Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman King, Ranking Member Thompson, and Representatives Lungren and Harman for their hard work in bringing this vital and bipartisan piece of legislation to the floor. I rise today in support of this crucial bill that will build upon existing initiatives to improve port and cargo security both abroad and here at home. In my home State of Texas, the Port of Houston operates as the United States' top port for foreign tonnage and our second largest for total tonnage, so I know how important this bill is for the protection of the American people. Madam Chairman, the House of Representatives has repeatedly supported measures that provide for risk-based funding for homeland security. The SAFE Port Act does just that. It will create a risk-based strategy for securing America's ports and will make sure that we are using the best technology available to law enforcement today. Equally important, this bill will provide $400 million per year in risk-based funding through a dedicated Port Security Grant Program to harden U.S. ports against terrorist attacks. This kind of funding strategy is smart, effective and responsible for our national security because it gets the required funding to the ports that are most at risk for terrorist attack. Unfortunately, right now, it is economically impossible for Customs and Border Protection to inspect every container entering U.S. ports. However, the SAFE Port Act would require DHS to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 U.S. seaports by the end of fiscal year 2007. This means that 98 percent of all incoming maritime containers would be screened without stopping our economy in its tracks. In addition to securing ports in our homeland, we must also look overseas at what we can do to prevent dangerous or threatening cargo from ever reaching American soil. The SAFE Port Act will do this by improving our tracking system for shipping containers overseas and by requiring DHS to examine high-risk maritime cargo at foreign seaports. If we can catch them before they reach our shores, we can begin to ensure 100 percent security at America's ports. The SAFE Port Act is a commonsense, responsible and effective piece of legislation that is needed for the security of our Nation, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, NASA embarked upon a new mission with an amazing vehicle that would take America's astronauts, satellites and space stations into the next age of man's exploration of the final frontier. Next week we will honor the 25th anniversary of that first Space Shuttle mission and reflect upon the great success of the Space Transportation System. The Space Shuttle is widely considered the most complex machine ever built, and to date is the only spacecraft capable of putting into orbit large payloads such as the Hubble Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It is this capacity that enables NASA and its partners to build the International Space Station, which will pave the way back to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Accordingly, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of returning Americans to the Moon within 15 years. President Bush's ``Vision for Space Exploration'' is a plan that is again making space exploration an exciting and educational priority for America. He has made it clear, within the next half century America will be the world leader in space exploration. In this respect, the shuttle program remains an integral part of the President's vision as we continue the return to flight missions, complete the International Space Station and phase in the Crew Exploration Vehicle. Equally important is the Space Shuttle's role as an icon for manned space flight, a symbol for exploration and an example of man's eternal thirst for knowledge. In this role, the Space Shuttle's mission will never end.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on March 2, 1839, the Republic of Texas declared its independence on the banks of the Brazos River, which eventually gave rise to the great Lone Star State. Tomorrow, in honor of this historic event in Texas and American history, we will celebrate Texas Independence Day. I am proud to say that part of this great story of freedom, independence and democracy took place in the 10th Congressional District of Texas, the district I am proud to say I represent. Texas Independence Day marks a time when today's Texans honor and celebrate the work and sacrifice of Texans many generations ago, people who heroically claimed their freedom from Mexico and sought out their own destiny governed by the laws of a true democracy, a constitution written by the people and the colors of their country's flag waving over what would become the free and independent Republic of Texas. Between 1820 and 1836, the Mexican Government offered Americans the opportunity to live and work in Texas under Mexican rule, but they grew disheartened by the tyranny and depression. In the Steven F. Austin Colony, which was the first colony, Texans first established a provisional government in 1835 with the intention of writing a declaration of independence soon after. However, the Mexican army was intent on destroying any move toward Texas independence, and the Consultation of 1835, as it was known, adjourned without the organization needed to continue the cause for freedom. Less than a year later, many of the same delegates present at the Consultation of 1835 arrived