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

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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, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 No. 188 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF called to order by the Speaker. United States of America, and to the Repub- STAFF SERGEANT RICHARD lic for which it stands, one nation under God, f HUNTER indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. PRAYER (Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia asked Reverend Robert Hughes, Broadway f and was given permission to address Presbyterian Church, Sedalia, Mis- the House for 1 minute and to revise souri, offered the following prayer: WELCOMING REVEREND ROBERT and extend his remarks.) Awesome and merciful God, we thank HUGHES Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. You that we can approach You directly Speaker, I rise today to honor the The SPEAKER. Without objection, in prayer, fully aware that prayer is bravery of one of my constituents and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. not a shield protecting us from all evil an American hero, Staff Sergeant Rich- HARTZLER) is recognized for 1 minute. but, rather, a reminder, first and fore- ard Hunter. Staff Sergeant Hunter was There was no objection. most, that You alone are God, creator, recently awarded the Air Force Cross Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise redeemer, and sustainer of all, and we in recognition of his outstanding cour- today to honor and thank Reverend are not. age in the line of duty. Gracious Lord, in ancient times King Robert Hughes of Sedalia, Missouri, for Staff Sergeant Hunter was deployed Solomon asked only for wisdom, not his leadership in the faith community. to Kunduz province, Afghanistan, as fame, fortune, or influence. Instead, he After beginning his career in film and part of the U.S. Army Special Forces longed for godly wisdom. Whether as television, working for media compa- team. On November 2, 2016, his team parent, teacher, minister, elected offi- nies like Disney and National Geo- found themselves under heavy ma- cial, or in any other position of leader- graphic, Reverend Hughes left show chine-gun fire from insurgents. Despite ship, help us to lead with godly wis- business to do God’s business. He en- the barrage of enemy fire, Hunter dom. tered the ministry, which led him to charged forward to shield the wounded Heavenly God, as I proclaim Your Sedalia, in Missouri’s Fourth Congres- and, ultimately, repelled the enemy’s threefold unity, Father, Son, and Holy sional District, where he serves as the encroachment. He initiated the launch Spirit, individual, yet eternally united pastor at Broadway Presbyterian of the quick reaction force and cas- as one God, I pray that this Nation, the Church. ualty airlift for wounded members in United States, be also unified, respect- Reverend Hughes is well loved by the his group. members of his congregation, and he ing and valuing the individual, yet After discovering an injured fellow uses his time and talents to energize eternally united as one nation, under Special Force soldier, Hunter dragged others about God’s Word. It was my God, indivisible. It is in Your name, I him 30 meters to safety with one hand, honor to recommend him as guest pray. while he directed radio airstrikes with chaplain to lead the House in prayer Amen. his other. When they fell under fire this morning. f once again, Hunter eliminated the Reverend Hughes, thank you for your threat, and helped load the wounded THE JOURNAL devotion to your community and con- into a helicopter to be evacuated. In The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- gregation and for bringing inspiration total, Staff Sergeant Hunter’s actions ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- and encouragement to those you serve. that day eliminated 27 enemy forces ceedings and announces to the House May God bless everything you set your and saved his team. his approval thereof. hand to. Your service to God and your For these measures of extraordinary Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- church is appreciated. nal stands approved. bravery in the most dire of circumstances, Staff Sergeant Richard f f Hunter earned the Air Force Cross PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE award. Without his help, many Amer- The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER ican servicemembers surely would have PRO TEMPORE from Maryland (Mr. BROWN) come for- been lost that day. ward and lead the House in the Pledge The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to of Allegiance. WOMACK). The Chair will entertain up join me in honoring the heroic actions Mr. BROWN of Maryland led the to five further requests for 1-minute of Staff Sergeant Richard Hunter, a Pledge of Allegiance as follows: speeches on each side of the aisle. true American hero.

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 23:58 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.000 H16NOPT1 H9380 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 AMERICANS DESERVE BIPARTISAN the GOP tax plan being considered lion visitors each year, contributing TAX REFORM today. $128 million to our local economy. It is (Mr. CARBAJAL asked and was given After promising a simple and fair tax a haven for so many: local veterans system, Republicans offer a com- permission to address the House for 1 find solace and healing in the quiet of plicated mess. Their tax plan picks minute.) nature; children experience the beauty winners: the rich, and big corporations, Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, the of their first hike; visitors come to love getting nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts. tax bill put forth today by congres- the grandeur and the mystique of our They create losers, like teachers, sen- sional Republicans is a gift to the desert when they come to stay in Josh- iors, students, people with disabilities, wealthiest 1 percent and multinational ua Tree; families bond over the lasting and working families who will pay corporations at the expense of our stu- memories they make in the park. more. Everyone, not just the rich, should dents, homeowners, and seniors. This GOP tax scam also targets our have access to these incredible places. It eliminates critical deductions that Nation’s veterans. More than 300,000 Working families are deserving of ac- help central coast families, including veterans have benefited from the work cess to our national parks. Nearly tri- deductions for State and local taxes, opportunity tax credit, most of whom pling the price of entry means that mortgage interest, student loans, and served after 9/11. Yet this bill elimi- many families will be priced out of vis- medical expenses. nates the tax credit and abandons our iting these parks, including many peo- With wildfire season in California servicemembers when they return ple in my district who live right next growing longer each year, this bill cal- home and transition to civilian life. to Joshua Tree National Park. lously eliminates tax relief for per- Today, one of every three veterans is Our national parks are not just only sonal casualty losses resulting from underemployed, and 1.8 million vet- for the economically privileged. They wildfires as well as earthquakes. In erans are stuck in low-wage jobs. Every are for we, the people, to enjoy. fact, this bill would raise taxes on 36 single veteran should be able to get a f million working and middle class tax- family-supporting job at home after RECOGNIZING THE BUCKS COUNTY payers by an average of $1,130 a year. serving our Nation. This tax bill asks OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, COMMU- With a national debt that has now our veterans and their families to NITY ACTION AGENCY surpassed $20 trillion, the American again sacrifice, this time so billion- people cannot afford this tax bill that aires and big corporations get a huge (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was adds $1.5 trillion to the deficit and tax cut. given permission to address the House leaves our children stuck with the bill. Mr. Speaker, veterans deserve a bet- for 1 minute and to revise and extend Americans deserve bipartisan tax re- ter deal and so do American working his remarks.) form that simplifies our Tax Code and families. Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bucks puts the middle class first. f f County Opportunity Council, Commu- NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE nity Action Agency, which serves low- TAX RELIEF FOR AMERICAN AWARENESS MONTH income families throughout Bucks FAMILIES (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given County, Pennsylvania, and its eco- (Mr. WALBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 nomic self-sufficiency program, which permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- recently graduated its 300th family minute.) marks.) from poverty. Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, hard- Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have This individualized program works working families in Michigan have supported and continue to support in- with families to end the cycle of pov- been squeezed for far too long under creased Federal funding for the prom- erty by building a plan of action and our broken Tax Code. Wages aren’t ising research going on at the National working with a coach to attain new going up, yet the cost of living keeps Institutes of Health in order to encour- training and education. To graduate, getting more expensive. age more progress addressing the Alz- participants in the program must be We developed the Tax Cuts and Jobs heimer’s situation. free from welfare subsidies, have se- Act with those low- and middle-income November is National Alzheimer’s cured employment, live in safe and af- families in mind. They need a break. Disease Awareness Month. There are fordable housing, have access to safe For folks in Michigan, in Monroe, an estimated 5.5 million Americans liv- and reliable transportation, maintain a Jackson, Charlotte, and all across my ing with this debilitating disease, and balanced budget, and have a healthcare district, this tax cut plan means bigger we know it often goes unreported or plan for their entire family. Mr. Speaker, this program is work- paychecks and more money in their undiagnosed. ing. Aside from the total number of pocket. At every income level, people This issue is near and dear to my graduates, last year’s class of families will see meaningful tax relief. heart because it has touched my own have more than tripled their salaries. Our plan doubles the standard deduc- family, and I have seen firsthand the Moreover, in our community, every tion and increases the child tax credit challenges of supporting a loved one dollar invested nets nearly $5 saved in to help with the costs of raising a fam- battling the disease. I have been frus- cash welfare subsidies. ily. It also eases the tax burden on trated by the lack of progress. Again, Mr. Speaker, together, we will I am proud to stand with the Bucks small businesses so they can give their improve the quality of life for those County Opportunity Council in their workers a raise and create more jobs in who are suffering and work toward mission to reduce poverty and partner the community. It brings back jobs finding a cure. We must have funding with our community to promote eco- from overseas and incentivizes job cre- for the NIH to get this done. nomic self-sufficiency. Our community ators to expand and hire here at home. is a better place because of their work. Mr. Speaker, this is a progrowth and f proworker plan. Let’s pass it today and NATIONAL PARKS ARE FOR f help the families we represent get the EVERYONE REPUBLICAN TAX SCAM relief they need. (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given per- (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ asked and was f mission to address the House for 1 given permission to address the House minute.) for 1 minute and to revise and extend AMERICANS DESERVE A BETTER Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to op- her remarks.) DEAL pose the administration’s proposed na- Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as we (Mr. BROWN of Maryland asked and tional parks entrance fee hike from $25 stand here today, my colleagues on the was given permission to address the to $70 per vehicle, which will prohibit other side of the aisle will tell you that House for 1 minute and to revise and many American families from enjoying this tax scam bill will help ordinary extend his remarks.) these beautiful sites. people. As we New Yorkers say: ‘‘If you Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speak- Joshua Tree National Park in my buy that one, I’ve got a bridge in er, the American people do not support district welcomes as many as 2.5 mil- Brooklyn to sell you.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.002 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9381 This bill takes a wrecking ball to our The gentleman from Texas (Mr. aires when you are attempting to keep middle class. It erases deductions that BRADY) has 61 minutes remaining, and the very tax cuts called SALT, State ordinary, working families count on to the gentleman from Massachusetts and local tax deductions, that go to stay afloat. It raises taxes on 36 mil- (Mr. NEAL) has 571⁄2 minutes remaining. millionaires and billionaires. lion middle class families. The Chair recognizes the gentleman Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to By eliminating the medical expense from Texas. take this opportunity to thank Chair- deduction, this scam will force nearly Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I man BRADY and all my colleagues on half a million New Yorkers who al- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Ways and Means Committee. For ready struggle with serious illnesses to California (Mr. NUNES), a key architect years, we have been working on this dig into overstretched bank accounts of the tax reform plan, a leader and a legislation, but this is a historic mo- just to pay their healthcare bills. champion for new business investment. ment. Congress has the opportunity to By gutting the student loan interest Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in positively impact every American by deduction, higher education will be- strong support of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts reforming our Tax Code, and I urge my come even more expensive for 800,000 and Jobs Act. colleagues to vote ‘‘yes.’’ New York students. Graduate students Mr. Speaker, for years, the middle Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- will be taxed on tuition waivers. class has been saddled with a broken self 4 minutes. I heard from one woman in my dis- Tax Code and low wages. Small busi- Mr. Speaker, this is a historic mo- trict, a recent Ph.D., who said she nesses have been crushed by overly ment, but, most importantly, it is a would have paid $2,700 in income out of complicated rules and a higher tax bur- missed opportunity. her pretax income of $13,000. den than corporations. Mr. Speaker, we are taking the pro- The choice is clear. Vote ‘‘no.’’ Re- As a result, America has suffered posal of the Republican Party today ject this scam. from a self-inflicted uncompetitive Tax and the financial architecture of our Code, lagging behind the rest of the revenue system, based on their request, f world both in economic growth and job to the casino. b 0915 creation. Companies have fled for lower Their argument is premised on one tax jurisdictions and more competitive thing today, and one thing only. SUPPORT THE TAX CUTS AND Maybe. But what about maybe not? JOBS ACT business environments. Since the 1986 Tax Reform Act was This could have been done between (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania passed, Washington has continued to the two parties, as we requested and asked and was given permission to ad- make the Tax Code longer and more wanted to do. dress the House for 1 minute and to re- complicated, adding special interest In 1986, 450 witnesses offered testi- vise and extend his remarks.) loopholes and industry-specific carve- mony on tax reform, thirty hearings Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. outs back into the Code year after were held, and the Secretary of the Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage year. Treasury attended most of them. The all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1, This has allowed the Tax Code to dic- two parties found commonality in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. tate business decisions instead of let- reaching an accord that was well re- For the first time since 1986, this is a ting businesses dictate business deci- ceived by the American people. What we are being asked to do here real opportunity to challenge the sta- sions. today is to raise taxes on 36 million tus quo and simplify the Tax Code. For the first time in 31 years, we are middle class Americans. The previous For the nearly 82 percent of tax- wiping the Tax Code clean and replac- speaker, my friend from California, a payers in Pennsylvania’s Fifth Con- ing it with one that is fair and simpler quarter of the households in his dis- gressional District who file jointly for everyone. under the standard deduction, they are For the better part of my career, I trict claim the State and local tax de- going to see that nearly doubled to have advocated for a cash-flow tax sys- duction, with an average of $10,000 per $24,000, up from $12,700. tem that would allow small businesses family. $10,000. So they are going to According to the IRS, 18 percent of to expense 100 percent of their costs tell you today that they are giving you taxpayers in the Fifth District of Penn- immediately. H.R. 1 contains an ex- this and they are giving you that. Take a look at the distribution ta- sylvania choose to itemize their tax re- pensing provision that would give busi- bles. That is the most certain oppor- turns, averaging about $21,000 in deduc- nesses the tremendous opportunity to tunity for people to examine precisely tions. Doubling the standard deduction reinvest, allowing them to grow their means that low- and middle-income what is in this legislation. businesses and create jobs. A gentleman earlier this morning families, who have been struggling for The impacts for the American econ- a long time, will see their tax burden was heralding Alzheimer’s month. omy would be huge. Small businesses They give Alzheimer’s a tax during lowered. across rural California, from the small This proposal truly strives to help Alzheimer’s month. For those who stay family-owned farm to the neighbor- together with loved ones for as long as families keep more of their hard- hood restaurant and any other entre- earned paychecks. Today we have a they can, they need that deduction preneur, deserve a type of tax system that is so important to keeping that once-in-a-generation opportunity that that allows them to create jobs and be we cannot afford to pass up: more jobs, family together. able to compete on an equal footing This is the same old, same old. In fair taxes, bigger paychecks. globally. 2001, tax cuts of $1.3 trillion all pre- Mr. Speaker, the American people de- Mr. Speaker, before I close, I want to mised on maybe we will have economic serve no less, and I encourage my col- just point out to those in the audience, growth. leagues to support this bill. those who are watching this, that Remember the argument that tax f today you are going to hear a lot about cuts pay for themselves? how Republicans are giving tax breaks TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT Well, they, today, call it dynamic to millionaires and billionaires. scoring. Now we are being asked again The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. Speaker, that is always what the to premise the argument on maybe ant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further left says about the Republicans. How- there will be enough growth to gen- consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) to pro- ever, you will also hear a lot of talk erate some return on revenue. vide for reconciliation pursuant to title about people who itemize and SALT de- In 2003, another $1.3 trillion in terms II of the concurrent resolution on the ductions and how those are somehow of a tax cut was offered with no or slow budget for fiscal year 2018, will now re- increasing taxes on the middle class. economic growth. sume. The reality of this, Mr. Speaker, is And the granddaddy of them all, in The Clerk read the title of the bill. these deductions go to millionaires and 2005, how about repatriation? The SPEAKER pro tempore. When billionaires. So for my friends on the Foreign earnings were brought back proceedings were postponed on Wednes- left, you can’t have it both ways. You at 51⁄4 percent, all based upon the idea day, November 15, 2017, 1 hour 581⁄2 min- can’t claim that Republicans are giving that there was going to be widespread utes of debate remained on the bill. tax cuts to millionaires and billion- broad-based hiring.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.004 H16NOPT1 H9382 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 What did we discover in the after- Folks are tired of the status quo. historic bill that will put our economy math of that? They are tired of a Tax Code that is back on the path to stable and sus- Almost 20,000 layoffs in the weeks confusing. Once figured out, you realize tained growth. after it. The money was used for stock that it actually penalizes hard work This bill finally levels the playing buybacks and dividends with no em- and success. field and restores the global competi- ployment gains across the country. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act accom- tiveness of American businesses by They keep telling us: Well, you are plishes our goals of ensuring that rates moving to a territorial system. This going to get 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 per- are cut for low- and middle-income key aspect of our bill removes the pu- cent, and the President says 6 percent Americans, simplifying the tax system nitive barriers of the current world- growth. and expanding American competition wide system and allows companies to I want to find that economist who within the global economy. reinvest their overseas profits in Amer- says we are going to get 6 percent This is a rare opportunity to enact ica, without fear of getting hit with an growth. the kind of legislation that our con- excessive tax burden. This important Most projections are that we are stituents need and deserve to grow the change ensures that America remains being asked here today to participate economy and put more money in the the best place to start, grow, or invest in the following, because this is the pockets of hardworking Kansans. in a business. context of the argument this morning: Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman As companies begin to see the bene- They are borrowing $2.3 trillion over 10 and the entire committee for their fits of this new territorial system, I years for the purpose of giving a tax good work on this important legisla- look forward to continuing to work cut to people at the very top of our tion. with the chairman to explore ways to economic system. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 move toward a residency-based tax- We should be investing in human cap- minutes to the gentleman from Michi- ation system to ensure that American ital, community colleges, vocational gan (Mr. LEVIN), who has a long and citizens have a level playing field education, internship programs, and distinguished history in this Congress around the global as well. aligning the American people with the and as a member of the Ways and I have heard from companies, Amer- skill sets that are necessary, as the De- Means Committee. ican companies, that say as they ex- partment of Labor reported this week, pand their operations overseas, the Tax for the 6 million jobs that are avail- b 0930 Code has made it prohibitive for them able. That is the most gainful way to (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given per- to hire Americans for these jobs. In do long-term investment. mission to revise and extend his re- fact, our current system of citizenship- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of marks.) based taxation makes Americans near- my time. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ly 40 percent more expensive to employ Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I gentleman for yielding and for all of overseas than their foreign counter- would note that a family of four in his work he has done over the years. parts. Massachusetts’ First District will see a The Republican tax bill is built on Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman tax cut of nearly $2,000 under this bill. massive deception. The deception is very much for his understanding of this Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the that, as the Speaker put it: ‘‘The focus issue and look forward to our contin- gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. JEN- is on middle class tax relief.’’ That is ued work to ensure that talent, not tax KINS), one of our key leaders on the simply not true. burden, is the driving factor in the hir- Ways and Means Committee who is As the nonpartisan Joint Committee ing decisions of multinational compa- really all in on growth and savings for on Taxation said, roughly one out of nies. America. every four Americans with income be- I am proud to support this bill. I look Ms. JENKINS of Kansas. Mr. Speak- tween $50,000 and $100,000 would pay forward to it growing the economy and er, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the higher taxes in 2023, far overshadowing ensuring businesses of all sizes have Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. the $1,000 or so for other families. In the capital necessary to hire more em- Mr. Speaker, as a CPA and a member 2019, those earning over $1 million ployees, grow their operation, and give of the House Ways and Means Com- would get an average tax cut of $73,000. Americans the raise they deserve. mittee, reforming our Tax Code has Even as modified in last-minute des- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I been a priority of mine during my en- peration, the wealthiest would receive thank the gentleman from North Caro- tire service here in Congress. 90 percent of the new tax break for so- lina (Mr. HOLDING) for his leadership on Our current Tax Code is broken, and called passthrough income. this issue, in particular, about inter- I have heard from thousands of Kan- Another deception is that tax breaks national competitiveness for our work- sans in my district who are frustrated pay for themselves. On this, some peo- ers. Residence-based taxation is an idea with the status quo. ple may have been in the past fooled we should continue to explore. We will This legislation will not only reform once, fewer twice, but none thrice. continue to work on this issue with our broken Tax Code, but it will per- A further deception is that exploding him as leadership. manently lower rates for hardworking the deficit and national debt to $1.7 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of individuals, families, and businesses trillion will disappear as it promotes my time. while retaining or expanding many growth. Not only is this a 180-degree Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 popular provisions, such as the depend- Republican turn, but it threatens Medi- minutes to the gentleman from Geor- ent care assistance program. It also in- care and other critical programs and gia (Mr. LEWIS), who has the highest cludes strong safeguards that keep the will worsen the vast inequalities in in- professional and personal esteem of wealthy from gaming the system in an come and wealth in America. every Member of this institution. effort to pay less than their fair share. It is said that necessity is the mother Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, On average, this legislation will help of invention. In this case, Republican I want to thank my friend, Mr. NEAL, provide tax relief for all income groups political necessity is the mother of des- for yielding. across the board. If you don’t believe peration and deception. I rise with a heavy heart to join him me, read the analysis from the Tax Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I in opposing this mean-spirited, reck- Foundation and the Joint Committee have a note that the average family of less bill. on Taxation. They agree. four in Michigan’s Ninth District will Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago, I was While individuals and families re- receive a tax cut of over $1,700. elected to fight for and to serve the ceive a much-needed tax break, they Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the people of my district. Today, they are will also notice that their wages are gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. calling and begging for us to slow down going up and more jobs are being cre- HOLDING), one of our key leaders on the and to do this the right way. In their ated. Ways and Means Committee, who heart of hearts, the public knows that Just the other day, AT&T announced serves on the Tax Policy Sub- the safety net will be used to pay for they will be making a substantial in- committee. this reckless corporate tax cut. vestment in the United States once we Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, I am Taxpayers know that this shameful enact tax reform. proud to be here today to support this deal destroys the hopes and dreams of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.006 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9383 too many as it robs poor Peter to pay pretty serious economic death spirals, I I know it can happen at the national wealthy Paul. That is not right. That must say, and I would refer back to level. It is not rocket science. It is is not fair. That is not just. 2008 as an example. about giving people back more that is Mr. Speaker, you cannot hide the More than 8,000 people left our State. rightfully theirs. It is about freeing up truth from the sick, the elderly, the Just think about that. We are the only more capital to create more jobs, in- disabled for whom this bill may mean State in the Union to lose population— crease wages, and compete at the glob- life or death. You cannot hide the and more would have left if they had a al level. This is how you grow an econ- truth from the middle class, working, chance to sell their homes. omy from the ground up. and immigrant families who need every At the time, I was the Senate major- Mr. Speaker, let’s vote for our con- penny to make ends meet. You cannot ity leader in Michigan under the last stituents today. Do it for the middle- hide the truth from teachers who try to administration, overseeing the only income family of four or the struggling lend a helping hand to students who Republican branch of government. I mom. Let’s pass this bill today. It has struggle to get an education. saw firsthand how the administration been 31 years. It is time for relief. It is I, for one, refuse to hide the truth pursued targeted tax credits, one after long overdue. about this bill’s attack on the separa- the other, that favored one industry Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, under the tion of church and State. over the other. It was a classic example Republican tax bill, 570,000 Michigan Mr. Speaker, as we abandon our con- of government picking winners over households earning less than $160,000 a stitutional duty and sacrifice our losers, and as expected, it failed miser- year will see a tax hike. moral authority, I fear that history ably. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the will not be kind to any of us. As we see at the Federal level today, gentleman from California (Mr. THOMP- In another time, in another period, in Michigan, these targeted tax bene- SON), a thoughtful member of the Ways Members of Congress came together in fits were paid for by everyone else in and Means Committee, whose admoni- a bipartisan fashion. They met, de- the form of tax increases, and not only tions to all of us should be something bated, and passed a tax bill that served did it fail to attract growth in emerg- we could all rally around. the best interest of all people—not just ing sectors as they had hoped, but it Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. a select few. They took their time. caused our economy to go into a tail- Speaker, I rise in opposition to this They did it right, and we should be spin, a very serious tailspin. reckless and fiscally irresponsible bill doing it right. Michigan quickly became the only that is going to add $2.3 trillion to our Today, the RECORD must reflect the State in the country experiencing zero national debt. sad truth of this missed opportunity. economic growth. Per capita income There is a reason why airports, uni- H.R. 1 steals from our veterans, our fell for the first time. It was one of the versities, the Fraternal Order of Police, seniors, our children, and from genera- highest to begin with, and just a few home builders, and veterans groups are tions yet unborn. All taxpayers expect, years later, it was one of the lowest. opposed to this bill. It is because it will demand, and deserve better—much bet- By 2009, unemployment hit a record increase taxes on tens of millions of ter—than legislation which would put high of 15 percent. Neighboring States middle class families. That is accord- politics before the good of the people. that had more hospitable environments ing to the Joint Committee on Tax- This bill is a shame, a disgrace, and for good job growth attracted our fami- ation. honestly, Mr. Speaker, it breaks my lies and our neighbors. One of the most heartless provisions heart. I urge each and every one of my As I said, we are the only State in would make it harder for middle class colleagues to vote ‘‘no.’’ the Union to lose population. But as families to rebuild after disaster. When Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Senate majority leader at that time of you vote today, you are telling the sur- am pleased to report that the average the only Republican branch of govern- vivors of the California fires that you family of four in the Fifth District of ment, we didn’t just say no to the gov- don’t care about them or about the Georgia will see a tax cut of $1,484. ernment’s failed policies. We offered middle class families in your district Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the solutions and loaded up the pipeline who one day may face a tornado or a gentleman from Michigan (Mr. BISHOP), with legislation to help the newly hurricane—all to save a few dollars so one of the new members of the Ways elected Republican legislature and that we can give a tax break to cor- and Means Committee who has really Governor Rick Snyder get the job done. porations. been a leader for families, small busi- What did we do? We did exactly what We have a chance today to reject this nesses, and industry. we are doing here today. We started bill, to come together, hold hearings, Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speak- with tax reform. While balancing budg- and hear from experts—something that er, I want to thank the chairman for ets, we found ways to lower rates on in- wasn’t done when the Republicans yielding, for his steadfast leadership, dividuals, reduce baseline rates for job wrote this bill. and for giving me the opportunity to be creators, and eliminate tax credits that We can take ideas from both side of a part of this incredible opportunity on favored certain industries over others. the aisle and write a tax bill that helps behalf of this great country. Michigan created an environment middle class working families. Let’s re- Tax reform is about giving hard- that grew the economy and helped fam- ject this bill and work on real tax re- working Americans of all walks of life ilies get ahead. Sure enough, just 2 form that will not raise taxes on the the confidence they need to make their months after these reforms happened, middle class and won’t add $2.3 tril- dreams a reality. So the question that job growth turned positive again in lion—that is with a T—to our national needs to be asked is whether or not the Michigan. debt. current Tax Code, and all of its tar- Today, in Michigan, we are a top 10 Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I geted tax credits, really increases peo- probusiness State and ranked 12th am pleased that the average family of ple’s paychecks. Does it treat people among all States for overall business four in California’s Fifth District will fairly? Does it put American workers climate. Unemployment is the lowest see a tax cut of $2,300. first? it has been in my home district of 3.3 Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the What about fostering economic percent, in Livingston County. gentleman from Florida (Mr. CURBELO), growth? Does it help create more good- Detroit is re-emerging again as an who has been an advocate not only for paying jobs? On that subject, I think economic powerhouse. The streets are Floridians but Puerto Rico and a num- Michigan is a great case study, my alive with entrepreneurs and young ber of our families and communities home State of Michigan. You see, I am people finally living downtown. The fu- around the country. from the Motor City where we are ture looks great for the comeback city. Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- known for our blue-collar work ethic. The moral of this story is tax reform, er, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, Our families come from humble begin- but it is not just about tax cuts. It is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. nings. They get up every morning and about real reform to a broken system. This crucial legislation before us go to work to make ends meet to build Getting tax reform done right means today marks the first time in 31 years a better life for their family and for delivering real relief, and I have seen it that Congress has considered a major their kids. We persevered through some firsthand in Michigan. overhaul to the current Tax Code that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.007 H16NOPT1 H9384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 is overly cumbersome, wildly outdated, back to the treasuries of both Puerto gions of the country. Thus, Connecticut and and riddled with special-interest loop- Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands similar states will even more disproportion- holes. through 2023. I am also grateful that ately pay in federal taxes far more than is Mr. Speaker, it is obvious there is a under this bill, companies operating in received in federal benefits—further sub- sidizing regions of the country where states great deal of frustration and anxiety in Puerto Rico can deduct income attrib- make far less of a state and local tax effort. our country. I truly believe it is due to utable to domestic production activi- Drilling down a bit further, several aspects the fact that the economic recovery ties retroactively for the year 2017. of this partisan plan will hit especially hard: has not reached every household. Moving forward, I am hopeful we can Eliminating deductibility of state income Throughout south Florida, I hear from work together to find creative solu- tax paid is worth an estimated $8.7 billion to families and small businesses who are tions to better target the child tax mostly middle income Connecticut tax- worried about saving for their kids’ credit to serve more Puerto Rico fami- payers. college or making payroll. lies and study the expanded use of the Capping deductibility of local property tax paid at $10,000 will increase federal income While the stock market is humming earned income tax credit for the Com- taxes for a significant proportion of Con- and unemployment is low, wages have monwealth. In addition, I look forward necticut taxpayers who claim $4.9 billion. been stagnant, and the so-called recov- to continuing to work on solutions to Any benefit to lower and lower moderate ery has left way too many people be- ensure the businesses operating on the income taxpayers from higher standard de- hind. island have the certainty they need in ductions and child care credits will likely be more than offset by the shell game of impos- b 0945 terms of tax planning to hire more workers and strengthen Puerto Rico’s ing a higher lowest rate bracket of 12% and That is why this bill is so important. economy. replacing the current $4,050 personal exemp- This legislation will collapse and tion with a $300 deduction that is proposed to Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, 22,000 con- end in 5 years. lower current tax rates to ensure a typ- stituents of the gentleman from Mi- ical middle-income family in south Eliminating deductibility of medical/den- ami’s district will eventually face the tal expenses will be $1.6 billion hardship for Florida will receive about $1,500 in tax Alzheimer’s tax increase that is in- Connecticut taxpayers at all levels who are relief. For married couples, it doubles cluded in this legislation. out of work and have catastrophic medical the standard deduction from $12,000 to Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the costs. $24,000, drastically simplifying the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. LAR- Eliminating deductibility of student loan process of filing taxes each year for SON), who is a neighbor, a really nice interest only adds a further financial burden over 90 percent of Americans while al- guy, and a very thoughtful member of for primarily younger taxpayers and their families already struggling with educational lowing taxpayers to keep more of their the Ways and Means Committee. hard-earned money. indebtedness. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Sadly, these and many other significant The bill also expands the child tax Speaker, before I begin, I include in the issues of fiscal irresponsibility and tax un- credit from $1,000 to $1,600 per child, a RECORD, first a letter from the Com- fairness seem to be of no concern in the par- benefit that will be seen by 43,768 tax- missioner of Revenue Services in the tisan rush to pass legislation before taxpayers in Florida’s 26th District, while State of Connecticut, who has detailed payers see through the slogans and realize we are also making it easier to save for out the impact of this tax on Con- the costs. Indeed, glimpses of what may be in college by expanding 529 plans to cover necticut residents. the Republican Senate version suggests that it will only get worse. Thank you for your ef- more expenses, including apprentice- NOVEMBER 8, 2017. ship programs. All these benefits will forts to speak out for our Connecticut tax- Hon. JOHN B. LARSON, payers and set the record straight. directly help alleviate the increasing House of Representatives, Sincerely, cost of raising a family. Washington, DC. KEVIN B. SULLIVAN, On the business side, this bill gives DEAR CONGRESSMAN LARSON: Thank you for Commissioner. opportunity to comment on the federal tax American companies of all sizes, espe- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Second, cially our smaller enterprises and en- changes being considered in H.R. 1. We appreciate your leadership in trying to set the Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD a trepreneurs, a chance to compete and record straight as this partisan effort is letter out of a cross section of con- win in the new globalized economy. By rushed to judgment with no real input and stituents who are directly and ad- providing businesses with lower tax much fiscal uncertainty. versely impacted by this tax increase. rates, we will make it easier for job Unfortunately, what we see so far from a creators to invest here at home and in- national and state perspective is very trou- MIDDLE CLASS CUTS crease paychecks for American work- bling. Some of the proposals to reduce taxes Ms. Diane Hebenstreit—West Hartford, CT ers. on corporate and pass-through business in- 06107 Mr. Speaker, as a proud Member of come could provide needed economic stim- I am a lifetime resident of Connecticut, ulus nationally and for states like Con- the Ways and Means Committee, I com- and I ask that you do not vote for the pro- necticut. Unfortunately, on balance, H.R. 1 posed Federal Tax plan. From what I see, it’s mend Chairman BRADY, his staff, and is fundamentally flawed: providing large tax breaks that benefit the the Members of this House who will Even the low estimate of a $1.5 trillion cost rich and the corporations. soon support this once-in-a-lifetime op- is not paid for and is really massive federal The estate tax benefit we have now is more portunity to ensure we provide all tax deficit spending. The nation has been than generous, only the very wealthy will Americans, especially the most vulner- down this road before and surely we should benefit from repealing the estate tax. able, the opportunity to find their eco- have learned something from the worst eco- The proposed caps on state and property nomic recession in modern times. tax deductions combined with the increased nomic success. Otherwise unaffordable tax cuts have long Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chair- standard deduction, will cause myself as well been part of a political strategy to ‘‘starve as others to use the standard deduction in- man BRADY for working with me to the beast.’’ Due to its long term unfunded stead of itemizing. This will eliminate the fi- begin addressing the important issue of cost, this Republican tax plan will compel nancial benefit of owning my home, and I am helping our fellow American citizens in big cuts in federal funding, such as Medicaid, concerned it will negatively affect its value. Puerto Rico. After the devastating ef- that are important to states like Con- The personal exemption of $4,050 is going fects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, necticut. away. This is not something that’s been Contrary to all the talk of a ‘‘middle in- highlighted in the news. So as a single payer, our committee delivered immediate re- come tax cut,’’ the plan actually represents sults for the island through a disaster I’ll receive a $12,000 standard deduction, but a huge windfall to the very wealthiest fed- loose the $4,050 personal exemption resulting tax relief package targeted to help peo- eral taxpayers and is truly regressive. For ple get back on their feet. in more of my income being taxed than our own state of Connecticut, over 75% of the under the current plan. While it will take at least months for tax cut goes to the top 1% who would pay And at a higher rate! I am currently in the the island to fully recover, we are pro- 8.5% less on average. Everyone else would 10% tax bracket. Under this new plan it will viding even more assistance to Puerto see a trivial 1.2% reduction in federal tax li- increase to 12%. Rico with the legislation being consid- ability and many will actually owe much This is not a tax plan that benefits me, or more in federal income taxes. I expect any other middle income resident. ered today. As discussed more specifically below, the Vote No. I want to thank Chairman BRADY for proposed plan shifts most of the tax cost and helping us extend the rum cover-over the least of any tax benefit to states in the Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. to $13.25 per proof gallon to be paid Northeast, Great Lakes and West Coast re- Speaker, I include in the RECORD a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.009 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9385 transcript of an interview with our es- portant to assist individuals in attaining the letter from the Congressional Budget teemed chairman, KEVIN BRADY, and security they deserve, but are vital to our Office, which details out the other shoe Heidi Przybyla that appeared on nation’s future economic well-being AARP is to fall in this legislation. dedicated to enhancing retirement security, ‘‘Morning Joe.’’ including retention of the extra standard de- CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, KEVIN BRADY–MORNING JOE TRANSCRIPT— duction for those ages 65 or older; improving U.S. CONGRESS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 access to, and targeted incentives for, work- Washington, DC, November 13, 2017. Hon. STENY H. HOYER, Heidi Przybyla, USA Today: This economic place retirement saving plans, and protec- Democratic Whip, House of Representatives, growth that you all are promising, it cannot tion of earned pensions for vulnerable retir- Washington, DC. happen unless the cuts occur at the same ees and their families. We greatly appreciate that H.R. 1 rejects proposals to make signifi- DEAR CONGRESSMAN: This letter responds time. In fact the Joint Committee on Tax- to your request for information about the ef- ation’s economic model assumes that the cant changes to the tax treatment of retirement contributions, which would have affects of legislation that would raise deficits type of tax cuts that you’re doing now that by an estimated $1.5 trillion over the 2018– are not paid for could actually be a drag on fected the ability or commitment of many tax filers to save for their retirement. AARP 2027 period, specifically with respect to a se- economic growth. Can you please speak to questration—or cancellation of budgetary re- that? also remains committed to advocating for affordable, meaningful health care, including sources—in accordance with the Statutory Brady: The reason we moved back towards Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO; Public a balanced budget is one, there is substantial retention of the medical expense itemized deduction at 7.5%, preservation of tax ex- Law 111–139). growth, miss, but again, that won’t do it. The PAYGO law requires that new legisla- You have to simplify the code, eliminate so empt status of employer sponsored insurance coverage; maintenance of tax subsidies for tion enacted during a term of Congress does much of these special breaks on the business lower- and moderate-income Americans to not collectively increase estimated deficits. and the individual side as well. It’s the com- purchase health insurance coverage in health The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) bination of both of those that gets you back care marketplaces; and the creation of a is required to maintain two so-called PAYGO to a balanced budget over time. That’s why new, non-refundable tax credit for working scorecards to report the cumulative changes people complain ‘Look you’re really simpli- family caregivers. generated by new legislation in estimated fying the code dramatically, there’s a lot of As tax legislation advances, changes to the revenues and outlays over the next five years things that go’. Not everyone is happy about tax code should not result in a dispropor- and ten years. If either scorecard indicates a that but that is what, sort of the tough tionate, adverse impact on older Americans net increase in the deficit, OMB is required choices you have to make, along with According to the Joint Committee on Tax- to order a sequestration to eliminate the growth, to make sure this moves us toward a ation (JCT), H.R. 1 will reduce taxes for mil- overage. The authority to determine whether balanced budget. lions of taxpayers beginning in 2019. We are a sequestration is required (and if so, exactly Przybyla: But that is not what’s happening concerned, however, that in 2027, also accord- how to make the necessary cuts in budget here. This is still, regardless of these loop- ing to JCT, the 73 million taxpayers with in- authority) rests solely with OMB. holes that you’re closing, it’s still a big comes between $10,000 and $50,000 would col- CBO has analyzed the implications of en- blowhole in the deficit and that is not what lectively pay $2.9 billion more in individual acting a bill that would increase deficits by the model was in ’86 for instance when income taxes AARP has estimated that H.R. $1.5 trillion over a 10-year window, without Reagan did it. This model that I’m speaking 1 will increase taxes on 1.2 million taxpayers enacting any further legislation to offset of still assumes that this could be a drag on age 65 and older in 2018, and by 2027, 4.9 mil- that increase. In accordance with the economic growth because you’re not doing lion older taxpayers will experience higher PAYGO law, OMB would record the average the type of spending cuts, not just sim- taxes In addition, H.R. 1 will provide no tax annual deficit on its PAYGO scorecard, plification in the code, but spending cuts. relief for 5.1 million older taxpayers in 2018 showing deficit increases of, in the example Brady: Here, one, there are a number of and 5.3 million taxpayers by 2027. provided, $150 billion per year. If the bill models on growth and I’m sure there will be The impact on older tax filers is the cumu- were enacted before the end of the calendar a healthy debate, that’s a good thing. What lative result of many policy changes made in year, that amount would be added to the cur- we know is this dramatically grows the econ- H.R. 1, but a number of specific provisions rent balances on the PAYGO scorecard, omy in revenues not just here in Wash- disproportionately affect older Americans. which for 2018, show a positive balance of $14 ington, but state and local levels as well. But Nearly three-quarters of tax filers who claim billion. (For years after 2018, the balances you make a great point: tax reform alone, the medical expense deduction are age 50 or range from a $14 billion credit to a $1 billion alone won’t get us to a balanced budget, we older and live with a chronic condition or ill- debit.) have to have spending constraints along with ness. Seventy percent of filers who claim Without enacting subsequent legislation to that. As I know, as House Republicans, we this deduction have income below $75,000. either offset that deficit increase, waive the are turning toward welfare reform and how H.R. 1 also eliminates the additional stand- recordation of the bill’s impact on the score- we tackle our entitlements in a way to save ard deduction for filers who are 65 and older, card, or otherwise mitigate or eliminate the them. That’s all part of the steps it takes to while at the same time increasing the lowest requirements of the PAYGO law, OMB would get us back to a fiscally responsible area. tax rate. These provisions, along with other be required to issue a sequestration order But I do know this, is you want to see con- proposals that more broadly affect the tax li- within 15 days of the end of the session of tinued deficits and debts, just stay with a ability of millions of filers, such as the expi- Congress to reduce spending in fiscal year slow growth economy like we saw the last ration of the new Family Flexibility Credit 2018 by the resultant total of $136 billion. ten years. We know what that produced. in 2023, and the partial repeal of the state However, the PAYGO law limits reductions and local tax deduction, result in little tax to Medicare to four percentage points (or Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. benefit to many older tax filers, and for oth- roughly $25 billion for that year), leaving Speaker, I also include in the RECORD a ers, a tax increase. about $111 billion to be sequestered from the letter from AARP, who is in opposition Also troubling is the negative effect H.R. 1 remaining mandatory accounts. Because the to this bill. will have on the nation’s ability to fund crit- law entirely exempts many large accounts AARP, ical priorities. H.R. 1 will increase the deficit including low-income programs and social November 15, 2017. by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years, and security, the annual resources available from DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: On behalf of our an unknown amount beyond 2027. The large which OMB must draw is, in CBO’s esti- members and all Americans age 50 and older, increase in the deficit will inevitably lead to mation, only between $85 billion to $90 bil- AARP is writing to express our views on H.R. calls for greater spending cuts, which are lion, significantly less than the amount that 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. AARP, with its likely to include dramatic cuts to Medicare, would be required to be sequestered. (For a nearly 38 million members in all 50 States Medicaid and other critical programs serving full list of accounts subject to automatic re- and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico older Americans. The Congressional Budget ductions, see OMB Report to the Congress on and the Virgin Islands, represents individ- Office has now published a letter stating the Joint Committee Reductions for Fiscal uals affected by H.R. 1 in myriad ways. As we that unless Congress takes action, H.R. 1 Year 2018, https://go.usa.gov/xnZ3U.) did with the last major effort at tax reform will result in automatic federal funding cuts Given that the required reduction in spend- a generation ago, AARP is prepared to sup- of $136 billion in fiscal year 2018, $25 billion ing exceeds the estimated amount of avail- port tax legislation that makes the tax code of which must come from Medicare. able resources in each year over the next 10 more equitable and efficient, promotes We urge Congress to work in a bipartisan years, in the absence of further legislation, growth, and produces sufficient revenue to manner to enact tax legislation that better OMB would be unable to implement the full meets the needs of older Americans and the pay for critical national programs, including extent of outlay reductions required by the nation, and we stand ready to work with you Medicare and Medicaid. However, H.R. 1 in PAYGO law. toward that end. If you wish further details on this esti- its current form does not meet these cri- Sincerely, mate, we will be pleased to provide them. teria. Efforts to restructure all or part of the fed- NANCY A. LEAMOND, Sincerely, eral tax system should in particular recog- Executive Vice President and KEITH HALL, nize the importance of—and therefore main- Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer. Director. tain—incentives for health and retirement Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Lastly, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. security. Such incentives are not only im- Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD a Speaker, let me begin by preempting

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:26 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.012 H16NOPT1 H9386 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 our distinguished chairman and, for Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I the wealthiest Americans. The Arctic Ref- the RECORD, state that a middle class include in the RECORD a letter from 17 uge’s spectacular landscape of rugged moun- family in the State of Connecticut, environmental organizations opposing tains, boreal forests, and wild rivers supports from West Hartford, with a combined this legislation. more than 250 species including polar and brown bears, musk oxen, and birds that mi- income of $125,000, with a mortgage and NOVEMBER 8, 2017. grate from all 50 states and 6 continents each a kid in college, according to the Joint DEAR REPRESENTATIVE, on behalf of our year. The indigenous Gwich’in people call Committee on Taxation and to the De- millions of members and activists, we write the refuge’s coastal plain ‘‘The Sacred Place partment of Revenue Services in the to urge you to oppose the Republican leader- Where Life Begins,’’ an area that serves as ship’s tax legislation, the misnamed Tax the calving grounds for the Porcupine Car- State of Connecticut, will see a tax in- Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). This plan would ibou Herd which they rely on as a primary crease of $767 next year. lavish huge and permanent tax cuts to the source of food, and for cultural and spiritual Then with the clever clawback provi- richest 1% and corporate polluters that are needs. This provision is being included in an sion—that Grover Norquist kind of destined to be paid for by the health and en- attempt to generate $1 billion in government vironmental well-being of communities clawback provision that gives with one revenue to pay for the package’s tax cuts for across the country. The bill’s debt-busting hand and takes away with the other— the wealthy, but multiple analyses show tax cuts for the wealthiest are sure to mean in 2023, that hardworking family in the that it is unlikely to raise anywhere close to deep cuts to federal and state programs and middle class will see a $1,667 increase. that amount. In short, including drilling in safeguards that protect our air, water, lands, So why are we here? the Arctic Refuge in the tax legislation is and wildlife that benefit people across this both environmentally and fiscally irrespon- It is pretty easy to figure out this. country every day. The plan puts at risk our sible. These are honorable people, but some- clean energy future by preserving tax breaks times they are called upon to do a po- For these reasons, we urge you to oppose for dirty energy sources while slashing them H.R. 1 and instead work together on legisla- litical task, or as Mr. COLLINS put it: for cleaner forms of energy. And if the tax tion that will truly benefit our communities, My donors are basically saying, ‘‘Get it plan itself weren’t harmful enough, it is also power our economy with clean, renewable done or don’t ever call me again.’’ being packaged in the Senate with unrelated, energy, and protect the environment that we Speaking of New York, my colleagues controversial legislation that hands over the all depend upon for our health and well- in New York and New Jersey, because pristine and sacred Arctic National Wildlife being. Refuge to exploitation by Big Oil. Sincerely, we are donor States and because we This plan steers most of its tax breaks to 350.org, Alaska Wilderness League, Cen- make itemized deductions, we find our- the wealthiest people in this country and ter for Biological Diversity, Clean selves in the situation where we are corporations and adds at least $1.5 trillion to Water Action, Earthjustice, Environ- paying double taxation. the deficit. Americans across the country ment America, Friends of the Earth, will suffer because those tax cuts are likely Don’t take our word for it. Just ask Greenpeace, Hip Hop Caucus, League of to be paid for by slashing services and safe- a member of your own caucus. Ask Conservation Voters, Natural Re- guards that our government provides, from PETER KING, who describes this as the sources Defense Council, Oil Change healthcare to education to environmental most massive redistribution of wealth International, Public Citizen, Sierra protection. The health of communities Club, The Wilderness Society, Union of at the expense of teachers, machinists, across the nation will suffer if the Environ- Concerned Scientists, Voices for and people who are of the professional mental Protection Agency is further ham- Progress. class whom you have found that you pered in its mission to protect public health want to tax their success. and hold polluters accountable for violating Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, But what adds insult to injury above laws like the Clean Air Act and Safe Drink- Donald Trump is going to be on Capitol all else, aside from being a donor State ing Water Act. The people who work in and Hill rallying Republicans to vote for and double taxation, is the cruelest benefit from America’s thriving outdoor rec- his tax bill perfectly designed for his cut. We take a Pledge of Allegiance. reational economy will take a hit if the na- benefit: eliminating the alternative tional parks and other lands stewarded by minimum tax, one of the few ways he We pledge allegiance to the Constitu- the Department of the Interior are forced to tion. But some of you pledge allegiance suffer further cuts because of this reckless pays any tax at all; abolishing the in- to Grover Norquist. In doing so, you tax plan. heritance tax, allowing him to pass on want to make sure that you can shrink This tax plan also steers our nation’s en- tax-free hundreds of millions of dollars Social Security and Medicare up so ergy policy in the wrong direction by leaving to his family; and expanding access to small you can drown it in the bathtub. in place the vast majority of existing tax the lower passthrough tax rates for That is what this does: $25 billion preferences for polluting industries like oil, many large and profitable businesses. will come out of that. gas, coal and nuclear and reducing, phasing- Donald Trump lists hundreds of pass- out, and eliminating incentives for cleaner The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- sources of energy. Permanent tax breaks for through entities on his financial forms. bers are advised to direct their re- fossil fuels dwarf those for renewables by a Donald Trump is the king of debt, marks to the Chair. margin of 7:1, yet this bill would suddenly and this monstrosity of a tax bill is Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I eliminate the tax credit for purchasing an fueled by increasing the national debt yield myself 30 seconds. I would note electric vehicle, disrupt the wind industry by $2.3 trillion and cutting taxes for the that families in Connecticut’s First reducing the credit for future projects by a wealthy financed by increased debt District will see an average tax cut of third and placing into jeopardy the eligi- burden on our children and grand- $3,858 and grow jobs by 11,000 jobs. bility of existing projects, and eliminate the children. Mr. Speaker, I rise to enter into a commercial solar investment credit. While Of course, details are starting to leak some clean energy technology credits are re- colloquy with the gentleman from introduced, they, too, are set to phase out. out, such as special deals for baseball Florida (Mr. CURBELO). Meanwhile, oil companies will receive a new teams. Breaking a bipartisan commit- Mr. CURBELO, you and Resident Com- billion dollar hand out while only the small- ment to the wind energy industry is al- missioner GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N have been est of existing preferences for fossil fuels are ready causing their stock prices to fall, tireless advocates for the Common- eliminated—leaving more than $14 billion in jeopardizing billions of dollars of wealth of Puerto Rico. I appreciate the permanent annual federal subsidies un- projects and putting tens of thousands hard work you have done to help our touched. Despite rhetoric from GOP leaders of jobs at risk with the only retro- fellow citizens on the island. I agree, that the tax code shouldn’t pick winners and active provision in the bill breaking a losers, this bill very clearly picks polluting this tax reform bill is a good first step, energy sectors as winners yet again, putting bipartisan commitment that many of and I look forward to working with you at risk the impressive growth of clean en- us worked on with the energy industry. on ideas to best serve the people on ergy and robbing us and our children of a The Republican proposal showers this island. cleaner future. riches on the wealthiest Americans and Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speak- The GOP leadership’s plan is to package most profitable corporations who are er, I thank Chairman BRADY for that. this tax legislation in the Senate with unre- not going to create jobs and raise Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 lated, controversial legislation that would wages. What they are going to do is minutes to the gentleman from Oregon open up the iconic Arctic National Wildlife buy things and make more money. Refuge to drilling. This legislation would ir- (Mr. BLUMENAUER), who is one of the reversibly damage one of America’s greatest What is going to happen is that, in the most thoughtful Members of Congress, wild places and is only being included in a years ahead, taxes are going to rise for a leader in the field of renewable en- desperate attempt to secure enough votes in millions of Americans and even more ergy, and my friend. the Senate for tax cuts for corporations and in the future.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:26 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.015 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9387 Now, this tax perhaps has the most fact, 103 religious organizations, 4,200 Tying America’s houses of worship to par- cruel element—what I call the Alz- faith-based leaders in this country, and tisan activity demeans the institutions from heimer’s tax—repealing the medical ex- 5,500 nonprofits have written a letter to which so many believers expect unimpeach- pense deduction used by over 9 million every Member of Congress telling us: able decency. middle class Americans who saved al- Don’t do this. Current law protects the independence of houses of worship. Houses of worship often most $90 billion in 2015—gone. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD speak out on issues of justice and morality This stunning action places addi- these letters. and do good works within the community tional burdens on many elderly and Updated November 1, 2017. but may also labor to adequately fund their vulnerable middle-income Americans Hon. PAUL RYAN, ministries. Permitting electioneering in trying to plan ahead for the crushing Speaker, churches would give partisan groups incen- financial burden dealing with Alz- Washington, DC. tive to use congregations as a conduit for po- heimer’s. We never had a hearing on Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, litical activity and expenditures. Changing anything like this. It wouldn’t stand Senate Majority Leader, the law would also make them vulnerable to the light of day. The American public Washington, DC. individuals and corporations who could offer Hon. NANCY PELOSI, large donations or a politician promising so- will be cranky about this. House Democratic Leader, cial service contracts in exchange for taking Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Washington, DC. a position on a candidate. Even proposals am pleased to report that families of Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, that would permit an ‘‘insubstantial’’ stand- four, the average family in Oregon’s Senate Democratic Leader, ard or allow limited electioneering only if it Third District, will see a tax cut of Washington, DC. is in furtherance of an organization’s mis- $2,200. Hon. KEVIN BRADY, sion would actually invite increased govern- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, ment intrusion, scrutiny, and oversight. gentleman from Texas (Mr. HEN- Washington, DC. The charitable sector, particularly houses SARLING), who is the chairman of the Hon. ORRIN HATCH, of worship, should not become another cog in Financial Services Committee and a Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, a political machine or another loophole in Washington, DC. dear friend of mine. campaign finance laws. We strongly urge you Hon. RICHARD NEAL, Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, for to oppose any efforts to repeal or weaken Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Com- protections in the law for 501(c)(3) organiza- almost a decade, Americans suffered mittee, Washington, DC. tions, including houses of worship. under Obamanomics. Their savings re- Hon. RON WYDEN, Sincerely, main decimated, their paychecks were Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Fi- African American Ministers in Action; Af- stagnant, and their American dreams nance, Washington, DC. rican Methodist Episcopal Church—Social were diminished. DEAR SPEAKER RYAN, MAJORITY LEADER Action Commission; Alabama Cooperative But, Mr. Speaker, a new day has MCCONNELL, LEADER PELOSI, LEADER SCHU- Baptist Fellowship; Alliance of Baptists; dawned. Under the leadership of Presi- MER, CHAIRMAN BRADY, CHAIRMAN HATCH, American Baptist Churches USA; American RANKING MEMBER NEAL, AND RANKING MEM- dent Trump, Speaker RYAN, and Chair- Baptist Home Mission Societies; American BER WYDEN: We, the 103 undersigned religious Friends Service Committee; American Jew- man BRADY, we are on the precipice of and denominational organizations strongly passing a fairer, flatter, simpler, and ish Committee (AJC); Anti-Defamation oppose any effort to weaken or eliminate League; Association of Welcoming and Af- more competitive Tax Code, one built protections that prohibit 501(c)(3) organiza- firming Baptists; B’nai B’rith International; for 3-plus percent economic growth. tions, including houses of worship, from en- Baptist Center for Ethics; Baptist Fellowship The American people can now imag- dorsing or opposing political candidates. Northeast; Baptist General Association of ine a Tax Code that brings jobs and Current law serves as a valuable safeguard Virginia; Baptist Joint Committee for Reli- capital back to America. They can for the integrity of our charitable sector and gious Liberty; Baptist Peace Fellowship of campaign finance system. North America—Bautistas por la Paz; Bap- imagine a Tax Code that is simplified Religious leaders often use their pulpits to tist Women in Ministry; Bend the Arc: A from 70,000 pages to 500, where 90 per- address the moral and political issues of the cent of Americans can fill out their re- day. They also can, in their personal capac- Jewish Partnership for Justice; California ities and without the resources of their Council of Churches IMPACT; Catholics for turn on a postcard. They can imagine a Choice. Tax Code swept of all the special inter- houses of worship, endorse and oppose political candidates. Houses of worship can en- Catholics in Alliance for the Common est loopholes. They can imagine a Tax Good; Central Conference of American Rab- Code creating lower rates for working gage in public debate on any issue, host candidate forums, engage in voter registration bis; Christian Life Commission; Christian Americans and small businesses, and drives, encourage people to vote, help trans- Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church; they can now imagine a Tax Code that port people to the polls and even, with a few Churchnet, a ministry of the Baptist General is all about economic growth. boundaries, lobby on specific legislation and Convention of Missouri; Colorado Council of All my friends on the other side of invite candidates to speak. Tax-exempt Churches; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; the aisle can offer is the politics of di- houses of worship may not, however, endorse Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Heartland; vision, envy, and class warfare. or oppose candidates or use their tax-exempt Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Kentucky; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas; I am proud to support the Tax Cuts donations to contribute to candidates’ campaigns. Current law simply limits groups Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida; and Jobs Act because it is all about Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia; better jobs, fair taxes, and bigger pay- from being both a tax-exempt ministry and a partisan political entity. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mis- checks. As religious organizations, we oppose any sissippi; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, 17,000 people attempt to weaken the current protections North Carolina; Cooperative Baptist Fellow- in Mr. HENSARLING’s district will now offered by the 501(c)(3) campaign interven- ship of Oklahoma; Cooperative Baptist Fel- pay higher interest on their student tion prohibition because: lowship of Texas; Cooperative Baptist Fel- loan deductions. People of faith do not want partisan polit- lowship of Virginia; Cooperative Baptist Fel- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the ical fights infiltrating their houses of wor- lowship West; Disciples Center for Public Witness; Ecumenical Catholic Communion. gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND), ship. Houses of worship are spaces for mem- Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; The who is a great advocate for the heart- bers of religious communities to come together, not be divided along political lines; Episcopal Church; Equal Partners in Faith; land of America. faith ought to be a source of connection and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, of all the community, not division and discord. Indeed, Evergreen Association of American Baptist policy changes that are being rec- the vast majority of Americans do not want Churches; Faith Action Network—Wash- ommended in this legislation before us houses of worship to issue political endorse- ington State; Faith in Public Life; Faith today, the one that scares me the most ments. Particularly in today’s political cli- Voices Arkansas; Faithful America; Florida is the repeal of the so-called Johnson mate, such endorsements would be highly di- Council of Churches; Franciscan Action Net- amendment. visive and would have a detrimental impact work; Friends Committee on National Legis- The Johnson amendment basically on civil discourse. lation; Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amer- says: If you are a religious organiza- Current law protects the integrity of ica; Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organi- houses of worship. If houses of worship en- zation of America, Inc.; Hindu American tion or a nonprofit and if you engage in dorse candidates, their prophetic voice, their Foundation; Hispanic Baptist Convention of partisan political activity, you lose ability to speak truth to power as political Texas; Interfaith Alliance; International So- your tax-exempt status. outsiders, is threatened. The credibility and ciety for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON); Repealing that has the potential of integrity of congregations would suffer with Islamic Networks Group; Islamic Society of politicizing the pulpit nationwide. In bad decisions of candidates they endorsed. North America.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:26 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.041 H16NOPT1 H9388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Jewish Community Relations Council, Rabbi Jessica Barolsky, Rabbi, Reform Ju- Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Hunts- Greater Boston; Jewish Community Rela- daism, Milwaukee, WI. ville; The National Center for Fire and Life tions Council of Greater Washington; Jewish Pastor Kara Baylor, Director of the Center Safety, Calera; Theatre Tuscaloosa, Tusca- Council for Public Affairs; The Jewish Fed- for Faith and Spirituality, Carthage College, loosa; United Way of East Central Alabama, erations of North America; Jewish Women Kenosha, WI. Anniston; Village Creek Society, Bir- International; Kentucky Council of Church- Rev. RaeAnn Beebe, Pastor, St. Paul’s mingham; Virginia Samford Theatre, Bir- es; Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellow- United Church of Christ, Oshkosh, WI. mingham; Workshops, Inc., Birmingham. ship; National Advocacy Center of the Sis- Rabbi Marc Berkson, Rabbi, Congregation ters of the Good Shepherd; National Baptist Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Milwaukee, WI. Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, when I go to Convention of America; National Council of Ms. Andrea Bernstein, Section President, my church, South Beaver Creek Lu- Churches; National Council of Jewish National Council of Jewish Women—Mil- theran Church, Sunday mornings with Women; National Sikh Campaign; NET- waukee Section, Milwaukee, WI. Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Rabbi, Temple my family in rural western Wisconsin WORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; Beth El, Madison, Madison, WI. by our family farm, I view that place New Baptist Covenant; North Carolina Coun- Rev. Mary Anne Biggs, Pastor, First Con- as a sanctuary for my soul; a place for cil of Churches; Oklahoma Conference of gregational United Church of Christ, Eagle Churches; Pastors for Oklahoma Kids; Pas- us to congregate, to commune, to River, WI. spend time in fellowship with our fel- tors for Texas Children; Pax Christi, Mont- Coral Bishop, Treasurer, First Baptist gomery County, MD chapters; Pennsylvania Church, Madison, WI. low neighbors, and to check up on one Council of Churches. Sr. Barbara Brylka, Pastoral Care Serv- another. Presbyterian Church USA, Washington Of- ices, Felician Sisters—Villa St. Francis, Mil- Yes, preach values and preach moral fice of Public Witness; Progressive National waukee, WI. Baptist Convention; Reconstructionist Rab- Sr. Rebecca Burke, Sister, Sisters of St. lessons to our children, absolutely. But binical Assembly; Religions for Peace USA; Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis, WI. by repealing the Johnson amendment, Religious Institute; Rhode Island State Rabbi David Cohen, Rabbi, Congregation you have the potential of creating con- Council of Churches; Seventh-day Adventist Sinai, Milwaukee, WI. flict in the pews. You could be creating Church in North America; South Carolina Rev. Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Pub- Republican and Democratic churches, Christian Action Council; South Dakota lic Policy in Wisconsin, Madison, WI. mosques, and synagogues overnight. Faith in Public Life; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Rev. Michael Crosby, CR Agent, Province Call for Human Rights; Tennessee Coopera- of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order, Mil- This is one of the last refuges, one of tive Baptist Fellowship; Texas Baptists Com- waukee, WI. the last institutions that we still have mitted; Texas Faith Network; Texas Impact; Sr. Frances Cunningham, Senior Sister, as a country given how much we are Union for Reform Judaism; Unitarian Uni- School Sisters of St. Francis, Roman Catho- lic, Shorewood, WI. self-segregating and deciding whom we versalist Association; Unitarian Universalist like to hang out with, what clubs we Service Committee; Unitarian Universalists Rev. Glenn Danz, Pastor, St. Paul’s United for Social Justice; United Church of Christ, Church of Christ, Colgate, WI. join, what people we want to associate Mr. Steven C. Davis, Certified Lay Speak- Justice and Witness Ministries; The United with, even our own family members, er/Leader, United Methodist Church of Methodist Church, General Board of Church because of political affiliation. Our Whitefish Bay, Glendale, WI. places of worship are one of the last and Society; Virginia Council of Churches; Dr. Beverly Davison, Lay Leader, Former Women of Reform Judaism; Women’s Alli- President, American Baptist Churches places we can come regardless of polit- ance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (U.S.A.), Madison, WI. ical affiliation. (WATER). Rev. Dr. James Davison, First Baptist This will create unnecessary strife Church, Madison, WI. FAITH VOICES, and unnecessary conflict, and it has August 16, 2017. SIGNERS OF THE COMMUNITY LETTER the potential of driving young people Representative RON KIND, The Community Letter in Support of Non- away from organized religion because Washington, DC. partisanship, signed by more than 5,500 orga- they won’t put up with this. It could be DEAR REPRESENTATIVE KIND: As a leader in nizations from every state and every seg- a backdoor attempt for a lot of polit- my religious community, I am strongly opment of the charitable and foundation com- ical contributors now to get tax-exposed to any effort to repeal or weaken cur- munities, makes a strong statement in sup- rent law that protects houses of worship empt contributions to these organiza- port of nonpartisanship and urges those who tions for direct, partisan political cam- from becoming centers of partisan politics. have vowed to repeal or weaken this vital Changing the law would threaten the integ- protection to leave existing law in place for paigns. That is why the Joint Com- rity and independence of houses of worship. nonprofit organizations and the people they mittee on Taxation viewed this as a We must not allow our sacred spaces to be serve. cost of over $2 billion. transformed into spaces used to endorse or ALABAMA oppose political candidates. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Faith leaders are called to speak truth to Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation, Bir- reconsider and reject this, and let’s power, and we cannot do so if we are merely mingham; Alabama Association of Non- prevent that conflict in our commu- cogs in partisan political machines. The pro- profits, Birmingham; Alabama Historic Iron- nities. phetic role of faith communities necessitates works Foundation, McCalla; Black Warrior that we retain our independent voice. Cur- Riverkeeper, Birmingham; Cahaba River So- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rent law respects this independence and ciety, Birmingham; Cahaba Riverkeeper, am pleased to announce that the aver- strikes the right balance: houses of worship Birmingham; Cloverdale Playhouse, Mont- age family of four in the Third District that enjoy favored tax-exempt status may gomery; Community Foundation of Greater of Wisconsin will see a tax cut of over engage in advocacy to address moral and po- Birmingham, Birmingham; Community Grief $2,000. Support Service, Birmingham; Coosa litical issues, but they cannot tell people Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the who to vote for or against. Nothing in cur- Riverkeeper. rent law, however, prohibits me from endors- Empowered to Conquer, Birmingham; Fam- gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT), ing or opposing political candidates in my ily Promise of Coastal Alabama, Mobile; who is the chairman of the Small Busi- own personal capacity. First Light, Inc., Birmingham; Fraternal ness Committee and a champion for Changing the law to repeal or weaken the Order of Eagles; Friends of Shades Creek, small businesses. ‘‘Johnson Amendment’’—the the section of Inc., Homewood; Gasp, Inc., Birmingham; the tax code that prevents tax-exempt non- Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, Birmingham; profit organizations from endorsing or oppos- Global Ties, Alabama, Huntsville; Greater b 1000 ing candidates—would harm houses of wor- Birmingham Ministries, Birmingham; Heart Gallery of Alabama, Inc. Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in ship, which are not identified or divided by support of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and partisan lines. Particularly in today’s polit- Humane Society of Elmore County, ical climate, engaging in partisan politics Wetumpka; Huntsville Youth Orchestra; Jobs Act. and issuing endorsements would be highly di- John Stallworth Foundation; KB Consulting, As a result of this bill, Ohio families visive and have a detrimental impact on con- Hanceville; Prichard Boxing Academy, will keep more of what they earn. Ad- gregational unity and civil discourse. Prichard; Public Education Foundation of Anniston, Inc., Anniston; Ruff Wilson Youth ditionally, it will create tens of thou- I therefore urge you to oppose any re- sands of jobs in Ohio and in other peal or weakening of the Johnson Organization; Shelby Emergency Assistance, Inc., Montevallo; Society of Mayflower De- States all across the country. Amendment, thereby protecting the scendants in Alabama, Alexander City; St. independence and integrity of houses of As chairman of the House Small Vincent’s Health System, Birmingham; Business Committee, I want to make worship and other religious organiza- Swell Fundraising, Birmingham. tions in the charitable sector. The Arc of Shelby County, Pelham; The sure that the Tax Code works for our Respectfully, Dance Foundation, Birmingham; The Epi- Nation’s job creators so that we can Wisconsin— lepsy Foundation of Alabama, Mobile; The create jobs, not against them.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.009 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9389 Seventy percent of the new jobs cre- On behalf of the more than 330,000 members bined $16 billion in 2027, Mr. Davis found, ated in the American economy now- of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge Con- while cutting personal taxes on Texans and adays are created by small businesses. gress to preserve the SALT deductions, to re- Floridians by more than $30 billion in total. Unfortunately, small businesses are ject any effort to eliminate, in whole or in His analysis finds only one state that Mr. part, these deductions and oppose the final Trump carried in 2016 —Utah—would receive getting killed by the existing Tax bill if these deductions are included. I thank lower personal tax benefits under the bill Code. you in advance for your consideration of our than would be expected, given its share of This Tax Code will bring rates down views. Please feel free to contact me or my national income, compared with 11 states from approximately 40 percent for Senior Advisor Jim Pasco if I can provide won by his Democratic rival, Hillary Clin- small-business owners to, in many any additional information on this impor- ton. The average Clinton state would receive cases, 25 percent and, in a lot of cases, tant issue. 82 percent of its expected benefits, by share 9 percent. From 40 percent down to 9 Sincerely, of national income, under the plan. The aver- percent. That means small businesses CHUCK CANTERBURY, age Trump state would receive 181 percent. can keep that money, invest and create National President. ‘‘It’s not unusual for a tax bill to have varying impacts in different parts of the more jobs for more Americans. [From the New York Times, Nov. 16, 2017] The naysayers around here obviously country,’’ Mr. Davis said. ‘‘But the degree to REPUBLICAN TAX PLANS PUT CORPORATIONS which this bill makes winners and losers out can’t say enough bad about this bill, OVER PEOPLE of different states is remarkable.’’ but it is going to be good for America. (By Jim Tankersley) Curtailing state and local deductions helps I urge my colleagues to support it. WASHINGTON.—There are tough choices at finance a core feature of both the House and Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, one-third of the heart of the Republican tax bills speed- Senate bills, which happens to be one of the the gentleman’s constituents claim the ing through Congress, and they make clear few provisions Mr. Trump has called non- State and local tax deduction, totalling what the party values most in economic pol- negotiable in tax discussions: cutting the $11,684 per family. icy right now: deep and lasting tax cuts for corporate income tax to a flat 20 percent Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the corporations. rate, down from a top rate of 35 percent distinguished gentleman from New Jer- The bill set to pass the House on Thursday today. Republicans have kept those cuts permanent, even as the Senate applied an expi- sey (Mr. PASCRELL), a great friend to chooses to take from high-tax Democratic states, particularly California and New ration date to the individual cuts and to a all of us here in this institution. key tax credit for families in the House bill. Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, before York, and give to lower-tax Republican states that President Trump carried in 2016, The Senate bill also sets an expiration date I start, I include in the RECORD two ar- particularly Florida and Texas. It allows for on breaks for so-called pass-through busi- ticles. One is a letter from the National tax increases on millions of families several nesses, whose owners pay taxes on profits Fraternal Order of Police, representing years from now, if a future Congress does not through the tax code for individuals. 330,000 police officers in this country intervene, but not for similar increases on In Washington, Republicans have stressed coming out against this bill because it corporations. that cutting corporate taxes will super- will affect their members in a very, The version of the bill moving through the charge economic growth, accelerating job very terrible way. The other is an arti- Senate Finance Committee chooses to give creation and raising wages in the process. By that theory, making such cuts permanent is cle in The New York Times today: ‘‘Re- peace of mind to corporate executives planning their long-term investments. That essential. publican Tax Plans Put Corporations comes at the expense of added anxiety for in- The gamble is apparent. Polls show that Over People.’’ dividual taxpayers, particularly those in the voters want corporations to pay higher, not NATIONAL FRATERNAL middle class, who could face stiff tax in- lower, taxes and that they doubt corporate ORDER OF POLICE, creases on Jan. 1, 2026. rate cuts will show up in their own pay- Washington, DC, November 14, 2017. A consistent conservative philosophy un- checks, as the White House has claimed. Per- Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, derpins all those decisions. So does a very haps not coincidentally, Republican leaders Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, large bet—economically and politically—on have pitched their bills largely as middle- Washington, DC. the power of business tax cuts to deliver class tax cuts, stressing the benefits for the Hon. NANCY P. PELOSI, rapid wage growth to United States workers. typical American family during television Minority Leader, House of Representatives, There is also the appearance, to liberal appearances and news conferences. Washington, DC. critics in particular, of Republicans seeking ‘‘The policy expects that the corporate tax Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, to reward their prized constituencies first, cuts will do the most for growth,’’ said Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, while leaving others to bear the con- Lanhee J. Chen, a research fellow at Stan- Washington, DC. sequences if their most optimistic scenarios ford University’s Hoover Institution, who Hon. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, do not play out. was the policy director for Mitt Romney’s Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, The tax plans have evolved rapidly since presidential campaign in 2012. ‘‘On the other Washington, DC. House leaders first introduced their bill at hand, they’re the hardest to explain.’’ DEAR MR. SPEAKER, SENATOR MCCONNELL, the beginning of the month. Amendments in It is an especially tricky explanation in REPRESENTATIVE PELOSI AND SENATOR SCHU- the Ways and Means Committee restored the context of the requests Republicans are MER: I am writing on behalf of the members some cherished tax breaks that had been tar- making of individual taxpayers, particularly of the Fraternal Order of Police to urge you geted for elimination, including those for the middle class, to trust that any benefits to protect the State and local tax (SALT) de- adoptive parents, and expanded the bill’s tax they see from the bills will not vanish over duction in the current tax code. Our mem- breaks for owners of businesses that are not a decade. The Senate bill is scheduled to de- bers put their lives and safety at risk to pro- organized as traditional corporations. liver an individual tax increases on 137 mil- tect our homes, schools and communities. The Senate bill differed from the House lion tax filers in 2027 if Congress does not in- Their salaries and the equipment they use version when it was introduced last week, tervene first, according to calculations by are paid for by State and local taxes on prop- and broke further away on Tuesday night, Ernie Tedeschi, an economist at Evercore erty, sales and income. These funds are then with a package of amendments that included ISI. Liberals warn the shock would be huge invested in our law enforcement agencies repealing the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for low- and middle-income families. and the men and women serving in law en- that most individuals buy health insurance. Republicans are ‘‘making a choice as to forcement. To comply with procedural rules that would which elements of their plan are perma- The FOP is very concerned that the partial allow Republicans to pass the bill on a party- nent,’’ said Jacob Leibenluft, a senior ad- or total elimination of the SALT deductions line vote in the Senate, the amendment also viser at the Center on Budget and Policy Pri- will endanger the ability of our State and set an expiration date—Dec. 25, 2025—on all orities and a former economic aide under local governments to fund these agencies and the individual tax cuts in the legislation. President Barack Obama, ‘‘and I think it’s recruit the men and women we need to keep The plans also differ on their treatment of worth starting with taking them at face us safe. In addition, our members are also state and local tax deductions. The Senate value.’’ citizens of these communities who work and would kill them entirely. The House would Canceling those looming increases would pay these State and local taxes. The elimi- maintain them only for property taxes and further add to the federal budget deficit, if nation of the SALT deductions, in whole or cap the deduction at $10,000 a year. Econo- the move is not paired with spending cuts. in part, will be deeply harmful to them and mists generally say that those tax breaks Middle-class families planning ahead can their families, effectively raising their taxes are inefficient. But eliminating them, in the imagine two possible consequences from that as much as $6,300 according to recent studies. context of the House bill, would add up to a decision: Either an immediate increase in The SALT deduction has been part of the tax large geographic transfer of income, accord- their taxes eight years from now, or an ex- code since it was originally drafted in 1913. ing to research by Carl Davis, the research plosion in federal budget deficits, which Our members would certainly oppose any ef- director of the Institute on Taxation and could necessitate spending cuts to safety net fort of the Federal government to tax their Economic Policy in Washington. programs like Social Security and Medicare. income twice by eliminating the SALT de- The House bill would raise personal taxes ‘‘The bill reflects talking out of both sides duction. on Californians and New Yorkers by a com- of your mouth at the same time—neither of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.018 H16NOPT1 H9390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 which is leading to good policy,’’ said Maya Here is what it means for families in Republicans want to apply a ‘‘dy- MacGuineas, the president of the Committee North Carolina. Middle-income fami- namic score’’ to this bill. I say: create for a Responsible Federal Budget. lies will see more than a $2,300 increase a dynamic workforce, invest in people, Republican leaders in both chambers have in their take-home pay. The Tax Cuts and don’t overwhelm us with endless said that they will not allow individual tax debt. Develop a more competitive, breaks to expire—and that their corporate and Jobs Act means more than 30,000 cuts will yield enough growth and additional new jobs in North Carolina. healthy workforce that empowers our tax revenue to pay for themselves, or at I am encouraged that our Senate col- DREAMers and other immigrants and least come close. Ms. MacGuineas and others leagues have also decided to include that gives every American access to fear the opposite could be even more likely: the ObamaCare individual mandate re- education and skill upgrades to achieve that growth will fall far short of those opti- peal and would urge our House Con- their full, God-given potential. mistic projections, and when the expiring ference to consider it, as well. As they deny one middle-class deduc- tax provisions come up for reauthorization, Last, I would like to thank Chairman tion after another and impose this new budget deficits will be swelling. The result, BRADY. There is no greater servant in Alzheimer’s tax, Republicans claim they say, would be more hard choices—and that they have a patented tax miracle predictable ones. the United States House. Thanks to his work and that of his team, today we cure for most everything but baldness. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE keep our promise. It is time to move The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- forward. time of the gentleman has expired. bers are advised that editorial content Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the inserted within unanimous consent re- minutes to the gentleman from Texas gentleman from Texas an additional 15 quests could result in Members’ time (Mr. DOGGETT), a thoughtful member of seconds. Mr. DOGGETT. We have seen this being charged. the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, if it Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, the trickle-down, medicine sideshow be- weren’t bad enough, Mr. Speaker—and promise of tax reform has degenerated fore. It didn’t work then; it won’t work I come over to this side for a reason: I into little more than a scam to aid tax now. All they are doing is grabbing for a have got many brothers and sisters dodgers. While public attention is di- political life preserver after 10 months whom I love here—this is a terrible verted to the scandal in Alabama, Re- bill. of Republican failures and leave Amer- publicans are rushing through this ica drowning in debt. This isn’t ‘‘tax Unanimous consent here. The real sham of a bill, developed in the dark price of this bill is hidden. $30 billion in reform.’’ It is a giant giveaway to with lobbyists, before most Americans Washington special interests that must interest on the debt every year. Who realize what is about to hit them in the pays this? be stopped. face. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- If it weren’t bad enough, the taxes Instead of more jobs at home, Repub- bers are reminded to refrain from en- that people have to pay today, as well licans create a giant, new gaping loop- gaging in personalities toward the as our children and our grandchildren, hole to ship ever more jobs abroad. President. but beyond that, the real price of this Even Speaker RYAN’s home State Re- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I bill is further hidden. The temporary publican Senator RON JOHNSON con- yield 1 minute to the gentleman from family flexibility credit expires after 5 cedes that, under this bill, ‘‘there will Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN). years. The temporary exclusion for be a real incentive to keep manufac- Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. independent care costs expires after 5 turing overseas.’’ Speaker, my late father was the rank- years. It is hardly a surprise since President ing Republican on the House Ways and Some have estimated that, if Repub- Trump’s Wall Streeter designated to Means Committee when the last tax re- licans make these provisions perma- run the show has just been identified form was passed in 1986. I know person- nent, as they claim will happen in fu- personally from leaked Bermudan doc- ally how difficult it was then to bring ture Congresses, the costs of the bill uments as the past executive of not all the competing interests together. will increase to over $400 billion. one, but 22 different island tax-paradise Everything looks easy from a distance. The Senate bill cuts off relief for shell companies. Everyone in this Congress would families in 7 years. They are hiding Meanwhile, another loophole, carried write a slightly different tax bill if over $500 billion in costs. interest, that flows to plutocrats like given the chance to do so, but we can’t I am particularly interested in the Donald Trump. That is the very injus- have 535 different tax bills. Even Chair- SALT exclusion as a deduction. Folks tice he promised to stop last year. It man BRADY would probably change in New Jersey, California, Maryland, will keep flowing right into their pock- some things if he had complete control New York, Connecticut, et cetera, are et. over it. I would favor some slight dif- going to be paying the costs of this de- As for the deduction for student in- ferences, but this is a great bill, over- duction being removed. terest for those who are overwhelmed all, for middle-income people. We need You can’t make this up. with college loans, like other middle- to do more in the future to cut spend- In fact, the increase mostly comes class tax provisions, that is part of the ing along with it. from eliminating the State and local $65 billion that is cut out of tax incen- KEVIN BRADY is the right man at the tax deduction for individuals, but cor- tives by Republicans in this bill. right time. I think he has done a mas- porations can continue to deduct their They are totally dependent upon al- terful job in bringing this bill to the State and local taxes. You can’t, Mr. ternative facts. floor. No other bill will do more to help and Mrs. America. Today’s bill even authorizes those keep jobs in this country. No other bill Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I who want to pay absolutely zero in tax we can pass in this Congress would do yield 1 minute to the gentleman from to do that by abolishing the alter- more to help more people than this one North Carolina (Mr. WALKER). native minimum tax (AMT). That one will. Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, today is change that they make, in one year, I urge the bill’s passage. not just about tax reform. Today is would have put $31 million in Donald Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 also about what we fundamentally be- Trump’s pocket. minutes to the gentleman from Illinois lieve as a nation. Today, we say work- So you can certainly understand why (Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS), whose knowl- ing class families, not the government, he is coming to the Capitol today, just edge of new markets tax credits is sec- are best equipped to make financial de- to say thank you: Thank you for the ond to none in this institution. cisions. billion dollars-plus that is estimated to Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD two Did we hear anything from our go to the Trump family under this bill. letters: one from the National Edu- Democratic friends for nearly 8 years ‘‘When does my tax refund get here?’’ cation Association and one from the about lowering taxes on middle and he must be saying. American Council on Education. lower income families? We did not. Of course, we don’t know precisely NOVEMBER 15, 2017. Now, for the first time since 1986, we how much Donald Trump is enriched DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: On behalf of the are going to overhaul our broken Tax because these Republicans keep three million members of the National Edu- Code. colluding to hide his tax returns. cation Association (NEA), and the 50 million

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students they serve, we urge you to Vote No education. That could translate into cuts to ELIMINATING SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), a republic schools, lost jobs to educators, and CONSTRUCTION BONDS PROGRAM write of the U.S. tax code being voted on this overcrowded classrooms that deprive stu- The Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) week. This multi-trillion dollar plan is a tax dents of one-on-one attention. Program has proven to be an efficient and giveaway to the wealthiest and corporations NEA conducted a detailed analysis of the cost-effective way to help disadvantaged paid for on the backs of working families and plan to eliminate most of SALT. In total, communities address pressing renovation students, and jeopardizes the ability of education funding could take a $250 billion and repair needs in schools. Investors receive states and local communities to adequately cut over the next 10 years and put up to a federal tax credit equal to the amount of fund public schools. Votes associated with 250,000 education jobs at risk. It is no secret interest payable on the bonds, thereby re- this issue may be included in NEA’s Legisla- what is likely to follow if Congress elimi- lieving local taxpayers and municipalities of tive Report Card for the 115th Congress. nates SALT. If there is any doubt, one need the interest burden. A school that is awarded Tax plans reveal the priorities of a nation only to listen to what far-right groups like a QZAB may use the funds to renovate and and in a number of respects this one tells ALEC are saying right now. Their letter repair buildings, invest in equipment, and working and middle-class families, students, about the SALT deduction lays out their update technology which are all vital to stu- and educators that they must sacrifice in plan—to lobby for lower taxes at the state dent well-being and success. Eliminating order to further enrich the wealthy and cor- and local level. This means even fewer avail- this program will only ensure that more and porations. We oppose the bill as currently able funds for students and public education. more students will go to school in yester- crafted for several reasons outlined below. TURNING POPULAR 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN day’s buildings with out-of-date technology A GIVEAWAY TO THE WEALTHY AND CORPORA- INTO A VOUCHER-LIKE SCHEME FOR THE and often unsafe, crumbling infrastructures. TIONS SETS UP DRASTIC CUTS TO MEDICAID, WEALTHY PUTTING STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC PENSIONS MEDICARE, AND EDUCATION The tax plan distorts a popular education FUNDING AT RISK Analysis of the Joint Committee on Tax- tax program for middle-class families by cre- Section 5001 of H.R. 1 could subject certain ation’s estimate of H.R. 1’s impact shows ating a voucher scheme with no income lim- investment of state and local government that the bill is overwhelmingly skewed to its that is aimed at benefitting the wealthy pension plans to the unrelated business in- the wealthy. Households with annual in- to set aside up to $10,000 annually in a tax- come tax (UBIT). Investment earnings pay comes over $1 million would receive 16 times free account for private school expenses. for approximately two-thirds of state and the percentage increase in after-tax income Both the Heritage Foundation and Education local government pension benefits, which are as other taxpayers. In addition, 45 percent of Secretary Betsy DeVos agree, noting to the taxed when distributed to participants. In the cost of the bill’s tax cuts would go to Washington Post that the backdoor voucher addition to the revenue lost from the tax households with incomes above $500,000—less plan is ‘‘. . . a good step forward . . .’’ in al- itself, subjecting these pension plans to than one percent of filers. Meanwhile, JCT lowing public dollars to follow children to UBIT could pose significant and complex estimates show that taxes would actually in- private school. Make no mistake. This poor- compliance costs that could dramatically af- crease for filers with incomes between $20,000 ly veiled voucher program will only benefit fect pension funds. Further, the UBIT will and $40,000 over the life of the bill. the wealthiest families who can already af- result in a drag on these critically important For now, much of the tax cuts will be def- ford private school tuition at the expense of investment returns, sets a dangerous prece- icit-financed, but the budget resolution that our students, communities, and taxpayers. dent for taxation of state entities, and will helped pave the way for this plan previews In the end, no matter what form or name a ultimately increase costs to taxpayers. voucher program takes, the impact is the the next phase: future legislation to cut the REWRITING THE TAX CODE SHOULD NOT BE same. This risky voucher program will hurt growing deficit caused by tax cuts by de- RUSHED manding cuts to critical services that help students and neighborhood schools—where 90 percent of children attend. In 1986, Congress undertook a yearlong, bi- working people, children, seniors, and oth- partisan effort to deliberately and carefully ELIMINATION OF THE MODEST EDUCATOR TAX ers—Medicaid, Medicare, education, and rewrite the tax code. Measured consideration DEDUCTION more. In fact, some of this impact will be im- should again be taken in understanding the mediate. According to the Congressional While offering huge giveaways for wealthy near-term and long-term impacts a tax code Budget Office (CBO), without enacting subse- individuals and corporations, the plan rewrite will have on families, communities, quent legislation, the tax bill will trigger inexplicably eliminates the popular educator and public services. Instead, Congressional automatic spending cuts to pay for the tax tax deduction that allows educators to de- leadership is rushing the process and putting changes under a ‘‘paygo’’ law. The CBO anal- duct eligible unreimbursed out-of-pocket forward a bill that further tilts the scale in ysis concludes that Medicare would face an classroom spending—books, paper, pencils, favor of the wealthy and corporations, and FY18 reduction of $25 billion with a remain- and art supplies purchased to supplement paid for by working families. For all of the ing $111 billion to be sequestered from re- meager school budgets—up to $250 annually. reasons outlined above, we urge you to Vote maining mandatory programs. The popular plan made ‘‘permanent’’ by Con- No on H.R. 1. Kansas provides a window into what this gress just two years ago, was claimed on 3.7 Sincerely, million tax returns in 2015. Almost every ed- approach looks like. In 2012, the state’s MARC EGAN, former governor pushed through similar ucator pays out of pocket for school supplies. Director of Government Relations, massive tax cuts to individuals and busi- The most recent study by the National National Education Association. nesses that allegedly would boost the econ- School Supplies and Equipment Association omy. In reality, Kansas’ job growth was ane- (NSSEA) estimated that public school edu- AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION, mic and the governor and legislature starved cators spent $1.6 billion of their own money Washington, DC, November 6, 2017. state services. Kansas cut funding for public during the 2012–2013 school year on classroom Re Higher Education Provisions in H.R. 1, schools, infrastructure, and other services, supplies. An estimated 99 percent of public the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. and scrambled to close a $350-million budget school teachers spent some amount of money Hon. KEVIN BRADY, deficit. After voters spoke at the ballot box, out of pocket for their classrooms, with typ- Chairman, Ways and Means Committee, lawmakers reversed course, raising taxes and ical amounts ranging from $500–$1,000. Washington, DC. overriding—in a bipartisan manner—the gov- MAKING COLLEGE EVEN MORE COSTLY FOR Hon. RICHARD NEAL, ernor’s veto. Rather than rushing forward FAMILIES Ranking Member, Ways and Means Committee, with a partisan bill, Congress would do well The plan also eliminates the student loan Washington, DC. to heed the recent lesson from America’s interest deduction. This is bad news for stu- DEAR CHAIRMAN BRADY AND RANKING MEM- heartland. dents and families. Under current rules, bor- BER NEAL: On behalf of the American Council ELIMINATING SALT DEDUCTION IS A TAX IN- rowers paying off education loans can annu- on Education and the undersigned higher CREASE AND WILL DEVASTATE EDUCATION ally deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid on education associations, we write to express FUNDING student loans. H.R. 1 essentially raises the grave concerns with H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and H.R. 1 would eliminate most of the state long-term cost of attending college by elimi- Jobs Act. and local tax deduction (SALT)—taking nating the deductions for interest paid on This legislation, taken in its entirety, money out of the pockets of as many 44 mil- student loans. According to the IRS, over 12 would discourage participation in postsec- lion middle-class families across the nation. million individuals claimed this deduction in ondary education, make college more expen- While the bill hammers middle-class families 2015. Further, the bill eliminates a provision sive for those who do enroll, and undermine on this, it oddly preserves the ability of busi- that allows universities to waive tuition for the financial stability of public and private, nesses to deduct state and local taxes—yet graduate students. Graduate students would two-year and four-year colleges and univer- another example of how the bill takes from be taxed on the value of that tuition as if it sities. According to the Committee on Ways working families to provide tax giveaways to were income, making it almost impossible and Means summary, the bill’s provisions those who are wealthier. for many students to afford graduate de- would increase the cost to students attend- Eliminating any part of the state and local grees. In a time of rising college costs and ing college by more than $65 billion between tax deduction could lead to a tax increase on skyrocketing student loan debt, it is un- 2018 and 2027. This is not in America’s na- middle class families and have a negative, thinkable to take away provisions that as- tional interest. ripple effect on the ability of states and local sists students and families struggling to pay It is possible to offer tax relief to hard- communities to fund public services, like for college. working middle-class and lower-income

