Bill Thomas

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman indicated that his amendment included the term ``total cost.'' By total cost, notwithstanding what those words mean, did the gentleman mean to include the associated printing and production costs of mass mailings such as computer time, print costs, paper costs, and ink costs?

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman because the House does not yet have a way to capture the printing and production costs. If the purpose of the gentleman's amendment, as stated, is to disclose to the public the mailing costs of mass mailings, that can easily be accomplished. I thank the gentleman for his clarification as well as for his efforts in reforming the use of the frank.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I am supporting House Resolution 89 today because it is vital that the President submit a true balanced budget proposal so that serious bipartisan talks on balancing the budget can begin. Unless both the President and Congress are willing to confront the hard choices a balanced budget requires, we cannot succeed. The burden of starting the process rests squarely on the President. The truth is that there are no gimmicks, no sleight-of-hand tricks or silver bullets to magically make the Federal budget balance. We have to cut spending and change programs to spending cuts work. We cannot flip- flop, reversing our course depending on how close we are to an election. Republicans offered the President clear examples of the hard choices that need to be made when we offered our Balanced Budget Act of 1995--much of which the President would later sign into law. For a true bipartisan effort, we need the President's budget to show where he and his party are willing to make hard choices now. The President's February budget does not do the job. First, it will leave us with nearly a $120 billion deficit in the year he leaves office and a $69 billion deficit 2 years after he is gone. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office says 98 percent of the spending cuts proposed in his budget are scheduled to occur after the President leaves office. The new spending he proposes, including $60 billion in new entitlements, goes on forever. The President's budget also produces a $23 billion tax increase, not a tax cut, over its lifetime. The targeted tax breaks he offered people for education, savings, and several other things completely vanish in 3 years when he leaves office. The tax increases he proposes are permanent. With regard to Medicare, the President certainly missed the mark. We should be striving to save Medicare for current and future retirees by dealing with the factors that make Medicare spending grow by billions of dollars every year. The President's budget proposes to hide Medicare's problems through illusory savings that are actually accounting tricks. We want a bipartisan budget that gets results. The President claims to want one but he opposes amending the Constitution to require a balanced budget. If he's serious about making discipline the key to Federal budgeting, he can end the mistrust of his policies by submitting a new budget that actually meets the goals he says he wants to meet.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I would tell the gentleman that it is the appointment of Democrats and Republicans to the Joint Committee on Printing. We had gone over the list and cleared it. It is just that it is a unanimous consent, and we wanted to make sure that we were able to get it in prior to the possibility of a motion to adjourn.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am reintroducing legislation that will permit the city of Tulare, CA's Tulare Redevelopment Agency to end a blight in the city's downtown area. This bill will give the agency control over Federal revisionary interest in railroad rights of way bisecting the very heart of the city. Tulare is a city of 39,772 centrally located in California, approximately 45 miles south of Fresno, and 63 miles north of Bakerfield. The city and surrounding county face the daunting prospect of trying to provide jobs in an area that has an unemployment rate of over 16 percent. If allowed to redevelop land adjacent to the rail line, Tulare's Redevelopment Agency believes that it could generate over 370 jobs in 6 years because of the agency's plan to create a retail shopping area. Adding new businesses would end local citizens' need to travel to other cities for important family needs. Unfortunately, the city cannot gain control over the core of its downtown area without this legislation. In the last century, Congress extended rights of way to railroads in order to encourage the creation of a trail transport system. The Southern Pacific Railroad received rights for tracks and land adjacent to those tracks within what is now Tulare. Because the Federal Government has a reversionary interest in the right of way and surrounding properties, the redevelopment agency cannot obtain control of all the 12 parcels of land along the rail line that the city wishes to redevelop. The city cannot condemn the Federal interest and as a result, cannot make use of anything the community might secure from the railroad. The railroad and its successor, Union Pacific, run over 30 trains per day through the center of the city and as a result the trackage will probably never be abandoned under the law. The railroads will continue to argue that they also control the parcels of land along side the tracks because abandonment has not occurred. These adjoining parcels that the agency needs, however, are about as barren as barren can get. Because the Federal Government has this reversionary interest, we have about 200 feet of weeds and sand on each side of the railroad tracks today. Commercial development of small shops east of the rail line and a cotton seed mill and family homes on the other side look out on blighted property. There is a vacant gas station, a root beer stand, and a railroad storage building in the area sought by the city but that is about all. The root beer stand operates on a short-term lease. The Tulare Redevelopment Agency's plan