Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), a cosponsor of this bill.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, that is correct. Let me just add, I think that was the intent of the legislation, to make sure that the IGs weren't stifled and that Congress gets their eyes on that original request, and it would allow that.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I am not going to talk anybody out of it, so I yield back as well.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I am in its present form.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, as currently drafted, the Improving Government Accountability Act would authorize Inspectors General throughout the government, and more than 60 of these offices exist, to directly submit their budget requests to Congress. By doing so, this legislation would circumvent the long-standing process under which Presidents submit to the Congress a budget proposal on behalf of the executive branch. While I understand the sponsor's intent in authorizing independent budget submissions by IGs, I have concerns with the way the authority is currently constructed. Our concerns pertain more to the logistical nightmare than any particular objection to increased IG independence. First of all, according to the Congressional Research Service, no other offices or agencies within the executive branch currently are authorized by statute to independently submit their budgets to Congress. H.R. 928 would not simply make an exception for one uniquely situated office, it would make an exception for all of the more than 60 IG offices currently in government. In other words, the President's annual budget would be accompanied by 60 separate IG budgets. This is inefficient; it is disorganized and unproductive. Second, I am concerned that by authorizing IGs to submit their budgets independently to Congress, we are encouraging them to submit their wish lists to Congress rather than submitting budgets that take into account the limited resources that are available to agencies. It doesn't take an active imagination to envision the increased government spending that this would cause. After all, if an IG submits its wish list to Congress, will Members of Congress have the stomach to appropriate an amount less than an IG requests? If we do, we could be painted as antioversight, a label none of us are interested in. Because of these concerns, I have filed an amendment proposing an alternative approach to the budget issue. This amendment would authorize Inspectors General to notify Congress if the budget request submitted by the agency head would substantially inhibit the IG's ability to perform his or her duties. The President would be required to include in his budget submission the original amount requested by each IG. This approach would give additional information to Congress, which is the intent, I think, of the legislation. It also encourages IGs to speak out if their agencies try to stifle the IG's independence by reducing the IG's budget request. But it would stop short of authorizing all 60 IGs to separately submit their own budget request to Congress outside of the traditional Federal budget process. I think this amendment is a reasonable compromise which carefully balances the need for IG independence with the need for streamlined budget authority. We have enough problems enacting the Federal budget every year; we don't need to create 60 new ones. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. If the gentleman has no further speakers, I will take a minute and sum up and yield back. Let me just say again, I want to thank the author of this legislation. I want to thank Mr. Towns for moving this through subcommittee and Chairman Waxman. I just want to note, for IGs to work successfully, they need to work with their agencies. I think however we write the law, the President that appoints and the Senate that confirms, we need to look for more accountants. Frankly, we have seen a surge of people coming out of the U.S. Attorney's offices, and they make this more adversarial than it needs to be. A good IG is going to work with their agency to identify waste, fraud and abuse, not enter into a gotcha mentality. For government to work, you need them all working together. You need an independent IG, there is no question about that. But the person in that office ought to be right there with the agency head making sure that things work. That doesn't always happen. I don't think we can write any law that makes that happen. That is going to depend on the goodwill of the people, the agency heads and the IGs working together. But I think this legislation goes a long way toward establishing that independence, giving the IG the authority that they need. But the rest is going to be up to the appointing President and the confirming Senate to get the right people in these jobs, professionals who want to be a part of government and making it work efficiently for the taxpayer. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, although I am not opposed, I would like to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would require agencies to include links on their Web pages to their IG's Web page. In addition, this amendment would require IGs to make public reports and audits conducted by the Inspector General immediately available on their Web sites, and it would require links for individuals interested in reporting waste, fraud and abuse. To the extent any of this is not currently being done by agencies and IGs, I am fully supportive of Congress requiring such information to be made available in order to increase the transparency of Federal Government operations. We are prepared to support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit would require all agency Inspectors General to report annually to Congress and to the President whether the IG believes an abolishment, reorganization, consolidation or transfer of existing Federal programs and agencies is necessary to reduce Federal expenditures, increase efficiency of government operations, eliminate overlap and duplication in Federal programs and offices, abolish agencies or programs which no longer serve an important governmental purpose, or identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending which can