along the banks of the Brazos River in the town of Washington, just north of the Austin Colony, which is now Austin County. By the spring of 1836, the encroachments on Texans' basic freedoms had reached a flash point. On March 1, 1836, 59 delegates hailing from all corners of Texas arrived at the village of Washington along the Brazos River to decide the principles they would invoke in claiming their freedom from Mexico. There, these brave men drafted the language that would declare their independence from Mexico, and they did so knowing full well that they may have to pay the ultimate price for freedom. As the delegates along the Brazos River wrote the Texas declaration of independence, patriots like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis fought and died for Texas freedom at the Alamo. After successfully gaining independence from Mexico, Republic of Texas President Sam Houston in 1842 moved the Republic's capital to the birthplace of Texas, Washington on the Brazos River. Three years later, by an act of the United States Congress, Texas was made part of the American Union and became the 28th State of the United States of America. There can be no argument about the Lone Star State's significant contributions to American history, and we must remember the actions and the sacrifices of those who made Texas independence a reality. Washington on the Brazos represents an historic event that took place long ago, but tonight we remember Washington on the Brazos as the place where the proud Republic of Texas was born with the desire for freedom and an undying spirit of democracy. Today, we see that same spirit and determination for freedom and democracy in our fighting men and women overseas and in the people and countries they have liberated. As with the first Texans, those people in distant lands know what it means to be liberated from tyranny and drink from the cup of freedom. They, too, will succeed and flourish in a free and democratic society.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a soldier and a hero from Pflugerville, Texas, and to pay homage to the sacrifices our fighting men and women make every day for America and for the world. Last week, I had the honor of visiting Walter Reed Hospital where Private Jon Abels of the Army's 101st Airborne Division is receiving top notch medical care for the wounds he received in battle. On November 29, Private Abels, who is a radio operator, was stationed in Iraq and on patrol in Baghdad when his platoon came under fire from insurgents. Private Abels and his fellow soldiers managed to find cover and safety in an abandoned residence that was frequently used by the insurgents. Outnumbered 20 to 6 and trapped in a house, they tried to fight off the insurgents who were surrounding their position. Undoubtedly, many of the soldiers inside, if not all, would have been killed until Private Abels sprang into action. Private Abels radioed for help and then found and hotwired the insurgents' truck in the house's garage. He then loaded his men in the truck, and they drove from the enemy's trap. As they left, they took on heavy gunfire that injured Private Abels and two others and, ultimately, killed three more as their truck crashed. Injured and still in the range of the insurgents' fire, Private Abels helped the other survivors to safety and administered medical attention to his wounded platoon leader. His actions brought him and the other survivors just enough time for support fire to arrive, and ultimately, he saved three lives. Last week, Private Abels proudly received his Purple Heart at Walter Reed Hospital and is making a quick and fast recovery. Clearly a hero, Private Abels' actions exemplify the efforts of all of our fighting men and women in the war on terror. I was inspired by his optimistic attitude, even as a severely injured soldier at Walter Reed Hospital. He believes that we are getting the job done and making great progress in Iraq. So as we stand together here this evening in peace, America's soldiers are united in protecting our country as they remain in distant lands fighting the threat and the horror of terrorism. We are there to root out the terrorists who wish to do us harm, who wish to harm Americans. These terrorists, like the insurgents that Private Abels fought in Baghdad, have a track record of being patient until they succeed in their evil agenda, so we must continue to support our soldiers now more than ever and give our military men and women every tool necessary to protect us and to complete and to win this war on terror. Some say that we should retreat in this war on terror, but to them I say that our fighting men and women have succeeded on all fronts. In places like Iraq and Afghanistan where oppression, tyranny and inhumane treatment once flourished, we now find nations waking up to the reality of self-ruled government and the benefits that come with their democracies. This success is most embodied by the free and democratic elections in Iraq that took place this very week. To quit now would not only be an insult to those waging this liberating battle but a dishonor to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, for freedom and for the greater good. Few causes are as worthy, and few prices are as great. America prides its freedom on how our determination can accomplish any task and defeat any foe. So finish the job we will. And because of heroes like Private Abels, I have no doubt in my mind that we will prevail.