Steny Hoyer

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader for that response. I understand the problem of pinning down now exact times. Would it be fair, however, Mr. Leader, to say that it would not be considered on the last day we are here, on Friday, or not, so that we could make sure that Members knew and had some degree of confidence, because it is such an important piece of legislation, that it would not be considered on the last day we are here? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, we would appreciate that. The other bills that I would like to talk about, the highway bill conference report the gentleman indicated as a possibility, can the gentleman inform us of the status of that conference and where we are on this bill? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Because there is so much interest in that bill on our side, Mr. Leader, would it be fair to say that that decision would be made prior to the close of business on Monday so that we would have some notice of that in time to fairly consider it? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I presume, am I correct, that the gentleman's effort would be to try to pass it prior to the expiration of the last temporary extension, or would the gentleman anticipate another, which I guess would be the tenth or the eleventh extension; or does the gentleman think he can perhaps get it through prior to Wednesday night? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the leader for his comments and observations. We are certainly hopeful on our side, and I know the gentleman is on his side, that we get this bill through. It is probably as significant a jobs creation bill as we will pass in this Congress, and it has been delayed for a very long period of time. I know the gentleman has been frustrated by it, and we have been frustrated by it, and hopefully, we can get that done by next week. The energy bill conference report, can the gentleman tell us where that stands? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, in light of the fact, Mr. Leader, I will simply observe that if we get all of those things moving we are going to have a lot of work to do next week, and I presume our Members ought to be prepared for long days and, clearly, if we get all of that done, it will be Friday late before we get out of here. In light of the fact we will not have a colloquy next week because we will be going on recess for the summer work period, can the gentleman tell us what he anticipates might be on the agenda when we come back on September 6, what might be on the agenda early in the September weeks? Clearly, appropriations bills conference reports, to the extent they are done, will be on the calendar, but other than that, can the gentleman enlighten us as to what your thoughts are? I yield to the leader.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for that information. Lastly, there are two pieces of legislation, major pieces of legislation that the gentleman did not mention but have been talked about, and that is, of course, the Social Security legislation and the campaign finance legislation, one or the other bill, or both. Can the gentleman give me his thoughts on where they stand and when they might come on the agenda if, in fact, they will be coming on the agenda? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Those conferences would be on the floor, is that what the gentleman is saying, possibly?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader for all of the information.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule, but before I speak on the rule itself, let me say to our friends in Great Britain, one of our strongest allies in the fight against terrorism, we are with you. We empathize with the pain that has been visited upon you once again. We are in this fight against terrorists together. Everybody on this floor views themselves and acts as a patriot on behalf of America, its values, and its people. All 435 Members of this House. They will see things differently as we consider this bill, but they are all 100 percent committed to defeating terrorism, to ferreting out terrorists, to getting them off our streets, out of our country and incarcerated, as they should be. Make no mistake about the commonality of that commitment. I know that the Members of this House on both sides of the aisle are united in that commitment. Today, on this House floor the American people will see no division in our willingness to do what is necessary to fight terrorism. What they will see today, however, Mr. Speaker, is an abuse of power by the Republican majority, which has deliberately and purposefully chosen to stifle a full debate on this critical legislation. I voted for the PATRIOT Act. I think we need to reauthorize the sections involved, but we ought to look at them carefully. A Republican rule that has been offered today is nothing less, and I use my words carefully, than a craven failure of our congressional oversight responsibility on legislation that involves the government's power to intrude on the lives of Americans. We must protect Americans, we must confront terrorists, but we must also ensure our constitutional values. Every single year, Mr. Speaker, this Congress reauthorizes the Department of Defense programs. This reauthorization process allows us to assess, reexamine, and to recalibrate our defense policies to changing circumstances. Today, however, we are being asked to give up that oversight responsibility and permanently authorize many sections of this bill. Now, let me make it clear to the public that the overwhelming majority of the PATRIOT Act is in law right now and will not be affected by this legislation. Sixteen sections only are the subject of this legislation. We are being asked to extend two provisions, particularly one that involves roving wiretaps, and the other dealing with the FBI's power to demand business records for 10 years. Democrats have suggested we ought to sunset these provisions. Why are you afraid to have a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives on that provision? Why are you fearful? Why do you fear the democratic process? I do not know. The Sanders amendment. You failed to offer that, yet 238 Members of this House, just days ago, voted for that provision. Why are you afraid to have another vote on the floor? Are you afraid you cannot get your Members to change their minds? Are you afraid of the democratic process in this, the people's House? Do you undermine that democracy which we confront terrorists for doing? My friends, this rule is not consistent with the open democratic process in adopting one of the most important bills that we will consider. I agree with the gentleman from California. That is why I voted for the PATRIOT Act, to give law enforcement the capability and assurance we could confront and catch terrorists and protect Americans in our country, but we should have come with a better rule. It is lamentable that we did not.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Majority Leader for that information.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the House and for the purpose of inquiring of the Majority Leader the schedule for next week.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Majority Leader. You announced next week you expect to have legislative business on Monday through Friday. For purposes of planning, how confident are you that we will be here on Friday? Do you think we might be able to get through our work by Thursday evening?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader and presume that Members will act accordingly to let their staffs know that Friday is more likely than not, would that be pretty accurate?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, you just indicated the sequence of bills. Would it be correct, therefore, to assume that the Foreign Relations Reauthorization Act would be on Tuesday? The leadership expects to take that up first?

