Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. I rise to associate myself with the remarks of our esteemed ranking member, John Olver of Massachusetts, and rise to oppose Mr. Flake's proposal. Now, if Mr. Flake came to the floor and cut money from well-larded Arizona projects, I might ponder that type of amendment--but I don't support cuts in HOME. With the devastation that's occurred across our housing market, we shouldn't harm housing for sure. But, if he would take the money to balance the budget from the subsidized Central Arizona Water Project, or if he would take the funds from the major Federal monuments that are stacked wall-to-wall in his State of Arizona, or if he would take the funds from all the defense facilities that help to employ and hold up the economy of his State--those might be worthy of debate. It's very interesting where he cuts money from--from among the poorest areas in this country, some of the most devastated parts of America that are trying to rebuild themselves. It's very curious to me when he proposes amendments, whether it be this one or other ones in subcommittee, he always leaves his home turf sacrosanct.

Ms. KAPTUR. Reclaiming my time, all those loans were subsidized and capital was made available at very favorable terms compared to my region of Arizona. That paid its own way. Just look where federal dollar flow to Arizona--if one looks at the defense bases across northern Ohio, we don't have anything like Arizona has. Defense dollars flow heavily to Arizona. Or, if we look at the kinds of subsidies we are providing for water in the West--The Central Arizona project or for Bureau of Land Management projects, for all of the investments that have been made to allow Arizona to even get water, federal funds have built Arizona--and then to say to the part of the country that said, Well, we want the West to develop. So we're going to help you out. But now you say, No, no, no, no. Now we're going to take money away from Cleveland and Toledo and Detroit and Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and Chicago and Milwaukee--all of the places that taxed themselves for the development of the modern West. So I would say to the gentleman, I think the answer to the problem we have is economic growth, and we have to invest in that. The housing sector has been dead in the water since 2008, largely because of the nonregulation of the Bush administration during those years when the Wall Street house of cards and derivatives were created. So let's look at what happened back then. But, please, don't take it out of the hides of the most stressed communities in America that, despite all the odds, are in the process of reinvesting and rebuilding themselves to fuel recovery. So I just want to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver). Oppose the Flake amendment. Support programs that will help the revitalization of the housing sector of this country. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Yes. I would be interested in the gentleman's response.

Ms. KAPTUR. Normally I enjoy working on a bipartisan basis, especially with our good colleague from eastern Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and so in a way I reluctantly rise in opposition to his proposal. Let me mention that in a way we're into quite a 200-year extensive history of the rules of the House, but in essence the legislation as enacted works. Every single community that I represent that has ever asked HUD for any type of waiver, if the percentage was operating in there to their detriment, it has been granted. And so I think the legislation as is works. It keeps the focus on reinvestment. But if a mayor or if a council wants to use more of their funds for demolition, they merely ask HUD. And, quite frankly, HUD acts in quite an expeditious manner. So I think in a way this is a solution in search of a problem. I think the gentleman, we welcome his concern about the neighborhoods of this country that have been devastated by the Wall Street-induced housing crisis and lack of regulation here in Washington, but I really don't think it is necessary, and I would support the subcommittee chair and ranking member in their concern by raising a point of order here. I've expressed my interest in working with the gentleman on any community that you may represent that's facing this situation because every single one that we've had come to us, we have resolved with HUD's full cooperation. So I would support the subcommittee chair's invoking of a point of order on this amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I would like to rise in opposition to this amendment and to say to the gentleman from Georgia that I don't really know where you might live in Georgia, but imagine neighborhoods in our country where there is no private lender with competitive rates; imagine neighborhoods that are crammed at the edges with payday lenders who are more than willing to bilk people who have checks to cash, maybe even Social Security checks, and they charge them royally for that; imagine a neighborhood where there is no church-run credit union, maybe a multilingual neighborhood with no lending arm of any reputable institution. If there is somebody in the neighborhood willing to make a loan, such as a loan shark, they charge fees. Imagine the trouble that a family can get into. Imagine how difficult it is in those neighborhoods to accumulate capital to make a loan because everything is being taken out by predatory practices and nothing is put back in. NeighborWorks is one of the few institutions in this country that has proven itself and works in exactly those kinds of neighborhood. NeighborWorks tries to save families and give them a chance to get on the ladder up to opportunity. Particularly during this time, when we know we've had the largest transfer of wealth in American history from Main Street to Wall Street. NeighborWorks is a lifeline. People have had their equity taken away, including in neighborhoods like I'm talking about, where people were beginning to own their own homes for the first time, where they needed financial counseling, mortgage counseling, advice on if you're going to buy a home, what a reasonable down payment is, based on how much do they earn. People need sound advice on mortgages--that you shouldn't pay more than this out of your check so you don't get in trouble. People need advice as they try to find reputable people to repair their homes so they get a decent price on their roof and gutters--it all seems so