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. My hometown of Austin has seen the horrifying effects that a sanctuary policy can have on a community. Nearly two years ago an 18-year-old woman named Jenny Garcia was found brutally stabbed to death in her Northwest Austin home. An illegal alien by the name of David Diaz Morales was one of Jenny's coworkers. He made it clear to her that he wanted to be more than just her coworker or friend. When Jenny rejected his advances, this put David Diaz Morales into a murderous rage. On January 26th of last year, Morales broke into Jenny's home, forcefully grabbed her, held her down, savagely raped her and then brutally stabbed her to death. In less than 24 hours, the Austin Police Department arrested this 20 year old thug who had absolutely no business being in the United States, let alone Jenny's home. However, David Diaz Morales had no business being free to walk the streets either. You see, before becoming Jenny's murderer, he had been previously arrested for molesting a child in Austin. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle decided not to prosecute Morales's molestation case. Instead, he let him out of jail to commit more violent crimes, and when it came to Morales's immigration status District Attorney Ronnie Earle looked the other way. If only District Attorney Earle had picked up the phone, he would have discovered that Morales was in our country illegally. He could have contacted immigration officials who would have deported him out of our country. He could have saved Jenny's life. This is one horrific example of many injustices which could have been prevented. That is why we must include this vital amendment to the underlying bill. This amendment will put $1 billion in the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, and make the Institutional Removal Program, which identifies criminal illegal aliens, mandatory. It also gives states, counties and cities 2 full years to come into compliance or risk losing State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funds. Mr. Chairman, we owe it to victims like Jenny Garcia and so many others to include this language in the underlying bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I am sure we can point to extreme examples, but the fact of the matter is that the statute does already provide and gives the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security discretion to release juveniles, aliens with medical conditions and aliens who are medically certified as pregnant. I think this is already addressed by the law. And, therefore, this well-intentioned amendment, I believe, is unnecessary. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me say at first, I have great respect for the gentlewoman from Texas, and I know this is a well intentioned amendment. However, I believe there are numerous problems with this amendment. It is unnecessary and seeks to create a class of aliens who will are not be detained with the rest of the alien population. However, the mandatory detention provision of H.R. 4377 preserves the already existing parole authority under section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that waives mandatory detention and releases aliens for urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit. In other words, the Secretary already is empowered and has discretion to release juveniles and aliens who have serious medical conditions in which continued detention would not be appropriate and women who have been medically certified as pregnant, the very classes that the gentlewoman seeks too release. Also, this amendment creates a whole new bureaucracy that is not necessary. It takes away power from the department and those who are really experienced with these issues and concerns involving the detention of aliens and empowers independent groups, NGOs and academic experts from the immigration and the criminal justice field, with the authority to design this program separate and apart from the Department of Homeland Security. This amendment also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into contracts with groups including the NGOs and individuals to implement the program. Simply put, this amendment applies only to illegal aliens who are in expedited removal, which is typically 30 to 90 days. Such individuals will be removed quickly from the United States. Allowing them to be released outside of what the statute already prescribes would only create more incentive for them to enter into and remain in this country. In addition, this amendment seeks to protect aliens with valid claims of asylum who are already protected under this bill. H.R. 4377 does not change current law regarding those with valid claims of asylum. They currently have and, if this bill passes, will still have that right. Detention of such aliens is still discretionary once placed into asylum proceedings. And, finally, this amendment seeks to shift the authority for unaccompanied alien children to the Department of Health and Human Services. We have a serious and significant youth alien gang problem in the United States, MS-13, for instance, whose members are primarily from El Salvador and enter illegally into the United States across our land borders. Some of these gangs are dangerous criminals and such members of alien gangs who could potentially be not only criminals but terrorists. This amendment provides for a sweeping shift of power from the Department of Homeland Security to HHS to deal with such aliens. I submit that DHS has the expertise to deal with aliens. We are in a crisis. That is why we are debating this bill today, and mandating this change in law is not how the government should be responding to these types of serious problems. This provision, simply put, removes all discretion from the Secretary of Homeland Security, where it properly resides, to determine who should be detained and not detained. And, therefore, for those reasons, I respectfully oppose this well-intentioned amendment.