Thomas Reynolds

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it's interesting in the debate, and many of us who spoke today and so many others that have come forward in years past have presented the history or the finger pointing or the direction of how we got to where we are. The important thing is that we know that we must produce a result, even if it's a 1-year patch. It has been admirable, as Chairman Rangel took over Ways and Means, a goal he had was to rid the AMT tax from the books. We need to work in a bipartisan fashion, I suspect, to reach that permanent goal. But as we banter some on PAYGO or pay not, or whether they are in or they are not, it reminds me to think as a Member who will not be going home to campaign, maybe I should spend a little time to see how many times we have waived PAYGO on this bill after we beat up the fact that we should do it, it's the right thing, it must happen. And then at the end of the day, we take the Republican version of not raising taxes. Quite frankly, I don't think we are borrowing money for the bill, we are just not raising taxes in order to prevent a tax increase, particularly one to the middle class which both parties so dearly want to preserve. So as we look to the reality of this year, I remind my colleagues, we have caution to get this bill matched with the other body so that we make law in order to send it to the President's desk to protect our middle class taxpayers. Last year 352 bipartisan Members of the House voted for the AMT extension that was not offset by devastating tax increases, just like this bill coming before us today. I urge my colleagues to do the same today by supporting this bill so it may be included in a comprehensive tax extenders package equal to the Senate version, or that the other body relinquishes their very clear, strong warning from their leader. Ignoring the other body's warning will not get this across the finish line. So I urge adoption of the resolution, and I thank Chairman Rangel and Chairman Neal for their efforts and work to get this before us today as we are in the final days of this legislative session. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, if I might inquire to the chairman if he has any other speakers, I am prepared to close.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, today is solution day. There have been times where I have come to the floor and indicated I was sad over the circumstances we were in. Today I am not sad. We are moving the result of legislation I have introduced since probably 2005, a 1-year patch that protects anyone else from getting trapped in the middle class of AMT and make sure that we do this patch. I don't believe, and most of the Members on my side of the aisle don't believe you need to raise taxes in order to pay for a tax cut on middle class Americans here. But I am bringing concern, not sadness, but concern, because Chairman Rangel and Chairman Neal have moved this legislation to the floor and that we, I hope, will pass this legislation, as we have in the past, with very strong bipartisan measure. But I don't take lightly a message from the leader of the other body on the closing days of this session that we make sure that we don't fall through the cracks, our version versus the Senate--the other body--version that could cause this to fall through the cracks and 25 million middle class Americans are trapped. So while we are looking to move this in the spirit of strong bipartisan support, it's indicative that the leadership of this body make sure that they full well know how we can get the mechanics with the other body to make this law as the President gets it to his desk. So the caution is we are not quite there yet because we have taken action today. While I like the version of the bill, we have taken our legislative prerogative and advanced it to have just this free-standing AMT bill. I support however we get the law signed, but I bring the caution that leadership in this House will have to work very closely with the Senate leadership of the other body to match a solution that's law so we don't put our 25 million Americans in the same harm's way of inaction that we have seen in other years past. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the ranking member of the Rules Committee, who has long been an expert on trade as well as tax issues that affect this body and the country, the gentleman from California, David Dreier. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee of Ways and Means. Mr. Neal has been a true leader in the goal of trying to get permanent repeal of AMT, and while it is something that we share, we have not yet reached a solution. So I find myself rising today on behalf of middle class families all across America in strong support of this bill. As my colleagues well know, I have fought year in and year out for the AMT patch, and I am disappointed that Congress has not addressed a permanent solution. Absent a long-term proposal, I think we have no choice but to once again pass a temporary 1-year fix. Without patch legislation, more than 25 million families will be hit by this stealth tax. This includes more than 21 million taxpayers who didn't owe AMT in 2007. If Congress does not act, each American affected by AMT will, on average, face a tax increase of almost $2,500. We delayed action for so long last year that 13.5 million taxpayers were forced to delay filing their returns. Because we did not act earlier this year, millions more have been hanging in the balance. We have an opportunity to end the uncertainty of the middle class that they have been facing all year long. Each Member of this House has the opportunity to live up to their responsibility and truly help the middle class trapped in this stealth tax that was so unintended for the middle class. Yesterday the other body passed their bipartisan tax extenders package. The Senate majority leader was as candid as I have ever heard him when he bluntly told the House, ``Don't send us back something else. We can't get it passed.'' He went on to make it clear that if we do, the important extenders we have all been working so hard to accomplish will die and we will have ``snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.'' In these difficult and uncertain economic times, we have an obligation to pass a bill that can be signed into law as quickly as possible to protect middle class Americans. While I believe our time today would be better spent moving a comprehensive tax extenders package, I am nonetheless pleased to see the majority put up a clean AMT bill before this House. I thank Chairman Rangel for his leadership on this legislation and Chairman Neal for his additional leadership as the Chair of the Subcommittee of Select Revenues. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my strong support for S.J. Res. 45, the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. As a Member who represents two critical natural resources, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, both part of the Great Lakes Basin, I believe this legislation is extremely timely and worthwhile to the long-term future of the Great Lakes. This bill will help address the needs of my community, as well as the many challenges that the Great Lakes Basin faces. It will have an impact on millions of gallons of freshwater, millions of people who use the Great Lakes for rest and relaxation, as well as thousands of jobs supported by the Great Lakes. By passing this resolution today, and ratifying the Great Lakes Compact, we have the power and ability to ensure this precious resource is protected for generations to come. The Compact, which has already been ratified by all eight states affected, outlines a concrete plan of action to provide for protection of the Great Lakes now, and in the future. This Compact is imperative in helping protect this national treasure for the millions of Americans who enjoy the Great Lakes. I am pleased that Congress chose not to run the risk of leaving the Great Lakes unprotected and at risk for our children and grandchildren. I would like to thank the Speaker for answering our call and moving this essential resolution right away. With the Senate having already passed this landmark legislation and the President indicating his support and willingness to sign it as soon as it gets to his desk, this is a historic day for the Members of the Great Lakes states from both sides of the aisle. It has been a pleasure working with a broad coalition of Members to ensure the long-term protection of the Great Lakes. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 615 I was inadvertently absent. As a representative of a Great Lakes State, a cosponsor of H.R. 6460, and a strong supporter of the Great Lakes Basin, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1275 honoring the life of Timothy John Russert, Jr. It has been just days since one of Buffalo's favorite sons was taken from us tragically, and suddenly. We have been touched by the makeshift memorial outside the NBC News bureau in Washington, DC, the flags flying at half-staff outside City Hall in Buffalo and Rockefeller Center in New York City, and the thousands who have come from all walks of life to visit the park right outside South Buffalo that bears the name of this giant of broadcast journalism. Tim and I walked similar beats, cutting our teeth in New York politics--the tricks of the trade Tim picked up working for the late great Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and former Gov. Mario Cuomo, he took with him to NBC, where he ended up the sparring partner of many a public official, including me. Every time we got together, Tim was tough, but fair--and at the end of the day, we were still two Buffalo guys who could talk shop about the Bills and the Sabres. Though we cannot begin to comprehend the reach of Tim Russert's legacy--we are still a community in mourning--we can say with great certainty that he has left an indelible mark on all of us. Thank you, Tim. Go Bills!

