Adam Putnam

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 632 is a same-day rule that waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII, which requires a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. It applies the waiver to any special rule reported on the legislative day of December 18, 2005. H. Res. 632 allows the House to consider a rule and underlying legislation that may be reported today. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we pass this same-day rule. This resolution will lay the foundation for the House to complete its business and send outstanding legislation to the Senate and eventually the President for his signature. We are working to move the process along towards adjournment of the first session of the 109th Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this same-day rule so we can move forward to serious consideration of the remaining legislation for which we are staying here and working through the weekend to complete. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman is correct when she characterizes this as an unusual time. It is almost 2 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and the Congress is in session. These are very unusual times as we approach the end of this first session of the 109th Congress. I do not think anybody would dispute that. I certainly know that our wives and husbands and families who are scattered around the country manning Christmas parties and Christmas pageants as single parents while we are here doing the people's business over the weekend would agree that these are highly unusual times. I would note that this same-day rule has passed the committee two times on a voice vote, and these concerns were not elevated to the point of even demanding a role call vote. These are unusual times, I would certainly agree. And in order for us to bring this unusual session that has been marked by cataclysmic events throughout our country which were unforeseen, this unusual session that has seen an unusually productive legislative agenda pass both the House and the Senate and be signed into the law by the President, as we mark the end of this year and do everything we can to pass the legislation that will directly benefit our troops, both at home and abroad through the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, as we do everything we can in an unusual way on a Sunday night and probably into the wee hours of Monday morning, to do everything we can to guarantee that our friends and neighbors on the gulf coast in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama and south Florida who were hit by Katrina and Rita and Wilma will have the relief that has been promised them and that is so important as so many of them struggle to bring their lives back together, yes, we will continue to operate in this unusual scenario on a Sunday afternoon and Sunday night to do our job, to finish the work that is on our plate. The House has very successfully moved its appropriations legislation in a very timely manner. But, frankly, while we finished prior to the July 4 recess, Katrina hit during the August recess. Wilma and Rita hit after that. So while we were following the regular order that both sides of the aisle should be very proud of, both sides of the aisle should be very appreciative of our hardworking appropriators who made that happen, it all went out the window when you get hit by a category 5 and then another category 5 and then another category 4 while we were on August recess alone. So certain unusual factors have impacted this unusual year, which lead us to the unusual situation of being here on a Sunday passing a same-day rule so that we can move forward on the important items that remain. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, while I would love to engage the gentleman in his theory that big oil companies caused Hurricane Katrina on the rule about consideration of legislation on the same legislative day, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, these are unusual times as we struggle through the important deliberations of this Congress to make sure that our troops are cared for through the Department of Defense appropriations process and that our gulf coast friends and neighbors receive the assistance that they need and have been promised and are owed by their countrymen in the wake of the devastation wrought by these hurricanes. This rule lays the foundation for us to move that important legislation in a timely way. And martial law around the world means troops on the streets, tanks on the streets, the military setting mandatory curfews where people cannot act in a free and virtuous way. Only in America would the opportunity for 535 elected representatives to come from around the country to haggle and debate and fight and compromise over ways to help their fellow countrymen and move forward with an agenda for liberty and prosperity and security, only in America do we take for granted our liberties such that we would call such a process ``martial law.'' 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.

