Chris Van Hollen

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to cast my vote to override the President's veto of the ban on torture. This bill would have prevented the CIA from engaging in acts of torture. The President vetoed this bill over the provision that specifically extends to U.S. intelligence agencies and personnel the current prohibitions in the Army Field Manual against waterboarding and other torture. The human rights violations perpetrated by the Bush Administration against people detained by the United States have done more to compromise this nation's security than to protect it. We can protect our nation from acts of terrorism without compromising our values or the Constitution. The use of torture by U.S. intelligence agencies to gain intelligence is repugnant on moral grounds. In addition, many experts agree that information extracted through torture is often unreliable and misleading. Moreover, as the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, Colin Powell, has testified, torture will put our own troops at greater risk of torture. In 2007, General David Petraeus stated that torture is wrong and that the Army Field Manual works. In an open letter to service members in May 2007, General Petraeus stated, ``Some may argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or other expedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be wrong. Beyond the basic fact that such actions are illegal, history shows that they also are frequently neither useful nor necessary. Certainly, extreme physical action can make someone `talk;' however, what the individual says may be of questionable value. In fact, our experience in applying the interrogation standards laid out in the Army Field Manual . . . shows that the techniques in the manual work effectively and humanely in eliciting information from detainees.'' At a February 29th news briefing to oppose the President's anticipated veto, retired Lt. Gen. Harry Soyster, former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated, ``Experience shows that the Army Field Manual's approaches to interrogation work. The Army Field Manual is comprehensive and sophisticated. It contains all the techniques any good interrogator needs to get accurate, reliable information, including out of the toughest customers. . . If [individuals] think these [harsh interrogation] methods work, they're woefully misinformed. Torture is counterproductive on all fronts. It produces bad intelligence. It ruins the [interrogation] subject, makes them useless for further interrogation. And it damages our credibility around the world.'' Moreover, 30 retired military leaders have pointed out that failing to prohibit harsh interrogation techniques endangers our men and women in uniform. In a December 2007 letter, 30 retired military leaders wrote, ``We believe it is vital to the safety of our men and women in uniform that the United States not sanction the use of interrogation methods it would find unacceptable if inflicted by the enemy against captured Americans. . . . The current situation, in which the military operates under one set of interrogation rules that are public and the CIA operates under a separate, secret set of rules, is unwise and unpractical . . . What sets us apart from our enemies in this fight . . . is how we behave. In everything we do, we must observe the standards and values that dictate that we treat noncombatants and detainees with dignity and respect.'' Many retired military leaders have also pointed out that waterboarding is clearly torture and is illegal. For example, Retired Admiral Donald Guter, Judge Advocate General, wrote in a November 2007 letter, ``Waterboarding is inhumane, it is torture, and it is illegal. . . This is a critically important issue--but it is not, and never has been, a complex issue, and even to suggest otherwise does a terrible disservice to this nation. . . . Waterboarding detainees amounts to illegal torture in all circumstances. to suggest otherwise--or even to give credence to such a suggestion--represents both an affront to the law and to the core values of our nation.'' Finally, the use of torture has weakened our national security by eroding our moral standing and has cost us our ability to enlist the cooperation and support of other nations in our fight against terrorism, and places our military and diplomatic personnel at risk. This practice must be stopped. Overturning this veto would be a crucial first important step to restore our moral standing in the world. It is imperative that Congress tells the world in no uncertain terms: Americans do not engage in torture.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation and gratitude to Eileen McGuckian, founder of Peerless Rockville, for her 35 years of service to the cause of historic preservation. Eileen was driven to take action in 1974, when she witnessed the demolition of the historic and beautiful Masonic Lodge in Rockville. Along with a group of like-minded community members, she formed Peerless Rockville and began raising money for the preservation of historic buildings and sites and educating the public on the importance of protecting our shared history. Peerless Rockville has become a model of public-private partnership, whose successes have included the rescue and preservation of the 1873 B&O Railroad Station, the Montrose School and Baptist Cemetery, the Dawson farmhouse, the Grand Courtroom of the Red Brick Courthouse, and Wire Hardware, one of the few examples of 19th century commercial architecture remaining in Rockville. In addition, Peerless Rockville fulfills its educational mission by providing walking tours and history programs, and maintaining an impressive collection of maps, historic photographs, architects' drawings and other documents. These documents are an invaluable resource for local residents, students and scholars. Eileen herself made full use of this collection in her award-winning book, Rockville: Portrait of a City. Today, Rockville is a richer and more beautiful place thanks to Eileen McGuckian. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing and honoring Eileen McGuckian for 35 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the city of Rockville and to Montgomery County, Maryland.