John Hall

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Andrews for supporting this amendment and offering me the time to rise in support of increasing reporting requirements and Congressional oversight of defense acquisition systems. I thank Chairwoman Slaughter of the Rules Committee for making this amendment in order, and also to Chairman Skelton and Mr. Andrews for bringing H.R. 5013 forward and supporting the amendment. I would also like to thank the staff of the House Armed Services Committee and the Office of Legislative Counsel for helping draft this amendment. I am pleased that we are addressing this critical issue. Last year when Congress reformed defense weapons procurement, we tackled only about 20 cents of each dollar that this Nation spends on defense contracting. The other 80 percent is on non-weapons system contracts. This amounts to more than $1 billion a day. Today's bill may seems to address the less glamorous side of defense spending until you remember our men and women in uniform rely every day on contractors to provide them with meals, equipment, and even health care. Increased accountability for these service contracts is critical to the well-being of our soldiers and to ensuring that the taxpayers are not on the hook for wasteful spending. As the Representative for New York's 19th Congressional District, I am also well aware of importance of this sort of defense spending since I have the honor and privilege of representing the United States military academy at West Point and serving on its board of visitors. West Point does not develop major weapons systems, but it does develop the Army's next generation of leaders. The cadets at West Point rely on exactly the services and products covered by this bill. They, and all service men and women, deserve to know that they are getting the best. This amendment would require the DOD to include the performance assessments required by H.R. 5013 in an annual report to Congress, similar to provisions in last year's weapons systems procurement bill. It also requires that DOD report to Congress when it uncovers a particularly egregious problem. When I visited Afghanistan last April, I talked to soldiers from all over New York and asked them what they needed, what Congress could do to improve their lives. I expected to hear more about MRAPs or shorter tours of duty. Instead, they told me they wanted more shower facilities with more hot water that works, and faster Internet broadband connections so they could talk with their families. These services which we take for granted provide a slice of home life and comfort to our troops serving in the most difficult of circumstances. This amendment will help ensure Congress is made aware of defense acquisition systems that are not delivering a useful service to our men and women in uniform, or are wasting taxpayer funds. Prompt knowledge of the worst offenders will help Congress better address these issues. Our soldiers serving overseas and here at home and the cadets at West Point deserve no less. Their safety, comfort and health depend on it, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of New York. Once again, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, a critical component of our economic recovery is tax relief for our middle class. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the AMT Adjustment Act, which eliminates the AMT from the lives of most middle class families and greatly reduces it for the rest. In places with a high cost of living like New York's Hudson Valley, more and more middle class taxpayers find themselves paying the excessive AMT. We must restore balance to the Tax Code and prevent this millionaire's tax from hitting the middle class for once and for all. H.R. 5077 increases the amount of income exempt from the AMT and permanently fixes the tax by indexing it to the cost of living. Tax day is bad enough already, and it shouldn't have big surprises to the tune of thousands of dollars our families have to pay. Congress must stand up for the middle class. I urge support for this bill.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that yesterday the House passed H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act. As we continue down the path of economic recovery, it is more important than ever that we focus on providing tax relief to small businesses. I am especially proud to report that the bill contains a provision I championed: an increase in the small business startup deduction. This provision will allow people to strike out on their own, become their own boss and create jobs. I fought for this provision after meeting with small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce in the Hudson Valley. Thanks to their input, this legislation is stronger and more effective. I am glad to deliver on a tax deduction that local business owners told me that they needed to help strengthen and build their companies. Passage of H.R. 4849 will make a real difference for the small businesses in the Hudson Valley. I hope the Senate will soon pass this important legislation.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, critics are still screaming at the top of their lungs that this health reform is tyranny, an end to private hospitals and doctors, as we just heard, a government takeover of health care. These attacks are drowning out the truth, and I would like to set the record straight. Nothing in this law, not even that dreaded Washington bureaucrat, will come between you and your doctor. The law does keep insurance company bureaucrats from denying you care. Secondly, we are actually increasing access to private health insurance. In return for those millions of new customers, however, insurance companies must end abusive practices like dropping you when you get sick. Finally, since this bill has been passed, not one hospital or doctor's office has been taken over by the government, and I doubt that one will. There is nothing to suggest that that will happen. That is overblown rhetoric, deceptive and wrong. It is time to start telling the truth and stop spreading fear. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and pass the final piece of health reform.