Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the FY08 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education Appropriations Act. This legislation includes valuable funding for the health care needs of the heroes and heroines of 9/11. I commend Chairman Obey for his effort to include $50 million for their treatment. H.R. 3043 will make college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant by $390 while providing $2 billion more than last year for No Child Left Behind programs. It expands access to health care for the uninsured and provides and increases funding for the National Institutes of Health by $750 million over last year. However, I do oppose a policy provision contained in H.R. 3043 which concerns the National Institutes of Health public access policy. The act would change the current voluntary policy by mandating that final manuscripts reporting on NIH-funded research be submitted to the NIH National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central for worldwide distribution. This change would set a dangerous precedent for government action, by infringing on the rights of the copyright holders of these articles. I believe strongly that the policy is best left in its current voluntary form to provide flexibility and allow copyright holders to manage their investments in scientific research while maintaining the accuracy of this data. Publishers in my district invest hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure that the results of scientific research are peer reviewed, published and disseminated as widely as possible. Although public dollars are used to fund the research, the peer review and publishing process is completely funded by private sector non-profit and commercial publishers. A unilateral requirement that these articles be posted for free on PubMed Central, ignores the critical role that publishers play in the scientific process. This requirement also ignores a longstanding principle that the government should not be involved in the taking of copyrighted works--and in this case, without providing any compensation. That is exactly what a mandated policy would do. Moreover, once manuscripts are deposited in PubMed Central, these copyrighted works would be available for anyone to download the material, free of charge and without any geographic or time restrictions. Under the current policy publishers still retain control and voluntarily make their articles available for free public access while retaining their copyright. Under a mandatory policy authors and publishers would be required, as a matter of practical effect, to give up any reasonable prospect of protecting their copyrights. Madam Chairman, I believe that the NIH can achieve the laudable goals it has set by implementing the public access policy without infringing on publishers' copyrights. However, this can only be done if the policy is left in its current form and not mandated. I urge my colleagues who will be conferencing on the Labor/HHS Appropriations bill to take these issues into consideration when they finalize the legislation so that the copyright protections that are so critical to the continued advancement of science and scientific knowledge will be fully preserved.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today, along with Representatives Shays and Weiner, I am reintroducing the ``9/11 Can You Hear Me Now Act.'' The attacks on the World Trade Center in 1993 and on September 11, 2001, exposed serious communication problems for the New York City Fire Department, FDNY. Since these attacks, there have been major efforts to improve the FDNY's communication system, but much more needs to be done. There can be no doubt that New York is a top terrorist target and the lack of a fully functional communications system is a threat not only to FDNY and New York residents' lives but also to all those who visit there. The protection of New York City has become a national responsibility. Other cities with tall buildings throughout the country face the same challenges with their communication systems and will need the same upgrades. Improvements in New York will lay the groundwork for improvements to communications systems across the country. The ``9/11 Can You Hear Me Now Act'' instructs the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to provide the FDNY with a communication system that must be capable of operating in all locations and under the circumstances we know firefighters face and will continue to face when responding to an emergency in New York City. This bill would require a communication system that includes three components--radios, dispatch system and a supplemental communication device. It would require it to work in all buildings and in all parts of the city. The supplemental communication device would allow firefighters to transmit an audible emergency distress signal when a firefighter is in need of immediate assistance, and DHS would work with the City of New York in their planned upgrades of the emergency 911 system and any interoperability initiatives with other public safety communication systems. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of a resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Fossella, for taking the lead in sponsoring this Resolution. It is a tradition of this legislative body to honor and pay tribute to American institutions whose historic significance has contributed to the culture and traditions of our citizens. The Archdiocese of New York, with its long history of faith and service, is one such institution. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York presently covers New York City and other areas of southern New York State. When it was established on April 8, 1808, the Diocese of New York was under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and covered all of New York State and certain parts of New Jersey. The Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1850. Twelve dioceses now occupy the area that was once covered by one. Under Archbishop Cardinal Edward M. Egan, the Archdiocese of New York now serves 2.5 million New York Roman Catholics and consists of 42 parishes, 278 elementary schools, and 3,729 charitable ministries. The Archdiocese of New York is significant for many reasons. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of today's Catholic education parochial school and the first American-born saint, was a member of the Archdiocese. In fact, her name appears on the front doors of the well- known St. Patrick's Cathedral--the largest decorated gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the United States, which is located in my district. The New York Archdiocese has also had the honor of hosting three papal visits: Pope Paul VI in 1965 and Pope John Paul II in 1979 and 1995. Throughout its rich history and up to the present day, the Archdiocese of New York has been generously sustained by its faithful parishioners, and has long supported the community through its ministries and countless good deeds. I can think of no better time to celebrate the Archdiocese than in this, its bicentennial year.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3074, the FY2008 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Act. This legislation includes funding for many valuable programs including $1.4 billion for Amtrak, which serves as a critical transportation link not only for my constituents, but for people across the country. I especially want to thank Chairman Olver for the funding in the bill for the Second Avenue Subway. The President's budget request included funding for the Second Avenue Subway, which will be vital to commuters throughout the region and for thousands of tourists who visit from around the country. The Second Avenue Subway will ease the incredibly overcrowded Lexington Avenue subway line, which is one of the busiest in the Nation. On day one, the Second Avenue Subway will carry nearly 200,000 riders, reducing crowding on the Lex line by 13 percent. I am also pleased that the bill includes funding for the East Side Connector, which when completed will bring approximately 160,000 new passengers, including 5,000 residents of western Queens, into Grand Central Station. Finally, I support the provisions in the bill to increase funding for Section 8 housing vouchers, the HOPE VI program, and the Community Development Block Grant, and to restore the President's proposed cuts to housing for the disabled and the elderly. This legislation addresses the needs of our constituents, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to my good friend's amendment. The census is critically important. It's even required in our Constitution. The importance of an accurate census cannot be overstated. The Founding Fathers of our country understood it; they wrote it right into Article I, section 2 of the Constitution. It is very, very important for the reasons that Chairman Mollohan mentioned, but it's absolutely our constitutional obligation to conduct the census and to do it to the very best of our ability. To delete very important programs that put together data on which we make decisions, policy decisions, in our country is extremely short- sighted. I rise in strong opposition, not because I oppose the program it seeks to add funding to, but because I oppose the offset, the cut to the census. And I think that it's easy to say that programs that fight crime or aid local law enforcement need this money more than the census. On the surface the census does not seem to have the direct connection to public safety that some of these programs do. What many people do not realize, however, is that local law enforcements rely on the Census every day and an inaccurate count could jeopardize their ability to fight crime. Our businesses rely on it. Our funding formulas are tied to it. We are required to conduct the census every 10 years by our Constitution in order to have reapportionment. Our representation is tied to it. So when you cut the money to the Census, you are cutting representation. You are cutting accurate data so that we can make accurate decisions in this body. It is very short-sighted. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment, not because I oppose the program it seeks to add funding too, but because I oppose the offset. Every year we have the same fight to maintain funding for the Census Bureau. I don't know how many times I've had to come down here to try and explain how essential it is that we not cut funds for the Census Bureau. The Census is the largest peacetime mobilization in history. It requires recruitment and training of over 500,000 enumerators and census workers, to count more than 300 million residents at 130 million unique addresses. All of this massive preparation takes place according to a strict, decade-long schedule. The closer we get to the decennial, the more important it is to adhere to that schedule. In 2008, there are two full dress rehearsals planned, one in California, and one in North Carolina. Former Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt once said that it is difficult to do a really good census, but it is easy to do a bad one. If we cut funds to the Census Bureau, we will easily do a bad one. Census as a Good Taxpayer Investment The Federal government depends on census data in three important ways. First, to distribute funding through eligibility criteria and allocation formulas. 