[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9905-H9907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 766 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 766

       Resolved, That it shall be in order at any time through the 
     legislative day of September 24, 2009, for the Speaker to 
     entertain motions that the house suspend the rules relating 
     to the bill (H.R. 3631) to amend title XVIII to provide for 
     the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for 
     all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 
     2010.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  Ms. MATSUI. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 
minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart). All 
time yielded during the consideration of the rule is for debate only.


                             General Leave

  Ms. MATSUI. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 
legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to 
insert extraneous materials into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. MATSUI. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3631, the 
Medicare Premium Fairness Act, under suspension of the rules. It allows 
this body to consider time-sensitive legislation under an expedited 
process to shield millions of Medicare beneficiaries from harmful 
premium increases for the coming year.
  Due to the struggles facing our economy today, many seniors will not 
receive Social Security COLAs this year, even though the Medicare part 
B premiums will still rise. The Medicare Premium Fairness Act addresses 
this problem by protecting Medicare beneficiaries from bearing the 
burden of increased premiums because of an economic downturn largely 
outside of their control. And it does so without adding to the deficit.
  Without today's bill, seniors who are new to the Medicare program 
will see their monthly premiums jump dramatically. Other part B 
recipients will shoulder an unfairly large share of cost increases 
because of the way current law requires part B to be funded. Cash-
strapped States will be forced to bear the burden of higher Medicare 
costs for dual-eligible beneficiaries.
  For these reasons, I believe my colleagues will agree with me that 
inaction is not an option here today. As our country begins to climb 
back out of one of the largest recessions in recent memory, now is the 
worst possible moment to saddle our seniors with increased premiums.
  Many respected outside groups agree with this statement and have 
endorsed the Medicare Premium Fairness Act. AARP, the National 
Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Center for 
Medicare Advocacy, and the Alliance for Retired Americans have all 
endorsed H.R. 3631.
  These groups understand that we're living through a time when rising 
costs have threatened the health care people in this country have and 
deserve. This is true for Medicare beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries 
alike.
  For this reason, making health care more affordable for all Americans 
is our top priority. And protecting and strengthening Medicare is an 
essential part of this vision. I urge my colleagues to support today's 
rule and the underlying bill so that beneficiaries can continue to see 
their doctors; so that they can continue to afford their prescriptions, 
especially medications; so that they can continue to have money to 
spend and cycle back through our recovering economy.
  By acting quickly and decisively on today's bill, we underscore our 
commitment to preserve Medicare for millions of people who have earned 
the security it represents and who count on the stability and the 
dignity it provides. In doing so, we will keep our collective promise 
to stand with America's seniors as they age and to ensure they have the 
health care they need to live long and fruitful lives.
  We must never forget that Medicare is an essential part of our 
country's social contract. It guarantees that America's seniors will 
not be forced to fend for themselves when the economy momentarily turns 
sour or when they get sick or as they age. This is the living legacy of 
the Medicare program, and it is a legacy we build upon today.
  But we do not have much time to act, Mr. Speaker. We must pass this 
legislation before October 1. This is so that the Social Security 
Administration can program updated premiums into a system in time to 
ensure that Medicare premium increases do not hit seniors in their 
pocketbooks and in their doctors' offices. Speed and bipartisan 
cooperation are of essence if we are to avoid this problem.
  The suspension authority this rule provides will allow the House to 
move quickly and decisively to move this fix over to the Senate. The 
sooner we have this bill on the President's desk, the better off 
millions of Medicare beneficiaries will be. I urge my colleagues to 
recognize that passing this bill quickly is in the best interest of our 
constituents, of the Medicare program, and of our country.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I'd like to thank my friend, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui) for the time, and I yield 
myself such time as I may consume.
  House Resolution 766 provides that it will be in order at any time on 
the legislative day of today to consider H.R. 3631, the Medicare 
Premium Fairness Act. That underlying legislation would freeze the 
Medicare part B premium for 2010 at the 2009 rate for beneficiaries 
who, under current law, will see a premium increase, along with an 
expected freeze in the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, 
for 2010 and 2011. Both of those combined would leave seniors with less 
income next year if Congress does not act. So I support underlying 
legislation.
  Although I support the underlying legislation that is being brought 
to the floor under this rule, I have reservations with the process the 
majority is proposing today. And I'm not the only one who has 
reservations with that process.

[[Page H9906]]

  In the past, a senior member of the current majority on the Rules 
Committee referred to this process as ``outside the normal parameters 
of the way the House should conduct its business. It effectively 
curtails our rights and responsibilities as serious legislators.''
  The reason members of the majority previously opposed rules such as 
this is because they block Members from offering amendments and the 
minority from offering a motion to recommit. That, as you know, Mr. 
Speaker, is a very important procedural vehicle. Yet today, the 
majority considers this process to be completely legitimate.
  So it's interesting how they thought it was wrong when they were in 
the minority, but once in the majority, it's a fine process.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Klein).
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the gentlelady and also my colleague 
from Florida. I rise to support this rule and the underlying bill. The 
seniors in my district in south Florida are grateful to my friend, 
Congresswoman Titus; the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. 
Rangel; and the Health Subcommittee chairman, Mr. Stark, for acting 
swiftly to address one of the biggest issues facing our seniors as we 
speak.

