Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, 46 years ago today, one of the greatest leaders in the history of our country was felled by an assassin's bullet in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassin may have killed the dreamer, but he could not kill the dream because as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in August 1963, the dream is ``deeply rooted'' in the American Dream. The life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us that nothing is impossible when we are guided by the better angels of our nature. So it is fitting that we pause to remember the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. It is proper that we remember the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day. Dr. King knew that it was not enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. Dr. King walked the walk. He went to jail 29 times to achieve freedom for others. He knew he would pay the ultimate price for his leadership, but kept on marching and protesting and organizing anyway. Dr. King once said that we all have to decide whether we ``will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. ``Life's most persistent and nagging question,'' he said, is ``what are you doing for others?'' And when Dr. King talked about the end of his mortal life in one of his last sermons, on February 4, 1968 in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, even then he lifted up the value of service as the hallmark of a full life: I'd like somebody to mention on that day Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others,'' he said. ``I want you to say on that day, that I did try in my life . . . to love and serve humanity. Above all, Dr. King was always willing to speak truth to power. When the life of Dr. Martin Luther King was stolen from us, he was a very young 39 years old. People remember that Dr. King died in Memphis, but few can remember why he was there. On that fateful day in 1968 Dr. King came to Memphis to support a strike by the city's sanitation workers. The garbage men there had recently formed a chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to demand better wages and working conditions. But the city refused to recognize their union, and when the 1,300 employees walked off their jobs the police broke up the rally with mace and billy clubs. It was then that union leaders invited Dr. King to Memphis. Despite the danger he might face entering such a volatile situation, it was an invitation he could not refuse. Not because he longed for danger, but because the labor movement was intertwined with the civil rights movement for which he had given up so many years of his life. The death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will never overshadow his life. That is his legacy as a dreamer and a man of action. It is a legacy of hope, tempered with peace. It is a legacy not quite yet fulfilled. I hope that Dr. King's vision of equality under the law is never lost to us, who in the present, toil in times of unevenness in our equality. For without that vision--without that dream--we can never continue to improve on the human condition. It is for us, the living, to continue that fight today and forever, in the great spirit that inspired the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2575, the so-called ``Save American Workers Act of 2014,'' which represents the 52nd attempt by House Republicans to impede the Affordable Care Act and deny Americans the security that comes from having access to affordable, high-quality health care. I oppose this bill because its effect would be to deny employer provided health insurance to hard working employees who work more than 30 hours but less than 40 hours per week. If this bill were to become law in its current form, the health security of 10.2 percent of the workforce, or approximately 19.8 million workers, would be placed at risk. I offered two amendments to H.R. 2575 that would prevent this travesty but regrettably neither was made in order by the Rules Committee. Jackson Lee Amendment #1 would have improved this bad bill by amending the bill's 40 hour work week definition to include the employee's average commuting time in the computation of hours worked for purposes of determining ``full-time employment.'' Commuting time has become a major issue for those who work hourly wage jobs because their workday is much longer. According to the Bureau of the Census nearly 8.1% of American workers commute 60 minutes or longer. In 2011, almost 600,000 full-time workers had ``mega-commutes'' of at least 90 minutes and travel 50 miles or more from their homes. The daily average one-way travel to work for employees nationally is 25.5 minutes, and 1 out of 4 workers cross county lines to reach their jobs. Jackson Lee Amendment #2 would have amended the bill by delaying the effective date of the bill until the first month after there has been two consecutive quarters in which the national unemployment rate is below 5 percent, which would indicate the nation has reached a full employment economy. Our nation has taken a momentous step in creating a mindset that health insurance is a personal responsibility with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. The law did not automatically enroll all citizens into the program because it was specifically designed to be an opt-in process. This week all over the nation, over 4 millions of Americans took the first step toward taking control of their lives by purchasing their first personal or family health insurance policy. Over the course of the sign-up process for the Affordable Care Act tens of thousands of visitors each day shopped the website and over 7.1 million people were added to private insurance roles as customers or have enrolled into Medicaid. Despite problems with the initial rollout of the online health insurance registration process, people were patient and persistent about getting coverage for themselves and their families. I have held many events in my District to inform and connect people with Navigators and Community Health Centers to support the message that it was time to get health insurance for yourself and your family. Why with 60 legislative days remaining in the Second Session of the 113th Congress before the end of the 2014 fiscal year, we are still seeing attempts to end the Affordable Care Act is a mystery to the American public who are voting with their own healthcare dollars for Obamacare. H.R. 2575 proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code by redefining a full time employee for purposes of providing health insurance to only those workers who work a 40-hour workweek. Mr. Speaker, few hourly workers in low-wage jobs work a 40-hour work week. These employees often rely on government assistance, which amounts to a hidden tax break to employers. Low wageworkers often rely upon public housing assistance, SNAP, WIC or Medicaid to make ends meet. Health insurance should not be used as a status symbol, but a basic right for people who live in the world's most prosperous nation. I know that many predicted that the Affordable Care Act would cause havoc on the nation's health care system, but it is not the ACA that is causing havoc--it is a small vocal minority within the majority part that is causing headaches and heartaches to doctors and their patients. I ask that my colleagues to join me in protecting workers by voting down this rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in order to not only recognize but also honor Ms. Lauryn Williams for her extraordinary Olympic achievements and leadership. Lauryn Williams is one of the greatest athletes in the history of track and field; a three-time Olympian, the Silver Medalist in the 100 meters at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and a member of the team that won the Gold Medal in the 4 100 meters relay at 2012 Olympic Games in London. As a collegian at the University of Miami from which she graduated with a B.A. in Finance, Lauryn Williams won the 100 meters at the 2004 NCAA Championship and followed that performance the next year by winning the Gold Medal in the 100 meters at the 2005 World Championship Games in Helsinki, Finland. She solidified her place at the top of her sport in 2006 by winning Silver medals in the 6o meters at both the World Indoor Championships and the U.S. Championship. In 2004, Lauryn Williams ran the fastest legal-wind time and the second fastest time in the world that year. She was named the 2004 Big East Most Outstanding Performer and honored as the 2004 Athlete of the Year by the Sports Council. In 2007, at the World Championships in Osaka, Lauryn Williams once again showed that she is one the best. Using great form and her will to succeed, she took the Silver medal in one of the closest finishes ever seen in the history of track and field. Lauryn Williams is one of only five persons in history to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. In December 2013, Lauryn Williams embarked upon the World Cup Race Circuit and won 2 silver and 1 gold medal in the four races. In January 2014, she was named to the USA Olympic Bobsled Team representing the United States with just six (6) total months of participation in the sport. Paired with Elana Meyers in the BMW USA-1 sled, Lauryn Williams won the Silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, missing out on winning the Gold Medal by a mere 0.10 second. As a three-time Olympian, Lauryn Williams knows the hard work and dedication required to take bobsled to the next level and bring home a medal; she has a work ethic matched by few. From an early age, her parents stressed the importance of education and the message stuck. While succeeding on the track, she also succeeded and excelled in the classroom. She received her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Miami in 2004, and even gave the commencement address at her own graduation. She also obtained a Florida Real Estate Sale Associate license in 2006. Additionally, during the 2008 Olympic year, while training full time to make the Olympic team, she also managed to simultaneously work on a Master of Business Administration degree, which she received from the University of Phoenix, AZ in 2009. Recently, Lauryn Williams was struck with a passion for empowering athletes with financial literacy and stability so she completed the course work for Certified Financial Planning and will soon take the exam for CFP certification. After Lauryn Williams returned home from the Sochi Olympic Games, she turned her focus to working with Olympians and other athletes to improve their financial literacy and stability in an effort to continue making a difference in the sporting world. Lauryn's inspiring story of hard work, dedication and perseverance will motivate and inspire people of all ages. Mr. Speaker, Lauryn Williams has been the recipient of many honors, including: Pennsylvania Sportswoman of the Decade 2009; member Iron Arrow Honor Society, highest honor attainable at The University of Miami; Jefferson Award for Public Service Dream Team 2009; Miami Alumni Association William R. Butler Community Service Award 2008; Women in Sports Foundation honoree 2007; Visa Humanitarian 2006; Dapper Dan Sports woman of the year 2005; Runner's World-Hero of Running 2005; University of Miami Athletic Department Community Service Award 2002- 2003. Mr. Speaker, as an athlete Lauryn Williams represented our country with skill and grace and excellence and has earned the respect and affection of millions around the world. I take pride in saluting the remarkable achievements of this remarkable woman and world class athlete.