Laura Richardson

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. I am convinced that President Obama does care, but today, I am here to talk about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Regarding that act, I think it's important to note that this amendment is not simply a blanket exemption; rather, it deals with the time when unemployment exceeds 6 percent. For those American people-- many of whom I represent, who have struggled through no fault of their own to be able to gain employment--this is a significant exemption that is needed. Madam Chairwoman, when we look at the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, it passed this body in Congress; it passed the body in the Senate; it was signed into law; and now it has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. Health care reform is finally here to stay, and the time has come for us to commit ourselves and our attention and our efforts in this Congress to wholeheartedly supporting its enactment. Where changes and revisions and improvements need to be made, we have an opportunity to do so. The Richardson amendment I bring forward today does not obligate additional funds to address health care reform. It would simply give the Federal Government the freedom--the freedom that we all believe in--to pursue all available options in the future, especially in the greatest times of need. My amendment ensures that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is implemented without adding time and cost-consuming procedural burdens. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Richardson amendment No. 8 and to reaffirm this Nation's commitment to providing the basic necessity. Certainly, I think that equates to the level of the right to the pursuit of happiness, which is what America was built on. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Chairwoman, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. RICHARDSON. I would like to extend a thanks to Chairman Smith and to Ranking Member Conyers for having their hard work brought to fruition here with this legislation. Madam Chairwoman, the Richardson amendment would allow the government to take significant regulatory action if and when the monthly national unemployment rate is above 6 percent, thereby allowing for the action and proper implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The sponsors of H.R. 4078 suggest the legislation will promote job growth. I argue that the Affordable Care Act, when fully implemented, will promote job growth, support economic growth and spur deficit reduction in our economy in terms of the deficit that we currently are experiencing. My amendment is intended to ensure that adequate health care through the Affordable Care Act can be fully implemented. Because so many Americans rely on their employers to have access to health care, high levels of unemployment can leave many of our U.S. citizens uninsured and underinsured. When the monthly unemployment rate is above 6 percent, something this Nation has unfortunately incurred for approximately 2 years now, that is the very time, I would argue, that our government was created to assist U.S. citizens and all of those who obviously need health care. A strong economy needs healthy workers. There is a common and persistent misconception that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will pose an undue burden on small businesses and will limit job creation, but this is absolutely untrue. Rather, the Affordable Care Act offers $40 billion in tax credits for small businesses to help pay for employee health insurance coverage. In 2011, this tax credit was used to pay for the coverage of over 2 million uninsured Americans. In my home district, the 37th Congressional District of California, 510 small businesses have already received this tax credit to maintain or expand the health insurance coverage for their employees. The Affordable Care Act also establishes health insurance exchanges in which small business owners and employees can pool their buying power to shop for affordable plans. Beginning in 2014, all the plans offered in these exchanges will have guaranteed sets of minimum benefits to ensure that small businesses are not faced with gaps in coverage or fine print restrictions, which are documented problems that have plagued recipients in the past. Despite the unfounded claims that this bill will raise taxes for everyday Americans, the Affordable Care Act will bring a significant and immediate savings to the middle class at a time when we need it most. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 5856, Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013. H.R. 5856 provides $519.2 billion for the base budget of the Defense Department in fiscal year 2013 which is $3.1 billion above the President's request and $1.1 billion above the fiscal year 2012 level. In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations bill provides $88.5 billion in fiscal year 2013 contingency funding for ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, at the President's request and $26.6 billion below the fiscal year 2012 level. The contingency funding being $26.6 billion below the fiscal year 2012 level reflects the continued drawdown of U.S. activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. I support this bill for three reasons: (1) Provides all service members a pay raise of 1.7 percent, the level included in the President's request; (2) Provides $33.9 billion, $334 million above the President's request, for Defense health care programs for our troops, their families, and retirees; and (3) Provides $1.6 billion for measures to counter improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. I would like to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks for ensuring that there were no reductions in the number of C-17s that are in use by our Armed Services in the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations bill. The C-17 is the Air Force's premier strategic transport aircraft and remains the military's most reliable and capable airlift aircraft. The C-17 has proven capable of delivering more cargo, troops, and