Eric Cantor

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman, as he knows, the House has passed its bill, the Senate has passed theirs, conferees have been appointed, and obviously we're very mindful, as you see, of the expiration of the current authorizing language and law. We are prepared to make sure that there is no stoppage of transportation programming and funding, all the while desiring a much longer term solution to the problem. I think the problem remains, as the gentleman knows, just not enough money to address all the things that the country is experiencing in terms of the needs for roads and infrastructure repair, as well as the needed expansion. As the gentleman knows, we all are mindful of the limited resources that are available to address these needs. Just trying to prioritize, I am hopeful that the conference committee can come to a solution prior to the expiration of the authorizing language in place right now. Again, we are very mindful. We don't want to allow for shutdown of any program at the end of this month.

Mr. CANTOR. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman I have no further comment.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, all I would say to the gentleman is it is certainly the intention and the commitment we have to bring these bills forward for an open and fair debate. I know the gentleman has expressed now twice the fact that his side didn't like some of the votes that occurred on the specific provisions of some bills. This is a democratic process, as he knows. Twenty-three Members on his side of the bill ended up supporting the CJS bill. Again, this is the House's will at work, and we hope to be able to work with him in this very new environment in which we're operating on appropriations bills. The commitment that we have is still that we want to bring these bills forward under a very challenging fiscal time in our country and do so without earmarks. This does represent a new construct within which we are operating. Again, we look forward to the gentleman's participation towards that end in a successful way.

Mr. CANTOR. As the gentleman rightly suggests, we are in conference with the Senate. Deliberations are ongoing. We are very mindful, as he indicates, of the expiration of the existing authorization of the program at the end of June, knowing that is our deadline.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I will join the gentleman in thanking both of our staffs. They did tremendous work, as well as Mr. Miller on the Financial Services Committee and the staff there, Mr. Bachus' staff. Your office can be instrumental, I think, in helping move the Senate along. But everyone from the chief of staff on down in your office--and we want to thank you as well for your team's commitment to working, again, in a very difficult equation where there were a lot of differences that we tried to work through but, in the end, didn't want to unilaterally disarm American business in the name of competitiveness in our country.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House is not in session. On Tuesday, the House will meet at noon for morning-hour and at 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning-hour and at noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. The last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of bills under suspension of the rules, a complete list of which will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. Among next week's suspensions will be H.R. 365, the National Blue Alert Act, sponsored by Congressman Michael Grimm, which will coincide with National Police Week and will help deter the threat of violence against our Nation's law enforcement officers. In addition, the House will consider two important bills under a rule. The first is H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, sponsored by Congresswoman Sandy Adams, herself a former sheriff. Our second rule bill, which will take up the remainder of the week, is H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act, sponsored by Chairman Buck McKeon. This bipartisan bill provides for the funding of our armed services prior to Memorial Day, as is the House's appropriate custom.

Mr. CANTOR. I will just tell the gentleman, as he knows, the Rules Committee is the one to decide the process by which bills come to the floor and the rules for those bills; and the Rules Committee will be meeting on Tuesday.

Mr. CANTOR. I would say to the gentleman that we are looking to accommodate the needs of the committee as they move forward and with their bills and their agenda. It is our intention to continue with the kind of debate that we had on the CJS bill this week. As you know, it's been some time since this House was able to see an appropriations process work in a very open fashion like we had this week. We intend to continue to do that with the bills. It's the Speaker's commitment that this be an open process and that Members have a right to air their views, and that those issues and amendments can come to a vote. I say to the gentleman that we look forward to working with him and looking to the committee to bring forward the bill that they think is ready next to be brought to the floor.