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 640 provides for consideration of the conference report on Senate 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration. As a member of both the Rules Committee and the Budget Committee and a conferee on this conference report, I am pleased to bring this resolution to the floor for its consideration. This is a historic moment for the House, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been a most unusual year for our Nation and for its government. It has culminated in this Congress being in session late into the year. We are here in the final hours of the First Session of the 109th Congress, working to complete the business of the people and ensure that our government provides opportunity and security for today and for future generations. We are here at this unusual hour on this unusual day to bring to a close what has been a year of remarkable accomplishments for the 109th Congress. We passed major legislation such as the energy bill, the highway bill, and border security, to name just a few. Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee completed passage in the House of all funding bills prior to the July 4 recess. Chairman Lewis kept his promise to complete the appropriations process in regular order and avoid an omnibus bill. I am impressed by and proud of the work of this House and all that it has done this year in moving so much important legislation. Our Nation also has endured a year of unusual natural disasters. The Gulf Coast States, including my home State of Florida, have faced not one but three major hurricanes that have caused some of the worst destruction this Nation has seen, not to mention the unprecedented destruction that our friends and neighbors in east Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have faced. This Congress has stepped up to the task of providing recovery and reconstruction funds for the devastated areas. We have passed two supplemental appropriations bills thus far and are set to provide additional relief when we pass the Department of Defense appropriations bill. The unforeseen events in the gulf changed the focus of the last half of the year and will continue to have an impact on this Nation for years to come. This change in budgetary focus brings me to the legislation we are set to consider when this rule passes. For the first time since 1997, the congressional budget resolution included deficit reduction instructions to authorizing committees to find and achieve mandatory program savings for a more accountable government. It does this by finding smarter ways to spend and slowing the rate of growth of government. This deficit reduction provides a downpayment toward hurricane recovery and reconstruction costs and, most importantly, puts us on a path toward long-term fiscal health. The Deficit Reduction Act fights back against the out-of-control growth of mandatory programs that are set to consume 62 percent of our total budget in the next 10 years if left unchecked. The conference report will stimulate reform of entitlement programs, many of which are outdated, inefficient, and costly. I am pleased that the legislation begins a longer-term effort at slowing the growth of entitlement spending. In another unusual occurrence this year, those on the other side of the aisle called for deficit reduction. However, their proposals increased taxes on the American family. I am pleased to say that this House has delivered deficit reduction without raising the tax burden of the working American. Our goal is to control government spending so Americans can keep more of their own money instead of sending more to the government. The authorizing committees from both Chambers have worked hard to find savings within their individual jurisdictions. They did this using their own individual expertise through regular order. And I commend the authorizing chairman and committee members for their aggressive oversight that has yielded $40 billion in efficiencies. The conference report allows programs and agencies to weed out abuse, fraud, and inefficiency so that we can channel more Federal dollars to programs that succeed and effectively serve their intended populations. I congratulate Chairman Nussle and Senator Gregg, along with all the members and staff from the Budget Committees, for their hard worked preparing the deficit reduction package. I look forward to passing this reform bill and reaffirming sound oversight and fiscal accountability here in Washington. This conference report is a step forward towards smarter and more competent, responsive government. I urge Members to support the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 640 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. PUTNAM. 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. PUTNAM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would remind my friends on the other side of the aisle that this is the deficit reduction package, and we will have another opportunity to consider the tax reconciliation package. But their references to the tax cuts or tax reform or tax relief, and I am very proud of the work that the Budget Committee and all the other committees have done, is not in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun), a colleague on the Budget Committee.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in amongst the theology you would never know that the Department of Education programs have skyrocketed since 1994, the Department of Veterans Affairs' budgets have skyrocketed since 1994, investment in our defense continues to go up, support for our troops and their training, as well as their widows and loved ones and the level of support there, continue to go up, and overall mandatory spending in this budget continues to go up. It is the rate of growth that we are here to discuss, and the fact that it is consuming our overall budget, something that some aspects of the other side of the aisle have expressed concern about, which is getting our arms around the budget deficit. This Deficit Reduction Act offers them the opportunity to do that. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker).

