Chellie Pingree

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 463 provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 454, the WASTE TKO Act of 2009. Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider the conference report to accompany S. 454, the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. Last week, the House took an important step toward sending this legislation to the President when it passed H.R. 2101, the WASTE TKO Act of 2009, as amended, by a vote of 428-0. I would like to thank my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McHugh, Representative Andrews, and Representative Conaway, for their tireless work on this bill. The conference report before us today includes three key provisions from H.R. 2101. First, it requires the Secretary of Defense to designate one official as the principal expert on performance assessment in acquisition. Second, the agreement mandates that weapons systems which are not meeting the standards set in statute or which have incurred critical Nunn-McCurdy breaches will receive additional reviews, along with increased oversight from Congress and the necessary corrective measures to ensure that these programs succeed. Lastly, the agreement requires the Department of Defense to develop a system for tracking cost growth and schedule changes before a weapons systems moves into the systems development phase. With these key provisions, the conference agreement includes the strengths, ideas, hard work, and spirit of both H.R. 2101 and S. 454. It is the culmination of the thoughtful and thorough efforts of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, and it is a noteworthy example of what the Congress can accomplish with a focused bipartisan and bicameral effort. However, while I am proud of my colleagues, I am truly excited about what this legislation will accomplish on behalf of the American people. According to the GAO, the Department of Defense is the largest buying enterprise in the world. What this means is that the American taxpayer is truly invested, in every sense of the word, in the capability, efficiency, and accountability of the Department of Defense. In March 2009, the GAO identified $296 billion in cumulative cost growth on 96 major defense acquisition programs. Mr. Speaker, let me put this in perspective. We are spending more on cost overruns than the amount that we spend on salaries and health care for the entire American military for 2 full years. The GAO also found that these major weapons programs were behind schedule, on average, by 22 months. This is shocking and unacceptable to the American public, especially in such challenging economic times. We can do better than this. We can do better than $300 billion over budget and nearly 2 years behind schedule at a time when our Nation's resources are limited, our men and women in uniform are in harm's way, and our family budgets are being cut back to provide only the bare necessities. In my home State, Mainers have always lived with an ethic of hard work, a spirit of responsibility, and a determination to provide the best they can with what they have. This legislation was crafted in that very same spirit. By ensuring accurate assessments in the performance of a weapons systems and accurate assessments in its cost, a taxpayer can be certain that they are getting the best bang for their buck by providing ``intensive care'' for sick programs, and our soldiers can be assured that they receive the necessary capabilities and appropriate technology to defend our country and themselves. In short, this legislation keeps the taxpayer in mind and the men and women of the Armed Forces at heart. I look forward to completing the work on this bill. And I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, as my good friend from California has mentioned, we have some essential responsibilities as Members of Congress. Our constituents have charged us with several responsibilities. It would be impossible to list them all today, but I think it is essential to highlight three of those charges. Our constituents have charged Congress with keeping our country safe and secure, from both the threats of today and the threats of tomorrow. Our constituents have asked to stand up for and defend our men and women in uniform, just as our men and women in uniform have defended us. And our constituents have asked us to spend their tax dollars in a way that is prudent, productive, and responsible. Today, we take a step forward in living up to these responsibilities as the House considers the conference report for S. 454, the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 456 provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009. The rule makes in order a motion by the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services to concur in the Senate amendment. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the motion except clause 10 of rule XXI and provides that the Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The rule provides 1 hour of debate on the motion controlled by the Committee on Financial Services. The rule provides that the question of adoption of the motion shall be divided for a separate vote on concurring in section 512 of the Senate amendment. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the deceptive practices of credit card companies over the last 2 weeks here in Washington. My friends here in the House of Representatives have highlighted the nearly $1 trillion credit card debt in the United States. President Obama has stressed the need for ``credit card forms and statements that have plain language in plain sight.'' My colleagues in the Senate have equated the deceptive practices used by credit card companies to loan sharking. Small business groups have drawn attention to the one in three businesses where credit card debt accounts for at least 25 percent of the company's overall debt. Family and consumer groups have highlighted the more than 91 million United States families who are subject to unfair interest rate hikes and being taken advantage of by hidden penalties and fees. These statistics are certainly shocking, and meaningful legislation is necessary. However, this is not a new issue to the American people. This is a problem that they understand all too well and deal with each and every day. Credit cards have gone from being a luxury to being a convenience to being a necessity. Whether it is paying for your gas at the pump or placing an order online, our modern economy almost requires you to have a credit card. Unfortunately, the tough economic times we are in mean that more and more Americans are turning to credit cards to pay for basic necessities or to make ends meet when something unexpected comes along. Last weekend in Maine, I was talking with one of my constituents who told me something I hear frequently, that a credit card is the only way she can pay her medical bills. And last winter, with skyrocketing heating oil prices, a credit card was the only way many people in my State were able to stay warm. But while credit cards have gone from luxury to necessity, credit card companies have undergone a transition too. There was a time when a credit card agreement was reasonably straightforward and fair. It was an agreement to provide a basic service for a reasonable fee. But all that has changed. Credit card agreements are a tangle of fine print with complicated provisions that almost seem designed to keep the cardholder in debt forever. Everywhere you turn, it seems the credit card companies have dreamed up a new fee or another clever scheme to raise your interest rate. Basic fairness has been replaced by deception and greed. These days using a credit card is like going to a Las Vegas casino. No matter how clever or responsible you are, nine times out of ten, you are going to lose, and the company is going to win. Managing your finances shouldn't be a gamble. The deck shouldn't be stacked against you. Americans have a lot to worry about these days: a weak economy, a broken health care system and rising energy prices. And that is on top of all the responsibilities we face on a daily basis like raising a family and going to work. The last thing people need to worry about is whether or not their credit card company is going to suddenly double their interest rate or surprise them with an unexpected fee they can't afford. Mr. Speaker, this bill will bring back basic fairness to the credit card industry and level the playing field for Americans to take responsibility for their finances. Credit card companies have been getting away with too much for too long. I urge my colleagues to join me today in passing this important bill and sending it directly to the President. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 456.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I am the last speaker for this side, so until the gentleman has closed for his side and yielded back his time, I will reserve my time.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, in spite of all the debate this morning on the TARP, on Secretary Geithner, on guns in the national parks, I just want to remind my colleagues that we're here today to talk about the rule on H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights. Mr. Speaker, this is an opportunity for us to prove to nearly 175 million Americans with credit cards that we understand their frustration and we recognize that they are the target of unfair, unreasonable, and deceptive practices. Late fees, over-the-limit fees, arbitrary increases in interest rates, the credit card companies have gotten away with far too much for far too long. It's time we level the playing field now for small businesses, for families and for individuals across this country. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 456 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. We are both standing here and many of our colleagues are here, many who wouldn't necessarily call themselves Progressive, but they are here because they want to pass more legislation that will foster our Progressive values. That is a wonderful list that looks at issues that people struggle with in the economy. But the fact is, I would say that one of the number one concerns of people in America today is to have access to health care and have it be affordable. I think that needs to be added to that list. I think many of us won't rest until it is done. Many Members in this Chamber hear from their constituents every day, Do something about health care. I am thrilled that we passed a budget with $630 billion in it for health care, but we have a lot of work to do to actually design the system and make sure that it is available to everybody, whether you are running a small business or you are an individual who has no coverage, or struggles with coverage that has such a big deductible it doesn't provide you with the care you need when you are sick.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. You have said almost everything that needs to be said. You have a great chart. In talking about some of the proud things in progressive history, I want to emphasize that virtually everything on that list is where people have said, We are all in this together. What do we need to take care of the basic fundamentals in this world so that we can prosper, so we can be safe and healthy and have a sense of security? That is what we are dedicated to. I know those are the commonsense values of people in my State, people of vastly different political perspectives and economic perspectives who say, Look, unless we are all in this together--we have to move forward together or we are not going to get anywhere. As you mentioned, we have a tall order in front of us. We have done a lot in the few months we have been here. And I feel proud as a freshman to have come at this moment in time when we have a President who cares so deeply about our relations around the world, economic justice for people and health care. It is a great moment to be here, but it is certainly a difficult task. Many, many people are struggling in this economy. States like mine are having a hard time balancing their budget and getting ahead. We have a lot of work here to do. I have been pleased to be here tonight, and look forward to many other dialogues like this in the future as we accomplish many of our goals.