John Kline

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding time and for his incredible leadership on this issue. Dr. Burgess has been championing real solutions for over 10 years. Mr. Speaker, 140,000; that is the number of people from my home State of Minnesota who have been notified their health coverage will be canceled as a result of the President's health care law. John, a constituent from Burnsville, recently learned his own health plan is no longer available. John liked the plan he had and now has to pay 20 percent more to secure coverage. For many people, a cancelation notice means more than the loss of an insurance policy. It means losing access to the trusted doctors, pediatricians, and nurses who care for their families. We all know how critical these relationships are, especially in difficult moments when a loved one is injured or ill; but for countless families, those relationships will soon be lost, all because Washington bureaucrats think they know best. The President promised time and again if people liked their health care plan, they could keep it; but the American people are discovering the President failed to keep his word, leaving them with only political gimmicks and a broken Web site. The President may have apologized--and we appreciate that--but the country deserves a President who not only admits when he is wrong, but does what is necessary to make it right. That is why I support this legislation. The Keep Your Health Plan Act is about fairness. It is only fair to let people keep the health plan they like. No one should be forced to purchase a more expensive policy because the President says so. It is only fair to help families who are hurting across the country. The President's plan for more administrative tricks is a disservice to each and every one of our constituents, and it is only fair to hold the President accountable for the promises he makes to the American people. If the President is sincere about undoing some of the damage this law has created, if he wants to provide real solutions for those losing their coverage, and if he wants to keep this promise to our Nation's families, then I urge the President to support the Keep Your Health Plan Act.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it has been 4 years since the recession ended, yet economic growth is still anemic, job creation remains sluggish, and wages are flat. With each passing day, countless Americans feel they are falling further behind. In these difficult times, working families shouldn't need to fear yet another regulatory scheme that will make it more difficult to rebuild their retirement savings. That is why I support the Retail Investor Protection Act, legislation that will force the Department of Labor to hit the brakes on sweeping changes to the way workers save for retirement. For many Americans, investing in a retirement plan can be confusing and, frankly, intimidating. Workers want to know their hard-earned dollars are managed wisely and in a way that could lead to financial security in their retirement years. Investment professionals provide a crucial service to those who want to plan for their retirement yet lack the time and expertise to manage an investment portfolio. All investment advisers should be well trained, adhere to the highest ethical standards, and promote the best interests of their clients. Rules governing the actions of particular investment advisers, also known as fiduciaries, have helped provide workers with certainty for decades. However, since 2010, the Labor Department has tried to expand the definition and duties of a fiduciary and, in the process, diminished that certainty. While we support looking for ways to modernize current fiduciary regulations, the Department's recent proposal threatens to drive up costs, restrict investment opportunities, and harm efforts to educate workers about responsible retirement planning. Despite bipartisan concerns, Department officials are still pursuing this flawed approach behind closed doors. H.R. 2374 will force the Department of Labor to abandon this misguided effort and help ensure any future attempt to redefine ``fiduciary'' promotes the retirement security of America's workers. I want to thank Representative Wagner, Chairman Hensarling, and members of the House Financial Services Committee for their strong bipartisan leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to support the Retail Investor Protection Act.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for being down here to remember somebody who was, in many ways, bigger than life: big, tall Rod Grams. He wanted to do something for his State and his country, and he did. He came to the House of Representatives to serve one term. While he was here in his freshman term, he ran for the United States Senate and won. Rod had a lot of things he worked on, but one of them was the child tax credit. It was a long, tough slog that he brought all the way across the finish line, and that is just who Rod was. He didn't quit. He knew what he was about. He was an independent thinker. He was unafraid to take a stand and speak up for his State and his country. We will miss him.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves 1 week into a government shutdown. That's something I hoped I would never have to say on the floor of this House. I did not want this; House Republicans did not want this; and the American people surely did not want this. So why are we here? We're here because Democrats in the United States Senate and the President of the United States refuse to negotiate with the people's elected Representatives here in the House. How long can their refusal to negotiate go on? All we are asking for is a conversation, Mr. Speaker. That's it. House Republicans want to sit down in good faith and work to get this government open again and to make sure that all Americans are treated fairly under the President's health care law. My colleague from Indiana, just moments ago, pointed out that we pass bills in this House with overwhelming majorities--margins of over 100 votes, bipartisan votes--to keep important, essential services up and running. There are grounds for agreement. We just have to negotiate. Leader Reid, Mr. President, let's talk.