Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), a member of the Committee on Rules.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder). (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, my home State of Ohio is one of a dozen States that is facing a real crisis in health care. Simply put, doctors are leaving and patients are suffering. One by one, facilities are closing their doors, retiring early, and not performing various procedures because, simply put, they cannot afford the insurance. The result is a pending perfect storm, where all of the converging factors meet to create utter and total chaos. Among Ohio physicians surveyed last year, 96 percent expressed serious concerns about the impact of rising liability insurance. Seventy-two percent in high-risk specialties said insurance premiums have affected their willingness to perform procedures, and 34 percent have admitted that they have to order more tests, perform more procedures, and practice defensive medicine just to protect themselves. But as a result, health care costs soar. In Ohio alone, there is story upon story of doctors retiring early or leaving the State just because of liability premiums. Take Brian Bachelder, who had to stop practicing obstetrics this year because he simply could not afford it. As a result, his patients, many of whom had trouble just paying for the gas to get to their appointment with him, will now have to travel 50 or 65 miles further for prenatal care. Or take Dr. Romeo Diaz, whose patients had to actually chip in and raise $40,000 to cover his increased premiums. All of this scrimping and saving for a doctor who had not had a malpractice claim filed in over 10 years. America's health care system is quickly approaching the eye of a perfect storm, a world without doctors. They are becoming increasingly hard to find in so many places; and even worse, when you find one, they often cannot help. Their hands are tied. Far too many Americans are unable to find a doctor to deliver a baby, to perform a surgery, or to provide trauma care necessary to save a loved one's life. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to act today and pass a medical liability reform plan that keeps our doctors practicing, alleviates patients' suffering, and restores medical justice to this system.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate 200th birthday of the great State of Ohio, I am proud to stand up here today to share with the American people why my home state of Ohio deserves a grand celebration and widespread recognition. The name ``Ohio'' can be traced to the Native American word meaning ``great'' that was first used to describe the powerful river that marks our southern border. It was known as the Old Northwest at a time when Americans had no understanding of how vast our land truly was. This area drew independent and daring people of all walks of life who were in search of a new beginning. These pioneers picked up their life and settled on the beautiful river, fertile soil, rolling hills, and the lakes that felt like oceans. There they founded a new state built on principles much unlike those in the other 16 states back in 1803. The State of Ohio would go on to lead the nation in public education by being the first to open its doors to women and African Americans. It would nurture some of the best American inventors, including the Wright Brothers, and boost eight of its citizens to the Presidency. Ohioans aspire to do great things and know no limits--just ask two of the world's most famous astronauts, Ohioans Neil Armstrong and Senator John Glenn. Ohio has traditionally been a vanguard in the fight for opportunities and rights for women, and it recognized nationally for its leadership role in several major reform movements such as temperance, anti- slavery, and women's rights. Ohio played an important role in freeing the slaves, using the underground railroad to bring them to safety in the North. In fact, Ohio contributed more of its population to the Union Army than any other state. Ohio Governor Bob Taft recently kicked off an eight month celebration of Ohio's 200th anniversary. These festivities allow all Ohioans to take part in understanding our state's history and marking it in their own special way. I, along with my fellow Ohioans, am proud to salute our great state that has made an immeasurable contribution to the lives of all who know it as home, as well as our nation. Please join me in celebrating Ohio's Bicentennial to reflect on our state's proud heritage and abundant history. Happy Birthday, Ohio!

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 69 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 69 is an appropriate and fair rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2003. This rule provides for a total of 2 hours of general debate in the House with 50 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means, 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and finally, 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. After general debate, the rule makes in order two substitute amendments: the substitute amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos); and the substitute amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), both of which are printed in the report of the Committee on Rules and debatable for 40 minutes each, equally divided and controlled by a proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, as well as against the amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, 7 years ago many of us stood in this very Chamber surrounded by skeptical glares and wary eyes as we began debate on the historic welfare reform package. The day was August 1, 1996. It was also payday for many Americans. And on that day, 14 million welfare recipients cashed a paycheck for which they had not worked. Mr. Speaker, 14 million people received money from the American taxpayers in exchange for no work, no questions asked, no strings, no requirements, no obligation to produce or demonstrate the slightest bit of productivity to our communities and to our society. Such was the nature of our welfare system 7 years ago. Now, this may have seemed unfair to the taxpayers; but it was doubly unfair to the welfare recipients trapped in generational cycles of poverty and hopelessness. But on that day in 1996, Congress passed one of the most historic reform bills ever, one that truly made the American dream a reality for millions of Americans previously without hope. But these reforms were not passed without a fight. There were claims that the landmark plan would drive poor families into the streets. And there were shouts that children would be left starving, and cries that single mothers would be forced to neglect their families. But now, 7 years later, we see a very different picture of what welfare reform has done. The predictions of doom and gloom have not been realized. Quite to the contrary, welfare caseloads have fallen from 14 million to 5 million. Over 3 million children have been lifted out of poverty. Black child poverty rates have hit a record low, and the poverty rate among Hispanics has seen its largest decrease in history. In addition to these tremendous statistics, perhaps the biggest