Dean Heller

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to respond. If the gentleman is asking to refer this piece of legislation back to Ways and Means and the Budget Committee, I would be happy to do so so that we can discuss those issues.

Mr. HELLER. H.R. 4154 would be better called the Permanent Estate Tax Increase for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act. My second motion to recommit still addresses elimination of the death tax. As the Chair has just ruled, the sensible alternative, full permanent repeal of the death tax, is not allowable under the House majority's rules. Therefore, this second motion to recommit is drafted to meet the arcane, pro-tax increase PAYGO rules. This motion continues the full elimination of the death tax for 2010, as currently scheduled and promised to the American people, and then extends that full elimination 1 additional year to 2011. Business or farm income was taxed when it was created, saved, invested, and spent. These assets were taxed annually with property taxes. They don't need to be taxed yet again upon death. While 2 years is shorter than many of us in the House would prefer, it's the only alternative left. Colleagues, the flaws with H.R. 4154 are numerous, but in defense of their misguided bill the majority cries that certainty trumps the punitive 45 percent rate. But the Federal Government shouldn't be entitled to half or even one-third of your assets when you die. Make no mistake: the purpose of the inheritance tax is to erase all of an individual's net worth within three generations. Let me repeat that: the purpose of the inheritance tax is to erase all of an individual's net worth within three generations. Enshrining a 45 percent punitive tax rate is bad policy, and the only thing worse than bad policy is permanent bad policy. I am sure the American people will be upset with the certainty of zero. Today the majority is working hard to bring new vigor to the old adage ``The only things in life that are certain are death and taxes.'' Let's remember that the unemployment rate is still high: 10 percent nationwide and more than 13 percent in my home State of Nevada. Recent estimates show that the full repeal of the tax would create 1.5 million jobs. Again, that's jobs created. Who knows how many jobs will be saved by eliminating the death tax. Eliminating the death tax will also have several other positive effects on the economy. One recent study showed that eliminating the death tax will increase small business capital by over $1.6 trillion; eliminating the death tax will increase the probability of hiring by 8.6 percent; eliminating the death tax will increase payrolls by 2.6 percent; eliminating the death tax will expand investment by 3 percent; eliminating the death tax will create 1.5 million additional small business jobs; and eliminating the death tax will reduce the current jobless rate by almost 1 percent. The American people know that the death tax punishes hard work by discouraging savings and investing, undermines job creation, and frankly contradicts the central promise of American life. They know the death tax is a jobs destroyer. Colleagues, our Founding Fathers worked to ensure the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, they fought, spurred largely by unfair taxation, to secure their rights to private property and the efforts of their work. They wanted a nation where one could work, think, produce, create, invent and prosper. This made our Nation different than all others at the time which created the tremendous engine of the American economy. What would they say about a government confiscating 45 percent of property earned over a lifetime? Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 18 were merchants or businessmen and 14 were farmers. Many lost their lives or family members, and at least 11 signers had their homes and property destroyed. In committing their ``lives, fortunes, and sacred honor'' as the Declaration of Independence reads, they sacrificed to ensure their heirs could keep what they earned. What would those who sacrificed so much say about a permanent 45 percent rate? Congress made a promise to fully eliminate the death tax. The American people are sick and tired of broken promises from their government. Congress should keep this promise to the American people and do what it committed to do 8 years ago: allow the estate tax to expire in 2010 and extend that expiration to 2011. Death should not be a taxable event. Support this motion and keep the death tax buried. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

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

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, this point of order shows the blatant inconsistencies the majority has set up with its own rules. On one hand, clause 10 of rule XXI--known as the PAYGO rule--requires amendments, including those contained in motions to recommit like this one, to be budget neutral. On the other hand, clause 7 of rule XVI-- known as the germaneness rule--constrains our ability to offer pay-fors by requiring that they be related to the underlying bill. These two rules are problematic in today's case because H.R. 4154 is drafted so narrowly that it is impossible to identify germane offsets. Thus, not surprisingly, the majority has stacked the rules of the House to try to make it impossible for the minority to offer its preferred approach. We saw that 2 weeks ago on the SGR fix and are witnessing it again today as the rules are being used to keep us from offering a full and permanent repeal of the death tax. Ironically, the bill before us today, H.R. 4154, doesn't even meet the House's own PAYGO rules. That's right. That is because the budget resolution allows the chairman of the Budget Committee to simply reset the baseline to accommodate a certain amount of death tax relief. Mr. Speaker, you are being asked to rule on whether this motion to recommit complies with PAYGO, but the base bill itself is not PAYGO compliant. It would increase the deficit by more than $230 billion. This begs the question, if it's appropriate for the majority to consider estate tax relief under H.R. 4154 without offsets, in violation of the spirit of PAYGO, then why is it now inappropriate, or out of order, for the minority to provide even more tax relief under their amendment? I request that you overrule the point of order and allow the House to debate our alternative, which is complete repeal of the death tax. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity be heard on the point of order.

