Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard ``Ric'' Hunsucker, a United States Marine Corps veteran, and the Walk Across America Team for their selfless efforts to bring awareness to disabled veterans across the country. Mr. Hunsucker, an ironworker from Green Bay, Wisconsin, has completed a challenging yet worthy undertaking that has achieved great success-- all in the name of disabled veterans. On Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, Mr. Hunsucker set out to begin his 202 day walk across America to raise donations and awareness for the struggles faced by disabled veterans. Starting at the Duval County War Memorial in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Hunsucker and his support teammate, Jack Dixon, visited countless veterans medical centers and outpatient clinics to meet with disabled veterans, doctors, nurses, family members and the public. This 2,600-mile journey took them through four time zones and eight states, ending proudly at the Balboa Park War Memorial in San Diego, California on Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. He carried a 5-foot by 3-foot navy blue Disabled American Veterans flag the entire route. All donations raised went to the Disabled American Veterans organization, a nonprofit that advocates and assists those injured while serving their country. Mr. Hunsucker trained for six months for his 202-day walk and has since gone through three pairs of sneakers and countless aches and pains. Walking an average of 17 miles a day, meeting the families of those killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan were among the most memorable moments. Mr. Hunsucker's patriotism and desire to raise awareness for veterans was best explained when he recently stated, ``You can build a memorial for those who have been killed, but how can you remember those who are disabled? You take care of them.'' Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my personal accolades to the Walk Across America Team for such a remarkable and dedicated journey.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel David J. Furness on the occasion of his taking Command of the 1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. Colonel Furness was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 16 May 1987 upon graduating from the Virginia Military Institute. After completing the Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia, he reported to the Second Marine Division where he served as a rifle platoon commander and 81mm mortar platoon commander with the 3d Battalion, 4th Marines and the 2d Battalion, 8th Marines from February 1988 to September 1991. During this period he participated in a contingency deployment to the Republic of Panama and two unit deployments to the Mediterranean Sea with the 26th and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). From September 1991 to May 1995, he served on the staff of the Basic School as a Staff Platoon Commander and a Tactics Instructor for both the Basic Officer and Infantry Officer Course. In June 1995, he left the Basic School to attend the Infantry Officer Advanced Course (IOAC) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Colonel Furness served as a Rifle Company Commander and Battalion Operations Officer with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines in 29 Palms, California from November 1995 to November 1998. In November 1998, he served as the Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Sacramento, until July 2001. In August 2001, he reported to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC) where he graduated and earned a Masters of Military Science degree in June 2002. From July 2002 to January 2003 he attended the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW). While a student at SAW, he was ordered TAD to augment the G-3 section of the First Marine Division and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Assistant Plans Officer. During April 2003, he retuned to SAW, graduated, and in June 2003 reported to the First Marine Division and returned to Iraq where he served as the Operations Officer of the First Marine Division. In October 2003 he was reassigned as the Deputy G3. In January 2004, he returned to Iraq as part of the Division's advance party to prepare for the relief-in-place with the 82d Airborne Division in support of OIF II. He returned to Camp Pendleton in April 2004 and assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. From December 2004 to June 2005, he deployed to the CENTCOM AOR as the Commanding Officer of Battalion Landing Team 1/1, the Ground Combat Element of the 15th MEU (SOC) and participated in Operation Unified Assistance and OIF III in South Baghdad, Iraq. From 20 January to 18 August 2006 he deployed as Commanding Officer Task Force 1/1, RCT-5 in support of OIF 05-07.1 operating principally in the cities of Karmah and Western Baghdad, Iraq. In October 2006 he relinquished command and assumed the duties of Executive Officer, First Marine Regiment. During July 2007, He reported to the National War College as a student and was promoted to his current rank. After graduating from the National War College in June 2008 he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Office of Legislative Affairs to serve as the Director, Marine Corps Legislative Liaison Office, U.S. House of Representatives. He is married to the former Lynda Taylor of Richmond, Virginia. They have four children David Jacob (17), Elizabeth (12), Benjamin (8), and Zachary (6). Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in recognizing the distinguished career of Colonel David J. Furness serving the United States Marine Corps and the People of the United States.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. ISSA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, 3 minutes is all I need because we're going into a process, one in which I would like to be optimistic, one in which I will have 72 hours to pore over a 2,000-page bill to see where we can make it better. Mr. Speaker, I, too, like the gentleman from Pennsylvania, remember 2008. I remember helping lead the charge against a wholesale bailout, a slush fund for then-President Bush to pass around $700 billion and to pass on to the next President a piece of that left over to spend it, and if you happen to get paid back, to spend it again. Mr. Speaker, the American people are tired of endless bailouts of the select few. When the gentleman spoke of AIG, AIG still owes us $100- plus billion we'll never see back, in spite of the fact that much of that money went outside the country. I'm part of a Congress that saw the Bush administration make mistakes. I'm fortunate that I voted against it and I'm happy that I voted against it. As we go into this financial reform, I would hope that we remember Milton Friedman once said, Capitalism is a profit and loss system: the profits encourage risk-taking and the losses encourage prudence. Mr. Speaker, we must have freedom to fail in this country. We cannot have ``too big to fail.'' And more importantly, we cannot have the politicalization of the process by picking and choosing people like Freddie and Fannie to get $6 trillion worth of full-faith funding from the American people in order to guarantee what ultimately was to a great extent their fault. We went into a financial collapse because when homes became unaffordable, gimmicks were produced. The American people watched their government create most of those gimmicks, and even today the American Government continues to fund a 3.5-percent-down form of financing as though homes will only go up in price. So I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to get this bill right in conference.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, doesn't our House rule require that the address be made to the Speaker and not to each other?

