Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate and respect the debate that's going on today, and I want to thank the Rules Committee for making in order an amendment to this bill. Mr. Chairman, currently private health care providers are treating brain injury patients with new and innovative treatments with remarkable results. And I am disappointed, however, to report that many of these treatments are currently not available within the military and veterans medical facilities across this country for our heroes who are suffering from traumatic brain injuries. I have engaged the military now at the senior military leadership for quite some time, and I am not satisfied with the military's response to TBI, traumatic brain injuries. With that said, in an effort to further aid our military members and to fix this delinquency, I introduced the TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, Treatment Act, H.R. 4568, in February of this year. I am offering it as an amendment today. The TBI Treatment Act establishes a 5-year pay for performance pilot program. Essentially, what would happen is that any member of the military or who is being treated today by the Veterans' Administration would be able to ask for being able to go outside the military system to a private or free enterprise market system and to be able to have the latest innovative procedures applied to them. Private health care providers would be authorized and reimbursed to provide proven treatments to active duty soldiers and veterans at no cost to the patient. I believe, and I believe the Members of this body believe, that it is important to work with the military leadership however they need help in getting to the correct answer. I am asking for each of us today as Members to look very carefully at this issue and to join me in supporting this amendment. This amendment helps to expedite these groundbreaking treatments to make sure that, effective immediately and quickly, our Nation's veterans, who are suffering from TBI and the myriad of problems that come with that, will receive the most leading-edge answers available in medicine today. So I ask my colleagues to please join with me in this bipartisan amendment. Mr. Chairman, I also note as I stand that I am opposed to the provisions known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell changes. Yesterday at the Rules Committee we had a rather vigorous debate, and at the end of that debate when I had an opportunity to talk with members of the committee who were there, I said, Please tell me about the debate that took place in the committee. There was none. It should have been in the committee.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I believe that this issue really demanded an opportunity for the members of the Armed Services Committee to fully debate and vet and lead the way on this issue rather than it being part of a political issue that is dominated by the Democratic Party. I believe that the members of the military, honored heroes of this great Nation, should not be a part of a political agenda but rather be a part of good policy for this Nation. I think it's a slap in the face to the members of the military to be driven down a road that is driven by a political agenda from the left in this country rather than wise policy. I am disappointed. I related that to the committee and its leadership yesterday, and I will say it on the floor of the House today, that I believe that when we go forth in dealing with the military, we should go forth altogether and not as a political agenda.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack Colley who passed away on May 16, 2010. He was the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), Division of Emergency Management. Prior to joining TXDPS, he served in the United States Army from 1970-97 and retired as a Colonel. He was a valuable member of TXDPS and changed the field of Emergency Management. During his tenure, Colonel Colley was involved in the response and recovery of some of the largest incidents and disasters in Texas, such as the Space Shuttle Columbia crash in 2003, Hurricane Rita in 2005, and Hurricane Ike in 2008. Learning from the fallout of Hurricane Katrina, he began efforts to evacuate and shelter companion animals, emphasizing that no one would be left behind because they could not bring their pet. He sought to make disaster response quicker, faster, and smarter and utilized innovative methods to make the Division of Emergency Management more effective. Among his many initiatives, Colonel Colley pushed for an Interstate Emergency Response Support Plan (IERSP)-- partnering with Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the first of its kind in the nation. Under his leadership, the Division of Emergency Management also focused on Re-Entry Task Forces that provided critical care and security and restored infrastructure within the first 72 hours after a storm. He was a visionary, a great leader, and a dedicated public servant. The great State of Texas has suffered a great loss; Jack Colley will be missed by all. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in recognizing the legacy of Colonel Jack Colley. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chase Thompson Phillips, a young man that I have known for sixteen years. In June, he will graduate from Mexia High School as a Distinguished Honor Graduate. Chase is a member of the National Honor Society and the baseball team. This year, he and his doubles partner, Blake Dornak, competed in the State Tennis Tournament in Austin, Texas. They are the first duo from Mexia High School to qualify for the state competition and they made it to the quarterfinal round of the 3A State Tennis Tournament. This feat is particularly impressive since Chase and Blake did not have the guidance of tennis coaches or benefit from any practice matches. It speaks loudly of Chase's work ethic and dedication. This year, he received the Dallas Safari Club's Colin Caruthers Younger Hunger Award for his passion for hunting and commitment to community service. Started in 1991, this prestigious award honors young member hunters for their significant accomplishments, academic excellence, and civic involvement. He was previously honored with the International Youth Hunting and Conservation Award from Dallas Safari Club and has also done anti-poaching work for black rhinoceros in Zimbabwe. Chase was also selected to represent Limestone County at the American Legion Boys State Conference in Austin, Texas. Over the years, I have watched Chase grow up into a mature, responsible young man. He is selflessly committed to serving his local community, giving generously of his time and effort to make our world a better place. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in honoring this fine young man. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chase Thompson Phillips, a young man that I have known for sixteen years. In June, he will graduate from Mexia High School as a Distinguished Honor Graduate. Chase is a member of the National Honor Society and the baseball team. This year, he and his doubles partner, Blake Dornak, competed in the State Tennis Tournament in Austin, Texas. They are the first duo from Mexia High School to qualify for the state competition and they made it to the quarterfinal round of the 3A State Tennis Tournament. This feat is particularly impressive since Chase and Blake did not have the guidance of tennis coaches or benefit from any practice matches. It speaks loudly of Chase's work ethic and dedication. This year, he received the Dallas Safari Club's Colin Caruthers Younger Hunger Award for his passion for hunting and commitment to community service. Started in 1991, this prestigious award honors young member hunters for their significant accomplishments, academic excellence, and civic involvement. He was previously honored with the International Youth Hunting and Conservation Award from Dallas Safari Club and has also done anti-poaching work for black rhinoceros in Zimbabwe. Chase was also selected to represent Limestone County at the American Legion Boys State Conference in Austin, Texas. Over the years, I have watched Chase grow up into a mature, responsible young man. He is selflessly committed to serving his local community, giving generously of his time and effort to make our world a better place. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in honoring this fine young man. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young man that I have known his entire life, Grayson James. He is a Cub Scout with Pack 437 and saved his father's life on the evening of Thursday, February 11, 2010. After an afternoon of sledding with his daughter, Mr. Joe James began experiencing shortness of breath. Upon his return home, Grayson listened carefully as his father, Joe, described his symptoms-- shortness of breath, sweating, pain, and being thirsty. With his Readyman training in first-aid, Grayson recognized that his father was having a heart attack and insisted that his mother call 911. The paramedics arrived and quickly rushed Mr. James to the hospital for surgery to repair the blockage in his heart. Grayson's quick thinking, presence of mind, and the utilization of his scouting skills saved his father's life. For this courageous act, the Boy Scouts of America are awarding Grayson with the Medal of Merit. This prestigious award is given to those who have performed a significant act of service that is deserving of national recognition. He handled the situation with a great sense of calm and confidence, reassuring his family in the midst of this urgent situation. I am tremendously proud of Grayson for applying the principles and skills he learned in Scouting and for being prepared. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in congratulating Grayson for receiving the Medal of Merit and in recognizing him for his courage.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I will continue to reserve my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The facts of the case are out on the table today. The Federal Government is going to run this program. It will determine the winners and losers. It will decide which of the technologies will be reimbursed. It will decide how this program is going to work. We in essence take the consumer out of the equation. The taxpayer of this country, as the bill is written, will have $6.6 billion in new deficit and debt that will be on the future of this country, our children and our grandchildren. We will continue to have less ability to effectively have jobs in this country as a result of the continuing debt. We have heard this story before. We heard about how great the stimulus was. Well, the stimulus, which was called a jobs bill, was about anything but jobs. It was about big government and diminishing the size of the free enterprise system. The health care bill, oh, it's all about jobs. And we found out just days after that was passed, whoops, you better add another $600 billion to what the real cost will be because it was not included, despite the debate and all of the time on the floor. The health care bill was as much about health care as the stimulus was about jobs. Here we are adding another promise from the Democrat majority: this is about jobs. But what this party fails to talk about is, okay, 150,000 jobs for $6.5 billion worth of spending, new debt not paid for, not adequately enumerating the things that will really happen in the marketplace. We have already talked about the promises that were made during the stimulus, and of that only 5 percent has materialized out of the Department of Energy. The reason why is because people don't have money. People do