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, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 No. 39 House of Representatives The House met at noon and was jority when that law went into effect, What this bill does is, again, it just called to order by the Speaker pro tem- there have been 60 votes to repeal the basically decapitates the Medicaid ex- pore (Mr. SIMPSON). Affordable Care Act; and up until this pansion. So about 11 million Americans f morning, the majority has always are going to have their healthcare cov- begged the question about: What is erage threatened. And those are not DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO your replacement? Again, just last just, you know, people on entitlement TEMPORE week, we heard rumors that there was programs. We are talking about work- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- a replacement, that the Speaker actu- ing Americans. fore the House the following commu- ally had drafted a bill. I know a farmer in my district who nication from the Speaker: Well, with scenes that looked like it almost lost his foot from a chain saw WASHINGTON, DC, was out of ‘‘The Blair Witch Project,’’ accident, who thanked me the other March 7, 2017. we had Members of Congress going day that he had Medicaid to cover the I hereby appoint the Honorable MICHAEL K. around the Capitol opening doors with costs of his hospital coverage. SIMPSON to act as Speaker pro tempore on cameras doing live streams and live Again, the subsidies which allowed this day. coverage, again, to empty rooms and people to buy plans on the insurance PAUL D. RYAN, Speaker of the House of Representatives. denials that there actually was a bill marketplace, well, they basically, as I that anyone could actually take a look said, decapitate Medicaid. And they f at. also convert the subsidies from an in- MORNING-HOUR DEBATE Well, as I said, this morning, we now come-based system to an age-rated one, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- have been told that there actually is a which means that, basically, a well-to- ant to the order of the House of Janu- bill that has been filed, which tomor- do person gets the same tax credit that ary 3, 2017, the Chair will now recog- row will be marked up and voted out of a poor person or a single parent has. nize Members from lists submitted by committee with not one single public A conservative economist, Avik Roy, the majority and minority leaders for hearing and, incredibly, with no anal- just a few minutes ago, issued a state- morning-hour debate. ysis by the Congressional Budget Of- ment, saying: The Chair will alternate recognition fice, which any bill that has any im- Expanding subsidies for high earners while between the parties, with each party pact on budget, whether it is a tax bill cutting health coverage for the working poor limited to 1 hour and each Member or a spending bill, has, as a matter of sounds like a caricature of mustache-twirl- other than the majority and minority course, for decades, always been the ing, top-hatted Republican fat cats. leaders and the minority whip limited case. There is no measure which con- Again, you cannot imagine a more to 5 minutes, but in no event shall de- tains more significance in terms of a Robin Hood in reverse than a plan that bate continue beyond 1:50 p.m. Congressional Budget analysis than re- does what this tax credit change en- f forming the healthcare system of compasses. America, which constitutes about 15 to And, again, the list goes on and on in THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE 20 percent of the American economy terms of some of the really just out- ACT and affects the lives of tens of millions rageous proposals that this new meas- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of Americans. ure contains. Chair recognizes the gentleman from Well, from what we have seen so far, For seniors, again, the Affordable Connecticut (Mr. COURTNEY) for 5 min- it appears there is a good reason that Care Act contracted the age rating utes. the folks wanted to keep the bill a se- from 3 to 1 from what existed before; it Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, 7 cret. Again, the basic fundamentals of was about 6 to 7 to 1. In other words, a years ago, in March of 2010, the Afford- the Affordable Care Act is built on two senior, an older person, could be able Care Act was signed into law after pillars. There was an expansion of Med- charged seven times the same rate as a a 2-year process of hundreds of com- icaid, and there were subsidies based on 20-year-old. Again, the Affordable Care mittee meetings, exhaustive markups— income for Americans to be able to buy Act reduced that span to 3 to 1. which I personally participated in— insurance through the marketplace. This bill expands the span again to 5 floor debate that went on for days, and, In the State of Connecticut, where I to 1, which the American ARP has al- again, back-and-forth between the come from, we have cut the uninsured ready issued a statement, saying: House and the Senate. rate down to 3.6 percent from approxi- It is nothing more than an age tax. It is Since that date, despite the, again, mately 9 percent when the bill was charging people based on their age, which is bitter criticism by the Republican ma- signed into law 7 years ago. nothing that any human being can control.

