Jason Chaffetz

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Chair, there's no more precious time than those with your children. We want to be as compassionate as we can. But at a time when we have literally millions and millions of people who are out of work, when we are looking at a $1.8 trillion budget deficit just this year alone, I don't want to saddle leave that new child who is coming into the world with this unbelievable debt. So it's something that I would like to do. But I think what Mr. Issa's amendment offers is a very reasonable alternative to create the atmosphere and create the program and create the way that our Federal employees can tap into something that they have earned. But I think we have an obligation to recognize the proper role of government. We have to remember for every dollar, every benefit that we want to hand to a Federal worker, we're going to have to take that money from somewhere; and we're going to have to take it from the American people's pockets to give it to someone else.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I appreciate what Mr. Issa is proposing here. Let's remember that it's the American people's money. It's not Congress' money. It's the American people's money. At a time of deficit, now is not the time to go out and spend billions of more dollars when we're so far in debt.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to recognize for 2 minutes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield myself as much time as I need. Whole-body imaging does exactly what it's going to do. It takes a 360-degree image of your body. Now, I want to have as much safety and security on the airplanes I'm flying every week, but there comes a point in which in the name and safety and security we overstep that line and we have an invasion of privacy. This happens to be one of those invasions of privacy. Now I understand why the gentleman from California expressed his concern. Let me be clear that this amendment on whole-body imaging only limits primary screening. It can be used for secondary screening. You may get people with artificial hips or knees or something else, and they may elect this kind of screening. It's perfect for them. But to suggest that every single American--that my wife, my 8-year- old daughter--needs to be subjected to this, I think, is just absolutely wrong. Now, the technology will actually blur out your face. The reason it does this is because there is such great specificity on their face, that they have to do that for some privacy. But down in other, more limited parts you could see specifics with a degree of certainty that, according to the TSA as quoted in USA Today, ``You could actually see the sweat on somebody's back.'' They can tell the difference between a dime and a nickel. If they can do that, they can see things that, quite frankly, I don't think they should be looking at in order to secure a plane. You don't need to look at my wife and 8- year-old daughter naked in order to secure that airplane. Some people say there is radio communication. There is distance. Well, it's just as easy to say there is a celebrity or some Member of Congress or some weird-looking person. There is communication. You say you can't record the devices. Many of us have mobile phones or have these little cameras. There is nothing in this technology that would prohibit the recording of these. With 45,000 good, hardworking TSA employees, 450 airports, some two million air traffic travelers a day, there is inevitably going to be a breach of security. And I want our planes to be as safe and secure as we can, but at the same time, we cannot overstep that bound and have this invasion of privacy. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Lynch for his great work in identifying this as a challenge. We have so many great men and women who serve at the TSA on the front lines. They are dealing with literally tens of thousands of people at a time, some of whom inevitably are going to be sick. It seems reasonable to me that we should put first and foremost the protection and the safety and the consideration of those TSA employees so that, if they choose to don a mask or to put on gloves to protect themselves and consequently to protect their loved ones and their livelihoods, we should afford them that opportunity. We saw in the committee hearing that there was a great deal of confusion with the TSA. This amendment, which I appreciate that Mr. Lynch has brought forward, helps clarify that so there is no ambiguity and so we can make sure that the TSA employees can have the safety and security that they deserve. With that, Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray).

