Joseph Pitts

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, the Pennsylvania Republican delegation is also proud to welcome Representative Critz to the House. Mark, I am sure that you will try to emulate your old boss' record of service to the people of the 12th Congressional District. He is missed by the delegation, but we're glad to have a good friend of his representing Pennsylvania in this House. I'm certain that your prior service to the 12th District will be invaluable as you serve here in Washington. On behalf of the Republican delegation, please do not hesitate to contact any of us if we can be of help as you begin your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Again, welcome to the House of Representatives.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 713, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the automobile dealers whose franchises were terminated through no fault of their own, be given an opportunity of first consideration once the auto market rebounds and stabilizes. Dealerships play an important function in the distribution model. It was the economic downturn that exacerbated the already slowing automobile sales. Some dealers assert that they had sufficient sales and should not have been marked for closure. Despite their importance to manufacturers, the fact that they were well-run businesses and the Federal Government's bailout of GM and Chrysler, to the tune of $80 billion, many franchises were taken away from these dealerships. Jobs supported by these dealerships were eliminated, and this lost income continues to plague American families. In addition, the lost tax revenue and absence of those dealerships that played an important civic role in their communities has further strained local communities. When the auto market recovers, these dealerships should be given an opportunity to reclaim their franchises as manufacturers expand their distribution channels. I would like to commend Congressman Green and Congressman Hensarling for their leadership on this issue. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to support it. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 996, to support the designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. A third of the people ages 2 to 19 are obese now, and experience tells us that they probably will grow both literally and figuratively into obese adults. It means that in just a few years, a disproportionately high number of them will hear a doctor explain that they have heart disease or diabetes or cancer or arthritis or an increased chance of having a stroke. But childhood obesity is preventable, and so it doesn't have to lead to bad news in a doctor's office later in life. Exercise and good nutrition that start early not only fight childhood obesity but also instill the habits that promote lifelong health. Let me say a word about personal responsibility here. No congressional resolution can replace the good sense of concerned parents. I think most parents know instinctively that healthy families produce healthy adults, and I commend them. I also think they deserve our recognition and appreciation and encouragement. In the final analysis, any attempt to raise awareness of a problem like childhood obesity must involve individuals making good choices for the sake of their own health. Raising our voices to help advance public awareness of that crucial, beneficial truth is worthwhile business for the people's House to undertake. I would like to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Marcia Fudge from Ohio, for all of her work on this resolution. I would also like to thank Representative Bono Mack who has labored so hard to bring attention to the childhood obesity problem. We stand in support of this legislation and hope that our colleagues will join us. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, the Federal Government is deep in debt and digging fast. We all know the importance of balancing the Federal budget, but we disagree on how to do that. How can we reduce the deficit without hurting our economy? Do we cut spending, or do we raise taxes? I have here an analysis from two Harvard professors looking at how large changes in fiscal policy affect deficits and economies. Their research shows that ``fiscal adjustments based upon spending cuts and no tax increases are more likely to reduce deficit and debt over GDP ratios than those based on tax increases.'' The authors looked at decades of economic data around the world and came to the conclusion that it is best to go about reducing large deficits through government restraint and spending cuts. Some think that we can keep spending recklessly, raise taxes, and balance the books. This study shows that we must get our spending under control. Raising taxes only kills jobs in our economy, leaving the government in an even worse fiscal situation. This study is available on my Web site. I encourage all to examine it.