Chris Van Hollen

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material in the Congressional Record.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, on Monday, September 27, 2010, one of my constituents will be celebrating 25 years of outstanding service to the Washington, DC metropolitan region. WTTG Fox 5 News weather forecaster Sue Palka has been bringing Washingtonians their weather reports for decades. For those of you who have seen her, you know her for her irrepressible enthusiasm and good humor. I am proud that Sue, a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a constituent of mine. Sue is a six-time Emmy award winner for outstanding weather forecasting and has been with Fox 5 since 1985. In 1997, she was named Broadcaster of the Year by the National Weather Association. She was featured on the cover of Washingtonian Magazine in March 2004, and on the cover of the Washington Post TV Week in July 1997 with an extensive article profiling her career. Sue received the Distinguished Alumnae Award from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2005. Sue has an undying passion for weather forecasting. From taking on Hurricane Bertha when it made landfall, to flying into the eye of category 4 Hurricane Edouard with the famed Hurricane Hunters, to tornado chasing in Texas and Oklahoma, Sue loves to be in the middle of the action and to share its excitement with her viewers. I am delighted to congratulate Sue Palka, her husband Joe and daughters Elizabeth and Nora, for her 25 years of dedicated service to our community and to all visitors to the Nation's Capital.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 and urge its adoption without any further delay. Small businesses are the engine of our economy. They employ half of all private sector workers and have been responsible for nearly two- thirds of net job creation over the past fifteen years. Recent economic data showing eight straight months of private sector job growth is an encouraging sign, but more needs to be done to support our small business job generators and keep the economy moving in the right direction. The centerpiece of this pro-growth legislation is a $30 billion lending fund for community banks serving small businesses. With 45 percent of small businesses unable to get their credit needs met in 2009, this kind of initiative--which can leverage up to $300 billion in new private sector lending--is critical to getting small businesses the financing they need to expand their payrolls at a time when jobs are what our economy needs most. Small Business Administration loan limits are increased. SBA borrowing fees are reduced or eliminated. And the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the lending fund itself will actually reduce the deficit by $1 billion over ten years as participating banks repay their loans with interest. H.R. 5297 also delivers a potent package of timely tax relief to the small business sector. As a result of today's legislation, up to $500,000 worth of capital investment in equipment and machinery acquired in 2010 and 2011 can be immediately written off. General business credits can be carried back five years instead of one and won't be subject to the AMT. The available deduction for entrepreneurs' start-up expenses is doubled from $5,000 to $10,000, and direct equity investment in small businesses will receive a zero percent capital gains rate for qualifying investments made this year. Madam Speaker, although I might personally have prioritized a slightly different set of offsets, this legislation is nevertheless fully paid for and as a package deserves our support.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Rural Energy Savings Program Act and the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program contained in today's substitute amendment. Together, these complementary initiatives will create good paying American jobs, save consumers money and enhance our nation's energy security. The Rural Star program will enable rural electric cooperatives to borrow money from the USDA Rural Utilities Service to fund voluntary and cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades for the citizens they serve. The resulting low-interest loans would bear an interest rate of no greater than three percent and would be repaid on the participating consumers' utility bill over a ten year period of time. The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program is designed for those citizens not served by rural electric cooperatives. Under this companion measure, which tracks the National Home Energy Savings Revolving Fund legislation I introduced earlier this Congress, states would be able to borrow federal funds they could then make available to electric utilities and other entities capable of administering a loan program for cost-effective residential energy efficiency retrofits. As an added ``Made in America'' benefit, it is estimated that 92 percent of the products and materials that would be used in the Home Star program are manufactured in the United States. Mr. Chair, this is common-sense, forward-looking legislation that will meaningfully advance America's clean energy future. I urge ``yes'' vote.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 1595, I join Chairman Levin and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Real Estate Investment Trust Act of 1960, which authorized the creation of real estate investment trusts, REITS. Prior to September 14, 1960, investment in commercial real estate was largely reserved to big financial institutions and wealthy individuals. But thanks to the Real Estate Investment Trust Act, average American investors for the first time gained access to this distinct asset class. Over the past fifty years, REITS have helped Americans diversify their investment portfolios, earn dividend-based income, and enhance overall investment returns. For REITS' contribution to capital formation in the real estate sector and retirement security for millions of Americans, it is fitting that we take a moment to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the landmark legislation that created them today.