Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the proponents of storing nuclear waste in Nevada suffered a huge setback last week when scientists from the California Institute of Technology and Harvard University reported that the strain in the Earth's crust near Yucca Mountain makes it at least 10 times more prone to earthquakes and lava flows than government scientists previously estimated. The study commissioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission concluded that the ground around Yucca Mountain could stretch more than 3 feet over the next 1,000 years. While this may not sound like a great deal of movement, this distance is a distance that would easily crush any canister of nuclear waste buried there, exposing a wide area including the water table of the Southwest to deadly radioactivity and pollution. When the original criteria for a long term nuclear storage site was created, the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that any site that would be stable for 10,000 years would be appropriate for a high-level nuclear waste dump. However, now this latest data shows that the ground around Yucca Mountain will not be stable for even one-tenth of that time. It is a sure bet though, if we give the U.S. Department of Energy a scientific reason to doubt the wisdom of storing high-level waste at Yucca Mountain, the agency will simply ignore the findings. Nevada ranks third in the Nation for current seismic and earthquake activity. Earthquake databases indicate that since 1976 there have been 621 seismic events of a magnitude greater than 2.5 within a 50-mile radius of Yucca Mountain. The most notable event that occurred this period was a earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 that occurred in 1992. Now, the mountain ranges and valleys in the Yucca Mountain area are a result of millions of years of intense faulting and volcanism. With 33 earthquake faults and more than 30 earthquakes a year, Yucca Mountain is not geologically safe. Any nuclear accident at Yucca Mountain could send invisible but deadly radioactive dust across the Nation, contaminating everyone and everything in its path, since the winds blowing across the country move from West to East. Mr. Speaker, on December 1997 an incident occurred near Kingman, Arizona in which a truck carrying radioactive waste had leaked from one of its nuclear waste containers. The nuclear waste canister leaks proved that transporting this refuse poses a real threat to our children and our communities. DOE's previous statement and guarantees made about the safety of transporting nuclear waste are now clearly irrelevant. Their findings confess to four reasons why this incident occurred. First, containers were used for shipping after design flaws were identified in earlier container failures. Second, lack of understanding of the properties of the waste, specifically that excess free liquid would form during transportation. Third, lack of formality and rigor in contractor oversight between DOE Fernald and DOE Nevada. And finally, fourth, failure to provide the appropriate attention and oversight to these shipments because of the relatively low potential threat to public health and safety. Acting Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Jim Owendoff stated, ``We are troubled by lapses in contractor management and DOE oversight, especially because problems with the containers had been identified on previous occasions.'' These canister leaks were not caused by an accident or other large catastrophe. The Accident Investigation Board concluded that stress fractures caused the leaks in the shipping containers and were widened by vibration and wear associated with normal highway transport. Yet the DOE would have us believe that canisters that cannot withstand highway travel are impervious to earthquakes and other natural disasters. When looking ahead to the possibility of canisters carrying high- level nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain, Nevada, canisters that carry 10 times the long-lived radiation that the bomb on Hiroshima released, citizens across this country must be protected, and cannot be threatened and endangered by canister leaks caused by simple highway vibrations. Yucca Mountain must be disqualified as a site for a temporary or a permanent repository for the deadliest material ever made by man. The Department of Energy cannot safely transport nuclear waste, and this Congress wants to store the refuse in the third most active earthquake area in the United States. Mr. Speaker, it becomes apparent that the lives of our constituents and their communities depend on the decisions we make on this floor. I encourage all Members and the American people to learn the true science surrounding this issue, for our children and their future depend on it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, just look outside. The cherry blossoms are blooming, the weather is warm here, it is officially spring in our Nation's Capital. It is a glorious time. Or is it? Let me give the American worker's vision of spring. Madam Speaker, can you say ``tax time,'' ``budding IRS audits,'' and ``blossoming tax forms''? In a recent survey, when given the choice between being audited by the IRS or having root canal surgery, more Americans chose root canal surgery. More and more American working men and women are fed up with being bullied by the IRS, a bureaucratic behemoth that tramples the rights of the taxpayers, the very customers the IRS is charged to serve. Americans are completely fed up with paying thousands of dollars and spending countless hours on their tax returns only to incur abuse from the customer-unfriendly and arrogant IRS. Today, it is actually an anomaly to find anyone left in this country who can do his or her taxes. Madam Speaker, our current Tax Code must be abolished and replaced with one that is fair, simple, and honest.