Sander Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra), our caucus chair.

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

Mr. LEVIN. Could I ask the Speaker how much time is remaining on both sides?

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), another distinguished member of our committee.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), vice chair of our Caucus.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), another very distinguished member of our committee.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this is an amazing debate. The gentleman from California talks about guaranteeing. So you guarantee payments to foreign debt holders. You won't guarantee payments to our veterans or to kids with school lunches. You won't guarantee payments to people who are doing medical research. You won't guarantee that. So here is the problem: you are proceeding on a very partisan basis on a bill that is going nowhere. You say we need to raise the debt ceiling. We will, and we are going to do it long before there is any consideration of the details about which you speak. You talk about the need to control spending. We are going to pass a debt ceiling. The disturbing thing is you come here on a partisan basis when there is a crying need for bipartisanship. The only way the debt ceiling can be raised is bipartisan, and you come here today strictly partisan. That is a bad omen because, in addition to the debt ceiling, there is the continuing resolution. We have also the Medicare premium issue that looms in a few days. We have a highway bill that looms in a few days. The only way they are going to be resolved is on a bipartisan basis. You come here with a bill that won't get, I think, a single Democratic vote, and you know it, and yet your leadership sanctions you to do this. What does that mean for the future? It is deeply troubling. This is demagoguery. It is an effort maybe to gain a few more Republican votes, but this is too important for that. It is not policy, as I said before. It is a ploy. When it comes to issues like this, it should be beyond that kind of gamesmanship. In this sense, it is kind of sad you are doing this. It raises questions as to where your leadership is going to take this institution in the future, when already on your side the public has such deep disbelief in what you are doing. It is too late to ask you to pull back. I urged that to your leadership some time ago. I guess we are going to go forth. It is a frightful mistake to be doing it this way. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Berkley School District as it celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. The Berkley School District serves the cities of Berkley, Huntington Woods and the northern portion of Oak Park, all of which I have had the privilege of representing during my tenure in the House of Representatives. The Berkley School District had its beginnings in 1840, only 3 years after Michigan attained statehood, in the Blackmon School, a one-room schoolhouse that was part of the Royal Oak Township School District #7. Berkley, like our nation, has changed dramatically in the last 175 years. What began as a one room school house in the area of Catalpa and Coolidge (Blackmon School) is now a comprehensive PreK-12 district including nine buildings and a commitment to personal excellence for all students. This commitment is evident in the achievement of Berkley School District students, whose high school graduation rate is 98%, with nearly 100% of graduates continuing their education at colleges and universities. It is no surprise that Berkley School District students are so well- prepared for future success, as nearly 60% of its teachers have Masters degrees or higher, its high school students are offered more Advanced Placement courses than any other traditional high school campus in Oakland County, and the district is home to Norup Academy, the only K-8 International Baccalaureate program in the country which is housed on a single campus. Just a few weeks ago, Pattengill Elementary School was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2015, which helps to illustrate the district's commitment to excellence for the earliest learners as well as those preparing to graduate from high school. As important as strong academics are to student success, the Berkley School District has helped students excel in music, the arts, and other extracurricular activities. Its orchestra, marching band and concert band have won numerous state honors, as has its a cappella, bell tone and concert choirs. Its students have had their artwork shown at national, state and local competitions. And students in the Berkley School District's co-curricular programs, including marketing, communications, literacy and poetry, and robotics have won honors at the state, local, and national levels. The Berkley School District has long benefitted from strong community support, which I know firsthand. My beloved late wife Vicki and I raised our children in Berkley, and all four of them attended the Berkley Schools. Indeed, it is fair to say that the roots of my career in public service were planted in our involvement in the district. Vicki joined the Berkley Council for Better Schools in 1959, an organization committed to maintaining excellence in the schools. We hosted Council meetings in our house and made many lifelong friends through our involvement. This community involvement, which has been so meaningful to me personally, continues today. Parents frequently volunteer for school activities, voters support millages to improve students' learning environment and to upgrade technology, and residents contribute to the Berkley Education Foundation, which supports classroom needs as well as the arts programs. In its 175th year, the district's success is rooted in support from the community; it is shepherded by the committed leadership of the Berkley School Board, Superintendent Dennis McDavid and his administrative team; and most importantly it has as its cornerstone the teachers and other education professionals who every day demonstrate their commitment to helping children achieve their fullest potential. As the Berkley School District celebrates this significant milestone, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the students, staff, alumni and the entire community as they celebrate their rich history and continue their success.