Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Each year, the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joins with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) and other partners to support National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The goal of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is to show everyday Internet users that by taking simple steps, they can safeguard themselves from the latest online threats and respond to potential cyber-crime incidents. It would be dangerous to believe, however, that simple steps by end users will sufficiently combat the larger threats associated with a growing networked society. As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I have held eight hearings in the 110th Congress on our nation's cybersecurity posture and the various vulnerabilities in our critical information infrastructure. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can significantly impact our national and economic security. This issue has been largely ignored and misunderstood for too long. The oversight that the Homeland Security Committee is undertaking will help change that, but much work remains to be done. I thank my colleagues for cosponsoring this resolution, and look forward to working with them on these critical issues in the future.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3406, the Senate-approved ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Passage of this bill will clear the way for the President's signature and finally renew our promise to the American people that discrimination in any form will never be tolerated. I would like to thank my good friend, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who has been a real leader and champion on behalf of the disabilities community. I would also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Miller for his continued leadership on this critical issue, as well as Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner. This has truly been a bipartisan effort. The ADA was groundbreaking civil rights legislation. And as someone who has lived with the challenges of a disability both before and after the ADA's enactment in 1990, I have experienced firsthand the profound changes that this law has effected within our society. The bill before us today reaffirms the protections of the ADA and upholds the ideals of equality and opportunity on which this country was founded. In July, we celebrated the 18th anniversary of the ADA. It was a day to reflect on our past accomplishments, our current challenges, and future opportunities. I can think of no better way to honor the spirit of this landmark bill and the spirit of all those who fought for its passage than by passing the ADA Amendments Act and restoring Congress' intent to ensure the ADA's broad protections. Mr. Speaker, people with disabilities represent a tremendously valuable, and yet in many ways untapped, resource in this country. By fostering an environment of inclusion and empowerment, we can provide the means for every individual to fulfill his or her God-given potential. The ADA Amendments Act will help us realize this important goal. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the passage of this bill and send it to the President for his signature. Again, I thank all those who were part of making this day possible, particularly, again, our majority leader, Steny Hoyer, for his great leadership.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act, and I would like to thank the Democratic Leadership of the House of Representatives for bringing this critical bill to the floor. In my home State of Rhode Island, the high cost of oil and gas have become the top concern for families and businesses struggling to keep up in today's economy. This legislation promotes short term solutions to increase supply of domestic oil and gas, while establishing a long term national energy policy that invests in the development of renewable energy resources. This legislation will open the Outer Continental Shelf to responsible oil and gas development between 50 and 200 miles off the coast, requiring state approval between 50 and 100 miles. It will protect national marine monuments and sanctuaries, as well as the Georges Bank fishing area off the coast of New England. Further, the Interior Department will be required to ensure that drilling is only approved if it can be done in a manner that protects the coastal environment, marine environment, and human environment of the State coastal areas and the Outer Continental Shelf. We cannot sacrifice the health of our coastlines and the people who live there, and I am pleased that this bill takes a safe and responsible approach to domestic drilling. While I support the provisions to increase domestic oil production, I have said time and time again that we cannot drill our way out of our national energy crisis. The U.S. represents 25 percent of the world's daily oil consumption, yet we only have two percent of the world's reserves--relying solely on new production simply doesn't add up. Under this bill, revenue from domestic offshore production will be reinvested into the development of renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and bio-fuels, to bring clean, affordable solutions to our Nation. I also strongly support a provision in this bill to require electric power companies to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Furthermore, the legislation includes several proposals requiring the Department of Energy and Department of Housing and Urban Development to create new efficiency standards for both residential and commercial buildings and to help educate consumers on how to become more energy efficient, therefore limiting our demand for foreign oil. I am also pleased to see tax credits included for the promotion of more energy efficient appliances and vehicles. Increased demand for green products will bring new jobs in green technology to our communities. Further, because this bill rolls back tax breaks to big oil and uses revenues from drilling to pay for the increased investment into renewable resources, we will not leave debt behind to be paid for by future generations. I believe that it is critical for our nation to achieve energy independence and to end our reliance on foreign oil, while preserving our environment for future generations in a fiscally responsible manner. The Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act reaches a careful balance in support of these efforts, and I am pleased that this Congress is putting the safety and security of our Nation's families ahead of excessive industry profits. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of energy independence by voting yes on the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, on July 22, 2008, 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. 512, the Aviation Safety Enhancement Act of 2008.