Wally Herger

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. I thank my friend. That is so true. People don't realize. You know, we hear a fair amount, or some, about their trade agreement that has been negotiated but not voted on with Colombia and some with Panama, but as the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) so rightly mentioned, the big one, the biggest of all the trade agreements that we have ever negotiated is with the South Koreans. As a matter of fact I just yesterday had eight South Koreans who represented businesses in South Korea that were in my office, and they were describing to me how they wanted us to be able to pass this agreement, be able to have a vote here in the House and the Senate on this very important agreement, that their concern was that they wanted to do business with our American companies. They wanted to do business with us and that the European Union, the EU, was already negotiating, was in the process of having an agreement with them. If their agreement went through before ours did, they would lose their ability, obviously, if they could purchase more economically from the EU, that, economically, is what they would need to do. I was looking at some statistics, that just with South Korea, not only would we not pick up that extra business, those extra jobs, hundreds of thousands of jobs here in the United States, but we would actually lose business that we already have because we would lose part of this market to--it was estimated by staff on our Ways and Means Committee, we could see an 8 percent or $1.1 billion decline in our U.S. exports to South Korea. Again, at a time when nationally we have 9.8 percent unemployment; in California, 12.2; and in my rural northern California district it's up around 14 percent unemployment, the last thing we want to do is be losing jobs. We need to be gaining these jobs is why it's so particularly paramount at this time that we move forward.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, as the backbone of our economy, small businesses create over 72 percent of all new jobs. It defies logic that House Democrats would pay for their government takeover of health care by actually raising taxes on these same businesses by $820 billion. During a serious economic downturn, we should be pursuing policies that will create jobs and put us on the path to recovery. Instead, these tax hikes will cost an additional 5.5 million jobs. History shows that the American economy is at its strongest when taxes are lower and small businesses are permitted to keep more of their money to invest and grow. Mr. Speaker, higher taxes for government-run health care is a bad deal for the American people.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced a bill that would level the playing field for small businesses in my Northern California Congressional District competing for federal contracts. Under current law, federal contractors are required to give first priority to businesses that are HUB Zone certified, often times precluding worthy non-HUB Zone small businesses from having a fair opportunity to compete for federal contracts. Numerous small businesses in my Northern California Congressional District have contacted me to explain that the HUB Zone program in its current form is preventing them from bidding on contracts with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) with a value over $100,000. For instance, an engineering firm in Redding, California, a company that had previously received USFS contracts, informed me that they are no longer able to bid for such contracts because they are not a HUB Zone certified company. They were told that USFS had changed its contracting policies based on a 2007 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found that the USFS was not in compliance with the small business contracting rules established by the HUB Zone Act of 1997. The new requirements stipulated that only companies with HUB Zone certification could bid for these contracts. The limitation to HUB Zone certified companies is not in the best interest of all areas. The unemployment rate in my Northern California District exceeds 14% in some areas, but because of the way the HUB Zone criteria were written, only small portions of Redding, California are classified as a HUB Zone. The criteria are based on the long term unemployment rate for an area along with its income levels, two variables that change frequently. Secondly, the maps that define the boundaries are haphazardly drawn, resulting in different sides of a street or even offices in a building having different HUB Zone statuses. Most important, the boundary lines are rarely updated and years may pass before the boundaries note a change in an area's economic situation. The legislation that I have introduced would provide federal contracting officers with the flexibility to select from the various types of small business classifications. In doing so, HUB Zone classified small businesses would no longer have automatic first preference for federal small business contracts. This legislation would fix the current rigid preference system and give discretion to federal contracting officers to select small businesses based solely on the circumstances of the contract and quality of the bid. The legislation would make only a one word change to the HUB Zone statute. It takes away the automatic preference given to the HUB Zone program for federal contracts going to small businesses, thereby leveling the playing field for other small businesses. With federal law mandating that 23% of federal contracts go to small businesses, it is important that federal policy promote competition to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars go to the most worthy contractor. In short, my legislation would level the playing field for small businesses in a manner that is responsible to the taxpayers while continuing to provide assistance to small businesses in economically- disadvantaged areas. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation through Congress.