be dedicated to Federal deficit reduction. The IGs would be required to accompany those reports with proposed legislation in order to encourage Congress to act on those recommendations. This legislation is borne out of frustration. How many more times are we going to hear about redundancy in Federal programs without doing anything about it? We have the IGs. We have made them more independent as a result of this. Let's utilize that expertise for suggestions in how we can reduce waste, fraud and abuse in government. How many more times are we going to have to hear about the 70 programs located throughout 13 Federal agencies providing substance abuse prevention services for our youth? The over 90 early childhood programs scattered among 11 Federal agencies and 20 offices? The 40 different programs in the Federal Government having job training as their main purpose? The 86 teacher training programs in nine Federal agencies? The 50 different Federal homeless assistance programs administered by eight different agencies? The more than 17 Federal agencies monitoring and enforcing over 400 U.S. trade agreements? The 17 Federal Departments and agencies operating a total of 515 Federal research and development laboratories? Or the eight different Federal agencies administering 17 different programs just in the area of rural water and wastewater systems, each with its own set of regulations? After all, the primary reason all these Federal programs exist in the first place is because Congress has this bad habit of haphazardly establishing new programs to achieve short-term solutions whenever a problem arises. In fact, Paul Volcker, Donna Shalala and Frank Carlucci all testified before our committee in 2003 about a National Commission on Public Service report that they had recently released. The report concluded that, over the years, the ad hoc layering of agencies, Departments, and programs greatly complicated management, expanded the influence of powerful interests and diminished coherent policy direction. The Federal Government today is a layered jumble of organizations with muddled public missions. Congress is as much to blame for this problem as anyone else. Admitting we have a problem is the first step in recovery. I am here to help our colleagues understand we have a problem. The extent of overlap and duplication in government is an issue the Committee on Government Reform has spent years investigating. Our hearings have focused on a range of Federal program areas, from child welfare programs to intelligence operations to Federal food safety oversight. This motion to report forthwith, so it doesn't kill the bill, it reports right back, would provide a tool which could assist the Congress and the President in identifying ways to streamline government operations and make them as efficient and effective as possible. The motion to recommit should appeal to all Members who believe there are inefficiencies in the Federal Government requiring attention. All after, Congress never has and never will be a management body. We need the assistance, and this legislation does it, of independent, outside observers to tell us what programs we created years ago are not an efficient or effective use of taxpayer funds. We have given the Inspectors General here authority and independence to call the balls and strikes and to make government more efficient. Let's utilize that. Let's help us make government more efficient. Let's support the motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Annandale Christian Community for Action, ACCA, on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. ACCA is an alliance of 26 churches in the Annandale community which strives to unite all Christians in an effort to promote and sponsor Christian social action. Its motto, ``doing what Jesus would do,'' is the principle that guides the ACCA in its mission to serve those in need. The volunteer organization provides day care, food, rental assistance, furniture and other services to low-income families in the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area. ACCA began in October 1967, when Fred and Emily Ruffing witnessed and acted upon a tremendous need in their community. The couple worked for a govemment-subsidized daycare center in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Alexandria, which had just enough resources to provide for families on welfare, but not the working poor. Distressed at the idea of making families return to welfare to provide their children with daycare services, Mr. and Mrs. Ruffing set out to organize their own daycare center with the help of eight local churches. Through an abundance of support from the local community, they succeeded in meeting the need and led their organization, ACCA, to branch out into other activities such as transportation, housing and emergency cash assistance. I have had the pleasure of working with ACCA on so many issues affecting people in need, from establishing its daycare center, to helping found the Bailey's Crossroads homeless shelters, to its food and furniture programs for the poor. Their dedication has made a difference for thousands of families. While ACCA now provides an array of services to those in need, its original daycare facility continues to thrive as the Child Development Center in the old Annandale Elementary School on Columbia Pike. It cares for over 200 infants and children of the working poor. In memory of its founder, Fred Ruffing, ACCA provides an annual memorial scholarship for aspiring college students with disabilities. Emily Ruffing continues to work in the Child Development Center as a social worker. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the Annandale Christian Community for Action for being the embodiment of Christian love in and around the Annandale community. Their continued success serves as a testament to the power of volunteerism and what can happen when individuals come together in faith to accomplish what others never dreamt possible. I call upon my colleagues to join me in commending and congratulating the ACCA on 40 years of excellence.