Doc Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this debate has been on the rule to deal with a very important bill that has been talked about on both sides that needs to be addressed. I would just simply point out that there will be a motion to recommit, which has always been part of what the Republican majority has suggested on every major piece of legislation since we have been in control. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder). (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price), a member of the committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), a member of the committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 602 is a closed rule providing for 90 minutes of debate in the House on H.R. 2830, the Pension Protection Act, as amended, to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rules waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Ways and Means now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended, and provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Finally, it provides that notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Madam Speaker, the recent financial troubles and pension terminations at several large companies underscore the need for fundamental pension reform. H.R. 2830, the Pension Protection Act, will ensure that millions of hardworking Americans who rely on single and multi-employer pension benefits can continue to count on them. It is vital that we modernize current pension laws by strengthening workers' retirement security and reducing the prospect of a future multi-billion-dollar taxpayer bailout. The Pension Protection Act will fix outdated pension rules and help workers by giving employers incentives to properly and adequately fund their pension plans, and by enhancing transparency and disclosures about the status of their pension plans. In recent years, we have seen participants mistakenly believe that their pension plans were well funded, only to be surprised when their plan was abruptly terminated. This bill is intended to end that practice. The Pension Protection Act encourages workers to increase their personal savings by permanently extending several provisions to enhance pension participation and retirement savings that are currently set to expire in the year 2010. Among the provisions to be permanently extended are: increasing annual contribution limits for individual retirement accounts and qualified pension plans, allowing additional catchup contributions to individuals age 50 and older, and establishing incentives for small employers to offer pension plans. The bill also encourages lower income workers and families to plan and save for their retirement by permanently extending a Federal ``match'' in the form of an income tax credit for the first $2,000 of annual contributions to an individual retirement account or qualified pension plan. Madam Speaker, the Pension Protection Act implements a comprehensive and bipartisan investment advice proposal that allows employers to provide workers access to qualified investment advisers who can inform them of the need to diversify and help them choose appropriate investments while including safeguards to ensure that the advice is solely in their best interest. This changes outdated Federal rules which actually discourage employers from providing workers with access to professional advice. One provision, Madam Speaker, I am especially pleased was included in this bill, was to allow employees who participate in tax-preferred flexible spending accounts to carry forward up to $500 of their unused balances each year. This provides flexibility to employees that otherwise must use all of their balances each year or lose it to their employers. Madam Speaker, without a comprehensive fix to our outdated pension plans more companies will default on their worker pension plans and more will stop providing defined benefit pension plans to their workers entirely. Now is the time for Congress to act on this important piece of legislation. The Rules Committee approved this House Resolution 602 by a voice vote. Accordingly, I encourage my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill, the Pension Protection Act. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 602 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 599 will establish a House Task Force on Ocean Policy with the express purpose of developing recommendations and reporting to the House on the findings of the United States Commission on Ocean Policy by June 2006. This bipartisan task force will have members appointed by the Speaker and Minority Leader who will focus on the final report of the United States Commission on Ocean Policy entitled, ``An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century.'' While the task force will have no legislative jurisdiction, it will put in place a mechanism to allow the House to look broadly at the question of caring for our oceans. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) is to be commended for his untiring commitment to the preservation of our ocean resources. We are able to bring this resolution forward today because of his good work and interest on this subject. It is important that this resolution be considered quickly, so that Members may be appointed to the task force and can begin their work and produce a report by June 2006. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control the time that I have.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and include extraneous material thereon.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 599) establishing the Task Force on Ocean Policy.