Lois Capps

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Before I yield time, I just want to congratulate the conferees for finally meeting today for the very first time, at least 5 weeks after they were appointed. So that's the point. I am pleased now to yield 2 minutes to our colleague from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee.

Mrs. CAPPS. I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to our colleague from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).

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

Mrs. CAPPS. I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to our colleague from North Carolina, David Price.

Mrs. CAPPS. I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to our colleague from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, under rule XXII, clause 7(c), I hereby announce my intention to offer a motion to instruct on H.R. 3630, the conference report to extend payroll tax, unemployment insurance, and sustainable growth rate payments for doctors. The form of the motion is as follows: Mrs. Capps moves that the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 be instructed to file a conference report not later than February 17, 2012.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to better inform American consumers. Created last year by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform law, the CFPB's mission is to take the tricks and traps out of financial products we use every day like credit cards and mortgages. So even though GOP Senators are filibustering the confirmation of the agency's top official, the Bureau is already at work on behalf of consumers. This project, Know Before You Owe, aims to simplify credit card agreements and student loan disclosure forms so consumers know exactly what they're getting into when they borrow. Importantly, CFPB is asking consumers for their input on this important task. So I encourage all citizens to visit consumerfinance.gov to share their experiences about credit cards and loan agreements. Consumers can also file complaints about credit card companies or mortgage services and learn how to protect themselves from financial scams. For the first time, we have a dedicated watchdog looking out exclusively for the interests of consumers. I urge all American consumers to take advantage of these great new resources.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest respect that I rise today to recognize Deborah Linden on the event of her retirement as Police Chief for the City of San Luis Obispo. Chief Linden is a native Californian, raised in Sunnyvale. She moved to Santa Barbara in 1979 to attend U.C. Santa Barbara, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. She began her law enforcement career with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff at the age of 22. During her 18 year tenure at the Sheriff's Department, Chief Linden served in a variety of assignments including Patrol Deputy, Narcotics Detective, Major Crimes Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Major Crimes Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Commander. She was hired by the City of San Luis Obispo as Chief of Police on January 1, 2003. Chief Linden holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from St. Mary's College in Moraga and she is a P.O.S.T. Command College graduate. In 2004, she was honored with a three-year gubernatorial appointment to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and she was reappointed to subsequent terms in 2007 and 2010. Chief Linden serves on the Board of the California Police Chiefs Association and is a lifetime member of the California Narcotic Officers Association. Chief Linden is also dedicated to future members of law enforcement, as she has been a criminal justice instructor for Santa Barbara City College, an academy instructor for Allan Hancock Law Enforcement Academy, and an instructor of Public Policy for St. Mary's College Graduate Leadership Program. Chief Linden also takes an active role in our local community in addition to her commitments as Police Chief. She is involved with many community and non-profit groups, including serving on the boards of the Anti-Defamation League, Transitions Mental Health Association, and the Monday Rotary Club in San Luis Obispo. She is the law enforcement representative on the San Luis Obispo County Homeless Services Oversight Council. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Deborah Linden, for her leadership, dedication, and outstanding service to our community and the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, later today the House will vote on the REINS Act. This is a terrible piece of legislation that will make it next to impossible to protect Americans' health or the environment. It would allow either Chamber of Congress to stop efforts to keep our water and air clean or to protect the public from unsafe food--by simply doing nothing. This bill sets up a congressional approval requirement that is a recipe for more gridlock. It would mean more bureaucracy and more delay, generating uncertainty for businesses and weaker rules to protect consumers. Sherwood Boehlert, the former Republican chairman of the House Science Committee and one of our most thoughtful former colleagues, recently wrote a scathing piece in The Hill about the REINS Act. He said the bill would result in ``a virtual shutdown of the system that will leave the public exposed.'' Madam Speaker, the REINS Act is an outrageous effort to throw out a system that has protected American families and communities for more than 100 years. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting down this irresponsible and misguided legislation.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2405, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. But I want to take this time to discuss a critical health issue that Congress must address before the year is out--fixing the sustainable growth rate issue. Medicare physicians are facing steep reimbursement cuts of nearly 30 percent. And to let these cuts go into effect will harm not only them and their employees, but our seniors as well. That's why I have been a longtime supporter of efforts to postpone SGR cuts and continue to work on a permanent fix. We here in the House passed legislation to do just that through our version of health care reform. And here we are again, just weeks from the next scheduled cut with an opportunity to craft a bipartisan solution to an issue that both sides of the aisle say they care about. But there is no workable plan in sight. Instead, it is reported that any fix on the House side will come with indefensible strings attached, pitting doctors' salaries against seniors' benefits, Federal workers, and important cost-saving prevention programs. To be clear, SGR must be fixed permanently, but the idea of stripping other critical health care funding to pay for it, ideas that will not see the light of day in the Senate, is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is disingenuous to our Nation's doctors, and it is an indefensible action which will harm our seniors. So I urge the majority to stop playing politics with the health and well-being of our seniors and to work together to achieve a meaningful and realistic fix.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Old Mission Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California. This is a momentous occasion. Founded by Father Fermon Lasuon on the Feast of St. Barbara on Dec. 4, 1786, the Old Mission Santa Barbara has been administered by the Franciscan Order since its founding, making it the oldest continually operating church in California. The Old Mission is an exceptional example of both neo-classical architectural design with Mexican, Spanish and native Indian influence, and a rare, lasting example of Chumash sculpture and craftsmanship. Throughout the Santa Barbara Mission's 225 year history, it has served as the signature building of the Santa Barbara community. In past years, the Old Mission has alternatively served as a mission, a boarding school, a bishopric, a theological seminary, a museum, a private residence, a retreat center, and a parish church. After the devastating earthquake of 1925, which destroyed much of the towers of the mission, the community rallied in support of the Old Mission by collecting pennies and holding benefit concerts all to fund the Mission's restoration. Old Mission Santa Barbara, a National Historic Landmark, and known as the ``Queen of the Missions,'' continues to serve our community by hosting the Old Mission Arts and Crafts shows, I Madonnari Festival, the world famous Old Spanish Days Fiesta, the blessings of the animals, and the Christmas nativity creche, as well as other historic celebrations and community gatherings. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 225th anniversary of the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the central role it continues to play as a cultural and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge you to bring legislation today to extend and expand the payroll tax cut to the floor today. If Congress fails to extend the payroll tax cut, the average American family will pay $1,000 more in taxes next year. Countless families in my district are still struggling to stay afloat; they can't afford to lose $1,000 in income next year. Extending and expanding the payroll tax cut is not just the right thing to do for families on the central coast of California; it's the right thing to do for our economy. Leading nonpartisan economists estimate that letting the payroll tax expire could cost the economy 400,000 jobs by the end of next year. Such tremendous job loss would be devastating to our struggling economy and to American families. Extending the payroll tax cut should have bipartisan support. With all the anti-tax pledges taken by our colleagues across the aisle, you'd think this would be a no-brainer. More than half of the Republican Conference already voted for the payroll tax cut last December. Madam Speaker, let's extend the payroll tax cut now. It's a win for the middle class, it's a win for small businesses, and it's a win for our economy.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the opening of Santa Barbara County's first veteran treatment court. Last week our country came together to remember and pay respect to our veterans, and I was humbled and honored to participate in memorial services honoring our veterans, 50,000 of whom live on California's central coast. Their sacrifice is never forgotten, just as our work to support them is never finished. And that's why I support this new innovative and collaborative treatment court in my congressional district, which will better serve our veterans, especially those struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, or other disorders. This veterans court fills a critical gap in care for our veterans by helping former servicemembers who are struggling and in pain. Mr. Speaker, it's our duty to serve those who have served us so gallantly. Our veterans have sacrificed and shown their unquestioning commitment to this country; and veteran treatment courts, like the one in Santa Maria, provide another straightforward way for us to better serve them. So I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Santa Barbara County for taking this critical step in supporting our veterans by establishing this veteran treatment court.