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Leo the Great Catholic School on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. St. Leo the Great Catholic School focuses on the development of Catholic values and attitudes, as well as the attainment of knowledge and skills necessary for the student's spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and physical development. The basic curriculum of St. Leo's School consists of the following subjects: religion, reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, health and safety, physical education, computer education, library and foreign language. The history of St. Leo's School dates back to 1952, when St. Mary's Parish in Fairfax Station, Virginia, laid the foundation by developing a program to transport students to established parochial schools in the Metropolitan Washington area. This program led to a classroom for St. Leo's parish first and second graders in the St. Charles School of Arlington. In 1957, the Benedictine Community of Bristow, Virginia, opened St. Leo the Great Catholic School with four temporary classrooms. The next 10 years produced a series of ups and downs for the school, as they struggled to provide adequate space and staffing for their students. Nonetheless, they held steadfast to their vision of the future and instated a permanent kindergarten and primary education program through an abundance of support from nearby parish communities. St. Leo the Great Catholic continues to thrive 50 years after its inception. Along with its strong curriculum, it is known for having a rock climbing wall, Spanish program, television studio and award winning band. In 2006, St. Leo's School received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence, which is considered to be the highest honor an American school can receive. Madam Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending and congratulating St. Leo the Great Catholic School on 50 years of distinction. I look forward to applauding its continued growth and success for many years to come.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 635. As our Founding Fathers recognized, the strength of this great Nation derives from the tolerance we espouse. America builds strength from its diversity. I am proud to be a part of a country where every person may practice their religious beliefs without fear. At a time when religious differences are igniting conflicts throughout the world, America serves as a beacon of hope that religious tolerance is not only achievable, but only serves to make a country stronger and more viable. The Islamic faith follows the lunar calendar. During the ninth month of the lunar calendar, called ``Ramadan,'' the Arabic term for intense heat and scorched earth, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the revelation of the Quran. In 2007, the month of Ramadan lasts from September 13 to October 12. This sacred month is observed with prayers, fasting, and charity. I believe we could all use a time of peace and reflection. Ramadan embodies these principles, and I applaud our Muslim friends and neighbors for their sincere religious beliefs. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bob Mizer on the occasion of his becoming an honorary member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, VVFD. Mr. Mizer is a 1964 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. A retired naval officer, he moved to Fairfax County, VA, in 1979 and has been an exemplary model of service within the county ever since. In July 2000, he took the position of volunteer liaison for the VVFD. The VVFD is a volunteer organization that works in conjunction with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in order to provide the fire department with supplemental staffing, as well as additional units such as an ambulance and engine. VVFD owns and maintains the station and its equipment, while Fairfax County provides 24-hour staffing with paid firefighters and paramedics on three shifts. Mr. Mizer left his position as volunteer liaison on September 4, 2007, but will continue as president of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Bob Mizer for his years of service and dedication to the VVFD. The events of September 11, 2001 serve as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us each day. These individuals' continuous efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law and order throughout our community. Their selfless acts of heroism truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Mr. Mizer, and congratulating him on being named an honorary member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3096. When the U.S. and Vietnam resumed diplomatic relations over 10 years ago, it was the hope of many Americans that by increasing economic ties with Vietnam, we would be a beacon of light that would shine on the human rights atrocities also occurring in Vietnam. Despite increased U.S. relations, Vietnam has failed to protect the rights of its people. The Vietnamese government controls the press, suppressing the basic, core right of free speech that we as Americans hold to be so vital. While maintaining fiscal relations with Vietnam is important for a plethora of reasons, the overriding consideration for the U.S. in any relationship with a foreign country should be in evaluating how a foreign country treats its own people. The Vietnamese Communist Party has failed the people of Vietnam, and we fail with them if we refuse to recognize the atrocities occurring every day. This bill, the Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007, is an important step in continuing to keep pressure on the Vietnamese Communist Party. As we have learned in addressing human rights issues in numerous countries throughout the world, one of the most effective methods of protecting the rights of others is to hit oppressive regimes where it counts--in their wallets. Under H.R. 3096, Vietnam would face losing millions in non- humanitarian aid unless the president certifies that Vietnam begins releasing its political prisoners and protecting the basic rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion--rights that we hold self- evident not as Americans, but as human beings. At the same time, this legislation provides $2 million in humanitarian aid for the next 2 years, and $9.1 million in FY 2008 and $1.1 million in FY 2009 to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia. Providing access to this programming will