Shelley Capito

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100-year anniversary of the birth of the American credit union, the important role that credit unions have come to play in this country, and I urge support of H. Res. 1145. Today more than 90 million Americans are members of a credit union. These millions of Americans are the beneficiaries of an experiment that began a century ago with the establishment of St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association. From these humble beginnings in Manchester, New Hampshire, more than 8,000 credit unions have sprouted up that provide financial services to credit union members all across this Nation. I would like to recognize credit unions for the important role they play in many distressed urban and rural areas. Many constituents have told me that they would not have been able to afford their own homes, start new business or even attend college without the help of their credit unions. I am also impressed by credit unions' commitment to financial literacy, which has helped credit union members become better educated consumers of financial services. For these reasons, I support H. Res. 1145, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the American credit union. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1010, which recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in the United States. Manufactured housing plays an important role in meeting this country's housing needs and is an important source of quality, affordable housing, including both homeownership and rental housing. In recent years, manufactured housing placements accounted for more than one-quarter of all new housing starts. Despite the country's overall drop in home prices, the need for quality, affordable housing has never been greater. Because it is an important source of affordable housing, manufactured housing should be viewed as a critical part of the solution to the ongoing troubles in our housing market. Today's manufactured homes can deliver quality dwellings and at prices ranging from 10 to 35 percent less per square foot than conventional site-built homes. These savings allow more and more Americans to own their own home or access affordable rental housing units. The manufactured housing industry has evolved in the last decade to deliver a better quality, more affordable product. The affordability of manufactured housing is mainly attributable to the efficiency of the factory process. The controlled environment and assembly-line techniques remove many of the problems of the site-built sector, such as poor weather, theft, vandalism, and damage to building products and materials stored onsite. Also, factory employees are trained, scheduled, and managed by one employer as opposed to the system of contracted labor on a site-built sector. As a Congress, we must do all we can do encourage affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for all Americans. Today's manufactured housing industry helps build communities and supports innovation, consumer safety, efficiency, and quality while preserving the affordability and customization of its housing units. The legislation before us recognizes and fully supports the goals and ideals of Manufactured Housing Week, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney).

Mrs. CAPITO. I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of the bill.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Yes. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, rarely, and rightly it is rare, do we honor one of our own with the highest civilian honor we can bestow, the Congressional Gold Medal. But rules are made to be broken, and just as Ed Brooke broke an unwritten rule and became the first African American popularly elected to the Senate since Reconstruction, we should break another and honor his courage and achievements. Just as it may be hard for college students of today to imagine segregated bathrooms and drinking fountains, it is hard for all of us to imagine a Congress without African Americans and others of color. So it is especially important to think back to the historic day when this humble man took the oath of office in the Senate 41 years ago on January 3, 1967. The America of that time, as my colleague has noted, was not far past the struggles that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, which this Chamber voted a couple of months ago to honor with a commemorative coin. Mr. Speaker, many of us know the general outline of Ed Brooke's life: a soldier in the Second World War, a lawyer whose 1966 book ``The Challenge of Change'' focused on African Americans in the United States and on politics. I doubt that many Members know though that he was actually a native of the District of Columbia, as the gentlewoman noted. Born here October 26, 1919, he was a graduate of both Harvard and Boston University and followed in his father's footsteps as a lawyer before being elected Massachusetts Attorney General and then on to the United States Senate, where he served two terms. Mr. Speaker, this bill was sponsored by our colleague in the Senate, Senator Ted Kennedy, also of Massachusetts, with 67 cosponsors, and he assured its passage before his unfortunate illness. We hope for him and his family the very best. Our prayers are with them. Here in the House a companion bill, H.R. 1000, was sponsored by our colleague Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and she has collected 290 cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, this bill honors a man, Senator Ed Brooke, but it also honors an idea and an achievement, that we are all equal, and that election to the United States Senate is open to any American who can prove to the voters that his or her ideas and character are appropriate and best represent their State, regardless of race, creed or religion. We should take this opportunity to celebrate that notion. I urge immediate passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. I continue to reserve.