Mr. HELLER. Yes, in its current form.

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996 the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 2996 Account: Environmental Protection Agency--STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Fernley, Nevada Address of Requesting Entity: 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408 Description of Request: $300,000. This project will replace the current tank-based solids handling method with the construction of mechanical dewatering facilities. This facility's microfiltration design for arsenic removal includes solids handling storage tanks. Rehabilitation for mechanical dewatering of the residuals handing would allow the City of Fernley to provide its residents with higher quality and safer water for the long term. This project also falls in line with the mission of the EPA by protecting and safeguarding Fernley residents' health and environment.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his exceptional hard work in producing a Republican alternative that does not raise taxes, raise premiums, increase our debt or increase health care costs. In a recent article, the Democratic leadership stated that getting votes today will be easier because Democrats want to go home. Mr. Speaker, the Pelosi health care bill will cost Americans more than 5 million jobs. Despite national unemployment at 10.3 percent, and in my home State of Nevada, over 13 percent unemployment, we are moving forward with this bill. For the majority, this is fine, if Members of Congress get to go home. This legislation raises billions in new taxes on small businesses and increases health care premiums by $15,000 per family on average. But, as I said, as long as the majority gets to go home, this doesn't matter. This bill cuts $500 billion from Medicare, affecting more than 20,000 seniors in my district and over 100,000 Statewide, and also avoids meaningful medical liability reform. But the majority will support it, because they get to go home. This bill's individual mandates will result in 9 million Americans paying a new tax or facing criminal penalties. These penalties include $250,000 fines and/or 5 years in jail for failure to pay the tax. However, this doesn't matter, as long as the majority gets to go home today. Mr. Speaker, this bill lacks enforceable citizenship verification provisions. As many as 8.5 million illegal immigrants will be eligible for taxpayer-subsidized health care under this legislation. But, of course, if the majority gets to go home, it simply doesn't matter. Yet the height of hypocrisy is that Members are not required to participate in this government-run health care program. Unfortunately, the strategy to pass this massive bill hinges upon Members of Congress wanting to go home, instead of passing legislation that will help the American people.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my heartfelt support for H.R. 3319 which will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 440 South Gulling Street in Portola, California, as the ``Army Specialist Jeremiah Paul McCleery Post Office Building.'' Jeremiah McCleery was born in Glendora, California, to parents Colette and Joe McCleery on April 5, 1985. Jeremiah grew up in a very close family and was well known for telling jokes and seeing the humor in life. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent a great deal of time fishing, camping, working on his truck, and sport shooting. Jeremiah wanted to join the Army since he was 4 years old when his father took him to watch the triumphant return of U.S. soldiers from the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The outpouring that greeted American forces during that homecoming made a lasting impression on the young Jeremiah and set him on a path to serve his country. Since that day, he was a Boy Scout and joined the Civil Air Patrol. Later Jeremiah enlisted in the Army on June 2007. Jeremiah was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas, and was deployed to Iraq. Tragically, on May 2, 2009, Jeremiah was shot and killed at a combat outpost in Hammam Alil, Iraq, north of Baghdad. Spc. Jeremiah McCleery gave his life while defending his country in Iraq. My family and I extended our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Jeremiah's father who lives in Sparks, Nevada, who has suffered this deep loss. We are committed to providing full support for their needs. I also remain dedicated to fulfilling all of America's promises to those who faithfully serve our nation and to their families. Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3319, which will honor Specialist Jeremiah Paul McCleery for his sacrifice.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 748, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: Other Procurement--Air Force Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nevada Air National Guard Address of Requesting Entity: 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701 Description of Request: $1,000,000. This funding will allow the Nevada Air National Guard to purchase Scathe View, which is a unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system. Scathe View provides real time imagery support to combat operations, search and rescue operations, as well as support to civil authorities during natural disasters. This technology is essential in allowing the Nevada Air National Guard to fulfill both its foreign and domestic responsibilities. Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: Operations and Maintenance--Army Reserve Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nevada National Guard Address of Requesting Entity: 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701 Description of Request: $1,000,000. This funding will allow Nevada National Guard the ability to man their Joint Operations Center 24/7 with trained professional staff to meet its emergency readiness responsibilities throughout the state. Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3326 Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation--Army Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Day & Zimmermann Hawthorne Corporation--Hawthorne Army Depot Address of Requesting Entity: 2 South Maine, Hawthorne, NV 89415 Description of Request: $1,000,000. This funding will be used for the development of a rocket motor contained burn system which demilitarizes rockets safely. The system will be used for Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) motors, and will be adaptable to other larger rocket motors.