Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time. Here we are once again, wasting our constituents' time by voting on the exact same action the administration has already taken. Apparently, we must vote yet again to dismantle important parts of the Affordable Care Act. We keep hearing that these votes are necessary because of the ``burden'' that's out there for individuals and their families. Let me tell you about what I worry about in terms of burdens for my constituents: the burden of a young worker knowing that she is stuck in a job that's bad for her, but she keeps it because it's the only place she can get health insurance; the burden of a father trying desperately to find an insurance plan that will cover his son even though his son has diabetes; the burden of a mother living in constant fear that her family could lose their home because, without insurance, one unexpected medical episode could lead to bankruptcy. Relieving those burdens is why I supported the Affordable Care Act, and I don't understand why my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are so eager to tear that down. Later today, we will be voting on whether to undermine one of the key pieces of the law that is responsible for actually making coverage more affordable. In fact, just this morning, as the gentleman from Wisconsin, Ron Kind, mentioned earlier, it was announced that in my State of New York these very provisions are cutting the cost for a family to buy their own insurance by half--by over 50 percent. I know that was a difficult article for you all to read this morning; but instead of applauding this critical relief for families, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle plan to attack the parts of the very law that made that possible in the first place. I've even heard reports that some opponents of the law are urging people to burn their so-called ``ObamaCare cards'' and, in protest, to not buy insurance. As an aside, I want to point out for my colleagues that there is no such thing as an ``ObamaCare card,'' so be careful not to burn your fingers when you're using your imaginary prop. I just don't understand why they wouldn't want their constituents to have access to affordable, quality insurance that these people currently can't get now. Please do not vote for these bills. They undermine the spirit of this country.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on July, 8, 2013, I mistakenly voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 306. I meant to vote ``aye'' on the Audit Integrity and Job Protection Act (H.R. 1564).

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. 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 increases hunger in our country.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not to offer my own words about the Republicans' major cuts to food stamps. Instead, I want to let my constituents speak directly to the House Republican leadership. In this stack of plates sent to me, one of my constituents asked: ``How would I live if food stamps were cut?'' Others have said: ``There are a lot of people who would go hungry without food stamps.'' ``If the help I receive now for food stamps was cut, it will affect me and my kids while I'm trying to finish my college degree.'' ``In these hard times, food pantries get me through the week.'' ``To see your own kids starve and not be able to feed them is one of the worst pains a parent can experience.'' ``If food stamps were cut off, my 4-year-old brother and I would have to go to sleep hungry. We would also have to miss meals. This will be unfair considering he's only 4--and I'm 15.'' These stories are heartbreaking and serve as evidence why cutting the food stamp program will really affect people's lives. To my colleagues, I leave you with this last one: ``Please don't stop helping people.'' Please don't stop helping people.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Patients' Rights Repeal Act. We've heard a lot about the fact that this is the 37th vote to take away health care from hardworking Americans, but let me put that in context. Under the Republican majority, we have spent over 56 hours on the floor debating repeal of the law of the land--and that doesn't even come close to capturing how much committee time, amendment debate, and general grandstanding has been spent on this bill. Now, it is tempting, but I'm going to avoid illustrating this point with comparisons like telling you how many times you could have watched ``Gone With the Wind'' in that same amount of time--although, as a matter of fact, you could have watched it 15 times. What I want to talk about is what else we could have done with that 56 hours of Congress' time and energy: We could have acted on a real jobs plan to get our economy moving; We could have come together on a plan to avert the devastating sequester cuts that are hitting our Head Start programs, our cancer patients, and our military, just to name a few; We could have moved forward on immigration reform, gun violence prevention, or infrastructure development, but we haven't. Now, my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle have been using a chart--an incomprehensible chart, something that no American can understand--to try to demonstrate how the Affordable Care Act works. Well, it just so happens I have a chart right here. This is the Republican plan to deal with the absence of the Affordable Care Act. It's right here. This is the chart. This is the chart right here. I will try to explain it to you. In fact, it's self-explanatory. They have no plan. They have no plan to substitute the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. In fact, they haven't a plan for health care at all. So, my colleagues, my colleagues, I just wish my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would spend as much time building America up as they've tried to tear it down because, frankly, my colleagues, I do give a darn.