Today's hearing reviews the implementation of the Fostering Connections law approved last fall.  That law made important changes we all hope will benefit young people in foster care.  The changes include stepped up efforts to place children with relatives instead of strangers and improved incentives for adopting children out of foster care.  I am especially interested in provisions… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Speaker, I intend to vote against this bill, but I recognize that it does contain one worthy section: ensuring workers continue to get promised regular and extended unemployment benefits and States are able to keep paying those benefits.  Let’s be clear why this provision is necessary: the Democrats’ economic policy has resulted in record job loss, record… Read more

Thank you, Chairman Levin. Policymakers should have access to the views of stakeholders on all sides of trade issues.  The critical question is: How best can we allow everyone to have a voice while still maintaining the effectiveness and flexibility of the information flow?  I’m eager to hear testimony on this key point. Without question, the private sector and the Administration… Read more

Mr. Chairman, you and I have been here before, we were sitting in different chairs back in 1994, but we were both here attempting to improve the nation’s health care system.  And, while we are still here attempting to improve the nation’s health care system, much more than our seats on the dais have changed.  In 1994, as we debated health care reform, the full Ways and Means Committee… Read more

Mr. Chairman, nobody disputes that America's health care system needs reform. Rising health care costs are putting the squeeze on families, businesses, and government alike, while placing quality health coverage completely out of reach for too many Americans. Unfortunately, the bill before us fails to bring costs under control. Instead, it would raise taxes and force employers to cut jobs… Read more

Mr. Chairman, I am not sure what to focus on this morning: all that we do know about this bill or all that we don’t know about it.  Both are fairly disturbing.   Let me begin with what we don’t know: how much CBO says it will cost or how you will pay for it.  Hopefully, everyone can see page 162 of the bill on the TV screens.  Now, I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Thank you, Chairman Neal for yielding.  I’d also like to welcome Chairman Watt and Ranking Member Paul to the hearing room of the Ways and Means Committee. As we all know, the New Markets Tax Credit, created by Congress is 2000, is intended to encourage investment in impoverished areas.  Since then, Congress has extended the credit and created additional… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared)Today’s hearing offers a timely reminder of the difference between the fantasyland of Washington, D.C. and the reality of the rest of America. Here in fantasyland, we’ll discuss adding one more multi-billion dollar entitlement program.  This would be on top of the new higher education entitlement program created this year, and of course our current health care and… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared)Mr. Chairman, thank you for yielding time.  I want to thank you for holding this hearing and for your leadership on a number of legislative initiatives on which we are cooperating, including our offers-in-compromise legislation as well as other projects.  As the new Ranking Member for this Subcommittee, I look forward to continuing to work with you to improve IRS tax… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing.  One of the principal ways that State and local governments finance their activities is through the issuance of bonds to the public.  It is generally agreed that the liquidity crisis and accompanying economic… Read more