Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 No. 155 House of Representatives The House met at 3 p.m. and was I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the RECOGNIZING ERIEZ MANUFAC- called to order by the Speaker. United States of America, and to the Repub- TURING ON 75 YEARS IN BUSI- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, NESS f indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. PRAYER (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania f asked and was given permission to ad- Pastor Dennis Jokela, Kalamazoo WELCOMING PASTOR DENNIS dress the House for 1 minute and to re- County Sheriff’s Department, Kala- JOKELA vise and extend his remarks.) mazoo, Michigan, offered the following The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. prayer: the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratu- Father God, we are grateful to be UPTON) is recognized for 1 minute. late Eriez Manufacturing on 75 years in able to come into Your presence in a There was no objection. business in Erie, Pennsylvania. Eriez free country such as ours. Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise has grown exponentially since the I ask that You bless this great Na- today to recognize a proud son of Por- early days when Orange Fowler tion. tage, Michigan, Pastor Dennis Jokela Merwin—or O.F., as he was known— I ask You to pour out Your wisdom of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s De- sold equipment to grain millers. and revelation knowledge into every- partment. His customers often complained one hearing the sound of my voice. He has been a pillar of our commu- about stray pieces of metal that found I ask You to let Your glory shine like nity through his work as a small-busi- their way into the grain that the farm- a light emanating from this place, fill- ness owner, a judge for the Michigan ers brought to the mills for grinding. ing our entire country. Vocational Education Society, and as a In 1942, O.F. devised a permanent mag- I speak unification of our country in corporal and chaplain at the Kala- netic separator in the basement of his our original, can-do, American spirit. mazoo County Sheriff’s Department as home and sold it to a grain miller. I speak life into those dead and dying well. Eriez was officially on its way. places in our land, Lord. I know I speak for many as we thank, Since those humble beginnings in For those places that are in need of in particular, our first responders all that Erie basement, Eriez has expanded Your restoration power, I ask that You across the country, sheriffs, and police into the world authority in separation pour it out on them. officers, and pray to keep them and technologies with operations all over I ask that You bless these pro- their families safe. the world. Of course, it has always been ceedings today and bless the work of Pastor Jokela’s dedication to public headquartered in Erie and on Asbury our hands. service runs deep as a seven-time deco- Road since 1962. I ask all of this in Jesus’ mighty rated veteran of Vietnam and Cam- Mr. Speaker, today, Eriez employs name. bodia—overdue medals my team was more than 300 Erie residents, between Amen. able to help him obtain—a pastor with its two locations on Asbury Road and f the Michigan Boot Camp for Troubled at its facility near Belle Valley. Teens at Fort Custer, and his work The story of Eriez Manufacturing THE JOURNAL with the homeless. His commitment to truly is a classic American Dream tale, The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- community and country are unques- and it has maintained local family ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- tionable. ownership throughout its history. I ceedings and announces to the House Mr. Speaker, I thank Pastor Jokela congratulate them on this milestone. his approval thereof. for his service here and at home. We f Pursuant to clause one, rule I, the are all so honored to be with him Journal stands approved. today. I thank him for his kind words. PUERTO RICO NEEDS OUR ASSISTANCE f f (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER permission to address the House for 1 The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman PRO TEMPORE minute.) from Texas (Mr. POE) come forward and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. COS- Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, last lead the House in the Pledge of Alle- TELLO of Pennsylvania). The Chair will week, Hurricane Maria hit the island of giance. entertain up to 15 further requests for Puerto Rico. The damage on the island Mr. POE of Texas led the Pledge of 1-minute speeches on each side of the has been described as apocalyptic: Allegiance as follows: aisle. buildings destroyed, a major dam at

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.000 H27SEPT1 H7538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 risk of collapse, and millions of Amer- tragic incident of one of our officers cells and rapidly destroys sickle cells ican citizens looking for help. But 1 who was participating in a stop along in the body. During an attack, victims week later, we still have not addressed with other officers on I–59 South. Un- can experience acute chest pain, this extraordinary crisis. Congress is fortunately, a driver who paid no at- stroke, and damage to vital organs like not planning to vote on providing aid tention to the flashing lights and the the kidneys and liver. until next week. work of these officers sped through and This disease is personal to me be- President Trump tweeted about hit Nestor Garcia. cause, growing up, I watched my sister Puerto Rico owing money to Wall My last word was that he was in sur- suffer from it. She was always in and Street, as if that should be a priority gery, with his family, and that all of out of the hospital. Oftentimes, the right now. President Trump and my those who could be there—the chief and only resources we had to treat her were friends on the other side of the aisle the mayor—were at the hospital with our family’s love and support. This was who control Congress need to start him. devastating. My sister lost her battle treating this with the urgency it de- So I simply stand to ask for prayers at age 26. mands. for Nestor Garcia and his family and But this doesn’t have to be the story My district is home to more than indicate that we are well aware of the of others. While medical treatment and 20,000 Puerto Ricans. Over the last work of the outstanding police and fire research for sickle cell anemia has week, they have told me that they departments during Hurricane Harvey evolved, it is imperative to support don’t understand what is going on in and all of the time. I wish him the best Federal funding for additional research Washington. Why is this taking so and strongest recovery as a young man and treatment opportunities. long? who just entered the police department I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2410, This President talks a lot about put- and just graduated. I know that our the Sickle Cell Disease Research, Sur- ting America first, but why isn’t he prayers will help him and his family. veillance, Prevention, and Treatment doing more to help our fellow citizens f Act. in Puerto Rico? Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my col- RECOGNIZING TANNER LEE leagues to join me in recognizing Sick- Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my con- JAMESON stituents, bring a bill to the floor. le Cell Awareness Day by not only sup- Let’s get this done, and let’s address (Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee asked porting community efforts to treat pa- the humanitarian crisis that is beset- and was given permission to address tients with this disease, but by cospon- ting citizens in Puerto Rico. the House for 1 minute and to revise soring legislation that provides Federal and extend his remarks.) resources to advance medical treat- f Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. ments for this disease. THE 911 DISPATCHERS OF HARVEY Speaker, my constituent, Tanner Lee f (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was Jameson, was just 13 when he died from cardiac arrest during a basketball FALLEN HERO BANNER given permission to address the House DEDICATION for 1 minute and to revise and extend game. His school had an automated ex- his remarks.) ternal defibrillator, or AED, in a near- (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in by office, but it was inaccessible when given permission to address the House the inky darkness of night, during the Tanner needed it most. for 1 minute and to revise and extend hammering rain of Harvey, reservoirs Since Tanner’s passing, his mother, his remarks.) released even more water with little and my constituent, Rhonda Harrill, Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, notice to people downstream. Mean- who is in the gallery today with her this past weekend, I participated in the while, hundreds of first responders bat- husband, has been a passionate advo- unveiling of the Bucks County Home- tled the incessant rain, rising flood- cate for increased AED access. town Heroes Banners at Freedom waters, and raging currents to rescue Early this year, I introduced the Square in Doylestown. These banners people from homes. AEDs resolution, H. Res. 35, which hold the names and faces of the brave Inside the dimly lit call center, 911 would encourage schools to have AEDs women and men of Bucks County who dispatchers answered call after call and to provide annual AED training. gave their life in service of our Nation In 1998, I introduced, and Congress after call, racing to keep up as tense after the terror attacks of September passed, the Aviation Medical Assist- thousands dialed in. Dispatchers like 11 and as part of the global war on ter- ance Act, the law that requires, among 26-year-old Erika Wells worked 20-hour ror. other things, passenger airplanes and It was a humbling experience to be stretches, then trying to grab a nap or airports to have AEDs and flight crews surrounded by friends and families of two. to receive additional first aid and AED those warriors, as well as a community With phones constantly ringing, the training. committed to honoring their legacy. dispatchers sent rescue teams to homes Today, I am pleased to participate in Even Freedom Square—a community- packed with people in need of escape, a this year’s AED Hunt on the Hill, spon- built memorial supported by the Travis woman in labor, and families trapped sored by my friend, Dr. PHIL ROE, and Manion Foundation, the local chapter on their roofs. As the 50-inch rain kept hosted by the Children’s Cardio- of the American Gold Star Mothers, pounding and floodwaters rose, the dis- myopathy Foundation. and the Goldman Family—signifies our patchers answered, calmed, and helped Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to re- commitment to remember those who those in need. member Tanner Jameson’s life, and I have served and sacrificed for our free- As the morning Sun finally broke urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. dom. As always, I am proud of the pa- through the Texas sky, the dispatchers Res. 35 to hopefully help save lives in triotism and support shown by our emerged from their stations and finally the future. community in Bucks County. checked on their own families, many of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD whom had their own homes flooded. Chair would remind the gentleman the 25 names of these fallen heroes in These dispatchers are some of the that references to occupants of the gal- honor of their sacrifice, the sacrifice of Texas Proud that helped save others in lery are not permitted. their families, and in support of the the floods of summer. f Bucks County community. And that is just the way it is. SICKLE CELL AWARENESS Specialist Kristofor T. Stonesifer, U.S. f Army. (Ms. ADAMS asked and was given RECOGNIZING NESTOR GARCIA Corporal Patrick R. Nixon, U.S. Marine permission to address the House for 1 Corp. (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was minute.) Specialist William J. Maher, III, U.S. given permission to address the House Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise Army. for 1 minute.) Captain Brian R. Faunce, U.S. Army. today to discuss a topic very near and Specialist Tamarra J. Ramos, U.S. Army. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, at dear to my heart: sickle cell anemia. Specialist Maurice J. Johnson, U.S. Army. about 2 a.m. this morning, our HPD, Sickle cell disease is an inherited Specialist Edward W. Brabazon, U.S. Houston Police Department, faced a blood disorder that affects red blood Army.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.002 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7539 Corporal Barton R. Humlhanz, U.S. Ma- I was pleased to see that President doned by this administration. Any rines Corps. Trump has asked Brigadier General doubt about the administration’s Lance Corporal Robert T. Mininger, U.S. Richard Kim to go to the island and senseless cruelty was put to rest on Marine Corps. seek to lead. Because of the island’s to- September 5, when they chose to end Specialist Kurt E. Krout, U.S. Army. Private First Class Nathaniel E. pography and isolation, this isn’t a DACA. DeTample, U.S. Army. Houston, this isn’t a New Orleans or a Immigrant youth and their families Captain Scott E. Craven, U.S. Air Force. Florida. Rescue and relief isn’t as easy fuel our economy and help create a Staff Sergeant Jae S. Moon, U.S. Army. as moving a convoy of power company more dynamic society. First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion, U.S. trucks down the interstate highway. Terminating DACA is a heartless and Marine Corps. Logistically, this is much more dif- vile act that will upend lives, ruin fam- First Lieutenant Colby J. Umbrell, U.S. ficult. ilies, and disrupt local economies. Army. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is DREAMers are the embodiment of Sergeant Allen James Dunckley, U.S. time to set up a joint task force, with America’s promise, the idea that no Army. one person in charge, able to make de- Private First Class Robert H. Dembowski, matter where you are from, the color Jr., U.S. Army. cisions and not get ‘‘stuck on stupid,’’ of your skin, or the God you worship, if Sergeant First Class Shawn M. Suzch, U.S. as one Army general famously said. you come here, believe in our values, Army. That general, Russell Honore, turned work hard, and contribute to our coun- Staff Sergeant Mark C. Baum, U.S. Army. around the government floundering try, then you deserve a place here in Special Operations Chief Eric F. after taking charge of Joint Task the United States of America. That is Shellenberger, U.S. Navy. Force Katrina. what we are fighting for: to keep the Corporal Elliot D. Teisler, U.S. Marine On the ground, the joint task force Corps. promise of this great country. can coordinate all public and private To my Republican colleagues: you Master Sergeant Kenneth B. Elwell, U.S. relief efforts, starting with putting our Army. can’t profess to support the DREAMers Sergeant First Class Liam J. Nevins, U.S. National Guard to work, reopening the yet fail to support the Dream Act. It is Army. air tower, clearing the roads, and open- time to put up or shut up. I call on my Sergeant Daniel J. Warriner, U.S. Army. ing a chow hall. colleagues to sign the discharge peti- Specialist Nicholas D. Roberts, U.S. Army. I continue to pray for Puerto Rico, tion and support a clean Dream Act. but each of us must understand our be- f loved island’s crisis is very different. f URGE PASSAGE OF THE DREAM f IT IS TIME TO VOTE ON THE ACT OF 2017 DREAM ACT IN SUPPORT OF DREAMERS AND ´ (Mrs. TORRES asked and was given THE DREAM ACT (Ms. BARRAGAN asked and was permission to address the House for 1 given permission to address the House (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked minute.) for 1 minute and to revise and extend and was given permission to address Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I am her remarks.) the House for 1 minute and to revise proud to stand with the DREAMers, Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I rise and extend his remarks.) today to urge my colleagues to sign the and I urge the passage of H.R. 3440, the Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. discharge petition to force a vote on Dream Act of 2017. Speaker, Members, I also want to join the Dream Act. I believe this legisla- I know what it is like to leave your my colleague from Houston in prayers tion would pass today if the Speaker country of birth as a child through no for Houston police officer Nestor Gar- would put it to a vote. choice of your own, and I know that cia and his family, but I rise today in Survey after survey confirms that a those kids have grown up to become support of the 68,000 DREAMers that vast majority of Americans support just as American as each and every one are in Houston, Harris County, Texas, DREAMers and believe they should be of us here. and throughout our country, and call allowed to stay in the United States, Despite what their immigration sta- on congressional leaders to bring up the only country they have known tus might say, this is their country; the Dream Act for immediate vote. this is their home. We cannot stand by DREAMers and young men and since childhood. and allow their lives and well-being to women who were raised in America Let’s be clear: DREAMers’ lives are be put in jeopardy. The country is on know no other country and are an inte- not bargaining chips, DREAMers’ fu- their side. Don’t let petty politics get gral part of our schools, our colleges, ture is not a real estate deal. DREAM- in the way of good policy. our workforce, and our communities. ers have started businesses, they have The DREAMers are courageous During the worst days of Hurricane bought homes, they have mentored young men and women who came for- Harvey, DREAMers helped rescue high school students, they have found ward to register in the DACA program, neighbors and save lives throughout work in nonprofits. and now they are more vulnerable than Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. They give back to their community ever. Mr. Speaker, I urge every one of DREAMers are now and will continue every day. They are teachers, they are my colleagues to support H.R. 3440. The to be serving a key role in rebuilding nurses and doctors, they are our neigh- clock is ticking. We must act to pro- our city. bors, our friends, and, for some of us tect the DREAMers. President Trump’s announcement like me, they are family. Failing to extend legal protections f this month to end the DACA program was a gut punch to DREAMers who are for DREAMers would be a historic be- b 1515 helping their families and communities trayal, a permanent stain on our country. If you have yet to sign the dis- PUERTO RICO AND HURRICANE recover from Harvey’s destruction. charge petition, I urge my colleagues RELIEF Congress has a moral obligation to honor the hard work and aspirations of to do so now. (Mr. HILL asked and was given per- the current and earlier generations of f mission to address the House for 1 immigrants and DREAMers, and bring minute and to revise and extend his re- THERE IS MUCH CONFUSION up the Dream Act for our immediate ABOUT IMPEACHMENT marks.) consideration. Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, it has been 8 (Mr. AL GREEN of Texas asked and days since Hurricane Maria slammed f was given permission to address the into Puerto Rico and impacted the IN SUPPORT OF 800,000 DREAMERS House for 1 minute and to revise and lives of Americans there, who are now (Mr. GOMEZ asked and was given extend his remarks.) in dire need. Power and communica- permission to address the House for 1 Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- tions remain down; food, water, and minute and to revise and extend his reer, I rise to indicate that there is much fuel are scarce; infrastructure con- marks.) confusion about something that is near tinues to crumble; and Americans are Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in and dear to me. There is much confu- dying. Tackling recovery is urgent. support of 800,000 DREAMers aban- sion about impeachment, and so as to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.001 H27SEPT1 H7540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 give some degree of clarity, I have, in I urge my colleagues to support our That the Senate passed S. 504. this hand, an article that is styled, DACA constituents and pass legislation That the Senate passed S. 1057. ‘‘The Overcriminalization of Impeach- that protects these brave young people, That the Senate passed S. 870. ment.’’ It is dated August 7, 2017, by and I ask you to do that as soon as pos- With best wishes, I am Sincerely, Gene Healy. He is with the Cato Insti- sible. KAREN L. HAAS. tute. f I commend it to all who have any in- f AMERICA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM terest in impeachment, because this PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION IS BROKEN will give you a summary that will OF H.R. 3823, DISASTER TAX RE- spare you a lot of reading in the Fed- (Mr. COSTA asked and was given per- LIEF AND AIRPORT AND AIRWAY eralist Papers, reading many other ar- mission to address the House for 1 EXTENSION ACT OF 2017, AND ticles. I commend it to you, and I will minute and to revise and extend his re- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION say more about it at a later time. marks.) OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE f Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I have been RULES saying for years that the American im- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by di- MUSLIM BAN 3.0 migration system is broken, and it is rection of the Committee on Rules, I (Mrs. LAWRENCE asked and was about time we fix it. We must pass call up House Resolution 538 and ask given permission to address the House comprehensive immigration reform. for its immediate consideration. for 1 minute.) This will obviously require bipartisan- The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise ship and a deliberative policy process lows: today to express my outrage toward to make it happen. the latest travel ban proposed by the In the meantime, we ought to do H. RES. 538 Trump administration again late on what we can where we can agree to do Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- September 24. The administration it, and that is why I am working to- lution it shall be in order to consider in the House, without intervention of any question issued a proclamation with new dis- wards this effort to protect our criminatory travel restrictions on of consideration, the bill (H.R. 3823) to DREAMers now. This is why I signed amend title 49, United States Code, to extend eight countries. the discharge petition to bring to the authorizations for the airport improvement Let me be clear: no matter how many House floor a bipartisan, bicameral program, to amend the Internal Revenue times this administration tries to re- Dream Act which will permanently Code of 1986 to extend the funding and ex- package it and sell it, a Muslim ban is protect these people who were brought penditure authority of the Airport and Air- a Muslim ban. It remains hateful, dis- here as children, who are in school, way Trust Fund, to provide disaster tax re- criminatory, and goes against our who are serving in our military, who lief, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are American values. We won’t be fooled by are working and contributing to our the inclusion of North Korea and Ven- waived. The amendment printed in the re- economy, that will permanently pro- port of the Committee on Rules accom- ezuela. tect DREAMers and offer them a path panying this resolution shall be considered This Muslim and refugee ban con- to earned citizenship. as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be tinues to be part of a dangerous and At Fresno State University, we have considered as read. All points of order immoral agenda against a religion, 1,200 DREAMers who are enrolled; at against provisions in the bill, as amended, people of color, and immigrants. UC Merced, we have 600 DREAMers are waived. The previous question shall be This administration and this ban is who are enrolled. We have thousands of considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, fanning the flames of fear and anger young people in the San Joaquin Val- against groups of Americans and immi- to final passage without intervening motion ley who are impacted, and that is why except: (1) one hour of debate, with 40 min- grants, with policies that clearly un- we must change this law and that is utes equally divided and controlled by the dermine the Constitution that I love why I am here today, calling on the chair and ranking minority member of the and our American principles. House leadership to bring the Dream Committee on Ways and Means and 20 min- Dressed up or dressed down, this ban Act to the floor. It is the right thing to utes equally divided and controlled by the must not stand. do. It is the American way in which we chair and ranking minority member of the We must address terrorism, and it is solve problems. Committee on Financial Services; and (2) one motion to recommit with or without in- not restricted to the Muslim popu- I will continue to do everything in lation. We must address it here on the structions. my power to bring the Dream Act to SEC. 2. It shall be in order at any time on ground in homegrown terrorism as the House floor to vote and to work for the legislative day of September 28, 2017, for well. a comprehensive and a longer term im- the Speaker to entertain motions that the f migration policy so that we don’t have House suspend the rules as though under to continue to have the political pos- clause 1 of rule XV. The Speaker or his des- PROTECTING AND DEFENDING OUR ignee shall consult with the Minority Leader DREAMERS turing and the fight that has endured way too long. Let’s fix this for the or her designee on the designation of any matter for consideration pursuant to this (Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia asked and DREAMers now. was given permission to address the section. House for 1 minute and to revise and f The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- extend his remarks.) COMMUNICATION FROM THE tleman from Texas is recognized for 1 Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- CLERK OF THE HOUSE hour. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the er, I rise today to protect and defend The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- our DREAMers. purpose of debate only, I yield the cus- fore the House the following commu- tomary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman Now that President Trump has failed nication from the Clerk of the House of from New York (Ms. SLAUGHTER), the all of us by rescinding DACA, Congress Representatives: must now move immediately to protect ranking member, pending which I yield OFFICE OF THE CLERK, these courageous, patriotic DREAMers myself such time as I may consume. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, During consideration of this resolu- like my constituent and aspiring car- Washington, DC, September 27, 2017. diovascular surgeon, Cinthya Moran. Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, tion, all time yielded is for the purpose Cinthya just wants an opportunity to The Speaker, House of Representatives, of debate only. contribute to her community, and in Washington, DC. GENERAL LEAVE her own words: ‘‘We are only here to DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask contribute to this amazing country.’’ mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of unanimous consent that all Members Like Cinthya, all DACA recipients the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- tives, the Clerk received the following mes- are our friends, they are our neighbors, sage from the Secretary of the Senate on tend their remarks. they are soldiers on the battlefield, September 27, 2017, at 1:35 p.m.: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there they are new homeowners, they are en- That the Senate passed S. 1866. objection to the request of the gen- trepreneurs, they are students. That the Senate passed S. 1028. tleman from Texas?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:44 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.007 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7541 There was no objection. The rule also makes clarifications to in urban areas to note that the FAA, Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise ensure Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin day in and day out, 24 hours a day, is today in support of this rule and the Islands are treated equitably in all tax a vital part of the important transpor- underlying legislation. The rule pro- sections of this bill. tation component of landing planes, vides for consideration of H.R. 3823, the I spent time this week speaking with bringing people to and from work and Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico back safely. It also is a part of our fam- Airway Extension Act of 2017. (Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) and the gentle- ilies who travel the system, and the Mr. Speaker, the whole world is woman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Federal Aviation Administration, the aware of a series of storms that have PLASKETT) in talking about not only FAA, needs this money and needs the hit not only America’s shores but those their immediate needs, but also the operational capacity to move forward. shores of so many of our territories, in- long-term needs. Both were vigorous in It also comes at a critical time when cluding the U.S. Virgin Islands and not only their request for help, but the radar system that is in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico. also, equally, I think, balanced in their has failed, and it is necessary that we b 1530 request for the legislation that would continue to fund the programs at the A series of these hurricanes over the take place today. FAA so that they can get these sys- They represent so many hardworking past few weeks has caused great devas- tems back up and online to increase tation in Texas, Florida, Georgia, people, people who are proud people in traffic to meet the needs of the islands Puerto Rico, and, of course, again, the Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and to make sure that this is done safe- U.S. Virgin Islands. These are people and they are looking for a way to work ly. who are American citizens, and they through not only where they are, but, Now is not a time to play games with are in these territories, and they are in looking forward over the long term, an essential program, and I believe suffering from loss and devastation, about how they are going to put their that this is very important for each of and we have never seen an occurrence islands back together. the Members to understand. This is a like this with two storms in succes- I have had many phone conversations vital part of this package. sion. with both of them over the last 48 Finally, the underlying legislation While there remains much to be done hours. They have asked for our prayers, extends several expiring health pro- and evaluated, this legislation takes they have asked for our help, and I grams that would be finishing at the important steps, I believe, that are have pledged to do both. But I told end of the year, including the Teaching necessary to begin providing relief to them that I believe this House of Rep- Health Center Graduate Medical Edu- those individuals. We have had a lot of resentatives would very carefully un- cation program and the Special Diabe- debate not only on this floor and not derstand their special request at this tes Program for Native Americans. only at the Rules Committee, but cer- time because the islands are under in- I do want to note that this package is tainly in the U.S. House of Representa- creased pressure simply to get planes focused on health programs that are tives and the public media about what that would land to allow not only the expiring, and Chairman GREG WALDEN steps need to be taken, who needs to be bringing in of emergency supplies, but from Hood River, Oregon, who is the there first, what FEMA’s responsibility also taking out people who would need chairman of the Energy and Commerce is, what the responsibility is for HUD, to come ashore, for those that might be Committee, has every intent to make what the responsibility is for States, children, elderly people, or the sick. sure that he will move legislation ex- and what the responsibility is for citi- In addition to the tax provisions of tending funding for CHIP, the Chil- zens and their local communities. But H.R. 3823, which addresses some of the dren’s Health Insurance Program, be- the bottom line is that much of the frailties of the Flood Insurance Pro- cause we know that it expires soon. evaluation, the undertaking of saving gram, we have included important re- The chairman has looked into this and of lives, trying to work to save more form pieces that are pro-consumer and certified back to me that the money property and to be there in support of increase competition at a very difficult that is necessary to keep this program people, is an ongoing project that will time now that these hurricanes have going is not in jeopardy and that he take a long period of time. landed on our shores. This provides op- looks forward to a time when he can Specifically, this underlying legisla- tions for all Americans. move CHIP not only to where it is con- tion helps to address five targeted and The language that passed out of the sidered on the floor, but to the Rules meaningful tax provisions that provide Financial Services Committee 58–0 and Committee, where it can be equally relief and make it easier for people to on the floor of the House last year 419– and fairly debated. recover and to return to their homes 0 has now been placed in this bill, also. Before concluding my opening state- and to make long-term decisions from We believe it is another example of bi- ments, I just want to affirm to the peo- a money and tax perspective. partisan support, not only by the gen- ple in my home State of Texas and It will allow hurricane victims to tleman from the Financial Services other areas affected by these disasters keep more of their paychecks, deduct Committee, JEB HENSARLING, but also that this is the second of a series of re- more of the cost of their expensive his ranking member, MAXINE WATERS, sponses to these natural disasters. On property damage, and provide more af- who very carefully, last year, in prepa- September 8, this body, the United fordable and immediate access to re- ration probably for what would lie States House of Representatives, tirement savings should people decide ahead in the future, to provide a free passed initial emergency response leg- that they would choose to go that di- market opportunity for more people to islation, providing $15.3 billion in aid. rection at this difficult time in their receive flood insurance. It is part of To provide some historical context, life. this package. It passed here last year in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the This legislation also encourages more 419–0. It is an integral part of what United States in August, followed by Americans—Americans who see what is might be an answer maybe only for a Hurricanes Rita and Wilma in Sep- happening—and companies to be able few people, but it is an option and an tember and October. The House re- to donate, to donate to those who are opportunity, and I appreciate Chair- sponded by passing an initial response in need by temporarily suspending lim- man HENSARLING and MAXINE WATERS in September to provide immediate itations on the deductions for chari- for being a part of passing that last emergency relief; then, after some table contributions for hurricane relief year out of the Financial Services evaluation, determined the actual efforts this year. This is an important Committee 58–0. needs on the ground, that is, by an step, and it removes obstacles that This bill also reauthorizes the FAA, analysis that took place, and that is might be in the way for the public to the Federal Aviation Administration, when the House passed a more com- get involved and to help their fellow for 6 months, their funding levels, prehensive package that included many citizens. which would, I believe, be most impor- of the provisions that are in here that Taken together, these five tax provi- tant to all areas of the country. This is we are doing, but they did that in De- sions go a long way, we believe, in a bipartisan bill. cember. helping these people recover from these This is an opportunity for people who There was some debate yesterday at storms. live in rural areas and people who live the Rules Committee about the timing,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.010 H27SEPT1 H7542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 about delay, and I assured the gen- The bill also does nothing to extend Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, if we tleman from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS), the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- defeat the previous question, I will who is a distinguished member of our gram created in 1997 with broad bipar- offer an amendment to the rule to committee, that, while I did not know tisan support. More than 9 million chil- bring up H.R. 3440, the Dream Act. This the exact timing or delay, what might dren get their health insurance bipartisan, bicameral legislation would be a delay in that timing, that I believe through this program. Without contin- help thousands of young people who are that that is forthcoming; that, as there ued Federal funding, States are going Americans in every way except on is a broader evaluation, as time moves to begin running out of money to take paper. on, as we go from saving people, trying care of some of the most vulnerable Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- to do recovery, to where we then move kids, and they can’t wait until the end sent to insert the text of my amend- to the next phases of this opportunity, of the year for us to act. ment in the RECORD, along with extra- we will then know more specifically Community health centers have also neous material, immediately prior to the needs of programs, the work that been left out of the bill, and they have the vote on the previous question. needs to be done by this Congress, and told us that they will have problems The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the help that we can provide to these from day one. If we don’t extend their objection to the request of the gentle- areas. funding, an estimated 9 million people woman from New York? I want to thank the gentleman from would lose access to healthcare. There was no objection. Florida (Mr. HASTINGS) not only for his These are essential bipartisan pro- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I vigorous, what I believe, support of grams, Mr. Speaker, and what does it yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman making sure that people—albeit they say about the majority’s leadership if from California (Ms. SA´ NCHEZ). might be in Florida, but where they they are not extended by the deadline? Ms. SA´ NCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, while were a part of these storms, I felt Mr. It does not bode well for our ability to my colleagues on the other side of the HASTINGS’ care and concern for them, fund the government later this year, to aisle press forward with their partisan to make sure that what the House of raise the debt ceiling, extend the Flood gimmicks, 800,000 young people are still Representatives did was well managed, Insurance Program, or reauthorize the holding their breath. With time quick- and I appreciate his feedback. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. ly running out, they are wondering This body has every intention of pro- This bill is an incredibly important what their futures look like without viding further relief to our fellow one. No one in this Chamber or any- DACA. Americans. We also understand that where that I know of in the world Will they lose their jobs? Will they the Federal Government, while it has wants the FAA program stopped and have to drop out of college after they responsibilities, it does so by working their employees furloughed or airport have already paid tuition? Will they with the States. It is done through projects brought to a halt. We should live in fear that ICE will be waiting for FEMA. work together and get it right. them at any corner? I have been personally very pleased This package, however, has not been All these fears could be eliminated if not only with the actions of President negotiated on a bipartisan basis. It Republican leadership allowed a vote Trump and this administration, but I didn’t go through regular order. Com- on the bicameral, bipartisan Dream want to add that I am proud of the mittees have been shut out of the proc- Act. Instead of living in fear or losing House of Representatives. I believe the ess, and Democrats, who represent half their job, the Dream Act would allow leadership that PAUL RYAN has pro- the population in the United States, them to continue working and add $22.7 vided not only by being on the ground didn’t get a say. billion annually to our U.S. GDP. Pass- We are all glad to see provisions in- and looking at these areas, but also ing the Dream Act will help our coun- staying up to date on a day-to-day cluded here to provide some tax relief try reach the goal of 3 percent eco- basis means that the House is nimble for victims of the recent hurricanes. nomic growth. and able to move forward as we need With regular order and a more open The Dream Act would allow them to to. process, this could be a more com- continue improving themselves and What we are talking about today is prehensive package of extenders that their education. In the process, they targeted tax relief for those in need, provide more tax relief for victims to would add $728 billion cumulatively to ensuring the FAA can continue its recover and to rebuild. After all, the functions allowing planes to land in our economy over a decade, due to an Democrats did suggest 21 bipartisan ‘‘education bump.’’ The Dream Act Puerto Rico, and continuing our emer- tax provisions which were included in gency responses. would allow current teachers, nurses, previous relief legislation after pre- soldiers, engineers, high school and col- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of vious disasters. my time. lege students, and hundreds of thou- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I b 1545 sands of others to continue contrib- thank my friend for yielding me the But none of those, except five, I uting to our economy and our country. customary 30 minutes, and I yield my- think, are included in this bill. That is I call on my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ self such time as I may consume. a shame. on the previous question and, instead, Mr. Speaker, extending the Federal We have said it before. This is, I bring the Dream Act forward for a Aviation Administration’s authority is think, the 44th closed rule this session, vote. We have the votes, and the ur- traditionally something that gets bi- and that is just about all the bills we gency of passing the Dream Act is real. partisan support. That hasn’t been the have done. This bill could either have Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 case this time, as we saw on Monday been bipartisan extending the FAA au- minutes to the honorable and distin- when a prior version of this bill failed thorization, or a comprehensive pack- guished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. on suspension. It contained several ex- age of extenders that provided the tax GRAVES), my friend. traneous provisions, but it didn’t in- relief necessary for hurricane victims Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. clude some of the most important pri- to recover and rebuild. The bill before Speaker, this bill has fundamental orities that we face. us is neither. I doubt many of us have problems. Number one, the flood insur- September 30 is nearly upon us. That had time to review the changes that ance provisions that are in this legisla- is the deadline to reauthorize programs were made last night. tion are provisions that are related to that the American people depend on. I have often said that a bad process flood insurance. The current program That includes things like the Perkins leads to a bad product, and, Mr. Speak- expires on December 9. student loan program, which helps lower, I am afraid that is what we see with Why are we dealing with this one income students to finance their edu- this bill. Another opportunity for bi- component right now? cation. partisanship has been turned into an- I agree that this bill passed the There are 500,000 students across the other political fight. House unanimously previously, but it country, including nearly 50,000 from I, regretfully, reserve the balance of has fundamental problems advancing New York, relying on it right now, but my time. in a vacuum outside of the larger re- the Perkins Loan Program isn’t any- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reform. And mark my words: this provi- where in this bill. serve the balance of my time. sion is going to result in the insolvency

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.013 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7543 of the Flood Insurance Program much thousands of DREAMers and their fam- Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, this faster. It is going to increase the debt ilies. Chamber must act to protect DREAM- of the United States. Watch. I promise They are DREAMers like Saul Ji- ers now in limbo because of President this is going to happen, and I am look- menez, who teaches special needs stu- Trump’s decision to end the DACA pro- ing forward to talking about this more dents in Los Angeles, and is just one gram. later. example of how DREAMers contribute DACA recipients are rigorously vet- Number two, Mr. Speaker, explain to and add value to our country and our ted. They are high-contributing young me the difference between a flood vic- communities. people who were brought to this coun- tim in Texas, a flood victim perhaps in DREAMers are American in every try as children. They are cherished Florida, and one in Louisiana. Explain way except for their immigration sta- members of communities across the to me how those are any different. tus. To send DREAMers to a country country, and they are as American as We had a 1,000-year flood in my com- they have never known would be tragic any of us in all but their paperwork. munity just last year. We introduced for them and our Nation, which will President Trump’s decision to end legislation to provide this same tax re- lose their valuable contributions. the program means that these inspir- lief to our citizens. The American people overwhelming young people stand to lose their fu- Why are Texans better? ingly oppose deporting our DREAMers, tures. Soon they will be forced out of I don’t understand that. and our faith-based community and work and school, faced with the specter Now, look, I want to be clear. I think business leaders are imploring Con- of deportation to nations many of them that Texas deserves—the hurricane vic- gress to pass the Dream Act. Yet the have no memory of. The President has tims absolutely deserve tax relief, Republican leadership is ignoring their created a moral emergency for our there is no question, as do the victims wishes and refusing to allow us a vote country. in Florida, Puerto Rico, and else- on this bipartisan, bicameral bill. This House must allow a vote on a where—the victims of Harvey, Irma, To my Republican colleagues who clean Dream Act. It is a bipartisan bill and Maria. But I don’t understand this say they want to protect our Nation’s that gives these young people a real op- discrimination, and I certainly can’t go DREAMers: If that is true, this is your portunity to get right with the law and back home and explain it or defend it. chance. Vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous earn a path to legal permanent resi- This is absurd. It is absolutely absurd question so we can vote on the Dream dence. that we have been waiting for 13 Act and put our DREAMers on the road We all know that if this bill were put months for this exact same tax relief, to the security and future they have on the floor, it would pass. The bill de- yet the victims of the other hurricanes earned in the only country they know, serves a vote. There is no doubt about get it within weeks. I would love for the United States of America. The time the public support. somebody to explain or justify that to to pass the Dream Act is now. Vote Recent polls from CNN and ABC show me. You can’t do it. ‘‘no’’ on the previous question. that 82 to 86 percent of the American Mr. Speaker, look, I will say it again. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I republic supports Dream Act-type legis- The FAA absolutely needs to be ex- serve the balance of my time. lation; 82 to 86 percent. There is almost tended. If this Ross-Castor bill was so Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I no issue we work on that has that great, after it passed the House unani- yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman much support from the American pub- mously, the Senate would have taken from California (Ms. BARRAGA´ N). lic. it up; but they didn’t because it Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I re- shouldn’t be done in a vacuum. It needs today because there are nearly a mil- serve the balance of my time. to be part of the larger reauthorization lion young men and women known as Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I that expires on December 9, where we DREAMers who are depending on Con- yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman can incorporate it into there. gress to take action to protect them so from Illinois (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY). The reason this is being done is be- they are not deported. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I cause it is trying to artificially in- DREAMers were brought to this rise with an urgent plea to my Repub- crease National Flood Insurance Pro- country as children. Many barely re- lican colleagues. Not included in this gram rates. It is trying to artificially member their birth country. They are legislation are the Children’s Health expedite the insolvency of the program. our teachers, our nurses, and our doc- Insurance Program, Community Health Think about this for just a minute. tors. They are our neighbors, our Centers, and Teaching Health Centers, We are getting ready to have one of the friends, and for some of us, like me, whose authorization expires on Sep- greatest demands upon the National they are our family. tember 30, this Saturday, after this Flood Insurance Program for claims They also contribute to our economy. House adjourns. from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Com- They have known for 2 years about Maria, yet we are diverting the revenue merce estimates that DREAMers in this date, yet, with no time left, the stream. Los Angeles County alone contribute Republicans spent precious hours today Why in the world would you do that? $5.5 billion annually to California’s debating among themselves a plan to Where is the money going to come economy. Across the country, DREAM- cut taxes for the richest of Americans. from to pay the claims from people ers would add billions to GDP over the Nine million children rely on CHIP who flooded? next decade. for their healthcare. Twenty-three mil- Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I just Americans overwhelmingly want lion Americans rely on Community want to say that there are some things Congress to take action, and the vast Health Centers. That is 1 in 15 Ameri- in here that matter. The FAA needs to majority of Members would support cans, and they rely on the doctors that be extended. We need to provide dis- legislation to protect DREAMers. are trained at those centers. aster tax relief without question. Let’s not wait another moment. Let’s If making sure that every child in This is a fundamentally flawed piece bring the Dream Act to the floor for a America has access to healthcare, if of legislation. We should be sending a vote so that we can protect these that is not a priority, what is? clean FAA extension to the Senate and young men and women. I urge a ‘‘no’’ This is a real crisis that still can be address these other things elsewhere. vote on the previous question so we can averted in just a few minutes of time Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I bring the Dream Act to the floor. now and not later. Families are wait- think the previous speaker made a very Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I would ing anxiously while their health secu- important statement, that we should advise the gentlewoman, my colleague, rity is hanging in the balance. It is treat all Americans alike. that I have one more speaker left, so time to vote now before it is too late. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to she may run down the time as she Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from California (Ms. chooses. myself such time as I may consume. ROYBAL-ALLARD). I reserve the balance of my time. I appreciate the distinguished gentle- Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I woman bringing this up. Perhaps, Mr. the President’s decision to rescind yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman Speaker, she was not in the body on DACA has brought fear to hundreds of from California (Ms. LOFGREN). the floor earlier when I brought up

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.014 H27SEPT1 H7544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 what I believe is an answer to this President Trump announced he would lieve the FAA should have this exten- CHIP—Children’s Health Insurance be ending DACA; 3 weeks of fear in sion. I do believe I should advocate for Program—reauthorization. homes, classrooms, and offices where the many employees and consumers of I talked specifically with the chair- DREAMers wonder if they still have a aviation needs, that the air traffic con- man of the Energy and Commerce Com- future here in the only home they have trollers should not be privatized. And I mittee, GREG WALDEN, who is very ex- ever known; 3 weeks for Congress to understand that this particular bill cited about the opportunity to move answer President Trump’s request for a does not have that provision. the CHIP bill. The opportunity to do bill that would stop him from exe- The focus should be on extending a this is not dire or urgent. As a matter cuting his own cruel order. number of these health matters that of fact, there is money in the bucket Here is that bill. Members from both are very important to us, and particu- right now to fund, as it has been, the parties have said they want to do larly, the inspiring health programs program to continue. something to protect DREAMers. Here dealing with the Teaching Health Cen- Chairman WALDEN indicated that, is that something. Over 80 percent of ter Graduate Medical Education Pro- while he does understand that the pro- Americans believe DREAMers who live, gram, the Special Diabetes Program gram is scheduled to run through Sep- work, contribute, and follow the law for Indians, and the Medicare Intra- tember 30, that the analysis from the should stay here. Here is our chance to venous Immune Globulin Demonstra- nonpartisan Medicaid and CHIP Pay- show we are listening. tion project, a number of these. ment and Access Commission shows We must pass the Dream Act because I do take concern with the dimin- that States have enough funds remain- of people like Jose Antonio Vargas, an ishing of the Medicare Improvement ing in their accounts through the end immigrant from the Philippines, who Fund by $50 million and, frankly, I be- of this year. never knew he was undocumented until lieve that we should move forward on these emergencies, particularly as it b 1600 he applied for his learner’s permit. But being undocumented didn’t stop his relates to hurricane victims or areas. Chairman WALDEN is interested in pursuit of the American Dream. He Let me, however, focus on what is of looking at it again and gaining infor- worked hard and became a journalist, devastating need in the areas of Hurri- mation about it to see what sorts of ultimately winning the Pulitzer Prize canes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and changes, additions, or updates that we for his articles. make mention of the fact that the U.S. choose to do. He intends to do that in Let’s act to bring DREAMers like Virgin Islands is included in these tax and through the committee providing Jose out of the shadows. Let act to en- benefits, and Puerto Rico, agreed to by information on a bipartisan basis. I courage more to achieve what he did. the Members representing that area. trust not only what GREG WALDEN said, Let’s right this wrong, stop the cruel It is important that people do not but I also know of his desire to deal ef- end of DACA, and finally pass the have a penalty on their account tax fectively in this manner. Dream Act today. provisions. I hope this can move quick- I want to thank the gentlewoman The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ly through the Senate. The employee from Illinois for bringing up this im- MITCHELL). Members are reminded to retention credit for employees: the bill portant question, and I want to provide refrain from engaging in personalities provides a tax credit for 40 percent of a timely answer to her, and I appre- toward the President. wages, up to $6,000 per employee, paid ciate her very much. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I re- by a disaster-affected employer to an Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of serve the balance of my time. employee from a core disaster area. my time. Charitable deductions: the bill sus- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I pends limitations on charitable con- yield myself 30 seconds to respond to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman tributions. my friend. from the District of Columbia (Ms. I appreciate the information that the NORTON). In our community, there are people gentleman just gave us. We have been Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank who don’t have the gap to survive. told the community health service will my friend for yielding. They are working. Their job is closed be in trouble from day one. Mr. Speaker, this bill is full of provi- down because of Hurricane Harvey. I Mr. Speaker, I inquire of the gen- sions that could pass in regular order, imagine in other areas they may be re- tleman whether he has the same kind and I am afraid of using the FAA reau- ceiving charitable moneys. Those who of information about them? thorization, running out of time, again, give the charitable contributions need Mr. SESSIONS. Will the gentle- because the planes can’t fly if control- to be helped. woman yield? lers are not in the air. The disaster-related personal cas- Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield to the gen- The FAA bill contains a lot of impor- ualty losses and the special rule for de- tleman from Texas. tant provisions that our constituents termining the earned income tax credit Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, re- are crying out for. Among them, air- is extremely important. sponding to the gentlewoman, I do not, plane noise, which is ruining commu- We want more. We are desperate, and but I will talk to Chairman WALDEN nities across the United States. A we need more, Mr. Speaker. I hope that immediately, and I will come and find study of the health impact of that we will be able to work together to get you during the vote, or as we end here, noise is as important as DACA, which more for those who are desperate from and I will let you know. we should pass, and I think could pass. these hurricanes. I appreciate, once again, Mr. Speak- And there are other provisions which Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield er, that the gentlewoman is very con- would pass on regular order. myself such time as I may consume. cerned, as is her committee, about The FAA reauthorization bill is not A good bit of the dialogue that is oc- children’s programs, women’s pro- the bill to fool around with. We have curring today has been an active dis- grams, and she would expect me to re- had too many near misses by letting cussion for a long period of time in the spond accordingly, and I will talk to these short-term extensions pile up on Financial Services Committee—JEB Chairman WALDEN and get back to her us. Pass a straight FAA reauthoriza- HENSARLING from Dallas, Texas, the with an answer. tion bill. chairman of that committee. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, re- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I re- One of our bright young stars is from claiming my time, I appreciate that be- serve the balance of my time. Tampa, Florida, and his name is DEN- cause millions of people use the com- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I NIS ROSS. And Mr. ROSS has heard the munity health services, and the chil- yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman debate going on and came down here. dren, we cannot let them go unat- from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). He has been an active part of not only tended. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I understanding the needs of commu- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the want to thank the gentlewoman from nities, but, more importantly, how we gentlewoman from California (Ms. New York for her leadership. I thank are going to have a fix and answer in a JUDY CHU). my fellow Texan on this effort. long-term way to look at this flooding Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. I am not on the Transportation and problem and the Federal flood pro- Speaker, it has been 3 weeks since Infrastructure Committee, but I do be- gram.

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Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the try. That if we are going to say that Mr. ROSS and Mr. GRAVES, who have gentleman from Florida (Mr. ROSS). the business of the United States come down to talk about the debate Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, for over 50 should be left to business, and govern- that has been well alive across the years, the only game in town for flood ment should do what government country, about how we deal with emer- insurance has been the Federal Govern- should do, then this is a move in that gencies, how we deal with flooding, ment through the National Flood In- direction because government should how we deal with the opportunity for surance Program. That means that for not be in the business of insurance. It States, and communities, and citizens, over 50 years, if you want flood insur- is in the business of relief. the free enterprise system, and what I ance, your best bet is to go to the Fed- There is no question about that, but would say FEMA, or the Federal Gov- eral Government, which, by the way, relief is post-event help. Insurance is ernment, to get closer in under- especially after these two successive pre-event. It is calculating that risk. It standing the needs of communities, and storms that have just hit Texas and is managing that risk. And that is the answers to long-term decisions Florida, is going to be over $30 billion what the private sector does so well. that take place. in debt. We owe it to our consumers and we owe What you heard Mr. ROSS talk about If we don’t do something to save the it to our taxpayers who are bailing out was a bill that he worked on with the taxpayers of this program that cannot the NFIP, that we give consumers this gentlewoman, a Democratic colleague actuarially support itself, we are doing choice. from Tampa, and they worked on this a total disservice to our constituency I would just submit to you, Mr. piece of legislation, got it passed 58–0 and to our country. So what is part of Speaker, that if we have a chance to fi- out of the Financial Services Com- the underlying bill that this rule will nally make a paradigm shift when we mittee, 419–0 on this vote. We need to allow is the Market Parity and Mod- take the burden of bailouts off the pass—we need to include this. We need ernization Act that will allow con- shoulders of taxpayers and allow those to put this as part of the options, an sumers to have a choice between the who do best what they do best in man- option that would be available for peo- existing Flood Insurance Program, aging capital and managing risk, do so ple back home, no matter where that which is significantly in debt, or to for the benefit of the consumers, that is, to have a chance to have more con- have the private sector bring in their this underlying bill and the FAA reau- trol of their own lives, to work in their flood insurance programs to insure thorization allows for that. own communities. those risks. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I 1615 In Florida, back in 2004, we had suc- yield myself 30 seconds to say to the b cessive hurricanes that came through previous speaker that my under- I really appreciate the gentleman, my district, and we had billions of dol- standing is the fallback provision on Mr. ROSS, coming to talk to us today. lars paid by FEMA, paid by NFIP, but flood insurance came to the Federal The hard work that he and KATHY CAS- we had $39 billion paid by the private Government because the private insur- TOR, the gentlewoman from Tampa, did sector because we had private wind- ers didn’t want to do it. on a bipartisan basis comes to play. storm insurance. The private sector If we can get them to take it over, I Even though they did it a year ago, it does a much better job of doing busi- think everybody would be relieved. would be in play today, and it will be ness and managing risks than the Fed- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the in play 1 year from now, when storms eral Government. gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. come back, as an option and oppor- What I am asking for this body to ac- JAYAPAL). tunity. Instead of us searching for an- cept, what the American people are Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise swers, it would be one of the answers craving for, is competition in the prod- today to say in the strongest possible available. ucts they seek to have to protect them terms that this body must do what the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of with their valuable assets. It is kind of majority of the American people want my time. like the Flood Insurance Program is a and pass the Dream Act. The Dream Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I boat, and after 50 years of plugging Act is smart policy that combines yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman holes, it is taking on water more and American values of compassion and hu- from California (Mrs. TORRES). more. manity with what is best for our econ- Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, this is a One of the suggestions is, let’s just omy and our society. This bill will pro- country that was built on dreams. Our keep bailing. I submit to you that to tect 1.5 million undocumented Ameri- country was founded to protect not any logical person, the first step would cans from deportation. just the right to life and liberty but be to plug that hole. We are going to Every day that we fail to act is an- also to pursuit of happiness. continue to bail. We need to continue other day that 800,000 DACAmented Sadly, the dreams of the thousands of to bail, but we need to plug that hole young people live with an unshakable young DREAMers who were brought so we don’t get deeper and deeper in fear that they will lose their ability to here as children have been put on hold debt. live without fear of deportation, be by President Trump’s decision to end So the underlying bill, the FAA reau- able to support themselves and their the DACA program and Congress’ inac- thorization, has the Ross-Castor bill in families, to know that they can plan tion to pass the Dream Act. These there for a reason, so that we can infor the future, whether that be attend- young DREAMers have created a life vite a private market to come to the ing school or buying a home, or a car, for themselves here in the U.S., and rescue of those consumers out there or starting a new business. many know no other home other than who need to not only be able to have Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, this the U.S. options greater than what the National bill will help all Americans regardless Today, I want to tell you about one Flood Insurance Program provides, be- of legal status. Nationally, the cruel special DREAMer from my district. cause they don’t provide business end of this program will cost $460 bil- Jose is an extremely intelligent young interruption. They don’t provide tem- lion in GDP over the next 10 years; man. He works 6 days a week and still porary housing, but the private sector whereas passing the Dream Act would finds time to volunteer in his commu- will. More importantly, the private actually bring $22 billion in income to nity. His parents, unfortunately, did sector will mitigate and will manage our country every year. not tell him that he was undocu- that risk. Mr. Speaker, this is about more than mented, in an effort to protect him. He There is no mitigation program that economics. It is about human lives, and didn’t find out about his status until it is effective in the Federal Government I urge my colleagues to do what is was time to apply for college. He was right now. It is a flowing of dollars to right. Pass the Dream Act. Let’s help extremely upset, but he didn’t give up. say: Here, do this; or, do that. these young people. His dream is to go to college and study Private risk management will help Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield business. He has so much to contribute consumers mitigate, lessen their risks, myself such time as I may consume. to our country. have more resilient homes. Mr. Speaker, this discussion that we These young people have become part What I am suggesting to you is that are having here on point that we have of the American quilt, a quilt that re- this is a paradigm shift for this coun- now had two speakers from my side, flects the diversity of our history, our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.018 H27SEPT1 H7546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 culture, and heritage of this great and as soon as possible to protect these Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on country. We can’t just throw them and outstanding young people, offer them the previous question, the rule, and the toss them out of our Nation. the chance to become citizens, and em- bill, and I yield back the balance of my Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield power them to give back to the coun- time. myself such time as I may consume. try they know and love. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield They say that success has many fa- Vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous question myself the balance of my time. thers, and you could say many moth- so that we can end this Republican ob- I want to thank my colleague not ers. Success is, many times, in the eye structionism and bring this critical bill only for this long week that we have of the beholder. But when lots of people to the floor. had at the Rules Committee, but I also see it, they can get better prepared, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- want to thank her other members, the and then people see that as a model. bers are, once again, reminded to re- gentleman from Worcester, Massachu- I would like to take just a minute, if frain from engaging in personalities to- setts (Mr. MCGOVERN), and the gen- I can, and talk about a model of suc- ward the President of the United tleman from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS), cess that I use. Back home, I have an States. for not only their vigorous debate and opportunity to meet with a number of Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, what a conversations that we have had, but subject matter experts on issues and shock it is to see the President at- actually trying to prepare us at the ideas. One of them is a man named Bill tacked when he is the one who is going Rules Committee for that which we be- Dewey. Bill Dewey is an air traffic con- to make sure, by challenging Congress, lieve would lie ahead. troller at DFW Airport in Dallas, that we get this issue done. Today, you heard the gentlewoman Texas. Mr. Dewey and I take time to Mr. Speaker, there was a question ask about several important issues. sit down and understand the intricacies the gentlewoman, my dear colleague, Part of our job is to kind of pitch and of his job, the FAA air traffic con- Ms. SLAUGHTER, asked. The question is catch, and that is to catch the things troller—safety, planes. timely and important, and I would like that come our way. But she is using DFW is home to American Airlines. to respond back to her. She asked her vision to look ahead, and I admire Mr. Dewey handles traffic that goes to about the health center program, and that. I do owe her answers, and her Dallas Love Field, home for Southwest the answer I have gotten back from the background and experience would tell Airlines. chairman of the Energy and Commerce her, let’s get moving on these things if Committee, Mr. WALDEN, the gen- What Mr. Dewey has done with me is we are going to get them done. I hope tleman from Hood River, Oregon, who given me, from a working professional that I have provided her with feedback is a phenomenal leader to this con- relationship that he has as not only a from the gentleman, Mr. WALDEN, say- ference, is that it will not have to ac- former member of the United States ing exactly that. cess mandatory appropriations until military as an air traffic controller but Mr. Speaker, as the hurricane was early December, and that Chairman real live in the tower at DFW Airport, still over Houston, Texas, dumping 50 WALDEN understands and appreciates day after day, seeing how important inches of rain, I received a conference that the gentlewoman, the ranking the FAA is. call from a number of people in Hous- member of the Rules Committee, Ms. We should remember, Mr. Speaker, ton as they were preparing to reestab- SLAUGHTER, has asked a question, and that it is not just money and time that lish not only their own communities he thanks you for asking that. He un- we are doing here. We are patting the within Houston, but also the livelihood derstands that we do have a timing employees of these agencies. The FAA of the business community, and to be issue and is preparing quickly to ad- has so many dedicated employees—just prepared. dress this issue. He wanted me to like Bill Dewey, my dear friend, who is I got a conference call from a group thank the gentlewoman for bringing at DFW Airport. This also is a support of gentlemen, Mr. Tom Singletary, Mr. that up at this time. Kevin Hedges, Mr. Steve Kessling, Mr. for those employees to let them know I want to thank Chairman WALDEN that we are going to fund their pro- for that message. Wallace B. Livesay, and Mr. Steve grams and we are going to take care of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Raben from Houston. They called me them. So we should, at the same time my time. and said: We need, as quickly as we we do that, say ‘‘thank you’’ to the Ms. SLAUGHTER. I thank the chair- can, to get information about taxes, men and women who are there 24 hours man for giving me that answer, and I about people pulling money out of around the clock to provide safety. yield myself the balance of my time. their IRAs, and what the rules and reg- We have now been a number of years Mr. Speaker, this is our 44th closed ulations would be for that. where we have not had a plane crash rule for this session of Congress which Mr. Speaker, part of my job is to re- with a fatality, and we are lucky. Part prevents Members from offering spond to people, to listen to them, and of it goes to the safety of the system at amendments to the floor. This has put to listen to their needs. I will tell you the FAA. this Congress well on its way to becom- that the Houston delegation, on a bi- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ing the most closed Congress in modern partisan basis, up and down the coast, my time. history. Democrats have been rou- going down to BLAKE FARENTHOLD in Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I tinely unable to do the job we were Corpus Christi, all the way up to GAR- yield 1 minute to the gentleman from elected to do and amend bills to rep- RET GRAVES who is in Louisiana, felt Arizona (Mr. GALLEGO). resent the concerns of the people of the the fury of Mother Nature. But it Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, Presi- United States which we are both privi- didn’t mean that it had to divide us or dent Trump’s decision to end DACA leged and obligated to serve. to defeat us. was one of the most callous and cruel Despite his promises, Speaker RYAN I have seen nothing but resolve that acts of his Presidency so far—and that has shown a complete disregard for reg- has come from not only those in Texas is saying something. ular order since assuming the gavel. but also those in Florida, our two col- Mr. Speaker, ending the DACA pro- Bills routinely come before the Rules leagues, Jenniffer Gonzalez who is lo- gram means betraying our Nation’s Committee that haven’t even been con- cated in Puerto Rico, and STACEY promise to protect 800,000 young people sidered by the relevant committees. PLASKETT who is a fine young Delegate who are in America right now and The majority even moved a healthcare out of the Virgin Islands. They have American in every way except on repeal bill through this Chamber ear- asked for help. They have asked for the paper, including many thousands who lier this year without a score from the things that would be necessary. have served in the military. It means nonpartisan experts at the Congres- But our ability to effectively listen exposing them to deportation from the sional Budget Office. and turn around in the form of legisla- only home they have ever known and This measure would impact one-sixth tion, our ability to be able to schedule robbing our Nation of their exceptional of our Nation’s economy and tens of meetings and, on a bipartisan basis, be talent, work ethic, and patriotism. millions of people if it became law. able to talk and sometimes agree and We cannot allow this President to This is no way to run the people’s sometimes disagree but to get our play politics with so many young lives. House. The public expects more, and it work done is an amazing part of this Congress must pass the Dream Act now is high time that we heed those calls. experiment that we are engaged in.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.020 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7547 I, myself, Mr. Speaker, want to asking who was entitled to recognition. FAIR ACCESS TO INVESTMENT thank you for not only your hard work Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: RESEARCH ACT OF 2017 of being here today but being a part of ‘‘The previous question having been refused, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I move to this process. As all of us work to- gerald, who had asked the gentleman to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. gether, we can make this process work yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to 327) to direct the Securities and Ex- and give confidence to the American the first recognition.’’ change Commission to provide a safe people. That confidence is expressed The Republican majority may say ‘‘the harbor related to certain investment with what we do today. vote on the previous question is simply a fund research reports, and for other Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote on whether to proceed to an immediate purposes. support this rule and the underlying vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] has no substantive legislative or policy im- The Clerk read the title of the bill. bill. plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what The text of the bill is as follows: The material previously referred to they have always said. Listen to the Repub- S. 327 by Ms. SLAUGHTER is as follows: lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 538 OFFERED BY Process in the United States House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in MS. SLAUGHTER resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s Congress assembled, At the end of the resolution, add the fol- how the Republicans describe the previous SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. lowing new sections: question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fair Access SEC. 3. Immediately upon adoption of this though it is generally not possible to amend to Investment Research Act of 2017’’. resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to the rule because the majority Member con- SEC. 2. SAFE HARBOR FOR INVESTMENT FUND clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House trolling the time will not yield for the pur- RESEARCH. resolved into the Committee of the Whole pose of offering an amendment, the same re- (a) EXPANSION OF THE SAFE HARBOR.—Not House on the state of the Union for consider- sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, ation of the bill (H.R. 3440) to authorize the vious question on the rule. . . . When the the Securities and Exchange Commission cancellation of removal and adjustment of motion for the previous question is defeated, shall propose, and not later than the end of status of certain individuals who are long- control of the time passes to the Member the 270-day period beginning on such date, term United States residents and who en- who led the opposition to ordering the previous question. That Member, because he the Commission shall adopt, upon such tered the United States as children and for then controls the time, may offer an amend- terms, conditions, or requirements as the other purposes. The first reading of the bill ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of Commission may determine necessary or ap- shall be dispensed with. All points of order amendment.’’ propriate in the public interest, for the pro- against consideration of the bill are waived. In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House tection of investors, and for the promotion of General debate shall be confined to the bill of Representatives, the subchapter titled capital formation, revisions to section 230.139 and shall not exceed one hour equally di- ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, to vided and controlled by the chair and rank- to order the previous question on such a rule provide that a covered investment fund re- ing minority member of the Committee on [a special rule reported from the Committee search report that is published or distributed the Judiciary. After general debate the bill on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- by a broker or dealer, other than a broker or shall be considered for amendment under the ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- dealer that is an investment adviser to the five-minute rule. All points of order against tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- fund or an affiliated person of the invest- provisions in the bill are waived. At the con- jection of the motion for the previous ques- ment adviser to the fund— clusion of consideration of the bill for tion on a resolution reported from the Com- (1) shall be deemed, for purposes of sections amendment the Committee shall rise and re- mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- 2(a)(10) and 5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 port the bill to the House with such amend- ber leading the opposition to the previous (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(10), 77e(c)), not to constitute ments as may have been adopted. The pre- question, who may offer a proper amendment an offer for sale or an offer to sell a security vious question shall be considered as ordered or motion and who controls the time for de- that is the subject of an offering pursuant to on the bill and amendments thereto to final bate thereon.’’ a registration statement that is effective, passage without intervening motion except Clearly, the vote on the previous question even if the broker or dealer is participating one motion to recommit with or without in- on a rule does have substantive policy impli- or will participate in the registered offering structions. If the Committee of the Whole cations. It is one of the only available tools of the covered investment fund’s securities; rises and reports that it has come to no reso- for those who oppose the Republican major- and lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- (2) shall be deemed to satisfy the condi- tive day the House shall, immediately after native views the opportunity to offer an al- tions of paragraph (1) or (2) of section the third daily order of business under clause ternative plan. 230.139(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regula- 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield tions, or any successor provisions, for pur- the Whole for further consideration of the back the balance of my time, and I poses of the Commission’s rules and regula- bill. move the previous question on the res- tions under the Federal securities laws and SEC. 4. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not the rules of any self-regulatory organization. apply to the consideration of H.R. 3440. olution. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The (b) IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFE HARBOR.—In implementing the safe harbor pursuant to THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT question is on ordering the previous subsection (a), the Commission shall— IT REALLY MEANS question. (1) not, in the case of a covered investment This vote, the vote on whether to order the The question was taken; and the fund with a class of securities in substan- previous question on a special rule, is not Speaker pro tempore announced that tially continuous distribution, condition the merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- the ayes appeared to have it. safe harbor on whether the broker’s or deal- dering the previous question is a vote Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on er’s publication or distribution of a covered against the Republican majority agenda and that I demand the yeas and nays. investment fund research report constitutes a vote to allow the Democratic minority to The yeas and nays were ordered. such broker’s or dealer’s initiation or reiniti- offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ation of research coverage on such covered what the House should be debating. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- investment fund or its securities; Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the ceedings on this question will be post- (2) not— House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- (A) require the covered investment fund to scribes the vote on the previous question on poned. have been registered as an investment com- the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the f pany under the Investment Company Act of consideration of the subject before the House ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.) or subject to the being made by the Member in charge.’’ To reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) defeat the previous question is to give the PRO TEMPORE of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 opposition a chance to decide the subject be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- U.S.C. 78m, 78o(d)) for any period exceeding fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair the period of time referenced under section ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that will postpone further proceedings 230.139(a)(1)(i)(A)(1) of title 17, Code of Fed- ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- today on motions to suspend the rules eral Regulations; or mand for the previous question passes the on which a recorded vote or the yeas (B) impose a minimum float provision ex- control of the resolution to the opposition’’ ceeding that referenced in section in order to offer an amendment. On March and nays are ordered, or on which the 230.139(a)(1)(i)(A)(1)(i) of title 17, Code of Fed- 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- vote incurs objection under clause 6 of eral Regulations; fered a rule resolution. The House defeated rule XX. (3) provide that a self-regulatory organiza- the previous question and a member of the The House will resume proceedings tion may not maintain or enforce any rule opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, on postponed questions at a later time. that would—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:19 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.021 H27SEPT1 H7548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 (A) prohibit the ability of a member to investment fund shall be deemed to be a se- 77b(a)(3)), except that such term shall not in- publish or distribute a covered investment curity that is listed on a national securities clude an oral communication. fund research report solely because the mem- exchange and that is not subject to section (7) The term ‘‘self-regulatory organiza- ber is also participating in a registered offer- 24(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 tion’’ has the meaning given that term under ing or other distribution of any securities of (15 U.S.C. 80a–24(b)). section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange such covered investment fund; or (3) COVERED INVESTMENT FUNDS COMMUNICA- Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26)). (B) prohibit the ability of a member to par- TIONS.— The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ticipate in a registered offering or other dis- (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in ant to the rule, the gentleman from Ar- tribution of securities of a covered invest- subparagraph (B), communications that con- kansas (Mr. HILL) and the gentleman ment fund solely because the member has cern only covered investment funds that fall published or distributed a covered invest- within the scope of section 24(b) of the In- from Illinois (Mr. FOSTER) each will ment fund research report about such cov- vestment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a– control 20 minutes. ered investment fund or its securities; and 24(b)) shall not be required to be filed with The Chair recognizes the gentleman (4) provide that a covered investment fund FINRA. from Arkansas. research report shall not be subject to sec- (B) EXCEPTION.—FINRA may require the GENERAL LEAVE tion 24(b) of the Investment Company Act of filing of communications with the public if Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–24(b)) or the rules and reg- the purpose of those communications is not mous consent that all Members may ulations thereunder, except that such report to provide research and analysis of covered may still be subject to such section and the investment funds. have 5 legislative days in which to re- rules and regulations thereunder to the ex- (e) EXCEPTION.—The safe harbor under sub- vise and extend their remarks and intent that it is otherwise not subject to the section (a) shall not apply to the publication clude extraneous material on the bill. content standards in the rules of any self- or distribution by a broker or a dealer of a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there regulatory organization related to research covered investment fund research report, the objection to the request of the gen- reports, including those contained in the subject of which is a business development tleman from Arkansas? rules governing communications with the company or a registered closed-end investment company, during the time period de- There was no objection. public regarding investment companies or Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- substantially similar standards. scribed in section 230.139(a)(1)(i)(A)(1) of title (c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 17, Code of Federal Regulations, except self such time as I may consume. this Act shall be construed as in any way where expressly permitted by the rules and Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the limiting— regulations of the Securities and Exchange House is considering S. 327 today, the (1) the applicability of the antifraud or Commission under the Federal securities Fair Access to Investment Research antimanipulation provisions of the Federal laws. Act. securities laws and rules adopted thereunder (f) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this Act: (1) The term ‘‘affiliated person’’ has the This is the Senate companion to my to a covered investment fund research re- bill, H.R. 910, that I had the pleasure of port, including section 17 of the Securities meaning given the term in section 2(a) of the Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77q), section 34(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. working on with my friend from Illi- Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–2(a)). nois (Mr. FOSTER) in this Congress and 80a–33(b)), and sections 9 and 10 of the Secu- (2) The term ‘‘covered investment fund’’ our colleague in the last Congress, now rities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78i, means— Governor Carney of Delaware. 78j); or (A) an investment company registered Mr. Speaker, occasionally on this (2) the authority of any self-regulatory or- under, or that has filed an election to be floor, we don’t compliment our col- ganization to examine or supervise a mem- treated as a business development company leagues in the upper Chamber at the under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 ber’s practices in connection with such mem- other end of the building, but we have ber’s publication or distribution of a covered (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.) and that has filed a investment fund research report for compli- registration statement under the Securities to say today ‘‘thank you’’ to Senator ance with applicable provisions of the Fed- Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) for the pub- CRAPO and Senator BROWN for advanc- eral securities laws or self-regulatory orga- lic offering of a class of its securities, which ing a number of securities-related bills nization rules related to research reports, in- registration statement has been declared ef- in the last few days which we appre- cluding those contained in rules governing fective by the Commission; and ciate seeing coming back to the House, communications with the public, or to re- (B) a trust or other person— including S. 327. quire the filing of communications with the (i) issuing securities in an offering reg- public the purpose of which is not to provide istered under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 b 1630 research and analysis of covered investment U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and which class of securi- This bill contains the same language funds. ties is listed for trading on a national securi- as H.R. 910, which passed the House in (d) INTERIM EFFECTIVENESS OF SAFE HAR- ties exchange; BOR.— (ii) the assets of which consist primarily of May with overwhelming bipartisan (1) IN GENERAL.—From and after the 270- commodities, currencies, or derivative in- support by a vote of 405–2. day period beginning on the date of enact- struments that reference commodities or S. 327 also includes some Senate ment of this Act, if the Commission has not currencies, or interests in the foregoing; and amendments that add some additional adopted revisions to section 230.139 of title (iii) that provides in its registration state- clarifications to the bill: 17, Code of Federal Regulations, as required ment under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 First, it clarifies the conflict of in- by subsection (a), and until such time as the U.S.C. 77a et seq.) that a class of its securi- terest provision by precluding dealers Commission has done so, a broker or dealer ties are purchased or redeemed, subject to from issuing research on affiliated ex- distributing or publishing a covered invest- conditions or limitations, for a ratable share change-traded funds. ment fund research report after such date of its assets. shall be able to rely on the provisions of sec- (3) The term ‘‘covered investment fund re- Second, it carves out closed-end tion 230.139 of title 17, Code of Federal Regu- search report’’ means a research report pub- funds, including business development lations, and the broker or dealer’s publica- lished or distributed by a broker or dealer companies. tion of such report shall be deemed to satisfy about a covered investment fund or any se- Finally, it includes a specific defini- the conditions of paragraph (1) or (2) of sec- curities issued by the covered investment tion of ‘‘affiliated person,’’ which tion 230.139(a) of title 17, Code of Federal fund, but does not include a research report matches the definition of an ‘‘affiliated Regulations, if the covered investment fund to the extent that the research report is pub- person’’ in section 2(a) of the Invest- that is the subject of such report satisfies lished or distributed by the covered investment Company Act of 1940. the reporting history requirements (without ment fund or any affiliate of the covered in- regard to Form S–3 or Form F–3 eligibility) vestment fund, or any research report pub- Since starting an investment firm and minimum float provisions of such sub- lished or distributed by any broker or dealer back in the late 1990s, I have watched sections for purposes of the Commission’s that is an investment adviser (or an affili- exchange-traded funds grow amazingly. rules and regulations under the Federal secu- ated person of an investment adviser) for the ETFs have grown from about 100 funds, rities laws and the rules of any self-regu- covered investment fund. in the late 1990s, with over $100 billion latory organization, as if revised and imple- (4) The term ‘‘FINRA’’ means the Finan- in assets, to now over 1,700 funds with mented in accordance with subsections (a) cial Industry Regulatory Authority. over $3 trillion in assets. Exchange- and (b). (5) The term ‘‘investment adviser’’ has the traded funds can average 30 percent of (2) STATUS OF COVERED INVESTMENT FUND.— meaning given the term in section 2(a) of the After such period and until the Commission Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. the trading volumes by value on any has adopted revisions to section 230.139 of 80a–2(a)). given day on our markets. title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, and (6) The term ‘‘research report’’ has the Yet, despite their growing popularity FINRA has revised rule 2210, for purposes of meaning given that term under section and increasing importance to retail in- subsection (c)(7)(O) of such rule, a covered 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. vestors, most broker-dealers do not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:36 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.004 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7549 publish research on ETFs. This is due tially the same bill and incorporates, The Chair recognizes the gentleman to anomalies in our securities laws and among other things, an amendment by from California. regulations. S. 327 tackles those anom- Senator ELIZABETH WARREN to reit- GENERAL LEAVE alies. erate that the safe harbor will not be Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Given the importance of ETFs to in- available to affiliates of the ETF, in- mous consent that all Members may vestors, and particularly retail inves- cluding the fund’s registered invest- have 5 legislative days within which to tors, steps to facilitate research on ex- ment adviser. I am really proud of the revise and extend their remarks and in- change-traded funds are long overdue. bipartisanship that went into this bill. clude extraneous material on H.R. 3229, The Fair Access to Investment Re- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to currently under consideration. search Act is simple. It directs the SEC support this bill, and I reserve the bal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there to provide a safe harbor for research re- ance of my time. objection to the request of the gen- ports that cover ETFs so that these re- Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- tleman from California? ports are not considered offers under self such time as I may consume. There was no objection. section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself This allows ETF research to be issued for his comments, and I do appreciate such time as I may consume. As chairman of the Courts, Intellec- just like stock research on a corporate the work in the Senate that improved issuer. tual Property, and the Internet Sub- this bill. committee, I recognize the importance This commonsense proposal, which I think it is important to note that mirrors other research safe harbors im- of judicial security needs. this will make this research flow, and Federal judges hear cases involving plemented by the SEC, would clarify in no way will it, I think, confuse in- hardened criminals on a regular basis. the law and allow broker-dealers to vestors; in fact, it enhances their in- Although not everyone threatens a publish exchange-traded fund research, vestment. Federal judge and not everyone is a thereby allowing investors to access Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of gang member, many are. Federal that very useful and needed informa- my time. judges and their families should not be tion in this rapidly growing and occa- Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield at risk for simply doing their jobs. sionally complex market of choices. myself the balance of my time. Congress provides funding for a vari- This bill also holds the SEC account- Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank my col- ety of judicial security needs by build- able to follow Congress’ direction. The league from Arkansas (Mr. HILL) for ing secure court houses, staffing metal bill requires the SEC to finalize the working with us on this bill over the detectors at entrances, and so on, but rules within 270 days, and if the dead- past years and look forward to it now there is a simple way to address secu- line is not met, an interim safe harbor being sent to the President’s desk and rity needs without extending taxpayer rule will take effect until the SEC’s signed into law. dollars. One method is to redact spe- rule is finalized. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance cific information from judicial finan- Mr. Speaker, this issue is not unfa- of my time. cial disclosure reports done by the miliar to the Commission, as this pro- Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back judges and other key employees. If posal has been raised both by the Com- the balance of my time. they are to be targeted, we cannot have mission and by industry many times The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a judge’s home address or other infor- over the last two decades. With close to question is on the motion offered by mation that allows tracking by a 6 million U.S. households holding the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. criminal to, in fact, be a source of their ETFs, investors need access to this im- HILL) that the House suspend the rules demise. portant research. and pass the bill, S. 327. The redaction authority has been in Having worked in the banking and The question was taken; and (two- place since Congress began, in 1998, to investment industry for the past three thirds being in the affirmative) the allow for this, and it has been extended decades, I appreciate Chairman HEN- rules were suspended and the bill was and expanded, in a number of cases, to SARLING and the Congress’ efforts to passed. include family members. The redaction promote capital formation, reduce un- A motion to reconsider was laid on process requires input and agreement necessary burdens, and grow jobs and the table. from the U.S. Marshals Service. the economy. S. 327 is another step in The legislation that my colleague that process. f from New York (Mr. JEFFRIES) and I in- I also want to thank my friend, Mr. EXTENSION OF REDACTION AU- troduced would extend the redaction FOSTER of Illinois, for working on this THORITY CONCERNING SEN- authority for an additional 10 years, legislation, and our colleague in the SITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION until December 31, 2027. There is no fi- Senate, Senator HELLER of Nevada, for nancial impact from this, and it serves Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to to put judges and their families in a po- working with me on this bipartisan, suspend the rules and pass the bill commonsense fix that we worked on to- sition they have historically been in (H.R. 3229) to protect the safety of since 1998: less at risk by this informa- gether for over 2 years. judges by extending the authority of Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to tion being disclosed. the Judicial Conference to redact sen- I not only urge the House to support support this bill, and I reserve the bal- sitive information contained in their this legislation, but after careful con- ance of my time. financial disclosure reports, and for sideration and research, we find that Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield other purposes, as amended. this authority has not been abused, it myself such time as I may consume. The Clerk read the title of the bill. has been properly used, and the Federal Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague The text of the bill is as follows: judges have earned the absolute right from Arkansas (Mr. HILL) for his years to this limited redaction. of bipartisan work that went into this H.R. 3229 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of bill. my time. I am proud to support this bill today resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I yield because I believe that it will strength- SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF REDACTION AUTHOR- myself such time as I may consume. en the ability of investors to make in- ITY CONCERNING SENSITIVE SECU- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. formed decisions. Exchange-traded RITY INFORMATION. 3229, which will extend for 10 years the funds are valuable and popular tools Section 105(b)(3)(E) of the Ethics in Gov- soon expiring authority for Federal for investors to diversify risks and re- ernment Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amend- judges and judicial officers to redact turns through a single security at low ed by striking ‘‘2017’’ both places it appears from financial disclosure forms sen- cost. This bill will help investors un- and inserting ‘‘2027’’. sitive personal information that, if re- derstand the various ETF choices on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- vealed, could compromise their safety the market. ant to the rule, the gentleman from and security. I was proud that the House passed California (Mr. ISSA) and the gen- An independent judiciary that is free our bill, H.R. 910, earlier this Congress tleman from New York (Mr. JEFFRIES) of coercion is fundamental to our con- by a vote of 405–2. This bill is essen- each will control 20 minutes. stitutional democracy, fundamental to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:36 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.025 H27SEPT1 H7550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 the principle of liberty and justice for seeking retribution or of an otherwise Allow me to acknowledge Mr. all, and fundamental to the principle of disturbed individual, this information JEFFRIES for his leadership, Mr. CON- equal protection under the law. Unfor- could put judges and their families at YERS and Mr. GOODLATTE for working tunately, in this country, there are great risk. in a bipartisan manner, and the man- some who seek to compromise the in- ager of the bill for his support, and in- b 1645 tegrity of the judicial branch through dicate that this has evidence that we threats, harm, and harassment. Under current law, the Judicial Con- wish we did not have to see or could According to the U.S. Marshals Serv- ference may redact information from a not document. ice, in fiscal year 2017, there has been financial disclosure form if publishing I know that in my own State just a an increase in every major recorded such information could endanger the couple of years ago, the Federal judge statistical category regarding the tar- safety of the filer or a member of the in San Antonio was attacked and, in geting of members of the Federal bench filer’s family. Unless Congress acts, my recollection, lost his life. So we re- and judiciary employees. Failure to ex- this redaction authority will expire on alize that justice requires us to elimi- tend this authority will create grave December 31 of this year. This com- nate impediments of fear and danger security risks to judges, judiciary em- monsense bill simply extends the re- that may come to the Federal judici- ployees, and their families. daction authority for 10 years. ary. Each year, only a very small percent- Unfortunately, many Federal judges This thoughtful legislation to redact age of the financial disclosure reports face threats to their safety merely for addresses and other personal informa- filed contain an approved redaction of doing their jobs, and according to the tion from financial disclosure forms of information. Redaction only occurs if Judicial Conference, the number of all of the judiciary, magistrates, and there is a clear nexus between a secu- threats against them are increasing. appeals courts, district courts, obvi- rity risk and the information for which For example, an Ohio man recently ously, and the Supreme Court, is cru- redaction is sought. pleaded guilty to arranging a murder- cial for the courts that represent the Federal judges and other employees for-hire plot against a judge; an alleged third branch of government and really of the judicial branch routinely inter- ISIS sympathizer who was attempting represent a need of the kind of stove- act with disgruntled litigants or dan- to learn a judge’s address was indicted pipe to allow them to render justice. gerous defendants and others who may a few months ago for threatening the So on the financial disclosure forms, seek to do them harm. judge; and last year, a California man, they are important for transparency, For example, in 2016, a disgruntled who was already in prison, was con- but I want to acknowledge that, unfor- defendant was convicted of a diabolical victed of plotting to have the Federal tunately, there are individuals who plot to kidnap, torture, and murder judge, prosecutors, and FBI agents would take out their disgust or con- U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford, killed as revenge. tempt for the Federal Government and who presided over that defendant’s Sadly, earlier this year, we also saw take that contempt out on the courts. wire fraud conviction. threats against several judges who For that reason and for the reason In March of this year, the FBI re- ruled against President Trump’s Mus- that it has been reported that there are ported that U.S. District Judge Derek lim ban. After the President himself terrorist cells in every State, that we Watson, who issued a temporary re- launched a verbal assault against the don’t know from where that threat will taining order against the President’s judges and against the Federal judici- come, and the fact that we have this travel ban, has subsequently been the ary more generally, the judges faced a very important bill, I want to con- target of repeated violent threats. cascade of online threats and they re- gratulate the author of the bill. I hope In April, Jason Springer, an ISIS quired heightened security measures. that we will pass this bill as quickly as sympathizer, was indicted on a charge Even without such irresponsible and possible, which protects our Federal ju- of threatening to murder U.S. District dangerous behavior by the President, diciary by allowing their personal in- Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich by flying Federal judges regularly face threats, formation and that of their family an explosive drone into her window. and this legislation is an important members to be redacted because justice The need to extend the redaction au- tool in protecting their safety. has to be kept safe and secure. thority is a time-sensitive security Although disclosure forms should Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I yield matter, and I thank Chairman GOOD- only be redacted in the most extreme back the balance of my time. LATTE, Ranking Member CONYERS, Sub- and limited circumstances, the Judi- Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would committee Chairman ISSA, and Rank- cial Conference has used its redaction close by urging my colleagues to sup- ing Member NADLER of the sub- authority sparingly and wisely, and it port this well-thought-out, well au- committee, for their leadership on this should continue to have this authority thored, and in regular hearings by the issue. available to it when circumstances committee, universally accepted as Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he warrant its use. necessary and reasonable for a 10-year may consume to the gentleman from I appreciate Mr. JEFFRIES’ leadership extension. New York (Mr. NADLER), the distin- in introducing this legislation. I want Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the guished ranking member of the Sub- to recognize Ranking Member CONYERS bill, and I yield back the balance of my committee on the Courts, Intellectual for the work he has done to champion time. Property, and the Internet. this issue over the years as well. I Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank thank Chairman GOODLATTE and Mr. strong support of H.R. 3229, a bipartisan, the gentleman for yielding. ISSA for moving this bipartisan bill for- commonsense measure intended to protect Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support ward. the safety of federal judges and judicial em- of H.R. 3229, which would extend an im- Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the ployees. portant tool in protecting the safety of balance of my time. The bill accomplishes this critical goal by judges and their families. Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, may I extending the authority of the Judicial Con- Each year, Federal judges and cer- ask how much time I have remaining. ference to redact sensitive information contain other judicial employees are re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- tained in the financial disclosure reports filed quired to file financial disclosure re- tleman from New York has 14 minutes by these individuals pursuant to the Ethics in ports which are made available to the remaining. Government Act of 1978. Specifically, H.R. public. These reports serve a vital func- Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3229 would extend this authority for 10 years, tion in promoting transparency, par- as much time as she may consume to that is, until December 31, 2027. ticularly of any potential conflicts of the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. I am an original cosponsor and strong sup- interest. JACKSON LEE), a distinguished cham- porter of this bill for several reasons. By their nature, however, they also pion of safety of Federal judges. To begin with, absent a further extension of disclose sensitive personal information Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let this authority, the Judicial Conference’s ability like a home address or family mem- me thank the gentleman from New to redact sensitive personal information from ber’s place of business. In the hands of York for a very thoughtful and, really, the financial disclosure statements filed by a disgruntled member of the public a crucial element to justice. judges and judicial employees would cease