                              {time}  1045

  Mr. Speaker, for the first time in 35 years, our seniors face a year 
without the traditional cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, as we call 
it, in their Social Security payments because inflation has not 
increased. Of course, if you try telling our seniors that inflation 
isn't a concern, the first thing they are going to do is show you their 
medical bills and prove you wrong, because a fact that our seniors know 
is fundamentally they have different expenses than a typical family of 
four because of their medical expenses.
  Currently, the cost for seniors who utilize Medicare part B, services 
like doctor visits or home oxygen equipment, is around $96 a month. If 
we do nothing, if we fail to act today, then premiums could skyrocket 
to almost $120 a month for the same services.
  During these tough economic times, we cannot ask seniors who face 
staggering losses in the value of their homes and retirement plans and 
increased medical costs to make additional sacrifices. That is why the 
Medicare Premium Fairness Act is so important. This bill will ensure 
that next year's premiums for all Medicare part B beneficiaries will 
not increase by a dime.
  Earlier this week, this body acted to extend unemployment benefits. 
Florida will be one of the beneficiaries of that. Giving Americans a 
hand up during these tough economic times was the right thing to do 
then, and giving a hand up to our Greatest Generation is without 
question the right thing to do now.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this rule and pass the Medicare Premium 
Fairness Act.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  The rule before us today allows the House to consider a very 
important and time-sensitive piece of legislation under suspension of 
the rules. It will help this body expedite a bill that most of us 
recognize needs to be passed as quickly as possible. Because there will 
be no Social Security COLA this year, millions of seniors will see 
their part B premiums rise with no offsetting bump in Social Security 
benefits.
  Now is not the time to turn our back on people who depend on Medicare 
for essential health care services. This is particularly true as we 
continue our drive to make health insurance, including Medicare, more 
stable, secure, and affordable for everyone in this country. I urge my 
colleagues to consider the needs of the Medicare-dependent 
constituents. Vote for the previous question and for the rule, and 
approve the underlying legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question 
on the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is 
ordered.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-
minute vote on adoption of House Resolution 766 will be followed by a 
5-minute vote on motion to suspend the rules on H. Con. Res. 163.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 235, 
nays 132, not voting 15, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 735]

                               YEAS--235

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Adler (NJ)
     Altmire
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Baca
     Baldwin
     Barrow
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blumenauer
     Boccieri
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Braley (IA)
     Brown, Corrine
     Butterfield
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Castor (FL)
     Chu
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly (VA)
     Cooper
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Dahlkemper
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (TN)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly (IN)
     Driehaus
     Edwards (MD)
     Edwards (TX)
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Foster
     Frank (MA)
     Fudge
     Giffords
     Gonzalez
     Gordon (TN)
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Griffith
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hall (NY)
     Halvorson
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastings (FL)
     Heinrich
     Herseth Sandlin
     Higgins
     Himes
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hirono
     Hodes
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Inslee
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kagen
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick (MI)
     Kilroy
     Kind
     Kirkpatrick (AZ)
     Kissell
     Klein (FL)
     Kosmas
     Kratovil
     Kucinich
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lee (CA)
     Levin
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lowey
     Lujan
     Lynch
     Maffei
     Maloney
     Markey (CO)
     Markey (MA)
     Marshall
     Massa
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McIntyre
     McMahon
     McNerney
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Michaud
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, George
     Minnick
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (VA)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Murtha
     Nadler (NY)
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Nye
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor (AZ)
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Perriello
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pingree (ME)
     Polis (CO)
     Pomeroy
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rahall
     Rangel
     Reyes
     Richardson
     Rodriguez
     Ross
     Rothman (NJ)
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Salazar
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schauer
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Sestak
     Shea-Porter
     Sherman
     Sires
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Snyder
     Space
     Spratt
     Stark
     Stupak
     Sutton
     Tanner
     Teague
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Tierney
     Titus
     Tonko
     Tsongas
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson
     Watt
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Welch
     Wexler
     Wilson (OH)
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Yarmuth

                               NAYS--182

     Aderholt
     Akin
     Alexander
     Austria
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Baird
     Bartlett
     Barton (TX)
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blunt
     Boehner
     Bonner
     Bono Mack
     Boozman
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Bright
     Broun (GA)
     Brown (SC)
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Burton (IN)
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp
     Campbell
     Cantor
     Cao
     Capito
     Carter
     Cassidy
     Castle
     Chaffetz
     Chandler
     Childers
     Coble
     Coffman (CO)
     Cole
     Conaway
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Davis (KY)
     Deal (GA)
     Dent
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Ehlers
     Emerson
     Flake
     Fleming
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Gallegly
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gerlach
     Gingrey (GA)
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Granger
     Guthrie
     Hall (TX)
     Harper
     Hastings (WA)
     Heller
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hill
     Hoekstra
     Hunter
     Inglis
     Issa
     Jenkins
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones
     Jordan (OH)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirk
     Kline (MN)
     Lamborn
     Lance
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Latta
     Lee (NY)
     Lewis (CA)
     Linder
     LoBiondo
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Mack
     Manzullo
     Marchant
     McCarthy (CA)
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McCotter
     McHenry
     McKeon
     McMorris Rodgers
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Miller, Gary
     Moore (KS)

[[Page H9907]]


     Moran (KS)
     Murphy (NY)
     Murphy, Tim
     Myrick
     Neugebauer
     Nunes
     Olson
     Paul
     Paulsen
     Pence
     Petri
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Posey
     Price (GA)
     Putnam
     Radanovich
     Rehberg
     Reichert
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Roskam
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Scalise
     Schmidt
     Schock
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shimkus
     Shuler
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Souder
     Stearns
     Sullivan
     Taylor
     Terry
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Turner
     Upton
     Walden
     Wamp
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Wolf
     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--15

     Barrett (SC)
     Clarke
     Clay
     Conyers
     Delahunt
     Doyle
     Fallin
     Graves
     Israel
     Johnson (GA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Platts
     Rooney
     Speier
     Towns

                              {time}  1115

  Messrs. PETRI, PENCE, CULBERSON and MOORE of Kansas changed their 
vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
  So the resolution was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________