Henry Waxman

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Chairman, the McKinley amendment provides that the Department of Defense may not make decisions based on science. Imagine, the Department of Defense should not make decisions based on science. They should ignore that there may be a cost from climate change. This amendment waves a magic wand and decrees that climate change imposes no costs at all. Therefore, they would block the Defense Department from recognizing the damage caused by climate change. This is incredible, because the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review called climate change ``an accelerant of instability or conflict'' that ``could have significant geopolitical impacts around the world, contributing to poverty, environmental degradation, and the further weakening of fragile governments.'' But the McKinley amendment tells the DOD to ignore these impacts. Numerous national security experts with unimpeachable credentials-- Democrats and Republicans alike--have warned that climate change threatens our national security. Just this month, a panel of retired three- and four-star generals and admirals released a report calling for action to address this problem. It will be too late for action when they see some of their facilities being overwhelmed by the increase in rising seas or by storms that may destroy some of our defense installations. But according to this amendment, they can't look at that. They can't make decisions based on the science that may come from these governmental and other scientific agencies. Well, I think that is science denial at its worst to say that the Defense Department cannot recognize damage caused by climate change. It looks like it is trying to overturn the laws of nature. So we would tie the hands of the Defense Department and tell them that even though we might have exacerbated heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods, water- and vector-borne diseases, diseases which will pose greater risk to human health and lives around the world, and wheat and corn yields are already experiencing the negative impact and we have a larger risk of food security globally and regionally, if scientists tell us that, we are not allowed to have our Defense Department pay any heed to it. Well, Mr. Chairman, I am not going to call anybody names, but I think this is a seriously flawed amendment, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it. And I now yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. WAXMAN. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Jonathan Baker, my constituent from Redondo Beach, who has been selected as a finalist for the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies). The Sammies are presented annually by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service to honor outstanding federal employees who have made significant contributions to our nation. Jonathan is the Delta IV Launch Systems Deputy Chief Engineer at the United States Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. At his young age of 35, Jonathan has been entrusted with overseeing the extremely delicate and expensive process of launching Air Force rockets carrying satellites into orbit. Since 2010, 13 satellites, which are worth more than $7 billion and provide important wireless communication, national reconnaissance, infrared missile warning, and precision timing and navigation capabilities, have been launched under Jonathan's supervision. Jonathan's position requires not only a high degree of skill and knowledge in the technical aspects of launches, including making sure rockets are correctly built and assembled, but also the ability to lead public and private-sector engineers and foster team cohesion that eliminates any chance of error. Jonathan is well-respected for his leadership. He has set standards for his team by establishing a training and certification program that Air Force engineers must take before performing duties on launch day. In this line of work, there is no room for error and Jonathan has an outstanding record. One particularly notable accomplishment is Jonathan's success in reducing the cost of a contract for 40 new rockets from $14 billion to under $10 billion. His technical expertise and incredible attention to detail has saved taxpayers over $4 billion. I would like to congratulate Jonathan Baker on his selection as a finalist for the 2014 Sammies. It is an honor to represent him in Congress. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating his inspiring career and in wishing him all the best for the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this morning, our Nation's leading climate scientists released the country's third National Climate Assessment. The report confirms that climate change is real, is being caused by humans, and is already harming communities across America. The report tells us that the scientific evidence is ``unequivocal.'' The impacts are being felt in every region, and they are growing more urgent. They are going to get worse if we don't act. A record drought is destroying crops in California, torrential rains have flooded Florida, and wildfires are getting more intense. Coastal areas are being inundated as sea levels rise. No sector of our economy--from oyster hatcheries on the west coast to maple syrup producers in New England--are untouched. Even allergy sufferers are affected, as the pollen season starts earlier and lasts longer. The National Climate Assessment concludes that unless we act now to cut carbon pollution, these impacts will intensify. No State, no community, and no congressional district will be spared from climate change. We will all be affected. And so we are at a crossroads. One path is to listen to the scientists. We can protect our environment by curbing carbon pollution from power plants and oil refineries. We can lead the world in developing the clean energy technologies of the future, like solar and wind energy. We can meet our moral obligation to preserve our fragile atmosphere for our children and grandchildren. The other path is to deny the