Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Reclaiming my time, I include in the Record a page that summarizes the GAO report from a few years ago, because I know folks think this is a partisan fight. And don't take it from us. Take it from the independent GAO. It states: ``Membership in a terrorist organization does not prohibit a person from possessing firearms or explosives under current Federal law.'' [From GAO Highlights, May 5, 2010] Terrorist Watchlist Screening: FBI Has Enhanced Its Use of Information From Firearm and Explosives Background Checks To Support Counterterrorism Efforts Why GAO Did This Study Membership in a terrorist organization does not prohibit a person from possessing firearms or explosives under current federal law. However, for homeland security and other purposes, the FBI is notified when a firearm or explosives background check involves an individual on the terrorist watchlist. This statement addresses (1) how many checks have resulted in matches with the terrorist watchlist, (2) how the FBI uses information from these checks for counterterrorism purposes, and (3) pending legislation that would give the Attorney General authority to deny certain checks. GAO's testimony is based on products issued in January 2005 and May 2009 and selected updates in March and April 2010. For these updates, GAO reviewed policies and other documentation and interviewed officials at FBI components involved with terrorism-related background checks. What GAO Recommends GAO is not making new recommendations, but has made prior recommendations to the Attorney General to help ensure that background checks involving individuals on the terrorist watchlist are properly handled and that allowable information from these checks is shared with counterterrorism officials, which the FBI has implemented. GAO also suggested that Congress consider adding a provision to any future legislation that would require the Attorney General to define when firearms or explosives could be denied, which has been included in a subsequent bill. What GAO Found From February 2004 through February 2010, FBI data show that individuals on the terrorist watchlist were involved in firearm or explosives background checks 1,228 times; 1,119 (about 91 percent) of these transactions were allowed to proceed because no prohibiting information was found--such as felony convictions, illegal immigrant status, or other disqualifying factors--and 109 of the transactions were denied. In response to a recommendation in GAO's January 2005 report, the FBI began processing all background checks involving the terrorist watchlist in July 2005--including those generated via state operations--to ensure consistency in handling and ensure that relevant FBI components and field agents are contacted during the resolution of the checks so they can search for prohibiting information. Based on another recommendation in GAO's 2005 report, the FBI has taken actions to collect and analyze information from these background checks for counterterrorism purposes. For example, in April 2005, the FBI issued guidance to its field offices on the availability and use of information collected as a result of firearm and explosives background checks involving the terrorist watchlist. The guidance discusses the process for FBI field offices to work with FBI personnel who conduct the checks and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to obtain information about the checks, such as the purchaser's residence address and the make, model, and serial number of any firearm purchased. The guidance states that any information that FBI field offices obtain related to these background checks can be shared with other counterterrorism and law enforcement agencies. The FBI is also preparing monthly reports on these checks that are disseminated throughout the FBI to support counterterrorism efforts. In April 2007, the Department of Justice proposed legislative language to Congress that would provide the Attorney General with discretionary authority to deny the transfer of firearms or explosives to known or suspected ``dangerous terrorists.'' At the time of GAO's May 2009 report, neither the department's proposed legislative language nor related proposed legislation included provisions for the development of guidelines further delineating the circumstances under which the Attorney General could exercise this authority. GAO suggested that Congress consider including a provision in any relevant legislation that would require the Attorney General to establish such guidelines; and this provision was included in a subsequent legislative proposal. If Congress gives the Attorney General authority to deny firearms or explosives based on terrorist watchlist concerns, guidelines for making such denials would help to provide accountability for ensuring that the expected results of the background checks are being achieved. Guidelines would also help ensure that the watchlist is used in a manner that safeguards legal rights, including freedoms, civil liberties, and information privacy guaranteed by federal law and that its use is consistent with other screening processes. For example, criteria have been developed for determining when an individual should be denied the boarding of an aircraft.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I had to take this opportunity to come to the floor to urge my GOP colleagues to allow a vote on closing the loophole that allows terrorists and terrorist suspects to go and purchase firearms and get a license for explosives. It is unbelievable that this loophole still exists. This is something that we can work together on to help keep our families safe all across America. And here is the state of the law. Currently, if you are a felon, you cannot purchase a firearm. If you are a fugitive, you cannot purchase a firearm. If you are a drug addict, you cannot purchase a firearm. If you have been convicted of domestic violence, you cannot purchase a firearm. Here is the loophole: If you are on the terrorist watch list and you cannot fly, you can still go into the gun store and purchase a firearm. This really is truly unbelievable. I ask the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) to tell us again the statistic, based upon the GAO report, of how many people, terrorists, suspected terrorists, have been able to purchase firearms. Do you know?