69.3% of the Federal grants given out in FY2004 (the most recent year that we have this data for) were allocated based on Census Bureau data. Second, census data are used to enforce Federal civil rights and anti-discrimination laws such as the Voting Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act. Third, the Federal government uses census data to create models and estimates for various Federal programs, and to then evaluate their efficacy. State and local governments use census data for different purposes. They allocate criminal justice resources based on crime maps and demographic profiles. They base disaster response plans on census data. They analyze their transportation systems using information from the Census Bureau. The list goes on. Not only do governments of all levels rely on the census, but the private sector does as well. Businesses conduct market research based on census data. Hospitals identify their constituencies and how to better serve their needs based on census data. The real estate sector uses it to . . . . One can argue, therefore, that the census is essential not only to democracy, but to the U.S. economy as well. With so many governments and businesses who rely on data, it is absolutely essential that that data be accurate. Over ten years, the 2010 census will cost approximately $11.5 billion. That's an average of $1.2 billion per year. Divide that by the population of the U.S., and the cost is approximately $4 per person, per year. Four dollars. That's it. I don't know about you, Mr. Chairman, but I am willing to spend $4 a year to ensure that Federal, State, and local governments, businesses and non-profits, all have accurate data to conduct their business. In fact, considering the enormous benefit that the economy gains by having an accurate census, I'm willing to wager that this is one of the most cost-effective uses of taxpayer dollars. I urge my colleagues to spend your constituents' tax dollars wisely by opposing any amendments that cut funding from the census. Constitutional Obligation The importance of an accurate census enumeration cannot be overstated. The founding fathers of our country understood, they wrote it right into the Constitution. In Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, it says that congressional representation and taxes shall be based on the population. I quote directly, ``The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.'' By extension, the census affects Presidential election, as the number of electoral college votes for each State is based on the number of representatives and senators from that State. There are several instances (listed below) in recent history where very close elections and redistricting hinged directly on census data. When the founding fathers rooted our representative democracy in an accurate enumeration of the population, they placed a great burden on the census. It is our constitutional obligation to conduct this census, and to absolutely do it to the best of our ability. After Census 2000, the state of Utah missed gaining a fourth Congressional seat and sixth electoral vote by 856 residents; the 435th seat and 538th electoral vote went to North Carolina instead. Utah's experience has been highly instructive to states with regard to the 2010 Census. Realizing that apportionment is a zero sum game, more states will be working aggressively to bring about a full count. The result of the 2000 presidential election turned on the accuracy of the 1990 census. The election was so close that a slightly more or less accurate census could have produced another pattern of Congressional apportionment and so a different outcome. In 2003, the Texas state legislature's redrawing of Congressional Districts produced quite a commotion, as some legislators in the minority left the state in the hopes of blocking approval of the new boundaries. Crime-fighting It is very easy to say that programs that fight crime or aid local law enforcement need this money more than the census. On the surface, the census does not seem to have the direct connection to public safety that (anti-meth program, COPS, SCAAP) does. What many people don't realize, however, is that local law enforcement officials rely on the census every day, and an inaccurate count could jeopardize their ability to fight crime. One of the most valuable tools for local law enforcement is crime mapping. This technology allows them to more effectively allocate limited resources and manpower based on crime statistics and information on neighborhood characteristics. They are better able to predict where crimes will occur based on this information, and can therefore send more police officers as a preventative measure. Crime mapping programs draw heavily from demographic and housing data from both the decennial census and the yearly American Community Survey (ACS). When a census or ACS count is less accurate due to lower funding levels, it will jeopardize our ability to effectively fight crime at the local level. Domestic Violence Let's be clear, I am extremely supportive of funding for programs to combat domestic violence. I have devoted much of my career to making women's lives better, and have been an outspoken advocate of reducing violence against women. However, I cannot support this amendment. Taking money from the census to fund a domestic violence prevention program is nonsensical. These programs rely on census data to recognize patterns of domestic violence, such as the link between poverty and domestic violence. Domestic violence advocates also use census data to analyze the impact of these programs. And finally, the funds that we would give to these programs will be based on funding formulas that use data from the census. If we do not have the most accurate census possible, this program, and all the other programs that receive Federal funding, will be at risk.