Henry Waxman

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes. (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I hope this will be resolved very quickly. This is to give a push so it will be resolved. Mr. Chairman, I have time, and I yield the balance of the time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), a cosponsor of this amendment, who wishes to speak on it. (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5060 requires the Office of Management and Budget to create a web-based database of Federal grants. I want to thank Majority Whip Blunt and Chairman Davis for working with us to make changes to the bill as originally drafted. Based on these revisions, I am supporting the bill. As modified, H.R. 5060 will create a robust, fully searchable database of all Federal grants that is free for members of the public to use. The database will contain a significant amount of information about each grant awarded--including details about the grantee, the process under which the grant was awarded, as well as the purpose and requirements of the grant. Currently, there is an existing grants data system that is available to Members of Congress. The database that will be created under H.R. 5060 is an improvement over this existing system in two key ways: it will include more information and it will be available to the public, not just Members of Congress. As a result, this database will serve as a useful tool for individuals and organizations hoping to understand how the Federal Government distributes funds. There is also an urgent need to improve the existing database of Federal contracts. Earlier this week, I released a report finding that the ``shadow government'' of private companies working under Federal contract has exploded in size over the past 5 years. Far more taxpayer dollars now go to contracts than to grants. I had hoped that we would be able to add language improving the current contracts database, the Federal Procurement Data System, to this bill. The FPDS can be hard to use and is not fully accurate. Although it contains a significant amount of information about Federal contracts, it is not easily or freely searchable by members of the public. It must be fixed in order to provide the public with the ability to truly understand the role of contracts in the Federal Government. We were not able to reach agreement on language to add a contracts database to this legislation. But Chairman Davis has pledged to work with me to address this issue in separate legislation. Again, I want to thank the Majority Whip and the Chairman for working with us to amend H.R. 5060, and look forward to continuing this collaboration as we address the problems with the existing database of Federal contracts.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join 12 of my colleagues in introducing the Safe Climate Act. Global warming is the greatest environmental challenge of our time, and we have a short window in which to act to prevent profound changes to the climate system. Unless we seize the opportunity to act now, our legacy to our children and grandchildren will be an unstable and dangerous planet. There are different approaches that can be taken to climate legislation. Some bills seek a symbolic recognition of the problem. Others are premised on what may be politically achievable in the near terms. The Safe Climate Act is drafted on a different premise: It reflects what the science tells us we need to do to protect our children and future generations from irreversible and catastrophic global warming. The bill has aggressive requirements to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. But the reality is, these are the reductions that scientists say we need to achieve to preserve a safe climate for future generations. The science clearly tells us what we need to do--we must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, starting now and continuing over the next few decades. To achieve this, we have to grow our economy into a new and cleaner future. It's simply too late for legislative baby steps. I have been working to address the threat of global warming for many years. At first, the scientists' warnings about global warming came like a few early drops of rain. We knew that our activities were emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases. And we knew that greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat and warm the planet. When scientists found steadily rising quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, they hypothesized that our activities could warm the planet, with unknown but potentially troubling consequences. Over the years, these scattered warnings grew to a stream, then to a rushing river of danger signals. Over 10 years ago, the science and the threat of global warming were clear. That's why I introduced the Global Climate Protection Act of 1992, which would have frozen U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide at 1990 levels. But Congress failed to act. Now the river of warnings has become a flooding torrent. We can no longer ignore the evidence of global warming. We're now just starting to experience some results of climate change. And they are not good. Eight of the ten warmest years on record have occurred in the last decade. As the earth warms, its ice is melting. From the glaciers in Glacier National Park, to the snows of Kilimanjaro and the Larson B ice-shelf in Antarctica, ice that has been here since the last ice age is disappearing or already gone. The permafrost supporting towns and roads in Alaska is melting rapidly, and the summer sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is diminishing each year. These are changes we can see with our own eyes. The seasons are changing--maple sugar producers in Vermont are tapping trees earlier, plants are flowering earlier, and birds are migrating earlier. These changes are happening across the globe. And with warmer weather come bugs that are no longer being killed by the winter cold, such as the beetles that are destroying forests across the Southwest and Alaska. The scientists have long predicted that as the oceans warm, rainfall episodes, storms, and hurricanes will become more intense. Last year broke hurricane records, and America experienced the devastating results of just a few such storms with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The scientists have been proven right about global warming, over and over again, across the planet. We should start listening to them. Now they are telling us that we have about 10 years to act to avoid being locked into irreversible global warming on a scale that will transform the planet. The scientists have identified a global temperature rise of just 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit as enough to produce undeniably dangerous consequences, such as 20 feet or more of sea level rise, which would flood large parts of Florida and New York City, as well as huge population centers in other countries. And scientists have calculated the quantity of atmospheric greenhouse gases that would very likely cause such a temperature rise. The nations of the world must keep greenhouse gases below that level to avoid irreversible dangerous global warming. The United States emits more greenhouse gases than any other country in the world--about 20 percent of the total worldwide. We simply cannot avoid catastrophic global warming without substantial cuts in U.S. emissions. Of course, every nation will have to do its part. According to the best science, under any plausible scenario of future international actions to stabilize the climate, the United States will eventually need to reduce its emissions by