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 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.000 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 It also, again, rolls back tax in- mandate penalties and taxes on pre- ter and improved markets. The basic creases, slight tax increases, for high scription drugs, over-the-counter medi- problem the Republicans have—and income earners, as Mr. Roy’s comment cations, health insurance premiums, they know this very well—is that the indicates, and worsens the fiscal sol- and medical devices. It will expand health insurance industry is exempt vency of the Medicare trust fund, re- health savings accounts to empower in- from the antitrust laws of the United duces its solvency by 4 years. dividuals and families to spend their States of America, so they can, and Again, the Catholic Health Associa- healthcare dollars the way they want they do, get together and collude. They tion has come out today criticizing and need. It will provide tax credits to collude to drive up prices. They collude this proposal. Again, just an incredible those who don’t receive insurance to share markets: hey, if you are pull- array of stakeholder groups all across through work or a government pro- ing out of that State, I will pull out of the country are already speaking out. gram, helping all Americans access this State and cut those kind of deals. The fact that this measure is going high quality, affordable health care. They can’t be prosecuted. forward in committee tomorrow morn- At the same time, we on the Edu- We had a bipartisan vote on the floor ing, less than, really, 24 hours for the cation and the Workforce Committee of this House when we were originally American people to have even a are working to advance additional re- considering the House version of the glimpse in terms of what is being pro- forms that will help expand coverage, Affordable Care Act—infinitely supe- posed without an analysis in terms of a make health care more affordable, and rior to the thing passed by the Senate budget score, again, is just an abuse of promote a healthy workforce. which we got stuck with—and it was the legislative and democratic process. One legislative proposal will em- over 400 votes to take away their anti- Mr. Speaker, again, we have seen an power small businesses to band to- trust immunity. Is that in this bill? outpouring of Americans over the last gether to negotiate lower healthcare Heck, no. They are the second largest 2 months at townhall meetings—I have costs on behalf of their employees. An- PAC contributor to the Republican had four of them—people telling heart- other will protect the ability of em- Party, so I am afraid we are not going felt stories about how the ACA helped ployers to self-insure, providing great- to take away their antitrust immu- them. Yes, we can improve the law. er access to affordable, flexible nity—but we are going to have a really There are many ideas that we can work healthcare plans for their workers. The free, competitive, and transparent mar- together on. That is what we should be third will give employers the legal cer- ket. You will be able to go out and get focused on, not butchering the law, tainty they need to offer employee your policies, whatever the insurance which this proposal seeks to do. wellness plans, helping to promote a companies have decided as they f healthy workforce and, again, lower colluded behind closed doors. healthcare costs. Now, the other issue here is, for some THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE These three legislative proposals re- reason, Republicans seem to have ACT flect a few shared principles. Families taken and painted a big target on the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The should have the freedom to choose the back of low- and middle-income seniors Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from healthcare plan that meets their needs. in two ways. They are going to repeal North Carolina (Ms. FOXX) for 5 min- Americans need more affordable some very small taxes on people who utes. healthcare options, not fewer. earn over one-quarter of a million dol- Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, for years Healthcare decisions should rest with lars a year. You know, they really need Americans across the country have patients and their doctors—not govern- another 4 percent because they are just struggled under a government takeover ment bureaucrats. Instead of prescrip- hurting. Those people who earn $1 mil- of health care. Because of ObamaCare, tive mandates, we should ensure em- lion, $2 million a year, they are hurt- insurance markets are collapsing, ployers have the tools they need to ing. We have got to repeal that tax. So healthcare costs are soaring, and pa- help their employees afford health that is one of the highest priorities in tients’ choices are dwindling. Simply care. this bill: repeal that tax. put, the flawed healthcare law is fail- These proposals—along with those in Unfortunately, that means that the ing. It is hurting hardworking men and the American Health Care Act—are ex- Medicare trust fund will be exhausted 4 women across the country, and the actly the kind of free-market, patient- years earlier. That is right. The money