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, obviously, I came prepared for the wrong debate. I brought the good economic news that is being told and shared and being invested all across this great land. Productivity numbers up, unemployment at 5 percent, nearly full employment for the country. Record numbers. Robust GDP growth quarter after quarter after quarter. The news that important reforms to Medicaid and Medicare will be moving forward, allowing those programs to continue to grow at, in some cases, double the rate of inflation, double the rate of the CPI that most people use as their common benchmark. And the news that there is a record amount of money into LIHEAP. We brought those facts and figures to a debate that was about deficit reduction, that was about the future of America. The other side brought Dr. Seuss. The other side brought Dickens and nursery rhymes and enough theology to field an old-time revival, but to do nothing about the fiscal health of this country; to do nothing about the fact that if we move forward with their Dickens economic plan, that if we move forward with their Dr. Seuss approach to economics that two-thirds of the Federal budget will be on autopilot; that if we move forward with their plan, these programs will continue to have the inefficiencies and the waste and the fraud that makes for an unresponsive, unreactive government that confiscates people's money and then does not even invest it back into a program that serves the very people who need it the most. That is the crime in this, Mr. Speaker, that we have a thoughtful, long-term plan for the fiscal health of this country, something that future generations will say marked the turning point, the first reconciliation bill, the first real attempt at deficit reduction since 1997 to turn that ship of state toward a brighter tomorrow. It cannot be summed up in some cute little nursery rhyme. It is important stuff. Sometimes it is dry stuff; sometimes it is dull stuff. But, by golly, it is important. It is important to each and every American because it impacts how much money their government takes from them and how wisely that government uses that money for the needs of its people. General Leave

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, we have worked our way through Dickens, Dr. Seuss, and the entire New Testament. I wait to see what else awaits us.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I noted the gentleman's lavish description of the frozen tundra that people find themselves frozen in, and I would point out to him that $1 billion will be put into LIHEAP, something that he failed to mention, that will assist all Americans who find themselves in a low-income situation and need of assistance for paying their utility bills, to make sure they have the adequate protection they need, a record amount of money, $1 billion. That has not been mentioned in amongst all the other comments about the cuts that people are facing. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, we have run through the gospels and now we are on to Dickens. We have heard it all. We would take away the crutches, the eyeglasses, and the hearing aids from Tiny Tim. I guess the other side would just tax him. I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Education and Work Force Committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I share the gentleman's concern about the budget deficit. That is why I am proud to announce that the deficit is $134 billion less than what was estimated a year ago, thanks to the strength of the economy. I understand his concern about the ongoing growth of mandatory programs, which is why we have in place a deficit reduction package that helps us to get our arms around the fact that two-thirds of the Federal budget will be on auto pilot if we do not act. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to my friend from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), a member of the Budget Committee. (Mr. CONAWAY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, as we continue the fight against terrorism around the globe, we are constantly reminded of the sacrifice and service of our men and women in uniform. I rise today to honor a true American hero, a man who has dedicated his life to protecting our nation, Rear Admiral AJ Jackson from my hometown of Bartow, Florida. A 1970 graduate of Florida State University, Rear Admiral Jackson entered the Aviation Officer Candidate School in May 1970, and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1972 at NAS Kingsville, Texas. His active duty assignments included NS Rota, Spain, Attack Squadron Eighty One (VA-81) aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59), and the staff of Commander, Light Attack Wing One, NAS Cecil Field, Florida. Rear Admiral Jackson commanded Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Nine (VR-59), NR Carrier Group 0170, and NR Commander Seventh Fleet 111, and was selected for Flag rank in June 1998. In October 1998, he assumed duties as Deputy/Vice Commander, Maritime Defense Zone, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. One year later, he was assigned as Commander, Rear Area Command, U.S. Seventh Fleet, and in this role he also assumed duties as Commander, U.S, Naval Shore Based Forces Korea, during exercise or contingency operations in Korea. In July 2001, Rear Admiral Jackson was assigned his present billet at U.S. Central Command as the Deputy Director (Reserve) for Plans and Policy (J5). From March 2002 until May 2004, he was assigned additional duties as Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command South. In this capacity he supervised the training and administration of over 10,000 Naval Reservists in 29 Naval Reserve Centers in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. Rear Admiral Jackson was promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) on October 12, 2001. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and other unit and campaign awards. In his civilian occupation, he is a Boeing 777 Captain with American Airlines based at DFW Airport, Texas. After 35 years of dedicated service, Rear Admiral Jackson will be retiring to spend some well-deserved ``R and R'' with his wife Jana. On behalf of the residents of Florida's 12th District, I want to commend Rear Admiral Jackson's service to his country and wish him the very best for the future.