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, throughout our history, American citizens have never hesitated to heed the call to service. They have answered in times of peace and prosperity, in times of war and recession. They have donated time and money and sweat--as much as they could, whenever it was needed. When our Nation faced the Great Depression, President Roosevelt formed the Civilian Conservation Corps and put citizens to work for the national interest. When we faced political uncertainty in the world, President Kennedy challenged our young people to serve and dispatched the Peace Corps on missions of international aid and public diplomacy. And when neighbors have challenges, when communities struggle, or when the Nation sees tragedy, our citizens rally and lend a hand. In recent years, we have seen some of the largest increases in volunteerism in history. This new trend is led by our young people, who are serving in record numbers. The number of college students who volunteer increased by 20 percent between 2002 and 2005. And the programs we consider today are a key part of that service. Today's legislation will increase enrollment in AmeriCorps and establish ways to deploy AmeriCorps alumni in times of national need. It will establish an Office of Outreach and Recruitment to match new volunteers with service opportunities. It will create a new program, a Summer of Service, to encourage more young people to help their communities. It will strengthen our emergency preparedness and disaster response with improvements to the National Civilian Community Corps. And it will challenge our scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to meet our Nation's technical needs with creativity and innovation. Mr. Chairman, Americans have made tremendous investments through national service. Let us, in turn, pass this legislation today to assist their efforts and continue their commitment to our Nation's future.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. I thank my colleague. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this long overdue bipartisan legislation, and I want to commend and thank our colleagues, Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad, for their leadership, their passion, and their perseverance on this very important issue that is so important to millions of Americans around this country. Last year, they traveled across this great land, holding a series of field hearings, listening to Americans in communities across the Nation, people from every walk of life. I had the privilege of hosting one of those hearings in my congressional district. The message from that hearing, as with the other hearings from around the country, was very clear, Congress needs to end insurance discrimination in mental health care. Both common sense and simple fairness require that mental health diseases be treated on an equal footing with other health conditions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26 percent of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, and approximately 6 percent of our fellow Americans suffer from serious mental illness. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability for individuals between the ages of 15 and 44. The good news is the science tells us that treatment works. The sad truth is that, for most Americans, health insurance coverage does not now cover the full range of their needs. We know that for years, for years, employer-provided health care set stricter treatment limits and imposed higher out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. Congress took an important step in 1996 to correct that inequity through the Mental Health Parity Act. But problems remain, and that is the reason we have this very important legislation before us, because insurance companies were setting rigid, arbitrary caps on how they cover mental health. This legislation will finally stop those practices. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress have good health care coverage and mental health coverage. Let's give the same thing to the American people.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. I thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for his leadership on this very important national issue. The legislation before us today presents a very clear choice: Does the people's House stand with the American consumer or do we stand with big oil companies and the special interests? With gas prices now more than twice as high as they were the day President Bush took office, the American people can simply not afford a continuation of those failed policies that brought us to this point. They're looking to us to take specific steps towards strengthening our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, cleaning up our environment, and creating millions of good-paying green collar jobs and saving on their costs at the pump. Now the energy bill that this Congress passed last session was a very important step in the right direction. We improved automobile efficiency standards and provided greater incentives to renewable fuels and new economy-wide efficiency standards, and that will help ease the demand for fossil fuels and spur important energy alternatives. However, we left a very important piece of that on the table because Senate Republicans and the White House refused to accept a very simple proposition. We want to take the $14 billion in taxpayer subsidies that the Bush administration and the earlier Congress gave the oil and gas companies and we say let's reinvest them in a new energy strategy that focuses on renewable energy and energy efficiency. And now on the other side they say no, we don't want to make that choice. We think the taxpayers, all of us and all the people around this country, should continue to subsidize oil and gas companies that are making record profits rather than making this choice. Well, that's what this bill is about: let's make a choice. Let's use those resources to invest in over $8 billion in electricity generated from clean, homegrown renewable sources. Let's expand production of homegrown fuels like cellulosic ethanol and renewable biodiesel