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, consumer spending is critical to creating new jobs, and the last thing we want to do during a recovery is discourage it. Unfortunately, we are hearing whispers and rumblings that the President's debt commission could recommend a new value-added tax before the end of the year, a VAT tax. Close advisers to the President such as Paul Volcker and John Podesta have publicly supported this tax which is already widely used in Europe. The problem is that European taxes mean European unemployment and European levels of job growth. From 1982 to 2007, the U.S. created 45 million new jobs, compared to only 10 million in Europe. VAT taxes raised the price of goods, directly reducing consumer purchasing power, and this means fewer jobs. I think we need to make it clear to the debt commission that a VAT tax is no solution to our fiscal problems. The real solution is to restrain Federal Government spending that has far outstripped its traditional boundaries. I'm circulating a letter for signatures to the commission opposing the VAT tax, and I hope all my colleagues will stand with me against the VAT tax.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I'm very concerned about the President's new nominee for the CMS, Dr. Donald Berwick. In my opinion, Dr. Berwick's positions on health care represent a step toward more government control of the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Berwick opposes efforts to make patients more cost sensitive, stating that such measures have ``no rationale in science, ethics, or evidence.'' But there is plenty of evidence that consumers behave differently when the costs of a product are made clear. Dr. Berwick praised the British commission responsible for rationing care as ``extremely effective and a conscientious, valuable, and knowledge-building system.'' This is the same system that routinely denies care in the name of cost savings and has led to dramatically lower cancer survival rates than the U.S. Americans don't want a system of poor service and long waiting periods, but that's what we might expect under a CMS administrator who has been knighted for his service to the British National Health Service.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, today I honor Pennsylvania State Representative Katie True for her long service to the people of Lancaster County and the State of Pennsylvania. After serving 8 years representing the 37th State House District and another 8 years representing the 41st State House District, Rep. True will retire after the present legislative session. I had the distinct honor of serving four years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly with Rep. True. Throughout her career she worked across the aisle to defend life in our State. After I was elected to the House of Representatives, Rep. True took over the leadership of the Pennsylvania State House Pro-Life Caucus. She has been a tireless advocate for children in the State of Pennsylvania. She counts her greatest accomplishment as working to improve the child welfare system so that no child slips through the cracks. Rep. True has always made protecting women a priority during her time in public service. In between her two terms in the General Assembly, she served 2 years as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. During her time in the General Assembly, she made sure that Pennsylvania established tough anti-trafficking laws to protect women and children in our State. Also, she introduced legislation for a check-off box on state income tax forms for breast cancer research. Rep. True is one of the most trusted legislators in our state and her colleagues in Harrisburg will miss her cooperative spirit. Her constituents will miss her servant's heart and care for her community. Our State motto is ``Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.'' Rep. True embodies virtue and has always defended our liberty and independence. The State of Pennsylvania is grateful for her honorable service and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, this week I received a letter from a friend who works for a medical device company that is looking to expand its business by attracting an angel investor. Who are angel investors? They are wealthy individuals who invest their own money in companies with promise. They are not speculators. They are not brokers. They are individuals with vision who seek out entrepreneurs with creative ideas. New regulations proposed in the Senate financial reform bill would require a 120-day waiting period for startups seeking funds and add more restrictions on the minimum assets or income needed to become an angel investor. Angel investing is not what brought down our economy. In fact, startups funded by such investments provided 10 percent of all new jobs even though they account for less than 1 percent of the new companies. Starbucks, Costco, Facebook, Google, the list of successful angel investment companies is long. In my friend's case, if his company is not able to attract new investment, they will be unable to hire new workers or invest in new equipment. We should not cut short job growth with excessive new regulations.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my good friend Jim Gerlach.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to one of the cosponsors of the resolution, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus).