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, all across America and around the world, the men and women in the United States military serve us and serve us well. Would you wonder whether or not their families back home would be eligible for an increase in the minimum wage? Their families may be blue-collar workers or workers in the service industries, and here they are, willing to sacrifice their lives, and we here in the United States Congress won't raise the minimum wage to $10.10. What an outrage. Even the possible compromise that is percolating around has the audacity to suggest that $7.25 is okay, that we will raise it just a little bit. But you don't understand the facts: $10.10 is over a 3-year period. Then today, on the floor of the House, a brilliant idea. H.R. 2575, I believe is the name. This one wants to eliminate the opportunity of those who are working 30 hours a week to get health care. Across the way, in the Budget hearing, the Republican budget is cutting trillions of dollars in social services and Medicaid. Raise the minimum wage. Take the American people off of social needs, social assistance. Stop the tomfoolery of turning this country backwards.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York for his leadership and years of service and his understanding of this issue. I heard his debate on the floor of the House, which would drive many of us as Members of Congress to come and join you because of the literalness and the straightforwardness of your argument. Frankly, I think that is the challenge we have this afternoon, wondering how many Americans even understand what we are doing because it is a numbers game. I have heard the stories of my colleagues, and I am absolutely empathetic, and I am sympathetic. All of us have young people working, single parents working, husband and wife working. Maybe there are two working in a grocery store. I think the problem with this legislation is that we are giving a pass to businesses who, in actuality, we are providing them with an opportunity to provide enhanced benefits to their hardworking workers. This is a threshold question. The Affordable Care Act defined a full- time job as 30 hours. So it means that if you have 50 employees that are at 30 hours or above, you provide them with health insurance. But let me remind you, it is the Affordable Care Act. That means that these individuals, if you don't provide them, you have the opportunity to get into a pool or you can find insurance that fits that level of 50 workers. This does not apply if you have one worker; it doesn't apply if you have two workers. It is a threshold. So what my friends are telling me is that, if you can afford 50 workers, you are dead broke. Then you have to take that 50th worker and drive him or her into the ground and leave them crawling out of your business at 29\1/2\ or 28 simply because you don't want to do the right thing. That is why this bill is so baffling. In the Rules Committee, I offered two amendments to try to make it better to indicate that commuting time would be included as part of your 40 hours, or that we should delay this bill until we fully appreciate and understand the overall impact of whether or not it, in fact, undermines hardworking Americans who are in hardworking businesses. We are just passing this bill and have no clue as to whether or not this is going to be something that undermines businesses that have 50 employees. Now, this is the backdrop of what they are doing. I even offered the point, Mr. Rangel, of why not a tax incentive so that these businesses with 50 employees can keep the 50 employees at 30 hours and get a benefit for providing them with health insurance; and when I say that, one that is pointed to the fact that you have 50 employees and you are willing to give insurance. As it is now, we know that the individual employees will get tax relief. But 7 million people have enrolled, Mr. Speaker. The fact that we had a record-breaking access to the Affordable Care Act, or interest, this bill seems to be the complete wrong direction to go. It is wrongheaded. I would ask my colleagues to vote against the bill that destroys the working people of America and puts them on their knees to work less hours. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2575, the so-called ``Save American Workers Act of 2014.'' This bill represents the 52nd time that House Republicans have tried to scuttle or impede the Affordable Care Act and deny Americans the security that comes from having access to affordable, high-quality health care. Their record to date is 0-51. The Affordable Care Act, which has been passed by both the House and Senate, signed by President, upheld by the Supreme Court, and ratified by the voters in the 2012 presidential election, is here to stay. It is long past time that House Republicans abandon their quixotic quest to derail a law that is bring so much peace of mind to millions of Americans and will reduce the deficit by $1 trillion. The Affordable Care Act is working. For example, in my State of Texas: 1. 5,198,000 individuals on private insurance have gained coverage for at least one free preventive health care service such as a mammogram, birth control, or an immunization in 2011 and 2012. In the first eleven months of 2013 alone, an additional 1,683,800 people with Medicare have received at least one preventive service at no out of pocket cost. 2. The up to 10,695,000 individuals with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, cancer, or diabetes--including up to 1,632,000 children-- will no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charged higher prices because of their health status or history. 3. Approximately 5,189,000 Texans have gained expanded mental health and substance use disorder benefits and/or federal parity protections. 4. 4,889,000 uninsured Texans will have new health insurance options through Medicaid or private health plans in the Marketplace. 5. As a result of new policies that make sure premium dollars work for the consumer, not just the insurer, in the past year insurance companies have sent rebates averaging $95 per family to approximately 726,200 consumers. 6. In the first ten months of 2013, 233,100 seniors and people with disabilities have saved on average $866 on prescription medications as the health care law closes Medicare's so-called ``donut hole.'' 7. 357,000 young adults have gained health insurance because they can now stay on their parents' health plans until age 26. 8. Individuals no longer have to worry about having their health benefits cut off after they reach a lifetime limit on benefits, and since in January, 7,536,000 Texans will no longer have had to worry about annual limits, either. 9. Health centers have received $293,038,000 to provide primary care, establish new sites, and renovate existing centers to expand access to quality health care. Texas has approximately 400 health center sites, which served about 1,079,000 individuals in 2012. I oppose this bill because its effect would be to deny employer provided health insurance to hard working employees who work more than 30 hours but less than 40 hours per week. If this bill were to become law in its current form, the health security of 10.2 percent of the workforce, or approximately 19.8 million workers, would be placed at risk. I offered two amendments to H.R. 2575 that would prevent this travesty but regrettably neither was made in order by the Rules Committee. Jackson Lee Amendment #1 would have improved this bad bill by amending the bill's 40-hour work week definition to include the employee's average commuting time in the computation of hours worked for purposes of determining ``full-time employment.'' Commuting time has become a major issue for those who work hourly wage jobs because their workday is much longer. According to the Bureau of the Census nearly 8.1 percent of American workers commute 60 minutes or longer. In 2011, almost 600,000 full-time workers had ``mega-commutes'' of at least 90 minutes and travel 50 miles or more from their homes. The daily average one-way travel to work for employees nationally is 25.5 minutes, and 1 out of 4 workers cross county lines to reach their jobs. Jackson Lee Amendment #2 would have amended the bill by delaying the effective date of the bill until the first month after there has been two consecutive quarters in which the national unemployment rate is below 5 percent, which would indicate the Nation has reached a full employment economy. Our Nation has taken a momentous step in creating a mindset that health insurance is a personal responsibility with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. The law did not automatically enroll all citizens into the program because it was specifically designed to be an opt-in process. This week all over the Nation, over 4 millions of Americans took the first step toward taking control of their lives by purchasing their first personal or family health insurance policy. Over the course of the sign-up process for the Affordable Care Act tens of thousands of visitors each day shopped the website and over 7.1 million people were added to private insurance roles as customers or have enrolled into Medicaid. Despite problems with the initial rollout of the online health insurance registration process, people were patient and persistent about getting coverage for themselves and their families. I have held many events in my District to inform and connect people with Navigators and Community Health Centers to support the message that it was time to get health insurance for yourself and your family. Why with 60 legislative days remaining in the Second Session of the 113th Congress before the end of the 2014 fiscal year, we are still seeing attempts to end the Affordable Care Act is a mystery to the American public who are voting with their own healthcare dollars for Obamacare. H.R. 2575 proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code by redefining