American people deserve better. centered reforms Republicans prom- those very high-income people are pay- That is why Republicans promised to ised, and they reflect the priorities of ing goes to Medicare, to the trust fund, deliver the healthcare solutions Ameri- President Trump and his administra- which is in trouble right now. It is cans desperately need. This week, we tion. They are the products of a careful going to be exhausted in 2028. Under are making good on that promise and process that took into account the their plan, it is going to be exhausted moving forward with an effort that will ideas and concerns of men and women in 2024. So they have painted a big tar- provide a better way on health care. from all walks of life, and they will get on seniors. But don’t worry, the After a thoughtful and collaborative now be considered through an open, seniors can go into the competitive— process, members of the Energy and transparent process that provides pol- well, not so competitive—insurance Commerce Committee and the Ways icymakers on both sides of the aisle an market and buy a plan. and Means Committee recently un- opportunity to share their views and But then another little twist and an- veiled a legislative plan that will re- offer their ideas. other arrow in the heart of seniors— peal and replace ObamaCare. The plan, I encourage everyone—my colleagues seniors now, under their plan, instead the American Health Care Act, in- in Congress, as well as all Americans— of a cap of three times the cost of a cludes a number of positive, common- to join in this process. Visit policy to other, younger subscribers, it sense reforms that will help create readthebill.gop. See for yourself the is now they are going to jack it up to more choices, lower costs, and give plan we have laid out, and help us five times. control back to individuals and fami- move forward with these positive solu- Why do you hate seniors so much? lies. tions. Together we can help ensure all What is the deal here? Yeah, the high- These reforms will create a new and Americans have access to the high income seniors will do fine. But what innovative fund giving States the flexi- quality, affordable healthcare coverage about the middle- and low-income sen- bility they need to design programs they deserve. iors, those who are struggling to make that fit the needs of their commu- f ends meet on Social Security and oth- nities. They will responsibly unwind ers? ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion in a THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE Then for some other bizarre reason, way that protects patients and ACT they have got it in for Planned Parent- strengthens the program for future The SPEAKER pro tempore. The hood. They say it is about abortion. generations. Chair recognizes the gentleman from Well, guess what? It is not. Federal law The plan will also dismantle Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) for 5 minutes. has prohibited Federal money from ObamaCare taxes and mandates—in- Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, we just going to abortions for 40 years. It is not cluding the individual and employer heard a lot about competition and bet- about abortion. It is about something

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.002 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1541 different. It is about breast exams, Pap execs $20 million and $50 million a We owe it to Americans to have an smears, physical exams, STD testing year. open debate on this proposal, and I ex- and treatment, information and coun- f pect my Republican colleagues not to seling about sexual reproductive forget the millions of Americans for HONORING REILLY RENKEN health, cancer screenings, pregnancy whom the Affordable Care Act has been tests, prenatal services, and access to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a lifesaver. affordable birth control. Chair recognizes the gentleman from In January, I asked my constituents Why do they want to kill that for 1 Illinois (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS) for 5 min- to share their Affordable Care Act sto- million people, many of whom live in utes. ries. Within a few days, more than a rural areas that are already under- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. thousand stories were submitted. Some served? They don’t have an alternative Speaker, I rise today to honor Reilly shared their ongoing challenges. I for those services. But they want to Renken, a remarkable young lady mak- agree there are opportunities to kill that—oh, just for 1 year maybe. ing a big difference in central Illinois. strengthen the Affordable Care Act and Well, actually, they would like to do it Just after she was born, Reilly was make it affordable, but the over- permanently, but they are going to diagnosed with a rare genetic abnor- whelming number of people shared say: well, we are just going to do it 1 mality, along with a form of epilepsy compelling stories of how the Afford- year and see how it works out, how that severely impacts her neurological able Care Act has improved their lives. those million women do. development. Her parents were told by I am honored to share a few of those Then, as my colleagues from Con- numerous