Benjamin Cardin

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, I wanted to ask the gentleman from Arizona a question. My colleague wanted to talk about what bills had passed. Can the gentleman from Arizona tell us whether the Republican leadership intends to bring forward a bill on consumer protection and managed care and when we can expect to that have bill on the floor?

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts, for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this request that we reject the previous question so that we can have made in order H.R. 2676, the IRS Restructuring Act of 1997 and be able to bring that up and include it in this bill. H.R. 2676 is a bill that is very important. It is one of the highest priorities, I think, of this Congress. I want to congratulate both the Democratic and Republican leadership in this body, because we made it a truly bipartisan bill. The Speaker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Coyne), and others, worked together so that we in this House could pass by an overwhelming majority the IRS Restructuring Act of 1997. It is important for us to act now. Tax season is coming up shortly. We need to act before April 15 so that the reforms can take effect immediately. President Clinton has urged the Congress to act, and Secretary Rubin has worked with us on this important legislation. It provides for a reform in the administration of the IRS by creating an outside oversight board. It provides for taxpayer bill of rights and makes it easier for electronic filing. It simplifies the Congressional oversight function. In short, it will be the first major reform of the IRS in over a half a century. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we act now. By defeating the previous question, we have a chance so that the other body can follow the lead of this body and act now on IRS reform. Since the House passed this bill, we have continued to learn about abuses in the IRS. Charles Rossotti, the new Commissioner, has embarked on an ambitious plan to reorganize the IRS, but he needs the tools provided in this legislation in order to complete the job. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the ranking member: Nothing could be more fitting than for Ronald Reagan to be associated with this historic legislation to reform the IRS. I urge my colleagues to reject the previous question so we can move this legislation forward and give the other body a chance to do what this body has done.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my friend, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], for yielding me this time, and really congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] and the ranking member for bringing this legislation forward. As the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] pointed out, this has been a tough battle. We have had differences as to what the reform should look like and what should be included in it, and at jeopardy was the life of Amtrak. It has been a pleasure to work with my colleague, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] on the legislation initially to provide for the authorization for the $2.3 billion, and to work with the committee. At stake in the passage of this bill literally is the light passenger rail service in the United States. That is important to all regions of this country. In the Northeast we are particularly concerned about the high-speed rail and the implementation of high-speed rail. This legislation provides for the necessary reform of Amtrak. The chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. Shuster], and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], have negotiated very well with the other body, with the administration, and have now brought forward legislation that can pass both bodies and be signed by the President. That is a major accomplishments and one just 24 hours ago many of us thought would not be possible. I really want to applaud the efforts of all involved. We are now at the threshold really of providing the congressional program so that Amtrak can move into the next century, they can be an efficient passenger rail service for our Nation, providing a service that is critical to all regions of our Nation, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Madam Speaker, let me thank my friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, for yielding me this time, and join the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] and the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Davis] in support of H.R. 3025. I think it is important to point out that this bill will not repeal the Federal charter for the D.C. Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan. It amends the charter. It makes it possible for the merger to take place. It does not mandate anything to occur. The bill makes it clear that the benevolent and charitable status of the D.C. Blue Cross plan remains in place. As the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] has pointed out, by passing this bill, we ensure that the D.C. Blue Cross plan will remain a benevolent and charitable organization. The bill allows the local regulators, and that is where the venue should be, to debate the issues of the merger. As to whether it should take place and what conditions it should be ordered to comply with, it is the local regulators who should make that judgment, not the Congress of the United States. This bill makes it clear that the merger can move forward, but it is subject to the normal regulatory process. I think H.R. 3025 is the appropriate action for us to take. I applaud my colleagues for bringing it to the floor. I hope we can act on it today so it can be enacted before Congress adjourns for the year.

