Wally Herger

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of the bill under consideration.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3525, as amended. As amended, this legislation reflects provisions as reported by the Committee on Ways and Means on June 29 and included in H.R. 5640, the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006. I am pleased to be here with the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) who is a cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation. I thank him for his work and leadership on this legislation. I would also like to thank the many Members from both sides of the aisle for their support. Mr. Speaker, this legislation reauthorizes and improves numerous child protection programs that combined, would provide about $4 billion during the next 5 years to keep children safe and ensure they are raised in safe and loving families. These programs are the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, the Child Welfare Services Program, the Court Improvement Program and the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program. This legislation supports State efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect by keeping families together and preventing, whenever possible, the unnecessary separation of children from their families. For example, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program provides resources for family support services, family preservation services, time-limited reunification services and post-adoption services. We know that one of the best ways to give a child a chance of a bright future is to ensure that that child is raised in a safe, loving family. The services supported by this legislation are targeted where they are needed most, to help parents at risk of abusing or neglecting their children or to prevent repeated abuse and neglect. On May 23, the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, which I chair, held a hearing on this legislation. We heard from a broad array of voices in support of the extension of these programs and in support of changes requiring States to focus resources more on services for children and at-risk families. Earlier this year, the President signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which provided $200 million in new funds for services to better protect children over the next 5 years. I am very pleased that this legislation targets these increased resources so more foster children are visited on a monthly basis. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently reported that these visits were not occurring. Only 20 States could tell whether the caseworkers actually visited children in foster care on a monthly basis. In seven of these 20 States, the reports found that fewer than half of the children in foster care were visited on a monthly basis. Research shows that children who are visited on a more frequent basis are more quickly placed in permanent homes and experience other positive outcomes, compared to children not visited. Newspapers are frequently reporting the horrors of children neglected by the very system charged to protect them. The increased monitoring promoting by this bill makes sense and would go a long way towards better protecting these vulnerable children. Mr. Speaker, we still have more work to do to improve our Nation's foster care system. Time and time again, we hear of children lingering in foster care, bounced from home to home. In some cases, foster children have lived in more than 50 homes. This is unacceptable, and we will continue to work to improve this program so that all children can live with a family that loves them. This legislation brings us one step closer to that important goal. It has widespread bipartisan support, and I urge all my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3525) to amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve outcomes for children in families affected by methamphetamine abuse and addiction, to reauthorize the promoting safe and stable families program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4472, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. This is good legislation that will go a long way towards keeping our children safe from harm. I am especially pleased this legislation includes an important provision that I believe will help improve our Nation's child protection system. As part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Federal law was amended to require that States complete background checks prior to approving a prospective foster or adoptive home. If these background checks reveal that would-be foster or adoptive parents have been convicted of certain felonies including murder and crimes against children, such adults are permanently disqualified from receiving Federal funds as foster or adoptive parents. Felony convictions for physical assault, battery, or drug- related offenses disqualify an adult from receiving Federal payments for the child for 5 years. To be clear, States could still place foster children in those homes, they just couldn't use Federal dollars to pay such adults for the care of the children. These provisions are designed to ensure children are placed in safe homes and Federal funds are used properly. Currently, 43 States including the District of Columbia comply with these requirements. However, because Federal law currently gives States a choice, eight States opt out of this requirement, which allows them to apply weaker standards concerning which adults are to be entrusted with foster or adoptive children and when Federal funds can be used in such homes. In practice, it is our understanding that most of the States actually follow Federal guidelines, leaving only a handful of States that actually apply weaker standards than Federal law expects. H.R. 4472 will allow States that opt out of the current Federal standards to continue to do so for the next 2 years. But then