Blaine Luetkemeyer

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4367) to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to limit the fee disclosure requirement for an automatic teller machine to the screen of that machine.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, it is now my distinct honor to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) to speak on the bill, our distinguished chairman on the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Scott from Georgia for helping this bill along. As he articulated, Georgia has had an inordinate number of banks this past year, 2 or 3 years, that have suffered and have gone out of business. This is just another situation here where this bill may not be a very big bill in the light of things, but it certainly is going to relieve some stress on some of our institutions, also some exposure for some of our merchants. I think, as our distinguished chairman articulated, it's time to put some of these folks out of business as well. I have had, unfortunately, some of these things go on in my district, and this is how it was brought to my attention. But I think we have come together as a group, and we had a great meeting the other day in Financial Services and had strong bipartisan support. We have the support in the Senate. With that, I will close and ask for the support of the body. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material to this bill.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, we are considering one of the most commonsense bills seen in some time. This bill provides a real solution to a real problem that is impacting banks, credit unions, and merchants nationwide. Regulation E currently mandates that ATM fee disclosures appear both in physical placard or in sticker form on the machines as well as through an on-screen electronic notification. Unfortunately, some individuals have seen the potential to make a quick buck off a frivolous claim and have begun to remove stickers from ATMs across the country, thereby placing financial institutions and merchants out of compliance. This is exactly what has happened to some small financial institutions in my district and throughout Missouri. Someone was traveling through the State, removing stickers from ATM machines, and then was offering to settle with the banks for several thousands of dollars per machine or the banks would face lawsuits. The premise of this bill is simple: to eliminate an outdated and unnecessary regulatory burden facing merchants and financial institutions while continuing to ensure consumer protections for all ATM users through required on-screen fee disclosures. It is important to recognize that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also expressed interest in eliminating this duplicative fee disclosure requirement. In December of 2011, the CFPB asked the public to comment on the elimination of this requirement. However, during the public comment period, the CFPB admitted that it may not be able to remove the duplicative disclosure requirement and that it would be up to Congress to take action. Today, Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to take action. H.R. 4367 is supported by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions, the Credit Union National Association, the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Electronic Funds Transfer Association, the Consumer Bankers Association, The Clearing House, the Food Marketing Institute, the Financial Services Roundtable, the National Association of Convenience Stores, the American Gaming Association, and the ATM Industry Association as well. This legislation has broad bipartisan support from its 145 cosponsors. Among them is the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), who has been a great partner on this initiative, and I thank him for his efforts. Again, I want to remind my colleagues that this bill does not in any way alter the mandate for on-screen fee disclosures, meaning that customers will have a clear understanding of what they will be charged before they complete their ATM transactions. It is time to put an end to these frivolous lawsuits. I thank my colleagues for the sponsorship of this legislation, and I ask all Members to support this bill today. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, last year the United States was pummeled by severe weather that destroyed land, homes, businesses, and even lives. Families living along the Missouri River endured another year of significant flooding that left them physically and economically underwater. In the first half of 2012 alone, millions of American tax dollars have gone toward environmental restoration and recovery programs, while maintenance of our Nation's infrastructure has been neglected. President Obama, in his fiscal year 2013 budget, requested more than $90 million for the Missouri River Recovery Program, which would primarily go toward the funding of environmental restoration studies and projects. This figure should alarm all of my colleagues. In fiscal year 2012, the President requested $70 million for this program. These are staggering increases from the $50 million request that was seen in fiscal year 2008, and the Corps has little to show for its increased spending. Moreover, the fiscal year 2013 request dwarfs the insufficient $7.8 million requested for the entire Bank Stabilization and Navigation Program from Sioux City to the mouth of the Missouri. I do not take for granted the importance of river ecosystems. I grew up along the Missouri River, as did so many of the people I represent. Yet, we have reached a point in our Nation at which we value the welfare of fish and birds more than the welfare of our fellow human beings. Our priorities are backwards, Mr. Chairman. This exact amendment passed by voice vote during the fiscal year 2012 appropriations consideration. It is supported by the American Waterways Operators, the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River, the Missouri and Illinois Farm Bureaus, and the Missouri and Iowa Corn Growers Associations, which propose a prohibition of funding for the Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan, or MRERP. By the way, the end of the study will in no way jeopardize the Corps' ability to meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. MRERP is one of no fewer than 70 environmental and ecological studies focused on the Missouri River. The people who have had to foot the bill for these studies, many which take years to complete and are ultimately inconclusive, are the very people who last year lost their farms, their businesses, and their homes. This amendment will eliminate a study that has become little more than a tool of the administration's and environmentalists for the promotion of the return of the river to its most natural state with little regard for flood control, navigation, trade, power generation, or the people who depend on the Missouri River for their livelihoods. Our vote today will also show our constituents that this Congress is aware of the gross disparity between the funding for environmental efforts and the funding for the protection of our citizens. During the debate on fiscal year 2012 appropriations, the House passed by voice vote this exact language, which was ultimately signed into law by President Obama. It is time for Congress to take a serious look at water development funding priorities, and it is time to send a message to the Federal entities that manage our waterways. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to support our Nation's river communities. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, last year, parts of the Missouri River basin faced some of the worst flooding in history. This devastation, combined with our dire financial climate and the aging waterways infrastructure, means that now, more than ever, we must be deliberative, focused, and responsible with taxpayer-funded projects and studies. My amendment would prohibit funding for the duplicative Missouri River Authorized Purposes Study, also known as MRAPS. This amendment was passed by the House during both fiscal year 2011 and 2012 debates. MRAPS is a $25 million earmark study that comes on the heels of a comprehensive $35 million 17-year study completed in 2004. Some may say that we need MRAPS to examine the causes and impacts of the 2011 flooding. That simply isn't the case. First and foremost, every member of the Missouri River basin is on record as supporting flood control as the most important authorized purpose. It's something that we take very seriously. The last thing we need is another 17-year, highly litigious study to tell us that flood control is important. Thousands of Missouri River basin residents who lost their homes and businesses deserve action, not distraction. What we need to do is take legitimate steps that focus on protecting life and property and improving the safety and soundness of our flood-control system. It is also important to note that there are many commercial advantages provided by our inland waterway system. The Missouri River plays an integral part in both domestic and international trade. MRAPS puts the uses of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in jeopardy, which could result in devastating consequences for navigation along both. That's why the Missouri waterways operators, the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River, the Missouri and Iowa Corn Growers Associations, and the Missouri and Illinois Farm Bureaus support this amendment. This study is duplicative and wasteful of taxpayer dollars. On this exact issue, we've already spent 17 years and $35 million on hundreds of public meetings and extensive litigation. Again, I offered identical language to the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution. That amendment passed by a vote of 245 to 176. In the fiscal year 2012 debate, this exact amendment passed by a voice vote and was ultimately included in a package signed by the President. I appreciate my colleagues who offered their support and hope to have their support once again. Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt in my mind that water resources receive too little funding. It is time for the Federal Government to refocus and reprioritize to create safer, more efficient infrastructure for our inland waterways and stop spending hard-earned taxpayer dollars unnecessarily. I ask for my colleagues' support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on Rollcall No. 229, I voted incorrectly. I am recorded as a ``no.'' My intent and purpose was to vote ``aye,'' but I voted mistakenly.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 254, due to a constituent meeting that went long, I wasn't able to make this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, Ma Ying-jeou will be sworn in for a second term on May 20, 2012, as Taiwan's president. It's worth saluting President Ma on this special occasion, as the United States has a no better friend or ally than Taiwan. For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic and political interest to the United States. Today, Taiwan's 23 million people enjoy self-governance with free elections, and Taiwan's economy is the 17th largest in the world-- and growing. Taiwan is the ninth-largest U.S. trading partner, including the sixth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, a significant economic consideration for my district. Going back to the onset of the Cold War, Taiwan and the United States have stood beside one another in some of our countries' darkest hours and most challenging times. Taiwan was an indispensable link in America's Korean War effort. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur rightly labeled Taiwan ``an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Pacific'' when speaking of the joint U.S.-Taiwan Korean War effort. Taiwan ground troops fought side by side with U.S. forces in the fierce battles at, below and above the 38th Parallel. The Washington-Taipei alliance was later institutionalized in the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and Formosa Resolution of 1955. Taiwan was also a key base, and intelligence-gathering source, for U.S. forces in the Vietnam War. Under President Ma's leadership, our relationship has remained strong, as he has sought U.S. support for his policies, including U.S. arms sales, to ensure Taiwan is in a strong position to continue cross- strait talks. The United States has stood by Taiwan as it has faced challenges from across the strait over the last 62 years. And while travel, trade and investment flourish across the strait today, threats remain, as Beijing refuses to renounce its right to use force against Taiwan. And yet, Taiwan has shown that a strong democracy can thrive even in the face of continued threats. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in congratulating President Ma on his second inauguration. I also would ask my colleagues to remain mindful of the promise we made to the people of Taiwan almost 33 years ago under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, the cornerstone of our two nations' bilateral relationship. Ties or tension across the Taiwan Strait affect global peace and stability, and a more stable East Asia is not only in the best interest of Taiwan, but also in the best interest of the United States.