Bill Foster

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This historic legislation renews and improves SCHIP. It extends coverage to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for but who are not enrolled in SCHIP and in Medicaid. As a fiscal conservative, I am also proud that even in today's financial storm and even under scoring rules that do not fully reflect the long-term fiscal benefits of providing adequate health care to children that the bill is fully paid for. With a modest increase in tobacco sales tax providing a bulk of the funding, we are able to provide coverage to millions of children and not add to the deficit. This bill honors our moral commitment to help our youngest children in their health while ensuring that this legislation does not hinder their future by saddling them with huge debts. The bill could not come at a better time. Our economy continues to worsen, and more and more people are at risk of losing their health care. This program will help give millions of parents the peace of mind that their children at least will have access to health care.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to express congratulations and gratitude to Officer Wayne Biles on the occasion of his retirement from the Aurora Police Department. On September 12, Officer Biles retired after nearly 33 years with the Aurora Police Department, 20 years of which he spent as president of the Association of Professional Police Officers. During his years with the force, Officer Biles saw the department and the community grow significantly. As union president, he has worked with seven different chiefs to reach workable agreements that suit the police force and the community they serve. Even in retirement, Officer Biles plans to remain active in his community. He exemplifies the devoted public service to which we all should strive. I offer my best wishes to Officer Biles and his family, and I thank him for more than three decades of service.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to record my strong and enthusiastic support for achieving independence from foreign oil, continuing our work in moving forward on comprehensive energy policy reform, and finding new alternatives to develop cheap, clean, and renewable energy. Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan, comprehensive energy bill, which I had the honor of supporting. But when it comes to providing more solutions to overcome our energy crisis, there is still much more to be done. Earlier this month, on Labor Day, I met with constituents from Illinois' 14th District at the DeKalb Oasis on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway to hear what they had to say about how gas prices and our current energy policy affected them. While passing the Passing the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act was an excellent first step, I firmly believe that we need more relief from high gas prices, and we need a comprehensive energy policy overhaul that provides solutions for the short, medium, and long term. As statements from my constituents show, I am not alone in this concern. Much of what I heard was familiar. They told me gas prices are too much and are spiraling out of control. They told me they are forced to make new, tough choices as consumers on groceries, transportation, and the other costs of daily life. They told me while they try to cut their spending, there is almost nothing left to cut. They told me that because of gas prices they have to work more at a second job, or the business that employs them can no longer do so because business costs are increasing as well. I am entering some of what I heard on Labor Day into the Congressional Record not because the testimony I heard is a surprise, but because it is a wake-up call. We need more bipartisan solutions, and need them now. We cannot afford to wait. I have repeatedly shown my support for solutions that increase supply, and decrease demand while also pursuing research and development of clean, affordable, alternative energy sources that would make our Nation energy independent. These are solutions I supported when I voted for the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act, and these are solutions I firmly believe we should continue to pursue. Here are some things I heard from constituent about how gas and energy prices are affecting them. ``How are gas prices affecting my family? Well, first of all I am an educator who could not afford to have a family, not even years ago . . . I have a full-time job, and I now have three part-time jobs so I can pay all my bills. I cut back on travel expenses, which is one expense I could control. I am working more hours at one of my part-time jobs. I never forgot lesson taught by President Carter--I keep my house in the 60s during the winter and 80 degrees in the summer. I do everything I can to keep the house insulated in the summer and winter. I cut back on eating out and on food expenses in general, but not to the point of knowingly putting my health at risk by eating cheaper, but fatty foods.''--Kay, DeKalb, IL ``I actually have a car at home, well kind of I paid for half of the vehicle. My sister was driving it while I was here at school, and now that my sister has gone away to college my parents are just taking us off the insurance. They're just keeping the car in the garage,'' Amanda, of DeKalb, IL, explained to me. I asked her why she left her car unused. She said it was an expense she could not afford. ``My parents don't think I'd be able to maintain working and paying for the high prices of gas, but you know everything with having to maintain repairs, whatever need be but that gets really expensive so we just thought it would be better off not doing anything.'' Amanda was not alone in finding that gas prices and college-related costs very limiting. Gas prices restricted her roommate's options in commuting as well as compounding other expenses like the cost of school and raising a family. ``It's just shopping and whatever, I would like to go home. NIU is nicknamed the suitcase school because so many kids just come for the week and then they go home, but I don't have the ability to do that, I can't go back and work all the time because everything is expensive,'' Hillary, DeKalb, IL, said. Hillary pointed out another common sentiment is not just the cost increase of gas prices, but also the speed at which they increased. ``It's kind of a gradual thing of course; our economy being in the status that it is right now and with gas prices rising. It's like everything is happening at once,'' Hillary continued. ``My tuition has gone up and Northern was actually the only school I could afford, even though I'm a veteran. This is the only school that I could afford, and then on top of that, it's like tuition is rising. My mom is a single mom with a bunch of kids, with gas prices and everything--it's hard.'' I am proud to submit the concerns of my constituents into the Congressional Record for all to see, hear, and recognize.