about 80 percent. Fortunately, we have some time to get there, as long as we start reducing our total emissions now. And that's what the Safe Climate Act does. It caps U.S. emissions in 2010, and then gradually reduces them by just 2 percent per year until 2020. This gives us 15 years to deploy the cleaner technologies that we already have but aren't using much, such as hybrid vehicles and wind power. After 2020, emissions must fall under the legislation by roughly 5 percent per year, as more advanced technologies, such as biofuels from waste materials and capturing carbon dioxide from power plants, become widely available. The Safe Climate Act reduces emissions through a flexible, market- based emissions trading program, as well as complementary requirements for cleaner cars and more electricity from renewable energy and efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy would oversee these programs nationally, while states would retain their authority to act on the State level. In effect, the Safe Climate Act sets the targets and then unleashes market forces and American ingenuity to solve the problem. This sounds ambitious, and it is. But it is also completely doable, once we decide to act. Look at what we've already achieved. In just over 30 years, from the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 to 2002, we reduced air pollution from automobiles by over 60 percent. We achieved these reductions even as the total number of vehicle miles traveled increased by 160 percent and GDP grew by 166 percent. From 1990 to 1996, in just 6 years, we ended production of key chemicals destroying the earth's protective tropospheric ozone layer and shifted to substitutes. Those chemicals had been widely used throughout the economy in applications from air conditioning and refrigeration to solvents and fire suppression. In each case, entrenched industries told Congress that changes of these magnitudes would be impossible to achieve without massive economic dislocation. And in each case, they were wrong. We've ignored the threat of global warming for almost too long, but we still have an opportunity if we act now. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this critically important bill, and I urge the committee of jurisdiction to consider it without further delay. We must face and overcome the challenge of global warming, and the Safe Climate Act is the way to do it.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, before we went to war, President Bush and other administration officials made three promises to the American people: one, we would find weapons of mass destruction; two, we would be welcomed as liberators; and, three, the reconstruction of Iraq would pay for itself. Well, all three promises proved to be false. Today I will focus on the reconstruction effort in Iraq and the massive waste, fraud, and abuse that have undermined our efforts. Stuart Bowen is the Special Inspector General for Iraq reconstruction. He often talks about the reconstruction gap which is the chasm between the President's promises and reality. Mr. Bowen is absolutely right: the gap is enormous. But it is dwarfed by the incompetency and corruption gaps in Iraq. The consequences of mismanagement and corruption are serious. Waste, fraud, and abuse have flourished. The taxpayer has been repeatedly gouged. Iraq is not being rebuilt. We have lost credibility and are now viewed in Iraq as occupiers, and our troops did not get essential equipment when they needed it. We have now spent $50 billion on Iraq reconstruction, including $30 billion from U.S. taxpayers. Let's look at what we got for the money. Despite spending $2 billion, Iraq's oil production is still well below prewar levels, running about a half million barrels below 2003 levels. We have invested $4 billion into improving electricity generation. Not only is the administration 2,000 megawatts short of reaching its goal for peak output, but generation is actually below prewar levels. And we spent $6 billion on oil production and electricity generation. And we have actually lost ground. The situation is the same for drinking water. In essence, we have squandered $50 billion. Profiteering has been rampant, and the taxpayer has gotten gouged and the work has not gotten done. And what is especially shameful about the wasteful spending is that we needed this money for our troops. When we first went into Iraq, our troops did not have enough body armor. Families had to purchase armor off the Internet and ship it to Iraq in a desperate attempt to protect their loved ones. On congressional delegations, individual servicemembers have taken our staffs aside and begged for more night vision goggles. Patriotic Americans even had to donate their frequent flier miles so troops who were dumped at the Baltimore airport by the Pentagon could make it home for the holidays. This should never have happened. It is inexcusable that our troops face desperate shortages of essential gear while billions of dollars were frittered away. To understand the magnitude of this, there is no better place to start than Halliburton. Halliburton is the largest private contractor operating in Iraq. The company has three contracts that total more than $20 billion. We now know that political appointees, not career civil servants, decided to give Halliburton a secret no-bid contract for $7 billion to operate Iraq's oil fields. As GAO has reported, the key decision that led to the award of the secret contract violated Federal procurement law. When a career attorney properly objected, he was simply overruled. And despite statements from the Vice President, we know now that his chief of staff, Scooter Libby, was personally briefed on this entire plan months before the war. The decision to give those lucrative contracts to Halliburton has been expensive. According to Pentagon audits, Halliburton's total unreasonable and unsupported charges exceed $1.4 billion. Well, the examples of waste, fraud, and abuse are numerous. Halliburton charged $45 for a case of soda; $100 for a 15-pound bag of laundry. When they had brand-new $85,000 Halliburton trucks, they abandoned them or torched them if they got a flat tire or experienced minor mechanical problems. Halliburton's contracts are cost-plus. That means that Halliburton is reimbursed for all of its costs, and then receives an extra percentage as additional profit. In practical terms, this means that the more Halliburton spends, the richer it gets. Now we talked to former Halliburton employees who worked in Iraq. They told us the informal company motto was: ``Do not worry about price, it is cost plus.'' Halliburton was supposed to be in Iraq to provide support for the troops, but the company used one standard for the troops and a completely different standard for its own executives. Halliburton employees stayed at the five-star Kempinski Hotel in Kuwait, where it costs taxpayers $10,000 per day. This is the five-star Kempinski. This gorgeous hotel offered maid service, complimentary fruit baskets to Halliburton employees. Our troops stayed in tents in the desert. At one point, a cost- conscious Army official asked Halliburton to move its employees into air-conditioned tents, but they refused. To their credit, career government auditors identified these overcharges. When they examined Halliburton's second oil contract, they harshly criticized Halliburton's performance, citing profound systemic problems and exorbitant indirect costs. But their recommendations were rejected. After reviewing Halliburton's first oil contract in Iraq, auditors recommended that the Army not pay $263 million in unreasonable and unsupported charges. But the Army ignored those auditors and