Thomas Reynolds

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and in my closing remarks, I just want to remind my colleagues that this rule gives us the opportunity to have the debate on the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004. It extends family tax provisions through 2010, it provides assistance to military families in combat zones, it provides and extends relief from the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, through 2005, it creates a uniform definition of a child for tax purposes, and it extends 23 expiring tax provisions that end this year unless they are authorized in extension. Mr. Speaker, a ``yes'' vote today seizes on the momentum we have created towards a strong economy and sends a clear message that this Congress supports putting real dollars back where they belong, in the hands of hardworking men and women. A ``no'' vote simply prevents this needed relief from becoming a reality and denies our constituents the assistance they have earned. In other words, will provide a tax increase on them if this bill is not passed. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the rule and the underlying conference report.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I was incorrect when I mentioned in my opening remarks that the conference report included a provision suspending tax-exempt status of designated terrorist organizations. While it was included in an earlier version of the bill, that provision has already been signed into law under the Military Family Tax Relief Act and it was therefore unnecessary to include it in the Working Families Tax Relief Act. The text of the amendment previously referred to by Ms. Slaughter is as follows: Previous Question of H. Res. __ Rule on H.R. 1308--Child Tax Credit Conference Report Strike all after the resolved clause and insert: ``That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 1308) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to accelerate the increase in the refundability of the child tax credit, and for other purposes. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read. Sec. 2. (a) A concurrent resolution specified in subsection (b) is hereby adopted. (b) The concurrent resolution referred to in subsection (a) is a concurrent resolution (1) which has no preamble; (2) the title of which is as follows: ``Providing for Corrections to the Enrollment of the Conference Report on the bill H.R. 1308''; and (3) the text of which is as follows: Concurrent Resolution Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to take certain actions in the enrollment of H.R. 1308. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That, in the enrollment of the bill, H.R. 1308, the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall add at the end of the bill the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly):

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

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

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture for yielding me this time. I also appreciate the strong support of my concurrent resolution by both the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture today. Mr. Speaker, I am here to recognize the National Farm Safety and Health Week and to thank our farmers and ranchers nationwide for their hard work day in and day out. Over half the land in the United States is used for agricultural production; and without the work of our farmers and ranchers, our Nation and others around the world would not have the safe, stable supply of food and fiber that we enjoy today. In my home State of New York, agriculture is the number one industry, and I am proud to represent one of the largest agricultural areas in the State. In districts like mine all across this great land, farmers work long, hard hours and make tremendous sacrifices. They should be applauded for their efforts. Unfortunately, those long, hard hours are not risk-free. Sadly, there are hundreds of farm-related fatalities and thousands of injuries every year, and sadder still, many of these accidents could be prevented through increased awareness and better safety practices. The National Farm Safety and Health Week is a national effort to reduce the number of farming- and ranching-related deaths and injuries through educational and awareness initiatives. Helping educate our farmers and their families on necessary safety precautions is essential to ensuring the strong productivity of our agricultural sector. I would like to commend the National Safety Council for their leadership and continued work towards achieving these goals through the National Farm Safety and Health Week. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 770 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 770 is an open rule that provides for consideration of H.R. 5025, the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year ending September 30, 2005. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule also provides for 1 hour of general debate to be equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment by paragraph. Further, the rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. And, finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Appropriations had an extremely difficult task this year in funding the many needs of our Nation. They answered the call by diligently working to produce a bill that deals with our needs in a whole host of areas, including the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Treasury, along with the Postal Service and the Executive Office of the President. In total the bill provides $89.8 in total budgetary resources. This funding represents the commitment of this Congress to provide the necessary resources for programs and projects across the Nation. The bill provides close to $35 billion in highway spending, a boost of $1 billion over last year's guarantee. This amount fully funds the House- passed authorization level and will go a long ways towards constructing and improving highways and roads in our communities. Transit spending of over $7 billion includes over $1 billion for new fixed guideway systems. Amtrak is provided with $900 million, which is equal to the President's request. Included in this funding is $500 million for capital improvements and $60 million to ensure that important commuter operations continue. Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill also provides significant support for the Federal Aviation Administration with a total of $14 billion. This includes $3.5 billion for the Airport Improvement Program and $102 million for Essential Air Service. The total FAA funding also includes $9 million above the budget request in order to hire and train additional traffic controllers. From highways and transit programs to airports and the FAA, the underlying bill ensures that we have a reliable and stable transportation infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill also gives support to the Treasury Department, bringing their appropriation to over $11 billion. Included under the General Services Administration is over $90 million in funding for new border stations. This will not only enhance protection of our borders but also improve commercial efficiency. The bill also includes an increase of $2.8 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is tasked with implementing the Treasury Department's anti-money laundering regulations. Also included in the bill is considerable funding for support of national anti-drug efforts. The Office of National Drug Control Policy is provided with just over $468 million. Within that funding is assistance to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and full funding for the Drug-Free Communities program. This funding is essential to keep our children safe from drugs through education and community support. Mr. Speaker, there are many more vital programs funded in the appropriations bill that I have not mentioned but that I know will be highlighted in detail during our debate later today. I would like to commend the chairman and ranking member of both the full Committee on Appropriations and the subcommittee for their hard work on this extensive bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill and the underlying rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I looked over the transcript from last year and noticed how similar the debate is coming from my colleague, as the presentation was: we have to keep spending more money. There is not a district or a State or, quite frankly, a region of the country that does not feel that there is more need in transportation appropriations, whether it be this or from the trust fund; but the reality is, it becomes a time to look at working within a budget, working within the allocations. I also want to remind my colleague that while the Committee on Rules is a traffic cop, deciding many things that comes before the Congress as it comes from committees to the floor, we have to be a little careful of just how much legislating we do on appropriations bills. I do not have to remind my colleague that there was a great deal of legislating on the appropriations bills via the amendments offered before the Committee on Rules today, thus making a decision not to make them in order, as they were not germane; and also there becomes the subject of looking at paying for some of this by raising taxes. Now, I look at the fact that there is a tax cut on the books and it is the law of the land, and that is the rate and what people are going to pay. Every time we want to add something by taking it from the tax cut, we are raising taxes. I think the Committee on Rules, at least on the Republican side of the aisle, did not want to get into raising taxes. So, Mr. Speaker, this is not an easy budget. The entire 13 appropriations bills and the transportation bill is no easier than the others that we have moved before us or a few that we have to complete our work on. But the fact is, the Committee on Appropriations has worked hard. They have worked under the allocations that they had available, and we should always be on the lookout for an opportunity where we can provide assistance in transportation needs as money becomes available. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I was listening to my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern). I know that he is an expert on rules and rules policy. That is, with an open rule, any Member can offer any germane amendment to change however they want this transportation and postal bill. So as we bring the rule, which is an open rule, to the body and the House makes its decisions of passing the rule, it allows us to get into the debate on the appropriations report. That certainly allows, under an open rule, any germane amendment to be offered that any Member chooses, and I know we will have many. This bill always has a tremendous amount of amendments to it. So I look forward to the debate and the votes as they come, and I am sure there will be many where individual Members will offer amendments that they deem are important for consideration here; and if they are germane, they will be entertained by the House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, the Committee on Rules has to sort it all out. I suppose each of us would like our own personal waiver of something that we would like to add into this appropriations bill, whether it is our favorite road, our favorite bridge, our favorite railroad station or track or some other aspect, or ports or harbors or whatever else we can stick in the bill. The reality is that we have a budget. We have 302(b) allocations to 13 appropriations bills, and we have some tough work to do. Our appropriators on this subcommittee have done their job, and they have brought the bill here. It is now, as we consider it under an open rule on the appropriations bill, one that will come to the floor so that any Member can provide any amendment they so desire that is germane to this bill for consideration, and