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is a great opportunity to put solar power within reach of more families and small businesses across America. It amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 under which Congress directs States to consider adopting certain regulatory policies. My amendment directs States to consider solar projects up to 2 megawatts in size to be connected to their power distribution system and that utilities allow the electricity produced by the community solar facility to be credited directly to each of the consumers that owns a share of the system, thus offsetting the cost of the electricity that would normally be billed by the utility to the customer. Currently, 14 States and the District of Columbia have shared renewable policies in place. My amendment would encourage other States to consider implementing new policies to promote community solar projects. Mr. Chair, 49 percent of households are currently unable to host a photovoltaic system because they do not own their building. They are renters or they do not have access to sufficient roof space, like high- rise buildings or multifamily buildings, or they live in buildings with too much shade or insufficient roof space to host such a photovoltaic system. It is also estimated that 48 percent of businesses are unable to host a solar array. So by opening the market to these customers, shared solar could represent as much as half of the distributed photovoltaic market in 2020, adding an additional 5.5 to 11 gigawatts of solar capacity across our country. One good example is what is happening in central Florida. The Orlando Utilities Commission has developed central Florida's first community solar farm. The community solar farm gives Orlando residential and small business customers access to sustainable, maintenance-free solar energy without the hassles and costs associated with installing panels on their home or businesses. The 400-kilowatt array produces an average of 540,000 kilowatts annually, which is enough energy to meet the power needs of about 40 homes. This has great promise. It has great potential for families and small businesses that we all represent across the country. I would urge an ``aye'' vote. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee for recognizing the great promise and great potential for solar power for families and small businesses across the country. I thank him for urging an ``aye'' vote. I also urge an ``aye'' vote on the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for supporting some of the goals contained in the amendment. This is not an open-ended loan program. This is very modest, only authorized for $250 million. The appropriators will probably scale that back. But what it does is it allows our hospitals, universities, and other industrial users across the country some upfront technical assistance that will save them a lot of money and a lot of energy on the down side. This modest investment will have a great payoff for taxpayers and for industrial users, our hospitals, and universities. I have seen it work right in my district. I know it worked during Superstorm Sandy. We have to think with an eye to the future and act that way. I request an ``aye'' vote on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, my amendment focuses on thermal energy and combined heat power, which are essential to a smart energy future for our country, but they are often overlooked components of our national energy supply. In the United States, up to 36 percent of the total energy produced is lost from power plants, industrial facilities, and buildings in the form of waste heat. My amendment will help industry, universities, hospitals, and others capture that waste heat and use renewables for heating, cooling, and power generation. Now, I want to read the definition of what is included in renewables so that everyone is aware: biomass, geothermal, hydropower, landfill gas, municipal solid waste, ocean energy, organic waste, photosynthetic processes, photovoltaic energy, solar energy, and wind. What is happening across America are businesses and nonprofits are getting really smart about this wasted energy and they are putting it back into their facilities to save energy and save money. The overall resilience and cost savings that can be achieved through combined heat and power and distributed energy systems is proven every day, but it was especially proven during Superstorm Sandy and other natural disasters. During Superstorm Sandy, businesses and nonprofits, such as hospitals and universities, were able to keep the lights on and actually had heat and water in the aftermath of the storm because they have these self- contained, energy-efficient waste heat projects. Mr. Chairman, we have also heard testimony in the Energy and Power Subcommittee extensively on the importance in the future of these smaller, distributed, locally based energy systems. I have also seen it in my hometown