so that we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And let's empower consumers interested in being part of the solution by incentivizing the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles. There is a whole new energy frontier out there for us to seize upon if only we will make the right choices. And instead of looking backwards and continuing to subsidize companies with the hard-earned dollars of the American people, let's instead invest in an energy future that puts millions of people back to work in green technologies, that advances our national security interests by reducing our reliance on foreign oil, and which addresses major environmental concerns that we all face with respect to climate change. That is the fundamental question at stake today. Let's make the right choice. Let's make a choice that the people's House can be proud of and support the American consumer and the American people, and not the special interests.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Peace Corps, one of the most important and worthy institutions our country has ever established. More than 190,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers since its inception in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, who inspired Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. I am proud that 34 of my constituents are currently serving as Volunteers in a number of countries around the world, and I wish them well in their worthwhile endeavors. The Peace Corps brings out the best of the American character. It demonstrates to the rest of the world, where misconceptions of the United States are too often prevalent, that we are a caring people, interested in the well-being of mankind. The Volunteers live in the communities in which they serve by working as teachers and development experts, and they assist in post-conflict relief and reconstruction efforts and health care crises, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic. With the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the emergence of many new states around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers are serving in more countries than ever before. Volunteers learn more than 250 languages and dialects, and they receive extensive cross-cultural training that enables them to work effectively. In many remote places, they are often the only contact that villagers have with Americans. Our country owes the Peace Corps Volunteers, who often work under very difficult circumstances, a debt of gratitude for their service that has improved the image of our country overseas and improved the lives of millions of people around the globe.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5349, a twenty one day extension of the Protect America Act. I believe that this short term extension is necessary to achieve a long term solution to update our foreign surveillance laws in a manner that will protect the civil liberties of Americans. I voted against the Protect America Act last August because I believe that it seriously compromises the civil liberties of Americans. I am still opposed to it as a permanent solution to our need to conform our surveillance laws to changes in telecommunication technology. Fortunately, it was scheduled to sunset in 6 months to provide additional time to correct our foreign surveillance law in a balanced manner. The House passed such a balanced bill, H.R. 3773, the RESTORE Act, in November. I voted for this bill because I believe that it establishes the proper balance between the protection of civil liberties and the needs of our intelligence agencies to have access to critical information. Unfortunately, the Senate passed their bill yesterday giving us no time to reconcile the differences between the respective bills. Moreover, I have serious objections to the Senate bill which is dramatically different than its House counterpart. Significant work must be done to harmonize these bills in a manner that will be acceptable to me. Consequently, it is necessary to provide additional time for the committees of jurisdiction to craft a balanced bicameral solution.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I also want to recognize Mr. Regula for his early and steady support. I yield 1 minute to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. May I inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to join my colleague, Mr. Castle of Delaware, in offering this amendment in support of Teach for America. And I want to recognize the efforts of Mr. Castle for his years of advocacy for this very important cause and thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for their stalwart bipartisan support for Teach for America. For many years, Teach for America has pioneered an innovative and very successful approach to teacher recruitment, placing over 17,000 outstanding college graduates in schools around our Nation, reaching over 2 million students. Many of those graduates remain in education after teaching as corps members, either as teachers or as principals, or remain otherwise active within our educational community. This is a program that has received strong bipartisan support from this Congress, and the Teach for America Act, which authorizes the partnership between the Federal Government and this important program, was introduced on a bipartisan basis by a number of us, including Mr. Castle, Ms. DeLauro, who has been a champion of this issue, Mr. Regula, Mr. Sarbanes, and now has over 105 cosponsors. And I want to thank Chairman Miller and the committee for incorporating the major provisions of that legislation into the bill that is before us today. This amendment proposes one change, which is the bill before us authorizes such sums as may be necessary for this program. And what this amendment does is seek to clarify our congressional intent with respect to the specific targets that we want to hit with respect to funding. It sets an authorized level of $20 million for fiscal year 2009 and $25 million for fiscal year 2010. And those are the levels that are consistent with the Teach for America's published budget. And with this funding, Teach for America can expand from 5,000 members in 26 urban and rural areas around the country, to 8,000 members in 33 regions and serve 680,000 economically disadvantaged children. This is an important, real impact. Teach for America has been forthright about its plans, and it raises about 80 percent of its funds from nongovernment sources. This amendment, of course, does not make this mandatory, but it clearly says that this is the intent of Congress to reach these levels. These are the levels necessary to get the job done and make sure we fund our share of this very important partnership. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I want to once again thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Miller, and the ranking member, Mr. McKeon, for their efforts on this. I yield the remainder of my time to Mr. Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania who has been such a great leader on education issues across the board. (Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, we all know that paying for college is often a daunting task for our Nation's students and families. It can sometimes be difficult to calculate the full costs and find ways to meet them. Far too many students graduate with too much debt--debts that can limit their choices and strain their finances. I am proud that this Congress has focused significant attention on this issue. Last year this Congress passed the largest increase in student assistance since the Montgomery G.I. Bill. That increase was fully paid for by reducing subsidies to banks and lenders. Today, we continue our commitment to increasing access to higher education with the College Opportunity and Affordability Act. This bill provides transparency and clarity in the often-confusing process that students and families face as they decide how to pay for college. It simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and creates a shorter form for low-income families. It instructs the Secretary of Education to create a user-friendly website that centralizes information about schools and costs. It also makes sure that students and parents get easy-to-understand information about the terms and conditions of both federal and private loans. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act also includes provisions from the House-passed Student Loan Sunshine Act, which requires schools and lenders to adopt strict codes of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest and protect students from aggressive lending practices. Today's bill also furthers our Competitiveness Agenda, begun with the America COMPETES Act last year, by creating programs to recruit new science and technology teachers and collaborate with the business community to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and foreign language education. It continues our commitment to our Nation's military, creating new scholarships for active duty personnel and their families, providing support for veterans at college, and ensuring that they have fair access to student and housing aid. I thank the chairman and ranking member for including many of the provisions from the Teach for America Act, a bill that I introduced last year with Mr. Castle, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Regula, and Mr. Sarbanes. These provisions, combined with the amendment to clarify specific authorizing amounts that Mr. Castle and I offered today, will allow Teach for America to expand its reach with 8,000 corps members serving 680,000 children in 33 regions around the country. Mr. Chairman, this bill will increase transparency, put more qualified teachers in our classrooms, and open the doors to college to our Nation's children. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it today.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a longtime advocate for child passenger safety, my constituent Jack Fitzgerald, President of Fitzgerald Auto Malls. As you may know, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 14 and the leading cause of injury-related death for children under age 2. We know that when installed and used correctly, child safety seats and safety belts can prevent injury and save lives. In fact, young children restrained in child safety seats have an 80 percent lower risk of fatal injury than those who are unrestrained. In order to ensure that child safety seats are properly used and installed, car seat check-up events, like those sponsored by Safe Kids Worldwide, are essential. At these events, child passenger safety technicians teach families how to safely transport their children and help make sure everyone in a vehicle is buckled up correctly on every ride. On average, technicians spend about 30 minutes with each child. These events, most of which are open to the public, are conducted by Safe Kids coalitions in central locations such as automobile dealerships, hospitals, community centers and shopping centers. Since 1996, Safe Kids Worldwide has partnered with General Motors to help change the way parents and caregivers learn about child passenger safety. More than 13 million people have been reached by the Safe Kids Buckle Up Program and, to date, there have been more than 44,000 events that bring much needed car seat inspection services and education to families across the country. Safe Kids is well on its way to checking one million child safety seats. Part of this success can be attributed to Jack Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Auto Malls. In February 1999, Jack teamed up with Safe Kids Montgomery County in my home state of Maryland to hold a car seat check-up event. At that event, Stephen Guarino, who was then 5 years old, was moved into a booster seat for a better fit just one day before the family vehicle was hit by a truck. Mrs. Guarino and the police officers on the scene credit the saving of Stephen's life in that crash to the services received at the check-up event. Since that incident, Fitzgerald Auto Malls has hosted hundreds of check-up events. Working with Safe Kids Montgomery County, local government agencies, and police and fire departments, Fitzgerald Auto Malls has inspected more than 35,000 child safety seats. The dealership hosts monthly car seat inspections free of charge for anyone in the community. If the monthly events are not compatible with a family's schedule, that family is encouraged to call the dealership to schedule a private appointment. This service is only possible because Jack Fitzgerald has personally paid for his employees to become nationally certified car seat technicians. In fact, more than 80 Fitzgerald Auto Mall employees have been trained to check a child's car seat for misuse. I am honored to commend Jack Fitzgerald and the entire Fitzgerald Auto Malls family for their outstanding contributions to and involvement in our community. I applaud them for being a role model for all public/private partnerships and for their steadfast commitment and determination to keeping kids safe on our Nation's roads. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jack Fitzgerald, a remarkable advocate for America's children.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, the civil rights movement was full of heroes whose names we know and many whose names we will never know despite the depth of their sacrifice. Just recently, this Nation remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose good works are known to our Nation and to the world. Today I am honored to remember and celebrate the life of another extraordinary civil rights leader who helped stand up against injustice in our Nation. State Senator Gwendolyn Britt passed away recently, but she left behind an extraordinary legacy. She first stood up against racial segregation not in Montgomery, Alabama, but in Montgomery County, Maryland, at Glen Echo Park, just a 20-minute drive from this Capitol. It was a hot summer evening in June 1960. Glen Echo Park was segregated at the time, and Gwendolyn Britt, an African American, purchased a ticket to ride on the carousel. She was arrested that day, and her case went to the Supreme Court of this country. It was the first of many brave acts in standing up against injustice by Gwendolyn Britt, a person who changed our community and changed our country. The civil rights movement was full of heroes, some whose names we all know, and many whose names we never learned despite the depth of their sacrifice. Just recently we remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, whose name and accomplishments have become well known as part of our country's history. And we know the story of Mrs. Rosa Parks, who showed courage when others were silent. Today, I am honored to remember and celebrate the life of another extraordinary civil rights leader, a woman who, like Dr. King and Mrs. Parks, never sought credit for her actions, but only sought to do what was right. She was only 18 years old when the world first met Gwendolyn Greene. It was a hot summer evening in June 1960 when Gwendolyn Greene, a student at Howard University entered Glen Echo Park. At that time, blacks were not allowed to enter that amusement park. This park, incidentally, is within 20 minutes of the floor on which I am speaking, just outside the District of Columbia in Montgomery County, Maryland. Ms. Greene joined a small group of young people at the gates of this popular local park, determined to introduce freedom and equality through desegregation to Montgomery County, Maryland. Gwen Greene chose to stand up. Despite the fear these young people felt, despite all of the turmoil they knew would arise from their illegal action, they entered Glen Echo Park. Gwen bought a ticket for the merry-go-round, and bravely and boldly sat upon a spotted horse, refusing to move until arrested. At that very moment, this young woman chose to effect change. She didn't take the easy way out; she didn't stick with what was comfortable and safe. Not even after a trip to jail and the United States Supreme Court--not even after again being arrested, this time in Jackson, Mississippi, and spending 40 days in jail for refusing to leave a ``whites-only'' waiting room at a train station--would she be dissuaded from taking her fight for equal rights around the Nation as a Freedom Rider. Gwen Greene later married, became Gwen Britt, and the mother of two sons. She worked for the telephone company for many years. But the effect of her action at Glen Echo and as a Freedom Rider was not lost on her. As she said many years later, ``I became determined to do what I could to make a person's life better.'' And, throughout her life, that's what she tried to do, eventually culminating in her election to the Maryland State Senate in 2002. There, she quickly became a leader on issues that matter, such as education, health care, and civil rights. As one of the State senators in my congressional district, I was pleased to work in partnership with her on issues and projects that benefited our constituents and our State. At every meeting, I was inspired by the courtesy with which she treated everyone and the collaborative spirit she brought to every issue. Gwen Britt never shied away from standing up for those who could not stand up for themselves. She went about her life's work with quiet dignity and humility, accomplishing so much for so many. Many who have benefited from Senator Britt's work never knew of her courageous stands on behalf of justice and equality. Many never knew that this brave woman, this woman who rarely sought the limelight, made such a profound difference in so many lives. Senator Gwen Britt was dedicated to doing what was right. She serves as an inspiration to us all to fight for what is right regardless of the consequences. Webster's defines ``courage'' as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. In Gwen Britt, this word is personified. My heartfelt condolences go to Travis Britt, Gwen Britt's devoted husband and partner, and to their two sons, Travis, Jr. and John. Our country thanks you for sharing your wife and mother with us so that she could make a difference in our lives.