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, as an original sponsor of this resolution, I join Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen and my colleagues in strong support of H. Res. 1613, a resolution expressing our condolences and support to the Pakistani people as they face a humanitarian disaster of monumental dimensions. Today, a fifth of the country of Pakistan is under water as the country endures the greatest flooding in a century. More than 1,750 people have lost their lives, over 2,700 people have been injured and almost 2 million homes have been destroyed--displacing millions of men, women and children. Hundreds of bridges have been destroyed, cutting off communities from relief supplies. And many communities lie vulnerable to cholera and other epidemics as access to clean drinking water diminishes. This disaster has impacted the lives of tens of millions of people. Acting swiftly, the U.S. government joined forces with the Pakistani government to provide immediate assistance. American military helicopters were redirected to rescue efforts within hours of the Pakistani Government's request for help. American military aircraft began delivering hundreds of thousands of meals and millions of pounds of relief supplies to the affected areas. We have provided heavy-duty waterproof sheeting to construct temporary shelters for more than 100,000 people, rescue boats, construction equipment, water filtration units, and even prefabricated bridges. We are working hand-in-hand with the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority to ensure this assistance is delivered expeditiously to those in need. Additionally, the U.S. has pledged more than $150 million toward emergency flood relief. Approximately $92 million of that total is in direct support of the UN relief plan. USAID and the State Department are also working together to redirect $60 million of the $7.5 billion Pakistan development aid package to flood recovery and reconstruction efforts. And, in light of fast moving events on the ground, USAID Administrator Shah has expressed an intention to re-evaluate future uses of the Pakistan aid package. This is a time of great crisis for the Pakistani people and they urgently need our help. This resolution expresses our support for the people of Pakistan as they face this unprecedented catastrophe and encourages the Obama Administration to re-examine its priorities for using funds under the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 in light of the crisis. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, September 11, 2001, is a day forever etched into the memory of most Americans. On that day, over 3,000 innocent people--including 48 men and women from the state of Maryland--died during the attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and aboard Flight 93. We gather today to honor their memory and the sacrifice of the families of the victims. We also renew our commitment to honoring the sacrifice and service of the citizens who risked their lives to help the victims as well as the survivors. While 9/11 is a day of great sadness, it is also a moment of pride. Our reaction as a nation to those events--both as they were unfolding and afterwards--reveals much about us as a people. On that day, our enemies thought they could break our will, but they underestimated our resolve and resilience. They sought to divide us, but they misjudged the breadth of our unity and the depth of our commitment to freedom. As we look back on the 9 years since the attacks, we are reminded that the threat is not over--the United States still faces enemies who spread hate through violence. The federal government and Congress have an obligation and duty to protect our nation. We have made great progress since the attacks, but there is still much to be done. It is on this day that we also reflect on the way Americans from all backgrounds came together as one in the face of adversity. While every American should take a moment out of his or her day to remember those who were lost, we must continue to dedicate ourselves to giving back to our communities.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act of 2009. This bipartisan legislation ensures that the rules of the Buy American Act that apply to all states and federal agencies also apply to Congress. Under current law, states and the federal government must buy only American made products. Though exemptions exist for cases where public interest, cost or unavailability make purchasing the good prohibitive, all goods purchased by state and federal governments must be produced in the United States. Congress, however, is not subjected to this requirement. Promoting American job growth is a priority for this Congress. This common sense legislation is example of our commitment. If passed, this legislation will apply a standard for procurement that exceeds that enforced by states and federal agencies. Any product bearing the official congressional insignias, including goods bearing a mark resembling the official seals of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Congress, will have to be made in America. Mr. Speaker, the president has set an ambitious goal to significantly increase this country's exports over the next two years. This legislation contributes to that effort by ensuring that goods procured by states, federal agencies and Congress are made in the U.S.A. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the bill.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act--and the thousands of teachers, nurses, firefighters and police whose jobs it will preserve. Whether you look at this legislation from an economic recovery perspective, or a public safety perspective, or an educational opportunity perspective, it's simply the right thing to do. The $16.1 billion in temporary Medicaid assistance to our states through June 30, 2011, will protect Medicaid participants and prevent the massive layoffs of first responders and other key personnel that would otherwise occur. And the bill's $10 billion education jobs fund will save at least 161,000 teachers' jobs--including an estimated 2,500 positions in my home state of Maryland--so that our children can continue to get the high quality education they deserve. Madam Speaker, like many Americans, I was disappointed to hear the distinguished Minority Leader Mr. Boehner refer to our teachers, nurses, firefighters and police as ``special interests.'' They are not. They are public servants whose efforts we're going to need to educate our children and keep our communities safe. But as disappointing as that comment was, it tells you a lot about the differences between the two