in Tampa, where St. Joseph's Hospital burns the medical waste, turns it into waste heat, and they are now saving $200,000 a year on their energy bills where they can keep the lights on. They don't have to pay that out to the power company. That can go back into the care of patients. Mr. Chairman, what my amendment proposes to do is to help overcome the financing hurdles that will be key in implementing this highly efficient and resilient energy infrastructure. My amendment would establish an initiative to provide cost-shared funding for technical assistance for feasibility studies and engineering, and it would enable qualifying energy infrastructure projects to access lower interest debt financing through a loan guarantee program. Industrial competitiveness will be enhanced because these businesses will be able to develop new revenue streams, reduce energy costs, reduce emissions, and enhance energy supply resiliency. We have got to plan ahead here in America. We have got to be smarter. According to a joint DOE and EPA study, roughly 65 gigawatts of technical potential remain in the Nation's hospitals, universities, wastewater treatment plants, and other critical infrastructure. My amendment will help to reduce the up-front capital cost of installing these locally based energy-efficient systems. These systems have proven themselves, and we should encourage them. So I respectfully request that the House act with an eye towards the future. Take this modest but very important step to help unleash American innovation. We know how to do this. We can do this. Let's give our businesses, our universities, and hospitals an incentive to put waste energy to work and at the same time save some money. I urge an ``aye'' vote on my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank the gentleman from New York for his kind words and his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution that seeks to hamstring America's ability to combat carbon pollution and the impacts of the changing climate. In Paris today, 195 nations from around the world are meeting to tackle the challenges of the changing climate. I am proud to see that America is leading this effort. America's willingness to tackle the economic and environmental impacts of climate change is a reflection of our values. We do not cower in the face of difficult circumstances. That is the essence of the United States of America. Yet that is what this Republican majority in the Congress would have us do--ignore the problem, pretend it doesn't exist, hope it goes away. Well, we cannot do that. Scientific consensus is clear: The Earth's climate is changing, temperatures are getting warmer, and it is the greenhouse gases that are the primary drivers. Over the long term, the consequences will be very serious and the costs will be very high, indeed, unless we take action. My neighbors back home in Florida are particularly vulnerable. Florida has more private property at risk from flooding linked to climate change than any other State, an amount that could double in the next 4 years. Already, local governments and taxpayers are being asked to pay more for stormwater drainage, drinking water initiatives, and beach renourishment. Extreme weather events will likely cause increases in property insurance and flood insurance. We just experienced, colleagues, one of the warmest Novembers on record in central Florida. Because of the heat, we had to run our air conditioners a lot longer than we are used to. We are used to turning them off in November, so we are paying more on our electric bills. For my friends in agriculture, the tomato crop was harvested earlier this year because of the heat, and while the yield was comparable to past years, the size was affected. The increase in the number of days with extreme heat is sure to impact other crops in Florida's economy. We are not alone. We are going to continue to see the impacts all across America. So we have a challenge before us. We cannot shirk our responsibility to this great country or to future generations. We must unleash American ingenuity to reduce carbon pollution. So much is already happening. Technology today helps consumers conserve energy and save on their electric bills. Smartphones and smart meters can help you control your thermostat. Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, hold great promise and are growing by leaps and bounds. I have seen it at home, where local businesses like IKEA and the big beer distributorship have put solar panels on the roofs of their huge buildings to save on their electric bills. Roughly 20,000 megawatts of solar capacity is forecasted to come on line over the next 2 years, doubling the country's existing solar capacity. And industrial energy and heat that was once wasted is being turned into fuel.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. All of these efforts are creating the jobs of tomorrow in clean energy, in engineering, in energy efficiency and green building. So, colleagues, I urge you to defeat this resolution. It is largely a symbolic vote. A ``yes'' vote is one to ignore the costs and consequences of the changing climate, but if it passes, it will also be another low point for this Congress, a Congress that has demonstrated time and again an inability to deal with the complicated and thorny problems that face America. I predict that many will come to regret that legacy.