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Thank you, Chairman Frank. I rise this morning in support of this legislation. As a scientist and a businessman, I accept the need for speed and overpowering force in this situation. With the credit system locked, small and large businesses are being told to prepare contingency plans for what to do if their operating lines of credit are not extended. Banks are refusing to lend to each other at normal rates or not at all. Banks are failing every day. If nothing is done and the situation persists for even a few weeks, both experts and common sense say that we are facing the real prospect of entering a depression. This morning's Wall Street Journal describes how the credit crisis is now extending on to franchises, the McDonald's, the Paneras, the Dunkin' Donuts, and threatening the jobs of thousands of their employees. So my vote in favor of this legislation will in fact be a vote to protect the interests of hardworking Americans, and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. I am going to support this bill because it is not a three-page blank check to dispense 700 billion taxpayer dollars. It contains many important protections for taxpayers. It limits CEO compensation, no golden parachutes, and restructures that compensation to discourage the risk-taking behavior that got us into this mess in the first place. It provides three useful paths out of this crisis: an auction mechanism favored by the administration to buy up troubled assets at market prices; an insurance program with support on both sides of the aisle that could well be the most useful method for reestablishing markets in the least risky of the bad securities out there; and my favorite, the possibility of an AIG-style rescue, where we can go back to the taxpayers and say, yeah, we saved their butts, but guess what? We own 80 percent of the profits when they recover, as was the case for AIG. This is exactly why Warren Buffett supports this plan.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have until publication of the last edition of the Congressional Record authorized for the Second Session of the 110th Congress by the Joint Committee on Printing to revise and extend their remarks and to include brief, related extraneous material on any matter occurring before the adjournment of the Second Session sine die.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6707 is a much needed enhancement of current statute. While this legislation is an immediate response to one proposed acquisition, it will ultimately protect communities across the country. To be clear, I do not mean to oppose all railway transactions. Railways are an extremely efficient means of transportation, and their use can and should increase in response to rising fuel prices. However, transactions like the EJ&E acquisition should only proceed when there is an overall commercial and economic benefit. This is not the case here. There is something seriously wrong with a process that leaves out the public and that deflects the cost of these acquisitions and traffic increases on to local communities. H.R. 6707 will help change this. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act. I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar, who has displayed exemplary leadership on an issue of great importance to so many American communities. The need for this legislation came to my attention as a result of a specific situation spanning several districts in Illinois and in Indiana, but the issue it addresses is national. Let me explain. For several months, families and businesses in my district and in nearby districts have overwhelmingly declared their opposition to Canadian National's potential acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway, which is currently pending before the Surface Transportation Board. I have heard from many of my constituents in public forums, on the phone and in private meetings. They've held rallies and have petitioned the STB in writing, but their voices have gone unheard. At this point, the only criterion the STB must consider in evaluating this deal is whether the proposed transaction would have an adverse effect on competition among the rail carriers in the affected region. Sadly, the public interest has been largely left out of this process even though the public stands to lose the most in this transaction. There will be no improvement in the quality of life in the region and no economic upside. The recently released draft of the STB's environmental impact statement estimates the acquisition will lead to a loss of 300 jobs in the region. It will also unreasonably saddle local taxpayers with the cost of the mitigation of this project. The study provided, at best, a vague and incomplete study of the 133 grade crossings in the area and, from this, recommended that Canadian National pay only 5 to 10 percent of the mitigation cost. Grade separations cost approximately $50 million each, and the STB apparently expects local communities to shoulder most of this burden. Let's see: Private profits, socialized bailout costs. Does that sound familiar to anyone around here? The deal also raises serious public safety concerns, many of which are simply glossed over in the draft study. Increased traffic on the EJ&E will raise the probability of train accidents by 28 percent. Further, the ability of local police, fire and EMS services to respond to emergencies in the affected communities will be hampered by blocked intersections. Once again, Canadian National is not directed to help fund projects that will mitigate this potentially life-threatening problem. Now, how does H.R. 6707 address this type of situation? Simply speaking, H.R. 6707 would compel the STB to consider the public interest as well as purely commercial considerations in its judgment of a proposed railway merger. The legislation would require the STB to determine a transaction's effect on public safety, on grade crossing safety, on hazardous materials transportation, and on emergency response time. Such a proposal would be approved when it is consistent with the overall public interest and rejected when it is not.