John Tanner

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I am joined today by my colleagues, Jim McDermott Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, Sam Johnson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Social Security, and John Linder, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, in introducing the Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act. This important, bipartisan legislation will help individuals with severe disabilities navigate the often lengthy and complex process of applying for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, SSI, disability benefits. Specifically, this bill will improve access to quality, professional representation for disability applicants by making permanent a temporary provision to expand access that is due to expire on March 1. For many years, attorneys who represent Social Security disability claimants have been able to have their fees withheld from the claimant's past-due benefits and paid directly to them by SSA. By providing a way to ensure that attorneys are paid if the claim is successful, this system has helped to ensure that disability applicants--even those who are very low income--have access to professional representation. This representation is particularly important for those applicants who appeal their case by seeking a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The fee paid to representatives is limited to 25 percent of the claimant's past-due benefits, subject to a dollar cap, and is only paid if the claimant wins. In 2004, Congress adopted a provision to temporarily expand this fee- withholding system in two ways: by extending the system to SSI claims, and also by allowing qualified non-attorney representatives to participate. To be a ``qualified non-attorney,'' a representative must pass an examination administered by the Social Security Administration, SSA, and meet other criteria designed to protect applicants. This expansion of the fee-payment system has been very successful, and disability groups and other stakeholders have strongly supported making it permanent. In addition, both SSA and the Government Accountability Office have examined the program to extend fee- withholding to non-attorney representatives and found it was working well. The Social Security Disability Applicants' Access to Professional Representation Act would ensure that these successful programs continue. The bill has no cost, and even generates some savings--$55 million over 10 years--due to user fees paid by representatives who participate. Ensuring that individuals with severe disabilities have the help they need to navigate the complex benefit application process is a goal on which we can all agree. I urge you to support this bipartisan legislation to move us closer to this goal.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 981) supporting continued political and economic development in Ukraine.

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This Sunday, Ukrainians will go to the polls to elect a new President. The successful conduct of these elections is important to our country, the United States. As Vice President Biden said during his visit to Kiev last summer, ``we consider Ukraine to be a vital European partner for advancing stability, prosperity, and democracy on the Continent.'' Six years ago, the Orange Revolution demonstrated the Ukrainian people's desire for freedom, democracy, and prosperity. Since that time, Ukraine has made great strides in developing a vibrant civil society, an open and free press, and a government accountable to its citizens. We welcome the government's registration of over 450 international observers for the elections, including from the OSCE and the International Republican Institute. We would take this means and opportunity to urge all parties in the elections to cooperate fully with the observers and ensure the elections are conducted without manipulation. The United States and Ukraine have a strong bond, not least due to the fact that over 1 million Americans trace their roots back to Ukraine. These ties were solidified in the Charter on Strategic Partnership, which was signed in December of 2008 and which outlined numerous areas of engagement and cooperation. Last month, the Strategic Partnership Commission held its first meeting here in Washington during the visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister. Madam Speaker, Ukraine has been a key partner in the efforts of the Transatlantic Alliance to ensure international security, contributing forces to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and training mission in Iraq. In addition, on December 16, Ukraine formally agreed to allow the transit of cargo through its territory to support the NATO ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Access to the landlocked country of Afghanistan is vital, and we applaud Ukraine in assisting to turn the tide against the Taliban and prevent safe haven for al Qaeda. NATO has made clear that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance at some point, if it so desires. Following the 60th anniversary of the NATO summit in Strasbourg-Kehl, I visited Kiev, Ukraine, as chairman of the U.S. delegation to NATO and as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to underline NATO's ongoing commitment to Ukraine's process of Euro-Atlantic integration. While meeting with the leaders of Ukraine, I expressed the conviction that NATO's door should remain open and encouraged the implementation of reforms necessary to bring this integration to fruition. In order for Ukraine to remain on this positive path of political development and Euro-Atlantic integration, it is critical that this upcoming election be free, fair, and untainted by the fraud and irregularities that beset the 2004 polls. Also, we recognize that Ukraine, like much of the world, has suffered greatly from the global financial crisis. Unfortunately, political divisions have hampered Ukraine's effort