specialists that she would powerful stories today, and I hope my necticut said, everything around here need support for the rest of her life and Republican colleagues are listening. has to be scored, and it can’t add to the that she would likely never read or Eleanor from Belfast, Maine, said: ‘‘I am a 63-year-old small-business deficit—unless it is something they write. But Reilly proved them wrong. owner who has health insurance for the want to do. Now, in this case, this has While her genetic makeup is one of a first time in my adult life since pas- not been scored. We have no idea what kind, she also has a one-of-a-kind per- sage of the Affordable Care Act. The it is going to cost the American tax- sonality. Despite the obstacles she has over- same is true for my partner of 17 years. payer, this new Rube Goldberg, and She was diagnosed with breast cancer they don’t have any analysis of how come, Reilly was determined to be a cheerleader. Now she is an integral this year and has recently undergone a many people are going to lose cov- mastectomy with follow-up care. After erage. part of the cheerleading squad at Glen- wood Middle School in Chatham, Illi- her diagnosis, I went for my first-ever 1215 b nois. mammogram.’’ The Republican plan puts these pre- Now, granted, they put off the huge Cheering on the Titans has become loss of coverage until 2020. They de- ventive services at risk. one of Reilly’s greatest joys, and her Matthew from Brunswick, Maine, layed the big changes in Medicaid until presence on the squad has been a joy said: 2020. That is when tens of millions of for her teammates as well. They will ‘‘Five years ago, I left a comfortable people will lose their health insurance. tell you that they wouldn’t be the job with good benefits to start my own But there are still going to be a lot of squad they are without Reilly and her business. Those first years were tough people losing their health insurance a positive attitude. She brings life to on my family. My wife and I were able lot sooner, and it would be useful for their practices and they always count to put our children on Maine’s Dirigo people to know about that before they on her to make them smile. Health, but we had to do without. . . . vote on it: how much is it going to cost Reilly is a true inspiration. She Today, through God’s grace, hard work, the taxpayer and how many people are shows all of us what is possible when and the support of my wife; my busi- going to lose coverage. we put our minds to something. ness is prospering. Food assistance is a Under the ruse of fixing something Thanks to her, students at Glenwood thing of the past and we’re actually that is broken that has given 23 million Middle School have learned the impor- contributing more in taxes now than people an opportunity to have health tance of celebrating our differences. we ever did before. We still have to insurance and brought us the lowest Way to go, Reilly. watch what we spend but we’re breath- rate of uninsured in recent history in f ing a lot easier. Each year that I’ve this country, they are cutting taxes for made more money our subsidy has gone wealthy people. By the way, there is a AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WORKS IN down, and that’s just as it should be. little gift in there for health insurance MAINE That subsidy still matters though. If companies. They can fully deduct their The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the ACA were eliminated today and I CEO’s $20 million salary. Today, it is Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from had to buy health insurance on the limited to $500,000. So another tax Maine (Ms. PINGREE) for 5 minutes. open market I’d be paying an extra break for the health insurance indus- Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Speaker, the Af- $4,800 a year. That’s real money.’’ try. fordable Care Act has saved thousands Under the Republican plan, small- Did they take on Big Pharma? Did of Mainers from losing their lives or business owners like Matthew may not they do anything about the unbeliev- going bankrupt simply because they be able to afford care for their family. able price gouging that is going on got sick. Quality of care has improved Ret, a 9/11 first responder from Rock- today through the pharmaceutical through preventative care, without land, Maine, said: companies, where someone buys up a cost sharing for consumers. Overall ‘‘ . . . The ACA means that as a self- generic drug that has been around for costs have been lowered. employed resident of the state of 50 years and jacks up the price 1,000 Republicans have had 7 years to come Maine, I can actually acquire coverage percent? up with an alternative healthcare plan with a pre-existing condition. After No, they are not going to do anything that preserves the progress we have working search and rescue/recovery at about that. We are not going to have made under the Affordable Care Act— Ground Zero in 2001, I developed a lung more affordable prescription drugs. I one that would not take us back to a condition necessitating costly medica- don’t know if they undid the fix to the time when many without employer- tion. Before the ACA, I was terrified of doughnut hole that was in the sponsored insurance or a clean bill of losing my job and losing health care ObamaCare bill. health could get coverage. because of my pre-existing condition.’’ If they really wanted to do some- But after all this time, they have Under the Republican plan, those thing, they would say: Let’s have a na- come up with a plan that will cost with preexisting conditions, like our 9/ tional not-for-profit plan offered in a older Americans up to five times more 11 first responders, may not get afford- national exchange so that every Amer- than younger enrollees; will charge the able coverage. ican can afford health care at a reason- uninsured 30 percent more to buy cov- Elisabeth from Phippsburg, Maine, able cost without excess profits to an erage; and it will defund, not defend, said: industry which is exempt from anti- Planned Parenthood; cut Medicaid sig- ‘‘In 2014 . . . my husband died from trust law, colludes, and pays their nificantly; and still has no price tag. early-onset Alzheimer’s. I was 50 when

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 my husband was diagnosed. Eventually Let’s talk about some of the good What is worse, they are giving our I left the workforce to care for him . . . things that have happened in the Af- constituents and their Representatives and, of course, lost my employer-pro- fordable Care Act. The Affordable Care in Congress less than 48 hours to review vided health insurance at the same Act expanded and made coverage for it before jamming it through commit- time. The ACA has provided me with birth control much more readily avail- tees. options ever since then; options that I able. That is a good thing. Whether you As a former businesswoman and en- never had before its passage. In 2014 I are anti-choice or pro-choice, like I trepreneur, I am always stunned to see had three joints replaced; life changing am, it is a good thing. What we have leaders in Congress put forward a half- surgeries that restored my active life- seen by expanding coverage to birth baked plan like this—one that threat- style and removed chronic pain from control is the number of unintended ens massive disruption and chaos, re- my life. These were only possible be- pregnancies are near all-time lows. leased in the middle of the night with- cause I was able to access health insur- That is what we ought to be doing. out any data or metrics to show how it ance as an individual, at a reasonable The Affordable Care Act expanded ac- makes literally anything better. In the cost.’’ cess to preventive health services. We private sector, that is the sort of be- The Republican plan for increasing know if we want to bring down the cost havior that can get you fired. costs for older Americans threatens of health care, let’s diagnose the can- For a moment, let’s put aside the people just like Elisabeth. cer early. Let’s treat it and let’s save fact that committees are planning to These stories matter. These lives that life. Let’s better manage disease. mark up this legislation tomorrow matter. We must all keep them in mind Let’s not go back to the old days without any data from the Congres- as we look to change the Affordable where the patient showed up with the sional Budget Office on how many of Care Act. heart attack and then we went into ac- our constituents can expect to lose tion. That costs us a lot more. Let’s f health coverage or see their taxes go prevent that heart attack. Let’s pro- up. Let’s talk about the one thing we OPPOSE BILL REFORMING THE vide better access to care. do know: this bill is an enormous tax AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Mr. Speaker, let’s not make the cut for the wealthiest Americans. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. President have to renege on a promise Through this bill, Republicans are RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois). The Chair that he made. On the campaign trail trying to give an average tax cut of recognizes the gentleman from Cali- and after being inaugurated, the Presi- around $7 million to the 400 highest-in- fornia (Mr. BERA) for 5 minutes. dent has said that any healthcare legis- come households—a tax cut they don’t lation was going to expand coverage, it Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise need and didn’t ask for. They are doing was going to be cheaper, and it was to urge all of my colleagues, Demo- it while ripping health insurance away going to be more accessible to patients. crats and Republicans, to oppose this from millions of hardworking Ameri- bill that repeals the Affordable Care We know this bill that is being intro- duced does none of that. It cuts cov- cans; forcing seniors to pay a stag- Act, and here is why. gering $3,200 more on premiums every I stand here not as a Member of Con- erage. It is going to be more costly for people and fewer people are going to year, for less coverage; increasing the gress, but as a doctor. When I took the cost of prescription drugs for middle oath to enter medicine, like thousands get it. Mr. Speaker, don’t make the Presi- class families; eliminating coverage for of other doctors, there are really three dent have to renege and go against the women’s health care, like birth con- basic ethics in there: promise that he made. The American trol, breast cancer screenings, and