non-war humanitarian missions than any other aircraft. The C-17 delivered needed relief supplies and search and rescue teams immediately in the aftermath of the destruction in Japan. The C-17 also delivered over 10,005 tons of disaster relief supplies and carried 13,812 passengers in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. Mr. Chair, in my remaining time let me briefly highlight additional key provisions. This legislation provides increased funding of $246 million for cancer research, $245 million for medical facility and equipment upgrades, $125 million for Traumatic Brain Injury and psychological health research, and $20 million for suicide prevention outreach programs. Also, provides $2.3 billion for family support and advocacy programs. This bill provides $181 million in additional funds not requested by the President to keep open production lines for the M-1 Abrams tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. As our nation goes through an Armed Forces reduction, protecting critical industries such as U.S. combat vehicle is imperative. Maintaining a modest and continuous Abrams production line is necessary to persevering superior battlefield capabilities. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey said, ``capability is more important than size.'' I agree. In April, I signed onto a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressing that sentiment. H.R. 5856 maintains our military superiority by continuing the research and development of current and future military equipment. This bill provides $5.9 billion for procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Provides $2.6 billion for procurement of modified F-18 Super Hornets, which is $562 million and 11 aircraft more than the President's request. Also, provides $1.8 billion to develop the KC-46A, the Air Force's next-generation aerial refueling aircraft. This bill also provides $250 million above the President's request for the Rapid Innovation Fund. This will continue the efforts started by the Armed Services Committee in fiscal year 2011 to promote innovative research in defense technologies among small businesses. H.R. 5856 includes $519 million for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, known as Nunn-Lugar, to assist in the denuclearization and demilitarization of the states of the former Soviet Union. Finally, let me note my opposition to a number of provisions in this bill. This bill provides no funding for the Medium Extended Air Defense Systems (MEADS) program, which is a joint U.S.-German-Italian effort planned to replace Hawk and Patriot systems worldwide by 2018. Provides $118 million less than the President request for necessary F-22 warplane modifications. Reduces the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF) by $224 million from the fiscal year 2013 budget. Mr. Chair, this bill is based upon a $1.028 trillion discretionary spending cap for fiscal year 2013, which is $19 billion below the $1.047 trillion discretionary spending cap agreed to in the bipartisan Budget Control Act. With my colleagues across the aisle squeezing our discretionary spending, they are hampering our ability to support many key national security priorities. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support and join me in voting for the bill on final passage.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, again, I just want to conclude with saying that I both acknowledge and appreciate the leadership by both Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey; look forward to working with them on this and many other issues; and I'm grateful for their willingness to consider the rightfulness of this amendment. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, my staff and I have had the opportunity earlier today to discuss this amendment with Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member Markey and their staffs, so I'll be brief. The Richardson amendment improves the bill by amending section 8 to explicitly require the Secretary of the Interior to consult the California Governor and the State legislature before leasing any areas off the coast of California. My amendment codifies in the bill existing law, practice, and custom. In short, the Richardson amendment extends to California the same consideration that the bill's drafters afforded the State of South Carolina. The State of California has within its borders more than two- thirds of the Nation's Pacific coastline, a far greater percentage than South Carolina has with respect to the Atlantic coastline. California's coastline is an international treasure, and our State's residents should have input on drilling off our shores. Offshore drilling along the California coastline should thoroughly consider impacts to tourism, fisheries, coastal recreation, and of course the economy and its benefits. That is why it's reasonable and necessary that the people of California, through their chief elected officials, be consulted by the Secretary of the Interior on the subject of offshore drilling off the California coast. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to acknowledge the leadership and expertise and willingness of Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey for working with me on the Richardson amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Native American Caucus and co-sponsor, I rise today in support of H.R. 2362, ``The Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstrations Project Act of 2011.'' This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to select up to six Indian tribes or consortia of Indian tribes to participate in an Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project that facilitates trade and financial investment in Indian tribal economies by private entities from Turkey. Tribes selected for the program are to develop their own guidelines for leasing land and services to both foreign and domestic companies for economic development purposes. This act requires that the Secretary of Interior approve land leasing guidelines only once, reducing current multi-layer prohibitive land leasing laws. H.R. 2362 is a