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, it is with profound sorrow that I rise to recognize the loss of an important local figure, Captain Phil Ruhle, Sr., affectionately known to so many as Captain Phil. A resident of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Captain Phil was lost at sea on July 23rd when his fishing boat capsized off the New Jersey shore. I join his family and the people of Rhode Island in mourning this great loss. An experienced fisherman who spent the majority of his life fishing the Atlantic Ocean, Captain Phil was deeply devoted to his career, and his passion for responsible fishing was unparalleled. Born in Oceanside, NY, he moved to Rhode Island early in life. He hails from a long line of fishermen, including his grandfather, father and brother, and his son has followed in his footsteps. Throughout his life, Captain Phil was tested many times. Twice before, he was aboard a fishing vessel that sank. However, despite those setbacks, he continued to persevere and pursue his passion in life. Captain Phil will be remembered as one who strongly advocated for those in his field, applying his vast knowledge and determination to serve as a key voice for the fishing industry. Most notably, he worked with fishermen and researchers to develop the ``Eliminator'' trawl, designed to catch haddock while reducing by-catch of cod and flounder, permitting a faster recovery of depleted stocks and benefiting the entire industry. I had the opportunity to see the trawl first-hand just a few weeks ago on a visit to Galilee, Rhode Island. While there, I also had the pleasure of discussing a variety of policy matters with the Captain's son, Phil, Jr. I know his dad would have been proud of his deep knowledge and commitment to the issues that impact their industry. Captain Phil engaged deeply in policy matters, representing Rhode Island on the New England Fisheries Management Council. He was a familiar face in my office, frequently visiting and calling to keep us apprised of the most recent developments in fisheries policy and regulations. I appreciated his advice and his counsel, and he will be deeply missed. Captain Phil is survived by his mother, Gloria, his wife, Donna, his children Phil Jr., Roger, and Alicia, and seven grandchildren. May we keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult period. With this loss, we are reminded that fishing is an important but dangerous profession. I ask that we all remember the sacrifices that have been made and that we pray for the safe return of all those away at sea.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Conference Report on H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This measure will improve and reform the Nation's consumer product safety system by restructuring and increasing resources for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has long been underfunded and stretched too thin. Unfortunately, this past year we learned the extent to which the CPSC had failed to protect the American consumer by the high volume of recalls, including children's toys and cribs. To help get this agency back on track, H.R. 4040 provides a comprehensive response to the toy safety crisis by creating the toughest lead standard in the world for children's products and helps ensure consumers know when products are recalled. This legislation also strengthens the currently underfunded and understaffed Consumer Product Safety Commission and significantly increases CPSC resources to hire additional staff and for laboratory renovations. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act also creates new authority for the CPSC to immediately share information about dangerous products with the public and ensures State public health agencies are kept informed. Finally, the bill requires manufacturers to place distinguishing marks on products and packaging to aid in recalls of products. I am confident that this bipartisan bill will take great strides in protecting consumers and children.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would narrow the wage gap between men and women. As a cosponsor of this bill, as well as a cosponsor in previous Congressional sessions, I am pleased to see this legislation finally debated on the House floor. H.R. 1338 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act, which makes it unlawful for an employer to pay unequal wages to men and women that have similar jobs within the same establishment. The Paycheck Fairness Act would allow women to sue for punitive damages, as well as compensatory damages. Currently, women who seek compensation for unequal pay can only recover back pay, or in some cases, double back pay. While this bill would increase penalties for employers who pay different wages to men and women for equal work, it also provides incentives such as training programs for employers to eliminate pay disparities and grant programs to help strengthen the negotiation skills of girls and women. Some may argue that these changes are not necessary, but the numbers speak for themselves. Despite greatly increased commitment to the labor force over the past 45 years, women working full time make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man--less than a 20 percent increase since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1963. Even more troublesome, African-American women earn 66 cents to the dollar and Latina women earn 55 cents to the dollar. According to a Census Bureau study, male high school graduates earned $13,000 more than female high school graduates in 2006. Women with a bachelor's degree employed year-round earned $53,201, while similarly educated men earned an average of $76,749. This same study also noted that the pay difference between men and women grows wider as they age. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that women like Lilly Ledbetter do not have to argue their case for equal pay all the way to the Supreme Court, so that single mothers do not have to worry whether or not they are being treated fairly by their employers while they provide for their children, and so that daughters entering college can reach their full potential when they graduate. Finally, I would like to thank my friend Congresswoman DeLauro for her many years of leadership on this issue, as well as inspiring women of all ages across our country.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Conference Report on H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which will reauthorize the Higher Education Act through Fiscal Year 2012. This is the first time in almost a decade that this bill has been reauthorized, and I am proud to be part of a Congress that has placed such a high priority on making college a reality for all of our Nation's students. This bill builds on legislation that passed last year to help lower college costs and boost federal loan support for our students. Given the state of our economy, it is imperative that we invest in our education system to promote new employment and ensure that today's students can adapt to the jobs of tomorrow. Two of the main goals of the Higher Education Opportunity Act are to make a college education accessible to all students and to lower college costs for those students and their families. I am pIeased that this bill increases the maximum amount of Pell Grants, which help 5.5 million low-income and minority students attend college, from $5,800 to $8,000 by the 2014 academic year. This meaure also boosts funding for the TRIO program and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), which provide college readiness and support for low-income and first-generation students. H.R. 4137 