Lee Terry

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. We in the House have passed about 430 bills. 89 of them actually gotten out of the Senate. Well over about 100, I guess--maybe even more than 100--actually are like the Keystone pipeline, that would create--immediately create jobs, but yet they are sitting on a desk.

Mr. TERRY. I am baffled, too, so I appreciate your comments. Mr. Speaker, I just want to sum up here: 2,001 days since the permit for this pipeline was filed and over 22,000 pages of scientific review. This permit has been sitting around longer than it took the United States to win World War II. This permit has been here longer than it took Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase and come back. Eleven Federal agencies have participated in reviewing the Keystone pipeline--11 Federal agencies on top of the scientific studies. Every State in which the proposed Keystone pipeline route goes through has approved the pipeline and has independently reviewed it. Six weeks ago, the President, right behind my right shoulder here, said that he would take out his phone and his pen and would act. Mr. President, tonight, we ask you to pick up your phone. Call Prime Minister Harper and tell him, Yes, I am ready to sign the permit. Then take out your permit, sign it, and let's get 42,000 people back to work.

Mr. TERRY. I have got an extra one, and I will let him keep it.

Mr. TERRY. I would even let him keep it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Agricultural Act of 2014. I want to congratulate all the conferees on getting to this point. Even though the bill is not perfect, it is needed. I am confident that this legislation will serve Nebraska farmers well. My main concern with the bill was making meaningful reforms to SNAP so that it serves those who really need it without the rampant waste, fraud, and abuse that currently plagues the system. I am pleased that the conferees included the establishment of a 10- state pilot program to empower states to engage able-bodied adults in mandatory work programs. This is a commonsense reform and it's my hope my home state of Nebraska choses to participate in this pilot. This farm bill is a step in the right direction.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7--the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Our Founding Fathers, when writing the Declaration of Independence, listed three rights that this Congress has an obligation to protect, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe strongly that life begins at conception and thus it's our obligation to protect the right to life, especially for the most defenseless. It's unconscionable to me that some would even consider using Federal dollars to perform these heinous acts against the unborn. Unfortunately, there are some who would like this practice to continue even though a majority of Americans don't believe that taxpayer funds should be used to abort a baby. The bill that we're debating today prohibits taxpayer-funded abortions but leaves exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. This legislation also holds the President's health care law to the same standard by making sure those receiving assistance to participate in the newly formed health care exchanges aren't able to receive abortion on demand. Like many parents, I will never forget when I first heard my child's heart beat. It was a sign of a healthy, living child of God. It was a defining moment for me as a father knowing that my wife and I were bringing and responsible for another human being. I strongly urge the House to pass this bill because we cannot and shouldn't accept abortion on demand with taxpayer dollars.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, to clarify one thing, we did have a legislative hearing on this bill with robust debate on it in that committee hearing. Evidently, you didn't get the notice of that hearing.

Mr. TERRY. No, I only have 3 minutes. If I have extra time, I will. Today we are taking what should be an easy vote and, frankly, a bipartisan vote. My legislation, the Exchange Information Disclosure Act, does nothing more than ask the administration to provide Congress, Governors, State insurance commissioners, and the American people with information. By the way, the information that is outlined in this bill to be provided or accessible on a weekly basis is simply what most States already require to be done by health insurance companies within their States. This is a request by State insurance commissioners, especially ours from Nebraska that are very frustrated with the lack of information that they are receiving about who is signing up for what plans in the State of Nebraska. This should be easy. What we are talking about here today is basic transparency so we all have the data to assess what is working and what is not. This bill is a mechanism for accountability so we can get the answers that both Democrats and Republicans and State insurance commissioners and Governors need to know in order to understand what is working and what is not. We are asking for information that an entity overseeing a health insurance operation should have at the tip of their fingers at all times. Our metrics are not complex. We are simply asking for: How many people have enrolled? How many of these people have paid their first month's premiums, which means they are actually insured, that they have been effectuated? What plans did they pick? What ZIP Codes are they from so we know if people from Nebraska or Iowa or Kansas have signed up? Were they already eligible for Medicare or are these new enrollees from the expansion? These are critical issues in determining the safety and soundness of the policies being issued, and is, again, information that State insurance commissioners usually receive. This administration and some on the other side say that this information that we are requesting is extraneous and costly and burdensome, but yet this data is already being obtained; it is already on a realtime basis being calculated. It is just the issue of when and in what form this is released to the public. As to cost, here is the CBO score--zero--not the millions that we are being told by our friends on the other side of the aisle and the White House. This is necessary, usual course of business data.

