Transcripts For CSPAN House Session 20140305

Characterization of this as entirely budget driven . If it were entirely budget driven we would have accepted the levels of sequestration. As this hearing continues you can watch it online at cspan. Org and later in our program schedule. The house is gaveling for legislative work including a bill suspending the individual mandate penalty under the Affordable Care act. Live coverage here on cspan. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] we use this moment to be reminded of your presence and to tap the resources needed by the members of this peoples house to do their work as well as it can be done. As the world observes the tensions mounting within ukraine and venezuela, may we all know well the crippling effects of ideological divides. When a shared sense of National Unity might bring greater hope and possible solution to serious political problems. Send, o god, your healing grace upon those torn nations and upon the members of this assembly who struggle to see the shared hope for a Better Future and those with whom they disagree. All this day and through the week, may our representatives do their best to find solutions to pressing issues facing our nation. Please hasten the day when justice and love shall dwell in the hearts of all peoples and rule the affairs of the nations of earth. May all that is done this day be for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1 e journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance today will be led by the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Fitzpatrick i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair will entertain up to 15 requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina rise . Mr. Wilson i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. The speaker without objection. Mr. Wilson mr. Speaker, yesterday the president unveiled his budget and used the military as a punching bag to push his Big Government programs. According to a recent charleston post editorial, quote, congress should proceed with extreme caution before going along with the latest recommendations for savings through deep defense cuts. If america rapidly retreats from the world power status, our enemies will jump into the void. We cant unilaterally end the islamic readycal terrorist war on us and we shouldnt ignore history lessons about what happens when the United States tries to isolate itself from the menaces that threaten the international community, end of quote. At a time when threats are increasing and countries on nearly every continent are in turmoil, its naive for the president to downgrade our military strength. Maintaining our National Defense is the primary function of the national government. I find it dangerous that the president suggested this proposal which places American Families at risk of further attacks. We should follow the advice of the veterans of foreign wars, our nation is still at war. Peace through strength. In conclusion, god bless our troops and we will never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition . Without objection, the entlelady is recognized. Ms. Sanchez thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to a true champion for education, donald will, who passed away this past february. Dr. Donald will was a fevered advocate of peace and influenced Chapman Universitys role in promoting peace and the study of peacemaking. A member of the chapman faculty since 1987, don was described as a pillar of the Chapman Community for over 25 years. He came to Chapman University when we needed it most, we needed his expertise and the world needed his peace expertise. And he has had such a magnificent sent effect magnificent effect lasting until now. He put all of his heart and time from his academic and personal life into caring carrying out the pursuit of peace and dont we need it today in our world . His commitment to his students and to the value of peaceful relations shone brightly through his teachers, teachings, he leaves a Lasting Legacy of humility, humanity and dedication. As he strengthened the link between school and home, both locally, nationally and in an international way. Im honored to have known and to have worked with dr. Donald will. And i ask my colleagues to honor him today and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. The speaker mr. Speaker, my colleagues, i know the whole house is paying close attention to the crisis in ukraine. Whats going on there is more than a cause for concern, its a cause for action. America has a responsibility to stand up for freedom around the globe. And the house will work with the administration to support the ukrainian people and confront russian aggression. In fact, the house has already taken serious steps in this regard. For years weve been pursuing an alloftheabove energy strategy. Its part of our focus on the floor this week, in fact. Because developing our own resources just doesnt bring jobs home, it strengthens america abroad. Last month the energy and Commerce Committee released a report that says, and ill quote, by becoming a natural gas exporter, the u. S. Can you is plant the influence of other supplant the influence of other importers like russia and iran while strengthening our allies and trading partners around the world. The key word in that statement is can. We can is up plant russias influence but supplant russias influence but we wont as long as we have to contend with the Energy Departments achingly slow approval process. As we speak, the administration is sitting on 24 applications for natural gas exports, its approved just six in the last three years. This amounts to a de facto ban that only emboldins vladimir putin, allowing him to sell large quanltities of natural gas to quantities of natural gas to our allies. The American People have seen the threat that putin puts forward. They know something must be done. The president should do the right thing here and end this de facto ban so that we can strengthen our economy here and our security here and abroad. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Higgins madam speaker, in a recent nationwide realignment, the Transportation Security Administration made the decision to consolidate all Administrative Functions for its upstate region at the albany airport. I believe this decision was misguided and illogical and all of the other proposed consolidations around the country, smaller airports are being made sboordnant to larger airports. But in this case, inexplicably, the t. S. A. Proposes to make buffaloniagara Falls International airport sbordnant to albany, despite the fact that buffalos airport has twice the passenger volume as albany. Nearly 34 of all passengers flying out of buffalo are canadians and other foreign nationals which would seem to necessitate a more complex t. S. A. Operation. Mr. Speaker, t. S. A. s rollout of this proposed change has been full of inconsistencies and contradictions and thats why ive asked t. S. A. To reconsider this flawed decision and consolidate operations where it makes sense in buffalo. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the rare disease congressional caucus, i rise today in support of continued funding for tomb rouse demrecks research. In the fiscal year 2015 Department Deaf fence appropriations act. T. S. C. Is a genetic condition that afflicts an estimated 50,000 americans, causing tumors in the kidneys, lung, liver, heart, eyes, skin and brain. Researchers have linked t. S. A. To t. S. C. To seizures, autism and severe intellectual disability. Reserve on this condition is having research on this condition is having a notable impact on brain injury and other headcal medical conditions like cancer and diabetes. The t. S. C. Program at the department of defense is critical to our continued understanding of this continue. Condition. With me on the floor today, mr. Speaker, is a beautiful little girl, stephanie, from pennsylvania who has been diagnosed with t. S. C. Her brave spirit brings light to the importance of this cause and helps remind us of others living with this condition across the United States. It is crucial that we continue to band together as a community and a legislative body to support the Significant Research initiative. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. And the speaker will remind the members that we are the members are to refrain from referring to guests in our chamber. For what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. Madam speaker, i rise in great disappointment of the president s that the president s budget makes no provision for deepening the savannah harbor. Its a mainly throughway for all sorts of essential goods. The state of georgias collaborated with the federal government to ensure that the port is deepened to accommodate the larger ships that will soon come through the expanded panama canal. Mr. Barrow after decades of study, state and local stakeholders, congressional authorizers and appropriators, the corps of engineers, the urs are u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service have all endorsed this project as economically justified, cost effective, environmentally responsible and in the national interests. Vice President Biden recently visited savannah and promised wed get this project done come hell or high water. Only o. M. B. Now stands in the way. This project makes sense to almost everyone who studied it. I share the frustration of my constituents that it continues to be stalled by bureaucracy and urge the president to lead, follow or get out of the way of the effort to make this project happen. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. Madam speaker, as a Business Owner of 42 years, i know a few things about job creation and with more than 10 million americans out of work, its time to energize the energy business. We need to let the private sector drive our initiatives and promote the advancement of safe nuclear energy. Nuclear power sustains 100,000 highpaying jobs and 2,000 of those are in texas facilities. Mr. Williams in my district, the 25th district of texas, there are hundreds of highly skilled workers at a nuke plear plant who will Nuclear Plant who are doing a great job and doing great things to promote this clean, reliable and Inexpensive Energy source, less expensive than coal or natural gas. Texas plays a vie fal national and International Role Vital National and International Role in the development of new technologies and is among the 10 states with the greatest Nuclear Power generation capacity in the whole country. Nuclear energy should play a major role in our Nations Energy plan and thats why our policy should support it. Nuclear creates good jobs, puts billions of dollars in our economy and is a safe, clean and Reliable Energy source we simply cant afford to ignore. Lets move forward, in god we trust. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Tonko thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i rise today to ngratulate john burnmaster upon his nomination as chairman of the independent Community Bankers of america here in washington, d. C. The independent Community Bankers of america represents almost 7,000 Community Banks across our great nation, Financial Institutions that provide opportunity for our local Small Businesses and family farms, to expand operations, develop surrounding economies and hire locally. John will provide steady leadership for an 11person executive panel that draws expertise and knowhow from across the nation to support our small banks. Again, i congratulate mr. Burnmaster on his appointment and i look forward to working with him to boost small Financial Institutions and the Important Role in economic expansion on a community level. Thank you, madam speaker, and with that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania eek recognition . The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Thompson thank you, madam speaker. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the smith leaver act of 1914 which established the cooperative extension service, extension is a unique Educational Partnership among federal, state and local governments and the nations land grant universities to extend researchbased knowledge to the American Public and private industry. Over the years extension has connected individuals and families with resources and expertise of our nations Land Grant University system. In pennsylvania, Penn State University provides an educational network, working to help families make sound economic and nutritional choices and help business increase efficiency and trouble shoot production and industry challenges. Madam speaker, today the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences is on the hill with agricultural businesses and industry advocates to share with us the importance of cooperative extension services. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the smith leaver act, i want to give congratulations and recognition to the outstanding Penn State Extension team which is led by adam dean, chris and thank them for their important work to improve the lives and economic outcomes of countless families and businesses across the country. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition . The gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Hahn thank you, madam speaker. This month we join together as a nation to celebrate womens History Month. We pay tribute to the generation of women whose current, perseverance, and leadership have helped build our great nation. From everyday working mothers to women like civil rights icon rosa parks, and labor activist, doloresa werta. Our journey would not be possible without these great women and so many others who proudly took the seat at the table an front of the bus to chart the way for our nations progress. But while progress has been made in gender equality, we still have a lot more to do. When 2 3 of the minimum wage workers are women in this country, and nearly a third of families headed by a single female are living in poverty, instead of simply using womens History Month to highlight the contributions of Women Leaders, lets take this opportunity to examine the current challenges facing our mothers, sisters, our daughters and ensure that these women have workplace protections such as equal pay, affordable childcare, and medical leave. Our success as a nation hinges on the success of women because we know when women succeed, america succeeds. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the entlelady from florida rise . Without objection, the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Roslehtinen thank you, mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure that i recognize the hardworking Women Leaders who throughout the years have made instrumental contributions to the district i so humbly represent, and to our entire south florida community. In fact, on march 13, the Miamidade County commission for women, the Parks Foundation of miamidade, and the miamidade Parks Recreation and open Spaces Department will be hosting the in the company of women awards in celebration of womens History Month. This annual celebration honors some of the exceptional women in our community in fields like art, communications, government, and athletics. The 12 honorees this year will join the ranks of many outstanding women, including my late mother, aganda ross, who was honored during their third annual in the company of womens celebration. As a fell recipient of a ward, also, i am pleased that this great passion and dedication of these Women Leaders will be recognized and it will inspire them to do even better work. Their many accomplishments are an example of what women everywhere can strive to attain. Congratulations to each award winner. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from virginia rise . Mr. Moran unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Moran thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the president submitted a very modest but responsible budget request. Contains a host of very good ideas that should move this country forward. And that this congress ought to embrace. For example, on both sides of the aisle we agree that we ought to eliminate the waste of resources. But the greatest waste of resources is the waste of human potential. And it starts in the earliest years. So the president would extend access to prekindergarten education for all of our children, because he knows that that will enable us to have a far more prosperous economy and more cohesive society. And he would pay for it with revenue from tobacco taxes. A great idea. Similarly he would take 4 billion in subsidies we give the oil and gas industry, invest it in new cleaner alternative energy. He takes 300 billion and invest it in surface infrastructure. I was just over in uzbekistan this month, they have a faster, more modern rail system than we do as does china. Those are the kind of good ideas that could move this country forward that this congress should embrace. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from california rise. Without objection, the gentleman s recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to remember and ask this house to adjourn in the memory of a dear friend from rich vail, california. Mr. Howl, who passed away on january 29. Mr. Lamalfa he was a long Time Community leader, early in his life he served in our United States air force in world war ii. He was born in chesterfield, idaho, later moving to kingsburg in central valley, california. He would want to be most known for not just saving our country in world war ii but also saving souls. He dedicated most of his life in his church, his community, to helping people know about god. Thats what clyde would want us to know. Clyde dearly loved by the community and he had a way to reach everything, including youth. Even though a guy you might think this his 80s, he had a way of talking to the young folks with that wry, crooked smile and twinkle in his eye and tap on the shoulder, he had a way of connecting with people that was unique and certainly enjoyed and loved by his community. He is survived by many, many family members, and we will all miss him in the community. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentlelady from ohio rise . Without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Rise today in honor of march being womens History Month. Ms. Beatty i rise today to say thank you for all the services of the women in the third Congressional District and the 102 women who serve in the 113th congress in the house and senate. I rise because we know when women succeed america succeeds. I ask you to join me in making 014 a year of action by having equal pay for having equal work. Affordable childcare and access to health care. This afternoon im honored to join swin cash, twotime olympic gold medalist, as we initiate the lets move initiative in honor of the first ladys lets move. So, too, america i say, lets do this thing in honor of women. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The chair recognizes for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Poe mr. Speaker, first putin invaded georgia. Now the russian bear is after the ukraine. Ukraine is almost totally dependent on russia for energy. Russia imperialism has proven its willing to use gas as a political, economic weapon to intimidate its neighbors. Twice it turned off the fuel switch in the ukraine, and i was even in the ukraine the last time putin turned off the gas during the winter. It was cold. Many other european nations are also at the mercy of the kremlin when it comes to energy. We can help European Countries who depend on imperialialistic russia for energy by selling them natural gas from america. The demand is there and the american supply is overwhelming. The only thing standing in the way are the bureaucrats in the department of energy. Thats why today im introducing legislation that would require the department of energy to expedite and approve permits to the ukraine, all former soviet nations, and all members of the european union. Lets eliminate russias natural gas monopoly. Lets respond to russian aggression. Lets encourage europeans and former soviet republics to buy america. And thats just the way it is. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana rise . Unanimous consent to address the house. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in honor to honor the memory of a two statesman who was a Guiding Light for louisiana for many years. Im talking about former Louisiana Attorney general William Billie gust. He he passed away last summer but i want to take a moment to discuss his impact on my home state and discuss who he was as a man because he represents what was best about louisiana. You see, mr. Speaker, he was a fighter. Mr. Richmond he fought for what was right. Fought for average louisiana citizens. He fought tooth and nail for environmental justice, racial fairness, coastal restoration, affordable housing, and for the homeless. During his 20 years of service as attorney general, he was always trying to fight for things that he believed would help ordinary average people. We should remember this lesson, mr. Speaker, so that we remember that our fight should mean something. We should fight to improve the lives of our constituents not to win political battles. Growing up in louisiana i am a direct beneficiary of billie gus courage to do what was truly right and truly compass gnat. In that tradition, mr. Speaker, i say we must honor his legacy by doing the same. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. I rise today to honor a truly great kansas and American Hero who embodies every sense of the term public servant. Mr. Yoder senator bob dole has spent his life in service to the American People as a soldier, he served as a member of this house, senate, and ran for president. We in kansas are so very proud of senator doles legacy as our native son. 10 years ago the university of kansas, my alma mater, completed construction and opened to the public the robert j. Dole institute of politics on k. U. s beautiful west campus. Its official mission is promote political and civil participation, as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan balanced manner, end quote. This is precisely what senator dole stood for in his career and what his legacy, the Dole Institute, promotes today. We all congratulate the university of kansas on the 10year niff of the Dole Institute and congratulate and continue our appreciation for senator dole and all the work he does for his state of kansas and his country. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentlelady from tennessee seek recognition . The gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Blackburn thank you, mr. Speaker. The president filed his budget yesterday and what a budget it is. It is going to increase spending by 791 billion. Thats right. Billion with a b. You would think we had all this money to spend. And when you look a little deeper, you see that the priorities are all askew in this budget. I want to point out just one to my colleagues. And it deals with the Tennessee National guard. And the way they are being adversely impacted by what this budget is bringing to bear. What the you president would want to bring to bear. Flew thessee guard has helicopters through afghanistan. They used them in our natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the tennessee floods, and today due to that budget that i have mentioned that the president filed yesterday, would he like to put them on the chopping block, all 30 helicopters, 692 soldiers, 113 workers, all on the chopping block. Lets talk about priorities. It is our responsibility in the house to get this right. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, by direction of the committee on rules i call up House Resolution 497 and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 88, House Resolution 497, resolved, that at any time after adoption of this resolution the speaker may, pursuant to clause 2b of rule 18, declare the house resolved into the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for consideration of the bill h. R. 3826, to provide direction to the administrator of the Environmental Protection agency regarding the establishment of standards for emissions of any Greenhouse Gas from fossil fuel fired electric utility generating units, and for other purposes. The First Reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and Ranking Member of the committee on energy and commerce. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under fiveminute rule. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the fiveminute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of rules Committee Print 11340. That amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. All points of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived. No amendment to that amendment in the any ture of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in the report of the committee on rules accompanying this resolution. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the house or in the committee of the whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment, the Committee Shall rise and report the bill to the house with such amendments as may have been adopted. Any member may demand a separate vote in the house on any amendment adopted in the committee of the whole to the bill or to the amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original text. Without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Section 2, upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order to consider in the house the bill h. R. 4118, to amend the Internal Revenue code of 1986, to delay the implementation of the penalty for failure to comply with the individual Health Insurance mandate. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except, one, one hour of debate equal request divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on ways and means, and, two, one motion to recommit. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas, mr. Burgess, is recognized for one hour. Mr. Burgess thank you, mr. Speaker. For the purposes of debate only, i yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlelady from new york, ms. Slaughter, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for as much time as he wishes to use. Mr. Burgess during consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purposes of debate only. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, House Resolution 497 provides for the consideration of two bills. One of which addresses the countrys worsening Health Insurance situation due to the Affordable Care act and the other addresses the Environmental Protection agencys attempts to cripple our economy with costly regulations which have dubious health benefits. The rule before us today provides for one hour of debate for each bill controlled by the primary committee of jurisdiction. The committee made in order every amendment considered submitted for consideration to h. R. 3826, the electricity security and affordability act, including three amendments offered by the democrats, five amendments offered by republicans. Finally, the minority is afforded the customary motion to recommit on each bill, allowing for yet another opportunity to amend the legislation. This is a straightforward rule for consideration of two very important bills. H. R. 3826, the electricity security and affordability act, is a bipartisan response to the Environmental Protection agencys wrongheaded approach to our energy future. This was carefully crafted by democratic senator from West Virginia and the republican chairman of the energy and power subcommittee. The bill requires the Environmental Protection agency to acknowledge within its Greenhouse Gas regulations that difficult sources of fuel, ditch sources of fuel, such as different sources of fuel, such as natural gas and coal, require different regulatory actions. Power plants that are already up and running, providing heat to our nation which is currently under the throes of a significant cold snap, this limitation exists until congress has weighed in and passed a law specifying an Effective Date for the regulations to begin. Finally, as is just good government, the bill requires strengthened reporting requirements from the Environmental Protection agency. One of the most frustrating parts of the e. P. A. s new venture in regulating our existing Energy Infrastructure is that the e. P. A. Has actively blocked proper congressional oversight from receiving the science and calculations used in crafting these new costly regulations. And that simply must end, mr. Speaker. If the Environmental Protection agency is proposing new regulations because they believe they will truly make Americans Healthier, let them share the data. Let them share the data with the United States congress so it can be peerreviewed. Both the energy and Commerce Committee and the Science Committee have continually been ignored when requesting such data. That is unacceptable. That must end. This legislation is a step toward bringing accountability to an agency that for too long has run rough shod over our economy. The second bill contained in this rule, h. R. 4118, suspending the individual mandate penalty law, addresses the disparity that president obama and secretary sebelius have created between big businesses, which has been given a reprieve to having to comply with the mandates in the Affordable Care act, and individual americans who have been given no such help by this president. Just this week the press reported that the administration will delay yet another provision of the Affordable Care act by allowing insurers to continue Offering Health plans that do not meet the Affordable Care acts minimum coverage requirements. It is becoming so commonplace for this administration to waive or ignore provisions, provisions by their own admission, this is their signature law, and they continue to waive provisions and the American People cannot seem to get an even break and no one even seems to notice anymore. There is little doubt that this is exactly what the president is hoping for. In the last eight months, the president has delayed or modified over 22 provisions in his Signature Health care law. Were all familiar, weve all seen the headlines. Delays in the preexisting condition program, delays in the employer mandate, delays in the reporting requirement, changing the rules under which congress has to buy insurance, delay, delay, delay in his own law. The president has been quick to fix parts of the law that have political consequences for his allies and to protect his own talking points. Yet, where is the president s protection for the American People . Under the Health Care Law, americans who dont have Health Insurance and refuse to purchase a governmentapproved insurance policy will face an annual fine, an annual fine that increases every year. However, purchasing a governmentapproved plan also means you got to pay big premiums. You got youre forced to navigate a dysfunctional website, you may lose the doctor that you like and placing your personal information in jeopardy on an unsecure website. Today republicans are offering a legislative solution to help americans get out from under the crushing weight of the socalled Affordable Care act. H. R. 4118, also known as the simple fairness act, will give hardworking americans the same relief that the president , that the president has already given to big businesses across the country. The administration has no problem delaying the employer mandate, not just once for 2014, but a second time, for another full year for employers with 51 to 100 employees. Shouldnt that same relief be provided to rank and File Americans . The president has refused to work with congress. Refused to work with congress to change the law so that today were moving ahead and doing what is right for the American People. The simple fairness act will eliminate the penalty for 2014 for those individuals who choose not to purchase a governmentapproved Health Care Plan. It is clear that h. R. 4118 offers the only feasible life line to millions of americans who are faced with purchasing an Expensive Health care plan, an Expensive Health care plan that does not meet their needs. It is congress job to protect the American People. I urge my colleagues to pass this rule so washington can stop making decisions about Americans Health care and instead individuals can be free to decide for themselves. I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on the rule and yes on the underlying bills. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves his time. For what purpose does the gentlelady from new york seek recognition . Ms. Slaughter i thank you, mr. Speaker, and i certainly thank my friend from texas for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. And yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york is recognized for as much time as she wishes to consume. Ms. Slaughter mr. Speaker, this is just nor not an ordinary day. This is very this is just not an ordinary day. This is an extraordinary thing thats happening here. Particularly for those of who you watch congress a lot and want to know what it is were about. Thanks very special occasion here, this is a very special occasion here, as you can see by this poster on our right, we are celebrating a Double Golden anniversary. Today the majoritys holding the 50th vote to repeal or to otherwise undermine the Affordable Care act under the 50th closed rule. Now, to people who dont understand what a closed rule is, that means this rule is coming to the floor to debate these bills were which were not allowed to be amended. Thats not exactly an open congress in a great democracy. The majoritys defied all expectations in reaching those milestones today. And as one often does when celebrating a colleagues 50th birthday or acknowledging a friends 50th wedding anniversary, i want to take a moment to reflect on all the majority has done to