Shelley Capito

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 348 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Library of Congress's National Book Festival, to be held on September 21, 2002. The National Book Festival is a two-day event that will educate children, promote the use of libraries, and encourage the joys of reading. On Saturday, September 21, First Lady Laura Bush will launch the Second Annual National Book Festival by connecting with children all across America through live satellite feeds and Web casting of the event. This will be hosted from the main reading room of the Library of Congress for a captivating afternoon reading program. The reading celebration continues at the Thomas Jefferson Building and on the grounds of the United States Capitol. Much of the weekend's festivities are modeled after a similar book festival that the First Lady launched in Texas. A variety of noted authors and national celebrities will participate, offering readings throughout the afternoon. In addition, folk, jazz, and blues artists will chronicle American storytelling through music. The President and First Lady have been strong advocates of education and reading, since it serves as the foundation from which we all learn and grow. I encourage any Members in town that weekend to attend this event with their young family members, in addition to encouraging their constituents to participate in this event, either those that live here in Washington or via the Internet. I support the resolution, and strongly urge my colleagues to join in support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 348) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Book Festival.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 354) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 347 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 21st Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be held on May 15, 2002. In 2001, over 230 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty protecting and serving our Nation. The officers remembered in this service represent the risk involved in civilian protection, as well as the selflessness necessary to perform their duties. This memorial service will honor the courage and commitment of these men and women. The memorial service will be one part of the annual Police Week, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This week of special events always occurs during the calendar week in which the National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls. The week features such events as the Eighth Annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the National Police Challenge 50K relay, the 7th Annual Motorcycle Dice Ride, the Seventh Annual Law Ride, the 14th Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial, the Fraternal Order of Police and Auxiliary Wreath-laying Ceremony, and the memorial service authorized by this resolution. I am proud and honored to bring this bipartisan resolution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, which honors the many brave men and women of law enforcement who gave their lives in the line of duty to make America a safer place to live and work. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 347) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 356) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Beatrice Gladwell for her outstanding service and contribution to her country, state, and community. Ms. Gladwell has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for her exemplary service and leadership through the Pocahontas County, West Virginia 4-H program. The USDA has presented Ms. Gladwell of Buckeye, West Virginia, with the 2001-2002 National 4-H Alumni Award. The countless hours of service and leadership dedicated to strengthening the communities and the youth of West Virginia more than adequately qualifies her for this award. In her many years as a teacher, and as a leader in 4-H, Ms. Gladwell has fully demonstrated her enthusiasm and love for her community and her fellow West Virginians. Ms. Gladwell was presented with The National 4-H Alumni Award here in Washington, D.C. April 10, 2002 at the USDA's 4-H Centennial Celebration. The National 4-H Alumni Award is given to former members, who, through their career accomplishments, serve as role models for 4-H'ers across the nation in promoting the 4-H motto of ``To Make the Best Better.'' The four ``H's'' in the national organization's title stand for: (1) Head, which entails thinking critically to solve problems, (2) Heart, which means respecting self, others, and the environment; (3) Hands, which requires preparing for a career serving others, and, (4) Health, which asks that members choose a healthy lifestyle and learn to manage change and embrace life's challenges. Only the most exemplary models of citizenship, leadership and service towards others are recognized with this award. It is noteworthy that Ms. Gladwell has been involved in 4-H for the past 73 years of her life. She joined the organization at the age of 10 and is currently the leader of the Buckeye Winners 4-H Club. Not only is Ms. Gladwell an inspiration to all of us as a 4-H'ers, but she has been a well-respected teacher in Pocahontas County for the past 65 years as well. Ms. Gladwell, congratulations and thank you for working to foster a spirit of service, leadership and citizenship by helping so many in your community and contributing so much in producing strong and proud future generations of West Virginians. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Beatrice Gladwell on this most-inspiring award and recognition.