Russ Carnahan

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. I want to thank my colleague from Colorado (Mr. Polis) for yielding and for the work he is doing on this rule. I appreciate the consideration of the Rules Committee in making one of the amendments I offered on this bill in order. However, I offered a second amendment that gets right at the heart of the issues addressed by this legislation, and, unfortunately, this amendment was not made in order. I can only assume this is because the majority does not want a floor debate that demonstrates the weaknesses inherent in this legislation. My constituents in the St. Louis region I represent understand how important the Clean Water Act is. Situated at the confluence of our country's two greatest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, St. Louis has a long relationship with the mighty rivers. We have long relied on the rivers to take our products to market and to connect us to the rest of the country, and, of course, we depend on them to provide clean drinking water. At the same time, we have learned to rebuild after devastating floods, and I'm sorry to see that this year may well go down in history as the most devastating year for flooding since the epic year of 1993. I appreciate that the Rules Committee made in order my amendment which will allow us to debate and vote to ensure provisions which help ensure that flooded communities do not have to worry about unclean and unsafe water as they recover. However, Mr. Speaker, my constituents want to know that their water is clean and safe at all times, not just in the wake of natural disasters. This bill seeks to give States greater control over their water, but, unfortunately, water does not always obey State borders. This bill fails--it fails--to ensure that water flowing from an upstream State meets the standards for water quality for any of the downstream States. This legislation will undermine the precedent we have established since President Nixon signed the Clean Water Act into law in 1972 that allows the EPA to balance the concerns of different States and ensure clean drinking water for everyone. If H.R. 2018 were to become law as it stands now, the EPA would lose this critical ability. In that case, Missouri would have little recourse if, say, Minnesota or Illinois decided to adopt clean water standards below what is acceptable to Missouri. My amendment which was not made in order is simple: It would have exempted water that travels between States, thus solving the issue of differing standards between States. If one State chooses to allow polluters to discharge harmful chemicals into a shared water body, other States that share the waters should have a say, and EPA should step in and ensure basic standards are met. Unfortunately, H.R. 2018 without my amendment will allow States to adopt inconsistent standards that will create uncertainty for business, damage our environment, and undermine our public health. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, 2011 is already the costliest year for natural disasters in history. Over $250 billion in economic damages have already been incurred around the world. In the U.S. alone, storms, flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes have already done roughly $27 billion in damage, more than double the annual average over the last decade. Living near the confluence of our country's two greatest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, my constituents in the St. Louis region have rebuilt from floods many times, and we understand the challenges facing communities across the Nation during this unprecedented season of floods. Even after the cleanup has begun, flood-affected communities face the prospect of public health epidemics spread by dirty water, in effect, creating a double crisis for communities already struggling to pick up the pieces. We have all seen the shocking images from cities large and small along the Mississippi this spring, and the last thing these communities need are weakened clean water standards that would put them at risk of water-borne diseases or even toxic chemicals. My amendment to H.R. 2018 would ensure that communities recovering from devastating floods would not be burdened by the public health threats posed by dirty water. It simply states that none of the provisions of H.R. 2018 would apply where the President has declared a disaster due to flooding within the past 5 years or to waters that have contributed to such a flood. This is a commonsense amendment. It will help reassure flood-affected communities that their water is safe and healthy. I urge my colleagues to stand up for flood-affected communities across the country by voting in favor of the Carnahan amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. CARNAHAN. I thank may colleague, Mrs. Biggert, for her remarks and also want to address the important issue of CBECS funding and to engage in a colloquy with my colleague, Mr. Visclosky.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Thank you. As you know, the committee report language states that the Energy Department is directed to fund all data collection, releases and reports on oil, natural gas, electricity, renewables and coal, all previously funded international energy statistics and all ongoing energy analysis efforts before allocating funding to the energy consumption surveys. Unfortunately, this language effectively excludes funding for the Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey, also known as CBECS. This is one of the few tools we have that provides a comprehensive assessment of how commercial buildings as diverse as offices, supermarkets and senior centers use energy. I want to thank the ranking member, I want to thank the chairman, and I want to thank my cochair of the High Performance Building Caucus, Mrs. Biggert, for their engagement on this issue. In fact, there was broad private sector support for continuing CBECS. At this point I would like to submit for the Record two letters that were submitted by private sector stakeholders to the Appropriations Committee in support of CBECS. I just want to read one sentence from a letter that I will be submitting for the Record: ``If funding is not provided, work on the 2011 CBECS data will likely not continue, and the government and industry will be forced to rely on data that is nearly a decade old, resulting in potential missed opportunities to increase building efficiency.''