simple if you live in the suburbs, and you've got enough money, and the region is not disinvested, and you're not living at the edge. NeighborWorks is one of those programs that is needed, particularly at this time in our country with the housing market being in the condition that it is. With the enormous challenges facing built communities in the built environment in city after city, NeighborWorks serves community after community, both urban and rural. It's amazing what's happened even to rural small towns in this country and their emptying out that is really historic in nature. A program like NeighborWorks has proven itself time and again. It pays back to the American people their equity not being lost, in helping capital accumulate in some of the most forgotten corners of this country, and with their staff that are highly trained and highly reputable. I would not want to be without NeighborWorks in Ohio, not in the housing situation that we're facing today. I'm not sure about Georgia. But I would bet in Atlanta they value NeighborWorks if they have one, and I assume that they do. But you have to imagine yourself living in a place like you may not know. And for the American Dream to happen, organizations like NeighborWorks are absolutely essential. I oppose the gentleman's amendment. I think it may be well intentioned, but I think it's going to achieve exactly the wrong result. I think Chairman Latham of the full committee and Ranking Member Olver have reached an accommodation here to help our housing market recover in some of the most forgotten places and not to have any more hemorrhaging of equity and investment capital across this country. I urge a no vote on the Broun Amendment. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I wish to speak to the point of order.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. I rise to speak against the point of order.

Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I rise in support of the Waters TIGER grant amendment. I agree with the gentlelady that there's no stronger job creator than investment in transportation: Bridges, transit systems, overpasses, passenger rail, port development. It makes America more efficient, and it makes us more competitive. And there's never been a more critical moment than now to do it. As kids, we used to sing this song: London bridge is falling down, falling down. London bridge is falling down. One, two, three, we all fall down. Well, we saw what happened in Minnesota when that bridge fell down. In Cleveland, the Inner Belt Bridge project did not receive the $125 million needed to continue to replace the aging I-90 bridge. The current bridge is being used well beyond its intended lifespan, and is the same design as the bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis in 2007. In NW Ohio, there is a smaller project in need of funding. McCord Road in Holland, Ohio is the site of Nortfolk Southern's main line and Amtrak. Two high school students from Springfield High School were involved in a tragic accident there in 2009--one lost their life and one was permanently injured, having lost a leg. The McCord Road project requested just $10 million. However, it did not receive funding with this round of TIGER grants. There are thousands more projects like this across the Nation, both large and small, but all in great need of investment from the federal government. I urge my colleagues to support this funding for National Infrastructure Investments. Let's build America's homeland forward and put America to work in the process. Point of Order

Ms. KAPTUR. I thank Ranking Member Olver, the gentleman from Massachusetts, for recognizing me today. First, I would like to share my appreciation for all of the work that Congressman Olver has dedicated his life to throughout his two-decade- long career with intelligence, integrity, and honor. More recently, I would like to take a moment to recognize the work he has done the past 4 years as both chair and ranking member of the very productive, bipartisan Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee. His presence, his experience, his moderation, his knowledge, his collegiality, and his genius will certainly be missed, and we thank him for his phenomenal service to our country. With that, I applaud the work that both he and Chairman Latham have done with the subcommittee FY 2013 legislation. Unfortunately, their sense of necessary bipartisanship does not extend to the leadership of this House. I must reference the beginning of the appropriations process and the leadership's misguided decision to undermine the Budget Control Act of 2011. The result of our negotiations last summer created a bipartisan agreement, with discretionary programs having a spending cap of $1.047 trillion. However, the Republican leadership reneged on that deal, leaving us with $19 billion less for discretionary programs essential for the American public and the American economy during this crucial moment of economic recovery. Despite the fact that they pulled the rug out from under the committee, on transportation, Amtrak is actually funded somewhat above the fiscal year 2012 level. You know, America has 300 million people today, a little bit over that. By 2050 she will have 500 million people. We simply need leadership in this country to know that we have to meet the needs of a new day. This bill moves us in that direction. The legislation also provides renewal of housing contracts for every eligible individual and family currently receiving them, though for two-thirds of them, they will not get the full year renewal. This is not the moment to undermine our Nation's housing market further. Local community programs like CDBG and HOME are funded at less than adequate levels, but we did the best we could with the allocation. An important program, the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, is fully funded at $75 million, which will provide housing vouchers for over 10,000 veterans, most of them homeless across our country. Again, I want to thank Chairman Latham and Ranking Member Olver, as well as the full committee Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Dicks for their work. This bill is constrained by budget realities that continue to reward Wall Street insiders at the expense of the middle class and the poor. I alone can't change that, but this bill demonstrates that the Appropriations Committee does its work of maintaining a stable Federal Government as fundamental to a stable society in this great Nation.

