Henry Waxman

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, this month we passed a grim milestone. Scientists recorded atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide of more than 400 parts per million. The last time carbon dioxide concentrations were at that level was 3 million years ago. Seas were 60 feet higher, and human beings did not even exist. This milestone is yet another urgent reminder that we need to take immediate action to build a clean energy, low-carbon future. The Keystone XL pipeline takes us precisely in the wrong direction. This pipeline will expedite production of the dirtiest and most carbon- intensive crude oil on the planet and lock in our dependence on this dirty fuel for decades to come. I'm strongly opposed to the Keystone XL pipeline for that reason. But if the House is going to pass a bill that approves the Keystone XL pipeline, the least we can do is try to minimize the harm. That's the point of this amendment. Tar sands don't contain oil. It takes a lot of energy to melt and process the tar sands into something that we can use like oil. That extra energy means more carbon pollution. This isn't in dispute, although we hear arguments that it is, but it is not in dispute. The State Department has estimated that a gallon of gasoline from tar sands is responsible for about 17 percent more carbon pollution than the average U.S. gallon of gasoline. Other studies suggest that numbers could be even higher. To protect our Nation from droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather, we need to be reducing carbon pollution. But, according to the State Department, using tar sands crude from Keystone XL could increase U.S. carbon pollution by up to 20 million metric tons per year. That's why the Keystone pipeline is a huge step in the wrong direction. My amendment simply holds TransCanada and the tar sands producers accountable for their carbon pollution. It says that they have to reduce other carbon pollution to offset the extra pollution from Keystone XL. This won't get us closer to meeting our climate goals and building a clean energy future, but at least we won't be increasing the U.S. carbon pollution. This amendment is not a cure-all. Approving Keystone XL will allow the oil industry to triple tar sands production. During the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on this bill, we heard testimony that there's no plausible scenario in which tar sands production triples and we don't avoid a catastrophic level of climate change. So make no mistake; even with this amendment, the Keystone XL pipeline would be a disaster for the climate, but this amendment would help. It would minimize extra carbon pollution. It would send a message to the tar sands producers and Alberta that they need to do a lot more to address climate change, and it would signal that the United States Government takes the threat of climate change seriously. We need to start holding oil executives accountable for the pollution that is threatening our health and welfare. We need to make the polluters accountable for the damage they are inflicting on our children and our grandchildren. Our generation has an obligation to protect the Earth for future generations. This amendment is at least a small step in that direction. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to vote ``no'' on the final bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, who has the right to close on this amendment?

Mr. WAXMAN. My colleagues, I think this amendment says if you're going to go ahead with this pipeline, at least look for other ways to reduce carbon emissions. Put the burden on the Keystone XL pipeline producers and Alberta, Canada. Don't just accept all the pollution if it can be minimized by our carbon reductions. That will help reduce the harm that this whole project will cause for the climate change that's threatening us and that we're seeing today throughout this country everyday in the news. It will help minimize aggravating that problem. It's not a solution, but it's a way that we can say that if we're going to have the XL pipeline, at least get some offsets on carbon so that we're not just increasing it to the maximum levels possible of all the greenhouse gases that are going into the air. I urge support for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WAXMAN. Will the gentleman yield for a question?