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:36 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.027 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7551 and thereby create potentially serious security A motion to reconsider was laid on Gohmert Lucas Rothfus risks to these individuals. the table. Goodlatte Luetkemeyer Rouzer Gosar MacArthur Royce (CA) Judges and judicial employees are often the f Gowdy Marchant Russell subject of threats, harassment, and violence. Graves (GA) Marino Rutherford Like probation officers, these individuals rou- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Graves (LA) Marshall Sanford Graves (MO) Massie Schweikert tinely interact with disgruntled litigants and PRO TEMPORE Griffith Mast convicted criminals who may hold grudges Scott, Austin The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Guthrie McCarthy Sensenbrenner Handel McCaul against them. Sessions ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Harper McClintock A resentful litigant seeking to take revenge Shimkus will resume on questions previously Harris McHenry for a judicial decision can learn of a federal Hartzler McKinley Shuster postponed. Simpson judge’s home address, his or her spouse’s Votes will be taken in the following Hensarling McMorris place of employment, or a child’s school, Herrera Beutler Rodgers Smith (MO) order: Hice, Jody B. McSally Smith (NE) among other types of sensitive information, by Ordering the previous question on Higgins (LA) Meadows Smith (NJ) requesting a copy of the judge’s financial dis- House Resolution 538; Hill Meehan Smith (TX) Smucker closure report. Adoption of House Resolution 538, if Holding Mitchell During 2016, for instance, a federal judge Hollingsworth Moolenaar Stefanik ordered; and Hudson Mooney (WV) Stewart was shot in front of his home, a murder-for- The motion to suspend the rules and Huizenga Mullin Stivers hire plot against a federal judge was uncov- agree to H. Res. 311. Hultgren Murphy (PA) Taylor Hunter Newhouse ered, and threatening letters were sent to The first electronic vote will be con- Tenney other judges. Hurd Noem Thompson (PA) ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Issa Norman Fortunately, section 105 of the Ethics in Thornberry electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Jenkins (KS) Nunes Tipton Jenkins (WV) Government Act grants the Judicial Con- Olson Trott minute votes. Johnson (LA) Palazzo ference the authority to redact certain limited Turner Johnson (OH) Palmer f Upton information from financial disclosure reports Jones Paulsen Valadao when the release of such information could PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION Jordan Pearce endanger a judge, a judicial employee, or a Joyce (OH) Perry Wagner OF H.R. 3823, DISASTER TAX RE- Walberg member of their family. Katko Pittenger LIEF AND AIRPORT AND AIRWAY Kelly (MS) Poe (TX) Walden Congress has extended this redaction au- EXTENSION ACT OF 2017, AND Kelly (PA) Poliquin Walker thority on 5 previous occasions, most recently King (IA) Posey Walters, Mimi PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION King (NY) Ratcliffe Weber (TX) on January 3, 2012. OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE Another reason why I support H.R. 3229 is Kinzinger Reed Webster (FL) RULES Knight Reichert Wenstrup that the Judicial Conference has exercised its Kustoff (TN) Renacci Westerman redaction authority with demonstrated re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Labrador Rice (SC) Williams straint. finished business is the vote on order- LaHood Roby Wilson (SC) ing the previous question on the reso- LaMalfa Roe (TN) Wittman As required by the Ethics in Government Lamborn Rogers (AL) lution (H. Res. 538) providing for con- Womack Act, the Conference has promulgated regula- Lance Rogers (KY) Woodall sideration of the bill (H.R. 3823) to Latta Rohrabacher tions requiring a clear nexus between a secu- Yoder Lewis (MN) Rokita rity risk and the need to redact sensitive infor- amend title 49, United States Code, to Young (AK) LoBiondo Rooney, Thomas Young (IA) mation. extend authorizations for the airport Loudermilk J. In addition, the Act requires the Judicial improvement program, to amend the Love Ross Zeldin Conference to report annually to Congress on Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the number and nature of redactions as well the funding and expenditure authority NAYS—187 as the reasons for them. of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Adams Delaney Krishnamoorthi Based on a review of these reports, it is to provide disaster tax relief, and for Aguilar DeLauro Kuster (NH) Barraga´ n DelBene Langevin clear that only a small percentage of the finan- other purposes, and providing for con- Bass Demings Larsen (WA) cial disclosure reports filed contain an ap- sideration of motions to suspend the Beatty DeSaulnier Larson (CT) proved redaction of some information in the rules, on which the yeas and nays were Bera Deutch Lawrence ordered. Beyer Dingell Lawson (FL) report. Bishop (GA) Doggett Lee For example, less than 3 percent of financial The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Blumenauer Doyle, Michael Levin reports contained an approved redaction of tion. Blunt Rochester F. Lewis (GA) some information over the past 5 years. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bonamici Ellison Lieu, Ted Boyle, Brendan Engel Lipinski Finally, the need to extend this redaction question is on ordering the previous F. Eshoo Loebsack authority—which will expire in just over 3 question. Brady (PA) Espaillat Lofgren months—is a time-sensitive security matter The vote was taken by electronic de- Brown (MD) Esty (CT) Lowenthal vice, and there were—yeas 223, nays Brownley (CA) Evans Lowey that requires prompt consideration of H.R. Bustos Foster Lujan Grisham, 3229. 187, not voting 23, as follows: Butterfield Frankel (FL) M. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support [Roll No. 538] Capuano Fudge Luja´ n, Ben Ray H.R. 3229, which will simply extend the Judi- Carbajal Gabbard Lynch YEAS—223 Ca´ rdenas Gallego Maloney, cial Conference’s current redaction authority Abraham Budd DeSantis Carson (IN) Garamendi Carolyn B. for an additional 10 years. Aderholt Burgess DesJarlais Cartwright Gomez Maloney, Sean In closing, I want to commend Congress- Allen Byrne Diaz-Balart Castor (FL) Gonzalez (TX) Matsui Amash Calvert Donovan Castro (TX) Gottheimer McCollum AKEEM EFFRIES man H J for his leadership on Amodei Carter (GA) Duffy Chu, Judy Green, Al McEachin this important legislation. We share his com- Arrington Carter (TX) Duncan (SC) Cicilline Green, Gene McGovern mitment to protecting the security of those Babin Chabot Duncan (TN) Clarke (NY) Grijalva McNerney public servants who serve in the federal judi- Bacon Cheney Dunn Clay Hastings Meeks Banks (IN) Coffman Emmer Cleaver Heck Meng cial branch. Barletta Cole Estes (KS) Clyburn Higgins (NY) Moore Accordingly, I urge all of my colleagues to Barr Collins (GA) Farenthold Cohen Himes Moulton support this bill. Barton Collins (NY) Faso Connolly Hoyer Murphy (FL) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bergman Comer Ferguson Conyers Huffman Nadler Biggs Comstock Fitzpatrick Cooper Jackson Lee Napolitano question is on the motion offered by Bilirakis Conaway Fleischmann Correa Jayapal Neal the gentleman from California (Mr. Bishop (MI) Cook Flores Costa Jeffries Nolan ISSA) that the House suspend the rules Black Costello (PA) Fortenberry Courtney Kaptur Norcross Blackburn Cramer Foxx Crist Keating O’Halleran and pass the bill, H.R. 3229, as amend- Blum Crawford Franks (AZ) Crowley Kelly (IL) O’Rourke ed. Bost Culberson Frelinghuysen Cuellar Kennedy Pallone The question was taken; and (two- Brady (TX) Curbelo (FL) Gaetz Cummings Khanna Panetta thirds being in the affirmative) the Brat Davidson Gallagher Davis (CA) Kihuen Pascrell Brooks (AL) Davis, Rodney Garrett Davis, Danny Kildee Payne rules were suspended and the bill, as Buchanan Denham Gianforte DeFazio Kilmer Pelosi amended, was passed. Buck Dent Gibbs DeGette Kind Perlmutter

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:36 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.012 H27SEPT1 H7552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 Peters Schiff Thompson (CA) Griffith Mast Royce (CA) Quigley Scott (VA) Titus Peterson Schneider Thompson (MS) Grothman McCarthy Russell Raskin Scott, David Tonko Pingree Schrader Titus Guthrie McCaul Rutherford Rice (NY) Serrano Torres Pocan Scott (VA) Tonko Handel McClintock Sanford Richmond Sewell (AL) Tsongas Polis Scott, David Torres Harper McHenry Schweikert Rosen Shea-Porter Vargas Price (NC) Serrano Tsongas Harris McKinley Scott, Austin Roybal-Allard Sherman Veasey Quigley Sewell (AL) Vargas Hartzler McMorris Sensenbrenner Ruiz Sinema Vela Raskin Shea-Porter Veasey Hensarling Rodgers Sessions Ruppersberger Sires Vela´ zquez Rice (NY) Sherman Vela Herrera Beutler McSally Shimkus Rush Slaughter Visclosky Richmond Sinema Vela´ zquez Hice, Jody B. Meadows Shuster Ryan (OH) Smith (WA) Wasserman Rosen Sires Visclosky Higgins (LA) Meehan Simpson Sa´ nchez Soto Schultz Roybal-Allard Slaughter Wasserman Hill Mitchell Smith (MO) Sarbanes Speier Waters, Maxine Ruiz Smith (WA) Schultz Holding Moolenaar Smith (NE) Schakowsky Swalwell (CA) Watson Coleman Ruppersberger Soto Waters, Maxine Hollingsworth Mooney (WV) Smith (NJ) Schiff Takano Welch Ryan (OH) Speier Watson Coleman Hudson Mullin Smith (TX) Schneider Thompson (CA) Wilson (FL) Sa´ nchez Suozzi Welch Huizenga Murphy (FL) Smucker Schrader Thompson (MS) Yarmuth Sarbanes Swalwell (CA) Wilson (FL) Hultgren Murphy (PA) Stefanik Schakowsky Takano Yarmuth Hunter Newhouse Stewart NOT VOTING—20 Hurd Noem Stivers Bishop (UT) Hanabusa Rooney, Francis NOT VOTING—23 Issa Norman Suozzi Bridenstine Johnson, E. B. Ros-Lehtinen Bishop (UT) Hanabusa Roskam Jenkins (KS) Nunes Taylor Brooks (IN) Johnson, Sam Scalise Bridenstine Johnson (GA) Rush Jenkins (WV) O’Halleran Tenney Crawford Lieu, Ted Tiberi Brooks (IN) Johnson, E. B. Scalise Johnson (LA) Olson Thompson (PA) Ellison Long Walorski Bucshon Johnson, Sam Tiberi Johnson (OH) Palazzo Thornberry Granger Loudermilk Walz Clark (MA) Long Walorski Joyce (OH) Palmer Tipton Gutie´rrez Messer Granger Messer Walz Katko Paulsen Trott ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Grothman Rooney, Francis Yoho Kelly (MS) Pearce Turner Gutie´rrez Ros-Lehtinen Kelly (PA) Pittenger Upton The SPEAKER pro tempore (during King (IA) Poe (TX) Valadao the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- 1713 King (NY) Poliquin Wagner b Kinzinger Posey Walberg ing. Messrs. COSTA and SHERMAN Knight Ratcliffe Walden changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Kustoff (TN) Reed Walker b 1722 Labrador Reichert Walters, Mimi ‘‘nay.’’ LaHood Renacci Weber (TX) So the resolution was agreed to. So the previous question was ordered. LaMalfa Rice (SC) Webster (FL) The result of the vote was announced The result of the vote was announced Lamborn Roby Wenstrup as above recorded. as above recorded. Lance Roe (TN) Westerman Latta Rogers (AL) Williams A motion to reconsider was laid on Stated for: Lewis (MN) Rogers (KY) Wilson (SC) the table. Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I was un- LoBiondo Rohrabacher Wittman Stated against: avoidably detained. Had I been present, I Love Rokita Womack Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoid- Lucas Rooney, Thomas Woodall would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. 538. Luetkemeyer J. Yoder ably detained. Had I been present, I would Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably MacArthur Roskam Yoho have voted ‘‘Nay’’ on rollcall No. 539. detained. Had I been present, I would have Marchant Ross Young (AK) Marino Rothfus Young (IA) f voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. 538. Marshall Rouzer Zeldin Stated against: RECOGNIZING THAT FOR 50 YEARS Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably NAYS—190 THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH detained. Had I been present, I would have Adams DelBene Langevin EAST ASIAN NATIONS HAS voted ‘‘Nay’’ on rollcall No. 538. Aguilar Demings Larsen (WA) WORKED TOWARD STABILITY, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Amash DeSaulnier Larson (CT) Barraga´ n Deutch Lawrence PROSPERITY, AND PEACE IN question is on the resolution. Bass Dingell Lawson (FL) SOUTHEAST ASIA The question was taken; and the Beatty Doggett Lee Speaker pro tempore announced that Bera Doyle, Michael Levin The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- the ayes appeared to have it. Beyer F. Lewis (GA) finished business is the vote on the mo- Biggs Engel Lipinski tion to suspend the rules and agree to Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on Bishop (GA) Eshoo Loebsack that I demand the yeas and nays. Blumenauer Espaillat Lofgren the resolution (H. Res. 311) recognizing The yeas and nays were ordered. Blunt Rochester Esty (CT) Lowenthal that for 50 years the Association of The SPEAKER pro tempore. This Bonamici Evans Lowey South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has Boyle, Brendan Foster Lujan Grisham, worked toward stability, prosperity, will be a 5-minute vote. F. Frankel (FL) M. The vote was taken by electronic de- Brady (PA) Fudge Luja´ n, Ben Ray and peace in Southeast Asia, as amend- vice, and there were—yeas 223, nays Brown (MD) Gabbard Lynch ed, on which the yeas and nays were or- Brownley (CA) Gallego Maloney, 190, not voting 20, as follows: dered. Bustos Garamendi Carolyn B. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- [Roll No. 539] Butterfield Gomez Maloney, Sean Capuano Gonzalez (TX) Massie tion. YEAS—223 Carbajal Gosar Matsui The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Abraham Calvert Duffy Ca´ rdenas Gottheimer McCollum question is on the motion offered by Aderholt Carter (GA) Duncan (SC) Carson (IN) Green, Al McEachin Allen Carter (TX) Duncan (TN) Cartwright Green, Gene McGovern the gentleman from California (Mr. Amodei Chabot Dunn Castor (FL) Grijalva McNerney ROYCE) that the House suspend the Arrington Cheney Emmer Castro (TX) Hastings Meeks rules and agree to the resolution, as Babin Coffman Estes (KS) Chu, Judy Heck Meng Bacon Cole Farenthold Cicilline Higgins (NY) Moore amended. Banks (IN) Collins (GA) Faso Clark (MA) Himes Moulton This is a 5-minute vote. Barletta Collins (NY) Ferguson Clarke (NY) Hoyer Nadler The vote was taken by electronic de- Barr Comer Fitzpatrick Clay Huffman Napolitano vice, and there were—yeas 413, nays 0, Barton Comstock Fleischmann Cleaver Jackson Lee Neal Bergman Conaway Flores Clyburn Jayapal Nolan not voting 20, as follows: Bilirakis Cook Fortenberry Cohen Jeffries Norcross [Roll No. 540] Bishop (MI) Costa Foxx Connolly Johnson (GA) O’Rourke Black Costello (PA) Franks (AZ) Conyers Jones Pallone YEAS—413 Blackburn Cramer Frelinghuysen Cooper Jordan Panetta Abraham Barr Black Blum Crist Gaetz Correa Kaptur Pascrell Adams Barraga´ n Blackburn Bost Culberson Gallagher Courtney Keating Payne Aderholt Barton Blum Brady (TX) Curbelo (FL) Garrett Crowley Kelly (IL) Pelosi Aguilar Bass Blumenauer Brat Davidson Gianforte Cuellar Kennedy Perlmutter Allen Beatty Blunt Rochester Brooks (AL) Davis, Rodney Gibbs Cummings Khanna Perry Amash Bera Bonamici Buchanan Denham Gohmert Davis (CA) Kihuen Peters Amodei Bergman Bost Buck Dent Goodlatte Davis, Danny Kildee Peterson Arrington Beyer Boyle, Brendan Bucshon DeSantis Gowdy DeFazio Kilmer Pingree Babin Biggs F. Budd DesJarlais Graves (GA) DeGette Kind Pocan Bacon Bilirakis Brady (PA) Burgess Diaz-Balart Graves (LA) Delaney Krishnamoorthi Polis Banks (IN) Bishop (GA) Brady (TX) Byrne Donovan Graves (MO) DeLauro Kuster (NH) Price (NC) Barletta Bishop (MI) Brat

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.013 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7553 Brooks (AL) Frelinghuysen Lowey Rush Smith (NJ) Vela Indiana with the President of the United States Brown (MD) Fudge Lucas Russell Smith (TX) Vela´ zquez Brownley (CA) Gabbard Luetkemeyer Rutherford Smith (WA) Visclosky on an official visit. Had I been present, I would Buchanan Gaetz Lujan Grisham, Ryan (OH) Smucker Wagner have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. 538, ‘‘Yea’’ Buck Gallagher M. Sa´ nchez Soto Walberg on rollcall No. 539, and ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. Bucshon Gallego Luja´ n, Ben Ray Sanford Speier Walden 540. Budd Garamendi Lynch Sarbanes Stefanik Walker Burgess Garrett MacArthur Schakowsky Stewart Walters, Mimi f Bustos Gianforte Maloney, Schiff Stivers Wasserman Butterfield Gibbs Carolyn B. Schneider Suozzi Schultz HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW Byrne Gohmert Maloney, Sean Schrader Swalwell (CA) Waters, Maxine Calvert Gomez Marino Schweikert Takano Watson Coleman Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- Capuano Gonzalez (TX) Marshall Scott (VA) Taylor Weber (TX) er, I ask unanimous consent that when Carbajal Goodlatte Massie Scott, Austin Tenney Webster (FL) the House adjourns today, it adjourn to Scott, David Thompson (CA) Welch Ca´ rdenas Gosar Mast meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Carson (IN) Gottheimer Matsui Sensenbrenner Thompson (MS) Wenstrup Carter (GA) Gowdy McCarthy Serrano Thompson (PA) Westerman The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Carter (TX) Graves (GA) McCaul Sessions Thornberry Williams WEBER of Texas). Is there objection to Cartwright Graves (LA) McClintock Sewell (AL) Tipton Wilson (FL) the request of the gentleman from Castor (FL) Graves (MO) McCollum Shea-Porter Titus Wilson (SC) Castro (TX) Green, Al McEachin Sherman Tonko Wittman Florida? Chabot Green, Gene McGovern Shimkus Torres Womack There was no objection. Cheney Griffith McHenry Shuster Trott Woodall Chu, Judy Grijalva McKinley Simpson Tsongas Yarmuth f Sinema Turner Yoder Cicilline Grothman McMorris DISASTER TAX RELIEF AND AIR- Clark (MA) Guthrie Rodgers Sires Upton Yoho Clarke (NY) Handel McNerney Slaughter Valadao Young (AK) PORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION Clay Harper McSally Smith (MO) Vargas Young (IA) ACT OF 2017 Cleaver Harris Meadows Smith (NE) Veasey Zeldin Clyburn Hartzler Meehan NOT VOTING—20 Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- Coffman Hastings Meeks er, pursuant to House Resolution 538, I Bishop (UT) Hudson Rooney, Francis Cohen Heck Meng call up the bill (H.R. 3823) to amend Cole Hensarling Mitchell Bridenstine Johnson, E. B. Ros-Lehtinen Brooks (IN) Johnson, Sam Collins (GA) Herrera Beutler Moolenaar Scalise title 49, United States Code, to extend Granger Keating Collins (NY) Hice, Jody B. Mooney (WV) Tiberi authorizations for the airport improve- Gutie´rrez Long Comer Higgins (LA) Moore Walorski Hanabusa Marchant ment program, to amend the Internal Comstock Higgins (NY) Moulton Walz Hoyer Messer Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the Mullin Conaway Hill funding and expenditure authority of Connolly Himes Murphy (FL) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Conyers Holding Murphy (PA) The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to Nadler Cook Hollingsworth the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- provide disaster tax relief, and for Cooper Huffman Napolitano other purposes, and ask for its imme- Correa Huizenga Neal ing. Costa Hultgren Newhouse diate consideration. Costello (PA) Hunter Noem b 1729 The Clerk read the title of the bill. Courtney Hurd Nolan So (two-thirds being in the affirma- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Cramer Issa Norcross tive) the rules were suspended and the ant to House Resolution 538, the Crawford Jackson Lee Norman Crist Jayapal Nunes resolution, as amended, was agreed to. amendment printed in House Report Crowley Jeffries O’Halleran The result of the vote was announced 115–333 is adopted, and the bill, as Cuellar Jenkins (KS) O’Rourke as above recorded. amended, is considered read. Culberson Jenkins (WV) Olson The title of the resolution was The text of the bill, as amended, is as Cummings Johnson (GA) Palazzo amended so as to read: ‘‘A bill reaffirm- Curbelo (FL) Johnson (LA) Pallone follows: ing the 40 years of relations between Davidson Johnson (OH) Palmer H.R. 3823 Davis (CA) Jones Panetta the United States and the Association Davis, Danny Jordan Pascrell of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in Davis, Rodney Joyce (OH) Paulsen and the shared pursuit of economic DeFazio Kaptur Payne Congress assembled, growth and regional security in South- DeGette Katko Pearce SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. Delaney Kelly (IL) Pelosi east Asia.’’. DeLauro Kelly (MS) Perlmutter (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as A motion to reconsider was laid on the ‘‘Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and DelBene Kelly (PA) Perry the table. Demings Kennedy Peters Airway Extension Act of 2017’’. Denham Khanna Peterson Stated for: (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- Dent Kihuen Pingree Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 540 tents for this Act is as follows: DeSantis Kildee Pittenger (motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. DeSaulnier Kilmer Pocan 311), I did not cast my vote. Had I been DesJarlais Kind Poe (TX) present, I would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on this TITLE I—FEDERAL AVIATION Deutch King (IA) Poliquin PROGRAMS Diaz-Balart King (NY) Polis vote. Sec. 101. Extension of airport improvement Dingell Kinzinger Posey Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoid- Doggett Knight Price (NC) ably detained and missed a vote. Had I been program. Donovan Krishnamoorthi Quigley Sec. 102. Extension of expiring authorities. Doyle, Michael Kuster (NH) Raskin present, I would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall Sec. 103. Federal Aviation Administration F. Kustoff (TN) Ratcliffe No. 540. operations. Duffy Labrador Reed PERSONAL EXPLANATION Sec. 104. Small community air service. Duncan (SC) LaHood Reichert Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was un- Sec. 105. Air navigation facilities and equip- Duncan (TN) LaMalfa Renacci Dunn Lamborn Rice (NY) avoidably absent in the House chamber for ment. Ellison Lance Rice (SC) votes Wednesday, September 27, 2017. Had Sec. 106. Research, engineering, and develop- Emmer Langevin Richmond I been present, I would have voted ‘‘Nay’’ on ment. Engel Larsen (WA) Roby rollcall votes 538 and 539, and I would have Sec. 107. Funding for aviation programs. Eshoo Larson (CT) Roe (TN) TITLE II—AVIATION REVENUE Espaillat Latta Rogers (AL) voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall vote 540. PROVISIONS Estes (KS) Lawrence Rogers (KY) PERSONAL EXPLANATION Esty (CT) Lawson (FL) Rohrabacher Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I Sec. 201. Expenditure authority from Air- Evans Lee Rokita was not present for votes on 9/27/17 because port and Airway Trust Fund. Farenthold Levin Rooney, Thomas Sec. 202. Extension of taxes funding Airport Faso Lewis (GA) J. I was in Indiana with the President of the and Airway Trust Fund. Ferguson Lewis (MN) Rosen United States on an official visit. Had I been Fitzpatrick Lieu, Ted Roskam TITLE III—EXPIRING HEALTH Fleischmann Lipinski Ross present, I would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall PROVISIONS No. 538, ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. 539, and ‘‘Yea’’ Flores LoBiondo Rothfus Sec. 301. Extension of certain public health Fortenberry Loebsack Rouzer on rollcall No. 540. Foster Lofgren Roybal-Allard programs. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Foxx Loudermilk Royce (CA) Sec. 302. Extension of Medicare Patient Frankel (FL) Love Ruiz Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I was not IVIG Access Demonstration Franks (AZ) Lowenthal Ruppersberger present for votes on 9/27/17 because I was in Project.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0655 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.016 H27SEPT1 H7554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 Sec. 303. Funds from the Medicare Improve- (g) Section 409(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- States Code, for the period beginning on Oc- ment Fund. tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (49 tober 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, 2018. TITLE IV—DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE U.S.C. 41731 note) is amended by striking TITLE II—AVIATION REVENUE FLOOD INSURANCE MARKET ‘‘September 30, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March PROVISIONS Sec. 401. Private flood insurance. 31, 2018’’. SEC. 201. EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FROM AIR- (h) Section 140(c)(1) of the FAA Moderniza- PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. TITLE V—TAX RELIEF FOR HURRICANES tion and Reform Act of 2012 (126 Stat. 28) is HARVEY, IRMA, AND MARIA (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9502(d)(1) of the amended by striking ‘‘2017’’ and inserting Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— Sec. 501. Definitions. ‘‘2018’’. (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph Sec. 502. Special disaster-related rules for (i) Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization (A) by striking ‘‘October 1, 2017’’ and insert- use of retirement funds. and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. ing ‘‘April 1, 2018’’; and Sec. 503. Disaster-related employment relief. note) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, Sec. 504. Additional disaster-related tax re- (2) in subparagraph (A) by striking the 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March 31, 2018’’. semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘or the lief provisions. (j) Section 822(k) of the FAA Moderniza- Sec. 505. Budgetary effects. Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 47141 TITLE I—FEDERAL AVIATION PROGRAMS Extension Act of 2017;’’. note) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVE- 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March 31, 2018’’. 9502(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking MENT PROGRAM. (k) Section 2306(b) of the FAA Extension, ‘‘October 1, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘April 1, (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (130 Stat. 2018’’. (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 48103(a) of title 49, 641) is amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2017’’ SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIR- United States Code, is amended by striking and inserting ‘‘April 1, 2018’’. PORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND. the period at the end and inserting ‘‘and SEC. 103. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (a) FUEL TAXES.—Section 4081(d)(2)(B) of $1,670,410,959 for the period beginning on Oc- OPERATIONS. the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended tober 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, 2018.’’. Section 106(k) of title 49, United States by striking ‘‘September 30, 2017’’ and insert- (2) OBLIGATION OF AMOUNTS.—Subject to Code, is amended— ing ‘‘March 31, 2018’’. limitations specified in advance in appro- (1) in paragraph (1)— (b) TICKET TAXES.— priations Acts, sums made available pursu- (A) in subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘and’’ (1) PERSONS.—Section 4261(k)(1)(A)(ii) of ant to the amendment made by paragraph (1) at the end; such Code is amended by striking ‘‘Sep- may be obligated at any time through Sep- (B) in subparagraph (E) by striking the pe- tember 30, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March 31, tember 30, 2018, and shall remain available riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 2018’’. until expended. (C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the (2) PROPERTY.—Section 4271(d)(1)(A)(ii) of (3) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—For pur- following: such Code is amended by striking ‘‘Sep- poses of calculating funding apportionments ‘‘(F) $4,999,191,956 for the period beginning tember 30, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March 31, and meeting other requirements under sec- on October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, 2018’’. tions 47114, 47115, 47116, and 47117 of title 49, 2018.’’; and (c) FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS.— United States Code, for the period beginning (2) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘and for (1) TREATMENT AS NONCOMMERCIAL AVIA- on October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and TION.—Section 4083(b) of such Code is amend- 2018, the Administrator of the Federal Avia- ending on March 31, 2018’’ after ‘‘fiscal years ed by striking ‘‘October 1, 2017’’ and insert- tion Administration shall— 2012 through 2017’’. ing ‘‘April 1, 2018’’. (A) first calculate such funding apportion- SEC. 104. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE. (2) EXEMPTION FROM TICKET TAXES.—Sec- tion 4261(j) of such Code is amended by strik- ments on an annualized basis as if the total (a) ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AUTHORIZA- ing ‘‘September 30, 2017’’ and inserting amount available under section 48103 of such TION.—Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United title for fiscal year 2018 were $3,350,000,000; States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and ‘‘March 31, 2018’’. and $175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and TITLE III—EXPIRING HEALTH (B) then reduce by 50 percent— 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘$175,000,000 for each of PROVISIONS (i) all funding apportionments calculated fiscal years 2016 and 2017, and $74,794,521 for SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC under subparagraph (A); and the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and HEALTH PROGRAMS. (ii) amounts available pursuant to sections ending on March 31, 2018,’’. (a) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM OF PAYMENTS 47117(b) and 47117(f)(2) of such title. (b) AIRPORTS NOT RECEIVING SUFFICIENT TO TEACHING HEALTH CENTERS THAT OPERATE (b) PROJECT GRANT AUTHORITY.—Section SERVICE.—Section 41743(e)(2) of title 49, GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.— 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is United States Code, is amended by inserting Section 340H(g) of the Public Health Service amended in the matter preceding paragraph ‘‘and $4,986,301 for the period beginning on Act (42 U.S.C. 256h(g)) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘September 30, 2017,’’ and in- October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, (1) by striking ‘‘and $60,000,000’’ and insert- serting ‘‘March 31, 2018,’’. 2018,’’ after ‘‘fiscal years 2012 through 2017’’. ing ‘‘, $60,000,000’’; and SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORI- SEC. 105. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND (2) by inserting ‘‘, and $15,000,000 for the TIES. EQUIPMENT. first quarter of fiscal year 2018’’ before the (a) Section 47107(r)(3) of title 49, United Section 48101(a) of title 49, United States period at the end. States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Octo- Code, is amended by adding at the end the (b) EXTENSION OF SPECIAL DIABETES PRO- ber 1, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘April 1, 2018’’. following: GRAM FOR INDIANS.—Section 330C(c)(2) of the (b) Section 47114(c)(1)(F) of title 49, United Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c– ‘‘(6) $1,423,589,041 for the period beginning States Code, is amended— 3(c)(2)) is amended— on October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, (1) in the subparagraph heading by striking (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ 2018.’’. ‘‘FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017’’; and at the end; (2) in the matter preceding clause (i) by SEC. 106. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVEL- (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the pe- OPMENT. striking ‘‘for fiscal year 2017 an amount’’ and riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States inserting ‘‘for each of fiscal years 2017 and (3) by adding at the end the following new Code, is amended— 2018 an amount’’. subparagraph: (1) in paragraph (8) by striking ‘‘and’’ at (c) Section 47115(j) of title 49, United ‘‘(D) $37,500,000 for the first quarter of fis- the end; States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘and cal year 2018.’’. (2) in paragraph (9) by striking the period for the period beginning on October 1, 2017, (c) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Part D of the and ending on March 31, 2018’’ after ‘‘fiscal at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and Public Health Service Act is amended by re- years 2012 through 2017’’. (3) by adding at the end the following: designating— (d) Section 47124(b)(3)(E) of title 49, United ‘‘(10) $88,008,219 for the period beginning on (1) the second subpart XI (42 U.S.C. 256i; re- States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘and October 1, 2017 and ending on March 31, lating to a community-based collaborative not more than $5,160,822 for the period begin- 2018.’’. care network program) as subpart XII; and ning on October 1, 2017, and ending on March SEC. 107. FUNDING FOR AVIATION PROGRAMS. (2) the second section 340H (42 U.S.C. 256i) 31, 2018,’’ after ‘‘fiscal years 2012 through (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 48114 of title 49, as section 340I. 2017’’. United States Code, is amended— SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF MEDICARE PATIENT (e) Section 47141(f) of title 49, United (1) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ‘‘2017’’ IVIG ACCESS DEMONSTRATION States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Sep- and inserting ‘‘2018’’; and PROJECT. tember 30, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘March 31, (2) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ‘‘2017’’ Section 101(b) of the Medicare IVIG Access 2018’’. and inserting ‘‘2018’’. and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying (f) Section 186(d) of the Vision 100—Cen- (b) COMPLIANCE WITH FUNDING REQUIRE- Taxpayers Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 1395l note) is tury of Aviation Reauthorization Act (117 MENTS.—The budget authority authorized in amended— Stat. 2518) is amended by inserting ‘‘and for this title, including the amendments made (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ‘‘for the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and by this title, shall be deemed to satisfy the a period of 3 years’’ the following: ‘‘and, sub- ending on March 31, 2018,’’ after ‘‘fiscal years requirements of subsections (a)(1)(B) and ject to the availability of funds under sub- 2012 through 2017’’. (a)(2) of section 48114 of title 49, United section (g)—

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‘‘(A) if the date of enactment of the Dis- (C) by striking the subsection designation ‘‘(C) REQUIREMENT TO ACCEPT FLOOD INSUR- aster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Ex- and all that follows through the end of para- ANCE.—Each Federal agency lender and each tension Act of 2017 is on or before September graph (5) and inserting the following: covered Federal mortgage entity shall ac- 30, 2017, for the period beginning on October ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENT FOR MORTGAGE LOANS.— cept flood insurance as satisfaction of the 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2020; and ‘‘(1) REGULATED LENDING INSTITUTIONS.— flood insurance coverage requirement under ‘‘(B) if the date of enactment of such Act is Each Federal entity for lending regulation subparagraph (A) or (B), respectively, if the after September 30, 2017, for the period begin- (after consultation and coordination with flood insurance coverage meets the require- ning on the date of enactment of such Act the Financial Institutions Examination ments for coverage under such subparagraph and ending on December 31, 2020’’; and Council established under the Federal Finan- and the requirements relating to financial (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end cial Institutions Examination Council Act of strength issued pursuant to paragraph (4). the following new sentences: ‘‘Subject to the 1974) shall by regulation direct regulated ‘‘(3) GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED ENTERPRISES preceding sentence, a Medicare beneficiary lending institutions not to make, increase, FOR HOUSING.—The Federal National Mort- enrolled in the demonstration project on extend, or renew any loan secured by im- gage Association and the Federal Home Loan September 30, 2017, shall be automatically proved real estate or a mobile home located Mortgage Corporation shall implement pro- enrolled during the period beginning on the or to be located in an area that has been cedures reasonably designed to ensure that, identified by the Administrator as an area date of the enactment of the Disaster Tax for any loan that is— having special flood hazards and in which Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act ‘‘(A) secured by improved real estate or a flood insurance has been made available of 2017 and ending on December 31, 2020, with- mobile home located in an area that has under the National Flood Insurance Act of out submission of another application.’’. been identified, at the time of the origina- 1968, unless the building or mobile home and SEC. 303. FUNDS FROM THE MEDICARE IMPROVE- any personal property securing such loan is tion of the loan or at any time during the MENT FUND. covered for the term of the loan by flood in- term of the loan, by the Administrator as an Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security surance: Provided, That the amount of flood area having special flood hazards and in Act (42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by insurance (A) in the case of Federal flood in- which flood insurance is available under the striking ‘‘during and after fiscal year 2021, surance, is at least equal to the outstanding National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and $270,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘during and after principal balance of the loan or the max- ‘‘(B) purchased or guaranteed by such enti- fiscal year 2021, $220,000,000’’. imum limit of Federal flood insurance cov- ty, TITLE IV—DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE erage made available with respect to the par- the building or mobile home and any per- FLOOD INSURANCE MARKET ticular type of property, whichever is less; or sonal property securing the loan is covered (B) in the case of private flood insurance, is for the term of the loan by flood insurance in SEC. 401. PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE. at least equal to the outstanding principal the amount provided in paragraph (1). The (a) FLOOD INSURANCE MANDATORY PUR- balance of the loan or the maximum limit of Federal National Mortgage Association and CHASE REQUIREMENT.— Federal flood insurance coverage made avail- the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corpora- (1) AMOUNT AND TERM OF COVERAGE.—Sec- able with respect to the particular type of tion shall accept flood insurance as satisfaction 102 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act property, whichever is less. tion of the flood insurance coverage require- of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a) is amended by strik- ‘‘(2) FEDERAL AGENCY LENDERS AND MORT- ment under paragraph (1) if the flood insur- ing ‘‘Sec. 102. (a)’’ and all that follows GAGE INSURANCE AND GUARANTEE AGENCIES.— ance coverage provided meets the require- through the end of subsection (a) and insert- ‘‘(A) FEDERAL AGENCY LENDERS.—A Federal ments for coverage under that paragraph and ing the following: agency lender may not make, increase, ex- the requirements relating to financial ‘‘SEC. 102. (a) AMOUNT AND TERM OF COV- tend, or renew any loan secured by improved strength issued pursuant to paragraph (4). ERAGE.—After the expiration of sixty days real estate or a mobile home located or to be ‘‘(4) REQUIREMENTS REGARDING FINANCIAL following the date of the enactment of this located in an area that has been identified by STRENGTH.—The Director of the Federal Act, no Federal officer or agency shall ap- the Administrator as an area having special Housing Finance Agency, in consultation prove any financial assistance for acquisi- flood hazards and in which flood insurance with the Federal National Mortgage Associa- tion or construction purposes for use in any has been made available under the National tion, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Cor- area that has been identified by the Adminis- Flood Insurance Act of 1968, unless the build- poration, the Secretary of Housing and trator as an area having special flood haz- ing or mobile home and any personal prop- Urban Development, the Government Na- ards and in which the sale of flood insurance erty securing such loan is covered for the tional Mortgage Association, and the Sec- has been made available under the National term of the loan by flood insurance in ac- retary of Agriculture shall develop and im- Flood Insurance Act of 1968, unless the build- cordance with paragraph (1). Each Federal plement requirements relating to the finan- ing or mobile home and any personal prop- agency lender may issue any regulations cial strength of private insurance companies erty to which such financial assistance re- necessary to carry out this paragraph. Such from which such entities and agencies will lates is covered by flood insurance: Provided, regulations shall be consistent with and sub- accept private flood insurance, provided that That the amount of flood insurance (1) in the stantially identical to the regulations issued such requirements shall not affect or conflict case of Federal flood insurance, is at least under paragraph (1). with any State law, regulation, or procedure equal to the development or project cost of ‘‘(B) OTHER FEDERAL MORTGAGE ENTITIES.— concerning the regulation of the business of the building, mobile home, or personal prop- ‘‘(i) COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.—Each cov- insurance. erty (less estimated land cost), the out- ered Federal mortgage entity shall imple- ‘‘(5) APPLICABILITY.— standing principal balance of the loan, or the ment procedures reasonably designed to en- ‘‘(A) EXISTING COVERAGE.—Except as pro- maximum limit of Federal flood insurance sure that, for any loan that— vided in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) coverage made available with respect to the ‘‘(I) is secured by improved real estate or a shall apply on the date of enactment of the particular type of property, whichever is mobile home located in an area that has Riegle Community Development and Regu- less; or (2) in the case of private flood insur- been identified, at the time of the origina- latory Improvement Act of 1994. ance, is at least equal to the development or tion of the loan or at any time during the ‘‘(B) NEW COVERAGE.—Paragraphs (2) and project cost of the building, mobile home, or term of the loan, by the Administrator as an (3) shall apply only with respect to any loan personal property (less estimated land cost), area having special flood hazards and in made, increased, extended, or renewed after the outstanding principal balance of the which flood insurance is available under the the expiration of the 1-year period beginning loan, or the maximum limit of Federal flood National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and on the date of enactment of the Riegle Com- insurance coverage made available with re- ‘‘(II) is made, insured, held, or guaranteed munity Development and Regulatory Im- spect to the particular type of property, by such entity, or backs or on which is based provement Act of 1994. Paragraph (1) shall whichever is less: Provided further, That if any trust certificate or other security for apply with respect to any loan made, in- the financial assistance provided is in the which such entity guarantees the timely creased, extended, or renewed by any lender form of a loan or an insurance or guaranty of payment of principal and interest, supervised by the Farm Credit Administra- a loan, the amount of flood insurance re- the building or mobile home and any per- tion only after the expiration of the period quired need not exceed the outstanding prin- sonal property securing the loan is covered under this subparagraph. cipal balance of the loan and need not be re- for the term of the loan by flood insurance in ‘‘(C) CONTINUED EFFECT OF REGULATIONS.— quired beyond the term of the loan. The re- the amount provided in paragraph (1). Notwithstanding any other provision of this quirement of maintaining flood insurance ‘‘(ii) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this sub- subsection, the regulations to carry out shall apply during the life of the property, paragraph, the term ‘covered Federal mort- paragraph (1), as in effect immediately be- regardless of transfer of ownership of such gage entity’ means— fore the date of enactment of the Riegle property.’’. ‘‘(I) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Community Development and Regulatory (2) REQUIREMENT FOR MORTGAGE LOANS.— Development, with respect to mortgages in- Improvement Act of 1994, shall continue to Subsection (b) of section 102 of the Flood sured under the National Housing Act; apply until the regulations issued to carry Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. ‘‘(II) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re- out paragraph (1) as amended by section 4012a(b)) is amended— spect to loans made, insured, or guaranteed 522(a) of such Act take effect. (A) by striking paragraph (7); under title V of the Housing Act of 1949; and ‘‘(6) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as (B) by redesignating paragraph (6) as para- ‘‘(III) the Government National Mortgage otherwise specified, any reference to flood graph (7); Association. insurance in this section shall be considered

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.021 H27SEPT1 H7556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 to include Federal flood insurance and pri- under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or 457(e)(16), of the Inter- vate flood insurance. Nothing in this sub- and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of nal Revenue Code of 1986, as the case may be. section shall be construed to supersede or Hurricane Harvey. (B) TREATMENT OF REPAYMENTS OF DIS- limit the authority of a Federal entity for (2) HURRICANE HARVEY DISASTER AREA.— TRIBUTIONS FROM ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLANS lending regulation, the Federal Housing Fi- The term ‘‘Hurricane Harvey disaster area’’ OTHER THAN IRAS.—For purposes of the Inter- nance Agency, a Federal agency lender, a means an area with respect to which a major nal Revenue Code of 1986, if a contribution is covered Federal mortgage entity (as such disaster has been declared by the President made pursuant to subparagraph (A) with re- term is defined in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)), the before September 21, 2017, under section 401 spect to a qualified hurricane distribution Federal National Mortgage Association, or of such Act by reason of Hurricane Harvey. from an eligible retirement plan other than the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corpora- (b) HURRICANE IRMA DISASTER ZONE AND an individual retirement plan, then the tax- tion to establish requirements relating to DISASTER AREA.—For purposes of this title— payer shall, to the extent of the amount of the financial strength of private insurance (1) HURRICANE IRMA DISASTER ZONE.—The the contribution, be treated as having re- companies from which the entity or agency term ‘‘Hurricane Irma disaster zone’’ means ceived the qualified hurricane distribution in will accept private flood insurance, provided that portion of the Hurricane Irma disaster an eligible rollover distribution (as defined that such requirements shall not affect or area determined by the President to warrant in section 402(c)(4) of such Code) and as hav- conflict with any State law, regulation, or individual or individual and public assist- ing transferred the amount to the eligible re- procedure concerning the regulation of the ance from the Federal Government under tirement plan in a direct trustee to trustee business of insurance.’’; and such Act by reason of Hurricane Irma. transfer within 60 days of the distribution. (D) by adding at the end the following new (2) HURRICANE IRMA DISASTER AREA.—The (C) TREATMENT OF REPAYMENTS FOR DIS- paragraphs: term ‘‘Hurricane Irma disaster area’’ means TRIBUTIONS FROM IRAS.—For purposes of the ‘‘(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: an area with respect to which a major dis- Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if a contribu- ‘‘(A) FLOOD INSURANCE.—The term ‘flood aster has been declared by the President be- tion is made pursuant to subparagraph (A) insurance’ means— fore September 21, 2017, under section 401 of with respect to a qualified hurricane dis- ‘‘(i) Federal flood insurance; and such Act by reason of Hurricane Irma. tribution from an individual retirement plan (c) HURRICANE MARIA DISASTER ZONE AND ‘‘(ii) private flood insurance. (as defined by section 7701(a)(37) of such DISASTER AREA.—For purposes of this title— ‘‘(B) FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE.—The term Code), then, to the extent of the amount of (1) HURRICANE MARIA DISASTER ZONE.—The ‘Federal flood insurance’ means an insurance the contribution, the qualified hurricane dis- term ‘‘Hurricane Maria disaster zone’’ means policy made available under the National tribution shall be treated as a distribution that portion of the Hurricane Maria disaster Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et described in section 408(d)(3) of such Code area determined by the President to warrant and as having been transferred to the eligible seq.). individual or individual and public assist- ‘‘(C) PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE.—The term retirement plan in a direct trustee to trustee ance from the Federal Government under transfer within 60 days of the distribution. ‘private flood insurance’ means an insurance such Act by reason of Hurricane Maria. policy that— (4) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub- (2) HURRICANE MARIA DISASTER AREA.—The section— ‘‘(i) is issued by an insurance company term ‘‘Hurricane Maria disaster area’’ means that is— (A) QUALIFIED HURRICANE DISTRIBUTION.— an area with respect to which a major dis- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term ‘‘(I) licensed, admitted, or otherwise ap- aster has been declared by the President be- ‘‘qualified hurricane distribution’’ means— proved to engage in the business of insurance fore September 21, 2017, under section 401 of (i) any distribution from an eligible retire- in the State in which the insured building is such Act by reason of Hurricane Maria. ment plan made on or after August 23, 2017, located, by the insurance regulator of that SEC. 502. SPECIAL DISASTER-RELATED RULES and before January 1, 2019, to an individual State; or FOR USE OF RETIREMENT FUNDS. whose principal place of abode on August 23, ‘‘(II) eligible as a nonadmitted insurer to (a) TAX-FAVORED WITHDRAWALS FROM RE- 2017, is located in the Hurricane Harvey dis- provide insurance in the home State of the TIREMENT PLANS.— aster area and who has sustained an eco- insured, in accordance with sections 521 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 72(t) of the Inter- nomic loss by reason of Hurricane Harvey, through 527 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street nal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not apply to (ii) any distribution (which is not described Reform and Consumer Protection Act (15 any qualified hurricane distribution. in clause (i)) from an eligible retirement U.S.C. 8201 through 8206); (2) AGGREGATE DOLLAR LIMITATION.— plan made on or after September 4, 2017, and ‘‘(ii) is issued by an insurance company (A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this sub- before January 1, 2019, to an individual that is not otherwise disapproved as a sur- section, the aggregate amount of distribu- whose principal place of abode on September plus lines insurer by the insurance regulator tions received by an individual which may be 4, 2017, is located in the Hurricane Irma dis- of the State in which the property to be in- treated as qualified hurricane distributions aster area and who has sustained an eco- sured is located; and for any taxable year shall not exceed the ex- nomic loss by reason of Hurricane Irma, and ‘‘(iii) provides flood insurance coverage cess (if any) of— (iii) any distribution (which is not de- that complies with the laws and regulations (i) $100,000, over scribed in clause (i) or (ii)) from an eligible of that State. (ii) the aggregate amounts treated as retirement plan made on or after September ‘‘(D) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means any qualified hurricane distributions received by 16, 2017, and before January 1, 2019, to an in- State of the United States, the District of such individual for all prior taxable years. dividual whose principal place of abode on Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto (B) TREATMENT OF PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS.—If September 16, 2017, is located in the Hurri- Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, a distribution to an individual would (with- cane Maria disaster area and who has sus- the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.’’. out regard to subparagraph (A)) be a quali- tained an economic loss by reason of Hurri- (b) EFFECT OF PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE fied hurricane distribution, a plan shall not cane Maria. COVERAGE ON CONTINUOUS COVERAGE RE- be treated as violating any requirement of (B) ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN.—The term QUIREMENTS.—Section 1308 of the National the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 merely be- ‘‘eligible retirement plan’’ shall have the Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015) is cause the plan treats such distribution as a meaning given such term by section amended by adding at the end the following: qualified hurricane distribution, unless the 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of ‘‘(n) EFFECT OF PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE aggregate amount of such distributions from 1986. COVERAGE ON CONTINUOUS COVERAGE RE- all plans maintained by the employer (and (5) INCOME INCLUSION SPREAD OVER 3-YEAR QUIREMENTS.—For purposes of applying any any member of any controlled group which PERIOD.— statutory, regulatory, or administrative con- includes the employer) to such individual ex- (A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any quali- tinuous coverage requirement, including ceeds $100,000. fied hurricane distribution, unless the tax- under section 1307(g)(1), the Administrator (C) CONTROLLED GROUP.—For purposes of payer elects not to have this paragraph shall consider any period during which a subparagraph (B), the term ‘‘controlled apply for any taxable year, any amount re- property was continuously covered by pri- group’’ means any group treated as a single quired to be included in gross income for vate flood insurance (as defined in section employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) such taxable year shall be so included rat- 102(b)(8) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code ably over the 3-taxable-year period begin- of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(b)(8))) to be a period of of 1986. ning with such taxable year. continuous coverage.’’. (3) AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED MAY BE REPAID.— (B) SPECIAL RULE.—For purposes of sub- TITLE V—TAX RELIEF FOR HURRICANES (A) IN GENERAL.—Any individual who re- paragraph (A), rules similar to the rules of HARVEY, IRMA, AND MARIA ceives a qualified hurricane distribution subparagraph (E) of section 408A(d)(3) of the SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. may, at any time during the 3-year period Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply. (a) HURRICANE HARVEY DISASTER ZONE AND beginning on the day after the date on which (6) SPECIAL RULES.— DISASTER AREA.—For purposes of this title— such distribution was received, make one or (A) EXEMPTION OF DISTRIBUTIONS FROM (1) HURRICANE HARVEY DISASTER ZONE.—The more contributions in an aggregate amount TRUSTEE TO TRUSTEE TRANSFER AND WITH- term ‘‘Hurricane Harvey disaster zone’’ not to exceed the amount of such distribu- HOLDING RULES.—For purposes of sections means that portion of the Hurricane Harvey tion to an eligible retirement plan of which 401(a)(31), 402(f), and 3405 of the Internal Rev- disaster area determined by the President to such individual is a beneficiary and to which enue Code of 1986, qualified hurricane dis- warrant individual or individual and public a rollover contribution of such distribution tributions shall not be treated as eligible assistance from the Federal Government could be made under section 402(c), 403(a)(4), rollover distributions.

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(B) QUALIFIED HURRICANE DISTRIBUTIONS (3) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.—For purposes of SEC. 503. DISASTER-RELATED EMPLOYMENT RE- TREATED AS MEETING PLAN DISTRIBUTION RE- this subsection— LIEF. QUIREMENTS.—For purposes the Internal Rev- (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘qualified indi- (a) EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT FOR EM- enue Code of 1986, a qualified hurricane dis- vidual’’ means any qualified Hurricane Har- PLOYERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY.— tribution shall be treated as meeting the re- vey individual, any qualified Hurricane Irma (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 38 quirements of sections 401(k)(2)(B)(i), individual, and any qualified Hurricane of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of an eligible employer, the Hurricane 403(b)(7)(A)(ii), 403(b)(11), and 457(d)(1)(A) of Maria individual. Harvey employee retention credit shall be such Code. (B) QUALIFIED HURRICANE HARVEY INDI- (b) RECONTRIBUTIONS OF WITHDRAWALS FOR treated as a credit listed in subsection (b) of VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane Har- such section. For purposes of this subsection, HOME PURCHASES.— vey individual’’ means an individual whose (1) RECONTRIBUTIONS.— the Hurricane Harvey employee retention principal place of abode on August 23, 2017, is (A) IN GENERAL.—Any individual who re- credit for any taxable year is an amount located in the Hurricane Harvey disaster ceived a qualified distribution may, during equal to 40 percent of the qualified wages area and who has sustained an economic loss the period beginning on August 23, 2017, and with respect to each eligible employee of ending on February 28, 2018, make one or by reason of Hurricane Harvey. such employer for such taxable year. For more contributions in an aggregate amount (C) QUALIFIED HURRICANE IRMA INDI- purposes of the preceding sentence, the not to exceed the amount of such qualified VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane amount of qualified wages which may be distribution to an eligible retirement plan Irma individual’’ means an individual (other taken into account with respect to any indi- (as defined in section 402(c)(8)(B) of the In- than a qualified Hurricane Harvey individual shall not exceed $6,000. ternal Revenue Code of 1986) of which such vidual) whose principal place of abode on (2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub- individual is a beneficiary and to which a September 4, 2017, is located in the Hurricane section— rollover contribution of such distribution Irma disaster area and who has sustained an (A) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYER.—The term ‘‘eligi- could be made under section 402(c), 403(a)(4), economic loss by reason of Hurricane Irma. ble employer’’ means any employer— 403(b)(8), or 408(d)(3), of such Code, as the (D) QUALIFIED HURRICANE MARIA INDI- (i) which conducted an active trade or busi- case may be. VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane ness on August 23, 2017, in the Hurricane (B) TREATMENT OF REPAYMENTS.—Rules Maria individual’’ means an individual Harvey disaster zone, and similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (other than a qualified Hurricane Harvey in- (ii) with respect to whom the trade or busi- (C) of subsection (a)(3) shall apply for pur- dividual or a qualified Hurricane Irma indi- ness described in clause (i) is inoperable on poses of this subsection. vidual) whose principal place of abode on any day after August 23, 2017, and before Jan- (2) QUALIFIED DISTRIBUTION.—For purposes September 16, 2017, is located in the Hurri- uary 1, 2018, as a result of damage sustained of this subsection, the term ‘‘qualified dis- cane Maria disaster area and who has sus- by reason of Hurricane Harvey. tribution’’ means any distribution— tained an economic loss by reason of Hurri- (B) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘eligi- (A) described in section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV), cane Maria. ble employee’’ means with respect to an eligible employer an employee whose principal 403(b)(7)(A)(ii) (but only to the extent such (4) QUALIFIED BEGINNING DATE.—For pur- place of employment on August 23, 2017, with distribution relates to financial hardship), poses of this subsection, the qualified begin- such eligible employer was in the Hurricane 403(b)(11)(B), or 72(t)(2)(F), of the Internal ning date is— Harvey disaster zone. Revenue Code of 1986, (A) in the case of any qualified Hurricane (B) received after February 28, 2017, and be- (C) QUALIFIED WAGES.—The term ‘‘qualified Harvey individual, August 23, 2017, fore September 21, 2017, and wages’’ means wages (as defined in section (B) in the case of any qualified Hurricane (C) which was to be used to purchase or 51(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Irma individual, September 4, 2017, and construct a principal residence in the Hurri- but without regard to section 3306(b)(2)(B) of cane Harvey disaster area, the Hurricane (C) in the case of any qualified Hurricane such Code) paid or incurred by an eligible Irma disaster area, or the Hurricane Maria Maria individual, September 16, 2017. employer with respect to an eligible em- disaster area, but which was not so pur- (d) PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAN AMEND- ployee on any day after August 23, 2017, and chased or constructed on account of Hurri- MENTS.— before January 1, 2018, which occurs during cane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, or Hurricane (1) IN GENERAL.—If this subsection applies the period— Maria. to any amendment to any plan or annuity (i) beginning on the date on which the (c) LOANS FROM QUALIFIED PLANS.— contract, such plan or contract shall be trade or business described in subparagraph (1) INCREASE IN LIMIT ON LOANS NOT TREAT- treated as being operated in accordance with (A) first became inoperable at the principal ED AS DISTRIBUTIONS.—In the case of any loan the terms of the plan during the period de- place of employment of the employee imme- from a qualified employer plan (as defined scribed in paragraph (2)(B)(i). diately before Hurricane Harvey, and under section 72(p)(4) of the Internal Rev- (2) AMENDMENTS TO WHICH SUBSECTION AP- (ii) ending on the date on which such trade enue Code of 1986) to a qualified individual PLIES.— or business has resumed significant oper- made during the period beginning on the (A) IN GENERAL.—This subsection shall ations at such principal place of employ- date of the enactment of this Act and ending apply to any amendment to any plan or an- ment. on December 31, 2018— nuity contract which is made— Such term shall include wages paid without (A) clause (i) of section 72(p)(2)(A) of such (i) pursuant to any provision of this sec- regard to whether the employee performs no Code shall be applied by substituting services, performs services at a different tion, or pursuant to any regulation issued by ‘‘$100,000’’ for ‘‘$50,000’’, and place of employment than such principal the Secretary or the Secretary of Labor (B) clause (ii) of such section shall be ap- place of employment, or performs services at under any provision of this section, and plied by substituting ‘‘the present value of such principal place of employment before (ii) on or before the last day of the first the nonforfeitable accrued benefit of the em- significant operations have resumed. plan year beginning on or after January 1, ployee under the plan’’ for ‘‘one-half of the (3) CERTAIN RULES TO APPLY.—For purposes present value of the nonforfeitable accrued 2019, or such later date as the Secretary may of this subsection, rules similar to the rules benefit of the employee under the plan’’. prescribe. of sections 51(i)(1) and 52, of the Internal (2) DELAY OF REPAYMENT.—In the case of a In the case of a governmental plan (as de- Revenue Code of 1986, shall apply. fined in section 414(d) of the Internal Rev- qualified individual with an outstanding loan (4) EMPLOYEE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT on or after the qualified beginning date from enue Code of 1986), clause (ii) shall be applied MORE THAN ONCE.—An employee shall not be a qualified employer plan (as defined in sec- by substituting the date which is 2 years treated as an eligible employee for purposes tion 72(p)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of after the date otherwise applied under clause of this subsection for any period with respect 1986)— (ii). to any employer if such employer is allowed (A) if the due date pursuant to subpara- (B) CONDITIONS.—This subsection shall not a credit under section 51 of the Internal Rev- graph (B) or (C) of section 72(p)(2) of such apply to any amendment unless— enue Code of 1986 with respect to such em- Code for any repayment with respect to such (i) during the period— ployee for such period. loan occurs during the period beginning on (I) beginning on the date that this section (b) EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT FOR EM- the qualified beginning date and ending on or the regulation described in subparagraph PLOYERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRMA.— December 31, 2018, such due date shall be de- (A)(i) takes effect (or in the case of a plan or (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 38 layed for 1 year, contract amendment not required by this of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the (B) any subsequent repayments with re- section or such regulation, the effective date case of an eligible employer, the Hurricane spect to any such loan shall be appropriately specified by the plan), and Irma employee retention credit shall be adjusted to reflect the delay in the due date (II) ending on the date described in sub- treated as a credit listed in subsection (b) of under paragraph (1) and any interest accru- paragraph (A)(ii) (or, if earlier, the date the such section. For purposes of this subsection, ing during such delay, and plan or contract amendment is adopted), the Hurricane Irma employee retention cred- (C) in determining the 5-year period and the plan or contract is operated as if such it for any taxable year is an amount equal to the term of a loan under subparagraph (B) or plan or contract amendment were in effect, 40 percent of the qualified wages with respect (C) of section 72(p)(2) of such Code, the period and to each eligible employee of such employer described in subparagraph (A) shall be dis- (ii) such plan or contract amendment ap- for such taxable year. For purposes of the regarded. plies retroactively for such period. preceding sentence, the amount of qualified

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wages which may be taken into account with (B) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘eligi- (ii) CARRYOVER.—Rules similar to the rules respect to any individual shall not exceed ble employee’’ means with respect to an eli- of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall apply for pur- $6,000. gible employer an employee whose principal poses of this subparagraph. (2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub- place of employment on September 16, 2017, (3) EXCEPTION TO OVERALL LIMITATION ON section— with such eligible employer was in the Hurri- ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS.—So much of any de- (A) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYER.—The term ‘‘eligi- cane Maria disaster zone. duction allowed under section 170 of the In- ble employer’’ means any employer— (C) QUALIFIED WAGES.—The term ‘‘qualified ternal Revenue Code of 1986 as does not ex- (i) which conducted an active trade or busi- wages’’ means wages (as defined in section ceed the qualified contributions paid during ness on September 4, 2017, in the Hurricane 51(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the taxable year shall not be treated as an Irma disaster zone, and but without regard to section 3306(b)(2)(B) of itemized deduction for purposes of section 68 (ii) with respect to whom the trade or busi- such Code) paid or incurred by an eligible of such Code. ness described in clause (i) is inoperable on employer with respect to an eligible em- (4) QUALIFIED CONTRIBUTIONS.— any day after September 4, 2017, and before ployee on any day after September 16, 2017, (A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this sub- January 1, 2018, as a result of damage sus- and before January 1, 2018, which occurs dur- section, the term ‘‘qualified contribution’’ tained by reason of Hurricane Irma. ing the period— means any charitable contribution (as de- (B) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘eligi- (i) beginning on the date on which the fined in section 170(c) of the Internal Rev- ble employee’’ means with respect to an eli- trade or business described in subparagraph enue Code of 1986) if— gible employer an employee whose principal (A) first became inoperable at the principal (i) such contribution— place of employment of the employee imme- place of employment on September 4, 2017, (I) is paid during the period beginning on diately before Hurricane Maria, and with such eligible employer was in the Hurri- August 23, 2017, and ending on December 31, (ii) ending on the date on which such trade cane Irma disaster zone. 2017, in cash to an organization described in or business has resumed significant oper- (C) QUALIFIED WAGES.—The term ‘‘qualified section 170(b)(1)(A) of such Code, and ations at such principal place of employ- wages’’ means wages (as defined in section (II) is made for relief efforts in the Hurri- ment. 51(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, cane Harvey disaster area, the Hurricane but without regard to section 3306(b)(2)(B) of Such term shall include wages paid without regard to whether the employee performs no Irma disaster area, or the Hurricane Maria such Code) paid or incurred by an eligible disaster area, employer with respect to an eligible em- services, performs services at a different place of employment than such principal (ii) the taxpayer obtains from such organi- ployee on any day after September 4, 2017, zation contemporaneous written acknowl- and before January 1, 2018, which occurs dur- place of employment, or performs services at such principal place of employment before edgment (within the meaning of section ing the period— 170(f)(8) of such Code) that such contribution (i) beginning on the date on which the significant operations have resumed. (3) CERTAIN RULES TO APPLY.—For purposes was used (or is to be used) for relief efforts trade or business described in subparagraph described in clause (i)(II), and (A) first became inoperable at the principal of this subsection, rules similar to the rules of sections 51(i)(1) and 52, of the Internal (iii) the taxpayer has elected the applica- place of employment of the employee imme- tion of this subsection with respect to such diately before Hurricane Irma, and Revenue Code of 1986, shall apply. (4) EMPLOYEE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT contribution. (ii) ending on the date on which such trade MORE THAN ONCE.—An employee shall not be (B) EXCEPTION.—Such term shall not in- or business has resumed significant oper- treated as an eligible employee for purposes clude a contribution by a donor if the con- ations at such principal place of employ- of this subsection for any period with respect tribution is— ment. to any employer if such employer is allowed (i) to an organization described in section Such term shall include wages paid without a credit under subsection (a) or (b), or sec- 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, regard to whether the employee performs no tion 51 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or services, performs services at a different with respect to such employee for such pe- (ii) for the establishment of a new, or place of employment than such principal riod. maintenance of an existing, donor advised place of employment, or performs services at SEC. 504. ADDITIONAL DISASTER-RELATED TAX fund (as defined in section 4966(d)(2) of such such principal place of employment before RELIEF PROVISIONS. Code). significant operations have resumed. (a) TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF LIMITATIONS (C) APPLICATION OF ELECTION TO PARTNER- (3) CERTAIN RULES TO APPLY.—For purposes ON CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.— of this subsection, rules similar to the rules SHIPS AND S CORPORATIONS.—In the case of a (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise pro- partnership or S corporation, the election of sections 51(i)(1) and 52, of the Internal vided in paragraph (2), subsection (b) of sec- Revenue Code of 1986, shall apply. under subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be made tion 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 separately by each partner or shareholder. (4) EMPLOYEE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT shall not apply to qualified contributions MORE THAN ONCE.—An employee shall not be and such contributions shall not be taken (b) SPECIAL RULES FOR QUALIFIED DIS- treated as an eligible employee for purposes into account for purposes of applying sub- ASTER-RELATED PERSONAL CASUALTY of this subsection for any period with respect sections (b) and (d) of such section to other LOSSES.— to any employer if such employer is allowed contributions. (1) IN GENERAL.—If an individual has a net a credit under subsection (a), or section 51 of (2) TREATMENT OF EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS.— disaster loss for any taxable year— the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, with re- For purposes of section 170 of the Internal (A) the amount determined under section spect to such employee for such period. Revenue Code of 1986— 165(h)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code (c) EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT FOR EM- (A) INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an indi- of 1986 shall be equal to the sum of— PLOYERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE MARIA.— vidual— (i) such net disaster loss, and (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 38 (i) LIMITATION.—Any qualified contribution (ii) so much of the excess referred to in the of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the shall be allowed only to the extent that the matter preceding clause (i) of section case of an eligible employer, the Hurricane aggregate of such contributions does not ex- 165(h)(2)(A) of such Code (reduced by the Maria employee retention credit shall be ceed the excess of the taxpayer’s contribu- amount in clause (i) of this subparagraph) as treated as a credit listed in subsection (b) of tion base (as defined in subparagraph (G) of exceeds 10 percent of the adjusted gross in- such section. For purposes of this subsection, section 170(b)(1) of such Code) over the come of the individual, the Hurricane Maria employee retention amount of all other charitable contributions (B) section 165(h)(1) of such Code shall be credit for any taxable year is an amount allowed under section 170(b)(1) of such Code. applied by substituting ‘‘$500’’ for ‘‘$500 ($100 equal to 40 percent of the qualified wages (ii) CARRYOVER.—If the aggregate amount for taxable years beginning after December with respect to each eligible employee of of qualified contributions made in the con- 31, 2009)’’, such employer for such taxable year. For tribution year (within the meaning of sec- (C) the standard deduction determined purposes of the preceding sentence, the tion 170(d)(1) of such Code) exceeds the limi- under section 63(c) of such Code shall be in- amount of qualified wages which may be tation of clause (i), such excess shall be creased by the net disaster loss, and taken into account with respect to any indi- added to the excess described in the portion (D) section 56(b)(1)(E) of such Code shall vidual shall not exceed $6,000. of subparagraph (A) of such section which not apply to so much of the standard deduc- (2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub- precedes clause (i) thereof for purposes of ap- tion as is attributable to the increase under section— plying such section. subparagraph (C) of this paragraph. (A) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYER.—The term ‘‘eligi- (B) CORPORATIONS.—In the case of a cor- (2) NET DISASTER LOSS.—For purposes of ble employer’’ means any employer— poration— this subsection, the term ‘‘net disaster loss’’ (i) which conducted an active trade or busi- (i) LIMITATION.—Any qualified contribution means the excess of qualified disaster-re- ness on September 16, 2017, in the Hurricane shall be allowed only to the extent that the lated personal casualty losses over personal Maria disaster zone, and aggregate of such contributions does not ex- casualty gains (as defined in section (ii) with respect to whom the trade or busi- ceed the excess of the taxpayer’s taxable in- 165(h)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of ness described in clause (i) is inoperable on come (as determined under paragraph (2) of 1986). any day after September 16, 2017, and before section 170(b) of such Code) over the amount (3) QUALIFIED DISASTER-RELATED PERSONAL January 1, 2018, as a result of damage sus- of all other charitable contributions allowed CASUALTY LOSSES.—For purposes of this sub- tained by reason of Hurricane Maria. under such paragraph. section, the term ‘‘qualified disaster-related

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personal casualty losses’’ means losses de- (4) EARNED INCOME.—For purposes of this pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory scribed in section 165(c)(3) of the Internal subsection, the term ‘‘earned income’’ has Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)). Revenue Code of 1986— the meaning given such term under section (b) DESIGNATION IN SENATE.—In the Senate, (A) which arise in the Hurricane Harvey 32(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. this title is designated as an emergency re- disaster area on or after August 23, 2017, and (5) SPECIAL RULES.— quirement pursuant to section 403(a) of S. which are attributable to Hurricane Harvey, (A) APPLICATION TO JOINT RETURNS.—For Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent (B) which arise in the Hurricane Irma dis- purposes of paragraph (1), in the case of a resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010. aster area on or after September 4, 2017, and joint return for a taxable year which in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill which are attributable to Hurricane Irma, or cludes the applicable date— shall be debatable for 1 hour, with 40 (C) which arise in the Hurricane Maria dis- (i) such paragraph shall apply if either minutes equally divided and controlled aster area on or after September 16, 2017, and spouse is a qualified individual, and which are attributable to Hurricane Maria. (ii) the earned income of the taxpayer for by the chair and ranking minority (c) SPECIAL RULE FOR DETERMINING EARNED the preceding taxable year shall be the sum member of the Committee on Ways and INCOME.— of the earned income of each spouse for such Means and 20 minutes equally divided (1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a qualified preceding taxable year. and controlled by the chair and rank- individual, if the earned income of the tax- (B) UNIFORM APPLICATION OF ELECTION.— ing minority member of the Committee payer for the taxable year which includes the Any election made under paragraph (1) shall on Financial Services. applicable date is less than the earned in- apply with respect to both sections 24(d) and come of the taxpayer for the preceding tax- The gentleman from Florida (Mr. 32, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. CURBELO) and the gentleman from Mas- able year, the credits allowed under sections (C) ERRORS TREATED AS MATHEMATICAL sachusetts (Mr. NEAL) each will control 24(d) and 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of ERROR.—For purposes of section 6213 of the 1986 may, at the election of the taxpayer, be Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an incorrect 20 minutes. The gentleman from Texas determined by substituting— use on a return of earned income pursuant to (Mr. HENSARLING) and the gentlewoman (A) such earned income for the preceding paragraph (1) shall be treated as a mathe- from California (Ms. MAXINE WATERS) taxable year, for matical or clerical error. each will control 10 minutes. (B) such earned income for the taxable (D) NO EFFECT ON DETERMINATION OF GROSS The Chair recognizes the gentleman year which includes the applicable date. INCOME, ETC.—Except as otherwise provided from Florida. In the case of a resident of Puerto Rico de- in this subsection, the Internal Revenue termining the credit allowed under section GENERAL LEAVE Code of 1986 shall be applied without regard 24(d)(1)(B)(ii) of such Code, the preceding Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- to any substitution under paragraph (1). sentence shall be applied by substituting (d) APPLICATION OF DISASTER-RELATED TAX er, I ask unanimous consent that all ‘‘social security taxes (as defined in section RELIEF TO POSSESSIONS OF THE UNITED Members may have 5 legislative days 24(d)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of STATES.— within which to revise and extend their 1986)’’ for ‘‘earned income’’ each place it ap- (1) PAYMENTS TO UNITED STATES VIRGIN IS- remarks and include extraneous mate- pears. LANDS AND PUERTO RICO.— (2) QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.—For purposes of rial on the bill currently under consid- (A) UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.—The this subsection— eration. Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘qualified indi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there vidual’’ means any qualified Hurricane Har- United States Virgin Islands amounts equal objection to the request of the gen- vey individual, any qualified Hurricane Irma to the loss in revenues to the United States tleman from Florida? individual, and any qualified Hurricane Virgin Islands by reason of the provisions of this title. Such amounts shall be determined There was no objection. Maria individual. Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- (B) QUALIFIED HURRICANE HARVEY INDI- by the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the government of er, I yield myself such time as I may VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane Har- consume. vey individual’’ means any individual whose the United States Virgin Islands. principal place of abode on August 23, 2017, (B) PUERTO RICO.—The Secretary of the Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Irma’s direct was located— Treasury shall pay to Puerto Rico amounts hit to the lower and middle Keys was (i) in the Hurricane Harvey disaster zone, estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury devastating to my district. Many lost or as being equal to the aggregate benefits that everything to the storm’s 130-mile-an- (ii) in the Hurricane Harvey disaster area would have been provided to residents of hour winds and significant storm (but outside the Hurricane Harvey disaster Puerto Rico by reason of the provisions of surge. Some lost their lives. zone) and such individual was displaced from this title if a mirror code tax system had been in effect in Puerto Rico. The preceding But fortunately, the Keys’ recovery such principal place of abode by reason of is well underway, and the resiliency Hurricane Harvey. sentence shall not apply with respect to and generosity of Conchs and other (C) QUALIFIED HURRICANE IRMA INDI- Puerto Rico unless Puerto Rico has a plan, VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane which has been approved by the Secretary of south Florida residents have been on Irma individual’’ means any individual the Treasury, under which Puerto Rico will display before, during, and after the (other than a qualified Hurricane Harvey in- promptly distribute such payments to its storm. dividual) whose principal place of abode on residents. While facing the prospects of receiv- September 4, 2017, was located— (2) DEFINITION AND SPECIAL RULES.— ing the full force of the storm, Key (i) in the Hurricane Irma disaster zone, or (A) MIRROR CODE TAX SYSTEM.—For pur- West police and fire departments de- (ii) in the Hurricane Irma disaster area poses of this subsection, the term ‘‘mirror code tax system’’ means, with respect to any cided to remain on the ground, risking (but outside the Hurricane Irma disaster their personal safety. They wanted to zone) and such individual was displaced from possession of the United States, the income such principal place of abode by reason of tax system of such possession if the income be there for their neighbors when the Hurricane Irma. tax liability of the residents of such posses- storm had passed. (D) QUALIFIED HURRICANE MARIA INDI- sion under such system is determined by ref- Navy personnel, under the leadership VIDUAL.—The term ‘‘qualified Hurricane erence to the income tax laws of the United of Captain Bobby Baker, who sacrifice Maria individual’’ means any individual States as if such possession were the United for our country every day, once again (other than a qualified Hurricane Harvey in- States. answered the call to serve and stayed dividual or a qualified Hurricane Irma indi- (B) TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS.—For pur- behind to ensure they would be there vidual) whose principal place of abode on poses of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this subsection to get the runways open and ready to September 16, 2017, was located— receive aid. Coast Guard Captain Jeff (i) in the Hurricane Maria disaster zone, or shall be treated in the same manner as a re- (ii) in the Hurricane Maria disaster area fund due from a credit provision referred to Janszen also stayed to make sure the (but outside the Hurricane Maria disaster in subsection (b)(2) of such section. Port of Key West could open. zone) and such individual was displaced from (C) COORDINATION WITH UNITED STATES IN- Two days after the storm had passed, such principal place of abode by reason of COME TAXES.—In the case of any person with I visited with both of these leaders. Hurricane Maria. respect to whom a tax benefit is taken into They were working tirelessly to stand (3) APPLICABLE DATE.—For purposes of this account with respect to the taxes imposed by up their bases and had not yet checked any possession of the United States by rea- subsection, the term ‘‘applicable date’’ on the interior of their own homes. means— son of this title, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied with respect to such Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay (A) in the case of a qualified Hurricane rode out the storm at the Marathon Harvey individual, August 23, 2017, person without regard to the provisions of (B) in the case of a qualified Hurricane this title which provide such benefit. shelter because he felt it was his re- Irma individual, September 4, 2017, and SEC. 505. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. sponsibility to be there to protect his (C) in the case of a qualified Hurricane (a) EMERGENCY DESIGNATION.—This title is community. Officials from local mu- Maria individual, September 16, 2017. designated as an emergency requirement nicipalities from the city of Key West

