Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. One of the stories that I came across when I was home a couple of weeks ago--and this occurred at my neighborhood filling station where I'm pumping gas because I've got to go to a couple of events on a Saturday morning. One neighbor came up, and he was on the other side of the pump right across from me. He says, This health care thing, Ed, you know, I really want you to go slow and make sure that this thing is financially sound. As he was saying that, the neighbor who was pumping gas at the island just behind me came over and said, Ed, you guys aren't doing enough, and you're not going fast enough. So the two of them, as I started pumping gas, started having this conversation. It was a great conversation. Both of them have very, very legitimate points; and we need, as we go through this, to make sure this is financially sound and that we try to predict as much as we can on an ongoing basis. We do know that there are problems with the system. We do know that we pay, as a nation, a lot more than almost any other industrialized country around; and, competitively, that puts us at a disadvantage. So we know we have to do something. The gentleman who said we're not going fast enough was, you know, a young father--I think probably 35 years old. He works for a roofing company. He'd like to start his own roofing company, but he can't because his wife has Crohn's disease; and because she has Crohn's disease, if he were to go out and set off on his own, be a real entrepreneur and really try to make a go of it, which is what we all want to do in this country--and it's the opportunity that this country provides so many people--he can't because of his wife's medical condition, and the probability is that he won't be able to get anything to cover her if he sets out on his own. So these two gentlemen, both of whom are neighbors of mine, had this great conversation--both of them with legitimate points--but there is an urgency here, and there is a restriction on people really going out and doing things the American way by setting out on their own to see what they can do for themselves, for their families and, ultimately, for their communities and this Nation. So I clearly had an event, or a conversation, where the system today prevents entrepreneurship of young men and women who really want to, you know, try some new opportunities for themselves and for their families. So, with that, I would yield back to my friend.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. My friend, Mr. Yarmuth, mentioned Medicare, and one thing where there has been another myth is that there were going to be cuts in Medicare or things like that. In fact, it's just the opposite. There are additional benefits, and one of the benefits that is very important, I know, to my district, and certainly when I was out talking to people, was getting rid of the doughnut hole in prescription drug costs. So that if you get to a certain level, all of a sudden, instead of the Medicare benefit paying for it, now you have got to pay for it out of your pocket. And many people run into this, and it is financially just difficult and, in some cases, devastating to them because of this doughnut hole. And this bill, part of it is to eliminate this doughnut hole so that the benefits cover prescription medicines. I think the bottom line for me here is that the status quo is not an option, that there has to be real change to the way this system operates, for individuals who are discriminated against because of their physical health and conditions to small businesses who see the costs going through the roof, and to the Nation that sees its costs going through the roof. We can't stand idly by. We can't allow failure to reign. We must act. And it's a difficult subject. It's a very complicated system, and it touches 300 million people across this country, so everybody has a perspective on it. But looking at it in the whole and trying to deal with it as a whole, we must make changes. And that's what I hope will occur over the next few months here in this House of Representatives and in the Senate and ultimately signed by the President so that we can get on with this and start making the changes that are so desperately needed before the system continues to get worse, premiums continue to go higher, people who shouldn't be discriminated against are. We need change, and I am ready for it now.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I thank my friend, I thank him for hosting this hour. I think for me the status quo is not an option. We have to act because there are things in this system, the health care system and the way we finance it. We need insurance reform, because there are things that are broken. We need to fix what's broken. We need to improve what's working, and we need to have a system that is affordable and accessible to all Americans. And now is the time to act. We can't fade into the woodwork and hope this all makes itself better. Sometimes you have to tackle tough subjects, and people aren't going to be always right in line with you. Now is the time for us to tackle a very tough subject, to bring the change that's needed for generations to come, to save money and provide care for individuals, for businesses and this Nation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I just heard my friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. Tim Murphy) talk about the business that really does involve the House, involve the Nation, and really the world, and it's time to get down to business, stop the name-calling, and proceed with the difficult chores we have at hand. I couldn't agree with him more, and I thank him for his 1-minute.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, we have a health care system that is ailing and is almost on life support. It needs a major operation, and it needs it in three ways. First, we have to stop discriminating against people with prior illnesses. It's wrong and probably unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. Second, small businesses and individuals can't get health care insurance because they are too small or they're by themselves and have no pool. We need to make insurance and health care financing available to small businesses and to individuals. Third, we are on the cusp of some tremendous breakthroughs in medicine and in health care which will help us with heart disease, diabetes and cancer, but in general, wellness across the board, which will save this country a lot of money. We have the most expensive health care system in the world. We deserve the best health care system and financing, and that is the operation we are undertaking here in the Congress.