Transcripts For CSPAN Morning Hour 20140326

The majority and minority leaders for morning hour ebate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip but in to five minutes, no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair recognizes the man from illinois, mr. Quigley, for five minutes. Mr. Quigley thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, a famous storyteller, mark twain said, never let the truth get in the way of a good story and for proponents of the keystone x. L. Line, theyre painting an awfully rosey picture while completely ignoring the truth of the extraordinary damage it could cause. Transcanada, the Canadian Company that wants to build keystone x. L. , claims the pipeline is safe. But this is the same company that operates the existing keystone pipeline, which spilled a dozen times in the first year of operation. The worst spill released 21,000 gallons of oil in north dakota, contaminating local soil and water. Transcanada claims that significant spills will be few and far between. But engineers at the university of nebraska found that the company ignored data on spills and failed to factor in the more corrosive tar sand oil transported in keystone x. L. The engineers determined that keystone x. L. Could have as many as 91 oil spills over the life of the pipeline. This concerns me because keystone x. L. Will run through 2,000 miles of American Farmland and over our countrys argest water ack which fire alk which fire. It provides Drinking Water to more than two Million People and provides water to our irgaited farmland. Americans understand that past oil spills had severe environmental impacts but any x. L. Spill will be truly catastrophic. Tar sands oil is heavier than conventional oil, meaning it would soak in the soil and contaminating miles of river and shoreline. Tar sands oil is also the worlds dirtiest oil and approving the pipeline will accelerate its production, endangering our families, communities and climate. When extracted and refined, Tar Sands Oil emits 17 more than conventional Oil Production which contributes to Climate Change. With 830,000 barrels of Tar Sands Oil flowing through the pipeline each day, the metric tons of Carbon Dioxide added to the atmosphere each year would be equal to putting more than 5 1 2 million more cars on our roads. This means that building keystone x. L. Will undo the progress america has made to become more Energy Efficient and reduce Carbon Pollution for the sake of our environment. The bottom line is keystone x. L. Brings a whole lot of environmental risk and very little reward. Proponents claim the pipeline will be great for the economy because it will promote jobs and reduce americas dependence on foreign oil. The data, however, doesnt support the claims that the pipeline will create 20,000 american jobs. The state Department Says keystone would only create 35 permanent jobs and fewer temporary construction jobs than initially projected. Proponents claim the pipeline will lower gas prices and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but in reality it will do neither and prices at midwestern pumps could actually increase. The pipeline will divert oil from midwestern refineries designed to produce gasoline to texas gulf refineries, designed to produce diesel which has a high overseas demand. Oil economists found that oil and Gas Production will increase gas prices in the mid west between 5 cents and 40 cents per gal. We should not move forward on keystone x. L. We know the environmental impacts far outweighs the economic and job benefits. Our focus should be on strengthening our Clean Energy Economy that has the job growth four times faster than any other sector. Weve increased our solar capacity more to power more than 2. 2 million homes and made wind power an alternative Energy Source. When something seems too good to be true it usually is. The keystone x. L. Pipeline sets false expectations about gas prices and job growth. But the truth is it will only accelerate Climate Change, harm our environment and jeopardize the health of our communities. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Coble, for five minutes. R. Coble i thank you, madam chairman. I come to the well of the house today to invite support of my bill, h. R. 2357, which addresses the congressional Pension Program. The congressional Pension Program becomes vested after five years of service, madam speaker. I claim to be no expert on pensions, but i know of no pension that vested after five years. Not even involve three complete house term or one senate term. It would increase it from five years to 12 years. If my bill would become law, a member would have to serve six full house terms, two full senate terms or a combination thereto. I am disappointed to say, madam speaker, my bill has zero cosponsors and has been servicing for several days now and im here today to invite every member of the peoples house to embrace and support this bill. You should do so for two reasons. Number one, it will result in reduced public spending. Number two, it would send a message back to our constituents that we are willing and able to reduce our own purse and benefits. I urge every member of the peoples house to come forward, madam speaker, and sign his or her name to this bill and we will go down the path of fiscal sanity and fiscal responsibility before its too late. I yield back the balance of my time, and i thank the speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Lumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, madam speaker. We have a Health Care Crisis in this country, but one few have heard about because we dont think about it until it hits us or our family. But it almost always does. As we approach the First Anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, that tragedy might serve as an illustration. Who in that crowd in boston almost a year ago thought they would be facing not just life or death medical decisions but about who would decide whether a leg would be amputated or not . Who speaks for our loved ones when they cant speak for themselves . Who speaks for us when were unable to speak . And how would they know what we want . This has profound implications. Over 80 of americans feel they want to spend their last days at home surrounded by loved ones, lucid, aware and enjoying their company. Unfortunately, about 3 4 of us spend our last days in a hospital. Maybe in i. C. U. With tubes up our knowses and heavily sedated. Noses and heavily sedated. Who knows what my decisions or your decisions might be . The failure for us to deal with this issue, whether its the Health Care System, the federal government, individual families can lead to tragic consequences. People can get the wrong care, be removed from their loved ones. Sometimes get intrusive, expensive and painful care when thats not their wish. Drugged and helpless. The failure doesnt just leave to unwanted care and pain, denying the people the treatment they want, but it could have huge consequences on families. The loved ones left can be racked by guilt and uncertainty that can increase the trauma and the depression after the passing of a loved one. Commentators as diverse as billy graham and dr. Bill frist have spoken out eloquently for the need for all of us to spare our loved ones. This is an interesting test for congress. Can we take steps that are supported by over 90 of the population, that will lead to better patient care and satisfaction that empowers families to face medical emergencies the way they want . This is, it should be noted, not for someone thats just elderly with a terminal disease. Any of the bright young people on capitol hill, living away from home perhaps for the first time, perhaps with some friends, they can fall and suffer a concussion, slipping on the ice or in a soccer game or in a car accident. What have we done on capitol hill to make sure we know in each office who speaks for us and our staff if were no longer able . One simple solution is to support h. R. 1173, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by over 50 members that dr. Phil roe and i have introduced. It would pay tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars towards operations, finally pay 150 or 200 for a doctor to consult with a patient and their family to find out exactly what their choices might be and make sure their wishes are respected. But dont just cosponsor the legislation but use it to have a serious conversation with your staff and your family if you havent had the discussion. Lets make sure that everyone on capitol hill is protected when the inevitable happens, and lets make sure that the federal government is a full partner. Cosponsor h. R. 1173 and then lets work to enact it. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from florida, ms. Roslehtinen, for five minutes. Ms. Roslehtinen thank you so much, madam speaker, and i rise to recognize rossi oneal bolton, a pioneer and champion women. Rights of rocksy is truly larger than life and belongs roxy is truly larger than life and belongs to our state and nation. This weekend she will be recognized as a woman of character, courage and commitment honoree by the National Womens history project. This accolade is a welldeserved acknowledgment of her efforts to lead american women out from lifetimes of secondclass citizens into an era of far greater equality between the genders. All while being a committed wife and mother. Just as she did in her home life, roxy demanded equal respect in the workplace. From equal opportunity to equal pay, she knew that if women banded together we were going to make a difference. In 1972, she founded women in distress, the first womens rescue shelter in florida to provide emergency housing, rescue services and care to women who found themselves in situations of personal crisis. Roxy was also a fighter on behalf of abused women. At that time no one talked about rape, much less did anything about alleviating the horrendous trauma that the victim undergos. Rape, crime victims who actually reported their rapes were often treated callously. Roxy used her amazing presence, her force of will and characteristic personality as aggressive tools for positive change. As an outspoken woman, she made waves on these topics, and by 1974 her efforts facilitated the creation of the First Rape Treatment Center in the country located in my regional Congressional District in Jackson Memorial hospital in miami. In 1993, this center was proudly renamed after roxy. Shes also known for organizing floridas first crime watch to help curb crime against women. For all of these efforts and more, roxy has been the recipient of numerous civic awards related to her work. That includes the prestigious induction into the florida womens hall of fame in 1984 for forcing police and prosecutors