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, as co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I rise today to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus. I have commemorated this day each year since I became a Member of Congress. PSEKA (The International Coordinating Committee ``Justice for Cyprus''), The Cyprus Federation of America, SAE (World Council of Hellenes Abroad), and The Federation of Hellenic Societies are primarily located in the 14th Congressional District of New York, which I am fortunate to represent. These organizations have been strong advocates against the division of Cyprus and the human rights violations perpetrated by the Turkish army in Cyprus. For the past several years, the Hellenic Caucus has been very engaged on the issues facing Cyprus. Many members of the Caucus remain concerned about the continued occupation and division of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey illegally invaded Cyprus in 1974. As a result of the Turkish invasion and occupation, 160,000 Greek Cypriots, amounting to 70 percent of the population of the occupied area and over a quarter of the total population, were forcibly expelled from their homes and approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed. More than 1,400 Greek Cypriots, including four Americans of Cypriot descent, remain missing and unaccounted for since the Turkish invasion. Today, 33 years later, Turkey continues forcibly to occupy more than one-third of Cyprus with more than 43,000 Turkish troops. The peaceful and cooperative spirit in the person-to-person, family-to-family interactions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots is an encouraging sign for the successful reunification of Cyprus. However, it is time for Turkey to remove its troops from the island so that Cyprus can move forward as one nation. As a full-fledged member of the European Union, Cyprus is playing a vital role in European affairs while also strengthening relations with the United States. It has joined with us on issues important to our own security, including the fight against terrorism and other forms of international crimes. Cyprus was the first EU member to join the ship boarding protocol of President Bush's Proliferation Security Initiative, particularly important because Cyprus has one of the world's largest commercial shipping registries. As Cyprus developed into a regional financial center, the government moved aggressively and put in place strong anti-money laundering legislation. On July 8, 2006, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to immediately begin a process of establishing bi-communal technical committees and working groups. This UN-brokered agreement also emphasized the need for confidence-building measures to make this process successful. Unfortunately, the Turkish Cypriot side has not reciprocated the positive approach taken by the Cyprus Government. President Papadopoulos proposed a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Talat to jumpstart the process and move forward with the agreement. Mr. Talat initially accepted this invitation but on July 12th decided to cancel. I hope that the Turkish side will reconsider this decision so that the July 8th agreement can proceed. On March 8, 2007, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus demolished a wall at Ledra Street in Nicosia, a key thoroughfare through the divided capital, as a gesture to facilitate the opening of Ledra Street as a crossing point. I have introduced H. Res. 407, which expresses the strong support of the House of Representatives for the positive actions by the Republic of Cyprus aimed at opening additional crossing points along the cease-fire line, thereby contributing to efforts for the reunification of the island. Once Turkey removes its occupation forces from the adjacent area and other issues of safety and security have been addressed, the citizens of Cyprus will be free to travel Ledra Street as they had generations ago. I also strongly support legislation introduced by my colleagues including H.R. 1456, introduced by Representative Pallone, which would enable U.S. citizens who own property in the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus to seek financial remedies with either the current inhabitants of their land or the Turkish government, and H. Res. 405, introduced by Representative Bilirakis, which expresses the strong support of the House of Representatives for the implementation of the UN-brokered July 8, 2006, agreement as the way forward to prepare for new comprehensive negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus. The people of Cyprus deserve a unified and democratic country, and I remain hopeful that a peaceful settlement will be found so that the division of Cyprus will come to an end. In recognition of the spirit of the people of Cyprus, I ask my colleagues to join me in solemnly commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus. Long Live Freedom. Long Live Cyprus. Long Live Greece.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Pence amendment, which would deny Federal funding to one of the most important family planning and women's health organizations in the country. Current law prohibits using Title X funds to provide abortion services. Planned Parenthood has not violated this law. In fact, Planned Parenthood uses completely separate funds to provide these services. Ninety-seven percent of the services that Planned Parenthood provides are related to pregnancy prevention and women's health. The majority of their work focuses on low-income women, a population at greater risk for unintended pregnancies. Oftentimes a local Planned Parenthood clinic is the only place where women have access to basic health care, including birth control. In addition to family planning assistance, Planned Parenthood also provides cancer screening for breast and cervical cancers, as well as testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. These are essential health services for women, and it would be irresponsible to discontinue Federal funding for them. I urge my colleagues to support healthcare