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Americans in a way that does not increase ing the AOTC, adversely impacting their fi- TITLE III—BUSINESS TAX REFORM college costs and does not make a quality nancial ability to pursue a degree or lifelong SUBTITLE G—BOND REFORMS higher education less accessible. We are learning. Indeed, under the changes proposed Sec. 3601. Termination of private activity eager to work with Congress to enact such in the bill, many non-traditional students— bonds legislation, but this bill heads in the wrong the fastest growing segment of students in H.R. 1 would eliminate private activity direction. higher education—would lose significant tax bonds, which are used by private nonprofit Our main objections to the bill are listed benefits they currently rely upon to help fi- colleges and universities to finance capital below, in the order in which they appear in nance their higher education. projects. This repeal would essentially pre- the legislation. The order is not meant to re- Sec. 1204. Repeal of other provisions relat- vent institutions from using lower-cost tax- flect prioritization: ing to education exempt bond financing. Higher borrowing Sec. 1002: Changes to the standardized de- The legislation as written would repeal the costs can result in diminished investments duction, which will reduce charitable concurrent Student Loan Interest Deduction in infrastructure, fewer jobs, reduced serv- tributions to our institutions; (SLID). Under current law, any individual ices, and increased service charges and other Sec. 1002: Repeal of Lifetime Learning with income up to $80,000 (or $160,000 on a fees to students. Credit, while not substantially increasing joint return) repaying student loans can cur- the American Opportunity Tax Credit rently deduct up to $2,500 in student loan in- TITLE V—EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS (AOTC); terest paid. In 2014, 12 million taxpayers ben- SUBTITLE B—EXCISE TAXES Sec. 1204: Repeal of the Student Loan In- efited from SLID. Eliminating this provision Sec. 5103. Excise tax based on investment terest Deduction (SLID); would mean that, over the next decade, the income of private colleges and universities Sec. 117(d): Repeal of the qualified tuition cost of student loans for borrowers would in- H.R. 1 fundamentally changes the way non- reduction; crease by roughly $13 billion. profits are treated by creating a new and un- Sec. 127: Repeal of educational assistance H.R. 1 would also repeal two important precedented tax on endowments of some pri- program; provisions meant to exclude tuition waivers vate colleges and universities. This provision Sec. 1303: Changes to the state and local and tuition exemptions from income for undermines the very nature of the tax-ex- tax (SALT) deduction, which will reduce campus employees and graduate students. empt status of private colleges and univer- state budgets and, in turn, funding for public Section 117(d) permits educational institu- sities. While the new excise tax is currently higher education; tions to provide their employees, spouses, or focused on private institutions, we strongly Sec. 3601: Termination of private activity dependents with tuition reductions that are oppose this new excise tax and the precedent bonds; and, excluded from taxable income, helping them it sets for all of higher education. Sec. 5103: Creation of a new excise tax on afford a college education and providing an Investment income from endowments is endowments at private colleges and univer- important benefit to many middle- and used every day to support nearly every as- sities. lower-income college employees. pect of an institution’s operations, including Colleges and universities also have a num- Section 117(d)(5) is also an important pro- all the components vital to its mission and ber of concerns about other provisions that vision that reduces the cost of graduate edu- the delivery of a high-quality, affordable would negatively impact students by less- cation and mitigates the tax liability of education, from financial aid to research and ening charitable giving, limiting university- graduate students teaching and researching student retention and success programs. An industry partnerships, and compromising as part of their academic programs. Roughly endowment is not a single entity that can be educational quality. 145,000 graduate students received a tuition used for any purpose. Rather, it is a perma- reduction in 2011–2012. Repeal of this provi- TITLE I—TAX REFORM FOR INDIVIDUALS nent investment fund consisting of often sion would result in thousands of graduate SUBTITLE A—SIMPLIFICATION AND REFORM OF thousands of separate accounts designed for students being subjected to a major tax in- the needs of the present and the future. RATES, STANDARD DEDUCTION, AND EXEMP- crease. The provision is also critical to the TIONS Under H.R. 1 potentially large amounts of research endeavor at major universities, par- endowment dollars would be redirected to Sec. 1002. Enhancement of the standard de- ticularly in the crucial science, technology, the federal government, taking them away duction engineering and math (STEM) fields. Accord- from providing scholarships to our students Colleges and universities are concerned ing to data from the Department of Edu- and supporting research and education. It that doubling the standard deduction for in- cation, 57 percent of tuition reductions went also would effectively be a tax on donors’ dividuals and couples will reduce the number to graduate students in STEM programs. contributions and shift money from the dedi- of taxpayers who itemize, significantly re- Section 127 allows employers to offer em- cated purpose for the donation. Roughly 160 ducing the value of the charitable deduction ployees up to $5,250 annually in tuition as- institutions will likely be affected by this and leading to a drop in donations to all non- sistance, which is excluded from taxable in- provision, and we strongly object to it. profits, including colleges and universities. come. This provision has been an important For all of these reasons, we cannot support For private nonprofit and public colleges and means of building and adding to the com- H.R. 1 and strongly oppose the proposed universities, the charitable deduction is petencies of the workforce and is a critical changes outlined above. vital for generating private support to high- tool to help our nation accelerate its eco- Sincerely, er education institutions to help achieve nomic growth. TED MITCHELL, their educational missions of teaching, re- For all of these reasons, we strongly be- President. search, and public service. While the bill pre- lieve that Sections 117(d) and 127 should be On behalf of: serves a modest charitable giving incentive, preserved. ACPA—College Student Educators Inter- its value would be significantly curtailed SUBTITLE D—SIMPLIFICATION AND REFORM OF national, American Association of Colleges and charitable giving would decline to all DEDUCTIONS for Teacher Education, American Associa- nonprofits, which provide essential services Sec. 1303. Repeal of deduction for certain tion of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, to all Americans. We are disappointed that taxes not paid or accrued in a trade or busi- American Association of Collegiate Reg- the bill did not include a proposal that would ness istrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), expand the charitable deduction to non- Changes to the state and local tax (SALT) American Association of Community Col- itemizers, like the universal charitable de- deduction will have a significant negative ef- leges, American Association of State Col- duction. fect on state budgets, forcing state govern- leges and Universities, American Association SUBTITLE C—SIMPLIFICATION AND REFORM OF ments to make very difficult and harmful of University Professors, American Council EDUCATION INCENTIVES funding decisions. The SALT deduction helps on Education, American Dental Education Sec. 1201. The American Opportunity Tax state and local governments fund public Association, American Psychological Asso- Credit (AOTC) services that provide widely shared benefits. ciation. H.R. 1 would repeal the Lifetime Learning Limiting the deduction will almost certainly APPA, ‘‘Leadership in Educational Facili- Credit, while only expanding AOTC to in- make it harder for states and localities— ties’’, Association of American Colleges and clude a fifth year of reduced support. This many of which already face serious budget Universities, Association of American Med- would be a large step backwards, not an im- strains—to raise sufficient revenues in the ical Colleges, Association of American Uni- provement, for many students and their fam- coming years to fund higher education and versities, Association of Catholic Colleges ilies who benefit under current law. We ap- other priorities. There has been a long-term and Universities, Association of Community preciate that the bill maintains the ex- decline in state support for higher education College Trustees, Association of Governing panded eligible expenses of the AOTC, which and cuts to SALT will exacerbate this prob- Boards of Universities and Colleges, Associa- includes required course materials, as well as lem. Cuts in state support for public higher tion of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, As- the current income thresholds. But we are education can lead to increased tuition and sociation of Public and Land-grant Univer- extremely concerned that the ‘‘enhanced’’ potentially cuts to state student financial sities, Association of Research Libraries. AOTC, as written, would preclude graduate aid programs, raising the cost of attending Association of Teacher Educators, College students, part-time students, lifelong learn- college for students and their families. His- and University Professional Association for ers (particularly those seeking retraining), tory has shown that when states need to Human Resources, Consortium of Univer- and any student taking longer than five make cuts, support for higher education is sities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, years to finish their education from access- often a primary target. Council for Advancement and Support of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.028 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9393 Education, Council for Christian Colleges & seen firsthand how broken our tax sys- Speaker, it is really the long overdue Universities, Council for Higher Education tem can be for many hardworking direct tax benefits to the vast middle Accreditation, Council of Graduate Schools, Americans. class, who don’t have a lobbyist living Council of Independent Colleges, Council on Under this bill, not only will the av- in the rich suburbs of Washington, Governmental Relations, Council on Social Work Education. erage family of four receive a tax cut, D.C., that take center stage for me and EDUCAUSE, Hispanic Association of Col- but small businesses will finally be my fellow North Dakotans. leges and Universities, NAFSA: Association taxed at a lower rate to help them ex- You see, 80 percent of the citizens of of International Educators, NASPA—Stu- pand and grow jobs in America. North Dakota file claiming this stand- dent Affairs Administrators in Higher Edu- According to the nonpartisan Tax ard deduction. That means, Mr. Speak- cation, National Adult Learner Coalition, Foundation, this bill will create 1 mil- er, that the vast majority of my con- National Association for College Admission lion new jobs and grow the economy by stituents will see their deductions Counseling, National Association for Equal 4 percent, a growth rate this country nearly doubled if they do nothing else. Opportunity in Higher Education, National Association of College and University Busi- hasn’t experienced since 2000. And obviously, with the doubling of the ness Officers, National Association of Inde- It is time to give all Americans a standard deduction, it will likely in- pendent Colleges and Universities, National break in terms of their taxes. With pas- spire even more North Dakotans to Association of Student Financial Aid Admin- sage of this bill, we will finally have claim this simple deduction. istrators, National Collegiate Athletic Asso- the opportunity to help middle class Mr. Speaker, this huge benefit, com- ciation, The Council for Adult and Experien- families and get our economy back on bined with greater job opportunities tial Learning (CAEL), Thurgood Marshall track. and simpler, less expensive filing costs, College Fund, UNCF (United Negro College I urge support for this critical bill to and, of course, a generous family tax Fund), UPCEA. cut taxes and reform our tax system. credit, will put more money in the Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 pockets and less anxiety in the hearts Speaker, the Republican tax bill is a minutes to the gentleman from New of middle class North Dakotans. Sup- dangerous bill that raises taxes on 36 York (Mr. HIGGINS), one of the most porting this reform package is easy for million middle class households; takes knowledgeable members of the Ways me because it is right for North Da- healthcare from tens of millions of and Means Committee. kota, and I thank Chairman BRADY for Americans; skyrockets the cost of Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. this outstanding work. health insurance for all Americans, but Speaker, this is nothing more than a Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 especially for those who are sick or hit job on middle America to pay for a minutes to the gentlewoman from have preexisting conditions; and di- massive tax cut for corporate America. Washington (Ms. DELBENE), a very suc- rectly results in cuts to Medicare and The only certainty from this charade is cessful businesswomen in her own safety net spending next year—all to slower economic growth, more income right, who understands the modern give corporate special interests imme- inequality, and exploding budget defi- economy. diate, permanent, and monumental tax cits. Ms. DELBENE. Mr. Speaker, in this cuts. When you take away tax relief from Ryan-McConnell tax bill, Republicans Cut, cut, cut is all that I have heard sick people who were born into illness are touting the largest set of corporate this week: cut the safety net; cut serv- and for whom insurance doesn’t pro- tax cuts in our country’s history. They ice for the needy; cut service for the vide enough coverage, that is a hit on are raving that their corporate cuts physically challenged; cut the poor; cut middle America. will create jobs, even though we know the homeless; cut Medicaid; cut edu- When you remove help for people who that trickle-down economics has never cation; cut out low-income tax credits; are just trying to make college afford- worked and never will. cut out new market tax credits; cut able, who are trying to make them- Instead of bringing Democrats and out social services; cut block grants; selves better, that is a hit on middle the public into the process, Repub- cut student loans. America. licans have made the most cynical Winter is here. Cut the Low Income tradeoffs, only hurting people who need b 1015 Home Energy Assistance Program. If help the most. you live in Chicago, Minneapolis, the And when you take away healthcare This is wrong. Tax reform should be Midwest, or the Northeast, without any from 13 million Americans and raise about coming together and making heat, you are subject to catch pneu- the cost for millions more because you choices that reflect our values. monia and die. There is no doubt about needed another $300 billion to give Yet, under this plan, teachers, who it. more to corporate America, that is a buy supplies for their students, like I can imagine that college residents, hit on middle America. pens, pencils, and paper, will lose the hospital administrators, and managers And when 152,000 people from my ability to deduct those costs from their of programs are wringing their hands, community and millions more from tax returns, but corporations still can wondering what they are going to do. New York lose 100 years of protection deduct supply costs. I heard a minister last Sunday at one from State and local taxes, protection Firefighters will no longer be able to of the churches in my community ask- worth more than $8,000 per household, deduct their State and local income or ing this, and he said: Pray, organize, that is a hit on my community, it is a sales taxes, but corporations still can. vote. hit on New York State, and it is a hit Homeowners will no longer be able to Vote against this bill. on each and every community in Amer- deduct all of their property taxes, but Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ica. corporations still can. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from And when you take away the essen- And if workers have to move because Florida (Mr. BUCHANAN), chairman of tial needs of middle America to feed their employer is forcing them to relo- the Oversight Subcommittee. the rapacious needs of corporate Amer- cate their families or lose their jobs, Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I also ica, it is a hit on fundamental fairness, they will no longer be able to deduct want to acknowledge our incredible and that, Mr. Speaker, is a hit on all of their moving expenses, but corpora- chairman and his leadership over the America. tions, even those offshoring jobs, still last 7 years I have been here and work- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I can. ing this plan forward. It is an exciting yield 1 minute to the gentleman from This bill increases taxes on 36 million time for all of us. North Dakota (Mr. CRAMER). working families and rips away key Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, we know lifelines that help people struggling of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, legisla- that the economic and job creation with long-term illness, childcare, and tion to provide tax relief to middle benefits are key components of the Tax education expenses. It blows a $1.5 tril- class families and small-business own- Cuts and Jobs Act, making the U.S. lion hole in the deficit and burdens our ers across America. globally competitive again, giving children and grandchildren with debt, As a businessman for more than 30 much-needed tax cuts to American triggering an automatic $25 billion cut years, I have had the opportunity to business, and much-needed wage in- to Medicare. This bill gives massive employ thousands of workers. I have creases to American workers. But, Mr. permanent tax cuts to corporations,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.030 H16NOPT1 H9394 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 but working families will have to live home to go overseas to find that an- for Republicans, it is right for Demo- with the temporary scraps thrown at swer. crats, it is right for Independents, it is them. Now, I just want to go over some right for Libertarians, it is right for Bottom line: this bill hurts Ameri- things that really are important. A America. cans from cradle to retirement, and I friend of mine by the name of George This is the right time to do the right urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no.’’ Abraham, who is a basketball coach— thing. My friends, we cannot stay Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I George and I were talking one day, and where we are. A standpat hand is a yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from we were talking about the value of win- nonwinning hand. The ability to move Pennsylvania (Mr. KELLY), one of the ning. And George said to me: You know forward, the ability to absolutely not leaders of the Tax Policy Sub- what, MIKE, the only position you want just participate in a global economy committee. to be in is the number one position. but dominate a global economy and Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. And I said: Really? give every single American the faith Speaker, I thank Chairman BRADY and He goes: Yes. Because anything other and a future and restore the faith they all the members of the Ways and Means than finishing first is you finish with need to have in this body that we are staff who have worked tirelessly in the rest. doing the best thing in their interest order to bring this bill forward. If you were to take a survey, and every single day that we come here. I can’t tell you how excited I am to Forbes did, and they said: If you were The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- be here today. My friend, Mr. LARSON, starting a business today, where would bers are reminded to direct their re- I notice he wears a pin with a picture you start that business? marks to the Chair. of John Kennedy, one of my favorite And right away, I would say: Are you Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I am de- Presidents of all time. kidding me? It is the United States of lighted to have Mr. KELLY—as he de- Let me just read from a speech that America because of who we are, our scribes sports teams, we discovered he President Kennedy gave on December greatness. is a closet Patriots fan. 14, 1962. This is 55 years ago, and he And no, there are 22 other countries Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gave it in an address to the Economic that people say I would rather go some- gentlewoman from California (Ms. Club of New York. place else than do it right here in JUDY CHU), whose history, in terms of ‘‘Our true choice is not between tax America. That is incredible. And when revenue and revenue collection, is well reduction, on the one hand, and the we talk about where we are as a peo- known to the Congress. avoidance of large Federal deficits on ple—where we are as a people—listen to Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. the other. It is increasingly clear that these figures. These are not my figures, Speaker, one thing is clear about the no matter what party is in power, so by the way. This is the Tax Founda- GOP tax scam: corporate interests get long as our national security needs tion: a huge giveaway. They get a windfall keep rising, an economy hampered by Cuts for Americans at every eco- tax break. Who pays for it? The middle restrictive tax rates will never produce nomic level; class. Who wins? Corporations, billion- enough revenues to balance our budg- Reduces taxes by almost $1,200 for aires, millionaires, the Trump family. et—just as it will never produce enough every average-size middle-income Who loses? Women, families, seniors, jobs or enough profits. American family; teachers, students. ‘‘ . . . only full employment can bal- Reduces taxes by almost $2,000 for As a former Los Angeles Community ance the budget, and tax reduction can every average-size middle-income fam- College teacher of 20 years, I can’t be- pave the way to that employment. The ily in Pennsylvania’s Third District; lieve what Republicans are doing to purpose of cutting taxes now is not to Grows national GDP by 3.5 percent; students. They rip away critical bene- incur a budget deficit, but to achieve Increases American wages by 2.7 per- fits that help our students pay for their the more prosperous, expanding econ- cent; college education. They eliminate the omy, which can bring a budget sur- Increases after-tax income for every student loan interest deductions and plus.’’ taxpayer by 3.8 percent in the long run; choose to tax graduate students on Keeping that in mind—and I hear the Increases after-tax incomes for me- money they have never even received debate going back and forth—I would dian families in Pennsylvania by over by taxing the tuition assistance they just encourage all of our Members: you $2,300; get for working for their schools. are going to have a choice today to Creates almost 900,000 new American This bill even pinches students when take your voting card, and you are jobs; and they are still in elementary school by going to put it in the voting machine, Creates, in my State of Pennsyl- taxing their teachers who claim a de- and you can push a green button that vania, over 36,000 new jobs. duction for the school supplies they says ‘‘go,’’ putting this Nation back on So I say, this is a jobs bill. This is a pay for out of their own paycheck. One track, making America the greatest revenue raiser for us. This is about teacher in my area even pays for the economic power in the world; or you bringing people back home. This is ink in her classroom printer. They can push the red button and say: you about more take-home pay for every don’t ask to be repaid, just to be able know what, just not something I can hardworking American guy and gal to deduct the expense. vote for today because it is just not ex- who is out there who gets up every day If corporations get to keep this de- actly what I want. and gets up to do one thing, and that duction, why not our teachers? And Next week, 50 million Americans will is, to protect their families and work then if that is not cruel enough, they travel because they want to come in the interest of their country. eliminate the deduction for extraor- home; they want to come home for the I am just asking you today to look at dinary medical expenses for those with holidays; they want to come home for this card and know that you have with- Alzheimer’s and cancer. And this week Thanksgiving. This bill is a Thanks- in the power of your vote to unleash we learn that Republicans plan to pay giving bill. This is a jobs bill because the greatest economy in the world, to for these corporate cuts by causing 13 what we are telling corporate America unshackle it from a Tax Code that million people to lose their health in- is we want you to come home. We want makes it impossible to compete glob- surance, a move that will increase pre- to make this a more favorable environ- ally, that overregulates it and forces it miums by 10 percent and result in indi- ment for you to live, to work, to suc- offshore, and then blames them for viduals with preexisting conditions los- ceed, because we know that true suc- leaving. ing access to lifesaving affordable cov- cess in business is only a sustainable This is a ‘‘come on back home.’’ This erage. business model. is a ‘‘don’t leave home; stay here; we Then Republicans eliminate the So when you tax people at the high- are on your side; we are going to work State and local tax deduction, which is est rate in the industrialized world, with you; and we are going to get used by over 6 million California when you regulate people that puts there.’’ households, to prevent their hard- them in an uncompetitive advantage I ask my friends on both sides of the earned dollars from being taxed twice. on the shelf, they can’t exist, and so aisle: Let’s do what is right for Amer- Of all the States, Californians will ac- where do they go? They have to leave ica. If it is right for America, it is right tually face the largest net tax increase

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.023 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9395 from this bill of $12.1 billion in 2027 ada, where the Federal income tax rate tect our nation’s family farmers and ranch- alone. is 15 percent, Ireland at 12.5 percent, or ers.’’ California Republicans who vote for even the U.K., which will be 17 percent The House and Senate budget resolution this bill ought to be ashamed of them- that was passed earlier this year paves the by 2020. Businesses set their prices to way for tax cuts that would increase the U.S. selves, and the voters need to hold be competitive. The U.S. has to set its federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over ten years them accountable. Thirty-six million business rate to compete, as well. Statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules re- middle class families will be stuck The high corporate tax rate is not quire that increases in deficit spending be holding the bag under this plan. For just a Wall Street problem; it is a Main offset by reduced spending across non-ex- what? For tax cuts for corporate inter- Street problem. Business entities do empt mandatory programs The government ests. This is unacceptable. not pay taxes; people do. would be required to cut such programs by Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I The burden of the corporate tax rate $150 billion per year in accordance with yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from PAYGO. falls on three categories of people: The total available pool of funding across Ohio (Mr. RENACCI), one of our key shareholders, customers, and employ- all non-exempt mandatory programs members of the Ways and Means Com- ees. Corporations do not pay taxes; we amounts to, in CBO’s estimation, ‘‘only be- mittee. do. tween $85 billion to $90 billion,’’ meaning Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise This bill helps companies compete, that all impacted mandatory spending pro- today in support of H.R. 1, the Tax hire more people, and give them a more grams other than Medicare, including the Cuts and Jobs Act. First of all, I want competitive wage. This bill gives indi- Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), would to thank President Trump for making viduals more money to spend on what be entirely stripped of funding. this a priority, but I especially want to The CCC is the second largest non-exempt they want, not what the government mandatory program, after Medicare It funds thank Chairman BRADY for his tireless wants. This bill simplifies the Tax Code efforts and leadership in bringing this dairy and other farm program payments, infor hardworking Americans. cluding ARC and PLC, both of which are legislation to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to critical for keeping family farmers and Three decades ago, there was a 24- support this historic reform so more ranchers in business during times of eco- year-old starting a business in Ohio. He Americans can choose where their nomic uncertainty. Discretionary spending borrowed money and started hiring money goes, not Washington. and a number of mandatory programs, in- people. As he grew his business, he Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 1. cluding Social Security, the Supplemental didn’t take a paycheck and kept hiring Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal crop insurance, and the Conservation hardworking middle class Americans. minutes to the gentlewoman from Ala- But then, as he started looking over Reserve Program (CRP), are exempt from bama (Ms. SEWELL), a Marshall Scholar PAYGO. ‘‘Farmers Union has long opposed things, he couldn’t hire anymore, be- and attorney. cause of the tremendous tax bill owed using budget sequestration to reduce the fed- Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speak- eral deficit, especially through cuts to agri- to the Federal Government. er, I rise today to urge my colleagues cultural programs,’’ added Johnson. ‘‘This That is what small business entre- to reject this misguided and mean-spir- proposal asks farmers and ranchers to trade preneurs face in today’s tax environ- ited tax bill that is being rushed any possible tax benefits for the elimination ment. That 24-year-old was me. Luck- through this Congress today. of farm safety net payments, like ARC and ily, I was a certified public accountant. Mr. Speaker, this Republican sham PLC. That would be a disastrous trade. NFU I was able to figure out a way to make continues to advocate for a simplified, pro- tax bill picks winners and losers. The gressive tax code that does not risk pro- my business work and grow without winners under this tax bill are corpora- our suffocating Tax Code or through grams vital to the livelihoods and well-being tions, Wall Street fat cats, the top 1 of American family farmers and ranchers.’’ our suffocating Tax Code. percent of the highest wage earners in Unfortunately, most small-business Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. These are America, and the special interests. The owners do not experience the Tax Code the very same people that this Presi- losers are the middle class, working complexities until they get started. dent promised to benefit. families, students, the most vulnerable They have an idea, they start their This is what this bill does for cor- in our society, and our farmers. business, and then the government porate America: Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD steps in; and they are not CPAs. It dramatically cuts rates from the If my three children were to ask me a letter from the National Farmers largest companies in the world, moving today if they should risk and start a Union, which objects to this bill. the corporate tax rate from 35 percent business, I would be hesitant to push NATIONAL FARMERS UNION, to 20 percent. them down that path, which is why I November 14, 2017. It creates loopholes for wealthy indi- support H.R. 1, which lowers the tax CONGRESSIONAL TAX PLANS JEOPARDIZE THE viduals to recharacterize their wage in- rate for businesses and gives hard- FARM SAFETY NET, CBO ANALYSIS SAYS come as small business income so that working taxpayers a break. This bill For Immediate Release. they can pay less in taxes. puts more money in their pockets to do Contact: Andrew Jerome. It repeals the alternative minimum WASHINGTON.—Amidst the steepest drop in tax, which captures the tax liabilities with it what is important to them, farm profitability in a generation, U.S. Con- those hardworking taxpayers, not let- for wealthy individuals. In fact, the gressional leadership is proposing tax reform only tax return that we have ever seen ting the government take it and waste legislation that would jeopardize all funding it. for farm bill commodity safety net proof Mr. Trump was his 2005 tax return in grams. which he had to pay $38 million. Why? b 1030 The two tax bills being considered in both Because of AMT. Lowering the individual rate will the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Rep- And this tax bill will also perma- give Americans the opportunity to resentatives would add $1.5 trillion to the nently repeal the estate tax, which choose where they want to spend their federal deficit. According to new Congres- only affects 5,500 households in Amer- money instead of banking on a govern- sional Budget Office analysis of the bills, ica. And I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, ment to spend it for them. that $1.5 trillion deficit increase would need none of those households are in my dis- to be offset by eliminating all funding for On the business side, the harsh revital farm programs such as Agriculture trict. ality is that America has become an Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Cov- In contrast, how will this tax bill im- uncompetitive place to do business. erage (PLC), among other mandatory federal pact the middle class? Mr. Speaker, 36 With the highest corporate tax rate in spending programs. million middle class households will the developed world, it should not be a ‘‘If Congress passes legislation that in- pay more taxes. One in four taxpayers surprise that businesses are relocating creases the deficit, they will subsequently be will pay more taxes. to countries with better business cli- forced to cut federal spending. In the case of To pay for the corporate tax cuts, mates. Fortunately, by bringing our the tax bill, current law could require 100 this bill will hurt working families. It percent sequestration of all commodity pro- will eliminate deductions on interest rate down to 20 percent, we can make gram payments and other farm bill pro- America one of the most competitive grams,’’ said National Farmers Union Presi- on student loans. It will eliminate countries in the world to do business. dent Roger Johnson ‘‘Tax cuts for the high- medical expense deductions, which It is hard for U.S. companies to com- est income brackets should absolutely not many, many households use to pay for pete against companies based in Can- come at the expense of programs that pro- long-term care needs. It will eliminate

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.025 H16NOPT1 H9396 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 the lifetime learning credit. And it will When I about this last week, some readers nance, it will be extremely challenging (if also do away with deductions for fami- contended the increase in the standard de- not impossible) to meet one’s basic needs— lies that pay for daycare and aging par- duction will offset the eliminations of these food, shelter—while pursuing a higher degree. ents. education deductions. However, some reviews found that not to be true for graduate Unless . . . you’re independently wealthy. Mr. Speaker, this is not comprehen- students. This single line in a massive tax bill destroys sive tax reform. The American people lower- and middle-class young Americans’ deserve better, and we as a Congress IMPACT OF GOP TAX PLAN ON STUDENTS ability to pursue a professional career in academia, industry, or government. The bill can do better. (By Jenny C. Bledsoe) Please reject this bill. reduces other education tax credits, which The House GOP tax bill makes graduate will adversely affect access to undergraduate Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I school inaccessible for anyone who is not yield 1 minute to the gentleman from as well as graduate education. The GOP will independently wealthy, and it will likely effectively end class mobility, return the Indiana (Mr. MESSER). cause current graduate students to drop out academy fully to the so-called one percent, Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank of doctoral programs and/or declare bank- and reduce charitable donations to univer- Chairman BRADY for his leadership. ruptcy. sities by de-incentivizing itemized deduc- Today is a huge victory for working A single line in the 429-page bill effects tions. Americans. Today, we take a giant step this change: 26 U.S. tax code § 117(d) allows Even if you don’t believe in the value of forward to deliver more jobs, fairer students conducting research or teaching for academic study, eliminating section 117(d) of taxes, and bigger paychecks for work- a university (usually Ph.D. students on fel- the U.S. tax code would be bad for the econ- lowship) to receive tuition waivers tax free. omy. Those who were not independently ing Hoosiers. This bill will create thou- Any stipends are taxed. wealthy and who chose to pursue graduate sands of jobs in Indiana, and it will The House ‘‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,’’ how- studies anyway would have to do so with the give the typical working family a $1,500 ever, will repeal this provision, meaning that help of student loans. Student loans are with tax cut. a Ph.D. student making a stipend of $24,000 you forever; student loan debt is not forgiven The Trump tax plan also includes a will be taxed as if they are making $85,200. even when bankruptcy is declared. Young provision that I authored to stop $4 bil- This would have been my situation two years Americans are already saddled with too lion to $7 billion in refundable child tax ago. During the first three years of Emory’s much debt, causing many opinion pieces to Ph.D. program, a student currently receives complain about the latest store or product credits paid out to illegal immigrants that ‘‘millennials have killed’’ by not spend- each year. These savings help expand a tuition waiver amounting to $61,200. Once you reach ‘‘tuition-paid’’ status after your ing enough money. the child tax credit for working Amer- third year, the annual tuition is $30,600. Eliminating this line of tax code effec- ican families by $600 per child. Tax experts hired by The New York Times tively condemns those who pursue higher Hoosiers get it: no one should get a estimated that my husband’s and my tax bill education to a life of debt servitude. How is our economy, our country, our world to tax incentive to violate the law. would increase by $7,194—despite the in- progress with these barriers against access I urge all of my colleagues to support crease in the standard deduction—because of to education, an essential asset in our dy- the newly taxable tuition waiver. this plan. It will give working Hoosiers namic world? Tuition amounts vary widely depending on a pay raise, bring back jobs from over- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, seas, and get our economy moving the institution, and the situation may be worse (or better) for some individuals, de- also, I include in the RECORD letters of again. pending on tuition rates and stipend opposition from the ACLU, Baptist I also urge the Senate to act and amounts. At Georgia Tech, full-time grad- Joint Committee, and Americans keep their promise to the American uate student tuition for one semester is United for Separation of Church and people. $6,894 in-state and $14,284 out-of-state. Geor- State. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield to gia State’s tuition is $4,680 in-state and ACLU, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. $15,012 out-of-state for one semester. Washington, DC, November 3, 2017. EWIS Graduate students will clearly owe much L ) for the purpose of a unanimous Hon. KEVIN BRADY, larger federal income tax bills, and in some consent request. Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, states, including Georgia, they will also have (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was House of Representatives, Washington, DC. to pay more due to the proposed changes to given permission to revise and extend Hon. RICHARD NEAL, the federal tax credit for state and local in- Ranking Member, Committee on Ways and his remarks.) come taxes. Those at private colleges and Means, House of Representatives, Wash- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, universities will be responsible for larger ington, DC. I include in the RECORD an article taxable amounts (given the higher tuition at DEAR CHAIRMAN BRADY, RANKING MEMBER about this bill’s impact on graduate private institutions). NEAL, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON Those at public universities will pay the students in my district. WAYS AND MEANS: taxes on their relatively lower tuition waiv- [From the Atlanta Journal Constitution, er amounts, but they will have to do so with ACLU STRONGLY OPPOSES UNCONSTITUTIONAL Nov. 16, 2017] already significantly smaller stipends than RELIGIOUS FAVORITISM PROVISION IN H.R. 1 OPINION: ONLY WEALTHY CAN AFFORD GRAD Ph.D. students receive at private univer- The American Civil Liberties Union SCHOOL UNDER HOUSE TAX PLAN UP FOR sities. (ACLU) is strongly opposed to Sec. 5201 in VOTE TODAY This is an issue across the disciplines. It H.R. 1, the so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (By Maureen Downey) will affect any graduate student pursuing a This provision is designed—in violation of the Constitution—to give religious organiza- Jenny C. Bledsoe is a fifth-year Ph.D. can- Ph.D. on a research or teaching fellowship, tions special tax benefits and privileges that didate in English at Emory University, spe- which common for those pursuing doctorates are unavailable to all other, non-religious cializing in medieval literature. She was fea- in STEM, the social sciences, and the hu- 501(c)(3) organizations. Accordingly, we urge tured in a New York Times story last week manities. In addition to graduate students that this unconstitutional provision be re- suffering personally, universities will experi- that examined how the GOP House tax plan moved from the bill. would impact a range of American students. ence the effects of their graduate students’ Sec. 5201 would allow a house of worship to In this essay, Bledsoe focuses on the change tax burdens in multiple ways (in addition to endorse one or more candidates in all of its that makes graduate tuition waivers taxable the bill’s other deleterious effects on higher statements, presentations, and teachings income. education). made during ‘‘religious services or gath- The tax plan is expected to come to the Graduate students will have less time for erings.’’ While current law applies to all tax- House floor today where passage is predicted. research because they will have to work ad- exempt nonprofit organizations, this provi- The Senate, however, is not expected to take ditional jobs. Humanities Ph.D. students, sion would apply only to churches. The Es- up its own tax bill until after Thanksgiving. who provide essential labor as instructors, tablishment Clause of the First Amendment And then House and Senate conferees will will have less time to devote to the classes to the U.S. Constitution was designed to pre- have to hammer out their differences and they teach to undergraduates. vent exactly this kind of religious favor- come up with a compromise plan. Long-term effects are difficult to measure, itism. See, e.g. Texas Monthly v. Bullock, 489 Under the House plan, Bledsoe and other but surely many lower-income students will U.S. 1 (1989) (striking down tax exemption doctoral students would be hurt by a new no longer attend. It’s unlikely that inter- that applied only to religious periodicals). provision that would tax graduate students national students will be able to maintain a Moreover, the Free Speech Clause of the on tuition wavers granted them in exchange decent standard of living since they are often First Amendment prohibits laws that engage for working as teaching assistants or re- forbidden from taking on additional work. in this type of viewpoint discrimination. See searchers. The tax accountants hired by The The House GOP tax bill will lead to a Rosenberger v. Rector & Visitors of the Univ. of New York Times estimated Bledsoe and her ‘‘brain drain,’’ with international students Va., 515 U.S. 819 (1995) (invalidating a subsidy husband would pay an additional $7,194 in and Americans alike seeking graduate study program that distinguished between reli- taxes under the House tax bill. elsewhere or not all. In terms of personal fi- gious and nonreligious viewpoints)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.027 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9397 Sec. 5201 includes a vague and undefined campaigning is constitutionally problematic talk with think this would be a terrible idea test that would open up houses of worship to following the Supreme Court’s application of for their congregations, dividing what are extensive government entanglement. To de- the Establishment Clause in Texas Monthly otherwise rather politically diverse commu- termine whether a house of worship is com- v. Bullock. nities and distracting them from their reli- plying with the law, the IRS would have to We are committed to ensuring that the gious mission. Congregants also choose to determine whether an endorsement (1) oc- free speech rights for houses of worship and worship in faith communities for reasons curred during the ‘‘ordinary course’’ of the members of the clergy are respected. We do other than hearing a political ad. There are organization’s ‘‘regular and customary ac- not share the view that current law prohib- plenty of places in our culture today to en- tivities’’ in carrying out its ‘‘tax-exempt iting 501(c)(3) organizations from partici- gage in partisan electoral campaigns. Most purpose;’’ (2) whether it amounted to a ‘‘de pating and intervening in partisan candidate people I know don’t want church to be one of minimis incremental expense,’’ and (3) campaigns infringes on those free speech those places. whether it took place during ‘‘religious serv- rights. We joined with more than 100 other We also recognize the powerful prophetic ices or gatherings.’’ To determine whether a religious and denominational organizations voice with which the church speaks to house of worship meets this test, the IRS in a letter to Congress, originally sent in power. That voice is threatened whenever would have to investigate the house of wor- April, saying we ‘‘strongly oppose any effort the church associates itself too closely with ship’s books, activities, sermons, and cor- to weaken or eliminate protections in the the government or its officials. law that prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations, in- respondence. The IRS would also have to Creating an exemption for houses of wor- cluding houses of worship, from endorsing or judge whether an event is ‘‘religious’’ and ship would expose churches to political pres- opposing political candidates.’’ The full let- part of a house of worship’s ‘‘exempt pur- sure to endorse candidates during primaries ter is attached to my testimony. pose.’’ By inviting this type of invasive gov- and elections at all political levels, as the In 2002, the House voted down legislation ernment scrutiny of church documents and campaign intervention prohibition applies offered by Rep. Walter Jones, called the judgment about religion, this provision actu- not only to presidential and congressional Houses of Worship Political Speech Protec- ally threatens, rather than upholds, the au- elections but to every state and local race, tion Act (H.R. 2357). The BJC co-led the coa- tonomy and independence of houses of wor- too. Many candidates and donors supporting lition of religious groups opposing that legis- ship. candidates would have a strong incentive to lation, which failed by a House vote of 178– Churches and religious leaders are already put pressure on churches to become involved 239. We continue to think there is no reason able to exercise their free speech—free from in their campaigns, particularly given the to change the way the law works now, and fear of sanction by the IRS—by speaking out highly-valued tax status churches enjoy. Do- we are very concerned about the con- on political and social issues. Church leaders nors to churches, like all other 501(c)(3) orga- sequences of weakening the protection for are also completely free to support or en- nizations, receive a tax deduction for their houses of worship. For more than 60 years, dorse political candidates as private citizens. contributions. Churches also receive auto- all 501(c)(3) organizations have been required As an organization deeply committed since matic 501(c)(3) tax status and are not re- to refrain from partisan campaign involve- our founding nearly 100 years ago to pro- quired to file the Form 990 information re- ment in exchange for receiving that most-fa- tecting the free speech rights of all people, turn. Combining tax deductibility with these vored tax status. The prohibition has al- the ACLU would vigorously oppose any ef- permissible accommodations for churches lowed charitable organizations, including fort to chill the ability of houses of worship would make houses of worship particularly our houses of worship, to concentrate on and religious leaders to speak out on what vulnerable targets for partisan campaign ac- their exempt purposes and not be distracted they see as the important issues of the day. tivity by political donors and others seeking That does not mean, however, that reli- or co-opted by partisan campaigns. Current law strikes the right balance in to influence local, state, and national elec- gious organizations are entitled to receive tions. special tax benefits and privileges that are protecting the integrity and independence of The legislative ‘‘solution’’ that has been unavailable to all other 501(c)(3) organiza- our religious sector. The tax law prohibition put forward would threaten great harm to tions. The ACLU strongly opposes Sec. 5201 is not a divorcement of politics from houses houses of worship. This bill injects a new and urges the removal of this unconstitu- of worship. Many churches feel that they are subjective standard for the IRS to enforce, tional provision from the so-called Tax Cuts called to be ‘‘political’’ and to ‘‘speak truth allowing political campaign involvement if and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). to power’’ on a variety of social issues, and it is ‘‘in the ordinary course of the organiza- Please feel free to contact Ian Thompson, nothing in the tax law prevents pastors from tion’s regular and customary activities in legislative representative, with any ques- speaking out from the pulpit on the issues, carrying out its exempt purpose, and results tions. no matter how controversial. in the organization incurring not more than Sincerely, Houses of worship can encourage voting, de minimis incremental expenses.’’ What FAIZ SHAKIR, engage in voter registration drives, host can- National Political Di- didate forums, distribute nonpartisan edu- does ‘‘ordinary course’’ mean? What is the rector. cation materials, and invite all candidates organization’s ‘‘regular and customary activities in carrying out its exempt purpose’’? IAN THOMPSON, for an office to speak during a worship serv- Legislative Represent- ice. What is ‘‘de minimis’’ compared to the orga- ative. Pastors and other leaders can endorse and nization’s total budget? What is ‘‘incre- oppose candidates in their personal capac- mental’’? These are all line-drawing ques- BAPTIST JOINT COMMITTEE ities and without using the resources of the tions that would fall on the IRS, which FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, church. Whether and how openly they want would have a mandate to enforce this new Washington, DC, November 6, 2017. to do this is a personal decision. Pastors standard with limited resources and with Hon. KEVIN BRADY, know that their reputations will rise and fall likely much more activity in this area, given Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, with individuals they endorse and therefore the new permissible standard and political Washington, DC. may be reluctant to publicly endorse and op- pressure to be involved. We would either see Hon. RICHARD NEAL, pose candidates. They also consider the im- lack of enforcement, rendering the statutory Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Com- pact that their endorsements will have in limitations meaningless, or we would see mittee, Washington, DC. their spiritual communities, particularly troubling entanglement of the IRS in a DEAR CHAIRMAN BRADY AND RANKING MEM- with those who may support another can- church’s affairs. Neither outcome would be BER NEAL: On behalf of the Baptist Joint didate. an improvement on our current system. Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), an But what is not permitted—and what most Jesus taught us to render unto Caesar 81-year-old agency serving 15 Baptist bodies clergy and churchgoers don’t want in any what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. on legal and policy matters relating to reli- event—is for the tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity Permitting tax-exempt churches to endorse gious liberty and the separation of church to endorse or oppose candidates. Polling con- candidates in a ‘‘sermon . . . or other presen- and state, I write to express strong opposi- sistently shows that large majorities—70 or tation’’ during their ‘‘services or gatherings’’ tion to Section 5201 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs 80 percent depending on the survey—oppose threatens to fundamentally alter the very Act. This provision seriously undermines the candidate endorsements in church. And when nature of and esteem for our religious sector. independence and integrity of our houses of just clergy are asked, the numbers are more This approach does not bode well for religion worship and denominations by creating an like 90 percent, including among evangelical or religious liberty. exemption to the partisan campaign prohibi- pastors. Respectfully, tion that applies equally to all 501(c)(3) orga- These numbers are not surprising given the AMANDA TYLER, nizations. This attempt to encourage certain negative effects endorsements would have on Executive Director, religious organizations to engage in partisan houses of worship. Pastors and churchgoers I Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.039 H16NOPT1 H9398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Updated, November 1, 2017. ministries. Permitting electioneering in WORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; Hon. PAUL RYAN, churches would give partisan groups incen- New Baptist Covenant; North Carolina Coun- Speaker, tive to use congregations as a conduit for po- cil of Churches; Oklahoma Conference of Washington, DC. litical activity and expenditures. Changing Churches; Pastors for Oklahoma Kids; Pas- Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, the law would also make them vulnerable to tors for Texas Children; Pax Christi, Mont- Senate Majority Leader, individuals and corporations who could offer gomery County, MD chapters; Pennsylvania Washington, DC. large donations or a politician promising so- Council of Churches. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, cial service contracts in exchange for taking Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington House Democratic Leader, a position on a candidate. Even proposals Office of Public Witness; Progressive Na- Washington, DC. that would permit an ‘‘insubstantial’’ stand- tional Baptist Convention; Reconstructionist ard or allow limited electioneering only if it Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, Rabbinical Assembly; Religions for Peace Senate Democratic Leader, is in furtherance of an organization’s mis- USA; Religious Institute; Rhode Island State sion would actually invite increased govern- Washington, DC. Council of Churches; Seventh-day Adventist ment intrusion, scrutiny, and oversight. Church in North America; South Carolina Hon. KEVIN BRADY, The charitable sector, particularly houses Christian Action Council; South Dakota Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, of worship, should not become another cog in Faith in Public Life; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Washington, DC. a political machine or another loophole in Call for Human Rights; Tennessee Coopera- Hon. ORRIN HATCH, campaign finance laws. We strongly urge you tive Baptist Fellowship; Texas Baptists Com- Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, to oppose any efforts to repeal or weaken mitted; Texas Faith Network; Texas Impact; Washington, DC. protections in the law for 501(c)(3) organiza- Union for Reform Judaism; Unitarian Uni- Hon. RICHARD NEAL, tions, including houses of worship. versalist Association; Unitarian Universalist Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Com- Sincerely, mittee, Washington, DC. African American Ministers in Action; Af- Service Committee; Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice; United Church of Christ, Hon. RON WYDEN, rican Methodist Episcopal Church—Social Justice and Witness Ministries; The United Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Fi- Action Commission; Alabama Cooperative Methodist Church, General Board of Church nance, Washington, DC. Baptist Fellowship; Alliance of Baptists; and Society; Virginia Council of Churches; DEAR SPEAKER RYAN, MAJORITY LEADER American Baptist Churches USA; American Women of Reform Judaism; Women’s Alli- MCCONNELL, LEADER PELOSI, LEADER SCHU- Baptist Home Mission Societies; American MER, CHAIRMAN BRADY, CHAIRMAN HATCH, Friends Service Committee; American Jew- ance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual RANKING MEMBER NEAL, AND RANKING MEM- ish Committee (AJC); Anti-Defamation (WATER). BER WYDEN: We, the 103 undersigned religious League; Association of Welcoming and Af- and denominational organizations strongly firming Baptists; B’nai B’rith International; AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION oppose any effort to weaken or eliminate Baptist Center for Ethics; Baptist Fellowship OF CHURCH AND STATE, protections that prohibit 501(c)(3) organiza- Northeast; Baptist General Association of Washington, DC, November 6, 2017. tions, including houses of worship, from en- Virginia; Baptist Joint Committee for Reli- Re Oppose Section 5201 of the Tax Cuts and dorsing or opposing political candidates. gious Liberty; Baptist Peace Fellowship of Jobs Act, which Exempts Houses of Wor- Current law serves as a valuable safeguard North America—Bautistas por la Paz; Bap- ship from the Johnson Amendment. for the integrity of our charitable sector and tist Women in Ministry; Bend the Arc: A Hon. KEVIN BRADY, campaign finance system. Jewish Partnership for Justice; California Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, Religious leaders often use their pulpits to Council of Churches IMPACT; Catholics for Washington, DC. address the moral and political issues of the Choice. day. They also can, in their personal capac- Catholics in Alliance for the Common Hon. RICHARD NEAL, ities and without the resources of their Good; Central Conference of American Rab- Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Com- houses of worship, endorse and oppose polit- bis; Christian Life Commission; Christian mittee, Washington, DC. ical candidates. Houses of worship can en- Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church; DEAR CHAIRMAN BRADY AND RANKING MEM- gage in public debate on any issue, host can- Churchnet, a ministry of the Baptist General BER NEAL: On behalf of Americans United for didate forums, engage in voter registration Convention of Missouri; Colorado Council of Separation of Church and State, we urge you drives, encourage people to vote, help trans- Churches; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; to strip Section 5201 from H.R. 1, the Tax port people to the polls and even, with a few Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Heartland; Cuts and Jobs Act. This provision would ex- boundaries, lobby on specific legislation and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Kentucky; empt houses of worship from the Johnson invite candidates to speak. Tax-exempt Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas; Amendment, which is the six-decades-old law houses of worship may not, however, endorse Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida; that ensures tax-exempt organizations—in- or oppose candidates or use their tax-exempt Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia; cluding houses of worship, charitable non- donations to contribute to candidates’ cam- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mis- profits, and foundations—do not endorse or paigns. Current law simply limits groups sissippi; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of oppose political candidates. We join 103 reli- from being both a tax-exempt ministry and a North Carolina; Cooperative Baptist Fellow- gious and denomination organizations, more partisan political entity. ship of Oklahoma; Cooperative Baptist Fel- than 4,200 faith leaders, and 5,500 nonprofits As religious organizations, we oppose any lowship of Texas; Cooperative Baptist Fel- organizations, in urging Members of Con- attempt to weaken the current protections lowship of Virginia; Cooperative Baptist Fel- gress to reject efforts, like the one in Sec- offered by the 501(c)(3) campaign interven- lowship West; Disciples Center for Public tion 5201, to weaken or repeal the Johnson tion prohibition because: Witness; Ecumenical Catholic Communion. Amendment. People of faith do not want partisan polit- Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; The Tax-exempt charities and houses of wor- ical fights infiltrating their houses of wor- Episcopal Church; Equal Partners in Faith; ship are granted special 501(c)(3) tax-exempt ship. Houses of worship are spaces for mem- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; status because they work for the common bers of religious communities to come to- Evergreen Association of American Baptist good, not so they can support political can- gether, not be divided along political lines; Churches; Faith Action Network—Wash- didates. Current law protects their right to faith ought to be a source of connection and ington State; Faith in Public Life; Faith speak out about political and social issues community, not division and discord. Indeed, Voices Arkansas; Faithful America; Florida while, at the same time, ensuring they are the vast majority of Americans do not want Council of Churches; Franciscan Action Net- not pressured by political candidates and houses of worship to issue political endorse- work; Friends Committee on National Legis- campaigns seeking their own political gain. ments. Particularly in today’s political cli- lation; Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amer- Indeed, under current law, tax-exempt mate, such endorsements would be highly di- ica; Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organi- houses of worship and the faith leaders who visive and would have a detrimental impact zation of America, Inc.; Hindu American represent them can speak to any issue or on civil discourse. Foundation; Hispanic Baptist Convention of piece of legislation they choose. And faith Current law protects the integrity of Texas; Interfaith Alliance; International So- leaders can endorse candidates in their per- houses of worship. If houses of worship en- ciety for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON); sonal capacity. dorse candidates, their prophetic voice, their Islamic Networks Group; Islamic Society of ability to speak truth to power as political North America. Exempting houses of worship from the law outsiders, is threatened. The credibility and Jewish Community Relations Council, would threaten their independence and in- integrity of congregations would suffer with Greater Boston; Jewish Community Rela- tegrity and open them up to pressure from bad decisions of candidates they endorsed. tions Council of Greater Washington; Jewish political candidates, donors, and congregants Tying America’s houses of worship to par- Council for Public Affairs; The Jewish Fed- who want to use them for their own political tisan activity demeans the institutions from erations of North America; Jewish Women gain. Furthermore, Section 5201 singles out which so many believers expect unimpeach- International; Kentucky Council of Church- houses of worship for special treatment, vio- able decency. es; Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellow- lating the Constitution. Current law protects the independence of ship; National Advocacy Center of the Sis- SECTION 5201 EXEMPTS HOUSES OF WORSHIP houses of worship. Houses of worship often ters of the Good Shepherd; National Baptist FROM THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT speak out on issues of justice and morality Convention of America; National Council of and do good works within the community Churches; National Council of Jewish Section 5201 allows houses of worship to but may also labor to adequately fund their Women; National Sikh Campaign; NET- endorse candidates so long the endorsement

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.040 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9399 is made during a religious service or gath- CONCLUSION have an opportunity for a better life ering, is made in the ordinary course of their For all the above reasons, we urge you to than yours. But for many in the gen- tax-exempt purpose, and does not incur more oppose the language effectively repealing the eration coming of age in the last dec- than a de minimis incremental expense. This Johnson Amendment for houses of worship. ade, the American Dream has been a would, in effect, exempt houses of worship Sincerely, little tarnished and just out of reach. from the Johnson Amendment. MAGGIE GARRETT, The last time we did tax reform was The impact of even just one endorsement Legislative Director, 30 years ago. At that time, we were the Americans United from a house of worship would be powerful world’s uncontested economic leader. and could have a significant impact on an for Separation of election, but this provision permits far more Church and State. Our economic system and Tax Code were competitive. But for decades, we than merely a lone statement of support. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Section 5201, for example, would allow: have sat by as the world passed us by. minutes to the gentleman from Ken- In 1990, the middle class was about 50 A pastor to preach a sermon endorsing one tucky (Mr. YARMUTH), the ranking or more candidates. His church could then percent of American families; today, member of the Budget Committee, and only 40 percent. Today, the middle post a video of that sermon on its website, one of the most knowledgeable Mem- email it to parishioners, and distribute it class makes just about the same take- publicly on social media. bers of the House. home pay as it did in 1990. Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I ap- A Rabbi to endorse a candidate during the When we all worry about income dis- welcoming message provided to those at- preciate my friend yielding time. parity and the gulf between the rich tending her synagogue’s community service Mr. Speaker, this is a horror show and the poor in this country, this is the event. today, this is a horror show debate, and source of the problem. The American A church that is motivated by faith to pro- this is a horror show process, but it is middle class is smaller and has not had vide social services to the public to tell each a disaster for the American people. a raise in 30 years. and every person who attends its meetings to The tax bill we are debating today How could this happen? It has every- vote for a particular candidate. will abandon millions of American thing to do with a bloated, overregu- If such activities were allowed, the John- families. It showers the wealthy and lating, and overtaxing Federal Govern- son Amendment would be rendered meaning- corporations with massive tax cuts, ment, a government that sucks the life less as applied to houses of worship. The very and it adds $1.5 trillion to our deficits. out of the economy and forces our com- purpose of the Johnson Amendment—to pre- The top 1 percent get this massive pay- panies, our innovators, and our job cre- vent government subsidized partisan cam- out in the neighborhood of $500 billion; ators out of our country to survive. paign activity—would be allowed in every hardworking families get pocket Some folks say it doesn’t matter that church and house of worship across the country. change. we have the highest business tax rate But millions don’t even get that. In in the world. That is not why our com- SECTION 5201 WOULD REQUIRE THE IRS TO LOOK fact, 36 million middle class families panies left. They say those jobs aren’t INTO THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF HOUSES OF will pay more in taxes because of this coming back. WORSHIP AND MAKE POLITICAL JUDGMENTS bill. Our Republican colleagues will be Well, I say the outdated Tax Code is The Johnson Amendment includes a clear taking money out of the pockets of an anchor around the neck of our busi- rule: tax-exempt organizations, including these families to give more tax cuts to nesses, our innovators, and the Amer- houses of worship, cannot endorse can- the rich. ican middle class. I say the American didates. This bill includes a vague and unde- But it doesn’t stop there. It never worker can compete with anyone on a fined test that is subject to IRS discretion. level playing field if we just get gov- Enforcing the law would entangle the IRS in does. This is part of a dangerous three- internal church governance and require it to step process that we have seen, unfor- ernment off their back. make judgments about religion. tunately, far too often: Since January, we have been working to correct that. We have made dra- Section 5201 calls on the IRS to determine The first step, Republicans enact whether an endorsement (1) occurred during massive tax cuts for the rich, claiming matic steps in reducing regulation. the ‘‘ordinary course’’ of the organization’s they will generate enough growth to You can already see the economic lift. ‘‘regular and customary activities’’ in car- pay for themselves. I know my Repub- Today, we undertake a tax cut, which rying out its ‘‘tax-exempt purpose;’’ (2) lican colleagues desperately want the will restore economic growth, put more whether it amounted to a ‘‘de minimis incre- American people to believe that this is take-home pay into the pockets of mental expense,’’ and (3) whether it took what will happen. But the record is hardworking Americans, and restore place during ‘‘religious services or gath- clear. It failed in the 1980s, and it failed opportunity for a generation of Ameri- erings.’’ To determine whether the cost of cans. It will bring American jobs back any endorsement was a ‘‘de minimis incre- in the 2000s. It was an epic failure in Kansas. to America, which will grow our middle mental expense,’’ the IRS would, not only class and, finally, after 30 years, our have to define de minimis, but also have to This is about politics, not reality, for investigate the house of worship’s books. them, which brings us to step two. middle class will get the pay raise it And to determine whether the endorsement Once these cuts fail to produce the deserves. If you really wish to grow our econ- was part of the ‘‘regular and customary ac- growth that they promise, Republicans omy, you should vote for this bill. tivities,’’ the IRS would have to examine the will shriek about the impending doom If you really wish to give the middle institution’s history of activities. The IRS of high deficits and debt. Then they would also have to judge whether an event is class a pay raise, you should vote for ‘‘religious’’ or not and whether the activity will quickly move to step three, de- this bill. serves the organization’s ‘‘exempt purpose.’’ manding cuts in vital programs that If you really wish to reduce income By inviting that type of scrutiny of church benefit working families throughout disparity, you should vote for this bill. documents and activities, and judgments our country. If you really wish to give hope to about religion, this bill actually threatens, We have seen this act before. As I Americans who have given up and left rather than upholds, the autonomy and inde- said before, it is a horror show. There the workforce and wish to reduce crime pendence of houses of worship. is a reason why a lot of people are and addiction in this country, you EXEMPTING ONLY HOUSES OF WORSHIP FROM looking at this and saying this is the should vote for this bill. THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT WOULD VIOLATE great tax scam of 2017—because it is If you want America to have the eco- THE CONSTITUTION the great tax scam of 2017. nomic strength to remain a force of Under the religious freedom protections Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I peace and stability in the world, you provided by the First Amendment to the yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from should vote for this bill. U.S. Constitution, the government cannot South Carolina (Mr. RICE), one of the And, finally, if you truly believe prefer or favor religion or non-religion. The key leaders of the Ways and Means what Thomas Jefferson said 240 years Johnson Amendment applies to all 501(c)(3) Committee. ago, that all men are created equal and tax-exempt organizations, yet Section 5201 Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. that they are entitled to pursue their exempts only houses of worship from the re- Speaker, the American Dream is what strictions of the Johnson Amendment. This own happiness, you should vote for this special treatment raises serious concerns separates us from the rest of the world. bill. under the Establishment Clause of the First It promises that, with hard work and Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Amendment and undermines religious free- determination, you can improve your minutes to the gentleman from New dom. station in life and that your children Mexico (Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N).

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.038 H16NOPT1 H9400 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N of New Mexico. nies, and it is unfair to American parents, this bill takes money right Mr. Speaker, this bill put forward by workers. The American people deserve out of their pockets. congressional Republicans isn’t a tax a Tax Code that works for them, not Under this bill, 29 million households plan; it is a tax scam. one that works for special interests in would lose their property tax deduc- Republicans are going to borrow Washington. They deserve a Tax Code tion. Eighty percent of middle class money on the backs of working fami- that rewards their lifetime of hard homeowners would lose, compared with lies to give a tax cut to corporations in work, not one that squeezes and de- just 13 percent of high-income earners. the top 1 percent. This will increase pletes their savings. Does that sound fair? taxes on the middle class. This will add Finally, the elimination of the State b 1045 to our Nation’s debt and pass the bill and local income tax deduction dis- to our children. They deserve a Tax Code that proportionately impacts middle-in- This Republican tax scam hurts sen- prioritizes their goals, not penalizes come families, especially those in Cali- iors and families with long-term med- their success. fornia, whose residents would see an ical needs by eliminating the medical The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act creates a overall net tax increase of $12.1 billion. expense deduction that 9 million Amer- Tax Code that is focused on growth, The Tax Code is a reflection of our icans, and nearly 120,000 people in my fairness, and a booming economy for values. The Republicans have clearly home State of New Mexico, depend everyone. chosen who they serve—the wealthy upon. The reforms in this bill level the and corporations—but I am concerned Destroying the medical expense de- playing field for small businesses in my about the 36 million Americans who duction delivers a staggering blow to district in north Texas around the will see a tax increase, teachers and New Mexico families. Listen to this DFW Airport, giving them an oppor- their students, and people with pre- story sent to me by Lisa, a constituent tunity to grow and hire more people existing conditions. of mine from northern New Mexico: and spend more money in our economy, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to ‘‘My husband and I are lifelong na- and allow the hardworking taxpayers vote ‘‘no’’ on this disaster of a bill. tive New Mexicans who grew up here, whom I represent to keep more of their Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD went to college here, and have opened paycheck and increase their family’s two letters in opposition to this bill, and operate our two businesses in our budget. one from SEIU and one from the AFL– home State. We are the proud parents Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman CIO. of two wonderful children. New Mexi- for allowing me to represent the views SEIU, co’s our home, and we’re proud to live of my constituents throughout the Washington, DC, November 6, 2017. here, contribute to our State’s econ- process of the committee work. I urge Hon. KEVIN BRADY, omy, and realize our version of the my colleagues to take advantage of Chairman, House Committee on Ways & Means, American Dream. this very historic opportunity and vote Washington, DC. ‘‘Like most families today, life isn’t in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Hon. RICHARD NEAL, always easy. The kids and I have medi- Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 Ranking Member, House Committee on Ways & Means, Washington, DC. cally complex conditions which require minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- expensive medications, and my hus- DEAR CHAIRMAN BRADY, RANKING MEMBER fornia (Ms. SA´ NCHEZ), a very thoughtful band and I struggle with student loan NEAL, AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE COM- member of the Ways and Means Com- MITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS: On behalf of the debt, housing and transportation costs, mittee. two million members of the Service Employ- and making a good life for our family. Ms. SA´ NCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise ees International Union (‘‘SEIU’’), I write to We incur $5,000 to $7,000 in out-of-pock- today in opposition to H.R. 1, or better strongly oppose H.R. 1, the misleadingly et medical costs each year. Without known as the GOP tax scam. named ‘‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.’’ H.R. 1 the medical expense deductions, I am This bill provides tax cuts for cor- would double down on the same failed trickle not sure we could continue to meet the down policies that have hurt working fami- porations and multimillionaires at the lies for decades. Once again, major legisla- demands of raising healthy, happy chil- expense of hardworking middle class dren while keeping our businesses tion is being drafted behind closed doors, out families. Massive corporate tax cuts do of the view of the American people and with- going and growing. not guarantee job growth or higher out any input from Democratic members of ‘‘For us, this deduction is a lifeline, wages. The only thing guaranteed is Congress. and the thought of losing that lifeline the $2.3 trillion that this scam adds to It is unconscionable that elected represent- means we could drown in debt. That’s the deficit. atives would mark-up and jam through a bill not the American Dream—that’s a that significantly affects the financial secu- Democrats are serious about passing nightmare.’’ rity of their constituents without appro- This is real and this is personal to comprehensive tax reform that is fair priate time for non-partisan analysis and for people all across the country. Let’s and that puts a little more money in all Americans to properly understand the vote this bill down today, come back, the pockets of working Americans. real impacts on their everyday lives. There work in a bipartisan fashion, work This fiasco of a bill is not fair. is no need to rush legislation of this mag- Corporations get a massive 15 percent nitude through Congress due to artificial po- with our ranking member, Mr. RICHARD tax cut, but what do working families litical timelines. Instead, there should be an NEAL, and come up with real tax re- get? They get nickeled and dimed. open process by which all stakeholders in- form that puts American working fam- cluding working people and not just cor- Despite student loan debts surpassing ilies first. porate lobbyists are able to provide input. Mr. Speaker, let’s do the right thing $1 trillion, this bill eliminates the stu- Although this bill pretends to benefit the today and put hardworking families dent loan interest deduction, which middle class, the tax cuts proposed under first with our decision today. only allows those earning $80,000 or less this bill would go overwhelmingly to high- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I to claim it in the first place, squarely income households and large corporations. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from hurting middle class Americans who And this bill would actually raise taxes for some low- and moderate-income households, Texas (Mr. MARCHANT), a key leader on are trying to pay off debt, save for a home, or buy a new car. while making it harder for states to fund the Tax Policy Subcommittee. healthcare, education, infrastructure and Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I Teachers will no longer be able to de- other investments. History has shown us thank the chairman for his leadership duct expenses for school supplies that that these types of tax breaks never ‘trickle on this issue. It is an honor for me to they purchase with their own money down’ to working people and will result in serve on the committee. for their classrooms, yet corporations cuts to healthcare, education and other pro- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support are able to deduct the cost of those grams our communities depend on. If passed, of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. same supplies that they purchase. this legislation would give millionaires and This is a historic opportunity to reject Seniors and people with chronic ill- corporations a reason to celebrate but would nesses would no longer be able to de- hurt working Americans who are trying put the status quo and provide real tax re- food on the table, start their first businesses, lief to the families, individuals, and duct some of the cost of their treat- send their children to college, or save for businesses in my district. ment. At a time when many families their retirement and buy homes. America’s Tax Code is broken. It is are feeling the pressures of affording For these reasons, SEIU urges you to op- uncompetitive for American compa- care for their children and their aging pose H.R. 1 and instead, work in a bi-partisan

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.029 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9401 and transparent manner on policies that will more foreign countries lower their corporate their take-home pay. That is real improve the lives of working families. If you tax rates to attract offshore investment, the money for working Americans. It is have any questions, please contact John bigger the tax subsidy for offshoring this bill real money for North Carolinians as Foti. will provide. The GOP tax bill creates a pow- well. Sincerely, erful incentive for big companies to The bill also helps small businesses JOHN GRAY, outsource jobs, and it is an incentive that Legislative Director. will grow over time. by reducing their tax rates and allow- With regard to past profits, the Institute ing them to create more good-paying AFL–CIO, on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) es- jobs. We need that. Small businesses Washington, DC, November 14, 2017. timates that H.R. 1 would give multinational are the lifeblood of western North DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: On behalf of the corporations a tax windfall of $529 billion, al- Carolina’s communities. We need them AFL–CIO, I urge you to oppose the Tax Cuts lowing them to get away with paying just and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). H.R. 1 is not a ‘‘jobs strengthened. $223 billion of the $752 billion they owe on ac- The same Tax Foundation study esti- bill,’’ it is a job killer that gives huge tax cumulated offshore earnings. There is no breaks to companies that outsource jobs. It economic case for discounted tax rates on mates that this bill will create nearly is also the poster child for the failed ‘‘trick- profits already earned. The last time we gave a million new jobs nationwide, includ- le-down’’ economic theory that has never companies a break on the profits they ing more than 30,000 in North Carolina worked and has repeatedly stuck working booked offshore, they used that money for alone. people with the tab for tax giveaways for executive bonuses and dividends. They did Now, there is a great debate in this millionaires, big corporations, and Wall not use the money for creating new jobs, body about the approach we took on Street. raises for workers, or investments in new The Republican leadership wants to pay for this bill. There is a fundamental dis- factories or equipment. The top 15 companies agreement between the two parties these giveaways with drastic cuts to Med- to take advantage of the so-called ‘‘tax holi- icaid, Medicare, education, and other pro- day’’ in 2004 laid off 20,000 workers in the here. grams that working people depend on. The subsequent two years. There is no reason to My colleagues on the left want more price tag of H.R. 1 is $1.5 trillion over 10 believe this time will be different. JPMorgan power, more expenditures from govern- years, while the budget resolution includes says, ‘‘We expect little economic effect from ment, and want to take more from the $5 trillion in budget cuts, including $1.5 tril- firms repatriating funds to the U.S.’’ American people in order to pay for lion from Medicaid and Medicare. The AFL–CIO urges you to oppose the Tax that. H.R 1 would waste trillions of dollars on Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), which gives huge tax breaks for people who do not need them. We believe, on the Republican side of tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs the aisle, that American families According to the Joint Committee on Tax- and makes working people pay the price for ation (JCT), 45% of the tax benefits would ul- tax giveaways to millionaires, big corpora- should be able to keep more of what timately go to households making over tions, and Wall Street. they earn, make more decisions for $500,000 per year; 38% of the tax benefits Sincerely, themselves, empower communities, would go to households making over $1 mil- WILLIAM SAMUEL, empower small businesses, make us lion; and the top 1% one percent would get Director, Government Affairs Department. more competitive and make us strong- an average annual tax cut of $64,720. By contrast, households making between $20,000 and Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I er. $40,000 would actually pay more in taxes. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from I urge my colleagues to vote for this H.R. 1 would hurt working people in many North Carolina (Mr. MCHENRY), our bill, to send a strong message that we ways. It would eliminate the deduction for chief deputy whip. in the House of Representatives have a state and local income and sales taxes, pun- Mr. MCHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank strong tax package for the American ishing states that make the kind of invest- the chairman of the Ways and Means people. I look forward to getting this ments that create good jobs and starving Committee for his hard work and ef- bill signed into law before Christmas. communities of the funding they need for Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the education, infrastructure, and other essen- fort, his staff’s effort, and his com- tial public services. H.R. 1 would repeal de- mittee members’ effort to put this balance of my time to the gentleman ductions for student loan interest, tuition great bill on the floor today. from Connecticut (Mr. LARSON), and I expenses, and tuition assistance and end tax The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a vi- ask unanimous consent that he may credits for students to cover college ex- tally important bill. This will help all control that time. penses, making it harder for students and Americans’ lives for the better. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there their families to afford higher education at a name fits for this bill as well. It truly objection to the request of the gen- time when tuition prices are at an all-time is a tax cut for American working fam- tleman from Massachusetts? high. Under this bill, corporations could still ilies, and it creates good-paying jobs. There was no objection. deduct their payments to lawyers to fight Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. unions, but union members could no longer The bill is the result of over 3 years deduct union dues and educators could no of hard work here in the House of Rep- Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- longer deduct their out-of-pocket expenses. resentatives. It has been clear for years tleman from New York (Mr. CROWLEY), On the corporate side, H.R. 1 would give a that our Tax Code is broken. We all the chairman of the Democratic Cau- giant tax cut to big corporations that agree on that. Simply put, it does not cus and a great leader on the Ways and outsource jobs. Under this bill, a business work for the vast majority of the Means Committee. that creates jobs on Main Street USA would American people. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank pay U.S. taxes on its profits at a rate of 20%, the gentleman for yielding me this while a big corporation that outsources What we do is simplify the Tax Code. those same jobs to Ireland or Switzerland More Americans will be able to take a time. would pay no U.S. taxes on the profits it standard deduction, file on a postcard I have to give it to Speaker RYAN and earns from outsourcing. Currently, the their tax return, simplifying the proc- to President Trump and all of my Re- United States taxes all profits of U.S. cor- ess. Importantly, it makes us more publican colleagues. I have to give porations, whether earned in the United competitive internationally so we them their due. They announced ear- States or in a foreign country, at the same don’t lose jobs to overseas companies. lier this year they would cut taxes for rate of 35% (though a corporation that earns That makes us stronger as a nation. corporate special interests, and today profits in a foreign country does not have to At the same time, it helps small busi- they are following through on that pay U.S. taxes on those earnings until it re- patriates them to the United States). H.R. 1 nesses compete with those large busi- promise. changes this system so a U.S. corporation nesses, with those global businesses, The problem is, in order to do it, never pays any U.S. income taxes on the and makes sure that our Main Streets they are raising taxes on middle class profits it earns from active operations in a are strong in America. families. Don’t take my word for it. foreign country (as opposed to domestic prof- This is a very good bill. It is a very Listen to them. its that the company disguises as foreign good bill, well contemplated, and will The Republicans started this process profits through the use of accounting gim- have a great impact on working fami- by saying that every American, every- micks). Reducing the U.S. tax rate on off- lies. one in America, will get a tax cut. Now shore profits from 35% to 0%—basically a The bill helps families in my district they are saying, on average, people will subsidy to companies that outsource jobs— would cost $208 billion over 10 years. Even in particular. The Tax Foundation says get a tax cut, and even that is incor- worse, the bill would encourage foreign coun- that average middle class families in rect. tries that want to attract offshore invest- my district in western North Carolina It is time to be honest with the ment to lower their corporate tax rate. The are going to see a $2,400 increase in American people. What we have before

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.051 H16NOPT1 H9402 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 us today isn’t a bill, it is a scam—a over the past decade in America. more, because the GOP scam lowers scam that will hurt homeowners in Today, we are taking an important the cap, making homeownership more Irvine, California, in Mrs. WALTERS’ step to fix that. The Tax Cuts and Jobs expensive and driving down property district; a scam that will hurt seniors Act will reform the Tax Code and help taxes for current homeowners. in Lancaster, New York, in Congress- foster economic growth. Middle-income families with children man CHRIS COLLINS’ district; a scam For more than three decades, fami- in college or recent graduates will pay that will hurt students in Toms River, lies have paid a growing cost for our more, because the GOP scam elimi- New Jersey, in TOM MACARTHUR’s dis- country’s increasingly complex and nates deductions for interest on stu- trict; a scam that will hurt veterans in burdensome Tax Code that is chockfull dent loans. This includes 12 million Barrington, Illinois, in PETE ROSKAM’s of special interest loopholes. This is American families, 156,000 of whom are district; and a scam that will abso- not fair. South Carolinians. lutely hurt the middle class in every The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will sim- b 1100 congressional district in our country, plify the process of filing taxes by dou- 36 million people to be exact. bling the size of the standard deduction Middle-income families struggling to In my district, a quarter of all home- and removing the need for millions to pay costly medical bills will pay more owners will lose the ability to deduct itemize their deductions. It will pro- because the GOP scam shamefully their taxes, but corporate special inter- vide tax cuts to millions of middle-in- eliminates that deductibility. This in- ests, they can still deduct their taxes come working families. cludes 9 million American families, and under the GOP plan. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also in- nearly 140,000 live in South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 20,000 students in cludes many tax reforms for businesses Middle-income families with children Queens and the Bronx, in my district, in order to spur economic growth. The in daycare, nursery school, or aging will lose one of the most effective ways bill makes it easier for entrepreneurs parents will pay more because the GOP to pay down their student loan debt. to start businesses, and it brings down scam eliminates the deductions for de- That is right. Republicans are elimi- the corporate tax rate from 35 percent pendent care assistance. nating the ability to deduct the inter- to 20 percent to be in line with our Middle-income schoolteachers will est on student loan payments. competitors around the world. pay more because the GOP scam elimi- This scam eliminates the assistance This will help spur economic growth nates their ability to deduct the cost of for small businesses to hire veterans by encouraging businesses to move the supplies they purchase for their here at home, but it continues the tax their capital and jobs back to the classrooms. breaks to ship American jobs overseas. United States and will help lower Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1 is an attack on Yes, you heard that correctly. Repub- prices for Americans, who are the ones middle-income families. It will subject licans and President Trump are doling who ultimately pay for high corporate the good people of this country to a out tax breaks for companies to move taxes through higher prices. second Great Recession and raise taxes overseas but will take away benefits to I’m proud that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is on 36 million middle-income house- hire American veterans right here at focused on growing the economy, bringing holds. home. jobs back to Main Street, and increasing pay- According to the nonpartisan Con- These aren’t the values of my congressional Budget Office, this GOP tax stituents, but, apparently, they are the checks for workers. This bill is committed to helping families because the family unit is the scam will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit values of Speaker RYAN, President over the next 10 years and trigger mas- Trump, and the entire congressional cornerstone of our nation. We made a promise to families that we’d deliver them tax relief— sive funding cuts across the govern- Republican caucus. ment next year. Medicare will see a $25 So how did we end up here? It is be- and we’re holding to it. The Tax Cuts and billion-per-year cut. cause when the Republicans sat down Jobs Act will fix our bureaucratic tax nightmare Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I to write this bill, they didn’t have the and puts families first again. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from average American in mind. They had Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Maryland (Mr. HARRIS). their wealthy donors and corporate Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to friends in mind. Republicans started tleman from South Carolina (Mr. CLY- engage the gentleman from Texas in a tax reform with this question: How do BURN), the son of a preacher man, who colloquy. we get the corporate rate down? Demo- always speaks truth to power. Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank We should not be satisfied with the crats would have started with the ques- Mr. LARSON for yielding me this time. historically low economic growth rates tion: How do we raise up the middle Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today of the past decade. This tax reform bill class? that creates jobs, increases paychecks, Republicans wrote a bill, a tax scam, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Repub- grows our economy, and increases that benefits people who own second licans can dress it up and call it good American competitiveness can help and third homes, but they left behind names, but that will not change the Maryland families and businesses. average American homeowners. They fact that H.R. 1 is a scam that will be The bill we are considering today has left behind teachers, who use their own perpetrated on America’s middle-in- many positive elements that will ben- money to buy school supplies. They come families. efit our country in many ways. How- left average Americans behind, because This bill will make it harder to own ever, I am concerned about its impact they never had you in mind to begin a home, raise a family, and afford a on some of my constituents in Mary- with. postsecondary education. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The It should come as no surprise that land who pay high State and local in- time of the gentleman has expired. President Trump wanted to call the come taxes. I ask you, as the Ways and Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. bill: ‘‘Cut, Cut, Cut.’’ That would have Means chairman, to continue to work Speaker, I yield the gentleman from been apropos. The first cut is for him with me to ensure that families and job New York an additional 15 seconds. and his family, the second cut is for his creators in my district will all be Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on be- wealthy friends, and the third cut is for helped by this legislation. half of hardworking Americans large corporations and businesses that Mr. BRADY of Texas. Will the gen- throughout this country, I say, vote ship jobs overseas. tleman yield? ‘‘no’’ on H.R. 1, vote ‘‘no’’ on H.R. 1 H.R. 1 certainly does not cut taxes Mr. HARRIS. I yield to the gen- percent. for middle-income families or small tleman. Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I businesses; in fact, it does just the op- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from posite. thank the gentleman from Maryland Kansas (Mr. ESTES). Under H.R. 1, millions of Americans, for yielding. Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I middle-income families, will pay The intent of our tax reform bill is to thank Chairman BRADY for his efforts more—500,000 of whom live in South achieve tax relief for individuals at to get this tax reform bill done. Carolina. Middle-income families and every income level in every State. Our outdated and uncompetitive Tax first-time homeowners who utilize I agree with the gentleman, there are Code has led to slow economic growth mortgage interest deductions will pay still some areas where we will and can

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.032 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9403 make improvements. If the gentleman their lives, seeking a new home cannot, Yet last evening, nearly 8,000 of them took is willing to help us continue to move in fact, deduct their mortgage. time out of their busy schedules to join me in this process forward today, I am happy The same thing with the 200,000 Tex- a tele-townhall to discuss the tax scheme that to commit to working with him to en- ans who are going to pay more because has been rushed to the floor for a vote by the sure we reach a positive outcome for we are eliminating the deduction for Republican leadership in the hope of passing his constituents to reconcile our dif- State and local taxes, and eliminating it before the American people learn its insid- ferences with the Senate. deductions for student loans, casualty ious details. Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank losses; by next year, $25 billion in So- But I have got news for them: too late. the chairman for agreeing to work with cial Security cuts. My constituents understand and let me me on this as we move forward. I will My seniors on the phone last night know that they believe it is important that the be voting for this bill today, and I urge asked me about those cuts. They asked United States has a tax system that is fair, my colleagues to vote for this bill to me about the medical expenses cuts for balanced, smart, and provides the resources increase American competitiveness. seniors. All of that is eliminated. and opportunities to allow all Americans to Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD reach their potential. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- a sample of tele-townhall survey ques- And by margins exceeding 90 percent, they tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL), tions and answers. reject: the lead Democrat on the Foreign Af- TAX TELE-TOWNHALL SURVEY QUESTIONS AND 1. Any cuts to Medicare or Medicaid to fi- fairs Committee who understands the ANSWERS nance tax cuts for wealthy corporations and impact of double taxation from a donor (1) Do you agree that a tax bill should cut the top 1 percent; State. tax at the expense of Medicaid and Medicare? 2. Eliminating the mortgage interest deduc- 95 percent said no. tion; Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, someone (2) The current tax reform bill will elimi- near and dear to me once said that the 3. Eliminating the deductibility of state and nate the tax deduction for student loan in- local taxes; Republican Party is the party of rich terest and the lifetime learning credit. Do men and women, and the Democratic you support the elimination of these tax 4. Eliminating existing deductions for stu- Party is the party of working men and credits? 91 percent said no. dent loan interest or making taxable college women. Nothing proves that more than (3) The current tax code allows home- endowment funds or college fellowships ex- this tax scam today. owners to deduct interest on mortgages. penses. I have been around here a long time. Would you support a tax plan that includes Mr. Speaker, my constituents, and Ameri- a reduction in credit for first-time home cans across the country, oppose this unfair Of all the bills I have seen, this is one buyers? 95 percent said no. of the worst bills I have ever seen on Republican tax giveaway because nearly half Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the floor of this House. It is actually a of the $1.7 trillion tax cut goes to just the top this plan will show no growth. The neu- disaster. It raises taxes on the middle one percent. tral tax policy entity said you will get In fact, the average annual tax cut for the class and on millions of families across no growth, no growth in wages, and top one-tenth of one percent is $320,000; for America. It adds trillions to the debt you will send jobs overseas in waves. the top one percent it is $62,000, and for to give tax cuts to America’s wealthy It is a tax scam and it is an American those earning $1 million a year it is $68,000. families and corporations while strip- nightmare. Vote against this tax scam. Nearly 25 percent of the tax cut goes to ping credits and deductions from mid- Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Budget households in just the top one-tenth of one dle class families. Committee, I rise in strong and unyielding op- percent, who make at least $5 million a year What ever happened to the fiscal re- position to H.R. 1, the so-called ‘‘Tax Cut and (2027). sponsibility of the Republican Party? Jobs Act,’’ which more accurately should be While super-wealthy corporations and indi- This budget ransacks Medicare and called the ‘‘Republican Tax Scam Act.’’ viduals are reaping windfalls, millions of mid- Medicaid of $1.5 trillion, and the GOP I oppose this cruel and immoral $1.7 trillion dle-class and working families will see their will use the new deficits to justify fur- tax giveaway to wealthy corporations and the taxes go up: ther devastating Medicare and Med- top one percent because it raises taxes on 1. 13 million households face a tax increase icaid. poor, working, and middle class families; ex- next year. Finally, it is a terrible disaster for plodes the deficit by adding an additional $2.2 2. 45 million households face a tax increase my New York constituents who already trillion over ten years; and will require an esti- in 2027. pay their fair share of taxes. New York mated $5.4 trillion cut in funding for the pro- 3. 29 million households (21 percent) earn- is a donor State, meaning that we pay grams ordinary Americans depend on for ing less than $100,000 a year see a tax in- more to the Federal Government than health security, educational opportunity, and crease. what we get in return. economic progress. On average, families earning up to $86,000 This will reduce or eliminate key de- Mr. Speaker, Americans are not fooled; they annually would see a $794 increase in their ductions, such as curbing or elimi- know trickle-down economics has never tax liability, a significant burden on families nating deductibility of State and local worked, and they see right through this phony struggling to afford child care and balance taxes, mortgage interest deductions, tax plan and recognize it for the scam that it their checkbook. college debt, student loans. is. It is shocking, but not surprising, that under We are a high-tax State. This is a dis- That is why Americans reject this Repub- this Republican tax scam, the total value of aster. Scrap this disaster. Go back to lican tax giveaway by an overwhelming 2:1 tax cuts for just the top one percent is more the drawing board and write a bill margin according to a poll released yesterday than the entire tax cut for the lower 95 percent which is fair to middle class taxpayers. by Quinnipiac. of earners. Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Specifically, 61 percent think the Republican Put another way, those earning more than reserve the balance of my time. tax scam will benefit the wealthy the most; $912,000 a year will get more in tax cuts than Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. only 16 percent say the plan will reduce their 180 million households combined. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- taxes. The core of this Republican tax scheme is woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE), 59 percent think it is a very bad idea to a massive tax cut from 35 percent to 20 per- the voice of Houston. eliminate the deduction for state and local in- cent for corporations, but that is not the only Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, come taxes. way that the wealthy are rewarded. this is not the American Dream tax Nearly half of respondents (40 percent) The massive tax cuts for corporations are plan. This is the American nightmare, think it a bad idea to lower the corporate tax permanent but temporary for working and mid- a tax scam of the worst proportion. rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. dle-class families. With over 8,000 of my constituents This Republican tax plan is even more toxic Another immoral aspect of this terrible tax last evening on a teleconference town to my constituents in the Eighteenth Congres- scam is that it abandons families that face nat- hall meeting, overwhelmingly they dis- sional District of Texas. ural disasters or high medical costs by repeal- agreed with a tax plan that cuts Medi- Mr. Speaker, as you may know, my con- ing deductions for casualty losses and medical care or Medicaid to finance tax cuts, stituents and others in Texas are still strug- expenses. eliminates the mortgage tax deduction, gling to recover from the devastation caused Mr. Speaker, in what universe does it make so that those who are suffering from by Hurricane Harvey, the worst storm ever to any sense to eliminate, as this bill would, a Hurricane Harvey, trying to rebuild make landfall in the continental United States. deduction for:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.035 H16NOPT1 H9404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 1. Teachers who purchase supplies for their This tax scam is not a revenue policy adapt- Our plan rewrites the Tax Code to classroom; ed for the real world that real Americans live put American families first, including 2. Moving expenses to take a new job and in but a fantasy resting on the monstrous be- families who have children with dis- taxes employer-provided moving expenses; or lief that the wealthy have too little money and abilities. For these families, who may 3. Dependent care assistance, making it that poor, working, and middle-class families have saved for their son’s or daughter’s harder for families to afford day care, nursery have too much. college tuition, which is no longer school, or care for aging parents? Our Republican friends continue to cling to needed, our plan carries on the legacy This Republican tax scam jeopardizes the fantasy belief that their tax cuts for the rich of the ABLE Act by allowing them to American innovation and competitiveness by will pay for themselves despite all precedent roll over from a 529 account to a 529A eliminating the deduction for student loan in- to the contrary and evidence that their tax account, an ABLE account, to pay for terest, which affects 12 million borrowers, and scheme is projected by experts to lose be- things like medical bills or workforce cuts total education assistance by more than tween $3 trillion and $7 trillion. development instead. $64 billion. Mr. Speaker, in evaluating the merits of a With this bill, we are making it easi- Under the extraordinary leadership of Presi- taxing system, it is not enough to subject it er for everyone to reach their full po- dent Obama and the determined efforts of or- only to the test of fiscal responsibility. tential. We are lifting the tax burden dinary Americans, we pulled our way out from To keep faith with the nation’s past, to be for everyday, hardworking Americans. under the worst of the foreclosure crisis when fair to the nation’s present, and to safeguard An extra $1,182 for middle-income fami- the housing bubble burst in 2007. the nation’s future, the plan must also pass a lies in places likes eastern Washington Inexplicably, Republicans are now cham- ‘‘moral test.’’ could make all the difference between pioning a tax scheme that will make the The Republican tax bill fails both of these living paycheck to paycheck and sav- homes of average Americans less valuable standards. ing for retirement or making that car because deductions for mortgage interest and I strongly oppose H.R. 1, the ‘‘Republican payment. property taxes are much less valuable than Tax Scam Act,’’ and urge all Members to join Mr. Speaker, this is a historic mo- under current law. me in voting against this reckless, cruel, and ment, and I urge all of my colleagues A tax plan that reduces home values, as heartless proposal that will do nothing to im- to join me on the right side of history this one does, puts pressure on states and prove the lives or well-being of middle and by voting in favor of the Tax Cuts and towns to collect revenues they depend on to working class families, and the poor and vul- Jobs Acts. Let’s help our hardworking fund schools, roads, and vital public re- nerable ‘caught in the tentacles of cir- men and women all across this coun- sources. cumstance.’ try. Mr. Speaker, an estimated 2.8 million Texas Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. households deduct state and local taxes with yield myself 1 minute. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman an average deduction of $7,823 in 2015. So I note that constituents in the from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for a But this is not the end of the bad news that 18th District of Texas, the past speak- unanimous consent request. will be delivered were this tax scam to be- (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was er’s district, that average families will come law, not by a long shot. given permission to revise and extend see a tax cut of nearly $1,000, and Texas The proposed elimination of the personal her remarks.) will grow 81,000 new jobs and see higher exemption will harm millions of Texans by tak- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I paychecks as a result of this tax re- ing away the $4,050 deduction for each tax- include in the RECORD The Washington form bill. payer and claimed dependent; in 2015, rough- Post op-ed, ‘‘The Republican tax plan’s We are proposing a Tax Code so fair ly 9.3 million dependent exemptions were five worst dangers,’’ by Secretary and simple, 9 out of 10 Americans will claimed in the Lone Star State. Rubin, dated November 15, 2017. be able to file using a simple postcard Equally terrible is that this Republican tax [From the Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2017] system. There is a fairness and equal- scam drastically reduces the Earned Income THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN’S FIVE WORST ity for each American—knowing what Tax Credit, which encourages work for 2.7 mil- DANGERS lion low-income individuals in Texas, helping each others’ deductions are because we (By Robert Rubin) have exactly the same ones. them make ends meet with an average credit The deficit-funded tax cuts advancing of $2,689. This simplicity, this fairness, these through Congress are a fiscal tragedy for The EITC and the Child Tax Credit lift about larger paychecks, this is what the Tax which our country will pay a huge price over 1.2 million Texans, including 663,000 children, Cut and Jobs Act is all about. time. While the details of the tax plan re- out of poverty each year. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of main in flux, its fundamental contours will So to achieve their goal of giving more and my time. not change. Nor will its $1.5 trillion of deficit funding, the amount stipulated in the re- more to the haves and the ‘‘have mores,’’ our Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my cently passed budget resolution. Republican friends are willing to betray sen- Perhaps it’s hopeless to expect those in iors, children, the most vulnerable and needy, time. Congress who have long bemoaned deficits and working and middle-class families. Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 and the debt to oppose the plan. If, however, The $5.4 trillion cuts in program investments minutes to the gentlewoman from as a matter of conscience or renewed reflec- that will be required to pay for this tax give- Washington (Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS), tion they decide to take heed, here are the away to wealthy corporations and individuals the leader of the Republican Con- fiscal dangers posed by the plan. ference. To start, the tax cuts will not increase will fall most heavily on low-income families, growth and, given their fiscal effects, would Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. students struggling to afford college, seniors, likely have a significant and increasingly and persons with disabilities. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his negative impact. The nonpartisan Tax Policy America will not be made great by financing tremendous leadership on this impor- Center’s latest report estimated that, over 10 a $1.7 trillion tax cut for the rich by stealing tant legislation this morning. years, the average increase in our growth $1.8 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid, I am proud to rise in support of en- rate would be roughly zero, counting the abandoning seniors and families in need, de- acting tax reform, tax relief to mil- crowding out of private investment by in- priving students of realizing a dream to attend lions of Americans. We have been wait- creasing deficits but not counting other ad- ing a long time, more than 30 years. verse effects of worsening our fiscal outlook. college without drowning in debt, or The Penn Wharton Budget Model, using the disinvesting in the working families. And while everything else has changed same approach, estimates virtually no in- America will not be positioned to compete over 30 years, our Tax Code, unfortu- crease in long-term growth. Goldman Sachs and win in the global, interconnected, and dig- nately, has only gotten old, outdated, projects an increase of 0.1 percent to 0.2 per- ital economy by slashing funding for scientific bigger, and more complicated. It has cent in the first couple of years and an aver- research, the arts and humanities, job retrain- become a burden, a burden that we are age increase over 10 years of just 0.05 percent ing, and clean energy just to pay for a tax cut going to lift. per year, not counting any of the adverse fis- to corporations and individuals who do not Now, there are some defenders of the cal effects. status quo who think that the Tax These estimates reflect three underlying even need it. views held by mainstream economists. First, Mr. Speaker, the tax scheme presented Code is just fine. Well, that is not what individual tax cuts will not materially in- here by Republicans is not a plan but a scam the American people sent us here to do, duce people to work more. Second, corporate that represents a betrayal of our values as a to defend the status quo. We are here tax cuts will likely have limited effect on in- nation. to do the big things. vestment or decisions about where to locate

