Elijah Cummings

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman is inaccurate. The fact is that when the bill came in, at first, we did apparently have certain exceptions for law enforcement, consistent with these concerns. That's not in the bill. As a matter of fact, just today, July 31, 2013, we have a letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association talking about the bill that's on the floor right now: H.R. 2711 creates a broad right to record conversations with Federal employees and requires that the notices of the right to record conversations be provided to individuals engaged in discussion with Federal employees without any exceptions related to criminal investigations. This proposal risks undermining criminal investigations by reducing the willingness of individuals to cooperate with law enforcement and would result in the creation of recordings of law enforcement conversations that could jeopardize sensitive and important criminal and counterterrorism investigations. That's from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association. I yield 2 minutes to a distinguished member of the committee, the Congressman from the great State of Missouri, Lacy Clay.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that the Republican leadership is wasting the few days we have remaining before the August recess with political message bills like this one instead of dealing with the major challenges the American people want us to address. The American people care about jobs. Let me say that again. The American people care about jobs. And the Democrats have introduced a Make It in America agenda that would create good-paying jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure, investing in innovation and education, and reducing the deficit through a balanced approach. But the Republican leadership apparently has chosen a No Jobs Agenda. It has been 7 months since the start of this Congress, and we have not passed a single jobs bill on the floor of this House. Instead, the Republican sequestration plan is expected to cost up to 1.6 million American jobs through next year. The American people also want the Congress to pass a budget for our country. More than 4 months ago, both the Senate and the House passed their respective budgets, but the House Republicans are now refusing to appoint conferees to complete negotiations. For years, Republicans complained about not having a budget, yet now they are actively blocking it by refusing to negotiate with the Senate. Rather than dealing with these critical issues, we're being asked to vote on H.R. 1541, which is one of many bills that are a part of a relentless campaign to demonize Federal employees. H.R. 1541 would impose an arbitrary, across-the-board cap of 5 percent of basic pay on the amount of bonuses that Federal workers can receive and limit the number of senior executives who may receive performance awards to 33 percent of those eligible in each agency. These employees carry out our critical missions that serve and protect the American people. Among these awards are Presidential Rank Awards for senior executives who saved the Federal Government more than $95 million last year, quality step increases for our highest Federal employee performers, awards to law enforcement officers for foreign language capabilities, and recruitment, retention, and relocation incentives to fill critical gaps in such fields as nursing, information technology, and cybersecurity. I'm very concerned about the Federal Government's recruitment and retention efforts if Congress eliminates agency discretion to provide awards to our best performers. In an analysis of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government, the Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte found that only 4 out of 10 Federal workers believed they will be rewarded or promoted for doing a good job. This is the definition of counterproductive. I don't understand how Republicans can call for pay for performance and then eliminate the very performance awards they said they supported. Last Congress, our committee chairman, Representative Issa, and committee member Dennis Ross sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office proposing that we replace the Federal Government's General Schedule system with a ``merit-based, market-sensitive system that recognizes and rewards individual employee performance.'' How can we take such proposals seriously if we are being asked at the same time to slash the very awards that are supposed to incentivize performance? Of course, we cannot. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 2579, and I reserve the balance of my time. I ask unanimous consent for the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) to manage the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2610. This bill, which was crafted to conform to the strangling and senseless limits of the Ryan budget, would cut the total discretionary funding for the Transportation-HUD appropriations measure by $7.7 billion below the enacted fiscal year 2013 appropriation and by more than $4 billion below the level of funding provided after sequestration took effect. These cuts would devastate programs like the Community Development Block Grant program and the HOME program, which are essential to supporting development in cities throughout our Nation and to providing housing and other services to our most vulnerable citizens. This bill would also be devastating to our national passenger rail service, Amtrak; and that is the specific issue I will address today. The bill before us