to make rape crime a priority as well as illustrating to Health Departments the need for rape treatment centers. Shes a true champion for womankind. Sher legacy for human rights and end sexual discrimination in employment and education as well as in preserving and recognizing womens role in history will forever be remembered. Im wowed to have Roxy Oneal Bolton in my Congressional District. As roxy will certainly say, the struggle for womens equality issues is far from over. Yet, with her example i am confident that we will continue to push ahead and positively change the future for our daughters and granddaughters. So, again, roxy, congratulations on being honored as a National Womens history project 2014 women of character, courage and commitment. You have given countless girls and women the ability to pursue their full potential. Congratulations to roxy, and may you keep fighting for many years still. Thank you, madam speaker, for the time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Orourke, for five minutes. Mr. Orourke madam speaker, i rise today to introduce the order enforcement, i rise with my friend from across the aisle, congressman steve pierce, this is a policy that will impact the border and one that is humane, fiscally responsible, and rational. Its also a bill that reflects the best values, experiences, and expertise of the people who live along the border, and it is written by people who live on and represent border communities. Mr. Orourke madam speaker, today we spend 18 billion a year onboarder security and immigration enforcement. Thats twice what we were spending in this country just 10 years ago. We have a surge in Border Security, a surge in border personnel where we have seen the doubling in the size of the Border Patrol just from 10,000 10 years ago to more than 20,000 today, but this surge in resources and personnel and enforcement has not been accompanied by an adequate regime of oversight, accountability, or transparency. Tens of millions of our fellow americans live along our borders with canada and mexico, and millions more cross them on a regular basis. In the community i represent, el paso, texas, we have 22 million border crossings a year. 99 plus of them are legal with people who are crossing for legitimate purposes with all of the appropriate travel documents. Whether you combine the millions of people who live and cross our borders with this unprecedented surge of resources and Law Enforcement without the necessary oversight or accountability or transparency, this will lead to predictable abuses of power which we have seen not just at the borders themselves, but at interior checkpoints that are up to 100 miles into the interior of the United States, detentions, interrogations, retention of personal property, all without probable cause. While the vast majority of our border professional our Border Protection agents and our c. B. P. Officers are professional and all of them face very difficult challenges in their job in terms of the level of vigilance they must maintain, the territory through which they must patrol, the unpredictable threats they must guard against. Our office here hears on a daytoday basis from constituents who are harassed, hassled, or otherwise treated with less than the appropriate dignity or respect. But there is no clear process that exists for these individuals to resolve their complaints. Ill give you two of them, one from the northern border and one border. Southern pass cowl, who is a ph. D. The nts was crossing Canadian Border on an amtrak train when he was questioned. He was taken off the train in handcuffs, held in a cell for several hours before being wouts charge. His laptop was confiscated and held for 11 days following detention. During which time his private messages and photos were reviewed by c. B. P. Officers. We have a case, unfortunately, in the community i represent, a woman who has not released her name but a fellow u. S. Citizen who lives in new mexico who was crossing into the u. S. From mexico. She was suspected of carrying drugs. She was detained, frisked, strip searched, and taken to a hospital. There she was invasively searched, xrayed, and made to perform a Bowel Movement against her will by doctors at the request of c. B. P. Officer looking for drugs. At no time was she read her rights or given access to an attorney because even at the hospital, miles away from the physical border, customs and Border Protection maintains that they are still in the process of a border interrogation. No traces of Illegal Drugs were found, and she was build 5,000 for the examine. Exam, while stories are these are exceptional, they shouldnt happen. We are also seeing migrants who are pushed away from communities, ports of entry into harsher and more dangerous terrain leading to a jump in the number of deaths. Two years ago we saw the second highest number of migrant crossing deaths on record, even though we saw the lowest number of crossing attempts across our southern border. We have had over 5,500 migrants die in the attempt to cross into the United States over the last 15 years. It is not just the individuals who have been victims of unfounded searches and seizures or who have perished in the desert who are failed by our Current Border policy. The Border Patrol agents and c. B. P. Officer who perform these toughest jobs in the federal government do not always receive the training or support they need to be safe in the field or do their jobs effectively. And for the taxpayers, that deserve to have their tax dollars spent responsibly, secrecy and lack of transparencies have prevented an accounting of whether the 18 billion a year we are spending on the border is money well spent. Our bill addresses these issues in five concrete ways. First, robust oversight of all Border Security function. Second, transparent and a timely complaint process thats independent of the existing chain of command. And improved ed Training Resources for our agents and officers. Fourth, engagement between c. B. P. And border communities, and fifth, new transparency measures. I urge my colleagues to join me in a fiscally and humane approach to the border. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from alabama, mr. Brooks, for five minutes. R. Brooks mr. Speaker, i hope my remarks will help america better understand the damage obamacare inflicts on patients, health care, the economy, and jobs. Today i share a letter by dr. Marlin gill of decatur, alabama, that details washingtons damage to Americas Health care. On march 23, 2014, dr. Gill wrote me, and i quote, dear congressman brooks, as a practicing family physician i plead for help against what i can best characterize as washingtons war against doctors. The medical profession has never before remotely approached todays stress, work hours, wasted cost, decreased defishency, and he declining ability to focus on patient care. In our community alone, at least six doctors have left patient care for administrative positions to start a concierge practice or retire all together. Doctors are smothered by destructive regulations that add costs, raise our overhead, and gum up the works. Making patient treatments slower and less efficient, thus forcing doctors to focus on things other than patient care and reduce the number of patients we can help each day. I spend more time at work than at any time in my 27 years of practice, and more of that time is spent on administrative tasks and entering useless data into a computer rather than helping sick patients. Doctors have been forced by ill informed bureaucrats to implement Electronic Medical records, e. M. R. , that in our four doctor practice, costs well over 100,000 plus continuing yearly operational costs, all of which does not help take care of one patient, while driving up the cost of every Patients Health care. Washingtons Electronic Medical records requirement make our medical practice much slower and less efficient, forcing our doctors to treat fewer patients per day than we did before the e. M. R. Mandate. To make matters worse, washington forces doctors to demonstrate meaningful use of e. M. R. Or risk not being fully paid for the help we give. In addition to the Electronic Medical records burden, we face a mandate to use the i. C. D. 10 coding system, a new set of reimbursement diagnostic codes. System ent icb9 coding using roughly 13,000 codes. The new icd10 coding system uses a staggering 70,000 new and completely different codes, thus dramatically slowing doctors down due to the unnecessary complexity and shear numbers of codes that must be learned. He cost of this new icd10 coding system for our small practice is roughly 80,000. Again driving up Health Care Costs without one iota of improvement in health care quality. Finally, doctors face nonpayment by patients with obamacare. These patients may or may not be paying their premiums, and we have no way of verifying this. No business can operate with that much uncertainty. On behalf of the medical profession i ask that washington stop the implementation of the icd10 coding system, repeal the Affordable Care act, and replace it with a better law written with the input of real doctors who will actually treat patients covered by it. America has enjoyed the best health care the world has ever known. That health care is in jeopardy because physicians cannot survive washingtons war on doctors without relief. Eventually the problems for doctors will become problems for patients, and we are all patients at some point. Sincerely yours, dr. Marl lynn gill of decatur, alabama. End quote. Mr. Speaker, america should heed the warnings of doctors like dr. Marlin gill. Failure to do so risk unnecessary patient deaths while destroying the best Health Care System the world has ever known. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Swalwell, for five minutes. Mr. Swall well mr. Swall well mr. Swalwell today i rise to celebrate the work and achievements of a local hayward veteran businesswoman. I was honored to meet with her yesterday in my office. Before coming to my office, she was recognized by the white house as one of 10 Women Veteran leader champions of change. For her work as a hayward business owner, with her business, the gracely global group, that produces books and educational materials highlighting the achievements and the positive contributions of latinos. The daughter of mexican immigrants, she received an air force rotc scholarship to attend the university of california berkeley, where she obtained a degree in Environmental Design and architecture. She then served nine years on active duty in the air force as an officer, receiving the air medal for combat air operations during the iraq war. Gradzilla is also a mom and severe advocate for her oldest daughter who has been blind since birth. I asked her how she has accomplished so much for being so young. He gave me one word, tenacity. She brings her heritage and experience to work writing educational books for children. One of her most recent bilingual oks is titled, good nightcap continue momma. It tells the story of a mothers service as a pilot in the air force and first bilingual Childrens Book about a woman serving in the military. Shes also committed to bringing jobs and Economic Development to her hometown of hayward. I look forward to working together with her to accomplish this goal. Her story is truly one of resilience and determination or, as she would put it, tenacity. Thank you for bringing positive examples of latinos to schools and aspiring Young Students across the world. Congratulations on your much deserved recognition by the white house. Am proud to represent gradzilla, veteran, business owner, daughter of immigrants, mother. Your work is inspiring to the next generation of leaders who want to dream big and reach for the stars. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from tennessee, mrs. Black, for five minutes. Mrs. Black thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in celebration of womens History Month. Our nation is blessed to have so played n who have important roles in its formation across the country. I want to highlight one particular renaissance woman from my neck of the woods, tennessee. My hometown in guolla continue has a special significance for me and that it resides on the property that used to be known as the fair view house that was eventually sold off and broken apart. One resident of fair view was a particularly notable woman by the name of miss ellen stokes weems. And to say she was a notable wife would be an understatement. Born in 1895, mrs. Weems lived a long eventful life until she passed away in 2001 at the age of 1 o 06. Over the course of her life she marched in the nashville suffragette p raid, flew in an early airplane, and rode her horse into her 80s. Miss weems was an avid traveler who explored the glaciers in alaska and bicycled through france in her 80s. She even worked her own plantation farm well into her 90s. And when she wasnt working she was giving back to our community, including giving to the daycare center, somer in county public library, among many other local organizations. I had the pleasure of meeting before ms several years she passed away and i will share just a peek of her wonderful life here on the house floomplet as we celebrate womens History Month, i encourage everyone to think about a role a woman has played in our rich american history. Hank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from puerto rico, mr. Pierluisi, for five minutes. Two ierluisi mr. Speaker, municipalities of puerto rico, each is home to beautiful beaches, to rich plant life and to welcoming people. For decades, the two islands was used as military training ranges. The u. S. Citizens living there were required to make tremendous sacrifices to ensure the readiness of our armed forces and to enhance our National Defense. Although they are no longer used for training purposes, both islands bear the scars of their past. Some of those scars are easy to ee, like the impact of the once pristine landscape, and also currently posed to the safety of residents and visitors. Other scars might be more difficult to discern, like the fact that contamination may have had on health, particularly in vieques. The department of defense scurntly conducting econtamination is currently conducting decontamination in vieques. Several days ago i wrote a letter to the secretary of defense about d. O. D. s responsibilities with respect colebra. And the letter make three makes three specific requests. First although many years have passed since the military stopped conducting twrange exercises on vieques, there is no idea of what type of ammunition is used on both islands. My constituents have a compelling interest in knowing what types of weapons were used, what volume they were used. Congress agrees after we have bicameral efforts the report accompanying the 2014 National Defense authorization act encourages d. O. D. To make public all of its Historical Documents related to its training activities on both islands. And how d. O. D. Will implement this language, it strongly urges d. O. D. To collect, organize and public and publish it in a single location. The 2014 defense appropriations are act encourages them to have cleanup efforts in vieques. And we urge the secretary of defense to allocate the funding vieques to clean up as soon as possible. And there is a serious threat that requires resolution. D. O. D. Refuses to clean up a 400 acre parcel that served as the bombardment and which now has popular beaches, pedestrian walkways and campgrounds. This is unacceptable. Since 1995, there have been over 70 incidents in which members of the public have encountered unexploded bombs in this part of culebrita. Last march a young girl isiting a beach suffered burns. Earlier this year local authorities had to same close the same beach when an bomb was found close to shore. I have filed multiple deals to have d. O. D. Clean up this parcel and to remove the safety threat of d. O. D. And the d. O. D. Has opposed my efforts. The letter urges d. O. D. To reconsider its position in this matter. E use of vieques and culebrita of the training ranges, this must be addressed by d. O. D. Working with my colleagues, i will continue to do everything within my power to ensure that d. O. D. Fulfills its legal and moral responsibilities. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kentucky, mr. Barr, for five minutes. Mr. Barber mr. Barr madam speaker, when it comes to College Basketball, theres simply no place like my old kentucky home. I rise with the distinct honor of congratulating my hometown, university of kentucky wildcats mens basketball team, on moving on to the sweet 16 in the 2014 Mens Division i basketball tournament. This season has had its ups and downs but this group of young men, the youngest average age of any team in the tournament, is coalescing at just the right time. This momentum is a testament to the players willingness to put team ahead of self, a lesson we in congress could learn from. Nd the ability of coach John Calipari to attack the defensive and offensive ends of the court in just a few short months. Hardfought victories over kansas state and an unbeaten Wichita State team a very likable team, have set up what might well be the main event of the entire tournament, not just for residents of the commonwealth of kentucky but for College Basketball fans all around this country. A rematch between the university of kentucky and the university of louisville, the two Previous National champions, and with all due respect to duke and north carolina, the university of kentucky, university of louisville rivalry is the greatest and most competitive rivalry in all of College Basketball. One of the reasons for this is this is a nonconference rivalry, and after the original dream game in 1983, the General Assembly of kentucky mandated in state law that these two great programs in College Basketball play against one another each and every year. Our wildcats won the meeting earlier this season between these two squads and are now looking to repeat the events of the 2012 tournament in which a victory over archrival louisville in the final four paved the way for u. K. s eighth national championship. These young cats were second in the s. E. C. In average points scored and fourth in points allowed, demonstrating that their physical play is equal opportunity on offense and defense. Both statistics are grounded in these players ability to pound e glass for rebounds, led by forward Julius Randall who averaged a doubledouble all season and routinely finds way to find ways when doubled or ripled or quadrupledteam. The outside shooting threats of twins aaron and Andrew Harrison and james young keep the cats a threat from the perimeter. As any College Basketball fan can tell you, these young men have a lot to live up to, given the legacy of the university of kentucky and the lofty compassion in all of fan base, the big blue nation. The wildcats represent the greatest tradition in the history of College Basketball of winniest program a alltime. As the coach said at the beginning of the season, kentucky doesnt just play College Basketball, we are College Basketball. And even former coach and current louisville coach, rick pitino said that u. K. Is the roman empire of College Basketball. So this new batch of cats, as young as they are, have already lived up to the pedigree. While the game against louisville will be a significant challenge, i know it will be it will be a way to the elite eight and final four. I know a win over the cardinals will be enough to call this season a success. In fact, im so confident this game will go in favor of the wildcats, ive made a friendly wager of locally distilled kentucky bourbon with my good friend from kentucky, john yarmuth. And while he thinks ill be eating crow, im pretty sure the wildcats will be eating some cardinal come friday night. With that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california, ms. Speier, for five minutes. Ms. Speier madam speaker, thank you. Last week, as the world watched in disbelief, the trial of Brigadier General sinclaire concluded much as it began, flawed and unjust. Even with the world watching, the military once again demonstrated its outright incompetence at administering justice. Brigadier general sinclaire walked out of the court a free man even though he had plead guilty to these charges. He plead guilty to an inappropriate relationships with his accuser, an inappropriate relationship with another female army captain, an inappropriate relationship with a female army major, possessing and displaying pornographic images and videos on his computer in afghanistan. He plead guilty to using a governmentissued travel card for personal purposes for a trip to tucson, arizona, and a trip to fort hood, texas, to see his mistress. He plead guilty to attempting to start an inappropriate relationship with a female army lieutenant. Sexually Explicit Communications with a female army major, requesting and receiving nude photos and a sexually explicit video of her. He plead guilty to vulgar language to describe female staff officers, impeding an investigation and adultery with his accuser. Again, these arent the charges the judge found sinclaire innocent of, but all of the charges sinclaire plead guilty to. His punishment, no demotion in rank, no forced retirement, no jail time. Instead, a small fine that he will pay with his generous taxpayerfunded pension and a potent message to those that are thinking of coming forward. You will be dragged through the mud and you will