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for yielding me the time, and I thank most especially the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for bringing this Freedom to Telecommute Act on the floor. I rise in support of the rule and of the bill, H.R. 3924. This legislation is vital to transforming our entire workforce into the model for the 21st century. In the year 2000 there were 2.8 million regularly employed teleworkers in the United States, growing about 20.6 percent from the previous years. A recent telemarketing cost-benefit analysis suggests telework arrangements can save employers $3,000 per year per employee. There is no doubt that this family friendly work arrangement is more productive both for the employer and the employee and will become more commonplace in the next century, but currently Federal Government employers lag far behind their private counterparts in accepting and implementing alternative work methods such as telecommuting. Many Federal employers are stuck in the old style of management, believing that employees must be in the employer's sight in order to be productive and effective, and that I believe is a problem. In my home district of West Virginia, particularly in the Eastern Panhandle area, which is very close to Washington, D.C., there are many Federal employees who endure a tremendously long commute every day. These hours in the car or on a train cause stress or strain and they prevent parents from spending more time with their families. The Jefferson Telecenter in Ranson, West Virginia, has been a wonderful resource for setting up a more family friendly work environment. I was just there yesterday and visited with an employee from the EPA who expressed her arrangement was very satisfactory, both for her and for her employer. These personal stories of a better quality of life where people can spend more time with their children and less time in a car are ample evidence that Congress should be more open to telecommuting opportunities. I urge my colleagues to join me and pass not only the rule but the act. I again want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for his constant vigilance in the area of telecommuting, and I want to join with him in every effort to see that this moves forward to bring us to a more productive workforce.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I stand here in support of Women's History Month and Resolution 371. Before 1970, women's history was rarely the subject of serious study. Since then, however, this field has undergone a metamorphosis. Today, almost every college offers women's history courses and most major graduate programs offer doctoral degrees in the field. It is no secret that the representation of women and men in government is not equal, but it is also worth noting that this Congress has the most females ever serving in the history of the United States. The strides women have made into public service, holding leadership positions on all levels of government, is something we should recognize and celebrate. I would like to take a moment and recognize some remarkable women from West Virginia: Phyllis Curtain, a remarkable opera star; Pearl S. Buck, a fantastic author; Mattie Lee, a woman who created a home for women, where they could live and work early in the 1920s and 1930s in our country; Karen LaRoe, President of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology; Bertie Cohen, a community volunteer; and Henrietta Marquis, a physician in Charleston, West Virginia, who recently passed away, who practiced into her 90s. These women, all West Virginians, all different, were pioneers of their time. We know that democracy needs all genders, races, religions and ethnicities to participate in order to provide proper representation. As a mother and a wife, I think I bring a different perspective to the debate over issues than a husband or father would. Neither one is more right than the other, just different. The plurality of these different people working together as one government can better serve West Virginia and the rest of America. I stand here today to celebrate all of the bold actions and wonderful achievements of the women who have gone before me. I ask my colleagues to stand up as we celebrate Women's History Month and work to broaden our perceptions to include all of those who normally could be excluded, especially in giving our sisters and daughters an opportunity to serve their communities, their States and their country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) for her wonderful statement and also for the pioneering ways that you did that allowed me to come and be elected this very first time to my first term in Congress. I thank the gentlewoman for her contributions, and I thank her in joining me in celebrating March as Women's History Month. I urge all of the Members to support this resolution and to reflect upon our democracy. This special month creates an opportunity for all of us to remember the women who have played a critical role in the life of our great country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of H.R. 2341, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2002. This legislation will streamline our judicial system, making it more consistent, fair and efficient. First, H.R. 2341 will cut down on and discourage so-called forum shopping, where trial attorneys file lawsuits based on which state's law is most favorable to their claim. This practice results in a small handful of state courts, whose laws are most favorable to plaintiffs, exerting their jurisdiction over other states and creating precedent for entire national industries across the Nation. Second, there's the issues of fairness. We all have heard stories of lawsuit abuse. There are the so-called ``coupon settlements,'' where class action members receive coupons from a sued business while the attorneys reel in millions. You get a coupon, and they get a fortune! In fact, many business are coerced into settling meritless claims, believing their defense is too costly to litigate. This system cannot be allowed to go on. There are too many small business out there, surviving on thin margins as it is. And there are too many class action members, people who have been wronged, who