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Speaker, I am so proud to have been here this week when we finally answered the call of the American people to reform the health care system. This is not a government takeover. People woke up on Monday to find they still have their doctors, if they have one; and they still have an insurance policy, if they have one. And, in fact, medical stocks went up on the stock market. Because of our actions here, people with preexisting conditions will be protected from their insurance companies. Seniors will see the cost of their prescription drugs drop. All plans for all Americans will offer free, preventative care. Small businesses will now get tax credits to provide health care to their employees, and 32 million Americans currently uninsured will have access to high-quality, affordable health care. I have heard the horror stories from my constituents. Many of them have told me that their insurance company refused to pay for treatment that their doctor ordered, or dropped them once they got sick and needed that coverage the most. Their stories inspired me to keep fighting for health reform, and I am proud to say that this body delivered.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. I rise today to talk about the Nation's unemployment problem. There are people in my district who are struggling. They want to work; they know how to work. Many of them are highly skilled and have great ideas, but they cannot find a job. It is our job, Madam Speaker, to help them. In the 19th District of New York last Saturday, I sponsored two job fairs that helped hundreds of people connect with resources and people who can help them. Among them was 65-year-old George Myrnyj of Sparrow Bush. George retired last year from a career in manufacturing, but he still wants and needs to work. He has an idea for packaging do-it- yourself solar panel kits. Last Saturday, he was able to connect with people he thinks can help him. Madam Speaker, I submit that it is our job to help George find a way to realize his dream and find a job or create one. This is not a time to do nothing. It is our time to lead.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Thank you, Mr. Marshall, and thank you, Mr. Jones, for your kind words of support of my legislation, House Resolution 747. Thank you as well to Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for bringing this legislation through the Armed Services Committee to the House floor. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 747 recognizes the achievement of the United States Military Academy at West Point for being named Forbes magazine's best college in 2009. Not best military academy, but best college overall. In fact, the headline on the front of that issue of Forbes said, ``Why West Point Beats Harvard.'' And I think it is something that many of us don't realize, that not only is the academy turning out exemplary officers who will serve this country with great creativity and loyalty and imagination and energy, but they are turning out well- rounded students who know about a variety of very important subjects that are taught as well or better at that school as at any public or private university in the country. I have the honor of representing West Point in the 19th Congressional District of New York, and the 4,400 cadets who make up the student body at the United States Military Academy. I also have the honor, along with my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), of serving on the West Point Board of Visitors. The Forbes rankings were based on evaluations of students, the success of the graduates of the school, and on the average debt incurred by graduates. It is a great tribute to the caliber of the cadets, the faculty, and the administration of West Point to be ranked with and now above the other great institutions of higher learning in this country based on these important criteria. Graduates of West Point have served their Nation with the highest level of skill, honor, and devotion for more than 200 years. More than 70 West Point grads have received the Medal of Honor for their service to our country. Each of the senior commanding generals in Iraq and Afghanistan are alumni. And 74 West Point graduates have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. West Point's cadets fully embody the academy's motto, ``Duty, Honor, Country.'' West Point is a national treasure and a jewel of the Hudson Valley, where today's heroes and tomorrow's leaders are trained. I am proud of their accomplishments and pleased that they have gotten the recognition that they have earned. I am especially proud of my nephew, who will be one of the graduates of the class of 2010. I ask my colleagues to join us in supporting H. Res. 747.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House took a major step forward by repealing the antitrust exemption for health insurance companies. For more than 65 years, insurance companies have been able to play by a different set of rules, and the result has been disastrous for my constituents and for families across the country. Americans deserve choices. They deserve the ability to pick the health plan they want at an affordable price, but because of these health insurance exemptions from antitrust, they were denied that trust. Insurance companies have been shielded from legal liability for price fixing, for sabotaging their competitors in order to drive them out of the market. In most industries, these behaviors would be unacceptable, but for the insurance industry, it's just another play in the book. I have been a long and strong proponent of repealing this antitrust exemption. I'm thrilled that the House acted in such a bipartisan fashion to do so, and I urge the Senate to quickly pass this legislation so that all of our constituents can have a choice.