Martin Frost

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen). (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller). (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is the first of two rules that we will consider. This rule provides for the waiver of the 24-hour layover requirement for the next rule. I will have a fairly lengthy statement when we take up the next rule. We do have a number of speakers who want to speak on this rule as well as the next rule. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Last night, Mr. Speaker, we were all impressed by the President's resolve. Today, this Congress continues the work of helping America recover and rebuild from last week's cowardly, barbaric attack. On September 11, terrorists murdered thousands of innocent people. They also struck directly at the fabric of America's economy, seeking to cripple our air transportation system. Make no mistake, there is strong bipartisan support for stabilizing America's air transportation system and for ensuring the victims of September 11 get the assistance they need as they rebuild their lives. How to do those things is a difficult and complex question, but a crucially important one. At stake is nothing less than the strength of the economy, hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and our values and way of life. So Democrats and Republicans have been working overtime to craft a bipartisan emergency package. All of those who have spent the last week hashing out this bill, especially Leader Gephardt, Speaker Hastert, and Ranking Member Oberstar, deserve enormous credit. Mr. Speaker, since the Federal Government grounded air traffic last week, the airline industry has been losing billions of dollars. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Americans, employees of the airlines, as well as the service and manufacturing industries around them, have seen their livelihoods threatened. In the aftermath of last week's attack, fewer people are flying, further hurting the industry. Make no mistake, it is critical that we ensure the security of air travel so people are not afraid to fly. And until the government ensures just compensation for the victims of September 11, the airlines will not be able to buy the insurance or borrow the capital they need to keep operating. Mr. Speaker, the airlines have already announced some 80,000 layoffs. Each airline job affects numerous additional jobs in other related industries. Make no mistake, the airlines are part of the foundation of our economy, affecting industries from travel and tourism to manufacturing and electronics. In North Texas, the area that I represent, thousands of hardworking Americans make their living and support their families at companies like American Airlines, Boeing and Vought Industries. I have talked to them and I believe this reasonable package will help them and people like them around the country. This package provides $5 billion to the airlines immediately to make up for the revenue they have lost this month as a result of Tuesday's terrorist attack and the government's order grounding their planes. It provides $10 billion in loan guarantees for airlines that face fewer customers, higher insurance premiums, and rising security costs in the wake of September 11 and requires independent oversight to ensure the government will not be bailing out past management mistakes. Finally, it establishes the Federal Government as the insurer of last resort against terrorist attacks and sets up a victim compensation fund. Make no mistake, it is not a perfect bill. A lot of Democrats, myself included, believe the Federal Government should guarantee the safety of air travel by taking over security and ensuring security staff are professionally trained and paid. Additionally, Democrats believe we should do more to help the hundreds of thousands of airline workers whose jobs are on the line. We thought we had a bipartisan agreement to significantly expand unemployment insurance and health coverage for those who lose their jobs; but unfortunately, that was lost at some point late last night. So we will keep working to get that done. I am pleased that the Speaker has made a commitment to allow us next week to try to help the people who are losing their jobs. I look forward to working on it with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. So this bill does not do everything I think it should, Mr. Speaker, but it is a reasonable response under the circumstances; and it should help stabilize an industry uniquely devastated by terrorists while also ensuring the victims of September 11 will receive the compensation they and their families need. It protects thousands of Americans' jobs and provides thousands of Americans with justice. For all those reasons, I urge the adoption of this rule and the passage of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the defense authorization bill. Madam Chairman, I am pleased that the House of Representatives is getting back to regular business so quickly--and I'm particularly glad that we're starting with this bill. After the horror of September 11th, everyone in this Congress and around the country understands the importance of maintaining the finest military in the world. I have no doubt that the men and women of America's armed forces will rise to the challenges posed by today's dangerous new world. And I have no doubt that this Congress will ensure America's military has the resources it needs to win the war on terrorism. Indeed, this bill is a good example of the bipartisan support