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. People would say fundamentally, it was a part of America to expand west and be in rural areas. Many people choose the environment of rural America. But, frankly, we are dependent on those people who choose to grow our food, harvest our fish. Many in my State harvest the trees that make our paper and make our furniture. These are people with solid American values. Kids have wonderful schools to attend, and feel safe in their communities. We want to have more people who can have the opportunity to live there. One of the biggest issues in my State is, How am I going to make a living and support myself? I think it is an important Progressive value to say what exactly does government need to do. We know we need to have security and roads. Maybe a high-speed train. You need to have health care available to you so you can feel comfortable and secure. But you also need broadband access. It is a very important thing.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. Again, representing a rural State, most people don't know, but Maine happens to be the most rural State in the Nation. Most of us live in small communities without access to cable, and the kinds of things that many other people have. Broadband has become essential for communication, education, and running a small business. Any kind of business, you need to be able to connect to people on the Net. I personally run a business, and people wouldn't be able to find us if it wasn't for the Internet. But the fact is that many small communities don't have this. This is one of the reasons that this was part of the stimulus package that many of us supported and voted for because we believed it would help communities move ahead. Sometimes it is an inner-city neighborhood, and sometimes it is a distant neighborhood that needs that access to broadband. I think there is a correlation between what went on with the REA and rural electrification and what we are trying to do today to make sure that everybody in America has access to high-speed Internet. It is fundamental for education and now for medicine. We have many doctors who are able to diagnose at a distance in those communities that can't have a full-time doctor or the kinds of medical specialties that they need. But people want to live and work in those communities. It is a great part of the American tradition. Whether you are a fisherman or a farmer, we want to continue that. It is a very important part of why we need to expand broadband.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. I am glad you put this list forward today. I think it is an excellent collection of those things that we have done collectively to make sure that we are all better off. Rural electrification was a very progressive idea. The idea that for economic development, for everyone to succeed, for people to have better opportunities, we all needed to be connected to each other. I think one of the things that this underscores about Progressive values is the idea that you need to choose those things that will really benefit everybody. We all recognize we can't do everything. People sometimes accuse us of expecting government to do everything. We don't want to do that, and we don't want government to meddle in everything. But this is a very good list of those things that have benefited the greatest amount of people. And coming from a rural State, I know the importance of rural electrification. In fact, I happen to live in a community that is about to construct a major wind tower, benefiting us as we look into the future, and we are still able to do that because of the organization that is there around rural electrification.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Well, absolutely. Maine is an interesting State. We're about a third Republican, a third Democrat, and a third Independent, but pretty much everybody is independent there. I would say the overarching value that most people share is this idea that there is a right of privacy, of individual liberty; that I'm not going to interfere with your right to live your life in the way you choose as long as you respect my rights as well. Because of that, even though we're economically quite disadvantaged in my State--it's about 38th in per capita income--people have worked hard to take care of each other, but also to somewhat leave each other alone. We have a lot of independent fishermen and farmers and people who make a living in a variety of ways, and most of them would say, Just preserve my independence and individual liberty and, while you're at it, can you make sure we get health care coverage. But I think it's because people see those as values that should be shared, that come together.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Thank you very much. Thank you to all of my colleagues here today. It's nice to have the opportunity to join the two of you. I first want to say that I concur. It was an important day to cast the vote that many of us did to recognize that there are serious issues around Iraq and Afghanistan. In spite of many of us coming from States where we have a lot of people serving in the military, and I greatly respect their service and the importance that all of us see in taking care of those who serve their country, this was also an important day to talk about the essential nature of finding an end to the conflict and making sure that we send the President that message. I thank you for giving me this chance to talk a little bit about what it means to be a Progressive. You're right, I was fortunate to be on the floor just a few moments before we started the Progressive Hour to recognize something that had gone on in my State in the past week. Maine is now the fifth State in the Nation to recognize the equality of marriage that everyone, regardless of their