Mr. WAXMAN. How will this delay the project? It simply says, as they develop this pipeline, they have to look for other ways. They can then start figuring that out without delaying the project, as I understand it.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 179 on H.R. 3, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' personal explanation

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to call attention to the leadership and drive of Yeshiva University High School of Los Angeles's (YULA) Panthers for Israel. These students have organized a statement of their campus leadership to protest the Iranian nuclear program and support for global terrorism, raising awareness of the Iranian threat to the United States and our allies around the world. I join them in their quest to stop Iran now, and I applaud them for their initiative. For that reason, I submit the following campus leadership statement. ``We, the student leaders of Yeshiva University High Schools of Los Angeles, condemn Iran's development of a nuclear weapons program, as well as its continued support for worldwide terror. A nuclear capable Iran poses a direct threat to the United States and stands against basic American values. Iran not only remains an existential threat to America's friend and ally, the State of Israel, it poses the greatest national security threat to these United States. We stand united against a nuclear capable Iran and urge the U.S. Congress to support future legislation on this critical issue of global security.'' Signed, Elliot Julis, YULA Israel Advocacy Club, President; Shana Salomon, Girls Student Council, President; Joshua Kohan, Boys Student Council, President; Naphtali Nektalov, YULA Israel Advocacy Club, Chairman of the Board; Alexa Hanelin, Model United Nations, Captain; Gillian Gittler, Editor-in-Chief, The PANTHER; Leron Rayn, Boys Student Council, Treasurer; Racheli Schechter, Girls Student Council, Treasurer; Levi Saada, YULA Clubs, Chair. Elon Swartz, Drama Society, Lead Role; Laura Rubin, Girls Drama Society, Lead Role; Lizzi Peled, Mock Trial, Captain; Jordyn Schoenfeld, Boys Varsity Basketball, Captain; Shira Ben Shushan, Friendship Circle Liaison; Asher Naghi, Likutei Ohr, Senior Editor; Zach Porgress, YULA Community Services, Chairman; Ruth Maouda, Girls Varsity Soccer, Captain; Batya Botach, Girls Varsity Tennis, Captain. Alexa Mund, SCATCH Tutoring Initiative, Director; Ariela Rohatiner, Girls Varsity Basketball, Captain; Rachel Gindi, Genocide Awareness Committee; Yoni Elkaim, Boys Varsity Soccer, Captain; Samuel Romano, YULA-Museum of Tolerance Liaison; Sophia Levine, Chai Lifeline Liaison; Sahar Basiratmand, Yearbook Editor; Boruch Gralnik, Boys Varsity Baseball, Captain; Noam Posner, Boys Cross Country, Captain.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. I rise today in opposition to the Patients' Rights Repeal Act because what the Republicans will do is take away all the benefits the American people are already seeing under this law and they will stop the full implementation of it to provide millions of people with health insurance opportunities. Our Republican colleagues say they want to provide access to health care. They want to do something about people with preexisting conditions. They say they care about stopping discriminatory practices. They want to lower the deficit. They want to stop rising health care costs. This bill, the Affordable Care Act, is the one piece of legislation that takes major steps on these issues. Republicans offered nothing but opposition over and over again. This is the 37th time the House will vote to repeal the patients' rights bill. From the very beginning, the Republicans opposed it. They said it will kill jobs, and they were wrong. They said the law would drive up health care costs through the roof. They were wrong. We're seeing the slowest growth in health care spending in decades. They've ignored the significant benefits that are helping tens of millions of people, such as 3 million young adults who have coverage through their parents' plans, 6 million seniors who have saved over $6 billion on their prescription drugs, 13 million Americans who have received over $1 billion in rebates from their insurers, over 100 million Americans who have access to free preventive care who no longer face lifetime limits on their coverage. And the Congressional Budget Office still confirms that the law cuts the deficit by $100 billion in the first decade and more than $1 trillion in the second. The Republican Patients' Rights Repeal Act undoes all of these benefits. They add to the deficit, and they send us back to the days when insurance companies were in charge, costs were skyrocketing, and tens of millions either had no coverage--especially if they had preexisting conditions--or coverage that they could depend on. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that our time from the Energy and Commerce Committee be controlled by our subcommittee ranking member, Congressman Frank Pallone from the State of New Jersey.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to support H.R. 1580, a bill to affirm the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet. Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the Administration have been united in our support for a global open Internet governed from the bottom up. We worked together last Congress on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to express our support for that successful approach to Internet governance. On some domestic issues, I have strong differences with the majority over Internet policy. One example is my support for a domestic Internet policy that prevents Internet service providers from acting as ``gatekeepers'' that control what American citizens can do online. But those differences appropriately stop at the water's edge. I want to thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Walden for listening to the concerns we had about the initial draft of this bill. They worked with me and other Committee Democrats to address those issues by removing certain language from the draft and assuring us that the legislation is in no way intended to direct domestic Internet policy. With these changes and the assurances of my colleagues, I am pleased that we stand together on a bipartisan basis in support of our diplomats and the multistakeholder model for global Internet governance. I urge my colleagues to support this measure so we can send a strong, united signal to the global community.