ma- Benevolence: to do good. public is going to hold him accountable ternity care; and decimating the Med- Mr. Speaker, this bill does not do for that. icaid program for 62 million children anything good. It makes it harder for Mr. Speaker, do the right thing. Let’s and families, seniors, pregnant women, people to get health care. put American patients first. That is and people with disabilities. The second ethic was non-malfea- what we as doctors do every day, and This is hardly what I would call a sance: to do no harm. that is why, again, doctors are against great deal or a better way for the mid- Mr. Speaker, this bill is going to it, hospitals are against it, and health dle class, which is what the American harm millions of Americans. It is going plans are against it. people were repeatedly promised by to pull healthcare coverage away from Mr. Speaker, let’s reject this bill. I President Trump and Speaker RYAN. folks. In fact, I have heard from folks urge all my colleagues, Democrats and b 1230 who have come to my townhalls and Republicans, to stand against this bill. have talked about how the Affordable It is a bad bill. No, their idea of a healthcare plan is Care Act has saved their lives. If you a tax cut for the wealthy at the ex- f pull health care away from them, peo- pense of everyone else. When our ple are going to get sicker, and some DESTABILIZING OUR HEALTHCARE healthcare system falls apart, we will people may potentially die. SYSTEM all pay the price. And the third ethic is patient auton- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The My in-box has been flooded with omy: the ability of patients to make Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from phone calls, emails, and letters from the choices that impact their lives. Washington (Ms. DELBENE) for 5 min- constituents who are terrified about Mr. Speaker, this bill does not em- utes. what the Republicans are trying to do. power patients to make their own Ms. DELBENE. Mr. Speaker, last Like Stacie, from Snoqualmie, who got choices. This bill limits those choices. night, House Republicans released a coverage under the Washington State It takes choice away from them. dangerous and irresponsible bill that exchange after spending years strug- This is a bad bill that goes against threatens to destabilize our Nation’s gling to pay for health care. She re- everything that we in the medical pro- healthcare system and rob millions of cently wrote to me and said: ‘‘Just last fession swear to when we enter the pro- Americans of their health insurance week I was diagnosed with breast can- fession. That is why you see doctors plans. cer. I am terrified—not as much by the standing up and opposing this bill, hos- Since coming to Congress, I have cancer, but by the thought that we pitals opposing this bill, and health worked tirelessly to find commonsense might not be able to pay for health in- plans opposing this bill. That is why, fixes to our Nation’s healthcare laws. surance.’’ when patients see what is in this bill, We should be working together to build This bill spells disaster for people you will see American patients pushing upon the reforms we have already made like Stacie. As her representative in back. to expand coverage and reduce costs. Congress, I will not stand for it. I will If you thought the townhalls have But what my colleagues on the other fight every day to protect the reforms been boisterous over the last few side of the aisle have put forward that have made health insurance acces- months, just try to pass this bill and would make working families, seniors, sible and affordable for her. We can’t take necessary health care away from children, and people with disabilities go back to a time when getting sick folks. You are going to see those pa- foot the bill for their poorly conceived meant going bankrupt, and that is ex- tients showing up in your townhalls. experiment. actly what this legislation would do.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.006 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1543 HOW LONG? able Care Act. The country has been Their bill requires States to ration The SPEAKER pro tempore. The waiting for 7 years for the Republican care by throwing those with pre- Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from replacement, for the Republican alter- existing conditions into ‘‘sick pools,’’ with higher premiums, higher Florida (Mrs. DEMINGS) for 5 minutes. native, for the Republicans to redeem Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, my fa- their promise of a better plan, a better deductibles, and waiting periods for ther, James LeRoy Butler, worked as a way to ensure the security of having coverage. And what services would be janitor. He had a fifth grade education, health care that is affordable and available under Medicaid? Their plan replaces the individual re- and now his youngest child is a Mem- available to each American and to sponsibility requirement which, by the ber of the 115th Congress. My father their families and their children. way, Mr. Speaker, as you may well worked hard, and his word was his Republicans have been promising, since the enactment of the Affordable know, was the proposal of The Heritage bond. Foundation. The Heritage Action for On