Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Chairman Skelton and Chairwoman Tauscher have crafted a bill that protects the United States and our allies from real ballistic missile defense. And I think it is the right balance. There is no doubt that this Nation needs a robust ballistic missile defense, and we have properly invested our resources into those areas of ballistic missile defense that are working and have the most promise. The underlying bill provides $9.3 billion for missile defense, supporting critical programs that are testing and operational and eliminating unnecessary and unproven programs that waste taxpayer dollars. The Franks amendment, in contrast, would direct precious resources to flawed programs that, to paraphrase Secretary Gates, will enhance neither the efficacy of our missile defense nor the security of our citizens. In his opening statement the gentleman, the sponsor of the amendment, said that the greatest threat that we face is a ballistic missile from a rogue nation. That is not accurate. There is no doubt that is a threat, we have to be concerned about it, but realistically the greatest threat is from fissile material or a nuclear weapon being smuggled into the United States and being detonated. That is not just my opinion, but that of many national security experts. I have had the privilege of serving on almost every major national security committee in this Congress, both on the Intelligence Committee and on the Armed Services Committee. On the Armed Services Committee, I served as subcommittee chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. That is the greatest threat that we face; and this mark, the chairman's mark, contains more support for counterproliferation programs to secure fissile material or nuclear weapons that could be smuggled into the country. That is the right approach. Meanwhile, the proposed cut to DOE's environmental cleanup would eliminate as many as 33 jobs when America can least afford it. This bill balances our security needs with realistic budget considerations. Funding proven systems like Aegis BMD and THAAD with significant increases to prevent rogue nation threats to our country.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to thank Chairman Mollohan for his outstanding leadership as chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Flake amendment to strike funding from the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill for the JASON Project. And I, again, do want to thank Chairman Mollohan in particular for his unwavering support of this important program, which ultimately results in its being a public-private partnership, which, I think, is a great example of how to invest in education. The JASON Project was first created by Dr. Bob Ballard. Many of you may remember Dr. Ballard was the famed underwater explorer who found the Titanic. And Dr. Ballard has a real passion for children in educating the next generation. I've had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ballard at the University of Rhode Island on science education initiatives, and I am grateful for his work to establish the JASON Project and for his dedication to training and inspiring future scientists. As Congress addresses today's economic challenges, we must be vigilant in giving our future generation the tools that they need to succeed. The gentleman from Arizona noted the deficit that our country faces. Well, how are we going to get out of our deficit and ensure that we are creating wealth for the future, that we are creating prosperity for our country if we don't invest in our young people, if we don't invest in our future? That's what the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs in particular do. They make sure that we are educating our young people who are going to be the job creators, the problem solvers, the innovators of tomorrow. We're investing in our young people. STEM education has become a common theme during this debate tonight, and the JASON Project focuses on just that. Since 1989 the JASON curriculum, which is a free curriculum, has been distributed to over 7 million students and teachers. JASON fosters critical thinking and problem-solving while engaging students in real hands-on science, helping them understand complex scientific concepts. I urge Members to vote ``no'' on this amendment and support funding to encourage and inspire our next generation of critical thinkers by supporting the JASON Project. Again I want to thank Chairman Mollohan for his unwavering support of this vitally important program.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 2009, I was unavoidably detained and unable to be in the Chamber for a rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 351, the motion ordering the previous question on the rule for H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2010. Stated against:

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to add my voice to the millions across the nation to honor Memorial Day and the bravery and sacrifices of our troops and veterans--especially the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for defending our freedom. Since the founding of our nation, the members of our armed forces have been charged with defending liberty, a job that they carry out with honor and distinction every day. Without concern for their own safety, they have stormed the beaches of Normandy and Okinawa. They have protected the people of Seoul and held Saigon against the Tet offensive. And today, they valiantly serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know firsthand of these ongoing sacrifices. As a member of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, I participate daily in meetings and hearings where I am reminded of their tireless efforts, devotion and dedication to our nation. I was fortunate to witness their professionalism and extraordinary service on the front lines during a