be punished, not the perpetrator. A civilian would have been fired. The misuse of Government Funds and the gross misconduct by general sinclaire, who plead guilty to all of those charges, should have been more than enough to fire him. You know, i would like to say i was shocked by this unconscionable decision, but after working on this issue for three years, i have learned this pattern is the rule, not the exception. Whether the army intended it or not, this was a highprofile test case for whether the military can hold its highest officers accountable for committing serious offenses. It failed. The military seems to be determined to make our point for us. The current military system of justice is incapable of meeting out justice in an impartial and effective way. When sinclaire was challenged his staff for his conduct and remarks towards women, the general replied, im the general. Tiff, de er, exme epletive, deleted, i want. Hes right. Even Violent Crimes against women are condoned and at times even celebrated. In 2010, a skit was performed for general sinclaires benefit where a soldier wore a wig and dress as a female officer and offered to perform oral sex for the general. This skit was performed in front of the generals wife and more than 500 people, and yet this gross performance of general sinclaires Sexual Misconduct was no cause for concern at the time. Until these cases are taken out of the chain of command, the reality and perception will continue to be that the military Justice System is tainted under command influence and is inherently unjust. The American People look at how this case was handled and see that a commanding officer, without Legal Expertise and a builtin conflict of interest is not competent to prosecute serious crimes. It should now be clear to everyone in congress that the military is incapable of holding perpetrators accountable. It is our duty to reform the system, which we created in the first place, not the commanders. Whose Legal Training and builtin conflict of interests have proven to be so ineffective. This case is an embarrassment to the military, but frankly its an embarrassment to congress. When will we be willing to say enough and do our duty to protect our Service Members from predators like general sinclaire . I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady the gentlewoman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee, for five meant. Ms. Jackson lee i thank you. To my colleagues i say good morning. It is good to be an american, and it is good to have the opportunity to celebrate the greatest democracy in the world. That is why i stand today and join my colleagues as they repair on the east steps, my democratic colleagues and calling all colleagues to stand under the bright shining sun to celebrate that democracy. For today democrats will stand united calling upon our republican friends to push for a vote on comprehensive, reasonable, sensible Immigration Reform. I stand with these icons. Remember always that all of us and you and i and especially our desendants from imgrants and tshimmigrants and revolutionists, president Franklin Delano roosevelt, the land flourished because it was fed from so many sources, because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and people. President Lyndon Baines johnson, everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of american life. President john f. Kennedy who never strayed away from his strong, irish heritage. Then of course in womens History Month i am a beneficiary of the American Peoples generosity and i hope we could have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here. Former u. S. Secretary of state madeline albright. Sheila jackson lee, a descendent of jamaican immigrants, my grandmother and grandfather came by way of the panama canal. Today i can go to the panama canal and see my grandfathers name etched there for he worked with his hands to build the panama canal. And then the family traveled with suitcases to South Carolina and ultimately made a life, made a life in this great nation. What a privilege i have to serve in this body as a he descendent, as someone who has recent immigrant grandparents who came to this nation for opportunity. Finally, let me offer these thoughts for this quote. This issue has been around for too long. A comprehensive approach is long overdue. And i am confident that the president , myself, others can find the Common Ground to take care of this issue once and for all. House speaker john boehner. Mr. Speaker, i ask you today to stand with those eloquent and important americans, president s, and secretary of state who have indicated that we are better for the immigrant opportunities that we have given. Mr. Boehner, we want a vote now. As we look you will see a picture of leader pelosi and colleague from alabama, ms. Sewell, we are not important, but the children who are here, who are diverse in their understanding of cultural diversity, mr. Speaker, madam speaker, these children speak chinese and spanish. They are two years old, and old and 4 years old. They are in the Barbara Jordan childcare center. We know we need childcare but they understand the richness of what happens with diversity. Let me share with you very briefly there are 16. 4 of texans are foreign born. 42 latino are asian. 87 of children with immigrant parents are u. S. Citizens, and 75 of those children are english fluent. These are individuals who want to contribute to america. Asianowned businesses in texas create 40. 2 billion in income or revenue. Latinoowned create 61. 9 billion in revenue from the businesses. And heres the result of deporting rather than putting forward a comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation, not for people who want to do you harm, but they want to do you good. I am glad that h. R. 1417 is in the bill that we want to vote on, thats the bipartisan Homeland Security bill that i helped write that came out in a bipartisan manner. But this is what america will do to herself without comprehensive Immigration Reform. We will lose in wages 33. 2 billion if you deport every immigrant person that is nonstatus. In tax revenue you lose 14. 5 billion. Youll he Jobs Creation lose 7 7 billion in decreased gross state product. So in actuality, in actuality comprehensive Immigration Reform creates jobs. It creates opportunity. But you know what . It is the right thing to do. As a young child i looked to the statute of liberty for such inspiration. That said it welcomes the speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. It welcomes him to the greatest democracy in the world. Give us a vote right now. We want to vote for Immigration Reform. Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We want these children to grow up in a democracy. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. The gentlewomans time has expired. Members are he reminded to direct remarks to the chair. The chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan, mr. Kildee, for five minutes. Mr. Kildee thank you, madam speaker. As i mentioned a few times, as i have come to the floor in the last 14 months now, im a member of the freshman class, elected in 2012, and im proud of that fact, proud of it for several reasons, but one of the things that is significant about this class, particularly on our side of the aisle here as democrats, is that it is the most Diverse Group of individuals ever elected to the United States congress in a single class. In fact, its diversity is such that it is made up of a majority of minorities, women, and lgbt members. A majorityminority class. Its diversity gives us tremendous strength. As i sit with my colleagues its amazing to me the vast perspectives that we bring and i think it has brought to us much better opportunity and a much better ability to see the needs in this country and to address them. It is the diversity of this congress, especially of this congress elected in 2012, that is its principal strength. I say that because it is my view tot its come here to bring the u. S. Home. To build businesses, to invest in community, to be part of something that we have never seen before on the face of the planet, and that is a nation of immigrants. For far too long, however, the need to reform our obsolete immigration system has been a low priority for the house leadership. Its been essentially on the back burner. Americans have said loud and clear that they Want Congress to act on comprehensive Immigration Reform. It doesnt seem to matter who we talk to. People on the left and the right, across the different regions of this country, the need for Immigration Reform is increasingly clear. It reflects our values, but because many see it in our vital economic interest that we reform our obsolete immigration policies and return to the values that made this country so great, and that is that welcoming value. That value that says come here, be a part of this nation, help grow it, help build it, and help contribute to its productivity. So earlier last year when Immigration Reform was obviously coming before us, because so many members were expressing the need for it, we heard the peaker say that the senate should act first. And that he would await Senate Action before bringing comprehensive Immigration Reform to the floor of the house of representatives. Well, last year the senate acted. Acted in a bipartisan fashion by a vote of 6832 and passed comprehensive Immigration Reform. Not a Perfect Piece of legislation, none of them are, but they passed comprehensive Immigration Reform. Something that people in this fortry have been asking for a long time. Go, we have a bipartisan bill here ,n the house of representatives silence from the leadership on the republican side. But then the speaker earlier this year, in january, said that once he had been able to present to his conference the principles by which the republican are conference would pursue comprehensive Immigration Reform, that we, would be able to then turn to this question its long overdue. It is time for us to go about the business and take Immigration Reform up now. Thank you, madam speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado, mr. Polis, for five minutes. Mr. Polis thank you, madam speaker. I come before this body today, madam speaker, to address the urgent need for passing Immigration Reform and finally replacing our broken immigration system with one that secures the rule of law, secures our nations borders, and ensures that we fix this problem and issue going forward. Look, nobody is happy with how things are today with regards to immigration. Why should we be . We should be ashamed as a country to look ourselves in the face and say we are a country in which we dont even know whos here. It could be 10 Million People, 15 Million People here illegally. We dont enforce the law in workplaces. There is no mandatory workplace authentication. We are not serious about Border Security. These are the things that the senate bill and house bill, h. R. 15, would remedy. We have an unprecedented level of investment in Border Security. We make sure that businesses verify every employee that goes to work to ensure that they are there legally to work. We make sure people that we need in our economy to work and have jobs are able to get permission to go to work the next day. H. R. 15 would create over 150,000 jobs for american citizens. 