Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join fellow Texans and Americans all across this great country in mourning the loss of a true conservative icon, former Texas Governor Bill Clements. As those of us who were touched by the Governor join together today in his honor to celebrate his life, may we all reflect on his many achievements and generosity as a dedicated entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public servant for the great State of Texas. Governor Clements was the first Republican to serve as Texas governor since Reconstruction when he took office in 1979. His skillful leadership attracted Texans to the modern Republican party and modern day conservatism, paving the way for large Republican gains across my State in the following years. Governor Clements also laid the groundwork for Texas' economic viability by recruiting business and international trade to diversify our State's economy. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Bill Clements; however, his life is being celebrated today. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rita, and all of his family and friends as they celebrate his life's accomplishments and mourn this great loss, not only to America but to the great State of Texas. God bless Texas.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Dr. Aage M�ller, a distinguished lecturer, professor, and neuroscience researcher at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Dr. M�ller, an international authority on brain plasticity and sensory systems is known for his cutting-edge and innovative research, but on the campus of UTD, he is known to many students simply as a terrific educator. Dr. M�ller is a dedicated educator--empowering his students in the classroom and neuroscience laboratories so that they can grow academically and professionally. His belief in the importance of education has also led him and his wife, Margareta, to create the Aage and Margareta M�ller Scholarship for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. On May 13, 2011, Dr. M�ller received the President's Teaching Excellence Award for Tenure-Track Faculty from UTD. Dr. M�ller was selected from among more than 100 faculty members nominated by students. This award speaks loudly of the respect and high regard his students have for him. I know his work has touched countless lives. In fact, among Dr. M�ller's most important contributions to the field is his development of a technique known as intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Surgeons around the world use Dr. M�ller's method to reduce the risk of serious complications from brain surgery. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. M�ller on receiving this prestigious award and for his many years of educating and inspiring the next generation of educators and scientists.

Mr. SESSIONS

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

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Chairman, according to recent media reports, the Department of Homeland Security is the top civilian agency conducting insourcing, which is converting private contractor services to government employees. My amendment would strike section 514 of this legislation which, as drafted, would prevent any funds in this bill from being used to conduct public-private competitions or to direct A-76 conversions for any program, project, or activity within the Department of Homeland Security. The A-76 process has been in existence since 1966. The original intent was to require the government to use private-sector services when obtaining goods or services and assist with services from within the government. I believe that the A-76 produces quality competition that leads to great service and a more cost-efficient result for the taxpayer. The bottom line, Madam Chairman, is that the government does not need to perform all the goods and services that might be in the Yellow Pages; that is for the private sector to do. A-76 cost competitions between the public and private sector brings the best value to the taxpayer. According to Americans for Tax Reform, the average cost of each new Federal employee for salary, benefits, and pensions totals $4.27 million. Without competition, government-run monopolies of commercial activities duplicate and price out the private sector, resulting in inefficient expenditures of taxpayer money. The Heritage Foundation has reported that subjecting Federal employee positions which are commercial in nature to a public-private cost comparison generates on average a 30 percent cost savings regardless of which sector wins the competition. Even a recent Office of Management and Budget study states that the act of public-private competition generates cost savings from 10 to 40 percent on average. During this time of stretched budgets and bloated Federal spending, Congress should do all that it can do to find taxpayer savings that reduce the cost of services provided by the Federal Government. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense, taxpayer-first amendment and to ensure cost-saving competition is available through the Department of Homeland Security. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I will yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SESSIONS. That is correct. The gentleman is correct. Today it is prohibited that this may be allowed in favor of the government hiring services through a Federal Government employee. What drives me to once again come on the floor as I have done for 15 years is that I believe that there are inherently governmental functions that a government employee must perform. However, when there is something like changing oil for a fleet of trucks, mowing grass, coming in and cleaning a building, performing functions that can be done more efficiently-- perhaps it's with computers, perhaps it's with data systems, perhaps it's professional services that can be done better, rather than flying employees in from the Federal Government, but when they can be more cost effective, then a process is gone through. This process is called the A-76 process, and it's where the local management would look at the functions up to and including loaded costs for what it takes to perform the duties that might be done. And generally speaking, there is a 30 percent cheaper value or cost to the government when it's done by an outside contractor as opposed to a Federal Government employee.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Currently, private health care providers are treating brain injury patients with new and innovative treatments with remarkable results. Surprisingly, many of these treatments are not currently available within military and veteran medical facilities for our heroes suffering from traumatic brain injuries. In an effort to fix this delinquency, I introduced the TBI Treatment Act (H.R. 396) in January, and am offering it as an amendment today. The TBI Treatment Act establishes a 5-year ``pay-for-performance'' pilot program. Private health care providers are authorized and reimbursed to provide proven treatments to active duty soldiers and veterans at no cost to the patient. My amendment helps expedite these ground-breaking treatments to our Nation's veterans and active duty soldiers who are suffering from traumatic brain injury. I ask that everyone in this House to join me in supporting this amendment to NDAA.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Boy Scout Troop 890 in Lake Highlands, Texas, celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. Chartered in 1961, Troop 890 was founded to help shape and prepare the lives of the boys and young men in Dallas by teaching them the principles of Scouting. Over the past fifty years, the dedicated efforts of the leaders, the Scouts, and their parents have made Troop 890 a signature organization in Lake Highlands, Texas and it has become one of the largest and most well-known Boy Scout troops in Dallas. The leaders of Troop 890 are committed to helping these scouts develop strong moral character and adhere to the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The Lake Highlands community that considers the Troop to be an asset, encourages parents to be actively involved and Scouts to take on leadership roles and mentor younger Scouts. Since the first Eagle rank presentation in 1963, approximately 450 individuals, including my sons, Bill and Alex, have achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Over the years, I have watched many Scouts become mature and responsible young men of great character. Troop 890 has made the local community a stronger and better place. Their commitment to serving others is evident in the hundreds of hours devoted to various community service projects. I know Troop 890 will continue to positively impact Dallas and promote the importance of Scouting. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me congratulating Troop 890 on their 50th Anniversary. I wish Troop 890 many more years of Scouting!

