Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time we are nearing the end of the speakers that we have and I would welcome an opportunity for the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) to close, and then it would be my intent to briefly speak and then yield to our final speaker.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. (Mr. SENSENBRENNER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon). (Mr. CANNON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder). (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/6\ minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Jenkins).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas), a champion of this bill.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin). (Mr. AKIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts). (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), 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. Speaker, the resolution provides the standard rule under which we consider conference reports and waives all points of order against the conference report and its consideration. Mr. Speaker, I am exceedingly pleased that today we will finally consider the conference report for much-needed bankruptcy reform legislation. I am proud of the tireless efforts of many of the staff members and the Members who have put countless hours towards the passage of this important legislation. Their efforts allow each of us to ensure that our bankruptcy laws operate fairly, efficiently, and free of abuse. We must end the days when debtors who are able to repay some portion of their debts are allowed to game the system. This bill is crafted to ensure the debtor's rights to a fresh start while protecting the system from flagrant abuses by those who are able to pay their bills. The result is a carefully crafted package that balances and protects Americans from all walks of life and provides access to bankruptcy for all Americans who have a legitimate need. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 606 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this rule and of course the underlying legislation which is so critically important not only to this country but to the economy of this country for consumers and for men and women who own businesses and have money invested in this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I inquire about the time remaining.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. (Mr. BACHUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services. (Mr. OXLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I submit this statement for the Record. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Remarks to ANCOR Conference Thank you for that kind introduction. I want to thank President Than Johnson, President-elect Fred Romkema, and CEO Renee Pietrangelo for their service. I also want to you to know that you have a great advocate in Haley Barbour. Later today, you'll be presenting ANCOR congressional awards to Senator Bunning and Congressman Lewis. They are both great Americans. I am also glad to see Ron Geary and Kelley Abell here. Ron is CEO of ResCare in Louisville, Kentucky, the largest service provider in the country. They're tremendously dedicated to this community. I want to begin by saying ANCOR members are providing wonderful community living and employment support and services to Americans with mental retardation and other disabilities. This association of organizations and companies represent the heart of the American spirit--a spirit that believes every human has worth and value and dignity. The supports and services you provide touch the lives of over 260,000 Americans with mental retardation and other disabilities, as well as their families. Because of the work you do, people with disabilities are living more self- directed, independent lives in their communities. On behalf of President George W. Bush and his entire Administration, I want to say ``thank you.'' ANCOR representatives have met with Department of Labor more times than I can count. We may just have to give you a permanent DOL badge! Your meetings with the Assistant Secretary of Policy, ODEP, ETA, and Wage and Hour, have been so important in helping the government understand your concerns. You are educating us about the growing crisis in recruiting, training, and retraining direct support professionals. Again, we are listening and we are responding. For example, the Department of Labor has terminated the companionship rulemaking that was slipped in at the last minute by the previous Administration. We believe that companions provide essential support to those men and women and children who remain at home. Raising costs and reducing access, restricting working hours and increasing paperwork is not the answer. With your help, the Department terminated the rule and restored more flexibility for individuals with mental retardation and other disabilities and their families! The Department has also listed Direct Support Specialist in the Directory of Occupational Titles. Now, some outside of this audience might not understand its significance, but we know that this small change allows for big openings in training and recognition. ANCOR has also worked with the Department on shaping the policies for the President's New Freedom Initiative. This initiative, and the President's Executive Order to bring swift and full implementation of the Olmstead Decision, are key priorities at the Department of Labor. ANCOR members and the direct support workers you represent are critical to the success of the New Freedom Initiative and the Executive Order. I want to thank you for submitting extensive recommendations last August as part of the President's Executive Order, especially your recommendations to the Department of Labor. I also appreciate your testimony on WIA reauthorization in the inter-agency forum this summer. We need your input on how the Department can better utilize the Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stops to make sure we meet the needs of both public and private providers, as well as job seekers. The paraprofessional long-term care workforce--from nursing assistants to home health and home care aides to personal care workers and attendants--is the cornerstone of America's long-term care system. They provide hands-on care, supervision, and emotional support to millions of Americans with chronic illnesses and disabilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, the number of home health and personal care aides is nearly equal to the number of nursing assistants, roughly 750,000. As you know, with an aging population and other industry challenges, the future availability of frontline direct care workers does not look