Bill Pascrell

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, we better not forget how we got here in the first place. The President, when he raised his hand in January of 2009, inherited a $10.6 trillion debt. Let us not forget history. I know this is like a Kabuki dance today. You're not only not sincere about this, but this is all process. The American people, the folks in my district, are not interested in process. They're interested in results. What are the results? How does this help the guy or gal on Main Street? That's what we should be talking about. This bill we know is going to fail. You already told your Wall Street friends, ``Don't worry about it. Don't take it serious.'' That's just like a reality show. The Republicans have warned their Wall Street friends, and as The Wall Street Journal said today, they are in on this ``joke.'' But as in poker, they're not all in. Alexander Hamilton, who founded my city of Paterson, New Jersey, understood that good credit is integral to being a world power. It is by no means a joke. Failure to act will have immediate and dire consequences. Now, the world is not going to collapse this afternoon or tomorrow when this legislation goes down in a few hours. The majority is willing to risk all of that in order to play political games to force their failed economic policies. It didn't work in the last 10 years. It's not going to work now. Mr. Speaker, this is serious business. This is not a joke.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, for the last ten years I have fought for patients with brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury (TB!) is the signature wound of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While we made great progress on ensuring our soldiers have the best care, today we must make two corrections to better identify and treat our service members with brain injuries. My first amendment addresses a February GAO report which found major problems in the management of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCOE) by TRICARE. My amendment would require the Secretary to transfer this agency to another appropriate branch in order for it to be more effectively managed. My second amendment will help identify the soldiers with brain injuries who have slipped through the cracks as they returned home from the battlefield. Prior to June 2010, the Department had a disjointed screening system in which a pre-deployment service member received a computerized test, but post-deployment they filled out a paper questionnaire. My amendment today would require the Department to come up with a plan to identify, refer, and treat service members that did not benefit from the new policy that was implemented in June 2010. We have made a promise to our men and women in uniform that we would take care of them when they returned from the battlefield. In order to do so, we need to at least identify these service members. This Memorial Day weekend we must honor our veterans by protecting the benefits they have earned and deserve. I ask that my colleagues support these amendments for their service members who are struggling with invisible wounds.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the life of a truly outstanding individual, Mr. John Paul ``Bucky'' Pizzarelli, who is recognized as an exceptional and influential jazz guitarist. Bucky Pizzarelli hails from my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, where he was honored by his admirers at Paterson Day on Saturday, May 21st, 2011. Bucky was born and raised in Paterson, where he learned to play guitar and banjo at a young age. He truly has music in his blood, as he learned his craft from his uncles, who were musicians. His first professional engagement came at the ripe age of 17, when he joined Vaughn Monroe's Dance Band. He honed his skills with Monroe's ensemble for several years, although his career was briefly interrupted when he was called to serve his country in Europe during the Second World War as a member of the U.S. Army. In 1952, Bucky became a staff musician for NBC, eventually joining the house band for famed television host Johnny Carson. He has played alongside major acts such as Dion and the Belmonts, Benny Goodman, and his close friend and fellow guitar great Les Paul. Bucky is no stranger to Washington, DC. He visited the White House several times, performing for President Ronald Reagan, fellow musician President Bill Clinton, and former First Lady Pat Nixon. In addition to his professional successes, Bucky is a committed family man. His sons, John and Martin, his daughter, Mary, and his daughter-in-law, Jessica, have all carried on the Pizzarelli legacy as musicians. Bucky has collaborated with them on many of their recordings. Later, Bucky returned to serve his hometown of Paterson as a member of the music faculty at William Paterson University, passing on his talents to the next generation of New Jersey musicians. His tireless energy and enthusiasm for his art should serve as an example for all Americans. Today, Bucky resides with his wife, Ruth, in Saddle River, New Jersey, not too far from his roots in Paterson. A true renaissance man, he continues to be an avid painter in addition to his musical talents. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing individuals like Bucky Pizzarelli. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Bucky's family and friends, all the musicians and fans of his music whose lives he has touched, and me in recognizing Mr. John Paul ``Bucky'' Pizzarelli.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. Look, we have preserved millions of acres in Alaska. We want to preserve the shores of New Jersey. Now if you don't understand that, there are even more major problems. Since last night, my friends on the other side have voted down no fewer than four amendments dealing with the safety of drilling. You could be for drilling. But I think it's common sense that we preserve and not take the chances that large companies are taking, and we saw what happened in the South. The Gulf of Mexico is still recovering from billions of dollars in economic and environmental damages caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It's almost unbelievable. When you watch it, one blamed the other, and those folks still don't have relief. It's almost unbelievable; in the wake of such a tragedy, this bill is before us today. There are 60 million acres of public land already under lease to drill, and I wouldn't give 1 more acre up until those companies drill on the land that they already have. You blame everything on the President. You're going to blame the plague on the President. That dog doesn't hunt anymore. Forget about it. If we can't come together on issues like this, the one that the American people are disgusted with when they do pay their gasoline bill--you want to expand offshore drilling to vast new areas of our oceans, including the Atlantic coast, without taking any of the commonsense steps that the President's bipartisan oil spill commission recommended. An oil spill on the Atlantic coast, which the Federal Government would be required to lease under this bill, would devastate the economy.