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.042 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9405 business activity, given the many other vari- worse. We can only hope that responsible without objection, the gentleman from ables at play. Third, deficit-funded tax cuts elected officials will prevent this irrespon- Massachusetts (Mr. NEAL) has 121⁄2 min- will have little short-term effect on growth, sible tax plan from being adopted. utes remaining. except perhaps for some temporary over- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- There was no objection. heating, because we are at roughly full em- ant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ployment. With no additional revenue from increased consideration of H.R. 1 is postponed. Chair recognizes the gentleman from growth to offset the tax cuts’ cost, the pub- When debate resumes, the time re- Texas. licly held debt of the federal government maining will be 17 minutes for the gen- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would increase by $1.5 trillion. An additional tleman from Texas (Mr. BRADY) and yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from danger is that the actual deficit impact 121⁄2 minutes for the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG). would be increased by abandoning the Con- Connecticut (Mr. LARSON). Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, gressional Budget Office’s nonpartisan eval- Congress established Alaska Native uation that has been used for decades by f Settlement Trusts in 1988 to provide both parties in favor of partisan calculations MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE permanent health, education, and wel- by those pushing the tax cuts. fare benefits to Alaska Natives, who Adding $1.5 trillion or more to the federal A message from the Senate by Ms. are among the most economically dis- debt would make an already bad situation Lasky, one of its clerks, announced advantaged populations in the United worse. A useful measure of our fiscal posi- that the Senate has passed without States. tion is the ratio of publicly held government amendment bills of the House of the debt to economic output or gross domestic Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Tax product, called the debt/GDP ratio. In 2000, following titles: Code has, in many cases, impeded the the debt/GDP ratio was 32 percent. The ratio H.R. 1545. An act to amend title 38, United creation and funding of Alaska Native is now 77 percent. Looking forward, the CBO States Code, to clarify the authority of the Settlement Trusts. As a result, Alaska projects the debt/GDP ratio to be 91 percent Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose cer- Native Settlement Trusts have not tain patient information to State controlled in 2027 and 150 percent in 2047. After $1.5 tril- been able to function in the manner lion of deficit-funded tax cuts, those future substance monitoring programs, and for ratios have been estimated to increase to other purposes. Congress originally intended to provide roughly 97 percent in 2027 and 160 percent in H.R. 3949. An act to amend title 38, United benefits for Alaska Natives. To remedy 2047. These estimates likely substantially States Code, to provide for the designation of some of these tax issues, I have spon- understate the worsening of our fiscal trajec- State approving agencies for multi-State ap- sored H.R. 3524, which permits an Alas- tory. That’s because they do not account for prenticeship programs for purposes of the ka Native corporation to deduct con- the increasingly adverse effect on growth of educational assistance programs of the De- tributions to their settlement trust. the difficult-to-quantify effects of fiscal department of Veterans Affairs. The provisions of H.R. 3524 were not terioration. H.R. 4374. An act to amend the Federal included in H.R. 1, and the tax bill also Exacerbating our already unsustainable Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize fiscal trajectory with these tax cuts would additional emergency uses for medical prod- adversely increases Alaska Native Set- threaten growth in five respects. These are ucts to reduce deaths and severity of injuries tlement Trust tax rates from 10 per- highly likely to be substantial and to in- caused by agents of war, and for other pur- cent to 12 percent. This would make it crease over time. poses. more difficult for Alaska Native Set- First, business confidence would likely be The message also announced that the tlement Trusts to provide long-term negatively affected by creating uncertainty Senate has passed a bill of the fol- benefits to Alaska Natives. about future policy and heightening concern lowing title in which the concurrence Mr. Speaker, I request that the provi- about our political system’s ability to meet sions of H.R. 3524 be included in the our economic policy challenges. of the House is requested: final conference report that results Second, our country’s resilience to deal S. 807. An act to provide anti-retaliation with inevitable future economic and geo- protections for antitrust whistleblowers. from the conference committee. political emergencies, including the effects Mr. BRADY of Texas. Will the gen- of climate change, would continue to de- f tleman yield? cline. RECESS Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield to the Third, funds available for public invest- gentleman. ment, national security and defense spend- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ing—a professed concern of many tax-cut ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair am pleased to work with the gentleman proponents—would continue to decline as declares the House in recess subject to from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) on this im- debt rises, because of rising interest costs the call of the Chair. portant issue for the Alaska Native and the increased risk of borrowing to fund Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 10 government activities. community. Under the tax bill, Alaska Fourth, Treasury bond interest rates would minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- Native Settlement Trusts would be un- be highly likely to increase over time be- cess. intentionally subject to a higher tax cause of increased demand for the supply of f rate. savings and increased concern about future I thank him for bringing this to my imbalances. That, in turn, would raise pri- b 1230 intention. I assure him that I will focus vate-sector interest rates, which could also AFTER RECESS on this in conference as we finalize in- increase due to widening spreads vs. Treas- dividual rate structures between the uries, further reflecting increased concern The recess having expired, the House House and the Senate. I also look for- about future conditions. And even a limited was called to order by the Speaker pro increase in the debt/GDP ratio could focus ward to working with him to advance tempore (Mr. COLLINS of Georgia) at 12 the provisions of his bill in this impor- attention on our fiscal trajectory’s long-ig- o’clock and 30 minutes p.m. nored risks and trigger outsize increases in tant area. Treasury and private-sector interest rates. f Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I The ability to borrow in our own currency, thank the chairman for those remarks. TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT and to print it through the Federal Reserve, He has been great to work with. His may diminish these risks for a while, as The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- staff has been outstanding. I thank him might capital inflows from abroad. But these ant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further for his commitment to working on the mitigating factors have their limits; at some consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) to pro- point, unsound fiscal conditions almost sure- inclusion of H.R. 3524 and maintaining ly would undermine our currency and debt vide for reconciliation pursuant to title existing rates in law with regard to markets. II of the concurrent resolution on the Alaska Native Settlement Trusts, and, Finally, at some unpredictable point, fiscal budget for fiscal year 2018, will now re- more generally, for his support of the conditions—and these market dynamics— sume. Alaska Native community. would likely be seen as sufficiently serious The Clerk read the title of the bill. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- to cause severe market and economic desta- The SPEAKER pro tempore. When self 4 minutes. bilization. proceedings were postponed earlier Mr. Speaker, as we wind down this We have an imperative need to address our 1 unsustainable longer-term fiscal trajectory today, 29 ⁄2 minutes of debate remained debate on tax reform or, what we with sound economic policies. Few elected on the bill. should really call it, tax cut, I think officials want to face this fact, but, at the The gentleman from Texas (Mr. that we should tabulate this as a very least, they should not make matters BRADY) has 17 minutes remaining and, missed opportunity. This could have

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.045 H16NOPT1 H9406 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 been done between the two parties. In- Then, by the way, the granddaddy of States is barely a spec in the rearview stead, much of this was constructed them all: How about repatriation. Re- mirrors of so many of our international without any Democratic input. patriation, bringing back those earn- competitors. Reminder: In 1986, the historic Tax ings to the United States for invest- In our businesses, our workers, our Reform Act included President Reagan ment in job growth, at, by the way, 51⁄4 Made in America products, which are and Speaker O’Neill, Chairman Rosten- was the tax burden they carried, all the best in the world, are bearing the kowski, Dick Gephardt, and Bill Brad- based on job growth. It was for stock consequences of Washington’s failure ley. In this instance here, 32 years buybacks, dividends, and layoffs. to act. That stops now, and it stops later, not one hearing was held on this We had a chance here to do some- with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. tax bill that is about to be voted on in thing historic. We had a chance here in With this historic bill, we will pro- the next 45 minutes. this debate and discussion because vide real simplicity for every taxpayer, The significance of that is that there there is a genuine affability on that we will deliver real fairness to every was never any back-and-forth, and in committee. We had this opportunity to hardworking American, we will be 1986, expert testimony was sought from take the Tax Code and transform it for more competitive than ever, we will 450 witnesses. We had not one witness the gig economy in the modern age. We win worldwide and here at home, and who commented on the legislation. didn’t do that, though. Four days we we will see better jobs and bigger pay- It has been advertised as a middle had to examine this tax proposal with checks in every community of this class tax cut. Wait until you get the no hearings. Not one chance for a great Nation so people can keep more bill. How can you say that this is a Democratic amendment to proceed. of their hard-earned dollars. middle class tax cut and compare that I reserve the balance of my time. With this bill, we will deliver a new to repeal of the estate tax? Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Tax Code built for a new era of Amer- How many middle class people in yield myself such time as I may con- ican prosperity. America pay the estate tax? sume. So to Washington’s special interests, That is how many people pay the es- Mr. Speaker, this historic legislation who are now being propped up by ab- tate tax. No middle class American before us today represents a crucial surd carve-outs and loopholes, get pays the estate tax. There is no such step to fulfilling our tax reform prom- ready to stand on your own. To our thing as a death tax, in addition to ise to the American people, but it is international competitors, who are which a middle class tax cut is de- not the final step. We are Republicans. now leading the pack, get ready to scribed as doing away with the alter- We believe the Tax Code doesn’t belong have some company. To the American native minimum tax. 4.5 million fami- to Washington. It belongs to the Amer- people, who have waited years for tax lies pay an alternative minimum tax in America. That is it. ican people. We will continue to work reform, get ready for the tax relief you I fixed the problem years ago for the to make it better and improve at every deserve. middle class, and 27 million people step of the way. Today, this House—the people’s stopped paying AMT. So now we are Before I make final remarks, I want House—is taking action on the most down to people at the very top. to thank all of our Ways and Means transformational tax overhaul in a So how are we paying for this? Or Committee members who have done so generation, and we are taking action how are they paying for it, better, be- much and worked so hard, as well as today. It is time for this old, broken cause they are not going to get much every Member of this House who helped Tax Code to go. It is time to put the help on this side? make this opportunity real for the American people first. Well, they decided that that teacher American people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of who used to have $250, that they could I also want to say how grateful I am my time. deduct on their income taxes, that is to everyone at the nonpartisan Joint Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- going to be abolished. Committee on Taxation and the House self 21⁄2 minutes. So if you have Alzheimer’s and you Office of the Legislative Counsel. Their Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge the exceed the 10 percent number in terms careful analysis contributed so much support of the Democratic staff that of cost in your healthcare for caring to this bill. are here as well: Kara Getz, Karen for that loved one at home who is sick Finally, I want to give special rec- McAfee, Aruna Kalyanam, Peg or has dementia, that is how they are ognition to Barbara Angus, the chief McGlinch, Deva Kyle, Ji Prichard, and going to pay for the tax cut. They are tax counsel on the Ways and Means Suzanne Walsh. They did a magnificent going to take that away. Committee, and all of our staff on the job as well, and we are much dependent State and local property taxes, they committee, who put their hearts and on the good staff work, particularly, on are going to take that away—the de- their souls and many sleepiness nights the Ways and Means Committee. duction. They are going to pare back in the development of this bill. I can’t Mr. Speaker, I spoke earlier of the the mortgage interest tax deduction. thank them enough for their hard work missed opportunity that we have here. All of this advertised on the basis of a and dedication. We have a real problem in America middle class tax cut? Mr. Speaker, the House of Represent- with labor participation rates. Six mil- People at the bottom end are not atives is, by its very design, the Cham- lion jobs go unanswered every day now going to get much from this tax cut. I ber of Congress closest to the American in America, 18,000 precision manufac- want to take you back again, as I have people. Today, this House—the people’s turing jobs in New England, and 1 mil- repeatedly, because I have cast three House—will pass historic legislation to lion tech jobs, because skill sets don’t great votes in this House during my 29 improve the lives of Americans nation- align with the job opportunities that years: against the Iraq war, and there wide. are out there. weren’t many of us; against the cuts in For too long, this broken Tax Code Two million Americans sit home 2001; and against the tax system in has put the needs of the people second, with opioid addictions who should be in 2003; all advertised as progrowth eco- propping up Washington’s special inter- the workforce. This was a chance to in- nomics. ests at the expense of hardworking vest in human capital as well, to invest There was no economic growth in the Americans. in our community colleges, to invest in tax cuts of 2001, which totaled, by the For too long, this broken Tax Code apprenticeship programs. Yes, the way, $1.3 trillion. For people who said has rewarded companies for outsourc- other challenge that we have in Amer- at the time, ‘‘everybody gets a tax ing American jobs instead of encour- ica is, clearly, to invest in vocational cut,’’ they were correct. Then you aging them to create jobs here at education for many of the jobs that are looked at the distribution tables to see home. available. what people got at the top and then For too long, this broken Tax Code Instead, we pushed that off to the what people got at the bottom. Then has eroded America’s economic leader- side and decided that, once again, if we we came back in 2003 and cut another ship around the world. just had tax cuts, all of these chal- trillion dollars in taxes—advertises This country used to be the standard- lenges and problems would go away. progrowth economics—zippo growth oc- bearer worldwide for competitive tax The idea of investing in the human curred. systems. Not anymore. Now the United side of American opportunity is then

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.042 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9407 people do what we would like them to can take advantage of now. That dou- What is hard to do is paying for what do in terms of home buying, raising bled standard deduction is going to be we buy. Neither side does that particu- families, caring for neighborhoods, and a big win for hardworking families that larly well. practicing the art form of citizenship. are struggling. There is no courage in voting for this Once again, what we are witnessing We eliminate special interest loop- bill, only a suspension of common today—and we need to be alarmed holes, Mr. Speaker. You might hear a sense and their now abandoned com- about it—is the greater and greater lot of complaints out there from people mitment to fiscal sustainability. conservation of wealth in America. who have been able to get their little Furthermore, my Republican friends Now, I understand it is complicated. It piece of the Tax Code. The problem is, call this bill a tax cut. The gentleman has to do much with technology and every time somebody gets a special in- who just spoke, the whip, said it is a globalization, but it is also about the terest loophole, it costs the rest of us. reduction in rates, but 36 million work- gig economy, and we, today, reward Now we get rid of those loopholes so ing Americans will receive a tax in- capital more than we reward labor. that everybody can pay less in taxes. crease under this bill. It was a very When we get done, if they are suc- That is a big win for hardworking fami- careful articulation of reduction of cessful on the other side, we are going lies. rates, but taxes for 36 million Ameri- to further concentrate wealth amongst Mr. Speaker, in our bill, we com- cans, working Americans, will go up. those few families in America. We pletely repeal the death tax, probably Furthermore, they call this bill a tax serve here in the House of Representa- one of the most immoral parts of our cut. It is not a stretch of the imagina- tives, not in the House of Lords. This is Code, where small businesses, family tion to presume that, given Repub- not about peerage, where you are enti- farms, if their loved one dies, the first licans’ urgency to reject bipartisan tled to a seat in this House of Rep- thing they are thinking is grieving for compromise and deflect public input, resentatives. That is what is wrong. their loved one, but immediately after, the Members of this House will be That is what Jefferson and Madison en- they get a big tax bill from the Federal asked to accept whatever version of the visioned when they signed those bonds Government that, in many cases, tax bill can pass the United States Sen- of the Declaration of Independence and forces them to sell their small business ate. the American Constitution to break instead of passing it on to their family. Yesterday, the Senate Finance Com- with Europe. We don’t practice divine That is part of the American Dream. mittee rejected this bill 36–0. The Sen- right here. They pay taxes on it. We repeal the ate Finance Committee, headed by Re- I wish the outcome here today, Mr. death tax. publicans, rejected this bill 36–0. Speaker, would have been more gen- We deliver a much fairer Code, Mr. I am reminded of what Representa- uine and it would have been different. Speaker. Again, what this bill is about tive MATT GAETZ, a Republican, said Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I is finally putting more money in the last month about the budget resolution yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from pockets of hardworking families. It is that teed up this tax plan. He said that Louisiana (Mr. SCALISE), our majority about getting our economy moving we were being ‘‘asked to vote for a whip and a tremendous leader on tax again and creating jobs. budget that nobody believes in so that reform. Families recognize when they see the we have the chance to vote for a tax highest corporate tax rate in the indus- bill that nobody’s read.’’ b 1245 trialized world, tens of thousands of Mr. Speaker, I won’t ask anyone to Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I want to jobs going to countries like Ireland and raise their hand if they have read this thank my friend and colleague from Canada. I love Ireland and I love Can- bill. Texas. Chairman BRADY has done an ada. I just don’t want them to have One hand. incredible job at bringing this Tax Cuts tens of thousands of our good jobs. Those who take this vote will have to and Jobs Act to the House floor. Let’s bring those jobs back. In our bill, live with it and just hope that what- Today is an historic day, Mr. Speak- we do that, Mr. Speaker. ever mystery tax package their Senate er. For families who for so long have This bill is a win for hardworking colleagues send over here won’t gut been calling out saying that they want families. This puts money back in the whatever concessions they have ex- to pay less in taxes, we answer that pockets of people who have been strug- tracted call today, Mr. Speaker. gling so long, and it allows the eco- I heard the whip say no special provi- When you have heard the complaints, nomic growth that is going to see sions in this bill. I don’t have the time as I and so many others have every wages finally increase. After 10 years of to go through every special provision time we see a company move more jobs a stagnant economy, it is about time that has been used to get people to overseas, good, high-paying jobs over- we finally answer the call that millions vote for this bill. seas because America has the highest of Americans have been asking us to do Mr. Speaker, this isn’t the tax reform tax rate in the industrialized world, we for so long, Mr. Speaker. the American people were promised or finally do something about that today, Let’s pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act the tax reform the American people Mr. Speaker, by cutting the corporate and get our economy moving again. want. rate so that we can be competitive Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 Mr. Speaker, let’s sit down together. again and so that we can bring those minutes to the gentleman from Mary- Let’s sit down together, the chairman jobs back home. land (Mr. HOYER), a very capable legis- and Mr. NEAL, two responsible, good Let’s talk about something else that lator, the Democratic whip. Americans, sit down together not in a is going to be a benefit to hardworking Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank partisan way, but in a bipartisan way. families in this bill, Mr. Speaker. We the gentleman for yielding. That is the way we did the 1986 bill. finally simplify the Tax Code in a way This is the most irresponsible bill That is why it was such a responsible that over 90 percent of American fami- that I will have been confronted with piece of legislation. lies will actually be able to do their in the 37 years that I have been in the Let’s enact tax reform that focuses taxes on a postcard. Just think of how Congress of the United States. on the working class, the middle class, much that is going to save for people This bill, Mr. Speaker, is both reck- the people who need the money, not who have to pay to have their taxes less and feckless. It is reckless because give over half of it to the richest people done because the Code is so com- it would add more than $1.7 trillion— in America. I don’t have any beef with plicated and has become so massive the chairman says over $2 trillion—to them, we would all like to be rich, but that nobody can figure it out. We sim- the debt over a decade in a shameful they don’t need a tax cut, and the mid- plify the Code. act of hypocrisy for its supporters who, dle class does. Why give 50 percent of Let’s go through those things. for years, have called for fiscal respon- the revenue to them? We lower tax rates. Everybody is sibility. It is feckless because its au- Let’s enact tax reform that focuses going to see lower tax rates at every thors write it with an eye toward poli- on the middle class. Let’s enact tax re- income level. tics, not policy. form that doesn’t give half the benefit We double the standard deduction There is no courage in voting for this to those making more than $900,000 a from $12,000 to $24,000 that every family bill. It is easy to vote for a tax cut. year.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Feb 13, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\NOVEMBER\H16NO7.REC H16NO7 H9408 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Let’s enact tax reform that improves two, not even three, but the most ican people because we trust the peo- our long-term fiscal position rather Pinocchios you can give, four, for that ple. That is the start of America’s than adding the $1.7 trillion to our debt lie. comeback. that the CBO projects that this bill Every honest person sees this as a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The would add. tax cut for hardworking Americans. Chair reminds all Members to address As former Treasury Secretary Robert This bill increases the child tax credit, their remarks to the Chair and not to Rubin pointed out in an op-ed in to- increases the standard deduction, in- a perceived viewing audience. day’s Washington Post—and, by the creases wages, and is already bringing Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 way, he was the Secretary of the Treas- back jobs to America. minute to the gentlewoman from Cali- ury during the only 4 years of balanced The fact is the first $55,000 an aver- fornia (Ms. PELOSI), the very capable budgets that we have experienced in age family of four earns will not face a Democratic leader. the last 50 years. single penny of income tax, not a sin- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gle penny. the gentleman for yielding and thank time of the gentleman has expired. So what are these party leaders de- him for his superb leadership as the top Mr. HOYER. Vote ‘‘no’’ on this bill. fending by their opposition? Democrat on the Ways and Means Com- Look to your souls, not your polls or It is not the people. After all, there is mittee. I commend him, and all of our your political accounts. not a single person I have ever met in fellow Democrats on the committee, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The this Nation who wants higher rates, for standing up for the middle class in time of the gentleman has expired. lower wages, fewer jobs, and a more our country and fighting for the truth Mr. HOYER. Reject this sellout of complicated Tax Code. No, they aren’t and what is in this bill. America’s future. defending the people. Mr. Speaker, this vote today is a de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The They are defending loopholes for the fining moment for our country. Our time of the gentleman has expired. special interests, corporate welfare, votes today will decide the future of The gentleman is no longer recog- and carve-outs for lobbyists. They are the American middle class and those nized. defending the abusive tactics of the who aspire to it, the future of our chil- Mr. HOYER. * * *. status quo at the IRS. dren and our grandchildren, and the fu- Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I You know what I find most absurd? ture of the United States of America as yield 1 minute to the gentleman from They are defending the reckless tax- the land of opportunity. Today, Republicans have brought California (Mr. MCCARTHY), our major- and-spend policies of broken States forth a bill that is pillaging the middle ity leader and a champion for tax re- across this country. They have made it class to pad the pockets of the wealthi- form. their mission to increase taxes on our est and hand tax breaks to corpora- Mr. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I fellow citizens. My friends on the other tions shipping jobs out of America and thank the gentleman for yielding. side of the aisle have the audacity to Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to call this a tax increase. In the end, drastically increasing the national thank the gentleman. I want to thank they are defending a broken status quo. debt. The bill Republicans have brought to him for all those Americans out there You know what I think, Mr. Speaker? the floor today is not tax reform. It is who have waited decades for this, for I think that voting ‘‘no’’ on a plan with not even a tax cut. It is a tax scam. So the hours that he has listened, for the lower taxes, higher wages, more jobs, many people have written in about it numerous hearings he has gone and a simpler system, that isn’t about who are affected by it, and I will sub- through to get us to this day. Republicans and Democrats. Voting mit all of that for the RECORD, but I do Mr. Speaker, I stand before this body, ‘‘no’’ is telling the American people want to say that this is not only a de- but I want to speak to the people you do not have faith in them to rise if fining moment, it is a moment of watching us at home right now and they are given a fair shot. truth. who will hear us in the hours and days Mr. Speaker, I have a simple question for this House and for everyone who is With straight faces and with the to come. I want to speak to the people speed of light—I have to give them who stretch their budgets to get to the watching at home: Do you want higher taxes and less money in your pockets credit; they raced this thing through in next paycheck. I want to speak to the the dark of night—they are trying to people who are starting to wonder if or do you want lower taxes and more money? sell a bill of goods to the middle class the American promise no longer ap- that this is in their interest, that this plies to them. I think we have sent a message to the doubters and the critics. The American is a middle-income tax cut. You need a comeback. America needs According to the nonpartisan Tax a comeback. people do not want hard work to be punished. We do not accept decline. We Policy Center, Republicans are raising If we are successful today and in the taxes on 36 million middle class fami- weeks to come, you will keep more of do not accept that Washington knows how to spend our money better than we lies. the money that you earned. You will I associate myself with the very won- have more in your paycheck. Your life do. I have a different message for the derful comments of our distinguished will improve. If we succeed, you will House Democratic whip, Mr. HOYER, es- succeed, but if the leaders and obstruc- American people: To those trying to find a job, that long search is coming pecially at the end when he said: tionists on the other side of the aisle ‘‘Look to your souls, not to your win, you will lose. You see, they want to an end. This is your comeback. To those sick of just getting by and polls.’’ Washington insiders and bureaucrats fighting for a raise, this is your come- I want to speak to Pope Benedict, his to keep more of your hard-earned in- back. encyclical, God is love. It was his first come. They think it is theirs to spend. To those struggling to keep your encyclical as pope, and in that encyc- We think it is yours. small business afloat, to pay your em- lical, Pope Benedict quoted the wisdom Now, I have tried my best to under- ployees, to help your neighborhood, of St. Augustine. stand their opposition, and I have lis- this is your comeback. Seventeen centuries ago, St. Augus- tened to the pessimistic leaders of a tine said: ‘‘A state which is not gov- party that once upon a time claimed b 1300 erned according to justice would be they stood for the common man. To every American who ever dreamed just a bunch of thieves.’’ Without a shred of evidence, they are of being an entrepreneur and owning a Benedict went on to say: ‘‘The state certain our plan won’t work. They small business, this is your comeback. must inevitably face the question of drum up a stale argument from 30 To every mother and father starting how justice can be achieved here and years ago, saying all this bill does is a family, raising your kids, and trying now.’’ And he cautioned against the help the rich. They call it a middle to give them more of an opportunity ‘‘danger of certain ethical blindness class tax hike. than you ever had, this is your come- caused by the dazzling effect of power That same paper our colleague just back. and special interests.’’ held also has fact checkers, but the Now, I put hope in the American peo- Interesting, in light of the fact that fact checkers gave them not one, not ple. This bill puts hope in our Amer- when this bill is brought forward, the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.046 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9409 Director of the National Economic that? Give with one hand, take with As Bruce Bartlett, architect of Jack Council, Gary Cohn, said: ‘‘The most another. Kemp’s supply-side economics said, ‘‘It excited group out there are the big And to hear them cheer, hear them is not true,’’ that this trickle-down ec- CEOs, about our tax plan.’’ cheer for the provision in here about onomics pays for itself. ‘‘It is not true. Is that about justice? the estate tax? It is nonsense.’’ And he went on to say Congressman CHRIS COLLINS said: Listen to this. You tell me if you it was ‘‘BS,’’ in the full extent of those ‘‘My donors are basically saying, get it think this is fair. words. done or don’t ever call me again.’’ 1,800 families in America—not your This tax scam won’t create jobs. It Senator LINDSEY GRAHAM said: ‘‘The family farmer. Everybody is taken care won’t raise wages. It will only fill the financial contributions will stop’’ if of in what we have done already with coffers of the donors and the fat cats. this tax scam fails. the estate tax. The GOP tax scam will add trillions to Well, he didn’t say scam. I am saying In this bill, 1,800 of the wealthiest the debt and stick our children with a scam. That is my word. families, the filers in our country, will, bill that you cannot pay off. Back to the Pope and the Catholic in the life of the bill, get the break of And none of us will probably be bishops. The U.S. Conference of Catho- $172 billion; 1,800 families. This is for around by the time the full impact of lic Bishops wrote: ‘‘ . . . this proposal 1,800 families. the hemorrhaging of the debt in the appears to be the first Federal income And you know what? The Repub- second 10 years of this bill will require tax modification in American history licans cheered that; 1,800 families are big tax increases. Look to the Kansas that will raise income taxes on the going to get $172 billion. example. working poor while simultaneously They cheer the fact that up to $1.5 As I like to say to the Caucus, Mr. providing a large tax cut to the trillion in tax cuts goes to corporate Speaker, maybe I have to use my wealthy.’’ America, while, at the same time, giv- mother-of-five voice to be heard. But The U.S. Conference of Catholic ing them another tax break to send as a mother of five and a grandmother Bishops went on to say: ‘‘This is simply jobs overseas; at the same time, absolv- of nine, we are supposed to be thinking unconscionable.’’ ing them of any responsibility when it about our children and their futures, We always begin our session with comes to State and local taxes; while and our grandchildren and their fu- prayer, and many of us attend mass on insisting that individuals lose the tures. the weekend, on Sundays. But we can- State and local tax deduction, but cor- God willing, one day some of you will not pray and think that that gives us a porations do not. have grandchildren. I always ask the lesson to prey on people the rest of the And listen to all of it. Were they question: Do they breathe air? Do they week; and that is what this bill does. It cheering when they are saying to a drink water? preys on the middle class and those as- teacher—hear their cheering when they Why are you messing that up in other piring to it. It pillages and loots the say to a teacher: You may bring sup- areas of our policymaking here? middle class. It is a shameful piece of plies to your school because your But getting back to this. The tax legislation, and the Republicans should school and classes need that? God bless scam won’t create jobs. It won’t raise know better. you for that. But we are taking away wages. As I said: It will only fill the They say it is going to get better in the tax deduction that goes with that. coffers of donors and the fat cats. the Senate. Oh my gosh. In the Senate, What? Is that something to cheer This GOP tax scam will add trillions as Mr. HOYER pointed out, unani- about? to the debt. Oh where, oh where are the mously, the Senate Finance Com- They are saying to students who get deficit hawks? Have you become ex- mittee rejected this proposal already. a $2,500 tax deduction on interest on tinct? Is there not one among you who Was it 26–0? Whatever the number was, student loans: Forget about that. Even understands what this does to the na- the zero loomed large. though it may make the difference be- tional debt? But getting back to values, because tween your attending college or not, And with all due respect to your that is what we are here to do, and forget about that. We are too busy giv- leader, for him to put at our doorstep what we do in our budget, which the ing a tax cut to the 1,800 wealthiest the debt, when it was a creation— tax bill is a part of. It is supposed to be families in America so they can get President Bush went into office on a a statement of values. $172 billion in tax breaks over the next path from President Clinton of deficit In his study of civilization, the great 10 years. reduction. The last five Clinton budg- British historian, Arnold Toynbee, They are saying to families, whether ets were in balance or in surplus. Presi- found that, at the beginning of a hope- they have a child with a disability, a dent Bush turned that around by re- ful country, the political leadership senior with Alzheimer’s, and every- pealing pay-as-you-go. Tax cuts for the formed a creative minority that in- thing in between: If you have extraor- wealthy didn’t trickle down. Two un- spired and led the flowering of civiliza- dinary medical expenses, and, since paid-for wars, giveaways to PHARMA, tion. But in some nations, leaders be- 1944, you have been able to deduct the pharmaceutical industry, taking us came a dominant minority of ‘‘exploit- them, no more. No more, because we to a place—remember September of ers, focused on their own wealth and have got to give it to the high end. So 2008, when we were in the worst eco- power. take that away. nomic downturn since the Great De- Arnold Toynbee, welcome to the Re- Do you have any idea what that pression? publican side of the aisle and Congress. means to America’s working families, But anyway, back to here. As Repub- These competing mindsets, he went and what it means for them if they licans know, our Republican friends on, between the dominant minority of have Alzheimer’s? have already shown us their playbook. exploiters versus the creative minority We had one person come to our event In this bill, corporations will get a cut that inspired and led the flowering of in San Francisco last week from BAR- of $1.5 trillion—the same $1.5 trillion civilization, these competing mindsets BARA LEE’s district. She said there was that Republicans plan to slash from and motivations create schisms in the over $170,000 in costs for her because Medicare and Medicaid in the GOP body social and schisms in the soul of her husband has Alzheimer’s. The tax budget. the body politic. deduction enabled them to survive. She In their bones, the American people And lo and behold, the Republican said: I can’t even imagine the cruelty know they are getting a raw deal under Party has written a bill, nearly half of that decided that this should happen in the Republican bill before us. You the benefits go to the top 1 percent— this tax bill. know it. You know why you are here. top 1 percent in our country—and 80 So understand what this means in You know what you are doing. percent of the benefits go to the top 2 people’s lives, and tell the truth about Democrats believe the American peo- percent. This is a defining moment, but it. Tell the truth about it. ple deserve better, a better deal, better it is also a moment of truth. Republicans want you to believe that jobs, better wages, better future. We How can the Republicans, with a their trickle-down tax break for the want to create good-paying jobs, raise straight face, say to the middle class: rich will pay for itself. Never has hap- workers’ wages, lower the cost of living Well, we are doubling this or doubling pened. for families, give Americans the tools

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.047 H16NOPT1 H9410 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 they need to succeed in the 21st cen- the tax deduction for employee business plan was based, promised that any new tax tury. But you can’t do that if you have expenses; and code would be ‘‘at least’’ as progressive as a budget that does not invest in that tax incentives to employers and employees the present code. This plan breaks that future and is hampered by the cuts. to help with moving expenses for a new job. promise. It raises taxes on the working poor, Strengthening Families. Society, in Pope while simultaneously providing large tax b 1315 Francis’ words, is in ‘‘debt’’ to the family. breaks to high-income taxpayers. It also re- Let’s go back to the drawing board. The family is the most important institution peals the estate tax (which applies to the es- in society because education, formation, and tates of single people valued at more than Let’s write a bipartisan bill that raises care for the human person, especially chil- $5.5 million and married couples valued wages, creates jobs, promotes growth, dren, take place more in the family than greater than $11 million), and eliminates the and reduces the deficit. To get to that anywhere else. Expanded access to schools of Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) which was place, we want to go to the table in a choice is a positive step in this legislation, designed to prevent high-income earners bipartisan way. What are you afraid of? and we would encourage Congress to go even from avoiding tax liability through loop- In a bipartisan way, let’s put together further by empowering more parents in di- holes. In the years that the working poor a tax bill that is good for the American recting their child’s education. We also ap- suffer a tax increase under this bill, million- people instead of one that does vio- preciate that the legislation recognizes un- aires and billionaires will see significant tax born children as eligible beneficiaries for decreases. This must be fixed. Those who lence to the American Dream. parents’ 529 education savings account con- stand to benefit the most from proposed tax Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on tributions. policies ought to be the ones to bear most of both sides of the aisle to vote ‘‘no’’ and However, this tax plan places new and un- the risk associated with them, rather than to demand a better bill for America’s reasonable burdens on families, especially those who are struggling and in need. working families. those who welcome life or experience serious Adequate Revenue for the Common Good Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD hardships: and Avoiding Future Cuts to Poverty Pro- the U.S. Conference of Catholic It removes the adoption tax credit which grams. The state has a legitimate role in Bishops’ fabulous statement about this provides important and life-affirming assist- promoting the common good, and a legitimate interest in collecting taxes to do so. tax bill. ance for families to adopt children desperately in need of love and support. This tax plan, by design, will result in a UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF The plan also repeals the exclusion for nearly $1.5 trillion deficit over ten years. CATHOLIC BISHOPS, adoption assistance programs, which allows Even with the potential benefits of economic Washington, DC, November 9, 2017. a family to exclude money paid by an em- growth from individual and corporate tax HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ployer for adoption costs up to the amount cuts—which cannot be guaranteed—the poor Washington, DC. should not be the ones to finance these DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: Decisions about of the adoption tax credit as an alternative. changes. Undoubtedly, the deficit will be taxation involve fundamental concerns of This exclusion also allows those who adopt a used as an argument to further restrict or ‘‘justice and equity’’, with the goal of taxes child with special needs to receive the full end programs that help those in need, pro- and public spending ‘‘becoming an instru- value of the exclusion regardless of actual grams which are investments to help pull ment of development and solidarity’’ (Mater adoption costs. struggling families out of poverty. Repeal of et Magistra, 132; Compendium of the Social Eliminating the credit and exclusion sends the AMT and estate tax alone comprise a Doctrine of the Church, no. 355). On October the wrong message about our national prior- good portion of the deficit that is built into 27, the USCCB offered six moral principles to ities, which ought to protect life, strengthen the plan. Rather than exploring even modest guide debate on tax reform, centered on care families, and affirm the value of every reductions to these dramatic cuts for the for the poor and concern for families. The human being. The savings to society from wealthiest, the bill raises taxes on the vul- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 contains many children finding loving homes is well beyond nerable and creates a strong incentive to cut fundamental structural flaws that must be any revenue lost due to the credit and exclu- the social safety net. corrected. As currently written, the proposal sion. Incentive for Charitable Giving and Devel- is unacceptable. It eliminates the personal exemption. Even Care for the Poor. Doubling the standard with the doubling of the standard deduction, opment. Doubling the standard deduction deduction will help some of those in poverty some larger families will pay more, includ- will bring tax relief to many people. How- to avoid tax liability, and this is a positive ing many two-parent families with more ever, for those who give to charity, it will good contained in the bill. However, as writ- than three children, and single-parent fami- make the charitable deduction increasingly ten, this proposal appears to be the first fed- lies with more than one child. It is laudable a benefit only available to high income fami- eral income tax modification in American that the child tax credit has been expanded lies. An ‘‘above-the-line’’ deduction would history that will raise income taxes on the and removes the marriage penalty. However, incentivize and assist charitable giving at all working poor while simultaneously pro- the modest increase in the credit does not income levels, and increase the amounts peo- viding a large tax cut to the wealthy. This is fully compensate for the elimination of the ple can give. It would also guard against a simply unconscionable. The nonpartisan con- personal exemption for some larger families. multi-billion-dollar decrease in charitable gressional Joint Committee on Taxation Moreover, because the child tax credit only giving that this plan would otherwise cause, (JCT) indicates that by 2023 this tax plan remains refundable up to $1,000, lower in- shrinking civil society and cutting income to will raise taxes on average tax payers mak- come families will get no additional benefits nonprofits that help the poor, just as governing between $20,000 and $40,000 per year. from the child tax credit, while suffering the ment aid to the poor is jeopardized, as noted Taxes for this group will be raised again in full loss of the personal exemption. above. By and large, money given to charity 2025, and again in 2027. Taxes will also in- It eliminates the out-of-pocket medical ex- helps those in need. The tax code should en- crease on average taxpayers earning between penses deduction for families facing serious courage voluntary association, mutual aid, $10,000 and $20,000 in 2025. The federal poverty or chronic illness. and a culture of giving, helping rather than line is $12,228 for one person, and $24,339 for It eliminates tax incentives to employers hurting groups that will be asked to do more a two-parent family with two children. Near- to provide dependent care assistance or child for the poor in the days ahead. Similarly, ly one in three Americans live in a family care. The family flexibility credit, at $300 per this plan will lower the value of affordable with income below 200% of the poverty line. taxpayer, is some help, but is set to expire housing and community revitalization incen- Meanwhile, average taxpayers who make after five years and does not offset the great- tives. Public-private partnerships that ben- over $1 million experience dramatic tax cuts er losses. efit the poor and the greater community for the same periods. No tax reform proposal It eliminates the qualified tuition reduc- should not be discouraged. Because tax policy is far-reaching, Con- is acceptable that increases taxes for those tion for children of teachers, which will raise gress must provide ample time for Ameri- living in poverty to help pay for benefits to taxes on educational institutions and disrupt cans to discuss the complexities of these re- wealthy citizens. family arrangements. Several other tax provisions that assist the It repeals mortgage tax credit certificates, forms and fully understand their effects. The working poor and others who may struggle which are only available for first-time home current timetable does not provide adequate economically are also eliminated, including: buyers under certain income thresholds. time for that discussion. In many ways, this the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which Other aspects of the plan also have con- legislation is unacceptable in its present incentivizes hiring of the disabled, veterans, sequences for families. By creating stricter form and requires amendment. It must be those who have been unemployed for long pe- rules around parents’ social security num- changed for the sake of families—the bed- riods, and individuals receiving federal pov- bers, the plan makes it more difficult for im- rock of our country—and for those strug- erty-related assistance; migrant taxpayers to receive the Child Tax gling on the peripheries of society who have the tax deductions to reduce the burdens of Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit for a claim on our national conscience. tuition and student loans; their families, or to receive assistance in Sincerely, the income tax credit to persons who retire seeking advancement through education. MOST REVEREND FRANK J. on disability; Progressivity of the Tax Code. Pope St. DEWANE, the deduction for state and local income John XXIII wrote that a progressive tax code Bishop of Venice, and sales taxes, which may impact people in is required by ‘‘justice and equity.’’ The Chairman, Com- higher tax states; ‘‘Unified Framework,’’ upon which this tax mittee on Domestic

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.048 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9411 Justice and Human check to paycheck. Most Americans skewed to the people who are wealthy, Development. say that they don’t even have $500 in who are well connected, who can afford MOST REV. GEORGE V. their bank account for an unexpected all the tax lawyers and all the account- MURRY, S.J., emergency or an expense. This is the ants to navigate the Tax Code so they Bishop of Youngs- town, Chairman, economic anxiety that is for real in can get a good deal. But if you are not Committee on Catho- this country today. Instead of thinking in that group, if you don’t have the lic Education. about getting ahead, families are just lawyers and the accountants and you MOST REVEREND OSCAR struggling to get by. are just scraping away with your mid- CANTU´ , Think about all the moms and the dle income, you don’t get those deals. Bishop of Las Cruces, dads and the hardworking taxpayers What we want to do is take those Chairman, Com- going to bed tonight and not sleeping, loopholes away, make it fair for every- mittee on Inter- worried about what comes next week. body, lower tax rates, and make it national Justice and easy. Peace. This is not how it should be. This is not how it is in this country traditionally. Here is how easy this gets. We are Ms. PELOSI. I return to one of their We need to restore growth. We need going to make it so easy that, by dou- statements: ‘‘ . . . this proposal ap- to restore opportunity. We need to re- bling the standard deduction, 90 per- pears to be the first Federal income tax store this beautiful thing we affection- cent of Americans, 9 out of 10 Ameri- modification in American history that ately call the American idea. Passing cans, will be able to fill out their taxes will raise income taxes on the working this bill is the single biggest thing we on a form the size of a postcard. What poor while simultaneously providing a can do to grow the economy, to restore this means is, for a single person, you large tax cut for the wealthy.’’ opportunity, and to help these middle- don’t pay taxes on your first $12,000 of The Senate is not going to make it income families who are struggling. income. For a married couple, you better. They have already said they are People always ask: Well, what is in it don’t pay taxes on your first $24,000 of raising taxes on those making under for me? How do I benefit from this? income. $75,000 and giving tax cuts to the I am a chart guy. Here is the basic philosophy. Instead wealthy. They have already said they Why is this important? What this of jumping through all the hoops that are going to take affordable care away shows you, under this plan, the average the IRS puts in front of you, instead of from 13 million Americans. family at every income level gets a tax doing what the special interest groups I don’t know how that is making it cut, a tax cut at every average level. say you need to do in order to get some better. That might be something you What this chart shows you, the peo- of your money back, we basically say: applaud, but I certainly hope you ple here who are struggling, the people Keep your money in the first place. It would not vote for it. here who are in middle-income brack- is your money. Do what you want with The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ets, the people here in low income try- it. All of this is about tax relief. It is Chair would remind all Members to di- ing to become middle income, they get about fairness. It is about simplicity. rect their remarks to the Chair and not the biggest tax cuts. to others in the second person. This plan is good for people in all It is about easing the stress and anxiety that is in this country. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back walks of life all across the country, and What we really need to do is we need the balance of my time. the bigger relief goes to those who need Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, better jobs, more jobs, faster economic it most. growth, higher wages. no one man has plowed the field for tax Let’s put it into numbers. reform for more years, more boldly, or This brings us to the way we tax our- A typical household of four people, selves as businesses. This brings us to more effectively than the Speaker of they make $59,000 in this country. That what do we do to make America the the House. family of four gets an $1,182 tax cut the most competitive place in the world. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the first year alone. Here is the real problem we have got gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. RYAN). The median family income, Mom, when it comes to the way we tax our Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, Dad, two kids, the median family in- businesses. We are the worst in the first, I love this 1 minute, and I try not come in America today is $87,000. That world at it. We, right now, tax our to abuse it too much, but I am going to family will get a $1,941 tax cut right businesses at the highest corporate tax right now. away, year one. If you are one of those rate in the industrialized world. Mr. Speaker, I want to start off by 57 percent of Americans who say you What does that do? Well, let me give thanking Chairman KEVIN BRADY and don’t even have $500 to go through an you an example of where I come from. all of the members of the House Ways emergency, this really helps you. In Wisconsin, the example is Johnson and Means Committee for this job well Let’s talk about those people who Controls. Johnson Controls is a com- done. itemize their taxes, who live in high- pany with a history dating back, in our Mr. Speaker, we are in a generational tax States. Let’s talk about a couple State, to the 1880s. It was the biggest defining moment for our country, and making $1115,000, living a high-tax company we had headquartered in Wis- what we are doing here—what we are State. Let’s say they have $8,400 in a consin. Not anymore, because Johnson doing here—is not just determining the mortgage interest payment and $6,900 Controls is an Irish company, and their kind of Tax Code we are going to have, in property taxes for the year. They Irish tax rate is 121⁄2 percent. what we are doing here is determining can still write all of those off under This is happening all over the coun- the kind of country we are going to this plan, and they will still see a tax try. Companies, just to stay competi- have. cut of $1,130; if they have kids, an even tive, are becoming foreign companies. Right now, because of this anemic larger tax cut. And when the headquarters of that economic recovery—don’t forget, we Not only do people get to keep more company leaves your hometown, when had the worst recession in our lifetimes of their own money in their own pock- the headquarters of that business and in 2008, and ever since then this econ- et, but we dramatically simplify the that employer leaves your State and omy has been flat. This economy has tax system. We make it more fair. goes to another country, there goes the been way under its potential. This Today, 7 out of 10 Americans don’t United Way Campaign. There goes the economy has been growing at a limp 1 itemize their deductions. That means white-collar jobs. There goes the manu- to 2 percent. 70 percent of Americans take what we facturing. There goes the research and Do you know what that means for call the standard deduction for their development. There goes America’s hardworking taxpayers? Do you know taxes. It is just that. It is standard. It competitiveness. what that means for Americans? No- is straightforward. You are not taxed What is worse is all these foreign body gets a wage increase. Living on that income. companies are buying U.S. companies standards are stagnant. Economic anx- But over the years, Washington has because it is cheaper because of taxes. iety is high. piled on special interest loophole after Here is what we do. Instead of being Seventy-eight percent of our workers special interest loophole after special the worst in the pack, we leapfrog our- in this country today are living pay- interest loophole. These loopholes are selves by bringing that tax rate down

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.048 H16NOPT1 H9412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 to 20 percent. Because, guess what. terests of this country to prevail over whether solely-domestic operations, which When you tax your businesses at much, the special interests in Washington. many have maintained for decades, is worth much higher tax rates than our foreign We know that this brings more fair- paying a higher effective tax rate. Mr. Speak- competitors tax theirs, they win and ness. We know that this increases take- er, these are not decisions that our tax code we lose. We have got to stop losing. We home pay, bigger paychecks, and we should force on job creators. have got to start winning. That is what know that this grows the economy and As our country competes with the rest of this does. creates more opportunities. world in a 21st century global economy, it is What is even more impressive about Faster economic growth is not going essential that our tax policies offer opportuni- this is it lowers taxes for those small to fix every problem America has, but ties for job creators in the United States of all businesses, those mom-and-pops even faster economic growth is going to help sizes to grow, thrive, create jobs, and increase more. We have got to make sure that us solve every problem America has. the take-home pay for all hard-working Ameri- our businesses, the job creators of Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues cans so that they may thrive and seek their America, have every incentive to stay today to raise their gaze and do some- dreams. here, have every incentive to build thing bold, to see the forest through As the U.S. economic engine drives for- here, have every incentive to hire here. the trees, to think about the people we ward, aided significantly by the passage of this What is more, we are finding that by are here to actually represent, to think historic legislation, we must also ensure that doing this, we are going to get faster about the people who are struggling, neglected and distressed communities are economic growth. We are going to get who are going to go to bed tonight and kept in mind. My district in southern Ohio has more jobs. We are going to get higher probably not sleep because they are leveraged the New Markets Tax Credit wages, better take-home pay. worried about what is going to happen (NMTC) and Historic Tax Credit (HTC) to bring Let me just break it down in simple tomorrow. That is what this is. This is hundreds of millions of dollars of investment to numbers. one of the most historic and the big- such areas, and the net result is thousands of The Tax Foundation ran the num- gest things that we will ever do. permanent new jobs and housing units in my bers. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation b 1330 district alone. said, with this bill, we will get faster Given the positive impacts these pro-growth growth, about 31⁄2 percent faster eco- And the reason is because this is one credits have had in my district and across the nomic growth. We will get about 890,000 of the biggest things we can do to im- country, I was hopeful for the preservation of new jobs. They estimate that in New prove people’s lives, to revitalize that NMTC and HTC as my colleagues on the York State alone, 57,834 new jobs; In beautiful American idea, to spread lib- Ways & Means Committee crafted this legisla- Wisconsin, 17,999 new jobs; in Cali- erty and freedom. This is something tion. While H.R. 1 would repeal both credits, fornia, 101,422 new jobs; in Texas, 74,037 that is going to refresh our confidence the Senate’s proposal would retain the NMTC new jobs. You get these new jobs when in ourselves and our confidence in each and a modified version of the HTC. I hope the you grow this economy. You pass this other. House and Senate come to a productive solu- bill, you grow this economy. Enough settling. Enough giving in. tion in conference. So why do we do all of this? Because Let’s start to reclaim our future right More broadly, I encourage my colleagues in it is about giving people more take- here in this moment, in this Chamber. the upcoming House and Senate conference home pay. It is about raising wages. It In this moment, let’s pass this bill. process to produce a final version that will en- is about helping families that are Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I sure our tax relief creates a level playing field struggling to get ahead. It is about get- yield back the balance of my time. for all competitors in an interconnected world, ting Washington out of the business of Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, more jobs, and realizes the vast potential of our nation’s picking winners and losers and giving bigger paychecks, and fairer taxes. Those are overlooked communities. the American people the kind of econ- the three big promises of the Tax Cuts and Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, on be- omy they deserve, the kind of economy Jobs Act, and I am proud to lend my support. half of America’s future generations who will we can have. This tax relief legislation serves as an op- be saddled with an unsurmountable debt cre- This just shows you that across every portunity for all American families to achieve ated by H.R. 1, the Republican Tax plan, I income scale across the board, wages the American dream—because it is crafted must object to it. This rushed piece of legisla- will go up because we are going to grow with working families and providing relief for tion will not only add more than $1.7 trillion to the economy. Most of the wage growth the middle class in mind. the national debt over the next 10 years, but goes to the people who need it most, This bill does much to reform and revitalize it will also shift the burden of paying for that people who are in the middle, people the tax code. I look forward to doing even debt to our hard working families. who are struggling. That is why we are more to assist American families and commu- Despite our Republican colleagues’ asser- here. nities, ensure U.S. companies can fairly com- tions that this tax plan will benefit the majority Right now, we are in the middle of a pete with foreign counterparts, and close exist- of Americans, numerous economists disagree. long day where people are working ing loopholes in our laws. For years, our na- They note that nearly 45 percent of all house- tooth and nail in their jobs. We are tion’s high corporate tax rate has created an holds with children will see a tax increase, right here in the middle of a day where unlevel playing field for U.S. businesses to while 80 percent of our wealthiest citizens will America’s workers are trying to figure compete in global markets. By reducing rates receive a tax cut by 2027. out how they are going to make ends and moving to a territorial system much in line Even more egregious, this tax bill seeks to meet, how they are going to keep up those of our international competitors, we will eliminate the long-standing State and Local with everything. incentivize companies to build investment Tax deduction, subjecting every wage earner’s Those people, the hardworking tax- here, thereby creating new jobs and increas- income to double taxation. This defeats the payers of this country that we rep- ing take-home pay for hardworking Americans. original framers’ intent to avoid a system of resent, that is why we are here. This is Further compounding this problem is the double taxation. why we are doing this. They are the ability, in some industries, for foreign-based The original tax code, drafted in 1913, con- foundation of this country. We are here competitors to exploit loopholes in the tax sisted of three pages in its entirety and in- today for them. code to avoid taxes altogether. For instance, cluded the State and Local Tax deduction at The special interest groups are try- under current law foreign-based reinsurers to the core of its responsible tax policy to ensure ing to protect their piece of the pie. All transfer a portion of their profits to offshore tax state and local governments could raise reve- the negativity you see out there, there havens, and thus shielded from our corporate nues for public schools, police, fire, and emer- is probably a special interest group tax rate, has essentially gutted the domestic gency services. back there trying to keep their special reinsurance industry over; the last two dec- Plain and simple, this tax plan is a tremen- niche in the Tax Code. ades. Rather than allowing our domestic insur- dous windfall for our wealthiest 1 percent and It is high time we root that out, we ers to effectively compete, this uneven and large corporations. It favors large businesses don’t settle for the status quo, and we unfair playing field instead promotes the use over small businesses, it favors sending jobs give people the kind of Tax Code that of foreign inversions and affiliate transactions overseas rather than creating jobs at home, it they need and they deserve. It has been to achieve a lower tax rate. This environment favors the wealthy over hourly wage earners, 31 years since we last did this, and it is erodes the U.S. tax base to the tune of bil- and it pays for these tax cuts for the wealthy finally time that we get the general in- lions, and forces U.S. insurers to decide by raising taxes on our middle class families

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.051 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9413 to the detriment of Medicare, Medicaid, edu- I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quick- Paulsen Royce (CA) Trott cation, and other vital public services. ly follow our lead and get a bill passed so we Pearce Russell Turner Perry Rutherford Upton The fact is, Mr. Speaker, this bill is so can deliver a tax relief bill to the American Pittenger Ryan (WI) Valadao skewed to benefit the wealthiest 1 percent in people before Christmas. Poe (TX) Sanford Wagner America that it could more accurately be For more details on our bill, please visit Poliquin Scalise Walberg named, ‘‘H.R. 1 percent’’ I urge my colleagues www.FairAndSimple.GOP. Thank you—and Posey Schweikert Walden to support the 99 percent of Americans in- Ratcliffe Scott, Austin Walker God bless. Reed Sensenbrenner Walorski stead, and to oppose this plan. Vote no on The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time Reichert Sessions Walters, Mimi H.R. 1. for debate has expired. Renacci Shimkus Weber (TX) Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, today is a good Pursuant to House Resolution 619, Rice (SC) Shuster Webster (FL) day for hardworking Americans. We are con- the previous question is ordered on the Roby Simpson Wenstrup sidering legislation that let’s taxpayers keep Roe (TN) Smith (MO) Westerman bill, as amended. Rogers (AL) Smith (NE) Williams more of their paycheck to save, spend, and in- The question is on the engrossment Rogers (KY) Smith (TX) Wilson (SC) vest as they see fit. and third reading of the bill. Rokita Smucker Wittman Our bill—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—will Rooney, Francis Stewart Womack The bill was ordered to be engrossed overhaul our broken tax code and finally put Rooney, Thomas Stivers Woodall and read a third time, and was read the the American taxpayer first. Because we can J. Taylor Yoder third time. Ros-Lehtinen Tenney Yoho all agree that hardworking taxpayers are the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Roskam Thompson (PA) Young (AK) losers under the current system. Right now, question is on the passage of the bill. Ross Thornberry Young (IA) our tax code rewards lawyers, lobbyists and Rothfus Tiberi The question was taken; and the loopholes—while leaving hardworking families Rouzer Tipton Speaker pro tempore announced that and job creators behind. The bill we are considering today will the ayes appeared to have it. NAYS—205 change all of that. To me, there is only one Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- Adams Gallego Napolitano special interest group that matters—and that is mand the yeas and nays. Aguilar Garamendi Neal The yeas and nays were ordered. Barraga´ n Gomez Nolan the American people. Bass Gonzalez (TX) Norcross That’s why we simplify the tax code and cut The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Beatty Gottheimer O’Halleran taxes for all Americans to ensure hardworking ant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- Bera Green, Al O’Rourke Americans—like the people I represent in minute vote on passage of the bill will Beyer Green, Gene Pallone be followed by a 5-minute vote on sus- Bishop (GA) Grijalva Panetta Southeast Texas—can keep more of their Blumenauer Gutie´rrez Pascrell hard-earned money. pending the rules and passing H.R. 3109, Blunt Rochester Hanabusa Payne It has been more than 30 years since the if ordered. Bonamici Hastings Pelosi last time we overhauled our tax code. And The vote was taken by electronic de- Boyle, Brendan Heck Perlmutter since then it has grown to more than 70,000 vice, and there were—yeas 227, nays F. Higgins (NY) Peters Brady (PA) Himes Peterson pages. 205, not voting 2, as follows: Brown (MD) Hoyer Pingree I like to put it this way . . . our current tax [Roll No. 637] Brownley (CA) Huffman Polis Bustos Issa Price (NC) code is now longer than the Bible with none YEAS—227 of the good news. Over the past 30 years, Butterfield Jackson Lee Quigley Abraham Davis, Rodney Jenkins (KS) Capuano Jayapal Raskin Washington has piled up all these carveouts Aderholt Denham Jenkins (WV) Carbajal Jeffries Rice (NY) and loopholes for special interests—making Allen Dent Johnson (LA) Ca´ rdenas Johnson (GA) Richmond things far too complicated and far too expen- Amash DeSantis Johnson (OH) Carson (IN) Johnson, E. B. Rohrabacher sive for hardworking families. Amodei DesJarlais Johnson, Sam Cartwright Jones Rosen Arrington Diaz-Balart Jordan This needs to end—and today the House Castor (FL) Kaptur Roybal-Allard Babin Duffy Joyce (OH) Castro (TX) Keating Ruiz will take a historic step to fix that and deliver Bacon Duncan (SC) Katko Chu, Judy Kelly (IL) Ruppersberger Banks (IN) Duncan (TN) Kelly (MS) long overdue tax relief to the American peo- Cicilline Kennedy Rush Barletta Dunn Kelly (PA) Clark (MA) Khanna Ryan (OH) ple. Here are the details: Barr Emmer King (IA) Clarke (NY) Kihuen Sa´ nchez First, we get rid of loopholes. Then we use Barton Estes (KS) Kinzinger Clay Kildee Sarbanes that money to lower taxes. And then, we sim- Bergman Farenthold Knight Cleaver Biggs Ferguson Kustoff (TN) Kilmer Schakowsky plify the code altogether. Clyburn Kind Schiff Now, instead of seven confusing tax brack- Bilirakis Fitzpatrick Labrador Bishop (MI) Fleischmann LaHood Cohen King (NY) Schneider ets and carveouts, there will be just four— Bishop (UT) Flores LaMalfa Connolly Krishnamoorthi Schrader making things so simple that you can file your Black Fortenberry Lamborn Conyers Kuster (NH) Scott (VA) taxes on a postcard. Blackburn Foxx Latta Cooper Lance Scott, David Correa Importantly, we also double the standard Blum Franks (AZ) Lewis (MN) Langevin Serrano Bost Gaetz Long Costa Larsen (WA) Sewell (AL) deduction, increase the child tax credit, elimi- Brady (TX) Gallagher Loudermilk Courtney Larson (CT) Shea-Porter nate the Death Tax, and preserve the home Brat Garrett Love Crist Lawrence Sherman mortgage interest deduction. Bridenstine Gianforte Lucas Crowley Lawson (FL) Sinema In addition—to help create more good jobs Brooks (AL) Gibbs Luetkemeyer Cuellar Lee Sires Brooks (IN) Gohmert MacArthur Cummings Levin Slaughter right here in America—we lower the tax rate Buchanan Goodlatte Marchant Davis (CA) Lewis (GA) Smith (NJ) on job creators from 35 percent down to 20 Buck Gosar Marino Davis, Danny Lieu, Ted Smith (WA) percent. Bucshon Gowdy Marshall DeFazio Lipinski Soto Budd Granger Massie DeGette LoBiondo Speier Today, many of America’s biggest job pro- Burgess Graves (GA) Mast ducers face the highest tax rate in the world— Delaney Loebsack Stefanik Byrne Graves (LA) McCarthy DeLauro Lofgren Suozzi which makes America less competitive and Calvert Graves (MO) McCaul DelBene Lowenthal Swalwell (CA) Carter (GA) Griffith McHenry forces jobs overseas. Demings Lowey Takano Carter (TX) Grothman McKinley DeSaulnier Lujan Grisham, Thompson (CA) We fix that in our bill—because we want Chabot Guthrie McMorris Deutch M. Thompson (MS) companies to invest, grow and produce jobs Cheney Handel Rodgers Dingell Luja´ n, Ben Ray right here in America. We also reduce the tax Coffman Harper McSally Titus Doggett Lynch Tonko rate on the income earned by small busi- Cole Harris Meadows Collins (GA) Hartzler Meehan Donovan Maloney, Torres nesses to no more than 25 percent—the low- Collins (NY) Hensarling Messer Doyle, Michael Carolyn B. Tsongas est tax rate on small business income since Comer Herrera Beutler Mitchell F. Maloney, Sean Vargas Comstock Hice, Jody B. Moolenaar Ellison Matsui Veasey World War II. Engel McClintock Folks, let’s not forget. When we reformed Conaway Higgins (LA) Mooney (WV) Vela Cook Hill Mullin Eshoo McCollum Vela´ zquez the tax system over 30 years ago, it led to an Costello (PA) Holding Newhouse Espaillat McEachin Visclosky explosion in jobs and economic growth. Cramer Hollingsworth Noem Esty (CT) McGovern Walz With the passage of this bill, we will be on Crawford Hudson Norman Evans McNerney Wasserman the verge of achieving such greatness again. Culberson Huizenga Nunes Faso Meeks Schultz Curbelo (FL) Hultgren Olson Foster Meng Waters, Maxine This is an exciting time—and the American Curtis Hunter Palazzo Frankel (FL) Moore Watson Coleman people deserve some good news. Davidson Hurd Palmer Frelinghuysen Moulton Welch Fudge Murphy (FL) Yarmuth Gabbard Nadler Zeldin

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Feb 13, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\NOVEMBER\H16NO7.REC H16NO7 H9414 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 NOT VOTING—2 nication from the Honorable NANCY Thanksgiving. It is a day for Ameri- Pocan Wilson (FL) PELOSI, Democratic Leader: cans to support their community and ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE NOVEMBER 16, 2017. their local businesses. As a former The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, small-business owner myself, I know the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Speaker of the House of Representatives, U.S. the value that our small, locally owned ing. Capitol, Washington, DC. businesses add to our local economy. DEAR SPEAKER RYAN: Pursuant to Section Arizona is the proud home of more b 1348 5 of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial than 500,000 small businesses that em- Commission Act (Pub. L. 1151–77), I am So the bill was passed. pleased to appoint the following Member to ploy nearly 1 million Arizonans. These The result of the vote was announced serve as a Commissioner to the Frederick small businesses are the lifeblood of as above recorded. Douglass Bicentennial Commission: our local economies, and they are vital Pursuant to section 2 of House Reso- The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton of to the future of our communities. Our lution 619, the title of the bill was Washington, District of Columbia entrepreneurs are local community amended so as to read: ‘‘A bill to pro- And from private life: leaders. They hire local employees and vide for reconciliation pursuant to ti- Mr. Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. of Orange, Cali- fornia they contribute to local causes. tles II and V of the concurrent resolu- Thank you for your attention to these rec- This holiday shopping season, we tion on the budget for fiscal year ommendations. have the chance to show appreciation 2018.’’. Sincerely, for our local businesses and all they do A motion to reconsider was laid on NANCY PELOSI, for our communities. I encourage all the table. Democratic Leader. Americans to go out and shop at their Stated against: f favorite local small businesses or dine Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, had I HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW at their favorite local restaurant and been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on support Small Business Saturday on rollcall No. 637. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I November 25. f ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to f ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow. b 1400 PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there BENEFITS OF TAX BILL The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objection to the request of the gen- Chair will remind all persons in the tleman from Tennessee? (Mr. HILL asked and was given per- gallery that they are here as guests of There was no objection. mission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- the House and that any manifestation f of approval or disapproval of pro- marks.) TAX CUTS AND MORE JOBS FOR ceedings is in violation of the rules of Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- MONTANANS the House. port of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. f (Mr. GIANFORTE asked and was given permission to address the House With Chairman BRADY’s leadership, SR. CHIEF RYAN OWENS POST for 1 minute and to revise and extend my colleagues and I worked hard to OFFICE BUILDING his remarks.) combine our ideas to help Americans The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, the across the Nation have lower taxes, DUNN). The unfinished business is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will increase better careers, and more money in question on suspending the rules and paychecks for hardworking Montanans, their family budget. passing the bill (H.R. 3109) to designate create Montana jobs, and unleash eco- Over the past year, it has been a col- the facility of the United States Postal nomic growth. laborative effort. I have listened to and Service located at 1114 North 2nd In fact, analysis from the non- worked with people and businesses Street in Chillicothe, Illinois, as the partisan Tax Foundation finds the bill about their ideas on tax reform from ‘‘Sr. Chief Ryan Owens Post Office will create nearly 2,900 Montana jobs all across the Second Congressional Building’’. and will increase income for median District of Arkansas. With today’s The Clerk read the title of the bill. Montana households by $2,200. vote, we are one step closer to reform- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Hardworking Montanans will see a ing our broken Tax Code. question is on the motion offered by big tax break by cutting their rates Over the past several months, we the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. and by doubling the standard deduc- have worked to reduce taxes on fami- COMER) that the House suspend the tion. Montana families will benefit lies and let them keep more of their rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3109. from an increased child tax credit. money. For businesses, we want to The question was taken; and (two- Today, only about one in four Mon- have a more competitive tax system thirds being in the affirmative) the tanans itemize their deductions—fill- that promotes investment, which will rules were suspended and the bill was ing out stacks of paperwork for hours spur our economic growth and family passed. after saving piles of receipts. With tax prosperity. A motion to reconsider was laid on reform, those days are over. Under the According to the U.S. Chamber of the table. new plan, nine out of ten Americans Commerce, H.R. 1 will raise after-tax f won’t have to itemize to see their full incomes for hardworking Arkansans by tax benefit, and they will file their over $2,000. Furthermore, H.R. 1 bene- APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO taxes on something like a postcard. fits families by increasing the child tax UNITED STATES CAPITOL PRES- I am proud to vote for tax reform credit to $1,600, instead of $1,000. That ERVATION COMMISSION that will create thousands of Montana helps over 50,000 taxpayers in my dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The jobs, ensure hardworking Montanans trict. Chair announces the Speaker’s ap- keep more of what they earn, and help By passing this bill, it could lead to pointment, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 2081, small businesses. the creation of an additional 5,000 jobs. and the order of the House of January f f 3, 2017, of the following Member on the HONORING THE LIFE OF STEVE part of the House to the United States SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY MOSTYN Capitol Preservation Commission: (Mr. O’HALLERAN asked and was Mrs. COMSTOCK, Virginia given permission to address the House (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was f for 1 minute.) given permission to address the House Mr. O’HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, I for 1 minute.) COMMUNICATION FROM THE rise today to support Small Business Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I DEMOCRATIC LEADER Saturday on November 25. rise for the very sad task, as we begin The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Small Business Saturday takes place the season of Thanksgiving, of an- fore the House the following commu- every year on the Saturday after nouncing the passing of my dear friend,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.023 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9415 Steve Mostyn, a great Texan, a great They get the money. The middle stand for programs that benefit Amer- American, husband, father, and friend. class gets shafted. It is a con job. It is ica’s children. We pray for him; his beautiful wife, a shame. f Amber; and his children. f NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK Today, I ask, in the spirit of our HONORING THE LIFE OF JACK faith, if Members will join me in a mo- (Ms. FOXX asked and was given per- TOLBERT ment of silence for the passing of Steve mission to address the House for 1 Mostyn. (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given minute.) permission to address the House for 1 f Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today minute and to revise and extend his re- in recognition of National Bible Week. PERSONAL EXPLANATION marks.) For thousands of years, the Bible has Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise been a source of guidance and strength had I been present, I would have voted today to honor the life of Korean war for humanity. During times of turmoil ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 637. veteran Jack Tolbert, who passed away and confusion, I can think of no more f this month at the age of 94. important source of comfort than the He was a long-time resident of Red- wisdom provided in the Good Book. REPUBLICAN TAX BILL ding, California, for over 50 years, and The Bible serves as a profound influ- (Mr. GARRETT asked and was given was originally a Texas native. He was ence in my life, as well as others in permission to address the House for 1 awarded the Distinguished Service this Chamber. Many of us gather week- minute.) Cross for his heroism in Korea. ly for prayer breakfasts and Bible Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, in the In 1953, his outpost came under at- study. realm of humanity, that which is cob- tack. A Chinese soldier hurled a gre- The Bible offers us hope when cir- bled together by humans is rarely per- nade into Sergeant Tolbert’s bunker. cumstances are dire and is a source of fect. So, too, the tax reform that we In an incredible moment of selfless strength when human frailty brings us undertook today is not perfect; how- bravery, Jack hurled himself on the low. As we read in the Gospel of Mat- ever, it was overdue, and it is good. grenade to shield his fellow soldiers thew: ‘‘Come unto me, all ye that labor Candidly, any legislation con- from the explosion and injury or even under heavy laden, and I will give you templated that was last addressed death. Jack lost both his legs, among rest.’’ when I weighed 112 pounds and had a numerous other injuries. Next week, as we celebrate Thanks- full head of hair is long overdue. Though he would never admit it him- giving, my prayer is that it will be a Having said that, I can find some self, Jack truly was a hero for having time of healing and unity for all. As we fault. And I would submit that it is protected his brothers in arms. I knew reflect on the blessings God has pro- with the confidence and belief in the him personally. It was always a joy to vided, I hope we will also celebrate the leadership of this Chamber and the rel- see Jack at events in the Redding area. gift God provides us daily through His evant committees that will discuss the He was always full of joy. He had a holy word. joke and slap on the back. He never let maintenance of the historic preserva- f tion tax credit, which is included in the his condition get him down. He was al- Senate version of this bill, that I cast ways one of the most positive people in TAX BURDEN ON HARDWORKING my ballot today. the room and a joy to be around. FAMILIES I think that is a worthwhile invest- We will miss Jack dearly, but we are (Mr. CA´ RDENAS asked and was ment in revitalizing downtrodden all blessed to have him in our lives, given permission to address the House areas. I want to make my voice known whether it was his service in Korea or for 1 minute and to revise and extend publicly, loudly, and on the record. his time as our neighbor in Shasta his remarks.) I also hope that Members of this County. Mr. CA´ RDENAS. Mr. Speaker, just a God bless him and his family. body, on both sides of the aisle, would few minutes ago, on the floor of the consider the opportunity for students f House of Representatives, we saw a to remove themselves from the dark STAND FOR PROGRAMS THAT vote on what has been called the mid- cloud of student loan debt by virtue of BENEFIT AMERICA’S CHILDREN dle class tax cut. Unfortunately, I am reviewing the Student Security Act (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given here to remind all of us, Mr. Speaker, that will be unveiled here within the permission to address the House for 1 that it really is a tax scam. next 24 hours. minute and to revise and extend his re- When we have looked into the many f marks.) communities across America and seen families like the hardworking families TAX BREAK FOR THE Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let us in the district that I represent in Cali- WEALTHIEST AMONG US never forget that the GOP tax scam will harm real people. fornia, the average family or household (Mr. COHEN asked and was given per- On Tuesday afternoon, 42 high school that files a tax return every April 15 mission to address the House for 1 students from the Cristo Rey Newark makes an average income of about minute and to revise and extend his re- High School were here at the Capitol, $69,000. marks.) urging me to vote against the GOP tax That family, according to what was Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, what hap- scam. just passed on this floor, is going to be pened today on this floor was a massive Mr. Speaker, the young people I met leaving behind over $1,000 more than tax break for the wealthiest people in with are from financially struggling they normally would have when they our country. families. They worked hard and got ac- do their taxes. That hurts. That family Over half of the tax dollars will go to cepted into an innovative school to is a hardworking family. That family people in the upper 1 percent of the in- gain professional skills. The students cannot afford to miss out on $1,000 of come strata. The big pot of gold at the take part in a corporate work study their hard-earned money. end is eliminating the inheritance tax program. Their earnings go towards I heard people say earlier that that is by the year 2024, so that the heirs of their college preparatory education. not going to happen. That is just not the richest will get millions and hun- The model works. true. dreds of millions and billions in tax re- Last year, 100 percent of Cristo Rey f lief. Newark’s students were accepted into This bill should have been geared to- 4-year colleges. Under the GOP tax FIGHTING FOR AMERICAN ward the middle class. The middle class scam, these bright, young people from BUSINESSES is getting tip change from a cheap res- financially disadvantaged families will (Mr. BUDD asked and was given per- taurant, while the millionaires and bil- have to pay taxes on their work study mission to address the House for 1 lionaires are getting away with no earnings—taxes they cannot afford. minute.) AMT tax, changed rates at the top, and That is wrong. I will continue to Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, the House inheritance tax changes. stand up against the GOP tax scam and just only moments ago passed historic

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.058 H16NOPT1 H9416 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 tax reform. I am proud to have sup- LEAGUE® OF CALIFORNIA CITIES, bonds, will fundamentally harm the way ported it. CSAC, CALED, CSBA, CALI- counties do business on behalf of our resi- In conference, we will have the op- FORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REAL- dents.’’ ® portunity to improve the bill. There is TORS , Gurbax Sahota, President and CEO, Cali- fornia Association for Local Economic De- one issue I would like to raise for November 9, 2017. For Immediate Release. velopment: ‘‘The current tax proposal elimi- them: closing the Bermuda loophole. nates Private Activity Bonds—eliminating COALITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ECONOMIC Basically, how it works is that a an important economic development financ- DEVELOPMENT LEADERS, SCHOOLS AND RE- company located in Bermuda strips ing tool California uses to fund manufac- ALTORS URGE CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL revenue out of its U.S. branch and then turing expansion, health care facilities, af- DELEGATION TO REJECT TAX REFORMS THAT fordable housing, schools, nonprofits, and invests that revenue under Bermuda HARM TAXPAYERS, HOMEOWNERS AND THE other economic development projects. Com- tax law, meaning the company pays ECONOMY virtually nothing in taxes on that in- bined with a repeal of advance refunding CALIFORNIA WOULD BE ONE OF THE STATES TO bonds, this will absolutely impact our ability come. It as crippling advantage. LOSE THE MOST FROM PROPOSED REFORMS Companies that stay in America are to attract investment to future projects like SACRAMENTO.—The associations rep- these, as well as our ability to create and re- getting killed. We have had two mas- resenting California’s local governments, tain jobs in these areas. These provisions are sive inversions in 2 years to Bermuda economic development leaders, schools and bad for California and our residents.’’ and Switzerland. The number of foreign realtors urge the California congressional Vernon M. Billy, CEO and Executive Direc- property casualty insurers in the top 25 delegation to protect the State and Local tor, California School Boards Association: has increased sevenfold since 1990. Tax deduction and a key economic develop- ‘‘We urge the California delegation to act on Closing this loophole is in the Senate ment tool at risk under the Tax Cuts and behalf of the taxpayers in California who bill, and it was in the last tax reform Jobs Act in its current form. would be hurt by the elimination of the proposal. It also raises $8.7 billion in The SALT deduction makes the cost of liv- SALT deduction, including the talented ing more affordable in states like California. school employees who work in our schools revenue. That is in addition to the Eliminating the deduction for state and local educating and training students. Elimi- countless jobs and proud American income taxes and capping the local property nating the deduction has the same impact as businesses that it would save. tax deduction at $10,000 would hurt hard- raising property, income and sales taxes in We can’t have a Tax Code that de- working California families and only add to every congressional district in our state. By stroys American business. We have got the housing affordability crisis in the state effectively raising property taxes, the deduc- to close this loophole. by eliminating a key incentive for homeown- tion also makes local school bonds more expensive, complicating our efforts to build f ership. In 2015, 6.1 million California taxpayers claimed the SALT deduction with the and repair schools and provide students with THE REPUBLICAN TAX BILL IS A average deduction at around $18,000. the resources needed for a high-quality 21st BLOW TO SENIORS AND FAMILIES The SALT deduction has been an integral century education.’’ Steve White, President, California Associa- (Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was component of the federal tax code since its creation in 1913 and was one of the six deduction of REALTORS: ‘‘The move by Congress given permission to address the House tions allowed under the original tax code. to eliminate state and local tax deductions for 1 minute.) Eliminating or capping federal deductibility essentially levies a double tax on California, Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I for state and local property, sales and in- this and other attacks on real estate tax in- rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1, the come taxes would represent double taxation centives removes the tax benefits for people Republican tax bill, which is a give- and would upset the carefully balanced fiscal to buy homes and raises taxes on hundreds of away to corporations and the richest 1 federalism that has existed since the perma- thousands of Californians. Homeownership percent, and a tax hike on working nent creation of the federal income tax over has and continues to be the best way for class Americans and their children. 100 years ago. families to grow wealth and increase the It is unconscionable, as it cripples Tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds (PABs) middle class. Congress should look at ways to incentivize and increase homeownership the State and local tax deductions. are an important tool for state and local governments to help finance major public rates, not increase taxes on families wanting Thirty percent of my residents will projects, including transportation and water to buy a home. lose these deductions, averaging $17,000 infrastructure, affordable housing construc- per family, according to the IRS, which tion, schools—all of which are essential for DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, will devastate housing affordability in job growth, healthy economies, safe commu- OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, my district and disadvantage Cali- nities and the nation’s economy Eliminating Sacramento, CA, November 9, 2017. fornia taxpayers, compared to other PABs’ tax-exempt status would drive up the CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, Washington, DC. States. costs of borrowing for these projects by 25–25 percent and be a disincentive to spurring pri- DEAR MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA CON- It cruelly eliminates the medical ex- GRESSIONAL DELEGATION: As the Governor’s pense tax deduction worth over $10,000. vate sector investment in our communities. Given the impact on California families chief fiscal advisor, I write to express the This is a direct blow to seniors and and our economy, we respectfully urge the Administration’s significant concerns with families in my district who have long- California congressional delegation to op- several provisions currently contained in term medical needs, as well as families pose eliminating or capping the SALT deduc- H.R. 1 measure now under consideration be- with children who have severe disabil- tion or removing the exemption on PABs as fore the Ways and Means Committee. part of any tax reform proposal. Removing the state and local tax (SALT) ities. deductions while capping the property tax The House bill is terrible, but the QUOTES FROM COALITION LEADERS deduction at $10,000—Over 6 million Cali- Senate wants to include a repeal of the Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, fornia tax returns—one of every three—claim Affordable Care Act in their bill, mak- League of California Cities: ‘‘Hard working SALT deductions, including millions of mid- ing it even more painful for working California tax payers and our communities dle-income households that may not benefit families. This would kick millions of would be harmed by the current proposal. We from the increased standard deduction. Americans off their health insurance hope that California’s congressional delega- While allowing up to a $10,000 deduction on plan, spike premiums, and undermine tion hears this message and takes swift ac- property taxes provides some offset, only tion to reject any proposals that would cause one-fourth of the state and local tax deduc- our entire healthcare system. people to pay taxes on their income twice, It also abolishes the tax-exempt station consists of property taxes paid. The av- would destabilize key incentives for home- erage deduction for state and local income tus of private activity bonds used by ownership and increase borrowing costs for taxes alone is nearly $16,000 per return, while San Gabriel Valley cities, water agen- state and local governments to finance state and local property taxes average less cies, and transportation agencies to projects that benefit our communities. than $6,000 per return. provide low-cost financing. Matt Cate, Executive Director, California Reducing the cap on the mortgage interest Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to State Association of Counties: ‘‘California deduction to $500,000 ($250,000 single)—This vote against it. Counties are increasingly concerned with change will increase the cost of homeowner- Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD several provisions in the House tax reform ship for many middle-class Californians. letters from the League of California package. The narrowing of the SALT deduc- Given the high cost of housing in the state, Cities, the California Department of tion alone would impact county resources mortgages for many mid-level homes are sig- and their ability to meet the service needs of nificantly above these caps, particularly the Finance, the California State Treas- the public. The additional changes to infra- $250,000 cap for single filers. More than 4 mil- urer, and the San Gabriel Valley Eco- structure financing tools, including the tax- lion California tax returns claim the mort- nomic Partnership in opposition to able status of Private Activity Bonds (PABs) gage interest deduction at an average of over H.R. 1. and the ability to advance refund municipal $12,000 per return.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.060 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9417 Elimination of the interest exclusion for pealed for deaths after December 31, 2023 and households, including veterans, seniors, per- Private Activity Bonds (PABs)—This will re- there would be no change to the basis step- sons with disabilities, and persons experi- move an important tool used by the Low In- up rule that currently revalues appreciated encing homelessness. come Housing Tax Credit program to con- capital assets at market value at the time of The purpose of this letter is to highlight struct affordable housing, which was used to death. As a result, wealthy people would be the projects in your district that have refund nearly 20,000 affordable housing units in able to simply hold on to assets until they ceived funding from these programs over the 2016. die, pass the assets on to their heirs, and all last four years. Attached is a spreadsheet The state’s Infrastructure and Economic the increase in the value of the asset during with a list of the projects. Any projects list- Development Bank (iBank) has issued Pri- the wealthy person’s life will not be taxed. ed in red have pending applications, and vate Activity Bonds in support of museums, Removing the tax on inherited wealth with- these projects could be brought to a halt by schools, performing arts centers, charitable out also repealing the basis step-up rule a sudden cessation of the programs. organizations and research institutes leads to increasing inequality. The Joint As the list of projects shows, this is not an throughout the state. Elimination of Private Committee on Taxation analysis shows that abstract issue, or one that impacts only one Activity Bonds would greatly increase bor- for 2027, the highest-income Americans—less region or a small number of Californians. It rowing costs for such borrowers resulting in than three-tenths of one percent of tax- is broad-based and affects constituents like the delay; downsizing or outright abandon- payers—will realize almost one-third of the yours and those in congressional districts ment of these socially beneficial projects and total benefits. across the state. We all have seen the tan- the people and jobs who depend on them. Prioritizes corporations over individuals— gible benefits of these vital programs; now Further, this would hurt California vet- The net benefits of H.R. 1 are weighted heav- we must come together to save them. erans by ending bond issuances that help ily towards corporations, with the signifi- I know you will agree with me that we can- around 1,000 veterans buy a home every year. cant cut in the corporate tax rate coupled not allow even more Californians to be driv- This program has been around since at least with the removal of relatively few corporate en into homelessness. That is why I strongly World War II. It serves veterans that would tax breaks. Instead, many deductions and urge you to reject the elimination of the not otherwise qualify for private financing, tax credits taken by lower-and middle in- Bond Program and the 4 percent Housing while maintaining foreclosure rates of less come households are either reduced or elimi- Credit. than 0.25 percent. nated. A November 3 Joint Committee on Sincerely, Repeal of Casualty Loss Deduction—Last Taxation analysis indicates that more than JOHN CHIANG, month’s devastating wildfires in northern half of the tax cut goes to corporations while California State Treasurer. California have alone caused billions of dol- about one-third goes to businesses that pass lars in losses, with more than 10,000 homes through income to individuals. SAN GABRIEL VALLEY damage and over 4,700 more destroyed. For Massive expansion of the deficit by at least ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP, this and other disasters to come, it is impor- $1.7 trillion over ten years—Deficit-financed Irwindale, CA, November 8, 2017. tant to maintain the casualty loss deduction tax cuts are not likely to lead to significant Re Concerns with the provisions of the Tax as a way of providing relief to the victims of growth effects because the negative eco- Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (H.R. 1). casualty losses both large and small. The re- nomic effects of the debt would crowd out in- peal of the casualty loss deduction starting Hon. GRACE NAPOLITANO, vestment. Further, fiscal stimulus at this House of Representatives, in 2018 under H.R. 1 is an unnecessary step point in the business cycle—with the econ- that will only compound the difficulty for Washington, DC. omy at full employment, corporate profit DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN NAPOLITANO: On be- the many thousands of Californians who ei- margins at all-time highs, and corporate ther are or will be struggling to recover from half of the San Gabriel Valley Economic cash balances at all-time highs—is unlikely Partnership, I wish to express concerns with devastating losses. to lead to significant growth above what Negative impacts on Education—Multiple several provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs would have occurred in the absence of these Act of 2017 (H.R. 1). While the Partnership provisions now in H.R. 1 negatively impact changes. the cost of education for both students and has long supported federal tax reform to en- If you need any additional information on courage economic growth and provide tax re- educators, including the elimination of the any of these subjects, please do not hesitate student loan interest deduction, imposing a lief for middle-class and working families, to contact me. the elimination of several key deductions new tax on tuition waivers, elimination or Sincerely, reduction of various tax credits, and a new will have a negative effect here in the San MICHAEL COHEN, Gabriel Valley. tax on net investment income of private col- Director. leges and universities if their endowments The elimination of the Private Activity exceed $250,000 per full-time student. In Bonds (PABs) tax exemption will hit munic- STATE OF CALIFORNIA, total, all of the changes to education provi- ipal governments and non-profit organiza- November 9, 2017. sions will raise taxes on Americans by over tions especially hard and would have ripple Re Tax Reform and the Low-Income Housing $60 billion over ten years, which indicates a effects across the healthcare and housing Tax Credit. negative impact on California of at least $7 sectors. Many non-profit organizations rely billion. Hon. GRACE NAPOLITANO, on local governments as partners to issue Unfavorable treatment of children and House of Representatives, PABs to obtain cheaper financing for a vari- families—The new $300 Family Flexibility Washington, DC. ety of endeavors like the construction of af- Credit for the tax filer, their spouse, and for DEAR REP. NAPOLITANO: Last week you re- fordable housing, education programs, and non-child dependents is temporary and ex- ceived a letter from me and other prominent elder care. Although recently state legisla- pires in 2023. While it provides a tax benefit signatories respectfully urging you to pre- tion will provide more funding for affordable for many low-income families in the first serve the 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax housing, PABs are the finance backbone for four years, its expiration leads to those same Credit (4 percent Housing Credit) and Private these types of housing projects. PABs funded families having much smaller net tax cuts or Activity Bond Program (Bond Program). The 20,000 affordable housing units in California overall tax increases in 2023 and beyond. In Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, introduced in the last year; it is estimated the federal deduc- addition, unlike the current dependent ex- House of Representatives on November 2, tion alone is worth $2.2 billion in projects emptions it is intended to replace, there is proposes the elimination of the Bond Pro- throughout the state. Were the exemption to no indexing of the Child Tax Credit, which gram and the effective elimination of the 4 be eliminated for PABs, the result would leads to its positive impact eroding over percent Housing Credit. likely be a 15–20 percent reduction in the time. I reiterate the vital role these programs overall size of the U.S. municipal bond mar- Also, requiring a Social Security number play in building and preserving affordable ket. for the refundable portion of the child tax housing throughout the nation, but espe- Additionally, the limitation of the state credit punishes working undocumented im- cially in California where, as you know, we and local tax deduction (SALT) and the re- migrants in California who file their tax re- struggle with a housing crisis that is quickly duction in the mortgage interest deduction turns using a Taxpayer Identification Num- metastasizing into a humanitarian and pub- will hurt first time home buyers in the San ber. More than $3.4 billion in federal refund- lic health catastrophe. Today, the state’s Gabriel Valley as well as Californians in able child tax credits were claimed by Cali- housing shortage stands at one and a half other expensive housing markets in the fornians in 2015, and a portion of those would million units and is growing by an alarming state, costing them several thousand dollars have been undocumented immigrants filing 60,000 units each year. The 4 percent Housing a year that they could have saved under the with a Taxpayer Identification Number Credit and Bond Program are the large existing deductions. One-fifth of all Amer- Overall tax cuts for the wealthy—Lower sources of funding for affordable housing in ican taxpayers claim the state and local tax tax rates on business income will dispropor- California, with $2.2 billion worth of 4 per- deduction. Retaining this deduction is an im- tionately benefit higher-income individuals cent housing credits last year and more than portant way to allow Americans to keep who are more likely to have income from $6 billion of private activity tax exempt bond more of their income. limited liability companies, S corporations, funding for multifamily and single-family The Partnership is supportive of revising or partnerships. Further, the repeal of the housing. Together, they created or preserved the federal business tax code which has estate tax will disproportionately benefit the more than 20,000 affordable homes in 2016, grown outdated and overly burdensome for wealthy. The estate tax would be fully re- nearly all of which were for low-income American companies competing abroad.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.055 H16NOPT1 H9418 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Lowering the corporate rate from 35 percent making $25,000, $30,000, or so, who people who get jealous when some to 20 percent, allowing the repatriation of couldn’t afford to pay for health insur- other country has more freedom, more foreign-made profits, and removing incen- ance who were required to do that. assets. And there is going to be evil in tives to locate offshore are all positive steps Do you want to pay higher income this world as long as this world exists. in improving the tax climate for American business. But these positive changes are too tax? Are you going to pay for health We saw that down in Sutherland costly if the major deductions discussed insurance that you are never going to Springs. Some lunatics—again, many above are eliminated to pay for these be able to use? The premiums cost you of them educated well beyond their changes. We ask that you work with your more than you can afford, the deduct- ability to be wise—had popped off and colleagues in Congress to keep these deduc- ible is so high. Clearly, you are young. said, well, if prayer worked, those peo- tions intact. You are never going to use it. The odds ple would never have been shot in a Sincerely, are 99.99 percent you will never use it. church where they were praying and JEFF ALLRED, But the government forced them to pay President & CEO. worshipping. more taxes or pay more for insurance As long as people are in this world, f they couldn’t use. there is going to be evil—not that God ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER The good news for those people is wants evil to prevail. He doesn’t. He PRO TEMPORE that now you will be able to—well, doesn’t want that any should stumble. once this becomes the law, and it does The SPEAKER pro tempore. The But as a parent knows, you could force need to pass the Senate. The Senate your child to say, ‘‘I love you’’ or to Chair will recognize Members for Spe- has a little different version, and there cial Order speeches without prejudice throw their little arms around your are a few things in the Senate version neck, hug you, and say, ‘‘I love you.’’ to the resumption of legislative busi- I like better than ours, but there are a ness. You could force them to do that. It lot of things in our bill that I like bet- doesn’t mean a whole lot. But when f ter than the Senate. you give people the free will to choose If the Senate will go ahead and do BIG DAY FOR AMERICA to love you, to choose to follow your their job like they did not do on repeal- rules, it is overwhelming to a parent The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ing at least part of ObamaCare, they when a child freely chooses to do that. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- will do their job on this, the American So we have freedom of choice. Some uary 3, 2017, the gentleman from Texas people are going to benefit. We are choose to do evil. Some want govern- (Mr. GOHMERT) is recognized for 60 min- going to see the economy take a big ments to be all powerful because, in utes as the designee of the majority jolt forward and upward, more jobs their lack of wisdom, they think that leader. coming to America. the government needs to be in control Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, this Nobody gets everything they want. I of everything and everybody. has been a big day. believe what the President really want- The late Justice Scalia, who could There are so many people who have ed was going to be best for the country. make me laugh—he loved good jokes suffered in this country, especially If we could hold to a 15 percent cor- and stories like I do. There have been a since the passing of ObamaCare. It is porate tax, I wanted to see that across lot of unpleasant memories, a lot of un- difficult to call it the Affordable Care the board for S corporations, C cor- pleasant fights, a lot of fights that I Act. There is a small percentage that porations. But as the President knew— haven’t won, but I stood up for what I supposedly has done better. I know he knew because we talked believed was right. Usually, when my friends across the about it more than once—that 15 per- aisle and most of the media talk about cent would undercut the corporate tax When I would get around Justice how much better off Americans are that China has. If we undercut the cor- Scalia, having lunch together or break- under ObamaCare, they ignore the real porate tax that China has, then it fast together, we would get to telling results, and, instead, they point and means we were going to be getting stories and jokes, and he was so clever. say: There are so many people—mil- manufacturing jobs back to America. It was often hard to find a joke or a lions of people now—who have insur- We have had so many manufacturing story he had not heard, but it was just ance now that didn’t have it before. plants pick up and move to other fun to be around him. Well, the reason they could say that places—mainly China, Mexico, other But in one of those, I think it was a was because ObamaCare forced people places. We need to be manufacturing lunch that time, he said: You know, to buy insurance. We went through this here. back when I was working for the Attor- with some family members, helping I know there are those elitists who ney General—and I don’t remember them make the calculation: should have been educated with degrees far be- which Attorney General it was back in they pay the penalty through addi- yond their intellectual capacity to ab- the 1970s—he said: We had a weekly tional income tax, or should they buy sorb. They got the degrees, but they meeting, and one morning the Attor- insurance that they will never, ever be didn’t get the wisdom. And some have ney General came in, and he said: Well, able to use? ventured to say: No, we don’t need to I was at a cocktail party last night, On some occasions, you are better off be a manufacturing country. We have and for the first time I heard a defini- paying the extra tax, which means the evolved above being these lowly manu- tion that explained the difference be- government wanted your money a lot facturers. That is for developing coun- tween Democrats and Republicans. worse—well, not worse than the indi- tries, not a wonderful country like ours He said: I actually think it is pretty vidual—but the government has the is. good. I think it is very descriptive. power to steal from people and call it Obviously, they spent too much time He said: What I learned was Demo- legal, and then it is legal. in other places than studying history. crats are people who want to control There was a massive amount of legal- This is something else I have talked everybody and everything, and Repub- ized stealing under ObamaCare that about with the President—he knows it licans are people who don’t want them took place. This bill we passed today just from his business acumen; I know to. would end so much of the stealing from it from studying history—that any na- Well, I found that rather amusing. individuals that the government has tion that is a powerful nation in the Actually, that is pretty accurate. Some been doing legally since ObamaCare world that cannot manufacture the people on the Republican side of the passed. things that that country needs in a aisle go: Why don’t we plot and plan as time of war will cease to be a great na- well as the Democrats do? They are al- b 1415 tion after the next war. And be assured, ways trying to figure out how they get But, yes, there will be millions of there will be wars. power, how they get over on this and people, I would suspect, that when we Jesus, the wisest to ever walk this that, and we just want people to live legally end the individual mandate, planet, said there will always be wars and let live. We want as little govern- they are not going to continue to pay and rumors of war. And that is true be- ment as necessary to keep order but for insurance, huge amounts every cause this planet has evil: people who allow people to succeed with no ceiling, month that they can’t afford—people will do evil, countries that will do evil, no limit.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.057 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9419 But to succeed, you also have to have over 5 percent of your adjusted gross ulous insurance policies—they are the opportunity to fail, just like Edi- income. going to have that much money in son did. In the hundreds of things he In order to come up with the billions their own pocket. If they were paying tried, finding a filament, the element and billions of dollars that ObamaCare, for a policy that they knew was never that would heat up and not burn in two I would submit, wasted, they had to cut going to help them out, they won’t to make a light bulb, he knew it would out some of the deductions like that, have to buy that. work. Somebody asked him about all so they ended up raising the threshold And, of course, the Democrats, for all those failures, and he said, no, each from 5 percent to 71⁄2, 10 percent. So it the Main Street media, will say, ‘‘Oh, time he tried something that didn’t has been 10 percent. You had to have look at how many people don’t have in- work, it wasn’t a failure. He just more than 10 percent of your adjusted surance,’’ when the truth is so many of learned that that is one less thing that gross income in order to deduct it, but those people chose not to buy insur- might work. we still had a lot of, especially, seniors ance because they knew it was a ter- But Fisher, who came up with the who had more than that. rible deal. space pen—I love those space pens. The I had accountants from home send I still want to see a reform of email still goes around that says that me information about seniors, particu- healthcare, a real reform of healthcare, Americans spent $4 million to develop larly seniors who had been paying a but that would mean getting away a pen that would work in outer space, great deal of medical expense because, from either insurance companies or the government money. Russians just use no, Medicare didn’t take care of them. government being between us and our pencils. Not a dime of government And of course we know AARP jumped doctors, our healthcare providers. The money was used. on the bandwagon for ObamaCare—not way you do that is that you make it so With an intellect like Fisher, he because it was going to be good for the attractive to put money in your own knew there had to be a way that you seniors. In fact, it was extremely vio- health savings account—and I expect could develop a pen that would write in lent to the finances of seniors and to us to pass something to make it much gravity and with no gravity, under- their health, as well. But AARP was easier and much more attractive. It is water, above the air—or above the more interested in the massive amount not in this bill. This was a tax bill—but Earth’s atmosphere, so he came up of money they could add to their cof- I am still hopeful that we are going to with it. But he knew he was going to fers, even though they are considered a do a reform of healthcare and repeal, at have to pressurize a pen, and this is nonprofit. So they jumped on board, least most of ObamaCare. I had that such a cartridge. and, of course, companies that sold hope. And I hoped that today was a So he sealed it, put about 30 pounds other policies had to pay a 2 percent start, not only toward getting tax re- of pressure. But the trick was finding tax on each policy. form and getting tax relief for Ameri- an ink that didn’t explode out when AARP got the sweetheart deal. Their cans and seeing the economy get going you put 30 pounds of pressure on it or policy they embraced didn’t have to again, but also put back in motion true that was not so thick that it wouldn’t pay the 2 percent tax. And I haven’t repeal of ObamaCare and getting work when you tried to write. Eventu- seen the provision, but I am told there healthcare laws in place that will be ally, he was able to do that. was a provision that exempted their ex- good for Americans. Lots of failures, but you have got to ecutive so they didn’t have the normal But how can you have competitive allow people a chance to fail if they are cap on their executive income. prices in healthcare if nobody knows going to have a chance to succeed. If So the people at the top of AARP, what these procedures or medicines the government puts its thumb on the they did great. Seniors really got cost? You see, you get a notice from scales, it is not real success, it is not harmed, losing $716 billion in cuts to the healthcare provider—your insur- real failure, and, eventually, those Medicare. But for all those seniors who ance company—that something costs cards are going to come falling down. got harmed, couldn’t get the surgery, $12,000, but you don’t know that the in- Well, what we have done today with couldn’t get the medical help they surance company satisfied that $12,000 our tax bill, it is a huge step because I need, just keep in mind, AARP was payment demand with an $800 or $900 know, Mr. Speaker, most folks here are able to sell a lot more policies and payment. But if you knew that if you well aware, it is hard to get a majority make a lot more money even though it were paying cash out of your health agreement on much of anything, but did a lot of harm to some seniors. Just savings account, a $12,000 procedure we did today. We had a significant ma- remember, AARP came out great out would only cost $800, you wouldn’t be jority that agreed. It isn’t perfect. of that. so big on paying $2,000 a month to a Nothing any human ever does will be, But nonetheless, for those of us who health insurance company. but it moves the ball down the road. were very sympathetic to seniors hav- And these health insurance compa- One of the things I love about my ing hundreds of billions of dollars cut nies still don’t see that, under friend from Texas, KEVIN BRADY, is I from Medicare, they heard the Presi- ObamaCare, their days are numbered. would hear from people back home— dent say: Now, this isn’t going to affect It was designed to fail. And America and talk to KEVIN. He is open to talk- you seniors at all. It is only going to gets so mad at health insurance compa- ing not just to Texans. He will talk to cut some of the profits from healthcare nies because it was built into everybody. And I found that with so providers—basically, what was said. ObamaCare. Not only were they going many members on the Ways and Means But many of my seniors in east Texas to have record profits, like some of Committee. My friend DAVID figured out: Wait a minute. If you are them did last year, but they were going SCHWEIKERT was always available to not going to pay the healthcare pro- to get bailouts on top of their record answer questions, and he was doing his vider for my medicine, for my surgery, profits. homework thoroughly. for what I need, then I am not going to It was going to make America so mad One of the things that has deeply be able to get the procedure, the sur- at the insurance companies that even troubled many Americans, and espe- gery, the healthcare that I need if it is conservatives would say: Well, I never cially seniors, either seniors in poor not going to be paid for. thought I would say this, but anything health or younger Americans who had So I have had many seniors talk to has to be better than what we have severe health problems, is, in the me about surgeries being delayed or with these insurance companies. Why ObamaCare bill that was so that they couldn’t get the same thing don’t we have the government just unaffordable, it changed the deduct- they had before ObamaCare passed. take over everything? ibility of medical expenses. Then, voila, we then have VA Before, it was, if you had medical ex- b 1430 healthcare for all Americans, except penses, you had a really bad time of it, So we haven’t repealed ObamaCare, much worst than the VA provides, be- then our hearts go out to you and we but in this bill, we repealed the cause everybody is forced to be in it. want your life to be a little easier when ObamaCare mandate, the individual I was amazed, as an exchange student you are going through so much dif- mandate. That means that some people in the Soviet Union, to see the type of ficulty with bad health, so the who were forced to pay a higher income medical care that was in the Soviet deductibles were any medical expense tax—they didn’t get one of these ridic- Union in the seventies. I just thanked