science and ignore the growing threat of climate change. We can watch our coastlines flood, our forests burn, and our crops wither. We can let the Chinese and other countries dominate the trillion-dollar market for the clean, renewable energy of the future. It should be an easy choice, but the special interests that profit from fossil fuels are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to obscure the issues. The Koch brothers, the coal companies, and the oil industry have joined forces to stop any action to address climate change in Congress. Consider this: earlier this year, virtually every Republican Member of the House voted to block EPA regulation of dangerous carbon pollution. They even voted to deny that climate change is occurring. I am the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This committee has jurisdiction over our Nation's energy policy. Over the last 3 years, Representative Bobby Rush, the ranking member of the Energy Subcommittee, and I have sent over 30 letters requesting that we hold hearings on climate science so we can make informed decisions. Not even one hearing on the science has been held. Thankfully, President Obama is not waiting for Congress to act. The President is listening to the scientists. He recognizes the danger of uncontrolled climate change and is using his authority under existing law to cut carbon pollution. The President is absolutely right to act. His climate action plan is reasonable, it is affordable, and it will protect our atmosphere for our children and future generations. It accelerates a transition to a clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs. The President has said he is willing to listen to other ideas, but Republicans have offered no alternatives. I have repeatedly asked the House Republicans, If you don't like the President's plan, what is your proposal? But I have never gotten an answer because they don't have one. Saying ``no'' to every solution is not a plan. Doing nothing is not a plan. Denying the science is not a plan. No one can accept what the scientists are telling us and fail to support a plan of action. If Republicans aren't going to offer solutions, the President must continue to act. He deserves our support. We still have time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change presented by the National Climate Assessment. But the window is closing fast. We must act now to stop carbon pollution and invest in the clean energy technologies of the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Jewish state of Israel on the 66th anniversary of its declaration of independence, Yom Ha'atzmaut. For 66 years, Israel has not only defied all odds to survive in the face of existential threats, but it has transformed from a country of agricultural pioneers into the high-tech powerhouse that it is today. For 66 years, the United States has had a special friend and steadfast ally in Israel, dating back to when President Harry Truman first recognized the State of Israel just 11 minutes after it had declared independence. Since that time, Israel has become an indispensable for security cooperation and scientific and technological research. Israel is a beacon of democracy and freedom in a region where both are far too scarce. Israeli citizens of all stripes, including its many minorities, enjoy extensive personal freedoms and thrive in every aspect of society, from the military to the Knesset. In these uncertain times in the Middle East and North Africa, Israel seems surrounded by chaos. On its southern border, Israel must rely on Egypt, a country grappling with a rocky transition to democracy, to intercept the weapons smuggling into the Hamas-run extremist hub of the Gaza Strip. To the North, in Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to amass its arsenal of long-range missiles capable of hitting all major cities in Israel and promises future war. In Syria, the ongoing civil war remains a source of instability and uncertainty for the entire region, empowering terrorist groups on both sides of the conflict. The Palestinian Authority's decision to reconcile with Hamas, a faction that continues to call for Israel's destruction, has undermined any progress made during recent U.S.-led peace negotiations. And despite the interim agreement with world powers, Iran's illicit nuclear program will remain an existential threat to Israel until the day a final, verifiable agreement is reached that removes the possibility of a nuclear Iran. After years of terrorist attacks, war, and regional instability knocking on its doorsteps, Israel continues to persevere with remarkable poise. Israel has become a leader in technology and science, and its society prospers. There is much to be proud of on this Yom Haatzmaut. As Israel prepares to make difficult decisions about peace and security, it should know that the United States' commitment to the Jewish state is unshakeable. I join my colleagues in wishing the people and government of Israel a Chag Sameach, a happy holiday on this 66th Independence Day.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Antoinette ``Toni'' Beaumont Tomasek, an extraordinary and talented Foreign Service officer who passed away on June 29, 2013, at age 41 due to complications from a car accident in Haiti. Born in Manhattan Beach, California, Toni served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay before embarking on a career that took her all over the world working on international public health. Prior to her work in Haiti, Toni served as a USAID Development Leadership Initiative Officer in Indonesia, establishing what USAID has called a ``groundbreaking program'' that works with local organizations to prevent and treat tuberculosis. At the time of her death, Toni served as a health services team leader at the USAID mission in Port-au-Prince and was making a difference every day in lives of the Haitian people. She died following serious injuries suffered in a car accident as she returned to the American Embassy from a visit to a health clinic. Toni was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister. She is survived by her husband, Adam, and their two young children, Alexandre and Amelie; her parents, Marilyn and William; and her brother and sister, Billy and Jeannie. On Friday, May 2, Toni is being honored at the annual American Foreign Service Association's Memorial Ceremony at the U.S. State Department for her exceptional service to our nation. I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Toni Tomasek and extending our deepest condolences to her family for their terrible loss. Our nation and the entire world owe a great debt to Toni for her tremendous commitment to making the world a better place and for her indefatigable work to improve the lives of the least among us.