paid Halliburton $254 million, over 95 percent of the disputed charges. And in spite of the auditor's findings, Halliburton was paid nearly $100 million in profits and bonuses for overbilling taxpayers. Well, Halliburton symbolizes what went astray in Iraq, but it is not the only contractor abusing the system. Parsons received the contract to rebuild health clinics throughout Iraq. But despite spending $186 million, Parsons completed just 20 of 142 health clinics they promised to build. Another firm, Custer Battles, received two security contracts. A Federal jury recently found that the company committed 37 separate acts of fraud. These are not isolated instances. There are over 70 corruption investigations currently under way in Iraq. These cases involve allegations of fraud, false claims, theft, bribery and kickbacks. Some of the worst problems in Iraq are almost beyond comprehension. The U.S. management of the Development Fund for Iraq, which was the fund that held the proceeds of Iraqi oil sales, is a classic example of what not to do. The Coalition Provisional Authority handed out over $8.8 billion in cash, in cash, to Iraqi ministries. And they had no idea what happened to the money: $8 billion in cash simply vanished. One former U.S. official who was in Iraq at the time, Frank Willis, described conditions as the Wild West. He said the lack of controls effectively created a free fraud zone. Iraq was awash in brand-new $100 bills with no accountability to prevent corruption. All the while, the White House looked the other way and Congress put its head in the sand. Under the Constitution, we are supposed to be a check and balance, but we have abdicated this responsibility. The Republican majority is terrific at applauding the President, and they are proving it again today with this dishonest resolution. Congress isn't doing the serious and important work it must do to protect our troops, rebuild Iraq, look out for American taxpayers. Congress must be more than a cheerleading section for the White House. The fiasco in Iraq was a windfall for some. Halliburton made more than $2 billion in profits last year. Its total revenue has increased by 66 percent since 2002. Another beneficiary was David Brooks. He is the CEO of a company that makes bulletproof vests. In 2001, Mr. Brooks reportedly earned $525,000. In 2004, he earned $70 million. Last year, the U.S. Marines recalled more than 5,000 of the company's armored vests. But by that time Mr. Brooks had pocketed $186 million. Well, the American people might think that Congress would rise up in the face of such unconscionable profiteering. When our troops are willing to sacrifice so much, and they do sacrifice so much, how can we let others create cynical fortunes off their blood? As we debate this resolution, 2,500 of our bravest men and women, have been killed in Iraq. Over 18,000 have been wounded, and the total cost of the Iraq war is over $300 billion. Those of us privileged to serve here have been spared any of the personal consequences of being on the front line, but we should not be spared the responsibility of doing our job. We owe more to our troops than slapping ``I support our troops'' bumper stickers on our cars and extolling their courage. Instead of wasting time on bipartisan charades, we should acknowledge and fix our mistakes so that Iraqis can take over and our troops in Iraq can come home. We owe more than empty promises to American families who are paying for this costly war in Iraq. They count on us to make sure that their money is spent well, and we haven't done that. An honest unsparing look at the record of the past 3 years tells us a stark truth. The White House and Congress have failed our troops, the taxpayers and the Iraqi people. They deserve better than a partisan resolution that pats ourselves and the White House on the back. It is shameful that we are squandering money on Halliburton at the very same time that we don't have enough money to protect our troops. It is shameful that Congress has abdicated its oversight and legislative responsibilities to rein in the incompetence and corruption that has undermined our efforts in Iraq.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this legislation continues the Republican leadership's approach of treating the big oil companies with special attention while ignoring the needs of the American people. For years, the Republican leadership has worked to give Big Oil everything they could ever want: subsidies, environmental exemptions, loopholes, and paybacks. The results have been spectacular for the oil companies, but not for the American people. ExxonMobil recently announced first quarter profits of over $8 billion and rewarded their CEO with a retirement package totaling nearly $400 million. Chevron reported its profits are up 49 percent from last year. But energy is costing the American family twice as much as it did just 5 years ago. The Republican leadership wants desperately to blame State and local governments, to blame environmental requirements for the cost of gasoline. That is the myth they want to create. But the facts are completely different. Permits have been readily granted whenever refiners have applied for them. According to the Environmental Council of the States, there is simply no factual record that supports the need for this legislation. The State and Territorial Air Pollution Program administrators wrote to all Members of the House to point out that this legislation will have the opposite effect of what is intended. They say it would almost surely delay the permitting process. The Republican leadership wants to claim that this legislation solves the Nation's gasoline problems. If anything, it will make it worse. Mr. Speaker, we need to reject this legislation. It is based on a faulty premise. It is only for the purpose of saying that we have done something without actually doing anything that would provide real relief to millions of American families. I urge a ``no'' vote on the bill.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to pay tribute to our good friend, Thomas M. Priselac, President and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System. Mr. Priselac has held the position of President and CEO since January 1994, and has helped transform Cedars-Sinai Heath System into one of the premier providers of heath services, graduate and continuing medical education services, and medical research. He has proven himself to be a strong leader who gets impressive results. We are pleased that he will be honored by B'Nai B'Rith International with the prestigious National Healthcare Award on June 5, 2006. Mr. Priselac began his career in healthcare after receiving his Bachelor degree in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania and his Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. He began his career at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh as a member of the executive staff. In 1979, he began working at Cedars- Sinai. He was appointed to the role of Executive Vice President in 1988, which he fulfilled for six years prior to being appointed President and CEO. During his tenure at Cedars-Sinai, Mr. Priselac has turned it into one of our nation's finest healthcare establishments. In addition to his work at Cedars, Mr. Priselac makes many contributions to the healthcare community through his dedication and commitment to several healthcare related organizations. He has served on numerous healthcare related boards. He currently serves as Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges, and chairs the Health Care Committee of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. It is our distinct pleasure to ask our