Mr. TERRY. We do add another part in here and another frustration from our State insurance commissioners, which is that they don't know who is selling the insurance. They would like to have the names of the people who are the navigators out there. Grants go to organizations, but we don't know who is actually sitting down and selling policies or helping them through the exchange. That is, again, basic information that is the normal course of business in the insurance world. We are just asking that they provide the same information that the State law would require of an insurance company that has had a salesman who is out signing people up. So that is the totality of this bill, and you have to ask the question: If they are fighting so hard, what are they trying to hide?

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today because I believe that Americans deserve better than an omnibus bill. I believe the American people deserve a full and transparent process that occurs through regular order. Omnibus bills, like the one we're voting on today are exactly why people have lost their trust in Washington. Yes, supporting this omnibus is better than operating by continuing resolution but we cannot continue to govern like this. I can't support a bill that spends trillions of taxpayer dollars with no way to offer amendments. And it's unfortunate, because there are several items in this bill that I would enthusiastically vote in favor if they came to this floor for stand-alone votes. Extremely important to me is the exemption for disabled veterans and survivors from the 1 percent COLA reduction. This bill exempts ``medically retired'' personnel. These retirees are retiring for reasons other than typical retirement. Retiring for medical reasons is allowed if the VA gives you a 30% or higher ``disability rating.'' Also included in this bill is a provision that requires the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to inform his or her staff when using emergency power. I have a bill that is currently moving through the Energy and Commerce Committee that deals with this very specific issue as well as other operations at the NRC. Included in this bill is language lifting the 902 limit for WRDA projects--which would benefit a levy project in Sarpy County. This bill also reduces the Prevention and Public Health (PPH) fund by $1 billion. This is essentially a slush fund created in the President's health care law that has no oversight from Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human services could use--completely unchecked to implement the Affordable Care Act. And this bill reduces IPAB funding by $10 billion. IPAB plain and simple shouldn't exist because Congress should shape Medicare policies, not unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats. I also support the Hyde Amendment, which is included, and because I believe that we should continue to be the voice of the unborn. These are all issues where I have strongly supported. On some of these issues, I've written legislation. But, as we try to regain regular order in our budgeting process--we shouldn't be legislating through appropriations bills--which this omnibus does. Furthermore, as I read the details, there is still too much wasteful spending and with no way to amend this legislation--I cannot in good conscious support this bill. This omnibus bill is an extremely poor way to govern. My hope is that with the budget agreement Congress passed last month, we can return to regular order.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for recognizing me, and I thank the gentleman from New York, my good friend. We have worked on several bills together, but the poison control bill is certainly one of those that we've been active on several years now. Thank you for your involvement and your staff's involvement. They have done a great job. Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan and a bicameral bill. Not only were we in negotiations and just working together in a bipartisan way in the House, but our team in the House, Eliot Engel and myself, have been working with the Senate, and they have an identical bill to this. This bill reauthorizes the national Poison Control Centers' toll-free number, the Poison Centers' nationwide media campaign, and the grant program which provides funds for over 50 poison centers nationwide, including the one in Omaha, Nebraska, that I recently visited. Currently, 56 poison centers serve all 50 States and its territories 24 hours a day, 7 days a week--yes, even Christmas. These centers provide professional advice from doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and toxicology specialists to people calling in with questions or concerns regarding potential exposure to harmful toxins. Nebraska's poison control center has a direct relationship with our medical center, and you will find that very common in many communities and States. In 2010 alone, the annual report of the poison control centers reported over 3 million calls received and served by the centers. In 2012, more than 3.9 million calls were managed by our Nation's poison control centers. Our national poison center network also serves as an ideal example of private-public partnership that saves the Federal Government money-- billions of dollars each year--in avoided emergency room expenses while delivering access to critical services. Eighty percent of the poison centers' operating budget comes from non-Federal sources. In 2012, an independent analysis found a large portion of the savings provided by poison centers saved SCHIP, Medicare, and Medicaid funds more than $700 million a year just for those programs. America's utilization of the Nation's poison control center information and case triage services results in avoiding more than 1.7 million unnecessary visits to health care facilities. Now I am encouraging every Member of Congress to visit their State's poison center where they will see great professionals work with frightened people on the other side of that call in a remarkable way. And I also encourage them to support this bill.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and I am honored to be a part of its celebration. Seventy-five years ago, the Wagner-O'Day Act was signed into law, which created the AbilityOne Program as well as the NIB. NIB strives to enhance economic and personal independence of persons who are blind by creating, sustaining, and improving employment. The NIB works with 91 agencies spread out among 35 states at over 250 locations and the agencies provide products and services for the government. In my home state, Outlook Nebraska is the NIB provider and is an economic engine that brings valuable business to the Omaha area. Founded in 2000, Outlook Nebraska, much like its sister NIB agencies, seeks to enhance the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired. It is Nebraska's largest employer for those with vision disabilities. Outlook Nebraska's work is especially important because, unfortunately, 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are unemployed. The AbilityOne program makes Outlook Nebraska possible. As the official AbilityOne manufacturer of quality tissue and towel products for the government, Outlook Nebraska supplies a full line of 100 percent recycled fiber content tissue and towel products, including bath tissue, pull towels, and all compatible dispensers to the United States government. Besides the manufacturing of products, the agency provides complete product servicing from its office and tissue-converting site in Omaha. The agency has also developed additional services for blind and visually impaired employees, such as education and training to provide them with the technological skills that allow them to excel in their professional and personal lives.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Madam Chairman, I rise for the purpose of entering into a colloquy with my friend from Utah joining with me. Chairman Goodlatte, I want to thank you for your attention to the very serious problem of patent assertion entities, otherwise known as ``patent trolls'' here today. On November 14, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing entitled: ``The Impact of Patent Assertion Entities on Innovation and the Economy.'' We heard from a variety of witnesses from industries including the food, hospitality, and tech, all of whom had been targeted by vague, unfair, and deceptive patent troll demand letters. That hearing revealed significant economic harm to Main Street businesses in the economy caused by such patent troll demand letters. These entities engage in abusive practices that often target small businesses because they don't have the resources to fight back. At the markup for the Innovation Act, Mr. Chaffetz offered an amendment that resulted in a sense of Congress in the bill before us today. That sentence says: It is an abuse of the patent system and against public policy for a party to send out a purposely evasive demand letter to end-users alleging patent infringement. As chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade with jurisdiction over these type of consumer abuses, I join with your sentiments. We understand that time is of the essence. I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) at this point.