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, this is a bill that could have been worked out. This is a bill that could have accomplished the purpose that I know that our colleague from Delaware wants to see put into place, and I applaud him for working hard to improve the bill under very difficult circumstances. In trying to allow the American insurance companies to sell policies to expats, we could craft a bill that is narrow, but we are not getting cooperation to get to that point. The reason we are not getting cooperation is we are told we must pass a bill right away. Well, we were told that 2 weeks ago when we had the bill under suspension, and we couldn't consider any amendments under suspension. Now we have the bill under a rule. Oh, and the rule provides for no amendments either. There is a bill to be crafted, but this bill before us does not accomplish the goal in a way that really doesn't hurt some people's insurance coverage. There are still two major problems with the legislation before us today. First, it does not have enough safeguards to guarantee that these expatriate plans are high quality, and the second issue is the bill creates problems for millions of other people who are legal permanent residents here in the United States and others working in this country who are currently protected by the Affordable Care Act. On the first issue, the insurers tell us that their expatriate plans are going to be extremely generous. They say they cover people in dozens of countries around the world and they have comprehensive benefits, but we don't see any language to verify that claim. Supporters of the bill claim to guarantee the plans are as high quality as the insurers say they are. But it is one thing to say that their plans will be of high quality; it is another thing to actually require them to offer comprehensive benefits. As President Reagan used to say, ``Trust, but verify.'' The second issue has nothing to do with the expatriate plans and the companies that are threatening to shut down their operations here in the United States. It has to do with millions of other people who are legal permanent residents and workers on visas who currently benefit from the ACA's protections. But this bill creates a loophole that could allow these people to be sold plans here in the United States that do not meet ACA standards. That is why a lot of people looking at this legislation are saying--such as major labor unions, immigration advocacy organizations--that this bill is not one they can support, and they urge that we vote against it. So I think we can fix both of those issues. We should have fixed both of those issues before this bill was brought up on the House floor. But as it stands, we don't know if the Senate can pass any bill, and I don't believe the President can sign this bill. My colleague from Delaware and my other colleagues have already helped make important improvements for the bill. Changing the definition of an expatriate to someone who is outside of the country for 6 months is an important step. We should continue to make progress. There have been productive negotiations on the legislation in recent days. We need to reach an agreement, and we should bring that compromise to the House floor; but without that compromise, I don't feel I can vote for the bill as it presently stands. There are these two glaring problems that need to be fixed; and without it, we will not know if those expatriate plans really are the high quality they claim to be, and we will not know if legal residents of the United States will be able to get the kind of high-quality plan that everybody else in the United States will have. So I urge a ``no'' vote and suggest that we get back to the negotiating table.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Speaker, I would like to recognize my dear friend Rabbi John Rosove as he celebrates his 25th anniversary with Temple Israel of Hollywood (TIOH). I have had the incredible privilege of knowing Rabbi Rosove throughout his tenure at TIOH and truly look to him as a leader in the Los Angeles faith-based community. Rabbi Rosove's work has extended well beyond the walls of TIOH. He has made a tremendous impact on the City of Los Angeles as a whole with his successful efforts to promote social action and improve education. Our entire community owes him a debt of gratitude for his tireless work. Under Rabbi Rosove's leadership, TIOH has blossomed and become well- respected for its strong programs and great efforts to improve the lives of Angelenos. TIOH's Big Sunday Weekend of Service is one example of the exemplary programs Rabbi Rosove has spearheaded. It has grown to become one of the largest volunteer service days in California. Additionally, Rabbi Rosove is responsible for the TIOH Green Team, a group of community members and schools committed to promoting a number of initiatives, including the use of reusable containers and bags, consumption of organically or locally grown food, and reduction of energy utilization. Rabbi Rosove's vision has also given TIOH's work international recognition. He was the 2002 recipient of the World Union for Progressive Judaism International Humanitarian Award and has received special commendation from the State of Israel Bonds. In addition, he formed twin synagogue relationships with TIOH and Kehillat Mevasseret Zion, Israel, and with Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, as well as with the Progressive Synagogues in Kiev and Kharkov, Ukraine. I would like to congratulate Rabbi Rosove on 25 remarkable years with TIOH. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating his inspiring career and in wishing him all the best for the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Kate Vernez as she retires after 27 years of dedicated service as the Deputy City Manager of Santa Monica. Kate transitioned to Southern California after a successful career with the City of New York, and the City of Santa Monica has truly benefited from her presence. I have had the distinct pleasure of working directly with Kate for many years, and I have personally witnessed how crucial her participation was in cultivating the necessary cooperation and collaboration among city, county, state, and federal governments time and time again. Kate has played an instrumental role in numerous transportation projects, including the City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus. My staff and I also were able to work one-on-one with her on the Expo Line project, which will ultimately connect Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. In addition to improving transportation, Kate has been an integral part in addressing the issue of hopelessness, specifically among the Santa Monica veteran population. Furthermore, she has been a strong advocate for legislation at all levels of government that would provide support to veterans at our local West Los Angeles VIA campus. Kate is a natural leader and I have repeatedly been impressed with her talent and dedication. Her record of excellence is an inspiration. With Kate in City Hall, I have always been confident that our mutual constituents in Santa Monica were being well-served at the city level. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the remarkable career of Kate Vernez and in wishing her all the best for the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today is Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a day to commemorate the millions of Holocaust victims and heroes. In the United States, Yom Ha'Shoah is observed with events in cities and states around the country. In the Los Angeles area, home to approximately 10,000 survivors, the Museum of the Holocaust held a Walk of Remembrance and a day of activities at its memorial in Pan Pacific Park. In Washington, DC, Yom Ha'Shoah is commemorated as part of the Days of Remembrance sponsored by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The theme of this year's event is, ``Confronting the Holocaust: American Responses.'' As we reflect on our country's action and inaction in the face of genocide, we study how to recognize extremism and respond before it is too late. Holocaust Remembrance Day comes this year amidst recent acts of anti- Semitism, both at home and abroad. Earlier this month in Kansas City, three people were killed by a gunman in a tragic shooting outside of the Jewish Community Center. In Ukraine, as the interim government attempts to return stability and democracy to its borders, we have seen groups exhibiting violence, intimidation and propaganda towards Ukrainian Jews. The international community's condemnation has been swift and unequivocal. Nevertheless, these incidents and others serve as a poignant reminder that our obligation to teach the history of the Holocaust and fight intolerance remains ongoing. As Congress prepares to assemble for the Days of Remembrance memorial service, we rise today to honor the lives of the victims and heroes of the Holocaust. We pay tribute to them by proclaiming that the American response will forever be, ``Never again.''

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to my trusted, long-time friend, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Zev is retiring at the end of this year after forty years of exceptional public service. I first met Zev more than four decades ago when he headed California Students for Soviet Jews at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). It was clear at that time that Zev was driven by idealism, an inherent sense of fairness, and a commitment to public service. And, it was clear that he was a pragmatic problem solver and knew how to get things done. Zev started his career in elected office in 1975 at the age of twenty-six after winning a hard fought grassroots campaign for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council against a much more experienced candidate who had the strong support of the Democratic political establishment. Zev chaired the Los Angeles City Council's Finance Committee and worked very hard and very creatively to find solutions to difficult budgetary problems. As chair of the Police, Fire, and Public Safety Committee, he fought against the Los Angeles Police Department's use of choke-holds and against the department's intelligence activities, which included spying on critics of the department and individuals who held liberal political beliefs. Two of the most intractable problems Zev tackled on the City Council were unrestrained commercial development and traffic congestion. He co- authored Proposition U, which proposed to halve the size of new buildings allowed on most of the city's commercial and industrial property. The initiative passed by a wide margin in 1986. He then worked for Proposition O, which passed in 1988 and blocked Occidental Petroleum Corp.'s long battle to drill for oil along the Los Angeles coastline. Zev served on the Los Angeles City Council until 1994 when he won a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A strong environmentalist, Zev made major significant progress in protecting precious county land. He sponsored the 1996 Proposition A park bond to protect open space and develop urban parks and inner-city recreation programs countywide. He led the effort to acquire more than 7,000 acres of county parkland and worked hard on the purchase of the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains from Soka University. As the largest, most populated county in the United States, Los Angeles County has complex