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.021 H27SEPT1 H7560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 to Ocean Reef have been working aside. This community is doing its part Mr. Speaker, first I want to acknowl- around the clock with their teams to to help their own, Mr. Speaker. edge those individuals that Mr. get utilities up and running, roads Now it is time for Congress to do our CURBELO pointed out and congratulate cleared, and government offices oper- part to help our fellow Americans in them for their courage and their kind- ational. my district and in similar communities ness as they attempt to get southern I am grateful to our first responders throughout my home State of Florida, Florida back on its feet. and all the public officials and employ- in Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and But the key phrase here that my ees who have been working hard to the U.S. Virgin Islands. friend from Florida mentioned was the serve the people of the Florida Keys. When we debated this bill on Mon- following: Now it is time for us to do I also want to thank my office’s Flor- day, I told my colleagues about how our part. ida Keys director, Nicole Rapanos, who the tax credit for wages would allow ‘‘Our part’’ calls for a much more has dedicated long hours to assist our small business owners like Owen, a vigorous effort, a much more robust in- constituents and our neighbors in the crab and lobster fisherman whose traps vestment, and it could, it should, be Keys so that they can get the resources were destroyed in the storm, to claim a done now. We don’t have to wait to get they need. I am grateful for her dedica- tax credit for 40 percent of employee this done. We don’t have to parcel this tion to her neighbors and proud to have wages, up to $6,000 per employee, help- out in the small amounts that are her on my staff. ing him get his team back to work as being suggested. Community organizations are also soon as possible. Now, earlier this week, I rose in op- playing an instrumental role in the This legislation would also allow up position to H.R. 3823, the Disaster Tax Keys’ recovery. Nonprofit groups like to 415,000 hurricane survivors in Relief and Airport and Airway Exten- Star of the Sea Outreach, Rotary Club Miami-Dade and nearly 7,500 in Monroe sion Act, as well. Today, I am dis- of Key West, and the Florida Keys Out- County keep more of their paycheck by appointed to say that I am not going to reach Coalition, just to name a few, referring to earned income from the support today’s updated version of the have been volunteering their time, co- immediately preceding year for pur- legislation either, based on the word ordinating donations, and serving di- poses of determining the earned in- ‘‘more.’’ rect relief to the community. come tax credit. I take no issue with a clean 6-month Private companies and small busi- We are also making it easier for tax- extension of the FAA expenditure au- payers to deduct more of the costs nesses have also stepped up to help. thority, but today’s bill includes an ex- from the extensive property damage Robert Spottswood, whose family owns tensive list of extraneous provisions. these storms left behind and allowing the Marriott Beachside, opened up the If we are to include extraneous meas- anyone struggling with initial recovery hotel to first responders, Navy per- ures on this must-pass legislation, then efforts to have immediate access to sonnel, and others who chose to ride the process of compiling the bill should their retirement savings without pen- out the storm. have been done in a bipartisan manner. Baby’s Coffee, which was left with its alty. Lastly, this legislation will encour- Instead, our Republican friends assem- own damage from the storm, was pro- bled their near-term priorities barely, viding their entire stock to residents of age more American businesses and individuals to continue generously sup- if at all, consulting the Democratic mi- Key West, along with hot meals and porting qualified hurricane relief orga- nority, even though many of these coffee. nizations by lifting caps on charitable issues are indeed bipartisan. Ikon Builders and UDT have brought Worse, rather than work together to supplies to the food banks and dona- giving to these groups. Mr. Speaker, hardworking Americans solve what is rapidly becoming an tion distribution centers. The Mara- in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, the U.S. American humanitarian crisis, they thon EOC, which has been operating 24/ Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico need chose to take most of the day off to 7 and where approximately one-third of Congress to act. On Monday, this bill unveil the tax cut for the wealthiest employees had lost their homes, these was derailed by political games, pos- people in America. people continued working to help in re- turing, and name calling. I hope that The priorities at this moment are covery and rebuilding, and the list goes will not be the case today because my misguided. As I noted earlier this on. constituents and those in other com- week, while I support the disaster tax On the individual level, people have munities like my district don’t have relief in this bill, the package is plain- gone above and beyond to show their time to wait. This tax relief package ly insufficient. I had hoped that we true Conch spirit. They have shared deserves bipartisan support from my might work together in a manner on their own supplies and taken time to colleagues. these provisions, but that has not oc- go help neighbors. The outpouring of I want to thank Chairman BRADY and curred. support from local heroes in the Flor- the Ways and Means Committee staff Traditionally, in this body, we hon- ida Keys has been so extraordinary, I for allowing me to shape this legisla- ored and used to respect what is known could be here all day telling the stories tion for the benefit of south Florida as the national principle. It was a code of thousands upon thousands of acts of residents, especially those in Monroe of honor that bound us together when kindness. This powerful sense of com- County who were hardest hit by Hurri- one part of the Nation was beset by dis- munity and humanity is one of the cane Irma. I want to thank Chairman aster. Whether it was an earthquake in many reasons I am proud to represent SESSIONS and the Rules Committee for California, a hurricane in North Caro- these local heroes. making in order my amendment that lina, a tornado in Massachusetts, Mr. Speaker, clearly the Keys’ recov- will provide additional benefits that floods in Missouri, or forest fires in ery is well underway. Tourism will be are critical for our fellow Americans in Alabama, we did not ask about gender, opening up again next week, nearly 3 Puerto Rico and the people of the U.S. race, geography. We simply said the weeks earlier than anticipated. I have Virgin Islands. In the aftermath of national principle prevails and the no doubt continued recovery efforts Hurricane Maria, they are facing a ter- Federal Government will offer a robust will make the Florida Keys an even ribly difficult uphill battle to rebuild response. greater one-of-its-kind paradise Ameri- their communities. I stand in complete b 1745 cans from across the country and peo- solidarity with my friends STACEY ple from all over the world have come PLASKETT of the U.S. Virgin Islands We are failing in that respect to set to love. and JENNIFFER GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of the precedent today. Instead, unfortu- But the truth is, the Keys’ tourism- Puerto Rico, and will work to get them nately, this disaster relief package based economy has been stalled, and everything they need to rebuild their that we will consider does not provide perhaps the greatest devastation is the communities. I hope for their sake we the comprehensive package of incen- financial strain on individuals, fami- can finally get this done today. tives and relief that will drive invest- lies, and small entrepreneurs. Many of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ment and speed up recovery in Amer- those facing hardship are themselves my time. ican communities in Texas, Florida, working to assist their fellow sur- Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the devas- vivors, putting their personal interests self such time as I may consume. tation across Puerto Rico.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.037 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7561 These hurricanes left massive devas- Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support relief should not be reserved only for tation in their wake, and the ongoing for this bill. victims of a storm that happened to situation in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 impact the home district—— Puerto Rico are dire. The situation not minutes to the gentleman from New The SPEAKER pro tempore. The only justifies but demands a com- Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL). time of the gentleman has expired. prehensive package of incentives and Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, my Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an relief to help these communities and heart goes out, as all of us, to those additional 30 seconds to the gentleman. their residents get back to their feet. impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, this Republicans will hide behind an and Maria. I am committed to pro- bill needlessly pits residents of Texas amendment they added to the Rules viding the resources necessary for Fed- and Florida against residents of New Committee last night. It is really a fig eral response and recovery. York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Lou- leaf, amounting to $68 per person in tax We all voted for the money a week isiana, West Virginia, Utah, and other relief. We can do much more for our and a half ago. That took 3 days. Other States. We should treat everyone fair- American brothers and sisters in the storms in the past took 3 months, so ly, and the Reed-Pascrell bill would do Caribbean, especially given that the let’s set the record straight. that. administration continues to drag its I am pleased to support aid to those Tax relief provisions would kick in feet in terms of sending an emergency affected by Harvey, Irma, Maria, and I automatically for federally declared supplemental request. That should be will continue to do so. We urgently disaster situations, even in Montana, done forthwith. We can do better, and need to deliver relief and assistance to even in Alaska. We should not play fa- we must do better. those currently impacted by Hurricane vorites when it comes to helping those They are making vague assurances Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands and in need. that we will get around to considering Puerto Rico, where the entire island The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a more extensive package later, but has lost power and many are without time of the gentleman has again ex- delay and uncertainty will make the water. pired. situation worse, not better. I can’t support a bill before us today Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an Today’s package should have in- which is not even close to providing additional 30 seconds to the gentleman. cluded other powerful and proven tax the robust relief that Puerto Rico Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, so let’s incentives that we have extended in needs. You know it, and we know it. be clear about who is playing politics the past disaster recovery efforts con- The Congress and this administration here. New York, New Jersey, and Con- sistently. I consider this a missed op- need to step up, help Puerto Rico re- necticut continue to feel the effects of portunity. cover. Hurricane Sandy, just as Carolinians, We need to do more to help our fellow I plan to reintroduce legislation to Utahns, people from West Virginia and Americans recover from these trage- extend the earned income tax credit to Louisiana still feel the effects of the dies. Therefore, I intend to oppose this residents of Puerto Rico, and I hope my major floods of 2015 and 2016. This is legislation. colleagues will support it. true in many other States. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of The bill before us today completely So while this bill takes a few provi- my time. circumvented the committee process. I sions from our bill, it does not get into Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- am not a process person, but this bill the real meat and potatoes as to how er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman did not have any hearing, despite the we can help everybody. This bill from Texas (Mr. BRADY), the distin- fact that myself and my Republican doesn’t do enough in the first place, guished chairman of the Ways and colleague from New York, Mr. REED, and it doesn’t include victims of other Means Committee. have had legislation on comprehensive disasters. Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I disaster relief for the last 5 years. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to first want to thank Mr. CURBELO for his I want to address something my good demand robust and fair disaster tax re- leadership in crafting this disaster re- friend from Texas, the chairman of the lief. And if that is politics, so be it. I lief package for our communities, and Ways and Means Committee, put out plead guilty. I want fairness. Chairman SHUSTER for his leadership yesterday in response to my position Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- on this bill as well. and others. He said that Democrats er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman I rise today not only on behalf of the were using hurricane relief as a ‘‘bar- from Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER), the people in my district in Texas who gaining chip’’ and ‘‘playing politics’’ to chairman of the House Committee on have been just hammered, but on be- enact our own agenda. He also tweeted Transportation and Infrastructure. half of everyone in Texas, Puerto Rico, that we were ‘‘sick,’’ which I can only Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Florida, and the Virgin Islands, who hope was tweeted by an overzealous support of H.R. 3823. have been devastated by this fall’s de- staffer. Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear structive hurricanes. This is where I usually fly off the what is at stake if Congress fails to These are people who desperately handle, but I am going to keep cool, I pass the FAA extension. Starting on need the support of our bill, the Dis- am going to keep calm, and I am going October 1, no aviation taxes will be col- aster Tax Relief and Airport and Air- to make sure that I am a real Amer- lected. Approximately $40 million of way Extension Act. Hundreds of thou- ican, not judging people on where they revenue will be lost each day; the rev- sands of families have lost everything, live. I promised myself I would stay enue that would have been used for air- even loved ones. This bill will help calm for the rest of what I have to say. port infrastructure funding and the them begin to recover through mean- My only agenda, Mr. Speaker, is to FAA’s important safety, operational, ingful, targeted tax relief they need help those who have been hurt by dis- and research functions. now. asters, regardless of where in the No new Airport Improvement Pro- Earlier this week, as communities United States they live, regardless of gram grants will be issued to airports continued to be decimated by record- what they look like, regardless of how in the communities across the country. high wind gusts, flooding, and storm they cook their food. If that is a polit- All FAA accounts funded out of the surges, regrettably, my House Demo- ical agenda, I don’t know what world aviation trust fund—the Facilities and cratic friends opposed this critical bill, we are living in. Equipment; AIP; Research, Engineer- putting politics above the very people As for ‘‘playing politics,’’ as I men- ing, and Development accounts—will they represent. tioned, the gentleman from New York be impacted. I stand here today to say we all have and I introduced the National Disaster Thousands of employees will be fur- to do better. We have to show the Na- Tax Relief Act to take politics out of loughed and some will be required to tion we can stand together in times of the process, to avoid having to have de- show up to work for no pay. great tragedy to help each other and bates like these. We must also be clear on the impact our neighbors, just as our people did in Congress shouldn’t pick and choose to hurricane recovery efforts currently our district in the aftermath of Hurri- who gets disaster relief and who underway by the FAA and funded from cane Harvey. doesn’t based on political whims. Tax the Facilities and Equipment account,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.039 H27SEPT1 H7562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 including those in Puerto Rico and the So they are saying the FAA is drag- b 1800 U.S. Virgin Islands. ging its feet; the FAA is over budget; Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- The FAA is currently trying to re- the FAA is this, the FAA is that. No. er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentle- store radars, navigational aids, and Actually, it is the airlines that haven’t woman from Washington (Mrs. MCMOR- other equipment damaged during Hur- purchased the equipment to use that RIS RODGERS), the distinguished chair- ricane Maria. This is happening while system. man of the House Republican Con- stranded passengers in the San Juan Now, the other most egregious part ference. airport wait without air-conditioning of this privatization proposal is the Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. and electricity for flights off the is- Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Speaker, I thank the gentleman for land. BRADY, has decided to give taxing au- yielding and for his tremendous leader- The FAA technicians are working thority to the private corporation. ship on this important legislation. around the clock to restore services, Now, they are not going to call it Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the but because of the extent of the dam- taxes. It is fees. Okay. Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and age and the challenges of the terrain But right now we finance our Air Airway Extension Act of 2017. It also where equipment is located, it is dif- Traffic Organization with a 71⁄2 percent includes a 3-month extension for the ficult to determine when full restora- tax, a progressive tax; the more expen- Special Diabetes Program for Indians. tion will happen. This is an important program for many For instance, as we debate this bill, sive your ticket, the more you pay. That is how we finance, predominantly, of the Tribes that I represent in my technicians are making their way to a district. long-range radar site on a mountain in our Air Traffic Organization. Well, this bill repeals that ticket tax. It is also a 3-month extension of the Puerto Rico. The last two miles to the Teaching Health Center Graduate Med- site through the rainforest are impass- First thing that happens is the airlines 1 ical Education program that is set to able, so the technicians are using raise their tickets by 7 ⁄2 percent. They already did that once 5 years ago when expire at the end of this week. chainsaws to clear a path for them- It is estimated that we could have a there was a temporary lapse. Only two selves and their replacement equip- national doctor shortage of 23,000 by airlines didn’t, Spirit and Alaska. Ev- ment. The radar and navigation equip- 2025, and when you look at the rural erybody else grabbed the money and ment are critical for the safe operation areas like mine in eastern Washington, of flights. ran, $400 billion. it is especially stark. We know primary We will have plenty of time to debate So Congress repeals the ticket tax. care saves lives, and that is why it is so 1 aviation policy in the coming weeks, They raise prices 7 ⁄2 percent, and then important to include these provisions and I look forward to it. But the FAA they would get three seats on the in the long-term reauthorization of the extension we are considering this week board. Three seats will go to direct air- THCGME program. is not a pawn in a Washington game of lines interests to decide what pas- This program specially trains resi- political brinksmanship. sengers and how people will pay to use dents in some of the larger shortage It is time for Congress to ensure the the national airspace. So they, in all areas; and when you compare it to the FAA’s authorities, funding, and dis- probability, will come up with a head traditional Medicare program, the aster recovery efforts continue unin- tax. Teaching Health Center residents are terrupted in order to help those im- So, in addition to paying $7 billion a 31⁄2 times more likely to practice pri- pacted by the hurricanes that are des- year for baggage fees, now we are going mary care, twice as likely to work in perately needed. to start charging people to use the na- rural areas, and 21⁄2 times more likely Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- tional airspace with a flat tax. So, hey, to work in the underserved areas. leagues to support this critical legisla- that is a big, great win for the people It is a part of the solution in solving tion. with first class tickets. The people, of our primary care crisis, but it must be Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 course, who have got a $100 coach seat funded. That is why it is so important minutes to the gentleman from Oregon are now going to be paying more like 20 to continue this funding and this legis- (Mr. DEFAZIO), who is the ranking percent or 25 percent. And the person lation. Without the funding, the pro- member of the Transportation and In- with a $2,000 ticket is going to pay, ba- gram will unravel. The centers could be frastructure Committee. sically, 3-point-something percent. forced to ramp down. Residents could Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, this So this is all really unfortunate be- be terminated, and some centers may would be the fourth FAA extension in 2 be shut down and their programs elimi- years. It didn’t have to be this way. We cause we could have passed already out of this House a bipartisan bill, sent it nated altogether. had a bill come out of the committee I encourage my colleagues to recog- in the last Congress and this Congress to the Senate. Instead of trying to jam them with this bill that is loaded down nize the importance of this program that was bipartisan except for one pro- and encourage them to continue work- vision; that is the privatization of the with riders, we would be jamming them with good, long-term policy for the ing with me on a long-term solution Air Traffic Organization. that ensures the future success of this Now, there is a citizen group out FAA and the traveling public and the aviation industry in America. vital program. there called Citizens for On Time Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Flights—actually, Airlines for America minutes to the gentlewoman from time of the gentleman has expired. funds this—who are saying that we Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). have to fly these old zigzag routes with Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let 1950s’ radar, and if only we, the air- additional 30 seconds to the gentleman. me thank the gentleman from Massa- lines—the same airlines, by the way, Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr Speaker, we have chusetts for his leadership. He has been that have had their dispatch and res- already heard from the gentleman from particularly helpful in thinking ervation systems go down 39 times in Louisiana (Mr. GRAVES), who is a mem- through how we can work together on the last 2 years. The national air traf- ber of the committee, who is going to the multiple crises that Texas, Florida, fic system hasn’t gone down in the last oppose the bill because of provisions the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto 2 years. regarding private flood insurance. He Rico are facing. But, anyway, they could do better, thinks it will cause Federal flood in- Let me thank the manager of the bill they say—or Citizens for On Time surance to collapse. And the two Sen- for working on these issues as well. Flights say. But, unfortunately, it is ators from Louisiana who they are at- Let me first of all indicate, as I have based on lies. tempting to jam with this bill are say- done earlier today, that I understand We have deployed a system where we ing they are going to oppose the bill that the FAA extension is a clean ex- could fly planes closer together. It is and block it in the Senate. So we may tension which I will support, recog- operational, actually, but the airlines end up with no continuing authoriza- nizing the international airport that is haven’t purchased the equipment to tion for the FAA because they wanted in my district. But again, I will seek use it, and they are not going to pur- to put these flood insurance provisions the important leadership on the Trans- chase that equipment until 2020 or and other riders on this bill instead of portation and Infrastructure Com- after. passing them as separate legislation. mittee, and particularly, the ranking

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.040 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7563 member, when it comes to dealing with Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in workers have no money left to save for not supporting privatization of air traf- support of H.R. 3823, the Disaster Tax retirement after paying bills, and only fic controllers. Relief and Airport and Airway Exten- one in five workers is contributing to I want to speak specifically to the sion Act of 2017, which provides addi- retirement savings. hurricane tax relief. As I do so, let me tional time to debate the future of our So I ask you, what savings will they particularly make mention that I had Nation’s air traffic control system. pull from, and how and when will this hoped this bill would have an extension Earlier this week, I visited Charlotte happen? American citizens in Puerto of the CHIP program and the commu- Douglas’ air traffic control tower and Rico cannot even get cash out of an nity health centers. Maybe we can learned firsthand from the controllers ATM without waiting hours in line. work on that, because I know in many about the importance of modernizing Providing funds based on the assessed of our communities impacted by the our traffic control system. Fortu- value of those provisions for Puerto hurricanes, those elements are impor- nately, Chairman BILL SHUSTER exer- Rico is insufficient. It is a fig leaf of- tant, community health centers, and, cised leadership through spearheading fered by Republicans so that they can certainly, the Children’s Health Insur- H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act, check it off their list. ance Program. that does just that, by shifting the cur- In order to truly help the many vic- I do want to make a point to say that rent bureaucratic and broken air traf- tims affected by the hurricanes, Con- I wish we could have gone further. I fic control to a stakeholder-managed, gress needs to start by providing the economic support required to recover. know that there were at least 21 dif- not-for-profit corporation. With The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ferent tax credits or exemptions that NextGen projected to ultimately cost time of the gentlewoman has expired. we could have had to help those who $120 billion, it is imperative that we fix Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an are impacted by the hurricanes, but our air traffic control in this Congress. additional 30 seconds to the gentle- these, I want to cite and say that I ap- Importantly, the 21st Century AIRR woman from New York. preciate them being utilized for my Act also strengthens air service in Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this constituents now. rural communities through ensuring bill is unworkable for Puerto Rico as it The bill would provide tax credit de- that general aviation will have full ac- stands now. I applaud the effort and ductions and other relief to taxpayers cess to U.S. airspace. It advances the speed with which this was drafted, but in disaster areas affected by Hurricanes remote air traffic control tower pro- it must be strengthened to truly ad- Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Most meas- gram, which means that rural commu- dress the needs of Americans in these ures would apply to taxpayers in parts nities are fully integrated into our Na- disaster areas. of Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the tion’s air traffic control system. Even today, I got a call from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to work- most important medical institution, In particular, access to one’s retire- ing with my colleagues on this critical and they are running out of anti- ment funds, the bill would waive the 10 issue facing the Fifth District of South biotics. The veterans hospital that percent penalty on each distribution Carolina. treats 200,000 soldiers who have partici- from retirement accounts for taxpayers Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 pated in every war, they do not have in affected areas. Individuals will be el- minutes to the gentlewoman from New access to healthcare. This is how we igible to make the withdrawal if their York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ), and I must tell honor their service? No, Mr. Speaker. primary residence was in one of the you that anybody who has witnessed Vote down this legislation. disaster areas as of the date of the her heartfelt advocacy on behalf of the Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- storm and they sustained an economic people of Puerto Rico in the last 24 er, I reserve the balance of my time. loss. hours would be moved. I also would say Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that nobody in this Chamber knows self such time as I may consume. time of the gentlewoman has expired. more about what has happened in Puer- Mr. Speaker, you just heard the elo- ´ Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an to Rico right now than the gentle- quent testimony from Ms. VELAZQUEZ about what the people of Puerto Rico additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York, NYDIA woman from Texas. ´ are facing right now. VELAZQUEZ. I wish that the majority would have Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I approached this process differently. bill would increase the size of a loan an thank the gentleman, and I really ap- The reauthorization of the FAA could individual can take from their em- preciate those kind words. have been a simple, straightforward ex- ployee retirement fund under the re- Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to ercise. It could have and should have tirement plan loans. It would also pro- the bill. As we all know, many people been a bipartisan effort. They saddled vide a credit for businesses that were are hurting in the areas affected by the FAA with unrelated partisan prior- rendered inoperable by the hurricanes Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. ities, incorporated with little input but that retained employees, and on Sadly, the response by the administra- from Democrats, and presented a weak the charitable deduction for those who tion has been bumbling, inexcusably tax package to address the recent are giving dollars between the 23rd and weak, and inadequate. major national disasters. December 31. While some of the proposals in the As I said when a version of this bill What I would like to do, Mr. Speaker, bill are needed, these measures are nec- came up earlier this week, I wish the is to look at some form of a disaster re- essary, but far from sufficient to help disaster tax relief section were better lief tax scheme, if you will, to enhance Puerto Rico recover. If anything, these designed and more extensive. This up- what we are doing now and to listen, half steps are an insult to the Amer- dated bill still doesn’t provide ade- where we can do this in a bipartisan ican citizens living in Puerto Rico and quate relief to the affected families and way, working with Mr. NEAL, working the Virgin Islands. communities who desperately need it. with the chairman of the committee, Puerto Rico is hurting. They do not You just heard from Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ on and really making sure we have a long- need legislative lip service passed just that basis. term response to the journey that my so that the majority can claim they While waiving penalties on the with- constituents and others will have to are helping. Instead of taking real and drawal of retirement savings and ex- take. meaningful steps to provide much- panding EITC and child tax credit pro- I close by saying that now we are up needed relief for Puerto Rico and the visions are helpful, the majority to 185,000 homes that have been se- Virgin Islands, this bill ignores the inexplicably left out some of the most verely damaged or damaged. We have challenges they face. economically powerful tax incentives got problems with mortgage deductions Providing personal casualty assist- on the shelf, including those that and a number of other issues, and, ance and penalty-free withdrawals would be helpful to rebuild devastated therefore, I am hoping we can work to- from retirement accounts is commend- infrastructure. gether. able, but not for Puerto Rico. Just Given this damage and the needs of Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- under half the island is living in pov- hard-hit areas, especially the Virgin Is- er, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentleman erty, and the average median income is lands and Puerto Rico, I cannot under- from South Carolina (Mr. NORMAN). under $20,000. In fact, 67 percent of stand why we are not including proven

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.042 H27SEPT1 H7564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 assistance contained in previous dis- ported this package. I invite more So, Mr. Speaker, we have an oppor- aster tax packages as we did to our Members from both parties to support tunity to make sure that people have family and friends in places like Texas this package today because this is not more affordable options for flood insur- and Louisiana. the time to play political games. ance. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to Now, I understand some people here Wouldn’t it be wonderful that for oppose this legislation, and I yield are frustrated about what may have every time you saw a life insurance back the balance of my time. happened in the past. I wasn’t here, and commercial or an auto insurance com- Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- I belong to a new generation of Mem- mercial, you saw something about er, I yield myself the balance of my bers of this institution. Quite frankly, flood insurance to help educate the time. I think none of us on either side is in- American people about the need for Mr. Speaker, I truly deplore the way terested in relitigating the old fights this basic insurance policy? some colleagues have decided to politi- and the old debates. We want to see the We could see the savings occur as cize such a sensitive, urgent, and im- solutions for today and tomorrow. people rolled this into their home- portant issue. The people of Florida—Monroe Coun- owners’ policy. There are people in my community ty, the Florida Keys, and Miami- In the very small portion of the mar- who are suffering, who lost their Dade—the people of Texas, Louisiana, ket, Mr. Speaker, where there is com- homes, yet they are still working hard U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, petition, people are saving not just to help their neighbors rebuild. For they need us now. They need this solu- hundreds of dollars, but thousands of them to find out that this institution tion now. dollars. would oppose a measure to help them Can we do more later? We have heard from the Megoulas Absolutely. Everyone knows that because some colleagues think it is family in Pennsylvania: ‘‘NFIP insur- this Chamber and the other will soon just not good enough—now, you heard ance would have cost me $2,700 a year, consider additional funding for them. They recognize there is a lot of but I was able to find private coverage FEMA—much-needed funding. I will good in this package, but it is not for only $718. . . . ’’ support a robust package for FEMA be- enough. We heard from the Cyr family, also of cause the agency is strained and it is I am the Representative of the dis- Pennsylvania: ‘‘I have benefited from working hard to help people all over trict that was hit the hardest by Hurri- switching to private market flood in- this country and out in the Atlantic. cane Irma. Chairman BRADY was here. surance from FEMA. I save about $1,000 But to say that this is not good He has been working hard back home per year.’’ enough, so instead we will do nothing to help his community recover while So, Mr. Speaker, there is a piece of is just unacceptable. legislation known as the Flood Insur- managing his responsibilities here as I urge my colleagues to reconsider ance Market Parity and Modernization chairman of the Ways and Means Com- because I think it is important that we Act, also known as Ross-Castor. I want mittee. He is calling for passage of this send a message of national unity to to thank my colleague from Florida legislation that he sponsored. help those who are hurting. If we can (Mr. ROSS) for his leadership on this Also putting their names on this leg- do more in the future, we will and we ´ ´ issue. It is very simple. It simply clari- islation, JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON, should. the Resident Commissioner elected by So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would fies congressional intent that people Puerto Ricans on the island to this just thank all of my colleagues that ought to have more options. Chamber, she has added her name to understand how urgent this situation In particular, Mr. Speaker, as people this legislation. is, how much pain and suffering are begin to rebuild after these hurricanes, Also, STACEY PLASKETT, a member of being experienced in these commu- they need better options for flood in- the minority who represents the Virgin nities, and I ask them respectfully to surance, particularly with the NFIP $30 Islands, she has added her name to the please support this legislation. billion in debt, facing another bailout, amendment we filed to make this legis- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance and facing an uncertain future. Now we lation even stronger. of my time. need to take care of that. So the Members representing the dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time That is why I have proposed, along tricts that were hit the hardest, where for the Committee on Ways and Means with Chairman DUFFY, a 5-year, long- people are suffering—and the gentle- has expired. term reauthorization. We are currently woman from New York is absolutely Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I operating under a temporary 90-day au- correct; the suffering in Puerto Rico yield myself such time as I may con- thorization. But as we do, let’s work on cannot be compared to anything else sume. something that we can all agree on. that we are seeing here on the main- Mr. Speaker, we have all seen the The last time this bill came up in the land—their representatives want to see terrible tragedy and suffering from House, Mr. Speaker, 419–0. It has re- this legislation pass, but some of our Harvey, Irma, and Maria. We have seen cently come out of the Financial Serv- colleagues say it is just not good the shattered homes, and we have seen ices Committee 58–0. enough. So because this is not good the shattered lives. I have been to I am not sure you can get that kind enough for them, people should get Houston and my native Texas to visit of vote tally for a Mother’s Day resolu- nothing. with a number of the victims. tion. It is bipartisan. It is the very def- We wonder. We wonder why so many There are many tragedies, Mr. inition of bipartisan. Americans don’t trust this institution, Speaker, out of these hurricanes and So let’s take one important step why so many Americans are frustrated flooding, but one of the tragedies—one today to help the victims of Harvey, with the politics in this country: be- of the tragedies—is that in Harris Irma, and Maria as they begin to re- cause if it isn’t perfect, if it isn’t ex- County, where Houston is, 80 percent of build their homes, to have more flood actly what I want, then I am against it. the homes that were flooded didn’t insurance options, more affordable in- have flood insurance. surance options. As we work through b 1815 Now, why didn’t they have flood in- what we might disagree on in the NFIP Now, fortunately, not all of the Mem- surance, Mr. Speaker? authorization, let’s pass today what we bers of the minority agree with this. I believe one of the reasons is because can agree on and help the victims When we first had this vote on Monday, we have a government monopoly called today. 26 Democrats voted in favor of the leg- the National Flood Insurance Program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of islation. And I thank them—not just Many people don’t even know of its ex- my time. for me, but on behalf of all of my con- istence. Many people think they were Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. stituents, the people of the Florida safe because they were 3 feet outside of Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time Keys, south Florida, and, of course, the the government designated 100-year as I may consume. people of Texas, Louisiana, Puerto floodplain. Many thought that some- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. I thank how this was simply rolled into their tion to this bill, which began as a my Democratic colleagues and all of homeowners’ insurance policy, but it must-pass reauthorization of the Fed- my Republican colleagues that sup- wasn’t. eral Aviation Administration but has

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.043 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7565 now become a Christmas tree for unre- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of billion. Folks, this is an insurance lated Republican priorities. my time. company on the brink of being unable Puerto Rico is on the brink of a hu- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I to pay out claims to policyholders manitarian crisis following Hurricane yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from without another taxpayer bailout. Maria that is being exacerbated by Florida (Mr. ROSS), who is the author The NFIP desperately needs to off- Trump’s and Congress’ failure to ade- of the bipartisan Flood Insurance Mar- load some of its risk, and we can help quately respond. Tens of thousands in ket Parity and Modernization Act, by allowing the private sector to do Texas and Florida are just beginning to which passed this body in the last Con- what it does best: compete for cus- pick up the pieces following Hurricanes gress 419–0. He is the vice chairman of tomers by offering better service, lower Harvey and Irma. Yet, other than the the Housing and Insurance Sub- prices, and more comprehensive cov- small initial down payment of disaster committee and the real leader for af- erage. aid we passed—which I might add fordable private flood insurance. I understand some of my colleagues Chairman HENSARLING voted against— Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the think competition will destabilize the Congress has yet to pass a single policy chairman for his leadership. NFIP. First, we need to be clear that reform that will actually improve the Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the the NFIP in its current state is belea- lives of any of those who found them- Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and guered, it is not stable, and it is not selves in harm’s way. Airway Extension Act of 2017, and I sustainable. Reforms must be made. This is the first time in this Congress urge my colleagues to vote in favor of Second, I would urge my colleagues that we are debating a flood insurance this desperately needed legislation. to recognize that by forcing nearly all Included in this bill are two provi- policy change on the House floor. How- of the flood risk in this Nation into a sions that are particularly important ever, this is not a policy change that single, government-run insurance pro- would address the resilience of the to my constituents in central Florida. One is tax relief for families and small gram, we contribute to the NFIP’s Flood Insurance Program, help fami- bloated and unstable risk portfolio. lies to recover, or improve our coun- businesses recovering from the destruc- try’s response to natural disasters. No. tion of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and b 1830 The Republican response to the cata- Irma. The other is language taken from So the NFIP needs some help, and strophic storms of these last 2 months my legislation, the Private Flood In- consumers need competition. More cov- is to muscle through the expansion of surance Market Development Act, erage options will help make flood in- private flood insurance, which has long which will allow private sector insurers surance an attractive investment for been sought by the insurance industry. to compete with the National Flood In- everyone, thereby reducing the number Now, let me be clear. I don’t oppose surance Program. of uninsured homes. this policy. I voted for it last Congress The catastrophic impact of the three With the NFIP alone, our constitu- and I voted for it when we marked it up major hurricanes is heartbreaking and ents are severely limited. For example, in committee this year. But moving tragic. However, it has been inspiring an NFIP policy only covers up to this bill at this time, while ignoring all to witness the outpouring of charity $250,000 of damages. the other policy responses needed but and goodwill from our communities in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the Flood Insurance Program and the response. time of the gentleman has expired. ongoing natural disasters in our coun- Now it is time for this Congress to Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I try, is simply irresponsible. rise to the occasion. The tax relief for The NFIP will expire on December 8 disaster victims in this legislation is a yield the gentleman an additional 15 of this year, and we still lack a credible great first step. seconds. plan to ensure that it is reauthorized This bill will help individuals in the Mr. ROSS. In addition, NFIP policies for the long term. Therefore, I will op- disaster areas keep their jobs, support do not cover homeowners displaced by pose any and all efforts to break apart retirement savers paying for recovery, living expenses. the debate on substantive reforms to encourage charitable contributions to Mr. Speaker, this legislation has an the NFIP from the reauthorization de- help victims, and put more money in untold number of supporters. I include bate we should so desperately be hav- the pockets of families trying to get in the RECORD a letter from 15 major ing. their lives back on track after having insurance, housing, banking, and trade The bill before us today does abso- lost everything. associations in support of the private lutely nothing to address the stability To deny our constituents this relief flood insurance provisions in H.R. 3823. of the NFIP, which is in jeopardy fol- because it is not enough is simply irre- SEPTEMBER 26, 2017. lowing a devastating series of cata- sponsible. To be sure, I agree that more Hon. PAUL RYAN, strophic hurricanes across several aid will likely be needed. Speaker, House of Representatives, States and U.S. territories. We know But is that really a good excuse to do Washington, DC. that we will need to increase the nothing? Hon. NANCY PELOSI, I certainly don’t think so. Democratic Leader, House of Representatives, NFIP’s borrowing authority so that Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, this bill isn’t just about policyholders from Harvey, Irma, and DEAR SPEAKER RYAN AND LEADER PELOSI: Maria can be made whole, but the providing immediate relief. Thank- The undersigned trades and organizations chairman has no plan to deal with the fully, it also provides some measure of strongly support the ‘‘Development of a Pri- debt, frequently telling those of us who long-term relief to communities vul- vate Flood Insurance Market’’ title of H.R. have urged him to consider debt for- nerable to floods—the most costly of 3823, the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and giveness to just forget about that idea. all natural disasters. Airway Extension Act of 2017. This package I have long called for Congress to for- Thanks to the inclusion of my legis- includes bipartisan, clarifying language, in- give NFIP’s debt, particularly because lation, H.R. 1422, this bill will provide troduced by Representative Dennis A. Ross consumers with more options and (FL–15) and Representative Kathy Castor of the unsustainable burden placed on (FL–14), to increase acceptance of private policyholders paying hundreds of mil- lower costs in the flood insurance mar- flood insurance products. This will increase lions of dollars a year just on the inter- ketplace as well as help to reduce the flood insurance options for consumers, there- est for the government to pay itself unacceptable number of homes not in- by providing more competition and coverage back. Flood insurance is already sured for flood losses. options to families and businesses. unaffordable. Last Congress, this House passed The Ross-Castor language passed the So why are we continuing to make it nearly identical legislation by a vote of House last year by a vote of 419–0, and it was worse by saddling policyholders with 419–0. That is why I was so disheart- ordered reported out of the House Financial interest on a debt that will never be re- ened to hear some characterize this re- Services Committee in June by a vote of 58– paid? form as a long-time Republican pri- 0. The bipartisan fix clarifies what is already We need thoughtful, comprehensive in federal law (following the passage of the ority. This isn’t a Republican priority, Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act solutions to a long-term reauthoriza- and it is not a Democratic priority. of 2012 and reinforced in the Homeowners tion that addresses the debt, afford- This is a national priority. Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014) inability, mapping, and mitigation. That The NFIP is more than $25 billion in tended by Congress to allow lenders to ac- is not what we have before us today. debt and runs an annual deficit of $1.4 cept private flood insurance in lieu of federal

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.046 H27SEPT1 H7566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 coverage to satisfy the mandatory purchase ishly on with the gentleman from Wis- cap the compensation of flood insur- requirement. consin (Mr. DUFFY), in which we were ance companies. These are changes The undersigned trades and organizations able to address the issue of the pen- that we must pursue. The legislation strongly support inclusion of the bipartisan Ross-Castor language in the Disaster Tax alties of expense on those poor people we consider does none of this. Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act who chose to have their monthly in- Mr. Speaker, we should be working of 2017 that allows consumers the choice of stallments there and not be punished together to comprehensively improve government or private flood insurance cov- for it. the NFIP. Doing anything less is an ab- erage. We ask for you to vote in favor of this The SPEAKER pro tempore. The dication of our responsibility. I encour- important legislative package when it is time of the gentleman has expired. age all of my colleagues to oppose this considered by the House of Representatives. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. legislation and work towards meaning- Sincerely, Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an ful flood insurance reform. Property Casualty Insurers Association of additional 30 seconds. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I America (PCI) Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. We continue to reserve the balance of my National Multifamily Housing Council worked together on that and cut that time. (NMHC) cost in half. That one bipartisan piece Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. National Apartment Association (NAA) of endeavor in our Financial Services Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my American Bankers Association (ABA) Committee is not even included in this time to the gentleman from Louisiana Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers bill. That is why we are opposed to it. (Mr. GRAVES), a true expert on flood in- (CIAB) Let’s treat the American people the American Insurance Association (AIA) surance issues. National Association of REALTORS® way they deserve. There is no better Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. (NAR) time. You are talking about expanding Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for National Association of Professional Insur- the help. Our people, American citizens yielding. ance Agents (PIA) in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas, de- Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of Financial Services Roundtable (FSR) serve for us to have a complete flood talk during this discussion about the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers insurance program, not piecemeal. flood insurance program, about making of America (Big ‘‘I’’) Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I re- Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) sure we are providing for the hurricane National Association of Mutual Insurance serve the balance of my time. victims. There is talk about the FAA. Companies (NAMIC) Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Let me be clear: we support the FAA. Independent Community Bankers of Amer- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the We support making sure that we pro- ica (ICBA) gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAL- vide all the resources necessary for the National Association of Federally-Insured LONE), the ranking member of the En- hurricane victims, from Hurricanes Credit Unions (NAFCU). ergy and Commerce Committee. Irma, Harvey, and Maria. Where things Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise are getting distorted is that this bill Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the today to oppose H.R. 3823. includes extraneous provisions that gentleman from Georgia (Mr. DAVID First, I would like to mention I have will actually undermine these very ob- SCOTT), a senior member of the Finan- deep concerns over Republicans’ failure jectives. cial Services Committee. to extend vital healthcare programs I want to explain. Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. that expire this Saturday, including Under the legislation that has been Speaker, let me start off by letting the important bipartisan programs like attached—the flood insurance legisla- America people know fully why we CHIP, Community Health Centers, and tion—it does allow private insurers to Democrats on this side of the aisle are the National Health Service Corps. If come in, which all of us support, but opposed to this bill. we fail to act, access to affordable and not in a vacuum. What is going to hap- Nobody has worked as hard as Demo- quality care for children and vulner- pen when you do this in a vacuum is crats on this bill, Mr. Speaker, but the able populations nationwide will be that you are going to cause premiums reason we object to it is that the flood jeopardized. to be diverted from the program. insurance part of this bill was a result However, I want to focus on another This is the program where these peo- of cherry-picking items that they issue that is extremely important to ple have been paying premiums for wanted. The American people deserve my constituents: flood insurance. years, and the program is not going to better than that. Then they attach it This bill would undermine efforts to have the resources to pay their claims, to an FAA bill with a 6-month exten- comprehensively reform the National which means it is going to have to bor- sion. That is no way to treat the issues Flood Insurance Program by allowing row more money, which is going to that we have today. the development of a private flood in- make the premiums go up even greater. All you have got to do is click on the surance market while not confronting You are going to see the private in- television and look at what is hap- challenges to NFIP, like increasing af- surers come in and cherry-pick low- pening to American citizens in Puerto fordability, investing in mitigation, and moderate-risk policies, which is Rico, Florida, Texas. And you are and ensuring transparency and ac- only going to leave the high-risk poli- going to put something where they countability. It would not even reau- cies in the program trying to pay a cherry-picked this together to solve thorize the flood insurance program, debt and not having a diverse portfolio this particular problem? which is due to expire on December 8; of low-, moderate-, and high-risk poli- There is no sense of urgency here, or raise its borrowing authority, which cies. Mr. Speaker. is due to run out in the coming weeks This is a flawed approach. It needs to Another reason is that, unlike all of and could impact claims from Hurri- be addressed on December 9, when this our other disaster tax credit relief canes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. current program expires. We should be packages, every time we have had an When Superstorm Sandy devastated addressing this holistically. expansion added to the bill, we ex- New Jersey 5 years ago, some of the I want to say it again. Those of you panded these tax credits for low-in- hardest hit communities were in my who have hurricane victims are under- come people, expanded the tax credits district, and the NFIP did not help mining their very recovery by sup- for the new markets area for people to them the way it should have. Too porting this legislation. immediately come in and invest. Not in many of my constituents are still deal- One of the other major flaws is this, this bill. There is no expansion in this ing with high premiums, inaccurate Mr. Speaker. This shows flooding in bill. flood maps, or still waiting for their Louisiana last year, flooding in Texas My friends over there talk about bi- Sandy claims appeals to be decided. this year. partisanship. My middle name is bipar- That is why I helped introduce the Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. tisanship. There is nobody on that bipartisan SAFE NFIP Reauthoriza- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance committee who works harder for bipar- tion Act, which would reauthorize the of my time. tisanship than DAVID SCOTT. program, cap premium rate increases, Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I But the one piece of bipartisanship— authorize funding for more flood map- yield the balance of my time to the our amendment that I worked fever- ping, reform the appeals process, and gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.

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DUFFY), chairman of the Housing and Let’s get it done, Mr. Speaker. dent of a city that faced many disas- Insurance Subcommittee and a leader Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I ters, I can attest to the fact that on flood insurance in the House today. yield back the balance of my time. Americans across this Nation are resil- Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I want to The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time ient and only grow in strength in the take a moment and thank Ms. CASTOR for debate has expired. face of a challenge. and Mr. ROSS for their hard work on Pursuant to House Resolution 538, In the wake of these disasters and as this legislation. the previous question is ordered on the we remember the 16th anniversary of There are some here in this body who bill, as amended. the September 11 terrorist attacks and have said: if we let free markets into Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, prepare to mark the fifth anniversary the National Flood Insurance Program further consideration of H.R. 3823 is of Superstorm Sandy next month, we that is run by the Federal Government, postponed. are reminded of the critical importance you are going to undermine the pre- f of preparing for the disasters that our miums that come into the national communities may face. We cannot al- flood insurance pool. GOLD STAR MOTHERS ways control whether a disaster will It is $25 billion in debt and is struc- (Mr. BACON asked and was given per- strike our communities, but we can tured in a way where premiums can’t mission to address the House for 1 take every opportunity to prepare our- rise. This doesn’t undermine the pro- minute.) selves, our loved ones, and our commu- gram. nities. What we are doing is saying: Listen, Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise We are a resilient nation in the face if you are in the National Flood Insur- today in support of our fellow Ameri- of disasters. As a resident of Staten Is- ance Program right now, the way it is cans who know what it means to give land and chairman of the Homeland Se- structured, there is only one place you the ultimate sacrifice to the Nation: curity Subcommittee on Emergency can buy insurance. But this is a provi- our Gold Star families. Preparedness, Response, and Commu- sion that will open up the market and This past weekend, we observed Na- nications, I urge all Americans to take let private companies come in and offer tional Gold Star Mothers and Families time this month to make a plan, sign families better policies at better Day, a solemn reminder of our sacred up for alerts and warnings in your area, prices. If they don’t, you can stay in obligation to hold dear in our heart the NFIP. You don’t have to go private. and to never forget those in uniform we check your insurance coverage, and You can stay government. But you give have lost. Psalm 34 says: ‘‘The Lord is make sure that you have an evacuation people a choice. close to the brokenhearted and saves plan. We cannot plan on disasters It is like saying: Listen, you have to those who are crushed in spirit.’’ ahead of time, but we can certainly keep the United States Postal Service I believe this was on President Lin- prepare ourselves for when they come. as your one carrier. You can’t have coln’s mind when he wrote to Mrs. f FedEx or UPS. You don’t get those Bixby, a mother who lost five of her POLLS HAVE BUILT-IN BIAS choices. sons in the Civil War. President Lin- People want a choice. In Houston, in- coln wrote: ‘‘I pray that our Heavenly (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was stead of having only 20 percent of the Father may assuage the anguish of given permission to address the House people who had coverage, you might your bereavement and leave you only for 1 minute and to revise and extend have had 40, 50, or 60 percent of the peo- with the cherished memory of the his remarks.) ple who would have had coverage. More loved and lost, and the solemn pride Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, people would have had protection. that must be yours to have laid so both the Washington Examiner and I have got to tell you, I am dis- costly a sacrifice upon the altar of free- Washington Times recently have re- appointed in the partisanship. dom.’’ ported on a practice that is resulting in I am going to quote a person I rarely Like many in this Chamber, I have overly low approval ratings for Presi- quote, but a person I truly like. She presented and saluted too many flag- dent Trump. Pollsters are not nec- once said in the process of this bill: draped coffins of our fallen warriors. As essarily rigging their questions to get a ‘‘This is an example of real com- we remember them, let us also recom- desired result; instead, they are cre- promise.’’ mit ourselves to the task of caring for ating a biased result by how they se- Then, on the substance of the bill, the families they leave behind who for- lect people to poll. this fine woman from California said: ever carry the pain of their loss. As Frequently, the pollsters contact ‘‘We can have the opportunity for our they gave to the Nation, the Nation more Democrats than Republicans. constituents to have some choice. I must give to them. Unsurprisingly, the results tilt anti- think that is real compromise, that is Today, I urge my colleagues to join Trump. The Examiner pointed out that substantive compromise, that is mean- me in renewing our obligations to our this ‘‘robs Trump of about 8 points in ingful compromise, and that is the Gold Star families, a commitment for his approval ratings, from 46 percent to kind of compromise that reasonable life. 38 percent.’’ people can engage in.’’ The Times noted that in polls includ- Mr. Speaker, that was the gentle- f ing Presidential approval questions, woman from California, who is now in b 1845 the Economist relied on a sample that opposition to this bill. used 58 percent more Democrats than NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH When this came up by itself—the Republicans, which ‘‘gave Democrats a same bill—last Congress, everyone (Mr. DONOVAN asked and was given 14-point edge, while Reuters and Gallup voted for it. When it came up in com- permission to address the House for 1 gave Democrats an 11-point and 7-point mittee, everyone voted for it. Demo- minute.) edge in their samples.’’ crats and Republicans voted for this Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, Sep- Mr. Speaker, as the 2016 election bill because they knew that it was tember is National Preparedness taught us, we shouldn’t rely on biased going to offer more choice and better Month, and I rise today to offer pray- polls if we want accuracy. ers, condolences, and encouragement prices to American families. That is f why it was bipartisan. for those impacted by Hurricanes Har- I think this is a moment where our vey, Irma, and Maria. SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE Congress can stand together on behalf Also, I rise to thank the thousands of PREVENTION MONTH of the American people who don’t have first responders, neighbors, and volun- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. flood insurance, who don’t have a rea- teers who have come out in droves to GAETZ). Under the Speaker’s an- sonably priced policy. Let’s stand with respond to these disasters. I stand with nounced policy of January 3, 2017, the them today and pass the Ross-Castor those residents now recovering from gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. bill. By the way, ROSS and CASTOR are storm and flood devastation. SINEMA) is recognized for 60 minutes as both from Florida. Two Florida Mem- This Nation stands behind you ready the designee of the minority leader. bers, Republican and Democrat, came to make you stronger and more resil- Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, Sep- together. ient in the face of disaster. As a resi- tember is Suicide Prevention Month, a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.050 H27SEPT1 H7568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 time for our Nation to raise awareness liberties, to protect our values and way We have made some progress since about the recurring tragedy of suicide. of life, and then when they come home last year. I have often shared the story This epidemic is too common for the we can’t get them the help that they of a young veteran in my district, Ser- men and women who wore our coun- need when they are down? geant Daniel Somers. Sergeant Somers try’s uniform and put their lives on the One of the saddest days since I began was an Army veteran of two tours in line to defend our freedom. An esti- serving the people of eastern and Iraq. He served on Task Force Light- mated 20 veterans lose their lives to southeastern Ohio was the day I got a ning, an intelligence unit. He ran over suicide each and every day. call from a young wife of a military 400 combat missions as a machine gun- A new VA report shows the risk for member. She said she had been dealing ner in the turret of a Humvee. Part of suicide is 22 percent higher among vet- with the VA for quite some time to get his role required him to interrogate erans than civilians, and 250 percent her husband an appointment with a dozens of terror suspects, and his work higher amongst female veterans than mental health counselor, all to no was deemed classified. female civilians. This is unacceptable. avail. He couldn’t get in, couldn’t get Like many veterans, Daniel was Twenty veterans a day lost to suicide in, couldn’t get in. haunted by the war when he returned. should be a call to action for our coun- I stopped by the VA center one day. He suffered from flashbacks, night- try and for this Congress. We must I asked to speak to the director, gave mares, depression, and additional take action, and we must do it now. the young man’s name, and I said: I symptoms of post-traumatic stress, Typically, the time in this Chamber would like to see the status of his ap- made worse by a traumatic brain in- is split. Republicans have 1 hour and pointment. jury. Democrats have 1 hour, but we believe They looked him up in the system, Daniel needed help. He and his family this issue is too important to be over- and they said: Well, you will be happy asked for help, but, unfortunately, the shadowed by partisan politics. That is to know, Congressman, that he has got VA enrolled Sergeant Somers in group why, tonight, Congressman TIM MUR- an appointment next Wednesday. therapy sessions, which Sergeant I said: Well, I am actually here to tell PHY and I have brought together Mem- Somers could not attend for fear of dis- you that you can cancel that appoint- bers from both sides of the aisle to closing classified information. Despite ment because he committed suicide show our commitment to solving this requests for individualized counseling problem together and finding real solu- last week. He had been waiting for weeks and or some other reasonable accommoda- tions for our veterans. weeks and weeks to get in to see a tion to allow Sergeant Somers to re- This is the fifth year that we have as- mental health counselor, struggling ceive appropriate care for his PTSD, sembled this team to raise awareness with PTSD and the emotional and the VA delayed providing Sergeant and send a clear message that the epi- mental battle scars that came back Somers with appropriate support and demic of veteran suicide must end. We with him from combat overseas. You care. have so much work left to do. So to- know, it is one thing that we send our Like many, Sergeant Somers’ isola- night we demonstrate our ongoing sup- young people away to fight for us on tion got worse when he transitioned to port for individuals, organizations, and foreign soil. Imagine for a second what civilian life. He tried to provide for his agencies devoted to preventing the epi- their families go through when they family, but he was unable to work due demic of veteran suicide. We challenge are gone day in and day out, not know- to his disability. the VA, the Department of Defense, ing if they are going to get that call or Sergeant Somers struggled with the and our fellow lawmakers to do more. that knock at the door to tell them VA bureaucracy. His disability appeal We are failing in our obligation to do that their loved one has been injured had been pending in the system for right by those who have sacrificed so or, worse, killed in action. And then we over 2 years without resolution. Ser- much for our freedom. bring their loved one home, and they geant Somers didn’t get the help he Finally, we stand here tonight, uni- are helpless in terms of getting them needed in time. fied, for the military families who have the care and the treatment that they On June 10 of 2013, Sergeant Somers experienced this tragedy, and we say to need. wrote a letter to his family. In the let- you: Your family’s loss is not forgot- I agree with my colleague: we need to ter he said: ‘‘I am not getting better, I ten. We work for the memory of your do more. The agencies, the VA, the De- am not going to get better, and I will loved ones, and we will not rest until partment of Defense, mental health most certainly deteriorate further as every veteran has access to the care he counselors all over the country, Con- time goes on.’’ or she needs. gress, families, communities, we need b 1900 Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman to do more to help our veterans get from Ohio (Mr. JOHNSON), who under- back on their feet after they have par- He went on to say: stands the importance of addressing ticipated in that inhumane, disastrous, ‘‘Thus, I am left with basically noth- this epidemic, a colleague and friend of catastrophic event known as war. ing. Too trapped in a war to be at mine. Mr. Speaker, it almost leaves you peace, too damaged to be at war. Aban- Thank you for being here this speechless to think about the millions doned by those who would take the evening. of families that are impacted by this, easy route, and a liability to those who Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, 20 per day—20 per day. One per day is stick it out—and, thus, deserve better. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding unacceptable, but yet we are seeing 20 So you see, not only am I better off and giving me an opportunity to speak per day. dead, but the world is better without on such a critically important topic. I urge my colleagues and I urge our me in it. You know, I served for 261⁄2 years, Mr. agencies in the Federal Government— ‘‘This is what brought me to my ac- Speaker, in the United States Air the VA, the DOD—let’s get behind an tual final mission.’’ Force. I pinned Purple Hearts on the effort, and let’s turn this trend in the We lost Sergeant Somers that day. chests of some of my troops that had opposite direction. No one who returns home from serv- gone into harm’s way. I know the Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the ing our country should ever feel like he stress and strain on military families time to speak. or she has nowhere to turn. I am com- and on military members. I represent a Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I would mitted to working on both sides of the district that arguably is one of the like to extend my thanks and gratitude aisle to ensure that no veteran ever largest, if not the largest, veteran-pop- to Congressman JOHNSON. Not only is feels trapped like Sergeant Somers did, ulated districts in the State of Ohio, he an amazing Representative for the and that all of our veterans have access with nearly 50,000. And yet today, in people of Ohio, he is also a veteran who to appropriate mental healthcare. 2017, we see 20 veterans per day, 1 every served our country ably and proudly, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- 72 minutes, committing suicide. and his story of a veteran in his dis- woman from Florida (Mrs. MURPHY) a What does that say about us as a na- trict lost to suicide should be a call to freshman representative and a great tion when we send our young people off all of us around the country to take addition to our Congress. in uniform to stand in harm’s way, to care of the veterans in each of our dis- Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speak- protect our freedoms, to protect our tricts. er, September is Suicide Prevention

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.052 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7569 Month, and I rise to bring awareness to These soldiers go where they are We can talk, we can sympathize, we the pressing issue of veteran suicide. commanded to go. They go into a hail can do all of that, but we need to get When our servicemembers go over- of bullets. They go and they fight and better treatment, psychiatric treat- seas, they bravely and selflessly risk they die. They leave an arm, they leave ment, for our veterans. That will not their own lives for the greater good. a leg, they leave so much of themselves happen, ladies and gentlemen, if we But when they return home, our vet- on the battlefield, and so many leave don’t get more psychiatrists into the erans face new adversities. Many are their minds there because of the devas- VA system. confronted by intense emotional dis- tation. And when we bring them back So give LARRY BUCSHON from Indi- tress, including depression and post- home, the level of treatment that ana, my Republican friend, a call. My traumatic stress. Others struggle to re- many of them are getting, and even not office, give me a call. But better than adjust to civilian life or to reintegrate getting, is, again, a national tragedy that, call your Congressman and say: into their families and their social net- and a national shame. Let’s get this bill expanded so we can works. It is my home that the plea that get more psychiatrists. Unfortunately, too many veterans America will hear this day from these The Congress will move if the Amer- succumb to their mental anguish. Members of Congress will awaken us to ican people say move. America loses 20 Americans every day what I believe is, and should be, the Now, finally, I must say this. There to suicide. It is time we step up and be number one issue facing this Nation: is no one that embodies the final words there for them and provide them the take care of our veterans. of Jesus Christ before he was crucified. support they deserve. Twenty a day, 40,000 every year, is Those final words that he spoke to his I encourage anyone who knows a vet- terrible. disciples 24 hours before he was cru- eran—whether a family member, a co- Now, myself, what am I doing? cified were: ‘‘Love one another as I worker, or a friend—to reach out. A Each year, I put on a jobs fair. But I have loved you.’’ simple gesture of kindness can make don’t put on that jobs fair by myself. And there is no greater love than all the difference in the life of a vet- Partnering with me is the VA, where that one who will lay down his life for eran going through a difficult time. we have, in Atlanta, Georgia, at that his friend. That, ladies and gentlemen, I will do my part in Congress, fight- convention and trades center, a jobs is our veteran. ing for more and better resources to fair each year with the VA, and we are Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank support our veterans. Veterans fought averaging about 450 jobs each year. Congressman SCOTT for being here and for us. Now it is time we fight for But we don’t stop there. We have a for his passion for veterans. them. health fair because it is the PTSD— Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant post-traumatic stress syndrome—that from Pennsylvania (Mr. MURPHY) to Somers’ story is familiar to too many is this archenemy that we are not ex- talk about this important issue we military families. Sergeant Somers’ amining. The reason for that is that have been working on together. parents, Howard and Jean, were dev- there is a severe shortage of psychia- Mr. MURPHY has been serving in Con- astated by the loss of their son, but trists in the VA and there is a severe gress since 2002. He is our only prac- they bravely shared Sergeant Somers’ shortage of primary care physicians in ticing psychologist serving in Con- story and created a mission of their the VA. gress, and he is the co-chair of the own. Their mission is to ensure that So right here in this legislature, my Mental Health Caucus. In addition, Sergeant Somers’ story brings to light good Republican friend, LARRY Congressman MURPHY is a commander America’s deadliest war—the 20 vet- BUCSHON from Indiana, and I—and he is in the Navy Reserve and provides serv- erans that we lose every day to suicide. a doctor—have worked together. We ices to veterans at the Walter Reed Na- Howard and Jean are working with put together legislation 2 years ago, in tional Military Medical Center special- Congress and the VA to share their ex- 2015, for the special appropriations for izing in treating those individuals who perience with the VA healthcare sys- veterans that we would pay the tuition, are suffering from traumatic brain intem and to find ways to improve care pay the loan forgiveness, for those phy- juries and post-traumatic stress dis- for veterans and their families. We sicians who are psychiatrists and who order. It is a privilege to serve with worked closely with Howard and Jean will go and work in the VA. him in Congress and work on this im- to develop the Sergeant Daniel Somers But we didn’t stop there. Knowing portant issue. Classified Veterans Access to Care Act, how the vagarious income levels are Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. and ensure veterans of classified expe- structured and the pay scales are Speaker, I thank my friend from Ari- riences can access appropriate VA men- structured according to where you live zona for her dedication to helping vet- tal healthcare services. in the United States—and we have VA erans. After more than 3 years of work, I hospitals, VA centers all over this It will be often cited that 20 veterans am proud to say that the Sergeant country, and the salary levels vary—we a day take their own lives. It is impor- Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Ac- made sure that an added incentive tant that we take a deeper dive into cess to Care Act is now law. But this is would be to those graduating psychia- why that is because, as a society, we just one small step forward, and our trists who will go and help our vet- want to know. work with Howard and Jean doesn’t erans and go help us fulfill this short- There will be upwards of 40-some stop here. We have so much work left age, that we would make sure that thousand suicides this year in our Na- to do. their incoming salary would be at least tion. Even one is too many. And I know Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 2 percent higher than that average. that organizations that deal with sui- from Georgia (Mr. DAVID SCOTT), who My only heartbreak in all of this is cide prevention want to see that drop has served veterans bravely in Con- that we were only able to get 12. And I considerably. But there is some under- gress and home in his district for many can tell you how much that broke my standing that is important for us to years. heart by this Congress. But it is a know what we can do and what stands Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. start. in the way. Speaker, I thank Ms. SINEMA for that This bill will be replenished. And if I want to note that those who serve very nice introduction. you in the public can help us, if we in the military are about 1 percent of Ladies and gentlemen of the Nation want to do something right now about the population. Those who have served who are listening or watching us on C– cutting down on the number of suicides in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam SPAN, I want to impress that we have that our veterans are having, help us are dying off fast from natural causes. exactly, right now, 40,000 soldiers—vet- get more psychiatrists into the VA sys- But a great many of those veterans erans—who are committing suicide tem, help me and LARRY BUCSHON and who do take an act of suicide are above each year. many Democrats and Republicans who age 50. Many of them have never served This is a national crisis, but it is voted for the initial piece of legisla- in combat. more than that. It is a national trag- tion—we only got 12 the first time, but Characteristic groups, such as the edy, but it is more than that. It is an we should get 300, 400, 500. We should be Army National Guard and reservists American national shame. willing to make that appropriation. are among those who do have some

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:32 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.054 H27SEPT1 H7570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 higher rates. It has been interpreted ing to understand and dedicate my life ‘‘I am not doing well.’’ that perhaps one of the reasons for that to helping those in psychological need. ‘‘Here. We will just increase your is that they do not stay with their co- I should mention, on September 11, I dosage,’’ or, ‘‘We will give you a dif- horts after combat. They go back got my honorable discharge, so I am no ferent medication,’’ but the system was home, come back on weekends, but longer in the Navy. I miss it every day, not set up to say, ‘‘How are you doing? don’t have that same day-to-day sup- because I loved that time working with What else can we do to care for you?’’ port. servicemembers who had traumatic It simply was not set up to go to his We also know the military, very brain injuries and post-traumatic home and help him out when he missed much so after Vietnam, when you were stress and a wide range of other prob- his appointments, when he was no done with your time, when you got lems, but here are a few things that I longer employed, when he had isolated your points, you were gone. learned from them that are very impor- himself from society, when, like so tant. many people, covered the windows of b 1915 One is, if you want care in mental their bedroom with camouflage or You could be in the middle of a bat- health, you just can’t get it, not only some other dark thing so the light tle, and you would be picked up by hel- because there may not be a VA near doesn’t get in, don’t watch TV, just icopter and taken home with encrusted you, but even if there was, many per- stay away from the world, this shrink- blood still on your uniform from your sons who are dealing with panic and ing world that constricts you like a friends, but you were sent back to the anxiety and depression don’t want to snake around the throat until they see States—no chance to recover, no leave the house; many with post-trau- no more reason to live. chance to develop from that, no chance matic stress disorders do not want to I remember going to the VA hospital to even get a checkup from the neck go onto a bus or into traffic or into and mentioning, ‘‘You know, I know up, and, as a matter of fact, that was congested areas, because that can bring the Marines are famous for not leaving not even done. So for those who did back some terrible memories for them. anyone in the field. What do you do serve in Vietnam and Korea and World The very thing they need is to get about some of these other folks with War II, you just went back to life. treatment, but the very problems they mental health problems?’’ We have learned it is important to do have prevent them from getting treat- They said, ‘‘We don’t go out to their more for people, and we do try and un- ment. homes.’’ derstand what is it, the characteristics Now, we have passed legislation here I said, ‘‘Why not?’’ among those who have taken their own that deals with choice to allow vet- ‘‘We just don’t do that.’’ lives, or tried to, that causes that to erans to get that care closer to home. ‘‘Why not?’’ happen. But can they get it? Well, tragically— ‘‘We just don’t.’’ First of all, it is worth noting that not just sadly but tragically—in the I agonize over that as being a Navy about 70 percent of those who have area of mental health services, half the healthcare provider to know this taken their own lives who were vet- counties in America have no psychia- doesn’t sound like the Marines. The erans have not been involved with the trist, they have no psychologist, they Marines don’t leave someone out there. VA hospital system. That is extremely have no clinical social worker, they Are we so constricted and tied up by important to know. They are not in- have no psychiatric nurse practitioner, rules that we can’t even go and reach volved. and they have no licensed drug treat- out to them? But that is part of the Now, that could be a number of rea- ment counselor. In other words, it is problem, that we need easier access to sons. It could be veterans who were not not available. local care, we need care that reaches eligible for involvement at the VA. If you just look at those, for exam- out to veterans, and not just say, ‘‘Hey, Many reservists and guards are not un- ple, with a substance abuse disorder, of listen, if you really want to get help, less they served Active-Duty time, and the 22 million, about 75 to 80 percent of why don’t you suck it up, pull up your even that is a limited timeframe. They them also have a mental health prob- bootstraps and go out and get help,’’ also may have not been early identified lem and they are at higher risk for sui- because some of them are not able to when they came out of the military cide. And certainly if we have a vet- do that yet. that would make them eligible for eran who has substance abuse and de- Many of them feel, as a veteran, ‘‘I services. And, quite frankly, in many pression, they are at higher risk. have faced tougher battles. I can’t let cases, it just is not near their home. But look at this group. For every people know I am weak or I am strug- A study that was done with people at 1,000 people with a substance abuse dis- gling.’’ Fort Carson, Colorado, of 70-some folks order—for every 1,000 people—900 do Many of them have addiction dis- who had attempted suicide, found that not seek treatment. Out of the 100 who orders, and they don’t want people to the number one reason that they gave, do seek treatment, 37 have got nothing know that they are weak and they are out of a list of 33 possibilities, was they available to them. Of the 63 who have struggling. wanted to end emotional distress. They something available, only six get evi- To those veterans, I say this is not a simply wanted the pain to stop, and dence-based care. sign of failure. It is like if you are in they ran out of ways to make it stop. So it is no wonder when we talk to the battle and bullets are coming at I reflect on the life of my father, who veterans, and they say, ‘‘I tried getting you and grenades are coming at you is now gone for other reasons, but one help, but this person didn’t understand. and incoming fire is coming at you, the day when I was at home from college— I couldn’t get help. It was a problem last thing you want to do is deny it is and he himself was a World War II vet- that was ongoing,’’ at some point they happening. You have to acknowledge it eran—I heard his soft voice calling reach that point where they want to is happening. What do you do? You get from the bathroom, and to see him just end their emotional distress. on the radio and you call for help. That there with a lot of blood on him, be- I remember visiting the house of a is what we have to make sure veterans cause he had just attempted to cut his veteran. The mother had called me and understand, that that is what this is arms and kill himself. Luckily, he did said: ‘‘Can you help him? He won’t go about, depression and panic and anx- not. We got him care. But I believe for to the VA. He won’t get help.’’ iety as well. him, he certainly would have been in I made a house call. The VA doesn’t We need more providers. I have had this category. He just wanted the pain do that, but I made a house call. And legislation on a mental health bill to to stop. without revealing too much, I will just get more providers. We recently voted I don’t think it was PTSD or his old say that it was pretty clear he had a on some things in amendment to the signs of war. I think it was, perhaps, lot of medication around his house. His Labor-H bill here to get a little bit other distress as he dealt with his own apartment was pretty unkempt, food more, but we need thousands of more alcoholism, or did not deal with it very lying around, bottles, dozens and doz- providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, well at that time, and the financial dis- ens of bottles of medication unopened, social workers, licensed drug treat- tresses of raising a family, and we just each one from the VA, because prob- ment counselors. We don’t have that. didn’t have money, but it was enough ably each time he went to the VA, they If Congress really wants to help, we to affect me—lifetime—in terms of try- said: ‘‘How are you doing?’’ have to do more of that, but part of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.055 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7571 problem is this, too: they oftentimes, may have taken poor medication, but greater factor with post-traumatic in the field, have such massive student sometimes they just give up. stress, anxiety, and depression than loans. And relative to other areas of There is a quote by author Steve anything else, and a big part of this is medicine and healthcare, they get paid Goodyear, who had quite an inspira- just getting enough sleep. so little, they may choose not to go tional quote. I hope, Mr. Speaker, if Members of Congress, we deal with into these areas of mental health care. there are veterans listening tonight, this a lot in terms of our own hectic So for those who are the most vulner- they take this to heed. lifestyle, and we know many constitu- able, we make it the most difficult for Mr. Goodyear said: My scars remind ents, because of their workload, their them to get care. me that I did indeed survive my deep- anxiety in the family, they don’t get Add to that the idea of, who among est wounds. That in itself is an accom- enough. those who are mental health providers plishment. And they bring to mind It is essential. It doesn’t necessarily actually have training and under- something else too: they remind me mean you are crazy, you have prob- standing of military healthcare, under- that the damage life has inflicted on lems, but that is an important part. standing military medicine, under- me has, in many places, left me strong- Further, training, knowing what you standing military life? er and more resilient. What hurt me in can do, whether it is in the workplace I was commissioned 8 years ago, and the past has actually made me better or the military, we know it is essen- I know that when I went on to officer equipped to face the present. tial. school, and I went to training, you That is a message I want veterans to Making sure one eats right. It sounds have got to learn a lot. The Marines hear, that having moments of depres- obvious. I don’t want to make this in say, ‘‘I learned to shoot a gun, and I sion or anxiety or worry are as normal any way sound small, but making sure can polish my shoes better than any- as feeling tired or hungry, but we know one is actually eating a healthy diet is body,’’ but there is more to it than when you get in a downward spiral, it an important part of fighting off sui- that. It is understanding the words, the gets worse. cide, fighting off depression. acronyms, the lifestyle, what a person I don’t want veterans to give up. I Then making sure that people are goes through. don’t want veterans or members of the paying attention to relax, to rehabili- We could certainly do much better, if military feeling that they have so tate themselves, to do their own per- not just saying let’s hire people at the much emotional distress, this is the sonal checkup from the neck up to VA, but have a program for civilian only way to end it. make sure they are dealing with these mental health professionals, one, to re- I understand the feeling, but I also things. cruit more; two, to pay for more reim- know that, as members of the commu- None of those things I just mentioned bursed student loans to get them in the nity and members who are veterans, we require help from a doctor. All of those workforce; but also, quite frankly, to wrap our arms of hope around those things are essential to healing and get- give them more regular orientation of veterans to say there is help out there, ting better. what it is like to be a member of the and we as Congress Members have an When one reaches the point where military. Let them observe boot camp. obligation to make sure we are pro- you say, ‘‘You know what, I need a lit- Let them understand this. viding those services. tle help here; I need to call in support I will give you an example. Once a It pains me when I think that some- on the radio; I need a quick response soldier who I was treating, he said he times we can come up with funding for team; I need to pop some smoke; get had given up getting care for a while. all sorts of programs, but for this 1 per- some help in here,’’ that is okay. I He said the third time he had to ex- cent who say, ‘‘I am willing to take a want veterans to know not only is that plain to his therapist what an MRAP bullet for you, I am willing to die to okay, that is what we are supposed to was, he said, ‘‘Give it up.’’ The MRAP defend my country, its Constitution, do. is a military vehicle, commonly known and its flag,’’ we as Congress ought to 1930 vehicle. be able to say we are willing to put b Now, every branch of the military some money in to help you get more You call in help. We don’t need dead has their own acronyms, and I don’t services. heroes on the battlefield. We certainly pretend to know them all, but if a per- Also some advice for those veterans don’t need them in the streets or the son doesn’t even know the basics, you who may be listening: It is extremely homes. We need people who are saying: lose that sort of connection with the important to follow a few guidelines in Understand, that even though it may patient, and they give up. your own life, too, besides not giving be tough to get help, there is help out The other issue here is that we need up, but physical fitness that you were there. There is help out there. People to be able to have a system that mon- forced to do in the military and boot want to facilitate and help you get bet- itors the medication closely. It is very camp, and all those pushups and sit-ups ter. common that if someone is on medica- and running and pullups we did, they I don’t want anybody to feel that this tion, they are a polypharmacy event; had a reason; because when you stay is the way to end emotional distress. It that is, they are taking so many medi- physically fit, it affects your brain is a permanent solution to a temporary cations, and then they will take other functioning and it improves it, and it is problem, and even if that problem medications that counteract the ef- one of the things that is used to fight seems to have been going on for years, fects of those medications, and then off depression and other problems. I know people can and do get better. I they will take other medications to Two, you have to have an attitude have seen it time and time again. The deal with the side effects of those that is focused on positive things. You soldier or veterans that thought: I medications. can make it. Many times, part of that can’t go on; I have to give up. They can It was not uncommon for us at Wal- attitude, an essential part, is a strong turn that life around and become a ter Reed to have a patient on 8 or 10 or faith in God, a strong belief there, contributor. 15 or more meds that they were on. We which gives you that attitude to say, One has a few choices. One can be a found that we reduced them down to ‘‘I can do it.’’ Navy SEALs talk about victim and say: You know what? I am one or two. the way you eat an elephant is one bite under this giant boulder. I will never But with medication comes weight at a time; the way you temper steel is get better. The weight is too great. I gains, comes increase for diabetes, with fire; that pain is weakness leaving am too weak. I cannot move on. comes other problems, comes stresses the body; that courage is something There’s no hope. in the family, comes situations where that is built through experience and Or you can move on to another stage they are estranged from their spouse, focus. It is not something that just and say: I am going to be a survivor. difficulties with children, episodes with comes, but you build that attitude. So On the first part, you say: I am help- anger. These aren’t bad people, but you have fitness, you have attitude. less because of what is happening. they see their life deteriorating, they Another part is sleep. Many studies I When you are a survivor, you say: You see questions with regard to what is have seen—I think it was Dr. Germain know what? I am going to move on de- happening through their employer, at the University of Pittsburgh who did spite what is happening. I will pray they wonder about their future, they studies that said perhaps sleep is a more. I will engage more. I will do

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.057 H27SEPT1 H7572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 more. But every day I will wake up and Ms. SINEMA. Thank you so much, if you weren’t currently enrolled? You commit more to get through that day Congressman MURPHY, and thank you are seeking help, you are in the middle to do something that is important and for partnering with me on this impor- of a crisis, and you have got to fill out meaningful. I don’t need to set up a tant effort this evening. a form. You have got to determine goal of 10 years from now, but let me Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague whether or not you meet the criteria. get through that day. Let me find some from New York, THOMAS SUOZZI, who I am an attorney and a certified pub- things I can do and focus. It is ex- serves on the Armed Services Com- lic accountant and a Member of the tremely important. mittee and has been a great addition to United States Congress. I read the re- But beyond that, beyond being a vic- our caucus this year. quirements, and I couldn’t figure them tim or a survivor, is a third stage, and Thank you for joining us. out. We need to make it much easier that is being a thriver, someone who Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I want to for anyone who has ever worn a uni- says: I am going to make sense out of start by thanking Congresswoman form in any capacity whatsoever: in what I have done, and it is going to SINEMA and Congressman MURPHY and battles that we won, in battles that we make me a stronger person. all of my Democratic and Republican lost, whether they were in combat or What I said here in the quote from colleagues for trying to bring attention whether they worked on a truck, Steve Goodier where he says, ‘‘What to this very important issue. whether they were Active Duty, wheth- hurt me in the past has actually made I also want to thank Secretary er they were Reserve, whether they me better equipped to face the Shulkin, who has announced his Get to were in the National Guard. Every vet- present,’’ if I am in a tough situation, Zero initiative to try and address this eran should have access to mental if I am in a situation where I, myself, problem of 20 veterans every day com- health services during a crisis. We have look at it and I have despair and I lack mitting suicide in our country. to make it much simpler. hope for my own future and I turn to- Just today, as on many days, I saw a We heard a story tonight from Con- wards someone, give me someone who veteran who had lost both of his legs. gressman JOHNSON, who talked about a has been there before. Give me a vet- It is common here in Washington, D.C., veteran who was trying to get an ap- eran. Give me a soldier who under- but it is common throughout every pointment to get mental health serv- stands boot camp and what is it like to city and every town throughout our ices in the midst of a crisis, and the be yelled at and lack sleep. Give me a country that we see more and more time was put off and put off and put veteran who has been on the battle- veterans who have injuries. After 16 off, and he finally got the appointment. field. Give me someone who has been years at war, there are more and more And the Congressman was informed out to sea and understands what it is veterans in our country who have been when he called the VA: Oh, we have like to be months without seeing your disabled. good news; the appointment has been family. Give me someone who has been With 20 veterans committing suicide scheduled. The Congressman advised there and says: I made it; so can you. every day, we know, however, that the VA that the veteran had already I want veterans to have that sort of there are many injuries that we cannot committed suicide. hope. We have our obligations in Con- see, injuries that veterans carry So we have got a couple obligations, gress: get more providers, make sure around by themselves at home, alone, I believe. Number one is for those vet- the VA is responsible. But since most in the dark of night, with nothing but erans who are currently utilizing VA people aren’t near a VA, we can do a their pain. services. We have to, as has been sug- lot to help them. As Congressman MURPHY pointed I hope that this Veterans Suicide gested by some of my colleagues, make out, 70 percent of the veterans of the 20 Recognition Month is something that sure we have the resources in place so per day that commit suicide in our Na- sometime in the future we can put be- that those veterans receive the services tion—70 percent, 14 of the 20—do not hind us and make it a thing of the past. that they need on a timely basis, espe- have access to veterans benefits at the We can do that if veterans themselves cially when they are in crisis, to make current time and do not utilize those make those decisions to get help, and if it as easy as possible for them to navi- services. we as the Congress make some deci- gate the bureaucracy and get the help In fact, in our Nation today, there sions to get them that help, and soci- that they need. are 21 million veterans, approximately, ety itself says: Stop having pity on Additionally, we need to make sure and of those 21 million veterans, only 7 them. Give them help out of affection that those veterans who are not cur- million have access to veterans bene- and love and respect. rently enrolled for veterans services And, by the way, that respect also in- fits. and veterans benefits are made eligible cludes a lot of people who play profes- I have introduced a bipartisan bill, for mental health services, certainly in sional sports, who have no idea what it H.R. 2736, to suggest that what we need crisis conditions, so that when some- is like to have someone shoot at you to do in our Nation is provide mental one reaches out to them, they are em- and try to kill you. Stand up. Have a health benefits to every single veteran braced with the loving arms of their backbone instead of a wishbone. A lot in our country, regardless of whether country, as manifest in the VA, and of veterans don’t really want to hear they were Active Duty, whether they they are brought in and cared for and that life is tough for you when you were in the National Guard or in the helped to navigate through that crisis make more money in 15 minutes than Reserves, whether they were honorably in their life. they will make in a lifetime. Show discharged or less than honorably dis- There will be talk about how much it some respect for those folks. charged. It is estimated that, since is going to cost. There will be a chal- And then as we as a society recognize 2009, there have been 22,000 veterans lenge as to whether or not we can af- what they have given to the last full with mental illnesses that have re- ford to take care of these men and measure, we will be able to provide the ceived other than honorable dis- women who have served our country kind of things they need and save some charges. Arguably, most of those dis- and are now facing this crisis in their lives. charges were because of the same men- life. Too many times I have gone to a tal illness that they now carry around But I would guarantee you that any ceremony. You fold a flag 13 times and with them today. American in this country would say hand it to a grieving widow or widower. Think of a veteran who is in crisis, a that we have to expend any cost for How much worse it is when they take veteran who is contemplating suicide, every veteran because there is no high- their own life, because the stigma a veteran who, as Congressman MUR- er obligation in this Nation than tak- among the family is there was nothing PHY described, is at the end of their ing care of the men and women who else you could do, and all of us feel rope and feels that there is no help and have worn our uniform, no greater obli- helpless when that happens. Let us the only way to escape their pain is to gation in this country. We can never make sure we are not part of that prob- commit suicide. Think of that veteran forget the vet. lem and, instead, we are part of the so- who reaches out for help at the VA. I want to thank Congresswoman lution to celebrate and help our vet- Could you imagine going through the SINEMA for inviting me here tonight to erans so these things don’t continue to bureaucracy to figure out whether or talk about my bipartisan bill, H.R. happen. not you were even eligible for services 2736, and for helping to bring attention

