Michael Capuano

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CTSA program is a noteworthy initiative with the potential to enhance and invigorate our nation's clinical and translational research enterprise. As the representative from the 8th Congressional District of Massachusetts, I am especially pleased that the program makes significant efforts to create new clinical research homes in academic settings and, so, strengthen our nation's current and future research infrastructure. Furthermore, I am quite proud that Boston institutions; Boston University, Harvard University, and Tufts University are 3 of the 38 sites that currently comprise the growing CTSA network. Over the past few years, roughly level funding for NIH has severely limited the size of the award that can be made to these and the other CTSA-recipient institutions. These funding challenges have had dire consequences for the program's implementation and have seriously impeded its very necessary expansion. As an ardent supporter of NIH, I thank Chairman Obey on the increased NIH funding in both the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I supported H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, because we need to create and preserve jobs. In the final analysis I believe that this bill offers enough stimulus to earn a ``Yes'' vote from me. There is no question that help is needed. Each day seems to bring more sobering news about layoffs and business closings. This bill will serve as a boost for job creation and for our overall economy. It is estimated that the legislation, once enacted, will create or save millions of American jobs. I also believe, however, that this legislation relies too heavily on tax cuts to stimulate the economy and a fair amount of the spending, though generally desirable, does not offer a truly stimulative aspect. Nevertheless, on balance I felt that it was better to accept an imperfect bill than wait for a perfect measure that may never materialize. We simply cannot wait much longer to provide as much relief as possible to the American public.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to discharge the Committee on House Administration from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 27 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and constituent, Jack Hamilton, who is retiring after almost three decades as Executive Director of CAAS, the Community Action Agency of Somerville. Jack is the man who made both ``community'' and ``action'' a reality in the day to day work of the agency. He fought poverty and discrimination every day of his adult life. He communicated a sense of urgency to his staff and inspired both colleagues and clients with his deep commitment to the dignity and well-being of every person. Under his leadership an anti-poverty agency grew to offer services ranging from early childhood education and parenting support, to help for tenants, access to health care, and advocacy for the disabled. He was an active citizen, far beyond what would have been expected of him as CAAS Executive Director, and he encouraged others to become involved. He never shied away from personal involvement in electoral politics, for and against those candidates whom he saw as worthy, or unworthy, of support, but he never let petty political differences limit his effectiveness. Jack worked with elected officials and with me when I served as Mayor, collegially and constructively, but he never withheld his criticism when he felt a rebuke was necessary. Above all, he was determined to work with anyone and everyone engaged in an important issue, to cooperate and to understand such honest differences as might arise. He is a man of compassion and integrity, capable of righteous indignation and generous anger. I am proud to be his friend and I am grateful for his service to the city we both love.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. My colleague is easily impressed, but thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, we have to back up a little bit and remind ourselves what we are debating here. We are debating a bill that amends the TARP provisions. It doesn't grant $350 billion to anyone. There is no money attached to this bill, and I actually agree with many of the comments that have been made about the past 350 and the potential soon to be $350 billion. I have the same concerns they do. I may fall on the different side of the issue because, for me, I voted for it, not because I loved it, but because to me it was the only way to save the economy. I think some of it's working. I agree that I have the same concerns about the lack of reporting that has been done to us, that this administration has not told us how effective it has been. I agree with those concerns, but that's not what we are debating. The bill before us is an improvement on the bill that we passed, and those other concerns should be directed when we get that other bill, hopefully within the next few days, and I may actually join you when the time comes, don't know yet. It depends on whether this bill gets passed. It depends on what the new incoming administration says about this bill that's currently before us. But let's not forget how we had the last one. Many of us tried to add some of these provisions the last time. We were told by the current President that if those things were added he would not sign the bill. He would veto it and let the economy go down the tubes. We were told by some of our colleagues in the other body that they would not go along with it. So we were stuck with the situation. You either save the economy or do nothing. I actually respect those of us who did nothing. I wasn't sure that my vote was right. I am still not sure, as I stand here today. And anyone who is so certain that they know exactly how to fix this economy, well, good luck to you and God bless you, because you are much more certain than most Americans. Most of us are doing the best we can with the knowledge that we have. I wish I could sit here today and say to you that the hearing we had a few weeks ago in Financial Services provided me all the information I needed to make a thoughtful judgment on whether the next 350 should go forward. Instead, I was told we are not going to look at the individual institutions. We don't care what they do. That is an insane statement. No one can agree with that, yet that's what we were told. I have some belief and some faith that the new administration will feel differently. I believe this bill sets forth clear or at least clearer definitions of what must be in the report, clearer definitions of how the money should be used. I haven't heard one reason to vote against the bill that's before us. I have heard reasons to vote against potentially the next 350. But let's focus on the bill that's in front of us. I would like to hear one reason why we shouldn't specify better reporting, that we shouldn't strengthen oversight, that we shouldn't clearly state that this Congress wants something to be done directly about mortgage foreclosures. I haven't heard that.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I voted in favor of H. Res. 34, Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, because not to support that right would undermine Israel's rights as a sovereign state. That said, I continue to deplore the eagerness of this House to assign blame in a tragic and complicated historic conflict. It is true that Hamas began to fire rockets into Israel just days after the expiration of the 6-month cease-fire agreement. This properly elicited a reaction from Israel aimed at protecting its citizens. It is regrettable, however, that Israel was unable--in the 3 years after its unilateral withdrawal from Gaza--to work to strengthen those Palestinians who seek peace. I hope that a cease-fire observed by all parties, credibly verified and effectively monitored, will be followed by vigorous diplomacy. When calm is established, I urge the Government of Israel to engage in confidence-building measures to increase the likelihood of a negotiated settlement. I urge my colleagues in the House to address the human tragedy in Gaza and southern Israel rather than to choose sides among suffering people. We must not forget that there are innocent Palestinian civilians suffering along with Israeli civilians. We would do well to acknowledge the plight of those on both sides of Gaza's border and the need to address the humanitarian crisis in a manner that allows free access to the necessary staff, supplies, and resources.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to United States Capitol Police Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson, who were both shot and killed in the line of duty 10 years ago on July 24, 1998. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson represented the very best of the U.S. Capitol Police in their dedication and service to Congress. Each man served the force honorably for 18 years before his untimely death. They assumed great personal risk to safeguard the lives of visitors to the Capitol, Members of Congress, and Congressional staff every day. Their brave actions on that tragic day 10 years ago undoubtedly helped to protect hundreds of innocent lives and illustrated the commitment demonstrated by every sworn member of the U.S. Capitol Police. While I never personally met Officer Chestnut or Detective Gibson, I have witnessed first-hand their legacy at the Capitol. Their example continues to inspire police officers, Members, and staff alike. The men and women who protect the Capitol complex and community are top-notch professionals who dedicate their time, energy, and prodigious skill to their work. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. The tragic loss of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson is not one that we will ever forget. I know that Congress and the Capitol Police will continue to honor their memory and their ultimate sacrifice as we seek to ensure the safety of one of the most recognizable symbols of freedom and democracy today--our Capitol.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, on reading this motion to instruct, it seems reasonable, well-thought-out, and we have no problems with it. Therefore, with that, I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO. You have wasted enough time for the American public right now. You are wasting taxpayer dollars right now. You are entitled to do it.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII and by direction of the Committee on Financial Services, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3121) to restore the financial solvency of the national flood insurance program and to provide for such program to make available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms and floods, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference with the Senate thereon.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I was under the false impression that we were here to talk about flood insurance. I guess flood insurance isn't that important to my Republican colleagues, and that is fine by me. I said yes, you must have missed it, I said yes to your motion to instruct. Now, after your debate, I am kind of maybe rethinking my position, but probably not, because I don't want to get dragged down there. But I am no energy expert. I am learning as we go along. It is not in my background. But I know one thing: For 12 years, the Republicans did nothing on energy. Nothing. For almost the entire time I have been in Congress, we have had two oilmen running this country. They have done nothing on energy. Now, all of a sudden, they found it, and we have to sit here today and listen to a Republican advertisement while we are debating flood insurance. Flood insurance. I understand the politics of it, and that is all well and good, but it just does amaze me that it is not enough to keep campaigning out on the street. Go knock on some doors, and maybe you will win some elections. You don't win elections by pontificating on the floor of the House. You do it by meeting and greeting people and then listening to what they want. One of the things they want is for the oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they already have. Why aren't they drilling there? Why not?