not have money because they do not have jobs. We do not have jobs in this country because of the Democratic majority who has made a decision that their political agenda to diminish the size of the free enterprise system is just fine for them. The three largest political agenda items of this Democratic Party, the Speaker and the President, net lose 10 million American jobs. That's why people do not end up having jobs and why people will not be able to buy into this plan either. Because people are unemployed. They are hurting. They are concerned about how they are going to take care of themselves. Quite honestly, Madam Speaker, this country is afraid. They are afraid of the massive debt, and we are going to pile on another $6.5 billion today. We talked about how and when the Democrats took control of this Congress, they promised little job loss, lower deficits, and we have only seen the opposite. Additionally, little to no progress has been made to providing real solutions to the high unemployment rate; 150,000 jobs won't cut it. We are getting ready to lose 300,000 more teachers' jobs because communities can't afford to have the teachers. They can't pay for them. And we are here today to vote on another $6.6 billion, a spending spree for the Federal Government to manage and pick the winners and losers in the energy saving sector. It is bad policy. Where are the jobs? Where is the ability of people to make decisions? Nope, we are going to let the Federal Government decide this. Madam Speaker, Congress, the Democratic Party, believes we can just spend our way out of this economic crisis. We need reforms. We need to work together. We need America to be an employer nation again. Ah, the old days with Republicans, all that debt they caused, not a drop in the bucket compared to what this 4 years of Democrat control has done. I once again stand up for my party and say no, we are not going to participate in this. We K-N-O-W exactly what this Democrat majority is all about. One-party rule is bad for this country. Not accepting amendments from the other party is not good for the country. I encourage a ``no'' vote on the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Clarence, New York, (Mr. Lee.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire, if I can, upon the time remaining on both sides.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the ranking member on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Ennis, Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentlewoman from California for the extension of the time, my friend from the Rules Committee, whom I enjoy working with very much. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. Yesterday in the Rules Committee, the Democrat majority once again shut out good Republican ideas while rolling 15 Democratic amendments into the manager's amendment. These were 15 Democrat requests to add into the bill, and the Rules Committee saw fit to get that done for those Members of the Democratic Party. This is not the way to have an open, honest Congress, as our Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, promised in 2007. Madam Speaker, what Republicans are going to talk about today is a number of issues, but perhaps key among them is the priority items that are on this floor today that is about more spending, more deficit spending, and against the ideas that this Speaker and the Democratic majority have talked about, about paying for bills. I think what we are going to learn today, and as we move forward, is the Democratic Party is having problems making a decision about how they will pay for these bills because we have had so much massive spending, so many new programs, that this majority is incapable of setting any priorities. In other words, if you want something else, the public was sold, that the Democrats would be open to taking it from somewhere else and constantly making prioritization. In fact, that's not true. What it's all about is just adding in more spending and more debt without regard for making tough decisions. I disagree with that. I think it's a bad policy. I think if you say you are going to require bills to be paid for under PAYGO, you should do that. Once again today we see where that is not true with another bill on the floor that is about spending more money. One hundred percent deficit spending in this bill. Today I am also going to discuss other issues. And it's really about the bill. This bill is too costly. It raises serious questions about the Department of Energy's ability to effectively implement this program. And it will allow the Federal Government to pick winners and losers in the private sector while all of these companies are trying to take care of making us more efficient, but then picking the winners and losers. H.R. 5019 would authorize $6.6 billion for what I am going to call a cash for caulkers program, $6.6 billion of new deficit spending. This bill would provide tax rebates to participating contractors and vendors who would perform qualifying energy-saving measures that meet efficiency and insulation targets in Federal standards. That's a whole lot of words for a program that in essence is too expensive, unnecessary, and I believe a waste of taxpayer dollars, especially at a time when growing deficits are causing this country to have failing markets and confidence in this government. Republicans strongly support legislation that promotes effective energy efficiency. But 150,000 jobs, as are being talked about, for $6.6 billion on the back of the American taxpayer is not a good deal. It's not a fair trade. And to that point, the Democrats on the Rules Committee all voted against allowing my colleague Mr. Latta, the gentleman from Ohio, from even offering his amendment on the House floor today, which would have suspended the provisions of this bill if it added to the Federal deficit. This