Ms. KAPTUR. I wish to say it's amazing what we can find money for and what we can't find money for. When Wall Street came in here, in a flash in a weekend, $700 billion walked out the door--a thousand times more than the gentlelady is asking for. And it would seem to me that with this point of order, there's never been a more critical time in our country to waive it in order to do the job of America. I mentioned the Minneapolis bridge that collapsed. Well, I can tell you we have one in Cleveland that's ready to do the same. It's the same design. What could be more important than investing in this country, creating jobs, and meeting these unmet national needs. In western Ohio, we have McCord Road, the site of a major Norfolk Southern mainline in Amtrak, and young people were killed there at grade. And now they delayed that project decades rather than doing the kind of grade crossing that's needed. Mr. Chairman, you can talk about points of order, but the most important point of order is keep the Nation in order. And I think the most important way we can do that is to keep this transportation funding flowing, making our Nation more competitive, creating jobs, and leaving a legacy to the future better than we found it. So I strongly support the gentlelady's amendment and object to the point of order and ask, along with my colleagues, that it be waived.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. I just want to thank Congressman Honda, the ranking member, for yielding me just a brief moment here to oppose this amendment and put comments on the record. I oppose the Gosar amendment and the cuts to the United States Botanic Garden. Unless you've actually walked through the aisles and looked at the extraordinary collections, and exhibits, including specimens that preserve the genomes of extinct plants; and if you haven't really understood why medical science depends on many of the medicinal plants that are held there for posterity; and if you haven't really appreciated the importance of the botanical sciences to human life; and if you haven't understood the work of the Botanic Garden that links to hundreds of communities across this country trying to help communities raise food, even inside urban borders and food deserts-- then you really can't come to appreciate the importance of the fragility of life and how significant this botanical collection is to our country. This is a collection and capability that has been understood since George Washington's time over decades and indeed centuries. Our predecessors appreciated the importance of botanical sciences to human life even with science as rudimentary as it was at our Nation's founding. The site itself is nestled right adjacent to the Capitol, demonstrating the importance to the American people that those who came before us understood--the importance of the linkage between human life and plant life. Some of the most important scientific breakthroughs that we've had in medicine, for example, come from the plant kingdom. I think that though the gentleman may have a good goal in mind in trying to handle our accounts in a more responsible way, this is a very irresponsible way to do it. Why? Because if the botanic garden has to cut existing contracts, or if they have to lay off workers, or put off longer deferred main tenancy, in the end what appears to be a cut may actually prove to be a budgetary increase over time in additional costs. Truly this cut is rather draconian cuts to the Architect of the Capitol. I just wanted to say in a prior iteration of his amendment, the gentleman actually issued a press release saying the Botanic Garden has proven its ability to use tax dollars in a cost-effective and efficient way. I don't know how he might have changed his mind on that, but I think for the good of the country, for the future of medical science, for the linkage of this scientific collection to communities across the country, the Botanical Garden has proven its worth. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I appreciate the opportunity to place my remarks on the record.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The Botanic Garden is a national treasure. The history of the Botanic Garden starts over 200 years ago. Originally, the idea for a Botanic Garden came from George Washington himself. Congress formally established the Garden in 1820 and it is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The Botanic Garden is dedicated to demonstrating the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic and ecological importance of plants to the well-being of humankind. More than 750,000 visitors a year experience the Botanic Garden's plants displays, innovative exhibits, and special programs. The Botanic Garden maintains 13,000 accessions, which equates to about 26,000 plants. Its