would cut the capital grant provided to Amtrak by some $352 million and cut the operating grant by $119 million below the enacted fiscal year 2013 levels. Such cuts would likely force Amtrak to reduce its maintenance levels and furlough maintenance personnel. Such cuts may even lead to reduced service on the Northeast corridor, the critical link on the eastern seaboard among Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. In their views on the Transportation-HUD appropriations measure, the minority noted that this bill is out of touch with reality and that it is nowhere more evident than in the proposed funding level for Amtrak. While the House majority has undertaken a relentless effort to destroy Amtrak, the traveling public has made it clear they consider Amtrak to be an essential part of our Nation's transportation network. Amtrak finished fiscal year 2012 having carried more than 31 million passengers--the highest number of passengers in any year since Amtrak was created. This total included more than 11 million passengers who traveled on the Northeast corridor. Together, the long-distance routes had their highest passenger volumes in 19 years and Amtrak set 12 consecutive monthly ridership records in fiscal year 2012. To put this number in perspective, if Amtrak were an airline, it would be the sixth largest in the country. Americans have voted with their ticket purchases, and they are choosing to ride Amtrak in greater numbers. In fact, record ridership growth is continuing in fiscal year 2013. Rather than seeking to destroy a service critical to our Nation's mobility, we should be investing in this system to ensure it can continue to meet increased passenger demand with increased speed and efficiency. Significant infrastructure improvements are needed all along the Northeast corridor to create truly high-speed rail service. In Maryland, for example, the B&P tunnel, which carries every train traveling into Washington, D.C., from all points north of the city, must be replaced. This tunnel was opened in 1873 and its design limits train speeds to 30 miles per hour. We would not think of relying on technology from the 1870s in other aspects of our lives. We wouldn't want medical technology or communications technology from the 1870s. And we should not be content to rely on transportation infrastructure from the 1870s. The President has rightly threatened to veto this bill; and rather than waste the House's time on legislation like this that threatens to degrade our transportation networks and delay passengers and commerce, we should be considering bills that will make long overdue investments to expand our mobility and support our economic growth. Rather than cutting investments in Amtrak, we should be investing in the development of truly high-speed rail on the Northeast corridor and throughout the northeastern United States. And before we consider this or any other appropriations measures, the House and Senate should follow regular order by appointing conferees who can resolve a budget that can be adopted by both bodies and that can then guide the development of appropriations measures for fiscal year 2014. I urge Members to oppose this misguided legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it takes the safety net away from America's poor families.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I stand here today to remark on the Supreme Court's terrible decision to roll back one of the most effective safeguards to Americans' fundamental right to vote. The Court's decision ignores the current reality that voter suppression is alive and well in the United States. We saw indisputable evidence of its presence just last year. We saw attempts to implement discriminatory and unnecessary voter ID laws. We saw attempts to shorten early vote periods that have had a significant impact on minority voters. The ball is now in Congress' court. The Senate Judiciary Committee is already taking action to restore essential protections for minority voters, and I call on Speaker Boehner to exercise true leadership in the House. Ladies and gentlemen, this is our watch, and we must guard our rights for ourselves and for generations yet unborn. We must act swiftly and decisively in a bipartisan manner as we did in 2006 to create a new formula to ensure that the Voting Rights Act can continue to be a powerful tool to protect voters from discrimination.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following information: Congressional Hearings 2013 Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Minority Women, Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 113th Cong. (2013) 2012 Closing the Wealth Gap Through the African-American Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Roundtable Discussion with the U.S. House Comm. on Small Business, 112th Cong. (Sept. 9, 2012). 2011 Closing the Gap: Exploring Minority Access to Capital and Contracting Opportunities: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 112th Cong. (2011) 2010 Assessing Access: Obstacles and Opportunities for Minority Small Business Owners in Today's Capital Markets, Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 111th Cong. (2010) Minority Contracting Opportunities: Challenges for Current and Future Minority-Owned Businesses: Hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight & Gov't Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement, 111 Cong. (Sept. 22, 2010) Minorities and Women in Financial Regulatory Reform: The Need for Increasing Participation and Opportunities for Qualified Persons and Businesses: Hearing Before the U.S. House Comm. on Financial Services, Subcomm. on Oversight and Investigations and Subcomm. on Housing and Community Opportunity, 111th Cong. (2010) Full Committee Hearing on Small Business Participation in Federal Procurement Marketplace: Hearing Before the U.S. House Comm. on Small Business, 111th Cong. (2010) 2009 Infrastructure Investment: Ensuring an Effective Economic Recovery Program: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure, 111th Cong. (2009) The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Aviation of the H. Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure, 111th Cong. (2009) Full Committee Hearing on the State of the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs and Their Role in Promoting an Economic Recovery: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 111th Cong. (2009) Full Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Small Business Administration and its Programs: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 111th Cong. (2009) The Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure, 111th Cong. (2009) The Role of Small Business in Recovery Act Contracting: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 111th Cong. (2009) Trends Affecting Minority Broadcast Ownership: Hearing Before the H. Judiciary Comm., 111th Cong. (2009) Roundtable on Healthcare Reform: Small Business Concerns and Priorities: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 111th Cong. (2009) Doing Business with the Government: The Record and Goals for Small, Minority and Disadvantaged Businesses: Hearing Before the H. Comm. On Transportation and Infrastructure, 111th Cong. (2009) Minority Entrepreneurship: Evaluating Small Business Resources and Programs: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 111th Cong. (2009) The Minority Business Development Agency: Enhancing the Prospects for Success: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the H. Comm. on Energy and Commerce, 111th Cong. (2009) 2008 Full Committee Hearing on SBA's Progress in Implementing the Women's Procurement Program: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2008) Holding the Small Business Administration Accountable: Women's Contracting and Lender Oversight: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2008) Diversity in the Financial Services Sector: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Oversight and Investigations of the H. Comm. on Financial Services, 110th Cong. (2008) Military Base Realignment: Contracting Opportunities for Impacted Communities: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement of the H. Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform, 110th Cong. (2008) Community Reinvestment Act: Thirty Years of Accomplishments, But Challenges Remain: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Financial Services, 110th Cong. (2008) Doing Business with the Government: The Record and Goals for Small, Minority, and Disadvantaged Businesses: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the H. Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure, 110th Cong. (2008) Subcommittee Hearing on Oversight of the Entrepreneurial Development Programs Implemented by the Small Business Administration and National Veterans Business Development Corporation: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship of the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2008) Women in Business: Leveling the Playing Field: Roundtable Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2008) Subcommittee Hearing on Minority and Hispanic Participation in the Federal Workforce and the Impact on the Small Business Community: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade of the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2008) Opportunities and Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs on the 20th Anniversary of the Women's Business Ownership Act: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2008) Business Start-Up Hurdles in Underserved Communities: Access to Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship Training: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2008) How Information Policy Affects Competitive Viability of Small and Disadvantaged Business in Federal Contracting: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives of the H. Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform, 110th Cong. (2008) 2007 Full Committee Field Hearing on Participation of Small Business in Hurricane Katrina Recovery Contracts: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2007) Minority Entrepreneurship: Assessing the Effectiveness of SBA's Programs for the Minority Business Community: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2007) Full Committee Hearing on the Small Business Administration's Microloan Program: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2007) Increasing Government Accountability and Ensuring Fairness in Small Business Contracting: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2007) Diversifying Native Economies: Oversight Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Natural Resources, 110th Cong. (2007) Expanding Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs: The Future of Women's Small Business Programs: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2007) Federal Contracting: Removing Hurdles for Minority-Owned Small Businesses: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement of the H. Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform, 110th Cong. (2007) Full Committee Hearing to Consider Legislation Updating and Improving the SBA's Contracting Programs: Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Small Business, 110th Cong. (2007) Mortgage Lending Discrimination: Field Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Financial Services, 110th Cong. (2007) Access to Federal Contracts: How to Level the Playing Field: Field Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 110th Cong. (2007) Preserving and Expanding Minority Banks: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Oversight and Investigations of the H. Comm. on Financial Services, 110th Cong. (2007) 2006 Reauthorization of Small Business Administration Financing and Entrepreneurial Development Programs: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 109th Cong. (2006) Northern Lights and Procurement Plights: The Effect of the ANC Program on Federal Procurement and Alaska Native Corporation: Joint Hearing Before the H. Comm. on Government Reform and the H. Comm. on Small Business, 109th Cong. (2006) Diversity: The GAO Perspective: Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Oversight and Investigations of the H. Comm. on Financial Services, 109th Cong. (2006) Strengthening Participation of Small Businesses in Federal Contracting and Innovation Research Programs: Hearing Before the S. Comm. on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 109th Cong. (2006) Recent State and Local Government Disparity Studies California Metro Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (2009) Metrolink Disparity Study Draft Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (2009) OCTA Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Orange County Transportation Authority (2010) SANDAG Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the San Diego Association of Governments (2010) San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Disparity Authority, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (2010) Florida The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise: Evidence from Broward County, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for Broward County, Florida (2010) Georgia Georgia Department of Transportation Disparity Study, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Georgia Department of Administration (2012) Hawaii The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise: Evidence from Hawai'i, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for the Hawaii Department of Transportation (2010) Indiana Indiana Disparity Study: Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Indiana Department of Administration (2010) Maryland The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise: Evidence from Maryland, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for the Maryland Department of Transportation (2011) Minnesota The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise: Evidence from Minneapolis, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for the City of Minneapolis (2010) The State of Minnesota Joint Availability and Disparity Study, Prepared by MGT of America, Inc., for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (2008) North Carolina City of Charlotte: Disparity Study, Prepared by MGT of America, Inc., for the City of Charlotte (2011) Ohio The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise: Evidence from Northeast Ohio, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (2010) Oklahoma City of Tulsa Business Disparity Study, Prepared by MGT of America, Inc. for the City of Tulsa (2010) Oregon A Disparity Study for the Port of Portland, Oregon, Prepared by MGT for America, Inc., for the Port of Portland, Oregon (2009) City of Portland Disparity Study, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting for the Portland Development Commission (2011) Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Disparity Study, Prepared by Econosult Corporation for the City of Philadelphia (2010) City of Philadelphia, Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Disparity Study, Prepared by Econosult Corporation for the City of Philadelphia (2011) City of Philadelphia, Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Disparity Study, Prepared by Econosult Corporation for the City of Philadelphia (2012) Tennessee City of Memphis, Tennessee, Comprehensive Disparity Study, Prepared by Griffin and Strong, P.C., for the City of Memphis (2010) Texas The State of Minority and Women Owned Enterprise in Construction: Evidence from Houston, Prepared by NERA Economic Consulting for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (2012) Virginia A Disparity Study for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prepared by MGT of America, Inc. for the Commonwealth of Virginia (2010) Washington, D.C. 2010 Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd., for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (2011) Wisconsin Disparity Study for the City of Milwaukee, Prepared by D. Wilson Consulting Group, LLC for the City of Milwaukee (2010)