majority doesn't even want to have a conversation about controlling spending. And that's why they will continue to shut out Republican Members as they come to the Rules Committee with wise, prudent, and conservative ideas. This 2-year program will be administered through the Department of Energy, which has already proven to be a terrible manager of the $4.7 billion from the economic stimulus weatherization program in which only 30,297 homes have been weatherized, about 5 percent of the stated overall goal of more than 600,000. These are all, I am sure, great ideas and lofty goals, but it's taxpayer spending, taxpayer money, and more deficit spending. The Home Star Energy Retrofit Program will undoubtedly experience the same administrative problems, implementation problems, and oversight problem for the Department of Energy. What a shame we just didn't give it directly to consumers rather than creating a program that then must be administered following Federal standards, Federal rules, and more and more and more participation from Washington, D.C. Allowing the Federal Government to get bigger and bloated and to control this process is not an efficient way to run this government or spend the American people's tax dollars. Additionally, this legislation is not technology-neutral. It is not the role, I believe, of the Federal Government to pick winners and losers in the private sector, yet that's exactly what this bill does. This legislation lists 13 energy-saving measures that qualify for rebates of varying dollar amounts. That's right, we are going to tell people exactly how to do this and what qualifies. There are many energy products that were left off the list or that will not qualify because of what are considered technical requirements. These are so numerous that we simply cannot effectively have a good program. It should be about effectiveness, saving energy, and allowing a consumer to be engaged in making these decisions so that we assure that the real cost and the delivery of that product was known and understood by the consumer, not just ordering something that came from the Federal Government, having somebody show up at your door, and then being reimbursed by the Federal Government, with the consumer being left out in the cold rather than a demand about what they were after and knowing what their needs are. Over a year ago, Speaker Pelosi and the President promised that unemployment would not reach 8 percent or above. Since that time, 4 million Americans have lost their job. And that was a promise. We have now reached a 10.2 percent record unemployment rate, and continue to hover well over that promised 8 percent figure. Madam Speaker, I believe the American people understand what this change has meant. It has meant a bigger Federal Government, record spending, and incredibly high deficits for as far as the eye can see and over the horizon. This is another example of the kind of political agenda that adds to that of the Speaker and the President that will, if all implemented, net lose over 10 million American jobs. Losing 10 million American jobs from a political agenda is a problem to the Republican Party. We believe that the ability to make progress and work here in Congress for the best effort of the American people in the creation of jobs, not net loss of 10 million jobs, should be what this Congress should be focused on. You see, Madam Speaker, we think that America should be the employer nation. We believe that America has always led the way, the leader in the world to making sure we are competitive, and to make sure that we have a smaller, more efficient Federal Government, with unlimited opportunity for freedom for citizens back home. This bill effectively takes the citizenry, the consumer, out of the equation and puts the Federal Government central not only in people's lives, but central in paying the bill. We should work with the investor and the free enterprise system. That is what has made us the global leader for our grandparents, our parents, and this current generation. We only have unemployment and this horrible high debt because of the political considerations of the Democratic Party and their agenda. And the Republican Party is on record again today as saying enough is enough. The national debt continues to grow rapidly towards $13 trillion, yet our Democrat majority friends are spending billions of more dollars again today on an excessive program that sets burdensome technical requirements, picks private sector winners and losers, and hands the reins over to the Department of Energy to dole out the funds as it sees fit. Shuttling our responsibility, not allowing the amendments in the Rules Committee for commonsense legislation, rolling 15 Democrat amendments into the manager's amendment, and a $6.6 billion cost that will come directly from deficit spending, which means we have to go borrow and once again go to the world or the Chinese or others to say ``please help us'' is a bad way to run this business. Madam Speaker, it is obvious to me that the political agenda is more that the Democrats want than the commonsense attributes of saying, enough is enough, let's know what we're doing. So I am going to urge a ``no'' vote. I am going to urge a ``no'' vote on the rule and a ``no'' vote on the underlying legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, jobs are the issue, and so is debt. And taking debt of $6.5 billion to add to this deficit that we have got to pay for should be a priority. Spending five or six generations' worth of money in a year-and-a-half is not a good way to pass on a better America. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Bowling Green, Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 additional minutes to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 2\1/ 2\ minutes to the gentleman from Auburn, Washington (Mr. Reichert).