would preserve the railroad tracks while allowing this empty space in the center of town to be turned into more productive use. The bill I am introducing clears the path for redevelopment. First, it gives the city clear title to one piece of property which Tulare already purchased from Southern Pacific before learning that railroad law clouded the title. Second, it gives the city the Federal reversionary interest in 11 other parcels so that the city can then deal with the railroad owner and secure the remaining properties. It is essential that we pass this bill without modification because the redevelopment plan cannot be made to work piecemeal. Following the practices of the past and confirming title in someone who has already bought a clouded title only solves part of the city's problem. To ensure coherent development of properties along the rail corridor, the redevelopment agency has to control all 11 parcels of land so planning, marketing, and community financing of the development are possible. Giving the city title to one piece of property will deny the city resources to continue developing. Forcing the city to come back to Congress each time an interest is transferred is a waste of the city's time and ours. I urge my colleagues to join me in moving this legislation as fast as possible. Tulare wants to take control over its own economic destiny by putting lousy land to better use. Unless this bill is enacted, Congress will be in the way of a city that badly needs our help.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the requirements of clause 2 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I hereby submit for publication in the Congressional Record the rules of the Committee on House Oversight for the 105th Congress, as adopted by the committee in open session on January 8, 1997. Rules of Procedure of the Committee on House Oversight rule no. 1 General provisions (a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the committee so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day to day is a motion of high privilege in committees. (b) The committee is authorized at any time to conduct such investigations and studies as it may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under House Rule X and (subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required by House Rule XI, clause 5) to incur expenses (including travel expenses) in connection therewith. (c) The committee is authorized to have printed and bound testimony and other data presented at hearings held by the committee, and to distribute such information by electronic means. All costs of stenographic services and transcripts in connection with any meeting or hearing of the committee shall be paid from the appropriate House account. (d) The committee shall submit to the House, not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities of the committee under House Rules X and XI during the Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year. (e) The committee's rules shall be published in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year. Rule No. 2 Regular and special meetings (a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House Oversight shall be the second Wednesday of every month when the House is in session in accordance with Clause 2(b) of House Rule XI. Additional meetings may be called by the chairman as he may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of the members of the committee in accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The determination of the business to be considered at each meeting shall be made by the chairman subject to Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if there is no business to be considered. (b) If the chairman of the committee is not present at any meeting of the committee or at the discretion of the chairman, the vice chairman of the committee shall preside at the meeting. If the chairman and vice chairman of the committee are not present at any meeting of the committee, the ranking member of the majority party who is present shall preside at the meeting. Rule No. 3 Open meetings As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, of the committee, shall be open to the public except when the committee, in open session and with a quorum present, determines by rollcall vote that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House: Provided, however, That no person other than members of the committee, and such congressional staff and such departmental representatives as they may authorize, shall be present in any business or markup session which has been closed to the public. rule no. 4 Records and rollcalls (a) The result of each rollcall vote in any meeting of the committee shall be transmitted for publication in the Congressional Record as soon as possible, but in no case later than two legislative days following such rollcall vote, and shall be made available for inspection by the public at reasonable times at the committee offices, including a description of the amendment, motion, order or other proposition; the name of each member voting for and against; and the members present but not voting. (b) All committee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the member serving as chairman of the committee; and such records shall be the property of the House and all members of the House shall have access thereto. (c) House records of the committee which are at the National Archives shall be made available pursuant to House Rule XXXVI. The chairman of the committee shall notify the ranking minority party member of any decision to withhold a record pursuant to the rule, and shall present the matter to the committee upon written request of any committee member. (d) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its publications available in electronic form. rule no. 5 Proxies No vote by any member in the committee may be cast by proxy. rule no. 6 Power to sit and act; subpoena power (a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and duties under House Rules X and XI, the committee, is authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this paragraph)-- (1) to sit and act