deserve compensation, but watch their attorneys take the lion's share of the award. Finally, Congress needs to pass real class action reform because it will make our federal courts more efficient. Class action lawsuit filings have increased by 1,000 percent over the past decade. Businesses and consumers need protection from these runaway lawsuits and frivolous cases that clutter the courts. This backlog of excessive suits hurts the economy by closing down businesses and costing people their jobs. Remember, it is the consumer who has to ultimately pay for these transferred liability costs to businesses. It comes out of the pockets of hard working men and women when someone decides that they want to take the local business for a ride. Mr. Chairman, let's restore the true intent of the Constitution and allow federal courts to hear large interstate class action lawsuits. It is the right thing to do so that we can protect class action members and businesses from unscrupulous trial lawyers. We owe it to our citizens, our country and our economy.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to address a very serious and pressing problem in our communities and in our society, domestic violence. Around the world at least one woman in every three has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family. Increasingly, gender-based violence is recognized as a major public health concern and a violation of human rights. In my home State of West Virginia, domestic violence complaints to law enforcement agencies have increased by 400 percent since 1998. Last April, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that West Virginia would be receiving $1.1 million. I commend this effort. We must keep in mind that battering behavior is prevalent across all lines of race, ethnicity, geography, education, social class, religion and sexual orientation and that battering has adverse, long-term psychological, emotional, physical and economic effects on women and children. Mr. Speaker, this is Violence Against Women Week, and so I urge all of my colleagues to stand up for battered women everywhere.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support H.R. 1542--the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act. This plan is hugely important for my home State of West Virginia and the rest of rural America. We've heard a lot of talk about the digital divide--the GAP in access information technology between rich and poor. But the digital divide also exists between urban and rural America, and that's just as critical. Today, about 1 out of every 4 Americans lives in a community with less than 10,000 people. But for every 100 of these small towns, only 5 have access to broadband or high speed internet. The lack of broadband access limits the economic potential of rural communities, hindering their ability to attract businesses and retain jobs--especially in today's economy where e-commerce plays such a huge role. Just as a lack of sufficient traditional infrastructures such as roads and sewer systems can deter businesses from operating in rural areas, so too does the lack of technological infrastructures like broadband. Unless we act now to fix this inequity, the absence of an efficient information superhighway will continue to be a barrier to economic development in rural areas. This bill, H.R. 1542 will help break down many of these barriers. But the potential benefits of broadband deployment to rural America aren't just economic. They are also educational. With broadband capabilities, rural schools would be able to connect their students to new learning opportunities across the country--and even around the world. In my home State of West Virginia, there are many schools that are severely handicapped from offering the maximum amount of access and training on the internet because of the lack of broadband access. Teachers and students from Braxton Middle School have told me of how broadband technology is something they desperately need but do not have access to. Mr. Chairman, these students of Braxton County, as well as many others in rural America, will someday be a part of our Nation's workforce. But we will fail to properly prepare and educate them to become the workers of the 21st century if we do not give them the necessary tools--and that includes high speed internet access. Mr. Chairman, this bill holds tremendous promise for the development of my home State of West Virginia and the rest of rural America. I urge my colleagues, whether from an urban areas or a rural location, to support H.R. 1542 and close the digital divide.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1206, and I would like to thank my colleagues, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden), for their whole-hearted support not only of my efforts in seeing this come to the floor today but in bringing it to the floor. As a native of West Virginia, the only State that falls entirely within the bounds of the Appalachian Regional Commission's borders, I stand here today to recognize and applaud the tremendous work this economic development body performs to enhance Appalachia's economic landscape and to foster job growth. America's investment in the ARC has accomplished great things in my home State of West Virginia to improve infrastructure and diversify local economies. These efforts will continue to foster better health care, workforce training, telecommunications and job creation. Additionally, it has been shown that completed ARC projects generate higher than expected tax revenues for local and State economies. And with ARC reauthorization, these programs will have the added stability and long-term financial security that will bring about expanded economic development for our future. Recent reports have indicated that every dollar of Federal funding for ARC leverages about $58 more in private investment and traditional financing through local, State and Federal partnerships. But my support for