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to commend the self- sacrificing act of a true American hero, Jack Tolbert, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on Armed Forces Day in 1954. The extraordinary heroism of Mr. Tolbert was summarized thus when the medal was awarded: The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Jack P. Tolbert for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy: Sergeant First Class Tolbert, Infantry, United States Army, a Member of Company B, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States near Kumhwa, Korea, on 11 June 1953. He was one of two outpost guards on the main line of resistance when the area came under a heavy artillery and mortar bombardment. Observing a hostile infantryman approaching the position, he shouted a warning to the other Sentinel and to the guard at the Command Post, enabling them to alert other elements of the imminent attack. Seconds later the enemy soldier hurled a fragmentation grenade into the bunker. Fully aware of the danger involved, he stepped on the missile in an attempt to dispose of it or lessen its explosive effect and received the full impact of the explosion. Although critically wounded in this display of valor, his prompt and unhesitating action prevented serious injury to his comrade. Inspired by his unflinching courage, the troops fought with great tenacity and skill, inflicting numerous casualties and containing the assault. Sergeant Tolbert's inspirational conduct and consummate devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service. By order of Lt. General W. G. Wyman, Commanding General of the Sixth Army. Armed Forces Day, 1954. Although the Redding chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is named in his honor, Mr. Tolbert insists ``I'm not the hero type.'' In a 2009 interview with his hometown newspaper, Jack said, ``I was just a regular GI who spent a little time in the front line. I did my job and came home.'' With all due respect to Mr. Tolbert, no one shares his view. He may not have intended to be a hero, but a hero he is. And in recognition of his service, Shasta County has designated October 3 as ``Jack Tolbert Day.'' It is my honor to recognize Jack Tolbert's heroic service to our Nation.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3663, which very simply delays the quality accreditation requirements for pharmacies until no sooner than January 1, 2010. Without this legislation, accreditation requirements would go into effect tomorrow and many pharmacies would not be able to supply our Medicare beneficiaries with needed, durable medical equipment such as diabetes testing strips or canes. I've heard from a number of independent pharmacies in my rural northern California district who have expressed serious concerns about the cost of complying with this new regulation. In many cases, these pharmacies are the only source of basic medical supplies for miles around and they are already strapped for cash because of reimbursement charges at the Federal and State level. Along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I have taken the position that State-regulated pharmacies should be completely exempted from the accreditation requirement. At a minimum, I believe all Members can support a short delay in the deadline. Certain eligible professionals, such as physicians, are exempt from the requirement for DME suppliers to be accredited as compliant with quality standards. Although pharmacists themselves would be exempt for purposes of DME, it's the physical pharmacy that has the Medicare provider number, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, did not exempt pharmacies from the accreditation requirement. Mr. Speaker, we must make it a priority to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare, and we need strong quality standards for DME suppliers. There are simply too many cases of fly-by-night suppliers who have defrauded the Medicare program and the taxpayers by submitting millions of dollars in fake claims for power wheelchairs and other high-end DME. However, most pharmacies do very little DME business, mostly involving small items like diabetes testing supplies. In addition, pharmacies are regulated at the State level, so those that engage in questionable activities can be identified and prosecuted. I'm confident that the quality accreditation program, with a reasonable exemption for pharmacies, will greatly reduce the $1 billion Medicare spent in 2007 in improper payments for medical equipment and supplies, and I will continue to support the program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Price.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, this is a good, commonsense bill with broad support from both Democrats and Republicans. This is an example of the way that health care policy should be handled in this Congress. I urge an ``aye'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, we are now on day 5 of the Obama administration's gag order barring Medicare Advantage plans from telling their enrollees about the benefit cuts that will result from the Democrats' health care bill. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services actually overturned a Clinton-era ruling that said ``prohibiting such information would violate basic freedom of speech and other constitutional rights.'' Yesterday, Ways and Means Republicans formally requested a hearing to investigate the CMS gag rule. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to get to the bottom of this and find out if the administration is politicizing Federal agencies to stop Americans from learning the truth about his policies.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. HERGER. I would like to inquire as to how much time we have remaining on our side, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we need to keep in mind the broader challenges facing Medicare. Medicare's trustees have expressed concerns about spending in part B, warning that legislation to avert cuts in physician payments, together with restrictions on premium increases, could ``jeopardize part B solvency and require unusual measures to avoid asset depletion.'' I am concerned that we are doing exactly what the trustees warned us against--placing the Medicare part B program at risk of bankruptcy. Furthermore, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that H.R. 3200, the House Democrats' health care bill, would increase Medicare part B premiums by $25 billion. I find it ironic that the bill before us reduces premiums by about one-tenth the amount that H.R. 3200 would increase seniors' Medicare premiums. I am also especially concerned that the majority Democrats are attempting to shut down the debate on how their health care bill would affect seniors enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program. The CBO has confirmed that the $156 billion in Medicare Advantage cuts contained in H.R. 3200 could, indeed, force plans to limit benefits, including premium relief. Yet CMS has issued a gag order prohibiting Medicare Advantage plans from informing their customers of this fact. At the same time, CMS has apparently taken no action against the sponsor of the largest Medicare Advantage plan, AARP, whose Web site urges seniors to contact their Members of Congress in support of the Democrats' health care bill, which would slash Medicare by more than $500 billion. Mr. Speaker, why the double standard? It appears that people are free to express their opinions on health care as long as those opinions are in line with the majority party's. So, while the House Democrats claim to be helping seniors, the reality is that they're trying to cobble together 218 votes to pass a $25 billion part B premium increase through the House, and the Obama administration is abusing its regulatory powers to keep that fact from seniors. Mr. Speaker, that is wrong. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Michigan, the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Camp, the remaining time.

