David Dreier

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, as you know, on the afternoon of September 7th, I was in New York at the United Nations formally thanking the international delegates on behalf of the House of Representatives for their support and assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Over 90 countries have offered to help us recover from this natural disaster, and I was privileged to have the opportunity to thank the international community on your behalf. As a result of my presentation in New York, I was unfortunately unable to be present for two recorded votes that day. Had I been present, I would like the record to reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3169, to provide the Secretary of Education with waiver authority for students who are eligible for Pell grants who are adversely affected by a natural disaster. I likewise would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3650, to allow United States courts to conduct business during emergency conditions.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules may meet next week to grant a rule for the consideration of H.R. 3132, the Children's Safety Act of 2005, which may require that amendments be printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the floor. The Committee on the Judiciary ordered the bill reported on July 27, 2005, and is expected to file its report with the House on Friday, September 9, 2005. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported on July 27, 2005. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain that their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules may meet next week to grant a rule for the consideration of H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005, which may require that amendments be printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the floor. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill reported on May 18 and filed its report with the House on July 28. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain that their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday marks the fourth anniversary of one of the most tragic days in our Nation's history: September 11th of 2001. We all know what happened following that tragic day. We came together, Democrats and Republicans, focusing on ways in which we could deal with the crisis of terrorist attacks on our soil. We all know what has happened since that time. We just last week saw what our Chaplain very appropriately described as the worst natural disaster in our Nation's history, and I believe now it is absolutely essential that we do all we can to come together to make sure that we face that number-one priority of meeting the human need that is there. This Congress is going to do everything we possibly can to ensure that our fellow Americans are comforted. Then, we need to focus on rebuilding. Mr. Speaker, I have to tell my colleagues, in 1994, we had a tragic earthquake in Los Angeles, the Northridge earthquake, and we, at that time, saw the crumbling of I-10, the same interstate that runs into New Orleans. I have a piece of it right here from just over La Cienega Boulevard. When it collapsed, the most traversed freeway in the country, a quarter of a million cars a day go over it, they said it could take up to 2 years to rebuild that freeway. By incentivizing the contractor and reducing the regulatory burden, within 66 days, the Santa Monica Freeway was moving again. We need to use this same can-do spirit to do exactly what Governor Haley Barbour said. He said, We will build the Gulf Coast bigger and better than it ever has been.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of such a grave humanitarian catastrophe, one of the worst in our Nation's history, our thoughts and prayers are with those touched by tragedy and coping with loss. Relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina are being carried out unabated in the face of great destruction, and much more needs to be done. Relief workers are locating survivors, evacuating those in harm's way, finding temporary shelter for the displaced and beginning to clean up debris. Over 20,000 National Guard troops and thousands of local law enforcement are working hard to maintain order and keep victims safe. For this massive undertaking to continue and improve, it is essential that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has the funds needed to carry relief efforts through these crucial early days, as well as the long weeks ahead. Congress stands united with the President and with those affected in Gulf Coast States. The speaker has used his emergency powers to call us back to Washington to appropriate a supplemental $10.5 billion to FEMA and the Department of Defense. As the scope and scale of this tragedy become clearer, we will be ready to take additional action. Under desperate and trying conditions, the soul of the South remains strong. In large measure, the people of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as Florida, are coping with lost lives, flattened houses and flooded businesses with great dignity and perseverance. The Gulf Coast and the Port of New Orleans are vital to our economy and home to many important industries. Oil refineries, grain shipments, tourism and international trade are all affected by this natural disaster. While we urgently cope with the suffering of our fellow Americans, Congress is also mindful of the hurricane's economic fallout. We are committed to minimizing the adverse national and international economic affects of Katrina. The lesson of past national tragedies, most recently September 11, 2001, is that when this country faces calamity, the American people and their elected representatives respond with overwhelming generosity, compassion and action. We also saw this with the response to the December 2004 Asian tsunami. So to those who are still in dire need of help, I can say with confidence that help is on the way. And help will not end with the rooftop rescue or the evacuation to another city. Congress, the President and FEMA will see this effort through until the very end. There is still much hardship, loss and grief to endure, and the road to reconstructing lives, communities and jobs will be difficult. But, as we have before, this country will come together to aid those now suffering. We will get relief on the ground so the Gulf Coast region can begin rebuilding from the ground up. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this necessary and important appropriations measure.