to overcome this crisis and to implement the reforms necessary to cement its progress on the road to prosperity. These elections are particularly important to ensure the Ukrainian Government has a clear mandate from its people that would enable it to carry out the difficult decisions necessary to put the country on such a path. Madam Speaker, given the importance of Ukraine as a vital friend and strategic partner of the United States, I would urge support for this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Thank you, Mr. Neal. Madam Speaker, what we are seeing today is the culmination of a decade-long mismanagement of our Nation's finances. In the year 2000, the revenue and expenditure stream coming to Washington were both around 19 percent of gross domestic product. In other words, we were breaking even. The second worse thing that happened in 2001 after, of course, 9/11 happened, in February when the Congressional Budget Office said that their forecast would be a $5 trillion surplus over the next 10 years. People around here became euphoric. We are filthy rich. We can cut taxes. We can do everything, and we are going to be fine. In fact, the first Bush Secretary of the Treasury came before the Ways and Means Committee and said he was concerned that we would pay off the national debt so quickly that we would have to pay a premium to get our paper back. Well, in June of 2001, we embarked on a new economic game plan for this country. Two and a half months later, 9/11, every assumption that went into the conclusion there would be a $5 trillion surplus over the next 10 years was no longer valid. But what did Congress do? Kept right on going. By 2003, if you look at the Treasury records, by 2003, income coming into Washington was down to 16.3 percent of gross domestic product, and expenditures were over 20 percent because we had gone to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other reasons. What did we do? We borrowed the gap. We started borrowing in 2002, - 3, -4, -5, a decade-long mismanagement by both parties. And for the people who just last week stripped out to pay for and added another $70 billion on a motion to recommit and to talk about debt and deficits now, when they ought to be trying to help us, what we're doing, as Allen Boyd said earlier, we're putting the pause button on this. We must have statutory PAYGO that was allowed to lapse in 2002 so that you didn't have to pay for anything. You could just blithely pass tax cuts, increase spending and borrow the difference, because do you know something? The people we're borrowing it from aren't here. They don't have a vote. I remember one time he said, will you vote for a supermajority to raise taxes? I said, no. There's plenty of pressure in the system not to raise taxes. I will vote not to borrow money because there's nobody here protesting what we're doing to the children of this country and the children yet to be born here. And so, Madam Speaker, it's the responsible thing to do today. But I tell you, this is very short term, like 60 days. When we come back, we've got to insist on a commission or on a statutory PAYGO, on something to break this business-as-usual gridlock that has been going on here this entire decade. And I defy anybody to argue honestly that it is not a decade-old problem. The last time we broke even, basically, was the fiscal year 2001. And so we have to do this; but when we get back here, when the final chapter is written of this book, I hope we have the ability to come together, and we need the help, we need the help of the Republicans to help us put in statutory PAYGO and the commission, some of these things that will do it. The problem is not what we're doing. We have a structural deficit. Income right now is about 17\1/2\ percent of gross domestic product. Expenditures are over 20.

Mr. TANNER. It's a structural deficit. When one considers that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, interest on the debt and the national defense account for 85 cents out of every dollar, you can't cut enough out of the 15 percent to take care of this problem. It's not what we're doing. It's not what we're spending. It's what we're not doing, and that is we are not addressing the structural deficit. And the only way we are going to get at that is through either statutory PAYGO or an entitlement commission, and hopefully both. It's not what we're doing, it's what we're not doing, and it is a decade-old problem that is getting worse every year. And until this Congress can come together, Democrats and Republicans, what we have around here is too many Republican Americans or too many Democratic Americans instead of American Democrats and American Republicans. I'm telling you, the time is now for American Democrats and American Republicans to get together over the next 60 days and figure out what we're going to do, because we are on an unsustainable financial course.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, during the period November 8-16, 2009, I led a bipartisan House delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) meetings in Edinburgh, Scotland, and to additional bilateral meetings in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The delegation also conducted bilateral meetings in Edinburgh. Joining me as Ranking Member of the NATO PA delegation was the Hon. John Shimkus. The delegation included Representatives John Boozman, Jo Ann Emerson, Baron Hill, Carolyn McCarthy, Jeff Miller, Dennis Moore, Mike Ross, David Scott, Albio Sires, Mike Turner and staff. The NATO PA delegation had a highly successful trip that examined a wide range of political, economic and security issues on NATO's agenda, as well as issues involving U.S. relations with Northern Ireland and Scotland. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly consists of parliamentarians from all 28 NATO member states. The NATO PA meets twice yearly in plenary session in a member state and provides a unique forum for elected officials to analyze and debate challenging issues facing the Alliance. The NATO PA, through its deliberations, also provides guidance to the NATO leadership in Brussels. In addition to the 28 member states, parliamentarians from countries such as Russia, Georgia, Afghanistan, and others participate in the sessions as associate states or observers. Through these sessions, delegates have the opportunity to learn first-hand the views and concerns that other countries have over the key security issues of the day. An invaluable aspect of the meetings is the chance to meet and come to know members of parliaments who play important roles in their own countries in shaping the security agenda that their governments pursue at NATO. These contacts endure, and can provide an invaluable private avenue to Congress and the Administration for insights into each ally's particular approaches to an issue. The key issues on the agenda of the NATO Alliance as well as on the NATO PA agenda include the conflict in Afghanistan, the future of NATO and the writing of its new strategic concept, as well as more specific issues including relations with Russia, energy security, missile defense, and emerging challenges such as piracy and cyber security. Each of these issues was vigorously debated by the parliamentarians. Relations with Russia and the new strategy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan were two of the issues that dominated the session. Many members of the Alliance continue to question whether Russia is intent on pursuing an increasingly assertive security policy including efforts to intimidate neighboring states, through the threat of force. There was also concern expressed that Russia would continue to use its energy supplies as a political lever to influence European policy. It was clear from our meetings that not only the United States and NATO, but the European Union as well, are concerned about Moscow's posture on a variety of issues. And, while there were differences of opinion over how to structure future relations between NATO, the NATO PA and the Russian delegates to the Assembly, most felt that dialogue between NATO, the NATO PA, and Russia was important and should continue. Many delegates referenced the U.S. commitment to a new, constructive relationship with Moscow and expressed hope that through those promising relations, Russia's attitude toward NATO could become more positive. On Afghanistan, there was continued support for the ISAF mission among the allies and a willingness to provide the additional civilian and financial support necessary for the reconstruction effort there. However, there was great interest in knowing how the Obama Administration will re-adjust U.S. and NATO strategy and how many additional U.S. military forces will be committed to the conflict. Our delegation was clear that this was not a U.S. war and that NATO's role in Afghanistan continues to be a critical factor. Before the opening sessions of the Assembly's plenary the U.S. delegation received a detailed briefing from our Deputy U.S. Ambassador to NATO, John Heffern, who addressed several of the issues that would be debated during the NATO PA sessions, particularly regarding Russia and NATO's ongoing role in Afghanistan. Mr. Heffern also reviewed the recent Administration decision on European missile defense and the alternative plans being discussed with our allies. Over two days of the NATO PA session, extensive meetings of the Assembly's committees took place. There are five NATO PA committees. In each, parliamentarians presented reports on issues before the Alliance. The reports were debated by all members of the committee who often made counter-arguments or suggestions for amending a report. Members of the U.S. delegation were present and active in each committee meeting. The Political Committee heard three very interesting presentations. Former German General Klaus Naumann focused on the future relevancy of transatlantic security relations. A second presentation on the recent elections in Iran and their implications generated some interesting questions and debate. The third presentation addressed the challenge of international terrorism. Our colleague Rep. Carolyn McCarthy asked if the al-Queda terrorist organization was developing new training and planning bases outside of the Afghanistan/Pakistan region that the west should be watching. The Committee received presentations on three reports including one from our colleague, Rep. Mike Ross, a committee rapporteur, who discussed possible transatlantic cooperation with Pakistan. Mr. Ross's presentation was well received by the Committee. Other reports debated included ``Resetting Relations with Russia'' that featured several interesting comments from the Russian delegates, and ``NATO's relationship with Georgia'' that included a discussion on the current situation in Georgia and where relations between Georgia and NATO now stands. There were still differences of opinion on who was responsible for starting the war in Georgia and how to deal with Georgia's aspirations for eventual membership in NATO. The Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security is currently chaired by our colleague, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. This committee discussed reports prepared by committee rapporteurs addressing security challenges and cooperation in Central Asia, and Moldova's internal challenges and prospects for Euro-Atlantic integration. The Committee also heard a presentation on lessons learned in the U.K. from the London terrorist bombing and an address from Georgian Vice Prime Minister Baramidze. The focus of the committee's work in this session was on the growing challenge of piracy off the coast of Somalia, which included a formal report on the subject. The Committee also approved a resolution recognizing this challenge and calling for a more coordinated international approach. The Defense and Security Committee discussed three reports which reexamined NATO's ongoing operations