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. David Leadbetter, the recipient of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). For over thirty years, Mr. Leadbetter has helped golfers achieve lower scores and improve their game. He is a world renowned golf instructor and known for his innovative teaching techniques. Initially starting out as a player, he participated in the European and South African tours prior to coming to fame for correcting Nick Faldo's swing in the 1980s. Among his many students are the famed Greg Norman, Nick Price, Ernie Els, and Michelle Wie. His students have greatly benefitted from his creative teaching methods and valuable advice; many of them hold major championship titles and individual worldwide titles. Aside from being the world's number one golf instructor and serving as coach to countless professional golfers, Mr. Leadbetter has academies worldwide to nurture new talent and share his love of golf. His extensive knowledge of golf also extends to seven golf instruction books, instructional DVDs, and television programs. This prestigious award from NGCOA recognizes Mr. Leadbetter's contributions to the game of golf. His love for golf is evident in his dedicated efforts to helping others improve their game. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Leadbetter on this great honor. I wish him all the best.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Chairman, I have seen shameless acts on this floor before, and we are watching another one with the last few speakers that we have seen here today. The facts of the case are--and people know this--we passed a budget resolution which is a construct to ask this House of Representatives to consider a plan so that we do not bankrupt Medicare--which is exactly what anyone who voted for the health care plan on March 21 or 22 1 year ago did. The plan which President Obama and Speaker Pelosi at that time supported took $500 billion out of Medicare to support a plan--which could not be sustained either--which cost $2 trillion for health care. So this year, Republicans have a plan to sustain Medicare that is a market-based plan. It's not a voucher program. Not one person who is presently on Medicare today nor anybody that is 55 years old or older today would be impacted by this plan. It is a plan that says we should challenge the Congress of the United States--including the administration also--to come up with a plan about how we can sustain Medicare, as we do see a doubling over the next 15 years of people who will be expected to participate in that plan. So that we get this right for once, let me say this: It is not a voucher program. It does not impact anyone that is presently on Medicare. So the shameless things we've heard today about everyone's grandmother and everybody's grandfather and all these people that will be thrown off Medicare, they will be unaffected. Here's what the plan calls for: It calls for the United States Congress to begin a process with hearings that would allow people who would be on Medicare, instead of a one-size-fits-all plan of Medicare, to have a plan that looks just like what government employees would have, a realistic opportunity for them to choose among several plans, whether they want a basic plan all the way up to a plan in which they could fully participate themselves. Today, Medicare is a closed, one-size-fits-all process, just like we heard Mr. Miller, ``We're going to treat everybody the same way.'' It does not work, because not everybody has the same needs as each other. We will have a plan which is market-based, which does not bankrupt this country nor the system, which will allow the individual an opportunity to come into a process and have their own health care just like somebody who works for the Federal Government. It would allow people who were in that program to take money out of their own pocket, to choose their own doctor if they chose to, and to be allowed to supplement those payments. We would probably set a mark, a bar, that said if you make above a certain amount of money, that's not determined yet, but if you had the ability to pay for yourself, you shouldn't rely upon the government. That is another way to make sure that we support the system, because if people have the ability to pay for their own health care, we should allow them to do that and encourage them to do that. Then we look at how doctors are paid. Doctors today have not only been mistreated by both sides, but in particular as we see doctors not being compensated, they are not available, and it means seniors are being denied coverage because physicians are not being reimbursed properly. It allows us to have a great system, where doctors would want to serve seniors, a great and better system that is market-based whereby the ability that a person has to pay, if they do, then they would pay their own physician and their own way with the minimum support from the government. The bottom line is, the gentleman from North Carolina asked a relevant question, and the answer that came back was, when he said, what is your plan, the answer that came back was, what about the war and what about oil companies? Well, the facts of the case are, we're talking about Medicare here today, a system that is draining this country from not only its ability to provide outstanding and excellent health care but also a system that takes away choices from seniors. I yield back the balance of my time. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the young gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Rules Committee. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today we've had a distinguished group of speakers, including the gentleman, Mr. Hastings, who spent years of his service, not only on behalf of the people of Florida, but on behalf of all of us as he served on the Intelligence Committee. We have had Members walk in and out of here: the gentlewoman from North Carolina, Virginia Foxx, who brings a thoughtful articulation about her ideas about the protection of this country, not just for the people of North Carolina, but for the people of the United States. We've had the gentleman, a former sheriff, Mr. Nugent, a Member of Congress from Florida, also come and talk about their ideas about how you protect this country by protecting the men and women who are engaged in the active and day-to-day business. The gentleman, Mr. Hastings, referred to al Qaeda as not defeated. We still have a threat that is out there. The gentleman, Mr. Farenthold, talked most forthrightly and honestly about the need of the American people to have confidence and thanks for the intelligence community and that which they do. The gentleman, Mr. Ruppersberger, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, as they bring their ideas forth in an open process that would be allowed in the committee, Intelligence Committee, and then to bring that forward as they would discuss that at the Rules Committee. Here on the floor of the House of Representatives it's an interesting dialogue that we get into about our hopes and desires about supporting the intelligence community. But we must remember that the need for our intelligence community and for them to have clear direction from this Congress is important. The killing of the most wanted terrorist in the world, Osama bin Laden, is a perfect example of the necessary intelligence information and support from this Congress for funds and the authorizing process, the oversight that is provided by the Congress. The men and women in this intelligence community and the Armed Forces serve this Nation; and they provide us victories, day-to-day victories, not only in keeping America safe, but victories with finding and killing terrorists around the globe who would harm America and our allies. The underlying bill today allows for that continued service by these brave men and women for the benefit of the American people. Six years ago is far too long for Congress to have skirted its responsibilities to aid and help the intelligence community with an authorization. Now is the time to ensure the appropriate accountability, responsibility, and that funding is given to the intelligence community to carry out their mission to keep America safe and to look forward, as might be said, over the horizon to ensure that whatever is next, they are prepared for it. I would like to applaud the chairman, the gentleman from Michigan, Mike Rogers; and the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger); and the Intelligence Committee for this authorization bill as they work so well with the men and women of the intelligence community on a mission which is important for us to join in with the administration to ensure that our intents are very clear to them. We live in a dangerous time and in a dangerous world, and I feel much better protected knowing that this hard work is done by so many dedicated people. So I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS. House Resolution 264 provides for a structured rule designated by the Rules Committee for consideration of H.R. 754. This rules allows for nine of the amendments submitted to the Rules Committee to be made in order. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying bill. The fiscal year 2011 budget process began last Congress with about a dozen hearings and Member briefings and continued into this Congress with more briefings and negotiations. This legislation was introduced by the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the gentleman from Michigan, Mike Rogers, and has gone through regular order to achieve its presence on the floor today. H.R. 754 was marked up in the Intelligence Committee and the chairman of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from California, David Dreier, provided a structured amendment process for nine additional amendments from Republicans and Democrats to be considered today on the House floor. The bill we are discussing today authorizes the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government for fiscal year 2011 in order to enhance the national security of the United States, to support and assist the Armed Forces of the United States, and to support the President of the United States in the execution of the foreign policy of the United States of America. This bill is a vital tool for congressional oversight of the classified activities of the intelligence community, and it is critical to ensuring that our intelligence agencies have the resources and authorities they need to accomplish this important work on behalf of keeping America free. The primary vehicle for exercising credible congressional oversight over our intelligence agencies is the intelligence authorization bill. Yet we have not passed a bona fide intelligence authorization bill in 6 years. Although the National Security Act requires intelligence activities to be specifically authorized, in recent years certain appropriation bills have included language that would ``deem'' the intelligence funding to be authorized. This procedure meets the statutory requirement but has weakened the ability, I believe, of Congress in its oversight of intelligence activities in recent years. The U.S. intelligence community plays a critical role in the war on terrorism and securing our country from the many other threats we face as a Nation. The recent killing of the terrorist Osama bin Laden is a clear example of the important work our intelligence agencies are doing behind the scenes every single day to protect America and Americans. Keeping the laws governing our intelligence operations up to date and ensuring that there are no unnecessary barriers in the way of future successes are exactly why we are here today and seek the authorization to pass an annual intelligence bill today. The intelligence authorization bill funds all U.S. intelligence activities, spanning 17 separate agencies. Last year, this funding totaled roughly $80 billion. Our Nation's current challenging fiscal circumstances demand that Congress fulfill its duties and provide the appropriate accountability and financial oversight of our classified intelligence programs through an authorization bill yearly. Additionally, this bill will ensure that Congress funds the requirements of the brave and dedicated men and women in the intelligence community, military and civilian, many of whom directly support the war zones or are engaged in other dangerous operations that keep Americans safe. The underlying legislation provides oversight and authorization for critical