Mark DeSaulnier

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can amend the rule to bring up the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. The magnitude of the problem cannot be overlooked. In 2013, there were 37 million American student loan borrowers with outstanding student loans. Those 37 million American students hold an enormous $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, as my friend from Connecticut mentioned. Student loan debt is growing by $3,000 per second. The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act would be a good first step in allowing students to refinance their loans and put some much-needed money back in their pockets and back in the American economy. In 2012, Congress passed a bill to allow new student loan borrowers to receive a low interest rate. Unfortunately, students with existing student loan debt were left out of this fix. This bill would provide those students who borrowed before 2012 the same opportunities that new borrowers have. If student loan borrowers could get lower interest rates, they would be able to more fully participate in the economy. They could buy houses, eat out in restaurants, move out of their parents' homes, or even just have enough money to save for a better future. This bill is simple, and it fixes a fundamental inequity. I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that Head Start programs produce incredible benefits for American children and families involved and for their communities. Those benefits are not only educational, but economic and health-related as well. As a former Head Start commissioner in California, I have seen firsthand how effective these programs can be at making kids excited about learning at an early age and the positive effects that they have on their education in the future. The original intent of the law was to ensure that local education agencies are working collaboratively with Head Start to ensure Head Start is providing services that are the most thoughtful and relevant to their local community. However, while Head Start agencies are required to form coordination agreements with local education agencies, the opposite is not true, which slows the process and creates unnecessary bureaucracy. For example, this loophole causes Head Start agencies to spend weeks on end trying to pin down the local education agency. The local education agency, on the other hand, doesn't feel that it is a priority to sign an official agreement since they are not required to do so. This causes the process to break down. This amendment is short and sweet. It would simply strengthen the language that currently exists within the ESEA, which reads that both parties must coordinate with early childhood programs and, instead, require local education agencies to develop agreements with Head Start agencies. It would make agreements a two-way street, would clarify and solidify the process, and would be a victory for local education agencies, Head Start programs, and the children in the programs that they both serve. It is long overdue to make this fix, and it is noncontroversial and nonpartisan. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chair.

