[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2376-H2394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JUBILEE ACT FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING AND EXPANDED DEBT CANCELLATION OF
2008
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1103 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 2634.
{time} 1242
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 2634) to provide for greater responsibility in lending and
expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the
international financial institutions by low-income countries, and for
other purposes, with Mr. Pastor in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the
first time.
The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bachus) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, according to the World Bank, more than 10 million
children in developing countries die every year before the age of 5,
most from preventable illnesses. More than 1 billion people in
developing countries do not have access to save drinking water. And
approximately 100 million school-age children do not attend school.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 41 percent of the population lives on less
than $1 a day.
It was because of these injustices that I first got involved in the
issue of debt relief, and I would like to thank many of my colleagues
who have been working with me over the years on debt relief and who
have joined with me to present this legislation.
First, I'd like to thank Chairman Barney Frank, who's always been a
big supporter and a fighter, and who's worked very hard in the past to
ensure that we are on record doing the right thing for poor children
and poor families all over the world.
And of course I've been very pleased to work with the ranking member
of the Financial Services Committee, Mr. Spencer Bachus, who worked
with me on Jubilee 2000, and who's been involved in debt relief for
many, many years.
I'd like to thank the original cosponsors, Mr. Emanuel Cleaver, Mr.
Luis Gutierrez, Ms. Carolyn Maloney, Mr. Donald Payne, Ms. Barbara Lee,
and others such as Ms. Judy Biggert, who serves on our Financial
Services Committee, and Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is the Ranking
Member on Foreign Affairs, for all of the work and the assistance and
the cosponsorship for this legislation.
{time} 1245
In 1999, I worked with my colleagues on the Financial Services
Committee to pass legislation to provide debt relief to the world's
poorest countries. Our legislation provided complete debt cancellation
for the bilateral debt that certain poor countries owed to the United
States. Several other donor countries followed our example and
cancelled the debts that were owed to them as well.
Our legislation also directed the Clinton administration to negotiate
with other world leaders to significantly reduce poor countries'
multilateral debts. The following year, the House passed my amendment
to the fiscal year 2001 Foreign Operations appropriations bill, which
increased funding for debt relief from $69 million to $225 million.
This amendment proved that Congress supported full funding for the debt
relief programs.
Since then, we have continued to work together in a bipartisan way to
urge not only the Clinton administration but the Bush administration as
well, the IMF, the World Bank, and other multilateral financial
institutions to expand debt relief. As a result of our efforts, 23
heavily indebted poor countries have received complete cancellation of
their debts.
Debt cancellation has proven to be effective in freeing up resources
for poverty reduction. Cameroon is using its savings of $29.8 million
from debt cancellation in 2006 for national poverty reduction
priorities including infrastructure, social sector, and governance
reforms. Uganda is using its savings of $57.9 million to improve energy
infrastructure, to ease acute electricity shortages, as well as primary
education, malaria control, health care, and water infrastructure.
Zambia is using its savings of $23.8 million to increase spending on
agricultural projects and to eliminate fees for health care in rural
areas.
I'm proud to report that debt relief has made a real difference in
the lives of millions of impoverished people. This came to pass because
our country showed leadership, and our country showed leadership
because this Congress showed leadership.
We are here today to continue our efforts. We are here today to
enable additional needy and deserving poor countries to benefit from
the cancellation of their debts. The Jubilee Act would make up to an
additional 25 low-income countries eligible for debt relief, provided
these countries meet strict criteria and use the savings for poverty
reduction programs such as improvements to economic infrastructure,
basic education, nutrition and health services, and programs to redress
environmental degradation.
I would like to share with you a few of the observations and perhaps
comments that I have learned about since I have been involved with debt
cancellation.
Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, once asked, ``Must
we starve our children to pay our debts?'' For Tanzania, the answer to
this question is, ``not anymore.'' That is because Tanzania is one of
the lucky ones. It is one of the 23 countries that have already
received complete debt cancellation. Tragically, many other countries
are still starving their children in order to pay their debts.
Debt forgiveness is a moral imperative, and it is encouraged by many
religious traditions. The Bible instructs the people of ancient Israel
to cancel debts periodically through the celebration of a sabbath year
every 7 years and a jubilee every 50 years.
Leviticus 25:10 says, ``Proclaim liberty throughout the lands and to
all the inhabitants thereof. It shall be a jubilee for you.''
Let us once again proclaim a jubilee for millions of people in some
of the poorest countries in the world.
I would ask my colleagues to join with me in support of this Jubilee
Act.
Before yielding the balance of my time, I would like to thank Speaker
Nancy Pelosi for urging us to get this bill up and get it on the floor
so that we could go on record in support of debt cancellations for the
poor countries of the world.
At this time, I would like to yield the balance of my time to
Chairman Frank, and I ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to
control the time.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Massachusetts will be recognized.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Chairman, I ask for such time as I may consume.
I speak in support of the legislation. First of all, let me thank
Chairman Frank and Subcommittee Chairman Waters for the bipartisan
cooperation they've shown in bringing this bill to the floor.
Mr. Chairman, this legislation is very good legislation. I would urge
all Members to support it. What the legislation does, as Congresswoman
Waters said, it allows the administration to negotiate debt relief
arrangements with the 25 poorest countries of the world. It does not
require them to enter into any specific agreement. It simply gives them
that authorization.
Once they have gone to those countries and negotiated debt relief,
that
[[Page H2377]]
agreement then has to come back to the Senate and the House for our
approval. So we're not approving any specific action today. We're
simply authorizing them to do what most of us in this body believe is
the right thing to do, and that's debt relief for the poorest people of
the world.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn said that a disaster is defined by magnitude
and distance. We hear about a million and a half citizens of Darfur
starving to death, and it is halfway around the world. It somehow does
not grip us like seeing someone in our own community starve to death on
the streets. But in reality, 1.5 million people have died in Darfur,
and they're dying in Sub-Saharan Africa. They're dying in these 25
countries.
And people say, how do they die? You hear of 25,000, but what we're
really talking about is one child at a time, one young person at a
time, one older lady or grandmother that simply dies because there is
nothing to eat or because there is no clean water or because there is
no vaccinations.
Now, let me give you three reasons why we should support it. People
say let me answer this first, and I'm going to answer it by submitting
for the record, and I would ask the Members, if you're trying to decide
whether to support this legislation or not, I'm going to introduce the
remarks of Ward Brehm, who is the chairman of the U.S. Africa
Development Fund. He spoke at this year's prayer breakfast. I wish
every Member could have been there.
Remarks of Ward Brehm, Chairman of U.S. African Development Board,
National Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, February 7, 2008
Thank you, Senator Enzi. I am deeply humbled by your
introduction and proud to be able to call you my friend.
Most of you were probably surprised when you picked up the
program and saw a speaker you've never heard of before. Me
too . . . One month ago, I sent in my registration . . . and
was just hoping for a good seat!
My thanks also to the members of the Senate group for this
opportunity. A good friend emailed me last night and said
that if God was going to speak through me I didn't need to be
nervous. . . .
God is the one who should be nervous!
My wife read to me from Scripture last night that Jesus
said when two or more gather in His name He will be there.
That's good enough for me!
My work has given me the high privilege of serving you, Mr.
President, the American people, and above all, the poor in
Africa.
The best way to help the poor is to help them not be poor
anymore. The only way I know how to do that is through job
creation, and the very best form of sustainable development
is a steady paycheck.
It's been said that if you give a man a fish, you feed him
for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a
lifetime. But that's not the full story. If you want to eat
for a lifetime, you need to own the pond.
So a bit of background . . . Despite that eloquent
introduction, I am a recovering Type-A controlling
businessman. I've been described even by people who like me
as someone who is often wrong but seldom in doubt. I was a
bit of a problem child growing up. In fact, my pastor since
childhood, Arthur Rouner, recently referred to me as a
ministerial long shot!
They say that if God wants to get your attention He will
toss a pebble into your life. If that doesn't work He'll
throw a rock. As a last resort He'll heave a brick!
Africa was my brick.
In 1994, Africa was not on my personal radar screen.
In fact, the only thing on that radar screen was me.
In the Los Angeles Airport I bought a copy of Stephen
Covey's book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
I didn't buy it to learn anything, but just wanted to make
sure he got them all right!
I was intrigued by Covey's notion of paradigms: identical
sets of facts can mean something totally different because of
your world view.
Somalia was in the news at the time, and countless numbers
of Africans were dying from starvation. I felt no real
connection to this humanitarian crisis. My radar screen was
full.
Paradigms usually change because of shock or trauma, but I
wondered if it might be possible for someone to change their
paradigm on purpose. I supposed that if I were to see people
starving, it would change that paradigm and perhaps much
more. The thought left me nearly as quickly as it came.
But God sent me a reminder . . . One week later, I made one
of my occasional stops at church . . . My pastor, out of the
blue, took me aside and said, ``Ward, I'm going to Africa in
two months, and I would like you to go with me.''
I told him I couldn't believe the coincidence of his
invitation given my recent reflections on Somalia. Then I
said . . . ``No!''
He looked at me in a strange way, and he said, ``Would you
at least pray about it?'' I looked at him and said, ``You're
the pastor; you pray about it. I will think about it but
suspect my answer will still be no.''
He must have prayed hard . . . because two months later, I
found myself in the Minneapolis airport with a ticket to
Ethiopia in my hand. I was surrounded (for lack of a better
word) by church ladies. And they were hugging me . . . Then
someone suggested we pray before we departed, so I found
myself outside Gate 8A, holding hands with a group of
strangers. And as I stand here before the National Prayer
Breakfast I can honestly say I uttered my first heartfelt and
sincere prayer . . .
``Lord . . . Don't let any of my clients see me!''
And then we flew. 12,000 miles to Africa, and a million
miles from my comfort zone. I had the high privilege of
having my heart broken. I saw poverty on an obscene level.
Children with flies on their eyes and for the lack of a 50
cent medicine doomed to blindness, the emaciated faces of
famine, families shattered by civil war. And in Masaka,
Uganda, I held the hand of a 22-year-old Mother as she died
of AIDS and then turned and looked directly into the eyes of
four brand new orphans.
I was an eyewitness.
It put a face on the statistics. I always believed that
those statistics were true, but now they were real. It got
personal. . . .
More recently, I took a long walk with a warrior turned
pastor friend deep into an unknown wilderness along the
northern Rift Valley that divides Northwest Kenya with
Uganda. He took me to where they had never seen a person with
white skin. When they first spotted me, they thought I was a
ghost . . . a dead man walking. For a while, I thought they'd
be right.
I fasted for five days on this walk to experience real
hunger, but had brought along protein bars in the case of (as
Lodinyo put it) an ``emergency''. At the end of the walk, I
collapsed in a borrowed sleeping hut; when I awoke 13 hours
later, I saw a little boy peeking through the door. While he
was initially terrified, curiosity eventually got the best of
him, and I noticed he was concentrating more on my stash of
power bars than he was on me. He succeeded in snatching a
bar, and immediately ran away. ``Kids are the same
everywhere,'' I thought, until I stepped outside the hut, and
found a little boy kneeling over his two-year-old sister with
a terribly distended stomach, feeding her tiny pieces of
protein. . . .
I found out 3 months later that she had died . . . another
paradigm shift.
Now after more than 30 trips to Africa, the question I have
been asked more than any other by my African friends is
``What do you pray for?''
Most of us among the affluent have too many things. Too
much food, multiple cars, great health care, retirement
plans, insurance. . . .
It's only when things fall completely apart, and we're
totally out of control that we feel totally dependent, and
thus closest to God. Death, cancer, business failure,
addiction, divorce, crises; these are the things that drop us
to our knees.
All across the world including America things are
continually falling apart for the truly poor . . . They are
always out of control, constantly living in a crisis mode,
and thus dependent and faithful to God's own commandment that
we love Him with all our hearts. God is often all the poor
have.
The leaders that God anoints are their only hope. And
despite the often-horrific conditions they live in, the poor
are thankful for their very existence.
Scripture asks, ``Hasn't God chosen those who are poor in
the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and inherit the
Kingdom?'' Yes, He has. I've seen it with my own eyes.
The question I'm asked the most by my American friends is,
``Why cross an ocean to help people when you need only cross
the street, to help your own?'' It's a great question, and
the answer is, of course, that we need to do both.
Solzhenitsyn said that disaster is defined by two things:
magnitude and distance. So a small disaster close to home or
a huge disaster faraway, results in what he describes as
``bearable disasters of bearable proportions.'' We've become
too good at ``bearing.'' Our hearts should be broken by the
things that break the heart of God.
Specifically in Africa, there are many faraway disasters of
epic proportions. In 1994 . . . In Rwanda, a country the size
of Maryland, the political genocide claimed over 800,000
lives. Nine thousand lives per day for 90 days. That's two
World Trade Center disasters per day for 3 months.
Today . . . in Darfur, Sudan, 1.5 million homeless.
Thousands terrorized, raped and killed. AIDS is killing 4,400
people per day in Africa, and even more are dying from
curable malaria. Epic disasters of epic proportions, far from
home for most of us. We have hundreds right here in this room
from all around the world, our neighbors this morning . . .
who experience these epic disasters close to home.
