Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gentleman asking the question. The gentleman also understands that the Congressional Budget Office has not, as a result of the Supreme Court, been able to render that decision.

Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gentleman engaging me. This really is of substance to the American people. The cost of the bill is twice now--we found out a year after it was passed--twice as expensive as it was originally started.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I'd like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Spring Hill, Florida (Mr. Nugent), the gentleman from the Rules Committee.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I'd like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from San Antonio, Texas (Mr. Canseco), from the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Dunn, North Carolina (Mrs. Ellmers), a nurse, a health care professional prior to her service in the United States Congress.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Brigham City, Utah (Mr. Bishop), a member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Knoxville, Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. SESSIONS. At this time, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Savannah, Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Laurens, South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), from the Foreign Affairs Committee, one of the most influential committees we have here in the House of Representatives.

Mr. SESSIONS. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman who, before he came to Congress, was on the front line of health care as an anesthesiologist on the eastern shore of Maryland, Congressman Harris.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the Rules Committee chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier). (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans today have brought forth the ideas about why we are repealing the ObamaCare health care bill. The process that was gone through has been under wide debate, but the results are factually known and understood. Mr. Speaker, our economy is in shambles. Our economy is in shambles because of uncertainty, uncertainty in the marketplace about the rules and regulations, not just of health care, but about the impact of Big Government, and this is the big daddy of all of them. The health care bill is the big daddy that invades every single piece, part of not just this country and our society, but because of the way it reaches into individuals and to families, it is very disruptive. The IRS will be empowered to hire up to 17,000 new IRS agents to make sure that not only are taxes being paid, but to make sure that the government has its way with people who, even though they may or may not choose to get health care, will be required to by this government. We well understand what the results are of this bill; and as a result of that, that's why Republicans are on the floor of the House of Representatives today.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo).

Mr. SESSIONS. At this time, I'd inquire of the Speaker how much time remains on both sides.

Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gentlewoman from New York not only for her indulgence of this issue the past few days but also for her professional nature today. Mr. Speaker, we're on the floor because the health care bill that the President and House Democrats and Senate Democrats supported costs twice as much 1 year later as was guesstimated the year before. The United States is suffering economically, people are suffering economically, and we are losing our competitiveness with the world. We are here because the biggest driver of what I would consider to be not just lack of jobs in this country but also continued uncertainty for the business community. Someone called them corporations. They're really employers. Employers across this country are saying to Members of Congress not just in sworn testimony but in media after media, newspaper after newspaper, that it is uncertainty related to the health care bill that is causing them not to move forward on their plans to grow their business. We are here today because we need to make sure that we also understand the cost--the cost that is twice as much in 1 year as was guesstimated to be in the year before. This cost in doubling, this would mean that this body either needs to come up with a way to pay for it, which would mean, following the Democrats' proposal, instead of taking $500 billion out of Medicare, we would take $1 trillion out of Medicare. Instead of raising taxes $570 billion, we would have to raise taxes $1 trillion. Instead of all these things that the bill does that taxes people, instead of it being exactly the way they said it would be, including $70 billion for a plan for long-term care that now they cannot sustain, it would have to be $140 billion. Mr. Speaker, the American people do understand that health care is important, and Republicans would insist upon us following, just as we have in the past, health care bills which would better the marketplace, and people would have the ability to purchase health care at an affordable amount and to make sure that we have physicians and patients that have a close relationship. Please make no mistake: tort reform would be at the top of our order. Secondly, buying insurance across State lines would include a healthy marketplace. Third, 26-year-olds being on their parents' insurance, that's a bipartisan idea. High-risk pools to help spread out the cost would become available. We're for those, too. And certainly associated health care plans that are able to pool their resources so that they can have a bigger team size in which to purchase health care would be important. But more importantly, we need to make sure that every single American gets health care on a pretax basis. We've made our case today, Mr. Speaker. I am very proud of what we're doing. I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the case for congressional approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia who is set to join the WTO later this summer. As a result of their accession into the WTO Russia will be required to open up its market and comply with