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.059 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7573 to this very serious crisis in our coun- It is critical to break this data up Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance try. based on gender because, tragically, re- of my time. Ms. SINEMA. Thank you so much, cent VA data indicates that women f Congressman SUOZZI, for your commit- veterans are 21⁄2 times more likely to PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS OF ment to taking care of veterans in our take their own lives than civilian community. women. Actually, that is a better sta- FORMER MEMBERS PROGRAM Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague tistic than last year, because last year Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania (dur- from California, Congresswoman JULIA it was 6 times more than civilian ing the Special Order of Ms. SINEMA). BROWNLEY. women. But the reason why that has Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent Congressman JULIA BROWNLEY has been reduced, tragically, is because the that the proceedings during the former served on the Veterans Committee for 5 number of suicides amongst civilian Members program be printed in the years now and is the ranking member women has increased. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD and that all on the Health Subcommittee for Vet- As the population of female veterans Members and former Members who erans. She has been doing a yeoman’s continues to grow, the VA needs to rec- spoke during the proceedings have the amount of work to help ensure that our ognize their unique experiences and privilege of revising and extending veterans get the care they need when provide the quality healthcare that their remarks. they return home. will address this suicide epidemic. It is The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Congresswoman, thank you for join- clear that women on the battlefield ex- DONOVAN). Is there objection to the re- ing us again. perience the same kind of trauma that quest of the gentleman from Pennsyl- Ms. BROWNLEY of California. I men experience on the battlefield, and vania? There was no objection. thank the gentlewoman from Arizona that may be a very similar experience, for yielding to me and for organizing but we know that women’s experience f this Special Order hour and bringing in the military serving our country can MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE attention to this very, very important be very, very different, and we need to A message from the Senate by Mrs. topic. understand how best to treat both Curtis, one of its clerks, announced Mr. Speaker, we are here today, both women and men. that the Senate has passed without Republicans and Democrats, because b 1945 amendment a bill of the House of the addressing this epidemic of veteran In closing, please let me remind vet- following title: suicide is the highest priority for Mem- erans and those who love them that the H.R. 3819. An act to amend title 38, United bers of both parties. VA operates a confidential call line States Code, to extend certain expiring pro- Congressman SUOZZI talked about the that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a visions of law administered by the Secretary fact that Dr. Shulkin, the VA Sec- of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. week. Please call. If veterans are lis- retary, has made this his top clinical tening tonight, please call and have the f priority; and by shining a clear light courage to, if you need that support, REQUISITES FOR IMPEACHMENT on this topic, I hope we can finally re- make that call your first step. And any duce the stigma around mental health The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under veteran and any family member can issues and be clear about the signifi- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- call. uary 3, 2017, the Chair recognizes the cant work that still needs to be done to That phone number is 1–800–273–8255, address this devastating epidemic. gentleman from Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) and then you press number 1. You can for 30 minutes. We need to do more because 20 vet- also send a text message at 838255. erans commit suicide each day, vet- Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- Please, please, if you are in need, er, I rise tonight to make one point. erans like Sara Leatherman and Linda please reach out and make this call. Raney and Katie Lynn Cesena. As Con- That one point is that a President need Please know that we are here for not be convicted of a criminal offense gressman Murphy already pointed out, you. We are fighting for you. Give us a it is also estimated that only 6 of those to be impeached; in fact, need not be chance to help you. charged with a criminal offense; need 20 veterans were receiving VA services. Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I thank not be charged with a statutory of- The VA provides some of the most Congresswoman BROWNLEY for her fense; need not be charged with a codi- comprehensive mental healthcare and dedication not just to this event every resources in the Nation, and we need to fied offense to be impeached. year, but to taking care of veterans at But before I make this point, Mr. encourage more veterans to seek care home and here in Washington. Speaker, I have to acknowledge that I that is available, and we must be ready I thank all of the colleagues from am always in awe of this well, and I for them. both parties who joined us this don’t take for granted this great oppor- We do need more providers, and I sup- evening. Our thoughts are with all the tunity that has been accorded me to port Congressman MURPHY and Con- families who have lost a loved one to stand in the well of the Congress of the gressman SCOTT and others who are ad- suicide. But our efforts to end vet- United States of America. I believe vocating for more providers within the erans’ suicide do not end today or even that those of us who have been so VA. this month. We are committed to con- blessed should acknowledge our bless- But, unfortunately, whether it is a tinuing this fight to ensure that our ings. This is a blessing. lack of providers, long wait times, or veterans always know that they have a Mr. Speaker, there are many people not enough resources devoted to out- place to turn. who don’t have this opportunity, so I reach, we face a serious issue with get- We can do more. We need a VA that am going to take one liberty before ting veterans set up with the care that provides real and meaningful help to going into my message. I just want they need. The VA took an important veterans in need; a VA that puts vet- people to know what I see as I stand step forward earlier this year by ex- erans first and works aggressively with here in the well of the Congress of the panding access to its mental community providers to improve the United States of America. healthcare for veterans with other quality and accessibility of care. We As I look forward, Mr. Speaker, I than honorable discharges. That was need a VA that is transparent and open would have those who have not had the the right thing to do and the right to restore the trust and credibility it opportunity to stand here to know that step, but much more must be done. has lost. The VA can and must do bet- there is above the doors at the second One important component of reduc- ter. No one deserves our gratitude and level a depiction of Moses the Law- ing veteran suicide is to better under- respect more than those who put their giver. stand which programs have been most lives on the line for our freedom. And I would have people know, Mr. successful. The Clay Hunt Act and my when the VA fails, our heroes suffer. Speaker, that behind me, of course, is bill, the Female Veteran Suicide Pre- We, who enjoy freedom every day, the flag of the United States of Amer- vention Act, required an independent thanks to the sacrifices of our military ica. analysis of the VA’s suicide prevention servicemen and -women, must all step And I would have persons know, Mr. and mental health programs to find out up to end the epidemic of veteran sui- Speaker, that we have these two podi- what works. cide. ums, and that, typically, Democrats

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.060 H27SEPT1 H7574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 will occupy this side and Republicans would be a political one, not a judicial not the intent. The intent was for the the other. We can go to either side. question. And in so doing, in con- Judiciary Committee in the Congress There is no requirement that I stand cluding that it would be a political one, of the United States of America to in- where I am standing. I can stand at they incorporated into the Constitu- vestigate. That is where the power to many other places in this room. tion Article II, section 4—Article II, investigate lies, because it is for im- But, Mr. Speaker, I want people to section 4 of the Constitution—that ad- peachment. know that this is a special place, and I dresses the question of impeachment. By outsourcing it to the executive am honored to have the opportunity to And in so doing, at some point after branch, such that the Justice Depart- stand here tonight and to speak to the the codification and ratification of the ment might perform dysfunction, we issue of a President not having the ne- Constitution, there was a person to be give the appearance that impeachment cessity of committing a crime to be impeached. The first person was a Fed- requires the commission of a crime, be- impeached. There is no requirement eral judge, Judge John Pickering. cause that is what the Justice Depart- that a crime be committed. There is no Judge Pickering was not accused of ment is looking for, criminality, not requirement that a statutory offense committing a crime. There was not an morality. The Justice Department be violated. allegation that he committed a crime. wants to know what crime was com- Let’s take, for a moment, a look If you read the Articles of Impeach- mitted, under what circumstances. through the vista of time. Let us go ment, you will find that Judge Pick- And too many people believe that if back to the Constitutional Convention, ering, once he was convicted, was con- the Justice Department does not find and let us hear now the words of victed, generally speaking, for having that a crime was committed, then George Mason. George Mason reminded loose morals and intemperate habits, there is no impeachable offense. Noth- his colleagues that no one should be not a crime. But the questions did deal ing could be further from the truth, above justice. His words were: ‘‘Shall with morality. Mr. Speaker. any man be above justice?’’ Shall any man be above justice? Regardless as to what a Justice De- These words were put before his col- Not above the law. The law codified. partment concludes, regardless as to leagues because, at the time, they were Justice carries with it a certain whether a good lawyer would bring considering what they could do to deal amount of morality. charges by way of something from with the possibility of a runaway Pres- Shall any man—and today I would what the Justice Department con- idency. What could they do? How could say ‘‘any person’’—be above justice? cludes, the Congress of the United they stop it? What would be the meth- Shall any person be above justice? States of America still has the power, odology by which a President could be The Framers of the Constitution con- the prowess, the potency, if you will, to extricated from his position? cluded that Article II, section 4 would impeach, notwithstanding any finding And they had good reason to give address it, and they, themselves—a of a Justice Department, notwith- consideration to this, Mr. Speaker. good many of them—were there when standing any conclusions of the Justice They had good reason because the the first person was impeached in 1804, Department, because it is not the re- President was probably the most pow- Judge John Pickering. sponsibility of the Justice Department erful person in the country. The Presi- So for those of you who are believers to investigate and then pass it on to dent would be the most powerful per- in the original intent, the best way to the Congress with some recommenda- son in the country. The President is ascertain the original intent of the tion. That is not their responsibility. the Commander in Chief of the mili- Framers would be to look at what the That is the Judiciary Committee and tary. The President has the awesome Framers did when they had the oppor- the Congress of the United States of power to pardon anyone, saving him- tunity. America. self. So, Mr. Speaker, we have given this What did Madison do? So the question becomes: How do you false impression that somehow there Madison, the father of the Constitu- remove a President from office? must be an offense committed. But, tion, it is said, and other Framers who This is what they had to grapple Mr. Speaker, I assure you that it is not were actually there when Article II, with. And, of course, they considered a the case, and the evidence is there for section 4 was put in place, found that judicial process. They considered per- those who care to read the article that Judge Pickering, who committed no sons who might be a part of a jury. I have called to your attention. It is a crime or no allegation of a crime being They considered these things. short read. The Federalist Papers, if you would committed, with reference to his im- Or if you care to read the Federalist care to read, will give you a rendition peachment, should be impeached be- Papers, Federalist Paper No. 65, you of what their thoughts were. Start with cause of moral reasons and an intem- can read some of the conclusions that Federalist Paper No. 65. perate habit or habits. Madison and others have presented. But they considered these things, and Mr. Speaker, I mention these things they concluded that the process should because it is important for us to under- b 2000 not be judicial. They concluded that if stand that we have made a mistake. We This is something that is important a President is to be removed from of- have made a mistake in that we have to this country. So I am standing here fice, it should be by persons who are in outsourced—this is from Gene Healy, in the well of the House tonight to the political arena. They concluded by the way—the responsibility of inves- make one point, a place that I am in that this should be something that tigating the acts of a President to the great awe of, a place that I consider sa- would be, in fact, political, not judi- executive branch itself. cred. I am standing here in the well of cial. They concluded that a President Think for just a moment, dear the House tonight to make the point need not commit a crime to be re- friends. The Justice Department is an that a President need not commit a moved from office. arm of the executive branch. We in crime, a statutory offense, to be im- I am emphasizing this, my dear Congress have outsourced the inves- peached. Impeachment belongs in one friends, because there is a lot of confu- tigation to the executive branch by and place, and one place only, and that is sion about this question. And if you through the Justice Department. right here where I stand now, in the would care to read something that Mr. Speaker, that can give the ap- House of Representatives. could summarize what I am saying, pearance of impropriety. We live in a If the House of Representatives, upon you might look at an article that was world where it is not enough for things receiving articles of impeachment, written by a person with the Cato In- to be right; they must also look right. should vote to impeach, that means stitute, Gene Healy, August 7, 2017, It could look to some like that out- that a President would be indicted. It styled ‘‘The Overcriminalization of Im- sourcing has created a circumstance by does not mean that the President—the peachment.’’ I would commend it to which the chief executive, the Presi- 218 votes, assuming all persons in the you. Please read it if you want to read dent, could influence the Attorney House are present. It doesn’t mean that a good summary of what impeachment General. That is the way it could look. the President is going to be removed is all about. But, Mr. Speaker, that is not what from office. So they had to grapple with this the intent is that we have in the Con- Impeachment does not mean removal question, and they concluded that it stitution, Article II, section 4. That is from office. Impeachment means that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.063 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7575 the President must now face a trial in fense—not, N-O-T, charged with a independent member of the Financial Sta- the Senate, to be presided over by the criminal offense. bility Oversight Council. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of I close with this. The Framers, very f the United States of America. That is much concerned about a runaway PROCEEDINGS OF FORMER what impeachment does. It moves it President, runaway Presidency, very MEMBERS PROGRAM along. much concerned about the awesome And, by the way, there is no require- amount of power that they were ac- The proceedings held before the ment that you assure anyone that you cording one person: the power to be House convened for legislative business can get the votes necessary to impeach commander of all of the Armed Forces; are as follows: to bring an impeachment before the the power to send persons into battle; UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF FORMER MEM- House. A privileged resolution to im- the power to send people, literally, in BERS OF CONGRESS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT TO peach does not necessitate your being harm’s way such that many might not CONGRESS able to prove before you present it that return; the power to impeach, nearly The meeting was called to order by you are going to prevail with it. That with impunity—not with absolute im- the Honorable Martin Frost, vice presi- is not the case. punity, but nearly with impunity. dent of the United States Association If you can think of it in terms of the There are some opportunities for the of Former Members of Congress, at 8 real world, while this is real—we say President to provide a person not with a.m. that term loosely, I assure you. If you impeachment, but with exoneration for PRAYER think in terms of the world beyond a crime, and that President could be The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick these walls where a person might be in- impeached for the way that exonera- J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: dicted, in this country, every day, peo- tion took place, depending on the rela- Lord God of history, we thank You ple are indicted who are not convicted. tionship that the person had with the for this day when former Members re- So impeachment is not tantamount to President. turn to Congress to continue in a less conviction. Impeachment merely But the point is impeachment is official manner their service to our Na- means that there is reason now for the there because it is an awesome power tion and to this noble institution. Senate to take up this cause. that we have given the President; and May their presence here bring a mo- The Senate, upon taking up the because we have given the President ment of pause where current Members cause, can find the President not guilty this awesome power, it is important consider the profiles they now form for or guilty. If the President is found that we have a check on the President future generations of Americans. guilty, the President is removed from that does not require the commission May all former Members be rewarded office. There is no other punishment. of a crime. for their contributions to this constitu- The President is removed from office. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the gen- tional Republic and continue to work After the President is removed from of- erosity of this Special Order. I thank and pray that the goodness and justice fice, if the Justice Department or some the leadership as much, and I yield of this beloved country be proclaimed other agency, some other arm of the back the balance of my time. to the nations. government concludes that the Presi- Bless all former Members who have dent has committed a criminal offense, f died since last year’s meeting, 33 in all. then a President would be prosecuted. SENATE BILLS REFERRED Now, there is some debate amongst May their families and their constitu- Bills of the Senate of the following ents be comforted during a time of some constitutional scholars as to titles were taken from the Speaker’s whether or not a President can be pros- mourning and forever know our grati- table and, under the rule, referred as tude for the sacrifices made in service ecuted while the President still holds follows: office. I think most of them would to the House. S. 870. An act to amend title XVIII of the agree that it would happen after the Finally, bless those here gathered Social Security Act to implement Medicare that they might bring joy and hope to President leaves office, but that is a payment policies designed to improve man- debate that I don’t care to enter. the present age and supportive com- agement of chronic disease, streamline care panionship to one another. Together, My point is the President would be coordination, and improve quality outcomes removed from office. Now, that is im- without adding to the deficit; to the Com- we call upon Your Holy Name now and portant to consider because removal mittee on Ways and Means; in addition, to forever. from office is not punishment. Crimi- the Committee on Energy and Commerce for Amen. nal acts have punishment upon convic- a period to be subsequently determined by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE tion. The President is not punished. the Speaker, in each case for consideration The Honorable Martin Frost led the of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Pledge of Allegiance as follows: The President is removed from office. tion of the committee concerned. That is not considered punishment. S. 1028. An act to provide for the establish- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the The President does not face punishment and maintenance of a Family United States of America, and to the Repub- ment upon being convicted of impeach- Caregiving Strategy, and for other purposes; lic for which it stands, one nation under God, ment. The President is removed from to the Committee on Education and the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. office. Workforce. Mr. FROST. The Chair now recog- Now, that, in and of itself, is not f nizes the president of the United States something that I believe we should Association of Former Members of take lightly. I think it is serious, but it SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Congress, the Honorable Cliff Stearns is not tantamount to punishment. The Speaker announced his signature from Florida, to address the Members. For those of you who may just be to an enrolled bill of the Senate of the Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker and Fa- joining us for this statement that I am following title: ther, thank you for those very welcome making tonight, I have taken this posi- S. 810. An act to facilitate construction of comments. I think all of us, when we tion tonight in the well of the Congress a bridge on certain property in Christian come on the House floor, we feel keenly of the United States of America for one County, Missouri, and for other purposes. the fact of this beloved country and reason: to make the point that a Presi- f how much we respect our positions as dent need not be charged with a crimi- former Members of Congress. nal offense to face impeachment in the BILL PRESENTED TO THE Thank you, Martin. It is always a Congress of the United States of Amer- PRESIDENT distinct privilege to be back in this re- ica. The Constitution doesn’t require Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, vered Chamber and to see so many of it. The Framers did not make that an reported that on September 26, 2017, my good friends and former colleagues issue when they impeached the first she presented to the President of the here. On behalf of the United States person, Judge Pickering, and it is not United States, for his approval, the fol- Association of Former Members of an issue to the extent that most of the lowing bill: Congress, I appreciate the Speaker’s in- people who have been impeached have H.R. 3110. To amend the Financial Sta- vitation to return to this wonderful not been charged with a criminal of- bility Act of 2010 to modify the term of the place and to present to the Congress

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.065 H27SEPT1 H7576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 Former Members of Congress’ 47th an- clude such outstanding organizations familiar with. This is a sign of the nual report. as the USO and the Boy and Girl Former Members of Congress’ stability I will be joined by some of our col- Scouts of America. Former Members of and purpose. We are extremely proud of leagues in reporting on the activities, Congress, therefore, is in very exclu- our 50-year history of creating lasting finances, and projects of our organiza- sive and prestigious company, and we and impactful programs that teach tion since our last report a little over take the mandate that comes with about Congress and representative gov- a year ago. But first I would like to ask being congressionally chartered very ernment, and our ability to take long- the Clerk to call the roll. seriously. standing projects and expand them and The Clerk called the roll and the fol- Our Association was founded in 1970 improve upon them. lowing former Members answered and chartered by Congress in 1983. It is In addition to hearing about pro- ‘‘present’’: a bipartisan, nonprofit, voluntary alli- grams we have conducted for many Mr. Alexander of Arkansas ance of former United States Senators years, you will hear from us about a Mr. Baird of Washington and Members of Congress standing for new vision we have for this organiza- Ms. Christensen of the Virgin Islands America’s constitutional system, tion. For over a year now, our Associa- Mr. Coyne of Pennsylvania which vests authority in the people tion has engaged in a very detailed, in- Mr. DioGuardi of New York through their elected offices. depth strategic planning process which Mr. Edwards of Texas We work together to strengthen Con- has set us off for a very exciting path. Mr. Frost of Texas gress in the conduct of its constitu- This process was led by a strategic Mr. Gerlach of Pennsylvania tional responsibility through pro- planning professional who has worked Mr. Glickman of Kansas moting a collaborative approach to in this field for decades, has written ex- Mr. Hertel of Michigan policymaking. We seek to deepen the tensively on management and organi- Mr. Hochbrueckner of New York understanding of our democratic sys- zational success, and has served cli- Mr. Horsford of Nevada tem, domestically and internationally, ents, including many Fortune 100 com- Mr. Konnyu of California and to encourage the citizenry through panies. His name is Mark Sobol, and he Mr. Lancaster of North Carolina civic education about Congress and the made the service of his company, Mr. Lungren of California importance of public service. Longwave Partners, available to us pro Mr. Maffei of New York We are successful because Democrats bono, because he so strongly believes in Ms. Morella of Maryland and Republicans work together in a our former Members organization, that Mr. Rahall of West Virginia partnership for all of our programs and it can play an integral and impactful Mr. Roth of Wisconsin our many projects, including participa- role in reconnecting citizens with their Mr. Sarasin of Connecticut tion with current Members of Congress. government, and also showcasing that Mr. Sarpalius of Texas We are so proud to have been char- public servants, no matter what the Mr. Skaggs of Colorado tered by Congress, and we are equally party label is, are eager to work to- Mr. Slattery of Kansas proud that absolutely no taxpayer dol- gether for the good of this country. Mr. Stearns of Florida lar is earmarked or expended to make Our work with Mark and Longwave Mr. Tanner of Tennessee all of our programs possible. Every- included our board of directors, count- Mr. Turner of Texas thing we do, and you will hear about less former Members of Congress, our Mr. Walsh of New York many of our activities in a short while, excellent staff, and numerous other Mr. Weller of Illinois is financed via grants and sponsors, our stakeholders. It resulted in a vision for Mr. Zeliff of New Hampshire membership dues, and our annual fund- Former Members of Congress that out- lines the next 3 to 5 years and has, as Mr. FROST. The Chair announces raising gala. Our finances are sound, its core, four strategic principles: We that 29 former Members of Congress our projects are fully funded, and our will provide forums for dialogue that have responded to their names. most recent annual audit by an outside will strengthen bipartisan relation- Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Frost, thank you accountant confirmed that we are run- ships here on Capitol Hill; we will be- very much, and I would also indicate ning the Former Members of Congress come recognized nationwide as an un- the former members of the European in a very fiscally sound, responsible, paralleled resource for the United Union are all accounted for and present and transparent manner. here, and we welcome all of them here We are successful because former States Congress; we will be a champion especially. Senators and Representatives come to- for public service and an advocate on I want to thank all of you for joining gether, across party lines, for the good behalf of Congress; and we will create us today. As I prepare for today’s re- of our organization. They all believe in internal mechanisms for maximum import, I want to give you a little quote our mission, and they continue to have pact. Sincerely, I want to thank Mark for from Aristotle that goes back 2,500 the public servant’s spirit at heart. years. He was asked: What would be Former Members of Congress, in 2016, his invaluable leadership on this tran- the best form of life one could live? He donated over 6,500 hours of energy, wis- sitional, transformative undertaking, replied that ‘‘the best form of life, the dom, mentoring, and expertise. All of and I also want to thank my colleagues Eudaimonia outcome, given all that, these activities were donated pro bono. for being so engaged in this exciting would be the life of the good lawgiver.’’ No former Member received any kind progress. I include the Former Members of He didn’t mention the richest person, of honorarium to go on a Congress to Congress’ strategic plan for the nor the most spiritual man, but the Campus visit or participate in any RECORD. legislator. For all of us, service in this Former Members of Congress’ pro- THE UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF FORMER remarkable building was the pinnacle grams. Your only remuneration is the MEMBERS OF CONGRESS of our professional lives, and I am very knowledge that you are giving back, (Cliff Stearns, President; Martin Frost, Vice proud that through the Former Mem- that serving in Congress was a unique President; Tim Petri, Secretary; Karen bers of Congress we can continue, in a privilege, and that it comes with a Thurman, Treasurer; Barbara Kennelly, very small measure, the public service mandate to teach the next generation. Past President) that brought us here to Congress in the Before I report on specific activities, INTRODUCTION first place. as your Association’s president, I want We are engaged in a strategic planning My colleagues, our Association was to thank all the Members who have process to deepen the impact and shape of chartered by Congress, and one require- contributed their time and expertise to the future of the US Association of Former ment of that congressional charter is make our organization such a success. Members of Congress—FMC. We continue to for us to report once a year to Congress So on behalf of the Former Members of believe that the current political climate about our activities. Congress, thank you wholeheartedly and dysfunction is preventing Congress from Incidentally, in 2016, there were ap- functioning at its highest possible level. This for your participation. condition has compelled FMC, a Congres- proximately 1.8 million not-for-profit Many of you have joined us for sev- sionally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit, to re- organizations in the United States. Of eral years on this occasion. There will evaluate its mission and identify those op- that number, right around 100 are con- be numerous programs and projects portunities that will deepen the positive congressionally chartered, and those in- which, by now, you have become quite tribution we are making toward a more civil

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.066 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7577 and productive political discourse in our na- 4) Expand Congress to Campus model to 2) Train and deploy FMC board and senior tion. other constituencies by marketing events staff to be issue experts and a resource for With the input of a bipartisan group of better, incorporating social media and mod- national, regional, and local media, while more than twenty former Members over the ern technology such as an updated website, also telling FMC’s compelling story. summer, as well as staff and ‘‘friends of and using modern technology to keep con- CORE STRATEGY 3: BE A CHAMPION FOR PUBLIC FMC’’, we convened meetings in the fall of stituencies involved. SERVICE THAT IS BASED ON RESPECT AND COL- 2016 and early January 2017 to create a mis- 5) Make more concerted effort to have LABORATION sion and strategic themes for FMC that Statesmanship Awards Dinner celebrate true Purpose: Celebrate bipartisanship that is would serve us and our country well into the bipartisanship and build coherent year-round the unifying driving force behind FMC’s suc- future. Since that time, we have assembled programming around event theme. cess; provide opportunities for an expanded staff to build the comprehensive strategic 6) Increase public service element of an- number of former Senators and Representa- plan we will deploy this year and beyond. nual and regional meetings by incorporating tives to continue their service to country via Ahead, are the results-to-date of our col- FMC programming and telling FMC’s story FMC programs; demonstrate the power of ci- lective efforts. to our own membership in a more compelling vility. MISSION STATEMENT and cohesive way, which will also aid in re- Specific Actions: FMC is a bipartisan, nonprofit, voluntary cruiting FMCs to be more active. A. Involvement. Create a call-to-action on alliance of former Unites States Senators 7) Expand programming impact and ability a national and regional basis to expand the and Representatives, standing for America’s to keep constituents involved following a present number of actively involved former Constitutional system, which vests author- program by building a cohesive schedule of Members, and create a pool of engaged Mem- ity in the people through their elected rep- events so that participants from one event bers in all regions of the country. resentatives. can continue their interaction with former 1) Focus on civic education to create a FMC: Working to strengthen the Congress Members via a follow up event, for example call-to-action that is regional and happens at in the conduct of its Constitutional responsi- a Congress to Campus visit is followed up by the state level; raise Members’ engagement bility through promoting a collaborative ap- a webinar. in FMC by giving them a real issue with real proach to policy making. 8) Find ways to incorporate technology action items and real deliverables that can FMC: Seeking to deepen the understanding into every aspect of FMC events, from mar- be applied across the country. of our democratic system, domestically and keting to registration, from tweets during 2) Organize regional meetings to gather internationally, and to encourage the citi- event to creating platforms for follow up. former Members who are no longer in DC, en- zenry through civic education about Con- B. Regional Outreach. Develop a com- gage them in FMC as an organization, edu- gress and public service. prehensive plan for regional outreach to cate them on FMC projects, issue call-to-ac- reach new constituencies. tion on civic education, and use these rela- THE 9 STRATEGIC THEMES DEVELOPED BY BOARD 1) Increase regional outreach based on tionships to build a more actively involved OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR STAFF AND OTHER FMC’s themes, for example bipartisanship or membership in all regions of the country. STAKEHOLDERS civics, and involve local media. 3) Give broader group of engaged stake- 1) Embrace the whole ‘‘Congressional Fam- 2) Incorporate as many FMC constituencies holders an opportunity to benefit the organi- ily’’ as possible into a regional program, for ex- zation by expanding notion of ‘‘Congres- 2) Collaborative Partnerships ample by combining a Congress to Campus sional Family’’ to also include current Mem- 3) Community Outreach and Programming visit with a Congressional staff delegation, bers, current senior staff, former senior staff, 4) Showcase Good Governance all involving local former Members. etc. via partnerships and collaborative ef- 5) Build our Brand C. Social Fabric. Broaden and enhance so- forts across the country. 6) Elevate and Enhance Media Presence cial activities to create relationships B. Recruitment. Expand the number of 7) Working Together for Congressional 1) Identify and create new forums by build- former Members of Congress, both in the Success ing collaborations and partnerships. Washington, DC area and in all other parts 8) Celebrate Bipartisanship 2) Enhance FMC presence by creating of the country, who actively participate in 9) Build Bipartisan Relationships unique and inclusive events on Capitol Hill the call-to-action through FMC program- THE 4 CORE STRATEGIES DEVELOPED BY STAFF and at non-Congressional venues. ming and are willing to donate their time, TO TRANSLATE FMC’S MISSION INTO ACTION 3) Bring together the different members of expertise, leadership and funding to FMC. 1) Provide forums for dialogue that build the ‘‘Congressional Family’’: former Mem- 1) Increase the degree of former Senator and strengthen relationships in support of a bers, current Members, Congressional staff, participation and active engagement. 2) Make recruitment a core element of all healthy representative democracy. FMC partners, etc. regional meetings as well as the DC-based 2) Elevate and streamline our brand so CORE STRATEGY 2: ELEVATE AND STREAMLINE annual meeting, utilizing these gatherings to that our accumulated wisdom and convening OUR BRAND SO THAT OUR ACCUMULATED WIS- focus much more on FMC’s programming and power is recognized as a reputable and un- DOM AND CONVENING POWER IS RECOGNIZED paralleled resource on the U.S. Congress. the need for membership support. AS A REPUTABLE AND UNPARALLELED RE- 3) Showcase success by highlighting the 3) Be a champion for public service that is SOURCE ON THE U.S. CONGRESS impact specific former Members have made based on respect and collaboration. Purpose: Vastly expand our reach and our by participating actively in FMC program- 4) Develop FMC for maximum impact and impact; be an advocate on behalf of the Con- ming. efficiency. gress and on behalf of the value of public 4) Create regional hubs across the country CORE STRATEGY 1: PROVIDE FORUMS FOR DIA- service; unify our leadership, membership where fully engaged FMC members can take LOGUE THAT BUILD AND STRENGTHEN RELA- and staff behind FMC’s core message. a leadership role to recruit former colleagues TIONSHIPS IN SUPPORT OF A HEALTHY REP- Specific Actions: in the area. RESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY A. Brand Identity. Unify and elevate FMC CORE STRATEGY 4: DEVELOP FMC FOR MAXIMUM Purpose: Strengthen and expand existing brand and marketing materials, both inter- IMPACT AND EFFICIENCY programs that build across-the-aisle rela- nal and external. Purpose: Streamline all of FMC’s re- tionships for current Members of Congress as 1) Decide whether ‘‘FMC’’ accurately de- sources—staff, funding, leadership—for well as Congressional staff; showcase good scribes the work of FMC. greater impact; modernize programs and governance that is based upon bipartisanship 2) Create consistent, unified visual brand processes to capitalize on new technology, and civility; reconnect citizens with their for all FMC artwork, logos, letterhead, etc. thus expanding our impact, but expending representative democracy by bringing Con- 3) Create unified message and train every- fewer of FMC’s limited resources. gress back into the community. one, including board and staff, to commu- Specific Actions: Specific Actions: nicate the same points about FMC. A. Short-term resources. Refine our notion A. Programming. Redefine programming 4) Develop cohesive schedule of events with of where we spend our time and money in the portfolios to fall into easily recognizable same themes across programming. short-term: categories, for example group all exchange B. Website. Have a more modern, dynamic 1) Develop a strategy specific to Congress programs, group all Capitol Hill programs, and interactive site that better tells our to Campus visits that envisions an increased group all non-DC programs rather than cur- story and is a more effective tool for staff. number of visits, a Steering Committee com- rent labels. 1) Redesign current site. posed of FMC board members, and additional 1) Build partnerships with like-minded or- 2) Drive social media traffic to website and funding via a corporate or foundation spon- ganizations that offer programs which align vice versa. sor. with FMC’s mission. 3) Make better use of partners and like- 2) Decline participating in projects by out- 2) Identify vital themes and streamline minded entities to expand outreach via so- side organizations if project does not meet programming into consistent and recogniz- cial media and advertise FMC capabilities the following test: Does the project further able groups and develop cohesive schedule of and programming. FMC’s mission? If no, decline. If yes, will we events C. Media. Build relationships with the be compensated for FMC staff time and any 3) Streamline staff responsibilities and media. other costs? portfolios to group programs in a more co- 1) When appropriate, invite media to FMC a. If yes, proceed only if staff time is avail- herent way. events. able.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.036 H27SEPT1 H7578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 b. If no, is the project’s purpose or poten- G. Offer additional programming in DC to issues and benefit from hearing each tial for future FMC impact worth expending build across-the-aisle relationships for cur- other’s best practices. our own resources? If no, decline. rent Members and senior Congressional staff. As you know quite well, district di- 3) Communicate to outside groups that H. Purchase hardware and software to rectors are at the very forefront of our there is limited opportunity for short notice make much better use of technology, for ex- and ad hoc programming (it will emerge ample to offer webinars, webcasts and representative democracy and tend to clearly after a 12 to 18-month calendar of podcasts; this could be an option for aca- be the first interaction between a con- events is created which time windows lend demic institutions (colleges, community col- stituent and his or her Member. The themselves for additional programming, and leges, high schools) to participate in a con- district director functions as a medi- which do not). densed Congress to Campus experience with- ator, bridging the gap between the na- 4) Streamline program implementation out the cost of travel or an administrative tional policy and the district’s inter- procedures and create templates to elimi- fee. est. But the very nature of being in the nate redundancies across the organization. CROSSCUTTING THEMES FOR STRATEGY district means that the congressional B. Long-term resources. Refine our notion IMPLEMENTATION of where we spend our time and money in the professionals do not have the same op- long-term: Communicate cohesive message. portunity their colleagues in D.C. have: 1) Examine benefit of hosting charitable A. Develop across-the-organization look. to get to know their counterparts in golf tournament. B. Train staff and board to communicate other offices, to work collaboratively unified message. 2) Examine benefit of hosting Life After on issues of common concern, and to Congress Seminar. Create a stronger media presence by rede- signing website and social media strategy. build a network of contacts among 3) Eliminate current model of Congress their peers. Bundestag Seminar. A. Take advantage of technology to tell C. Organize. Create more effective and co- more compelling and interactive story. Thanks to expanding on existing hesive procedures: B. Use technology to engage membership grants and winning new foundation 1) Group programming into themes. and program participants before, during and support, we have conducted a number 2) Streamline staff portfolios. after an FMC event. of district director specific staff dele- 3) Elevate impact of board of directors. C. Make use of the SKDKnickerbocker op- gation trips and now have brought to- 4) Expand notion of ‘‘Congressional Fam- portunity. gether, under one umbrella, dozens of ily’’ and outside stakeholders. Develop cohesion across the organization. 5) Develop long-range calendar to imple- A. Sync programs into cohesive themes. district directors from all parts of the ment cohesive message and common themes. B. Sync long-range calendar of events. country and, of course, on both sides of D. Review and Evaluate. Install an annual C. Redefine staff portfolios. the political aisle. District director review process to evaluate implementation D. Redefine deliverables and expectations study tours provide an exciting oppor- of this plan and whether the plan’s objec- of board of directors. tunity to build bipartisan relation- tives continue to be core strategies for FMC. Build partnerships and opportunities for ships, share best practices, and, with PLAN COMMENTARY collaboration. A. Expand successful programs to new the international travel, build trans- With current staffing and budget levels, we venues. atlantic relationships. can: B. Expand internal definition of ‘‘Congres- In March, a bipartisan group of 10 A. Develop an across-the-organization uni- sional Family’’ and FMC stakeholders. district directors from around the fied visual brand to incorporate logo/look/ C. Build FMC footprint that goes beyond country traveled to Stuttgart, Ger- marketing materials. B. Via SKDKnickerbocker contract: DC. many, to study security issues, dual 1) Develop consistent branding message. D. Serve partners by offering FMC as a re- vocational education and apprentice- 2) Train board members and staff to com- source, and take advantage of partners to ships, trade, and foreign investments. municate consistent message and deploy utilize their projects to further FMC’s mis- In April, a bipartisan group of six dis- trained spokespersons to interact with local sion. Elevate FMC from a DC organization to a trict directors traveled to Houston to and national media outlets. learn about the energy industry and 3) Develop social media strategy. national organization. With additional funding, we can: A. Recruit former Members from all parts workforce development. A. Redesign website. of the country to support the organization’s In June, a bipartisan group of six dis- B. Hire senior staff member as Director of mission and diverse range of programs. trict directors went to Boston and fo- Development to free other staff up for pro- B. Bring broad range of FMC programming cused on the tech industry and edu- gram creation and implementation instead together for a regional project. cation. of fundraising. C. Empower regional stakeholders—former This October, another bipartisan C. Develop recruitment strategy to incor- Members, local media, local Congressional group of six district directors will be porate regional outreach, DC-based former staff, etc.—to take advantage of FMC as a re- going to Iceland to focus on alternative Member outreach, and marketing materials. source. D. Develop new programs that are mission- energy, the environment, and natural Mr. STEARNS. Already, this work resources. specific, incorporate multiple themes we aim has had a tremendously positive im- to address during a given year, can serve as After all these trips, we can confirm a recruitment tool to bring additional pact on us. I am extremely pleased to that district directors greatly appre- former Members into the fold, and take ad- announce that, since our last meeting, ciated and found immense value in the vantage of the resources like-minded organi- as a direct result of our strategic plan, opportunity to not only learn about zations offer via partnerships and collabora- we have secured three new grants: the the organized topic but to share the ex- tion; new projects could include: Democracy Fund; the Hewlett-Packard perience with other district directors, 1) Case studies of legislation that showcase Foundation’s Madison Initiative; and particularly from the other side of the across-the-aisle collaboration and resulted in just last week, the Japan-U.S. Friend- high positive impact for the nation. aisle. 2) A national theme—civic education—that ship Commission. These outstanding One statement heard again and again, ‘‘I can be implemented regionally, thus cre- sponsors join our long-term partners have that same issue, what did you do about ating a call-to-action and a common project with whom we have worked for many it?’’ These district directors through FMC have for former Members and other stakeholders years, including the Stennis Center for a chance to really bond, regardless of what across the nation. Public Service Leadership, the party, where in the country they are from or 3) Programming focused on advocating on Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, and what the demographics of their constituency behalf of Congress and current Members, for The German Marshall Fund of the is. example highlighting the need for Congres- United States. sional Reform or shining a spotlight on the For 2018, we already have confirmed tremendous fundraising demands put on cur- In addition to this fundraising suc- another district director trip to Ger- rent Members. cess, or more accurately because of it, many and to Japan. We also plan for 4) Social events and travel for current we have added four additional staff other activities to engage district di- Members and senior Congressional staff to members to the Former Members of rectors, including possibly two more build bipartisan relationships. Congress team, many of whom you will domestic trips and invitations to all E. Hire junior staff member to assist with meet throughout the day. Former Members of Congress regional additional programming as well as support We have also launched a new pro- senior staff that service the needs of part- meetings. ners and collaborative projects. gram aimed at connecting, on a bipar- Regional meetings are another out- F. Organize regional activities to recruit tisan basis, current district directors growth of our strategic plan. One clear FMCs and to broaden the organization’s na- from throughout the country with each refrain of the strategic planning ses- tional footprint/impact. other to work together on specific sions that we had that resonated loud

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.038 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7579 and clear was that we need to get out- gressional Study Groups and trans- Houghton and Lee Hamilton. My great side of Washington more. If we are lating it for the first time to a domes- thanks to you, the Executive Com- going to be supportive of Congress, we tic issue: the Congressional Study mittee, and the board of directors. need to make sure we are not a voice Group on Civics. I am here to talk a little bit about just heard in D.C. Our vision is to bring together, under the Congress to Campus program that Former Members live outside of our umbrella, the bipartisan congres- Cliff has already alluded to. It is our Washington. Current Members are sional family—Republicans and Demo- most impactful and important domes- spending much more time in their dis- crats; former Members and current tic program, and I am glad to report on tricts. It is, therefore, critical that we Members; chiefs of staff currently it and also to add some thoughts about participate more outside of D.C. and working on the Hill and some who left the state of civic education across with the congressional staff that is the Hill and are now in communities America. outside. all over the country; and our newest What a year Congress to Campus has Since our last report to Congress, we constituency, district directors for cur- had during 2016 and 2017. Under this already have hosted three regional rent Members—all of us working to- program, bipartisan pairs of former meetings, with a fourth one planned for gether under the umbrella of the Con- Members visit college campuses for later this year. These meetings are a gressional Study Group on Civics to several days to speak to students from day long and not only provide an op- promote civic education and make a all disciplines in a variety of settings, portunity for former Members to come better understanding of our representa- large and small. together, but we also provide them an tive democracy and a much greater We have three goals: to promote pub- opportunity to share their knowledge knowledge base when it comes to Con- lic service in the next generation of and expertise with the younger genera- gress and the work of Members of Con- Americans, to teach about Congress tion by building into our program out- gress. This new undertaking is in the and the work of a Member of Congress reach to a college campus, or a high very beginning stages, and I look for- in ways that political science doesn’t school, for example. ward to reporting to you next year on often capture, and to engage students We were in Los Angeles late last year our progress. in a discussion about the issues of the and included a meeting with UCLA stu- One goal of this civic outreach is to day. dents. In April, we went to Chicago, remove the stigma that now is at- The format demonstrates that a Re- where a group of former Members held tached to the word ‘‘politician.’’ John publican and a Democrat can have dif- a panel for Northwestern students. In Buchan had a quote. He was an English ferent points of view and opinions but July, we visited Boston, where a group scholar; he wrote 42 books; he had nu- still have a respectful debate looking of former Members and a visiting dele- merous publications; he was elected to for common ground and a path forward. gation of district directors met with parliament in England at the beginning Last fall, during the election season, interns in the Massachusetts State of the 20th century; and he was ap- the Former Members of Congress sent House. pointed Governor General of the As- teams to 16 campuses. We had an addi- We have a regional meeting in Orlando on sembly in Canada by the King. tional 14 visits during the spring term. the schedule for November 7th and have ar- This is what he said: ‘‘Public life is It was the busiest academic year in the ranged for a mini Congress to Campus visit to regarded as the crown of a career, and 35-year history of the program. the University of Central Florida. In addition to to young men and women, it is the Former Members visited all over the bringing together former Members from the re- worthiest of ambitions. Politics is still U.S., from the University of Maine to gion, we extend invitations to State Represent- the greatest and most honorable adven- Alcorn State in Mississippi and from atives, district directors, local academics, and ture.’’ the Naval Academy to Arizona State. others in the congressional family. If our civic education outreach can There were also four international Con- We plan to crisscross the country reintroduce this appreciation of public gress to Campus visits. with regional meetings so that we can service in this next generation, then we Students come away with a better both engage our membership and meet will have succeeded. understanding of how Congress works their needs, as well as expand our mis- Civic education and this commit- and what the life of a Member of Con- sion to deepen the understanding of our ment to reaching out to students gress is like. Sixty percent of the stu- democratic process and to engage the across the country are just two of the dents report that their opinion of Con- citizenry through civic education reasons we will honor our colleague gress improves after hearing from a bi- about Congress and public service. David Skaggs later today. I hope you partisan pair of former Members. Our last new development should be all will join us during our luncheon in After hearing from such a visit, one highlighted: we are issuing to our David’s honor as we recognize his ex- student observed that Republicans and Members a call to action on the cru- emplary service to this country with Democrats aren’t completely at odds cially important aspect of civic edu- our 2017 Distinguished Service Award. and that they can work together. That cation. We have formed a partnership As many of you know, David was an is certainly very different than the way with the Lou Frey Institute at the Uni- officer in the Marine Corps in Vietnam the media portrays things. Another versity of Central Florida. As you are before seeking public office. He served student came away with a sense of how surely aware, civic education has been in the Colorado State Legislature and, important it was to be involved in pub- one of the most important issues our of course, here in the House of Rep- lic service. dear friend Lou Frey has worked on resentatives for six terms. He now In 2016, over 50 Members gave their since leaving Congress, and his insti- serves with Martin Frost and Vin time to speak to almost 7,000 students, tute has become a leading voice on this Weber on the board of the National En- not just at colleges in the Congress to topic in my home State of Florida. In- dowment for Democracy. He and his Campus program, but also students in cluded in this partnership is the Civic lovely wife, Laura, will be with us dur- high school and middle school. I want Mission of Schools, which works hand ing lunch today. to thank my colleagues on behalf of in hand with the civic education initia- Before I yield to David to report on the Association for their participation tive of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. our Congress to Campus and Civics in these many visits. We envision an extremely active role projects, I hope all of you will join me Special thanks to the Former Mem- for former Members to play at the in a round of applause for our 2017 Dis- bers of Congress staff, particularly State level to be an advocate for civic tinguished Service honoree, David Sharon Witiw, who is here in the education. Florida, of course, is a great Skaggs. Chamber, for nurturing this important example on how civics can be restored Mr. SKAGGS. Cliff, thank you very, program, for getting on us to partici- if there is a bipartisan consensus and very much for your very kind words. I pate and expanding it in partnership commitment to make it happen. am honored to receive this award. It is with our friends at the Stennis Center. In addition to this partnership, I am especially important because it comes We have come a long way since the proud to share with you that we are in from my peers, and I am humbled, years when a busy Congress to Campus the process of taking our highly suc- given that prior recipients of this year consisted of two or three visits cessful model of the international Con- award included such giants as Amo per semester.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.069 H27SEPT1 H7580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 For these college audiences, we don’t Sarpalius, Tom Coleman, Karen Thur- pass here, just like when you were talk about how a bill becomes law but, man, Steve Horsford, and Mickey here, are bipartisan. Now, clearly, we rather, examine issues deeply and look Edwards join me on that committee. are going to have partisanship; clearly, into the politics of today’s Congress. We will convene soon to discuss what we are going to have different view- The program is civic education in prac- former and current Members can do to- points and passion. But at the end of tice. gether to make a difference and to the day, the system is strong; the sys- I also need to report that more and issue a call to arms to our membership. tem is going to work; the institutions more, during these visits, we encounter Consider yourselves forewarned. I am are here; and the separation of powers a lack of civic literacy, a lack of basic looking at you, Dan Glickman. is as valid and as potent as it ever was understanding of our Constitution and By exemplifying bipartisanship and before. the structure and practice of American taking advantage of the networks we I would just say: Welcome. It is great representative democracy. It seems to still have, former Members can make a to see all these familiar faces. You be getting more pronounced every tremendous contribution to addressing look a whole lot happier than you prob- year. the core need of American democracy: ably did when you were here. Whenever Our Association shares with many preparing our young people for active I see Members of Congress after they others across the country a growing citizenship. I look forward to reporting have left, they look like they have de- concern about the current state of to you again next year on our progress. aged like 5 or 10 years, and I think that civic knowledge and skill. Just last More importantly, we need to engage goes for a lot of you. week, the Annenberg Center at the all of you in this effort. Our people’s I would say this: Help us be ambas- University of Pennsylvania found in its lack of understanding of our own sys- sadors for this institution, for this survey that only a quarter of Ameri- tem of government has become perva- branch of government, to revive sort of cans can name all three branches of sive, and it threatens the Republic. It civil respect for what we do here. I government and more than a third explains much of what ails us politi- think we could all use a little bit of can’t name any of the rights protected cally. that, and it is just really nice to see by the First Amendment. Cliff, thank you very much for your you. Lack of this sort of basic civic leadership of the Association and for God bless you. knowledge and skills probably has a re- the opportunity to give this report. Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, thank you lationship to the current level of dis- Mr. FROST. Cliff, if we could sus- for taking time out of your busy sched- trust in government and officeholders. pend. ule. I know that you do have a few This has led the Association to look for The Chair recognizes the distin- things to look after these days, and possible solutions. guished Speaker of the House, the gen- thank you for being here and recog- Building on the civic ed admission of tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. RYAN). nizing the significance of this organiza- our Congress to Campus program, the Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. I have never tion. Association now intends to play a larg- spoken on this mike before, so I am Mr. Stearns. er role in addressing civic illiteracy by going to give it a try. This is literally Mr. STEARNS. Thank you, Mr. reaching younger audiences in middle the first time I have spoken from this Speaker, and we are just delighted that and secondary schools. one. you took the time to come speak with A bipartisan group of our Association Hey, Donna, how are you doing? Good us. came together for strategic planning to see you guys. David, thank you very much for that around this mission. Working with the Greetings. Good to have you. Not excellent report. I very much look for- Lou Frey Institute at the University of much happening around here, pretty ward to your remarks during lunch Central Florida, the campaign for the easy going, you know, slow moving, today. Civic Mission of Schools, and Tufts nothing controversial whatsoever. It is My colleagues, as all of you know, University and facilitated by Pete an interesting time, I can tell you that, our most active programming involves Weichlein’s wife—is she here today, one of these deals. current Members of Congress from both Pete? No. Okay.—we developed a plan I came here in 1998 with many of you. parties and from both Chambers and, of for how former Members could be more I see so many familiar faces. course, our Congressional Study actively involved. Good to see you, Dan. Groups. We conduct programs focus- This work has generated some excit- And I would say what has changed sing on Europe and Asia. We bring cur- ing developments. Cliff has already this place in the 19 years I have been rent Members of Congress together shared the idea of a Congressional here is the internet. The internet has with their peers and legislatures over- Study Group on Civics, which we in- changed society. It has also changed seas, and we work with our Department tend to have bring together current the way Congress works—some good, of State to talk about representative Members, district directors, and chiefs some bad, and some in between. You democracy with audiences overseas, of staff, bring them into our under- are basically out there seeing that. also. taking to advance civic learning and All I would ask you to do is, in your Via the Former Members Associa- practice. walks of life, in your spheres of influ- tion, I have met with numerous groups Last week, the Association partici- ence, just help explain to the country of legislators from other democracies pated in a groundbreaking national how this place really, actually works. who come to Washington for a better symposium on civics organized by our Because you hear sort of the cartoon understanding of our representative two partners, the campaign for the version of it when you turn on TV. It is government, our form of democracy, Civic Mission of Schools and the Lou actually a place where people care, and what is going on politically in the Frey Institute, where funders and where people work hard, where people United States and on Capitol Hill. many civic organizations exchanged think, where people study, where peo- These conversations and meetings ideas and renewed their commitments ple interact, and where they get along are always a two-way street, and I to improving our common efforts to more often than not and we actually learn as much, if not more, from our educate for democracy. get things done. visitors as they do from me. Our Asso- Pete and I were there and had the At a time where faith in civil society ciation has a longstanding partnership privilege, on behalf of our Association, and in our government is not very with a great NGO called Legacy Inter- to commit us to making civic edu- high, we could use a few more ambas- national, bringing young professionals cation the centerpiece of the Former sadors helping express to the country from the Middle East and North Africa Members of Congress’ domestic pro- that the foundation here is solid, it is to the United States. grams, and Pete will be on each and all strong, it is enduring, and it is going to Our most recent group completed of us to make good on that promise. persist. their 6-week D.C. stay earlier in the We have a steering committee of When these microphones are turned year and was composed of young pro- former Members committed to the ef- off or when the TVs are turned off, we fessionals from Tunisia and Morocco. fort. My friends and colleagues, George all actually get along pretty well. Most of these visitors worked in the Nethercutt, Jim Gerlach, Bill About 80 percent of the things that we NGO sector in their countries, and they

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.072 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7581 came to the United States to learn sional staffers participated in at least one of cused on European nations, the Diplo- about the interaction between govern- those roundtables; most participated in mul- matic Advisory Council is now comment and the nongovernmental sector. tiple programs. prised of approximately 30 ambassadors It is truly a very enriching cross-cul- We also organized 12 study tours abroad from four continents who advise and tural dialogue, and I am very pleased for Members of Congress and senior congres- participate in our programming. Their that FMC offers this opportunity to sional staff because we know that immersive interest and commitment to multilat- our Members and to their visitors. travel experiences have immense value. eral dialogues is a very valuable addi- As I stated earlier, the main inter- Each trip is an opportunity for mu- tion to the Congressional Study Groups national activity of our Association is tual learning and sharing, as well as and provides a valuable outreach be- housed with the Congressional Study forming bonds, with meeting partners yond our three Study Groups. Groups on Japan, Germany, and Eu- and within the bipartisan delegation At the beginning of the 114th Con- rope. These are our programs that in- itself, and we know that is important. gress, we also formed the Congressional volve current Members of Congress as Already, our programming calendar Staff Advisory Council. As former well as current senior congressional in the 115th Congress has been busy. In Members of Congress, we know the staff. the first 6 months of 2017, we have or- value of good staff. I always say my I now invite my good friend and pred- ganized three study tours for Members rock and my staff, they support me. ecessor, Connie Morella of Maryland, of Congress and three study tours for The Staff Advisory Council formally to report on this aspect of our inter- senior congressional staff. recognizes the mutually beneficial re- national work. Our roundtables on Capitol Hill also lationships we have in offices across Ms. MORELLA. Thank you very recently welcomed several senior offi- Capitol Hill. We are as grateful for the much. Thank you very much, Cliff, for cials, including the German Federal staff who participate in and support the introduction and all of your com- Minister of Economic Affairs and En- our group programming as we are for ments, and particularly for your lead- ergy, the chairman and CEO of Luft- the Members of Congress. ership of Former Members of Congress hansa, and a high-level delegation from Finally, I would like to add a thanks during this year. You have done a su- the Japanese Diet. to those individuals, organizations, and perlative job. I would like to acknowledge the serv- corporations whose patronage makes Well, as you know, Former Members ice of all of our co-chairs for their hard our work possible. In particular, I of Congress works with all Members of work and dedication to these critical would like to recognize Ambassador the congressional family. Our network programs. Our co-chairs are true lead- Jim Zumwalt and Ms. Junko Chano of also includes current Members of Con- ers, who not only serve in their role as Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Dr. gress and their senior staff to promote official Study Group leaders, but are Karen Donfried and Reta Jo Lewis of a collaborative, bipartisan, and effec- also called on by various embassies and tive approach to policymaking both at The German Marshall Fund of the outside organizations to speak on pan- home and abroad. United States, and Ms. Paige els, attend roundtables, and meet with Our flagship programs for our col- Cottingham-Streater of the Japanese- leagues who are still in office are the countries who have visiting delega- U.S. Friendship Committee for their Congressional Study Groups on Ger- tions. tremendous support as institutional The Congressional Study Group on many, Japan, and Europe. The Con- funders of the Congressional Study Germany is led by Senator JEANNE gressional Study Groups are inde- Groups in 2017. pendent, bipartisan legislative ex- SHAHEEN, Representative CHARLIE Companies that belong to the 2017 Busi- changes that strive to create better un- DENT, and Representative TED DEUTCH. ness Advisory Councils are: Allianz, All Nippon derstanding and cooperation between We thank the Attorney General, Jeff Airways, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the United States and our most impor- Sessions, for his service as a Senate co- BASF, B. Braun Medical, Central Japan Rail- tant strategic and economic partners chair until February 2017. way Company, Cheniere Energy, Daimler, abroad. The Congressional Study Group on Deutsche Telekom, DHL, Evonik Corporation, Each study group has a membership Japan is led by Senator MAZIE K. Fresenius Medical Care North America, roster of between 75 and 125 Members of HIRONO, Senator LISA MURKOWSKI, Rep- Fresenius SE, Hitachi, Honda, Lockheed Mar- Congress, and it is led by a bipartisan, resentative DIANA DEGETTE, and Rep- tin, Lufthansa German Airlines, Marubeni bicameral pair of co-chairs who are resentative BILLY LONG. America Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation currently in Congress. Our model cele- The Congressional Study Group on (Americas), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Amer- brates active discussions among all Europe is led by Senator JOHN BOOZ- ica, Mitsui, Nissan, Panasonic, RatnerPrestia, participants, avoiding lengthy speeches MAN, Senator CHRIS MURPHY, Rep- the Representative of German Industry and or formal presentations, in order to resentative JEFF FORTENBERRY, and Trade, Sojitz, Toyota Motor North America, create an atmosphere that promotes Representative PETER WELCH. We very UPS, and Volkswagen of America. personal connections. We believe that much appreciate all their efforts in Because of their financial support, the network of peers created via our leadership. our activities not only help to build programs have acted to renew and ex- I also want to mention that our work vital bilateral relationships between pand areas of mutual cooperation, es- is not limited to the three main Study legislatures, but also build bipartisan pecially in times of transition. Groups on Germany, Japan, and Eu- relationships within our own Congress. The Congressional Study Groups are not rope. For example, over the past 6 Mutual understanding and shared expe- the only programs dedicated to this mission, months, we have put a lot of energy riences among legislators are crucial, but they are unique in their year-round out- into bringing Korea-focused program- as you know, to solving pressing prob- reach to Capitol Hill. Unlike other formats, we ming to Capitol Hill. I don’t have to lems, whether at home or abroad. provide long-lasting staff support and maintain tell you how important our relation- As former Members of Congress, we a well-respected reputation as independent ship with South Korea is, and the many are proud to bring the important serv- and non-advocacy. As a result, our network security and trade issues that shape ices provided by the Congressional attracts a large, diverse group of legislators this part of the world. Study Groups to our colleagues who and policymakers who are committed to inter- We, therefore, in addition to our on- are still in office, and are proud to play national dialogue. What is most important for going focus on China, have commenced an active role in our continued inter- us is that they join the discussion. programming on Korea. We are very national outreach. A few highlights from the 114th Congress: fortunate to have former Member Jay So I want to thank you, Cliff. I want We hosted 62 roundtables in Washington, Kim chair this effort in Korea itself, to thank all of the Members who are D.C., which are the foundation of our program- and his leadership already has resulted here. Continuing these very important ming. Maintaining a year-round outreach en- in a number of incredibly informative programs is important, and we thank sures that we are developing meaningful rela- Capitol Hill programs involving former you for that. tionships instead of having occasional encoun- and current Members. Mr. FROST. Thank you, Connie. ters. The work of the Congressional Study Mr. Stearns. 108 Members of the House of Representa- Groups is complemented by our Diplo- Mr. STEARNS. Thank you, Connie, tives and the Senate and 204 senior congres- matic Advisory Council. Initially fo- very much for that report, and thank

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.073 H27SEPT1 H7582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 you also for the continued leadership ed veterans to reengage with their fam- to have you come out even for a few that you have provided for the former ilies and communities and get a bit of hours if you have the time. Members of Congress. Your counsel is their prewar activity back into their Ken Kramer, Pete Weichlein and I back in always appreciated and is invaluable. lives. These guys go skiing, they go 2006 wondered whether we could change our I now will lead to another former mountain climbing, horseback riding. existing tournament to something more mean- president of our Association, Dennis You name it, they do it. We are so ingful, and decided to transform the golf event Hertel of Michigan. Dennis, along with proud of the men and women and what from a highly competitive Members only tour- former Member Ken Kramer, has been they have accomplished. nament to a fun and inspirational fundraiser, the driving force behind a program We are proud that for the last 3 where the focus was not on your golfing abil- that is incredibly near and dear to our years, we have shared this honor of co- ity, but rather on coming together, on a bipar- hearts: our efforts to help severely chairing the tournament with Con- tisan basis, former and current Members alike, wounded veterans returning from the gressman JIMMY DUNCAN of Tennessee, for a great cause. I think I can speak for Ken battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. who I am sorry to see is retiring now— and Pete when I say that we have succeeded We do so via our annual charity golf he has just been an excellent chairman beyond our wildest dreams. As of today the tournament called The Members—to and a great friend to all of us all these tournament has raised almost $1.3 million to avoid any confusion with The Mas- years—and Congressman GENE GREEN help veterans and their families deal with inju- ters—and we really have had a tremen- of Texas, who has just been an out- ries sustained during the Afghanistan and Iraq dous impact. standing leader and is going to con- wars. The two beneficiaries of the money Dennis. tinue with us, I hope. He is just so en- raised, Warfighters Sports, a division of Dis- Mr. HERTEL. Thank you, Cliff. thusiastic in getting Members out abled Sports USA, and Tee it Up for the Let me associate myself with Connie there. Troops are two outstanding organizations that Morella’s remarks. Your leadership of They are the ones who recruit the use adaptive sports as a way for severely FMC has been exemplary, and your re- current Members of Congress, and they wounded warriors to re-engage with their fami- port today is a tribute to our great en- bug them and hassle them every week lies and communities and get a bit of their pre- ergy and commitment. On behalf of our to get them out to our tournament. We war activity back into their lives. Association, thank you very much, have had more people, more Members Both Ken Kramer and I have had the honor Connie. at our tournament than other golf to be cochair of this tournament for the past I want to thank Speaker RYAN for tournaments. There are so many dif- 10 years, and we are proud that the last three what he said today about coming to ferent tournaments here in Washington years we have shared this honor with Con- visit us, but also talking about our that have Members play, but we have gressman Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee and being ambassadors to the Nation. I had the greatest turnout over the Congressman GENE GREEN of Texas. JIMMY think we are, not only the Nation, but years. and GENE are instrumental in recruiting current worldwide, about the Congress and how It is unlike any other golf tour- Members to the tournament. This tournament proud we are of the Congress and the nament. There is still a little friendly is unlike any other golf tournament. Although democracy that we have here, and even competition. As I said, the Democrats there still is a little friendly competition with the with our great differences in today’s won this year. I can’t say that enough, Speakers Cup, which the Democrats won this world, how we carry on and represent because we lost for the past 7 years year after several years of losing to the Re- the people and commend the Congress prior. And, you know, Republicans be- publicans, the day is all about the vets. Over for doing so. long to more country clubs than Demo- 30 wounded veterans played in the tour- I am tremendously pleased to share crats, anyway. I think they have more nament. It is quite amazing to see a wounded with our colleagues an update on our experience. warrior, for example, someone who has lost a charitable golf tournament. As Cliff More importantly, we have had over leg, drive the ball like a pro, out-shooting ev- mentioned, I, along with Ken Kramer, 30 wounded veterans play this last eryone in the foursome, or be inspired with co-chair the event, which is now in its year, and every year in our tour- stories of the courage you hear while playing 11th year. nament, so many wounded veterans, a round of golf with a warrior suffering from Back in 2006, we had low attendance. and it is just inspirational. traumatic brain injury. The tournament we It was just a competitive match that I played with a veteran from Michi- hosted earlier this year was our most success- we had between Republicans and Demo- gan, a young man who had been in Af- ful yet, with the greatest number of players crats out at Andrews Air Force Base ghanistan 2 weeks on the Army police and the largest dollar amount raised, and we and very private. We were dwindling in force there, and lost his leg in a bomb already are working on the next tournament in our attendance, and we thought maybe explosion. And he was out there play- April 2018. we could change this and make it into ing golf. Just an outstanding golfer, Before I yield the floor back to Cliff, something effective for the commu- outstanding American, and to share let me thank him and Martin Frost for nity. that day with him has just been an their incredible leadership on our an- We were able to transform it into honor for all of us. nual gala event, the Statesmanship something that was fun but also, more So we are already working now on Awards Dinner. Cliff is FMC’s president importantly, inspirational, where the the tournament for next year. It will and Martin is the event’s chairman. focus was not just on your golfing abil- be April of next year. We hope we get They work tirelessly on making the ity. I am the example. I am not a golf- more former Members out. As I have dinner a signature event here in D.C., er. I have co-chaired this for 10 years said, we have done really well with cur- and, more importantly, a huge success- with Ken now, but I am the worst duff- rent Members of Congress, but what we ful evening for all of us. er you could have out there, yet the need is to get more former Members As you all know, we do not receive Democrats still won even with me on out. It doesn’t matter our age or our any funding from Congress, as Cliff their team this year. ability. Even if you can just come out pointed out again this morning. Not a It has become successful. As of today, for the day and spend it with the vet- single taxpayer dollar is earmarked for the tournament has raised almost $1.3 erans, you know, watching the match any of our programs, which, in my million to help veterans and their fam- and having lunch and dinner and opinion, is exactly the way it should ilies deal with injuries sustained dur- breakfast with the Members and, more be. We are independent, we raise our ing the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. importantly, the veterans, that is real- own money, and our former Members The two beneficiaries of the money ly worthwhile. If you bring your family donate their time pro bono for all the raised, Warfighters Sports, a division out there too for a while, that is fine different programs that we have. As of Disabled Sports USA who helps with too. It is always at the Army and Navy Cliff went over, we had former Mem- 120 different sports for their members Club, so it is convenient. bers donate to us an astounding 6,500 across this Nation who have been in- We finish early. We start early. We hours of pro bono public service, even jured in defending our country, and Tee start at 8 and we finish about 4 in the without the need to cover an hono- it Up for the Troops, are two out- afternoon, so we leave before the rush rarium. Running all of our outstanding standing organizations that use adapt- hour traffic so the Members can get programs does cost a lot of money and ive sports as a way for severely wound- back here for a vote. So we would love staff time. Therefore, in addition to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.075 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7583 foundation grants, the Statesmanship We are recognizing via this dinner preciate your leadership. You and Ken Awards Dinner is an incredibly impor- the tremendous power of bipartisan- have given so much over the years for tant piece of FMC’s budgetary puzzle. ship, something that Speaker RYAN this golf tournament. I can only echo Over the years, I have heard so many talked about that is so important to all your remarks about the Statesmanship of our former Members talk about how of us, and it really is exemplified in Awards Dinner, which will be held next much they appreciate our staff and that dinner every year by the awards year on March 21. how wonderful our staff is and how that we give, by the discussion we All the programs we have described, they accomplish what would take ten- have, and by the people that attend. of course, require both leadership and fold another staff to do. We think it is So this year we are going to be hon- staff to implement. Our Association is the best staff in Washington. That is oring as honorees Senators LAMAR blessed to have top people in both cat- saying a lot, considering all the other ALEXANDER and PATTY MURRAY, along egories. I simply want to take this op- competitive nonprofits that are suc- with House Members DIANA DEGETTE portunity to thank our board of direc- cessful here in Washington. and, my good friend, FRED UPTON from tors—over 30 former Members of Con- So the way that we can show our ap- Michigan. We will host a conversation gress divided equally between the par- preciation for the staff and what they of our honorees on stage again so that ties—for their active advice and coun- have accomplished and what they are those in attendance can hear about sel, and I really sincerely appreciate it. doing for us and what they are doing their success reaching across the polit- I also want to thank the many part- for our country is this dinner. That is ical aisle and working together for the ners and supporters we have to make the one thing that we can all dem- good of the country. They are able to our programs possible. We are truly onstrate our support at, because it tell stories about exactly how they ac- lucky to have assembled a group of cor- pays their salaries. So if you appre- complish things and what they did and porations and foundations that believe ciate what they do and you think they the kind of personal relationships that in our work and make our success pos- deserve a bonus, the best way to help they have and why that makes a dif- sible, and we very much value our part- them and to improve our Association is ference, the kind of thing that we know nership with them. to help us sell tickets for this dinner. about, that we want to reach the larger Also, I would be remiss if I did not Under Martin Frost’s chairmanship world so that they understand that thank the other members of our Asso- this last year, our 20th annual dinner, things are done by individuals working ciation’s executive committee: our vice we had the most successful event ever. together, and not by speeches and by president, Martin Frost; our secretary, It was getting to be kind of the same fundraising alone, but by Members of Tom Petri; our treasurer, Karen Thur- old thing, and Pete Weichlein, our ex- Congress being effective and caring man; and our past president, Barbara ecutive director who spearheaded this about moving the ball forward. Kennelly. effort, said let’s change it up, let’s The 21st Annual Statesmanship You have all made this Association a move it to the Mellon Auditorium, Awards Dinner is one of the most im- much stronger organization and much which has been a tremendous, majestic pressive in town. You will not regret better than it was before, and I thank setting, and let’s have some outside becoming involved. You will see more you, of course, for your time and en- awardees that we honor too. Let’s not of your former colleagues from both ergy. just have a boring program where we the House and the Senate, as well as To administer all these programs have people get up and receive an ambassadors. Connie Morella has takes a staff of dedicated and enthusi- award and give a thank-you speech and brought more ambassadors to that din- astic professionals. It is just amazing then take pictures. Let’s have a panel ner and more administration officials to me how much we get done with just discussion instead so we can involve and former officials than ever before. a relatively small staff, and it is a tes- the audience and take some questions I am thinking of Speaker RYAN. A lot tament to their dedication and their and we all stay awake and people don’t of us served with his former boss, Jack capabilities how successful we have sneak out early, because it is inter- Kemp. Jack Kemp was in the Reagan been because of this. esting to hear that panel discussion. administration and was such a leader. Andy Shoenig and Rachel Haas left That is what Pete Weichlein has cre- It just flows down from people who the Former Members of Congress after ated now, and I think it is those two have served before carrying that torch many years of tremendous service, and decisions that we now have the signa- forward, and I think Speaker RYAN is a we wish them both all the best as they ture event here in Washington. We great example of that. So the dinner pursue their new opportunities. Andy have something that we are proud of exemplifies that, and it has become an is earning his master’s degree at the where we see more and more people increasingly impressive event, show- University of North Carolina, and Ra- come, more and more active Members casing our Association. chel found a great new position with a come, people from the administration, I hope all of you will join Martin and firm much closer to home, though I am past Members come. The Speaker has all the hard work he is doing. He will very glad to see that she is with us this been supportive, the majority leader, push us. He is really good at pushing morning. minority leaders have been supportive us. He did that when he did it for the As I mentioned earlier, we have in so many ways. I just think it is a Democrats. He is a fundraiser. Now he added four new staff members, and I way that we get to talk about what we does it, very importantly, for our Asso- hope that throughout the day you will do to a broader audience, and for them ciation. We would like that muscle to have an opportunity to meet them. actually to say thank you to us by be used in a bipartisan way now. They are: Alia Diamond, who is work- coming to that dinner. Cliff’s leadership is outstanding ing on our communications; Kathy We now have a dinner that has become a across the board and tireless. So thank Hunter, helping us with development signature event here in D.C., a classy and you very much. We are looking forward and membership; Patrick Egenhofer, substantive evening of which all of us can be to a great dinner in 2018. focused on the Congressional Study very proud. The only thing missing is to make Mr. FROST. Thank you, Dennis. Group on Germany and some of our do- it a black-tie evening, and maybe that is We are now going to recognize Cliff mestic programs; and Paul Kincaid, something we can consider for the future. It is again. As part of this meeting, we have who is our brand-new director of Con- that sophisticated an event. to conduct some formal business, gressional Outreach, and his first day So Martin and Cliff have already put which is to reconstitute our board, to is today. We welcome all of you. things in place to make the 2018 dinner continue our officers. Cliff has some re- The rest of our team that you have even more outstanding. They should be marks about staff also, but this is the had a chance to work with over the commended for their efforts. I, along actual business part of the meeting years are, and let me simply mention with the other former Members serving that we are required to conduct. their names. on the event’s steering committee, are Cliff. Alexis Terai, who is part of our inter- committed to helping them. I hope all Mr. STEARNS. Martin, thank you for national team and runs our Congres- the former Members here today will that overview. sional Study Group on Japan. She is take a closer look at the dinner and de- And, Dennis, thank you very much fluent in Japanese, was educated in the cide to become more involved. for that very impressive report. We ap- United States and abroad, and has been