recent visit to Iraq and Afghanistan over the Memorial Day recess. Talking with soldiers from my home district was especially moving as it served to remind me of the uncommon courage and dedication that can come from small towns and local communities all across America. I want to say a special thank you to those soldiers I met with in Iraq and Afghanistan for their tireless service. On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of their country. We remember the courage and dedication of soldiers who served on a distant battlefield knowing that they may not make it back home. For this reason, I support several legislative proposals to honor our men and women in uniform, such as measures to establish a Select Committee on POW and MIA affairs, recognize the hard work of our NCOs and support the families of U.S. servicemembers. Setting aside Memorial Day as a time for the nation to remember our fallen service members is crucial, but we must remember and honor our troops who put their lives on the line not once a year, but every single day, so that we may continue to enjoy the freedom and liberty that make our country great. For that, we are eternally indebted to them.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide four weeks of paid parental leave and eight weeks of unpaid leave for all federal employees after the birth or adoption of a child. Under this measure, these employees may also use accrued annual or sick leave to receive compensation for the unpaid weeks. Currently, employees may take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to care for a newborn or adopted child. H.R. 626 will help the United States Government compete with the private sector in order to recruit the best and brightest employees and retain that talent. In 2007, a Government Accountability Office report found that countries offering paid parental leave experienced increased employee retention and a reduction in the amount of time women spend out of the workforce. Disappointingly, the GAO also reported that the U.S. lags behind other industrial nations in providing policies that support working parents and their children. In fact, 169 countries guarantee women leave with income in connection with childbirth. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that women are more likely to work before and after pregnancy than they were 30 to 40 years ago, and Congress must legislate according to the changing makeup of our workforce. So far, we have not met that mark. I know that many of my colleagues have already met or exceeded the requirements of this bill, and I applaud their efforts. I know from firsthand experience that allowing new parents guaranteed paid leave helps balance the demands between work and family. For the hard work they provide for us, we owe our employees the time to enjoy the bonds that matter most in their lives. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure. It is time that the Federal Government sets the standard for working parent policies.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I applaud his efforts, along with Mr. Kagen's and along with those of many of my other colleagues. I applaud them for their interest and for their concern about the health care crisis that is facing America and that has been facing this country for decades. I am proud to join in the effort to speak out and to demand that this Congress finally, once and for all, addresses the health care crisis in America and establishes universal health care. I particularly want to commend President Obama for making this such a strong priority for his young administration. I thank the gentleman for yielding and, again, for his efforts in organizing this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, our country has seen a significant rise in health care costs over the past several years. Again, this is a national crisis, and it is probably one of the most pressing domestic public policy concerns of our time. We have witnessed a growing population with longer life spans, with higher incidence of chronic disease, with greater income disparities, and with increased levels of the uninsured, all of which put a tremendous strain on our health care system. Each of these elements has conspired to create an untenable situation that is being felt in hospitals, in doctors' offices, by individuals and families, and by businesses. It poses a threat to our long-term economic competitiveness and fiscal well-being. According to a recently released report by Families USA, 254,000 individuals in my home State of Rhode Island were uninsured during some point during the last 2 years. Well, these numbers are unconscionable, but I have to say they come as no surprise. I have continuously heard from individuals and families who are struggling with rising premiums and copays and who are overwhelmed by medical debt. In fact, as my colleague mentioned, Mr. Murphy from Connecticut, the rising cost of care for unexpected illness is one of the leading causes for personal bankruptcy. It is outrageous in a country like America that being sick could put a family into bankruptcy. I think this is unconscionable. I have also heard from Rhode Island businesses that want to provide health coverage for their employees, but they simply can't afford the time or, most importantly, the expense of providing that coverage. Of course, workers who are fortunate enough to have access to health insurance face increasingly daunting costs while many people are afraid that they'll lose their benefits all together. This simply cannot continue. The time for comprehensive health care reform has come. This has to be the year that we fix health care in America, that we afford everyone universal health care coverage. I am pleased that, within the last few months, this Congress and President Obama have already taken significant steps to expand health coverage for children, to increase funding for community