at such times and places within the United States, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings; and (2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, and documents; as it deems necessary. The chairman of the committee, or any member designated by the chairman, may administer oaths of any witness. (b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the committee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoenas under subparagraph (a)(2) may be delegated to the chairman of the committee pursuant to such rules and under such limitations as the committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the chairman of the committee or by any member designated by the committee. (2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the committee may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the House. Rule No. 7 Quorums No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of the committee is actually present. For the purposes of taking any action other than reporting any measure, issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating committee orders, or changing the rules of the committee, the quorum shall be one-third of the members of the committee. For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum. Rule No. 8 Amendments Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the committee must be made available in written form when requested by any member of the committee. If such amendment is not available in written form when requested, the chair will allow an appropriate period of time for the provision thereof. rule no. 9 Hearing procedures (a) The chairman, in the case of hearings to be conducted by the committee, shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least one (1) week before the commencement of that hearing. If the chairman of the committee, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of business, the chairman shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congressional Record as soon as possible after such public announcement is made. (b) Unless excused by the chairman, each witness who is to appear before the committee shall file with the clerk of the committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his or her appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed testimony and shall limit his or her oral presentation to a summary of his or her statement. (c) When any hearing is conducted by the committee upon any measure or matter, the minority party members on the committee shall be entitled, upon request to the chairman by a majority of those minority members before the completion of such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of hearings thereon. (d) Committee members may question a witness only when they have been recognized by the chairman for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all members present have had an opportunity to question the witness. The 5-minute period for questioning a witness by any one member can be extended as provided by House Rules. The questioning of a witness in committee hearings shall be initiated by the chairman, followed by the ranking minority party member and all other members alternating between the majority and minority. In recognizing members to question witnesses in this fashion, the chairman shall take into consideration the ratio of the majority to minority members present and shall establish the order of recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the members of the majority. The chairman may accomplish this by recognizing two majority members for each minority member recognized. (e) The following additional rules shall apply to hearings: (1) The chairman at a hearing shall announce in an opening statement the subject of the investigation. (2) A copy of the committee rules and this clause shall be made available to each witness. (3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their constitutional rights. (4) The chairman may punish breaches of order and decorum, and of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by censure and exclusion from the hearings; and the committee may cite the offender to the House for contempt. (5) If the committee determines that evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, it shall-- (A) afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness; (B) receive such evidence or testimony in executive session; and (C) receive and dispose of requests from such person to subpoena additional witnesses. (6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the chairman shall receive and the committee shall dispose of requests to subpoena additional witnesses. (7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may be released or used in public sessions without the consent of the committee. (8) In the discretion of the committee, witnesses may submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing for inclusion in the record. The committee is the sole judge of the pertinency of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing. (9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony given at a public session or, if given at an executive session, when authorized by the committee. rule no. 10 Procedures for reporting measures or matters (a)(1) It shall be the duty of the chairman of the committee to report or cause to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by the committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps to bring the matter to a vote. (2) In any event, the report of the committee on a measure which has been approved by the committee shall be filed within 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in session) after the day on which there has been filed with the clerk of the committee a written request, signed by a majority of the members of the committee, for the reporting of that measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the committee shall transmit immediately to the chairman of the committee notice of the filing of that request. (b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of the committee was actually present. (2) With respect to each rollcall vote