in Afghanistan, addressed NATO's territorial defense capabilities, and covered the issue of cyber security. The Committee also conducted a joint session on the threat of piracy with the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security. The Defense Committee adopted a resolution on Afghanistan, which among other things urged NATO governments and parliaments to: reaffirm their commitment to assisting the Afghan government to provide a secure and stable environment; to endorse the resource and approach advocated by the ISAF Commander; and to supply, as a matter of absolute priority, the personnel, equipment, and funding necessary to speed the development of the Afghan National Security forces, in order to promote a transition to Afghan leadership. Our colleague Rep. John Shimkus urged more commitment by NATO members to the mission in Afghanistan and stressed the need to reassure Eastern European allies about their security. Our colleague Rep. Mike Turner stressed the need to move forward with an all-NATO missile defense program. The Economics and Security Committee debated three reports focused on food prices and their implications for security, on energy production in Central Asia and its potential contribution to transatlantic energy security, and a long discussion on the global financial crisis and its impact on member nations. In that third discussion, a number of members suggested that it would be useful to explore how the financial crisis was impinging on national defense budgets in allied countries. The Committee also heard presentations on the security aspects of food- related crises, global energy market trends, and managing defense budgets in times of global recession. Finally, the Science and Technology Committee discussed three extremely timely reports. One interesting report addressed climate change and its relationship to national security. This was followed by a presentation on the Arctic by the British Ambassador to Norway. Another report addressed the current efforts being used to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction. This was preceded by a presentation on Iran's nuclear ambitions by Professor Ali Ansari from the University of St. Andrews. A third report provided a look at the resurgence of nuclear power as a source of clean energy and was accompanied by a presentation on the role of nuclear energy in the U.K.'s energy strategy. On Tuesday, the final day of the plenary, the general assembly had the opportunity to hear a presentation from NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in his first formal address to the Assembly as Secretary General. Rasmussen urged the Parliamentarians to help re- build understanding between NATO and the publics of each member state especially with respect to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and the relevance of NATO itself. The Assembly also heard from Admiral James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe who asked NATO Parliamentarians to help the Alliance deal with the pace and complexity of the challenges the Alliance faces from a dynamic and constantly changing international environment. The SACEUR urged the NATOPA to help provide political input and guidance to NATO as the Alliance re-writes the strategic concept that will define NATO's future roles and missions. We also heard from the Honorable David Miliband, the UK's Foreign Minister who reaffirmed that the commitment of European military forces to Afghanistan, now under intense questioning throughout Europe, need not be an endless exercise as long as the international community and the Afghan government step up and provide the necessary resources and political will to develop a stable, reliable government in Kabul that can rid itself of corruption and provide the necessary security and public services that its citizens demand. Finally, the delegates heard from Lord Robertson, former Secretary General of NATO and the current President of Chatham House. Finally, Madam Speaker I am pleased to report that Rep. Jo Ann Emerson was re-elected Chairperson of the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security along with Dennis Moore, John Shimkus, Jeff Miller, John Boozman, Ben Chandler, and Carolyn McCarthy who were all re-elected as Vice-Chairpersons of their respective Committees. Our colleague Mike Ross was also re-elected as the Rapporteur for the Political Committee's subcommittee on Transatlantic Relations. Our newest additions to the officer list include Mike Turner who was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Science and Technology Committee and David Scott who was elected as a Rapporteur also on the Science and Technology Committee. In sum, Madam Speaker, the fall session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh was a success and as President of the Assembly, I took pride in the deliberations and participation of the delegates from all 28 member nations and our associate and observer members. For Members of the House or Senate interested in reading the Committee reports or presentations mentioned in this statement, they are all available on the NPA web site at www.nato-pa.int. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Dana Linnet, and Don Pena and all of the fine men and women of our embassy in London and Consulate in Edinburgh for the wonderful job they did assisting the delegation. Belfast Prior to the NATO PA plenary, the U.S. delegation traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland. The delegation received a country briefing, which included a general overview of the history and the current political and economic situation in North Ireland, from our Consul General Kamala Lakhdhir and Deputy Consul General Kevin Roland. One of the main issues discussed was the need to resolve remaining challenges related to policing and justice. The briefers expressed the hope that more progress will be made on those fronts in the next few months. The delegation held bilateral meetings in Belfast in order to demonstrate support for the fragile peace process and assess growing economic development opportunities. At the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the delegation spoke with senior officials, police officers, and politicians regarding its work overseeing the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We discussed the increasing participation of Catholic police officers, efforts to improve community policing as a means of building trust within all neighborhoods, and remaining challenges regarding the contentious issue of devolving policing and justice issues from London to Belfast. The delegation spent several hours at the Stormont Assembly holding discussions with First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, and Speaker William Hay. These political leaders were frank about the challenges still facing Northern Ireland, particularly as regards policing matters. However, they also stressed the importance of economic development, jobs and infrastructure for enabling future progress. The delegation then observed a plenary debate in the Assembly. Members saw first-hand efforts to stimulate economic development, including the attraction of foreign direct investment, in Northern Ireland. They visited Titanic Quarter, the largest commercial development site in Europe. The 186 acres will be developed as a blue- chop technology district, including apartments, a film studio, an entertainment section, and an exhibition of the ship's history. The delegation also spoke with officials at the Northern Ireland Science Park who are working to bring together venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. In addition, the delegation observed a community event which included a basketball game between Catholic and Protestant teenage girls organized by an American NGO called Peace Players. Sponsored by the Belfast Lord Mayor on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the event was held at the Peace Walls that still divide the communities of Belfast. The Members also visited a cultural center in West Belfast (Catholic/Nationalist area), where Gerry Adams (MP-Sinn Fein party) stopped by and made brief remarks. Normandy Madam Speaker, as has been a tradition with the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly when we travel to Europe over either Veteran's Day or Memorial Day, the delegation makes an effort to visit a U.S. cemetery to pay our respects to our service men and women. On this occasion, we visited Normandy, holding a solemn commemorative ceremony and laying a wreath at the memorial in the American Cemetery. These visits are perhaps the most memorable and poignant moments of the delegation's trip. As our colleagues know, the critical WWII European campaign was launched on the bloody beaches of Normandy and eventually resulted in the defeat of the Nazi regime. The delegation visited the resting place of almost 9,400 U.S. soldiers, sailors, and airman who died in the liberation of France, and Europe, on Omaha and Utah beaches. The beautiful cemetery and visitors' facility overlooking Omaha Beach and the Ranger monument at Pointe du Hoc are managed by the U.S. American Battle Monuments Commission. We were deeply honored to visit the cemetery and want to thank Mr. Dan Neese, the Cemetery Superintendent, for his hospitality and the fine job he and his staff do to preserve the memory of those U.S. servicemen who gave their lives in such a noble cause. We also wish to recognize and thank Anaelle Ferrand, our Control Officer, and Walter Frankland, Deputy Chief of Staff, European region of the American Battle Monuments Commission for their fine assistance during our brief stay. Scotland The delegation was pleased to receive a briefing by U.S. Consul General Dana Linnet (Principal Officer). Linnet gave a brief overview of some of the economic and political issues relating to Scotland, including the issue of devolution. The delegation also held several bilateral meetings in Edinburgh. We met with Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill to discuss his decision to grant compassionate release to Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the convicted bomber of Pan Am flight 103 that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. We expressed our deep disappointment regarding the Minister's decision, raising numerous issues regarding his handling of the case. We discussed U.S.-Scottish trade and cultural links with officials from the Scottish government, and we spoke about current political developments with the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson. The delegation was particularly interested to learn about the legislation that called for a referendum on Scotland's independence from the U.K. In addition, the delegation met senior Scottish military officials to discuss challenges facing the NATO alliance in Afghanistan including public support for the mission in Afghanistan which is low in the U.K. and for which more must be done to strengthen public support for the efforts there. Madam Speaker, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly provides a unique opportunity for Members of Congress to engage in serious discussions on critical issues with our colleagues from other NATO member states, associate and observer states. I believe our delegation, and thus this Congress, benefits greatly from the information we exchange and the personalities we meet during these meetings. I look forward to our next NATO PA session in February in Brussels, Belgium. In conclusion, I would like to again acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Consular staffs in both Belfast and Edinburgh, for their hard work and dedication. I especially want to thank our entire military escort group from the United States Air Force, and Air Force Reserves, including our very fine pilots. Our diplomatic corps and military personnel provide a quiet but invaluable service in ensuring our safety and the success of our delegation business. This group of diplomats, service men and women was no exception. I thank them for their hard work and their dedication to duty.