Eric Cantor

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that observation. Again, I just wanted to make the point that, again, as we are in unprecedented times incurring debt unlike we have ever in this country, that these obviously very important bills that need consideration are coming to the floor without being paid for contributing to the exacerbation of the debt situation on our children and their children. I would ask, Mr. Speaker, further--

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. And I believe, Mr. Speaker, what I'm hearing is that neither the estate tax bill nor the other items included in the budget resolution passed would be paid for, and that there would be an assumption somehow that that money would just be taken care of. And I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, and I just wanted to reiterate so, in my understanding, that would mean that the estate tax bill would be paid for if it came to the floor of the House. I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman and, Mr. Speaker, would ask further whether we can expect that bill to include the statutory PAYGO provisions and whether that bill would be compliant with those provisions. And I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I will.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the gentleman about some reports that we've been hearing about other bills that could perhaps come to the floor next week, and I wonder if he could add some clarity to that. There have been reports that perhaps an estate tax bill would be coming to the floor next week. And I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I'd like to yield to my friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) the majority leader, for the purposes of finding out about next week's schedule. And I yield.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Saint Benedict Parochial School in Richmond, Virginia. Saint Benedict Parochial School has been serving the Richmond area since 1919 when it opened on the corner of Grove and Belmont Avenues. Classes were temporarily held in the convent, which was moved just a few years later to make room for the proposed school building. An addition to the school was built in 1949 after an increasing number of students outgrew the existing school. Today, Saint Benedict Parochial School continues to offer a traditional education in a faith-filled environment to both elementary and middle school students. Along with language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, religion is also taught as one of the core subject areas. In fact, the school motto is Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus, or in other words, ``So that in all things God may be glorified!'' In addition to concentrating on their education, Saint Benedict students spend countless hours serving the community. Once a month, students prepare and deliver bagged lunches to the homeless. They also collect canned food for the Central Virginia Food Bank, and have worked to raise money for organizations like the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as well as a school in the greater Richmond area that was facing the possibility of closing. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing Saint Benedict Parochial School as it celebrates its anniversary and wishing the students and staff the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland, the majority leader, for the purpose of announcing next week's schedule.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. I would just note as well that the House-passed language in the Homeland Security bill also had a provision lacking in the bill we just passed which had to do with States' ability to veto a decision to transfer detainees--something very much, I would say to the gentleman, our Members would like to see in the bill that comes to the floor next week on the Homeland Security appropriations bill. I would just like to lastly turn to the issue of the remainder of the year and the calendar and what Members can expect as far as November is concerned. Today is October 8. The House is scheduled to adjourn at the end of this month on October 30, and I was hoping that the gentleman could give us a better sense of the session that we will expect in November. And I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman for that. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman has noticed that the Homeland Security appropriations bill is coming to the floor next week. Reports have indicated that perhaps some of the trouble surrounding bringing that bill to the floor deals with the language of dealing with the detainees at Guantanamo Bay and their transfer. And as the gentleman knows, Republican-sponsored language that was adopted by the House is something that we would very much like to see included in the conference report. I do know, Mr. Speaker, that the Senate just adopted in the Defense appropriations bill that they are deliberating upon that no funds would be allocated or appropriated for the transfer of those detainees, by an overwhelming vote. So I would ask the gentleman, should we expect that language, the House-passed language, to be in the conference report that would come to the floor?

