Shelley Capito

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Reach Out and Read program. The Reach Out and Read Program is a program that promotes early literacy by making reading a standard part of pediatric primary care by encouraging doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading to children. Reach Out and Read programs are located in over 2,000 hospitals and health centers around the country. Annually, more than two million children participate in Reach Out and Read. My district is proud to have 14 Reach Out and Read programs that provide over 15,000 books to nearly 11,000 West Virginia children annually. I have participated three times in Reach Out and Read Programs in Kanawha and Roane Counties in my district. By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. President Bush included Reach Out and Read in his fiscal year 2006 budget request, continuing a multi-year effort to support this vital reading program. Reach Out and Read has a strong track record of raising non-federal dollars and is capable of more than double the impact of its 2006 appropriation. In January Reach Out and Read undertook a major 2-year initiative to increase the number of children reached by 50 percent through mid-2007. This bold step will greatly increase the number of West Virginia children who grow up in a household where early reading is encouraged. Reach Out and Read assists families and communities in encouraging early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. The continued support of this program is critical to the success of the Reach Out and Read program.

Mrs. CAPITO

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

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 235 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 22 calls for a commonsense Small Business Bill of Rights that spells out urgent actions that Congress should take to allow small businesses to thrive. Ninety percent of all employers in our country are small businesses, and 70 percent of all new jobs created in America are created by these small locally owned businesses. Small businesses, stores, manufacturers, and farms drive the economic engine of many communities across the country. They truly are the backbone of America. Many obstacles confront a small business owner looking to expand his or her company to provide more jobs and investment. Frivolous lawsuits are a constant and a costly threat to small businesses across the country. The rising cost of health care has made it difficult and, in many cases, impossible for small business owners to offer health care to their employees. Today, over 60 percent of small business employees do not have health insurance. Soaring energy costs make it difficult for small manufacturers to produce goods at a competitive price. The cost of natural gas and other feedstocks is taking up a larger and ever-growing share of the budget of manufacturers. In the 109th Congress, the People's house has already acted on several of the items called for in this resolution. Two weeks ago, we passed legislation to permanently repeal the death tax, a tax that puts a huge burden on small business owners and takes away resources that are vital to families seeking to keep farms and businesses in their family. Last week, we passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to help reduce the cost of energy. The legislation provides money for clean coal technology that will help coal continue to provide low-cost energy while protecting our environment. Provisions will also open new refineries and new oil reserves into the market. All of these measures will help lower the cost of energy for small businesses. In February, President Bush signed the Class Action Fairness Act into law. This law is a strong first step in limiting frivolous lawsuits that burden our economy and destroy job growth. There is still much more to be done. In the past two Congresses, we passed legislation allowing for Association Health Plans. These plans would permit small businesses to join together through trade associations across State lines to gain purchasing power in the health insurance market. Health insurance is the biggest challenge facing small business today, hands down. Many small business owners want nothing more than to offer affordable health care to all of their workers. These owners know their employees personally and know their employees' spouses and children, making that decision not to offer health coverage an agonizing one. Yet many small business owners make this choice because of the rising cost of health care. We must pass legislation to allow small businesses to have the same purchasing power as large corporations in the health insurance market. With millions of small business employees among the uninsured, association health plans are one of the most important things Congress can do for our Nation's workers. In order for small business to grow and produce more jobs in local economies, we must have pro-growth policies. A national energy policy, association health plans, and legal reform are some of the important steps that will benefit small business owners and their employees alike. This resolution is an opportunity for Members to show their support of small business to continue moving forward on crucial issues to protect existing jobs and spur economic development. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the rule and the underlying resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller), the author of the resolution and a champion of small business.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution outlines the areas that the 109th Congress needs to highlight for all small businesses. In previous Congresses we have initiated many areas of small business in terms of trying to help them grow and flourish where they are employing so many Americans. They are the very engine of our Nation's economy and it is time that we start acting on legislation to help them continue to do so. I thank the gentleman from Florida for bringing the measure to the floor. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying resolution.