health centers and to invest in innovative technologies that will ensure better treatments and outcomes for our future. It is only with comprehensive health care reform that we will achieve substantive change that improves both our Nation's health care system and the health of our Nation's citizens. Fixing our health care system is also critical to ensuring that the U.S. remains competitive globally in this international market, making sure that our businesses can be competitive in the global economy and will improve our vital long-term economic growth. In the spirit of furthering this important dialogue on health care reform, I have reintroduced my own universal health care proposal. I'm calling it the American Health Benefits Program Act which is designed to guarantee every American access to the same health care coverage as Members of Congress. I think that this is the right thing to do for the American people. In introducing this legislation, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. I want to look to a template, something that is already working. This proposal is modeled after the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB. It uses basically a health insurance exchange template while leveraging the power of the Federal Government to negotiate with private insurance carriers so that competition for enrollees is based on quality, efficiency, service and price. Basically there is still a role for private health insurers, but it uses the bulk purchasing power of the Federal Government on behalf of the American people to get the best quality and the best price for health insurance. Under this program, no one will be denied coverage or discriminated against based on their health status or pre-existing condition. The goal is to offer portable continuous coverage that drives investment and disease prevention and long-term preventative care which decrease the cost of health care over time. But most especially, it ensures that when someone is sick, they can go to a doctor and not worry about whether or not they can pay for it. This proposal represents my own vision for health reform, one that contains cost, improves quality, increases efficiency, promotes wellness, guarantees universal coverage, and encourages the investment in treatments and cures for the 21st century. Each of these principles comprises a key element, an important goal within the national dialogue on health reform. Particularly it contains the key elements that President Obama has laid out as his requirements for fixing health care in America. It is clear that we are about to set the scene for the next chapter of health care in America. And it is my strong belief that by working together, we can create a truly inclusive and sustainable model for health care that meets the needs of our children, adults and seniors regardless of their income level, employment status, age or disability. We are all stakeholders in this important debate, and we will all have a role to play in health care reform. I look forward to working with my colleagues to offer fresh solutions and create a new vision for health care in America. The time has come. This is the year. We're going to get it done. I want to thank my colleague Mr. Murphy and all of my colleagues who have joined in this Special Order tonight in this effort to fix health care in America.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to begin by commending and recognizing the hard work done by Ike Skelton as well as my colleague and friend from New Jersey, Mr. Andrews, as well as my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Conaway, and others. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of the Weapons Acquisition Systems Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act of 2009, or the WASTE TKO Act. Again, I want to thank the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, for his outstanding leadership in addressing this critical issue and for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly and with such strong support. I was honored to be a part of the conference committee, and I am happy to see such a strong bipartisan bill come back to the House for final passage. In today's world, we face a difficult balance between keeping our Nation safe and operating within the fiscal constraints of our current economic climate. The taxpayers truly are demanding that we always be good stewards with their dollars. We can all understand the outrage of the American people when they hear about billions and billions of dollars in cost overruns in weapons acquisitions programs, and we can understand their demand for change, and that's what this bill truly brings, accountability and change to our weapons acquisitions process. The WASTE TKO Act is part of a broader effort by the administration to tackle cost growth through ensuring accurate performance assessments, providing intensive care to ``sick'' programs and fighting cost growth in the early stages of development. Along with our efforts in the Congress, the Defense Department plans to add 20,000 personnel over the next 5 years to help implement reforms in government contracting. This dual effort is a positive sign of change that will ultimately help keep our Nation safer and more agile in its warfighting efforts. Specifically, this bill will bring oversight to the muddled process of performance assessments by requiring the Secretary of Defense to designate a principal official to provide unbiased evaluations on the success of our acquisitions programs. The bill will also mandate additional reviews for programs that fail to meet development requirements or that have extreme cost growth problems. Now, when cost overruns and schedule delays continue to haunt a program, it threatens the ability to provide our men and women in uniform with the best equipment possible to protect our Nation. This bill goes a long way towards increasing effective congressional