Louise Slaughter

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Brown Family Farm in Waterport, NY, now know as Orchard Dale Fruit Farms and Brown's Berry Patch. The survival of this family farm over two centuries is a remarkable store of passion and hard work. In 1804, Elijah and Bathshua Brown bought a 100-acre farm along the Oak Orchard River, just south of Lake Ontario, in what is now Waterport, NY. While moving his family to their new home, Elijah died, and Bathshua was left to settle her five sons and seven daughters in the unbroken wilderness of Upstate New York. Elijah Jr., planted the first apple trees in the county, and thus the Brown Family Farm began. Bathshua began to build what would become one of the most historic and celebrated farms in Upstate New York. Years before, during the Revolutionary War, the British pillaged and burned the Browns' first farm on Fisher Island, CT. During the War of 1812, British war ships again threatened the Brown family as they patrolled the shores of Lake Ontario. In a remarkable coincidence, the very same captain who had burned the Brown's first farm was captured on the shores of Oak Orchard River and brought to Bathshua, the area's matriarch, for judgment. She let him go with a warning never to return. Leadership of the Brown Family Farm passed from generation to generation. In 1895, Brown descendants Harry and Pearl began growing fruit on the farm. At one point, the family was said to have the largest quince orchard in the world. In the 1940's, the family transitioned out of growing fresh fruit, and began selling apples, quince, cherries, pears and plums for processing. Around 1980, Robert Brown II and his wife Deborah again transitioned the farm back into one that produced fresh fruit for consumption. They planted strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for people to come pick themselves. Today, under the leadership of Robert II and Deborah Brown, and Eric and Margy Brown, Brown's Berry Patch is one of the most popular agritourist destinations in Western New York, and a highly successful direct marketer of fresh produce. In 2003, the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association Conference chose Brown's Berry Patch as a Farm Direct Marketer of the Year Finalist. Visitors to Brown's Berry Patch come away not only with fresh, nutritious produce, but with memories that will last a lifetime. In an age when so many family farms struggle to survive, it is gratifying to know that Brown's Berry Patch is thriving, continuing to provide Western New York with fresh fruit and a greater understanding of traditional American agriculture. I congratulate Brown's Berry Patch on their 200th anniversary, and for their dedication to promoting tourism and agriculture in Western New York.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three brave soldiers from the 28th Congressional District of New York who lost their lives while serving in Iraq. These three men, all from Buffalo, left loving families, promising careers and secure futures to serve our Nation in the Armed Forces. They traveled thousands of miles across the world to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I am humbled to have served them in Congress. Private First Class Tamario D. Burkett was killed in the line of duty just days after combat operations began in Iraq, on March 23, 2003. While securing bridges near Nasiriyah, Pfc. Burkett and his fellow soldiers came under heavy fire. Pfc. Burkett, who lived with his family on Peace Street, was just 21 years old. His family continues to celebrate his memory and to mourn the promise of his young life. On October 17, 2003, Specialist Michael L. Williams was killed near Baghdad when the vehicle he was riding in ran over an explosive. Specialist Williams, 46, reenlisted in the Army National Guard after witnessing the horrendous attacks on September 11, which also happened to be his birthday. He died doing what he had dedicated his life to: protecting and serving the American people. He left behind a wife and four daughters. Private First Class Charles E. Bush, Jr., was killed just days before Christmas on December 19, 2003, when a bomb exploded beneath his vehicle. Pfc. Bush, 34, was a cook in the Army, but he had volunteered as a door gunner to help protect the convoy. He could have stayed back, but he chose instead to ride along that day to defend his fellow soldiers. He left behind a devoted family and a young daughter. This Memorial Day, we will pay respect to all the soldiers who have lost their lives defending our nation. It is a tragedy that across the nation, the legion of those we honor will now include hundreds of new names--names of fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, siblings and children who volunteered to serve their nation and who will never return home. In Buffalo, this day will be especially tragic as we honor these three brave soldiers. Private First Class Tamario D. Burkett, Specialist Michael L. Williams and Private First Class Charles E. Bush, Jr. will forever be remembered for their patriotism, their valor and their sacrifice. I pray with all the families who have loved ones that no more lives will be lost and that all our soldiers will arrive safely home soon. We cannot stand to lose any more.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis), the vice chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues on the Democratic side.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank the gentleman from Missouri very much for his leadership. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of an amendment to the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill which I am offering with the leadership of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and my good friend, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito). This bipartisan amendment will help us take a first step in addressing the problems of sexual assault within the military. Last Thursday, the DOD Task Force on Care For Victims of Sexual Assault released its report and recommendations concerning the problem based on a 90-day study. The Slaughter/Capito/Solis/Brown-Waite amendment is based on the report findings and will help to implement several of the recommendations made by the DOD task force. Specifically, it would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy for DOD on the prevention of and response to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces. This comprehensive policy would be based on the recommendations of the task force. In addition, the amendment would require the DOD to take related measures to address sexual assaults in the military, such as reporting the improvement of DOD's capability to respond to sexual assaults, applying the comprehensive policy to all military departments instead of each branch having its own, modifying the policies and procedures of the military departments, annually assessing the policies and procedures, and issuing reports to the Senate and the House Committee on Armed Services. On March 31 of this year, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues held a forum on sexual assaults in the military and submitted its report from the caucus to the Secretary. The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has committed to continuing to take a leadership role in addressing this issue. Mr. Chairman, 120 women have already come back from Iraq saying they have been sexually assaulted by their fellow soldiers. Only 20 of them reported it in the military because of the fact it would end their career. We want to change this attitude and this culture. Now, a similar version of this amendment has already been included in the Senate version of the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill and has good bipartisan support in the Senate. It has been developed in consultation with the Pentagon and is intended to help the Pentagon start implementing the concrete proactive measures that are outlined in the task force's report. We want to help, because the Pentagon, in previous reports, has stated over and over again the problem; but very few solutions have come from it. It is by no means intended to be a quick fix to the problem of sexual assault, but, instead, is intended to be a positive first step towards remedying this terrible problem. Along with my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I also plan to introduce a comprehensive legislation package to deal with other aspects of this issue based on the findings from the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues hearing, additional research and information that we have been gathering, as well as the task force report. We look forward to continuing to work together in a productive manner to eliminate sexual assaults of our United States servicewomen. Again, it is a first step, and I encourage my colleagues to approve this amendment to the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4200, Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization. The House Armed Services Committee deserves recognition for producing a bill that addresses the critical needs of our Armed Forces at a time when we are engaged in major military campaigns in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also makes provisions to ensure the long-term strength of our military readiness and improve the livelihood of our military families. Specifically, I am pleased that this measure eliminates the Survivor Benefit Penalty to spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces. Not only is this annuity essential to the livelihood of many surviving spouses, but it provides much-needed peace of mind to our dedicated military personnel. Additionally, I am pleased that this bill contains $400 million for individual body armor. I have long been concerned about this issue since receiving several phone calls and heartfelt letters from parents in my district whose children serving in Iraq have no body armor. There is no excuse for us to send our soldiers into harm's way without this most basic protection. H.R. 4200 commits substantial resources to ensure that our troops have the body armor they need. Next week, we will commemorate Memorial Day and remember the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Regrettably, since the beginning of the campaign in Iraq, we have added 793 to their ranks. More troubling is that potentially one in four of these fatalities could have been avoided if our troops had had the armored equipment they needed. This bill makes a commitment not only to the memory of the soldiers we have lost but also the ones that continue to be in harm's way in Iraq. We owe it to their memory and those who answer the call to service to do everything in our power to minimize the risk of loss of life. I also want to rise in opposition to H. Res. 648, the rule for consideration of this bill. In Rules Committee, I offered three amendments that would have substantially improved the underlying bill. Regrettably, the Committee decided to deny this body the opportunity to consider two of my amendments. My first amendment would have ensured that the Department of Defense had a steady stream of domestically produced electronic equipment. These components are vital to the maintenance of some of our most sophisticated weapons and communications systems. My second amendment would have allowed individuals to apply for benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act if they developed diseases from their work at facilities that had residual contamination, after the Manhattan Project had been completed. It is long overdue to do right by this aging and ill population. Our men and women in uniform are bravely serving all over the world because their country has called on them. In return, we must ensure that we are doing everything within our power to provide them with what they need. This bill makes great progress toward meeting the needs of our soldiers and their families. For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support for H.R. 4200.