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, as we approach completion of our work here before the summer break, I think it is important for us to note that when we return, a very familiar face will no longer be greeting us here when we regularly come onto the House floor. I am referring, of course, to Susan Hanback, who has worked on Capitol Hill since 1967. That is a long, long period of time. And after that long tenure, she has chosen to retire. And I would like to take just a minute because I learned some things about her, in the fact that she is headed to retirement, that I did not know, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in her career, during a very challenging time in our Nation's history, she worked hard and reported on the hearings for the confirmation of Nelson Rockefeller to become Vice President of the United States and Gerald Ford to become President of the United States. In 1976 she joined the House as a House official committee reporter. And in 1979 she became a floor reporter of debates, one of the first two stenotype reporters to come to the floor. Since 1995 Susan has been Chief of the combined committee/floor reporter offices. And I would like to say that she has got a number of outside interests as well. Not everyone knows that she and former Senator John Breaux actually won a mixed doubles tournament at the Capitol Hill Tennis Club. She is a very, very familiar face to us, and one that we will miss greatly. And I would like all of us, Mr. Speaker, to join in expressing our appreciation to the fine service of Susan Hanback.

Mr. DREIER. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank my friend for his very thoughtful comments. And as he was talking about Susan's history here, and as I look at the gathered employees here of the House of Representatives, I was thinking during the remarks that the gentleman from Maryland, the distinguished minority whip offered, of the new assignment that we have taken on here in this institution when we established under the direction of the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), minority leader, this new commission, the House Democracy Assistance Commission. And we have over the past several months, and are continuing at this time, to proceed with assessments of different countries around the world, and we are working with those Parliaments that are looking to model their work after much of what we do here. Obviously, there are some things that we might do a little differently. But, clearly, the example that Susan has set is one that is a model not just for the future here in the United States of America, but, Mr. Speaker, it should be known that her example is one that can be set for these emerging Parliaments, and there are so many of them around the world, because of the great reverence that is held for this institution. And as the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) said very well, the appreciation that exists for all who work at this institution is something that is held by all of us who are privileged to serve as elected representatives of this House. And we do wish you well in your retirement. And we want you to know, of course, from the Speaker and all of the leadership team, as the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) said, on both sides of the aisle, that you are welcome back to visit us at any time at all.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, back on November 6 of 1979, Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for President of the United States; and in that announcement, he envisaged a free trade accord of all the Americas, where we could have the free flow of goods and services and capital and ideas. This is a very important part of that vision which has not only been supported by Republicans, but President Clinton was a strong supporter of that notion, the free trade area of the Americas; back in 1993, by a 392-18 vote, passed the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Why, so rather than sending aid, we would open up the U.S. market to these struggling countries in the Caribbean. We now have an opportunity to respond to the fact that we have provided unlimited access to our consumer market by these countries. Mr. Speaker, it is true, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw) and I have been here for a quarter century, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) a little less than that. I have never witnessed greater politicization or a greater mischaracterization of a piece of legislation than I have this. For the last decade we have had 2 hours of debate on trade agreements that we have dealt with. Yes, the statute says up to 20 hours. The last time that happened was November 14, 1980. And once they started it, they pared it back. We have been debating this issue for literally months. Special Orders and 1-minute speeches have taken place. It is time for us to vote. I believe we are going to have a great opportunity, a great opportunity, to enhance the standard of living for people in the United States and in this region. It is going to create an opportunity for us to better compete globally, and as we enhance the standard of living in Latin America, it will clearly help us with this very important problem that we have of border security and illegal immigration. We have a win-win all of the way around. We have seen great benefits from trade. The much-maligned North American Free Trade Agreement has created a scenario whereby we have a third of a trillion dollars in trade between Mexico and the United States. Mexico's population now has a middle class that is larger than the entire Canadian population. Yes, there is poverty; yes, it needs to improve, but clearly the cause of freedom is an important one. The cause of stability in our region is a very, very important one. I urge support of this rule. I urge support of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement. 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. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds to say that the democratically elected parliaments in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala all have had votes on this issue. It was 49 to 30 in the democratically elected parliament of El Salvador; 126 to 12 in the democratically elected parliament of Guatemala; and 100 of 128 legislators in Honduras were supportive of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Midland, Texas (Mr. Conaway), my very good friend and a hard-working new Member of Congress.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Morris, Illinois (Mr. Weller), a hard-working member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the Chair how much time remains on each side.

