Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, ``Try and leave this world a little better than you found it.'' Those were the parting words of Robert Baden Powell, a soldier, writer, and founder of the world scouting movement. This was a message to all Scouts that was found among his papers after Powell's passing in 1941. I am a scouter, Mr. Speaker. It is part of who I am, both as an American and an elected official proudly representing Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. Scouter Powell's words today are part of scouting's principles, to always leave the campsite cleaner than when you found it. It is into service, serving others, and making the world a better place. They also ring true in the debate taking place now in Washington. Today we are saddling future generations with mountains of debt. We have made promises we cannot keep. We are leaving the next generation worse off than our own. We face a Nation with grave challenges, challenges that aren't being addressed. The fact of the matter is that Congress has yet to deal with the real drivers of our debt, a large portion of which is health care costs. Mr. Speaker, I don't care who won the White House or which party holds the majority in Congress. Why? Because not until we actually tackle the tough issues, the tough challenges, can we honestly say that Congress or the White House is doing what is right for the country. Right now we aren't making necessary progress, not on our budget and deficits, not on our long-term debt, not on bringing down the cost of health care. Though we have made some progress on spending, we are nowhere near where we need to be. We are also leaving the health system worse than where we found it. Here are just two letters from my constituents that my office has received. Tina, from Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, writes: Please do not vote in any way to continue funding the Affordable Care Act. It in no way improves the situation of the average American. Yes, it provides another option for health insurance, but the rates are no more affordable than the private insurances; and therefore, if a person cannot afford the private insurance, there is no way they will be able to afford the government plan. In addition, the act places further strain on the system and will cause the shutdown of more hospitals, cause more physicians to leave the system, and further crowd our Nation's emergency departments. Catherine from DuBois wrote: I am fortunate to have good insurance through my employer. However, I found out from them that they may provide a lesser form of health care due to the no-Cadillac plan. They understandably want to avoid a penalty for providing a good plan. This seems unfair to me, as if we are being penalized for working and having a good employer. If they are willing to provide a good health plan, why should they be penalized and why should they have to lessen our coverage? I am very distraught about many layers of the health care plan that are starting to come to light. I don't know if anything can be done. I cannot stand idle as Congress acts like it is solving problems when, in fact, it is failing to tackle the tough issues, health being one of them. Let me be clear that a government shutdown is unacceptable. However, each day we stall and fail to deal with these challenges, the worse it gets for the next generation. The real debate needs to be about how we get our fiscal house in order and set a course of long-term job growth. Not until then will I be satisfied. It should be about addressing the challenges the people elected us to solve. Again, not until then will I be satisfied. It is about trying to ``leave this world a little better than you found it.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, weeks ago, the administration reached out to Capitol Hill to continue budget negotiations. According to the National Journal: Majority Leader Reid's office had a message for them: don't do it. The White House listened. The summit was nixed. And no serious talks have occurred since. As the government shutdown stretches into its second week, the White House has embraced Reid's hard-line, no- negotiations stance--at least so far. Unfortunately, hard-liner, non-negotiable posturing seems to be all the Senate Majority Leader knows. Today, the House passed the Head Start for Low-Income Children Act, the 10th bipartisan stopgap funding bill to pass the House since the Federal shutdown began. The program remains a priority of the President; yet the White House just announced a veto threat on the bill--without a doubt, at the Senate Majority Leader's request. If this isn't a purely political move, I don't know what is. I urge the Senate and the President to join 57 of my Democrat colleagues who are supporting the solutions being put forth by the House. The American people deserve as much.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Senate leader Harry Reid has been the most ardent proponent of his party's no-compromise, no- negotiation stance. The leader has even been unwilling to discuss a compromise to prevent a prolonged government shutdown. We are moving into the second week of this shutdown. In an effort to avoid being labeled as an ``obstructionist,'' the Senate leader has ordered a stance--at least rhetorically--and now claims there has already been compromise. I would say to the Senate leader that there has been some compromise, but not in the Senate Chamber. The compromise has come from 57 Democrats who joined with the majority in the House to pass targeted appropriations bills that will fund key departments and programs. Mr. Speaker, politics is often referred to as the ``art of compromise.'' It is essential to the legislative process and surely vital to a functioning democracy. I commend my 57 Democratic colleagues in the House who understand this, and I encourage more to join them as we continue to pass targeted appropriations this week. Unfortunately, not until both Chambers start compromising will we be able to end this shutdown.