Mr. HERGER. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration keeps trying to silence critics of its government-run health care plan. This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decided that Medicare Advantage plans were offering the wrong opinions about the health care bill. So CMS ordered them to stop telling their customers about the proposed cuts to Medicare benefits. Mr. Speaker, this Chicago-style politics is a shocking abuse of power that flies in the face of the President's call for open and honest debate. It's time to remind the President and CMS that all Americans have a constitutional right to speak their mind, even when that holds back a government takeover of health care.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I receive part of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State of California, Department of Water Resources Address of Requesting Entity: 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $15,000,000 for the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project. This project is located within the limits of the existing Sacramento River Flood Control Project (SRFCP) in Northern California. The integrity of various sections of Sacramento River and tributary levees has become seriously eroded, so much so that the State of California issued a statewide emergency declaration to address the levee deficiencies. Much progress has been made to correct the system's weak points, due to support from Congress, the Administration, and the State of California. Additional federal and state funding is required to continue corrective work throughout the Sacramento River system. $163,000,000 of the total project cost ($510,700,000) will be borne by the non-federal sponsors. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Reclamation District 2140 Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 758, Hamilton City, CA 95951 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $400,000 to enable the Corps of Engineers to complete Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED) for this ecosystem restoration and flood control project. The Hamilton City, CA flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration project (P.L. 110-114, Sec. 1001(8)) will provide significantly enhanced flood protection to 2,600 area residents and nearby agricultural lands, and will restore approximately 1500 acres of riparian habitat along the Sacramento River. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State of California, Department of Water Resources Address of Requesting Entity: 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,100,000 to enable the Corps to complete the Sutter feasibility study and allow state and local interests to initiate corrective work identified by the Corps' study using state and local funds. The non-federal share of the total project cost (estimated $8,258,000) is estimated to be $4,100,000. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State of California, Department of Water Resources Address of Requesting Entity: 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $600,000 to be coupled with dedicated State of California funds and enable the Corps of Engineers to complete the project's Limited Reevaluation Report and continue construction and mitigation work for this flood protection effort. This important project includes levee repair and reconstruction along the Sacramento and Feather Rivers, specifically consisting of installation of landside berms with toe drains, ditch relocation, embankment modification, and slurry cut-off walls to address seepage and levee boil issues which threaten the performance of flood control structures that protect close to $100 million worth of public infrastructure and private property. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Yuba County Water Agency Address of Requesting Entity: 1220 F Street, Marysville, CA 95901 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,000,000 to strengthen the federal levee system up to a 200-year level flood protection for communities in Yuba County, California. To date, local interests and the State of California have invested $246,500,000 in the project and the related, advanced improvements. These interests anticipate an additional expenditure of up to $118,200,000, for a total estimated non-Federal investment of $364,700,000. With total project costs estimated to be approximately $445,000,000, the only anticipated federal construction contribution will be $33,000,000 for improvements to the Marysville ring levee, a figure that is well below the authorized 65-35 percent cost-share ratio. When completed, the Yuba River project will provide the highest levee of flood protection for any community in California's Central Valley. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State of California, Department of Water Resources Address of Requesting Entity: 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $150,000 to investigate the feasibility of increasing the level of flood protection for the urbanized area in the City of Woodland, and possibly some nearby unincorporated lands in Yolo County, from a 1 in 10-year level of flood protection to greater than 1 in 100-year level of flood protection. The non-federal sponsors will share 50% of the total project cost.