parties as we head into a very important election season. Finally, Madam Speaker, the cost of keeping our teachers in the classroom instead of the unemployment line is fully paid for by closing tax loopholes that encourage big corporations to ship jobs overseas. Most taxpayers would understandably be outraged if they were told that in addition to paying their own taxes, they should also be required to pay taxes U.S. multinationals owe to foreign countries for income those companies earn offshore. But through a process called ``credit splitting,'' that's precisely what happens: U.S. multinationals are able to use foreign tax credits to reduce their U.S. tax liability, but in many cases never pay U.S. tax on the offshore income that generated those credits in the first place. As a result, U.S. taxpayers are effectively subsidizing the companies' foreign tax liability. Adding insult to injury, since this kind of burden-shifting isn't available for income earned inside the United States, our current rules actually encourage U.S. multinationals to invest their marginal dollar overseas. We can and must do better. Vote ``yes'' for jobs at home and ``no'' to shipping jobs overseas.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2010, and I commend my colleagues Representative Scott Murphy and Representative Bill Owens for bringing it to the floor today. Simply put, this bill does two things: It provides information reporting relief to small businesses--and it closes loopholes in current law that encourage U.S. multinationals to invest overseas. The question members must ask themselves is this: Do we want jobs in America, or do we want a tax code that rewards companies for shipping jobs overseas? For every small business seeking to expand and create jobs, and for every American looking for work, I urge a yes vote.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of today's oil spill response legislation, and I commend Chairmen Rahall, Miller, Waxman, Oberstar and Conyers for bringing this package to the floor today. The Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act corrects a number of major defects in current law that have come to light in the Deepwater Horizon disaster. First, and most importantly, it ensures BP--not the taxpayer--is held responsible for the full cost of the cleanup. Second, it strengthens offshore drilling standards and requires independent certification of critical safety equipment. Third, it provides desperately needed reform to the scandal ridden Mineral Management Service by separating its permitting, inspection and collection functions. Fourth, it eliminates royalty loopholes that allow oil companies to shortchange taxpayers when extracting resources from public lands. And finally, it makes good on a 45 year old promise to fully fund the Land Water and Conservation Fund so that Americans can enjoy our Nation's natural, historical and recreational resources for generations to come. The Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Act (HR 5851) complements today's package by extending whistleblower protections to oil rig workers on the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifically, employers would be prohibited from discharging or otherwise discriminating against employees who report injuries, unsafe working conditions or alleged violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Had these protections been in place, the Deepwater Horizon workers with serious safety concerns about the operation of their rig could have had more confidence about coming forward prior to the explosion. Mr. Chair, today's legislation is an important and necessary part of our Nation's response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. I urge a yes vote and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of today's manufacturing legislation and strongly endorse the ``Make It In America'' agenda it represents. Given the erosion of our manufacturing base in an increasingly global economy, a deliberate and comprehensive ``Make It In America'' strategy is long overdue. In that regard, the National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010 (H.R. 4692) will kick start this effort by directing the President to establish a Manufacturing Strategy Task Force charged with thoroughly analyzing the nation's manufacturing sector and developing a comprehensive national manufacturing action plan by February 28, 2011-- and every four years thereafter. Standardizing this process will help drive economic growth, increase employment and promote American exports. As Co-Chair of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, I am especially pleased to support the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act (H.R. 5156). This legislation directs the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration to develop a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy aimed at increasing exports in our clean energy sector while promoting policies that reduce production costs and encourage innovation in the clean energy sector here at home. We can and must be a world leader in the 21st century clean energy revolution. Finally, I urge a ``yes'' vote on today's End The Trade Deficit Act (H.R. 1875), which will establish an Emergency Trade Deficit Commission to examine the causes and potential solutions for reducing our current trade imbalance. Since growing trade deficits both reflect and exacerbate the erosion of our manufacturing base, this initiative-- along with Mr. Cardoza's resolution encouraging America's fruit, vegetable and commodity producers to display the American flag on the labels of products grown in the United States--are an important part of the Make It In America agenda.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the 9th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks, I rise in support of legislation that would help the thousands of first responders and survivors who were exposed to hazardous health conditions in the aftermath of the attacks. Congress and the Federal Government have an obligation and a responsibility to care for and help the responders and survivors of the September llth attacks. The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would re- open the federal health and compensation program as well as provide medical monitoring and treatment services for 9/11 responders and community members who have suffered long-term physical and mental health problems due to the residual dust, toxins and chemicals from the attacks. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is PAYGO compliant. Let us not forget the sacrifice and service of those brave individuals who rushed to the scene as well as the survivors. We cannot turn our backs on them. I urge my colleagues to support this much-needed bill.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Real Estate Jobs and Investment Act (H.R. 5901), and I commend Congressman Crowley and the Ways and Means committee staff for the hard work that went into crafting this bill. Even as we work hard to address the current foreclosure crisis in the residential housing market, a growing chorus of economists is warning that the commercial real estate market could very well be the next shoe to fall. In order to get in front of that looming crisis, and the additional burden on our recovery it would represent, Congress should consider any and all responsible steps we can take now to head off that outcome. This legislation is that kind of step. By increasing from 5 percent to 10 percent the amount of foreign capital that can be invested in a publicly traded REIT before the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, FIRPTA, filing and withholding requirements kick in, we can attract more foreign investment to our commercial real estate market at a time when that investment is needed most--and we can do it in a way that doesn't disadvantage U.S. taxpayers or cede ownership control of U.S. real estate to foreign interests. Madam Speaker, this is forward-looking legislation. It's fully paid for. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY2011. This is a jobs bill and it is an economic development bill. It is about rebuilding our infrastructure and revitalizing our communities. The transportation construction industry has been hard hit with this recession, as states tighten their belts and delay major projects. While we need a long-term surface transportation reauthorization, today's legislation makes vital investments to put people to work rebuilding communities. It includes $45.2 billion for roads and highways, and $11.3 billion for public transportation to bring our infrastructure back to a state of good repair and give Americans transportation options. It invests in Amtrak and high-speed rail to move people around the country. These programs create jobs in our communities. Today's bill also invests in programs like the Public Housing Capital Fund and the Community Development Block Grant, which allow communities to make vital improvements to public housing and spur business expansion and job creation. The bill includes funding for foreclosure mitigation and rental assistance to stabilize neighborhoods by keeping people in their homes. And it supports housing for vulnerable populations, including homeless veterans, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Finally, this bill contains a vital investment for my constituents and the entire D.C. metropolitan region--$150 million for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This funding, authorized by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, is part of a 10-year plan to help WMATA make needed safety improvements and address its capital maintenance backlog. I thank Chairman Olver and the Committee for its continued support of WMATA, which serves so many federal employees and tourists in the District of Columbia. Mr. Chair, the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act is a jobs bill. It puts Americans to work to repair aging infrastructure, create new transportation options, and revitalize communities. I urge my colleagues to join me to support these vital investments.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. I thank the chairman for yielding. You would think, listening to our colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle, that the great recession began after President Obama was sworn in, not recognizing the fact that the day President Bush lost office this country was losing jobs at the rate of 700,000 jobs a month. And in fact, during the entire 8 years of the Bush administration we ended up losing over 600,000 private-sector jobs. We have been working very hard to dig ourselves out of that hole for a long period of time since then. The last 6 months we have seen private-sector job growth in consecutive months. Not as much as anybody would like to see, but positive growth. And it's interesting to listen to my colleagues, many of whom are showing up to ribbon-cutting ceremonies and groundbreaking ceremonies, taking credit for jobs that have been created by investments made that would never have happened if they had their way, if their votes had been the ones that carried the day. Now, this legislation is an effort to change a perverse tax policy. We do two things in this legislation. Number one, we make important investments in the Build America Bonds program, an investment in infrastructure and jobs here at home. And we pay for it by cutting down, eliminating these perverse loopholes. Yes, there are lots of corporations out there that don't like this legislation. You know why? Because they will no longer be rewarded by American taxpayers for shipping American jobs overseas. Because that's what this bill does. Right now our tax code penalizes American taxpayers and creates these incentives for certain corporations to ship American jobs--not American goods, but ship American jobs--overseas. And I think most taxpayers would be outraged if they knew that in addition to paying their own taxes, they would be required to pay the taxes that U.S. multinationals owe to foreign countries for income those corporations generated overseas. That's what's going on. Through a process called credit splitting, U.S. multinationals are able to use their foreign tax credits to reduce their tax liability here at home even though they may not have repatriated that income back to the United States. That's what this particular loophole does. You can talk about reforming our international tax code, and you are right, there are lots of complicated issues. But this issue is not complicated. This issue is very simple. Do you want to reward American corporations who are shipping American jobs overseas? And those that are opposing these provisions understandably are benefiting from it, because right now American taxpayers are paying the tab for the taxes that those corporations are paying overseas. That's not fair, and it creates an inducement to ship those jobs overseas. Let's stop this loophole and use those funds to invest in jobs here in America.