By a vote of 262-150, the House passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act tonight after repeated Republican attempts to derail the bipartisan bill. The COMPETES Act boosts America's competitiveness by strengthening the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and is crucial to our efforts to keep America number one by:
Keeping our nation on a path to double funding for basic scientific research, crucial to some of our most innovative breakthroughs, over 10 years
Creating jobs with innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers and Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration
Promoting high-risk high reward research to pioneer cutting edge discoveries through ARPA-E
Creating the next generation of entrepreneurs by improving science, math, technology, and engineering education at all levels
Speaker Pelosi on passage:
Democrats were committed to ensuring that The COMPETES Act that will help restore our economic strength through investments in innovation, science and technology is passed by the House. And today, the House succeeded despite previous attempts by Congressional Republicans to delay action.
The COMPETES Act is critical legislation that will spur innovation, invest in cutting-edge research, modernize manufacturing and create jobs. It is about American jobs for Americans, strong American leadership in the global economy, and long-term growth for America's workers.
Today's action clearly demonstrated that Democrats will continue to side with the Middle Class and America's Main Street, while Congressional Republicans have chosen to side with the special interests.
Anybody who has worked in the Capitol frequently had their day brightened by Herb Shanks, who retired today after almost four decades of service as the cloakroom attendant in the House Democratic Cloakroom:
This afternoon, Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer had the privilege of leading a tribute on the House floor to thank Herb for his long service to the House. The Speaker’s remarks:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Herb Shanks, the Cloakroom Attendant of the House Democratic Cloakroom for the last 38 years.
Herb is retiring today after serving this institution much longer than probably most Members of Congress. Indeed, he has served under seven Speakers of the House, and generations of Members have depended upon him.
As the doorkeeper and cloakroom attendant, Herb has ensured the safety and security of House Members and staff by controlling access to the Democratic Cloakroom. He has also been a face of warm welcome to all Members.
Herb's dedicated service is representative of the many staff who serve this institution, particularly those who work in both the Democratic and the Republican cloakrooms, and the nonpartisan officers who ensure smooth operations on the House floor. They may not be household names, but they proudly serve our nation's families.
Herb is joined here today by his two twin daughters, Andrea and Angela. We thank them for sharing their father with us. We also note that Herb is a proud grandfather of four, and great grandfather of three.
Today, we will present Herb with a flag that flew over the Capitol in his honor on this, his day of retirement after 38 years of service. It is a fitting tribute to this great patriot: Herb Shanks. Thank you, Herb.
This afternoon, the House passed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (HR 4213) to create jobs, including summer jobs, close loopholes that give corporations a tax break to send American jobs overseas, and help Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. While Republicans are sitting back trying wait out the recession they created, Democrats know we need to work our way out. That's why we are creating good jobs as part of a strong new foundation for the American economy–and keeping American jobs here in America with innovators and small business entrepreneurs leading the way. This bill supports more than 1 million American jobs by:
restoring credit to small businesses
extending the R&D tax credit so American innovation can lead the world
rebuilding American infrastructure
expanding summer jobs for young people
providing tax relief for middle class American families
Speaker Pelosi in strong support of the legislation:
To fully fund this job creation, the bill closes tax loopholes and requires corporate accountability:
Preventing corporations from shipping jobs overseas and sticking American taxpayers with the bill
Making Wall Street fund manager billionaires pay their fair share of taxes
Making the oil industry pay to ensure there are sufficient funds to clean up a spill
Congressional Republicans voted against shutting loopholes that subsidize companies moving American jobs overseas. While the foreign tax credit was originally designed to prevent “double taxation” of income earned abroad (full taxation by both a foreign country and by the United States), companies have devised schemes essentially shifting the burden of their foreign income tax onto American taxpayers. These transactions enable companies to operate offshore with essentially little or no tax liability to either the U.S. or the foreign government–also encouraging them to ship jobs overseas. This bill not only goes after the taxes these companies are avoiding paying–it ensures they don't get the tax break at all for income that's not subject to U.S. tax–removing incentive to move jobs and assets overseas. In 2004, U.S. multinational corporations paid an effective U.S. tax rate of just 2% on their $700 billion of foreign active earnings. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) explains:
The bill also addresses the emergency needs and crises left by the Bush Administration–ensuring seniors can keep their own doctors (SGR) and extending a proven economy booster, unemployment relief for families. Chairman Henry Waxman:
Chairman George Miller:
Rep. Danny Davis:
The bill also creates jobs and reinvests in America with Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Bonds to make it less expensive for State and local governments to finance the rebuilding of schools, sewers, hospitals and transit projects; extends Build America Bonds, which have been called “one of the economic recovery efforts biggest successes,” through 2012; and extends Recovery Zone bonds for economically distressed areas through 2011, which will help local municipalities raise more than $25 billion of capital for infrastructure and economic development projects and will support more than 450,000 jobs nationwide. Chairman Oberstar:
Rep. Blumenauer:
During debate of the bill, many Republicans claimed President Obama and Democrats in Congress have failed to create jobs. While more must be done to create and save jobs, the truth is we continue to see growing signs of economic recovery–no thanks to House Republicans who voted against the Recovery Act and threaten to take us back to the failed policies that created the economic crisis. The latest signs of recovery include:
Nearly 300,000 American jobs were created in April–the largest gain in four years and a sharp turnaround from the nearly 800,000 jobs lost a month under President Bush
GDP is up 3 percent in the 1st quarter of 2010–a year ago the economy shrank 6.4 percent
Manufacturing is up for the ninth month in a row, reaching a six-year high
Consumer confidence is up for the third straight month, to the highest level in more than two years.
Rep. Richard Neal addresses the Republican rhetoric:
Rep. Rob Andrews recommends that a “math book” or a “history book” should be referenced:
While Rep. Sessions (R-TX) claimed new jobs have all been “government jobs”, his home state of Texas gained 32,500 jobs last month, and only 1,700 of those were “government jobs.” That follows similar national numbers–April marked the fourth month of job growth with 573,000 American jobs added since December, 84% in the private sector.
Democrats in Congress will continue to address the major issues confronting our nation and take America in a New Direction–creating good American jobs, the lowest taxes in 60 years for the middle class and small businesses, closing tax loopholes that send jobs overseas, and building a strong new foundation for the American economy.
Under “Don't Ask Don't Tell”, more than 13,000 men and women in uniform have been discharged from the military and thousands more have decided not to re-enlist. Fighter pilots, infantry officers, Arabic translators and other specialists have been discharged at a time when our nation is fighting two wars. By a vote of 234-194, the House passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011 (HR 5136) by Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) tonight to repeal the discriminatory policy upon:
(1) Receipt of the recommendations of the Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group on how to implement a repeal of DADT (due December 1, 2010) and
(2) A certification by the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and President that repeal is first, consistent with military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion & recruiting, and second, that the DoD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to implement its repeal.
It would also include a 60 day period after certification before the repeal took effect.
Rep. Murphy: “When I served in Baghdad, my teams did not care whether a fellow soldier was straight or gay. We cared if they could fire their M-4 assault rifle or run a convoy down ambush alley. Could they do their job so that everybody in our unit would come home safely. With our military fighting two wars, why on earth would we tell over 13,500 able-bodied Americans that their services are not needed? This policy hurts our national security and has cost the American taxpayer over $1.3 billion already on this unjust policy. Our troops deserve a Congress that puts their safety and our collective national security over rigid, partisan interests and a close-minded ideology.”
Speaker Pelosi:
Speaker Pelosi: “America has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave. And our men and women in uniform make it so. We are so because they have been willing to fight for our country. Let us honor their service by recommitting to the values that they fight for on the battlefield.”
Leader Hoyer:
Leader Hoyer: “The military supports the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I believe we ought to listen…As a reluctantly anonymous service member recently wrote online: ‘I will risk my life, and in return, I ask to be treated simply like anyone else in the service–nothing more and nothing less.’”