ensures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities by creating the National Center for Information and Technical Support to improve college recruitment, retention, and completion of students with disabilities, and would also expand eligibility for Pell Grants for students with intellectual disabilities. H.R. 4137 also establishes a user-friendly website to provide students and families with helpful information about college pricing, and will streamline the cumbersome filing process for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families will now be able to receive estimates of their expected contribution and the amount of financial aid they may receive. H.R. 4137 requires higher education institutions and student loan providers to give borrowers fair and full information on their loan terms and repayment options, as well as promote financial literacy and education for students and families. One of the goals of the 110th Congress is to create a new generation of innovators so that we continue to build an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering and information technology. To maintain our international competitiveness and economic advantage in the coming years, our Nation must invest more in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. That is why I am pleased that H.R. 4137 includes many new initiatives and increases STEM funding. These new programs include grants for colleges and universities to provide incentives for students in STEM majors to teach in these academic areas; the YES Partnership Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible colleges to support minority youth engagement in STEM fields through outreach and hands-on experiential learning; and the Robert C. Byrd Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarship Program, which focuses on encouraging students to earn degrees in math and science. H.R. 4137 increases college aid and support for our veterans and military families by requiring colleges and universities to treat students returning from military service as continuously enrolled students and preventing active duty servicemembers from accruing interest on student loans for the duration of their activation. The measure also encourages those students who commit to a job in high-need areas and public service for at least five years by establishing a $10,000 loan forgiveness program for nurses, early childhood educators, foreign language specialists, child welfare workers, school counselors, public sector employees, medical specialists, and mental health professionals. This measure further addresses the shortage of nursing faculty by establishing competitive grants to fund scholarships for nurses studying for advanced degrees with the intention of becoming faculty. In recent years, our country's college and university campuses have seen terrible tragedies. H.R. 4137 will boost campus safety by helping all colleges develop and implement state of the art emergency systems and campus safety plans, and will also create a National Center for Campus Safety at the Department of Justice. Administrators and students on campuses across the country have also pushed for environmental, or ``green,'' initiatives, and this measure supports these efforts by providing funding for environmental sustainability programs. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4137 shows that Congress is committed to the success of our students, and we will work to make sure that they can pursue their dreams without the burdens of unnecessary costs and debt. While we may find ourselves facing hard economic decisions, we must empower the next generation with the necessary tools and invest in their education. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act will set a blueprint for the future, and I encourage all my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1108, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This bill is a pioneering step forward in a decades-long struggle to safeguard the health of our citizens by ensuring that tobacco products are properly regulated. I am proud that the House of Representatives is taking this historic action on such an important public health issue. The dangers of tobacco products are no secret. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 438,000 deaths, or nearly 1 out of every 5 deaths, each year in the United States. Additionally, a report released by the National Cancer Institute states that smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer causing agents. Despite these and a multitude of other troubling revelations, the tobacco industry has remained virtually outside the realm of transparency or oversight. This groundbreaking measure will empower the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with meaningful authority to regulate tobacco product content and marketing for the first time in our nation's history. H.R. 1108 authorizes the FDA to restrict the sale and distribution of tobacco products, including its advertising and promotion, particularly as it affects children. It requires tobacco companies to disclose the nicotine levels and chemical contents of their tobacco products, and mandates reporting on changes to the products and any research regarding their health effects. This legislation does not permit the removal of nicotine from tobacco; however, it will grant the FDA authority to eliminate harmful ingredients and additives, and reduce nicotine levels. It will also prohibit terms such as ``light,'' ``mild'' and ``low-tar'' that mislead consumers into believing that certain cigarettes are safer than others. Tobacco is a drug with well known adverse health effects, and it should be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration like any other. This bill will provide the FDA with the necessary regulatory and oversight authority to address how tobacco products are manufactured, advertised, and marketed. Further, it will fund this authority with user fees to ensure that other efforts at the FDA are not compromised. The CDC estimates that every day, approximately 4,000 youth try a cigarette for the first time, and another 1,000 will become new, regular daily smokers. One-third of these youth will eventually die prematurely as a result. At a time when our nation's health care system is already straining under the increased weight of chronic disease, this Congress must take action to directly address the dangers of tobacco. To that end, I remain ready to work with my colleagues on this important issue and urge that they support the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008, H.R. 5983. The United States and its allies face a significant and growing threat to our information technology, IT, systems and assets, and to the integrity of our information. The acquisition of this information by outsiders threatens to undermine and over time could cost the United States our advantage over our adversaries. This is a critical national security issue that we can no longer ignore. As chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I have prioritized this issue in the 110th Congress. I have held seven hearings on cybersecurity issues, heard from hundreds of experts on how best to tackle these problems, reviewed information security best practices in the public and private sectors, investigated