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, when Congress was unable to reach agreement on a funding bill, the House acted immediately on the Pay Our Military Act. The bill passed the House on September 29, the Senate on September 30, and it was signed into law by the President that same day. The Pay Our Military Act ensures that U.S. military personnel and active military Reservists will be paid and receive their allowances during this government shutdown. Over the past week, the House put forward legislation to fund critical areas of government. We passed the Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act and the Honoring Our Promise to America's Veterans Act. Yesterday, we considered and passed the Nutrition Assistance for Low-Income Women and Children Act; and, today, we passed another bill to fund the government. These measures should have received the support of every Member in this Chamber. They are bills that should have passed the Senate and made their way to the President's desk. The President and the Senate should back these bills just as they did the Pay Our Military Act. Let's end this stalemate and move forward with the people's business.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, what the American people want from their elected representatives is very much the opposite of what this body has been delivering. Americans didn't want this shutdown, but here we are. They didn't want to lose the health care plans they have, but a very large number will in the future. They wanted lower health care costs, but insurance rates continue to escalate. In Pennsylvania, the Children's Health Insurance Program provides good-quality, low-cost, market-based health care coverage. My constituents don't want their children forced out of this program and into Medical assistance, but that's now happening. If the legislative process worked, we would have amended the so- called Affordable Care Act's fatal flaws. If it worked, the repeal of the medical device tax, which has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, would have been sent to the President's desk long ago. It hasn't. It remains chained up in the Senate leader's office. My constituents know that I don't run all three branches of government. They know it's not my party in the White House or in control of the Senate. Mr. Speaker, what they do expect is for me to be their voice in Washington, to solve problems, fix government, and put forward solutions.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to take this time to thank our Capitol Police Sergeant at Arms staff, local D.C. police that provide for our safety every day. Our prayers go out to those injured and involved in today's terrible incident. Second, Mr. Speaker, article I, section 9, clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that no funds shall be drawn from the Treasury without appropriations made by law. This is one of the few obligations that Congress must meet annually, and Congress has failed to meet that most basic responsibility, which is why I've cosponsored the Government Shutdown Fairness Act. Mr. Speaker, where I come from, we believe in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. While I continue to cast every vote on this House floor in order to keep the government open, it should be morally reprehensible for me or other Members of the body to collect a paycheck while this lapse of appropriations continues. Unfortunately, this gesture will not reopen the government. As we continue to work towards ensuring that critical services are made available to our Nation and citizens, we remain hopeful that the Senate majority leader will see the error of his ways and begin negotiations with the House.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this morning, one of my colleagues across the aisle said--very accurately--in quoting another elected official, that everything that gets done, gets done in the middle. I happen to believe that the only type of legislation that really passes and lasts is that which is done in a bipartisan way. That's why I commit in every bill that I author and I work on to reach across the aisle and find a friend to be the lead coauthor, and we build support on both sides of the aisle. But, Mr. Speaker, based on the comments of my colleague and my own personal beliefs, I believe that's why this health care law is so flawed and has so many flaws in it, because it was not done in that spirit. It did not honor that principle. It was done unilaterally, in the most partisan way, and shoved upon the American people. It is publicly acknowledged that it has flaws. The majority of Americans are demanding fixes of the publicly acknowledged flaws in the health care law--flaws that are acknowledged by Republicans and Democrats alike. So instead of protecting perhaps the President's legacy, it's time to come together. Republicans are only seeking commonsense fixes to decrease costs and increase access, and fixes that are bipartisan and common sense. Last night, I was very disappointed on this House floor. I voted to protect our veterans and to protect the citizens of the District of Columbia. Last night, we had a bill that would just allow them to use their own money--money that they pay in taxes to the municipality that they contribute through the parking meters and the fines and the fees that they pay and just be able to use their own money, and also be able to open our monuments and our parks to the American tourists. And our American heroes, our honor flights, are coming in each and every day, World War II, part of that Greatest Generation. And yet it was defeated by votes from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for political purposes; and I know politics within the Beltway, but those were bipartisan solutions to help key individuals. Mr. Speaker, it's troubling that the Senate leader has prevented consideration of even the most commonsense changes to the President's health care law, including one that has bipartisan support and previously passed his own Chamber. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle--in both parties--already have overwhelmingly rejected the medical device tax. Last year, 37 House Democrats voted with all Republicans to repeal the tax, with a large bipartisan majority of 270-146. In March, the Democratic-led Senate voted 79-20 to repeal the tax. The Senators from my own home State of Pennsylvania--one Democrat, Senator Bob Casey, and one Republican, Senator Pat Toomey--supported the bill. In fact, Senator Casey was its chief author and sponsor. The medical device tax repeal was part of the House continuing resolution. It was blocked was consideration by Leader Reid. For the past 2 weeks, the House has worked to fund the government, prevent a shutdown, and protect the American people from the President's health care law. The Senate has decided to drag its feet and reject these reasonable proposals. There is an appropriate way to conduct budget negotiations, and that is through the normal procedure of appointing a conference committee-- that's appointing negotiators, Republicans and Democrats alike, from both the House and the Senate--to get to the table and sit down and work out our differences. That is elementary civics. Unfortunately, the Senate leader has prevented regular order from proceeding. Mr. Speaker, I was elected to represent my constituents and reform government, and I will continue fighting on their behalf. Congress must act now to end this shutdown and get to work on the many challenges facing this great Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a government shutdown--no matter the duration--is a failure on a part of this institution to fulfill its most basic function. The House has voted to fully fund the government and prevent this shutdown. The Senate dragged its feet and refused to pass anything for days. We have also used every opportunity to protect Americans from the health care law's most harmful provisions. The Senate leader has been unwilling to allow an up-or-down vote on even the most reasonable change. The law's medical device tax that is costing jobs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is supported by both Senators Casey and Toomey and previously passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 79-20. This was part of the House bill. It was rejected by Senator Reid. Each and every day I hear from my constituents about how the health care law is either harming their economic situation or impeding access to quality and affordable care. There is an appropriate way to conduct budget negotiations and that is through a normal procedure of appointing a conference committee to work out the difference. The House did that last night. We appointed our conferees. The Senate rejected even that measure earlier today. The American people deserve better. It is time for the Senate leaders to lead.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the President, in his remarks to the country yesterday, demonstrated a willingness for diplomacy and negotiations. Sadly, any leadership he reflected in his remarks was a willingness to communicate and negotiate with the terror- states of Iran and Syria and not the United States House of Representatives. What the President also made clear was his unwillingness to serve the will and the concerns of a majority of American citizens, families, and businesses when it comes to their health care. Health care is one of the more intimate issues in America. There should be no surprise of the emotional reaction and rejection by the majority of the country when this legislation is passed unilaterally by one party without adequate debate or vetting and is mandated on 311 Americans. The September 4 to 23 Real Clear Politics compilation of seven major national polls show that an average of 52 percent of Americans are opposed or against the Affordable Care Act, while only 38.7 percent are for or in favor of this law. Mr. Speaker, I understand the political divide that unfortunately exists in Washington, but what I do not get is how the President ignores the will of the majority of the American people. We expect leadership from the President, but there is no leadership when the direction you want to take the country is rejected as the wrong direction for the majority of American citizens. Now, some have said that the Affordable Care Act is the law, so just implement it. Well, that makes a dangerous assumption that Congress never gets it wrong. History has certainly shown precedence that Congress can and has corrected the mistakes that it has made. The Prohibition, which was repealed in 1933, had been fairly unpopular-- probably more disliked than even ObamaCare. More recently, the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, a bipartisan bill, was intended to provide supplemental health care insurance for the elderly. But it also included a surtax on middle- and upper-income seniors which was quickly repealed when the will of a majority of Americans was taken into consideration. Now, what is more dangerous than a government that may err on occasion or supposed leaders that are incapable of recognizing an error and taking a course of correction? Mr. Speaker, the Senate Democrats yesterday recklessly voted to disregard the will of the American majority and essentially endorse a government shutdown rather than take any course of correction on what is a fundamentally flawed law that is raising premiums and already limiting access. In my home State of Pennsylvania, countless children in disadvantaged homes are covered under the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. The CHIP program originated in Pennsylvania and provides support to parents of these children to allow them to buy health insurance for their children from the commercial insurance market. The CHIP program provides access to quality health care, not with government-run programs, but through a partnership with the private sector. Under ObamaCare, these children are being ripped out of CHIP and placed in medical assistance where the parents will be hard-pressed to find a pediatrician even willing to see, let alone treat, their child. Mr. Speaker, the unwillingness to admit the errors of ObamaCare and take corrective action is even throwing America's most vulnerable children, who are growing up in poverty circumstances, under the bus. They deserve better.