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

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I appreciate and thank my colleague from Massachusetts. I rise in support of H.R. 2173, to designate the United States postal facility at 1009 Crystal Road in Island Falls, Maine, as the ``Carl B. Smith Post Office Building.'' As an advocate for all of the citizens in Maine's House District 140, State Representative Carl B. Smith was a standout legislator in the Maine House of Representatives. After graduating from Sherman High School in 1940, and then marrying Annie Jane Porter in 1946, Representative Smith began a long and distinguished career in a number of fields. Prior to his marriage, Mr. Smith joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, serving in Europe during World War II, and in Japan and Korea during the Korean conflict for a total of 10 years. He then returned to his home in Island Falls where he trained and worked for over 30 years as the local barber. Throughout the years, Mr. Smith served as the town clerk of Island Falls, town selectman, and for 10 years as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. Mr. Smith's successful and varied careers made him well-suited for public office. His responsiveness to the needs of the citizens of his district ensured him of a successful 10 years in the State legislature. He believed that as a true representative of his constituents it was his obligation to introduce legislation when asked to do so by a citizen even though there were times he did not necessarily support the bill. He believed by doing this he was giving the requesting citizens an opportunity to have an issue that was important to them addressed. He had a deep belief in local input on legislation and local control of development issues. Mr. Smith was also a strong advocate in requiring the State to reimburse any locality 75 percent of the cost of all mandated programs. A true representative of the long-held ideal of Maine's citizens, Mr. Smith felt very strongly about energy and environmental conservation issues. He championed many environmental initiatives and served on committees in the legislature related to fisheries and wildlife. During his time in the legislature, he supported the Clean Indoor Air Act, a nonsmoking ban for the State. Another area of interest to Mr. Smith was prison reform. While serving on the Corrections Committee, he proposed a bill that would provide a restitution program where imprisoned persons convicted of nonviolent crimes worked to pay their room and board at the prison, supporting their dependents, and pay damages owed to persons as a result of their crimes. Representative Smith personified the ideals of this country. He served his country in war, worked hard in his community of Island Falls, and was elected to serve in the State legislature, where he was able to positively affect the lives of citizens of Maine well beyond the borders of his legislative district. With gratitude for his service to the State of Maine, I ask all Members to join me in the support of H.R. 2173. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield such time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2173, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, let me just say that I appreciate the gentleman from Massachusetts and sometimes the emotions. It seems to me, having just joined this debate, that we have spent more time criticizing what the Republican side of the aisle would like to talk about and that we have started to engage in the politics of personal destruction as opposed to talking about the issues of the day that are going to affect not just this one letter carrier who has served honorably. I just want to reiterate the great work and dedication that this individual gave to the State. I think it is appropriate that we recognize and have a post office named after him. That's quite an honor that will stay, I hope, for a long, long period of time, for eons of time so that people can appreciate and can get to know and recognize him. At the same time, I think a fair assessment would be, while we can give these individuals a few minutes of time and can recognize their strengths and contributions to the State, we do need more ample time to deal with what could be the single largest tax increase in the history of the United States of America, an increase that is going to touch every single American's life. While there may be committee meetings over in the Senate and on committees that I'm not a participant in, I would hope that this body would continue to extend the time to talk about one of the most pertinent issues--the cap-and-trade--and the opposition that many of us here on the Republican side of the aisle feel to this bill. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. May I inquire as to the remaining time, please.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I ask to take his words down.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, this past Friday I had the opportunity and the honor to visit Guantanamo Bay to see the great work that our men and women are doing to protect and serve this country. The discussions surrounding the detainees in Guantanamo Bay I understand is a contentious one, but let us first and foremost thank those men and women who serve a very important purpose. They are doing it with great honor. As I visited with the admiral of the Navy who is in charge of taking care of this facility, he said that their mission is to make sure that the facility is safe, humane, legal, and transparent. I find that they're meeting that mission. I would encourage the President and I would encourage this body to support the notion that says we should not close that facility, nor should we bring those detainees to the United States of America. We should pursue the tribunal process. The process is set up to work. And I for one will support that. May God bless the troops that are serving us in Guantanamo Bay, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Our Founding Fathers asserted the self-evident truth that all men are created equal. For the last two centuries, Americans of all backgrounds have worked toward the ideal of ``equal justice for all,'' but the majority's Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act doesn't eliminate inequalities in our justice system; instead, it creates inequalities. It gives special protected status to a small group of individuals