Betty Sutton

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois, a distinguished member of the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. Davis. (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished gentleman, the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee from California (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz- Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened today to hear of the passing of Congressman Paul Gillmor. As a freshman Member of this body, I haven't known Mr. Gillmor as long as some of my colleagues who have already spoken and who will, I'm sure, rise to speak in moments following my remarks. I did have occasion enough to spend time with Mr. Gillmor to know what a friendly and unpretentious and likeable man he was. And my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Karen, and his family and his friends. I did have the opportunity to serve with Karen in the State legislature in Ohio. And Karen, as I said, you're in our thoughts and prayers. The State of Ohio and the United States Congress have lost a great friend. Paul Gillmor devoted his life to serving his community, his State and his Nation. From his service in the United States Air Force to his tireless efforts on behalf of the people of Ohio in Congress, Paul Gillmor always fought hard to make a difference in people's lives. We will all miss him greatly. And I am grateful for the opportunity to have known him even for the short time that I did.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2992, the SBA Trade Programs Act. I want to thank Congressman Hall for introducing this important bill and for his continued efforts to ensure our trade policies work for American businesses and workers. I also want to applaud the distinguished chairwoman, Chairwoman Velazquez, for her leadership on this issue and dedication to helping our small businesses. This bill could not be more relevant because small businesses in Ohio and across the Nation are struggling to compete because of sometimes misguided U.S. trade policies and unfair and often illegal foreign trade practices. Small businesses and their workers are the backbone of communities in Ohio and across this Nation. Just listen to the statistics: Small businesses comprise 97 percent of all export enterprises but only generate 30 percent of domestic export revenues, and that number is shrinking. This is happening because our trade policies often benefit large corporate interests and leave small businesses behind. The trends also show that it is becoming more and more difficult for American small businesses to compete against the unfair trade practices of foreign nations, often propped up by governmental subsidies, weak intellectual property laws, and currency manipulation. H.R. 2992 will help small businesses become more competitive in the international trade market. This bill will provide a comprehensive set of resources to help small businesses by increasing export assistance, strengthening small business trade policies, and providing adjustment assistance. These are very important steps we can take at the Small Business Administration to help our local firms stay competitive; and while this will help small business compete both domestically and globally, there is clearly much more that needs to be done, including an overhaul of U.S. trade policy to ensure that the needs of American businesses and workers and communities are being met. Unfortunately, our current trade policies put American businesses and workers often at a disadvantage and reward companies who move overseas or outsource jobs, and for communities like mine, Mr. Speaker, in northeast Ohio where the creation and retention of jobs is the number one issue, supporting our local industries and small businesses will be critical to our ability to revitalize our economy and succeed in the future. Today, we move in the right direction by passing the SBA Trade Programs Act; and, once again, I applaud Congressman Hall and Chairwoman Velazquez for their leadership on this important issue and for the hard work that they are doing.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 602 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we make a commitment to our students who want to succeed in the fields of math and science. It's time that we help our manufacturers and promote innovation and industrial competitiveness. With this legislation, we are setting our course. While there are many things that must be done on many different issues to see real improvements, passing the 21st Century Competitiveness Act today is one very positive and enormous step in the right direction. We are saying we want to invest in our teachers. We want to invest in our students, invest in science and research and development and innovation. We are developing our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, we are preparing our Nation for a bright future. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 602 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 2. That immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point of order, consider the bill (H.R. 3138) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to update the definition of electronic surveillance. All points of order against the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentleman if he has any remaining speakers. I'm the last speaker on this side, and I'll reserve my time until the gentleman has closed for his side.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, at this time it's my honor to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida, a member of both the Rules Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence (Mr. Hastings).