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, while our Nation benefits from great wealth, often we become disconnected from just what it takes to power a great Nation. Standards of living that many are accustomed to in the developed world--including flipping a switch and having lights turn on, or with the turn of a dial having a machine do household laundry--these things aren't easily accessed by most of the planet. We've become accustomed to these day-to-day activities; but to have lights and power, America needs both affordable and reliable electricity. The fact is, much of this electricity is generated by coal. Despite some of the most abundant domestic energy resources, we are in denial. Mr. Speaker, we are in denial of the fact that we must produce energy to actually consume it. This disconnect from reality leaves the world's largest consumer of energy with no plan to power the largest economy in the world. The EPA's New Source Performance Standard for coal-powered plants is a misguided pursuit that jeopardizes the economic security of our country. It is a direct threat to the American consumer, affordable electricity, and the economic security of Pennsylvanians and the Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Tidioute Community Charter School in Tidioute, Pennsylvania. Earlier this week, the United States Secretary of Education awarded Tidioute Community Charter School the recognition of National Blue Ribbon School for 2013. The National Blue Ribbon is awarded to public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students are achieving very high learning standards or are making notable improvements toward those standards. Mr. Speaker, the National Blue Ribbon Award reaffirms the hard work of the students, faculty, and families who make up the Tidioute Community Charter School. I commend them for creating an environment where young minds are able to gain knowledge and skills; and, through a rigorous curriculum, students have developed the character to realize their own full potential. Tidioute Community Charter School students exemplify just what it means to be young learners preparing for their roles in the 21st century. Equally so, the quality instruction, creativity, and support of the teachers and families have made the Tidioute Community Charter School deserving of our praise.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, in July of 2012, the National College Athletic Association bypassed its own enforcement rules and procedures and rescinded 40 academic scholarships from the Pennsylvania State University. The decision disqualified student athletes--academic achievers--who had nothing to do with the tragic events that transpired at the university. The NCAA's decision was misdirected and a complete contradiction of the association's goal, which is to promote access to higher education among student athletes. This Monday, the NCAA announced that it would gradually restore the scholarships that were wrongly revoked last year. Despite this news, I stand by my initial correspondence with the NCAA suggesting the decision to take punitive action against past, present, and future students for an institutional failure and actions out of their hands was completely unjustified. Mr. Speaker, the resilience of Penn State's students, alumni, the broader community, and especially the victims during this very challenging time has been nothing short of inspirational. I give my commitment to them to continue to push back against the arbitrary actions of the NCAA and will not back down until they correct their actions.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Cody Mohrey from Forest County in northwestern Pennsylvania. Cody was a remarkable young man who worked hard, was very dedicated to scouting, and strived to help others whenever possible. Among his many accomplishments was his recent attainment of the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 82 of Tionesta. Cody tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident on June 6, 2013, along with two friends of his, Cody Master and Thomas Phelps. An extremely motivated individual, Cody also bore great leadership qualities and had a tremendously positive influence on the lives of others. Cody exemplified the scouting principles of service to others. His scout master, Rick Witherell, noted that Cody ``had a serving spirit and clear ideas for a life built around helping others.'' Today I'm proud to recognize him as a brother Eagle Scout. Madam Speaker, evidently, God has an immediate need for Cody's services. Though he was called home at such a young age, he remains with us.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the importance of manufacturing to our Nation cannot be overstated. Creating products domestically supports local economies and creates family-sustaining jobs. But so many domestic companies also serve as a source of pride for towns, cities, and regions of the country. The Zippo Manufacturing Company and their iconic lighter are headquartered and manufactured in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, which I have the honor of representing. It is McKean County's largest employer, with 900 hardworking men and women in a city of 8,000. Zippo has been making lighters since 1895; and today, 160 countries around the world buy Zippo products. Zippo is a part of Bradford's community identity. Part of this identity comes from the fact that American companies were once renowned for building things to last. Zippo backs its lighters with a ``forever guarantee.'' Parade Magazine, a national publication, made note of this fact in a recent article titled, ``Putting America Back to Work: 5 Ways `Made in the USA' is Staging a Comeback.'' It's companies like Zippo that give ``American made'' a great name, that keep the world buying U.S.-made products and ultimately keeps jobs in America and expands the American workforce. The key to our economic recovery is tapping into these gems, utilizing domestic energy, technology, and innovation, as well as a homegrown workforce to revitalize American manufacturing.