Erik Paulsen

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, the very foundation of our health care system is that relationship between a patient and their doctor. But the President's new health care law inserts government bureaucracy in the middle of that longstanding relationship. One clear example of this is the establishment of the Independent Payment Advisory Board, this 15-member board of unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats who will soon have the authority to dictate our Nation's Medicare policy by effectively deciding what health care seniors can receive. And since its inception, IPAB has been the focus of vocal and sustained opposition from doctors, physicians, and patients because it does threaten to reduce beneficiaries' access to treatments and services that are included in the Medicare program. Madam Chair, the repeal of IPAB has strong bipartisan support. Given the widespread concern about the impact that IPAB will have to deny quality health care services, it's no wonder that about 350 organizations that represent veterans, seniors, employers small and large, as well as doctors and physicians and consumers in all 50 States, support its repeal. Although a majority of us here in Congress have registered our concerns about IPAB and support its repeal, it is the American public, including many folks from my community, who remain the most vocal about ending this program before it is implemented. The American people have every reason to be worried about this IPAB board. The unchecked powers of IPAB have been explained by my colleagues already at length. Simply put, IPAB is a dangerous new government agency that will be made up of unelected bureaucrats with no oversight, no accountability, and no recourse for seniors to appeal any of IPAB's decisions. The decision-making, the deliberations, the meetings that IPAB hold do not have to be held in public. Madam Chair, rather than endangering Medicare beneficiaries, we should be empowering them. Rather than making decisions behind closed doors, we should be having these discussions in public in our hearing rooms between doctors, patients, and consumers. Let's do the right thing and protect American seniors by repealing this overreaching provision.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to rise today to congratulate the Eden Prairie boys Eagles swimming team and diving team on winning the Minnesota State Championship recently. The Eden Prairie Eagles earned more than 100 points over their two closest competitors that tied for second place. A key relay team of Aaron Greenberg, Maverick Hovey, Mike Solfelt and Bryce Boston also set a new State record in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and they also took home first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Mr. Speaker, these student athletes have absolutely seen that teamwork builds character, confidence, and self-worth. It also teaches our young people the importance of working together to find common ground. Lessons such as playing competitively while also having respect for your opponent are lifelong and will make for absolutely strong, successful adults and future strong leaders. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the Eden Prairie boys swimming and diving team.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Minnetonka girls high school hockey team on winning their second consecutive Minnesota 2A State title this weekend at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Mr. Speaker, after winning last year's championship in a nail-biting game, the Minnetonka Skippers this year defeated the Roseville Raiders 3 0. The first goal came early in the first period by defender Holly Korn, who scored on a power play. After that, forward Diana Drayaard followed up with a second goal late in the third period. And then finally, there was a third goal by junior Laura Bowman, who scored the final goal. Of course this victory could not have happened were it not for the outstanding goaltending of goalie Sydney Rossman, who blocked 23 shots in the shutout. Mr. Speaker, I just want to congratulate all the girls on the Minnetonka Skippers hockey team, as well as their coaches. I also want to thank them and recognize their hard work, their training, their perseverance, and their commitment because it really paid off. We're proud of these student athletes, and so is our entire community.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, for most Americans, our busy lives make it difficult to reflect as often as we should upon the incredible sacrifices by those heroes who have answered the call to service throughout our Nation's history. Today, I would like to take a moment to honor the service of one such hero from my home State of Minnesota. Minnesota native and World War II pilot Lieutenant John Teman flew missions in all the major battles in Europe. He flew through flak on the night before D-day in strategic spots over Europe behind enemy lines, and he repeatedly flew missions dropping supplies to the troops trapped at the Battle of the Bulge. In recognition of his incredible service, John has been awarded seven Bronze Stars, three Air Medals, the Croix de Guerre twice, and on Wednesday he received France's highest recognition and honor, the Legion of Honor. Madam Speaker, John epitomizes what it means to be a hero. I'd like to thank him for his service and congratulate him on an honor that's much deserved.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alf Larson, a Minnesota World War II veteran who survived the infamous Bataan Death March. Alf passed away just last week, on January 30, at the age of 93. Despite experiencing one of the worst aspects of war, Alf kept his faith in the Lord. During his 41 months in captivity as a prisoner, Alf would read the New Testament and the Book of Psalms, which he kept hidden. After the war, Alf returned home, got married and then reenlisted in the Air Force in 1948. He left the Air Force 6 years later, and came back to Crystal, Minnesota, and raised a family--his three children. Like most heroes, Alf insisted that he was just a regular guy who was doing his duty, saying, I'm not a hero. I was just doing my job. Mr. Speaker, last week Minnesota and our Nation lost one of our greatest heroes. To Alf and all the other veterans who serve our country admirably, I want to say thank you for your incredible sacrifice.