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, due to being unavoidably delayed, I missed the vote on the Polis Amendment to H.R. 2219 (Roll No. 529). I would like to reflect that I would have voted against this amendment, which failed by a margin of 113-307, had I been present to record my vote.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, this image depicts a watershed moment for our Nation's senior citizens. President Harry Truman conceived of Medicare during his Presidency and received first Medicare card after President Johnson signed the program into law 46 years ago, when 40 percent of Americans over the age of 65 lived at or below the poverty level, largely due to medical costs. Now only 10 percent live in poverty. But my Republican colleagues seek to radically alter this successful program. Their plan would double annual out-of-pocket expenses from $6,000 to $12,000, would give insurance companies the power to ration care, and would force seniors to spend another $2.2 billion on prescription drugs by reopening the doughnut hole. Madam Speaker, balancing the budget is a national priority. Everyone needs to work together, and everyone has to sacrifice to get our fiscal house in order. But my Republican colleagues continue to argue for special interest exceptions from that national sacrifice. They are letting oil companies and companies sending jobs overseas off the hook. Why should profitable companies continue receiving taxpayer subsidies while we're asking Grandma to pay more? Madam Speaker, as Medicare turns 46, let's get serious. Let's be sure that this is a national priority and a national sacrifice.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 268 and call upon my colleagues to strongly support this resolution. It reaffirms the long-held U.S. commitment to Israel and the negotiated settlement by and between the Israelis and Palestinians. The future of Israel is inextricably linked to that of its neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa. With gas prices rising, conflicts in that region have a direct impact on Americans here at home. I have long supported a two-state solution to the conflict, with Israel as the recognized home of the Jewish people and a strong Palestinian state to promote the well-being of the Palestinians as well. The U.S. and our allies must support this process. We must allow the two parties to come together and negotiate a settlement. This is the best avenue to achieve a lasting peace. I want to say that I strongly oppose Palestinian attempts for unilateral recognition through the U.N. that would delegitimize this peace process. A fellow Missourian, Harry Truman, recognized Israel within minutes of its declaration of independence. We must continue this kind of support for Israel and for our allies striving for peace together. I urge support of this resolution and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this issue in the months ahead.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, our seniors need Medicare. As we prepare to celebrate its 46th anniversary next month, history shows Medicare has been one of the most successful health care programs in our Nation. Seniors rely on it. But my Republican colleagues, sadly, want to end Medicare as we know it. Missouri's own Harry Truman conceived of Medicare and was the recipient of the first Medicare card in 1965 as it was signed into law by LBJ. At the time, 40 percent of American seniors over 65 lived at or below the poverty level. Now, more than 40 million seniors in America are enrolled in Medicare, including 1 million Missourians, and the poverty rate for seniors has dropped to only 10 percent. The Republican plan is to reopen the doughnut hole, double seniors' medical expenses, and give insurance companies the power to ration care. We cannot let this happen. Everyone agrees we must make serious cuts to lower our debt, but we have to take a balanced approach that doesn't threaten the fragile recovery or scapegoat American seniors. I ask my colleagues to set our differences aside and have a serious conversation about our debt that respects what seniors need and deserve.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, on June 9th, the Department of State will hold a reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the au pair program. Host families, au pairs from Germany, Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, France, Sweden and Mexico, along with other countries, and federal officials from the Department of State, will participate in this event recognizing the strength and longevity of this cultural exchange program. The first au pairs arrived in New York City in June of 1986. Since that time, the program has witnessed dramatic growth, thanks in part to the leadership and vision of one of the first authorized sponsors, Au Pair in America, a division of the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), located in Stamford, Connecticut. AIFS helped establish a regulatory framework that has allowed more than 87,000 young people to live with and care for the children of American families during a mutually rewarding one- or two-year experience. This exchange experience has profoundly changed the lives of au pairs, the young children they care for and their host families through their daily exchange of ideas and broadening their global understanding through a sharing of culture, language, and religion. Furthermore, au pairs have been active contributing members of their American community where they live through their engagement in community and religious activities, giving of their time and talents to charitable organizations and volunteering their time to teach young children in schools about their native country. As a proud alumni of one of AIFS's study abroad programs, I can personally attest to the unique educational opportunity living outside your native country provides a young student. For me, it was a life changing experience, helping expand my horizons and alter my way of thinking. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my voice in commending all those who have worked to develop and expand the au pair program over the past 25 years.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of this amendment, which restores critical funding for local first responders and public safety officials. Specifically, it ensures adequate funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (SAFER), which improve the readiness of our nation's heroic firefighters and emergency service providers, and help them protect and serve our local communities. My home state was recently impacted by the horrific tornados that struck St. Louis and Joplin, Missouri. We saw firsthand the vital role that local first responders play in the wake of horrific disaster-- searching for and rescuing survivors, clearing debris, and providing much needed support to a community suffering from heart-wrenching loss and destruction. FIRE and SAFER Grants help local fire departments equip, train, and maintain their personnel, preparing them to respond to all forms of emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorists attacks. The city of St. Louis recently was awarded a SAFER grant that was instrumental in saving up to 30 firefighter jobs during tough economic times in our city. These programs are vitally important to firefighters serving in large towns, small cities and rural areas across America, as they are able to address the immediate, individualized needs of departments efficiently and effectively. The underlying bill would dangerously cut funding for the FIRE and SAFER grants by nearly 60 percent compared to FY 2010 and FY 2011, and putting at least 1,600 firefighters' jobs in jeopardy. At a time when local fire departments and other first responders already face significant budgetary challenges, these cuts irresponsibly threaten our economic recovery and the safety of our communities. Our local firefighters and first responders are the backbone of safe communities across this country, which is why I have consistently advocated for sufficient funding of FIRE and SAFER grants in requests to House appropriators. These brave Americans and their critical work deserve our full support, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sudha David- Wilp, and to honor her and the work she has done on behalf of the Association of Former Members of Congress. Many of my colleagues and I have had the pleasure to see her work first-hand, both here in Congress, and abroad. My work with Sudha began five years ago when I first joined the Congressional Study Group on Germany. Sudha's mastery of the issues, keen intellect, and diligent work ethic were always obvious, no matter the time or place. So much of the success of the Study Group is attributed to Sudha's hard work and dedication to German-American relations. I have always been struck by how quintessentially German-American Sudha's life and work has been. From her work in Germany and the U.S., to her family being raised with the values and traditions of both countries, it is fitting that she is heading to Germany with her husband and children for the next chapter in her life. Sudha will be dearly missed here, but I know she will be successful back in Germany. I thank her for everything she has done, and ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her outstanding work.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, last night our Republican colleagues scheduled an empty vote on the debt ceiling, a political stunt with no serious plan. Last week, the majority leader tried to use a natural disaster as political leverage in their ideological fight over the budget. And last month and again today, Republicans propose ending Medicare as we know it to pay for tax giveaways for millionaires and giant oil companies. I'm holding another town hall meeting tomorrow, telephone town hall, with my constituents to talk about these issues and what our national priorities should be. The Republican extreme ideological war is a disturbing trend, using national emergencies, the full faith and credit of the United States, and our seniors' health care as if they're bargaining chips. The American people and the Missourians I represent deserve better. It's time to come together like adults to find serious solutions to our complex problems. And it's time to stop threatening Medicare, important institutions, our national credit, and the national commitment to lend a hand to those in need, and especially those suffering through natural disasters. We can solve this without trying to scare markets or scare seniors. Let's get serious about reducing our deficit and growing jobs.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, due to an incorrectly recorded vote on the Cole Amendment #27 to H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, the record reflects a misrepresentation of my position. I would like the record to show that I firmly oppose this amendment which would exempt federal contractors from campaign disclosure requirements. I was disappointed by the Supreme Court's January, 2010, ruling on Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission, which overturned provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 making it easier for big business and special interests to secretly finance political campaigns. As such, last year I cosponsored and voted in favor of H.R. 5175, the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act, which would promote transparency and disclosure in federal elections and counteract some of the most detrimental impacts of the Citizens United decision. I believe that Congress must address the unsustainable demands of campaign fundraising and enact tougher laws governing the actions of both legislators and special interests. In keeping with my views on campaign finance reform, please let the record show my opposition to this amendment.