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to discuss the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States of America and the fifth-leading cause of death for those aged 65 years and older. It's a disease more than 5 million Americans are living with and is the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States without a way to cure it or to slow its progression. It's a type of dementia that encompasses various diseases and conditions that damage brain cells-- Alzheimer's disease. September is Alzheimer's Month, a time spent by Alzheimer's advocates in promoting and educating on this life-changing disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, deaths from Alzheimer's increased close to 70 percent between 2000 and 2010. During that same time period, deaths from other major diseases, such as heart disease, decreased. In my home State of Pennsylvania, in 2010, more than 3,500 individuals died from Alzheimer's. My mom, Mary Thompson, suffered with Alzheimer's for 10 years as the disease slowly stole her memories, her dignity and, eventually, her life. In 2010, Congress passed legislation to create a national plan to combat Alzheimer's disease. It established a National Alzheimer's Project within the Department of Health and Human Services in order to coordinate the country's approach to research and caregiving. This effort supports the amazing work being done through medical research and awareness to improve the lives of those who are living with Alzheimer's. While awareness of Alzheimer's has grown over the last decade, America and the world have a long way to go to educate and combat this disease. Alzheimer's is a condition that most Americans have encountered through a parent, a loved one, a friend or someone close they care about. However, together, through continued advocacy, research and the dedicated work of health professionals, care providers and scientific researchers, we can and will make a difference.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, when unlicensed and unaccredited providers are allowed to deliver prosthetic and orthotic services through Medicare, both Medicare beneficiaries and the American taxpayers are shortchanged. Unfortunately, the orthotics and prosthetics market currently is prone to fraud and abuse, where substandard products and services are being furnished to Medicare beneficiaries and other patients. Despite congressional mandates, not enough has been done to ensure that legitimate practitioners are providing these items and services. Moments ago, I, along with my colleague Mike Thompson of California, introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2013. This commonsense piece of legislation will protect Medicare beneficiaries by identifying and addressing fraudulent payments, and it will hold government accountable by reducing fraud and abuse within Medicare. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in this bipartisan effort by cosponsoring H.R. 3112, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2013.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide is a serious public health problem that takes an alarming toll on so many individuals, including our military personnel and veterans. A growing number of returning servicemembers and veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress, acute brain injuries, severe anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental illnesses from battle. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a study in February 2013 which estimates that approximately 24 veterans commit suicide every day. Our highest priority must be the mental health and well-being of our friends, our colleagues, and loved ones, and also the brave men and women who serve our Nation. Should one fear that someone they know is in crisis or depressed, giving that person an opportunity to open up and share their troubles with you can go a long way. National Suicide Prevention Week is a time for all of us to learn more about suicide, its warning signs, and what can be done to help those in need.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 50 years of talented work and ingenuity by a company that is headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, in Centre Country, an area of central Pennsylvania that I proudly represent. AccuWeather, a content and media company that provides weather forecasting services worldwide, this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. In November of 1962, Joel Myers, while serving as a one-man consulting firm initially forecasting the weather for just one gas utility company in Pennsylvania, laid the groundwork for AccuWeather. In 1971, AccuWeather began to serve television and radio clients, and later expanded to newspapers. Now home to the most professional meteorologists at any one location anywhere in the world, AccuWeather employs hundreds of individuals, many of whom are graduates of nearby Penn State University, at its global headquarters in State College, Pennsylvania. Today, Mr. Myers and his team provide services to hundreds of outlets across the planet, including top-ranked newspaper publications, television networks, and thousands of other global locations. Happy 50th anniversary, AccuWeather.