transportation needs. Zev has championed a diversity of transit alternatives to most efficiently and cost- effectively meet the needs of the different communities and geographic make-up of the County. He has worked to bring to densely populated areas subway access and to less densely populated areas light rail and busways. He advanced the Orange Line busway in the San Fernando Valley, which has been tremendously popular. He has fought for the new light rail Expo Line, which, upon completion, will travel from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. And, he has been a driving force to extend the subway to the Westside of Los Angeles. Zev also led the effort to rebuild and modernize the world famous Hollywood Bowl amphitheater which re-opened in 2004, and he was instrumental in the development of Walt Disney Concert Hall, the home of the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also helped fund major investments in the L.A. County Museum of Art and the County's Museum of Natural History. On health care, Zev has worked to secure the viability of our nation's second largest public health system and pushed for reforms that have brought access to care for millions of vulnerable individuals. He led the push for more primary care and strong partnerships that endure today between LA County's public system and primary care clinics throughout the County. He has been a tireless advocate for implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid expansion alone has brought health coverage to more than 300,000 uninsured individuals in LA County. One of Zev's most passionate goals has been the end of homelessness in LA County. In 2007, he initiated Project 50, a pilot project using a ``housing first'' approach for the most chronically homeless individuals on Skid Row. Project 50 was so successful that the VA created Project 60 in Los Angeles and uses the ``housing first'' model to work with veterans who are chronically homeless veterans. Zev showed that it is not only possible to help the dispossessed regain their dignity and their lives, but that it can be done while saving taxpayer dollars. Zev's extensive accomplishments as County Supervisor have touched every part of LA County and improved the lives of every County resident. LA County, the State of California, and our nation owe Zev a debt for his tireless work. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Zev for his exceptional service and extending to him, his wonderful wife Barbara, and their two children, Mina and David, our very best wishes for the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I want to say to my friend from Vermont, a member of my committee, that this is not the way to pass laws. This is not the way to correct problems. Problems should be worked out through narrow fixes in a public setting. This is a bill for an insurance company that is threatening to fire people in Delaware and a little small part of California, so that insurance company is saying: well, we are going to fire these people unless you correct our problem. The Republicans will not correct their problem. They want to put a big hole in the Affordable Care Act. Well, you can believe the Senate may fix it, but the suspension calendar should not be used for bills that have never been considered in an open hearing and that cannot be amended on the floor of the House. This bill goes far beyond a narrow, sensible fix. It says that Americans who are out of this country for a matter of weeks can be sold policies with harsh annual limits on their coverage, no minimum quality standards, and it says the families of these Americans--who may not even be overseas, but be living here--will get a plan that would be of lower quality than other Americans, even though they live here 365 days of the year. This bill's supporters say these expatriate plans are of very high quality, but the insurers and Republicans refuse to accept a bill that subjects the plan even to the most basic standards of quality and affordability. Why? There is no reason for that, except that they want the ACA to be in competition with plans that are of lower quality. This raises real concerns. Worse yet, this bill goes far beyond its stated goal of addressing coverage for Americans who live overseas. It is not that narrow. It creates a whole new second class health insurance system for foreign workers and legal permanent residents. These individuals currently have access to ACA-compliant plans, putting them on an even footing with U.S. workers. It would undercut current law. It would weaken the rights of immigrants and foreign workers. It would create powerful incentives for employers to hire foreign workers instead of U.S. workers. So this bill isn't about a narrow thing to fix some possible unemployment in these two States. That is why this bill is opposed by organized labor. It is opposed by immigrant advocacy organizations. There were long negotiations in back rooms between Republicans, Democrats, the administration, and the insurance companies, but there was no agreement on this bill. No one would compromise, and that is disappointing. It is mainly because of the intransigence of one insurance company and the Republican leadership. We should not advance a deeply flawed bill because an insurance company is making threats. We shouldn't advance a deeply flawed bill with the expectation that somebody else is going to solve the problem. That is why we are here in this House, to make sure the legislation is as good as it can possibly be. If all parties are ready to act in good faith, they should go back to the negotiating table and solve the narrow problem that we can agree on, rather than opening a troublesome loophole in the ACA.