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

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the very distinguished gentleman from Birmingham, Alabama (Mr. Bachus).

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would say to my colleague that free trade is a good thing. The labor rights that are recognized here in the opening up of markets for U.S. workers into Central America is very important. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indianapolis, Indiana (Mr. Burton), my very good friend, the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, who has been a champion for freedom and democracy in Central America for years.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, as I listen to people malign the procedure we are going under, let me just say the procedure is the procedure that is prescribed by the 1974 Trade Act, which says, ``No amendment to an implementing bill or approval resolution shall be in order in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling), a the dear friend, a hard-working Member committed to free trade.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that this rule is in compliance with the 1974 Trade Act, which calls for an up-or-down vote on these agreements. And I also believe that it is very important to note, as my colleague has just pointed out, that for more than a decade, on every single trade agreement that has come before this House, we have had 2 hours of general debate. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings).

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 386 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, with today's consideration of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, we are now embarking upon debate on one of the most important national security issues of the 109th Congress. At the same time, we are addressing the extraordinarily important issues of border protection and economic growth in this country and throughout this hemisphere. These issues are becoming increasingly intertwined. Just last week, India's Prime Minister stood right here in this Chamber and spoke very eloquently when he said the following: ``Globalization has made the world so interdependent that none of us can ignore what happens elsewhere. Peace and prosperity are more indivisible than ever before in human history.'' Mr. Speaker, Prime Minister Singh is absolutely right. We cannot afford to pretend that poor, political, and economic conditions outside our borders do not affect the security of our Nation. As we work to spread democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere to combat global terrorism, we must not neglect the anti-democracy, anti-American forces that are at work in Latin America. Although our neighbors to the south have chosen democracy over dictatorship, their old oppressors still refuse to go quietly. Nicaragua's former communist dictator, Daniel Ortega, wants to return to power. He has tried time and time again, Mr. Speaker, to do that. And he is staking his campaign in large part on the defeat of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement. He has found good company with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who is actively using his nation's oil proceeds to undermine democracy, free markets, and American interests throughout this hemisphere. Together with Tomas Borge, the former defense minister, the only surviving founding member of the Sandinista Front, they oppose this agreement because it would solidify the region's commitment to political and economic freedom, thus subverting their plans for reinstalling leftist control in Nicaragua. The only alliance they seek would bind together other anti-American parties like Cuba's Fidel Castro. Mr. Speaker, The Washington Post editorialized just yesterday in strong support of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, and they said the following: ``The defeat of CAFTA would help . . . anti-American demogogues, starting with Mr. Chavez. For them, the retreat of the United States from partnership with Central America would be a major victory.'' Mr. Speaker, ceding this victory to the likes of Chavez and Ortega clearly goes against our best interests, against our national security priorities. It would be the beginning of a return to the era that Central Americans, with the help of the United States, worked so hard during the decade of the 1980s to leave behind, an era marked by totalitarianism, unrest, and the poverty that breeds desperation. This would obviously be a harsh reality for the people of Central America. But a return to the Ortega style of government would have grave consequences for the United States of America as well. Without political and economic freedom, there can be little hope for the future. And without hope, Central Americans with families to feed will look north for economic opportunity. Nearly all illegal immigrants to the United States come in search of work because of limited opportunity at home. In fact, Mr. Speaker, T.J. Bonner, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, estimates that 98 percent of illegal immigrants come to this country for economic opportunity, seeking a chance to feed their families. If we want to combat illegal immigration, we must address its root causes. By providing the tools for economic growth in the region, DR- CAFTA will create new opportunities and provide hope for the future in the region where these people are. The people of Central America will have a powerful incentive to stay and build their lives in their own countries rather than make the dangerous and illegal attempt to enter our country. Rejecting this agreement, Mr. Speaker, would simply sanction, even exacerbate, the problem of illegal immigration. We simply cannot ignore the fact that the strength of democratic and free market institutions throughout the