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to birthdays or anniversaries, it does not matter whether we call it five decades, 50 years, or just half a century. No matter how we say it, the Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program in northern Nevada deserves our special recognition and congratulations. Today, I rise with great pride to announce that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program. Since 1948, this program, maintained and run completely by volunteers, has taught thousands of young people in northern Nevada to ski. The generosity and commitment of hundreds of volunteers and ski instructors have made it possible for these kids from all economic backgrounds to benefit from this program. But the Sky Tavern program provides these people with more than just skiing lessons. It also teaches them the value of a hard day's work and the importance of giving back to their community. I am proud to represent a community with such outstanding people and such a marvelous program. I am also equally proud to call myself an alumnus of the Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program. To all of them, congratulations, and we look forward to another half century of success and contribution to the children of Nevada.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the countdown is on. The tax clock is ticking. The nightmare of all nightmares to American workers: The tax man is coming. That is right. Just 3 short weeks from today is the American taxpayers' most dreaded day: April 15. This day looms on the calendar each year as an ominous reminder of the crushing burden of the current Federal Tax Code. And while the IRS smiles behind closed doors, American workingmen and women are struggling to keep pace with an out- of-control Federal agency. Over the next 21 days, taxpayers across this country will spend many sleepless nights and work countless hours in an attempt to figure out exactly how much of their hard-earned money must be sent to the government. Heaven forbid the amount is off by a single cent, causing the taxpayer to face the unbridled wrath of the IRS. Mr. Speaker, the time is now to enact comprehensive tax reform. Sweet dreams, Mr. and Mrs. America.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, few in this body would argue that a more worthy cause for Federal funds exists than the fight to keep our Nation's children off of drugs. However, a six-year professional study released yesterday reveals that we are not winning the war on juvenile drug use. In fact, a dozen other recent studies have all come to the very same conclusion, that, overall, America's efforts just do not deliver on its promise to teach kids to resist drugs. According to this latest study, last year alone, hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on ``feel-good'' programs that have apparently had little or no effect on our kids. Mr. Speaker, this is a growing national crisis that is too important to ignore, too important for our children's future, and too important for us to fail. Mr. Speaker, this is not about laying blame or pointing fingers, it is about correcting mistakes. The young people in this country are our future, and it is our duty to see that they grow up in a world free of the scourge of drugs.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the voices of millions of American taxpayers have finally penetrated the White House walls. In yet another reversal of national policy, the White House has pulled up its pants, put on its thinking cap, and announced its IRS reform package. Wow. From the President's opposition just 2 weeks ago to yesterday's flip-flop on IRS reform, this has left us all with a distinct impression that our President is finally thinking with the head on top of his shoulders. Included in his reform proposals is the idea that, once and for all, we should bring to an end the illegal use of quotas. Mr. Speaker, I hope this means that the White House fully supports H.R. 2736, legislation I introduced 5 months ago to put an end to the improper and illegal use of such quotas by the IRS. We all know the IRS has become an out-of-control Federal agency. H.R. 2736, the Taxpayer Reform and Protection Act, will end illegal quotas and make the IRS more accountable, more customer friendly for the millions of American taxpayers.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, my father used to tell me that ``if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' Will our Federal Government ever get it right? Unfortunately, the Kyoto climate treaty tries not only to fix something that is not broken, it fails miserably to do what its supporters say it will do. Despite the lack of concrete scientific evidence today of the existence of global warming, this President is more than willing to put millions of American jobs at risk by signing the ill-conceived treaty. Entering into this agreement will cause unemployment to rise, prices to rise, American productivity to decline, and the American economy to be less competitive in the world market. Even the Wall Street Journal calls the Kyoto agreement the equivalent of a $100- to $200-billion-dollar-a-year tax increase. At a time when our economy is booming, interest rates are down, and more people are working than ever, it is irresponsible to jeopardize this by entering the United States into this treaty. This treaty is bad for America. It is bad for Americans.