Betty Sutton

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Madam Chair, I rise today, along with my colleagues Representative Matsui and Representative Castor, in support of the Matsui amendment. Before Wall Street collapsed, before anyone ever heard of ``credit default swaps'' and before AIG became a four letter word, homeowners across this country--and especially in Ohio--were already hurting. Responsible Americans were sold mortgages with indecipherable terms, with smoke-and-mirror provisions and with ``gotcha'' fees. Some lost their jobs and were unable to make payments, and some homeowners are still suffering. Last month, one in every 417 homes in this country received a foreclosure filing. The Making Home Affordable program has helped some homeowners but not enough, and it is time we saw some numbers. This amendment requires Treasury to post on their Web site important data on mortgage servicer and lender participation in the program so we can hold mortgage servicers and lenders accountable, and so we can ask them ``why.'' Why are you not helping homeowners out of this mess that you created? This is an important step toward helping Americans stay in their homes. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. I thank the gentlewoman for the time, and I thank her for her leadership on behalf of our firefighters and on behalf of all those out there who are fighting for jobs and for her leadership in taking us to a place today to bring this bill to the floor. I rise today in support of H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act. Our communities desperately need this bill. We need to be able to keep our firefighters on the job and keep our constituents and communities safe. So this is all about jobs and the safety and well- being of those whom we are so honored to represent. I'm pleased, too, with many of the changes that have been made to the Firefighters Grant programs, that H.R. 3791 sets aside specific percentages of the assistance to firefighter grants for career fire departments, combination departments and volunteer fire departments. Currently, there is no statutory language guaranteeing professional fire departments a minimum percentage of funding. So I'm also pleased that we are including economic hardship waiver language in this bill. This language will, for the first time, work to address some of the devastating effects we have seen in this recession. It will allow that the local matching fund requirements be waived also. It allows the requirement that departments use the SAFER grants to supplement, rather than replace, local funds to be waived. It allows the requirement that departments use the funds to hire additional firefighters rather than retain existing personnel to be waived. That's what we're passing today, and that is what we passed earlier in the year. However, I'm deeply concerned that the SAFER grant guidance recently released by the Department of Homeland Security does not reflect congressional intent or the sacrifices made by local fire departments in some significant ways. This bill makes it clear that our intent is to allow SAFER grants to be used to retain firefighters, as well, during the worst recession since the Great Depression. Many firefighters in my congressional district and across the country have made very difficult decisions to take pay cuts and make other sacrifices to avoid layoffs--for now. But their shared sacrifice may work against them when applying for these grants under the current guidelines. And it's my opinion and it is our intent, congressional intent, that they should not be penalized from accessing these grants that can keep them working. Our firefighters sacrifice so much for our safety and should not be punished for sacrificing during the recession to stay on the job to protect our communities and one another.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I support health care reform that improves the nursing workforce and is endorsed by the American Nursing Association.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, the American people have been waiting for this day, a day that we will finally pass a health care bill that will work for and with them, that will provide them with access to more affordable quality care, care that they can count on. Mr. Speaker, they have been waiting for us to put an end to the egregious discriminatory practices of insurance companies who deny coverage based on preexisting conditions and place caps on coverage to prevent people from accessing the care they need just when they need it the most. Today we act to improve the employer-based coverage for 420,000 residents in my district, to improve Medicare for 107,000 beneficiaries, and to move to close the prescription drug doughnut hole for seniors across this country. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the American people have been waiting, and today we act for a health care system that will work for and with them.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SUTTON. I thank you, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank both Congresswoman Maloney and Chairman Frank for bringing this bill to protect consumers from the egregious practices being engaged in by credit card companies to the floor and for their support of this amendment. In May, Congress overwhelmingly passed major credit card reform legislation to end the many unfair and deceptive practices that credit card companies have been legally perpetrating for some time. But many of these protective provisions do not go into effect until February 2010 or later. So what are credit card companies doing? Rather than preparing to implement these new consumer protections, the credit card industry saw this as a window of opportunity to squeeze more money out of consumers. They are raising interest rates and minimum payments while lowering credit limits. They are instituting fees of all shapes and sizes. I am sure that every Member of Congress has heard from constituents who have suffered under these practices. I know I have. The bill before us today, H.R. 3639, will move up the effective date for credit card reforms to December 1, 2009. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, and I urge its final passage. The amendment I am offering tackles the dilemma faced by consumers who receive notice of new fees on their credit card accounts. As credit card companies search for new ways to make money, they are looking to charge fees where there were none before: new annual fees, inactivity fees, fees for failure to carry a monthly balance. Yes, now some credit card companies are indicating they will be charging a fee to consumers who pay off their balances every month. Can you imagine? I find it outrageous, but the credit card companies argue that if the consumers don't like it, they can close their account. The choice is, pay the fee or close your account. The problem is that closing your account can hurt your credit score, and credit scores and credit reports play a large role in our society and can really impact people's lives. They are used by mortgage lenders, employers, landlords and insurance providers. This amendment is about leveling the playing field. This amendment protects consumers by preventing the closure of a credit card account because of new fees from negatively impacting a consumer's credit report or credit score. It will allow consumers to cancel their card or shop around for another card with terms without taking a hit on their credit score. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON. I appreciate the inquiry, and I believe it would.