oversight, and it will help us to continue to be responsible stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. A lot of hard work went into crafting this strong bipartisan measure. Again, I want to thank Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McHugh, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Conaway, and all of the members of the team who were part of this effort. I'm proud to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act, which overhauls the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs and creates new services geared toward veterans and Native Americans. This legislation builds on SBA changes made in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and it provides relief for small businesses and consumers who have been greatly affected by the credit crunch. Small businesses are the backbone of America, and they are especially important to Rhode Island's economy. Now more than ever, Congress must support the growth of America's small businesses and help stimulate the real engine of our Nation's economy. In Rhode Island, there are many businesses that are passed down from generation to generation, and it is so important that these successful businesses have access to the tools they need to weather this economic downturn. H.R. 2352 modernizes the Small Business Development Center Program by focusing on entrepreneurial development, broadens the Women's Business Centers Program by increasing counseling and training facilities, establishes the Veterans Business Center Program, formally establishes the Office of Native American Affairs, and improves the Service Corps of Retired Executives, a mentoring resource program. This bill also creates a grant program specifically designed to assist small firms in securing capital such as the new small business lending generated under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. This measure also establishes a green entrepreneurial development program, which will provide classes and instruction on starting a business in the fields of energy efficiency or green technology. It will also create a procurement training program to help local small firms find suitable contracts and technical assistance on the federal procurement process. American prosperity depends on the success of small businesses and the innovative spirit of the American people. I am committed to bringing relief to Main Street and to the small businesses that are struggling in our state, and urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. The funding in this bill will provide our men and women in uniform the tools they need to protect our nation, while recognizing the sacrifices they and their families have made for this country. Unlike past war funding supplementals, this year's measure will focus on supporting a clear plan for ending the war in Iraq and bringing our men and women home safely and responsibly. This will be balanced with adequate resources to support a ``whole of government'' approach to combat Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and to support our allies in Pakistan as they fight a violent insurgency that threatens to envelop their country. This supplemental also supports Congress's critical oversight responsibilities by requiring the President to report on the performance of the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan in five key areas by February of 2010. This will allow the Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of our new strategy in Afghanistan and ensure that we are providing everything troops need to get the job done. On the home front, the supplemental ensures that our nation is ready to respond to a full flu pandemic by providing funding for anti-viral drug and vaccine stockpiles as well as assisting state and local responders with the tools to fight such an outbreak. This bill ensures the safety of our nation by balancing our war efforts overseas with disaster response at home, and I urge passage of H.R. 2346.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 263 I was unable to record my vote. I intended to vote ``yea'' on that question.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge passage of the Weapons Acquisition Systems Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act of 2009, or the WASTE TKO Act. I want to thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership in addressing this critical issue and bringing this bill to the floor so quickly and with such strong support. In today's world, we face a difficult balance between keeping our Nation safe and operating within the fiscal constraints of our current economic climate. Cost overruns in major defense programs are a drain on our limited resources and jeopardize our national security. As of 2009 the Government Accountability Office found $296 billion in cost growth across 96 major weapons systems. We must ensure that money we use to protect our Nation is used wisely and efficiently so that taxpayer dollars get the most bang for their buck. The WASTE TKO Act helps tackle cost growth through ensuring accurate performance assessments, providing intensive care to `sick' programs, and fighting cost growth in the early stages of development. Specifically, this bill will bring oversight to the muddled process of performance assessments by requiring the Secretary of Defense to designate a principal official to provide unbiased evaluations on the success of our acquisitions programs. The bill will also mandate additional reviews for programs that fail to meet development requirements or have extreme cost growth problems. This gives Congress the power to get an honest assessment of a `sick' program's condition and decide whether it merits the risks of proceeding with development. Finally, the bill requires DOD to track cost growth and scheduling changes that take place before the program reaches milestone B, where 75% of its costs are already locked