Mr. CANTOR. It has certainly been an improved sense of cooperation, and I appreciate that on the gentleman's part in trying to deliver results and trying to make sure we get America back to work. I would say to the gentleman, as he rightly noted, that this bill has traditionally been reauthorized. The approach that we tried to focus on was to do what it is that the gentleman and I have been trying to do the last couple of weeks, and that is to separate out things that divide us and try to unite us around the central focus of a particular piece of legislation. VAWA is a program that calls for the commitment of taxpayer dollars to fund the appropriate services for abused women. This is a bill that is much needed, and it is one that I think deserves our bipartisan support. We tried to stay away from issues that divide us, and we tried to listen to the GAO in terms of its recommendations under this program to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent at their most efficient levels so that we can get more out of the dollars being spent. That is the spirit with which we will bring this bill to the floor. Again, I know it's an important bill. We all care deeply about making sure that abused women receive the necessary services that they need.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 2072, Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2011. Make no mistake, I am no fan of government subsidies. Export subsidies distort the free market and global trade. And in a perfect world, the Ex-Im Bank, along with its counterparts in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, would not exist. But like any other barrier to free trade, the best way to level the playing field and open up markets is through negotiation. Our country has long had a policy to negotiate an end to barriers which prevent the free flow of goods and services. And now, Mr. Speaker, for the first time, with this bill, it will be U.S. policy to initiate and pursue negotiations to end government export subsidies. This is not just a worthwhile goal; it is actually an achievable one. Now, I know some suggest that we shouldn't negotiate and that we should just shutter the Export-Import Bank right now, that we shouldn't pass the bill, but I would tell my colleagues that I believe that amounts to unilateral disarmament. American businesses and American workers would suffer from unfair competition with subsidized foreign competitors. This bill, with these reforms, offers a better way. As important as ensuring that we do not unilaterally disarm American business is, bringing strong, necessary reforms to the Export-Import Bank to protect American taxpayers is equally important. I am pleased to say that this bill accomplishes both. The bill requires Ex-Im Bank to keep default rates below 2 percent. If the bank's default rate exceeds 2 percent, access to any additional capital is shut off while corrective action to bring the default rate below 2 percent would be instituted. If the Ex-Im Bank fails to fix the problem within 6 months, an audit will be conducted by an independent third party to recommend both to Congress and the Treasury Secretary necessary fixes. The legislation, Mr. Speaker, includes numerous other reforms, including a risk management review, business plans, and an ``anti- Solyndra'' provision to protect taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, in urging support of this bipartisan legislation, I would like to recognize two colleagues in particular: Gary Miller, the gentleman from California, and Steny Hoyer, the Democratic whip from Maryland. Their hard work helped produce a bill that helps American business while also protecting American taxpayers. I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentlelady from Florida. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on the bipartisan U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This bill reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself against threats and puts the Congress on record about America's long-standing commitment to the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship, a unique and special relationship founded on shared interests and shared democratic values. My friend, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and I introduced this legislation to ensure that, during a time of such instability, threats to Israeli and American security will be answered with strength and resolve. Unfortunately, even during periods of calm, Israel lives in a tough neighborhood; and because our national interests are so often linked, Israel is often at the front lines of responding to threats to both of our security. This is true when it comes to a shared fight against radical Islamist terrorism, and it is certainly true when it comes to Iran. This bill reiterates that our investment in Israel's security is an investment in our own security. I want to thank Mr. Hoyer as well as Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Howard Berman, who joined us in drafting this legislation. I thank them for their hard work and for their steadfast leadership as defenders of our great ally in the Middle East. The strong bipartisan support for this bill speaks to the importance and the urgency with which we must address and enhance Israel's ability to defend itself during a period of profound transition and instability. Mr. Speaker, nearly 300 members of both parties have sponsored this bill, and we hope to have many more in the final count. The House has always demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship, and today we say again, we refuse to send mixed messages when it comes to America's support for Israel. Today we demonstrate congressional support for important steps to make Israel and America more secure. Among other things, the bill encourages the President to provide additional assistance to support U.S.