Ms. SUTTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And yes, that would be the understanding because that fee is a new fee to the consumer. They would then have the opportunity to either continue to engage in using that account with that new fee imposed, or they would have a chance to shop around in the free market to find an account that would be more compatible with their interests. They should not be penalized on their credit report for doing so.

Ms. SUTTON. That is not a problem that would result from what this amendment is striving to do. This would just protect the imposition of a negative credit score because when you cancel a card, it will limit the amount of credit you have available, and then that is used by credit scorers.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, I would inquire how much time we have remaining.

Ms. SUTTON. At this time I yield 90 seconds to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman from New York's remarks. I do indeed feel better when we protect consumers. This amendment is all about leveling the playing field, giving the consumer a fair shake, an opportunity to evaluate whether or not they want to continue with an account that imposes whatever fee has been dreamed up. In this case, the one that really struck a chord was imposing a new fee on credit card users who pay down their balance every month. So we have to think about that. First, they impose all kinds of interest rate increases. Then they impose all kinds of other new fees, and now they are going to actually impose a fee on people who pay down their balances every month.

Ms. SUTTON. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. SUTTON. I thank the gentleman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Stupak, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Stupak, I am calling up this amendment on behalf of my good friend, the Congressman from Michigan, Mr. Stupak, who is unable to be here with us today due to a death in his family. Many of our Nation's largest banks received assistance through the Troubled Assets Relief Program, TARP, and these same banks are some of the largest issuers of credit cards. While executives on Wall Street are paid millions of dollars in executive bonuses on the government's credit line, they continue to engage in deceptive and misleading practices that take advantage of consumers and force them to accumulate more debt. I and 356 of my colleagues supported the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, H.R. 627, passed by Congress earlier this year. Unfortunately, the reforms put into place by this law are being circumvented, as we heard here today, by credit card companies. Card issuers are raising interest rates, raising minimum payment amounts, and charging extra fees before the bill takes effect. In this economic crisis, far too many families are forced to rely on short term, high interest credit card debt to pay for food, for housing, and other basic necessities. In Congressman Stupak's district in northern Michigan, unemployment ranges from 6 to 28 percent. In Ohio, the unemployment rate is 10.1 percent. Families are falling behind on their payments and have fallen victim to the predatory practices of the Nation's credit card companies. Moving the enforcement date forward is critical to helping families across this country. This amendment will immediately freeze interest rates on existing credit card balances until the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights goes into effect. For too long, the credit card industry has preyed upon consumers through omission of honest billing practices and through loopholes in credit regulation that are common among banking institutions. On behalf of Congressman Stupak, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON. This amendment gives immediate protection to the consumer and will end any manipulation of existing credit card contracts by companies prior to the December 1 date. It's as simple as that. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, over the course of this last year, I've had many meetings with constituents and heard their views about health care reform. Among those with whom I met were Dash and Cathy Sokol of Lorain, Ohio. Dash is 56; his wife, 53. In February of 2007 Dash was diagnosed with prostate cancer. And as he fought that cancer, Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Sokols have health insurance coverage through his job at the steel mill; but as both were receiving treatment, the costs nonetheless began to add up. Their out-of-pocket spending became overwhelming, and they're now using their pension funds to pay for the medical bills instead of having funds for retirement. Cathy told me how guilty she feels about all of that and that their family has to pay out of this because their insurance coverage isn't adequate. And there are a lot of Americans who need better health care insurance. When the Sokols came to my office, they brought stacks and stacks of invoices, explanations of benefits. They talked about how they're trying to pay their bills, and they are doing it, slowly but sure. But he worries and he lives in fear that his job will go away at the mill and he won't be able to get coverage. That's why we need health care reform.