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

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2709, the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997. Iran is the leading sponsor of international terrorism. That is a conclusion that has been reached by our President, by our Secretary of State and by the Director of the CIA. The evidence is also clear that Russian entities are aiding the Iranian Government in its efforts to acquire and develop ballistic missiles. Thus, this legislation is needed. This legislation appropriately imposes sanctions on foreign persons who transfer key missile components or technology to Iran. I understand the concerns that have been expressed by the ranking member, but I think it is important that this House move this legislation forward, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2709.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced legislation to provide new tools for the enforcement of child support orders in this Nation. In the process of shaping the 1996 comprehensive welfare reform bill it became clear that effective child support enforcement was among the best means this Nation has to end welfare as we know it. The bill I introduced today will assist State and Federal officials in dealing with some of their toughest delinquency cases. This legislation would establish tough enforcement measures for dealing with foreign nationals who are noncustodial parents with children living in this Nation. The bill would deny entry visas and residency status to those falling more than $5,000 behind in court- ordered child support payments. In addition, naturalization could not take place until one is in compliance with support orders. The bill would allow these foreigners to attend court hearings and other related legal proceedings in this Nation. It also provides new authority for immigration officers to serve court orders, summons, and other legal process at the border--when we best know the whereabouts of foreign nationals. These provisions are similar to existing child support enforcement measures imposed on U.S. citizens, such as the denial of drivers and/or other professional licenses, as well as passports. These penalties also generally become applicable when one is more than $5,000 behind in payments. This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who could not collect ordered payments from a foreign national, though the irresponsible parent regularly traveled in and out of this country on business. As we make it tough on Americans who are irresponsible, we should do the same with foreign nationals. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation to provide new tools for child support enforcement. I would also ask that the text of the legislation be printed in the Record at this point.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my friend the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Payne] for yielding me this time. I want to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Fawell] and the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Payne] for bringing forward this bill. I think the title really says it all. The title: ``Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement.'' For two decades we have seen America see savings rates lag far behind the industrial nations of this world. This is very troublesome to all of us as we look at the economic growth of our Nation. In the last couple of years we have seen an encouraging sign, and that is the budget deficit of this country has gotten smaller, and the deficit was one of the major problems contributing to the low savings rates of our Nation. Low savings rates also present major problems for families looking ahead to retirement. In recent years, many of us in Congress have worked on a bipartisan basis on creating new incentives to encourage Americans to save. I saw my friend the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] on the floor a little bit earlier. He has worked on issues with me. We need to do more to encourage retirement savings in this Nation. We have to reverse the trend of less funds being put aside for retirement. Those efforts have included major pension simplification legislation, including the creation of simple accounts to help small businesses create pension plans, and expansions of IRA accounts. While these legislative initiatives have begun to show benefits in expanding pension coverage and retirement savings, we must do more. The backbone of our national retirement policy is the Social Security system. But the Social Security system in the long term has significant shortfalls in its funding. We must preserve the viability of Social Security, while encouraging Americans to augment their retirement savings outside of that program. The bill before us will help raise the visibility of this critical issue. Under Secretary Hermann and former Secretary Reich, the Department of Labor has expanded its efforts to protect retirement savings of working Americans and to increase public awareness of the need to make adequate provisions for a secure retirement. H.R. 1377 will strengthen those efforts by requiring a national summit on retirement savings to be held at the White House, which will provide the impetus for a full-blown national discussion on retirement policies. Again, I commend the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Fawell], and I commend the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Payne]. This is important legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2358. Too often our discussions of China's horrendous human rights conditions are limited to the issue of trade. Today we can discuss human rights independently, demonstrating its true significance to us in the United States. Perhaps Columbia University Professor Andrew Nathan expressed it best when he stated, ``Human rights in China are of national interest to the United States. Countries that respect the rights of their citizens are less likely to start wars, export drugs, harbor terrorists, or produce refugees. The greater the power of the country without human rights, the greater the danger to the United States.'' Mr. Speaker, China's record on human rights is deplorable. It is outrageous. In regards to religious groups, unauthorized religious congregations are forced to register. Their members have been beaten and fined. There was recently a raid on the bishop leader of a Catholic diocese. That is outrageous. We cannot allow that to continue. Freedom of speech is still under siege in China. The Minister of Civil Affairs imposed an indefinite and nationwide moratorium on new social bodies. The people of China are being stifled. From Tibet to forced abortions, the list goes on and on and on. We all know the circumstances within China. Mr. Speaker, this bill will allow us to establish the monitoring of political repression within China. The bill is necessary, the bill is right, and I hope this body will approve this measure by an overwhelming number. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend from Texas [Mr. Frost] for yielding me this time. I want to compliment the Committee on Rules for bringing out this rule, and I hope that it will receive strong support by both sides of the aisle. During the consideration of the underlying bill by the Committee on Ways and Means, there was only one amendment that was not approved by the committee that was offered. I want to thank the Committee on Rules for dealing with that amendment by the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark] in the self-executing rule that adopts the amendment. So we have really taken care of all the concerns of Members that have offered changes. The reason why this rule and the underlying bill will receive strong bipartisan support is that it was developed by the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS, and it was adopted in a bipartisan manner in that commission. I particularly want to compliment our colleague, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], for the work that he did in leading that commission and keeping us focused on dealing with the problems of the IRS so that we could bring the bill to the floor in a way that it could receive strong support by all Members of this House. I also want to compliment the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer], the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], the ranking member. The Committee on Ways and Means took a good bill and made it better, and we worked in a bipartisan way to do that. By adopting this rule, this House has the opportunity to pass today a bill that will deal with the problems at the IRS before the next tax season. I hope that what we are doing here in this House, the other body will follow suit so that we can pass meaningful reform of the IRS now to help our taxpayers before April of next year.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2676, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring Act of 1997. This bipartisan legislation to reform the IRS builds on work of the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS, which was chaired by our colleague, the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Rob Portman], and Senator Kerrey. I particularly want to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Rob Portman], for the leadership he has shown throughout this period in keeping us focused on our objective to bring about a bill that could not only pass, but be signed into law. He did a great job, and I congratulate him on that effort. I am very proud to have joined the gentleman from Ohio in cosponsoring H.R. 2292, which has a strong bipartisan support in this House. Chairman Archer and the Committee on Ways and Means took a very good bill and made it better. With the strong support in this House and from the President, this bill should be quickly enacted. I also want to acknowledge the work the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Coyne] did on our side of the aisle, keeping us focused on getting a bill that could enjoy bipartisan support. I thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Johnson], the chairman of the Oversight Committee, for the role that she played. I appreciate the role Mr. Kies in the staff did in keeping us focused on getting our job done. There is a lot of credit that should be shared in this legislation. The legislation before us marks the first fundamental reform in the IRS in nearly a half a century. The problems of the IRS are familiar: billions of dollars squandered on a bungled computer modernization effort, telephones unanswered, taxpayers too often treated with disrespect or suspicion. These problems have not emerged recently. They are not the legacy of one administration, but of decades. These are not the problems of individual employees. In fact, the employees of the IRS have come forward to help us understand the problem, and they have helped us craft a solution today. This administration, and particularly Secretary Rubin, have been more attentive to the problems of the IRS and more dedicated to seeking solutions than any in recent years. Secretary Rubin has made important changes in the management of the IRS, and those efforts have begun to show results. But much more remains to be done. Congressional action is needed in order to ensure that the reforms of the IRS do not depend on any particular individual or administration. The solution proposed in this bill is the creation of an oversight board that will bring private sector expertise in the areas where the IRS needs it the most. The creation of this board, with a real role in the planning and oversight of the strategic plans for major reorganizations in the budget of the IRS, is the most important element in bringing reform to this troubled agency. The board is a permanent entity that will provide continuing oversight for the IRS. IRS reform requires not just a new management structure involving a partnership between the board, the Secretary, and the Commissioner, it will also require improved performance by those of us in Congress. Over the long run, we cannot build an IRS that serves the American people unless we write a Tax Code that the IRS can explain and the people can understand. This bill takes the first step toward tax reform. The bill does not reform our Tax Code but reforms the way we collect revenues. Reform of the practices of the IRS will make it easier for us to concentrate on the underlying