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1033, expressing support for National Autism Awareness Month, and I am pleased to join the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the cochair of the Autism Caucus, on behalf of the other cochair of the Autism Caucus, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), as well as the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert), the prime sponsor, and Mr. Bachus of Alabama and Mr. Gerlach from Pennsylvania, who are other sponsors of this resolution. The resolution, as was stated, acknowledges April as National Autism Awareness Month, and it supports the research efforts for the causes and treatments of autism. I would like to recognize the efforts of those who have gone through the appropriate training and who have provided support to individuals with autism. I would also like to recognize the parents, the relatives, the friends of those with autism for their sacrifices and dedication, especially for absorbing many times the significant costs for specialized education and support services. Some have estimated that one in every 110 children in the United States is affected by a disorder on the autism spectrum. Once diagnosed, early intervention is important to improve the outcomes of those with autism and to reduce the level of funding and services needed to treat people with autism spectrum disorder later in life. Continued research to identify the root causes of autism and support for the training of caregivers and teachers who work with children with autism will ensure that people with autism will continue to be important and productive members of society. I would like to thank especially the author of the resolution, Mr. David Reichert of Washington, for his leadership in raising autism awareness, and I would like to commend the efforts of those who care for individuals with autism. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the cochair of the Autism Caucus, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. PITTS. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, as a Nation, one of our strongest allies in the Middle East is Israel. For decades we have stood with this free and democratic state as it has been assaulted. We have always respected the right of Israel to defend itself and to build for itself a stronger nation. But now our President is causing problems for our ally. The President takes offense at the bureaucratic approval of settlements. But these are not settlements deep in the heart of the West Bank. They are in their capital, Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is an area where half the Jewish population of the capital city currently resides. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made clear: This is an area that will be part of Israel in any peace settlement considered. In just a few weeks, Israel will celebrate its 62nd year as an independent nation. The United States was the first to stand and recognize Israel on the day of their independence, and since that time we have remained close allies. Let's not let this close relationship move apart. The President should stop giving the cold shoulder to our friends in Israel.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, beginning in the fall of 2008, Congress approved, and the Bush and Obama administrations began to hand out taxpayer money freely to banks and, eventually, auto companies, with little transparency and, in some cases, little hope that the money would be repaid. Now, the Senate is set to consider legislation that will create a permanent culture of bailouts on Wall Street. The legislation moves us away from sending failed companies into bankruptcy and toward government-managed bailouts. There would be a different set of rules for the largest firms, rules that create a perverse incentive for these companies to take risks, rules that encourage lower rates for the largest firms because of the implicit government guarantee. Ultimately, we would be creating a dozen new Fannies and Freddies, not reforming a broken system of government oversight. I think the American people have had enough of bailouts. The Dodd bill creates an endless cycle of failure where Wall Street bankers are the only ones who come out ahead. It should be stopped.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, tax day. Today is a grim day for many Americans. It was only last week that the average American taxpayer had worked enough days to pay their annual bill, and the current Congress is looking to add even more days to that burden. In the present Congress alone, taxes have been increased by $670 billion, and at least 14 new taxes will hit middle-income Americans. At the end of the year, the death tax will snap back up to its 2001 level, gobbling up family farms and small businesses. Marginal tax rates will snap back up to previous levels reducing America's take-home pay. And now we hear that the administration may consider a new value added tax to pay for the entitlements and increased government spending. The simple fact is that more money in the pocket of the government is less in the bank accounts of our family businesses. Today is a grim tax day. But I worry that 2011 will look much worse for the American taxpayer.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, every day, dozens of Web sites entice Web surfers to bet online with free software offers. Online poker sites advertise openly on TV. Stores carry books on how to get rich by gambling online. The only problem is that online gambling is illegal. That is why Congress passed the unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, to provide the necessary tools and mechanisms to effectively enforce the law. This year, Americans will send billions of dollars to offshore, unregulated, online casinos. The Justice Department has warned that many of these sites are fronts for money laundering, drug trafficking, and even terrorist financing. At its core, the law is about protecting American families from addiction, bankruptcy, and crime. All you need is a computer, a credit card, and Internet access, and with that, players are able to play 24 hours a day from the privacy of their homes. Real lives, including those of minor children, are being affected by illegal online gambling, and it's time that this administration enforce the law on this issue.