the ARC is not only based on documented statistics. It is also based on my own personal experience working with the various regional development groups. Just last year, the town of Wardensville, West Virginia, contacted me regarding the need for immediate assistance with the damaged sewer system. I contacted the ARC and was able to secure the necessary emergency funding which allowed the town to repair the damage almost immediately. This is merely one example that typifies the numerous and diverse ways in which the ARC assists local communities. As a side note, I would like to say 11 of the 20 counties that I represent in West Virginia are considered distressed economies in ARC's terminologies. Whether it is building new roads, providing employee training or assisting local communities with flood damage, the ARC has proven itself to be a tremendous asset for West Virginia and the rest of the region. I am especially grateful to the ARC for its commitment to improving the lives of my fellow West Virginians. As Congress seeks ways to enhance the livelihoods of not only West Virginians but also of all people of Appalachia, we must recognize the contributions of the ARC and immediately reauthorize it.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and in verbalizing it this evening. My intent, of course, is to improve the legislation and not to bring it down in any form or fashion. I think I made a good point that I have worked with the most ardent supporters of campaign finance reform to improve this bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, as a strong supporter of campaign finance reform, I am glad to see us debating this issue on the floor this evening. I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) for allowing me to offer this amendment, and I appreciate his willingness to allow me to stand in to offer the amendment. Mr. Chairman, this amendment was created in cooperation with the most ardent supporters of campaign finance reform in an attempt to devise a way to correct what I believe is one of the most glaring inequities in the current system, the problem of self-financed candidates giving unlimited personal resources to outspend and defeat their opponents. Unfortunately, the bill that we are currently considering tilts the playing field away from average Americans wishing to run for office. My amendment would help return a sense of balance to congressional elections by allowing candidates who are unfairly disadvantaged by their opponent's personal wealth to raise matching funds through higher contribution limits and additional assistance from the national party. Quite simply, once a candidate spends $350,000, and I think that is quite a bit, or more of their own money on their own campaign, their opponent is eligible to raise matching funds. These matching funds can come in the form of national party assistance and/or additional individual contribution raised at three times the current limits. Once parity is achieved, the regular contribution limits go back into effect. I want to stress to my colleagues that my intention in offering this amendment is not to add more money to the system. Rather, I want to encourage all candidates, wealthy or not, to play by the same rules. This amendment is not about throwing more money into campaigns. It is about making money less important by correcting the inequities that are created when wealthy candidates use their own resources to sway elections. There are many candidates, and I am one, who have attempted to run a successful campaign against an opponent who had an unlimited war chest of personal finances. It is unfortunate that the strength and the seemingly bottomless nature of a candidate's pocketbook can present additional obstacles beyond the basic debate over the merits of ideas. Large personal fortunes were not a prerequisite that our Founding Fathers envisioned for being a public servant. The creators of our government never intended for big bank accounts to be the key to ensuring many years in office. That was to be a decision for the voters. The American public's cry for campaign finance reform is a testimony to the widespread, accepted truth that money can have the ability to distort government and politics. The uneven playing field that is created when candidates throw millions and millions of their own money into an election must be addressed and remedied here and now if we want true and comprehensive campaign finance reform. The only way a pure American democracy can work is if people have faith in the system and if they participate. That includes running for office. It is time to recognize that the realities of today's elections prevent many from participating. I urge my colleagues to accept the amendment so that any American running for office can compete on an even playing field. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment as the designee of the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 7 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Karl ``Kasey'' Warner of the United States Special Operations Command who is retiring from the United States Army after 27 years of active duty. Colonel Warner has served this great country with dedication and honor for over 27 years in uniform, but his service to his country has not ended. He will be taking on the duties of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years. Colonel Warner began his military career as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was there that he graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1974. Colonel Warner's career epitomizes leadership and selfless service. He has served his country well both as a line officer in Field Artillery and later as a Judge Advocate. Colonel Warner attended West Virginia University School of Law and graduated in 1980. He has served primarily as a trial litigator and has been an instructor of criminal law at the Army Judge Advocate General School. His career