Mr. HOYER. And NASA next, either late Tuesday or Wednesday or even Thursday depending on how long the Foreign Relations Reauthorization Act takes?

Mr. HOYER. And the PATRIOT Act would be on Thursday and/or Friday?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, the highway bill, we have discussed trying to reauthorize the highway bill, and both sides feel it is important to get it through. We have had the 8th extension, and that expires this coming Tuesday. Can the leader shed some light on the status of the conference?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader for that information. The information I have is the eighth extension ends Tuesday. It is not on the list, but would it be the gentleman's expectation that we would have another short-term extension?

Mr. HOYER. Obviously, the problem is, as the leader well knows, if there is a gap of authorization existing in law, it has adverse consequences obviously on existing projects or the possibility of pursuing existing projects. I would hope if we cannot get to conference, which would be probably impossible by next Tuesday, we would have an extension so that would not cause anybody any problem in the contracting field. Mr. Leader, it is my understanding that the CAFTA legislation, a very important piece of legislation, is not on the calendar for next week. Would it be the expectation of the leader that the CAFTA legislation would be on the last week we are in session?

Mr. HOYER. But the gentleman is confident at least it will not be next week?

Mr. HOYER. The last two pieces of legislation, there has been a lot of talk and a lot of newspaper coverage about both campaign finance reform and possible Social Security and/or pension or Social Security pension legislation. Can the leader tell us whether there is anticipation on your side of the aisle that we will be considering either one of those or both? Campaign finance, I know there are two separate pieces of legislation, Pence-Wynn and Shays-Meehan, pending. Will either one of those subjects, do you think, be on the calendar prior to the July 28 recess date?

Mr. HOYER. That is a good way to put it. I will then ask about the Social Security and/or pension or combination thereof. There was some talk it might be before recess. Now we have read some comments it might not be until September. Can the leader shed some light on the majority's view when that will come forward?

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, even today, as our friends and allies in London and the United Kingdom move forward with heavy hearts and continued anxiety, they are striking back at the barbaric and cowardly terrorists who attacked them without warning last week. The British people have seen the face of evil and, as we knew they would, they have remained steadfast, resolute, and unbowed. They have no intention of altering their way of life, or compromising the democratic principles that have fortified them through the centuries. All of us can learn from their strong, courageous example, as we extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and friends of those who have been stolen by these heinous murderers. It is incumbent upon us not only to condemn the perpetrators and supporters of these unconscionable attacks, but also to express the unwavering solidarity of the American people and our government with the people and government of the United Kingdom. Mr. Speaker, the civilized world is under attack today by the purveyors of hate, violence, intolerance and lawlessness. They have no compunction about attacking and killing innocent men, women and children. And our responsibility to this and future generations could not be more clear. We must expose the moral emptiness and political hopelessness of those who subscribe to this twisted ideology--this jihadist death cult--and we must extinguish this force of darkness and despair. Victory in this fight will not be easy, but it is inevitable as long as all those who cherish peace, tolerance and the rule of law stand together as one. Sixty-five years ago, Winston Churchill, in steeling the British people against the terror of his day--Hitler's Nazi regime--said: ``Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.'' We must summon the same courage and conviction today. Our enemies seek our destruction, but they underestimate our will. But we shall succeed. Victory will be ours. And, when we look back upon these difficult days, we will be reminded of the British people's courage and steadfast determination.