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentlewoman's, again, well-intentioned amendment says that the Secretary shall, mandatory language, shall design a program in consultation with nongovernmental organizations and academic experts in immigration and criminal justice. Again, this is a very serious matter, and I believe that the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is in the best position to make these determinations, not outside groups. And, of course, the Secretary can get any advice he wishes, but this is a decision for him to make and not for outside nongovernmental organizations.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our military forces need and deserve ample resources and superior technological capabilities to remain strong, which requires ongoing development efforts by both the public and private sector. In fact, some of the military's most innovative technologies are being developed by small companies. Two examples are in the 10th District of Texas, with each of these Austin-based companies developing a technology with significant military value. To accelerate the availability of these new technologies for military applications, I have recommended that funding support be included in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2006. One of the technologies is a unique 3-D holographic imaging system developed by Zebra Imaging, which will soon be deployed by the Army in Iraq for intelligence and operational uses. The $2.25 million requested for this technology would advance the current non-portable imaging system to a field deployable unit for combat forces, with this capability available within 24 months. Army intelligence and operational units have urged the acceleration of this development effort because of the strategic and tactical value to combat troops, which the requested funding seeks to achieve. The second technology is in the field of micro-electronics and involves RF MEMS switches and relays under development by TeraVicta Technologies. These micro devices, which provide enormous advances in the size, capabilities and performance of military electronics, are key to achieving faster and more powerful network communications, radar and satellite systems. The $2.25 million requested will accelerate TeraVicta's development work, specifically supporting a program to bring RF MEMS switches to a production-ready status and available for a variety of military applications. These two technologies are recognized within the military as crucial developments, and I hope the Defense Appropriators provide the necessary funding to quickly bring them to operational use.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support a new technology in permanent, self-cleaning air filters for military vehicles operating in high-dust environments, such as in the Middle East. A company in my district, Signature Science LLC, and its partners are proposing to adapt, integrate and fully test a new self-cleaning air filter technology developed for military vehicles that will save the Department of Defense millions of dollars annually by eliminating the cost of disposable air filters in addition to reducing maintenance costs of vehicle engines. Diesel engines on military vehicles currently use disposable air filters that require frequent changes to protect engines from the damage caused by dusty environments. In Iraq for example, these filters must be replaced after as little as 16 hours of use on some vehicles operating there. Signature Science's technology for a permanent, self-cleaning air filter will save American tax dollars while avoiding logistical problems for the military such as operational burdens, decreased fuel efficiency and increased security risks. For these reasons we need to advance this technology beyond the research phase in the very near term, and I believe that the Defense Appropriators would be serving the national interest by funding the development and testing of these air-filter prototypes for our military vehicles.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman King for his hard work on this much-needed legislation. Mr. Chairman, before running for Congress, as the chairman indicated, I had a counterterrorism background as a Federal prosecutor in the Justice Department. My jurisdiction included the Mexican border. Based upon this experience, I have a direct understanding of America's need for this comprehensive border security legislation; and I am proud to say out of our committee, Mr. Chairman, it was truly bipartisan. The Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act is a result of the United States' grave and perpetual problem with undocumented aliens. An estimated 8 million to 12 million undocumented aliens are here in the United States. Last year alone, over 1 million illegal aliens were apprehended at the border, and the Border Patrol estimates that many more have crossed