Bob Goodlatte

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the chairman of the subcommittee, for his hard work on this legislation and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for introducing it and leading this bipartisan effort to address what I think is a serious problem. I rise today in support of the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013. Churches, synagogues, and also houses of worship are essential to the fabric of communities throughout this great Nation. In times of need, it seems that faith and the charitable acts that faith inspire are essential to rebuilding and healing our communities. When disasters occur, like Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast, it's often houses of worship whose faith calls them to spring into action to help their fellow man, to feed the hungry and house the homeless. Faith inspires hope that communities can become whole again. Every Member of Congress has seen the good works and deeds that houses of worship and nonprofit organizations do in our communities. There is no reason that the Federal Government should treat churches, synagogues, and houses of worship differently than other nonprofits in times of disaster. I want to note that the so-called ``pervasively sectarian doctrine,'' which absolutely prohibited any aid to pervasively sectarian organizations such as churches, is no longer supported by Supreme Court precedent. While that doctrine was a central part of Supreme Court jurisprudence during the 1970s when the Supreme Court handed down decisions cited by opponents of this bill, including Tilton v. Richardson in 1971, Hunt v. McNair in 1973, and Committee for Public Education v. Nyquist, also 1973, it is no longer controlling, as the pervasively sectarian doctrine was subsequently rejected by a majority of the Supreme Court in the 1999 case of Mitchell v. Helms. Indeed, as the Congressional Research Service concluded in its December 27, 2000, report to Congress: In its most recent decisions, the Supreme Court appears to have abandoned the presumption that some religious institutions are so pervasively sectarian that they are constitutionally ineligible to participate in direct public aid programs. It also seems clear that the question of whether a recipient institution is pervasively sectarian is no longer a constitutionally determinative factor. Today's legislation is important because it will ensure that houses of worship are treated equitably to other private nonprofit facilities, and that they are eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief and emergency assistance. I am glad that we are acting today to clarify that FEMA should treat churches, synagogues, and all houses of worship the same as other nonprofit organizations that are working to rebuild affected communities. I thank Congressman Smith for introducing this legislation, and I urge all Members to join with me to support this important clarification of existing law.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, our Nation watched as we recently ended another battle over our Nation's tax-and-spend policies. While many Americans are now left trying to decipher how their taxes will be changing for the coming year, all Americans are, yet again, forced to comply with a tax code that is no longer working in a fair manner for our Nation's citizens. While almost every Member would acknowledge that our tax code is no longer working in a fair manner for Americans, nothing has been done to create a more equitable tax code. So today I rise to reintroduce the Tax Code Termination Act. The Tax Code Termination Act will force Congress to finally debate and address fundamental tax reform. This bi-partisan legislation is simple. It will abolish the Internal Revenue Code by December 31, 2017, and call on Congress to approve a new Federal tax system by July of the same year. As recently shown, Congress will not reach a consensus on a contentious issue, such as tax reform, unless it is forced to do so. My bill will do exactly that: force Congress to finally address fundamental tax reform. Though many questions and ideas remain about the best way to reform our tax system, I am certain that if Congress is forced to address the issue we can create a tax code that is simpler, fairer, and better for our economy than the one we are forced to comply with today. Whichever tax system is adopted, the key ingredients should be: a low rate for all Americans; tax relief for working people; protection of the rights of taxpayers and reduction in tax collection abuses; promotion of savings and investment; and encouragement of economic growth and job creation. Taxes may be unavoidable but they don't have to be unfair and overcomplicated. Once the Tax Code Termination Act becomes law, today's oppressive tax code would survive for only 4 more years, at which time it would expire and be replaced with a new tax code that will be determined by Congress, the President, and the American people. This legislation will allow us, as a nation, to collectively decide what the new tax system should look like. Having a date-certain to end the current tax code will force the issue to the top of the national agenda. America cannot continue down this path of irresponsible tax-and-spend policies. There is widespread consensus that the current system is broken, and keeping it is not in America's best interest. The American people deserve a certainty, fairness, and assurance that our current tax code cannot provide them. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and end the broken tax system that exists today and provide a tax code that the American people deserve.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I submit for publication the attached copy of the rules of the Committee on the Judiciary for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 113th Congress, as adopted by the Committee on January 23, 2013: Rule I. The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of the Committee on the Judiciary and its Subcommittees with the following specific additions thereto. Rule II. Committee Meetings (a) The regular meeting day of the Committee on the Judiciary for the conduct of its business shall be on Wednesday of each week while the House is in session. (b) Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman and a regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed with when, in the judgment of the Chairman, there is no need therefor. (c) The Chairman shall furnish each Member of the Committee or Subcommittee with the date, place, and a list of bills and subjects to be considered at a Committee or Subcommittee meeting, which may not commence earlier than the third day on which Members have notice thereof (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays when the House is not in session). (d) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a meeting for the markup of legislation, the text of such legislation shall be made publicly available in electronic form. (e) In an emergency that does not reasonably allow for the notice requirements in (c) and (d), the Chairman may waive the notice requirements with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member. (f) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or electronically to the designee of both the Chairman and Ranking Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the measure or matter. The Chairman may use his discretion to give priority to amendments submitted in advance. (g) Committee and Subcommittee meetings for the transaction of business, i.e. meetings other than those held for the purpose of taking testimony, shall be open to the public except when the Committee or Subcommittee determines by majority vote to close the meeting because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House. (h) Every motion made to the Committee and entertained by the Chairman shall be reduced to writing upon demand of any Member, and a copy made available to each Member present. (i) For purposes of taking any action at a meeting of the full Committee or any Subcommittee thereof, a quorum shall be constituted by the presence of not less than one-third of the Members of the Committee or Subcommittee, except that a full majority of the Members of the Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of reporting a measure or recommendation from the Committee or Subcommittee, closing a meeting to the public, or