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on October 23, 2015, I was unable to be here to vote on H.R. 3762 (Roll Call 568), the GOP Reconciliation Act. Had I been present, I would have voted no on H.R. 3762. I have voted against this bill twice, once in the Energy & Commerce Committee and again in the Budget Committee. I was unable to make the vote because I was back in my district to attend a meeting with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, parents, students and teachers to work directly on a huge challenge of improving schools in that community that are failing our children. Below are the statements I made during the Energy & Commerce Committee and Budget Committee markups of H.R. 3762. Budget Committee ``This is creating great economic uncertainty. Back home, I represent a district with an Air Force base that is home to U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command. They are beside themselves about the inability of the Congress to move forward with a reasonable budget plan. It is now complicating the military missions of our country. They don't want another CR. That is a dead end. They don't want an OCO gimmick that doesn't serve our country well. They want those monies in the base defense budget, and have spoken out loudly. And then on the domestic side our medical researchers, transportation, infrastructure, all of those important jobs that help lift America are also being undercut by the uncertainty created here in the Congress. Now, I am very happy this is being done in an open setting today, because it really lays bare the priorities of the two parties here in Congress. The Democratic priority is to address the budget uncertainty, come together, work out a plan to move forward and avoid the government shutdown. The Republican priority, however, is to continue to attack women's health care and intimidate Planned Parenthood nonprofit clinics and the women that go there for their health services. This witch hunt continues, and it is not serving the interests of our great country. It is beneath the dignity of this Congress, because what is going to happen when we come back after next week? There is a new Benghazi- like select committee to continue this witch hunt. I mean, this is really an all-time low. There has been an attack on women's health now for decades, but now the all- time low is what happened this summer with these manufactured YouTube videos now becoming the basis of public policy in America while all the investigations done here in the Congress and in States across the country have demonstrated no wrongdoing whatsoever. So we are going to waste taxpayer funds and important time on this witch hunt? I think it is very unfortunate. You know, the approval ratings of Congress are at an all- time low, and I have to say, this demonstrates why that is, because it is Congress and the governing--so called governing party, is not focused on the priorities for our great country, instead, focused on intimidating women and trusted clinics across the country. I urge a no vote on this and the reconciliation package. Thank you.'' Energy & Commerce Committee ``Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I have to say, the Republican majority has really taken us back in a time warp today. It feels like we are probably back in the 1950s. The first half of the hearing was on energy policy, was very anti-science. It was practically the world is flat. They refused to address the changing climate, and the challenges that poses for our country and our communities, refused to modernize America's energy policy by unleashing innovation to benefit consumers and businesses all across America. But now the GOP majority wants to restrict contraceptives, and family planning services. This is decades old in--and it is another unconscionable attack on women's health and Planned Parenthood. And I wanted to pose a question, which is doing more today in America to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. Certainly not the Republicans in Congress, who continue to vote to block access to contraceptives, and family planning, as they are . . . . . . . No, it is Planned Parenthood that is doing more to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies in America. Now, although the GOP attacks on women's health have gone on for years here in the Congress, we recently hit a new low this summer, when a shady group, that is actually under criminal investigation, helped launch a broad-based smear campaign against Planned Parenthood. To date, all of the investigations that have been launched have turned up there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations that Planned Parenthood, or any of its affiliates, violated the law, including an investigation by this very Committee. Actually, what the evidence has turned up so far is that Mr. Dunliden, and his organization that doctored the YouTube videos, misrepresented itself to gain access to medical conferences and Planned Parenthood facilities. They should be the ones that are under investigation and brought to account. The investigations out there so far have showed that the videos are selectively edited, they repeatedly omit exculpatory statements about compliance with the law. We simply cannot allow Republicans in Congress to use these falsified videos to continue their extremist agenda against women and deny women access to comprehensive healthcare. You know, this is the House of Representatives, and the population of the United States of America is a little more female, about 50--a little over 50 percent. But here in the Congress, you all know what the percentage is. It is under 20 percent female. Well, it certainly shows. I will urge my colleagues to defeat this attempt, again, to paint another chapter in the radical agenda against women's health. . . . I hope you have read the legislation that will be considered today, because what it will do is eliminate access to contraceptives and family planning. If my Republican colleagues truly believe that there should be family planning services, and contraceptives allowed to women and families across America, they should vote no on this radical idea, and this idea of reconciliation today. I will yield back the balance of my time.'' Again, if I was present for the vote today on H.R. 3762, I would have voted no.