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 583 is a closed rule providing for 2 hours of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. It also provides that pursuant to section 151(f)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion. Lastly, section 2 of the resolution provides that during consideration of the bill, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker in consonance with section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 583 provides for the consideration of H.R. 4340, a bill to implement the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, in accordance with trade measures negotiated under the Trade Promotion Authority. Former United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick signed the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement on September 14, 2004. Under the agreement, all bilateral trade and consumer and industrial goods will be duty free, and 98 percent of U.S. agricultural exports will be duty free. Tariffs on the remaining products, such as alcohol and tobacco, will be reduced to zero within 10 years. It is important to highlight that labor obligations are included at the core of this agreement, and they meet objectives set out by Congress. In addition, Bahrain has introduced labor reform laws to make its laws fully consistent with the International Labor Organization. The United States must recognize the fact that 96 percent of the world's population resides outside of our country. That 96 percent represents a marketplace for U.S. goods and services that we cannot reach without proper trade agreements. My home State of Washington is one of the most trade-dependent States in the Nation, and our economy depends on free and fair trade. From high-tech to agriculture, and from manufacturing industries to other businesses, Washington State and our Nation is in a position to benefit from having more trading partners. Mr. Speaker, the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act would be the fourth trade agreement reached between the United States and a Middle Eastern country and is an integral part in creating a Middle East free trade area. This agreement is important in bringing stability to the Middle East region and sending a strong signal to countries in that region about the benefits of closer economic and political ties with the United States. Approving this agreement is another step in the right direction toward integrating fair trade policies and economic reforms with our national security interest in supporting a more stable and prosperous Middle East. Both House Resolution 583 and H.R. 4340 were reported by their respective committees by a voice vote. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 583 and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 583 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would just advise my friend, I appreciate his opening remarks and respect the work that he does in international affairs, but I have no requests for time and I am prepared to yield back if the gentleman is.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 581) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 582) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to 2005 Washington State Professor of the Year--Mr. Bruce Palmquist. The U.S. Professors of the Year awards, sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, recognize college and university professors for their excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. For over a decade, Mr. Palmquist has taught science to students at Central Washington University using innovative teaching strategies to actively engage his students in learning. He has taught his students to embrace the University's motto ``by teaching, we learn.'' This teaching approach has motivated students to achieve a higher standard. Mr. Palmquist recognizes the importance of access to higher education. He worked to establish a teacher education program at a community college one hundred miles from Central Washington University, so that students could more easily access higher education. Mr. Palmquist's dedication to the program and students is apparent as he travels over 200 miles per week to advise enrolled and potential students, promote the program, and help students with course work. In a society where teachers do not always receive the appreciation they deserve, I am pleased to honor and commend Mr. Palmquist for his dedication to students in Central Washington. Mr. Palmquist is a teacher who is willing to work hard for his students, and expects his students to work hard for him in return. To Mr. Palmquist and the professors across America that are educating tomorrow's leaders, thank you.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, my legislation would enable a long-awaited transfer of property from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District in central Washington. This transfer involves the conveyance of approximately 9 acres of Federal property as well as a few associated structures. These facilities are already dedicated to purposes related to the irrigation district. With this conveyance, the district will be able to use district funds to make needed improvements for the future. The irrigation district has fully repaid its obligations to the United States related to these properties, and the bureau is no longer interested in their day-to-day management and upkeep. During hearings before the Resources Committee earlier this year, the administration expressed its support for this legislation and noted that this transfer allowed the bureau to focus its limited resources where they are more urgently needed. In my view, this is an example of local problem-solving at its best. Mr. Speaker, I commend the staff of the irrigation district and the Bureau of Reclamation for their work on this. This legislation would not be before us today without their cooperative efforts over the last few years to negotiate this agreement. I also want to thank Resources Chairman Pombo and Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Radanovich for moving this legislation through the process, as well as Kiel Weaver and other members of the committee staff for their work on this bill. Again, this is a noncontroversial conveyance of property agreed to by the irrigation district and the Bureau of Reclamation. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, this reporting requirement, in my mind, is fully justified and delivers a strong message that the Department must be more direct, open, and prompt in sharing details on its path forward for the waste treatment plant. I want to thank the gentleman for his continued commitment to the environmental management program within the Department of Energy.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Energy has been working for the past year on answering questions about challenges on construction of the waste treatment plant at the Hanford cleanup site, with only limited information being shared with Congress, the State of Washington, or the local community. Just yesterday, the Department officially notified Congress that the costs of constructing the waste treatment plant have increased by more than 25 percent. We were not told what caused the increase, what the Department's planned path forward is for the waste treatment plant, or what the ultimate cost and completion date will be. We know only that costs have increased by over 25 percent, and more information is promised in the summer of next year. Waiting until next summer for answers is simply not acceptable to me. Is that also the view of the chairman?