Mr. CAPUANO. Not at this point, because I am going to get the rest of the ad in a few minutes. You will get your time. They are concerned that somehow we are sending money to someone who is not too friendly. I know that. We all know that. Why didn't you do anything for 12 years? How did you just find this now? And did you just discover it as we were getting into flood insurance? Now, I understand fully well. I had no intention of debating this issue. Again, the motion to instruct that we came here to debate is fine. We do need to act on flood insurance, and we will. And I also realize that I will hear the rest of the Republican ad in a moment. I, for one, have never engaged in pontification on this floor. I haven't done a single Special Order yet in 9 years, because my way to communicate with my constituents who elected me is to go home and say hello and shake their hands and look them in the eye and listen to them, not to pontificate amongst each other. I understand that that is not the way you campaign. That is fine, and I look forward to the remaining few minutes of the Republican national ad that hasn't worked thus far and I doubt will work between now and November. But I am looking forward to hearing all the wonderful things that you are going to do now, when you didn't do them for 12 years. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I didn't hear much that surprised me. I guess I must have been mistaken. If I heard 52 percent of the holes were dry, that means 48 percent of them weren't, and they are not producing. I know for a fact that in the oil wells and the oil rigs that they have in Alaska now in Prudhoe Bay, they claim to have more natural gas than they know what to do with. Yet they have never built a natural gas pipeline. There was no obstruction to that. None whatsoever. I must have missed it. During the 12 years I talked about, Republicans controlled the House, the Senate and the White House for most of those years and still did nothing. Still did nothing. Some Democrats do have some concerns, and I am proud to be one of them. Some concerns are about simply saying drill anyplace you want, don't worry about the environment. I don't necessarily think in the final analysis that is the way out. I think there are other ways. I do think that some drilling is appropriate, most of us do, which is why we are encouraging oil companies to do it. I don't get it. And maybe I am mistaken, but a few years ago we had a vote on the floor of this House relative to offshore drilling in Florida. And then Governor Bush and every Republican member of the Florida delegation voted against that. Voted against that. Now, I don't mind. But let's be honest about this. You did nothing for 12 years. You think you have a political hit here. Good luck. Good luck. Because I think the American people have already tried your way, to just simply give everything to the oil companies and not ask for anything back. I think they want to try a new way. And in the final analysis, we will get where we want to go. November will allow us a greater majority here, it will allow us more Members of the Senate, and it will probably give us the White House with people who actually want to do something rather than simply talk about it. Now, my full degree of preparation for this debate was to be pulled out of a hearing on the entire financial crisis with Secretary of Treasury Paulson and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Mr. Bernanke. I wish I had come here more prepared with statistics and votes from 1902 and all those other things; but the truth is, this is nothing more than a political commercial. The rebuttal is easy. It is almost painfully childish: The American public hasn't bought it and won't buy it. But I also realize, my presumption is there is still more time left for Republican advertisement, and we will hear a few more minutes of it as we speak now. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I think we have gotten all the wind we need right here right now. I am not so sure how to harness it, but I think we have gotten it, so we don't have to wait for it. And I understand the gentleman doesn't want to read any of the bills we have put forward. I understand that. Nor should he waste his time, because he is not going to vote for them anyway. I know that. But he still hasn't answered the reason; again, a very simple question: 68 million acres and they are not drilling on them. Why? The obvious answer is they want to keep prices up. Why aren't they using the refineries to their full capacity?