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman for that. And again, he and I have discussed the differences that the sides have philosophically and about Medicare rates being the prevailing rate in terms of required coverage, which would essentially mean, in our opinion, that we will be on a path to a single-payer system, something that certainly our Members would not want to see. But I thank the gentleman for sharing, and we look forward to perhaps working on those parts or, if we could, just items that we can agree on, again, if the public option begins to have trouble. So, again, I thank the gentleman. If I could, Mr. Speaker, turn to the question of foreign policy and where we are in terms of the bill coming from the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. Last week, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman had said that the White House was engaging in discussions with China and Russia, that perhaps that was why the bill would not be moving forward. This, again, is the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. And to paraphrase the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, I would say that the gentleman indicated that Mr. Berman will be talking to the White House about timing. I yield to find out whether we have any clarity on that and when that bill will be coming to the floor.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say, again, the gentleman and I had discussed in general the opposition to the public option that we have on this side, and I would just like to ask the gentleman again, given the Speaker's comments about reimbursement rates, Medicare rates, whether the public option is still where the Speaker and he are in terms of what a House bill would look like given where the Senate is. I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman for that. I would ask the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, about some statement that the Speaker made indicating how the reimbursement rates would work and whether there is clarity on that or not yet. I think the Speaker had asked the question rhetorically whether Medicare rates would be the reimbursement rates in the bill, and any kind of enlightenment that he can shed on that, I'd appreciate it. I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. So if I hear correctly, we're talking about the final week of this month at the earliest.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. I would also like to thank the gentleman for his courtesy and his time in meeting with me earlier today in the discussion of health care, and I'm hopeful that that discussion was fruitful and that we could see a dialogue continue towards some type of working relationship in the areas that we can agree on. So I do thank the gentleman. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman some of the things we didn't cover in the meeting, and that is, first off, the timing of any kind of health care bill reaching the floor of this House and whether he could provide any clarity on that. I yield.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from California and also salute the gentleman from Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today could have been and should have been marked by bipartisan support for our troops, but instead has become something very different. The sole purpose of the Department of Defense authorization legislation is to authorize funds to ensure a strong national defense, but today it is being used as a vehicle to force hate crimes legislation through the House, and it is with deep regret that I'm left with no choice but to oppose it. This legislation and this vote is a political ploy and symbolic of everything that is wrong with Washington. Those who support the Federal criminalization of hate crimes should demand that it be removed from this legislation and be considered solely upon its own merit, not that of our national defense. I believe that all Americans should be protected from violent crime and viewed equally under the law, and the truth of the matter is that all violent crimes are hateful. Thought crimes are no different. Our message is simple: All Republicans support our troops, and the issue of hate crimes has nothing to do with our national defense. One must really question the priorities of this majority. We must not, should not treat our service men and women as political pawns in their effort to force a social agenda upon the court system and the American people.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Orange County, Virginia as it celebrates its 275th anniversary. Orange County is located northeast of Charlottesville, and is the birthplace of President Zachary Taylor and the home of President James Madison's estate at Montpelier. Award winning wineries and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains can also be found here. Orange County was a strategically important location during the American Civil War. Just north of the town of Orange, the Rapidan River was effectively the northern border of the Confederacy for several years. Consequently, the area witnessed countless troop movements, patrols, skirmishes, and encampments. In addition, the town of Orange served as General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during that time. In fact, General Lee worshipped at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Caroline Street, which still stands today. The county continued to thrive into the twentieth century, although fire destroyed much of the eastern part of the town of Orange in 1908. However, many of the buildings constructed shortly after the fire still remain. In fact, Orange was well-known for its silk mill, which produced many of the parachutes used by U.S. troops during World War II. The silk mill finally closed in the 1970s, but the building still remains and is used by local businesses. Orange County residents will celebrate and honor their heritage and 275 years of history with events and activities throughout the year. In conjunction with the Fall Fiber Festival at Montpelier, the Gordonsville Street Festival, and other county-wide events, the town of Orange will have a Blues Festival on Main Street on October 3rd to mark the anniversary. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the fine citizens of Orange County as they celebrate this anniversary and wishing them the best for their continued growth and success.