noteworthy collections include medicinal plants, rare species, orchids, carnivorous plants, cacti, bromeliads, cycads and ferns. Some of the plant specimens date back to the Garden's original 1842 founding collection. There is no better place to gain an understanding of the essential relationship of plants to human life than at the Garden. Through living displays that feature the biodiversity of plants from around the world, the Garden brings to light the many benefits derived from plants including oxygen, food, medicine, fiber, fragrance, shelter, and inspiration. Education is also a critical mission of the Botanic Garden. It creates opportunities to inspire our visitors to learn about the importance of plants and presents a variety of educational programming to visitors, teachers, and students. The Botanic Garden partners with the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Wildlife Federation, the National Gardening Association and other domestic and international botanic gardens on its outreach programs to maximize its educational impact. Mr. Chairman, this botanic collection is a global treasure. Globally, about one in every eight known plant species is threatened or nearing extinction. In the United States, the figure rises to about three in every ten plant species. Humans are inextricably interwined with plants and other life forms, locked in a dynamic, co-dependent struggle for survival. It is in our own self-interest to pay them more attention. Moreover, the Botanic Garden has a backlog of capital renewal and deferred maintenance projects of over $14.5 million, which is $2.5 million more than its total budget in this bill. If Mr. Gosar's amendment is accepted, it is likely to cost more taxpayer dollars as staff will likely have to be furloughed, the number of deferred maintenance projects will increase, and there will be less educational opportunities for students. While we have serious fiscal challenges in this country, the U.S. Botanic Garden is not part of the problem. Let's prosecute Wall Street wrong doings and recoup the billions upon billions used on bailouts rather than pick on the U.S. Botanic Garden. I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our Nation remembered and commemorated the 68th anniversary of D-day, the World War II allied invasion of Normandy, France, and the beginning of the liberation of Europe from the forces of tyranny. Today, I want to commemorate another historical World War II battle-- 70 years ago, the Battle of Midway, when the United States Navy struck back at imperial Japan, turning the tide in the Pacific and paving the way toward a great American victory at sea. Six months earlier, Japanese planes infamously attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into that war. Yet our Navy recovered quickly and mobilized under the leadership of Admiral Ernest King, from the port city of Lorain, Ohio, on Lake Erie, and Admiral Chester Nimitz. With the odds against them, our U.S. Navy boldly struck back at the Battle of Midway. Over 4 days, the Japanese lost all four of the large carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor, not to mention a heavy cruiser, 248 carrier-based aircraft, and more than 3,000 men. The United States lost one carrier, the Yorktown, one destroyer, and 340 men. Today, we commemorate this major historic achievement of our Navy. We honor the sacrifice of those who fought for us and died for us, and we express abiding gratitude for the bravery and dedication of all who fought in this battle in service to our Nation and freedom's cause. Today, the free world remembers the Battle of Midway.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. I would like to thank Ranking Member Price for yielding us this time, as well as Chairman Aderholt and full committee Chairman Rogers, for their work on this legislation and for accepting and including the buy American language that we had worked so very hard and requested. The Department of Homeland Security needs to raise its consciousness about the importance of buying American and its relationship to jobs in America. Our language further clarifies what has long been the intent of Congress, that the Department of Homeland Security must comply with the Berry amendment and buy U.S.-made products. This is an essential provision for the American economy and our manufacturers. Congress has already voted to explicitly direct the Department of Homeland Security to comply with the Berry amendment. The Department of Homeland Security is either musclebound or has been dragging its feet, but somehow they're not hearing us for some odd reason. Also, the Department of Homeland Security's authorizing committee unanimously adopted an amendment that would ensure permanent compliance. The Department of Homeland Security, one of the largest departments in our government, should be the leader in Homeland Security, starting with strengthening American procurement. Can you imagine what they procure in a year? I know they buy a lot of U.S.