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, and in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. This is a momentous occasion. For the last 50 years New Hope Missionary Baptist Church has been a beacon of light, providing support for our community and empowering families on the Central Coast. Founded in November 1961 in the home of Brother Lwellyn and Sister Setha Crow, with the help of Brother Carter, Deacons Steve and Sally Wilson, Francis Green, Sister Bertie Mae Hamilton, Meryl Berry, Melvin Robinson, Phyllis Lovaretta, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was first led by the inspiring Pastor Dr. P.B. Mdodona and his wife First Lady Willie Pearl Mdodona. A few years later, under the leadership of Pastor W.R. Erwin and his wife First Lady Winifred Erwin, property was purchased on West Mill Street to build a new permanent home. In 1989, Dr. Earl James became Pastor, and along with his wife First Lady Sydney James, worked hard to expand the church and its ministries by adding an additional forty-five hundred square feet to the church. In 2007 Pastor James retired and placed the church's reins in the capable hands of Pastor Henry L. Lewis, Jr. and his wife Sister Agatha Shorter-Lewis. Since then, they have centered their work on empowering the community by empowering the family. For half a century, the ministries at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church have supported Central Coast families, neighbors, and even strangers. It has been a steady source of solace and provided selfless service to the elderly, homeless, and our youth. In fact, many of the church's congregants can be found volunteering at a homeless shelter, singing to the sick, or bringing young adults in the community together in a safe environment. Mr. Speaker, each day New Hope Missionary Baptist Church lives up to its name, bringing hope to all it touches. With the burning of its mortgage in 2001, we all are very pleased to have the certainty this carries to the congregation and to the Central Coast. I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking and celebrating New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for its leadership and service to our community. I am confident the church's fine work will continue to provide comfort and inspiration to all of us on the Central Coast.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Last week we celebrated Veterans Day, a time to remember those who have served our country and their families. As a nation, we must live up to our obligations and responsibilities to care for our servicemen and -women from the moment they join up and throughout their lives. And we have done this through the post-9/11 GI Bill and our efforts to strengthen TRICARE. But now, with over 12 percent unemployment for veterans, there's so much more we must do. And that's why I support the putting veterans to work tax credit for hiring veterans and wounded warriors that will be on the floor today, and it's why I introduced my own legislation to help our military medics transition into civilian EMT jobs so that they can continue their service here at home. Our commitment to our men and women in uniform doesn't end when they return. It lasts a lifetime. I urge my colleagues to support these bills so we can fulfill our commitment.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I was not able to be present for the following rollcall votes on November 4, 2011 and would like the record to reflect that I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 829: ``no''; rollcall No. 830: ``no''; rollcall No. 831: ``yes''; rollcall No. 832: ``yes''; rollcall No. 833: ``yes''; rollcall No. 834: ``yes''; rollcall No. 835: ``yes''; rollcall No. 836: ``yes.''

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World Stroke Day, which was observed on October 29, 2011. Stroke is a global health crisis that kills six million people annually. While some stroke survivors gain full functionality back, 30- 50% of survivors require the support of a caregiver or have difficulties returning to work. While these numbers are startling, they do not adequately address the emotional toll which stroke survivors and their families must deal with, let alone the associated financial hardships which accompany a stroke. While there are numerous risk factors that increase an individual's risk of stroke, it can affect anyone at any age so we all must be prepared. Use the ``FAST'' method to remember the warning signs: F (FACE): Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A (ARMS): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S (SPEECH): Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? T (TIME): If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. I am proud to pay tribute to the seven million stroke survivors, their families and care givers and hope that the global community will take part in the effort to reduce the impact of stroke in the future.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 819, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I was not able to be present for the following rollcall votes on October 25, 2011 and would like the record to reflect that I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 803: ``no.'' Rollcall No. 804: ``yes.''