undetected. In addition, there is evidence to support that al Qaeda would like to exploit our southwest border, and we know that it is vulnerable. In the post-9/11 world, these figures no longer represent just an immigration problem, but rather one of national security. America's borders are being compromised by our inability to identify those who are coming into our country. This commonsense legislation will work to fix this growing problem and will greatly enhance security along our Nation's borders. If passed, America will begin to establish operational control of its borders and ports and have a national strategy, thereby ensuring a safer and more secure home for all of us. I am honored to serve on the Homeland Security Committee and to have played a role in the drafting of this important legislation, including the mandatory detention provisions which will end the so-called catch and release policy of undocumented aliens, particularly those from other countries other than Mexico. Unknown OTMs crossing our borders present a dire national security risk, since most of the detained OTMs are immediately released into our streets never to return for their court date. Sadly, the number of OTMs crossing America's border has tripled over the last 3 years. The second provision that I was proud to have a part in was to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies for the cost they bear due to the national border security burden. If we have learned anything after 9/11, it is that the Federal Government must work with the State and local law enforcement to prevent terrorism. It is our duty, indeed it is our responsibility as Members of this distinguished body, to do everything in our power to ensure that another 9/11 never occurs in this country again. This vital piece of legislation will greatly advance our efforts towards preventing terrorists from entering our shores.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution to express the idea that democracy and terrorism are not compatible and that statesmen and terrorists cannot coexist. I want to thank Mr. Cantor and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for their assistance and hard work in bringing this important resolution to the floor. I would also like to thank Mr. Menendez, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Berkley, and Mr. Wexler for their partnership on this issue. We have come here today in a very bipartisan fashion in order to deliver a message to Mr. Abbas and to all other developing democracies in the rest of the world. The future of Palestinian democracy cannot include terrorists and religious fanatics. The first step of President Bush's road map to peace calls for the disarming of Hamas and other terrorist organizations, as well as the dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure. The Palestinian people will have a future only if their leaders begin to take responsibility for the well-being of their citizens, and they must end their obsession with the destruction of the State of Israel. Democratic parties cannot control armed militias. If the Palestinians wish to have a democratic country, Hamas must lay down its arms, and it must renounce the use of terrorism and violence, and it must recognize Israel's right to exist; or they must know that this Congress will not be a friend to their government. Terrorist organizations do not have a place in a peaceful political process. It is not unprecedented in recent history for a terrorist organization to lay down its arms, to renounce its violent ways, and then to be accepted into a legitimate democratic government. The IRA has accomplished this, and Hamas has had the opportunity to do this. But instead, they have repeatedly vowed to continue bloody terrorist acts against innocent Israeli citizens and stated their intentions to seek the destruction of the State of Israel. President Abbas himself has called for the Palestinian Authority to act with one authority, one law, and one gun. But actions speak louder than words, and this upcoming election is the test for him and for Palestinian democracy. The Palestinian government has not taken the necessary steps to accomplish this goal, and President Abbas' apparent willingness to allow Hamas to participate without preconditions is disheartening. The United States has a longstanding policy of not dealing with or making concessions to terrorists. We do not negotiate, we do not trade with, and we do not fund terrorists. Therefore, there is no diplomacy to be had with terrorists, and the Palestinian Authority will be a terrorist government if Hamas candidates are elected. And what if members of terrorist organizations are elected? Should American taxpayers be forced to send foreign aid to the hands of these terrorists? Should we be giving them an opportunity to divert American foreign aid directly into the hands of terrorists who have pledged to kill innocent civilians? The answer is no. This resolution is a message to President Abbas. If the Palestinian Authority is determined to continue and allow Hamas to participate as planned, then this government will have to take a new look at our relationship with the Palestinian government. I urge my colleagues to support emerging democracies in the Middle East and to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. In closing, I would submit that we all would like to see a peaceful resolution to this. There are many ways to build a democracy. We encourage statesmen