Jason Chaffetz

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, the one-size-fits-all federally controlled health care plan proposed by the Democrats as ``reform'' will never address the particular needs of each state the way a successful health care system must do. It is essential that Congress allow states the flexibility to respond to local markets, institutions, demographics, and issues. At the very least a federal plan must contain opt-out provisions for states. The current plan does not include these provisions and could seriously undermine years of hard work and progress in Utah. Utah's Governor recently sent a letter to the members of our delegation outlining some of his concerns with the current proposal for a federal takeover of health care. In his letter, the Governor criticized the current health care legislation as not providing Utah the flexibility to create solutions and address problems in a manner best suited to Utah's unique needs. The Utah state legislature shares the Governor's concerns about increased federal restrictions on states' abilities to regulate health care. The legislature passed a bipartisan concurrent resolution urging Congress, should it pass health reform legislation that further restricts states, to grandfather certain state laws, regulations and practices that have proven very successful in Utah. I stand with the Utah legislature and the Governor in urging Congress to refuse to enact any legislation that imposes further restrictions on a state's ability to regulate health care in the way that best meets the needs of its citizens. Office of the Governor, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 11, 2010. Hon. Jason Chaffetz, Longworth Building, Washington DC. Dear Congressman Jason Chaffetz, I am writing to encourage you to resist the Obama Administration's current push to pass the White House health care reform plan as quickly as possible. As I have outlined in previous communications, the White House plan is not in the best interests of the citizens of the State of Utah. While in Washington recently with the National Governors Association, I discovered, through discussions with my counterparts, that many are working on state-based health system reform. It quickly became clear, however, that the country's governors were not welcome to participate in the national dialog, which is an unfortunate and critical mistake. States must have the opportunity to address local needs with local solutions and to help shape the national debate. Simply put, the White House plan does not provide Utah with the flexibility to create solutions and address problems in a manner best suited to our unique needs. A one-size-fits-all ``solution'' will never address the particular needs of each state and its citizens. States must be allowed flexibility to respond to local markets, institutions, demographics, and issues. At the very least, a federal plan must contain opt- out provisions for states like Utah, which has already come so far in reforming our own health care systems. The current plan does not contain these provisions and, as it stands today, could seriously impede three years of hard work and progress in Utah. These opt-out provisions are critical to states like Utah, which is leading the way in reform. The White House plan is a rejection of the concept of federalism, which is so vital to our nation. It ignores the fact that the right way to go about reform is to allow the 50 states to be 50 laboratories of innovation. This is the only way to really learn what works and what doesn't, and for whom. For the past three years, Utah has been one of the leading states in developing health care reform, and the results are beginning to show great promise. We have had several successes, particularly with the Utah Health Exchange, and we continue to build on those successes. Our friends in other states are also beginning to learn what works for them and what does not. If Washington leaders are serious about finding a good solution for the nation, shouldn't they be looking to these states for guidance? If designed correctly, federal reform that creates flexibility and rewards innovation will provide benefits well into the future. In fact, I would like nothing more than to lend my support to a meaningful bipartisan federal health reform bill. However, there appears to be little interest from the White House to create such a bill. The process the Administration is pursuing all but guarantees that no bipartisan bill will emerge. Yet, here in Utah, all of our health system reform legislation has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. It can--and it should--be done. That message must be heard in Washington. As Governor, I ask that you continue to work toward a bipartisan federal reform bill. One that recognizes the proper role of the states as laboratories and provides the support we need to be flexible in addressing our unique situations and demographics. Thank you for your leadership and assistance with this very important issue. Sincerely, Gary R. Herbert, Governor.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise for the second time in just one short week to honor a young Marine from my district who paid the ultimate price for our country, and reminded us with his sacrifice that freedom isn't free. Marine LCpl Nigel K. Olsen died on March 4, 2010, while serving in the Helmand province in Afghanistan, just days after Lance Corporal Aragon, a fellow Utah Marine in his unit passed away. Like so many serving with him, Lance Corporal Olsen rose to answer the call of duty with a maturity and patriotic honor far beyond his years. He had finished high school at Mountain View High in Orem just 3 years earlier, and enlisted right after graduation. He knew from a young age that he wanted to serve in the military, to serve the country he loved, even before he rode on an aircraft carrier from Hawaii to California in elementary school. We honor Lance Corporal Olsen's mother Kim and father Todd, and his sister Stacy and her daughter as well. They also loved their country-- our country--enoughh to let the son and brother and uncle whom they loved serve in Afghanistan with his fellow Marines. At this time of their loss, I would ask my colleagues to join with me in extending our Nation's heartfelt condolences and appreciation for the service and sacrifices of Lance Corporal Olsen and his family. We ask so much of these fine young men and women in the Armed Forces. May we ever keep our servicemembers and their families in our thoughts and prayers, and may God bless them, and the United States of America.