Sander Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Well, here we go again. Another repeal vote, another political sideshow, and another blow to bipartisanship, which is so vital to addressing a whole host of important issues, including an issue important to our committee--tax reform. Instead of moving forward, once again my Republican colleagues are looking backwards. The fact is that the President has taken an action that my Republican colleagues support. The administration determined that a delay of employer responsibility requirements was necessary in order to ensure effective implementation of the Tax Code, so it exercised its authority--longstanding administrative relief used by administrations of both parties for many years to grant transition relief. The Republican response? The Republicans cannot leave well enough alone. They insist on maneuvering for political purposes. Duplicative legislation for purely political reasons that will go nowhere in the Senate and that serves only to set up their 38th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. After the announcement, my colleague, Chairman Camp, in a new populist flourish, said: The Obama administration's decision to give corporate America a free pass while continuing to force average, everyday Americans to abide by the law is deeply disturbing. And the majority leader, Mr. Cantor, with hyperpopulism, said: The President came down on the side of big business, but left the American people out in the cold. Out in the cold? Republican hypocrisy is reaching new heights. Under the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans will gain previously unavailable access to affordable health insurance. To date-- and I emphasize this--more than 6 million young adults have health insurance through their parents' plans, 6 million seniors have saved $6.1 billion on prescription drugs, and 105 million Americans have received free preventative services. And in State to State, Americans buying insurance within the new marketplaces will have access to coverage for less than they pay today. New Yorkers, for one, learned today that, on average, individual premiums within the marketplace will be half what they are today. They certainly do not feel left out in the cold. Competition under ACA is working, and the Republicans call it ``socialism.'' The market reforms from the health law work together to eliminate the ability of insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of preexisting conditions and gender. But the system will only work and remain affordable if everyone has insurance. And the law provides the reforms and assistance to put affordable coverage within reach for everyone. Without the shared responsibility, the law will not work and insurance premiums will skyrocket. 129 million people with preexisting conditions will once again be priced or forced out of coverage, and we will be back where we started. Republicans know this. Why? Because the individual mandate was a Republican idea going all the way back to the 1980s, when the conservative Heritage Foundation originated the idea. Its supporters have argued: All citizens should be required to obtain a basic level of health insurance. Not having health insurance imposes a risk of delaying medical care. It also may impose costs on others because we, as a society, provide care to the uninsured. The risk of shifting cost to others has led many States to mandate that all drivers have liability insurance. The same logic applies to health insurance. But Republicans are not here today to act logically or take responsibility. They have never, never, never had a comprehensive health care reform plan. Instead, their only goal is to score political points. So we urge, vote ``no'' on both bills. I reserve the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) control the balance of the time.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. I just want to put in the facts on the Sixth District where my friend Mr. Upton comes from, the Sixth District of Michigan: 6,700 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan; 9,100 seniors have received prescription drug discounts; 131,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for preventive services without paying; 197,000 individuals now have health insurance that covers preventive services; Up to 41,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers. I now yield 2 minutes to a member of our committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. I just want to review the benefits of the gentleman's district that he represents: 5,400 young adults now have health insurance through their parents' plans; more than 6,900 seniors receive prescription drug discounts; 100,000 seniors are now eligible for Medicare preventative services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles; 209,000 individuals now have health insurance that covers preventative services without pay; Up to 42,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers. That's what the ACA is doing. It is now my privilege to yield 2 minutes to another distinguished member of our committee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. The application, Mr. Roskam, is three pages. Let me also mention what's in play in your district and why ACA matters: 5,200 young adults have insurance through their parents; 7,800 seniors have discounts for prescription drugs; 87,000 seniors are now eligible for preventative services without paying; 243,000 individuals now have health insurance covering preventative services without these co-pays; 234,000 individuals are saving money.