demonstration project, and if successful it would be expanded. This bill has been amended to expand the period of the demonstration project from one to three years to allow reasonable time for Tribes to draft leasing regulations, attain approval by the Secretary of Interior, and enter into a lease. Economic development on tribal lands is hampered by a restrictive and archaic leasing system that requires applications to go through multiple levels of review and can sometimes take up to six years. Examples of projects delayed by this application process: Round Valley Indian Housing Authority has been waiting for nine years for BIA to process a lease for a large housing project. In 2006, the Swinomish made a deal with Wal-Mart to build a store on the reservation. The BIA regional office sat on the lease for two years and Wal-Mart pulled out of the deal after the 2008 financial crisis. During a hearing on the bill held in the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, a tribal witness explained that Turkey has a long track record of promoting good relations and trade between its private business community and Indian tribes in the United States. The intent of the bill is to further such relations to increase private business development in Indian Country where economic diversification is greatly needed. This bill also allows all 155 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) an equal opportunity to invest in Indian tribal economies. Mr. Speaker, the major purpose and dominant aim of this bill is to promote economic development is Indian Country and not to reward or show favoritism to Turkey. The reason Turkey is directly recognized in this legislation is to acknowledge its helpful role in developing this bill. Mr. Speaker, Native Americans suffer from the highest unemployment and social illness rates reported in the United States. This legislation will be the first step to ameliorating those ailments and begin to diversify Indian Country. That is why this legislation is strongly supported by the National Congress of American Indians and the National American Indian Housing Council two of the nation's leading advocacy organizations on behalf of Native Americans. I will continue support legislation that invests in our economy and our Indian tribes. I urge my colleagues to support this demonstration so that we can expand this much needed project.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the tireless service and dedication of one of my own constituents, Ms. Beatrice Beiler. Ms. Beiler has been an essential part of the Long Beach foster care program for over 20 years and has a truly inspirational story. Upon retiring from Hughes Aircraft in 1992, rather than living the life of leisure that many retirees do, Ms. Beiler chose to be of service. Coming from a big family herself, she has always been very family oriented and it is this experience that opened her mind to the idea to giving back through foster care. Her caring spirit and giving nature instilled Ms. Beiler with a heart that is able to see the needs of others and immediately try to fulfill those needs. When Ms. Beiler found out that there was a shortage of foster homes able to house multiples of siblings of two or more, she volunteered her home to foster children siblings without hesitation. As a result, she helped many children to avoid damaging transitions by helping them to stay together and maintain a sense of family in spite of the turmoil that led to their entry into the foster care system. In California there are over 80,000 children in the foster care system, the majority of whom are placed there as a result of parental abuse or neglect. As a member of the Congressional Caucus of Foster Youth I am particularly impressed by the service that Ms. Beiler has done for my community and the many families and children she has helped to reunite. Through her work, many children have had the opportunity to grow up in a safe and loving environment that they might not have otherwise had. Ms. Beiler has been able to help many foster children succeed despite their painful pasts. Children like Kelsey, a foster child Ms. Beiler has raised since she was just 8 months old until the age of 17, find not only shelter but also love and nurture while in the care of Ms. Beiler. She has seen students go from struggling to stay in school to making straight A's. She has watched many go from dire situations to reunification with their families. It is stories like these that fuel her passion to continue to reach out to anyone whose life she can change for the better. Along with her dedication to the foster care system, Ms. Beiler has also opened a daycare facility to continue to be able to help parents and children in need. It is her mission to touch as many hearts and lives as she can. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Beiler is the type of woman we should all look to emulate. She is selflessly committed and graciously generous with her time, her money, her home, and her love. It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity recognize the hard work and dedication of this unsung hero.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the anniversary of the first Women's Rights Convention in history, held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This groundbreaking convention spanned two days and six sessions, and is considered by many to mark the beginning of the Women's Suffrage Movement in America. The Seneca Falls Convention was attended by such important figures as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Frederick Douglass. It was there that these luminaries mapped out the strategy to liberate and empower future generations to come. It was there that these women debated Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments, regarded by Frederick Douglass as the ``grand basis for attaining the civil, social, political, and religious rights of women.'' Since the launch of the first wave of political activism at the Seneca Falls convention, women's rights activists have fought tirelessly for equality and independence and have vigilantly guarded and protected these hard won