Mr. PASCRELL. Tourism at the Jersey Shore supports jobs for over 500,000 people, generates over $50 billion in economic activity every year. These people depend on the responsible stewardship of our waters and coasts for their livelihoods. Let's set the record straight. This legislation does nothing to address the current spike in gas prices. What we need to do is: Stop wildly fluctuating oil prices. And that's up to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which is writing the regulations as we speak right now. Cap America's oil reserves. For a short period of time, we can afford to do that. Crack down on gas gouging, which is happening and the U.S. Attorney General is correct in investigating this. And, finally, evolve to a clean energy economy. It's not just that we need to depend less on foreign oil, we need to depend less on domestic oil. We know it's going to take time. We need to be reasonable about this and be safe about it as well.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to state for the Record that on May 5, 2011, I missed the six rollcall votes of the day, as I was attending a wreath laying ceremony at Ground Zero with President Obama. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 293, on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 245. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 294, On Agreeing to H. Res. 245--Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 1229--Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act and H.R. 1230--Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 295, on Agreeing to the Holt Amendment. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 296, on Agreeing to the Connolly (VA)/Moran (VA)/Sarbanes (MD) Amendment. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 297, on the Motion to Recommit H.R. 1230 with Instructions. Finally, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 298, on Passage of H.R. 1230.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, I rise to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1230. Just over one year ago, the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank, taking the lives of 11 workers and releasing millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of learning from the catastrophic economic and environmental consequences of last year's spill, H.R. 1230 would speed up leasing without introducing new safety standards and throwing environmental review to the wind. One of these leases would be located off the shore of Virginia, just 75 miles from the shores of my home state of New Jersey. Drilling operations could potentially devastate the economy of New Jersey in the event of a spill, since the tourism and fishing industries support hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of economic activity across the state and region. Furthermore, this legislation does nothing to address rising gasoline prices. Instead of giving more handouts to Big Oil, we need to crack down on speculators and oil companies who post record profits on the backs of the American public. We should be investing in alternative energy sources such as wind power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, not subsidizing Big Oil.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, let me be clear. Throughout my years in Congress, I have always supported the Hyde amendment and have been against any government funding of abortion. Moreover, I have voted with the conviction that we, as Members of Congress, should not reach into the private lives of our constituents on issues as personal as this. There is a very thin line here and this bill goes beyond it. As we all know, good policy is about striking a good balance. During health care reform, we reached a delicate compromise yet this bill would unravel that compromise to use the tax code in an unprecedented manner. As a Member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am acutely aware of how we use the tax code and disagree with the majority's choice to set this precedent. At the end of the day, my constituents know my position on this issue. I believe women should be able to make their personal decisions in consultation with their families, their faith, and with their health professionals. That is how it should be. However, should this bill become law, not only would the IRS be involved asking women about a very personal decision, but the middle class would face increased taxes. I am not comfortable with these consequences and with the unbalanced approach of this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 3.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. If the Republican budget is a doubling down on the policies that brought us to the brink, which is contained in this budget, my brother from New Jersey presents a budget which I think quadruples down on the economic policies and lack of optimism in the American people. The budget believes we cannot, as President Kennedy said a little over 50 years ago, ``bear any burden and meet any hardship'' in order to better our Nation. That's what America is all about, regardless of your party persuasion. This budget gives trillions in income tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans, we both agree on that--you think it's a good policy, we think it's a horrible policy--and at the same time cuts $18 billion. Let me just take one example, the SCHIP program: $18 billion cut to our children--our own children, our grandchildren. You must be kidding me. This budget gives trillions in estate breaks to the wealthiest Americans. Many people having estates pay no taxes, yet this slashes funding for Pell Grants for our kids, our grandchildren to go to college. This budget gives trillions in tax breaks to corporations that have been shipping jobs overseas, but ask our constituents, in your district and my district and everybody's district, to take a 20 percent cut in the scheduled benefits to Social Security. It's easy to sit here as a Congressman waiting until you turn 70--why are you smiling?--to retire with benefits you've earned, but you're asking this of our asphalt layers, our secretaries, and our teachers. It comes down to a clear set of priorities, Mr. Chairman. If your priorities are to cut taxes for the wealthy on the backs of the retirees, then I think this second budget is the budget for you. But if you believe in an America that protects our seniors, our children, the disabled, our veterans, levels the playing field and invests in future generations, then I urge you to stand with us. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), who is absolutely on target on most of these issues dealing with the budget as we move forward.