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of National Small Business Week. Growing a small business is a difficult task that requires dedication and perseverance. For a minority business owner or a woman business owner, it can be even more difficult--as demonstrated by study after study. Because of discrimination, minorities and women frequently do not have the history of entrepreneurship, the employment background, or the wealth to start their own businesses. And then, when they try to borrow funds to grow their businesses, woman and minorities often face discrimination yet again. Studies show us that lenders are more likely to reject minority loan applications or to charge higher interest rates to minority borrowers--even when the minority-owned or woman-owned business is similar to a white-owned business. Finally, minority and women business owners often have a hard time breaking into the closed networks of contracting and are overlooked or even intentionally excluded when opportunities do arise. Again, study after study demonstrates that minority-owned and women-owned businesses do not participate in public contracting in the numbers that we would expect given their availability. Programs that help level the playing field for women- and minority- owned businesses remain critical to ensuring that taxpayer money is not used to support exclusionary ``business as usual'' practices. Today, therefore, I am submitting for the record a list of studies that substantiate these fundamental points--just as I did during the May 8, 2012, meeting of the House-Senate Conference Committee that considered the surface transportation bill that became the MAP-21 legislation, when conferees accepted the materials by unanimous consent.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the bill's managers for including in this en bloc amendment a provision I submitted to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Under current law, certain disabled veterans, servicemembers and their families are not receiving the critical protection they need. As a result, banks are foreclosing on their homes at the very moment when our heroes most deserve our support. Our amendment extends foreclosure protections to all servicemembers receiving hostile fire or imminent danger pay, to the surviving spouses of servicemembers killed in the line of duty, and to veterans who become disabled due to service-connected injuries. Last Congress, I introduced a similar amendment that passed the house with overwhelming bipartisan support. I ask Members to vote in favor of this amendment.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the bill's managers for including in this en bloc amendment a provision Congressman Langevin and I submitted to ensure the Department of Defense complies with the law. The defense authorization act of fiscal year 2010 included a mandate that the Department make funding available to use civilian employees for requirements that last more than five years, thereby saving taxpayer dollars. The Department's Comptroller's office was required to issue regulations on implementing this mandate. Yet, three years later they have still failed to do so. This provision reinforces the law by requiring that within 45 days of enactment the Department finally issue these long-awaited regulations. I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of this en bloc amendment, which includes this important provision.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to oppose the Royce-Engel amendment. For nearly six decades, the Food for Peace program has used U.S. taxpayer funding to benefit those in need around the world, as well as U.S. agriculture and the United States Merchant Marines. This amendment would gut the program by allowing 45 percent of its funding to be sent as cash payments to foreign nations. As a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, I can assure you this would be devastating to the U.S. Merchant Marine and to the domestic sealift capacity that moves 90 percent of the cargo supporting our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let me paint a picture. In 2012, just over 9,000 ships visited U.S. ports. Approximately only 100 of those vessels sailed under the United States flag. I emphasize that these 100 vessels include militarily useful vessels that carry food aid. Policies such as the one embodied in this amendment would drive more vessels from the U.S. flag fleet, which exceeded 850 ships as recently as 1975. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I voted ``yes'' in error for the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act. As I stated in a dear colleague with fellow members, this bill will ``undermine our financial regulators' efforts to regulate cross-border derivatives . . . putting our financial markets and economy at risk and undermining one of the most important provisions of Wall Street Reform.'' I stand firm with 124 of my colleagues who voted against this harmful legislation and will continue to fight for sensible policies that will prevent the kind of reckless gambling by our financial institutions that led us to the brink of economic catastrophe.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, although this bill takes important steps to secure our nation's pharmaceutical supply chain, we need to do more to protect patients and the public health. For over a year, I have been investigating the problem of so-called ``gray market'' drug companies that take advantage of critical drug shortages to charge exorbitant prices. Working with the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate HELP Committee, we identified numerous cases in which gray market drug companies were able to get their hands on shortage drugs when hospitals and other providers could not. And in many cases, these middleman companies exploited national drug shortages by charging exorbitant mark-ups for drugs used to treat cancer and other life threatening conditions. This kind of price gouging is unconscionable, and it represents a serious threat to patients' health and safety. Our investigation found that in more than two-thirds of cases, prescription drugs entered the gray market through pharmacies. These pharmacies