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and our colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Vickie Walling for her years of distinguished work on Capitol Hill. Vickie is retiring at the end of this year after 35 years of public service to the 8th District of Tennessee and to our country. Vickie and I are from the same hometown, Union City, though she is fortunate to be a number of years younger. She attended Union City High School and the University of Tennessee-Martin, where, incidentally, she was roommates with another woman many of us greatly respect, UT Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt. Vickie came to work in the House of Representatives in 1974 and soon after joined the staff of Congressman Ed Jones, my predecessor in representing the 8th District in this chamber. She immediately began to distinguish herself as a dedicated staff member and a leader among her peers on Capitol Hill. Fortunately, Vickie and other members of Mr. Jones' superb staff agreed to continue their service to the 8th District when Betty Ann and I were honored to come to DC in 1989 following Mr. Jones' retirement. In fact, many of Mr. Jones' former staff members--Kathy Becker, Margaret Black, Betty Hardin, Doug Thompson and Vickie--still serve alongside us to assist and represent West and Middle Tennesseans. Over the years, Vickie has become a true leader not just within our office but across Capitol Hill. Her dedication, tireless work ethic and keen understanding of legislative issues such as health care, bipartisan welfare reform and strategic demobilization have put her in a class all her own. Vickie has also been instrumental in helping us form and develop the Blue Dog Coalition, having been there when we first began meeting almost 15 years ago. Since then, with Vickie's help, we have been able to grow the Coalition to more than 50 Members, and the Coalition has become an important voice in representing millions of Americans. Many of us in this chamber and others have sought Vickie's guidance and counsel over the years. Her insight and honesty are invaluable. I often tell our constituents that serving in elected office is similar to a turtle finding itself on top of a fence post; one simply cannot get there alone. Vickie and the others serving in the 8th District offices are dedicated public servants whose work is crucial to ensuring our constituents are well-represented. Though they may not know her as well as we do, Tennesseans have been very well served by Vickie's many efforts on their behalf. Madam Speaker, please join Betty Ann, our staff, our colleagues and me in expressing gratitude to Vickie Walling for her commitment to service and helping enact effective public policy. We wish Vickie all the best in her retirement and know her daily presence here will be greatly missed.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, today, I have introduced legislation that will treat retroactive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments due to prisoners consistent with the way ongoing monthly payments are treated. The ``No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009'' would prevent retroactive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefit payments from being issued to individuals while they are in prison, along with beneficiaries in violation of conditions of parole or probation, or who are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony or a crime punishable by sentence of more than one year. The Social Security Act already bars payment of current monthly benefits to such individuals. This bill ensures this prohibition applies to retroactive benefit payments as well, and allows payments to be paid once the beneficiary is no longer prohibited from receiving payments under the provisions of this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4218) to amend titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act to prohibit retroactive payments to individuals during periods for which such individuals are prisoners, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4218.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Johnson and I bring this bill to the floor today. It's a stopgap measure, Mr. Speaker. The Social Security Act already prohibits payment of Social Security and SSI benefits to individuals in prison and to those who are fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for a felony. The law also prohibits payments to individuals violating a condition of parole or probation. However, payments of retroactive benefits owed to such individuals are not currently barred by law, and this ensures that retroactive payments are treated the same as monthly benefits. The need for this law to be done quickly is because of a recent court determination that the Social Security Administration's implementation of this prohibition for those fleeing prosecution or imprisonment was applied too broadly. Without this legislation, the Social Security Administration will be obligated under court order to make payments to some of these individuals as early as next week. What Mr. Johnson and I wanted to do was to bring this bill today and pass it so we can get it to the Senate and give some guidance to the Social Security Administration in this regard. Mr. Speaker, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Johnson for working with us on this. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, the bill has been explained. May I just simply say this is a bill that is completely bipartisan and, more importantly, or as importantly, fully paid for. It protects the Foreign Service officers, the military and the intelligence community members who may have been ordered or otherwise sent from their homes under the Homebuyers Act, and it protects their rights thereunder. Important. It should be done. They are risking not only their lives, but often, many times their liberties. And so I want to thank everyone who's worked on this bill. Mr. Camp, thank you, and others, for bringing to the floor a bipartisan, paid-for bill that will protect the rights of the Homebuyers Act of our Foreign Service officers, our military, and the intelligence community.