that becomes the process of a decision of whether 218 Members of this body decide in favor of that amendment or not. It is not up to the Committee on Rules to sort through each and every personal agenda item that may come up through the rules hearings for deliberation. This is a fair and open rule that is before this House for decisions today and as long as it takes to complete this appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to make sure that there was no question in my comments earlier as the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) brought forth some thought. I believe it is for the Committee on Rules to listen to each and every Member on its amendments. What I said was that the Committee on Rules, that it was not responsible and necessary to give every member a waiver on everything they wanted as they came up there, which you well know. A couple of things that become important also while I listen to both the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations as well as the minority member managing this rule, and that is that appropriations has a very unique aspect here. They can move privileged measures right to the floor without any rule. Now, I know the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations knows that because last year the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies came through exactly that way, as a privileged measure that was regular order and never had a rule, and it came right to the floor as they have that opportunity here in the House of Representatives. In fact, as we look at this bill, this bill started with the aspect that the Committee on Appropriations was going to move it to the floor as a privileged measure that would not require a rule at all. And it was also, as I understand, that the Committee on Appropriations did not want to accommodate waivers, they did not want waivers on this bill, so they elected that the Committee on Rules would come to play, make its decisions and bring the bill to the floor without those waivers under an open rule where every single Member of this body can introduce any germane amendment he or she so desires. And that is what will happen today if this rule is passed and we are able to move on to the appropriations matter. When we look at the discussion, and there is a debate. I remember when we had a discussion saying I want to add back all this stuff and I want to raise taxes to do it, as the minority ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations brought a measure before this House. I respect his ability to bring that amendment. I also think we were fortunate that it was defeated so we did not raise taxes on the American people. But the fact is there was the opportunity to have that vote after the debate and the decision was not to raise taxes. I accept those in the minority who want to raise taxes to spend. It is a fact of life over some of the policies that this body had when the other party was in power. But the fact is that we are holding the line on spending. We are making difficult choices. And today as we move this appropriations bill to the floor, it gives everyone ample opportunity to amend it with germane amendments how they see fit. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I must recall it has only been about a half hour when I listened to my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), who brought his viewpoint to the floor that said there is not enough money in this thing because there was a tax cut and, therefore, we have got to increase taxes in order to have more money to spend. And so while I did not necessarily hear that from the gentleman today, the ranking member led the debate on increasing taxes so we could put more stuff back into programs that you put forth in a line by line fashion that you wanted back from money. That was not today but you certainly brought that forth and it was something that you very much wanted to bring forth and we have accommodated that opportunity. But today the Member managing this rule on the minority side did bring forth the fact that he did not see the goals of what he wanted to see in a transportation bill because the tax cut did not allow him to have that. Again, I want to remind my colleagues that we have ample opportunity for every Member to offer whatever amendment they want that is germane to this bill; and I am sure we will see many of those in the forthcoming hours on this Committee on Appropriations item. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is no question when we look at our infrastructure and our roads and bridges and our transit systems and our ports and our airports, there is always an additional need for money. That is why we have invested so much as what we have done in our trust funds as well as annual appropriations. But there also comes a time where you cannot just keep taxing and spending on the aspect of wanting to provide a big government to the entire country on every single item, every single day. It requires some of the tough looks of where we have to hold some line item spending. It comes to looking at a budget, and 302(b) allocations that set forth those tough decisions that both the appropriators and then this body have to do. Just as the difficulty that everyone knows we have in bringing forth the final solution for TEA-LU. If it was just an unlimited big spending picture of what some of the failed liberal policies of the 40 years before this majority came into power, I guess you could keep that tax and spending going. But the American people have also said a couple of things: One, we need to hold the line on spending. We need to hold the line on taxes, and we also need to look at making some of those tough decisions that we have today as this appropriations bill comes to the floor of the House after the vote on the rule. Mr. Speaker, I have said it time and time again, it is an open rule. It is one that gives every single member of this body an opportunity to bring any germane amendment to the floor for consideration on their amendments by this body, and I am sure upon the completion of the hard work that this body will do over the next several days on this bill we will get the best bill possible to bring forth as a completed appropriations bill that we have as a rule before us. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the cities and residents of Boston and New York City for their tremendous efforts in hosting this year's national political conventions. With two of the Nation's most historic and vibrant cities as their backdrops, the Democrat and Republican conventions were both great successes. Boston and New York have long been known as centers of culture, education, and heritage. After this summer's conventions, it is apparent why they are also recognized for their hospitality, charm, and warm spirit. As tens of thousands of delegates, elected officials, volunteers, and tourists converged on these great cities, countless others worked behind the scenes and on the front lines to make sure programs ran smoothly and safely. These individuals labored tirelessly, not just during the conventions but for several weeks prior, crossing every ``T'' and dotting every ``I.'' These events would not have been possible without the efforts of everyone involved. A special thanks to those at the city, State, and regional, as well as national, levels who coordinated and secured the safety of Boston and New York. This includes, of course, the city police and fire departments, the United States Secret Service, the United States Capitol Police, and numerous other agencies that coordinated protective services for both convention-goers and city residents alike. As the first political conventions held in the post-9/11 world, our police, firefighters, and first responders faced security risks never before envisioned. True to their great reputations, the respective agencies of New York and Boston exhibited consummate professionalism and ensured the safety and security of all those attending and visiting these greats cities. Those accolades extend as well to our Capitol Police and those Federal agencies that worked side by side with their brethren in New York and Boston to ensure a seamless coordination. Mr. Speaker, the cities of Boston and New York have long represented the freedoms and liberty that nurtured democracy in this country. Today, several hundred years later, one of the best enduring examples of these fundamental rights is the ability to participate in the political process. National political conventions provide a forum for this participation like no other. To all those who helped make the conventions possible, and to the gracious residents of Boston and New York, I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks on behalf of the House for helping to foster greater political participation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join me in expressing gratitude to the cities of Boston and New York.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 681 is a closed rule that provides for consideration of H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The rule provides one hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule further provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means, as modified by the amendment printed in the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended, and against its consideration. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, America's economy has taken its share of hits over the past several years. We had a triple shock of terrorist attacks, corporate scandals, and recession. But each time this economy was stricken, this administration and this Congress responded with action to move forward, to create jobs, and to spur economic growth. In fact, in just his first few months in office, after inheriting a slowing economy, President Bush and this Congress enacted a series of tax cuts that resulted in the shortest and shallowist recession in this Nation's history. Our work towards recovery has continued throughout its time and today real GDP growth has grown at its fastest rate in 20 years. More than 1.4 million jobs have been created. The unemployment rate is below the average level in each of the past 3 decades. Productivity has grown to the fastest 3-year rate in 40 years. Home ownership is at an all-time high and we have the highest number of total payroll employees in our history. In the particularly hard hit manufacturing sector we have seen the best 4-month period of job growth in 6 years and the manufacturing employment index was at its highest level since 1973. Even in my region of the country, which has traditionally lagged national recoveries, one prominent economic survey reported ``signs of a long awaited rebound in hiring demand were evident across most regions and industries, suggesting that the economic growth may soon begin to shift into a new higher gear.'' But our work is not done until every American looking for a job finds one, and that is why, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today on behalf of the American Jobs Creation Act by supporting this rule and underlying bill. The most recent data shows that employment remained strong last month, evidenced by the creation of 248,000 new jobs and continuing three quarters of a strong economic growth. Now it is time to seize on this momentum and continue to take steps to grow our economy, generate jobs, boost domestic manufacturing, and protect small businesses and farmers. As my colleagues well know, recent European sanctions on American exports are hurting our manufacturers and farmers to the tune of up to $4 billion a year. Tariffs currently stand at 8 percent and will increase a staggering 1 percent per month until FSC-ETI is repealed. These sanctions are increasing the price of U.S. goods sold outside the United States. They are reducing the exporting capability of multiple industries, and they are threatening the ability of our domestic country to create jobs here at home. We have the power to stop them now, and without our action many small businesses and other employers face financial ruin while their employees face their own job losses. But by repealing FSC-ETI through the underlying bill, this Congress will put an end to these sanctions and help yet again to put Americans to work. H.R. 4520 permanently reduces the corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 32 percent for domestic manufacturers, producers, farmers, and small corporations. This is yet another stimulant for job growth, encouraging production and manufacturing here at home, giving employers incentives to reinvest, expand and, most importantly, create new jobs in the United States. Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill also addresses a fundamental hurdle in realizing even bigger job growth, the double taxation of U.S.-based manufacturers. Our global counterparts currently share a significant advantage over the United States simply due to the onerous U.S. Tax Code. In reducing this double taxation faced by U.S.-based companies, we will greatly enhance their competitiveness and ability to sell American-made goods in the global market, all the while making it easier for them to create more jobs here in the United States. Last month the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index showed the twelfth straight reading above 50 percent and the seventh reading above 60 percent. Readings at this level indicate substantial expansions in manufacturing activity, which is more good news for manufacturing job creation. Mr. Speaker, another important part of H.R. 4520 is its relief for millions of small businesses and farmers from the Alternative Minimum Tax. Over the years this tax has burdened more and more middle-income Americans, a clearly unintended consequence. With the passage of the underlying bill today, this House will deliver much needed relief for millions of American farmers and small businesses. This relief will help keep individuals from sending exorbitant amounts of their hard- earned money to Uncle Sam and use it instead to create new jobs and new opportunities. Finally, H.R. 4520 makes it cheaper for existing businesses to increase their investment and for entrepreneurs to also expense their new ventures. The underlying bill includes provisions to promote investment in new equipment. Increased investment such as this provides significant stimulus to the economy and further aids in boosting job growth. Shipments of core capital goods, which is the category most directly linked to business investment, has continued to rise recently, and we can build on that progress. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Ways and Means has worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people and I would like to commend the chairman and committee members for their steadfast support of sound tax policy and job creation. We have the opportunity and responsibility to not only continue, but to accelerate the last 9 months of economic growth and job creation. We can do that today by passing the American Jobs Creation Act. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I spent a good deal of time doing the presentation, the fact that I think our economy is moving, that the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 is going to create more jobs across America; and I just want to make sure that my view of that is again on the record. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings), a distinguished member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 681 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the distinguished Committee on Ways and Means chairman. (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I sit here and I listen to some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle try to rewrite history. It was only 4 hours ago that we were in the Committee on Rules. We took testimony. Some of the Members who are the loudest critics on the floor today were not there. When I came to this Congress, I had served almost all of my entire career in the minority. I know what it is like to have to cough up a substitute and not be able to do it because of the diversity of the minority party in coming up with it. I did not see a substitute. It was awfully clear there was no substitute for the committee's consideration. Now there are a number of line-by-line amendments that were brought before the committee by the minority in rollcall votes. They are well recorded. There will be no document that says there was a substitute before the Committee on Rules.

Mr. REYNOLDS. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. REYNOLDS. None.

Mr. REYNOLDS. The amendments were brought before the committee. Again, there was no substitute. I did see a Rangel amendment that excluded all parts of the tax cuts and left the tobacco bill. Today this body, after this rule is passed, is going to have the opportunity to make a decision: Tax cuts and a competitive agenda, or the same old business as usual, drag it out, mess it up. Today, with H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, my colleagues are going to be able to end sanctions by repealing the FSC- ETI, compensating for lost benefits by permanently cutting corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers and producers and farmers and small corporations. It is going to provide a pro-growth tax incentive for manufacturers, small businesses and farmers to help create more American jobs, and it is going to enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-based companies engaging in exporting and/or manufacturing by greatly reducing double taxation. These companies receive more than 90 percent of the FSC-ETI benefits under the current law. Mr. Speaker, we talked about it a long time. Today we are going to have a vote up or down. America deserves this legislation because it is going to give everyone who wants a job an opportunity to get a job. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. announcement by the speaker pro tempore