Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kagen).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, while our Nation and our military are paying a huge price for the continuing war in Iraq, the Iraqi Government itself refuses to take any steps needed to bring about political reconciliation. It has now been more than 320 days since the surge began. During that time, more than 860 American troops have been killed and we continue to spend more than $10 billion in Iraq every month; yet the Iraqi Government still refuses to live up to the promises it made to President Bush when the surge began. The government promised that the Iraqi Parliament would pass a national oil and gas bill. It hasn't. The Iraqi Government also promised the President that its parliament would pass a de-Baathification law. It hasn't. The government also promised to hold provincial elections. Once again, they have failed to follow through. Madam Speaker, how much longer is President Bush going to sacrifice both our military and our Treasury for an Iraqi Government that refuses to make the difficult decisions that could possibly produce real stability in Iraq? It's time for a change of course in Iraq.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last week this House passed a final veterans funding bill that provides the largest investment in veterans health care in the 77-year history of the VA. Congress initially passed this legislation over the opposition of President Bush and his administration. Now, back in June, then Bush budget director, Rob Portman, said that the Bush administration would veto the Homeland Security measure as well as an even more generous bill funding veterans health programs and construction at military bases. One week later, when this House was about to vote on the legislation, the White House sent over a letter saying that planned increases to veterans were excessive. And then in August, the President directed his VA Secretary to send Congress a letter letting them know that veterans didn't really need $3.7 billion we had included over the President's request. Mr. Speaker, it's clear that, until recently, President Bush and his administration did not believe we should fulfill our promises to our Nation's veterans. The President's paper trail is clear, and had it not been for this Democratic Congress, our veterans would not now be one step closer to the historic funding increase.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, 2007 has been the deadliest year for American troops in Iraq. No doubt that a change of direction is needed, but President Bush refuses to change course. He envisions a world where our troops will still be on the ground in Iraq 10 years from now. This Democratic Congress rejects such a plan. And this week we will once again consider legislation that will require President Bush to redeploy our troops out of Iraq while providing our troops in harm's way with the resources that they need. President Bush has asked Congress for an additional $200 billion for Iraq. This House will instead vote on a $50 billion package that will require the immediate start of the redeployment of U.S. forces out of Iraq. The legislation sets a goal of having nearly every troop out of Iraq by the end of next year. That is a significant change in the course of the war, and it is a change that will finally hold Iraq accountable for its future course. Madam Speaker, this Congress will continue to fight to change President Bush's 10-year, trillion-dollar war. We are committed to bringing our troops home soon, repairing the readiness of our military, and refocusing our efforts to fight terrorism around the world.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, war has changed, but our commitment to the brave men and women who serve overseas remains the same. This Democratic Congress today is passing a veterans bill prioritizing veterans by fully funding the Veterans Administration. We recognize the changing needs of our new veterans by allocating funding to address conditions like PTSD, and we supported a pay raise for military families that this President, who has no trouble sending our troops and billions of dollars into Iraq, called unnecessary. Now, today, we are going to finally pass this Veterans appropriations bill. We are going to keep the promise we made to service men and women when they volunteered to serve our Nation overseas by taking care of them when they come home. This is the largest veterans increase for health care in history. This is the commitment of the Democratic prompt of the Democratic Congress, and we are going to make sure it happens today, regardless of what the President decides to do, if he vetoes it or not. We will just come back again and again and again regardless of his veto. We are tired of the fact that this President gets up and says that he supports these initiatives but then vetoes them.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Veterans Day on November 11 of this month, I want to say a few words about why I introduced House Concurrent Resolution 60 which, as you know, expresses support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students Day, or VETS Day. Throughout our Nation's history, millions of men and women have served the U.S. in times of need as members of the armed services, and these veterans and their families have made sacrifices that should not be forgotten with the passage of time. In the U.S., hundreds of memorials and monuments stand to honor those who have served in the armed services. While these tributes help remind Americans of the great sacrifices that were made to protect our freedoms, they can't educate today's youth the way actual veterans can. The VETS Day essentially would urge teachers and civic leaders to organize events and forums where students can interact with America's veterans. H. Con. Res. 60 would encourage schools to set aside a portion