Steny Hoyer

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. We hope that you can come to some agreement in the near term.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, who do our Republican friends believe they are fooling today with this so-called lobbying ``reform'' bill? I submit: not a soul. Certainly not the American people and certainly not editorial writers who have examined this legislation. The San Antonio New Express called the Republican bill ``a disgraceful sham.'' The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls it ``miserable.'' The Philadelphia Inquirer says, ``The House is just playing pretend.'' The New York Times calls it ``an Orwellian shell of righteous platitudes about transparency and integrity.'' And public interest groups have derided this Republican bill as a ``complete joke,'' ``a total scam,'' and ``phony.'' Let no one here be mistaken: this bill is not driven by a desire to address the most serious lobbying and ethics scandal this body has experienced in a generation. I have said before, and I repeat: the failure of ethics and honesty have been of conduct, not of rules. But rules can both inform of expectations and propriety. The greed and flagrant abuses of convicted felons, former Republican Member Duke Cunningham and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, hang over this House like a dark cloud. The K Street Project, proudly promoted by Mr. DeLay and Senator Santorum and the Republican leadership, in which quid pro quo was the blatantly articulated standard of conduct, is the most flagrant example of the aptly named ``culture of corruption.'' This empty shell of a bill is driven by one thing: the majority's cynical calculation that it will not pay a price with voters this November for failing to take meaningful steps to end this culture of corruption. The chairman of the Rules Committee was quoted as saying that the adoption of the reform package ``would get this,'' meaning the repeated instances of rules violations and criminal conduct, ``behind us.'' The adoption of this bill or any bill will not do that. Only honest, ethical, principled behavior over a period of time will do that. But a strong reform package would have been a start. Sadly, that has not been an option before us today. It does not diminish our moral responsibility, however, to demand and ensure ethical and honest behavior by all of us, not an endless political game of cross claims and allegations, but by an Ethics Committee that does not shun its responsibilities and sit moribund in the face of scandal after scandal. The people expect more of us. We should give it to them. It may be fitting that this do-less-than-the-do-nothing Congress of 1948 Republican Congress is forcing Members to vote on this do-almost- nothing bill. The American people see right through this ruse. And they deserve better. Lobbyists must be required to act honestly and ethically. But, it is Members who have sworn an oath before God and our fellow citizens to uphold the laws and protect the Constitution. It is Members who bear the direct responsibility for the honest administration of the people's business. This Congress is not meeting that responsibility. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that the Republican leadership does not want a real debate on these issues. Democrats offered a much stronger alternative, but the majority refused to allow it to be considered. So much for openness, transparency and democracy. I urge my colleagues: Vote against this Republican ruse.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for offering this important bipartisan resolution recognizing the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. And I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. Throughout the last 58 years, Israel--an oasis of freedom in a sea of despair--has been vilified, threatened and attacked by those who seek her destruction. And yet, she has prevailed and prospered--just as she will prevail and prosper today, tomorrow and in the future. Harry Truman made the United States the first nation to recognize the new State of Israel in 1948, just 11 minutes after its creation. ``I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now,'' said President Truman. ``I believe it has a glorious future before it--not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.'' Israel's security and success is not only a strategic imperative for the United States. It is a moral imperative, as well. Ours is a relationship of shared values and common aspirations, and of principle and conscience. We are nations of immigrants, safe havens for the oppressed and partners for peace. And, we are united in fighting terrorism. No people on earth have been subjected to more bigotry and violence than the Jewish people, and no people are more in need of a sovereign, secure homeland to provide safe haven and to protect identity. I have had the privilege of leading Congressional delegations on tours of Israel twice in the last three years. And, I can say with confidence that the special bond that exists between the United States and Israel is strong, growing stronger and will not break. Last August, our Congressional delegation saw firsthand the pain caused by Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza--another bold step undertaken in the pursuit of peace and stability. But more importantly, we saw a people deeply committed to the democratic process and the rule of law. What our Members saw was a reflection of themselves: People who love their country; people who want to live in peace and freedom; and people who want their children to have even greater opportunities. Today, as our allies in Israel prepare to celebrate their 58th anniversary of independence, let us honor their determination to fulfill the vision of Zionism's founding father, Theodor Herzl, who observed, ``If you will it, it is no dream.'' Through courage and will, Israel was born and the dream of generations was made real--and it will endure. I want to congratulate the citizens of Israel and the entire Jewish community on this 58th anniversary of Israel's founding.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, let me turn the page here. The other bills that you and I have talked about, one in particular we think is extraordinarily important. I know you feel it is important, and that is the pension bill. There are literally millions of Americans and thousands of companies very concerned about the status of the pension conference. Can you bring us up to date on whether or not you have any expectation that the pension conference would be completed in the near term and come to the floor? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, I hope that is accurate. I understand that in any conference, the chairman of the conference ought to take the position that unless all things are agreed to the conference is not closed on other issues that might have been tentatively agreed to. But if, frankly, our side of the aisle is not included, does not have the opportunity to put our input into the issues, very frankly, too often, I have been here a long time. You are right, and I have been in a lot of conferences. And those have been real conferences. They have not been conferences that one side has agreed on, comes to the conference and says it's done. The leader looks at me somewhat disparagingly or at least incredulously that there haven't been such conferences that occurred prior to the leadership of the Republican Party. I understand what he is saying, but this is a pattern, Mr. Leader. We have talked about it on a regular basis. And it is not good for this institution.