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Wally Herger Bill Number: H.R. 3288 Account: Federal Highway Administration, Federal Lands (Public Lands Highways) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Butte County Association of Governments Address of Requesting Entity: 2580 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Suite 100, Chico, CA 95928 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2 million for the Forest Highway 171 widening project. This project will upgrade a 9.6 mile section of roadway that crosses federal lands between communities of Inskip and Butte Meadows from a one-lane gravel road to a paved two- lane route. These improvements are necessary to provide an emergency evacuation route for Upper Ridge residents who are surrounded by federal forest lands that have not been properly managed to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfire. The need for this project is greater than ever considering the Humboldt Fire and Butte Lightning Complex Fires that swept through the ridge and surrounding areas last summer destroying homes and forcing thousands of people to evacuate the area. The project will also increase the chances for effective efforts to control instances of wildfire by cutting in half the response time for fire backup support services. The total project cost is approximately $21,000,000. The county is using its State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) dollars (approximately $2,665,000) for the project. It has received a $5,000,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Federal Lands Highway Program, $5,800,000 in SAFETEA- LU, $980,000 and $998,450 in the FY08 and FY09 appropriations bills.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have a plan to make health care more affordable and promote choice and competition among health plans. Unfortunately, the House Democrats' health care bill is light on cost control and heavy on government control. A recent New York Times editorial expressed support for the House bill, but described the prospects for lower health care premiums as ``unclear'' and ``distant.'' Mr. Speaker, if that's the best the bill's supporters can say about it, it's time to start over. We need a bill that gets health care costs under control without bankrupting our country or setting the stage for a complete government takeover of our health care system.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, rising health care costs are a serious problem, but the Democrat bill being advanced in the House proposes $1.2 trillion in additional spending on health care coupled with massive tax increases that would hurt small business and middle class families. The Democrat new 8 percent payroll tax will force employers to cut millions more jobs in the middle of the worst recession in decades while their surtax would push my State of California's top income tax rate to over 56 percent, higher than even that of France's. And those tax hikes won't even cover the full costs of this bill. Mr. Speaker, we need real reform that brings down health care costs instead of pouring more money into a broken system.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Well, I thank my good friend from California (Mr. Dreier) for yielding and also for the leadership that you've given over the years in this incredibly important area of trade, of fair trade, of free trade, and how crucially important it is to our economy, not just to the district I represent but to our entire Nation. And Mr. Speaker, the number one concern for Americans right now is the economy. Americans know that the health of the U.S. economy directly impacts their job and their ability to provide for their family and keep a roof over their heads. At the beginning of the year, Democrats pushed through the Congress an unprecedented measure to spend $787 billion in an attempt to stimulate the economy. That was money we had to borrow, creating a national deficit that will reach almost $2 trillion by the end of the year. The President assured the American people that this was the only way to prevent the unemployment rate from reaching 8 percent. Yet, with this mammoth deficit spending, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed not to 8 percent, but to 9.5 percent, with estimates indicating it will reach 10.5 percent before the end of the year and no end in sight. While Americans continue to struggle to find work, Congress has moved on to other issues, ignoring one of the most obvious and efficient vehicles to promote economic growth and create jobs: trading with other countries. Importantly, this solution doesn't require the government spending billions of dollars nor does it require a huge expansion or invasion of the government into the free market. It is as simple as removing foreign barriers to U.S. goods and services so that our workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field in the global economy. Most Americans don't know that the U.S. is not only the number one trading Nation in the world but also the number one manufacturer and that our record exports last year were the one bright spot in our economy.