Mr. TERRY. To that end, the Energy and Commerce subcommittee intends to proceed through regular order, as soon as it is practicable, to examine both the problem of vague patent demand letters and potential solutions the Federal Trade Commission could implement. We took another step just recently in a hearing with our FTC commissioners this week on the patent trolls demand letter issues.

Mr. TERRY

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

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rogers' family for their commitment to volunteer their time and talents towards community service. They encourage one another to support their community through church, military, and school activities. Joel and Felicia Rogers are native Omahans who have given back to their community in a large way. On top of raising seven children, the Rogers' have maintained a strong ethic of serving their community through their faith service and commitment to excellence. Joel, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, currently serves as a Legislative Policy Analyst in the Commander's Action Group of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base. Joel points to his parents' strong support and his firm upbringing as the underpinning of his and Felicia's parenting and leadership strategies. During his 28- year career in the military Joel has led major efforts for the Marine Corps both domestic and abroad. Joel's service has earned him the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, among many other accolades. Currently, Joel volunteers with the Papillion Recreation Organization (PRO), and supports the annual Toys for Tots drive put on by the Marine Corps. Felicia serves as the district director in my Omaha Congressional office. She is a highly skilled administrator with expertise built from service in public, private, and non-profit organizations. Felicia dedicates much of her time to faith based and school activities within our community. Some of her past community efforts have taken place with the Wesley House leadership academy, Toys for Tots, the Girls Club of Omaha, and as the 2nd Lieutenant with the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Currently, the Rogers family actively participates at Life Church Omaha raising funds to send groups of missionaries to Zimbabwe and Haiti. Joel and Felicia have been blessed with seven children. Javin, the eldest, is the Product Launch Director for Kenexa. Clifton works as a design and production manager in the media/advertising industry, and is a professional musician on the side. Three of the Rogers' sons decided to take after their father and serve their country as United States Marines. Blake serves as a Staff Sergeant specializing in advanced communications. Darnell is a Sergeant specializing in imagery analysis. Dwayne, a Corporal in the Marine Reserves, is currently a college student in Omaha. Ryan, 11, is a fifth grader in the Papillion La-Vista school district and an active baseball and basketball player. Zoe, 11, and the only daughter in the Rogers family is also a fifth grader and plays volleyball for Team Dazzle in Papillion.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of the Richardson family and honor them for the strength they display to overcome obstacles and continue to be a loving family. Through adoption they have welcomed their children into their home and created a loving family unit. Patti Richardson is dedicated to serving her nine children, no matter their background. When Patti comes across a child in need, she is always there with open arms willing to welcome them home. She invests significant amounts of time and money in these children, filling her home and yard with toys, exercise equipment, and other tools. The Richardson family consists of Ragina, 22, who was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and ADHD. Also born with congenital heart disease, Ragina required surgery to fix it at the age of one. As the eldest child in the house, Ragina looks after her younger siblings. Next is 10 year old Wesley. Wesley has ADHD as a result of being exposed to methamphetamine before birth. Aidan, of 7 years old, is the next oldest child in the house. Aidan has a congenital heart disease and had open- heart surgery when he was only two months old. Anahla, 5, and Lasia, 4, complete the long list of adopted children in the Richardson household. Patti also has three birth children, William, Jeffery, and Mikayla, all of whom are now adults. Sadly, the family has suffered through the loss of two of their own. Corey, a shaken baby who Patti fostered and then adopted, passed suddenly at the age of three. Andrew, Patti's youngest birth child, has also passed from brain cancer. The family thinks of Andrew frequently and Patti believes that he gives her guidance to help her through the stress and heartache that she sometimes faces while caring for her children. The Richardson family illustrates the hope and love we know exists in our communities. It is my privilege and honor to represent the Richardsons and others like them in my community.