David w. Jolly to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, john a. Boehner speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 6 2015, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip limited to five minutes. But in no event shall debate continue beyond 1 50 p. M. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Berra bera for five minutes. Mr. Bera thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise to honor the memory of Sacramento County sheriff deputy danny oliver. Deputy oliver served the citizens of Sacramento County for 15 years when he paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty this past october. Later that day the sheriff investigative junior was shot by the same assailant. Deputy oliver grew up in sacramento and graduated from high school there. He loved served the community where he groo up and dedicated his life grew up and dedicated his life to making it better. He was known for being part of the community that he served answering emails from concerned citizens and never declining to attend a neighborhood meeting. Deputy oliver was as dedicated to his family as he was to his job and his family was dedicated to him. His wife worked two jobs while danny went through the Sheriffs Academy where he graduated at the top of his class academically. She will be my guest tonight at the state of the union. Susan and danny have two daughters, the lives of Deputy Oliver and investigator davis are a reminder that our Law Enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day for our safety. They were true heroes and we are forever indebted to them and their loved ones. Lets honor their memory by building understanding and trust between Law Enforcement and the communities they serve. Just like Deputy Oliver did. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from puerto rico mr. Pierluisi, for five minutes. Mr. Pierluisi mr. Speaker, yesterday this nation including puerto rico, celebrated Martin Luther king day, it is important to pause and respect upon dr. Kings legacy and its relevance to the issue of puerto ricos political status. In the 1950s and 1960s dr. King was the most prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement for racial equality in the United States. He was physically brave, leading peaceful marches and other protests in parts of the country where some government officials and residents were willing to use violence and intimidation to maintain a system of segregation and discrimination. Dr. King was also remarkably eloquent. His speeches and writings inspired many women who already supported the campaign for racial equalityity but they also changed the hearts and minds of individuals who initially opposed the cause. He helped Many Americans who were leaving dr. King was motivated by a sense of urgency. In a letter written from the alabama jail, he stated justice delayed is justice denied. He was also strategic every action he took was carefully designed to advance the cause. He knew the means matter as much as ends. And he had little patience for advocates who lacked a sense of tactics and timing. Dr. King traveled to puerto rico on at least two occasions, but it does not appear that he expressed a considered opinion about the islands political status. Nevertheless, based on dr. Kings philosophy it is fair to presume that he would be very troubled by the situation in puerto rico. Dr. King regarded the right to vote as sacred. In the 1957 speech delivered in front of the lincoln memorial, he said i quote so long as i do not firmly and revocably possess the right to vote, i do not possess myself. I cannot make up my mind. It is made up for me. I cannot live as a democratic citizen serving the laws i help to enact, i can only submit to the edict of others. End of quote. Nearly 50 years after dr. Kings death from an assassins bullet, the right to vote in federal and local elections is guaranteed to all american citizens regardless of race but only if they reside in the u. S. State. The 3. 6 million american citizens residing in the u. S. Territory of puerto rico are denied this sacred right. Unable to vote for the federal leaders who make the laws that govern every aspect of their lives. We lack the very right of dr. King lived for and the right he died for. The movement dr. King led was a quest for equal rights and equal opportunities for africanamericans, however, the principle that lay behind the movement and that gave it such moral power has broader application. It is the belief that theres only one category of american citizenship not a first class citizenship for some and second class citizenship for others. Every day that puerto rico remains a territory and undemocratic and undignified status, this principle is violated. Dr. King taught us that achieving equality requires hard, determined, relentless work. It requires leaders who are both passionately strategic just as dr. King was. But above all, it requires thousands upon thousands of ordinary men and women to unite around a principle, the principle of equality. To fight for it until it is obtained. Dr. Kings life is a testament to the fundamental truth that theres no force on earth Strong Enough to stop the righteous cost pursued by righteous means. Our struggle to obtain equal rights and equal opportunities for the u. S. Citizens of puerto rico is a struggle for justice. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from texas ms. Jackson lee, for five minutes. Ms. Jackson lee i ask unanimous consent to address the house. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Jks l . R, what an interesting coincidence. We are here today to hear from the president of the United States, president barack obama, on his state of the union, just yesterday millions of americans honored together the legacy and message of dr. Martin luther king jr. I rise today to emphasize that dr. Kings message was not a message for one particular ethnic or racial or religious group, but as i reflected over the years he equaled the original values of this nation. Constitution begins by saying we have come to order a more perfect union. Its a small document. The bill of rights gives flesh to the bones of the constitution. Because it gives us the freedom of religion and speech and access and the ability to move around and the right to a jury trial and right to due process and right to dignity. And freed the slaves. But it also is a document that can free us from the biases that sometimes come because of isolation. And that was dr. King. He sought for america her higher angels. He wanted her to be able to be true to her values. For those who fled persecution in far away places, he wanted america to be that place that did not seek color religion, ethnicity did not see differences because one was disabled or gay or straight, but really saw us in an equal manner. He marched for all people. I would hope that as we begin this session of congress, as we listen to the president of the United States, who literally stands on the shoulders of dr. Martin luther king for it was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 where many lost their lives and the Voting Rights act of 1965 where a young woman by the name of viola died right after the selma march as she was bringing back those protesters and marchers she was shot dead. She was a white woman from michigan. And so i pay tribute to dr. King today and i look forward to listening to the president s message that will hopefully be a message of hope and the opportunities for america to Work Together. I remember my own community, i pay tribute to a place called freemans town, founded by former slaves and a place where black soldiers were isolated in world war i but they had the uniform of this country. I pay tributele to reverend f. M. Williams and s. J. Gilbert, j. J. Roverson, and many others that have walked the pathway, the leaders of the naacp, leaders of the urban league, and many of our seniors who came to us to give us knowledge through their sacrifices of world war ii. The Buffalo Soldiers that we see in our community all the time. And to those who have put on the uniform through the ages, all of those persons combined make up the spirit of dr. Martin luther king, who believes us with a the most important statement, justice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere. As we go on our new journy, let us look to respect our Law Enforcement, but also look as we stand alongside of the men and women in blue that we also find a way to be able to bring justice and opportunity and as welfareness to the criminal justice system. It takes all of us to be able to get that system right side up. Our Law Enforcement officers and their training, and then of course the judicial system. Let us look forward in dr. Kings spirit of coming together no matter what our race, color, our creed, whatever our body says to do to be able to do what is right. And i said to young people when i was speaking about dr. King this weekend i use one simple theme, he had a humble courage a quiet courage. He had to make decisions in the quietness of his own presence and his own space to say im willing to do what is right even though there may be danger. He never announced never spoke about words that dealt with his own personal courage. He did say that he had a peace that would allow him to see the Promised Land and acknowledge to us that he might not get there with us, but he knew we as a people i take that we as the American People will get there someday. Let us together fix fergusons, and the many fergusons around the nation, let us bring comfort to parents all around this nation. Let us be reminded of dr. Kings spirit, not just in this weekend of activities and respect and honor, but let us do it always. I close by simply saying thank you at home to reverend dr. Duncan tale. Hes been the visionary in our efforts to honor dr. Martin luther king. And we were able successfully with federal funds and working with him we were able to place a Martin Luther king memorial, the first built outside of washington d. C. In the last 10 years. We are excited about t we know that his spirit is not in bricks and mortar it is living within us. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. Pursuant to class 12a of rule 1, the chair now declares the house in recess until 2 00 voters gave us an opportunity to do great things for hardworking americans. Believe me we are not going to waste that opportunity. Im here today speaks as the chairman of the Senate Finance committee. The finance committee has the largest jurisdiction of any committee in congress. Legislating on issues that impact the lives and livelihoods of each and every american. We have jurisdiction turnover the tax code, much of our Nations Health care policy. We have jurisdiction over our trade policy and entitle programs. And theres much more entitlement programs. And theres much more, we have great senators on this committee, on both sides of the aisle. Im very grateful for the Senate Majority leader and my colleagues for entrusting me with this opportunity and leadership of this Important Group of senators. Pardon my voice. Our country faces a number of significant challenges. For example despite recent upticks, Economic Growth over the last several years have lagged behind historic levels. And even though we have seen a decline in the Unemployment