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 251, due to other representational obligations in Hannibal, Missouri, I had to miss this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 250, due to other representational obligations in Hannibal, Missouri, I had to miss this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 252, due to other representational obligations in Hannibal, Missouri, I had to miss this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller), and I rise today in support of H.R. 2072, the Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act. There's been a lot of distracting talk surrounding reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. So I would like to be clear.This is a jobs bill. The Ex-Im financing helps provide jobs for employees of U.S. manufacturers and small businesses, all at no cost to taxpayers. In fact, this government program actually makes money and returns it to the Treasury. Critics say that Ex-Im lending only benefits the Nation's largest corporations, but this is simply not the case, as the minority whip just indicated a moment ago. I have 5 companies in my district that benefit from Ex-Im Bank financing. Not one of them is a multinational corporation and none have received millions and millions and millions of dollars. It's because of the support of Ex-Im that they have been able to grow their businesses, hire employees, and increase their exports. One of those small businesses had this to say about Ex-Im: For the last 5 years, Ex-Im has supported 17 percent of our export sales. That converts to 10 full-time jobs for 5 years. Our employees and their families rely on Ex-Im financing to support our export sales. This isn't the testimony of a Fortune 100 CEO. This is the voice of a family-run, multigenerational small business that relies on Ex-Im to help manage the risk of extending credit to buyers outside the U.S. This is a manufacturer that during the housing crisis had to lay off three-quarters of its employees, but thanks in large part to Ex-Im, financing was able to survive the downturn, and it started to grow again. I want to remind my colleagues that this bill also makes meaningful reforms to the Export-Import Bank. Despite the fact that the bank has an incredibly low default rate--less than 2 percent--this bill takes additional steps to protect taxpayers and reduce export subsidies over time. I commend Majority Leader Cantor for creating a bill that simultaneously helps to create jobs and mandates reform, and I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Christopher Osborne of Labadie, Missouri, who was awarded the Purple Heart due to injuries he sustained while serving in Afghanistan. I am honored to recognize Sergeant Osborne for his service to our nation. Sergeant Osborne was presented the Purple Heart medal on December 29, 2011, at Bagram Airfield by Major General Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been wounded or killed. Sergeant Osborne serves in the 1138th Transportation Company, a medium truck unit headquartered at Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County. The 1138th has been performing convoy operations, delivering supplies to coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. On a night mission in October 2011 while serving as a Scout truck commander, Sergeant Osborne and his convoy came under attack from an improvised explosive device (IED). The IED heavily damaged Sergeant Osborne's vehicle, but he and his three fellow crew members survived the assault. Sergeant Osborne returned to full duty within a few weeks of the attack. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and is currently serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant Christopher Osborne and thanking him for his continued service to our county.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Downtown Washington, Inc. On April 2, 2012, Downtown Washington was named a recipient of The Great American Main Street Award. The winners of this award are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing the nations' historic Main Street commercial district by using the National Trust's Main Street Four- Point Approach. I ask that you join me in recognizing Downtown Washington, Inc. for its work to nurture and enhance its downtown area. A key part of Downtown Washington's success is due to the dedication and determination of Downtown Washington, Inc.'s board of directors and staff. With its outstanding leadership, the board of directors and staff have spearheaded the renovation of several historic buildings that have and will continue to attract fellow residents and visitors to the downtown area for years to come. In addition, one of their top priorities is business retention, and Downtown Washington, Inc. works to make sure business owners have the latest information on grants and other incentives. Through their partnerships with the local chamber of commerce and city government, Downtown Washington, Inc. organizes many public events throughout the year, which truly help showcase the city's success. In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing the members Downtown Washington, Inc. congratulations on receiving this award.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elmer Ellis Library at the University of Missouri on its 150th year of service in the Federal Depository Library Program, a program whose origins date back to 1813, when Congress first authorized the printing and distribution of copies of the Journals of the House and Senate, and other documents the chambers had ordered printed. One hundred and fifty years is a long time to do anything, especially, I would argue, to keep track of our government's too-numerous-to-name documents. Of course, I say that in jest--retention and preservation of tangible and digital information is critical, and future generations and scholars need an accurate record of the proceedings and actions of their government. Since 1813, depository libraries have safeguarded the public's right to know by collecting, organizing, maintaining, preserving and assisting users with information from the federal government. Government documents span a wide range--from agency information, appropriations, census data and technical reports to Supreme Court decisions and insertions into the Congressional Record, such as my remarks today. I also would like to take this opportunity to recognize Elmer Ellis Library on its recent receipt of the Federal Depository Library Program Spotlight Award, which highlights that not only is the library one of the oldest participants of the program, starting its program in 1862 in the midst of the Civil War, it also has one of the largest collections in the country, housing 1.5 million federal and Missouri state documents. Unbelievably, some of these documents date back to the founding of our nation. Since the Federal Depository Library Program's inception in 1813, much has changed. Depository libraries still act as the bridge between our nation's government and its services, offering free access and assistance to interested individuals. However, technology has transformed the way we create, process, store and distribute information. This means depository libraries must face the challenge of migrating government information to newer formats. Congress appreciates all of depository libraries' hard work and hopes to help move forward on these issues with them. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Elmer Ellis Library and its current coordinator, Marie Concannon, on reaching this significant milestone. Here's to another 150 years of Elmer Ellis Library's chronicling this body's steps and missteps!