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of this amendment, which conditions funding of the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, ASFF, on assurance from the Secretary of Defense that sufficient management and oversight mechanisms on contracts are in place. The proper accounting of U.S. funds and programs in Afghanistan is vital to operational effectiveness and is particularly poignant as Americans across this country face ongoing economic hardships. I offered this amendment because we have a responsibility to our military personnel and the American tax payers to ensure that U.S. resources are being effectively and efficiently utilized in Afghanistan, so we can quickly and responsibly bring our military and civilian personnel home. As the primary means for training and equipping the Afghan National Security Forces, ANSF, the ASFF is a critical component of our overall strategy to build Afghan capacity and transition to an Afghan-led mission. Unfortunately, however, instances of mismanagement and lacking oversight of the ASFF point to another example of insufficient accounting over Department of Defense contracts. Specifically, failure to construct long-term plans and several occasions of corruption and poor oversight on contracts have been cited--not only putting the billions of dollars in ASFF programs at risk but threatening the operational success of ANSF training and overall accomplishment of strategic objectives. While specific amounts of waste, fraud, and abuse related to DOD contracts for ASFF are incompletely documented, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has estimated overall mismanagement of Afghanistan reconstruction funds as ranging anywhere from 10 percent to 100 percent. Using conservative estimates for anticipated levels of waste, fraud, and abuse, this amendment withholds 25 percent of ASFF funds until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that proper accounting mechanisms are in place. Throughout hearings on the foreign affairs committee's oversight panel, we have consistently heard issues of contracting mismanagement to the tune of billions of unaccounted for dollars. The safety of our personnel, the integrity of tax payer dollars, and the overall achievement of our missions depend on the effectiveness of our management and oversight institutions. In short--our troops deserve better; the American people deserve better, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to give thanks to all who stepped up to help when St. Louis was struck by the Good Friday tornado. But now it's time to help our fellow Missourians in Joplin who last night suffered Missouri's most deadly tornado in 50 years, up to 1 mile wide and 6 miles long, devastating homes, businesses, schools, and the local hospital. I have reached out to our colleague, Billy Long, who represents southwest Missouri. We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of at least 89 dead, many more injured, and all whose way of life has literally been demolished. As a member of the congressional subcommittee with oversight responsibility for FEMA, I commend the prompt action of our first responders as they conduct urgent search and rescue operations. The American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter. For those who would like to help, you can visit www.redcross.org. In the spirit of thanks for the assistance given to St. Louis in our time of need, it is time to provide a helping hand to our many neighbors who urgently require our help in southwest Missouri.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, families and small businesses have been hurting for too long. While the world is changing, Washington has made things worse by ignoring American manufacturing and stifling American ingenuity. But here is what hasn't changed. Americans are still the most creative and most productive people in the world. We're still great at making things. And that's why I support the Make It In America agenda, because American manufacturing can and should be the central driver of our economy. The St. Louis region I represent has a strong base in manufacturing, and now we need to tap into that strength to bring high-quality, high- paying jobs back home. That's why my office is helping St. Louis-based heating and air conditioning manufacturer Unico after being unfairly targeted by regulators. With a level playing field, companies like Unico can compete anywhere in the world, and if we invest in education, innovation, infrastructure, and manufacturing, we can restore making things to a central place in our economy. I ask my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to stand with me to make these job-creating investments so we can Make It In America again.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victims of a notorious concentration camp in Omarska, located in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the summer of 1992, Omarska was the site of mass human rights violations in an attempt to drive non-Serbs from this part of the country. When the world learned of these mass atrocities, U.N. prosecutors brought cases against many of the perpetrators of these crimes. The ICTY found several guilty of crimes against humanity. Remembering the victims of Omarska allows the survivors and families of the victims to mark this tragic chapter. This is critical to reconciliation, and to the future of Bosnia. I strongly urge all companies, municipalities, and others to allow anniversary events to take place in Omarska. It is critical that all involved allow a memorial to be built, and for all parties to respect the commemoration of Omarska and the right of remembrance so that the horrors of Omarska are never repeated again.