Eric Cantor

Mr. CANTOR

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

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. 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. 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. 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

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Town of Luray, Virginia as it celebrates its 200th anniversary. The Town of Luray was founded in 1812 and is the county seat of Page County, Virginia. Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley, Luray boasts of breathtaking views and is steeped in rich history. Perhaps best known for the Luray Caverns, Luray is home to the largest and most popular caverns in the East. Upon its discovery by Andrew Campbell on August 13th, 1878, the Smithsonian Institute sent nine scientists to examine the caverns and reported the following: ``. . . it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray.'' Even today, this sentiment remains the same. The Luray Caverns now attract more than 500,000 visitors each year from around the world. Luray is lucky to be home to such a historic and significant token of natural beauty. There is no doubt why the Town of Luray is such a popular attraction for those just passing through or visiting from many states away. When not touring the caverns, you can find visitors of Luray enjoying the 106-mile scenic Skyline Drive, or nestled into a cozy bed and breakfast. The Appalachian Trail also passes through Luray, where hikers can climb through the peaks and valleys of the Shenandoah region and explore the area first-hand. Luray residents will celebrate and honor the Town's rich history with events and activities throughout the year, which began with a ``Celebrate Luray'' event back in February. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the citizens of Luray as they celebrate the town's bicentennial, and wishing them all the best for their continued growth and success.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the House Republican budget resolution offered by my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Wisconsin, Chairman Paul Ryan. Mr. Chairman, people in this country are looking. They are desperate to see a strong signal from Washington that we are prepared to make the tough decisions necessary to address our Nation's fiscal crisis. Today, we will pass our budget that proposes real, honest solutions to create a stronger economy and a more certain future for our country. Our budget takes bold steps that will get the fiscal house in order and will manage down the debt and deficit. It also strengthens the entitlement programs which are the biggest drivers of our debt. It reforms the Tax Code and prevents devastating defense cuts from taking place--all without raising taxes. Mr. Chairman, we are seizing the opportunity to address what even the minority has admitted is the most predictable economic crisis in our Nation's history. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, those on the other side of the aisle seem to refuse to be able to deal with this crisis and actually propose a solution. The Democratic-controlled Senate has failed to pass a budget in over 1,000 days, shirking its responsibility to the American people. And the President has refused to put forth any serious solution to pay down the historic debt and deficit that he helped create. In fact, the President's budget will actually aggravate the Nation's problems. President Obama's budget saddles the American people with massive tax increases, puts more burden on job creators, weakens our military and fails to provide a plan to save our entitlement programs. I believe these policies will fundamentally change our Nation for the worse. In contrast, Mr. Chairman, our budget restores the system of free enterprise that has made America the greatest nation in the world. We propose a simpler, fairer, and more competitive Tax Code that will actually foster economic growth and job creation. Instead of picking winners and losers, our plan levels the playing field. Our budget lowers tax rates for taxpayers, broadens the base, and gets rid of loopholes and preferences so we can grow the economy and see more jobs created. Mr. Chairman, our budget seeks to save our entitlement programs because we actually produce a plan to solve the disproportionate cause of our deficits in health care entitlements. This commitment to lead, this commitment to find solutions and to actually put a plan in place is what has been missing from the debate in this town. And we ask our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in that commitment to actually adopt a plan so that we can begin to make progress and send a signal to the American people that we get it and that we are here to help solve the problem. Mr. Chairman, House Republicans are offering the American people a choice in terms of the direction this country will take. And I thank Chairman Ryan and the members of his Budget Committee for their hard work to produce this pro-growth, solutions-oriented budget. This document does begin to address the serious fiscal challenges we face and grow the economy so that our children have the same hope, opportunity, and ability to achieve success that our parents gave to us and their parents to them.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, 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 Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning-hour and noon for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business, and the last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. No votes are expected in the House on Friday. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a few bills under suspension of the rules, which will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. The House will also consider H.R. 3309, the Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act, offered by Congressman Greg Walden of Oregon. And for the second year in a row, the House will consider and pass a budget resolution. Mr. Speaker, we also expect to take further action on our Nation's infrastructure, with authority expiring at the end of next week. Finally, I am hopeful that the Senate will clear the House's bipartisan JOBS Act today. This bill has been delayed too long, but I look forward to the President signing it into law. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, and I yield back.