to explore all of them and to find the one that will benefit their people the most. However, to allow terrorists and murderers to participate and allowing political parties who control armed militias to gain phony legitimacy through elections is not productive and will ultimately lead their country off the path to democracy. Furthermore, it will force us to reassess our relationship with the Palestinian Authority. I strongly urge President Abbas to heed this warning, and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Madam Speaker, the people in the gulf coast States have always lived with the threat of devastating tropical weather, including hurricanes. In fact, the worst natural disaster to ever befall America was the Galveston hurricane of 1900. To this day, I personally know many families who lost loved ones in this horrific hurricane some 105 years ago. In fact, my grandfather, who was only 8 years old at the time, barely survived the devastation, while some 10,000 perished trying to overcome the high waters. My grandfather was heroically saved by rescuers who found him clinging to a tree in the flooded streets of Galveston. Sadly, it seems that history and nature have a way of repeating themselves. Like in the Galveston hurricane of 1900, the streets of New Orleans were flooded to the tops of trees and homes by Hurricane Katrina, and people relied on the goodwill of others to survive that devastation. To that end, my home State of Texas has done an outstanding job in the Katrina relief effort, persevering in the face of Hurricane Rita, which made landfall on the Texas coast 1 month after Hurricane Katrina. It goes without saying that our hearts and prayers are with those who are fighting for their lives and their communities and the areas hit by these hurricanes. Despite their dire situation, I know how brave and capable the people are in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. They will overcome the damage and fully recover. They will rebuild and return home as they were meant to, but they will need our help and support. Before Hurricane Rita hit, I visited the Katrina relief efforts in my district, and Vice President Cheney and I met with the Texas Emergency Management Agency. They used computer models to demonstrate the effects of a hurricane similar to Katrina hitting the Texas coast. The images revealed that Galveston Island could be completely submerged and the streets of Houston flooded if a strong hurricane were to hit that region. At the time, we could not have known that this similar scenario would play itself out in Texas in just a matter of days. Fortunately, Galveston and the greater Houston area were saved; and unlike Galveston a hundred years ago, there was no direct loss of life due to Hurricane Rita. This is due to the efforts of the real heroes of the State and local first responders who protected life before the storm struck. To that end I would like to thank everyone who has stepped forward and helped the hurricane victims by donating, volunteering, and working together to overcome this tragedy, especially Texas Governor Rick Perry; Austin Mayor Will Wynn; Houston Mayor Bill White; Katy Mayor Doyle Callendar; Tomball Mayor, Hap Harrington; Harris County Judge Robert Eckels; Ann Hodge and the Katy Chamber of Commerce; Bruce Hillegeist and the Tomball Chamber of Commerce; Tomball Fire Department Chief Randy Parr; and the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. Their leadership, persevering through sheer tragedy, has been invaluable to the response and recovery process from both storms. This cooperation partnership, brotherhood, community and faith, all succeeding in the face of absolute disaster, is truly an example of the resilience of the American spirit. If nothing, this can teach us that if we plan ahead and work together, we can save lives and overcome the worst of nature's fury. This common bond is our duty as friends, as neighbors, and as Americans.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week, I visited the Katrina relief efforts in my district, and Vice President Cheney and I met with the Texas Emergency Management Agency. They did an outstanding job in the Katrina relief effort, but now we are faced with another hurricane--Hurricane Rita. As I speak to you now, Rita, a category 5 hurricane, is bearing down on the coast of Texas and is projected to hit near Galveston. Now more than ever, this kind of leadership is needed for our communities in Texas. Along with the mandatory evacuations in the Gulf Coastal region, there currently exists a voluntary evacuation in the Greater Houston area for flood plains, and neighborhoods near main bayous. Although these evacuation orders are voluntary, the Federal Emergency Management Agency strongly suggests that in the event of a hurricane all evacuation orders must be honored to prevent needless loss of life. If we work together, we can save lives. This is our duty as friends, as neighbors and as Americans.