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Surface Transportation Earmark Rescission, Savings and Accountability Act, and commend my colleague Rep. Betsy Markey for bringing this legislation to the floor today. Consistent with the Democratic majority's commitment to budget discipline, this bill rescinds unobligated funding for 309 earmarks contained in previous surface transportation authorizations, saving taxpayers $713 million. While some only like to talk about fiscal responsibility, we are actually delivering it, scrutinizing the budget line by line to find savings for the American taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, this is good government legislation. It's common sense legislation. It's what our constituents expect of us. And it's part of the Democratic agenda to bring real and responsible budget discipline back to Washington, DC. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Military Construction Appropriations Act of 2011. This measure provides $141.1 billion for military construction of all kinds from military family housing, to construction of operational facilities in the U.S. and abroad. This funding will be used to construct schools, hospitals and other facilities for veteran's healthcare. The Veterans Health Administration has estimated that it will treat over 6.1 million patients next year. This number includes more than 439,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. This measure provides $48.8 billion for health programs within the Veterans Health Administration. Additionally, the bill provides $53 billion for service-connected compensation, pensions and benefits for the estimated 4 million veterans and their families. This measure provides $2.4 billion to further implement base closures and realignments outlined in the 2005 BRAC, including support for the re-stationing of troops and their families from overseas to the United States. The bill provides $1.3 billion to support our troops in Afghanistan and $259 million for U.S. construction funding obligations as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program in that country. For military families living on base, the measure appropriates $1.8 billion for housing as well as for operation and maintenance costs. These funds are used for everything from repairs, to furnishings, management, utilities, and even for mortgage insurance. To address the growing housing backlog for unmarried troops and trainees, the bill provides $190 million for Army trainee housing facilities. And finally, to ensure accountability, the measure provides funding to the Defense Department inspector general to audit these and other military construction projects. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I support President Obama's request to provide our troops with the equipment and support they need for their mission. We also owe it to our troops to have a realistic strategy that is worthy of their sacrifice. The toughest decisions we face as a nation are questions of war and peace. Whenever we ask the men and women of our armed forces to put their lives at risk, the President and Members of Congress have a solemn obligation to consider all the facts and exercise their best judgment for the country. More than 8 years ago, our nation was the target of a terrorist attack launched by al Qaeda operating out of Afghanistan. The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution supporting the right of the United States to respond forcefully to that attack. Our NATO allies universally backed our actions, invoking the provisions of the NATO charter stating that an attack on one was an attack on all. Today, largely because the Bush administration diverted attention and resources away from this region to Iraq, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda continue to regain strength and plot attacks against Americans from along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The Bush Administration also failed to persuade Pakistan to confront the Afghan Taliban insurgents operating inside Pakistan with the support of al Qaeda. While there is no doubt that al Qaeda operates in parts of Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and other areas, the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region remains the operational and ideological center for al Qaeda's global operations. The President is right to conclude that allowing al Qaeda to operate there unchecked poses a serious security risk to the U.S. and American citizens around the world. President Obama has developed a carefully considered and comprehensive ``counterinsurgency'' strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that relies not only on the use of troops but also the use of civilian resources. The strategy has four parts. First, American and NATO forces will accelerate the training and deployment of the Afghan national security forces, both army and police. This will allow U.S. forces to begin returning home starting in July of next year. Second, in the interim, U.S. and Afghan forces will reverse the Taliban's momentum by working to stabilize major population centers. Third, the strategy engages Pakistan as a full partner in these efforts. As a result of better coordination between our two countries, for the first time since the beginning of the war, al Qaeda and the Taliban are being genuinely challenged by the Pakistan military. Finally, the U.S. will work with its partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan to create a more effective civilian strategy--with the goal of establishing sustainable economic opportunities for Afghans and strengthening the country's national and local governance structures. As the 9-11 Commission determined, extremist groups exploit the poor socioeconomic conditions, such as high unemployment, in the border areas to gain adherents to their cause. With this in mind, I introduced the Afghanistan-Pakistan Security and Prosperity Enhancement Act, which will allow the President to designate Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, ROZs, in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan and allow qualified businesses duty-free access to U.S. markets for designated products. This