gender, should have the right to marry. As we all know, this can often be a contentious and difficult debate. Thousands of people literally turned out at a public hearing in Maine to discuss this topic. People from all walks of life; from all religious backgrounds; people who were married and who weren't married. I very proudly quoted from my daughter today. My daughter happens to be the Speaker of the House in Maine--far more important than her mother--and she gave a very eloquent speech about the fact she was married only a couple of summers ago by a wonderful friend of our family. And during the conversation preparing for the wedding, it occurred to her that her good friend who was marrying her had been part of a couple for 30 years, but because he was the same gender as her partner, was not allowed to be married. So the person who gave her good advice, who performed the ceremony, was able to remind her everyone should have this right. I believe fundamentally it should be a Federal right. We should be talking about this at some point in our tenure. But I'm just so proud of my home State, my own Governor, the State legislators, many of them who thought long and hard about the best way to cast their vote, but in the end said, Our goal is to do the right thing. I just want to follow up a little bit about some of the things that you were already talking about before I close my remarks, but really on this idea of what it is to be a Progressive because Jared rightfully said that it's sometimes about asking the questions, of searching a little bit further, of taking the tough votes. I also think it is a matter of recognizing that we're all in this together. For me, getting into politics--and I was first elected to the State legislature in 1992--but I became a school board member in my community years before that. Part of what I learned along the way is that the reason we do this is to recognize that we're all in this together. That if we're not all succeeding together; if we don't have health care; if everyone doesn't have a job; if we're not thinking ahead about the security or everyone, whether you're a soldier or not a soldier, we're not going to get ahead in the world. We're not going to have the kind of world that we want to have. To me, that is the fundamental of this--our overarching political philosophy is just recognizing that none of us get ahead unless we all do it together. For me, that's always a question when I make a decision, whether it's an economic decision or an issue of health care. I have been a small business owner. I'm proud to say that I employ other people. But I want to make sure that they're treated well, that they get fair wages, that their health care is covered. I believe that's part of the fundamental of the responsibility that we share to each other in this country and in countries abroad. For me, that's a fundamental principle, and I'm proud to share these moments with my colleagues from Minnesota and Colorado, where I know those are their fundamental values, as well as many others that they bring to the floor today.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Today I want to recognize some actions in my home State. Last week Maine became the fifth State in the country to embrace marriage equality. Same-sex couples live all over our State in loving, committed relationships, raising families and growing old together, yet they have not been afforded the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage. Last week our legislature took a major step towards correcting that injustice. In the week leading up to the vote, thousands of people filled the Augusta Civic Center to testify on the marriage equality bill. People came from all over our State, men and women, straight and gay, young and old, couples and single people. Many of them waited hours for their turn to speak. When they got to the microphone, the overwhelming majority said it was time for Maine to recognize same-sex marriage. Maine moved the country one step closer to federally recognizing and protecting the right for two people, regardless of their gender, to be married. Maine has always been an independent State with a forward- looking legislative body and citizens with common sense. I stand here today to congratulate my home State on the passage of this landmark victory. The landmark victory didn't come easily or without long debate. Many personal journeys began and ended with this lengthy discussion. My daughter happens to be the Speaker of the House, and she shared her own personal story, which, with pride, I would like to share a few of her words which reflected our family's feelings. She said, when she got up to testify, ``This issue was brought home for me two summers ago when my husband and I were married. Our island pastor was on a trip abroad and unavailable to perform our wedding ceremony. My husband and I wanted to be married by someone we knew and trusted. We asked a good family friend to perform our wedding; we knew his tone, his presence, and his sense of humor would be perfect. He was honored to do it, and we immediately got to work planning the ceremony. Throughout the preparations for the wedding, he gave us honest and valuable advice about the joys and challenges of a lifetime of commitment to another person. He gave us some of the best advice either of us has ever received about marriage. ``As we drove away from our wedding rehearsal, all of us happy and relieved that everything seemed to be going well, my friend said to me, `I am honored to perform your wedding. It is going to be great. But it is important to understand that you and Jason have the right to do something very special, and it's a right that I don't have. The friend that married us is a gay man who has been living in a committed and loving relationship with the same man for more than 30 years. ``I was struck in that moment that a person whom I respected and trusted, a person as close to me as some of my dearest relatives, a person whose relationship was a model for trust, compassion, longevity, was legally denied a