Mr. PASCRELL. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us certainly isn't perfect. It contains cuts to many programs important to New Jersey families and several policy riders that I do not support. Cuts to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and the Women and Infant Children (WIC) program will be hard to swallow, especially in these tough economic times. Reducing the Environmental Protection Agency's budget will make it harder to keep our air and water clean and protect us from the threat of climate change. And I am skeptical of reducing government spending in a way that could negatively impact our economic recovery. However, the deal does restore many of the Republican's most draconian cuts contained in H.R. 1. We were able to restore a billion dollars to CDBG, almost $250 million to WIC and $250 million to the COPS hiring program. The deal includes my amendment--that was passed by a large bipartisan majority--to restore funding for our firefighters to fiscal year 2010 levels. We have maintained the maximum Pell Grant award that makes higher education affordable and actually increased funding for early childhood education. The Securities and Exchange Commission will receive an increase in funding so it can more effectively police Wall Street and implement the reforms in the landmark financial regulation bill passed last year. My job as a Member of Congress is to find ways that we can come together to bridge our partisan differences for the good of the country. I believe that this bill meets that test. I will be voting in support of it so that we can avoid a government shutdown that could hurt our recovery far more than the cuts contained in this bill. Passage of this deal will allow us to turn our sights to the 2012 budget and have a broad discussion of our country's future. Make no mistake: the Republican budget is dead on arrival. A budget is a statement of priorities, and I will never vote for any budget that pays for tax cuts for the wealthiest by ending Medicare for our seniors. Yesterday, the President began what I hope will be an adult conversation about our future, and I intend to be a loud voice for protecting our seniors, veterans and the middle class.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention to the work of a man I am proud to represent in Congress and prouder still to call friend, Mr. Charlie Stillitano. Charlie has been named Man of the Year by the Milan Club and was recognized in a ceremony on Saturday, March 26, 2011. It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for he has a long history of dedication and commitment to his community. Charlie Stillitano is a man who has led a most distinguished career in the world of professional sports. He is a great American who has found a way to put his passion for soccer and love for others into all that he does. Charlie began this journey at Princeton University where he was a four-year starter, three-time All-Ivy, All-American Captain of the Men's Varsity Soccer Team. He also received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Rutgers University. His unparalleled career took off in 1992, serving as the Venue Executive Director for the FIFA World Cup right here in the tri-state New York area. Following the 1994 FIFA World Cup Mr. Stillitano was named Vice President and General Manager of the NY/NJ MetroStars' Major League Soccer Team. Under Charlie, the MetroStars were able to secure the services of some of the world's top Managers including Carlos Alberto Parreira (former Brazilian National Team World Champion Coach), Carlos Queiroz (2-time World Youth Champion Coach with the Portuguese National Team) and Bora Mulitinovich (former U.S. National Team Coach); and international stars such as Roberto Donadoni (of Italy), Branco (Brazil), Anthony De Avila (Colombia), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Shaun Bartlett (South Africa), Tony Meola (USA), Tab Ramos (USA) and Nicola Caricola (Italy). During this time, Mr. Stillitano created and established an international division which became responsible for implementing numerous successful football events such as the 1995 Parmalat Cup, 1996 FIFA World All-Star Game, 1996 U.S. Cup, 1998 Colombia vs. Scotland and Jamaica vs. The Caribbean All-Stars Matches. Following five successful years as Vice President and General Manager with the MetroStars, Charlie continued his work with Metromedia Company as the Managing Director of the newly formed Metromedia Soccer Properties, LLC. Metromedia Soccer Properties was responsible for the development of Metromedia's international soccer business, including exploring the acquisition of soccer clubs, stadium development and the international match business. Charlie's influence in the soccer world cannot be overstated. Over the course of fifteen years, from 1993-2007, Charlie also served as an inaugural Board Member of the U.S. Soccer Foundation; as its Vice Chairman for 11 years and Chairman of the Grants Committee for 14 years until his retirement from the U.S. Soccer Foundation in 2007. Mr. Stillitano currently serves as an esteemed soccer agent at CAA Sports (a division of Creative Artists Agency), which represents more than 400 of the world's best athletes in team sports such as baseball, football, hockey and soccer, in addition to icons in individual sports, on-air broadcasters and numerous other sports personalities. Based out of CAA's New York office, Charlie represents many of the world's leading athletes and sports personalities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Deco, Chelsea FC-the English Premier Club and the 2009 European Champions-FC Barcelona. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the accomplishments of community leaders like Charlie Stillitano. I applaud the Milan Club for its initiative in naming Charlie the 2011 Man of the Year. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the Milan Club, Charlie's family and friends, all those who have been touched by Charlie and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable achievements of Charlie Stillitano.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Now we have two cities here--St. Augustine talked about it. We are looking at a city very optimistically, and unfortunately we have to go back to your figures. We have had exactly six quarters of growth in this administration. You want to know what the last two quarters of the last administration's growth was? It wasn't very good, was it, Mr. Ryan? The point of the matter is that you have two different visions of America's future, two different cities on that hill. You continue to use the payroll tax, which pays for Medicare A, and you continue to say all those under 55 years of age are going to go to a new plan, yet you continue the payroll tax. This is somewhat like--this is exactly like, not somewhat like--what you did with the doughnut hole. You forced seniors to pay premiums and they got no benefits. You know it, I know it, and the proof is what it is. Announcement By the Acting Chair

Mr. PASCRELL. Sorry, Mr. Chairman. This misguided budget is a doubling down on the same failed policies that we know don't work and brought us to the brink. What our ranking member did not point out is that there was a loss of 653,000 jobs in those 8 years where there was in the previous 8 years a gain of 20.8 million jobs. You want to go back and use the same policies? You tried it in privatization. We're going to have it over and over again. You don't know what to bring up so you go back to the old playbook, which didn't work. You're saying that it's going to happen. It's going to work. One of these years we're going to try it. The American people rejected privatization of Social Security, and they reject this. Every poll. Even your polls show that the American people do not want to do away with Medicare as it is. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of a great man, Hon. Joseph A. Falcone, who is retiring after twenty-five years on the bench from his position in the trial courts of his home county of Passaic, New Jersey. He will be honored on April 12, 2011 by his friends and colleagues for his service to his profession and his community. It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for he has a long history of dedication, commitment and integrity. Judge Joseph A. Falcone was born in Newark, New Jersey and is a product of that city's public school system. He received a B.A. degree from Rutgers University and went on to receive his J.D. degree from Rutgers-Camden School of Law in 1968. Judge Falcone commenced his legal career as a law secretary before being admitted to the Bar on November 27, 1968. In September 1969, Judge Falcone was sworn in as an assistant Essex County prosecutor. He served in the appellate and trial section and as the Deputy Director of the City Council Organized Crime Strike Force. In September 1975, the judge was sworn in as the First Assistant Prosecutor for Passaic County. That same month he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. On April 2, 1990, Judge Falcone was given the task of reorganizing the criminal justice system in Essex County. It had been described as ``one of the slowest and least efficient of any urban county in the United States'' by the National Center for State Courts. The reorganization was an overwhelming success. Five years later, the Justice Management Institute's report said, ``Essex County, New Jersey is the scene of one of the most dramatic improvements in the handling of serious criminal cases that has taken place anywhere in the United States in the past thirty years.'' The feature article described Judge Falcone as ``the management wizard of the New Jersey judiciary.'' He was asked to ``repeat the miracle in Passaic County'' where he had been transferred in May 1996 to serve as the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division. On October 3, 1996, Judge Falcone was appointed to serve as the assignment judge for the vicinage. During this time he authorized the creation of the, Village Initiative, which was highly acclaimed. He also addressed and reduced criminal court backlogs and increased efficiency in the court system. A Herald News article of August 1997 noted that Judge Falcone had ``made the criminal court system in Passaic County a trim and responsive operation.'' In 1999, Judge Falcone assumed the position of Assignment Judge for the Essex Vicinage and again made his mandate to reduce backlogs and improve the efficiency of court operations. During his five-year tenure, both goals were achieved. While serving as the Assignment Judge in the Essex Vicinage, two significant pilot programs were developed and implemented after approval by the Supreme Court; the Greater Newark Safer Cities Initiative and the License Reinstatement Program. In addition, he authored In re Fire at Seton Hall University, 368 N.J.Super. 