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting this statement to express congratulations and gratitude to Clarence ``Cal'' W. Marsella on the occasion of his retirement as General Manager of the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Under Mr. Marsella's leadership, RTD built partnerships with local, state and federal officials to realize a vision of an innovative public transit system that meets the unique needs of our region. During his tenure with RTD, Mr. Marsella oversaw the successful completion of three new light rail lines, including the T-REX light rail project that opened November 17, 2006. In 2004 metro area voters overwhelmingly approved the FasTracks transit expansion program for the eight-county metro area. This represents the largest transit-only voter approved program in the United States. With Mr. Marsella's determination, progress on the FasTracks program has moved ahead swiftly, and construction is currently underway on the West Corridor which runs from downtown Denver to Golden, Colorado. Mr. Marsella began his transportation career in the highway engineering division of the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation in 1974. He now serves on the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board and regularly lectures at the University of Denver and the University of Colorado masters degree programs in Transportation and Public Administration. He also speaks to numerous groups on the benefits and nuances of public-private partnerships. He was selected by the American Public Transportation Association as the Outstanding Public Transportation Manager in 2006 and, under his leadership, RID was selected as the Outstanding Transportation Agency in North America in 2003 and 2008. I congratulate and extend my sincere gratitude to Cal Marsella for his service to the Denver region. I wish him continued success and all good fortune in his work ahead.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of my friend from New Jersey, but I would say the word that comes to mind is ``amnesia.'' My friends on the Republican side of the aisle have amnesia. They have amnesia over how the Bush administration tried to deregulate everything, tried to make government smaller and more ineffective so that we could have Ponzi schemes as existed under Madoff. That occurred under the George Bush administration. We had the failure with Katrina, and we had the biggest collapse in the banking sector ever because of deregulation and a belief that the free market could do anything it wanted to do. Now, this bill is very mild. What it allows, Mr. Speaker, is it allows shareholders to have a say on what the officers of the company make in terms of salary, the owners having a say on pay. What could be more American and more free enterprise than that? What it does allow is the board of directors to overrule the shareholders if they think that's appropriate. But we need to have the ownership of the company have a say on what their executives make so that it doesn't get out of line and that there is no back-scratching going on. The second piece that my friends complain about and that the substitute is designed to gut is that the Federal banking regulators have a say on the commissions and the bonuses and the stock options that exist. And where we saw this most specifically was in mortgages. Lots of mortgages sold, lots of commissions made, lots of stock options went straight through the roof, but there was a time bomb in those mortgages 4 or 5 years down the road that caused all those mortgages to fail and companies and banks to collapse. We're not going to allow that anymore. We're not going to allow the taxpayer to be holding the bag the way we've had to hold the bag this last fall. It is a time for reasonable regulation to restore confidence in our financial system. That's what this bill does. The substitute amendment guts that. I urge a ``no'' vote on the substitute and a ``yes'' vote on say-on- pay. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker be authorized on this legislative day to entertain a motion to suspend the rules relating to H.R. 3435.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. As we work with the Department of Labor on needed reforms, we hope that the committee will continue to work with us and OMB to ensure that this program continues to provide benefits to seriously ill individuals, and that the EEOICPA Ombudsman's Office continues to have the resources it needs to maintain its important oversight responsibilities over this program.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my friends wanting to talk about jobs. They have the arguments that they want to pursue, but they don't want to let the facts get in the way of their argument. Let's start with the report we received today from the Federal Reserve. We know that jobs fell off a cliff last fall and earlier this year as part of the Bush administration's efforts for jobs. Private nonfarm employment fell by 670,000 jobs on average per the month from January to April, but declines slowed to 312,000 in May and 415,000 in June. The May and June declines in construction jobs were the smallest since last fall. Job declines and temporary employment applications slowed noticeably, and employment in nonbusiness services turned up in May and increased further in June. That's why we have the stock market going up. That's why consumer confidence is going up is because this is working, even if my friends' arguments are not working.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the city of Lakewood, Colorado on their fortieth birthday. For forty years, the city of Lakewood has celebrated its birthday in an arts and music celebration appropriately named Lakewood on Parade. Families from all parts of the city and surrounding areas come together with their friends and neighbors to enjoy this celebration. I, myself, along with my family, have attended Lakewood on Parade for many years. I am honored to recognize the Lakewood on Parade birthday celebration for helping Lakewood bring families together to enjoy this beautiful city. Lakewood is the fourth largest city in Colorado and is located just west of Denver, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is home to many historical sites of the old West making it a city rich in history. Families, friends, and neighbors truly live in a special place in Colorado and it is reflected in the Lakewood on Parade birthday celebration. I extend my deepest congratulations to the city of Lakewood for achieving their fortieth birthday.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the services of Colorado State Representative Gwyn Green who will retire this year from Colorado's State Legislature. Representative Green has been in Colorado's State Legislature since 2004, and in that time has fought hard for the protection of children from sexual predators, as well as, for the prevention of abuse of disabled adults. Her passionate speeches and constant dedication to service have earned her the reputation of ``The Fighting Granny,'' on Colorado's Capital Hill. It was with this commitment and drive that her work ethic and passion for the people of Colorado will be most remembered. In addition to her service in the Colorado State Legislature, Representative Green has earned such awards as the Colorado Association of Public Health's Distinguished Legislator of the Year, the Colorado Society of Clinical Social Workers Advocate of the Year, and was the Distinguished Legislator for the National Association of Social Workers. These accomplishments display her passion and commitment in serving the people of Colorado. I extend my deepest thanks once again to Representative Green for her time and service to Colorado. I have no doubt her efforts within the Colorado State Legislature have made impacts on the State of Colorado and on our country.