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding the time. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 702. The bill is an irresponsible giveaway to Big Oil at the expense of America's national security, at the expense of American consumers, and our longstanding policy of working towards energy independence. Now, our current policy is not a ban. You can call it a ban, but it is not a ban. It allows and promotes oil exports to strategically important allies, to places in the national interest. It is a smart policy. But now Big Oil wants free rein to ship America's natural resources to countries not in our national interest. This bill will eviscerate our thoughtful policy. Despite assertions that the oil will go to allies in Europe and elsewhere, that is not supported by the facts. Who is most likely to benefit? Experts say China. The Energy Information Administration projects that China's oil consumption will double over the next 2 decades. China has been very aggressive all across the globe in exploiting and locking down natural resources. They have gone to Africa. They have gone to South America. While we have been fighting battles in Afghanistan, they have been locking down contracts for natural resources in Afghanistan. At the same time that America is dealing with Chinese cyber espionage and their geopolitical confrontations with our allies and the U.S., why would we help China gain a strategic foothold on America's natural resources? I would think that America's national security interests would compel you to defeat this bill. You should also vote this bill down and side with American consumers instead and American jobs. America is still heavily dependent on imports of crude oil. We still import 25 percent today. Any claims that sending American oil overseas would help consumers in America is entirely unsupported, no matter how many times they say it. Instead, what the studies show is that exporting American oil would feed the uncertainty of oil markets and likely increase costs to American consumers. Back home in Tampa right now you can go to the gas station and fill up your tank at about $1.99 per gallon. So it defies logic to say that changing this policy that is working for America right now would really lower the price. I don't think so. American jobs are also very likely to take a hit if this bill becomes law. Why? Because of the important jobs in the refining industry, the shipping industry. Those are American jobs. Side with the American jobs. This bill is very poor public policy. Exports will be determined only by Big Oil to serve the interests of Big Oil, ceding complete control of this strategic national asset.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Just to close, Mr. Chairman, the cost to U.S. consumers, our policy of energy independence, our national security interests compel a ``no'' vote on this bill.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this wasteful maneuver by Republicans in Congress to establish yet another investigative committee at a cost of untold millions of taxpayer dollars. It is unconscionable to establish such a committee without any basis to do so and at a time when Congress should be focused on higher wages, modern infrastructure, and the basic responsibility to pass an appropriations plan for America. But no, action on all of these pocketbook issues for American families and businesses is being shoved aside by Republicans in Congress for a witch hunt based upon false You Tube videos that are full of distortions and misinformation. Republican attacks on Planned Parenthood and women's health care is part of an unfortunate pattern of assaults over the last two decades. But this latest maneuver borders on an abuse of power. At best, it is an attempt by Republican leaders to distract the American public from their failure to do their job. I urge my colleagues to defeat this bill and get back to the business of hardworking Americans.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary leader of the Tampa Bay community, John Germany. His remarkable career in public service and his many contributions to our community are worthy of recognition by all. John Germany was born in 1923 in Plant City, Florida. As a young man, John Germany served his country in the U.S. Army as a tank commander during World War II. During the war, he led his platoon to the gates of the Ebensee concentration camp in Austria and helped liberate the camp. After the war, he graduated from Harvard Law School and returned to Florida to begin practicing law. John Germany served as the Chief Legal Advisor for Legislative Affairs to Florida Governor LeRoy Collins. During his tenure, he was an early and important supporter of establishing the University of South Florida and would later go on to serve as the Board of Trustees President. John Germany's critical role in founding the University of South Florida earned him the University Medallion for Community Service in 1966 and the President's Fellow Medallion in 2012. Today, the University of South Florida is an economic engine in our community and top research institution in the nation. Not only has John Germany impacted the Tampa Bay community with this dedication to the law, he has also strengthened our community through his support of local