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a truly respected and dedicated public servant. Recently retired Justice William Waible has spent over 25 years serving as a town justice for the Town of Clarence. Justice Waible is a man of exemplary character who has given the people of Western New York gracious service not only in the courtroom, but in the community, as well. A graduate of the University of Rochester and Albany Law School, Justice Waible has been a town justice since 1982. He practiced law for over 40 years and has served as a Professor at Erie Community College for 21 years. Justice Waible has worked as a criminal and civil lawyer, an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, an Administration Hearing Officer for the Erie County Health Department, and as counsel to the Erie County Legislature. In the community, Justice Waible has been a member of many community organizations including the Clarence Lions Club, the Clarence Historical Society, the Clarence Concert Association, the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Liaison Committee, the Board of Directors of the Community Action Organization, the Friends of the Clarence Library, and the Council of Advisors at Villa Maria College. In addition to his involvement in various community organizations, Justice Waible has also coached children's soccer, softball and baseball. Justice Waible is, without a doubt, an asset to Western New York. The kind of commitment Justice Waible has made to his community is something rarely seen, and should be applauded. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Justice William Waible's remarkable contributions to the community, I ask this Honorable Body to join me in honoring him, in grateful appreciation for his extraordinary service to the people of Western New York.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a truly respected and dedicated public servant. Father Michael Zuffoletto who recently decided to retire, has not only served as a teacher and coach, but he has also served as a chaplain for our brave men and women of the United States Navy. Father Zuffoletto a native of Buffalo, New York has been, and will continue to be, an embodiment of compassion and virtue. Father Zuffoletto was ordained into the priesthood for the Diocese of Buffalo in 1972, and received his Masters in Educational Administration from Canisius College in 1979. He would go on to teach religious studies at local Catholic schools, and coach various sports teams. In 1984, Father Zuffoletto reported to Navy Chaplain School. Father Zuffoletto quickly began serving on tours of duty; in fact, Father Zuffoletto has served on over ten different tours throughout the world, including to the coast of Japan, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Arabian Gulf. Father Zuffoletto even served as chaplain for President George H.W. Bush during the 50th anniversary memorial of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a chaplain, Father Zuffoletto oversaw the religious and spiritual formation of thousands of service men and women as well as provided Mass and the sacraments all over the world. Of his many service awards, Father Zuffoletto is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Recently, Father Zuffoletto has also served as Chaplain General of the Navy Order of the United States, chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council 9486, the Italian Federation, and the John Paul II Foundation of Monterey. In his free time, Father Zuffoletto has served as an off-ice official for the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League and the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. Father Zuffoletto is remarkable, in every sense of the word, and has shown all of us the importance of true compassion, loyalty, and faith. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Father Michael Zuffoletto's tremendous contributions to our great nation, I ask this Honorable Body to join me in honoring him, in grateful appreciation for his extraordinary service to the people of Western New York and to the people of this country.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected and rising school, which is setting the standard for education in western New York. Pioneer Middle School, a member of the Pioneer Central School District in Yorkshire, NY, has recently been recognized as one of the ``Essential Elements: Schools to Watch''. Pioneer Middle School is 1 of only 2 schools in the State of New York to be recognized with this prestigious honor and 1 of only 47 schools recognized nationwide. The ``Essential Elements: Schools to Watch'' program was established to recognize and publicize effective schools that are committed to academic excellence, social equity, developmental responsiveness, and strong organization, structure, and process. Pioneer Middle School's achievement should be applauded and is especially significant since the school was once identified as a ``School in Need of Improvement'' by the New York State Department of Education in 2004. The school's quick turnaround and its vast improvement are a result of strong administrative leadership and the diligent work faculty and staff. Also the parents and most importantly, the students of Pioneer Middle School, deserve to be recognized for this outstanding accomplishment. Pioneer Middle School is not only a model for schools around western New York; it is a model for schools across the country, as well. Madam Speaker, in recognition of this school's tremendous improvement and its great recognition, I ask this honorable body to join me in honoring Pioneer Middle School, in grateful appreciation for its remarkable improvement and success as a top school in western New York.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected and dedicated legislator, a valued educator and community leader, and close confidante and dear friend who, for more than three decades, has dedicated her life and service to her neighbors in Western New York. State Senator Mary Lou Rath is one of the most respected legislators in our area--proof that elected service is a noble calling. Mary Lou has always been the voice of reason, and proved time and time again that her only agenda was to serve and fight for the people of Western New York. After spending 30 years in public service, Mary Lou announced recently that she will retire from the New York State Senate. She surely be missed, leaving behind a legacy of fighting for quality health care, serving as a champion for women across New York State, and taking on issues big and small that made a real difference in the lives of those she represented. Mary Lou was first elected to public office in 1977 as an Erie County Legislator and earned both the support of her constituents and the trust of her colleagues, who elevated her to the post of Republican Leader. In 1994, she became the first woman ever to serve the 61 st District in the New York State Senate. In the State Senate, Mary Lou earned a reputation as a hard working and compassionate representative. Mary Lou also earned a statewide reputation for her efforts to reform Medicaid and curtail the sky-rocketing costs of health care. Additionally, she worked hard to advance her smart growth initiatives, end domestic violence and ensure that all children have a quality education. In 1997, Mary Lou was inducted in the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute for a woman who has been such a positive role model and inspiration to women across New York. Not only did Mary Lou have a distinguished professional career, but along with her husband, the late Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Rath, Jr., raised a wonderful family in whom she instilled the values of public service. The name Rath not only invokes the best in public service, it is, in a word, iconic in our community. The County Office building bears the name of her father-in-law, Edward A. Rath, Erie County's first-ever chief executive. Her son, Edward A. Rath III, is the third generation of family public servants, a member of the Erie County Legislature, elected to a seat once held by his mother. Despite all her achievements in public life, I know from my long friendship with the Rath family that Mary Lou's greatest accomplishment is her loving family, her children Allison, Melinda, and Ed, and her eight grandchildren. She is very deserving of the honor she will receive from the YWCA on May 10th, 2008 for her contributions to Batavia and Genesee County. Madam Speaker, in recognition of her tremendous service of more than 30 years, for her leadership, dedication and lasting legacy she leaves, I ask this Honorable Body to join me in honoring my friend and colleague, New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath, in grateful appreciation for her distinguished career and devoted service to the people of Western New York.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished senior member of the Republican side of Ways and Means, Wally Herger of California.