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the grand opening of the Elite News National Religious Hall of Fame Museum on Thursday, April 29, 2010. First launched in 2000 by Mr. William Blair, Jr., the National Religious Hall of Fame Museum seeks to celebrate, encourage, and showcase the positive impact of ministers in our local community. The inductees are individuals that have been active in ministry for at least fifteen years and are honored for their community, social, and spiritual contributions. Their dedicated efforts have positively influenced our community and touched the lives of numerous individuals, spanning generations. The National Religious Hall of Fame Museum highlights the important role ministers play in our society. They work countless hours, wholeheartedly devoted to serving God and mankind. Although the results of their tireless efforts may be unseen by many, the impact of our ministers speak loudly in the legacy they leave and in the lives they transform. This museum serves as a tribute to how they have made our community and our world a better place. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in congratulating Elite News and their commitment to honoring ministers with the National Religious Hall of Fame Museum.

Mr. SESSIONS

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

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, my amendment to the IMPROVE Act sets the record straight on the importance of competition in Federal contracting. My amendment simply clarifies that nothing in this bill restricts the current public-private competition requirements that already exist in title 10 of the United States Code. Competing contracts help the government to be a ``smarter shopper.'' This process simply compares costs and performance currently being used by the Federal Government to alternatives available in the private and nonprofit organizations. Whether the benefits are produced by keeping the work within the agency, or from contracting out, the best deal for the taxpayer and our national defense should win every single time. The Office of Management and Budget Report on Competitive Sourcing Results for fiscal year 2007 showed that competitions between year 2003 and 2007 have saved the taxpayer $7.2 billion. Expected savings from competition are approximately $1 billion a year. Taxpayers will receive a return of about $30 for every dollar spent on competition. Competition simply gives the taxpayer the opportunity to be a smarter shopper and to get the best products available for the very best price. I not only encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, but also to adopt competitive sourcing procedures in all of our Federal agencies. What is good for the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense and all across this government is certainly good enough for the Department of Labor and all agencies. This IMPROVE Act is one step toward combating the waste, fraud and abuse of contracting within the Federal Government. I support this legislation and believe it is not only intended for the right purposes, but will also achieve that. I ask that all of my colleagues support passage of this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I do want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) not only for his testimony before the Rules Committee yesterday, but also that of Mr. Conaway. With the intent of their legislation, they are trying to streamline the government, save money, produce a better product, and perhaps more importantly, to make sure that the American people have confidence in the money that they are spending that goes for the intended reasons. For that I not only appreciate you, Mr. Chairman, but also the hard work and the thoughtfulness that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) has put into this. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, we are being told today by our friends, the Democrats, to trust Washington and to trust them. Yet the Obama- Pelosi legislation which passed this House earlier last year promised that, if Congress passed the $787 billion stimulus package, national unemployment would never rise above 8 percent. Today, the national unemployment is 9.7 percent and is hovering near a 25-year high. I think it is time for the American people to recognize that the answers do not all reside here in Washington, D.C., but that we need to take care of our business. Our business should not be about trying to do a lot of things to a lot of other people but to focus on jobs for this country. Jobs are the number one issue. Jobs are the things which will spur the American entrepreneurship and the creativity that will allow us to be competitive with the world. Where are the jobs?

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Jon. M. Lauder and his dedicated service to this great Nation. After graduating from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1994, he has served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served two combat tours in Iraq, including the initial assault into Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After a combat tour in Eastern Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Major Lauder served as a U.S. military observer in Israel during the summer of 2006 during the Israeli- Hezbollah war. He is currently the Commanding Officer for the Marcie Corps Recruiting Station in Dallas, Texas. On May 14, 2010, Major Lauder will be turning over his command and will move to Washington, DC for his new assignment at the Pentagon. It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to work with him. I proudly call him my friend and know that Major Lauder's dedicated service has made our Nation a safer and better place. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Major Lauder. I wish him and his family all the best.