a full-time employee for purposes of providing health insurance to only those workers who work a 40-hour work week. Mr. Speaker, few hourly workers in low-wage jobs work a 40-hour work week. These employees often rely on government assistance, which amounts to a hidden tax break to employers. Low wageworkers often rely upon public housing assistance, SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid to make ends meet. Health insurance should not be used as a status symbol, but a basic right for people who live in the world's most prosperous nation. I know that many predicted that the Affordable Care Act would cause havoc on the Nation's health care system, but it is not the ACA that is causing havoc--it is a small vocal minority within the majority party that is causing headaches and heartaches to doctors and their patients. I ask that my colleagues to join me in protecting workers by voting down this rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Thank you. If I could just make one final point. First of all, I am excited about the embracing by new Members like yourself who came out of State legislatures and knew how difficult it was to provide health insurance for our fellow Texans. But the embrace that you are now offering is one that gives us confidence that it will not be repealed, even though this is the 52nd time that it has been offered to repeal. I just want to leave these facts for you as you continue your debate. This is a values question. This is a fairness question. As you stand on the floor right now, the Budget Committee is meeting, with a budget as its underpinning, the underlying bill, that will give millionaires a $200,000 tax cut, and yet we have a bill here on the floor that wants to take the living substance from under the feet of workers working 30 hours a week, that gives them the stability and the confidence that they have health insurance for companies that are 50 and above, 50 persons and above. That is not a small company. I can tell you, I would ask that employer: Are you going to get rid of Mrs. Smith, who has given you 10 years of hard work, and put her at 29 hours because you don't want to give Mrs. Smith health insurance? I think we are on the right side of the issue on this. The Affordable Care Act has helped seniors, it has helped single parents, it has helped individuals with preexisting disease, and it has helped young people who have surged into buying it. We should continue to embrace it and recognize that it has a value and it is going to turn lives. My message to our Governor, if I can end on this note: Governor Perry, it is time to opt into the expanded Medicaid, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, which will give millions of others in the State of Texas their opportunity to benefit from good health care-- being healthy and being able to work. That is our challenge, and I look forward to working with you on these issues.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the convener of this Special Order and the colleagues I have heard since I have come to the floor, like Congresswoman Sanchez. Congressman Castro, thank you very much. Coming from similar territory--the State of Texas--I just hope that you will allow me, just for a moment, to juxtapose the present pending bill on the floor. I heard you speak of the bill, H.R. 2575, as well, and with all due respect to the proponent of the bill, it is confusing. It is confusing in the backdrop of the number that you have standing alongside of you, 7 million Americans and growing. Because there were many Americans who were in the queue--in the line, when March 31 came, and because of President Obama, they will now have extended the opportunity to finish the work, and I was with a lot of navigators and people enrolling over the weekend. They were excited about being able to finish the task. In Texas alone, that was the epicenter of unemployed. I keep saying, ``unemployed.'' Certainly, it has unemployed persons as well. There are 164,000 without unemployment insurance, which really is what baffles me about this effort at repeal and this effort of determining that, with 30 hours of hard work, you can't get health insurance. In the State of Texas, 5.198 million individuals on private insurance have gained coverage for at least one preventative health care service, such as mammograms, birth control, and immunizations. That is for people with private insurance. Also, 10.695 million individuals with preexisting conditions like asthma, cancer, or diabetes, including 1.6 children, will no longer have to be worried about being denied coverage in our own State alone. As well, 5.189 million Texans have gained expanded mental health and substance abuse or use disorder benefits, and 4 million-plus uninsured Texans will have new health insurance options through the idea of going into the marketplace. Also, 233,000 seniors and people with disabilities have saved $866 in prescription medications, and 357,000 young adults have gained health insurance, and 7 million Texans will no longer have to worry about annual limits. That is, of course, those who are uninsured and who can access the new Affordable Care Act insurance. The other point is that, over these last 2 days, we have seen the reality of Americans clamoring for health insurance, with 4 million people accessing the healthcare.gov Web site. And let me make this as breaking news--because this is what we were hearing from those opposing it--80 to 85 percent of those who have enrolled have paid their first premium. This is not a story of I have enrolled and you never hear from me again; this is a story of serious decisions being made by serious persons. Let me offer, as well, some of the tragedies over the years--and I am very pleased to have cast that vote for the Affordable Care Act. I have been to any number of townhall meetings to share it with my constituents, some of whom who did not understand or agree. In the course of the hearings, I have heard of so many stories that we don't repeat anymore, like the little girl that had leukemia. Her parents took her over and over again to the insurance company to get the opportunity for her to be covered. She had a preexisting disease. She had no coverage. She ultimately lost her life. I believe--I don't want to call up facts that are not accurate--they even took her to the insurance company's office to plead for her to be covered. It was at that point near the end of her life, which she shortly thereafter lost. We have the mother who came to us and said yes, her son had a difficult history. He was a trained lawyer. He was doing pro bono work. He was in Atlanta, Georgia. Frankly, he had gotten hepatitis. Because he had no health care, the only coverage he could get was from going into an emergency room. He had waited too long. He was going into the emergency room, being the only source of health care. If he had had the ability to go to a doctor, in spite of his history of drug abuse at that time--a trained lawyer--he would have been able to maintain his life. My last one is the issue of a young resident who took a summer position in Atlanta, Georgia, but his health care was in a 25-mile perimeter around Washington, D.C. He fell ill with kidney disease during that summer. His father was a doctor. He was a student. He didn't have the ability to stay on his parents' insurance. His insurance was a school-based insurance that said it could only be around the school. Congressman, his father had to drive hours to pick him up and put him in his car and pray for his survival and get him back into the perimeter of his health insurance. This is what we lived with before the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and before the President ultimately signed it, and so I am baffled as to why, for the 52nd time, there is an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act with H.R. 2575. Let me just say that the importance of this Special Order is to emphasize whose side Members are on. I am on the side of those who are clamoring for good health care and who have children who need good health care. I am on the side of those who need the expanded Medicaid and ask the State of Texas to do it. As I close, just on this bill, H.R. 2575, I am still trying to understand what it means to tell someone who works full time, 30 hours a week, in a company that has 50 employees, that you cannot get health care. So to the employers out there, frankly, I believe that some people are speaking for you that may not be really speaking for you. Because when you pay your employees and they get health care, they have more cash to buy your goods. More people have income to come back to the grocery store, come back to the restaurant, come to the small clothing store, or to buy flowers. Why would you deny employees health care so that they can get sick, go to the emergency room, and have days off? It doesn't make sense. I think this bill is way before its time. There is no evidence that we need to reduce the hours of working Americans. There is evidence that we should pass unemployment insurance for those who are chronically unemployed. We need to do that. There is evidence to raise the minimum wage, but there is no evidence that this is a problem of catastrophic moment that we are debating it for 4 hours on the floor. So I want to congratulate the gentleman for his leadership on this question.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 92, which authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition. It is altogether fitting and proper that we do this. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation's monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people. Carved on its walls are the names of 19,981 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1791. Enshrined on the Memorial Wall of Honor are the names of 1,653 fallen peace officers from the state of Texas, the most of any state, including 114 members of the Houston Police Department who gave their lives to keep their city safe. I ask unanimous consent to include a list of these fallen heroes from Houston, Texas. Mr. Speaker, today there are more than 900,000 law enforcement personnel serving the people of our country, the highest amount ever. About 12 percent of them are female. These brave men and women risk their lives to keep the peace and keep us safe but they are too often taken by the violence they are working to prevent. Every year, a law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in the United States every 57 hours, and there are also 58,261 assaults against our law officers each year, resulting in 15,658 injuries. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Law Enforcement Caucus I am proud to represent the people of the 18th Congressional District of Texas in paying tribute to the 321 fallen heroes who will be joining the 19,981 gallant men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion to the communities they took an oath to protect and serve. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of the officers whose names will be added to the National Peace Officers Memorial Wall of Honor.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding, and I thank the manager of this legislation. I rise with an appreciation for this legislation and also a concern. I think this legislation would have been important to have been referred and for the waiver not to be exercised to the Homeland Security Committee. I serve as the ranking member on the Border Security and Maritime Security Committee, and it is known that the Coast Guard has a responsibility for defending the Nation's maritime borders. It is charged with port waterway and coastal security. With that in mind, it would be appropriate to address those questions of Homeland Security. I notice that this bill limits and reduces the number of commissioned officers, alters the mission of Coast Guard centers, and did not come before our committee. At a hearing on the oil spill in Houston, which has an impact on America's waterways, particularly around the gulf region and has an impact on security, it was clear that the Coast Guard were the first responders. They were the first responders in terms of the potential rescue. They were the first responders in terms of being the cops of the waterway, to ensure that all of those who needed to use that waterway and the ports were able do so. They were the ones that protected the individuals that were on cruise lines that were left offshore, and they were, of course, taking care of commerce. This is clearly part of the responsibility of Homeland Security. As I indicated, we are very proud of the Coast Guard. I am always reminded of the great service they rendered during Hurricane Katrina, saving over 1,000 persons. I rise today to hope that we will have an opportunity to address the questions dealing with security. As I do so, however, I want to commend Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., who is a commandant now of the United States Coast Guard, 24th United States Coast Guard Commandant and has served 39 years. Let us salute this great American.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Commandant Papp is a great American. He has been a friend to not only those of us in the United States Congress who are on the responsible committees, but he has been a friend to his men and women that serve in the United States Coast Guard. Commandant Papp, we salute you for your grand service and look forward to your continued service to America, but more importantly, we owe you a great deal of respect and honor. Thank you so very much. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak with reservations regarding the consideration of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act under a suspension because the bill establishes appropriations limits; reduces the number of commissioned officers; alters the mission of Coast Guard Centers; and did not come before the Homeland Security Committee under a sequential referral. The bill before the House accomplishes several goals that may have been shared by the House Transportation Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security, but it also addresses areas that should have had more deliberation before coming to the House Floor for a vote with no opportunity to amend the legislation. On February 11, 2014, as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I joined Ranking Member of the Full Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson in writing to urge a sequential referral of H.R. 4005, the ``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.'' We were disappointed with the decision of the Homeland Security's Chair and Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security to waive the Committee's right to a sequential referral of this important homeland security legislation. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is charged with port, waterway, and coastal security, putting them on the forefront of defending the Nation's maritime borders. On March 25, 2014, I participated in the hearing held by the Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communication when FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate testified. One of the provisions of H.R. 4005 would prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from making a determination that a waterway is navigable for purposes of the Coast Guard's jurisdiction without conducting a rulemaking under appropriate administrative procedures. This provision of H.R. 4005 could have huge repercussions in an emergency related to a waterway's safety. I raised the issue with Administrator Fugate regarding the critical role of the Coast Guard in making sure that our ports and waterways are navigable because of the 168,000 gallons of oil spilled due to a tugboat accident into the Port of Houston which led to a shutdown. The Port of Houston is critical infrastructure: According to the Department of Commerce in 2012, Texas exports totaled $265 billion. The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. In 2012 ship channel-related businesses contribute 1,026,820 jobs and generate more than $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact. For the past 11 consecutive years, Texas has outpaced the rest of the country in exports. First ranked U.S. port in foreign tonnage; Second ranked U.S. port in total tonnage; Seventh ranked U.S. container port by total TEUs in 2012; Largest Texas port with 46 percent of market share by tonnage; Largest Texas container port with 96 percent market share in containers by total TEUs in 2012; Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67 percent of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic in 2012; Second ranked U.S. port in terms of cargo value (based on CBP Customs port definitions). The Government Accountability Office (GAO), reports that this port, and its waterways, and vessels are part of an economic engine handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually. The Port of Houston houses approximately 100 steamship lines offering services that link Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries. The Port of Houston has $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide. The bill does establish rules for the Coast Guard engaging in ice patrol agreements with other nations and the need to establish reimbursement agreements prior to the commitment of resources in ice patrols. The bill provides for compensation of ship owners and operators who provide necessary support to seafarers paroled into the United States to facilitate investigations, reporting, documentation, or adjudications. The bill also addresses the definition of ``high-risk waters,'' for the purpose of determining when owners and operators of U.S. vessels carrying government-impelled cargo are to be reimbursed for the cost of providing armed on-board safety personnel. Since being established as a standing committee in the 109th Congress, the Homeland Security Committee has failed to receive a referral of a bill authorizing the Coast Guard only during periods of Republican control of the House of Representatives. In contrast, during the 110th and 111th Congresses, during our time in the Majority, we insisted that both bills authorizing the Coast Guard be referred to the Committee. Given the critical role the Coast Guard plays in ensuring the security of our ports and maritime system the Homeland Security Committee should never waive its right to consider legislation directly related to homeland security. The Committee on Homeland Security had no chance to provide valuable input in the drafting of H.R. 4005. H.R. 4005, is an important bill that should have had the attention of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and if not members should have had an opportunity to offer amendments during full House Consideration of the bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, they said it couldn't be done, but as of yesterday and early this morning, 7,000,041 individuals here in the United States accessed and enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. Is it working? Do people want health care? Yes, they do. Do they want access to the Affordable Care Act? Yes, they do. These numbers will probably grow when the State exchanges begin to report their various individuals that enrolled under their system. In the State of Texas, going all the way from last week until the lines around Reliant Stadium, to individuals staying until 10 o'clock at the Community of Faith Church, which I was at with Bishop James Dixon, to the Harris County Department of Education and 500 or 600 there, yes, we want affordable care and the Affordable Care Act to give health care to all Americans. Now, we need to tell the States that you have left out millions of those who could benefit from the expanded Medicaid. I ask Governor Perry of the State of Texas to stop denying the millions of Texans who would be eligible under the expanded Medicaid to have health insurance. Stop denying them health insurance. This is a celebration. More will come, and it is good to know that the work that was done is benefiting Americans.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the managers of this legislation, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for their leadership and for their commitment, as I acknowledge the other body as well. This morning, a bright announcement came from Mr. Putin that he was drawing Russians to a program of exercise in the name of labor and defense. Someone said it is reminiscent of past history, when other despots drew their Nation together in massive public exercises to show the world that they were not going to be part of the world order. I believe in peace. I believe that we should be engaged, that diplomacy is right. I also don't believe in condemnation of a Nation purely for its ideological disagreement. In this instance, it is important for the United States to make a public stand. As a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Exchange, meeting with Europeans over the years, I know that they are proud of the democracy that they have maintained since the horrors of World War II. Today, the United States, with the passage of this legislation, and ultimately hopefully the signing by the President, will tell the world that the United States stands firmly with its own democratic principles. But the people of Ukraine, those in Kiev and places around, will still have the knowledge that America stands by it economically, with loan guarantees, but it also stands against a despot who has illegally moved into a sovereign Nation, with no provocation, undermining the military base of Ukraine. So I would ask my colleagues to join against a despot and for a people and support the underlying legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4278, the ``Ukraine Support Act.'' I support this legislation because I stand in solidarity with the freedom loving people of Ukraine, who are under siege from Russian encroachment. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4278 authorizes $70 million in aid to Ukraine, including $50 million for democracy and civil society efforts. The bill also codifies and expands sanctions imposed this month by the Obama Administration against certain Russian officials and calls on President Obama to sanction Russian officials, corporations and those engaged in the Russian arms sector who have undermined the Ukrainian government or committed human rights abuses. The President is also authorized to examine whether Russia has violated a 1988 arms treaty and permits him to freeze assets and deny visas. Specifically, the bill authorizes $50 million for the President to provide assistance to support democracy and strengthen civil society in Ukraine. This assistance is to be used to improve transparency, rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts; strengthen political organizations; and protect independent media as Ukraine prepares for free and fair elections in May. Additionally, up to $10 million is authorized for Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty and Voice of America to increase broadcasts into eastern Ukraine (including Crimea), Moldova and other nearby ethnic Russian communities. The broadcasts should, in particular, counter misinformation from Russia-supported news outlets. In addition to this direct aid, the bill also supports the people of Ukraine in the following ways: 1. Encourages the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to prioritize investments in Ukraine; 2. Authorizes $8 million to help Ukraine develop an independent judiciary and eliminate human rights abuses by law enforcement authorities; 3. Encourages increased U.S. security cooperation among NATO states in Central and Eastern Europe through military training, exercises and the exchange of defense articles, and directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress within 30 days of enactment with a review of U.S. security assistance to that country; 4. Expresses the sense of Congress that the administration should provide expedited assistance to the Ukrainian government to identify and recover assets stolen from the government or linked to corruption by former officials, including former President Viktor Yanukovych; and 5. Offsets the cost of assistance to Ukraine by reducing the $1.5 billion authorized for Pakistan in the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 by $70 million. That is why I strongly support the codification of three Presidential executive orders issued in March sanctioning individuals involved in the violence in Ukraine or who undermine the independence, sovereignty, or territorial or economic integrity of Ukraine. Such sanctions could include the seizure of financial assets, the denial of visas, and other penalties. The sanctions could be ended if the President certifies to Congress that Ukrainian sovereignty, independence or territorial integrity is not being violated by Russia or any other state actor, or after Jan. 1, 2020, if the President certifies that their termination is in the national security interest of the United States. Finally, the bill requires the President, within 30 days of enactment and within 180 days thereafter for at least two years, to report to Congress on senior Russian political figures who are engaged in such activity. It also requires the President, along identical timelines, to report to Congress on foreign financial institutions (especially Russian banks) to determine whether they are involved in the confiscation of Ukrainian assets; money laundering, terrorist or proliferation financing, or actively helping to skirt sanctions; or helping to annex Crimea. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should expand the list of Russian officials--currently at 18--sanctioned for gross human rights violations under the Magnitsky Act of 2012. Mr. Speaker, it is right that the civilized world, led by the United States, opposes aggression and the violation of territorial sovereignty by the Putin regime. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass H.R. 4278.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 4302, the so-called ``Protecting Access to Medicare Act,'' which extends current Medicare physician reimbursement rates for one year. I strongly support providing adequate compensation to our physicians who serve Medicare patients. Medicare patients in every state make up 10% or more of those who have health insurance. I oppose H.R. 4302 because it does not provide a long-term fix for Medicare payments to physicians, and the misvalued services under the physician payment system has not been addressed. The core purpose of the bill is found in its name, the ``Sustainable Growth Rate,'' but that purpose is not being met because the reimbursement rate to physicians is not sustainable for a robust medical care safety net for our nation's seniors. CMS has made changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and other Medicare payment policies to improve efficiency and accuracy in Medicare payment and the quality of care for our beneficiaries. CMS has improved payment for primary care services, while enhancing efforts to address payment for misvalued services under the physician payment system. CMS has begun to implement important delivery system reforms included in the Affordable Care Act, which includes the value-based payment modifier that provides incentives for physicians and physician groups to furnish high-quality, efficient care. Congress needs to do its part in implementing a reimbursement rate that reflects the reality of providing the care our nation's seniors need and expect. Medicare patients and the medical payments made to their physicians and medical service providers' is critical to our nation's health care economy. It is important for our seniors to know that Medicare will be there when they need it. But it is equally important that there are physicians who are willing to attend to them without going broke. That is why we have a Sustainable Growth Rate or ``SGR.'' Medicare reimbursement enables rural physicians and hospitals to remain open for business. This bill should not impose another round of arbitrary provider payment reductions to maintain a dysfunctional policy that many member of this House knows should be ended. This bill undermines the future passage of the framework that was part of the original bipartisan SGR bill that the House had the chance to vote on earlier this month. We should return to that bill and pass it without any gimmicks so that the modernization of the Medicare health care delivery and payment innovations that can strengthen the program can be implemented. Mr. Speaker, I have always strongly supported providing adequate compensation to our physicians who serve Medicare patients because it is important for our seniors to know that Medicare will be there when they need it. Thus, it is critical that we not disrupt timely and adequate payment to Medicare providers. The bill before us will provide payment certainty for one year, but only for one year. This is not acceptable--if we do not press the issue of reform now--when will it be addressed? This is better than nothing but what must really be done to provide our seniors and physicians the certainty and security they deserve is to reach an agreement on a permanent replacement for the SGR that is fair, responsible, and fiscally sustainable. Instead of wasting time trying to repeal, impede, or undermine the Affordable Care Act, or making it more difficult for physicians who care for the elderly we should be working together to reach an agreement on a permanent replacement for the SGR and the $138 billion in offsets needed to pay for that legislation. That is what the American people sent us here to do.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemeorate the 27th observance of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Developmental disabilities may be visible or invisible and range from physical impairment that involves vision or mobility to those conditions that affect cognitive functions related to how the brain processes information or how someone learns. Developmental disabilities include: autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays have increased, requiring more health and education services. Everyone is on a continuum that moves us from ability to disability in one aspect or another. Through age, accidents, or illness, the healthy can become disabled. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas that are recognized in children from birth until age 22. The effects of development disabilities will last a lifetime. From birth to 5 years, a child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move. Tracking a child's development for signs that they are not reaching key milestones in development is critical for early diagnosis and interventions that can help children. People with developmental disabilities have problems with language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. A Center for Disease Control study of 119,367 children aged 3-17 found that boys had a higher prevalence for a certain developmental disabilities when compared with girls. In the CDC study, parents or legal guardians were asked if their child had: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, moderate to profound hearing loss, intellectual disability, learning disorders, seizures, stuttering/ stammering, and other developmental delay. Hispanic children had the lowest prevalence of developmental disabilities when compared with non-Hispanic white and black children. Prevalence of any developmental disability increased from 12.84 percent to 15.04 percent over the past 12 years. Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays increased, whereas hearing loss showed a significant decline. When developmental disabilities go misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or untreated the capacity of our nation's children to reach their full potential is undermined. The prevalence of any Developmental Disability in 1997-2008 was 13.87 percent. Prevalence of learning disabilities was 7.66 percent; prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was 6.69 percent; prevalence of other developmental delay was 3.65 percent; and, prevalence of autism was 0.47 percent. Over the last 12 years: Developmental Disabilities has increased 17.1 percent--that's about 1.8 million more children with DDs in 2006- 2008 compared to a decade earlier; prevalence of autism increased 289.5 percent; prevalence of ADHD increased 33.0 percent; and, prevalence of hearing loss decreased 30.9 percent. In addition, data from this study showed that: Males had twice the prevalence of any Developmental Disabilities than females and more specifically had higher prevalence of ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, stuttering/stammering and other Developmental Disabilities; Hispanic children had lower prevalence of several disorders compared to non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black children, including ADHD and learning disabilities; Non-Hispanic black children had higher prevalence of stuttering/stammering than non- Hispanic white children; and Children from families with income below the federal poverty level had a higher prevalence of Developmental Disorders. Mr. Speaker, much progress has been made in the 27 years since President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. But there is still much work to be done to ensure our fellow citizens with such disabilities have the resources and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 27th observance of the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and to add my respect and understanding that developmental disabilities may be visible or invisible and range from physical impairment that involves vision or mobility to those conditions that affect cognitive functions related to how the brain processes information and how someone learns. I am also actively involved in the Dyslexia Caucus in efforts to shine the light on dyslexia. Developmental disabilities, which include autism, deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays, have increased, requiring more health and education services. I want to reemphasize the need for access to education services but also to work. It is not a respect of age. Sometimes it comes because of accident or of illness that people can become disabled, but they are still deserving of the opportunity to work, and they also deserve the opportunity to access the various assets that this country has. It is important that we focus on language, focus on mobility, and we provide the resources necessary. My salute to those who are supporting the improvement of access for those suffering from developmental disabilities or experiencing it. We look forward to working together.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. To my colleagues, I say good morning. Madam Speaker, it is good to be an American, and it is good to have the opportunity to celebrate the greatest democracy in the world. That is why I stand today and join my Democratic colleagues as they appear on the east steps in calling all colleagues to stand under the bright shining Sun to celebrate that democracy, for, today, Democrats will stand united, calling upon our Republican friends to push for a vote on comprehensive, reasonable, sensible immigration reform. I stand with these icons: Remember always that all of us--that you and I especially-- are descendants from immigrants and revolutionists--President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources, because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and people--President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life--President John F. Kennedy. He never strayed away from his strong Irish heritage. Then, of course, in Women's History Month: I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity, and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here--former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Sheila Jackson Lee, a descendant of Jamaican immigrants. My grandmother and grandfather came by way of the Panama Canal. Today, I can go to the Panama Canal and see my grandfather's name X'd there, for he worked with his hands to build the Panama Canal. Then the family traveled with small suitcases to South Carolina and, ultimately, made a life in this great Nation. What a privilege it is to serve in this body as a descendant, as someone who has recent immigrant grandparents who came to this Nation for opportunity. Finally, let me offer these thoughts through this quote: This issue has been around for too long. A comprehensive approach is long overdue, and I am confident that the President, myself, and others can find the common ground to take care of this issue once and for all--House Speaker John Boehner. Mr. Speaker, I ask you today to stand with those eloquent and important Americans, Presidents and Secretaries of State who have indicated that we are better for the immigrant opportunities that we have been given. Mr. Boehner, we want a vote now. As you look, you will see a picture of Leader Pelosi and of myself and of my colleague from Alabama (Ms. Sewell). We are not important, but the children are who are here, who are diverse in their understanding of cultural diversity. Madam Speaker, these children speak Chinese and Spanish. They are 2 years old and 3 years old and 4 years old. They are in the Barbara Jordan International Child Care Center. We know we need child care, and they understand the richness of what happens with diversity. Let me share with you very briefly that there are 16.4 percent of Texans who are foreign born: 42 percent are Latino or Asian; 87 percent of children with immigrant parents are U.S. citizens, and 75 percent of those children are English fluent. These are individuals who want to contribute to America. Asian-owned businesses in Texas create $40.2 billion in revenue, and Latino-owned create $61.9 billion in revenue from their businesses. Here are the results of deporting rather than putting forward comprehensive immigration reform legislation, not for people who want to do you harm but who want to do you good. I am glad that H.R. 1417 is in the bill that we want to vote on. That is the bipartisan Homeland Security bill that I helped write that came out in a bipartisan manner, but this is what America will do to herself without comprehensive immigration reform: We will lose, in wages, $33.2 billion if you deport every person who is nonstatus. In tax revenue, you will lose $14.5 billion. In jobs creation, you will lose $77.7 billion in the decrease of gross State product. This is from the State of Texas alone. So, in actuality, comprehensive immigration reform creates jobs, and it creates opportunities. But do you know what? It is the right thing to do. As a young child, I looked to the Statue of Liberty for such inspiration. I remember school trips of my going to the Statue of Liberty, and I am reminded of that extending arm that said it welcomes those who are worn and those who are forlorn. It welcomes them to the greatest democracy in the world. Give us a vote right now. We want to vote for comprehensive immigration reform. We want these children to grow up in a democracy that is befitting of this great Nation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained during a vote on H.R. 2824, the Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act, on Lowenthal amendment No. 1. If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' In addition, Mr. Speaker, on H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, I was unavoidably detained with my constituents in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted a resounding ``yes,'' for this legislation will bring much-needed relief to our constituents on the gulf coast.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning I want to take a few moments to share thoughts with my colleagues on a number of items that I believe we should be focused on. Before I do that, I want to join my friends and colleagues from the great State of Washington to express my concern and my sympathy for the people of Darrington and Oso on Highway 530 that have experienced this terrible devastation of a mudslide. To the families of those who lost their loved ones, we mourn and pray for you; and to those who are still missing, we thank the first responders and pray for their accuracy in discerning and finding those that are alive. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and as we have a hearing this morning on emergency preparedness, I am asking that all of the resources that the delegation from Washington request, and, as well, the Governor of that State, that all of us will embrace them, stand as Americans, unite behind them and provide the resources as we do for our fellow brothers and sisters in this country because it is the American way that we never leave a lonely person along the highway of despair. We always provide for them. And I want those people in Darrington and the city of Oso to know that we will not leave you along the highway of despair. I want to now challenge this Congress, the other body, as they proceed to move on what actions should be taken in Ukraine. We know that Americans are war-weary, but if we have principles of democracy, if we believe there is an international world order, we cannot sit idly by and not act. So I am grateful that the President has strongly denounced Russia's actions and has begun to move on strong sanctions. I would argue that there should be more. We should ensure that the new Ukrainian Government that wants to cling to aspects of democracy and wants to associate with a democratic Europe, that they be allowed to strengthen themselves. We cannot have a timidness on behalf of Europe, so busy worrying about their pocketbook that they will stamp on their principles. Some European countries are now wavering about sanctions. I would suggest to them that they are dangerously providing an opportunity for Russia to continue its aggressive and illegal acts. You must have principles. You must provide the strength to sanction. One can travel through the years of history in the 20th century and be reminded of those who get one step of aggression and watch as they march across Europe. I am very glad that there will be no meeting of G8 in Sochi, and I would ask that we continue to isolate Russia. Russia violates the human rights of its own people. It does not even recognize the LGBT community, and they are persecuted. What more do we have to hear from Russia and its head of government to not know that they must suffer the consequences of their acts. I stand with the people of Ukraine because I believe in democracy, I believe in peace and human dignity, and I believe America has those values that we can ensure through the world family that Russia understands that they are not part of the world order of democracy and the freedom of people. I might also add, Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, all of us have watched, some with intenseness the Malaysian aircraft. With great disappointment and sadness, we are told, without all of the facts, not knowing what the recent announcements have been, that this aircraft, this airliner may be lost. But it opens our eyes to the crisis of airline security and technology. I call upon the aviation industry to stop hiding behind costs and how much it costs and start ensuring that our pilots and our customers, our flying public are safe. Why do we have the capacity to dismantle the transponders? Why wasn't the emergency call already in place that automatically signals when an aircraft goes off its designated destination as relates to its flight pattern? Why does it have to be done manually? The mysterious turn. Homeland Security will be having a hearing on the false passport. Finally, Mr. Speaker, it is overdue for us to pass comprehensive immigration reform, and I will continue that discussion.