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last week the Clinton administration gathered 40 lobbyists for a meeting at which the President urged them to publicly oppose our efforts to force changes in the current Tax Code by 2001. Realizing, of course, that working men and women in America are committed to idea of scrapping the current Tax Code, the President has now enlisted a group of spin doctors and Washington insiders to defend the status quo of our tax system. Well, I have a better idea of how the President can spend his time. Instead of gathering D.C. lobbyists and spin masters, who make their living off the complexities of our Tax Code, the President should gather 40 hard-working taxpayers and let them voice their frustration and outrage over the Clinton system. Mr. Speaker, the President would do well to simply listen to the horror stories from taxpayers about the abuse, intrusive and sometimes illegal acts committed by the IRS, rather than the lobbyists defending his Tax Code. Just such a meeting would convince the President to join rather than hinder our fight for comprehensive tax reform.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, in April of 1996, a deadly tornado struck Fort Smith, Arkansas, causing widespread destruction, yet almost a full 2 years after this tragedy, the citizens of this town are yet again facing another terror. That is right, the IRS. IRS agents are auditing these families for not correctly reporting their casualty losses that they incurred. These folks have not been targeted by the IRS because they bilked or cheated the U.S. Government out of money by claiming fraudulent tax deductions or utilizing illegal tax shelters. These people are being audited because the IRS just does not agree with how they reported their houses were ripped from their foundations and their lives torn apart. The reprehensible actions prompted a survivor whose house was destroyed to say that ``While the death and destruction is behind us, the tornado, the IRS, is never going away.'' She said this, of course, under an agreement of anonymity, because she fears that her comments will spur further retaliation from the IRS. Outrageous, Mr. Speaker. It is time to take the fear and the terror out of the hearts of Americans. The time to overhaul the IRS is long overdue.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Associated Press released its results on the latest survey conducted on how much Americans trust their government. Well, not surprisingly, it found that out of every 10 Americans only three or four believe their government will do the right thing most or all the time. Mr. Speaker, more than 60 percent of Americans do not trust their government. This survey also asked people what they felt about various government agencies in Washington that increasingly intrude into their daily lives. Well, not surprisingly, the numbers showed that the IRS has dropped significantly. Of all the government agencies, the IRS has the lowest approval rating of all. Truly shocking? Not really. Now, even though there is a strong message here, I have absolute total confidence that my liberal colleagues and defenders of big government will ignore it. However, the message is clear: The people demand a complete overhaul of the IRS and real reform of our Tax Code and now is the time to act.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Chair's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, everyone outside of the bloated Federal bureaucracy knows that government that governs least governs best. Never was this more apparent than on Friday when California reached a historic agreement with local Indians regarding Indian gaming in California. In fact, the tribal chairman there is quoted as saying ``a turning point in tribal-state relations'' has been reached. The real significance of this agreement, however, lies more in its origin than in its content. Despite numerous attempts by Secretary Babbitt to back-door his way into negotiations and the approval process, California has rightly asserted its sovereign status and jurisdiction. This compromise between California and sovereign Indian nations is proof that Federal intervention was not necessary, nor would it have been appropriate in this issue. California correctly and repeatedly told the Interior Department to butt out, that they do not need to be told by the Federal Government what is best for their State. Now we have proof. The Tenth Amendment works. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 3094, a bill which will ensure that no State must sit back while the Federal Government tramples the Constitution and blatantly disregards their sovereignty.