colleagues to join with us in saluting Mr. Priselac for his outstanding achievements and to congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to all those who have fallen in the defense of our country. Each year, Memorial Day is a special time to honor the departed, support the wounded, and praise the enduring commitment of all those who serve. In my district this weekend, the white headstones of the Los Angeles National Cemetery will be surrounded with flowers and families. Amid the bustle of West Los Angeles, this serene and mournful field honors the great sacrifice that has sustained our blessed country and the core values we cherish. My district is also home to the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration, which is the largest VA facility in the continental United States. The land was generously donated after the Civil War to serve as an old soldiers home and I am pleased that efforts are finally underway to move toward this goal with plans for a State Veterans Home on the property. We must continue, however, to expand other services and programs to meet veterans' needs. I remain deeply opposed to the VA's consideration of plans to divert portions of the property for commercial use. I am determined to continue working with local veterans groups, local officials, and the surrounding community to ensure that the entire property is preserved for programs that benefit and serve our veterans. The sanctity of our battlefields, monuments, and veterans institutions is of utmost importance to preserve military history and pay respect to those who fought. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of my constituent Leon Cooper, a World War II veteran of the Pacific Theater, who has been working to raise awareness about the build-up of garbage and refuse at the site of the Battle of Red Beach on Tarawa Atoll in the remote island nation of Kiribati. Nearly 1,000 Marines were killed and over 2,000 were wounded during heavy fighting over the span of just a few days in November 1943. I applaud Mr. Cooper for his commitment. Although Tarawa has a monument to the Marines who died on Red Beach, heavy construction in the area has spurred an effort to find a new location closer to the battle site itself. I fully support this effort, which would also create an opportunity for the 2nd Marine division to restore the beach to a more appropriate and respectable condition. I encourage our local U.S. Embassy in Fiji to work with the Government of Kiribati on sanitation and conservation projects that would provide long-term solutions for maintaining the coastline and preserving the area. It would be a tribute to our veterans and a benefit to the Kiribati people. And while we honor generations past, we must also be keenly aware of the needs of soldiers now deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is unacceptable that returning veterans are facing unreasonable delays obtaining care and benefits. The number of new enrollees waiting for their first appointment at the VA has doubled in the past year. I am deeply concerned about the inadequate screening and services for the more than \1/3\ of returning troops who seek mental health care. It is imperative that we fight the budget cuts and misplaced priorities that have led to this deplorable situation. As we observe Memorial Day, let us give thanks to all of our brave men and women who have stood in harm's way or stand there today, far from home, living at great risk, and fighting under the stars and stripes. We owe them an enduring debt of gratitude.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, Hamas is first and foremost a terrorist organization. Ideologically, its charter is clarion call for the destruction of Israel. In practice, the group has dedicated itself to murder and violence against innocent Israeli civilians. No election, no matter how democratic it is viewed by procedural standards, can wash its hands of the blood of its victims. That is why H.R. 4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, is an essential piece of legislation. The bill would prohibit all direct aid to the Palestinian Authority as long as it is led by Hamas or any other group that refuses to renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and accept previous agreements. There is no room for ambiguity. Last month, Hamas praised a terror attack in Tel Aviv as a legitimate act of self-defense. Just the other week, Jordanian authorities arrested 20 Hamas terrorists who were smuggling Iranian-made Katyusha rockets and tank missiles. Weapons are being smuggled across the Egyptian border as well. It cannot be tolerated. For the most part, the Quartet has stood firm in isolating Hamas. The United States, the European Union, Canada and other nations have blocked the direct transfer of funds to the new Palestinian Authority and prohibited political contact with Hamas officials. The legislation before us codifies this approach. H.R. 4681 also advances creative solutions to meet the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people without empowering or enriching a terrorist regime. The legislation is carefully crafted to maintain assistance to the Palestinian people, while giving confidence to American taxpayers that aid will not be used to prop up Hamas leaders. Direct U.S. assistance to the Palestinian people has always been primarily administered through non-governmental organizations via the USAID West Bank and Gaza aid program. H.R. 4681 makes this program, which accounts for the largest per capita U.S. aid contribution in the world, more central than ever. While some have expressed concern that requiring advanced notification and justification to Congress for non- humanitarian aid will delay or impede support for such programs, these concerns are misplaced. The modest conditions will only bring greater transparency and improve the quality and focus of the programs funded. Pre-certification is not necessary for the distribution of humanitarian aid. In addition, the bill provides substantial flexibility to continue U.S. support for the independent Palestinian election commission and assistance to the office of President Mahmoud Abbas to support the peace process. Considering the hopes and expectations that the Hamas government will collapse, such support is imperative to build a viable political alternative that is moderate and free from the rampant corruption of Fatah candidates that alienated Palestinian voters. United States foreign policy in the Middle East is full of nuance, but when it comes to Hamas our message must be black and white: we will not reward terrorists or terrorism. H.R. 4681 conveys this timely and important message and it is worth our strong support.