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, we have a choice to make. The House Democratic budget and the Republican's budget present very different choices about America's future. The Democratic alternative promotes job growth and expands opportunity. The Republican budget gives away trillions to the wealthy and special interests, while shredding the social safety net. The Affordable Care Act is the most significant expansion of health coverage in 50 years. It ends discrimination based on preexisting conditions. It promotes health and prevention. It improves quality and lowers cost. The Republican budget repeals the Affordable Care Act. Over 10 million Americans will lose coverage immediately. Insurers could discriminate based on preexisting conditions. More than 8 million seniors who have saved more than $10 billion on prescription drugs and more than 32 million who have benefited from free preventive services would immediately see higher costs. The 129 million Americans with preexisting conditions would no longer be safe from discrimination. After they repealed the Affordable Care Act, the Republican budget would slash Medicaid by a full 25 percent. This will hurt millions of seniors in nursing homes, millions of low-income babies whose mothers receive important prenatal care, and millions of people with disabilities. These are immoral and outrageous cuts. The Republican budget also ends the Medicare guarantee, forcing seniors who stay in fee-for-service to pay more for the coverage they have today. It slashes key domestic spending, cutting biomedical research, key job creation programs, and programs that keep kids from going hungry, just to name a few examples. Are these responsible choices? I don't think that is the path we ought to take. The Democratic alternative is fiscally responsible and good for our Nation's health. I urge my colleagues to reject the House Republican approach and, instead, support working families, seniors, and people with disabilities by protecting our health care system from these attacks. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Republican budget. Vote support for the Democratic budget.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Captain Mark E. Cedrun as he retires from the United States Navy after 31 remarkable years of service. In 1979 as a young constituent of California's 24th Congressional District, then high school senior Mark Cedrun came to me seeking a nomination to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I was thoroughly impressed with Mark's intellect, maturity, and enthusiasm. He stood out among an extremely competitive candidate pool. I was delighted to grant Mark the nomination. At that time, Mark was accepted to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. After one year, I was honored to once again nominate Mark for the Naval Academy in Annapolis where he was ultimately commissioned as an ensign in 1984. Mark went on to have an exemplary naval career, serving multiple sea assignments. He was deployed to the Arabian Gulf in early 2003 in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and most recently served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Throughout his long career Mark has received numerous awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. I am honored to have played a small part in such an impressive and honorable naval career. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Captain Mark Cedrun and wishing him all the best for the future.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is an historic week for the economic security of the American people. After the unprecedented surge in enrollment, the Affordable Care Act has led to the largest expansion of health insurance coverage in half a century. More than 7.1 million Americans have signed up for private coverage through the marketplaces. More than 3 million young adults are covered through their parents' plans, and millions more Americans are now covered through Medicaid or through private insurance purchased directly from an insurer. According to an analysis by the Los Angeles Times, more than 9.5 million Americans who previously lacked health insurance now have coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. These millions of Americans now have the peace of mind and economic security that comes with quality, affordable health insurance, and every American knows that they will never be discriminated against because of a preexisting condition. These are historic achievements. However, despite these reforms to our health system, the Affordable Care Act does not change the fact that the vast majority of Americans who have health insurance get it through their employer. In fact, the law strengthens the employer-sponsored insurance system. It encourages larger employers to do the responsible thing and offer their employees affordable coverage. It ensures that workers get quality coverage and do not face harsh annual limits on their coverage. The bill before us today, however, weakens the employer-sponsored insurance system and hurts American workers. The Congressional Budget Office has indicated that the bill would cause 1 million Americans to lose their employer coverage. CBO found that the bill will cause half a million Americans to become uninsured, and CBO found that the bill will cost taxpayers nearly $75 billion. Republicans claim that all these costs are worthwhile because their legislation will keep workers from having their hours cut, but the fact is this bill is a solution in search of a problem. CBO said it plainly: There is no compelling evidence that part-time employment has increased as a result of the ACA. Since the Affordable Care Act became law, we have added more than 8.6 million private sector jobs. After years of increasing part-time labor, the number of part-time workers today is actually lower than it was before the ACA was enacted. The flimsy justification for this bill just does not stand up to scrutiny. Mr. Speaker, I hope that the end of the ACA's first open enrollment period can be an opportunity for the Congress to change its approach to this law. More than 7 million Americans have signed up for coverage through health insurance marketplaces. Tens of millions more will sign up in the months and years to come. Rather than pushing divisive legislation, let's come together to acknowledge the fact that millions of Americans getting covered is a great step forward for this Nation.