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fellow public servant and dear friend, whose dedication and hard work has earned the admiration of not only the people of Florida, but public officials nationally as well. This is why I am proud to congratulate Florida State Senator Paula Dockery for her well-earned selection as Governing Magazine's 2005 ``Public Official of the Year.'' Senator Dockery was one of only eight public officials from across the country, and the only Florida official, to be so honored. She was recognized by Governing Magazine ``in honor of her success in bringing diverse groups together to craft a sound and far-reaching water policy for the State of Florida.'' The magazine also stated ``Since being elected to the House in 1996 and subsequently to the Senate, Dockery has demonstrated the ability to build consensus among groups with a history of contention.'' Senator Dockery has also recently been awarded ``Legislator of the Year'' by the American Water Works Association for her ``outstanding leadership and dedication in developing water supply legislation for the people of Florida.'' Additionally, the Florida Ocean Alliance presented the Senator with an award of appreciation for sponsoring legislation that established the Florida Ocean and Coastal Resource Council noting her ``leadership in sponsoring legislation to further conservation and management of ocean and coastal resources.'' Yet, this is only a small portion of Senator Dockery's long history of bringing together disparate interests to craft sound environmental policy. As a defender of private property rights and protecting Florida's environmental resources, she constantly recognizes the importance of sound conservation principles in a rapidly growing State. I had the opportunity to serve with Senator Dockery in the Florida State House of Representatives for 4 years, and it is her dedication to the common good, passion for legislating, and ability to inspire her colleagues, that has led the way to her success. In 1999, Senator Dockery authored the Florida Forever initiative, providing $300 million a year to purchase land for preservation. Business interests and environmentalists both praised the program. In addition, she followed this initiative with the goal of developing a water plan for Florida. Spending much of 2003 and 2004 developing legislation to conserve water for Florida's future, Senator Dockery successfully led the passage of SB 444 in 2005, creating comprehensive water legislation that provides $300 million to help local governments develop water supply through alternative resources. The constituents of Senate District 15 and the State as a whole are extremely blessed to have her leadership serving them in Tallahassee. As the Senator continues to proudly serve the good people of Florida, I look forward to many more accomplishments as she continues to lead and guide the future of our great State.

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to applaud the accomplishments of the Lakeland High School Varsity Football team from Lakeland, Florida--the 2005 Class 5A Florida State Champions and the 2005 National Champions. Coach Bill Castle, 2004 5A Coach of the Year and recent inductee of the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, led the Dreadnaught's to their 5th State Championship, 17th District Championship, and 1st National Championship. The Dreadnaughts defeated Ft. Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas, 39-19, ending their season at 15-0, in a rematch of last years title for the Class 5A State Championship. This is the first time a Polk County football team has won back-to-back State titles, and the first time that two top-five nationally ranked teams have met this late in the season. I would like to extend my congratulations to Coach Castle and his staff, Dan Talbot, Dan Moonet, Frank Webster, Chris Davis, Clay Taylor, Jason Butler, Michael Peeples, Denny Krahe, and Brian Abdon, for the positive example they set and for the leadership they provide. In addition, Principal Mark Thomas and his administration, Athletic Director Sid Kimbrell, the faculty and staff, the parents, the students, the alumni and the fans should all be commended for their community spirit and constant support. Most importantly, however, I would like to recognize those outstanding student athletes, who exemplified the hard work, character, and sportsmanship, to make this victory possible: Matt Grier, Scott Bryant, Chris Rainey, Rashard Coleman, Andre Walker, Pat Turner, Deonte Parker, T.K. Lamb, Ledarius Dobie, Darius Jones, Tyler Grantham, Billy Lowe, Awtan Glover, Jordan Hammond, Jesse Smart, Paul Wilson, Adam Williams, Blair Castle, Leon Covington, Steve Wilks, Cedric Edom, Preston Chatmon, Ahmad Black, Jamar Taylor, Troy Johnson, Calvin Shaw, Derrell Harrison, Connor Johnson, Tony McElrath, Aaron Walters, Devon Terry, Justin Burdette, Bryant Peace, Matt Roddenbery, Nic Moody, Colin Clyne, Quinten Campell, Mike Jensen, Michael Horton, David Liason, Ben Wilcox, Jensen Harris, Justin Calabrese, James Campbell, John Brown, Eagar Lewis. The Dreadnaughts prove that academic excellence, intensive training and a lot of heart, will lead a team to victory. The school's motto is ``Nulli Secundus,'' which means ``Second to None.'' I know that I speak for every member in offering congratulations and the best of luck to the Lakeland Dreadnaughts, who officially are ``second to none'' in the Nation.

