Sander Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Can I ask our distinguished Speaker how much time remains on each side?

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey).

Mr. LEVIN. So, Mr. Camp, are you ready to close this part of our debate? How much time remains?

Mr. LEVIN. I just want to read the facts why this bill essentially says ``China first.'' I want everybody to understand this isn't rhetoric; this is reality. The Republicans, under this bill, prioritize $14.3 trillion in debt, of that, $2.7 trillion in Social Security and $11.6 trillion in public debt. Of that public debt, $5.6 trillion is foreign. So when you come up and talk about all of the American public, you are not talking about what is in this bill. And of that foreign debt, the largest creditor is China, with over $1 trillion. So it's absolutely true that essentially what you're saying is pay the largest of the foreign creditors instead of American troops, veterans, physicians, school lunch programs, universities doing medical research, taxpayers getting refunds, and other Federal trust funds holding Treasury bonds, Medicare--these are Americans'--deposited insurance, highway trust funds, et cetera, et cetera. That's the fact. Now, there's some effort here to say, oh, we're not defaulting. Yes, you are. You're not defaulting on sovereign debt, but you're defaulting, except for Social Security, on everything else. Republicans are becoming lead defaulters in terms of paying our debt. As I said earlier, the credit agencies have said, and I'll close with this: It is not assured that the Treasury would or legally could prioritize debt service over its myriad of other obligations . . . but very likely prompt downgrade, even as our debt obligations continued to be met. This is a drastic, serious mistake. Vote ``no.'' I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I'm just going to speak for a short time and then yield. I respect the chairman of the committee; we've been friends for a long time. It's really sad this amendment is here. There can't be money used under the bill for salaries. There's no lack of clarity here. Essentially, this is an effort to give some kind of fig leaf, or whatever it is, for a terrible, terrible bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman 1 minute.

Mr. LEVIN. I yield that minute and a half to the vice chair of our caucus, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), a member of our committee.

Mr. LEVIN. I will use it by saying, a default is a default is a default. This bill is a serious mistake, as is the amendment. People can do what they want on the amendment. Vote ``no'' on the basic bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. You know, when you boil this all down, essentially what this bill says is pay some bills first and not others. I came here because, if the rule passes, we'll have a full discussion tomorrow, but I wanted to share with everybody the story that I saw this morning. It's accurate. The headline is: ``John Boehner on Debt Ceiling: Let's Pay China First, Then U.S. Troops.'' That headline in Huff Post is based on an interview with the Speaker on Bloomberg TV by Peter Cook. I quote Mr. Cook: Doesn't it mean, as Democrats have suggested, that you're basically choosing to pay China before you pay U.S. troops? The Speaker: Listen, those who have loaned us money, like in any other proceeding, if you will, court proceeding, the bondholders usually get paid first. Same thing here. Then the Speaker says, to conclude his comments as to the Administration: If it comes to the point where they don't have enough money to pay the bills, here is some order that we think is sound. It's not sound. As the SAP says, it's not workable. It endangers our economy. I quote Keith Hennessey, a former Bush administration economist: It would be the first step to becoming a banana republic. A bloody mess. As mentioned earlier by our distinguished ranking member on the Rules Committee, another Bush administration official, Tony Fratto, said: Prioritization is impossible. Is the government really going to be in the position of withholding benefits, salaries, rent, contract payments in order to pay off Treasury bondholders? Almost half, by the way, are held by foreigners. So it isn't sound also to choose some over others. So I just wanted to go through the list, if I might, so everybody understands essentially what this is saying. China and other bondholders first, not American troops in harm's way. China first, not retired and disabled veterans.