I do want to say this while I have the chance with the
President sitting right here. Very few people are aware that
due to President Bush's commitment and the resulting
partnership with Congress there has been an absolutely
historic four-fold increase in American assistance to fight
poverty and AIDS in Africa.
In 2003 there were 50,000 Africans on Anti Viral medication
and today there are over 1.5 million. I have not met a single
person who hasn't agreed with this high calling.
[[Page H2378]]
Proverbs, the book of Wisdom says, ``speak up for those who
can't speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor
and destitute.'' You have been that voice and on behalf of
the ``least of these'' in Africa as well as the collective
American conscience, I want to say . . . ``Thank you Mr.
President.''
Do you remember when Jesus was talking to His disciples,
and asked them when He was hungry, why they didn't give Him
any food, and when He was naked, why they didn't give Him any
clothes? And the disciples said something like, ``Lord, we
never did any of those things to You.'' I always thought
(like most folks) that Jesus replied ``Whenever you did this
to the least of these, you did this unto Me.''
Except He didn't say that. What He said was, ``Whenever you
did this to one of the least of these, you did this unto
Me.''
How often do we forget the word ``one.''
It changes the meaning of what Jesus said completely. In
our quest to be helpful, we can rob the poor of their
dignity. In order to be of any help to the poor, we need to
understand them, we need to know them, and we need to Love
them. They are not a group. The poor is not a species. They
are identical to us in their hopes and dreams. They love
their families and long for a better life. The only
difference is that they are poor.
And people don't stiffer and die in groups. It's one at a
time. And each one of those deaths leaves an identical wake
of agony to what you and I and our families would experience.
So what are we supposed to do with all of this? How does
this fit with our own world, so different and so faraway?
Frankly, I'm not sure, but we do have some clues . . . Jesus
said, ``The poor will always be with you.'' What an odd thing
to say. . . . especially coming from Him!
Jesus also said, ``To whom much has been given, much will
be expected.'' So maybe This is a test of sorts. If so . . .
how are we doing?
I have heard stories similar to mine of peoples' lives
being changed: from orphanages in Russia to inner-city
schools in Minneapolis, from the slums of Calcutta to remote
medical clinics in the mountains of Afghanistan, from the
streets of Washington, DC, to wretched prisons in East Asia.
Indeed, all across the world people are answering Jesus'
question, ``Who is my neighbor?''
And these people are finding themselves changed, engaged,
and discovering meaning and relevance by being involved in
things much bigger than themselves. . . .
I believe that, deep down, most people would love to have
God change their lives. Here's the thing: If asked, He will,
every time, guaranteed. And while these changes may initially
seem scary, they ultimately lay a foundation for a life lived
on purpose rather than by default.
I will be forever indebted to Africa. Africa awakened me
when I didn't even know I was asleep. I pray that everyone
who seeks one will find a similar path.
I pray that each of you will find your own Africa. . . .
A few years ago my good friend, Gary Haugen, asked me the
most important question of all. . . .
For those four orphans I was with in Uganda who watched
their mother die of AIDS and were suddenly completely on
their own . . . For a twelve year old girl kidnapped and sold
into slavery in rural India . . . For a single mom evicted
and homeless on the streets of DC . . . For each one of them:
What is God's strategy for letting them know that He is
good?
The mother in Ethiopia sees her baby die of malnutrition.
Why would she think God is good? And what is God's strategy
For allowing her to know that He loves her?
The answer is astounding. The answer is . . . us.
Even more astonishing . . . He has no plan B. . . .
God bless you One and all.
And what he said is, and I'm going to quote him: ``The question I
have been asked by most of my American friends, `Why cross an ocean to
help people when you need only cross the street to help your own?' ''
He said, ``It's a great question.'' And the answer is, of course, that
we need to do both.
He goes on to quote many people that we look to for directions, many
spiritual leaders of all different religions, including Christ Jesus.
And that is the answer. Yes, we have an obligation to our nextdoor
neighbor, but I do believe that we should have at least compassion and
the desire to help people in other countries. We can do that easily and
almost without effort, and when you say ``almost without effort,''
aren't we talking about money?
The first round of debt relief for seven countries cost every
American citizen 50 cents. Fifty cents. But what did that 50 cents do?
It reduced infant mortality in those countries by 9 percent. Nine
percent. What is 9 percent? Well, in some of those countries, it was
literally hundreds of children surviving that wouldn't have survived.
It also included many little girls, millions, millions of little girls
that were able to go to school who were never afforded that opportunity
before, all for a cost of 50 cents.
This next round of debt relief is estimated to cost $2 for every
American citizen. Now, how often could you reach in your pocket, could
you put $2 down, and could you see hundreds of thousands of children
being given an opportunity to read and write? How many times could you
reach in your pocket and offer $2 and know that thousands of people
would survive the night?
There was a Catholic priest, a nun, Sister Trujillo in Nicaragua, and
she was asked sometime, how do these people survive? How do they
survive in such conditions? And she said, I came to say often they
don't. They don't survive.
And whether we pass this legislation or not, all over the world in
these poor countries, tens of thousands of people won't make it through
the night tonight. They will die. They won't see another day. But if we
pass this legislation, we can be assured, because we have a track
record of success, we can be assured that hundreds of thousands will
survive.
In some of these countries, and these are stories that are phenomenal
to me, in many countries for special-needs children, people with Down
Syndrome, people with severe physical limitations, there was absolutely
no services, no services. They were basically born into total
hopelessness. In those countries where we've afforded debt relief and
their debt services have dropped, there are actually, today, services
for those children, for handicapped children.
Anyone who has children, little boys or girls or grandchildren, don't
you take pride when they start learning how to read, when they start
learning how to write? If for almost nothing you could ensure that
little children all over the world have that same right, would you do
something? I think you would, and you would vote for this legislation.
Let me give you three reasons again why this is the right thing to do
not from a moral standpoint but from even from a good government
economic standpoint.
First, it's yielded results. Wherever we have done this, we have
benefited. The United States of America has benefited, these countries
have benefited, the citizens of these countries have benefited. As I
said, the poverty rate in the Sub-Saharan African countries which we
gave debt relief is down 6 percent. Over 1 million children a day are
receiving health care that weren't receiving it, all for almost no cost
to us.
{time} 1300
Second, and I think this is essentially important and I want to try
to find this. This is a quote from the 9/11 Commission. And if you
don't hear anything else that I say today, you're concerned about our
country, you're concerned about our security, then realize that debt
relief is, I believe, dollar for dollar the most effective program in
assuring our national security because it helps to combat poverty, and
it is poverty that leads to instability and hopelessness. It creates
terrorism and terrorist factions to breed and thrive.
The 9/11 Commission, in talking just about programs such as this,
said, ``Terrorism is not caused by poverty. Indeed, many terrorists
come from relatively well-off backgrounds. Yet when people lose hope,
when societies break down, when countries fragment, the breeding ground
for terrorism is created.'' They go on to say, ``Where there is not
basic education, where the children are not afforded an education,
those are the very countries that the next terrorist threat will come
from.''
It's no accident that the U.N. listed Afghanistan prior to the
Taliban taking over as the country with the fewest number of children
attending public education, or any education. Now, we have a choice
that we can stand aside and let these children go to madrassas where
they're taught to hate America, or we can help these countries help
their own future generations by allowing them to go into public
education systems which will not brainwash their children.
And the beneficiaries will not only be them, it will be us. It will
be those of us who have had children in the military. I can tell you,
as the father of a young marine, this bill is very important to me. I
believe that this bill, as much as anything else, allows, long
[[Page H2379]]
term, in our next generations, us to keep more of our children from
having to go over and try to combat these terrorist activities.
Third, it's cost efficient. The U.S. share of the expected first
round of debt relief under this act, as I said, will cost no more than
50 cents a piece for every man, woman and child in this country.
During the debate on this bill, we Republicans asked for and were
readily joined by the Democrats in asking for some changes in this debt
modification from the ones that went on in prior years. One, we asked
the President not to grant debt relief to countries that are not moving
in the direction of democracy, that are not committed to the rules of
law which are committed to improving human rights and the
constitutional rights and the fundamental rights of their citizens.
Second, there are countries that engage in human trafficking. Under
this legislation, they are not eligible for debt relief. They will
either have to turn from those practices or they will be denied even an
opportunity to negotiate. And third, they cannot harbor or promote
terrorism.
Let me simply close by urging the Members; we all want a safer
country, we want a freer America. And for America to be secure in the
present global economy we really cannot ignore the rest of the world.
We cannot just simply watch as these countries slip into chaos and
discord.
This legislation, as much as anything we will bring forward this
year, for almost no money, will, I believe, fundamentally improve lives
all over this world, all over the globe, but will also be a very good
investment for the United States of America, both economically,
militarily and morally.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds
by way of introducing our next speaker.
Last Tuesday, I was very pleased to go to a dinner of an organization
called the Bank Information Center. And it was a gathering of
representatives all of the groups fighting hard to relieve poverty in
much of the rest of the world, especially Africa. And they particularly
wanted to celebrate the anniversary of an amendment that was
successfully authored by a then very junior Member of the House of
Representatives that mandated that in international financial
institutions due attention be paid to matters of the environment and
human rights and decent standards for individuals. And we have come a
long way there. That was then known as the Pelosi amendment, because
the author of it is now the Speaker, she has continued that leadership,
and I yield her 1 minute.
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for
his kind words of recognition to the Pelosi amendment. And I thank him
for his tremendous leadership on debt forgiveness, not only now, but
for a number of years.
I remember watching the master at work to see Mr. Frank work with the
then Clinton administration in the year 2000 when we were trying to get
the millennium debt forgiveness. He, along with Congresswoman Maxine
Waters, have really made a tremendous difference in all this. And they
have talked about some of the differences made in the countries,
Congresswoman Waters did earlier.
God bless us in this House to be able to serve with Congressman
Bachus. He has just been such a wonderful leader in the House; his
value-based policies, sensitive to the needs of people in the world,
and how that relates to the security of our country, and how this is
important from the standpoint of security and compassion, but it makes
good, practical economic sense as well. You're a wonderful leader in
this regard, and it is an honor to call you colleague, Spencer Bachus,
distinguished ranking member of the committee.
This has been a bipartisan initiative from the start. I appreciate
the letter that was sent out by Chairman Waters and Spencer Bachus,
Barney Frank, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Judy Biggert, a senior member of the
Financial Services Committee, as well as Carolyn Maloney from that
committee, advocating for this Jubilee Act to be passed today and
spelling out exactly what it does as Mr. Bachus did so very clearly
just a moment ago. And so with all the recognition to those on the
committee and those who have worked on this issue, thank you for
bringing us to this moment on this day.
And I was very pleased and accept Congresswoman Waters'
acknowledgment of our insisting that it be brought up today because
today is the day we welcomed the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, to
Washington, D.C. Many of us have just returned from the White House,
where we were very proud of the welcoming ceremony presided over by
President Bush and Mrs. Bush to welcome Pope Benedict and to be stirred
by both of their words, the words of our President and also of the Holy
Father.
In his remarks, the Holy Father talked about truth and justice and
freedom. He talked about respecting the dignity and worth of every
person, regarding each other as brothers and sisters, all God's
children. He made a beautiful and inspiring speech. And really his
speech was reflected in the remarks that Spencer Bachus made here in
that same regard of what our responsibilities are to our brothers and
sisters.
Today is the Holy Father's birthday. And as the President said, he is
spending his birthday with friends. And in friendship, we bring this
Jubilee Act to the floor today.
This is not the first resolution to welcome His Holiness to America.
Last week, we all voted in strong support in a bipartisan way for
Congressman McCotter's resolution of welcome to the Holy Father.
Yesterday, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren had legislation on the floor
relating to religious workers' visas and their ability to work in the
United States, which is an issue of importance to His Holiness. And now
today, this very important resolution.
The former Holy Father, Pope Paul II, said, ``If you want peace, work
for justice.'' There has always been a connection here. With this debt
forgiveness, it enables countries to do many more things to promote
justice in their countries, whether it's the eradication of disease,
the alleviation of poverty, eliminating some of the factors that
contribute to the fury of despair that leads to violence that makes the
world less safe.
Again, this was a high priority, this debt forgiveness, for John Paul
II when he was Pope, and he led the Cardinals in America Conference of
Bishops to advocate for this. But it has not just been a Catholic
initiative, it has been an interfaith initiative in the country, in the
world, and certainly in this Congress.
So it's very exciting, on this Holy Father's birthday, as we welcome
him to America, we do so in a way, as Mr. Bachus said, that just gives
the authority to negotiate for these improvements in the forgiveness of
debt so that we can, again, do what is right for respecting the spark
of divinity that exists in every person in the world, that we can try
to bring some justice to it, we, who have so much, for those who are
also God's children need our help, and give them hope.
People say to me, where is hope? I say, hope; it's right where it's
always been. Hope sits right there comfortably between faith and
charity. We are people of faith who believe in the goodness of people.
And we have faith that the charity that that will evoke or bring forth
will help honor the hope that people have in the world.