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the Armitage family for the leadership values they have demonstrated and passed onto their children. They have built a model for leading in the community that will be continued by their adult children to provide the same leadership as their parents. Dr. James and Nancy Armitage are being honored for not only their leadership to the Omaha community, but also their contributions to research and training in the medical profession. Dr. Armitage is internationally renowned for his expertise in bone marrow transplantation. He is also a leading expert in the management of lymphoma worldwide. He is currently the Joe Shapiro Professor of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha; is active on several committees and his expertise is sought worldwide. James has also served on several community boards and has received professional honors from national and international organizations that are too numerous to list. Nancy began her career practicing psychiatric and intensive care nursing before the needs of her family led her to leave the field. Currently, Nancy is extremely involved in volunteer leadership positions with local boards, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and her church. To name a few, Nancy has served on the Munroe-Meyer Institute Guild, Samaritan Counseling Center of the Midlands Board and the executive boards for the Faculty Women's Club and the University Hospital Auxiliary. Her many years of volunteer work at UNMC Hospital has led to her being named a co-chair of the Faculty Women's Club scholarship committee, raising funds for UNMC students. Nancy and James also serve as trustees of the Nature Conservancy of Nebraska. James and Nancy have four adult children: Amy, Greg, Anne, and Joel. Amy, a substitute teacher at Mary Our Queen School and Parish, lives in Elkhorn with her husband Jeff. Greg works as a CPA with FBL Financial Group, Inc and lives in Des Moines with his wife Cheryl. Anne, an attorney and stay-at-home mother, lives in Omaha with her husband Stephen. She also serves as an officer on the Girls Inc. Girl Friend board. Joel practices internal medicine and lives with his wife Anja in Omaha. Nancy and James have been blessed with ten grandchildren. It's an honor to recognize their commitment to make the metro area a better place.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I want to honor Teela Mickles for being an advocate for the youth of Omaha. She is an inspiration for change by creating opportunities for young people to remain active and accountable members of the community. Teela's interest in helping people return to a successful life after incarceration comes from her own experiences. Teela was involved in a marriage where domestic abuse was prevalent and was finally able to break away after fourteen years. She was able to start a new life for herself and her five children. Her faith in God and desire to do what was right convinced her that she could help others to restore their lives as well. Teela founded an organization called Compassion in Action in 1994 to provide a holistic approach to family restoration and community re- establishment for incarcerated individuals and their families. The program is designed to address the specific needs of individuals coming out of incarceration by offering them pre-release and re-entry services, advocacy and mentoring services, and transitional and independent living preparation for youth. Currently, Teela is leading Compassion in Action in a $300,000 fundraising campaign to renovate the former Wesley House building in North Omaha and begin operations there. She is especially enthusiastic about the R.A.W. D.A.W.G.S. Youth Corps Gang Prevention Program clubhouse that will be in the lower level of the building working to replace the desire for gang membership. Teela is working around the clock to recruit a community-wide network of concerned families and community leaders who believe in the importance of investing in our children, rather than building more prisons. Teela believes that the main key to success is prevention. She is convinced that the best way to prepare someone for the outside world after their release is to prepare them prior to their release. It's my privilege to recognize Teela's commitment to building up our community and her efforts to bring it together.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Hettinger family for their commitment to family solidarity. It is evident by their love and support shared between parents and children that this family deserves to be recognized for its commitment to one another. Robert and Thresia Hettinger have been blessed with a large family, twelve children in all. The family wasn't always that large; however, after Robert's sister passed in 2006, the Hettinger family grew by seven. With ten children at home, Robert's sister's husband became overwhelmed when they learned of her cancer and Robert and Thresia were eager to help. Robert works as a district network specialist for the Millard Public Schools. Thresia is currently a stay-at-home mother and certainly keeps very busy with twelve children at home in Papillion. During the final months of her life, Robert and his sister's relationship evolved as they struggled to cope with her disease and living arrangements for all of the children. Soon after his sister passed, Robert and Thresia, along with their five children, made the decision to bring six of their nieces and nephews into their family. The four remaining children stayed with their father; however, they continue to play a significant role in the Hettinger children's lives. All in all, the adoption process took three years and was finalized in 2009. Recently, the Hettinger's added another nephew to their family, bringing the grand total to twelve children. Miraculously, all of the children are very loving, respectful, and protective of one another and all share a genuine concern for helping others. The Hettinger reserves Monday nights for family time. During this time they will all get together, which is extremely difficult to do with twelve children between ages seven and seventeen, to focus on their spiritual lives. Robert and Thresia believe that to be good parents they must teach and lead by example. It is folks like Robert and Thresia who embody the spirit of strong communities. It is an honor to recognize them today.