Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I want to go back if you don't mind. I want to go back to the chart that I was referring to earlier. One of the things that we do try to do, and I am pleased to see that our colleagues from Florida and Ohio have joined us now. But when we talk about $8 trillion, and when we talk about what a billion means, we have come up with a chart that kind of tries to boil that down. This chart will help people; it has helped people understand the notion of how much a billion is. A billion hours ago, humans were making the first tools in the Stone Age. A billion seconds ago, it was 1975 and the last American troops had pulled out of Vietnam. A billion minutes ago, it was 104 A.D., and the Chinese first invented paper. And then, of course, under the leadership of this Congress, and this administration, a billion dollars ago was only 3 hours and 32 minutes at the rate that the government spends money today. That is a startling contrast, and I have some excellent staff work that went into developing that, that figured that out and boiled down what a billion is. But when you think about it that way, that means that we are spending money at a startling clip and that given how much in other definitions it took to get, it takes to get to a billion, it is really amazing when you look at it in these terms.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Tough love is something that unfortunately the word ``no'' gets thrown around a lot more than I would like, than my kids would like to hear. ``No'' doesn't seem to exist in this body, at least under this leadership in the Congress.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. And, boy, as moms, we certainly have a lot of practice at that.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Just to further explain the concept of PAYGO, we, as Democrats, have repeatedly introduced amendments and other proposals that would reestablish those PAYGO rules, the pay-as-you-go rules, and we have supported them. We have put all of our votes up on the board here that shows where we are versus where our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are, and Democrats have consistently supported returning to pay as you go, returning to the time when we didn't have to talk about a deficit, where we had a surplus, which was just before this, the beginning of this administration's tenure. And it would be wonderful if we could get back to talking about how we were going to spend the surplus, which we wish we had, when now, unfortunately, we are mired in debt and mired in deficit

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. So when we are on the floor here, I often try to boil down what those numbers mean in more simplistic terms. I can tell you that we, what we do is we talk about how it relates to someone's household budget. And you know, of course, families, millions and millions of families across this country struggle every day to balance their budgets to make sure that they are not spending more than they take in. And they are hoping that they are not racking up credit card debt and trying to balance all the needs that their family has, plus, you know, hopefully buying a few things that maybe aren't necessarily a need, but are just a want. I mean, that is something that in America we all strive to be able to accomplish. But unfortunately, in Washington, when we got here, we found that there seems to be, between the two sides here, an ongoing struggle over whether or not it makes sense, amazingly, to not spend more than you take in.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. You just can't have it all. I mean, the other story that I share with people when we are here on the floor during this 30-something hour is it is like when we talk to our kids. You know, sometimes my 6-year-old twins will say, Mom, you know, I really want, we will be in the toy store and they want everything in every aisle. And, you know, gosh, I would love to buy them everything in every aisle. But often, I have to say ``no,'' and then I try to explain to them, you know, our budget, the money that mom and dad earn really only enables us to afford to buy you some of these things. You can't have everything you want.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. We talk about the deficit quite a bit in our 30-something hour, and one of the ways that I sort of try to boil it down, because, you know, when you think about the number 8 trillion, especially, I mean, I imagine you were talking to seventh graders, and 8 trillion is a really big number. Even $27,000 is a big number.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I think you need to stress that again. How much is every American's share of the deficit?

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, we spend a great deal of time at the end of the day talking about some of the frustrations about this job. The gentlewoman from Illinois and I, two of the few women Members, particularly in the freshman class that we were elected to, as were you, Madam Speaker, in 2004, who are moms with young kids that are trying to balance work and family. We find ourselves at home talking about that a lot. Ms. Bean, when you and I are sharing frustrations and stories about concerns that we have and that our constituents have, I find that we often end up talking about it in the context of our kids and the children of our constituents. I know you have a story that you talk to your constituents about, and you were telling me about the seventh graders in your district that you were talking to. I think that is a really neat story you should share.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be here once again with the 30-Something Working Group, and I want to thank the Democratic leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), for giving us the opportunity to spend some time talking tonight about the priorities of the American people. I am thrilled this evening to be joined, as we come to the end of Women's History Month, to be joined by my fellow freshman colleague and also my roommate while here in Washington, D.C., the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Bean).

