaw News each year publishes a statement of the principles on which it intends to base editorial-page comments over the days and months to come. Each matter on which we express our opinion is reviewed and judged on its own merits. As circumstances change, they may prompt a fresh look at our own ideas. But the constant process of review and judgment that leads to editorial opinion rests on a firm foundation. Some issues are transitory; others, more fundamental to our lives and our society, bear repeated attention. While the thoughts here are general expressions of ideas and ideals, they help determine our approach to the people, events and proposals that shape our life. Our basic goal is to speak in which we perceive to be the best interests of our readers. Editorials, while based on reporting and analysis of news events and developments, express a viewpoint. So we expect disagreement. If we stimulate independent thought and discussion, we believe we have achieved one of our major purposes whether or not our words have been persuasive. But we believe we have an obligation to seek to persuade. A newspaper has a responsibility to its community to be, as best it can, not only its voice to the world, but its interpreter of that world; to be its advocate and defender, and sometimes its critic and counselor, always toward the benefit of its citizens. We acknowledge that is a very large responsibility indeed. We welcome any and all suggestions from our readers on how we can better fulfill it. We don't seek to act in place of public opinion, but to give the public an opportunity to expand on its own beliefs. That cannot happen, though, without mutual understanding. We hope this statement of the principles of The Saginaw News will further that understanding. Local issues On Saginaw-area issues. The News supports: Efficiently providing the best public service at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers. High-quality representation for all segments of each community. Progressive, professional management at county, city and township levels. Planning for development of human and physical resources in awareness of the constant challenge for fresh approaches. A strong central urban area serving the entire community. Maximum cooperation among all governments, with consolidation of municipal services to the greatest possible extent. Recognition that racial and ethnic diversity is a strength on which to build toward the common goals that unite us. Strong human-relations efforts to assure dignity and equal opportunity for all. Care for our streets and homes, because a community can be no better than its neighborhoods. School systems that provide a comprehensive education. Strong academic and behavioral standards for students; quality instruction and administration; and equitable public financial support adequate to achieve those goals. The free-enterprise profit system as that which most fully ensures economic liberty and a high standard of economic life to business, industry and employees. Expansion of job opportunities, and diversification of the economic base, in recognition of the serious challenges of constantly changing times. Workplace policies respecting the rights of employees, management--and the public. state issues On state issues, The News supports: A fair system of taxation to maintain efficient, quality state services at the lowest possible cost. Achievement of an economic climate conducive to retaining existing industry and diversifying Michigan's economic base. Preservation of Michigan's natural beauty and resources while balancing the legitimate needs of the state's agriculture, other economic institutions and population. Recognition that the auto industry remains the region's and state's economic mainstay. Swift and fair administration of justice. Respect for the law by citizens--and of citizens by the law and those sworn to enforce it. Political leadership, at the state level and in our representation at the national level, that responds to the needs of the state and its people. national issues On national issues, The News supports: A limited government under which political power rests in the wisdom of the governed, and the rights of the people to control their own destinies, through their representatives. Strong defense of the Bill of Rights as the unique section of a unique Constitution on which rests preservation of our most fundamental individual liberties. A decent respect for the financial resources of our citizens, expressed through restraint in taxation and spending. Policies encouraging the opportunity to seek and find employment for all who desire it. A strong, efficient defense, essential amid a changing world's twists and turns. Safeguarding the national environment consistent with economic stability and growth. Maintaining the strength of political parties as American institutions best able to build citizen interest and involvement in government, and to develop responsible leadership. international issues On international issues, The News supports: A foreign policy that stresses the desire of the United States to live in harmony with all nations; that recognizes the right of all peoples to peaceful self-determination; that encourages the continued expansion of freedom in all nations; that advocates nonviolent resolution of disputes; that recognizes that remaining threats to our freedom, and others', require strong alliances to deter aggression even as we welcome the reduction of the danger of war. Free and fair trade as the interdependent economies of the world evolve in new directions. The right of all people to achieve and maintain a decent standard of living, to develop and prosper. personal life Finally, The Saginaw News believes there is more to the quality of life than our personal relationships, jobs and leisure activities. The News believes in encouraging people to look beyond themselves. We believe that life becomes more satisfying and meaningful when we care about all our neighbors and the community of which we all are a part.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate the Midland Jaycees on the 15th anniversary of their founding. The Midland Jaycees were chartered in 1946 with 81 members, including my father, Robert Camp. Through the years, leaders of many organizations and official boards have said ``thank you'' to the Jaycees. They have more than fulfilled their stated purpose of ``civic service through organized efforts * * * promoting the welfare of the community and its citizens through active, constructive projects.'' The Midland Jaycees have been a strong, positive force in their community. By teaching young people leadership skills, they have instilled a sense of community spirit that has led to their involvement in projects like Junior Achievement, the Cancer Service Foundations, The Heart Foundation, Shelter House, and the Salvation Army. More recently, the Jaycees have been involved in donating playground equipment to the city of Midland, building homes for the homeless with Habitat for Humanity, and gathering volunteers to work at the Voluntary Action Center. One of their main projects, however, is helping disadvantaged children during the holidays. In cooperation with the Michigan Family Independence Agency, the Jaycees purchase presents for the children and take them shopping for gifts to give their families. It is this spirit of selfless giving and community service that makes the Midland Jaycees a sterling example of dedication, friendship, and community service. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join me in congratulating the Midland Jaycees on their 15th anniversary. May their example of service to their community continue for years to come.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two Michigan residents as they are recognized for their contribution to Polka and the State of Michigan. Helen Ann and Bob Bates will be inducted into the State of Michigan Polka Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 6, 1996. America was built by the hard work and commitment of settlers who brought with them a rich and varied heritage. Polka flourished in Michigan largely due to the devotion of those who brought with them their family traditions and customs, as well as their love of polka. Helen Ann and Bob are just a few of those special individuals who were proud to keep an honored tradition alive. Helen Ann Hedrich of Elsie, MI, was a musician well before she married her husband, Bob, in 1958. She has played with many different musicians during her career, including the Swinging Bees, and she has criss-crossed Mid-Michigan playing inns, clubs, lodges, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts. But it was with her husband that she found her most rewarding musical experience. Bob Bates, also of Elsie, is a self-taught musician. He bought his first electric bass guitar in 1965, the same year as the birth of their third child. Helen Ann and Bob played their first gig together that year, and their 31 year performing career together began. As the MBC Band, and later as the MBC Trio and the Helen Ann Dance Band, the Bates were regulars at places such as Lamplight Inn in Carson City, the Washington Society Club in Saginaw, and the Owosso Eagle Club. For the Bates, however, their most memorable appearances have always been playing to appreciative nursing home audiences. Mr. Speaker, thanks to the efforts of Helen Ann and Bob, we are all still able to enjoy a rich musical tradition. They will be honored at a reception in Owosso, MI because of their dedication and commitment to spreading the polka tradition and helping others enjoy this special music. I am confident that the musical legacy of these outstanding individuals will be remembered for decades to come.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support H.R. 3448, the Small Business Job Protection Act and congratulate and thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Archer, for his leadership and success in this matter. I am very pleased that the bill includes the Tax Fairness for Agriculture Act which I sponsored with bipartisan support from many of our colleagues. The Tax Fairness for Agriculture Act will help State and county farm bureaus across the country continue to serve the farm families which are their members. I am particularly pleased that the conferees agreed with the Senate to make this proposal effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, and to provide transitional relief for organizations that had a reasonable basis for not treating amounts received prior to January 1, 1987, as unrelated business income. This is consistent with, and an improvement upon, my original bill. For these purposes, as I have said many times, reasonable basis includes the longstanding recognized practice by agricultural and horticultural organizations of relying upon the 1983 IRS position that associate member dues are not taxable. With the passage of my legislation, these unfortunate controversies should be put to an end once and for all. Accordingly, I thank the many Members of this and the other body who have supported me in this important effort.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference agreement. Today, the Congress is again presented with the opportunity to adopt meaningful welfare reform. Over the past 19 months, my colleagues and I have written, debated, and adopted proposals to reform our current welfare system. Our efforts, however, were twice vetoed by the President. Since launching the war on poverty in 1965, over $5 trillion has been spent to eliminate poverty in America. Some 31 years later and despite billions and billions of dollars, poverty in America has worsened and our children grow and mature in an environment with little hope and opportunity. The proposal before us today reforms a welfare system that has trapped millions in a cycle of poverty. Our current welfare system punishes families and children by rewarding irresponsibility, illegitimacy and destroying self-esteem. For too long, the Federal Government has defended the current system and turned away as millions of families and children became trapped in a cycle of despair, dependence, and disappointment. This bill accomplishes several important goals. First, it time limits welfare to 5 years. The Federal and State governments have an obligation to assist those in need but our current system has become a way of life instead of a temporary helping hand for those experiencing hard times. Second, our bill requires work. The Washington welfare system has also robbed recipients of their self-esteem by merely providing a check. This proposal requires each recipient to work for their benefits, thereby instilling the pride of employment and allowing each recipient to earn a paycheck. This sense of accomplishment and independence increases the individual's self-esteem and often influences the children who can see firsthand the benefits of a strong work ethic. For those continuing to experience hard times, however, the bill allows States to exempt up to 20 percent of the welfare caseload from the time limit. Most importantly our bill helps those families and individuals working to improve their lives. We provide more funding for child care than current law and more than requested by the President. This funding is extremely important in allowing families to work while ensuring their children receive the proper care. We also protect our children by ensuring eligibility for Medicaid. For those families moving from welfare to work, we continue assistance so they don't have to worry about losing health care coverage if their incomes increase. Compassion is not the sole property of Washington and our bill creates a Federal-State partnership in meeting the needs of welfare recipients. States will have the power and opportunity to design and implement new innovative programs that best meet the needs of residents. I urge my colleagues to support the conference report. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw] be allowed to control the time and to yield.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time us I may consume. (Mr. CAMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New Jersey [Mrs. Roukema]. (Mrs. ROUKEMA asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the committee for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I know there has been some issue raised regarding the waivers for the work requirement. The waivers are all drawn more strictly than current law. I think that is an important point to make. The waivers that have been given by the administration are more strict than current law. The current waivers do not apply to the percentage work requirement in the legislation. I think that is another important point to make. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I also have looked at the motion to instruct and do not find anything too objectionable in it, as well. When we look at the costs, I know it mentions the costs that have been put on State and local governments, that they are concerned that costs will be shifted there. What our bill tries to do is give States more flexibility to design and implement a welfare program that will free up resources because, clearly, the kind of welfare system we have had for the last 30 years has been overly restrictive. Just look at the number of waivers States have applied for, which has been a long, difficult, bureaucratic process. Some I think have recently been granted for Tennessee, or that announcement will be made very soon. Even the Federal Government recognizes, the administration recognizes that the current system has not done the job. The whole purpose of our bill is to try to ease that. The purpose of doing that, of course, is to help lift children from poverty. I think if we look at the last 30 years, the war on poverty has not been won, and it is very, very important that we do better at that. I think the bipartisan nature of this bill that came out of the Senate, half the Democrat Senators supported the welfare bill. I think it is a very good, strong signal that the kind of bill we are going to design will be a very positive change, one that has been needed for a very, very long time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1627, a commonsense environmental measure that is good for American consumers and American farmers. The bill reforms the out-of-date Delaney clause that was passed in the 1950's to protect the food supply from cancer-causing products. The bill before us actually strengthens the objectives of the 1950's law. It strengthens regulations of raw food, while bringing balance to current standards for processed food. Why do we need the changes in this bill? Well, in the 1950's, testing equipment could detect cancer- causing residues to the range of one part per million. With today's testing equipment, we can detect parts per trillion. What does all that mean? That means with today's testing equipment, we can detect a glass of beer in Lake Michigan. And since the 1950's Delaney clause says that no traces of cancer-causing residues can exist in the food supply, and traces can be found in parts per trillion now, the EPA simply cannot enforce this impossibly high standard. Now that we can detect residues to such minute levels, we have to give the EPA enforceable standards to protect our food supply. And our bill does just that. We tell the EPA to establish a reasonable certainty standard so that it can take advantage of the latest scientific advances to maintain our food safety, while not being bound by those very advances to impossible-to-enforce laws. What will our bill result in? Safer and newer pesticides for our farmers. Better harvests, because farmers will not be limited to, and be forced to overuse, fewer pesticides to protect their crops. Safer food for Americans, because the EPA will finally have an enforceable food safety law. I urge support for H.R. 1627. Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Chairman, today Congress is again attempting to end welfare as we know it. Over the last 19 months, my colleagues and I have twice written, debated, and adopted welfare reform legislation only to have our efforts vetoed by the President. How many more families will be trapped in the current system while time wastes in Washington? Our current welfare system has deprived hope, diminished opportunity and destroyed lives. After 30 years and billions and billions of dollars, I ask, has the Federal Government solved the problems of poverty and dependency? Just spending more money on the Washington welfare system will not work. Just spending more money on the current system will not help children. We need to start over. The bill before us today is a fresh start. It accomplishes five important goals for welfare reform. First, it requires work in exchange for benefits. It encourages independence and self-reliance for able-bodied people. To help those that work, the bill provides more child care funding than current law and more than the President's proposal for working families. We have a moral obligation to improve the lives of our children, and we must do all we can to change the culture of poverty that our current welfare laws have created. Second, this legislation also time limits welfare benefits to 5 years. While the goal is to move all families from welfare to work, some families may need more time or more help. So we retain an effective safety net. Our bill allows a hardship exemption from the time limit for up to 20 percent of those on welfare. The hard-working families in the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan and across the country believe welfare should be a hand up, not a handout. They very much support the requirement that able-bodied welfare recipients work for the benefits so generously provided by the American taxpayer. Third, we do not give welfare to felons and noncitizens. Many people are not aware, the Federal Government sends checks to convicted felons serving time in prison. Cannot these tax dollars be better spent helping those families truly in need? Also many noncitizens have a proud tradition of hard work and achievement. They come to America to share in the American dream, which does not and should not include welfare dependency. Fourth, this legislation also provides States with the flexibility to meet the needs of its citizens. My State of Michigan, under the leadership of Gov. John Engler, and other States, have made tremendous strides in moving people from welfare to work. These accomplishments, however, have come in spite of the Federal Government and the current welfare laws. For too long the Federal Government has maintained policies which have created a culture of poverty, dependence and despair. This bill brings control of welfare back to the people where it belongs. It is important to remember what the Government's role in promoting independence should be. While legislators can design programs to help those struggling to gain financial security, the Government cannot make them succeed. Changing one's attitude is something that can only be accomplished by that individual. Personal responsibility is the focus of this legislation. Individuals must accept responsibility for their actions and work with Government programs to improve their lives. The current Washington-based welfare system demands no responsibility, no work ethic, no learning, no commitment and, in the end, no pride. Instead, it promotes illegitimacy, rewards irresponsibility and discourages self-esteem. Our families and our children deserve better. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.