269 (Law Div. 2003), a mini-treatise on grand jury practice and procedure, which in connection with the Seton Hall fire case, he approved publication of a Grand Jury Presentment, which led to legislation making it mandatory for residential colleges to install fire sprinklers. From August 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005, Judge Falcone served the Appellate Division. In 2004, he was elected to the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation and inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame. For many years of his twenty-five years on the bench, Judge Falcone served on the Model Criminal Jury Charges Committee as a member and Chair of the Conference of Criminal Presiding Judges, Chair of the Bail Forfeiture Judges Committee, Chair of the Judicial Council's IT Steering Committee, and a member of and in the 2003-2004 the Chair of the Judicial Council. Since September 2005, Judge Falcone has been assigned to the trial courts; first in the Morris/Sussex Vicinage, and since September 2007 in his home county of Passaic. Judge Falcone resides in Wayne, NJ with Beverly, his wife and best friend for over thirty-two years, and their daughter Larissa. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the accomplishments of community leaders like Judge Falcone. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Judge Falcone's family, friends and everyone he has worked with throughout the years and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable achievements of the Honorable Joseph A. Falcone.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I really am honored to be on the floor with two great congressmen, Congressman Pallone and Congressman Lance. I know the three of us served in the New Jersey legislature. John Adler was a great New Jersey Senator. He was everything but a Harvard man. In other words, he didn't act like a Harvard man. You could connect with him. He was a human being, above everything else. He was tenacious on the campaign trail, but he was more valuable as a public servant. He took what he did very seriously. He was sincere, very hardworking. He did his homework before each vote. He would never allow anyone to lead him by the nose to vote. Very independent thinker. Not unlike Pallone and Lance. He was not a Trenton guy. He was not a Washington guy. He came here to do a job. I could not believe when I heard the news, a 51-year-old young man. Compared to me he's a young man. He had so much to give and he gave it. He really loved the public that he served. He will be greatly missed by Democrats and Republicans on this floor. To his wife, Shelley, and their four beautiful sons, Jeff, Alex, Andrew, and Oliver, you have friends here. This is by no means the end. Growing up in Haddonfield and coming to Washington, it was no difference to John Adler. He truly loved his fellow man. He truly did what he was supposed to do here on his mission. Folks voted him here. Even when things didn't go well in the last election, he rose above. He was a winner in every sense of the word. God bless him. God bless our beautiful State. God bless the best country in the world. We remember John Adler this evening with fond memory. Thank you, Frank.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, I come to the floor to speak about basic notions of fairness and democracy. As a former member of the House Transportation Committee, let me acknowledge that I understand the importance of a strong and robust FAA Reauthorization Bill. Historically, it has been our shared goal of modernizing our system, expanding capacity, and putting people to work. Unfortunately, by nickel and diming the system, the bill on the floor today falls short of achieving these important goals. Furthermore, today's bill contains a poison pill for those Americans working hard on our airways and railways that would change the method of counting votes in a union election. Last year, the National Mediation Board rightly decided that union elections for workers in the airline and rail industries would be counted just as we count every other vote, whether for President, Congress or even when voting on legislation here in the House of Representatives. It's simple: if you show up and vote ``yes,'' it's a yes. If you show up and vote ``no,'' it's a no. But this legislation would repeal the ruling of the NMB and count ghost votes, because if you do not show up, you're considered a ``no.'' We cannot continue to attack hard working employees across this country for political purposes. I urge my colleagues to support the LaTourette/Costello Amendment to strike this misguided section of the bill and preserve fairness in union elections. I am also happy that my friend, Mr. LoBiondo's amendment for the NextGen Center of Excellence was agreed to. I have been with my colleague from south Jersey to the FAA Tech Center and know that it does a fantastic job. Supporting these employees also means providing the best training possible, which in turn will make our skies safer and the flow of commerce better. Finally, I would like to stand with the families of the victims of Flight 3407, and oppose the amendment from my friend Mr. Shuster. We need to stand behind the law we passed last year to improve safety standards, and continue to demand one strong level of safety for the entire aviation industry.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on March 30th, I was unavoidably detained and missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote #202 on agreeing to the Norton Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote #203, on the Motion to Recommit H.R. 471 With Instructions. And finally, had I been present, I would have voted an emphatic ``nay'' on rollcall vote #204, on passage of H.R. 471, the ``Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act.''