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.076 H27SEPT1 H7584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 the key component to making our or ‘‘nay’’ as I present to you the list of Mr. RAHALL. Thirty-eight. Study Group on Japan the largest and candidates as our slate. Mr. HOYER. Thirty-eight. So I have most active international exchange we For the Association’s board of direc- to run one more time at least. Right, offer to current Members of Congress. tors, the candidates are: Nick? Lorraine Harbison is our Inter- Jim Coyne of Pennsylvania national Programs Manager with main Byron Dorgan of North Dakota But in any event, I like to be with focus on the European Program. In ad- Steve Horsford of Nevada each of you every year that you come dition, she makes the Diplomatic Advi- Ken Kramer of Colorado back here. As I say, I see some of you. sory Council such a great success and Jim Matheson of Utah And the Historical Society obviously Jim Moran of Virginia has grown it from just a handful of em- does a wonderful job. I think that when Karen Thurman of Florida bassies to now over four dozen actively I see you and we say ‘‘hello’’ to one an- Ed Whitfield of Kentucky other, it is in a different context in participating Ambassadors. All in favor of electing these eight Sharon Witiw is our director of com- which we meet as people who have par- former Members to our board of direc- ticipated in a very important and his- munity outreach and oversees the tors, please say ‘‘yea.’’ Any opposed? smooth separation of projects such as toric way, have worked together, have Hearing no opposition, the slate has respected the institution, have re- the Congress to Campus program. She been elected by the membership. is also in charge of creating the vision spected the process of the institution, Next, we will elect our executive and have differed, obviously, but, nev- we have for our Congressional Study committee. As president, I serve a 2- Group on Civics, and you will be hear- ertheless, were able to come to a place year term, which will end in 2018. How- where we agreed to disagree and to at ing from her as programming for their ever, the other three elected members projects commences next year. least act on that on which we could of the executive board are up for re- agree. Sabine Schleidt is our managing di- election to a 1-year term. The can- rector who spends most of her time on didates for our executive committee I think that was very important for the current Member international pro- are: our country. As I have said before, and grams, but also a lot of hours on imple- Martin Frost of Texas for vice presi- as you know, I continue to be very con- menting the strategic vision and fund- dent cerned about what we project to the raising goals of our Association. With Tom Petri of Wisconsin for secretary country. The Congress now has single- our new hire of Paul Kincaid as direc- Karen Thurman of Florida for treas- digit approval. They don’t believe the tor of congressional outreach, Sabine’s urer board of directors of the United States role will be much more focused on de- All in favor of electing these three of America is working, and I think that velopment, strategy, and engaging our former Members to our executive com- is of great concern to all of us as citi- membership. She joined our organiza- mittee say ‘‘yea.’’ Any opposed? Hear- zens, as Americans, that we can’t be tion over 6 years ago, and, thanks to ing no opposition, the slate has been successful as a nation if we have so lit- her creativity and her simply can-do elected by the membership. The execu- tle respect from the people who we rep- attitude, we have grown tremendously tive committee is completed by Bar- resent, or confidence that we are doing under her leadership. bara Kennelly, who is an unelected offi- the work that they want done. And lastly, Pete Weichlein is our cer in her capacity as immediate past I try to convey to them, and I want chief executive officer, who has been president. Thank you. to tell you, as you know, the majority with the Association for over 18 years, Mr. FROST. Mr. Stearns, if you leader, KEVIN MCCARTHY from Cali- first as a program director, then as would suspend for just a moment, we fornia, and I get along well. We don’t international program director, and, are honored to have with us the distin- always agree, obviously. ROY BLUNT, since 2003, as our CEO. When you think guished Democratic whip, the gen- who is one of my best friends, as I about that, when he became the CEO, tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). think some of you know, is now a Sen- the Former Members of Congress was Mr. HOYER. President Stearns and ator from Missouri but was the minor- in a dire financial situation, and, over Vice President Frost, and Tom, who is ity whip, and was the acting minority the years, he has taken this organiza- going to tell you what to do, welcome leader and minority whip for a period tion with his leadership to new heights, back; although, I see a lot of you, from of time. He likes to say, ‘‘Connie, and I think all of us really appreciate time to time, as you walk the halls and Steny and I always agree when there his efforts. remind us of the good old days. are at least 420 other people voting the So all of you, if you would, please We have had quite a session so far, as same way,’’ which is to say unanimous give an outstanding group of profes- I think you have noticed. You heard consent essentially we agree. sionals a big round of applause. me talk before, and I am sure you have ROY and I didn’t agree, but when we Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah. made this recognition already, we lost agreed, we made things happen in a bi- I would also like to take this oppor- one of the great Americans with whom partisan way. KEVIN MCCARTHY and I tunity to welcome to Washington a many of us have served, Bob Michel. do the same—not as often because we large delegation of former members of Bob Michel passed away. Bob Dole is are more polarized than when most of the European Parliament. As you still with us, still with a great sense of you served in this Congress. When you know, we have two incredibly meaning- humor, and, frankly, I miss those two served in this Congress, you remember, ful and active global partnerships, with Republicans dearly, and I miss a lot of there were real confrontations. Some our colleagues in Ottawa and our col- you as well. leagues in Brussels. We often coordi- We can remember when we were of us served in the Gingrich years, and nate programs, particularly democ- much more collegial than we now find they were pretty tough years, but even racy-strengthening projects, and we ex- ourselves. We saw an election in Ala- in those times when you served, there change best practices. We are so bama which does not bode well for fu- was an ability, I think, to work more thrilled to have them with us today on ture collegiality in the United States closely together than now exists. the House floor. They are led by their Senate, I think. We will see what hap- John Boehner is not in the Congress president of the Association of Former pens in that election. Obviously, that because he wanted to work together, Members of the European Parliament, was the primary. We will see what hap- and we did on some very significant the Honorable Enrique Baron Crespo. pens in the general. things. And John finally said: Look, if Thank you so much for coming, and we I think all of us have a responsibility I can’t get 218 on my side, I am not appreciate your attendance. to talk about the Congress that we sure I want to be Speaker. He wasn’t Every year at our annual meeting, have served in over the years. This is pushed out. People who say John Boeh- we ask the membership to elect new of- my 36th year in the Congress. I don’t ner was pushed out are wrong. John ficers and board members. I, therefore, know that any of you served that long, Boehner decided to leave. He wasn’t now will read to you the names of our and some people are asking why I am pushed out. He would have had the ma- candidates for board members and offi- serving that long. jority of support on his side of the aisle cers. They are running unopposed; and Nick Rahall, how many years did you all the time. There was no doubt about I, therefore, will ask for a simple ‘‘yea’’ serve? that.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.078 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7585 But I think John just got frustrated My colleagues, it is now my sad duty the opportunity to return to this re- about his inability to galvanize a ma- to inform the Congress of those former vered and beloved Chamber and to re- jority. I think MITCH MCCONNELL prob- Members and current Members who port on our Association’s activities. We ably empathizes a lot with John Boeh- have passed away since our last report. look forward to another active and pro- ner right now. Probably all of you As all of you know, at the conclusion ductive year, and I want to thank all of think so as well. of our annual meeting later today, we you for your attendance. Please join us But I like to come here, and I thank will hold a memorial service in Statu- for coffee and danishes in Room H–122 you for staying engaged, staying in- tory Hall starting at 6 p.m., where we as we leave the Capitol. volved—raising the institution, as op- will be joined by many of the families, God bless America. posed to the partisanship, but the in- as well as current Members of Con- Mr. FROST. The Chair again wishes stitution and what its role is in our de- gress, to pay tribute to the public serv- to thank the former Members of the mocracy. ants we have lost. House and Senate for their presence People talk about: Every 2 years, you In addition, it is altogether proper to here today. really ought to change that. I am not recognize these Representatives and Before terminating these pro- sure that we ought to change it. The Senators this morning here in the ceedings, the Chair would like to invite Founding Fathers were undoubtedly Chamber of the House of Representa- those former Members who did not re- right, in my opinion. Does it cause us tives. spond to the roll when it was called to problems? Yes, it does. I tell my col- I ask all of you, including the visi- give their names to the Reading Clerk leagues on my side: You cannot solve tors in the gallery, to now rise as I for inclusion in the roll. America’s problems in 24-month cycles. read the names. At the end of the list, I have noticed some of your presence What I mean by that, of course, is if all we will pay our respects to their mem- and have handed a revised list to the we have is thinking that goes from ory with a moment of silence. We Reading Clerk, but I may have missed election to election, we won’t be able honor these men and women for their a few of you. So, if you did not answer to solve America’s problems because service to our country. There are 32 the roll, please stop by before you they are not just subject to a 24-month names. They are: leave. solution. We have got to think longer William Armstrong of Colorado Thank you very much. term. Bill Barrett of Nebraska I am very worried about the debt, as f Anthony Beilenson of California I am sure some of you are, but we con- Helen Bentley of Maryland ADJOURNMENT tinue to do either spending or cutting John Brademas of Indiana taxes, and both sides that do that talk Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- William Carney of New York about how we need to balance the er, I move that the House do now ad- Eligio ‘‘Kika’’ de la Garza of Texas budget. We are not there. journ. I thank you for staying engaged. I Pete Domenici of New Mexico The motion was agreed to; accord- thank you for continuing to commu- Jay Dickey of Arkansas ingly (at 8 o’clock and 6 minutes p.m.), nicate with the public, with my con- Vernon J. Ehlers of Michigan under its previous order, the House ad- stituents and your constituents, your Eni F.H. Faleomavaega of American journed until tomorrow, Thursday, former constituents, and your broader Samoa September 28, 2017, at 9 a.m. Robert Garcia of New York constituents as your fellow American f citizens, to try to encourage them. Benjamin A. Gilman of New York When people say: When are you guys John Glenn of Ohio EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, going to get together? My response to Ken Hechler of West Virginia ETC. Lawrence J. Hogan, Sr., of Maryland them is: As soon as you do. And they Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive look at me quizzically. I say: As soon Clyde Holloway of Louisiana Bill Hudnut of Indiana communications were taken from the as you elect, on both sides of the Speaker’s table and referred as follows: aisle—Nick, have I talked too long? Is Raymond P. Kogovsek of Colorado Melvin Laird of Wisconsin 2666. A letter from the Management and that my signal? What Nick is saying is: Program Analyst, FAA, Department of You junior Members need to get off the Steven LaTourette of Ohio Mike Lowry of Washington Transportation, transmitting the Depart- floor. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- Mr. FROST. I would advise Mr. Dawson Mathis of Georgia tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- HOYER that there is no 5-minute rule Robert Michel of Illinois et No.: FAA-2017-0503; Product Identifier here; however, we do have to vacate Abner Mikva of Illinois 2017-NM-032-AD; Amendment 39-19009; AD the floor in 15 minutes. Robert Morgan of North Carolina 2017-17-19] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- Mr. HOYER. I am about to end. Ralph Regula of Ohio tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. My point to you is we need to work Clint Roberts of South Dakota 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 together to make sure that our citizens Mark Takai of Hawaii Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- tation and Infrastructure. do not believe that if you make an Burt Talcott of California Ray Thornton of Arkansas 2667. A letter from the Attorney-Advisor, agreement with the other side you U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland have sold out. I don’t care which side George Voinovich of Ohio Security, transmitting the Department’s you are on. Democracy is about com- We will now have a moment of si- final rule — Adding the Polar Ship Certifi- promise. Democracy is about working lence. cate to the List of SOLAS Certificates and together. Democracy is about the cre- Thank you. Certificates Issued by Recognized Classifica- ation of consensus. If we can’t do that, My colleagues, this concludes the tion Societies [Docket No.: USCG-2016-0880] we won’t succeed as a country. Forget 47th Report to Congress by the Associa- (RIN: 1625-AC35) received September 21, 2017, tion of Former Members of Congress. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law about Republicans and Democrats, we 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- won’t suceed as a country. I know you Let me leave you with one final thought as we exit this historic Cham- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- continue to do that, and, very frankly, ture. looking at so many of you with whom ber. David Hume, as you know, was a 2668. A letter from the Management and I have had the honor and pleasure of great political philosopher, and this is Program Analyst, FAA, Department of serving, I know that when you were what he said: ‘‘Of all men that distin- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- here, you worked at doing that. Thank guish themselves by memorable ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- you. achievements, the first place of honor tives; Airbus Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- Thank you, Mr. Frost. seems due to legislators and founders 2017-0472; Product Identifier 2016-NM-148-AD; Mr. FROST. Mr. Stearns. of states who transmit a system of Amendment 39-19002; AD 2017-17-12] (RIN: Mr. STEARNS. I just want to thank laws and institutions to secure the 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- Mr. HOYER, the Democratic whip, for peace, happiness, and liberty of future 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee his kindness in coming by to give his generations.’’ on Transportation and Infrastructure. remarks, and we appreciate his leader- We thank the Congress, the Speaker, 2669. A letter from the Management and ship and serving. and the minority leader for giving us Program Analyst, FAA, Department of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:50 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27SE7.079 H27SEPT1 H7586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 Transportation, transmitting the Depart- et No.: FAA-2016-7270; Product Identifier Product Identifier 2016-NM-125-AD; Amend- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2015-NM-116-AD; Amendment 39-19025; AD ment 39-19000; AD 2017-17-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- 2017-18-16] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- received September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 et No.: FAA-2017-0337; Product Identifier tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 2017-NM-006-AD; Amendment 39-19006; AD 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on 2017-17-16] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Transportation and Infrastructure. tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. tation and Infrastructure. 2684. A letter from the Management and 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2677. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tation and Infrastructure. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2670. A letter from the Management and ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes [Docket Program Analyst, FAA, Department of tives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0496; Product Identifier 2016- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- No.: FAA-2017-0512; Product Identifier 2017- NM-103-AD; Amendment 39-19001; AD 2017-17- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- NM-031-AD; Amendment 39-19005; AD 2017-17- 11] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, tives; Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics (Formerly 15] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Known as Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems) Air- 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the planes [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0479; Product Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and Infra- Identifier 2016-NM-202-AD; Amendment 39- Committee on Transportation and Infra- structure. 19004; AD 2017-17-14] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received structure. 2685. A letter from the Management and September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 2678. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tation and Infrastructure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH 2671. A letter from the Management and tives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (For- Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0638; Prod- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of merly Known as Construcciones uct Identifier 2017-CE-018-AD; Amendment Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes [Docket No.: 39-19019; AD 2017-18-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) re- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- FAA-2016-9521; Product Identifier 2016-NM- ceived September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 tives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes [Docket 061-AD; Amendment 39-19018; AD 2017-18-09] U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. No.: FAA-2017-0502; Product Identifier 2016- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on NM-120-AD; Amendment 39-19016; AD 2017-18- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law Transportation and Infrastructure. 07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- 2686. A letter from the Management and 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the ture. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Committee on Transportation and Infra- 2679. A letter from the Management and ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- structure. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of tives; Airbus Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- 2672. A letter from the Management and Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2016-7264; Product Identifier 2015-NM-185-AD; Program Analyst, FAA, Department of ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- Amendment 39-18998; AD 2017-17-08] (RIN: Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes [Docket 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, pur- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- No.: FAA-2017-0481; Product Identifier 2016- suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- tives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes [Docket NM-196-AD; Amendment 39-19003; AD 2017-17- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee No.: FAA-2017-0475; Product Identifier 2016- 13] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, on Transportation and Infrastructure. NM-142-AD; Amendment 39-19017; AD 2017-18- 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public 2687. A letter from the Management and 08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Committee on Transportation and Infra- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the structure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- Committee on Transportation and Infra- 2680. A letter from the Management and tives; Airbus Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- structure. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2016-9518; Product Identifier 2015-NM-091-AD; 2673. A letter from the Management and Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Amendment 39-18989; AD 2017-16-12] (RIN: Program Analyst, FAA, Department of ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, pur- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tives; Airbus Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2016-9517; Product Identifier 2016-NM-100-AD; 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- Amendment 39-18984; AD 2017-16-07] (RIN: on Transportation and Infrastructure. et No.: FAA-2017-0559; Product Identifier 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, pur- 2688. A letter from the Management and 2017-NM-013-AD; Amendment 39-19014; AD suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2017-18-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. on Transportation and Infrastructure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2681. A letter from the Management and tives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0652; Product Identi- tation and Infrastructure. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fier 2017-NE-18-AD; Amendment 39-18997; AD 2674. A letter from the Management and ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2017-17-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- et No.: FAA-2017-0128; Product Identifier 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2016-NM-194-AD; Amendment 39-18999; AD Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- 2017-17-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- tation and Infrastructure. et No.: FAA-2017-0247; Product Identifier tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 2689. A letter from the Attorney-Advisor, 2016-NM-180-AD; Amendment 39-19015; AD 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Office of Regulations and Administrative 2017-18-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Sep- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Law, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of tember 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. tation and Infrastructure. Homeland Security, transmitting the De- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2682. A letter from the Management and partment’s temporary final rule — Safety Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Ocean City, NJ [Dock- tation and Infrastructure. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- et No.: USCG-2017-0627] (RIN: 1625-AA00) re- 2675. A letter from the Management and ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- ceived September 21, 2017, pursuant to 5 Program Analyst, FAA, Department of tives; Viking Air Limited (Type Certificate U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.; 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- Canadair Limited) Airplanes [Docket No.: Transportation and Infrastructure. tives; General Electric Company Turbofan FAA-2017-0474; Product Identifier 2016-NM- 2690. A letter from the Acting Assistant Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0164; Product 096-AD; Amendment 39-19007; AD 2017-17-17] Secretary for Legislation, Department of Identifier 2017-NE-06-AD; Amendment 39- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received September 22, 2017, Health and Human Services, transmitting a 19008; AD 2017-17-18] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law report entitled, ‘‘Assets for Independence September 22, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Program Report to Congress: Status at the 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Conclusion of the Sixteenth Year, Fiscal Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- ture. Year 2015’’, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 604 note; tation and Infrastructure. 2683. A letter from the Management and Public Law 105-285, Sec. 414(d); (112 Stat. 2676. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2771); to the Committee on Ways and Means. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2691. A letter from the Chief, Publications Transportation, transmitting the Depart- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tives; ATR — GIE Avions de Transport Re- Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- gional Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2017-0516; rule — Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L27SE7.000 H27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7587 Disaster Relief (Notice 2017-49) received Sep- H.R. 3849. A bill to extend certain provi- to the Committee on Financial Services, and tember 21, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. sions of the Caribbean Basin Economic Re- in addition to the Committees on Ways and 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 covery Act until September 30, 2030, and for Means, and Education and the Workforce, for Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and other purposes; to the Committee on Ways a period to be subsequently determined by Means. and Means. the Speaker, in each case for consideration 2692. A letter from the Chief, Publications By Mr. FITZPATRICK (for himself and of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Ms. SINEMA): tion of the committee concerned. Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only H.R. 3850. A bill to direct the Federal By Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California rule — Guidelines for Good Faith Determina- Trade Commission to establish labels that (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, tions of Qualifying Public Charity Status may be used as a voluntary means of indi- Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, Ms. (Rev. Proc. 2017-53) [IRB 2017-40] received cating to consumers the extent to which HANABUSA, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. September 21, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. products are of United States origin, and for GABBARD, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. HASTINGS, 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 other purposes; to the Committee on Energy Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mrs. TORRES, Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and and Commerce. Ms. MOORE, Mr. EVANS, Mr. Means. By Ms. FOXX (for herself, Mr. ENGEL, CICILLINE, Ms. JUDY CHU of Cali- 2693. A letter from the Chief, Publications Mr. HULTGREN, and Mr. MCGOVERN): fornia, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Ms. NOR- and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue H.R. 3851. A bill to amend the State De- TON, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only partment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. LAWSON of rule — Safe Harbor for Inadvertent Normal- provide for rewards for the arrest or convic- Florida, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. BLU- ization Violations (Rev. Proc. 2017-47) re- tion of certain foreign nationals who have MENAUER, Mr. KEATING, Mr. HIGGINS ceived September 21, 2017, pursuant to 5 committed genocide or war crimes, and for of New York, Ms. BROWNLEY of Cali- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign fornia, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. AL 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Affairs. GREEN of Texas, Mr. MICHAEL F. Ways and Means. By Ms. MENG (for herself, Ms. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. JAYAPAL, ´ Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. f VELAZQUEZ, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SOTO, and Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ): LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON H.R. 3852. A bill to permit the waiver of MCCOLLUM, Ms. BARRAGA´ N, Ms. LEE, PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Jones Act requirements for humanitarian re- Mr. NOLAN, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of lief efforts; to the Committee on Transpor- tation and Infrastructure, and in addition to RUSH, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. NADLER, Mr. committees were delivered to the Clerk the Committee on Armed Services, for a pe- SIRES, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. PERL- for printing and reference to the proper riod to be subsequently determined by the MUTTER, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, calendar, as follows: Speaker, in each case for consideration of Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. Mr. BISHOP of Utah: Committee on Nat- such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- SERRANO, Mr. RICHMOND, Ms. KUSTER ural Resources. H.R. 3281. A bill to authorize tion of the committee concerned. of New Hampshire, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the By Ms. NORTON: CORREA, Ms. CLARKE of New York, transfer to non-Federal ownership of appro- H.R. 3853. A bill to provide for nuclear Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. BRENDAN F. priate reclamation projects or facilities, and weapons abolition and economic conversion BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. for other purposes (Rept. 115–334). Referred in accordance with District of Columbia Ini- LOEBSACK, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. to the Committee of the Whole House on the tiative Measure Number 37 of 1992, while en- WALZ, Mr. HECK, Mr. WELCH, Ms. state of the Union. suring environmental restoration and clean- SLAUGHTER, Ms. BORDALLO, Ms. energy conversion; to the Committee on For- VELA´ ZQUEZ, Mr. THOMPSON of Cali- f eign Affairs, and in addition to the Com- fornia, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. CART- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS mittee on Armed Services, for a period to be WRIGHT, Ms. BASS, and Mr. ´ Under clause 2 of rule XII, public subsequently determined by the Speaker, in CARDENAS): H.R. 3858. A bill making supplemental ap- bills and resolutions of the following each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the propriations for fiscal year 2017 for the titles were introduced and severally re- committee concerned. TIGER Discretionary Grant program, and for ferred, as follows: By Mr. PANETTA (for himself, Mr. other purposes; to the Committee on Appro- By Mr. CA´ RDENAS: CURBELO of Florida, Mr. HUFFMAN, priations, and in addition to the Committee H.R. 3845. A bill to establish a grant pro- Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, and Mr. on the Budget, for a period to be subse- gram to incentivize States to reduce prison RASKIN): quently determined by the Speaker, in each populations, and for other purposes; to the H.R. 3854. A bill to provide that the Execu- case for consideration of such provisions as Committee on the Judiciary. tive Order entitled ‘‘Establishing a Federal fall within the jurisdiction of the committee By Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio: Flood Risk Management Standard and a concerned. H.R. 3846. A bill to amend the Mineral Process for Further Soliciting and Consid- By Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California Leasing Act to require payment to counties ering Stakeholder Input’’ shall have the (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, of a portion of certain revenues received by force and effect of law; to the Committee on Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, Ms. the United States under Federal oil and gas Financial Services. HANABUSA, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. leases, and for other purposes; to the Com- By Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Ms. GABBARD, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. HASTINGS, mittee on Natural Resources. STEFANIK, Mr. LIPINSKI, and Mr. Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mrs. TORRES, By Mr. HUFFMAN (for himself, Mr. FITZPATRICK): Ms. MOORE, Mr. EVANS, Mr. COLE, and Mrs. TORRES): H.R. 3855. A bill to require a report on sig- CICILLINE, Ms. JUDY CHU of Cali- H.R. 3847. A bill to revise the Yurok res- nificant security risks of the national elec- fornia, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Ms. NOR- ervation, and for other purposes; to the Com- tric grid and the potential effect of such se- TON, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE mittee on Natural Resources. curity risks on the readiness of the Armed JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. LAWSON of By Mr. PRICE of North Carolina: Forces; to the Committee on Armed Serv- Florida, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. BLU- H.R. 3848. A bill to reform our government, ices. MENAUER, Mr. KEATING, Mr. HIGGINS reduce the grip of special interest, and re- By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for him- of New York, Ms. BROWNLEY of Cali- turn our democracy to the American people self and Mr. WALZ): fornia, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. AL by increasing transparency and oversight of H.R. 3856. A bill to reinstate reporting re- GREEN of Texas, Mr. MICHAEL F. our elections and government, reforming quirements related to United States-Hong DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. JAYAPAL, public financing for Presidential and Con- Kong relations; to the Committee on Foreign Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. gressional elections, and requiring States to Affairs, and in addition to the Committees LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. conduct Congressional redistricting through on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for MCCOLLUM, Ms. BARRAGA´ N, Ms. LEE, independent commissions, and for other pur- a period to be subsequently determined by Mr. NOLAN, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. poses; to the Committee on House Adminis- the Speaker, in each case for consideration BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. tration, and in addition to the Committees of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- RUSH, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. NADLER, Mr. on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial tion of the committee concerned. SIRES, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. PERL- Services, Oversight and Government Reform, By Mrs. WAGNER (for herself, Mr. MUTTER, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a BARR, Mr. MESSER, Mr. TROTT, Mr. Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. period to be subsequently determined by the POSEY, Mr. WILLIAMS, Mr. BUDD, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. RICHMOND, Ms. KUSTER Speaker, in each case for consideration of HOLLINGSWORTH, and Mr. KUSTOFF of of New Hampshire, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Tennessee): CORREA, Ms. CLARKE of New York, tion of the committee concerned. H.R. 3857. A bill to amend the Securities Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. BRENDAN F. By Ms. SEWELL of Alabama (for her- Exchange Act of 1934 to establish standards BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. self, Mr. CURBELO of Florida, Ms. of conduct for brokers and dealers that are LOEBSACK, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. BASS, and Mrs. LOVE): in the best interest of their retail customers; COHEN, and Ms. SLAUGHTER):

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L27SE7.000 H27SEPT1 H7588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 27, 2017 H.R. 3859. A bill making supplemental ap- By Mr. HUFFMAN: By Ms. MAXINE WATERS of Cali- propriations for fiscal year 2017 for the H.R. 3847. fornia: Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, and Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 3859. for other purposes; to the Committee on Ap- lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- propriations, and in addition to the Com- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 lation pursuant to the following: mittee on the Budget, for a period to be sub- By Mr. PRICE of North Carolina: Article 1, Section 8, clause 1 of the U.S. sequently determined by the Speaker, in H.R. 3848. Constitution and each case for consideration of such provi- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article 1, Section 9, clause 7 of the U.S. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the lation pursuant to the following: Constitution. committee concerned. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution and By Mr. KHANNA (for himself, Mr. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, f MASSIE, Mr. POCAN, and Mr. JONES): which give Congress power to make laws ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H. Con. Res. 81. Concurrent resolution di- governing the time, place, and manner of recting the President pursuant to section Federal elections. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove By Ms. SEWELL of Alabama: were added to public bills and resolu- United States Armed Forces from unauthor- H.R. 3849. tions, as follows: Congress has the power to enact this legis- ized hostilities in the Republic of Yemen; to H.R. 12: Mr. PALLONE. lation pursuant to the following: the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H.R. 36: Mr. BURGESS and Mr. THOMAS J. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- By Ms. JUDY CHU of California (for ROONEY of Florida. ´ tion. herself, Mr. TAKANO, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, H.R. 66: Mr. THORNBERRY. By Mr. FITZPATRICK: Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. H.R. 299: Mr. DENHAM. H.R. 3850. TED LIEU of California, Mr. SABLAN, H.R. 377: Mr. NORMAN and Mrs. HARTZLER. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Ms. LEE, and Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD): H.R. 392: Mr. DOGGETT and Mr. KELLY of lation pursuant to the following: H. Res. 541. A resolution recognizing the Mississippi. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 achievements of Asian American and Native H.R. 502: Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. BEN RAY American Pacific Islander-Serving Institu- By Ms. FOXX: ´ H.R. 3851. LUJAN of New Mexico, Mrs. MURPHY of Flor- tions on the 10th anniversary of their estab- ida, and Mr. ESPAILLAT. lishment; to the Committee on Education Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: H.R. 535: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona and Mr. and the Workforce. GENE GREEN of Texas. By Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Ms. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Con- gress the power to H.R. 644: Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. SHEA-PORTER): H.R. 664: Mr. GOTTHEIMER and Mr. KING of H. Res. 542. A resolution expressing support ‘‘To define and punish Piracies and Felo- nies committed on the high Seas, and New York. for designation of the week of October 1 H.R. 721: Mr. GOODLATTE. through 7, 2017, as ‘‘Latex Allergy Awareness Offences against the Law of Nations;’’ By Ms. MENG: H.R. 747: Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. GON- Week’’; to the Committee on Oversight and ZALEZ of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. Government Reform. H.R. 3852. Congress has the power to enact this legis- ENGEL, Mr. GOWDY, and Mr. SCHNEIDER. By Mr. QUIGLEY: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 785: Mrs. BLACK, Mr. CARTER of Geor- H. Res. 543. A resolution congratulating Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- gia, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. ROKITA, and Mr. Northeastern Illinois University on the ses- tion. OLSON. quicentennial of the University; to the Com- By Ms. NORTON: H.R. 790: Mr. SOTO. mittee on Education and the Workforce. H.R. 3853. H.R. 795: Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. SMITH of f Congress has the power to enact this legis- Missouri, and Mr. MCGOVERN. H.R. 807: Mrs. NOEM and Mr. SMITH of New MEMORIALS lation pursuant to the following: clause 1 of section 8 of article I of the Con- Jersey. Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials stitution. H.R. 866: Ms. KELLY of Illinois. were presented and referred as follows: By Mr. PANETTA: H.R. 927: Mr. JONES. H.R. 959: Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania 126. The SPEAKER presented a memorial H.R. 3854. and Ms. NORTON. of the General Assembly of the State of New Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 997: Mr. BABIN. Jersey, relative to Assembly Resolution No. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1017: Mr. BERA, Mr. TIPTON, and Mr. 254, urging the President and Congress to ex- Article I, Section 8, clause 3 provides Con- FASO. pand access to afterschool summer meal progress with the power to ‘‘regulate commerce H.R. 1035: Ms. SINEMA. grams and streamline the application proc- with foreign nations, and among the several H.R. 1057: Mr. NORMAN and Mr. NUNES. ess for summer meals; to the Committee on states, and with the Indian tribes.’’ H.R. 1098: Mr. ROKITA. Education and the Workforce. By Ms. ROSEN: H.R. 1148: Mr. NOLAN. 127. Also, a memorial of the General As- H.R. 3855. H.R. 1150: Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. sembly of the State of New Jersey, relative Congress has the power to enact this legis- CRAMER, and Mr. HUNTER. to Assembly Resolution No. 234, urging Con- lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1164: Mr. KELLY of Mississippi, Mr. gress not eliminate the property tax deduc- Article I, Section 8, Clauses 14 and 16 of the WITTMAN, Mr. GIBBS, Mr. COMER, and Mr. tion allowable under United States federal U.S. Constitution (‘‘To make Rules for the ROUZER. tax law; to the Committee on Ways and Government and Regulation of the land and H.R. 1200: Mrs. BLACKBURN. Means. naval Forces’’ and ‘‘To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, H.R. 1225: Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. LOWENTHAL, f and for governing such Part of them as may Ms. SLAUGHTER, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY be employed in the Service of the United LANGEVIN, Mr. DESAULNIER, and Mrs. CARO- STATEMENT States, reserving to the States respectively, LYN B. MALONEY of New York. the Appointment of the Officers, and the Au- H.R. 1253: Ms. WILSON of Florida. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of thority of training the Militia according to H.R. 1270: Mr. LOEBSACK. the Rules of the House of Representa- the discipline prescribed by Congress)’’. H.R. 1276: Mr. TED LIEU of California, Ms. tives, the following statements are sub- By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey: MENG, and Mr. NADLER. mitted regarding the specific powers H.R. 3856. H.R. 1279: Mr. HASTINGS. granted to Congress in the Constitu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1317: Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. H.R. 1380: Mr. NOLAN and Mr. DUFFY. tion to enact the accompanying bill or lation pursuant to the following: Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution H.R. 1384: Mr. DEFAZIO. joint resolution. By Mrs. WAGNER: H.R. 1419: Mr. COURTNEY. By Mr. CA´ RDENAS: H.R. 3857. H.R. 1459: Mr. MACARTHUR. H.R. 3845. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1464: Mr. LIPINSKI. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1494: Mr. HUDSON, Ms. BLUNT ROCH- lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ESTER, and Mr. BEYER. Article I, Section 8 of the United States By Ms. MAXINE WATERS of Cali- H.R. 1602: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Constitution. fornia: H.R. 1606: Mr. PALAZZO. By Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio: H.R. 3858. H.R. 1674: Mr. KING of New York. H.R. 3846. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1699: Mr. PETERS. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1810: Ms. MCCOLLUM. lation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, clause 1 of the U.S. H.R. 1825: Mr. PETERS and Mr. KATKO. The Congress enacts this bill pursuant to Constitution and H.R. 1865: Mr. REICHERT, Mr. ROE of Ten- Article I, Section 8, Clause l of the U.S. Con- Article 1, Section 9, clause 7 of the U.S. nessee, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. FLORES, and stitution Constitution. Mr. SHUSTER.

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H.R. 1889: Mr. CLEAVER. BUSTOS, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. H.R. 3759: Mr. NOLAN, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. H.R. 1953: Mr. DESJARLAIS and Mr. LOBI- LAMALFA, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, Mr. CARSON of In- ONDO. DUNN, Mr. MCEACHIN, Mr. GRAVES of Mis- diana, Mr. MCKINLEY, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mr. H.R. 1957: Mr. LOEBSACK. souri, Mr. BISHOP of Michigan, Mr. VALADAO, PETERSON. H.R. 2069: Mr. PETERS and Mr. RENACCI. Mr. ROSS, Mr. DESJARLAIS, Mr. KELLY of H.R. 3761: Mr. GUTHRIE and Mr. UPTON. H.R. 2095: Mr. SMITH of Washington. Pennsylvania, Mr. DENT, Mr. COSTELLO of H.R. 3775: Mr. BARLETTA. H.R. 2121: Mr. STIVERS, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. Pennsylvania, Mrs. ROBY, Mr. RATCLIFFE, H.R. 3782: Mrs. DINGELL. ONOVAN LARK D , Ms. C of Massachusetts, and and Mr. SMITH of Missouri. H.R. 3792: Mr. WELCH, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. AC RTHUR Mr. M A . H.R. 3079: Mr. GARRETT. SCHIFF, Mr. BEYER, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. H.R. 2201: Mr. MACARTHUR. H.R. 3107: Mr. CALVERT. SUOZZI, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. KING of New York, H.R. 2219: Ms. SINEMA. H.R. 3117: Mr. GUTHRIE. and Mr. TED LIEU of California. H.R. 2232: Mr. RENACCI, Mr. FRANKS of Ari- H.R. 3176: Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. H.R. 3810: Mr. FOSTER, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. zona, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, and Mr. PEARCE. H.R. 3227: Mr. NADLER and Mr. QUIGLEY. CICILLINE, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. PETERS, and H.R. 2264: Mr. LIPINSKI. H.R. 3272: Mr. SWALWELL of California and Miss RICE of New York. H.R. 2319: Mr. DENT. Mr. KING of New York. H.R. 3812: Mr. SERRANO. H.R. 2401: Mr. LIPINSKI. H.R. 3273: Mr. TONKO. ILIRAKIS AWSON H.R. 2405: Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. ROKITA, and H.R. 3274: Mr. BERGMAN, Mr. ROKITA, Mr. H.R. 3826: Mr. B , Mr. L of OTO ASTOR Mrs. NOEM. CRAWFORD, Mr. RENACCI, and Mr. LONG. Florida, Mr. S , and Ms. C of Flor- H.R. 2418: Mr. SMITH of Washington. H.R. 3275: Mrs. NAPOLITANO and Ms. LOF- ida. H.R. 2436: Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, GREN. H.R. 3831: Mr. PETERSON. Mr. NADLER, Mr. SCHRADER, and Mr. KILMER. H.R. 3281: Mr. COSTA. H.J. Res. 1: Mr. ROKITA and Mr. GUTHRIE. H.R. 2499: Ms. JAYAPAL. H.R. 3320: Ms. FRANKEL of Florida, Ms. H.J. Res. 2: Mr. ROKITA and Mr. GUTHRIE. H.R. 2501: Mr. KHANNA. ROS-LEHTINEN, and Mr. GENE GREEN of H.J. Res. 48: Ms. TSONGAS. H.R. 2625: Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Texas. H. Con. Res. 57: Mr. LIPINSKI. H.R. 2640: Mr. LOEBSACK and Mr. CRIST. H.R. 3329: Mr. PERRY, Mr. COLE, and Mr. H. Con. Res. 75: Mr. DESAULNIER. H.R. 2641: Mr. VEASEY. MESSER. H. Res. 128: Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. YODER, Mrs. H.R. 2658: Mr. CONNOLLY. H.R. 3342: Mr. SCHNEIDER. DAVIS of California, and Mr. THOMPSON of H.R. 2670: Ms. WILSON of Florida. H.R. 3349: Mr. POCAN. California. H.R. 2679: Mr. LOBIONDO. H.R. 3378: Mr. LOEBSACK and Mr. KELLY of H. Res. 142: Mr. SIRES, Ms. ROYBAL- H.R. 2685: Mr. PETERS. Pennsylvania. ALLARD, and Mr. FLORES. H.R. 2687: Ms. CLARKE of New York. H.R. 3380: Mr. TED LIEU of California. H. Res. 161: Ms. ROSEN and Mr. LOWENTHAL. H.R. 2690: Mr. NOLAN. H.R. 3383: Ms. JENKINS of Kansas, Mr. MAR- H. Res. 220: Mr. HUFFMAN and Ms. CLARKE H.R. 2740: Mr. BIGGS and Mr. GRAVES of SHALL, and Mr. YODER. of New York. Georgia. H.R. 3395: Mr. MACARTHUR, Mr. MOULTON, H. Res. 257: Mr. CORREA. H.R. 2788: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. LOUDERMILK, Mr. MESSER, Mrs. MURPHY H. Res. 271: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. H.R. 2790: Mr. SIRES. of Florida, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SMITH of H. Res. 274: Mr. TAKANO, Mrs. WALORSKI, H.R. 2840: Mr. CRIST, Mr. O’HALLERAN, and Washington, and Mr. PETERS. and Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Ms. BARRAGA´ N. H.R. 3525: Mr. LIPINSKI and Mr. DEUTCH. H. Res. 279: Mr. SESSIONS. H.R. 2856: Mr. SESSIONS. H.R. 3545: Mr. CALVERT. H.R. 2862: Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mrs. H.R. 3552: Mr. MEEKS. H. Res. 359: Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. ´ MURPHY of Florida, and Mr. HECK. H.R. 3570: Mr. ROKITA. CARDENAS, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. SEAN PATRICK H.R. 2871: Mr. SENSENBRENNER and Mr. H.R. 3576: Mr. ROUZER and Mr. HARRIS. MALONEY of New York. GOODLATTE. H.R. 3632: Mr. AMODEI and Ms. MCSALLY. H. Res. 490: Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. H.R. 2897: Mr. BISHOP of Utah. H.R. 3641: Mr. SMITH of Missouri, Mr. SMITH H. Res. 518: Mr. BURGESS, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. H.R. 2898: Mr. GOSAR. of Washington, and Mr. POLIS. LANCE, Ms. DEGETTE, Mrs. MCMORRIS ROD- H.R. 2909: Mr. FERGUSON. H.R. 3692: Mr. TIPTON. GERS, Mr. GUTHRIE, Mr. WENSTRUP, Mr. H.R. 2948: Mr. HIMES, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. H.R. 3696: Mr. MCGOVERN. BUCSHON, Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana, Mr. ROE of FOSTER, Mr. PERLMUTTER, and Ms. BLUNT H.R. 3699: Mr. RASKIN. Tennessee, Mr. ABRAHAM, and Mr. MCGOV- ROCHESTER. H.R. 3721: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. HIGGINS of ERN. H.R. 3042: Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. New York, and Mr. COHEN. H. Res. 529: Mr. WELCH. H.R. 3053: Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. H.R. 3733: Ms. BROWNLEY of California. H. Res. 534: Mr. KING of Iowa and Mr. ABRA- BABIN, Mr. DONOVAN, Mr. BYRNE, Mrs. H.R. 3758: Mr. RENACCI. HAM.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE7.007 H27SEPT1 E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 No. 155 Senate The Senate met at 10:01 a.m. and was appoint the Honorable TOM COTTON, a Sen- A bill (H.R. 3354) making appropriations called to order by the Honorable TOM ator from the State of Arkansas, to perform for the Department of the Interior, environ- COTTON, a Senator from the State of the duties of the Chair. ment, and related agencies for the fiscal year Arkansas. ORRIN G. HATCH, ending September 30, 2018, and for other pur- President pro tempore. poses. f Mr. COTTON thereupon assumed the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, in PRAYER Chair as Acting President pro tempore. order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I ob- The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- f ject to further proceedings. fered the following prayer: RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Let us pray. pore. Objection having been heard, the Immortal and Invisible God, You con- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- bill will be placed on the calendar. tinue to be our shelter in the time of pore. Under the previous order, the storms. Thank You for being our Na- leadership time is reserved. TAX REFORM tion’s protection. f Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, Give our Senators the wisdom to later today, I look forward to joining CONCLUSION OF MORNING members of the Senate Finance Com- place their confidence in You, instead BUSINESS of in national power and prestige. Lord, mittee, the House Ways and Means inspire our lawmakers with Your pres- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Committee, and other congressional ence. Dispel all fear. May they remem- pore. Morning business is closed. leaders in unveiling a unified framework for fixing our Nation’s broken ber that in the most turbulent and un- f predictable of times, You are still in Tax Code. It is an idea that can bring charge of our Nation and world. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- much needed relief to middle-class Give each of our citizens the ability TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR families and small businesses and help to know and do Your will. Lord, be in 2018—MOTION TO PROCEED keep more jobs right here in America. our midst so that we will experience The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- It is the result of a lot of hard work peace even in the midst of a storm. pore. Under the previous order, the and input from Members, committees, We pray in Your great Name. Amen. Senate will resume consideration of staffs, and the administration, to name the motion to proceed to S. 1519, which a few, and I want to thank them again f the clerk will report. for their continued diligence on behalf PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The senior assistant legislative clerk of our country. This framework is focused on sup- The Presiding Officer led the Pledge read as follows: porting American jobs, while making of Allegiance, as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 165, S. 1519, a bill to authorize appropriations for taxes fairer, and on growing families’ I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the paychecks. It is a refreshing change United States of America, and to the Repub- fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Department of Defense, for military con- from our current outdated Tax Code, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. struction, and for defense activities of the which for too long hasn’t worked for Department of Energy, to prescribe military many Americans. f personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and The current code forces individuals, for other purposes. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING families, and small businesses to navi- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER gate a web of schedules, deductions, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- and penalties. Rates are too high. In- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pore. The majority leader is recog- centives often make little to no sense. clerk will please read a communication nized. Some actually encourage companies to to the Senate from the President pro MEASURE PLACED ON THE CALENDAR—H.R. 3354 ship American jobs overseas. Moreover, tempore (Mr. HATCH). Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I for 8 years under the Obama adminis- The senior assistant legislative clerk understand there is a bill at the desk tration, our economy grew at a slug- read the following letter: that is due for a second reading. gish rate—never living up to its real U.S. SENATE, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- potential. Too many Americans strug- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, Washington, DC, September 27, 2017. pore. The clerk will read the bill by gled to get ahead, many living pay- To the Senate: title for the second time. check to paycheck. It is time for a sig- Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, The senior assistant legislative clerk nificant change in favor of families and of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby read as follows: jobs.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.000 S27SEPT1 S6160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 This is our once-in-a-generation op- RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER crumbs. Amazingly, the Trump tax portunity to fundamentally rethink The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- plan will even include a proposal to in- our Tax Code. We can unleash the econ- pore. The Democratic leader is recog- crease the bottom tax rate—a punch to omy—promoting growth, attracting nized. the gut of working Americans. jobs, and improving American competi- TAX REFORM The American people should be able tiveness in the global market. Instead Mr. SCHUMER. Good morning, Mr. to see the principle behind President of sending jobs overseas, we can mod- President. First, I would like to talk Trump’s tax plan in this one fact. He ernize our Tax Code to help bring about taxes. proposes to cut taxes on the highest in- strong investment and good-paying Today, President Trump and Repub- come brackets and raise them on the jobs home and keep them here. lican leaders will announce several pro- lowest. He raises the bottom rate and Through this framework, we can lower posals as part of their tax plan. Accord- cuts the top rate. This is taxes for individuals and families, so ing to recent reports, that plan will in- ‘‘wealthfare’’—‘‘wealthfare’’—helping hard-working Americans are able to clude proposals to repeal the estate those of great wealth with more tax keep more of their hard-earned money. tax, lower the rate on passthrough en- breaks. Later this afternoon, President tities, lower the top rate, and actually The American people should be able Trump will bring our shared vision of raise the bottom tax rate. Each of to see the principle behind President tax reform to the people of Indiana and these proposals would result in a mas- Trump’s tax plan with little more than to Americans more broadly. He will ex- sive windfall for the wealthiest Ameri- an across-the-board tax cut for Amer- plain his support for putting Ameri- cans and provide almost no relief to ica’s millionaires and billionaires. God cans across the country on a more level middle-class taxpayers who need it bless them. I am glad we have a lot of playing field, because when they are, most. rich people in America. I don’t be- they can win. It seems that President Trump and grudge them. Many of them have I thank the President and his team Republicans have designed their plan worked very hard to get their money. for their efforts to develop the frame- to be cheered in the country clubs and Some of them get it through an estate; work. Together, we can continue that the corporate boardrooms. How does so be it. But the wealthiest among us work to bring relief and growth to the repealing the estate tax help middle- don’t need a tax break. They are doing people of our States, such as the work- class people? great. ers, small businesses, and families of Only 5,200 of the wealthiest families All of the statistics show that those Kentucky, and promote economic in America, couples whose estates are at the highest end are making more growth in America. worth $11 million, pay the estate tax. money than ever before and the middle Using the framework we will release Are there any middle-class families class is flat or sinking. Who needs the today as a roadmap, the Senate Fi- worth $11 million? Is that the Presi- break? The Washington Post-ABC poll nance Committee, under Chairman dent’s definition of the middle class? showed yesterday that more than 70 HATCH’s leadership, will continue to The estate tax is skewed to the very percent of Americans say our tax sys- hold a series of hearings to discuss how wealthiest among us, and they are tem already tends to favor wealth more to make taxes lower, simpler, and fair- going to repeal it. This is not going to than the middle class. This bill makes er for middle-class families and for fly with the American people, let me it much worse. small businesses. Like its counterpart tell you. One more thing to watch today is in the House, the Ways and Means Our Republican colleagues tried to do whether the President and his Repub- Committee, the Senate Finance Com- something the public disliked on licans provide any details about how mittee will continue working to pro- healthcare—taking away benefits, re- they intend to pay for these massive vide much needed relief to encourage ducing healthcare. Now they are trying cuts. Without these details, I suspect jobs and investments to come back to to do the same thing on taxes, helping Republicans will turn the age-old trick the United States. The work of these the very wealthiest. They are going to of promising that economic growth will committees will help build a stronger be in for a rude awakening because the make up for the entire difference. country. American people are going to rise up Some of them call it dynamic scoring, Many of our Democratic colleagues against this. Over 70 percent of Ameri- but that name obscures what dynamic have voiced support for overhauling cans are against tax breaks for wealthy scoring really is. our Tax Code. Throughout this process, Americans and wealthy corporations. President Trump calls the media out- I hope they will choose to work with us Lowering the rate on passthrough en- lets fake news. Dynamic scoring is fake in a serious way. tities would create a huge loophole, al- math. It is just made-up, fake math to A fundamental overhaul of our Tax lowing very wealthy Americans, such hide another deficit-busting tax cut to Code is a daunting task. We have a lot as hedge fund managers, to funnel their benefit the wealthiest Americans. of work ahead, but America deserves income through a business entity in No less of an authority than James it—like the hard-working men and order to avoid the top bracket and pay Baker, a conservative Republican and women of the middle class saving for a much lower rate. So the upper mid- former Republican Treasury Secretary retirement and the small businesses dle-class family making $100,000 or who led the last successful tax reform trying to expand and grow and the fam- $200,000 or $300,000 can pay 39 percent, effort under President Reagan, said: ilies hoping to send their kids to a good but these wealthy hedge fund man- We must not let tax revenues decline and college. These Americans deserve real agers, lawyers, and whoever, through a worsen the deficit. In other words, tax re- tax reform. I urge all of my colleagues passthrough, can pay no corporate tax form must be revenue neutral and should be to join me in working from this frame- and then a 25-percent rate on the rest judged on its own merits. work to deliver for them. of their taxes. Does that help middle- Let’s call it the Baker rule—the Jim Here is the point: It is time to take class Americans? Absolutely not. Does Baker rule: Tax reform must be rev- more money out of Washington’s pock- it help the wealthiest who have the enue neutral, judged on its own merits, ets and put more of it in the pockets of lawyers to set up these passthrough en- with no dynamic scoring and no fake Americans. tities? Absolutely. math. I suggest the absence of a quorum. By lowering the individual top rate, I am amazed that President Trump, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the top 1 percent, who make above whenever he talks, says he wants to pore. The clerk will call the roll. $490,000 a year, would get a tax break help the middle class, and his plan at The senior assistant legislative clerk because their rate would be lowered. best throws crumbs at some middle- proceeded to call the roll. God bless them. They make a lot of class people. Some will get a tax in- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask money. Do they need a tax break? I crease, especially those in high-tax unanimous consent that the order for don’t think so. States like New York, but his plan ben- the quorum call be rescinded. President Trump clearly believes, de- efits the wealthy. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- spite his rhetoric, that the wealthy in Has the President read this plan? Has pore. Without objection, it is so or- this country deserve another tax cut he been involved in creating this plan dered. while middle-class families at best get or is it the people around him—many

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.002 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6161 of them from Wall Street—who came cause we Democrats want to work with of the office. When he mentions Puerto up with this plan, and the President our Republican colleagues to stabilize Rico, President Trump promotes his doesn’t even know what it does? the markets and lower premiums for own administration’s efforts and im- I will tell you, if he goes to Indiana millions of Americans. We hope our Re- plies that Puerto Rico was partially at today and says that his plan helps the publican colleagues will not just sit fault for the devastation they have middle class rather than the wealthy, back, repeatedly threaten repeal, and been suffering. The response from the he has it backward. It helps the watch as millions of Americans pay administration needs to get a whole lot wealthy far more than it helps the mid- higher healthcare costs. That will be better fast. dle class. wrong substantively, and, politically, I spoke to the Governor of Puerto HEALTHCARE it will fall right on their shoulders. Rico yesterday, and he gave me spe- Mr. President, yesterday the major- So I hope we can have the negotia- cific items that would provide imme- ity announced it would not be holding tions pick up between Senators MUR- diate help. I spoke about them yester- a vote this week on the latest RAY and ALEXANDER right where they day, and I hope the administration acts healthcare bill, Graham-Cassidy. Every left off. Each of them said they were on them quickly. But most impor- American should breathe a deep sigh of close to an agreement before Chairman tantly, we need the administration to relief. ALEXANDER was pulled away by Repub- send us an emergency and interim aid The majority has vowed to revisit lican leadership. package to pass, just as we did in the ACA repeal, maybe even with this leg- Insurers are about to set their rates wake of Hurricane Harvey. Puerto Rico islation. But President Trump and our for the next year, and whether we can and the U.S. Virgin Islands shouldn’t Republican colleagues should have come together or not could be the dif- have to wait a second longer for aid learned from these failures that the ference between a stable market and than any other American State or Ter- American people do not want to cut premiums that are hundreds of dollars ritory. We should take up and pass this healthcare. If they try to do it a third more expensive. So for the sake of the package here in the Senate before the time, they will fail again for the sim- American people, for the sake of turn- week is over. plest reason in politics: The public is ing over a new leaf on healthcare, let’s I yield the floor. against what they want to do. work together in a bipartisan way to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. This administration, which cam- shore up and improve our Nation’s HOEVEN). The Senator from Maine. paigned it is for the people and popu- healthcare. Mr. KING. Mr. President, first I want list, on healthcare is doing what people PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS to join the Democratic leader in his don’t want and on taxes is doing what RECOVERY EFFORT comments about the devastation of people don’t want. What is going on? Finally, Mr. President, on the crisis these hurricanes. This has been truly a I remind my Republican colleagues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Is- malign visitation on our country over that continuing to threaten repeal is lands, Hurricanes Irma and Maria have the last several weeks. Florida, Texas, like hanging a giant sword of Damocles left the islands—home to well over 3 the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico above our Nation’s healthcare system. million American citizens—hanging on have really suffered and are suffering. I It causes great uncertainty in the for dear life. You have seen the pic- know that the administration is work- healthcare market, and it leads insur- tures, and they are devastating. Water, ing hard on this, and I commend them ers to raise premiums on average food, diesel, power, cell service, medi- for the efforts that they have made. Americans. cine, shelter, security, the basic needs I think that now much of our atten- Now, I understand that for political of human survival are limited and run- tion is turning to Puerto Rico and the purposes Republicans don’t want to ning out in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Virgin Islands in order to mitigate ever admit that ACA repeal is off the Islands. Diabetic patients who require what is really a humanitarian disaster. table. They promised it to the Amer- insulin shots are unable to keep their One difference between those islands ican people for 7 years but deluded lifesaving medicine refrigerated. Hos- and Florida and Texas is the fact that them on what it really meant. The av- pitals still lack power and running they are islands. It is harder to get erage American thought that, if you water. This was a catastrophe on an there. It is harder to get aid there. I took ACA off the table, premiums epic scale. It may have been one of the understand that just this morning the would go down and coverage would go worst humanitarian crises within our San Juan airport was open for the first up. The bills the Republicans have pro- borders. time, and it has opened in a limited posed do just the opposite, but I under- Now, the President has a bully pul- way. stand why they do it. They promised it pit. More importantly, he is in direct So this is clearly a responsibility so often. But those promises have a control of the vast resources of our that we have as Senators, as Members real human consequence in the form of Federal Government—the military, the of Congress, and as Americans to reach higher costs for everybody. The respon- Department of Energy, FEMA, USDA, out to our neighbors in a situation sibility and the blame for the rate and much more. He can direct the at- such as this. When a crisis hits, it often hikes, should they occur—and they tention of all Americans to important calls forth the best of America, and I probably will—will fall squarely on the issues. Previous Presidents have used believe that is happening right now. Republican shoulders. President Trump this platform to focus our attention on OPIOID EPIDEMIC and the Republicans are in charge. disasters that strike our country. Mr. President, I want to talk about a Saying, gee, something in the past Barack Obama did it, George Bush did different kind of hurricane, a slow-mo- caused it, when they failed to correct it, Bill Clinton did it, George H.W. tion hurricane. It is a slow-motion hur- it, is not going to work. Bush did it, and Ronald Reagan did it. ricane that is sweeping our entire My Republican friends, you are no The President can direct resources— country, not just the Southeast. It is longer in the minority. You are run- boots on the ground and a structure to sweeping through our small towns, our ning the show. It is your responsibility coordinate it all. But a President needs cities, our families, and our schools. It to help bring premiums down. We want to act aggressively, comprehensively, is taking lives on a scale that is un- to do that and, in fact, there are good and urgently, and some of that has precedented and almost unthinkable. bipartisan sprouts. Senators ALEX- been lacking with this President unfor- I am talking about the hurricane epi- ANDER and MURRAY are very close to a tunately. demic of opioid abuse and overdose bipartisan agreement. Now, we hope A cursory scroll of President Trump’s deaths. Many of us this week are out of pique or anger that our Repub- Twitter feed and public comments from watching with rapt attention Ken lican colleagues will not reject a good the past few weeks does not show him Burns’ magnificent study of the Viet- bipartisan compromise that helps the using the power of his office to focus nam war. We are losing more people American people, put together by the our attention on the crisis in Puerto per year to overdose deaths than were chair of the HELP Committee and the Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has lost in the entire Vietnam war. That is ranking member. been a week since the storm hit and, as one way to think about the magnitude I hope and expect the negotiations to I said, his Twitter feed and public com- of this catastrophe that is striking our pick up right where they left off be- ments don’t show him using the power country. The problem is that it strikes

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.004 S27SEPT1 S6162 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 here and there. It strikes a family here jail. He was convicted. But now he is a to figure out how to make prevention and a family there, a community here member of the Maine State Bar Asso- work. What will work? I haven’t yet and a community there, but it doesn’t ciation. He got himself through school, heard a really strong answer to that strike all in one place. So it is not so and he got himself through law school. question. I guess it varies from person apparent. There was an important moment to person, but prevention has to be part If we were losing a small city in that I think all of us should think of it. Treatment can work, but if only America of 63,000 people once a year, about when we think about people who 1 in 10 people have treatment available we would be turning ourselves inside are in this situation. When he went to to them or have access to treatment, out to solve the problem that was caus- apply to law school, the people at the that means 9 are sentenced to life and ing those deaths, and 63,000 people were law school said: Well, we don’t know if maybe to death. killed last year through overdose we can take you because you have this Last year, a year and a half ago, we deaths. It was almost 400 in my State record. passed CARA, the Comprehensive Ad- of Maine. That is more than one a day. His question, which was brilliant and diction Recovery Act. It is a great bill, All indications are that it is increas- indicates to me that he is going to be with lots of good things in it, but no ing—one a day. Now, 63,000 is about 7 a pretty good lawyer, was this: What money. That is like sending the fire de- people an hour—24 hours a day, 365 was my sentence when I was convicted? partment to the fire and saying: Fight days a year—who are succumbing to The response was 3 years. He said: You that fire, but we are not going to give this plague. That is the right term for are putting me in for life. If you don’t you any water. We know this costs it. It is a medieval plague that is af- let me move forward with my life, you money, and it is something we have to flicting people all over our country. are making that a life sentence, not a commit to. It has to be part of it. Lives are lost, families torn apart, 3-year sentence. He was accepted to Whatever we do around here about and our communities compromised. It law school. He graduated, and this year healthcare and about budgets, we have is a huge cost. I hesitate to talk about he passed and was accepted in the to realize we are losing our people, and things like dollars when you are also Maine State Bar Association. He is these aren’t bad people. These aren’t talking about lives, but it is a cost in making a contribution to his commu- people over there. I sat at a roundtable both ways. Not only are lives being lost nity. in a small town in South Paris, ME. and families being torn apart, but the Treatment can work. It doesn’t al- Next to me was a deputy sheriff. He estimates are that it costs our society ways work the first time. Anybody lost his daughter. These aren’t strang- something over $400 billion a year in that has been through this, whether it ers. These are often middle-class peo- everything from medical costs and is alcohol or even quitting smoking or ple. These are people whose kids or criminal justice costs to lost economic anything else, will tell you that it sometimes parents—this is not age spe- and lost productivity in our society doesn’t work the first time necessarily. cific—are caught up in this scourge. and our economy. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it I guess I want to leave us today with But I am here today because all hope doesn’t. Sometimes it will take mul- two points. One is, treatment works. is not lost. Contrary to what some peo- tiple trips through the recovery and The second is, we need more of it. If we ple hear—and you hear sometimes that treatment process, but it can work. We know something works, but only 1 in 10 this is hopeless and that there isn’t know it can work. I have 25 million people have access to it, shame on us anything we can do about it—there is reasons to tell you that it can work for not remedying that situation. To ample evidence that treatment can and 3 that I know. me, the most tragic case—and I have work. This is not a death sentence. I am going to be introducing a reso- talked to people in Maine about this— Opioid abuse is terrible, and from talk- lution later today—I hope the Senate the saddest moment, the most tragic ing to people who have suffered from it, can take it up and pass it—designating case is when someone who is in the it literally changes your brain, and it next month as National Recovery throes of opioid abuse is ready to ask becomes almost impossible to escape. Month, honoring and recognizing the for help and they have to be put on a But it can be escaped. The reason we people who are in recovery. So if it waiting list. That is tragic and inex- know that is that there is data from works, what is the problem? Why is cusable. It is hard to get to that point. across the country, but the reason I this hurricane still sweeping our coun- It is hard to admit that you are know that is because of my friends in try? Why does 2017 look like it is going trapped and that you are no longer in Maine—Andrew, Matt, and Chris. to be worse than 2016? control of your life. Once you are will- These are people whom I know, with Well, the sad truth is that, out of all ing to do that and say, ‘‘I need help,’’ whom I have interacted, and with of those millions of people who are ad- then it is up to us to be sure the help whom I have sat down. Andrew is a guy dicted, who are stuck, who are trapped, is there. That is what we are talking who is at the University of Southern only 1 in 10 has access to treatment— about today. Maine. He was trapped in the throes of only 1 in 10. Now, what do we have to So this is a different kind of hurri- addiction. He went through treatment, do to deal with this problem? Of cane, but it is a hurricane, nonetheless, and now he is in recovery. Indeed, course, it is like most other problems. that is destroying our families, de- there are 25 million people in this There is no single answer. It involves stroying our communities, and wreck- country who are in recovery, and they law enforcement. It involves interdic- ing the lives of our friends, but it is no will tell you that they will always be tion, and let me pause for a moment on act of God. We can’t stop the winds of in recovery because they can never interdiction. The Presiding Officer and Maria or Irma, but we can mitigate the shake this disease, whether it is alco- I are both on the Armed Services Com- effects, ameliorate the effects, soften hol or the really destructive one that mittee, and we have heard testimony the effects. That is exactly what we we are focusing on right now, which is in our committee that we only have need to do for those who are victims of opioids. the Coast Guard and Navy resources to the hurricane of opioids that is sweep- Andrew has made a new life. He is at interdict one-fourth of the drug ship- ing our country. school. He is at the University of ments that we know of coming up from I hope and believe we will respond to Southern Maine. He has helped form a South and Central America by sea. In this challenge as we have at other student-centered community to help other words, we have intelligence times in our history, and, indeed, as we people who are in recovery or who are where we know of 100 boats, and we can are this week to the hurricanes of the working on getting there. only stop 25. There is no excuse for Caribbean. I want to respond also to Matthew is a young man who, in 2009, that. So, yes, law enforcement, at the the hurricane that is sweeping America again was trapped by this horrible source or along the way in our States, that we can, indeed, ameliorate, miti- scourge. Now he is hoping to go to is an absolutely essential part of this gate, and soften. medical school. process, but it is not the whole answer. Thank you, Mr. President. Chris is a guy who sat in my office. We also have to work on prevention. I yield the floor. He worked in the White House. He was Frankly, I have been talking to I suggest the absence of a quorum. in it up to his neck and above. He had groups around Maine and around the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- criminal justice problems. He was in country on this. We are all still trying LIVAN). The clerk will call the roll.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.006 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6163 The legislative clerk proceeded to someone had decided, ‘‘I’m going to let demonstrates that the internet econ- call the roll. the highest bidder rule the roost.’’ omy is a dynamic, supercharged, job- Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask The President’s nomination of Pai creating engine, with economic growth unanimous consent that the order for and his desire to have him continue as that should not be artificially slowed the quorum call be rescinded. Chair continues to show a desire to un- down because some industries believe The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dermine the internet and the internet they have the right to do so. objection, it is so ordered. economy. As soon as he was appointed, These facts, and making sure we pro- NOMINATION OF AJIT PAI Chairman Pai announced his intention, tect an open internet, are why we Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I as Chairman, to go against the de- should not support Chairman Pai. rise to strongly oppose the nomination mands of American consumers and re- The slow lanes and the fast lanes are of Ajit Pai to serve a second term as verse the rules that are already on the not like a highway where a consumer Chairman of the FCC. books to protect consumers. Chairman or business can take another route or Since taking over the FCC leadership Pai wants to make it possible for those plan another course. Here, you are cre- in January, Chairman Pai wasted no big telecom and cable companies to ating barriers that are wedges between time moving the agency away from its erect toll lanes that would further bur- businesses and their consumers, be- key mission to promote the use and de- den the nature of the internet and in- tween doctors and their patients, be- ployment of communications in the novation that its economy supports. He tween industry solution providers and public interest. For example, he has plans to go against more than 10 mil- the customers they are trying to serve. been involved in dismantling the rules lion American consumers and The growth of the internet platform that preserve the diversity of content innovators who have told him to keep for economic activity is something we in media ownership, potentially nega- the internet open and free. do not want to see destroyed, and tively impacting forever the number Recent studies have shown that the Chairman Pai’s dismantling of that ro- and variety of voices in the media mar- internet economy is now over 7 percent bust internet architecture and the sup- ket. of U.S. GDP, it employs 7 million peo- port it gives to innovators is extremely In addition, his confirmation to this ple and is worth a trillion dollars. Our troubling to me. I think about all the internet appli- important position will also have a strong, robust internet rules, without cations that I have seen in my State, negative impact on one of the most im- question, have helped keep that eco- whether it is a business like McKinstry portant issues, I believe, of our time; nomic growth. Our economy is in a that provides building efficiencies to that is, preserving net neutrality. A massive technological transformation. school districts all over our State and strong and open internet is key to an It is in an information age, and in an in Puget Sound. Let’s pretend now that economy of the future—to promoting information age, making sure you have McKinstry, which is trying to tell an environment for innovation and fa- an open internet is going to be key to North Shore School District that they cilitating the creative jobs that are continuing to grow business. are using too much power could reduce going to come along with an open Every business plan of every startup their costs by just doing three simple internet architecture. relies on the ability of consumers to things—but now, all of a sudden, be- Chairman Pai is poised to undo the get equal access to content. Largely, as cause the net neutrality rules go away, bedrock principles that are already in a result of the innovations, the open McKinstry has to charge that school place to protect an open internet. Even internet has created hundreds of thou- district more if they want to get that in the face of evidence that these rules sands of tech jobs in the United States. information to them on time. A are important to an internet economy The internet economy is almost a tril- clogged artery will not get the infor- and millions of jobs, he is determined lion dollars, and at 7 percent of GDP, it mation to that school district when it to try to rewrite them. is growing faster and stronger than is needed in time to make an adjust- On Monday, the Senate will vote on many other sectors, including con- whether to confirm Ajit Pai for an- ment. struction, mining, utilities, agri- Let’s talk about a doctor in a rural other term as Chairman of the FCC. As culture, education, and entertainment. area who receives information about a I have said, I think his leadership has It is disturbing to me that Chairman patient who comes into their emer- shown that on net neutrality, he be- Pai has made it clear he wants to re- gency room but wants a consult with a lieves the rules should be changed. As write the rules that protect those busi- doctor in Seattle, and all of a sudden, long as he continues to hold that posi- nesses and create an artificial fast and now their connectivity is slowed down tion, I cannot support his nomination. slow lane and ‘‘if you want out of the unless they pay more money. As the Chairman of the Federal Com- slow lane, you better pay me more I also think about this issue in the munications Commission, he has dem- money.’’ We can’t afford to do that for context of just some very everyday onstrated disdain for the important all the internet applications and all the ways we experience the impact of an public interest principles he is sup- small businesses that are continuing to open internet. Like people going to get posed to be upholding. He shows a dis- work on growing our economy. We need coffee. In my State, they will now regard for the innovators in America to make sure that instead of shedding preorder. They go online, and then that are striving to build the economy jobs in the United States, as we did in they show up to get their coffee—all so of the future. The public interest mis- the last economic downturn, that we they can avoid the long lines. But now, sion of the FCC is encoded in the agen- are creating jobs and creating power all of a sudden, if net neutrality goes cy’s DNA. The law that created the for consumers. away, is that going to mean another FCC clearly states that the agency’s We have seen what has been termed charge or, an extra toll, just to get mission includes promoting equal ac- the ‘‘app economy,’’ which consists of consumers connected to the coffee shop cess to communications networks for everybody who makes money has a job so they can avoid a long line? Are cable all people around the United States. thanks to a mobile app that was also companies and internet service pro- This means the FCC has the responsi- powered by the internet. Today, 1.7 viders going to say to the consumer: bility to promote the expansion of million Americans have jobs because of You have to pay more if you want a communications networks and to en- that economy. Nearly 92,000 of them fast lane. sure they have the incentive and abil- are in the State of Washington. Over What Chairman Pai doesn’t realize is ity to compete fairly with one another the past 5 years, that app economy and that the internet is now a full-blown in providing broadband services. The those jobs have grown at an annual ecosystem with many attachments; mission does not include letting a big rate of 30 percent. The average growth that the internet is like the artery sys- telecom company or cable company rate for all other jobs is 1.6 percent. So, tem that connects it all and connects run over small businesses or consumers literally, Chairman Pai is trying to it in so many ways beyond even our and saying to them: Unless you pay me clog the arteries of one of the fastest imagination. Yet he is proposing to more, I am not going to give you essen- growing economic opportunities in clog those arteries, to hold us ransom tial services. Imagine if that happened America. if only we will tell a cable company it to the telephone industry decades ago, By 2020, the app economy is esti- is OK to charge the American con- if you couldn’t get access because mated to grow to over $100 billion. This sumer more.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.008 S27SEPT1 S6164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 We cannot afford to ruin the internet worry about how much of your hard- Here is why tax reform is so impor- economy by doing this. We need to earned pay you are going to have to tant in the first place. In the words of have an open internet architecture send to Uncle Sam. Today, leaders in Arthur Brooks of the American Enter- that allows everybody to access this in- the House and in the Senate will unveil prise Institute, the American Founders formation at the same time and the their core principles for tax reform. promised not just happiness but the same rate so that we can continue to The President will travel with our col- pursuit of happiness. That is, of course, innovate. league Senator YOUNG to announce his in the Declaration of Independence. I There are ways to grow the internet support for these core principles. think Arthur is onto something. I and grow internet investment in the Taxes can be confounding and com- think that is a good way of putting it. delivery system. In fact, during the plicated and painful to deliberate, but It means that all of us, based on our time period of the open internet rules, for folks back home, what I believe de- country’s original vision, should be we have seen just that—a continued in- scribes our tax principles is to say free to follow our dreams without gov- vestment. So we do not now have to re- more take-home pay, and that works ernment getting in our way or making write these rules. We do not now have for everybody. In other words, you ac- our burdens heavy. We should be free to throw a roadblock, a hurdle, a clog- tually reduce your living costs because to pursue happiness. ging of the arteries at the small busi- Uncle Sam takes less of your paycheck, Average American citizens should ness and internet economy that is meaning you get to keep more of it and not be numbed or stifled by mandatory growing so rapidly with all its devices. take that home and spend it on things participation in a system that depletes God forbid that one of our colleagues that you would prefer to spend it on. their energy and discourages them, and would be on the other side of town and So more take-home pay is our bottom that is what our Tax Code does today. get a delayed message about when a line. It exhausts people when it comes to vote started just because we in the I look forward to working with the fully complying with our arcane and Senate hadn’t bought a higher, faster chairman of the Finance Committee, convoluted and complex laws because speed lane, and maybe they would miss on which I have the privilege of serv- they are so difficult. So many people a vote. It is hard to say what slowing ing, and Speaker RYAN and Chairman simply outsource that by hiring some down the internet artificially would do KEVIN BRADY of the House Ways and lawyer or some accountant to prepare because it is so connected to every- Means Committee—another good their taxes because it is so complex. We can do better than that. We can make thing we do today, and that is why we Texan—on their ideas, which I know were born from many long hours and it simpler and fairer and flatter. have to stop this from happening. Today, many of the obstacles that I would be happy to hear that Chair- tough conversations. But this is going to be a national exist prevent the average American man Pai has decided to drop his insist- conversation, starting with the Presi- from pursuing their dreams and reach- ence on trying to change the rules of dent kicking this off this afternoon in ing their full potential, which ought to an open internet. If he did that, I Indiana. He is going to invite the be what joins us all together. One of might think differently about his nom- American people to express their views those is an outdated and highly con- ination. But until then I will continue on what tax reform should look like. voluted tax system that actually pe- to fight for my State’s economy, which For me, in addition to more take- nalizes hard work, stymies ingenuity, depends so greatly on net neutrality, home pay, I am looking for a tax code and enriches the lawyers and account- and continue to fight for the millions which is shorter, simpler, and which ants that people have to hire in order of consumers around the United States makes us more competitive in the to just comply with all of its con- who are trying to grow what are smart- global economy. voluted complexity—so-called compli- er, more intelligent, more cost-effec- It is a great relief, believe me, to ance costs. Call this the terrible te- tive businesses. have a President who understands how dium of taxes. It zaps our energy rath- Even the healthcare debate we just taxes and the uncertainty they place er than unleashing it. It erodes our had is instructive on the issues of net on job creators stifles economic work ethic, because if you work harder neutrality—I believe in home growth. The reason economic growth is and harder only to see more and more healthcare. I believe we can implement so important is that when the economy money go to the Federal Government, it and drive down costs. But if you are grows, more jobs are created, and for what does that do to incentivize people telling a patient that they might not the jobs that exist, the people who to work harder? It erodes our work get the information back from their have them will actually earn more ethic, as we see less reason to labor for doctor for days because he can’t afford money and be able to pursue their what ultimately gets taken from us. a fast internet connection that the dreams. The mission of the so-called Big 6 cable companies are charging, then I Just as importantly, though, this committee, which has been asked to guarantee my colleagues we are not President understands that the job cre- put together a blueprint for reform, going to reduce our healthcare costs. ator is not the enemy. A former col- has been to protect American jobs and So, please, I say to my colleagues, league of ours, Gordon Smith from Or- make the Tax Code simpler, fairer, and you will not have another chance at egon, once told me that the problem lower for average American families. this. You will hear from your constitu- with some of our Democratic friends is In a sense, it is all about putting fami- ents about this issue, and you will not that they claim to love the worker, but lies first. Families build individuals, be able to take back this vote. Please they hate the job creator. To me, that and families mold character. We have make sure you understand that Chair- sort of summarized it pretty well. I to give every opportunity to families man Pai is marching ahead on a very know he didn’t mean ‘‘hate’’ in the tra- who need to thrive. We have to keep different anti-consumer road, and be- ditional sense, but he did mean Con- the uninvited guest of government cause of that, I am not going to vote gress—and particularly our folks on away from the front door, constantly for someone who is going to slow down the Democratic side—likes to imple- begging for more money, more time, and clog the internet. ment additional burdens, such as high- and more attention, and constantly I urge my colleagues to vote no on er taxes or more regulation, more ob- throwing a wrench into their plans. Chairman Pai’s nomination. stacles in the way of our job creators, I also believe we should provide tax I thank the Presiding Officer. when we should be tearing down those relief for small businesses because Mr. President, I yield the floor. walls, reducing that regulation, and small businesses are literally the en- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- lowering taxes so that they can be suc- gine of our economy. It is not the For- jority whip. cessful, and in the process, we can all tune 500 that creates the vast percent- TAX REFORM succeed. Well, this President under- age of jobs in this country. It is small Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I stands that our economy, too, is cru- businesses, which often face an would like to talk about a topic that cial but extremely fragile, and he joins unyielding regulatory state. We should most of us don’t want to discuss, and all of us in wanting to do everything he lower taxes for all American businesses that is taxes, except today is different. can, and everything we can, to ensure so they can compete with foreign ones. This time, you don’t have to groan that we continue to be the strongest As the so-called Big 6 committee has over spreadsheets and calculations or economy in the world. said, the goal of any new plan should

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.009 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6165 be, first and foremost, to reduce tax and create jobs and opportunities for it possible for us to spend more money rates as much as possible. Let’s make other people at the same time. on our priorities, like national defense, sure this ‘‘first cut is the deepest,’’ as We know that social obligations are which right now is underfunded, or the song goes, but also to place a pri- still important. It is just that there are medical research or other priorities ority on permanence, to create a sys- many ways of meeting them other than that the American people may have. tem that encourages American compa- just cutting a big paycheck to the Fed- By delivering on these principles, we nies to bring jobs back from overseas, eral Government every April. In fact, can restore prosperity for this genera- along with the profits they will not the higher taxes we pay, the easier it is tion and many generations to come, bring back because they will be taxed for citizens to assume that, well, I have and we can keep the promise of the twice, and to put more money back in paid the Federal Government; so let Declaration of Independence that we the pockets of all Americans. the government take care of it. are endowed by our Creator with cer- As Ronald Reagan said, there is one That is not who we are. That is not tain unalienable rights, including life, simple fact you have to keep in mind who we have been. That is certainly liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. when it comes to taxes: ‘‘The problem not how we began. We began as a gov- Ultimately, that is what we are talk- is not that the people are taxed too lit- ernment that believed in the individ- ing about when we talk about tax re- tle, the problem is that the Govern- uality and the importance of all indi- form. We shouldn’t just be wearing ment spends too much.’’ viduals, and we all collectively benefit green eyeshades, getting out our This is not just about sheer wealth when each of us is free to pursue their spreadsheets, and counting the num- we are after but about earned success— dreams because that increases the bers. This is about keeping the promise the ability of mothers, fathers, and prosperity and the opportunities for of the Declaration of Independence families to work a long day and to keep all. that we are endowed by our Creator more of their hard-earned paychecks to We will never become, I hope and with an unalienable right to pursue use as they please—to save it for their pray, a country that says: It is the gov- happiness. retirement, to spend it on their house, ernment’s job when it comes to taking I yield the floor. or even to dote on their children. When care of a man or woman or a family in I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The families get to keep more of the money need. Yes, government has a role to clerk will call the roll. they earn, they are more inclined to play, but I hope we will always be the The bill clerk proceeded to call the take advantage of or to create their generous sort of country that we start- roll. own opportunities, including new busi- ed out to be and that we still are today, Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask nesses. Social mobility increases and with neighbors helping neighbors. unanimous consent that the order for so does room for charity. Middle-class Americans have experi- the quorum call be rescinded. The United States is the most chari- enced a decade of higher taxes, more The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without table and generous country in the regulation, and stagnant economic objection, it is so ordered. world. People don’t just turn to gov- growth under the last administration. HEALTHCARE ernment for help during times of need. It is time to break out of that cycle, Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, our We saw that in Hurricane Harvey and and this is our time to do that. Constitution begins with three simple in Hurricane Irma and now in Hurri- Every American knows we can do words: ‘‘We the People.’’ The Founders cane Maria. Many, many Americans better. If you ask them: Are your taxes wrote that in supersized font to remind generously dip into their own resources hard to prepare, is it complicated, are us that this is what our Nation is all to help provide for their fellow human you confused, or do you feel like the about. It is not about power by the beings in need during times of tragedy. Federal Government is getting a bigger privileged. It is not the elite. It is not It is our prosperity that comes from bite out of your paycheck than it to make the wealthy wealthier. It is job creation—getting to keep more of should, I think you would get near una- not to add more to the abundance of what you earn and pay the government nimity that the Tax Code is too com- those who already have much. It is to less—that makes that possible. plex, the Federal Government is too establish government that reflects the When Alexis de Tocqueville came to voracious when it comes to taking a will of the people or, as President Lin- the United States, shortly after our bite out of your paycheck, and people coln put it, ‘‘of the people, by the peo- country’s founding, in his book ‘‘De- would welcome the ability to keep ple, for the people.’’ mocracy in America,’’ he pointed out more of what they earn. In this age where vast sums are spent that one of the unique things about It is time for us to show that we un- on campaigns by a few billionaires to America—certainly much different derstand the plight of hard-working basically substitute government of, by, than Europe—was the organizing and American families and people of all and for the people with government of, voluntary associations. These often are economic levels, that we are hearing by, and for the powerful, we have an charitable organizations—whether they them when they say they want to keep enormous challenge to maintain the in- are churches or synagogues or mosques more of the paycheck they earn and tegrity of the mission of our Constitu- or just community organizations—that they want us to lower their cost of liv- tion and the responsibility of this Sen- as part of their good work provide ing by lowering the tax bite out of the ate. charitable benefits for our fellow man paycheck they do earn. We probably haven’t seen a challenge and woman. We ought to encourage Americans are wondering what our to ‘‘we the people’’ in years like the that. tax reform policies will be. For me, equivalent of TrumpCare. Certainly, it Of course, none of us is an island. It here are some nonnegotiable items. is designed to plan for massive tax is not that lower tax rates translate to The Tax Code must be simplified. Job giveaways to the wealthiest Americans everyone looking out exclusively for creators must be incentivized to keep of hundreds of billions of dollars and to No. 1. Oftentimes, that is the way our well-paying jobs here at home in the rip healthcare away from 20 to 30 mil- friends across the aisle will depict low- United States. American competitive- lion ordinary working families. ering taxes. They say: You are low- ness in a global economy must be in- What a travesty that is of our respon- ering taxes for the rich. creased by lowering business tax rates. sibility under our Constitution. What We want to lower taxes for every- The result should be a new, retooled amazingly misguided effort to do dam- body—not because it benefits an indi- system that will put more money in age, rather than to assist and provide a vidual but because it benefits the coun- the pockets of middle-class families foundation for families to thrive. try and it benefits all Americans. It and reenergize our economy. It will A few years ago, a woman came up to makes us more competitive globally. It benefit Americans in every State me at a fundraiser for multiple scle- creates more jobs and opportunities for across the country. It will also make it rosis—a walk—and she said: Things are Americans who are looking for those possible for us to meet our other prior- so different this year, Senator, than jobs and opportunities. It creates in- ities, as the Federal Treasury also will they were last year. centives for investment so that the en- benefit from more people working, I asked her: How so? trepreneur can start a business, come earning better wages, and helping to She said: A year ago, if our loved one up with a new idea, change the world, support their government. It will make was diagnosed with MS and they had

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.011 S27SEPT1 S6166 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 insurance, they were likely to have an mal medical service because it is fake to have to choose between healthcare annual cap or a lifetime cap and run insurance. The fake insurance bill and homelessness? It is not a choice out of coverage. failed by a few votes on the Senate families should have to make. That was a terrible situation to be in floor. Then, perhaps, people are working because MS is a mysterious and expen- Then we had repeal without replace- several part-time jobs, and their em- sive disease. ment, and that failed. Then we had the ployers have no healthcare programs at She said: If the individual didn’t have skinny bill, and that failed by a single all, so they sign up for the Oregon insurance, they now had a preexisting vote. Health Plan or the equivalent Medicaid condition, and they wouldn’t able to How is it possible that we came that plan across the country. They might get insurance. close to passing a bill that is com- like that, but it is complicated to She said: Now, we have the peace of pletely the opposite of the vision of our apply, and they have to reapply peri- mind that if our loved one gets an MS Constitution—to legislate for the foun- odically. What happens if their in- diagnosis, that individual will be able dation, for the American people, not comes go up just a little, and now they to get the care they need. the American privileged and not the are over the line for eligibility? As a Isn’t that the summary of what we American powerful. Yet it came within result of being over the line, they now should be seeking in our healthcare a vote of passing. have to go back into the individual system—the peace of mind that if our This week, we have the block grant markets. How do you do that in the child or our loved one becomes ill, if version—the block grant version that middle of the year when it is not an our child or our loved one becomes in- proceeds to destroy immediately the open enrollment period? jured, he or she will get the care they exchanges, the healthcare market- There is such complexity, such dif- need? Shouldn’t that be what we are places. Of course, the great irony is, ficulty. That is why it is so appealing fighting for? that was the Republican idea: Let’s to think about the vision of a seamless, Instead, we had the opposite. We had create a marketplace within which simple healthcare program that you the TrumpCare bill that was designed people can compare individual policies, have that will provide quality to rip peace of mind away, destroy pick the ones best for their families, healthcare when you need it—portable peace of mind, trample all over peace and get tax credits to be able to buy healthcare—just by virtue of your of mind so the wealthy could have them. So the Republicans came out being an American. That is a beautiful more giveaways from the Federal against their own plan. vision, and it is not out of reach. Every Treasury. In addition, it wiped out Medicaid ex- other developed country has found We had that House bill, and it was es- pansion. In my home State of Oregon, some version of that and made it a re- timated that 23 million people would the exchange is responsible for roughly ality. We need to ponder as to how to lose healthcare over 10 years and that another 100,000 people getting access to have that seamless, simple system our hospitals and our clinics would insurance, the marketplace, and 400,000 down the road, but right now we have have a lot less funding to be able to people gaining access through Medicaid a more immediate task. provide care to everyone. Yet it passed expansion. There are a half a million That immediate task is to stop the the House. Then President Trump got Americans in just my State, my hum- sabotage of the healthcare system we briefed on what was in the bill after he ble State of Oregon. Yet here was a bill have. President Trump has engaged in held a champagne party at the White that said: We do not care. We are going many maneuvers to try to force the House and celebrated its passage. He to wipe out healthcare for a half a mil- collapse of the insurance markets. One said: Oh, wait. This bill is mean and lion Oregonians and untold millions is to withhold the cost-sharing pay- heartless. across the country—20 to 30 million ments from insurers so they no longer Over here in the Senate, the Senate’s across the country. have the funds they were promised. secret 13 went to work to try to We owe a big thank-you to grassroots That uncertainty has caused many produce a bill without holding any pub- America. We owe a big thank-you to companies to say: Do not count on us lic hearings or having any discussions ordinary citizens who believe in the vi- to be in that market in the future if we with stakeholders. They were secreted sion of this country. They proceeded to cannot count on you, the Federal Gov- away in a room, and no one could find connect with Capitol Hill—to fill the ernment, to honor your obligations. out where they were in order to be able streets and to flood the phones and to Why isn’t the Senate body demand- to offer any insights. They did not hold overflow our inboxes—saying: What are ing that the President honor the obli- any townhalls back home, and they you doing? Please stop. Please stop gations of those cost-sharing pay- had no meetings here. The public was trying to destroy the peace of mind of ments? totally blocked out. The secret 13, Americans. They said: Make healthcare In addition, we have the President amazingly, came up with an almost work better, not worse. shutting down advertising during the identical bill to the House bill. Oh, the Is that really too much for us to ask? open period so people will not know estimate was instead, maybe, of there As we ponder how to make they can sign up. We have President being 23 million people who would lose healthcare work better, those in grass- Trump cutting the enrollment period insurance, 22 million people would lose roots America have expressed a lot of in half. We have a plan now from the insurance. Fortunately, the secret 13 ideas. They have said: We have a really administration to cut the funds for bill was defeated—but just barely—here complicated system that creates all consumer outreach and enrollment as- in this Chamber. kinds of obstacles for ordinary fami- sistance, which enables folks who need Then came another version of this lies, for working families. to get healthcare to find out how they called the fake insurance bill. This For example, consider whether you can actually get through the com- fake insurance version said: Hey, let’s have a job that provides you with in- plicated application process. let the insurance companies put out surance and your family with insur- Most recently, the administration policies that are really, really cheap ance but then the company changes the announced it is actually going to shut but that do not actually cover any- policy and only covers you. How are down the website periodically on week- thing. Won’t that make us feel good you going to get your children covered? ends during the open enrollment pe- that everyone in America will be able Are you going to be able to get them riod, which is when people will have to afford a policy that only costs $40 or signed up right away in the Children’s the time and effort and ability to $50 a month. Health Insurance Program? How do apply. They are going to shut down the Of course, fake insurance is fake; you go about doing that? website so people will not be able to that is, when you go to the emergency Then your employer says: By the apply during portions of the weekend. room, it does not cover the visit. When way, you now have to start paying us All of us should unite—100 Senators you get a blood test, it does not cover in order for us to provide you with should unite—and tell President the blood test. When you get an x ray healthcare. Trump: Enough of this sabotage. If you or an MRI, it does not pay for it. Oh, You say: Wow. That is a huge chunk want to drive up insurance policies by don’t even begin to think about its cov- out of my check. Can I possibly afford 20 percent over any other increase they ering hospitalization or any other nor- that and still pay my rent? Am I going might otherwise have and if you want