legislation, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate, would help create meaningful job opportunities for young people who are currently vulnerable to the lure of extremism. The President's strategy contains a timeline which initiates a responsible redeployment of American troops in July of next year. He has established this timeline to send a clear message to the Afghan government that they must take seriously their role in creating a stable Afghanistan and to communicate to the people of Afghanistan that the U.S. has no interest in an open-ended engagement in their country. During floor consideration of the House bill, I supported the McGovern/Obey Amendment, which would codify the president's plan to initiate a responsible drawdown of U.S. forces beginning a year from now. That amendment required that by April 4, 2011, the president submit to Congress a redeployment plan that is consistent with the policy he announced in December 2009. That amendment did not pass and the Senate bill did not contain a similar amendment. The choice we face today is to cut off all funds for our troops in the field and operations in Afghanistan or support President Obama's request to provide the resources necessary to support the strategy outlined in his speech of December 2009. I oppose the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan for two reasons. First, it would immediately strengthen the hand of the most extremist Taliban leaders (those most closely tied to al Qaeda), undercutting any leverage behind ongoing efforts to get some Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and undermining Afghan President Hamid Karzai's new initiative to reach a political accommodation with those members of the Taliban open to national reconciliation. If such a political solution is undermined and the old Taliban regime retakes control of Afghanistan, they will again turn that country into a safe haven for expanded al Qaeda operations. It would also lead to the return of an extreme Taliban regime that encourages horrendous acts like pouring gasoline into the eyes of girls who attempt to go to school. Second, the immediate withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces would weaken Pakistan's resolve to confront the Pakistani Taliban, the Afghan Taliban, and al Qaeda. The most promising development over the last year has been the Government of Pakistan's willingness to fight the growing menace of the Pakistani Taliban. In addition, very recently, the Pakistani government has also shown a willingness to confront elements of the Afghan Taliban. The capture of Mullah Bandar, the operational chief of the Afghan Taliban, and two Afghan Taliban shadow governors, demonstrates this progress. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan would sabotage those nascent efforts. Why should the Pakistani forces confront the Afghan Taliban if the U.S. walks away now? There are no guarantees of success in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But, we do know that failure to confront al Qaeda would leave Americans constantly exposed to another attack like that perpetrated on September 11, 2001. Madam Speaker, I support adoption of the FY10 Supplemental Appropriations bill.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today we mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most defining and effective civil rights law passed by Congress--the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). More than twenty years ago, Americans with disabilities were too often denied the opportunity to fully participate and integrate into our society due to intolerance and unfair stereotypes. Because of this discrimination, they encountered lower employment rates, lower graduation rates, and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. With the ADA, new opportunities were open for millions of Americans with disabilities by making essential services such as housing, buildings, transportation, and other daily needs more accessible. Individuals with disabilities were given an opportunity to succeed in the workplace and in life. Though we have made progress in improving access in all aspects of life for Americans with disabilities, many continue to confront barriers that inhibit them from fully participating in our society by facing inequalities in education, transportation, housing and technology. We must continue to work to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not denied the opportunities that people without disabilities enjoy. Just a few years ago, Congress passed legislation in a bipartisan manner that restored the original intent of the ADA after the Federal courts slowly chipped away at the broad protections of the law. The House is leading by example in honoring the ADA's mission of inclusion and equal opportunity. Today, Representative Langevin is presiding over the House floor due to recent modifications to the Speaker's Rostrum that enables him and all future Members in wheelchairs to do so. They haven't been able to do so in the past. I congratulate Representative Langevin on this achievement and commend his hard work in making this day happen. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the anniversary of a law that has transformed this country since 1990, let us recommit ourselves to ensuring that all Americans with disabilities live as independent, self-sufficient members of our society.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, it is a huge relief for millions of Americans who remain out of work through no fault of their own that the Senate has overcome the Republican filibuster to extend unemployment insurance benefits. It is an insult to the American people to suggest that those who are unemployed are sitting back and not looking for work while taking unemployment compensation. In fact, in order to qualify for unemployment benefits, one must be diligently looking for a job. Extending these benefits is not only the right thing to do for these families, but it is also important for our economic recovery. If these individuals and families are unable to purchase groceries or pay their rent or mortgages, then the entire community suffers. Washington Republicans say they are opposed to these emergency benefits because they claim to be concerned about the deficit. However, they recently announced that they wanted to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and add over $700 billion to the deficit--a sum that would be paid by our children and grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this much-needed legislation so that we can continue to help American families make ends meet during these difficult economic times.