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

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. I thank the gentleman from Washington for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 8 and thank the gentleman from Missouri for his leadership in offering this bill. I was proud to be in this Chamber 4 years ago on the day Congress began phasing out the death tax. As a result, thousands of jobs were saved and second and third generations were able to take charge of their family's business. We knew when we passed that law the phaseout was not a permanent fix. Today we have the opportunity to complete unfinished business. If we do not act now to permanently eliminate the death tax, it will be revived at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2011. Bringing back the death tax will drive the final nail in the coffin for America's next generation of small business owners. The Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act represents the changes to our Tax Code called for by our Nation's farmers and small business owners who want to pass their family business on to the next generation. Small business owners and farmers devote their time, energy and money into building a business so it can be passed on to their sons or daughters. In the absence of the death tax, these small businesses become a legacy for one generation to pass on to the next. With the death tax, families face a whopping tax bill on the property and assets even though taxes have already been paid annually by the owners. The death tax is an overwhelming burden, forcing many families to sell their businesses just to pay the 37 to 55 percent tax. As a result, jobs are lost and generations of family toil are plundered by the government. Permanently repealing the death tax will help small businesses create new jobs. A 2002 study showed that an extra 100,000 jobs a year would be created if the death tax were permanently repealed. The Wall Street Journal wrote in 1999 that 60 percent of small businesses would add jobs if death taxes were not on the books. The very threat of a revived death tax has a negative impact on small business. Even with the temporary phaseout, business owners must continue to plan for paying that tax. To help owners hire new workers and continue to invest in their business, they need to know that the death tax is gone for good. We must not allow this small business killer to rise from the dead. The House today has an opportunity to rid the Nation of this tax that kicks families when they are down, takes away a lifetime of hard work, and stifles job growth. I hope that my colleagues will join me today in supporting the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. James W. Lane. Last month, he lost his battle to a long-term illness. Dr. Lane was a Charleston urologist, former U.S. Army captain, and civic leader. As Chief of Staff of the Charleston Memorial Hospital, he eased a hospital merger that resulted in the creation of Charleston Area Medical Center, which is the premier medical facility in the Kanawha Valley. Dr. Lane was also a teacher of his trade. As the chairman of the Department of Urology at CAMC and a clinical professor of urology at the Charleston Division of the West Virginia University School of Medicine he trained hundreds of young doctors. Dr. Lane was a member of several local service and community organizations including the Kanawha Medical Society, the Mid-Atlantic section of the American Urology Association, and the West Virginia Health Right, where he was named volunteer of the year in 2002. Dr. Lane was instrumental in improving the availability of health care in West Virginia. His legacy of humility and compassion for others was attributed to how he lived every day of his life. Dr. Lane was a pillar of the community and his memory will resonate in the minds of those fortunate enough to have known him and his countless accomplishments.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the budget resolution. The rule allows for debate, along with three substitutes, two of which were offered by the minority. I think it is a good rule. I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Nussle) and members of the Committee on the Budget on a good product that addresses several of the concerns that I have had with President Bush's budget. I am pleased that the budget provides for extension of tax cuts that have brought 20 months of job growth to our Nation's economy. I also agree with the increases for our national defense and homeland security to provide for our troops fighting the war on terror and to keep our communities safe. One source of concern for me was the Community Development Block Grant program. It is crucial to city and rural areas across my district. The President's budget proposed reducing funds to the CDBG and 17 other economic development programs from $5.31 billion to $3.71 billion. I am pleased that the Committee on the Budget added an additional $1.1 billion to the President's request for the functional category encompassing these programs. This budget resolution makes no assumption on the President's proposed Communities Initiative. Our veterans deserve the very best health care and services our Nation can offer them. Funding for veterans have increased by 47 percent over the past 4 years, and I am pleased that the committee added $297 million this year to the President's budget proposal for veterans, and I will continue to seek further and additional funding for our veterans and their health care. I continue to have some concerns with the budget. I am a strong supporter of vocational education and TRIO programs. The President's budget proposal would combine these into a high school intervention initiative and reduce funding. TRIO programs are very successful. I actually worked in one in helping low income students with their transition to college. Vocational ed programs offer many high school students the motivation to work hard in all of their classes and provide job skills who do not go on to college. I look forward to working with appropriators to ensure adequate funding levels for both TRIO and vocational ed. Medicaid funds are very important also to all West Virginians, particularly low income West Virginians, and I urge my colleagues to avoid cuts to Medicaid as the reconciliation instructions found in this resolution are implemented. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these priorities like veterans education, economic development and Medicaid are adequately funded as the process continues. I support the rule and the resolution.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 144 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, and I would like to reiterate as well that this legislation is crucial to the continued growth of our economy. We are creating jobs and improving the ability of current workers to commute to their places of employment, among a myriad of other transportation issues. I look forward to the strong bipartisan support of this legislation. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the Committee on Rules met and granted a structured rule for further consideration of H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, more commonly referred to as TEA-LU. This rule provides for no further general debate, except for the final period of 10 minutes contemplated in the House Resolution 140. Finally, the rule makes in order the 12 amendments printed in the Committee on Rules report and provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the rule we have before us is a fair rule, and I believe all Members should be able to support it. Mr. Speaker, since October 1, 2003, Federal surface transportation programs have been forced to operate on a basis of a short-term extension. We are approaching the end of the most recent extension, which will expire on May 31, 2005. Our Nation's highways desperately need the assurance and stability of a 5-year reauthorization provided by H.R. 3. As a former member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I can appreciate the incredible bipartisan effort that has gone into writing this legislation. I would like to applaud the efforts of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Ranking Member Oberstar) for bringing this legislation to the floor in an expedient and bipartisan manner. I look forward to the passage of this bill and hope that our colleagues in the other body will take swift action. The highway bill is a vitally important investment in our Nation's surface transportation system and fosters job growth across the country. In fact, it is estimated that for every $1 trillion in highway funding, 47,500 jobs are created. The highway bill provides $284 billion in funding for vital programs that will impact citizens across the States, improving safety and accessibility. In my district, the highway bill represents the strongest step forward ever to replace U.S. Route 35, a 2-lane death trap through West Virginia's Mason and Putnam counties. U.S. Route 35 is dominated by tractor trailers and tanker trucks traveling south from Ohio and north from Interstate 64 in Charleston. Far too often, the high volume of traffic swallows up local commuters, resulting in tragic motorist fatalities. With the passage of the highway bill, construction of a new 4-lane appropriate to meet the demand will be built, diverting traffic around dozens of residential neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, this is just one example from my home district, and there are countless others from across the country. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of this legislation, which provides for countless improvements in the Nation's surface transportation system. The numerous projects and programs authorized by this bill will improve our highway systems and the ability of our constituents to travel from State to State. To that end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor at this time to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of our committee. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 140 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate that this is the first rule for this bill. There will be further consideration of amendments later this afternoon and will continue into tomorrow with further consideration of additional amendments. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate the importance and congratulate not only my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), but the chairman of this committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for their terrific efforts in seeing this bill brought to the floor; and I look forward to its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, the Committee on Rules met and granted a structured rule for H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, commonly referred to as TEA-LU. This rule provides for 2 hours and 20 minutes of general debate. The rule incorporates title VIII, the Transportation Discretionary Spending Guarantee, into H.R. 3, and makes in order 10 amendments printed in part B of the Committee on Rules report. Madam Speaker, I would like to note that this rule is the first of two rules that the Committee on Rules will be granting for H.R. 3. Several Members submitted amendments yesterday, and it is the intention of the Committee on Rules to continue its consideration of these amendments later this afternoon and provide for additional amendment debate. Madam Speaker, the rule we have before us is a fair rule that I believe all Members should be able to support. Madam Speaker, by its own deadline, Congress must act to reauthorize federally funded surface transportation programs before the current extension runs out on May 31, 2005. As a former member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I can appreciate the incredible bipartisan effort that goes into writing this legislation. I would like to applaud the efforts of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for bringing this legislation to the floor in an expedient and bipartisan manner. I look forward to the passage of this bill and hope that our colleagues in the other body will take swift action. Madam Speaker, the highway bill is a vitally important investment in our Nation's surface transportation system and fosters job growth across the country. In fact, it is estimated that for every $1 billion spent in highway funding, 47,500 jobs are created, quite an amount. This is very much a jobs bill for America, containing various new projects and improvements. The highway bill provides $284 billion in funding for vital programs that would impact citizens across the States, improving safety and accessibility. The legislation reauthorizes highway and motor carrier safety programs, it authorizes $3.2 billion for the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, which carries out highway safety programs. It authorizes $2.9 billion for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates truck safety. The highway bill authorizes $6 billion for a new competitive grant program to fund projects of regional or national significance aiming to improve the movement of goods and people to designations beyond that immediate area. In my district, the highway bill represents the strongest step forward ever made to replace U.S. Route 35, a two-lane basic death trap through West Virginia's Mason and Putnam Counties. U.S. Route 35 is dominated by tractor trailer and tanker trucks traveling south from Ohio or north from Interstate 64 in Charleston. Far too often, the high volume of traffic swallows up local commuters, resulting in tragic motorist fatalities. With the passage of the highway bill, construction of a new four-lane highway appropriate to meet the demands will be built diverting traffic around dozens of residential neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, this is just one example from my home district. There are countless others from across the country. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of this legislation that provides for countless improvements to our Nation's surface transportation system. The numerous projects and programs authorized by this bill will improve our highway systems and the ability of our constituents to travel from State to State. To this end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.