of the day in November to allow veterans to answer students' questions while conveying important stories and lessons about their service. I actually have participated in these kinds of programs in my own district, Mr. Speaker; and I know how valuable they can be. At a time when the men and women of our armed services are in harm's way, we should be educating today's students on the sacrifices these brave men and women make every day. The children of our Nation will benefit from programs that provide education about veterans and instill a patriotic appreciation of the sacrifices made by veterans to defend freedom and protect the interests of our Nation. Again, I think the most important thing is hearing firsthand accounts from veterans themselves, and that is the best way that students can better understand veterans' service and sacrifice. Again, I want to thank the chairman for his assistance and urge swift passage of this resolution.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, last November Democrats listened to the American people. But, unfortunately, President Bush continues to ignore them. Democrats promised to take our Nation in a new direction, and in many ways we have. We increased the minimum wage for the first time in a decade. We made Americans safer by fully implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations. We also restored PAYGO rules so that Congress lives within its means. We are proud of our accomplishments, but an intransigent President is blocking our efforts to do more. Lifesaving cures to debilitating diseases remain out of reach because President Bush vetoed stem cell research legislation. Our soldiers continue to referee a civil war in Iraq because President Bush vetoed a bill that would have brought our troops home next year. And millions of children cannot see the doctor of their choice because President Bush vetoed bipartisan legislation that would provide health insurance to 4 million more kids. Madam Speaker, while it is frustrating to deal with a President who continues to ignore the results of last year's elections, congressional Democrats will continue to move America in a new direction.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we are fast approaching the 1-year anniversary of the November elections when the American people went to the polls demanding to take our Nation in a new direction. Over the last 10 months, the new Democratic Congress has produced real results that are now making a real difference in millions of Americans' lives. For 10 years, Republican Congresses have refused to increase the minimum wage for nearly 6 million hardworking Americans. Democrats thought that was unacceptable, and one of our first actions was to ensure that these workers finally got a much-deserved and long overdue pay raise. Democrats also realize it is difficult for middle-class parents to send their children to college. Over the last 6 years as wages have stagnated, college costs have increased 40 percent above inflation. This Democratic Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation that provides the single largest increase in college aid since the GI Bill, and this new law will allow more Americans to live the American Dream. Madam Speaker, congressional Democrats are proud of these accomplishments, but they are only the beginning as we continue to move America in a new direction.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert Abel's lasting contributions and dedication to the oceans. Dr. Abel's environmental stewardship helped make New Jersey a leader in sustainable ocean and coastal research, policy planning and marine science education. Sadly, Dr. Abel passed away on October 10th, but he left behind a lasting legacy of support for protection of coastal and ocean resources in New Jersey and the Nation. On October 31st, at the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute's 3rd Annual Ocean Champion Awards, Dr. Abel will be honored with a State Ocean Leadership Award presented posthumously to his widow, Mrs. Nancy Abel. Dr. Abel began his distinguished career in government service as a chemical oceanographer with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. He then served as Staff Oceanographer to the Vice President of the United States from 1960-1967. Later, he was appointed as the founding Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. During his tenure, Dr. Abel was responsible for transforming the Sea Grant Program. He expanded it to include education-based projects for shore protection, fisheries, aquaculture and environmental protection. As President of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium, Dr. Abel ensured permanent New Jersey State funding for the Sea Grant Program, guiding the program to receive the Nation's first and only non- university program college status. I had the privilege of serving as a fellow through the program, and have also had fellows serve in my office over the last 20 years, providing me with invaluable counsel on ocean issues. Dr. Robert Abel was also a diplomat of the ocean. In 1981, he formed the Cooperative Marine Technology Program for the Middle East. He worked together with Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian scientists, hoping that international environmental stewardship could help strengthen bilateral ties. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Robert Abel, and extending our sincere condolences and deep appreciation to Mrs. Abel. Dr. Abel's scientific and diplomatic efforts will continue to benefit and inspire my constituents, and his many international colleagues and friends, for years to come.