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for his leadership on this issue. He has been the point man on this in Congress, and he has done a great job. I am proud to work with him on this, and proud to call him my friend as well. Since September 11, we have made this Nation's security and prosperity our number one priority. Halfway around the world, we fight terrorism and promote freedom with the strength of our military. In our own hemisphere, we have several different weapons in the strength of our economy, our business and our trade that will help to guarantee our safety. We must utilize these tools to prevent tyranny and evil from gaining power in our own backyard. For years, our Central American neighbors were torn apart by civil wars that epitomized the global battle between good and evil. With our help they have created stable and free governments. However, that battle is far from won. There are those who would like to reverse the progress that we have made, and those who wish to use the fragile state of our friends' democracies to attack our very existence. In order to win the war on terror, we must continue to guarantee the stability of democracy in our own hemisphere. The citizens of this country have entrusted us with their safety and their well-being. They have asked us to represent their interests and to help increase their standard of living. Job creation should not fall prey to politics. We need to rise above partisan politics to work for the good of our country. That is why this week my colleagues and I in the United States Congress will vote for legislation that will strengthen our economy, our security, and our way of life. The Dominican Republic and Central American Free Trade Agreement will help reinforce freedom and democracy throughout our entire region. When considering the benefits of CAFTA, we must consider the pitfalls of not passing it. With the improvement of our economic relationship with Central America, we will see an improvement in our security relationship. Recently I met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, and he made it clear to me that this trade agreement is crucial to our national security. We are currently engaged in a war on terror on the other side of the world, while there are already terrorists who are using Central America as a base of operations against the United States. This trade agreement is not only good for our economy, it is also vital to our national security by stabilizing Central American democracies. In addition to international terrorism, we must also mind the rising threat of China's global influence. If the United States does not adopt CAFTA, we will see China take our place as Central America's biggest and most important trading partner. This would mean an increase in America's trade deficit with nations all over the world and make the United States a secondary economic power. Twenty years ago we helped Central America fight a war against Communist forces, and now China is trying to reassert its influence within our own hemisphere. We will not allow this to happen. This trade agreement keeps America ahead of China and will increase America's financial security. Through CAFTA, Central America should continue to see the U.S. as its main trading partner instead of Communist China. And on the issue of immigration, by passing CAFTA and helping people to create a better life in Central America, the citizens of those countries will be motivated to work, to prosper, and, most importantly, to stay in their own countries. Working with America, their standards of living will increase. Ultimately my home State of Texas and the rest of the Nation will spend less time and money combating the problem of illegal immigration. This is really, in my view, the long-term solution to our immigration problem. CAFTA will also level the playing field. CAFTA represents the completion of our trade relationship, not just the beginning of one. Through unilateral preference programs already approved by Congress, nearly 80 percent of CAFTA imports and 99 percent of CAFTA ag products already enter the United States duty free. CAFTA will make this one-way road a two-way superhighway by giving our agriculture and industrial goods and services access to their markets. We will level the playing field by eliminating high tariffs, tariff rate quotas and nontariff barriers. My home State of Texas will be one of the top three States to benefit by enacting this trade agreement. On the issue of new jobs, CAFTA countries, which include the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, are the United States' largest market for domestic apparel and yarn exports and the second largest market for U.S. fabric exports. Trade with these countries exceeds trade with countries like Australia and Russia. This deal is critical to sustain and expand existing partnerships to give CAFTA goods a competitive edge, particularly with the elimination of global quotas and increased competition from Asia. This trade agreement will help support approximately 400,000 jobs in Central America and the Dominican Republic and 700,000 workers in the United States in cotton, yarn, textile and other apparel sectors. On the issue of agriculture, America's farmers are also expected to see increases in the needs from Central America for their crops and livestock. Some of the most important U.S. exports to the region expected to gain significantly from CAFTA include feed grains, wheat, soybeans, poultry, pork and beef. That is why the American and the Texas Farm Bureau support CAFTA. On the issue of technology and business, this agreement creates huge potential profits for our technology industry. CAFTA holds the promise of new opportunities and expanded markets for a wide array of U.S. high-tech merchandise, exporters, manufacturers, service providers and their employees. Total U.S. high-tech exports to Central America in 2003 totaled nearly $2.5 billion. From Dell to Samsung