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue the work of the Safe Climate Caucus in focusing on the threats posed to our Nation by climate change. The world's top scientific institutions are all telling us that we have a rapidly closing window to reduce our carbon pollution before the catastrophic impacts of climate change cannot be avoided. The World Bank recently answered the question of why we should address climate change. Their report described what the world will look like if we continue on our current path. According to the World Bank, a world that warms by 4 degrees Celsius would suffer from unprecedented heat waves, the flooding of coastal cities, increased risks of food and water scarcity, severe droughts, and irreversible damage to ecosystems. Coral reefs would dissolve due to ocean acidification unmatched in the Earth's history. Extreme heat waves would likely become the new normal for summertime. With impacts like these, it is clear that we cannot allow 4 degrees of warming to occur. There is widespread agreement that we must act. Members of the House must take action.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today we solemnly commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Over the course of eight years, the Armenian Christian population was systematically terrorized, murdered, and driven out of their country. In 1914, two million Armenians were living under the Ottoman Empire; by 1922, only 388,000 remained. Today we remember the victims of these atrocities and vow that their suffering will not be forgotten. The horror of the Armenian Genocide was surpassed only by the silence that followed it. To this day, the Turkish government prohibits recognition of its predecessor's dark history, and has pressured others to adhere to the same base standard. The United States has a moral obligation to acknowledge the horrors of the past, just as we must recognize all genocides as crimes against humanity. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is long overdue. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I hope that my colleagues will join me in paying solemn tribute to those who lost their lives and those who have survived such terrible atrocities. Let us stand up to governments that persecute their people, and reaffirm our commitment to the victims of injustice.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) be removed as a cosponsor from H.R. 1588, the Medicare Drug Savings Act.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, last week, members of the Safe Climate Caucus challenged the Republicans who are on the Energy and Commerce Committee to come to the floor and debate with us and talk about the problems of climate change. We wrote them a letter, and we haven't even gotten a reply. There seems to be a conspiracy of silence in the House of Representatives about the dangers of climate change, and it's time for real debate on the House floor. Every day, members of the Safe Climate Caucus have come to this floor to give speeches on topics relating to climate change, including the importance of preparing communities to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, potential for clean energy technologies, and the threats of rising temperatures across the country. In contrast, we're not aware of any Republican Member who has spoken on the House floor about the dangers of climate change, and the committee of jurisdiction is not even willing to hold a hearing to hear what the scientists and experts have to say about the issue. I have a message to House Republicans: You can't make climate change go away by ignoring the problem.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Jewish state of Israel on Israel's Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut. I am proud to join many other colleagues in the United States Congress in honoring the strength of the US-Israel friendship and the shining example that Israel gives as America's most reliable partner in the region. Last month, when President Obama visited Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave him a special gift, a nano-chip, designed and created by Technion scientists. Set against the backdrop of a Jerusalem stone, this nano-chip recalls the advancements of Israel in the context of its ancient roots. Inscribed side by side on the nano-chip were replicas of the Declarations of Independence of the United States of America and the State of Israel. This gift reminds us of shared values between the United States and Israel--spelled out on some of our Nations' earliest documents. In Israel, their Declaration of Independence refers to its commitment to ``uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of race, creed or sex'' and a guarantee of ``full freedom of conscience, worship, education and culture.'' In the United States, centuries before, our forefathers pledged ``that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'' These shared values demonstrate that the US Israel relationship can withstand the toughest challenges because the foundation of the relationship is built on enduring values. In these uncertain times in the Middle East and North Africa, Israel seems surrounded by chaos. On one border, Israel must rely on Egypt to disrupt weapons and human smuggling into Gaza. To the North, Lebanon is politically fractured, with an avowed terrorist group, Hezbollah, in the government. In Syria, a post-Assad era seems near, yet opposition groups are becoming more closely aligned with those who seek Israel's destruction. In Jordan, the state is under tremendous burden to cope with refugees from other more unstable parts of the Middle East, leading to a shaky foundation for one of Israel's most important