based on their lifestyle choices. It increases criminal penalties not based on the criminal act itself, but based on the thoughts and beliefs of the person who committed the act. It requires the government to investigate and scrutinize the religious groups and other organizations with which we might freely associate under the First Amendment. For these reasons, and a number of others, I believe this bill is unconstitutional and must be rejected. In the United States of America, we can all agree that any violent crime should be deplored. We all should be equally free from violence, regardless of our background or beliefs. We all should expect our government officials to provide equal protection under the law. But this hate crimes bill says some Americans are more equal than others and deserve special treatment. And religious leaders and others who hold traditional values of morality and decency should be careful not to speak too vocally about their beliefs or risk being held accountable for the actions of those who might overhear and then later commit a violent crime. During our Judiciary Committee markup of this bill, when it became clear that the Democrats planned to report it despite these objections, my Republican colleagues sponsored amendment after amendment seeking equal treatment under this bill for senior citizens, men and women of the Armed Services, pregnant women, and unborn children. All were rejected by the Democrats. It is unbelievable to me that the sponsors of this bill think those who have chosen a different personal lifestyle should enjoy greater protection under the Federal law than those who have chosen a lifestyle of service to our country--as our men and women in the military have done--or that they deserve more protection under the Federal law than pregnant mothers. No violent crime should be condoned, and no one on either side of this issue believes it should. But selectively protecting some while punishing others more severely based on their thoughts and beliefs is unequal, unjust, and un-American. I urge my colleagues to vote against this affront to the Constitution and to our Nation's heritage and traditions of freedom to think and believe according to the dictates of our own conscience.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Just a few weeks ago, the Democrats slammed through a $1 trillion stimulus bill by scaring the American people, by declaring that the economy would collapse without it. This so-called ``recovery plan'' grew government and not jobs. It created 33 new Federal programs and gave record money to 73 other Federal programs. Forgotten in this mix is the American taxpayer. A few days ago, the President, in his first Cabinet meeting, asked his administration to find $100 million--that's million with an ``m''-- in savings. So the President asked for and got $1 trillion and now wants to save $100 million. How much is $1 trillion? If you spent $1 million a day every day, it would take you nearly 3,000 years to get to $1 trillion. The Federal Government spends $100 million every 13 minutes. Our government cannot be all things to all people. We have got to stop running this government on a credit card. I urge my colleagues to find ways to cut spending. And remember, it is the American taxpayers' money, not Congress' money, not the government's money.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1516, naming the post office after Sergeant Marcus Mathes. Army Sergeant Marcus C. Mathes was much more than a selfless and heroic soldier. He was a devoted husband and lover of life and family. As his mother, Sue Sawyer, described him, he loved anything dangerous or thrilling. He was full of life. He loved life, and he lived it to the fullest. Sergeant Mathes died on April 28, 2008, in Baghdad of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his forward-operating base with indirect fire. Also lost in the fight were Private First Class Adam L. Marion and Sergeant Mark A. Stone. Sergeant Mathes was only 26 years old and hailed from Florida. He left for boot camp on his 23rd birthday on March 15, 2005, and was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in Afghanistan from October 2006 until March 2007 and left for Iraq in November of 2007. Sergeant Mathes was a selfless hero who dedicated his life to being the best soldier he could possibly be. He is remembered by family and friends as someone who loved life and adventure and welcomed a challenge. He loved to hike to waterfalls, SCUBA dive and ride dirt bikes. His father-in-law, Chuck Ehrman, said that he will be remembered as fun-loving and the type to make everyone feel happy around him. As a loving husband to his wife, Julia, as a son and patriot, Sergeant Mathes made the ultimate sacrifice in April of 2008 serving the country he loved. I urge my colleagues to support this bill honoring a courageous young man who personified the noblest ideals of our great Nation. His lost life fighting for the freedom enjoyed by all of us, by loved ones back home and his sacrifice, shall not be forgotten. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1516. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown- Waite).

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of House Resolution 214. With no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former Third Congressional District Representative Bill Orton. Representative Orton passed away in a tragic accident this past weekend. He served with honor for three terms as a Member of this body. He was described as something of a political maverick and an independent voice for Utah, bucking both parties at times. It is during times such as these that we set aside our partisan differences and join together in mourning the passing of a great American and a great public servant. Representative Orton cast a long shadow over the State of Utah and the Third Congressional District. It is an honor for me to serve in the congressional district he once held. I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in expressing my deepest sympathies to the members of the Orton family. I pray that during this period of mourning they will find hope in the great plan of happiness, that they will one day be reunited with their husband and father. I will conclude by reciting the words of a hymn: ``God be with you till we meet again; By his counsels guide, uphold you; With his sheep securely fold you. God be with you till we meet again.''