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and pleasure to rise in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, which was inaugurated this year to be celebrated annually during the month of May. Jewish American Heritage Month is a special opportunity to celebrate Judaism not only as a religion, but a culture that is rich in history, tradition, and flavor. The American Jewish Community has made significant contributions to our society and has helped weave the fabric of American life. In 1833, it was a Jewish immigrant, Emma Lazarus, who composed the poem ``The New Colossus'' as part of a fundraising campaign to erect the Statue of Liberty. The monument was later inscribed with her words, ``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.'' These words have come to symbolize America's role as a haven for all who seek opportunities and freedom from persecution, including hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants who arrived at our shores. My own grandparents came in the early 1900s from what is now Maldova after escaping hardship and pogroms. They settled in a working-class Jewish neighborhood in Los Angeles much like other communities that sprang up in major cities around the country. They lived amid a tight- knit community of kosher butchers, synagogues, and Jewish businesses, where Yiddish was often heard on the streets. Although sometimes criticized for their insularity, these ethnic neighborhoods epitomized the values of charity and community service, building a safety net long before Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security came into existence. In this regard, Jewish Los Angeles has an impressive history. The Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFS), established in 1854, was one of the first umbrella organizations of its kind to support comprehensive support services like a food pantry, care for the elderly, and assistance for the unemployed. The community in Los Angeles also earned distinction for its openness and diversity. A special milestone being celebrated in my district this year is the 100th anniversary of Sinai Temple, which is the oldest Conservative congregation west of the Mississippi. L.A. is now home to the University of Judaism, Hebrew Union College, and an array of synagogues and schools from all streams of Jewish religious practice. Of course, Jewish Los Angeles is perhaps best recognized for the many Jewish entrepreneurs and entertainers who have taken on prominent roles as producers, actors, recording artists and media personalities. Jewish Americans also made their mark in education, science, economics, literature and many other arenas. More than a third of U.S. Nobel Prize winners in science or economics have been Jewish. There have been 18 Jewish Recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. While Jews in the United States have also suffered periods of discrimination and anti-Semitism, the community has persevered as a champion of civil rights, tolerance and religious freedom. It is often said that Jews living in America are freer, safer, and more prosperous than at any time or place in Jewish history. One reason it is particularly fitting that this month has been chosen to honor Jewish American Heritage Month is that May 5th is the anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. The United States was the first major country to officially recognize the fledgling Jewish State. Our relationship has been cemented through robust economic ties and strong military cooperation, and an enduring partnership based on democratic values. Although Jews account for barely two percent of the population, there are today more Jews living in the United States than any other country outside of Israel. I welcome the designation of Jewish American Heritage Month and the opportunity for all Americans to learn about the contributions made by one of our nation's most vocal and vibrant minorities.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my strong opposition to the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Resolution. The Budget Resolution is a reflection of our values and a statement of our national priorities. As in the previous years under President Bush, the 2007 Budget Resolution will force cuts in health care, environmental protection, education, housing, and other essential programs that enjoy broad public support. And, as in previous years, a new round of tax cuts skewed to benefit our wealthiest citizens will threaten our long-term economic health and pile more debt onto our children. Eighty-seven percent of the benefits of the tax cuts the House just passed will go to the 14 percent of households with more than $100,000 in annual income. Less than 2 percent of the benefits will go to the 60 percent of households with less than $50,000 in annual income. The year before President Bush took office, we enjoyed a record- breaking $236 billion surplus and projected surpluses that were expected to reach $5.6 trillion by 2011. In an unprecedented reversal, the policies of President Bush and congressional Republicans have brought us the five largest deficits in our history. According to the Bush Administration's own numbers, its policy of massive tax cuts and deficit borrowing will increase the gross federal debt by a total of $4.2 trillion over fiscal years 2001 to 2008. Our nation will have accumulated more debt in eight years under President Bush than under the first 41 presidents combined. The Administration's reckless budget and tax policies are unsustainable and damaging to our nation. In 2006, for the first time since 1970, the President and Congressional Republicans reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health, the nation's largest federal supporter of basic research, applied research, and R&D. This year's budget reduces the budgets again of 18 of the 19 Institutes. Just last September, overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate wrote President Bush to express strong support for working aggressively toward the goal of eliminating cancer death and suffering by 2015. Incomprehensibly, eight short months later congressional Republicans are pushing through a budget that reduces funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) by $40 million. This year, more than 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. Due to the investments we have made in research, prevention, and early detection, nearly 70% of to day's cancer patients will survive more than five years, compared to just 50% in 1976. These gains will be reversed if we do not maintain a vigorous federal commitment to biomedical research. The Republican budget carries with it senseless human costs. Dr. Evan Ross, a young medical doctor who has waged a valiant fight against cancer, has eloquently expressed below how our misplaced priorities are having far-reaching consequences on individual Americans: It is my understanding that the President's FY 2007 budget proposal calls for a cut of $40 million for the National Cancer Institute (which was cut .7 percent in FY 2006) . . . People like me need as much research as possible to be occurring. It's great that the President wants to fight a `war' in Iraq, but to do so at the expense of those Americans suffering when more can be done to fight the war on cancer is simply not right. I'm 36 years old and I've had cancer four times. I have a two year old son. I should be dead, or should have earned a medal of honor. Neither are true. Yet, I'm still here, trying to help people as best I can by integrating Eastern medicine into the Western world. I intend to get through this battle too, and when I do, it would be nice to know that someone out there is doing whatever he or she can to make sure I don't have to fight my own war yet again, rather than throwing more obstacles in my path. I urge my colleagues to consider the millions of Americans who are being hurt by the misguided policies of the Bush Administration and congressional Republicans. I urge you in the strongest terms to oppose this budget resolution and to support the advancement of medical research, affordable health care, education, environmental protections, and adequate housing for our citizens.