all States must comply with the current requirements, which most already follow. States will continue to have the flexibility to define requirements that are stronger than Federal law. It is my hope that during the next 2 years the States that apply weaker standards for who can be a foster or adoptive parent and receive Federal funds will examine their policies an take steps to bring them in line with Federal policy, as the overwhelming majority of States already do. It is important that all States satisfy minimum requirements to ensure the safety of children. Children in foster care are literally our responsibility. It is not too much to expect certain minimum standards involving who can be entrusted with their care, especially when Federal tax dollars are paid to such adults. Amazingly enough, some suggest this provision may not increase child safety. I disagree. It is difficult to understand how some can insist that Federal taxpayers must pay adults to be foster or adoptive parents when a background check has uncovered their involvement in past crimes such as murder and crimes against children. Again, States may choose to do whatever they wish with their own dollars, but we have a responsibility to see that children are protected and Federal tax dollars are used wisely. I'm pleased H.R. 4472 will ensure all States follow the same minimum standards for determining who may be entrusted with these vulnerable children and receive Federal funds for their care. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, in 2003, President Bush called for the creation of a Middle East Free Trade Area in 10 years to bring the Middle East into an expanding circle of opportunity. To date the administration has successfully negotiated free trade agreements with Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman to provide a solid foundation for the MEFTA initiative. As the Wall Street Journal noted in an editorial the other day: ``The deal would make all U.S. industrial and consumer products duty free immediately and phase out farm tariffs over 10 years.'' The promise of the Omani agreement before us is expanded market opportunities for U.S. exporters, greater financial integrity in the world economy, and enhanced regional stability. Overall, by developing greater economic friendship in the Middle East with modernizing economies like Oman, we also advance America's national security objectives in the broader war on terrorism. As the 9/11 Commission report recommended, ``Any comprehensive U.S. strategy to counterterrorism should include economic policies that encourage development, more open societies, and opportunities for people to improve their lives.'' The U.S.-Oman FTA embodies this principle. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement and urge its passage in the House.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 88. Most Americans believe that marriage should be defined as the legal union of one man and one woman. But as we have seen in the past several years, attacks on marriage by unelected and unaccountable judges threaten to destroy this long-standing and widely accepted institution. I firmly believe that activist judges should not be able to overturn the marriage laws of almost every state based on bizarre legal theories. Although I believe we must be extremely careful in amending the Constitution, this is a critically important issue for our country. We must place the vital institution of marriage beyond the reach of activist courts.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 438) expressing the sense of the Congress that continuation of the welfare reforms provided for in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 should remain a priority.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It would be nice if today we could all work in a bipartisan way to take credit for something that Congress has done which has been so incredibly successful. I really regret the negative tone I hear from my good friends on the other side of the aisle. They made the comment that President Clinton had signed this. I think we should let the history speak for itself. The fact is, after the Democrats opposed this legislation every inch of the way, opposing it in subcommittee, opposing it in the full committee, opposing it on the House floor, voting against it, and then having President Clinton vetoing it, not once, but twice, and only before the election where he was afraid that maybe the people might throw him out if he continued to oppose it did he finally sign it, did we finally get it. And after these dire predictions that the sky was going to fall in, that we have these incredible results that we have, again, it would be nice if we could all take credit here for something we have done well. It is regrettable we can't. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw) and ask unanimous consent that the gentleman control the time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 438. This resolution does something we don't do enough of in this institution: It takes a look back at what Congress tried to do in the previous years and assesses whether we got it right. As the text of the resolution suggests, many people, including some former critics, think we got it right. Mr. Speaker, the results of the 1996 welfare reform are remarkable in terms of achieving and in some cases exceeding the goals the Nation laid out when Congress took on this challenging issue. Former Wisconsin Governor and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has called welfare reform one of the most successful social policy changes in U.S. history, and I think he is right. In terms of reducing dependence, promoting work and earnings, and reducing poverty, it would be hard to mask the outcomes of these reforms. I would also like to thank my colleague Clay Shaw for his steadfast leadership and tireless work to enact these remarkable reforms. Welfare reform did not happen