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.062 H16NOPT1 H9420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 God that we didn’t have that kind of paying $2,000 a month to an insurance Well, usually people’s memories wane socialized medicine, and we were so company—$24,000 a year—well, they over the period of three to four decades much more advanced. would be better off paying $1,500 as on times and exact places. And I know, But it was clear that physicians, payment in full for $15,000 in charges. from my days as a judge, sent many back in the Soviet Union in the seven- We still have a good ways to go, but rapists and sexual assaulters to prison ties—I am sure there were some that you don’t get anywhere until you take for many years, including life, I was were really dedicated, but, for most, it that first step, and today was a giant particularly hard on people who com- was an 8-to-4-, 9-to-5-type job—the step, in my opinion. mitted sexual assault crimes because fewer people they could see, the better I didn’t realize, until I saw this no- they violate so much more than just a they liked it. But that meant a lot of tice from the Farm Bureau, but the physical violation. It is an abominable people waited in long lines, didn’t get headline says: ‘‘House Poised to Take crime. seen, had to come back and come back, up Farm Bureau-Supported Tax Bill.’’ But we have limitations. So if some- and they didn’t get the procedures that It was good to see that. body makes an allegation against you they needed. Another article from Heritage Ac- that you did such and such at 2 in the Or, like in Canada, a fellow, named tion: ‘‘House tax plan propels reform afternoon on such and such afternoon, Tyler, told me that his dad died of a forward.’’ and it was at this particular location, heart attack after he had been on the FOX News has an article, by Newt and these people were not around, I Gingrich: ‘‘House and Senate tax plans list to get bypass surgery for 2 years. mean, if you put a bunch of specifics in have more in common than you I said: Two years? It really took that there, within a year, then the indi- think.’’ That makes some excellent long? vidual being charged can go back to his He said: Well, they kept moving peo- points. It is good news all the way around. It calendar, or her calendar, and see: ple in front of him. Okay, on that day, oh, I wasn’t even in I said: Well, now wait a minute. I un- is a step in the right direction. I am hopeful that some of the things that city, I was over here in this city, derstand it is a crime to pay or do any- we disagree on, we are going to be able I was in court across town, I was not thing to get yourself moved up the list. to work out with the Senate. One of even where that happened. So I can He said: Oh, yeah, that is the way I those things, like I mentioned, the bring in and show—not just raise a rea- understand it, too. But we had a board Senate, as I understand it, their bill sonable doubt—but show absolutely for that would pick and choose among the currently has an allowance for deduc- sure that never happened. That is why American citizens who would go in tions of medical expense beyond 10 per- we have limitations. front, and they kept putting people in cent. Hopefully, we can eventually do I would just encourage people that front of my dad, who finally had the better than that and get it back from when they hear alleged factual allega- heart attack and died because the where ObamaCare put it, maybe back tions that occurred decades previously, board kept putting people in front of to 5 percent, at some point. no matter how many specifics are him. But we have seniors on fixed in- thrown in, reserve judgment, and give That goes back to what Sarah Palin comes, and Medicare doesn’t cover it a chance to get all of the facts in. said. She called it a death panel. She what they are needing in the way of That is why, in every single case I was speaking with hyperbole, but the healthcare, and they are being over- have tried as a judge—and there were truth is—whether you want to call it a whelmed by medical expense. Once thousands of felony cases that came be- death panel or not—they were making again, I think if we can get some re- fore my court—but in every single case decisions over who would get what; forms in—it doesn’t have to be a total I tried, after the prosecution finished, I that would mean they lived or died in reform of healthcare, but just get some then turned to the defense for their some occasions, or it meant whether things in there—even if we can’t get chance to submit evidence. It is why, they were going to live in pain or live the total repeal because of the Senate’s after every witness testified for the in comfort. These were government recalcitrance, at least let’s get some prosecution, I turned to the defense at- boards making these decisions, just reforms to get people the help they torney and gave them a chance to cross like they used to do in the Soviet need. examine. Union before it fell. I would also like to address the issue And there were times I heard charges So I see this tax bill today as not of the Roy Moore allegations. Having that, in my mind, were so outrageous, only a step in the right direction to get prosecuted sexual assault crimes, I but I knew we have a system in place people more money in their own pock- have even been forced against my to protect innocent people from spu- ets they can use to make the economy will—but you get an order, and you fol- rious allegations, and we have to go grow, but I see it also as a step in the low the order to defend sexual assault through the process, including an ap- right direction toward reforming crimes—in one case finding that a peal, after the trial. And I have re- healthcare again because we eliminate trumped-up case against my African- viewed many appeals as an appellate the individual mandate. American client was totally bogus, chief justice. I still would like to see these further trumped-up, and we were able to prove You have got to let the process play reforms, like I am talking about. I put irrefutably as such. out. And any time somebody comes in a bill, I filed years ago, that But sexual assault allegations are a running in and wants somebody tried healthcare providers would have to very dangerous thing. We have in in the court of public opinion, and they post, at least at their facility, but cer- America what we call statute of limi- are only going to give them 3 or 4 tainly online, if they were online—and tations on most crimes. The reason we weeks, then immediately that should now it ought to be a requirement—post have statute of limitations on most be suspect. Not that it can’t be proved exactly what you charge an individual crimes is because if you are going to be out as true, but it should immediately paying cash, an individual with Blue accused of something, it needs to be be suspect because these people tried to Cross, or Aetna, or whatever it is. Let made in a timely manner, so that if game the system. They didn’t want to people know exactly what things cost. you are going to accuse somebody of give enough time for the ones allegedly Don’t send a $15,000 bill for going into committing a crime, they have a committing an offense to prepare a de- the hospital that you know you are chance to find witnesses. fense. going to accept $1,000 as payment in One of the very reasons that there full from an insurance company. If you are statutes of limitations on crimes b 1445 are going to accept $1,000 for a $15,000 like sexual assault is that if you wait They didn’t want to give adequate bill, then say it costs $1,000. 38 years to accuse somebody of a sexual time to investigate, even after 38 years. If we could require everybody to post assault, it is almost impossible to How do you go back 38 years later and exactly what things cost, they prove exactly where you were. And I say: Gee, where was I? I don’t have a wouldn’t be in such an all-fired hurry have heard some people in the Senate calendar that goes back that far. I to make sure that they had insurance, say: Oh, well, there are just so much don’t know if I was in town, if I was other than catastrophic, really cata- specifics coming out that it just seems out of the country. I don’t know where strophic insurance. Because instead of irrefutable. I was. Gee, it seems like around that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.064 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9421 time. Maybe I was here or there. I a free hundreds-of-thousands-of-dol- not true, against the guy that you don’t know. lars, $600,000-, $700,000-addition to his tried to destroy with millions of dol- The odds of being able to mount a house, that he paid hundreds of thou- lars, that, you know, if he is elected, he proper defense three or four decades sands of dollars more than that. Appar- is going to come in. He is not going to after something allegedly happened is ently, there was some communication be your best friend because you called just almost impossible. between the contractor and Senator him everything in the book; you tried So all you can do to defend yourself— Stevens saying: You are overpaying. to destroy him. and I am speaking hypothetically. If Quit overpaying. So, wow, even though he is in your somebody, hypothetically, made out- Senator Stevens said: No. No. I am own party, maybe you would be better rageous allegations against you, and, strong-willed in the Senate, so I have off if you had a Democrat you feel like you know, I know I never did that, how always got people looking to try to you could work with that was more es- do I prove it? make something up, so I have to over- tablishment than the guy that you Well, you are not going to be able to pay. tried to destroy, that, if he would have find witnesses to say where you were at The man overpaid. gotten along with you—probably not that specific moment in time because The FBI, under Mueller, fabricated a now because you went after him so you don’t even remember where you case. They tried it the week before the strongly—what if you could have that were. How will you find a witness that election, and there was a reason for guy taken out with allegations, wheth- will back you up? that. They tried it the week before the er true or not, and then you could kill And if you do find a witness who can election. They got a conviction. He lost a number of birds. say, ‘‘Oh, I remember that very sec- the election, I think it was by 1,200 You know that Steve Bannon has ond,’’ 38 years later, ‘‘this is where he votes or so. said he is going to war after you. Wow. was,’’ then that witness becomes sus- After he had lost the election, there And Bannon went all in to support this pect because you just don’t remember was no way to rewind that clock. He guy in his primary and this election, so like that. was out of the Senate. The Democrats if his candidate gets destroyed, you So I hope, Mr. Speaker, that people got the seat. They sure didn’t care that have just destroyed his ability to raise will allow an election to go forward they won the seat based on a lie, a money. with the parties the people have chosen fraudulent case brought by the U.S. And then on top of that, if you could and give time for all the facts to come Government. They didn’t care. They talk the unsuspecting President into out. were glad to have the seat. talking his Attorney General into leav- I like Roy Moore, and I appreciate It is kind of like Senator Harry Reid ing that post to try to go to the Sen- the man of faith that he is. I think the said after he made false accusations ate, wow, you get rid of the guy that election needs to go forward just as it against Mitt Romney that he hadn’t has gotten tough on illegal immigra- is. I think we should not intervene in paid any taxes, and when he was asked tion, you get rid of the guy that has Congress, and we should let the people about it later after Mr. Romney lost been raising money and going against of Alabama decide, based on proven the election, his response was basi- the establishment, and you get rid of facts, not on some last-minute attack. cally: Well, it worked, didn’t it? the guy that you tried to destroy with We should give time for all of the He had no remorse for destroying a tens of millions of dollars even though facts to come out, not just the facts man’s reputation falsely without any he was in your own party—I am just that have been set up over the last sev- evidence or with manufactured evi- saying, hypothetically. Maybe it would make for a good fic- eral months, in all likelihood, in prepa- dence, lies. No remorse, just: It tion novel someday, and maybe there is ration for being able to blindside a can- worked, because we got the seat. didate, so you have all the facts and And I have a feeling that, when the somebody out there writing that novel, but I am just saying, what if. Wow. you can keep slipping stuff out day smoke clears and we find all of the evi- What a novel piece of fiction that after day; because it could very well dence that is left after 38 years, we are might be some day. Maybe we would end up just like Ted Stevens’ case, going to find that there was a problem see it in a movie someday. Maybe the where at least one FBI agent and a not as much with Roy Moore as there Senator would even be from the South. prosecutor created a case that not only was with the accusers, but we need to I also know, having been a district had reasonable doubt about it, but it wait and see. Nobody needs to be judge, I signed everything original. I was absolutely false. rushed to trial. know there are some judges that don’t Senator Ted Stevens was not the We have a system of government that sign their orders; they just let some- most lovable guy. He was kind of a prevents somebody from being pun- body stamp. crotchety guy when I was around him. ished by the government, but the fact I made clear the day I became a dis- It wasn’t very often. They accused him is the government is being used to try trict judge that nobody is stamping my of not filing notice about a hundreds- to punish Roy Moore. signature on anything; if it is a stamp, of-thousands-of-dollars gift improve- Let’s say, hypothetically, you were it is going to be clear that it is a ment onto a home he had. an establishment leader in the Senate stamp, that anything that has got to The FBI—at least some in the FBI, as and you have been pushing for am- be originally signed, I am going to sign was borne out by the affidavit by an nesty. You didn’t want illegal immi- it. FBI officer who actually had a con- gration stopped, because there are do- Now, as I understand it, Judge Moore science, not like his superior FBI agent nors that give a lot of money that want signed things originally, but on other lead investigator. They fabricated evi- illegal immigration to continue. You things, on copies—we would put a dence. They hid evidence. The evidence wanted amnesty, and you know in the stamped signature and note that it was that they had gotten when they served Attorney General’s Office you have a a copy. But his, they either stamped or warrants, went to his home, took every guy there, regardless of things you dis- his assistant wrote his signature, and piece of paper, every bank record, ev- agree on, who has really cracked down because the assistant’s name had ini- erything he had, computers, all this, on illegal immigration. tials D.A., put ‘‘D.A.’’ out beside his raided the bank, got all their informa- You know you have got a guy that name to denote that he didn’t origi- tion, got any notes and things, he just won the primary in a State, and nally sign this. This was the assistant didn’t have the evidence to defend him- you spent tens of millions of dollars on his behalf. So litigants would nor- self because the FBI got it all. trying to destroy the guy in the pri- mally get a copy and not the original, A guy named Robert Mueller was the mary and it didn’t work. He won. So it of course, unless you make multiple head of the FBI. This was probably the looks like he is about to win the elec- originals. biggest case that went through the FBI tion, the general election, even though I wondered when I saw in the year- while he was Director, at least one of you are in his same party. book the picture of the signature, I them. He saw to it that the FBI agent I am just thinking hypothetically. thought: DA? I didn’t think he was ever that blew the whistle and pointed out Certainly none of this would be true, a DA. that they have evidence that shows surely, but, wow, what a great deal if Well, he wasn’t. He was assistant DA. that Ted Stevens not only did not get somebody made accusations, true or He was a district judge. He was a chief

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.066 H16NOPT1 H9422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 justice of the supreme court there in When you look at all the businesses mander in Chief directs that divine Alabama. He was never the DA. and all the huge manufacturing plants service be performed ever Sunday at 11 It is interesting, if someone believed in America that have closed down, and o’clock in those brigade to which there that a guy molested their minor daugh- you look at what they were doing be- are chaplains—those which have none ter and that person later had a divorce fore they closed down and you deduct to attend the places of worship nearest pending in that guy’s court, I know I that 35 percent corporate tax or, I to them. It is expected that officers of would certainly ask for a different would submit, tariff, they could have all ranks will, by their attendance, set court. There is no way I would let a been selling their product competi- an example to their men. judge who molested my child have any tively not just in America, but prob- ‘‘While we are zealously performing jurisdiction over my divorce. If I had ably in places all over the world. In- the duties of good citizens and soldiers, never brought out about the alleged stead of having to close their doors, we certainly ought not to be inatten- molestation before, I would certainly they could have kept producing and ex- tive to the higher duties of religion. To do it then. People would need to know panding, but for that huge tariff that the distinguished character of patriot, that the judge in that court, and par- was put on their own goods. it should be our highest glory to laud ticularly the judge on my divorce, was Most countries are smart enough not the more distinguished character of a child molester. They would need to to put a tariff on what their own com- Muslim’’—I am sorry. It says, ‘‘Chris- know. panies make before they ship them out. tian.’’ If you don’t let people know at that But we have been doing that. George Washington said that the point, you are basically an accomplice. So why have we been doing that? highest glory of a patriot soldier would You are allowing this assaulter out Because it was a great way, people in be the more distinguished character of there to continue whatever he may be Congress thought, to raise revenue. a Christian. It was an order he gave. doing to others. You need to come for- You tell people this mean, evil cor- So I know people are saying this is ward and report it. It is not a crime not poration was paying this tax. We really totally appropriate now, and they won- to report it, but it needs to be reported, put it over on this corporation. We der why evil seems to keep growing in and certainly if that person goes on the made them pay all this tax. America. But as we look where we bench. No. What you did was add 35 percent came from and we look at what prior It must have been quite a realization to the cost of their products that they leaders did to defeat the forces of evil for Judge Moore when he saw that had to figure in somehow to cover that, that are here in this world—and will be ‘‘D.A.’’ and realized: Somebody has in addition to what it cost to manufac- as long as it is here in this form—it forged what they thought was my sig- ture; and you have made them non- seems like there is a correlation be- nature, when it was really my assist- competitive, here or abroad, and that tween when the country is praying to ant, and that is why the assistant put is why they had to close. God and asking for his protection and ‘‘D.A.’’ out there, to denote that I That is why I love the idea of either blessing, and when evil seems to be didn’t sign that. eliminating the tariff or at least get- growing. Wow. That must have been quite a ting it down to 15 percent so we under- Thomas Jefferson, in 1781, noted, and feeling for the judge. cut the 17 or so percent that China has. it is engraved in his memorial: ‘‘The There is a story from Joel Pollak on If we undercut their tariff on their own God who gave us life gave us liberty. November 16, ‘‘Gloria Allred’s Blunder goods, goods produced in China, then Can the liberties of a nation be thought on Roy Moore’s Yearbook Challenge,’’ those manufacturers are coming back. secure when we have removed their that talks about that. I have been amazed that reporters only firm basis, a conviction in the There is another story by John Nolte, have asked, when I would talk about minds of the people that these liberties also November 16, ‘‘Journalist Leann this publicly: But how are you going to are the gift of God, that they are not to Tweeden Accuses Senator Al Franken make up for all of that lost income? be violated but with his wrath? of Fondling, Kissing Her Without Con- They didn’t understand, yeah, you ‘‘Indeed, I tremble for my country sent.’’ I don’t know where that is going are not collecting it as corporate tax, when I reflect that God is just, that His to lead. I don’t know whether the same but now you are collecting directly justice cannot sleep forever.’’ people will demand his ouster or not. from the people. So it is not a hidden, That is Thomas Jefferson. Maybe we need to wait and see if the insidious tax. There are more jobs, and John Quincy Adams, on September photograph is forged or if it was they are paying more money, and the 26, 1810, wrote a letter to his son, the photoshopped, something like that. economy is growing and hiring more U.S. Minister at Saint Petersburg: ‘‘So people. There are more jobs, more in- great is my veneration for the Bible, b 1500 come, and more income tax, and it is and so strong my belief that, when There is just so much going on, but better for everybody. duly read and meditated on, it is of all the bottom line is, today, we have But the forces of greed around this books in the world that which contrib- taken a big step toward making Amer- country and around this town like to utes most to make men good, wise, and ica great again. It is not the 15 percent try to convince people they are really happy.’’ tax I had hoped it would be. In fact, sticking it to somebody else, when the Former President nominated Su- people have got to understand that my truth is that the individuals are going preme Court by James Madison, and friend, Steve Moore, who used to be the to end up paying it, wherever it is, or this on March 30, 1863, by Abraham senior economics editor for The Wall the company is not going to stay in Lincoln, a great Republican. Lincoln Street Journal, helped President business. I would rather them stay in said: ‘‘It is the duty of nations, as well Trump as an economic adviser. Steve business, add jobs, and give raises. as of men, to own their dependence told me a number of times that he Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how upon the overruling power of God to likes my definition of corporate tax much time I have remaining? confess their sins and transgressions in better than any. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. humble sorrow, yet with assured hope But my definition describes what a FASO). The gentleman from Texas has that genuine repentance will lead to corporate tax really is, especially the 10 minutes remaining. mercy and pardon, and to recognize the U.S. corporate tax: 35 percent. It is the Mr. GOHMERT. So in the last 10 min- sublime truth announced in the Holy largest tariff any modern country has utes I have here, this will be the last Scriptures and proven by all history, ever put on its own goods or services, session before Thanksgiving Day. I am that those nations are only blessed because, let’s face it, when we put a greatly disturbed that we have so whose God is the Lord.’’ corporate tax on a company, and 35 many young people in America who This is Lincoln’s written word: ‘‘We percent, they are going to have to put can’t explain what Thanksgiving Day have forgotten God. We have forgotten that on their products. If they don’t is, why it was originally started, who the gracious hand which preserved us collect that tax on top of the cost of thanks was given to. Many thought it in peace and multiplied and enriched the product, they are going to go out of was to the Indians, but it was not. and strengthened us. And we have vain- business. That has got to be added to This is a declaration, May 2, 1778, to ly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our the cost of the goods or services. troops at Valley Forge: ‘‘The Com- hearts, that all these blessings were

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.067 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9423 produced by some superior wisdom and ‘‘In this year of 1962, we greet each tions Commission, transmitting the Com- virtue of our own. Intoxicated with un- other at Christmas with some special mission’s final rule — Access to Tele- broken success, we have become too sense of blessing of the peace.’’ communication Equipment and Services by self-sufficient to feel the necessity of Persons with Disabilities [CG Docket No.: 13- Mr. Speaker, this period of Thanks- 46]; Amendment of the Commission’s Rules redeeming and preserving grace, too giving that we will have in the next Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile proud to pray to God that made us. week will, hopefully, be a time when Handsets [WT Docket No.: 07-250]; Comment ‘‘It behooves us, then, to humble our- we will come back together more as a Sought on 2010 Review of Hearing Aid Com- selves before the offended power, to nation; when we will bind our hearts in patibility Regulations [WT Docket No.: 10- confess our national sins, and to pray prayer and Thanksgiving and ask for 254] received November 15, 2017, pursuant to for clemency and forgiveness.’’ God’s protection, as our greatest Presi- 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. That was a national proclamation by dents did. And I know those prayers 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- ergy and Commerce. Abraham Lincoln. Thank God that a will be answered. majority of Americans participated in 3183. A letter from the Deputy Chief, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Com- that and prayed to God. of my time. munications Commission, transmitting the In his second inaugural, he is talking The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Commission’s final rule — Schools and Li- about North and South. It is inscribed bers are reminded to refrain from en- braries Universal Service Support Mecha- on the inside north wall of the Lincoln gaging in personalities toward a sitting nism [CC Docket No.: 02-6] received Novem- Memorial. About half to two-thirds of ber 15, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Senator. the way through there, in the middle, Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to he is talking about North and South. f the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He said: ‘‘Both read the same Bible and 3184. A letter from the Director, Defense FURTHER MESSAGE FROM THE Security Cooperation Agency, Department of pray to the same God. The prayers of SENATE Defense, transmitting Transmittal No. 17-51, both could not be answered. That of pursuant to the reporting requirements of neither has been answered fully. The A further message from the Senate Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Almighty has His own purposes. by Ms. Lasky, one of its clerks, an- Act, as amended; to the Committee on For- ‘Woe unto the world because of of- nounced that the Senate agrees to the eign Affairs. fenses. . . .’ Yet, if God wills that it report of the committee of conference 3185. A letter from the Director, Defense continue until all the wealth piled by on the disagreeing votes of the two Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Houses on the amendment of the Sen- Defense, transmitting Transmittal No. 17-67, the bondsman’s 250 years of unrequited pursuant to the reporting requirements of toil shall be sunk, and until every drop ate to the bill (H.R. 2810) ‘‘An Act to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control of blood drawn with the lash shall be authorize appropriations for fiscal year Act, as amended; to the Committee on For- paid by another drawn with the sword, 2018 for military activities of the De- eign Affairs. as was said 3,000 years ago, so still it partment of Defense, for military con- 3186. A letter from the Chairman, Board of must be said ‘the judgments of the struction, and for defense activities of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Lord are true and righteous alto- the Department of Energy, to prescribe transmitting the Board’s Semiannual Report military personnel strengths for such to Congress prepared by the Office of Inspec- gether.’ ’’ tor General for the Board and the Consumer I want to finish with this from John fiscal year, and for other purposes.’’. Financial Protection Bureau for the six- F. Kennedy. He was talking at the f month period ending September 30, 2017, pur- lighting of the Christmas tree; but at a suant to the Inspector General Act of 1978; to time of Thanksgiving, it is certainly BILL PRESENTED TO THE the Committee on Oversight and Govern- appropriate. He said: ‘‘With the light- PRESIDENT ment Reform. ing of this tree, which is an old cere- 3187. A letter from the Board Chairman and Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Admin- mony in Washington and one which has reported that on November 15, 2017, she been among the most important re- istration, transmitting the Administration’s presented to the President of the semiannual report covering the period of sponsibilities of a good many Presi- United States, for his approval, the fol- April 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017, pur- dents of the United States, we initiate, lowing bill: suant to Sec. 5 of the Inspector General Act in a formal way, the Christmas season. H.R. 1679. To ensure that the Federal of 1978, as amended; to the Committee on We mark the festival of Christmas, Emergency Management Agency’s current Oversight and Government Reform. which is the most sacred and hopeful efforts to modernize its grant management 3188. A letter from the Board Chairman and day in our civilization. system includes applicant accessibility and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Admin- ‘‘For nearly 2,000 years, the message transparency, and for other purposes. istration, transmitting the Farm Credit Ad- of Christmas, the message of peace and ministration Performance and Account- f ability Report for Fiscal Year 2017, pursuant good will towards all men, has been the to 31 U.S.C. 3515(a)(1); Public Law 101-576, guiding star of our endeavors. ADJOURNMENT Sec. 303(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 107- ‘‘This morning, I had a meeting at Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move 289, Sec. 2(a)); (116 Stat. 2049); to the Com- the White House, which included some that the House do now adjourn. mittee on Oversight and Government Re- of our representatives from far-off The motion was agreed to; accord- form. countries in Africa and Asia. They 3189. A letter from the Board Chairman, ingly (at 3 o’clock and 14 minutes were returning to their posts for the Audit Committee Chairman, Farm Credit p.m.), under its previous order, the Christmas holidays. Talking with System Insurance Corporation, transmitting House adjourned until tomorrow, Fri- them, I was struck by the fact that, in the Corporation’s consolidated report to the day, November 17, 2017, at 10 a.m. President, pursuant to the Federal Man- the far-off continents, Muslims, Hin- agers’ Financial Integrity Act and the In- f dus, Buddhists, as well as Christians, spector General Act of 1978; to the Com- pause from their labors on the 25th day EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, mittee on Oversight and Government Re- of December to celebrate the birthday ETC. form. of the Prince of Peace. 3190. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- ‘‘There could be no more striking Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive ment of Transportation, transmitting the proof that Christmas is truly the uni- communications were taken from the 30th Annual Report of Accomplishment versal holiday of men. It is the day Speaker’s table and referred as follows: under the Airport Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2014-2016, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. when all of us dedicate our thoughts to 3181. A letter from the Senior Counsel for 47131(a); Public Law 103-272, Sec. 1(e) (as Regulatory Affairs, Department of the others; when all are reminded that amended by Public Law 112-95, Sec. 152(c)); Treasury, transmitting the Department’s mercy and compassion are the endur- (126 Stat. 34); to the Committee on Transpor- final rule — Removal of Office of Thrift Su- ing virtues; when all show, by small tation and Infrastructure. deeds and large, and by acts, that it is pervision Regulations received November 15, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public f more blessed to give than to receive. It Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the is the day when we remind ourselves REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON Committee on Financial Services. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS that man can and must live in peace 3182. A letter from the Deputy Chief, Dis- with his neighbors, and it is the peace- ability Rights Office, Consumer and Govern- Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of makers who are truly blessed. mental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communica- committees were delivered to the Clerk

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO7.069 H16NOPT1 H9424 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 for printing and reference to the proper MINGS, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. By Mr. GALLEGO (for himself and Mr. calendar, as follows: DELANEY, Mr. RASKIN, and Mrs. COM- BYRNE): STOCK): H.R. 4428. A bill to amend the War Powers Mr. BISHOP of Utah: Committee on Nat- H.R. 4420. A bill to amend the Food Secu- Resolution to transfer to the Committee on ural Resources. H.R. 2907. A bill to amend rity Act of 1985 to address critical conserva- Armed Services of the House of Representa- the Mineral Leasing Act to require the Sec- tion conditions under the regional conservatives the responsibilities assigned under such retary of the Interior to develop and publish tion partnership program, and for other pur- Resolution to the Committee on Foreign Af- an all-of-the-above quadrennial Federal on- poses; to the Committee on Agriculture. fairs of the House of Representatives, and for shore energy production strategy to meet do- By Mr. DESAULNIER (for himself, Mr. other purposes; to the Committee on Rules, mestic energy needs, and for other purposes RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DEFA- and in addition to the Committee on Foreign (Rept. 115–413). Referred to the Committee of ZIO, and Mr. SMUCKER): Affairs, for a period to be subsequently de- the Whole House on the state of the Union. H.R. 4421. A bill to amend title 23, United termined by the Speaker, in each case for Mr. HENSARLING: Committee on Finan- States Code, with respect to vehicle weight consideration of such provisions as fall with- cial Services. H.R. 2706. A bill to provide re- limitations, and for other purposes; to the in the jurisdiction of the committee con- quirements for the appropriate Federal Committee on Transportation and Infra- cerned. banking agencies when requesting or order- structure. By Mr. BERGMAN (for himself, Mr. ing a depository institution to terminate a By Mr. KING of Iowa: MOOLENAAR, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. specific customer account, to provide for ad- H.R. 4422. A bill to amend section 1951 of WESTERMAN, Mr. PETERSON, and Mr. ditional requirements related to subpoenas title 18, United States Code (commonly UPTON): issued under the Financial Institutions Re- known as the Hobbs Act), and for other pur- H.R. 4429. A bill to direct the Secretary of form, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. the Interior to reissue a rule relating to ex- 1989, and for other purposes; with an amend- By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas (for tension of the expiration dates for double- ment (Rept. 115–414). Referred to the Com- himself, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. crested cormorant depredation orders, and mittee of the Whole House on the state of RATCLIFFE, and Mr. HENSARLING): for other purposes; to the Committee on Nat- the Union. H.R. 4423. A bill to limit claims under Fed- ural Resources. Mr. GOWDY: Committee on Oversight and eral law seeking judicial review of any envi- By Mr. BILIRAKIS (for himself, Ms. Government Reform. H.R. 4182. A bill to ronmental impact statement, environmental CASTOR of Florida, Mr. OLSON, and amend title 5, United States Code, to modify review, or authorization for the Lower Bois Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas): probationary periods with respect to posi- d’Arc Creek Reservoir Project in Fannin H.R. 4430. A bill to provide temporary di- tions within the competitive service and the County, Texas, and for other purposes; to the rect hire authority for certain emergency re- Senior Executive Service, and for other pur- Committee on the Judiciary. sponse positions; to the Committee on En- ergy and Commerce, and in addition to the poses (Rept. 115–415). Referred to the Com- By Mr. BLUM (for himself, Mr. CHABOT, Committee on Oversight and Government mittee of the Whole House on the state of and Mr. CRIST): the Union. H.R. 4424. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for f enue Code of 1986 to provide an exclusion from gross income for interest on certain consideration of such provisions as fall with- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS small business loans; to the Committee on in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Ways and Means. Under clause 2 of rule XII, public By Mr. CARTER of Georgia (for him- bills and resolutions of the following By Mr. BLUMENAUER: H.R. 4425. A bill to reform the safety net self, Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia, Mr. titles were introduced and severally re- for farmers and ranchers, enhance soil, BANKS of Indiana, Mrs. RADEWAGEN, ferred, as follows: water, and habitat conservation, encourage Mr. MEADOWS, Mrs. HANDEL, Mr. HIG- By Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER (for her- beginning farmers and ranchers, strengthen GINS of Louisiana, Mr. GOMEZ, and self, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mrs. nutrition for Americans, support agriculture Mr. WELCH): H.R. 4431. A bill to amend title 5, United DAVIS of California, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. research and innovation, reduce food waste, States Code, to provide for interest pay- BERA, and Mr. DOGGETT): improve animal welfare, and invest in re- ments by agencies in the case of administra- H.R. 4416. A bill to amend the Higher Edu- gional food systems, and for other purposes; tive error in processing certain annuity de- cation Act of 1965 to remove barriers for stu- to the Committee on Agriculture, and in ad- posits for prior military service; to the Com- dents seeking Federal financial aid by reduc- dition to the Committees on Ways and mittee on Oversight and Government Re- ing the complexity and length of the Free Means, Education and the Workforce, and form, and in addition to the Committee on Application for Federal Student Aid Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subse- House Administration, for a period to be sub- (FAFSA) and increasing support for working quently determined by the Speaker, in each sequently determined by the Speaker, in students and vulnerable populations; to the case for consideration of such provisions as each case for consideration of such provi- Committee on Education and the Workforce. fall within the jurisdiction of the committee sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Ms. BONAMICI (for herself, Ms. concerned. committee concerned. KAPTUR, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, and Ms. By Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Mr. By Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself, Mr. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas): LOWENTHAL, Mr. BEYER, Mr. SOTO, CUMMINGS, and Mr. CICILLINE): H.R. 4417. A bill to amend the Harmful Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. TSONGAS, Mr. H.R. 4432. A bill to amend section 1018 of Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Con- GOMEZ, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. BORDALLO, the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Re- trol Act of 1998 to address harmful algal Mr. CONNOLLY, Ms. NORTON, Ms. duction Act of 1992 to make violators of such blooms, and for other purposes; to the Com- BARRAGA´ N, Ms. LEE, Mr. MCEACHIN, section liable to residents and invitees of mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. target housing for such violations, and for and in addition to the Committee on Natural POLIS, and Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD): other purposes; to the Committee on Finan- Resources, for a period to be subsequently H.R. 4426. A bill to reform Federal onshore cial Services. determined by the Speaker, in each case for and offshore fossil fuel leasing, exploration, By Mr. CORREA (for himself and Mr. consideration of such provisions as fall with- and development; promote renewable energy THOMPSON of Mississippi): in the jurisdiction of the committee con- on public lands; prepare for the impacts of H.R. 4433. A bill to amend the Homeland cerned. climate change; increase industry account- Security Act of 2002 to require the Under By Ms. BONAMICI: ability; improve returns to taxpayers for the Secretary for Management of the Depart- H.R. 4418. A bill to amend the Public development of Federal energy resources; ment of Homeland Security to achieve secu- Health Service Act to provide for a dem- and protect special places, and for other pur- rity of sensitive assets among the compo- onstration program to facilitate the clinical poses; to the Committee on Natural Re- nents of the Department of Homeland Secu- adoption of pregnancy intention screening sources, and in addition to the Committees rity, and for other purposes; to the Com- initiatives by health care providers; to the on Energy and Commerce, Transportation mittee on Homeland Security. Committee on Energy and Commerce. and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Education By Mr. CUELLAR (for himself, Mr. By Mr. NEWHOUSE (for himself and and the Workforce, Ways and Means, and CULBERSON, Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, Mr. REICHERT): Science, Space, and Technology, for a period Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, and H.R. 4419. A bill to facilitate and stream- to be subsequently determined by the Speak- Mr. AGUILAR): line the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau er, in each case for consideration of such pro- H.R. 4434. A bill to enforce current law re- of Indian Affairs processes for creating or ex- visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the garding the National Instant Criminal Back- panding certain water projects, and for other committee concerned. ground Check System; to the Committee on purposes; to the Committee on Natural Re- By Ms. MCSALLY (for herself, Mr. the Judiciary. sources. GOSAR, Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana, and By Mr. FASO (for himself, Ms. FUDGE, By Mr. SCOTT of Virginia (for himself, Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia): Mr. KATKO, Mr. DONOVAN, Mr. KING of Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. SARBANES, Ms. H.R. 4427. A bill to amend the Immigration New York, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. RYAN NORTON, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. BROWN of and Nationality Act to eliminate the diver- of Ohio, Miss RICE of New York, Mr. Maryland, Mr. HOYER, Mr. RUPPERS- sity immigrant program, and for other pur- KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. STIVERS, and BERGER, Mr. MCEACHIN, Mr. CUM- poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. KILDEE):

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.002 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9425

H.R. 4435. A bill to amend the Higher Edu- Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. GRIJALVA, and programs and to provide clarification regard- cation Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Ms. MATSUI): ing eligibility for services under such pro- Education to award Early College Federal H.R. 4443. A bill to extend the full Federal grams; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- Pell Grants; to the Committee on Education medical assistance percentage to Urban In- fairs. and the Workforce. dian organizations; to the Committee on En- By Mr. HULTGREN (for himself, Mr. By Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto ergy and Commerce. BUDD, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, Rico: By Mr. NEAL (for himself, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. NOEM, Mr. WALBERG, Mrs. COM- H.R. 4436. A bill to authorize the Secretary Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. STOCK, Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia, of the Interior to study the suitability and CROWLEY, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illi- Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. BANKS of Indiana, feasibility of designating Caguana Indige- nois, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mrs. Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. POSEY, Mr. nous Ceremonial Park and Tibes Indigenous BUSTOS, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. PITTENGER, Mr. HUIZENGA, Mr. Ceremonial Center, as units of the National CASTOR of Florida, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. MARCHANT, Mrs. HARTZLER, and Mr. Park System; to the Committee on Natural CLEAVER, Mr. CLYBURN, Mrs. DIN- BABIN): Resources. GELL, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. EVANS, Ms. H.J. Res. 121. A joint resolution proposing By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana (for him- FUDGE, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. HASTINGS, an amendment to the Constitution of the self, Mr. WALZ, Mr. ABRAHAM, Mr. Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. WILSON United States relating to parental rights; to BABIN, Mr. CRAWFORD, Mr. KINZINGER, of Florida, Ms. MAXINE WATERS of the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. SMITH of Missouri, Mrs. California, Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, Mr. VELA, By Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- HARTZLER, and Ms. MCSALLY): Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. SCHA- sylvania (for himself and Ms. NOR- H.R. 4437. A bill to amend the Uniform KOWSKY, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. RYAN of TON): Code of Military Justice to prohibit the pay- Ohio, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Miss H. Res. 625. A resolution supporting the ment of back pay and allowances to certain RICE of New York, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity members of the Armed Forces who are guilty NORTON, Mr. NORCROSS, Mr. NOLAN, Awareness Month; to the Committee on En- of desertion and to use the amount of any Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. MOORE, Mrs. ergy and Commerce, and in addition to the such unpaid pay and allowances to provide CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period additional compensation to other members Mr. LYNCH, Mrs. BEATTY, and Mr. to be subsequently determined by the Speak- of the Armed Forces who were killed or GENE GREEN of Texas): er, in each case for consideration of such pro- wounded during missions to search for the H.R. 4444. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the missing members; to the Committee on enue Code of 1986 to create a Pension Reha- committee concerned. Armed Services. bilitation Trust Fund, to establish a Pension By Mr. BROWN of Maryland: By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana (for him- Rehabilitation Administration within the H. Res. 626. A resolution commending self, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. MCCAUL, Ms. Department of the Treasury to make loans Turkish Americans nationwide for their rich PLASKETT, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. CRIST, to multiemployer defined benefit plans, and contributions to the diversity of society, cul- Mr. CARTER of Texas, Mr. HIGGINS of for other purposes; to the Committee on ture, economy, and civic life in the United Louisiana, Mr. FARENTHOLD, Mr. Education and the Workforce, and in addi- States; to the Committee on Oversight and WEBSTER of Florida, Miss GONZA´ LEZ- tion to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform. COLO´ N of Puerto Rico, Mr. WEBER of and Appropriations, for a period to be subse- By Ms. JENKINS of Kansas (for herself, Texas, and Mr. BABIN): quently determined by the Speaker, in each Mr. KIND, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, H.R. 4438. A bill to amend the Robert T. case for consideration of such provisions as and Mr. WELCH): Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee H. Res. 627. A resolution recognizing that sistance Act to waive a prohibition, and for concerned. access to hospitals and other health care other purposes; to the Committee on Trans- By Mr. NOLAN: providers for patients in rural areas of the portation and Infrastructure. H.R. 4445. A bill to require air carriers to United States is essential to the survival and By Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH (for him- create and make available a concise docu- success of communities in the United States; self, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. MCHENRY, ment regarding air passenger rights; to the to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. LUETKEMEYER, and Mr. CUELLAR): Committee on Transportation and Infra- By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. H.R. 4439. A bill to amend the Revised structure. MCEACHIN, Ms. NORTON, Ms. SPEIER, Statutes, the Bank Service Company Act, By Ms. PLASKETT: Mr. QUIGLEY, and Mr. GRIJALVA): the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the H.R. 4446. A bill to amend the Virgin Is- H. Res. 628. A resolution recognizing the Home Owners’ Loan Act to clarify that the lands of the United States Centennial Com- Transgender Day of Remembrance; to the role of the insured depository institution as mission Act to extend the expiration date of Committee on the Judiciary. lender and the location of an insured deposi- the Commission, and for other purposes; to By Ms. MENG: tory institution under applicable law are not the Committee on Oversight and Govern- H. Res. 629. A resolution recognizing No- affected by any contract between the institu- ment Reform. vember 19, 2017 as ‘‘A Day in Honor of tion and a third party service provider, and By Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for himself Women Entrepreneurs’’; to the Committee to clarify that Federal preemption of State and Mr. RATCLIFFE): on Energy and Commerce. usury laws applies to any loan to which an H.R. 4447. A bill to amend title 18, United f insured depository institution is the party to States Code, to make certain changes to the which the debt is initially owed according to reporting requirement of certain service pro- CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY its terms, and for other purposes; to the viders regarding child sexual exploitation STATEMENT Committee on Financial Services. visual depictions, and for other purposes; to Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of By Mrs. LOWEY: the Committee on the Judiciary. the Rules of the House of Representa- H.R. 4440. A bill to require the Secretary of By Mr. SIMPSON: Energy to retain and redistribute certain H.R. 4448. A bill to provide for an exchange tives, the following statements are sub- amounts collected as fines; to the Com- of Federal land and non-Federal land in the mitted regarding the specific powers mittee on Energy and Commerce. State of Idaho, and for other purposes; to the granted to Congress in the Constitu- By Mrs. LOWEY: Committee on Natural Resources. tion to enact the accompanying bill or H.R. 4441. A bill to amend the Atomic En- By Mr. TURNER: joint resolution. ergy Act of 1954 to prohibit certain waivers H.R. 4449. A bill to designate the Federal By Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER: and exemptions from emergency prepared- building and United States courthouse lo- H.R. 4416. ness and response and security regulations; cated at 200 West 2nd Street in Dayton, Ohio, Congress has the power to enact this legis- to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. as the ‘‘Walter H. Rice Federal Building and lation pursuant to the following: By Mrs. LOWEY: United States Courthouse’’; to the Com- Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United H.R. 4442. A bill to amend the Nuclear mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- States Constitution, the Taxing and Spend- Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the ture. ing Clause: ‘‘The Congress shall have Power Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts By Mr. VEASEY (for himself, Mr. To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts for the storage of certain high-level radio- JONES, Mr. COOK, and Ms. NORTON): and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for active waste and spent nuclear fuel, take H.R. 4450. A bill to amend title 38, United the common Defense and general Welfare of title to certain high-level radioactive waste States Code, to provide additional edu- the United States...’’ and spent nuclear fuel, and make certain ex- cational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI By Ms. BONAMICI: penditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund; to Bill for veterans pursuing a degree in H.R. 4417. the Committee on Energy and Commerce. science, technology, engineering, or math; to Congress has the power to enact this legis- ´ By Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mex- the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. lation pursuant to the following: ico (for himself, Mr. YOUNG of Alas- By Mr. WENSTRUP (for himself and Article 1, Section 8 ka, Mr. RUIZ, Mr. COLE, Mrs. TORRES, Ms. BROWNLEY of California): By Ms. BONAMICI: Mr. CA´ RDENAS, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. H.R. 4451. A bill to amend title 38, United H.R. 4418. DELBENE, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. SMITH of States Code, to provide for a five-year exten- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Washington, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. MOORE, sion to the homeless veterans reintegration lation pursuant to the following:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L16NO7.100 H16NOPT1 H9426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2017 Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of United States Constitution and Amendment Congress has the power to enact this legis- the United States XVI of the United States Constitution.’’ lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. NEWHOUSE: By Mr. CARTWRIGHT: Article I, Section VIII H.R. 4419. H.R. 4432. By Mr. NEAL: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4444. lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (relating to lation pursuant to the following: States Constitution the power of Congress to regulate Commerce The constitutional authority on which this By Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: with foreign Nations, and among the several bill rests is in the power of Congress to lay H.R. 4420. States, and with the Indian Tribes.) and collect taxes as enumerated in Article I, Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. CORREA: Section 8. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4433. By Mr. NOLAN: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18—To make all Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4445. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Laws which shall be necessary and proper lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. DESAULNIER: (1) The U.S. Constitution including Article Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, United States H.R. 4421. 1, Section 8. Constitution. Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. CUELLAR: By Ms. PLASKETT: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4434. H.R. 4446. Article 1, Section 8. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. KING of Iowa: lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4422. Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 and Article I, Under Article IV Section 3, Congress shall Congress has the power to enact this legis- Section 8, Clause 18 have Power to dispose and make all needful lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. FASO: Rules and Regulations respecting the Terri- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Con- H.R. 4435. tory or other Property belonging to the stitution: ‘‘To regulate Commerce with for- Congress has the power to enact this legis- United States. eign Nations, and among the several States, lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. SENSENBRENNER: and with the Indian Tribes.’’ Article 1, Section 8 of the United States H.R. 4447. By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: Constitution Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4423. By Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Rico: Article I, Section 8 lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4436. By Mr. SIMPSON: Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4448. tion. lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. BLUM: Art. I, Sec. 1 of the Constitution of the lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4424. United States of America All legislative The constitutional authority of Congress Congress has the power to enact this legis- Powers herein granted shall be vested in a to enact legislation is provided by Article I, lation pursuant to the following: Congress of the United States, which shall Section 8 of the United States Constitution, specifically clause 1 (relating to the power of Article 1, Section 8 consist of a Senate and House of Representa- Congress to provide for the general welfare By Mr. BLUMENAUER: tives. of the United States) and clause 18 (relating H.R. 4425. By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana: to the power to make all laws necessary and Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4437. proper for carrying out the powers vested in lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress), and Article IV, section 3, clause 2 Article I, Section 8 lation pursuant to the following: (relating to the power of Congress to dispose By Mr. GRIJALVA: Article I, Section 8, clause 14 gives Con- of and make all needful rules and regulations H.R. 4426. gress the authority to ‘‘make rules for the respecting the territory or other property Congress has the power to enact this legis- Government and Regulation of the land and belonging to the United States). lation pursuant to the following: naval forces’’ U.S. Cont. art. IV, sec. 3, cl. 2, sen. a By Mr. TURNER: By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana: H.R. 4449. The Congress shall have Power to dispose H.R. 4438. Congress has the power to enact this legis- of and make all needful Rule and Regula- Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: tions respecting the Territory of other Prop- lation pursuant to the following: United States Constitution, Article I, Sec- erty belonging to the United States; Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18. To make all tion 8, Clause 1 (relating to providing for the By Ms. MCSALLY: Laws which shall be necessary and proper for general welfare of the United States); Clause H.R. 4427. carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- 7 (relating to Post Offices and post Roads); Congress has the power to enact this legis- ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- and Clause 18 (relating to the power to make lation pursuant to the following: stitution in the Government of the United all laws necessary and proper for carrying Article I, Section 8, Clause 4: The Congress States, or in any Department or Officer out the powers vested in Congress). shall have Power To . . . establish an uni- thereof. United States Constitution, Article IV, form Rule of Naturalization By Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH: Section 3, Clause 2 (relating to the power of By Mr. GALLEGO: H.R. 4439. Congress to dispose of and make all needful H.R. 4428. Congress has the power to enact this legis- rules and regulations respecting the terri- Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: tory or other property belonging to the lation pursuant to the following: Article One of the United States Constitu- United States). Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 tion, section 8, clause 18: By Mr. VEASEY: By Mr. BERGMAN: To make all Laws which shall be necessary H.R. 4450. H.R. 4429. and proper for carrying into Execution the Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vest- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: ed by this Constitution in the Government of Title 38, United States Code Article I, Section 8, Clause 18—Congress the United States, or in any Department or By Mr. WENSTRUP: shall have Power to make all laws which Officer thereof. H.R. 4451. shall be necessary and proper for carrying By Mrs. LOWEY: Congress has the power to enact this legis- into execution the foregoing powers and all H.R. 4440. lation pursuant to the following: other pwers vested by this constitution in Congress has the power to enact this legis- Clauses 12, 13, 14, and 18 of Section 8 of Ar- the government of the United State, or in lation pursuant to the following: ticle 1 of the United States Constitution. any Department or Officer therof. Article I, Section 8 By Mr. HULTGREN: By Mr. BILIRAKIS: By Mrs. LOWEY: H.J. Res. 121. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 4430. H.R. 4441. lation pursuant to the following : Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article V. ‘‘The Congress, whenever two- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: thirds of both Houses shall deem it nec- This bill is enacted pursuant to Article I, Article I, Section 8. essary, shall propose Amendments to this Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution of By Mrs. LOWEY: Constitution . . .’’ the United States. H.R. 4442. By Mr. CARTER of Georgia: Congress has the power to enact this legis- f H.R. 4431. lation pursuant to the following: ADDITIONAL SPONSORS Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8 lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N of New Mex- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors ‘‘The Congress enacts this bill pursuant to ico: were added to public bills and resolu- Clause 1 of Section 8 of Article I of the H.R. 4443. tions, as follows:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.015 H16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9427

H.R. 113: Mr. HIMES, Mr. BERA, and Mr. SIRES, Mrs. BLACK, Mr. DELANEY, Mr. THOMP- H.R. 4077: Mr. REED, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. CLYBURN. SON of Mississippi, Mr. MOULTON, and Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. COSTA, Mr. GALLAGHER, Mr. H.R. 158: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. VALADAO. SCHNEIDER, Mr. CURBELO of Florida, and Ms. H.R. 216: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 2926: Mr. DELANEY. ESTY of Connecticut. H.R. 233: Mr. NORCROSS. H.R. 2938: Mr. ROTHFUS. H.R. 4082: Mr. KILDEE and Mr. SCHIFF. H.R. 377: Mr. TAYLOR. H.R. 2942: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. H.R. 4099: Mr. POLIS, Mr. O’ROURKE, and H.R. 398: Mr. TONKO. H.R. 2972: Mr. CARBAJAL. Mrs. RADEWAGEN. H.R. 525: Mr. WELCH. H.R. 2973: Mr. BABIN and Ms. GABBARD. H.R. 4101: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, Mr. H.R. 547: Mr. NOLAN. H.R. 3034: Mr. KATKO and Mr. ALLEN. WALBERG, Ms. TENNEY, and Mr. GROTHMAN. H.R. 548: Mr. ROTHFUS. H.R. 3079: Mrs. DINGELL. H.R. 4131: Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. H.R. 619: Mr. KING of Iowa. H.R. 3174: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. H.R. 4172: Ms. BROWNLEY of California. H.R. 620: Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. H.R. 3222: Mr. SCHIFF. H.R. 4186: Mr. PALLONE and Mr. NADLER. H.R. 846: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 3238: Ms. LOFGREN. H.R. 4202: Ms. TITUS and Mr. SCHWEIKERT. H.R. 947: Mr. MCNERNEY. H.R. 3299: Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH. H.R. 4207: Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. H.R. 993: Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. H.R. 3302: Mr. VISCLOSKY and Mr. AL GREEN H.R. 4222: Mr. POLIS, Mr. GRIJALVA, and H.R. 1120: Mr. O’ROURKE. of Texas. Mr. PALLONE. H.R. 1153: Mr. NORMAN. H.R. 3316: Mr. PERLMUTTER. H.R. 4237: Mr. GAETZ. H.R. 1155: Ms. LOFGREN. H.R. 3327: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 1164: Ms. MENG. H.R. 3349: Mr. NORCROSS. H.R. 4253: Mr. DESAULNIER. H.R. 1178: Mr. JONES, Mrs. HARTZLER, and H.R. 3397: Ms. SINEMA and Mr. PERL- H.R. 4254: Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. KING of Iowa. MUTTER. H.R. 4258: Mr. DELANEY. H.R. 1192: Mr. ROTHFUS. H.R. 3401: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. H.R. 4272: Ms. TITUS. H.R. 1246: Ms. PLASKETT. H.R. 3444: Mr. TONKO. H.R. 4274: Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, H.R. 1328: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 3447: Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. DAVIDSON, and Mr. ROTHFUS. H.R. 1357: Mr. KATKO. H.R. 3464: Mr. EVANS, Ms. CLARK of Massa- H.R. 4279: Mr. GOTTHEIMER. H.R. 1377: Mr. O’ROURKE. chusetts, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. H.R. 4306: Ms. BORDALLO and Mr. PANETTA. H.R. 1444: Mr. BABIN. BONAMICI, Mr. MOULTON, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. H.R. 4311: Mr. KING of Iowa. H.R. 1472: Mr. PETERSON. SPEIER, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. H.R. 4320: Mr. GRIJALVA. H.R. 1474: Mr. ENGEL. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. H.R. 4321: Mr. GRIJALVA. H.R. 1496: Mr. MCCARTHY. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. H.R. 4327: Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. H.R. 1498: Mr. DESAULNIER. GARAMENDI, Mr. NADLER, and Mr. BEYER. H.R. 4340: Mr. BROOKS of Alabama and Mr. H.R. 1515: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ and Mr. H.R. 3497: Mr. DELANEY. GARRETT. PASCRELL. H.R. 3510: Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. H.R. 1676: Mr. TAKANO and Mr. BISHOP of H.R. 4384: Mr. CONYERS and Mrs. LOVE. H.R. 3513: Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Michigan. H.R. 4392: Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. HIG- H.R. 3530: Mr. TONKO and Mr. RODNEY H.R. 1681: Mr. PETERSON. GINS of New York, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, DAVIS of Illinois. H.R. 1889: Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. TED LIEU H.R. 3541: Mr. DEUTCH. H.R. 1903: Mr. LOWENTHAL. of California, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. KENNEDY, and H.R. 3550: Ms. LOFGREN. H.R. 1912: Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. KING of New York. H.R. 3635: Mr. SCHWEIKERT. H.R. 1957: Mr. LANGEVIN and Mr. LEVIN. H.R. 4398: Mr. NADLER, Ms. TITUS, and Ms. H.R. 3637: Mr. TED LIEU of California. H.R. 1987: Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. JAYAPAL. H.R. 3692: Mr. COLLINS of New York and Mr. H.R. 2095: Mr. SCHIFF. H.R. 4413: Mr. NORMAN. KENNEDY. H.R. 2119: Miss RICE of New York. H.J. Res. 2: Mr. MAST and Mr. ARRINGTON. H.R. 3759: Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. HECK, Ms. H.R. 2147: Mr. PETERSON and Mr. COLLINS of H.J. Res. 31: Mr. GALLEGO, Mrs. DINGELL, BROWNLEY of California, Mr. WALDEN, Mr. Georgia. Mr. CRIST, and Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. MULLIN, and Mr. HIMES. H.R. 2152: Mr. RATCLIFFE, Mr. FARENTHOLD, H.J. Res. 120: Mr. EVANS. H.R. 3760: Ms. PINGREE. Mr. BUCK, Mr. SMUCKER, Mr. CHABOT, and H. Con. Res. 63: Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. H.R. 3773: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia and Mr. Mrs. HANDEL. GUTIE´ RREZ, and Mr. PERLMUTTER. YARMUTH. H.R. 2234: Mr. YARMUTH and Mr. CICILLINE. H. Con. Res. 72: Mr. ROYCE of California H.R. 3790: Mr. BUDD and Mr. ALLEN. H.R. 2259: Ms. PINGREE. and Ms. JUDY CHU of California. H.R. 3792: Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of H.R. 2315: Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. H. Con. Res. 91: Mr. COHEN. LUM UDSON ULLIN New York and Mr. FASO. B , Mr. H , and Mr. M . H. Res. 58: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. H.R. 2412: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. H.R. 3798: Mr. RATCLIFFE. H. Res. 367: Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- H.R. 2452: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 3848: Mr. LOEBSACK. sylvania. H.R. 2475: Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. H.R. 3871: Mr. WELCH. H. Res. 428: Mr. SCHNEIDER. AGUILAR, and Ms. ROSEN. H.R. 3906: Mr. POCAN. H. Res. 466: Mr. WALBERG, Mr. SERRANO, H.R. 2477: Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. H.R. 3918: Mr. CRIST. and Mr. DELANEY. H.R. 2482: Mr. KING of Iowa and Mr. H.R. 3978: Mr. NORMAN and Mr. PEARCE. OULTON PALAZZO. H.R. 3988: Mr. HUIZENGA. H. Res. 495: Mr. M . H.R. 2514: Mr. BARR, Mr. KEATING, and Ms. H.R. 3994: Mr. WELCH, Mr. MICHAEL F. H. Res. 570: Mr. HOLDING. BROWNLEY of California. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, and Mr. MCNERNEY. H. Res. 576: Mr. FARENTHOLD. H.R. 2575: Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, H.R. 4007: Mr. FORTENBERRY. H. Res. 603: Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. TIPTON, Mr. Mr. O’HALLERAN, and Mr. HIGGINS of New H.R. 4013: Mr. SABLAN and Ms. CLARKE of JENKINS of West Virginia, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. York. New York. HULTGREN, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. GRAVES of Mis- H.R. 2633: Mr. PETERSON. H.R. 4022: Mr. WESTERMAN, Mr. O’ROURKE, souri, Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER, Mr. LATTA, Ms. H.R. 2644: Mr. PAYNE, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. GABBARD, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Mr. and Ms. PINGREE. TROTT, and Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. POCAN, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. H.R. 2653: Mr. LARSEN of Washington. H.R. 4058: Mr. NUNES, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. H.R. 2687: Ms. KAPTUR. KIND, Mr. ABRAHAM, Mr. ESTES of Kansas, H. Res. 604: Mr. PAULSEN, Mr. FASO, Mr. H.R. 2709: Ms. NORTON. Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. BISHOP of LOWENTHAL, Mr. COOPER, and Mr. SIMPSON. H.R. 2740: Ms. MCSALLY, Mr. RATCLIFFE, Georgia, Mr. PALAZZO, and Mr. WOMACK. H. Res. 614: Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. KILDEE, Ms. TITUS, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. H.R. 4059: Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. H. Res. 620: Mr. ENGEL.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:13 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO7.024 H16NOPT1 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, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 No. 188 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was O God, You have brought us to this RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY called to order by the Honorable LU- critical moment. Let us not lean on LEADER THER STRANGE, a Senator from the our own understanding, but help us, O The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- State of Alabama. God, to let Your Spirit take the reins pore. The majority leader is recog- f of our hearts and minds. Make us more nized. innovative and less reactive. Let the PRAYER creative genius that is part of the f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s American fabric take over the urban TAX REFORM opening prayer will be offered by Rev. and rural American landscape. We pray Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, Adrian Brooks, senior pastor at Memo- now, O God, that the diversity and in- during the past decade, many in the rial Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. clusion of people and ideas become our middle class struggled to make ends The guest Chaplain offered the fol- strength and not our wedge. meet. The economy was sluggish, pay- lowing prayer: Now, Lord, help us to live by our checks were often stagnant, and jobs Let us pray. faith and not by our fears. Help us to for many were too hard to find—per- O God, we first thank You for an- face the future with a trust in You and haps not on the coasts, where the well- other day of life. We thank You for an- confidence in America’s bright, glad to-do were able to flourish under the other chance to bring joy and oppor- tomorrow. Lord, we know that if we Obama economy—but in middle Amer- tunity to someone else’s journey. Lord, trust You, our best days as a nation are ica, in States like Kentucky, the pain guide these public servants within the waiting on us. was real. United States Senate. Please lead them It is in Your powerful and majestic Hard-working families across the as they lead us to a better and more Name that we pray. Amen. country deserved better. They continue peaceful landscape. Create, O God, f to deserve an economy that reaches for within all of us, the zeal to make our PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE its true potential, one in which more communities around this country more Americans can find a good job to sup- stable. Remove from us any personal The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: port their families and achieve the animosity that might prevent us from American dream. acting as my brother and sister’s keep- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Repub- So now this is our chance to set a er. We ask Your healing on those Mem- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, new course. This is our opportunity to bers of this legislative body who are in- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. jump-start the economy and boost job jured or sick. f growth. Passing tax reform is the sin- We ask, O Lord, that You would ex- gle most important thing we can do tend comfort and peace to those fami- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING right now to support those left behind lies who have been affected by the trag- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE by the Obama economy. edy in Sutherland Springs, TX. Even in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Though obvious, it is worth repeat- the midst of this tragedy, we thank clerk will please read a communication ing: Our Nation’s Tax Code is broken. You, O God, that those 26 fellow so- to the Senate from the President pro First, the rates are too high. Ameri- journers are in Your loving presence, a tempore (Mr. HATCH). cans are sending too much of their celestial place where the wicked cease The legislative clerk read the fol- hard-earned money to Uncle Sam. Sec- from troubling and the weary always lowing letter: ond, the structure is too complicated find rest. U.S. SENATE, for most Americans to understand, and Lord, bless our President. Give him, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, it is too easy for the wealthy and well- O God, the wisdom and insight to move Washington, DC, November 16, 2017. connected to exploit. Third, the incen- us toward a more unified and loving To the Senate: tives are often outdated or simply Union. May we become, O God, more Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby make no sense at all—like those that united in the things that bring us to- appoint the Honorable LUTHER STRANGE, a actually encourage American jobs and gether and reject the smaller things Senator from the State of Alabama, to per- companies to move overseas. That is that drive us apart. Help us to catch form the duties of the Chair. bad for our country, bad for the middle the spirit of those who wrote the Dec- ORRIN G. HATCH, class, and bad for small business. laration of Independence. They knew President pro tempore. In my home State of Kentucky, a then, and we know now, that this was Mr. STRANGE thereupon assumed small business CEO wrote a column in something splendid and august and the Chair as Acting President pro tem- a publication about her experiences powerful. pore. with our broken tax system, calling for