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and I ask our colleagues to join us in recognizing the honorees at the 2006 University Synagogue ``Heroes Among US'' dinner being held on June 7, 2006. Located in Brentwood, California, University Synagogue is an important religious center for the Los Angeles Jewish community. Each year the synagogue honors individuals who make remarkable contributions to University Synagogue and the community. We are delighted to recognize this year's honorees. Susan Corwin is being named the University Synagogue Volunteer of the Year. Susan initiated a Mitzvah Corps program at University Synagogue in 2002. She has nurtured the program to include a Bikkur Holim component for visiting the sick, outreach to new parents, Shabbat Shuttle, Caring Callers and Rosh Hashanah Remembrance. She has also helped launch support groups, including the Fifth Commandment Group, Parents of Special Needs Children, the Gay and Lesbian Social Outreach and the newly formed Cancer Survivors Network. Together with her able committee chairs, Susan has built a network of caring congregants who are reaching out to a wide range of community members. Susan also sits on the Board of Jewish Family Service for Gramercy Shelter, the Miracle Project and is the Regional Representative on the Jewish Family Concerns Committee for the Union for Reform Judaism. She considers her greatest accomplishments as being the mother of her soon- to-become Bar Mitzvah son, Joshua, along with her 15-year marriage to her husband Scott. Richard Weintraub is being named the Educator Honoree. He has a longstanding history of working with and on behalf of youth. He was the Director of the Youth and the Administration of Justice Project for the Mayor of Los Angeles, President of the California Council on Children and Youth and Supervisor of the Dare Plus Program, an after school program for at-risk youth. At University Synagogue Richard has been a Religious School Confirmation and Post-Confirmation teacher, as well as at Temple Judea and Wilshire Boulevard Temple, for more than 30 years. His work with teens has won him the admiration of the students and parents who participate in his programs. In August 2000, Sheriff Lee Baca selected Richard to serve as Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Director of Training. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing all training including Court Services, Custody Training, Professional Staff and Leadership Development and Los Angeles Sheriff Development University. Los Angeles City Council member Bill Rosendahl is being named the Community Honoree. Bill was elected in May 2005 to represent the 11th District, which includes the communities of Brentwood, Del Rey, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, West Los Angeles and Westchester.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sinai Temple of Los Angeles on celebrating its 100th year of service to the community. Established in 1906, Sinai Temple is part of the rich historic fabric of Jewish Los Angeles. First located at the corner of Valencia Street and 12th Place, it moved in 1956 to its current site at 10400 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. It is my privilege to represent Sinai Temple in Congress. Sinai Temple is the oldest Conservative congregation west of the Mississippi. It boasts a membership of 1800 family members whose origins trace from Europe and the Middle East, making it one of the largest and most diverse congregations in the United States. Under the leadership of its current Rabbi, David Wolpe, the synagogue has developed an impressive array of programs and services for the Jewish community in Los Angeles. One especially popular program is Friday Night Live, a social and spiritual Sabbath service drawing hundreds in the 21 to 39 age group. The monthly event has become a model for other communities and its success has now been replicated around the country. Over the last 100 years, Sinai Temple has become an anchor for the Jewish community, serving its religious, spiritual, and educational needs. The synagogue's vision for its next 100 years is to create Sinai: A Center for Jewish Life and Learning dedicated to the entire Jewish community through excellence in religious, educational, and social programming. I am delighted to recognize the Congregation's remarkable accomplishments and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sinai Temple on its first 100 years in Los Angeles.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, last week the USTR issued its annual Special 301 report evaluating intellectual property laws in foreign countries. During this year's review process, I wrote to Ambassador Portman along with a bipartisan group of my colleagues raising concern about the agency's consideration of complaints by the pharmaceutical industry against Israel. PhRMA had called on USTR to elevate Israel to the worst designation of ``Priority Foreign Country'' and work to block Israel's membership in the OECD because of pharmaceutical IP issues. I am glad to see that the USTR chose not to take these drastic steps. Such action would have been unwarranted and damaging to an important ally. However, I am deeply disappointed that Israel did remain on the ``Priority Watch List.'' Israel has worked in steadfast consultation with the U.S. to adopt broader protections for pharmaceutical products. Israeli lawmakers, under the leadership of then-Minister of Trade Ehud Olmert, passed legislation that strikes a balance between the need to provide strong protections for innovators and timely access to affordable treatment for the Israeli public. Similar to a U.S. law, commonly referred to as Hatch-Waxman, the Israeli system provides patent extensions for delays in the drug approval process as well as 5 years of exclusive marketing rights for new drugs that enter the market. This is far beyond the level of protection required by the World Trade Organization agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS). Yet, by keeping Israel on the ``Priority Watch List,'' the Special 301 report criticizes Israel just as harshly as major IP offenders like China and Russia, and more harshly than many other countries with weaker IP regimes. These inconsistencies raise serious questions about how the agency makes its designations. I am particularly concerned about the report's inordinate emphasis on the protection of pharmaceutical test data submitted for the approval of new drugs. Of the 48 countries named in the report, 28 were criticized for inadequate test data protection nearly double those cited on this issue in 2001. USTR has insisted that the TRIPS ``data protection'' requirement be strictly interpreted like a Hatch-Waxman provision that mandates a 5- year period during which a generic copy cannot be approved. As one of the principal authors of that legislation, I find this position at best misguided and at worst immoral. First, nothing in TRIPS requires any period of ``data protection,'' much less 5 years. Article 39.3 of TRIPS only requires protection from ``unfair commercial use'' and there is certainly no global consensus about what that actually means. Second, the U.S. system is not a ``one- size-fits-all'' solution that is appropriate for all countries. For many poor countries, adoption of five years of ``data protection'' will deprive their citizens of any and all access to life-saving drugs. When Special 301 Report designations become arbitrary and excessive, they lose their credibility and effectiveness. It is time for Congress to examine the process by which the USTR reviews intellectual property protection laws, weighs submissions from industry and related advisory committees, and ultimately, how it determines the status of the foreign countries in its annual report.