cyber incidents across the spectrum--from the State and Commerce Departments to our nation's electric grid--and uncovered and assisted law enforcement in investigating breaches at the Department of Homeland Security. It has become clear that an organization is only as strong as the integrity and reliability of the information that it keeps. The legislation we're considering today represents a critical step toward improving the cybersecurity posture at the Department of Homeland Security by addressing two key issues: ensuring a robust defense-in-depth of our information systems, and holding individuals at all levels accountable for mitigating vulnerabilities. This measure is composed of several important provisions. First, it establishes authorities and qualifications for the Chief Information Officer, CIO, position at the Department. In a number of hearings, I have heard concerns that the lack of an information security background can hamper the CIO's understanding and efforts to secure the Department's networks. We cannot allow future Presidents to repeat the mistakes made by this Administration in appointing unqualified individuals to this important office. Second, the bill establishes specific operational security practices for the CIO, including a continuous, real-time cyber incident response capability, a network architecture emphasizing the positioning of security controls, and vulnerability assessments for each external- facing information infrastructure. These are fundamental elements of a comprehensive information security program. Third, the bill establishes testing protocols to reduce the number of vulnerability exploitations throughout the Department's networks. Time and again we have heard that the Federal Information Security Management Act--or FISMA--does not operationalize security, and does not effectively reduce the number of successful attacks. We must change this, and we can do so by bringing together the heads of appropriate federal agencies to mitigate known attacks against our governmental infrastructure. The fourth major provision of the bill requires the DHS Secretary to determine if the internal security policy of a contractor who provides network services to the Department is consistent with the Department's requirements. Again, this is standard operating procedure for all private sector companies; it should be so for the Federal Government as well. Finally, this bill seeks a formal report from the Secretary on meeting the deadlines established by the Office of Management and Budget, OMB, for Trusted Internet Connections, TIC, encryption and authentication mandates. These are critical for the Department's efforts in information security, and I am not confident that the proper deadlines are being met. I encourage my colleagues to support the Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008 and thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership in bringing this important measure to the floor.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221). This measure will provide a helping hand for those reeling from the mortgage crisis. Just as importantly, it will restore confidence in our largest mortgage backers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We have all seen how unscrupulous lending practices and skyrocketing interest rates associated with nontraditional mortgages have devastated families nationwide. Sadly, these families are often left with few options other than to see their homes foreclosed upon. In Rhode Island, foreclosures have increased by 20 percent in the last six months, and it is our most vulnerable communities that have been disproportionately affected. Fortunately, today we are considering a package that will stem the tide of foreclosures by authorizing $300 billion in loan guarantees to establish HOPE for homeowners, a voluntary program administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to help at-risk borrowers refinance into viable mortgages. I want to emphasize that this assistance is not a bail-out. On the contrary, the program will require lenders and mortgage investors to take significant losses in the form of a reduced loan principal, and borrowers must agree to share any profit from the resale of a refinanced home with the federal government. Furthermore, only primary residences will be eligible, not investment properties, vacation homes or speculators' purchases. In addition, this package will provide $3.92 billion in Community Development Block Grants for local governments to purchase abandoned and foreclosed properties--a provision that is fully paid for. I am glad the President has finally lifted his misguided veto threat over this provision and will not stand in the way of local governments attempting to reduce the number of vacant properties in their communities and invest in affordable housing. This legislation will also revitalize the FHA, which was established to provide a reliable source of affordable mortgage loans for first- time homebuyers. The lack of affordable housing has long plagued many communities throughout America, and the problem is particularly acute in high cost areas like Rhode Island. Through our efforts today, the FHA will be able to better assist America's working families by offering loans at affordable rates with fair terms. This legislation will also allow the FHA to raise loan limits in high cost areas and to offer zero- and low-down-payment loan options for borrowers that can afford mortgage payments, but lack the resources required for a down payment. I also strongly support this bill's creation of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which will construct, rehabilitate and preserve 1.5 million housing units over the next ten years. Above all, this measure will help safeguard the interests of the American taxpayer and ensure that our nation's largest mortgage- backers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, remain strong. I'm pleased that H.R. 3221 will create a new independent agency--the Federal Housing Finance Agency, FHFA--to regulate Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac currently back nearly half of our nation's mortgages, and the FHFA will ensure both entities remain financially strong. The creation of a strong independent regulator for our Government Sponsored Enterprises is long overdue. Four years ago I shared Alan Greenspan's concerns that the GSE's were involved in risky investments, saying on the House Floor: ``It appears as though the increased risk that GSE's have been taking on is not related to their primary operation of purchasing affordable housing loans in the secondary market. Rather, much of their risk comes from derivative investments in an effort to maximize profits for shareholders. As we learned from Enron, complex derivative schemes may boost profits in the short-term, but the long-run risks can be too difficult to manage.'' While I regret that it took far too long for this problem to be taken seriously, I believe we are taking the proper action today. This measure will also provide temporary, emergency authority through the end of 2009 to the Treasury Department to purchase stock in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide stability to our financial markets, prevent disruptions in the availability of mortgage