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. I thank my colleague. Madam Speaker, it wasn't that long ago, in fact, it was September 2004, that President Bush told the Nation, and I quote, ``We will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government's health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention or information to stand between these children and the health care they need.'' That's what the President said just a little over 3 years ago. He has, with his veto, changed his mind. He has turned his back on what he said to America just 3 years ago. But what hasn't changed since he's changed his mind are the needs of a million American children; in fact, the needs have only grown greater over the last 3 years. We see rising gas prices; we see rising grocery prices; we see rising prices of going to college; and, yes, we see rising prices for health care. In fact, many more people are not going to be able to afford health care for their kids today than before as people fight a tightening economic squeeze in the months ahead. We are trying to work together on an economic stimulus package. We worked together on a bipartisan basis when this legislation passed the House and the Senate. It is time for us to work together for the children of this country and make sure they get the health care they need at this very important time. You know, the American people are hungry for a change in direction. They're hungry for politicians who follow through and do what they said they were going to do, and this is something the President told the Nation he wanted to do. Now that we need it more than ever and more families and more children are struggling than ever before, we need to come together and fulfill the commitment that was made. Madam Speaker, it's time to say ``no'' to the President's veto. This bill is paid for by increase in tobacco taxes. Let's make sure we don't spend our time looking out for the tobacco companies. Let's look out for the children of America. Let's say ``no'' to the President's veto and ``yes'' to this bill.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, H.R. 4040. Like all products of compromise, it does not contain everything all of us would have liked. But it is a positive step forward in an area of public policy crying out for reform, and I am glad we are able to make this progress today. Given recent press reports about unsafe levels of lead in children's toys, this legislation appropriately establishes the toughest lead standard in the world when it comes to children's products. Additionally, while not going as far as it ultimately should, H.R. 4040 subjects a much broader range of products to independent, third-party review. I am also pleased that the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act reverses the recent underfunding of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, by increasing its authorization to $100 million by FY 2011--including an additional $20 million to modernize the CPSC's testing lab. It is neither reasonable nor responsible to task an agency with a job as important as protecting the public health without providing the resources necessary to accomplish that task. Finally, this bill takes concrete steps to improve public notice of product recalls and strengthen enforcement against bad actors in the consumer market. As we begin discussions aimed at finalizing this legislation with the Senate, I hope we will be able to make additional improvements to this bill by broadening the scope of mandatory product testing, enhancing families' right to know, and including robust whistleblower protections for those courageous enough to Bring serious safety hazards to light. Madam Speaker, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act is a good start. I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve the strongest possible consumer protection legislation in the months ahead.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Senate amendment to the omnibus appropriations bill for an unconditional $70 billion for the war in Iraq. This amendment gives the President a blank check to continue a flawed strategy that has no end in sight. It does nothing to bring home our brave men and women of the armed forces serving faithfully in Iraq, many of them on their third tour of duty in that country, at considerable sacrifice and strain to them and their families. Nor does this amendment place any conditions on the Iraqi government, which has continually failed to pursue political reconciliation. Our intelligence community has publicly concluded that the political situation Iraq is getting worse, not better. Moreover, the indefinite presence of American forces has sadly contributed to Iraq's political stagnation because it has allowed the different factions there to postpone making the difficult compromises necessary to achieve stability and reconciliation. Meanwhile, our men and women of the armed services continue to die every day in Iraq's ongoing civil war. A strategy of more of the same is no strategy at all. I have and will continue to vote to ensure that our troops in Iraq receive the support and equipment that they need. That is why in November I voted in support of the House measure to provide our troops in Iraq with an additional $50 billion. At the same time, this House legislation required the safe and responsible redeployment of our troops in Iraq. That legislation aimed to transition the U.S. military mission in Iraq. It would redeploy our combat forces out of Iraq by a target date of December 15, 2008. The House proposal, modeled after the approach recommended by the bipartisan Baker-Hamilton Commission of the Iraq Study Group, would focus the remaining forces on the more limited missions of training Iraqi security forces, providing logistical and intelligence support for Iraqi security forces, and engaging in targeted counter-terrorist operations against Al-Qaeda and affiliated groups. The House bill also called for a ``comprehensive diplomatic, political, and economic strategy that includes sustained engagement with Iraq's neighbors and the international community for the purpose of working collectively to bring stability to Iraq.'' Instead of supporting the sensible approach passed by the House, the Senate Republicans, taking their cue from the White House, threatened to filibuster it. Now these same political elements have collaborated in sending us an amendment for more war funding with no accountability and no plan to redeploy our combat forces. This irresponsible approach will have the effect of prolonging the war, not bringing it to an end. While I am opposed to another blank check for war funding in Iraq, I support continued military operations and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan. Moreover, my opposition to the Senate amendment does not extend to the underlying Omnibus, which--while far from perfect--was at the end of the day the best that we could do this year.