globe, particularly in our own backyard, directly impacts our own security. By the same token, we cannot ignore the fact that the worldwide marketplace directly impacts our own economic strength. Mr. Speaker, we all know and everyone recognizes that we have a global economy. We live in a world that continues to shrink, enabling us to, in the words of the New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, ``reach around the world farther, faster, deeper, and cheaper than ever before.'' Mr. Speaker, new technologies are connecting the world's entrepreneurs, risk takers, creative thinkers, and capital, including human capital. This worldwide network has been a powerful engine for growth in the United States economy. We have grown to an $11.5 trillion economy. We are the world's largest exporter and importer. We lead the global economy not just by sheer size but by the force of our innovation. But we cannot take our global economic leadership for granted. The worldwide economy is dynamic and fast paced. China has emerged as a global powerhouse and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down. India, as we heard from the Prime Minister, is becoming a formidable competitor in one of our core areas of strength, the high-tech sector. Passage of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement represents an opportunity we simply cannot afford to forfeit, the chance to dramatically strengthen our competitiveness as a country and as a region. Further integration of our regional economy will allow us to draw upon all of our strengths and resources to produce locally and compete globally. The DR-CAFTA and U.S. economies already complement each other well. The textile and apparel industries are a great example of that, Mr. Speaker. The DR-CAFTA region represents our second largest market for fabric and our largest market for yarn. Nearly 25 percent of U.S. fabric exports and 40 percent of U.S. yarn exports are sent to the Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. The region exports nearly all of its apparel; 97 percent of its apparel comes to consumers right here in the United States of America. As a result of this close, complementary relationship, apparel manufactured in the DR-CAFTA region is made up of 80 percent U.S.-made content. By contrast, Chinese apparel is made up of less than 2 percent U.S. content. Again, that is 80 percent versus 2 percent in terms of American-made content. Now, I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, in the face of the Chinese juggernaut, why on Earth would we turn our backs on the very region that supports U.S. industries and offers the opportunity for us to effectively compete with China and other global competitors? Trade with the DR-CAFTA countries is so important precisely because of this global context. The U.S. economy will not be weakened as a result of the people of Latin America lifting themselves out of poverty, but it will be weakened if we reject the economic partnerships that make us strong and enable us to compete in the global economy. In this interconnected world, isolation is simply not possible. The state of the global economy affects our economic strength. Our economic partnerships affect the prosperity of our neighbors and the security of our borders. Prosperity leads to a greater commitment to the principles of political and economic freedom; and strong, democratic institutions throughout the globe lead to greater security for our country. National security and economic competitiveness must be addressed in a comprehensive way that fully accounts for this interconnected global context. With DR-CAFTA, we have the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to do just that. We can enhance our competitiveness while creating new opportunities for growth in the DR-CAFTA countries. By spurring economic growth, we can reduce the incentives for illegal immigration and strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the region. And, by supporting democratic institutions, we can advance our own security and our interests. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the very important vote that we are going to have on the Dominican Republic Central American Free Trade Agreement so that we can enhance the quality of life and the standard of living for the people of the United States of America, for the people of the five Central American countries impacted by this, and the people of the Dominican Republic. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me just say that one of our colleagues on the Committee on Rules, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop), said we should make it retroactive, the 2 hours of debate. We clearly have been debating this issue for weeks and months, Special Orders have been taken out here, and we are looking forward to a rigorous debate not only during the hour on this rule, but for an additional 2 hours, or 3 hours this evening at this point. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Miami, Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), my very distinguished friend, the vice chairman of the Committee on Rules, and a great champion for political pluralism and democratic institutions in this region.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Section 10, Effect on Other Laws, there is a vaccine injury exemption that is included in the bill. I have got it right here. I am happy to show it to the gentleman.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, there is an exception that is provided for vaccine injury in the bill. I think it is also very important to note, as the gentleman from Georgia said earlier, that this deals with equipment and pharmaceutical products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. That is the reason that this is provided, because that kind of direction that has come from the FDA is included.