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. It was wonderful to have you join us. I will see you at home.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. The far right.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month of 2006, we recognize and celebrate the contributions of great American heroines who have built a legacy for women leadership over the 230 years of our Nation's history. In celebration of this year's Women's History Month theme, ``Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams,'' I call upon each of us to dedicate ourselves to making the future for all of America's girls and women full of hope and opportunity. Today I salute the work of two extraordinary women and two exceptional young girls from Florida's 20th Congressional district. But first I would like to commend Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, who addressed the Congress just last week. She represents the aspirations and expectations of women in Liberia, Africa and women all over the world. Now I would like to recognize two young women from the 20th District of Florida, Taryn Daley of Davie and Katie Bonilla of Weston, who started 10 lemonade stands to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Taryn, 12, and Katie, 11, were inspired by their mitzvah project, which is a part of their bat mitzvah requirements of public service and a national program known as Alex's Lemonade Stand, an idea started by a young girl named Alexandria ``Alex'' Scott who was diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer. In less than 2 weeks, Madam Speaker, Taryn and Katie found more than 30 volunteers, enlisted a group of sponsors, and raised $3,000 to fight childhood cancer. These two young ladies are proof that this generation of young women are dream builders. Their courage and compassion gives us all hope for a brighter future. They will inspire more young women to make the world a better place. Next I would like to recognize the City of North Miami Beach police chief and president of the Miami-Dade Association of Chiefs of Police, Linda Loizzo. Linda is a true trailblazer. She has served the North Miami Beach Police Department for 32 years in a number of capacities: deputy chief, assistant chief of operations, major in charge of administrative services, commander in charge of the investigative division, and supervisor of several special support services units. Linda was the first woman promoted to the rank of sergeant, the first woman promoted to the rank of lieutenant and major, and the first woman promoted to the rank of chief of police from the North Miami Beach Police Department. Her work doesn't stop there. Linda is also the regional director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association and she serves on numerous organizational boards. Without question, Linda represents the best of our Nation's first responders. The National Association of Women in Law Enforcement estimates there are more than 16,000 police departments in this country, which is just slightly more than 200 female police chiefs. Chief Loizzo didn't just break down walls in a male-dominated profession. She shattered and crumbled stereotypes in all professions and particularly those in law enforcement. Finally, I want to recognize Cindy Arenberg-Seltzer, president and chief executive officer of the Children's Services Council of Broward County. Across the country there are millions of children that long for stability and hope in their lives. In Broward County, the needs of this vulnerable population are vast. In 1999 there was a critical need for programs to make essential services available to children who face abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Cindy was a powerful voice in leading the charge for a Broward County ballot initiative to designate family program funding. The initiative passed overwhelmingly with 70 percent of Broward voters approving. Since that time, Cindy has been instrumental in helping to ensure that each child will live in a safe and loving environment and has the resources needed to grow up healthy and strong. Today, Cindy serves as the board's chief executive officer and has led the effort to expand available funding to improve the lives of Broward's children. Madam Speaker, in a world where the magnitude of problems that face our children can be daunting, Cindy identified and fixed a problem with the system and continues to deftly refine and steer the program. Her leadership and passion for children has made a difference in the lives of many south Florida families and provided thousands of children with a future filled with unlimited possibilities. These women and young girls are doing what may seem like ordinary work, but they are leading extraordinary lives. Their work and service showcase what the theme of this year's Women's History Month was designed to celebrate and encourage. On behalf of the people of Florida's 20th Congressional District, I am proud to recognize their uncommon character and motivation in performing the work that successful communities and generations are built upon, and I am delighted to recognize them in the Congressional Record with this honor.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. If the gentleman would yield for a question, I am sort of the least senior of the four of us here this evening. I am a freshman. I have just gotten here a year ago. I am wondering, you are talking about the four letters that you have shown that Secretary Snow has sent to the Congress asking us, begging us, to increase the debt limit. Would this be the first time under this administration, Mr. Ryan, that that was necessary? Is it unprecedented? If we raise the debt limit this year, is it something that was an anomaly, was it something that had not occurred before?

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Delahunt, the point is the issue is so much bigger than this one port deal. This is emblematic of the tremendously significant problem. You cannot say even if this problem gets addressed, this port deal gets addressed, which it should, you cannot say, okay, we are done. It is so much deeper than that. Democrats have been constantly fighting for increased port security, and Republicans have not, plain and simple.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Not Mr. Meek, not Mr. Ryan, but the Coast Guard has requested $7.2 billion and gotten $910 million in congressional appropriations. That is a commitment right there to national security.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I thank my colleague, and I will now yield, Mr. Speaker, to the gentlewoman from South Dakota.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. One of the things I want to point out that I think is important to note is that the petition process that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) pointed out, that whole process has been scored by the GPO. They have estimated that it would cost $400,000 per petition. Should we be creating the obstacles to information that women need? I will give you an example. I have a 2\1/2\-year-old baby girl, and I first found out about the dangers of methylmercury when I was pregnant with her and my OB-GYN told me, do not consume tuna. Do not consume any oily-based fish. Think about someone who does not have the access to prenatal care that I had. We have absolutely got to make sure that depending on the levels of mercury poisoning in a particular body of water in different States, that each State be able to decide the type and method of information that they provide, and that we not leave only the ability to notify women and parents of young children about the dangers of methylmercury on a Web site put out by the FDA. That would be inappropriate. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield for the purposes of making a unanimous consent request to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich). (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, a woman who does not have access to prenatal care, who does not know that she is pregnant, who already has a high level of mercury poisoning in her bloodstream, as many, many women across this country do, and then becomes pregnant and continues to consume high levels of oil-based fish, how is that woman supposed to be advised that she should not continue to eat tuna, mackerel, salmon without going to the doctor? Is she likely to have access to a computer and the FDA's Website to get that warning? I really doubt it.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes. Mr. Chairman, Members, I ask your support of my amendment, which will add State fish and shellfish methylmercury notification laws to this act's current list of exemptions. The gentleman from Georgia outlined that if there is a problem with any food, that we should have national notification so that everyone in America may be notified regarding those concerns. The problem in particular when you are talking about fish and shellfish is that much of the problem deals with recreational fishing. So, for example, in Georgia, you might have a different level of mercury in the lakes and rivers there as opposed to the level of mercury in the lakes and rivers in Michigan. So it is imperative that we have the ability to notify, under a State's discretion the level of mercury poisoning and the caution and concern that those residents should have in that particular State. Methylmercury poisoning is a growing crisis in our country. The FDA recommends that pregnant women completely stop eating larger predatory fish, because the average methylmercury content per serving is so high that just one male is unhealthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children and pregnant women can have significant exposure if they consume excess amounts of fish. Several States have begun to address current mercury levels. In fact, 44 States have issued some form of a methylmercury advisory. Members, I know you all share my concern for our children's health and well-being. This amendment will not undermine the sponsor's intent. There are other exemptions in this bill. If there is any substance that we exempt and ensure that there can be differing levels of advisories across the country, it is methylmercury poisoning. Mr. Chairman, I urge the Members support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).