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The current religious exemption from ACA mirrors other religious exemptions used in the Internal Revenue Code. The EACH Act provides that anyone who ``is a member of a religious sect that relies solely on religious methods of healing and for whom medical care is inconsistent with religious beliefs'' can claim a religious exemption from the individual mandate requirement. As a step to maintain a narrowly defined religious exemption and meet concerns, this legislation is written more precisely than the previous bill that passed unanimously in this House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Doggett and I will say a few words, when many, many are in order. Nick Gwyn has been, as our chairman said, a more than valuable member of this staff and a more than dedicated member of this staff. He has been invaluable. His dedication has been endless. Nick is leaving to pursue family and other needs. He knows he is going to leave us in need, in terms of his immense talents. His dedication to the subject matter that is, by definition, so directly involved with people is really beyond estimation. The subcommittee's work deals, as I said, with the everyday challenges that so many of the citizens in this country face day in and day out. It was only a few days ago that we heard from Pope Francis how important it is for this institution to focus on the individual needs of people, including those who are poor, some with handicaps, but everybody who is in need of a hand up, really, as much, if not more than, a helping hand. And Nick has devoted over a dozen years to this very purpose. So, if I might say so, we have worked together with Nick, and we just want to thank him for more than a job well done. We have been very proud to serve with him.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 50, calling on the release of the detained Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko. The Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko was captured by Russia- controlled forces in July 2014 in eastern Ukraine; illegally transferred to Russia, and later charged with trumped up charges of murder. Since then, she has been kept in Russian custody. There can be little doubt that she is being held as a political prisoner, punished for her defiance, and used as a bargaining tool in Russia's protracted offense against Ukraine. Since her capture, Ms. Savchenko has come to represent the spirit of an independent Ukraine. A Ukraine that is free from interference and eager to embrace the will of its own people, striving towards the rule of law and democracy. We all know that the last two years have been difficult. Since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, eight thousand people have been killed, over a million people have been displaced, and Crimea has become occupied. All the while, meaningful progress seems elusive as reports of continued fighting make news week after week. Amidst all the reports of death and violence, Ms. Savchenko's courage and spirit have inspired millions of people around the world. Here at home, the Ukrainian-American community in my home district has followed her case especially closely. Together, we worried for her health when she underwent a lengthy hunger strike earlier in the year. And we also worried for her well-being, as her case suffered repeated and unfair delays. We now call for her release. For those of us who have followed human rights issues, it is easy to see through the repeated delays, the so-called psychiatric evaluations, and the changes in venues to discourage outside observers. These tactics are used all too often as tools of intimidation and confusion by authoritarian regimes. Ms. Savchenko's trial began earlier today, where journalists were barred from the courtroom. I have no reason to believe that her trial will be fair, given the precedents set thus far. I call for her release, and urge my colleagues to rise in support of Ms. Savchenko, and in support of the Ukrainian people. Let us send a unified message in support of human rights around the world. Amendment Offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), the ranking member of the Budget Committee.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. For far too long, we faced the nightmare of Iran with nuclear bombs. Impacted by heavy sanctions, Iran finally agreed to negotiate, led by the United States and five other nations. After agreeing on a framework, which Iran complied with, the parties completed the much- detailed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. When I issued my statement of support for the JCPOA 6 weeks ago, its fate was uncertain. What decisively turned the tide was the impassioned leadership of the President with Secretaries Kerry and Moniz, combined with a momentous outpouring of support outside the political realm from a vast array of scientific experts, experienced diplomats, key figures from all religious faiths, a wide variety of military leaders, and informed expressions from major former governmental figures of the highest integrity, including Colin Powell and Brent Scowcroft. It also became increasingly clear that there was no other workable alternative. This point was reinforced by the joint statement yesterday from British Prime Minister Cameron, French President Hollande and German Chancellor Merkel. They said, among other points: This is not an agreement based on trust or on any assumption about how Iran may look in 10 or 15 years. It is based on detailed, tightly written controls that are verifiable and long-lasting. Iran will have strong incentives not to cheat: The near certainty of getting caught and the consequences that would follow would make this a losing option. It is now absolutely clear that the JCPOA will go into effect, requiring the initial set of detailed obligations that Iran must fulfill. It is, therefore, time to go on. This institution, which has been a major center of attacks on the JCPOA, would hopefully have those who opposed now join with those who supported the agreement and work together to rekindle the kind of overall bipartisanship that Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan urged should apply to key foreign policy issues as they ``approached the water's edge.'' Surely this kind of rekindled bipartisanship needs to be undertaken in particular to take steps to deepen support for Israel's security, to fight and defeat terrorism, and to rekindle efforts for viable peace negotiations. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 3461, which is a vote of approval for the comprehensive agreement that would prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 3460, which would suspend the President's authority to waive sanctions and, in effect, prevent him from implementing the comprehensive agreement. I close. It is, indeed, time to move on and to take the next steps. Failure to do so but, instead, to perpetuate partisanship will, I strongly believe, be counterproductive for any who try it and for our entire Nation. We can and we must do much better. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) who, to put it mildly, is a senior member of our committee. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), another valued member of our committee.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our leader, who, indeed, as she goes to speak, has been our leader on this effort.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I pause for a minute. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).