promising. In fact, BLS estimates that by 2006, personal and home care assistance will be the fourth-fastest growing occupation with a growth rate of 84.7%. Between 1998 and 2008, America needs around 750,000 more personal care and home health care workers. Unfortunately, many of these positions will go unfilled, unless we take action. The solution is not simply one of supply. The more fundamental, long-term challenge is how to develop a committed, stable pool of workers who are willing, able, and skilled to provide quality care. I am committed to addressing both the short and the long-term challenges, so we can design quality systems of care for people with disabilities. The Department is making significant progress, but we still need your input on issues concerning earnings opportunities, employment status, and labor supply of personal assistants and other community workers. Here are some actions that are either planned or are currently underway at the Department: The Office of Disability Employment Policy, or ODEP, led by Dr. Roy Grizzard, is working to identify options and to develop an inter-agency/inter-department plan that will increase the availability and quality of personal assistants and identify other options for education, training, and career advancement for these workers and other direct care staff. More specifically, the Department of Labor and HHS are taking a detailed look at the challenges to the industry, as well as providing recommendations on how to address the worker and skill shortage. ODEP and its partners will convene a listening session for people with disabilities. A similar listening session will be held for service providers and other direct care staff and community service workers. Your organization, ANCOR, certainly will be a part of these sessions. ODEP and ETA are working to increase access to personal assistance supports through the One-Stop Centers. And ODEP is expected to establish an on-line registry, similar to America's Job Bank, where local or community-based organizations, like yours, can help locate more workers. The Administration is listening to ANCOR, and we still have a lot left to do. I know we will continue to work together to provide stable community infrastructure for the future of individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Much of that relies on a quality, highly- trained direct support workforce, and we are committed to making it happen. Thanks again for inviting me to be here today. I look forward to working with ANCOR and its members to expand your supports and services in the years to come. When government, associations, business, and individuals work together, we can build a more welcoming and promising future for all Americans.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, this October 10th marks the 91st National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). On this important occasion, I wish to congratulate the leaders and the people of Taiwan. Taiwan and the United States have a very productive relationship despite the lack of official relations. Taiwan has always been supportive of U.S. policies and actions. Last year, Taiwan was one of the first countries to come to our aid in our campaign against worldwide terrorism. Taiwan's leaders have pledged whatever assistance we need, such as intelligence gathering, in our continuing war against terrorists. Apart from Taiwan's support of us in combating terrorism, Taiwan maintains close cooperation with us in many areas such as economics, politics, immigration, culture and education, science and technology, human rights, and environmental protection. On the occasion of ROC's National Day, I urge all Americans to continue to lend their support to Taiwan. America must continue to help Taiwan and the PRC resume dialogue, continue to supply Taiwan with the means to defend themselves, and ease unnecessary restrictions we have imposed upon Taiwan's representative offices in the United States and our ``unofficial'' official offices in Taiwan. I am certain that relations between America and Taiwan will continue to grow. Taiwan is a free, democratic, and open society and shares the same ideals as we do. On a foundation of mutual confidence and mutual benefit, bilateral relations between the United States and Taiwan will continue to grow.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, today the House begins debate on House Joint Resolution 114 to authorize use of the force of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq. This is a serious debate that needs to take place. Mr. Speaker, I want Members to know that I support this resolution, and I support the President of the United States in what he is doing. But today we are here to debate the rule and to talk about what we are going to do as we debate the topic. I support this rule, I support what we are doing. Mr. Speaker, if we dig deep within this resolution, we will see two important things. Number one, August 14, 1998, Public Law 105-235, Congress concluded that Iraq's continuing weapons of mass destruction program threatened the United States and its allies; and, point number two, inspectors were withdrawn from Iraq on October 31, 1998, almost 4 years ago. The Iraqis have indicated through their administration, through the constant threat against the United States, that they intend to harm the United States and its interests around the globe. This is the same regime that attempted to assassinate former President Bush in 1993. Mr. Speaker, what we are engaged in now is the support of the United States against enemies around the globe. Our foreign policy had to change on September 11 when we were attacked. I believe that what President Bush is doing now is to make sure that America will no longer be held hostage, will no longer allow a nation state, any nation state, to threaten the United States and get away with it. It is time that we support our President. The process that has been laid out before the American people and to the United Nations is one that we can understand, that we can support. I believe this President is well balanced, is articulate, and last night spoke with great favor towards the Nation of the United States that wants peace, not war, but that we will not allow ourselves to be pushed around. Mr. Speaker, I support House Joint Resolution 114 and this rule, which is for peace, but making sure that peace through strength will be achieved through supporting our President. I intend to vote ``aye'' on the rule and ``aye'' on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, a ``Dear Colleague'' letter is being sent to all Members informing them that the Committee on Rules may meet this week to grant a rule for S. 2690, to reaffirm the reference to ``one Nation under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance, which may require that amendments be printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the floor. Amendments should be drafted to the text of the bill as reported by the Committee on the Judiciary, which was filed September 17, 2002. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are properly drafted and should check also with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for purposes of debate only. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us is a closed rule that allows for consideration of three important resolutions. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided among and controlled by the respective chairmen and ranking members of the committees of jurisdiction. Mr. Speaker, the trio of resolutions before us today represents some of the most pressing needs for average Americans across the Nation. In politics, we often try to put a personal face to a problem that is being debated or addressed. Mr. Speaker, the face of our story today is just the average American, the average American who is a family member, a friend, a neighbor. It is a person who has worked hard and tried to invest wisely so that he or she can enjoy a retirement of independence. The first of these resolutions, House Resolution 540, expresses the sense of the House that Congress should complete action on and present to the President before adjournment the Pension Security Act of 2002. Although the House passed this measure more than 150 days ago by a strong bipartisan vote, the Senate has not taken up comprehensive pension protection that includes safeguards and options to help American workers preserve and enhance their retirement security. Over the last year, we have witnessed the unraveling and breakdown of major corporations such as Enron. While Enron workers were likely victims of criminal wrongdoing, there is no question that they were most definitely the victims of outdated Federal pension laws. The tragedy of Enron was two-fold. In addition to decimating the savings of employees, it has also undermined the confidence of American workers in this country's pension system. The Pension Security Act includes new options and resources for workers, as well as greater accountability from companies and senior- level executives. Employees would be given new freedoms to sell and diversify company stock. The bill also creates parity between senior corporate executives and rank-and-file workers. This will help to prevent a repeat occurrence of the egregious disparity that allowed Enron executives to sell their investments and preserve their savings while rank-and-file workers were barred from making changes. The bill also includes provisions that would ensure that employees receive accurate and timely information, along with sound advice and resources to make informed investment decisions. Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear about this: each day that we delay in enacting the Pension Security Act is another day that we leave worker retirement savings vulnerable to corporate meltdowns. The second resolution we will consider is House Resolution 544, which expresses the sense of the House that Congress should complete work on the Retirement Savings Security Act of 2002. The tax relief package that was enacted last year included provisions that increased contribution limits for IRA and 401(k)-type plans to make it easier for companies, and particularly small businesses, to offer a retirement savings plan. Currently, half of the Nation's workforce, roughly 70 million Americans, do not have a 401(k) plan or any other kind of pension. At the same time, much of the workforce is quickly approaching retirement. The provision enacted last year addressing this growing concern by allowing all workers to set aside more in their own retirement and IRA plans was important. I am proud of what this House did. Special considerations were also given to workers over 50 years old who were allowed to so-called ``catch up'' or accelerate contributions so that they can build up their retirement nest egg more quickly. One group that will be particularly helped by this is women, women who come to work many times after raising their children, many times later in life. This tax relief package also included provisions that modernize pension laws. Workers are now able to enjoy the benefits that come from having a portable defined contribution plan and are also allowed to vest in their plans more quickly. So one might ask: What is the problem? The problem, Mr. Speaker, is that all of these very good benefits enjoyed by the American worker are set to expire on December 31, 2010, because of an arcane Senate rule. Consequently, Americans will have a difficult time planning for the future. In order to prevent a massive overnight tax increase, this past June the House passed a bill that would make these provisions permanent on a strongly bipartisan vote of 308 to 70. The American worker is calling for these reforms to be made permanent, and the President is ready and willing to sign these significant retirement security provisions. We just need to go through the legislative process that involves both parties here in the Capitol. This measure, too, has also not been taken up by the other body. The last resolution addresses similarly important tax relief that is put in jeopardy by the aforementioned Senate rule. House Resolution 543 is a measure expressing the sense of the House that Congress should complete action on H.R. 4019, making marriage tax relief permanent. Because of the Senate rule, the provisions that give relief to married couples from an additional tax burden are set to expire at the end of the year 2010. The Senate has not acted on making marriage tax relief permanent. Without enacting a law making marriage tax relief permanent at the start of the year 2011, the nearly 36 million couples in the Nation would be subject once again to this fundamentally unfair tax solely because they are married. If this provision is not made permanent, married couples across America will once again be subject to this unfair tax that is an affront to the most basic institution of marriage. The Committee on Ways and Means report also notes that ``failure to make permanent marriage penalty tax relief would result in a $17 billion tax increase for low- and middle-income married taxpayers in the year 2011, followed by a $25 billion tax increase in the year 2012.'' Mr. Speaker, I look forward to debate on these three resolutions, which give the House the opportunity to once again reaffirm its commitment to the American workers and their families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Announcement by the Speaker pro tempore