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Pay China First Act. This is a very dangerous debate that we are conducting today because I think it has ramifications beyond simple debate. It calls into question whether or not America will pay its bills. You could also call this bill the Put America Last Act because that's exactly what this bill does. It's a bill that will actually make the Tea Party policies a reality, turning us into a deadbeat nation, a nation that does not pay its bills. This Republican bill will codify into law a new low for America. It will ensure U.S. taxpayers always pay China and other regimes and foreign banks before our veterans, before our seniors on Medicare, and even before our enlisted troops bravely serving overseas. That's right. We'll pay these folks before we pay these folks. We pay these folks under this bill if it were to become law before we pay these folks. That simply is wrong and unacceptable to the American people. Even the sponsors of this bill admit that in addition to putting China first and America last, their bill will also increase the deficit. Let me say that again. This bill will also increase the deficit and will pay China first. What the Republican majority is doing with this bill is announcing to the world--everyone from small businesses who sell services to the government to grandmothers buying savings bonds for their grandchildren--that this Congress is not serious about paying our Nation's bill. My colleagues, please, put Americans first, put our troops first and China last. Do not pass the Pay China First Act.

Mr. CROWLEY. I have reservations about the constitutionality of this amendment. What I will say is I would gladly give my pay if it meant that these guys don't get paid. I will give my salaries to the defenders of this country, the men and women who are the front line, if their pay was in question. If all the money in the Congress in our pay could do that, I would gladly do that. But I say we should definitely pay these guys before we pay these guys. That's what your bill does. The overriding bill would have these guys get paid before these guys. Forget about us guys. This amendment is a farce. It's to divert attention from the fact that you want to pay these guys before you pay these guys. At the end of the day, that's what the overriding bill is about--putting China first, paying China first, putting our troops last, putting the American people last. It's about putting them first and us last.

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

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Irene Garas and in recognition of her centennial birthday on April 29, 2013. Irene Garas is a truly remarkable woman. As a Holocaust survivor, she has been a courageous example of perseverance and tenacity. During World War II, Irene, her daughter, Kathy, and her sister, Margaret, all avoided capture when the Nazis occupied Hungary. Irene escaped the deportation of virtually all Jewish residents in her community by hiding in an armoire in her apartment complex, ultimately obtaining forged papers identifying her with an alternate surname. She secured papers not only for herself, but also for Kathy and Margaret, helping them to avoid capture as well. Irene's first husband, Louis, was also incredibly daring, escaping from a labor camp to avoid deportation to another camp outside of Hungary in 1945. After World War II, Irene's brother, who already lived in the United States, obtained visas that allowed a number of family members and friends to immigrate. Irene and seven other family members and friends left for America on the SS Washington from England, and arrived in New York City in March 1948. Before World War II, Irene was a well- respected corsetiere in her Hungarian hometown. When she arrived in the United States, she used her business skills and leadership abilities to open her own store in New York City--helping her to live the American dream. Irene is cherished by her two children, Kathy and Andrew, her grandchildren--Gary, Michael, Julie, Lisa and Ira--and her five great- grandchildren: Chase, Alexa, Cydney, Zoe and Owen. Like so many immigrants throughout our history, Irene fled from incredible danger and hardship to seek out liberties that many of us take for granted: the freedom to be herself and the ability to shape her own future. She is a role model for her community, and as a fellow New Yorker, it is an honor to acknowledge her during this momentous milestone in her life. Mr. Speaker, I join with her family, friends, and neighbors in celebrating Irene Garas for her bravery, accomplishments and contributions to our community. I wish her many more joyous years.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, the 113th Congress has been in session for over 100 days; and so far, the majority has attacked worker protections, slashed important job-training programs, and has created one manufactured fiscal cliff after another. This is the last week before yet another recess, but there is still no proposal to help Americans get back to work. Instead, we have another attack on the Affordable Care Act. Plus, we have on the floor today the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. I, in fact, had a balloon, Mr. Speaker, that I would have liked to have had on my wrist as I gave this speech this morning, but I was told it would not be appropriate--and maybe not. But helium? Helium? Really? I hate to burst the majority's bubble, but Democrats and Republicans actually agree on this bill. There was no need to take up a full day of our time to debate the bill. We could have considered it under the expedited procedures and saved time for proposals that created jobs instead of balloons. With leadership like this, it's no wonder the American people are feeling discouraged and deflated. Helium? Helium.