Mr. REYNOLDS. I yield 1 additional minute to the gentleman from Nebraska.

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

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the debate continues from the Ways and Means portion of the housing bill, I believe the ranking member has set very clear remarks on where many of us find ourselves with this debate today. Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery have a superb working relationship, and they have set the tenor of what has been hard work on both sides of the aisle and bipartisan compromise and consensus to craft some good legislation that has passed this body and has become law. And as I manage this portion for the minority and look across to my colleague from Massachusetts, he and I also share in commonsense solutions to strengthen America and to resolve some of the problems and challenges that are there. And this bill is not an exception to that. We worked at the spirit of request of both the Chair and ranking member to reach compromise and consensus to improve the Ways and Means jurisdiction on housing. And I look at it with sadness in two parts. One, as a realtor who looks at the industry, knowing across the country that we face challenges, and the statistics that Ranking Member McCrery outlined, 680,000 fewer starts, a reduction in high percentages of what the industry is about, seeing what the drag has been on our country's growth. And we need to work through good, solid solutions that need a hearing process that involve the Congress, particularly this body, in a debate of solution. And when we look at the entire complexity of this bill, not only as a Ways and Means member, not only as someone who understands the housing world, but also as a former member of the Rules Committee, I know that the Members of this body were trampled on based on the decision of taking an energy bill and making the housing provisions, one of the challenges of the country today, short-circuited as an amendment to circumvent debate, amendments, recommittals, and substitutes that would be afforded the minority in any other instance. And as I look at this and the frustration I heard in the ranking member's message of what is being trampled on on rights of the minority to make presentations, quite frankly, maybe some majority Members on amendments, recommittal, and substitute, I find it disturbing that this is the beginning of strong trends of kind of a less than reasonable approach to advance legislation through this body. And in the final thoughts, as we look at the predicament we're in on procedural processes here and maybe the fact that we could have made this bill even better, I must share with my colleagues that there is a clear veto message on this legislation as it leaves the House and it will unlikely be the solution of the land. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee and a leading expert on this issue.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, first, I guess I will ask the gentleman if he has any other speakers. I am prepared to close and yield back the balance of my time. With that, Mr. Speaker, I think, again, for our colleagues it is important to understand some of what has happened that the minority feels that their rights have been trampled in what has been a very unusual decision on a major piece of legislation, housing. It is certainly a significant piece of legislation because the Rules Committee granted 3 hours of debate by various jurisdictions. So it certainly sends a signal to all observers that this is serious. It warrants debate. And it is now before the House. But I want to remind my colleagues that this is not a bill that has gone regular order. There is a Senate bill that is energy that has come over to the House. And we have now amended it entirely with a housing amendment. And so this is an amendment to an existing Senate bill to circumvent all of the regular order process that the House enjoys and has had speakers of both parties affirm this should be the action of how we debate great issues of the day. This body is really infamous for acronyms. So today I call this the SSAD Amendment, or the Sorry Sick Amendment Decision. It is sad because the bipartisan work that was done in the Ways and Means Committee outlined by many from the Ways and Means Committee is not being worked through a process so that bipartisanship and the ability to have the entire body debate its work that came from committee. It is sad that the bipartisan work was trampled in the Rules Committee by this decision to slickly move around the mechanism of regular order in our House. It is sad that there is no substitute. It is sad that there is no recommittal. It is sad that what makes it a procedure so unusual and so frustrating is the House never had a chance to work its will on housing legislation. In fact, as I said, the housing bill sent back to the House by the Senate was an energy bill. When it first passed the House, it had nothing to do with housing. And it is sad that a procedural straitjacket has been used in order to garner the type of votes that the majority wants to put before the House today. Finally, it is just plain sad that the bipartisan work of the Ways and Means Committee is joined up by the Rules Committee with the Frank housing bill, because it has been clear that senior advisers to the White House will recommend the President veto the work of the Ways and Means Committee. So as we debate one of the significant issues that many feel should be debated in the House, it is a sad day how we have approached to do it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS

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

Mr. REYNOLDS. One more time.