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on March 14th I missed the two rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 175 on passage of H.R. 793, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness, California, as the ``Specialist Jake Robert Velloza Post Office.'' Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 176, on passage of H. Con. Res. 27, providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. I thank the gentleman from Michigan. This bill punishes those who get ahead by raising the tax liabilities on families who have worked hard and who may have gotten raises or promotions. For a family of four in my district, the Eighth District of New Jersey--please visit us. We would love to have you, Mr. Chairman--who makes $80,000 a year, it will mean the family will get a 50 percent reduction on their premiums if they purchase health insurance in the marketplace--from the private sector, I might add. There is no government operation here. If they get a raise, however, and move above the threshold, they pay back a reasonable amount now; but in this legislation, under this bill, if they work a little harder and receive a financial benefit, the family will be punished. They'll be forced to repay the tax credit. There is no answer to that question. It's a fact of life. This means that the family which I'm talking about now will be hit with a surprise--get this, Madam Speaker--of an $11,200 tax bill. It's a $20,000 premium. They make $80,000. It's quite a hefty fee, I might add. Everything is wonderful with health care in the United States right now, but you're going to have added on--because you made a few bucks more--$11,200. Unintended consequences. Looking for love in all the wrong places. So let us be perfectly clear to the Members voting on this legislation: It's not a subsidy. There is not only a definitional difference but a substantial difference between a subsidy and a tax credit. When you take away that tax credit from a middle class American who uses it when purchasing insurance, plain and simple, his taxes go up.

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, you know, there is an old western song: ``I'm looking for love in all the wrong places.'' Remember that song? It's not too old. Not too old. We're looking for revenue in all the wrong places; not only in reference to what we did in cutting indiscriminately $60 billion which mostly affects the middle class, and I think very dangerously. So this provision was in the health care bill which deals with bureaucracy at its worst, I would agree. But in July of 2010, we voted with I think only, correct me if I'm wrong, two Republicans. We had a shot at this in the very beginning of mankind, right, last summer, to vote against it. I believe every Democrat voted against this provision, and two Republicans joined us, the gentleman from Louisiana on the opposition side--the honorable opposition side--who is no longer with us, and I don't know if he lost because he voted with us, and another gentleman from North Carolina who voted with us. We had a shot at this. We could have taken care of this last year, and you chose not to. So let's set the record straight. So here we are with this 1099 form. It's going to take some time to fill it out. We don't like that bureaucracy. The thing comes down to, as Mr. Waxman said, as Mr. Neal said, how do you pay for it? Now beware, the distinguished chairman for the Ways and Means Committee, a Wall Street poll today, not the New York Times, not the Village Voice, not fill in the blanks, that poll shows that over 74 percent, I think, of the American people, that's us, believe that we should eliminate tax credits for big oil and gas companies. So I'm sure now that the loyal opposition sees that poll in that newspaper, that you will join us in putting to rest forever those folks who least need any help from the government getting help from the government. This is going to cost us $22 billion. Both sides agree that one of the great benefits of this country is economic mobility.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like you to take back to your side--and I'll take back to my side--that I know this has been a great leverage issue for the Republican Party. It has been a third rail for the Democratic Party. We were told basically, in so many words, to stay away from it. Look, let's lay our cards on the table. I think that this is something we can agree to come together on common ground and be a little bit more reasonable about our approach. I thank you, Congresswoman McCarthy, for leading the way, as usual. You know I will always be there in support of what I think is very important legislation for the sanity of our country.