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I would like to recognize the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Chairman Bishop and Chairman Hastings. As an individual from Pennsylvania, from the eastern portion of the United States, I do get it. This is a problem that obviously--as you've heard from my colleagues from the western part of the country--is devastating there. It's devastating in communities in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. We have the Allegheny National Forest there. I have four counties--schools, municipalities--which struggle because of a failed policy in terms of forest management. They struggle economically. When we do not have healthy forests, we do not have healthy communities. So I stand here very appreciative to Chairman Hastings' work and certainly supportive of H.R. 1526. As chairman of the Agriculture Committee's Forestry Subcommittee, I continually point out that the Forest Service is housed within the USDA--rather than the Interior--and was done so for very specific purposes. This decision was made long ago because our national forests were intended for multiple use. The most important function of that mission is to properly manage these forests and grasslands in order to retain the ecological health of those resources for sustained economic and recreational use. You can't adequately manage a forest without harvesting timber. Just look to our private and State forests to see how to manage a forest cost effectively and environmentally responsibly. National forestlands, when managed correctly, will be more ecologically healthy and economically beneficial to the local communities. Representing a forested district and as an outdoorsman, I've been very alarmed at how precipitously our annual harvests have dropped off in the past 20 years. Between 1960 and 1989, the Forest Service was harvesting roughly 10 billion to 12 billion board feet per year. Since the early nineties, the annual harvest across Forest Service lands fell below 2 billion board feet and hit its bottom in 2002 at 1.7 billion feet. This is about one-fifth of what they've been harvesting in an average year. We have seen firsthand the economic impacts of reducing our harvesting levels in national forests. Under longtime Federal law, 25 percent of the timber receipts generated on national forests are required to be returned to the county of origin. The purpose of this is that since there is no tax base there for the local government, timber receipts were to provide a consistent source of revenue to the counties to be used for schools, police, and local expenses. In 2000, this lack of timber dollars plummeted so low that Congress created the now expired Secure Rural Schools program to make up for the loss of the county revenues in the national forestlands. This program simply would not have been needed if the Federal Government was keeping its promise to these rural areas by managing and harvesting the appropriate amount of timber. In the Allegheny National Forest located in my district, we have slightly inched up in meeting the recommended level of harvest, but we are still nowhere near where we need to be. This is especially true across almost every other national forest around the country where they typically are generating only a few percent of the recommended level. Too little harvesting will have a significant impact on overall forest health. Decreased timber harvesting means more dead trees and more highly flammable biomaterials that do little more than serve as fuel for wildfires. According to the Forest Service, the instances of wildfires each year have actually decreased in recent years. However, fires that we've been seeing recently are much more intense than they have been in past years. Why? The reason is because of increased flammability in the forests as a result of materials that have been accumulated and not removed through management activities. According to the U.S. Forest Service, 65 million to 82 million acres of forestland are at high risk of wildfires. Last year, wildfires burned 9.3 million acres while the U.S. Forest Service only harvested approximately 200,000 acres. This means that 44 times as many acres burned as were responsibly managed and harvested. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 1526, I want to applaud Chairman Hastings for his leadership and introduction of the bill. This legislation will provide responsible timber production on forestlands and does so in areas specifically identified by the agency. Access and retaining the multiple-use mission of the Forest Service is paramount to ensuring that our rural forest communities continue to flourish and be viable. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize my good friend, a Western Caucus colleague, Mr. Pearce.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, on August 22, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General, Daniel Levinson, announced his decision to initiate an investigation into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aka Medicare, and its handling of the Competitive Bidding Program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies. I initiated a request on June 20, 2013, following disclosures that CMS awarded contracts nationwide to suppliers that lacked the proper licensure and accreditation--clear violations of the agency's program guidelines for participation in the Competitive Bidding Program. The so-called ``competitive'' bidding model is being used by the government to procure goods and services for our Nation's seniors and those facing life-altering disease and disability. While CMS makes claims the Competitive Bidding Program will increase market competition and lower costs, in practice it's shown to be anything but competitive. Over the past several years, we've seen the program negatively affect seniors and force small medical companies, many that are local and the only entity capable of providing quality goods and a high level of service, out of the market and out of business. In 2011, more than 240 economists and market auction design experts wrote to President Obama concerning the flawed bidding model. The experts wrote: The current program is the antithesis of science and contradicts all that is known about proper market design. These warnings have become reality over the past several years. The licensure and accreditation abuses are just the latest among a long list of program failures. For many of these reasons, on June 12, 2013, 227 bipartisan Members of the House--a full majority--including 82 Democrats and 145 Republicans, sent a letter to CMS outlining the flaws and abuses in the program, requesting that the agency delay further implementation until such issues are fully addressed and fixed. Despite the growing number of reported abuses under the program and strong congressional concern about the bidding design and a long overdue need for transparency and accountability, CMS moved forward with the program in 91 new bidding areas on July 1, 2013, bringing the total to 100 areas nationwide. While CMS has admitted to the abuses, the agency has failed to detail how these failures occurred or offer a plan for corrective action. With any hope, the Office of Inspector General's efforts will shed light on how these failures occurred and impose a new level of transparency at the Medicare agency, CMS, and among the agency's administrators. In the meantime, it will be up to the House of Representatives to take corrective action. With this said, I respectfully request that each of my colleagues join me in cosponsoring H.R. 1717, Medicare DME-POS Market Pricing Program Act of 2013. This commonsense measure, authored by my esteemed colleague from Georgia, Dr. Price, will apply real market principles to the highly flawed competitive bidding model. Madam Speaker, we owe as much to our constituents, the taxpayers, and our Nation's Medicare beneficiaries.