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.012 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6167 to be responsible for millions of people chapter to the nightmare, the repeated for hard-working families, and for the not gaining access because of your irre- horror stories we have been playing in economy. That means cutting tax sponsibility, then we are going to hold the Senate that threaten to rip rates, and it means simplifying taxes you accountable for it. Everybody in healthcare from millions of people and for everyone. If we get this right, we grassroots America is going to hold simply awaken from that war over are going to be able to produce more you accountable for it. healthcare and work together to ad- jobs, Americans will have higher Fortunately, we have a bipartisan dress these fundamental questions. wages, more take-home pay, and we process that has been underway to We actually have had public hearings will have a stronger economy. remedy these conditions. I, profoundly, in the HELP Committee, which we According to the Internal Revenue thank LAMAR ALEXANDER, chair of the have not done before. We have actually Service, Americans spend about 6 bil- HELP Committee, and PATTY MURRAY, listened to the experts, which we have lion hours a year on taxes, just trying the ranking Democrat on the HELP not done before. We have actually en- to prepare their taxes. Between busi- Committee, for saying: Let’s have the couraged people to consult with their nesses and individual families, we normal, rational process that we go constituents rather than to hide from spend an average of 18 hours for every through to try to understand how we their constituents. The result would be man, woman, and child in America, can improve the healthcare system. a significant strengthening of what we just trying to comply with Washing- They have held a series of hearings. have—lower premiums as a result, ton’s complicated Tax Code. The Na- They have brought in the experts, and more competition in the exchanges, tional Taxpayers Union says that the they have brought in the stakeholders. more awareness of how to sign up, total cost of all of this is $263 billion a They have done it in front of the public more and healthier young people get- year. That works out to about $800 for so the public can weigh in. They have ting involved in the exchanges, which every person in America. This is not consulted constituents and encouraged means the premiums will come down. spending that does anything produc- all of us to consult with our constitu- I think, as we ponder the goal of our tive. It is just figuring out how much ents and be part of that conversation. healthcare system—the question of tax to pay, and how to do it in a way Pragmatic, experienced legislators are peace of mind—that is our best imme- to send it back to Washington so that gaining expertise from those on the diate step forward to provide peace of the IRS will not come knocking at frontline so they can make the system mind, to end the sabotage of the sys- your door—how to get your numbers work better. Isn’t that the way the tem we have, and address the short- right. Senate is supposed to work? comings the healthcare experts and the The instructions for last year’s Their work shows a lot of promise. people of America have pointed out. standard 1040 tax form were 106 pages There are some very straightforward Let us be that mission statement long. These are the instructions—15 things they have heard from those ex- under this vision of a ‘‘we the people’’ different worksheets for people to fill perts. government, in that we pursue out just to try to fill out the forms. They have heard we need to lock healthcare that is designed for the peo- The people who can deal with this level down the cost-sharing payments. No ple of America in order to create peace of complexity are the ones who basi- insurance companies are going to be in of mind, so when their loved ones be- cally can afford to hire expensive ac- the insurance markets if they do not come ill or when their loved ones are countants and lawyers, who then take know they are going to get paid what injured, they will get the care they full advantage of a very complicated they have been promised or they are need, and they will not end up bank- tax code. It penalizes hard-working going to raise their premiums incred- rupt. We should be able to make that Americans who can’t afford the high- ibly high to cover the risk that they happen. priced help that helps them fill out and will not get paid. Then, of course, peo- Thank you. take full advantage of a complicated ple will not be able to afford that in- I suggest the absence of a quorum. tax code. surance. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. We hear a lot about people who talk They have heard from the experts ERNST). The clerk will call the roll. about how millionaires and billionaires that you have to have reinsurance. If The bill clerk proceeded to call the are gaming the system so that they you want to have this private market- roll. can pay less in taxes. If that is their place in which people can compare Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I concern, then maybe we should try to policies and use tax credits to buy the ask unanimous consent that the order make this system simple enough that policies, an insurance company will not for the quorum call be rescinded. there is no system to game and every- enter that market unless it has its own The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without one can understand it. insurance policy against getting the objection, it is so ordered. Just think about how much we could disproportionate share of the really TAX REFORM save this country if we simplify things sick people. Of reinsurance, they have Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, even a little bit. All the time we could heard. last week the Senate passed the bipar- save, all the extra money in the pock- They have also heard we must not tisan Defense Authorization Act. The ets of hard-working American fami- suppress outreach to those who need world is a very dangerous place. This lies—that would really help to grow insurance but increase outreach—out- legislation is very important to keep- the economy and do it quickly. It reach to younger, healthier people to ing our country safe. would also make life a lot simpler for make sure they are part of the ex- Another thing we need to do to keep most Americans. change as well as outreach to those America safe is to get the economy If we also, at the same time as sim- who are often working several part- going and growing. We need a strong plifying the Tax Code, lower the tax time jobs and have little time to focus and healthy economy in this country, rates, that keeps even more money in on this question unless someone and we need it now. A strong economy people’s pockets. It gives them more reaches out and says: Here is your op- means a strong country with enough money to decide what to save, what to portunity. We are now in the open pe- money to pay for the defense needs spend, and what to invest—money they riod. Here is how you sign up, and we that we have at this time. can spend going out to dinner if they can make sure you get that done. Over the 8 years of the Obama admin- choose. They can invest it if they want, In that set of hearings, they heard istration, Washington doubled its debt. and save for the future. If they actu- other things. They heard we need to do Why? Because our economy grew so ally choose to spend the money by more to take on the challenge of men- slowly and the administration spent going out to dinner, that helps the tal illness in America. They heard we too much money. If this sort of thing economy around the community where need to do more to take on drug addic- continues, it is going to leave America they live. People at the restaurants tion, the opioid epidemic in America. in a much more vulnerable position. have to hire additional servers, and There it is—a list of a modest num- America needs a stronger economy they will then have money to pay their ber of things we could do together to that grows faster. To get the kind of own bills. That is how an economy make our healthcare work better. growth we need, we are going to have grows. That is how providing people Wouldn’t that be a beautiful closing to provide real tax relief for America, with more money in their pockets

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.014 S27SEPT1 S6168 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 helps an economy become stronger and If you look at the most developed peal the Affordable Care Act, even healthier. countries around the world, the United though the budget reconciliation proc- There is another important part of States has the highest corporate tax ess we are currently under requires tax relief we need to remember. We rate of all of them. The average tax only 50 votes. There are not 50 votes. need to be sure we solve a big problem rate of all of these major countries Many of my colleagues have spoken with the taxes that not just individuals around the world—across the globe—is on this floor about the challenges, the pay but that businesses pay. The rea- 24 percent. In the United States, it is 39 problems, or the issues with the latest son we need to do that is because many percent. We are 15 percent higher in iteration of the Graham-Cassidy bill. people think of businesses as big, face- tax rates than the average of the major We have also heard as a body from less companies, but the simple fact is countries around the world. So that is many organizations all over the coun- that these businesses actually don’t the top Federal rate, and when you in- try that represent Americans in pay the taxes personally. People have clude the average for State and local healthcare: the American Medical As- to pay the taxes. That is because busi- taxes, it gets you to 39 percent—24 per- sociation, which speaks for America’s nesses pay taxes with money they get cent versus 39 percent. That is how far doctors; the American Hospital Asso- from their customers. out of the ordinary American taxes ciation, which speaks for our hospitals; If the government says it is going to have become. America’s Health Insurance Plans; the put a big tax on some company, that It is a huge disadvantage for Amer- American Cancer Society; many other basically gets passed on to the workers ican companies that are trying to com- patient advocacy groups; and the there and also to the people who buy pete on the world stage. Frankly, the AARP, which advocates for seniors. All that product. The Congressional Budg- reason we are at such a disadvantage is have weighed in about the challenges et Office looked into this. Their office that other countries have been cutting with this legislation. looked into it, and they found that their tax rates over the years. There But rather than continuing to bear more than 70 percent of the cost of cor- was actually a time when the U.S. tax down on that point, I would like to porate taxes actually comes from the rates were fairly low, and other coun- quote a colleague and hero of mine. people who work for these businesses. tries continued to cut theirs below Senator JOHN MCCAIN said on this Nearly 3 out of every 4 dollars they ours. Now we are at a point that the floor: spend in taxes would have ended up average for developed countries around We should not be content to pass going back to the workers to have that the world is at 24 percent, and the healthcare legislation on a party-line basis. money—workers who are either buying United States is at 39 percent. Places . . . The issue is too important, and too products or workers working within many lives are at risk, for us to leave the like Germany, Japan, and Canada have American people guessing from one election the company. Maybe it would have all cut their rates going back over the to the next whether and how they will ac- been higher wages or better benefits or last 60, 70 years. We haven’t done it quire health insurance. A bill of this impact some other way that people would have here at all. Now it is time to do it. requires a bipartisan approach. gotten a benefit from the money that It is one of the reasons our economy Senator MCCAIN also said: otherwise just gets collected and sent has been stuck with the slow growth I hope that in the months ahead, we can to the government. rate that we had during the Obama ad- join with colleagues on both sides of the Obviously, a big chunk of the money ministration. It is what we have seen aisle to arrive at a compromise solution that is from the workers, and another big over the last 8 years—a very sluggish is acceptable to most of us, and serves the chunk is from the consumers. If a fam- economy with very little growth. If we interests of Americans as best we can. ily buys something, part of the price can cut corporate tax rates, personal Senator MCCAIN is right. Fixing and they are paying is to cover the taxes rates, that is going to really help stim- improving our healthcare system can- that business has to pay. The higher ulate the economy. not be done on a partisan basis. When taxes mean higher prices for people People pay taxes. It is the individuals it has been attempted to turn big bills who go to buy something. who pay the taxes that in many ways into law on a narrow party-line basis, The third way that people pay these run the government. Many people I the results are often not sustainable. business taxes is when they get paid by talk to in Wyoming feel, rightly so, That is why we have work to do to- the people who own a share of the busi- that the problem isn’t that they are gether, because this issue of providing ness. If you take a look, there are a lot taxed too little; it is that the govern- for America’s healthcare is too com- of people on the other side of the aisle ment takes too much. plex, too big, and too important for us who like to talk about taxing the rich We need to get the economy going, to do with only one wing or one party. who own stock in companies that are and we can do that by simplifying and I was encouraged, as were many col- all across our country. The only prob- lowering the tax rates. It is true that, leagues, Republican and Democratic, lem is, most of the people who actually with taxes, people actually struggle when Senators ALEXANDER and MUR- own shares in these companies are far with trying to figure them out at the RAY, the Republican and Democratic from rich. More than half of Americans kitchen table. I have talked to those leaders of the Senate Health and Edu- actually own stocks in corporations folks at home. It is continually a prob- cation Committee, held bipartisan that are paying these high taxes. lem—the simplification, as well as how hearings. They brought in Governors, Maybe they have an IRA, a retirement much money the government takes insurance commissioners, healthcare plan, a 401(k) through their work. from them. Taxes raise prices. Taxes experts, physicians, and hospital lead- Whatever it is, Americans who are in- chip away at retirement savings that ers from across the country to talk vesting for their future are also being people have. about what we need to do short term taxed. Tax relief and simplifying taxes and long term to stabilize healthcare Some of the biggest owners of these makes sense for American families. It markets and to lay the foundation for corporations are actually the pension means more jobs. It means higher improvements to our healthcare sys- funds of public employees. That in- wages. It means a safer America and a tem. cludes teachers, it includes fire- stronger America. It is good for our So let’s listen to Senator MCCAIN. fighters, it includes people in every economy, and it is good for all hard- Let’s give that bipartisan effort an- community around America. Taxes working taxpayers and the families other chance. Let’s work together and take away money that could make those taxpayers support. do this the right way. these pensions worth more. When the Thank you. I ride the train back and forth almost government takes taxes away, there is I yield the floor. every day from Wilmington to Wash- less money in the pension plans for our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ington, and the Delawareans I hear teachers, for our firefighters, for our ator from Delaware. from on that train or at home in the first responders. So it is a real problem HEALTHCARE grocery store or around my State are that the corporate tax rates are so high Mr. COONS. Madam President, yes- simply tired of Congress fighting end- because high taxes hold back the entire terday we learned that, once again, my less partisan battles with their economy and hold back the entire Republican colleagues do not have the healthcare. And it is not just frus- country. votes to pass their latest effort to re- trating to hear about on television; we

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.015 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6169 know for a fact that uncertainty in the reduce the rate of increase of indi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without healthcare markets is causing pre- vidual insurance premiums by a sig- objection, it is so ordered. miums to go up for Americans all over nificant percentage. TRIBUTE TO EMILY ENDERLE the country. The CEO of Highmark, We can also work together to estab- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, which is the sole provider of individual lish a reinsurance program, to support may I bid a public farewell to Emily market health insurance to the ACA enrollment outreach activities, and to Enderle, who is here with me and who market in Delaware now, conveyed to enforce the individual mandate. All of has served as the lead on my very ac- me that half of the rate increase for this would translate to lower pre- tive and busy environment unit for this coming year was due to uncer- miums. As I said, the President is al- quite some time now. She is going on tainty about whether the Trump ad- ready authorized under the ACA to to another role in Washington and will ministration would continue to enforce take a few of these steps and stabilize continue to serve our cause. She has the individual mandate, to make the the marketplace. done an amazing job, and I want to be CSR payments, and other things that From there, we are going to have to sure to say that on what will be her are part of the ACA. find bipartisan ways that we can make last appearance on the floor with me So today, recognizing that the only this a more workable system. I have infor one of our ‘‘Time to Wake Up’’ way this gets fixed in such a closely di- troduced legislation in the past to speeches. make the ACA small business tax cred- vided and partisan Senate is if we work CLIMATE CHANGE its more appropriately sized for the together, I would like to commit again Mr. President, I have spoken before, small businesses I have heard from in to my constituents and colleagues that as you know, about the fossil fuel in- I am willing to work to find bipartisan Delaware, many of which can’t afford the increased costs of the Affordable dustry’s persistent effort to undermine solutions to our healthcare problems. public understanding of climate change Let’s sit down together, and let’s Care Act. There are ways we can work together and to confuse people about the actual bring in organizations like the AMA, effects of carbon pollution on our at- the AARP, the American Cancer Soci- to reduce the reporting requirements so they are less burdensome to employ- mosphere and oceans. ety, the American Hospital Associa- ers. I introduced a bill on that in the I have mentioned Drexel University tion, and let’s listen. Let’s listen to last Congress and would welcome a Professor Robert Brulles’ follow-the- them, to healthcare leaders, and to pa- chance to work with a Republican col- money analysis, which reveals the tient advocates, and frankly I think we league to introduce and pass that legis- complex network of organizations and should listen to thousands of faith lation now. funding—what we have called the web leaders from across the country as We could also look at ways to make of denial—that is designed to obscure well. We have received letters—all of the tax credits—or the way that sub- the fossil fuel industry’s fingerprints us as a body—from leaders of the Chris- sidies are provided through the ACA— and to perpetuate the fossil fuel indus- tian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Bud- both more affordable and more sustain- try’s climate denial. dhist communities across our country. able, so that families who qualify Dr. Brulle calls this ‘‘a deliberate and They jointly wrote a letter to Congress aren’t caught in a situation where they organized effort to misdirect the public urging us to reject the Graham-Cassidy qualify for tax credits, but they are no- discussion and distort the public’s un- bill and to immediately address urgent where near enough to afford com- derstanding of climate.’’ That is what matters that are right in front of us. prehensive health insurance. this industry is up to. The next one is CHIP reauthoriza- We also have to take a hard, bipar- One front group for that industry is tion. CHIP—the Children’s Health In- tisan look at what is driving up called the Heartland Institute. It is a surance Program—serves nearly 9 mil- healthcare costs across this country. nice name, but they are not very nice lion American children, 17,000 in Dela- We aren’t just challenged with resolv- people. For decades, the Heartland In- ware alone, and it is going to expire. ing issues around health insurance; we stitute has played a prominent role dis- There are a lot of Federal health pro- also have to find a bipartisan path to- seminating alternative facts and fake grams that expire at the end of this ward addressing healthcare costs. science at the behest of its industry week: the Children’s Health Insurance The bottom line to all of this is that funders. They have a long history of Program, the Community Health Cen- we must work together to return to doing the bidding of industry funders. ter Fund, which provides access to regular order and to give these pro- In the 1990s, it was teamed up with cost-effective primary and preventive grams the stability and certainty they Philip Morris to challenge the facts care for 26 million patients throughout need to serve patients across the coun- about the health risks of tobacco. the country; the teaching health cen- try and our constituents at home. Using the same tactics—along with ters funding; the special diabetes pro- In my view, the Affordable Care Act funding from the Koch Family Founda- gram. There is a whole list of has helped millions of Americans live tions, ExxonMobil, and other fossil fuel healthcare-related programs that ex- healthier, safer, more secure lives. Re- interests—it undermines public con- pire at the end of this week. So I think pealing it and replacing it with one of fidence in the established scientific we need a sense of urgency. We need a the proposals we have seen in recent consensus about climate change. sense of urgency to finding ways to months would have been very harmful Heartland is quite shameless in its work together in the short term to sta- to millions of Americans. But that methods, once sponsoring a billboard bilize the market, to extend these pro- doesn’t mean the ACA is perfect. There comparing those who accept the grams, such as CHIP, that have long is hard work to do. Compromise is science of global warming to the enjoyed bipartisan support and to needed on both sides. And I think the Unabomber. begin the steps needed to show flexi- call that Senator MCCAIN has issued to For my 180th ‘‘Time to Wake Up’’ bility and compromise by both parties. this Chamber is one we should hear. speech, I would like to explore the So let’s work together. Let’s listen to First, as I said, we have to stabilize Heartland Institute’s latest gambit, our constituents. Let’s listen to faith the individual ACA marketplace. For- which is to airdrop climate denial leaders. Let’s listen to doctors and tunately, we know how to do that. As propaganda directly into children’s healthcare experts. Let’s do the hard I mentioned, there have already been classrooms. hearings in which testimony was re- work and together improve, not tear This spring, Heartland delivered ceived from Governors, insurance com- down, our healthcare system. packages to hundreds of thousands of Thank you. missioners, healthcare experts, and With that, I yield the floor. K–12 and college-level science teachers they said the No. 1 priority was funding I suggest the absence of a quorum. across the country. These materials the ACA cost-sharing reduction sub- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. were designed to have a veneer of sidies, or CSR payments. That is some- TILLIS). The clerk will call the roll. credibility. Each one was stamped with thing the Trump administration can do The legislative clerk proceeded to the headline ‘‘Study: Science Teachers today. The administration can simply call the roll. Giving Unbalanced Education on Cli- announce that they will continue to Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I mate Change.’’ This intriguing story meet the law and make those pay- ask unanimous consent that the order was attributed to something called En- ments. At least in my State, that will for the quorum call be rescinded. vironment & Climate News.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.017 S27SEPT1 S6170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 Inside the package, the teachers covery Channel. When she found out Nebraska’s new standards ‘‘challenge found a report titled ‘‘Why Scientists what she had been duped into, she said: kids to think and act like scientists,’’ Disagree About Global Warming.’’ It ‘‘I am somewhat horrified.’’ which is exactly what our science was issued by something called the Other participants are frequent fliers classrooms ought to do. Nongovernmental International Panel in the climate denial circus, like Willie One Omaha resident encouraged the on Climate Change. As a bonus, each Soon, who received over a million dol- school board to ‘‘do the ethical thing teacher also received a DVD copy of lars in funding since 2001 from the and tell the next generation what’s the ‘‘History of Climate Change in Koch brothers, the American Petro- going on with climate.’’ A science pro- Greenland,’’ produced by Idea Channel. leum Institute, ExxonMobil, and other fessor at the University of Nebraska- A cover letter from Heartland’s Cen- fossil fuel interests. The year the video Lincoln said the standards represented ter for Transforming Education—trans- was released, Willie Soon received ‘‘good solid science, good solid science forming education into propaganda, I nearly $20,000 from Free To Choose. education.’’ assume is how that sentence gets fin- The Heartland cover letter asked This is what we need in science edu- ished—asks teachers to ‘‘consider the teachers to ‘‘consider the possibility’’ cation—real-life scientists from real possibility’’ the science of climate the science of climate change isn’t set- institutions of higher learning engag- change isn’t settled. tled. Even that is not new. This echoes ing and helping our children learn. That is the package they got. Let’s the infamous Big Tobacco declaration, What we don’t need are fossil fuel front look behind that veneer. When you do, ‘‘Doubt is our product.’’ The heart of groups pumping out more phony the smell gets pretty rotten. It turns the fossil fuel industry’s scheme is to science to pollute public education, out that the Environment & Climate undermine legitimate science with just like they pollute our oceans and News is not actually news. It is not a false doubts. Because of the financial atmosphere. news outlet. It is the monthly news- stakes behind industry science denial I have been pretty heartened to hear letter of, guess who, the Heartland In- and because of the communications ad- about this from teachers working in stitute. They are citing themselves, vantages propaganda has over real classrooms in my home State of Rhode masquerading their newsletter as a science—you don’t need to waste a lot Island. Holly Emery teaches science to news outlet. The foolishness goes on. of time in peer review, for instance, seventh and eighth graders at Exeter- Their featured article, ‘‘Study: you go straight to the networks—this West Greenwich Junior High School. Science Teachers Giving Unbalanced scheme is a real problem for institu- Her students focus on solutions to cli- Education on Climate Change’’ was tions like our schools that cherish and mate change—something we could use written by a person named Bonner support real science. a bit more of around here. They exam- Cohen, who is a featured expert—guess All this masquerade and subterfuge ined Germany’s plan to significantly where—with the Heartland Institute, by Heartland Institute looked a lot reduce its carbon emissions. Students who previously held senior positions like fraud. Senators SCHATZ, WARREN, were so motivated by what they heard, in—believe it or not—Philip Morris MARKEY, and I wrote to Secretary of they requested to share their projects front groups. Education Betsy DeVos to ask whether with other grades in the school. One of Their Nongovernmental Inter- DeVos and her staff at the Department Miss Emery’s students said: ‘‘This is national Panel On Climate Change of Education helped or coordinated important and the other kids need to sounds like a well-known actual au- with the Heartland Institute on this know.’’ thority: The Intergovernmental Panel scheme to pollute our classrooms with Students in Jane Ramos’s eighth on Climate Change. The actual Inter- phony science. grade science class at Gallagher Middle governmental Panel on Climate That simple request drew quite the School in Smithfield learn about cli- Change is a United Nations-sanctioned, response from our friends at the Heart- mates around the world. They read, re- Nobel Prize-winning scientific body land Institute. ‘‘Your letter is a monu- search, and make slides about the that reports the findings of thousands mental misuse of your office and a be- human contributions to climate of climate scientists from hundreds of trayal of the trust of your constitu- change, including the carbon cycle, countries. The Heartland group—this ents,’’ wrote Heartland CEO Joseph burning fossil fuels and the greenhouse so-called Nongovernmental Inter- Bast. He called our letter ‘‘defama- effect, deforestation, livestock prac- national Panel on Climate Change—is a tory’’ and ‘‘despicable.’’ ‘‘Shame, tices, and the production of methane. misleading decoy designed to mimic shame, shame,’’ he proclaimed in bold They discuss the effects of warmer the real entity. font—this, unironically, from that oceans, expansion of water, melting The three experts who wrote the same classy group that put up the bill- ice, and rising seawater levels. These Nongovernmental International Panel board comparing anyone who accepts are important issues for Rhode Island, on Climate Change report Heartland climate science to the Unabomber, just the Ocean State. pushed out do not have degrees in cli- to give you an idea of their level of Science students from Brenda mate change modeling, do not having shame. Dillmann’s class at South Kingstown degrees in climate science. All are paid Even that little outburst is consider- High School planted grass on the Nar- by Heartland. All their claims have ably nicer than in 2015 when Bast row River salt marsh as part of a major been repeatedly debunked by real called some of us ‘‘fascists’’ and ‘‘ethi- unit on climate. During the lessons, science. cally challenged . . . mental midgets.’’ the students learned about the role There is one faint hint of accuracy in Why is the Heartland Institute so that salt marshes play as carbon this propaganda publication Heartland very touchy? We obviously hit a nerve. sinks—absorbent carbon from the at- put out. There actually is a PBS series The lesson is, poke an imposter and the mosphere. They went out and got dirty called Idea Channel. However, the Idea imposter gets very agitated. Fortu- and planted by hand some 35,000 seed- Channel DVD in the Heartland packet nately, teachers are smart people who lings of 3 different types of salt marsh has nothing to do with that series. It follow real science. Imposters like grasses. was actually produced by something Heartland that pretend their stuff is Since 2007, more than 500 students called the Free To Choose Network, coming through an Idea Channel that have become climate experts in Kara whose funding, like Heartland’s, is it isn’t, that mimic the name of real Ratigan and Renee Hadfield’s fourth linked to the fossil fuel industry. It is organizations to try to fool people, grade class at James H. Eldredge Ele- another masquerade designed to mis- that pretend their newsletter is real mentary School in East Greenwich. lead. news and package the whole thing up Ratigan and Hadfield have developed a One of the tricks of Heartland’s little as if it is intended to be helpful to curriculum that integrates climate scheme was to dupe legitimate sci- teachers face an uphill battle against change across all subject areas. For the entists into participating. One of the informed educators. kids, the year begins with a visit to a experts interviewed, Rie Oldenberg, the One example, Nebraska recently ap- local assisted living facility, where stu- curator at Greenland’s Narsaq Mu- proved new State standards requiring dents pair up with a senior buddy. The seum, was told she was participating in climate change to be taught in schools. students interview their senior bud- a video on Norse history for the Dis- According to the Omaha World-Herald, dies, asking how the climate has

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.018 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6171 changed over time and looking for les- TAX REFORM percent of our country’s counties. sons that can be applied today. Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, we are Think about that. Economic growth In their math class, students learn looking at an outline for tax reform has only occurred in 2 percent of the how to read charts and graphs and how that helps working families in ways counties across this great country. to frame a convincing argument that those families haven’t seen for al- The truth is that most of our country through data. In social studies, the stu- most a decade now—a decade of buying has been mired in economic stagnation. dents learn about the regions of the power that didn’t go up and obligations We have been standing still. I saw Lou United States, about their differing cli- that did, with more government re- Holtz give a speech one time, and he mates, and about how each is affected quirements and less take-home pay. So said: If you are standing still, you are by climate change. In science, the stu- we are going to be here for the next few going backward. If you are not moving dents learn about erosion and weather weeks talking about what we can do to forward, you are going backward. patterns and the effects of human ac- reverse that situation so that the op- There has been a slow recovery, but for tivity on rock, soils, and sediments. portunity for those families is reversed many West Virginians, there has been Students make observations about cli- and that eventually we also reverse our no recovery at all. mate change all around them and delve competitiveness so that we create bet- But it isn’t all doom and gloom in into society’s responses to the harms of ter jobs. our State because we have an oppor- climate change. There are two ways to get more take- tunity for change—the change we real- This past spring, the Norman Bird home pay. One is for the government to ly need that helps our struggling, Sanctuary, in Middletown, hosted sev- take less out of it—and I am for that— working-class families, that changes and revitalizes our distressed commu- enth graders for a beach ecology lesson and the other one is to do things in the nities, changes that lead to economic at nearby Third Beach. The director of Tax Code to make us more competitive growth and creates opportunity for fu- education, Rachel Holbert, and her so that there are better jobs with bet- staff led a discussion with the students ture generations. ter pay to start with. If we combine In fact, West Virginia, in the first about the greenhouse effect associated those two things—better jobs and bet- with burning fossil fuels. They ex- quarter, grew by 3 percent. We were the ter pay—with the government taking second fastest in growth in the entire plained how the excess heat trapped in less out of that higher paycheck, that the atmosphere puts stress on the Nation. To be sure, one quarter of is really where families would like to growth is not a trend, but it does dem- oceans, undermining the oceans’ abil- be. We are going to be here talking ity to stabilize the global climate and, onstrate the potential that we have if about this in a way that drives toward we do it right here for our citizens. The of course, leading, as we have seen, to a result. a higher frequency and strength of ex- potential of capital growth is there, The Senator from West Virginia is but one of the biggest drags on our treme weather events, such as powerful here, and she is basically going to start hurricanes. The kids’ lesson ended with economy in recent years has been ex- that effort today, as we really now cessive regulations, which we have ad- a focus on solutions. If the oceans are have enough specifics on what the Fi- the heart and lungs of the climate, dressed quite a bit here in the first 9 nance Committee is looking at in the months of President Trump’s term. We what can prevent future damage? Senate and the Ways and Means Com- Teachers like them play such an im- have worked hard to bring reason into mittee in the House and what the portant and formative role in helping the regulatory environment and also White House is looking at. We can the next generation understand the our burdensome Tax Code. begin to explain to American working world we live in. They teach our chil- What can we do? We can reduce taxes families why this is the right course dren to make observations, collect in- that impede our growth. Let’s think for them and for our country. formation, and use evidence to formu- about our small businesses. In many I am pleased to be joined here by late conclusions. They are honest and States, they are the major economic Senator CAPITO. driver of our economy. In my State of they are decent. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The fossil fuel industry, on the other West Virginia, 95.6 percent of the busi- ator from West Virginia. hand, is neither honest nor decent. The nesses are small businesses. They em- Mrs. CAPITO. Thank you, Mr. Presi- filthy hand of the fossil fuel industry ploy nearly half of the West Virginia dent, and thank you, Senator BLUNT, has, regrettably, a firm grip on this private sector workforce, so nearly half for your leadership. Congress. There is a reason that we of West Virginians are working in what I am excited about what we are talk- never do anything about climate is defined as a small business. Yet they ing about today. I am excited for my change, and it does not involve the can face a tax rate as high as 39.6 per- State of West Virginia. The main thing merits of the issue. It involves the poli- cent. Think about that. If you own a that people in West Virginia want is a tics of the industry. We have, perhaps, bakery or an accounting firm, in a 5- good job. A good job, with more take- not yet plumbed the bottom of how low day workweek, you have to work Mon- home pay and a higher wage, is exceed- they are willing to go, but, surely, this day and Tuesday just to pay the gov- ingly important to the families I rep- is a new low to reach with their game ernment. It is no wonder that small resent, so tax reform and any other of phony science, masquerade, and sub- businesses have found it difficult to policies Congress could support will en- terfuge into our children’s classrooms, open, let alone succeed, in many parts hance growth and create more job op- like Ms. Emery’s, Ms. Ramos’s, Ms. of our country. portunities around the country. Dillmann’s, Ms. Ratigan’s, and Ms. The United States has the highest Let me focus on my State of West Hadfield’s. These honorable, decent corporate tax rate in the developed Virginia. According to the Economic teachers help their students gain a world. A lot of people are asking, how Innovation Group, more than 34 per- fact-based understanding of the chang- does that influence me? It is influ- cent of West Virginians are living in ing world around them and the issues encing the working American because distressed communities. Unfortu- facing our society. Unfortunately, the working American is bearing the nately, that number is the third high- these Heartland Institute materials brunt of that tax. Because of our out- est of any State in the country. At the may require those teachers to teach dated Tax Code, real wages for most same time, only 3.4 percent of West about politics and propaganda as well. workers have barely increased over the I yield the floor. Virginians are living in prosperous years. West Virginians understand I suggest the absence of a quorum. communities. that, as hard as they work, the govern- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The There are States that are prosperous ment is taking more money from them. clerk will call the roll. and have done very well, but the vast It costs them more money every time The bill clerk proceeded to call the majority of our States have really they go to the grocery store, every roll. struggled. Only two in five commu- time they buy clothing for their chil- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask nities have seen any job growth in the dren, every time they try to buy a new unanimous consent that the order for past 5 years during our so-called recov- car. It is just more expensive with no the quorum call be rescinded. ery. That is not the definition of a re- growth in their wages to be able to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without covery. Since 2010, fully 50 percent of bear that expense. It feels impossible objection, it is so ordered. U.S. job growth has occurred in just 2 to get ahead.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.020 S27SEPT1 S6172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 We see that all around our States and the opportunities for their families for are living paycheck to paycheck. Over localities. We see people thinking, I a long time. It is a good way to think 20 percent of Americans say they have can’t get ahead, and I haven’t been able about how hard families work just so zero savings. A much higher number to over the last 5 to 10 years. I am the government can get more of their says they have less than $400 or $500 in starting to think it is impossible. money. savings. These are people whose par- But we can fix this. It is not impos- This is a discussion about how the ents and grandparents worked hard to sible. We can create an environment in government can take less of your save whatever they could and would which there is more opportunity avail- money. For everybody listening who like to see that ability happen again. able and wages are higher by modifying wonders, ‘‘Well, if the government is We need lower taxes. We need better our Tax Code. We can have a simpler going to take less money—I thought jobs. New jobs are impacted in Mis- system with lower rates, and families the government already had a def- souri, where 97 percent of all our busi- can see relief from the complexity of icit’’—we need to work on that. One nesses are small businesses. Most new our Tax Code. I have seen it stacked up way to work on that and the best way job creation is created by small busi- before. If you haven’t, I am 5 feet 3 to work on that is to have more tax- nesses. We ought to be sure that no inches, and I think it is taller than I payers—not higher tax rates but more matter what we do in the Tax Code, we am when stacked up page to page. taxpayers. We are looking at some tax do it in a way that allows small busi- Along with the complexities, people changes here that would allow more ness to compete with big business in an need to keep more of their hard-earned taxpayers to share the burden, hope- effective way. money. It will help our companies fully paying taxes, as I said earlier this As for competitiveness, in the last 15 grow. When our companies grow, what afternoon, on a bigger paycheck to years, I think we are not as competi- happens? We have more jobs, fairer start with. You can take less money tive as we used to be. Our corporate taxes used to be right in the middle. taxes, and best of all, besides more out of that paycheck, and the govern- With corporations competing around jobs, we have higher paychecks. With ment gets more money because we the world, we were right in the middle. more earnings, companies can hire new have more people paying those taxes The middle in 2003 was 30 percent; our workers, increase wages, and invest in and more growth. tax rate was 35 percent. The middle in new developments. These are changes The 70-year average on growth since 2015 was 22 percent; our tax rate was 35 that I think West Virginians are hun- World War II is 3.4 percent. Every year, percent. If you are going to compete, if gry for. the economy was that much bigger The time is now. The stagnation we than the year before. That ought to be you are going to create jobs, you are have felt over the last decade has worn achievable. For 70 years, we achieved going to have to be sure you know how us down, has made us lose our opti- that. We should be able to get back to to compete. Mr. President, you and I were able to mism about being able to have a better that again if we do the right things. see—at least I was able to see—for the life than our parents had or our chil- But for the last 8 to 9 years, that first time yesterday, not being on the dren thinking they could have a better growth has been less than 2 percent. Finance Committee, the page that is Our problem is with jobs that aren’t life than we had. You know, the Amer- generally agreed to as our starting growing as they should in terms of ican dream is sort of fading for a lot of point. There were lower rates for fami- what they pay and the government is people, so comprehensive tax reform lies, in fact, doubling the individual ex- not having the money it needs to de- can provide that kind of relief. emption. Today, if you are a couple, fend the country and do other things. A I am excited that we can create that you start paying taxes after the first environment of optimism, that envi- lot of that could be solved by an econ- $12,000 of income. Under this proposal ronment of confidence in not just our omy that is thriving again. There has that exemption doubles to $12,000 each, companies and our ability to create been 10 years of not seeing that hap- so you would start paying taxes only more jobs and raise our paychecks, but pen. after you have made the first $24,000. It We combine good tax policy with that confidence that we need as a coun- is sort of a new tax bracket here—the good regulatory policy, which means try that, yes, we can live in our com- zero tax bracket. It is the tax bracket the regulatory excesses of the last few munities in rural America, like West in which you don’t pay income taxes on Virginia or North Carolina or Missouri, years clearly are being brought back the first $24,000, and then you start that we can live in those communities, under control. The Federal Govern- paying in a simpler system after that. have a great chance to move ahead, ment is beginning to look at regulation People would like the tax system to have a good retirement when we decide and being sure it is commonsense regu- be simpler. People would like to have we are at the end of the line in terms lation again. Consumer confidence is that postcard filing opportunity, where of our working career, and also pass on growing. Every single month we look you say: This is how much money I to the next generation a competitive at those numbers, and they generally made, here is my W–2 form that proves environment that can compete finan- have been better each month than the it, here is my standard exemption, and cially anywhere in the world. month before. They certainly have here is whatever else I am going to be We know we can compete anywhere been better the last 7 months than they allowed to exempt—my contributions in the world in a lot of different areas. were in any previous 7-month period of to church, other charities, my mort- Right now, we are on an uneven play- time for some time now. When we have gage payment. Those appear to be ex- ing field. When we change this and a good tax policy and a good competi- emptions that will be left in the Code, when we fix this—because we can fix tive policy, then before you know it, but everyone would understand those. this—that will change the playing field things begin to happen. Suddenly, you have about three lines, for every single American who gets up On stagnant income, you can see a and maybe, by the time you get to in the morning or goes to work in the study here that says, well, maybe the those three lines, your tax obligation evening, to have the confidence that income hasn’t gone up, but because goes away. things are going to be better for them. things are a little less expensive and The amount of money people pay to I thank the Senator from Missouri, inflation has been so low and so many get their taxes figured out in America and I look forward to talking about of the things families need are less ex- would be the gross national product of this over the next several weeks. pensive, they really have more money lots of countries. We need a system The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- than they used to have. Try to explain that is simpler than that. ator from Missouri. that to mothers and fathers who are The death tax—you know, if you are Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, when the trying to buy five pairs of tennis shoes a family farm or a small business and Senator from West Virginia talked for five kids. You as a parent are try- someone has stayed on that farm with about the 40 percent that can come out ing to do something for your family you from your family or stayed in that of your hard work, the 2 days a week of every week or so that is a little bit ex- business with you from your family, it a regular 5-day workweek—and many traordinary. If you don’t have extra is very hard to figure out, when the families are wishing they could get money, you cannot do any of that. mom or dad dies, who created what back to a 5-day workweek because they Over 75 percent of full-time workers wealth as you work side by side to cre- have really been stagnant in terms of in America say, when asked, that they ate the wealth. By the way, you don’t

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.021 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6173 have any wealth that you haven’t paid on our family farm. My mom and dad keeps us from being competitive with taxes on already. You don’t have any- were really the first two in their ex- the rest of the world. thing you have accumulated that you tended families who had ever been to I have lived around the world, and I haven’t paid taxes on multiple times. college. All of my relatives were farm- have run businesses. I started my ca- There is an opportunity here to say ers in the South. reer working for an hourly wage in that we are no longer going to go I think the Tax Code that we have construction. I understand that Amer- through that after trying to tax family had for the last 100 years, since it was ica—and I can say this with some au- farms and small businesses. The death instituted in our country, has created thority—has some of the best workers tax is exactly that, and it doesn’t an imbalance. We can see right now anywhere in the world and in the his- work. that we are losing competitiveness tory of the world. On the back of that, We are going to work to make Amer- with the rest of the world. We have a we have innovation, capital formation, ica more competitive, American jobs growing disparity among income levels and the rule of law. That is what has more competitive. Again, one way to in this country, borne out somewhat by created this economic miracle over the create more take-home pay—the best the derivative results of an archaic, last 7 years, but we have taken it for way to create more take-home pay—is out-of-control, out-of-date, and inap- granted. What we have done is allow better jobs to start with. We can have propriate tax policy. other countries because of our immi- those better jobs if we work hard to be Today, we have two crises in Amer- gration policy, because of our tax pol- focused on competition, on regulation ica. I have spoken on this floor a lot icy, and because of our regulatory pol- that makes sense, on tax policy that about this. We have a global security icy, particularly of late—we have lost not only is simple but that everybody crisis that cannot be argued against. It our competitive edge. believes is fair. We have the greatest is deadly. It is serious. We also have a We believe that to get this economy compliance of any country, I believe, debt crisis, and they are interwoven be- going, President Trump is right. I am in the history of the world, but people cause of our inability to discipline our- absolutely committed to the strategy are less likely to comply if they don’t selves on this floor over the last 30 President Trump has laid out. It really think that the tax policy is fair and years, particularly the last 16 years. is only three things, and we have al- easily understood and means the same We now have $20 trillion of debt, and ready started on two with his leader- to everyone else. You shouldn’t have to that is the result of an explosion in the ship. have the greatest accountants in the size of our Federal Government. No. 1 is regulatory reform, which I world to figure out what your taxes are In 2000, the size of our government— talked about. or, frankly, to figure out what some- these are constant 2016 dollars. The No. 2 is that we have to get this en- body else’s taxes likely are. Fairness is size of our government in 2000 was $2.4 ergy policy going. What the President important here, simplicity is impor- trillion. ‘‘Trillion’’ is a big number, has already done with the Keystone tant here, and competition and better and it gets a lot of zeros out there. I Pipeline and the Clean Power Plan has jobs are important here. have a hard time even digesting what set the stage to allow us to become the (The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- that is. But 2.4—I can relate to the size energy czar, if you will, of the next pore assumed the Chair.) that it is today, and it was $4 trillion century right here in North America. We need better jobs for working fam- last year. So our Federal Government Lastly—and maybe most impor- ilies. I think that should be the flag has grown over 60 percent in 16 short tantly—is to get this Tax Code so we that flies highest as we begin to look years. There was one Republican Presi- can be competitive with the rest of the at how we reduce the tax burden and dent and one Democratic President. My world. Let’s talk about what competi- increase the opportunity for more peo- experience here in the last 2 years has tive means. In 1986, the last time we ple to be paying taxes because we have been that there are no innocent parties actually made any real, substantive more people with better jobs. in terms of this out-of-control spending change to the Tax Code, the United I know two of the leaders here. That on the part of the Federal Government. States, after those changes, had the guy who just left the Chair, the Sen- One of the solutions to this debt cri- third lowest corporate tax rate in the ator from North Carolina, and the Sen- sis is a growing economy. President world. What that did is allow us to ator from Georgia have been real advo- Trump, from day one, has said that compete with the rest of the world and cates for what we are trying to do now growing the economy is job one, but it set the stage for the next 10 to 15 years and also advocates for getting it done. was part of a bigger strategy in his of economic boom that is now part of We not only need to have this debate; first year. history. we need to get this done. There were four components to the What has happened now, though, is In my view, this needs to be done this strategy in the first year. One was that that the rest of the world has caught year. It needs to be impacting our we had to get Neil Gorsuch confirmed up. They have lowered their corporate economy by the first quarter of next to the Supreme Court, and that was tax rates. They have simplified their year. I would suggest that nobody in done. Second, we had to roll back on regulatory environment and taken the this body understands the importance some of the more onerous regulations burden off some of their people. Today of competition more than the Senator that were stifling the very life out of we have absolutely the highest cor- from Georgia, Mr. PERDUE. the free enterprise system. To date, porate tax rate in the world, and we I yield the floor. over 800 regulations have been removed are the last country of the major OECD The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- from our government. Third was countries—the 39 countries—to actu- pore. The Senator from Georgia. healthcare. We are still trying to fix a ally still have a repatriation tax. This Mr. PERDUE. Mr. President, I would collapsing ObamaCare system that is is unbelievable. We have been so arro- like to echo what my esteemed col- hurting people back home. Lastly, we gant as a country that we have let the league from Missouri has outlined in had to reform our tax package so that rest of the world outrun us to the next the last few minutes. His leadership on we could become competitive with the stop, and they are now outcompeting this issue is pronounced, and his expe- rest of the world and get our economy us. rience on this floor is not to be under- going again. How does this affect the average man estimated. I appreciate his leadership Job one this year was to get the and woman on the street? Well, this I on this, and I appreciate the oppor- economy going again. To some degree, believe—the repatriation tax and in- tunity to weigh in on this. it is beginning to move. Consumer con- deed the lack of competitiveness in our Before my remarks today on this his- fidence is at a 16-year high. CEO con- Tax Code—is an absolute tax on Amer- toric opportunity before us right now fidence is at a 20-year high. Why? Be- ican workers. Why? Because right now, to finally, after 30 years, become com- cause they finally see rhetoric in Wash- twice as many companies in the United petitive again with the rest of the ington talking about the things they States are being purchased by compa- world, I would like to preface my re- have been asking for for over 10 years, nies outside our country, as compared marks with a personal comment. My and that is relief from some of the to companies that our U.S. companies mom and dad were schoolteachers. We pressure the Federal Government has are buying outside the United States. were middle class. I grew up working put on the free enterprise system that That is nothing but a reflection on the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.023 S27SEPT1 S6174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 imbalance of our high tax environment Nearly every CEO surveyed by the level have not grown at all in the last here at home, and the people who suf- BRT, Business Roundtable, said that 30 years. That is terrible in the United fer from that are the people who buy delays on tax would damage our econ- States. We can fix that. It is a function products in the United States and the omy. Here is why. We just heard the of the thing I am talking about right people who work for companies that Senator from Missouri talk about tim- now—American companies that lost sell products in the United States. By ing. We have to have a sense of urgency their competitiveness because of the companies, I am talking about friends on this for one reason; that is, if you rules here in Washington. This is a 1- of mine who have small businesses in want to affect the economy next year, percent increase in our GDP. Say we South Georgia and have four employ- you have to get this done this year. grow from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent. ees. I am also talking about friends Budgets are being finalized for next That alone is $3 trillion of revenue over who run large corporations, multi- year right now. Capital investments the next 10 years. That is doable. Ev- national corporations. All of the above have already been made in terms of de- erybody in this room knows that. contribute to our economy. termining how much and where and But we have to change this Tax Code We have unwanted acquisitions. Just how soon they will be making it. More to put people back to work, to get our look at recent history. Burger King importantly, during the back half of economy going again, and to become was bought by a Canadian firm, next year, we will have the holiday sea- competitive with the rest of the world. Timmy’s. Look at the beer industry in son, which offers up a significant por- The end result will be to address, fi- St. Louis. Today, most of those compa- tion of our retail sales for the year, and nally, this debt crisis. nies are owned by Brazilians and Bel- those decisions are being made right The reason we want this Tax Code gians. These are not mean CEOs who now—before the purchases that are changed is to put people back to work decided to move their corporate head- made next spring. and to change lives here in America. quarters, no. This is a reflection of a We have major CEOs weighing in on But the long-term benefit of this is competitive disadvantage in which this. Randall Stephenson, CEO at that it gives us more flexibility and someone outside the country has used AT&T, said that if we get the corporate more capital with which to solve this our Tax Code and our tax dollars to ac- tax rate lowered, ‘‘We will step it up’’— long-term debt crisis. Growing the tually buy U.S. companies to the det- meaning their capital investments. economy alone will not fix this debt riment of U.S. workers. How can any- ‘‘Every additional billion dollars . . . is crisis, but we will not fix the debt cri- one be against lowering our corporate 7,000 hard-hat jobs putting fiber in the sis unless and until we fix this Tax tax rate and doing away with this repa- ground, cell sites up, and antennas on Code. triation tax? cell sites.’’ We need to have a sense of urgency The Business Roundtable in 2004 doc- David Abney, CEO of UPS, said: like never before in order to get this uments—and this is interesting—that ‘‘We’d like to bring some of those for- done this year. I echo the comments of if our corporate rate today were just 20 eign earnings back, invest them into my colleagues, and I thank you for this percent, over 4,700 companies that have our network here.’’ opportunity. been purchased over the last couple of Finally, Mark Weinberger is the CEO I yield the floor. years would still be in the United of one of the major accounting firms The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- States. I think that is tantamount to a we have here in the United States. pore. The Senator from North Carolina. marching order for us here in the Sen- They are multinational, so they have Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I was pre- ate to make this change. experience around the world in this siding when the colloquy started with The way forward is very simple. This with Ernst & Young. Actually, through my colleagues here to talk about tax is what is talked about in this tax these tax changes, they will stand to reform. I had not intended to speak package that we are beginning to talk lose revenue because we are simpli- today, and I am sure my staffers are about publicly, and this is only after 9 fying how people calculate what they scrambling, wondering what the boss months of regular order in committee owe in taxes. His quote is this: ‘‘I think will say. I want to weigh in with this with multiple hearings. We heard in it’s truly a bipartisan issue’’—I agree— discussion mainly because of the per- the healthcare debate: Oh, this is not ‘‘something everybody can rally sonal perspective of a leader who has regular order. We didn’t have the around . . . it’s urgent for our coun- seen the positive impacts of having the chance to talk about it and put amend- try.’’ courage, focus, and discipline to deliver ments in and all this. To get this done, we have to move on tax reform. Well, this time, in tax, it will be by past partisan politics and Washington Back in 2011, I was in my third term. regular order. There will be amend- games. We saw how we disappointed Republicans had the majority, and I be- ments. There will be debates. There the American people—both sides. The came speaker of the house. When I have already been multiple hearings. Democrats in 2009 crammed ObamaCare came in February of 2011, it was re- We are looking for input from all cor- down the throats of America through a ported to me that we had a $2.5 billion ners. supermajority. We now know it has structural deficit. We had the fourth This strategy has three parts: One, failed. Republicans were not able to fix highest unemployment rate in the Na- we have to lower this tax on our Amer- it this year, so far. So we all need to tion and we had 6 months to figure out ican workers—lower the corporate tax look at this tax issue as a bipartisan how to balance the budget. So it was rate to be competitive with the rest of issue to fix this once and for all for the counterintuitive to a lot of people that the world. Two, eliminate this repatri- people back home. we would spend time on regulatory re- ation tax as every other country in the We can’t get bogged down in this form and tax reform—particularly tax world has done. And, last, we have to scoring—this financial modeling that is reform—reducing the amount of rev- simplify our individual Tax Code. only done this way in Washington. Peo- enue coming in at the same time we My mom and dad were school- ple back home don’t run their small were in a deficit ourselves. But in the teachers. They were proud of their abil- businesses this way. They don’t run big first 6 months that we were in the ma- ity to pay their taxes, but they were businesses this way. They sure don’t jority, we cut the sales tax. Then we burdened by that. Right now, we don’t run their personal finances this way. went over a 2-year period, even with need to do that. We have to find a way We can’t get bogged down in bad num- that $2.5 billion structural deficit, to to make this Tax Code more equitable bers and bad timing coming from the make the changes in the corporate tax for everyone. Congressional Budget Office—not this and the income tax. It took North Nearly 90 percent of Americans want time. It is too important. The only Carolina from the 44th most taxed the code changed. Over two-thirds score that matters to me is GDP State—in other words, there were only think taxes are too high. Almost two- growth and the jobs that it creates— 5 States ahead of us for the highest tax thirds say that lowering the corporate the change of lives that it can affect burden in the United States—now down tax rate—again, they get the fact that for the people back home. to No. 12. It was one of the worst grow- this tax rate is lower in the rest of the I hear people talking all the time: I ing economies, and it now ranks in the world and that it is a penalty on the work part time; can you help me get top five in the Nation, and it is one of workers here in the United States. more hours? Wages at the low-income the fastest growing economies in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.025 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6175 Nation. We created over 250,000 jobs more little guys like me—that 19-year- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and actually put North Carolina on the old living in a trailer park—could get a objection, it is so ordered. map by all references—CEO measures job—a better-paying job—and, ulti- PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS and by independent organizations. It is mately, have enough money to put RECOVERY EFFORT the State where businesses want to set himself through school. Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, up and do business. So when we get into this argument, in the last 24 hours since I came to the We took the corporate tax from 6.9 don’t take the bait by some people who floor to talk about Puerto Rico and the down to 2.5. We took personal income will say that because we are focusing U.S. Virgin Islands, there has been tax rates from 7.75 down to 5.49. We got on corporate taxes and reducing the progress but far less progress than is people back to work. tax burden on businesses, that is some- necessary at this critical time of hu- Along the way, we had our chal- how a guy in a suit trying to help out manitarian crisis, when the people of lenges. Everybody in Washington is for a business. That is a guy who has those islands literally face a chasm, a tax reform. They are for tax relief. worked his way from that trailer park deepening canyon of needs and chal- They will come into your office and now into the U.S. Senate and benefited lenges. tell you: Let’s get her going. Then on when Congress had the courage to re- Over the next 24 hours, over the next the side they will say: except for that duce taxes and get the economy back 24 days, over the next 24 months, this one righteous exemption I may need. on track. That is what we better do. crisis must be met with a strategy, an We have to have Members who have the That is what we promised. That is what overarching plan, a Marshall Plan for courage to do tax reform that helps we are here to do today. The time is Puerto Rico that commits the re- working families, that creates jobs, now to get it done. sources unequivocally and unambig- and that silences the people who want The President has shown wisdom in uously, making sure we match the to take this exemption or that exemp- the blueprint—and our leadership here, depth of this crisis with a magnitude of tion away, so we do what is right for in terms of the broad strokes about resources and commitment that is the generation that is about to look for what tax reform needs to look like. needed and deserved. That kind of re- Now it is our job—each and every indi- jobs and the people who need a job sponse, which has been lacking so far, vidual Member of the Senate and the today. is absolutely necessary for the hope of House—to deliver on the promise to They want their businesses to grow. Puerto Rico because as the threats of produce tax reform to help the little They want their economies to thrive. disease and contaminated water in- guy and to get this economy going to They want the United States to be the crease, not to mention the lack of be the great economy that it has been strong, great economy that it can be. proper medicine, healthcare, roads, in the past, and I have every reason to It is going to take courage. It is going transportation and communication, to take discipline. It is going to take believe that it will be so in the future. I suggest the absence of a quorum. food, water, medicine, basic necessities time—but only so much time. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- rise on that island, the people of Puer- I believe this Congress, this Senate, pore. The clerk will call the roll. to Rico will lose trust and confidence over the course of a few months, if we The senior assistant legislative clerk in fellow Americans that must do focus on it and with the support of the proceeded to call the roll. more. We need to give them the hope President and in collaboration with the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I they deserve, and that hope has to be House, can get this done. We have to ask unanimous consent that the order more than rhetoric and more than pat- get it done. We promised the American for the quorum call be rescinded. ting ourselves on the back as the Presi- people last year that if we had majori- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. dent has done. It has to be a real com- ties, we would do what we had to do to TOOMEY). Without objection, it is so or- mitment. deliver on this promise. It can be done. dered. In fact, there is no reason for back- A lot of times, people ask me what f patting. The response so far has been keeps me up at night. I tell them two inadequate, lacking the full attention things: coffee and the national debt. EXECUTIVE SESSION and commitment that is needed. It has Coffee is for the obvious reasons, but been a story of inattention and inad- why the national debt? I will tell you EXECUTIVE CALENDAR equate strategy so far to meet this why. Because when I have people on deepening humanitarian crisis. the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the serv- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The people of Texas, Florida, and ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ice chiefs come into the Senate Armed throughout the gulf coast and the ate proceed to executive session for the Services Committee and say the single Southeast who have been affected by en bloc consideration of Calendar No. greatest threat to our national secu- the storms have received the full com- 95, the nomination of Heath Tarbert to rity is our debt, we should take notice. mitment of America. It is what we owe be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, These are people who are skilled in our fellow Americans. That same com- and Calendar No. 106, the nomination warfare. They are people who know mitment is owed to Puerto Rico and of Makan Delrahim to be Assistant At- how to take the fight to the enemy. the Virgin Islands. We saw an imme- torney General. I further ask that When they think the greatest threat to diate disaster response there that must there be 5 hours of debate on the nomi- this Nation is our national debt, we also be devoted to Puerto Rico. The nations, equally divided in the usual had better take that seriously. form, and that following the use or emergency aid and full funding made How do you resolve the national to the victims of those storms in the debt? You grow the economy. How do yielding back of time, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nominations in gulf coast and Florida must be given to you grow the economy? You create jobs Puerto Rico, and I am hopeful that a and help businesses throughout. How the order listed, with no intervening action or debate, and that if confirmed, relief bill will be fashioned this week. do you do that? You do that through I am also hopeful that the financial the motions to reconsider be consid- tax reform. You also take criticism control board that has responsibility ered made and laid upon the table, and that is going to be waged by some peo- the President be immediately notified for Puerto Rico’s internal finances can ple on the far left when we talk about of the Senate’s action. be given the flexibility and that the corporate tax reform. They are going The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Government of Puerto Rico will be to say: How could you favor the big guy objection, it is so ordered. given the flexibility that is needed to over the little guy? I don’t know about Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- deal with this disaster—nothing less you all, but I worked for companies be- sence of a quorum. than a full court press, a full plan and fore in my life. When I was 19 and liv- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The strategy, and a plan that directly ad- ing in a trailer park, I was working for clerk will call the roll. dresses the needs of Puerto Rico in so a corporation. I was a little guy work- The bill clerk proceeded to call the many areas. ing for that corporation. Fortunately, roll. On transportation, what is the plan in the 1980s, we had a President who Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I to ensure that basic goods can move had the wisdom to know that, if you re- ask unanimous consent that the order from one end of the island to another? duced the tax burden on corporations, for the quorum call be rescinded. Right now the roads are unusable. By

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Sep 27, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.026 S27SEPT1 S6176 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 all accounts, getting things across the beyond any fault of the people of Puer- ability, I believe that, during his ten- island by road is impossible. Radar and to Rico. It is not of their doing. ure over the past year, he has taken navigation systems at the airports are Vast swaths of resources have been one step after another that is contrary down. The transportation mechanism swept away in Puerto Rico, including to the public interest. He has launched of the island is literally ripped apart. many of the attractions important for an attack on net neutrality, and he is So potable water, food, and fuel are im- Puerto Rico’s tourist industry. The working adamantly for undoing the possible to move where they need to same is true, for example, on the island open internet order. go. That state of affairs is inadequate of St. John in the Virgin Islands. Tour- The open internet order was estab- and unacceptable in America in 2017. ism is a key component of Puerto lished based on 10 years of evidence Electricity and power are disrupted Rico’s economy. It may take years and about how the internet has changed, across the island. What will be done to possibly decades to restore. What is the and it was most recently fully upheld restore power and electricity through- long-term plan? What is the strategy by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC out the island? What will be done to for Puerto Rico and for the Virgin Is- Circuit in June 2016. The most recent make sure that diesel is available there lands? There needs to be a kind of Mar- evidence shows that net neutrality has and in the Virgin Islands? Many of the shall Plan for rebuilding because the not inhibited network investment at machines essential for lifesaving at the devastating damage done is no less all, in contrast to Chairman Pai’s hospitals cannot be powered by genera- than what Europe suffered as a result claim. tors alone. That state of affairs is inad- of World War II. We have an obliga- On broadband privacy, Chairman Pai equate and unacceptable in America in tion—certainly, no less than rebuilding forcefully advocated in support of ef- 2017. our European allies—to restore and re- forts to rescind the FCC’s broadband All five of the hospitals in Arecibo, build Puerto Rico. privacy rules, a blatant attack on con- one of Puerto Rico’s largest cities, are All of these natural disasters and the sumer privacy rights—all the more without power. Many other hospitals financial manmade storm come as striking in light of recent dramatic are shuttered as well. Clinics are Puerto Rico continues to endure the concerns about privacy. Signing up for closed. struggles of its internal financial com- the internet should not mean that you Mosquito-borne diseases are a real mitments that are necessary for the have to sign away your rights to pri- and present danger. Deadly ailments in lifeblood of the economy. Jobs and eco- vacy, and that is why it is so important contaminated food and water may nomic progress must be the end goal. to have baseline privacy and data secu- cause serious and possibly deadly dis- With so many questions about the rity rules that our broadband providers eases. As these diseases spread, what is President’s plan or lack of plan, I am subscribe to, observe, and follow. the plan to stop this kind of inad- struck by the need for this body and Earlier this year, Senate Republicans equacy? It is unacceptable in America this Congress to take the initiative. I gave broadband providers a green light in 2017. think we will need to begin action, to sell sensitive personal information As to communications, or the basic begin hearings, and begin a process of to the highest bidder—a move that ability to talk to each other, to reas- building a plan if the administration came with cheers of support from sure each other, and to know what is fails to present it. Chairman Pai. By supporting this going on with relatives and loved ones I believe, too, that we share so much measure, I think Chairman Pai raised and friends—no wonder that angst and with the island of Puerto Rico in peo- severe doubts about his commitment to alarm are spreading beyond Puerto ple who have come to Connecticut and the average American consumer. Rico to Connecticut, where those rel- other parts of the country that we will One of Chairman Pai’s first actions atives and friends live now—this kind find a ready and enthusiastic audience after his designation as chairman was of lack of communication is unaccept- and support for such an effort. to direct the FCC’s Wireline Competi- able in America in 2017. What is the In the past 2 days, after silence tion Bureau to overturn an order desig- plan to correct it? through much of it about Puerto Rico, nating nine wireless companies to pro- On public safety, looting and theft the President seemed to blame the is- vide lifeline broadband service through are becoming more prevalent. As the land itself, its financial struggle, other the USF Lifeline Program, despite the days drag on, law and order will dete- storms, and even the size of the ocean. assertion that his foremost goal was to riorate unless public safety is ad- There should be no excuses. There close the internet and digital divide. I dressed more effectively. must be a call to action. strongly criticized this decision and led There is another kind of challenge. A I thank the Coast Guard, our mili- a letter to Chairman Pai expressing dam that is about to burst and could tary, the first responders, the rescuers, that this action not only forfeits and cause havoc in surrounding areas is a and relief organizations—from affects these providers consumers’ in- clear and present safety danger that il- Americares to the Red Cross to Save terests, but it may also have a chilling lustrates again the weakness of Puerto the Children—that have devoted so effect on other broadband providers Rico’s infrastructure. much and given so much in these times that were interested in participating in Towns throughout the island have of crisis. They have been stretched the Lifeline broadband program. This suffered severe flooding. So housing thin. They have performed with cour- action would limit choice and increase and basic shelter are inadequate. What age and generosity and so have the do- the cost of service for the lifeline paris the plan to rebuild? nors who have come forward in Con- ticipants. Payment for medicines cannot be necticut and around the country. Peo- Finally, as Chairman of the FCC, Mr. made unless cash is available, and the ple are calling my office asking what Pai has a duty to review whether lack of electricity means that the ATM they can do for the people of Florida Sinclair’s proposal to acquire Tribune machines are not working. If there is and the gulf coast and Puerto Rico and Media complies with the FCC’s broad- no cash for residents to buy basic the Virgin Islands. They are all fellow cast media ownership rules and serves goods, including food and water, how Americans, and we owe it to them to the public interest by promoting local- does the administration plan to solve do more and do better to make sure ism and diversity. Rather than scruti- this problem? This kind of inadequacy that we keep faith with our fellow nizing this deal as closely and carefully is unacceptable in America in 2017. Americans. as I believe he should, Mr. Pai has fo- Rebuilding will require a long-term I thank you, Mr. President, for the cused his efforts on loosening restric- commitment. It will require a plan and opportunity to talk about this subject. tions to enable the deal. This trans- a strategy, not just over the next 24 NOMINATION OF AJIT PAI action not only blatantly violates ex- hours or 24 days but 24 months and Mr. President, I want to express as isting rules, but it also abridges exist- longer. It must deal with a financial well my concern regarding the renomi- ing FCC policy. Those policies were situation that is a storm of its own. nation of Ajit Pai to be Chairman of just recently scrapped under Mr. Pai’s As I described it yesterday, this the Federal Communications Commis- watch. storm is not a natural disaster. It is a sion. I will oppose his nomination. As This action can only be explained by manmade disaster, the result of much as I respect his background and interest in prioritizing the demands of healthcare and tax programs that are his achievements, his intelligence and Sinclair over the public interest. It

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.031 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6177 also is no surprise that this decision It is a nasty, self-perpetuating cycle, didate for President Trump. President happened just days before he had a and it is exactly why Congress created Trump has not been shy about his will- meeting with the chairman of Sinclair. antitrust laws over a century ago. ingness to use his power against indi- Every market impacted by this Back then, like today, a few powerful viduals or companies he doesn’t like, megamerger would experience a reduc- companies were stifling competition in and he has made it clear that he ex- tion in responsive local news due to markets all across the economy and pects his agency heads to carry out his Sinclair’s unresponsive, top-down ap- gaining extraordinary political power. orders. proach—denigrating diversity, dimin- Congress decided to create laws to Mr. Delrahim has been a loyal sup- ishing our already distorted civic dis- break up trusts and protect competi- porter of President Trump’s since the course, and devaluing local voices of tion. campaign. He urged fellow Republicans women and people of color. Today, I Today the Justice Department’s to support President Trump because he sent a letter to Chairman Pai to let Antitrust Division is charged with pro- correctly believed President Trump him know that blessing a media behe- tecting competition by blocking anti- would appoint a pro-corporate Justice moth such as Sinclair-Tribune would competitive mergers and going after to the Supreme Court. He also served reflect an abject failure on his part to companies that engage in illegal con- as legal counsel to President Trump protect the public interest and to up- duct. For decades, though, antitrust after he was sworn in and as the Presi- hold the FCC’s duty to promote local- enforcers have put their tools on the dent reversed rules that made it easier ism and diversity. Localism needs re- shelf instead of aggressively enforcing for families to pay their mortgages or sponsiveness to local interests, local our antitrust laws, they have given the reversed rules to prevent people with news, and local voices. That is a trust green light to megamerger after serious mental illnesses from buying the FCC has by its own rules and as a megamerger and allowed big corpora- guns or reversed rules to stop compa- matter of public interest. tions to misuse this power without a nies from dumping toxic waste into Today we rely more than ever on the peep. water. As head of the Antitrust Divi- internet for so many facets of our ev- That problem is set to get worse in sion, Mr. Delrahim will be in a position eryday life: freedom of expression, edu- the Trump administration. Since tak- to make even more harmful decisions. cation, healthcare, housing, entertain- ing office, President Trump has loaded It is no secret that Americans don’t ment, and more. Consumers need a his administration with a Who’s Who of trust Washington. They see politicians champion that will be their voice at a former lobbyists, Wall Street insiders, who care more about catering to cor- time when so often the public interest and corporate executives committed to porate donors than fighting for the in- is drowned by moneyed interests and tilting the scales even further in favor terests of hard-working people who are special interests. of his powerful friends and against trying to figure out how to pay the Chairman Pai, far from our cham- American families. bills and build a little security in their pion, seems to be more a servant of Now, President Trump has nomi- own lives. It is a real problem, but it is those interests. American consumers nated someone to head the Justice De- a problem we can solve. We can begin deserve better. My hope is, the Presi- partment’s Antitrust Division. His to solve it by fighting the economic dent will nominate someone who can nominee, Makan Delrahim, will be in concentration that is putting more better serve those interests. charge of determining whether there is money and more power into the hands Thank you. someone to stand up for competition or of a few giant corporations. That I yield the floor. let the big guys just get bigger and The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. means choosing enforcers who will hold more powerful. Unfortunately, Mr. companies accountable when they GARDNER). The Senator from Massa- Delrahim’s approach to antitrust en- chusetts. break the rules, and that means reject- forcement is based on a hands-off eco- ing nominees like Makan Delrahim. DELRAHIM NOMINATION nomic theory that just leaves big cor- Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, our porations to do pretty much whatever TARBERT NOMINATION economy is in trouble. In markets all they want to do. Case in point, just last Mr. President, I rise to speak on the across our economy, a few giant cor- year, when asked what he thought nomination of Heath Tarbert, who has porations hold all the power. It is ev- about the proposed merger of AT&T- been nominated by President Trump to erywhere. Four airlines control over 80 Time Warner—a merger that would be the Assistant Secretary of the percent of all domestic airline seats in combine two of the most powerful com- Treasury for International Markets America. Five health insurance giants panies in media—Mr. Delrahim said he and Development. If confirmed, Mr. own over 80 percent of the health insur- didn’t think it was a ‘‘major antitrust Tarbert will be in charge of the Treas- ance market. Four companies domi- problem.’’ ury Department’s role on a multi-agen- nate over 80 percent of the beef mar- Mr. Delrahim spent over a decade cy body called the Committee on For- ket. Three drugstore chains control al- working to convince government offi- eign Investment in the United States, most all retail pharmacies in the coun- cials that other megamergers weren’t or CFIUS, which reviews whether for- try. Two companies sell more than 70 antitrust problems. During the airline eign acquisitions of a U.S. company percent of the beer in America. merger wave that left us with only four would pose a threat to our national se- As competition has been snuffed out major carriers, Mr. Delrahim was lob- curity and then makes recommenda- in industry after industry, big corpora- bying the government to approve a tions to the President on whether the tions have made out like bandits, and merger between US Airways and Delta. President should block the transaction. everyone else has paid the price. How Despite the fact that there are only a This is not about whether foreign in- do we pay? American families shell out few large retail pharmacies, he lobbied vestment benefits our economy. Of more for lower quality goods. Small to get government approval for CVS’s course it does. The United States is the businesses find it harder and harder to proposed takeover of Caremark. Even third largest recipient of foreign direct compete against the big guys. though only five health insurers con- investment, and our markets attract Innovators and entrepreneurs struggle trol the vast majority of the health in- the world’s best talent and capital. to promote new ideas that can change surance market, he tried to convince Going back to the 1990s, only four for- the world. Income inequality has left government regulators to approve An- eign acquisitions of American compa- more American families struggling to them’s unsuccessful attempt to merge nies have ever been blocked by a Presi- make ends meet as the top 1 percent with Cigna. dent based on a recommendation of the has grown even richer and richer. As Now he wants to take a spin through Committee on Foreign Investment in fewer companies have seized more eco- the revolving door and regulate the in- the United States. This is about wheth- nomic power, they have translated dustries he worked to make even less er our national security is put at risk their economic muscle into political competitive. For the giant corpora- when foreign governments, foreign power—power they can use to elect the tions, wealthy individuals who want to state-owned enterprises, and foreign in- politicians they like, get the kinds of amass more power and profits for vestors acquire our companies and as- laws and policies they like, and run up themselves, Mr. Delrahim is a dream sets. This is also about foreign govern- even more economic power. candidate, but he is also a dream can- ments and the companies they own,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.032 S27SEPT1 S6178 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 trying to gain access to sensitive tech- I raised all of these issues with Mr. Mr. Tarbert would also serve as the nologies that are important to our Tarbert when I met with him today principal policy advisor to the Sec- military and our national security. and his answers improved from when I retary on international economic mat- The risk posed to the security of the asked him about these issues earlier ters, including serving as the Treas- United States is real. I want you to this year, but I remain concerned ury’s representative at the Financial consider just one example here. Ac- about his commitment to modernize Stability Board. cording to a news report last year, an CFIUS and to ensure that CFIUS does Finally, Mr. Tarbert has strong bi- internal Pentagon report found that more to consider the impact of foreign partisan support and was voice-voted China was making significant targeted acquisitions on American workers. I out of the Banking Committee. investments in cutting-edge American hope I am wrong, but I still have con- Mr. Tarbert has served in senior roles startups, with expertise in areas like cerns about his nomination, which is in all three branches of government autonomous vehicles, artificial intel- why I will vote against it. and is an experienced lawyer and a rec- ligence, and robotics. These can be Mr. Tarbert promised me that if con- ognized financial expert. transactions that don’t necessarily re- firmed, he would work to ensure that In short, he is an important asset sult in foreign control over one of our no transaction is approved by CFIUS if whom the Congress and Treasury De- companies, but they can give a foreign national security concerns remain un- partment do not want to lose to further adversary access to technologies that resolved, and that is encouraging to delay. I urge all of my colleagues to support could harm our strategic interests and hear. If he is ultimately confirmed, I Mr. Tarbert’s nomination today and to erode our military advantage. will use my position in the Senate The risk is significant, but unfortu- vote for his confirmation. Banking Committee to hold him to nately CFIUS does not apply to these With that, I yield the floor. that promise because the threats we transactions. The problem is, CFIUS DELRAHIM NOMINATION face are growing in complexity, and the was created back in 1975. Since then, Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, Committee on Foreign Investment in both technology and the nature of for- today, the Senate is voting to confirm the United States must be ready to eign acquisitions, mergers, and take- Makan Delrahim to serve as the Assist- overs have changed substantially. The confront them. We don’t want to wake ant Attorney General for the Antitrust nature of the threats we face has also up one day and discover that our adver- Division. When Mr. Delrahim was 10 changed substantially. Our top mili- saries have access to key components years old, his family fled the tyranny tary leaders—such as the Secretary of of our national security technology be- of Iran and settled in the United Defense and Chairman of the Joint cause Congress and the White House States, knowing no English. Since Chiefs—believe that CFIUS needs to be were asleep at the wheel. then, Mr. Delrahim received his B.S. updated to fully address them, and I If confirmed, I will work in good from the University of California in agree. faith with Mr. Tarbert to ensure that 1991, his J.D. from the George Wash- Another concern is that CFIUS does the Committee on Foreign Investment ington University School of Law in not focus enough on whether the bene- in the United States is updated so it is 1995, and his M.S. from Johns Hopkins fits of foreign acquisition outweigh the in the strongest position to protect our University in 2002. costs when it comes to the competi- national security—both from the Mr. Delrahim’s professional career tiveness of American workers. While I threats we face today and the threats and broad range of legal experiences recognize that CFIUS has historically we will face in the future. have prepared him well to lead the focused on the national security im- Thank you. Antitrust Division. He has experience pacts of foreign investment, I think I yield the floor. in both the private and public sectors. Congress should consider elevating the I suggest the absence of a quorum. He has worked at various law firms and Department of Labor to the group of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The served in government, including as clerk will call the roll. agencies that are currently part of the staff director to then-Chairman HATCH Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask core CFIUS review process. If we be- of the Senate Judiciary Committee, unanimous consent that the order for lieve economic security and national deputy counsel to the President of the the quorum call be rescinded. security are intertwined, then I think United States, and Deputy Assistant The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without we can both look out for the American Attorney General of the Antitrust Di- objection, it is so ordered. worker and review the national secu- vision at the Department of Justice. He Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to rity threats posed by foreign acquisi- also served as a Commissioner of the speak in support of the nomination of tions. U.S. Antitrust Modernization Commis- Mr. Heath Tarbert to be Assistant Sec- Finally, the ethics problems that are sion. everywhere in this administration retary of the Treasury for Inter- Mr. Delrahim will serve as the high- come forward again in the area of na- national Markets and Development. est ranking Iranian-American official tional security. We all know President This position is both a critical national ever at the Department of Justice. His Trump, his family members, and other security and international economic journey epitomizes the American Trump administration officials have policy job. dream. He is well known and liked by A critical part of the Assistant Sec- business ties in the United States and my colleagues and me. I am pleased to retary’s job—and the reason for which throughout the world, even if we don’t support his nomination today. know the full extent of President this position was created by statute Mr. CRAPO. I suggest the absence of Trump’s business ties because he will and passed in the Banking Com- a quorum. not release his tax returns. mittee—is to marshal the procedures The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Imagine a Trump administration of- and processes of the interagency, clerk will call the roll. ficial who has a financial stake in an Treasury-led Committee on Foreign In- The senior assistant legislative clerk American company, a foreign state- vestment in the United States, or proceeded to call the roll. owned company or both. Now imagine CFIUS, which protects our Nation from Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask that a foreign company backed by hostile foreign transactions designed to unanimous consent that the order for China, Russia, or another foreign ad- undermine U.S. national security in- the quorum call be rescinded. versary tries to acquire a U.S. com- terests. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without pany and a Trump official suddenly has This is now a very time-sensitive objection, it is so ordered. financial ties to that transaction and post because Senators on both sides of Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, the con- then that transaction triggers a CFIUS the aisle are working to introduce leg- firmation of Makan Delrahim has been review for national security concerns. islation to change the CFIUS process a top priority of mine. I know the man. If that scenario were to occur, I am for the first time in a decade. He worked with us. He headed our Ju- deeply concerned about the conflicts of Confirmation of Mr. Tarbert is crit- diciary Committee staff. Amidst the interests that could emerge. I would ical so that he is available to provide rising controversy over antitrust law expect CFIUS to vigorously review necessary input on any proposed in the 21st century, he is precisely who such an investment as it affects our na- changes and to swiftly implement any we need in that position. I commend tional security. new legislation. the President for having picked him.