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say that, on occasion, we do work in a bipartisan fashion and that the President works with members of both parties. In fact, I was a cosponsor of a bill that took effect as law yesterday--the Credit Card Bill of Rights, as it is commonly called. There was an accountability act, which was originally sponsored by Congresswoman Maloney of New York. It passed this House by 357 ``aye'' votes, if I remember correctly, and it passed the Senate with 90 ``aye'' votes. That's a pretty strong statement of bipartisanship to protect the American consumer from the same banks, the same financial institutions that were bailed out by the taxpayers, which then turned around and jacked up interest rates for people with credit cards, interest rates as high as 29.9 percent. I know. I was one of those people who got a notice. I read the fine print, and I said, I pay on time. I've paid more than the minimum payment. How can this be done especially when money/credit is so cheap from the Fed? So I am proud of the fact that we worked to keep children from being exploited and students from being sent credit card offers, that we worked to protect families against these unexplained increases in interest rates, and that we worked together across the aisle.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. I rise today to urge Congress to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling last week that allows corporations to buy Federal elections. Yesterday, I introduced the Freedom from Foreign- Based Manipulation in American Elections Act, which will prevent foreign-influenced companies from buying U.S. elections. Should a Chinese corporation decide U.S. copyright policy or civil rights law? Should Saudi Arabia have a say on American energy policy? How about Venezuela? Should Hugo Chavez have a voice in American elections? These are the questions we must ask if the Supreme Court's decision is allowed to stand. The Court's decision flies in the face of a century of precedent keeping corporations out of elections. By giving corporations the same rights as individuals, the Court is handing corporations a blank check to decide elections instead of letting the voters do it. I urge my colleagues to join me in saying ``no'' to this decision and ``yes'' to democracy.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1473, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. To help Main Street, we must reform the way Wall Street has done business and end the risky practices that have caused millions of Americans to lose their jobs, their homes, and life savings. This legislation will protect American consumers and prevent the irresponsible behaviors and practices that caused the financial crisis last fall. H.R. 1473 restores responsibility and accountability on Wall Street through tough rules and regulations of risky practices. It protects consumers on Main Street by ensuring that bank loans, mortgages, and credit cards are fair and transparent. It also ensures that taxpayers will never again need to bail out Wall Street banks by ensuring the ``too big to fail'' firms don't have a stranglehold on the market. These firms' practices led us to the brink of disaster last fall, and we cannot allow them to threaten our economy again with dangerous behavior. H.R. 1473 reforms these practices, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Earlier this week, I spent a day working alongside Al McDonnell, a delivery driver for UPS. Together, we delivered packages to small businesses in downtown Washingtonville, New York. It was a great opportunity to speak with small business owners about the current economic climate that has affected them. Their message was consistent and needs to be heard. Small businesses are struggling. It is critical that we give small businesses every opportunity to succeed, which is why I joined with Representative Christopher Carney to urge the extension of an immediate tax break for newly purchased business equipment. Extending this tax break will provide immediate relief for businesses that purchase depreciable property such as equipment, vehicles, furniture, machinery, buildings, and other items. Our small businesses need every break they can get these days. They are the engine that drives our economy and creates jobs. This tax break helps small businesses and stimulates the local economy. We cannot afford to let it expire.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak today about a very important issue for our Nation's military families. On November 6, President Obama signed into law the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which included an extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. This credit offers a special rule for servicemembers who have served on extended overseas duties since the end of 2008. Those serving on extended duty outside the United States for at least 90 days between December 31, 2008, and May 1, 2010, qualify for an additional 1-year extension through May 1, 2011, of the $8,000 first- time homebuyer credit. We should not penalize those serving our country overseas. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this provision in the House of Representatives. Extending this credit gives our servicemembers abroad the latitude necessary to take advantage of this important provision while readjusting to civilian life back here in the United States.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 890, I was absent due to a telephone interview. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I attended the opening of the James A. Farley Bridge in Stony Point, New York. Eight months ago, that bridge was 80 years old and structurally deficient, one of 13 deficient bridges on the list issued by DOT after the I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota. This Monday, just yesterday, thanks to the hard work of so many, we celebrated the early opening of its replacement. This project is more than just a bridge; it is an investment in our community, in our country and in our future. It created jobs that cannot be outsourced, while strengthening the local communities. The new bridge will hold three lanes of traffic and sidewalks on either side, keep our communities connected, reduce congestion, and strengthen the Route 9W corridor, providing faster response times for local EMS and less noise for neighborhoods with reduced detoured traffic. We should celebrate the cooperation between Federal, State and local government officials, especially the supervisors, Howard Phillips and Phil Marino from Stony Point and Haverstraw, the two towns joined by the bridge. I would like to congratulate them and all the workers on a job well-done.