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one elected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them. From the U.S. Army, we will honor Command Sergeant Major Debra L. Strickland, who first entered the Army in 1973 from Coral Gables, Florida. Command Sergeant Major Strickland has served the Army at a variety of duty stations and capacities. Among other accomplishments, she distinguished herself early in her career by becoming the first female reserve advisor for the Readiness Group in the Fort Sill, Oklahoma, readiness region and assumed responsibilities over a three state area. She also utilized her experience working at the USAREUR Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and in the office of Leadership to effectively manage the USAREUR Sergeant Morales Program. CSM Strickland has also been a strong MACOM proponent for uniform regulation. One of her many achievements includes an assignment at the Pentagon from 1988- 1989, where she was one of few enlisted proponent action officers for an army publication, AR 670-1, the Army Uniform Regulation. CSM Strickland has successfully completed Sergeants Major Academy and the Command Sergeants Major course. She is Drill Sergeant qualified, a member of the USAREUR Sergeant Morales Club, and is completing a degree in management. She is also the recipient of The Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf), Meritorious Service Medal (6th Oak Leaf) and Humanitarian Service Medal. Command Sergeant Major Debra L. Strickland continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the U.S. Army, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of CSM Strickland and all women in the military.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them. From the U.S. Coast Guard, we will honor Senior Chief Storekeeper Corzetta ``Cozy'' Calloway, who is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CGRC), Coast Guard Personnel Command in Arlington, Virginia. In her position as a supervisor and a Coast Guard recruiter, SCSK Calloway helps to manage the online recruiting program and provides guidance to prospective applicants via the Coast Guard website. Senior Chief Calloway also acts as assistant to the chief of the Recruiting Command's leasing department for all Coast Guard recruiting offices. In this capacity, SCSK Calloway performs essential duties in selecting qualified individuals and subsequently in the development of Coast Guard servicemen and women. She has shown incredible commitment to enhancing the diversity of the Coast Guard workforce. SCSK Calloway distinguishes herself as a leader in both recruiting qualified individuals and applying her specialty in supply organization and logistics. Her impressive awards that she has received include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for serving on the Women's Advisory Council, the Coast Guard Letter of Commendation for recruiting, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Senior Chief Calloway plans to retire soon from the Coast Guard with 30 years of service, and she will be remembered for her commitment to improving the Coast Guard and her dedication to service. She continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Coast Guard, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of SCSK Calloway and all women in the military.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize 5 outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them. From the U.S. Navy, we will honor Master Chief Kelly D. Williams. A native of Texas, Master Chief Williams has an Associate in Arts with Honors degree from City Colleges of Chicago. She began her career in the Navy in Meridian, Mississippi, where she attend Storekeeper Class ``A'' School. She successfully completed Instructor Training, Storekeeper Independent Duty Afloat and Command Career Counselor training in 1991, and also graduated from training in Shipboard Uniform Automated Data Processing Systems. Serving the U.S. Navy at a variety of stations and duties, Master Chief Williams should be especially recognized for her commitment during her time assigned to the staff of the Commander, Naval Surface Group Mediterranean, in Naples, Italy. Her diligence and dedication as Assistant Replenishment Officer earned her the Navy Achievement Medal for her direct contribution to assuring Sixth Fleet combat effectiveness and readiness during Operations Noble Anvil/Allied Force. She is currently assigned as the Assistant Head to the Navy Uniform Board and has been a vital contributor to the Navy's first-ever Navy Uniform Task Force. Among her many achievements, Master Chief Williams has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various service and campaign awards. Master Chief Kelly D. Williams continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Navy, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Master Chief Williams and all women in the military.