on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public character, and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes cast for and against, and the names of those members voting for and against, shall be included in the committee report on the measure or matter. (c) The report of the committee on a measure which has been approved by the committee shall include-- (1) the oversight findings and recommendations required pursuant to House Rule X, of clause 2(b)(1) separately set out and clearly identified; (2) the statement required by section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, separately set out and clearly identified, if the measure provides new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures; (3) the estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 403 of such Act, separately set out and clearly identified, whenever the Director (if timely submitted prior to the filing of the report) has submitted such estimate and comparison to the committee; and (4) a summary of the oversight findings and recommendations made by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight under House Rule XI, clause 2(l)(3)(D) separately set out and clearly identified whenever such findings and recommendations have been submitted to the committee in a timely fashion to allow an opportunity to consider such findings and recommendations during the committee's deliberations on the measure. (d) Each report of the committee on each bill or joint resolution of a public character reported by the committee shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution. (e) If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by the committee, any member of the committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less than two additional calendar days after the day of such notice, commencing on the day on which the measure or matter(s) was approved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in which to file such views, in writing and signed by that member, with the clerk of the committee. All such views so filed by one or more members of the committee shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the report filed by the committee with respect to that measure or matter. The report of the committee upon that measure or matter shall be printed in a single volume which-- (1) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional views which have been submitted by the time of the filing of the report, and (2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such supplemental minority, or additional views (and any material submitted under subparagraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) are included as part of the report. This subparagraph does not preclude-- (A) the immediate filing or printing of a committee report unless timely request for the opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as provided by paragraph (c); or (B) the filing of any supplemental report upon any measure or matter which may be required for the correction of any technical error in a previous report made by the committee upon that measure or matter. (f) If hearings have been held on any such measure or matter so reported, the committee shall make every reasonable effort to have such hearings published and available to the members of the House prior to the consideration of such measure or matter in the House. (g) the chairman of the committee may designate any member of the committee to act as ``floor manager'' of a bill or resolution during its consideration in the House. rule no. 11 Committee oversight The committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the jurisdiction of the committee in accordance with House Rule X, clause 2 and clause 4(d)(2). Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a meeting that is open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its oversight plans for that Congress in accordance with House Rule X, clause 2(d). rule no. 12 Review of continuing programs; Budget Act provisions (a) The committee shall, in its consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a public character within its jurisdiction, insure that appropriation for continuing programs and activities of the Federal Government and the District of Columbia government will be made annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the nature, requirement, and objectives of the programs and activities involved. For the purposes of this paragraph a Government agency includes the organizational units of government listed in clause 7(c) of Rule XIII of House Rules. (b) The committee shall review, from time to time, each continuing program within its jurisdictions for which appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain whether such program could be modified so that appropriations therefor would be made annually. (c) The committee shall, on or before February 25 of each year, submit to the Committee on the Budget (1) its views and estimates with respect to all matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal year which are within its jurisdiction or functions, and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction which it intends to be effective during that fiscal year. (d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal year is agreed to, the committee (after consulting with the appropriate committee or committees of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocation made to it, the joint explanatory statement accompany the conference report on such resolution, and promptly report such subdivisions to the House, in the manner provided by section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. (e) Whenever the committee is directed in a concurrent resolution on the budget to determine and recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation process it shall promptly make such determination and recommendations, and report a reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the House or submit such recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. rule no. 13 Broadcasting of committee hearings and meetings Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the