has taken him from the parade grounds of West Point to foreign lands and harsh living conditions--he was the joint task force and multinational force staff judge advocate at Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1994-1995. In Haiti, he designed a procedure for detaining Haitians--as a matter of policy they determined that detainees should be afforded the same treatment accorded to detained persons under the 1949 Geneva Prisoner of War provisions (food shelter medical care)--the treatment was so good by Haitian standards that often people would ``confess'' in the hopes of being detained. However by all accounts the Joint Detention Facility was an unqualified success. Colonel Warner also arranged for the appointment of four judge advocates to be authorized to serve as a one-member foreign claims commissions and the appointment of three more judge advocates to serve as a three-member commission. Prior to becoming the prestigious Special Operations Judge Advocate, Colonel Warner was the deputy legal counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In whatever challenge he was tasked with, he excelled and constantly personified the words General Douglas MacArthur made famous and synonymous with West Point: ``Duty, Honor, Country.'' Colonel Warner's military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards; and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He is qualified to wear, in addition to Master Parachutist Wings, the coveted Ranger tab and Air Assault wings. He has also been accorded the honor of receiving the Jump Wings of the Australians, British, and Saudi Arabians. Colonel Warner and his wife, Joanie, have four children: Margaret who is a lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany; Frances, a speech pathology graduate student at Vanderbilt University; Kole, who serves with the West Virginia National Guard and attends West Virginia University and Travis, age 13. It is with great pride and honor that I wish Kasey and his family the best as he retires from the United States Army and continues his service to our great country as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. He has set an inspiring example of dedication to the defense of freedom and to the protection of the basic liberties that the citizens of our country enjoy by taking his turn at ``standing on the wall'' and now continues to defend freedom and liberties as a U.S. Attorney.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a constituent of mine, Mr. George M. Moore. I have the pleasure of knowing George personally, and I am proud to recognize him. Tonight, George will carry the Olympic torch in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Although George considers this a once in a lifetime opportunity, it will actually be his second time to run the Olympic torch. Seventeen years ago, George carried the flame for the 1984 Olympic games. In service to our country, George Moore has sacrificed much. As a United States Air Force fighter pilot, Moore did two tours of duty in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970, when his plane crashed into runway construction. Injuries from this accident put George in a wheelchair. He was only 26 at the time. Today George Moore is an active member of our West Virginia community. He serves as the director of the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He is a devoted father and husband. His active life is proof that George has the ability to overcome any challenge or obstacle with which he is faced. In the Olympic spirit, George has dedicated his stretch with the torch to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. His compassionate and determined approach to life is impressive and truly embodies the Olympic spirit. George Moore is an inspiration to all of his fellow West Virginians. George is extremely deserving of this privilege of carrying the Olympic torch in our home state of West Virginia. I am honored to commend George Moore and I wish him all the best tonight.

Mrs. CAPITO

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3529, the Economic Growth and Security Act. As we all know, in late November, the National Bureau of Economic Research reported that the United States was in an economic recession. This news only confirmed what many of us already feared--that the American economy is slumping and thousands of American workers are losing their jobs. Their intuition was not off the mark. As of late November, unemployment is on the rise and is at its highest level in six years. My Congressional District in West Virginia has been especially hit hard by the economic downturn. In recent weeks, several manufacturing plants in West Virginia have announced plans to lay off workers because of the unfavorable economic climate. Clearly, Congress must pass an economic stimulus package that boosts the ailing economy, preserves and creates new jobs and aids America's workers and families who are the unfortunate victims of this recession. This bill accomplishes all of these goals, as it is a positive step towards economic recovery. With provisions for improved health care and unemployment benefits, this stimulus plan will address the needs of the hard-working men and women of America. At the same time, the plan will secure our long-term economic health by stimulating job creation and economic growth. Mr. Speaker, over three months have passed since the tragic events of September 11. In October, the House passed a sound economic security plan. Legitimate differences have prevented our ability to send a final to the President. This past weekend, the President said that if we do not pass an economic security package, an additional 300,000 American jobs could be lost. This is unacceptable. Today, we return to the floor with a new bill that reflects the spirit of true bipartisanship and compromise. We must send this stimulus package to the President's desk before concluding our work this session.