Mr. LEVIN. China first, not doctors and hospitals treating Medicare patients. China first, not American small businesses who provide goods and services. China and others first, not school lunch programs. China and others first, not universities doing medical research. China and other bondholders first, not college students who earn Pell Grants, or taxpayers due refunds, or other Federal trust funds holding Treasury bonds--for example, Medicare trust funds, deposit insurance, highway and airport trust funds, and the Federal Housing Authority. In a word, this is irresponsible. Default is default is default. The Republicans are playing with fire, I think, to gain political leverage. Instead, they should think of the national interest.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise toady to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. For far too long, too many have failed to properly acknowledge this tragedy, let alone commemorate it and honor the lives of its victims. Indeed, despite reams of historical evidence, the actions of the Ottoman Empire 98 years ago have often been labeled something other than what they actually were: genocide. In 1915, the government of the Ottoman Empire started a vicious and systematic campaign of genocide against the Armenian people. What began with the killing of 300 Armenian leaders ultimately resulted in the deaths of one and a half million people and the forced exile of another 500,000. The chilling scale of this tragedy demands that we continue to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, and remember those who were lost. Throughout my time in Congress, I have cosponsored House resolutions that have affirmed the U.S. record regarding the true nature of this ethnic extermination, and honored its victims and survivors. We must do all we can to ensure that the historical record contains the absolute truth--a commitment that will help fight against a sense of impunity. Through recognition and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, we raise awareness of ``man's inhumanity to man,'' helping to stop similar tragedies from happening in the future. I respectfully request that all my colleagues join me today in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a former colleague in Congress and an exceptional friend of working people in my home state of Michigan, David Curson, on the occasion of his retirement from the United Auto Workers (UAW). Mr. Curson won a special election in Michigan's former 11th Congressional District and served in this House from November through the end of the 112th session of Congress. We considered important issues late last year, including the resolution to the so-called ``fiscal cliff'' and Mr. Curson participated actively and effectively in those debates. The people of the 11th District were well represented with Mr. Curson serving as their voice in the House during that critical period of time. On Friday, April 12, 2013, the men and women of the UAW and a great number of his friends will come together to thank Mr. Curson for his service, to celebrate his accomplishments, and to wish him well in his retirement from that vital organization. After serving our nation in Vietnam, David Curson went to work in a Ford plant in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, where he was elected officer of his local union. His skill at representing his fellow UAW members was recognized by the leadership of the union, and Mr. Curson went to work for the International Union staff, where he served in a number of important positions. He has participated in hundreds of labor-management negotiations, and played a key role in the development of the bridge loan package that the federal government entered into with General Motors and Chrysler. It is fitting that we recognize Mr. Curson's career of service and I hope you will join me in congratulating Dave and in wishing him and his wife Sharon, the very best in their next endeavors.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as our economy continues to recover, Congress should avoid any action that would destabilize employer-employee relationships--something that we can all agree is essential for our Nation's economic success. In my home state of Michigan, we have seen the resurgence of the domestic auto industry in large part due to cooperation between labor and management and their shared desire to succeed. With that example in mind, I cannot understand why House Republicans are supporting H.R. 1120, the so-called Preventing Greater Uncertainty in the Labor Management Relations Act, which would effectively shut down the National Labor Relations Board. Instead of assuring productive employer-worker relations, a vital part of which is giving workers a voice in the workplace, this bill would actually create more uncertainty by rendering inoperable the very agency that protects workers and businesses from unfair and illegal activity. This country has labor laws for a reason--to protect workers from exploitation and ensure a working environment that benefits both labor and management. And we should not forget that these labor laws helped create the middle class, providing generations of Americans with good pay and quality benefits, safe workplaces, and job security. If Congress wishes to take action regarding the National Labor Relations Board, I would recommend that action to be the swift Senate confirmation of President Obama's three candidates for the Board. As for H.R. 1120, I will oppose this partisan effort to shut down the National Labor Relations Board.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. This Republican budget is tone deaf, the result of blind ideology. But, you know, I've been listening to what's been said so far today, and the Republicans say, but they don't say how. We've just heard, we know we can do it, but you don't say how. So what we come up with on the Republican side is a mirage--and, I think, a dangerous one. Let me give you have an example, talking about their proposals on taxes. Under their budget, the top rate is to be reduced from 39.6 percent to 25 percent. The AMT will be repealed. The corporate tax rate will be cut from 35 to 25 percent. But you won't find one syllable in the Republican budget on how all these tax cuts will be paid for. They don't identify a single tax policy that will end. The Republican budget would mean a huge tax cut for the very wealthy--several hundred thousand dollars a year--and leave a nearly $6 trillion hole in the deficit that would lead to tax increases for middle-income families. That isn't balance. That's total imbalance. At the same time, Republicans propose cutting $3.3 trillion from programs for people with low or moderate incomes, including hundreds of billions of dollars from food nutrition and Medicaid programs. So I want to end by asking when the Republicans come and talk about their tax proposals, name a specific that they would address. It's not in the Republican budget. Name one, name two, name three. Otherwise, it's worse than empty.