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

S7269

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.000 S16NOPT1 S7270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 tax reform to fix it. Here is what she sources, this bill can help grow our consent that, notwithstanding rule said: economy, support high-paying jobs, XXII, the Senate proceed to the imme- The federal government takes too much. and strengthen our national security. I diate consideration of H.R. 4374, which Our small businesses—which according to look forward to promoting American was received from the House. I further the U.S. Small Business Administration energy independence through this leg- ask consent that the bill be considered total 96.5 percent of Kentucky’s employers— islation. read a third time and passed, and the often face the greatest tax burden. f motion to reconsider be considered This Kentuckian continued: made and laid upon the table; further, NOMINATIONS If we want better lives for the nearly that at a time to be determined be- 700,000 employees across the Mr. MCCONNELL. On another mat- tween the majority leader and the [C]ommonwealth who work for small enter- ter, today, the Senate will continue to Democratic leader, the Chair lay before prises, we must lift this weight off their fulfill its important responsibility of the Senate the conference report to ac- backs. providing advice and consent on Presi- company H.R. 2810, and the Senate vote Small businesses deserve a tax code dent Trump’s nominations. So far this on the adoption of the conference re- that works for them. Middle-class fam- week, we have confirmed talented indi- port with no intervening action or de- ilies and individuals deserve the same. viduals to important positions in the bate. That is why we are working so hard to Departments of Transportation, Labor, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- enact tax reform. Over in the Senate and Defense. pore. Without objection, it is so or- Finance Committee, Chairman HATCH Yesterday, the Senate advanced the dered. has laid down a tax reform proposal nomination of Joseph Otting to serve The bill (H.R. 4374) to amend the Fed- that is premised on a single idea; that as Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to we should take more money out of Otting’s experience as a leader in var- authorize additional emergency uses Washington’s pockets and put more ious financial agencies has helped pre- for medical products to reduce deaths money in the pockets of the middle pare him to serve in this new role. I and severity of injuries caused by class. look forward to voting to confirm him agents of war, and for other purposes, It cuts taxes for middle-class fami- later today. was considered, ordered to a third read- Next, the Senate will consider two lies. It doubles the child tax credit. ing, read the third time, and passed. well-qualified nominees to serve on This plan does a lot of things, includ- f ing providing relief for businesses so Federal district courts. Donald Coggins they can create more jobs here in and Dabney Friedrich both have the ex- EXECUTIVE CALENDER—Continued perience and temperament to excel as America and then keep them here. The RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Nation’s leading small business advo- judges. Both of these individuals have The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cacy organization endorsed this legis- stellar legal credentials. Their careers pore. The Democratic leader is recog- lation, saying that it ‘‘will provide demonstrate a serious commitment to nized. the law, and by confirming them both, much needed tax relief to enable small REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN the Senate will continue to ensure the businesses to grow and create jobs.’’ Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as the Federal judiciary fulfills its particular There is another important provision Senate Finance Committee continues of the Finance Committee’s tax reform role in our constitutional system. I would like to thank Chairman to mark up the Senate Republican tax proposal as well. It will deliver relief to GRASSLEY for his leadership of the Sen- bill, the House will take a vote this low- and moderate-income families by ate Judiciary Committee, which re- afternoon on their version of the bill. repealing ObamaCare’s individual man- ported both of these nominees on a There are plenty of reasons for House date tax. In other words, we can deliver voice vote. I look forward to advancing Republicans to vote against this bill. even more relief to the middle class by their nominations very soon. For those who care about deficits, you repealing an unpopular tax from an un- should vote no because the bill in- workable law. It just makes sense. f creases deficits by over $1.5 trillion, I would like to once again thank RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME likely more. Any deficit hawk should Chairman HATCH for his commitment The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- be against this increase. to an open process and regular order. pore. Under the previous order, the Any defense hawk should be wary of The Finance Committee will report a leadership time is reserved. this bill for the same reason. High defi- bill soon. Before it does, however, it f cits make it harder to fund important will continue to consider a number of priorities like the military. This morn- amendments from both sides of the CONCLUSION OF MORNING ing, three former Defense Secretaries— aisle. In fact, the chairman’s modified BUSINESS Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, and Ash mark already incorporated amend- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Carter—penned a letter warning that ments from both Republican and pore. Morning business is closed. the Republican tax plan could result, Democratic members of the com- f in their words, in a ‘‘hollowed-out mili- mittee. tary force’’ wracked by cuts to train- EXECUTIVE SESSION I look forward to the Finance Com- ing, maintenance, flight missions, and mittee completing its work on this cru- other vital military programs. cial legislation very soon. As it does, EXECUTIVE CALENDAR I spoke to General Mattis yesterday. our colleagues in the House will con- He is definitely afraid of a CR because The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tinue working on their own tax reform pore. Under the previous order, the a CR is at sequestration levels. If we legislation. I commend Chairman Senate will proceed to executive ses- pass this tax bill with its huge deficit, BRADY and the members of the Ways sion and resume consideration of the we will have no choice but to go back and Means Committee for their efforts. Otting nomination, which the clerk to sequestration, and the fears of our I look forward to the full House passing will report. defense leaders that they cannot fund their bill. The legislative clerk read the nomi- the military adequately will be very Once both Chambers pass their tax nation of Joseph Otting, of Nevada, to real. So my shout-out is to all of those reform bills, we will keep working to- be Comptroller of the Currency for a who care about defense, particularly gether to get a bill to President term of five years. our defense hawks: If you vote for this Trump’s desk for his signature. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- bill, you are going to be voting for a I am also grateful to Chairman MUR- pore. The majority leader. ‘‘hollowed out military force,’’ as three KOWSKI and members of the Senate En- f former defense secretaries have written ergy and Natural Resources Committee to us this morning. for reporting bipartisan legislation yes- AMENDING THE FEDERAL FOOD, For those House Republicans who terday to secure our Nation’s energy DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT represent middle and upper class subur- future. By further exploring the re- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as ban districts, you should vote no be- sponsible development of Alaska’s re- in legislative session, I ask unanimous cause this bill will raise taxes on a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.002 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7271 high number of your constituents. work, people should become wealthy, to our Democratic caucus and to the Members of Congress from New York, but they don’t need a tax break. Senate as a whole, but there is no New Jersey, Washington, Pennsyl- At the same time, middle-class fami- doubt that the Dreamers are at the top vania, Illinois, and Virginia know that lies have muddled along. Median in- of his list. They are near and dear to State and local deductibility is crucial come has barely nudged up in three his heart. He is one of the chief archi- to working families in their districts. decades. The costs of college, tects of DACA and has labored on their Today, House Republicans in many dis- healthcare, prescription drugs, cable, behalf for as long as I can remember. tricts will take a vote to raise taxes on and the internet have skyrocketed as Every Dreamer should thank Senator their constituents. And the com- corporations have consolidated in their DURBIN. He is their sponsor, their promise—the first three-quarters of the industries, reducing competition and champion, and their staunchest advo- break is rescinded even with the com- driving up prices. cate. promise over in the House, but, second, For the middle-class families in the This morning I would like to join the Senate, so desperate for money, has suburbs, for the working parent in the him in recognizing the contributions of not even included the compromise city, for the young millennials just set- a Dreamer in my State—a reminder of here. You can be sure when it comes ting off into the workforce after col- the glaring need to pass the Dream back, that compromise will not be in lege, for the single mom raising two Act, since President Trump so mis- the bill—certainly not as generous as it children, it is about as hard as ever to guidedly terminated the program a few is now. It was not very generous to balance your income with ever-rising months ago. begin with. costs. In such an economy, tax reform Zuleima Dominguez is a DACA re- According to the New York Times, could really matter to those folks, but cipient who lives in the Bronx. Zuleima the House bill would raise taxes on a only if it is done right. was brought to the United States from third of middle-class taxpayers next Instead of focusing all their efforts Mexico when she was 7 years old. She year and almost half by 2027. The rich, on improving the condition of those has grown up in the United States and meanwhile, will do just fine. working Americans, Republicans have has gone to school here; she went to The Senate bill, similarly, would directed the lion’s share of the benefits her first dance in the United States raise taxes on 20 million middle-class to the already wealthy, the already and knows no other country as her Americans by 2027. Meanwhile, folks powerful—corporate America and the home. Like so many other Americans, making over $1 million will get an av- very rich. Zuleima is working her way through erage cut of $50,000. People say: Well, There is perhaps no better example college—Hunter College, part of City they have more money; they should get than President Trump and his family, University on the Upper East Side—but a bigger tax cut. No. The wealthy are for whom this bill would be an express because of her legal status, she has doing great. They don’t need any tax mail gift from Heaven: Repealing the been unable to access enough help to cut. Give the money to the middle estate tax, they have a big one; repeal- afford her tuition. So what does class. ing the alternative minimum tax—the Zuleima do? She works 45 hours a week The number of middle-class families Trumps pay a lot of alternative min- at a homeless shelter, giving back to who would lose money from this bill imum tax; dropping the rate on pass- her fellow New Yorkers while saving up may even be higher now, considering through entities like the Trump Orga- for her next semester. nization, a huge tax break for Donald the 10-percent increase in premiums She is studying to be a social worker. that will occur as a result of the Re- Trump. Isn’t Zuleima what we hope an Amer- So scrapping middle-class deductions publican plan to repeal the individual ican citizen would be like? Wouldn’t we while maintaining loopholes for real mandate. That 10-percent increase in all be proud to call her our neighbor, estate businesses, golf course owners— health premiums could more than wipe our friend, our daughter? out the tax cuts received by some folks who do you think came up with this She is someone who works hard and in the middle. All the while, 13 million plan? Not the average middle-class guy feels a calling to give back to her com- fewer Americans get health insurance. or gal. All of these things contained in munity. Zuleima has the quintessential My friend, Senator GRAHAM, recently the House Republican bill would likely American spirit, as had millions who said: ‘‘I hope every Republican knows pile more on top of President Trump’s came to this country before her, that when you pass a repeal of the indi- fortune while millions and millions of through the centuries. vidual mandate . . . [healthcare] be- middle-class families end up paying She is part of that long and grand comes your problem.’’ LINDSEY GRAHAM more. tradition of immigration in this coun- is very politically pressured. He is tell- I am not sure any family in America try, of folks coming from all over the ing his Republican colleagues that if feels it is right to subsidize tax cuts for world to find a better life here, build they do this, every problem in folks like President Trump and his strong families and communities, and healthcare will be on their backs. family, and their voices will be heard make indelible contributions to our so- The whole idea of taking money from during the debate on this bill and after- ciety, our economy, and our culture. the pockets of hard-working Ameri- ward. Zuleima and her two children are cans, of taking money out of their This bill will be a huge burden for part of that American tradition. They, healthcare and giving it to big corpora- Republicans to carry on their backs with all of us, are what makes America tions and those at the very top is so over the next year, make no mistake great. backward, so wrong, that the American about it. So we hope they will vote There are many more Dreamers just people will reject it, and the blame will down the bill in the House and in the like Zuleima who came to this country fall on Republican shoulders. If the Re- Senate. I want to assure my friends in through no fault of their own as very publican tax bill should pass, it would the Senate on the other side of the young kids. They study at our schools; make our economy, so unfairly tilted aisle that if the bill goes down, Demo- they work in our companies; they serve toward the top as it already is, even crats are ready, willing, able, and eager in our military. They are American in more unbalanced and unfair. to work with Republicans on a bipar- every single way but one—their paper- Over the past three decades, as tech- tisan reform. work. nology has changed our economy and DACA We must fix that now and forever by our world has become ever more inter- Mr. President, before I yield the passing the Dream Act through Con- dependent, our economy has grown. floor, seeing my friend Senator DURBIN gress and giving folks like Zuleima and Yes, it has grown; there is a lot of here, I would like to address one final her kids a chance to live and thrive in growth. But that growth, more than at issue—the Dreamers. the only country they have ever any time in history, has been captured My dear friend Senator DURBIN has known. entirely, almost, by big corporations an uncommon eloquence. He speaks I know my entire caucus supports the and the top 1 percent and particularly with eloquence and yet with Mid- bill. I know how many of my friends on the top 0.1 percent of our country. We western common sense. He speaks with the other side of the aisle support it as don’t begrudge them. We are glad peo- persuasiveness and ease on a great well. So what are we waiting for? Let’s ple work hard. With new ideas and hard number of subjects. He is a great asset put the bill on the floor and pass it.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.004 S16NOPT1 S7272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 I yield to my friend and colleague lege and now through the university at that he would abolish this program cre- from Illinois, Senator DURBIN. Carbondale and still had two semesters ated by President Obama and that it The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- left before graduation. She was telling would end on March 5, 2018. He estab- pore. The assistant Democratic leader. me about her struggles—taking time lished a standard and said: We will Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want off to work a job, save the money, go allow those who have to renew during to thank the Democratic leader. His back to school, and here she was where this period of time—their 2-year DACA strong support of the Dream Act en- she could see the finish line. As she sat protection had expired, and they would courages me but, more importantly, there and described it to me, she have to renew—until November 5 to file gives hope to the Dreamers across stopped and broke down in tears. She and to qualify for a renewal period. He America: young men and women, just said to me: Why am I doing this? Be- picked November 5. For many of them, like the one he described, who are liv- cause of the announcement by Presi- it was a surprise and a challenge to ing in fear, fear that their time in dent Trump, I don’t have any future in come up with the filing fee and to get America is coming to an end. this country. After all these years and the papers in on time so that their pro- This is the only country they have all this effort, I really don’t have a fu- tection would continue until March 5, ever known. They have stood in class- ture here. 2018, or beyond. Some of them did ev- room after classroom and pledged alle- I don’t believe that, and I begged her erything they could think of. Some giance to the American flag, the only not to believe it either. She has a fu- went to attorneys, for example, to flag they have ever known. They sing ture, an important future in the United make sure they got this renewal of the national anthem. They believe they States and in the State of Illinois. She DACA completed successfully and ac- are part of America, but as Senator has proved through her determination curately. SCHUMER has reminded us, they are and hard work that she is an extraor- Now we have learned that something missing the paperwork. Their parents dinary young woman. She is going to terrible happened in the meantime. brought them here as infants, toddlers, get that bachelor’s degree, and I pray They relied on the Federal Govern- children and never filed the paperwork, that we in the Senate and the House— ment—particularly, they relied on our never made them legal, and here they with the President—will give her a Postal Service—to mail in their appli- are in this country, searching for an chance to be part of America. cations for renewal. Who would have answer, searching for some hope. President Obama did. He created argued that that was not a responsible My best basic question to the U.S. DACA. I had introduced the DREAM thing to do? I can tell my colleagues Senate and to my colleagues is: Why do Act years and years ago—16 years ago— that practicing attorneys across the we make this so hard? Why is this so when President Obama was my col- United States use our Postal Service difficult? Don’t we all fundamentally league in the Senate from Illinois. He regularly. agree on the premise that no young was the cosponsor. I joined with Sen- One attorney sent the renewal to person should be held responsible for ator Lugar, a Republican Senator from Washington by certified mail so that the actions or decisions of their par- Indiana, writing to President Obama, there would be proof that it was ents? That is what is happening here. saying: Find a way, if you can. Find a mailed. He mailed it on October 21. The These young people didn’t make the way to protect these Dreamers from problem was that the Postal Service key decisions in their lives; their par- deportation until we pass a law that lost the application. It didn’t arrive ents did. needs to be passed. And he did it. He until a day later, a day past the dead- Let me quickly add, because many of created the DACA Program, where line established by the President. the Dreamers say: Senator DURBIN, un- young people could come forward, pay That young person has lost the right derstand that our parents were doing the fine and fee of almost $500 or $600, to renew unless the Department of everything they could to help us. I submit themselves to a criminal back- Homeland Security comes up with a couldn’t agree more. From a moral ground check to make sure there were new ruling on the subject. That is the viewpoint, their parents were deter- no problems in their background, show complexity of the life of these young mined to help their children and were proof that they had graduated from people who are simply asking for a prepared to incur great risk, even legal high school, and then—only then— chance to be part of America’s future. risk, to do it. I understand that. I would they be allowed to stay in the That is what that young applicant would do the same thing, and I am not United States for 2 years and not be de- faced. That is what hundreds of others being critical or negative. But the sim- ported and legally be allowed to work. faced. We believe that some 8,000 were ple fact and reality is that these young Well, President Obama created by ex- not able to renew in time and lost their people, because they don’t have the pa- ecutive order the DACA Program. At protected status. perwork, don’t have a future in Amer- the end of the day, 780,000 of these I can’t tell you what their future is, ica. young people stepped forward. It was a but I pray that the Senate, before we The circumstances they face are leap of faith on their part. Each and leave this year, will decide the right bleak. Imagine, if you will, the chal- every one of them had been raised in thing for their future. lenge of college, the challenge of going America by their parents and carefully I have come to the floor over 100 from high school on to an education at schooled in this belief: Don’t raise your times to tell the personal stories of a university, with no help whatsoever head. Don’t let this government see us. these young people who are asking for from the Federal Government. You As long as we can live in the shadows, a chance to have the Dream Act be- don’t qualify for a penny in Pell as long as we are not confronted with come the law of the land. Some Repub- grants; you don’t qualify for any help the legal system, we have a chance to lican Senators have joined me in this when it comes to government loans. stay. They lived with that looming effort. Notably, LINDSEY GRAHAM, the Think about the challenge of college over their heads every single day. Republican Senator from South Caro- and higher education without that Then, when President Obama said to lina, has been a cosponsor. Three other help, without the fundamental assist- them: Come forward, tell us who you Republican Senators have joined in ance that millions of young Americans are, where you live; tell us about your sponsoring the Dream Act, and more count on. Dreamers get no help—none. family; and we will give you a chance are interested in helping. The con- They have to fight their way forward to stay here legally under this Execu- versations continue on the floor and on their own, and they do it in remark- tive order, they did it. They trusted in give me some hope that, at the end of able and heroic ways. their leaders. They trusted in their the day, we will do the right thing, be- Over the last break, I was down at government. They were prepared to fore the end of this year. Southern Illinois University at make that leap of faith, at great risk, Let me add, too, that having served Carbondale—deep southern Illinois, 300 on the chance that this might be the in the Senate—it has been my honor to miles or more away from the city of ticket they were looking for to a life in be here for some years—I know the cal- Chicago—and I sat down with a group America, to be part of America’s dream endar determines your fate many times of these Dreamers who were at the uni- and America’s future. in the Senate. The calendar we face versity. One young woman had worked Then, on September 5, President could determine the fate of these so hard to get through community col- Trump came forward and announced Dreamers.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.005 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7273 Here is what it boils down to. If we Currently, Priscilla is caring for her Why do we make this so hard? Why don’t renew the Dream Act before the three younger siblings, all of whom do we make it so difficult for these end of this year, then it has to be done were born in the United States and are young people? They have overcome the in January or February. January and U.S. citizens. In fact, almost 75 percent odds. They have shown their deter- February are well known to be months of Dreamers have a U.S. citizen spouse, mination. They have shown their love of little activity in the Senate and in child, or sibling. for this country. Many of these DACA the House. So if we wait until then, it Priscilla wrote me a letter, which I Dreamers are begging to serve in our is not likely it is going to happen. That will read into the CONGRESSIONAL military, to risk their lives for Amer- is why I am pleading with my col- RECORD: ica. Yet we have failed to act. The leagues and the leadership of the Sen- Science and learning are my biggest pas- President draws a deadline and says: ate: We can’t go home for the holidays sions and I want to keep pushing myself for- After this point, there will be no more until we do this. We can’t talk about ward so that I can be better equipped to protection for these young people. That serve my community and my students. I dreaming of a white Christmas until we want to inspire and encourage all students to isn’t what America stands for. That face the Dreamers and the bleak pursue careers in science. I want to be a role does not reflect our values. Christmas they face if we fail to act. I model and mentor to students by succeeding I stand here today honored to be the am begging my colleagues on both in a science career myself. If I can do it, so son of an immigrant to this country. sides to roll up their sleeves and join can they! My mother was brought here at the age me, sit at the table, and let’s get this But without DACA, and without the of 2 from Lithuania. That immigrant job done. Dream Act, Priscilla and 20,000 other family fought hard when they arrived, There are specific reasons why we teachers just like her will lose their as most immigrant families do. By should, and I want to tell one of those jobs in America. I am not exag- fate, my mother became a naturalized stories today, as I have done more than gerating. DACA gives Priscilla the citizen and her son became a U.S. Sen- 100 times in the past. legal right to work in America. If she ator. That is my story. That is my fam- This young lady’s name is Priscilla loses that DACA protection on the ily’s story, but it is America’s story. It Aguilar. Priscilla was 5 years old when March 5 deadline, or whenever her re- is a story that has been repeated mil- her family brought her to the United newal comes up, at that point she can lions of times over and over. People States from Mexico. She grew up in no longer work in the United States. come here begging for a chance—a Brownsville, TX. She was a great stu- This is not an isolated case. I have chance for a better life, a chance to dent. In high school she joined a med- told the story many times about 28 stu- make this a better nation. ical magnet program and graduated in dents at the Loyola University Stritch These young people and their par- the top 10 percent of her class. School of Medicine in Chicago. They ents, I might add, deserve that kind of Priscilla was a member of the Health are all protected by DACA. They came consideration. What we are considering Occupations Students of America, to that medical school in open com- today doesn’t affect their parents and where she participated in regional and petition—no quotas, no special slots. the Dream Act, but certainly we should State competitions in biomedical de- They are the best and brightest. They give these young people a chance. I bate and medical reading. This experi- came from all over the United States think their parents deserve it, too, but ence sparked her love for science. because Loyola University—thank that is a debate for another day, per- Priscilla went off to the University of goodness—decided they deserved a haps. We will see. Texas at Brownsville. She graduated chance. Young people like them all In the meantime, I beg my colleagues with honors in the winter of 2012 with across America who had given up on a to join us. Let’s do something right a bachelor’s degree in biological medical education because they were this year, before the end of the year, sciences. Remember, as a Dreamer, she undocumented finally had their chance that reflects our values of who we are. didn’t qualify for any Federal assist- under DACA. Twenty-eight of them Let’s acknowledge the obvious. Justice ance going to school. She had to work now are dedicated to becoming doctors. demands us to step up and stand behind at jobs and borrow money from others They can’t borrow money from our these Dreamers. to finish her education. Federal Government, as I mentioned The moment is about to arrive. Sen- After graduation, Priscilla was ac- before. The State of Illinois, under ator LINDSEY GRAHAM, my Republican cepted into Teach for America, a na- both a Democratic and Republican cosponsor of the bill, said that a mo- tional nonprofit organization that Governor, have created loan programs ment of reckoning is coming. He is places talented college graduates in for them in medical school with one right. It is a moment of reckoning as urban and rural schools where there condition: For every year the State of to who we are in the Senate and in the are special challenges and shortages of Illinois helps to pay for their medical Congress and in the White House. It is teachers. It is interesting, isn’t it, that education, they have to pledge 1 year a reflection on our view of America as this young woman who was brought when they finish their medical degrees a nation—a nation of immigrants that here at the age of 5 not only worked so in service to our State, in areas where has embraced diversity and become all hard for her own education but was we have shortages of doctors—medi- the stronger because of it. then willing to give 2 years of her life cally underserved areas. I yield the floor. in the schools of America to help less So 28 of them now have their fate I suggest the absence of a quorum. fortunate students. Do you think you hanging in the balance, depending on The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- have an insight into who she is and the fate of the Dream Act. Why? Be- pore. The clerk will call the roll. what her values are? cause to become a doctor, you need a The senior assistant legislative clerk Priscilla is not alone. Twenty thou- residency. A residency is a job. A resi- proceeded to call the roll. sand DACA Dreamers are currently dency means legally working. If these Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I teaching across the United States of young people lose the DACA and ask unanimous consent that the order America, including 190 in the Teach for Dreamer protection, they have to drop for the quorum call be rescinded. America Program. out of medical school. They cannot The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Priscilla now teaches biological and continue their residency and pursue a pore. Without objection, it is so or- medical microbiology at Mercedes High specialty that they have had their dered. School in Mercedes, TX. She is the heart set on. BACKGROUND CHECKS head of the Science Department. She That is the reality of our failure to Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, oversees a team of nine science teach- act. That is the reality of losing Pris- unlike past occasions when I have spo- ers. She teaches students of all grade cilla Aguilar as an inspiring science ken on the topic of gun violence pre- levels and coaches the school’s debate teacher in Texas, of losing 28 doctors vention, I am actually pleased to talk team. The team won the district cham- who are on their way to graduation at about some good news. A powerful alli- pionship last year and participated in Loyola University, and of literally ance across the aisle has enabled us the State championship. thousands of others who could make this morning to introduce a measure In 2013, a tragedy struck Priscilla’s America a better, more prosperous, and that will be a modest but significant family. Her mother died unexpectedly. a more just Nation. breakthrough. It is a breakthrough in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.006 S16NOPT1 S7274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 hopefully providing better data, more decades of critically important Talley. He is someone who wrote that complete information for the database progress in recognizing and protecting the solution to the Newtown shooting— that provides for background checks. It reproductive rights, LGBT rights, vot- he wrote it 3 days after that mas- is essential that more accurate and ing rights, workers’ rights, environ- sacre—is to ‘‘stop being a society of thorough data be provided in the data- mental protections, and more. pansies and man up.’’ He is someone base because background checks are no For the last 10 months, this adminis- who has written that the country better than the information provided tration has tried its level best to move ‘‘overreacted’’ and that ‘‘the Second to them, as we have seen again and our country backward by imple- Amendment suffered’’ after the murder again, in Sutherland Springs most re- menting its destructive, deeply un- of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown. cently but also Charleston and popular agenda. They want to dis- After one of the great tragedies of Blacksburg, where individuals legally mantle the Affordable Care Act. They this country in recent years, his reac- barred from accessing firearms were want to abandon LGBT Americans. tion was that the Second Amendment permitted to do so because of gaps in They want to make it harder to vote, suffered. He is someone who has dis- the NICS system. Each of those killers harder to organize, harder to breathe ingenuously written that Democrats walked out of a gun store having pur- clean air and drink clean water. want to take away everyone’s guns. chased firearms from a federally li- If they fall short in carrying out this Even setting aside the fact that he has censed dealer, even though they should cruel agenda through Executive action never tried a case in his career, he is have been ineligible, because of gaps in and legislation, this administration someone who should be nowhere near the reporting system; that is, the infor- has looked to the courts to do its dirty the bench, at least not as a judge. mation reported to the national system work. The Trump administration seeks I hope my Republican colleagues will that collects that data and provides to flood the Federal judiciary with revisit their decision to support him. the underpinning for this program. judges—appointed for life—who will de- I want to emphasize that the com- We are a bipartisan group that says, fend their indefensible goals. This plot promise that we have reached today in effect, enforcement must be rig- is not hidden. It is not secret. It is out and that we are introducing in this bi- orous, as complete and effective as pos- in the open. President Trump has made partisan group takes away no one’s sible. New laws may be sought, and we it clear. He claims to have a litmus guns if one is law-abiding and other- will continue to seek a broader back- test for Supreme Court nominees—he wise complies with the law. In fact, it ground check law, as well as a ban on will nominate someone who will ‘‘auto- provides incentives and rewards to assault weapons and high-capacity matically’’ overturn Roe v. Wade. Just States that do better reporting. It magazines. We in this coalition may be last month, the Senate voted to con- makes sure that a robust reporting sys- divided on those issues, but at the very firm two circuit court nominees—Alli- tem prevents the sales of firearms to least, we can join arms and link to- son Eid and Joan Larsen—who had people who are a danger to themselves gether on this measure. been listed by then-Candidate Trump or others, including convicted domestic These provisions will help enforce abusers. public safety protections that could as potential Supreme Court nominees, This exaggeration, distortion, misin- mean the difference between life and indicating that they have passed that formation from Mr. Talley is, I think, death. Nonreporting now puts people at litmus test. When I asked both of these emblematic of what kind of judge he lethal risk, riddling with gaping holes nominees whether their records would would be. a system that should keep guns away lead someone to believe that they Let us not forget that we are, in fact, from killers. The Federal background would ‘‘automatically’’ reverse Roe v. judged by the company that we keep. check system is only as good as the in- Wade, they both demurred. They said President Trump is willing to nomi- formation provided to it. they did not know why they were se- I am proud to be part of this alliance. lected for President Trump’s Supreme nate someone like Jeff Mateer to a life- I look forward to the next steps—the Court short list—no idea. I don’t be- time appointment on the Federal Dis- prompt passage of this legislation and lieve it. Then-Candidate Trump laid trict Court for the Eastern District of other measures that perhaps will evoke out his Supreme Court selection cri- Texas. He was not on the docket this the same kind of bipartisan spirit teria in clear, unambiguous terms. week, but he could well come before across the aisle. Yesterday we heard testimony from a the Senate Judiciary Committee for a I am working with a number of my circuit court nominee, Justice Don hearing in the coming weeks. Republican colleagues on a measure re- Willett, of the Texas Supreme Court, This is someone who has called lating to military reporting, particu- who proudly described himself in 2012 transgender children ‘‘Satan’s plan.’’ larly as it concerns domestic violence. as the ‘‘consensus, conservative choice He has proudly said: ‘‘On the basis of All of us who have been attorneys gen- from every corner of the conservative sexual orientation, we discriminate.’’ eral, as the Presiding Officer has been, movement: pro-life, pro-faith, pro-fam- He has advocated conversion therapy know the scourge of domestic violence ily, pro-liberty, pro-Second Amend- for LGBT children. and how much more dangerous it is— ment, pro-private property rights, and With these nominations, President five times more lethal—when there is a pro-limited government.’’ That is the Trump has shown the type of people he gun in the house. More than half of the way that he described himself. is willing to propose for lifetime ap- homicides in this country occur as a When I asked him what he meant by pointments on the district court, as result of domestic violence. More effec- tying himself to these labels, he re- well as the court of appeals. As some- tive enforcement requires steps that fused to give me a straight answer. In one who has practiced in the district enable resources as well as awareness fact, he said, in effect, that he was just courts of Connecticut and others in the military and in our civilian pandering to the public for votes, that around the country, as well as in courts. that was part of his reelection pitch. courts of appeals in the Second Circuit JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS Maybe he didn’t believe it, but we have and elsewhere, these appointments Mr. President, on the topic of effec- all been around long enough to know have a special meaning to me and to tive enforcement of the law, I rise what these terms mean to voters and others who are well versed in the way today on a related topic, which is the what they mean to the President of the our justice system works. quality of our judiciary. Our laws are United States. They aren’t dog whis- For many people in this country, the only as effective as the judges who im- tles, literally, but they represent spe- U.S. district court is the first place plement them. cific ideologies. They are shorthand for they seek justice. They rely on Federal I rise with regret because the admin- specific dogma. judges to be above politics and to be istration is attempting to radically re- I have no confidence that Justice above personal ideology and dogma of shape our judiciary, to remake the Willett will be an impartial and objec- the right or the left wing. The U.S. dis- bench in the image of a far-right tive implementer of the law and en- trict court is the first place they seek dogma that basically contravenes what forcer of the measures that we pass justice, and, for many, it is the last we are and where we are as a nation. here. place. Adverse rulings for them are This administration has proposed ex- Just last week, the Senate Judiciary often the end of the line because they treme nominees who will seek to undo Committee voted to advance Brett lack the resources to pursue appeals to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.008 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7275 the circuit court. Our district court sponding to emerging threats in our fi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without judges are often the voices and faces of nancial system. objection, it is so ordered. justice that the people of the United Mr. Otting is exceptionally qualified Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States most trust and rely on. to lead the OCC as its comptroller. His yield back the time on the Otting nom- What we see in these nominees is a unique expertise and understanding of ination, and I ask for the yeas and pattern. They have clearly dem- the banking sector has been shaped by nays. onstrated through their actions, their over three decades of firsthand indus- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without statements, their temperaments, and try experience. Mr. Otting has held po- objection, it is so ordered. their characters that they are, simply, sitions at large regional and commu- Is there a sufficient second? unfit and unable to serve as impartial nity financial institutions, including There appears to be a sufficient sec- judges, especially when it comes to our key leadership positions. In fact, he ond. Nation’s most vulnerable communities. has touched virtually every segment of The question is, Will the Senate ad- Our Nation’s most vulnerable commu- the industry, working in consumer vise and consent to the Otting nomina- nities are often the ones who rely the services, business services, human re- tion? most on those Federal courts. sources, compliance, audit, and many The clerk will call the roll. There can be no benefit of the doubt others. The bill clerk called the roll. for nominees when they articulate the His understanding of how banks work Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the kinds of beliefs and dogma that these and knowledge of the laws and regula- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), individuals have in their pasts and that tions governing the financial sector the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. they refuse to disavow in the present. I was evident throughout his nomination FRANKEN), and the Senator from New will oppose them, and I hope my col- hearings. I was also encouraged by Mr. Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily leagues will join me. I believe that on Otting’s statements about the impor- absent. both sides of the aisle, we share a com- tance of ensuring that all Americans The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. mitment to the credibility and trust of have access to banking products and FISCHER). Are there any other Senators our judiciary. services. Mr. Otting also reaffirmed his in the Chamber desiring to vote? The result was announced—yeas 54, As I have said before on the floor, our commitment to honor the OCC’s mis- nays 43, as follows: judges do not have armies; they do not sion and cooperating with the work of have police forces. The enforceability Congress. [Rollcall Vote No. 277 Ex.] of their rulings really depends on the I am confident Mr. Otting will bring YEAS—54 strong leadership to the OCC, given his credibility and trust that the people of Alexander Flake Murkowski extensive experience in the financial Barrasso Gardner Paul our Nation have in them as individuals industry. I urge my colleagues to sup- Blunt Graham Perdue who put on robes, because they are support Mr. Otting’s nomination today Boozman Grassley Portman posed to put aside their personal preju- Burr Hatch Risch and vote for his confirmation in the fu- dices and beliefs and fairly, impar- Capito Heitkamp Roberts ture. Cassidy Heller Rounds tially, and objectively enforce the law. Thank you. Cochran Hoeven Rubio I fear that these nominees lack these I suggest the absence of a quorum. Collins Inhofe Sasse qualities, and that is a tragedy for our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Corker Isakson Scott Nation, whatever your politics. Some- Cornyn Johnson Shelby clerk will call the roll. Cotton Kennedy Strange day, you will likely be before a judge— The legislative clerk proceeded to Crapo Lankford Sullivan maybe not all, but many of you will— call the roll. Cruz Lee Thune and you will want that judge to look at Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Daines Manchin Tillis Enzi McCain Toomey both sides of the courtroom and say ask unanimous consent that the order Ernst McConnell Wicker that they both have an equal chance to for the quorum call be rescinded Fischer Moran Young make their cases, not tilt one way or The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without NAYS—43 the other because of the judge’s per- objection, it is so ordered. Baldwin Harris Reed sonal beliefs. I hope that my colleagues ORDER OF PROCEDURE Bennet Hassan Sanders will send a message to the President of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Blumenthal Heinrich Schatz the United States that one cannot po- ask unanimous consent that, notwith- Brown Hirono Schumer Cantwell Kaine Shaheen liticize the American judiciary. standing rule XXII, at 1:30 p.m. today, Cardin King Thank you. the Senate proceed to legislative ses- Stabenow Carper Klobuchar Tester I yield the floor. sion and the Chair lay before the Sen- Casey Leahy Udall Coons Markey I suggest the absence of a quorum. ate the conference report to accom- Van Hollen Cortez Masto McCaskill Warner The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pany H.R. 2810, as under the previous Donnelly Merkley Warren pore. The clerk will call the roll. order, and that there be 15 minutes of Duckworth Murphy The senior assistant legislative clerk debate equally divided between the Durbin Murray Whitehouse Wyden proceeded to call the roll. managers or their designees prior to Feinstein Nelson Gillibrand Peters Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask the vote on the adoption of the con- unanimous consent that the order for ference report; further, that following NOT VOTING—3 the quorum call be rescinded. disposition of the conference report, Booker Franken Menendez The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. the Senate resume executive session The nomination was confirmed. YOUNG). Without objection, it is so or- and all postcloture time on the Coggins The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under dered. and Friedrich nominations be yielded the previous order, the motion to re- Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to back and the Senate vote on confirma- consider is considered made and laid speak in support of the nomination of tion of the Coggins nomination imme- upon the table and the President will Mr. Joseph Otting to be Comptroller of diately, and that the confirmation vote be immediately notified of the Senate’s the Currency. The OCC’s mission is to on the Friedrich nomination occur at action. ensure that the financial institutions 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 27; fi- f it oversees operate in a safe and sound nally, that if the nominations are con- manner, provide fair access to financial firmed, the motions to reconsider be CLOTURE MOTION services, treat customers fairly, and considered made and laid upon the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant comply with the applicable laws and table and the Senate be immediately to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the regulations. notified of the Senate’s action. Senate the pending cloture motion, The OCC is responsible for overseeing The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which the clerk will state. the supervision of all national banks objection, it is so ordered. The senior assistant legislative clerk and Federal savings associations as Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I read as follows: well as Federal branches and agencies ask unanimous consent that the votes CLOTURE MOTION of foreign banks. The OCC also plays an following the first vote in this series be We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- important role in identifying and re- 10 minutes in length. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.009 S16NOPT1 S7276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Coggins, Jr., of South Carolina, to be Van Hollen Whitehouse Wyden move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- United States District Judge for the Warner Wicker Young nation of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South District of South Carolina. NAYS—4 Carolina, to be United States District Judge Gillibrand Kennedy for the District of South Carolina. f Hirono Warren Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, Thom Tillis, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, CLOTURE MOTION NOT VOTING—3 Jerry Moran, John Barrasso, Luther Booker Franken Menendez Strange, Mike Crapo, John Cornyn, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Richard Burr, Mike Rounds, Orrin G. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Hatch, David Perdue, Marco Rubio, Senate the pending cloture motion, vote, the yeas are 93, the nays are 4. John Thune, John Boozman. which the clerk will state. The motion is agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The senior assistant legislative clerk f imous consent, the mandatory quorum read as follows: EXECUTIVE CALENDAR call has been waived. CLOTURE MOTION The question is, Is it the sense of the We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate that debate on the nomination ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the clerk will report the nomination. of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby The bill clerk read the nomination of Carolina, to be United States District move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of Cali- Judge for the District of South Caro- nation of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of fornia, to be United States District lina, shall be brought to a close? California, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Judge for the District of Columbia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The yeas and nays are mandatory Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, Thom under the rule. Tillis, Tom Cotton, Cory Gardner, ator from Connecticut. The clerk will call the roll. Jerry Moran, John Barrasso, Luther Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I The senior assistant legislative clerk Strange, Mike Crapo, John Cornyn, suggest the absence of a quorum. called the roll. Richard Burr, Mike Rounds, Orrin G. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Hatch, David Perdue, Marco Rubio, clerk will call the roll. Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), John Thune, John Boozman. The senior assistant legislative clerk the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- proceeded to call the roll. FRANKEN), and the Senator from New imous consent, the mandatory quorum Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily call has been waived. unanimous consent that the order for absent. The question is, Is it the sense of the the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there Senate that debate on the nomination The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without any other Senators in the Chamber de- of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of objection, it is so ordered. siring to vote? California, to be United States District f The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 96, Judge for the District of Columbia, nays 1, as follows: shall be brought to a close? LEGISLATIVE SESSION [Rollcall Vote No. 278 Ex.] The yeas and nays are mandatory The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under YEAS—96 under the rule. the previous order, the Senate will pro- Alexander Flake Nelson The clerk will call the roll. ceed to legislative session. Baldwin Gardner Paul The assistant bill clerk called the Barrasso Gillibrand Perdue f Bennet Graham Peters roll. Blumenthal Grassley Portman Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- Blunt Harris Reed Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR Boozman Hassan Risch the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. 2018—CONFERENCE REPORT Brown Hatch Roberts Burr Heinrich Rounds FRANKEN), and the Senator from New The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Cantwell Heitkamp Rubio Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily Chair lays before the Senate the con- Capito Heller Sanders absent. ference report to accompany H.R. 2810, Cardin Hoeven Sasse Carper Inhofe Schatz The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. which will be stated by title. Casey Isakson Schumer SASSE). Are there any other Senators The bill clerk read as follows: Cassidy Johnson Scott in the Chamber desiring to vote? The committee of conference on the dis- Cochran Kaine Shaheen The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 93, Collins Kennedy Shelby agreeing votes of the two Houses on the Coons King Stabenow nays 4, as follows: amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. Corker Klobuchar Strange [Rollcall Vote No. 279 Ex.] 2810), to authorize appropriations for fiscal Cornyn Lankford Sullivan year 2018 for military activities of the De- YEAS—93 Cortez Masto Leahy Tester partment of Defense, for military construc- Cotton Lee Thune Alexander Feinstein Murphy tion, and for defense activities of the Depart- Crapo Manchin Tillis Baldwin Fischer Murray ment of Energy, to prescribe military per- Cruz Markey Toomey Barrasso Flake Nelson Daines McCain Udall Bennet Gardner sonnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for Paul other purposes, having met, have agreed that Donnelly McCaskill Van Hollen Blumenthal Graham Perdue Duckworth McConnell Warner Blunt Grassley Peters the House recede from its disagreement to Durbin Merkley Warren Boozman Harris Portman the amendment of the Senate and agreed to Enzi Moran Whitehouse Brown Hassan Reed the same with an amendment, and the Sen- Ernst Murkowski Wicker Burr Hatch Risch ate agree to the same, signed by a majority Feinstein Murphy Wyden Cantwell Heinrich Roberts of the conferees on the part of both Houses. Fischer Murray Young Capito Heitkamp Cardin Heller Rounds Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to NAYS—1 Rubio Carper Hoeven consider the conference report. Hirono Casey Inhofe Sanders Cassidy Isakson Sasse (The conference report is printed in NOT VOTING—3 Cochran Johnson Schatz the House proceedings of the RECORD of Booker Franken Menendez Collins Kaine Schumer November 9, 2017.) Scott Coons King Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, today The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Corker Klobuchar Shaheen vote, the yeas are 96, the nays are 1. Cornyn Lankford Shelby the Senate will vote on the conference The motion is agreed to. Cortez Masto Leahy Stabenow report for the National Defense Au- Cotton Lee Strange f thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. Crapo Manchin Sullivan This legislation is the culmination of EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Cruz Markey Tester Daines McCain Thune months of bipartisan work. I want to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Donnelly McCaskill Tillis thank my friend, the Senator from Duckworth clerk will report the nomination. McConnell Toomey Rhode Island, as well as our colleagues Durbin Merkley Udall The senior assistant legislative clerk Enzi Moran in the House of Representatives, MAC read the nomination of Donald C. Ernst Murkowski THORNBERRY and ADAM SMITH, and the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.014 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7277 dozens of members who served on the the Senate Armed Services Committee. knowledgement that the Budget Con- conference committee for their hard However, if we are not satisfied that trol Act-level of defense spending is in- work and collaboration during this this new DOD-FDA compromise has sufficient and unacceptable. process. Together, we worked hard to fixed the problem, the Senate Armed My friends, for too long, our Nation negotiate the differences between the Services Committee will take action has asked our men and women in uni- House and Senate versions of this bill, through the NDAA next year. I know form to do too much with far too little. and the result is a piece of legislation that the chairman and ranking mem- Our military’s job is hard enough, but that should make all Senators—and all ber of the House Armed Services Com- we are making it harder through con- Americans—proud. mittee have expressed that same com- tinuing resolutions, unpredictable The fundamental purpose of the Na- mitment. We owe nothing less to our funding, and arbitrary spending caps tional Defense Authorization Act is to men and women in uniform, who de- that were put into law 6 years ago—be- provide our Armed Forces with the reserve our help in saving lives on the fore the rise of ISIS, before the current sources, training, and equipment they battlefield. crisis with North Korea, before Rus- need to keep us safe. We should con- Ultimately, that is the goal of every sia’s return to aggression on the world sider this our highest duty and our provision of the National Defense Au- stage, and before so many other dan- greatest honor, to keep faith with the thorization Act—to protect our brave gerous developments. brave Americans who serve and sac- servicemembers, here at home and We have been warned that we cannot rifice on our behalf. around the world. The NDAA author- go on like this. Earlier this year, the To do that, the NDAA authorizes izes funding to rebuild our military and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, funding, advances policies, and requires allow the Defense Department to em- Gen. Joseph Dunford, warned us, ‘‘In reforms that will support our men and bark on an ambitious program of mod- just a few years if we don’t change the women in uniform, but before I discuss ernization that is desperately needed trajectory, we will lose our qualitative the many laudable aspects of this legis- and long overdue. The NDAA author- and our quantitative competitive ad- lation, let me lament for a moment the izes the acquisition of ships, aircraft, vantage, [and] the consequences will be developments that have unfolded in re- and equipment above and beyond the profound.’’ Secretary of Defense Jim cent days and delayed this important administration’s request. It provides Mattis also warned us, saying, ‘‘We are legislation. funding for an increase in end strength no longer managing risk; we are now This delay concerns a provision in across all services, laying the ground- gambling.’’ the defense bill to get our military work for a total force, ready and capa- We are gambling with risk, and we emergency approval to use new life- ble of rising to the challenges of a are gambling with lives. Today more of saving medicines on the battlefield. world where threats are on the rise. our men and women in uniform are This provision was included in the The NDAA builds on the reforms this being killed in totally avoidable train- original Senate version of this legisla- Congress has passed in recent years, ing accidents and routine operations tion that has been publicly available continuing efforts to reorganize the than by our enemies in combat. for several months, and it was included Department of Defense, spur innova- My friends, it doesn’t have to be this in this conference report with strong tion in defense technology, and im- way. The NDAA shows us what we bipartisan and bicameral support. For prove acquisition and business oper- could do with an adequate level of de- years, the Department of Defense has ations to strengthen accountability fense spending, what we could provide struggled in vain to gain approval by and streamline the process of getting for our men and women in uniform, but the Food and Drug Administration for our warfighters what they need to suc- this legislation is only part of the solu- certain vital medical products, such as ceed. It prioritizes accountability from tion. As of yet, we still have no path to freeze-dried plasma, for use by our the Department and demands the best actually appropriate the money that troops on the battlefield. Because the use of every taxpayer dollar. we are about to authorize. That re- FDA failed to act time and again, the This legislation also authorizes fund- quires a bipartisan agreement to adjust Senate Armed Services Committee did, ing for our missile defense systems to the spending caps in the Budget Con- and we received strong support from protect against rising threats. It trol Act. our House colleagues. makes important efforts to correct the As we join our colleagues in the It is outrageous that the National dangerous lack of an effective strategy House in voting to support $700 billion Defense Authorization Act has been and policy for the information domain, for defense, let this serve as a guide- held hostage by the desire to pass a including cyber, space, and electronic post for our leaders in Congress and the separate piece of legislation to address warfare. White House as they negotiate a budg- this issue differently than this con- The NDAA authorizes a 2.4 percent et deal. This is the spending level that ference report. That separate legisla- pay raise for our troops, which is the an overwhelming majority of both the tion was the product of a compromise largest in many years, and it includes House and the Senate believes is nec- between the DOD and the FDA, to several provisions to improve quality essary to meet current threats and to which neither the Senator from Rhode of life for our men and women in uni- keep faith with our men and women in Island nor I was a party. Our preferred form. In particular, the legislation con- uniform. After we vote to authorize solution remains our original one. tinues committee’s efforts to protect these vital, additional resources for our Yesterday, the Senator from Rhode our servicemembers from sexual as- military, we must all demand a bipar- Island and I received a letter from the sault and sexual harassment. There is tisan agreement so that we can appro- FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, more work to be done, and the com- priate those resources. expressing his personal commitment to mittee will continue to conduct over- This will require hard work and approve the use of freeze-dried plasma sight and hold hearings to address tough choices, and it will demand that for battlefield use by our troops. He these important issues. we have the courage of our convictions, has also pledged to establish a new In total, the National Defense Au- but in the end, this will require much process for expedited consideration of thorization Act supports a defense less of us than what we ask of from our the DOD’s future emergency medical budget of $700 billion for fiscal year men and women in uniform. As they so requests. This did not happen by acci- 2018. This exceeds the administration’s dutifully sacrifice for us every day, let dent. It happened because we acted and request by $26 billion. It also exceeds us do our part and fulfill our duties to because we exposed the unacceptable the defense spending caps in the Budg- them and to the Nation they serve. ways in which the FDA has been failing et Control Act by $85 billion. Mr. LEAHY Mr. President, the fiscal our men and women in uniform for far Earlier this week, 356 Members of the year 2018 National Defense Authoriza- too long. House of Representatives voted in tion Act, while laudable in its goals, Dr. Gottlieb was only confirmed as favor of this spending level. This after- does not comport with reality. At FDA Commissioner in May, and we in- noon, an overwhelming majority of roughly $700 billion, the proposed base tend to hold him fully accountable for this body will do the same. Let this funding in this bill is $85 billion above making good on his commitment, in- serve as a reminder of the troubling budget caps that are set in law for Fis- cluding through continued oversight by state of our military today and an ac- cal Year 2018 in the Budget Control

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Nov 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.005 S16NOPT1 S7278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Act, BCA, and $31 billion above the ad- rights vetting for Afghan security [Rollcall Vote No. 280 Ex.] ministration’s budget request. If the forces. YEAS—96 authorized funding level were to be ap- In 3 weeks and 1 day, the current res- Alexander Flake Nelson propriated, without changing the caps, olution funding our government will Baldwin Gardner Paul it would trigger a 12-percent across- expire; yet, instead of sitting down Barrasso Gillibrand Perdue Bennet Graham Peters the-board sequester of Defense pro- with Democrats to work together, just Blumenthal Grassley Portman grams to bring spending levels back to as we did earlier this year to enact the Blunt Harris Reed the Fiscal Year 2018 levels contained in fiscal year 2017 omnibus spending bill, Boozman Hassan Risch the Budget Control Act. A sequester of Brown Hatch Roberts to find a path forward to raise the Burr Heinrich Rounds this size would hit us in readiness. It budget caps and fund our government Cantwell Heitkamp Rubio would hamper our day-to-day oper- for the rest of the fiscal year, Repub- Capito Heller Sanders ations and maintenance. It would hurt licans are focused on a tax cut bill that Cardin Hirono Sasse Carper Hoeven Schatz our troops. Our military leaders do not will add $1.5 trillion to the debt. In- Casey Inhofe Schumer support such a sequester. stead of acting responsibly and in the Cassidy Isakson Scott If we really want to support our mili- greatest traditions of the Senate, the Cochran Johnson Shaheen tary and the men and women in uni- Collins Kaine Shelby majority is marching towards another Coons Kennedy Stabenow form, we must immediately reach a bipartisan fight on the floor on a deeply Corker King Strange partisan budget deal to lift the artifi- flawed tax bill that will impact every Cornyn Klobuchar Sullivan cial and unrealistically low budget corner of our economy. Cortez Masto Lankford Tester caps that were set in law in 2011. It is Cotton Leahy Thune Let’s get to work for the American Crapo Lee Tillis hard to get every Member of this people. For months, have been calling Cruz Manchin Toomey Chamber to agree on anything, but on for a bipartisan budget deal to lift the Daines Markey Udall this, we can agree: Sequester has had a Donnelly McCaskill Van Hollen caps on both sides for both defense and Duckworth McConnell Warner negative impact on our country that nondefense programs based on parity. Durbin Merkley Warren will impact a generation. We need to It is time to complete those negotia- Enzi Moran Whitehouse have an honest conversation about tions. We owe it to the men and women Ernst Murkowski Wicker what the needs of our country are, both Feinstein Murphy Wyden who serve. We owe it to the American Fischer Murray Young in military and domestic spending, and people. draft our spending bills accordingly. Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask NOT VOTING—4 I do appreciate the work that Sen- unanimous consent that all time be Booker McCain Franken Menendez ator MCCAIN and Senator REED have considered yielded back. put into this massive legislation. While The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there The nomination was confirmed. my concerns with the funding levels objection? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under authorized in this bill prevent me from Without objection, it is so ordered. the previous order, the motion to re- supporting it, I do believe it reflects a The question is on agreeing to the consider is considered made and laid strong commitment to the programs conference report. upon the table and the President will and policies that support our service The conference report was agreed to. be immediately notified of the Senate’s members and their families. That must action. always be our goal. f The majority leader. I am pleased that the conferenced f bill maintains support for medical re- EXECUTIVE SESSION search that matter so much to our The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under LEGISLATIVE SESSION servicemembers and to all Americans the previous order, the Senate will now Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I who benefit from the lifesaving results resume executive session. move to proceed to legislative session. made possible through these programs. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The I am also grateful for the inclusion of f question is on agreeing to the motion. language I authored that would pave EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued The motion was agreed to. the way for piloting a preventative f mental health program for our Na- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under tional Guard and Reserve. Like phys- the previous order, all postcloture time EXECUTIVE SESSION ical health, we know that, with par- on the Coggins and Friedrich nominations is yielded back. ticular training and mental prepara- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR tion, a person can be more resilient VOTE ON COGGINS NOMINATION mentally when faced with challenges, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and building that readiness is nec- question is, Will the Senate advise and move to proceed to executive session to essary to maintain the all-volunteer consent to the Coggins nomination? consider Calendar No. 481, Gregory force. Progress is already being made Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask for Katsas. with shifting to a preventative model the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The in the Special Forces community. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a question is on agreeing to the motion. hope to soon see similar progress in de- sufficient second? The motion was agreed to. veloping models for the members of our There appears to be a sufficient sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Guard and Reserve. ond. clerk will report the nomination. This final bill also includes several The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk read the nomination of amendments I proposed to make sure The bill clerk called the roll. Gregory G. Katsas, of Virginia, to be U.S. efforts, especially in Afghanistan, Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator United States Circuit Judge for the are consistent with U.S. values. These is necessarily absent: the Senator from District of Columbia Circuit. include a provision aimed at improving Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN). CLOTURE MOTION the way the Departments of Defense Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and State provide human rights train- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), send a cloture motion to the desk. ing to partner forces, and a require- the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- ment to establish a plan on how to im- FRANKEN), and the Senator from New ture motion having been presented prove our ability to help foreign gov- Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) are necessarily under rule XXII, the Chair directs the ernments protect civilians. The final absent. clerk to read the motion. bill also authorizes establishment of a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The bill clerk read as follows: position in the Department of Defense PERDUE). Are there any other Senators CLOTURE MOTION to oversee its implementation of and in the Chamber desiring to vote? We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- coordination with the Department of The result was announced—yeas 96, ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the State on the Leahy law for human nays 0, as follows: Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Feb 13, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\NOVEMBER\S16NO7.REC S16NO7 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7279 move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- TRIBUTE TO BRIAN FOREST ing down with thundering marches, nation of Gregory G. Katsas, of Virginia, to Mr. President, on an entirely dif- going through Boston, and going up to be United States Circuit Judge for the Dis- ferent matter, I would like to say a few Lexington and Concord. There is no trict of Columbia Circuit. words today about Brian Forest, a key way in this world that a handful of Mitch McConnell, Mike Rounds, Chuck Grassley, Richard Burr, Thom Tillis, member of my legislative office team, trappers and hunters could have won John Hoeven, Ben Sasse, Roy Blunt, who is leaving the Senate after several that thing. Yet we know why, and he Johnny Isakson, Tom Cotton, Ron years of outstanding work in the Sen- knew why, when you talk about Pat- Johnson, Mike Lee, James Lankford, ate. rick Henry. They said: We are not Jerry Moran, Lindsey Graham, Roger Throughout his time in my office, strong enough. It can’t be done. F. Wicker, Bob Corker. Brian has been an invaluable asset, There is one thing they overlooked, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I taking on the daily challenges and and that is the strength that comes ask unanimous consent that the man- countless responsibilities which come from God that we had, and they didn’t datory quorum call be waived. with the territory for my staff, but have. He said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Brian did not just handle it all—he ex- We are not weak if we make a proper use objection, it is so ordered. celled. Regardless of the pressures, the of those means which the God of nature hath NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL deadlines, or the obstacles—and, be- placed in our power. . . . armed in the holy Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, just lieve me, there were many—Brian al- cause of liberty, and in such a country as a moment ago, the Senate acted to ways came through. that which we possess, are invincible by any send the President one of the most im- Now, regretfully, he has decided to force which our enemy can send against us. portant policy bills we consider each take on a whole new set of challenges. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles year—the National Defense Authoriza- I am confident he will continue to show alone. There is a just God who [reigns] over the same skill, friendship, and good the destinies of nations; and who will raise tion Act. up friends to fight our battles for us. Not only will this legislation author- humor that endeared him to many in ize the resources, capabilities, pay, and the Senate because that is who Brian And he did, and they fired that shot benefits our men and women in uni- is. heard around the world. form need to perform their missions, I know I speak for all of those on my I think that is really important but this year’s bill also goes further. It staff when I say I am really sorry to today to think about because people takes a notable step toward author- see him go. I wish Brian well in his new come to this country and they want to izing the resources needed to start re- adventures, and I thank him for his know what makes America work. building our military and restoring service to our Nation, to the Senate, I have been privileged to sponsor the combat readiness. and to me. African dinner every February, and It will help improve our missile de- I yield the floor. people come in from all over Africa. fense capabilities and better prepare us The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- They are always surprised when they to deal with cyber threats. It will au- ator from Oklahoma. come and they find out walking thorize a well-deserved pay raise for Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask through the Capitol what real signifi- our men and women in uniform while unanimous consent that I be recog- cance God and the Bible has to the his- providing for continued reform of the nized as in morning business for such tory of this country. We are the largest benefits they and their families rely time as I shall consume. Christian community in the world. We upon, and it will support the thousands The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without cannot and should not deny the role of military servicemembers and fami- objection, it is so ordered. our Judeo-Christian values played in lies serving at military installations in MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE the formation of this country. Kentucky and in the Kentucky Na- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, this Our first President, George Wash- tional Guard. week, after 3 years of planning and ington, was steadfast in his belief of Further, this bill strives to bring re- construction, we now will be dedicating God, His law, and that liberty is God’s form to the Pentagon. As Senator tomorrow and officially opening the gift. Washington’s leadership was based MCCAIN said of the NDAA a few months Museum of the Bible. on the conviction that Americans are ago, it will ‘‘[build] upon the sweeping This is led by Steve Green of Hobby entrusted by God to preserve basic reforms that Congress has passed in re- Lobby. We all remember Hobby Lobby freedoms established in the Constitu- cent years.’’ He is right, and none of of Oklahoma. Steve has been a friend of tion. mine and his parents have been friends this would have been possible without In a letter, Washington wrote, ‘‘We of mine for a long period of time. He is him, without his leadership. should be very cautious of violating I think I can speak for everyone in the chairman of the board of directors the rights of conscience in others, ever this Chamber when I say that our for this long-awaited museum that will considering that God alone is the judge friend Senator MCCAIN has served with allow visitors from not just this coun- of the hearts of men and to Him only in distinction as chairman of the Armed try but from all over the world—they this case they are answerable.’’ Services Committee. I know the rank- will be coming here to see what it is all ing member on his committee, Senator about and how this plays a pivotal role It is clear our Founding Fathers recognized and enshrined the importance REED, thinks so as well. I know a lot of in our country’s history. There is no Members on both sides of the aisle do better place than Washington, DC, in of religious liberty, one of our most too. our Nation’s Capitol, to remind us of precious and foundational religious Senator MCCAIN’s commitment to the scope of the Bible’s impact on our freedoms that allowed them to live our men and women in uniform is obvi- history and our narrative. It has been their lives according to the teaching of ous, and it is unwavering. He respects long-awaited. the Bible. these brave Americans immensely; he Indeed, one of our Founding Fathers, The Bible’s role in the founding of cares about them deeply; and he under- Patrick Henry, was renowned for his America is just one remarkable exam- stands better than just about anyone readings of the Bible. He said at the ple of how the Bible has profoundly how important a bill like this is to end of his life: ‘‘This book is worth all shaped world history. It has influenced them, not only on a policy level but on the books that ever were printed, and cultures in every corner of the globe, a personal level as well. it has been my misfortune that I never and the Museum of the Bible, which is The NDAA he worked so hard to pass found time to read it with the proper going to be opening tomorrow, pays has now cleared both Chambers. It is attention and feeling till lately.’’ tribute to its impact and headed to the President’s desk. Soon, it He is the one—and not many people intersectionality with the world reli- will become law. When it does, it will are aware that historians are relooking gions. stand as yet another testament to the at the history of this country, and they Whether considering the Bible hard work, dedication, and unflappable are saying we could not have won that through a secular or faith-based lens, it determination of our colleague and war. I mean you have to sometimes is impossible to deny its impact on in- friend Senator JOHN MCCAIN—truly, an close your eyes and envision the great- dividuals, countries, and, indeed, all American hero. est army on the face of this Earth com- world history. The Museum of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.024 S16NOPT1 S7280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Bible is the first educational experi- thing equally as valuable—to allow en- tor of the International Energy Agen- ence I have encountered that truly ap- ergy exploration in Alaska. cy, Fatih Birol, said the United States preciates the full magnitude of the Bi- Yesterday the Senate Energy and ‘‘will become the undisputed global oil ble’s role throughout history. Natural Resources Committee met to and gas leader for decades to come’’ The six exhibits, curated by a panel consider legislation to open up a very and that ‘‘the growth in production is of faith leaders that span religious and small part of the Arctic National Wild- unprecedented, exceeding all historical geographic divides, truly bring the life Refuge for responsible energy de- levels.’’ ANWR could be and should be Word of God to life in a way that posi- velopment. This bill was successfully a part of that story. tively educates, informs, and encour- passed by the committee, and I look Energy independence is vital to our ages people of all faiths and beliefs to forward to helping it continue to move national security. How many of these learn more about the Bible. through Congress. countries over there that have been General Washington reminded us in I have long been an advocate for this part of the old Soviet Union want their his Farewell Address: ‘‘Let us with cau- to happen. It is interesting, the people allegiance to us, and yet they are tion indulge the supposition that mo- in Alaska all want it. The polling is forced to buy their oil and gas from rality can be maintained without reli- something like 96 percent of the people Russia and from Iran and they don’t gion.’’ really want this to happen. They know want to do it. Now we are taking them Steve Green’s father David founded the benefits that will come to Alaska, off the hook. Hobby Lobby. I remember this so well the money that will be there. People I had a great experience not long ago. because I was in the State legislature talk about the Arctic National Wildlife I was invited by the President of Lith- at the time this happened. They start- Refuge as if it is this great big thing. It uania to come and open up their first ed in their garage making frames for is the size of South Carolina. It is a terminal. Now we are changing all pictures. It turned out to be this giant, very small thing. Right now, we are that. worldwide corporation, the largest arts going to be able to go up there to cre- We have a guy named Harold Hamm, and crafts retailer in the history of ate jobs and opportunities and author- an Oklahoman who is the chairman America, currently or in the past. ize the leases in Alaska. We will also and CEO of Continental Resources in Remember Hobby Lobby, when increase revenue to the United States. Oklahoma. He announced they would ObamaCare required that all employers It is estimated that the energy pro- begin exporting oil to China. Exporting provide free access to the pills that ter- duction in Alaska could lead to over $1 to China is kind of a big deal. He talks minate pregnancies, David clearly rec- trillion in revenue. Responsible man- about how we are going to become un- ognized this as a violation of his faith. agement will have a positive impact on deniably a leader in exporting energy That is what America is all about. If reducing our national debt and most that will have an impact on the rest of you believe in it, you do it, you take a significantly opening ANWR is allow- the world. President Trump has been clear that risk. He was risking millions of dollars, ing Alaska to do what they want to do. but the morality was so significant We are so good in this body thinking he intends to make the United States a net energy exporter, something we from the teachings of the Bible that he that we know more about what is good haven’t been since 1953. Opening up the went ahead and did it. He took the for Alaska and what is good for Okla- National Wildlife Refuge, which just challenge all the way to the U.S. Su- homa and what is good for Georgia took place this last week, will be a big preme Court and won in a split deci- than they do in their own States. One step toward this initiative, and I ap- sion. He successfully argued the impor- of few things we do right around this plaud the Senate Energy and Natural tance to maintain the fundamental place is how we do our highway bill. In Resources Committee for helping the freedom of religion to apply his faith the highway bill, we get the priorities administration make this happen. convictions to how he operates his pri- from the States when they come in, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL vate business. and they decide what it is they want to Mr. President, the leader of the Sen- David won his case, but his family do in their States. understood we needed to do more. So Remember the issue about the ate, a few minutes ago, talked about he started the Museum of the Bible. I ‘‘bridge to nowhere.’’ Everybody was the NDAA and JOHN MCCAIN’s role in that. JOHN MCCAIN, of course, has been actually was there last June, when it concerned about this. All the talk and is an American hero. Everybody was under construction at the time, as shows jumped on it without realizing, knows his past and knows what he did we walked through and visualized what until it was too late, it had already it was going to look like later on. It is and the suffering he went through. gotten committed. He was very instrumental—sure, we magnificent. Here was something that happened had some disagreements on some of the They have a stage, and you live on right for a change. I was chairman of finer parts of the bill—but this is one the stage. He is going to have perform- the committee at that time. The that had to be done. All of a sudden we ances there. I am so anxious to be ‘‘bridge to nowhere’’ in Alaska didn’t are changing what happened, unfortu- there tonight, the night before the offi- go ‘‘nowhere,’’ it went somewhere. The nately, in the past. cial opening, to see now what it looks problem was, there weren’t any people I can remember about 3 years ago we like. there once you got there, and the rea- got all the way to December before we I am so grateful David’s son Steve son is you couldn’t get there. On their voted this out. We have now voted. and his entire family are leading this list of 100 priorities, No. 4 was to build This is the 55th year in a row that we effort to make the Bible and its impact that bridge, but we, in our infinite wis- have passed a Defense authorization more accessible to the whole world. I dom here, said: No, you can’t do that. bill. If we didn’t by the end of Decem- am especially honored that the mu- Somehow the public didn’t know what ber, then our kids wouldn’t be getting seum will open on my birthday tomor- they were talking about. Well, that is hazard pay or pilots wouldn’t be get- row. I am not sure they really knew kind of the same situation we have ting flight pay, and it would be an ab- that when they made the decision, but right now. We have something in Alas- solute disaster. Of course, it didn’t hap- somebody knew it. ka that was their No. 1 priority to de- pen because we are now doing it. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE velop, and for years and years we have I have to say this. One thing that Mr. President, let me turn to another stopped them from being able to do hasn’t been said enough is what Sen- topic that I think is very important with their land what they wanted to do ator MCCAIN and a lot of his supporters right now; that is, our energy inde- with their land. The Federal Govern- were able to do; that is, reprioritize pendence. It is a huge issue. People are ment has been keeping Alaskans from what defending America is about. not aware, while we may have talked acting in their own best interest. Read the Constitution. Look at the about the importance of the budget Finally, increasing energy produc- history of this country. I always say reconciliation process to set up and to tion in Alaska is a key part of making people should sometime get out that pass the historic and much needed tax the United States not only energy old document that nobody reads any- cuts for our individuals and small busi- independent but energy dominant. We more, the Constitution, and see what nesses, the process also allowed the are on the verge of doing just that. we are supposed to be doing around Senate to use reconciliation for some- Earlier this week, the Executive Direc- here.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.027 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7281 Do you know that what we are sup- The senior assistant legislative clerk proposal fails on the test of making the posed to be doing in this body pri- proceeded to call the roll. Tax Code fairer. marily is defending America, No. 1, and Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask I also believe this effort fails on the they called them post roads, back then, unanimous consent that the order for test of making the code simpler. For building roads and transportation. the quorum call be rescinded. small business owners back in Michi- That is what we are supposed to be The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- gan, they want to spend their time doing, but what has happened in our pore. Without objection, it is so or- doing what they know best, which is military is something people don’t dered. running their business, not spending know about. I applaud our military in REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN days or weeks trying to figure out the uniform now because they are saying it Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise taxes they owe. But, as many of my for the first time in my memory that today to make a simple request of my colleagues in the Finance Committee we are in the most threatened position colleagues on the other side of the have pointed out throughout this week, this country has ever been in. We have aisle. When it comes to the tax legisla- the provisions for a small business adversaries out there. Some are some- tion that Republican colleagues are passthrough serve only to make a com- what mentally deranged. They are rap- rushing through Congress, please stop, plicated tax code even more com- idly getting or already have the capa- slow down, and let’s start over to- plicated—yes, even more complicated. bility of hitting an American city with gether. Expert analysis says that the pass- a weapon. As tragic as it was when we We need real tax reform with clear through provisions will require years of went through 9/11, what a lot of people policy goals that will make our Nation rulemakings and thousands of pages of don’t realize is, if that were to happen, more competitive, not a partisan at- additional rules and regulations. As a a whole city could be wiped out. tempt to pass something—anything— small business owner, unless your The problem is that we have gotten that can get 51 Republican votes in the hobby is studying the Internal Revenue away from prioritizing the fact that Senate. Our shared policy goals should Code, this bill is going to make your the No. 1 concern should be and the be making the Tax Code fairer, sim- life a whole lot more difficult. mission should be for us to defend pler, and fiscally responsible. If we can Finally, on the last test, the test of America. To give an example, up achieve these goals, that would be real whether or not this bill is responsible, this proposal fails miserably. Writing through the 1960s, we spent over 50 per- tax reform. responsible tax legislation means mak- cent of all the revenue that came into If we worked together, we could take ing hard choices—closing loopholes and the Federal Government on defending long overdue steps and build a tax code balancing out the pros and cons of any America. Do you know what it is that lets working families in Michigan and across the country keep more of action. today, Mr. President? It is 15 percent. Congress has the responsibility to their hard-earned money, levels the So we have gone from 50 percent down take seriously the threat of a growing playing field for our small businesses, to 15 percent. What does that tell you? national debt, and we have to think and keeps good jobs here at home in It tells you that the priorities aren’t about this when changing our Tax the United States. Fairer, simpler, re- right. Code. But instead of working to reduce sponsible—those are three key points So we have looked at this, and this is our debt, which we are passing on to C AIN making a tax code that works. If we a first step. This M C -led NDAA is our children and grandchildren, this the first step in reprioritizing where we don’t start over, I am afraid the cur- proposal actually adds more than $1 are. If anyone questions this, if you rent tax legislation will fail on all trillion to our deficit. And it would be look at the Obama administration, three accounts. even more expensive, but in a hap- First, this tax legislation is not fair. when we were trying to recover on se- hazard attempt to limit the cost, the It dramatically moves toward bene- questration, he had a policy. He said: majority has put forward a bill where fiting the wealthiest people in this Na- For every dollar we put in, we are hundreds of millions of dollars of provi- going to have to put an equal amount tion, with only a little sliver of the sions that middle-class families could into social programs. That shows you benefits going to working-class fami- use to reduce their taxes expire at ran- the lack of priority. All that is being lies. dom times over the next few years. changed. The Republican tax bill was clearly When you add it all up and factor in About 10 minutes ago when I started, written to cut rates for CEOs and large the additional interest costs to carry I quoted Patrick Henry. You stop and corporations and treats the middle this new debt, you have a proposal that think about the courage it took at one class like an afterthought. I would adds over $2 trillion to the Federal time to get to the point that we are argue that working Americans who are debt, according to the nonpartisan going to be progressing to, starting struggling with stagnant wages—while Committee for a Responsible Federal with this bill, when he said: There is a the cost of prescription drugs, college, Budget. It is wildly irresponsible to just God who reigns over the destinies and housing continue to rise—need tax pile on this debt to finance a tax break of nations and who will raise up friends cuts that are built around them. for the wealthiest people in this coun- to fight our battles with us. The battle Instead, we are looking at a Repub- try, but it doesn’t have to be that way. is not to the strong alone but to the lican tax plan that repeals the alter- Tax reform can be bipartisan. The vigilant, the active, the brave. Gentle- native minimum tax—a fail-safe de- goal of tax reform must be fairer, sim- men may cry ‘‘peace,’’ but there is no signed specifically to make sure that pler, and responsible. This isn’t just peace. Why stand we idle? What is it wealthy Americans cannot deduct their idealism or wishful thinking. We have that gentlemen wish? What would they way to paying nothing in taxes. From seen it happen before. When Ronald have? Is life so dear, is peace so sweet, what little we have seen of President Reagan worked with Congress to pass it must be bought at the price of chains Trump’s tax returns, we know that the tax reform in 1986, the bill received 97 and slavery? AMT—the alternative minimum tax— votes in the U.S. Senate—yes, 97 votes. That is what it used to be. That was is the only reason he paid income taxes That is the sort of bipartisan approach the priority. And this bill reestablishes at all. The Republican bill will elimi- we need, and we need to start working that priority as the No. 1 priority, as nate the AMT, and President Trump on that now. our history reflects we should be doing, and folks like him will receive a huge Michiganders—and all Americans— as our Constitution has charged us windfall and may not have to pay any deserve a tax code that is fairer, sim- with doing, and we are doing it with taxes at all—zero. pler, and more responsible, not more the passage of the national defense au- Wall Street loves this bill, too, be- multinational corporate giveaways and thorization bill. We are on the road to cause hedge funds will continue to be more debt. recovery, and I am very excited about taxed at lower rates than small busi- I will not stop fighting for hard- it. nesses in our local communities. This working American families and small I yield the floor and suggest the ab- means many hedge fund managers businesses who deserve to see more sence of a quorum. making millions of dollars will have a take-home pay, and I hope my col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lower tax rate than an office assistant leagues on the other side of the aisle clerk will call the roll. working at their firm. Simply put, this will join me.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.028 S16NOPT1 S7282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 I suggest the absence of a quorum. headline reads ‘‘Senate tax bill cuts significant increase in premiums, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- taxes of wealthy and hikes taxes on which would substantially increase the pore. The clerk will call the roll. families earning under $75,000 over a number of uninsured Americans.’’ The legislative clerk proceeded to decade.’’ Let me repeat that. The Sen- The nonpartisan CBO agrees. They call the roll. ate tax bill cuts the taxes of the found that repealing the mandate will Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask wealthy and hikes taxes on families cause 13 million people to lose their unanimous consent that the order for earning under $75,000. The story is healthcare by 2027, and average pre- the quorum call be rescinded. based on a report from the nonpartisan miums would increase about 10 percent The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Joint Commission on Taxation which each year. pore. Without objection, it is so or- shows that the claims from President The inclusion of the mandate repeal dered. Trump and my Republican colleagues to pay for corporate tax cuts will hurt Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask that this bill is all about tax relief for middle-class families across our coun- unanimous consent that upon the con- the middle class are simply wrong. try. It is politics at its worst, throwing clusion of my remarks, the Senator I will quote from this story: aside the needs of our constituents to from Rhode Island be recognized. ensure that a small group of the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- By the year 2027, Americans earning $30,000 to $75,000 a year— wealthy get wealthy. That is because pore. Without objection, it is so or- the core of this bill is based on a prom- dered. Solidly middle-class folks— Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I rise would also be forced to pay more in taxes ise proven false time and again—that today to express my deep concern with even though people earning over $100,000 tax cuts for the richest Americans and the tax reform bill that the Senate Fi- would continue to get substantial tax cuts. most profitable corporations will some- nance Committee is likely to approve Unfortunately, though, that is not how trickle down to help the majority later this week. The latest version of the end of my concerns with this legis- of working Americans. We know that is this massive tax bill, which will impact lation. I am also alarmed by how much not how our economy has actually every single American, was only re- this bill would add to our Nation’s worked. Even President Reagan’s own leased to the public late Tuesday night. budget deficits and by the long-term budget director, David Stockman, said Less than 48 hours later, the Finance impacts it would have on our debt. yesterday that this bill isn’t going to Committee is ramming through this According to the nonpartisan Con- increase wages for the middle class. bill on a party-line vote without any gressional Budget Office, this tax bill— The Senate bill proposes we cut the hearings and without a thorough re- this Republican-only tax bill—will cost top corporate rate nearly in half; ex- view of the bill. over $1.7 trillion over 10 years. That is empt more wealthy individuals from I strongly disagree with the closed- $1.7 trillion with a ‘‘t.’’ What happened the estate tax, which impacts only the door process of developing the sub- to my colleagues who spent years talk- top 0.2 percent of Americans; repeal the stance of a bill which skews the bene- ing about the danger posed by a grow- alternative minimum tax, which af- fits to the wealthy at the expense of ing national debt? Now these very fects those making hundreds of thou- middle-class families and with this same Senators and Representatives are sands annually; and cut tax rates for bill’s irresponsible cost of $1.7 trillion willing to put almost $2 trillion on our those earning over $1 million. over 10 years. I also want to tell my Nation’s credit card. It is an astound- Altogether, the core elements of this colleagues and the President that there ing figure—more than twice as large as plan amount to $1.7 trillion in tax cuts, is still an opportunity for us to do the the emergency stimulus package Con- and my Republican colleagues are sim- right thing and to work together on gress passed in 2009 to prevent the next ply asking us to trust them that the tax reform. Great Depression. It is more than twice benefits will somehow reach the middle We should follow the example of the as much as the much maligned so- class. last time there was successful tax recalled bailout that Congress authorized If that isn’t enough to prove that this form enacted by Congress. This was led to prevent the collapse of the financial bill being rushed through in today’s by Republican President Ronald system. markup is bad policy, my colleagues in Reagan, Democratic Speaker of the What does $1.7 trillion buy us? What the majority went one step further in House Tip O’Neill, and Members of is the great return on investment that this latest version by eliminating all Congress from both parties, who would justify borrowing $1.7 trillion— tax breaks for middle-class families in worked together back in 1986 to pass mostly from China—in a time of near 8 years while making the tax cuts for major tax reform legislation. Sure, record-low unemployment? The Speak- corporations permanent. This means they had strong disagreements, but er of the House, PAUL RYAN, publicly that millions of middle-class families they held lengthy public debates, com- bragged that their tax plan would will see a tax hike in the future in promised on both sides of the aisle, and produce 1 million jobs. That sounds order to fund permanency for corporate eventually passed a major tax reform good but not when you consider the tax breaks. That is just not right. bill that was bipartisan, was fair, and cost. My math may not be great, but if So here is what I think we should do. did not add to our deficits and national you spend $1.7 trillion to get 1 million Let’s slow down. Let’s work together, debt. jobs, that is $1.5 million per job. That Republicans and Democrats, to pass a For some reason, my Republican col- is not a great return on investment. bill that is actually good for all Ameri- leagues seem to have forgotten the ex- To add insult to injury, the majority cans. I believe we can get that done. I ample of the last time the Congress ac- believes they can use this bill to also think it is our job and our duty. We tually passed tax reform. It happened cut access to healthcare for millions of don’t have to start from scratch. There because both parties worked together. Americans because they have decided are bipartisan ideas. There are intro- It happened because both parties com- at the last moment to include a repeal duced, bipartisan tax bills that could promised. And while I believe there is of the Affordable Care Act’s individual make our code simpler and fairer and still time for us to undertake this ap- mandate—a critical part of that bill— more effective. proach, what we are seeing right now is law, which helps ensure a healthy risk I will mention two examples of bills I the exact opposite. I think that is a big pool, which, in turn, lowers premiums. have introduced—one with Republican mistake. Those who actually work in Senator SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO and When I am on the train back to Wil- healthcare know this is a bad idea. another with Republican Senator PAT mington or when I am at home in my That is why the American Medical As- ROBERTS—that encourage manufactur- State of Delaware hearing from my sociation, the American Academy of ers to use made-in-America parts and constituents, my message about this Family Physicians, the American Hos- incentivize companies that invent bill is simple: I am worried what this pital Association, and America’s something here to make it here. I have bill will do to our fiscal health as a Health Insurance Plans have all come introduced another bill with Repub- country and the middle class, and you out against the inclusion of the indi- lican Senator JERRY MORAN—it has should be too. vidual mandate repeal in this bill, say- eight bipartisan cosponsors—and with Let me start by quoting a story from ing that ‘‘eliminating the individual Republican Congressman TED POE that the Washington Post today whose mandate by itself likely will result in a would alter the Tax Code to boost

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.030 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7283 every aspect of the American energy tantly, I have come to admire her as a part of our team. Regardless of who industry, from oil and gas to the latest person. In addition to being incredibly someone may be, when they work with renewable and clean energy tech- competent, strategic, and quick on her Megan, they are treated with dignity nologies. These are just a few ideas, feet, it is Megan’s boundless patience and respect. Time and again, I have but they represent a simple truth: that and optimism I will most miss. Regard- heard from people who are so grateful we can and should work together on less of how stressful, jam-packed, and for her generosity, patience, and kind- tax reform instead of making this one uncertain a day may be, Megan is al- ness. I have seen her help and stick up more pointless, partisan battle. ways able to ensure that everything for her colleagues, even when that was The same thing is true for our gets done; that every constituent is difficult to do. healthcare system. The American peo- heard, every important issue is raised, Let me close by simply saying to my ple have overwhelmingly said they and that this Senator doesn’t lose his friend and colleague Megan O’Neill: want a bipartisan and open process to mind. Thank you. Thank you for everything fix healthcare, not a one-party scheme Megan is also famous for her seem- you have done for me, for your col- by either party that throws our system ingly permanent smile and sunny dis- leagues, for your friends in the Senate, into chaos with no plan to replace it. position. Some of her colleagues in my for the State of Delaware, and our I encourage President Trump and Re- office chimed in with a few anecdotes. country. The Senate is a place full of publican leaders to stop trying to pass Oftentimes, I was told, throughout the amazing, talented people, but even tax reform with only Republicans and day, Megan will announce she is off to among them, you have stood out in to reach across the aisle to work with get a ‘‘fun drink,’’ which might sound your time here, and we will all miss Democrats and pass something we can like a Margarita but is, in fact, always you dearly. Thank you. all get behind. a raspberry lemonade-flavored Dasani The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- TRIBUTE TO MEGAN O’NEILL sparkling water. When something pore. The Senator from Rhode Island is Mr. President, while I appreciate the comes up—whether it is a favorite TV recognized. opportunity to talk today about the show, album, or new restaurant, she REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN very real need for bipartisan tax re- exclaims: ‘‘That’s my jam!’’ She also Mr. REED. Mr. President, it is our reform that helps working families, loves to travel, but one thing that sponsibility to ensure that future gen- grows the economy, and doesn’t in- makes her different is that when she erations will have greater opportunity crease our debt, I wish to turn to an- has an upcoming trip, she is just as ex- and greater security than we inherited other important topic—the impending cited to plan it out minute by minute from our parents and our forebears. To departure from my office of Megan as she is to actually go. accomplish this, we must put aside po- O’Neill, my director of scheduling. I can’t talk about Megan without litical expedience and take a sober Megan has been a part of our office mentioning her family. She speaks fre- look at the health of our national econ- for more than 5 years. She leaves later quently and lovingly about her parents omy and our ability to keep our com- this month for an exciting new oppor- Michael and Donna O’Neill and her mitments at home and around the tunity in New York City. younger brother Matt. As anyone who world. With this in mind, I rise to urge Megan is quite simply one of the knows Megan is well aware, each sum- my colleagues to reject the partisan most capable, resourceful, intelligent, mer, she is a key part of O’Neill week and fiscally irresponsible Republican effective, and kind people I have ever when she joins her parents, brother, tax proposals in the so-called Tax Cuts had the honor of knowing or working cousins, and extended family in beau- and Jobs Act. When we strip away the with. One of the most well-worn tiful Bethany Beach, DE, to play Olym- rosy, but false, economic projections sayings here in Washington is that ‘‘ev- pic-style beach games, eat, drink, and and ideologically motived economic eryone is replaceable.’’ While that may enjoy each other’s company. theories the Republicans have been be true for me, and it may be true for Anyone who understands the Senate using to hype this bill, it is clear this the Acting President pro tempore, and knows how essential schedulers are to bill trades away our nation’s long-term it may be true for many others here, it everything that goes on here. No staff- economic health and the well-being of is simply not true of Megan. She is er has a more challenging, demanding, working Americans, the poor, the sick, truly irreplaceable. I owe Megan a huge or complex role. We Senators have big and the old in order to benefit the debt of gratitude for her years of serv- vocabularies for our long-winded wealthy. Moreover, this bill will take ice to my office, to Delaware, and to speeches, but the most important word us trillions of dollars deeper into debt our country. a scheduler says is ‘‘no,’’ and Megan at a time when the costs of 16 years of Many of us who have worked with her mastered the art of saying no in a firm, debt-financed wars continue to mount. will gather to thank her and wish her professional, appropriate way, even Republicans owe it to our country and well, but I also wanted to take a few when this Senator seems to always to future generations who will be stuck minutes to talk about—and probably want to say yes. with the multi-trillion-dollar cost of embarrass—this remarkable woman. Schedulers wear too many hats to this bill to go back to the drawing Megan is from nearby Chevy Chase, count. They are field generals, fire- board and produce a balanced and per- MD, but more important, at least in fighters, political advisers, logisti- manent bipartisan path forward on our my opinion, is that she graduated from cians, psychologists, diplomats, man- Nation’s broken Tax Code. the University of Delaware as a agers, and air traffic controllers. They It does not take an economist to see ‘‘Fighting Blue Hen’’ with a degree in work as hard or harder than anyone that the Republican tax bill is a his- economics and international relations. else here but so often go unseen or un- toric $1.5 trillion transfer of wealth She interned in my Wilmington office heard. Maybe that is why Senate from poor and working Americans to during her senior year at UD and schedulers are a very tight-knit group. the very wealthiest among us, but a quickly became a staff favorite. Megan often speaks with great fond- few of its glaring injustices are worth Upon graduating, Megan moved to ness and respect for her counterparts mentioning. According to the Center Washington, and I hired her as a staff in other Senate offices, and it does not for Budget and Policy Priorities, it assistant, working at the front desk in surprise me that they think highly of gives over twice as much tax relief to my DC office. It is a particularly de- her. millionaires as it does to Americans manding job—juggling visiting con- One of Megan’s counterparts said she making under $50,000. Just 5,000 of the stituents, constant phone calls, and su- is ‘‘always quick to share advice and wealthiest American families will re- pervising interns. She proved herself to ideas, and has been a great source of ceive hundreds of billions of dollars be mature and capable. I promoted her support when any [of] her colleagues over a decade in the form of estate tax several times in quick succession until need some kind words. She is efficient breaks at a time when income and she took over as my director of sched- and effective while also being so nice wealth inequality in this country are uling in August of 2015. and compassionate.’’ at historic highs. This transfer of Over the course of her time in my of- Megan’s compassion is, at the end of wealth through estate tax repeal alone fice, I have come to deeply respect her the day, what makes her such an in- requires us to go back to the drawing as a professional, but more impor- credible person and an irreplaceable board. On the other hand, the bill

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.032 S16NOPT1 S7284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 raises taxes on 19.4 million households est costs for overseas contingency op- investing it now in increasing our mili- earning under $200,000 by as much as erations spending alone are projected tary forces. If the Air Force grows by $500. Forty-six percent of households to add more than $1 trillion to the na- 30,000 personnel, it will cost an addi- making under $100,000 and 50 percent of tional debt by 2023. By 2056, a conserv- tional $6 billion per year. If the Marine households making under $75,000 will ative estimate is that the interest Corps grows by 20,000 personnel, it will either see their taxes go up over the costs will be about $8 trillion, unless cost an additional $3.6 billion per year. next decade or see no change at all, and the U.S. changes the way it pays for If you talk to the Commandant or that is just the tip of the iceberg. the wars.’’ Chief of Staff of the Air Force, they While tax cuts for big corporations are In a sense, what we are doing is will tell you they have to increase the made permanent, the Republican bill mortgaging the future of our children size of their force because of the oper- plans to claw back what little it gives and grandchildren as we continue to ational tempo. Indeed, if you talk to to everyone else after a few years, set- add debt, and this is unavoidable debt the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, he ting up even bigger tax hikes for the in so many cases. We know we cannot will tell you they are in a desperate middle class down the line. This does immediately stop our engagement in situation maintaining sufficient pilots not even begin to cover the return of countries throughout the world—in Af- to fly our aircraft. So we could be buy- TrumpCare that has been added to this ghanistan, in the Middle East and ing hundreds of new F–35 aircraft at a bill, which would take healthcare cov- other areas. And, frankly, we are fac- significant cost and watch them parked erage away from 13 million Americans ing tremendous challenges in the Ko- because we can’t afford the flight crews and drive up costs substantially for the rean Peninsula. The approximate com- to fly them and to maintain them. We poor, the sick, and the elderly. bined President’s budget request for know these costs are coming, and we This bill is a bad investment and, the Departments of Defense, State, and are ignoring them until they come due. frankly, it is one we can ill afford. Ac- USAID for fiscal year 2018 is $14 billion We are ignoring them now for the ben- cording to the Penn Wharton Budget for Iraq and Syria, and $48.9 billion for efit of these tax cuts. Model provided by the University of Afghanistan. If we do not chart a responsible path Pennsylvania, the bill will reduce Fed- Furthermore, these costs do not ac- forward on economic policy, we will eral revenue by as much as $1.7 trillion count for much needed maintenance leave all these costs to the next gen- and increase our national debt by $2 and modernization of our military as- eration, to the detriment of our chil- trillion in the 10-year budget window. sets. For example, modernizing, oper- dren, our national security, and our po- By 2040, this becomes $3.6 trillion in ating, and sustaining our nuclear sition of world leadership. Frankly, it lost Federal revenue and up to $6.9 tril- triad—which includes submarines, might not be even that long before se- lion in debt. We would take on all this bombers, and ICBMs—is projected to rious issues materialize. Once the mar- debt for an estimated 0.4 to 0.9 percent cost $1.2 trillion in 2017 dollars over the kets determine that $1.5 trillion is just boost in GDP. For $1.5 trillion, we next 30 years. We are debating taking a small fraction of what we still must could make needed repairs to our $1.5 trillion and giving it to the pay to protect ourselves; to continue streets and highways across America— wealthiest Americans when we know our commitment in Afghanistan, to creating tens of thousands of jobs in that we need an additional $1.2 trillion continue to support allies across the the process. We could pay off every over 30 years to secure the safety of the globe, markets may learn very quickly American’s credit card or student loan, United States and the civility of the that the deficit is beginning to devour or lift every American above the pov- world through nuclear deterrence. This us. The markets will react, as they erty line for years. Instead, this bill begs the very simple question: If we have in the past. So we could see a seri- would put yet another massive charge want to borrow $1.5 trillion, why don’t ous problem long before even our chil- on America’s credit card that will not we invest it in a cost we know will dren confront these debts. create jobs, will not trickle down, and come due—protecting our country and That is why earlier today former Sec- most certainly will not pay for itself. the world through the renovation and retaries of Defense Leon Panetta, We still have a $5.6 trillion in deficits reinvigoration of our nuclear triad. Chuck Hagel, and Ash Carter sent a and interest payments from the Bush The Navy recently validated a re- letter to congressional leadership and tax cuts to prove it. With over $20 tril- quirement for 355 ships. This would re- the House and Senate Armed Services lion in national debt, it is long past quire the Navy to purchase around 329 Committee leadership that warned us time to stop experimenting with peo- new ships over 30 years—an average that the fiscal irresponsibility of the ple’s lives and livelihoods to prove yet cost of $102 billion per year through Republican tax proposal will con- again there are no merits to supply- 2047, which is 13 percent more than the tribute to a growing budget crisis. The side economics. America has pressing $90 billion needed to build and operate letter urges Congress to instead ad- needs and very real bills coming due. the current 254-ship fleet envisioned in dress the sequester that threatens to Mr. President, I would like to spend the Navy’s 2017 plan. Once again, we ‘‘hollow out’’ our military’s ability to the remaining time of my remarks ad- are committing ourselves to billions of sustain the commitments of its global dressing something about which we dollars of costs to our Navy ship- missions. have heard far too little in this debate, building program while we are enter- Mr. President, tax policies have real and that is the impact on our national taining a 1.5 or more trillion-dollar tax consequences. We can debate the value economic health of the unavoidable giveaway to the wealthiest Americans. of one tax proposal over another, but and compounding cost of 16 years of We know these costs are coming due, that is not the debate before us. The military conflict paid for almost en- but we are fooling ourselves into think- simple facts are that this tax bill will tirely through debt. For the first time ing we can continue spending on credit give breaks to the people who need in our history, the United States re- forever. them the least, take money from work- duced revenue—in the form of the Bush We can expect even greater costs if ing Americans, leave millions of Amer- tax cuts—rather than the usual pay-as- our military increases end strength, as icans sicker and worse off, and further you-go approach to financing the post- so many on both sides of the aisle are strain our ability to keep America safe 9/11 wars. While we debate potentially proposing. This is because of high oper- from growing and changing threats adding trillions of dollars to the debt ational tempo, which is not likely to across the globe. It also threatens ex- for an ill-conceived tax bill, the costs diminish. For every additional 10,000 penditures on healthcare, education, of war are coming due. servicemembers, it costs roughly $1.8 infrastructure, and other vital domes- According to calculations in the billion per year for pay and benefits, tic needs as the debt balloons due to thorough report by the Costs of War and to train and equip these personnel. this bill’s unaffordable tax breaks for Project by the Watson Institute at If the Army grows to 580,000 personnel, corporate titans. This is not what we Brown University, ‘‘[e]ven if the U.S. it will cost an additional $18 billion per owe the next generation. It is not even stopped spending on war at the end of year, but we are taking that money, what we owe our children today. I urge this fiscal year, interest costs alone on and we are giving it in tax cuts, the my colleagues across the aisle to con- borrowing to pay for the wars will con- prominent amount of which is going to sider our Nation’s future and join us in tinue to grow apace . . . [f]uture inter- the wealthiest Americans. We are not opposing this legislation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.037 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7285 Like so many here, I was here in 2001 tions and allow the hearing despite the able to block a Presidential [nomina- when President George W. Bush pro- lack of two positive blue slips. tion].’’ Well, now that Senator is with- posed his tax cuts, which I opposed, As I explained earlier this week, the holding his blue slip for a nominee to and assured us that our economy would blue-slip courtesy is just that—a cour- the Ninth Circuit. If he did not believe grow, that jobs would multiply, that tesy. For 100 years, the Judiciary Com- that 41 Senators should be able to we would be fine. Let me remind my mittee chairmen have asked for the block a nominee, he surely wouldn’t colleagues that he said this after we views of home State Senators on judi- believe that a single Senator would had made the tough decisions in the cial nominees via the blue-slip process. have that right. Clinton Administration that led to a The blue slip is meant to solicit in- I think the Democrats now seriously projected surplus in the billions of dol- sights into nominees and ensure that regret that they abolished the fili- lars. The mantra from many people at the White House is adequately con- buster, as I warned them about at that the time was, let’s give the money sulting with home State Senators as particular time when they were trying back to the American people. the advice part of the advice and con- to add a lot of people who were not We don’t have a surplus today. We sent would apply. needed on the DC Circuit Court of Ap- have a significant deficit. It will grow Let me be very clear. I will maintain peals, as an example—packing the with this bill because this bill says the blue-slip courtesy, but some of my court, in other words. They cannot that we are going to increase it by $1.5 Democratic colleagues and leftwing veto it because there is not a filibuster, trillion at a minimum, and it will not outside groups mistakenly assert that so they want to use the blue slip for be just $1.5 trillion. the blue slip affords a home State Sen- that purpose. It is very clear from the I suggest that, unless we abandon our ator veto power over a nominee. That history of the blue slip that that is not commitments to the men and women of is not true. Only 2 out of the 18 pre- what the blue slip was meant for. our Armed Forces, unless we decide to vious chairmen of this committee in On the other hand, some have argued disengage from the deterrent that we the last 100 years allowed a single Sen- that the blue-slip courtesy has no place must have to defend the Nation from a ator to wield veto power over a nomi- in modern judicial confirmations. The nuclear Armageddon, unless we decide nee. LA Times recently suggested getting to leave Afghanistan—after the Presi- Senator Joe Biden, when he was the rid of the blue slip, as did the New dent announced that no longer are we Judiciary Committee chairman, articu- York Times several years ago. Even basing our decisions on time but on lated what I consider to be a sensible our committee’s ranking member, Sen- conditions—there will continue to be policy with regard to the blue slip. He ator FEINSTEIN, once advocated for trillions and trillions of dollars of un- said that a negative blue slip will be a abolishing the blue slip. avoidable costs that should be included ‘‘significant factor’’ for the committee I disagree that we should abolish the in this debate. to weigh, but ‘‘it will not preclude con- blue slip. The blue slip serves the im- This is not the time to take trillions sideration of a nominee’’ unless the ad- portant purpose of encouraging con- of dollars and give a disproportionate ministration were to fail to consult sultation between the White House and share to the wealthiest Americans. with the Senator. I intend to follow the Senate. Otherwise, the constitu- This is the time for us to work to- this practice for negative and tional provision of advice and consent gether, to provide the resources for our unreturned blue slips. This practice is is just consent. But there is oppor- military, to provide investments for consistent with the vast majority of tunity to advise ahead of time. That is our people, and to deal with the issue the blue slip’s history. what the blue slips help to do. The blue of inequality between the wealthiest 1 I will add that I am less likely to pro- slip serves the important purpose of en- percent and everybody else. None of ceed on a district court nominee who couraging consultation between the that is accomplished by this bill. In does not have two positive blue slips White House and the Senate. The fact, this bill will complicate, com- from home State Senators, but circuit White House has an obligation to en- pound, and make even more difficult courts, as we know, cover multiple gage in good-faith consultation with the problems we face in defending the States. There is less reason to defer to home State Senators for the purpose of Nation and giving people a chance at the views of a single State’s Senator advice. having better futures. for such nominees when that nominee I will not allow the White House to I yield the floor. is going to serve several States in a cir- just steamroll home State Senators, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cuit. but, as I have said all along, I will not pore. The Senator from Iowa. It is important to remember that the allow the blue-slip process to be BLUE SLIPS AND THE NOMINATIONS OF DAVID judicial confirmation process has abused. Ever since last November, STRAS AND KYLE DUNCAN changed over the last several years. when the press had asked me about the Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, ear- Previously, when home State Senators blue slip, I have said that we are going lier this week, I spoke about the his- did not return a positive blue slip, to honor the blue-slip process but that tory of the blue-slip courtesy. I hope their colleagues often defeated that there are always exceptions. I am not my colleagues will read that history as very same nomination on the floor but going to allow Senators to prevent a well. I explained in that speech earlier not in committee. committee hearing for political or ide- this week that in my nearly four dec- When President Bush nominated ological reasons. Those are the least ades in the Senate, I have regularly re- Carolyn Kuhl to the Ninth Circuit, her reasons not to have a hearing. Using turned my blue slip even when I would home State Senators did not return the blue slip for these purposes is not have preferred that the President had positive blue slips. Chairman HATCH, consistent with historical practice. nominated someone else. nevertheless, held a hearing and a vote This brings me to one of the two Today, I am announcing that the Ju- for that nominee. Her home State Sen- nominations we are having on Novem- diciary Committee will hold a hearing ators, however, convinced their col- ber 29, that of Justice David Stras of for two circuit court nominees, each of leagues to filibuster the nominee on Minnesota. whom has one home State Senator who the Senate floor. Carolyn Kuhl was Justice Stras appears to be excep- has not returned a blue slip containing never confirmed. tionally well qualified. He graduated a positive endorsement. A few years ago, as we know—I think first in his class from the University of The hearing for Justice David Stras, it was in 2013—Democrats abolished the Kansas Law School. He clerked for nominee to the Eighth Circuit, and filibuster for nominees to the lower both the Ninth Circuit and the Fourth Kyle Duncan, nominee to the Fifth Cir- courts. They argued that a minority of Circuit and then for U.S. Supreme cuit, will take place on November 29. Senators should not be allowed to Court Justice Clarence Thomas. After Both of these nominees appear to be block nominees who had majority sup- several years in private practice in very well qualified, and they deserve port. Minnesota, Justice Stras joined the the Judiciary Committee’s further con- Our colleague, the Senator from Or- faculty of the University of Minnesota sideration. I would therefore like to egon, said: ‘‘ ‘Advice and consent’ was Law School. He remained there until offer an explanation as to why I am never envisioned as a check that in- his appointment to the Minnesota Su- choosing to proceed on these nomina- volved a minority of the Senate being preme Court in 2010. In 2012, he was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.039 S16NOPT1 S7286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 elected to a full 6-year term on the The editorial board of the largest wrote a letter to the committee stat- court by 56 percent of Minnesota vot- newspaper in Minnesota echoed the re- ing: ers. Think about one’s not returning a tired justice, Paul Anderson: We are Minnesota law professors with di- blue slip when somebody gets 56 per- While Stras is more conservative than I verse political views ranging from very con- cent of the vote to be returned to the would like, that is not the point. The ques- servative to very progressive. Some of us court. tion is whether Stras is qualified to serve on have appeared before Justice Stras as advo- the Eighth Circuit. And he is. cates, and all of us are familiar with his aca- Justice Stras was raised by a single demic and judicial track records. My colleague later claimed that he mother in Kansas. He is the grandson Now as I continue the quote, I want was not adequately consulted by the of Holocaust survivors. He carries the to say to everybody, get this: White House, which would be a legiti- lessons passed down by his grand- He is no extremist, and he has approached parents with him each day. mate reason for withholding a blue his academic and judicial work without bias I want to refer to a writing he just slip, as I hope I have implied several or favoritism. submitted to a leading newspaper. times during my remarks today and be- This support is echoed by his col- Writing recently about their survival fore. So I looked into this by reviewing leagues in my State of Iowa. The com- in Auschwitz and then immigrating to the records of consultation—and thank mittee has received several letters of the United States, he recalled that his God the White House keeps pretty good support from the faculty at the Univer- grandfather had ‘‘the uncommon gift of records. It is clear the White House sity of Iowa College of Law where Jus- being able to see the light of human earnestly and repeatedly attempted to tice Stras teaches as an adjunct pro- generosity in the midst of near-total work with both home State Senators. fessor. Among his supporters are the darkness.’’ The White House reached out to my dean of the law school, Gail Agrawal, He wrote that his grandparents em- colleague from Minnesota several and Professor Sheldon Kurtz, a self-de- braced ‘‘a message of optimism, in- times between January and May of this scribed ‘‘life-long liberal.’’ tended to ensure that their children year to discuss the Eighth Circuit va- Justice Stras is a widely respected and grandchildren were able to lead a cancy that Minnesota supplies a mem- jurist, and he should have a hearing. life free from the atrocities that they ber for. Ideological differences should not pre- had witnessed.’’ It wasn’t until May 2 that my col- vent the committee from moving for- Justice Stras has an impeccable rep- league suggested alternatives to Jus- ward. utation in the Minnesota legal commu- tice Stras. That was more than 3 I would also like to address my deci- nity. months after initial contact by the sion to hold a hearing for Kyle Duncan, a nominee for the Fifth Circuit. He also His former colleagues at the Univer- White House. Nevertheless, the White has not had two positive blue slips re- sity of Minnesota Law School describe House did what they should under the Constitution by listening to Senators. turned. He is a widely respected appel- him as a person who ‘‘engaged in de- late lawyer who has litigated over 30 bate respectfully, listening to opposing They considered my colleague’s two suggested nominees. I am satisfied that cases in Federal and State appellate ideas while backing up his own views courts, including the U.S. Supreme with facts and arguments’’ and who the White House adequately tried to consult with both home State Senators Court. ‘‘wanted our students to be exposed to My friend and colleague, Senator a wide range of beliefs.’’ as the Constitution requires under advice and consent. Therefore, I am not KENNEDY of Louisiana, has declined to Another group of colleagues of Jus- return a positive blue slip. However, tice Stras from his days in private going to deny Justice Stras a hearing. I would like to say a brief word about Senator KENNEDY expressed that while practice describe this justice as the Justice Stras’s supposedly rigid con- he is undecided on Mr. Duncan’s nomi- type of attorney who ‘‘never talked nation, he does not oppose a hearing servative views. The Judiciary Com- down to people’’ and ‘‘there was never for Mr. Duncan. This seems to me to be mittee has received numerous letters any hint that he felt himself superior a very sensible approach. It is the cor- attesting to Justice Stras’s intellec- to anyone.’’ Instead, Justice Stras ‘‘lis- rect distinction that a Senator should tual honesty and, probably more im- tened to others’ views, and worked to make when deciding whether to return portantly, open-mindedness. It is clear find an approach to legal problems that a blue slip. The blue slip is not meant that he has great respect for the rule of was both effective and acceptable to to signify the Senator’s ultimate sup- law, and his tenure on the Minnesota everyone on the team.’’ They also note port or opposition to the nominee. It Supreme Court demonstrates that, like in that letter his dedication to men- only expresses a Senator’s view about any good judge, he is able to put aside toring young lawyers. whether the nominee should have a his personal views and apply the law Despite these accomplishments and hearing. faithfully. accolades, one Senator has withheld Senator FEINSTEIN made this precise One letter, written by a bipartisan his blue slip. Evidently, my colleague distinction in 2003 for Carolyn Kuhl’s group of attorneys from Justice Stras’s from Minnesota believes that Justice nomination. I referred to that nomina- former firm, noted that they ‘‘never Stras has not even earned a hearing be- tion earlier in my remarks. Senator doubted for a minute that he reached fore the Senate Judiciary Committee. FEINSTEIN returned a blue slip which his decisions based on his well-consid- But the reasons given for withholding noted that she ‘‘reserved judgment’’ on ered view of the law, and not personal, the blue slip are not consistent with Carolyn Kuhl. She also supported hold- political, or ideological consider- the blue slip’s purposes and history. ing a hearing for Judge Kuhl. Ulti- ations.’’ mately, after Judge Kuhl’s hearing, Justice Stras was nominated to the They went on to note: Senator FEINSTEIN decided to oppose Eighth Circuit on May 8, more than 6 confirmation. months ago. After many months, my The lawyers whose names appear at the bottom of this letter span the political spec- Evidently, the hearing served a use- colleague formally announced that he trum, from Democrat to Republican, liberal ful purpose, and Senator FEINSTEIN was would not return a blue slip. He cited to conservative. We differ in our political able to distinguish between allowing a Justice Stras’s ‘‘deeply conservative views, but we are united in our support of hearing and supporting a nominee. Justice Stras’s nomination to the Eighth judicial philosophy,’’ as well as his ad- Senator KENNEDY has shown that he miration for Justice Thomas and Jus- Circuit Court of Appeals. understands this distinction as well. tice Scalia. To me, this amounts to an There are all kinds of people writing I look forward to hearing from Jus- ideological litmus test: Admirers of that letter—Democrats and Repub- tice Stras and Mr. Duncan at the Sen- Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia licans, liberals and conservatives. Why ate Judiciary Committee hearing on need not ever apply for being on a cir- is a Senator concerned about the jus- November 29. cuit court. tice’s ideological views when people I think that all 100 Senators ought to The Minnesota StarTribune’s edi- who know him well seem to think that look at the advice and consent clause. torial board summed it up. They said is not a consideration because he is We have an opportunity to give advice the Senator from Minnesota ‘‘rejected going to make a good judge? to a President. We have an opportunity Stras for one reason: the justice’s con- A group of former colleagues at the then, if that nominee comes up here, to servative views.’’ University of Minnesota agree. They vote for that nominee.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:51 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7287 Do we want to preserve the ‘‘advice’’ growing number of threats and chal- committee’s jurisdiction. First, the part of advice and consent? If we do, I lenges that our military must face. conference report builds on important would suggest that we look at the blue Across the globe, we have witnessed provisions included in the versions that slip as a useful tool for accomplishing the rise of dangerous new threats that passed both the House and the Senate a very important part of the process. If make the mission of our warfighters this year, and it includes the adminis- it is abused—at least while I am chair- even more challenging. In Europe, tration’s request for additional missile man, you don’t have to worry about it Vladimir Putin has shown a complete defense funding, submitted earlier this going away. But if it is abused, some- disregard for international law and month. In total, the bill authorizes an day it will go away, and then all we are order and threatens key allies and de- additional $4.4 billion above the level going to have, when it is all said and mocracies that underpin the demo- requested by the President when the done, is consent. cratic backbone of Europe. In the Pa- budget was initially submitted to im- I yield the floor. cific, we face a nuclear-armed dictator prove our missile defense systems. This The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- in North Korea who murders his own includes a significant expansion of our pore. The majority leader. people while threatening mass death Ground-based Midcourse Defense sys- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I and destruction to the United States tem and authorizes resources to begin listened carefully to the excellent re- and to our allies. In the Middle East, construction of another 20 interceptor marks of the chairman of the Judiciary we have witnessed the rapid and fear- silos at Fort Greely, AK. To further en- Committee, outlining the history of some emergence of radical extremist hance the system’s effectiveness, the the blue slip. I am going to say to the groups like ISIS, whose barbarism bill makes valuable investments in the chairman that he has outlined a sen- shocks the world. Their horrific acts of network of radars and other sensors sible use of the blue slip, which in- bloodshed show just how dangerous that support the system’s operations. volves consultation but does not lead this warped ideology is, and the efforts The bill also contains reasonable re- to a one-Senator veto of a nominee. I thank the chairman for the history of the men and women in uniform have forms to our military space enterprise lesson. It is a history lesson that the played a critical role in the fight to that are designed to achieve a more Senate needed to hear. stem this dark tide. streamlined and agile system that is I also thank the chairman for the Unfortunately, this same ideology of more responsive to the needs of our spectacular job that he has done all radical extremism is finding new fol- warfighters. year long with this new administration lowers in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Furthermore, the bill improves the in processing and bringing forward These threats demand that we be oversight and management of our nu- highly qualified nominees. For genera- ready. The fact is that the United clear command and control architec- tions to come, Americans who follow States has faced challenges before, and ture. Often overlooked, these programs the third branch will be indebted to the if one thing holds true throughout his- form the connective tissue between our chairman for the way he has handled tory, it is that our Armed Forces will national leadership and our nuclear these nominations, processed them, be called upon to defeat the enemies of forces. Their reliability and resilience moved them out on to the floor, and freedom and safeguard this Nation. For are vital to the effectiveness of our nu- given the Senate the opportunity to ex- them to succeed, the Congress must clear deterrent. press its will. provide the men and women in uniform As the specter of great power conflict I wish every Member of the Senate the support they need to execute their returns and the threat from a nuclear- had been able to hear the chairman’s missions. That is why I am so proud to armed North Korea continues to grow, remarks, but I am certainly going to stand before you today and speak our missile defense and nuclear capa- call these remarks to the attention of about the National Defense Authoriza- bilities will play an increasingly im- our Members every opportunity I get, tion Act. portant role in protecting our home- and I thank the Senator from Iowa. This legislation sends a clear mes- land. I look forward to continuing to Mr. GRASSLEY. I thank the leader. sage: Now is the time that we begin to work with my colleagues to further The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- rebuild our military. Contained in this modernize and strengthen these vital pore. The Senator from Nebraska. bill is the necessary funding to start capabilities to ensure that we stay NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL filling the gaps and ensuring our force ahead of the threats that our Nation Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise remains the best in the world. This in- faces. today to speak about the National De- cludes increases to the size of the Beyond the strategic forces portfolio, fense Authorization Act. The process of Army, Navy, Air Force, Reserves, and this bill recognizes that we must also negotiating the annual defense bill is our National Guard. It also means that rebuild our readiness and military in- one that has a long and important his- new, battle-ready systems are going to frastructure here at home, which is tory on Capitol Hill. get the funding they need to be put in why we have included funding in- This afternoon, the Senate voted to the field as quickly as possible. On creases in the bill to support 90 percent pass a conference report, continuing a land, the NDAA authorizes funding for of the requirements for facilities tradition of 55 consecutive years in 85 Abrams tank upgrades and 93 Brad- sustainment, as well as a significant which the National Defense Authoriza- ley fighting vehicles. At sea, it revital- increase for facilities restoration and tion Act has been a must-pass bill for izes our fleet, authorizing 13 new ships modernization. This means newly au- the Congress. People have a habit these for our Navy. In the air, it provides 90 thorized funding to restore and mod- days of assuming that Congress cannot new F–35 aircraft and 53 UH–60M Black ernize facilities and infrastructure pass major legislation, but this bill is a Hawk helicopters. ranging from barracks and hospitals to testament to the fact that when it Across all of these domains, the fis- runways and hangers. comes to supporting our men and cal year 2018 NDAA authorizes funding But let’s not forget the most impor- women in uniform, we work together for critical modernization priorities to tant part of our effort in crafting this to provide them with the support they help ensure that on every battlefield bill, and that is providing for the one need. I am happy to say that this year, the men and women of America’s asset we can never replace: our sol- we are carrying on this proud tradi- Armed Forces have the resources they diers, sailors, airmen, and marines. The tion. need to complete the missions they are people who wear the uniform are more This year’s National Defense Author- given. valuable than any weapons system. ization Act was passed by over- I serve as chair of the Armed Serv- The dedication, sacrifice, and honor whelming bipartisan majorities in both ices Committee’s Subcommittee on they exemplify every day is why we the Senate and the House. As a mem- Strategic Forces, and my top priority stand here today and enjoy the free- ber of the Senate Armed Services Com- has been the modernization of our nu- doms this country has to offer. For mittee, I have been proud to do my clear forces and the Department of En- that reason, included in this bill is the part to help craft this bill and to be a ergy’s nuclear weapons complex. largest pay raise for our troops in 8 part of the process. This bill strongly supports nuclear years. We live in a rapidly changing world, modernization and makes a number of We have also permanently preserved and, unfortunately, one that presents a other key investments within the sub- special survivor indemnity allowance