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the importance of patching the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) this year. Although it would have been my strong preference to pay for the middle class tax relief we are providing today, I do not believe we should penalize 23 million Americans for the Republican party's fiscal irresponsibility and intransigence. Throughout this debate, we have demonstrated that it is possible to provide important tax relief in a fiscally responsible manner. Unfortunately, the White House and an obstructionist minority in the other chamber have blocked these efforts. That obstruction is regrettable. But it must not be permitted to create an additional liability for millions of middle class Americans the AMT was never intended to burden. Madam Speaker, the hour is late. The need is clear. I urge my colleagues' support.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of what I hope and expect will be the final version of this year's energy bill. While less comprehensive than the legislation passed by the House, it is nevertheless an historic accomplishment and worthy of this chamber's support. For the first time in thirty-two years, we are increasing the corporate average fuel economy, CAFE, standard for cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This single step will create 150,000 jobs, save consumers $22 billion at the pump and slash our nation's oil consumption by 1.1 million barrels a day--about half what we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Additionally, and importantly, this improved standard is the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking 28 million cars and trucks off the road. To further reduce our dependence on foreign oil, this package includes a Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS, that expands our nation's domestic biofuel production to 36 billion gallons by 2022. I am especially pleased that this RFS includes a substantial requirement for advanced biofuels from a variety of different feedstocks, as well as robust environmental protections necessary to safeguard vital ecosystems like the Chesapeake Bay. Finally, this legislation achieves meaningful efficiency improvements across the economy, makes government a part of the energy solution, and accelerates our research and development efforts into the clean, renewable energy technologies of the future. As a sponsor of the Renewable Electricity Standard, RES, and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am disappointed that the House- passed RES and tax provisions have been stripped from this bill. Nevertheless, we can be justifiably proud of what we are accomplishing today--and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle until the rest of the job is done.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Conference Report to the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2008. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Central Intelligence Agency; the Department of Defense; the National Security Agency; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The legislation touches all aspects of our national security--from preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, to anticipating and addressing developing threats around the world. Additionally, this legislation ensures that intelligence is collected, analyzed, and disseminated in a manner that comports with American law, policies and values. In conference, we added a provision requiring U.S. interrogation policies employed by our intelligence community to follow those outlined in the U.S. Army Field Manual. The strength of our Nation comes not only from the might of our military, but from the power of our example. Historically, the United States has stood as a beacon for human rights and the rule of law. Unfortunately, that light has been dimmed recently as a result of the Bush Administration's gross indifference to the Geneva Convention and anti-torture regimes. The language was inserted not only to help regain our moral standing around the world, but also as a critical step toward protecting our own troops captured in the field. It is no secret that the world looks to how we treat our prisoners when determining how to treat our troops. When we practice waterboarding or when we inhumanely parade our detainees around naked before the cameras, the world sees this as the standard to apply to the treatment of American troops. According to testimony received by intelligence committees in the House and Senate, the U.S. Army Field Manual provides a detailed description of interrogation strategies that can be used to effectively elicit information from detainees while allowing the flexibility to adapt particular approaches to particular situations. Importantly, the U.S. Army Field Manual also includes a number of specific prohibitions. Acts of violence or intimidation--including physical or mental torture, or exposure to inhumane treatment--are prohibited. It also explicitly prohibits forcing a detainee to be naked; perform sexual acts; placing hoods or sacks over the head of a detainee; electric shock; burning or other forms of physical pain; waterboarding; using military working dogs; conducting mock executions; and depriving the detainee of necessary food, water, or medical care. Private security companies, funded by billions of dollars in U.S. military and State Department contracts, are performing many of the jobs handled by our troops. Some of these jobs include work assigned to the intelligence community. This conference report adds an additional level of oversight and accountability of these contractors by requiring the director of national intelligence to provide a report to Congress by April of next year, describing the services performed by contractors across the Intelligence