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on yet another attack on workers' protections. The National Labor Relations Board has provided stability between workers and employers for decades. And yes, it has helped ensure that workers have a voice. Yet, in just the past two years, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have tried numerous times to paralyze the operations of the board. Each time, they came up with a new angle. I appreciate their creativity. But the goal is the same: to put labor rights out of reach. This time, the majority has tried to say their bill will promote ``certainty''. But without a functioning Board, none of the labor rights in the landmark Wagner Act can be enforced. So it seems the only ``certainty'' we're providing is that there will be even more economic turmoil than we already have. Whether its women's rights or workers' rights, bill after bill advanced by the majority is aimed at taking our country backwards. I know that not all my friends on the other side of the aisle agree with this bill. I appreciate that. It is unfortunate that some of my colleagues are seeking a return to the past, before we had protections for workers. But I hope that most will focus on the present, and get on with building a better workforce and a brighter future. So I again urge my colleagues to stand with millions of middle-class American workers and vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the anniversary of Greek Independence Day, in recognition of the courageous revolution that freed the people of Greece from the Ottoman Empire and established the modern Hellenic Republic. We come together to recognize Greek Independence in advance this year because the U.S. Congress will not be in session on March 25th. There is no doubt that Greece's struggle for freedom from the Ottoman Empire is one which inspired the world. Carrying out a bold and inspired revolution, the people of Greece set an example for others in the region and globally. Their commitment to genuine self-determination made it possible for millions to determine their own future rather than continue a pattern of subjugation. And, since establishing diplomatic relations with the United States, Greece has joined our own country in many cooperative endeavors, including during World War II in the fight against fascism. Today, the United States and Greece are not only partners in commerce, but have forged international alliances in many areas, including business, tourism and international security. Greece has also been a source of immigrant communities that have helped build the United States, and Greek-Americans proudly contribute to our society in the arts, sciences, business, politics and sports. There can be no doubt that Greece faces tough times. The economic downturn has created difficult and ongoing challenges and hardships. Yet, the spirit of Greek Independence is alive and well in Greece and throughout the diaspora. I have no doubt that Greece is going to come back stronger than ever. I am proud to call Greece and the Greek people friends and allies, and the United States cherishes a continued friendship based on mutual values and trust.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Good day, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my colleagues--or as my Republican colleagues would say, bonjour. Today, we're considering the Republican budget, which is a plan modeled after European-style austerity measures. In plain English, it is bad. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office makes clear this budget will slow economic growth and kill over 2.5 million American jobs. It requires further sacrifices from our veterans, our seniors, students, small businesses, and hardworking middle class families. It ends Medicare as we know it. And it has no vision for how we're going to create jobs. It doesn't even include the phrase ``job creation.'' The American people rejected this budget in November 2012. The Congress should reject it today. It's time to say au revoir--good-bye-- to this Republican budget and move forward with a plan focused on jobs and creating a better future for this country.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my friend and colleague from Detroit, Michigan, for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, it has been over 500 days since the Violence Against Women Act expired--500 days--and every day that has passed without a vote, my colleagues and I have been asking ourselves, What are we waiting for? Are we waiting for our colleagues in the Senate to have a strong, bipartisan vote and send us a bill worth voting on? Oh, wait a minute. They've already done that. But maybe we're waiting for a bill that strengthens the Violence Against Women Act. Sorry, the Senate has already done that, as well. Or maybe we're waiting for support of hundreds of State, local, and national organizations. Oh, but wait. We've already had that with the passage of the Senate bill. My colleagues, it's time to end this wait for our mothers, for our daughters, and for our friends so they can get the protection and the service that they deserve because, let me tell you, the abusers are not waiting. Today, we have the chance to pass the actual Senate bill, the bipartisan, commonsense legislation that has been waiting for a vote. So let's vote ``no'' on the substitute amendment, support the underlying bill, and send this to the President's desk. I don't believe my colleagues, if they saw a lesbian woman being beaten by their neighbor, that they would not want to have that violence stopped. I don't believe that my Republican colleagues, if they saw an undocumented person, even an illegal alien, being beaten by her husband, that they would not want that stopped. I don't believe that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, if they saw a Native American woman being beaten or abused, that they would not want that stopped. Why do they not have it specified in their legislation? The Senate bill does. Let's stop this back-and-forth and pass the