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3229, the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act sponsored by our colleague from Georgia, Representative Westmoreland, and urge its immediate passage. This legislation, as we have heard, authorizes the minting and sale of up to 350,000 silver $1 coins in the year 2012, with surcharges on the sale of the coin going to fund work on the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center being built in Patriot Park at Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia. The new National Infantry Museum will honor the legacy of the United States infantry on a 200-acre site that links Columbus, Georgia, with Fort Benning, the home of the infantry. The museum's galleries will trace infantry history from colonial times to the present and be designed to attract and educate all segments of the population with interactive learning, opportunities, high-tech classrooms, theatres and dramatic venues for sacred ceremonies. An active education program will make the venue a must-see attraction for school groups and students of all ages. The focus of the educational effort will be to teach history, as the history of the United States Army Infantry parallels the history and growth of our country. Additional instruction will focus on leadership skills and the Army values of loyalty, duty, selfless service, respect, honor, integrity and personal courage. Research done by an internationally known museum planning firm estimates annual visitation of up to 400,000, which will make it one of Georgia's top tourist attractions. In addition to the museum, there will be a 7-acre parade field for infantry and basic training graduations and change-of-command ceremonies. A Walk of Honor flanked by gardens and memorials will lead visitors to the museum and a recreated World War II-era Company Street, featuring the headquarters and sleeping quarters used by General George S. Patton in 1941 will take visitors back to the scenes of our country's largest wartime buildup. The facility will include a 3-D IMAX theater restaurant and museum store. Visitors to this museum that is scheduled to open in just over a year will meet the infantryman face-to-face and join him on his journey. They will come to understand why an infantryman does what he does, why he puts himself in harm's way in defense of an idea. Surcharges on the sale of these coins will raise funds for a long-term endowment to ensure the maintenance of this important facility. The infantryman is historic, and it is a heroic idea to build this museum to the infantry. I urge passage of this legislation, commend my colleague for offering it, and reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today because gas prices at the pump are just a symptom of our growing addiction to foreign oil and inaction by this House leadership. For our wallets and for our national security, we need to become more energy independent. Congress should start now to develop more of our domestic energy supply. And one of those more affordable and abundant supplies of energy we have now is coal. With over 250 years of reserves, the United States has the world's largest coal reserves. Last night I introduced H.R. 6170, the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act, to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. My bill is clear: It will establish and mandate 6 billion gallons of clean coal- to-liquid fuel by the year 2022. Coal can be converted through proven, existing modern technology into clean, synthetic oil and be economically viable, resulting in lower prices at the gas pump. We need to be serious about becoming more energy independent. West Virginians deserve a comprehensive long-term solution that provides real stability and actually leads to the creation of new energy. Coal- to-liquid fuel will create an investment in rural communities, good- paying jobs for Americans, and cheaper energy for Americans.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the ranking member for yielding to me; I would like to thank the Rules Committee for making my amendment in order; and I would like to thank the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and the ranking member for making this an en bloc amendment. Each of our veterans who have served this country deserves to be honored by a grateful Nation. I come to the floor today to offer an amendment that provides funding for the Authorized Provider Partnership Program, otherwise known as AP3. Before the 2000 national defense authorization, veterans who had fully retired from the military were normally not afforded a traditional military funeral. The 2000 National Defense Authorization Act then established the AP3 program, which required the Department of Defense to provide at least the folding and presentation of a flag, the playing of taps, and to assist with any transportation or miscellaneous expenses. The original provisions of this bill allow the Department of Defense to waive the obligation, which has resulted now in their funding being cut from this program. My amendment will reinstate the funding specifically for AP3 to $3 million, $1 million for the three branches of the military, to continue funeral honor services. Our veterans have served our country bravely and were prepared to take the ultimate sacrifice. We owe it to them to give them a proper and fitting sendoff in the recognition that they have served this country with honor. Their love of country will not go unrecognized. I would like to say, each of us members have attended funerals of our veterans as they passed away, and there is very compelling and very stirring of patriotism to see our older veterans pay tribute to them by honor guard or folding or presentation of the flag. It is critical we continue this, and I hope that this amendment will be passed.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, today I rise to give my congratulations to the West Virginia Army National Guard, under Adjutant General Allen E. Tackett, for being the special category winner of the Army Chief of Staff Army Communities of Excellence. The ACOE Awards are presented every year to recognize excellence in performance for installation management. The award recognizes installation improvement, innovation, groundbreaking initiatives, and dedication to efficiency, and effectiveness. The award also acknowledges support to soldiers, non-military employees, veterans, and military families who reside on Army installations. The West Virginia Army National Guard, which has 32 units, is currently supporting missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. It has been rated number one in readiness for the past 11 years. The West Virginia Army National Guard has proven itself to be an elite, efficient military force. I am so proud that they have won recognition for their outstanding performance. Among their peer installations they have gained notoriety for their work in defending the homeland, and serving the American people at home and abroad. I want to take this opportunity to thank and honor my fellow West Virginians who serve in the Army National Guard as well as all branches of the military. Their bravery and sacrifice exemplifies the best our country has to offer. I encourage them to continue their hard work and am confident that they will continue to impress our Nation.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today because high gas prices are placing an increasingly heavy burden on everyone, including my fellow West Virginians. As gas prices continue to spike, we deserve a sound energy policy that creates new domestic sources of energy, increases supply and puts downward pressure on gas prices. I've supported anti-gouging legislation and called on the President to halt shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which could increase supply and possibly save as much as 24 cents from the price of a gallon of gas. We've also increased fuel economy standards to make each gallon stretch a little further. Yet West Virginians deserve a more comprehensive, long-term solution that provides real stability and actually leads to the creation of new energy. From clean coal to oil exploration and drilling to our desperate need for new refineries to expanded natural gas exploration, we have a wide range of options and ways to make a difference. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have stood in the way of a truly comprehensive energy policy. It's time that Congress stop the rhetoric and work for real solutions.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. I thank the gentleman for recognizing me. I am on the Financial Services Committee. And we have debated and had many hearings on what we all share is an issue before us with great urgency. We are facing serious challenges here in the housing market, and I think our committee has done great work on a bipartisan basis to pass numerous measures and to listen to the concerns all across the board. But I think the greatest concern for me and for all of us here should be that individual in that home who stays up late at night or can't sleep at night because they can't figure out how they're going to stay in their house and afford to keep their home, keep their family safe in their home, and meet the challenges of either an adjustable rate or a house that maybe has devalued so much that they feel like their only option may be to walk away from their mortgage. So we have two bills before us today. Later on, we're going to be considering H.R. 5818, which is the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008. This doesn't help that individual who can't sleep at night who we're most concerned about. The aim is to help big cities and other urban areas that have foreclosed properties, to revitalize that. That's an issue for another day. In my view, the issue we need to debate today is how we're going to help that individual who can't meet the challenges and wants to stay in their home. And so on the larger bill that we're going to be considering later, unfortunately the bipartisan tone of our committee sort of broke down in the process. We had, I think, very spirited debates in front of our committee where our philosophies were shared and we actually found a lot of common ground, which is the way it should be. Because when an originator came forward with a bad loan or didn't ask for financials or didn't ask for background information on a potential buyer, they didn't ask, are you a Republican or a Democrat? This isn't a partisan issue. That's why I think we should have a full and open debate here, and that's why I advocated for an open rule in front of the Rules Committee. So the solutions that we're offering today are going to be diluted because we're not going to be able to hear the debate on the floor because the Rules Committee has decided, in their infinite wisdom--and I'm a former member of a Rules Committee, so I can say that--that the majority is using a seldom used rule that will really prevent our side from offering even a motion to recommit, where we can at least have our voice heard on this floor. So I'm very disappointed that at this day in time, when we have that person at night staying up, that family wondering how they're going to stay in their home that night, they are not going to be able to see the choices that are before us as a body where we can say, we think this is more helpful, or we think this direction is the way we should go. For that I'm tremendously disappointed, especially in light of the committee that I serve on, Financial Services, where we did have this debate and we had ideas that came forward and more ideas that could come forward on this House today. With that, I oppose this rule.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. I would like to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) 1 additional minute.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, could I inquire of how much time we have remaining.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I am ready to close. I have no additional speakers as well. I think we have heard a stark difference in opinion on this bill. I would like to make a distinction, as we have heard the discussion going back and forth, and I think the good-natured way that the debate has gone forward but also the intent of this bill is unquestionably a good intent. But I would like to clarify to those who are listening that this bill is separate and apart from that person who can't sleep at night, that family who stays up at night trying to figure out how to meet the high cost of gas, how to meet the higher cost of food, and how to make their mortgage payment. We've been working with FHA to get people to refinance and to redo their loans so they can stay in their house, and I don't want there to be confusion concerning this bill and the next bill that we are going to be considering shortly after this. This bill, separate and apart, is not going to help that family who can't figure out in the middle of the night how they are going to stay in their home, how they are going to pay their mortgage. These properties that we're also discussing are already foreclosed-upon properties. They're owned by investors, speculators, and financial institutions. And that's our objection. I don't believe we are in a position, and I don't think any of the speakers on our side believe we're in a position for a costly bailout for the lenders, servicers, and real estate speculators who have made risky bets on the housing market and who are now going to off-load their properties into a government program. I think that penalizes every single taxpayer, and it really penalizes that person at night who can't figure out how they're going to get up and pay their mortgage the next day, and that's the person we desperately need and we want to help and it's proper that we should help. So I believe that H.R. 5818 is overly broad. It's a new government program that is going to end up creating a moral hazard, and it's going to end up benefiting not individuals, not people who are having trouble making their mortgage payments, not people who find themselves upside down in their house. It's going to end up benefiting, at the cost of the taxpayers, and I repeat again, lenders, servicers, and real estate speculators. And with that, I urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 5818. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I would like to claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Mrs. CAPITO. Thank you. While I appreciate the chairwoman's amendment, and I do believe that it does go in a direction that is much better for the bill, I still have, as I have voiced in the earlier debate, serious concerns about the bill in terms of the cost and in terms of taxpayers' dollars bailing out investors and lenders. This does not go to individual homeowners. It does not help somebody in foreclosure, an individual family in foreclosure. And so with that, I would urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.