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support S. 1557, the Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013. S. 1557 reauthorizes the children's hospital graduate medical education--or CHGME--program through fiscal year 2018 at an authorization level of $300 million per year. The legislation also makes two important changes to the program. It provides for a limited expansion of the CHGME program to include children's psychiatric hospitals and other children's hospitals that have been unable--to date--to participate in the program for technical reasons. It also would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to redistribute any remaining funding set aside for the newly-eligible hospitals that goes unused based upon quality measures. This program provides ongoing and consistent financial support to hospitals such as Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for the training of doctors who want to specialize in pediatrics. Over the years, the CHGME program has been enormously successful in reversing the significant decline in the number of pediatrician trainees across the country. Indeed, today, children's hospitals nationwide that are supported by the program train 49% of all pediatricians and 51% of all pediatric specialists. Not surprisingly, the CHGME program has a decade-long history of bipartisan support. The program was first established in 1999 and has subsequently been reauthorized on two occasions. During the 112th Congress and earlier this Congress, the House passed stand alone legislation that would have reauthorized the CHGME program for another five years. I am sure that Members on both sides of the aisle agree we want to make certain this important program remains in place, and we want to send a strong message about the importance of fully funding it. I want to recognize and applaud the leadership of Ranking Member Pallone and Chairman Pitts on CHGME legislation in the House. I also want to acknowledge the sponsors of the measure we are considering today--Senators Casey and Isakson. And, of course, I commend Chairman Upton, Chairman Harkin, and Ranking Member Alexander for making it possible for the House to consider this bipartisan legislation today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1557 and sending this legislation to the President for his signature.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, today, Congress will vote on yet another patch to the Medicare physician payment system. But it should not be that way. We need a permanent fix. Earlier this year, we seemed on track for a permanent fix. We reached a bipartisan agreement on what a permanent fix should look like. That bill was introduced by both Republican and Democratic leaders: Mr. Camp, Mr. Upton, Dr. Burgess, Mr. Levin, myself, Mr. Pallone, Senator Baucus, and Senator Hatch. That bipartisan bill is broadly supported by physician and patient groups. That bill would not cut providers or beneficiaries to fix payments to physicians, and that bill would fix this problem permanently. The bill before us today is not a permanent fix. It is a short-term fix. Two weeks ago, Republicans brought up a bipartisan bill with a poison pill offset for the permanent fix that undermines reform for low-income families. That was 2 weeks wasted, where we could have worked towards a permanent solution. I have heard my Republican colleagues say it is too hard to find offsets or we don't have enough time to come up with the offsets to get a permanent bill done. Let's not forget, Republicans do not insist on offsets for things they really care about. Trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy? No need to offset that. A Medicare prescription drug bill that costs far more than this permanent fix to the SGR? No need to offset that. But when we talk about protecting seniors' access to their doctors, their answer is different. Mr. Speaker, I would urge that, in the end, this is a vote Members will need to make up their own minds on. We may end up being forced to support a short-term patch, but I am not ready to concede that yet. I am not ready to support this bill that is before us. Let's keep working on getting a permanent solution.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with this opportunity to recognize Nowruz, a traditional Persian holiday that began on March 20 and celebrates the arrival of spring. Nowruz has been observed by millions of individuals of Persian descent for more than 3,000 years as a time of renewal health, happiness, and prosperity. The holiday's ecumenical values are celebrated by adherents of many religions including Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the Bahai'I faith. It is considered a special time to share with family and friends and to honor cultural traditions. In the United States, Nowruz serves to remind us of the many noteworthy and lasting contributions of Iranian-Americans to the social and economic fabric of American society. In Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian-American community in the United States, there is great pride in the community's devotion to civic activism, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. I ask my colleagues in joining me to wish all those celebrating Nowruz a happy and prosperous new year.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, to start the debate on our side, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the State of Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), my good friend.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), who is ranking member of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that none of the delays that Mr. Upton indicated on that chart would result in 13 million people losing insurance coverage and raise premiums 10-20 percent. This is not a delay that we can agree to. It hurts the Affordable Care Act, and it is a betrayal of our working together on a bipartisan basis to resolve this problem. We worked together on the policy, but we were never brought in to work together on funding that policy. At this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).