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. America lost one of its finest. Carlos Aragon, 19 years old, from Orem, Utah, was killed while serving as a Marine in the Helmand province. It's so sad when you hear these reports. Your hearts and your thoughts and your prayers go out to the family. But at the same time, your heart is filled with pride that these young men and women will step up at such a young age to fight and protect this country and fight and protect for the good of the United States of America. I hope we do more to recognize these young men and women. I thank that family. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 53 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. With all due respect to the great people of the Virgin Islands and to my colleague, I stand in opposition to this bill. No doubt, the Virgin Islands is one of the most spectacular, beautiful places on the face of the planet. But this bill is about priorities of the United States of America. We are $12 trillion in debt. We are spending $600 million a day just in interest on that debt. This Congress momentarily is going to have to raise the debt ceiling another $1.8 trillion. We don't have the money to do this. Currently, the National Park Service has an estimated $9 billion in backlog, $9 billion that they need to help with the national parks to preserve and to upgrade what we already have in our current holdings. We don't have the money. We don't have the resources. If you look at what the President is probably going to say here in less than 8 hours, he might come in and try to create this air of, oh, we have to be a little fiscally responsible. We should probably freeze a few things. For the second time in just over a week here, we are going to actually come and look at this bill to acquire at the cost of $40 million to $50 million property with funds that we don't have. No longer can this government continue to use the government credit card to rack up debt. Those that decide to vote in favor of this bill, although it's just an authorization--I know it's not an appropriation-- are saying, sure, yeah, let's go buy some beachfront property. We don't have the money. Think of all the other things that we could do and should do in prioritizing this country. We have 1,500 people a day that die from cancer, and we're not adequately funding those types of things. We deal with homelessness, and we have Homeland Security issues. But this government continues to acquire private property and put it into the Federal Treasury. I think it's fundamentally wrong. As was pointed out earlier, there is no report. The National Park Service does not recommend we make this transaction because they haven't even finished the study. Why does this government spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a study if it doesn't matter? Maybe what we should have also done is add an amendment to stop the study and recover as much money in funds as we can. There is absolutely no reason, if the Democrats are going to move forward and push this thing through, to actually do the study. I don't care if it's $2,000. Let's save it. And until this body has that type of attitude, we will continue to have the systemic problems that we have in this government. Just yesterday, the Governor of the territory stood up before the people and said this: ``However, the global economic crisis has had a great impact on our economy. It has devastated our government funds, where we are running a monthly deficit of $25 million and our tax revenues fell by over 30 percent. This means that we had 234 million fewer dollars to spend than we had just the year before. To put this in perspective, $234 million is almost half of the cost of salaries and benefits of our government workers for a full year.'' Now some will say, well, we should move forward with this. Well, guess what? It's going to take property off of the tax rolls and put the burden on the Federal taxpayer. Why should the people of Iowa or Rhode Island or Utah or California have to continue to pay and supplement the people there on St. Croix for this property? I don't think it's fair. I don't think it's right. The Federal taxpayers will be the ones responsible for reimbursing on the lost property tax, plus the million dollars a year that it's going to take in order to just maintain the facility. Again, as we said, there are existing parks that need our help, $9 billion in backlog. If this was really such a great thing for the island and they really wanted to do it, my suggestion is to do it locally. Locally they can go and acquire this. It does not require the Federal taxpayers to take on this burden. I think one of the arguments back to that would say, well, we can't afford it. Well, neither can the Federal taxpayers. Neither can the United States of America. It's time we stand up and say ``no'' to a bill like this.