-made flags--or at least they should--but also vessels, our Coast Guard's full array of equipment, security systems, weapons, uniforms, etc. The list goes on and on. So why wouldn't they make an effort to do what Congress directed? I would like to also acknowledge the fine work of the gentleman from North Carolina, Congressman Larry Kissell, for his consistent leadership on this issue of buying American. I would also like to acknowledge Representative Kathy Hochul, who, in her first term, has been a steadfast leader for buying American as essential for U.S. job creation. I want to thank the full committee for their commitment to this issue. We would like to invite the Department of Homeland Security to the American table. Let's follow suit with the Department of Defense and the other major departments of our government. Let's buy American and help to contribute to procurement of goods and services made right here in the USA. It's the best investment that we can make in the future. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the ranking member so very much, along with Mr. Aderholt, for including this language in the bill. Let us hope that the Department of Homeland Security is listening, pays attention to the law, and buys American in the national interest.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the heroes and heroines of compassion in our community for their exceptional devotion to serving the needs of others. In so doing, the ethic they set creates a better way of life for people across our region and enriches the human condition. The Charter for Compassion was created by Karen Armstrong, author of many interfaith books in 2008. Her wish was that the faith leaders of the world would acknowledge their core common value of compassion in a simple document and the response to her idea for Heroes of Compassion was phenomenal. Greater Toledo has many individuals and organizations that qualify as Heroes of Compassion. But many of these individuals and institutions are unsung heroes and heroines. Their stories of compassion are untold, while news of violence and conflict make headlines. The First Heroes of Compassion of Toledo were honored at the 11th Annual MultiFaith Banquet on March 11, 2012 at the Franciscan Center at Lourdes University, and later at a community gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Glendale Ave. The First Heroes of Compassion included: Sr. Mary Angelita Abair: Decades of work in central Toledo with the poor, marginalized, imprisoned, and disabled; Cherry Street Mission: Emergency shelter, food and other assistance; Dr. Lawrence V. Conway, The Diller Foundation: Provides medical equipment and supplies to many deserving countries and the Medical Hall of Fame; Judge Charles J. Doneghy: Inner city youth mentor and support for prostate cancer awareness; Fr. Martin Donnelly: Founding chair of Erase the Hate Toledo and Central City Ministries and many other organizations; Hannah's Socks: Founded by four year old Hannah Turner and has since supplied 200,000+ pairs of socks to the homeless last year; Jewish Family Service Food Bank: Food, supplies and moral support to the needy in the general community; Ken Leslie & Pat Lewandowski, 1Matters--Tent City: Working to change the perception of the homeless; Lifeline Toledo: Support for inner city homeless, including mobile medical support; The Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides a free home away from home for families accessing specialized medical care for their children; Martha Pituch, RN, Cherry St. Mission Clinic: Founded and developed a nursing clinic to provide primary health care for homeless persons; Devorah (Friedrich) Shulamit, Interfaith Blood Drive: Founder of the first interfaith blood drive in the nation, now in its 25th year; Sr. Grace Ellen & Sr. Jeremias, Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania Gardens: Developed a nationally recognized four-season polyhouse to provide food for the needy year round; Mike Szuberla, Toledo GROWs: Provides support for 150 community gardens and reentry and proactive programs for at-risk youth; St. Paul's Community Center: Daily hot meals, emergency shelter, and other services for the homeless; St. Vincent de Paul Conference: Tangible, confidential, no-questions- asked assistance to those in need; Toledo Area Ministries, Feed Your Neighbor Ministry: 12 food pantries, serve over 80,000 clients per year; Toledo Mountain Mentors: One-on-one mentoring and outdoor experiences for at-risk teens.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment as the designee of Congressman McIntyre of North Carolina.