overnight. And it would not have happened without his strong leadership. Ten years ago today, this House passed what went on to become the landmark 1996 welfare reform law. At that time nearly 12 million parents and children were dependent on the government. Today, after 10 years of reforms and much success, that number is down to fewer than 5 million individuals dependent on welfare checks for support, a decline of an unprecedented 64 percent, almost two-thirds. Millions of those families now collect a paycheck instead of a welfare check. Since welfare reform was enacted, we have seen a sharp increase in work among welfare recipients. This is a stark contrast to the Nation's former welfare program under which there was no incentive to work. In fact, the prior program actually punished work. But today, because of welfare reform, work among those on welfare has more than doubled. And to support working families, the amount taxpayers provide for child care has tripled from $4 billion to nearly $12 billion today. Back in 1996, welfare reform opponents argued that if enacted, this law would result in millions of additional children living in poverty. However, they were wrong with this prediction as they were with all their other predictions about what this law would accomplish. Compared to 1996, 1.4 million fewer children are in poverty today. This is a direct result of the pro-work, pro-family policies passed in 1996 and which are still in place today. Earlier this year, the House accompanied by the Senate sent President Bush legislation to extend and strengthen the 1996 reforms to help even more low-income parents go to work. All States are now busy revamping their programs to meet that challenge. Based on the results of the 1996 reforms, we should have great confidence that millions more families will succeed in finding and keeping jobs in the years ahead. That is something every Member and, indeed, every American should support. Again, I would like to thank Clay Shaw for all his work in this area over so many years. I look forward to continuing to work in the years ahead to support all families in their efforts to end their dependence on government assistance. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Chairman, if gasoline prices are bad, natural gas prices are even worse. The price of this fuel has tripled over the last six years. This dramatic increase is hurting my constituents in Northern California who rely on natural gas for heating and lighting. Farmers who use natural gas for crop drying, irrigation, and fertilizer production are also getting squeezed. Yet while prices climb to record levels, Washington has essentially made it impossible for states to provide any relief. H.R. 4761 changes that. This bipartisan compromise gives the states the power to decide how to utilize America's ocean energy resources. It's a common sense plan for affordable energy, new jobs, and environmental protection. I commend Chairman Pombo and urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, all across America following the death of a loved one, people of modest means are all too often faced with the grim prospect of selling a family farm or small business just to pay the taxes that come due. Such was the case in my own family when my cousins had to sell the farm that had been in our family since the early 1900s just to pay the taxes. This is simply wrong. I rise in strong support of the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act. Like many others in the House, I continue to strongly support permanent repeal of the death tax. Americans should not have to pay this onerous double tax on savings and capital. Currently, we are scheduled to have a 1-year full repeal of the death tax in 2010, but if Congress fails to act, the death tax will return full force in 2011, reducing exemption levels and restoring maximum tax rates of nearly 60 percent. Mr. Speaker, this bill before us institutes permanent relief for those subject to the death tax and restores predictability and certainty to small business owners and family farmers planning for the future. It boosts exemption levels and adjusts them for inflation, and with maximum rates tied to capital gains rates, those still subject to the tax will see their burden significantly reduced. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001, proved that our enemy is determined to kill Americans. Instead of sitting idle, our Nation went on the offense. We removed the Taliban from power in Afghanistan. We removed the regime in Iraq that had invaded neighbors and financed terrorism. And we have kept terrorists on the run, limiting their avenues of attack, disrupting their finances and eliminating safehouses around the globe. Mr. Speaker, it is not by coincidence that our Nation has not suffered another attack here at home. Some have doubts about our mission in Iraq. But I believe Americans can find solace in the midst of sacrifice and hope in the midst of hardship. The reason is simple: we are clearly on the road to victory and success in Iraq, and our Nation is safer today because of it. Since the fall of Saddam's regime, 70 percent of eligible Iraqis for the first time in history elected a national unity government. They have ratified a democratic Constitution for the first time ever, and they helped us eliminate al Qaeda's mastermind, Zarqawi. Mr. Speaker, progress in Iraq makes America safer. Terrorists are being pursued, not harbored. We have seen movement toward democracy in neighboring countries. Work remains, but freedom is making progress. And freedom, Mr. Speaker, lays the foundation for a more secure future for America. Mr. Speaker, I have also had the privilege of visiting our troops in Iraq. They are outstanding young men and women, and they overwhelmingly believe in their mission. I urge my colleagues to offer their unqualified support to our troops abroad until their mission is complete.