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, our top priority must be creating jobs. Yesterday I hosted a job creation conference for my constituents right here in Washington, D.C. Central Coast business owners, development experts, job trainers, and educators shared their experiences about job creation and discussed actions the Federal Government can take to support them. I'm grateful to these dedicated job creators for taking the time and effort to come all the way from California for this important event. We had a packed day, hearing from policy experts and top White House economic officials about the steps we need to take now to create jobs today and strengthen our economy for tomorrow. Opinions were diverse and spirited, but there was clear consensus on: making it easier for businesses to succeed by lowering taxes and increasing access to credit; and making smart investments in education, in innovation, and in infrastructure. These are bipartisan, commonsense solutions. Mr. Speaker, we simply can't wait any longer. The message from my constituents is clear: Put aside our partisan differences. Take action now for the American people.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to an issue of great concern to the health and welfare of students across our country. Just 2 weeks ago, we lost Angela, a 16-year-old cheerleader in California who collapsed at a football game from sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the United States, and sadly that trend is only increasing, especially among students. But there are ways to prevent these tragic events, like the remarkable story of Kylee, a seventh-grade student from Texas, who collapsed at school last week. Her life was saved when two trained teachers used CPR and an automatic external defibrillator to kick-start her heart. If it had not been for this heroic intervention, doctors estimate that someone in Kylee's situation would only have a 3 percent chance of survival. These stories underscore how vital CPR and AED training are to saving lives. That's why I'm introducing the Teaching Children to Save Lives Act. My legislation will provide students with the lifesaving skills of CPR and AED training, knowledge they will carry into adulthood so that one day they might save the life of a classmate, a friend, a family member, or even a complete stranger. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Teaching Children to Save Lives Act.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. I am.

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, as the debate today has shown, this Chamber is deeply divided over this bill. But we should all be able to agree that when a pregnant woman is in a medical emergency, we must do all we can to save her, and that is what this final amendment affirms. I want to be clear: The passage of this amendment will not prevent the passage of the underlying bill. If it's adopted, my amendment will be incorporated into the bill and the bill will immediately be voted upon. Madam Speaker, the underlying bill creates a loophole which would allow hospitals to circumvent the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, a law that has saved many lives. The law, called EMTALA for short, was established to ensure that when a patient arrives at a hospital in critical condition, particularly women in labor, the patient will at least be stabilized. It is truly the embodiment of the Hippocratic Oath to ``apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures that are required.'' EMTALA has been law for over 25 years--and it works. However, the bill before us today could lead to a radical and uncalled for loophole to this law. It would allow providers to refuse emergency care for women even if their lives are endangered by their pregnancy. The hospitals could even refuse to give a referral. I'm a nurse who's worked long shifts in the hospital setting, and I find it immoral to deny care to a woman with a life-threatening condition just because she's pregnant. This loophole is wrong, it's extreme, and it's cruel. Unfortunately, there are some tragic complications that can occur during pregnancy for which a therapeutic abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. I'm speaking about conditions like severe preeclampsia, where a pregnant woman's rapid rise in blood pressure can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and her death; or pulmonary hypertension, a condition that the American College of Cardiology guidelines explicitly states necessitates the termination of a pregnancy to avoid maternal death. If you've never heard of these conditions, it might be easy to think they're not significant. But to the women whose lives are saved by these emergency abortion services--oftentimes mothers who very much want this pregnancy to be successful--this issue is more than politics. It's literally life or death. What if your wife or your daughter was rushed to the hospital, pregnant, with severe bleeding. You don't research or compare the policies of your local hospitals. You go to the one that's closest--the one you trust will save your loved one. But when the diagnosis is made and an emergency abortion is necessary to save her life, what would you do if that hospital refused to perform it to stabilize her or even provide a referral for her care elsewhere? Thanks to the protections provided by EMTALA, this cannot happen today. But if this bill before us becomes law without my amendment, it very well could. Madam Speaker, my amendment is not just a debate between two sides of the abortion issue. It is about saving women's lives in the middle of very traumatic times for them and their families. I would like to bring to your attention a letter sent to Chairman Pitts from the Catholic Health Association. CHA is clear in its religious