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding the time and for introducing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support today of H.R. 3092, the E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3092 will help prevent the abduction and sexual exploitation of children. Since 1984, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has worked with the Department of Justice to build a coordinated national system to aid the recovery of missing children, protect children from sexual exploitation, and promote child safety and crime prevention. Over the last three decades, the center has assisted law enforcement in finding thousands of missing children, and its success rate has grown from 62 percent in 1990 to 97 percent today; and through its CyberTipline, the center has received and referred for investigation more than 2 million reports of crimes against children. This bill will ensure the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can continue its work on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens while also taking steps to protect taxpayers through enhanced accountability and oversight. Additionally, the legislation supports greater coordination between law enforcement and States, districts, and schools in the race to recover missing children. Furthermore, the E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act includes language from a bill authored by my colleague from Michigan, Mr. Tim Walberg, that will strengthen the center's work with law enforcement to rescue victims of sex trafficking. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It helps to protect and defend America's children and their families. I applaud and thank Mr. Guthrie for his work on this legislation, and I strongly urge my colleagues to lend their support.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Molly Salmi for her 25 years of dedicated service to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce--and the American people. Molly Salmi, who joined the Committee as a Staff Assistant, has continued to advance through the ranks to her current position as Deputy Director of Workforce Policy thanks to her unparalleled professionalism and extensive knowledge of the policies that affect literally every working American. Molly personifies the best qualities of public service--demonstrating tireless enthusiasm and an unyielding commitment to sound public policy. Beyond her contributions to policy, Molly has invested in the lives of countless young staffers and interns, offering advice, guidance, and direction, while setting an example of decorum and grace. Molly's great work through the years has earned her the respect of seven separate Committee Chairmen--Republicans and Democrats alike--as well as her colleagues on both sides of the aisle, which is no small feat in a world too often mired in partisan posturing. For all of the above--and so much more--Molly is more than a trusted colleague: she is an invaluable member of our committee family.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dianna Ruskowsky for her 25 years of dedicated service to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce--and the American people. In a career spanning the terms of seven Committee Chairmen, Dianna Ruskowsky has distinguished herself as an exemplary steward of Committee resources and a true expert of her craft. She is routinely sought out for guidance and assistance from her colleagues on both sides of the aisle--from fellow Committees to House Leadership offices. Dianna's contributions take place behind the scenes, but her work does not go unnoticed. Her guidance and advice ensures everyone from our interns to our Staff Director has the knowledge they need to make wise decisions and adhere to the letter of the law. Dianna's attention to detail and dedication to the successful operation of the Committee are without equal. The American people can rest assured every penny of their tax dollars that flows through the Committee is accounted for and invested in the most efficient manner. Perhaps even more admirable is Dianna's own investment in the lives of the many young staffers she has taken under her wing over the years. Dianna routinely goes out of her way to help new staff members feel welcome and at home in our Committee family. Our Committee could--quite literally--not run without Dianna's service, and we continue to be grateful for all she does.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1911) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish interest rates for new loans made on or after July 1, 2013, to direct the Secretary of Education to convene the Advisory Committee on Improving Postsecondary Education Data to conduct a study on improvements to postsecondary education transparency at the Federal level, and for other purposes.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1911.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, also known as the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. After many weeks of delay, I'm pleased we finally have a bipartisan agreement to address the student loan interest rate problem. My colleagues and I have been fighting for months for a long-term, market- based solution that will serve students and taxpayers, and the legislation before us today will do just that. As you can see in this chart, much like the Smarter Solutions for Students Act approved by the House back in May, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act will tie student loan interest rates to the market, taking away the uncertainty that comes with allowing Congress to arbitrarily set rates. Similarly, both bills provide a permanent fix to the interest rate problem, granting students the certainty they need to make smart, fiscally responsible investments in their education. And most importantly, this legislation, like its predecessor, doesn't unfairly penalize taxpayers. Unlike some half-baked proposals that would put taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars to pay for artificially low student loan interest rates, both the House-passed Smarter Solutions for Students Act and the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act will generate a small amount of savings over 10 years. Reports confirm the similarities between the House bill and its Senate companion. MSNBC has said the House bill is ``very similar'' to the Senate proposal. The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently noted the Senate compromise ``closely resembles'' the House-passed Smarter Solutions for Students Act, and the Associated Press called the differences between the two proposals ``relatively small.'' While I'm happy with the legislation we will consider today, I'm disappointed it took us so long to get to this point. Students and their families got roped into an all-too-tumultuous debate and were forced to deal with the fallout when Congress was unable to reach an agreement to prevent subsidized Stafford loan interest rates from doubling on July 1. By getting politicians out of the business of setting student loan interest rates, the measure we consider today will protect students from future uncertainty. I applaud my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for finally recognizing this long-term, market-based proposal for what it is: a win for students and taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1911. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a member of the committee, the gentleman from Nevada, Dr. Heck.