and family planning for women by voting no on this amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. The gentleman may not support the opportunity to bring the arts to small communities across the country that may inspire them. I was very much inspired as a young person, going to the ballet. In fact, I studied for many years to be a professional dancer until I crushed my leg in an automobile accident. But what the gentleman does support, he talks about what he doesn't support. But what the gentleman did support was a budget that Clinton left President Bush, a surplus well over $5 trillion that has been squandered. And what this gentleman has supported is budgets that have given this country records, but they're the wrong kinds of records. We now have a record debt over $8 trillion. Every man, woman and child in America owes over $29,000 personally to that debt. And this administration gave this country record deficits, the largest in the history of this country, and the largest trade deficit in the history of this country.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. That is what the gentleman has supported. What we are supporting in this amendment that I am putting forward is the opportunity for young people in communities across this country to be exposed and taught the arts. I urge the defeat of the gentleman's amendment. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Flake amendment.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment which would cut funding to the American Ballet Theater, which is headquartered in the district I represent. Last year, the House of Representatives and the Senate showed their support for the American Ballet Theater by passing identical resolutions recognizing the American Ballet Theater's important role as cultural ambassador and America's national ballet company. An important part of ABT's mission is to expose as many people as possible to high quality ballet. This is at the heart of the request for studio company funding to bring ABT studio company and a host of educational and cultural programs to smaller communities that have limited economic means and access to these cultural benefits. Educational research strongly suggests that young people who learn about and participate in the arts acquire skills that help them in decisionmaking, problem solving, creative thinking, and teamwork. An increasing number of studies also finds that art programs motivate young people to learn, assisting in improving performance in core academic subjects. For some children, the arts provide the impetus to stay in school until graduation, and for others, inspire them to pursue a college education. Arts education programs will continue to play an important role as the Nation struggles to improve high school graduation rates, develop pre-kindergarten programs, and counter the achievement gap in urban communities. The requested funds will allow ABT to expand the studio program's outreach by completing in-depth residencies in small and medium-sized communities in five regions, the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West. Bringing world-class ballet and education programs, they're a very important part of the ABT's key mission. More than simply offering performances, a studio company engagement leverages the company's resources to offer a range of educational activities and direct interaction with the company, often partnering with local ballet schools and universities to reach the local dance constituency. While visiting a community, the studio company works with dance departments within universities and supplies tickets and study guides to local K-12 schools, exposing young people to dance, encouraging movement, physical fitness, creativity, and concentration. Performing for local schools challenges youth to become more serious about the dance craft, while inspiring and expanding awareness of the possibilities for a career in the performing arts. The local arts community benefits from the experience of hosting ABT. It appears that my good friend, the gentleman from Arizona, does not support the arts and does not appreciate the importance of arts education to our young people. As I said, the arts are critical to our children's overall education. Creativity can be taught. This funding allows those communities who do not have the access to the arts to gain the benefits of having world- class arts education brought to them. This is a worthy project, and I hope my colleagues recognize its importance. I urge the defeat of my friend and colleague's amendment. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 467, condemning the decision by the University and College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia. It appears that this boycott reflects the views of only a small minority of this esteemed union. This small minority is tarnishing the reputation of a union whose membership includes professors of some of the most historic and enlightened academic institutions in the world. This boycott unfairly targets Israeli academics; it is both biased and destructive and should be opposed. Academic and cultural exchange is a critical bridge between societies and cultures that have no other means of interacting with each other. Free exchange of ideas has been shown to be a very positive force in bringing people together to overcome their differences. Universities should not be conduits for espousing ethnically, religiously, or racially biased political ideologies. Throughout history universities have been bastions of progressive thinking and cross cultural collaboration and they should remain unfettered by such base and thoughtless ideas as bigotry. I would like to join with others to support this resolution urging government and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue and to condemn measures that would prevent the sharing and exchange of knowledge.