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brigadier General Richard L. Simcock, United States Marine Corps. From August 2009 to June 2010, Brigadier General Simcock distinguished himself through meritorious service while serving as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Utilizing his leadership, communication skills, and dedication to duty, Brigadier General Simcock contributed to numerous successes of the overall Marine Corps mission. His knowledge of and experience in Congressional affairs, combined with an emphasis on Congressional relationships advanced the Commandant's strategy and vision. His leadership during this period has enabled the Marine Corps to continue to succeed despite high operational tempo and unprecedented interest in Marine Corps activities. Brigadier General Simcock has developed an exceptional relationship with Members of Congress and staff members. We benefitted from his counsel and tireless work to provide answers to our questions about the Marine Corps, Marines and their families. This strong professional relationship is a direct reflection on Brigadier General Simcock's dedication, foresight, and proactive approach during his time as the Commandant's Legislative Assistant. Working in concert, Brigadier General Simcock, the Armed Services Committees and numerous other Members of Congress, have helped to ensure the health of the Marine Corps. In the past year, Brigadier General Simcock's input and experience were paramount in the continued development, support, acquisition, and championing of Marine Corps initiatives and programs such as the Joint Strike Fighter. During this period, excluding hearings and official travel, General Simcock has responded to 3,886 Congressional Inquiries, 779 official requests-for- information from Members and Professional Staff, and connected Members with Marine General Officers on 425 occasions. His understanding of the legislative processes, his responsiveness and accurate, forthright communication with the Congress has furthered comprehensive support for the Marine Corps. Brigadier General Simcock's leadership has set a new standard for the Office of Legislative Affairs and his genuine devotion to Corps and Country will ensure the Marine Corps is ``most ready when the Nation is least ready'' for many years to come.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Sarbanes, I am sure, is well-intended with this amendment. But I hope the Chair will take note that this amendment is wholly outside the jurisdiction of this committee. And for that reason, it would be subject to a rule, if the rule allowed it. More importantly, it is very clear that although well-intended, it falls short of its intended mark. Mr. Sarbanes in his comments, rightfully so, said he wanted to establish standards. But I am sure the gentleman wants to establish a standard. This amendment would establish every agency having a different standard. We already have the Office of Management and Budget and other agencies working to define inherently governmental in a uniform way, and that is critical. We do not want to bring in anything which is less expensive to do out-of-house and is not necessary to bring in-house. I share with the gentleman the desire to make sure that which must be done by the government, that which is so special that we definitely do not want profit fitting into the equation, we want it done by the government. I never again want to consider anything being outsourced simply because we don't have the will to build the resources in-house, particularly when it often can cost more, not less, to outsource. So I would hope that the gentleman would withdraw his amendment, one, because it's outside the jurisdiction of this committee; and, two, because there is a time and a place to get a standard. We already have an effort under way by this administration to establish a single standard, one that could be uniformly executed that would save money and save confusion.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Beaumont Elementary School in Vista, California and congratulate them on their 50th year of educational service. Beaumont Elementary School has continually responded to the needs of our communities, families, and students by promoting the principles of a quality and challenging curriculum. Through Beaumont's devoted teaching staff, students receive instruction utilizing the best, up-to- date materials and curriculum available along with hands-on learning opportunities. The school recently celebrated by turning their annual fair into a community celebration. The event was bustling with hundreds of visitors and alumni reunited to mark the 50-year anniversary of the school. I would like to commend Beaumont Elementary School's leadership and its teachers for their consistent dedication and for inspiring their students to pursue a well-rounded, life-long education. Madam Speaker, I applaud Beaumont Elementary School and its students, parents, alumni, teachers, and administrators for their ongoing contributions to the education of future generations.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5148. Not surprisingly, I'm the author of it. I insisted on being the author because it was the right thing to do and because there needed to be a message sent loud and clear. Deceptive advertising is already bad enough in America today. We often receive things that look like your credit card bill when, in fact, they're an offer to buy or to get something or, in fact, to apply for a credit card. We've all received cards that look like you're already getting a card when, in fact, it's John Doe on the card and it's only the opportunity to spend money to get the real card. But when it comes to the census, there is no separation between Republicans and Democrats and Independents. There is no separation between the House and the Senate. The sanctity of this constitutional responsibility to get it right, to count everyone, cannot be allowed to be interfered