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and that entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize 5 outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them. From the U.S. Air Force, we will honor Chief Master Sergeant Margaret C. Burgess, who is currently serving as the Superintendent, Intelligence, 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Sergeant Burgess has served the Air Force at a variety of duty stations and capacities. She distinguished herself early in her career by meritorious service during her first assignment as Target Intelligence Specialist at the Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England, where she made outstanding contributions to the wing's combat mission folder program, significantly contributing to the wing's combat readiness. Her thorough understanding of United States Air Forces in Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization war plans, and her in-depth knowledge of A-10 combat deployment, made her a key member of the intelligence team during exercises and evaluations. Sergeant Burgess has repeatedly demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership and devotion to the U.S. Air Force. Of note, Sergeant Burgess engineered the intelligence repatriation process of returned isolated personnel to Ahmed Al Jaber Airbase, Kuwait, and operated successfully during the repatriation of an F-14 aircrew that had ejected over southern Iraq. She demonstrated superb organizational skills by developing comprehensive, all-source ground order battle files of Iraq that were later adopted as the standard by other theater intelligence assets, which resulted in the successful completion of 5 combat rescues, 4 combat recoveries and more than 16 combat support sorties. Among her many achievements, Sergeant Burgess was also awarded the Bronze Star for her work during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chief Master Sergeant Margaret C. Burgess continues to distinguish herself as an invaluable leader in the Air Force, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Sergeant Burgess and all women in the military.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, Congresswoman Capito and the entire Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the 7th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of this event is to honor our nation's servicewomen and female veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in service to the United States. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize five outstanding female servicewomen, one selected from each branch of the military. These women serve their respective branches with honor, dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them. From the U.S. Marine Corps, we will honor Sergeant Major Barbara J. Titus, who enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves on March 3, 1978, and graduated from the Women Recruit Training Command, Company ``L'' at Parris Island, South Carolina. She has distinguished herself through her commitment and dedication to the Marine Corps. Sergeant Titus reported on active duty to the Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron 90, Marine Air Traffic Support Group (MATSG) 90, Naval Air Station (NAS), in Millington, Tennessee. She successfully attended the Aviation Electronics and Air Traffic Control Maintenance Schools, where she dedicated her training to becoming an Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Repairman. Among other achievements, Sergeant Titus has distinguished herself by her commitment to enhancing her education and training. She graduated from Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina, where she quickly excelled from Drill Instructor to Senior Drill Instructor and ultimately Chief Drill Instructor. She returned to Millington, Tennessee in August of 1991 as an instructor at the Air Traffic Control Maintenance School, where she clearly demonstrated her leadership skills. Having served the U.S. Marine Corps in various capacities here in the U.S. as well as abroad in countries like Japan, Sergeant Major Barbara J. Titus continues to dedicate herself to the Marine Corps and to protecting our nation. She is an invaluable leader in the Marine Corps, and it is an honor for each member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues to recognize the courage and commitment of Sergeant Titus and all women in the military.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 177, 178, 179 due to bad weather, which delayed my flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 177, 178, 179.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4193, which the House is considering today under suspension of the rules. I want to take a moment to recognize the work done by my colleague, Representative Quinn, who introduced the original bill, H.R. 840, which serves as a basis for H.R. 4193. I was proud to be an original cosponsor of the earlier bill, which would expand the areas of Renewal Communities based on more recent census information. Teh Renewal Communities Initiative combines tax credits and other provisions designed to revive some of the nation's more impoverished distressed areas. These cities can take advantage of federal wage credits, tax deductions, capital gains exclusions, and bond financing to stimulate economic development and job growth. Each incentive is tailored to meet the particular needs of a business and offers a significant inducement for companies to locate and hire additional workers. We have come close before to enacting this commonsense change, but this time we cannot fail. This is too great an issue of importance to the country, and in particular, my district in Western New York. Due to a loss of population in the 1990's, my area would greatly benefit from this change. Out of five Renewal Communities designated in New York State, three are in my district: Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester. According to Fannie Mae, this technical change would allow 14 more census tracts to qualify in Rochester, 16 more tracts in Buffalo- Lackawanna, and seven additional census tracts in Niagara Falls. Each city in my district needs these incentives to expand jobs and promote business investment in our downtown areas. The statistics from my district paint the bleak picture. The March 2004 employment figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor in late April revealed that the Buffalo-Niagara Falls market had the highest unemployment rate increase over the past year among all major metropolitan areas with one million or more residents. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Buffalo's unemployment rate in March was 7.4 percent, up 1.1 points from 6.3 percent a year ago. The number of unemployed was 42,000 this year. In March, Rochester's unemployment rate was 6.7 percent according, with 700 more area people employed in March than in February. However, that is still 4,400 fewer people than had jobs in March 2003. Manufacturers have slashed about 4,600 jobs in the last year. The biggest dip was in jobs producing nondurable goods such as film--an 8.7 percent drop. This decease was mainly a result of Eastman Kodak Co.'s continued downsizing. The Renewal communities program seeks to entice businesses to develop commercial property and hire local employees. I strongly believe that the federal government can be an important partner in local efforts to spur economic development. The program provides critical tools to help with that partnership. The expansion of the Renewal Communities program would give these cities the necessary spark to reignite their economic engines. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4193.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, two wrongs do not make a right, and three wrongs do not make a right, and passing bad legislation a second and third time will not make it a good bill. And I do not believe the Senate is going to like it a bit better. As a matter of fact, if the problem is the United States Senate, the other body, it would seem to me that we could take the bill over to the other body and find out exactly what the problem is and not take the time of the House over and over passing a bill that will go nowhere. Last year, the House considered and passed the legislation that is identical to two of the bills considered under the rule, and I do not believe the people of this great Nation sent us here to change the number on a bill and pass it again during the same Congress. Instead of playing these legislative games, we should be working on the grave issues that face this country. Americans are out of work, the Federal deficit is reaching all-time highs, American troops are in even greater danger in Iraq, the serious abuses of Iraqi prisoners and the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should be aggressively investigated, and our hard-earned reputation and relationships throughout the world are in a shambles. So why, Mr. Speaker, are we on the floor of the people's House doing the same thing we did last year? Why are we wasting valuable time reconsidering the bills that were passed and sent to the other body? The bills do nothing to help the more than 40 million uninsured Americans. It is shameful, with so many issues facing this Nation, that so many pieces of good legislation languish while we waste valuable floor time on bills that have already been passed and are not expired. Why are we not considering bipartisan legislation to expand access to preventive health care services and to education programs that help to reduce unintended pregnancies, reduce infections of sexually transmitted diseases? And why are we not considering legislation that would allow children of deployed servicemembers to remain at their public schools in the event of a temporary residences change? Why do we not consider legislation to keep law enforcement uniforms out of the hands of criminals and terrorists? Why are we not on the floor debating and passing important bipartisan genetic nondiscrimination legislation? This replay game is not even an effort to improve the earlier work. The bills are not new and improved. Last year's medical malpractice legislation was considered under a closed rule, and this year the same malpractice legislation is subject to a closed rule. In the Committee on Rules hearing on each of the medical malpractice bills, Democrats offered a total of 39 amendments. Zero were made in order. Last year, the rule on the association health plans, the AHP bill, was restrictive, allowing only one amendment. This year, the same AHP bill with a new number is subject to a restrictive rule and again only one amendment is made in order. I make the point again, Mr. Speaker, there is no change in the bill that has already passed the House. Mr. Speaker, it does not help the millions of uninsured Americans at all. The wealthy are able to take advantage of the health savings accounts, but the poor are not. The uninsured will continue to be the uninsured. H.R. 4281 suffers from the same fatal maladies as last year's bill creating the AHPs. The Congressional Budget Office found that under this proposal, now this is very important, the Congressional Budget Office found that under the proposal passed that the premiums would increase for 80 percent of workers in small firms, and that 100,000 of the sickest workers would lose coverage all together. The bill would eliminate the protection of over 1,000 State consumer protection laws and vital State oversight. AHPs are likely to destabilize the health insurance market. Over 850 organizations oppose this legislation, including the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The cure offered by the same medical malpractice bill is worse than the disease. Just like last year's bill, the bill ignores the major player in rising malpractice insurance premiums: the insurance corporations. Why we do that, I do not know; but they are continually left out of this equation. Proponents want to blame the jury awards for rising insurance premiums, but a study by Americans for Insurance Reform reported that rising insurance premiums are in no way tied to jury awards. Nothing in the bill requires the insurance corporations to lower premiums for medical malpractice insurance. Nothing in this bill requires the insurance companies to pass along to the physicians any savings the corporations might gain from this legislation. And, disappointingly, nothing in this bill gets rid of incompetent doctors. Statistics say that 5 percent of doctors are responsible for 54 percent of all medical malpractice claims paid. Logic cries out that those 5 percent of doctors be dealt with. Now, this legislation punishes injured patients with valuable claims against negligent or reckless physicians