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2824, the so-called ``Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act.'' I oppose the bill because it would misdirect limited resources and limit State discretion in regulating industries within their borders. The bill would require State surface coal mining regulatory agencies to implement the discredited 2008 Stream Buffer Zone Rule--promulgated by the Bush Administration--for a mandatory implementation period, which inadequately protects drinking water and watersheds from strip mining. H.R. 2824 replaces sensible Reagan-era protections for streams and communities in Appalachia from mountaintop mining with the flawed 2008 Bush rule that has been rejected by a federal court, most states, and the Administration. The bill puts families at risk by stopping the current updating of federal rules, wasting time and money, while delaying development of a responsible stream protection rule for years. The bill allows big coal companies--many of whom export their coal-- to reap larger profits, while families in Appalachia pay the price through with degraded water, flooding, and health impacts. In opposing this misguided legislation I stand with a broad range of conservation and environmental groups, including American Rivers, Environment America, Clean Water Action, League of Conservation Voters, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, and Sierra Club. Mr. Chair, waste from mountaintop removal coal mining has buried over 2,000 miles of streams throughout Appalachia. This practice destroys wildlife habitat, contaminates surface and drinking water, and leads to flooding. As a number of new studies show, there is an increased incidence of cancer, birth defects, lung disease, and heart disease for those living and working near these mines. In December 2008, the Bush Administration finalized a last-minute rule that weakened Reagan-era protections for streams from the impacts of mountaintop removal mining. The Bush rule was challenged in court and in February 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated the rule, finding that the Bush Administration's refusal to consider the impacts of stream fills on threatened or endangered species in drafting the rule had been illegal. The bill before us seeks to write the midnight Bush rule into law and require all states to incorporate it into their state mining regulations. Mr. Chair, it makes no sense to require the states to adopt a vacated rule that has already been vacated by a federal court, especially when the Obama Administration is in the process of finalizing a new stream protection rule providing for responsible development while protecting our communities and environment. This new rule will reflect the significant technological and scientific advances in mining practices that avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental damage from coal mining. Mr. Chair, I support the amendment offered by Congressman Lowenthal that would keep in place implementation of the Reagan Administration rule. I also support the amendment offered by Congressman Cartwright that would ensure that states retain the ability to issue their own stream buffer rules. But I do not support the underlying bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2824 and reject this misguided, irresponsible, and harmful legislation. Then let us finally get to work on the issues the American people care about.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a question that the American people have been raising for more than a decade: When will we address the question of human dignity of so many who are in our country who desire the status of citizenship? When will we pass a sensible, reasonable immigration reform legislation or package? Will we combine our concern for national security with border security, along with human dignity? The question is being asked by constituents from my 18th Congressional District in Houston. It is being asked by the American Jewish Committee. It is being asked by Cardinal DiNardo in the most eloquent and passionate way as they met last week to hear from voices of those who have not heard the answer. Or the 139 who showed up at a press conference some weeks ago, standing with me, demanding that people be given their human dignity. Or the leadership from Ireland who was here at a St. Patrick's Day luncheon who stood up and asked the Speaker, When are we going to put comprehensive immigration reform on the floor of the House. This is a multicultural challenge to America. This is an economic challenge. This is from the Irish. This is from South Asians, from Asians. This is from people from Bangladesh, from Poland. It is all over America. Let's pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues with the Congressional Black Caucus in this Special Order in recognition of Women's History Month. I want to offer a special mention for the U.S. House of Representatives women firsts: Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin of Montana who was the first elected woman member of the House of Representatives; Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress; Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm of New York who was the first African-American Congresswoman member of the House of Representatives; and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen whom we have the honor of working with is the first Hispanic woman elected to serve in Congress. National Women's History Month's roots go back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women's Day was first observed in 1909. In 1981, Congress passed a law authorizing the President to proclaim March 7, 1982 as ``Women's History Week.'' It was a modest beginning, but very significant to women because it started a societal and cultural change in how women--and especially young girls saw themselves within the American story. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress has passed a resolution for Women's History Month, and the President has issued a proclamation. This month we recognize Women's History Month by noting the fundamental role women have played in shaping America's history. But I say to you that a month is not enough to make known the significant contributions of women to the success of the United States of America. We taught our girls about Rosie the Riveter who represented the millions of American women who went to work on assembly lines to manufacture tanks, planes, and weapons for the defense of this nation during World War II. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 863, the National Women's History Commission Act. The bill would establish a Commission to study the potential for creating a National Women's History Museum and submit to the President and Congress a report containing recommendations on a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, DC. Congressional action is needed to be sure that when the story of our nation is told that the role of women is represented in the narrative of our nation. I along with my colleagues participating in this special order are urging passage of H.R. 863, to study the potential creation of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, DC, on or near the National Mall. The Shriver Report, ``A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink: Some Recommended Steps for Government, Businesses, and Women'' reported on the economic health of the average American woman. Today, women make up half the U.S. workforce, but the average full time working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average full time working man makes. There are many women in the State of Texas and in the city of Houston who have made significant contributions to the American story: Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas was the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives; Kathryn ``Kathy'' Whitmire was the first woman elected to serve in Houston City government; and Mae Carol Jemison was the first African-American woman astronaut. These many accomplishments do not mean there is not more that needs to be done. There is still a long way for women to go according to the Shriver Report. Women are more than 50 percent of the population and more than 50 percent of the votes. A woman working full time, all year at a minimum-wage job, or a job close to the minimum wage, will not be able to bring her family above the poverty line. Families need an income closer to 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold to escape the brink. In the Shriver Report's survey: 73 percent of Americans said that in order to raise the incomes of working women and their families, they strongly favor the government ensuring that women get equal pay for equal work; 79 percent of Americans said the government should expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare for working families; Almost 60 percent of Americans said women raising children on their own face tremendous challenges and should be helped financially by government, employers, and communities; and If we are going to win the war on poverty we must wage and win the war of discrimination of women in the workforce. Pay inequality is not just a women's issue--it is a family income equality issue. Texas Low Wage Worker Bureau of Labor Statistics In 2012, Texas ranked second among the 50 states with workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 6.1 million workers are paid hourly rates in Texas in 2012, In Texas 282,000 earned exactly the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, while 170,000 earned less. From 2011 to 2012, the number of Texas workers who earned at or below the federal minimum wage was 7.5 percent. The percentage of workers earning less than the federal minimum in 2012 was 2.8 percent, while the share earning exactly the minimum wage was 4.7 percent. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to help celebrate Women's History Month by becoming cosponsors of H.R. 863. By the Numbers 161 million: The number of females in the U.S. as of December 2013. The number of males was 156.1 million. 2 to 1: At 85 and older, the approximate ratio by which women outnumbered men in 2012 (3.9 million to 2.0 million). Jobs 74.8 million: The number of females 16 and older who participated in the civilian labor force in 2012. Women comprised 47.4 percent of the civilian labor force in 2012. 41.6%: Percent of employed females 16 and over in 2012 (annual average) who worked in management, professional and related occupations, compared with 34.7 percent of employed males in the same year (annual average). Military 1.6 million: Number of female veterans in the United States in 2012. Earnings $37,791: The median annual earnings of women 15 or older who worked year-round, full time in 2012. In comparison, the median annual earnings of men were $49,398. 77 cents: The amount that female year-round, full time workers earned in 2012 for every dollar their male counterparts earned. This ratio was statistically unchanged from 2011. Education 11.3 million: Number of women college students in fall 2012. Women comprised 56.8 percent of all college students. 31.4: Percent of women 25 and older who had obtained a bachelor's degree or more as of 2012. 25%: Percentage of women 18 and older with an alternative educational credential--such as professional certifications, licenses and educational--not statistically different from men. However, women had higher rates of alternative credentials than men at the bachelor's degree and advanced degree levels. 15%: Among people with advanced degrees, the percentage of women who held educational certificates compared with 12 percent of men; 51 percent of women held professional certifications or licenses compared with 43 percent of men. Voting 63.7%: Percentage of female citizens 18 and older who reported voting in the 2012 presidential election, in comparison to 59.7 percent of their male counterparts. Motherhood 85.4 million: Estimated number of mothers in the U.S. in 2009. 1.9: Average number of children that women 40 to 44 had given birth to as of 2010, down from 3.1 children in 1976, the year the Census Bureau began collecting such data. The percentage of women in this age group who had given birth was 81 percent in 2010, down from 90 percent in 1976. Marriage 66 million: Number of married women 18 and older (including those who were separated or had an absent spouse) in 2013. 5.2 million: Number of stay-at-home mothers nationwide in 2013; compared with 214,000 stay-at-home fathers.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong opposition to H.R. 4015, the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 because of the passage of the Rule to this bill. I am not alone in opposing this irresponsible measure. I am joined by AARP, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, American Osteopathic Association, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc., Families USA, Medicare Rights Center, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the National Council on Aging. I strongly support providing adequate compensation to our physicians who serve Medicare patients. Medicare patients in very state make up 10 percent or more of those who have health insurance. Medicare patients and the medical payments made to their physicians and medical service providers is critical to our nation's health care economy. It is important for our seniors to know that Medicare will be there when they need it. But it is equally important that there are physicians who are willing to attend to them without going broke. That is why we have a Sustainable Growth Rate or ``SGR.'' Medicare reimbursement enables rural physicians and hospitals to remain open for business. As with any business, medical clinics and physician offices have payrolls to meet, bills to pay, and expenses to meet as they become due. If revenues are not sufficient to cover costs, the business will not long survive. Thus, it is critical that we not disrupt timely and adequate payment to Medicare providers, but that is exactly what will happen at the end of this month if the SGR is not approved by the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Obama. The problem with H.R. 4015 is what happened when the Rule for this bill passed the House. The rule for H.R. 4015 added language that would delay the Affordable Care Act's implementation of the individual mandate. I oppose the bill for two reasons: It corrupts what was a strongly supported bipartisan bill to sustain physician reimbursement rates for medical services approved under Medicare, and It is another attempt by the Republicans to mislead the public regarding the Affordable Care Act. I know that many predicted that the Affordable Care Act would cause havoc on the nation's health care system. But it is not the ACA that is causing havoc--it is the 50 desperate but futile attempts by the Tea Party to scuttle a law that has been passed by Congress, signed by the President, upheld by the Supreme Court. The most threatening actions to our nation's healthcare system by Tea Party Republicans are their attacks on Medicare. In 2014, according to the Kaiser Foundation 16 percent of the nation's people have medical insurance under Medicare: Texas has 12 percent of its residents insured under Medicare; Arkansas, Florida and Vermont have 19 percent of their residents insured under Medicare; West Virginia and Maine have 21 percent of their residents insured under Medicare; and Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Oregon have 18 percent of their residents insured under Medicare. Every state has more than 10 percent of their residents insured by Medicare. The uncertainly created by the majority regarding Medicare reimbursement over the last several years has forced physicians to reevaluate continuing their medical practice and frustrated hospitals working to make budget projections over several years into the future-- this is critical to business decision making. Because of uncertainty created by Medicare physician reimbursement-- physicians and hospitals have been forced to close their offices, reduce services, or merge. When patients find they cannot keep their physician or that their options for health care are being affected--it is not because of the Affordable Care Act. Our nation has taken a momentous step in creating a mindset that good health is a personal responsibility with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. The health care law did not automatically enroll all citizens into the program; it was specifically designed to be an opt-in process. There are tens of thousands of visitors each day to the website and despite problems with the initial rollout of the online health insurance registration process, millions have enrolled and experience the peace of mind that comes from having affordable, high quality health insurance that is there when you need it. So it is puzzling that with less than 70 legislative days remaining in the Second Session of the 113th Congress, we are still seeing attempts to end the Affordable Care Act. It is very troubling that a bill critical to the provision of payments to physicians that treat Medicare patients is not safe from the partisan political games of the House of Republicans. The House should be considering legislation to address the most pressing needs of the American people. Today, we should be debating legislation to extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits. The House should be debating a jobs creation bill to put Americans who are seeking employment back to work. We know that for every person who gets a job--three others are still searching for employment. This is another attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Instead of trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, House Republicans are now seeking ways to impede or frustrate its implementation. After shutting down the federal government last year in an attempt to end the Affordable Care Act, they have resorted to their latest gimmick of attaching to a critically needed piece of legislation to make sure our nation's seniors continue to have access to physicians and hospitals an attempt to harm Obamacare. I ask my colleagues to support Medicare patients and their physicians by rejecting the bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, just a couple of weeks ago the eyes of the world were looking at the people of Russia, and all of the world gathered together at the international Olympics, athletes of varying backgrounds harmoniously competing in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. Certainly those of us in the United States watched with great pride our athletes represent our Nation and their own special talent. It is unfortunate today that President Putin has undermined and destroyed all of that goodwill. I believe it is important that the United States continue to engage with Ukraine, a sovereign nation, and continues to encourage Secretary Kerry, as the President is doing, for diplomatic resolution. A couple of days from now there will be a vote to cede away from Ukraine, a sovereign nation. President Putin has boots on the ground on soil that is not his, and the world must stand up in a manner that collaborates and embraces. No, I am not calling for military action by the United States, collaboration with NATO. But they are people who desire democracy, and we are a democracy and we should be there and stand alongside of them.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this happens to be Women's History Month. I will continue to salute the dynamic women of this Nation. I rise today as a founder and cochair of the Congressional Children's Caucus and indicate to my colleagues that I believe we are overdue for naming children as our number one priority. Working with First Focus, I intend to introduce a children's budget for the needs of our children. We have left children behind. Many times, the issues around children are discussed in a partisan way. Who wants early childhood education? Who wants universal pre-K or around-the-clock child care? In actuality, the consumers and beneficiaries of funding for those very important issues are our children. We should give them the security, protection, and resources to prevent child abuse and for bringing families together and providing intervention for families that are troubled that result in not only child abuse, but violence against these children. What about the best education they can have? What about the best health care they can have? Mr. Speaker, children are our number one priority. I truly believe that a children's budget in the United States of America is long overdue. Join me on the children's budget.