Ms. KAPTUR. I rise today on behalf of the esteemed gentleman from North Carolina, Representative Mike McIntyre, who represents a district inclusive of the southeastern coast of North Carolina. Congressman McIntyre is, unfortunately, unable to come to the floor tonight, so I rise on his behalf to offer the following amendment. This amendment will prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from using funds to terminate or plan to terminate any 50-year coastal storm damage reduction project. The language in this amendment will give Congress and the Corps needed time to determine proper evaluation procedures. Coastal storm damage reduction projects were created by Congress to keep coastal communities safe and, over time, to save taxpayer dollars from repeated damage costs. These projects involve Federal-State partnerships where the communities assume the Federal Government will meet the commitment we have established through the Army Corps of Engineers. Obviously, coastal regions across our country have varying needs. The Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina is coastally different than Ohio's Ninth Congressional District along Lake Erie, which I represent. But the more than 100 miles of Ohio coastline that are in the Ninth District have seen important improvements for flood protection and shoreline improvement installations over the years that have proven themselves to be cost effective. In particular, two of these in Point Place and Maumee Bay have both performed better than even the Army Corps of Engineers analysis originally predicted. As a result of these completed projects, coastal communities in our region have been protected from costly and previously unmanageable storm water damage. In today's energy and water legislation, I ask on behalf of Mr. McIntyre and myself that Congress give communities affected by this amendment the same chance. On behalf of Congressman McIntyre, I appreciate the respected chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, Mr. Frelinghuysen and Mr. Visclosky, for their willingness to work collaboratively on these issues. These projects are proven successes, and the demonstrated need warrants a continuation of these cost-conscious investments that improve the safety of our coastal communities. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I strongly support two important provisions in this bill, included at my request, which provide necessary direction to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This bill withholds Additional Funding for Ongoing Work until the Corps provides this Committee with an acceptable explanation of their allocation decisions. The accompanying report from the Committee also recommends various national domestic priorities for additional funds, including harbors that support domestic manufacturing. This language will greatly enhance the Corps' ability to ensure that our maritime infrastructure meets the changing needs of our nation. The Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations bill provides $325 million in additional funding for the Corps to address priority projects throughout the country. When given a similar allocation last year, the Corps disregarded this Committee's directive to establish a rating system of projects to be funded and explain why each project was given priority. This is unacceptable. I share the concern of the Chairman and many of my colleagues that the Corps must be accountable for their distribution of these extra funds. Given significant backlogs in many of our nation's ports, these additional funds provide an opportunity for improved maintenance of our water borne infrastructure, which is so crucial for growing our economy and creating jobs. But it would be irresponsible to provide these dollars without exercising proper oversight to ensure that these funds are spent responsibly. The Committee report already included direction to the Corps to report to the Committee their decisions regarding the use of these funds, but given the previous disregard for this directive last year, it became necessary to include this directive in the bill itself and establish consequences for the Corps, should it fail to meet this obligation. Additionally, the report accompanying this bill recommends several priorities for the rating system to be created by the Corps. In particular, I strongly support the inclusion of domestic manufacturing as a component of the economic assessment for determining funding. The significant backlogs of Corps maintenance activity across the country, especially in the Great Lakes region, greatly reduce the competitiveness of American manufacturing. In the Great Lakes region, which has long been the heart of manufacturing in the U.S., heavy manufacturers are severely affected by light loading restrictions in our harbors. Bulk commodity shipments, which are essential to heavy manufacturing, are being transported inefficiently, preventing domestic manufacturers in the region from competing with foreign manufacturers. The directive language in the report establishes this necessary manufacturing-oriented priority in determining which projects are to be funded by the additional funds provided in the bill. The Corps' work is critical for maintaining critical U.S. maritime infrastructure. The language in this bill and the accompanying support will ensure that this work meets the needs of our nation. I appreciate the willingness of the Chairmen and the Ranking Members of both the full Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Water Subcommittee to work with me to include this language. In response to the Army Corps' disregard for Congressional directives during fiscal year 2012, language in this bill demand proper compliance to the Constitutional authority of Congress.