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would simply clarify that solar thermal technologies and concentrating solar technologies will be included within the scope of the research and development program authorized by the bill. I have no objection to it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American, First Lieutenant Lou Allen. My bill, H.R. 2877, would designate the post office in Chester, New York, as the ``1st Lieutenant Louis Allen Post Office.'' First Lieutenant Allen was killed in Iraq over 4 years ago by a mine explosion for which another member of the Armed Forces was charged and shockingly acquitted. First Lieutenant Allen was 34 years old. A pillar of his community, a model National Guardsman, Lou joined the New York National Guard in the year 2000. But when he was not serving in uniform, he served his community as a science teacher at George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo. He was deployed to New York City with the National Guard to respond to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Lou's service to his community and country made him a great American whom we are all proud of. Lou is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; and their four young sons, Trevor, Colin, Sean and Jeremy; his parents, Bob and Vivian; and his siblings and other friends and family who are all so proud of him. Renaming this post office in his honor will be a tangible reminder of the joy he brought to them and the contributions he made to our Nation, the Hudson Valley community, and the lives of those who knew him. I cannot imagine how difficult the last few years have been in Lou's family, and their grace in dealing with this tragedy is an inspiration to us all. I have had the honor of meeting them at Bob and Vivian's house when I introduced this bill. And I am honored to represent them in Congress and to be able to come here to Washington and help redesignate the U.S. Post Office at 76 Brookside Avenue in Chester, New York, as the ``1st Lieutenant Louis Allen Post Office.'' Renaming this post office is not about mourning Lou's death, but about celebrating his life. I am glad that we have the support of the entire New York State congressional delegation, who are all signed on to the bill as original cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to honor First Lieutenant Allen and support this bill so that he and his family will finally receive the tribute to his sacrifice that they deserve.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the United States Military Academy on its selection as the Best College in America for 2009 by Forbes Magazine. I ask that my colleagues join me in cosponsoring H. Res. 747 honoring West Point's achievement. I am proud to represent the Academy at West Point. Since 1802 it has trained and educated tens of thousands of Army officers, including two Presidents. In exchange for 5 years' service, the 1,000 cadets who graduate each year are exposed to world-class professors, a gorgeous campus, and, most importantly, a free education. U.S. News and World Report named it the Best Public Liberal Arts College, and it possesses a top-ranked engineering program. Eighty-eight Rhodes Scholars, 33 Marshall Scholars, and 28 Truman Scholars have graduated from West Point. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to address this House and ask my colleagues to cosponsor House Resolution 747.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, over the last few weeks, I have heard stories from businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and even health care providers in my district who have received health care premium increases up to 39 percent. These increases are unfair, unsustainable and crippling our economy. These drastic increases are likely to continue as long as private insurers are allowed to regulate themselves. That's why we must vote soon on a comprehensive plan to improve health care, a plan that will reduce costs for the middle class, end insurance company abuses, and increase stable, quality care and access for all Americans. We need to get reform done but get it right. We must keep listening and engaging with our constituents to ensure that reform will benefit all Americans. With health care premiums growing three times faster than wages, we can't afford to wait.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Chair, I missed rollcall votes 661 through 667. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on 661, and ``no'' on 662-667. Part B Amendment No. 439 Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, skyrocketing private health insurance costs are already crippling small businesses. Last week, I sat down with one of my constituents to hear about her situation. Kristine Effaldana is a small business owner and employs nine workers at her company. She has been paying the full cost of premiums for her employees because she knows how important health insurance is. Unfortunately, Kristine recently got a call from her broker saying the premiums for covering her nine employees are going up 20 percent in August. Now Kristine is forced to pass on part of that cost to her employees, hire fewer employees, or stop offering them health care altogether. That is the status quo we're dealing with, and it is unacceptable. We must do more to help small business owners who are trying to do the right thing by providing for their employees. Congress must pass comprehensive health reform to ease their burden.

Mr. HALL of New York

Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to dispel the myth that health care reform will suddenly move the burden of paying for the uninsured onto the rest of us. All Americans are already paying the high costs of a broken health care system with 47 million Americans uninsured. The cost of caring for the uninsured gets passed on to all of us. The average American family is currently paying more than $1,000 every year to support the uninsured. This $1,000 fee is buried deep in every premium and pays for the broken health care system. Health care costs are soaring out of control. Premiums have doubled in 9 years, growing three times faster than wages. These staggering prices are too high for American families. Members of Congress must come together to address the problem for the health of middle class Americans and the health of their wallets. The cost of inaction is just too great to sit back and do nothing.