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Chairman, I also want to rise in strong support of repealing this misguided CLASS Act. We knew from the start that the CLASS Act was fiscally unsustainable. But the President and those who supported the new health care law used this and inserted it as a budget gimmick to help pass the law. This new program was an illusion, an illusion that was crafted so government would start collecting funds long before it would pay anything out, making it seem as if it would raise revenue and save money. But in the long run it was obvious and it was clear the program would have disastrous effects. The CMS Chief Actuary himself said that if implemented, the program would collapse. And after months of failed attempts, even the administration has finally admitted that the program was unworkable. Madam Chair, Minnesota families and small businesses are tired of the smoke and mirrors coming out of Washington. Let's do the right thing today and repeal this terrible program, and let's focus on what's really important: putting Americans back to work. I want to thank my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee from Louisiana. He's a doctor, he's a physician, he's a leader in health care. Let's do the right thing and repeal this legislation.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, thank you and thank you Dr. Boustany for introducing this legislation. I rise today as a co-sponsor of H.R. 3567, the Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act because at a time when millions of Americans are still out of work, and our economy is struggling to recover, we must take every step available to safeguard taxpayer dollars. Madam Speaker, between January of 2007 and June of 2010 nearly $5 million in state-issued benefits were withdrawn from ATMs in California casinos alone. We need to correct this problem, and H.R. 3567 does just that. This provision requires all states to take steps to end this abusive practice, safeguarding taxpayer funds from abuse by ensuring that welfare funds are not accessed in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos--a practice which has been highlighted in news stories across the country. This bill ensures all states take action to close this loophole. I note that this policy is the same as that introduced by Senators Hatch and Baucus, the Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Senate Finance Committee, so it has strong support in the other body as well. Let's continue the momentum, pass this legislation, and prove to the American people that we are here to get things done in 2012.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is February 1, and I want to recognize the month of February as being American Heart Month. Contrary to popular belief, heart disease does not discriminate by gender. It is the number one killer of both men and women and accounts for nearly one-quarter of all deaths in the United States. Every 34 seconds--every 34 seconds--someone in America is stricken by a heart attack, and every 60 seconds, someone in this country will die as a result of heart disease. As cochair of the Congressional Wellness Caucus, this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart--pun intended, Mr. Speaker. Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. It's as simple as abstaining from tobacco, maintaining your body weight, eating healthy, and exercising every day, along with regular visits to your doctor. We should all do our part to raise awareness, staying healthy and staying heart healthy.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Guetzke, a World War II veteran from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, one of my constituents who landed at Omaha Beach on D-day and who went on to fight at the Battle of the Bulge. He later was awarded and received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his service. During the battle to liberate occupied France, Lieutenant Colonel Guetzke's mission was to protect some of Paris' most famous landmarks-- the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe--from being destroyed by retreating Nazi forces. Earlier this month, the people of France formally thanked Lieutenant Colonel Guetzke, and awarded him the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. I want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Guetzke for his exemplary service, and I also want to congratulate him on receiving France's highest honor.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rev. Bernard Reiser, who passed away late last year at the age of 87. Ordained in the Catholic Church in 1949, Father Reiser spent most of his adult life in the community of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, where he established Epiphany Catholic Church back in 1964. He helped grow Epiphany from a small 125-family parish to one of the largest parishes in the State, with over 5,000 member families. And though he was well known within the community of Coon Rapids, Father Reiser's work extended far beyond its borders. Since 1996, he had traveled to Haiti, where he helped improve the lives of the less fortunate. And last year, he was honored for his international aid work by a local Twin Cities television station in our community. Though he will be missed, his memory does live on in the community and the lives that he touched at Epiphany and in Haiti.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the courage of two young Minnesotans whose lives have been drastically changed recently while playing a sport they truly love. A December 30th high school hockey game began brightly for 16-year- old high school sophomore Jack Jablonski, who scored the opening goal of the game. But a shocking check from behind during the second period left Jack paralyzed. And sadly, one week later, another young hockey player, 18-year-old Jenna Privette from St. Croix Lutheran High School, was hospitalized after also being injured during a game. Despite this, these two young athletes have not lost their love of the game and have shown incredible courage in the face of such terrible accidents. I am pleased that this weekend the Minnesota State High School League took swift action in announcing new rules that aim to make the game safer. I urge all of us to keep Jack, Jenna, and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana, a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Boustany.