Community. This conference report seeks to start the process of establishing a clear definition of the functions that may be appropriately performed by contractors employed by the intelligence community. It is key that the intelligence community exercises the will to identify criminal violations by contractors and puts in place procedures to respond to financial fraud or other abuses. Requiring a report of contractor activities will help policymakers determine whether intelligence contractors are performing functions that are legal or that should be performed by government employees. Passage today of this conference report will correct a three-year failure by Congress to pass an Intelligence Authorization bill. With this legislation, Congress sends to the President an intelligence package that makes new investments in human intelligence training and adds funds for sending analysts overseas while also enhancing oversight and eliminating wasteful spending. This conference report is also a significant move in the direction of reestablising our reputation abroad as a country dedicated to promoting and observing human rights. I am happy to support this conference report and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this final, bipartisan Defense Authorization agreement for the critical investments it makes in our military readiness, troop protection and wounded warrior care. I am also proud that this conference report cracks down on contractor fraud, provides a 3.5 percent pay increase and improves health care benefits for our military families and restores workplace fairness for the Defense Department's hardworking civilian employees. Finally, consistent with this Congress' commitment to chart a new direction on the war in Iraq, this legislation requires the DOD to regularly brief Congress on its planning to responsibly redeploy our forces out of that misguided conflict. To help restore our nation's military readiness, this bill creates a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to address equipment shortfalls and provides an additional $980 million to properly equip our National Guard and Reserve. We authorize $17.6 billion--an increase of $865 million--for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that have been so successful protecting our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We commit $4.8 billion for anti-IED efforts. And we allocate a total of $6 billion to up-armor our Humvees, add armor to other combat vehicles and provide body armor for our troops. Because we must never force those who have been wounded abroad to battle bureaucratic red tape in order to get the care they need when they come home, this legislation includes the Wounded Warrior Act, designed to correct the disgraceful conditions uncovered at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and ensure seamless, high-quality care that our returning veterans have earned and deserve. Improving accountability through more regular and vigorous oversight is a consistent and recurring theme of the new Congress. Consistent with that commitment, this bill requires the DoD and Department of State to issue detailed regulations governing the conduct of private security contractors employed by the federal government. Additionally, to enhance our accountability efforts, we strengthen whistleblower protections for those willing to bring waste, fraud and abuse to the public's attention. I am particularly pleased that this legislation prohibits fee increases in the TRICARE program, and the 3.5 percent pay increase provided to our military families--while larger than the President's request--is really the least we can do. Moreover, I am gratified that the NDAA conferees saw fit to include important contracting out and workplace protections for DoD's civilian employees in this final report. They go to work every day to serve their country, and it is only appropriate that the nation treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Finally, having worked for several years to reconstitute the core functions of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP, in the aftermath of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, BRAC, Commission, I am delighted by the establishment of a Joint Pathology Center mandated by this report. Furthermore, I believe the expanded nursing program housed at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USUHS, will be a valuable resource to military medicine, and I welcome the program to my district.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the AMT Relief Act of 2007, which will provide middle class tax relief to over 23 million hard-working families who would otherwise be hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax next year. For six years, the White House and the Republican congressional leadership failed to dismantle the Alternative Minimum Tax. As a result of their inaction, a huge middle class tax increase is now hanging over the heads of millions of unsuspecting Americans. This Republican tax tsunami will come crashing down on middle America next year if we fail to take action today. On the Republicans' watch, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans got over half the benefit of the Bush tax cuts--while the Nation's debt soared past $9 trillion. Make no mistake: There are consequences to this kind of borrow and spend mentality. Every year, each taxpayer must pay a $3,300 ``debt tax'' just to cover the cost of financing the debt. This legislation takes a different approach. Rather than digging ourselves deeper into debt, this bill pays for our actions today by closing a loophole in current law that permits a minuscule number of hedge fund managers to defer billions of dollars in compensation in offshore accounts. To those who say Congress should not pay its bills, this legislation says ``there is another choice.'' We can provide fiscally responsible tax relief without running up the national debt. We can take responsibility for our expenses today, without placing the burden of our choices on future generations. I urge my colleagues to make the right choice. Let's pass fiscally responsible AMT relief and give our citizens the government they deserve.