help to empower the people of Vietnam and provide even more hope at a time when hope is most needed. Today, over 1.5 million Vietnamese reside in the United States. In the 11th District of Virginia, the Vietnamese community is a thriving population, many of whom I am proud to call my friends and neighbors. Vietnamese Americans are entrepreneurs, many owning small businesses and serving as constant reminders that the American Dream is alive and well. Their loved ones in Vietnam deserve that same dream. I commend my good friend from New Jersey and the other sponsors for bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in the passage of this important resolution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Lydia Thomas on the occasion of her retirement as President and CEO of Noblis Inc. in Falls Church, VA. Dr. Thomas graduated from Howard University in 1965 with a bachelor of science in zoology. She went on to pursue a master of science in microbiology from American University in 1971, and later, returned to Howard to earn a doctor of philosophy in cytology. Dr. Thomas began her career with the MITRE Corporation in 1973. While at MITRE, she held a variety of technical and management positions in the areas of energy, environment, health, and communications systems. In 2002, she was appointed by President Bush to serve as a founding member of the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council. Dr. Thomas was elected to the Council on Foreign Relations that same year. In 2005, she chaired the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Task Force on Preventing the Entry of Weapons of Mass Effects on U.S. Soil. On the State level, Dr. Thomas was appointed to the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission by Governor George Allen, and then for a second term by Governor Mark Warner. Active in her local community, Dr. Thomas is a member of the Superintendent's Business/ Industry Advisory Council for Fairfax County Public Schools, a trustee of the INOVA Health System, and a member of the Northern Virginia Health Force. Dr. Thomas is the recipient of numerous awards throughout her career, including the 1986 TWIN Award by the Young Women's Christian Association; the 1990 ``Ebone'' Image Award by the Coalition of 100 Black Women; the Deans' Award at the 1991 Black Engineer of the Year Conference; and one of the 50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science in 2004. Madam Speaker, in closing, I applaud Dr. Lydia Thomas on a distinguished career dedicated to ensuring the national security and environmental health of our Nation. I call upon my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Thomas on her retirement and wishing her the best of luck in all future endeavors.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) as much time as he may consume.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio, the distinguished minority leader (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution appropriately summons us to reaffirm the sense of urgency forged in the crumbling inferno of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and that field in Pennsylvania. Today we fulfill our duty to remember, to honor the memory of the 2,996 martyrs who gave their lives in the earliest day of protracted struggle against godless extremism. This resolution reminds us that we are at war and no political difference or debate can detract from the heroic work done every day by the men and women of America's military. The 184 people who gave their lives at the Pentagon 5 years ago fought on an unexpected battlefield, but toiled until the end in loyal service to the national ideals of liberty and justice. A vote for this resolution confirms our eternal debt of honor to all those who fight to defend America and advance freedom. On 9/11, America's first responders got a bitter taste of the unwelcome battle brought to our shores. But their valor and grit carried us all through that day and those that followed. In this resolution, we also honor and support the work of the public safety and public health professionals who work every day to protect us from terrorist attacks. Between 9/11 observances, however, distance from the tragedy of 9/11 seems to have allowed some politics to seep in to what should be wholly nonpartisan discussions of profound national security issues. With each passing year, what looked hugely urgent after 9/11 tends to get smaller in the viewfinder as more current problems loom larger. While we lose sight of the threat, an enemy who relentlessly worked to transform airplanes into guided missiles is maniacally focused on other ways to harm us. Rather than using the lengthening historical horizon to elevate our perspective, we have also allowed the debate over the next step in Iraq to draw us deep into the political weeds. As a Nation with global responsibilities, we need to climb out of the domestic political trenches and reclaim the high ground so dearly purchased 6 years ago. We do the victims of 9/11 a great disservice if we do not take bipartisan steps toward regaining a fair, far more strategic perspective. While Iraq is undeniably an element of our post-9/11 security equation, we cannot let that effort obscure our view of the emerging threats to peace: an emboldened, nuclear Iran, a resurgent Taliban, a divided Palestinian Government, and our continued dependence on foreign oil as our economic lifeblood. It is more than luck there hasn't been another major attack since 2001. Given the proven strength of our ideals and the moral bankruptcy of these who exalt death over life, defeat in this war can only be self-inflicted. Only if we lose patience, only if we lose faith in the universality of the yearning for freedom, only if we fail to honor the sacrifices of our countrymen, from Bunker Hill to the Twin Towers, can the purveyors of death prevail over the forces of life. As in the almost 50-year cold war against Soviet Communism, our post- 9/11 reality has to be defined by a vigilance and a willingness to use all of the instruments of national power, not just the military, to advance the cause of human freedom. That is one lesson of 9/11. Written in innocent blood, it is a lesson we can never forget. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.