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 3659, legislation to extend Temporary Assistance For Needy Families and related programs through the end of this fiscal year, as well as to ensure that these funds are spent appropriately. Now, before describing the legislation in greater detail, I note that these same provisions were already approved by the House as part of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, on Tuesday of this week. But given some of the uncertainty about that legislation, it makes sense to ensure that the TANF program continues to assist families past December 31, when its current authorization expires. That's the first and most important thing that this bill will do. The TANF program has been generally successful at reducing welfare dependence and encouraging work. This success is partly evidenced by the fact that since it began in 1996, TANF caseloads have fallen by 56 percent through June of this year. And a key reason why this happened is because TANF is designed to promote and also support work. Unfortunately, it is one of the only anti-poverty programs that actually does so, focusing on helping move people from government checks to paychecks. And especially, given that the focus and the fact that this program helps so many single parents with children, we need to continue TANF so low-income parents have the dignity of working and supporting their family. But we also can't stop there. Extending TANF will also provide us the opportunity to develop long-term solutions to some of the problems revealed in a subcommittee hearing earlier this year, such as making sure that work requirements apply in all the cases that they should. In discussing this issue with Subcommittee Chairman Geoff Davis, I know that that remains a key focus of the Human Resources Subcommittee agenda in the coming year. Aside from extending TANF and related programs, this bill contains two important and bipartisan program integrity provisions. First, it requires that States apply specific data standards to the TANF information they use when administering benefits and reporting data to the Federal Government. This will help ensure that States have reliable data to use in matching within TANF and across other programs, to ensure that the right people are receiving the right benefits. Unfortunately, today that is not always the case. The absence of such data standards undermine program integrity and results in the waste of taxpayer funds; and that needs to end. This data provision is identical to provisions affecting child welfare programs signed into law by the President in September as part of the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act. And I know Subcommittee Chairman Davis and the gentleman from Texas, my colleague, Mr. Doggett, have worked together throughout the year on this effort. The second program integrity provision closes what some have dubbed the ``strip club loophole.'' This loophole currently allows individuals to access welfare benefits at ATMs in strip clubs, liquor clubs, and casinos. This provision insists that all States will take the necessary steps to end this abusive practice which has been highlighted in news stories across the country. Some States have already implemented policies to close this loophole, ensuring that welfare benefits are spent to support children and families. This bill ensures that all States take action to close this loophole. I note that this policy is the same as that introduced by Senators Hatch and Baucus, the ranking member and chairman, respectively, of the Senate Finance Committee, so it has strong bipartisan support in the other body as well. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, by continuing funding for TANF and related programs at their current levels, this bill does not add one penny to the deficit. Again, this legislation continues TANF and related programs for 9 months, while making needed changes to improve program integrity. More does need to be done to further improve TANF, especially on how it helps parents go and get to work. This legislation will allow that process of reform to continue into next year, while ensuring that important TANF benefits remain available beyond their current December 31 expiration. I want to thank Representative Geoff Davis, the chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources, for his work and effort on this issue, as well as Dr. Boustany and Mr. Schock for their important efforts and cosponsoring this measure that we're bringing forward to the House today. I ask all my colleagues to support it and pass it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3659) to reauthorize the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just want to thank the gentleman for raising the issue about ensuring that TANF recipients can access their benefits in a variety of locations. I will say the bill that we are considering here on the floor today requires States to block access to welfare benefits in casinos, liquor stores, and strip clubs, as we talked about earlier. However, we do understand that some grocery stores, convenience stores, and local markets may also sell groceries and alcohol or have gambling machines as well. That's why there is an exception in the bill to provide exactly for the concerns that the gentleman from Texas raised. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, this legislation continues TANF and related programs for an additional 9 months--it was going to run out on December 31--while making both needed and also bipartisan reforms and changes that are going to improve program integrity. I appreciate the comments of all of the Members here on the floor today who have joined us in support of the bill. I look forward to working with them to continually improve how TANF helps low-income adults work and also become self-sufficient in the months ahead. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give voice to a concern that I have heard raised from numerous constituents who originally hail from Belarus. Since 1994, President Lukashenko has abused his power and has actively worked to undermine the freedom of the Belarusian people. Recently, the State Department released a report on the human rights situation in Belarus. Under this authoritarian regime, Belarusians have been subject to manipulated elections and oppression on the basis of political affiliation, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. Following the most recent election, security forces arrested political activists, presidential candidates, and journalists. Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable that this kind of oppression exists today in Europe, and I hope that more Americans will be made aware of the tyranny in Belarus. I thank the Belarusian-American Youth Association for bringing this issue to my attention. And I stand with my constituents in support of freedom for the Belarusian people in opposition to this oppressive regime.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise as a cosponsor and a strong supporter of the REINS Act. This is legislation that will bring forward reform, accountability, and transparency to the Federal rulemaking process. You know what, it's time for Congress to act more like a board of directors where we will have to oversee proposed rules and regulations, especially those that have a significant economic impact. This bill will absolutely force accountability. It allows regulations to go forward, but it's also going to force Congress to analyze, to pay attention, and then finally to act. So no longer are we going to see agencies and unelected bureaucrats being able to promulgate these rules and regulations without having an appropriate check and balance. There are thousands and thousands and thousands of these rules and regulations in the pipeline, and over 200, 224 specifically, that have that major economic impact threshold that would be affected by the REINS Act. That's a cost of over $22 billion, at a minimum, to the economy. If we want to help small businesses grow, if we want to grow jobs, if we want to help our economy get going and jump start it, we need to remove that cloud of uncertainty that is hanging over the heads of small and medium-sized businesses in that regulatory environment. I want to thank my colleague from Kentucky for his leadership in leading this reform. I ask for its passage. Here's an example of a proposed guideline that is of particular concern to me. The FTC, the Department of Agriculture, the FDA, and the CDC have a proposal which seeks to restrict advertising, marketing and sales of food products. As drafted, it would affect 88 of the top 100 most consumed food and would have devastating effects. If this were to go through, one study estimates it could affect more than 74,000 jobs in the first year alone.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Pandemic and All- Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act that aims to bolster the nation's public health preparedness infrastructure. In particular, I want to thank Congressman Rogers for including key provisions that enhance the nation's ability to care for the critically ill and injured in the aftermath of a public health emergency. This includes section two that adds the critical care system to the National Health Security Strategy's medical preparedness goals, to ensure that critical care is prioritized in planning efforts to increase preparedness in respect to public health emergencies. We must understand the significant role critical care medicine plays in providing high quality health care for the critically ill and injured in the context of public health preparedness. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic highlighted some of the deficiencies in current federal critical care preparedness efforts, as hospitals and intensive care units faced very real shortages of ventilators and federal officials scrambled to identify solutions to mitigate this potential life threatening situation. In order to ensure that the nation's critical care system is structured to provide the highest quality and most efficient health care, including during a national health emergency, I joined with Congresswoman Baldwin earlier this year to introduce the Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act (H.R. 971). This legislation is designed to identify gaps in the current critical care delivery model and bolster capabilities to meet future demand. Today's bill includes provisions that reflect some of the national preparedness priorities from in H.R. 971. We must ensure that critical care medicine is given sufficient consideration by the Administration in respect to disaster preparedness efforts.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I also want to thank my colleague from Florida for her leadership, along with the Members of the Arizona delegation, for putting this resolution together which is so important. I have had the honor of knowing my colleague Gabby Giffords since 2005 before either of us were actually elected to Congress. And there is no doubt in my mind that she wishes she could be here today on the House floor to speak in favor of this resolution that is honoring the life of Gabe Zimmerman, her director of community outreach who lost his life in that senseless attack on January 8. As a former staffer myself, I know firsthand that working for a Member of Congress is not like most jobs. You rarely go home at 5 or 6; you work long hours; you typically do not have weekends off. But to those staff who work for all of us, every one of the House Members, the reward comes from working for constituents on behalf of our districts, our States, and our great country. All of our staff are extensions of the Members that they work for. Gabby's staff is certainly a reflection of whom she is--a loyal, dedicated public servant. And Gabe Zimmerman is no different. I didn't know him, but I do know that he cared for his community, he cared for his country. Gabe was a passionate advocate for children, for social justice, and for antiracism. Gabe didn't wear the uniform of a soldier or a police officer, but he did give his life while serving his country, and so it is absolutely fitting that, inside the Congressional Visitor Center where thousands of Americans visit each and every year, a room will now bear Gabe Zimmerman's name in his honor. And I hope that this dedication will also serve as a reminder to all of us of the passion and the loyalty and that dedication that Gabe showed every day as a congressional staffer. My thoughts continue to be with Gabe's family, with Gabby and her husband, Mark, and with all of Gabby's staff who have a constant reminder of how valuable life really is.