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 20th anniversary of St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church. St. Stepanos is across the street from my home in Elberon, New Jersey. It is a daily reminder to me of Armenian heritage and culture. St. Stepanos is also named in honor of the patriarch of the Hovnanian family, who has contributed so much to my district and the goal of affordable housing across the Nation, The Hovnanian family is the main benefactor of the church and many of its activities. St. Stepanos Church was consecrated in 1987. It sits on the site of St. Mary's Armenian Church, which served as the religious and cultural center for the Armenian community of the Jersey Shore for much of the 20th Century. St. Stepanos is one of the most beautiful examples of Armenian architecture in the United States. One can easily feel that you are in Armenia by standing in front of it, or inside the sanctuary. On the 10th anniversary of its consecration, the church added an Armenian khachkars, a traditional ancient art form in which a cross is intricately carved out of stone, to further enhance its architectural splendor. The Armenian School is an integral part of the St. Stepanos community, focusing on the study of Armenian language and culture, with participants ranging from age 4 to adult. Sunday school promotes St. Stepanos emphasis on religion within the Armenian community in Central New Jersey. The Women's Guild organizes fundraisers, dinners, and cultural activities. It has become increasingly important in promoting a sense of community at St. Stepanos. The church's youth organization also hosts fundraisers and trips for the younger Armenian population at St. Stepanos. The activities hosted by the church in addition to its commitment to religion and culture only serve as further proof of the active role that St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church has taken in the community throughout the years. Madam Speaker, we are honored in New Jersey on the 20th anniversary of St. Stepanos to receive Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, his Holiness Karekin II, from St. Etchmiadzin, Armenia. St. Stepanos has received many Armenian prelates over the years including the Patriarch of Jerusalem on its 10th anniversary, but this is the first time the head of the Armenian Church has visited. I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the 20th anniversary of St. Stepanos Church for its contributions to the Armenian-American residents of Central New Jersey, as well the larger Armenian-American community in the United States.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Dingell. I'm really pained when I listen to the last speaker and some of the comments that have been made on the other side, you know, calling this sincere effort by the Democrats, on a bipartisan basis with the Senate, to try to come up with something that we can get you on the other side of the aisle to support. You know, I heard words like ``baloney'' and ``bogus,'' and almost I think actual laughter. And it's a sad day when we laugh at this issue which is an issue of whether we're going to cover kids so that they don't have to go to an emergency room and can actually go to a doctor and get proper health care. The Democrats, and this is again bipartisan where some Republicans and the Senate Republicans have gone out of their way to try to address the concerns that some of the Republicans have expressed, but the bottom line is that we can't change the fact that we want to cover additional kids, 10 million in total. And when we know that the American people support this effort, what they support is covering more kids, those that are already eligible and not enrolled up to the tune of 10 million kids. Now, that's going to take $35 billion over 5 years. You can't get away from it. And the President is saying, well, I can't support any new tobacco tax to pay for it; I'm going to pay for it out of the existing budget. Well, that's simply not possible. If you look at the budget, he's actually cutting Medicaid, and one of the things that this bill does is to stop those cuts in Medicaid so we can cover the kids that we have. Now, we have tried very hard to address each of the three issues that the Republicans have raised, and the first one I'd like to talk about today is the issue of illegal aliens. There was never anything in this provision that allowed illegal aliens to be covered. We have made it absolutely clear in this new bill that that is the case and that they will not be covered. Anyone who suggests otherwise is just not being honest about this. The second thing that we did, we tried to address the issue of adults. Single adults who are phased out after 2 years now under this bill will be phased out after 1 year, and even the parents, yes, they're also phased out I think over two or three years. So we're addressing that issue. And then the third issue that was raised was the issue with regard to the income eligibility; and here, again, what we're saying is that if you go over 300 percent, okay, other than those that are already grandfathered into the program, you're no longer going to be able to cover those kids at that $82,000 or the other levels that they suggested. Now, we've made an honest effort here to accomplish this, and all we're asking is that a few more of you come over to our side and join the Republicans in the Senate to vote for this legislation. This is an honest way to try to achieve a compromise that will allow us to cover these 10 million children. Now, take this seriously. One of my colleagues said, well, this is Never, Neverland. This isn't Never, Neverland. We've had discussions with the Republicans. We've talked to you. Give us those votes so we can cover the kids.