gains. From 1848-1895, states passed laws that extensively expanded the property rights of married women. And in 1920, women finally earned the right to vote. In the 1960s, the second wave of political activism brought an expansion of the successes in the fight against gender inequality with the inclusion of workplace and reproductive rights. The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, followed a year later by the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The 1965 Supreme Court ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut struck down state law banning the use of contraception. And in 1973 Roe v. Wade granted women the right to privacy and to make their own decision to have an abortion. The passage of landmark Title IX in 1972 mandated equal opportunities for women in higher education. In 2009, President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to reset the 180-day statute of limitations on equal pay lawsuits every time a discriminatory paycheck is issued. These victories over the last 164 years were possible because of the foundation laid out by the historic Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention. But, unfortunately Mr. Speaker, despite all of these achievements, there is still a substantial amount of work to do. I have witnessed, over the last few years, efforts by my colleagues across the aisle begin to roll back many of these hard won rights. We have seen the attempt to strip women of their reproductive rights and of their right to choose. We have seen attempts to strip funding for family planning programs. We have seen attempts to redefine rape, in a way that turns the innocent into an ``accuser'' rather than a victim. Let us not allow the 72-year struggle for women's suffrage, and the 164-year battle for women's rights to be in vain. We must resist and defeat those who would wage war on women. Let us not allow a War on Women to continue to permit violence against women, workplace discrimination, and disparate wages. Women, indeed, and all Americans must stand for what is right and honor our Nation's maxim of freedom and liberty for all. We must remember the Seneca Falls Convention and fight for the principle of equality that serves as the foundation of our great Nation.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and also Ranking Member Dicks. With that, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Berg

Ms. RICHARDSON. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I thank the gentleman for his response, his leadership, and his commitment on this issue

Ms. RICHARDSON. I would like to engage in a colloquy. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks for including language in the conference report that recognizes the importance of increasing the fair opportunity for numbers of women and minorities in officer positions and within the Special Operations Forces. Minorities and women to have an opportunity to fairly compete--and I stress, ``compete''--are often underrepresented in the leadership ranks within our Armed Services. African Americans account for 12 percent of the U.S. population but represent just 8 percent of Active Duty officers. Likewise, when it comes to Hispanic Americans, it's even worse. Hispanics make up 15 percent of the U.S. population but number only 5 percent of the officer corps. While the number of women in officer positions has seen increases, there is still a lack of women in top officer positions. In 2009, there were 40 individuals who held the highest rank in our Armed Services. Mr. Chairman, do you know how many of those were women? I'm sad to say, just 1 out of 40. This shows that there is considerable room for improvement. Having served on the Transportation Committee with Mr. Cummings, much work was done on the Coast Guard side, but really should be equalled throughout the Armed Forces. I was planning on offering an amendment to the Defense appropriations bill that would make it explicit that it is the sense of Congress that efforts should be made to increase the number of women and minorities in officer positions, but it would be subject to a point of order. However, I've worked with Chairman Young and his staff that going forward we would continue to look at ways to increase women and minorities within the leadership ranks and to give them an opportunity again to compete for fair positions. Chairman Young, will you continue to work with me on this very important issue? And I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I would like to thank Chairman Young and also Ranking Member Dicks for their response and their commitment to this program. Yes, in fact, we have been utilizing foreign sales, and given the current occupations in this country, we stand ready to continue to build them to protect this country. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. RICHARDSON. I would like to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks for ensuring that this legislation, the fiscal year 2013 Defense appropriations bill, would not include any reductions in the number of C-17s that are used and serviced by our armed services. The C-17 is the Air Force's premier strategic transport aircraft, and it remains the military's most reliable and capable airlift aircraft. The C-17 flies more than 80 percent of all U.S. airlift missions while comprising only 60 percent of the airlift fleet. The C-17 has proven capable of delivering more cargo, troops, and non-war humanitarian missions than any other aircraft that we have. Mr. Chairman, this aircraft was instrumental in saving lives during the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last year. In addition to that, it was instrumental in aiding in the humanitarian efforts that I witnessed personally in Samoa. Some of the other missions include the delivery of 10,005 tons of disaster relief supplies and the carrying of 13,812 passengers in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. In 2009, I worked with Congressman Eni Faleomavaega to help get disaster relief supplies to American Samoa after an earthquake and tsunami that ravaged that island. The 10-day relief mission was conducted with