finances, and protect taxpayers. While many, including the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, predict this authority may never be used, it is necessary to ensure a last-resort federal guarantee for our largest mortgage backers. The American Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act also includes several key tax incentives designed to spur home buying and put money back in the hands of home owners. This legislation creates a $7,500 credit for first-time homebuyers, designed to serve as an interest-free loan to be paid back after fifteen years. H.R. 3221 will also provide taxpayers that claim the standard deduction with an additional property tax deduction of up to $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers. Finally, the bill before us will combat unscrupulous lending practices and increase transparency by establishing a nationwide loan originator licensing and registration system that will set minimum standards for licensing and substantially improve oversight of mortgage brokers and loan officers. Additionally, it improves disclosure requirements to help ensure that borrowers fully understand their mortgage loan terms. This legislation is an important and common-sense response to the housing crisis and will help stabilize families and our economy. I thank Chairman Frank for his leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as a proud member of the Hellenic Caucus, I rise today to recognize the 34th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus. On this occasion, we mourn those who lost their lives and remember the barrier created in 1974 that still exists today. The island remains divided between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, despite attempts by the international community for a reunification settlement. I have repeatedly emphasized the need for a peaceful settlement to the ongoing division in Cyprus--a goal that has eluded American and European leaders for more than thirty years. I believe that a strong U.S. commitment to Cyprus should be one of our nation's top foreign policy priorities. As Americans, we must guarantee that our foreign policy reflects our values of justice, equality and responsibility, and promoting a lasting peace and stability in Cyprus illustrates those values. The United States holds a unique position of trust with both Greece and Turkey, and we must use our influence to work toward a solution that is acceptable and equitable to all of Cyprus's residents. I am pleased that we have made progress in recent years, but we have more to do. We must remain committed to our vision of a Cyprus that is again unified and able to reach its full potential in the international arena. I also would like to thank my colleagues on the Hellenic Caucus, especially Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Bilirakis, for addressing this important event.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for the unanimous consent request and for the granting of it. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3221 will also create an independent agency to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System to help ensure that these critical institutions remain strong, and it's about time. Four years ago I shared Alan Greenspan's concerns that GSEs were involved in risky investments. At that time I said it appears as though the increased risk the GSEs have been taking on is not related to their primary operation of purchasing affordable housing loans in the secondary market. Rather, much of their risk comes from derivative investments in an effort to maximize profits for shareholders. As we learned from Enron, complex derivative schemes may boost profits in the short term, but their long-run risk can be too difficult to manage, and this is where we are today. I'm glad that we fixed this problem by passing this legislation. I commend the gentleman from Massachusetts for his hard work on this bill. I'm also glad that the President has finally lifted his veto threat and will not stand in the way of assistance to local governments to purchase abandoned and foreclosed properties. This legislation is an important commonsense response to the housing crises and will help stabilize families in our economy. I thank Chairman Frank for his leadership and all of my colleagues for their support for this bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, right now there are thousands of families in my home State of Rhode Island and across America who are struggling to keep their homes due to the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis. I rise in strong support of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act to lend a helping hand for those reeling from the mortgage crisis. Just as importantly, it will restore confidence in our largest mortgage backers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I am pleased that this package includes also a key House-passed measure from an overhaul of the Federal Housing Administration to an affordable housing trust fund to construct, rehabilitate, and preserve 1.5 million housing units. This will address an issue that's particularly acute in Rhode Island, where affordable housing is so scarce that someone needs to earn more than two or three times the minimum wage just to afford an average two-bedroom apartment. H.R. 3221 will also create an independent agency to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System to help ensure that these critical institutions remain strong.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the chairman for yielding, and I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member on their hard work on this bill, particularly staff, who also has worked hard on this legislation. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5959, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. While the bill contains a number of important provisions to strengthen our intelligence community and enhance national security that many of my colleagues have already been speaking about, I am particularly pleased that it represents a reasonable and measured response to the administration's cybersecurity initiative. Now, this bill, the cybersecurity initiative, is the administration's response to the cybersecurity threats facing the Nation. And although the administration has been slow in recognizing this threat, I believe the cyber initiative is a move in the right direction, but requires careful scrutiny. Now, this bill reduces funding in selected areas where it is not adequately justified. However, recognizing that cybersecurity is a real and growing threat that the Federal Government has been slow in addressing, the Intelligence Committee has authorized more than 90 percent of the administration's requests. At the same time, the bill clearly demonstrates that the committee does not intend to write the administration a blank check for the cybersecurity initiative, which is a multi-year, multi-billion dollar project. Now, we need a thorough assessment of the technical feasibility and scalability of the initiative and a careful balance between cybersecurity and privacy protections. Thus, the bill envisions an advisory panel of senior representatives of Congress, the Executive Branch and industry who can tackle these issues. I was co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, basically a commission that will present a blueprint on cybersecurity for the next President. I have been deeply involved in developing recommendations for a national cybersecurity plan that protects, among other things, our critical infrastructure assets and infrastructure itself, as well as Federal networks and also the private sector. Furthermore, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, and as chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science Technology, I will continue to ensure and exercise rigorous congressional oversight over this issue as it evolves. The measure before us is an important first step in addressing our cybersecurity threats and closing that vulnerability and it is, obviously, a critical national security issue. And I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill. Again, I commend Chairman Reyes for his leadership, and also thank staff for the great work they have done on this bill today.