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, I am a freshman in this body. I didn't help create this mess, but I am here to help clean it up. The fact of the matter is we have to spend less than we are spending now. We have to be responsible stewards of the American people's money. We are $12 trillion in debt. Remember, if you spend $1 million a day every day, it would take you nearly 3,000 years just to get to $1 trillion, and we are $12 trillion in debt. When is this body going to say no? This body is not making difficult decisions. I am sorry, but the Democrats in control have refused to find a solution to things that don't cost literally hundreds of billions of dollars every time we turn around. We can't be all things to all people. We have to learn to say ``no.'' At what point will there actually be a cap? At what point will there actually be a ceiling? We see no hope on the horizon for that. We have got to be responsible stewards of the American people's money. We cannot be all things to all people. We are spending nearly $600 million a day just in interest on our debt. General Leave

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Thank you for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this rule is really bad government at its worst. I really do believe that in my heart of hearts. It seems to be a vehicle to drop in things that would never pass by themselves, and we are hearing that criticism on both sides of the aisle. It's 2,500 pages, and the gentleman from Massachusetts asks, Well, why is that important? It is important because we have been given just hours to try to review this. It is a physical impossibility to actually read and comprehend what is in this bill. I, for one, was elected as a freshman because I was critical of the Republicans and the Democrats. It is a shame that this bill and this rule are being pushed upon us without an opportunity to properly review it: 2,500 pages. $446 billion in expenses. Nearly a 12 percent increase in spending year after year in the base spending. Over 5,000 earmarks that could never withstand the light of day if we had to vote on them and look at them one at a time, as my friend Mr. Flake has brought many times before this floor. Next week, there is going to be legislation moved forward to raise the debt ceiling by $1.8 trillion. Let no person in this body try to kid themselves that they are concerned about the debt and the deficit when they have to continually raise the debt ceiling to try to clean things up. No. We continue to mortgage our future every time we are met with a challenge. The only thing I hear is we need billions and billions more. It is time for this Congress to make tough, difficult decisions and to limit the spending. That will help grow the economy. That is the responsible thing to do. That is what the American people asked us to do, but that is not what this body is doing. It is time for some personal responsibility here in the United States Congress. We should defeat this rule, and we should get serious about limiting the amount of expenditures that happen in the United States Congress.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work Mr. Gordon has done on this bill with broad, bipartisan support, and I appreciate the leadership of Jim Matheson, who has led out on this issue for years. In short, for those of you who are supportive of the nuclear industry, and like me want to see the expansion of the nuclear industry, we need to make sure that we reserve the capacity so we can deal with the waste. We won't be able to have expansion unless we have the capacity to actually store the waste. And for those of you who don't want to see any sort of expansion of the nuclear industry, then why in the world would you ever want to take nuclear waste from foreign countries? I am a very strong supporter of nuclear power. Currently, nuclear reactors in America provide the United States with roughly 20 percent of its electricity, yet we have built no new reactors since 1978. That is why I am a cosponsor of the American Energy Act, which establishes the national goal of bringing 100 new nuclear reactors online over the next 20 years. Achieving this goal is important for our economy, our environment, and for energy independence. This is why facilities like the one located in Clive, one of the best in the Nation and really the best in the world, need to dedicate their capacities to storage of American products. Expansion of our nuclear capacity will be nearly impossible if we allow our storage facilities to become saturated with foreign nuclear waste. I support this bill and oppose the importation of waste into the country based on the basic laws of supply and demand. If the waste generated by Italian companies is so valuable, then why do businesses in Europe not step up to the plate? There is a reason why: With $1 billion on the line, there is not one place in Europe that is willing to step up and take it. It is dangerous. It is very dangerous. The answer, I would argue, is that other European countries do not want to take the risk of importing waste into their country. It is not a risk that I want to take for the State of Utah or for my country. And I believe that by passing this bill, I am confident that market forces will find a place for the waste somewhere other than the United States, and we can continue to propel the nuclear industry forward in the United States of America.