committee is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as provided in Clause 3 of House Rule XI, subject to the limitations therein. rule no. 14 Committee staff The staff of the Committee on House Oversight shall be appointed as follows: A. The committee staff shall be appointed, except as provided in paragraph (B), and may be removed by the chairman and shall work under the general supervision and direction of the chairman; B. All staff provided to the minority party members of the committee shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the Ranking Minority Member of the committee, and shall work under the general supervision and direction of such Member; C. The chairman shall fix the compensation of all staff of the committee, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget approved for such purposes for the committee. Rule No. 15 Travel of members and staff (a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such additional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern travel of committee members and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the chairman. Travel may be authorized by the chairman for any member and any staff member in connection with the attendance of hearings conducted by the committee and meetings, conferences, and investigations which involve activities or subject matter under the general jurisdiction of the committee. Before such authorization is given there shall be submitted to the chairman in writing the following: (1) The purpose of the travel; (2) The dates during which the travel will occur; (3) The locations to be visited and the length of time to be spend in each; (4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization. (b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of members and staff of the committee for the purpose of conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending meetings and conferences involving activities or subject matter under the legislative assignment of the committee, prior authorization must be obtained from the chairman. Before such authorization is given, there shall be submitted to the chairman, in writing, a request for such authorization. Each request, which shall be filed in a manner that allows for a reasonable period of time for review before such travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the following: (A) the purpose of the travel; (B) the dates during which the travel will occur; (C) the names of the countries to be visited and the length of time to be spend in each; (D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each country for which travel is authorized together with a description of the purpose to be served and the areas of committee jurisdiction involved; and (E) the names of members and staff for whom authorization is sought. (2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study, meeting or conference for which travel outside the United States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a written report to the chairman covering the activities and other pertinent observations or information gained as a result of such travel. (c) Members and staff of the committee performing authorized travel on official business shall be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and of the Committee on House Oversight pertaining to such travel. Rule No. 16 Powers and duties of subunits of the committee The chairman of the committee is authorized to establish appropriately named subunits, such as task forces, composed of members of the committee, for any purpose, measure or matter; one member of each such subunit shall be designated chairman of the subunit by the chairman of the committee. All such subunits shall be considered ad hoc subcommittees of the committee. The rules of the committee shall be the rules of any subunit of the committee, so far as applicable, or as otherwise directed by the chairman of the committee. Each subunit of the committee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, and documents, as it deems necessary, and to report to the full committee on all measures or matters for which it was created. Chairmen of subunits of the committee shall set meeting dates with the approval of the chairman of the full committee, with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of committee and subunit meetings or hearings wherever possible. It shall be the practice of the committee that meetings of subunits not be scheduled to occur simultaneously with meetings of the full committee. In order to ensure orderly and fair assignment of hearing and meeting rooms, hearings and meetings should be arranged in advance with the chairman through the clerk of the committee. Rule No. 17 Other procedures and regulations The chairman of the full committee may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee. Rule NO. 18 Designation of clerk of the committee For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the staff director of the committee shall act as the clerk of the committee.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, we need to take another step to restore power to States. The Department of Labor is saying California has to pay unemployment benefits to certain criminals being released from prison. That should be a matter States decide for themselves in choosing methods for reforming prisoners. The Department wants States like California to pay unemployment benefits to some prisoners because Federal law requires employers to pay Federal employment [FUTA] taxes on work performed by their employees. This includes prison inmates who work for private companies through innovative work programs established in several States, including California. Several hundred prisoners in California are employed in jobs provided under agreements between the State and private businesses. However, FUTA taxes do not have to be paid for work by prisoners employed in prison operations such as the laundry or cabinet shop. Since FUTA taxes are paid on behalf of some prisoners, the U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that these prisoners must be paid unemployment benefits upon their release