So this is a great occasion, again, to welcome His Holiness, to stand
up for all the people in the world, and to do what he called upon us to
do this morning, he called upon us, he said, ``we must have the
courage.''
Today, I hope that we have a unanimous bipartisan show of courage to
do what is right. Again, I thank Mr. Frank, Mr. Bachus and
Congresswoman Waters for their relentlessness on this issue and the
opportunity that they give us to give hope today.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Chairman, in a minute, I'm going to yield to the
gentleman from California, but at this time I yield myself such
additional time as I may use.
In recognizing the bipartisan nature of our efforts here on the floor
today and in committee and over the past few years, this has been an
issue that I think has brought the Congress together. That's not to say
that Members are not concerned about certain parts. Members have
expressed, will this work? This may not work, I'm not sure
[[Page H2380]]
it will work. Well, it did work, it did work. We now have a proven
track record of accomplishment.
Did we have failures? Yes. Did it work better in certain places than
others? Yes. Were there places where perhaps it didn't work very well
at all? Yes. Were there places that it amazed us as to how well it
worked? And the answer again is yes.
Let me tell a story that completely blind-sided me. I was in Namibia
with Bob Goodlatte and Steve King, and we were on an agriculture
mission. We met with the President. And Namibia, by the way, they were
not accorded debt relief. They don't have that much debt, so they were
not one of the countries that we extended debt relief to. So I was
surprised when the President of that country sat down with us and one
of the first things he said is, please express our country's gratitude.
And this is one of the largest countries, geographically, and most
strategic countries in Africa, right above South Africa. And he said,
please express to the Congress and the people of the United States my
thanks for debt relief and the blessings it has brought to this
country. And I said, well, Mr. President, you didn't receive debt
relief. He said no, but Namibia is much better off today because of
debt relief because some of our neighbors did, and those neighbors were
trying to destabilize our democracy. They were trying to send rebels
into our country. And it stabilized our borders. And we've been able to
take money from troops that we had positioned on the border, and also
money that the United States had supported to help them do that, they
no longer spend that money because their neighbors are more stable, and
they are not sending rebels across the border.
So here is an ally of ours that we've not had to spend money on to
help defend them from anti-democratic movements simply because the
countries where those movements came from are more stable. So again, in
places where we didn't even extend debt relief, we've seen tremendously
beneficial things.
{time} 1315
I want to recognize Mrs. Biggert, the gentlewoman from Illinois. Mrs.
Biggert, as ranking member of the subcommittee over the past few years,
has really taken a leadership role in debt relief. She's knowledgeable
on the issues. She has been a real asset, and I thank her.
Recently, she and I asked two members of the Republican Caucus who
had been opposed to debt relief issues in the past to travel on a
delegation to Africa. They did. They came back, and both of them
immediately within a week called our office, and I think they expressed
to Chairman Frank, now I've seen with my own eyes many things that
Members of this body had talked about. I've seen what a little bit of
money can do and how far it can go. I see not only the great need, but
I see the ability to address that need for what we in America call an
almost inconsequential amount.
And I wish every Member, before they took this vote, could travel to
Latin America, could travel to Africa, could travel to these countries
in the Middle East or Asia, and they could witness for themselves many
of the amazing success stories, countries whose people are better off
today than they were yesterday. Not because we gave them money because
this is not what debt relief is about. Debt relief is not about giving
them foreign aid; it's about allowing them to help themselves, taking
their money and spending it on their own people so that they won't be
coming to us for a handout. This is about a hand up, a totally
different approach, an approach that's working.
Mr. Chairman, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this basic
legislation, which would instruct, of course, the Secretary of Treasury
to negotiate debt relief for developing countries, especially those new
democracies.
And let me note that much of the debt that we have heard about today
that has had such a horrible impact on the way of living, on the
standard of living of people throughout the developing world, that debt
is basically a result of dictatorship. It is not a result of democratic
governments making wrong decisions. By and large we're talking about
governments that have been run by authoritarians and gangsters who are
putting their own people in debt. I would suggest that anyone who lends
money to a dictatorship should take notice and they are doing so at
their own risk. However, these people who establish democratic
government and replace dictatorships should not be forced to bear the
burden of having massive debt. This is what keeps these countries down
even once they've replaced their dictators.
For example, in the Soviet Union, once the Communist Party was
displaced and they had free elections, we insisted that they not
renounce their debt. We did not forgive their debt. That threw the
Soviet Union into horrible economic chaos, which then democratic Russia
that was paying for the sins of the Communist dictatorship that
preceded it. We almost lost democracy in Russia because we were
insisting on debt repayment and the people didn't have any moral reason
to pay that back.
I will have an amendment, and I am very grateful to Barney Frank for
backing my ability to propose the amendment, that suggests that it be a
democratically elected government and not just someone who's suggesting
they will be democratic in the future that gets this debt relief. This
gives the right kind of incentive.
The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from California has expired.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I would ask for an additional 1 minute.
Mr. BACHUS. We don't actually have any additional time to yield.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I would just say that Ethiopia is an example of a
country that we should not be providing debt relief to until it has
democratic elections.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I now yield 3 minutes to a
former member of our committee whose actions we only mildly begrudge,
who has been a leader on the issue of trying to provide effective
poverty relief throughout the world, particularly in Africa, who has
been a cosponsor of this, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Chairman, I have been called away to an agricultural
conference. I would ask unanimous consent to yield all time remaining
to be managed by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Connecticut will be recognized.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me first just say how happy I am today to
be able to speak on behalf and in support of H.R. 2634, and I have to
first thank our Speaker for leading this House in doing the right thing
on behalf of the poor and those yearning for a better life.
I also must thank my colleague Congresswoman Maxine Waters for
introducing this important legislation. She is a true leader in the
debt relief movement. The world truly owes her a debt of gratitude for
her consistent work and for never letting up on finding ways to relieve
the suffering of the poor.
Also, let me thank Chairman Barney Frank for his leadership and for
bringing this bill to the floor today in a bipartisan and timely manner
and for his commitment to help those who need our help, and to Spencer
Bachus, who has been committed to debt relief since I have been here,
because they fundamentally believe that this is the morally right thing
to do. And working together, they have shown the world, really, the
best in elected leadership in this House.
So thank you, Chairman Frank.
Mr. Chairman, as an original cosponsor of this bill, I feel very
strongly in the power and the benefit of a simple act of forgiveness
and what that can bring. In my travels to the developing world, I have
witnessed what Mr. Bachus and what Ms. Waters so eloquently described
today.
As a result of this legislation, an additional 27 countries could
potentially be eligible for expanded debt relief.
[[Page H2381]]
This speaks volumes to what can be done to alleviate poverty or help
address crises in the developing world, especially in Sub-Saharan
Africa, such as the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic. These countries
would have to meet strict criteria to guarantee transparency in their
financial management systems and ensure that the savings are actually
spent on alleviating poverty. The bill would also ensure the
involvement of civil society organizations, so important, to help set
priorities for how this money should be spent.
The action we take today is not only the right thing to do for
countries facing a crushing debt burden, but it speaks volumes about
our fundamental values as a nation and as a people. This bill does not
give people fish but the means to catch their own fish, feed their
families, and live their lives in the manner that all God's children
deserve.
Is it any wonder that this bill has the support of over 60 groups led
by the Jubilee U.S.A. network? Backing this effort, this coalition
includes such a broad range of organizations from the faith community,
environmentalists, labor, international development groups, and
grassroots advocacy organizations.
The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentlewoman 1
additional minute.
Ms. LEE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Let me just say these organizations should be saluted today. They
deserve our support and thanks for their work in raising their voices
and doing the hard work to help build this great bipartisan support for
this bill.
Debt forgiveness is the right thing to do. It is consistent with our
values as a Nation. And I urge my colleagues to support this bill and
proclaim today as a day of jubilee.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, just before yielding, I would like to
explain to my colleagues on the other side that we have 8 minutes left.
We are going to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois and
then reserve our 3 minutes and you are going to have an opportunity to
go through a number of speakers.
With that, I would yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois
(Mrs. Biggert).
Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this legislation and applaud
Chairman Waters for her hard work on this legislation.
Mr. Chairman, I must admit that I wanted to cosponsor this bill for a
very long time, but the bill as introduced had a number of problems for
me. But I am pleased to say that they have been resolved, and I want to
thank Chairman Frank for offering in the Financial Services Committee a
manager's amendment that addressed many of my concerns and allowed me
to become a cosponsor and also for the manager's amendment that will be
brought up today. So I am pleased to join him and Ranking Member Bachus
in offering a manager's amendment today that makes it an even better
bill, addressing the most important concerns, including economic
conditionality that the administration expressed in its statement of
administration policy issued on Monday.
Mr. Chairman, over a decade of hard work and determination has
produced results for the poorest countries in the world. Poverty has
been reduced and living conditions are improving. Today's bill
recognizes and builds upon the previous work of this body on debt and
development issues, and I hope that this trend will continue.
When I served in 2004 and 2005 on the Domestic and International
Monetary Policy Subcommittee as the Vice Chair, I was pleased to work
with many members of the Financial Services Committee, the
administration, and interested organizations to craft legislative
language that eventually authorized funding for the Multilateral Debt
Relief Initiative, or MDRI.
MDRI expanded the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, HIPC, Initiative
of 1999. In short, this historic, U.S.-led initiative called on the
international community to provide up to 100 percent of debt relief and
performance-based grants to the world's poorest countries. So Congress
has since then appropriated about two-thirds of its financial
obligation towards MDRI and HIPC. Unfortunately, I think we fall a
little bit short on our commitment, but despite this shortfall, the
program is working for 41 of the poorest countries in the world: 22
have graduated from the HIPC program, 10 are on their way, and 9 are
beginning the process. So I'm pleased that the bill under consideration
today, with both the committee and floor managers' amendments,
recognizes these facts and seeks to preserve and build upon the
impressive progress made under MDRI and HIPC.
So why do we need the Jubilee Act? Well, the fundamental purpose of
today's legislation is to establish a plan for ``phase two'' of the
U.S. debt relief initiative. And that's what we need. The bill sets out
to forgive the debt and issue grants to the next group of the world's
poorest countries, 24 in total, which do not currently qualify under
HIPC self-sufficiency and sustainable debt initiatives. Importantly, it
also seeks to prevent these countries from entering new lending post-
relief debt so that they don't squander the economic and social
progress achieved through the debt relief.
I would like to note that the statement of administration policy on
this bill recognizes that debt relief should be tied to economic
conditionality to ensure that it will promote economic growth and
provide real benefits to the poor. In addition, the bill including the
manager's amendment, would ensure that countries eligible for debt
relief don't have excessive levels of military expenditures, don't
support acts of international terrorism, are cooperating with the U.S.
on international narcotics control matters, and are complying with the
U.S. standards to eliminate human trafficking and are working with the
U.S. to stop illegal immigration to the U.S.
I worked really closely with constituents from my district, and I
really want to thank Sister Sheila Kinsey, Dan Driscoll-Shaw, Ron
Durbin, and my other constituents too numerous to mention here for
their guidance, their compassion, and encouragement of this bill. It's
an honor to work with them.
As I close, I just want to say that the important part of our
discussion today is to recognize that the ultimate goal of both ``phase
one'' and now ``phase two'' of the U.S. international debt relief and
poverty reduction initiatives is to improve the life of the people of
impoverished countries around the world, and this is going to happen
because of this bill.
{time} 1330
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I now yield 3 minutes to another member
of the Committee on Financial Services who has been a leader in our
relationships with the multinational institutions, the gentlewoman from
Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I would certainly like to thank
Representative Waters, Representative Bachus, Chairman Frank and
Speaker Pelosi for their outstanding stewardship on debt relief and for
bringing this important measure to the floor today.
When governments are burdened with overwhelming and unmanageable
debt, it prevents them from providing rudimentary quality of life to
their citizenry, and that is access to clean water, modest shelter,
basic nutrition, education and health care. When citizens are living on
less than $1 a day, civility, democratization of institutions and
innovation are greatly compromised or made improbable.
Therefore, it is not only our moral obligation to relieve debt, but
it is in our national interests to promote a sustainable world with
cooperating partners in our efforts to address global problems such as
pandemic diseases, climate change and the prevention of genocide and
terrorism.
I would urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2634 and join in this
day of jubilee.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I believe the gentleman wants me to
finish up, so I will yield to one of the congressional leaders on
affairs on Africa from the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), for 3 minutes.
(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
[[Page H2382]]
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by commending Chairman Frank
for bringing this very important legislation to the floor, and his
ranking member, Mr. Bachus, who has really been a real champion in
these issues over the years. Let me give special congratulations to
Congresswoman Maxine Waters for her tireless effort to bring H.R. 2634,
the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation
to the floor for consideration, and her long history of working to help
the world's countries to elevate their people out of poverty.
While nonprofit organizations and Members of Congress initially
fought for debt relief, many of us never imagined that we would still
find ourselves here today. Unfortunately, with the likes of Debt
Advisory International, Elliott Associates, the burdensome IMF and
World Bank policies, we must redouble our efforts to prevent such
policies and companies from pecking away at the hard-won gains that we
have made and must continue to make.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I
understand how the redirection of monies towards debt servicing and
vulture funds has crippled African countries' attempts to improve upon
development indicators. Sub-Saharan Africa receives approximately $13
billion in aid every year, yet spends $15 billion in servicing old and
many times odious debts.