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, gas prices are at a record high in my northern California congressional district. Part of the reason is that America's refining capacity is stretched to the limit. Yet effort to expand our refining capacity faces up to 10 years of bureaucratic red tape. At that pace, it is no wonder America has not built a new refinery in 30 years. This legislation cuts through some of that red tape by simply requiring that the Federal agencies work together and stay on schedule when refinery projects are being considered. I do not think it is too much to ask that Federal bureaucracies work more efficiently. Families and businesses throughout this country have to meet deadlines. Mr. Speaker, the government should have to as well. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the subject of the bill under consideration.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5403, the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation sponsored by the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). Throughout his career, the gentleman from Texas has been an outstanding advocate for children and foster care. As chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee, as a long-time colleague in this body, and as someone who shares his passion for helping children, I would like to personally commend him and thank him for his dedication to helping at-risk children across this country. Mr. Speaker, the subcommittee I chair has conducted numerous hearings examining the Nation's child protection system. Every witness at these hearings has agreed that our current system fails to adequately protect children. In December, Republicans in this Congress took the lead in providing $100 million in new funds over the next 5 years to better equip courts and ensure collaboration among judges and social workers. We also added an additional $200 million over the next 5 years for improved services for families, including preventive services to protect children and keep them from having to enter foster care in the first place. Importantly, we pay for this new funding by ensuring States comply with Federal law and do not misspend other Federal funds. I believe these new resources will go a long ways towards better protecting children. While these are important steps, we also must do more to ensure children are not needlessly lingering in foster care. The legislation before us today would require States to expedite the safe placement of foster and adopted children in homes across State lines. Currently these placements take an average of 1 year longer than placements within a single State, delaying permanency with loving families for thousands of children. This legislation also would establish deadlines for completing home studies that assess whether a home is appropriate for a child. The legislation authorizes up to $10 million per year for incentive payments to States that complete home studies in a timely manner. In addition, the bill includes provisions to better ensure safety for children in foster and adoptive homes, and to give foster parents and relative caregivers a right to be heard and notice of any court proceedings held concerning a child in their care. I thank my colleagues across the aisle for their assistance in bringing this bill to the floor today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation so we can ensure children are placed in a timely and safe way with loving families.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5403) to improve protections for children and to hold States accountable for the safe and timely placement of children across State lines, and for other purposes.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the legislation we are considering today is an important step that will ensure timely and safe homes for children. This bill would help speed up the interstate adoption process so that children could be placed in permanent, loving homes more quickly. I thank my colleagues across the aisle, the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark) and others, for their work on this bipartisan legislation, and I again wish to thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas, Mr. DeLay, for his tireless work to improve the lives of abused and neglected children. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce).

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I hear these touching stories, and regrettably they are true, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) and some other stories we have heard, some 12 hearings of the tragedies that we see take place with these foster care children, not only being transferred seven times, as the gentleman from California mentioned, but maybe 50 or 60 in some cases. Now it is my great pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the author of this legislation, someone who we have been hearing a lot about, who has spent years, both he and his wife, working in this area, to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a member of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, the distinguished gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).

Mr. HERGER. I yield 3 minutes to our distinguished majority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Chairman, it's time for Congress to start making tough choices. Projected growth in mandatory spending threatens to crowd out all other spending and choke our economy unless we act now. Over the next 75 years, Medicare's unfunded liabilities amount to a staggering $30 trillion--more than 5 times as much as Social Security's. We're on a fiscal path that we simply cannot sustain, presenting our children and grandchildren with a legacy of enormous debt or stifling tax increases. There are difficult decisions that have to be made, but we must be responsible, tighten our belts, and live within our means. I applaud the RSC for its work on this budget alternative, and urge its passage.