problems in the Tax Code itself. Our tax system is based on voluntary compliance. More than 80 percent of Americans pay their taxes without dispute. An IRS that can answer taxpayer phone calls and provide accurate, reliable information will help us increase voluntary compliance. For the overwhelming majority of Americans who abide by the law and pay their taxes, the IRS should stand for information, respect, and service. Abuse of collection practices must become a thing of the past. At the same time, the IRS must become a more efficient agency in enforcing laws against those who seek to escape their legal obligations. Mr. Speaker, the IRS is charged with the vital task of collecting revenues needed to fund the basic and essential operations of Government. When the IRS is mismanaged in the way that it creates fear and anxiety among taxpayers, the result is to undermine the confidence of the American people in their Government. The purpose of this legislation is to reform the IRS so that we can begin to restore that badly damaged confidence. Today, this body will act in time for the next tax season. The legislation has the support of the administration. I hope the other body will follow the leadership of this House and enact meaningful IRS reform in order to help the taxpayers of this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2676, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring Act of 1997. This bipartisan legislation to reform the Internal Revenue Service builds on the recommendations of the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS, which was chaired by our colleague, Representative Portman and Senator Kerrey. I am very proud to have joined Representative Portman in cosponsoring H.R. 2292, which has had strong bipartisan support in this House. Chairman Archer and the Ways and Means Committee took that very good bill and made it better. With strong support in this House and from the President, this bill should move quickly to enactment. The legislation before us marks the first fundamental reform of the IRS in nearly half a century. It will bring a new structure to the IRS, a structure that is designed to change the way the IRS treats its customers, the American taxpayers. The problems at the IRS are familiar--billions of dollars squandered on a bungled computer modernization effort, telephones unanswered, taxpayers too often treated with disrespect or suspicion. These problems have not emerged recently--they are not the legacy of one administration, but of decades. These are not the problems of individual employees. In fact, the employees of the IRS have come forward to help us understand the problem, and they have helped us craft the solution today. This administration, and particularly Secretary Rubin, has been more attentive to the problems of the IRS and more dedicated in seeking solutions than any in recent years. Secretary Rubin has made important changes in the management of the IRS, and those efforts have begun to show results. But much more remains to be done. Congressional action is needed in order to ensure that reform at the IRS does not depend on any particular individual or administration. The solution proposed in this bill is the creation of an oversight board that will bring private sector expertise in the areas where the IRS needs it most. The creation of this board, with a real role in the planning and oversight of the strategic plans, major reorganizations, and the budgets of the IRS, is a most important element in bringing reform to this troubled agency. The board is a permanent entity that will provide continuing oversight of the IRS. IRS reform requires not just a new management structure, involving a partnership between the board, the Secretary, and the Commissioner. It will also require improved performance by those of us in Congress. Legislative oversight of the IRS is too unfocused, with too many masters and not enough coordination among committees. The bill attempts to bring some order and structure to the current system. Over the long run, we can't build an IRS that serves the American people unless we write a Tax Code that the IRS can explain and the people can understand. This bill takes the first step toward tax reform. The bill does not reform our Tax Code, but it reforms the way we collect revenues. Reform of the practices of the IRS will make it easier for us to concentrate on the underlying problems in the Tax Code itself. A big part of the problem with the IRS is the agency's inability to provide taxpayers with accurate information regarding their tax status. This simply has to stop, and this bill will help. Our tax system is based on voluntary compliance. More than 80 percent of Americans pay their taxes without dispute. An IRS that can answer taxpayer's phone calls, and provide accurate, reliable information, will help increase voluntary compliance. For the overwhelming majority of Americans, who abide by the law and pay their taxes, the IRS should stand for ``Information, Respect, and Service.'' Abusive collection practices must become a thing of the past. At the same time, the IRS must become a more effective agency at enforcing the law against those who seek to escape their legal obligations. In addition to the governance and oversight provisions, the bill contains a new set of provisions to be added to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The provisions address many problems that taxpayers have encountered in dealing with the IRS, and their enactment will help solve those problems. I would add, however, that the broader objective of this bill must be to change the culture of the IRS to make it a taxpayer-friendly organization so that future Taxpayer Bills of Rights will not be necessary. Mr. Speaker, the Internal Revenue Service is charged with the vital task of collecting the revenue needed to fund the basic and essential operations of Government. When the IRS is mismanaged in ways that create fear and anxiety among taxpayers, the result is to undermine the confidence of the American people in their Government. The purpose of this legislation is to reform the IRS so that we can begin to restore that badly damaged confidence.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Bunning].