relationships. With an intransigent Palestinian leadership refusing to negotiate, a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems out of reach. Iran's illicit nuclear program remains an existential threat to Israel, haunting every decision that Israel's government makes. Israel does not have to be reminded of these threats. Every year, on the day before Independence Day, Israelis mourn the loss of those who were killed in service to their country. The Israeli Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron, is marked by the sound of a piercing siren that stops the entire country. Because everyone in Israel has been touched by the violence of the Arab-Israeli conflict--no matter how young or old. And yet, despite these challenges across the region and the world, the Israeli people remain resilient and strong. Their economy is growing rapidly, they continue to have just and fair elections and their democracy thrives. On this Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel has much to be proud of. And the United States' commitment to Israel is unshakeable. As Israel faces difficult decisions ahead about peace and security, the United States will stand by its ally and friend. I wish the people and government of Israel a Chag Sameach, a happy holiday on this 65th Independence Day.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember those who perished during the Holocaust and to honor those who survived. This week, when the world observes Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, we recall the 6 million who died at the hands of the Nazis. We remember their stories--as sons, daughters, mothers, fathers. Whole communities have been lost. This week, Congress will assemble for a memorial service for the Days of Remembrance to pay our respects to the victims of the Holocaust. In Washington, DC, Yom Hashoah is commemorated as part of the Days of Remembrance sponsored by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The theme of this year's event is ``Never Again: Heeding the Warning Signs.'' The theme raises questions: When faced with opportunities to stop the Nazis, why did we miss the warning signs? How could we have failed to act? These questions speak to us today about our responsibility to act--even when others don't. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. This year, they convened an intergenerational walk with Holocaust survivors to bring awareness to the community. Pan Pacific Park was transformed into a timeline of the events of the Holocaust so that participants could learn more about the deep tragedy of Nazi atrocities. This event also shows survivors that they are not alone. They have a community around them to support them. It is my honor to represent the Los Angeles area, which is home to approximately 10,000 survivors. This week--and every week--we honor their courage and their strength. At a time when fewer and fewer survivors are alive to tell their stories, we must all bear witness to their tremendous legacy.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Safe Climate Caucus to challenge the Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee to a debate on climate change. In the last Congress, the Republicans in our committee voted that climate change is a hoax. They voted 53 times to block action on climate change. They voted to defund research, to block action by EPA to control pollution, to prevent energy efficiency measures from going into effect, and to stop the administration from encouraging developing countries to do their part. This year, they have gone silent. They refuse to hear the views of our premier scientific institutions, but they won't justify their inaction. They won't hold hearings. They won't listen to experts. That's why the members of the Safe Climate Caucus are challenging them to come to the floor and debate us. We are elected to solve problems, not to ignore them. Let's have the debate about how to solve the climate issue.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman and my colleagues, a budget shows our priorities for financial expenditures but our moral priorities as well. There are many reasons to oppose the Ryan budget, but what it does to Medicare and Medicaid are on the top of my list. They would end Medicare as people have known it. Rather than have a guaranteed benefit, they turn it into a voucher. There would be no guarantee that people would be able to get the services they need and get those benefits provided to them under this voucher. Every year, that voucher would be capped, so they would have to buy a cheaper and cheaper policy with fewer and fewer benefits. For Medicaid, the Ryan budget cuts $810 billion, ending the coverage for over 70 million Americans: 17 million are seniors or people with disabilities, and 33 million are children, for whom we want to have at least a chance of starting life in the best of health. They would make this into a block grant, cutting $110 billion, shifting the cost on to the States, on to the providers, on to the beneficiaries. They don't hold down costs. They simply shift them. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Ryan budget.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, we've come a long way with clean energy over the last 4 years. We've doubled the production of clean renewable energy like wind and solar. And the new tailpipe standards for automobiles will double the fuel efficiency of our passenger vehicles. Still, there's much that needs to be done. Study after study has shown that the effects of climate change are occurring sooner and with greater effect than expected. Superstorm Sandy, the devastating drought that hurt farmers in the Midwest, last summer's heat waves, and forest fires--scientists tell us that these are signs of climate change, and it is going to get worse if we don't act to address it. Over the last 2 years, the United States has experienced 25 weather disasters that have caused more than $180 billion in damage. It's time to get serious about clean energy. The consequences are too grave to do otherwise.