Richard Neal

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, we are not surprised that the Wall Street Journal reported 3 weeks ago that the American people, with a two-thirds majority, give Bill Clinton high marks for his Presidency. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, we hold the same regard for the distinguished minority leader on this side that they hold for Chairman Rangel, as well. But the difference is essentially this: the Republican Party once again proposes to borrow the money to pay for tax relief. We intend to pay for tax relief. With that, it is an honor for me to recognize the gentlewoman from California, the distinguished Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi, for the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Let me quickly decipher what my friend the gentleman from New York said. He said, ``Let's borrow the money.'' I yield 1 minute to Mrs. Tubbs Jones, the gentlewoman from Ohio, former District Attorney.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 seconds to the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, who has done a terrific job in that short tenure (Mr. Frank).

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration has been there for 7 years, and they have not proposed once the elimination of the alternative minimum tax. In including next year's budget projections, they include the numbers from the alternative minimum tax for revenue. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the Record a colloquy between myself and Mr. Watt.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Then I will ask the gentleman from North Carolina to remain here and perhaps we can do it face to face. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I was with the ranking member of the Rules Committee yesterday, and he said that everything was fine, the economy was doing great. General Leave

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark). (Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today we're voting on a historic trade agreement with Peru. Let me thank Charlie Rangel and Sandy Levin for the diligence they demonstrated in negotiating with the administration. This trade deal is about exports. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, the labor and environmental provisions in the Peru FTA are big steps towards a more progressive trade policy where trade benefits are spread more broadly in a global economy. Regarding labor, the FTA includes a fully enforceable commitment that Peru adopt and maintain the five basic international labor standards. Peruvian President Garcia has already implemented changes to Peru's legal framework to allow compliance with international labor standards. A key provision allows the United States to challenge any violation of Peru's commitments to labor standards. Like the labor provision, the environmental provisions in the Peru FTA are also unprecedented. This legislation before us not only makes significant steps in the right direction, but it also moves aggressively in stopping illegal logging. In addition to the significant reductions in tariff and nontariff barriers to U.S. exports, again, it's about exports, the agreement also includes important provisions relating to generic medicines, government procurement, and investment protections. Mr. Speaker, the importance in progress associated with the Peru FTA will allow a lot of Democrats tonight for the first time to vote for an FTA. I know the decision is not easy, but it's a testament to the new and improved course that American trade policy has undertaken, which reflects the best of American values. Mr. Speaker, the legally binding labor and environmental standards in the Peru FTA is a universe apart from CAFTA. This is not CAFTA. This is not NAFTA, which only received a handful of Democratic votes. Implementation of the FTA will give momentum to other efforts to secure forward-thinking FTAs. This is the result of Charlie Rangel and Sandy Levin's hard work and dedication, and I urge support of this legislation.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. I believe we have concluded the speakers who have asked for time on our side.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3997, as amended.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. First of all, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English) for the usual courtesy that he extends to all Members of this body, and particularly those of us who are on the Ways and Means Committee. I also wish to acknowledge Chairman Rangel and Mr. McCrery who worked to accommodate suggestions from several Members of the House. We thank those Members, both Republicans and Democrats, for generating many of the good ideas contained in this bipartisan bill. Let me describe some of the provisions in this bill. The bill makes permanent the current provision waiving the 10 percent withdrawal penalty for those called up to active duty who need to tap into retirement accounts. The bill allows families to roll over amounts received as death gratuity benefits into Roth IRAs or education savings accounts. The bill makes a number of changes related to supplemental security income or SSI eligibility and military service. And the bill makes permanent the special rule treating combat pay as earned income for the purposes of the earned income tax credit, or EITC. The bill also provides a number of changes to allow employers the flexibility to extend benefits to workers called up to duty and will expand certain provisions that provide mortgage assistance to veterans through qualified bond programs. The bill also includes incentives for those who volunteer their services Stateside, such as firefighters and emergency responders. And for those who had an opportunity to attend our hearing and listen to the moving testimony by the widow of a Reservist whose pension was cut in half because he did not ``return to work'' after being killed in action, you will be pleased to know, as all Members of the body will, that this bill we are considering today fixes that problem for good. The British leader Benjamin Disraeli noted, ``The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.'' Let us set our own example today of a Congress that responds to families in need. Let us show our heroes and their families that we acknowledge and appreciate their service. Not only do I encourage support for this bipartisan bill, I want to reiterate what was stated a few moments ago by my friend, Mr. English. This is a very firm example of what happens in this House of Representatives when Members put aside differences and proceed with the common principle that American veterans deserve help. So let us show our support for this legislation. I urge adoption of this bill.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I recognize a great friend of the veteran, the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda) for 1 minute.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), also a member of the Ways and Means Committee. (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I am delighted that this bipartisan legislation to assist our veterans is before the House today. It also is certainly of great assistance to our active duty military and Reservists and indeed their families. The bill we are considering today is the product of a joint hearing held last month by the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee led by myself and the Ranking Member English and the Income Security Subcommittee led by Chairman McDermott and Ranking Member Weller. We heard from a number of veterans advocates, military families groups, the Social Security Administration, Members of Congress and others who discussed their proposals to either enhance tax provisions or reduce burdens on those who serve or volunteer for America. The bill we are considering today, which passed out of the full committee last week, is a product of those deliberations and will go far to assist those serving this country, again, emphasizing support for their families. This country is fortunate that so many soldiers and sailors have been willing to sacrifice for our defense. We must remember, once again, that this is a shared sacrifice. The families of someone serving this country can suffer financially, as well as emotionally, during extended tours. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the Tax Code and other income security provisions do not create problems but, rather, solve them for military families. That is exactly what this bill will allow us to do.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Doggett.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 1\1/ 2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota and member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Pomeroy.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), a member of the Ways and Means Committee. (Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I yield Mr. Altmire from Pennsylvania, a good friend of the veteran, 1 minute.