to Applied Materials to Hewlett Packard, the high-tech industry in Texas and the United States will benefit greatly from this trade agreement. And as the standard of living improves in these countries, the demand for more advanced technology will grow with it. In conclusion, it is essential that we pass CAFTA. Along with President Bush, I believe this trade agreement will mean increased safety and security for our Nation. With their own nations seeing prosperity, Central Americans will have less reason to illegally cross U.S. borders looking for better opportunities in our country. America's farmers and businesses will find new and easier ways to export their goods and services to the tune of billions of new dollars. For the average American, CAFTA will mean a cost savings at the grocery store. And for the entire Western Hemisphere, this trade agreement will spread and strengthen democracy, peace and freedom. CAFTA has support, wide and deep, from many groups, but it is important to note tonight those who oppose CAFTA. CAFTA is opposed by Marxist leftists and terrorist leaders such as Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. In addition, this vote is being watched carefully by Iran, North Korea and China, who all stand to gain by the failure of this vote, a vote we cannot afford to lose.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. I think if we fail to pass it, we will give the enemies of freedom a victory. That is a victory we cannot afford to turn over. This is the first of many trade agreements. If this does not pass, it takes away, in my view, a lot of credibility on the part of the administration when it goes to other countries and tries to broker agreements. In the defeat of communism, socialism, and the spread of freedom and democracy, that is why I am here tonight. That is why I ran for Congress, and that is why it is so important that this Congress pass this important piece of legislation.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. I thank the gentleman as well.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. We cannot afford to turn the clock back, as the gentleman mentioned. We won that war 25 years ago, but now we see instability in the region. We see President Chavez down in Venezuela aligning himself with people like Fidel Castro, asking Iran for nuclear technology. We have a triborder region down in South America where al Qaeda and groups like Hezbollah meet and discuss their activities. The threat is very real. It is no surprise that Fidel Castro and President Chavez oppose CAFTA because they know that there is nothing better for us and for Central America in spreading democracy than for CAFTA to get passed. That is why President Hugo Chavez has actually sent money to legislators in Nicaragua to actually oppose CAFTA in their country.

Mr. McCAUL of Texas

Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this valuable legislation to fund NASA, and I would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) for his extraordinary leadership on this issue. Americans have high hopes for the future of the space program. But if we are to explore the boundaries of our final frontier through the President's Vision for Space Exploration, NASA and its manned space flight program must be adequately supported. This legislation does just that, and it also gives NASA Administrator Mike Griffin the tools he needs to work towards the completion of the International Space Station. In the 1960s, President Kennedy helped us begin the race to the Moon. And the United States reached that lofty goal six times with the Nation watching and listening to every mission. We won that race then, and now we must adopt again the same spirit of enthusiasm for space exploration. Accordingly, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of returning Americans to the Moon within 15 years. However, the success of the Vision For Space Exploration is predicated on these goals being in the heart of tomorrow's scientists and engineers. To meet this need, the President's plan will again make space exploration an exciting and educational priority for America. He has made it clear within the next half century, America will be the world leader in space exploration with missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. We must keep in mind that we are not the only ones pursuing this goal, and America is once again in a space race. European countries are peacefully competing against us in a race to be the first country to land a man on Mars. And to win this race, NASA must work with the private sector, universities around the Nation, and possibly other countries to overcome the most challenging technological obstacles NASA has yet to face. The successes that are surely to come from the vision will benefit not only America and its manned space flight program, but humanity and our planet will be direct benefactors of this historic undertaking. In a world tattered by war and terrorism, the NASA space exploration program brings the hope and promise of a brighter tomorrow for our children and for future generations. Our goals to explore the endless boundaries of our universe will and must continue. They are efforts linked to no political party or branch of government. Our need and want to explore space and the bodies around the Earth belong not just to Americans but to humanity. Indeed, they are efforts to continue what humans have done since our inception and that is to explore.