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bill. And in particular, I want to sincerely and deeply thank Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh on behalf of all New Yorkers and this Nation for providing the leadership to include for the first time much-needed money for the health care needs of the heroes and heroines of 9/11. These rescue, recovery and cleanup workers selflessly rushed into the flames of 9/11 to save the lives of others. We lost 3,000 people on 9/ 11, but many thousands more lost their health. This bill includes $50 million for their treatment. This is the first time it has been part of an appropriations bill, and I deeply thank Chairman Obey for working so hard to make this happen. In the past it has been tacked onto emergency spending and to the Iraq spending bill, but it is the least we can do to provide health care to these men and women. Very importantly, the bill includes detailed language requiring the administration to develop and submit a long-term comprehensive plan to address these critical health needs. This is a tremendous step forward. I thank Chairman Obey.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today, along with Representative Towns (D-NY), I reintroduce legislation, the ``Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act,'' that will fortify the current federal suspension and debarment system. The United States is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world spending more than $419 billion on procurement awards in FY2006 and $440,000,000,000 on grants in FY2005. Yet the federal government's watchdogs, the federal suspension and debarment officials, currently lack the information that they need to protect our business interests and taxpayers' dollars. We have no centralized and comprehensive government-wide method to account for the performance of our contractors and assistance participants, and those who repeatedly violate federal law may still receive millions of dollars from the federal government. According to data from the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), since 1995, of the top fifty federal contractors based on total contract dollars received, nine have a total of twelve resolved cases totaling $161 million in penalties paid. Additionally, those fifty contractors have paid approximately $12 billion in fines and penalties. ``The Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act'' establishes a centralized and comprehensive database on actions taken against federal contractors and assistance participants, requiring a description of each of these actions. This will provide debarring officials with the information that they need to protect the business interests of the United States. It places the burden of proving responsibility and subsequent eligibility for contracts or assistance on the person seeking contracts or assistance should they have been previously convicted of two exact or similar violations that constitutes a charge for debarment. Additionally, it improves and clarifies the role of the Interagency Committee on Debarments and Suspension, and requires the Administrator of General Services to report to Congress within 180 days with recommendations for creating the centralized and comprehensive federal contracting and assistance database.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, a new report that just came out by the Government Accountability Office shows that the United States lags far behind other industrialized countries in providing policies that help families balance the competing demands of work and family responsibilities. Critics argue that implementing such policies here could have a negative impact on the economy, but many countries with strong work- family policies are among the world's most competitive economies in the world and have unemployment rates that are the same or lower than the United States. More and more businesses are finding that doing right by workers is good for the bottom line. Paid parental and sick leave, flexible work schedules and access to child care provide a boost to worker productivity, retention, and recruitment that outweigh the cost of implementing such policies. U.S. workers, businesses, and the economy would benefit from stronger work-family policies. ``A copy of the GAO report is avail- able on the JEC website at http:// www.jec.senate.gov/Documents/ Hearings/06.14.07%20Work-Life%20 Balance/GAO%20-%20Kay%20Brown%20 Testimony%20--%20FINAL.pdf.''

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2956, the ``Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.'' This legislation would accomplish what the majority of the American people have said over and over that they support--the redeployment of American troops from Iraq. H.R. 2956 would require this redeployment to begin within 120 days, with completion to a limited presence by April 1, 2008. The evidence continues to mount that the surge is not working. More than 3,500 troops have lost their lives and more than 26,000 have been wounded since this war began. The costs are too great to continue this failed policy. The progress report that was presented to Congress today states that the Iraqi government has made limited progress in meeting political, economic, or security benchmarks and in some instances has made virtually no progress at all. The President said that when the Iraqis stand up, our troops will stand down. More than four years later, we are still waiting. Increasingly, Republican senators are coming forward to announce that they support a change in policy in Iraq. I am glad that they are finally accepting what many of us have been saying for months. Yet the President continues to dig in by promoting his failed policy against the will of the American people and despite dwindling support within his own party. This bill establishes a new direction for our forces in Iraq. I urge my colleagues to listen to their constituents and support this legislation.