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.042 S16NOPT1 S7288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 payments to surviving military colleagues on the Senate Judiciary it is an impartial and objective asso- spouses. There are more than 60,000 Committee are apparently willing to ciation.’’ Americans whose spouses have died on hand over their voting cards to the Twenty-five years later, Barr’s words Active Duty or during retirement and, American Bar Association, based on were right. His words ring true. as a result of this legislation, this im- the claim that the ABA is an unbiased, Again, I want to be perfectly clear. portant payment will no longer exist indifferent umpire that just calls balls The ABA is allowed to have any view on a year-by-year basis, but it will be and strikes. that its members want to have, and preserved indefinitely. The American Bar Association is not they are allowed to advocate and to Make no mistake, these are chal- neutral. The ABA is a liberal organiza- protest on behalf of those views and on lenging times for our Nation as the tion that has publicly and consistently behalf of their members. This is Amer- world is becoming an increasingly com- advocated for left-of-center positions ica, and that is exactly what the First plex place. Now more than ever, we are for more than two decades now. The Amendment is about. That is fine. But asking our military to tackle difficult ABA has no right to special treatment what is not fine is that the ABA, which problems and to face adversaries who by Members of this body. is a liberal advocacy organization, consistently seek new ways to do us It is pretty simple. If you are playing would masquerade as a neutral and ob- harm. in the game, you don’t get to cherry- jective evaluator of judicial can- No matter the day, no matter the sit- pick who the referees are. didates. uation, America’s Armed Forces stand Take, for just a moment, a look at The ABA cannot take blatantly lib- ready to answer the call and protect the amicus briefs they have filed in re- eral positions on the one hand, and our Nation. We need to uphold our sol- cent years. then masquerade as a neutral party on emn duty as Members of the Senate In the District of Columbia v. Heller, the other, and then demand a special and keep faith with those who wear the the ABA supported denying an indi- seat at the table in the Senate Judici- uniform by giving them the tools they vidual their constitutional right to ary Committee and in the Senate—in need. keep and bear arms. this body—to try to tell us who is and The 55-year legacy of passing the Na- In Christian Legal Society v. Mar- isn’t supposedly qualified to be a judge. tional Defense Authorization Act did tinez, the ABA supported forcing Chris- Just as the ABA has every right to not happen by accident. It has hap- tian organizations on campuses to ac- advance its liberal policy positions, pened because Members of this body cept members that reject their faith. every Senator has the right—and in- know and Members of this body recog- In Medellin v. Texas, the ABA sup- deed, the duty—to give our advice and nize that this bill represents a promise ported forcing States to recognize the consent on judicial nominees. If Sen- to our servicemembers. It is a promise judgments of the world court in order ators decide that they like and value that, as you stand in harm’s way, far to stop the execution of a gruesome the ABA’s policy positions and they from your families and loved ones, we murderer. like and value the ABA’s rating, they stand with you. When you are deployed In United States v. Windsor, the ABA are free to give them due deference and during a holiday or a special occasion, supported the recognition of same-sex consideration, but don’t hide behind it. as many members of our own Nebraska marriage through judicial fiat rather Don’t pretend that the ABA is some- National Guard will be this Thanks- than through legislative debate. thing that it is not. Do not ignore the giving, we stand with you. During late In Arizona v. United States, the ABA facts of what the ABA has become. The nights and early mornings in the cold, supported a constitutional ban on American people deserve honesty, not in the heat, in battle, and in peace- State and local law enforcement assist- thinly veiled partisanship. time, we stand with you. ing in enforcing Federal immigration Thank you. Passing the National Defense Au- laws. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- thorization Act means keeping our end The list goes on. In each of these pore. The Senator from Rhode Island. of the promise to those who serve. As a cases, the ABA decided to weigh into NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL Member of the Senate Armed Services divisive and contentious issues. This is Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to Committee, it has been my honor to their right, indeed, but it is definitely discuss the fiscal year 2018 National play a part in helping to craft this not neutral. In each of these cases, and Defense Authorization Act. year’s bill, and I would like to thank many more, the ABA took what can After several months of negotiations, our chairman, Senator JOHN MCCAIN, only be described as a left-of-center po- the House and Senate Armed Services for his leadership in guiding the com- sition. In each of these cases, the ABA Committees have arrived at a committee through the process. I would was picking a side. pleted conference agreement. Earlier also like to thank America’s men and Again—to be clear—they are abso- today, we passed the NDAA for the 56th women in uniform for all that they do lutely allowed to do this. It is what consecutive year. to keep us safe. makes this country great. But it is Let me highlight some of the impor- I yield the floor. laughably naive to suggest that they tant issues that we addressed in this I suggest the absence of a quorum. are an objective and neutral organiza- agreement. This conference agreement The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tion. They are not. authorizes a total of $692 billion, which pore. The clerk will call the roll. The ABA cannot make liberal argu- includes $626.4 billion in base budget The senior assistant legislative clerk ments to the nine members of the Su- funding for the Department of Defense proceeded to call the roll. preme Court, and then walk across the and certain security activities of the Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I ask street and seriously expect that the 100 Department of Energy and $65.8 billion unanimous consent that the order for Members of this body in the Senate in overseas contingency operations, or the quorum call be rescinded. will be treating them like unbiased ap- OCO, funding. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- praisers. That is essentially what At- Of course, we could not have done it pore. Without objection, it is so or- torney General Bill Barr said in 1992 without the cooperation of all the dered. when the ABA first began to openly members of the committee, including AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION take pro-abortion positions—which, by the Presiding Officer, and I thank him Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, the con- the way, led to thousands of members for his contribution and his service. sideration of Federal judges with life- quitting in protest because those mem- This includes the administration’s time appointments is perhaps the most bers knew that the ABA claims to neu- $5.9 billion budget amendment we re- important and long-lasting work this trality about political issues were no ceived earlier this month, which seeks body will do between now and the end longer even possibly defensible. an additional $4.7 billion in base budget of the year. Then-U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr funding to bolster missile defense and Every Senator—Republican and Dem- commented on the ABA’s pro-abortion to repair two Navy ships after recent ocrat—took an oath to perform this advocacy at the time by saying: ‘‘By collisions, as well as $1.2 billion in OCO duty. Nobody took an oath to adopting the resolution and thereby funding for operations in Afghanistan outsource this duty to any outside or- endorsing one side of this debate, the and for additional capabilities in the ganization. Unfortunately, some of my ABA will endanger the perception that Central Command area of operations.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.043 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7289 The conference agreement includes incidents and DOD efforts to prevent Secretary Ash Carter put the situa- significant increases in additional re- them. tion eloquently when he said that a sources aimed at restoring full spec- The conference report includes a re- failure to do so, in his words, ‘‘would trum readiness, as soon as possible, quirement for the Secretary of Defense mean losing confidence in our ability across the military services. Specifi- to appoint a senior official in the De- to deter, which we can’t afford in to- cally, operation and maintenance fund- partment to lead an effort to harness day’s volatile security environment.’’ ing, widely known as the lifeblood and integrate all of the Department’s In the area of technology and acqui- readiness, was increased by $1.16 billion capabilities to confront and defeat the sition, I am pleased that this bill shows for the Army, $277.9 million for the kind of strategic influence operations strong support for the Department’s Navy, $82.3 million for the Marine that Russia has conducted against us network of labs and test ranges, which Corps, and $1 billion for the U.S. Air and our allies over the last 2 years. It help drive efforts to maintain our bat- Force. is vital that the Defense Department tlefield technological superiority. In This conference agreement supports integrate its cyber capabilities with its particular, I think this bill makes sig- the topline of $700 billion for national information warfare experts to provide nificant strides in enabling DOD to de- defense, or 050, activities, which is capabilities and options in time for velop and buy the modern software and roughly $150 billion over the Budget next year’s election cycle in the United IT systems that are integral to every Control Act cap. If the cap is not ad- States and to support our allies in Eu- system, platform, and business system justed and if this amount is fully fund- rope against Russian operations di- in the Department of Defense. Addi- ed by the appropriators, then we would rected against them. tionally, it reauthorizes the Defense trigger the harmful across-the-board Additionally, the conference report Experimental Program to Stimulate cuts of sequestration, just at the time includes a requirement for the Sec- Competitive Research to expand the when we are trying to restore readi- retary of Defense and the Secretary of number of universities capable of ness. State to develop and report to Congress working with the Pentagon on ad- I want to be clear. I agree that the on a comprehensive, whole-of-govern- vanced research. DOD needs additional resources. But ment strategy to counter the Russian The bill also pushes DOD to make use we must address the caps for both de- malign influence threat. Such a de- of advanced ‘‘Big Data’’ techniques to fense and nondefense activities. tailed strategy must include measures manage its business functions and I remind my colleagues that under to defend against and deter Russian ac- processes. New ways of collecting, ana- the Budget Control Act, or BCA, na- tivities related to national security, in- lyzing, and applying the lessons of data tional defense activities include cer- cluding hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, are revolutionizing the commercial tain programs at the FBI and the Coast and information operations. world. It is time that DOD applied Guard, while nondefense activities in- The 2018 NDAA also authorizes the these same techniques to lower costs clude the State Department, veterans’ Secretary of Defense to establish the and save money and time. care, Customs and Border Protection, Indo-Asia-Pacific Stability Initiative, The conference report also includes a and the TSA. We need to look at our which will be used to improve our pos- provision that would allow the Army Nation’s needs holistically, and we ture in the Asia-Pacific region and pro- to transfer all excess firearms no must remain vigilant over the amount vide additional resources to increase longer actively issued for military of money the DOD can effectively uti- partner capacity and multilateral exer- service to an organic facility for the lize. We have to look at national secu- cises in the region. purpose of melting and repurposing. rity, and that includes both sides and The Chief of Naval Operations’ Force This provision not only allows the both caps. Structure Assessment from last winter Army to divest itself of these weapons, With regard to our overseas oper- identified a goal of 355 ships, including but it will also provide a steady stream ations, the conference report author- 66 attack submarines. This bill makes of work to our organic foundries. These izes the entirety of the funding request a good downpayment on that goal by are an important part of our arsenal for our efforts in Afghanistan, includ- adding five ships to the budget, includ- system. ing $1.7 billion to invest in critical ing one DDG–51 destroyer, two littoral Furthermore, the provision will au- aviation capabilities, such as close air combat ships, one LX(R) amphibious thorize the Secretary of the Army to support platforms and modernized ro- ship, and one expeditionary sea base. annually designate additional excess tary wing assets, and to continue to Perhaps not as dramatic, but no less firearms that are no longer in military sustain and train the existing fleet. important, is the addition of $698 mil- use to be repurposed. This common- The report also authorizes 3,500 spe- lion in the budget request to allow the sense approach will allow the Army to cial immigrant visas to continue to up- Navy to begin expanding the submarine save money on storage costs, as well as hold our commitments to the many industrial base. Achieving the CNO’s repurposing these excess weapons for brave Afghans who have provided crit- force structure goal will require adding higher priority needs identified by the ical support to the U.S. mission in Af- 18 attack submarines to the previous Army. ghanistan. In this regard, let me thank force structure goal of 48 boats. I am also pleased that the conference Chairman MCCAIN and Senator SHA- This will be no small challenge since report builds on a markup amendment HEEN, without whose efforts this provi- retirement of older submarines will ex- by Senator NELSON that directs the De- sion would not have been included, I ceed deliveries of new submarines. Dur- partment to conduct a threat assess- believe, in the final conference. ing the 10-year period of 1991 to 2000, we ment and deliver a master plan for cli- The conference report continues ro- ordered only four attack submarines— mate change adaptation. bust support for our counterterrorism Connecticut, Jimmy Carter, Virginia, The conference report includes House efforts against ISIS, al-Qaida, and the and Texas—so we have to do some language from my colleague Congress- other violent extremist groups, includ- catching up. man JIM LANGEVIN that codifies several ing approximately $1.8 billion for the Providing the resources for the Navy findings related to climate change and Train and Equip Programs in Iraq and to expand the submarine industrial expresses the sense of Congress that Syria. It also fully funds the Depart- base in an orderly fashion will be a climate change is a threat to our na- ment’s budget request for U.S. Special critical element of efficiency and a tional security. Operations Command. critical element in building up our In the area of military personnel, the With this bill, we will enhance public fleet. conference agreement accomplishes transparency and congressional over- The conference fully supports the much on behalf of our servicemembers sight of military operations and the budget requests for the modernization and the Department of Defense. The policies that underpin them. Most no- of the triad and its nuclear command bill authorizes a 2.4-percent across-the- tably, it requires a public articulation and control to ensure we can deter ex- board pay raise for our troops and ex- of the legal and policy frameworks gov- istential threats to our homeland. Our tends authority to pay over 30 bonuses erning the use of military force outside triad of submarines, ICBMs, and bomb- and special pays to encourage recruit- of declared war zones, as well as addi- ers have been in service for decades and ment, retention, and continued serv- tional reporting on civilian casualty must be replaced. ices.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.045 S16NOPT1 S7290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 It also includes authority for service inspirational, practical, dynamic, and cent of the National Health Service Secretaries to extend by an additional unrelenting leadership of Chairman Corps funding expired on October 1. year the time that the recruits may re- MCCAIN, we would not be at this mo- These are vital programs that serve main in the Delayed Entry Program to ment today—the 56th consecutive pas- rural America and provide incredibly ensure that background checks are sage of the National Defense Author- important healthcare services. They completed, so that they are not unnec- ization Act. are an overlooked part of our national essarily separated due to the fault of I yield the floor. healthcare system, in part because government. These are individuals who The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. they are traditionally in rural and out- are here illegally. Their status is a re- BLUNT). The Senator from Maine. back locations. sult of their joining the MAVNI Pro- Mr. KING. Mr. President, before ad- In Maine, we have 20 centers and 70 gram. If this program were terminated, dressing the topic that I want to take facilities scattered all over our State, we would lose their service to our mili- up—and I know it is one that is near and they are providing services every tary forces and they would be forced to and dear to the Presiding Officer’s day to over 200,000 people. This is a leave the country. heart—which is rural healthcare, I vital part of our healthcare system. Additionally, the bill permanently want to express my admiration and Yet the funding expired at the end of extends the special survivor indemnity thanks to Senator REED, the Senator September, and so far nothing has been allowance under the Survivor Benefit from Rhode Island, and Senator done. Plan, which was due to expire early MCCAIN for their incredible leadership How important is it? In Maine, there next year. This ensures that widows of of the Armed Services Committee. are 1,700 employees at these facilities; our veterans and servicemembers who They show us what it is like to lead. a total economic impact of over $300 die of service-connected causes will They show us what it is like to take on million a year; $8 million in State and continue to receive their monthly ben- difficult issues and to work out dif- local tax revenue and $32 million in efit and authorizes annual cost-of-liv- ficult problems, and I would like to ex- Federal tax revenue. They provide $16 ing adjustments to this benefit going press my appreciation to them for that. million worth of uncompensated care forward. I see the Senator—— that goes to Maine people who need the With regard to military family care, Mr. SASSE. Will the Senator from help. They are efficient. In Maine, they the report authorizes $50 million for Maine yield for 30 seconds? have saved Medicaid over $100 million, impact aid, including $40 million in Mr. KING. Absolutely. and $257 million is the estimate for supplemental impact aid and $10 mil- Mr. SASSE. I would just like to asso- what they have saved the overall lion—twice the usual amount—for mili- ciate myself with your comments, sir, healthcare system. Again, FQHCs pro- tary children with severe disabilities. in praising the ranking member. vide 1,700 jobs and support another 1,000 For military families and for local Senator REED went through a long jobs in their communities. school systems all across this country, list of people who have gotten the But this isn’t only about economics this impact aid is absolutely essential. NDAA across the finish line for more and economic development and jobs; it Furthermore, it requires the Depart- than half a century in a row. is about healthcare. One in six people ment to improve pediatric care and re- As a newbie rookie in this body, I in Maine gets their healthcare from lated services for children of members have to say that serving with the two FQHCs—210,000 people. They accept ev- of the military. of you on the Armed Services Com- erybody who comes to their door. I This bill will also improve military mittee is a real privilege and honor. have been to them all over the State. family readiness by addressing the Much of the body doesn’t work very They use a sliding-fee scale for people shortage of qualified childcare work- well right now, but that committee who are low income, who don’t have in- ers, requiring that the realities of mili- works incredibly well. surance, and they provide all manner tary life be considered in setting the So I want to agree with the Senator of services. It depends on the center; operating hours of childcare centers, from Maine that the ranking member different centers have different serv- and by increasing flexibility for fami- is a huge part of why the Armed Serv- ices. They have medical, behavioral lies when the military requires them to ices Committee works so well. health, dental, substance abuse treat- move. Thank you, sir. ment and support, case management, Let me conclude by stating the obvi- Mr. KING. I thank the Senator. ous. The reason this bill passed was be- optometry, podiatry, OB/GYN, pre- I say to Senator REED, I appreciate scription assistance, outreach and en- cause of the extraordinary bipartisan your leadership. leadership of Senator JOHN MCCAIN and rollment, pharmacy, radiology, and Mr. REED. I thank the Senator from school-based healthcare services. These also because of the extraordinary bi- Maine and the Senator from the great partisan leadership of Chairman MAC are the healthcare providers for rural State of Nebraska. America. And it is not only Maine; it is THORNBERRY of the House Armed Serv- Mr. SASSE. I thought you were buy- ices Committee and Ranking Member across the country. There are 10,000 ing time. sites across the United States. Some 26 ADAM SMITH. I look forward to working Mr. REED. No. Once again, we have with them in the future. million patients are at risk. been following Senator MCCAIN, and he Finally, the conference agreement Well, what is the big deal? The big took us all the way. Thank you. would not have been possible without deal is that people are going to lose the hard work of the entire committee HEALTHCARE their healthcare services. We estimate staff, who worked diligently to help fi- Mr. KING. Mr. President, I did a that in Maine, we are going to lose nalize this agreement. I thank Chris mathematic calculation a couple of about 400 clinicians and administrative Brose, Eric Swabb, and all the majority years ago, and it resulted in an inter- and support staff who will have to be committee staff for their hard work esting conclusion. The Senate is a laid off at the beginning of the year un- this past year. On the minority side, I rural body. Eighteen Members of the less we solve this problem in the imme- thank my staff director, Elizabeth U.S. Senate represent a majority of diate future. At least 25 of these sites King. I also thank Gary Leeling, Americans. That means 82 percent—or will be forced to close, and we believe Creighton Greene, Carolyn Chuhta, 82 out of 100 Senators—represent small- there will be almost 30,000 Maine resi- Maggie McNamara, Jonathan Clark, er States, more rural communities. dents who will lose access to their Jonathan Epstein, Jorie Feldman, Ozge Today, I want to talk about a disas- healthcare system. Guzelsu, Jody Bennett, Kirk McCon- trous development that is headed for Most of the FQHCs—federally quali- nell, Bill Monahan, Mike Noblet, John our rural communities that we have fied health centers—are getting by on Quirk, Arun Seraphin, and Jon Green. the capability to fix, and it is one we their funding from last year, so the ex- Let me state the obvious: They do should fix sooner rather than later. I piration of the funding hasn’t hit them the work. Sometimes we get the credit, am talking about Federal funding for yet, but it will begin to hit them on but the work is theirs. I am deeply ap- federally qualified health centers, January 1. That is what we have to re- preciative of all of their efforts. which expired on October 1. Seventy spond to. Again, let me indicate what is obvi- percent of the funding for the FQHCs It is also already having an effect ous to all our colleagues. Without the expired on October 1. One hundred per- just by creating uncertainty. I got an

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.047 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7291 impassioned letter from the leader of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraor- one of our centers in Maine about the ask unanimous consent that the order dinary and Plenipotentiary of the fact that they have been very dili- for the quorum call be rescinded. United States of America to the King- gently recruiting a dentist to come to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dom of Lesotho; Lisa A. Johnson, of their community. Dentists are very objection, it is so ordered. Washington, a Career Member of the hard to come by in rural America. f Senior Foreign Service, Class of Coun- They had one who was ready to come, selor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and then suddenly they heard about EXECUTIVE CALENDAR and Plenipotentiary of the United the uncertainty surrounding the fund- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I States of America to the Republic of ing—that it may or may not come ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Namibia; Irwin Steven Goldstein, of through—and that dentist is now re- ate proceed to the en bloc consider- New York, to be Under Secretary of considering their decision to go to this ation of the following nominations: Ex- State for Public Diplomacy; Sean P. Maine community. That is a tragedy. ecutive Calendar Nos. 461, 462, 464, 478, Lawler, of Maryland, to be Chief of That is a tragedy for the people of that 479, 480, 488, and 490. Protocol, and to have the rank of Am- town, where these services are literally The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bassador during his tenure of service; not available. objection, it is so ordered. PN1199 FOREIGN SERVICE nomina- So what does it matter? It matters The clerk will report the nominations (169) beginning Lisa-Felicia Afi because we are talking about people tions en bloc. Akorli, and ending Stephanie P. Wil- losing their healthcare services. The legislative clerk read the nomi- son, which nominations were received This has never been a partisan issue. nations of Joseph Kernan, of Florida, by the Senate and appeared in the CON- I don’t think there is a heck of a lot of to be Under Secretary of Defense for GRESSIONAL RECORD of November 1, debate around here about the impor- Intelligence; Guy B. Roberts, of Vir- 2017; and PN1200 FOREIGN SERVICE tance of FQHCs and that we need to get ginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of nominations (4) beginning John R. them refunded. In fact, the Presiding Defense; Robert L. Wilkie, of North Bass, II, and ending Sung Y. Kim, Officer and Senator STABENOW have Carolina, to be Under Secretary of De- which nominations were received by sponsored a bill, the CHIME Act, that fense for Personnel and Readiness; the Senate and appeared in the CON- would resolve this issue. We just need Robert Behler, of Pennsylvania, to be GRESSIONAL RECORD of November 1, to get it on the floor and get it done. Director of Operational Test and Eval- 2017. We have proved today by the passage uation, Department of Defense; Thom- Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to of the National Defense Authorization as B. Modly, of Maryland, to be Under consider the nominations en bloc. Act that we can take major issues, Secretary of the Navy; James F. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I bring them to the floor, and move them Geurts, of Pennsylvania, to be an As- ask unanimous consent that the Sen- forward, especially those that aren’t sistant Secretary of the Navy; Robert ate vote on the nominations en bloc particularly controversial. But my con- H. McMahon, of Georgia, to be an As- with no intervening action or debate; cern is that even though there doesn’t sistant Secretary of Defense; and Shon that if confirmed, the motions to re- seem to be controversy, it is just not J. Manasco, of Texas, to be an Assist- consider be considered made and laid happening, and now our centers are ant Secretary of the Air Force. upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- having to make plans for layoffs, for Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to dent be immediately notified of the closures, and for closing their doors to consider the nominations en bloc. Senate’s action; that no further mo- the people who need the care. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tions be in order; and that any state- This is something we can do. This is ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ments relating to the nominations be something we can resolve. It is within ate vote on the nominations en bloc printed in the RECORD. our power. The legislation is ready to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without with no intervening action or debate; go, and we should get this done. objection, it is so ordered. that if confirmed, the motions to re- We are leaving today for the Thanks- The question is, Will the Senate ad- consider be considered made and laid giving holiday, but if we leave at the vise and consent to the Gonzales, John- upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- end of the year and haven’t done this, son, Goldstein, and Lawler nomina- dent be immediately notified of the it will be a tragedy for rural America. tions and all nominations placed on the Senate’s action; that no further mo- It will be a betrayal of rural America. Secretary’s desk in the Foreign Service tions be in order; and that any state- It will be a betrayal of our constitu- en bloc? ents. ments relating to the nominations be The nominations were confirmed en All of us have been to these centers printed in the RECORD. bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and seen the care that they provide, f the caring that they provide, the pas- objection, it is so ordered. sion that the people bring to the serv- The question is, Will the Senate ad- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR ices in their communities, and how vise and consent to the Kernan, Rob- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I much they mean to their communities. erts, Wilkie, Behler, Modly, Geurts, ask unanimous consent that the Sen- This is one of the best Federal pro- McMahon, and Manasco nominations ate proceed to the en bloc consider- grams ever created, and it has always en bloc? ation of the following nominations: Ex- been supported on a bipartisan basis. The nominations were confirmed en ecutive Calendar Nos. 475, 476, and 477. I urge my colleagues today to pre- bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without pare ourselves to get this done as soon f objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the nomina- as we possibly can when we get back EXECUTIVE CALENDAR after Thanksgiving. We have so much tions en bloc. to be thankful for, and I want my peo- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The legislative clerk read the nomi- ple in Maine to realize that they can be ask unanimous consent that the Sen- nations of James Thomas Abbott, of thankful for those health centers that ate proceed to the en bloc consider- Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal are literally lifelines in their commu- ation of the following nominations: Ex- Labor Relations Authority for a term nities and mean so much to them. I be- ecutive Calendar Nos. 491, 492, 493, 494, of five years expiring July 1, 2020; Col- lieve this is something we can and and all nominations placed on the Sec- leen Kiko, of North Dakota, to be a should and will do. retary’s desk. Member of the Federal Labor Relations Thank you, Mr. President, and thank The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Authority for a term of five years ex- you for being a leader on this issue. objection, it is so ordered. piring July 29, 2022; and Ernest W. I yield the floor. The clerk will report the nomina- Dubester, of Virginia, to be a Member I suggest the absence of a quorum. tions en bloc. of the Federal Labor Relations Author- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The legislative clerk read the nomi- ity for a term of five years expiring clerk will call the roll. nations of Rebecca Eliza Gonzales, of July 1, 2019. The legislative clerk proceeded to Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to call the roll. Foreign Service, Class of Minister- consider the nominations en bloc.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.048 S16NOPT1 S7292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Thanksgiving began as America’s na- hard work, dedication to his customers ask unanimous consent that the Sen- tional harvest festival, a day to give and community, and an unusual talent ate vote on the nominations en bloc thanks for our rich and fertile land and for spotting and adopting cutting-edge with no intervening action or debate; the great bounty of food it produces. advances in agriculture. In 1925, he was that if confirmed, the motions to re- On this long Thanksgiving weekend, named a ‘‘Master Farmer’’ by a pres- consider be considered made and laid I plan to spend a few hours reading the tigious agricultural organization, one upon the table en bloc; that the Presi- latest book from one of my favorite of only 23 Midwestern farmers so hon- dent be immediately notified of the friends whose works capture in loving ored. Senate’s action; that no further mo- detail life on her family’s Wisconsin Even so, the Great Depression, which tions be in order; and that any state- dairy farm, but even more, the rock- destroyed so many family farms and ments relating to the nominations be solid values that sustained her family businesses, nearly wiped out the printed in the RECORD. and her life. Dougan Guernsey Dairy Farm. In 1930, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The book is called ‘‘The Round Barn: bankruptcy papers were drawn up but objection, it is so ordered. Biography of an American Farm.’’ As never filed. The question is, Will the Senate ad- one reviewer wrote, reading it ‘‘is like Jackie was born in 1928, the year be- vise and consent to the Abbott, Kiko, sitting on the porch of an early 20th fore the Great Depression, one of four and Dubester nominations en bloc? century dairy farm and watching an children of W.J.’s son Ronald and Ron- The nominations were confirmed en era in American history pass right be- ald’s wife, Eunice. bloc. fore your eyes.’’ Jackie was a natural born writer, a The Round Barn books—there are prodigy. When she was 8 she wrote a f three of them now—are the creations of short story that took first prize in a EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Jackie Dougan Jackson, a novelist, Beloit citywide contest. Her first novel poet, professor, mentor to generations Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I was serialized in the Galesburg Post in of writers, and one of the best-loved Illinois when she was 10. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- residents in my hometown of Spring- ate proceed to the consideration of the She majored in classics at Beloit Col- field, IL. lege, married, and then moved with her following nomination: Executive Cal- She lives in a big, old home in new husband to Ann Arbor, where they endar No. 292. Springfield which, legend has it, was both earned master’s degrees. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without once visited by another master story- The couple had four daughters. Jack- objection, it is so ordered. teller, Abraham Lincoln. The clerk will report the nomination. Loretta and I are lucky to count ie would go on to earn a doctorate in The legislative clerk read the nomi- Jackie as a dear friend of many years. Latin from the University of Wis- nation of Brenda Burman, of Arizona, She is a kind, creative soul who never consin. to be Commissioner of Reclamation. fails to reach out to help others. At the She was teaching writing at Kent Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to age of 89, she is still filled with energy, State University in Ohio in 1967 when consider the nomination. empathy and curiosity about nearly ev- her father suffered a heart attack. Jackie went home and sat at his hos- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I erything. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- The Round Barn books keep a prom- pital bedside for weeks as he recounted ate vote on the nomination with no in- ise that Jackie made to her grand- stories of life on the family farm. tervening action or debate; that if con- father W.J. Dougan when she was just Back in Ohio after her father’s recov- firmed, the motion to reconsider be 15 years old. She vowed then that one ery, Jackie became aware of a deep considered made and laid upon the day she would write a history of the longing within her to reconnect with table; that the President be imme- dairy farm that W.J. had founded in her rural beginnings. As she described diately notified of the Senate’s action; 1906, the farm on which three genera- it in one of her Round Barn books: that no further motions be in order; tions of Jackie’s family lived and There has been another clock within her. and that any statements relating to worked. She didn’t set it nor place it there. It’s been Jackie Jackson throws open the geared not to hours but to cycles; the daily the nomination be printed in the precession of milking and bottling, feeding RECORD. Round Barn doors at the Dougan fam- and cleaning the yearly procession of plant- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ily farm to tell us an American story. ing, cultivating, harvesting. It’s been set to objection, it is so ordered. She gives us a rich history of farm life sun, moon, health, cold, wet dry. But now if The question is, Will the Senate ad- at the mercy of the forces of science there’s a heavy spring freeze, she puts on a vise and consent to the Burman nomi- and the market but grounded in rock- coat without sensing the loss of crisp that nation? solid Midwestern values. might result from too-late planting. If the The nomination was confirmed. Some of those values were painted sky lowers black, she takes an umbrella onto the silo of the family’s round without feeling the sway of the hay wagon f barn. W.J. titled the list ‘‘Aims for the racing to reach the barn before the cloud- burst. Her dailiness is not this class, that LEGISLATIVE SESSION Farm.’’ They were: ‘‘#1. Good Crops; #2. lecture, the next trip to the stacks. . . . It Proper Storage; #3. Profitable Live was the ground she’d stood on, the air she’d Stock; #4. A Stable Market’’—and most breathed. She had no special moment, no MORNING BUSINESS important of all—‘‘#5. Life as Well as a epiphany to explain the realization of loss Living.’’ that came over her. She only knows that Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I W.J. Dougan was a deeply spiritual something elemental is gone and has been ask unanimous consent that the Sen- man and a hard worker. He struggled gone for some time. That it’s probably irre- ate proceed to legislative session for a for years to put himself through col- trievable, unless she changes the path she’s period of morning business, with Sen- lege and became a Methodist minister, treading. ators permitted to speak therein for up but encroaching deafness forced him to So that is what she did. Jackie Jack- to 10 minutes each. give up the religious life he loved. son changed her life’s path. She moved The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without In 1906, he bought a dairy farm near to Springfield, IL, and accepted a posi- objection, it is so ordered. Beloit, WI. tion teaching literature and writing at f The Round Barn was built in 1911. an innovative university that was just W.J. chose the unusual shape because opening, Sangaman State University, TRIBUTE TO JACKIE DOUGAN he believed that a barn braced on a now the University of Illinois at JACKSON central concrete pillar was cheaper to Springfield. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in a few build, more efficient for a dairy oper- For years, she had been collecting days, Americans will celebrate Thanks- ation, and less likely to blow away in a stories and recollections about the giving, a holiday that is filled with tornado. The Round Barn quickly be- Round Barn, her family, the dairy’s meaning and memories and, if we are came a county landmark. customers, and the townspeople. Her lucky, sumptuous meals shared with W.J. marketed himself as ‘‘the Babies trove of tales included her own note- family and friends. Milk Man,’’ and he succeeded through books, stretching back to when she was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16NO6.049 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7293 8, the stories her father had told her VOTE EXPLANATION The theme of this year’s World Day from his hospital bed, letters and notes ∑ Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I was of Remembrance is ‘‘2020 Target: Re- left by her grandfather, and much necessarily absent for the votes on con- duce Road Fatalities and Serious Inju- more. firmation of Executive Calendar No. ries by 50%.’’ It refers to the UN Sus- She became a sort of detective, find- 300, the motion to invoke cloture on tainable Development Goal 3.6 which ing more letters tucked into framed Executive Calendar No. 313, the motion calls on governments and their stake- pictures, stuck to the attic floor in the to invoke cloture on Executive Cal- holders, including NGOs and private old family home all sorts of unexpected endar No. 314, and the confirmation of citizens, to address the personal, med- places. Each letter or scrap of paper be- Executive Calendar No. 313. ical, and financial burden that road came a piece of the family puzzle. On vote No. 277, had I been present, I deaths and injuries cause; 1.25 million In 1976, she began to fashion the would have voted nay on the confirma- people die from road crashes every notes and letters into the first Round tion of Executive Calendar No. 300. year, and tens of millions are seriously Barn book. The book published this On vote No. 278, had I been present, I injured. Road traffic crashes are the month, ‘‘The Round Barn: Biography of would have voted yea on the motion to No. 1 killer of young people aged 15 to an American Farm’ is the fulfillment invoke cloture on Executive Calendar 29 and the eighth leading cause of of her promise to her grandfather, her No. 313. death among all people worldwide. magnum opus, a detailed and loving On Vote No. 279, had I been present, Rochelle Sobel, president of the Asso- portrait of a way of life that no longer I would have voted yea on the motion ciation for Safe International Road exists. Travel, said, ‘‘The World Day of Re- The Dougan Guernsey Dairy Farm to invoke cloture on Executive Cal- endar No. 314. membrance is an important oppor- ceased operating in 1967, just as agri- tunity to stand together with the glob- business and large corporate farms On Vote No. 280, had I been present, I would have voted yea on the con- al community to commemorate road were beginning to redefine American victims and call for an end to the crisis farming. firmation of Executive Calendar No. 313.∑ on our roads. No one should have to go In 1979, the Round Barn was added to through the needless, preventable loss the National Registry of Historic f of a child, a brother, a mother, a Places. APPROPRIATIONS friend, killed in a road traffic crash. By 2012, the dilapidated old structure This year’s theme to reduce the num- had become a safety hazard, and it was Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I would like to review for the Senate the ber of deaths by 50% by 2020, reminds torn down, but thanks to Jackie Jack- us of the need to drive responsibly, son’s beautifully detailed biography of status of appropriations for fiscal year 2018. educate our children, and advocate her family’s farm and the people who with our governments to implement lived and worked there, generations The Appropriations Committee has marked up 8 of the 12 regular appro- and enforce policies that will protect from now readers will still be able to road users and prevent more families visit the magical world of the Round priations bills for this fiscal year. The committee has also processed two sup- from suffering the pain of losing a Barn. loved one on the road.’’ As this Thanksgiving Day, this plemental appropriations bills and one f American harvest festival, approaches, continuing resolution. I am thankful for the Round Barn We have little time to finalize the ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS books that capture a bygone day of regular appropriations bills and to con- American farming like holograms, and sider additional supplemental appro- TRIBUTE TO PETTY OFFICER SEC- Loretta and I are grateful to our friend priations requests for defense and for OND CLASS TERENCE PARSONS Jackie for giving the world such a gift. natural disaster recovery. (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the We need a new budget deal to finish ∑ Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I following statement was ordered to be our work. Congress and the administra- wish to honor PO2 Terence Parsons of printed in the RECORD.) tion must reach agreement on accept- Genesee, ID, whom the United Service able top-line funding levels for defense f Organization, USO has recognized as and nondefense programs. the USO’s Sailor of the Year for 2017. VOTE EXPLANATION At the funding cap currently in law, Terence Parsons took action to assist ∑ Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I the Appropriations Committee would two motorists involved in car accidents was unavailable for rollcall vote No. be hard-pressed to write a 2018 Defense and marines involved in a mass cas- 277, on the nomination of Joseph bill that fully meets our national secu- ualty situation. The USO explained, Otting, of Nevada, to be Comptroller of rity needs or reflects the priorities of ‘‘Displaying unselfish devotion and the Currency. Had I been present, I the Senate. great heroism, Terence Parsons, a would have voted nay. The current continuing resolution Navy corpsman, put himself in harm’s Mr. President, I was unavailable for expires on December 8. We cannot af- way to assist members of the commu- rollcall vote No. 278, on the motion to ford to extend that CR into next year. nity. While off duty on two separate invoke cloture on Donald C. Coggins, A budget agreement is necessary for occasions, he witnessed car accidents Jr., of South Carolina, to be United the Senate to approve responsible ap- that caused potentially life-threat- States district judge for the District of propriations legislation. I urge all par- ening injuries to the victims involved. South Carolina. Had I been present, I ties to those negotiations to redouble With little thought of his own safety, would have voted yea. their efforts to reach agreement. Parsons responded by providing life- Mr. President, I was unavailable for f saving treatment.’’ The USO further rollcall vote No. 279, on the motion to commended Terence Parsons for his re- WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE invoke cloture on Dabney Langhorne sponse to a mass casualty event of 18 FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS Friedrich, of California, to be United marines suffering multiple injuries sus- States district judge for the District of Mr. VAN HOLLEN. The World Day of tained during U.S.S. Oak Hill U.S.S. Columbia. Had I been present, I would Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Kearsarge amphibious warfare quali- have voted yea. commemorates the millions of people fications. Terence Parsons’ quick ac- Mr. President, I was unavailable for killed and injured on the world’s roads. tion was pivotal in preventing further rollcall vote No. 280, on the nomination It is also a day to thank emergency injury and saved numerous lives. of Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South services for their role in saving lives; Terence joined the U.S. Navy in 2011 Carolina, to be United States district to reflect on the impact of road deaths and credits the values, including a re- judge for the District of South Caro- on families and communities; and to spect for hard work and teamwork, he lina. Had I been present, I would have draw attention to the need for im- obtained growing up in Genesee and voted yea.∑ proved legislation, awareness, infra- the support of his family, command (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the structure, technology, and post-crash and friends with enabling his military following statement was ordered to be responses to save more families from success. Terence Parsons has also re- printed in the RECORD.) the tragedy of losing a loved one. ceived many other recognitions for his

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.044 S16NOPT1 S7294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 distinguished service. These honors in- public service. Whether supporting Taylor of Detroit, MI, for her trail- clude the Navy and Marine Corps Com- Glenville State College or getting the blazing career as the first African- mendation Medal and the Navy and tab at the Cornerstone Cafe in Glen- American female judge appointed to Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Con- ville, Ike enjoys every minute of it. the U.S. District Court for the Eastern gratulations, PO2 Terrence Parsons, on Ike got his start working for his fa- District of Michigan. receiving this recognition, and thank ther in the oil and gas business. Want- Judge Taylor was born Anna Kath- you for your exceptional service on being to set out on his own, Ike moved to erine Johnston on December 9, 1932, to half of our Nation. You and the out- West Virginia in 1962 and worked serv- parents Virginius Douglass Johnston standing servicemembers you serve icing rigs until he established Waco Oil and Hazel Bramlette Johnston in alongside are true assets to our com- & Gas in 1975. No one in the north cen- Washington, DC. Her father Virginius munities, State, and Nation. I com- tral region of the Mountain State gets served as treasurer for the prestigious mend you on your achievements and confused when someone mentions Historically Black College, Howard wish you continued success.∑ ‘‘Waco.’’ When you say ‘‘Waco’’ around University, while her mother Hazel was a business teacher and homemaker. f here, people think of Ike Morris. They don’t think of Texas. In a quest to equip their daughter TRIBUTE TO RAY HAGEMAN It was in Glenville where Ike met the with the best education and set the ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this love of his life, Sue. He knew Sue was foundation for her legal career, week I have the distinct honor of rec- the right woman for him, and he knew Virginius and Hazel Johnston enrolled ognizing Garfield County’s fire warden, that West Virginia was the right State Judge Taylor in the Northfield School Ray Hageman, for his actions to orga- for him. They have been married for for Girls, one of very few schools ac- nize and coordinate the local response over 50 years. As Ike can attest, once cepting African-American students. to the Lodgepole Complex fire. Ray and you come to West Virginia, it becomes She graduated from Northfield in 1950. his team worked to preserve the lives part of you forever. The Mountain After graduation, she went on to at- and livelihoods that were threatened State made a lasting impact on him, tend Columbia University’s Barnard College for her bachelor’s degree and by this devastating fire. Their actions and he and his family have made a last- received her law degree from Yale in exemplify the resolute character of the ing impact on the Mountain State. Ike Treasure State. 1957. is truly one of the most humble, gen- Judge Taylor’s historic career began The Lodgepole Complex fire was one erous and hard-working people I know. after her graduation when she became of the largest fires of the 2017 wildfire Together, Ike and Sue have contrib- a staff lawyer in the Solicitor’s office season. When first responders finally uted to the success of many projects at of the U.S. Department of Labor. After defeated the flames, well over a quar- Glenville State College, which is also her post at the Department of Labor, ter million acres of land had burned. home to the I.L. ‘‘Ike’’ and Sue Morris she moved to Michigan and became the Ray was on the frontlines of this rural Stadium. As a lifelong educator and Assistant Prosecutor for Wayne Coun- fire, orchestrating the distribution of 1965 alumna of Glenville State, Sue ty in 1961. local equipment, coordinating effective knows how vital it is that our edu- The Jim Crow era of the South was a initial response techniques, and help- cational institutions are provided with harrowing time for America, and Judge ing to integrate the efforts of partner the tools needed to keep up with ever- Taylor courageously fought for civil firefighting organizations from outside changing technologies. Their generous rights during the 1960s. During the his- the county. spirit and compassion extend through- toric Freedom Summer campaign in Effective local leaders like Ray are out the Glenville community and be- 1964, she represented civil rights work- supported by the committed team yond, touching the lives of countless ers in Mississippi that were arrested members they lead, team members like West Virginia workers, students, and for assisting African Americans in ex- Garfield County’s Anne Miller, who businessowners—all traits they have ercising their fundamental right to was the public information officer for passed to their children and grand- vote. Upon her arrival in Mississippi, the Lodgepole Complex fire. Anne children. three civil rights workers—James worked around-the-clock at the begin- Ike and Sue’s children, Shelly and Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael ning of the fire to build a common un- Doug, have both made Glenville their Schwerner—went missing. While in- derstanding of a changing fire environ- home. Ike and Sue are blessed with and quiring on their disappearance at the ment. By enabling open and clear lines immeasurably proud of their four Neshoba County courthouse, she was of communication, she strengthened grandchildren—Hannah, Luke, Ian, and met with disdain and racial epithets the team’s fire response efforts and Jordan—and their great-grand- from a crowd gathering around the saved many Montanans from potential daughter, Arianna. Ike wouldn’t let me courthouse. loss of property and life. stop without mentioning his beloved Following the terror she witnessed in Ray and his team weathered one of companion, Waco, his Labrador Re- Mississippi, where she feared for her the largest wildfires in the Nation. triever. own life, Judge Taylor returned to Their courage in the face of adversity Ike, as your family and friends honor Michigan and continued to fight for serves as an inspiration to all Mon- you, I know this will be a sincerely equality with an intense determina- tanans. Thank you, Ray, for leading memorable occasion for you to reflect tion. In 1966, she served as an assistant under such difficult circumstances and on your many accomplishments and ex- attorney for the Eastern District of working hard to protect Montanans periences, while you enjoy the com- Michigan. After a brief period in the from wildfires.∑ pany of your loved ones. You have pro- private sector, Judge Taylor joined f vided so much happiness and wisdom to State Senator Coleman A. Young’s the lives of those around you through- campaign for mayor of Detroit. Once TRIBUTE TO IKE MORRIS out the years. It is my wish that the elected mayor of Detroit, Coleman ∑ Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, today memory of this special day remains Young enlisted her help to improve ra- I wish to celebrate the 80th birthday of with you and Sue just as your guidance cial inequality in the city. Ike Morris, a proud honorary West Vir- and influence will remain in all the After working on President Jimmy ginian, a legendary businessman, and lives you have touched. Carter’s campaign, President Carter one of the dearest friends I have ever Again, it is with the greatest admira- nominated Judge Taylor for the U.S. known. tion that I send to you my best wishes District Court in Detroit in 1979. Her There is no better position to find on your special day. Happy Birthday.∑ appointment made her the first Afri- yourself in than being able to give back f can-American woman to serve as judge to the community you love. I can at- in the United States Sixth Circuit test my small hometown of Farm- REMEMBERING ANNA KATHERINE Court. She went on to make ington helped mold who I am, and it DIGGS TAYLOR groundbreaking rulings and became brings so much joy to my life to be able ∑ Mr. President, today I wish to recog- chief judge, serving from 1997 to 1998. to give back to the place that shaped nize and honor the life and legacy of After a 32-year career on the bench, me. Ike and I share a bond rooted in the Honorable Anna Katherine Diggs Judge Diggs Taylor retired in 2011.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.049 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7295 The Honorable Anna Katherine Diggs (The messages received today are State approving agencies for multi-State ap- Taylor made a tremendous impact on printed at the end of the Senate pro- prenticeship programs for purposes of the America’s judicial landscape. She was ceedings.) educational assistance programs of the De- a formidable force on the bench, as well partment of Veterans Affairs. f H.R. 4374. An act to amend the Federal as gracious in character. Judge Taylor MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize has received many recognitions additional emergency uses for medical prod- throughout her impressive six-decade At 10:12 a.m., a message from the ucts to reduce deaths and severity of injuries career and will be remembered as a House of Representatives, delivered by caused by agents of war, and for other pur- champion for civil rights. Judge Taylor Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- poses. is survived by her husband, S. Martin nounced that the House has passed the The enrolled bills were subsequently Taylor, son Douglass Johnston Diggs, following bills, in which it requests the signed by the Acting President pro and daughter Carla Diggs Smith, four concurrence of the Senate: tempore (Mr. STRANGE). grandchildren, brother Lowell Douglass H.R. 1207. An act to designate the facility f Johnston, as well as many relatives, of the United States Postal Service located friends, and colleagues. It is my hope at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the MEASURES REFERRED ‘‘Tilden Veterans Post Office’’. that her legacy will inspire the next H.R. 2331. An act to require a new or up- The following bills were read the first generation of leaders to follow their dated Federal website that is intended for and the second times by unanimous passion and to conquer each obstacle in use by the public to be mobile friendly, and consent, and referred as indicated: front of them.∑ for other purposes. H.R. 2672. An act to designate the facility H.R. 1207. An act to designate the facility f of the United States Postal Service located of the United States Postal Service located TRIBUTE TO ROGER MEYER at 520 Carter Street in Fairview, Illinois, as at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the ‘‘Tilden Veterans Post Office’’; to the Com- ∑ the ‘‘Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office’’. Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I H.R. 2873. An act to designate the facility mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- recognize Roger Meyer for all of his of the United States Postal Service located mental Affairs. hard work on behalf of myself, my at 207 Glenside Avenue in Wyncote, Pennsyl- H.R. 2672. An act to designate the facility staff, and the State of South Dakota vania, as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Peter Taub of the United States Postal Service located while working in my Washington, DC, Post Office Building’’. at 520 Carter Street in Fairview, Illinois, as office. H.R. 3369. An act to designate the facility the ‘‘Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Roger has devoted the majority of his of the United States Postal Service located at 225 North Main Street in Spring Lake, Governmental Affairs. career to public service, including North Carolina, as the ‘‘Howard B. Pate, Jr. H.R. 2873. An act to designate the facility working in Congress and at the Depart- Post Office’’. of the United States Postal Service located ment of Energy. In addition, Roger H.R. 3821. An act to designate the facility at 207 Glenside Avenue in Wyncote, Pennsyl- spent time on detail at the Federal of the United States Postal Service located vania, as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Peter Taub Emergency Management Agency as an at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, as Post Office Building’’; to the Committee on adviser to the Small State and Rural the ‘‘Zack T. Addington Post Office’’. Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Advocate. H.R. 3893. An act to designate the facility fairs. of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 3369. An act to designate the facility I extend my sincere thanks and ap- at 100 Mathe Avenue in Interlachen, Florida, of the United States Postal Service located preciation to Roger for his years in as the ‘‘Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Post Office’’. at 225 North Main Street in Spring Lake, public service and wish him all the best H.R. 4174. An act to amend titles 5 and 44, North Carolina, as the ‘‘Howard B. Pate, Jr. in the years to come.∑ United States Code, to require Federal eval- Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland f uation activities, improve Federal data man- Security and Governmental Affairs. agement, and for other purposes. H.R. 3821. An act to designate the facility TRIBUTE TO VAN PACE The message also announced that the of the United States Postal Service located ∑ Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I House agreed to the following concur- at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, as recognize Van Pace for all of her hard rent resolution, in which it requests the ‘‘Zack T. Addington Post Office’’; to the the concurrence of the Senate: Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- work on behalf of myself, my staff, and ernmental Affairs. the State of South Dakota while work- H. Con. Res. 92. Concurrent resolution rec- H.R. 3893. An act to designate the facility ing in my Washington, DC, office. ognizing the deep and abiding friendship be- of the United States Postal Service located Van has spent the majority of her ca- tween the United States and Israel. at 100 Mathe Avenue in Interlachen, Florida, reer in public service, including time as the ‘‘Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Post Office’’; At 11:01 a.m., a message from the with the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Committee on Homeland Security and House of Representatives, delivered by the Federal Emergency Management Governmental Affairs. Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- Agency, and most recently with the H.R. 4174 An act to amend titles 5 and 44, nounced that the House agreed to the United States Code, to require Federal eval- Department of Homeland Security. Im- report of the committee of conference uation activities, improve Federal data man- mediately before her time in my office, on the disagreeing votes of the two agement, and for other purposes; to the Com- Van was advising Federal offices and Houses on the amendment of the Sen- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- nonprofit organizations on regulatory ate to the bill (H.R. 2810) to authorize mental Affairs. requirements for grant awards. appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for The following concurrent resolution I extend my sincere thanks and ap- military activities of the Department was read, and referred as indicated: preciation to Van for her years in pub- of Defense, for military construction, H. Con. Res. 92. Concurrent resolution rec- lic service and wish her all the best in and for defense activities of the De- ognizing the deep and abiding friendship be- the years to come.∑ partment of Energy, to prescribe mili- tween the United States and Israel; to the f tary personnel strengths for such fiscal Committee on Foreign Relations. MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT year, and for other purposes. f Messages from the President of the ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED EXECUTIVE AND OTHER United States were communicated to At 4:28 p.m., a message from the COMMUNICATIONS House of Representatives, delivered by the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- The following communications were retaries. Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed laid before the Senate, together with f the following enrolled bills: accompanying papers, reports, and doc- EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED H.R. 1545. An act to amend title 38, United uments, and were referred as indicated: In executive session the Presiding Of- States Code, to clarify the authority of the EC–3457. A communication from the Gen- ficer laid before the Senate messages Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose cer- eral Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory tain patient information to State controlled Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, from the President of the United substance monitoring programs, and for the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Disturbance States submitting sundry nominations other purposes. Control Standard—Contingency Reserve for which were referred to the appropriate H.R. 3949. An act to amend title 38, United Recovery from a Balancing Contingency committees. States Code, to provide for the designation of Event Reliability Standard’’ ((RIN1902–AF21)

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(Docket No. RM16–7–000)) received in the Of- Farm Credit Administration, for a term ex- HASSAN, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. FRANKEN, fice of the President of the Senate on No- piring May 21, 2022. Ms. WARREN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- vember 14, 2017; to the Committee on Energy By Mr. MCCAIN for the Committee on BIN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. COONS, Mr. SAND- and Natural Resources. Armed Services. ERS, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. EC–3458. A communication from the Assist- *Anthony Kurta, of Montana, to be a Prin- UDALL, Mr. BROWN, Mr. KENNEDY, and ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- cipal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. Mr. BENNET): ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the *Gregory E. Maggs, of Virginia, to be a S. 2141. A bill to amend title 10, United Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals States Code, to reform procedures for deter- the report of the texts and background state- for the Armed Forces for the term of fifteen minations on disposition of charges and the ments of international agreements, other years to expire on the date prescribed by convening of courts-martial for certain of- than treaties (List 2017–0188–2017–0196); to the law. fenses under the Uniform Code of Military Committee on Foreign Relations. *James E. McPherson, of Virginia, to be Justice, and for other purposes; to the Com- EC–3459. A communication from the Chair General Counsel of the Department of the mittee on Armed Services. of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve Army. By Mr. KING: System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the By Mr. GRASSLEY for the Committee on S. 2142. A bill to amend the Energy Policy Inspector General’s Semiannual Report for the Judiciary. and Conservation Act to establish the CHP the six-month period from April 1, 2017 Scott W. Brady, of Pennsylvania, to be Technical Assistance Partnership Program, through September 30, 2017; to the Com- United States Attorney for the Western Dis- and for other purposes; to the Committee on mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- trict of Pennsylvania for the term of four Energy and Natural Resources. mental Affairs. years. By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. BROWN, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. CASEY, Mr. EC–3460. A communication from the Acting Andrew E. Lelling, of Massachusetts, to be BLUMENTHAL, Mr. UDALL, Mr. SAND- Commissioner, Social Security Administra- United States Attorney for the District of ERS, Mr. CARPER, Mr. REED, Mr. tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Massachusetts for the term of four years. COONS, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. BOOKER, Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; * Nomination was reported with rec- to the Committee on Homeland Security and Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. Governmental Affairs. ommendation that it be confirmed sub- HEINRICH, Ms. HIRONO, and Mr. MAR- EC–3461. A communication from the Acting ject to the nominee’s commitment to KEY): Chief Financial Officer, Department of respond to requests to appear and tes- S. 2143. A bill to amend the National Labor Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant tify before any duly constituted com- Relations Act to strengthen protections for employees wishing to advocate for improved to law, the Agency Financial Report for fis- mittee of the Senate. wages, hours, or other terms or conditions of cal year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland (Nominations without an asterisk employment, to expand coverage under such Security and Governmental Affairs. were reported with the recommenda- Act, to provide a process for achieving initial EC–3462. A communication from the Presi- tion that they be confirmed.) collective bargaining agreements, and to dent and CEO, Inter-American Foundation, f provide for stronger remedies for inter- transmitting, pursuant to law, the Founda- ference with these rights, and for other pur- tion’s fiscal year 2017 Annual Management INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- Report; to the Committee on Homeland Se- JOINT RESOLUTIONS cation, Labor, and Pensions. curity and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. EC–3463. A communication from the Under The following bills and joint resolu- CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. REED, Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- tions were introduced, read the first Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. mitting, pursuant to law, the Uniform Re- and second times by unanimous con- MARKEY, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. WHITE- source Locator (URL) for the Department of sent, and referred as indicated: HOUSE, and Ms. CORTEZ MASTO): Defense Agency Financial Report for fiscal S. 2144. A bill to provide a process for year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. KAINE): granting lawful permanent resident status to curity and Governmental Affairs. aliens from certain countries who meet spec- EC–3464. A communication from the Under S. 2136. A bill to expand the monthly payments that may be eligible for public service ified eligibility requirements; to the Com- Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- mittee on the Judiciary. mitting, pursuant to law, the Uniform Re- loan forgiveness; to the Committee on Health, Education , Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. MURPHY (for himself, Mr. source Locator (URL) for the Department of CARDIN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Defense Agency Financial Report for fiscal By Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and Mr. HOEVEN): Mr. MARKEY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- HIRONO, and Mr. BOOKER): curity and Governmental Affairs. S. 2137. A bill to amend the Rural Develop- ment Act of 1972 to improve access to grants S. 2145. A bill to prohibit the United States EC–3465. A communication from the Acting Government from barring refugees from en- for evidence-based substance use disorder Chairman of the Surface Transportation tering the United States based on their coun- treatment services in rural areas, and for Board, Department of Transportation, trans- try of origin; to the Committee on the Judi- other purposes; to the Committee on Agri- mitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s Per- ciary. culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. formance and Accountability Report for fis- By Mr. UDALL (for himself, Mr. By Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mr. cal year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland TESTER, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. MERKLEY, HATCH): Security and Governmental Affairs. Ms. WARREN, Ms. HARRIS, Ms. CANT- S. 2138. A bill to authorize the creation of f WELL, and Mr. MARKEY): a commission to develop voluntary accessi- S. 2146. A bill to extend the full Federal REPORTS OF COMMITTEES bility guidelines for electronic instructional medical assistance percentage to urban In- materials and related technologies used in dian organizations; to the Committee on In- The following reports of committees postsecondary education, and for other pur- were submitted: dian Affairs. poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- By Mr. BROWN (for himself, Ms. STA- By Mr. CRAPO, from the Committee on cation, Labor, and Pensions. BENOW, Mr. MANCHIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, with By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. an amendment in the nature of a substitute: KAINE, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. CASEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. DUR- S. 1591. A bill to impose sanctions with re- MANCHIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. WARNER, BIN, Mr. PETERS, Mr. DONNELLY, and spect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Mr. CARPER, Mr. COONS, and Mrs. Ms. DUCKWORTH): Korea, and for other purposes. GILLIBRAND): S. 2147. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- By Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee on S. 2139. A bill to amend the Food Security enue Code of 1986 to create a Pension Reha- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with- Act of 1985 to address critical conservation bilitation Trust Fund to establish a Pension out amendment: conditions under the regional conservation Rehabilitation Administration within the S. 2099. A bill to provide for the manage- partnership program, and for other purposes; Department of the Treasury to make loans ment by the Secretary of Agriculture of cer- to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, to multiemployer defined benefit plans, and tain Federal land, and for other purposes. and Forestry. for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- f By Mr. RISCH: nance. S. 2140. A bill to provide for an exchange of By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF Federal land and non-Federal land in the BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. COMMITTEES State of Idaho, and for other purposes; to the CARDIN, Mr. COONS, Ms. DUCKWORTH, The following executive reports of Committee on Energy and Natural Re- Mr. FRANKEN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. sources. nominations were submitted: KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. VAN By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. HOLLEN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. By Mr. ROBERTS for the Committee on GRASSLEY, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. SCHATZ): Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. MURKOWSKI, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. PAUL, S. 2148. A bill to authorize dedicated do- * Glen R. Smith, of Iowa, to be a Member of Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HELLER, Mr. WYDEN, mestic terrorism offices within the Depart- the Farm Credit Administration Board, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. ment of Homeland Security, the Department

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of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Inves- S. 2159. A bill to require covered harass- By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. MENEN- tigation to analyze and monitor domestic ment and covered discrimination awareness DEZ, Mr. RUBIO, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. terrorist activity and require the Federal and prevention training for Members, offi- GARDNER, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. LEAHY, Government to take steps to prevent domes- cers, employees, interns, fellows, and and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): tic terrorism; to the Committee on the Judi- detailees of Congress within 30 days of em- S. Con. Res. 30. A concurrent resolution ex- ciary. ployment and annually thereafter, to require pressing the sense of Congress with respect By Mr. DAINES (for himself and Mr. a biennial climate survey of Congress, to to United States policy toward Tibet and TESTER): amend the enforcement process under the Of- that the treatment of the Tibetan people S. 2149. A bill to make a technical correc- fice of Congressional Workplace Rights for should be an important factor in the conduct tion to the provision of law authorizing a covered harassment and covered discrimina- of United States relations with the People’s withdrawal and reservation of public land at tion complaints, and for other purposes; to Republic of China; to the Committee on For- Limestone Hills Training Area, Montana; to the Committee on Homeland Security and eign Relations. the Committee on Armed Services. Governmental Affairs. f By Mr. BLUMENTHAL: By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. S. 2150. A bill to improve requirements for RISCH, and Mr. CRAPO): ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS entering into commerce of imitation fire- S. 2160. A bill to establish a pilot program S. 58 arms, and for other purposes; to the Com- under the Chief of the Forest Service may mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- use alternative dispute resolution in lieu of At the request of Mr. HELLER, the tation. judicial review of certain projects; to the names of the Senator from Oklahoma By Mr. HOEVEN: Committee on Energy and Natural Re- (Mr. INHOFE) and the Senator from Ha- S. 2151. A bill to streamline the oil and gas sources. waii (Ms. HIRONO) were added as co- permitting process and to recognize fee ownership for certain oil and gas drilling or spac- f sponsors of S. 58, a bill to amend the ing units, and for other purposes; to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND the excise tax on high cost employer- Committee on Energy and Natural Re- SENATE RESOLUTIONS sources. sponsored health coverage. By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mrs. FEIN- The following concurrent resolutions S. 63 STEIN, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. KLO- and Senate resolutions were read, and At the request of Mr. MORAN, the BUCHAR, Mr. CORNYN, and Mr. referred (or acted upon), as indicated: name of the Senator from Nebraska TOOMEY): S. 2152. A bill to amend title 18, United By Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mr. (Mrs. FISCHER) was added as a cospon- States Code, to provide for assistance for vic- GRASSLEY): sor of S. 63, a bill to clarify the rights S. Res. 335. A resolution designating the tims of child pornography, and for other pur- of Indians and Indian tribes on Indian week of November 19 through November 25, poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. 2017, during which the holiday of Thanks- lands under the National Labor Rela- By Mr. HELLER: tions Act. S. 2153. A bill to amend title 23, United giving is observed, as ‘‘National Family States Code, to establish electric vehicle Week’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. S. 91 weight limitations, and for other purposes; By Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the to the Committee on Environment and Pub- PERDUE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. name of the Senator from Montana BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. FEIN- lic Works. (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor By Mr. MORAN: STEIN, and Mr. ISAKSON): S. Res. 336. A resolution recognizing the se- of S. 91, a bill to amend the Indian Em- S. 2154. A bill to approve the Kickapoo ployment, Training and Related Serv- Tribe Water Rights Settlement Agreement, riousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and and for other purposes; to the Committee on expressing support for the designation of the ices Demonstration Act of 1992 to fa- Indian Affairs. month of September 2018 as ‘‘Polycystic cilitate the ability of Indian tribes to By Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mr. DON- Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month’’; to the integrate the employment, training, NELLY, Ms. HEITKAMP, Mr. TESTER, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and and related services from diverse Fed- Mr. WARNER, Mr. CORKER, Mr. SCOTT, Pensions. eral sources, and for other purposes. Mr. COTTON, Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. S. 322 MCCASKILL, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. COONS, and Mr. PERDUE): At the request of Mr. PETERS, the MANCHIN, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. KING, Mr. S. Res. 337. A resolution designating No- KENNEDY, Mr. KAINE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. vember 26, 2017, as ‘‘Drive Safer Sunday’’; name of the Senator from California PETERS, Mr. RISCH, and Mr. BENNET): considered and agreed to. (Ms. HARRIS) was added as a cosponsor S. 2155. A bill to promote economic growth, By Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. of S. 322, a bill to protect victims of do- provide tailored regulatory relief, and en- CRUZ): mestic violence, sexual assault, stalk- hance consumer protections, and for other S. Res. 338. A resolution commending and congratulating the Houston Astros on win- ing, and dating violence from emo- purposes; to the Committee on Banking, tional and psychological trauma Housing, and Urban Affairs. ning the 2017 Major League Baseball World By Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself and Series; considered and agreed to. caused by acts of violence or threats of Mr. BURR): By Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself, Mr. violence against their pets. S. 2156. A bill to amend title XVIII of the HATCH, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. COLLINS, S. 426 Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. REED): Social Security Act to provide fairness in At the request of Mr. TESTER, the S. Res. 339. A resolution designating No- hospital payments under the Medicare pro- name of the Senator from New Hamp- gram; to the Committee on Finance. vember 2017 as ‘‘National Runaway Preven- shire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as a co- By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. KING, tion Month’’; considered and agreed to. Mr. BROWN, Mr. FRANKEN, Ms. HAS- By Mr. PERDUE (for himself, Mr. ISAK- sponsor of S. 426, a bill to increase edu- SAN, and Ms. HARRIS): SON, and Mr. INHOFE): cational assistance provided by the De- S. 2157. A bill to require drug manufactur- S. Res. 340. A resolution commemorating partment of Veterans Affairs for edu- ers to disclose the prices of prescription the 100th anniversary of the 3d Infantry Divi- cation and training of physician assist- drugs in any direct-to-consumer advertising sion; considered and agreed to. ants of the Department, to establish By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COL- and marketing to practitioners of a drug; to pay grades and require competitive pay the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, LINS, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. HOEVEN): and Pensions. S. Res. 341. A resolution designating the for physician assistants of the Depart- By Mr. LEE (for himself and Mr. week beginning November 13, 2017, as ‘‘Na- ment, and for other purposes. LEAHY): tional Apprenticeship Week’’; to the Com- S. 654 S. 2158. A bill to amend the Foreign Intel- mittee on the Judiciary . At the request of Mr. TOOMEY, the ligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to clarify By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. name of the Senator from California and improve the procedures and account- WHITEHOUSE, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- (Ms. HARRIS) was added as a cosponsor ability for authorizing certain acquisitions BIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WYDEN, of foreign intelligence, to extend title VII of Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. BALD- of S. 654, a bill to revise section 48 of such Act, to ensure that the barriers to shar- WIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, title 18, United States Code, and for ing critical foreign intelligence among the and Mr. REED): other purposes. intelligence community that existed before S. Res. 342. A resolution expressing the S. 732 September 11, 2001, are not reimposed, and sense of the Senate that States, cities, Trib- At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the for other purposes; to the Committee on the al nations, businesses, and institutions of Judiciary. higher education in the United States should name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Ms. work towards achieving the goals of the HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. CORTEZ MASTO, Ms. HARRIS, and Ms. Paris Agreement; to the Committee on For- 732, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- HIRONO): eign Relations. enue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.020 S16NOPT1 S7298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 tax credit against income tax for the S. 1927 Mr. CASEY, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. purchase of qualified access technology At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the CARDIN, Mr. WARNER, Mr. CAR- for the blind. name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. PER, Mr. COONS, and Mrs. GILLI- S. 793 HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. BRAND): At the request of Ms. HARRIS, her 1927, a bill to amend section 455(m) of S. 2139. A bill to amend the Food Se- name was added as a cosponsor of S. the Higher Education Act of 1965 in curity Act of 1985 to address critical 793, a bill to prohibit sale of shark fins, order to allow adjunct faculty members conservation conditions under the re- and for other purposes. to qualify for public service loan for- gional conservation partnership pro- giveness. S. 978 gram, and for other purposes; to the S. 1962 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, At the request of Mrs. MURRAY, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. At the request of Mr. ROUNDS, the and Forestry. name of the Senator from Wyoming Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of 978, a bill to direct the Secretary of today I am introducing the Chesapeake S. 1962, a bill to provide relief to com- Education to establish an award pro- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act of munity banks, to promote access to gram recognizing excellence exhibited 2017 to accelerate our efforts to restore capital for community banks, and for by public school system employees pro- the health of one of America’s greatest other purposes. viding services to students in pre- natural treasures—the Chesapeake kindergarten through higher edu- S. 2057 Bay. This legislation will strengthen At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the cation. our Bay clean-up program by increas- name of the Senator from Rhode Island ing and better targeting resources S. 1016 (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co- under the Regional Conservation Part- At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the sponsor of S. 2057, a bill to prevent con- nership Program (RCPP), which is ad- names of the Senator from Oklahoma flicts of interest that stem from the re- ministered by the Department of Agri- (Mr. LANKFORD) and the Senator from volving door that raises concerns about culture (USDA). New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH) were added the independence of pharmaceutical I have long advocated for more effec- as cosponsors of S. 1016, a bill to amend regulators. tive protection, preservation, and res- title XVIII of the Social Security Act S. 2129 toration of the Chesapeake Bay. Dur- to expand access to telehealth services, At the request of Ms. HIRONO, the ing the development of the Farm Bill and for other purposes. name of the Senator from Massachu- of 2008, I worked with my colleagues to S. 1064 setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- adopt the Chesapeake Bay Watershed At the request of Mr. UDALL, the sponsor of S. 2129, a bill to amend title Initiative, which provided assistance to name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. 10, United States Code, to establish a farmers to help them prevent the ex- HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. punitive article in the Uniform Code of cessive runoff of nutrients and sedi- 1064, a bill to amend the Richard B. Military Justice on domestic violence, ments into the Bay and its tributaries. Russell National School Lunch Act to and for other purposes. As a result of that initiative, about $50 prohibit the stigmatization of children S. 2135 million was invested annually in the who are unable to pay for meals. At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the Chesapeake Bay watershed. S. 1281 names of the Senator from New Mexico In the 2014 Farm Bill, the RCPP was At the request of Ms. HASSAN, the (Mr. HEINRICH), the Senator from Penn- established to expand the successful name of the Senator from Colorado sylvania (Mr. TOOMEY), the Senator concept of the Chesapeake Bay Initia- (Mr. GARDNER) was added as a cospon- from Tennessee (Mr. ALEXANDER), the tive to our vital watersheds in the sor of S. 1281, a bill to establish a bug Senator from Nevada (Ms. CORTEZ country. The goal of RCPP is to en- bounty pilot program within the De- MASTO), the Senator from Delaware courage stakeholders to partner with partment of Homeland Security, and (Mr. COONS) and the Senator from Alas- agricultural producers to increase the for other purposes. ka (Ms. MURKOWSKI) were added as co- restoration and sustainable use of soil, S. 1413 sponsors of S. 2135, a bill to enforce water, wildlife and related natural re- At the request of Mr. COONS, the current law regarding the National In- sources on regional or watershed name of the Senator from Connecticut stant Criminal Background Check Sys- scales. (Mr. MURPHY) was added as a cosponsor tem. Mr. President, while very successful of S. 1413, a bill to authorize the Sec- S. RES. 291 nationally, the overall investment in retary of Education to award grants to At the request of Mr. CRUZ, the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts establish teacher leader development names of the Senator from South Da- through the RCPP has been reduced programs. kota (Mr. ROUNDS), the Senator from relative to investments that were made Indiana (Mr. YOUNG) and the Senator under the stand-alone Chesapeake Bay S. 1591 from Arkansas (Mr. BOOZMAN) were Watershed Initiative. That is why At the request of Mr. CRAPO, his added as cosponsors of S. Res. 291, a today I am introducing the Chesapeake name was added as a cosponsor of S. resolution affirming the historical con- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act to 1591, a bill to impose sanctions with re- nection of the Jewish people to the an- make refinements to the RCPP in spect to the Democratic People’s Re- cient and sacred city of Jerusalem and order to improve conservation efforts public of Korea, and for other purposes. condemning efforts at the United Na- in the Chesapeake Bay—and other vital S. 1738 tions Educational, Scientific, and Cul- watersheds—through providing addi- At the request of Mr. WARNER, the tural Organization (UNESCO) to deny tional funding, bolstering the role of name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Judaism’s millennia-old historical, re- critical conservation areas, and im- CORNYN) was added as a cosponsor of S. ligious, and cultural ties to Jerusalem. proving technical assistance. 1738, a bill to amend title XVIII of the S. RES. 319 On funding, this bill will triple the Social Security Act to provide for a At the request of Mr. BROWN, the amount of mandatory funding for home infusion therapy services tem- name of the Senator from Maine (Mr. RCPP available per fiscal year from porary transitional payment under the KING) was added as a cosponsor of S. $100 million to $300 million. The bill Medicare program. Res. 319, a resolution supporting the also allows in-kind support to count to- S. 1871 goals, activities, and ideals of Pre- wards a partner’s matching contribu- At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the maturity Awareness Month. tion to a project. name of the Senator from North Da- f The Chesapeake Bay has already kota (Ms. HEITKAMP) was added as a co- been designated as a Critical Conserva- sponsor of S. 1871, a bill to amend title STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED tion Area under the RCPP. However, 38, United States Code, to clarify the BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS my bill will make refinements to the role of podiatrists in the Department of requirements for partnership agree- Veterans Affairs, and for other pur- By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for him- ments awarded within Critical Con- poses. self, Mr. KAINE, Mrs. CAPITO, servation Areas that recognize key

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.022 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7299 strengths of the Chesapeake Bay re- ment concluding the exchange would (3) An unclassified May 2017 joint intel- gion. For example, the bill will have no significant environmental im- ligence bulletin from the Federal Bureau of strengthen the definitions of a critical pact, which was reaffirmed in 2009 by Investigation and the Department of Home- land Security found that ‘‘white supremacist conservation area to include critical the Department of Interior Board of extremism poses [a] persistent threat of le- conservation conditions that would im- Land Appeals. However, the exchange thal violence,’’ and that white supremacists prove water quality and water quan- has been held up since 2011 due to the ‘‘were responsible for 49 homicides in 26 at- tity. Furthermore, the bill adds a District Court for Idaho ruling that tacks from 2000 to 2016 . . . more than any prioritization for partnership agree- BLM needed to prepare a full Environ- other domestic extremist movement’’. ment applications that implement the mental Impact Statement including (4) According to the New America Founda- project consistent with multi-State detailed future use to comply with the tion, since September 11, 2001, 76 Americans watershed restoration plans and bring National Environmental Policy Act of have died in terrorist attacks by domestic extremists in the United States. 89 percent together a diverse array of stake- 1969. were killed by far-right-wing extremists. holders into a project. This raises the possibility of a dan- (5) The fatal attacks described in para- I have heard from many organiza- gerous precedent for future land con- graph (4) include— tions in my state and others states in veyances, as the exchange itself does (A) the August 5, 2012, mass shooting at a the Bay watershed that there is a sig- not authorize further activities. Future Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in nificant need for better technical as- use of the proposed adjacent land by which a white supremacist shot and killed 6 sistance to better implement the the phosphate facility would still be members of the gurdwara; (B) the April 13, 2014, mass shooting at a RCPP. Therefore, my bill authorizes subject to NEPA with opportunity for Jewish community center and a Jewish as- the USDA to advance reasonable public comment. Halting the sisted living facility in Overland Park, Kan- amounts of funding to eligible partners Blackrock Land Exchange for this rea- sas, in which a neo-Nazi shot and killed 3 ci- for technical assistance. Also, the bill son could largely increase the scope, vilians, including a 14-year-old teenager; allows the USDA to provide written length, and cost of the NEPA process. (C) the June 8, 2014, ambush in Las Vegas, feedback to applicants throughout the This bill will allow for this exchange Nevada, in which 2 supporters of the far application process on how the pro- in Idaho that has support from—State right-wing ‘‘patriot’’ movement shot and and local government as well as var- killed 2 police officers and a civilian; posals can be improved. (D) the June 17, 2015, mass shooting at the Mr. President, I am pleased to be ious land users. It will also protect fu- Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South joined in introducing the bill by Sen- ture exchanges from cycles of unneces- Carolina, in which a white supremacist shot ator CARDIN, a long-time supporter of sary review and litigation. The and killed 9 members of the church; the Chesapeake Bay. My other Bay Blackrock Land Exchange Act of 2017 (E) the November 27, 2015, mass shooting at state colleagues, Senators CAPITO, is in the best interest of Idaho land a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado KAINE, CASEY, MANCHIN, WARNER, CAR- users, local economies, and future uti- Springs, Colorado, in which an anti-abortion extremist shot and killed a police officer and PER, COONS and GILLIBRAND are also lization of government land. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the 2 civilians; original cosponsors of the Chesapeake (F) the March 20, 2017, murder of an Afri- Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act. My floor. can-American man in New York City, alleg- former colleague Congressman BOBBY edly committed by a white supremacist who By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. SCOTT is introducing a companion reportedly traveled to New York ‘‘for the measure in the House of Representa- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. purpose of killing black men’’; tives. Furthermore, I am grateful that CARDIN, Mr. COONS, Ms. (G) the May 26, 2017, attack in Portland, this bill has the support of Maryland DUCKWORTH, Mr. FRANKEN, Mrs. Oregon, in which a white supremacist allegedly murdered 2 men and injured a third Governor Hogan, 4 other Governors GILLIBRAND, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, after the men defended 2 young women whom within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the individual had targeted with anti-Mus- Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. the Mayor of the District of Columbia, lim hate speech; and and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. SCHATZ): (H) the August 12, 2017, attack in Char- S. 2148. A bill to authorize dedicated This bill is also supported by over 70 lottesville, Virginia, in which a white su- domestic terrorism offices within the organizations such as the Chesapeake premacist allegedly killed 1 and injured 19 Department of Homeland Security, the Bay Foundation, and Choose Clean after driving his car through a crowd of indi- Department of Justice, and the Federal viduals protesting a neo-Nazi rally, and of Water. Together, I look forward to Bureau of Investigation to analyze and which Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, working together to see the inclusion monitor domestic terrorist activity ‘‘It does meet the definition of domestic ter- of this important legislation in the and require the Federal Government to rorism in our statute.’’. next Farm Bill. (6) The Anti-Defamation League’s Center take steps to prevent domestic ter- on Extremism found that right-wing extrem- By Mr. RISCH: rorism; to the Committee on the Judi- ists were responsible for 150 terrorist acts, S. 2140. A bill to provide for an ex- ciary. attempted acts, and plots and conspiracies change of Federal land and non-Federal Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask that took place in the United States between land in the State of Idaho, and for unanimous consent that the text of the 1993 and 2017. These attacks resulted in the other purposes; to the Committee on bill be printed in the RECORD. deaths of 255 people and injured more than 600. Energy and Natural Resources. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in (7) According to the Southern Poverty Law Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise Center, in 2015, for the first time in 5 years, the RECORD, as follows: today to introduce the Blackrock Land the number of hate groups in the United Exchange Act of 2017. S. 2148 States rose by 14 percent. The increase in- The legislation supports a mutually Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- cluded a more than twofold rise in the num- beneficial effort between the Bureau of resentatives of the United States of America in ber of Ku Klux Klan chapters. The number of Land Management and the J.R. Congress assembled, anti-government militias and ‘‘patriot’’ Simplot Company in Idaho that began SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. groups also grew by 14 percent in 2015. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Domestic over 20 years ago. Simplot proposed an (8) In November 2017, the Federal Bureau of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017’’. Investigation released its annual hate crime exchange of their privately owned land SEC. 2. FINDINGS. incident report, which found that in 2016, with superior natural resources and Congress finds the following: hate crimes increased by almost 5 percent, recreational opportunities for a similar (1) White supremacists and other right- including a 19 percent rise in hate crimes sized parcel of BLM land adjacent to a wing extremists are the most significant do- against American Muslims. Similarly, the Simplot phosphate processing facility. mestic terrorism threat facing the United previous year’s report found that in 2015, This facility adds significant value to States. hate crimes increased by 6 percent. Much of the Pocatello, Idaho area as a large (2) A 2009 report from the Extremism and that increase came from a 66 percent rise in employer that sustains over 350 jobs Radicalization Branch of the Department of attacks on American Muslims. In both re- Homeland Security concluded ‘‘that lone ports, race-based crimes were most numer- with an over $55 million annual eco- wolves and small terrorist cells embracing ous; more than 50 percent of those hate nomic impact. violent right-wing extremist ideology are crimes targeted African Americans. In 2007, BLM issued a Final Decision the most dangerous domestic terrorism (9) In January 2017, a right-wing extremist Record on the Environmental Assess- threat in the United States’’. who had expressed anti-Muslim views was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.031 S16NOPT1 S7300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 charged with murder for allegedly killing 6 (i) domestic terrorism related assessments port for the preceding year required under people and injuring 19 in a shooting rampage initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investiga- subsection (b). at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada. It was tion, including the number of assessments SEC. 5. TRAINING TO COMBAT DOMESTIC TER- the first-ever mass shooting at a mosque in from each classification and subcategory; RORISM. North America, and Prime Minister Trudeau (ii) domestic terrorism related preliminary (a) REQUIRED TRAINING AND RESOURCES.— labeled it a terrorist attack. investigations initiated by the Federal Bu- The State and Local Anti-Terrorism Pro- (10) Between January and July 2017, news reau of Investigation, including the number gram, funded by the Bureau of Justice As- reports found 63 incidents in which American of preliminary investigations from each clas- sistance of the Department of Justice, shall mosques were targeted by threats, van- sification and subcategory, and how many include training and resources to assist dalism, or arson. preliminary investigations resulted from as- State, local, and tribal law enforcement offi- SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. sessments; cers in understanding, detecting, deterring, In this Act— (iii) domestic terrorism related full inves- and investigating acts of domestic terrorism. (1) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director tigations initiated by the Federal Bureau of The training shall focus on the most signifi- of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Investigation, including the number of full cant domestic terrorism threats, as deter- (2) the term ‘‘domestic terrorism’’ has the investigations from each classification and mined by the quantitative analysis in the meaning given the term in section 2331 of subcategory, and how many full investiga- joint report required under section 4(b). title 18, United States Code; tions resulted from preliminary investiga- (b) REQUIREMENT.—Any individual who pro- (3) the term ‘‘Domestic Terrorism Execu- tions and assessments; vides domestic terrorism training required tive Committee’’ means the committee with- (iv) domestic terrorism related incidents, under this section shall have— in the Department of Justice tasked with as- including the number of incidents from each (1) expertise in domestic terrorism; and sessing and sharing information about ongo- classification and subcategory, the number (2) relevant academic, law enforcement, or ing domestic terrorism threats; and of deaths and injuries resulting from each in- other experience in matters related to do- (4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec- cident, and a detailed explanation of each in- mestic terrorism. retary of Homeland Security. cident; (c) REPORT.— SEC. 4. OFFICES TO COMBAT DOMESTIC TER- (v) Federal domestic terrorism related ar- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after RORISM. rests, including the number of arrests from the date of enactment of this Act and once (a) AUTHORIZATION OF OFFICES TO MONITOR, each classification and subcategory, and a each year thereafter, the Director of the Bu- ANALYZE, INVESTIGATE, AND PROSECUTE DO- detailed explanation of each arrest; reau of Justice Assistance shall submit an MESTIC TERRORISM.— (vi) Federal domestic terrorism related in- annual report to the committees of Congress (1) DOMESTIC TERRORISM UNIT.—There is au- dictments, including the number of indict- described in section 4(b)(1) on the domestic thorized a Domestic Terrorism Unit in the ments from each classification and sub- terrorism training implemented under this Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the De- category, and a detailed explanation of each section, which shall include copies of all partment of Homeland Security, which shall indictment; training materials used and the names and be responsible for monitoring and analyzing (vii) Federal domestic terrorism related qualifications of the individuals who provide domestic terrorism activity. prosecutions, including the number of inci- the training. (2) DOMESTIC TERRORISM OFFICE.—There is dents from each classification and sub- (2) CLASSIFICATION.—Each report submitted authorized a Domestic Terrorism Office in category, and a detailed explanation of each under paragraph (1) shall be unclassified, to the Counterterrorism Section of the Na- prosecution; the greatest extent possible, with a classified tional Security Division of the Department (viii) Federal domestic terrorism related annex only if necessary. of Justice— convictions, including the number of convic- (A) which shall be responsible for inves- SEC. 6. COMBATTING DOMESTIC TERRORISM tions from each classification and sub- THROUGH JOINT TERRORISM TASK tigating and prosecuting incidents of domes- category, and a detailed explanation of each FORCES AND FUSION CENTERS. tic terrorism; and conviction; and (a) IN GENERAL.—The joint terrorism task (B) which shall be headed by the Domestic (ix) Federal domestic terrorism related forces of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Terrorism Counsel. weapons recoveries, including the number of and State, local, and regional fusion centers, (3) DOMESTIC TERRORISM SECTION OF THE each type of weapon and the number of weap- as established under section 210A of the FBI.—There is authorized a Domestic Ter- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. rorism Section within the Counterterrorism ons from each classification and sub- 124h), shall each, in coordination with the Division of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- category. Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee tion, which shall be responsible for inves- (3) CLASSIFICATION AND PUBLIC RELEASE.— and the domestic terrorism offices author- tigating domestic terrorism activity. Each report submitted under paragraph (1) ized under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of sec- (b) JOINT REPORT ON DOMESTIC TER- shall be— RORISM.— (A) unclassified, to the greatest extent pos- tion 4(a) of this Act— (1) ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later sible, with a classified annex only if nec- (1) share intelligence to address domestic than 180 days after the date of enactment of essary; and terrorism activities; this Act, and each year thereafter, the Sec- (B) in the case of the unclassified portion (2) conduct an annual, intelligence-based retary of Homeland Security, the Attorney of the report, posted on the public websites assessment of domestic terrorism activities General, and the Director of the Federal Bu- of the Department of Homeland Security, in their jurisdictions; and reau of Investigation shall submit a joint re- the Department of Justice, and the Federal (3) formulate and execute a plan to address port authored by the domestic terrorism of- Bureau of Investigation. and combat domestic terrorism activities in fices authorized under paragraphs (1), (2), (c) DOMESTIC TERRORISM EXECUTIVE COM- their jurisdictions. and (3) of subsection (a) to— MITTEE.—There is authorized a Domestic (b) REQUIREMENT.—The activities required (A) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Terrorism Executive Committee, which under subsection (a) shall focus on the most Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- shall— significant domestic terrorism threats, as ernmental Affairs, and the Select Committee (1) meet on a regular basis, and not less determined by the number of domestic ter- on Intelligence of the Senate; and regularly than 4 times each year, to coordi- rorism related incidents from each category (B) the Committee on the Judiciary, the nate with United States Attorneys and other and subclassification in the joint report for Committee on Homeland Security, and the key public safety officials across the country the preceding year required under section Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to promote information sharing and ensure 4(b). of the House of Representatives. an effective, responsive, and organized joint SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted effort to combat domestic terrorism; and There are authorized to be appropriated to under paragraph (1) shall include— (2) be co-chaired by— the Department of Justice, the Federal Bu- (A) an assessment of the domestic ter- (A) the Domestic Terrorism Counsel au- reau of Investigation, and the Department of rorism threat posed by white supremacists, thorized under subsection (a)(2)(B); Homeland Security such sums as may be including white supremacist infiltration and (B) a United States Attorney or Assistant necessary to carry out this Act. recruitment of law enforcement officers and United States Attorney; members of the Armed Forces; (C) a member of the National Security Di- By Mr. DAINES (for himself and (B)(i) in the first report, an analysis of in- vision of the Department of Justice; and Mr. TESTER): cidents or attempted incidents of domestic (D) a member of the Federal Bureau of In- S. 2149. A bill to make a technical terrorism that have occurred in the United vestigation. correction to the provision of law au- States since April 19, 1995; and (d) FOCUS ON GREATEST THREATS.—The do- thorizing a withdrawal and reservation (ii) in each subsequent report, an analysis mestic terrorism offices authorized under of public land at Limestone Hills of incidents or attempted incidents of do- paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) Training Area, Montana; to the Com- mestic terrorism that occurred in the United shall focus their limited resources on the States during the preceding year; and most significant domestic terrorism threats, mittee on Armed Services. (C) a quantitative analysis of domestic ter- as determined by the number of domestic Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask rorism for the preceding year, including the terrorism related incidents from each cat- unanimous consent that the text of the number of— egory and subclassification in the joint re- bill be printed in the RECORD.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.027 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7301 There being no objection, the text of SEC. 3. PRICE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT FOR of the manufacturer, communicates with a the bill was ordered to be printed in DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DRUG AD- health care practitioner about a drug manu- VERTISEMENTS. the RECORD, as follows: factured by the drug manufacturer, includ- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 303(g)(1) of the ing through promotional, educational, or S. 2149 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 marketing communications, meetings or Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- U.S.C. 333(g)(1)) is amended— paid events, and the provision of goods, gifts, resentatives of the United States of America in (1) by striking ‘‘(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘(i)’’; and samples, the drug manufacturer shall Congress assembled, (2) by striking ‘‘(B)’’ and inserting (ii); disclose to the practitioner the wholesale ac- SECTION 1. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO WITH- (3) by striking ‘‘(1) With respect’’ and in- quisition cost (as defined in section DRAWAL AND RESERVATION OF serting ‘‘(1)(A) With respect’’; 1847A(c)(6)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 PUBLIC LAND AUTHORITY, LIME- (4) by striking ‘‘this paragraph’’ each STONE HILLS TRAINING AREA, MON- U.S.C. 1395w–3a(c)(6)(B))) for a 30-day supply place it appears and inserting ‘‘this subpara- of the drug, which may include a brief quali- TANA. graph’’; Section 2931(b) of the Military Construc- tative explanation of reduced cost avail- (5) by striking ‘‘No other civil monetary tion Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 ability for certain consumers that is con- penalties in this Act (including the civil pen- (division B of Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. sistent with the regulations described in sec- alty in section 303(f)(4))’’ and inserting ‘‘No 1031) is amended by striking ‘‘18,644 acres in tion 3(c)(2). civil monetary penalties (including the civil Broadwater County, Montana, generally de- (b) ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL TRADE penalty in section 303(f)(4)), other than the picted as ‘Proposed Land Withdrawal’ on the COMMISSION.— penalties under this subparagraph and sub- map entitled ‘Limestone Hills Training Area (1) UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRAC- paragraph (B)’’; and Land Withdrawal’, dated April 10, 2013’’ and TICES.—A violation of subsection (a) by a (6) by adding at the end the following: person with respect to whom the Commis- inserting ‘‘18,964 acres in Broadwater Coun- ‘‘(B) With respect to a person who is a ty, Montana, generally depicted as ‘Lime- sion is empowered under section 5(a)(2) of the holder of an approved application under sec- Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. stone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal’ tion 505 for a drug subject to section 503(b) or on the map entitled ‘Limestone Hills Train- 45(a)(2)) shall be treated as a violation of a under section 351 of the Public Health Serv- rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or ing Area Land Withdrawal’, dated May 11, ice Act, any such person who disseminates or 2017’’. practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) causes another party to disseminate a direct- of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 to-consumer advertisement that does not in- U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. clude the wholesale acquisition cost (as de- (2) POWERS OF FEDERAL TRADE COMMIS- KING, Mr. BROWN, Mr. FRANKEN, fined in section 1847A(c)(6)(B) of the Social SION.— Ms. HASSAN, and Ms. HARRIS): Security Act) for a 30-day supply of the drug S. 2157. A bill to require drug manu- (A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Trade shall be liable to the United States for a civil Commission shall enforce this section in the facturers to disclose the prices of pre- penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 same manner, by the same means, and with scription drugs in any direct-to-con- for the first such violation in any 3-year pe- the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as sumer advertising and marketing to riod, and not to exceed $5,000,000 for each though all applicable terms and provisions of practitioners of a drug; to the Com- subsequent violation in any 3-year period. the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. mittee on Health, Education, Labor, For purposes of this subparagraph, all viola- 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made tions under this paragraph occurring in a a part of this Act. and Pensions. single day shall be considered one violation. (B) PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.—Any Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask With respect to advertisements that appear unanimous consent that the text of the person who violates this section shall be sub- in magazines or other publications that are ject to the penalties and entitled to the bill be printed in the RECORD. published less frequently than daily, each privileges and immunities provided in the There being no objection, the text of issue date (whether weekly or monthly) shall Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 the bill was ordered to be printed in be treated as a single day for the purpose of et seq.). calculating the number of violations under the RECORD, as follows: (c) RULEMAKING.—The Federal Trade S. 2157 this subparagraph.’’. Commission shall promulgate in accordance (b) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—For each fiscal with section 553 of title 5, United States Be it enacted by the Senate and House of year, there are authorized to be appro- Code, such rules as may be necessary to Representatives of the United States of America priated, and are appropriated, out of any carry out this section. in Congress assembled, funds not otherwise obligated, to the Direc- (d) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tor of the National Institutes of Health for This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Drug-Price section shall be construed to limit, impair, purposes of carrying out medical research, or supersede the operation of the Federal Transparency in Communications Act’’. an amount equal to the amount collected in SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Trade Commission Act or any other provi- penalties during the previous fiscal year for sion of Federal law. Congress finds as follows: violations of section 303(g)(1)(B) of the Fed- (1) Direct-to-consumer advertising of eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. prescription pharmaceuticals is legal in only (c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of 2 developed countries, the United States and Health and Human Services, acting through RISCH, and Mr. CRAPO): New Zealand. the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall S. 2160. A bill to establish a pilot pro- (2) Direct-to-consumer advertising of promulgate regulations to carry out sub- gram under the Chief of the Forest prescription pharmaceuticals is designed to paragraph (B) of section 303(g)(1) of the Fed- Service may use alternative dispute cause patients to pressure physicians to pre- eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. resolution in lieu of judicial review of scribe certain medications. 333(g)(1)), as added by subsection (a). Such certain projects; to the Committee on (3) In 2015, pharmaceutical companies regulations shall include provisions setting spent more than $100,000,000 on advertising Energy and Natural Resources. forth— Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask with respect to each of 16 brand-name drugs, (1) a reasonable amount of time a manu- primarily new and expensive drugs. facturer has to update any direct-to-con- unanimous consent that the text of the (4) Prescription rates of medications ad- sumer advertising of a drug in accordance bill be printed in the RECORD. vertised directly to consumers have in- with such subparagraph (B) after a change to There being no objection, the text of creased by 34.2 percent compared to a 5.1 per- the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug; the bill was ordered to be printed in cent increase in other pharmaceuticals. and the RECORD, as follows: (5) Prescription pharmaceuticals cost (2) the specific manner in which the S. 2160 more in the United States than they do in wholesale acquisition cost of a drug is re- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- any other country. quired to be conspicuously disclosed in such resentatives of the United States of America in (6) The American Medical Association direct-to-consumer advertisements in order Congress assembled, has passed resolutions calling for the ban of to communicate such single price metric to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescrip- the public, which shall include visual and SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tion pharmaceuticals, and to require price audio (as applicable) components of the ad- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protect Col- transparency in any direct-to-consumer advertisement, and which may include a brief laboration for Healthier Forests Act’’. vertising. qualitative explanation of reduced cost SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (7) The amount of spending by pharma- availability for certain consumers, such as PILOT PROGRAM. ceutical companies in marketing to health through insurance cost-sharing arrange- (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: care providers is more than 4 times the ments or patient assistance programs. (1) PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘participant’’ spending for direct-to-consumer advertising. SEC. 4. DRUG MANUFACTURER DUTY TO DIS- means an individual or entity that files an (8) Health care providers are more likely CLOSE DRUG PRICES TO PRACTI- objection or scoping comments on a draft en- to prescribe a certain drug if they have re- TIONERS. vironmental document with respect to a ceived payments or marketing materials (a) DUTY TO DISCLOSE.—Whenever a drug project that is subject to an objection at the from the manufacturer of that drug. manufacturer, including any representative project level under part 218 of title 36, Code