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a long-time leader in the health care field, Dr. James E. Johnson, who is being honored by the McLaren Macomb Healthcare Foundation at their 28th Annual Crystal Ball on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Dr. Johnson is a 1975 graduate of the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital and a general surgery residency program at McLaren Macomb Hospital located in my Congressional District. Throughout his career, excellence in surgical care and surgical education has been Dr. Johnson's top priority. He currently serves as program director for McLaren Macomb Hospital's vascular surgery fellowship program and was also program director of the hospital's general surgery residency program for 17 years. Dr. Johnson also served as the hospital's chief of staff in 2011 and is currently a member of the McLaren Macomb Board of Trustees. As a leader in the osteopathic profession, Dr. Johnson was instrumental in creating the first osteopathic consortium of general surgery residency programs in the nation through the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he is a clinical professor of surgery. For 10 years, he served as the director of the consortium, which became the model for the Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution for general surgery currently in operation throughout the United States. Dr. Johnson has been a member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) since 1982. He was awarded the designation of Fellow by the ACOS in 1990 and became a life member in 2008. He also served on the College's board of governors for nine years, as secretary- treasurer, and president in 1999-2000. In 2012 the ACOS honored Dr. Johnson with the Orel F. Martin Medal, the organization's highest award. This recognition was designated to pay tribute to his outstanding career as an osteopathic surgeon, educator, mentor and leader. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. James Johnson. I thank him for his commitment to caring for those in need, and I am pleased to join with the entire community in paying tribute to him.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated, compassionate an effective public servant, Ted Wahby, who is being honored by the McLaren Macomb Healthcare Foundation at their 28th Annual Crystal Ball on Saturday, March 16, 2013 for his leadership in the health care field. Mr. Wahby has been a pillar of the community in Macomb County for nearly 50 years. He and his wife Yvonne moved to the City of St. Clair Shores in 1964, where they raised six children and still reside today. Mr. Wahby began his successful career in the financial services industry working at Comerica Bank, serving in numerous high-level capacities for 31 years. In addition to his accomplishments as a businessman, Mr. Wahby believes in giving back to the community and has devoted his immense talents to serving the public for the last 34 years. Since 1979 he has served as a school board member, city councilman, Mayor, and as County Treasurer from 1995 to present. However, the main reason for this honor is for his strong leadership and advocacy for better health care. Mr. Wahby has been a charitable leader for over four decades. Through the years, he has strategically leveraged his business and political skills to make critical advances for very important causes. He has served as a member of McLaren Macomb's Hospital Board of Trustees since 2000 and has been chair of that board since 2002. In 2001, almost 70 percent of cancer patients in Macomb County had to drive far from their home. McLaren Macomb saw the need for compassionate cancer care of the highest quality close to home and with the leadership of Ted Wahby, they decided to open a cancer center. This mission of opening the center was very personal for Mr. Wahby, as he and his wife both lost family members to cancer. Those involved with the project felt profoundly that the generous amount of time and expertise Mr. Wahby gave was vital to its success. He was a tireless supporter and fund-raiser from the very beginning, and worked for many years to influence other local leaders to get behind the project and to invest in the capital campaign. The hospital was proud to name the facility the Ted B. Wahby Cancer Center, which opened its doors in 2004. For his selfless efforts, Mr. Wahby has earned many accolades, including the 2005 Health Care Leadership Award from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, and the 2005 Thanks for Giving Award, presented for extraordinary volunteer service to hospitals in the Metro Detroit area. For all of the numerous awards he has received, Mr. Wahby summed it up best when the cancer center opened, by stating that ``his greatest reward will come when the center is operating and more people can access the quality care they need.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Ted Wahby. I thank him for his immeasurable contributions, and I am so pleased to join with the entire community in paying tribute to him.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I yield myself such time as I shall consume. Bringing up this bill today is doubly unfortunate. Number one, this is a time when we should be coming together--or at least trying to. This is a time when we should not try some partisan efforts. Unfortunately, that's what this is all about. This bill is essentially a pure fabrication of what is true. Last summer the administration came forth with a proposal: states would be allowed to apply for waivers and have some flexibility in terms of the application of the work requirements--not the end of them or changing them, but the implementation of them--provided any project would be required to increase employment by at least 20 percent. So this claim that what is being done here is an effort to put at risk the work requirements is fallacious. What happened? After HHS spoke, the Romney campaign decided they might have a campaign issue. So they essentially put together a campaign ad with the fallacious claim that what the Obama administration was trying to do was to weaken welfare reform. The instantaneous reaction of fact checkers was four Pinocchios, pants on fire, complete untruth. And this is what Ron Haskins had to say, the Republican person on the staff most involved with the chairman and myself: The idea that the administration is going to try to overturn welfare reform is ridiculous. States have to apply individually for waivers, and they have to explain in detail why the approach would lead to either more employment or better jobs for people who are trying to stay off welfare. Indeed, earlier in 2005, 29 Republican Governors wrote asking if they could obtain a waiver in terms of the implementation of the work requirements, and on three occasions the Republicans brought legislation to the floor which would have brought about this kind of a waiver. Here's what was said by President Clinton, who worked on welfare reform and signed it in 1996: When some Republican Governors asked if they could have waivers to try new ways to put people on welfare back to work, the Obama administration listened. And I insert at this point that there was a request from the Republican Governor of Utah. I continue with the quote: Because we all know it is hard for even people with good work histories to get jobs today. So moving folks from welfare to work is a real challenge, and the administration agreed to give waivers to those Governors and others only if they had a credible plan to increase employment by 20 percent, and they could keep the waivers only if they did increase employment. Now, did I make myself clear? The requirement was for more work, not less. So this was tried last year. There was an effort by the Republicans. They came forth with a bill. The campaign was full blast. And what they wanted to do was to reaffirm or to support a political ad by their candidate for President. That's what that was all about. We had a vote along partisan lines. And as we said, it went nowhere in the Senate. By the way, I don't think it helped their Presidential candidate as it was so blatantly false, so patently political. The election is over. The people have spoken. The President has been reelected. Why bring up this political horse? It's worse than lame; it's mistaken. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 2 minutes to another gentleman who has worked on welfare reform over the years, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Mr. LEVIN. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett), who is the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Human Resources with jurisdiction over TANF.

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

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

Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), another member of our committee, and a most active one.