the rules and regulations of the WTO. However, the U.S. will not receive any of these benefits until Congress grants Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR). Any delay in granting Russia PNTR will cause U.S employers, workers, farmers, and ranchers to lose ground to their competitors in other countries. Establishing PNTR will provide a much-needed boost to the U.S. economy, doubling exports to Russia in just five years and helping create jobs across every economic sector especially in manufacturing, services, and agriculture. With the world's 9th largest economy, a population of 142 million, and a large and growing middle class, Russia holds outstanding potential for U.S. companies and workers to export more goods and services. My home state of Texas is the top exporter to Russia among U.S. states, with its exports to Russia growing faster than its exports to the rest of the world. Specifically, Texas exported $1.6 billion worth of goods to Russia in 2011, which directly supported an estimated 4,100 jobs. With those key stats in mind, I'd like to draw attention to some success stories of Texas companies active in the Russian market. First, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions, based in Garland, exported more than $4 million worth of heavy drilling equipment to customers in the Russia energy sector in 2010. Secondly, ExxonMobil Corporation has partnered with Rosneft, Russia's largest oil company, to develop oil resources in the Arctic, the Black Sea and Siberia. ExxonMobil also leads the development of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field project in Russia's Far East, where the company has employed its proprietary drilling technology to safely drill to record depths and optimize the project's output. Lastly, Irving based Fluor Corporation has provided engineering, procurement, and construction management for ExxonMobil's Sakhalin-1 operations. Until Congress passes PNTR with Russia, our foreign competitors--but not the United States--will be able to use WTO mechanisms to enforce Russia's commitments for their companies and workers. PNTR is the only way for Congress to ensure that U.S. companies and workers get equal protection and can lock-in the benefits of Russia's WTO accession agreement. The bottom line is simple: Russian PNTR will lead to more U.S. exports and more American jobs.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend, Mr. James D. Lindsey, who is retiring as President and Chief Executive Officer of First State Bank. Mr. Lindsey attended North Texas University and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He began his career with First State Bank--Mesquite in 1971, starting in the bookkeeping department. His successful career is the result of his hard work and dedication; he served in various areas of the bank and literally worked his way to the top. He is a well-known and highly respected leader in the banking profession and the broader Mesquite community. In 2002, he received the prestigious Chairman's Award from the Independent Bankers Association of Texas and in 2008, was elected to the Board of Directors of The Independent Bankers Bank. Mr. Lindsey also served as Director for the Mesquite Economic Development Foundation and was appointed to the Texas Banking Commissioner's Council. First State Bank and the banking profession have greatly benefitted from his work ethic, vision, and leadership. He is a man of great character who firmly abides by his principles. I am honored to call him my friend and know that Mr. Lindsey will be greatly missed. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. Lindsey on his retirement. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. May God continue to bless him and his family.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today, once again, we're on the floor of the House of Representatives with our friends on the other side of the aisle arguing about how we tax the American people, how if we're going to take this tax out we've got to replace it with another tax. Good gosh, aren't energy prices high enough already? Why do we want to pass that on to consumers and make gasoline more expensive? It does not make sense, and that's why we are here today to repeal a tax. Mr. Speaker, what is the tax we're talking about? It is a tax on business, on high tech. It is on medical devices that have allowed America to lead the world in solving problems, to give people medical devices, things that will make their lives even better. Mr. Speaker, I received a letter from Walter J. Humann, president and CEO, OsteoMed. He came and met with me at my office and then sent me a letter. Here's what Mr. Humann said--and I believe he represents not just the industry, but thousands of people, patients also who rely on high-tech and medical devices that would be without. He said: In addition to challenges with the FDA and reimbursement, this 2.3 percent excise tax--which is on gross sales, whether or not a business has any profits or not--will directly impact our ability to create new jobs, invest in research and development and effectively compete in a global marketplace. Further, he says: It should be noted that OsteoMed is also aggressively re- directing its business focus to international markets that provide a less cumbersome and lengthy regulatory pathway with revenue streams that are not subject to the medical device tax . . . immediately saving 2.3 percent in the process. In the past month, OsteoMed initiated the search for sales managers in China and the Middle East to supplement recent managers hired in Korea and Italy. Mr. Speaker, this is not just a tax. It is not just making it more difficult for employers to hire people. But it will stop America's innovative-ness to compete in the future. OsteoMed, Addison, TX, June 5, 2012. Hon. Pete Sessions, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Sessions: Thank you for taking time to visit with me last week regarding OsteoMed and my concerns about the significant ``headwinds'' we face, especially related to the 2.3% medical device tax that is scheduled for implementation in 2013. On behalf of OsteoMed's 400 employees, I thank you for your support of H.R. 436, which would repeal this onerous provision that otherwise will negatively impact innovation