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of Federal Regulations (or successor regula- (B) REQUIREMENTS.—A request to initiate shall make a decision with respect to the re- tions). arbitration under subparagraph (A) shall— quest to initiate arbitration. (2) PILOT PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘pilot pro- (i) be filed not later than the date that is (l) EFFECT OF ARBITRATION DECISION.—A gram’’ means the pilot program established 30 days after the date of the notification by under subsection (b). the Secretary under paragraph (1); and decision of an arbitrator under this Act— (3) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘project’’ means a (ii) include an alternative proposal for the (1) shall not be considered to be a major project described in subsection (c). applicable project that describes each modi- Federal action; (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ fication sought by the participant with re- (2) shall be binding; and means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting spect to the project. (3) shall not be subject to judicial review, through the Chief of the Forest Service. (C) NO JUDICIAL REVIEW.—A project for except as provided in section 10(a) of title 9, (b) ARBITRATION PILOT PROGRAM.—Not which arbitration is initiated under subpara- United States Code. later than 180 days after the date of enact- graph (A) shall not be subject to judicial re- (m) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— ment of this Act, the Secretary shall estab- view. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— lish within Region 1 of the Forest Service an (3) COMPELLED ARBITRATION.— (A) be solely responsible for the profes- (A) MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION.— arbitration pilot program as an alternative sional fees of arbitrators participating in the dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial (i) IN GENERAL.—If a participant seeks judi- pilot program; and review for projects described in subsection cial review of a final decision with respect to (B) use funds made available to the Sec- (c). a project, the Secretary may file in the ap- retary and not otherwise obligated to carry (c) DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS.— plicable court a motion to compel arbitra- out subparagraph (A). (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, at the sole tion in accordance with this Act. discretion of the Secretary, may designate (ii) FEES AND COSTS.—For any motion de- (2) ATTORNEY’S FEES.—No arbitrator may for arbitration projects that— scribed in clause (i) for which the Secretary award attorney’s fees in any arbitration (A)(i) are developed through a collabo- is the prevailing party, the applicable court brought under this Act. rative process (within the meaning of section shall award to the Secretary— (n) REPORTS.— 603(b)(1)(C) of the Healthy Forest Restora- (I) court costs; and (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C))); (II) attorney’s fees. the date on which the pilot program is estab- (ii) are carried out under the Collaborative (B) ARBITRATION COMPELLED BY COURT.—If a lished, and annually thereafter, the Sec- Forest Landscape Restoration Program es- participant seeks judicial review of a retary shall submit to the Committee on Ag- project, the applicable court shall compel ar- tablished under section 4003 of the Omnibus riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the bitration in accordance with this Act. Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources U.S.C. 7303); or (g) SELECTION OF ARBITRATOR.—For each of the Senate and the Committee on Natural (iii) are identified in a community wildfire arbitration commenced under this Act— Resources of the House of Representatives, protection plan (as defined in section 101 of (1) the Secretary shall propose 3 arbitra- and publish on the website of Region 1 of the the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 tors from the list published under subsection (16 U.S.C. 6511)); (e)(1); and Forest Service, a report of not longer than 10 (B) have as a purpose— (2) the applicable participant shall select 1 pages describing the implementation of the (i) hazardous fuels reduction; or arbitrator from the list of arbitrators pro- pilot program for the applicable year, includ- (ii) mitigation of insect or disease infesta- posed under paragraph (1). ing— tion; and (h) RESPONSIBILITIES OF ARBITRATOR.— (A) the reasons for selecting certain (C) are located, in whole or in part, in a (1) IN GENERAL.—An arbitrator selected projects for arbitration; wildland-urban interface (as defined in sec- under subsection (e)— (B) an evaluation of the arbitration proc- tion 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration (A) shall address all claims of each party ess, including any recommendations for im- Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)). seeking arbitration with respect to a project provements to the process; (2) INCLUSION.—In designating projects for under this Act; but (C) a description of the outcome of each ar- arbitration, the Secretary may include (B) may consolidate into a single arbitra- bitration; and tion all requests to initiate arbitration by projects that receive categorical exclusions (D) a summary of the impacts of each out- all participants with respect to a project. for purposes of the National Environmental come described in subparagraph (C) on the Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (2) SELECTION OF PROPOSALS.—An arbitrator shall make a decision with respect to timeline for implementation and completion (d) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF PROJECTS.— of the applicable project. The Secretary may not designate for arbitra- each applicable request for initiation of arbitration under this Act by— (2) GAO REVIEWS AND REPORTS.— tion under the pilot program more than 2 (A) INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years projects per calendar year. (A) selecting the project, as approved by the Secretary; after the date on which the pilot program is (e) ARBITRATORS.— (B) selecting an alternative proposal sub- established, the Comptroller General of the (1) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary shall de- United States shall review the implementa- velop and publish a list of not fewer than 15 mitted by the applicable participant; or tion by the Secretary of the pilot program. individuals eligible to serve as arbitrators (C) rejecting both projects described in (B) REVIEW ON TERMINATION.—On termi- for the pilot program. subparagraphs (A) and (B). (3) LIMITATIONS.— nation of the pilot program under subsection (2) QUALIFICATIONS.—To be eligible to serve as an arbitrator under this subsection, an in- (A) ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD.—The evidence (o), the Comptroller General of the United dividual shall be— before an arbitrator under this subsection States shall review the implementation by (A) certified by— shall be limited solely to the administrative the Secretary of the pilot program. (i) the American Arbitration Association; record for the project. (C) REPORT.—On completion of the review or (B) NO MODIFICATIONS TO PROPOSALS.—An described in subparagraph (A) or (B), the (ii) a State arbitration program; or arbitrator may not modify any proposal con- Comptroller General of the United States (B) a fully retired Federal or State judge. tained in a request for initiation of arbitra- shall submit to the Committee on Agri- tion of a participant under this Act. (f) INITIATION OF ARBITRATION.— culture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the (i) INTERVENTION.—A party may intervene (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 7 days in an arbitration under this Act if, with re- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources after the date on which the Secretary issues spect to the project to which the arbitration of the Senate and the Committee on Natural the final decision with respect to a project, relates, the party— Resources of the House of Representatives a the Secretary shall— (1) meets the requirements of Rule 24(a) of report describing the results of the applica- (A) notify each applicable participant and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (or a ble review. the Clerk of the United States District Court successor rule); or for the district in which the project is lo- (o) TERMINATION.—The pilot program shall (2) participated in the applicable collabo- terminate on the date that is 5 years after cated that the project has been designated rative process referred to in clause (i) or (ii) the date . for arbitration in accordance with this Act; of subsection (c)(1)(A). and (j) SCOPE OF REVIEW.—In carrying out arbi- (p) EFFECT.—Nothing in this Act affects (B) include in the decision document a tration for a project, the arbitrator shall set the responsibility of the Secretary to comply statement that the project has been des- aside the agency action, findings, and con- with— ignated for arbitration. clusions found to be arbitrary, capricious, an (1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 (2) INITIATION.— abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in ac- U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or (A) IN GENERAL.—A participant may ini- cordance with law, within the meaning of (2) the National Environmental Policy Act tiate arbitration regarding a project that has section 706(2)(A) of title 5, United States of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). been designated for arbitration under this Code. Act in accordance with— (k) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF ARBITRA- (i) sections 571 through 584 of title 5, TION.—Not later than 90 days after the date United States Code; and on which a request to initiate arbitration is (ii) this paragraph. filed under subsection (f)(2), the arbitrator

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.030 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7303 SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS Whereas PCOS is the most common cause S. RES. 337 of female infertility; Whereas motor vehicle travel is the pri- Whereas PCOS in pregnancy is associated mary means of transportation in the United SENATE RESOLUTION 335—DESIG- with increased risk of gestational diabetes, States; NATING THE WEEK OF NOVEM- preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hyper- Whereas every individual traveling on BER 19 THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, tension, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, roads and highways should drive in a safe 2017, DURING WHICH THE HOLI- miscarriage, and fetal and infant death; manner so as to reduce deaths and injuries Whereas women with PCOS are at in- that result from motor vehicle accidents; DAY OF THANKSGIVING IS OB- creased risk of developing high blood pres- SERVED, AS ‘‘NATIONAL FAMILY Whereas, according to the National High- sure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart dis- way Traffic Safety Administration, wearing WEEK’’ ease—the leading cause of death among a seat belt saves as many as 15,000 lives each Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mr. women—and have a 4 to 7 times higher risk year; and GRASSLEY) submitted the following res- of experiencing a heart attack compared to Whereas the Sunday after Thanksgiving is olution; which was referred to the women of the same age who do not have the busiest highway traffic day of the year: PCOS; Committee on the Judiciary: Now, therefore, be it Whereas women with PCOS have a more Resolved, That the Senate— S. RES. 335 than 50 percent chance of developing type 2 (1) encourages— Whereas the family is the basic strength of diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40; (A) high schools, colleges, universities, ad- any free and orderly society; Whereas women with PCOS may be at a ministrators, teachers, primary schools, and Whereas it is appropriate to honor the fam- higher risk for breast cancer and ovarian secondary schools to launch campus-wide ily unit as essential to the continued well- cancer, and have a 3 times higher risk for de- educational campaigns to urge students to being of the United States; and veloping endometrial cancer, compared to focus on safety when driving; Whereas it is fitting that official recogni- women who do not have PCOS; (B) national trucking firms— tion be given to the importance of family Whereas up to 80 percent of women in the (i) to alert employee drivers to be espe- loyalties and ties: Now, therefore, be it United States with PCOS are overweight or cially focused on driving safely on the Sun- Resolved, That the Senate— have obesity; day after Thanksgiving; and (1) designates the week of November 19 Whereas an estimated 50 percent of women (ii) to publicize the importance of driving through November 25, 2017, during which the with PCOS are undiagnosed, and many re- safely on the Sunday after Thanksgiving on holiday of Thanksgiving is observed, as ‘‘Na- main undiagnosed until they experience fer- the Citizens Band Radio Service and at truck tional Family Week’’; tility difficulties or develop type 2 diabetes stops across the United States; (2) encourages States and local govern- or other cardiometabolic disorders; (C) clergies to remind congregations to ments to designate the week of November 19 Whereas the costs involved with the diag- travel safely when attending services and through November 25, 2017, as ‘‘National nosis and management of PCOS to the gatherings; Family Week’’; and healthcare system of the United States is (D) law enforcement personnel to remind (3) encourages the people of the United over $4,300,000,000 per year during the repro- drivers and passengers to drive safely, par- States to observe ‘‘National Family Week’’ ductive years of patients; ticularly on the Sunday after Thanksgiving; with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Whereas that amount does not include the (E) motorists to drive safely during the f costs associated with the treatment of holiday season and throughout the rest of comorbidities, including high blood pressure, the year; and SENATE RESOLUTION 336—RECOG- sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, (F) the people of the United States— NIZING THE SERIOUSNESS OF cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer; (i) to understand the life-saving impor- POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME Whereas the cause of PCOS is unknown, tance of wearing a seat belt; and AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR but researchers have found strong links to (ii) to educate themselves about highway THE DESIGNATION OF THE significant insulin resistance, which affects safety; and MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2018 AS up to 70 percent of women with PCOS, and (2) designates November 26, 2017, as ‘‘Drive genetic predisposition; and Safer Sunday’’. ‘‘POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME Whereas there is no known cure for PCOS: AWARENESS MONTH’’ Now, therefore, be it f Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Resolved, That the Senate— SENATE RESOLUTION 338—COM- PERDUE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. (1) recognizes the seriousness of Polycystic MENDING AND CONGRATU- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. FEIN- Ovary Syndrome (referred to in this resolv- LATING THE HOUSTON ASTROS ing clause as ‘‘PCOS’’); STEIN, and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the (2) supports the goals of PCOS Awareness ON WINNING THE 2017 MAJOR following resolution; which was re- Month— LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SE- ferred to the Committee on Health, (A) to increase awareness of, and education RIES Education, Labor, and Pensions: about, PCOS among the general public, Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. S. RES. 336 women, girls, and healthcare professionals; CRUZ) submitted the following resolu- Whereas Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (re- (B) to improve diagnosis and treatment of PCOS; tion; which was considered and agreed ferred to in this preamble as ‘‘PCOS’’) is a to: common health problem among women and (C) to disseminate information on diag- girls involving a hormonal imbalance; nosis and treatment options for PCOS; and S. RES. 338 Whereas there is no universal definition of (D) to improve the quality of life and out- Whereas, on November 1, 2017, the Houston PCOS, but researchers estimate that becomes for women and girls with PCOS; Astros won the 2017 Major League Baseball tween 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 women in the (3) recognizes the need for further research, World Series (referred to in this preamble as United States are affected by PCOS; improved treatment and care options, and a the ‘‘World Series’’) with a 5–1 victory over Whereas PCOS can affect women from the cure for PCOS; the Los Angeles Dodgers; onset of puberty and throughout the remain- (4) acknowledges the struggles affecting all Whereas the Houston Astros won the World der of their lives; women and girls residing within the United Series in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium in Los Whereas the symptoms of PCOS include in- States who are afflicted with PCOS; Angeles, California; fertility, irregular or absent menstrual peri- (5) urges medical researchers and Whereas the Houston Astros overcame the ods, acne, weight gain, thinning scalp hair, healthcare professionals to advance their un- home field advantage of the Los Angeles excessive facial and body hair growth, nu- derstanding of PCOS in order to research, di- Dodgers to win the World Series; merous small ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, and agnose, and provide assistance to women and Whereas all of the following 25 players on mental health problems; girls with PCOS; and the World Series roster of the Houston Whereas women with PCOS have higher (6) encourages States, territories, and lo- Astros should be congratulated: Jose Altuve, rates of psychosocial disorders, including de- calities to support the goals of PCOS Aware- Carlos Beltran, Alex Bregman, Juan pression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eat- ness Month. Centeno, Carlos Correa, Chris Devenski, ing disorders, and are at greater risk for sui- f Derek Fisher, Evan Gattis, Ken Giles, cide; Marwin Gonzalez, Luke Gregerson, Yulieski Whereas adolescents with PCOS often are SENATE RESOLUTION 337—DESIG- Gurriel, Will Harris, Dallas Keuchel, Fran- not diagnosed; NATING NOVEMBER 26, 2017, AS cisco Liriano, Cameron Maybin, Brian Whereas PCOS causes metabolic dysfunc- ‘‘DRIVE SAFER SUNDAY’’ McCann, Lance McCullers, Jr., Collin tion and insulin resistance, which can lead McHugh, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. Brad Peacock, Josh Reddick, George Spring- obstructive sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty COONS, and Mr. PERDUE) submitted the er, and Justin Verlander; liver disease, and endometrial cancer at a following resolution; which was consid- Whereas, in addition to the World Series young adult age; ered and agreed to: roster, all of the following Houston Astros

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.034 S16NOPT1 S7304 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 players who contributed to the 2017 regular Whereas the Houston Astros is an organi- family, community, and national responsi- season should be congratulated: Norichika zation of great character, determination, and bility; Aoki, Tyler Clippard, J.D. Davis, Dayan heart, and a reflection of the city of Houston Whereas the future well-being of the Na- Diaz, Michael Feliz, Mike Fiers, Reymin and the State of Texas; tion is dependent on the value placed on Guduan, Jandel Gustave, Teoscar Hernandez, Whereas, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey youth and the opportunities provided for James Hoyt, Jordan Jankowski, Tony Kemp, and the devastation along the entire Gulf youth to acquire the knowledge, skills, and Jake Marisnick, Francis Martes, Colin Coast in the State of Texas, the Houston abilities necessary to help youth successfully Moran, David Paulino, A.J. Reed, Tony Sipp, Astros as World Series champions personifies develop into safe, healthy, and productive Max Stassi, Ashur Tolliver, and Tyler White; the ‘‘can do’’ Texas spirit and signals to the adults; Whereas the front office, the clubhouse, world that, even after an incredibly difficult Whereas effective programs supporting and all of the supporting staff and team few months, the State of Texas is coming runaway youth and assisting youth and their members of the Houston Astros should be back stronger than ever; and families in providing safe and stable homes congratulated; Whereas the Houston Astros are the 2017 succeed because of partnerships created Whereas the Houston Astros won an in- World Series champions: Now, therefore, be among families, youth-based advocacy orga- credible 101 games during the regular season, it nizations, community-based human service which earned the team the American League Resolved, That the Senate— agencies, law enforcement, schools, faith- West division championship; (1) commends the Houston Astros— based organizations, and businesses; and Whereas the following 6 Houston Astros (A) for winning the 2017 Major League Whereas the National Network for Youth players selected to the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series championship title; and National Runaway Safeline are cospon- Baseball All-Star Game should be congratu- and soring National Runaway Prevention Month lated: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Chris (B) for an outstanding performance during in November to increase public awareness of Devenski, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, the 2017 Major League Baseball season; the issues facing runaway and homeless Jr., and George Springer; (2) recognizes the achievements of the youth and to educate the public about solu- Whereas the Houston Astros became the players, coaches, management, and support tions and the role the public can play in end- first team in the history of Major League staff of the Houston Astros, which made vic- ing youth homelessness: Now, therefore, be Baseball to capture both the National tory possible; it League Championship pennant and the (3) recognizes the dedication, hard work, Resolved, That the Senate— American League Championship pennant; and persistence of the operations staff of (1) designates November 2017 as ‘‘National Whereas the Houston Astros bounced back Minute Maid Park in the city of Houston; Runaway Prevention Month’’; and from a loss in the 2015 playoffs to win the (4) congratulates— (2) recognizes and supports the goals and American League Championship pennant for (A) the city of Houston; ideals of National Runaway Prevention the first time; (B) Houston Astros fans everywhere; Month. Whereas Houston Astros center fielder (C) the mayor of the city of Houston, the f George Springer broke the record for extra Honorable Sylvester Turner; base hits in the World Series, including 5 (D) Houston Astros Owner and Chairman SENATE RESOLUTION 340—COM- home runs, and was named the Most Valu- Jim Crane and the Crane family; MEMORATING THE 100TH ANNI- able Player in the World Series; (E) Houston Astros President of Business VERSARY OF THE 3D INFANTRY Whereas Houston Astros catcher Brian Operations Reid Ryan; and DIVISION McCann, in the first year playing for the (F) Houston Astros Executive Advisor Mr. PERDUE (for himself, Mr. ISAK- Houston Astros, hit a home run in Game 5 of Nolan Ryan; and the World Series, and guided the pitching (5) respectfully requests that the Secretary SON, and Mr. INHOFE) submitted the fol- staff for 7 games; of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of lowing resolution; which was consid- Whereas Alex Bregman is the first Jewish this resolution to— ered and agreed to: player to hit a World Series walk off hit, (A) Houston Astros Owner and Chairman S. RES. 340 Jim Crane; which led the Houston Astros past the Los Whereas November 21, 2017, is the 100th an- (B) Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Angeles Dodgers in a 13–12, 10-inning win in niversary of the organization of the 3d Infan- Luhnow; and Game 5 of the World Series; try Division; (C) Houston Astros Manager A.J. Hinch. Whereas Houston Astros pitcher Justin Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was orga- Verlander was named the Most Valuable f nized in 1917 as the 3d Division, with head- Player of the American League Champion- quarters at Camp Greene in North Carolina, ship Series; SENATE RESOLUTION 339—DESIG- NATING NOVEMBER 2017 AS ‘‘NA- and has been on continuous duty ever since; Whereas Houston Astros second baseman Whereas, from its inception, the 3d Infan- Jose Altuve— TIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION try Division and the component units of the (1) compiled at least 200 hits for the fourth MONTH’’ 3d Infantry Division have played a vital role consecutive year; and in the history of the United States by serv- (2) won a Silver Slugger Award for best Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself, Mr. HATCH, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. ing in— American League second baseman; (1) World War I; Whereas Houston Astros General Manager LEAHY, and Mr. REED) submitted the (2) World War II; Jeff Luhnow joined the Houston Astros front following resolution; which was consid- (3) the Korean War; office in 2011 and succeeded in building a ered and agreed to: (4) the Cold War; World Series championship team; S. RES. 339 (5) Operations Desert Shield and Desert Whereas the Houston Astros fell short in Storm (commonly known as ‘‘the Persian Whereas the prevalence of runaway youth the 2015 American League Division Series, Gulf War’’); and homelessness among youth is stag- fueling a determination— (6) Operation Enduring Freedom; (1) to return to the playoffs; and gering, with studies suggesting that every (7) Operation Iraqi Freedom; (2) to win the World Series in 2017; year, between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 youth (8) Operation Freedom’s Sentinel; Whereas Houston Astros fans followed the live on the streets of the United States; (9) Operation Resolute Support; triumphs of the 2017 season by tuning into Whereas runaway youth most often are (10) Operation Atlantic Resolve; and games called by Houston Astros television youth who have been expelled from their (11) a number of other named and unnamed broadcasters Geoff Blum and Todd Kalas and homes by their families, have experienced operations around the world; Houston Astros radio broadcasters Robert abuse and trauma, are involved in the foster Whereas elements of the 3d Division first Ford and Steve Sparks; care system, are too poor to secure their own went into combat in March 1918 at the begin- Whereas the Houston Astros played the fol- basic needs, and may be ineligible or unable ning of the German offensive efforts that lowing 3 excellent teams in the 2017 to access medical or mental health re- were designed to end World War I; postseason that should be congratulated: sources; Whereas, soon after the 3d Division was es- (1) the Boston Red Sox in the American Whereas youth who run away are at an in- tablished, the division began to gain prestige League Division Series; creased risk for exploitation and exposure to for its service during World War I; (2) the New York Yankees in the American criminal networks, such as domestic sex Whereas, in July of 1918, the success of the League Championship Series; and trafficking; 3d Division at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry (3) the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Whereas youth who run away are more earned the division, and especially the 38th Series; likely to be recruited or coerced into partici- Infantry of the division, the legendary nick- Whereas the Houston Astros won the World pating in criminal acts, such as gangs and il- name ‘‘Rock of the Marne’’ because the divi- Series for the first time ever, filling with legal substance abuse, that lead to a higher sion held steadfast against German soldiers pride the people in the city of Houston and likelihood of involvement in the criminal who were marching toward Paris in what Houston Astros fans everywhere; justice system; would be the last German offensive of World Whereas the Houston Astros showed ex- Whereas preventing youth from running War I; traordinary steadiness, teamwork, focus, and away from home or from foster care and sup- Whereas, during the Battle of Chateau- love of the game; porting youth in high-risk situations is a Thierry, division commander Major General

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.032 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7305 Joseph Dickman gave his famous order to (1) the French Croix de Guerre with Palm Whereas, from 2000 to 2001, elements of the hold the defensive position along the Marne (and streamer embroidered with ‘‘Colmar’’); 3d Infantry Division deployed to Bosnia and River in French, stating, ‘‘Nous resterons (2) the French Fourragere, for seizing the Kosovo in support of the United Nations Mis- la!’’, which in English means, ‘‘We shall re- last Nazi stronghold in France; and sion in Bosnia and Herzegovina (commonly main here!’’, providing what would become (3) the Presidential Unit Citation; known as ‘‘UNMIBH’’); the official motto of the 3d Division; Whereas, during World War II, 39 soldiers Whereas the 3d Infantry Division began its Whereas the 3d Division played an impor- of the 3d Infantry Division earned the Medal participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom on tant role in other major campaigns of World of Honor; March 20, 2003, leading the coalition assault War I, including the campaigns of— Whereas one of the most decorated soldiers into Iraq; (1) Aisne; of World War II, Lieutenant Audie Murphy, Whereas, as of April 4, 2003, the 3d Infantry (2) Champagne-Marne; served in the 3d Infantry Division; Division had entered the Saddam Inter- (3) Aisne-Marne; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was again national Airport and renamed it the Baghdad (4) Saint-Mihiel; and called to service in September of 1950 when International Airport; (5) Meuse-Argonne; the first elements of the division arrived on Whereas, from April 5 to 9, 2003, the 3d In- Whereas 2 soldiers of the 3d Division, Pri- the Korean Peninsula in support of the Gov- fantry Division was the vanguard unit in the vate First Class John L. Barkley and First ernment of the Republic of Korea and its march to Baghdad, leading what would be- Lieutenant George Price Hays, earned the military, contributing to operations in come known as the ‘‘Thunder Run’’ into the Medal of Honor during World War I; Hamhung-Hungnam in 1950 and the recapture heart of the city and effectively crippling Whereas, after World War I, the 3d Division of the South Korean capital of Seoul in 1951, the Iraqi regime; was one of only 3 divisions of the Army to re- following the surge of Chinese troops; Whereas, from January 2005 to January main on active duty, a strong testament to Whereas, from November 30 to December 2006, the 3d Infantry Division returned to the steadfastness, combat experience, and 24, 1950, the 3d Infantry Division served as Iraq to provide security for independent elec- mission success of the division; the covering force for the largest beachhead tions and the peaceful transfer of power to Whereas the 3d Division was redesignated evacuation in the history of the military of newly and democratically elected Iraqi offi- as the 3d Infantry Division in 1942; the United States, facilitating the escape of cials; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division was again 105,000 troops, 91,000 refugees, 17,500 vehicles, Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team of called into action in November of 1942, enter- and 350,000 tons of cargo from Hungnam, the 3d Infantry Division was the first Army ing World War II as one of the first divisions after which the division moved from the East brigade to serve 3 tours in Iraq; of the United States to fight the Nazi empire Coast to the West Coast of South Korea and Whereas, in March 2007, as part of Task in north Africa; helped to fight back the Chinese forces that Force Marne, the 3d Infantry Division was Whereas the 3d Infantry Division made an had overtaken Seoul; given a large area of responsibility in Iraq, amphibious landing in French Morocco and Whereas, in 1951, elements of the 3d Infan- including Multi-National Forces–Center and quickly captured the city of Casablanca, dis- try Division helped to recapture Seoul and Multi-National Forces–West; tinguishing itself as one of the premier as- were instrumental in pushing Chinese forces Whereas Sergeant First Class Paul R. sault units of the Army; back to the 38th parallel and in enduring the Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal Whereas the 3d Infantry Division advanced brunt of Chinese attempted attacks to re- of Honor for his actions in Iraq in 2003; through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia be- take Seoul, earning the division the new Whereas the 3d Infantry Division had units fore participating in the amphibious assault nickname, the ‘‘Rock of Seoul’’; in every region of Iraq; on Sicily; Whereas, during the Korean War, the 3d In- Whereas, in November 2009, the Combat Whereas, during the campaign to take con- fantry Division also became known as the Aviation Brigade of the 3d Infantry Division trol of Sicily, and before moving to mainland ‘‘Fire Brigade’’ for its quick responses to cri- deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Fal- Italy, the 3d Infantry Division earned a rep- ses; con; utation as one of the best divisions in the Whereas the 3d Infantry Division partici- Whereas, in 2012, the 3d Infantry Division Seventh Army under the command of Lieu- pated in 8 campaigns during the Korean War deployed to Afghanistan in support of oper- tenant General George Patton; and had 13 Medal of Honor recipients as a re- ations in Regional Command–South, assist- Whereas, between January and May of 1943, sult of that service; ing with the closure of more than 60 forward the 3d Infantry Division participated in an Whereas, in recognition of exemplary serv- operating bases and providing support to amphibious assault operation and beachhead ice during the Korean War, the 3d Infantry various units in the theater of operation; defense at Anzio on the West Coast of Italy, Division and its subordinate units received— Whereas, in 2015, multiple units of the 3d repelling multiple attacks by 3 German divi- (1) the Presidential Unit Citation; Infantry Division deployed to Europe in sup- sions, fighting valiantly, and, on 1 day, suf- (2) the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit port of Operation Atlantic Resolve, training fering 995 casualties, once again proving to Citation (and streamer embroidered with with NATO allies to remain prepared for con- be a steadfast ‘‘Rock’’; ‘‘Uijongbu Corridor’’); tingency operations in Europe; Whereas the 3d Infantry Division, after (3) the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Whereas, as of 2017, a contingent of 3d In- breaking out of the Anzio beachhead and Citation (and streamer embroidered with fantry Division soldiers serve in Afghanistan reaching Rome, participated in Operation ‘‘Iron Triangle’’); and in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern (4) the Chryssoun Aristion Andrias–Brav- taking on the train and assist mission as the France; ery Gold Medal of Greece (and streamer em- United States Forces-Afghanistan’s National Whereas the 3d Infantry Division, after broidered with ‘‘Korea’’); Support Element alongside Afghan National months of intense fighting, entered Germany Whereas the 3d Infantry Division returned Security Forces; and crossed the Rhine River, making its way to Germany in April 1958 to help secure Whereas, as of 2017, the 3d Infantry Divi- through Nuremberg, Munich, and Salzburg Western Europe from the threat of attack by sion is still a premier fighting force with before assisting in the capture of Adolf Hit- the nations, headed by the Soviet Union, units deployed in support of contingency op- ler’s mountain retreat near Berchtesgaden in that had signed the Warsaw Pact and re- erations across 4 distinct combatant com- April of 1945; mained stationed in Germany until 1996 to mand areas of responsibility in more than 20 Whereas, as of the date on which Germany assist fellow member nations of the North countries and under 5 separate named oper- unconditionally surrendered in May of 1945, Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in ations, including Operation Resolute Sup- the 3d Infantry Division had suffered 35,000 this preamble as ‘‘NATO’’), directly contrib- port in Iraq, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel casualties during World War II, while fight- uting to the peaceful end of the Cold War; in Afghanistan, and Operation Atlantic Re- ing and marching 3,200 miles from Casa- Whereas, in December 1990, in response to solve in Eastern Europe; blanca to Salzburg; the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Whereas the 3d Infantry Division has been Whereas, during World War II, the 3d In- the 3d Brigade of the 3d Infantry Division de- honorably stationed in Fort Stewart, Geor- fantry Division was the only division of the ployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Oper- gia, since fiscal year 1996; and United States to serve in 10 major cam- ations Desert Storm and Desert Shield; Whereas, since 1917, the 3d Infantry Divi- paigns, specifically the campaigns of— Whereas the 3d Brigade of the 3d Infantry sion has— (1) Algeria-French Morocco; Division distinguished itself as the Advanced (1) been deployed around the world, assist- (2) Tunisia; ing in combat and noncombat missions; (3) Sicily; Guard Brigade leading the main attack of (4) Naples-Foggia; the 1st Armored Division and VII Corps (2) endured the loss of more than 10,000 sol- (5) Anzio; against the Iraqi Republican Guard Forces diers in combat operations; and (6) Rome-Arno; Command as part of the 100-hour ground as- (3) had 55 soldiers receive the Medal of (7) southern France; sault on Iraq from February 24 to 28, 1991; Honor, a greater number than from any (8) Rhineland; Whereas, as of the date on which the Per- other division: Now, therefore, be it (9) Ardennes-Alsace; and sian Gulf War ended, the 3d Brigade of the 3d Resolved, That the Senate— (10) Central Europe; Infantry Division had, during that conflict, (1) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Whereas, in recognition of exemplary serv- destroyed 105 enemy tanks, 70 armored per- the 3d Infantry Division on November 21, ice during World War II, the 3d Infantry Di- sonnel carriers, and 92 artillery pieces and 2017, and reveres its century of service to the vision was awarded— captured 836 prisoners; military of the United States;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.038 S16NOPT1 S7306 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 (2) applauds the 3d Infantry Division for flects the strong commitment of the spon- (1) 2.5 percent per year through 2020; and continuing to serve with one of the most suc- sors of the national registered apprentice- (2) 3 percent per year from 2021 through cessful combat records of any division of the ship system; 2030; Army; Whereas an evaluation of registered ap- Whereas additional States may also soon (3) commends the 3d Infantry Division for prenticeship programs in 10 States conducted join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; continuing to exemplify its motto, ‘‘Nous by Mathematica Policy Research in 2012 Whereas 11 States have approved at least 1 resterons la!’’, which in English means, ‘‘We found that— energy efficiency standard for appliances or shall remain here!’’; (1) individuals who completed registered equipment that are not covered by Federal (4) honors— apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 standards; (A) the memory of the more than 10,000 sol- more over their careers than individuals who Whereas 47 cities in the United States have diers of the 3d Infantry Division who have did not participate in registered apprentice- adopted 100 percent clean and renewable en- made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the ship programs; ergy goals; United States; and (2) the estimated social benefits of each Whereas more than 2,500,000 people in the (B) the 55 members of the 3d Infantry Divi- registered apprenticeship program (including United States work in clean energy in all 50 sion who have received the Medal of Honor, additional productivity of apprentices and States, including in industries relating to— a greater number than from any other divi- the reduction in governmental expenditures (1) wind energy; sion of the Army; as a result of reduced use of unemployment (2) solar energy; (5) expresses, on behalf of the people of the compensation and public assistance) exceed- (3) energy efficiency; and United States, gratitude, support, and com- ed the costs of each registered apprentice- (4) advanced hybrid electric vehicles; mitment to all 3d Infantry Division soldiers, ship program by more than $49,000; and Whereas by 2020 there will be 500,000 people (3) the tax return on every dollar the Fed- veterans, and families, both past and in the United States working in the solar eral Government invested in registered ap- present; and and wind industries, including roofers, elec- prenticeship programs was $27; and (6) recognizes the esteemed place of the 3d tricians, and steel workers; Whereas celebration of National Appren- Infantry Division in the annals of the his- Whereas the majority of clean energy jobs ticeship Week— in the United States are blue collar jobs that tory of the United States. (1) honors industries that use the reg- pay well; f istered apprenticeship model; Whereas the ‘‘2017 U.S. Energy and Em- (2) encourages expansion of the registered SENATE RESOLUTION 341—DESIG- apprenticeship model to prepare highly ployment Report’’ issued by the Department NATING THE WEEK BEGINNING skilled workers of the United States; of Energy found that there are 5 times as NOVEMBER 13, 2017, AS ‘‘NA- (3) recognizes the role the national reg- many people in the United States working in TIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK’’ istered apprenticeship system has played in the renewable energy sector than there are preparing workers of the United States for people in the United States working in fossil Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COL- jobs; and fuel industries; LINS, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. HOEVEN) (4) promotes conversation about ways the Whereas the establishment of vehicle fuel submitted the following resolution; national registered apprenticeship system economy emissions standards— which was referred to the Committee can continue to respond to workforce chal- (1) is the single most significant action on the Judiciary : lenges in the 21st century: Now, therefore, be that has been taken to reduce global warm- it ing pollution; S. RES. 341 Resolved, That the Senate designates the (2) has helped create 700,000 domestic jobs Whereas a highly skilled workforce is nec- week beginning November 13, 2017, as ‘‘Na- in the automobile industry of the United essary to compete in the global economy and tional Apprenticeship Week’’. States since 2009; to support economic growth; f (3) will save consumers in the United Whereas the national registered appren- States a total of $100,000,000,000 at the gas ticeship system established by the Act of Au- SENATE RESOLUTION 342—EX- pump; and gust 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE (4) will reduce the reliance of the United known as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship SENATE THAT STATES, CITIES, States on foreign oil by 2,500,000 barrels per Act’’) (referred to in this preamble as the TRIBAL NATIONS, BUSINESSES, day by 2030; ‘‘national registered apprenticeship sys- AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER Whereas the States, cities, Tribal nations, tem’’), which has existed for over 75 years— businesses, and institutions of higher edu- (1) is an important pathway for workers of EDUCATION IN THE UNITED cation of the United States that support the the United States; STATES SHOULD WORK TO- objectives of the Paris Agreement represent (2) offers a combination of— WARDS ACHIEVING THE GOALS more than half of the economy of the United (A) academic and technical instruction; OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT States; and and Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. Whereas millions of dollars for clean en- (B) paid, on-the-job, training; ergy and climate change adaptation resil- WHITEHOUSE, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. DUR- (3) provides workers of the United States iency in developing countries have been pro- credentials that are nationally-recognized BIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. vided by the United States through contribu- and industry-recognized; HIRONO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. BALDWIN, tions that are— (4) leads to higher earnings for apprentices; Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, and Mr. (1) private, public, and Federal; and and REED) submitted the following resolu- (2) made directly, bilaterally, and through (5) develops a highly skilled workforce for tion; which was referred to the Com- multilateral institutions: Now, therefore, be the United States; mittee on Foreign Relations: it Whereas registered apprenticeships— Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate S. RES. 342 (1) are becoming increasingly innovative that the United States— and diverse in— Whereas 197 countries have signed the (1) should remain a signatory to the Paris (A) design; Paris Agreement, and 170 countries have Agreement; and (B) partnerships; joined the Paris Agreement; (2) should support policies at the Federal, (C) timeframes; and Whereas the United States is the only State, and local level that promote the re- (D) use of emerging educational and train- country with the intention to withdraw from duction of global warming pollution and aim ing concepts; and the Paris Agreement; to meet the objectives of the Paris Agree- (2) will continue to— Whereas the economy of the United States ment. (A) evolve to meet emerging skill essen- grew by 15 percent between 2005 and 2015 f tials and employer requirements; and while net greenhouse gas emissions de- (B) maintain high standards for appren- creased by 11.5 percent during that period; SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- tices; Whereas 30 States have adopted renewable TION 30—EXPRESSING THE Whereas the national registered appren- electricity standard requirements to demand SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RE- ticeship system provides education and clean energy production; SPECT TO UNITED STATES POL- training for apprentices in— Whereas 20 States have adopted greenhouse (1) high-growth sectors, including— gas emissions targets; ICY TOWARD TIBET AND THAT (A) information technology; Whereas 20 States have adopted energy ef- THE TREATMENT OF THE TI- (B) financial services; ficiency resource standards; BETAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE AN (C) advanced manufacturing; and Whereas 10 States have adopted zero-emis- IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE (D) health care; and sion vehicle targets; CONDUCT OF UNITED STATES (2) traditional industries; Whereas 9 States have implemented the RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE’S Whereas, according to the Department of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to con- REPUBLIC OF CHINA Labor, the national registered apprentice- struct a market-based system that sets a cap ship system leverages approximately on emissions from the electric sector that Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. MENEN- $1,000,000,000 in private investment, which re- declines by— DEZ, Mr. RUBIO, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.038 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7307 GARDNER, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. LEAHY, religion, establishing religious colleges, (1) lifting martial law in Lhasa and other and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted the fol- going abroad to take part in religious train- parts of Tibet; lowing concurrent resolution; which ing or gatherings, or otherwise engage in ac- (2) opening Tibet to foreigners, including the press and international human rights or- was referred to the Committee on For- tivities that ‘‘endanger national security’’; Whereas the Department of State stated in ganizations; eign Relations: the 2016 Report on Tibet Negotiations that (3) releasing Tibetan political prisoners; S. CON. RES. 30 ‘‘[t]he Dalai Lama’s representatives and Chi- and Whereas, on October 17, 2007, His Holiness nese officials from the United Front Work (4) conducting negotiations between rep- the 14th Dalai Lama (in this resolution re- Department have not met directly since the resentatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Government of the People’s Republic ferred to as the ‘‘Dalai Lama’’) was awarded ninth round of dialogue in January 2010’’; of China; the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition Whereas the 2016 International Religious Whereas the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 of his many enduring and outstanding con- Freedom Report for China published by the (subtitle B of title VI of Public Law 107–228; tributions to peace, nonviolence, human Department of State stated, ‘‘In the [Tibet 22 U.S.C. 6901 note), signed into law on Sep- rights, and religious understanding; Autonomous Region] and other Tibetan tember 30, 2002— Whereas, during his Congressional Gold areas, authorities engaged in widespread in- (1) established United States principles Medal acceptance speech, Dalai Lama stated, terference in religious practices, especially with respect to human rights, religious free- ‘‘The time has come for our dialogue with in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nun- dom, political prisoners, and economic devel- the Chinese leadership to progress towards neries.’’; opment projects in Tibet; the successful implementation of a meaning- Whereas the 2016 Country Reports on (2) established in statute the position of ful autonomy for Tibet, as guaranteed in the Human Rights Practices for China published the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in Chinese constitution and detailed in the Chi- by the Department of State stated, ‘‘Under the Department of State; nese State Council ‘White Paper on Regional the professed objectives of controlling border (3) established annual reporting require- Ethnic Autonomy of Tibet’.’’; areas, maintaining social stability, comments on Sino-Tibetan negotiations and Whereas the Dalai Lama continues to ad- bating separatism, and extracting natural safeguarding Tibet’s distinct cultural iden- vance the goal of greater understanding, tol- resources, the government engaged in the se- tity, both by the Secretary of State and by erance, harmony, and respect among the dif- vere repression of Tibet’s unique religious, the congressionally established Congres- ferent religious faiths of the world through cultural, and linguistic heritage by, among sional-Executive Commission on China; interfaith dialogue and outreach to other re- other means, strictly curtailing the civil (4) mandated the provision of Tibetan lan- ligious leaders; rights of the Tibetan population, including guage training to interested foreign service Whereas the Dalai Lama continues to use the freedoms of speech, religion, association, officers; his moral authority to promote the concept assembly, and movement.’’; (5) required Federal officials to raise issues of universal responsibility as a guiding tenet Whereas, since 2009, 150 Tibetans have self- of religious freedom and political prisoners; for how human beings should treat one an- immolated to protest against China’s rule in and (6) urged the Secretary of State to seek es- other and the planet we share; Tibet and most Tibetans publicly call for the tablishment of an office in Lhasa; and Whereas, in the ten years since the Dalai return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet; Whereas it is in line with United States na- Lama accepted the Congressional Gold Whereas the Government of the People’s tional security interests and values to op- Medal, China has implemented increasingly Republic of China has refused to allow an pose China’s increasingly repressive policies repressive policies in Tibet, including— independent investigation into the causes of toward Tibet and work towards a negotiated (1) travel restrictions against Tibetans and the self-immolations and has instead solution: Now, therefore, be it United States citizens; criminalized them, by imprisoning the sur- (2) restrictive regulations on religious af- Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- vivors and collectively punishing the rel- resentatives concurring), That it is the sense fairs; atives, friends, and villagers of the self-im- (3) censorship of Buddhist literature and of Congress that it should be the policy of molators, as documented by the Inter- the United States to— information; national Campaign for Tibet; (4) demolition of Tibetan Buddhist sites; (1) make the treatment of the Tibetan peo- (5) imprisonment of Tibetan prisoners of Whereas Congress has a long history of ple an important factor in the conduct of conscience; and support for Tibet, including— United States relations with the People’s Re- (6) declarations that ‘‘Decision-making (1) declaring that the United States should public of China; power over the reincarnation of the Dalai make the Tibet issue a higher policy pri- (2) consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act Lama and over the end of survival of his lin- ority; of 2002 (subtitle B of title VI of Public Law eage resides with the central government of (2) declaring that the United States should 107–228; 22 U.S.C. 6901 note)— China’’; urge China to establish a constructive dia- (A) encourage the Government of the Peo- Whereas, on April 15, 2015, the Chinese logue with the Dalai Lama; ple’s Republic of China to enter into a dia- (3) requiring Voice of America and Radio State Council released a white paper entitled logue with the Dalai Lama or his representa- Free Asia to begin broadcasts in the Tibetan ‘‘Tibet’s Path of Development Is Driven by tives leading to a negotiated agreement with language; an Irresistible Historical Tide’’, which stated respect to Tibet; (4) mandating that Tibet be listed sepa- that ‘‘there is no prospect of [a high degree (B) publicly call for the immediate and un- rately in the annual Country Reports on of autonomy for Tibet] ever coming to pass’’ conditional release of all those held prisoner Human Rights published by the Department and furthermore stated that Tibet had been for expressing their political or religious of State; part of China ‘‘since ancient times’’; (5) requiring a report from the Department views in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Whereas in recent years, Tibetan nomads, of State on the state of negotiations between other Tibetan areas; and who have lived as nomadic herders on the Ti- the representatives of the Tibetan people and (C) establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet, to betan Plateau for centuries, have been the Government of the People’s Republic of assist visiting United States citizens and to banned from grazing in certain areas of the China; monitor political, economic, and cultural de- Tibetan Plateau, and hundreds of Tibetan (6) establishing educational and cultural velopments in Tibet; herders have been forcibly relocated by Chi- exchange programs with Tibet; (3) appoint the Special Coordinator for Ti- nese government officials into ‘‘socialist vil- (7) providing humanitarian, food, medical, betan Issues at the rank of Under Secretary lages’’; vocational training, primary and secondary of State; Whereas, in September 2017, the Govern- education, and other assistance to Tibetan (4) revoke appropriate privileges of any ment of the People’s Republic of China refugees; Chinese official found to be responsible for adopted additional restrictive regulations on (8) funding programs to promote and pre- impeding access of United States citizens, governmental control over the practice of reserve Tibetan culture and the resilience of including Tibetan-Americans, to Tibet and ligion and expressed an intention that the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal; ensure that reciprocal visa processing meas- government should ‘‘actively guide religion (9) funding a scholarship program for Ti- ures are occurring in accordance with the to fit within socialist society’’; betan refugees to study in the United States; rules and regulations of the Department of Whereas these 2017 regulations state that (10) providing assistance to non-govern- State; ‘‘religious groups, religious schools, religious mental organizations working to preserve (5) continue to designate China as a coun- activity sites and religious citizens shall the Tibetan environment and cultural tradi- try of particular concern pursuant to section abide by the Constitution, laws, regulations tions; and 402 of the International Religious Freedom and rules; practice the core socialist values; (11) appropriating funds for National En- Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)); and [and] preserve the unification of the country, dowment for Democracy programs related to (6) engage with appropriate officials of the ethnic unity and religious harmony and so- Tibet; Government of the People’s Republic of cial stability’’; Whereas section 901(b)(6) of the Foreign China to— Whereas these 2017 regulations, scheduled Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years (A) stop the demolition of Tibetan Bud- for implementation by the Government of 1990 and 1991 (Public Law 101–246; 104 Stat. 80) dhist religious institutions; the People’s Republic of China beginning stated that United States policy toward (B) revise religious and travel regulations February 2018, would explicitly ban unregis- China should be explicitly linked with the to conform with international human rights tered religious groups from teaching about situation in Tibet, specifically including — standards; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 S7308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 (C) ensure that Tibetan nomads are al- 16, 2017, at 10 a.m., in SD–226 to conduct S. RES. 279 lowed to continue their way of life on the Ti- a hearing on S. 2070 and the following Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in betan Plateau, which they have helped to nominations: Leonard Steven Grasz, of power in Cambodia since 1985 and is the longest- preserve for centuries, and are not forcibly Nebraska, to be United States Circuit serving leader in Southeast Asia; relocated into ‘‘socialist villages’’. Judge for the Eighth Circuit, Terry A. Whereas the Paris Peace Accords in 1991 pro- f Doughty, to be United States District vided a vital framework, supported by the international community, intended to help Cambodia AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND Judge for the Western District of Lou- undertake a transition to democracy, including PROPOSED isiana, Terry Fitzgerald Moorer, to be through elections and multiparty government; United States District Judge for the SA 1586. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. MCCAIN) Whereas the United States Government, for proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Southern District of Alabama, Mark more than 25 years, has provided hundreds of Res. 279, reaffirming the commitment of the Saalfield Norris, Sr., to be United millions of dollars in development aid and other United States to promote democracy, human States District Judge for the Western types of assistance to the people of Cambodia rights, and the rule of law in Cambodia. District of Tennessee, and Scott W. and funded work in areas including civil soci- Brady, to be United States Attorney ety, capacity building for nongovernmental or- f ganizations (NGOs), global health, and the for the Western District of Pennsyl- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS Khmer Rouge Tribunal; vania, and Andrew E. Lelling, to be Whereas, despite decades of international at- SA 1586. Mr. MCCONNELL (for Mr. United States Attorney for the District tention and assistance to promote a pluralistic, MCCAIN) proposed an amendment to of Massachusetts for the term of four multi-party democratic system in Cambodia, the the resolution S. Res. 279, reaffirming years, both of the Department of Jus- Government of Cambodia continues to be the commitment of the United States tice. undemocratically dominated by the ruling Cam- bodia People’s Party (CPP), which controls to promote democracy, human rights, SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE every agency and security apparatus of the and the rule of law in Cambodia; as fol- The Select Committee on Intel- lows: state; ligence is authorized to meet during Whereas the leadership of Cambodia’s security In the preamble, strike the tenth whereas the session of the Senate on Thursday, forces, including all of its top military and po- clause and insert the following: November 16, 2017, at 2 p.m., in SH–219 lice commanders, sit on the Central Committee Whereas the National Democratic Institute to conduct a closed hearing. of the Politburo of the CPP; (NDI), the International Republican Insti- SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANS, ATMOSPHERE, Whereas the CPP controls Cambodia’s par- tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- FISHERIES, AND COAST GUARD liament and can pass legislation without any nizations that advance United States policy The Subcommittee on Oceans, At- opposition, and has often passed laws that ben- objectives abroad have a long history in efit its rule and weaken the capacity of the op- Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- mosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard position to challenge it; torical, and religious differences when proof the Committee on Commerce, Whereas each of the five elections that have moting policies, engaging local partners, and Science, and Transportation is author- taken place in Cambodia since 1991 were not building capacity for civil society, democ- ized to meet during the session of the conducted in circumstances that were free and racy, and good governance; Senate on Thursday, November 16, 2017, fair, and each were marked by fraud, intimida- f at 10 a.m., in SR–253 to conduct closed tion, violence, and the government’s misuse of legal mechanisms to weaken opposition can- AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO hearing entitled ‘‘Coast Guard Readi- ness: How Far Can We Stretch Our Na- didates and parties; MEET Whereas, in 2015, the CPP-controlled par- tion’s Only Multi-Mission, Military.’’ Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I have 6 liament passed the ‘‘Law on Associations and requests for committees to meet during f Non-Governmental Organizations’’, known as PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR LANGO, which gave the government sweeping today’s session of the Senate. They powers to revoke the registration of NGOs found have the approval of the Majority and Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask to be operating with a political bias in a blatant Minority leaders. unanimous consent that Abby attempt to restrict the legitimate work of civil Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph Hollenstein and Laura Nowell, law society; 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- clerks at the Judiciary Committee, be Whereas, since the passage of LANGO, the In- ate, the following committees are au- granted floor privileges for the remain- terior Ministry has announced that it was surveilling several civil society organizations thorized to meet during today’s session der of the day. of the Senate: and their employees for allegedly aiding Cam- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bodia’s opposition party, the Cambodia National COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND objection, it is so ordered. Rescue Party (CNRP); FORESTRY f Whereas both the National Democratic Insti- The Committee on Agriculture, Nu- tute (NDI) and the International Republican In- trition, and Forestry is authorized to REAFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT stitute (IRI) have a long history in Cambodia, meet during the session of the Senate OF THE UNITED STATES TO PRO- engaging local partners and building capacity on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 12 MOTE DEMOCRACY, HUMAN for civil society, democracy, and good govern- p.m., in SR–216 to conduct a hearing. RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW ance; IN CAMBODIA Whereas, on August 23, 2017, Cambodia’s Min- COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES istry of Foreign Affairs ordered the closure of The Committee on Armed Services is Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I NDI and the expulsion of its foreign staff on al- authorized to meet during the session ask unanimous consent that the Sen- legations that it had violated LANGO and was of the Senate on Thursday, November ate proceed to the consideration of Cal- conspiring against Prime Minister Hun Sen; 16, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing endar No. 257, S. Res. 279. Whereas, on September 15, 2017, Prime Min- on the following nominations: John C. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ister Hun Sen called for the withdrawal of all clerk will report the resolution by volunteers from the United States Peace Corps, Rood, of Arizona, to be Under Sec- which has operated in Cambodia since 2006 with retary for Policy, and Randall G. title. The senior assistant legislative clerk 500 United States volunteers providing English Schriver, of Virginia, to be an Assist- read as follows: language and healthcare training; ant Secretary, both of the Department Whereas the Government of Cambodia in 2016 of Defense. A resolution (S. Res. 279) reaffirming the arrested four senior staff members of the Cam- commitment of the United States to pro- bodian Human Rights and Development Asso- COMMITTEE ON FINANCE mote democracy, human rights, and the rule ciation (ADHOC), as well as a former ADHOC The Committee on Finance is author- of law in Cambodia. staff member and official on the National Elec- ized to meet during the session of the There being no objection, the Senate tion Committee (NEC), and held them in pre- Senate on Thursday, November 16, 2017, proceeded to consider the resolution, trial detention for 427 days until released on at 10 a.m., in SH–216 to conduct a hear- which had been reported from the Com- bail on June 29, 2017, in the wake of sustained ing on the bill entitled ‘‘Tax Cuts and mittee on Foreign Relations, with an international pressure; Jobs Act.’’ amendment to strike all after the re- Whereas the Government of Cambodia arrested activist and women’s rights defender Tep COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY solving clause and insert the part Vanny in August 2016 and has kept her in pris- The Committee on the Judiciary is printed in italic, and with an amend- on for over a year; authorized to meet during the session ment to strike the preamble and insert Whereas the prominent Cambodian political of the Senate on Thursday, November the part printed in italic, as follows: commentator Kem Ley was assassinated on July

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.040 S16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7309 10, 2016, five days after a senior Cambodian gen- foster an environment where democracy can tinues to be undemocratically dominated by eral publicly called on the Cambodian Armed thrive and flourish; the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP), Forces to ‘‘eliminate and dispose of’’ anyone (4) urges the Department of the Treasury, in which controls every agency and security ap- ‘‘fomenting social turmoil’’ in Cambodia; consultation with the Department of State, to paratus of the state; Whereas Kem Ley had been a frequent critic consider placing all senior Cambodian govern- Whereas the leadership of Cambodia’s secu- of Prime Minister Hun Sen, fueling concerns ment officials implicated in the abuses noted rity forces, including all of its top military that his killing was politically motivated and or- above on the Specially Designated Nationals and police commanders, sit on the Central dered by higher authorities; (SDN) list; Committee of the Politburo of the CPP; Whereas the Government of Cambodia has (5) urges the Government of Cambodia to free Whereas the CPP controls Cambodia’s par- taken several measures to restrict its media envi- Mr. Kem Sokha immediately and uncondition- liament and can pass legislation without any ronment, including imposing a tax bill amount- ally; opposition, and has often passed laws that (6) calls on the Government of Cambodia to re- ing to millions of dollars levied against inde- benefit its rule and weaken the capacity of pendent media outlets that resulted in the clo- spect freedom of the press and the rights of its the opposition to challenge it; sure of independent newspaper The Cambodian citizens to freely assemble, protest, and speak Whereas each of the five elections that Daily in early September 2017; out against the government; and have taken place in Cambodia since 1991 were Whereas the Government of Cambodia has or- (7) supports electoral reform efforts in Cam- not conducted in circumstances that were dered several radio stations to stop the broad- bodia and free and fair elections in 2018 mon- free and fair, and each were marked by fraud, casting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of Amer- itored by international observers. intimidation, violence, and the government’s ica; Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I misuse of legal mechanisms to weaken oppo- Whereas the next general election in Cam- ask unanimous consent that the com- bodia is scheduled for July 29, 2018, and the sition candidates and parties; mittee-reported amendment be agreed Whereas in 2015, the CPP-controlled par- CPP continues to use intimidation and misuse of to, the resolution, as amended, be legal mechanisms to weaken political opposition liament passed the ‘‘Law on Associations and media organizations in order to retain its agreed to, the committee-reported and Non-Governmental Organizations’’, power; amendment to the preamble be agreed known as LANGO, which gave the govern- Whereas the Cambodian parliament in 2017 to, the McCain amendment at the desk ment sweeping powers to revoke the reg- passed two repressive amendments to Cam- be agreed to, the preamble, as amend- istration of NGOs found to be operating with bodia’s Law on Political Parties that allow au- ed, be agreed to, and the motions to re- a political bias in a blatant attempt to re- thorities to dissolve political parties and ban consider be considered made and laid strict the legitimate work of civil society; party leaders from political activity, and which upon the table. Whereas since the passage of LANGO, the Interior Ministry has announced that it was contain numerous restrictions tailored to create The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without obstacles for opposition parties in an attempt to surveilling several civil society organiza- maintain the CPP’s hold on power; objection, it is so ordered. tions and their employees for allegedly aid- Whereas Kem Sokha, the President of CNRP, The committee-reported amendment ing Cambodia’s opposition party, the Cam- was arrested on September 3, 2017, and charged in the nature of a substitute was bodia National Rescue Party (CNRP); with treason and conspiring with the United agreed to. Whereas the National Democratic Institute States Government to overthrow the Government The resolution (S. Res. 279), as (NDI), the International Republican Insti- of Cambodia, and if convicted faces up to 30 amended, was agreed to. tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- years in prison, which sets the stage for the The committee-reported amendment nizations that advance United States policy CNRP to be dissolved; to the preamble in the nature of a sub- objectives abroad have a long history in Whereas the United States Embassy in Cam- stitute was agreed to. Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- bodia has publicly called for the immediate re- The amendment (No. 1586) was agreed torical, and religious differences when pro- lease of Mr. Sokha and the removal of restric- moting policies, engaging local partners, and tions on civil society; to, as follows: building capacity for civil society, democ- Whereas the CNRP’s previous leader, Sam (Purpose: To acknowledge the contributions racy, and good governance; Rainsy, remains in exile due to an outstanding of nongovernmental organizations in Cam- Whereas, on August 23, 2017, Cambodia’s warrant for his arrest in a politically motivated bodia) Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the clo- criminal case; In the preamble, strike the tenth whereas sure of NDI and the expulsion of its foreign Whereas Human Rights Watch reported that clause and insert the following: staff on allegations that it had violated local elections held in Cambodia on June 4, 2017, Whereas the National Democratic Institute LANGO and was conspiring against Prime took place in a ‘‘threatening environment hos- (NDI), the International Republican Insti- Minister Hun Sen; tile to free speech and genuine political partici- tute (IRI), and other nongovernmental orga- Whereas, on September 15, 2017, Prime pation, leading to elections that were neither nizations that advance United States policy Minister Hun Sen called for the withdrawal free nor fair’’; objectives abroad have a long history in of all volunteers from the United States Whereas international election monitoring Cambodia and respect unique cultural, his- Peace Corps, which has operated in Cam- groups reported fundamental flaws in the elec- torical, and religious differences when pro- bodia since 2006 with 500 United States vol- toral process and violations of Cambodia’s elec- moting policies, engaging local partners, and unteers providing English language and tion campaign rules during June’s local election; building capacity for civil society, democ- healthcare training; Whereas the Interior Ministry of Cambodia racy, and good governance; demanded that two election-monitoring organi- Whereas the Government of Cambodia in The preamble, as amended, was 2016 arrested four senior staff members of the zations cease their activities just months after agreed to. the local elections for allegedly violating the Cambodian Human Rights and Development LANGO law, which will allow the CPP to con- The resolution, as amended, with its Association (ADHOC), as well as a former tinue to increase restrictions on election moni- preamble, as amended, reads as follows: ADHOC staff member and official on the Na- toring as the 2018 national elections approach; S. RES. 279 tional Election Committee (NEC), and held them in pre-trial detention for 427 days until Whereas, despite irregularities in the electoral Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been released on bail on June 29, 2017, in the wake process, the CNRP made significant gains in in power in Cambodia since 1985 and is the of sustained international pressure; local elections compared to previous cycles, longest-serving leader in Southeast Asia; Whereas the Government of Cambodia ar- making clear that national elections in 2018, if Whereas the Paris Peace Accords in 1991 they are conducted freely and fairly, will be provided a vital framework, supported by the rested activist and women’s rights defender tightly contested; and international community, intended to help Tep Vanny in August 2016 and has kept her Whereas national elections in 2018 will be Cambodia undertake a transition to democ- in prison for over a year; closely watched to ensure openness and fair- racy, including through elections and Whereas the prominent Cambodian polit- ness, and to monitor whether all political par- multiparty government; ical commentator Kem Ley was assassinated ties and civil society groups are allowed to free- Whereas the United States Government, on July 10, 2016, five days after a senior Cam- ly participate: Now, therefore, be it for more than 25 years, has provided hun- bodian general publicly called on the Cam- Resolved, dreds of millions of dollars in development bodian Armed Forces to ‘‘eliminate and dis- That the Senate— aid and other types of assistance to the peo- pose of’’ anyone ‘‘fomenting social turmoil’’ (1) reaffirms the commitment of the United ple of Cambodia and funded work in areas in- in Cambodia; States to promote democracy, human rights, and cluding civil society, capacity building for Whereas Kem Ley had been a frequent crit- the rule of law in Cambodia; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), ic of Prime Minister Hun Sen, fueling con- (2) condemns all forms of political violence in global health, and the Khmer Rouge Tri- cerns that his killing was politically moti- Cambodia, and urges the cessation of ongoing bunal; vated and ordered by higher authorities; human rights violations; Whereas despite decades of international Whereas the Government of Cambodia has (3) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the attention and assistance to promote a plu- taken several measures to restrict its media Cambodian People’s Party to end all harassment ralistic, multi-party democratic system in environment, including imposing a tax bill and intimidation of Cambodia’s opposition and Cambodia, the Government of Cambodia con- amounting to millions of dollars levied

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:38 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO6.053 S16NOPT1 S7310 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 16, 2017 against independent media outlets that re- (5) urges the Government of Cambodia to fore the Senate, I ask unanimous consulted in the closure of independent news- free Mr. Kem Sokha immediately and uncon- sent that it stand adjourned under the paper The Cambodian Daily in early Sep- ditionally; previous order. tember 2017; (6) calls on the Government of Cambodia to There being no objection, the Senate, Whereas the Government of Cambodia has respect freedom of the press and the rights of ordered several radio stations to stop the its citizens to freely assemble, protest, and at 5:45 p.m., adjourned until Friday, broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of speak out against the government; and November 17, 2017, at 11 a.m. America; (7) supports electoral reform efforts in f Whereas the next general election in Cam- Cambodia and free and fair elections in 2018 bodia is scheduled for July 29, 2018, and the monitored by international observers. NOMINATIONS CPP continues to use intimidation and mis- f Executive nominations received by use of legal mechanisms to weaken political the Senate: opposition and media organizations in order RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY to retain its power; Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Whereas the Cambodian parliament in 2017 ask unanimous consent that the Sen- MELISSA F. BURNISON, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE AN AS- passed two repressive amendments to Cam- SISTANT SECRETARY OF ENERGY (CONGRESSIONAL AND ate now proceed to the en bloc consid- INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS), VICE BRADLEY bodia’s Law on Political Parties that allow CROWELL. authorities to dissolve political parties and eration of the following Senate resolu- JOHN G. VONGLIS, OF NEW YORK, TO BE CHIEF FINAN- tions which were submitted earlier CIAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE JOSEPH ban party leaders from political activity, and S. HEZIR. which contain numerous restrictions tai- today: S. Res. 337, S. Res. 338, S. Res. LINDA CAPUANO, OF TEXAS, TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF lored to create obstacles for opposition par- 339, and S. Res. 340. THE ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, VICE ties in an attempt to maintain the CPP’s There being no objection, the Senate ADAM E. SIEMINSKI. hold on power; proceeded to consider the resolutions DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Whereas Kem Sokha, the President of en bloc. JOHNNY COLLETT, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE ASSISTANT CNRP, was arrested on September 3, 2017, SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITA- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I TIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, VICE MI- and charged with treason and conspiring ask unanimous consent that the reso- CHAEL K. YUDIN. with the United States Government to over- lutions be agreed to, the preambles be OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL throw the Government of Cambodia, and if INTELLIGENCE convicted faces up to 30 years in prison, agreed to, and the motions to recon- which sets the stage for the CNRP to be dis- sider be considered made and laid upon MICHAEL K. ATKINSON, OF MARYLAND, TO BE INSPEC- the table, all en bloc. TOR GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, OF- solved; FICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE , Whereas the United States Embassy in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without VICE IRVIN CHARLES MCCULLOUGH III. Cambodia has publicly called for the imme- objection, it is so ordered. IN THE AIR FORCE diate release of Mr. Sokha and the removal The resolutions were agreed to. THE FOLLOWING NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OF THE of restrictions on civil society; The preambles were agreed to. UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE Whereas the CNRP’s previous leader, Sam (The resolutions, with their pre- GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE Rainsy, remains in exile due to an out- ambles, are printed in today’s RECORD UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212: standing warrant for his arrest in a politi- under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) To be colonel cally motivated criminal case; RICHARD G. ADAMS Whereas Human Rights Watch reported f CHRISTOPHER PAUL BACA that local elections held in Cambodia on GAVIN M. BATCHELDER ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER GEOFFREY O. BILLINGSLEY June 4, 2017, took place in a ‘‘threatening en- 17, 2017, THROUGH MONDAY, NO- FREDRIC LEE BLACK vironment hostile to free speech and genuine VEMBER 27, 2017 MICHAEL M. BLAKE political participation, leading to elections BRIAN C. BOWMAN Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ROBERT KYLE BRADY that were neither free nor fair’’; STEVEN ANTHONY BREITFELDER Whereas international election monitoring ask unanimous consent that when the SEAN T. BRENNAN groups reported fundamental flaws in the Senate completes its business today, it MICHAEL S. BURK RICHARD D. CARTER, JR. electoral process and violations of Cam- adjourn to then convene for pro forma MATTHEW W. CAUDELL bodia’s election campaign rules during sessions only, with no business being PATRICK D. CHARD June’s local election; SCOTT MATTHEW CHARLTON conducted, on the following dates and KEITH AKIRA CHIKASAWA Whereas the Interior Ministry of Cambodia times, and that following each pro JEFFREY DAVID COATS demanded that two election-monitoring or- JEFFREY RUSSELL COLE ganizations cease their activities just forma session, the Senate adjourn until DAVID W. COMPTON the next pro forma session: Friday, No- KEVIN ROBERT CURLEY months after the local elections for allegedly VINCENT E. CYRAN violating the LANGO law, which will allow vember 17, at 11 a.m.; Tuesday, Novem- JAMES L. DALTON the CPP to continue to increase restrictions ber 21, at 11 a.m.; Friday, November 24, JAMES S. DINSMORE GARY L. DODGE on election monitoring as the 2018 national at 11 a.m; I further ask that when the FRANCISCO J. DOMINGUEZ elections approach; Senate adjourns on Friday, November GEORGE HENRY DOWNS Whereas despite irregularities in the elec- MICHAEL N. DUGAS 24, it next convene at 4 p.m., Monday, JASON ROBERT FALLIS toral process, the CNRP made significant November 27; that following the prayer ANDY FITORRE gains in local elections compared to previous LAWRENCE R. FLANNIGAN cycles, making clear that national elections and pledge, the morning hour be PATTI LYNN FRIES deemed expired, the Journal of pro- KEVIN B. GEORGE in 2018, if they are conducted freely and fair- SCOTT RICHARD GILLOON ly, will be tightly contested; and ceedings be approved to date, the time JOYCE M. GORDON Whereas national elections in 2018 will be for the two leaders be reserved for their ERIC ALAN GUTTORMSEN GLEN O. HARDEN closely watched to ensure openness and fair- use later in the day, and morning busi- MILES K. HARKEY ness, and to monitor whether all political ness be closed; further, that following STEPHEN J. HENSKE, JR. parties and civil society groups are allowed SCOTT C. HUMPHREY leader remarks, the Senate proceed to CHARLES HENRY HUTSON to freely participate: Now, therefore, be it executive session and resume consider- PAUL EDUARDO JARA Resolved, That the Senate— CATHERINE MARIE JUMPER ation of the Friedrich nomination, NATHAN WILLIAM KEARNS (1) reaffirms the commitment of the with the time until 5:30 p.m. equally di- JASON WILLIAM KNIGHT United States to promote democracy, human CHAD W. KORNBERG rights, and the rule of law in Cambodia; vided between the two leaders or their DANIEL J. KRAMER II designees; finally, that notwith- JEFFREY GYNN LAIBLE (2) condemns all forms of political violence LANSE ERIC LAVOY in Cambodia, and urges the cessation of on- standing the provisions of rule XXII, JOSEPH J. LIENERT going human rights violations; the cloture motion filed on the Katsas BRIAN LEROY MANDT KERRY JOHN MCCAULEY (3) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the nomination ripen following disposition WILLIAM D. MCCONNELL Cambodian People’s Party to end all harass- of the Friedrich nomination. ADAM STEWART MERCIER ment and intimidation of Cambodia’s opposi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without CHRISTOPHER A. MILLER tion and foster an environment where de- MIRCEA A. MITRAN objection, it is so ordered. TROY C. MORGAN mocracy can thrive and flourish; PAUL MICHAEL MORTON (4) urges the Department of the Treasury, f CHARLES WESLEY NICHOLS, JR. FRANCES RENEE OLEEN in consultation with the Department of ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 11 A.M. HUMBERTO PABON, JR. State, to consider placing all senior Cam- TOMORROW FAUSTO ALFREDO PADILLA bodian government officials implicated in DANIEL J. POTAS Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if TIMOTHY A. PUZAN the abuses noted above on the Specially Des- ROBERT T. REDMAN ignated Nationals (SDN) list; there is no further business to come be- CHARLES D. RILEY

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SEAN DELACY RILEY ANTHONY R. JONES JESSICA L. JOHNSON LYNN K. ROBINSON, JR. ADAM L. KERR LACRESHA A. JOHNSON ANDY HAROLD ROWE CHRISTIAN A. LEE KEVIN T. KAROW MARK W. RUANE BRIAN J. LEFEBVRE ROBIN H. KAWAMOTO RICHARD A. RYMERSON STEPHEN MATADOBRA PAIGE A. KEENAN ESTHER CAMACHO SABLAN GREGORY A. MATYAS BENJAMIN R. KEFFER SARAH ANN SHIRLEY JOHN F. MCCARTHY LUANN J. KEHLENBACH CHRISTOPHER ALLEN SNIDER PETER N. MELNICK BRENT G. KENNY CHRISTOPHER JOHN SOUTHARD ANDREW D. MEVERDEN LYLE E. KESSLER EDWARD K. STAMPER, JR. DONALD P. MONTORO, JR. STEVEN A. KOCH SHAWN R. STRECK JOE L. MORGAN, JR. MATTHEW R. KOLODICA ANTHONY D. SULLINS Y JONATHAN E. MUSMAN JENNIFER M. KONON WILLIAM THOMAS TESCH PETER S. NILES II ADAM J. KOZIATEK TRACE NOLAN THOMAS BLAKE L. NOVAK CHRISTOPHER W. LAVIN STEVEN ELLIOTT TINDOLL CRAIG M. OBRIEN TIMOTHY J. LEE ELIZABETH TOPOL SEAN J. OBRIEN KAREN R. LEYDET RAYMOND JOSEPH TRAMPOSCH DAVID E. OCONNELL CHRISTOPHER D. LUCERO GINGER DELAINE TURCOTTE REBECCA E. ORE JEFFREY D. LYNCH KENNETH E. VORIS MICHAEL J. PARADISE AARON J. MADER JEFFREY HOLT WALDMAN ANDREW T. PECORA THOMAS D. MANSELL LARRY J. WERBISKI TINA J. PENA MATTHEW K. MATSUOKA ADAM GARTH WIGGINS PATRICK F. PESCHKA JOSEPH W. MATTHEWS JOSEPH F. ZINGARO SCOTT T. PETEREIN DOREEN MCCARTHY TRAVIS J. RASMUSSEN JAMES F. MCCORMACK IN THE ARMY KEVIN B. REED DAVID M. MCCOWN ANTHONY L. RUSSELL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT COLLEEN S. MCCUSKER OLAV M. SABOE TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY JAMES C. MCFERRAN V JEREMY C. SMITH UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: CARRIE A. MCKINNEY VASILIOS TASIKAS TERESA S. MCMANUS To be colonel JONATHAN D. THEEL JOHN B. MCWHITE MICHAEL A. TURDO NATHAN S. MENEFEE MELVIN J. NICKELL HEATHER K. TURNER MATTHEW J. MESKUN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT STEVEN P. WALSH ANTHONY R. MIGLIORINI TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE TODD D. VANCE BORIS MONTATSKY ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203: WILBORNE E. WATSON COMMANDER K. MOORE ANTHONY W. WILLIAMS JAMES K. MORROW, JR. To be colonel JOHN A. WILLIAMS ERNESTO MUNIZTIRADO ERICA L. HERZOG TORRENCE B. WILSON RONALD T. NAKAMOTO BENJAMIN J. NORRIS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT JEREMY R. OBENCHAIN TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE IN- JEFFREY P. OWENS NURSE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 AND DICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 271(E): ERIC G. PARA 3064: To be commander CHRISTOPHER R. PARRISH To be colonel LAWRENCE F. AHLIN MICHAEL C. PETTA JONATHAN A. ALEXANDER CATHERINE A. PHILLIPS ADAM W. VANEK CRAIG H. ALLEN, JR. BEAU G. POWERS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT MIKAEL D. ANDERSON KEVIN J. RAPP TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY JENNIFER J. ANDREW EMILY P. REUTER UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: KARL M. ANFORTH MARIA L. RICHARDSON ROBERTO RIVERA To be major EDWARD S. APONTE NEAL E. ARMSTRONG JOSHUA D. ROSE JEFFREY H. RUBINI JASON PARK RICHARD P. ARMSTRONG MICHAEL P. ATTANASIO NATHAN L. RUMSEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT MATTHEW S. BAKER JENNIFER M. RUNION TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY STEPHEN T. BAXTER RICHARD C. SANSONE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: TODD M. BEHNEY ANDREW G. SCHANNO To be major MALCOLM D. BELT BRENT R. SCHMADEKE JAMES R. BENDLE WILLIAM A. SCHRADE II JOHN T. HUCKABAY MICHAEL A. BENSON PAUL W. SCHURKE GINO S. SCIORTINO, JR. IN THE COAST GUARD TORREY H. BERTHEAU BRYAN R. BLACKMORE RAY A. SLAPKUNAS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT CHRISTOPHER W. BLOMSHIELD ANDREA J. P. SMITH TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES JEFFREY S. BOGDANOVICH FRANCES M. SMITH COAST GUARD RESERVE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION JASON A. BOYER JAKE M. SMITH 12203(A): ERIN M. BOYLE PAUL D. SMITH JASON T. BOYLE JOHN A. SOUDERS V To be captain COREY A. BRADDOCK LANE G. STEFFENHAGEN MATTHEW J. BRECKEL STEVEN D. STOWERS GEORGE BAMFORD JONATHAN E. SULLIVAN ERIC S. BERNSTEIN DEVON S. BRENNAN MICHAEL D. BRIMBLECOM PATRICK M. SULLIVAN RACHAEL B. BRALLIAR NICHOLAS J. TABORI TIMOTHY W. DECKER COLLIN R. BRONSON CHRISTOPHER D. BRUNCLIK VINCE Z. TAYLOR GEOFFREY S. DEAS BRIAN J. TESSON BRIAN J. DUDLEY MARTIN J. BRYANT JONATHAN W. BURBY JOSEPH G. THOMAS RONZELLE L. GREEN ALLYSON M. THOMPSON SCOTT C. HALE JOSHUA D. BURCH MELANIE A. BURNHAM BRETT J. THOMPSON RICHARD A. ROBERTS JOHN K. TITCHEN TABITHA A. SCHIRO ANDRES CAMARGO JAMES J. CAMP KRISTOFER A. TSAIRIS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT RONALD J. CAPUTO, JR. CHRISTOPHER B. TUCKEY IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE IN- TAYLOR J. CARLISLE MICHAEL O. VEGA DICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION 271(E): LUIS O. CARMONA DAVID B. VICKS To be captain CHRISTY S. CASEY JOHN E. WALSH IV GEORGE B. CATHEY RICHARD B. WALSH STEPHEN J. ADLER EMILE F. COCHET III REBECCA A. WALTHOUR RICARDO M. ALONZO BRIAN T. CONLEY MATTHEW G. WEBER BRIAN R. ANDERSON JAMES T. CORBETT SHAY R. WILLIAMS EUGENIO S. ANZANO STACEY L. CRECY TIMOTHY J. WILLIAMS JONATHAN D. BAKER CHRISTOPHER A. CULPEPPER TODD M. WIMMER TIMOTHY J. BARELLI BIEN J. DECENA, JR. CARRIE A. S. WOLFE LAMONT S. BASEMORE AARON W. DELANO-JOHNSON MICHAEL D. WOLFE KAILIE J. BENSON JEREMY R. DENNING CHRISTOPHER WOLFER SCOTT D. BENSON LINNEA V. DORN BRETT R. WORKMAN JOHN D. BERRY SCOT R. DRUCKREY NICHOLAS S. WORST JED R. BOBA TRAVIS M. EMGY DAMIAN YEMMA SEAN T. BRADY JOSHUA M. EMPEN STEVEN M. YOUDE ANDREW S. BROWN KERRY A. FELTNER CHRISTOPHER J. YOUNG MATTHEW T. BROWN PATRICIA L. FERRELL KYLE S. YOUNG TIMOTHY T. BROWN KRYSTYON N. FINCH RUSSELL R. ZUCKERMAN SCOTT R. CALHOUN CHARLENE S. FORGUE WILLIE L. CARMICHAEL JASON S. FRANZ ADAM A. CHAMIE BRETT A. FREELS f TIMOTHY P. CRONIN HSINGYEN J. FU QUINCY L. DAVIS LISA L. GARCEZ PATRICK J. DOUGAN BRENDAN T. GAVIN CONFIRMATIONS MICHAEL A. EDWARDS GLENN H. GOETCHIUS ROY J. EIDEM BENJAMIN F. GOFF, JR. Executive nominations confirmed by MICHAEL A. FAZIO JASON W. HAAG the Senate November 16, 2017: MICHAEL S. FREDIE BRENDAN J. HARRIS RILEY O. GATEWOOD LEE J. HARTSHORN DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CHRISTOFER L. GERMAN CHRISTIAN J. HERNAEZ MICHAEL P. GULDIN WHITNEY H. HOUCK BRENDA BURMAN, OF ARIZONA, TO BE COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY D. HAMMOND PETER J. IGOE OF RECLAMATION. KATHRYN N. HERTY MARCUS A. IVERY DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY WALTER L. HORNE WESTON R. JAMES ROBERT A. HUELLER VINCENT J. JANSEN JOSEPH OTTING, OF NEVADA, TO BE COMPTROLLER OF CHRISTOPHER J. HULSER JAMES A. JENKS THE CURRENCY FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS.