This type of deficit spending perpetuates the vicious cycle that
prevents African governments from truly creating their own solutions to
the challenges that they face.
Three billion people in nations around the world are living on less
than $2 per day. For some of these nations, they are beholden to
servicing debts instead of focusing their financial and human capital
towards creating the necessary infrastructure to educate, feed, employ
and care for their people. By eliminating many of the debts that are
tying their hands, they will be able to direct the necessary energies
to alleviating poverty in their countries.
Debt cancellation works. Zambia is a prime example as to how monies
freed from servicing a country's debt can be used to better the lives
of its people. It is using its savings of $23.8 million under the
multilateral debt relief initiative to increase spending on
agricultural projects on smallholder irrigation and livestock disease
control, as well as eliminating fees for health care in rural areas.
The Jubilee Act will establish an agreement among the U.S., other
countries and international financial institutions to provide debt
cancellation for deserving, eligible low-income countries. It will also
work to create a binding legal framework to ensure that entities,
particularly unscrupulous vulture funds, will not be able to lie in
wait in order to seize upon newly awarded debt relief.
I congratulate Congresswoman Waters on getting this wonderful and
timely bill to the floor of the House. I encourage other Members of
Congress to support it.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I now yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Woolsey).
Ms. WOOLSEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding me the time.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 2634 and am proud to recognize
Chairman Frank, his Ranking Member Bachus, Congresswoman Waters,
Representative Lee and Representative Payne because they are leaders in
this very, very necessary important issue of debt relief. And I want to
tell you I admire their absolute stick-to-itiveness on this important
issue, because 7 years ago, grass-roots groups asked Congress and the
administration to release heavily indebted poor countries from their
overwhelming debt. In many cases, the debt was acquired under
dictatorships and despotic regimes. These emerging developing nations
could not move forward while buried under seemingly crushing debt.
With bipartisan support, and this is bipartisan in the way it has
come to the floor, it passed the first time. Now it is improved upon
and going forward again. It is stronger than it was before. In so
doing, we forgave debt owed by poor countries, countries that were
spending vast sums on debt servicing while forgoing investment into
education or health care, infrastructure and other social services so
desperately needed in their small countries.
With this bill, we are putting a downpayment on the future of the
developing world. We are getting more kids into classrooms. We are
providing life-saving health care. We are building the pathways for
entrepreneurship.
And I thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership, and I honor
one more time, as we all have, Congresswoman Waters for her stick-to-
itiveness in making these wonderful, important issues come forward and
pass positively.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this is a moving moment to
come to the floor of the House. And I was moved by the words of our
Speaker, quoting the Pope and saying that we must have courage. Then,
of course, the ranking member from Alabama got up and said, Chairman
Frank, that there were those who came back and said, I have seen it
with my own eyes.
And this is what this bill is about. It is about people understanding
that extending the opportunity to teach individuals the ability to
fish, to reduce the debt, gives them a lifelong opportunity of
survival.
Let me thank Chairman Frank, Congresswoman Waters and the ranking
member of the full committee, my subcommittee chair, Mr. Payne, and Ms.
Lee for their stick-to-itiveness on a very important concept, reduce
the debt on the continent of Africa, and you give the opportunity to
children and others to survive.
This is not a give-away. It is an effective tool to reduce poverty in
some of the world's poorest countries. I've had the privilege and honor
of representing this nation in my visits to place like Zambia,
Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana in those early days, Nigeria, Angola and
places where you might not imagine the poverty, Lesotho. Debt relief
initiatives passed in 1999 and 2005 are benefiting more than two dozen
countries in Africa and Latin America, just to the south of us.
Uganda is using the $57.9 million it has saved from debt cancellation
on primary education to ensure a future for its children as well as
much-needed improvements in malaria control, health care and
infrastructure.
Many of us take for granted our public school system. But are you
aware that children stay out of school because they don't have the
fees, they don't have the money for books, and they don't have the
money for clothing? In most African countries, and maybe in Latin
American countries, school is not free. There is no concept of ``public
school.'' Zambia, one of the poorest nations, is using its savings of
$23.8 million on agricultural projects and to eliminate fees for health
care in rural areas. Debt cancellations enable programs in Uganda and
Zambia to directly help the people.
This is the face of America and the face of our faith, and it is
saying that we care for the least of those. We are, in fact, a good
Samaritan.
And so today, as we stand here, this is a time of jubilee, for this
legislation not only reduces or excuses debt, but it also helps to
restructure and finance new opportunities. This Act calls for the
development of a responsible financing prime rate for the future. Debt
forgiveness is a good short-term solution.
The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 additional
minute.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman. Debt
forgiveness is a good short-term solution, but to be truly effective,
we must find a way to fix the broken system of international lending.
I am very grateful that our Financial Services Committee has been one
of the most proactive in time of need. They are facing the economic
crisis of Americans. They have not forgotten you. They are facing the
economic crisis around the world. They are restructuring and looking at
how we can unify our financial system here. We are, in fact, the
keepers of our brothers and sisters as I started out by saying. We must
have the courage that has been dictated to us and said to us today by
the Pope who is visiting America. And it is good for our colleagues,
who may
[[Page H2383]]
doubt this legislation, to go and see it with their own eyes. Once they
do so, they will understand that this is absolutely the right
direction. And might I just thank the AFL-CIO, the American Jewish
World Service, the Church World Service, the DATA organization and
others for their support.
I ask my colleagues to support this.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2634, the
Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation. I
am proud to join over 100 of my colleagues in cosponsoring this timely
legislation. I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Waters,
for introducing this bill, as well as the Chairman of the Financial
Services Committee, Congressman Frank, for his leadership on this
important issue.
Countries throughout the world suffer from the heavy burden of debt.
The inability of nations to escape from these financial commitments has
profound impacts on any attempts they make at poverty reduction, health
care, economic development, and sustainable growth. The Highly Indebted
Poor Countries, HIPCs, the majority of which are located in Africa, are
particularly crippled by debt. Nearly three years ago, we saw an
outpouring of support for debt relief as G8 leaders met in Gleneagles,
Scotland, to pursue a policy of poverty reduction. While some positive
progress has been made since that meeting, it is absolutely undeniable
that this is an issue on which a great deal remains to be done.
Today, we have an opportunity to take a positive and concrete step
toward ending global poverty by helping needy and deserving low-income
countries. The Jubilee Act expands existing debt relief programs for
the world's poorest countries, and it includes measures to ensure that
the benefits of debt relief are not eroded by future abusive lending.
Debt relief has, in the past, proved an effective tool to reduce
poverty in some of the world's poorest countries. Debt relief
initiatives passed in 1999 and 2005 are benefiting more than two dozen
countries in Africa and Latin America. Uganda is using the $57.9
million it has saved from debt cancellation on primary education, to
ensure a future for its children, as well as much needed improvements
in malaria control, healthcare, and infrastructure. Zambia is using its
savings of $23.8 million on agricultural projects, and to eliminate
fees for healthcare in rural areas.
Debt cancellation has enabled programs in Uganda and Zambia to
directly help the people of these nations. However, there are many
impoverished and deserving countries that do not currently benefit from
debt relief. The International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank
continue to place restrictive conditions on debt cancellation, calling
for policies requiring the privatization of essential services and the
liberalization of trade in sensitive sectors in exchange for debt
cancellation. These conditions are currently holding up desperately
needed debt relief in several eligible countries, including Haiti, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, and Liberia.
Mr. Chairman, the legislation we are considering today will not only
bring the benefits of debt cancellation to more countries than ever
before, it will also ensure that these benefits are felt by all strata
of society. This bill would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to
negotiate an agreement with the IMF and World Bank, as well as other
bilateral and multilateral creditors, to make up to 25 additional low-
income countries eligible for complete debt cancellation. Governments
of these countries will be required to allocate the money saved through
debt cancellation to poverty reduction programs, such as initiatives to
improve economic infrastructure, basic education, nutrition, health
services, and programs to redress environmental degradation.
This legislation does not remove all conditions from debt relief
programs. Countries still must demonstrate transparent and effective
budget and financial management systems, and they can be excluded from
debt relief if they do not. In addition, countries committing massive
violations of human rights are not eligible, nor are countries that
support international terrorism, have excessive levels of military
expenditures, or fail to cooperate on international narcotics control.
The Jubilee Act encourages the developing of responsible financing
standards, and assures financial transparency and accountability.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the Jubilee Act calls for the
development of a responsible financing framework for the future. Debt
forgiveness is a good short-term solution, but to be truly effective we
must find a way to fix the broken system of international lending. Of
particular concern to me has been the proliferation of vulture funds,
which, like their avian namesake, seek to make a profit off of already
weakened prey.
Mr. Chairman, vulture funds purchase the debt of countries (or
companies) in financial distress. They then hold out for the full value
of the debt, plus any interest, which they pursue through litigation,
much of which takes place in U.S. courts. The inability of nations to
escape from these financial commitments has profound impacts on any
attempts they make at poverty reduction, health care, economic
development, and sustainable growth. The Highly Indebted Poor
Countries, HIPCs, the majority of which are located in Africa, are
particularly crippled by debt. Though these countries may not appear to
be the most profitable prey for vulture funds, which in theory prefer
to purchase debt that a country has, or may in the future develop, the
ability to pay, according to reports there are numerous lawsuits
currently pending against HIPC countries.
Vulture funds, together with other forms of irresponsible lending,
undermine international efforts to provide much needed debt relief to
the world's most indebted poor countries. The Jubilee Act directs the
Secretary of the Treasury to develop and promote policies to prevent
bilateral, multilateral, and private creditors from eroding the gains
of debt relief through irresponsible or exploitive lending. I am
particularly pleased that this legislation takes this important step
toward fixing broken systems of international lending.
I am proud to support the Manager's Amendment to this legislation,
introduced by Congressman Frank, which adds additional conditions to
the eligibility criteria for debt relief, including complying with
minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking, cooperating with
American efforts to stop illegal immigration, and being committed to
free and fair elections.
I also support the amendment offered by my colleague Congressman
Hastings of Florida. This amendment adds a Sense of Congress stating
that, due to the current humanitarian and political instability in
Haiti, including food shortages and political turmoil, the Secretary of
the Treasury should use his influence to expedite the complete and
immediate cancellation of Haiti's debts to all international financial
institutions, or if such debt cancellation cannot be provided, to urge
the institutions to immediately suspend the requirement that Haiti make
further debt service payments on debts owed to the institutions. After
deadly food riots last week in Port-au-Prince, which resulted in the
death of a Nigerian UN peacekeeper, I believe that this amendment is
both crucial and timely.
I also support the amendment introduced by my colleague Mr. Weiner.
This amendment modifies the qualification for ``eligible low-income
country'' to include those countries that are eligible for both
International Development Association loans and World Bank loans.
Mr. Chairman, if we are serious about meeting the Millennium
Development Goals, we must take concrete steps toward reducing poverty.
Debt cancellation is a proven way to do this. This legislation has the
support of numerous organizations doing excellent work around the
world, including the AFL-CIO, American Jewish World Service, Church
World Service, DATA, Debt AIDS Trade Africa, Jubilee USA Network, the
ONE Campaign, Oxfam America, and RESULTS.
I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important
legislation.
Mr. SHAYS. Let me ask my colleague, does he just have one last
speaker?
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Yes.
Mr. SHAYS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I yield myself the remaining time. I appreciate first the work of
Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Congressman Spencer Bachus to bring the
Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of
2008 to the floor, and in particular, my chairman, Barney Frank, who
continues to be an American first and is an outstanding chairman of the
Finance Committee and puts all the partisan stuff second. I appreciate
that.
Debt cancellation has proven to reduce poverty and save lives. It
sends a strong message that we care about the rest of the world. It is
sound economics, and it is humane.
The debt cancellation support by Congress in 1999 and 2005 has
reached more than 2,000 countries in Africa and Latin America as has
been described already. When Uganda is using $57.9 million freed by
debt cancellation to increase spending on primary education, malaria
control, health care and infrastructure, that is good for every Ugandan
citizen, its neighbors and the world at large.
Today's legislation, adopting an additional nine impoverished
countries to the list of countries eligible for debt cancellation and
making an additional 15 countries eligible for relief is a very
positive step. The bill costs an estimated $197 million if all nine
countries enter into the agreement, and $119 million if Vietnam decides
not to participate.
[[Page H2384]]
This is reasonable expenditure, a wise investment and a significant
effort of goodwill by our country towards the world community.
While I support this legislation, debt relief by itself will not lead
to reforms that are needed in many of these countries. Investment in
foreign policy programs that promote world stability is crucial, and
that is why oversight is so important.
Many of us in this Chamber believe responsible debt relief is not
only the right thing to do, but it is also in our national security
interests, particularly when coupled with reforms that will lead to
substantial development. Developing nations that improve economically
and help their citizens out of poverty and despair are much less likely
to develop in ways that make them a threat to their neighbors and the
greater world.