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, August 17th is an important date. Yes, it is my wife's birthday. Thanks for remembering that. But it is also the six-month anniversary of the stimulus. Let's go back six months. Mr. Speaker, remember when the President promised that unemployment, if this bill passed, would not go above 8 percent? Maybe that was hope. Remember when the Speaker said jobs, jobs, jobs? Maybe that was hope. Remember when the majority leader said we would see immediate results if this particular piece of legislation passed? They were all hollow promises, hollow promises for bad legislation. This August 17th, my wife is going to ask: Where are the jobs? I am going to ask: Where are the jobs? Nevadans are going to ask: Where are the jobs? Americans are going to ask: Where are the jobs? Happy birthday, sweetheart.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Department of Health & Human Services--Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Mary's Regional Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: 235 West Sixth Street, Reno, NV 89503 Description of Request: $700,000. This funding will be used for the construction of a new Nephrology Center of Excellence. This center will provide residents of Northern Nevada and Northeastern California the option of accessing kidney transplants at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3293 Account: Department of Health & Human Services--Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Renown Health Systems Address of Requesting Entity: 1000 Ryland, Suite 402, Reno, NV 89502. Description of Request: $800,000. Two-thirds of all births in the Reno/Sparks area occur at Renown Regional Medical Center. Renown Regional Medical Center is the only Children's Miracle Network hospital in the Northern Nevada Region. In order to serve the Washoe County and Northern Nevada region, Renown Health must expand and renovate its current facilities in the Women's and Children's Center to meet these needs. This funding will be used to expand Renown's current room capacity and renovate existing rooms to provide an overall improvement in the delivery experience for the mother and her family.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: HR 3288 Account: Federal Highway Administration--Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Nevada Address of Requesting Entity: 2050 Villanova Dr., Reno, NV 89520. Description of Request: $500,000. This funding will be used for the Meadowwood Interchange project that will mitigate severe current and future traffic congestion occurring on I-580/US 395 and the adjacent surface arterials in the primary commercial retail district for the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area. Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: HR 3288 Account: Federal Highway Administration--Federal Lands (Public Lands Highways) Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nevada Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89701 Description of Request: $1,000,000. This funding will be used for the U.S. 50 State Realignment project. This project involves the Realignment of U.S. Highway 50 in the Stateline, Nevada Corridor. The project will look to provide operational improvement and pedestrian and transit improvements in the heavily congested Stateline corridor Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: HR 3288 Account: Federal Aviation Administration--Facilities and Equipment Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Address of Requesting Entity: 2001 E. Plumb Ln., Reno, NV 89502 Description of Request: $263,000. This funding will be used for the acquisition and installation of an Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR-11) at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport and five other airports in the region are all served by an existing Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR-8) that has been in place for 16 years and is two generations old. The existing radar is located at the absolute lowest point of the valley which reduces its airspace coverage for all six airports in the region. An FAA study identified a site north and at a higher elevation than the existing radar site which would allow air traffic controllers to track aircraft movements longer and at lower altitudes than currently possible Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: HR 3288 Account: Federal Transit Administration--Buses & Bus Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Nevada Address of Requesting Entity: 2050 Villanova Dr., Reno, NV 89520 Description of Request: $250,000. This funding will be for the Washoe County bus and bus facilities project which includes the replacement and expansion of the Regional Transportation Commission's (RTC) transit fleet including standard coaches and para-transit vehicles and the construction of additional park-and-ride facilities. New buses must be purchased to replace worn-out vehicles in the existing fleet, increase service on existing routes and initiate new service. These replacement vehicles will help the RTC to increase schedule reliability, reduce the cost of vehicles and increase transit ridership and fare box revenue.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, in a recent study Nevada's economy is now determined to be the most distressed in the Nation; and if you recall, 4 months ago we passed a stimulus package and we were promised by this administration, and by the majority, if we do this, if we pass this stimulus package, that we'd only have 8 percent unemployment. It would never exceed 8 percent unemployment. Yet we had to do it right now. We had to pass this piece of legislation. Well, I'm here to tell you today that Nevada's unemployment is at 12 percent, and that this administration says that the unemployment is even going to go higher. So the question is, What did the stimulus do for Nevada? Well, in Las Vegas, Las Vegas has received to date $4,833. So the question is, Where's the money? $4,833 to Nevada and to Las Vegas. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said, ``I bet more on a football game than what the city's received.'' I ask the Speaker: Where's the money and where are the jobs?