-Israel joint missile defense efforts, such as Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow; allocate additional weaponry and munitions to the forward-deployed U.S. stockpile located in Israel; strengthen multilateral efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza and to protect against terrorism from the Sinai Peninsula; expand already close intelligence cooperation between the U.S. and Israel; protect Israel's Qualitative Military Edge and ensure that Israel remains the preeminent military power in the region; lobby against and veto the outrageous parade of one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations every year. The bill also extends the long-standing loan guarantee program for Israel, recognizing its perfect record of repaying its loans on time and in full. Mr. Speaker, this could be a very hot summer in the Middle East: Egypt is likely to elect an Islamist government. While we all hope Egypt's new government keeps the peace that has held for 30 years, the future is uncertain; Syria is consumed by civil war, with a vicious dictator backed by Iran and Hezbollah, murdering his own citizens, fueling sectarian tensions, and giving rise to radicalism; Iran continues its decades-long effort to acquire a nuclear weapons capability. Sanctions may be hurting Iran's economy, but Iran's leaders thus far remain wedded to pursue their dangerous goal. Iran continues to support terrorism, providing lethal support to Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Taliban. The United States and Israel share an important strategic goal: preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and combating its terrorist proxies. Mr. Speaker, this bill recognizes the profound threats the U.S. and Israel face in the region and reiterates our commitment to standing side by side with Israel during this pivotal and dangerous period of transition and instability, and I urge its passage.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. CANTOR. That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, no votes are expected in the House. On Tuesday, the House will meet at noon for morning-hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning-hour and noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of bills under suspension of the rules, a complete list of which will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. Among next week's suspensions will be a noteworthy bill, H.R. 2146, authored by Congressman Darrell Issa and known as the DATA Act. This is an important step in our continuing effort to make government more accountable, accessible, and transparent, especially when it comes to the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. It is also possible that the House will consider a motion to go to conference and motion to instruct conferees on the surface transportation authorization bill. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we expect a full debate next week on the importance of our Nation's cybersecurity. The House will consider a number of bipartisan bills to reduce obstacles to voluntary information sharing between the private sector and government, secure our Nation's infrastructure, better protect government systems and combat foreign threats. A number of committees have been involved in this effort, Mr. Speaker, including the Intelligence Committee, Homeland Security, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce. Of the bills coming to the floor, we will consider H.R. 3523, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, under a rule. This important legislation is authored by Chairman Mike Rogers and cosponsored by Ranking Member Dutch Ruppersberger. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I will tell the gentleman we have every intention of going forward, and, at this point, I don't know what could come up and preclude us from doing so. But we look forward to working with the gentleman over the course of the next two-plus months to come to resolution so that we can provide some certainty to States, industries, private sector, public, and the rest with regard to our transportation infrastructure.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman that, as he knows, working through the committee at this point are the CJS bill and the energy and water bill. It is our intention to bring one of those forward the week that he indicates, May 7, to be debated. The Speaker has consistently come down on the side of wanting there to be an open process. I think that, given the House's track record on appropriations bills and the debates surrounding them, we are hoping that we can have a deliberate debate around the substance and policy of the issues and set as a model for going forward. But I would say to the gentleman, as far as we go right now, we are looking at May 7 to be the time in which we bring one of those bills to the floor for deliberation and a vote.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman, first of all, the gentleman knows that we did pass a budget in the House. We didn't have a conference committee report to vote on because the Senate did not pass a budget, which has then forced us to have to deem what the House passed--again, the Senate having gone way past a thousand days without a budget. So I would say to the gentleman it is our perception that what the deal was in August, the BCA, was a ceiling. And that we want to try in every way we can to save taxpayer dollars, and that is a rule which we're continuing to follow. The Appropriations Committee has taken up its obligations and is working on the bills, and we will be bringing up those bills consistent with that rule. Again, I say to the gentleman, we look forward to a robust, policy- oriented debate on the spending issues facing this country throughout the appropriations process and look forward to a deliberative civil process so that we can get our work done and deliver on what the people expect--and that is to begin to shave the spending that has gotten out of control in Washington over the last several decades.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp) be permitted to control the balance of the time.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Mrs. Noem).