Mr. HOYER. We can't be helpful or, frankly, we can't know what is going on if we are not in the room. I would be glad to yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time. Mr. Leader, again, I say this with all due respect and seriousness. I read in the paper today that the conferees met last night. With all due respect, Mr. Leader, the conferees did not meet last night. Apparently, the Republican conferees met last night. You indicated both sides of the aisle. It is my understanding, from our conferees, that they are not being included in the discussions of the conference. Again, it is our perspective that cuts out about 125 million Americans that we represent on this side of the aisle from discussions about an issue that you have worked very hard on, Members on our side have worked very hard on, and that we all agree is critical to our country and to millions of Americans individually. I would hope, Mr. Leader, that you would prevail on the chairman of the conference to include our side of the aisle in the discussions.

Mr. HOYER. That is acceptable to us. We think the bill needs a lot of work, and that will give you some more time to work on it. I am sorry. I couldn't help myself. Now, Mr. Leader, the budget. We have not voted on a budget yet. And you did not mention it in your schedule. Is there any expectation that you might have, Mr. Leader, that the budget might be on the floor either next week or some week after that? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Yes. We have not discussed that, but I am sure that would be fine.

Mr. HOYER. I think that is very important, Mr. Leader, for us to know and maybe we can work on that because obviously Members want to speak on amendments and they would have to know whether they have to be back before the 6:30 voting if you were going to take it up prior to that. I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the majority leader.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for that information. Of course, there was expectation that we were going to pass the lobbying reform act that was offered. We are obviously not doing that. You mentioned that it would be up on Tuesday. My question is, is that accurate? I am sure that you would tell the truth, but, I mean, I want to make that clear.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, could you comment perhaps on the Communications Opportunity Promotion and Enhancement Act, the Telecom Act. I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Still?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the majority leader for the purposes of inquiring about the schedule for the balance of the week and the week to come.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, I appreciate the representation of the leader, and I take him at his word. I have found his word to be good in the past. I certainly take him at his word, and I thank him for that.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the leader.

Mr. HOYER. No doubt in my mind. I am not going to quote Ronald Reagan.

Mr. HOYER. I presume the Appropriations Committee, at some point in time, will proceed without the budget. Would that be your expectation if we don't pass a budget in the near term?