Mr. CAPUANO. No, I don't yield. I will get the rest of the advertisement later.

Mr. CAPUANO. No, I don't yield.

Mr. CAPUANO. I do not yield.

Mr. CAPUANO. I do not yield. I have got the full advertisement.

Mr. CAPUANO. The gentleman said why don't I ask my constituents. Why doesn't he come to my district and ask my constituents? If he thinks I don't talk to my constituents, that is fine. You can insult me all you want. It is of no concern. The American people know your answer. Your answer is to simply give oil companies anything and everything they want and ask for nothing back. Our answer is to allow them to drill where there is oil, to do so in a responsible manner, to pay their taxes, and to not basically gouge us with ungodly prices and ungodly profits. I understand you don't want to join us in that. I respect that. Why you don't, I don't get; I don't have to get. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. I look forward to the remainder of the Republican advertisement.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and classmate for not getting further down that nasty little road. He made a good point. No new points. But I appreciate his tone. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) may consume.

Mr. CAPUANO. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I wouldn't mind getting a list of these radical environmentalists. I would like to know who they are because I wouldn't want to associate with them. I don't know where they're meeting to somehow deny the oil companies their massive profits. I would like to know what they are doing. When they get the list of radical environmentalists, I would just respectfully ask that they send it over to me because I would like to know who they are so I can make sure not to hang around with them. As I understand it, I still haven't heard any reason--I don't understand this. We have said ``yes'' to drilling. We have given out 68 million acres to do it on. We have given out 10,000 permits that are being unused now. Right now as we speak. There are refineries that have excess capacity right now. Right now. Today. Right this very minute. Not being utilized. With all of this land that they have that they don't want to use, we're simply trying to get them to use it. Even John McCain says he doesn't want to drill in ANWR. He knows that that's a red herring. He knows that that's not the answer. He knows that there are other answers that are more readily available that will get us where we want to go more quickly without destroying the last bit of environmental parts of this country that we have. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not going to agree with many things that Mr. McCain has to say. But he's right on one. And I'll give it to him. If the companies don't want to use the land that they have, why don't they give it back? Either drill or get off the plot. Very simple. Or explain to us who these radical environmentalists are who have somehow secretively been so successful at foiling the good-hearted intentions of our major oil companies in providing us low-cost oil. Because if that's the case, I will sign up with Exxon and Sunoco right now and deny my friends on the environmental side, unless, of course, I find that they're so successful, they're so capable that maybe they'll convert me, and maybe I will join them. But I'd certainly like to know who they are.

Mr. CAPUANO. I certainly will yield to my friend from Pennsylvania.

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, maybe they can just say ``yes'' to that. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.