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, this is really about trust, and people like Andrea from Omaha feels like that trust has been violated. It has been broken. She was told that she could keep her policy, but then she received her letter saying you cannot keep your policy. A working mom with two young children, her family's premium has risen to $770 from $450 per quarter. Her responsibility for coinsurance is now 50 percent, up from what it was before at 15 percent. Her out-of- pocket costs rose to over $2,000, and she is paying more for less now. This isn't a better policy, as we have been told. It takes a big chunk of their family budget. Unfortunately, under ObamaCare, she can't keep her plan. She gets more with less.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill because I actually think Head Start is an important program, and I've supported it. I've seen and I've gone to Head Starts throughout my district and have read to the kids who are there. The reforms that were done that made it more of an educational preschool type of atmosphere--that was done, gee, I don't know, probably about 7 or 8 years ago--I think actually helped improve Head Start, making sure that children are ready when they start regular K-12. So I support this. This is important, and in this atmosphere where it is all or nothing and no negotiations--we're not going to talk to you--we are left doing these micro or minivan-type bills in which we take the most important, essential programs and say, you know, we agree with you that Head Start is a worthwhile program and that it's worth funding. So why don't we just work together and agree that we will fund Head Start at the budget level. I heard comments earlier about some Republicans wanted to cut it, and yes, there are going to be some that do. So if you think that it's that cynical, call us on it. Vote for it. You want Head Start to continue, and you think we're being cynical with this? Call us on it. Vote for it. Let's send a bipartisan measure over to the Senate, and force them to vote for it. What's the worst thing that's going to happen? Oh, Head Start gets funded.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlemen from Virginia, Messrs. Moran and Wolf, for their effort, but also for personally coming up to me and asking me to be an early advocate of this very important bill. Like them, I have many constituents who are Federal employees who are furloughed right now, including most of the majority of them being civilian employees at Offutt Air Force Base and STRATCOM. The legislation that we are considering here today will ensure that the 800,000 Federal employees are paid for the time lost or off work during this impasse. Now, we worked last week in a bipartisan effort to make sure that our military would be paid, and included in that bill called Pay Our Military Act was also very clear language that protected civilian DOD workers who are furloughed. But, unfortunately, in a bizarre ``what's the definition of `is' discussion'' in the White House and DOD, they furloughed 60-70 percent of the civilian employees where there are critical missions, endangering our country. So having a bill like this where we come together in a bipartisan way, we can reduce some level of frustration, we can give some level of peace of mind to those employees that they will be reimbursed for their time lost, they will get paid. I want the DOD today to put those civilian DOD employees back to work as it's clearly in the law. Now, there is historical precedent for this, all of the way back to Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill and their six closedowns when employees were paid and reimbursed for their time off, and so it should be for this effort. This is bipartisan. The President has said he will sign this. I urge my colleagues to support this effort.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, the evidence is very clear that ObamaCare is actually hurting people. In the last week, I've heard from several constituents like Mike, Jim, and Kathleen who told me that they recently received their notice that they no longer have their insurance policy and must go into the exchange. Upon exploring that, they found out their policy in the exchange will cost anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent more and have higher deductibles and copays. They're not sure of what plan they can go on. They're not sure of what the totality of the benefits and costs will be. Kathleen is on a fixed income and is older. She may have to have a policy with coverages that she doesn't want or need. I hear heartbreaking stories like this from my constituents in the metropolitan Omaha area. These are just three real-life examples of how ObamaCare is truly hurting people and squeezing them. I want the Senate to join us in acting on defunding ObamaCare. Let's start over in a real bipartisan way and really help folks get the health care they need.