150,000 jobs for americans. Reduce our budget deficit by 200 billion. Secure our border, reflect our values as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws in an immigration system that makes sense for our country, makes nse for american citizens,. Kes sense for we want that talent here to make our country stronger. H. R. 15 does that. We call upon the speaker to move forward with bringing this bill to the floor. Theres not been a single immigration bill considered by this house, and thats why moments from now my colleagues will be launching a discharge petition to bring h. R. 15, Immigration Reform, to the floor of this house. Now, mr. Speaker madam speaker, you may ask what is a discharge petition . A distarge petition is a way that the membership of this bod yurks the 435 men and women, fine men and women who make up the United States congress, can go around a speaker who is unwilling to schedule a bill for a vote and we ourselves can schedule the bill for a vote. Normally the speaker decides what bills are considered on this floor. If half of this body a majority of this body sign a discharge petition, that bill will immediately come to the floor of the house for an up or down vote. And thats all were asking, madam speaker. We know that theres people in this body who might have heart felt convictions against fixing our immigration system and they can vote their conscious just as we vote ours, but when we have a majority of this body ready to act in concert with the senate, in concert with the president , in harmony with over 75 of the American People who support fixing our immigration system, its time to act. No speaker, no majority leader should stand in the way of overwhelming opinion, both inside this body and without this body, that the time for finally fixing our broken immigration system, replacing chaos with order, replacing this rule, the rule of law, replacing a lack of certainty with security and certainty and an investment in our future, that time is now. That time is now. I call upon all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the failure of facing the the face of failure for this body to act to sign the discharge petition, take back control of this chamber for a solid commonsense majority of democrats and republicans who want Immigration Reform to pass now, and we can do that simply by signing on the dotted line, as i intend to do moments from now on the discharge petition. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Polis i call upon all of my colleagues to sign the discharge petition and finally fix our broken immigration system. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Cicilline, for five minutes. I cicilline madam speaker, rise today to recognizing Building Futures, a providencebased Work Force Program that provides Rhode Islanders a way in the construction industry. Places them in registered apprenticeships. This success is due in large part to its dedicated and talented staff led by director and founder, andrew cortez. I was pleased to stand with andrew as the mayor of providence in 2007 to help launch Building Futures which has become a National Model of Work Force Programs and to celebrate their success of work force futures and to hear directly from those who benefited from this program that are holding goodpaying jobs in my state. Addressing the skills gap someone of Rhode Islands and our nations most pressing challenges. We know that too many people are searching for goodpaying jobs, but too often even though theyre hard working, they lack the particular skills they need for the jobs that are available. Building futures is helping to restore opportunity by bridging the skills gap and strengthening Rhode Islands work force. Today im proud to salute their efforts and congratulate them on a job well done. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california, ms. Lofgren, for five minutes. Ms. Lofgren madam speaker, i think what we are engaging on today has the potential of being truly historic. We need a vote on Immigration Reform. You know, several weeks ago i was home in the district i represent. I go home every week, and the secretary of commerce was visiting in silicon valley. She gave a goods speech. After she fin she gave a good speech. After she finished her speech she invited questions. The first question was a young man, a scientist who said this. I started a company. Im about to hire four americans, but my visa is up next month. What am i supposed to do . As i was talking to that young man, another young man came forward, another scientist whos just formed a company, is about to go into a hiring mode, but his visa was about up. And so when you take a look and listen to the people in silicon valley, the jobs that we are going to lose in america because we have a dysfunctional immigration system, it shows the problem that we have allowed to fester. Recently i met with farmers, and they told me that they are not planting crops this year because they cant identify whos going to pick those crops. About 80 of the migrant farm workers in approximate america are here without their proper documents. Now, do i think thats a good situation . No, i do not. But a number of years ago when i chaired the immigration subcommittee, we had a wonderful witness, dr. Richard lamb, then the head of the Southern Baptist convention, and this was his testimony. He said, we had for many years two signs at the southern border. One sign said no trespassing, and the other sign said help wanted. And those farm workers who are here picking the vegetables that we will enjoy at our meals responded to that help wanted sign. Sometimes people say, well, you should do it in the legal way, get to the end of the line. The truth is and this is from someone who was a former Immigration Lawyer. I used to teach Immigration Law at the university of santa clara. There is no line to get into. We have created a dysfunctional system that does not serve american interests. Now, h. R. 15 is not a perfect bill. No piece of legislation is. But it was a bill that attracted broad support in the United States senate. Bipartisan support in the United States senate. And this discharge petition says just one thing. Lets have a vote. Lets have a vote. Why would the speaker of the house, why would the Republican Leadership refuse to allow this body to have an up or down vote on that bill . You know, a discharge petition is something that has been in the rules of the house for many, many decades. It is the it actually unbottles up bills that the leadership didnt want the vote on. Most recently, Campaign Finance reform came to the floor of the house because of a discharge petition. A lot of members of the house say that they favor Immigration Reform. Well, heres an opportunity to hold every member of this house accountable. If you favor reform of the immigration system, you should favor having an up or down vote on h. R. 15. If you favor an up or down vote, we expect you, no matter what your party registration, to sign this discharge petition so the house of representatives may have an opportunity to address this question and vote yes or no on this bill. I hope that members of the public who are aware of the need for Immigration Reform, to reform a system that is not serving our economic interests, na is breaking up familiar that is braking up families, leaving children in foster care while their parents are deported, will call their members of the house of representatives and say, sign this discharge petition. Its in the rules. Its what we expect. We need a vote. I yield back, madam chair. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida, mr. Garcia, for five minutes. Mr. Garcia thank you. Id like to thank my colleagues for joining me today as well as those advocates tirelessly working for comprehensive Immigration Reform. Nine months have passed, nine months have passed since the senate moved on a strongly bipartisan, comprehensive immigration bill. In that time weve heard nothing, nothing but excuses and empty promises from the speaker. Yesterday the Congressional Budget Office confirmed what so many of us already know. Immigration is a boom for our economy. It will reduce the deficit by nearly 1 trillion, raise wages, increase the nations productivity. It will make our country richer and create opportunity for all. But because the speaker refuses to give us a vote, weve seen more families ripped apart, more jobs go overseas and more people get stuck in a broken, outdated, inefficient system. We cannot afford to wait any longer for this house to take up Immigration Reform. It is time to move forward. Immigration reform isnt just the right thing to do, its the smart thing to do. Our country needs it, the American People support it and there are enough votes today in the house of representatives to pass it. I invite all my colleagues to join me in signing the discharge petition so we can finally bring Immigration Reform to a vote. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, ms. Cardenas, for five minutes. Mr. Cardenas, for five minutes. Mr. Cardenas thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Today or this week the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office told us that the bipartisan, comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation in this house, h. R. 15, will reduce the deficit by 900 billion over the next 20 years. 