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In March 2012, the Department of Defense announced that thousands of military men and women are still owed back pay for an extension of their service obligation under Stop Loss.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5, the so-called HEALTH Act. This misguided legislation undermines Medicare, raises deficits and restricts states' rights.

Last year, House Republicans voted to end the Medicare guarantee for seniors. Fortunately, Senate Democrats blocked this dangerous proposal from becoming law. Now, House Republicans are trying again to dismantle the program in their fiscal year 2013 budget proposal.

Each year, an estimated 21,000 Americans die from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. This invisible, naturally-occurring, radioactive gas concentrates at dangerous levels in homes and persists for years, often without a family's knowledge. Minnesota is a national leader in reducing the risk of radon exposure. Our state's voluntary program includes educational curriculum, control programs, and targeted citizen outreach. This program has saved countless lives and become a model for other states to follow.

This Republican budget is a political document. It is the House Republican's platform for November. This GOP platform puts our economy and millions of jobs at risk. They gut protections for seniors and families in need. And, they abandon local communities at a time when Washington should be a partner for opportunity and economic growth.

I rise in opposition to H.R. 3606. While this legislation includes some useful provisions, it also eliminates crucial investor protections, which would expose the investments of American families and seniors to financial fraud.