Senate legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Starting Friday, careless and devastating across-the- board spending cuts will hit America's economy and stifle our recovery. But the only thing my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can say is: It's about time. Do we need to address our Nation's deficit? Absolutely. But cutting 750,000 American jobs, food safety inspections, and health care benefits for our 9/11 first responders isn't the right way to do it. The U.S. can't lead the world in medical research if we aren't funding the National Institutes of Health. We can't protect ourselves from cybersecurity threats if the very people who work on this issue are laid off. And we can't expect our children to compete in tomorrow's global economy if we deny them access to critical programs like Head Start today. It doesn't have to be this way. Democrats and President Obama have a solution. Our plan will put an end to the slash-and-burn cuts and replace it with reductions to our deficit through the closure of tax loopholes and an end to wasteful spending. So, Mr. Speaker, there's a way out. There's another path forward that will ensure we protect investments in our Nation's future. I will ask that tomorrow the Speaker ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 699, a balanced plan to reduce our deficit.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time. The Budget Control Act of 2011 sets the budget for the next 10 years. It actually says it in the name of the bill: the Budget Control Act. Many of my colleagues on either side supported that bill. So we have a budget in place for 10 years. You don't like what you voted for now, I understand that. That's problematic. But this bill before us today is not a serious proposal by House Republicans, but rather a gimmick. Even the Wall Street Journal called it a gimmick. This bill does not provide certainty to the business community, the international markets or job creators here in the U.S. that the U.S. Government will pay its bills. This bill simply sets up another GOP-manufactured crisis in 4 months, putting the economy and the creditworthiness of our Nation at risk. Instead of no cliffs, my Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle are creating a new cliff. The American people sent us here to work, not to play more games. But my Republican colleagues are failing America again. Only 38 of my Republican colleagues voted for the Hurricane Sandy relief. Only 85 of their Members voted to provide tax cuts to the middle class. Yet, when it comes to pushing our country over the brink, they're all in.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time. In the days following Superstorm Sandy, many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle reached out to me, and I think they did the same to others throughout the quad-State region, expressing their sympathies and their concern. While they weren't able to see firsthand the devastation, everyone had a sense, I think, of that devastation by the footage they all saw on television and over the Internet. It was pretty powerful in itself. Everyone, I think, was astonished at the magnitude. We're not used to having such disasters in New York City; and everyone was shocked to see the extent of the damage, homes literally wiped away, businesses destroyed, flood waters consuming people's living rooms and completely overturning their lives. And the damage wasn't just in one city or one town or, for that matter, one State. From Breezy Point, Queens, to Edgewater in my district in the Bronx, from Manhattan to Brooklyn to Staten Island to Westchester to Long Island, from the coasts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, all of the way over to Connecticut, so many people's lives were wrecked by this powerful storm. While words are kind and they are very much appreciated, action behind those words is even more appreciated. Today, finally, I believe we'll have the opportunity to see action. Seventy-nine days later, and far too much politics in between, this Congress is doing what the people of these communities need and what the American people demand-- taking action. I'm thankful to this Congress. I'm thankful that it's finally taking action to help the people of my district and the millions of other people hit hard by this enormous storm. I want to thank all of my colleagues from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania for our shared commitment to getting this done and never letting partisanship surrounding this debate divide us. I want to say a special thanks to Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, along with their staffs, who have driven this process from day one. I want to thank you both. This bill will provide direct assistance to communities devastated by Superstorm Sandy. It will help restore and replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure, and it'll put in place cost-saving measures to prevent further damage when--when, and not if--future storms occur. I would just urge any of my colleagues, Democrat or Republican, who are considering voting against either the Frelinghuysen amendment or the overall bill to just for a moment put yourself in one of your colleague's shoes. I don't wish Superstorm Sandy or anything like it on any of my colleagues anywhere in the United States; but the one thing you need to know is that if this happens that your country will be there for you. There's the physical damage, but also the mental damage that people are experiencing because they think the country has forgotten them. Don't forget these people. Do the right thing. Vote for this bill. In the days after Hurricane Sandy, I was moved by the words of sympathy and concern I received from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. While many were not able to see the destruction firsthand, everyone could see the devastating images and footage on TV, in newspapers, and over the