200 billion in the first decade alone. In todays economy, Immigration Reform is a vital lifeblood, inviting 11 million to our work force in the United States, our economy will continue to be a driving recovery model that we need to enact now. This influx of workers will increase consumption, pushing businesses to grow and hire more employees to meet their new consumers needs. Thanks to the Congressional Budget Offices report, we are reminded that bringing 11 million hardworking men and women out of the shadows is not simply a moral battle, it is not only an attempt to legalize millions of people who are already here in our country working hard, it is an opportunity for us to create employment for our fellow americans. It will supercharge the economy of this great nation. I think its important for all of america to understand that comprehensive Immigration Reform is the best thing that we can do for our economy. The economists have reminded us of that, but unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, what stands in the way of a decision by the speaker of the house to just offer, offer the opportunity to put that bill on this floor so that we as members of congress can vote on this legislation, should it pass, should it fail, that is the objective as to why we are elected to this house so we can debate, so that we can deliberate, so that we can help make decisions that move this country forward. All were asking, all were asking is that we have the opportunity to vote on the floor of the United States congress on a bill, on an issue that will unleash this economy, and thats something i think every american wants to see happen. We have millions of americans who are out of work. Some have been out of work for years, and this bill, comprehensive Immigration Reform, will unleash this economy and create more jobs for american citizens than anything that this congress can do today. I think its incumbent upon every american to urge your congressional member to vote on comprehensive Immigration Reform. Should they choose to vote no or choose to vote yes, thats the prerogative of that elected official. But unfortunately, the speaker of this house will not give us that opportunity. Once again, americans, the best thing that we can do as a country is to get our economy back on track, to get hardworking americans the opportunity to go back to work, to have the dignity of bringing home a paycheck for them and their families. Comprehensive Immigration Reform is that answer. The economists have said so, but unfortunately some politicians refuse to face reality and refuse to supercharge the american economy. We are just one vote away, one opportunity away of doing that. Thank you very much, madam speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. Johnson, for 2 1 2 minutes. Mr. Johnson madam speaker, last week the American Association for the advancement of sciences released a new know. Titled, what we the report states unequivocally that Climate Change is a scientific fact, that human activity is linked to Climate Change and that if we do not act soon, the problem will get far worse and more expensive. For us to for us to deal with. This is not a super p. A. C. Or Political Association tied to a candidate or to a group of scientists. This is a group of scientists representing the leading experts in their fields. And they are speaking to us in one unified voice. In georgia, agriculture is our states number one industry. And yet as damaging and unpredictable as the weather patterns are making life difficult for our farmers, states ans in our suggest that the the chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. Sir, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2h of rule of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on march 25, 2014, at 5 54 p. M. That the snaffed passed without amendment h. R. 4275. With best wishes i am, signed sincerely, karen l. Haas. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess andrace in the 21st century we will not recognize it. The First Priority is to deescalate the situation. Support for a mission in ukraine is a positive step. The fact that russia and ukraines Foreign Ministers finally met in the hague is another sign of more openness. However if there is further escalation, we appeal to the americans already to intensify sanctions. With the understanding that sanctions are a means to an end, the goal is that negotiated solution irrespect of uecrabes sovereignty and of International Law. We also stand by georgia and has a and European Union brought forward the signing of the Association Grievance with them. Apart from ukraine, we talked about negotiations with iran, about working to end the taliban rule in syria, and to stop violence and anarchy in the sent african republic. Both are humanitarian tragedies. The United States and europe will continue their work to ight terrorism and appalled by egypts mass defenders of over 500 muslim brothers, we urge egyptian authorities to restore the rule of law. Our second major purpose was the economy. We talked about the recovery in europe which is taking hold. We should have 2 of growth next year. Thanks to much hard work, europe and the eurozone have really moved on. The focus now is on reinforcing economic fundamentals and on jobs. Last week saw the finishing touch on the banking union, the centerpiece of a stronger eurozone. And we also spent some time to discussing energy, especially energy security, and what we can do together to reduce europes dependency on russian gas. Our g7 Ministry Ministers will meet on this. We also spoke on Climate Change and our ambitions for the upcoming global negotiations. Today together with president obama we reconfirmed our shared commitment to an ambitious transatlantic trade deal. Let me just say that in days like these, forging even strong economic ties across the atlantic is also a powerful political sign. A way to show our Public Opinions and the world who we are at heart. In europe and america. Economies based on rules, societys based on values, and proud of being so. Finally today we spoke about data flows. And we conveyed to the president european concerns after last years observations of surveillance programs. These concerns are shared widely by citizens in e. U. Member states and we welcome the initiatives announced by president obama, the United States and the European Union are taking further steps to ddress these issues. We have an umbrella agreement on Data Protection by this summer based on equal treatment of e. U. And u. S. Citizens. On the commercial data track, the u. S. Have agreedle to review of the socalled safe harbor framework, transparency, and Legal Certainty are essential to transatlantic trade, and we all agree on that. Ladies and gentlemen, so all in all focused and productive meeting and timely, too. Mr. President , we are looking forward for receiving you again. Again in this building in less than three months for the g7 summit here in brussels. Thank you. Thank you for your remarks. I would now give the floor to the president of the European Commission. Thank you. President obama, its great to have you here. In brussels, the capital of europe. In the headquarters. Your presence sends a very strong signal to the citizens. They understand how important the transatlantic relationship for europe and the United States of america. To American People id like to say to American People that you can count on us, your best friends and allies. And also the rest of the world, we remain committed and opened from freeng to engage trade to Development Goals to climate action, but at the same me we will also be firm in defending our common values. Those are the freedoms of the right of the individual, the European Union and the United States are working together to make sure that actions that are unacceptable will bear serious consequences. And in fact, we can say that it is in the spirit that not only been working on issues like an, but most recently on the ukraine. We discussed this again today. We are determined not only to safeguard, to support the prosperity of that country, but so showing that some kind of accept unacceptable behavior cannot continue. We also discussed the length, the importance of energy and we are going to meet next week to discuss some issues in terms of energy, cooperation between europe and the United States. The relationshiple is the Transatlantic Partnership not only because it is the agreement preeming for the most important economic relationship in the world, every day there is a euros, 2. 2 billion around 2. 6 billion between the two sides of the atlantic. Its not just because of the huge dimension of this agreement, but because it will be an agreement that equals, not only our economies are equal in size, but our societies are equal in values. And i believe both our economies , a new impulse of this partnership will be very portant to give injection of dynamism. This will increase the potential not only for big business but also for small, medium sized businesses, there are potentials in terms of job creation, both sides of the atlantic, if we do it right. And today thats confirmed that we are determined at the highest level to make it happen and to be a success. Not only for us but also for the global economy. Thank you. Thank you. I would now pass the floor to the president of the United States, barack obama. Welcoming u both for me here today. Over the years we have met in prague, we have met in london, in lisbon, we have met at the white house, we have met in northern ireland. This week in the hague. So its good to finally meet the president of the European Union off the European Union. As i said before, europe is americas closest partner. Europe, including the European Union, is the cornerstone of our engagement around the clobe. Globe. We are more secure and we are more prosperous. The world is safer and more just when europe and america stand as one. And later today i look forward to speaking to the young people from across europe about how we can sustain the values and ideals that are at the heart of our partnership. Mentioned, i today touched on a full range of issues where we worked together. We agreed to step up our efforts to boost growth and job creation on both sides of the atlantic, and that includes working to conclude a transatlantic trade and investment partnership. Let me add once weve trade agreement in place, export licenses for projects, for liquefies natural gas, would be much easier. Somebody thats obviously relevant in todays geopolitical climate. We reviewed our negotiations with iran, which i believe give us the opportunity to peacefully resolve the worlds concerns with the Iranian Nuclear program. We pledged to sustain our support for the effort to eliminate syrias chemical weapons, even as we work to deliver humanitarian relief to the syrian people. We discussed a number of global challenges, including the desire to step up our cooperation with the asia pacific region, and our commitment to new global agreement to combat Climate Change. Much of our focus today was on the situation in the ukraine. Russias actions in ukraine arent just about one country. They are about the kind of europe and world that we live in. The european project was born from the ashes of two world wars, antiUnited States has long supported european integration as a force for peace and prosperity. And europes progress rests on basic principles. Including respect for International Law as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. Thats what russia violated with its military action against ukraine. The United States and europe stand united on this issue. We are united in our