right and status that my husband and I were about to be granted. There is nothing fair about giving some committed couples in Maine the right to the legal responsibilities and privileges of marriage and denying it to others.'' That was my daughter, Hannah, the Speaker of the House's story, and one that held great meaning to my family and to so many of us across Maine as we considered the plight of many of our friends in committed relationships who haven't been allowed the right to make it legal. When the deliberation ended at the public hearing and it was time to vote, many of Maine's State legislators found themselves in new territory. As Governor Baldacci made clear just after signing the marriage equity bill into law, he said, ``In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.'' Madam Speaker, as we in this body consider the future of issues of equality, it is important that we all take a moment to reflect on the history that was made in Augusta, Maine, this month. Eighty-nine State representatives, 21 State senators, and one Governor put themselves on record supporting fairness and equality, and one more State voted to do the right thing.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 400 provides for initial consideration of H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti- Predatory Lending Act. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate to be controlled by the Chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services. After the general debate, there will be no further consideration of the bill except pursuant to the subsequent rule. Homeownership has always been a key part of the American Dream. Unfortunately, for hundreds of thousands of Americans, that dream has been shattered by predatory lenders that entice them to accept loans they could not afford. Now, across this country, hardworking families are unable to pay loans they can't afford, and they are losing their homes to foreclosure in unprecedented numbers. On top of this, many would argue that the extreme problems in the mortgage industry have been one of the most serious causes of our current, economic problems. This week we have the opportunity to rein in these lending practices. H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009 is a major step forward in curbing abusive and predatory lending. This Congress has already passed legislation aimed at invigorating the housing market, by helping new homebuyers purchase homes and dispensing of many of the toxic assets that have had our economy in a stranglehold. The bill we take up today is the second and equally important step of building a stronger foundation. The regulations that are proposed will put a new face on the mortgage system that has become rife with fraud. H.R. 1728 would outlaw many of the worst industry practices, while also preventing borrowers from deliberately misrepresenting their income to qualify for a loan. The message is simple: Lenders can't give loans to people who can't afford them and borrowers have to tell the truth about their finances when applying for a loan. If you can't play by the rules, you will be held accountable. This bill draws upon everything that was once fundamentally sound about our banking system. It takes us back to a time when community bankers knew their consumers, to when they understood clearly what they could afford and to when they worked with them to offer loans that worked best for their families. This is a far cry from some of the practices developed during the real estate boom, when mortgages became far more risky and terms like ``no-doc lending'' and ``liars loans'' became part of our language. Madam Speaker, this bill sets minimum standards for mortgages requiring that consumers must have a reasonable ability to pay the loan back, and that mortgage refinancing must provide a net tangible benefit to the consumer. All mortgage originators will be licensed and registered. Securitizers and other participants in the secondary mortgage market, for the first time, under Federal law, will be liable for supporting irresponsible lending. The bill also prohibits financial incentives that encourage mortgage originators to steer consumers to higher cost and more abusive mortgages. In other words, lenders can't sell consumers loans that aren't good for them. Over the last decade, many subprime loans were made to borrowers who, due to their weak credit histories, were high credit risks. This bill will make sure that, instead of rewarding originators for pumping out high volumes of costly mortgage loans, there will be incentives for lenders to give borrowers the best possible price and stick with the borrower over the course of the loan. And any creditor that violates the standard set forth in this bill will be liable to the consumer. They will be required to either rescind the loan and pay for all the legal fees or work with them in a timely fashion to modify or refinance the loan at no additional cost to the borrower. Somewhere along the line, our mortgage system has lost its way at a great cost to our economy. The affordable, 30-year fixed rate mortgage that allowed generations to experience the American Dream of homeownership has been tragically replaced with a subprime loan, teaser rates, and unaffordable payments. Commonsense principles, like having the ability to pay, were abandoned in favor of schemes that involved collateralized debt obligation and credit default swaps. And as this financial house of cards collapsed, it is now the American taxpayers that are left holding the bag. Madam Speaker, I hope we have learned our lesson. It is time to bring responsibility and accountability back to mortgage lending and to make sure we don't face another crisis like this. This bill is essential if we are to stabilize the housing market, to end these abusive practices, and to get our economy back on track. I commend my colleagues, Mr. Miller, Mr. Watt, and Chairman Frank for their determination to this critical issue and their hard work in bringing it to the floor today. I reserve the balance of my time.