organizations and his dedication to educating youth. In 1961, he was elected President of the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County. As President of the organization, he spearheaded efforts to fund and build a library in downtown Tampa which opened in 1966. In recognition of his role in founding the library, in 1999 it was named ``The John F. Germany Library.'' His excellence in his legal work and commitment to community service earned him the 2006 Outstanding Lawyer Award by the Hillsborough County Bar Association, an award given to those who excel in the areas of law and community service. Even after learning of his cancer, John Germany donated $100,000 to the library system that will continue to fund the John Germany Youth Reading Initiative into the future. John Germany will be forever remembered as a leader in the Tampa Bay community who was passionate about the law and the advancing youth education. Born into the Greatest Generation and a leader in shaping our great City of Tampa, he was a true pillar in our community. On August 26th, 2015, he passed away at the age of 94. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in honoring John Germany for his lifelong service to the State of Florida.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has established that not all services currently provided by Planned Parenthood could be furnished by other health clinics and medical practitioners if Planned Parenthood were defunded. A George Washington University professor confirmed this in a column this week. The reason is that so many of the services provided relate to gynecological services and personal female healthcare needs. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy).

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the ``Deny Women Health Care Act.'' Madam Speaker, congressional approval ratings are at an all-time low, and here is another example of why: Republicans in Congress have failed to fulfill their fundamental responsibility to our great Nation again. Republicans have pushed America to the brink of another government shutdown, and we are a mere 5 legislative days away. Republicans in Congress have refused to sit down and negotiate a bipartisan appropriations plan despite the urging of Democrats, business leaders, military servicemembers, and citizens all across America. The bill brought to the floor today is an attempt by Republican leaders to distract the American public from their failure to do their job. Last spring, we urged Republicans in Congress to sit down and hammer out an appropriations plan. They refused. Instead, the Congress adjourned at the end of July. Nothing happened in August. Nothing has happened since the Congress has returned after Labor Day. Now the Republican dysfunction in this House will have very serious consequences for our neighbors back home. A Republican shutdown would hurt thousands of disabled veterans, disadvantaged children, small businesses, working families, and taxpayers. The last time Republicans shut down the government for 16 days, the economy lost $24 billion and 120,000 private sector jobs. Here is what happened: The Republican shutdown stalled veterans disability claims, creating additional needless delays for our heroes seeking help. Hundreds of critically sick Americans were prevented from enrolling in the NIH clinical trials, with 98 percent of the National Science Foundation, nearly three-quarters of NIH, and two-thirds of CDC employees furloughed. Head Start grantees, serving thousands of children, were forced to close. American entrepreneurs and small businesses were cut off from millions of dollars in SBA loans. Small businesses with government contracts faced abrupt payment delays and cutbacks. Almost $4 billion in IRS refunds were delayed. The Republican Congress' continuing dysfunction and inability to govern are having real impacts on hard-working Americans. The American people are tired of their relentless failure to govern and the culture of crisis. Again and again Republicans have chosen to put their radical special interest agenda ahead of the priorities of hard-working Americans. The American people deserve better, especially in this case, because the Deny Women Health Care Act is a cynical attack on the ability of women across America to receive the health services that they need at trusted Planned Parenthood clinics. I know many are passionate about these personal issues. That is why the Republicans advance this bill on this topic. They know it is sure to inflame passions. But to date, despite congressional inquiries into these false videotapes, there has been no wrongdoing uncovered whatsoever, no evidence to substantiate the allegations. What has emerged since the false videos were posted on YouTube is a coordinated, broad-based smear campaign based upon false, manufactured videos that are full of distortions and misinformation. The bill is one more assault in the long list of Republican assaults on women's health care over the last two decades because simply defunding Planned Parenthood would leave millions of American women without key preventative services, including birth control, family planning, lifesaving cancer screenings, testing and treatment of infections, well-women exams, and advice on family planning. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I will reiterate again, there is no evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing, and I maintain that this is a distraction from the Republican's fundamental failure to pass a budget 5 legislative days before a government shutdown. Madam Speaker, I am honored to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).