Mr. KLINE. I yield 2 minutes to another member of the committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, can I inquire as to how much time is remaining on each side?

Mr. KLINE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to another member of the committee, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer).

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I'm prepared to close.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. It's always interesting to listen to the debate here on the floor. No matter how hard we try to use the word ``bipartisan,'' we get into these partisan squabbles: the Republican bill was bad and this bill is good, and that bill is--look, we needed to change the status quo, and that's always hard to do. We had some pretty simple goals here that we were trying to reach. We wanted to get out of the partisan political squabble that was occurring in this city every year as we tried to figure out, through some alchemy, what the student loan interest rate ought to be. The answer has been in front of us for a long time: the market is the best determiner of that. So we wanted to put together legislation that would get us out of this political squabble, let the market do this in a way that was fair to students and fair to taxpayers. Let the market do it based on the 10-year Treasury, which is the best indicator of what it costs the Federal Government to borrow money; do it so that it was as close to budget neutral as we could get it. The President of the United States had a proposal that did those things. At the end of 10 years, I think the President's budget saved the taxpayer about $3 billion. The House bill that we've been discussing saved the taxpayers about $3.5 billion, And this bipartisan Senate bill, just under $1 billion saved. That's budget neutral in this city, in a 10-year window, from the Congressional Budget Office. We're trying to get that. It was a bizarre circumstance, Mr. Speaker, that I and House Republicans were working with the White House and the Department of Education trying to convince our Senate colleagues, Senate Democratic leadership that the answer was there in front of them, all they had to do was pick it up and pass it. We can get it done in this House. We can answer the questions of parents and students and put some certainty in this. I am very, very pleased that the Senate was able to put together that bipartisan--

Mr. KLINE. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. KLINE. I thank the gentleman. Reclaiming my time, I will pick up on that note because we could not have done this without the hard work of some really instrumental people. Certainly, I'd like to take a moment to recognize and thank the committee staff, as my colleague has done, for their hard work on this important issue, both sides of the aisle. First, I would like to thank the majority staff director, Juliane Sullivan; our education policy director, James Bergeron; and professional staff member Brian Melnyk; and of course Amy Jones, sitting next to me here today, who started working to solve this problem more than a year ago. That's the frustrating thing here, Mr. Speaker. This problem didn't arise in April or May. We've known for more than a year, with certainty, that we had to address this issue. So I thank Amy for her passion in all higher education work. I know she's just resting up so that we can start into reauthorization of the Higher Education Act as we go forward. Certainly I'd like to thank Virginia Foxx, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, who helped craft the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. Again, I would remind my colleagues, this was a bipartisan bill. It came out of the committee bipartisan, came off the floor with a bipartisan vote, and Ms. Foxx deserves a lot of credit for her hard work. In closing, I remind my colleagues, the legislation before us today is a victory for students, families, and taxpayers. It deserves our robust support. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this amendment. As chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as a retired Marine colonel, I have a unique and fortunate position to ensure the young men and women enlisting in our Armed Forces have the best education in preparation for the defense of our Nation. Currently, students who earn a high school diploma from charter schools, home schools, hybrid schools, and other means of modern education are required to score significantly higher on the Armed Forces qualification test than others just to qualify to enter the military. This policy, Mr. Chairman, is in direct contravention of congressional intent established in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012. Last month, my colleagues unanimously supported my amendment to the FY 14 National Defense Authorization Act to reverse the DOD's discriminatory policy and ensure equal treatment for all students who desire to enter military service. The bipartisan Kline-Polis-Paulsen amendment prohibits funds from being used by the Department of Defense to enforce any policy that continues to not equally treat education credentials for enlistment. This amendment stops DOD from giving a lower enlistment priority to students who attend home schools and charter schools and makes congressional intent clear that all students should be given the same opportunities to enlist in the Armed Forces. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the dream of military service for all patriotic Americans who simply want the chance to be able to raise their hand and pledge to defend our Nation without unnecessary burdens. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Mr. KLINE. I thank the gentleman. I thank my colleague and friend from Colorado (Mr. Polis). I think that congressional intent has been absolutely clear and is, in fact, in law. It is astonishing to me that we have to be down here on the floor this evening with this amendment to bar funds from the Department because they are just failing to comply with congressional intent in the law. I appreciate the support of my colleagues. I urge all my colleagues to vote for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE

Mr. KLINE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.