America's armed forces enjoy. It passed the Armed Services Committee on a bipartisan vote of 58 to 1. Democrats and Republicans are strongly committed to a first-rate military that will protect this nation and its people, and that will maintain our position as the chief protector of democracy and the rule of law throughout the world. I am particularly pleased that this bill will improve quality of life for men and women in uniform and their families. It increases basic military pay, and provides important resources for military family housing and for military retirees' health care. Additionally, this bill continues our commitment to the wide range of weapons programs that ensure our military superiority throughout the world--which will be particularly important as we prepare for a new and dangerous world. Madam Chairman, the first duty of the Congress and the President is to provide for the national defense, and the men and women who protect it. I am proud that this bipartisan bill takes major steps toward accomplishing that goal, and I support it strongly. Still, I, like many others, believe we need to do more--more especially to provide for ``Homeland Defense'' and to fight terrorism. Our top priority should be ensuring that Americans are never again victimized by another barbaric attack like September 11th. So I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats over the next few days to ensure that our armed forces have the resources to win this war on terror.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, today we debate the gravest and most important matter that ever comes before the Congress, the use of military force. Mr. Speaker, the cowardly, barbaric attack of September 11 was an assault on America, on humanity and on the civilized world. It was the cold-blooded calculated murder of untold thousands of innocent Americans. It was nothing less than evil, plain and simple. Mr. Speaker, September 11 changed much about America and the world, but I am proud to say that it has not perverted our democratic system. That is because the Congress and the President, as coequal branches of government, have worked together, consulting closely throughout the process. As a result, we have agreed to this resolution. So we speak with one voice tonight, Mr. Speaker, and the House will overwhelmingly vote to authorize the President to use military force to respond to the terrorist acts of September 11. Mr. Speaker, the United States is united in its commitment to bringing to justice those who perpetrated this assault on our people. But make no mistake, this campaign may be long and it may be difficult. As we take this action tonight, let us pray for the men and women of our armed services as they undertake this assignment for our Nation.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief this morning, because a lot of people have already spoken very eloquently about the barbaric attack of September 11th--about how it has changed America and the world, and about the war against terror it has started. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, untold thousands of innocent people were murdered in a cowardly, heinous assault on America and the civilized world. Since then, all of us in the Congress--regardless of ideology or party affiliation--have repeatedly pledged to work together in a bipartisan manner to respond. Today, the United States Congress begins making good on that pledge. This $40 billion bill makes a down payment on the campaign to bring aid to our suffering countrymen, to punish the terrorists who have declared war on America, and to ensure no one ever dares attacks us like this again. It provides resources for disaster assistance and recovery, and for anti-terrorism initiatives. It will help the people of New York and officials at the Pentagon as they begin the long, important process of rebuilding. And it will provide the President with the resources he needs to begin waging this war on terrorism. Mr. Speaker, the war against terror will not be won overnight. It will take a long-term, serious, and sustained campaign from the Congress, the American people, and the President. We understand that, and we are committed to it. We stand united, shoulder to shoulder, against the perpetrators of the horror of September 11th--and against anyone who might ever contemplate trying something like it again. Make no mistake, these terrorists--and all of their ilk--will understand very clearly that when America is attacked, we respond with one voice, and with the full force of the United States of America.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was an horrific day. On September 11, 2001, international outlaws committed a cowardly, barbaric assault against the United States of America, against innocent civilians, and against the brave, honorable men and women of our military. That makes today, Mr. Speaker, a very difficult but very important day for all of us: a day of grief, of outrage, of quiet resolve to bring to justice those responsible for this terrible assault on our great Nation, and to ensure that it never happens again. Today, Mr. Speaker, we grieve for the untold thousands of innocent Americans whose lives were shattered by a calculated, cold-blooded act of mass murder. We especially grieve for the passengers and crew of Flight 77, Flight 11, Flight 93, and Flight 175; for those serving their country at the Pentagon, both civilian and military, who have been killed; and for the thousands killed or injured at the World Trade Center. Today, Mr. Speaker, we also recognize