with by anyone's attempt to raise money. When the earlier bill was passed--authored by Carolyn Maloney and cosponsored by many of us--we thought we had ended this. As a matter of fact, for all of us on both sides of the aisle, we believed then that an independent agency, the post office, could have stopped that mail without the law. But we wanted to make the intent of Congress clear. By passing that bill, we made the intent of Congress clear. We all talked about deceptive advertising, about people seeing something, thinking it was from the Census Bureau, thinking that, in fact, it was a census form. We crafted it in a way, as the chairman said, that was intended not to cross over anyone's free speech rights, including that through the mail. We achieved that. But lawyers at the Republican National Committee made a decision that the language of the bill was such that they could continue having a piece of the successful mailing go on. Let me make something very clear here today: You cannot say we are beyond the letter of the law when you truly are within the intent of the law and tell the American people it's okay. The four squares of the law may or may not have been violated by the NRCC. Most of us believe, as I said before, the post office could have stopped it before the law and certainly could stop this after the law; and I have sent, along with my ranking subcommittee member, a letter to the Postmaster encouraging him to make that decision, as has Congresswoman Maloney. Notwithstanding their eventual action, we're making it clear here today that we will plug any perceived loopholes or any questions about whether or not you can or you cannot. The RNC sent out mailings which certainly violated the spirit of H.R. 4621. The mailings contained text visible from outside the envelope--not printed on the envelope, but effectively the same as printed on the envelope. I would say to people who raise money, whether it's the Republican National Committee, the Democratic National Committee, other political entities, or nonpolitical entities who simply want to have their envelopes opened for an opportunity to raise money or get a message out, don't use the census. Don't even think about using the census, because it's wrong. If something is deceptive, then it is wrong under the law that we already passed. It is wrong under the law that we expect this bill to represent. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman, Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman Jason Chaffetz and, more importantly, the leadership of the House, both Mr. Boehner and Mr. Hoyer, because they made it possible for us to come to the floor quickly, get it to the Senate quickly, allow the Senate to deal with it quickly so the President can make a statement for the second time in less than a month. He shouldn't have to do it. He does have to do it. We're going to make sure that while the census is underway, that we not have anyone think that this is a time where they can continue to do fundraising that ultimately links itself to the ongoing census. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank the gentlelady from New York. Her words are our words; her thoughts are our thoughts. Perhaps as a proud Republican, I can do more than the thought she made. Mr. Speaker, I want everyone to be counted in the census. I want everyone to open their envelopes from the census. As a Republican, I am particularly sensitive that I don't want Republicans to be undercounted. So I would advise, as I will do, if I receive anything and it looks like it's from the census, I'm going to open it. When I open it, if it's from the census, I'm going to fill it out. If it's not from the census, I'm going to throw it out because, ultimately, all of us, regardless of our party, should be indignant if we receive a request for money and we open it, believing it's from the census, only to find out that it is a request for money. The census does not ask us for money. They ask us for sensitive information leading to a correct count of the American population, and from that, Congress does its work to allocate resources and, quite personally, to allocate representation here in the House. So I, for one, will open all the mail and encourage all to open all the mail. And when you open it, do the right thing if it's from the census; do the right thing if it's from somebody trying to fundraise. Let there be no doubt, this is important to us in the House. We speak with one voice. We speak today. I suspect that they will speak by tomorrow in the Senate, and we will make sure that this cannot be allowed. In closing, I did join with the gentlelady from New York and Mr. Chaffetz, the gentleman from Utah, and the chairman in calling on the Postmaster to assert any jurisdiction he may believe he can, which we believe he has, to stop mailings even if they're going out today. But certainly within a matter of hours or days, we expect there will be new power without any question that would allow for the holding of that mail and its destruction. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I encourage passage of the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is an important and bipartisan bill being brought to the floor today. It has been well thought out and well crafted, and I want to thank Mr. Murphy and Mr. Bilbray for their diligent work on this subject, also Mr. Todd Platts, who has worked in this area for a number of years and has brought to light this failure of government. Mr. Speaker, when there are $2 trillion worth of payments being made and $100 billion worth of improper payments being noted, one would say we must be doing a good job of finding improper payments that would allow us to get to the bottom of this large amount of money. But, Mr. Speaker, without this corrective action, it is clear that what we are seeing is the tip of a very large iceberg. Under the current law, since you must have the greater of both $10 million and 2.5 percent in order to trigger