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, as we approach the 75th anniversary of Social Security, I rise today to reaffirm its promise as an economic lifeline to millions of senior citizens and those with disabilities, and to preserve it for future generations. More than 50 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits to make ends meet. For many, it is their only source of financial security during these tough economic times. Seniors have worked all their lives and made contributions to the Social Security program. However, we should not threaten their benefits to reduce the federal deficit and pay for the policies of fiscal irresponsibility that President Obama inherited. Fixing this budget mess should not come at the cost of hurting Social Security beneficiaries. Our Republican colleagues have once again advanced a proposal to partially privatize Social Security that puts the financial security and stability of America's seniors at risk. Seniors cannot afford to have their retirement security gambled away on the volatile stock market. At the same time Washington Republicans want to repeal the Wall Street reform legislation, they are pushing for a risky plan that would funnel billions of dollars of America's Social Security retirement savings to Wall Street. Madam Speaker, we have a choice to make. We can take the path that jeopardizes the Social Security program and the benefits it provides, or we can take the road that preserves the retirement benefits that seniors have paid for, earned and need. Let's choose the right path and make sure that Social Security continues to provide seniors with the same financial stability, reliability and security as it has for the past 75 years.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of the island of Cyprus to honor the memory of the nearly 5,000 Cypriots who lost their lives during the invasion and to remember the 200,000 Cypriots who were forcibly removed from their homes and the nearly 1,500 Cypriots who are still missing to this day. A deep respect for freedom, human rights and the rule of law unite the people of Cyprus and the United States. We must draw upon these common values and democratic vision as we work together toward a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Cyprus. All Cypriots deserve a united island that fulfills the promise of peace and democracy for which a generation has paid so dearly. The United States stands with the people of Cyprus as they work to achieve a bi-communal and bi-zonal reunification under a single sovereignty with respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots. Now that the elections are over, the U.S. joins other nations in encouraging President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader Eroglu to resume their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict that is mutually acceptable to both parties.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of today's oil spill legislation as part of Congress' comprehensive response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf. The Oil Pollution Research and Development Program Reauthorization (H.R. 2693) will provide badly needed additional resources for oil spill research and development, as well as streamline the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research currently responsible for the nation's federally funded oil spill pollution R&D. Additionally, the Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Program (H.R. 5716) will ensure that the federal government's existing R&D program for deepwater drilling is as focused on accident prevention, worker safety and environmental impact mitigation as it is on resource recovery. While relatively modest in scope, these two initiatives will bring a more appropriate balance to federal policy with respect to deepwater drilling, help reduce the risk of future deepwater accidents, and improve our ability to respond to those accidents should they occur again. I urge a yes vote.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of a district with a large number of federal employees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1722, the Telework Improvements Act. I want to thank Chairmen Towns and Lynch and Representative Sarbanes for their leadership in crafting this important bi-partisan bill. If passed, this measure will put the federal government on equal footing with many private sector employers and state governments which allow their employees to perform many of their duties and responsibilities from home or at another work site. The Telework Improvements Act requires each executive agency to establish a policy that enables federal employees to telework in a way that does not diminish employee performance or agency operations, and that ensures that no distinction is made between teleworkers and non- teleworkers for performance appraisal and training purposes. Having the option to telework will enhance the quality of life for many federal employees and save money for the taxpayers. For example, there is an effort underway to attract more young people to federal government service to offset the growing number of older employees who are retiring. Offering prospective employees the option to telework increases the possibility that those employees with families will join the federal workforce. Telework also is smart fiscally. According to the Office of Personnel Management, during the blizzard that hit Washington, DC last winter, the government lost $71 million worth of productivity for each day it remained closed. This number might have been far larger had some federal workers not had the opportunity to work from home. The Telework Improvements Act makes environmental, administrative and fiscal common sense. Increasing telework opportunities for employees of the country's largest employer means fewer cars on the roads as workers commute less; it means lower carbon emissions; it means better quality of life for workers and their families; and, it means reduced costs for taxpayers and higher government efficiency because of lower absenteeism. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill and I urge its immediate passage.