intelligence activities, including global counterterrorism operations such as the one that took out the terrorist Osama bin Laden, tactical intelligence support to support combat units in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else they're needed around the world, cyberdefense, detecting and countering weapons of mass destruction, global monitoring of foreign militaries, weapons tests, and arms control treaties. Additionally, this bill's classified annex provides detailed guidance on intelligence spending, including adjustments to costly programs. This bill takes an important step forward in the intelligence community to help them meet the same financial accounting standard as other parts of the government. These accounting standards will help uncover savings in the current programs that can be reinvested into vital programs and priorities or returned to the American taxpayer. I was very pleased this week when the gentleman from Michigan, Chairman Mike Rogers, and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger), who represents the minority, came to the Rules Committee to talk about the needs of the intelligence community. In particular, I was very pleased as they worked so closely together to ensure that the issues that were contained within this document, the agreements that would be in law, and perhaps more importantly, the important relationships that would be shared by them as we work together to ensure that this country is safe, that we do so in a way where the American people see that keeping America safe, providing the necessary resources to the men and women of the intelligence community and expecting the results that would come from them, is a very important part of what our job as Members of Congress is all about. I applaud Chairman Mike Rogers of Michigan for providing this Congress with a much needed intelligence authorization bill, and I appreciate the exhaustive process on a bipartisan basis not only that Chairman Rogers has led but that includes a return to regular order in the authorization of this important legislation. I rise in support of the rule and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Lake Park, Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 264 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), 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. General Leave

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, with the election of this new large Republican class, some 87 new Members, we picked up, in particular, a Member who will speak here in just a second. He is a young man who devoted his life, not only to his country through his service in the military, but also to law enforcement. He comes to Washington from Florida where he had been a distinguished sheriff of a large department. He came to us with not only a thought and belief about securing this country and of making sure that we took care of our citizens, but perhaps more importantly, he is a clear thinker on seeing not only intelligence issues but also the broader context of protecting this country. He has a son who serves in the military, and he has been very thoughtful. I yield 3 minutes to a member of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from Brooksville, Florida (Mr. Nugent).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I do understand that the Democratic Party is interested in leaving Afghanistan now that Osama bin Laden has been killed.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SESSIONS. Thank you. Reclaiming my time, I appreciate and respect the words, not only from my friend, but I believe he is absolutely correct. I simply hear the drumbeat that comes out of this town about leaving now that there has been a big victory in dealing with the number one terrorist in the world. I would suggest to you that there is still much work left to be done and that we must not change the focus of the men and women who today are in harm's way. We should not change the focus of the American people in getting them away from the job that is being done on a day- to-day basis and that we should not begin the drumbeat until we have further completed the work that is necessary to ensure that this country is safe. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to a young member of the Rules Committee, a gentleman who served as mayor of Corning, New York, and a man who has dedicated himself to public service, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Corpus Christi, Texas (Mr. Farenthold), another one of our brand-new Members, who brings to this House and to the floor not only a commonsense element but the insistence that people from Corpus Christi be represented on the floor of this House in such a way that will benefit not only our country but also the United States military and, in particular, the United States Navy that has a large base in Corpus Christi.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lois Gerage- Lamb, a dedicated educator at Lakewood Elementary in Dallas, Texas who is retiring this year. After moving to Lakewood in the early 1980s, Lois joined the staff at Lakewood Elementary in 1987. Her twenty-four years of service speak loudly of her patience, dedication, and passion for teaching. Both of my sons, Bill and Alex, had the privilege of having Lois as their teacher. Her commitment to providing students with a quality education was evident in her work ethic and enthusiasm. Known for her upbeat personality and ``can-do'' philosophy, Lois has instilled confidence in her students and inspired them to reach for their dreams. Outside of the classroom, Lois is a well-known community leader. She currently serves as the President of Little People of America, Inc. (LPA), a national advocacy and support group for dwarfs and their families. In this capacity, she has oversees the 6,000 member organization and works tirelessly to raise awareness. Lois is a demonstrated leader with tremendous strength and great fervor and compassion. She will be greatly missed at Lakewood Elementary. I am thankful for dedicated educators like Lois and for the positive impact they have on our children. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in recognizing Lois for her service. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.