reporting, this only really triggers $10 million events with very small agencies. As we look at the Department of Defense and other large agencies, realistically the 2.5 percent becomes the trigger. If I were able to, with a stroke of a pen, change things from day one, I would look and say the American people consider not only $10 million a lot of money, but $2 million and $1 million, $100,000. We cannot quickly make those kinds of changes in reporting, I am told. However, today we are taking a fairly significant step. By automatically having anytime when $100 million is at stake be reported and by reducing from 2.5 to 1.5 percent the program outlays, we are catching an unknown amount of greater waste, fraud, and abuse in government. These improper payments will undoubtedly rise, perhaps double, perhaps triple in reporting as a result of this new law, but it is not enough. As this reporting becomes more widespread and we're able to investigate extremely large but smaller than today programs, I hope that we will see that we must find all, all, improper payments in government and set them right. The American people expect no less. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. At this time I would yield 3 minutes to the coauthor of the bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray).

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I'd like to share with you something that happened this morning. I was on C-SPAN and a woman named Betty called in and was very concerned that we were not working on a bipartisan basis; that there was no consensus or compromise; that we were paralyzed. It's sometimes hard to answer somebody on the other end of a telephone line, but I would like to today take note that this is an example of the dozens of times every week that we come together, the chairman and myself, members of the committee, and we find things we can agree on that are good for America, the common good, and they will not usually be noted. So today I would hope that we all note that--and for Betty who called in this morning--that in fact this is an example where we can find compromise. We can find a win-win for the American people. I would hope that we would do more of it. Chairman Towns has been good at looking for those examples, and I pledge to be better at looking for opportunities like this. I'd like to, lastly, thank Leader Hoyer and Leader Boehner for the help they gave us in expediting this to the floor. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge support and passage of the bill and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have been here for about 30 minutes listening to both sides talk past each other. Mr. Speaker, the American people, they get it. They get it that in fact cap-and-trade will increase the cost of doing business; that health care, which is already too big a piece of the family budget, is going up, not down; that government is increasing spending at a time in which the revenue is far less than what we're spending. In fact, 40 percent of the budget is being borrowed. And now we're having the hubris to call financial reform of something that in fact is a financial bailout guarantee. Under President Clinton and a Republican Congress, Glass-Steagall was eliminated. Why in the world wouldn't we be talking about simply recreating the separation between real banks that the FDIC does have a fund for, created by the banks, and investment banks, which you recognize if they fail, they fail, and you are only guaranteed on the underlying stock. Mr. Speaker, I call for real reform.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a wonderful program operated by New Hope Community Church in Canyon Lake, California, that has set the standard for helping troubled youth by introducing a new concept to learning. Just this past weekend, Menifee Councilman Scott Mann and I had the pleasure to visit the Hope Learning Academy, seeing firsthand how this program's mentors steer at-risk youth onto a positive path and equip them with the tools they need to lead successful lives. Regrettably, a substantial number of youth in our communities are failing school, struggling with behavioral issues in and out of the home, and many are ``slipping through the cracks.'' That is why Hope Learning Academy, which represents just one of the many ways that New Hope Community Church serves its community, is an outstanding example of providing at-risk youth with opportunities to grow. Their combination of guidance, encouragement and years of experience working with youth has proven successful in helping both students and parents implement a strategy of change in their lives during what are considered a teenager's most challenging years. There is no question that the staff at Hope Learning Academy is committed to finding ways to help the youth in our community. They have effectively executed a niche program to put youth on a course for success while partnering with parents to give them the tools they need to effectively parent their child. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in recognizing the success of Hope Learning Academy and I look forward to hearing more about valuable programs such as this that make a positive difference in the lives of our local youth.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to inquire as to whether the gentlelady had any additional speakers, other than the right to close.

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

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, could I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. ISSA. I thank the Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry. It is now acceptable to lobby the Senate from the House floor in any and all conduct and questions?

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry. Is it not against the rules of the House to urge an action in the Senate, such as voting for or assisting in reconciliation?

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).