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

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill, that would keep the Department open so it can carry out its mission of keeping the American people safe.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Henry Lovelace. Henry was born November 22, 1931, in South Boston, Virginia, and passed away on January 28 of 2015. Henry was a vibrant, pleasant, peaceful person who always kept a positive attitude. He began to work at the early age of 16 as a schoolbus driver. Henry joined the United States Army in 1950 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was stationed at Fort Sill Army Base in Oklahoma where he worked as a mechanic. After his military service, he worked as a public transit bus driver and maintenance worker at a local church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2003, Henry moved to California to be closer to his family. He was a beloved father of two children, grandfather of six, great-grandfather of eight, and father-in-law to Pete Longmire, mayor of the city of Pittsburg, California, in my district. He was an avid storyteller, shared stories about his military life, all of his life experiences, and his many travels. He enjoyed meeting new people, going to church every week, riding the public bus, playing checkers at senior centers, and wearing his crisp white dress shirts, ties, and dress hats. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable life of Henry Lovelace. I send my deepest condolences to Henry's family, friends, and loved ones.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kyle Ean Long who was born in Sacramento on June 14, 1987, and died on January 10, 2015, at the all too young age of 27. The son of James and Tina Long was born and raised in Sacramento, California, attended local public schools, and was a graduate of Sacramento State University. I became familiar with Kyle when he came to work for me as an intern, quickly rising to a legislative aide in my previous position as a Member of the California State Senate. Kyle's passion for public policy and his enthusiasm for bringing people together made him a highly effective legislative staffer. During his tenure in the State senate, Kyle successfully steered bills through the legislative process in California that helped to provide counseling services for rape victims, prohibited pesticides at school sites and child care facilities, and provided school supplies for homeless children. In addition to being an important member of the California State family, Kyle was a beloved friend, family member, and a member of the broader Sacramento community. He died when he went to his local gym in the morning to start his daily exercise regimen, had a heart attack, and passed away at the all too early age of 27. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary but all too brief life of Kyle Long.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, last week I regret that I was unable to cast my vote against H.R. 351, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act. Had I voted, I would have voted NO on H.R. 351, in order to protect the environment and our natural resources.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. I am opposed in its current form, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I have listened intently to the comments of my friends on the other side of the aisle, and I must say that it has not been my experience where I come from, but maybe it is a little different with my being from California. This is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill, as amended, will immediately proceed to final passage. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 596 would eliminate critical benefits and health care coverage from hardworking American families. In addition to taking away Americans' health care security, this bill would increase the deficit, make health care more expensive, and degrade the quality of care that patients are now receiving. If adopted, my motion to recommit would ensure that some of the most important protections of the Affordable Care Act would remain in effect. Yesterday, as others have mentioned, was Groundhog Day, but, today, we are Bill Murray, living the same votes over and over again--in fact, as has been mentioned, 56 times over and over again. This motion would protect existing law by continuing to, one, prevent insurance companies from discriminating based on preexisting conditions and gender or cutting health benefits for women; two, prevent increases in Medicare D prescription drug costs for seniors; and three, prevent a tax increase for middle class American families by the taking away of subsidies to purchase health insurance. Mr. Speaker, I am a former Republican and a small business owner who supports the Affordable Care Act and who has seen the benefits for small business. I have also seen the benefits for the economy and for the 7 million Californians who do not have health insurance. Many individuals who wanted health insurance were unable to obtain it, either because it was too expensive or because they had preexisting conditions, including nearly 126,000 people in my home county in the Bay Area. One of these individuals in my district is a young woman named Emily. Emily was born with a congenital heart defect, and as a result, she will need regular monitoring and treatment by a cardiologist. Were it not for the Affordable Care Act, Emily would have been left without critical health care and the necessary treatment for the remainder of her young life. Her situation is not unique. Approximately 130 million other Americans no longer have to worry about being denied health care coverage because of their health status. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, under the Affordable Care Act, almost 8 million seniors have saved nearly $10 billion on prescription drugs, and under the Affordable Care Act, many people paid less for their insurance in 2014 than in 2013. Before the law was enacted, health care premiums were increasing exponentially, much faster than college tuition, workers' wages, and inflation. Once the law took effect, premium increases for plans slowed down substantially. Simply, this law is saving Americans money. This year in California, with 2 weeks left to go in open enrollment, more than 273,000 Californians have joined the nearly 1 million covered California customers who were enrolled in 2014. Nearly nine of 10 enrollees received some kind of financial help in 2014, ensuring that Californians can afford the kind of coverage that they need and want. Repealing the law without including these three protections will cost more than we can afford--$100 billion over the next 10 years, until 2022, and more than $1 trillion in the following decade. It would also discriminate against women in the form of higher premiums, and it would make it impossible for many women to get the care they need. Mr. Speaker, every American family deserves a plan that covers essential health benefits, like hospital care, emergency care, care for pregnant women, and a plan that won't bankrupt them or this country just because an illness or an accident occurs. Every American family deserves to know that they won't be kicked off their insurance for a preexisting condition or be subjected to lifetime caps that take away their benefits when they need them the most. Health care, Mr. Speaker, is not a Democrat or a Republican issue; it is an American issue and a human issue. We are here to ensure that every American continues to have access to quality, affordable health care. If we can produce a bill that fulfills the goals set out by the Affordable Care Act, it doesn't matter who wrote or signed the bill. But repealing the Affordable Care Act without including these important protections for hardworking, middle class American families is irresponsible and reckless. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kyle Ean Long, who was born in Sacramento on June 14, 1987, and died on January 10, 2015, at the very young age of 27. Kyle, the son of James and Tina Long, was born and raised in Sacramento, attended local public schools, and was a graduate of California State University, Sacramento. I have known Kyle for three years, beginning when came to work in my California Capitol office in January of 2012 as an intern. Kyle swiftly became known as ``Sunshine'' for his positive attitude and infectious happiness. Kyle then worked for Assemblymember Tony Mendoza. After his work in the Assembly, Kyle worked for me as a Legislative Aide for two years as an integral team member, a role that he thrived in. Kyle was dependable and resourceful team member. As a college student, Kyle worked diligently towards a career in public policy. While attending college at Sacramento State University, Kyle honed his extraordinary people skills at Chicory Coffee in Sacramento, and became a familiar face to those working in the State Legislature. Kyle was a master of working with people of all backgrounds and of bringing people together. Kyle's passion for public policy and his enthusiasm for bringing people together made him a highly effective Legislative Aide. During his tenure in the State Legislature, Kyle successfully steered bills through the legislative process that helped to provide counseling services for rape victims, to keep pesticides out of California schools, to provide school supplies for homeless children, and to close loopholes to keep drunk drivers off of the roads. In addition to being a valued colleague, Kyle was an important member of the State Senate family, a beloved friend, and an integral member of the community. Kyle made sure to have dinner with his grandmother every Tuesday, was always there to support his friends, and was looked up to by his two siblings and many cousins. Kyle was a committed public servant who considered his public policy work a privilege and took on his responsibilities with a strong sense of duty. He was a dependable, resourceful team player who was a beloved colleague with a bright future ahead of him. Kyle's tragic loss is inexplicable, and I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life of Kyle Long. The world is a brighter and better place because of him.