Internet. Everyone was astonished by the magnitude of the damage. Everyone was shocked to see the extensive damage to--homes wiped away, businesses destroyed, flood waters consuming people's living rooms, and lives completely overturned. And the damage wasn't just in one town or one state. From Breezy Point, Queens to Edgewater in the Bronx; from Manhattan, Brooklyn to Staten Island, Westchester to Long Island; from the coasts of New Jersey to Connecticut; so many people's lives were wrecked by this powerful storm. While kind words are one thing, actions backing up those words are another. And today, finally, we have the opportunity to act. 79 days later, and after far too much politics, Congress is doing what the people of these communities need--and what the American people demand: taking action. I am thankful this Congress is finally taking action to help the people of my district and all the millions of people hit hard by this hurricane. I want to thank all of my colleagues from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania for our shared commitment to getting this done and never letting partisanship surrounding this debate divide us. A special thanks to Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Ranking Member Nita Lowey, along with their staff, who have driven this process from Day One. This bill will provide direct assistance to the communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. It will help restore and replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure; and it will put in place cost-saving measures to prevent further damage when, not if, future storms occur. This is a good bill, and it deserves full bipartisan support of the entire House. I would urge any Democrat or Republican who is thinking about voting against any portion of this aid package to reconsider. For a moment, please put yourself in our shoes--the shoes of every family, every American who lost or suffered as a result of Hurricane Sandy. I do not wish what happened in my State on anyone, but the reality is the devastation that occurred in my backyard, throughout my district, across my State and to my constituents could happen anywhere at any time. If it does, you will want us, as a Congress, to stand together, to put aside politics and help your constituents, hard-working Americans, get back on their feet. Today, let's stand with our fellow Americans who are rebuilding by voting for the underlying bill and the Frelinghuysen amendment. Together, the passage of these two measures will ensure the U.S. Congress is providing real help--and not just lip service--to all those hurt by this devastating hurricane.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey. I have never, in my 14 years, spoken from this side of the aisle. I do it today, not as a gimmick, but as part of my plea to my Republican colleagues, to all of us, not to act as Democrats and Republicans. People are suffering throughout the Northeast. They continue to do so. The Frelinghuysen amendment is one that will give assurance to the people of the Quad-State region that the Federal Government will be there with them throughout this crisis, that they will be there. When everyone else has forgotten, the Federal Government will be there. The level of devastation is enormous. And as I said before, the level of psychological damage is enormous, and we only know the tip of the iceberg. We don't know yet what will come. This amendment will give peace of mind to Americans who are suffering today. Americans just like all of us here today are suffering, and they are looking to their Congress, not red, not blue, not Democrat, not Republican, just Americans helping Americans. That's what this amendment and this bill is all about. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me this minute.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, last night the Republican leadership reneged on their commitment to vote on aid for the families in the States that were devastated by Superstorm Sandy. We were told it was because Republicans just couldn't stomach any additional votes in this Congress. I wonder if those same people walked along the beaches of Long Beach and Long Island, Breezy Point and Belle Harbor and Rockaway Beach in Greg Meeks's district, Staten Island or Seaside Heights in New Jersey; if they could stomach the devastation they would witness, stomach the lives that were lost, stomach the homes that have been destroyed or the families that have been displaced, stomach the businesses that are closed and, in many places, have been lost. In the weeks after the storm, my Republican colleagues told us--not all, by the way, and I want to point out that Mr. Grimm and Mr. King, Mr. Dold and others were very, very helpful--but the leadership, I'm talking about, told us they were with us and that they would support us. But I guess those were only words, because last night we learned the truth. And thanks to their actions, there's no additional Federal assistance to help hardworking people rebuild and restart their lives. Now, I'm not a cynic, but I do wonder, what if we told the Republicans that a few millionaires' and billionaires' lives were destroyed by the storm, whether they'd want to help all the families hurting because of Sandy? And I wonder, what if Republicans were promised that by providing aid to families in need that, in turn, they would get a tax break? Would these incentives have changed their mind? Would it have prompted action? Because it truly does appear their only priority is helping those that have the most. Republicans in Congress brought this House to a new low last night. The banner over the Speaker's chair says ``In God We Trust.'' God alone cannot help these families rebuild but, unfortunately, the American people cannot trust the Republican Congress to help either. The only thing my Republican colleagues did this week was to serve up false hope to the people who have been devastated by the