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, Everett Dirksen once said that ``a billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking about real money.'' Well, is $1.7 trillion of a Federal budget not enough to provide for the simple upkeep and maintenance of our national park system? Clearly the Bureau of Land Management does not think so. After complaining of a shortage of necessary funds to provide for the upkeep of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the BLM imposed a new user fee on anyone wishing to enter this national treasure. Well, what improvements have been made as a result of this hidden tax on the American people? None. Zip. Nada. In fact, the BLM used its own discretion to divert these funds it deemed necessary for improvements just to hire more government bureaucrats. Mr. Speaker, in a time when all Americans are being asked to do more with less to balance the Federal budget, government bureaucrats must be held to the same standard. I urge a full and complete investigation into this blatant misuse of taxpayer funds.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the President referred to the proposed overhaul of the Tax Code as irresponsible. He went on to say that the Republican effort to reform the Nation's current income tax code would be simply reckless for the economy and families. Mr. President, I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, it would be irresponsible for Congress not to overhaul this Tax Code. It would be irresponsible for this Congress to allow such an inequitable, punitive Tax Code to continue to stifle the economic growth in this country. Mr. President, I feel it is irresponsible for you and your administration to blatantly stump for the status quo when the status quo represents a tax collection agency that is abusive to innocent working men and women, intrusive into the lives of each and every taxpayer, and callous to every American citizen. Although it is not clear at this point which type of alternative tax system would be best for this country, what is clear, however, is that the current tax system is broken and must undergo a complete overhaul. Mr. President, the only irresponsible action is your support for an unconscionable, unfair and defective tax system.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, not often do we bring stories, heroic stories, before the House of Representatives, so it today brings me great pleasure to tell you about a heroic young man named Chris Noad of Dayton, Nevada. Last Friday Chris was awarded the Boy Scout Gold Honor Medal, the highest life-saving award in scouting, for unusual heroism in saving a life at considerable risk to himself. Twelve-year-old Chris came to the rescue of his younger sister Kathryn as she was being viciously attacked by a dog in their yard. Hearing the painful cries of his sister, Chris disregarded his own safety, rushed into the yard and was able to grab and pin a 120-pound Rottweiler until further help arrived, allowing his sister to escape. Fortunately Kathryn survived this attack, but that may not have been so without the truly courageous action of her older brother. The actions taken by Chris Noad during those frightful moments can serve as an example to all of us. Doing the right thing at the right time even when it is at our own jeopardy is something we all need to remember. Large acts of bravery do not always occur by large people. You are truly a hero to your family, to your community and to the State of Nevada.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, in the most recent international education survey conducted on U.S. high school seniors, U.S. ranks near the bottom in math and science. The math category alone, our students ranked 21st out of 23 countries. My purpose this morning is not to shame the American youth nor blame our hard working teachers in this country, but rather to give a wake-up call to my colleagues. For too long our liberal, but well-intended, colleagues have squandered billions of Federal education dollars on national testing and bloated Washington bureaucracy. It is high time they stop wasting money and start directing more money and more control to our parents, teachers, and communities. Let us face it, parents and teachers are the people who know our kids the best. I have a 10-year-old son in Nevada's public school system. I would much rather have the parents and teachers and school officials in Reno, Nevada, decide what is best for my son's education rather than some know-it-all Washington bureaucrat. Please, for the sake of our children, let us get America's education system on track by keeping big government out of our school systems.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, everyone is familiar with the axiom related to the word ``assume,'' which colorfully explains why we should avoid doing so, everyone, that is, except the President of the United States. In his budget proposal the President assumes that the American people will not notice the billions of dollars in new Federal spending. He assumes the American people would not notice the creation of numerous additional Federal bureaucracies. He assumes that it is okay to spend over $60 billion in tobacco settlement money that has not even been sent to Congress. Finally, he assumes the American people will not notice the billions of dollars in higher fees and taxes in his budget. But let us be fair, Madam Speaker. The fault does not lie solely with the President. The American people must admit our guilt in believing his promises. We all assumed that the President was serious when he said to all America that the era of big government was over. Yet, this budget proposal is the very essence of big government. Empty promises, big government, high taxes. Mr. President, you can run from reality, but you cannot hide from the American people.