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember James D. Range, a beloved father, son, brother, and friend. Jim died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, after an extraordinarily courageous battle with kidney cancer. He was 63 years old. A Johnson City, Tennessee, native, Jim was a life long outdoorsman who loved America's wild spaces and loved hunting and fishing. He was respected as a passionate advocate for the country's fish and wildlife and their habitat and one of the Nation's most prominent champions of natural resource conservation. In the 1970's, Jim was a trusted advisor and counsel to Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee where he served with verve and integrity. During his time in the Senate, Jim was instrumental in the conservation of many different corners of the American landscape and integral in the crafting and final passage of a string of landmark laws such as the Clean Water Act. Even after his time spent on Capitol Hill, Jim displayed an unrivaled commitment to our nation's natural resources and outdoor traditions by co-founding and serving as chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. He furthered his service to the cause of conservation through work on the Boards of Directors for Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the Wetlands America Trust, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, the American Bird Conservancy, the Pacific Forest Trust, the Yellowstone Park Foundation, the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Council, and the Valles Caldera Trust. Through this work, Jim received such honors as the U.S. Department of the Interior's Great Blue Heron Award, the 2003 Outdoor Life Magazine Conservationist of the Year and the Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the American Sportfishing Association. He left both the political and natural landscape in which he lived, loved, worked and played better than when he found it. His achievements in conserving the valuable wild and natural resources of the country are unparalleled and he lived his extraordinary life with integrity, humor and goodwill he displayed in all his pursuits. He left a legacy to all his family, friends and colleagues of a vision for a growing understanding and appreciation of our natural world and a daily commitment to conserving it for future generations. Madam Speaker, please join our colleagues and me in recognizing Jim Range's accomplishments and contributions.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Staples, a long-time public servant who will retire as Chief of the Jackson Police Department on September 18. Under Chief Staples, the Jackson Police Department has dedicatedly served our community, and his leadership has proven to be an example for both veterans and new officers alike. Rick Staples was born and raised in Madison County, which I am honored to represent in this Chamber. After graduating from Jackson High School in 1970, he attended college at Jackson State Community College before graduating from the prestigious Northwestern University Police Administration training program. Following his graduation from the Northwestern University Police Administration training program, he attained the rank of lieutenant and worked his way up through the ranks until, on October 12, 1989, Rick was promoted to Chief of Police, a position he has held ever since. During his tenure serving West Tennessee, our law enforcement professionals have seen sweeping changes, from the computerization of records to the complete restructuring of the department. Chief Staples has managed a staff of 253 employees, an annual budget of more than $15 million and been responsible for providing police services to a population of more than 62,000 residents. He helped create the Gang Task Force and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as start the first Citizen's Police Academy in Tennessee. Among Chief Staples' proudest accomplishments is the partnership developed between the police department and our community. In 1994, the city council called for a crime summit between the officers and the residents of Jackson. The result was the establishment of the Community Policing Program, which has allowed for the relationship between the officers and the community to continue to grow, something in which Chief Staples takes tremendous pride. In addition to his service to the Jackson Police Department, Chief Staples has volunteered as a Critical Incident Debriefer for the Tennessee Public Safety Network as well as a personal security guard for celebrities at high-profile, local events such as the Cerebral Palsy Telethon and the Miss Tennessee Pageant. Chief Staples' retirement is not an end to his service to the public. He has found a new challenge, accepting a position with a security firm located in Baghdad, Iraq. I trust that he will perform his new job with the same dedication, professionalism and perseverance as he has in his current position. Madam Speaker, I have long been proud to call Ricky Staples my friend. I thank you and our colleagues for joining me in expressing gratitude for his service protecting West Tennessee families, congratulating him on his retirement, and wishing him the best as he begins an exciting and important opportunity.