Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chair, today, the House is considering legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB. To be clear, I am not a big fan of IPAB--I had concerns with this new entity when it was first being discussed, and I remain concerned with it today. I do find it interesting, however, that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are suddenly so troubled about IPAB's effect on Medicare, when their plan to end Medicare is so much worse. I fear that today's floor action is less about a real concern for seniors, hospitals and physicians in the Medicare program, and more about trying to win a battle in the war against health insurance reform. They have shown with their words and their actions, even down to their choice of offsets, that this yet another political exercise. But that is a game that I refuse to play. Our seniors deserve real answers and real solutions, not yet another repeal-but-not-replace attempt. So even though I don't think that IPAB is the best answer to strengthening Medicare, I can't in good conscience vote for this bill, at this time, with this kind of clear and blatant political agenda at the core of this debate. What we need is a real, substantive discussion about solutions to keep Medicare costs, and medical malpractice costs as well, under control for the long term. But with today's floor action, these needed discussions are too likely to get lost in a sea of shouting. And that's not what we need right now. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to work with us to address the concerns that many of us have with IPAB, to make changes, then I'm willing to meet them halfway. But if they want to blame the Affordable Care Act for everything wrong in the world, even when it has controlled costs so well that IPAB won't even come into play for years to come, and even when it has given millions of American families control back over their health care, I can't join them in these political attacks. So I have to oppose passage of this bill today.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor a beloved leader in the Co-op City community, Mrs. Miriam V. Henson, on her 105th birthday. Mrs. Henson, affectionately called Mother Henson by her neighbors, is an inspiration to me and to many of my constituents, so I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss her life and achievements. Mrs. Henson was born in Bangbridge, GA in 1907, but her family shortly thereafter moved to Harlem, NY, where she graduated from Wadleigh High School. She had one daughter, Virginia Henson, with her late husband, Mr. Wallace Henson. After her husband's passing in 1969, Mrs. Henson moved into Co-op City with Virginia and began working for Macy's Department store. Mrs. Henson might now live alone, but she is never truly alone--since she is such an active member of her community. From a young age, she has been involved with philanthropic efforts such as the Young Women's Christian Association, YWCA, and the moment she moved into Co-op City, she began to reach out to help her neighbors. She is one of the founding members of the Community Protestant Church, and also served as a Board Trustee, President, and founding member of the Community Protestant Church's Willing Workers Organization. The ambitious Mother Henson is also a founder of the Dreiser Loop Retirees and a member of the local AARP Chapter, serving each organization with love, compassion, and understanding. And to continue serving others, she represents the needs of seniors in our state capital in Albany. A woman of many hobbies, Mrs. Henson is a real globe-trotter. She has visited countries throughout the world including Canada, Aruba, Switzerland, Australia, France, Germany and Brazil, just to name a few. She especially loves cruises, and has been on many in her lifetime. Mrs. Henson recharges her batteries at home with card games, and bridge is among her favorites. Throughout her 105 years, Mother Henson has survived the stock market crash, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Despite these tragic events, she still has a positive outlook on the world. Mr. Speaker, I think we can all learn a lesson from her. There's no doubt that Mrs. Henson has seen and done a lot in her lifetime, but she says the greatest thing she's done was having the opportunity to vote for our 44th President--something she did not think would ever happen in her lifetime. Not only did she experience it, but now she is looking forward to voting in the next presidential election. Mrs. Henson, as one may imagine, is no ordinary woman. Her philosophy in life is to keep the ``pep in her step'' with ``good living, good friends, trusting in God, and a little tonic twice a day.'' And clearly, it's working. A woman of strong religious faith, Mrs. Henson has said she would not have made it through her life's tragedies without the Lord on her side. But made it she has, and it is my great honor to recognize her now. And with that, I hope all my colleagues will join me in wishing Miriam Henson a happy 105th birthday, and continued health and happiness. Her unwavering leadership and accomplishments serve as an example of excellence to us all and will forever resonate in the community.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the minority of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise in support of the consideration of H.R. 3637, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 Old Dixie Highway in Jupiter, Florida, as the Roy Schallern Rood Post Office Building. The measure before us was introduced by my good friend, Representative Tom Rooney, on December 12 of last year in accordance with committee requirements. H.R. 3637 is cosponsored by all Members of the Florida delegation and was favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on February 7, 2012. H.R. 3637 honors the life and legacy of Roy Rood, a Navy chief petty officer and business pioneer from Tequesta, Florida. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Rood elected to join the fight for freedom by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1941. During his tour of duty with the U.S. Navy in World War II, Mr. Rood served with dignity and honor as a trained instructor and aviation mechanic. Mr. Rood was stationed on the USS Hollandia C 97, which was part of the fleet that participated in the Second Battle of Guam in 1944. After his service in World War II, Mr. Rood returned to his home in south Florida where he started a successful landscaping business that actually continues to operate and thrive to this day. As the founder of the town of Tequesta, Florida, Mr. Rood has been a philanthropic and valuable member of that community. That said, Mr. Speaker, let us honor the service and life of this fine American citizen by renaming the Old Dixie Highway Post Office in Jupiter, Florida, as the Roy Schallern Rood Post Office Building. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3413, a bill I authored to rename the United States Postal Service facility at 1449 West Avenue in the Bronx, New York, in honor of Private Isaac T. Cortes, who tragically lost his life outside Amerli, Iraq, on November 27, 2007. Private Cortes lived his life by a simple motto, ``Go big or go home,'' which can also be used to describe Isaac's decision to join the Army. Certainly there can be no more fitting instance of following the words he lived by than his decision to serve his country at a time when our country was fighting, not one, but two wars. Isaac joined the Army in part because he felt that it would help him achieve his dream of one day becoming a member of the New York City Police Department, but quickly discovered that the Army was his true calling. Private Cortes loved the Army and loved the feeling of pride for country and community he felt when he wore the U.S. Army uniform, a pride so strong that Private Cortes intended to make a career in the Army, a career in the service of his country. Unfortunately, that dream was cut short on November 27, 2007, when Private Cortes, his Humvee, was hit by an IED, killing him instantly. While Private Cortes did not get the chance to come home, his memory and spirit lives on through the love of his family, friends, country, and community. The Army has recognized Private Cortes' exceptional service by awarding him the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Known for a big heart and his loving ways, his family honors his memory by hosting blood, clothing, food, and toy drives. And today, we have the opportunity to do our part to contribute to his legacy by passing this legislation, which will ensure his courage, integrity, and sacrifice will live on to inspire future generations to live up to his example. There is nothing the government can do that will ever live up to Isaac's ``go big'' moment or erase the burden felt by his family, especially his mother, Emily Toro, who I know is watching the proceedings now; but, by passing this bill, at least this Congress can do something to help ensure that his memory survives. I think it only appropriate that prior to passing this bill we honor the service of a World War II veteran, really showing the link between that great war to preserve democracy and freedom throughout the world and the sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made in a part of the world in the Middle East, in Iraq and Afghanistan, to preserve those same freedoms that we hold dear, that Private Cortes held dear, and as the people of the Bronx hold dear. Just a note, Mr. Speaker, my colleague was talking about Bronx, New York. There are only three parts of the world that begin with ``the'': the Vatican, The Hague, and the Bronx, sometimes said ``da'' Bronx. But the Bronx is very proud of its sons and daughters, many of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice in wartime; and this wartime is not unlike any other, continues to sacrifice, as do the sons and daughters of New York City and New York itself. So, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Private Isaac T. Cortes' commitment to the Bronx, to New York City, to New York State, and to his beloved country, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this brave soldier by supporting the passage of H.R. 3413 With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and once again wish Emily Toro and the entire Cortes family our regards.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. We have the chance to ensure the doctors treating seniors on Medicare can continue to do so without having to charge them higher fees for medical care. We have the chance to continue unemployment benefits for those who lost their jobs by no fault of their own and are actively looking for work. The majority has a simple choice today: pass this resolution and make it clear it's our shared goal--Republicans and Democrats alike--to help hardworking Americans who are struggling in this economy; or reject this bill and continue playing the same games that have become the hallmark of this do-nothing Congress. The fact is the American people don't have time for these games anymore. Stop the games. Pass this motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Mrs. Capps, for yielding this time