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. And I would respond by saying to him that, no, I'm not prepared to bring that bill to the floor because I differ with him in his assumption that there would be enough bipartisan support to pass that bill in the House. And from all that I know about what's in the Senate bill, there is a lot of disagreement over how that bill was constructed, as far as House Members are concerned. I would say to the gentleman, our plan is very clear. We have been outspoken on this. We do not want to disrupt the flow of Federal transportation dollars, which is why we will be bringing to the floor next week a bill to provide for an extension of 90 days so that perhaps, as the gentleman would like, as would I, we could come together as two bodies and two parties on an agreement to provide more certainty. But as to the gentleman's suggestion that we need to be doing this to be consistent with what has been done historically, I would say to the gentleman, he knows, as well as I, that we are in very, very difficult economic times. We have never faced the kind of problems that we face today as a country, from a fiscal standpoint. Unfortunately, transportation funding is no different. We're just out of money. So we're trying to take the approach that most American families and businesses would take, that is, to try to spend within our means, to come up with some innovative ways to look at transportation needs and demands in the future and our being able to meet them, and we look forward to working with the gentleman in a bipartisan fashion to try to effect that end.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I'd just say to the gentleman this is somewhat of an academic discussion given that the Senate is not going to pass a budget. And I remind the gentleman, again, it takes two Houses to go and reconcile a budget, and it takes two Houses and two parties to actually go forward. So we look forward to working with the gentleman. I told him it is our belief that we need to respond to the urgency of the fiscal crisis and do everything we can to bring down the level of spending in this town. I look forward to working with the gentleman towards that end.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. We will be beginning debate on the budget Wednesday and likely concluding that debate and vote on Thursday.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would just say to the gentleman, I guess we are going to agree to disagree. We're dealing with the reality that we don't have the money, and we're trying to fashion a path forward that both sides can agree upon. Obviously, we cannot agree upon that next week with all the differences that still exist, which is why we're creating the construct of a 90-day extension, which then gives us the possibility to get into conference with the Senate to try and produce a longer-term transportation funding bill.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman, yes, we expect that to be the case. Obviously, I disagree with his characterization of our budget. We are, in fact, saving the Medicare program in a bipartisan fashion.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman that the gentleman knows very well what I refer to, that the disproportionate cause of our deficit has to do with health care entitlements. And actually, as the gentleman knows, last year and this year we are proposing a solution, a plan, that does not resolve the issue overnight, but it puts us on a path towards balancing the budget. This year, our budget chairman has worked together with the Senator from Oregon on the gentleman's side of the aisle in the Senate to propose a solution that responds to some of the complaints about the path that was taken before. Again, it is a bipartisan solution. It is a plan to save Medicare. Unlike the gentleman's party or his President, we are actually proposing a solution to the problem and saving the program for this generation and the next. Again, I'm sure the gentleman disagrees with my characterization and I with his. But to answer his question, to get back on track as far as the schedule and the fashion in which these bills are going to be brought to the floor, yes, consistent with precedent, we will be allowing full substitutes to be offered on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I respond to the gentleman by saying it is our view that the agreement reached in August at the top line was that, a cap. We all know we've got to do something about spending in this country, and the top line, or 302(a), within our budget resolution will reflect that top line provided in the budget resolution for the second year of the budget that we posed last year. Again, we view it very much that we need to continue to try--at least try--to save taxpayer dollars when we are generating over $1 trillion of deficits every year, and I think the taxpayers expect no less.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment, which would simply delay the implementation of what we know is a cost-savings measure to so many millions of seniors--and so many millions of Americans, not just seniors. Madam Chair, today we will vote to repeal one of PPACA's most harmful provisions, the Independent Payment Advisory Board. IPAB is emblematic of the two very different visions held by Republicans and Democrats about the path to quality care and how to control costs in our health care system. Madam Chair, the President and his party want a centralized board of bureaucrats to control decisions about how health care is allocated to our Nation's seniors. He proposes to restrict health care choices in order to lower cost. Our American system of free enterprise, innovation, and ingenuity has made our health care centers the best in the world. Our doctors transform dire health care conditions into promising outcomes and healthy lives. We produce the world's lifesaving drugs, disease-prevention regimens, biologics, and devices. But IPAB hamstrings the best available care for our seniors by imposing artificial and arbitrary constraints on cost. Neither the President nor congressional Democrats have proposed a solution to strengthen Medicare. Instead, the President gives 15 bureaucrats the power to make fundamental decisions about the care that seniors will have access to. Not to be deterred, the President has proposed expanding this board numerous times over the past year, vastly growing the board's scope and ability to fix prices and ultimately ration care for our Nation's seniors. Madam Chair, the President and I do agree on this: the current Medicare reimbursement system is broken. But we don't need a board of unelected bureaucrats to control costs. As we have proposed today, there is a better path forward. During the health care debate, the President agreed with our Nation's doctors that defensive medicine practices are driving up costs. Yet meaningful medical liability reform was not included in the 2,000-page health care law. Madam Chair, as my colleagues have proposed today, we can model medical liability reforms on State-based laws. California, Texas, and Virginia have all implemented working solutions that drive down the cost of care. We can even propose more creative medical liability reform solutions. We're always open to new ideas and suggestions. But not delay. Moving forward with commonsense medical liability reforms will mean that doctors can