purchased their drugs from authorized distributors, but instead of dispensing them to providers or patients in accordance with state laws, the pharmacies re-sold them to gray market wholesalers. For these reasons, I introduced the Gray Market Drug Reform and Transparency Act to implement reforms in this area and to protect consumers and providers from exploitation. I am encouraged that the bill before us takes up one of my proposals, which is to require wholesalers to register and report annually to the FDA, including on their disciplinary actions. Although this is a step in the right direction, the bill fails to make this information publicly available, which is critical to consumers, healthcare providers, and state boards of pharmacy. The bill also fails to close the primary loophole by which drugs enter the gray market, by prohibiting wholesalers from buying drugs from pharmacies. We need to put an end to unethical profiteering at the expense of patients with cancer and other critical illnesses, and I hope we can add these common sense provisions to H.R. 1919 in conference negotiations.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to begin by thanking Chairman Issa for sponsoring this legislation and for making this a truly bipartisan effort. I am pleased to join the chairman in sponsoring this bill again this Congress. Also, I thank the other cosponsors of the bill, including the chairman and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Representatives John Mica and Gerry Connolly, and the chairman and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Representatives Jason Chaffetz and John Tierney. Last month, the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, placed cyber attacks at the top of his list of national security threats. This bill is an important step in Congress' response to the cyber threat. This legislation would ensure that Federal agencies use a risk-based approach to defend against cyber attacks and protect government information from being compromised by our adversaries. It is important that the Federal Government set the example by ensuring that its own information is protected. The Department of Energy was hacked in January, and personal data for hundreds of employees was compromised. We are better than that, Mr. Speaker, and we can do better. Personal data for more than 100,000 accounts in the Thrift Savings Plan was compromised last year when a contractor's computer was hacked. This bill would shift the Federal Government to a system of continuous monitoring of information systems. And just this morning, the chairman said in a hearing that we have to do more with less and we have to figure out ways to use technology so that we can efficiently and effectively do the things that we need to do. This bill goes right in that direction, which is so important. It would also streamline reporting requirements and ensure that agencies take a smart, risk-based approach to securing networks. This bill would continue to authorize the Office of Management and Budget to set Federal policy for information security. This is important because we need to hold all the agencies accountable for developing appropriate standards and living up to those very standards. OMB is the appropriate entity to be responsible for ensuring that that happens. However, nothing in this bill will prevent the Department of Homeland Security from continuing the great work it is doing to protect our Nation against potential cyber attacks. The Department has expanded its cybersecurity workforce and is working with agencies to establish continuous monitoring. This bill supports that work by making clear that agencies must take action to protect their networks, rather than just doing routine ``check the box'' reports, as Chairman Issa just talked about. Today, we have a bipartisan effort. It is truly a bipartisan effort to address a problem that affects every single American and business, every entity of our Nation. That's why it's so good that we had all of our subcommittee rankings and chairmen working together and Mr. Issa making sure that this legislation got out. As it is so very important, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield the gentleman an additional 1\1/2\ minutes.

Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. As we have no other speakers, Mr. Speaker, I just want to make it clear that I think yesterday's incident in Boston should remind us of how fragile our society is and that there are so many people who want to do us harm. A lot of times we concentrate on those kinds of attacks and don't spend the kind of time we really need to on the cyber attacks, which can be just as harmful, just as damaging. These cyber attacks can literally bring our country and our economy to a halt. That's why we are urging all Members to vote in favor of this. And it is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that as we are addressing this issue today, that it will send the word out to the Nation that once again our committee and this Congress is putting a microscope on this issue and doing everything in our power to make sure that our efforts are effective and efficient because the threats are there, and they are real. It is up to us. It is our watch. It is our watch, just like a watchman watching over a fort or watching over a city. We are the watchmen right now, and it's our watch, and we have to make sure we do everything in our power to make sure that we protect against this very clear threat. With that, I urge all Members to vote in favor of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time and.