achieve this great honor. Indeed, american many ericans, including myself, didnt think wed see a 50th repeal because why would Congress Want to take Health Care Away from people . And i remember back in 2012 when cbs news reported the majority had spent 80 legislative hours, costing approximately 48 million, to hold 33 votes to repeal the a. C. A. Thats just the amount of money spent on floor time. And committee time. And theyve held the 33 votes at that time to repeal the Affordable Care act. Given the incredible waste of time and taxpayer money, i was hopeful that the 33rd vote might be the last. But the majority has persevered. And continued to ignore the nations pressing priorities to make it to todays 50th vote. Of course getting this far wouldnt have been possible without the help of a closed legislative process. A process that has allowed the majority to pursue a 50th vote without pause. Last year the majority presided over the most closed session in history. And repeatedly passed closed rules that shut out the voices of the nearly 200 duly elected members of congress who sit on my side of the aisle. And now today the majority is presenting their 50th closed rule in order to hold their 50th gonowhere vote to repeal the Affordable Care act. Its truly amazing that the majoritys managed to hold a single vote 50 times while so Many Americans and so much of the world cries out for help. As we know, there are global crisises from ukraine to afghanistan. There are at Home Millions still looking for work, millions more working for a minimum wage upon which they cannot survive. In fact, just this week the number of americans whose emergency Unemployment Insurance has expired will surpass two million individuals, including almost 200,000 veterans. We could have averted the crisis weeks ago and we have tried numerous times to do that, but the majority has repeatedly said no and indeed some of our colleagues have said it would be immoral. To help out those who have no money coming into the house. Meanwhile, the center for American Progress released a report today that found that raising the minimum wage to 10. 10 an hour would reduce federal spending on food stamps. 4. 6 billion a year and despite a similar estimate from the congressional budget office, this declaring that raising the minimum wage would lift 900,000 people out of poverty, the majority refuses to join my democratic colleagues and me to give america a raise. Mr. Speaker, there are dozens if not hundreds of bills that deserve our consideration, but todays attempt to repeal a Good Health Care law is not one of them. In fact, i have a list of 50 votes that we could be taking today instead of another vote to repeal the Affordable Care act. Everything from rebuilding our crumbling bridges and roads to creating American Manufacturing jobs. And i ask unanimous consent to enter the list into the congressional record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Slaughter of particular importance is a bill that i authored called the preservation of antibiotics for medical treatment act. That will address the immediate crisis of antibiotics resistant diseases and help to save lives. And despite the urgent need to protect public health, weve been unable to even get a hearing on this important legislation. The majoritys refusal to take action on any of these pressing issues is truly an achievement, not one to be proud of. And i hope i have made it clear we cannot celebrate that achievement. Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that the milestone the majoritys reaching today will be the end of a line for the tired political game. We have far too many issues that need our attention and it is well past time that we got to work. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote no on todays rule and the underlying legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from texas, mr. Burgess. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, i yield myself two minutes for a response. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, there have been 36 changes to the Affordable Care act since it was signed into law. Its been a little over three years since the bill was signed into law, 36 changes means one a month. How do those break downs occur . 15 Times Congress has passed and the president has signed legislation changing the Affordable Care act. Twice the Supreme Court modified the Affordable Care act, but 19 times president obama has made a change unilaterally. We are here today debating a delay on the penalties under the individual mandate, but it might interest the congress to know that the president himself delayed the individual mandate. The administration changed the deadline for the individual mandate by declaring the customers who purchased insurance by march 31 will avoid the tax penalty. Previously and by law they were required to purchase that insurance by valentines day, february 14. So theres already been a sixweek delay. We are simply trying to place in code what the president is doing unilaterally. You want to talk about a closed process where people dont have an opportunity to participate, that is governing by executive fiat. That is what we are trying to stop today. Ill reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves the balance of his time. Without objection, the gentleman from colorado will control the time for the minority. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Polis i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for as much time as he wishes. Mr. Polis i want to come to the floor to wish the republicans a happy anniversary. I brought a gold ring. This is the 50th repeal of obamacare. I want to wish my colleagues a happy 50th anniversary for the repeal of obamacare. Like any marriage that lasts 50 years, it takes a lot of work, but the American People have shown that they want this marriage to last. They have shown that by reelecting barack obama was president. They have shown that by electing a senate that wont even consider a repeal of the Affordable Care act. But also like any marriage, it takes work along the way to improve it, to work at it, to make changes to it, and democrats stand ready to work with president obama to finetune this wonderful marriage celebrating the 50th anniversary of its repeal here today. To make sure it endures for another 50 repeal votes by the House Republicans here in the coming months. We are ready to make the changes that we need to to ensure that the Affordable Care act works for every american. Theres issues in the implementation in my district. Two of my counties, summit and eagle county, have among the highest insurance rate in the exchange in the entire country. These two counties. Now, thats due to a problem that the state had in implementing it, but we would love to work with republicans on a federal fix for eagle and Summit County and the other colorado counties affected by it. I would be proud to work with my colleagues to replace the revenue in the medical device tax with other sources of revenue. To n sure the Affordable Care act works to ensure the Affordable Care act works. Theres a lot of great ideas. Perhaps its time rather than continue to celebrate anniversaries of repeal that we enter couples counseling sessions together and we Work Together in trying to find Common Ground. Rather than talking about repealing obamacare and going back to a system we know wasnt working in which 40 million americans didnt have health care insurance, in which americans and my constituents and yours were frustrated that year after year rates were going up 10 , 15 , 20 rather than going back to a formula we know didnt work. Lets enter couples counseling and Work Together to make Health Care Work in our country. To talk about a path forward with the president , with democrats, with republicans, with independents to ensure that these Cost Increases that have been epidemic the last couple decades come to an end. That we can extend coverage to more American Families. That we can ensure that the quality of health care that is our nations pride can tun to be available to americans regardless of their economic background. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado reserves. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess again, mr. Speaker, i would emphasize there have been changes by administrative action. Some 19 that president obama has done all on his own without any influence from congress. Now, if the gentleman were truly interested about an offset for repealing the medical device tax, perhaps he might look more favorably on the bill before us today, 4118, congressional budget office, a significant savings, by passing 4118, perhaps theres other things that could be done with that money as well. Nevertheless the president has on his own delayed employee reporting, delayed subsidies through the federal exchanges, delayed he closed the highrisk pool. Hes doubled the allowable deductibles. Hes required selfattestation and eliminated the reporting requirement under the law that he signed in march of 2010. He last fall said, ok, i give up, insurance can offer plans we just told you were illegal. That they were crummy insurance. And now we are going to allow them to be offered again. All of these were actions taken by the executive under a closed process with no input or oversight by the peoples house, by the United States house of representatives. Ill riff the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves his time. The gentleman from colorado. Mr. Polis i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Polis isnt that wonderful. Isnt this great that the president has made 19 changes to improve the Affordable Care act, to make it work . You know what . Thats what a marriage takes. Thats whats helped the Affordable Care act withstand the 50th vote to repeal it here in the house. Had the president been unflexible just like in a marriage where one partner is inflexible, it would have been harder to survive 50 votes to repeal the Affordable Care act. Here we are celebrating the golden anniversary of repeal votes, 50 votes, but thanks to the president s flexibility with 19 changes, hopefully more along the way, to ensure that all americans have access to Affordable Health care, that no american faces price discriminationar kept out of a plan because of a preexisting condition, that people can move between employers, somebody can leave a Large Company to be a entrepreneur and have a startup without worrying about losing their health care. They have a preexusting condition. Making sure that Young Americans as they are trying to find a job or working parttime can stay on their parents plan. Make sure americans have a real choice in the exchanges to choose between multiple providers. These are some of the elements i think the American People want to keep. One of the reasons that this Health Care Act is not only width stood 50 votes to repeal and celebrating its golden anniversary, but will survive the next 50 votes the House Republicans choose to have to repeal the Affordable Care act. The American People want to see changes to make it work. We applaud the president for the 19 changes he made. We encourage him to use the discretion we rightly gave him under the Affordable Care act to help make it work. We encourage discretion at the state level, many governors, like governor of connecticut and others have shown to make the Affordable Care act work in their state. We applaud the fact there is over 200 billion of deficit reduction in the Affordable Care act if we can find Additional Savings and replace lost revenue, we are certainly open to that discussion. I rise in celebration of having width stood 50 repeal votes. We are ready for the next 50. We use these opportunities to highlight the American People on the benefits of the Affordable Care act. And to say we are ready to have a real discussion with republicans to exert our legislative privilege to make changes. In the absence of that we applaud the president in using the ability that is we gave him under the act to help make sure the Affordable Care act truly makes health care more affordable for American Families. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado reserves. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess i yield myself two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized, two minutes. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, heres the Affordable Care act. The president said its the law of the land. How does it describe the Effective Date for the individual mandate . Under section 1501, subparagraph d, Effective Date, the amendments made by this section shall apply to the taxable years ending after december 31, 2013. Pretty ambiguous, pretty unambiguous, pretty easy to understand. Doesnt have a lot of flexibility or wiggle room written into it. How does the language read that describes the Effective Date for the employer mandate . Well, that reads, section d, Effective Date, under section 1513, subparagraph d, Effective Date, the amendments made by this section shall apply to the months beginning after december 31st, 2013. It doesnt sound as if there is a lot of flexibility. Yet the president on his own found the flexibility within holly within the executive branch to say that Effective Date is no longer valid. We are simply saying for mr. And mrs. America, for the average american we should be able to delay the Effective Date of the penalty because this law has been a disaster from start to finish, stories about the website are now legion. We should give the same relief to the average american that the president gave to his friends in big business. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from colorado. Mr. Polis i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Polis this bill, this 50th anniversary, golden anniversary of obamacare repeals here in the house, 50th vote to he repeal the Affordable Care act, gutting mental parity, health parity, gutting protection for americans with preexisting conditions, went through no hearings, no markups, no amendments that are allowed to discuss or debate or vote on here on the floor of the house. This is not the process for improving the quality of health care for American Families. The American People have made it clear they want this marriage to last. They want to make it work. They know it requires hard work. The president has made 19 wonderful changes to the law. If im not a constitutional lawyer, if theres folks on the other side who want to sue the president who think that he did something contrary to the law we passed, they are certainly welcome to sue. I believe that the president was given broad discretion under the law to make it work. I hope that this legislative body takes up the gauntlet and makes the changes we need to make to make the Affordable Care act work. Any marriage takes effort. Here we have a marriage between Affordable Care act and the American People. And 50 votes to repeal it are not going to break up that marriage. Its a stronger marriage than that because the American People have voted on it. They didnt elect a president ial candidate who wanted to repeal the Affordable Care act. They didnt elect a senate that wanted to repeal the Affordable Care act. So here we are and we are welcomed to have another 50, 100, 200 votes to repeal the Affordable Care act, or we can get to work on an open process letting members of both parties offering floor amendments. This rule allows no floor amendments. Having a markup in committee, having hearings in committee about how we can deliver Better Health care value to the American People. How to make sure Affordable Care is available to every american family. Affordable for Small Businesses to make america more competitive. But instead of going through an open process, encouraging ideas from republicans and democrats to make Health Care Work in our country, we are presented with the 50th vote to repeal the Affordable Care act. In the absence of meaningful improvements in legislation, the president is using the authority that we gave him under this bill to make the changes that he needs to make to make sure the Affordable Care act works. This body can reassert itself and take back its prerogative whenever we want by passing commonsense, bipartisan bills to improve the Affordable Care act. But it truly is hypocritical to criticize the president out of one side of ones mouth for making changes that actually improve the law and make it work better, when here in this body we are refusing to make some of those same commonsense changes. I hope that if people think that there was authority in the law that exceeded they are welcomed to work that out in the courts. Thats what the court is for. The set of differences of separation of powers between executive and legislative branch, but i hope more importantly, because the American People care about Affordable Health care, that this body is willing to take up some of those improvements we can to make sure this marriage can ensure for the next 50 votes as well. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado reserves his time. The gentleman from texas, mr. Burgess. Mr. Burgess yield myself three minutes. It sounds as if the gentleman will vote for the bill under consideration today because after all it is an opportunity to give long suffering americans an opportunity to be out of the penalty part of the Affordable Care act. Lets be honest, this thing is one of the most coercive pieces of legislation that has ever been passed by the United States congress. I might just remind people here in the house of representatives that this law, which was h. R. 3590, was actually not subject to any hearings or any markups in the United States house of representatives. Maybe it was when h. R. 3590 first passed the house when it was a housing bill in july of 2009, but remember what became the Health Care Bill was the housing bill that was amended. The amendment read over in the senate, strike all after the enacting clause and insert. What was inserted was language written by special interests over in the cloakroom of the Senate Finance committee, was passed by the senate on christmas eve, and then thrown back over here to the house. Since the house had passed 3590 as a housing bill, not a tax bill like the Affordable Care act was, but as a housing bill the question before the house then became, well the house now concur in the amendments to h. R. 3590. It took three months for the speaker to cobble together the 217 votes that she needed to pass this thing, but h. R. 3590 was never heard as a Health Care Bill in my committee, the committee on energy and commerce, was never heard in the ways and means committee, was never heard on the education and labor committee. That was h. R. 3200. H. R. 3 00 is long gone. No one has seen it for years. H. R. 3590 is what is embodied in the president s Health Care Law. He so to say that everyone had a chance to participate in this and debate it, that is in fact hypocritical. And whats really hypocritical is hrment r. H. R. 35950, when it came back to the house, was presented to this house under a closed rule and that is a fact. And that is a fact that should be recognized by the minority. This bill was a product of a closed rule. Ill reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from colorado. Mr. Polis i yield myself such time as i may consume. Make no bones about it, the individual mandate is a lynch pin of romney care or whatever youd like to call it. Modeled on, in fact, the insurance reforms in massachusetts. This component is critical to ensure that people with preexisting conditions are not discriminated in pricing in the exchange. This is important to make sure we have a younger, healthier risk pool in the exchange, to bring down rates for all americans. If this bill were to become law, which it wont, its simply the 50th repeal of the Affordable Care act, the golden anniversary of repeals, the entire Affordable Care act structure, including the pricing and exchange, would go up for American Families and it would devastate health care reforms. So, this is not a bill that has support from the president , its not a bill that has support from the proponents of the Affordable Care act. It doesnt make the Affordable Care act better. It is in fact the 50th repeal of the Affordable Care act. I was on the education and labor committee, is what it was called at the time, two congresses ago, my colleagues from texas talked about the process under which the Health Care Bill was written. We did have a substantial markup. There were other committees, the ways and means committee, the energy and Commerce Committee, my committee was one of the committees that was reported out of, there were other committees it was not reported out of. This was an amazing process of writing this bill over the period of a year. In fact, we even in our Democratic Caucus meetings essentially functioned as a committee of our entire caucus, where we went through the bill page after page, we made suggestions, there were a number of bills that were written by republicans that were included in the Affordable Care act, amendments that i was involved with that were included and like in any legislative process, some that i advocated for were not included in the final bill. So unlike this bill, which had no hearing and no markup in any form, because the gentleman from texas is right, the bill number, this bill number didnt it came from the senate. Thats a normal process around here. We have sometimes bills from the senate we approve, sometimes they originate here and go over there. This bill number, this title came from Something Else and they approved it a reconciliation. But the Affordable Care act, the bill that led to it, went through my committee, i remember being up until i think 7 00 in the morning, we went straight through the night under chairman miller, making a number of amendments. Some passing and some not. Sometimes i was on the prevailing side, sometimes not. We had a lively discussion, amendments from democrats and republicans, some of which made it into the final bill and some of which didnt. Thats the legislative process. But to somehow compare that to the legislative process around this bill is like night and day. So though the gentleman from texas is technically correct, the bill number was a reconciliation from the senate that the house concurred with and sent back with some changes, the work that went into forming that bill had countless hearings and had several markups, including one that i participated in and offered amendments in. And voted for and against the amendments from both sides of the aisle in. So, again, we are where we are. We would love to see the Affordable Care act go through a process now, again, why not allow amendments under this rule . Why not allow republicans or democrats who have ideas to make health care more affordable offer them now to the floor . And if they pass they would move on to the senate. Instead we have a narrowly focused health care Affordable Care act repeal that makes Health Care Less affordable for American Families by leading to risk pool in the exchanges that is less healthy and older. We need to ensure that young people are part of the exchanges, young people want to have insurance, they want to have affordable insurance. Lets make sure they have a way to do that in the exchanges. This bill would repeal that. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado reserves. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, seeing no other speakers on my side, ill reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from colorado. Mr. Polis to the gentleman from texas, i say its possible ill have one more speaker. If i see her arrive i will yield to her. Otherwise im prepared to close. I yield myself the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Polis mr. Speaker, this week the number of people who lost their Unemployment Benefits as a result of Congress Fails to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program has climbed to two million americans. If we defeat the previous question, i will offer an amendment to the rule to bring up legislation that would restore Unemployment Insurance to provide muchneeded relief to countless families april cross the country and across the country and stimulate our economy. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the record along with extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Polis mr. Speaker, i do urge my colleagues to vote no and to vote no on the underlying bills. We could be doing a lot of important work here in the house. Rather than having i think what both sides would agree is a purely symbolic 50th vote to repeal the Affordable Care act, unless theres perhaps some that think that 50 is the magic number, i think anybody who has a degree of political sense realizes that the other 49 didnt go anywhere, this ones very unlikely to go anywhere. But rather than proceed with something that isnt going anywhere, that gives the democrats once again the opportunity to talk about how important it is to make health care more affordable and the American People overwhelmingly Want Health Care to be fixed, not repealed, we could be doing a lot of important things that the American People actually want this body to do. Lets talk about Immigration Reform. Theres a bill that passed the senate, democrats and republicans, 68 votes, its rare for more than 2 3 of the United States senate to come together around a commonsense solution and how did they do that . They did that because the American People want this problem solved. Theyre sick and tired of having over 10 Million People in this country illegally. And they should be. I am too. In my district theres tens of thousands of people that are there illegally. We dont even know because theres no way to even count. President obamas deported over two Million People, an enormous cost toaxpayers, 10,000 to 20,000 per deportation is how much that costs. Taxpayers. You and me, mr. Speaker. Guess what . Theres a bipartisan solution supported by the Law Enforcement community, supported community, supported by the business community, supported by the technology industry, supported by both the agriculture industry, farmers, and farm workers, supported by business and labor. Supported by the faithbased community. Supported by over 75 of americans across the political spectrum, supported by a majority of republicans, a majority of independents. That bills ready. Theres a bipartisan house version, h. R. 15, lets bring that forward under a rule. That vote that bill would have the votes to pass tomorrow if we brought it forward. We could send it to the president , we could reduce the deficit by over 100 billion, increase our g. D. P. , create hundreds of thousands of jobs for american citizens, which the bill has been scored, finally secure our borders so we have control over who comes and goes, both people and illicit products. Thats what the American People want. Lets get that bill through. Rather than celebrate yet another empty anniversary for the repeal of the Affordable Care act. I strongly suggest that my colleagues start bringing forward bills that the American People want to see pass. If we can bring forward Immigration Reform with bipartisan support and get it out of this body and to the president s desk, the American People will start to improve their opinion of this institution. When i see the polls and it says, oh, 15 approval is what congress has or 1 , its really no wonder or 12 , its really no wonder because its really like a broken record around here. Theyre frankly sick and tired of us every week it seems like repealing the Affordable Care act. And making health care more expensive for the American People. They dont want to see us talking about golden rings and 50th anniversaries. They want to see us solving problems. We offer the speaker and the majority leader the opportunity to do that. We welcome the republican immigration principles. Theres ample grounds to work on a bipartisan solution, based on h. R. 15 or another bill that has those principles that the republicans laid down, that we can find Common Ground to solve a very real problem, to grow our economy, reduce our deficit, secure our borders and ensure that america remains competitive in the global economy. I challenge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach a solution on that issue, to really move forward with regard to make health darer health care more affordable. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this closed process and closed rule, to defeat the previous question so the democrats can bring forward the Unemployment Insurance bill. And i also encourage my colleagues to vote no on the underlying bill and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado yields back his time. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Burgess mr. Speaker, ill yield myself the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess thank you, mr. Speaker. Talk about doing the will of the people. There was an election in texas yesterday. There was a question on the ballot. Do you support or oppose the president s takeover of the Health Care Industry in this country . 92 of the people were roared recorded as being in opposition. So in fact where i represent that is a significant amount. Todays rule provides for consideration of two bills, to provide relief for hardworking americans that are faced with the administrations expensive and restrictive mandates, both in Health Insurance and in the energy sector. , ant to thank my colleagues ms. Jenkins from kansas, as well as the chairman of the energy and commerce subcommittee on energy and power, mr. Whitfield from kentucky, for their thoughtful pieces of legislation. I edge courage my colleagues to vote i encourage my colleagues voluntary vote yes on the underlying rule, yes colleagues to vote yes on the underlying rule and the bill. I move the previous question on the resolution. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is on ordering the previous question on the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Mr. Polis mr. Chairman. On that i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 pursuant to clause 8 and clause 9 of rule 20, this 15minute vote on ordering the previous question will be followed by fiveminute votes on adoption of the House Resolution 497 if ordered. And the motion to suspend the rules on h. R. 938. This is a 15minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 221, the nays are 184. The previous question is ordered. The question is on adoption of the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Mr. Polis mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado. Mr. Polis on that i request a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a recorded vote has been requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 228 and the nays are 182. The resolution is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The Unfinished Business is the vote on the motion from the gentleman from california, mr. Royce, to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 938, as amended, on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 938, a bill to strengthen the Strategic Alliance between the United States and israel and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 410. The nays are one. 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The house will come to order. The house will be in order. Members will take their conversations off the floor. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from kansas seek recognition . Ms. Jenkins mr. Speaker, i call up the bill h. R. 4118, the suspending the individual mandate penalty law equals fairness act and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4118, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue code of 1986, to delay the implementation of the penalty for failure to comply with the individual Health Insurance mandate. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 497, the bill is considered as read. The gentlewoman from kansas, ms. Jenkins, and the gentleman from michigan, mr. Levin, will each control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from kansas. S. Jenkins mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and xtend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on h. R. 4118. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Jenkins and mr. Speaker, id like to yield to our illustrious chairman of the house ways and means committee, mr. Camp, as much time as he may consume. The speaker pro tempore the entleman will suspend. He house will be in order. Members, take your conversations off the floor. The gentleman is recognized for as much time as he wishes to use. Mr. Camp well, thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman from kansas for yielding. Rise today in support of h. R. 4118, the simple fairness act, which would give americans some muchneeded relief from the added costs of obamacare. I dont need to remind the American People about the failed launch of the Health Care Law but a failed website is the least of americans concerns. Millions of americans, including over 200,000 in my home state of michigan, went out to the mailbox and found that the Health Care Plan they had and liked was canceled. Millions of americans are having their hours and wages cut as employers try to struggle with this complex law. Many find they can no longer access the care they relied on from their local doctor or hospital. Millions of americans are left wondering what happened to their promise 2,500 reduction in premiums. And next year millions more will see their premiums skyrocket again due to the administrations failure to meet their own enrollment goals. The American People have paid over and over for this Health Care Law. They paid higher premiums, they paid having their hours cut back and their paychecks decreased. The last thing this law should do is penalize americans for being unable to purchase a plan on healthcare. Gov either because of multiple web failures to they were unable to find an affordable plan. The