Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Let me make this abundantly clear. Earmark or no earmark, our country was hit, it was New York City, came to the rescue. Because of the way the bond issue was created, it expired, and the President of the United States believed, in fairness to the community that was hit, on behalf of the people of the United States of America, that there should be an extension of this. So we're not talking about any new earmark. We're talking about an extension of the compassion that this Congress has given my city and my community.

Mr. RANGEL. Let the record establish that the Chair has shared with you, and you can call the Parliamentarian or anyone else you want, this is not considered as an earmark.

Mr. RANGEL. But let me say further that even if it was, I would side with the President of the United States.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is abundantly clear that the rules of the House are being abused for purposes of calling attention to another piece of legislation, and I insist on my point of order.

Mr. RANGEL. I would like to be heard in opposition.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have all the respect for the proponent of the motion to recommit on the subject matter that he is trying to bring to the attention of this House, but the Record has got to indicate that as this great Nation and this House try to deal with the serious problem of global warming, of loss of jobs, of national security, of a variety of things that we should be focused on, that if the rule should be used constantly throughout this debate for a purpose other than the reason why this bill is before this House, it not only violates the parliamentary rules, but the spirit in which we should be looking at this energy bill. So I insist on my point of order.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas and the distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee I think explained why there are such high profits in the oil industry, and if that is the explanation, I assume, if they are looking forward to continuous higher profits as they have been reaping during this administration, that they are in support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have asked the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation to make available to the public a technical explanation of the tax provisions of H.R. 5351. The technical explanation expresses the committee's understanding and legislative intent behind this important legislation. This explanation, document JCX-19-08, is currently available on the Joint Committee's Web site. H.R. 5351 presents a step in the right direction as Congress moves to address the issue of climate change and energy security. Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity today to once again visit this important international and certainly national crisis that our country is facing today. Richard Neal, an outstanding member of the Oversight Committee, working with my dear friend, Phil English, was able to explore how the Congress might be more aggressive in dealing with this serious problem. It is clear that one day our children and grandchildren will be asking us, during this period of time, what were we doing as relates to climate control. What role did we play to avoid our dependency on fossil fuel? How many lives have been lost as a result of our Nation feeling insecure about oil reserves throughout the world? Did we attempt to conserve? Did we protect the Earth? Did we create the jobs? Did we fulfill our moral obligation? I hate to see that the record is going to say that here we go again, that we have done this before, that the Senate hasn't acted, or that other Members would take the time to talk about other pieces of legislation instead of devoting all of their attention as to how we can make this issue one that the President can come to the table and join with us and attempt to resolve. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to find renewable sources of energy, to conserve what we have, to test the winds, the waters, solar, to do all that we can to make certain that we meet the challenges that arise on our watch. And so I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, but I do hope that the discussion we have today, that Members realize that the whole world is watching, history is being made, and it is our choice as to whether we have made a positive contribution or whether some Members have preferred to be a political impediment to that progress. But no matter how many times we are rejected by the Senate, our Speaker and leadership are committed to be able to say that on our watch, while we were here, we have done all we could do in order to face and resolve this serious problem. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, referring to the threat of the national security of the oil producers in Venezuela is a clear example of a failed energy policy in this country, whether it is South America or whether it is the Middle East. But it should be pointed out for the record, as compiled by the Center for American Progress, profits during the Bush administration for oil companies have risen from $30 billion to $103 billion. We don't think it is asking too much for them to assist in partnership to find out whether there is a better way to fuel our energy needs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), an outstanding Member of the Congress and distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee. (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, when history is reviewed and we see where our Nation is and what bright light we have in not just identifying the problem but providing the solutions, the Speaker has given us all an opportunity to be a part of that great compromise in terms of working with the private sector and working with Republicans and Democrats. And it doesn't make any difference how many setbacks we have, the commitment she made continues. And until we can get a bipartisan ear in the White House, or until the Senate understands that our time has come to face up to the problems in terms of global warming and national security and in terms of the ever-increasing costs of fuel, and to be able to say on our watch we met the challenge and we moved forward, no one voice, no one leader has provided more of an opportunity for us to resolve this serious problem than the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is indeed my privilege to yield 1 minute to her at this time.

Mr. RANGEL. I understand that, but you can't ask serious questions and expect not to get answers.

Mr. RANGEL. I really want to thank the gentleman for the way you have raised the question. Rumor had had it that you intended to attack this provision of the bill.

Mr. RANGEL. I want to thank the gentleman for that, and what I was about to say, that it didn't surprise me that you did not attack it. I said rumor had it, but knowing the gentleman that you are and the concern you do have for sound fiscal policy, I want to first thank the gentleman for the way you raised the question and giving me an opportunity to share this provision with you. And if necessary, I will perhaps give myself additional time if you are not adequately satisfied. First of all, I think we all agree when 9/11 occurred and the World Trade Center was hit----

Mr. RANGEL. If you are going to restrict my response, the general explanation for what you ask is in the President's budget. He has supported it in his budget, and the Joint Committee advisory opinion has been superseded by the chairman of the committee, which is me, has been authorized in support of requests by a Republican mayor and a Republican Governor. Now, the answer to what you want is in the Department of Treasury report, 2008. If you don't want the details, then I yield back to you and I cannot answer any further.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra), a part of the Democratic leadership in the House, an outstanding member of the Ways and Means Committee, and I welcome his being recognized.

Mr. RANGEL. I would like to recognize for 2 minutes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I guess the Record should indicate that our failed energy policy is due to Hugo Chavez. I would like to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. Pascrell for 2 minutes. (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RANGEL. I would be glad to. And I would like to ask that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel) be recognized for 2 minutes.

Mr. RANGEL. At this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. RANGEL. I welcome the opportunity to recognize Mr. Van Hollen from Maryland for 3 minutes.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I join with the hundreds of thousands of Dominican residents of my congressional district and across our Nation to commemorate today, February 27th, the 164th anniversary of the Dominican Republic's Day of Independence. This celebration comes at the tail end of what has been a momentous Dominican Heritage Month. Dominican Heritage Month gave us the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the economic, cultural, and social contributions Dominican Americans have made to this great Nation. Dominicans living in our shores have been motivated by the value of hard work and the bonds of family--the same pillars of our society that has built this great Nation for over 230 years. It also gave us an opportunity to consider the many Dominican achievements, on the island and in the United States. Many of our hemisphere's first institutions were established on the shores of Quisqueya, including the first cathedral and the oldest university. Since the initial wave of Dominican migration in the 1960's to the most recent arrivals of today, Dominicans have worked hard to contribute to our national identity, educating us all on their culture and traditions and enriching the quality of our shared futures. Their contributions can also be found in every facet of U.S. life--from the many baseball stars in our national pastime, to fashion legend Oscar de la Renta to the thousands of professionals that do battle as soldiers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, educators, and public servants. This past year, the Dominican community and I shared the loss of our fallen soldier, Cpl. Juan Alcantara, who lost his life tragically on August 6, 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We also shared the grief of Hurricane Noel, the deadliest storm of the 2007 hurricane season, responsible for at least 140 deaths and the displacement of more than 80,000 people in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican people are known to triumph in the face of tragedy. They first began their campaign for the independence of the Dominican Republic in 1831 under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte, who formed a secret society named The Trinity. Thirteen years later, he succeeded in commanding a decisive uprising, which resulted in independence for the Dominican Republic. After the long and hard campaign for freedom had ended, a ceremonial musket shot fired on February 27, 1844 marked the Dominican Republic's first official Independence Day. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in marking this celebration of not just the independence and triumphs of the Dominican people, but also the invaluable impact that they have had on our Nation and the world.