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. I thank the gentlelady for yielding and just say this is an incredibly important bill. It will expand the number of units of affordable housing and expand the number of vouchers to over 100,000. That's extremely important to the American people. And in response to the gentleman, if he cared so much about his amendment, he should have offered it during the committee. Chairman Frank and Subcommittee Chairwoman Waters held hearings and thoroughly discussed every amendment. The committee met for 2 complete days and thoroughly discussed every amendment. If the gentleman wanted and cared about his amendment, he should have put it forward before the committee. The rule is very fair. Out of the six amendments that had have been accepted, three are Republican, one is bipartisan, and the other is a bipartisan manager's amendment. So the gentleman is not looking at what is the real issue. The real issue is providing affordable housing that is desperately needed in our country. Many families are facing the increased cost of living, and there is a lack of affordable housing. I object strenuously to the facts in the statement by my good friend on the other side of the aisle. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1853, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007 (SEVRA). This bill comes before the House at a critical time. Right now too many Americans face the double onslaught of stagnant wages and ever increasing costs of living, including a critical lack of affordable housing. That is why it is so important to send a strong message to our constituents that we support stable, safe and affordable communities. Affordable housing is a critical component of this, and Section 8 housing vouchers provide vital rental assistance for low-income families, seniors, and the disabled. I am pleased to report that this legislation comes to the floor with the strong bipartisan support of the Financial Services Committee which passed this bill in May by a vote of 52-9. This bill makes a number of changes to the Section 8 voucher, project-based and public housing programs. Specifically this bill: Makes the Voucher Funding Formula More Efficient. The bill reforms the formula used to allocate Section 8 voucher funds to housing agencies to increase the number of families receiving vouchers. Creates 100,000 New Vouchers. We authorize 20,000 new incremental vouchers a year over each of the next 5 years. The Bill Promotes Homeownership. By allowing families to use housing vouchers as a down-payment on a first-time home purchase. Encourages economic self-sufficiency for low income voucher and public housing families. H.R. 1851 includes a number of provisions designed to create incentives for families to obtain employment, increase earned income, pursue higher education, and save for retirement. No longer will our voucher formula discourage and penalize a voucher holder from seeking and obtaining employment. Protects Tenants. The bill preserves the rights of voucher families to move to other areas, it addresses excessive voucher rent burdens, provides for more accurate fair market rent calculations to protect voucher holders in units that are in need of repair. Stronger families and communities are a key part of the Democrats' New Direction for America. This bill strongly aids this goal. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the College Cost Reduction Act. I want to commend Chairman Miller on this legislation, which provides the single largest investment in higher education since the GI bill--at no new cost to taxpayers. I am proud that this Democratic Congress has tackled the college cost crisis: the time to act is now. Over the last 5 years, college costs have grown by nearly 40 percent. Students across the country are graduating with more and more debt. In my home state of New York, the typical student with need-based loans graduates from 4-year public schools with over $14,000 in debt. And each year nearly 200,000 students in our country hold off on attending college, or opt out altogether, simply because they cannot afford to go. This historic bill would make college more affordable by cutting interest rates on subsidized student loans in half over the next 5 years. In New York, this means an average student saves $4,570 over the life of their loan. It will also increase the purchasing power of the Pell Grant Scholarship, upping the maximum scholarship by at least $500 over the next 4 years and ultimately reaching a maximum scholarship of at least $5,200 by 2011. In New York, this increased purchasing power could directly help over 420,000 students. Under the College Cost Reduction Act, students from New York and all across the country will be better able to achieve their goals and reach their dreams. Our Nation and our economy also benefit when we strengthen the middle class by making college more affordable. I am proud to cast my vote for this historic bill, which makes a tremendous step towards ensuring that no one is denied the opportunity to go to college simply because of the price.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Larry Epstein, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, whose long service and dedication to the country are deserving of special note. A man of great integrity and honor, Mr. Epstein has been a community leader and an activist on veterans' issues. I came to know Mr. Epstein through his leadership in the veterans community. He is commander of the New York County Council of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV), commander of Florence Greenwald Manhattan Post 1 and a national service officer of the JWV. Mr. Epstein was deeply involved in the effort to save the New York campus of the New York Harbor Healthcare System, located at 23rd Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. He devoted time and effort to organizing veterans to provide comments to the CARES Commission in support of the hospital. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Epstein and all of those who rallied behind the hospital, we were able to preserve an institution that provides high quality care to thousands of New York veterans. Most recently, Mr. Epstein joined me and Congressman Joseph Crowley in calling for an overall increase in Federal assistance to provide adequate health care for America's wounded troops. Mr. Epstein had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. military and Reserves that commenced in 1967 and spanned three decades. From the Vietnam era through Desert Shield, Mr. Epstein served our country honorably and with great distinction, demonstrating the highest caliber of dedication. Mr. Epstein is a graduate of the National Defense University and the United States Army War College class of '92. He has served in the 101st Airborne and has been a staff officer at EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, and PACOM. Among his awards are the National Defense Service Medal with star, Army Commendation with 2 Oak leaves, Reserve Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit for service in Panama. He has been awarded the Conspicuous Service Star by the New York State Department of Military Affairs. His badges include Air Assault and Israeli Airborne Wings. In his civilian life, Mr. Epstein has been a computer consultant, private detective, and real estate developer. In Ocean County, New Jersey, he was chairman of the Planning Board of the Township of Ocean. He also served as the local Democratic County Committee chairman. Mr. Epstein ran for Ocean County Freeholder. Although he lost the race, he exceeded expectations by garnering 20,000 more votes than any Democratic candidate for the seat in the preceding decade. The support he received is a testament to his hard work, dedication to his community and effectiveness. Tragically, Mr. Epstein is suffering from the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Shockingly, a study conducted by the ALS Association found that men and women who have served in the Armed Forces have a 60 percent greater chance of contracting ALS. No one knows why. On the average, the survival rate is 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. Despite his grave illness, Mr. Epstein continues to work on behalf of his fellow veterans. Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing a true hero, Larry Epstein. He exemplifies the ideals of compassion, diligence and loyalty to his comrades.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 526) supporting home ownership and responsible lending.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous materials thereon.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 526, a resolution that supports both homeownership and responsible lending. This resolution is on the floor today because we are facing, by all accounts, a tsunami of defaults and foreclosures in the primary subprime market. In each of our districts, our constituents are encountering payment shock as their subprime loans reset to much higher rates. By some estimates, 2.2 million homeowners with subprime loans made through 2006 will lose their homes. As Chair of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, I have held three hearings on this important and complex issue. At these hearings, we have heard from the Federal regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the National Credit Union Association, and the Federal Reserve. Acting in a cooperative manner, the FDIC, OCC, OTS and the Fed have issued joint guidance that require financial institutions under their supervision to issue mortgages based on the customer's ability to repay that mortgage. This commonsense guidance includes underwriting loans to the fully indexed rate and not just to the 2- or 3-year teaser rates that have been so popular over the last few years, as well as allowing borrowers a reasonable time to refinance without prepayment penalties. At these hearings, we have also heard from consumer groups and advocates who tell us that while this guidance is a good first step, 50 percent of the mortgage market comes from lenders outside of the oversight of these Federal regulators. To effect real change, we need standardized rules over the entire market. One option that has frequently been mentioned is for the Federal Reserve to use its authority to stop unfair and deceptive practices under the HomeOwnership and Equity Protection Act. I am told that the Fed is looking into this. I fully support their using this authority that the Congress has given them in this area. Beyond HOEPA, we must work together here in Congress to ensure that unfair lending practices are not rewarded and that our constituents have access to credit. Over the coming months, I plan to continue working with Chairman Frank and holding hearings on this issue and drafting legislation to address some of the problems that have been highlighted both in this resolution and at our hearings. Each and every one of us here in Congress wants to ensure that the American Dream of homeownership does not become a nightmare for our constituents. I support this resolution. I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 556) to ensure national security while promoting foreign investment and the creation and maintenance of jobs, to reform the process by which such investments are examined for any effect they may have on national security, to establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and for other purposes.

Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.