Mr. TERRY

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, one of our most important responsibilities here in Congress is oversight of executive branch agencies. Such oversight illuminates flaws either in the structure or the conduct of these agencies that sometimes requires legislative action. Today, I am speaking for just such a reason. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission had operated with acceptable performance for quite some time until a few years ago when a new chairman took over the leadership of the agency in 2009. Unlike his predecessors, this chairman did not seek to work collegially with his fellow Commission members, but sought to consolidate and expand his authority as chairman. This abuse of power led to multiple investigations by Congressional committees and the NRC's Inspector General. In 1980, during Congress' consideration of President Carter's proposal to reorganize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Members raised concerns about the potential for just such an abuse by a rogue chairman: namely that the President's plan concentrated too much authority in the chairmanship of the agency. I believe it is incumbent upon us, as Members of Congress, to exercise our legislative responsibility and address this situation. For that purpose, my colleagues Mr. Barton, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Kenzinger, and I are introducing the ``Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements Act.'' Following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, the President and the Congress saw the need to improve the NRC's ability to respond to an accident. President Carter responded by proposing the ``Reorganization Plan of 1980'' to strengthen the power of the chairmanship by consolidating administrative and emergency authorities. A little known artifact of this history is that the 1980 Plan was subsequently approved by Congress as a resolution, not enacted as a law. Our bill would correct that artifact by seeking to codify a modern version of the 1980 Plan while limiting the potential for a chairman to abuse his authority as I described a moment ago. While the Fukushima accident happened on foreign soil, the then-NRC chairman exercised emergency authority--authority reserved for emergencies within the NRC's jurisdiction--without making a declaration and without adequate reporting of his actions. Clearly, there must be clear operating authority and accountability in an emergency, including a declaration and termination of any special authority. This bill clarifies those requirements. If the NRC chairman is the subject of an investigation by the Inspector General as a result of allegations of wrongdoing, the Inspector General should not remain under the chairman's supervision. This bill would require delegation of that supervisory responsibility to another member of the Commission. These are just a few examples of the provisions in this bill. This is about good government. While the current NRC chairman worked to reestablish collegiality at the Commission, I believe we must act to preclude future leadership breakdowns akin to her predecessor. These are common sense changes to ensure the proper conduct of the people's business at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan fashion toward passage of this bill into law.