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, at this time, it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my great pleasure to yield 20 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee, the chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Mr. Gordon, whose leadership brought us here to this great day.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, before I yield, I just want to make it clear, as has been stated on this House floor many times in recent days, that the FISA legislation will be on the floor of this House before the August recess. We're happy that we are here today to pass this rule and this legislation, and we are also able to deal with FISA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 602 provides for the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and its consideration and considers the conference report as read. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 602 and the underlying conference report on the 21st Century Competitiveness Act. Too often, we hear that our Nation is struggling to properly educate our students in math and science, and as a result we are falling behind in this world. This is unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to this Congress. But today we have the chance to change this. Today we make a true commitment to our future. Today we can make it clear that we support American innovation and understand the vital need for our Nation to remain competitive in the global economy. The 21st Century Competitiveness Act will help ensure that our students, teachers, businesses and workers are prepared to continue to keep this country at the forefront of research and development. Our bill increases funding and makes improvements for the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, and at the Department of Energy Office of Science. The bill increases funding for science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM research and education programs. This bill also allocates funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. These MEP programs leverage Federal, State, local and private investments to stimulate new manufacturing processes and technologies. It's through these new processes and technologies that we can ensure American manufacturers have the tools to compete effectively and efficiently against overseas manufacturers. The MEP program has proven to be remarkably effective in my home State of Ohio where small and midsize manufacturers face limited budgets, lack of in-house expertise and lack of access to the newest technologies. MEP assistance provided training, expertise and services tailored to the critical needs of Ohio's small and midsize manufacturers. Through this assistance, many manufacturers in Ohio have increased productivity, achieved higher profits, and remain competitive by providing the latest and most efficient technologies, processes and business practices. In 2006, in fact, as a direct result of MEP assistance, my State enjoyed over $150 million of new investment and over $500 million in increased or retained sales. Companies in Ohio participating in the MEP reported cost savings of over $100 million. Through the continued funding of this vital program, we can bring these vast benefits to even more small manufacturers across the country. Our efforts here today are vital to stopping the offshoring and outsourcing as well that may have hurt many communities in my home State of Ohio and all across this Nation. This Congress can send a strong message today that we want to ensure that our Nation is prepared for the future. Let's pass this rule and the 21st Century Competitiveness Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SUTTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Ms. SUTTON. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time and for her leadership on this very, very important issue. Madam Speaker, today we act to ensure that 11 million children in this Nation will have access to the health care that they need. With this legislation, we add 5 million more of our most vulnerable citizens to the Children's Health Insurance Program. With this legislation, we will finally ensure coverage for 95 percent of all children in need in this great country. Our bill, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection, or CHAMP, Act reauthorizes and improves CHIP, while also making important improvements to the Medicare program and changes that will help reduce tobacco use in this Nation. Children in the State of Ohio stand to benefit tremendously under this bill. The coverage of 218,500 currently enrolled in CHIP will be secured, and funding for the CHAMP Act will allow Ohio to reach another 164,000 children who have remained uninsured until this time. Expanding and improving health care for our children is one of the most important things we can do to ensure a brighter future for our families and our communities and this country. If our children do not have access to the health care they need, it affects their schooling, their home life and can have a severe impact on their ability to grow into a strong, well-rounded adult. Madam Speaker, we hear a lot of purported excuses and lamenting from across the aisle about why we should not act to ensure that the children get the insurance they need here today. Well, I want those Members to go explain to the families and the children in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, who will now have access to the health care they so vitally need, why they oppose this legislation. These Members need to explain why it's okay that we can provide tax breaks to millionaires but can't afford the less than $3.50 a day it takes to cover a child through CHIP. If we do not pass this bill, children in my district will lose health coverage and families may have to face the consequences of medical debt, and we've seen it all too often lead to bankruptcy and foreclosure. That's unacceptable to me and my constituents. On Medicare, Madam Speaker, the CHAMP Act also makes significant improvements toward improving benefits and limiting premium increases for beneficiaries. More than 202,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Ohio will be assured that their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will not rise, and almost half a million beneficiaries in my home State with incomes under 150 percent of the poverty level will receive assistance with copayments and deductibles, as well as prescription drug costs. Madam Speaker, I do have some concerns regarding changes in the Medicare policy on the purchase of power wheelchairs and the effect that this will have on Medicare beneficiaries with long-term debilitating conditions. But while I certainly support the overall bill, I hope that we can address this issue in conference or in some other matter in the near future to ensure people are not hurt. I strongly support the rule and the underlying legislation.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcal No. 763, relating to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I would like to enter into a colloquy with the chairman.

Ms. SUTTON. I really appreciate having this opportunity to talk with you, and I commend your work on putting this very strong legislation together that includes important increases for science and technology programs, as well as law enforcement, among many other things. But I want to discuss with you just for a moment my concerns for funding and oversight in this bill for the United States Trade Representative. Now, many of my colleagues have been pretty vocal, since the beginning of this Congress, in expressing our concerns with our current trade policy and its harmful effects on our families and communities. A large part of this is what I see as a lack of responsibility by the USTR in promoting exports to other nations and protecting American workers and businesses against unfair trade practices against other nations. I was going to offer a number of amendments here today dealing with increasing USTR funding, specifically for oversight and enforcement of our trade laws, but I appreciate the increase in funding in the bill for the ITC, but I believe so much more needs to be done. Instead of fixing the many problems we have with our current policies, whether it's our current record trade deficit or the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs, the USTR has, instead, focused efforts on enacting more flawed trade agreements. It seems as if, instead of working to make our trade agreements better, the administration and the USTR have focused on joining with private interests and using USTR funding to lobby Congress. I believe we must rein this in, what I see as an improper and excessive lobbying by USTR of Congress. While I was hoping to offer an amendment on that here today as well, I hope that this Congress will take a closer look at their activities in the future. I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to stand up and tell the USTR that they must start working for American businesses and workers, rather than continue current policies that cost jobs here at home and have decimated our manufacturing base. While I would have hoped that we could have done more on this bill to move USTR in that direction to be more responsive to the responsibility to the American people and to the workers in my district, rather than foreign governments and large corporations, I am happy to be here and am supportive of the bill. I appreciate the opportunity to share this with you and look forward to working with you in the future. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Kildee, both for the time and for his leadership in this bipartisan effort. I am so happy as a new Member of Congress to be here to join him and support this legislation today, because it is about fairness for those on the front lines protecting our neighborhoods and communities, our firefighters and law enforcement officers. This bill is about ensuring these public safety employees, these heroes, have the right to ensure their voices are heard in the workplace. Not only do they deserve this right, we owe it to these public servants who risk their lives and put their safety on the line every day to protect our families and our communities. Our legislation simply gives them the same rights that so many other workers around this Nation retain. These people who put the public first deserve to be heard on the matters that affect their livelihood. For our firefighters, police officers, EMTs and other public safety officers, let's rise beyond the words of support, pass this bill, and make it clear that we respect and admire the work and sacrifice of these brave men and women.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. It reminds me of a committee hearing yesterday, and we heard some discussion from one of the witnesses about courage. It was used in the context, you have to have the courage to go forward. Sometimes it takes courage to go forward. I know that Mr. Arcuri and I together looked at each other, and thought sometimes it takes the courage that you spoke of, Mr. Hodes, to admit when things aren't going right and changing direction. That is the kind of direction that we need in this country from our President, that we need for our troops from our President.

Ms. SUTTON. I would just ask the gentlewoman from New Hampshire to add to that, because I know that you hear a great deal in your role as a member of the Armed Services Committee. That is a point that is important for people to know about one of the consequences of this continuing path that we are going down in Iraq.