the C-17 aircraft. The C-17 provides rapid-response capability for relief missions anywhere in the world, including--but not limited to--serving those who serve us. Mr. Chairman, in addition to these humanitarian efforts, the C-17 leads in providing positive economic benefits to our country. The C-17 is built in Long Beach, California, which I happen to have the privilege to represent with my colleague Mr. Rohrabacher. The production of the C-17 is responsible for over 13,000 jobs in California, and it provides $2 billion in economic benefit. Nationally, the production of the C-17 has suppliers in 44 States, all of which we represent here. It supports more than 30,000 jobs and has an $8.4 billion economic impact. While we are looking for ways to rein in spending, the C-17 remains critical to our national security, to our humanitarian relief missions, and to our economy. My effort today is to make sure that we have an adequate number of C-17s that are available, serviced and maintained for our Armed Forces. Will the chairman and ranking member continue to work with me to ensure that there is a sufficient and well-maintained fleet of our C- 17s in our armed services?

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word in order to engage in a colloquy.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of Willis Edwards who died on July 15, 2012, after waging a valiant battle against cancer. He was 66. For more than forty years, Willis Edwards served his community and the nation as a soldier in Vietnam, as an academic support specialist at the University of Southern California, as a civil rights activist and community organizer, as the long-time president of the Hollywood/Beverly Hills Chapter of the NAACP, and a trusted advisor to presidential candidates. Born in Texas in 1946, Mr. Edwards was raised in Palm Springs and attended California State University at Los Angeles, where he was elected the first African American student body president in the school's history. After graduation Mr. Edwards was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam where he was awarded a Bronze Star. Upon his honorable discharge, Mr. Edwards served as Director of Black Student Services at USC. Mr. Edwards' political activism in national politics began with Robert F. Kennedy's historic 1968 presidential campaign. Through his dealings with the Democratic Party, he became a supporter and friend of Los Angeles' first black mayor, Tom Bradley, who later appointed him to the city's Social Service Commission in 1973. In 1982 Mr. Edwards was elected president of the NAACP's Beverly Hills/Hollywood branch. He played a major part in getting the group's Image Awards, a gala that honored African Americans who worked in front of and behind the camera in Hollywood, televised on NBC. He also played a leading role in Reverend Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign. Mr. Edwards played a major role in securing national honors for Rosa Parks; friends say that was his proudest accomplishment. He helped to arrange for the civil rights hero to be seated next to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during the 1999 State of the Union address. He also helped secure for her the Congressional Gold Medal, and for her casket to lie in repose in the Rotunda of the Capitol. It is easy to forget that among all Mr. Edwards accomplishments in the civil rights and political arenas, he was also battling a very personal struggle with HIV. The disease nearly took his life 15 years ago, but he miraculously recovered with the help of new drugs. In a 2001 speech to the NAACP he went public about his experience living with HIV. He helped to tear down barriers in order to have a frank conversation about the disease within the African American Community, where it was still regarded as a taboo subject by many. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Willis Edwards, this country has lost a great man and leader. My home state of California and county of Los Angeles has lost a champion and fighter for civil rights and equal opportunity. I have lost a dear friend. I ask a moment of silence to honor the memory of Willis Edwards.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of a truly inspirational woman, Kay Calas. Kay was a resident of Carson for over seven decades, and helped the area evolve into a large and diverse city with a thriving business community. Shortly after moving to Carson in 1940 with her oldest son Chuck Thonney she met her husband, John Calas. Together they had four sons and were active members of the Carson community. He went on to found the Carson Chamber of Commerce, help the city incorporate in 1968 and finally was elected to the City Council in 1972. Only three years later Mr. Calas passed away. The city saw something special in Kay, and 1,400 residents signed a petition urging the council to appoint her to the seat for the remainder of his term. Although the effort was unsuccessful she ran in the next election, and won. She won the next seven elections as well, before retiring in 2005. Throughout scandal and corruption in the city's government, Kay could always be looked to as the beacon of righteousness. Although many of her colleagues were brought down from these scandals, not once was she affected. Kay's life was dedicated to her sons and the city she loved so much. She had a particular passion for senior citizen's rights and the fine arts. There were instances where she would pay for a senior's hearing aid if the insurance would not cover it, and every year she paid the travel expenses to bring 3,000 school children to The Carson Symphony Orchestra. Her political rivals had great respect for her as well, stating that although they disagreed on legislative issues, they knew Kay was always trying to help the city and residents of Carson. Kay Calas was an innovative and visionary woman. As a woman in Congress I can appreciate what it takes to break into a traditionally male oriented world, and being elected in the seventies to public office is all the more impressive. She was an ideal role model for the young women of Carson, and her presence will be sorely missed.