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I continue to be upset by the Republican characterizations of this bill as a ``pig'' or the effort to trivialize what we do here today. I think it's very unfortunate we have gotten to that point. There have been a lot of distortions on the other side from the Republicans. But the one that I have to correct today is the continued mention of the fact that this bill is not going to cover 10 million children or that somehow the CBO has said it's not 10 million but it's 7.4 million. What they have neglected to point out is that the difference are the kids that we are going to enroll under Medicaid, and CBO has emphasized that over and over again. There are 7.4 million covered by SCHIP, but the addition up to the 10 is essentially covered by Medicaid. And those are the lowest income kids of all. This bill does the best job of making sure that those low-income children who are eligible for Medicaid and not enrolled would, in fact, get insurance. The Republicans continue to forget and eliminate the fact that this bill also addresses the Medicaid program. There are a lot of kids at the very lowest end, less than 100 percent of poverty, who are not enrolled in Medicaid because there hasn't been the proper outreach to get them enrolled. So what we are doing here is providing for that outreach. So don't tell me we're not covering 10 million children. We are. And the ones you are not mentioning are the lowest income of all. And then I heard my colleagues talk about the illegal aliens again. Once again, we have put in provisions here that you have to verify whether it's through the Social Security Administration or it's through documentation. Now, there is probably some person to come and misrepresent who they are. But the fact of the matter is that the CBO says in that letter that was introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio into the Record that virtually no one that's on this program is an illegal alien. The fact of the matter is that the Republicans continue these distortions. There are no illegal aliens. There are 10 million children covered.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just keep hearing inaccurate information on the other side of the aisle in an effort to try to sustain this veto, and it's simply not right. First of all, this bill is totally paid for with a tobacco tax increase. Now, you may not like that if you don't like your tobacco taxed, but that's how it's paid for and it's a good way to pay for it. Secondly, this idea that the President's alternative will not take kids off the rolls, that is simply not true. With the President's alternative, 800,000 children that are now covered by SCHIP will not have SCHIP anymore. The President's veto of this bill was a slap in the face not only to this Congress but to the millions of children who, without this bill, will continue to be uninsured or, worse, lose the insurance they currently have. And this is the truth about CHIP. Just listen up. The bipartisan CHIP proposal is supported by 72 percent of the American people, two-thirds of the Senate, the majority of the House, 43 State Governors, and more than 300 organizations nationwide. The President is deluding himself if he doesn't think this veto is going to hurt millions of children; and unless we override, there are just going to be a lot of kids who simply cannot go to the doctor and would have to go to the emergency room. What we sent to the President was a reasonable, bipartisan bill that would cover 4 million previously uninsured low-income children, most of whom are in working families, a total of 10 million. The vast majority of these kids are the very lowest income children who have no other options for care. The President claims this bill covers rich kids, but it's not true. Senator Hatch who helped write this bill said 92 percent of the kids will be under 200 percent of the poverty level. The President has also said that this bill opens the door to government-sponsored health care because it encourages families to drop their coverage. Simply not true. CBO said that that is not the case. The best way to avoid crowd-out is to basically pass this bill. The problem is we continue to get inaccurate information from the other side of the aisle. I would urge my Republican colleagues today to vote with their conscience, instead of with this misguided loyalty to the President who is out of touch with America's families. Vote to override.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today we will restore some important checks and balances to our Nation's intelligence gathering. In August, the Bush administration pushed through Congress a last-minute bill that gave it the authority to go after Americans without warrants, a direct violation of our Nation's Constitution. The administration's bill included ambiguous language that could be read by some as authorizing warrantless domestic searches. The RESTORE Act clarifies this language and specifically prohibits warrantless surveillance of Americans and requires a court order before targeting American's phone calls or e-mails. It also includes strong new audit and reporting requirements so that Congress knows whose conversations are being captured. We include all these protections, but we also ensure intelligence officials have the ability to conduct responsible surveillance under the law. Mr. Speaker, every Member of Congress is committed to strengthening our intelligence community and ensuring they have tools they need to keep our country safe. But the RESTORE Act finds the proper balance and should receive strong bipartisan support today.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me just thank Mr. Murphy, who I should say is a cosponsor with me of this amendment. I include for the Record the letter from the Commissioner of the Surface Transportation Board, Mr. Francis Mulvey, to Chairwoman Brown where he indicates his support of the amendment. He does, as the chairman of the full committee says, believe that there may be some issues that will have to be worked out as we move to conference or whatever on this. I would assure my colleague from Pennsylvania that we would try to do that. I urge support of the amendment. Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC, October 17, 2007. Hon. Corrine Brown, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Brown: I am writing in support of the pending Pallone-Murphy Amendment to be offered to H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007. In accordance with my testimony before the Subcommittee at yesterday's hearing, I believe that an amendment such as this is necessary to redress the growing misuse of federal railroad preemption law, 49 U.S.C. 10501(b), with respect to solid waste transload facilities. I am concerned that the Amendment could possibly be interpreted too broadly to enable State and local governments to frustrate the zoning of legitimate solid waste transload facilities, but I believe this is an issue that can be worked out as the Amendment and Bill move forward. I also want to echo my testimony yesterday by making it clear that determining where the boundaries of federal preemption lie is a delicate process, as shown by the Board's and courts' thoughtful interpretations over the past 12 years since the passage of the ICC Termination Act of 1995. I do not believe that the scope of preemption should be narrowed any more than is necessary to prevent its misuse. Under no circumstances should State and local police powers be circumscribed. Thank you for your consideration of my views. I remain available to answer any further questions you or other Members may have about this issue. Sinerely, Francis P. Mulvey, Commissioner.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Patrick J. Murphy).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will exclude solid waste rail transfer facilities from the exclusive jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board and provide that laws outlining the STB's jurisdiction would not preempt the authority of State and local governments to regulate such facilities. In New Jersey, and all over the country, certain waste handlers and railroad companies have tried to exploit a supposed loophole in Federal law in order to set up unregulated waste transfer facilities. Under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995, the STB has exclusive jurisdiction over transportation by rail carriers and the ability to grant Federal preemption over other laws at any level, local, State or Federal, that might impede such transportation. But Congress intended such authority to extend only transportation by rail, not to the operation of facilities that are merely sited next to rail operations or have a business connection to a rail company. Unfortunately, certain companies have exploited this loophole to build or plan waste transfer stations next to rail lines and avoid any regulation from the State or local authorities. It's my hope that this amendment will take the STB out of the waste management business by ensuring that State and local governments have the right to regulate solid waste transfer stations. We must ensure that solid waste facilities follow the rules and do not pollute pristine open space, and do all that we can to protect our environment from unregulated facilities. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time remains?

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown), the subcommittee Chair.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the chairman of the committee.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the services of The Drifters, Inc. This organization was founded in Texas in 1954 to enhance the universal image of womanhood and serve as role models to women everywhere. The Drifters have chapters in 31 States in the United States. They have continued to provide for the youth and senior citizens within our society. The Drifters reach out to educational institutions by awarding scholarships to local area high school students. Every year the Drifters choose one university to give scholarship money to promising students. They devote their time and energy during the holidays by delivering gift baskets to the underserved. Amongst the numerous charitable events, the women of the Drifters are actively involved with aiding the homeless and battered women. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in expressing sincere appreciation to the Drifters. These women work hard to provide for future generations and empower individuals throughout the United States.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Joan and Bob Rechnitz's contributions to the arts. This generous couple founded the Two River Theater Company providing the New Jersey community a place to experience the joys of theater. Bob and Joan Rechnitz share a love for the theater. In 1994, the couple saw the opportunity to provide a home for Monmouth County's first professional regional theater in 30 years. After performing in different venues, in 2005, the Two River Theater Company opened a new, state of the art play house. The theater today provides an intimate space for 350 people to enjoy many fine performances. Mr. Rechnitz serves as executive producer of the Two River Theater Company. He directs numerous plays including True West, A View from a Bridge, and The Glass Menagerie. Mr. Rechnitz was also nominated Best Director of a Comedy for the Curse of the Starving Class by Newark, New Jersey's Star Ledger newspaper. After 13 seasons, New Jersey residents have benefited from the theater's diverse and stimulating array of performances and educational programs. In 2006, the Two River Theater was named Theater of the Year by the Star Ledger newspaper. From producing plays by George Bernard Shaw to providing a venue for Bruce Springsteen performances, the Two River Theater has achieved Mr. and Mrs. Rechnitz's vision of a thriving and dynamic community theater company. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating Joan and Bob Rechnitz. Through their cultural and artistic contributions, the Two River Theater Company has become an integral part of the New Jersey community.