and job creation at a time when we can least afford it. As president & CEO of OsteoMed, a dynamic, 20 year old surgical device manufacturing company based in your district, I confront the challenges that America's innovators face every day. In addition to challenges with the FDA and reimbursement, this 2.3% excise tax--which is on gross sales, whether or not a business has any profits--will directly impact our ability to create new jobs, invest in research and development and effectively compete in the global market. OsteoMed formed a new subsidiary company a couple of years ago to develop an innovative spine product that greatly simplifies spine fusion surgery and improves patient outcomes. OsteoMed launched this product last year which quickly grew to almost $5MM in sales in 2011 and currently employs a number of highly skilled, high paid individuals. Due to the significant upfront investment and on-going development costs, this new company is not projected to make a profit in the near future but is nevertheless subject to the device tax which will further delay this subsidiary's success. As a result, OsteoMed has now delayed additional new product developments and personnel in order to make ``ends meet'' and achieve the returns initially envisioned when this company was created. OsteoMed's core business manufactures surgical implant systems for use in craniofacial, neurosurgical and small bone orthopedic (upper and lower extremities) surgeries. These systems require extensive, specialized instruments that are typically not sold, but are used to implant the devices that drive OsteoMed's revenue stream. The device tax will not only tax gross product revenues, but my understanding is it will also tax the instruments OsteoMed must invest in and place into hospitals at no charge thereby further reducing my company's profit opportunities and forcing expense reductions in other areas in order to achieve our profit goals. OsteoMed's products are sold through a variety of sales channels and will require a new level of administrative burden in order to track the ``gross'' revenues defined by this tax. This requirement, along with the recent challenges imposed by the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, force additional levels of administration and non value added expenses that make OsteoMed less competitive and viable. The market in which OsteoMed competes is in turmoil and has become increasingly competitive with many new offshore competitors. As economics and recent government restrictions have largely removed surgeons from the surgical device purchase decision process, hospitals are now forcing increasingly price concessions. Despite increased raw material and labor costs, OsteoMed has been unable to raise product prices over the past several years and is now equally unlikely to simply pass along the device tax to our customers. Like any other responsible business, OsteoMed must carefully manage expenses in order to make profit and continue to grow and succeed. In order to cover the shortfall the new device tax will create, OsteoMed has already started to implement cut backs in its operations including the delay/ cancellation of new product development projects and the hiring of additional personnel, including biomedical engineering positions. It should be noted that OsteoMed is also aggressively re-directing its business focus to international markets that provide a less cumbersome and lengthy regulatory pathway with revenue streams that are not subject to the medical device tax. . . . immediately ``saving'' 2.3% in the process. In the past month, OsteoMed initiated the search for sales managers in China and the Middle East to supplement recent managers hired in Korea and Italy. Unfortunately, OsteoMed has already started to effectively trade U.S. jobs for overseas positions as a direct result of the medical device tax and other governmental involvement. The medical device industry not only provides numerous highly skilled and attractive jobs across the U.S., but it also pays its workers on average 40% more than the typical job. We are a vibrant sector of the economy and one of the few remaining industries that produces a healthy export of products. Tragically, this industry has now become the focus of misguided and short-term government intervention and the growth and continued prosperity of this proud American industry now faces great hurdles. Again, I thank you for your service to our country and specifically for your support of H.R. 436 to repeal this tax and to help America's innovators continue to improve patient care and drive job creation. I look forward to your ability to visit OsteoMed when you are back in Dallas so you can see firsthand our great employees and the innovative products they produce to help people around the world. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this issue or any other issues impacting the medical device industry. Sincerely, Walter J. Humann, President & CEO, OsteoMed.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Albert ``Bert'' Caswell and the men, women, and families of our Nation's Armed Services. Bert has worked as a United States Capitol tour guide for over twenty-five years. He is known throughout the Capitol for his extraordinary work and selfless attitude. After hours, Bert volunteers his time offering Capitol tours to wounded veterans and participants of the Make-A-Wish foundation. He also visits and writes poems for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to lift their spirits and celebrate their heroic nature. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you a poem, on behalf of Albert, who penned this tribute in recognition of the extraordinary sacrifices and courage of the men, women, and families of our Nation's Armed Services. They Make Us Who We Are (By Albert Caswell) They . . . . They make us who we are! For they are the greatest of all shining stars! As they so make us who we are! Our loved ones and families . . . . The ones for whom we all so die and bleed! Yes, they make us who we are! As we go off to war, we carry them with us ever far! The ones who so live with such heartache and pain . . . . And such worry, wondering if they shall ever so see us all again . . . . Oh yes, they make us who we are! Quiet Heroes, out across our heartland one and all! The ones now on bended knee, so pray to Lord to watch over us all so godspeed! They make us who we are! The ones who at our grave sides, with tears in eyes whose hearts now so bleed! Who have lost their greatest loves of all! The ones who never had the chance to so say goodbye! The ones for whom our Lord's love shall never die! As they so make us who we are! The ones who now at our bedsides who have so traveled so very far . . . . As we come home from war, half dead and so full of scars . . . . Carried, now upon us all! Missing arms and legs in all places, as somehow they must face this! For all of them it is so very hard! As they so help us to beat down death, and so face so all of this! As they bless, because they are all in it for the long haul! Oh how they so make us who we are! Providing us with the hope and courage, and not letting us so get discouraged! Where, would we and our nation all so be? If it were but not for such all of these, who so make us who we are? Yes, all of our loved ones and families . . . . who all in us do so believe! And so make us who we are! Shining ever so brightly, our nation's most courageous of all stars! All with such dignity and faith, as they shine from sea to sea! As one day up in heaven, they will all so be! For these are the ones, who have so sent! So sent, all of their most beloved daughters and sons off to war! Husbands and Wives, who live with such deep pain so deep down inside! And all our children who so lie awake at night, and so begin to cry! Who must live with such fear, day in and night after night! And all of that death and destruction, that which war does so make! Unrelenting . . . . our loved ones helping us to rebuild what war has so taken away! To once again, To So Make Us What We Are! Just look at those heroes standing there, with such honor and such faith and tears who so care! Wearing that uniform, with those most courageous hearts that which beat so warm! Who were so raised by those loved ones, who their souls have so formed! To make them who they are! Just, look at all of those husbands and wives, and children who now must now so cry . . . . Who so sent their loved ones off to die . . . . For they all so make this Nation, and our Country Tis of Thee who we are! America's Shining Stars! They . . . . Make . . . . Us . . . . Who . . . . We . . . . Are!

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chair, thousands of our brave servicemen and women are returning from combat with severe cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), resulting in an inability to hold a job, properly care for their families, or in some cases, to overcome suicidal tendencies. As a nation, we have the responsibility for their care and recovery. Currently, private healthcare providers across the United States are helping brain injury patients with new and innovative treatments that are not currently available or approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Examples of these treatments include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), flash doses of approved drugs, and small device implants that operate like brain pacemakers. While the Department of Defense is currently conducting their own studies on these already proven treatment methods, it will take five or more years to formally approve these treatments and make them accessible to our injured troops and veterans. If a treatment is good enough for private medicine, why is it not good enough for military medicine? In an effort to fix this delinquency I introduced the TBI Treatment Act (H.R. 396) in January 2011. Today I am proud to offer it as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310) with my friend and colleague from California, Congressman Mike Thompson. The TBI Treatment Act helps expedite these ground-breaking treatments to our nations' veterans and active duty soldiers suffering from TBI. The TBI Treatment Act establishes a 5-year ``pay-for-performance'' pilot program, not to exceed $10 million per year. Under my amendment, healthcare providers will treat active duty soldiers and veterans at no cost to the patient. The healthcare provider gets reimbursed from the DoD/VA respectively, only if the treatment is proven successful (based on independent pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological testing, accepted survey instruments, neurological imaging, or clinical examinations). Currently, soldiers are paying out-of-pocket for such important care. Lastly, treatments must be FDA-approved and approved by an institutional review board operating in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. I ask that you join me in support of the Sessions-Thompson amendment to NDAA and help deliver proven treatments to our soldiers and veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bill A. Keffler, the City Manager for the City of Richardson, Texas. After thirty-five years of dedicated service, he is retiring on May 31, 2012. Mr. Keffler began his public service with the City of Richardson in 1977. He has served the city in numerous capacities, including as Deputy City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Assistant to the City Manager, and as an Administrative Assistant. In 1995, he became the City Manager, the position he has served in with distinction to this day. As the Member of Congress who represents the City of Richardson, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Mr. Keffler and seen firsthand the impact of his devotion and commitment to the citizens of Richardson. He possesses a keen understanding of the city's needs and issues as well as the importance of actively engaging the community in developing policy solutions and strategic planning. Mr. Keffler undertook bold initiatives in economic development, fiscal responsibility, and community revitalization. As a result of Mr. Keffler's actions in positioning the City of Richardson for growth and stability, the city and the North Texas region stand stronger than ever before. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Keffler on thirty-five years of dedicated service to the city of Richardson. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. May God bless him and his family.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.