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA):
Rep. Lewis: “Just like the military helped end segregation based on race, we should have put an end to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell long ago. It is an affront to human dignity and to the dignity and worth of every man and women serving in our military. We cannot wait. We cannot be patient. We must end discrimination in the military and we must end it now. Discrimination is wrong and we must end it.”
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA):
Rep. Davis: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell weakens our national security by asking servicemembers to lie, firing them for being gay, and telling able recruits we don’t want you. Please, America can do better.”
Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN):
Rep. Walz: “The greatest privilege I've had in my life was serving this nation for almost 25 years in uniform. I know how important it is to fill our military with qualified, professional, motivated volunteers. We are blessed in this nation, that’s exactly what we have. It’s time for us to honor their professionalism and know that they’re ready to end this discriminatory practice.”
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) closed debate:
Rep. Murphy: “Former Air Force Sergeant David Hall was walking in this gallery when I was walking in today and he mentioned to me, he said, Sergeant Hall wasn’t asked, Sergeant Hall didn’t tell. Someone outed him for being gay and he was kicked out of the Air Force. He had already served in the Middle East. He said to me, and I quote, ‘I assure you, I’m still fit for military duty. Please stop discharging patriotic Americans who just want to serve the country that they love.’”
During the consideration of health insurance reform, the debate was intense and often filled with frightening–and wrong–information. Opponents spread misinformation and even told outright lies about reform and seniors–from ‘death panels‘ to claiming reform would ’slash’ Medicare. The truth is Medicare–which has provided health care for Americans age 65 and older for the last 45 years–will be strengthened under the Affordable Care Act. The new law brings better benefits and lower costs, and will preserve Medicare's solvency for years to come. In fact, seniors will even be seeing immediate benefits this year:
BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE
Provides a $250 rebate to those Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Beginning in January 2011, there is a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the donut hole. (Also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)
FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE
Eliminates co”payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective on January 1, 2011.
HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES
Creates a temporary re-insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) for employer health plans providing coverage for early retirees, helping to protect coverage while reducing premiums for employers and these early retirees age 55-64. Effective on June 21, 2010.
Today, Speaker Pelosi, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Leader Steny Hoyer, Barbara Kennelly of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Dr. Ben Williamowsky, a Medicare recipient who talked about the “baloney” he heard about the bill, held a news conference to discuss benefits of and misconceptions about the Affordable Care Act and Medicare:
Today, Speaker Pelosi, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Senator Patrick Leahy (House and Senate Chairs of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations), met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia:
President Sirleaf is the first woman elected to lead an African nation, and as Speaker Pelosi said, “an inspiration to women everywhere, men too–a woman revered by her people and determined to make progress.” Watch Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Lowey, Sen. Leahy and President Sirleaf give remarks prior to their meeting:
Four years ago, President Sirleaf addressed a Joint Session of Congress, sharing her vision for Liberia and the “enormity of the challenges”:
In the campaign months, I traveled to every corner of our country. I trudged through mud in high boots, where roads did not exist or had deteriorated past repair. I surveyed ruined hospitals and collapsed clinics. I held meetings by candlelight, because there is no electricity anywhere – including the capital – except from private generators. I was forced to drink water from creeks and un-sanitized wells all of which made me vulnerable to the diseases from which so many of our people die daily.
I came face to face with the human devastation of war, which killed a quarter of a million of our three million people and displaced most of the rest. Hundreds of thousands escaped across borders. More – who could not – fled into the bush, constantly running from one militia or another, often surviving by eating rodents and wild plants that made them sick and even killed them. Our precious children died of malaria, parasites and mal-nourishments. Our boys, full of potential, were forced to be child soldiers, to kill or be killed. Our girls, capable of being anything they could imagine, were made into sex slaves, gang-raped by men with guns, made mothers while they were still children themselves.