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself an additional 15 seconds. Due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20 percent of their premiums, now 35,000 individuals have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage. So when you pick up a book with hundreds of pages, tell your constituents what it means for them. I am now privileged to yield 2 minutes to a gentleman from Energy and Commerce who has played such a decisive role in the reform of health care, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself 45 seconds. I would just like to ask the gentleman from Arkansas if the small business person he mentioned has any health coverage for his employees. What we need to do is to continue this law and its implementation so that those employees will have some health insurance. In his district, because of ACA, 9,500 young adults have insurance through their parents; 3,400 seniors have received prescription drug discounts; 125,000 seniors are now eligible for preventative services without paying co-pays, et cetera. Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 2nd Congressional District of Arkansas Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013 The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of American families almost immediately after it was signed into law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance coverage. This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Griffin's district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts of the law in districts redrawn or newly create following the 2010 Census. As a result of the law: 9,500 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan. More than 3,400 seniors in the district received prescription drug discounts worth $7.6 million, an average discount of $600 per person in 2011, $730 in 2012, and $990 thus far in 2013. 125,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 195,000 individuals in the district--including 41,000 children and 81,000 women--now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 158,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 34,200 consumers in the district received approximately $3.2 million in insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate of $49 per family in 2012 and $114 per family in 2011. Up to 42,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers. 223,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014. 113,000 individuals in the district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition. In addition, the 40,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance. It is now my privilege to yield 2 minutes to the ranking member on Small Business, who has worked so hard on health care reform and with sensitivity to the small businesses of this country, the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Velazquez).

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, could you tell us the time on each side, please.

Mr. LEVIN. At this time, I insert into the Record the benefits of health care reform in the 18th District of Pennsylvania. Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013 The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of American families almost immediately after it was signed into law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance coverage. This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Murphy's district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following the 2010 Census. As a result of the law: 3,800 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan. More than 15,300 seniors in the district received prescription drug discounts worth $23.1 million, an average discount of $620 per person in 2011, $800 in 2012, and $730 thus far in 2013. 133,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 230,000 individuals in the district--including 45,000 children and 97,000 women--now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 181,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 35,800 consumers in the district received approximately $3.6 million in insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate of $77 per family in 2012 and $165 per family in 2011. Up to 35,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers. 266,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014. Up to 49,000 individuals in the district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition. In addition, the 40,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance. I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).

Mr. LEVIN. At this time, I insert into the Record a document showing the benefits of health care reform in the 12th Congressional District of Florida. Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 12th Congressional District of Florida Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce Democratic Staff Report, July 2013 The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of American families almost immediately after it was signed into law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance coverage. This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Bilirakis's district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following the 2010 Census. As a result of the law: 6,100 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan. More than 10,200 seniors in the district received prescription drug discounts worth $12.9 million, an average discount of $550 per person in 2011, $660 in 2012, and $720 thus far in 2013. 153,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 190,000 individuals in the district--including 41,000 children and 79,000 women--now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible. 164,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 53,500 consumers in the district received approximately $7.6 million in insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate of $132 per family in 2012 and $168 per family in 2011. Up to 36,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers. 216,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014. Up to 97,000 individuals in the district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition. In addition, the 45,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance. It's now my pleasure to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), a leader on the health care issue.