in place. This allows Congress to review alternative solutions to fight cost growth before it becomes a permanent drain on a program. When cost overruns and schedule delays continue to haunt a program, it threatens the ability to provide our men and women in uniform with the best equipment possible to protect our Nation. This bill goes a long way towards increasing effective Congressional oversight and will help us continue to be responsible stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this much-needed legislation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1718, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act and the manager's amendment that's before us today, which I know will bring greater transparency to lending practices nationwide. Unconventional mortgages have left countless Americans facing foreclosure, and this is especially true in my home state of Rhode Island, with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. With this bill, we will combat unscrupulous lending practices and bring transparency to the process by requiring mortgage originators to be licensed and mandating full disclosure of loan terms. Perhaps, most importantly, mortgage originators would certify that consumers have a reasonable ability to pay back the loans that they were applying for and that they are not predatory in nature. We have seen too many lenders steer consumers into loans that they cannot afford. We cannot allow that practice to continue or to ever happen again. I am also pleased that this measure includes protections to renters of foreclosed property. H.R. 1728 will address persistent problems in the housing market, bring financial stability to families and ensure that the appropriate measures are in place to prevent this kind of mortgage foreclosure crisis from ever happening again in the future. I want to thank and commend the gentleman from Massachusetts, Chairman Frank, for his outstanding leadership on this important measure. I urge support of this bill and the manager's amendment before us today.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 391, which recognizes May as National Foster Care Month and calls for continued improvements in our foster care system. My parents welcomed many foster children into our family over the years, and I know firsthand the value, and the challenges, of the foster care system. All children need love and support. And this is especially true for the more than half a million children currently in our foster care system, and many more who still need help. We also must address the issues affecting older youth as they transition out of foster care. Unfortunately, research shows that current and former foster youth are more likely to have difficulty making the transition to adulthood and are more likely to forgo higher education, be in poor health, become homeless and rely on public support. They deserve better, and we can do better. Further, let me thank the many compassionate individuals who take in foster children. Foster parenting is an act of true selflessness, requiring significant financial and emotional investment. Sadly, many foster children have been abused or neglected, treatment that leaves indelible scars for years, which foster parents lovingly attempt to heal. Mr. Speaker, these foster children need our continued support, our care and our love, as do the foster families who take them in. And we need to rededicate ourselves to improving our foster care system. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and his hard work on this resolution.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act. Last week, I hosted my first telephone town hall meeting and my constituents called in with questions and concerns about what can be done to stop the deceptive practices by credit card companies. I was pleased to tell them that I was a cosponsor of this bill, which provides a sensible approach to reforming major credit card abuses and improving consumer protections for cardholders. Credit cards have become an integral part of the American economy, offering consumers instant access to a convenient, flexible source of financing. Unfortunately, more and more Americans are turning to their credit cards to help pay medical and utility bills, buy groceries, and make ends meet in this troubled economy. Credit card debt now consumes a sizeable portion of the average family's income. To make matters worse, the playing field between card companies and consumers has become increasingly uneven in recent years. A credit card agreement is a contract between a card company and a cardholder, but these companies have taken advantage of their customers with deceptive billing practices and hidden fees. Meanwhile, money that families are forced to divert to these unfair rates and charges could be better spent on goods and services that could help bolster our struggling economy. Cardholders deserve more bargaining power, and the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act helps level the playing field. Cardholders are entitled to accurate information and the right to make decisions about their own credit. This bill will ban interest rate increases on an existing balance unless the borrower is 30 days overdue and requires card companies to give cardholders notification 45 days before any interest rate increase. This legislation also protects vulnerable consumers from fee-heavy subprime cards and prohibits issuing cards to minors. H.R. 627 would also ban ``universal default,'' where a card company raises the interest rate on one card if the cardholder misses a payment on a separate credit card or their credit score lowers. All of the provisions in this bill are the result of careful study and analysis, and I believe this deliberative approach has produced a very balanced and moderate bill. Mr. Chair, instead of looking the other way while Americans fall deeper into debt, Congress must protect their financial interests and put an end to the tricks and traps used by credit card companies to undermine a competitive market. The balanced reforms in the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights will help do just that, while also helping to foster fair competition and the values of the free market. I encourage all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 627.