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. KAPTUR. I rise today to offer an amendment that takes another step toward restoring energy independence for America and new jobs for Americans. My amendment shifts an additional $10 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy development from departmental administrative accounts. My goal is to better support a diversified energy portfolio and restore continental energy security. American security and competitiveness hinge on affordable energy for our businesses and families, and our energy future depends on innovation. Fossil fuels continue to provide the bulk of our energy needs, and those accounts are left intact in this bill. But we all should know that a diversified energy portfolio protects America from the instability of a single source of energy dependence. Our future security depends on diversified energy research and development that provides significant return on investment both financially and in technological advancement and the jobs that go with it. We must ensure that American innovators are on a level playing field with competitors across the globe, including China, and even Russia, and other nations looking for a competitive edge. For years, the United States has been the global leader in these technologies, but we now are losing edge. Investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are absolutely essential in securing America's future. Now, I understand the difficulty in drafting this bill, given the 302(b) allocation and the cuts for energy and water that the subcommittee endured. And I appreciate Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky's dedication to making difficult choices in a tight budget climate. Yet for fiscal 2013, critical energy research accounts have been drastically reduced to $1.38 billion that actually exacted a $428 million cut below fiscal year 2012. Compared to last year, for example, solar energy was cut nearly in half--to $155 million--and wind energy, the fastest energy sector growing globally, was cut by one-quarter, to $70 million for R&D. Other programs like geothermal, water power, and building energy technologies received similar large cuts. Last year, this body came together in a bipartisan fashion to support a modest increase in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies; and faced with further cuts this year, I ask my colleagues to reaffirm that commitment to a diversified energy policy and lead our country, and indeed the world, toward a new energy age. In fact, this amendment increases funds for the renewable portion of our energy portfolio while maintaining the proposed increases for fossil fuel development. And from a budgetary and accounting standpoint, my amendment actually decreases outlays for fiscal year 2013. Let me add, this $10 million transfer we are proposing represents less than 1/20th of the $230 million administrative budget of the Department of Energy. This is a prudent adjustment to our energy policy strategy. It is forward looking. It makes sense from a budgetary standpoint. It will spur new job creation. And I urge my colleagues' support. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. First, I want to thank Mr. Grimm for offering this bipartisan amendment. Last year, we saw the same effort to attack project labor agreements in the military construction appropriations bill. This House on a bipartisan basis made the right choice, and we voted to support negotiated contract labor agreements. Why? It's the American way. It's the American way to respect the dignity of the individual. Yes, we respect their lives, their liberty, and indeed their pursuit of happiness. In northern Ohio, we've seen how important project labor agreements are. We use them to save lives as skilled laborers perform extremely dangerous work that I would dare say almost no one in this House is capable of performing. These agreements are absolutely essential for workplace safety, for ensuring quality construction, and protecting the lives and rights of those men and women who perform extremely difficult, sophisticated, and superhuman work on a regular basis. I'm reminded in Toledo, Ohio, not so long ago we were replacing a major interstate lift bridge--the largest transportation project in Ohio history--over $400 million over several years. We knew we needed a project labor agreement to complete the job with as few accidents as possible because we were replacing a lift bridge along one of the region's most important interstate highway systems adjoining three States. We insisted, and I worked so hard, to achieve a project labor agreement for the construction of this complex skyway bridge over the Maumee River, the largest river that flows into the Great Lakes. I didn't want it to be like Mackinaw Bridge, with the names listed for posterity of all the dead workers who were responsible for building that bridge, and whose names are left to history. We hoped and worked so hard to try to limit the danger to the men and women who would build our bridge. We knew we needed a project labor agreement to write the rules of the road for that construction project. People were literally placing their lives at great risk every single day. If you don't believe me, you should have seen those talented individuals lofted at hundreds of feet in the air and then in bitterly freezing weather trying to put the pieces together above the river to construct the giant spires, physically creating the modern architectural wonder of the Glass City Skyway, which was dedicated to all the veterans of our country. But despite all our noble efforts and the safety precautions, our community still lost precious lives in two separate tragedies that were avoidable. In the middle of February in 2004, one of the cranes collapsed, killing four workers and injuring four others. Why did they collapse? Because the company decided to cut corners and created a contest between which parts of the roadbed would be built faster by separate teams of workers. All the inspectors missed what was happening. Four workers were killed. I went to every single funeral. I never want to have to do that again. I never want to have to try to comfort the families of the tragedy that happened. Three years later, another man died when the platform he was working on collapsed. I know we would have lost more lives, were it not for the project labor agreement, but we shouldn't have even lost those lives. Yet, we would have lost more lives if there had not been a project labor agreement in place. I don't believe in neutrality. Some of my colleagues have talked about neutrality. No, there should be no neutrality when it comes to workers lives. These workers were helping to build our country's future for the benefit of us all. They deserve a safe work environment. They deserve to have their lives represented in a contract agreement. The value of a completed project is worth more than the concrete, it's worth more than the spires, and it's worth more than the metal. It should be measured in the dignity of life. But workers were crushed to death. Thank God we had an agreement in place. It wasn't neutral. It defended those workers who lived. It defended the workers whose lives were saved because we knew we were a Nation of laws and that their lives were worth everything to us. That's the American way. When we as a Nation invest in our physical infrastructure, those that are actually building up our country deserve to have their lives protected through contracts. Values derives not just from the cost of the concrete, but the value of their lives. Support project labor agreements, support this amendment. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Grimm amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I reluctantly rise today in support of H.R. 5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012. First, I would like to commend Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman for putting together a bipartisan bill. Bipartisan bills are a rarity in this Congress and I hope we can use the goodwill gained in this bill to come together on additional measures, such as those that create jobs and promote economic growth. While this bill has support from both sides of the aisle, from my perspective, it does not go far enough. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with ensuring the safety of $2 trillion in products produced by industry. The FDA's approval of a company's products all but guarantees profits for that company. Companies that benefit from the FDA's approval should significantly contribute to the FDA's budget to reduce the burden on taxpayers who are already paying for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires and two unpaid wars. In FY 12, user fees comprised a mere 35 percent of the FDA's budget. The FDA is facing many challenges. Approximately half of medical devices used in the United States come from abroad. Nearly 40 percent of the drugs Americans take are made overseas and about 80 percent of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are imported. Several years ago, contaminated heparin from China caused a number of deaths and illnesses in my Congressional District. Additional resources are needed to properly investigate, inspect, and police foreign products like heparin to ensure American consumers are fully protected. Industry should be contributing more. Despite my reservations, this bill is a step in the right direction. It reauthorizes user fees for prescription drug and medical devices at levels that should provide the FDA with sufficient resources to give patients access to therapies at the earliest possible time. In addition, this legislation authorizes a new user fee for generic drug reviews. In the last decade, the use of generic drugs saved the U.S. health care system more than $931 billion. Consequently, I'm glad to see the underlying bill provides resources to improve review times to ensure safe generic drugs come into the market as quickly as possible. Finally, the bill addresses some of my concerns regarding foreign products. I strongly support the provisions that require drug importers to register with the FDA, requiring sufficient information from importers to allow the FDA to implement a risk-based approach to import screening and barring the entry of imported drugs if deemed to have been delayed, limited or denied a full safety inspection. I also strongly support the section of the bill that provides extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction to enable United States law enforcement to hold those accountable who violate our safety laws, such as those who are responsible for the heparin-related deaths in my Congressional District.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its 150th year of service. President Abraham Lincoln established USDA 150 years ago today in 1862. American agriculture has been the second most productive sector of our nation's economy in the past decade. United States farm income is forecast at $91.7 billion in 2012, the second highest on record. Agriculture now accounts for 1 in 12 jobs in the United States. United States agricultural exports have been particularly strong. Exports reached record levels in fiscal year 2011 of $137.4 billion. This level supported 1.15 million jobs here at home and contributed to a trade surplus of $42.7 billion in agriculture. Agriculture is one of the few sectors that the United States has consistently had a trade surplus. American farmers and ranchers provide us with 86 percent of the food we consume. This efficiency results in American consumers spending less than 10 percent of their disposable incomes on food. By comparison, most European consumers spend more than double that, and in developing counties, the percentage is often as high as 50 percent. USDA has played a vital role in the success of American agriculture. There is no doubt that without assistance from USDA American agriculture would not be as strong as it is today. With the support of Congress, USDA provides a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers to ensure the United States continues to be the world's leader in agricultural production. USDA's crop insurance insures 264 million acres on about 500,000 farms. Crop insurance has helped more than 325,000 farmers who lost crops due to natural disasters over the past three years. I want to highlight USDA's recent efforts in strengthening local and regional food systems. For many years, I have advocated and worked to provide federal assistance in supporting local food systems. Local food sales were valued at $4.8 billion in 2008 and are expected to grow in the coming years. We need to harvest this economic power to help create American jobs and strengthen our local economies. The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) initiative represents a good first step in using USDA's programs to improve local food systems. KYF provides a one-stop shop for information on more than 25 USDA programs that could assist in developing and improving local food systems, encourages much needed collaboration across agencies to reduce bureaucratic barriers in supporting and expanding marketing opportunities in local food markets, and works to connect farmers directly to consumers, which helps increase the availability of healthy nutritious foods. KYF efforts have been hugely successful related to farmers' markets. We have seen a 54 percent increase in the number of farmers' markets since 2008. Over 2,400 farmers' markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept EBT, an increase of 51 percent over last year. Mr. Speaker, while there are many challenges still facing American agriculture, there is no doubt in my mind that USDA is up to the task. From my perspective, the future success of USDA and American agriculture will depend on our support for local food systems and other emerging markets such as the specialty crop market. I congratulate USDA for its 150th Anniversary and thank all the department's employees for their service.