from their job--essentially, when they are released from prison. Failure to comply is serious: California employers, for example would lose tax credits worth $1.7 billion for FUTA taxes they pay on other workers if the California program is disqualified. Why does Labor take this position? The Federal Unemployment Insurance Program only permits denial of employment benefits in three cases: If the worker's income exceeds certain limits; the claim is fraudulent; or the employee was fired for misconduct. Since prisoners lose their jobs when paroled or released from prison, they do not fit the exceptions. Californian voters established the joint venture program in 1990, creating a private work program for prison inmates. Criminals' wages are used to compensate victims, offset incarceration costs, and set aside funds--20 percent--for the inmate's support upon his or her release from prison. Last year, 1996, California voters overwhelmingly passed an initiative, proposition 194, that denies unemployment benefits to criminals participating in the joint venture program. The Department of Labor decision would force Californians either to pay out unemployment benefits to released prisoners or to eliminate a program that has been successful in helping criminals change their lives. Allowing employees to lose $1.7 billion in credits for taxes they pay on the services of ordinary working people is not an option, needless to say. Legislation I am introducing today would change the law to treat all prison inmates who participate in work programs the same: their services would be exempt from the FUTA tax. This would effectively deny unemployment benefits to released prisoners and prohibit the Department of Labor from placing such a ridiculous requirement on the States. The bill's enactment would give States an additional tool to use in trying to reform criminal behavior and I hope my colleagues will agree to its adoption in the near future.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 105th Congress version of the Super IRA legislation we expect to restore real savings incentives to the Internal Revenue Code. This year's bill, the Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1997, represents the best selection of options for restoring and improving the Individual Retirement Accounts that have been so popular with taxpayers. All taxpayers will ultimately be able to choose between having an Individual Retirement Account that allows them to deduct contributions for their retirement savings and an IRA Plus account allowing them to earn tax-free income. An outline of the bill follows. In addition, I want to note that Senate Finance Chairman Roth and Senator Breaux, with whom I have worked closely in developing the bill, will be introducing the Savings and Investment Incentive Act later this month. All of us agree that taxpayers need and deserve the savings incentives this bill provides. It is obvious that the American taxpayer needs and wants the savings incentives this bill will provide. Studies indicate that today's ``baby boomer'' workers are only saving 36 percent of the funds they will need to maintain their standards of living after retirement. In fact, people aged 60 to 64, those closest to retirement, only have about $1,700 in financial assets in the form of savings, checking, and similar kinds of accounts. We need to give taxpayers control of their funds so they can better prepare for the future. The Super IRA bill makes critical changes in the law so taxpayers will have plenty of options to choose from in saving for their future. The income caps that prevent many people from making deductible contributions to IRA's are eliminated over a 5-year period. A new kind of account called an IRA Plus account would be offered so taxpayers could earn tax-free income. The bill makes all IRA's easier for taxpayers to use because it eliminates the need to coordinate contributions with other kinds of retirement arrangements. This bill gives taxpayers the liquidity they want. Funds could be withdrawn from either type of IRA to fund family needs such as education, the purchase of a first home, or family support during periods of long-term unemployment. IRA's enjoy a good deal of popularity among taxpayers. A number of surveys show just how popular they are. One poll found 74 percent of the respondents would increase their savings if they had tax incentives to do so, precisely what the Super IRA bill provides. Another survey conducted in 1995 found that 77 percent of those contacted supported letting everyone have deductible IRA's while 69 percent like the idea of penalty-free withdrawals for purchasing a first home, to provide education, or meet family needs during extended unemployment. IRA's are a savings incentive that everyone can support. Republicans and Democrats can support this bill and I hope my House colleagues will join me in seeking to have the Savings and Investment Incentive Act enacted this year. Super Individual Retirement Account Legislation description of provisions Makes tax deductible IRAs available to all Americans Under the legislation, all Americans would be eligible for fully deductible IRAs by the year 2001. Current law only allows those taxpayers who are not covered by any other pension arrangement and whose income does not exceed $40,000 ($25,000 for singles) to be eligible for a fully deductible IRA. These income limits would be gradually eliminated over a four year period beginning 1997. The $2,000 contribution limit would be indexed for inflation in $500 increments. Homemakers and other workers without employer pensions would be permitted to make up to a $2,000 tax deductible IRA contribution regardless of whether their spouses have an employer pension. This provision builds on the homemaker IRA provisions in the ``Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996'' signed into law in 1996. New kind of IRA--``IRA Plus Account'' Taxpayers will be offered a new IRA choice called the ``IRA Plus Account.'' Under the IRA Plus Account, contributions would not be tax deductible. However, earnings on IRA Plus Account assets can be withdrawn tax-free if the account is open for at least 5 years and the IRA holder is at least age 59\1/2\. A 10% penalty would apply to early withdrawals unless they meet one of three special purpose distributions described below. Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 to either a tax deductible IRA or a non-tax deductible IRA Plus Account. They can also allocate any portion of the $2,000 limit between these two IRA accounts, (e.g., $1,000 to a tax deductible IRA and $1,000 to the IRA Plus Account). Penalty-free IRA withdrawals for special purposes The 10% penalty on early withdrawals would be waived if the funds are used to buy a first home, to pay educational expenses or to cover any expense during periods of unemployment (after collecting unemployment compensation for at least 12 weeks). Participants in 401(k) plans and 403(b) annuities could also receive penalty-free withdrawals for these purposes under the legislation. Taxpayers will still be liable for the income tax due on the withdrawal, but no penalty tax would apply. Note: penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs for medical expenses were provided under the ``Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996'' signed into law in 1996. Conversion of IRAs into IRA Plus Accounts Taxpayers will be allowed to ``convert'' their old IRA savings into IRA Plus Accounts without incurring an early withdrawal penalty or an excess distribution penalty. However, individuals must pay income tax on previously deducted contributions and corresponding earnings. If the conversion is made before January 1, 1999, the taxpayer can spread the tax payments over a four-year period. Other features of the Thomas/Neal legislation IRA and 401(k) contributions would not have to be coordinated. IRA funds could be invested in certain coins and bullion.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, today I join with Mr. Bilirakis and Mr. Cardin in introducing a bill which will strengthen Medicare's coverage of certain preventive health care. This is a step in the right direction for our seniors--and for the Medicare Program. Preventive health care can translate into improved health and a better quality of life--and at the same time, reduce long-term health expenses. The private sector has for many years offered preventive benefits in insurance programs for working Americans. Medicare can do the same for senior citizens. In past years, we examined Medicare's coverage policy for the possibility of expanding it to include certain preventive care. But each time, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that this would significantly increase Medicare costs. Last year, for the first time, CBO agreed that certain preventive health benefits could actually save Medicare money. Using this new level of understanding, we decide to include these savings and develop a responsible preventive health care program for our elderly. More important than the dollars we will save over the long term, this legislation assembles preventive methods that will save lives and enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from certain medical conditions. In addition, these measures will empower seniors to have more control over their health through early detection of diseases, thereby increasing treatment options in many cases, and by educating patients on how to successfully manage their conditions. The American Cancer Society estimates that one million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and there are more than 10 million people alive today with a history of cancer. Those who fight cancer, as either a patient or as a caregiver, know the tremendous burden such a battle brings. There is great financial cost for individuals, families, and society as a whole; the National Cancer Institute estimates national costs for cancer to be more than $100 billion each year. By providing Medicare beneficiaries with the access to expanded prevention procedures through coverage of mammographies, pap smears, pelvic exams, and colorectal and prostate screenings, this legislation seeks to reduce suffering and save lives by detecting cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. We also address a disease affecting more than 15 million Americans-- diabetes. Without detection or proper treatment, diabetes can lead to kidney failure, amputation, nerve damage, blindness, extended hospitalizations, heart disease, and strokes. Medical care for diabetic patients costs more than $100 billion per year--accounting for 15 percent of all health care costs in the United States and a quarter of all Medicare costs. These medical complications and resulting costs are often avoidable through patient education on proper nutrition, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, activity and medication so that patients can take charge of their wellness. We not only empower people to take back control of their health care through patient self- management training, but we ease the financial burden by including blood-testing strips as durable medical equipment for the purposes of Medicare coverage. We also recognize the necessity of improving diabetes treatment and have added provisions requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish outcome measures to be reported to the Congress so we can change and adapt our coverage policies to reflect the medical needs of patients and not the arbitrary determinations of a Washington bureaucracy. This legislation should make significant strides in improving the health care system for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate cancer, and diabetes. We will do more, since new technology will enable early detection of other diseases. This bill will make a difference in millions of lives and for thousands of families, and I am proud to introduce this bill today, at the beginning of the new 105th Congress.