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the chairman and ranking minority member of each standing committee and each subcommittee be permitted to extend their remarks in the Congressional Record, up to and including the Record's last publication, and to include a summary of the work of that committee or subcommittee.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Ms. Lillian Perry, a dedicated public servant in my home district. Ms. Lillian has been a resident of the area since the 1950s, when she made a move from the state of Georgia to establish roots in Aurora, Illinois. She has spent her life taking up the causes of civil rights, integration, and equality. As an active member of the community, she has volunteered for various organizations, including Blacks in Politics, the Aurora Youth Job Program, and the Citizens for Neighborhood Improvement Program. This work above is not the extent of her involvement in the community. Ms. Lillian was part of an effort to establish the Kane County Health Department, and she also speaks out on a regular basis against violence in her community. Currently, Ms. Lillian serves as a liaison to area communities in the Office of State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia. In this position she works with Representative Chapa LaVia's constituents on a daily basis, and is a strong advocate for their needs. Her work has not gone unnoticed in the community. She has been the recipient of awards from various city organizations, and was named a Women of Distinction by the Aurora YMCA. This summer, her community selected her as the Grand Marshal of the Aurora Independence Day Parade to honor her work and achievements. I join the community in thanking her for her continued work for those who face adversity, and I look forward to seeing some of the great things that Ms. Lillian will continue to do for the great people of my congressional district.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to offer congratulations to one of my constituents, Ms. Myra Thompson. Ms. Thompson, an exceptional graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, recently received the prestigious Fulbright Award. This award gives Ms. Thompson the opportunity to travel to Moscow, Russia to continue her talented work in creative writing. The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Approximately 1,200 Fulbright fellowships are awarded each year to promising individuals who have proven themselves as leaders in their field in order that they may pursue their academic and cultural endeavors abroad. Since its inception, the Fulbright Program has provided avenues of academic exchange in more than 150 countries worldwide. I offer my best wishes to Myra Thompson in her endeavors both here and abroad and look forward to seeing great work from her in the future.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to offer gratitude to one of my constituents, Mr. Bradley Dale Mattan of Geneseo, Illinois. I am very pleased that Mr. Mattan has decided to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. The Peace Corps was designed to encourage mutual understanding between Americans and other cultures of the world. For the past 47 years over 190,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in 139 countries. In his statement upon signing the Order that established the Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy said, ``Our Peace Corps is not designed as an instrument of diplomacy or propaganda or ideological conflict. It is designed to permit our people to exercise more fully their responsibilities in the great common cause of world development.'' I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Mattan for his dedication to this responsibility, and for helping to restore America's image in other parts of the world. Our country has truly been enriched by the experiences of the Peace Corps volunteers. I offer my best wishes to Bradley Dale Mattan in his endeavors both here and abroad and look forward to seeing great work from him in the future.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 5235, the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. This bill is especially significant for myself and for my constituents, because Ronald Reagan was a native son of my district. Born in Tampico, Illinois, and raised in Dixon, Ronald Reagan spent his life upholding the strong values of small-town America. Whatever your political philosophy, there is no doubt that Ronald Reagan left an indelible imprint on the fabric of America. The Great Communicator, he had an emotional connection with the American people that was sustained through good times and bad. As a physicist, I want to pay particular tribute to President Reagan's rock-solid belief that the world should be rid of nuclear weapons. That moment in Reykjavik, in 1986, when Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan reached an agreement in principle to rid the world of nuclear weapons, is a moment and an opportunity that we should not have let slip between our fingers, and we should grasp and seize in the future. While we all recognize that we live in a dangerous world, nonetheless, nuclear disarmament is an aspirational goal that world leaders should strive to achieve. I would also like to take this time to commend Nancy Reagan for her strength during her husband's illness and her steadfast devotion to President Reagan during his last days. Her work since his death has been essential in preserving his legacy, and we should pass this bill to honor her efforts. This bill, if passed, would establish the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission in order to honor the 100th anniversary of Reagan's birth with activities, a postal stamp and a $1 coin. I urge my fellow representatives to vote in favor of this bill so that we may properly celebrate the life, legacy, and hometown of this consequential President. He was loved by his country and he is deserving of this honor.