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman knows, there is a very important debate occurring in our country right now regarding our position towards the commitment we've made in Afghanistan. And it's clear that the Republicans believe, as I'm sure the gentleman does, that this Congress must be devoting attention to this important issue as it relates to the national security of the United States and our interests in that arena, as well as abroad. And I'd like to ask the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, whether he, in his leadership, will call on General McChrystal to testify before Congress as soon as possible. And I'd note, as the gentleman well knows, that Chairman Skelton has been reported to have made such requests of his leadership.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland, the majority leader, for the purpose of announcing next week's schedule.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. And I know it's just been reported that in the Senate there was an amendment offered by Senator McCain on this very point, requiring there to be some testimony by General McChrystal before Congress by a date certain. And I'm told that that amendment went down on a party-line vote. So I would just tell the gentleman, again, that our side believes it's very important, as I know he does, in terms of our national security and Congress' role that General McChrystal be before us so that we can be informed and conduct our constitutional duty as such. If I could, Mr. Speaker, turn to the question of jobs. We have a running debate, the gentleman and I and others, as to the effectiveness of the stimulus bill. And as we all know, back in January it was reported that that bill would arrest the rise of unemployment. In fact, the goal was set that unemployment would not overreach beyond 8\1/2\ percent. We know in this country now we're just under 10 percent unemployment nationally. I feel very strongly, Mr. Speaker, that we should be focusing on this economy while we're trying to deal with so many other issues. And it has been some time now where we have missed the opportunity on this floor to bring up bills that have to do with job creation. If we look at some of the evidence of the stimulus bill, it is the contention of our side that that bill has not fulfilled its mission. We could go through any list of expenditures that we have noted in the press and elsewhere, where you have got $2.8 million to fight forest fires in the District of Columbia; you have $3.4 million to help turtles cross the road in Florida. These are the kinds of items that, frankly, rob the public of their confidence in what we do. So I would ask the gentleman, is there any effort, is there any hope that we may perhaps have some constructive debate around the rest of the stimulus money and perhaps orient that towards job creation, sustainable job creation and growth in the economy? Because after all, I think that's what all of us are after. I yield.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. And I would only add that I believe I'm speaking for our conference here in indicating that it's not necessarily what we would do in terms of trying to wait for China and Russia to move the bill. I'm not saying the gentleman said that, but it sounded as if we've got to wait until there is some collective agreement on the world stage in order for Congress to act. As the gentleman and I have agreed for a long time now, we, in this country, believe very strongly of standing up against the regime in Iran. It has an impact on our allies across that region in the world and particularly for us here at home. So I would encourage the gentleman by telling him that our side stands ready to want to help with moving that bill.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I'd ask the gentleman if we could turn to the discussion of health care, and as the gentleman knows, he and I have had discussions this week, perhaps, I think, a discussion that could yield the ability for us to work together on the things that we agree on in health care. Obviously, the divide is great when talking about any type of move towards a government takeover of health care. But he and I have spoken about maybe there are some areas of agreement. And he and I have also talked about the fact that we could meet together and discuss that, and I look forward to hearing from him or his office to schedule that. And along those lines, I'd like to ask the gentleman what he expects the schedule to be towards bringing a health care bill to the floor of this House.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the designation of the month of September as Craniofacial Acceptance Month. September has been designated as Craniofacial Acceptance Month to raise awareness and acceptance of the courageous children and adults who live daily with craniofacial deformities. These brave patients and their families often face significant medical challenges over the course of their lives. While the commonly known cleft palate or cleft lip condition may call for a simple surgical fix, there are many other unique and complex anomalies which can require extensive surgeries throughout a child's developmental years. In the 7th District of Virginia, a young constituent of mine named Chase has a moderately severe craniofacial deformity. At the age of 9, he has already had 28 surgeries and hospitalizations to improve his ability to breathe, walk, see, hear, and talk. He will need more surgeries as he grows. Despite his many challenges, Chase and his family celebrate his growth and milestones with joy. His unique medical needs do not stop him from riding the bus to school and making friends. His big smile and enthusiasm for life have enabled Chase and his family to approach each day with a positive outlook. This month also marks the 20th anniversary of the Children's Craniofacial Association, an incredible charitable organization that offers a network of resources and assistance to families with children who have deformities. The association's mission is to ``widen the circle of acceptance,'' through promoting the message that ``beyond the face, there is a heart.'' I would like to commend the CCA for connecting Chase, his family and other families across America with resources to improve the lives of these patients. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in raising awareness of the needs of these extraordinary individuals.