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THE JUDICIARY ERNEST W. DUBESTER, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEMBER LISA A. JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, A CAREER MEM- OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY FOR A BER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF COUN- DONALD C. COGGINS, JR., OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO BE TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1, 2019. SELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SOUTH CAROLINA. TO THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA. ROBERT BEHLER, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE DIRECTOR IRWIN STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, OF NEW YORK, TO BE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION, DEPARTMENT UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY. OF DEFENSE. SEAN P. LAWLER, OF MARYLAND, TO BE CHIEF OF PRO- JOSEPH KERNAN, OF FLORIDA, TO BE UNDER SEC- THOMAS B. MODLY, OF MARYLAND, TO BE UNDER SEC- TOCOL, AND TO HAVE THE RANK OF AMBASSADOR DUR- RETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTELLIGENCE. RETARY OF THE NAVY. ING HIS TENURE OF SERVICE. GUY B. ROBERTS, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT JAMES F. GEURTS, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AN AS- SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. SISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. ROBERT L. WILKIE, OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE UNDER FOREIGN SERVICE ROBERT H. MCMAHON, OF GEORGIA, TO BE AN ASSIST- SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READI- ANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH NESS. SHON J. MANASCO, OF TEXAS, TO BE AN ASSISTANT LISA–FELICIA AFI AKORLI AND ENDING WITH STEPHANIE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE. P. WILSON, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL JAMES THOMAS ABBOTT, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A MEM- RECORD ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017 . BER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY REBECCA ELIZA GONZALES, OF TEXAS, A CAREER FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1, 2020. MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF JOHN R. BASS II AND ENDING WITH SUNG Y. KIM, WHICH COLLEEN KIKO, OF NORTH DAKOTA, TO BE A MEMBER MINISTER–COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND AP- OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY FOR A DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES PEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON NOVEMBER TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 29, 2022. OF AMERICA TO THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. 1, 2017.

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IN RECOGNITION OF DAVITA The transformation Ms. Vance-Cooks There is no question that Davita Vance- VANCE-COOKS’ EXEMPLARY helped lead at GPO was broad in scope, and Cooks provided transformative leadership at SERVICE TO THE AMERICAN the accomplishments she helped achieve are the Government Publishing Office, and that PEOPLE impressive. First and foremost, she leaves a she rendered a great service to the Legislative legacy of cutting agency costs while improving Branch, the House of Representatives, and HON. ROBERT A. BRADY services, and generating positive net income the American public. She should look back on OF PENNSYLVANIA for the agency while modernizing its oper- her tenure with GPO with great pride, and we IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ations and expanding the availability of Gov- express our gratitude to her today. She will be Thursday, November 16, 2017 ernment information to the public. missed, and I join the hardworking men and She oversaw the creation of a new, dynamic women of the GPO who thought so highly of Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I website, govinfo.gov, where over 2 million her in wishing her all the best in her future en- rise to recognize the extraordinary contribu- Federal titles are available free of charge to deavors. tions of Davita Vance-Cooks, the Director of the general public, and spearheaded GPO’s f the Government Publishing Office (GPO), both move to become the first legislative branch to this institution and to the American people, agency to move to cloud technology. Under PERSONAL EXPLANATION on the announcement of her retirement from her leadership, GPO also became a key par- Federal service. A seasoned business execu- ticipant in the Legislative Branch Bulk Data tive with over 35 years of private sector and HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY Task Force, working closely with legislative OF INDIANA Federal Government management experience, branch agencies to expand the transparency Ms. Vance-Cooks was nominated by President IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and openness of congressional information. Obama in May of 2013 to serve as the 27th Her commitment to expanding the accessi- Thursday, November 16, 2017 Public Printer of the United States and then bility of GPO products also extended to the Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, on Novem- swiftly confirmed by the Senate in July 2013. development of mobile applications, eBooks ber 13, 2017, and November 14, 2017, I was Upon her confirmation, she became the first for GPO publications, the digitization of histor- absent from the House and missed Roll Call woman and the first African-American to lead ical issues of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD and Votes 623 through 628. Had I been present, I the GPO in the agency’s more than 150 year the Federal Register, and the enhancement of would have voted in the following manner: history dating back to the Inauguration of GPO’s relationship with its 1,100 partners in on Roll Call Vote 623, on passage of H. President Abraham Lincoln. Ms. Vance-Cooks the Federal Depository Library Program Res. 599, I would have voted No; is a trailblazer in so many ways. Her appointment to this prestigious position (FDLP). Just this spring she offered testimony on Roll Call Vote 624, on passage of H.R. was well earned. Prior to her confirmation, Ms. on how to strengthen that partnership by mod- 3071, I would have voted Yes; Vance-Cooks had capably served as acting ernizing the laws that govern the FDLP. on Roll Call Vote 625, on approval of the Public Printer for 19 months, the longest such Ms. Vance-Cooks also successfully exe- journal, I would have voted No; tenure in GPO history, and in a number of cuted an expansion of GPO’s production ca- on Roll Call Vote 626, on ordering the pre- senior management roles since she first joined pacity to incorporate the newest, state-of-the- vious question, I would have voted No; the agency in 2004, including Chief of Staff, art printing capabilities to deliver greater value on Roll Call Vote 627, on approval of H. Deputy Public Printer, Deputy Managing Direc- to the American people. These enhancements Res. 616, I would have voted No; and tor of Customer Services, and Managing Di- have reduced the cost of printing congres- on Roll Call Vote 628, on approving the rector of Publications and Information sales. sional and agency documents, and provided journal, I would have voted No. Ms. Vance-Cooks’ service to the GPO GPO with the capability to produce next gen- f began at a time of great change and uncer- eration U.S. passports and secure identity tainty at the agency, as information technology cards for other Federal partners. RECOGNIZING THE DEEP AND and digital media challenged GPO to move A strong believer in the importance of stra- ABIDING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN from a primarily print-centric focus to a more tegic planning, Ms. Vance-Cooks chartered a THE UNITED STATES AND content-centric one. In her senior management course for GPO that dramatically improved the ISRAEL positions, and then as the head of the GPO, agency’s capabilities and productivity in a fis- Ms. Vance-Cooks helped guide a fundamental cally responsible way. Under her leadership, HON. TOM GRAVES and comprehensive transformation of the the agency reversed a previous decade-long OF GEORGIA agency. pattern of requesting ever greater appropria- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES She also articulated a vision for the future of tions from Congress and achieved clean opin- Thursday, November 16, 2017 the GPO as the Official, Digital, and Secure ions from annual independent audits of its fi- source for producing, protecting, preserving, nances. It also endured an unprecedented 13– Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise and distributing the official publications and in- day shutdown of Federal operations without to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Bal- formation products of the Federal Government incident, and managed two employee buyouts four Declaration, which was one of the most in an age of rapid technological change. that reduced GPO’s total staffing to 1,700, the pivotal moments in the founding of the state of Today, thanks to her dedication, and that of so lowest level in more than a century. Israel. many committed GPO employees, that vision It is a testament to Ms. Vance-Cooks’ com- Yesterday, the House of Representatives is being realized. mitment to employee engagement that GPO approved a bipartisan resolution that I intro- In recognition of the GPO’s successful tran- was able to meet these challenges while duced with several of my colleagues to recog- sition to digital publishing technologies that maintaining a ‘‘best place to work’’ rating nize this truly historic anniversary. Ms. Vance-Cooks championed, Congress among Federal agencies and an ‘‘innovative Passage of this resolution reaffirms our un- passed legislation to rename the agency that agency’’ designation from the Partnership for breakable bond with the nation of Israel—a was signed into law in 2014. From that point Public Service. That commitment formed a bond this administration is committed to forward, the Government Printing Office would bedrock principle of her leadership and was guarding and strengthening. Israel was the be known as the Government Publishing Of- demonstrated in her quarterly town halls with first country President Trump visited after he fice to more accurately describe its capabilities GPO employees from each of the agency’s took office, and Vice President Pence is trav- in this age of digitization, and the anachro- three daily shifts. At each step of the way eling to Israel next month, making this resolu- nistic Public Printer title would be replaced as along the path of GPO’s transformation, Ms. tion especially timely. well. Ms. Vance-Cooks would subsequently Vance-Cooks sought the support and input of As the Vice President works on several im- serve as GPO’s Director, the position from GPO’s dedicated workforce, and that collabo- portant issues on his trip, this resolution sends which she has retired this week. rative approach paid enormous dividends. a clear message that the U.S. House strongly

∑ 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 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.001 E16NOPT1 E1580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 16, 2017 supports our national partnership, the Vice money to enhance the college’s agricultural PTSAs; Junior League of Pensacola; Levin President’s trip and the nation of Israel. program and the 365 acre Shone Farm, where Rinke Realty; David Lorenzo; Harold Marcus, Again, I want to thank my colleagues for students gain hands-on experience in such Jr.; David Peaden, II; Pen Air Federal Credit their unanimous support of this resolution. fields as viticulture, livestock production and Union; Michelle Salzman; Sunday’s Child; and f sustainable crop farming. Todd Torgersen. Mr. Lindley was instrumental in building the This may just be a list of names to those IN MEMORY OF PROFESSOR UWE Saralee and Richard’s Bam at the Sonoma lending an ear, but to me and my constituency REINHARDT County Fairgrounds. The three million dollar this list is comprised of organizations and indi- ‘‘barn’’ is an agricultural center where students viduals who lead by example, inspire those HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS learn about the source of their food and around them and leave a lasting impact on our Sonoma County’s diverse agricultural commu- OF TEXAS community. nity. Mr. Lindley is a major supporter of the 4– IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Thursday, November 16, 2017 Sonoma County Fair. He has provided schol- Congress, I am privileged to congratulate these individuals and organizations on their Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to arships to deserving agriculture students and selfless acts of giving, and to thank the Na- pay tribute to Uwe Reinhardt, a leading health is a major buyer of 4–H and FFA animals at tional Philanthropy Day Awards for hosting a economist whose work has shaped health the fair’s Junior Livestock Auction. day to honor individuals who give all but ask care policy. Professor Reinhardt passed away Mr. Speaker, Terry Lindley has a strong for nothing in return. this week at the age of 80, leaving behind a work ethic and is a leader in our agriculture, legacy of scholarship and dedication. business and educational communities. It is fit- Professor Reinhardt was a longtime mem- ting and proper that we recognize him here f ber of Princeton University. He started in 1967 today for his achievements. HONORING DELPHINE METCALF- as an assistant professor before rising through f FOSTER the ranks to become the James Madison professor of political economy and professor of PERSONAL EXPLANATION economics and public affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School. HON. JAMES A. HIMES HON. MIKE THOMPSON Throughout his career, Professor Reinhardt OF CONNECTICUT OF CALIFORNIA became known as a leading expert in health IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES economics. He served on the governing coun- Thursday, November 16, 2017 cil of the Institute of Medicine and on the Phy- Thursday, November 16, 2017 sician Payment Review Commission, and won Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, on October 3, countless awards for his work. 2017, I was unable to be present for the vote Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Born in Germany in 1937, Professor on the motion to recommit on H.R. 36, offered I rise today to honor Delphine Metcalf-Foster, Reinhardt later moved to Canada. He earned by Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Had I been upon the occasion of her selection as the Na- his bachelor of commerce degree from the present for Roll Call No. 548, I would have tional Commander of the Disabled American University of Saskatchewan in 1964, and his voted ‘‘AYE.’’ Veterans (DAV). Ph.D. in economics from Yale University. I was also unable to be present for the vote Ms. Metcalf-Foster is the daughter of a U.S. While I did not always agree with Professor on passage of H.R. 36, offered by Mr. FRANKS Army veteran and a graduate of Vallejo High Reinhardt, I always found him to be agree- of Arizona. Had I been present for Roll Call School, Solano Community College and able, and I always learned something from No. 549, I would have voted ‘‘NAY.’’ Sonoma State University. She served with the each encounter with him. He will be missed. I was also unable to be present for the vote U.S. Army Reserve, 689th Quartermaster Unit, f on the motion to suspend the rules and pass, 6253rd Hospital Unit, 6211th Transportation as amended, S. 782 offered by Mr. CORNYN of Unit and at Letterman Army Medical Center. HONORING W. TERRY LINDLEY Texas. Had I been present for Roll Call No. Ms. Metcalf-Foster was injured during her 550, I would have voted ‘‘AYE.’’ service in Operation Desert Shield/Desert HON. MIKE THOMPSON f Storm in January 1991. She retired after 21 years of dedicated service. OF CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZING NATIONAL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHILANTHROPY DAY As the new National Commander of the Thursday, November 16, 2017 DAV, Ms. Metcalf-Foster will represent nearly 1.3 million disabled veterans. Her duties in- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, HON. MATT GAETZ clude traveling around the country to speak at I rise today to recognize W. Terry Lindley for OF FLORIDA conferences, meeting public officials and ad- being honored as a distinguished community IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES vocating for our veterans. She will serve in leader by Santa Rosa Junior College at their Thursday, November 16, 2017 this position for one year. She has already vis- 2017 AgStravaganza. ited the Sam Houston Training center for med- Mr. Lindley was born and raised on a family Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ical personnel in Texas, where she was sta- ranch in Humboldt County. He graduated from recognize the National Philanthropy Day tioned in 1996. She lives by the DAV motto, Ferndale High School in 1976 and Santa Rosa Awards held on this day to honor the millions ‘‘I’m here to serve my fellow veterans.’’ Ms. Junior College in 1974. He retired earlier this of great Americans across the country and Metcalf-Foster is the first woman and first Afri- year from American AgCredit where he was around my district in Northwest Florida who can-American woman to serve as National chief marketing officer and senior vice presi- selflessly dedicate their lives, time, money and Commander. dent. Mr. Lindley lives in Healdsburg, Cali- talents for the benefit of others. fornia with his wife, Misty. They have four chil- Each year a special event is held by the As- In addition to her new duties, Ms. Metcalf- dren, Lily, Quincy, Abbi and Jake. sociation of Fundraising Professionals to Foster will continue to volunteer with the VA During his 40-year career at American honor those who impact our community on a Clinic on Mare Island. Vallejo, California AgCredit, Mr. Lindley became a respected daily basis without want of reward, recognition Mayor Bob Sampayan has proclaimed Novem- leader in Sonoma County agriculture, business or return. ber 18, 2017 ‘‘Delphine Metcalf-Foster Day.’’ and education. Through his leadership and The West Florida Chapter announced the Mr. Speaker, the Disabled American Vet- support, he has helped grow our agriculture nominees for this year due to their philan- erans have selected Delphine Metcalf-Foster education, advocacy and farm youth pro- thropic community efforts. They include: The as their National Commander. As a disabled grams. Mr. Lindley has served many years on Ambersley Foundation; Audi Pensacola; Bap- combat veteran, myself, I am proud to rep- the board of trustees for Santa Rosa Junior tist Health Care; Terry Berling; Randy Bricker; resent a constituent who works hard to serve College (SRJC) and is a longtime director of Carol Carlan; Madrina Ciano; Cross Faith our veterans. It is therefore fitting and proper the SRJC Ag Trust Foundation, which raises Church; Escambia County Council of PTA/ that we honor her here today.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16NO8.002 E16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1581 NORTHERN INDIANA AREA LABOR RECOGNIZING THE JACKSONVILLE The City of Hollywood and the entire South FEDERATION COMMUNITY LABOR CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY AND Florida family lost an icon who will be sorely AWARDS RECEPTION THE POLICEMAN’S BALL missed; however, I am confident Larry Joe Miller’s legacy will live on through his work HON. DARIN LaHOOD and the lessons he taught so many in our HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY OF ILLINOIS community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIANA Thursday, November 16, 2017 f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to INTRODUCTION OF THE FOOD AND Thursday, November 16, 2017 recognize the Jacksonville, Illinois Citizens Po- FARM ACT lice Academy (CPA) Alumni Association, as Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my dis- they celebrate their 6th annual Policeman’s tinct honor to congratulate several of North- HON. EARL BLUMENAUER Ball to honor the brave members of the police OF OREGON west Indiana’s finest citizens. The Northern In- force in our community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES diana Area Labor Federation, American Fed- Since 1999, the CPA has recruited and eration of Labor—Congress of Industrial Orga- trained citizens to join their alumni association, Thursday, November 16, 2017 nizations (AFL–CIO), recognized several indi- which provides assistance to the Jacksonville Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Congress viduals and organizations for their dedication Police Department and the community at will once again take up the Farm Bill—a mas- and service during the Northern Indiana Area large. Throughout the year, members of the sive piece of legislation governing U.S. agri- Labor Federation Community Labor Awards alumni association assist the Jacksonville Po- cultural policies that is debated every five lice Department with traffic control, parking for Reception, which was held at Wicker Park in years. The Farm Bill affects everything from events, and park patrol. human health to the environment, from our na- Highland, Indiana, on Thursday, November 16, Every year, the CPA Alumni Association tional debt to the price of a gallon of milk. I’ve 2017. These individuals, in addition to all host the Policeman’s Ball to honor all Central long argued that it is one of the most impor- Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation mem- Illinois’ policemen and women. The Police- tant bills that Congress regularly considers. bers who have served Northwest Indiana so man’s Ball is a celebration of the dedication Time and time again, I’ve watched big agri- diligently for such a long period of time, are and service our brave policemen and women culture businesses dominate Farm Bill nego- the epitome of the ideal American worker: give to our community. This year, the CPA is tiations, with the voices of those. who care loyal, dedicated, and hardworking. recognizing Jean Jumper, the Executive Direc- about small and mid-sized farmers, conserva- tor of the West Central Mass Transit District, At this year’s event, several individuals and tion, research, and healthy food drowned out. with the Civilian Community Service of the organizations received special recognition. Frustrated by the process, I’ve spent the past Year Award. Under Jean’s leadership, West two years asking Oregon’s farmers and ranch- State Representative Linda Lawson was the Central Mass Transit found a way to keep ers, people in health care, nutrition, conserva- recipient of the Service to Labor Award for her buses running when the Illinois state govern- tion, food processing and distribution, local many years of support to the labor movement ment was unable to provide funding. I am government, and education, what they think and her outstanding dedication to union mem- grateful for her service to West Central Illinois the Farm Bill should look like. bers. and her community. There is clear consensus that Congress The Union Labor Award was presented to I extend my sincere congratulations to the really can do better when it comes to our na- Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Dan Waldrop, retired Business Manager, tion’s food policy, but that will require a strong- on their years of service and applaud the ef- IBEW Local 697, for his unselfish devotion to er, more unified approach. forts to recognize the sacrifice of Central Illi- Today, I am introducing an alternative Farm the labor movement through its promotion in nois officers with the 6th annual Policeman’s Bill, the Food and Farm Act. My bill follows all areas: social, civic, educational, and polit- Ball. four key principles to reforming our nation’s ical. f food policies—focusing resources on those The Honorable Joe Stahura, Mayor of Whit- HONORING LARRY JOE MILLER who need it most, fostering innovation, ening, Indiana, was recognized with the Commu- (1943–2017) couraging investments in people and the plan- nity Services Award for his exemplary work on et, and ensuring access to healthy foods. The behalf of his community and to the enhance- HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ legislation gets rid of certain expensive and in- ment of the quality of life for residents and OF FLORIDA efficient subsidy programs so they can’t be visitors of Northwest Indiana. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES abused by wealthy agribusinesses. It also Thursday, November 16, 2017 doubles funding to support environmental pro- Larry Regan, Teamsters Local 142, was tection, invests in helping new and socially honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, disadvantaged farmers, and ensures animals for his many years of labor activism and his it is my privilege to honor the life of Larry Joe are more humanely treated. commitment to his community. For the excep- Miller, artist-in-residence for the City of Holly- I’m looking forward to continuing the con- tional service he has provided to the people of wood, Florida. Larry served our nation in the versation in the coming months to make sure Northwest Indiana, he is worthy of our admira- United States Air Force where he earned a that Congress sets a food and farm policy that distinguished record of overseas service. works for everyone. tion and respect. A true renaissance man, Larry was re- Guy Seydel, Boilermakers Local 374, and nowned for his music and art. He was known f Ross Gluth, Roofers Local 26, were presented in South Florida as ‘‘Mr. Rockabilly’’ from his with the George Meany Award for their signifi- 50 years as a touring musician. During his IN RECOGNITION OF MAJOR WIL- cant contributions to the youth of their commu- touring days, he played with several popular LIAM ‘‘BILL’’ J. GOLEMBIEWSKI nities through their involvement with the Boy bands, including the Thingies, Larry Joe Miller Scouts of America. and the Rockabilly Rockets, and the Delu- HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. sions. He was a lifelong artist who delighted OF GEORGIA The President’s Award was presented to Hollywood residents and all who visited. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chuck Jones, USW Local 1999, for his dedi- As artist-in-residence, he hosted weekly Thursday, November 16, 2017 cation to the labor movement and his note- community art events, including classes for worthy service to the organization. Chuck is students in need and his famous ‘‘Paint for Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise worthy of the honor bestowed upon him. Fun’’ nights, which allowed hundreds of South to pay tribute to Major William ‘‘Bill’’ J. Golembiewski for his exemplary dedication to Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distin- Florida residents to paint for free in Hollywood ArtsPark. duty and service as an Army Congressional guished colleagues join me in congratulating Above all, Larry was a beloved husband Fellow and Congressional Budget Liaison for these dedicated, honorable, and exemplary and father who impacted the lives of all who the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial citizens, while commending all of the hard- knew him. He is survived by his wife Amy; his Management and Comptroller). Major working union men and women throughout sons Clay, Tyler, John Paul (Shelli), and Den- Golembiewski is transitioning from his present America. They have shown commitment and nis (Stacy); and his grandchildren Aradia, assignment to serve as an operations officer courage toward their pursuits, and I am proud Olivia, Phoenix, Owen, Quinn, Jessica, and for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old to represent each of them in Washington, DC. Jason. Guard.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.006 E16NOPT1 E1582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 16, 2017 A native of Southern California, Major SALUTE TO C.A.R.S. RACING FOR A IN HONOR OF JOSEPH M. DEFFNER Golembiewski was commissioned as an infan- CAUSE try officer after his graduation from California HON. KEVIN BRADY State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of HON. BILL POSEY OF TEXAS Science degree. He also has a Master’s de- OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gree in Legislative Affairs from the George IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, November 16, 2017 Washington University. Thursday, November 16, 2017 Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I Golembiewski has served in a broad range rise to recognize and honor the life of a dedi- of assignments during his Army career. He Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on December 10, cated husband, father, mentor, and community served as the Alpha Company and later as the 2017, C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause, Inc. will leader from The Woodlands, TX: Joseph Mi- Heavy Weapons Airborne Platoon Leader for hold its final Charity 200 race event after chael Deffner. twelve years of helping children and families the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. Born and raised in New Orleans, Joe who are facing serious and terminal illness in As the Heavy Weapons Platoon Leader, Major Deffner spent his early years in Louisiana be- Central Florida. fore moving to The Woodlands and becoming Golembiewski deployed to Afghanistan in C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause Inc. was a true Texan. 2007. After his tour, Major Golembiewski was founded in 2006 by Carla, Amanda, Rick and As a child, Joe was a member of the Saint assigned to Southern California, where he Sara Bristol of Orlando, Florida. That is what Edward the Confessor Church Cub Scout served as the operations officer for the U.S. C.A.R.S. stands for. At that time Rick, a life- Pack 496 in Metairie, Louisiana. Many years Army Recruiting Battalion—Southern California long racing enthusiast, met a family with a later, Joe imparted this love of scouting to his and later commanded the Riverside Company child suffering from leukemia. Wanting very own three sons: Justin, Brett, and Jackson, in the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion. much to help this little boy, who was an avid who remained active in scouting throughout fan of monster trucks; Rick used his contacts In 2012, Major Golembiewski left for his their teenage years. in the racing industry to pull together a 200 lap Ultimately, Joe dedicated ten years of his second deployment to Afghanistan where he charity truck race and raised about $6500 to life to the local scouting program at St. Simon commanded the Bravo Troop, 6–1 Cavalry of help this little boy and his family pay for his and Jude’s Catholic Church, in The Wood- the 1st Striker Brigade Combat Team. After treatments. lands, TX, including a three-year stint as the two successful company command assign- Since then C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause has Scoutmaster of Troop 204, one of the largest ments, he served as an operations officer for been helping families in need hosting a num- troops in the Tall Timbers District. the 1st Striker Brigade, 1st Armor Division. In ber of charitable events throughout the year Devoted to the advancement and leadership that assignment he was nominated and se- which culminate in one big racing weekend development of his sons and the many scouts lected for the U.S. Army Congressional Fel- event called the Charity 200. Every year under his leadership, Joe personally led three lowship Program. C.A.R.S. board of directors selects two or scout trips to High Adventure Bases across more families with serious medical needs and the country, and under his guidance, thirty-two In 2015, as an Army Congressional Fellow, dedicates the year’s events to raising funds to scouts attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the I had the privilege of working with Major help them through difficult times. highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of Golembiewski in my office for a year and dur- In 2012, Rick enlisted the help of friend and America. Joe’s hard work and dedication was ing his subsequent assignment as a Congres- NASCAR Truck Series winning driver Joey rewarded in 2014, when he was recognized as sional Budget Liaison for the U.S. Army. Major Coulter, and parents Joe & Susan Coulter, to the Tall Timber District’s ‘‘Outstanding Scout Golembiewski worked tirelessly with Members help grow and promote the Charity 200 race Leader’’. of Congress and their staffs to accurately ar- weekend. Working together, Rick and Joey In addition to his community involvement, ticulate the Army’s budget positions to the Ap- have raised over $275,000 to help 30 Florida Joe built a successful career in finance. Highly propriations Committees. His professionalism, families to date. At the conclusion of this respected in his field, Joe’s career led him to diligence, and commitment to the mission are year’s event, 33 families, and over $300,000 work for industry giants, such as Citi Global Commodities, Amaranth, Enron Corp, and unmatched, and his work both as a fellow and will have been raised and distributed to help those in need. UBS. In 2013, Joe filled a new role as the as a liaison very effectively represented the Managing Director of HPS Investment Part- U.S. Army and the Department of Defense to This year, C.A.R.S. will be helping Gianna Palazzolo, a six year old girl from Bartow FL, ners LLC in Houston, TX. the United States Congress. who was seriously injured in a car accident; Joe’s dedication to his wife, Lisa Bills, and The foundation of Major Golembiewski mili- Kaitlynn Swanbeck of Auburndale FL, age six- his sons, Justin, Brett, and Jackson provides tary success is his family. He is a devoted teen and has a serious back disease; and a stellar example of a loving husband and fa- husband to his wife, Ginger, and committed Shaunna Posey-Cajigas of Titusville FL, a ther—an example that deserves to be recog- father to his daughter, Sienna, and his son, twenty-seven year old mother with a five year nized and emulated by all who hear of his story. I am certain that Joe’s entire family, in- Grant. The Golembiewski family’s commitment old son who is battling stage 4 thyroid cancer. Special thanks also go to Don Nerone & cluding his mother and father, Mary and Jo- to this nation is a testament of the Army’s val- seph; his sister, Cheryl; his niece and neph- ues. They best exemplify the spirit of selfless Robert Hart who allowed Rick to begin the Charity 200 event at Orlando Speedworld in ews, Maia, Liam, and Aidan; his mother-in- service, and their care for others permeates in law, Donna; and brothers-in-law, John and every aspects of their lives. 2006. In 2012, the event was moved to Auburndale Speedway where Rex and Colette Eric will sorely miss his quick wit and lively Throughout his career, Major Golembiewski Guy, Ken & Charlotte Hyatt donated the use personality. has positively impacted soldiers, peers, and of the facility, paid the insurance and helped It is my honor to join Joe’s family, friends, superiors. Our country has benefited tremen- grow the event each year. and the entire community of The Woodlands, TX, to recognize Joe’s lifetime of dedicated dously from his extraordinary leadership, judg- Rick and Joey have had the following board service. Joe passed away on November 7, members along with Rick’s family these 12 ment, and passion. I join my colleagues today 2017, and he will be truly missed. in honoring his dedication to our Nation and years: Butch and Barbara Pierce, Chad and f invaluable service to the United States Con- Nicole Pierce, and Eric Reynolds. They have gress as an Army Congressional Liaison. all labored with love to help children and fami- INTRODUCTION OF THE SECURING lies facing these diseases and tough times. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SE- Mr. Speaker, it has been a genuine pleas- Many other loyal friends and family have vol- CURITY FIREARMS ACT OF 2017 ure to have worked with Major Bill unteered to help make all these events pos- Golembiewski over the last three years. On sible. behalf of a grateful nation, I join my col- HON. J. LUIS CORREA Their mission has been ‘‘And of some have OF CALIFORNIA leagues today in recognizing and commending compassion, making a difference.’’ Jude 22. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bill for his service to our country, and we wish I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting him all the best as he continues his service in C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause, and all those Thursday, November 16, 2017 the United States Army. who have helped make their events Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, in January successful. 2010, the Department of Homeland Security

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.010 E16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1583 (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) re- the town in various positions, including 16 camp since 1966 including Holly Springs Bap- ported that 289 firearms issued to DHS offi- years as a member of the Board of Finance tist Church property, the Kiker House and Lee cers were lost between fiscal years 2006 and and eight as the chairman of the Colchester Farm area. Camp Lee now consists of 382 2008. While some reported losses were due to Board of Education. He is a tireless champion acres. circumstances beyond the control of DHS offi- of quality education and is deeply committed Camp Lee provides a facility for those who cers, the majority of the losses occurred be- to his community. Mr. Goldstein is also on the seek Christ in an outdoor environment. cause firearms were not properly secured. The Boards of the Colchester Library, the Collabo- Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing OIG identified that the lack of Department- rative for Colchester’s Children, and the the 50th Anniversary of Camp Lee. wide firearm policy was a major reason why Colchester Community Theatre. He’s even f firearms were not secured. performed in several plays. Ron is a man of In October 2017, the OIG reported that de- deep faith and active at his synagogue, TRIBUTE TO MRS. RUBIE ELLA spite DHS’s efforts following the 2010 report to Colchester Ahavath Achim. NIXON SCHUMPERT establish enhanced controls and monitoring, Mr. Speaker, it gives me particular pleasure personnel still did not properly safeguard fire- to praise Ron’s record, because I am a Demo- HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN arms and other sensitive assets. Specifically, crat and Ron is a Republican and yet we OF SOUTH CAROLINA DHS reported that between fiscal years 2014 never once over the 12 years I have known IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and 2016 the Department lost a total of 228 him ever discussed town or national issues Thursday, November 16, 2017 firearms, 1,889 badges, and 25 immigration through the lens of party politics. His focus stamps. The OIG reported that 57 percent of has always been what’s best for Colchester Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay the reports of lost firearms and sensitive as- and our nation. That, Mr. Speaker, is exactly tribute to a great South Carolinian and accom- sets that it reviewed involved officers who did the kind of public service our nation needs plished educator who will celebrate her 100th not properly safeguard their sensitive asset and his example is an inspiring one, particu- birthday on November 22nd. and 23 percent of the reports did not include larly at a time when politics and government Mrs. Rubie Ella Nixon Schumpert is the third sufficient detail to determine whether the office are facing a crisis of confidence in the public of nine children born to Mr. Sumter Nixon and properly safeguarded the asset. The October at large. Mrs. Ella Bell Suber Nixon on November 22, report detailed ongoing problems within DHS Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please 1917. She received her elementary education that contribute to failures to safeguard firearms rise to thank Ron for his years of dedication to in South Carolina and Maryland, and her high and sensitive assets, including insufficient the Colchester community. Although his lead- school education at Harbison Institute in Irmo, tracking and recording mechanisms, insuffi- ership as chairman of the Board of Education South Carolina where she was class valedic- cient guidance over badges, and poor over- will surely be missed, I am confident that his torian. sight and enforcement policies. commitment to Colchester will continue in the She attended Barber-Scotia and Benedict The Securing Department of Homeland Se- years to come. colleges and obtained her Masters of Edu- cation degree from South Carolina State Col- curity Firearms Act of 2017 ensures that the f Department establishes effective safeguards lege. She did further studies at Wake Forest and controls over firearms and other sensitive IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH University and the University of South Caro- assets that are issued to DHS officers. This ANNIVERSARY OF CAMP LEE lina. Mrs. Schumpert earned certification in six legislation requires the Under Secretary for areas of study: Elementary Education, Social Management of the Department of Homeland HON. MIKE ROGERS Studies, English, Mathematics, French and Security to develop a Department-wide direc- OF ALABAMA Counseling. Mrs. Schumpert began her professional ca- tive for achieving adequate security over fire- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES reer in Lexington County, South Carolina, arms and other sensitive assets across the Thursday, November 16, 2017 Department. The directive must include re- where she served as an elementary and high quirements for securing Department-issued Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I school teacher, head teacher and elementary firearms and other sensitive assets and report- ask for the House’s attention to recognize the school principal. Later in her career, she ing and recordkeeping requirements for lost 50th Anniversary of Camp Lee in Anniston, worked in Richland County School District firearms or sensitive assets. Moreover, this bill Alabama. One at C.A. Johnson High School as a guid- mandates that heads of DHS components pro- The original campsite was purchased in ance counselor and was chair of the Math De- vide personnel with training and guidance on 1930 by the Choccolocco Council, Boy Scouts partment. While at C.A. Johnson, Mrs. how to adhere to safeguarding requirements of America, and maintained as a boy scout Schumpert co-authored a mathematics text- and, in the event a firearm is lost or stolen, camp from 1931 to 1965 as Camp Zinn. This book through a federal grant for non-college how to properly report the loss or theft. site was selected by General R.E. Noble and bound students through the University of C.H. Young, Sr. for the Choccolocco Council. South Carolina. f General Henry Zinn, who died in 1924, willed She recorded television lessons for the U.S. RECOGNIZING RON GOLDSTEIN $10,000 for the purchase of the property. military to help young soldiers achieve suc- As a result of the Boy Scouts’ purchase of cess in algebra courses. She also served on HON. JOE COURTNEY a new campsite in Dekalb County, Camp Zinn Southern Association of Colleges and Schools OF CONNECTICUT was for sale. On August 11, 1966, the Official (SACS) committees evaluating schools across IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Board of the First United Methodist Church ac- the state of South Carolina. Upon retiring from cepted a gift of 1,000 shares of Phelps Dodge the District One School System, Mrs. Thursday, November 16, 2017 Corporation common stock from Mr. Arthur H. Schumpert worked at Benedict College as a Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Lee, who the camp would later be named for. professor of mathematics for ten years. She to recognize a good friend and great edu- At a September First United Methodist has long been active in the community serving cational leader in Eastern Connecticut, Mr. Church Anniston Quarterly Church Con- on numerous professional and civic organiza- Ron Goldstein, who is stepping down after a ference, a loan of $65,000 was authorized to tions. long and distinguished career on the Board of purchase Camp Zinn from the Boy Scouts. In Mrs. Schumpert was married to the late Education in the town of Colchester, CT. February of 1967, a loan was secured with the John Barton Schumpert, and they had two Mr. Goldstein is a local hero in Colchester. stock that Mr. Lee had given the church. The daughters, La Verne S. (Alphonso) Bassard He was raised in the town, graduated from loan was satisfied and the stock redeemed. and LaMaris S. Mack. She also has four Colchester’s Bacon Academy in 1985, at- At the time of purchase, the camp consisted grandchildren and five great grandchildren. tended Brandeis University and obtained his of just the dining hall and kitchen, Green Mr. Speaker, I began my professional ca- law degree from Harvard. In 1992, Mr. Gold- Lodge, the Guest House and several old tent reer as a classroom teacher in the public stein returned to his native Colchester and sites and out-houses. In addition to the origi- schools of South Carolina, and I have always made his home there. Shortly thereafter he nal buildings, the main lake across from the revered the profession of educator, especially was recruited to serve in town government by dining hall and the one-acre lake in Village 2 those at the grade school level. I am honored the former first selectwoman and my former were already at the camp. to pay tribute to this great educator, Mrs. district director, the late Jenny Contois. He Since the purchase, the cabins, pool, addi- Rubie Ella Nixon Schumpert and ask that you began on the town’s Charter Adoption Com- tional lodges and roads have been built. Sev- and my colleagues join me in wishing her a mission and spent the next 24 years serving eral other properties have been added to the happy 100th birthday.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.013 E16NOPT1 E1584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 16, 2017 OUR PILGRIMS PRIDE the University of California, Davis. He was CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNI- elected to the Martinez City Council in 1990 VERSARY OF THE ROTARY CLUB HON. PETE SESSIONS and reelected in 1994. He is currently the Di- OF CHILLICOTHE, OHIO rector of Community and Government Rela- OF TEXAS tions for Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Cali- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. STEVE STIVERS fornia. OF OHIO Thursday, November 16, 2017 The Council for Advancement and Support IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I include in of Education (CASE) recognizes two individ- Thursday, November 16, 2017 the RECORD a poem, on behalf of Albert Carey uals from across the country for their out- Caswell, to honor the men and women of the standing advocacy work on behalf of edu- Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on Armed Forces and their families on this cational institutions. CASE is honoring Mr. behalf of the people of Ohio’s 15th Congres- Thanksgiving holiday. Farley for his work and leadership in elevating sional District to celebrate the 100th Anniver- the profile of Saint Mary’s College among Cali- sary of the Rotary Club of Chillicothe, Ohio. OUR PILGRIMS PRIDE fornia legislators and staff. Mr. Farley’s col- Our Pilgrims pride From its founding at the Clinton House Drug leagues praise him for having excellent com- Store in 1917, countless members of our Chil- In this Thanksgiving time munication skills and for building first class All across our country side licothe community have been called by the As our Nation takes the time partnerships and an effective community rela- Club’s motto ‘‘Service above Self,’’ and de- To so look deep down inside tions program. sired to spread goodwill to their neighbors. In addition, to his work at St. Mary’s Col- And reflect and give thanks for this year The Club initially focused its energy on sup- lege, Mr. Farley is dedicated to community gone by porting the efforts surrounding World War I, service. In 1978, the Martinez Chamber of As we thank our Lord God on high such as the sale of Liberty Bonds, but soon And the men and women of Commerce honored Mr. Farley as Young Man was able to expand its efforts to improve other The Armed Forces and their families who of the Year for ‘‘Outstanding Contribution to fight and die the Community.’’ He was appointed to the communities. In the early 1920s, the Chil- For all our freedoms to provide United States Electoral College in 1996. He licothe Rotary Club was essential in installing Holding our families to our sides has written a public affairs column for the Mar- clubs in Ironton, Portsmouth, Washington We give thanks for all our lives tinez-Pleasant Hill Record. He is the founder Court House, Wellston, Circleville, Jackson, And the freedom and peace upon which our Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville, and Greenfield. Nation relies of the Luncheon Society, a public affairs roundtable. Mr. Farley is a longtime advocate The impact of this organization throughout the As a great feast of thanks is prepared by our 15th District is immeasurable; like a pebble loved ones upon which to dine for veterans and nontraditional students. While, the fire places proving such warmth Mr. Speaker, Timothy J. Farley is very de- dropped in a pond, the ripples are far-reach- inside serving of this recognition by virtue of his leading. As all across our Nation out at football ership, commitment, and passion for service. I Over the past century, the Chillicothe Rotary games we cry am proud to have such a man working and liv- Club has been involved in numerous initiatives As we give thanks as we reflect back at the ing in our community, and I’m honored to call and projects benefitting their community. From Pilgrim’s pride him my friend. It is therefore fitting and proper purchasing books for the Chillicothe Public Li- Who for their blessings so took the time that we honor him here today. brary in the 1940s, to supporting the building But, some families on this holiday will never of a YMCA facility in the 1960s, fundraising for be close f With one less seat at the dinner table to host PolioPlus in the 1980s, and building a handi- HONORING COLONEL CHARLES D cap accessible shelter house in the 2000s, the Who over the years have lost their precious (DAVE) JONES, USAF (RET) loved ones who meant the most Chillicothe Rotary Club has made our South- Who fought on battlefields of honor from ern Ohio community a better place. coast to coast HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS Today, the Chillicothe Rotary Club hosts an While, others sit around the dinner table OF WASHINGTON annual Pancake Day, supports students and without arms and legs and eyes IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES advisors involved with Junior Achievement of All because of that magnificence which Thursday, November 16, 2017 Ross County, and provides many scholarships burns deep down inside to area youth. I am extremely grateful to have While, thousands of miles away, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, heroes are separated from their loved ones in I rise today to honor the contributions of Colo- all those involved for their continued efforts. harms way nel Charles (Dave) Jones of Medical Lake, Again, I wish to congratulate President John Whose mommies and daddies can’t be home Washington. O’Connor and the entire Chillicothe Rotary today Colonel Dave Jones has lived a life of serv- Club upon this historic milestone, and convey For all of us, ice. A Veteran of Vietnam, Korea, and World my most sincere appreciation for their ability to to them and their families we give thanks War II, Col. Jones answered his nation’s call, place ‘‘Service above Self.’’ this day f All so the price of freedom can be paid served valiantly, and has made a tremendous impact. In World War II, as a commander of So this Thanksgiving hold your family close COMMEMORATING CENTRAL the 340th Training Battalion, he was respon- And remember what means the most CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR RE- sible for ensuring that our airmen were trained And give thanks to all of those CEIVING THE NATIONAL BLUE The Magnificent men and women and fami- to effectively and safely serve their country in RIBBON lies of The Armed Forces defend us so the skies over Europe. An officer in the United On this day our Pilgrim’s Pride of thanks we States Air Force, he served as commander of give all of those Fairchild Air Force Base and retired here in HON. DARIN LaHOOD f Spokane in the 1970s. OF ILLINOIS Colonel Jones continued to be an active IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING TIMOTHY J. FARLEY and important member of the Spokane com- Thursday, November 16, 2017 munity. Among his numerous activities, Colo- HON. MIKE THOMPSON nel Jones served as a member of the Lilac Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would OF CALIFORNIA Festival Board of Directors and was instru- like to honor Central Catholic High School in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mental in bringing the Expo ‘74 to Spokane. Bloomington, Illinois for receiving the U.S. De- partment of Education National Blue Ribbon. Thursday, November 16, 2017 Colonel Jones and his wife Margaret have been active in the local veterans community, Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Edu- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, helping to illustrate the unique issues faced by cation has awarded the Blue Ribbon to I rise today to honor Mr. Timothy J. Farley veterans in Eastern Washington. schools across the country based on their upon the occasion of being recognized by the Colonel Jones once challenged me to be a overall academic excellence. This year, 342 Council for Advancement and Support of Edu- part of the 5 percent of any organization who schools across the nation were awarded the cation with their annual leadership award. gets the job done. This is the example he set National Blue Ribbon, including Central Catho- Mr. Farley was born on a military base in for all of us. lic High School. Central Catholic High School Europe and was raised in Martinez, California. Colonel Jones is a man we admire, and we prides itself on their academic excellence and He earned his associate’s degree from Diablo owe him our gratitude for his lifelong contribu- a proactive student body. As an institution Valley College and his bachelor’s degree from tions to our nation and to Spokane. rooted in Catholic values, Central Catholic is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.017 E16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1585 committed to reinforcing the principals of shared his story. He said, ‘‘Do you want the Panel. Each month, the 20 to 25 person panel Christian service, responsibility to the commu- good news or the bad news?’’ I said, ‘‘Let’s hosts a wine tasting and judging. This community, and respect for life. hear the good news!’’ He said, ‘‘Every one of nity tradition has helped journalists and the our high schoolers graduated this past year.’’ Additionally, Central Catholic High School I said, ‘‘So what’s the bad news?’’ He then wine community build stronger relationships. was named one of the most academically shared that, for the first time, the state of In March 2017, the Editor & Publisher, a challenging schools in Illinois by the Wash- Washington was requiring that students take trade publication for the newspaper industry, ington Post in 2017. Led by Principal Sean the state mandated exam over the internet. recognized the Tasting Panel in their article, Foster, the faculty has developed an effective He said, ‘‘We don’t have high speed inter- ‘‘10 Newspapers that Do It Right.’’ This article curriculum to meet the academic needs of all net.’’ He said, ‘‘We tried a sample test. We praised the Tasting Panel for creating ‘‘a bet- students which prepares them to pursue high- shut down every computer in the school ex- ter way to report on the wines they were rec- er education and professional careers. cept two.’’ It’s one of those exams where you ommending to readers.’’ answer ten questions and then click next The Tasting Panel has held more than 100 It is an honor to represent the students, fac- page. He said, ‘‘We tried it. It took a minute ulty, and administrators at Central Catholic and 44 seconds to get to the next page.’’ So tastings of Napa Valley wines. The articles High School. Their dedication to education, that’s not going to work. that journalists write about these tastings help and their students, makes them a deserving Sadly—that tribe, too, is not alone. Many consumers learn about wine and appreciate recipient of the National Blue Ribbon, and of the coastal tribes lack the basic the hard working winemakers in our commu- more importantly, an example for schools all broadband that many of us take for granted. nity. across the nation. It doesn’t just create a barrier to first re- Mr. Speaker, the St. Helena Star and Napa sponders, and to folks who want to start a Valley Vintners Tasting Panel has been pro- f business, or to kids who need to pass a test. It’s a civil rights problem. viding quality information to our community REMARKS AT THE 60TH ANNIVER- about Napa Valley wines for the past 10 SARY CELEBRATION OF THE U.S. According to the FCC approximately 63 percent of Tribal land residents lack access years. I am proud to have such a great tradi- COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS to strong broadband. Only 17 percent of the tion to showcase the best wine in the world. rest of the nation faces a similar challenge. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor HON. DEREK KILMER This isn’t the only challenge tribal com- them here today. munities face. We know they have a higher OF WASHINGTON f rate of substance abuse issues than the gen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES eral population, they have lower graduation PERSONAL EXPLANATION Thursday, November 16, 2017 rates, they have underfunded schools and police forces and many areas lack the eco- Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to include nomic development opportunities necessary HON. RICHARD HUDSON in the RECORD these remarks I recently made to provide families with a quality income. OF NORTH CAROLINA to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the These are real problems, and too often IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: these communities are ignored. But the U.S. Thursday, November 16, 2017 I’m standing with Chairman Castro from Commission on Civil rights is listening. And the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in a vil- they’re amplifying quiet voices. Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoid- lage called Taholah. It’s the lower reserva- I am pleased with the fact that the Com- ably detained and missed a vote. tion of the Quinault Indian Nation. The na- mission is working on an update to the Quiet Had I been present, I would have voted Crisis Report. When it’s completed, it can tion’s President, Fawn Sharp, takes us up a YEA on Roll Call No. 636. slight incline as we look out at the Pacific provide a roadmap for Congress and for the f Ocean. ‘‘When I was a kid,’’ she says, ‘‘The Administration to address problems that are too often unnoticed. And the Commission is ocean was a football field’s length away. Now HONORING THE LIFE AND MILI- it’s our front porch.’’ listening to other communities too. Your work is a big part of the reason a TARY SERVICE OF BROUGHTON She explains that her village has been HAND there since time immemorial. But in recent hate crimes bill recently passed out of the years, it has begun to see the threats of ris- House Judiciary Committee. And your re- ing sea levels and more severe storms—not porting is driving the House’s discussion on HON. BRIAN BABIN to mention the threat of tsunami. She points voting rights. So let me just end by saying thank you. OF TEXAS out that village is below sea level—which Thank you all for having me today. Thank IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES wasn’t a problem in past generations. But you Dr. Hayden and the Library of Congress now, on numerous occasions, the sea wall Thursday, November 16, 2017 for curating such a powerful exhibit. On be- has breached and their village has filled up half of my constituents, and on behalf of ev- like a bowl. Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to eryone else who is telling their story. Thank That story—and the stories of the four honor the life of World War II veteran you. other tribes in my district that—as we sit Broughton ‘‘Brodie’’ Hand who passed away And to the Commission—Thank you for lis- here today are in the process of trying to on October 27, 2017 at 97 years of age. tening. Thank you for shining a light on in- move to higher ground—deserves to be heard. Brodie was born in 1920 to Baptist minister, justice and disparity. And thank you for And it is why I’m grateful to Mr. Castro and working to ensure that our nation keeps its Rev. and Mrs. L. J. Hand. Brodie, the middle to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for promise to all of its citizens. son out of 5 boys and 1 girl, came to Ana- listening. huac, TX in 1924. He attended Anahuac High Billy Frank, a Native American civil f rights icon, provided vital direction to those School where he was voted Best All Around who needed to be heard, who wanted to advo- RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVER- his senior year in 1939. After graduation, cate. He would say, ‘‘tell your story, tell SARY OF THE ST. HELENA STAR Brodie enrolled in Marshall College which is your story.’’ Storytelling is essential for AND NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS now East Texas Baptist University. When change. TASTING PANEL World War II began, Brodie felt the call to But in order for change to happen, some- serve his country and left college to enlist in one needs to hear that story, and listen to HON. MIKE THOMPSON the United States Army on October 15, 1942. the people telling it. Too often, there is no He volunteered for the paratroopers and went one listening when communities of color or OF CALIFORNIA disadvantaged populations tell their story. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to jump training at Ft. Blanding, FL. After jump school he was assigned to the 508th Regi- That’s why the U.S. Commission on Civil Thursday, November 16, 2017 Rights is so important. For 60 years, the US. ment of the 82nd Airborne Division with C Commission on Civil Rights has listened. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Company. He was shipped to Belfast, Ireland And they’ve detailed, in sharp focus, the in- I rise today to honor the St. Helena Star and for more training and then to Nottingham, Eng- equity tribal communities across the nation Napa Valley Vintners Tasting Panel upon the land where they were stationed at the foot of face, in addition to many other injustices. occasion of their 10th Anniversary of informing Nottingham Castle. Since the company was In a 2003 report called The Quiet Crisis, wine lovers with thoughtful information about short on demolition sergeants, Brodie was they showed our government’s systemic failure to live up to its treaty obligations with Napa Valley wines. trained for the job before he was shipped to tribal communities. I am grateful for the In 2007, David Stoneberg from the St. Hel- France. On the night of June 5, 1944, work they’re doing to update that report. ena Star, Terry Hall from the Napa Valley Broughton Hand prepared to go to war. I want to tell you another one of the sto- Vintners and Stefan Blicker from Blicker, The mission given to the 82nd Airborne ries we heard. One of the tribal leaders Pierce and Wagner Wine created the Tasting when they landed in France was to seal off

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.021 E16NOPT1 E1586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 16, 2017 the bridges on the Douve and Merderet Riv- Grady earned degrees from API in Chemical Dottie Herman—Founder, President, and ers. Problems started early when the planes Engineering and Mathematics and his doc- CEO of Douglas Elliman—Business Pioneer ran into a fog bank that nearly made them run torate in Industrial Engineering at Purdue Uni- Award. into each other. After veering from their versity. Grady served at Auburn University as Lucy Jarvis—First woman television pro- planned flight pattern to avoid collision, the full professor, Dean of the College of Engi- ducer, Peabody Award winner—Media Pioneer 82nd Airborne had to jump in an area far from neering and Executive Vice President. Award. the one they had prepared for. Brodie jumped Grady was also involved in the community Suzanne Lerner—President and Co-Found- from about 600 feet up and as soon as his and was a member of the Rotary Club, Civitan er of Michael Stars, Board Member of Women chute opened he was landing in the tops of Club and Kiwanis Club. He is a member of Thrive Alliance—Fashion Pioneer Award. the trees. He managed to cut his chute loose Auburn United Methodist Church. Sonia Gardner—President, Managing Part- and met up with other men in his company On December 3rd, he will celebrate his 91st ner, and Co-Founder of Avenue Capital Group headed northeast. They came across Douve birthday as well as enjoy ‘‘Grady Cox Day’’ in and Global Chair of the Board of 100 Women River where they attempted to blow the the City of Auburn, Alabama. in Finance—Financial Pioneer Award. bridge, but could not due to increased German Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Bobbi Brown—CEO of Beauty Evolution and activity in the area. Brodie and his men were Grady a very happy 91st birthday. former CEO and Chief Creative Officer of able to take three German’s as prisoners, f Bobbi Brown Cosmetics—Beauty Pioneer which would prove to save their lives. On June Award. 9th, Brodie and his squad went back to blow HONORING WOMEN’S Muna Rihana Al-Nasser—Chairwoman of the bridge, but instead ran into a German tank ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY the UN Women for Peace Association—Phi- on the way. After running out of ammunition, lanthropy Pioneer Award. Judith Ripka—Luxury jewelry designer and Brodie’s Lieutenant got one of their German HON. GRACE MENG founder of Judith Ripka—Accessories Pioneer prisoners to call out ‘‘we surrender’’ in Ger- OF NEW YORK Award. man. Brodie spent the next 11 months as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Angie Bastian—Founder and Board Member Prisoner of War. He worked, as a POW, Thursday, November 16, 2017 of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP—Culinary Pio- cleaning up bombed cities and working in coal neer Award. mines. He was finally able to send a pre-typed Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Sara Bareilles—Singer, songwriter, six-time postcard to his parents informing them that he Grammy nominee, Broadway musical writer was a POW over 70 days after his capture. Day which is celebrated around the world each year on November 19th. In honor of this and composer—Music Pioneer Award. On April 22, 1945, Brodie was at a hospital in Andrea Kerzner—Founder and CEO of Nuremberg, Germany recovering from a leg day, I am introducing a resolution to recognize November 19, 2017 as ‘‘A Day in Honor of Lalela Project. Co-Creator of injury when General Patton’s troops swept themoreweshare.com, and Director of the through the area returning him to American Women Entrepreneurs’’. Women are majority owners of 9.9 million Board of Kerzner International Holdings—Artist hands. Broughton returned to Anahuac, after Pioneer Award. the end of the war, and married Lillian, his American businesses which generate $1.4 trillion in annual sales and employ more than 8.4 Mr. Speaker, I urge the entire House to rec- wife of 66 years. Together they had three chil- ognize these remarkable role models, and to dren, Phoebe, Myra and Lynn. Throughout his million workers. Ninety-nine percent of women-owned businesses are small busi- celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day this life, he worked as a salesman for different year and every year moving forward. companies. Brodie upheld his civic duty proud- nesses, and 47 percent of all American minor- f ly and stayed active in his community and ity-owned businesses are also women-owned. church until his death last month. He was past I applaud these women entrepreneurs and HONORING EVELYN JAVIER Commander of the Texas Golden Triangle their economically-vital businesses. CENTENO, RECIPIENT OF THE Chapter of EX-POWs, past Commander of the Today, I also applaud Wendy Diamond who AMERICAN DREAM AWARD Disabled American Veterans, a member of the has personally spearheaded the Women’s En- Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the trepreneurship Day movement. Since her campaign launched in 2013, her Women’s Entre- HON. MIKE THOMPSON order of the Purple Heart, and past Com- OF CALIFORNIA preneurship Day organization has funded 500 mander of the Freeman Spath Post 104 of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Syrian refugee girls in Jordan so they could American Legion with continuous membership Thursday, November 16, 2017 of over 70 years. He served on the Governor’s attend high school, launched an initiative in Prisoner of War Advisory Committee, and was Oman to empower women and girls to vote Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, the Chambers County Veterans Service Offi- against arranged marriage, and partnered with I rise today to honor Ms. Evelyn Javier cer for 13 years. a Uruguayan university to offer scholarships to Centeno, whom I have selected to receive the Broughton Hand lived a full honorable life young women. Women’s Entrepreneurship American Dream Award. This award recog- devoted to his family, country and God. It is a Day is now celebrated in 144 countries and 65 nizes the achievements of immigrants in my privilege to have been able to represent such universities and colleges internationally, with district who have made remarkable contribu- a person in my District. I want to extend my numerous global ambassadors. The Women’s tions to California’s 5th Congressional District thanks to him and his family for their selfless Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, service and will keep them in my prayers. the four billion women worldwide to be cata- Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship lysts of change, and uplift the over 250 million f and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. girls living in poverty around the world. Centeno exemplifies these attributes and is IN HONOR OF THE 91ST BIRTHDAY Tomorrow, Wendy will be hosting a Wom- very deserving of this award and recognition. OF JULIUS GRADY COX en’s Entrepreneurship Day event in New York Ms. Centeno was born in Manila, Republic City at the United Nations in order to em- of the Philippines and immigrated to the HON. MIKE ROGERS power, celebrate, and support women and United States in 1971. Prior to leaving Manila, OF ALABAMA girls globally to alleviate poverty. Joining her she earned a degree in Chemistry from the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for this amazing event will be: Mikaila Ulmer— University of Santo Tomas. She earned three 12-year-old founder of Me & The Bees Lem- more degrees after moving to California. She Thursday, November 16, 2017 onade and successful Shark Tank contestant received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I on ABC; Jesse Draper—founding partner of in business administration from Golden Gate ask for the House’s attention to recognize the Halogen Ventures; Dia Simms—CEO of University, and she earned her Master of 91st birthday of Julius Grady Cox. Combs Enterprises and Board Member of the Science degree in Education from Chapman Grady was born to Annie and George Cox Harlem Boys and Girls Club; and Baroness University. Ms. Centeno is the President and on December 3rd in Ayden, North Carolina. Sandip Verma—European Union External Af- Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Learning In- One of five children, Grady graduated high fairs Subcommittee Chair and Member of the stitute, a nonprofit organization for educational school at the age of 16 and joined the U.S. House of Lords. empowerment. Navy as a medical corpsman in WWII. He was In addition to bringing these incredible Prior to founding Inspire Learning Institute, selected for Naval ROTC at Alabama Poly- women together, Wendy and her organization Ms. Centeno worked in the fields of engineer- technic Institute (API), now Auburn University, will be honoring the following individuals with ing and education. Through her leadership, In- where he met his late wife Jean Ransom. the following awards: spire Learning Institute established a free

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.025 E16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1587 science, technology, engineering and math An Achievable Dream has not achieved all conservation infrastructure, as well as the reli- (STEM) summer camp and after school STEM of this on its own. Walter Segaloff understood ability of our vital water supply for commu- enrichment programs. Since March 2013, they that it took every facet of the community—in- nities across the nation. A dependable supply have served 2,000 students in Contra Costa cluding school leaders, public officials, law en- of water is an indispensable resource in the County and disbursed $10,000 in scholarship forcement, the military, and businesses—to West—from farming and ranching, to recre- funds. work together toward the common goal of ation and municipal uses, to manufacturing In addition to her work with Inspire Learning making better the lives and educational out- and wildfire response needs, this resource Institute, Ms. Centeno is an active member of comes of as many young persons as possible. truly is vital. Conducted in concert with improv- her community in Martinez, California. She is I would like to thank each of the community ing stream flows, protecting headwater areas, a member of the East Bay Leadership Coun- organizations and businesses for stepping up rebuilding fish runs, and boosting continued cil, founder and past president of the Filipino and helping make An Achievable Dream the conservation efforts, this streamlining effort will American Democratic Club, former president success that it is today. I would also like to provide great relief for my constituents and of the Martinez Citizens Oversight Committee thank our military for volunteering regularly constituents across the western United States. and a former member of the Contra Costa with these students for An Achievable Dream’s In addition, the legislation authorizes several Mental Health Commission. character development program. And of key water development projects across the Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Evelyn course, I want to thank Kathy Edwards, Presi- West, including projects in California, Kansas, Javier Centeno for her achievements and for dent and CEO of An Achievable Dream, and Montana, as well as my home state of Wash- enriching our community. It is fitting and prop- all the faculty and staff who have dedicated ington. One of these is the third phase of a er that we honor her here today with the their careers to these young people. vital effort in my District in Central Wash- American Dream Award. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have been in- ington, the Yakima River Basin Water En- f volved with An Achievable Dream as a sup- hancement Project. The Yakima River Basin is HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVER- porter since its beginning. As our community one of the leading agricultural regions in SARY OF AN ACHIEVABLE gathers to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Washington State and throughout the country. DREAM the An Achievable Dream at the annual Ten- However, the demand for water in the region nis Ball gala this weekend, I look forward to currently exceeds the resources available, es- HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT the continued success of An Achievable pecially during times of drought, which have Dream. I would like to congratulate the staff, hit the state especially hard in the past few OF VIRGINIA supporters and sponsors at An Achievable years. After years of tough negotiations, the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dream on a quarter century of success and I Yakima River Basin Plan is a model of col- Thursday, November 16, 2017 look forward to witnessing their many contin- laboration that offers a solution to give water Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise ued successes in the future. users more certainty, while also recognizing to honor An Achievable Dream, which will be f the concerns of conservationists and the var- commemorating its 25th anniversary this ious stakeholders in the Yakima Basin. The weekend. INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU authorization of this project is vital for my Dis- An Achievable Dream was founded by the OF RECLAMATION AND BUREAU trict, just as water projects are in states across late Walter Segaloff, a local community leader, OF INDIAN AFFAIRS WATER the West. This legislation will allow the next businessman, and humanitarian. His ambitious PROJECT STREAMLINING ACT OF major step to addressing our water crisis to public-private educational partnership in New- 2017 become a reality. port News, Virginia started small but has This commonsense bill reforms the current grown exponentially in the last 25 years. HON. DAN NEWHOUSE cumbersome and lengthy process so that When An Achievable Dream first opened its OF WASHINGTON there is a mechanism to build new water and doors in 1992, it was a small summer and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES infrastructure projects in Central Washington after-school tennis and tutoring program for 95 Thursday, November 16, 2017 and across the west. I welcome all members fourth graders. A year later, the program more to join me in supporting this legislation, and I than doubled the number of students it served Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today urge its swift passage through the U.S. House to 200 rising fourth and fifth graders. In 1994, to introduce my legislation, the Bureau of Rec- of Representatives and U.S. Senate. lamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs Water An Achievable Dream expanded even further f by becoming a full-time, extended day school Project Streamlining Act. As my constituents for 400 children in grades three through five, know all too well, communities across the COMMEMORATING CHIP and in 1994 they started serving grades six western United States are often faced with the HALBACH’S RETIREMENT through eight at Dunbar Erwin Middle School. detrimental impacts of droughts and water Five years later, in 2000, An Achievable shortages. In states where the Bureau of Rec- HON. KEITH ELLISON Dream Academy was founded as a year- lamation (BOR) and Bureau of Indian Affairs OF MINNESOTA round, full time elementary school and by (BIA) hold jurisdiction for the development of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2007 they opened a separate, full-time middle water projects, communities are left waiting Thursday, November 16, 2017 and high school. Since those early years, An due to a lack of a streamlined process. These Achievable Dream has grown beyond Newport communities need BOR and BIA to accelerate Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to News and now has partnerships with Virginia studies and provide more accountability in the commemorate Chip Halbach’s retirement in Beach City Public Schools and Heinrico Coun- agencies’ processes to study the feasibility of September of 2017 after 30 years of service ty Public Schools. new or expanded surface water storage, water with the Minnesota Housing Partnership. The motto of An Achievable Dream is recycling, and rural and Title XVI water Chip has long been an advocate for afford- ‘‘Teaching Kids Winning Ways.’’ The Achiev- projects. This legislation will streamline BOR able housing for Minnesota residents. In 1987, able Dream program is structured to give and BIA’s environmental planning and study Chip founded Minneapolis Housing Partner- young people the skills needed to succeed in process for these water projects and ensure ship (MHP). MHP convenes, guides, and sup- life. Those skills are taught at An Achievable that communities in the West can address the ports a diversity of partners working to im- Dream on the tennis court, in the classroom, critical need for water supplies that continue to prove conditions of home and community. Ini- on field trips, and in sharing experiences with grow with demand. tially, MHP’s focus was informing housing successful and caring adults in the community. In order to meet existing human and envi- groups and partners on pending legislation. One of the things that makes An Achievable ronmental needs, we must update current MHP evolved to become a major provider of Dream so impactful on the lives of the young water supply infrastructure. This legislation ap- technical assistance and financial support to people it serves is An Achievable Dream’s plies the same streamlined water project de- increase the capacity of organizations building ability to show the boundless opportunities velopment process used by the U.S. Army and developing affordable housing. MHP has available if you just make the right choices. Corps of Engineers, which was established served as an intermediary for the Minnesota The staff, supporters and sponsors at An under the ‘‘Water Resources Reform Develop- Department of Human Services, the U.S. De- Achievable Dream have worked over the last ment Act of 2014,’’ to BOR and BIA’s proc- partment of Housing and Urban Development, 25 years to ensure that their students grad- esses for surface water, storage, infrastruc- and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. uate on time and have an opportunity to go to ture, and recycling project development. This Seeing the need to bring together the af- college. legislation will improve both water storage and fordable housing community, Chip Halbach

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.028 E16NOPT1 E1588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 16, 2017 started the Homes for All Coalition. The the mid50s on Tanner Drive in Jake Gaither man when he returned to Williamsburg. He re- Homes for All Coalition is a statewide coalition Park. They often found room in their house to turned to his father’s meat market, and the that works to provide safe, stable, and afford- help Florida A&M University students in need town band. He married and had children. He able housing for people across all income lev- of a place to live when their funds were de- has a long history of participation in fraternal els. From working to increase rental subsidies, pleted. organizations like the Masons, and youth serv- to improving infrastructure at manufactured Mr. Speaker, Laura Dixie was simply a trail- ice organizations like the International Order of housing parks, and resources for first time blazer and an icon, who fearlessly battled the Rainbows for Girls. homebuyers, Homes for All is tackling the di- horrors of being a black woman in the south His talent as a grill-master is legendary, as verse range of housing issues facing Minneso- during desegregation. Laura Dixie’s spirit and is his generosity and spirit. tans. attitude will be truly missed. Mr. Speaker, Carl Burger is a good man, Chip is widely known for his encyclopedic f and he’s lived one hundred years worth cele- knowledge of federal and state housing pro- brating. I hope you’ll all join me in wishing him grams, sophisticated housing finance tools PERSONAL EXPLANATION the happiest of birthdays. and their history. Policymakers and elected of- f ficials have often drawn on Chip’s wealth of HON. STEVE RUSSELL knowledge and expertise in the affordable OF OKLAHOMA HONORING MR. ELIOT SEIDE housing field. Many have cheekily quipped, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘‘before ‘Google’ there was Chip Halbach.’’ Thursday, November 16, 2017 HON. KEITH ELLISON Chip Halbach’s leadership has helped OF MINNESOTA Mr. RUSSELL. Mr. Speaker, in connection shape legislation, provided education, and se- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with official business, I was unable to attend cured money to create safe, decent, affordable votes on November 15, 2017. Thursday, November 16, 2017 places for families and individuals to live. His Had I been present, I would have voted steady leadership leaves the Minnesota Hous- Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in YEA on Roll Call No. 635; and YEA on Roll honor of Mr. Eliot Seide, for his thirty-eight ing Partnership poised to move forward in Call No. 636. tackling our affordable housing crisis. I want to years of public service to the citizens of the thank Mr. Halbach for all his years of service. f Fifth Congressional District, to the 43,000 His presence will be missed, but his contribu- 100TH BIRTHDAY OF CARL BURGER members of American Federation of State, tions will not be forgotten. County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 5, and to the great state of Minnesota. f HON. BRAD R. WENSTRUP Mr. Seide was the first in his family to attend IN MEMORY OF MRS. LAURA DIXIE OF OHIO college, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from New IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES York University. In graduate school, Mr. Seide HON. AL LAWSON, JR. Thursday, November 16, 2017 realized that he was tired of talking about OF FLORIDA Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today making a difference and decided it was time to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to recognize the l00th birthday of Carl Burger take action. Mr. Seide’s father Julius, was a leader of Thursday, November 16, 2017 of Williamsburg, Ohio. In 1917, the first World War still burned in the Printers Union in New York City. Eliot fol- Mr. LAWSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise Europe. But in small town America, William lowed in his father’s footsteps when he went today to pay tribute to Mrs. Laura Dixie, one and Emily Burger were welcoming Carl Burger to work for AFSCME and its President, Jerry of Tallahassee, Florida’s foot soldiers in the to the world, and to Ohio. With the exception Wurf, in 1979. Mr. Seide came to Minnesota Civil Rights movement, who passed away on of several exceptional years in service to his in 1980. He was central to helping state em- Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the age of country, Carl has lived in Williamsburg, Ohio ployees in AFSCME Council 6 wage a suc- 92. Laura Dixie was a civil rights trailblazer, for his entire life. cessful strike in 1981. He worked to strength- and played a crucial role in the Reverend C. On the occasion of Carl’s birthday, I’d like to en AFSCME in local government in the Twin K. Steele’s quest to desegregate Tallahas- tell you a bit about where one hundred years Cities metropolitan area by helping form see’s public transportation system in 1956. of a remarkable life has taken him. AFSCME Council 14 in 1982. Over the next She also worked with Reverend Steel and oth- In Williamsburg, Carl was many things. A 12 years, Mr. Seide was instrumental in builders in the original 1962 lawsuit calling for the formidable basketball player, a talented drum- ing power for working people in Minnesota desegregation ofLeon County Schools. mer, an employee in the family meat market. and improving the quality of public services in Laura saw early in life that obtaining civil He left Williamsburg for the first time when he Minnesota through a strong and progressive rights was going to be challenging. One of her volunteered for the army in 1941, before the labor movement. favorite stories was about going downtown United States entered the Second World War. In his thirty-eight year career with AFSCME, one day with her parents and seeing water He was months away from completing his Mr. Seide has fought hard for a better Min- fountains marked for ‘‘Whites only, and Col- service, and returning to Ohio, when Pearl nesota for everyone. He worked his way up in ored only.’’ Harbor was bombed. Carl knew in that mo- the union, serving in many capacities as field Life took Laura from sampling water on a ment that he’d be in the war for its duration. representative, legislative director, inter- dare, from a segregated Whites only fountain I cannot speak directly for Carl’s wartime national area director, and as Executive Direc- inside the Leon County Courthouse, ‘‘to see if experience. But his story is one of humanity, tor of both AFSCME Council 14 and AFSCME it was sweeter;’’ to playing a pivotal role in the humility, and humor. He served as 3rd Infantry Council 5. Tallahassee Bus Boycott. She traveled during medic in North Africa, and throughout the In 2004, Mr. Seide became the executive di- troubled times to Mississippi, Alabama, and Italian campaign. While serving on the front rector of AFSCME Council 5, one of the larg- Georgia to participate in Voter Registration lines, he had more than a few close calls with est unions in the state of Minnesota. In 2006, drives; to seeing a black man elected Presi- torpedoes, artillery, and enemy patrols. Carl is Mr. Seide was also elected AFSCME Inter- dent of the United States. It was one of her keenly aware of a sense of luck, or a touch of national vice president. Governor Mark Dayton proudest moments to see President Obama in providence, that guided him through these in- has shared these words about Mr. Seide: the White House. cidents largely unharmed. ‘‘He’s a tireless advocate for his members, In the early 1950’s, Laura joined her hus- While Carl surely saw enough of the war to and he has that New York edge to his style band Samuel L. Dixie at Bethel Missionary last him a lifetime, he also witnessed great but believes fiercely in doing what’s right for Baptist Church, where together they worked bravery, and he rose to great bravery in re- his members.’’ closely with the church and in the community turn. He was awarded the Bronze Star for di- The state of Minnesota will long remember to promote Civil Rights. Her involvement in recting the evacuation of 58 wounded GI’s the work of Mr. Eliot Seide as a leader of not Tallahassee’s Civil Rights movement went from the front lines of Italy. His experiences only Council 5, but for all Minnesotans around along with her active membership in the taught him that courage can be found in funny issues of fair taxes, decent wages, responsible Southern Christian Leadership Conference, places—a shared bottle of contraband whis- investments in transportation, clean water, a the Inter-Civic Council in Tallahassee and the key, or an unexpected foxhole visit from a strong education system, and healthy families. NAACP, of which she was a life member. general. He believes deeply that we all do better when At the time of her death, Laura lived in the Ultimately, like every veteran, Carl’s service we all do better. I thank Mr. Seide for his house that she and her husband owned since is only a part of his story. He was still a young many years of service to Minnesotans.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:11 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16NO8.031 E16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1589 IN HONOR OF LTC MICHAEL Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work he was respected and liked in his community. MANNING with Colonel Manning during his time as a Na- He was also involved in his community; Frank tional Guard Liaison in Rhode Island. On be- attended many local caucuses and reached HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN half of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to rec- out to elected officials. Without a doubt, his OF RHODE ISLAND ognize the selfless service and sacrifice of care and consideration for people led to his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lieutenant Colonel Michael Manning, his wife, understanding of the importance of civic en- Thursday, November 16, 2017 Meg, and their children, Michael, Jack, and gagement. Shannon. I wish them the very best as they Frank Adelmann led an outstanding life, Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I recog- continue their journey in the United States highlighted by his love of his family and his nize Lieutenant Colonel Michael Manning of Army National Guard and thank them for dedi- care for his community. To honor the legacy of the United States Army for his extraordinary cating their lives to the service of our Nation. Frank’s life, I introduced the Frank Adelmann dedication to duty and service to our Nation. Manufactured Housing Community Sustain- Colonel Manning will soon transition from his f ability Act. This legislation would offer a tax in- current assignment as the Rhode Island Army PERSONAL EXPLANATION centive to manufactured home park owners National Guard Liaison to serve as the Bat- who sell the property to their residents, offer- talion Commander of the Guard’s Recruiting HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE ing residents the long term stability they de- and Retention Battalion. Colonel Manning began his military career OF PENNSYLVANIA serve to build long lasting community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as Distinguished Military Graduate of Provi- f dence College’s ROTC Class of 1997. He Thursday, November 16, 2017 then deployed to the Republic of Germany RECOGNIZING THE 2017 NATIONAL Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. SINGING CONVENTION with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, Mr. Speaker, on November 6, 2017, I missed 1st Infantry Division. Roll Call vote No. 607 and No. 608 on the He subsequently deployed to Kosovo in floor of the House of Representatives. Had I HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT support of Operation Joint Guardian II as a been present, I would have voted yea and OF ALABAMA Brigade Reconnaissance Troop Leader for yea. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Task Force Falcon. In 2002, after joining the Rhode Island Army National Guard, he was f Thursday, November 16, 2017 appointed Commander of the 173rd Infantry HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, this weekend Detachment Long Range Surveillance, which ADELMANN the State of Alabama will host the 2017 Na- was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi tional Singing Convention in my home county Freedom III in 2004. He again deployed, this HON. KEITH ELLISON of Winston County. This event will take place time with Special Operations Detachment in Houston, Alabama on November 16–17 at OF MINNESOTA Global, in support of Operation Enduring Free- Houston Baptist Church. The convention this IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dom Caribbean and Central America in 2008, year will be under the leadership of the 2017 where he served as the Deputy Chief for the Thursday, November 16, 2017 president, Mr. Dylan Feezell. Regional Engagement Branch. Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Southern Gospel Music is often referred to He then graduated with distinction from the recognize the life of Mr. Frank Adelmann. I as America’s music. Gospel music gave rise College of Naval Command and Staff at the join his family and friends to celebrate his life to bluegrass and country music. The impor- U.S. Naval War College with a Master of Arts and honor his legacy. tance of gospel music is honored each year in National Security and Strategic Studies be- Frank was born as the second of four chil- with the National Gospel Singing Convention. fore once again deploying with Special Oper- The National Gospel Singing Convention ations Detachment Global, serving with the dren on March 16th, 1958, in Minneapolis, first began in 1936. In the eight decades since Senior Special Operations to the Afghan Min- Minnesota. When he was three years old, his its inception, the National Singing Convention istry of Defense. Having served as an Assist- family moved to the suburb of St. Anthony ant Professor of Military Science at Provi- where he would spend the rest of his life. He have played a major role in the development dence College and as a State Partnership had a deep interest in his family history, and of gospel music in America and around the Program Coordinator, he continues to impart he often contacted his older relatives for infor- world. The first convention was also held in his wisdom to those around him as the current mation and reached out to his extended fam- Alabama, in the city of Birmingham. Secretary of the General Staff. ily. He was named after his grandfather, and I am proud to have this convention in the As the primary liaison between the Rhode he shared a birthday with his grandmother, district I represent, the Fourth District of Ala- Island Congressional delegation and the Anna. bama. This annual convention is not only an Rhode Island Army National Guard, Colonel Frank excelled academically, and he at- opportunity to fellowship and to promote gos- Manning has provided me and my staff with tended college at both Hamline University and pel music, its main purpose is to exalt and the ability to better comprehend and appre- the University of Minnesota. He used his ac- spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. ciate the National Guard and its unique mis- counting skills in several purchasing and retail I use this occasion to emphasize the fact sion set both at home in the Ocean State and positions throughout his life. When he wasn’t that Southern Gospel Music has made a tre- in Washington, D.C., his first-hand knowledge working, Frank dedicated his time to an eclec- mendous positive impact on America and our of the military, its culture, and its traditions has tic set of interests and hobbies. He was a gift- nation’s music. It continues to thrive and it been of tremendous benefit. ed pianist; he was well-read, often immersing make an impact on our communities, our cul- Throughout my time working with Colonel himself in the Scripture; he had a playful ture and our faith. Manning, I found him to be a thoughtful, intel- sense of humor; and he taught himself Arabic. Furthermore, I want to congratulate Mr. ligent, and dedicated Soldier in the best tradi- Those who knew Frank consistently point to Dylan Feezell and the officers for their leader- tions of those called to serve from the great his uncanny ability to befriend the unusual, the ship of this year’s convention in Houston, Ala- state of Rhode Island, and his future is ex- lonely, and the hurting. Though he lived a pri- bama and wish them the best on a successful tremely bright. vate life, he held many close friendships, and weekend.

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HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2810, National Defense Authorization Act. Senate and congratulating the Houston Astros on winning Chamber Action the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series. Routine Proceedings, pages S7269–S7312 Page S7310 Measures Introduced: Twenty-five bills and nine National Runaway Prevention Month: Senate resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. agreed to S. Res. 339, designating November 2017 2136–2160, S. Res. 335–342, and S. Con. Res. 30. as ‘‘National Runaway Prevention Month’’. Pages S7296–97 Page S7310 Measures Reported: 3d Infantry Division 100th Anniversary: Senate S. 1591, to impose sanctions with respect to the agreed to S. Res. 340, commemorating the 100th Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, with an anniversary of the 3d Infantry Division. Page S7310 amendment in the nature of a substitute. Conference Reports: S. 2099, to provide for the management by the Secretary of Agriculture of certain Federal land. National Defense Authorization Act: Senate Page S7296 agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2810, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 Measures Passed: for military activities of the Department of Defense, Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Senate for military construction, and for defense activities of passed H.R. 4374, to amend the Federal Food, the Department of Energy, to prescribe military per- Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize additional sonnel strengths for such fiscal year. Pages S7276–78 emergency uses for medical products to reduce Pro Forma Sessions—Agreement: A unanimous- deaths and severity of injuries caused by agents of consent agreement was reached providing that the war. Page S7270 Senate adjourn, to then convene for pro forma ses- Reaffirming the commitment of the U.S. to sions only, with no business being conducted on the Cambodia: Senate agreed to S. Res. 279, reaffirming following dates and times, and that following each the commitment of the United States to promote de- pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Cam- pro forma session: Friday, November 17, 2017 at 11 bodia, after agreeing to the committee amendment a.m.; Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11 a.m.; Fri- in the nature of a substitute, and the following day, November 24, 2017 at 11 a.m.; and that when amendment proposed thereto: Pages S7308–10 the Senate adjourns on Friday, November 24, 2017, McConnell (for McCain) Amendment No. 1586, it next convene at 4 p.m., on Monday, November to acknowledge the contributions of nongovern- 27, 2017. Page S7310 mental organizations in Cambodia. Pages S7308–10 Friedrich Nomination—Agreement: Senate re- Drive Safer Sunday: Senate agreed to S. Res. sumed consideration of the nomination of Dabney 337, designating November 26, 2017, as ‘‘Drive Langhorne Friedrich, of California, to be United Safer Sunday’’. Page S7310 States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Commending and congratulating the Houston Page S7275 Astros: Senate agreed to S. Res. 338, commending During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:31 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D16NO7.REC D16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1231 By 93 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. 279), Senate Guy B. Roberts, of Virginia, to be an Assistant agreed to the motion to close further debate on the Secretary of Defense. nomination. Page S7276 Robert L. Wilkie, of North Carolina, to be Under A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. viding that all post-cloture time on the nomination Robert Behler, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of be yielded back; and that Senate vote on confirma- Operational Test and Evaluation, Department of De- tion of the nomination at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, fense. November 27, 2017. Page S7278 Thomas B. Modly, of Maryland, to be Under Sec- A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- retary of the Navy. viding that at approximately 4 p.m., on Monday, James Thomas Abbott, of Virginia, to be a Mem- November 27, 2017, Senate resume consideration of ber of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a the nomination, post-cloture, with the time until term of five years expiring July 1, 2020. 5:30 p.m., equally divided between the two Leaders, Colleen Kiko, of North Dakota, to be a Member or their designees; and that notwithstanding the proof the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term visions of Rule XXII, the motion to invoke cloture of five years expiring July 29, 2022. on the nomination of Gregory G. Katsas, of Vir- James F. Geurts, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assist- ginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Dis- ant Secretary of the Navy. trict of Columbia Circuit, ripen following disposi- Rebecca Eliza Gonzales, of Texas, to be Ambas- tion of the nomination of Dabney Langhorne sador to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Friedrich. Page S7310 Robert H. McMahon, of Georgia, to be an Assist- ant Secretary of Defense. Katsas Nomination—Cloture: Senate began con- Irwin Steven Goldstein, of New York, to be sideration of the nomination of Gregory G. Katsas, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for Sean P. Lawler, of Maryland, to be Chief of Pro- the District of Columbia Circuit. Page S7278 tocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during A motion was entered to close further debate on his tenure of service. the nomination, and, in accordance with the provi- Ernest W. Dubester, of Virginia, to be a Member sions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of five years expiring July 1, 2019. of the nomination of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of Shon J. Manasco, of Texas, to be an Assistant Sec- California, to be United States District Judge for the retary of the Air Force. District of Columbia. Pages S7278–79 Lisa A. Johnson, of Washington, to be Ambas- Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Sen- sador to the Republic of Namibia. ate took the following action: Routine lists in the Foreign Service. Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legisla- Pages S7311–12 tive Session. Page S7278 Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Execu- Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: tive Session to consider the nomination. Page S7278 Melissa F. Burnison, of Kentucky, to be an Assist- Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol- ant Secretary of Energy (Congressional and Intergov- lowing nominations: ernmental Affairs). By 54 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 277), Jo- John G. Vonglis, of New York, to be Chief Finan- seph Otting, of Nevada, to be Comptroller of the cial Officer, Department of Energy. Currency for a term of five years. Pages S7270–75 Linda Capuano, of Texas, to be Administrator of By a unanimous vote of 96 yeas (Vote No. EX. the Energy Information Administration. 280), Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of South Carolina, to Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be Assistant Sec- be United States District Judge for the District of retary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Serv- South Carolina. Page S7278 ices, Department of Education. During consideration of this nomination today, Michael K. Atkinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector Senate also took the following action: General of the Intelligence Community, Office of the By 96 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 278), Senate Director of National Intelligence. agreed to the motion to close further debate on the Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, and Coast nomination. Pages S7275–76 Guard. Page S7310 Brenda Burman, of Arizona, to be Commissioner Messages from the House: Page S7295 of Reclamation. Joseph Kernan, of Florida, to be Under Secretary Measures Referred: Page S7295 of Defense for Intelligence. Executive Communications: Pages S7295–96

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Executive Reports of Committees: Page S7296 after the nominees testified and answered questions Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7297–98 in their own behalf. Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: COAST GUARD READINESS Page S7298 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Sub- Additional Statements: Pages S7293–95 committee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard concluded a hearing to examine Coast Amendments Submitted: Page S7308 Guard readiness, focusing on how far we can stretch Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S7308 our Nation’s only multi-mission, military force, after Privileges of the Floor: Page S7308 receiving testimony from Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. Commandant, Coast Guard, Department of Home- land Security; Lee W. Smithson, Mississippi Emer- (Total—280) Pages S7275, S7276, S7278 gency Management Agency Director, Pearl; Etta Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and Kuzakin, Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove, King Cove, adjourned at 5:45 p.m., until 11 a.m. on Friday, Alaska; and Guy A. Meadows, Michigan Techno- November 17, 2017. (For Senate’s program, see the logical University Great Lakes Research Center, remarks of the Majority Leader in today’s Record on Houghton. page S7310.) BUSINESS MEETING Committee Meetings Committee on Finance: Committee continued consideration of an original bill entitled, ‘‘Tax Cuts and Jobs (Committees not listed did not meet) Act’’. BUSINESS MEETING BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Com- Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favor- mittee ordered favorably reported the nomination of ably reported the following business items: Glen R. Smith, of Iowa, to be a Member of the S. 2070, to amend the Violent Crime Control and Farm Credit Administration Board. Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program, BUSINESS MEETING and to promote initiatives that will reduce the risk Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favor- of injury and death relating to the wandering charac- ably reported the nominations of Anthony Kurta, of teristics of some children with autism, with an Montana, to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary, amendment in the nature of a substitute; and and James E. McPherson, of Virginia, to be General The nominations of Scott W. Brady, to be United Counsel of the Department of the Army, both of the States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsyl- Department of Defense, and Gregory E. Maggs, of vania, and Andrew E. Lelling, to be United States Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court Attorney for the District of Massachusetts for the of Appeals for the Armed Forces. term of four years, both of the Department of Jus- tice. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a INTELLIGENCE hearing to examine the nominations of John C. Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in Rood, of Arizona, to be Under Secretary for Policy, closed session to receive a briefing on certain intel- and Randall G. Schriver, of Virginia, to be an As- ligence matters from officials of the intelligence sistant Secretary, both of the Department of Defense, community.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:31 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 5627 E:\CR\FM\D16NO7.REC D16NOPT1 November 16, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1233 House of Representatives 1114 North 2nd Street in Chillicothe, Illinois, as the Chamber Action ‘‘Sr. Chief Ryan Owens Post Office Building’’. Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 36 pub- Page H9414 lic bills, H.R. 4416–4451; and 2 resolutions, H.J. United States Capitol Preservation Commis- Res. 121; and H. Res. 625 were introduced. sion—Appointment: The Chair announced the Page H9424 Speaker’s appointment of the following Members on Additional Cosponsors: Pages H9426–27 the part of the House to the United States Capitol Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Preservation Commission: Representative Comstock. H.R. 2907, to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to Page H9414 require the Secretary of the Interior to develop and Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission— publish an all-of-the-above quadrennial Federal on- Appointment: Read a letter from Representative shore energy production strategy to meet domestic Pelosi, Minority Leader, in which she appointed the energy needs, and for other purposes (H. Rept. Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, 115–413); District of Columbia to the Frederick Douglass Bi- centennial Commission. And from private life: Mr. H.R. 2706, to provide requirements for the appro- Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. of Orange, California. priate Federal banking agencies when requesting or ordering a depository institution to terminate a spe- Page H9414 cific customer account, to provide for additional re- Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that quirements related to subpoenas issued under the Fi- when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet nancial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforce- at 10 a.m. tomorrow, November 17th. Page H9414 ment Act of 1989, and for other purposes, with an Senate Referral: S. 807 was held at the desk. amendment (H. Rept. 115–414); and Page H9405 H.R. 4182, to amend title 5, United States Code, Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate to modify probationary periods with respect to posi- today appear on pages H9405. tions within the competitive service and the Senior Quorum Calls—Votes: One yea-and-nay vote de- Executive Service, and for other purposes (H. Rept. veloped during the proceedings of today and appears 115–415). Pages H9423–24 on page H9413–14. There were no quorum calls. Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and ad- Guest Chaplain, Rev. Rob Hughes, Broadway Pres- journed at 3:14 p.m. byterian Church, Sedalia, Missouri. Page H9379 Recess: The House recessed at 11:10 a.m. and re- Committee Meetings convened at 12:30 p.m. Page H9405 THE RACE TO 5G AND ITS POTENTIAL TO Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: The House passed H.R. 1, REVOLUTIONIZE AMERICAN to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of COMPETITIVENESS the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on year 2018, by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 205 Communications and Technology held a hearing en- nays, Roll No. 637. Consideration began yesterday, titled ‘‘The Race to 5G and Its Potential to Revolu- November 15th. Pages H9405–14 tionize American Competitiveness’’. Testimony was Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘To pro- heard from Shireen Santosham, Chief Innovation Of- vide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of ficer, City of San Jose, California; and public wit- the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal nesses. year 2018.’’. Page H9414 H. Res. 619, the rule providing for consideration Joint Meetings of the bill (H.R. 1) was agreed to yesterday, Novem- No joint committee meetings were held. ber 15th. Suspension—Proceedings Resumed: The House f agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, measure. Consideration began Wednesday, Novem- NOVEMBER 17, 2017 ber 15th. (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Designating the facility of the United States Senate Postal Service located at 1114 North 2nd Street in No meetings/hearings scheduled. Chillicothe, Illinois, as the ‘‘Sr. Chief Ryan Owens Post Office Building’’: H.R. 3109, to designate the House facility of the United States Postal Service located at No hearings are scheduled.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11 a.m., Friday, November 17 10 a.m., Friday, November 17

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma Program for Friday: House will meet in Pro Forma ses- session. sion at 10 a.m.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Courtney, Joe, Conn., E1583 Newhouse, Dan, Wash., E1587 Ellison, Keith, Minn., E1587, E1588, E1589 Posey, Bill, Fla., E1582 Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E1589 Gaetz, Matt, Fla., E1580 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1583, E1586 Babin, Brian, Tex., E1585 Graves, Tom, Ga., E1579 Russell, Steve, Okla., E1588 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga, E1581 Himes, James A., Conn., E1580 Scott, Robert C. ‘‘Bobby’’, Va., E1587 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1581 Hudson, Richard, N.C., E1585 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1584 Boyle, Brendan F., Pa., E1589 Kilmer, Derek, Wash., E1585 Stivers, Steve, Ohio, E1584 Brady, Kevin, Tex., E1582 LaHood, Darin, Ill., E1581, E1584 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1580, E1580, E1584, E1585, Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1579 Langevin, James R., R.I., E1589 E1586 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1580 Lawson, Al, Jr., Fla., E1588 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1579, E1581 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1583 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1584 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1581 Correa, J. Luis, Calif., E1582 Meng, Grace, N.Y., E1586 Wenstrup, Brad R., Ohio, E1588

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