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chief Lanson W. Russell on the occasion of his retirement from the DeKalb Fire Department. I join with the city of DeKalb in thanking him for 44 years of dedicated community service. Chief Russell began his distinguished career in 1964 as a volunteer with the Peotone Fire Protection District. In 1975, he established Will County's first paramedic unit, and was promoted to chief in 1984. From 1988 to 1992, he served as fire chief in Villa Park, Illinois, then moved on to Downers Grove for the next 9 years. During his tenure there, Chief Russell worked with neighboring communities to develop joint hazardous materials, technical rescue, and cause and origin teams. Under his guidance, the Downers Grove Fire Department was among the first 44 agencies in the country to receive Accredited Agency Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Chief Russell arrived in DeKalb in 2002, and immediately set out to strengthen the department's relationships with Northern Illinois University and neighboring departments. He led the negotiations that resulted in a 4-year collective bargaining agreement, and worked to foster an effective labor-management relationship. Chief Russell received an associate's degree in Applied Science from Joliet Junior College, and a bachelor of science in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University. He continued his education at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute. Chief Russell's tireless service to his community over 44 years has been exemplary. I wish him a happy retirement, and extend my deepest gratitude.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to express congratulations and gratitude to Chief William Kidwell on the occasion of his retirement from the Geneva Police Department. On July 1, Chief Kidwell will end a 35-year career of distinguished service to his community. He joined the Geneva Police Department in 1973 as a captain, and rose quickly through the ranks. During his 27- year tenure as chief, the department expanded from a force of 13 officers and 4 patrol cars to 8 squads of 37 officers. Chief Kidwell is known in the department and throughout the community as a leader with high integrity. He exemplifies the devoted public service to which we all should strive. I offer my best wishes to Chief Kidwell and his family, and I thank him for more than three decades of service.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am submitting this statement to record my strong and enthusiastic support of the House Resolution honoring the sacrifices and contributions made by disabled American veterans. Today I wish to recognize these men and women for their patriotic contribution in our armed services; who have given so much to defend our Nation. The brave men and women who defend this country under threat of that ultimate sacrifice truly are our guardian angels. They fight with passion and dedication for an ideal that we all cherish, the notion that this is the land of opportunity, the land of the free. Unfortunately, that freedom comes at a price and too often our guardian angels come home wounded and disabled. They defend us and are willing to throw themselves in harms way before us, and we must not forget that. These wounded warriors are an inspiration to all of us, and we owe them so very much. It is our duty to them that we always remember what they have fought and sacrificed for. We must always remember the sacred agreement we made with these servicemen, if they go off and fight for us we will forever be in their debt and we must provide for them and their loved ones. My praise and thanks fall well short of equaling the gift of freedom our veterans bestowed on all of us. They bare the scars that remind us all how costly freedom can be, and all I have to offer in return is my eternal gratitude.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to record my strong and enthusiastic support for veterans participating in the Honor Flight Chicago visit to the World War II memorial. Today I recognize these men for their incalculable contributions to our society through their military service to the United States during World War II. As part of a group brought together by the organization Honor Flight Chicago, I met with these heroes at the World War II Memorial to welcome them on their visit to Washington. Honor Flight Chicago honors World War II veterans by flying them to our Nation's capital so they can visit the World War II memorial for free. The men who visited today are part of what's been called the greatest generation. They were a group of men who answered the call of duty when summoned, making great sacrifices to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy today. Because of their service and sacrifice, they exemplify what it means to be a hero. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, and recognize. Harold Schirmer, Howard Schoen, Gordon Smith, Norman C. Ohlendorf, Sam Polletta, Robert D. Swanson, Bernard J. Kramer, William G. Berry, Frank Loutly, Kenneth D. Loudy. Michael J. Lasowski, Fernando Yori, Fred L. Alexander, Kenneth Ridgway, Myron Ridgwa, Leonard Tetrault, Wilbert Weigel, Raymond Vogen, Sylvester J. Beaupre, Leonard Feller. Charles Wagner, Arthur P. Grotto, Daniel Green, William Crosby, Paul Sellers, Willard Swords, Vernon K. Hardt, Joseph Lach, Edward Lancioni, George Dinsmore, John F. Berns. Theodore Tusinski, James W. Milligan, Robert W. Church, William R. Dreher, Steven A. Krempa, Walter J. Miller, Edward Sulma, Robert G. Terreberry, Lawrence E. Weaver, John P. Weinmeier. Edward Tanaka, Charlie F. May, Robert W. Anderson, Robert L. Christensen, Robert Persinger, George S. Cassara, Giulio Filippi, Manuel G. Vasquez, Earl Morin, Earl Thayer. William D. Coons, Robert Cave, William Mansfield, Anton Sikich, Maurice R. Koebele, Vernon H. Keller, Elmer Palmateer, James Sikich, Astor Carlson. It was my honor to greet these heroes in person, and I thank them for their service.