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the bill. As the chairman of the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, I believe that the electromagnetic spectrum is critically important to our current and future military operations and national security. And I'm pleased to see that the committee has taken into consideration some concerns raised by the administration and the electronic warfare community regarding this bill. However, the electromagnetic spectrum is a dynamic and ever-changing environment, and we must ensure that our Armed Forces can manage the utilization of the spectrum and provide long-term strategic planning and program development. While I understand the importance of the potential economic value of the spectrum inventory, it is vital that this bill take into account the criticality of the electromagnetic spectrum to military training and operations and the importance of the U.S. military controlling the spectrum in conflict. I will support this bill today, but we must be very vigilant as the inventory is taken. If mistakes are made, serious negative consequences will ensue, consequences that could harm the warfighter and his ability to use the spectrum in training and war.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, no one is angrier than I am that Congress has just voted to bankrupt the Treasury. Fiscally speaking, the health bill that the President just signed is the single most irresponsible act this government has already taken. We already have over $100 trillion in entitlement promises that we can't keep, and Congress just poured gasoline on the fire. However, violence and threats are not the right way to respond. Some of our colleagues have received threatening phone calls. A brick has been thrown, a window has been smashed. This is not the right way to respond. When the government ignores the will of the people, a high level of frustration is to be expected. But that frustration needs to be channeled into political activity, not threats and violence. I urge those who oppose this bill to remember that history and fiscal reality will prove them right, and I urge the citizens of this country who are angry to remember that they are on the right side of this debate, and they should act accordingly. In America, that is what elections are for.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. I rise in support of the motion before us. Over and over again, polls have shown the public does not support Federal funding of abortions. Unfortunately, the Senate rejected the will of the people and passed a bill that has become known as the most massively pro- abortion piece of legislation to come before Congress since Roe v. Wade. Despite the political runaround that we've been given this last week, the facts remain before us today: The Senate bill departs from longstanding current policy and achieves the exact opposite effect of current law, and an Executive order promised by the President will not change these facts. An Executive order does not trump a statute. The courts will undoubtedly look to the legislative text to interpret the law. Moreover, the promised order fails to even correct the egregious pro- life concerns contained in this bill. It will simply reiterate the meaningless accounting scheme cooked up by the Senate bill. Regardless of what type of gimmick is employed to facilitate the abortion payments, the result will be the same. The abortion rate will rise and more unborn lives will be lost. The Executive order does nothing to prevent funding for abortion in the co-op program or prevent funding for abortion in the high-risk insurance pool program. The Executive order does not prevent HRSA from issuing regs that include abortion as a preventive service, thereby mandating all individual plans and group plans include abortion as a required service. The Executive order does nothing to prevent that abortion surcharge mandate from being implemented. It is full of loopholes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reinstate the pro-life protections that passed this Chamber last November in a bipartisan vote, the Stupak-Pitts amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this motion.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. This bill violates the conscience of the American people. It violates the principle that we should not spend more than we have. This bill is not reform. It just makes our existing entitlement crisis even worse. This bill violates the belief held by more than 70 percent of Americans that money collected by the government should not be used to pay for abortion or abortion coverage, but that's what this bill does. Regardless of the colloquy, an Executive order is not a statute. It doesn't trump a statute. The government will end up directly paying for abortions at community health centers. Taxpayer subsidies will, for the first time in decades, subsidize insurance coverage that includes abortion. The bill and the accompanying Executive order turns over the protection of the unborn to the most pro-abortion President in our history. This extreme legislation is being forced on an unwilling Nation. It is the most pro-abortion bill and the largest expansion of abortion in our history. No Member who votes for it will ever be able to claim again that they have always stood on the side of the unborn. I'm sad to say this. This is a career-defining vote. There will be no living it down. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this terrible bill.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard about the Cornhusker kickback and the Louisiana purchase. But there are other special deals in the Senate health care bill that are on the verge of becoming law. In Connecticut, there is $100 million for a university hospital inserted by Senator Dodd. There is $500 million in Medicaid to bail out the health care program in Massachusetts. The small State of Vermont gets $600 million for their Medicaid program. This bill will subsidize New Jersey pharmaceutical companies and will give $5 billion to union health care plans in Massachusetts and Michigan. It will slash Medicare Advantage programs for every State except Florida. It will exempt Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan and Nebraska from the new annual fee on health insurers. This bill will provide higher Medicare payments in North Dakota and exempt hospitals in Hawaii from cuts. All of these will become law the moment this House arrogantly ``deems this bill passed'' to the President. Is it any wonder the American people don't like this bill being crammed through, forced through, and bribed through?