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, my Republican colleagues have introduced a bill to end Medicare as we know it in order to pay for tax giveaways to millionaires and profitable companies. Listening to the President's speech yesterday, and to my colleagues on the floor today, I'm convinced that this debate is about no less than the values we hold as Americans. As the President said, the Republican budget is less about reducing the deficit than it is about changing the basic social compact in America. Do we want to live in an America where opportunity is snatched away from young people who want an education, or one where any student who works hard enough can find a way to succeed? Do we want to live in an America where our seniors can retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work, or one where the elderly must ask their children for the spare room they might not even have to give? Much of what the President has proposed has yet to be fleshed out in detail, and I hope we can come together to develop a serious budget plan. But for now, let us debate the values underpinning this discussion-- the fundamental choice between a vision that offers extreme ideology, out-of-touch with the everyday struggles and hopes of American families, versus one that offers a path to future competitiveness in the global economy, and a renewed opportunity to achieve the American Dream. I know which one I'll choose.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, both sides here have agreed to serious budget cuts. The choice is between responsible cuts and extreme cuts that endanger our fragile recovery, cost jobs, and hurt seniors. And because Democrats are fighting to stop the Republican extreme cuts, Republicans are threatening to shut the government down. Their proposal cuts investments in projects like high-speed rail by $1.5 billion, which could have a serious impact on jobs in the St. Louis region I represent. And their proposal lacks the common sense and courage to end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil, millionaires, and companies sending jobs overseas. But most shockingly, as the Wall Street Journal has noted, the proposed budget would drastically cut Medicare and Medicaid, throwing our seniors into crisis. The AARP has said the proposal would ``deny vulnerable seniors access to long-term care and force deep cuts in quality and safety in nursing homes, leaving more seniors at risk.'' The Republican extreme cuts are not the solution. I urge my Republican colleagues to get serious. It's time to roll our sleeves up and work together to solve the Nation's problems, not create more problems by shutting the government down.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement, I rise to honor Jerry Feldhaus, an exemplary citizen of Missouri and the City of St. Louis. An active and accomplished, yet humble citizen who worked selflessly and tirelessly for the good of others, Jerry truly represents the best of America. As a young man, Jerry's career as a pipe coverer was interrupted when he was called upon to serve our Nation. He answered that call and bravely defended our freedoms as a member of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. Jerry's commitment to helping others is demonstrated by his dedication to the trade union movement. For 31 years, he served as a board member, business representative, and business manager of the Asbestos Workers Union Local 1. For the past 12 years, Jerry served as the Executive Secretary-Treasury of the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council. He has held numerous other leadership positions in the Building Trades and as a Board Member and Co-Chairman of PRIDE, Jerry Feldhaus set the standard in building better cooperation between management and labor. Jerry's reputation as trusted leader in both labor and management circles helped great economic development project get done in our St. Louis Region. Private sector projects such as the new Busch Stadium would never have been built on time and on budget without the commitment and vision of Jerry Feldhaus. The new Mississippi River Bridge, one of the most important and transportation projects currently being built in the country, would not be on its way without Jerry's steadfast leadership in bringing Illinois and Missouri leaders together for this great common cause. Through it all, Jerry has been motivated by a profound desire to work for the benefit of others. He has made a significant and positive impact on our community, giving his time and talents generously to vital social causes as a Board Member of the St. Louis Chapters of both the March of Dimes and Nurses for Newborns. Jerry is deeply devoted to his family. He and his wife Jeanette have been married for 38 years and raised three children: Damon, Marty, and Stacy. Jerry is also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. The St. Louis community has benefited tremendously from Jerry's unwavering commitment to improve labor and social conditions. Furthermore, every American appreciates the patriotic sacrifices he made in his military service. Jerry is truly an exemplary citizen, and the accomplishments of his remarkable career ensure that his legacy will live on for many years to come.