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival on their 40th Anniversary. For forty years, the city of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, has celebrated their rich heritage with this three day event. Families from all parts of the city and surrounding areas come together with their friends and neighbors to enjoy this festival. I, myself, along with my family, have taken part in all aspects of this festival including the pancake breakfast, the parade and the amazing fireworks display. I am honored to recognize the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival on achieving this long standing tradition for forty years. The city of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is a true gem in the metro area as it is home to several national historical sites including the Richards- Hart Estate and the Old Soddy building. Families, friends, and neighbors truly live in a special place in Colorado and it is reflected in this Festival as it is rich in history and strong in purpose of bringing families in the community together. I extend my deepest congratulations to the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival on their 40th Anniversary.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 644 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I oppose the gentleman's point of order. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, once again, this point of order is not about unfunded mandates. It's about TV broadcasting and about a whole variety of other things, but it's about delaying the bill that is under consideration and about, ultimately, stopping it. I hope my colleagues see through this attempt and will vote ``yes'' so we can consider this legislation on its merits and not stop it on a procedural motion. Those who oppose the bill can vote against it on final passage. We must consider this rule today, and we must pass this legislation. I have the right to close, but in the end, I will urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to consider the rule. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's comments, but they did not speak to the point of order at all. So, Madam Speaker, again, I want to urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this motion to consider so we can debate and pass this important legislation. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 644.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 644 provides for the consideration of H.R. 3170, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010. This is the first Financial Services Appropriations bill under a President who believes Wall Street actually needs someone to watch it. This bill provides the much needed resources for the Federal Government to improve our oversight of Wall Street while investing in small businesses on Main Street. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, we have worked with Chairman Frank to examine the causes of our recent economic downturn. There were many causes of it, but our findings conclude that a large factor of this downturn was misguided deregulation promoted in the financial markets. Under the Bush administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission was underfunded. The SEC promoted a ``good old boy'' atmosphere that disregarded investor and taxpayer interests in favor of Wall Street wealth. Under the Bush administration, the SEC repeatedly turned a blind eye regarding fraud as they did with the warnings about Bernie Madoff. Also, the SEC knowingly helped build the house of cards that was the basis for this subprime mortgage bubble. Under the Bush administration, big business just became too big to fail, and the whole house of cards came tumbling down. AIG, Bernie Madoff, Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, WaMu, Wachovia, and other financial disasters could have been avoided if our Federal agencies had been given the resources to connect the dots, to look at the books and to take preventative measures. This legislation increases funding for the SEC by 8 percent over last year. It provides funds for the SEC to hire 140 additional analysts to protect investors and taxpayers from nefarious corporate interests and schemes. Those 140 new analysts can monitor publicly traded companies and can restore trust for investors and taxpayers. This provision sends a clear message to Wall Street that your days of wine and roses are over. The bill also increases funding for the FTC to help consumers and to go after illegal credit card practices. For my constituents back in Colorado, this bill provides a 38 percent increase in funding for the Small Business Administration. During an economic downturn, many individuals who have been laid off open small businesses where they can pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and can be their own bosses. This boost in funding will reinvigorate communities across the Nation at the precise time that we need it. For the judicial branch, this bill provides the Federal judiciary the funds it needs to hire additional staff and judges. In particular, the past year has seen a 28 percent increase in the number of bankruptcies. This bill will provide for 142 more staff for Federal bankruptcy courts to put these businesses and individuals back on the road to recovery. Finally, if there is one issue people in our districts will support in this bill, it is the reinstatement of auto dealer franchise agreements which were severed with little notice earlier this year. In my own district, hundreds of workers were put in jeopardy when GM and Chrysler terminated their dealerships--even long-time profitable franchises. At a time when too many Americans are unemployed, adding more workers to the unemployment rolls is the last thing our economy needs. This bill is another step toward economic recovery, and I urge its adoption. I now reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I have to say that my friend from Texas and I couldn't disagree more about the causes of the troubles that exist today in our economy. The Republican administration under George Bush, prosecuting two wars, cutting taxes for the wealthiest among us, helped drive this country into the ditch. That, coupled with a penchant, a desire, a real effort to deregulate, unregulate and privatize led to failures all throughout Wall Street and the banking system, starting first with a $60 million Ponzi scheme conducted by Bernie Madoff, followed in part and at the same time by a $700 billion failure of Wall Street and financial institutions that had to be filled. President Obama inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit as a result of the misguided policies of the Republican Party and the Bush administration. With that, I will yield 3 minutes to my friend from Michigan, Mr. Bart Stupak.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, before I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, I need to respond to my friend from Colorado, as well as the gentleman from Michigan who spoke earlier, and I'm looking at page 143, lines 8 through 12, section 812, which says: ``None of the Federal funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended for any abortion except where the life of the mother would be endangered or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.''

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Yes, for 15 seconds.