Ms. RICHARDSON

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Administration for the immediate executive actions that will accelerate our nation's small business growth. There are 28.6 million small businesses in the U.S. and small businesses create two out of every three jobs in the country. In the state of California small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the state's 16 million workers and represent 90% of job growth for high-paying jobs. The statistics are clear, small businesses are the key to economic recovery and continued growth. Ameliorating the burdens of small businesses stabilizes uncertainty and encourages critical job growth. Five of these initiatives are immediate executive actions that will accelerate Federal payments, reduce paperwork, and make it easier for small firms to access loans and tax credits, and one is a legislative proposal to raise the amount of investment small businesses can expense next year. Mr. Speaker, let me briefly highlight some of the key initiatives: (1) Accelerate payments to small business subcontractors: Through the Office of Management and Budget, agencies will be directed to make contract payments along an accelerated timeline to all prime contractors for the next year (typically 15 days after receipt of proper documentation, as opposed to 30 days), with the understanding that those prime contractors will similarly accelerate payments to their small business subcontractors. (2) Announce support for Section 179 expensing at $250,000 for one year: President Obama is calling on Congress to write legislation to allow small businesses to write off up to $250,000 in capital investments in 2013, such as machinery and equipment, to drive productivity. Without an act from Congress, the expensing limit for small businesses is scheduled to decline to only $25,000 in 2013. (3) Increase access to capital through SBA's Small Loan Advantage (SLA) 2.0: SBA is re-launching Small Loan Advantage, one of its key small dollar loan products, as SLA 2.0. This revamped program raises the maximum loan amount from $250,000 to $350,000, streamlines the loan process, and makes it easier for lenders to extend loans to small businesses across America. (4) Launch ``Quick App'' for surety bond guarantees under $250,000: SBA is launching ``Quick App,'' a streamlined application that will eliminate the need for contractors to complete five unnecessary forms to apply for surety bonds. Providing small firms, particularly in the construction industry, streamlined access to these bonds will make it easier for them to compete for and win additional business, which is important to allowing them to expand and create jobs. (5) Reduce paperwork for SBA's Disaster Loan Program: Cutting the online application from 80 screens to three or four screens (depending on loan type) will allow families and businesses easier and quicker access to support for rebuilding after a disaster. (6) Align New Markets Tax Credit with the needs of investors in growing small firms: Reforms the existing New Markets Tax Credit that will make it easier for community development entities (CDEs) to attract private sector funds for investment in startups and small businesses operating in lower-income communities. The regulations are designed to encourage CDEs to invest in other types of small local businesses by relaxing the reinvestment requirements for CDEs investing in certain operating businesses. The Treasury Department is also considering regulatory reforms that would further simplify the requirements for these CDEs and intends to publish these for comment in the future. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are engines of innovation and economic growth; the small businesses in my district are at the forefront of innovation. The diverse innovation of small businesses in my district from aerospace to healthcare will be able to expand market share with the support of these six key initiatives. I will continue to fight for legislation that will support the approximately 16,300 small businesses in my district. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Administration for taking the necessary steps to help small businesses expand their export programs and alleviate potential layoffs. I urge my colleagues to build upon the Administration's executive actions and provide more support for small businesses.