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. I appreciate the gentleman yielding, and I looked in the dictionary recently for what the definition of ``boondoggle'' was. It was a wasteful, impractical project or activity. It's a perfect, perfect understanding of what Yucca Mountain is. I will tell you, I support the motion to recommit. I would urge my colleagues to do the same. We've spent billions and billions of dollars on a project over the last 20 years. We're going to spend billions and billions and billions more for projects that will never happen. Boondoggle--``a wasteful or impractical project or activity''-- Webster's Dictionary. Government Accountability Office report on Yucca says: Gross mismanagement, faulty science and research, and contract mismanagement. Major Issues Unresolved: Problems with the quality assurance program, implications that some U.S. Geological Survey employees falsified scientific data, hazardous and flawed design changes, transportation safety issues, likely groundwater contamination, and inadequate earthquake protection. Congress finally needs to have a serious discussion about studying reasonable alternatives to Yucca, which is an uncertain and dangerous plan. If you're concerned about the safety of American citizens and the wise stewardship of tax dollars, then join with me to finally end the Yucca Mountain project and support this Motion to Recommit.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 3170--Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3170--Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Small Business Administration--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Western Nevada Development District Address of Requesting Entity: 704 West Nye Lande, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89701 Description of Request: $250,000. These funds would contribute to the Western Nevada Development District's small business job creation efforts, which extend over Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, and Storey Counties in Western Nevada. In the current economic climate, small businesses have been especially affected, and the efforts of the Western Nevada Development District in promoting job creation will help spur local economic development.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Speaker, Pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183--Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Corps of Engineers--Construction--Rural Nevada Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nevada Statewide: Washoe County Dept of Water Resources, The City of Fernley, Nevada Address of Requesting Entity: 4930 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502; 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408 Description of Request: $3,000,000. Funds will be used to support Sec. 595 of WRDA 1999 to provide rural localities in Nevada with funding for the design and construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, environmental restoration and surface water protection projects. Specifically, the Washoe County Department of Water Resources will use some of these funds for a multi-phased project that will provide water service to residents currently using domestic wells. Declining water levels and deteriorating water quality are resulting in domestic well failures. In addition, on-site septic systems are contributing contaminants to the groundwater, resulting in residents consuming water that does not meet federal and state water quality standards. The Washoe Department of Water Resources has been working in phases to construct a community water system which will provide residents with a reliable supply of water that meets all state and federal drinking water standards. Additionally, the City of Fernley, Nevada will use some of these funds for a project that includes the design, property acquisition, and construction of a surface water intake for the Fernley Water Treatment Plant. The plant currently utilizes groundwater as its only source of water, so this project will increase the flexibility in the management of Fernley's water resources. The City of Fernley currently holds approximately 10,000 acre-feet of surface water rights that cannot be utilized without such a facility. This project allows the City of Fernley to utilize a source of water that increases the flexibility of Fernley's water resources. This project enhances Fernley's drought tolerance and introduces surface water to its potable water customers with a lower concentration of arsenic than Fernley's groundwater. Requesting Member: Congressman Dean Heller Bill Number: H.R. 3183 Account: Department of Energy--Science Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Desert Research Institute Address of Requesting Entity: 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 Description of Request: $750,000. This funding will help the Desert Research Institute create a statewide center to house and use all available data needed to better understand the current and potential future distribution of water resources within Nevada. Water has become, and will continue to be, the most important limiting resource for the semi-arid urbanizing western United States. This project seeks to fully understand current distribution of water, while also being able to predict accurately the impacts of future conditions (e.g., growth and climate change) on the availability of water.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 528, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 529, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 527, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 526, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 522, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''