But listening to the hopes and dreams of our people, I recall the words of a Mozambican poet who said, “Our dream has the size of freedom.” My people, like your people, believe deeply in freedom – and, in their dreams, they reach for the heavens. I represent those dreams. I represent their hope and their aspirations. I ran for president because I am determined to see good governance in Liberia in my lifetime. But I also ran because I am the mother of four, and I wanted to see our children smile again.
Already, I am seeing those smiles. For even after everything they have endured, the people of Liberia have faith in new beginnings. They are counting on me and my administration to create the conditions that will guarantee the realization of their dreams. We must not betray their trust. All the children I meet – when I ask what they want most – say, “I want to learn.” “I want to go to school.” “I want an education.” We must not betray their trust.
Under President Sirleaf’s leadership during a difficult post-war peace and reconciliation process, Liberia's security situation is currently stable, the economy and the humanitarian conditions on the ground have significantly improved, and Liberia is scheduled to hold a second free and fair election in 2011. President Sirleaf has made great progress.
Raised the level of inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) by between 1.7 percent and 4.2 percent
Lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.7 and 1.5 percentage points
Increased the number of people employed by between 1.2 million and 2.8 million
While more must be done to create and save jobs, this is even better than earlier CBO estimates for this time period. Looking ahead, CBO projects up to 3.7 million American jobs could be attributed to the Recovery Act by the end of the September.
In January 2009, before Congress enacted the Recovery Act, Americans lost 779,000 jobs in just one month. A year later, job losses have turned to jobs gains of 290,000 in April–the largest gain in four years and a 1 million job swing from the end of the Bush Administration. This marks the fourth month of job growth with 573,000 American jobs added since December–84% in private sector. This is a sharp reversal from the job losses and deep economic crisis President Bush left behind. If job growth continues at this pace, the Obama Administration will create more jobs in 2010, than the Bush Administration created in eight years:
We continue to see growing signs of economic recovery, resulting from the economic policies of the Democratic-led Congress and the Obama Administration responding to the Bush Recession and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. More must be done to create and save jobs, but that latest signs of recovery include:
Nearly 300,000 American jobs were created in April–the largest gain in four years and a sharp turnaround from the nearly 800,000 jobs lost a month under President Bush
GDP is up 3.2% in the 1st quarter of 2010–a year ago the economy shrank 6.4%
Manufacturing is up for the 9th month in a row, reaching a six-year high
Consumer spending is up for the 6th consecutive month, surpassing pre-recession peak
The U.S. economy should expand at a solid pace this year and next as consumers increase spending, confident the recession is behind them, a panel of economists said…The 46 economists surveyed in the National Association for Business Economics report between April 27 and May 7 predicted U.S. gross domestic product would expand by 3.2% in 2010 and 2011.
It feels like a light switch went on in many businesses this spring. The job gains in March and April were strong and broad-based across industries.
A brief survey of where we are: JOBS
In January 2009, before Congress enacted the Recovery Act, Americans lost 779,000 jobs in just one month. A year later, job losses have turned to jobs gains of 290,000 in April–the largest gain in four years and a 1 million job swing from the end of the Bush Administration. This marks the fourth month of job growth with 573,000 American jobs added since December–84 percent in private sector. This is a sharp reversal from the job losses and deep economic crisis President Bush left behind. If job growth continues at this pace, the Obama Administration will create more jobs in 2010, than the Bush Administration created in eight years.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
In the 1st quarter of 2009 starting before President Obama took office, America's GDP fell by 6.4%. One year later, our economy grew by 3.2% for the 3rd straight quarter of economic growth. 9 points in 12 months.
MANUFACTURING
America's manufacturing base has grown for 9 straight months–now at the highest level in nearly six years–with manufacturing jobs being created three months in a row.
CONSUMER SPENDING & RETAIL SALES
Consumer spending is up six months in a row, surpassing the pre-recession peak in March. Retail sales rose for the 7th straight increase and the 12th gain in 13 months in April.
NEW BUSINESS START-UPS
More entrepreneurs launched new businesses in 2009 than at any other time in the past 14 years, with 558,000 new businesses created each month.