Mr. HERGER. That is absolutely correct, number one manufacturing Nation in the world, the number one trading Nation in the world. Trade is part of the foundation of a strong economy and high standard of living. Today, for example, more than 57 million American jobs depend on trade, and these jobs pay 13 to 18 percent higher wages. Clearly, it would be in our Nation's best interest to build on this record, helping us through this difficult economic time. The premise is simple: reducing tariffs and other barriers would make our goods less expensive and therefore more competitive in foreign markets. The additional sales from exports will help sustain and grow our U.S. businesses during this economic downturn, creating much needed job opportunities in the United States. When you combine the fact that demand is sluggish in the United States due to the high unemployment and general uncertainty about the economic outlook with the fact that 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States, it seems like the commonsense solution would be to encourage U.S. exports by reducing barriers abroad. The best way to do this is to negotiate market-opening trade agreements with other countries. Mr. Speaker, my district in rural northern California is typical of many districts across the United States that are largely dependent on agriculture. We produce more almonds, walnuts, rice, and prunes than we can possibly consume, and heavily rely on exporting these goods to foreign markets. The bottom line is promoting free and fair trade through these agreements is an essential component of economic recovery. Unfortunately, House Democrat leadership has failed to take this necessary step for our workers, despite the fact that we have three agreements--three agreements already negotiated and just waiting for congressional approval. Two of these pending agreements are with close U.S. allies in South America: Panama, and Colombia. Both of these countries largely already have duty-free access to U.S. markets due to trade preference programs, while our goods face high tariffs in theirs. Yet, these nations want to move from a one-way trade relationship to a two-way relationship. Why? This Congress is preventing that from happening when our workers would benefit from new opportunities in these markets. It is mind-boggling to me that the U.S. Government continues to ignore the needs of our workers in such a way. We also have a pending agreement with South Korea, which is the most commercially significant agreement for the United States, as Korea is already our seventh largest trading partner. Together, these three trade agreements would increase U.S. exports by at least $10.8 billion, as estimated by the U.S. International Trade Commission. That clearly means more businesses for U.S. companies and more jobs for American workers. And these benefits are spread throughout the entire economy. All sectors benefit: manufacturers, agricultural producers, and services. Yet, instead of providing this true stimulus to our struggling economy, Congress and the administration have chosen to tie our hands behind our back. We must realize the cause of this inaction. If the American people knew that denying a vote on the Panama agreement is causing U.S. workers to miss an opportunity to export heavy machinery to Panama for their $5 billion Panama Canal expansion project, would they think Congress is acting in their best interest by sitting on the agreement? I think not. If the American people knew that if Canada ratifies their agreement with Colombia before the U.S., Colombians will be buying Canadian wheat instead of U.S. wheat, would they think that loss in market share to our competitor is acceptable? I don't think so. If the American people knew that if the European Union ratifies their agreement with South Korea before the U.S., Koreans are going to use European services instead of services provided by American workers, would they think their Members of Congress are doing what's best for American workers? Absolutely not. By not finalizing these agreements, we not only miss out on opportunities for our businesses to expand; we will also start to lose our current market share to our competitors. The EU, Canada, China, and other nations aren't standing still. They will continue to push for their own market-opening agreements that would put U.S. goods and services at a competitive disadvantage. Mr. Speaker, the reality is that if we are not moving forward, we are moving backwards--and other countries aren't going to wait for us to catch up. Trade is an essential part of economic recovery and the American people cannot afford for this Congress to continue to ignore it. Expanding trade opportunities for our businesses will help them grow and expand, creating jobs that American workers need right now. And if that isn't reason enough, we don't have the luxury of time to sit back and wait while our competitors race by. I urge this Congress to act on behalf of American workers and pass the three pending U.S. trade agreements. Our great Nation is at a crossroads. Will the Democrat Leadership of this Congress take our Nation down a protectionist path, isolating our Nation from the rest of the world, or are they going to choose the path traveled by Pres's John Kennedy and Bill Clinton and embrace the quest for open markets that have helped make this country the greatest Nation in the world? During this time of economic instability, it has never been more important for the leaders of our Nation to actively choose open markets and free & fair trade. The United States already tried protectionism in the 1920s--it was called the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1928 that raised tariffs on products in every sector which resulted in a worsening of the Great Depression. Mr. Speaker, the American people cannot afford to go down their protectionist path again. We desperately need the benefits & opportunities that these trade agreements create.

Mr. HERGER

Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, not only is this legislation not the right thing; this legislation is one of the most overreaching, damaging pieces of legislation that has ever come before this House of Representatives. This national energy tax is a job killer and will cost American families over $3,000 per year while doing very little to affect global temperatures. Rural America, low- and middle-income families, and our farmers will suffer the most under this new tax. Mr. Speaker, we all want to protect our environment. But we should accomplish that through innovation and investment, not by government micromanagement that undercuts Americans' ability to compete globally. I urge all Members to protect the American economy and livelihoods of millions of American families and say ``no'' to this gigantic national energy tax.