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today we find ourselves in the midst of yet another manufactured crisis that threatens our economic recovery. Last Friday marked the beginning of $85 billion in arbitrary, across-the- board cuts to key domestic priorities and defense programs. How did we get here? The Budget Control Act of 2011 created an automatic sequestration plan that was designed to be so senseless and so painful that Democrats and Republicans would be left with no choice but to come together to craft an alternative. Yet, the sequestration that was never supposed to happen has begun. The impact of these cuts will be real. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that sequestration will reduce GDP by .6% and cost about 750,000 jobs by the fourth quarter of this year. These alarming figures don't even take into account the impact cuts will have on federal protections and services for American families. They include: Reductions in FDA funding that will result in fewer scheduled food safety inspections and delays in new drug approvals. Reductions in substance abuse and mental health programs that will result in nearly 400,000 adults and children with serious mental illnesses going without treatment. Reductions in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), resulting in delayed or halted scientific and medical research. Reductions in funding for the Aids Drug Assistance Program, resulting in thousands fewer patients having access to HIV medications, and reductions in funding for Centers for Disease Control (CDC), resulting in over 400,000 fewer AIDS tests being conducted this year. Reductions in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resulting in cuts in public health and environmental protections, including reductions in safe drinking water and wastewater treatment projects, water quality permitting, air quality monitoring, and hazardous waste cleanups. Nearly 4 million individuals receiving federally funded unemployment benefits will face an 11% cut in their weekly payments. The WIC nutrition program for low-income pregnant women, infants, and young children could be forced to turn away over 700,000 women and children by the end of the year and 100,000 families could lose their housing vouchers. California will be particularly hard hit by the deep cuts to defense spending. Billions of dollars and an estimated 225,464 jobs related to aerospace and defense are at risk. We have an obligation to put partisanship aside and make budget decisions that reflect the priorities of the American people. President Obama has offered to work with Congress on a comprehensive plan to reduce the debt, create a fairer tax system, and rebuild the middle class, all of which are necessary to strengthen the economy and maintain our ability to compete. Democrats have introduced legislation that takes such a balanced approach, and I urge the Republican leadership to allow it to come to the floor for a vote.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 307, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013. H.R. 307 is the product of a lengthy, but extremely productive, process with our Senate colleagues and their staff to come together to bridge the differences between earlier House and Senate reauthorization efforts. In January, the House passed H.R. 307 by a vote of 395 to 29. Just last week, the Senate passed an amendment to H.R. 307 that makes further refinements to the legislation. Today, with House passage of the Senate Amendment, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act will finally head to the President's desk for his signature. Toward that end, H.R. 307 reauthorizes and makes minor--but important--improvements to various programs and activities first established in the 2002 Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act; 2004 Project Bioshield Act; and the 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, or as it is commonly referred to, ``PAHPA.'' These programs and activities are key in helping to ensure that our nation is well prepared to successfully manage the effects of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and acts of bioterrorism. H.R. 307 includes dozens of changes to these underlying authorities. Let me highlight just four provisions that deserve special attention: First, the bill will ensure that the Food and Drug Administration focuses on medical countermeasures of the highest importance. Medical countermeasures are products designed to combat chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents. H.R. 307 will facilitate communication between the FDA and product sponsors--particularly on high priority countermeasures for which sponsors have developed regulatory management plans--to resolve scientific and regulatory questions and help make these products available more quickly. Recently, FDA approved the first drug developed and procured under Project BioShield. The FDA provisions in H.R. 307 will also facilitate the rapid provision of existing medicines to people in need during an emergency. Taken together, these FDA provisions--along with the renewed emphasis in our countermeasure enterprise through other parts of the legislation--will make it possible for a greater number of drugs and devices to move from early development to procurement. Second, the legislation makes improvements to the nation's blueprint for public health preparedness and response activities that will enhance the ability of our diverse health care system to respond to mass casualty emergencies. Among such improvements are provisions to clarify the role of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response as the lead office within the Department of Health and Human Services for emergency preparedness and response. H.R. 307 also establishes a new authority to permit the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to approve a request of a state, territory, or an Indian tribe to reassign certain federally- supported public health personnel during the time of a national emergency to geographic areas where these public health workers are needed most. Finally, H.R. 307 continues