all those Americans who responded to those terrorist acts with heroism, with courage, and with compassion: the firefighters, police officers, emergency officials and volunteers who risked their own lives, and some of whom sacrificed their own lives, to come to the aid of their countrymen and women. They are American heroes, and this Nation will honor them as such. My own district in North Texas, for example, is already awash in American flags as Americans from all walks of life pay tribute to their brave countrymen and women. Mr. Speaker, that spirit of unity and of resolve will characterize America's response to this cowardly barbaric assault. Congress will stand united, Democrats and Republicans together, to do all we can to help the victims of this act of terror and to safeguard the liberty and security of the American people. And we will stand together as Americans, regardless of our political affiliation, to find those responsible for these despicable acts. We will fully support the President as he builds an international coalition against this cancer that threatens the entire world, and we will continue to be united when we respond to the evil of terrorism with the full force of the United States Government and of the American people. Make no mistake, the United States of America, supported by our friends and allies, will win this war. May God bless the souls of those who died yesterday, and may He comfort the spirits of their families.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, let me start with the rule today. In a continuing effort to block Democrats from imposing fiscal responsibility on the House, Republican leaders have prevented us from paying for this bill. That fiscal irresponsibility is why Republicans are about to raid the Medicare and Social Security trust funds, as an internal Republican memo made clear recently, and it is why just 6 months after Republicans inherited the biggest budget surplus in history, the Federal Government is borrowing money again. Now for the bill itself: For the past 5 years, Mr. Speaker, Democrats and some courageous Republicans have worked hard to pass a real bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights, one that takes health care decisions out of the hands of insurance companies and puts them back into the hands of doctors and patients. Mr. Speaker, the Ganske-Dingell bill does that. It protects patients' rights without reducing health care coverage. During those same past 5 years, Mr. Speaker, Republican leaders have fought the bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights every step of the way. For the past 6 months, the Bush administration has joined them in fighting tooth and nail to protect insurance companies and HMOs. It should be so no surprise that the Republican plan, proposed by President Bush and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), that is, the Norwood amendment we will debate later today, protects HMOs and insurance companies at the expense of patients. Make no mistake, Republican leaders are trying to turn the Patients' Bill of Rights into an HMO Bill of Rights. The Republican plan creates special protection for HMOs and insurance companies, one that no other industry enjoys, and would override State HMO laws, including the patient protections that my constituents in Texas enjoy today and that President Bush bragged about in last year's campaign. Mr. Speaker, the Republican plan would ensure that HMOs and insurance companies, not doctors and patients, keep making vital medical decisions.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, at the conclusion of the debate, I will urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment that makes in order the Markey- Sandlin-Stenholm amendment. This amendment is balanced. It pays for the tax cuts in the underlying bill by paring back the recently enacted tax cut in the top bracket for the richest Americans. Half of the tax credits in the Markey-Sandlin-Stenholm amendment would go to renewables and energy efficiency, but only 17 percent of the Republicans' bill goes to such programs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt). (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Will the gentleman from Washington yield?

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Washington is asking the gentleman from Texas about actions by the Democrats on the Rules Committee.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Washington made a misstatement. I do not think that it was intentional on his part. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats on the Committee on Rules made it very clear to the Republicans on the Committee on Rules that we had a large package of amendments. It was not a substitute because everybody agreed from the beginning that there would be separate votes on ANWR and separate votes on CAFE. So we never were going to offer a substitute. We were going to offer a major package of amendments put forward by the Blue Dogs with pay-fors in it. The Republicans never intended to give the Blue Dogs their package of amendments. They knew there would not be a total substitute because there had to be a separate vote on CAFE and ANWR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman). (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind). (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm). (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin). (Mr. SANDLIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman). (Ms. HARMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)