support for ukraine and for the need to provide economic assistance, to help stabilize this economy. We are united in our commitment to europes security. We are united in our determination to impose costs for russias actions. I want to of the way, thank the president s for their leadership they have shown during this difficult time. I want to commend the e. U. For the important steps taken already to make sure russia feels the costs of its behavior in ukraine by implementing visa bans and freezing assets and designating individuals for sanctions, as well as canceling a number of engagements with russia. And making it clear that if russia stays on its current course, the consequences for the russian economy will continue to grow. Of course all this comes atop the measures and sanctions the United States and others around the world are imposing on russia, and taken together this is the most significant sanctions russias faced since the end of the cold war. Moreover, russia stands alone. Russia stood alone when trying to defend its actions at the u. N. Security council. The 28 members of the European Union are united, the 28 members of nato are united, every member of the g7 has imposed sanctions on russia as we announced on monday. And the g7 will meet here in brussels in june without russia. So if anyone in the russian leadership thought the world wouldnt care about their actions in ukraine, or that they could drive a wedge between the European Union and the United States, they clearly miscalculated. As i have said repeatedly and was mentioned by reflects the commitment that brought europe and the United States together for decades. A europe that is free and at peace. As you preparele to conclude your ten yours, thank you for the outstanding work that you have been able to do together. We have gone through some very rocky waters. We have persevered through some very difficult economic times. Process we t this have been able to deepen the ties between the European Union and the United States. We have been able to advance the cause of security and Human Dignity around the world. Im personally grateful to both of you for your leadership as well as your friendship, and most importantly for the purposes of our countries that we represent here today, your dedication to the transatlantic relationship. Thank you very much. Thank you for your statement, president obama. Now it is time for and most importantly for the purposes of our countries that we represent here today, your dedication to the transatlantic relationship. Thank you very much. Thank you for your statement, president obama. Now it is time for two questions. Thank you for your understanding. Please state your name before ddressing your question. Christian, german press agency, d. P. A. Good afternoon. I have one question for the president obama, barosso. First on russia and ukraine. Given that the u. S. Has less to lose from economic sanctions gainst russia, would it be visit support for european allies. For example in the realm of energy . Second you mentioned all three, the transatlantic trade and investment partnership. Citizens have concerns, they fear that standards for Environment Protection or Consumer Protection might be at stake. How do you want to convince the citizens . Thank you very much. With respect to sanctions, so far what we have seen is excellent coordination between the United States and europe. Vr european allies. For example in the i think on both sides of the atlantic there was recognition that in the initial incursion into crimea we had to take some ery specific steps and we did, identifying individuals that were in part responsible for those actions. When the russian government made e decision to annex crimea after after a referendum that nobody outside of russia i think could take seriously, then tightened those sanctions, again in coordination. What we are not doing is coordinating around the potential for additional, deeper sanctions should russia move forward and engage in further incursions into ukraine. And we recognize that we in ord for russia to feel the brunt, the impact of these sanctions, that it will have some impact on the global economy, as well as on all the countries that are represented here today. Wire mindful thats going to be different not just between United States and europe, but also among Different Countries inside of europe, some of whom are more dependent, for example, on energy from russia than others are. So we are taking all of this into account. I think energy is obviouslyal central focus of our efforts and we have to consider it very strongly. This entire event i think has pointed to the need for europe to look at how it can further diversify its Energy Sources and the United States is blessed with some additional Energy Sources that have been developed in part because of new technologies. And we have already licensed, authorized the export of as much natural gas each day as europe uses each day. But its going into the open market. Its not targeted directly, its going through private companies who get these licenses and they make decisions on the world market about where that energys going to be sold. The question is whether its through our Energy Ministers and the highest levels, find ways in which we can accelerate this process of diversification. This is something we are very much committed to. We think it would be very good for europe. We think it would be good for the United States. Its not something that can happen overnight. T what i think this entire crisis has pointed out is to move now with a sense of urgency. And our Energy Ministers committed are committed to doing that. That was their assignment coming out of of the g7 meeting. Tita. Issue of we already do enormous trade and there is enormous direct investment between the United States and europe. We account for a big chunk of the World Economy in our economic relations. Thats not going to change. Think that our publics, both in europe antiUnited States, have legitimate questions when it comes to trade deals as to whether or not its going to benefit their countries over the long term, and can we make sure around won victories Consumer Protection or Environmental Protection are preserved as opposed to weakened . Thats something thats of concern to the United States as it is here. Heres what i can tell you as these negotiations proceed. I have fought my entire political career and as president to strengthen Consumer Protections. I have no intention of signing legislation that would weaken those protections. I fought throughout my political career and im fighting as we speak to strengthen Environmental Protections in the United States. So i have no interest in signing a trade agreement that we can weaken environmental standards. So i think theres been a lot of publicity and speculation about what might be or could be or this provision potentially used in rations to use some fashion weaken some of these protections or encroach on sovereignty decisions that are made, and i just caution everybody to wait until they actually see what has been negotiated before they engage in all these speculations. I think theres generally been suspicion in some quarters around trade t some of those suspicions are unjustified. Ome of them reflect old models of trade agreements that have been updated. But what i can say for certain is because of the trading relationship between the United States and europe we have created millions of jobs on both sides of the atlantic. And growth and prosperity has advanced. Theres a way of doing this right that will help us make sure that we remain at the cutting edge of innovation and growth and development. There are bad ways of doing trade agreements as well. Ultimately all of these things will have to be subjected to scrutiny in the light of day, but no point in getting excited provisions in trade agreements that havent been drafted yet. There will be plenty of time to criticize trade agreements when they are actually put before the public. But i guarantee you we are going to be working hard to make sure that Environmental Protections, Consumer Protections already in place, that those are strengthened. That partith everyone of the suspicion about trade is whether globalization is benefiting everybody as opposed to just those at the top. Some small segments of our economies, or large corporations as opposed to small and medium sized businesses. I think it is important for us as leaders to ensure that trade is helping folks at the bottom and folks in the middle. And broadbased prosperity not just a few elites. Thats the its that im going to apply thats the test im going to apply in whether or not to move forward in a trade deal. Im confident we can shape a trade deal that accomplishes those things. Just on ukraine, i guess the president of the European Commission will seek on the tita. On ukraine we coordinated our first years of sanctions, hitting individuals by travel bans and by exits, and also on the political side we suspended the preparatory work for the g8 meeting and we are now organizing a g7 meeting as mentioned already. That will take place in brussels. And then from the european side we said in the statement of the European Council that if further steps were taken by russia to destabilize the situation in ukraine, we will take economic sanctions, and we tasked the commission to prepare a broad range of sanctions, all kinds of areas. Of course we have to coordinate among our member states. They are not all in the same position as far as trade, energy, Financial Services is concerned. So we have to coordinate among us and we have to coordinate while respecting. International law. Working also on stabilizing the situation in ukraine. Stabilizing politically, economically, financially. Because that is the best answer. It is the best answer to strengthen the ukraine to make it a strong currency instead wo stabilizing the situation in ukraine. Stabilizing of curncy. Thats why we signed the Association Agreement with ukraine. Thats why we will provide financial help to ukraine if they agree on reforms with the International Monetary fund. Thats why also unilaterally we are we will remove customs duties. So theres a broad rake of initiatives we are taking to range of initiatives we are taking to stabilize the country of ukraine besides curncy. The actions that we can take as far as sanctions are concerned. Still on this issue, i believe all this talk about more on sanctions the united taking d europe is very important decisions, mike the cancellation of our summit are now together the cancellation of the g8 summit in sochi, indeed the organization of a g7 meeting here in brussels. In fact, european economy is much more linked to russia and russia to theure peaian than the United States. Russians are looking much more to europe