continue serving patients. It means that injured patients will be compensated more quickly and fairly. It means health care costs will go down. Madam Chair, you don't need a new rationing board to save $3 billion. You simply need to enact liability reform policies that are so commonsense even States like California and others have had them on the books for decades. When the entire medical community stands opposed to an idea, I would hope that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the President would listen. ObamaCare's IPAB is not the solution our seniors are expecting us to deliver. Our seniors deserve better. Madam Chair, I thank Dr. Phil Roe, the gentleman from Tennessee, and Dr. Phil Gingrey, the gentlemen from Georgia, for sponsoring the PATH Act. I'd also like to recognize Chairman Fred Upton, Chairman Dave Camp, and Chairman Lamar Smith for working to strengthen Medicare for our seniors. Under their leadership, our House committees are advancing policies that will deliver the quality of health care the American people deserve.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Jumspstart Our Business Startups Act. Our Nation's success has been built by individuals who turn innovative ideas into small businesses. By taking risks and working hard, our small business owners drive the majority of job creation in this country. Right now it's just too difficult to start up a business. The threat of higher taxes and increased regulations has small businessmen and - women and entrepreneurs frozen in their tracks. Small businesses and start-ups simply do not have the bandwidth to comply with Washington's redtape, and yet they are the ones we're counting on to create jobs. Mr. Speaker, the JOBS Act will get small businesses and entrepreneurs back into the game by removing costly regulations and making it easier for them to access capital. This legislation also paves the way for more start-ups and small businesses to go public, which will attract new investors and will allow small businesses to grow and create jobs. In his State of the Union address, President Obama asked Congress to send him a bill that helps start-ups and entrepreneurs succeed. The JOBS Act that we'll be voting on today does exactly that. Our bill brings together commonsense measures that have bipartisan support here in Washington and from business leaders across the country, including former AOL chairman and founder Steve Case. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my colleagues who have worked on the JOBS Act, including Congressman Stephen Fincher, Whip Kevin McCarthy, Congressman David Schweikert, Congressman Ben Quayle, Congressman Patrick McHenry, Congressman John Carney, and many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Let's build on this bipartisan momentum, Mr. Speaker. This week, President Obama offered his support for the JOBS Act. I strongly urge Senator Reid to take up this bill as quickly as possible and let's just get it to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, the American people want to see us get something done and produce results. With the JOBS Act, we do have a window of opportunity for both parties in Washington to come together and produce results. We must make sure America remains the place where extraordinary success can be achieved by individuals who are willing to take risks and work hard.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California. Mr. Speaker, on March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, now-Congressman John Lewis, our colleague, led 600 brave Americans in a march to protest for their equal right to vote like any other American, and they encountered horrific and despicable violence, preventing them from reaching their destination, the capital in Montgomery. That day, now known as Bloody Sunday, set the stage for the landmark march to Montgomery led by Reverend Martin Luther King and bolstered by faith and prayer. This act of leadership, courage, and bravery culminated with Congress passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, recognizing the right of every American to participate in our electoral process. At that time, there were just six black Members of Congress. Today, I am proud to serve with 44 black colleagues. As Reverend King said: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Mr. Speaker, today we will pass a resolution that will add the testimonies of Members of Congress, current and past, who participated in the civil rights movement and commemorative events to the historic record of the House. Their stories are an important part of our Nation's heritage and will serve as a reminder to every American of the determination and sacrifice that shaped the stronger democracy we live in today. I would like to thank Representative Terri Sewell, who represents Selma, and Representative Martha Roby, who represents Montgomery, for offering this resolution to preserve a powerful and transformative period in American history. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely honored to work with Congressman Lewis to ensure that these stories will never be forgotten.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, the Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland. Thank you for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, 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 Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will be meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Thursday, 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. No votes are expected in the House on Friday. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a few bills under suspension of the rules, including a bipartisan bill dealing with countervailing duties against nonmarket economies like China. A complete list of suspensions will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the House will consider two bills focused on job creation and our creating an environment for that to happen. The first is H.R. 2842, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act, sponsored by Representative Scott Tipton of Colorado; and H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, the JOBS Act, sponsored by Representative Stephen Fincher from Tennessee. Both bills are bipartisan, and I would note that the President and many outside entrepreneurs like Steve Case have endorsed the Fincher bill. Mr. Speaker, I'd hope that Senator Reid would move expeditiously in passing the JOBS Act once this House sends it to the Senate at the end of next week. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding, and I yield back.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. He stated this sort of series of events that we anticipate, and we look to making sure that we're doing everything to facilitate that and have the budget on the floor, hopefully, by the end of this month.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.