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis], a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt].

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt] who has been one of the real fighters for U.S. textiles.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to vote against this suspension of the rules. I would like to follow up on some of the comments that the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] made. H.R. 2644, the U.S.-Caribbean Trade Act, is meant to provide parity with the nations in the Caribbean with Mexico as it relates to NAFTA. First, it is important to point out that the nations that we are talking about, they are not just the small island nations but we are talking about many of the countries of Central America. What is the reason for this bill? Why is there the need for parity? What has NAFTA caused harm in the Caribbean nations? If you look at the major industry that was created by the Caribbean Basin Initiative, it has been the selling of garments that has been one of the principal objectives of the CBI initiative. Since the passage of NAFTA, the export share from the Caribbean and Central American nations in the CBI has increased from 18 percent to 23 percent their share of U.S. market. They have not been hurt by NAFTA. It appears like they have been helped. If you look at the percentage increase from the 26 CBI nations to the United States, between 1993 and 1996, in apparel, it has increased by 63 percent. So we have seen a significant increase in exports from these nations since the passage of NAFTA. We are not talking about small industries. The textile and apparel imports from the CBI nations, namely, from Central America, totaled $6.1 billion last year. By contrast, imports from Mexico were $3.6 billion. We have more imports from Central America and the Caribbean than we do from Mexico. But unlike NAFTA, and this is called the NAFTA Parity Act, I think it is a misnomer because, unlike NAFTA, there are no obligations on the Caribbean nations that are part of the CBI for getting these additional benefits. There are no requirements for sanctions against sweatshops or child labor, for requirements for cooperation on drug interdiction, money laundering or illegal immigration, no requirements to remove trade barriers from U.S. exporters. This bill has been scored at $243 million for its 14 months. The taxpayers of this country should not be subsidizing more loss of jobs here in the United States. If we use our 5-year rules, as we should be using, this bill costs over $1 billion. At the very least, the Members of this body should have the opportunity to offer amendments to this legislation. The chairman of the subcommittee mentioned that our friends in the other body have moved similar legislation. It is quite different in that it does provide certain protection to U.S. manufacturers and producers. The legislation considered in the other body requires that the textiles be made from U.S. fabric. That is not the bill that we have before us. Some of us would like to be able to offer that as an amendment, but under suspension of rules, we cannot; it is not the right process. The Members of this House should have the opportunity to fully debate this issue and offer amendments. It is a very important bill. I would urge my colleagues to resist the suspension of rules. Let it go through normal order. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.

Mr. CARDIN. Yes; and I would ask to claim the time in opposition, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire whether the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] is opposed to the bill?

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Becerra], my colleague on the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. BECERRA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, there are many reasons to be opposed to the legislation before us. It will benefit just a few people, those who have wealth. It has very limited benefits. It diverts funds that otherwise could be available to improve education in our country. Let me just mention one fundamental problem with this bill that I hope we all would see. That is, how in the world will the IRS ever be able to administer this bill? Look at the definition that is included for which the money in this account can be used in order to get tax preference. It can be used for tuition, fees, tutoring, special needs services, books, supplies, computer equipment, including related software and services, that is going to be an easy one for the IRS to figure out, what software is educationally related, and other equipment. Transportation, does that include a car that one can buy for their child? Supplementary expenses required for enrollment or attendance, does that include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for nutrition services? How will the IRS ever be able to administer this program without being completely intrusive into the lives of the taxpayers of this country? This bill cannot be enforced. Rather than being an A plus account, these are really A slush accounts. I would urge my colleagues to reject the notion. The good news is that this bill is not going to become law. It is not going to pass the other body and be signed by the President. We do have an opportunity today to do something for education that we can really help; that is, support the Rangel substitute. Then we can build upon the budget agreement that we reached this year and we can really put more money into education.

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and all of those involved for arranging for this amendment to be offered. I strongly support it. Pfiesteria is a very serious problem that we have all along the east coast of the United States. It is responsible for major fish kills, for the closing of recreational and commercial waterways, and it is a major health problem for the people of our region. This is an extremely serious matter. I am very pleased that the Federal Government is moving in with funds to try to deal with this problem. It is a good amendment, and I strongly support it. Once again, I congratulate my colleague for his leadership in this area.

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CARDIN

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.