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Paul Latture III, who has served as the President and CEO of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce since May 2002. Paul is leaving the position next week for a new opportunity in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Paul has helped expand West Tennessee's industrial base, including the recruitment of companies such as Bodine Aluminum/Toyota, and by working with existing industries to encourage expansion. Paul is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. Before joining the Jackson Area Chamber, he served as Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Executive Vice President for Economic Development for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, and Director of Membership Development and Governmental Affairs for the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, sponsored by the United States Chamber of Commerce, and is an active member of CoreNet Global, the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, and the Tennessee Economic Partnership (TEP). Paul is a 2005 graduate of WestStar. He is past president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE), past president of West Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives, and serves as vice president for the Tennessee Industrial Development Council (TIDC). Paul and his wife Jennifer have two daughters, Abby and Claudia. Madam Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join me in thanking Paul Latture III for his service and wishing him and his family all the best.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3325) to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to reauthorize for 1 year the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3325, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I want to join with our colleagues on the Social Security Subcommittee and Mr. Johnson, our ranking member, in support of this reauthorization for 1 year. It is a 1-year extension of two programs that help Social Security and Social Security beneficiaries return to work. The WIPA, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance, program allows disability beneficiaries to get one-on-one assistance from community organizations to help them understand the rules and the effect they will have on their benefits if they return to work. The PABSS program, Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security, provides legal advocacy services to help beneficiaries get a job or keep their job. The disability advocates and the return-to-work experts have both testified before our subcommittee about the effectiveness of these programs and how they will help people return to the workplace. The reason we are doing this today is because the authorization for these programs will expire in September. The bill extends for 1 year the programs with no changes while the committee considers a longer- term reauthorization. The bill does not increase government spending because it comes from the discretionary reserves of the Social Security Administration. What this bill actually does extending these programs, Mr. Speaker, is it actually helps people who have been sick or disabled who want to go back to work and become no longer a recipient of these sorts of public assistance to do so. So I think it is not only a worthwhile enterprise in terms of what the Subcommittee on Social Security has done, but it also is something that will strengthen the vibrancy of our economy as people who have been disabled or sick can actually return to the workplace. Today I join with my colleagues, Sam Johnson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Social Security, and Jim McDermott, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, in support of the ``WIPA and PABSS Reauthorization Act of 2009.'' This bill will extend, for one year, two programs that provide critical assistance for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SST) disability beneficiaries who are seeking to return to work. Both of these programs were originally established in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. Under, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) funds community-based organizations to provide personalized assistance to Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries who want to work, to help these beneficiaries understand SSA's complex work incentive policies and the effect that working will have on their benefits. This program can help to reduce the fears many beneficiaries have about transitioning to employment. Under the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, SSA awards grants to designated Protection and Advocacy Systems to provide legal advocacy services that beneficiaries need to secure, maintain, or regain employment. The PABSS program also provides beneficiaries with information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services. The Subcommittee on Social Security has received extensive testimony from disability advocates, experts, and other stakeholders about the importance of these programs to increasing employment among disability beneficiaries. SSA is currently authorized to spend $23 million annually from its administrative budget to fund the WIPA program, and $7 million annually to fund the PABSS program. However, the authorization for both programs expires on September 30, 2009. This bill will extend the WIPA and PABSS programs for one year, with no changes, while the Committee considers a longer-term reauthorization. This 1-year extension will ensure that these programs can continue to provide disability beneficiaries with the assistance they need to seek employment. The bill does not increase government spending. I urge your support for extending these important programs. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Johnson.

Mr. TANNER. I have no other speakers and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TANNER

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to clarify my vote on rollcall vote 642, taken in this Chamber on July 24, on Mr. Souder's amendment to H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. As I was returning from a meeting at the Pentagon, there was a miscommunication regarding which amendment was being considered, and I mistakenly voted ``nay.'' I intended to vote ``aye'' on rollcall vote 642.