Mr. CUMMINGS. It gives me great pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to yield 3 minutes to a gentleman who has worked very hard on this issue night and day, and it's been at the forefront of his efforts, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. CUMMINGS

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

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished lady from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As one who represents many Federal employees, with the Social Security Administration smack dab in the middle of my district, with many of my constituents getting up at 4 o'clock in the morning, catching the train over here from Howard County and Baltimore County to work for the Federal Government, a group of people, many of whom are being subjected now to furloughs, have been subjected to pay freezes, in some instances have been placed in a position where they have to pay more toward their pensions and get less, a group of people who in many instances I run into them at the gas station, at the Pancake House, or wherever I may see them, who are very much concerned about a word that has become a significant word in this House, ``uncertainty.'' I strongly oppose H.R. 249, a measure that would require the Federal Government to fire--to fire--Federal employees who have an outstanding tax debt. The legislation is unwarranted, unnecessary and, in fact, counterproductive. I believe that Federal employees, like all Americans, should pay their taxes, and I don't think that there's one single Member of this Congress that feels otherwise. We all believe that Federal employees and all folks who owe taxes ought to pay them. Federal workers hold the public trust and should be held to a high standard of conduct. The fact is that Federal employees have met and exceeded that standard. The legislation is unwarranted because the tax delinquency rate for Federal employees is less than half that of the general public. In 2011, the tax delinquency rate for the general public was 8.2 percent. In the same year, the tax delinquency rate for Federal workers was only 3.62 percent. Now, let me make it clear: I would suggest that it would be best--and wonderful--if that percentage was zero, but it's not. But again, the general delinquency rate, 8.2 percent; Federal workers, 3.62 percent. The legislation is unnecessary because the IRS and other executive agencies already have procedures in place to recover back taxes from Federal employees. Through the Federal Payment and Levy Program, the IRS can impose a continuous levy on Federal salaries and annuities up to 15 percent until the debt is paid. Agencies also have the authority to take disciplinary action against employees for delinquent tax debts, which may include removal, if necessary. The legislation is counterproductive because it would make it more difficult to collect unpaid taxes from Federal employees by requiring their termination and eliminating the ability to impose levies on their salaries. On another note, I just left, about 3 hours ago, a job fair that I sponsored in my district where 9,000 unemployed people showed up. In talking to some of the various agencies, they said, Congressman Cummings, we're glad that the State of Maryland is now dealing with child support issues a little bit differently because we used to take everybody's license. We would make it almost impossible for them to make money so that they could pay the child support. They said now we're beginning to turn some of those laws around because, again, we want to be effective and efficient in collecting the money. Here, if a person has no job, how are they going to pay their taxes? I am also concerned that this legislation is being rushed to the floor today to apparently make a political point. During committee debate over the legislation, questions were raised. To his credit, the chairman agreed that we would try to get some responses from the IRS about the rules and procedures regarding debt collection, options for resolving delinquencies, payment options, tax delinquencies of IRS employees, and other issues. The chairman promised to obtain the answers to these questions from the IRS and to work with Democrats before the bill was brought to the floor. Now, I have absolutely no doubt that the IRS failed to do what they were supposed to do; they did not give us the information. But there was a reason that we wanted that information. We wanted the information so that we could base our decisions on sound facts. If we are placing people in a position where they will lose their way of feeding their family and having a roof over their head and taking care of their kids, it would be nice to have information. I tell my staff all the time: Give me the information so that I can make a decent decision. We don't have that information, and that is unfortunate. Hopefully, at some point, we will get it from the IRS. Again, Mr. Speaker, I don't blame the chairman. He did his part. He submitted his letter, I know he did, but we still have not heard from the IRS. So on April 4, 2013, I joined with Chairman Issa in sending that letter to the IRS, requesting specific information that the committee members agreed was necessary to fairly and fully evaluate the need for this legislation. Again, without this information, it is unclear whether various scenarios under which taxpayer disputes of tax debt would be exempted under the bill. For example, it is unclear whether an appeal from a collection due process hearing, litigation proceedings in U.S. Tax Court, or hearings under the IRS' Collection Appeals Program would trigger an exemption. Contrary to the chairman's assurances, the Republican leadership has insisted on bringing this bill to the floor without the benefit of this information and without resolving the many concerns raised during the committee debate. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this bill. Again, we need information, but more importantly, there is something that the chairman said that I think we need to be clear on. I want to see, again, a situation where everybody pays every dime that they are supposed to pay, but I don't think that people get fired if they're not Federal employees when they have a tax delinquency. So when we're talking about fairness, again, we're talking about the Federal employee, and then we're talking about everybody else. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Having no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to vote in favor of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Washington, D.C. (Ms. Norton).