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the Department of Labor released figures suggesting that unemployment decreased to 7.3 percent in August, the lowest rate in over 4\1/2\ years. While seemingly good news, if you actually look below the surface, labor force participation fell to its lowest level in 35 years, with only 63.2 percent of working-age Americans being employed. While the unemployment rate declined, it can be attributed to a growing share of individuals giving up on trying to find a job. Mr. Speaker, it's not that American workers are lazy or reliant upon handouts. Over 12 million Americans are struggling to make ends meet, with tens of millions more struggling with underemployment. The solution to our national employment crisis is straightforward: we must get a handle on out-of-control debt, a cumbersome and out-of-date Tax Code, and limit bloated regulations. As we continue our work here in the House, I encourage all of my colleagues to focus their work on breaking down these barriers to employment. Our constituents deserve as much.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week, I have shared multiple accounts of testimony delivered before the bipartisan Natural Gas Caucus during a field hearing last week in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While I have discussed the extensive job growth and revenue increases for the Commonwealth, today I rise to share the benefits to property owners who have leases above the vast Marcellus natural gas play. Between 2008 and 2010, landowners in two rural, northern tier counties in Pennsylvania earned over $550 million. As of July 2013, the lifetime royalties for wells already drilled in these counties are projected to exceed $7 billion. Property values in these counties have increased to a level greater than 47 percent of the national average increase between 2006 and 2012, which was during the height of the recession. Perhaps most importantly, there are now, more than ever, greater prospects for future generations of Pennsylvanians. Natural gas development has allowed Pennsylvania's young workers to find high- paying, family sustaining jobs in the Keystone State, where they can continue to live and build stronger communities.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I addressed the positive economic impact on jobs of shale gas production that was documented during a recent hearing in Pennsylvania by the bipartisan Natural Gas Caucus, which I cochair. An additional area of economic impact of the natural gas production is the direct benefits to Pennsylvania. From 2008 to 2010, Pennsylvania established three leases for natural gas production on State forest lands. These leases have generated signing bonuses totaling $413 million and earned the State another $100 million in royalties. Since 2007, a total of $1.7 billion in corporate taxes have also been paid. During 2012 and 2013, the natural gas industry contributed $406 million in impact fees that are benefiting counties and communities across Pennsylvania. By 2035, shale gas will contribute $42.4 billion annually to Pennsylvania's economy, up from the $7.1 billion in 2010. Mr. Speaker, the economic impact from natural gas development in Pennsylvania is exceeding all expectations. Governor Corbett and the Pennsylvania State legislature are to be congratulated for their leadership in shale gas production.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 1911. President Obama, as part of his budget request, proposed returning student loan interest rates to a system of market-based variable rates tagged to the 10-year Treasury note. As a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I can attest the committee staff and members worked in good faith to meet the President's request, developing a bill that could pass the House and promote certainty for student borrowers. The House moved to pass the bill in May, reasserting that access to education for so many of America's young people should not be subject to annual political battles. Unfortunately, the Senate chose politics over students and delayed passage of the legislation until last week. The positive is that H.R. 1911 is a complete departure from what had become an annual debate within Congress on how to set the rates for student loans. This measure modifies how interest rates on most Federal student loans are set, returning to a system under which interest rates are tied to market rates, but with rates fixed for the period of the loan. It would apply retroactively to any loans since July 1, when the 3.4 interest rate on Stafford loans rose to 6.8 percent. This bill will transition the student loan system to one that is more predictable and affordable--one that protects both taxpayers and students. We have a responsibility to America's youth. We have a responsibility to the students such as those seeking opportunities at Penn State, Pitt, Lock Haven, Clarion, Edinboro, Juniata, Dubois Business College, and South Hills. We have to put forward a long-term plan for college affordability. This bill is a good first step and will offer students the lowest possible rate for higher education while ensuring the solvency of these important loan programs. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.