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All of us, Democrats and Repub- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. LEE). Corker Hoeven Portman licans, liberals and conservatives, are Are there any other Senators in the Cornyn Inhofe Reed Cotton Isakson Risch going to make sure that our markets Chamber desiring to vote? Crapo Johnson Roberts remain free and competitive. Cheap The result was announced—yeas 87, Cruz Kennedy Rounds talking points are not going to cut it; nays 8, as follows: Daines King Rubio Durbin Klobuchar Sasse only serious debate will. [Rollcall Vote No. 204 Ex.] Enzi Lankford Scott I am pleased that recent efforts to Ernst Leahy YEAS—87 Shaheen Feinstein Lee rise above the partisan fray and treat Shelby Alexander Feinstein Murphy Fischer Manchin this subject with the seriousness it de- Baldwin Fischer Murray Flake McCain Stabenow serves have paid off today. Barrasso Flake Nelson Franken McCaskill Sullivan I expect our colleagues to vote for Bennet Franken Paul Gardner McConnell Tester Makan because of the high-quality law- Blumenthal Gardner Perdue Graham Moran Thune Blunt Graham Peters Grassley Murkowski Tillis yer he really is. Booker Grassley Portman Hatch Nelson Toomey I thank my colleagues for joining me Boozman Hassan Reed Heitkamp Paul Warner in this debate. I congratulate Makan, Brown Hatch Risch Heller Perdue Wicker Burr Heinrich Roberts Hirono Peters who is sure to make us all very pleased Cantwell Heitkamp Rounds with the way he can run things and the Capito Heller Rubio NAYS—21 way he can begin this important work Cardin Hoeven Sasse Baldwin Hassan Sanders Carper Inhofe Schumer Booker Heinrich Schatz that he knows is important. We know Casey Isakson Scott it is important; I particularly know it Cantwell Kaine Schumer Cassidy Johnson Shaheen Cortez Masto Markey Udall is important. Collins Kaine Shelby Duckworth Merkley Warren Makan has been an honest, decent, Coons Kennedy Stabenow Gillibrand Murphy Whitehouse Corker King Sullivan Harris Murray Wyden wonderful man. He is a good father. He Cornyn Klobuchar Tester has been a terrific staffer here on Cap- Cortez Masto Lankford Thune NOT VOTING—6 Cotton Leahy Tillis itol Hill. He has worked with both Cochran Menendez Van Hollen Crapo Lee Toomey Democrats and Republicans in good Donnelly Strange Young Cruz Manchin Udall faith. I think almost all of them, if Daines McCain Van Hollen The nomination was confirmed. they are honest, will say he was a very, Duckworth McCaskill Warner The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under very good person to work with and a Durbin McConnell Whitehouse Enzi Moran Wicker the previous order, the motions to re- wonderful person to fill this position. Ernst Murkowski Wyden consider are considered made and laid It is a blessing that someone like NAYS—8 upon the table and the President will Makan, who comes from a very humble be immediately notified of the Senate’s family, could rise to the top in this Gillibrand Markey Schatz Harris Merkley Warren action. particular position in antitrust, and I Hirono Sanders am sure he will do an honest, decent f NOT VOTING—5 job within the antitrust laws as they EXECUTIVE CALENDAR are configured and written. Cochran Menendez Young Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask I am proud of him. I think the world Donnelly Strange unanimous consent that the Senate re- of him. I hope everybody will vote for The nomination was confirmed. sume consideration of the Erickson him. But if not, I will commend him, VOTE ON DELRAHIM NOMINATION nomination. and I know he will do a good job in this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without particular position. question is, Will the Senate advise and Mr. President, I suggest the absence objection, it is so ordered. consent to the nomination of Makan The clerk will report the nomination. of a quorum. Delrahim, of California, to be an As- The bill clerk read the nomination of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sistant Attorney General? clerk will call the roll. Ralph E. Erickson, of North Dakota, to be Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth The senior assistant legislative clerk for the yeas and nays. Circuit. proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sufficient second? ator from South Dakota. unanimous consent that the order for There appears to be a sufficient sec- TAX REFORM the quorum call be rescinded. ond. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, one of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The clerk will call the roll. the Senate Republicans’ most impor- objection, it is so ordered. The assistant bill clerk called the tant priorities for the rest of this year VOTE ON TARBERT NOMINATION roll. is passing comprehensive tax reform. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I yield Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators Why? Because comprehensive tax re- back all time on both sides, and I ask are necessarily absent: the Senator form is perhaps the single most impor- for the yeas and nays. from Mississippi (Mr. COCHRAN), the tant thing we can do to get our econ- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Senator from Alabama (Mr. STRANGE), omy back on the path to long-term sufficient second? and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. health. Comprehensive tax reform done There is a sufficient second. YOUNG). right will boost jobs. It will increase The question is, Will the Senate ad- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the wages. It will provide much needed tax vise and consent to the nomination of Senator from Indiana (Mr. DONNELLY), relief for middle-income taxpayers and Heath P. Tarbert, of Maryland, to be the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. families. It will help businesses rein- an Assistant Secretary of the Treas- MENENDEZ), and the Senator from vest in their operations, employees, ury? Maryland (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) are nec- and new products. And most impor- The clerk will call the roll. essarily absent. The senior assistant legislative clerk tantly, it will help us achieve strong, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there called the roll. consistent economic growth. any other Senators in the Chamber de- Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators Over the past few weeks, leaders from siring to vote? are necessarily absent: the Senator the House, Senate, and White House The result was announced—yeas 73, from Mississippi (Mr. COCHRAN), the have been meeting to develop the nays 21, as follows: Senator from Alabama (Mr. STRANGE), framework for the tax reform bill we and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. [Rollcall Vote No. 205 Ex.] will take up later this year. This morn- YOUNG). YEAS—73 ing, they unveiled that framework. The Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Alexander Boozman Carper framework supports Republicans’ five Senator from Indiana (Mr. DONNELLY) Barrasso Brown Casey principles for tax reform: providing tax Bennet Burr Cassidy and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Blumenthal Capito Collins relief for the middle class; increasing MENENDEZ) are necessarily absent. Blunt Cardin Coons wages, jobs, and economic growth;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.037 S27SEPT1 S6180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 keeping good-paying jobs here at home; Having a worldwide tax system means The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without increasing American competitiveness that American companies pay U.S. objection, it is so ordered. in the global economy; and simplifying taxes on the profit they make here at The Senator from Oregon. the Tax Code. home as well as on some or all of the CHRONIC CARE ACT The framework released today em- profit they make abroad, once they Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, often phasizes tax relief for the middle class. bring that money back to the United late at night when the Senate passes a First and foremost, we are going to States. The problem with this is that piece of legislation by unanimous con- ensure that working families receive a American companies are already pay- sent, people often don’t get a chance to much needed increase in take-home ing taxes to foreign governments on understand what it really means, and pay. Right now, 50 percent of families the money they make abroad. Then, usually there is a sense of, well, this are living paycheck to paycheck, while when they bring that money home, maybe won’t be the most important one-third of people across this country they too often end up having to pay thing coming down the road, and ev- say they are just $400 away from a fi- taxes again on part of those profits and erybody just said OK, and so it passed nancial crisis. That is not acceptable. at the highest tax rate in the industri- the Senate. Our tax reform plan will ensure that alized world. It is no surprise that this Last night, the Senate took action these families are no longer left be- discourages businesses from bringing on Medicare. At a time when 10,000 peo- hind. Our plan will increase the stand- their profits back to the United States ple will turn 65 every day for years and ard deduction, which will provide tax to invest in their domestic operations, years to come, Medicare is something relief to those families who need it the new jobs, and increased wages. millions of older people rely on, and most. It will also enhance the child tax Between 1983 and 2003, when the U.S. their kids and grandkids make plans to credit, and I don’t need to tell anyone tax rate was much more competitive make sure their grandparents are that the important work of raising a with those of other countries, there taken care of, but also they want to family is getting more and more expen- were 29 corporate inversions where U.S. know what their future is going to be sive. It is time for hard-working fami- companies moved abroad. Between 2003 all about. lies to get a break with a larger child and 2014, when other countries were What the Senate did last night— tax credit. Finally, we will be lowering dropping their corporate tax rates and Democrats and Republicans coming together—is, in my view, trans- the rates on middle-class families. By shifting to territorial tax systems, formational for seniors today and the collapsing the seven income tax brack- there were 47 such inversions. beginning of an effort that is going to ets to three, we will ensure that work- Our tax plan addresses this drag on evolve in the days ahead for kids and ing families get to keep more of what our economy by moving from our out- their parents and their grandparents they earn. dated worldwide tax system to a terri- to, in effect, benefit from an updated Second, our tax plan will increase torial tax system. By shifting to a ter- Medicare guarantee that will stand the wages, jobs, and economic growth by ritorial tax system here in the United test of time for many years to come. lowering taxes and improving cost re- States—a move, I might add, that is The reason I say ‘‘updated Medicare covery for American businesses and job supported by Members of both parties— guarantee’’ is that Medicare is not a creators. The framework released we will eliminate the double taxation voucher. It is not a piece of paper. It is today lays out a goal of a 20-percent that encourages companies to send not something you get and then, well, corporate tax rate. Right now, our cor- their investments and their operations overseas. Combine that with a reduc- maybe it will do you some good, but if porate tax rate is the highest in the de- your healthcare costs go above your veloped world. Our competitors pay an tion in our high corporate tax rate, and we can provide a strong incentive for vouchers, you are going to get buried average rate of 22.5 percent, while U.S. in costs. Medicare is a guarantee that companies face a 35-percent tax rate. U.S. companies to invest their profits at home in American jobs and Amer- vital services are going to be available That is a big problem. Our uncompeti- to those over 65. tive tax rate has driven companies to ican workers instead of abroad. We will also simplify our Tax Code. Last night, all Senators voted to move their headquarters and jobs over- send to the House of Representatives a seas and led to wage stagnation and a Each year, Americans spend 2.6 billion hours filling out complicated indi- bipartisan effort that was years in the lack of opportunity for American making to update the Medicare guar- workers. Lowering the corporate rate vidual tax forms. Not only is this a drag on our economy, it is an annual antee to start focusing on chronic ill- will create jobs and increase wages for frustration and burden for hard-work- nesses, such as cancer, diabetes, heart working families across the country. ing families. The goal of our tax reform disease, and Alzheimer’s. An equally important priority laid Mr. President, I am going to make out in the framework is lower tax rates plan is to let American families complete their taxes on something as sim- this a little bit personal. I am so grate- for small businesses, farms, and ful to Chairman HATCH, Senator ISAK- ranches. Like bigger businesses, small ple as a postcard. Lower rates, fewer tax brackets, and SON, Senator WARNER—the bipartisan businesses—from partnerships to S cor- a generally simplified code will end the group in the Senate that has been porations—currently face high tax complicated mess that too many fami- working on this. rates, at times even exceeding those lies face every tax season. What I can tell the Senate tonight is paid by large corporations. Lowering We will continue to develop the de- that back when I was director of the tax rates for these businesses and cre- tails of this framework in the coming Gray Panthers and ran the legal aid ating a new maximum passthrough weeks as we work toward a final draft services for older people, Medicare was rate will allow a business to reinvest of our comprehensive tax reform bill. I a very different program. Back in the more of its earnings in successful oper- look forward to collaborating with my 1970s when we were getting the Gray ations. In short, it will help these job colleagues in the Senate Finance Com- Panthers off the ground, it was a very creators thrive. The Republican tax mittee as we work to put our country different program than it is in 2017. plan will also allow for unprecedented on the path toward long-term economic Medicare really consisted of two parts. expensing. Allowing small businesses health and the jobs, increased wages, There was Part A. If a senior broke to recover their costs more quickly and opportunities that come along their ankle or needed surgery for a bro- will free up capital and allow them to with it. ken hip, they went to the hospital, and grow and to create jobs. Mr. President, I yield the floor. Medicare Part A would be there to The framework released today also The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- cover a senior’s surgery. If a senior had shows how we are going to meet our ator from Oregon. an awful bout of the flu, he or she vis- goal of making America more competi- Mr. INHOFE. Will the Senator yield? ited the doctor and they used Part B. tive and keeping those good-paying Mr. WYDEN. I will be happy to. That is not Medicare in 2017. Medicare jobs here at home. A key part of keep- Mr. INHOFE. I ask unanimous con- in 2017 is not primarily about treating ing good-paying jobs here at home is sent that at the conclusion of the re- the flu or a broken ankle. It is there making the United States an attrac- marks from my friend from Oregon, for those conditions, and we are very tive place to do business by reforming Senator WYDEN, that I be recognized glad that it is, but more than 90 per- our outdated worldwide tax system. for such time as I shall consume. cent of the Medicare dollars go to treat

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.040 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6181 older people with two or more chronic partisan basis. I want to thank Chair- barely functions now, after days of conditions. I will tell you, until the man HATCH. He and I put together the being completely off the grid. Senate Finance Committee, on a bipar- bipartisan chronic care working group It is almost impossible for us here in tisan basis, began to deal with this two years ago, and Senators WARNER this city to imagine this. We have the problem—and fortunately, we had a and ISAKSON did a first-rate job of lead- basic infrastructure and health and couple of colleagues in the House who ing it. safety that we take for granted every picked up on it as well—my sense is There is an awful lot of sweat equity day. Only one word sums up the state that, basically, both political parties put in by staff. A lot of staff worked on of the islands—demolished. It is almost had missed it. They really missed the these issues while they were dealing impossible to gauge the full extent of fact that most of the Medicare dol- with weddings. We had three children the devastation. Nobody knows how lars—90 percent—go to seniors who born in the process, and there were job many lives have been lost or how many have two or more of these chronic con- changes. homes and businesses have been dam- ditions. They might, for example, deal Big thanks go to Karen Fisher, Han- aged beyond repair, and how many with diabetes and heart problems. nah Hawkins, Kelsey Avery, Leigh lives have been shattered. But today’s seniors really face the Stuckhardt, Liz Jurinka, Beth Vrabel, What is known is that this disaster kinds of conditions that didn’t domi- and Matt Kazan on our team. has affected the lives of every single nate the program back in the days Chairman HATCH and his team really one of the 3.5 million individuals living when the Gray Panthers were getting stepped up to work with us and all the on the island and the millions more on off the ground. Today, seniors get their Senators: Jay Khosla, Brett Baker, Jen U.S. mainland, who have had sleepless care in a variety of different ways. It is Kuskowski, Katie Meyer-Simeon, and nights worrying about loved ones. This not just fee-for-service medicine. We the chronic care lead, Erin Dempsey. is a humanitarian crisis on American have the Medicare Advantage Plan, Ac- Big thanks also go to Senators WARNER soil. It is past time to step up and pro- countable Care Organizations, and and ISAKSON for lending us Marvin vide immediate aid to help these Amer- other new systems under development. Figueroa and Jordan Bartolomeo. icans—not only for Puerto Rico but So keeping up with those changes— I close this portion of my remarks by also for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which updating the Medicare guarantee— saying that I think what happened last has also been clobbered by these ought to be a real priority for policy- night—while certainly not something storms. It is not just the right thing to makers. That is why the Finance Com- everybody is talking about this do. It is the only thing to do. mittee has put so much effort over sev- evening—is something that is going to A few hours ago, I joined 35 of my eral years to get the bill that passed be extraordinarily important in the colleagues in sending a letter to the late last night across the finish line. years ahead. It is an issue that I know President, and we requested a number There are still more steps before the the President of the Senate and I have of concrete actions. There are other ad- policies reach the President’s desk talked about—this whole question of ditional steps in my view that are with strong bipartisan backing of the healthcare and Medicare and the like. vital. So I want to just tick through entire Senate. I am confident the job This was an important step to take and some of them on the floor. will get done. an important step we can build on. I First, the President has to issue a The CHRONIC Care Act means more hope the other body in the House will full disaster declaration for all of Puer- care at home and less in institutions. take action quickly. to Rico, not just parts of it. Currently, It will expand the use of lifesaving PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 24 municipalities in Puerto Rico have technology. It places a stronger focus RECOVERY EFFORT yet to receive individual disaster as- on primary care. It gives older people— Mr. President, let me turn now to sistance. This means that people who however they get their Medicare—more this question of the Puerto Rico dis- have lost their homes in these areas tools and options to receive care spe- aster. It has now been a week since are ineligible for Federal assistance. cifically targeted to address chronic Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puer- This is unacceptable. illnesses and to keep them healthy. to Rico, and 3.5 million American citi- Next, while the President rightfully These, in my view, are a whole set of zens are living amidst a horrifying revised his original disaster declara- building blocks that you have to set in state of devastation. When I was chair- tion so that the island will not have to place to update the Medicare guar- man of the Energy and Natural Re- split the cost of disaster relief with the antee. Still to come is ensuring that sources Committee, which has jurisdic- Federal Government for 180 days, the every older person with multiple tion over the affairs of Puerto Rico, President should continue this assist- chronic conditions has an advocate to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and America’s ance until the island is back on its help them navigate through the Byzan- other territorial possessions, I got very feet. tine healthcare system in America. involved in the economic issues on the The administration also needs to in- I just want to highlight that point. If island. clude funding and necessary emergency you have two or more of these chronic But I come today to make a humani- support for the Puerto Rico Medicaid conditions—I guess the physicians call tarian plea to my friends and col- Program in any emergency request. them comorbidities—you can be drown- leagues in the Senate. It is a plea not Medicaid in Puerto Rico doesn’t work ing, especially if you are not part of a about economics. It is about people— the way it does in the 50 states, where coordinated Medicare program or Medi- fathers and mothers, children, grand- it is a guarantee of care for vulnerable, care Advantage or something like that. parents, teachers, nurses, and thou- low-income people. Puerto Rico’s Med- You can just be drowning in forms and sands of veterans who served their icaid Program is built on a block processes and procedures. Lots of communities and their country proud- grant, which means that in times of times, over the years, I have gotten ly. They are dealing with something crisis, resources might not be there calls from a child who is a lawyer or an that is almost unimaginable—this hor- when it is needed most. Even before the engineer and they said: RON, help me rifying set of circumstances that they disasters, Puerto Rico was close to de- out in trying to get through all of this now find dominating their lives. The pleting its Medicaid supplemental maze of bureaucracy to try to get help press accounts describe Puerto Rico as funding. When it does, it will have no- for my parents. So I want it understood looking like a war zone. Millions of where to turn to pay for medical care that what the Senate has done as of people on the island are without power, for many of its most vulnerable. last night is an extraordinarily impor- running water, and fuel. The few hos- In my view, this is a perfect example tant beginning, but there is a lot more pitals that are open—only 20 for the en- of why block grants—as contemplated to do. tire island—struggle to care for the in- by the bill that we considered in the I want to wrap up my comments on jured and the sick. Many doctors and Finance Committee this week—Gra- this subject and, then, turn briefly to first responders are unable to get to ham-Cassidy-Heller—and vital pro- one other, by handing out some very their workplaces because their lives, grams like Medicaid don’t mix. It is a appropriate thank-yous. I think the Fi- too, are thrown into chaos, and 911 still recipe for disaster. nance Committee has handled this bill, doesn’t work. Cell service and power In addition, there are expired tax in my view, as a model to work on a bi- are down. The airport in San Juan provisions unique and vital to Puerto

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.042 S27SEPT1 S6182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 Rico’s economy, and they ought to be our northern border with Washington other President in history. Businesses extended with any disaster relief pack- State to our southern border with Cali- are complying with regulations, cost- age in order to give workers and busi- fornia and many points in between. I ing in the neighborhood of $2 trillion. nesses certainty and predictability. met people helping Oregon fight fire You have to keep in mind that when This includes tax incentives for pro- from all over the United States. I met you hear the businesses and corpora- ducing goods in Puerto Rico and re- Floridians who were there the weekend tions are paying this, it is not the busi- bates for taxes on exported rum. In my Irma hit Florida. They were there to nesses that are paying it. It is the pub- view, if this is done properly and laid help Oregonians deal with fire, when lic—the people who are out there, and out in a proactive way, it will give pre- they and their families were worried they, through increased costs of goods dictability for the future and make a about what Irma was going to do to and services or through taxes, are pay- difference—an important difference to Florida. ing it. a lot of people on the job. Colleagues, I close simply by way of I heard an alarming figure the other It is also vital to get Puerto Rico’s saying that we should expect no less in day that some 65 percent of the people electric grid up and running and pro- our efforts here in the Senate to help in America—this is a poll that is about vide power generators in the mean- our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico a week old—are opposed to any stop- time. This isn’t simply a matter of re- and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Amer- ping of regulations in corporations. Yet charging phones or turning televisions ican people now have to be part of a they are the very ones who are paying back on for news updates. Going with- mobilization to bring together the for this fun they are having. out power is life-threatening. Perish- enormous resources in the Federal This administration has tried to do able food goes bad. Those with diabetes Government to help when disaster something about all the overregula- can’t refrigerate their insulin. Hos- strikes. It is a matter of basic fairness tion, all the rules that the previous ad- pitals have a difficult time running es- and humanity to help protect and re- ministration had put in place. There sential medical equipment, like dialy- store these American citizens and are two ways you can do this. One is sis machines or heart monitors. Air lands. through Executive orders. People know conditioners are useless, which is espe- I yield the floor. what those are; that is, the President cially dangerous for kids and seniors I thank the Senator from Oklahoma coming along and giving an Executive given the hot, humid temperatures and for his courtesy. order that will undo damage that was the limited supply of safe water. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. done by a previous Executive order im- Another necessary step is to help en- DAINES). The Senator from Oklahoma. posing a new rule on America. That has sure that Puerto Rico and the U.S. Vir- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, first of been taking place. gin Islands receive assistance as quick- all, let me say to the Senator from Or- At the same time, the other way of ly as possible, and that would include a egon that help is on its way. It is a doing it is through a CRA resolution. short-term waiver of the Jones Act. very difficult thing because we don’t Not many people know what a CRA The Jones Act is an important policy have any idea how long this is going to resolution is. A CRA resolution is a for ensuring a vibrant U.S. maritime last. When you stop to think about a Congressional Review Act resolution. industry and for our national defense. land that is in the tropics not having It started about 20 years ago and has But in times of disaster it is more im- electricity, it is something that is hard never been used until this administra- portant to get supplies to the impacted to imagination and to get arms around tion. What it does is say that if you areas as quickly as possible. The gov- the devastation that takes place. I ap- have up to 30 Members of the Senate, ernment has granted such a waiver in preciate the fact that he has brought you can get a CRA resolution against a Houston and Florida, and it is, in my that up. rule that some administration has put view, beyond comprehension that they WORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION in place in a certain time period. It is haven’t done the same thing for Puerto Mr. President, when I watch the the way people who are elected to of- Rico and the Virgin Islands. news, I can’t help but see that the fice, accountable to the people, can get Finally, the administration needs to media is showing a kind of picture of things done and be answerable to the mount a full-court press to rebuild the Washington that really doesn’t exist. people, as opposed to an unelected bu- islands’ roads, ports, and airports. Once The news would have the public believe reaucrat who is out there imposing aid arrives, it is useless if you can’t get that there is a lot of dysfunction in the hardships and rules on the public. it out to those who need it most. administration, and nothing is getting Actually, this administration came As several of my colleagues and I done. But I can share some examples of in, and they passed 14 Congressional wrote to the President today, our mili- how the government has been working Review Act resolutions; that is, 14 in tary is uniquely qualified to help Puer- to get America back in business. the first few weeks, actually. The sav- to Rico meet some of its critical recov- In my former life, I participated for ings from repeal of these 14 regulations ery needs. That includes construction some 20 years or longer in a free enter- were estimated to be $3.7 billion in battalions that can repair power and prise business. I was making money. I costs and 4.2 million hours of paper- surface transportation infrastructure. was losing money. I was hiring people, work, the most expensive of which— I close by saying that the people of doing what I thought Americans were this is kind of interesting because I in- Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are supposed to be doing. All that time, the troduced a CRA resolution. It happens desperate for our help. This situation is major problem I had was the obstruc- to be that mine was the first one to extreme. Congress and the administration of the Federal Government. One of pass. So I had the first signing cere- tion need to act as soon as possible. the reasons I actually ran in the first mony with our new President Trump The cleanup from Maria and Irma is place was to try to save the free enter- during the initial days of his adminis- just the beginning. The fact is that prise system. I never dreamed that we tration. these megastorms, fueled by global would end up with an administration— The rule was imposed by the Obama warming, are going to keep coming, as well-meaning as the Obama adminis- administration. It was one that would even after the power is restored and tration was—that would be putting force domestic oil and gas companies the storm damage from Maria and Irma people out of business. to release all of the information they is repaired. There is going to be a lot of During the last administration, the had in formulating their estimates and work necessary to reverse years of Obama administration, new rules were their bids in competition with maybe struggle and build up Puerto Rico’s created that had no purpose but to China or other countries, and it was economy and infrastructure. hinder economic growth. In fact, Presi- putting our domestic oil and gas com- Coming to the aid of our fellow dent Obama is the first President since panies at a competitive disadvantage. Americans at a time of crisis, in my Hoover not to hit a 3-percent GDP This was all part of the Obama war on view, is at the very core of being Amer- growth in any year of his Presidency. fossil fuels. Everyone knows that fossil icans. At home, I call it ‘‘the Oregon With every industry coming under fuels are oil, coal, and gas, and this was way.’’ Our natural disaster this sum- scrutiny from every regulatory agency, an effort to do that. We introduced a mer was wildfires. Recently, I was out President Obama added more regula- resolution repealing that. It was a CRA visiting fire camps that stretched from tions to the Federal Register than any resolution, and it was successful. We

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.043 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6183 had our signing ceremony, and that nial of certification because New York David Boren is from my State of Okla- was history. had waived their authority under the homa. He was a Senator here for quite That is 1 of 45—some Executive or- law. some period of time. He went on to be ders—and 1 of 14 successful CRA resolu- Section 401 of the Clean Water Act the president of Oklahoma University. tions. In addition to the CRA resolu- says that if a State ‘‘refuses to act on I am kind of excited about recog- tions, President Trump has signed 45 a request for a certification within a nizing him, especially because David Executive orders with the goal of re- reasonable time period (which shall not Boren and I, in 1967—before any of you ducing redtape and cutting back on exceed 1 year) after the receipt of such guys were born—were elected to the harmful administrative redtape. request, the certification requirements State legislature in the State of Okla- Thanks to our colleagues on the . . . shall be waived with respect to homa. This is kind of funny because, at other side of the aisle for changing the such Federal application.’’ that time, people thought of Oklahoma Senate rules because, with their help, With environmentalists increasingly as being a red State. Let me tell you, President Trump and a Republican-led urging States like New York, New Jer- it wasn’t a red State then. We had a Senate have been able to confirm one sey, and Virginia to block pipelines by House of Representatives of 100 people, of the most conservative Cabinets in delaying or withholding otherwise and only 7 of us were Republicans; the history, and they have been working to valid certifications, these States are rest were Democrats. implement the President’s pro-busi- interfering with interstate commerce, The way it is set up in the House of ness, pro-jobs, pro-economic growth a role that is clearly within the pur- Representatives in Oklahoma—it is policy. view of the Federal Government. still true today, I believe—you have If you want to see the effect that this I applaud the administration for the two members per desk. They would administration is having, you need progress they have made and the inde- have two Democrats at one desk, two only to look at the energy industry. Of pendent agencies for taking a stand Republicans at one desk. Well, it came course, that is to say nothing about the against the gamesmanship of the rad- out uneven, so the only integrated desk fact that we now have a great conserv- ical left, environmentalist groups, and was ours, that of David Boren, who was ative judge. But when you look at the those who do their bidding by using a Democrat, and I, who was a Repub- energy industry, it has been under at- loopholes and their official authority lican. tack for 8 years. to block valid, compliant energy It is kind of interesting also that the Within weeks after taking office, the projects from safely transporting first thing we did—keep in mind, this Army Corps of Engineers under the cheaper and cleaner energy across was right after we took office in Janu- Trump administration approved an State lines. ary of 1967. We came to Washington. easement for the Dakota Access Pipe- When the government works with in- We thought we were really important line that had been withheld by the dustry, not against it, we start to see at that time. We were going to testify Obama administration because of noth- companies unleash investments across before a committee. That committee was called the Environment and Public ing more than political pressure from the country. In fact, the economy has Works Committee. I don’t remember the far left. picked up since Trump and his admin- The next month, the State Depart- istration have come into office with his name, but he was a very popular ment issued a crossborder permit for the economy growing 3 percent in just Democrat from West Virginia. He was, I think, the chairman of that com- the Keystone Pipeline. Again, the per- the second quarter, which is the first full quarter under the administration, mittee. mit had been withheld purely for polit- I remember standing up and testi- and the fastest pace of growth in 2 ical far-left reasons. fying before that as a junior Senator Later the same month, the Depart- years, according to the website called from the State of Oklahoma. I really ment of the Interior lifted the coal CNN Money. thought I was something. I will tell my Each nomination, confirmation, or leasing ban that the Obama adminis- colleagues what I was testifying about. policy directive of President Trump tration had placed on Federal land. It was right after the Johnson adminis- and the Republican-led Congress sig- Federal lands have about 40 percent of tration, and I was protesting Lady nals to the business community and the coal production in the United Bird’s Highway Beautification Act of American workers that America is States, so that was just devastating to 1965—taking private property away open for business again. that industry. It was a killer. from people and all that. Another notable win for energy came I look forward to continuing to work It is interesting because David Boren just last week out of the Federal En- with my colleagues to address our en- and I were testifying before that com- ergy Regulatory Commission; that is, ergy industry’s needs so that private mittee way back in January of 1967, FERC. FERC was without a forum investors can be utilized to deliver and I ended up chairing that same com- from February until mid-August, cre- American products to American con- mittee just a few years later. So that ating a backlog and delaying $50 mil- sumers around the world. Just this was the beginning. lion of energy infrastructure projects week, I introduced a bill to address the Anyway, it was kind of interesting from moving forward. The new forum known bottleneck issues that add un- because David Boren being a Democrat has quickly gone to work to address necessary delays in the FERC permit- and myself being a Republican and that backlog, improving pipelines and ting process by identifying partici- coming from a very strong, almost en- power agreements. pating agencies early in the process tirely Democratic State, we had an in- However, a decision made last week and providing contract reviews and dividual who is the—I can’t remember has clearly sent a message that Amer- providing transparency. This is some- his name—he was secretary of the ica’s energy sector is open for business thing that is just common sense. treasury for the State of Oklahoma. So again. For years, New York State had I thank very much Senator KING and we started introducing the reforms. All been delaying consideration of water his staff for working with me and my the reforms in that decade were the certifications that are required for staff on this legislation, and I hope my product of David Boren, Democrat, and FERC approval to allow construction colleagues will join us in getting these Republican JIM INHOFE. None of them of several federally approved pipelines. reforms into law. ever passed, but we introduced all of The Millennium Pipeline, in par- I bring this up only because you these things. ticular, would take natural gas 9 miles would never know that this is progress So we put together a plan. We had a from one pipeline to a natural gas-fired that is being made in the economy Governor at that time—it is not nec- electric plant, providing clean, cheap, through the Trump administration. essary to mention his name. He was a natural gas power in New York State. Somehow that report has yet to get corrupt Governor, and he ended up in It was delayed and denied certification through. the penitentiary. We put together a simply because, again, the radical left TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOREN plan of how to get him out of office. I doesn’t want it. Mr. President, I have another thing would run for Governor as a Repub- Last week, FERC took the authority in mind. A lot of people who have been lican, I would win my nomination, and granted to them under the Clean Water around in this Senate for a while re- he would run for Governor as a Demo- Act to override New York State’s de- member the name of David Boren. crat, and of course he most likely

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.044 S27SEPT1 S6184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 would lose—he was running against a the cost, and 94 percent of those stu- The United States spends about $400 very popular Democrat. Anyway, as it dents worried it would hurt their million a year on water supply and turned out, he won. Coming from a grade. sanitation programs worldwide, pursu- solid Democratic State, I can remem- This week, I joined with Senators AL ant to the Senator Paul Simon Water ber calling him up and saying: What do FRANKEN and ANGUS KING and Rep- for the Poor Act of 2005. One of our late we do now? I think I was best advised resentatives JARED POLIS and KYRSTEN colleague’s many public policy con- to just go out of town until the cam- SINEMA to reintroduce the Affordable tributions was his focus on pressing paign was over. College Textbook Act. This bill would issues such as the growing scarcity of Anyway, we spent time together, and establish a grant program to encourage clean water sources—even in our own we had a great time. David did a great the creation and use of high-quality country—and the preventable suffering job as the University of Oklahoma’s open textbooks which are free to use. that comes from poor sanitation. His president. He would actually teach Greater access to and widespread use of book, ‘‘Tapped Out,’’ is another con- classes. He always put students first. these open textbooks can save each tribution he made to greater under- So he did a great job. student who uses one hundreds of dol- standing of these challenges. The law I would say that it is fitting that he lars, and, long term, it puts pressure on named for him requires the Secretary announced his retirement this year be- the traditional college textbook mar- of State, in consultation with the U.S. cause this is his 50th year of public ket to come up with affordable alter- Agency for International Development service, and he leaves a legacy of dedi- natives. and other U.S. Government agencies, cation and hard work and public serv- My home State of Illinois provides an to develop and implement a strategy to ice. His influence has shaped Oklahoma example of how this bill would work. provide affordable and equitable access more than I think he ever thought he The University of Illinois used $150,000 to safe water and sanitation in devel- could. His daddy was Lyle Boren, who in Federal money to pilot an open text- oping countries. was a very popular Democratic House book project at its main campus. The For the past several years, the Con- Member for a long period of time, and university, working With faculty, de- gress has directed that $14 million of we all at that time became very close veloped an open textbook, ‘‘Sustain- those funds be used specifically to de- friends. ability: A Comprehensive Foundation.’’ sign and build safe, public latrines in I don’t think there has been a man This textbook was published electroni- Africa and Asia. Our purpose has been who loved Oklahoma more and served cally for free and open use. You can go to help reduce the risk to woman and our State more faithfully than David online today and find it. girls, particularly in rural areas in Boren. Instead of a student having to shell these countries, who are often as- God bless you, David Boren. Enjoy out $150 or more for his or her intro- saulted at night or subjected to humil- your retirement. ductory environmental sustainability iation and harassment, due to the lack Mr. President, I yield the floor. class, he or she can use this free online of safe and accessible latrines. I suggest the absence of a quorum. book. That is a direct savings to a stu- Unfortunately, USAID has not uti- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The dent every time a professor assigns this lized these funds as effectively as we clerk will call the roll. text in place of a traditional textbook. intended, and the fiscal year 2018 De- The legislative clerk proceeded to Today it is saving students money in partment of State and Foreign Oper- call the roll. Illinois, but also across the country at ations appropriations bill, which was Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask other colleges and universities where it reported unanimously by the Senate unanimous consent that the order for has been adopted by faculty into their Appropriations Committee on Sep- the quorum call be rescinded. curriculum. tember 7, specifies that not less than The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I would again like to thank my col- $15 million shall be made available ‘‘to objection, it is so ordered. leagues, Senators AL FRANKEN and support initiatives by local commu- ANGUS KING, for joining me in this ef- nities in Africa and Asia to build and f fort I would also like to thank the wide maintain safe, public latrines.’’ LEGISLATIVE SESSION variety of organizations that support What we intend is not rocket science. this bill, including the U.S. PIRG, Today communities in Africa and Asia, SPARC, National Association of Big often with the assistance of small local MORNING BUSINESS Ten Students, National Association of or U.S. nongovernmental organizations Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask College Stores, American Association like the Advocacy Project, are building unanimous consent that the Senate be of Community Colleges, United Negro low-cost, easy to maintain, public la- in a period of morning business, with College Fund, and others. trines. Something as basic as a latrine Senators permitted to speak therein Mr. President, I hope that my col- can transform a community, particu- for up to 10 minutes each. leagues in Congress will join us in sup- larly for women and girls. Not only The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without porting this bill to create a program at does it reduce their vulnerability to as- objection, it is so ordered. the Federal level to encourage the cre- sault, it reduces the obvious health f ation and adoption of these materials. problems caused by open defecation. It In the meantime, I hope students also increases girls’ access to edu- AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TEXTBOOK across the country will reach out to cation, if there are latrines for girls at ACT their professors and have this con- schools. The cost of such projects can Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, text- versation with them. Ask them to be as little as a few hundred dollars, book costs are one of the most over- adopt these free, quality materials that particularly when members of the com- looked barriers to college affordability are available today. munity volunteer their labor. Just as and access, and they are continuing to f important as the design and construc- get more expensive. tion is a plan for community members Over the last decade, 2006 to 2016, the FUNDING FOR SAFE, PUBLIC to regularly maintain the latrines and Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer LATRINES IN AFRICA AND ASIA to educate the local population—men, Price Index shows that consumer prices Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, in the women, and children—on their use. for college textbooks increased almost year 2017, when some people live in ex- Access to water and sanitation are 90 percent. It means students have to travagant homes with half a dozen or a fundamental to social and economic spend more every year. In 2016 to 2017, dozen bathrooms with marble floors development. The lack of safe drinking the College Board recommended that and the latest fixtures, an estimated water and proper sanitation, coupled students budget an average of $1,250 for 2.5 billion people live in squalor with with poor hygiene, are leading causes their books. no access to modern sanitation. One of sickness and death worldwide. Near- A survey released by the Student billion people have no access to la- ly 1,000 children under age 5 die each Public Interest Research Group re- trines and defecate in the open, like day from diarrhea caused by contami- ported that 65 percent of students de- our ancestors did thousands of years nated water and from poor sanitation cided not to buy a textbook because of ago. and hygiene. There are few ways to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27SE6.046 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6185 safeguard a person’s health and im- for their clientele of professional vaca- ending September 30, 2018, and for other pur- prove their dignity more basic than by tion rental managers, and within a poses. providing them access to sanitation fa- year, they were pioneering online f cilities for safely disposing of human bookings in real time. It would not be EXECUTIVE AND OTHER waste. until 2005 that the Lotz’s would shift COMMUNICATIONS There should be no confusion about from providing the service at an incre- what we intend for these $15 million. mental level to designing software that The following communications were We want USAID missions in countries would be 100 percent cloud-based. In laid before the Senate, together with where women and girls in rural areas January 2008, LiveRez was launched as accompanying papers, reports, and doc- lack access to safe, public latrines to the first all-in-the-cloud management uments, and were referred as indicated: identify communities for pilot system. From there, they have contin- EC–2923. A communication from the Chief projects, where local leaders want to ued expanding and innovating with the of the Publications and Regulations Branch, address this problem and where a small establishment of the First Advisory Internal Revenue Service, Department of the investment can make a significant dif- Board, mobile websites, and other tech- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Hurricane Harvey ference. Working with those leaders nical applications that enabled their and Hurricane Irma Disaster Relief’’ (Notice and utilizing the technical expertise of software to be one of the most sought 2017–49) received during adjournment of the local or U.S.-based NGOs, we can help after management systems for man- Senate in the Office of the President of the set an example for other communities agers not only in the United States but Senate on September 21, 2017; to the Com- to replicate. also around the world. mittee on Finance. (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the Perhaps what makes all of this suc- EC–2924. A communication from the Acting following statement was ordered to be cess even more incredible is that Tracy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political- Military Affairs, Department of State, trans- printed in the RECORD.) was able to do all of this organically, mitting, pursuant to law, an addendum to a f utilizing the revenue from the com- certification, of the proposed sale or export pany’s early days to continue to grow. VOTE EXPLANATION of defense articles and/or defense services to He did not seek out venture capital for a Middle East country (OSS–2017–1011); to the ∑ Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I the company, nor did he take on debt. Committee on Foreign Relations. was unavailable for rollcall vote No. Today Tracy and the team at LiveRez EC–2925. A communication from the Pro- 204, on the nomination of Heath P. host their annual partner conference, gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Tarbert, of Maryland, to be Assistant which includes classes, tech reveals, Federal Communications Commission, trans- Secretary of International Markets and networking, and more amenities for mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Bom- Development, U.S. Treasury Depart- members of the industry. ment. Had I been present, I would have bardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) I would like to congratulate Tracy (Docket No. FAA–2017–0512)) received in the voted no.∑ Lotz and the employees of LiveRez on Office of the President of the Senate on Sep- f their innovation and hard work and the tember 25, 2017; to the Committee on Com- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS commitment that they have to their merce, Science, and Transportation. partners and clients. I wish the best for EC–2926. A communication from the Pro- ∑ Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today I LiveRez, and I am confident that they gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, would like to recognize an outstanding will continue to provide innovative Federal Communications Commission, trans- small business located in my home mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule services and ideas to their growing cus- entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Bom- State of Idaho. Dedication, hard work, tomer base.∑ and the entrepreneurial spirit are some bardier, Inc., Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) f (Docket No. FAA–2017–0481)) received in the of the guiding principles that define us Office of the President of the Senate on Sep- as Americans. It is these traits that MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE tember 25, 2017; to the Committee on Com- have enabled so many of our fellow At 10:05 a.m., a message from the merce, Science, and Transportation. citizens to achieve the American EC–2927. A communication from the Pro- House of Representatives, delivered by dream. As our workforce moves further gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, into the 21st century, new opportuni- Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, Federal Communications Commission, trans- ties are created every day by the Amer- announced that pursuant to section 603 mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule ican people themselves to ensure that of the Department of State Authorities entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; ATR - GIE Avions de Transport Regional Air- they can achieve a better standard of Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114– 323), and the order of the House of Jan- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– life, without reliance on others. My 2017–0516)) received in the Office of the Presi- State of Idaho knows this and is proud uary 3, 2017, the Speaker appoints the following individual on the part of the dent of the Senate on September 25, 2017; to to serve as an incubator for many the Committee on Commerce, Science, and House of Representatives to the West- small businesses that seek to expand Transportation. these values through their unique en- ern Hemisphere Drug Policy Commis- EC–2928. A communication from the Pro- trepreneurial spirit. As Chairman of sion: Mr. Matt Salmon of Mesa, Ari- gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, the Senate Committee on Small Busi- zona. Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule ness and Entrepreneurship, it is my ENROLLED BILL SIGNED At 3:36 p.m., a message from the entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Dassault pleasure to recognize LiveRez as the Aviation Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Dock- Senate Small Business of the Month House of Representatives, delivered by et No. FAA–2017–0496)) received in the Office for September 2017. LiveRez is one of a Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, of the President of the Senate on September good number of software companies in announced that the Speaker has signed 25, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, Idaho, which provides services to the following enrolled bill: Science, and Transportation. American businesses nationwide and S. 810. An act to facilitate construction of EC–2929. A communication from the Pro- serves as a true example of hard work a bridge on certain property in Christian gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, County, Missouri, and for other purposes. Federal Communications Commission, trans- in pursuit of the American dream. mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule LiveRez is based out of Eagle, ID, and The enrolled bill was subsequently entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Embraer was founded by Tracy Lotz in 2008, signed by the President pro tempore S.A. Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. after years of research and develop- (Mr. HATCH). FAA–2014–0008)) received in the Office of the ment within the vacation rental sector. f President of the Senate on September 25, Tracy started his journey with vaca- 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, tion rentals in 1994, when he launched MEASURES PLACED ON THE Science, and Transportation. First Choice Vacation Properties, one CALENDAR EC–2930. A communication from the Pro- of the few early websites where man- gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, The following bill was read the sec- Federal Communications Commission, trans- agers were able to advertise their vaca- ond time, and placed on the calendar: mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule tion rentals in cyberspace. It wouldn’t H.R. 3354. An act making appropriations entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; General be until 2002 that Tracy and his nephew for the Department of the Interior, environ- Electric Company Turbofan Engines’’ Jeremy would start building websites ment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0164))

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.027 S27SEPT1 S6186 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 received in the Office of the President of the ‘‘Safety Zone; Delaware River, Philadelphia, Information Administration, Department of Senate on September 25, 2017; to the Com- PA’’ ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG– Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- 2017–0543)) received during adjournment of the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Repeal of Regu- tation. the Senate in the Office of the President of lations Governing the Public Telecommuni- EC–2931. A communication from the Pro- the Senate on September 20, 2017; to the cations Facilities Program’’ (RIN0660–AA34) gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Committee on Commerce, Science, and received during adjournment of the Senate Federal Communications Commission, trans- Transportation. in the Office of the President of the Senate mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule EC–2939. A communication from the Attor- on September 20, 2017; to the Committee on entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Saab Aeronautics (Formerly Known as Saab of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2947. A communication from the Direc- AB, Saab Aerosystems) Airplanes’’ ant to law, the report of a rule entitled tor, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, De- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0479)) ‘‘Safety Zone; Delaware River; Dredging’’ partment of Transportation, transmitting, received in the Office of the President of the ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2017– pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Transpor- Senate on September 25, 2017; to the Com- 0811)) received during adjournment of the tation Statistics Annual Report 2016’’; to the mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Senate in the Office of the President of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and tation. Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- Transportation. EC–2948. A communication from the Acting EC–2932. A communication from the Pro- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- General Counsel, Department of Transpor- gram Analyst, Office of Managing Director, tation. Federal Communications Commission, trans- EC–2940. A communication from the Attor- tation, transmitting, pursuant to law, a re- mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department port entitled ‘‘Annual Report on Disability- Related Air Travel Complaints Received entitled ‘‘Airworthiness Directives; Rolls- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- During Calendar Year 2016’’; to the Com- Royce plc Turbofan Engines’’ ((RIN2120– ant to law, the report of a rule entitled mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2017–0652)) received ‘‘Safety Zone; Dredging; Shark River, NJ’’ tation. in the Office of the President of the Senate ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2017– on September 25, 2017; to the Committee on 0843)) received during adjournment of the f Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senate in the Office of the President of the EXECUTIVE REPORT OF EC–2933. A communication from the Attor- Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- COMMITTEE ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- tation. The following executive report of a ant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–2941. A communication from the Attor- nomination was submitted: ‘‘Adding the Polar Ship Certificate to the ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department By Mr. MCCAIN for the Committee on List of SOLAS Certificates and Certificates of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- Armed Services. Issued by Recognized Classification Soci- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled *Marine Corps nomination of Gen. Joseph eties’’ ((RIN1625–AC35) (Docket No. USCG– ‘‘Safety Zone; Tombigbee River, Demopolis, F. Dunford, Jr., to be General. 2016–0880)) received during adjournment in AL’’ ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG– *Nomination was reported with rec- the Office of the President of the Senate on 2017–0786)) received during adjournment of ommendation that it be confirmed sub- September 20, 2017; to the Committee on the Senate in the Office of the President of ject to the nominee’s commitment to Commerce, Science, and Transportation. the Senate on September 20, 2017; to the EC–2934. A communication from the Attor- Committee on Commerce, Science, and respond to requests to appear and tes- ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department Transportation. tify before any duly constituted com- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2942. A communication from the Attor- mittee of the Senate. ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department f ‘‘Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Rice of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- Creek, Putnam County, FL’’ ((RIN1625–AA09) ant to law, the report of a rule entitled INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND (Docket No. USCG–2016–0523)) received dur- ‘‘Great Lakes Pilotage Rates - 2017 Annual JOINT RESOLUTIONS ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Review’’ ((RIN1625–AC34) (Docket No. USCG– The following bills and joint resolu- of the President of the Senate on September 2016–0268)) received during adjournment of tions were introduced, read the first 20, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, the Senate in the Office of the President of and second times by unanimous con- Science, and Transportation. the Senate on September 20, 2017; to the EC–2935. A communication from the Attor- Committee on Commerce, Science, and sent, and referred as indicated: ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department Transportation. By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2943. A communication from the Attor- JOHNSON, Mr. WYDEN, and Mrs. ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department MCCASKILL): ‘‘Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- S. 1869. A bill to reauthorize and rename Intracoastal Waterway, Little River to Sa- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled the position of Whistleblower Ombudsman to vannah River, Beaufort, SC’’ ((RIN1625–AA09) ‘‘Safety Zone; Marine Event held in the Cap- be the Whistleblower Protection Coordi- (Docket No. USCG–2015–0343)) received dur- tain of the Port Long Island Sound Zone’’ nator; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2017– rity and Governmental Affairs. of the President of the Senate on September 0716)) received during adjournment of the By Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr. 20, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, Senate in the Office of the President of the MCCAIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Ms. CORTEZ Science, and Transportation. Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- MASTO, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. DAINES, EC–2936. A communication from the Attor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Mr. TESTER, and Mr. BARRASSO): S. 1870. A bill to amend the Victims of ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department tation. of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2944. A communication from the Attor- Crime Act of 1984 to secure urgent resources vital to Indian victims of crime, and for ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department other purposes; to the Committee on Indian ‘‘Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf In- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- Affairs. tracoastal Waterway, Sarasota, FL’’ ant to law, the report of a rule entitled By Mr. CASSIDY: ((RIN1625–AA09) (Docket No. USCG–2016– ‘‘Safety Zone; Village of Sodus Point Fire- S. 1871. A bill to amend title 38, United 0330)) received during adjournment of the works; Lake Ontario, Sodus Point, NY’’ States Code, to clarify the role of podiatrists Senate in the Office of the President of the ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2017– in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- 0718)) received during adjournment of the for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Senate in the Office of the President of the erans’ Affairs. tation. Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. NEL- EC–2937. A communication from the Attor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- SON, Mr. BLUNT, and Ms. CANTWELL): ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department tation. S. 1872. A bill to authorize the programs of of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2945. A communication from the Attor- the Transportation Security Administration ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department relating to transportation security, and for ‘‘Safety Zone; Wando River, Charleston, SC’’ of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- other purposes; to the Committee on Com- ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2017– ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Spe- merce, Science, and Transportation. 0348)) received during adjournment of the cial Local Regulation; Frogtown Regatta, By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Senate in the Office of the President of the Maumee River, Toledo, OH’’ ((RIN1625–AA08) Mr. BLUNT): Senate on September 20, 2017; to the Com- (Docket No. USCG–2017–0754)) received dur- S. 1873. A bill to require the Secretary of mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to tation. of the President of the Senate on September establish peer specialists in patient aligned EC–2938. A communication from the Attor- 20, 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, care teams at medical centers of the Depart- ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department Science, and Transportation. ment of Veterans Affairs, and for other pur- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- EC–2946. A communication from the Chief poses; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Counsel, National Telecommunications and fairs.

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By Mr. WYDEN: chusetts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a DURBIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 1874. A bill to direct the Secretary of cosponsor of S. 194, a bill to amend the 1319, a bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish certain demonstration Public Health Service Act to establish Veterans Affairs to establish a con- grant programs relating to the demonstration of advanced distribution systems, smart a public health insurance option, and tinuing medical education program for water heaters, vehicle-to-grid integration, for other purposes. non-Department of Veterans Affairs and granular retail electricity pricing, and S. 364 medical professionals who treat vet- for other purposes; to the Committee on En- At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the erans to increase knowledge and rec- ergy and Natural Resources. name of the Senator from Connecticut ognition of medical conditions common By Mr. WYDEN: to veterans, and for other purposes. S. 1875. A bill to move the United States (Mr. MURPHY) was added as a cosponsor toward greater energy independence and se- of S. 364, a bill to amend the Food Se- S. 1358 curity, to increase the flexibility, efficiency, curity Act of 1985 to exempt certain re- At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the and reliability of the electric grid, to in- cipients of Department of Agriculture name of the Senator from Wyoming crease the competitiveness of the United conservation assistance from certain (Mr. BARRASSO) was added as a cospon- States economy, to protect consumers, and reporting requirements, and for other sor of S. 1358, a bill to amend the Inter- to improve the energy performance of the purposes. Federal Government, and for other purposes; nal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- S. 538 the treatment of certain direct pri- sources. At the request of Ms. STABENOW, the mary care service arrangements and By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. periodic provider fees. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. REED): ISAKSON) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 1361 S. 1876. A bill to direct the Secretary of 538, a bill to clarify research and devel- Energy to establish a program to advance At the request of Mr. CRAPO, the energy storage deployment by reducing the opment for wood products, and for name of the Senator from Arkansas cost of energy storage through research, de- other purposes. (Mr. COTTON) was added as a cosponsor velopment, and demonstration, and for other S. 693 of S. 1361, a bill to amend title XVIII of purposes; to the Committee on Energy and At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the the Social Security Act to allow physi- Natural Resources. names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. cian assistants, nurse practitioners, By Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. WAR- RISCH), the Senator from Michigan NER, Mr. BLUNT, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR): and clinical nurse specialists to super- S. 1877. A bill to jump-start economic re- (Ms. STABENOW), the Senator from Mis- vise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pul- covery through the formation and growth of sissippi (Mr. WICKER) and the Senator monary rehabilitation programs. LUMENTHAL new businesses, and for other purposes; to from Connecticut (Mr. B ) S. 1505 the Committee on the Judiciary. were added as cosponsors of S. 693, a At the request of Mr. LEE, the names By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. BEN- bill to amend the Public Health Serv- of the Senator from Texas (Mr. COR- NET): ice Act to increase the number of per- S. 1878. A bill to authorize the Department NYN), the Senator from Utah (Mr. manent faculty in palliative care at ac- of Labor’s voluntary protection program; to HATCH), the Senator from Alabama credited allopathic and osteopathic the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, (Mr. STRANGE) and the Senator from and Pensions. medical schools, nursing schools, social Georgia (Mr. PERDUE) were added as co- By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and work schools, and other programs, in- sponsors of S. 1505, a bill to provide Ms. STABENOW): cluding physician assistant education that silencers be treated the same as S. 1879. A bill to amend title XVIII of the programs, to promote education and Social Security Act to provide for the cov- firearms accessories. research in palliative care and hospice, erage of marriage and family therapist serv- S. 1531 ices and mental health counselor services and to support the development of fac- At the request of Mr. YOUNG, the under part B of the Medicare program, and ulty careers in academic palliative for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- medicine. names of the Senator from Utah (Mr. ATCH nance. S. 951 H ) and the Senator from Massa- chusetts (Ms. WARREN) were added as By Mr. UDALL (for himself, Mr. At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the MERKLEY, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. LEAHY, names of the Senator from Oklahoma cosponsors of S. 1531, a bill to require Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. reporting by the Secretary of Edu- (Mr. LANKFORD) and the Senator from HIRONO, Mr. KING, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, cation on the implementation of recent Nebraska (Mrs. FISCHER) were added as Mr. MARKEY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. Government Accountability Office rec- FRANKEN, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. WARREN, cosponsors of S. 951, a bill to reform ommendations. and Mr. WHITEHOUSE): the process by which Federal agencies S. 1880. A bill to reform our government, analyze and formulate new regulations S. 1568 reduce the grip of special interest, and re- and guidance documents, and for other At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the turn our democracy to the American people names of the Senator from Vermont by increasing transparency and oversight of purposes. (Mr. LEAHY) and the Senator from Ne- our elections and government, reforming S. 1144 public financing for Presidential and Con- At the request of Mr. THUNE, the vada (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO) were added gressional elections, and requiring States to name of the Senator from North Da- as cosponsors of S. 1568, a bill to re- conduct Congressional redistricting through kota (Mr. HOEVEN) was added as a co- quire the Secretary of the Treasury to independent commissions, and for other pur- sponsor of S. 1144, a bill to amend the mint coins in commemoration of Presi- poses; to the Committee on Finance. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to en- dent John F. Kennedy. f courage business creation by allowing S. 1595 SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND faster recovery of start-up and organi- At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the SENATE RESOLUTIONS zational expenses, to simplify account- name of the Senator from Montana The following concurrent resolutions ing methods for small businesses, to (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor and Senate resolutions were read, and expand expensing and provide acceler- of S. 1595, a bill to amend the Hizballah referred (or acted upon), as indicated: ated cost recovery to encourage invest- International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to impose additional sanc- By Mr. SCHUMER (for Mr. MENENDEZ ment in new plants and equipment, and (for himself, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. MARKEY, for other purposes. tions with respect to Hizballah, and for Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. S. 1292 other purposes. BOOKER, Mr. BLUNT, and Mr. COONS)): At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the At the request of Mrs. SHAHEEN, the S. Res. 269. A resolution designating Sep- name of the Senator from Delaware name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. tember 2017 as ‘‘National Prostate Cancer (Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor WYDEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. Awareness Month’’; considered and agreed 1595, supra. to. of S. 1292, a bill to amend the State De- partment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 S. 1697 f to monitor and combat anti-Semitism At the request of Mr. GRAHAM, the ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS globally, and for other purposes. names of the Senator from Pennsyl- S. 194 S. 1319 vania (Mr. CASEY) and the Senator At the request of Mr. WHITEHOUSE, At the request of Mr. BROWN, the from Arkansas (Mr. BOOZMAN) were the name of the Senator from Massa- name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. added as cosponsors of S. 1697, a bill to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.004 S27SEPT1 S6188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017

condition assistance to the West Bank shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN), the Senator from tech-neutral approach when updating and Gaza on steps by the Palestinian Connecticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL) and the the electricity system, to benefit the Authority to end violence and ter- Senator from Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH) American consumer. rorism against Israeli citizens and were added as cosponsors of S. 1829, a My Reducing the Cost of Energy United States Citizens. bill to amend title V of the Social Se- Storage Act will provide funding to the S. 1718 curity Act to extend the Maternal, In- Department of Energy to research and At the request of Mr. KENNEDY, the fant, and Early Childhood Home Vis- develop ways to lower the cost of en- name of the Senator from Massachu- iting Program. ergy storage technologies. Ultimately, setts (Mr. MARKEY) was added as a co- S. 1868 this bill will make it possible for re- sponsor of S. 1718, a bill to authorize At the request of Mr. HEINRICH, the newable energy to be used on a more the minting of a coin in honor of the name of the Senator from Colorado reliable and affordable basis. 75th anniversary of the end of World (Mr. BENNET) was added as a cosponsor War II, and for other purposes. of S. 1868, a bill to amend the Internal To protect the power supply from dis- S. 1753 Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax ruptions caused by natural disasters, At the request of Mr. HELLER, the credits for energy storage technologies, which can wipe out power to millions name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. and for other purposes. of homes, my Flexible Grid Infrastruc- DONNELLY) was added as a cosponsor of S. RES. 250 ture Act will require the Department S. 1753, a bill to amend the S.A.F.E. At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the of Energy to find and develop ways to Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to pro- name of the Senator from New Hamp- make the power grid more flexible and vide a temporary license for loan origi- shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- responsive to these challenges. The bill nators transitioning between employ- sponsor of S. Res. 250, a resolution con- will also connect displaced workers to ers, and for other purposes. demning horrific acts of violence training programs that will allow them S. 1754 against Burma’s Rohingya population to transition to high-skill clean energy At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the and calling on Aung San Suu Kyi to jobs. Finally, this bill will provide names of the Senator from Massachu- play an active role in ending this hu- states and utilities with resources to setts (Mr. MARKEY) and the Senator manitarian tragedy. upgrade the flexibility and reliability from Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH) were S. RES. 264 of the power grid. added as cosponsors of S. 1754, a bill to At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the reauthorize section 340H of the Public In order to ensure private sector names of the Senator from New York growth in distributed energy tech- Health Service Act to continue to en- (Mrs. GILLIBRAND) and the Senator courage the expansion, maintenance, nologies, my Distributed Energy Dem- from New York (Mr. SCHUMER) were onstration Act will create competitive, and establishment of approved grad- added as cosponsors of S. Res. 264, a cost-share grant programs for new uate medical residency programs at resolution designating September 2017 small-scale, grid-connected projects qualified teaching health centers, and as ‘‘National Kinship Care Month’’ . for other purposes. such as rooftop solar panels, hot water S. RES. 267 S. 1767 heaters, electric vehicles and modern- At the request of Ms. CANTWELL, her At the request of Mr. LEAHY, the ized utility pricing technologies. name was added as a cosponsor of S. names of the Senator from New Jersey Res. 267, a resolution designating Sep- Together, or apart, these bills will (Mr. MENENDEZ) and the Senator from tember 2017 as ‘‘National Workforce promote a more flexible electricity New Mexico (Mr. UDALL) were added as Development Month’’ . grid that can respond to power disrup- cosponsors of S. 1767, a bill to reauthor- At the request of Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the tions from natural disasters and ensure ize the farm to school program, and for names of the Senator from Washington reliable, low-cost electricity for con- other purposes. (Mrs. MURRAY) and the Senator from sumers now and in the future. They S. 1774 South Carolina (Mr. GRAHAM) were will also lower costs for energy storage At the request of Mr. HATCH, the added as cosponsors of S. Res. 267, technologies that make renewable en- names of the Senator from Arkansas supra. ergy more reliable and cost-effective, (Mr. BOOZMAN) and the Senator from boost funding for cutting-edge research South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) were added f and reward state and private sector in- as cosponsors of S. 1774, a bill to pro- STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED novations, which will make renewable vide protections for workers with re- BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS energy more reliable and affordable for spect to their right to select or refrain By Mr. WYDEN: U.S. energy consumers. from selecting representation by a S. 1874. A bill to direct the Secretary labor organization. of Energy to establish certain dem- By Mr. WYDEN: S. 1816 onstration grant programs relating to At the request of Ms. WARREN, the the demonstration of advanced dis- S. 1875. A bill to move the United name of the Senator from New Hamp- tribution systems, smart water heat- States toward greater energy independ- shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- ers, vehicle-to-grid integration, and ence and security, to increase the flexi- sponsor of S. 1816, a bill to amend the granular retail electricity pricing, and bility, efficiency, and reliability of the Fair Credit Reporting Act to enhance for other purposes; to the Committee electric grid, to increase the competi- fraud alert procedures and provide free on Energy and Natural Resources. tiveness of the United States economy, access to credit freezes, and for other Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I to protect consumers, and to improve purposes. am introducing a set of three bills that the energy performance of the Federal S. 1823 will lower the cost of energy storage, Government, and for other purposes; to At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the increase flexibility in the power grid, the Committee on Energy and Natural name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. and create a comprehensive set of Resources. COLLINS) was added as a cosponsor of S. grant programs to advance develop- 1823, a bill to amend the Robert T. ment of renewable energy technologies By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer- throughout the country. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. REED): gency Assistance Act to clarify that Currently, many energy tech- houses of worship are eligible for cer- nologies—like energy storage—com- S. 1876. A bill to direct the Secretary tain disaster relief and emergency as- pete in unfair markets, making it hard of Energy to establish a program to ad- sistance on terms equal to other eligi- for new innovations to measure up to vance energy storage deployment by ble private nonprofit facilities, and for more established technologies like reducing the cost of energy storage other purposes. those of the fossil fuel industry. Con- through research, development, and S. 1829 gress and the Department of Energy demonstration, and for other purposes; At the request of Mr. GRASSLEY, the can work hand-in-hand with industry to the Committee on Energy and Nat- names of the Senator from New Hamp- to level the playing field, using a fair, ural Resources.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.008 S27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6189 SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS care services for detecting and treating pros- (II) resulting from the death, retirement, tate cancer; and resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy (3) calls on the people of the United States, judge, SENATE RESOLUTION 269—DESIG- interest groups, and affected persons— shall not be filled. NATING SEPTEMBER 2017 AS (A) to promote awareness of prostate can- (ii) The 2d and 3d vacancies in the office of a bankruptcy judge for the district of Mary- ‘‘NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER cer; (B) to take an active role in the fight to land resulting from the death, retirement, AWARENESS MONTH’’ end the devastating effects of prostate can- resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy Mr. SCHUMER (for Mr. MENENDEZ cer on individuals, families, and the econ- judge, shall not be filled. (for himself, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. MARKEY, omy; and (D) SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA.—The 1st and 2d vacancies in the office of a bank- Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. BOOK- (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate cere- ruptcy judge for the southern district of ER, Mr. BLUNT, and Mr. COONS)) sub- monies and activities. Florida— mitted the following resolution; which (i) occurring more than 5 years after the was considered and agreed to: f date of the enactment of this Act, and S. RES. 269 (ii) resulting from the death, retirement, AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy Whereas over 2,900,000 families in the PROPOSED judge, United States live with prostate cancer; shall not be filled. Whereas 1 in 7 men in the United States SA 1106. Mr. INHOFE (for Mr. GRASSLEY) (3) APPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS.—Except will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2266, as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), all their lifetimes; to amend title 28 of the United States Code other provisions of subsection (b) of the Whereas prostate cancer is the most com- to authorize the appointment of additional Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 (28 U.S.C. monly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the bankruptcy judges; and for other purposes. 152 note) and section 2 of the Temporary third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths f Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 among men in the United States; (28 U.S.C. 152 note) remain applicable to the Whereas the American Cancer Society esti- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS temporary office of bankruptcy judges re- mates that in 2017, 161,360 men will be diag- SA 1106. Mr. INHOFE (for Mr. GRASS- ferred to in paragraph (1). nosed with, and more than 26,730 men will (b) TEMPORARY OFFICE OF BANKRUPTCY LEY) proposed an amendment to the die of, prostate cancer; JUDGES EXTENDED BY THE BANKRUPTCY Whereas 43 percent of newly diagnosed bill H.R. 2266, to amend title 28 of the JUDGESHIP ACT OF 2005 AND THE TEMPORARY prostate cancer cases occur in men under the United States Code to authorize the ap- BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIPS EXTENSION ACT OF age of 65; pointment of additional bankruptcy 2012.— Whereas the odds of developing prostate judges; and for other purposes; as fol- (1) EXTENSIONS.—The temporary office of cancer rise rapidly after age 50; lows: bankruptcy judges authorized by section 3 of Whereas African-American men suffer the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 U.– Strike all after the enacting clause and in- from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is S.C. 152 note) and extended by subsection (c) sert the following: significantly higher than that of White men of the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 (28 and have double the prostate cancer mor- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. U.S.C. 152 note) and further extended by sec- tality rate than that of White men; This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bankruptcy tion 2 of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judge- Whereas having a father or brother with Judgeship Act of 2017’’. ships Extension Act of 2012 (28 U.S.C. 152 prostate cancer more than doubles the risk SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY OFFICE OF note) for the district of Delaware and the of a man developing prostate cancer, with a BANKRUPTCY JUDGES IN CERTAIN district of Puerto Rico are extended until higher risk for men who have a brother with JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. the applicable vacancy specified in para- the disease and the highest risk for men with (a) TEMPORARY OFFICE OF BANKRUPTCY graph (2) in the office of a bankruptcy judge several affected relatives; JUDGES AUTHORIZED BY THE BANKRUPTCY for the respective district occurs. Whereas screening by a digital rectal ex- JUDGESHIP ACT OF 2005.— (2) VACANCIES.— amination and a prostate-specific antigen (1) EXTENSIONS.—The temporary office of (A) DISTRICT OF DELAWARE.—The 5th va- blood test can detect the disease at the ear- bankruptcy judges authorized for the fol- cancy in the office of a bankruptcy judge for lier, more treatable stages, which could in- lowing districts by subsection (b) of the the district of Delaware— crease the chances of survival for more than Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 (28 U.S.C. (i) occurring more than 5 years after the 5 years to nearly 100 percent; 152 note) are extended until the applicable date of the enactment of this Act, and Whereas only 29 percent of men survive vacancy specified in paragraph (2) in the of- (ii) resulting from the death, retirement, more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate fice of a bankruptcy judge for the respective resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy cancer after the cancer has metastasized; district occurs: judge, Whereas there are no noticeable symptoms (A) The district of Delaware. shall not be filled. of prostate cancer in the early stages, mak- (B) The southern district of Florida. (B) DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.—The 2d va- ing appropriate screening critical; (C) The district of Maryland. cancy in the office of a bankruptcy judge for Whereas, in fiscal year 2017, the Director of (D) The eastern district of Michigan. the district of Puerto Rico— the National Institutes of Health supported (E) The district of Nevada. (i) occurring more than 5 years after the approximately $274,000,000 in research (F) The eastern district of North Carolina. date of the enactment of this Act, and projects focused specifically on prostate can- (G) The district of Puerto Rico. (ii) resulting from the death, retirement, cer; (H) The eastern district of Virginia. resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy Whereas ongoing research promises further (2) VACANCIES.— judge, improvements in prostate cancer prevention, (A) SINGLE VACANCIES.—Except as provided shall not be filled. early detection, and treatment; and in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), the 1st va- (3) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.— Whereas educating people in the United cancy in the office of a bankruptcy judge for Except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), States, including health care providers, each district specified in paragraph (1)— all other provisions of section 3 of the Bank- about prostate cancer and early detection (i) occurring more than 5 years after the ruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 strategies is crucial to saving the lives of date of the enactment of this Act, and note), subsection (c) of the Bankruptcy men and preserving and protecting families: (ii) resulting from the death, retirement, Judgeship Act of 2005 (28 U.S.C. 152 note), and Now, therefore, be it resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy section 2 of the Temporary Bankruptcy Resolved, That the Senate— judge, Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 (28 U.S.C. (1) designates September 2017 as ‘‘National shall not be filled. 152 note) remain applicable to the temporary Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’’; (B) DISTRICT OF DELAWARE.—The 1st, 2d, 3d, office of bankruptcy judges referred to in (2) declares that steps should be taken— and 4th vacancies in the office of a bank- paragraph (1). (A) to raise awareness about the impor- ruptcy judge for the district of Delaware— SEC. 3. TEMPORARY OFFICE OF BANKRUPTCY tance of screening methods for, and treat- (i) occurring 5 years or more after the date JUDGE AUTHORIZED. ment of, prostate cancer; of the enactment of this Act, and (a) APPOINTMENTS.—The following bank- (B) to encourage research— (ii) resulting from the death, retirement, ruptcy judges shall be appointed in the man- (i) to improve screening and treatment for resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy ner prescribed in section 152(a)(1) of title 28, prostate cancer; judge, United States Code, for the appointment of (ii) to discover the causes of prostate can- shall not be filled. bankruptcy judges provided for in section cer; and (C) DISTRICT OF MARYLAND.— 152(a)(2) of that title: (iii) to develop a cure for prostate cancer; (i) The 1st vacancy in the office of a bank- (1) Two additional bankruptcy judges for and ruptcy judge for the district of Maryland— the district of Delaware. (C) to continue to consider ways to im- (I) occurring more than 5 years after the (2) One additional bankruptcy judge of the prove access to, and the quality of, health date of the enactment of this Act, and middle district of Florida.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.012 S27SEPT1 S6190 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 (3) One additional bankruptcy judge for the or that arises after the filing of the petition (i) in subsection (a)— eastern district of Michigan. and before the debtor’s discharge under sec- (I) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (b) VACANCIES.— tion 1228, as a result of the sale, transfer, ex- (aa) by inserting a comma after ‘‘all debts (1) DISTRICT OF DELAWARE.—The 6th and change, or other disposition of any property provided for by the plan’’; and 7th vacancies in the office of a bankruptcy used in the debtor’s farming operation— (bb) by inserting a comma after ‘‘allowed judge for the district of Delaware— ‘‘(1) shall be treated as an unsecured claim under section 503 of this title’’; and (A) occurring 5 years or more after the ap- arising before the date on which the petition (II) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the pointment date of the bankruptcy judge ap- is filed; kind’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘a pointed under paragraph (1) to such office, ‘‘(2) shall not be entitled to priority under kind specified in section 523(a) of this title, and section 507; except as provided in section 1232(c).’’; and (B) resulting from the death, retirement, ‘‘(3) shall be provided for under a plan; and (ii) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ‘‘, ex- resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy ‘‘(4) shall be discharged in accordance with cept as provided in section 1232(c)’’ before judge, section 1228. the period at the end; and shall not be filled. ‘‘(b) For purposes of applying sections (C) in section 1229(a)— (2) MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA.—The 1st 1225(a)(4), 1228(b)(2), and 1229(b)(1) to a claim (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the vacancy in the office of a bankruptcy judge described in subsection (a) of this section, end; for the middle district of Florida— the amount that would be paid on such claim (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the period (A) occurring 5 years or more after the ap- if the estate of the debtor were liquidated in at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and pointment date of the bankruptcy judge ap- a case under chapter 7 of this title shall be (iii) by adding at the end the following: pointed under paragraph (1) to such office, the amount that would be paid by the estate ‘‘(4) provide for the payment of a claim de- and in a chapter 7 case if the claim were an unse- scribed in section 1232(a) that arose after the (B) resulting from the death, retirement, cured claim arising before the date on which date on which the petition was filed.’’. resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy the petition was filed and were not entitled (2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sec- judge, to priority under section 507. tions for subchapter II of chapter 12 of title shall not be filled. ‘‘(c) For purposes of applying sections 11, United States Code, is amended by adding (3) EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN.—The 2d 523(a), 1228(a)(2), and 1228(c)(2) to a claim de- at the end the following: vacancy in the office of a bankruptcy judge scribed in subsection (a) of this section, the ‘‘1232. Claim by a governmental unit based for the eastern district of Michigan— claim shall not be treated as a claim of a on the disposition of property (A) occurring 5 years or more after the ap- kind specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of used in a farming operation.’’. pointment date of the bankruptcy judge ap- section 523(a)(1). (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments pointed under paragraph (1) to such office, ‘‘(d)(1) A governmental unit may file a made by this section shall apply to— and proof of claim for a claim described in sub- (1) any bankruptcy case— (B) resulting from the death, retirement, section (a) that arises after the date on (A) that is pending on the date of enact- resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy which the petition is filed. ment of this Act; ‘‘(2) If a debtor files a tax return after the judge, (B) in which the plan under chapter 12 of filing of the petition for a period in which a shall not be filled. title 11, United States Code, has not been claim described in subsection (a) arises, and SEC. 4. BANKRUPTCY FEES. confirmed on the date of enactment of this the claim relates to the tax return, the debt- Act; and (a) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 28 OF THE UNITED or shall serve notice of the claim on the gov- (C) relating to which an order of discharge STATES CODE.—Section 1930(a)(6) of title 28, ernmental unit charged with the responsi- under section 1228 of title 11, United States United States Code, is amended— bility for the collection of the tax at the ad- Code, has not been entered; and (1) by striking ‘‘(6) In’’ and inserting dress and in the manner designated in sec- (2) any bankruptcy case that commences ‘‘(6)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph tion 505(b)(1). Notice under this paragraph on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (B), in’’; and shall state that the debtor has filed a peti- (2) by adding at the end the following: tion under this chapter, state the name and f ‘‘(B) During each of fiscal years 2018 location of the court in which the case under through 2022, if the balance in the United AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO this chapter is pending, state the amount of MEET States Trustee System Fund as of September the claim, and include a copy of the filed tax 30 of the most recent full fiscal year is less return and documentation supporting the Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I have than $200,000,000, the quarterly fee payable calculation of the claim. 10 requests for committees to meet for a quarter in which disbursements equal ‘‘(3) If notice of a claim has been served on during today’s session of the Senate. or exceed $1,000,000 shall be the lesser of 1 the governmental unit in accordance with percent of such disbursements or $250,000.’’. They have the approval of the majority paragraph (2), the governmental unit may and minority leaders. (b) DEPOSITS OF CERTAIN FEES FOR FISCAL file a proof of claim not later than 180 days YEARS 2018 THROUGH 2022.—Notwithstanding Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph after the date on which such notice was 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- section 589a(b) of title 28, United States served. If the governmental unit has not Code, for each of fiscal years 2018 through filed a timely proof of the claim, the debtor ate, the following committees are au- 2022— or trustee may file proof of the claim that is thorized to meet during today’s session (1) 98 percent of the fees collected under consistent with the notice served under para- of the Senate. section 1930(a)(6) of such title shall be depos- graph (2). If a proof of claim is filed by the COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND ited as offsetting collections to the appro- debtor or trustee under this paragraph, the TRANSPORTATION priation ‘‘United States Trustee System governmental unit may not amend the proof The Committee on Commerce, Fund’’, to remain available until expended; of claim. and Science, and Transportation is author- ‘‘(4) A claim filed under this subsection ized to hold a meeting during the ses- (2) 2 percent of the fees collected under sec- shall be determined and shall be allowed tion 1930(a)(6) of such title shall be deposited under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 502, sion of the Senate on Wednesday, Sep- in the general fund of the Treasury. or disallowed under subsection (d) or (e) of tember 27, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. in room (c) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.—The section 502, in the same manner as if the 253 of the Russell Senate Office Build- amendments made by this section shall claim had arisen immediately before the ing. apply to quarterly fees payable under section date of the filing of the petition.’’. COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC 1930(a)(6) of title 28, United States Code, as (b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMEND- WORKS amended by this section, for disbursements MENTS.— The Committee on Environment and made in any calendar quarter that begins on (1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter Public Works is authorized to meet or after the date of enactment of this Act. 12 of title 11, United States Code, is amend- SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF RULE ALLOWING DIS- ed— during the session of the Senate on CHARGE TO GOVERNMENTAL (A) in section 1222(a)— Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 10 CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE DIS- (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘unless—’’ a.m., in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate POSITION OF FARM ASSETS UNDER and all that follows through ‘‘the holder’’ Office Building, to conduct a hearing CHAPTER 12 BANKRUPTCIES. and inserting ‘‘unless the holder’’; entitled, ‘‘Hearing on Forest Manage- (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 12 of title 11, United States Code, is amended ment to Mitigate Wildfires: Legislative the end; by adding at the end the following: Solutions.’’ (iii) in paragraph (4), by striking the period COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ‘‘§ 1232. Claim by a governmental unit based at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and on the disposition of property used in a (iv) by adding at the end the following: The Committee on Foreign Relations farming operation ‘‘(5) subject to section 1232, provide for the is authorized to meet during the ses- ‘‘(a) Any unsecured claim of a govern- treatment of any claim by a governmental sion of the Senate on Wednesday, Sep- mental unit against the debtor or the estate unit of a kind described in section 1232(a).’’; tember 27, 2017 at 10:45 a.m., to hold a that arises before the filing of the petition, (B) in section 1228— hearing entitled ‘‘Nominations.’’

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COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS Whereas according to the United Nations (5) the contributions of charities, non-prof- The Committee on Foreign Relations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian it organizations, religious organizations, and is authorized to meet during the ses- Affairs (OCHA), 20,000,000 people are at risk businesses of the United States have an im- sion of the Senate on Wednesday, Sep- of starvation this year in Nigeria, Somalia, portant role in addressing humanitarian cri- South Sudan, and Yemen; ses. tember 27, 2017 at 2:15 p.m., to hold a Whereas, on March 22, 2017, Mr. Yves hearing entitled ‘‘Nominations.’’ SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Daccord, the Director-General of the Inter- Nothing in this resolution shall be con- COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND national Committee of the Red Cross, testi- strued as a declaration of war or authoriza- GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS fied before Congress that the crisis rep- tion to use force. The Committee on Homeland Secu- resents ‘‘one of the most critical humani- rity and Governmental Affairs is au- tarian issues to face mankind since the end f thorized to meet during the session of of the Second World War’’ and warned that DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF- the Senate on Wednesday, September ‘‘we are at the brink of a humanitarian mega-crisis unprecedented in recent his- FAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES 27, 2017, at 10 a.m., in order to conduct tory’’; ACT OF 2017 a hearing titled ‘‘Threats to the Home- Whereas according to the United States Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask land.’’ Agency for International Development unanimous consent that the Senate COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS (USAID), ‘‘[m]ore than 5.1 million people proceed to the immediate consider- The Committee on Indian Affairs is face severe food insecurity in northeastern Nigeria’’; ation of H.R. 3819, which was received authorized to meet during the session from the House. of the Senate on Wednesday, Sep- Whereas according to USAID, ‘‘An estimated 6.2 million people—more than half of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tember 27, 2017, in room 628 of the Dirk- Somalia’s total population—currently re- clerk will report the bill by title. sen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., quire urgent humanitarian assistance.’’; The bill clerk read as follows: to conduct an oversight hearing on Whereas according to USAID, ‘‘An esti- A bill (H.R. 3819) to amend title 38, United ‘‘The GAO Reports on Human Traf- mated 5.5 million people—nearly half of States Code, to extend certain expiring pro- ficking of Native Americans in the South Sudan’s population—will face life visions of law administered by the Secretary United States.’’ threatening hunger by July.’’; of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Whereas according to USAID, in Yemen, COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND There being no objection, the Senate ENTREPRENEURSHIP ‘‘More than seventeen million people—an astounding 60% of the country’s population— proceeded to consider the bill. The Committee on Small Business are food insecure, including seven million Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask and Entrepreneurship is authorized to people who are unable to survive without unanimous consent that the bill be meet during the session of the Senate food assistance.’’; considered read a third time and passed Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 3 Whereas according to the United Nations and the motion to reconsider be consid- p.m., in 428A Russell Senate Office Children’s Fund (UNICEF), ‘‘[s]ome 22 mil- ered made and laid upon the table. Building to conduct a hearing entitled lion children have been left hungry, sick, displaced and out of school in the four coun- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ‘‘An Early Review of SBA’s Response objection, it is so ordered. to the 2017 Hurricanes.’’ tries’’ and ‘‘Nearly 1.4 million are at immi- nent risk of death this year from severe mal- The bill (H.R. 3819) was ordered to a COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS nutrition.’’; third reading, was read the third time, The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Whereas the humanitarian crises in each of and passed. is authorized to meet during the ses- these regions are, to varying degrees, man- sion of the Senate on Wednesday, Sep- made and preventable—exacerbated by f tember 27, 2017, at 10 a.m., in SR–418, to armed conflict and deliberate restrictions on BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIP ACT OF conduct a hearing titled, ‘‘#BeThere: humanitarian access; 2017 What More Can Be Done to Prevent Whereas parties to the conflicts, including even some government forces, have harassed, Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask Veteran Suicide?’’ attacked, and killed humanitarian workers, unanimous consent that the Com- f blocked and hindered humanitarian access, mittee on the Judiciary be discharged PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR and continue to deprive the world’s most from further consideration of H.R. 2266 hungry people of the food they need; Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask and the Senate proceed to its imme- Whereas humanitarian actors, coordinated diate consideration. unanimous consent that my intern, by OCHA, have appealed for $5,600,000,000 in Jessica Rosenblatt, be granted privi- 2017 to address famines in Yemen, South The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without leges of the floor for the remainder of Sudan, Nigeria, and Somalia; and objection, it is so ordered. the day. Whereas Mr. Daccord testified before Con- The clerk will report the bill by title. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without gress on March 22, 2017, ‘‘Our main message The bill clerk read as follows: is clear: immediate, decisive action is needed objection, it is so ordered. A bill (H.R. 2266) to amend title 28 of the to prevent vast numbers of people starving United States Code to authorize the appoint- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I to death.’’: Now, therefore, be it ask unanimous consent that Caroline ment of additional bankruptcy judges, and Resolved, for other purposes. Normile, an AAAS fellow in my office, SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE. be granted floor privileges for the re- There being no objection, the Senate It is the sense of the Senate that— proceeded to consider the bill. mainder of this Congress. (1) an urgent and comprehensive inter- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without national diplomatic effort is necessary to ad- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask objection, it is so ordered. dress obstacles in Nigeria, Somalia, South unanimous consent that the Grassley Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I ask Sudan, and Yemen that are preventing hu- substitute amendment be considered unanimous consent that Scott manitarian aid from being delivered to mil- and agreed to; that the bill, as amend- Litzelman, a legislative fellow in my lions of people who desperately need it; ed, be considered read a third time and (2) the United States should encourage passed; and that the motion to recon- office, be given floor privileges for the other governments to join in providing the remainder of this Congress. sider be considered made and laid upon resources necessary to address the humani- the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tarian crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South objection, it is so ordered. Sudan, and Yemen; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. f (3) parties to the conflicts in Nigeria, So- malia, South Sudan, and Yemen should allow The amendment (No. 1106) in the na- S. RES. 114—PRINT CORRECTION and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage ture of a substitute was agreed to. On Tuesday, September 26, 2017, the of humanitarian relief for civilians in need (The amendment is printed in today’s Senate adopted S. Res. 114, as amended, and respect and protect humanitarian and RECORD under ‘‘Text of Amendments.’’) with its preamble, as amended. The medical relief personnel and objects; The amendment was ordered to be (4) the United States, working with inter- engrossed and the bill to be read a corrected text is as follows: national partners, should support efforts to S. RES. 114 hold accountable those responsible for delib- third time. Whereas Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, erate restrictions on humanitarian access in The bill was read the third time. and Yemen are all in famine, pre-famine, or Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen; The bill (H.R. 2266), as amended, was at risk of famine in 2017; and passed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:16 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE6.016 S27SEPT1 S6192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 27, 2017 NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER firmed, the motion to reconsider be use later in the day, and morning busi- AWARENESS MONTH considered made and laid upon the ness be closed; finally, that following Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask table with no intervening action or de- leader remarks, the Senate proceed to unanimous consent that the Senate bate; that no further motions be in executive session and resume consider- proceed to the immediate consider- order; that any statements related to ation of the Erickson nomination, with ation of S. Res. 269, submitted earlier the nomination be printed in the the time until the cloture vote equally today. RECORD; that the President be imme- divided between the two leaders or The PRESIDING OFFICER. The diately notified of the Senate’s action, their designees. clerk will report the resolution by and the Senate then resume legislative The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without title. session. objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The bill clerk read as follows: f A resolution (S. Res. 269) designating Sep- objection, it is so ordered. tember 2017 as ‘‘National Prostate Cancer The nomination considered and con- ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9:30 A.M. Awareness Month.’’ firmed is as follows: TOMORROW IN THE MARINE CORPS There being no objection, the Senate Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, if there proceeded to consider the resolution. The following named officer for reappointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of is no further business to come before Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask the Senate, I ask unanimous consent unanimous consent that the resolution Staff and appointment in the United States Marine Corps to the grade indicated while that it stand adjourned under the pre- be agreed to, the preamble be agreed assigned to a position of importance and re- vious order. to, and the motions to reconsider be sponsibility under title 10, U.S.C., sections There being no objection, the Senate, considered made and laid upon the 152 and 601: at 6:23 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, table with no intervening action or de- To be general September 28, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. bate. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without f objection, it is so ordered. f The resolution (S. Res. 269) was LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONFIRMATIONS agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Executive nominations confirmed by The preamble was agreed to. ate will now resume legislative session. the Senate September 27, 2017: (The resolution, with its preamble, is DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY f printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- HEATH P. TARBERT, OF MARYLAND, TO BE AN ASSIST- mitted Resolutions.’’) ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, ANT SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. f SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MAKAN DELRAHIM, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE AN ASSIST- EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask ANT ATTORNEY GENERAL. unanimous consent that when the Sen- IN THE MARINE CORPS ate completes its business today, it ad- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR REAPPOINT- journ until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Sep- MENT AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask tember 28; further, that following the STAFF AND APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES MA- RINE CORPS TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED unanimous consent that the Senate prayer and pledge, the morning hour be TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY proceed to executive session for the deemed expired, the Journal of pro- UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 152 AND 601: consideration of Executive Calendar ceedings be approved to date, the time To be general No. 349; that the nomination be con- for the two leaders be reserved for their GEN. JOSEPH F. DUNFORD, JR.