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, October of this year, marks 8 years since the adoption of the House Fair Employment Practices Resolution, House Resolution 558 of the 100th Congress. At that time, this legislation established a new direction for addressing employment discrimination matters within the House of Representatives. The resolution prohibited discrimination against all House employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, and age. Additional employment legislation expanded upon these rights. For the expressed purpose of addressing these employment issues. The resolution also created a new administrative process consisting of counseling, mediation, and adjudication. This House-designed process has been administered, during these 8 years, through the Office of Fair Employment Practices and the Fair Employment Practices Review Panel. With the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act and the establishment of the Office of Compliance, we are now transitioning to a new era concerning employment rights in the Congress. Nevertheless, we are here today to pay special tribute to a select group of individuals who have been a part of the House Fair Employment Practices' process during its tenure: the hearing officers. A critical component of the Fair Employment Practices' process has been the adjudicatory or hearing stage. Under this system, hearings have been conducted and decisions rendered by individuals who have come from the ranks of employees within the House of Representatives, with background qualifications in this area. These dedicated men and women have given their time and talent to provide every grievant a fair and impartial hearing. Many hours of time have been given, time given without compensation, to the activities involved: The Background preparation for hearings, the actual conducting of hearings, the review of documents, the research time in the law library, and the writing of decisions. Over the course of these 8 years, nine individuals have served the House with distinction as hearing officers under the Office of Fair Employment Practices. As an indication of the bipartisan nature which has been afforded to this process and which these hearing officers have upheld, each of the individuals was jointly appointed to the hearing officer position by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on House Oversight and its predecessor. With pleasure, I would now like to recognize these individuals for their outstanding work: Michael L. Murray; Henry J. Schweiter; Randel K. Johnson; Ellen L. Weintraub; Charles J. Willoughby; Ariel R. David; Edward W. Hoskins, Jr.; Daniel J. Levinson; and Joseph Gibson. A special note of thanks to Jim Schweiter who has served as a hearing officer for 6 years, taken on the greatest number of cases, and has served as a special resource to the staff of the Fair Employment Practices' Office. In all but title, he has been the senior hearing officer. I would also like to thank the staff to the Office of Fair Employment Practices for their service to the House of Representatives, Joseph P. Horn, Ruby McCall-Bunch, Rebecca Miller, and Particularly the OFEP Director, William X. Baranowski. This opportunity to acknowledge these highly dedicated individuals is a small measure of our greatful appreciation for the work they have done in this unique role, on behalf of the House of Representatives. To all of you, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your outstanding work, and best wishes for your continued successful careers.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were refused. So the motion to lay the motion to reconsider on the table was agreed to.

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I object.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. I object.

Mr. THOMAS. Did the Speaker not ask that there be no objection to suspending the rules and placing it on the table?

Mr. THOMAS

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

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I object.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the Chair has ruled.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution just agreed to.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this is a Senate concurrent resolution which, because we all know that the 44 men who have held the position of Vice President of the United States under the Constitution also holds the position of the President of the Senate, will then be a book about the Presidents of the Senate, which also is a book about the vice presidents of the United States. Mr. Speaker, this will provide a history for each of the vice presidents who has completed their service, beginning with the first Vice President, John Adams, obviously, and ending with the last Vice President to complete his service, former Senator Dan Quayle. I have been instructed to state that the office of the Vice President is often not a historical focus, and this book will shed light on the office, as well as the people. We do have the usual cost limiters in the bill. The estimated total cost of the production of the book is $16,392. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the Senate concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 34) to authorize the printing of ``Vice Presidents of the United States, 1789-1993,'' and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, once again I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, S. 2085 would allow the U.S. Capitol Guide Service to accept volunteer services. This provision is necessary because without such authorization, congressional entities may not use volunteers unless they are interns who are participants in a demonstrated educational plan. A similar provision already is in public law which allows the Botanical Garden to accept volunteer services. This would extend it to the U.S. Capitol Guide Service.

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 2085) to authorize the Capitol Guide Service to accept voluntary services, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. THOMAS

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy was established in the 103d Congress by Public Law 103-236. That law requires the Commission to file a final report to Congress, which will occur before the end of the year. Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 provides for printing of the report. I thank the gentleman for yielding.