HOUSEHOLD WEALTH
Since the Recovery Act took effect, Americans regained nearly 30 percent ($5 trillion) of the $17.5 trillion in household wealth wiped out during the last 18 months of the Bush Administration.
The law's provision requiring health insurers to extend dependent coverage up to age 26 for young adults on their parents' plans will go into effect in September 2010, and could provide coverage to 1.2 million young adults next year. Many insurers are implementing this provision early, filling in the coverage gap for many new college graduates.
Newly-created insurance exchanges and lower premiums for lower- and moderate-income families beginning in 2014 could provide coverage for more than 6 million uninsured young adults.
Additionally, new insurance regulations, an essential benefits package, and limits on cost-sharing will ensure young adults have comprehensive health insurance that protects them from high out-of-pocket costs.
Other provisions, including expanding Medicaid eligibility, would provide health coverage to millions more young adults.
The Affordable Care Act will protect young adults from medical debt–the Act's elimination of lifetime limits on health insurance coverage, effective later this year, could go a long way to helping young adults who purchase health insurance on the individual market, or through their college or university, avoid medical debt in the event of a serious injury or illness.
PREVENTIVE CARE FOR BETTER HEALTH
Offers free preventive care to all people insured under new plans, and invests in public health to create a system that prevents illness and disease instead of just treating it when it's too late and costs more. Simple prevention can stop a small health problem from getting worse.
INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS THAT SAVE YOU MONEY
This year, reform eliminates lifetime limits on how much insurance companies cover if you get sick, and tightly restricts yearly limits. Starting in 2014, reform puts a cap on what insurance companies can force you to pay in co-pays and deductibles. In 2014, reform bans “gender rating” that allows women to be charged more for the same coverage, and bans new group plans from establishing eligibility requirements that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees–who tend not be younger workers.
SECURITY AND STABILITY
EXTENDED HEALTH COVERAGE THROUGH PARENTS
Allows you to stay on your parents' health care plans until your 26th birthday. (Between now and 2014, this provision applies to a young person only if their employer doesn't offer them coverage. Beginning in 2014, the provision applies to all young people, even if their employer offers them coverage.) This will help to cover the one in three young adults who are uninsured.
HEALTH CARE NOT TIED TO A JOB
Offers affordable health insurance to those without job-based coverage, starting in 2014, and provides substantial premium assistance to those who still can't afford it. Young adults are just starting jobs and careers, and often don't have access to job-based coverage. Even when they do, they often don't have the money to spend on health insurance–or must endure a waiting period as a new employee.
HEALTH CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
If you become sick, you can no longer be dropped from your plan (starting this year). If you have a “pre-existing condition,” beginning in 2014, you can no longer be denied coverage or charged higher rates–and between now and 2014, you can enter an interim high-risk pool to get insurance.
GREATER CHOICES
ONE-STOP SHOPPING AND COMPETITION
Creates Health Insurance Exchanges for those who don't get insurance through their employer, so you can gain the benefits of group purchasing power like big businesses have for more affordable plans with better benefits. These Exchanges allow you to simply and easily compare prices and health plans and decide which option is right for you. It's your choice.
INSURANCE SECURITY AS YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER
Guarantees choices of quality, affordable health insurance. The typical young adult frequently changes jobs, moves, or holds part-time or temporary jobs. Under reform, it doesn't matter.
Reduce health care spending by nearly $600 billion and lower the annual growth rate in national health expenditures from 6.3 percent to 5.7 percent during the first 10 years
Save the typical American family nearly $2,000 on annual health care premiums by 2019
Reduce the federal budget deficit by up to $400 billion over the first 10 years
Reduce the annual growth rate in Medicare expenditures from 6.8 percent to 4.9 percent
The Affordable Care Act will help ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and significantly reduce long-term health care costs. Congressional Republicans calling for the repeal of this critical legislation would return American workers, their families and small businesses to a system with skyrocketing costs.