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois, in my opinion, is casting aspersions on the character and motives of a Member. That is clearly against the rule. But what I want to stand and say is that clearly, as we know, Duncan Hunter offered a resolution on the floor of this House in response to Mr. Murtha's press conference, that mischaracterized Mr. Murtha's position, but, more importantly, we had some hours of debate on that resolution, and Mr. Hunter, of course, voted ``no'' on that resolution. Furthermore, I would say to the gentleman from Illinois that a Member may well be opposed to a bill, I say to my friend, and want the opportunity to offer an amendment, but when that amendment fails, the situation has changed. The circumstances have changed. And the circumstances that have changed is then that Member is left with either supporting a bill that he may not think was perfected as he thought it should be but on which the majority of the House disagreed. At that point in time, I say to my friend, the situation has changed. And so for any one of us 435 to judge our 435th Member who sees a different situation confront him is, in fact, as I respectfully tell my friend, against the rules of the House of Representatives.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 1 minute.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Because the irony is Members are put in a position where they have no alternative by the Rules Committee because their amendments are not made in order, which may well have been supported by the overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives, and that is the position that Members are put in on a regular basis. The situation, I suggest to the gentleman, does, in fact change when an amendment is defeated, and a Member then has a new judgment to make. That was my point.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Davis) for yielding me time. I want to thank my friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, for the 16th straight year, I am proud to sponsor the resolution allowing the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to hold its annual race on the grounds of the United States Capitol. H. Con. Res. 349 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to work with the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are made to conduct this race in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The 65th annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will be held on Saturday, June 17. Soap box derby racing, Madam Speaker, in our Nation's Capital has a long and rich tradition. In 1938, Norman Rocca beat out 233 other racers to win the inaugural Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, which was held on New Hampshire. Over the years, thousands of the region's young people have participated in this great race, although the location has varied from the original site on New Hampshire Avenue to Capitol Hill, with stops on Massachusetts Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Eastern Avenue along the way. The essence of the race has remained the same. homemade gravity- powered cars, the spirit of competition, and the pure joy of racing. The Soap Box Derby consists of dozens of drivers, both boys and girls, ranging in ages from 8 to 17. These racers are divided into three division: stock, superstock and masters. The local winners of each division will automatically qualify to compete with racers from around the world in the 69th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, on July 22 of this year. The festivities in Akron begin when the racers receive a police escort into town and conclude in the winner's circle with the awarding of scholarships and merchandise. In between, the racers and their families participate in a whirlwind of activities that leave them with enduring friendships and memories to last a lifetime. The past 6 years, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has had one of its participants finish in the top 10 in the All-American competition. In fact, last year's master's division champion, Robbie Reuss of Waldorf, finished an impressive second in Akron. Robbie's finish surpassed Gene Bean's third in the 1941 All-American and is the best finish for a representative of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I am very proud of Robbie, and I am hopeful that this might finally be the year when one of our racers from the Greater Washington area is finally crowned world champion. Madam Speaker, this event has been called the greatest amateur racing event in the world, and it is an excellent opportunity for the contestants from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to learn basic building skills while gaining a real sense of accomplishment. Madam Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues, as I expect them to, to join me with the other original cosponsors of this resolution, Representative Frank Wolf, Representative James Moran, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, Representative Al Wynn, and Representative Chris Van Hollen, in supporting this resolution and congratulating all the participants.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, Mr. Davis, the chairman of the committee, for bringing this resolution to the floor in such a timely fashion. I certainly want to thank my good friend, Curt Weldon, the cochair of the Fire Service Caucus, who has been the leader of the Fire Service Caucus, and the Fire Service of America and emergency medical response teams have no better friend than Curt Weldon in the Congress of the United States or, frankly, in any place else. I am pleased to rise in support of our Nation's firefighters on this day that 2,100 of them from around the country are gathered in Washington for the annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. As Mr. Weldon said, we will be bringing them this resolution in just a few minutes as we go down to the Hilton to address them. I am proud to have cosponsored this resolution. And I want to say that the Fire Caucus has long championed initiatives to improve the safety and well-being of our Nation's firefighters. Specifically, we have worked to establish and fund the assistance to the Firefighters Grant program, which has provided more than $3 billion in equipment and training grants for career and volunteer departments across the country. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).