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 783 to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. This resolution celebrates the vast contributions that Hispanic-Americans have made to the history, values and culture of our great nation. Since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and women have come to the U.S. from Europe, Central and South America, Puerto Rico and Cuba in search of freedom, peace and opportunity. Their commitment to these American principles has contributed immensely to the prosperity and cultural development of our nation. With a population totaling 47.5 million, Hispanics represent the fastest-growing ethnic group in America. According to a 2000 U.S. Census Bureau report, three of the top 10 counties with the highest Hispanic population in the country lie at least partly within Ohio's 13th District. More than 24,000 Hispanics and Latinos reside in my district, representing nearly 4 percent of the population. In the city of Lorain, Hispanics make up 20 percent of the population. And, like all Americans today, Latinos remain focused on the economy and its recovery. Hispanic-Americans in my district are supported by community centered organizations, such as El Centro de Servicios Sociales. Located in the City of Lorain, El Centro is a Hispanic-Latino non- profit advocacy organization. It works to provide social, educational, cultural and development services that are essential to members of our communities. Our country's success rests on the long-standing ideal that anyone-- regardless of ethnicity, gender, race or religion--can achieve the American dream. With Hispanic culture rooted deeply in my district, I am proud to celebrate the contributions and heritage of our country's Hispanic community. And, it is my honor to serve Hispanic Americans as a member of Congress.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, what we're seeing here is, we are on the brink of passing health care reform in this country. Why are we doing that? We're doing this for my constituents and constituents across the country. We're doing it for the grandparents who I saw on Sunday, whose 12-year-old granddaughter, a life full of promise, is awaiting a transplant, but she might not be able to get that transplant. They have optimistic signs that she would be fine, but she might not get that because her health insurance is about to reach its cap. And we're doing it for the elderly gentleman who I met. He had a part of his arm stripped away because he had melanoma as a young man. He never had another day of sickness regarding melanoma in his life, but he has dodged health care issues forever because he couldn't get insurance because of his preexisting condition. Now he's on Medicare, and he has that system that is working for him. But that's not how it should be in this country. You shouldn't have to wait to be 65 in order to access affordable, quality health care. We're better than that, and we're going to give the American people better than that.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 731 to commend our first responders for their tireless efforts to ensure our safety as they serve on our Nation's front lines. These brave men and women are often the first ones on the scene and the last ones to leave. Firefighters in Lorain, Elyria, Barberton, Akron, Brunswick, Strongsville and throughout my district and our Nation deserve our deepest gratitude. In spite of all of the cuts that our firefighters are facing, they continue to put their lives on the line to save ours. Far too many communities in the 13th District of Ohio have had to lay off firefighters. In Lorain, 33 percent of the time, fire station No. 4 is closed. But even with these frequent closures, they still put their lives on the line. They risk their lives without hesitation. Lorain firefighters Shawn Lloyd and Dan Russell were injured as they pulled a 6-year-old girl from a fire. Four firefighters from Elyria saved the 56-year old life of Russell Bowles, who wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat. They used a defibrillator to bring him back to life and then rushed him to the hospital. In August, an Elyria Township firefighter was injured by a gas tank explosion as he was responding to a house fire. In Akron, fire captains Albert Bragg and Charles Twigg arrived at a house fire and were told someone was still in the home. Without hesitation, they ran into the house. They found the man and they carried him to safety. And when a man in Brunswick was experiencing a type of cardiac arrest known as the ``widow maker'' because it almost always results in death, it was firefighter Russ Merhaut and his fellow team members who arrived on the scene and resuscitated him. First responders not only keep us safe, they also actively support our communities. This year, Barberton police officers and firefighters helped raise about $1,800 for the Youth in Action fund during the Police versus Fire Olympics. In Strongsville, the fire department plays an active role in Safety Town, which is a fire safety program that teaches children about fire safety and prevention. We can sleep soundly at night knowing that these men and women are here to serve and protect us. But all too often, their service comes at a costly price. Each year, approximately 80,000 of our Nation's firefighters are injured. And last year, 103 firefighters were killed. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice put their community and their neighbors above their own lives. And even though our departed firefighters are no longer with us, the lessons they taught us will last forever. Their noble and unrelenting allegiance to public service embodies the American spirit, and I cannot imagine better role models. For these reasons, our Nation's firefighters and first responders deserve our continued praise and support. H. Res. 731 expresses our great appreciation for these great men and women. However, true support should come in the form of job stability. Protecting the jobs of our first responders is a top priority in ensuring the safety of all communities. I was very pleased that language included in the supplemental appropriations bill this year expanded the use of the SAFER grants to allow communities to retain and rehire firefighters. Communities in my district are looking forward to applying for those grants that they so desperately need. Given the economic hardships currently facing our country, these grants are critically important to the wellbeing of our firefighters and communities. Far too many communities have had to lay off firefighters. And as we all know, these fire department closures cause response times to be longer. This can be risky for emergency callers as well as for our firefighters because a working fire has more time to grow and become more dangerous. Lorain firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Tom Brown is ready and waiting to apply for them. Elyria firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Elyria Fire Chief Rich Benton is ready and waiting to apply for them. In Akron, 38 firefighters have been laid off. Our firefighters are people with mortgages and young children. Akron firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Larry Bunner is ready and waiting to apply for them. Competition for the estimated $630 million for the entire country will be intense. In 2008, 72 firefighters protected the city of Elyria, but today only 46 are tasked with the duty. And our union presidents like Dean Marks and Jon George are working hard to preserve jobs and the safety of their communities. The IAFF and the OAPF are working hard to protect the jobs of these brave men and women. Our Nation's first responders can never be thanked enough for their efforts. Through this resolution, we recognize their brave work, and it does not go unnoticed. We salute the sacrifices and commitment to our State and local government officials for their efforts to keep our communities safe and deter acts of terrorism. Let's get those SAFER grants out.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. And, I want to commend my colleague Representative McDermott for his leadership on this issue. The financial and economic collapse last year put this country in the worst economic recession since the 1930s. And while we have seen signs that the economy is stabilizing, millions of Americans and their families continue to struggle. Struggle to pay their monthly rent or mortgage. Struggle to pay for their prescriptions. Struggle to pay for food and other of life's basic necessities. . . . H.R. 3548 will assist workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and who continue to look for work in states with high unemployment. Ohio is one of those states . . . the current jobless rate in Ohio is 10.8 percent. It is estimated that 11,642 Ohioans will run out of unemployment compensation by the end of the month and 64,545 will exhaust their benefits by the end of the year. H.R. 3548 will extend benefits for these workers whose safety net is running out. There are 5 million Americans who have been searching for work for longer than 6 months. And unfortunately, when it comes to getting back to work, prospects are dim. There are 6 unemployed workers for every available job in the U.S. These figures and the severity of the economic recession make it critical for Congress to extend unemployment benefits. We must help our workers, families, neighbors and communities weather these tough economic times. We must continue to provide the financial assistance needed to help cushion the impact of the recession. I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 3548.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 163, to support the designation of September 23, 2009, as National Job Corps Day. Since 1964, Job Corps has trained young adults for meaningful careers, improving their lives through vocational and academic training. Each year, Job Corps serves over 60,000 young people and nearly three million Americans have benefited from this service over the past 45 years. Job Corps is considered the Nation's largest and most successful high school dropout recovery and youth empowerment program. To celebrate Job Corps' 45th anniversary, I am hosting Sean Barnett in my office on September 23rd. Sean was one of 60 students selected nationwide to shadow Members of Congress for the day. Sean is currently an Advanced Career Training (ACT) student at the Cleveland Job Corps Academy. He is majoring in business and hopes to become an investment banker. Sean has held several important student leader positions including Floor Leader in his dorm, Sergeant at Arms of the Student Government Association, Proctor, and Treasurer of the Student Government. It is an honor to host a current Job Corps student and to designate the day that Sean Barnett interned in my office as National Job Corps Day. I wish Sean the best of luck and congratulate him for his involvement with Job Corps.