I urge passage of H.R. 2634, the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending
and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2008, and I again thank all those
involved, the chairman of the full committee Mr. Frank, Ms. Waters and
my ranking member, Spencer Bachus.
I yield back my time.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I yield myself the remaining time.
I join in thanking all those who participated. It may seem that this
is an orgy of self-congratulations but it really is a celebration of an
important point, namely that we are capable of disagreeing with each
other strongly on very important public policy issues without that
injuring our ability to cooperate in other areas where we can agree.
{time} 1345
The Committee on Financial Services has some very sharp divisions,
for example, in the role of the Federal Government in helping to build
affordable housing and the rules that should apply there on the
restrictions that should apply. I am very proud that has not in any way
hindered us from working together on these things which are both in the
national interest and in the interests of humanity.
Talking about the committee, I do want to mention one other person
who has played a very important role here, no longer a Member, but the
former chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Iowa, Mr. Leach.
The initial effort to put through debt relief was over the objection
of the leadership of the House and the administration, the Republican
House leadership and the Clinton administration. They weren't opposed
to it in principle, they were hesitant. A group of Members pushed it
through, and among those was the then chairman of the Committee on
Financial Services, Mr. Leach, and we are following in the footsteps of
those actions.
There are just a couple of points about this that I want to stress.
We have some amendments. I will be agreeing to all the amendments. One
or two may need some little work later on. But there is an important
principle here.
During the nineties in particular, we had a great deal of turmoil in
the world because as the international institutions, the World Bank and
the International Monetary Fund and the others, provided some financial
assistance to low-income countries, they also provided some very
intrusive prescriptions about public policy and decisions. If you are
going to talk about democracy, Mr. Chairman, you have to honor it. You
can't be for democracy only when you know you are going to agree with
the outcome.
For the international institutions, with the backing of the American
government all too often, and other governments, to have used the need
of these countries for assistance, financial assistance, as a lever to
dictate what should have been left to the democratic process, was
harmful theoretically and practically. It led to decisions being
imposed which undermined popular support for the governments and even
for the concept of democracy.
So what we say in this legislation, and I know the President raised
some concerns about it, there is a constitutional issue here, we think
we are very clear, when the Congress of the United States authorizes
activity that will reduce revenue to the government, not by an enormous
amount, as the gentleman from Connecticut mentioned, but we are talking
here about revenues, when we say we are willing to forgo some of these
revenues because we think much more good will come from forgoing them
than we could do with collecting them in this situation because of the
need for stability and peace in the world, we have a right to set the
terms under which it happens, and we say in here that there shall be no
intrusion into the democratic processes.
We also say, and it is perfectly consistent, we do insist that there
be democratic processes. This is not a bill that says no conditions. It
sets conditions. The conditions are democracy. The conditions are no
corruption, transparency and democracy in the sense of votes and
democracy in the sense of free speech and democracy in the sense of
people knowing what is happening.
We do say we want a framework of honesty and openness, which hasn't
always been there. We will talk a little bit later about some of the
differences about interpretation of that. Essentially it goes in the
right direction.
I do want to note, this is a decision that it is not appropriate in
the guise of providing financial assistance for international
institutions or other governments to dictate to the recipient
government issues that ought in a normal society be the subject of a
democracy.
I repeat my gratitude that we have got broad support for this. I
think there is an overwhelming consensus that reducing the debt of
those countries which are trying to do the right thing for their people
is, of course, primarily in the interest of the poor children and the
other poor people in those countries, but also in our interest in
trying to promote a stable and peaceful world.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, for over 20 years,
creditor nations have been passing bilateral agreements to forgive debt
in poor and developing countries.
Since 1991, the United States has waived roughly $23.9 billion in
debt.
Now the House of Representatives is considering further debt relief
for 23, possibly 24, nations under H.R. 2634. After two decades of
making loans with taxpayer dollars to countries that clearly are unable
to pay it back, we're asking Americans to do it again.
The U.S. national deficit is $9.4 trillion, and we're asking
hardworking, taxpaying Americans, our children and grandchildren, to
waive an additional $6.1 billion in loan assistance we've provided to
developing countries.
This is simply illogical, which is why I offered my amendment to this
bill in Rules on Monday. The amendment would prohibit the waiving of
any debt owed to the United States if the United States carries a
federal deficit.
Of course, the majority decided to shortchange the debate and to make
my amendment not in order.
I feel for these poor, developing countries, and their people. But we
have some real crises here in the United States with 223,000 homes in
foreclosure in February, the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent, and more
than 46.6 million Americans without health care insurance.
I know my constituents can think of a million things to do with $6.1
billion in debt cancellation for foreign nations. With this type of
logic, it's no wonder Americans consider to question the mental
stability of their Members of Congress.
Until the United States is in the black and no longer has a federal
deficit, I urge Members to protect American taxpayer dollars. I urge
Members to vote against this restrictive rule and oppose this ill-
conceived bill.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of
legislation that will save thousands of lives around the world. By
allowing poor countries to use scarce resources to provide for the
health and well being of their citizens rather than to repay debt to
wealthy nations, we are doing what is humane, right, and just.
Many nations struggling to escape the grip of poverty are imprisoned
by debt that siphons off large portions of their budgets. In many
cases, any type of debt relief is conditioned on adoption of policies
that privatize large sections of the economy and primarily benefit
international corporations. Such a ``Hobbesian choice'' undermines
sovereignty and exacerbates poverty. There is another way that can lift
up nations and allow them to invest in their own citizens rather than
sending money to foreign capitols, while maintaining control of their
[[Page H2385]]
own economies. The ``Jubilee Act'' before us today provides such an
alternative.
This legislation will expand our existing debt relief program to
cancel the debts of the world's 24 poorest countries and provide
greater relief to many more without imposing harsh economic conditions.
Even under the current limited relief program, numerous countries have
made great strides:
Mozambique was able to vaccinate 500,000 additional children;
Uganda doubled enrollment in public schools;
Zambia hired 4,500 new teachers and eliminated health care fees.
Imagine the progress that can be made if we pass this bill and bring
debt relief within reach of virtually all of the world's most
impoverished nations.
Debt cancellation under this legislation is not simply a handout that
could be used by corrupt regimes to enrich their cronies or build their
militaries. This legislation makes eligibility contingent on using the
savings to reduce poverty. Countries are ineligible if their government
lacks transparency, violates human rights, or spends excessively on
defense.
We have a moral obligation to help alleviate suffering in our own
country and around the world. At a time when much of the world has lost
faith in America as a beacon of freedom and compassion, it is also in
our self-interest to restore this lost faith and lift countries out of
poverty. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in voting for this
legislation.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to express my support for
the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation
Act.
This Jubilee Act is a vital piece of legislation that will liberate
poor countries from the burden of heavy indebtedness. These countries
simply cannot invest in their futures if they are tethered to the
illegitimate debts of their past.
Today we have the opportunity to take a major step forward in our
effort to combat global poverty and elevate our Nation's moral standing
in the world. For that we should all feel a great sense of
accomplishment.
By one simple act here in the U.S. House of Representatives, we have
the ability to strike a blow against one of the great scourges of the
world: poverty. I have spent a lifetime in public service fighting the
root causes of poverty--from my time in Colombia as a Peace Corps
volunteer, straight through to this vote today as a Member of Congress.
It has long been apparent to me that steady and adequate investments
in health care, education, housing, and sanitation are absolute
minimums to be able to eliminate poverty and hopelessness. And this
bill makes those investments possible for a whole swath of the world
where they would not be otherwise.
This bill lifts the burden of past debts off the backs of governments
that are behaving responsibly and have a proven record of investing in
their own people. This is important to note, because many of these
indebted nations incurred their debt, not under their current
democratically elected governments, but under past autocratic regimes
that pilfered the money and left the people of these countries in utter
poverty.
The Jubilee Act is a follow-on extension to a debt relief program
with proven results. Since 1996, 30 countries have received nearly $80
billion in some form of debt relief. The money that these countries
have saved in debt financing charges have gone directly into fighting
poverty. By passing this bill, an additional 24 countries will have the
opportunity to throw off the yoke of severe debt and begin anew to
confront the conditions that perpetuate poverty with additional
resources at their disposal.
I am pleased to join today with so many of my colleagues, from both
political parties, to reinvigorate our effort to fight global poverty.
I am pleased to join today with so many of my colleagues, from both
political parties, to reinvigorate our effort to fight global poverty.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of
my time.
The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute
printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the
purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be considered
read.
The text of the committee amendment is as follows:
H.R. 2634
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Jubilee Act for Responsible
Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Many low-income countries have been struggling under
the burden of international debts for many years.
(2) Since 1996, when the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Initiative (HIPC) was created, more than 30 nations have seen
some form of debt relief totaling approximately
$80,000,000,000.
(3) Congress has demonstrated its support for bilateral and
multilateral debt relief through the enactment of
comprehensive debt relief initiatives for heavily indebted
low-income countries in--
(A) title V of H.R. 3425 of the 106th Congress, as enacted
into law by section 1000(a)(5) of the Act entitled ``An Act
making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2000, and for other purposes'', approved
November 29, 1999 (Public Law 106-113; 113 Stat. 1501-311)
and the amendments made by such title;
(B) title II of H.R. 5526 of the 106th Congress, as enacted
into law by section 101(a) of the Act entitled ``An Act
making appropriations for foreign operations, export
financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2001, and for other purposes'', approved
November 6, 2000 (Public Law 106-429; 114 Stat. 1900A-5); and
(C) title V of the United States Leadership Against HIV/
AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-
25; 117 Stat. 747) and the amendment made by such title.
(4) In 2005, the United States and other G-8 nations
reached an agreement to provide cancellation of 100 percent
of the debts owed by eligible poor nations to Paris Club
members, the IMF, the World Bank, and the African Development
Bank. The Inter-American Development Bank reached an
agreement in early 2007 to provide similar treatment.
(5) The 2005 agreement led to the creation of the
Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). As of April 2007,
22 nations have seen the majority of their debts to the IMF,
World Bank, and African Development Bank cancelled under the
terms of the MDRI. In March 2007, the Inter-American
Development Bank announced it would provide full debt
cancellation to 5 Latin American countries on MDRI terms.
(6) Resources released by debt relief efforts to date are
reaching the poor. Cameroon is using the $29,800,000 of
savings it will gain from the MDRI in 2006 for national
poverty reduction priorities, including infrastructure,
social sector and governance reforms. Uganda is using its
$57,900,000 savings in 2006 on improving energy
infrastructure to try to ease acute electricity shortages, as
well as primary education, malaria control, healthcare and
water infrastructure (specifically targeting the poor and
under-served villages). Zambia is using its savings of
$23,800,000 under the MDRI in 2006 to increase spending on
agricultural projects, such as smallholder irrigation and
livestock disease control, as well as to eliminate fees for
healthcare in rural areas.
(7) While debt cancellation has a record of success, there
remains an unfinished agenda on international debt. There are
a number of challenges to both the effective reduction of
poverty and inequality and the achievement of broader debt
cancellation.
(8) 2007 is an important year to address the unfinished
agenda on international debt as the global Jubilee debt
campaign has declared 2007 a ``Sabbath year'', 7 years after
the historic Jubilee 2000 campaign.
(9) A critical issue which needs to be addressed on debt is
the way that non-concessional lenders stand to gain
financially from lending to poor countries that have
benefited from debt relief without having paid for past debt
relief or facing the prospect of paying for the future relief
of unsustainable and irresponsible new lending. In these
cases, the gains of debt relief for poor debtor countries are
at risk of being eroded. This takes the form of new lending
to countries that have received debt cancellation from
countries including China.
(10) It is also essential that all lenders and borrowers
accept co-responsibility and learn from past mistakes--as
evidenced by the debt crisis itself--by making more
productive investment choices and engaging in more
responsible lending and borrowing in the future. In October
2006, Norway became the first creditor to accept co-
responsibility for past lending mistakes and cancelled the
debt of 5 nations on the grounds that the loans reflected
poor development policy.
(11) A growing number of governments and intergovernmental
bodies, including the United Kingdom, the European
Commission, and Norway, are raising concerns about the
harmful impacts of economic policy conditionality. Many
impoverished countries that have received debt cancellation
under the HIPC and MDRI initiatives have done so at a high
social cost, because they have had to implement economic
policy conditions such as privatization of public utilities
and other basic services, adhere to budget ceilings imposed
by the IMF, and comply with other harmful requirements. Some
of these policies have had the effect of limiting fiscal
space for productive investment and threatening growth and
human development. Several countries currently eligible for
debt cancellation under the HIPC or MDRI programs are facing
extended delays in receiving cancellation because they are
struggling to comply with such requirements from the IMF and
World Bank.
(12) There is also an urgent need to look beyond the
constraints of current debt relief initiatives to address the
need for expanded debt cancellation. The current initiatives
allow countries to qualify for relief based on economic
criteria rather than human needs. A January 2007 report by
the United Nations Human Rights Council found that
eligibility for debt cancellation should be expanded to cover
all low-income countries.