affiliation and its opposition to abortion. So perhaps because of this perspective, CHA says this best. ``CHA member hospitals have been providing compassionate, quality care under both EMTALA and the Weldon amendment without conflict since the enactment of these provisions. Accordingly, the Catholic Health Association does not believe that there's a need for the provider nondiscrimination section to apply to EMTALA.'' CHA's statement is clear: EMTALA's treatment requirement and the current provider conscience laws work together hand in hand. There is no need for an unprecedented carveout or exception that would endanger women's lives. As a nurse, I respect the conscience clause language a great deal. But I cannot ever imagine a situation where morally, ethically, and legally a medical professional could be allowed to stand by and let someone needlessly die. No pregnant woman or her family should be afraid that she would be denied the care she needs when she goes to a hospital in an emergency. We need to make sure that doesn't happen. Today we have the opportunity to fix a problem created with this legislation before tragedy strikes. So I urge you to protect women's lives and support this final amendment to this bill. Catholic Health Association of the United States, Washington, DC, February 9, 2011. Hon. Joseph R. Pitts, Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) would like to express our continued support for the intent of your legislation, H.R. 358, the Protect Life Act, to further ensure protection of the unborn and of providers' conscience rights. We have had the opportunity to review your revised version of H.R. 358 and would like to share our concern regarding one specific modification to your legislation. Section 1303(f) regarding emergency services laws, including Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), now includes a reference to a new provision regarding provider nondiscrimination (Section 1303(g)). Your provider nondiscrimination language is similar to the conscience protections of the Weldon Amendment. CHA member hospitals have been providing compassionate, quality care under both EMTALA and the ``Weldon Amendment,'' without conflict since the enactment of these provisions. Accordingly, CHA does not believe that there is a need for the provider nondiscrimination section to apply to EMTALA. As the national leadership organization of more than 2,000 Catholic health care systems, hospitals, long-term care facilities, sponsors, and related organizations, the Catholic health ministry provides care throughout the nation to patients of all ages, races and religious beliefs. Catholic hospitals provide a higher percentage of public health and specialty services than other health care providers including state and local government, other not-for-profit, or investor-owned (for-profit) hospitals. These services include neonatal ICU, obstetrics, breast cancer screening and mammograms, children's wellness, child and adolescent psychiatric services, community outreach, dental services, crisis prevention, palliative care, pain management programs, nutrition programs, hospice, HIV/AIDS services, geriatric services, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and trauma care. Many of these services are critical to our communities and we continue to provide them even though many of these services are not self-sustaining and must be subsidized by other hospital revenue. Building upon our country's tradition of pluralism and the freedom to exercise our beliefs, CHA has long supported language within appropriations legislation to prohibit federal funding of abortions (Hyde amendment) and language to protect hospitals and other institutional and individual health care providers should they decline to provide, pay for, or refer for abortions (Weldon Amendment). Again, while we continue to believe the current provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevent federal funding of abortion, we support your efforts to further ensure permanent protection of the unborn and of provider's conscience rights and look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, President and CEO. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this misguided legislation. While the House leadership claims that this week's agenda is all about jobs, the discussion of this bill on the House floor shows their true colors. Just like when they almost shut down the government over Planned Parenthood, today we, once again, witness how ideological campaign promises trump needed actions on jobs and the economy. It's been said before, and I'll say it again, H.R. 358 does not create a single job--not one. Instead, it's an unprecedented assault on the rights of women and families everywhere to make important life decisions. This bill does a lot. It limits the choices of women and families to purchase health insurance with their own dollars; it removes vital protections to ensure that a pregnant woman with a life-threatening condition can get lifesaving care; and it circumvents State laws that ensure that women have access to preventive services, like screenings and birth control. But what this bill doesn't do is trust our Nation's women and families to make their own health care choices. This is unacceptable. Some have claimed that the Affordable Care Act has led to taxpayer- funded abortions. That is false. Others have claimed that this bill is nothing but the Stupak language that divided our Chamber last year. I was involved in every debate over the Stupak amendment in the House. Madam Speaker, I can tell you this is way beyond that misguided amendment. So I urge my colleagues to abandon this divisive effort, to put the brakes on this extreme legislation, and to let us turn our focus to the issue of job creation to help the American people.