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership has a problem. For 6 years, they have worked to give the big oil companies everything they could ever want, subsidies, environmental exemptions, loopholes and paybacks, and the results have been spectacular for the oil companies. ExxonMobil just announced first-quarter profits of over $8 billion. They now make more in a single quarter than they used to make in an entire year. They rewarded their CEO with a retirement package totaling nearly $400 million. Well, it is a different story for the American people. Gasoline prices have doubled. Home heating prices have soared. Natural gas prices have risen to unprecedented levels. And we are more dependent than ever on imported oil. The Republican leadership has a problem. They want desperately to blame State and local governments, to blame environmental requirements for the cost of gasoline. That is the myth they want to create. But the facts are completely different. Permits have been readily granted whenever refiners have applied for them. For instance, in Yuma, Arizona, permits have been issued not once but twice for the construction of a new refinery, but the oil industry refuses to actually invest and rebuild it. And recently, this project may have been dealt a death blow when the Mexican Government announced it would not supply the proposed refinery with crude oil. To the extent there ever was a problem with permitting refineries, Energy Secretary Bodman has stated that the problem was solved in last year's energy bill. Well, the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators delivered a letter to the House that said this legislation would have the opposite effect that is intended. It would almost surely delay the permitting process. Mr. Speaker, we need to reject this legislation. It is based on a faulty premise, repeals a law that is said to be successful and replaces it with an approach that will delay the permitting process. And presumably, it does all this so that we can claim we have done something about gasoline prices.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this week we commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day. With events in Israel, the United States and around the world, communities have gathered to memorialize the six million Jews murdered during World War II. This year, by a coincidence of the calendar, Yom Hashoah comes just days after the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and days before a rally planned in Washington to protest the genocide in Sudan. Each of these observances is a somber reminder that world inaction in the face of injustice leaves a tragic precedent for other acts of senseless bloodshed. The road from Armenia to Auschwitz was direct. If more attention had been paid to the innocent victims and those who perpetrated the atrocities against the Armenian people, the Holocaust might have been prevented. Perhaps if 60 years hadn't passed before the U.N. formally commemorated the Holocaust, international consciousness of other genocides like the massacres in Darfur could have been awakened sooner. While the U.N. General Assembly has finally committed to observing Holocaust commemoration annually, there is still tremendous complacency about modern day anti-Semitism. Many nations have stood idly by while Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attacks the Holocaust as fiction and aggressively calls for Israel's destruction. For example, Ukraine this year will mark the 65th anniversary of the Nazi massacre of more than 100,000 Jews at Babi Yar. Yet it took fierce pressure from the United States and Israel to urge the Ukrainian government to take a stand against MAUP, a local university that openly praises Ahmadinejad's anti-Israel statements, hosts anti-Zionism conferences, and actively distributes anti-Semitic propaganda across Europe. Memorials become relics if they do not stir our modern conscience. One of the reasons that Yom Hashoah was chosen to be commemorated on the anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising is to inspire in all of us a drive to fight back against injustice and intolerance. Today, let us not only pay tribute to those who perished. Let us pledge to stand up against governments that persecute their own people. Let us bear witness to the crimes against humanity that are occurring in our midst. And let us declare our commitment to fight the reemergence of anti-Semitism so that the cry ``Never Again'' rings true.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act. This legislation will strengthen bilateral sanctions and require timely action to penalize companies that violate the law. For too long, loopholes in the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act have impaired its effectiveness in starving international investment in Iran's oil and gas sector. Instead, investigations of sanctions violations have languished while subsidiaries of big oil companies like Halliburton have been able to do business in Iran without penalty. The bill will also increase support for groups that promote human rights and political reform in Iran. This despotic regime has stifled a once vibrant civil society with economic stagnation, media censorship, and oppressive religious extremism. By investing in the Iranian people we will help bolster those who are fighting for a better future. I am especially pleased that independent radio and television stations that broadcast in Iran will be eligible for assistance under this Act. Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian expatriate community in the world, has a number of successful satellite broadcasting programs that are highly popular in Iran. They are a valuable untapped resource for promoting democratic ideas, pluralism, and countering anti-Western rhetoric in Iran's state-run media. In the few months since the rigged election that brought him to power, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has managed to heighten propaganda to a level unseen since the revolution. With overt support for Hamas and Hezbollah and threats to destroy Israel and unleash suicide bombers against the United States and Britain, he has vocally advertised his government's nuclear pursuits and its prominent role as a state sponsor of terrorism. The U.N. Security Council's upcoming meeting to reexamine Iran's nuclear activities will be a crucial opportunity for resolute action. Iran's stonewalling of the IAEA has been egregious. The scope and clandestine nature of its nuclear operations belie its claims to be pursuing a peaceful civilian program. Its announcement that it has successfully enriched uranium makes clear that it fully intends to accelerate its enrichment efforts. The international community must develop a consensus to intervene and deter Iran from continuing on this destructive path. If we are to succeed, it is important that the Administration be more responsible in building its case against Iran than it was in pursuing action against Iraq. Unlike Iraq's nuclear program, which never materialized, Iran's program is real and much more dangerous. It is disturbing that our credibility is already being shaken by revelations that the White House may once again be pursuing exaggerated intelligence and a drumbeat toward preemptive unilateral military strikes. We cannot afford to alienate our allies or undermine the confidence and trust of the American people. As H.R. 282 shows, there are certain limited steps we can take on our own to have a positive impact. But there should be no illusion that it is in our interest or our ability to address this issue alone. Other nations have a stake in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and we must act in consultation.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my good friend why, when the committee that has jurisdiction over executive branch lobbying has a unanimous vote on a bipartisan bill to try to stop some of these egregious problems of the revolving door, why we couldn't get it on the floor?