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material to this bill.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Harrisburg High School Lady Bulldogs Basketball team for winning the Class 2 Missouri State Championship on March 17, 2012. The young women and their coaches should be commended for all their hard work throughout the regular season and bringing home the state basketball championship to their school and community. In the final championship game against the New Haven Shamrocks, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed 43 to 32, making it their second state championship in three seasons. I ask that you join me in recognizing the Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs for a job well done!

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I just want to close with a few thoughts here. Again, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for his hard work in helping to put this together, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) for his help today. It's interesting. When I was the director of tourism for the State of Missouri, we found out just how big an icon Mr. Twain was. Mark Twain not only is an icon who is recognized around the United States, but he is one of the few icons that people from other countries recognize about our country. If you travel to Hannibal, Missouri, you can see the influence in the surroundings there and the stories that he told, and what kind of an influence it had on him as a youth and the stories as they unfolded. It's quite something. Again, with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to urge Members to support H.R. 2453, the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation will allow the United States Treasury to mint $1 and $5 commemorative coins in 2016 in recognition of the important legacy of Mark Twain. Surcharges on the sale of the coins will benefit four institutions that either bear Mark Twain's name or focus on the study of his work: the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut; the University of California, Berkeley; Elmira College in New York; and in my congressional district, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri. The sale price of the coins will cover all real and amortized costs of production and marketing costs so that the entire program will be produced at no cost to the taxpayers. I would like to thank my colleague, Representative John Larson of Connecticut, who first introduced this legislation in the 110th Congress. The gentleman from Connecticut and I share an admiration for Mark Twain, and have made it a priority to see his legislation through. I appreciate his hard work on collecting all the signatures on his side of the aisle. I would also like to thank the Missouri congressional delegation for their support. When I first announced my intentions to introduce the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act, all eight of my colleagues immediately came on board to help advance this legislation. I want to acknowledge the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Dr. Cindy Lovell, and the museum's curator, Henry Sweets, as well as their dedicated staff, for their incredible work to promote awareness and the appreciation of the life and works of Mark Twain. Importantly, I would like to thank Chairman Bachus, Ranking Member Frank, Speaker Boehner, and Majority Leader Cantor for their assistance and cooperation in getting the bill scheduled for consideration in this House. A true American figure, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known to the world as Mark Twain, was born and raised in Missouri amidst the turmoil of the American Civil War. Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri, inspired the settings of some of his most beloved stories and helped shape his views on violence and injustice. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal commemorates the childhood of a man who grew up to be one of the most recognized names in literature. The museum opened its doors in 1912 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962. I would also like to recognize the museum for its upcoming 100th anniversary, a milestone which will be celebrated on May 15. Twain would eventually move to Hartford, Connecticut, where he settled and began to work on what would become his most famous work, ``The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'' Hartford is home to the Mark Twain House & Museum, dedicated to educating people across the Nation and around the world about Twain, his works, and the time period in which he lived. In New York, Elmira College breathes new life into the history of Mark Twain, offering fellowships for research on the author. Elmira College also hosts a Mark Twain conference and provides tours of Twain's study, where he sought refuge to write several short stories and some of his most famous novels. The Mark Twain Project at the Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley houses the Mark Twain papers, an extensive archive of virtually every document in Twain's hand known to survive. The bill we consider today honors the legacy of a great American and will benefit the institutions that continue to spread awareness and educate the public of his great accomplishments and contributions to society. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation, which is cosponsored by 298 of our colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC. Hon. Spencer Bachus, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Bachus: I am writing concerning H.R. 2453, the ``Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act,'' which is scheduled for floor action the week of April 16, 2012. As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 2453 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, and this falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2453, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration. Sincerely, Dave Camp, Chairman.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers at this time, and continue to reserve the balance of my time.