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and would yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. -Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2009 Little League Softball World Championship team from Warner Robins, Georgia. The Warner Robins Little League softball team competed against six other teams from the United States and teams from around the world, including Italy and Canada. The Warner Robins team went undefeated throughout tournament play, and they clinched the championship by defeating the team from Crawford, Texas. Congratulations to that team as well. These players showed tremendous desire to win and demonstrated true sportsmanship while ultimately going on to win the Softball World Series. There were many notable achievements on the field because of the remarkable efforts by the entire team and leadership of their dedicated manager and coaches. This victory was the culmination of hundreds of hours of practice and playing and winning many games during the regular season. The win was of considerable interest to the citizens of Warner Robins, Georgia, because it made the community the first with a Little League to have won both a baseball and a softball world series championship. We should be proud of these young women who showed that teamwork and the ``never give up'' spirit can accomplish much, not only in the game of softball but also as a winning strategy in life. With so much turmoil in the world, it's great to see young women step up and achieve such significance. I hope they carry that through the rest of their lives and recognize this great moment and the team effort that it takes to truly be successful. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, we would like to recognize Real Salt Lake for their inspiring MLS Championship victory. Some people had all but lost hope that they would compete in the playoffs, but the playoffs were just the beginning of their Cinderella rise to the top. Beginning with their first win in the playoffs against defending champions Columbus Crew and ending with the final win over the star-studded LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake proved themselves to be a championship-caliber team. Rather than relying on a few star players, this team proved the power of teamwork and the value of believing in one another. Led by their first-time coach/former player Jason Kreis and Captain Kyle Beckerman, they validated to the world what they already knew. Never giving up, Real came from behind to win in a high pressure penalty kick. We would like to congratulate Real Salt Lake and thank them for bringing a championship home to Utah.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3634 which designates the United States postal facility located at 109 Main Street in Swifton, Arkansas, as the ``George Kell Post Office.'' George Kell played baseball for 15 years and, in that time, established his place in history as one of baseball's greatest third basemen. Over the span of his career, he played with the Philadelphia Athletics, the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago White Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles. Not only was he a 10-time All Star player, but Mr. Kell is one of only 11 third basemen elected to the Hall of Fame. Even after he retired, Kell's passion for the game continued. It led him to becoming a broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers. He broadcasted every game from 1959 to 1996, missing only one season in 1964. He was well loved and respected by fans and players alike. It's appropriate that we honor this local icon by supporting H.R. 3634. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, with no other speakers, we would yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crenshaw).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hillhouse was obviously a great American, one of our best. We urge the adoption of H.R. 3667. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) for the strength and inspiration that she provides to so many women who are having to deal with this. And thank you for sharing your story. I rise today in support of H. Res. 727, supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecological cancers and is the fifth leading cause of death among women in the United States of America. Ovarian cancer will occur in one out of every 57 women. This year, approximately 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and more than 15,000 will unfortunately die from it. Currently, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer. In June 2007, for the first time a national consensus statement on ovarian cancer symptoms was developed. It described the symptoms, thereby making it easier for women to learn and remember them. However, because of the lack of reliable screening tests, 75 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage, resulting in a survival rate of less than 45 percent. This has to change. It is critical to the victims of ovarian cancer and their loved ones that a reliable screening test be developed to detect this dreaded cancer in its early stages. In the meantime, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance holds a number of events to increase public awareness of ovarian cancer and educates women about the importance of knowing its common signs and symptoms. During these events, they stress the importance of routine doctor visits and robust scientific research. During this time and throughout the year, we need to renew our commitment to fighting this illness that devastates all who have been touched by this cancer and takes too many lives of women throughout the United States. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, H. Res. 727. My own mother passed away from breast cancer. Cancer kills too many Americans, roughly 1,500 people a day in this country. I think it is a shame that we don't give more national importance to fighting the war against cancer. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of House Resolution 727. I thank the chief sponsor, Mr. Israel, and all those who have put their heart and soul behind this, and urge the adoption of this resolution. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join us in honoring the late Frank McCourt, best remembered for his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, ``Angela's Ashes.'' Born in 1930 in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. McCourt was actually a public school teacher for nearly 30 years who taught English. He was a veteran, drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and used the GI bill to enroll in New York University. He also earned a master's degree from Brooklyn College. Throughout his nearly 30-year career teaching, Mr. McCourt taught at McKee High School in Staten Island, Stuyvesant High School in New York City, at New York City Technical College and at the City University of New York. It was only in his mid sixties that Mr. McCourt finally sat down and chronicled his childhood memories. Despite Mr. McCourt's insistence that it was ``a modest book, modestly written,'' ``Angela's Ashes'' became an overnight, word-of-mouth success. It was made into a motion picture in 1999. Mr. McCourt received the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critic Circle Award for his work. Mr. McCourt passed away this past July 19, and today, we honor the contributions he made not only to America's educational system but also to American culture and American literature. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, we have no additional speakers, but I would urge the passage of House Resolution 743. It's an honor for me to participate in these proceedings, and I urge the adoption of this resolution. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I have one speaker remaining.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to concur with, actually, my friend from New York. He is a distinguished Member of this body. I agree that there is confusion in this room. While the Democrats want to talk baseball, we want to talk about health care. The only thing that I am concerned about is, yes, we are going to go ahead and recognize the New York Yankees. I urge the adoption of this and spoke to that. But while the New York Yankees are winning the World Series, the American families are striking out. That's the point. That's the point. We can pause for a moment and recognize the New York Yankees. We can pause, and we should, for an extended time of what happened at Fort Hood. We also have to remember the focus on the debate in this body ought to be about the serious issues of this day, and there are deep concerns about the 1,990-page health care bill that is going to come before this body because there are those of us who don't fully believe that we understand all of the implications, unintended consequences, and direct consequences of what is found in that bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. You know, baseball is such a great sport. It is often referred to as our national pastime because it's a great way to escape the realities of all the pressures that happen in life. It has done that for so many people and will continue for decades and centuries to come, I'm sure. But the reality, once the game is over and we go back home and people start to realize what is truly happening in their lives, there is a lot of concern out there. You have people all across this country, right in the pit of their stomach they're worried. They're worried about their future; they're worried about their kids; they're worried about their parents. And so we look at statistics that come out and we just gaze and wonder and think, gosh, my goodness, what can we do to help? Unfortunately, I believe that we are moving in the wrong direction in this country. Earlier this week, we saw some new statistics that came out. Supposedly there were 640,000 jobs that were either created or saved through the stimulus. Now, I have serious reservations about the accuracy of those numbers. They have been often overstated; I know they were overstated in our State of Utah. But let's go ahead and just assume that that is true. Part of this report showed that only 2,500 of 640,000 jobs were manufacturing jobs. But the stimulus bill and the economic policies instituted by this Congress and this administration have grown government; they haven't grown jobs. We have missed the mark. The very best hope for our future is to focus on small business. It's going to be businesses and the American entrepreneur that are going to grow this country. It is not going to be government. There is another statistic that was released today where the unemployment rate unfortunately has gone to 10.2 percent. In many States it has been in double digits for a long time. The stimulus did not work. It is not doing what it is supposed to do because it was fundamentally flawed from the beginning; it was fundamentally flawed at the start. It did not give relief; it did not focus on the small business man and woman. It did not focus on Main Street. It was a bailout to government, it was a bailout to the States, and it's fundamentally wrong. And so at this time, when we are having such concern about our country, we are now considering a health care bill I doubt most any person in the body has actually fully read let alone comprehended from start to finish. It's 1,990 pages. It is so complex; it is a total takeover of health care. It demonstrates in there that there is going to be a tax increase on medical device manufacturers, a so-called ``wheelchair tax.'' Whether you buy your wheelchair or crutches or need a defibrillator, whatever it might be, they're now going to have a tax increase. Weren't we promised that there wouldn't be one dime, not one dime of tax increase for anybody who is earning less than $250,000? This is a tax that is going to be implemented on every single American, every American. There are tax increases on small businessmen and -women. Yet we know that 70 percent of the jobs that will be created in this country will come from small businesses. So, at the very time we need that economic engine to drive us forward, to propel us forward as a country, this administration and the bill we are considering would implement a tax increase at the wrong time. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.