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NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION cans, previously reported of the Trump’s budg- REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017 OF H.R. 2824, INCREASING OPPOR- et scheme, this bill would likewise, create an TUNITY AND SUCCESS FOR CHIL- overall assault on a wide range of ordinary DREN AND PARENTS THROUGH Americans for the purpose of providing tax SPEECH OF EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VIS- cuts to the wealthiest. ITING ACT; PROVIDING FOR CON- My Democratic colleagues on Ways and HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. SIDERATION OF H.R. 2792, CON- Means offered amendments to fully pay for a OF GEORGIA TROL UNLAWFUL FUGITIVE FEL- 5-year reauthorization of the MIECHV program ONS ACT OF 2017; AND FOR and doubling the funding by closing a tax IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OTHER PURPOSES loophole called the ‘‘stretch IRA’’. Republicans Monday, September 25, 2017 however, would not let my colleagues vote on SPEECH OF those amendments. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I My amendment and those of my colleagues HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE would have made this bad bill a lot more pal- rise to support H.R. 2061, the North Korean OF TEXAS Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017. atable. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Instead, the Republicans have chosen, once This is an important piece of legislation and I Tuesday, September 26, 2017 again, to lock people up, and do so in a man- am pleased to support it. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in ner that deprives poor people of their sole H.R. 2061 reinstates the North Korean opposition to the Rules governing this under- source of income, while purporting to safe- Human Rights Act of 2004, which was origi- lying bill, H.R. 2792, introduced by Rep. KRISTI guard against fugitive felons that are recipients nally designed to address the ‘‘deplorable NOEM (R–SD) and Rep. SAM JOHNSON (R– of these SSI benefits. This bill is unnecessary because under cur- human rights conditions’’ for North Koreans, TX). I oppose the bill for the following reasons: rent law, SSI and Social Security payments as well as support various human rights are already prohibited to people fleeing pros- groups and provide solutions toward perma- SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. ecution or confinement. nent resettlement for North Korean refugees. It will terminate essential benefits of poor Most alarming, this bill will terminate these Since 2004, the United States has resettled people. benefits without any judicial determination of 244 North Korean refugees, making it the larg- It will deprive poor people of due process. guilt, and thus, usurping recipients’ rights to est refugee resettlement program in the world. It will increase mass incarceration. due process. However, Congress has found that human My amendment would have remedied these The presumption of ‘‘innocent until proven guilty’’ is the constitutional principle at the bed- rights conditions still have not improved as ref- criminal justice defects in H.R. 2792, which struck the arrest warrant language because rock of our criminal justice system. This prin- ugees remain at risk of losing their lives. As ciple guarantees that the government cannot Americans, we have an enduring bipartisan in- (1) it recklessly targets vulnerable and innocent individuals; (2) this bill deprives citizens deprive citizens of their rights without due terest to promote freedom for human rights, of due process, particularly where many poor process of the law. the transparency of human rights, and the im- The bill maintains that payments could be individuals are completely unaware of any portance of refugee protection. As members of immediately restored once the individual re- pending warrant, and (4) there have been solves any outstanding issues, a potentially Congress, we should work with the United Na- cases in which warrants were either decades tions High Commission for Refugees to expe- lengthy and time-consuming process. old or, in many instances, it was a matter of Ask the thousands of individuals swept dite the resettlement of refugees, to increase a mistaken identity. under this broad policy if that is true. SSA al- our diplomatic efforts to cooperate with neigh- The underlying bill amends the Social Secu- ready tried to implement this very ill-advised boring countries, and to urge China to work rity Act (SSA) to make certain revisions that policy and it resulted in thousands of court with us to help tackle the status of North Ko- limit payment of benefits to fugitive felons challenges in 2009 forcing the agency to rean refugees within their territory. under titles II, VIII, and XVI of the (SSA), by repay billions of dollars it had withheld from prohibiting Supplemental Security Income I have seen, firsthand, the positive impact people deemed fugitives. (SSI) payments to individuals with an out- For example, Miami resident Joseph that refugees have had on my community. standing felony warrant or parole or probation Sutrynowics’ Social Security Disability Insur- Clarkston, a city within my district, has re- violation. ance benefits were halted in 2008 because of ceived over 40,000 refugees over the past 25 Almost none of the individuals who would a bad check he’d written to cover groceries in years and almost 1,500 within the past year. be affected by this provision are actual fugi- Texas more than a decade earlier. These refugees have contributed to our econ- tives from justice and most of the warrants in Under this policy, SSA agreed to repay omy and democracy. question are many years old and involve $700 million in benefits that were withheld minor infractions,’’ the Consortium for Citizens from 80,000 people whose benefits have been Clarkston embodies the American spirit, pro- with Disabilities said in a letter to Senators suspended or denied since January 1, 2007 in viding a chance to these individuals who left who tried to implement this policy. the Martinez v. Astrue case. SSA could also, everything behind in the hopes of finding a This bill is merely a continuation of Presi- reportedly, repay close to $1 billion in benefits better life here in America. I am proud of the dent Trump’s $1.7 trillion budget cuts of pro- to 140,000 individuals in the Clark v. Astrue hope and opportunity of what Clarkston stands grams designed to help the millions of poor case. for, and that is why I am pleased to support and low-income families that need these pro- We have already tried this before and failed H.R. 2061. grams for survival. miserably. Let us not waste tax payers’ money Plainly stated, this bill will terminate SSI in litigation, while causing poor folks to go benefits of very low-income seniors and peo- hungry. As the old adage says: ‘‘don’t con- ple with disabilities, because SSI is granted tinue to do the same thing and expect a dif- based on financial need. ferent result, that’s insanity’’. In creating this bill, the sponsors essentially Past experiences proved that this policy was agree that it is best to incarcerate economi- detrimental then, and it is so now. It will fur- cally vulnerable people in order to fund the ther exacerbate the epic tragedy of mass in- Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting carceration, and the attendant costs incurred program (MIECHV). by taxpayers, particularly in the well-docu- As the Center for Law and Social Policy, a mented higher cost of incarcerating the elderly nonprofit group focused on low-income Ameri- and those in poor health.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.001 E27SEPT1 E1274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2017 Even conservative coalitions like Freedom testament to the hard work and tradition of ex- ter Sergeant Garrett Edmond, who I have had Works, American Conservative Union Founda- cellence of the Bureau. the privilege of working with for many years. tion, Generation Opportunity, and Taxpayers As the organization celebrates its centennial CMSgt Garrett Edmond began career his Protection Alliance agreed that mass incarcer- anniversary, I am proud to commend Mon- with the United States Airforce when he en- ation is extremely costly to taxpayers. terey County Farm Bureau for its continued listed in August, 1985 as an Airman First In addition to tax dollars in litigation fees, in- support of those working in agriculture in my Class at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in carceration cost taxpayers $407.58 per person district where crop cultivation is the corner- Georgia. He deployed overseas and served per day and $148,767 per person per year. stone of the economy. Over the past century, our country during Desert Storm, Operation Al- Criminalizing poor individuals, depriving Monterey County’s agriculture industry has lied Forces, and Operation Southern Watch. them of their social security income benefits, grown exponentially and now provides much Throughout his career, CMSgt Edmond partici- and increasing the incarceration rate in this of the nation’s lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, pated in numerous humanitarian projects in fashion will not solve the fugitive problem this wine grapes, and over 100 specialty crops. the Caribbean and Central and South Amer- bill purports it will do. Monterey County Farm Bureau’s support of ica. He worked diligently protecting our coun- In fact, this bill will expand existing problems farmers and ranchers in my district has un- try and achieved the rank of Chief Master Ser- of mass incarceration by increasing the likeli- doubtedly helped establish regions like the Sa- geant in 2005. This is the highest enlisted hood for recidivism. Statistics show that incar- linas Valley as the uncontested Salad Bowl of rank one can obtain as well as the ninth high- ceration does not serve as deterrence, nor the World. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my col- est rank in the Air Force overall. does it keep our communities safe. leagues join me in congratulating Monterey In recognition of his invaluable contributions For the reasons stated above, I oppose this County Farm Bureau on 100 years of excel- to the Air Force, he has received numerous Rule and the underlying bill. lence. medals during his service, including the De- f f fense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster. This Medal is awarded to those IN HONOR OF THE 100 YEAR ANNI- IN RECOGNITION OF BETHEL AFRI- who display exceptional non-combat achieve- VERSARY OF THE MONTEREY CAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ments or commendable service. He has also COUNTY FARM BUREAU CHURCH AND ITS CONTRIBU- received the Air Force Commendation Medal TIONS TO THE COMMUNITY OF and the Joint Service Achievement Medal with HON. JIMMY PANETTA MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA two oak leaf clusters. All of the medals and OF CALIFORNIA awards he has received an indication of his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. MIKE KELLY great service to our country. OF PENNSYLVANIA Wednesday, September 27, 2017 I have worked closely with CMSgt Edmond IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES over the years. He has been an instrumental Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Wednesday, September 27, 2017 addition to the Academy Day I host which pro- ask my colleagues in the House join me in vides information to high school students who congratulating the Monterey County Farm Bu- Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Bethel African have an interest in joining our Armed Forces. reau on the occasion of their 100th Anniver- His dedication to our country and our youth is sary. Throughout the last century, the Bureau Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, and the important contribu- commendable. has assisted ranchers and farmers with crop Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to cultivation and production. Over time, the or- tions it has made to the Meadville area for over 160 years. Since its foundation in 1849 Chief Master Sergeant Garrett Edmond for his ganization has grown to become one of the tremendous service to our nation, and I ask region’s most important economic institutions. by the Reverend Jacob Parmer, Bethel AME has advanced a vision of outreach and en- my colleagues to join me in recognizing this In 1951, the Bureau formed various commit- remarkable individual. tees such as the Dairy, Field Crops, Grain Im- gagement through its vibrant faith community. provement, Tomato Growers, Tax and Legisla- The church’s present location was con- f tion, Farm Service, and Water Problems Com- structed in Meadville. This site, according to RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- mittees to ensure that farmers had the support Gary DeSantis writing in the Meadville Tribune EN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY needed to overcome challenges in farming. on September 2, 2016, was once used by a PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC) Under the direction of William ‘‘Bill’’ Barker, former slave from Maryland named Richard WILLIAM BRANDON DAWSON who served as a leader for the Bureau from Henderson to ‘‘provide shelter for 500 or more 1956 until his passing in 1999, Monterey slaves escaping the Southern slave holders.’’ This stop on the Underground Railroad gave HON. TRENT KELLY County Farm Bureau continued to develop its OF MISSISSIPPI ability to meet the needs of local farmers and refuge to escapees traveling through the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ranchers. Throughout its history, the Bureau northern states on their way to Canada. has invested time and effort into ensuring that As the challenges facing our country and Wednesday, September 27, 2017 local programs, such as Ag Extension, were our local communities have shifted over time, Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I am available to the community. These local part- Bethel AME has been a constant presence in humbled to rise today in memory of Army Pri- nerships have been integral to the success of Meadville. Today its community outreach in- vate First Class (PFC) William Brandon Daw- the agricultural industry in my district. cludes youth drama productions, a women’s son who died while in service to our nation on Behind the economic might of agriculture on ministry, outreach to senior citizens, and many September 24, 2010, during Operation Endur- the central coast of California are individuals other valuable programs and ministries in ing Freedom. PFC Dawson was killed when that work on the farms and ranches. As an or- Meadville. an explosive device detonated close to his I am proud to represent the clergy and pa- ganization, Monterey County Farm Bureau military vehicle near Combat Outpost Carwile, rishioners of Bethel AME in the House of Rep- supports local farmers and ranchers by serv- Afghanistan. Private First Class (PFC) Jaysine resentatives. Their history and their present ing as a collective voice for agricultural firms P.S. Petree of Yigo, Guam was also killed. contributions to the community are a credit to and by providing them with the information, PFC Dawson was assigned to the 17th the City of Meadville, to Crawford County, and benefits, and services they need to succeed. Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd to Pennsylvania’s Third District. By collaborating with various agricultural insti- Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Rich- tutions, the Bureau supports farmers by help- f ardson, Alaska. According to the Associated ing them deal with the complex issues facing CONGRATULATING CHIEF MASTER Press, PFC Dawson served as a motor trans- the agricultural community such as labor, land SERGEANT GARRETT EDMOND port operator. He was assigned to Fort Rich- use, and water policies. The group also pro- ON HIS RETIREMENT ardson in February 2010. vides a vital voice for local agricultural firms by PFC Dawson, a Tunica, Mississippi native, advocating for them on the local, state, and HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART joined the U.S. Army in 2009 shortly after he national level. At the 2014 California Farm Bu- graduated from Rosa Fort High School Rev- OF FLORIDA reau Federation’s Annual Meeting, Monterey erend Willie Dawson, Jr., PFC Dawson’s fa- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES County received a County of the Year award ther, said his son was ambitious and talked for excellence in activities including member- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 about pursuing a career in politics. ‘‘He told ship, policy implementation, leadership agricul- Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today me he wanted to be a senator. He could do tural education, and public relations. This is a to commemorate the retirement of Chief Mas- so many different things,’’ Rev. Dawson said.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.002 E27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1275 ‘‘He made a career choice and he had all the benefitted from Debbie’s work, I thank her for IN RECOGNITION OF SUICIDE PRE- support of his family. He wanted to drive her many years of service to the Granite VENTION MONTH AND THE NEED trucks and he wanted to serve his country.’’ State, and wish her the best of luck in her new TO COMBAT VETERAN SUICIDE A number of friends and family members role. posted a tribute to PFC Dawson on a memorial website. Pennie Smith, PFC Dawson’s HON. PETER T. KING cousin, praised the soldier for his service. f OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘‘Thank you, Brandon and all the brave and IN RECOGNITION OF BYRON BUNK- courageous soldiers that fight and die for our ER FOR RECEIVING THE SAMUEL Wednesday, September 27, 2017 freedom,’’ Smith wrote. ‘‘I hadn’t seen Bran- J. HEYMAN SERVICE TO AMER- don since he joined the military, but he was Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise ICA MEDAL family and I loved him. I pray everyone con- today in recognition of Suicide Prevention tinues to remember, respect, and honor this Month and to draw attention to the continuing fallen hero!’’ fight against veteran suicide. In 2014, the Tunica County Education Foun- HON. DEBBIE DINGELL Sadly, approximately 20 veterans take their dation created the Private First Class (PFC) OF MICHIGAN own lives every day. In August 2016 the Vet- William Brandon Dawson Memorial Scholar- erans Administration released a comprehen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ship program in his honor. The foundation cre- sive report on veteran suicide. Among the disturbing statistics in this report, it was revealed ators wrote a tribute to PFC Dawson that de- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 tails the reasons for establishing the scholar- that though veterans make up 8.5 percent of ship, ‘‘Private First Class William Brandon Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the U.S. population, they accounted for 18 Dawson served in the United States Army in recognize Byron Bunker for receiving the percent of suicides in 2014. This report also Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Free- Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal. showed that we lost more veterans to suicide dom. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his Mr. Bunker’s work as Director of Compliance in 2014 than soldiers to the battlefield during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Free- country and his community on September 24, Programs for the Environmental Protection 2010, and this scholarship has been estab- dom combined. It is clear that for many vet- Agency was key to uncovering Volkswagen erans a more arduous battle with PTSD and lished to honor his memory, bravery, char- Group’s automotive emissions evasion acter, and commitment.’’ mental illness arises after they return from PFC Dawson is survived by his parents, scheme and safeguarding public health. combat. Reverend Willie Dawson, Jr. and Quita Since 1999, Mr. Bunker has worked for the That is why I am a proud sponsor of H.R. Weeden-Dawson, his stepfather, Elton EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions 411, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act. This Tresvant; his grandparents, Marilyn Williams, Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which con- bill would require the VA to complete a pub- Willie Dawson, Sr. and Shirley Dawson, Joe ducts tests to certify that vehicles and engines licly available review of the deaths of veterans who died by suicide during the preceding five- Dan Weeden and Julia Weeden; his four meet the United States’ emissions and fuel year period. The review would include key brothers, Joseph Dawson, David Dawson, economy standards. As Director of the Daniel Dawson, and Elijah Dawson; his three facts, such as the total number of veterans NVFEL’s Compliance Division, Mr. Bunker sisters, Gabrielle Dawson, Whitney Robinson, who have died by suicide, a comprehensive and Kelli Campbell; his uncle, Larry Williams; tests automobiles and their components to en- list of the medications prescribed to and found his aunt, Phillis Williams; his four cousins, sure that they comply with clean air regula- in the systems of such veterans, the percent- Kashia Williams, Erving Nelson Williams, tions. Working in conjunction with academic age of such veterans with combat experience Pennie Smith, and Adam Williams. researchers and other federal officials, Mr. or trauma, Veterans Health Administration fa- PFC Dawson proudly served our nation to Bunker helped uncover and halt a scheme by cilities with disproportionately high rates of protect the freedoms we all enjoy. His service Volkswagen to evade emissions standards psychiatric drug prescriptions and suicide will always be remembered. through the use of software designed to inten- among veterans, and recommendations to im- f tionally fool regulators about the true emis- prove the safety and well-being of veterans. sions levels of its diesel vehicles. This dis- This review would provide vital information IN RECOGNITION OF DEBBIE for identifying risk factors for suicide and im- covery eventually resulted in the largest pen- WATROUS AND HER SERVICE TO proving mental healthcare for veterans. It is NEW HAMPSHIRE HUMANITIES alty ever levied against a car manufacturer through gaining this understanding of the and helped lay the foundation for additional needs of veterans that we can work to stop HON. ANN M. KUSTER criminal investigations. These have resulted in this terrible epidemic. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE $4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties, as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES well as indictments against Volkswagen ex- f Wednesday, September 27, 2017 ecutives. HONORING THE 80TH Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Mr. Mr. Bunker’s expertise and tireless efforts ANNIVERSARY OF KSRO Speaker, I rise today to offer my sincere grati- played a critical role in uncovering this wrong- tude for Debbie Watrous and her 24 remark- doing and underscore the importance of the HON. JARED HUFFMAN able years of service to New Hampshire Hu- EPA’s enforcement efforts. As a result of Mr. manities. OF CALIFORNIA Bunker’s work, the EPA was not only able to Debbie’s time and dedication to serve our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES detect a sophisticated and widespread emis- state through this organization has been an in- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 valuable contribution, and I congratulate and sions evasion scheme, but also strengthen its thank her on her tremendous achievements. testing procedures to prevent similar decep- Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Through her role as the Development Director, tions in the future. Through his rigorous work along with my colleague Congressman MIKE Director of Special Projects, Associate Direc- and collaboration with other officials in the THOMPSON, to recognize the 80th anniversary tor, and most recently as Executive Director, EPA, Mr. Bunker has been an important driver of Sonoma County’s KSRO radio station. Debbie helped make public programming of efforts to protect Americans’ health and the When the station first began broadcasting in more accessible. Her work allowed more environment, and it is my hope that he con- 1937, KSRO was California’s largest radio station north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Origi- Granite Staters to discover culture, history, tinues to effectively safeguard public health nally located in an old Navy Air Station, KSRO and new ideas. and safety in the years ahead. Now, Debbie will continue her career in provided homecare, music, and news pro- service to others with a new position at Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me grams throughout the 1940s and 1950s. The FoodCorps, where she will work to ensure that in honoring Byron Bunker for being awarded station adopted several formats over the years children in every school have access to nutri- the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America to match the interests of the day, leaning more tious food so they can live healthier lives and Medal. Mr. Bunker’s rigorous enforcement heavily into music programming by the 1960s reach their full potential. work has been important in protecting public before transitioning into a talk and news cen- On behalf of New Hampshire’s Second Con- health and safety. tered station in 1987, a format the station congressional District and all those who have tinues to maintain to this day.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.003 E27SEPT1 E1276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2017 As KSRO continued to grow in listeners and erly diagnosed. Dysautonomia International, a The NASP tournament was held in Louis- programming, so too did the station’s broad- non-profit organization that advocates on be- ville, Kentucky. The tournament had almost casting talent. Some of the region’s most pop- half of patients living with dysautonomia, en- 15,000 young archers competing from 670 dif- ular broadcasters built their careers at the sta- courages communities to deepen their under- ferent schools. Missouri alone had 857 student tion, including Jim Grady, Merle Ross, Reg standing and be mindful of this challenging archers from 45 different schools. Lester, David Wesley Page, Curtiss Kim, and condition especially during Dysautonomia Sarcoxie’s team won the national champion- Steve Jaxon, to name a few. Some of the sta- Awareness Month each October. ship and broke a few records in the process. tion’s current broadcasters have been radio The tireless efforts of the dysautonomia Sarcoxie is also the smallest school to have mainstays across the region for over 30 years. community to increase research and acces- won this prestigious national championship. During KSRO’s 80 years of broadcasting, sible services will be recognized on Sunday, This outstanding archery team also set the the station has played a critical role in keeping October 1 in my Congressional District as the record for the highest NASP national tour- the region informed of the most pressing local color turquoise will bathe Niagara Falls and nament team score. The team achieved a and national news. By providing a platform for the Peace Bridge in the light of care, concern score of 3,465 out of a possible 3,600. In ad- debate and discussion the station has also and continuing the fight to improve the lives of dition to Sarcoxie’s achievements, a total of been instrumental in shaping public discourse individuals living with this chronic condition. five Missouri schools were in the top 10 of this year after year. The station’s weather reports Currently, Dysautonomia International is competition and emergency broadcasts have helped to funding research to develop more substantial I am honored to recognize the record setting save lives in a region prone to flooding, treatments to help patients get diagnosed and achievements of the Sarcoxie High School wildfires, and sudden storms. treated earlier, save lives, foster support for in- archery team. On behalf of Missouri’s 7th Today, KSRO serves as more than just a dividuals and families and hopefully find a Congressional District, I ask all of my col- drive-time distraction during a morning com- cure for all forms of this condition in the future. leagues to join me in wishing the Sarcoxie mute, but rather a familiar voice to a diverse It is imperative that we also recognize the High School archery team many congratula- community of people from all walks of life. And contributions of the professional medical com- tions and best wishes for the future. at a time when our sources of information are munity, patients, family members and advo- f increasingly fragmented and tailored for indicates who are working to educate our citizenly HONORING ANTHONY JAMES vidual needs and tastes, stations like KSRO about dysautonomia throughout Western New ANTONIOU are that much money important for creating York. They are deserving of our gratitude, rec- and maintaining a shared sense of community. ognition, respect and greater understanding. HON. LEE M. ZELDIN Mr. Speaker, KSRO has been a critical pro- Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a OF NEW YORK vider of pressing news and information to the few moments to recognize Dysautonomia IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES public, while facilitating public discourse in the Awareness Month. I ask that my colleagues North Bay. It is therefore fitting to congratulate join me in support for those suffering from the Wednesday, September 27, 2017 the employees, owners, and management of devastating medical condition and encourage Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to KSRO on their 80-year anniversary. them to spread awareness across our nation honor Anthony James Antoniou of Miller throughout and beyond the month of October. f Place, a true American hero, who passed f away at 93 years old on September 18, 2017. RECOGNIZING DYSAUTONOMIA Anthony was a highly decorated World War AWARENESS MONTH HONORING DORTHA SCOTT II Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), who HON. BRIAN HIGGINS HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN was a proud Silver Star recipient with two OF ARKANSAS OF NEW YORK Bronze Star Medals, five Purple Hearts, two IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Presidential Citations and numerous other Eu- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 ropean Medals. In addition, Mr. Antoniou re- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 ceived the distinction of Chevalier, or Knight, Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I of the Legion of Honor. He fought in six major to honor the work of Dortha Scott of Mount rise once again to recognize the millions that campaigns, performed seven river crossings Ida, Arkansas. Ms. Scott may not be a house- fight each day against dysautonomia. and 4 combat jumps. Additionally, Anthony hold name across America, but chances are Dysautonomia is a group of debilitating med- had the privilege of fighting alongside General each American has held a piece of her art. Fif- ical conditions that result in a malfunction of (slim Jim) Gavin, who personally decorated teen years ago, former Gov. Mike Huckabee the autonomic nervous system. This system is him. selected Ms. Scott’s design for the quarter responsible for ‘‘automatic’’ bodily functions Mr. Speaker, Anthony Antoniou is a true honoring Arkansas’ admission to the Union as such as respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, American hero of America’s greatest genera- the 25th state. Her design, recognizing the digestion, and temperature control, things that tion who said the best time of his life was Fourth Congressional District’s Crater of Dia- many of us have the luxury of taking for grant- serving his country. His stories have been monds State Park, along with some of our ed. Dysautonomia continues to significantly shared with his family for years, and I hope state’s most recognized icons including a stalk impact people of any age, gender, race or his legacy and love for his country continues of rice, forests, and a mallard duck, show- background across our nation, including many to be shared for generations to come. cased the best of the Natural State. In all, individuals living in Western New York. f As is, dysautonomia can be extremely de- more than 457 million Arkansas state quarters RECOGNIZING DYSTONIA bilitating and often accompanied by the un- were minted, a wonderful honor for a talented AWARENESS MONTH seen symptom of social isolation. Some forms Arkansan. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Scott for result in death, causing tremendous pain and her vision, her talent, and her dedication to Ar- suffering for those impacted and their loved kansas. HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY ones. The stress on the families extends as f OF ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES well to the financial hardships that deserve CONGRATULATIONS TO SARCOXIE recognition and better solutions. I am proud to HIGH SCHOOL ARCHERY TEAM Wednesday, September 27, 2017 affirm that the outstanding character and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise strong moral fiber of those in the Western HON. BILLY LONG today to recognize the month of September as New York community who have provided the OF MISSOURI Dystonia Awareness Month. I also want to ex- much needed support for the victims suffering IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES press my appreciation to the Farber family— from dysautonomia. It remains especially cru- Joel, Harriett and Beth—for their tireless work cial for the community to recognize, rally Wednesday, September 27, 2017 on behalf of those living with dystonia and around and support those so affected as they Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to con- those who care for them. Their work with the continue their hard fought battle against this gratulate the Sarcoxie High School archery Dystonia Medical Research Foundation has disease. team on their recent victory in the National made important contributions to our aware- Dysautonomia awareness is monumental in Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) tour- ness of dystonia and the need for greater re- the early detection of the disease due to the nament in which they were named national search, and I am proud to have them as my fact that most patients take years to be prop- champions. constituents.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.007 E27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1277 Today at least 300,000 people in North rected to human and infrastructure needs, HONORING FREDERICK America suffer from dystonia, a neurological such as housing, health care, Social Security, LOCKEHART MAYS movement disorder that causes muscles to restoring the environment and creating car- contract and spasm involuntarily. Joel and bon-free, nuclear-free energy. This conversion Harriett’s daughter Shari—Beth’s sister—had to a peace economy would occur when the HON. JOE WILSON dystonia. The Farber family not only advo- President certifies to Congress that all coun- OF SOUTH CAROLINA cated for her, they determined that they would tries possessing nuclear weapons have begun IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES advocate on behalf of the entire dystonia com- elimination under an international treaty or munity. They reached out to me and so many other legal agreement. Wednesday, September 27, 2017 others to explain what is known about the dis- The bill is particularly timely with the ongo- ease, its impacts, and the need for expanded ing nuclear threat from the Democratic Peo- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- medical research and support networks. Over ple’s Republic of Korea. er, I am grateful to recognize Mr. Frederick the years, they have continued to come to my Our country still has a long list of urgent do- Lockehart (Locke) Mays, a dedicated family office and have travelled the country to push mestic needs that have been put on the back- man and distinguished member of the commu- for action. burner. As the only nation that has used nu- nity. Locke was born in Columbia, South Caro- Dystonia affects men, women and children. clear weapons in war, and that still possesses lina, on September 20, 1927 to Elizabeth and For most people with dystonia, the cause re- the largest nuclear weapons arsenal, I urge Fred Mays. He joined the Marine Corps in mains unknown and there is currently no cure. support for my bill to help the United States 1945, following graduation from Dreher High Dystonia is not usually fatal, but it is a chronic reestablish our moral leadership in the world School. He served 18 months, then joined the disorder producing symptoms that vary in de- by redirecting funds that would otherwise go to reserves as a Sergeant. He was called back grees of frequency, intensity, disability, and nuclear weapons to urgent domestic needs. up during the Korean Conflict, training at Quantico and in Puerto Rico, although not pain depending on the type of dystonia. The f inability to predict or control the movements of being sent to Korea. Except for a brief stint in the legs, arms, hands, neck, shoulders, face, HONOR THE LIFE OF LESTER banking, Locke worked in the trucking indus- eyelids, jaw, tongue, or vocal cords has a pro- MANDELL try, retiring after selling G&P Trucking Com- found impact on an individual’s life. pany to Southeastern Freight Lines in the mid- Dystonia may be inherited or caused by HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY 1980s. He now enjoys restoring old Fords to specific factors such as certain medications or OF FLORIDA mint condition; with his favorite being a 1935 traumatic injury, particularly traumatic head/ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Phaeton. He has been active in First Pres- brain injuries. Our men and women in uniform Wednesday, September 27, 2017 byterian Church of Columbia for over fifty face a disproportionate risk of developing years, where he serves as an Elder Emeritus. Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I dystonia as a result of injuries sustained dur- A devoted husband, father, father-in-law and rise to honor the life of Lester Mandell, who ing their military service. grandfather, Locke celebrated his 90th birth- transformed countless communities in central The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, day last Wednesday, September 20th in Co- Florida though his work as a builder and trans- which works to raise awareness of dystonia, is lumbia, South Carolina, surrounded by his formed countless lives through his generosity a nationwide organization that has served the family. community for more than 40 years. The as a philanthropist. Lester passed away recently at the age of 96, leaving behind a large Dystonia Medical Research Foundation pro- f vides the dystonia community with support, and loving family, but his legacy will live on. Born in a hardscrabble Brooklyn neighbor- education, advocacy, and the promotion of re- IN RECOGNITION OF STEVE NOR- hood, and a veteran of World War II, Lester search into the causes of and care of TON AND HIS SERVICE AS EXEC- did not graduate from college. However, nei- dystonia. UTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW I call on my colleagues to recognize the ther his lack of formal education nor the anti- HAMPSHIRE CENTER FOR PUB- goals and ideals Dystonia Awareness Month Semitism he frequently faced could stop Les- LIC POLICY STUDIES by supporting federal activities that improve ter from achieving his professional goals, be- lives of patients impacted by dystonia includ- cause they were no match for his talent, te- ing research programs at the National Insti- nacity and toughness. Lester’s life was a HON. ANN M. KUSTER quintessentially American story of success tutes of Health. We need to improve medical OF NEW HAMPSHIRE research and we need to make sure that earned though hard, disciplined, joyful work. As one of Lester’s grandsons said about his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES those living with dystonia receive the quality grandfather. ‘‘He believed that, if you did health and caregiving services they deserve. Wednesday, September 27, 2017 things the right way, you would get the right f result.’’ This is the essence of character. Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Mr. INTRODUCTION OF THE NUCLEAR Lester was a master builder, in both the lit- Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve Norton as WEAPONS ABOLITION AND ECO- eral and figurative sense The homes, neigh- he leaves the New Hampshire Center for Pub- NOMIC AND ENERGY CONVER- borhoods, and public parks he developed lic Policy Studies after 12 years of remarkable SION ACT throughout central Florida over the course of service to begin a new chapter in his life. many decades are his most visible legacy. As Executive Director of the Center, Steve HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON Lester also built bonds of a more intangible helped raise new ideas and improve policy de- OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA nature. He donated generously to many bates through quality information and analysis IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES causes he cared about, from scholarships for on issues that are shaping New Hampshire’s inner-city children to support for the Jewish Wednesday, September 27, 2017 future. In his previous role as director of Med- community he loved so much. Lester often do- icaid Services for the N.H. Department of Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I am in- nated anonymously and rarely spoke about his Health and Human Services, Steve worked to troducing the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and donations, even to his own family. ensure vulnerable Granite Staters had access Economic and Energy Conversion Act, a As his grandson recounts, Lester was a se- to quality, affordable health coverage. version of which I have introduced since 1994, rious man who did serious work, but he did after working with the District of Columbia resi- not take himself too seriously. He had a sense Through his commitment to public service, dents who were responsible for the Nuclear of humor and light-heartedness that disarmed Steve has helped improve the lives of count- Disarmament and Economic Conversion ballot friend and stranger alike. less families and communities in need, and his initiative passed by D.C. voters in 1993. This Lester’s greatest legacy, of course, is his vision has aided in creating a better future for version of the bill now requires the United family. He leaves behind his wife and partner the Granite State and its residents. States to immediately begin negotiating an for life, Sonia. They were married for 70 years. On behalf of New Hampshire’s Second Con- international agreement to disable and dis- Sonia and Lester had four children, eight gressional District and all those who have mantle its nuclear weapons, to provide for grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. benefitted from Steve’s work, I thank him for strict control of fissile material and radioactive I know they miss Lester. But I hope their all he has done for our state. I look forward to waste and to use nuclear-free energy. loss is eased by the knowledge that Lester our continued work together to make New The bill continues to provide that the funds was a great man and, even more importantly, Hampshire be an even better place to live, used for nuclear weapons programs be redi- a good man. work, and raise a family.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.012 E27SEPT1 E1278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2017 THE OVERCRIMINALIZATION OF but simply divests him of his political capac- be perfectly legal. It would also be impeach- IMPEACHMENT ity.’’ able, as James Madison suggested at the Vir- No doubt being ejected from a position of ginia Ratifying Convention: ‘‘if the Presi- power on the grounds that you’re no longer dent be connected, in any suspicious manner, HON. AL GREEN worthy of the public’s trust can feel like a with any person, and there be grounds to be- OF TEXAS punishment. But the mere fact that removal lieve he will shelter him, the House of Rep- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES is stigmatizing doesn’t suggest that criminal resentatives can impeach him; [and he can be Wednesday, September 27, 2017 law standards apply. Raoul Berger once illus- removed] if found guilty.’’ trated that point with an analogy Donald Some years ago, I put together a collection Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Trump would probably find insulting: ‘‘to would like to include the following CATO arti- of essays on the expansion of the criminal the extent that impeachment retains a resid- sanction into areas of American life where it cle for the RECORD: ual punitive aura, it may be compared to de- doesn’t belong—published under the title, Go [From CATO.org, Aug. 7, 2017] portation, which is attended by very painful Directly to Jail: The Criminalization of Al- (By Gene Healy) consequences, but which, the Supreme Court most Everything. The idea that criminal law Trying to tamp down impeachment talk held, ’is not a punishment for a crime.’’ concepts had infected and weakened the con- earlier this year, House minority leader Had the Framers restricted impeachment stitutional remedy of impeachment wasn’t Nancy Pelosi (D–CA) insisted that President to statutory offenses, they’d have rendered quite what I had in mind with that subtitle, Donald Trump’s erratic behavior didn’t jus- the power a ‘‘nullity’’ from the start. In the but it seems to fit. early Republic, there were very few federal tify that remedy: ‘‘When and if he breaks the Congress has made the problem worse by law, that is when something like that would crimes and certainly not enough to cover the range of misdeeds that would rightly dis- outsourcing its investigative responsibilities come up.’’ to the executive branch. As Princeton’s Normally, there isn’t much that Pelosi and qualify public officials from continued service. Keith Whittington observes in a recent essay Tea Party populist Rep. Dave Brat (R–VA) for the Niskanen Center ‘‘relying so heavily agree on, but they’re on the same page here. Criminality wasn’t an issue in the first impeachment to result in the removal of a fed- on prosecutors to develop the underlying In a recent appearance on Trump’s favorite charges supporting impeachment has come morning show, ‘‘Fox & Friends,’’ Brat ham- eral officer: the 1804 case of district court judge John Pickering. Pickering’s offense at a high cost . . . it has created the wide- mered Democrats calling for the president’s spread impression that the impeachment impeachment: ‘‘there’s no statute that’s was showing up to work drunk and ranting like a maniac in court. He’d committed no power can only appropriately be used when been violated,’’ Brat kept insisting: They criminal offenses have been proven.’’ cannot name the statute!’’ crime; instead, he’d revealed himself to be a Actually, they did: it’s ‘‘Obstruction of man ‘‘of loose morals and intemperate hab- It’s important to get this straight, because Justice, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3),’’ its,’’ guilty of ‘‘high misdemeanors, disgrace- confusing impeachment with a criminal according to Rep. Brad Sherman (D–CA) who ful to his own character as a judge.’’ process can be harmful to our political introduced an article of impeachment As Justice Story noted in 1833, in the im- health. It may lead us to stretch the crimi- against Trump on July 12. Did Trump break peachment cases since ratification, ‘‘no one nal law to ‘‘get’’ the president or his associ- that law when he fired FBI director James of the charges has rested upon any ates, warping its future application to ordi- Comey over ‘‘this Russia thing’’? Maybe; statutable misdemeanours.’’ In fact, over our nary citizens. And it can leave the country maybe not. But even if ‘‘no reasonable pros- entire constitutional history, fewer than a saddled with a dangerously unfit president ecutor’’ would bring a charge of obstruction third of the impeachments approved by the whose contempt for the rule of law is appar- on the available evidence, that wouldn’t House ‘‘have specifically invoked a criminal ent, even if he hasn’t yet committed a crime. mean impeachment is off-limits. Impeach- statute.’’ What’s been far more common, ac- able offenses aren’t limited to crimes. cording to a comprehensive report by the f That’s a settled point among constitu- Nixon-era House Judiciary Committee, are tional scholars: even those, like Cass ‘‘allegations that the officer has violated his RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- Sunstein, who take a restrictive view of the duties or his oath or seriously undermined EN MISSISSIPPI MARINE LANCE public confidence in his ability to perform scope of ‘‘high Crimes and Misdemeanors’’ CORPORAL (LCPL) JOSHUA recognize that ‘‘an impeachable offense, to his official functions.’’ qualify as such, need not be a crime.’’ Uni- The president’s violation of a particular SCOTT OSE versity of North Carolina law professor Mi- criminal statute can serve as evidence of chael Gerhardt sums up the academic con- unfitness, but not all such violations do. sensus: ‘‘The major disagreement is not over That’s obvious when one considers the enor- HON. TRENT KELLY mous growth of the federal criminal code in whether impeachable offenses should be OF MISSISSIPPI strictly limited to indictable crimes, but recent decades. Overcriminalization may rather over the range of nonindictable of- have reached the point where Donald Trump, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES like everyone else, is potentially guilty of fenses on which an impeachment may be Wednesday, September 27, 2017 based.’’ ‘‘Three Felonies a Day,’’ but even in Law- In some ways, popular confusion on this rence Tribe’s wildest imaginings, that Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, wouldn’t translate to three impeachable of- point is understandable. Impeachment’s today I rise in memory of fallen Mississippi structure echoes criminal procedure: ‘‘in- fenses daily. If Trump were to import croco- dictment’’ in the House, trial in the Senate— dile feet in opaque containers, fill an (expan- Marine Lance Corporal (LCpl) Joshua Scott and the constitutional text, to modern ears, sively defined) wetland on one of his golf Ose who gave his life while in service to our sounds something like ‘‘grave felonies, and courses, or misappropriate the likeness of nation on September 20, 2010, during Oper- maybe lesser criminal offenses too.’’ ‘‘Smokey Bear ‘‘ he’d have broken the law, ation Enduring Freedom. LCpl Ose was as- But ‘‘high crimes and misdemeanors,’’ a but would not have committed an impeach- signed to the 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, 2nd term of art in British impeachment pro- able offense. Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. ceedings for four centuries before the Fram- It’s also easy enough to imagine a presi- ers adopted it, was understood to reach a dent behaving in a fashion that violates no LCpl Ose was killed by enemy gunfire while wide range of offenses that, whether or not law, but nonetheless justifies his removal. conducting combat operations in Musa Qala, criminal in nature, indicated behavior in- To borrow an example from the legal scholar Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The day after compatible with the nature of the office. For Charles Black, if the president proposed to LCpl Ose’s death was announced, a United James Madison, impeachment was the ‘‘in- do his job remotely so he could ‘‘move to States flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in dispensable’’ remedy for ‘‘Incapacity, neg- Saudi Arabia [and] have four wives’’ (as well his honor. That same day, flags were flown at ligence, or perfidy’’ on the part of the presi- as his very own glowing orb), he couldn’t be dent—categories of conduct dangerous to the prosecuted for it. Still, Black asks: ‘‘is it half-staff in his hometown of Hernando, Mis- republic, only some of which will also con- possible that such gross and wanton neglect sissippi. stitute crimes. of duty could not be grounds for impeach- LCpl Ose enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps The criminal law is designed to punish and ment’’? during his senior year at Hernando High deter, but those goals are secondary to im- A more plausible impeachment scenario School. He graduated in 2009. Sissy peachment, which aims at removing federal presented itself recently, with reports that officers unfit for continued service. And President Trump had ‘‘asked his advisers Fernandez Ose, LCpl Ose’s mother, said her where the criminal law deprives the con- about his power to pardon aides, family son began talking about serving in the military victed party of liberty, the constitutional members and even himself’’ in connection when he was in the sixth grade. ‘‘That was all penalties for impeachable offenses ‘‘shall not with the special counsel’s Russia investiga- he wanted to do,’’ Mrs. Ose said. ‘‘It was his extend further than to removal from Office,’’ tion. The president’s power to self-pardon is choice. He was very proud.’’ and possible disqualification from future of- an open question, but his power to pardon Reverend Robert A. Hatcher, pastor of the ficeholding. As Justice Joseph Story ex- others has few limits. There’s little doubt plained, the remedy ‘‘is not so much de- Trump could issue broad prospective pardons First Presbyterian Church of Hernando, deliv- signed to punish an offender, as to secure the for Don Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort, ered the eulogy at the funeral which was held state against gross official misdemeanors. It Mike Flynn, and anyone else who might end at the Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven. Ac- touches neither his person, nor his property; up in the Mueller’s crosshairs—and it would cording to the Associated Press, Rev. Hatcher

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.017 E27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1279 praised LCpl Ose for his service. ‘‘Josh was founded simultaneously in New York City and States. This clearly highlights the significant fighting to keep terrorism away from American Pottsville, Pennsylvania. work Dr. Derges has taken over the years to soil,’’ Rev. Hatcher said. ‘‘Some may question Through the rest of the nineteenth century, help her community. the philosophy of war, but do not question this the AOH grew significantly, opening its first di- Dr. Derges set up the mission clinic named young man’s desire to put an end to terrorism. vision in Allegheny County in 1859. Allegheny Lift Up in Springfield. This clinic provides a He did not shirk his duty to fight for America.’’ County Division 17 was established in 1892. range of medical, dental and mental health Lee Caldwell, a family friend, said LCpl Ose During this time, in addition to working to pre- services to veterans and the poor across set a great example for others to follow. ‘‘He serve Irish culture, AOH members did their Springfield. Dr. Derges and her clinic have was an exemplary young man,’’ Mrs. Caldwell best to embody the Hibernian motto of helped thousands of people in the Springfield said. ‘‘He paid the ultimate sacrifice. We will ‘‘Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.’’ The area. never forget him and all those who have Hibernians taught civics and English classes I am truly honored to recognize the work by fought for our country as he did.’’ to help new Irish immigrants become citizens, Dr. Derges and her dedication to improving Retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel and they provided much needed social pro- the lives of others. On behalf of Missouri’s 7th (Col) John Caldwell was asked by the family grams to care for the sick and needy in their Congressional District, I ask all of my col- to escort LCpl Ose’s body from Dover Air communities. At the same time, they worked leagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Force Base to the First Presbyterian Church of to confront and eradicate harmful anti-Irish Derges on her recent awards and wishing her Hernando where a visitation was held. Col stereotypes. all the best. Caldwell said LCpl Ose was a true hero. ‘‘He Since then, the AOH’s ranks have included f epitomized what it was to be a Marine,’’ Col notable actors, generals, and even a President Caldwell said. ‘‘He wanted to represent his of the United States—John F. Kennedy. All IN RECOGNITION OF WESTERN country and fight. He and Marines like him are the while, the organization has continued its MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY RENAM- true heroes. We need to remember them mission to preserve Irish Americans’ connec- ING RESIDENCE HALLS IN every day. We need to remember them for tion with their ancestral homeland and to care HONOR OF DISTINGUISHED paying the ultimate price.’’ for the needy in their communities. For 125 ALUMNI In 2011, the Mississippi State Legislature years, Allegheny County Division 17 has been passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 49. actively involved in this mission. Division 17 HON. DEBBIE DINGELL The resolution commended LCpl Ose for his Hibernians donate time and money to three OF MICHIGAN service. It further stated that LCpl Ose is local parishes each Christmas, as well as food IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES counted among Mississippi and America he- banks in Braddock, and a number of other Wednesday, September 27, 2017 roes who committed to our nation’s safety and charitable organizations, including Rosaries for security. the Troops, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Sis- Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on LCpl Ose is survived by his parents, Ross ters of Charity. They have also endeavored to the occasion of Western Michigan University and Sissy Ferdandez Ose, grandparents, Earl preserve their Irish heritage and lobbied the recognizing a lifetime of work by three leaders and Darlene Ose; aunts and uncles, Brenda Pennsylvania state government to support who bonded in college and remained friends and John Conrad, Sherry and Scott Irish independence. through life, by naming two residence halls Fernandez, Dr. Dennis and Dr. Wendy Ose, Today, the AOH stands as a testament to within the Western Heights complex Hall-Ar- and Paul and Sarah Ose. the tenacity of the Irish people, a celebration cher-Pickard West and East. These dor- LCpl Ose will always be remembered for his of our culture, and a monument to a people mitories are being renamed in celebration of sacrifice to protect America. who helped build this country. I’m proud to be three legendary Western Michigan graduates, and their legacy will inspire generations of uni- f of Irish ancestry—and to be a member of Alle- gheny County Division 17 of the AOH. As we versity students to come. 125TH ANNIVERSARY ALLEGHENY commemorate the AOH’s legacy of faith and Ronald Hall Sr., Dennis Archer, and William COUNTY ANCIENT ORDER OF HI- perseverance in the face of adversity, let us Pickard attended Western Michigan University BERNIANS, DIVISION 17 also take inspiration from its story and recog- in the 1960s and enjoyed membership in nize the responsibility each of us shares to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, America’s first HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE help make our nation as welcoming a land as intercollegiate African-American fraternity. The OF PENNSYLVANIA our ancestors dreamed it would be. three men’s undergraduate experience at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I would like to congratulate Allegheny Coun- Western Michigan University instilled a desire to give back to the greater Michigan commu- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 ty Division 17 of the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians on the occasion of their 125th anniver- nity and invest in meaningful educational and Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. sary, I commend them for their service to the social change throughout the state. Hall, Ar- Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Alle- community, and I wish them the best in the cher, and Pickard are remembered for the gheny County Ancient Order of Hibernians Di- years to come. Ireland Forever (Erin go close, meaningful friendship they cultivated at vision 17, which is currently celebrating its Bragh). Western Michigan and their passion to make 125th anniversary as a pillar of Irish-American change after graduating. heritage and charitable service in the Pitts- f After graduating from Western Michigan burgh region. CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. TRICIA University, the three men remained in Michi- The AOH has its roots in the efforts by the DERGES gan to influence change to the community Tudor Kings and Queens of England to im- they love. Ronald Hall Sr. served as president pose greater control over the Irish. These ef- HON. BILLY LONG of the Michigan Minority Business Develop- forts affected most aspects of life, from lan- OF MISSOURI ment Council and founded Bridgewater Inte- guage and religion to law and politics to land IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES riors, LLC. He passed away in May 2016, and ownership—and even clothing. Secret soci- is remembered for turning Michigan’s Minority eties formed to protect Irish Catholics from Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Business Development Council into one of the government excesses and extrajudicial vio- Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to con- country’s lead minority business organizations. lence gratulate Dr. Tricia Derges of Springfield, Mis- Dennis Archer served as Mayor of Detroit from Faced with centuries of English oppression, souri, on her recent winning of two prestigious 1994 to 2001, and has served as president of as well as a series of crop failures, many Irish awards. the American Bar Association and on the emigrated in search of better opportunities. A Dr. Derges has been a resident of the Michigan Supreme Court. William Pickard is great many came to America, but found they Springfield area for 40 years and during this an executive member of the NAACP Detroit were forced to confront the same anti-Catholic time she has contributed to the community in Branch, and is the founder of the Michigan- prejudice that they had faced back home. In many ways. Dr. Derges has recently won both based Global Automotive Alliance. Their post- response to this discrimination, Irish Ameri- the National Jefferson Award for Southwest graduate work has impacted countless lives cans began forming fraternal organizations to Missouri and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and opened doors wider for students of color, combat anti-Irish prejudice, support each Award. Both of these awards recognize indi- and their friendship is a testament to the other, and keep their culture and religion alive. viduals for their public service. The Jacqueline meaningful bonds forged during college. In May 1836, the first and largest of these Kennedy Onassis Award is only awarded to Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me groups, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, was five individuals per year across the United in honoring Western Michigan University and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.018 E27SEPT1 E1280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2017 their three distinguished alumni, Ronald Hall brace new approaches to treatment, such as women have a seat at the table, the prospect Sr., Dennis Archer, and William Pickard. Their canine service animals, art and outdoor thera- that peace negotiations will succeed rise sig- influence and community engagement will pies. nificantly, as does the likelihood that women’s make a difference for decades to come. It goes without saying that we owe our vet- rights and interests will be addressed. A re- f erans a tremendous debt for their service to cent study from the International Peace Insti- our nation in defense of the freedoms we all tute found that a peace agreement is 35 per- URGING CONGRESS TO ADDRESS enjoy. In return, we must care for them as a cent more likely to last for at least 15 years if EPIDEMIC OF VETERAN SUICIDE demonstration of our nation’s core values. women participate in its drafting. Raising awareness of the suicide epidemic This legislation would require a government- HON. MARC A. VEASEY and de-stigmatizing care throughout society, in wide strategy to promote women’s participa- OF TEXAS addition to embracing innovative modes of tion, and institutes training for State Depart- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES therapy and furthering the VA’s outreach will ment, USAID, and Pentagon personnel to facilitate women’s engagement in conflict pre- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 go a long way to honoring the service of veterans’ to our nation. I urge my colleagues to vention and resolution. Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of join me in ensuring that we address the vet- I’d like to commend the progress made the House Armed Services Committee, I work eran suicide epidemic immediately. under President Obama on this issue, which to ensure that our service members receive all includes issuing the National Action Plan on f the resources they need when they volunteer Women, Peace and Security. In the last five to defend the United States. But it is important HONORING HOMETOWN years alone, the percentage of peace agree- that Congress not only provides them with NEWSPAPERS ments referencing gender equality has in- support during their service, but in the years creased from 22 to 70 percent. after they faithfully executed their duties as a HON. KRISTI L. NOEM We have an opportunity to make our voice member of the Armed Services. That is why I OF SOUTH DAKOTA heard on the issue of women in conflict. The rise today to address the epidemic of veteran UN Security Council will convene next month IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES suicide in our country. to hold its open debate on Women, Peace and September is recognized as ‘‘National Sui- Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Security. The United States should highlight its cide Awareness Month’’ and currently our vet- Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Na- commitment to ensuring women’s equal par- erans are suffering from a substantially higher tional Newspaper Week, I rise today to recog- ticipation in peacemaking, and protecting their rate of suicide than the general population. nize the 126 individual news organizations of physical and economic security. That begins According to a 2014 report by the Department South Dakota. with sending a high-level delegation. of Veterans Affairs (VA), 20 veterans take Living in the information age, data is con- I urge adoption of the bill. their lives every day, a rate that is 150 percent stantly at our fingertips It is the local news- f greater than the general population. Although paper, though, that tells the story of everyday INDIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY the VA has dedicated a significant amount of America and documents community history in FIGHTS HURRICANE HARVEY effort and resources to address veteran sui- a way that will forever be available to future cide, the fact remains that of the 20 average generations. The local news reminds us that veteran suicides that occur on a daily basis, the world is made of neighborhoods and HON. TED POE 14 were not utilizing VA services. As the 2016 shared experiences, that love of country still OF TEXAS VA report ‘‘Suicide Among Veterans and Other exists, and that diversity of opinion truly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Americans’’ explains, up to 22 percent of Post- makes our country great. Wednesday, September 27, 2017 9/11 veterans have depression disorders, and Freedom of speech and freedom of the Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, since Hurri- up to 43 percent of all struggle with symptoms press must ever be protected, for it is only cane Harvey hit our area last month, stories of of mental health issues, such as drinking ex- through a free system that democracy can Harvey Heroes continue to bring our commu- cessively, smoking, and/or sleeplessness. In thrive. As Thomas Jefferson said, ‘‘our liberty nity together and make us grateful for the in- addition, female veterans and those living in depends on the freedom of the press, and that credible people that we call neighbors. There rural areas face a higher risk of suicide and cannot be limited without being lost.’’ are many uplifting stories of those who we must address the barriers to care for these Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join grabbed their personal boats and set out in populations. me in thanking local journalists, particularly the waters to rescue individuals, many of It is clear that we must extend more re- those serving South Dakota, for giving a voice whom they did not know. Our first responders sources to help our veterans and prevent the to the individual and cultivating the road to answered the call time and time again. And so unnecessary loss of life. The VA’s 2016 study free speech for all. did so many people whose names we may and upgrading crisis hotlines are steps in the f never know. For all of them, we thank them right direction, fully addressing veteran suicide from the bottom of our hearts. remains a complex issue that will require a WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY So many people have opened their homes, multi-faceted approach. But their suffering ACT OF 2017 their hearts, and their wallets to help Houston does not have to continue and we must re- recover. One such community was the Indian- SPEECH OF verse the trend of veteran suicide. American community right in the greater Hous- Raising awareness about the issue begins HON. LOIS FRANKEL ton area. They have already raised over $1.6 in Congress, but every day citizens can also OF FLORIDA million dollars. 700 Indian-American volunteers join in the effort year-round. Moreover, the ef- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have dedicated more than 24,000 hours to fort to raise awareness about veteran suicide their city, and together, they have distributed Monday, September 25, 2017 will have benefits across our society as a over 28,000 meals to our neighbors in need. whole, contributing to the de-stigmatization of Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I One specific story I would like to highlight is mental health issues. It is no secret that the rise in support of this critical bill that will help that of a group of Indian-Americans, led by stigma surrounding mental health prevents ensure that women have a meaningful role in Houstonian, Jiten Agrawal, made their way many veterans from obtaining care for these peace and security around the world. From through the unparalleled flooding after the issues, forcing our country’s heroes and hero- Syria to Myanmar to South Sudan, violent Hurricane to reach a student apartment com- ines to suffer in silence. De-stigmatizing men- conflicts are becoming more widespread and plex near my alma mater, the University of tal health care is critical to open up dialogue deadly. Women in conflict zones suffer tre- Houston, that had been flooded and was with- about a pervasive issue and provides opportu- mendously, and women and girls make up out power. The president of the Indian grad- nities for treatment and prevention of suicide. around half of any refugee population, where uate students’ organization, Ravi Shankar, In addition, Congress must provide the VA they are at risk of unspeakable violence. reached out to the community to help, and with additional resources so that they better But women are not only victims. They also help is what they gave. These volunteer res- serve the female and rural veteran population help moderate violent extremism and are key cuers brought food and water to over 180 stu- with child care services and extensions of spe- to post-conflict society building. Yet so few are dents and helped transport them back to their cialized care to remote, rural areas. We must present at the tables of power. In peace proc- families or a safe location. continue to support innovation within the VA esses between 1992 and 2011, women made We are grateful to these volunteers, some so that the agency will be more willing to em- up only 9 percent of negotiators. When of the many Harvey Heroes, for helping

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.021 E27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1281 Houstonians get through a very difficult time. vide that any inacation by the Federal dict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, They are just one of the reasons why we are Energy Regulatory Commission that and other narcotics and psychoactive Houston Strong. allows a rate change to go into effect substances that are illegally imported And that’s just the way it is. shall be treated as an order by the into the United States, H.R. 3210, to re- Commission for purposes of rehearing quire the Director of the National f and court review, S. 1059, to extend the Background Investigations Bureau to SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS authorization of the Uranium Mill submit a report on the backlog of per- Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, sonnel security clearance investiga- relating to the disposal site in Mesa tions, H.R. 70, to amend the Federal agreed to by the Senate of February 4, County, Colorado, S. 1337, to amend the Advisory Committee Act to increase 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- Energy Policy Act of 2005 to make cer- the transparency of Federal advisory tem for a computerized schedule of all tain strategic energy infrastructure committees, an original bill entitled, meetings and hearings of Senate com- projects eligible for certain loan guar- ‘‘TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2017’’, mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- antees, S. 1457, to amend the Energy an original bill entitled, ‘‘Direct Hire tees, and committees of conference. Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Sec- of Students and Recent Graduates Act This title requires all such committees retary of Energy to carry out dem- of 2017’’, an original bill entitled, onstration projects relating to ad- ‘‘Temporary and Term Appointments to notify the Office of the Senate Daily vanced nuclear reactor technologies to Digest—designated by the Rules Com- Act of 2017’’, an original bill entitled, support domestic energy needs, S. 1799, ‘‘Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay- mittee—of the time, place and purpose to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ment Adjustment Act of 2017’’, an of the meetings, when scheduled and to facilitate the commercialization of original bill entitled, ‘‘FITARA En- any cancellations or changes in the energy and related technologies devel- hancement Act of 2017’’, an original bill meetings as they occur. oped at Department of Energy facili- entitled, ‘‘Reporting Efficiently to As an additional procedure along ties with promising commercial poten- Proper Officials in Response to Ter- with the computerization of this infor- tial, and S. 1860 and H.R. 1109, bills to rorism Act of 2017’’, an original bill en- mation, the Office of the Senate Daily amend section 203 of the Federal Power titled, ‘‘Whistleblower Protection Co- Act. ordination Act’’, and the nomination of Digest will prepare this information for SD–366 printing in the Extensions of Remarks John Marshall Mitnick, of Virginia, to Commission on Security and Cooperation be General Counsel, Department of section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD in Europe Homeland Security. on Monday and Wednesday of each To hold hearings to examine combating SD–342 week. kleptocracy with incorporation trans- Committee on the Judiciary Meetings scheduled for Thursday, parency. To hold hearings to examine the nomina- September 28, 2017 may be found in the SD–562 tions of Stephanos Bibas, of Pennsyl- Daily Digest of today’s RECORD. vania, to be United States Circuit OCTOBER 4 Judge for the Third Circuit, Liles Clif- MEETINGS SCHEDULED 10 a.m. ton Burke, to be United States District Committee on Banking, Housing, and Judge for the Northern District of Ala- OCTOBER 3 Urban Affairs bama, Michael Joseph Juneau, to be 9:30 a.m. To hold hearings to examine the Equifax United States District Judge for the Committee on Homeland Security and cybersecurity breach. Western District of Louisiana, A. Governmental Affairs SD–538 Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., to be United To hold hearings to examine the nomina- Committee on Commerce, Science, and States District Judge for the District tion of John Marshall Mitnick, of Vir- Transportation of South Carolina, Tilman Eugene Self ginia, to be General Counsel, Depart- Business meeting to consider pending III, to be United States District Judge ment of Homeland Security. calendar business. for the Middle District of Georgia, and SD–342 SH–216 John C. Demers, of Virginia, to be an 10 a.m. Committee on Environment and Public Assistant Attorney General, Depart- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Works ment of Justice. Urban Affairs To hold hearings to examine the nomina- SD–226 To hold hearings to examine Wells Fargo tions of Michael Dourson, of Ohio, to 2:30 p.m. one year later. be Assistant Administrator for Toxic Committee on Indian Affairs SD–538 Substances, and Matthew Z. Leopold, To hold an oversight hearing to examine Committee on Finance of Florida, David Ross, of Wisconsin, Indian gaming, focusing on new issues To hold hearings to examine inter- and William L. Wehrum, of Delaware, and opportunities for success in the national tax reform. each to to be an Assistant Adminis- next 30 years. SD–215 trator, all of the Environmental Pro- SH–216 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, tection Agency, and Jeffery Martin Committee on the Judiciary and Pensions Baran, of Virginia, to be a Member of Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and To hold hearings to examine the Every the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. the Law Student Succeeds Act, focusing on SD–406 To hold hearings to examine Equifax, fo- unleashing State innovation. Committee on Homeland Security and cusing on continuing to monitor data- SD–430 Governmental Affairs broker cybersecurity. Committee on the Judiciary Business meeting to consider S. 146, to SD–226 To hold an oversight hearing to examine strengthen accountability for deploy- Committee on Veterans’ Affairs the Administration’s decision to end ment of border security technology at To hold hearings to examine the nomina- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. the Department of Homeland Security, tions of Melissa Sue Glynn, of the Dis- SH–216 S. 1847, to amend the Homeland Secu- trict of Columbia, to be an Assistant Joint Economic Committee rity Act of 2002 to ensure that the Secretary (Enterprise Integration), To hold hearings to examine tax reform needs of children are considered in Cheryl L. Mason, of Virginia, to be and entrepreneurship. homeland security, trafficking, and Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Ap- LHOB–1100 disaster recovery planning, S. 1281, to peals, and Randy Reeves, of Mis- 10:30 a.m. establish a bug bounty pilot program sissippi, to be Under Secretary for Me- Committee on Energy and Natural Re- within the Department of Homeland morial Affairs, all of the Department of sources Security, S. 1769, to require a new or Veterans Affairs. To hold hearings to examine the status updated Federal website that is in- SR–418 of energy storage technologies, review- tended for use by the public to be mo- 3 p.m. ing today’s technologies, and under- bile friendly, S. 1305, to provide U.S. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, standing innovation in tomorrow’s Customs and Border Protection with and Pensions technologies. adequate flexibility in its employment To hold hearings to examine the nomina- SD–366 authorities, S. 1791, to amend the Act tions of Cheryl Marie Stanton, of 2:30 p.m. of August 25, 1958, commonly known as South Carolina, to be Administrator of Committee on Energy and Natural Re- the ‘‘Former Presidents Act of 1958’’, the Wage and Hour Division, and David sources with respect to the monetary allow- G. Zatezalo, of West Virginia, to be As- Subcommittee on Energy ance payable to a former President, S. sistant Secretary for Mine Safety and To hold hearings to examine S. 186, to 708, to improve the ability of U.S. Cus- Health, both of the Department of amend the Federal Power Act to pro- toms and Border Protection to inter- Labor, and Peter B. Robb, of Vermont,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27SE8.025 E27SEPT1 E1282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2017 to be General Counsel of the National OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 25 Labor Relations Board. 10 a.m. 9:30 a.m. SD–430 Committee on the Judiciary Committee on Armed Services To hold an oversight hearing to examine Subcommittee on SeaPower OCTOBER 5 the Department of Justice. To receive a closed briefing on the major 10 a.m. SH–216 threats facing naval forces and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, Navy’s current and planned capabili- and Pensions ties to meet those threats. To hold hearings to examine the Federal SVC–217 response to the opioid crisis. SD–430

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:47 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\M27SE8.000 E27SEPT1 Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Daily Digest Senate tion to invoke cloture on the nomination equally di- Chamber Action vided between the two Leaders or their designees. Routine Proceedings, pages S6159–S6192 Page S6192 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and one resolu- Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol- tion were introduced, as follows: S. 1869–1880, and lowing nominations: S. Res. 269. Pages S6186–87 By 87 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. EX. 204), Heath Measures Passed: P. Tarbert, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Pages S6175–79, S6192 Veterans Affairs: Senate passed H.R. 3819, to By 73 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. EX. 205), amend title 38, United States Code, to extend cer- Makan Delrahim, of California, to be an Assistant tain expiring provisions of law administered by the Attorney General. Pages S6175–79, S6192 Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Page S6191 1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general. Bankruptcy Judgeship Act: Committee on the Page S6192 Judiciary was discharged from further consideration Messages from the House: Page S6185 of H.R. 2266, to amend title 28 of the United Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S6185 States Code to authorize the appointment of addi- Executive Communications: Pages S6185–86 tional bankruptcy judges, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6187–88 proposed thereto: Page S6191 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Inhofe (for Grassley) Amendment No. 1106, in Pages S6188–89 the nature of a substitute. Page S6191 Additional Statements: Page S6185 National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Amendments Submitted: Pages S6189–90 Senate agreed to S. Res. 269, designating September Authorities for Committees to Meet: 2017 as ‘‘National Prostate Cancer Awareness Pages S6190–91 Month’’. Page S6192 Privileges of the Floor: Page S6191 Measures Considered: Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. National Defense Authorization Act: Senate con- (Total—205) Page S6179 tinued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1519, to authorize appropriations Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad- for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the De- journed at 6:23 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, partment of Defense, for military construction, and September 28, 2017. (For Senate’s program, see the for defense activities of the Department of Energy, remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today’s Record on page S6192.) to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. Pages S6159–75 Committee Meetings Erickson Nomination—Agreement: Senate continued consideration of the nomination of Ralph R. (Committees not listed did not meet) Erickson, of North Dakota, to be United States Cir- BUSINESS MEETING cuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Pages S6179–84 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favor- viding for further consideration of the nomination at ably reported the nomination of General Joseph F. approximately 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, September Dunford, Jr., USMC, for reappointment to the grade 28, 2017, with the time until the vote on the mo- of general and reappointment to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. D1015

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:31 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D27SE7.REC D27SEPT1 D1016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST September 27, 2017 NOMINATIONS NOMINATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded Committee concluded a hearing to examine the a hearing to examine the nominations of Kathleen nominations of Ann Marie Buerkle, of New York, to M. Fitzpatrick, of the District of Columbia, to be be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Com- Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor- mission, Howard R. Elliott, of Indiana, to be Ad- Leste, and Daniel J. Kritenbrink, of Virginia, to be ministrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Safety Administration, Department of Transpor- both of the Department of State, after the nominees tation, Walter G. Copan, of Colorado, to be Under testified and answered questions in their own behalf. Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Tech- NOMINATIONS nology, who was introduced by Senator Gardner, and Timothy Gallaudet, of California, to be Assistant Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Richard Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Duke Buchan III, of Florida, to be Ambassador to who was introduced by Senator Wicker, after the the Kingdom of Spain, and to serve concurrently and nominees testified and answered questions in their without additional compensation as Ambassador to own behalf. Andorra, Richard Grenell, of California, to be Am- bassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Ed- NATIONAL PARKS ward T. McMullen, Jr., of South Carolina, to be Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Sub- Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, and to serve committee on National Parks concluded a hearing to concurrently and without additional compensation as examine encouraging the next generation to visit Ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein, who National Parks, after receiving testimony from Lena was introduced by Senator Graham, Jamie McCourt, McDowall, Deputy Director for Management and of California, to be Ambassador to the French Re- Administration, National Park Service, Department public, and to serve concurrently and without addi- of the Interior; Yennie Solheim Fuller, Niantic, Inc., tional compensation as Ambassador to the Princi- San Francisco, California; John Leong, Kupu, Hono- pality of Monaco, and Peter Hoekstra, of Michigan, lulu, Hawaii; Angela Fultz Nordstrom, NIC Inc., to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Nether- Brentwood, Tennessee; Tim Rout, AccessParks, La lands, who was introduced by Senator Stabenow, all Jolla, California; and Will Shafroth, National Park of the Department of State, after the nominees testi- Foundation, Washington, D.C. fied and answered questions in their own behalf. THREATS TO THE HOMELAND FOREST MANAGEMENT TO MITIGATE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- WILDFIRES fairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Committee on Environment and Public Works: Com- threats to the homeland, after receiving testimony mittee concluded a hearing to examine forest man- from Elaine C. Duke, Acting Secretary of Homeland agement to mitigate wildfires, focusing on legislative Security; Christopher A. Wray, Director, Federal Bu- solutions, including S. 605, to amend the Forest and reau of Investigation, Department of Justice; and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Director, National Counter- 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management terrorism Center. Act of 1976 to discourage litigation against the For- GAO REPORTS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING est Service and the Bureau of Land Management re- OF NATIVE AMERICANS lating to land management projects, S. 1417, to require the Secretary of the Interior to develop a cat- Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an egorical exclusion for covered vegetative management oversight hearing to examine the Government Ac- activities carried out to establish or improve habitat countability Office reports on human trafficking of for greater sage-grouse and mule deer, and S. 1731, Native Americans in the United States, including actions needed to better report on victims served, after to address the forest health crisis on National Forest receiving testimony from Gretta L. Goodwin, Direc- System land, after receiving testimony from Senators tor, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Ac- Hatch, Thune, Tester, and Daines; Jessica Crowder, countability Office; Tracy Toulou, Director, Office of Office of Wyoming Governor Matthew H. Mead, Tribal Justice, Department of Justice; Jason Thomp- Cheyenne; Lawson Fite, American Forest Resource son, Acting Director, Office of Justice Services, Bu- Council, Portland, Oregon; and Collin O’Mara, Na- reau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; tional Wildlife Federation, Reston, Virginia. Nicole Matthews, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:31 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D27SE7.REC D27SEPT1 September 27, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1017 Assault Coalition, St. Paul; and Cindy McCain, Ari- PREVENTING VETERAN SUICIDE zona Governor’s Human Trafficking Council, Phoe- Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Committee concluded a nix. hearing to examine preventing veteran suicide, after receiving testimony from David J. Shulkin, Sec- SBA RESPONSE TO 2017 HURRICANES retary, and John D. Daigh, Jr., Assistant Inspector Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Com- General for Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspec- mittee concluded a hearing to examine the Small tor General, both of the Department of Veterans Af- Business Administration’s response to the 2017 hur- fairs; Craig J. Bryan, The University of Utah Na- ricanes, after receiving testimony from James Rivera, tional Center for Veterans Studies, Salt Lake City; Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance, and Matt Kuntz, National Alliance on Mental Ill- Small Business Administration; Daniel Davis, JAX ness, Helena, Montana. Chamber, Jacksonville, Florida; and Steven K. Law- INTELLIGENCE rence, University of Houston Bauer College of Busi- Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed ness, Houston, Texas, on behalf of the Texas Gulf hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony Coast Small Business Development Center Network. from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. h House of Representatives Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information Chamber Action contained in their financial disclosure reports. Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 15 pub- Pages H7549–51 lic bills, H.R. 3845–3859; and 4 resolutions, H. Suspension—Proceedings Resumed: The House Con. Res. 81; and H. Res. 541–543 were intro- agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the fol- duced. Pages H7587–88 lowing measure. Consideration began Monday, Sep- Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7588–89 tember 25th. Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of H.R. 3281, to authorize the Secretary of the Inte- South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked rior to facilitate the transfer to non-Federal owner- toward stability, prosperity, and peace in South- ship of appropriate reclamation projects or facilities, east Asia: H. Res. 311, amended, recognizing that and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–334). for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Na- tions (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, pros- Page H7587 perity, and peace in Southeast Asia, by a 2⁄3 yea-and- Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the nay vote of 413 yeas with none voting ‘‘nay’’, Roll Guest Chaplain, Pastor Dennis Jokela, Chaplain, No. 540; and Pages H7552–53 Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, Kalamazoo, Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘Re- MI. Page H7537 affirming the 40 years of relations between the Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules United States and the Association of Southeast Asian and pass the following measures: Nations (ASEAN), and the shared pursuit of economic growth and regional security in Southeast Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017: Asia.’’. Page H7553 S. 327, to direct the Securities and Exchange Com- mission to provide a safe harbor related to certain in- Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet vestment fund research reports; and Pages H7547–49 at 9 a.m. tomorrow, September 28. Page H7553 Protecting the safety of judges by extending the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Ex- authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sen- tension Act of 2017: The House considered H.R. sitive information contained in their financial dis- 3823, to amend title 49, United States Code, to ex- closure reports: H.R. 3229, amended, to protect the tend authorizations for the airport improvement pro- safety of judges by extending the authority of the gram, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:31 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D27SE7.REC D27SEPT1 D1018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST September 27, 2017 the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and to provide Brutal Campaign Against the Rohingya’’. Testimony disaster tax relief. Further proceedings were post- was heard from Michael F. Martin, Specialist in poned. Pages H7553–67 Asian Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Pursuant to the Rule, the amendment printed in Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of H. Rept. 115–333 shall be considered as adopted. Congress; and public witnesses. Page H7553 H. Res. 538, the rule providing for consideration RWANDA: DEMOCRACY THWARTED of the bill (H.R. 3823) was agreed to by a yea-and- Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, nay vote of 223 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 539, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and Inter- after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and- national Organizations held a hearing entitled nay vote of 223 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. 538. ‘‘Rwanda: Democracy Thwarted’’. Testimony was Pages H7540–47, H7551–52 heard from Donald Yamamoto, Acting Assistant Sec- Senate Referrals: S. 1866 was held at the desk. S. retary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of 1028 was referred to the Committee on Education State; and public witnesses. and the Workforce. S. 504 was held at the desk. S. EXPLORING SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE RISKS 1057 was held at the desk. S. 870 was referred to OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE AND the Committee on Ways and Means and the Com- IMPROVE RESILIENCY OF NATIONAL mittee on Energy and Commerce. FORESTS Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled House today and message received from the Senate ‘‘Exploring Solutions to Reduce Risks of Cata- appear on page H7540. strophic Wildfire and Improve Resiliency of Na- Quorum Calls—Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes de- tional Forests’’. Testimony was heard from Greg veloped during the proceedings of today and appear Chilcott, Commissioner, Ravalli County, Montana; on pages H7551–52. H7552, and H7552–53. There and public witnesses. were no quorum calls. HOW TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO GI BILL Adjournment: The House met at 3 p.m. and ad- APPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS journed at 8:06 p.m. AND HOW THESE PROGRAMS BENEFIT VETERANS Committee Meetings Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Eco- THE ARMY’S TACTICAL NETWORK nomic Opportunity held a hearing entitled ‘‘How to MODERNIZATION STRATEGY Improve Access to GI Bill Approved Apprenticeship Programs and How these Programs Benefit Vet- Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tac- tical Air and Land Forces held a hearing entitled erans’’. Testimony was heard from Major General ‘‘The Army’s Tactical Network Modernization Strat- Robert M. Worley II, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Direc- egy’’. Testimony was heard from the following U.S. tor, Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administra- Army officers: Lieutenant General Bruce T. tion, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public Crawford, Deputy Chief of Staff, G–6; Gary Martin, witnesses. Program Executive Officer, Command, Control and Communications-Tactical; and Major General James Joint Meetings J. Mingus, Director, Mission Command Center of No joint committee meetings were held. Excellence. f OVERVIEW OF THE FAMILY SELF- COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Housing and Insurance held a hearing entitled ‘‘Overview of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program’’. Senate Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold BURMA’S BRUTAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST hearings to examine rural development and energy pro- THE ROHINGYA grams, focusing on perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill, 9:30 a.m., SH–216. Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia Committee on Armed Services: to receive a closed briefing and the Pacific held a hearing entitled ‘‘Burma’s on North Korea, 10 a.m., SVC–217.

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Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to House hold hearings to examine evaluating sanctions enforcement and policy options on North Korea, focusing on Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Hous- Administration perspectives, 9:30 a.m., SD–538. ing and Insurance, hearing entitled ‘‘Examining Insurance Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Sub- for Nonprofit Organizations’’, 9:30 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. committee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Full Committee, markup to hold hearings to examine Transportation Security Ad- on H. Res. 422, urging the adherence to the ‘‘one coun- ministration modernization, focusing on improvements to try, two systems’’ policy as prescribed in the Joint Dec- aviation security, 10 a.m., SR–253. laration between the Government of the United Kingdom Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: busi- of Great Britain and the Government of the People’s Re- ness meeting to consider the nominations of Patrick public of China on the Question of the Hong Kong; Pizzella, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor, H.R. 425, the ‘‘FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2017’’; Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, and Daniel M. Gade, of H.R. 1196, the ‘‘Counterterrorism Screening and Assist- North Dakota, both to be a Member of the Equal Em- ance Act of 2017’’; H.R. 2658, the ‘‘Venezuela Humani- ployment Opportunity Commission, and Carlos G. tarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Muniz, of Florida, to be General Counsel, Department of Act of 2017’’; H.R. 3320, to direct the Secretary of State Education, 10:45 a.m., S–216, Capitol. to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider in the World Health Organization, and for other pur- S. 1766, to reauthorize the SAFER Act of 2013, and the poses; H.R. 3342, the ‘‘Sanctioning Hizballah’s Illicit Use nominations of Amy Coney Barrett, of Indiana, to be of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act’’; H.R. 3445, the United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, Joan ‘‘AGOA and MCA Modernization Act’’; H.R. 3329, the Louise Larsen, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit ‘‘Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amend- Judge for the Sixth Circuit, William L. Campbell, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Middle District ments Act of 2017’’; and H.R. 1660, the ‘‘Global Health of Tennessee, Thomas Lee Robinson Parker, to be United Innovation Act of 2017’’, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. States District Judge for the Western District of Ten- Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Regulatory nessee, and Eric S. Dreiband, of Maryland, and Brian Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, hearing entitled Allen Benczkowski, of Virginia, both to be an Assistant ‘‘Rulemakers Must Follow the Rules, Too: Oversight of Attorney General, Halsey B. Frank, to be United States Agency Compliance with the Congressional Review Act’’, Attorney for the District of Maine, D. Michael Hurst, Jr., 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Full Com- Mississippi, Jeffrey B. Jensen, to be United States Attor- mittee, markup on H.R. 1159, the ‘‘United States and ney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Thomas L. Israel Space Cooperation Act’’, 9 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Kirsch II, to be United States Attorney for the Northern Subcommittee on Research and Technology; and Sub- District of Indiana, and William J. Powell, to be United committee on Space, joint hearing entitled ‘‘The Great States Attorney for the Northern District of West Vir- American Eclipse: To Totality and Beyond’’, 9:30 a.m., ginia, all of the Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. SD–226.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9:30 a.m., Thursday, September 28 9 a.m., Thursday, September 28

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consider- Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 2792— ation of the nomination of Ralph R. Erickson, of North Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017. Complete Dakota, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth consideration of H.R. 3823—Disaster Tax Relief and Air- Circuit, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the port and Airway Extension Act. nomination at 10:30 a.m.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1273 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, The District of Columbia, Johnson, Henry C. ‘‘Hank’’, Jr., Ga., E1273 E1277 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E1274 Kelly, Mike, Pa., E1274 Panetta, Jimmy, Calif., E1274 Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E1275, E1279 Kelly, Trent, Miss., E1274, E1278 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1280 Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E1279 King, Peter T., N.Y., E1275 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1276 Frankel, Lois, Fla., E1280 Kuster, Ann M., N.H., E1275, E1277 Veasey, Marc A., Tex., E1280 Green, Al, Tex., E1278 Long, Billy, Mo., E1276, E1279 Westerman, Bruce, Ark., E1276 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1276 Murphy, Stephanie M., Fla., E1277 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1277 Huffman, Jared, Calif., E1275 Noem, Kristi L., S.Dak., E1280 Zeldin, Lee M., N.Y., E1276

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