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds just to respond to the gentleman. I think he put his finger on the problem here. The problem with his kind of amendment is the problem with the Tax Code today, because it means that if you're a business, under his rule, you would have to come to Washington to seek eligibility for a tax break or seek eligibility for a tax favor. And if you're on the approved list in Washington, then you can go and benefit and have an advantage over others. That's not what we believe. We believe in helping all small businesses. With that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), the Small Business Committee chairman.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we know jobs won't come back until small businesses recover. Small businesses have generated over 65 percent of the new jobs in this country; but the economic downturn, red tape, and higher taxes coming from Washington have simply made it harder for small business to create jobs. Tax policies should encourage economic growth, investment, and job creation, not stifle it. We need to stop and think about what kind of country we want to be. Do we want to be one with lower taxes, more growth, and more jobs; or do we want to be one of more government control and fewer opportunities? This week, when every American filed their tax returns, the other party in the Senate voted to increase taxes. We should not be taking money out of the hands of those we are counting on to create jobs. We need to let small business owners keep more of their hard-earned money so they can start hiring again. Today, Mr. Speaker, we'll vote on the Small Business Tax Cut Act to give every small business with fewer than 500 employees a 20 percent tax cut. Our bill puts more money into the hands of small business owners so they can reinvest those funds to retain and create more jobs and grow their businesses, plain and simple. According to a study, the Small Business Tax Cut Act will help create more than 100,000 new jobs a year once fully in place. One-third of the firms that benefit from our tax cut are owned by women. One-fifth are owned by minorities. And our legislation won't just benefit small business owners; it benefits current workers by boosting wages. Mr. Speaker, when I talk with small business owners across the country, I hear they need more opportunity to grow. I hear that taxes are siphoning away their income. I hear they can't access capital. One small business owner in Spotsylvania, Virginia, called the small business tax cut a win-win for him and other small business owners in the economy. He said that with more money to invest in his businesses he could afford to hire more staff, buy new equipment and expand. Mr. Speaker, while we continue to work toward tax reform that broadens the base, brings down the rates for everybody, and gets rid of loopholes, Washington assumes the role of picking winners and losers. We need to take incremental steps to give job creators tax relief right away. This Small Business Tax Cut Act is a step in that right direction. President Obama called small businesses the anchors of our Main Streets. We agree. I hope we can all unite around helping the small businesses which are the engines of job creation in our country. Mr. Speaker, I'd say in response to the gentleman's assertion towards the definition of small business in this bill, this is the Small Business Administration definition of small business. This is what every program that comes out of this government aimed to help small businesses is premised upon. The SBA definition of a small business is one of 499 or fewer. As far as the gentleman's allegations about the potential for abuse under this bill, if he'd read the language of the bill, Mr. Speaker, it caps the ability to benefit from the tax cut to 50 percent of the W 2 wages that that small business paid out. This is, straight up, something to help small businesses keep more of their money while they're having so much difficulty keeping the lights on and, instead, giving them the ability to grow, to grow, invest, and create more jobs. As far as the gentleman's allegations that somehow this bill only affects those millionaires, billionaires and the rest, I think he will see the studies have shown that just 18.3 percent of those people are in the categories of income he suggests, with 80-some percent in the middle class--80-some percent, the true small business owners who we're relying on to create jobs for the middle class to come back. And I would say to the gentleman, as far as the allegation of gimmickry, the essence of supply-side economics, the centrality issue on taxes is the reduction of marginal rates. That's exactly what this bill does. Does it provide it for long enough? Does it provide permanency? No. But what we want to do in a permanent way is effect broader tax reform. But since we can't see eye to eye on that, since we've still got work to do, let's give the small businesses some help now. With that, I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. CANTOR. I will not yield. Mr. Speaker, we are here to provide the kind of relief to the small business men and women that will benefit from this. With that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black).

Mr. CANTOR. I yield myself 30 seconds just in response, Mr. Speaker, to the allegation about those who benefit from the Small Business Tax Cut Act. I would ask the gentleman to perhaps look at the language of the Democrat alternative on the motion to recommit because it, as well, provides the same benefit it's trying to provide to others. All those people, the so-called ``rich and famous'' that he says are the only ones that benefit, also benefit under their alternative.

Mr. CANTOR. I yield myself 30 seconds. I just want to set the record straight, Mr. Speaker. The Ways and Means Committee had two small business hearings on the implications of tax reform in which this proposal was raised. In addition, the gentleman well knows that there was a markup.

Mr. CANTOR. If I could finish. No. There was a markup in committee in which even the gentleman offered an amendment and then withdrew it because it was ruled nongermane. Of course there was a markup. Of course this idea has been the subject of discussion in committee. Again, I just wanted to set the record straight, Mr. Speaker. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).