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5803, legislation that would establish a voluntary program so election officials can offer voters a backup paper ballot in the event of an emergency. Now when I served as the Secretary of State for the State of Rhode Island, I reformed our State's voting machines and election processes to make them more accurate and accountable. From that experience, I know that ensuring confidence in our voting system is the cornerstone of our democracy. As the 2008 election promises to bring out record numbers of voters to the polls, H.R. 5803 will boost confidence among the electorate by ensuring that voters are not turned away from the polling places, do not wait in long lines and do not incorrectly receive provisional ballots because of malfunctioning voting systems. H.R. 5803 authorizes $75 million to establish a voluntary, and I repeat voluntary, opt-in grant programs for State and local governments that wish to provide backup paper ballots in the coming November elections. Although many States already require emergency paper ballots, the 2008 Presidential primaries revealed that many jurisdictions do not have the resources to provide backup ballots. For example, during Pennsylvania's 2008 Presidential primary, a Philadelphia precinct experienced failures with both of its electronic voting machines causing voters to wait in long lines or even leave without voting at all because of a lack of emergency paper ballots. Now we can't allow that to happen. H.R. 5803 provides the necessary resources for States to prepare for potential problems so that voters are not turned away from the polls because the voting system malfunctions. The National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Association of Counties support H.R. 5803 because it is meaningful and respectful of State authority in election administration matters. H.R. 5803 has been crafted to allow jurisdictions to determine when and how the backup ballots are distributed. The legislation is not a mandate, and it's purely a voluntary option for jurisdictions to consider. In closing, I would like to thank the Elections Subcommittee Chairwoman Lofgren for her leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today in the first place. And I would also like to thank my friend from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) who has raised awareness about the importance of voting machine accuracy and accountability. I have been proud to work with him on a number of efforts, and I look forward to our continued cooperation. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5803 to ensure that we maintain public confidence in our voting procedures as we approach this coming election season.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the ADA Amendments Act, and I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to recognize the fact that this act is championed by my good friend and colleague from Maryland, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. This crucial legislation would not have been possible without his leadership and that of Mr. Sensenbrenner and so many of my other colleagues, and I thank all of them for their tireless efforts to ensure the continued inclusion and protection of people with disabilities in our society. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all of the advocates of disability and business communities who have united behind this important cause and worked diligently with Members of Congress to ensure a fair and strong compromise. The American Disabilities Act, or ADA, was truly one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation of the 20th century. As someone who has lived with the challenges of a disability both before and after the ADA's enactment in 1990, I have experienced firsthand the profound transformation this law has created in our society. I remember well what it was like before the passage of the ADA and where accommodations were seen as personal courtesies or privileges as opposed to a civil right. I can remember what it was like coming down to Washington as a young intern for Senator Pell from Rhode Island and how challenging it was to find good, reasonable public accommodations. And I remember what it was like in Rhode Island before the ADA was passed in terms of voting, and I was not able to vote independently on my own. I had to have help in the voting machine. And it wasn't until after the ADA was passed and I became Secretary of State and changed our election system that it was truly possible to vote independently on my own. The ADA has broken down countless barriers and helped millions of Americans to flourish in their personal and professional lives. It has also served as a vital tool against discrimination in the workplace and in public life. Unfortunately, a number of court decisions over the years have diluted the definition of what constitutes a disability, effectively limiting the ADA's coverage and excluding from its protections people with diabetes, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, and various developmental disabilities. The bill before us today reaffirms the protections of the ADA and renews our promise of equality for every American. The ADA has as its fundamental goal the inclusion of people in all aspects of society, and I am very pleased to say that the ADA Amendments Act brings us one step closer to that goal. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and send a strong message that discrimination in any form will never be tolerated in this great Nation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. I am pleased that the House of Representatives is taking action to address some immediate concerns within the Medicare program. This matter has regrettably become stalled in the Senate, and passage of this bill will affirm our commitment to ensuring continued access to care for America's Medicare beneficiaries. This measure includes a number of important provisions, including increased access to low income assistance, additional supports for rural providers and beneficiaries, and an extension of access to therapy services through 2009. Additionally, this bill delays the impending 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursements scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2008. Instead, it freezes payments for the remainder of 2008 and provides a modest 1.1 percent increase in 2009. This legislative fix, although temporary, will help ensure that access to care is not compromised and physicians can continue serving our most vulnerable populations. It is my hope that Congress will use these next 18 months as an opportunity to find a permanent and sustainable solution for the flawed reimbursement formula so that it more accurately represents the costs of providing care in the current market. Also included in this bill is a provision to delay Medicare's competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment. Although competitive bidding was instituted to reduce spending within the already overburdened Medicare system, serious concerns have been raised over the implementation and potential consequences of this program. H.R. 6331 halts the implementation of the competitive bidding program for one year, while making necessary improvements to the bidding process and establishing quality standards for suppliers. This will constitute an important step towards a more efficient system that maintains the quality and access that beneficiaries deserve. Americans everywhere are counting on this Congress to take action before July 1, to ensure that access to Medicare services is not jeopardized. I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that lawmakers can begin to discuss long-term, viable solutions to reform and stabilize the Medicare program.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, on the morning of June 20, 2008, I was unavoidably detained and unable to be in the chamber for three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 434, on approving the journal; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 435, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1276; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 436, on agreeing to H. Res. 436. Additionally, because of inclement weather on the evening of June 23, 2008, my flight was delayed, and I consequently missed two votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 438, passage of H. Res. 1242; and ``yea'' on rollcall 439, passage of H. Con. Res. 372.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as I've said before, this legislation will only work if everyone involved follows the rules and remains within the confines of the law. Congress must continue to conduct robust oversight to make sure that the law is implemented as intended to maintain the critical and fragile balance of protecting our Nation and protecting civil liberties.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I know we must give our intelligence community the proper tools to protect us while upholding the civil liberties of Americans. Today's compromise illustrates what this House can do when it deliberates with care, holds steady against fear-mongering, and acts in the best interest of the country and its citizens. This bill is strong on civil liberties, and includes protections against infringement of our Constitutional right to privacy. First, the bill clarifies that FISA is the exclusive means by which the executive branch may conduct electronic surveillance on U.S. soil. No President will have the power to do an end-run around the legal requirements of FISA. This provision will prevent the types of abuses we have witnessed under this administration. Second, this Act requires a warrant from the FISA court to conduct surveillance of Americans abroad. Americans will no longer leave their constitutional protections at home when working, studying, or traveling abroad. Third, it requires prior approval by the FISA court of procedures the Government will use when carrying out foreign electronic surveillance. This will ensure that the Government's efforts are not aimed at targeting Americans, and that, if an American's communication is inadvertently intercepted, it is dealt with in a manner that guarantees legal protections. One issue that has been repeatedly addressed is whether telecommunications companies should be granted immunity against pending lawsuits for their involvement in the earlier surveillance program. For a long period of time, the Bush Administration stonewalled and did not provide Congress the documents we demanded to ascertain the role that the telecommunications companies played. Since then, I have reviewed a large number of classified documents on this matter, and I am deeply concerned about the manner in which the Bush administration conducted its surveillance program. Therefore, I am pleased that this legislation preserves a role for the U.S. court system, which will review the documents produced by the White House and other relevant documents to decide independently whether the telecommunications companies acted in good faith when cooperating with the Government. Only after that review would the courts decide whether the telecommunications companies deserve any form of liability protection. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes a joint investigation by the Inspectors General from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence to review the past actions of the U.S. Government and report to Congress on their findings so that we may take appropriate action. Many today have said that the legislation before us is not a perfect bill, and I agree. Nevertheless, it is significantly better than the bill passed by the Senate and an immense improvement over the Bush administration's program, neither of which took sufficient steps to protect Americans' civil liberties. I know that the Democratic leadership negotiated a good compromise, and I will support it. However, as I have said before, this legislation will only work if everyone involved follows the rules and remains within the confines of the law. Congress must continue to conduct robust oversight to make sure the law is implemented as intended to maintain the critical and fragile balance of protecting our Nation and protecting civil liberties.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. Though not a perfect piece of legislation, it is clearly far better than what we have today, and addresses a number of the many concerns that were raised about the administration's conduct of surveillance in this country. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I know that we must give our Intelligence Community the proper tools to protect us, while upholding the civil liberties of Americans. Today's compromise illustrates what this House can do when it deliberates with care, holds steady against fear mongering and acts in the best interests of the country and its citizens. This bill is strong on civil liberties, and includes protections against infringement of our constitutional right to privacy. First, the bill clarifies that FISA is the exclusive means by which the executive branch may conduct electronic surveillance on U.S. soil. No President will have the power to do an end-run around the legal requirements of FISA. This provision will prevent the types of abuses we've witnessed under this administration. Second, this act requires a warrant from the FISA court to conduct surveillance of Americans abroad. Americans will no longer leave their constitutional protections at home when working, studying or traveling abroad. Third, it requires prior approval by the FISA court of procedures the government will use when carrying out foreign electronic surveillance. This will ensure that the government's efforts are not aimed at targeting Americans, the so-called reverse targeting that we're all concerned about; and that if an American's communications is inadvertently intercepted, it is dealt with in a manner that guarantees legal protections. It also requires and allows for, now, an IG investigation of this warrantless surveillance program that took place prior to Congress being made aware of this legislation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide 4 weeks of paid parental leave and 8 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 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to care for a newborn or adopted child. H.R. 5781 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. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act, H.R. 2631, introduced by my friend and colleague, Congressman Adam Schiff. Through my work on both the Homeland Security Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have become convinced that the nuclear terrorist threat is real requiring the full and urgent attention of our government. Now, last weekend, we received a stark reminder of just how real this threat is. According to media reports, A.Q. Khan's network provided nations, possibly Iran and North Korea, with blueprints for a sophisticated nuclear device small enough to fit on a ballistic missile. Now, I take this threat very seriously, and as chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I focus much of my attention on addressing our nuclear vulnerability. And I have always said that the core of our efforts must focus on a three-prong strategy: an approach of prevention, detection, and response. Now, by strengthening our detection capabilities, we've certainly made it more difficult for those who wish us harm to smuggle in nuclear weapons or weapons of nuclear material across our border. In fact, we are currently screening 100 percent of all incoming cargo on the southern border, 98 percent on the Nation's seaports, and 91 percent on the northern border. And Director Vayl Oxford of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office assures me we will be screening 100 percent along our northern border by next year. Now, I firmly believe that the surest way to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack from occurring is to prevent terrorists from obtaining nuclear weapons or weapons-grade nuclear material in the first place, but all those who have these materials should be also put on notice that all nuclear material contains a unique signature that could be traced back to them. Now, the Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act is a critical mechanism for enhancing this capability. Nuclear forensics allows experts to study the mix of isotopes and other features of nuclear material that give it a particular signature, or fingerprint. Once a nuclear signature has been promptly identified, we can oftentimes trace the material back to a particular source. Now, this is perhaps one of the best proactive measures we can take to deter terrorists from acquiring and detonating a nuclear weapon. It's also a wake-up call for all nations that already have nuclear weapons or weapons-grade nuclear material to better secure it. If nations around the world know they can be identified as the source of material used in a nuclear attack, they may think twice about proliferating knowing that they would be the target of any retaliatory efforts. In short, Madam Speaker, when people think of tracing where a nuclear attack would come from, they think of the missile being launched from a particular location and then detonated at a target, and they would obviously know and would be able to trace that missile back to where it was originally launched from. And if anybody were to smuggle a nuclear device into the country and detonate it, they would get off scot-free. Well, nuclear forensics clearly shows that is not the case. Any time that a nuclear weapon would be detonated or weapons-grade nuclear material would be used, it does come with a return address, and we would be able to trace it back. I'm proud to be a cosponsor of this measure, and I'm also pleased that we're taking yet another step to protect Americans against a nuclear threat. Again, I would like to thank Congressman Schiff for his leadership on this issue. I would like to thank my Ranking Member Mr. McCaul on the subcommittee for helping to bring this to the floor. And most especially I want to thank the chairman of the full Committee on Homeland Security, Chairman Thompson, for his leadership on securing the Nation against potential nuclear threats and for all of his great leadership on homeland security issues and for bringing this issue to the floor today.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008, which will provide 13 weeks of extended unemployment compensation benefits for all workers who have exhausted their current 26 weeks of benefits. This measure also provides 13 additional weeks for workers in States with unemployment rates of 6 percent or higher. In order to receive these benefits, workers must have lost a job through no fault of their own, be actively searching for a job, be able to work, and must have a minimum number of weeks worked and amount of wages earned over a specific timeframe prior to being unemployed. This bill provides a critical boost to the many Rhode Islanders, and Americans across the Nation, who are struggling to find employment. Our country's unemployment rate jumped from 5 percent in April to 5.5 percent in May, the biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. In my home State of Rhode Island, the unemployment rate reached 6.1 percent in April, and we have lost an estimated 6,300 jobs since the beginning of the year. H.R. 5749 would provide relief through March 2006 and benefit 3.8 million Americans. Most importantly, this measure would immediately help as many as 8,000 Rhode Islanders. When discussing this matter, we must remember to look beyond the statistics and recognize the serious toll that unemployment is taking on American families. I have received numerous calls from my fellow Rhode Islanders asking when Congress would extend their benefits. They tell me how they are looking for a job, but they just have not been able to find one yet. They have not given up--research has shown that workers who exhaust their unemployment benefits, search for a job at similar or higher levels of intensity as those who find employment before their benefits expire--but they need more time. Compounding the problem, the rising cost of gas poses an additional challenge in searching for a job, and rising food prices have made it even harder to put food on the table. Our constituents are turning to us for help. As Members of Congress, we have the power to give hard-working Americans another chance to continue their job search and provide for their families. Our country has faced economic hardships and recessions before, and I have no doubt we will weather this current downturn. I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill and give a hand up to those who are most vulnerable during these trying times.