Mr. LEVIN

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

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose the offshore drilling bill before the House. Sadly, this legislation is representative of the unbalanced, partisan, and ultimately self-defeating approach that the Republican Majority has taken on energy issues. H.R. 2231 would mandate lease sales along the east and west coasts and elsewhere with inadequate environmental review and scant attention given to local concerns. In total, leasing would be mandated off the coasts of 14 states, whether they want it or not. If this heavy-handed giveaway to the oil industry seems familiar, that's because it is. Last July, the Republican leadership brought a nearly identical bill before the House. That bill never advanced beyond the House, and this drilling bill won't either. The Senate won't take it up. The President has said he'd veto it, so other than demonstrating the Majority's fealty to Big Oil, why are we again wasting the House's time on this? We're told that this bill is about making the U.S. more energy independent. Let the record show that domestic energy production is booming under the current Administration's policies. In 2012, American oil production reached a 20-year high. Natural gas production is at an all-time high. The U.S. is expected to surpass Saudi Arabia as the world's top oil producer within seven years. We're also told that this bill is all about driving down gas prices for American families. What guarantee do we have that the oil and gas production mandated by this legislation would actually stay in the United States? Over the last decade, U.S. exports of petroleum products like gasoline and diesel fuel have nearly tripled. Every day U.S. refineries export millions of gallons of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel. This is no doubt good for the petroleum industry's bottom line, but it's hard to argue that it helps consumers at the pump. At the end of the day, the country needs an all-the-above energy strategy, including responsible oil and gas development, increased energy efficiency, support for renewable energy, and investment in advanced energy research and development. Unfortunately, the House Majority remained locked in an oil-above-all policy. The oil drilling bill before the House deserves to be defeated.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably absent earlier today during rollcall vote 302. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 302, the Capps amendment to H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Well, Mr. Dingell, there are many aspects of life that I could comment on, for example, friendship. Our families have known each other well over 75 years, going back to the relationship between your father and some of my relatives. It's been a long time. And I could talk about the friendship between yourself and your wife, Debbie, and our family for part of that time. I could also talk about your accomplishments, and there have been so many. I remember when I first came, how we worked to clean up the Rouge River; and without your efforts, I think today it would be more like it was than it now is. We could talk about health care and your historical role. We could talk about broader issues of clean water and clean air. We could talk about your devotion to the auto industry of this country and what would have happened all these years except for your dedication. And there are more accomplishments that I could talk about. But instead, let me just say a few words about what struck me as you spoke a few weeks ago--was it?--as we were celebrating your tenure. And you spoke at some length. The rumor is that Debbie, a few times, said, cut it a bit shorter, but you went on; and the reason I think you did is what I want to speak about. You began to talk about your years here, not in terms of the number of years, but what you have seen about this institution. And I think all of us who were there were glad that you continued to talk, because you've been here 55 years as a Member, and you've seen the changes, you've seen how there was a greater sense of working together in this place. You saw and were a key part of sure differences and, with you, sometimes sharp questioning, but there was a greater feel of common purpose in this unparalleled institution, and you spoke how we have lost some of it. So that's really what I wanted to focus on, because if anybody can speak about the need for all of us who work here and all of us who are Members here, if there's anybody who can remind us of how the importance of this institution should determine how we relate to each other, it's John Dingell. And I must confess, as I listened to your words, I felt that there had been something lost and that you reminded us it was vital that we regain. And it was interesting, you didn't really want to talk about anything else except your love for Debbie and this institution. So you, in a sense, are Mr. Institution. And your belief in it, your belief in our need to remind ourselves as to how we must try to work together, how we must try to relate, how we must try to take our basic principles--and you really have them--to use them not as a wall, but as an opportunity to proceed. So we owe you a lot. Your constituents owe you a lot, though you'll deny it. But all of us, I think, owe you immensely for the years you have served here, for your dedication, for your honesty, and for your reminding people in this institution why it was founded. In that sense, I think you are the exemplar of what sparked this creation in its first place. Keep going, keep reminding, and I hope we'll begin to follow better than we have.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate World Refugee Day and recognize the more than 43 million forcibly displaced people around the world, a number of whom--in search of a better life in America-- have resettled in Michigan's Macomb and Oakland counties, which I proudly represent. World Refugee Day is observed June 20 of each year and is dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and strife. This day serves as a special reminder of the courage of these resilient individuals and provides us the opportunity to draw attention to their struggle. The United States is by far the largest donor to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and this commitment from the American people has helped deliver critical humanitarian aid to the world's most vulnerable populations. U.S.