achievement of welfare reform is the way in which these reforms have promoted self- sufficiency and empowered so many men and women. Welfare reform has given Americans a chance to work and the means to do it by placing a high value on the contributions of each and every person in society. It assumes that every person has some talent, some knowledge, some skill, some individual uniqueness to contribute. It assumes that each man and woman who is physically and mentally capable can and should be, even in the slightest discernible way, a productive part of our communities. The benefits are twofold. Not only are our communities strengthened by the additional contributions, but these men and women, who were formerly trapped in a cycle of dependency, have now established a real sense of accomplishment and independence. Today we have a tremendous opportunity to build on these successes. As I proceed to describe this legislation, I expect it will sound very familiar. That is because less than a year ago in this very Chamber this Congress approved the same plan, updated simply for time. While I have the honor and distinction of introducing this legislation on behalf of the House, it is really the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas), the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman Tauzin), the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), and many others who have worked long hours to craft a bill that empowers individuals, protects children, and strengthens families. Their committees have vetted this language over and over in dozens of hearings and markups. After already exhausting the committee process last year, we have brought this plan straight to the floor at the commencement of the new Congress, as the first major piece of legislation out of the hopper. That is how strongly we believe in this plan. The reforms of 1996 have expired. They expired September last year. We cannot afford to wait. First of all, this package provides $16.6 billion for the Temporary Assistance of Needy Families, commonly known as TANF, as a block grant, which was created in the 1996 reform. Funding this block grant goes directly to State-designed programs to help move more welfare recipients into productive jobs. Yet 58 percent of welfare recipients are not participating in work activities yet, and that is not acceptable. It continues to cost taxpayers money, but worse still, it stifles the recipients' ability to achieve true self-sufficiency. Therefore, this package calls for increasing the work-related activity requirements from the current 50 percent to 70 percent by fiscal year 2008. Next, this plan offers parents and families the tools and resources they need to secure a job, achieve independence and strengthen families. By providing access to reliable, high-quality child care, recipients will have peace of mind knowing that their child is safe as they train for, find, and keep a stable job. Children are our future, and we cannot settle for second-rate care. So in addition to the $4.8 billion funding already in place, this package provides an extra $2 billion. With these dollars comes greater flexibility for States, which will now be able to transfer 50 percent of their share of TANF to child care instead of the current 30 percent. We all know that training and education are the backbone of advancing one's professional opportunities. So while 24 of the 40 hours must be spent in actual work, the remaining 16 hours may be defined by States and can include training and education. And up to 4 months during a 24- month period can be counted towards State work requirements if the individual is engaged in education or training that will lead to work. Finally, the plan gives unprecedented flexibility to States by establishing broad, new State flex authority that is enthusiastically supported by our Nation's governors, and it will really give them the tools they need. Mr. Speaker, welfare recipients do not want a handout. They do not want a life-style of dependence. They do not want a system that offers only a one-way ticket to poverty. American families want to live the American dream. They want the chance to build strong and prosperous lives and they want to offer brighter futures to their loved ones. Therefore, it is my hope that we can silence the grumbles that echoed through this Chamber back in 1996 and build on the successes we have had thus far. Fostering independence through work, empowering families and lifting more Americans out of poverty are at the core of this reform package, just as they were in 1996. The empirical evidence of the past 7 years quite adequately demonstrates the success so far. So let us tune out the protests. The shouts, cries and pleas of the naysayers in 1996 were myths then and they are myths now. To my colleagues who may hesitate to support this rule for partisan reasons, I invite you to take a good look at where we were 7 years ago and where we have come today. You will find hundreds of children and families in each of your districts that are better off now than they were 7 years ago. They are working. They are proud. They are teaching their children about the dignity of having a job and the honor of providing for a family. Mr. Speaker, a check in the mail every month will not teach responsibility, it will not build confidence, and it will not break the cycle of dependency and poverty. But it will if they have a job. It will provide a sense of accomplishment, a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. And it will provide the means to achieve the American dream. A check in the mail for a hard month's work will open up the doors of opportunity and offer all Americans an endless supply of pride and self-worth for generations to come. I urge this body to adopt this rule and approve H.R. 4. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the very distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to respond briefly, because child care is very important to me too. I think it is probably one of the most important pieces of this legislation. This bill gives the governors in every State the ability to shift more of the TANF funding into child care. We not only put an additional $2 billion more into child care, we allow the governors to take the TANF funds and spend from 30 percent, which is the maximum allowed now, to now 50 percent of the TANF funds can shift into child care. So it is very important that this body understands the funds are there, and it is within the purview of the governors to allow it to be spent for child care. I think that that extra flexibility is very important, and we are happy to have provided that.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, the governors will be allowed to use the funds that the Federal Government is giving them to provide for child care, and that is a good thing. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in response, the fact that this bill did not go through the committee process is totally unfounded. This bill was vetted and there were hearings held and there were committee markups, both in the House and the Senate. There were task forces. There was so much work done on this bill, and it took so long; we passed it with bipartisan, very wide bipartisan support, and we sent it to the other body. There was no action at that time. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to waste that amount of time again. We have to get this done. It has already expired. We need to reauthorize the welfare reform provisions and improve upon them. So much success has happened, we need to continue the momentum and allow the families, the children, the men and women, to rise out of poverty, give them the tools that they need; and that is exactly what this bill does. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues just to look back at the welfare reforms of 1996 and to remind them how far we have come, how far the poverty-stricken people in this Nation have come. Today, we will find children and families in every one of our districts better off now than they were 7 years ago. We have reduced the welfare rolls. They continue to drop even in these tough times. Our welfare rolls are continuing to drop, even as unemployment may rise. H.R. 4 builds on these efforts to further protect our children, to strengthen our families, to increase States' flexibility, and to continue the decline in poverty. Mr. Speaker, it has often been said that the best social program is a job. This legislation provides the needed tools for them to move from welfare to work. There is no reason to stall any longer. This bill has expired. We cannot let it go any longer. We need to pass this rule today, we need to pass this bill today. Stall tactics are over. Today is the day. We have a very important thing to do for this country, and we should get on with it. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 33) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I offer this resolution, which congratulates the Ohio State Buckeyes on their historic win against the Miami Hurricanes in claiming the 2002 Division 1-A national collegiate football championship. Mr. Speaker, the Buckeyes steadily rose through the national rankings this year under the unwavering leadership of their second year head coach, Jim Tressel. Starting the season ranked an unlucky 13th, the Buckeyes kept winning and winning, ending up the regular season by beating archrival Michigan 14-9, remaining undefeated and ranked 2nd in the country. Their record earned Ohio State a trip to Tempe, Arizona to play in the Bowl Championship Series national championship game against the Miami Hurricanes, a game in which the Buckeyes entered as an 11 point underdog. In that national championship game, ultimately decided in double overtime Ohio State emerged victorious with their offense scoring 31 points and their defense holding Miami for four downs on the two yard line as time expired to win the game. Critics and sportswriters have already called this game arguably the greatest college football game ever played. The Buckeyes found a breathtaking way to end an equally dramatic season. From their fourth-down play successes to their 8 come-from-behind victories, Ohio State showed their hearts on the field and won a record setting 14 victories. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to recognize Coach Tressel, who is in his second year as the Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Coach Tressel's stoic, disciplinarian, and consistent style of leadership has restored the Buckeye team to its rightful place among the nation's elite college programs. And, in the process, Coach Tressel has instantly joined coaches Woody Hayes and Paul Brown in the annals of Ohio State's proud athletic history. In two short seasons, Coach Tressel has demonstrated that winning is innate--whether at Division 1- AA (Division 1 double A) Youngstown State or the Ohio State University. However, the 2002 Buckeye team was perhaps best personified by junior quarterback Craig Krenzel. The consistently under-rated Krenzel, a molecular genetics major carrying a 3.7 GPA, displayed a grit and toughness equal to his intellect by scoring two dramatic touchdowns, leading both teams in rushing yards, and earning the Fiesta Bowl's MVP honor. Ohio State football history and tradition are the bedrock of Columbus, Ohio--from The Best Damn Band in the Land, the Dotting of the I in Script Ohio to the Horseshoe, Skull Sessions and Hineygate, Ohio State fans are ever mindful of the University's storied past. Both with and without tickets, some 60,000 adoring OSU faithful traveled to Tempe to cheer on their Buckeyes, coloring Sun Devil Stadium in a sea of scarlet and gray, and giving the Buckeyes a home field advantage some 2000 miles away from Columbus. As a graduate of The Ohio State University, I take enormous pride in the Ohio State football team's sportsmanship and courage. The Buckeyes showed the world the definition of champions. Their preparation, fortitude, and desire will go down in the history of athletic competition as an example of triumph in the face of adversity. I could not be more pleased to be a fan, alumna, and Representative of The Ohio State University and their championship football team.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by the direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 24) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding the requirement of clause 11(a)(1) of Rule X, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence be composed of not more than 20 Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner, of whom not more than 11 be from the same party.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 8) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2003, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in House Concurrent Resolution 8, in which case the House will stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during the first session of the 108th Congress, the Speaker and majority leader and minority leader be authorized to accept resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the House.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Clerk, for 4 years we have been blessed to have an individual of fairness, honesty, and common sense lead us without regard to rank or party. During even the most difficult of times, this common man with an uncommon conviction to do what is right has risen to the task and served as the Speaker for the whole House of Representatives. Therefore, Mr. Clerk, as chairman of the House Republican Conference, I am directed by the unanimous vote of that conference, and am very honored to present for election to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 108th Congress of the United States of America, the name of the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, a representative-elect from the State of Illinois.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 6) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to notify the House officially that the Republican Members have selected as their majority leader the gentleman from Texas, the Honorable Tom DeLay.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to notify the House officially that the Republican Members have selected as majority whip the gentleman from Missouri, the Honorable Roy Blunt.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 1) and ask for its immediate consideration.