(13) The Government of the United Kingdom has proposed that
qualification for the MDRI be
[[Page H2386]]
extended to the 67 nations which qualify for assistance
exclusively from the International Development Association.
To be eligible for cancellation, countries must meet
requirements pertaining to public financial management, anti-
corruption measures, and budget transparency.
(14) Since debt cancellation is an essential component of
the United States development assistance strategy and the
United States has been able to lead the debt cancellation
efforts of the international community by example, the United
States should continue to work to improve and expand
initiatives in this area.
(15) The United States has been a leader in supporting debt
relief efforts to date and should continue to work to improve
and expand initiatives in this area.
SEC. 3. CANCELLATION OF DEBT OWED BY ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME
COUNTRIES.
Title XVI of the International Financial Institutions Act
(22 U.S.C. 262p--262p-8) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 1626. CANCELLATION OF DEBT OWED BY ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME
COUNTRIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
commence immediate efforts, within the Paris Club of Official
Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World
Bank), and the other international financial institutions (as
defined in section 1701(c)(2)), to negotiate an agreement to
accomplish the following:
``(1) Cancellation by each international financial
institution of all debts owed to the institution by eligible
low-income countries, and, to the extent possible, financing
the debt cancellation from the ongoing operations,
procedures, and accounts of the institution.
``(2) Cancellation by the United States of all debts owed
to it by eligible low-income countries.
``(3) Ensuring that any waiting period for the enhanced
debt cancellation is not excessive.
``(4) Ensuring that the provision of debt cancellation to
eligible low-income countries is not followed by a reduction
in the provision of any other development assistance to the
countries by international financial institutions and
bilateral creditors.
``(5) Encouraging the government of each eligible low-
income country to allocate at least 20 percent of its
national budget towards poverty-alleviation programs such as
the provision of basic health care services, education
services, and clean water services to all individuals in the
country.
This subsection shall not be interpreted to authorize the
Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement to
accomplish any of the foregoing without express congressional
authorization to do so.
``(b) Establishment of Framework for Creditor
Transparency.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall commence
immediate efforts, within the Paris Club of Official
Creditors, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank,
and the other international financial institutions (as so
defined), to ensure that each of the institutions--
``(1) continues to make efforts to promote greater
transparency regarding the activities of the institution,
including credit, grant, guarantee, and technical assistance
operations, following a policy of maximum disclosure; and
``(2) supports continued efforts to allow informed
participation and input by affected communities, including
translation of information on proposed projects, provision of
information (including draft documents) through information
technology application, oral briefings, and outreach to and
dialogue with community organizations and institutions in
affected areas.
``(c) Establishment of Framework for Responsible Lending.--
The Secretary of the Treasury shall commence immediate
efforts to--
``(1) develop and promote policies to ensure all creditors,
with no distinction, will contribute to preserving the gains
of debt relief for low-income debtor countries;
``(2) provide that the external financing needs of low-
income countries are met primarily through grant financing
rather than new lending;
``(3) seek the international adoption of a binding legal
framework on new lending that--
``(A) guarantees that no creditor can take or expect to
take financial advantage of acquired or newly awarded debt
relief through the terms and rates of such lending to
beneficiary countries;
``(B) is binding on all creditors, whether multilateral,
bilateral or private;
``(C) foresees, as a sanction for creditors who violate it,
an equitable share in the burden of the losses from any
future debt relief needed by the sovereign debtor to whom
lending was irresponsibly provided;
``(D) provides for decisions on irresponsible lending to be
made by an entity independent from the creditors; and
``(E) enables fair opportunities for the people of the
affected country to be heard; and
``(4) support the development of responsible financing
standards where creditors and aid/loan recipients alike
adhere to standards to assure transparency and accountability
to citizens, human rights, and the avoidance of new odious
debt, while encouraging the development of renewable energy
and helping countries to transition away from dependence on
oil.
``(d) GAO Audit of Debt Portfolios of Countries With
Questionable Loans.--
``(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall undertake an audit of the debt portfolios of
previous governments in countries such as the Democratic
Republic of Congo and South Africa, where there is
significant evidence that odious, onerous, or illegal loans
were made to the government. Each such audit shall--
``(A) consider debt owed to the World Bank, the IMF, and
the other international financial institutions (as so
defined), export credit debts owed to governments, and debts
owed to commercial creditors, and assess whether or not past
investments produced the intended results;
``(B) investigate the process by which the loans were
contracted, how the funds were used, and determine whether
United States or international laws were violated in the
contraction of these loans, and whether any of the loans were
odious or onerous; and
``(C) be planned and executed in a transparent and
consultative manner, engaging congressional bodies and civil
society groups in the countries.
``(2) Report.--Within 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall prepare and submit to the Committees on
Financial Services and on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs and on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report
that contains the results of the audits undertaken under
paragraph (1).
``(e) Availability on Treasury Department Website of
Remarks of United States Executive Directors at Meetings of
International Financial Institutions' Boards of Directors.--
The Secretary of the Treasury shall make available on the
website of the Department of the Treasury the full record of
the remarks of the United States Executive Director at
meetings of the boards of directors of the International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the other international
financial institutions (as so defined), about cancellation or
reduction of debts owed to the institution involved, with
redaction by the Secretary of the Treasury of material deemed
too sensitive for public distribution, but showing the topic,
amount of material redacted, and reason for the redaction.
``(f) Report From the Comptroller General.--Within 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this section, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and
submit to the Committees on Financial Services and on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and on Foreign Relations
of the Senate a report on the availability of the ongoing
operations, procedures, and accounts of the IMF, the World
Bank, and the other international financial institutions (as
so defined) for canceling the debt of eligible low-income
countries.
``(g) Annual Reports From the President.--Not later than
December 31 of each year, the President shall submit to the
Committees on Financial Services and on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign
Relations and on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
Senate a report, which shall be made available to the public,
on the activities undertaken under this section, and other
progress made in accomplishing the purposes of this section,
for the prior fiscal year. The report shall include a list of
the countries that have received debt cancellation, a list of
the countries whose request for debt cancellation has been
denied and the reasons therefor, and a list of the countries
whose requests for debt cancellation are under consideration.
``(h) Eligible Low-Income Country Defined.--In this
section, the term `eligible low-income country' means a
country--
``(1) that is eligible for financing from the International
Development Association but not the World Bank, and does not
qualify for debt relief under the Enhanced HIPC Initiative
(as defined in section 1625(e)(3)) and under the Multilateral
Debt Relief Initiative;
``(2) that has transparent and effective budget execution
and public financial management systems which ensure that the
savings from debt relief are spent on reducing poverty;
``(3) the government of which does not have an excessive
level of military expenditures;
``(4) the government of which has not repeatedly provided
support for acts of international terrorism, as determined by
the Secretary of State under section 6(j)(1) of the Export
Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)), or
section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2371(a));
``(5) the government of which is cooperating on
international narcotics control matters; and
``(6) the government of which (including its military or
other security forces) does not engage in a consistent
pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized
human rights.''.
SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON CONDITIONALITY OF DEBT RELIEF FOR
ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES.
Title XVI of the International Financial Institutions Act
(22 U.S.C. 262p--262p-8) is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 1627. LIMITATION ON CONDITIONALITY OF DEBT RELIEF FOR
ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
commence immediate efforts within the Paris Club of Official
Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World
Bank), and the other international financial institutions (as
defined in section 1701(c)(2)), to ensure that debt
cancellation is provided to eligible low-income countries (as
defined in section 1626(h)) without any conditions except
requiring the government of such a country to--
``(1) take steps so that the financial benefits of debt
relief are applied to programs to combat poverty (in
particular through concrete measures to improve economic
infrastructure, basic services in education, nutrition, and
health, particularly treatment and prevention of the leading
causes of mortality) and to redress environmental
degradation;
``(2) make policy decisions through transparent and
participatory processes;
[[Page H2387]]
``(3) adopt an integrated development strategy to support
poverty reduction through economic growth, that includes
monitorable poverty reduction goals;
``(4) implement transparent policy making and budget
procedures, good governance, and effective anticorruption
measures;
``(5) broaden public participation and popular
understanding of the principles and goals of poverty
reduction, particularly through economic growth, and good
governance;
``(6) promote the participation of citizens and
nongovernmental organizations in the economic policy choices
of the government; and
``(7) produce an annual report disclosing how the savings
from debt cancellation were used, and make the report
publicly available and easily accessible to all interested
parties, including civil society groups and the media.
``(b) Annual Reports to the Congress.--Not later than
December 31 of each year, the President shall submit to the
Committees on Financial Services and on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committees
on Foreign Relations and on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate a report, which shall be made available
to the public, on the activities undertaken under this
section, and other progress made in accomplishing the
purposes of this section, for the prior fiscal year.''.
SEC. 5. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.
It is the sense of the Congress that to further the goals
of debt reduction for low-income countries, in addition to
the efforts described in this Act, the United States should
pay off outstanding arrearages of $595,800,000 to the
International Development Association and regional
development banks, and become current on all debt reduction
efforts, including those carried out by the International
Development Association and under the Enhanced Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt
Relief Initiative.
The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to the committee amendment in the nature
of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in House Report
110-586. Each amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the
report, by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered read,
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report, equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent of the
amendment, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject
to a demand for division of the question.
Amendment No. 1, as Modified, Offered by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts
The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed
in House Report 110-586.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I offer that amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts:
Page 6, beginning on line 17, strike ``economic policy
conditionality'' and insert ``certain economic policy
conditionalities''.
Page 6, beginning on line 22, strike ``economic'' and all
that follows through ``IMF,'' on line 24 and insert ``certain
economic policy conditions, including the privatization of
essential basic services such as water,''.
Page 7, line 22, strike ``requirements'' and insert
``economic criteria''.
Page 9, line 5, insert ``, without undermining the
financial integrity of the institution'' before the period.
Page 9, line 14, insert ``, or to other countries eligible
for assistance from the International Development
Association'' before the period.
Page 15, line 9, insert ``from'' before ``the''.
Page 15, line 20, strike ``repeatedly''.
Page 16, line 1, insert ``with the United States'' after
``cooperating''.
Page 16, line 2, strike ``and''.
Page 16, line 5, strike ``consistent''.
Page 16, line 6, strike ``rights.'' and all that follows
through the second period and insert ``rights (as defined in
section 116 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (Public Law
87-195));''.
Page 16, after line 6, insert the following:
``(7) the government of which has not been identified in
the most recent Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the
Department of State as not fully complying with minimum
standards for eliminating human trafficking and not making
significant efforts to do so;
``(8) the government of which has been determined by the
President to be cooperating with United States efforts to
stop illegal immigration to the United States; and
``(9) the government of which has been determined by the
President to be committed to free and fair elections.''.
Page 16, beginning on line 21, strike ``without any
conditions except requiring the government of such a country
to--'' and inserting ``only on the condition that the
government of such a country--''.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, In consultation with the
minority, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be amended.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will report the modification.
The Clerk read as follows:
Modification to amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. Frank of
Massachusetts:
Page 3, in the first undesignated line, strike ``only on
the condition that'' and insert ``subject to all and only the
following conditions: That''.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment is modified.
There was no objection.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1103, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) alluded earlier to this amendment. We reject
the kind of conditions that try to set tax policy or education policy
or resource policy within a country, because if you go with democracy,
you allow the countries to make them. But we did have a right, we
thought, to set some conditions that affect us. We set forth some
conditions involving democracy and openness, in consultation with the
minority. We were reminded of some other conditions. So this adds to
the conditionality.
If this amendment is adopted, there will be conditions requiring that
people assuage terrorism, that they work with us on immigration, and
that they avoid any participation in human smuggling.
I believe that these are agreed on, and in fact in some cases were
put forward at the request of the minority. In some cases we thought
they were clear. But one of the things I learned when you are
legislating is never object to redundancy. It is better to say it twice
than to have some ambiguity about whether you offered it at all.
So I offer this amendment I believe on behalf of the leadership and
the membership of both sides of the committee.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I
am not opposed to the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Connecticut is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan manager's
amendment. I would like to thank Chairman Frank, Mr. Bachus and Mrs.
Biggert for their work on the amendment, which addresses several
concerns that Members had with the version of the bill reported by the
Committee on Financial Services. With the adoption of this amendment,
the Jubilee Act will be a better bill.
The manager's amendment clarifies the conditions for that relief.
Specifically, it will ensure that countries receiving debt relief
comply with specific outlined conditions. By doing do, these countries
will be held accountable, and, as a result, the debt relief accorded
them will be effective in alleviating poverty, establishing sustainable
development and ensuring good governance.
Beyond clarifying the requirements for eligible countries, this
amendment adds three more: Requiring greater cooperation with the U.S.
on human trafficking, preventing illegal immigration to the U.S., and
promoting Democratic standards within the country benefiting from debt
relief. These additional measures will have a positive effect not only
on the recipient nations, but on the U.S. as well.
Finally, the manager's amendment makes clear that countries that have
engaged in human rights violations and aided terrorism are excluded
from receiving debt relief.
This manager's amendment represents progress towards making this a
more effective measure. I again commend the sponsors of the amendment,
and urge its adoption.