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Georgia for yielding. My good friend from Florida closed his opening statement with the inscription at the base of Lady Liberty, and that new colossus that was so new and shiny at that time has grown into the great colossus. That shining city upon a hill that Winthrop commented on and that Reagan resurrected in his soaring rhetoric is still a shining city upon a hill that all of us like to speak of and remark upon on a number of occasions on this floor. Who was that city shining to? Who was it beckoning? Who was it welcoming but immigrants? We are still that great city shining upon a hill. We are a nation of immigrants, and they are our strength, and they are our diversity, and they are our source of innovation, and they are what prevent us from being stagnant in the old ways of the old world. But a key change has occurred since the wave came over from Ireland and Poland and the European nations, and then subsequently from the Latin American nations and the Asian nations, and that is the rise of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. And so that immigration policy cannot be unfettered. We have to put in place common-sense, meaningful reforms so that we address it in three parts. We do not disagree about that. There is not an ounce of disagreement between our parties about strengthening our borders. We all agree that we cannot continue to have a policy that allows hundreds of thousands of people to come across our borders, many of whom are seeking a better life, but a goodly number of whom are not. They are part of MS-13 gangs, they are part of human exploitation or sexual traffickers or even terrorists trying to bring in bombs or other equipment to do our society fundamental harm. So we have to be very careful in moving forward with this legislation and craft a balanced approach. I commend the authors on their enforcement provisions at the border. That is phase one, to address our border security, to make sure that we have boots on the border, equipment, sensors, all of the technology that our innovation can provide to make sure that we are welcoming those immigrants who are coming here to build a better life for themselves and their family, and stopping those who are not. The bill is incomplete in that it does not deal in a comprehensive way with the other two pieces of immigration policy, which are very sticky, difficult issues, that of what to do with those 11 million people who are already here and that of how we address the temporary worker program. It is incomplete in that sense. But this is an important step. I would only characterize it as a baby step. But it is an important step forward to moving what I believe will become comprehensive immigration reform that deals with these three key components of this hugely important policy in a post-9/11 world. I firmly believe that we are a stronger nation because of the diversity that our immigrants have brought us. I feel blessed to live in a nation that women seek to be here so badly that they are willing to put their babies on inner tubes to float across the Florida Straits to be here or to risk everything to come across a wall or a fence or a river to be a part of the freedoms and liberties that we take for granted every day. I fundamentally feel blessed to live in a nation that everyone else strives so hard to join. And we have to have an immigration policy that meets the needs of our economy and welcomes those people who want to bring positive, meaningful developments to our Nation and help them find a better life for themselves and their families; and this bill puts us on the path toward doing that. But it is important that we recognize what is not in the bill, and before it becomes law what must, what must become part of it, which is a comprehensive assessment of a temporary worker program and a way to deal with the enforcement of the 11 million people who are here.

Mr. PUTNAM

Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 643, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''