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to declare my strong support for H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and to urge its swift passage in the House of Representatives. This important legislation would expand the federal definition of hate-motivated crimes to include gender, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity. Violence provoked by prejudice has no place in our society. It jeopardizes not only the safety of the victims but also their friends and neighbors, and upsets public order by making people feel threatened in their communities. For example, persons with disabilities are often vulnerable to criminal hateful acts because they may seem different or use unfamiliar assistive technologies. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia, including my home state of Rhode Island, already recognize and prosecute these cases as hate crimes. However, there is still no uniform recognition on the national level that a disability could make a person uniquely susceptible to prejudice. Equally troubling is that Rhode Island law enforcement officials reported that nearly 50 percent of hate crime victims were targeted because of their sexual orientation. Yet even as so many Americans joined together to mourn the loss of Matthew Shepard last October, on the tenth anniversary of his brutal murder, hate-motivated crimes still go unrecognized under federal statute. H.R. 1913 has the practical purpose of authorizing training and grants for local law enforcement officials to facilitate prevention, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. However, the passing of this bill today is equally as important as the civil rights legislation that was enacted several decades ago, which enforced the principle that our country does not accept targeting any American for violence or discrimination based on hatred. I urge my colleagues to join me in fighting bigotry that threatens our communities by voting for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. Con. Res. 13, the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Conference Report. In order to rebuild our economy and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability, we must make strategic investments into our nation's health care, education, and energy programs, while simultaneously providing meaningful tax relief to families and businesses struggling to regain their economic footing. Each week, I hear from my constituents in Rhode Island about their challenges in today's economy, such as trying to save for their retirement, send their children to college, or protect their home from foreclosure. As a member of the Budget Committee, I believe this conference report reflects the crucial priorities that families face every day while adhering to an honest accounting of our fiscal challenges. S. Con. Res. 13 builds on the significant funding and tax incentives incorporated into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by increasing investments and job creation in clean energy technologies and overall energy efficiency. It supports health care reform that will lower costs, improve quality, and pave the way for coverage to help all Americans lacking proper health insurance. This budget honors the service of our nation's veterans with an increase of $5.6 billion for veterans' health care and other crucial support services. Finally, it recognizes the profound importance of education by increasing funding for programs like Title I, special education and Pell Grants for college. Just as important as our investment in job creation and economic recovery is the commitment to tax equity and fiscal responsibility. This budget provides $1.7 trillion in tax cuts for middle-income families, permanently extending the 2001 and 2003 income tax cuts for the vast majority of Americans. It also reduces the deficit by nearly two-thirds in four years, placing our country on the fiscally sustainable path necessary to regain our economic strength. It is time for policymakers at all levels and across the ideological spectrum to join together and offer a new vision and new solutions to rebuild our economy. I would like to thank Chairman Spratt for his leadership and dedication to working with Congress to ensure that this budget provides the framework necessary so that we may improve the health of our nation, reduce expenditures over the long term and ultimately regain the economic prosperity of our great nation. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and urge its final passage.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I want to again commend my colleague, Mr. Welch, for his sponsorship of this resolution. I am proud to join with him. This truly is a story of remarkable heroism and bravery. I again recognize the leadership of Captain Phillips and his crew and, in particular, the Navy SEALs, and all of our naval vessels and sailors that were involved in this entire effort. They truly are well- trained, and it showed in this. The training paid off. On a personal note, I have great respect for all of our merchant mariners. Both my grandfather and my great uncle were both members of the Merchant Marine during World War II. I know the sacrifices that these Merchant Marines give in their daily lives day in and day out to make sure that cargo moves safely around the world. This is truly a good news story, but clearly we have work to do in stopping pirate activities in the future. This is going to be an ongoing effort. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure that this type situation never happens again. Again, my congratulations to all my colleagues involved in this resolution, particularly Mr. Welch.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, one of the newest members of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, the original sponsor of this measure, the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 339) expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives regarding the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, the kidnapping of Captain Richard Phillips by Somali pirates, the rescue of Captain Phillips by United States Navy SEALs and the crews of the USS Bainbridge,USS Boxer, USS Halyburton and Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, and for other purposes.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he might consume to my friend and colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am honored to rise this morning to recognize the efforts of some true heroes during the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama and its aftermath. Like millions of Americans, I watched as the ordeal unfolded from the initial attack, to the crew's quick response, to the captain's selfless sacrifice, to the Navy's breathtaking rescue. Today, I hope all of our colleagues will join me in congratulating and in thanking the many brave Americans who played a role in the successful resolution of what could have been a terrible tragedy. First, let me thank the gentleman from Vermont, my friend, Peter Welch, for spearheading this effort. I'm honored to sponsor this resolution with him. I would also like to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McHugh for working with us to bring this resolution so quickly to the floor. The story of the merchant vessel Maersk Alabama is miraculous, not just for the safe return of its entire U.S. crew but also for the incredible bravery and professionalism displayed by the men and women of the U.S. Navy as well as Captain Richard Phillips, who gave himself up to ensure the safety of his crew. We're all familiar with the story by now. On April 8, a group of armed Somali pirates hijacked the Norfolk, Virginia-based Maersk Alabama, a U.S.-flagged cargo ship--the first such attack on a U.S.- flagged vessel in modern history. Captain Phillips and his crew were delivering a life-sustaining USAID shipment of over 8,000 metric tons of food aid to Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda when the ship came under pirate attack. The crew overpowered one of the attackers, and Captain Phillips offered himself up in return for the safe release of his crew and ship. The four pirates then fled with Captain Phillips on an 18- foot lifeboat. After receiving the distress call, the United States Fifth Fleet immediately dispatched maritime patrol aircraft to locate and monitor the Maersk Alabama and aid in directing the United States and the Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge to the scene. The USS Bainbridge, under the command of Navy Commander Frank Castellano, immediately undertook efforts to monitor conditions on the lifeboat, and along with the USS Halyburton, would prevent the pirates from escaping. At one point, Captain Phillips attempted an escape by diving into the ocean but was recaptured. When it appeared that the captain's life was in imminent danger, the Navy SEALs did not hesitate. They drew on their training, and, most importantly, their courage and took decisive action to end the standoff and save the life of Captain Phillips. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today recognizes the bravery of the captain and the crew of the Maersk Alabama and congratulates the Navy SEALs and the crews of the USS Bainbridge, Boxer, Halyburton and Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 for their decisive action in ensuring the safe return home of all concerned. Again, I want to thank Congressman Welch for his work on this legislation, and I ask all of our colleagues to vote for its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I want to thank Chairman Spratt, and I want to thank Congresswoman Schwartz for yielding. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution that is before us this evening. It is clear that in order to rebuild our economy and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability, we are going to make strategic investments in programs like health care, education and energy while simultaneously providing meaningful tax relief to families and businesses who are struggling right now to regain their economic footing. Well, this budget reflects those crucial priorities while adhering to an honest accounting of our fiscal challenges. Now I believe that our greatest budgetary challenge right now is one that is deeply and unmistakably intertwined with the strength of our Nation's economy, and that is the need for health care reform. Dr. Peter Orszag, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, recently testified before the House Budget Committee that ``the single most important step that we can take to put our Nation back on a path to fiscal responsibility is to address rising health care costs.'' Well, I could not agree more. As the cost of health care continues to rise, it is burdening our families, placing employers at a competitive disadvantage and costing our government, and ultimately the taxpayers, billions in unnecessary expenditures. Well, Madam Chair, this budget supports our shared goals for health care reform and provides the framework necessary to improve the health of our Nation, reduce expenditures over the long-term and ultimately regain the economic strength of our great Nation. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. I give great credit to Chairman Spratt and my colleagues on the Budget Committee for the hard work that they have put in to craft a responsible, truthful budget.