Without objection from the chairman, I would like to yield 1 minute
to my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who
had wanted a minute when we didn't have time. I would like to give him
a minute at this time.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Let me congratulate and thank Congressman Frank.
Barney has been very fair. He backed my ability to have an amendment on
the floor, and I will talk about that amendment next. But let me note
when he stated that our goal is debt relief for these countries that
are trying
[[Page H2388]]
to do right for their people, I think that in the manager's amendment,
and the Congressman did reach out to try to find language that was
agreeable, but I don't think that we have reached that language.
I think there is still wiggle room in the language of the manager's
amendment that would permit countries that are governed by
authoritarian people who are claiming that they are going to have
democratic elections is still there. Our State Department quite often
supports those governments and would like to claim they are heading in
that direction, like the government of Ethiopia, which in their last
election threw everybody who won the elections in jail. But now they
are our greatest ally in Africa. The State Department would love to
have debt relief to a country like that. We shouldn't be doing that.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I will finish by saying the
gentleman from California was gracious and said I had been fair and he
talked about my not being partisan. I want to congratulate him for his
lack of partisanship, because having served the majority of his time
here under Republican administrations, he retains a deep distrust of
the State Department, including the current State Department, and
apparently his point is he cannot trust the current State Department to
enforce democracy.
I am inclined to appreciate his point. And while we have some
differences, I did want to give him credit for his very bipartisan
skepticism.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. I want to emphasize we support this amendment, and I yield
back.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), as modified.
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts, as
modified, will be postponed.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Rohrabacher
The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed
in House Report 110-586.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. Rohrabacher:
In section 1626(h) of the International Financial
Institutions Act, as proposed to be added by section 3 of the
bill, strike ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5), strike the
period at the end of paragraph (6) and insert ``; and'', and
add at the end the following:
``(7) the government of which was chosen by and permits
free and fair elections.''.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1103, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, the amendment I am offering is easy to
understand. It insists that if we provide debt relief, the recipient
country's government must have a democratically elected government. The
reason this is important is very clear. The dictators and kooks and
gangsters who rule many Third World nations and developing countries
will simply steal more if we give them the chance. Those who steal from
their people will steal from us. Debt relief to dictators is a license
to steal.
I understand there are those who believe that we should not set such
a high standard of having a democratically elected government as a
prerequisite to debt relief. If dictatorships are overthrown, it is
postulated then that democratic reformers will need time to hold a free
election. The monetary impact of that short time period in order to
have a free election organized is minimal and the number of such cases
are very, very few. But that is the worst case scenario. The price of
debt relief will in fact prevent foot dragging so there will be free
elections at a quicker pace.
On the other hand, a standard of requiring only a commitment to
future and free elections opens the door to large scale manipulations
and backtracking on democratic commitments by dictators or by those
holding power after dictators have been overthrown. Give those in power
in the Third World countries a chance to put off elections and they
will just do that. Giving them the wrong incentives and opening up the
door to false promises for future elections and giving them a benefit
for it enables large scale theft.
The chances of this negative impact, of having a lower democratic
standard, is great as compared to the number of minimal cases that we
will have if we are just asking true democratic reformers to hold
elections before we give debt forgiveness.
We have seen it over and over again in the Third World. Third World
politicians claim they will hold elections, but never quite seem to get
there.
{time} 1400
If we don't act to close it, this loophole will have a huge impact
and allow debt relief to governments that have not instituted and have
no real intent of instituting Democratic reform.
Yes, I have no faith in our State Department or this administration
to enforce that rule to see if they are really intent on democracy. If
our standard is that words are enough, the tough guys of the world who
rule too many countries will lie and get their hands on the loot with
our State Department's approval, surprise, surprise.
That's why my amendment is important. We should side with the
Democratic reformers, not those who simply use the right words.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, which makes sense,
and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I seek recognition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I know I am taking the time
in opposition. I am not so much in opposition, but I am about as close
to it as anybody we are going to find here, so I think I qualify.
I agree very much. On a case-by-case basis, I believe the gentleman
from California and I would agree at each instance. And so I hope the
amendment is adopted.
I would make one point, as I thought about it. It does reinforce the
point that we should not be imposing on the recipient government's
policy choices that a democratic government ought to make. The flip
side of a commitment to democracy is recognizing the validity of those
decisions.
I also agree with the gentleman. His wording is better than the
wording I put in here for the future, permits free and fair elections,
although there is always, when you are talking about the future, some
weasel word.
I will work with the gentleman going forward. I am going to suggest
to him maybe later that we might empower them to do a moratorium for a
short period of time on payments in the following situation. We have
had cases where bad governments were overthrown by people who are
democratic. East Timor is an example. There is Ghana, where Jerry
Rawlings overthrew a government and then had an election. His party is
now in the opposition. Uganda. The gentleman is right. Ordinarily it
may not take that much time, but things could be so chaotic, like in
Liberia, when the new government came in there with some bad people.
Maybe a year would be too little.
I will be talking to him later. I hope this amendment is adopted.
Perhaps we could provide a temporary moratorium for a government that
took over in those circumstances for perhaps 6 months or a year. But
that's something we might work out.
The gentleman seems to agree that that is something that, while no
commitment is obviously made, that we could work on.
I hope the amendment is adopted.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I appreciate that thought very much.
Again, I appreciate the fairness that I have been treated with. I
will show my bipartisanship a little more. I
[[Page H2389]]
think that I have been treated more fairly and a number of my
Republican colleagues have been treated more fairly since the Democrats
have become the majority than I was treated by my own leadership.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Sure, I would yield.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I know the gentleman joins me in looking
forward to continued years of such treatment.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Well, I won't go that far, but I do appreciate the
fact that there has been this effort to reach out and treat people
fairly on our side of the aisle.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California will be
postponed.
Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida
The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed
in House Report 110-586.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 3 offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida:
At the end of the bill, add the following:
SEC. ___. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.
(a) Finding.--The Congress finds that Haiti is scheduled to
send $48,700,000 in debt payments to multilateral financial
institutions in 2008.
(b) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that, due to the current humanitarian and political
instability in Haiti, including food shortages and political
turmoil, the Secretary of the Treasury should use his
influence to expedite the complete and immediate cancellation
of Haiti's debts to all international financial institutions,
or if such debt cancellation cannot be provided, to urge the
institutions to immediately suspend the requirement that
Haiti make further debt service payments on debts owed to the
institutions.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1103, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Hastings) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an
amendment to the Jubilee Act which urges expedited international debt
relief for Haiti. The current situation in Haiti, a nation that has
been historically afflicted by violence and natural disasters, is
increasingly desperate and volatile.
In recent days, thousands of Haitians have flooded the streets of
Port-au-Prince and other cities throughout the country in desperation
to decry rapidly escalating food prices in a nation where three-
quarters of the population lives on under $2 a day. The cost of staple
foods in Haiti has skyrocketed 50 percent within the last year.
Haiti is not only the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, but
it also ranks third behind Somalia and Afghanistan as the nation with
the highest per capita daily deficit in calorie intake. Recent anger
over food prices threatens the stability of this Caribbean nation
already haunted by chronic hunger.
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti underscores the importance of quick
and deliberate leadership by the United States. Haiti still is
scheduled to pay almost $50 million in 2008 to unilateral financial
institutions.
This amendment would put Congress on record encouraging the expedited
cancellation of Haiti's international debt to help alleviate poverty
and increased stability in Haiti. The United States government cannot
and should not turn a blind eye again to the struggles of this
undeveloped, underdeveloped, impoverished nation.
I applaud President Bush's recent announcement that he would release
$200 million in U.S. emergency food aid to help alleviate food
shortages in developing countries, including in Haiti, but these funds
are not nearly enough to assist with the immediate or long-term
humanitarian crisis. They fall far short of putting Haiti on a
sustained path to development. I ask the President and all of us to do
more.
This amendment is an initial step in the right direction. We could
follow it up with giving temporary protective status, as President
Preval of Haiti has requested and President Bush could grant. I ask for
my colleagues to support this amendment and ask that they join us in
supporting our Haitian friends.
Yesterday, 247 Haitians were sent back by the Coast Guard, and the
Coast Guard has increased its vigilance in the area in light of this
impending crisis. At a time of extreme instability and crisis, Congress
must not turn its back on Haiti.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I am
not in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Connecticut is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I don't want to be silent to the concerns
that my colleague from Florida Mr. Hastings has expressed.
Haiti is a country that has tremendous poverty, and while his
resolution speaks to the HIPIC package of the 43 nations who have
already been authorized for debt forgiveness. I hope the folks in the
administration are listening to his concern that is shared by so many.
While the legislation before us deals with countries to be added to
the list, I think he is right in pointing out a concern that I know
many on this side of the aisle share. Haiti is a country in desperate
need of help, and it is a very close neighbor and friend and we need to
do everything we can to help it.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have
remaining?
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Florida has 2 minutes remaining.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. At this time I am very pleased to yield 1
minute to the gentlelady from Texas, my colleague and good friend,
Sheila Jackson-Lee.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman and
member of the Rules Committee, Mr. Hastings. I acknowledge, again, the
members of the Financial Services Committee and Congresswoman Maxine
Waters.
I salute the gentleman for this forthright and vital acknowledgment
and sense of Congress in this bill.
Mr. Chairman, people are starving in Haiti. Haitians are starving,
they are in the streets. They are crying out for relief. As was said
earlier, this is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
President Preval has made a commitment to this Nation, and he has
worked hard on political stability.
We have seen incarcerated persons who are held as political prisoners
be released. But I think it is crucial that we join in a unified voice
today to acknowledge that we stand against the starvation and the
financial crisis that is in Haiti.
This is an important statement to cancel the debt to all
international financial institutions and also such debt cancellation
cannot be provided, to urge the institutions to immediately suspend the
requirement.
I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding to me, and I join
them also on the request for TPS. I support the Hastings amendment.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of
our time.
Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank Chairman Frank for the expeditious
handling of this matter. In addition, I thank my good friend from
Connecticut for his statement and his support of this amendment.
This is an important initial step toward finally freeing Haiti from
its onerous debt. Not only our administration, but the institutional
community
[[Page H2390]]
has some responsibilities in this matter that they can discharge much.
My appeal goes way beyond just the American responsibility. I ask the
international community to weigh in and deal with this subject in a
meaningful way to give this opportunity the relief that it rightly
deserves.
I ask for my colleagues' support.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings).
The amendment was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed
in House Report 110-586.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, it's my information that
the author did not intend to offer it.
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings will
now resume on those amendments printed in House Report 110-586 on which
further proceedings were postponed, in the following order:
Amendment No. 1, as modified, by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts.
Amendment No. 2 by Mr. Rohrabacher of California.
The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the time for any electronic vote
after the first vote in this series.
Amendment No. 1, As Modified, Offered by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts
The CHAIRMAN. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded
vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Frank), as modified, on which further proceedings were postponed and on
which the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 424,
noes 0, not voting 12, as follows:
[Roll No. 196]
AYES--424
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Baird
Baldwin
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Bordallo
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Boyda (KS)
Brady (TX)
Braley (IA)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson
Carter
Castle
Castor
Chabot
Chandler
Christensen
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Cohen
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doolittle
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards
Ehlers
Ellison
Ellsworth
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Everett
Fallin
Farr
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fortuno
Fossella
Foster
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Graves
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hobson
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Jordan
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Lamborn
Lampson
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McNulty
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Norton
Nunes
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pearce
Pence
Perlmutter
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Richardson
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sali
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Sestak
Shadegg
Shays
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Sutton
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Tsongas
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Walsh (NY)
Walz (MN)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch (VT)
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (OH)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--12
Bachus
Brady (PA)
Brown, Corrine
Faleomavaega
Fattah
Gillibrand
Mack
Meek (FL)
Peterson (PA)
Rush
Wilson (NM)
Wynn
{time} 1435
Messrs. KILDEE, WALSH of New York, CLEAVER and WELDON of Florida
changed their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment, as modified, was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Rohrabacher
The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. Jackson of Illinois). The unfinished
business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) on which further
proceedings were postponed and on which the ayes prevailed by voice
vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The Acting CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 382,
noes 41, answered ``present'' 2, not voting 11, as follows:
[Roll No. 197]
AYES--382
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Bachus
Baird
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Bordallo
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Boyda (KS)
Brady (TX)
Braley (IA)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson
Carter
Castle
Castor
Chabot
Chandler
Christensen
Clay
Clyburn
Coble
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
[[Page H2391]]
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doolittle
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards
Ehlers
Ellsworth
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Everett
Fallin
Farr
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fortuno
Fossella
Foster
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gillibrand
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Graves
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Hare
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hobson
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Jefferson
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kennedy
Kildee
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Lamborn
Lampson
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Mitchell
Moran (KS)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Norton
Nunes
Oberstar
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Pearce
Pence
Perlmutter
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sali
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Sestak
Shadegg
Shays
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Solis
Souder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Sutton
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Walsh (NY)
Walz (MN)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Watson
Waxman
Weiner
Welch (VT)
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (OH)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Wu
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOES--41
Baldwin
Blumenauer
Butterfield
Capuano
Cleaver
Cohen
Gutierrez
Hinchey
Honda
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kilpatrick
Kucinich
Lee
Lewis (GA)
McDermott
McGovern
McNulty
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Nadler
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Payne
Price (NC)
Rahall
Richardson
Scott (GA)
Serrano
Snyder
Towns
Tsongas
Waters
Watt
Woolsey
Wynn
ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--2
Clarke
Ellison
NOT VOTING--11
Brady (PA)
Brown, Corrine
Faleomavaega
Fattah
Harman
Mack
Meek (FL)
Moore (KS)
Peterson (PA)
Rush
Wilson (NM)
Announcement by the Acting Chairman
The Acting CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are advised that they
have 2 minutes, approximately 2 minutes on this vote.