storm, false promises, false guarantees that we'd be there to help them in their time of need. Many of you know that my cousin, John Moran--I don't speak about John often--was killed on 9/11. He came from the Rockaway community. There was a monument on the beach, 118th Street. There were, I would say, dozens of monuments, as Congressman Meeks knows, along the Rockaway Peninsula. They were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. It didn't stop my family and his neighbors from going out and sifting through the feet of sand to find that memorial. It was that precious to them. They didn't wait for the Federal Government to come help pull them up by their bootstraps. They did it themselves. They continue to do it. There are humble people, proud people throughout this entire region who have been affected by this. They will recover but, sad to say, no thanks to the 112th Congress.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the provisions of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act that ban the overseas transport of a minor for the purposes of female genital mutilation, or FGM. This language mirrors the bipartisan Girls Protection Act, legislation I authored and introduced in the 111th and 112th Congresses. FGM is an issue that isn't always easy to talk about, and one that has gone on for far too long. According to the World Health Organization, up to 2 million girls--or 6,000 per day--are threatened with FGM each year. Here in the United States, studies indicate that all too many girls are under similar threat. The United Nations says that FGM is an ``irreparable, irreversible abuse'' inflicted on women and girls. I couldn't agree more. So, when some New Yorkers approached me three years ago and told me that girls from my own city were being transported overseas where they were forced to undergo FGM, I knew we needed to take action. Since FGM is illegal in the United States, it should be illegal to transport a minor overseas for the same purpose. This provision addresses the issue by putting law enforcement on the side of girls. If signed into law, it will never again be acceptable, or legal, to transport a minor from the United States to another country for the purposes of FGM. It will also be illegal to conspire to transport a minor abroad for the purposes of FGM. In fact, if this bill is signed into law, those actions will be a crime. The intent of this legislation is clear--if you plan or participate in the transportation of a minor abroad for so that the minor can undergo FGM, you will have committed a criminal act. The days of impunity for FGM are now over. Girls who may feel under threat, and families and communities who seek to protect girls from being transported overseas for FGM, will be able to turn to law enforcement for help. Clearly, there is much more that must be done to address FGM. We need to fund culturally-appropriate outreach and education efforts. We need to work with counselors, teachers and medical providers to ensure they know to help prevent FGM. We need to do everything we can to empower girls. And, efforts should be carried out in consultation with communities where FGM may be prevalent, many of whom have already stepped forward to renounce the practice of FGM. I believe that ultimately these types of efforts are equally as important as instituting a ban on FGM, and we must work to make them a reality here in the United States.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, let me join my colleagues in my sadness that we are here at 11:30 on the 1st of January with time running out. We just had a historic vote, a bipartisan vote, something that people didn't think we could do here, but we did do that. And now we're letting this opportunity slip away when people's homes have been destroyed, when people's businesses have been destroyed, and when tens of thousands of people who have suffered over 9 weeks have nothing to show from this Congress. That we would walk away without doing our part to help the people suffering in New York, in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania and other parts of the country is outrageous. It is simply outrageous. We've done our part. We've worked with our colleagues. And I thank Mr. King, and I thank Mr. Reed and Mr. Grimm for working with us. But it got us to no avail here. We needed to work to get this done for our constituency, and it has failed. Mr. Speaker, please reconsider and bring this bill to the floor before we leave this Congress.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my colleague from New York for yielding me this time. Ladies and gentlemen of America, this is not a mirage. We are actually here in this building, the U.S. Capitol. America, your Congress is in session and we're here to work, yet my Republican colleagues refuse to bring up the middle class tax cut bill that is right behind me at this desk. My colleague from Texas can continue to talk about what happened in August of this year--staging votes for the election that took place. And we know the results of that election. What our constituents are concerned about is what happens in January if and when we fail to do our work here, now, and also to expose that the vote that took place in August was a vote to continue the Bush-era tax cuts, the very same tax cuts that got us into the mess we're in right now. They're doing that because they're holding hostage the 98 percent of Americans who will receive a tax cut under Mr. Walz's bill that's at the desk today. And they're holding them hostage to make sure that the wealthiest 2 percent continue to get that tax cut. Our economy is 70 percent consumer-driven. That means when the middle class spends more, we all benefit. When the opposite takes place, when they spend less, we all are worse off for it. Holding the middle class hostage by threatening to raise their taxes not only hurts the American families, but it also hurts America's businesses.