-supported work of the UNHCR includes providing safe food, clean drinking water, shelter, education, security in dangerous situations, and ultimately durable placement options--voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement. Today is also a time to recognize the positive contributions of refugees who have created new lives in this country. Due to America's historic commitment to welcoming and resettling victims of persecution from around the world, communities all over the country have benefited from refugees' enthusiasm, entrepreneurial spirit, and sense of civic engagement. Over the last ten years, thousands of Iraqi refugees have resettled in my district--a development that has had a positive impact on the region. I value their contributions and am proud to support the work of local resettlement organizations to integrate new arrivals into American society. This past April, I had the opportunity to visit with the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity at their food bank and home goods warehouse. There I met a young Iraqi mother and her son, both of whom had recently arrived in the United States and resettled in Metro Detroit. The efforts of the established Chaldean community to assist recent refugees were truly impressive, and I was struck by how grateful the mother was for the opportunity to start a new life for her family in the United States. Today, as we mark World Refugee Day, I urge my colleagues to renew their commitment to providing humanitarian aid and resettlement assistance to victims of ethnic, religious and political persecution as well as other vulnerable people who have been forced to flee their homes due to natural or man-made disasters.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Southeast Michigan's environmental leaders, Chuck Hersey, on the occasion of his retirement from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments after 35 years of dedicated service. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Chuck joined SEMCOG in the spring of 1978 as a co-op research assistant. He was promptly hired full time to work on transportation planning, and was promoted to the position of Air Quality Planner in 1980. Since that time, Chuck has been intimately involved in our region's implementation strategy for meeting air quality goals. Over the course of many years, he has also worked tirelessly in the cause of improving water quality in Michigan. SEMCOG was formed over 40 years ago to fill a vital need--to bring together distinct communities in Southeast Michigan, and provide a forum to help them plan and work together for the common good. The philosophy at the heart of SEMCOG is that the whole is sometimes greater than the sum of its parts, and that our region faces challenges we can only meet by working together. Chuck's work on air pollution is a good example. Air pollution does not recognize political boundaries. You can't deal with ozone and particulate pollution unless you are able to look at pollution on a regional basis, and then develop strategies that both meet the health- based standards of the Clean Air Act and are achievable and cost- effective. This is precisely the work that has occupied Chuck during his tenure at SEMCOG, whether it was his efforts behind the formation of a Southeast Michigan Ozone Strategy; his work on air quality attainment strategies; and his development of the Ozone Action! Program, which became a national model on air quality education. I am also grateful for the work Chuck and SEMCOG have done to advance water quality improvements in Lake St. Clair, and, in particular, his efforts to advance the Lake St. Clair Strategic Implementation Plan. Among his other accomplishments, Chuck holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Michigan. He is the devoted husband of Agnes, and father of Mathew and Angela. Chuck and Agnes have two grandchildren, Cameron and Giovanni. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Chuck Hersey for his commitment to the citizens of Michigan as well as our state's precious environment.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself such time as I shall consume. I rise today in opposition to the Patients' Rights Repeal Act. Here we go again. This vote is more than just a sideshow. It's an embarrassing spectacle that has consumed House Republicans for more than 2 years, to the detriment of our economy and millions of Americans looking for work. Republicans, on this, have their legislative heads in the sand and their feet in cement. The Republicans are blind to the benefits that so many are already experiencing through ACA. It's already helping millions of Americans, with many millions more set to gain insurance coverage through the marketplaces next year. With their feet in cement, 37 times House Republicans will have voted to repeal all or part of ObamaCare. More than 50 million--50 million--taxpayer dollars have been spent by House Republicans through the dozens of hours Republicans have devoted to floor votes to try to repeal ObamaCare, which even Speaker Boehner acknowledged last year is the law of the land. Since the beginning of 2011, Republicans have spent no less than 15 percent of their time on the House floor trying to repeal ObamaCare, when they know it would not happen. Yet, not once this year, not once, have Republicans turned their focus toward job creation. What we have here, repeal, is a Republican obsession. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel). (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), who's the ranking member on the Health Subcommittee. (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts, a distinguished member of our committee, Mr. Neal. (Mr. NEAL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1 minute to another member of our committee, the distinguished gentleman from the State of Connecticut (Mr. Larson). (Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 2 minutes to another member of our committee, the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains on each side?