support for investments in state and local public health departments. Such investments are necessary to make certain that we have the requisite public health infrastructure in place to respond immediately and appropriately to any public health threat that may arise. This legislation reflects the effort of a number of Members and Senators--Democrats and Republicans alike. I'd like to commend my House colleagues and their staff who have been deeply involved in this process--Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, Congressman Rogers, Congressman Green, Congresswoman Eshoo, Congressman Markey, and our Health Subcommittee Ranking Member, Congressman Pallone. I particularly want to thank Mr. Pallone's staff member Tiffany Guarascio, as well as Chairman Upton and Chairman Pitts' staff, Clay Alspach and Carly McWilliams. I would also like to express my appreciation to House Legislative Counsel Warren Burke and Jessica Shapiro for their efforts. I'd also like to recognize my Senate colleagues, Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Alexander, and their staff for their contributions to this legislation. And finally, I'd like to thank my own staff for the incredibly hard work they have put into this legislation--Karen Nelson, Ruth Katz, Anne Morris Reid, Rachel Sher, and Eric Flamm. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 307.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again today to recognize and congratulate the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection. The City of Beverly Hills proclaimed the week of November 18, 2012 ``Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.'' I am pleased to join the City of Beverly Hills in thanking Steven Firestein, the founder of the American Cancer Fund for Children and its sister organization, Kids Cancer Connection for his wonderful work in assisting children affected by cancer. More than eighteen years ago, Steven began the American Cancer Fund for Children to provide vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at the Skull Base Institute at the Cedars- Sinai Medical Office Towers in Los Angeles, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles as well as participating hospitals throughout the country. One of the wonderful services provided through the American Cancer Fund for Children is the Magical Caps for Kids program. Hand-made caps and decorated baseball caps are given to children who want to protect their heads following the trauma of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. The American Cancer Fund for Children also sponsors the Courageous Kid award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in recognition of a child's bravery and determination to fight the battle against childhood cancer. As we know, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. This tragic disease is detected in nearly 15,000 of our nation's children each year. Steven Firestein and the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection are providing critical services and comfort to young patients battling cancer and their families. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and recognizing Steven Firestein for his tremendous efforts.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office took historic action this month. For the first time ever, GAO put climate change on its high-risk list because of the serious threat it poses to the taxpayer. It makes sense. Just look at Superstorm Sandy and the droughts and heat waves we have recently endured. Extreme weather events have cost our Nation more than $180 billion over the last two years. That's why today the cochairs of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change are writing to 69 inspectors general across the Federal Government. We are asking for their help in assessing whether government entities are doing all they can to confront this threat. As a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, I believe it's time we take this issue seriously. If we don't, we will leave our children an unstable climate and disaster costs that they will not be able to afford.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this latest attack on federal workers. H.R. 273 is not a responsible approach to deficit reduction. Federal employees have already been asked to make significant sacrifices to help reduce our debt. So far, they have contributed $103 billion toward deficit reduction through pay freezes and changes to retirement benefits. And, we have yet to take into account the prospect of furloughs and layoffs should the ill-advised, across the board cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act take effect in March. H.R. 273 would freeze federal employees' salaries for the third consecutive year, forcing federal workers to forego an additional $15 billion in pay over the next decade even though study after study has shown that federal employees actually earn less than their private sector counterparts when factors such as skill and education level are taken into account. H.R. 273 is not a serious attempt to address the budget deficit. The $15 billion it would raise represents barely a fraction of projected deficits over the next decade. True deficit reduction will need to be balanced and sacrifice will need to be shared. H.R. 273 is also shortsighted policy. The federal government should not be an employer of last resort. Our citizens depend on our ability to recruit the most qualified individuals to treat our wounded veterans, inspect our food, oversee nuclear power plants, protect us from terrorism, and provide a broad range of other critical services. H.R. 273 is yet another attempt by the Republican Majority to find a scapegoat for the deficit that shields the wealthiest individuals and corporations from making any kind of contribution. While this legislation would do virtually nothing to improve our budget outlook, it would force more economic harm on our dedicated federal workers and have a devastating long-term effect on the quality of government services and operations. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.