Mr. CROWLEY. I think we owe it to our constituents to take this one single vote to ensure the middle class won't be held hostage any longer, one vote to give them the economic certainty that they so desperately need now, and one vote to keep our middle class spending and investing in creating jobs for American businesses. But we can't do that, ladies and gentlemen of America, unless our Republican colleagues allow Mr. Walz's bill, which is at our desk right now behind me, up for a vote on this floor. That's why I will vote against the previous question, so that we can come back and have an opportunity to include Mr. Walz's bill in that package. We're here. We're ready. Let's vote. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, the American people have spoken. In this last election, they said to all of us: start to work together; have an agenda that serves the people of our country. We've all heard the expression that time is fleeting. Never before has that expression been more important in my 14 years here in the House of Representatives. We have very few working days and even fewer days this week because of the House schedule put before us by the leadership of the House to actually work on the people's business and pass a middle class tax cut that will affect 98 percent of working Americans. Ninety-eight percent of working Americans will get a tax cut by passing the Senate bill that they passed already that is now at the desk here in the House of Representatives in the form of a discharge petition. We're taking this action because we believe that time is running out. If we fail to pass this bill or something like it, the middle class in this country will see on average a $2,000 increase in their taxes. I don't know about anyone here in this Chamber, but I know my constituency doesn't want to pay a $2,000 tax.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you to all of my colleagues from the Northeast who stand with us today. I want to particularly thank my colleague from New York (Mr. Turner) for helping to arrange this bipartisan moment of support and to demonstrate to our country how we should all come together at a time of crisis. This storm, known as Sandy, was utterly devastating, not only to property and to homes but to families, communities and neighborhoods-- entire neighborhoods. Our hearts are with those in places like City Island, Edgewater and Locust Point, which is in my district in the Bronx, for those in lower Manhattan, Staten Island, Hoboken, coastal New Jersey, Fairfield County, parts of Philadelphia, and other parts that were affected by this horrific storm. For many, recovery has already begun; but as they begin to piece their lives and their communities back together, they need a united Congress behind that effort. For others, the rebuilding has not yet begun as they still wait more than 2 weeks for power and fuel to be restored to them. For far too many, we grieve at the ultimate loss-- precious men, women and, yes, children who are no longer with us as a result of this storm. Lastly, we must acknowledge the constant heartfelt support from all of our public servants, including all the firefighters and volunteer fire departments, the police departments, the National Guard, FEMA, and particularly our sanitation workers, who are cleaning the mounds of sand and debris from people's homes. We continue to learn of incredible heroic acts that are moving but that are in keeping with the best of America's traditions. I also want to point out that my mother's hometown of Rockaway Beach was devastated by this storm and, particularly, a community known as Breezy Point, where our good friend and our colleague Bob Turner lost his entire home. It burned to the ground. Please join me in keeping all of those we have lost in your thoughts and prayers, and remember them in the weeks and the months ahead as they begin to rebuild their lives. I now yield to my colleague, my friend from New York, Bob Turner.