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I will be blunt. Washington is mired in corruption. In this last year alone, the Vice President's Chief of Staff was indicted for obstructing justice. Two of the former majority leaders top aides have pled guilty to bribery and conspiracy. And a senior Republican Member of Congress was convicted of accepting over $1 million in bribes from military contractors. Yet this so-called reform legislation, this incrementalism that we should accept, is a complete and utter sham. In my committee, the Committee on Government Reform, we worked hard to pass true reform legislation of the executive branch, and on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 32-0, we reported legislation that would have closed the revolving door between K Street and the Federal Government. Our bill would stop lobbyists like the former Deputy Interior Secretary from using a high-ranking government position to benefit energy industry clients. It would prohibit senior officials, like the former Medicare Director, from seeking jobs representing pharmaceutical companies while writing prescription drug legislation. Our legislation would have ended secret meetings between lobbyists and executive branch officials like those that produced the deeply flawed White House energy plan. And it would have promoted open government, banned covert propaganda, and given national security whistleblowers long overdue protection. But what does the Republican leadership do when Committee Chairman Tom Davis and I jointly proposed these landmark bipartisan reforms and we asked that it be included in this legislation or give us a rule to report it out as separate legislation? They reject it. They would not give us an opportunity to bring bipartisan legislation to the floor. And then they stand here and say, we cannot do more because we do not have bipartisan support. But when we give them a bill on ethics and lobbying reform with bipartisan support, they ignore it and will not give us a chance on the House floor. A corrupt mentality governs in Washington, and there is no better metaphor for the contempt for reform that has infected this body than the treatment that our proposal received.

Mr. WAXMAN. If you yield me time, I would be happy to yield to you.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I certainly think what we have seen is a lot of corruption, and the resolution of how to deal with it ought to be bipartisan. We gave you a bipartisan proposal, which you would not bring to the House floor.

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California will not yield further to me?

Mr. WAXMAN. The gentleman will not yield further.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 91st anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide. We remember and mourn the mass killing of more than 1.5 million Armenians and the forced relocation of over one million others. The painful memory of this brutal campaign is only compounded by the Turkish government's refusal to acknowledge the events of history. Instead of recognizing the crimes perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, Turkish leaders have prosecuted journalists who write about the massacres. Turkey also continues to blockade Armenia and stifle its economic growth by locking Armenia out of the regional economy. Despite these challenges, Armenia has worked diligently to overcome its difficult past and make progress on democratic reform, promote development and expand public services. The United States has been a strong partner in this effort. In March, the U.S. and Armenia signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact to provide $235 million for programs to reduce rural poverty in Armenia over the next five years. Our close ties are further reinforced with the robust investment in the Armenian economy by Armenian businesses and communities across the United States. Today, as we remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, we endeavor to ensure that the atrocities are not forgotten. As we pay tribute to the survivors who preserved the history, culture and tradition that paved the way for the emergence of an independent Armenian state, let us pledge to continue building an even brighter future of prosperity and opportunity for the Armenian people.

Mr. WAXMAN

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Arab boycott against Israel is one of the worst vestiges of the Arab League's campaign to isolate and destroy Israel. Originating shortly after Israel's founding in 1948, the embargo's objective was to squeeze the fledgling Jewish state out of existence AND punish its allies. Israel's astonishing economic growth despite these constraints ultimately dulled the impact. Enforcement also declined after Egypt and Jordan signed peace treaties with Israel. However, the boycott continues to be a shameless exercise in blackmail. Support for the policy is unfortunately still widely popular in most Arab nations. Saudi Arabia, for its part, has been among the most vocal instigators rallying support for the boycott's continuation. Despite agreeing to provide Most Favored Nation status to all member states, including Israel, upon joining the WTO in November, Saudi Arabia continues to be a hub of boycott activity. In December, a Saudi official emphatically stated that the boycott would be maintained, and in March, the Saudi government hosted a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference aimed at continuing the embargo. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia's inconsistent track record is somewhat common among our Arab trading partners. In October 2005, just one month after Bahrain signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, the Bahraini parliament voted to reject its government's decision to lift the anti-Israel embargo. Likewise, the United Arab Emirates, which is currently negotiating an FTA with the United States, has kept the policy in place. The issue recently got attention when it was revealed that a Dubai company seeking to take over operations in six U.S. ports complied with the boycott. It was revealed that the Department of Commerce's Office of Antiboycott Compliance had fined several U.S. companies in the last year for abiding by UAE's boycott rules. Oman, which has an FTA now pending before Congress, opened a trade mission with Israel in 1996, but closed the office several years later in response to anti-Israel demonstrations. The international trading system is designed not only to promote prosperity but to foster peaceful relations between nations. The United States has invested a great deal of time and effort in negotiating new trade pacts in the Middle East to build stronger ties between our countries and among our regional partners. But it is not acceptable to continue along this path if Israel is to be left out. Israel is a valuable economic partner of the United States and a strategic ally. It would be a tactical error, a moral blunder, and a departure from our own anti-boycott laws, to continue expanding our trade ties with countries like Saudi Arabia that refuse to abide by their commitments on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this measure and take a firm stand to put an end to Saudi Arabia's duplicitous actions.