Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would simply note that the Transportation, Treasury, HUD bill passed the full Appropriations Committee by a voice vote on June 6. In other words, without opposition, without noted opposition; and the bill was filed on June 9. It has been available for everyone to see and review for days now. It was also on the schedule since last week. I have no further speakers on this side of the aisle. I would ask my good friend if he has any other speakers.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 862, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 865 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Armando Betancourt Reina, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Betancourt Reina is an independent journalist and has been a chronicler of truth amid the lies and deceit of Castor's villainous regime. Mr. Betancourt Reina works and writes to inform the world about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Unfortunately, writing and reporting the truth is not allowed under Castro's tyrannical dictatorship. All attempts to portray the absolute lack of freedom in totalitarian Cuba are viciously attacked and their authors are imprisoned and harassed. According to Directorio and the Committee to Protect Journalists, Mr. Betancourt Reina was detained on May 23, 2006, in the city of Camaguey where the police were carrying out violent evictions. He was covering yet another atrocity committed by the regime against the Cuban people. In an attempt to suppress the truth about these violent evictions from the world, Castro's thugs arrested and imprisoned Mr. Betancourt Reina. Mr. Betancourt is locked in the totalitarian gulag, but he has not yet been charged with a ``crime.'' I remind my colleagues that, under Castro's totalitarian regime, any freedom of the press, any effort to display the atrocities of the regime under the spotlight of truth, is met with swift and violent repression. Let me be very clear, Mr. Betancourt Reina is currently languishing in the depraved conditions of the totalitarian gulag for his truthful articles. The U.S. State Department describes the conditions in the gulag as, ``harsh and life threatening.'' The State Department also reports that police and prison officials beat, neglect, isolate, and deny medical treatment to detainees and prisoners. It is a crime of the highest order that people are imprisoned in these nightmarish conditions simply for reporting the facts. Mr. Betancourt Reina is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. Despite incessant repression, harassment, incarceration and abuse, he remains committed to the conviction that freedom of the press and democracy are the inalienable right of the Cuban people. Let us never forget and always support those who are struggling to liberate people from the grip of tyranny. Mr. Speaker, it is as inconceivable as it is unacceptable that, while the world stands by in silence and acquiescence, independent journalists who write the truth about totalitarian regimes are systematically tortured. My colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Armando Betancourt Reina and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I think we have heard a good debate. I think the key, first with regard to the process, the rule. Obviously every piece of legislation is brought forth for consideration by rule that sets the terms of the debate, how many amendments can be made in order, how long they be can be debated, et cetera. As I said before, a colleague of mine on my side of the aisle said, why have we made under this rule three times as many Democrat or bipartisan amendments than Republican amendments? I said, because we want to be fair. It is an important issue; want to make sure that everybody gets a chance, that the key issues, the key issues have a chance to move forward in a fair way. So we are being exceptionally fair. It is an exceptionally important issue. There is finally going to be competition for cable television in this country. I don't know about you, Mr. Speaker, but I have constituents through the years complain about their lack of choice with regard to cable, the fact that rates continue to rise. There is no competition. There is no alternatives for consumers with regard to cable television. Finally, there is going to be, because of this legislation. So it is an important piece of legislation. That is why we wanted to be as fair as possible with regard to the terms of debate. That is why we made three times as many amendments, Democrat or bipartisan amendments in order than Republican amendments. We have still heard complaints. Obviously it is a free country. But Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the rule, proud of the process, of the hard work that has been put into this legislation, starting with Chairman Barton, Mr. Rush of Illinois, Mr. Upton, so many others, Mr. Pickering, who have worked so hard on this piece of legislation, and we bring it forth in a very fair process with a very fair rule.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of the rule and we are very proud of the underlying legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, there are strong antidiscrimination provisions in this legislation. And a prime author of this legislation, who has worked very diligently, precisely on this issue, as well as others, and the gentleman who I had the privilege of coming to Congress with, a classmate, Mr. Rush of Illinois. I yield him 4 minutes.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee made in order three times as many Democrat or bipartisan amendments as Republican amendments. This is an extremely fair rule. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gillmor).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. That, Mr. Speaker, after having made his amendment in order. Mr. Speaker, there were a number of misstatements that were just made; and first of all, I want to reiterate that this is an extremely fair rule that we have brought forth the underlying legislation with. There are three times as many Democrat or bipartisan amendments has Republican amendments, including the amendment of the gentleman that just spoke. What I am going to do now is yield 4 minutes to one of the prime authors of this legislation to hopefully clarify a number of the misstatements, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are again very proud of the rule that we have brought this legislation forth under. A colleague on my side of the aisle asked me why is it you are making three times as many Democrat or bipartisan amendments in order as Republican amendments, and my rely was we want to be as fair as possible. That is what we are doing today. We are very proud of the process and the rule. We are very proud of the underlying legislation. It is extremely pro-consumer and is going to bring relief to consumers, to our constituents throughout the country. It is finally going to bring competition to the cable television process in this country. So it is very important legislation. It has been made possible by hard work and study and perseverance by numerous Members. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have fashioned a very fair rule, very fair. Mr. Markey's amendment, he has worked long and hard on it, was in order on net neutrality, a very important issue. We look forward to considering it. My distinguished friend, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, his problem was that amendment was not germane. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns). (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule also provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, for virtually every telecommunications service, consumers have a choice over which service they can obtain. They can comparison shop and get the deal they feel is best for their family based on service and on price. The reason that consumers can choose the best telecommunications deal for their family is because most telecommunications services are part of a competitive business. However, unfortunately, this is not true for video services. The lack of competition for cable television service means poorer service, higher prices, and less innovation for new products and services. Mr. Speaker, it is time we allow competition for video services. The Federal Communications Commission has found that less than 2 percent of markets have face-to-face cable television competition. In the other 98 percent of markets where there is no face-to-face competition, cable rates have increased approximately 85 percent since 1995. When there is competition, cable rates drop. According to the General Accounting Office, cable competition leads to a 15 percent decrease in costs for consumers. Bringing competition to long distance and wireless services has brought lower costs for consumers. For example, since 1995, the cost for long distance telephone service has fallen approximately 50 percent. The cost of wireless minutes has fallen approximately 77 percent. This act, the COPE Act, removes barriers to entry for new competitors in the video services market by establishing clear Federal standards to replace the outdated local franchise approval process. There are over 34,000 local franchise authorities. Negotiating just one local franchise can take years. Now, imagine, Mr. Speaker, negotiating 34,000 such agreements. One company official testified that, for example, if AT&T signed a franchise agreement every day, it would take more than 7 years to complete its deployment plan. Signing all of these agreements is prohibitively expensive to companies interested in offering video service. This system impedes entry by new competitors, and consumers end up paying the price. Even though companies will be able to get a national or a State franchise instead of negotiating with each of the local authorities, the local authorities will still retain many of their rights under the current system. The local franchise authorities, for example, will still have the right to manage their rights-of-way. They will receive a franchise fee of up to 5 percent of gross revenues. In addition to the franchise fee, they can receive an additional 1 percent for public, educational and governmental, so called PEG, channels and institutional networks. This bill includes stringent antidiscrimination provisions. A cable operator will not be able to deny access to its cable service to any group of potential residential cable service subscribers in a franchise area because of the income of that group. Any complaint filed by a local authority with the FCC must be completed in 60 days. If the FCC finds discriminatory practices against a group, the FCC must ensure that the cable operator extends access to that group within a reasonable period of time. The FCC may also order that the cable operator pay penalties of up to $500,000 per day, per violation to the franchise authority. In addition, Mr. Speaker, to improving cable competition, this legislation also provides the FCC with explicit authority to enforce its broadband policy statement. The statement has four principles that the FCC can enforce with regard to net neutrality. Those are that consumers are entitled to, first, access to lawful Internet content of their choice; two, run applications and services of their choice subject to the needs of law enforcement; three, connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network; and, four, competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers. Consumers are entitled to that as well. Mr. Speaker, this legislation was introduced by Chairman Barton and reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a bipartisan vote of 42-12. Most impressive. This is good legislation that will bring competition to cable television finally in this country and lower the price of video services to consumers. I would like to thank Chairman Barton and Chairman Upton and Representative Rush for their hard work and their leadership on this very important issue. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am glad we had this opportunity. I think it is appropriate for the minority to use the rights available to it. It is part of the democratic process, very proud of that, zealously need to defend that. At the same time, it is important for the facts to come out, and Chairman Barton has explained how this bill provides the cities with an option to get another percent, to charge a fee of another percent that they can't charge under current law. That sounds to me like more funds than less. And yet it is called an unfunded mandate. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of our time to Chairman Barton.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the question before us is not whether we should eliminate any mandates, but whether we should consider this bill at all. The one thing that is clear is that we need national video competition. Prices will fall and consumers will benefit. The opponents of this legislation would have you believe that the current locality-by-locality method of video franchise helps consumers. The track record is just the opposite. Consumers benefit when there are low barriers to entry for competition. The distinguished proponent of this point of order wants to keep those barriers in place. If you vote against this question, you are voting not to proceed with consideration of the rule and of the bill. That means you are voting to deprive the American consumer of video competition, lower prices, and new services. Americans who are demanding this competition for these services. We need to move forward with this bill and with this rule so that we can debate the best ways to deliver what our constituents are asking for. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this maneuver and vote ``yes'' on the question of consideration. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We are very proud of this bill. We were very proud of the rule that brings it forth. Three times as many Democrat or bipartisan amendments have been made in order by the rule that we bring this legislation to the floor with than Republican amendments, three times. In addition, the cities were heard repeatedly. I have a list here, Mr. Speaker, of concern after concern after concern of the cities that were dealt with by the legislation, are dealt with by the legislation. It is good legislation for the consumers. Finally, there is going to be competition in this country for cable television, something the consumers have been demanding for many, many years. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht), my distinguished friend and colleague.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 851 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the rule provides 1 hour of general debate evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we bring this legislation to the floor under an open rule. Historically, appropriations legislation has come to the House governed by an open rule, and we continue to do so, in order to allow each Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration as long as they comply with the rules of the House. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today appropriates over $21 billion, an increase of $600 million over last year, for operations across the globe. The bill is fiscally sound while at the same time compassionate and globally responsive to needs of those plagued by disease, famine, and disaster. H.R. 5522, the legislation that we bring to the floor today, bolsters the President's Millennium Challenge Corporation to $2 billion, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars more than in fiscal year 2006. This expansion of assistance is meant to encourage transparency in government and to fight corruption in some of the world's poorest nations. The Millennium Challenge, which President Bush called a new compact for global development, provides assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms in three areas: Ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom. Contributions from the Millennium Challenge Corporation are linked to greater responsibility from developing nations. The new responsibilities these developing nations accept and exchange for funds ensue that the monies we provide do not go to waste and will have the greatest possible impact on those who need help the most. Three years ago in his State of the Union address, President Bush announced for President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest international health initiative in history initiated by a single government to address one disease. This bill demonstrates Congress's continued support of the fight against HIV/AIDS as it includes over $3.4 billion to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is an increase of over $750 million. I congratulate the committee on the sizeable increase for this program. It demonstrates our resolve, our determination to help all those across the globe who fight this disease. In other foreign assistance, H.R. 5522 funds the Andean Counter Drug Initiative at the President's request $721 million. Economic growth in the area since the start of Plan Colombia is proof that the assistance we have provided Colombia has made a difference in that country. President Uribe has made great strides to combat narco-terrorism in Colombia. Under his leadership, Colombia is now neutralizing guerilla forces and prosecuting those who are implicated in serious crimes. However, we must not take progress in the Andean region for granted. If the United States turns its back on the region, a scenario could ensue that would require greater U.S. investment at a time when we have significant responsibilities worldwide. The underlying legislation, Mr. Speaker, also provides about $2.5 billion for military and economic assistance to Israel. We must and we will continue to ensure that our friends and allies remain secure. A strong Israel is necessary to the United States national interests and to stability in the Middle East. We are committed to doing everything we can so that Israel is safe and secure within her border, especially as the terrorist group now in the government in the Palestinian Authority and also the Iranian dictatorship continue to threaten to wipe Israel off the face of the map, something that will not happen and we would never permit. The particular concern to my district is funding for the Republic of Haiti. That country has undergone a tumultuous few years of political instability as well as being hit by a natural disaster. The bill fully funds the President's request of $164 million in funding for Haiti. Over the last two decades, an estimated 2 million people in Sudan have died due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. This bill fully funds the President's request of $450 million, with $137 million devoted to Darfur. Assistance is conditional; it will only be given to the coalition government if that assistance is in direct support of the comprehensive peace agreement or the Darfur peace agreement. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5522 was introduced and worked on in a very detailed and serious way by Chairman Kolbe and reported out of the Appropriations Committee on May 26 by a voice vote. It is a good piece of legislation, important to our continued commitment to the security and safety of all citizens and residents of the United States, and we bring it forth under an open and fair rule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Lewis and Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey for their leadership on this important issue. I would like to point out that this is Chairman Kolbe's final appropriations bill as chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. It has been truly a pleasure to work with Chairman Kolbe on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill and on many other important legislative projects throughout his distinguished career in this House. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also take this opportunity, I think it is very appropriate and just to do so as we discuss legislation that furthers the U.S. national interests in our foreign policy, to commend our forces in Iraq who have managed that great victory of the elimination of the leader of the al Qaeda terrorist network there, who had caused so much pain and suffering, not only to our forces, but to the people of Iraq. The action of the American Armed Forces is to be commended, as well as admired, and freedom-loving people throughout the world, I know, are joining us today in congratulating the U.S. Armed Forces for the great success in the elimination of the terrorist head in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), the prime author of the legislation that we are bringing forth today.