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, it is often said that those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Today, this Nation stands on the edge and the threshold of runaway drug use and rising violence against all Americans. So how do our liberal colleagues plan to counter this most dangerous trend? Well, my colleagues can guess it, $120 billion in new taxes and more Washington-knows-best, unworkable big government programs. They are proposing that we make the Federal social bureaucracies larger and more invasive into the lives of American people. To them I say, enough is enough. What does it say about our government when the IRS employs five times as many as the FBI and 14 times as many people as the DEA? When did policing the American taxpayer become more important than policing America's drug dealers and criminal thugs? Now more than ever we must practice fiscal discipline and common sense by reprioritizing spending and focusing our government on defending the borders of this Nation and the safety of the American citizens.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the announcement was made that an independent counsel will be appointed to investigate Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbitt. To this I say: It is about time. Mr. Speaker, let us review what has happened here. When asked to explain why he denied a particular Indian gaming license, Secretary Babbitt responded that the administration instructed him to do so. Next, he denied ever having said that. Then he denied ever having made that denial. Finally, he has admitted that his original lie is the truth and that we just all have a big misunderstanding. Well, Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is a misunderstanding, but somewhere between all the lies, all the denials, and all the misunderstandings, a $300,000 campaign donation was made to the Democratic Party in exchange for governmental action against the noncontributing Indian tribe. Hopefully, the independent counsel will be able to sift through the lies and find the truth. Clearly, the American people deserve no less.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the budget estimates are in; and the news is very good. This year, for the first time, the Congress of this Nation is going to have an opportunity to do what the American family has had to do for year after year. That is balance the budget. Substantial progress has been made and giant steps have been taken in shrinking the size and the scope of the Federal Government. However, we must not stop now. We have finally righted the ship, and now we must take great care to stay the course. The presence of a budgetary surplus must be used to save our current entitlement programs, not create new ones. This money should be returned to the people, not used to create more layers of bloated Federal bureaucracy. Now that this Republican Congress has succeeded in balancing the Federal budget, all attention should be focused on the family budget. The liberal's concept of bigger government and $100 billion in newer taxes is not better government. Decreasing taxes and reducing the size and the scope of the Federal Government has gotten us where we are today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue this fight. Do not follow this giant step forward with two equally large steps back.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, former President Ronald Reagan never lobbied personally for his place in history. This kind of self- confident leadership style is often missed in Washington, today more than ever. It is a travesty that partisan politics has entered into what should be a bipartisan tribute to this great man. Whether my colleagues agree or disagree with Ronald Reagan's philosophy, I doubt that anyone can question Reagan's great love for this Nation and his dedication to his role as the leader of the free world. People from around the world visit our Nation's capital each year. We need to show them the enormous sense of pride that all America takes in honoring his legacy. In an era where partisan politics have so often replaced open and honest debate, the time has come to say enough is enough. For once, just once, let us put aside our egos and with this simple but grand gesture pay tribute to this great man who is so deserving. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2625 when it comes before the House Floor tomorrow.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, just when we thought we had heard it all, now the effort to rename Washington's National Airport after one of our Nation's most respected leaders in the 20th century has met with opposition that is purely partisan in nature. Opposing the effort to pay tribute to President Ronald Reagan is just the latest example of ``oh, you are for it? Well, we are against it now'' politics employed by my liberal colleagues. I understand that the diversity of opinion in this House are often vital when setting policies of this Nation. A healthy debate is an absolute must if we are to reach sound conclusions on important and vital national issues. However, I feel it is an absolute disservice to a great man that petty, partisan politics threatens to stain his great legacy. This is clearly no place for partisan politics. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2625, a bill to rename Washington's National Airport after former President Ronald Reagan.