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, combatting the threat of nuclear terrorism on American soil is a critical security challenge. At a time when inadequately secured nuclear material can fall into the hands of the world's most extreme groups, we must find ways to strengthen our deterrent against acts of nuclear terrorism. Today, I rise to offer this amendment to improve our Nation's nuclear forensics capability to help deter and respond to terrorism. I am pleased to offer it with my colleague, Representative Schiff, whose leadership on nuclear security issues has been exemplary. When combined with law enforcement and intelligence data, nuclear forensics allows us to trace a nuclear device to its source through technical analysis of its nuclear material or residue following a nuclear detonation. As such, it represents one of the strongest deterrents that we have against rogue nuclear nations who might consider releasing nuclear materials to terrorist groups. This amendment has its roots in a report issued by the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The American scientific community found that our Nation's nuclear forensics capabilities are dangerously insufficient and endangered by impending retirements, and made specific recommendations for its improvement. This amendment expands the nuclear forensics workforce by supporting fellowships in nuclear chemistry, and calls for further research and development in the field. Perhaps most important, this amendment also sets up a joint Nuclear Forensic Advisory Panel of recognized experts to confirm the findings of forensic analysis. Given the intelligence failures in the run-up to the Iraq war, the results of any nuclear forensics analysis may well be met by international skepticism. This amendment enhances our Nation's credibility on one of the gravest security challenges that we face and represents a significant improvement in our nuclear and national security. I urge my colleagues to support it. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. FOSTER. I would like to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California, my cosponsor.

Mr. FOSTER. I would like to yield the remainder of my time to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to record my strong and enthusiastic support for H.R. 5720, the Housing Assistance Act of 2008. As everyone knows we are facing a foreclosure crisis the likes of which have not been witnessed since the Great Depression. According to RealtyTrac, a site that tracks foreclosure data, there were a total of a little over 2.2 million foreclosure filings--default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions last year, up an astronomical 75 percent from the previous year. In addition, more than 1 percent of all U.S. households were in some stage of foreclosure last year. My home State of Illinois has not been immune to the crisis. Again, according to the latest statistics from RealtyTrac, there were almost 91,000 foreclosure filings last year, an increase of over 25 percent from 2006 and an increase of over 94 percent from 2005. This common-sense legislation has many provisions designed to spur the sagging real estate market. First and foremost, this bill would provide first-time home buyers with assistance in making a down payment on a home by providing these individuals with a refundable tax credit that is equivalent to an interest-free loan equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of their home, up to $7,500. Moreover, the bill helps struggling taxpayers. Specifically, the bill would provide home owners who claim the standard deduction with an additional standard deduction for State and local real property taxes. The maximum amount that may be claimed under this provision is $350, $700 for joint filers. I have introduced a similar proposal H.R. 5790, the Universal Homeowner Tax Cut Act of 2008. This bill would allow taxpayers who do not itemize a deduction for State and local real property taxes. I fully support providing these hard-working Americans tax relief and I hope some version of real property tax relief is enacted this year. In addition to these core provisions, the bill contains other provisions regarding mortgage revenue bonds and tax simplification designed to spur homeownership. This bill, in conjunction with a slew of bills that the House passed last week designed to stem the foreclosure crisis and restore the housing markets, will help us weather these turbulent economic times. I support this bill and hope Congress will expeditiously send it to the President for his signature.

Mr. FOSTER

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chairman, I am offering this amendment along with my colleagues, Representatives Ellsworth and Altmire, to H.R. 5819, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Reauthorization Act. As a physicist with a long career at a Federal laboratory that supported and benefited from the SBIR program, I am committed to reauthorizing these innovative and worthwhile programs. The SBIR program is designed to increase the participation of small high technology firms in the Federal R&D endeavor. The program was established upon the belief that while high technology-based companies under 500 employees tended to be highly innovative, and innovation is essential to our economic well-being and the high standard of living that we enjoy, that small businesses are, unfortunately, underrepresented in government R&D activities. Our amendment is simple. Similar to other amendments that have been offered on various pieces of legislation, it is codifying current regulations and makes absolutely clear that illegal immigrants are not eligible for these programs. Legal permanent residents would be eligible; however, illegal immigrants would not. Moreover, a firm found to be in violation of this provision would be barred from receiving future awards. If this language looks familiar, it should. As I just alluded to, similar language was adopted last year during consideration of H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. The American taxpayer must have confidence that their hard-earned dollars are being spent properly, and this amendment, by making crystal clear that illegal immigrants are not eligible for these programs, helps accomplish this. Upon passage of comprehensive immigration reform, the path to eligibility for these programs will be the path to citizenship under the rule of law. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FOSTER. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.