and allows repeatedly reckless doctors to continue to practice medicine. We should weed out the 5 percent of physicians causing most of the harm and who force the insurance to pay again and again for their mistakes. We should stop playing games and consider legislation that will really help patients and that will really aid the doctors in providing quality health care. What we need is a reasonable regulation of the insurance industry, aggressive removal of bad doctors, and affordable prescription drugs. Mr. Speaker, my concern goes beyond this obvious waste of time and resources and the poor substance of these three bills. Once again, the House is denied the opportunity to engage in full and open debate. Members are being muzzled. This abuse of process is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Excluding H. Res. 638, the Committee on Rules has produced 22 rules this year: one open rule, 14 restrictive, five closed, and two procedurals. Debate is narrowed and stifled. Amendments and policy alternatives routinely are made out of order and not allowed on the floor. The body is elected to deliberate and debate, but the process is becoming much less democratic and much less deliberative. This abuse of power and process harms this institution and does nothing to help the over 40 million Americans without health care insurance. Reconsideration and repassage of these bills is a meaningless exhibition of political theater, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule so the House can get down to some serious work on behalf of the American people. I must also say, Mr. Speaker, that I am particularly aggrieved at the portion of this bill that allows the pharmaceutical companies and the producers of medical devices to get off without being sued. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would continue to yield, there is no punitive damage; none. In addition to that, just last week it was reported that science in the United States is falling considerably behind. We are no longer the leaders. This is the same leading by this FDA. I am very sorry to see that in this bill, and I believe most Americans will not approve it being in this bill. Frankly, I hope the Senate will again refuse to take it up.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Not only for the drug industry, Mr. Speaker, but for the people who manufacture medical devices. I know that is hard to believe, given that the drug companies just cleaned up from the Medicare bill passed here, but they are indemnified in this bill if the FDA has approved what they are doing. Mr. Speaker, this is the same FDA that just last week threw science overboard and declined to approve a drug that has been found safe in 36 countries and by 24 of 29 scientists that studied it for the FDA. I do not trust the FDA anymore. But the FDA gives it approval, and then says citizens will have no recourse.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking for a ``no'' vote on the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment to the rule that will allow the House to add two more important health-related bills to this multibill rule. Since we are revoting on health initiatives that have already passed the House in some form in this Congress, I think we should take this opportunity to consider two other very important pieces of healthcare- related legislation. My amendment would allow for the consideration of a bipartisan drug reimportation legislation. If the purpose of this rule and these bills is to restate our commitment to House-passed health-related matters, this bill certainly deserves to be included. It has been passed several times. Drug reimportation legislation would provide relief for millions of Americans including the over 40 million uninsured. The House overwhelmingly passed similar legislation last year but it is worth considering again, now that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has said that he supports reimporting drugs from Canada. The second bill would amend the Medicare Prescription Drug Act to provide for negotiation of fair prices for Medicare prescription drugs. I cannot think of a more important correction to the Medicare prescription drug bill than fixing the irresponsible language in that bill that prohibits the Federal Government from negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs for our Nation's senior citizens. Let me emphasize that a ``no'' vote on the previous question will not stop consideration of the three bills already covered by the rule. It will allow the House to add these two important health bills to this multibill rule. However, a ``yes'' vote will block Members from considering two more critical health initiatives. Again, I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the amendment be printed in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, let me yield myself 1 minute to respond to my colleague who did misunderstand what I was saying. The speaker had said that practicing defensive medicine was one of the reasons that the costs were so high. What the CBO has said was that defensive medicine is motivated less by liability concerns than the income it generates for the physician. On the basis of CBO's own studies and research, they believe that savings from reducing defensive medicine would be very small. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. CBO reports that proponents of limiting malpractice liability argue greater savings in health care, possible through reductions in practice of defensive medicine. However, the defensive medicine is motivated less by liability than by the physicians, by the money it generates for them. And on the basis of existing studies and its own research, the Congressional Budget Office says savings from reducing defensive medicine would be very small. Also, there is no evidence that restriction on tort liability reduced medical spending. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.