and for spearheading this resolution which will simply end the ``dog ate my homework'' excuse my Republican colleagues have repeatedly used when refusing to do more than the bare minimum that our job requires. I'm a father of three children all under the age of 13. My kids are the best. I love them dearly. But they are like most: they don't like doing their homework, and they often wait until the last minute to get it done, despite my wife's and my best efforts to see otherwise. While this behavior is common in households across America, it is not acceptable in the workforce, and it ought not be acceptable here in the Halls of Congress. Yet, this is how the Republican leadership has gone about our business here in Congress. This Congress almost let the United States of America default on its bills. This Congress almost prevented Social Security checks from going out to every American senior because they wanted their way or the highway. This Congress almost refused to pass a middle class tax cut for Americans before the holidays because they didn't believe middle class Americans deserve one. And here we are today. The majority has refused for weeks to even begin discussions on the payroll tax even though Democrats named their conferees several weeks ago and have been ready to talk ever since. President Obama has been waiting for any word from my Republican colleagues. He's made clear he wants to talk, negotiate, and get this done. But the Republicans have clearly been in no rush to get a tax cut passed for the middle class. Today, with the passage of Mrs. Capps' resolution, that will all come to an end. The middle class will go to the front and center of this Congress, and it's about time. We cannot wait until the last second once again. We have the chance to pass a bill that will provide the typical American family earning $50,000 a year over $1,000 in tax cuts--tax cuts they will see in every paycheck.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself just 10 seconds. By rejecting the Senate tax cut package, Mr. Harris' constituents in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, will see a tax increase of $1,503 in 2012. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time we have remaining.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Just sitting here, I was contemplating the end of the year. At the end of the business that we will conduct today, men and women from both sides of the aisle will pass each other in the well or in the hallway, and we'll wish each other health for the New Year. We'll wish each other goodness, happiness. We'll all look forward to going back to our home districts and to spending time with our families, with our friends, to looking back on the year, assessing the good things that have happened and some of the not so good things, but primarily focusing on the good things that have happened to all of us this year. When I often say to people, ``I wish you peace. I wish you peace in the new year,'' I wish you a peaceful mind is what I'm suggesting, of getting home to relax. Nothing that we are doing today will give peace of mind to the middle class in this country. Nothing that we will do today will give them that peace of mind, and I think that is more than regrettable. It's unacceptable that men and women in this country are struggling-- hardworking middle class people who are desperately trying to keep their homes, to afford college educations for their children, to afford health care, to be able to see their doctors, who are trying to put food on their tables, to pay their heat bills, and maybe to afford the rent. This is not a story that is only in my district. This is the story of middle America in every district, be they held by a Democrat or a Republican. What we've seen over the past few months is a complete turnaround. Two months ago, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle rejected the President's proposal for a payroll tax cut for the middle class; and now we're coming to the end of the year, and we're running out of time. And my friends on the other side of the aisle have had a conversion. They now see the wisdom to extending this payroll tax. But now they are criticizing us because we have a bill before us that has passed in a bipartisan way in the Senate, 89 votes, that will extend this payroll tax reduction for the middle class for an additional 2 months. Now, I could understand that if that was all we were going to do, you could complain about it. But we'll have an opportunity to come back within the next 2 months and do it for the rest of the year. Quite frankly, we can make it permanent, as far as I am concerned. But we can come back and do that. We ought not be squabbling now about time when it's only 2 months. Don't pretend that you are working on behalf of the middle class. Don't pretend you are the working class hero. You are not. You are not. Cheryl Williams, a constituent of mine from the Bronx--one of the many middle class workers in my district--will have to pay an extra $1,000 to afford heating oil for their home if they do not get this tax decrease that they have been hoping for and reading about that was supposed to happen. Now all of a sudden, it may not happen. I just want to remind my colleagues, this is not ``cotton candy economics.'' One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Ryan, used the term, This is cotton candy economics. This is not ``cotton candy economics,'' Mr. Speaker. This is bread and butter economics for my constituents and for the middle class. The word ``disingenuous'' doesn't do justice to what is happening here today. This is either an extension of a $1,000 tax cut or it's not. It's as simple as that. It's either a tax cut for the middle class or it's not. A ``no'' vote is a vote against a middle class tax cut. It is just that simple. Don't do this now. Give the American people the peace of mind they deserve this holiday season. Let them know that this tax cut will be extended. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Might I inquire as to how much time remains, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. CROWLEY. I appreciate the gentleman's honesty. With that, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I just remind Mr. Labrador that constituents in Lewiston, Idaho, will see a tax increase of $860 in 2012 because of the games your party is playing. With that, I would yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just remind Mr. Tipton that his constituents in Pueblo, Colorado, will potentially see an increase in taxes of $780 next year if this bill is not enacted. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend from Michigan as well for this debate. I listened very closely and very intently to the words of Speaker Boehner, a man whom I have tremendous respect for, and I know that he's having some difficult times with his side of the aisle. I know he'd like to be able to wrap up business for the end of the year and be able to move on into next year to do good things for the American people. But the rejection by his caucus of the compromise bill that was passed in the Senate is preventing him, and I think preventing some of the like-minded Members on the Republican side of the aisle, to pass the Senate bill and go home for the holidays. I also listened very intently to the Speaker when he said that the passage of this bill today would only be a 2-month extender, that somehow by just passing this it would only mean about 160-some-odd dollars for the average American worker in tax savings. I would just suggest the absence of doing anything is a thousand dollar increase on average to the average working middle class American today. A thousand dollar increase, the absence of doing nothing. Now, we all know the Senate can't get 60 votes to even say that December 25 is Christmas. We understand that. They've gone home for the holidays already. They're not coming back. So we either pass this bill today or we see that no bill will pass and an increase in the middle class taxes will take place. Now, you will argue, how did we get here? I don't know. I'm in the minority. You're in the majority. The President suggested extending this payroll tax cut back in September. In fact, he wanted to enhance it back in September, but we didn't take it up then with the jobs bill. Quite frankly, we haven't taken up a jobs bill yet in this House. A full year has almost expired and not a jobs bill on the floor to put Americans back to the work. I listened again to my colleague Mr. Fattah from Pennsylvania when he reeled off a number of positive things that are happening today--that homebuilders' numbers are up, that the economy is improving, that we've seen jobs increase in this country, people who are on unemployment insurance decreasing. That's happening right now. I ask, why is it when something good happens to the American people and to our economy, somehow it's perceived as being bad for the Republican majority? Isn't that sad that somehow that's the sense that people have? Mr. Speaker, I hope that we can pass this bill and send the American people a message that we can work together on their behalf, pass this bill, come back, and work together in January and February. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds. I get it. You guys were against it. I appreciate that. Now you're for the middle class tax cut. You were against it, but now you're for it. But what I don't understand is why can't we just get through these next 2 months and we'll come back. You mentioned we're running out of time. Well, we're not in charge, you all are. You could have done this back in September, or October, or November. Now it's December. I get that you were against it, now you're for it. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. CROWLEY. I would just ask the gentleman from Michigan if he might like to use some of his time and maybe balance it out a little more.

Mr. CROWLEY. I just want to remind Mr. Gardner that in Larimer County, Colorado, the absence of passing this bill today will cause an average increase in taxes of $1,126 in that county. For the purposes of answering the gentleman from Michigan's question, I yield 10 seconds to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would remind Mr. Gingrey that his constituents in Cobb County, Georgia, will see a potential increase of $1,258 in their taxes in the absence of passing this bill today. With that, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlewoman from California. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. CROWLEY. I yield the gentlelady an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. CROWLEY. I apologize, Mr. Speaker. I will do that through the Chair. Would you like me to repeat that? With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. CROWLEY. I yield the gentlelady an additional 15 seconds. Ms. LEE of California of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. What I want to know is, why in the world won't you just bring the Senate bill to the floor and let the country see whose side you are on?

Mr. CROWLEY. I have two additional speakers, including myself. With that, I will yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, can we just inquire as to time.