authorizing the issuance of a subpoena. (j)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chairman may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment. The Chairman may resume proceedings on a postponed request at any time. (2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph (1), the Chairman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to notify Members on the resumption of proceedings on any postponed record vote. (3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed. (k) Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and may be published in the same manner as hearings before the Committee. (l) Without further action of the Committee, the Chairman is directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate. Rule III. Hearings (a) The Committee Chairman or any Subcommittee Chairman shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by it on any measure or matter at least one week before the commencement of that hearing. If the Chairman of the Committee, or Subcommittee, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee or Subcommittee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of business, the Chairman or Subcommittee Chairman shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. (b) Committee and Subcommittee hearings shall be open to the public except when the Committee or Subcommittee determines by majority vote to close the meeting because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House. (c) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence before the Committee or any Subcommittee, a quorum shall be constituted by the presence of two Members. (d) In the course of any hearing each Member shall be allowed five minutes for the interrogation of a witness until such time as each Member who so desires has had an opportunity to question the witness. (e) The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the Committee which are decided to be printed shall be published in verbatim form, with the material requested for the record inserted at that place requested, or at the end of the record, as appropriate. Individuals, including Members of Congress, whose comments are to be published as part of a Committee document shall be given the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by those Members, staff or witnesses to correct any errors other than errors in the transcription, or disputed errors in transcription, shall be appended to the record, and the appropriate place where the change is requested will be footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chairman of hearings conducted jointly with another congressional Committee, a memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which incorporates an agreement for the publication of the verbatim transcript. Rule IV. Broadcasting Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee or any Subcommittee is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio and still photography except when the hearing or meeting is closed pursuant to the Committee Rules of Procedure. Rule V. Standing Subcommittees (a) The full Committee shall have jurisdiction over such matters as determined by the Chairman. (b) There shall be five standing Subcommittees of the Committee on the Judiciary, with jurisdictions as follows: The Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters: constitutional amendments, constitutional rights, Federal civil rights, ethics in government, tort liability, including medical malpractice and product liability, legal reform generally, other appropriate matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight. The Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters: Administration of U.S. Courts, Federal Rules of Evidence, Civil and Appellate Procedure, judicial ethics, copyright, patent, trademark law, information technology, other appropriate matters as referred to by the Chairman, and relevant oversight. The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters: Federal Criminal Code, drug enforcement, sentencing, parole and pardons, internal and homeland security, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, prisons, criminal law enforcement, and other appropriate matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight. The Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters: immigration and naturalization, border security, admission of refugees, treaties, conventions and international agreements, claims against the United States, Federal charters of incorporation, private immigration and claims bills, non- border immigration enforcement, other appropriate matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight. The Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters: bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state taxation affecting interstate commerce, interstate compacts, antitrust matters, other appropriate matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight. (c) The Chairman of the Committee and Ranking Minority Member thereof shall be ex officio Members, but not voting Members, of each Subcommittee to which such Chairman or Ranking Minority Member has not been assigned by resolution of the Committee. Ex officio Members shall not be counted as present for purposes of constituting a quorum at any hearing or meeting of such Subcommittee. Rule VI. Powers and Duties of Subcommittees Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the full Committee on all matters referred to it or under its jurisdiction. Subcommittee chairmen shall set dates for hearings and meetings of their respective Subcommittees after consultation with the Chairman and other Subcommittee chairmen with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of full Committee and Subcommittee meetings or hearings whenever possible. Rule VII. Non-Legislative Reports No report of the Committee or Subcommittee which does not accompany a measure or matter for consideration by the House shall be published unless all Members of the Committee or Subcommittee issuing the report shall have been apprised of such report and given the opportunity to give notice of intention to file supplemental, additional, or dissenting views as part of the report. In no case shall the time in which to file such views be less than three calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays when the House is not in session). Rule VIII. Committee Records The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use according to the Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a determination on the written request of any Member of the Committee. Rule IX. Official Committee Website (a) The Chairman shall maintain an official website on behalf of the Committee for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities, including communicating information about the Committee's activities to Committee Members and other Members of the House. (b) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is demanded in the full Committee available on the Committee's official website not later than 48 hours after such vote is taken. Such record shall identify or describe the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of each Member voting for and each Member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of the Members voting present. (c) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee or its Subcommittees, the Chairman shall make the text of each such amendment publicly available in electronic form. (d) Not later than 3 days after the conclusion of a Committee meeting, the transcript of such meeting and the text of all amendments offered shall be made available on the Committee website. (e) The Ranking Member is authorized to maintain a similar official website on behalf of the Committee Minority for the same purpose, including communicating information about the activities of the Minority to Committee Members and other Members of the House.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Yoder).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger).

Mr. GOODLATTE. It's my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Ross).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham).

Mr. GOODLATTE. It's now my pleasure to yield to the majority whip, the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros- Lehtinen).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp).

Mr. GOODLATTE. I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).