{time} 1444
Messrs. JACKSON of Illinois, CLEAVER and GUTIERREZ changed their vote
from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question is on the committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute, as amended.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended,
was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mrs.
Tauscher) having assumed the chair, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Acting
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union,
reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill
(H.R. 2634) to provide for greater responsibility in lending and
expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the
international financial institutions by low-income countries, and for
other purposes, pursuant to House Resolution 1103, he reported the bill
back to the House with an amendment adopted by the Committee of the
Whole.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is
ordered.
Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the amendment
reported from the Committee of the Whole? If not, the question is on
the amendment.
The amendment was agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third
reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
Motion to Recommit Offered by Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I offer a motion to
recommit.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman opposed to the bill?
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Yes, in its current form.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to
recommit.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida moves to recommit the
bill, H.R. 2634, to the Committee on Financial Services with
instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith
with the following amendments:
Page 16, line 2, strike ``and''.
Page 16, line 6, strike the 1st period and all that follows
and insert ``; and''.
Page 16, after line 6, insert the following:
``(7) the government of which does not have business
interests with Iran.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for
5 minutes.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, this motion to
recommit is frankly very simple. All it basically says is that
countries that have business relationships with Iran are not eligible
to be considered under this debt relief program. Let me repeat that.
This motion to recommit is frankly very, very simple. It just states
the following, that countries that have a business relationship with
Iran are not eligible to be considered under this debt relief program.
Now, the underlying bill in front of us today has a very noble goal,
Madam Speaker. It is to work comprehensively to ensure that poor
countries that have heavy international debt are able to relieve these
debts through certain responsible actions. But the question is, should
we separate these goals, these noble goals, from our broader foreign
policy interests?
The Iranian regime, we all know, has a very active program to acquire
weapons of mass destruction, and therefore, it makes it one of the most
dangerous regimes in the entire world.
In addition, Madam Speaker, as we heard just recently, just last week
from General Petraeus, we are increasingly concerned by the Iranian
terrorist regime's efforts on behalf of terrorist elements in Iraq and
elsewhere. The lives of our troops are at stake, and any country that
assists Iran economically should not benefit from the bill in front of
us today.
Our country, obviously the United States, does not have diplomatic or
financial ties to Iran, and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect
that countries that choose to participate in our debt relief program
should shatter whatever economic ties they currently have with that
terrorist regime. And if they don't have them now, if they don't have
those ties now, they clearly should not develop them as long as they
want or expect debt relief from us through this program.
[[Page H2392]]
Let's send the right message today, Madam Speaker. Americans are very
generous and responsible in regard to the treatment of countries that
owe us great debt. But we are also extremely concerned with the very
dangerous actors abroad, around this world.
So that's why, Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask to pass this motion
to recommit today and make sure that our friends abroad appreciate how
seriously we take this matter.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise to claim the 5
minutes in opposition; although I'm open to persuasion.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. First of all, let me ask, if I could, the
gentleman says, the government of which does not have business interest
with Iran. Would this wording cover the Government of Iraq?
I would yield if someone would tell me that, that they may not be
eligible for debt relief. Although we give them a lot of money, I don't
think we lent it to them. But would someone tell me if this would
include the Government of Iraq as currently constituted?
I would yield for a response. I yield to anyone who would respond.
I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Iraq is not eligible under this
bill.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I understand that. Iraq is not currently
there, but here's the deal. This is not just for now. It is conceivable
to me that Iraq will end up owing us money. I hope it will, because
we've sure given them a lot, and if they don't owe us any money, it's a
big gift.
So the question is going forward, if in the future, because there is
no current list of countries, we're talking about an eligibility
criteria. Would this prevent debt relief from the United States or the
International Monetary Fund, to the World Bank, to Iraq going forward?
I would yield to anyone who would answer.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. If the gentleman would yield.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Yes.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Again, your bill, as you know,
specifically deals with countries that owe the United States right now.
You're talking about a hypothetical, whether one country in the future.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I will take back my time because I'm
trying to get an honest answer.
We are setting policy here, not just for this week. We are saying
here that if you do business with the government, if your government
has business interests with Iraq, you're ineligible. I think it is fair
to ask whether Iraq, if it were to become eligible in other ways, would
be covered. That's not a trick question. Would this have the effect of
excluding Iraq from such a program in the future?
I yield for an answer.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Yes.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. And I will try to see if I can make
this answer understood.
In the first place, obviously no country would benefit more from not
having a nuclear Iran.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Reclaiming my time, we only get 5
minutes. You know, if the minority had wanted to put this forward as an
amendment, we could have debated it. They did it this way. So we can
debate all of the other things. It's a very straightforward question.
You limit eligibility under this program. Iraq might very well owe us
money. The question isn't nuclear weapons. It is, would this prevent
Iraq from being eligible, these criteria. And I would hope someone
would answer that.
I will yield again for an answer.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. If the gentleman will yield again,
and I will try to answer it again.
Your bill does not deal with Iraq. It does not affect Iraq. If you
don't like the answer, that's one thing, but that's what the answer is.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. No. The answer is, of course, one that
leads me to suggest that the answer really is ``yes.'' When people
dance around and won't give you the answer, Madam Speaker, the answer
is ``yes.''
Apparently, under the criteria set forward here, while Iraq is not
now on the list for relief, it could not get it in the future. We will
be setting policy that would have screwed you up because apparently, as
this is defined, I infer that the Government of Iraq is covered because
if the Government of Iraq wasn't covered by this, the answer would be
``no.'' When I don't get ``no,'' but when I get a discussion of nuclear
weapons and what's currently in the bill and I don't get an answer to
the question, then it is clear to me.
So Members, I guess, are free to vote on this.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Would the gentlemen yield?
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. No, I'm sorry.
Here's the response. The minority had the right to offer this in a
way in which we could debate it. They didn't choose to do that. They
chose to do it in this limited fashion.
So it does look to me like you are having problems here that does the
Government of Iraq have business interests with Iran. I know there are
close ties between the Governments of Iraq and Iran. There's
interchangeability.
I think this is a pretty sketchy way to go forward. I'm not sure that
there are any other countries. I think Iraq may be one of the few that
doesn't. It's fairly narrowly drawn, but that's of great concern. And I
couldn't get a direct answer, and I don't know if anybody really knows
it.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Will the gentleman yield for a one-
word answer?
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Yes.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. You're asking if it's ``yes'' or
``no.'' The answer is ``no.''
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. So the gentleman is telling me that the
Government of Iraq has no business interests in Iraq?
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. What I'm telling the gentleman--
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. No. I'm asking the question, does the
government--
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Not as it concerns with this bill.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. No, I'm sorry. The gentleman does not
seem to understand the rules. I'm giving you a lot more of my time.
Well, I guess free speech that we put in is for other countries.
Look, I understand the thought. The minority thought they came up
with a clever idea and they outsmarted themselves. They put language in
here that I think would interfere with the ability to have economic
relations with Iraq. And apparently what I'm being told is if you
believe that the Government of Iraq has no business interests with
Iran, then you can vote for this bill and not worry about Iraq.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is
ordered on the motion to recommit.
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to recommit.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the
yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 291,
nays 130, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 9, as follows:
[Roll No. 198]
YEAS--291
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Altmire
Arcuri
Baca
Bachmann
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bean
Berkley
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Boyda (KS)
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson
Carter
Castle
Chabot
Chandler
Coble
Cohen
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crenshaw
Cubin
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Lincoln
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Donnelly
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards
Ehlers
[[Page H2393]]
Ellsworth
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Everett
Fallin
Feeney
Ferguson
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foster
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gillibrand
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Graves
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Hare
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Hill
Hobson
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Hooley
Hulshof
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kennedy
Kildee
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Knollenberg
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Lamborn
Lampson
Langevin
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
Melancon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Mitchell
Moore (KS)
Moran (KS)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Neugebauer
Nunes
Ortiz
Paul
Pearce
Pence
Perlmutter
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sali
Sanchez, Loretta
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Sestak
Shadegg
Shays
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Souder
Space
Stearns
Sullivan
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Walberg
Walden (OR)
Walsh (NY)
Walz (MN)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--130
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Baird
Baldwin
Becerra
Berman
Berry
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boswell
Braley (IA)
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Castor
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Conyers
Cooper
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Delahunt
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle
Ellison
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Filner
Frank (MA)
Gilchrest
Gonzalez
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hastings (FL)
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kilpatrick
Kind
Kucinich
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Loebsack
Markey
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McNulty
Meeks (NY)
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murtha
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Peterson (MN)
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Rahall
Rangel
Richardson
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shea-Porter
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Waters
Watson
Watt
Welch (VT)
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--1
Sherman
NOT VOTING--9
Brady (PA)
Brown, Corrine
Fattah
Harman
Mack
Meek (FL)
Peterson (PA)
Rush
Wilson (NM)
{time} 1521
Messrs. CONYERS, KUCINICH, PASTOR, and STARK changed their vote from
``yea'' to ``nay.''
Messrs. CARSON of Indiana, DAVIS of Alabama, LAMBORN, COSTELLO,
CRAMER, HOLDEN, CARDOZA, COSTA, YARMUTH, MELANCON, KENNEDY, WEXLER,
BOUCHER, GORDON of Tennessee, FOSTER, COHEN, HODES, AL GREEN of Texas,
HARE, KANJORSKI, DICKS, SALAZAR, KILDEE, ORTIZ, BACA, REYES, MOORE of
Kansas, MURPHY of Connecticut, COURTNEY, DAVIS of Illinois, THOMPSON of
California and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms.
HERSETH SANDLIN, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mrs.
LOWEY, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Ms. HOOLEY, Mrs. BOYDA of
Kansas, Ms. DELAURO, and Ms. MATSUI changed their vote from ``nay'' to
``yea.''
So the motion to recommit was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the
instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report H.R. 2634
back to the House with an amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts:
Page 16, line 2, strike ``and''.
Page 16, line 6, strike the 1st period and all that follows
and insert ``; and''.
Page 16, after line 6, insert the following:
``(7) the government of which does not have business
interests with Iran.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment.
The amendment was agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third
reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 285,
noes 132, not voting 15, as follows:
[Roll No. 199]
AYES--285
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Bono Mack
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Boyda (KS)
Braley (IA)
Brown (SC)
Butterfield
Camp (MI)
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Castle
Castor
Chandler
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole (OK)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Cramer
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Lincoln
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Ellison
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Fallin
Farr
Ferguson
Filner
Fortenberry
Foster
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gilchrest
Gonzalez
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hare
Hastings (FL)
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hobson
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
King (NY)
Kirk
Klein (FL)
Knollenberg
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mahoney (FL)
Maloney (NY)
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McIntyre
McNerney
McNulty
Meeks (NY)
Michaud
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peterson (MN)
Pickering
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reyes
Richardson
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shays
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuler
Simpson
Sires
Skelton
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Space
[[Page H2394]]
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Tanner
Tauscher
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Tsongas
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Walsh (NY)
Walz (MN)
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Weiner
Welch (VT)
Weller
Wexler
Wilson (OH)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
NOES--132
Aderholt
Akin
Altmire
Bachmann
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Boozman
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Campbell (CA)
Cannon
Cantor
Carney
Carter
Chabot
Coble
Conaway
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
Dent
Drake
Duncan
Ellsworth
Everett
Feeney
Flake
Forbes
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Gallegly
Gillibrand
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Hall (TX)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hulshof
Hunter
Issa
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Keller
King (IA)
Kingston
Kline (MN)
Lamborn
Lampson
Latta
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Manzullo
Marchant
McCarthy (CA)
McHenry
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Paul
Pence
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Reynolds
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Sali
Saxton
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shuster
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Souder
Stearns
Sullivan
Tancredo
Taylor
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Walberg
Wamp
Weldon (FL)
Westmoreland
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (SC)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--15
Brady (PA)
Brown, Corrine
Carson
Fattah
Gordon
Hall (NY)
Harman
Mack
Meek (FL)
Melancon
Peterson (PA)
Rush
Slaughter
Waxman
Wilson (NM)
{time} 1529
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 199, I was unavoidably
detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''
Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 199, I was
already on my way to question witnesses at the Transportation and
Infrastructure hearing. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''
Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, had I been present for the vote on H.R.
2634, the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt
Cancellation Act, I would have voted ``aye.''
____________________