because they are traveling more here and so on. Thats precisely why one measure in europe that may appear not so ambitious as america, has at least the same effect. Because the actions that our trade with russia is compared with japan, for instance t so we are preparing the necessary measures in a determined way, of course consulting with our American Partners and friends, what is important is that we make sure that an acceptable action will bear very serious consequences. So far this has been a measure that has been passed clearly to the russian leadership. And once again the problems of the competition between the United States and europe about sanctions, the problem is one that exists between russia and international community. In the 21st century its not acceptable to have one big power takes part of another sovereign country. This is the real problem not the americans or European Unions in their respective instruments in terms of measures. I think president obama already said everything. I want to reassure you, we commission, the european our amendment are does not allow for any kind of weakening of our standards. Americans have high standards as well. Its true sometimes in regulatory matters we dont have executive position, thats why when its not possible to have improgramtory conversions, i think we should try to accept some mechanisms of the recognition because its true that today trade even tween europe and the United States, tax are relatively low compared with other parts of the world. We are trying to get it even lower. Both americans and im sure we are going to get it. But it is also important to keep keep progress, and nontariff bear riffs, and some are in the regulatory field. Im sure can you do it right. I have nothing to add to what president obama said. Ut lets work for what can be. Not only for the benefit of the european citizens or American People, but also for a more open global trade system. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Jeff mason from reuters. Mr. President , youre going to nato later this afternoon, what more does nato need to do to reassure russias worried neighbors . Do you think the crisis right now in that region will make it more or less likely that natea will expand to include ukraine . Or president barosso and portiella, on energy what, more do you expect the United States to do to help the European Union rye dues its dependence on russian oil . And are you concerned that obstacles in congress will prevent you from achieving your goals on trade . And as we saw with the vote on the i. M. F. Yesterday, also on ukraine . Thank you. Im looking forward to having my meeting with secretarygeneral rasmussen. Who whose term is expiring and i have to say has provided outstanding leadership to nato on a whole range of issues. Let me take an opportunity now without him being here to compliment him on doing just an outstanding job. As i said yesterday at a press conference in the hague, our commitment to nato is the cornerstone, the most important element of u. S. National security. As well asure peaian security. Nd so at the core of nato is our article 5 commitments to collective defense. When i first came into office, one of the things that i said to all the nato members sitting around the table was that theres no junior nato members versus senior nato members. Obviously there are big countries and small countries in nato, but when it comes to the commitment to collective defense, everybody is in the same footing. It does mean that we have to make sure that we have put gether very real contingency plans for every one of these members, including those who came in out of central and eastern europe. Over the last several years we have worked up a number of these contingency plans. When we meet, when the ministers things april, one of the that i had suggested to the heads of state and government to our nato members is that we examine those plans to make sure hey are updated. That we do more to ensure that a regular nato presence among some of these states that may feel vulnerable is executed. I think there are ways we can do that that can be accommodated by our existing assets. But one of the things that i have also said in the past and will repeat again, and i think secretarygeneral rasmussen agree was me here, is that if we get collective defense that means everybody has to chip in. And i have had some concerns about a diminished level of defense spending among some of our partners in nato, not all, but many, the trendlines have been going down, thats understandable when you have an economic crisis and financial crisis and many countries are going through fiscal consolidation, but the situation in ukraine reminds us that our freedom isnt free. And weve got to be willing to pay for the assets, the personnel, the training thats required to make sure that we have a credible nato force and an effective deterrent force. So one of the things that i think medium and longterm well have to examine is whether everybody is chipping in. And this cant just be a u. S. Exercise or a british exercise or one countrys efforts. Everybodys going to have to make sure that they are engaged and involved. And i think that that will help build more confidence among some f those border states. One last thing i just want to say about energy. Also mentioned this to everyone, i think it is useful for europe to look at its own Energy Assets as well as how the United States can supply Additional Energy assets. The truth of the matter is is that just as theres no easy, free, simple way to defend ourselves, theres no perfect, free ideal, cheap Energy Sources. Every possible Energy Source has inconveniences for or downsize, and i think that will europe collectively is going to need to examine in light of whats happened their Energy Policies to find all their additional ways that they can diversify and accelerate energy independence. The United States neither ukraine or georgia are currently on a path to nato membership. There has not been any immediate plans for expansion of natos membership. I know that russia has at least on that ground has suggested one of the reasons they have been concerned about ukraine was potential nato membership. On the other hand, part of the reason that the ukraine has not formally applied for nato membership is because of its complex relationship with russia. I dont think thats going to change any time soon, obviously. So as i said yesterday we have a commitment that includes a military commitment to our nato members. For nonmembers we want to support those countries based on our principles and ideals that are important not just in europe but around the world, including erritorial integrity and sovereignty. So we are going to do everything we can to support ukraine in its elections, its economy, and continue id like russia in response to the action that is is taken, but i think it would thenrealistic to think that ukrainian people themselves have made a decision about that, much less the complex process thats required in order to actually become a nato member. About energy, of course as president obama just said we have to solve some our problems. We have been working on that. For instance we have been working on new gas, the First Time Ever youll have gas from eastern part of europe not come interesting russia. It will be from azerbaijan. We have made progress in many areas of the intermarket, interconnections. We are working on that. But its certainly good news that the United States has this policy of putting the gas from shale gas into the International Market because its a blessing for the United States, as president obama just said, but also for the world. Because countriesure peaian countries countries, likeure peaian like european countries, we know about the licenses, we welcome the row marks that president obama just said this is going to be much easier than the licenses that have already been given to companies around the world to trade. And most importantly we also we have decided to increase our energy. Next week i visit with secretary john kerry. Waiting to see what also can be done. Ut europe is working to reduce its Energy Dependency and thats one of the reasons why the European Commission has been pushing for so many years to achieve to develop international connections. Nd i believe now we have discussed it under the chairmanship of the council, the commitment of this. This was wakeup call. Very, very strong for europe to go forth in terms of the Energy Integration and also policy for nergy. We are already exporting more. But president obama to give you the elements, you have the g7 meeting and just today that licenses are already given. That are equivalent to the supply of gas to europe, but they are in the market. We certainly dont expect to be a market for any kind of specific market. We believe in free trade. We dont want that to be the case. Its good news. And its up to the american president to confirm it but i think i can say there is potential, to increase more of these licenses. This is certainly good news. But we are not relying just on that. We have to do also our own work here. Thank you for your attention. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] president obama concludes his visit to brussels with his speech coming up in about one hour, aides say its likely hell link europes history toure cranes cry sifments ukraines crisis. Well have live coverage at 1 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan3. Meanwhile, the u. S. Senate is on track to vote tomorrow on sanctions against russia. And aid for ukraine. The house foreign fa Fairs Committee has approved its version of the measure, but it was unclear whether a final bill could be sent to president obama before the end of the week. This is the International Monetary fund reform language, has been removed from that senate bill. It now contains 1 billion in loan guarantees to ukraine and sanctions against president putins inner circle. Cspan, for 35 years bringing Public Affairs events from washington, directly to you. Putting you in the room at congressional hearings, white house events, briefings, and conferences. And offering complete gavel to gavel coverage of the u. S. House. All as a Public Service of private industry. We are cspan, created by the cable tv industry, 35 years ago, and brought to you as a Public Service by your local cable or satellite provider. Watch us in hd, like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter. The u. S. House gaveling in. Theyll take up a bill today that puts restrictions on the president s executive authority to designate national monuments. Live coverage here on cspan. F that you have done for us, not just within the last few moments but over the sweep of our lives, the triumphs as well as the turmoil. We pray that as the