RateLabor Force Participation is dangerously low. And we know that the reason one of the big reasons for the decline is that people just arent even looking for jobs anymore. More and more americans are forced to work in lowpaying, often parttime jobs or leave the work force altogether. Although we have seen some deficit reduction over the past few years, our National Debt is currently over 18 trillion. Thats trillion. With a t. And its projected only to expand in the coming years. And we have a coming entitlement crisis that threatens to swallow up our government and take our economy down with t if we are going to right this ship, we are going to need a new agenda. An agenda that puts the healthy economy and job creation first. Agenda an agenda that gives Hardworking Taxpayers greater security and independence. An agenda that will put our government on a better and berter and more responsible fiscal footing. Thats what im here to talk about today. As the chairman of the finance committee i want to do all i can to put our country on a better path and ensure all americans have an opportunity to prosper. To get there i have put together what really is a very ambitious agenda for our committee. I would like to lay out some of that for you here today. Im fully aware that for some people particularlyly the particularly the cynics, the word ambitious is another synonym for unrealistic. To them i can only offer my commitment to work tirelessly and relentlessly to make every part of this agenda a reality. Keep in mind this isnt first time i have chaired a committee. I have chaired two large committees before taking over Senate Finance. While there are some unique challenges to every committee, those who know me can attest that i can work to get things done. To see what i intend to do, lets talk specifics about what the Senate Finance committee will be tackling in the 114th congress. Tax reform. My top priority for the new congress will be to reform our nations broken tax code. Tax reform is long overdue. I dont think theres a person in this audience who would disagree with that sentiment. Comprehensive tax reform is essential if we are going to get our economy moving again. Our current tax system is a roadblock that stands between us and sustained prosperity. I dont believe that reform should be considered optional. It is essential if we are serious about building and maintaining a healthy economy. Over the past few years i have laid out seven principles that i believe should guide our tax reform efforts. The first is growth in the economy. Growing our economy should be our highest priority. As we undertake tax reform. Absence sustained and robust growth, our children and grandchildren face a dimmer future. Another essential principle is fairness, the tax code should treat similarly situated taxpayers similarly. It should not pick winners and losers. A Broader Tax Base with lower tax rates should be the basis of a fairer tax code. Simplicity is also a very important principle every year americans spend more and more on gross domestic we spend more than the Gross Domestic Product of total domestic product of new zealand just to comply with the tax code alone. These millions of dollars could be put to better use elsewhere providing greater Financial Security for families and individuals. Perms is another principle. Businesses and Hardworking Taxpayers should be able to plan for the future without wondering whether the tax code is going to change from year to year. Our tax code should also pro moat american competitiveness promote american competitiveness. Under the current system, american employers face numerous competitive disadvantages relative to their foreign counterparts. We need to eliminate these impediments and put our own companies on a level Playing Field in the world marketplace. We also need savings on investment. Right now our tax code in many ways discourages people from saving and investing, which harms growth, hinders Financial Independence, and reduces the quality of life for future generations. That needs to be changed in tax reform. Finally, theres the principle of revenue neutrality. If we are scouring our tax code looking for additional revenues to pay for government spending, we are not engaging in a tax reform, we are just plain and simple raising taxes. Any attempt to use tax reform as an excuse to raise taxes on businesses or Hardworking Taxpayers is a needless distraction, in my opinion. I dont know any reasonable person who would publicly argue that the American People are undertaxed. Or american businesses are undertaxed. We need to remember that as we work to reform. As you know, because of the taxation of american businesses, some of them are inverting because of better tax rates in other countries and we have a very mobile moving economy at this point in this country. It doesnt appear that president obama gets it. We have seen reports that in tonights state of the union address, the president plans to call for tax hikes in the name of simply filing the tax code and helping the middle class. And the tax hikes hes proposing would be particularly damaging. Undoing tax policies that have been successful in helping expand the economy, promote savings and create jobs. His proposals would send a bad signal to american businesses and workers who want us to actually help promote the health of the economy. Clearly while he may be using language typically associated with tax reform, his goals depart in many ways from the principles that i just set forward. Revenue neutrality is essential if we are going to enact real reforms. I hope we can get the president to reverse course on this. Simplicity, too, is important. It woul