January 15, 2017, President Trump Care Act in 2010, that they would re- peal it entirely and enact something America, which is the political arm of promised insurance for everyone. He the foundation, opposes the Republican also promised Americans would have better. They don’t repeal it entirely, and they don’t offer something better, bill. Not for the same reason I do, but much lower deductibles. On January 22, because they believe it continues much 2017, President Trump’s administration something that covers more Americans and lowers costs to consumers. For 7 of what ACA tried to do in protecting promised no one would lose healthcare Americans in a plan that was initially coverage. But after only a glimpse of years, they have said we have a better plan. Last night, they revealed the in- proposed by The Heritage Foundation his plan, we now know these promises and adopted by Governor Romney in are not true, like so many other things accuracy of that representation; the bait-and-switch, if you will, of that Massachusetts. that the White House has said. Unbelievably, Mr. Speaker, Repub- The people who need coverage the representation; the pretense to their conservatives who have voted some 65 licans won’t even tell the American most, the people depending on the people how much this legislation will President the most, the middle class, times to repeal the Affordable Care Act that they were not going to offer a bill cost and what its impact will be on working families, and the working poor consumers’ wallets and on our insur- will be left behind under this plan. In that did that, notwithstanding the fact that they said that is what they are ance markets. How do you do that? my district alone in Florida, over 66,400 You have hearings, you listen to peo- people stand to lose healthcare cov- going to do. The legislation they introduced ple, you listen to their experiences erage. would repeal, of course, some parts of now, you listen to what their needs are, To my Republican colleagues, I ask: the Affordable Care Act and replace and you listen to those who have the How long will we endure empty prom- them with policies that will take greatest experience on their view of ises and made-up stories coming out of health coverage away, take health care what the impact of this legislation will the White House? How long? I call on away from millions of Americans and be. There have been no such hearings the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, make millions of others pay more for and none are planned. delivered in 1965, when he marched Republicans know that millions of less. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, President Trump, just the other day Americans will lose coverage under their legislation: those covered under and he asked this question: ‘‘How long? from that rostrum, promised the Amer- Medicaid, the health insurance ex- Not long, because no lie can live for- ican people that the Republican plan changes, and even those with em- ever.’’ would ‘‘have insurance for everybody.’’ ployer-based insurance. That is why, How long? Mexico will pay for the That was not true. Neither the House Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, they are wall. I will release my tax returns. Dis- Republicans nor the Senate Repub- rushing to see this bill put in force be- criminatory travel bans. Hidden ties licans nor President Trump have of- fore it is illuminated by the light of with our enemy Russia. How long? Mr. fered such a plan, and the plan that day and before the American people Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please was revealed last night does not fulfill find out how they will be impacted. hold President Trump accountable and that representation. do what you know in your hearts is Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, it will be Mr. Speaker, it should not surprise difficult for House Republicans to right. Demand answers and allow the us, however, that our President says facts to lead you to justice. How long? enact their bill into law, not only be- things that prove to be not accurate. cause of the extreme opposition to f He also said from that rostrum that those proposals by the American peo- the policies would be far less expensive THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ple, as we have seen in townhall meet- and far better than they are now. This REPLACEMENT ing after townhall meeting after town- bill does not do that, and the President hall meeting across this country, but The SPEAKER pro tempore. The has offered no bill that does that. also because the House and Senate Re- Chair recognizes the gentleman from This plan fails that representation publicans are already rejecting it. It is Maryland (Mr. HOYER) for 5 minutes. miserably. It increases healthcare not certain that House Republicans can Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the Repub- costs for middle class families in order even reach a majority in this House on licans released a bill last night. That to pay for tax breaks for the wealthi- their legislation. bill deals with every American’s wel- est, who don’t need them to afford The head of the Republican Study fare—every American’s welfare—every health care. We should not penalize Committee, the largest group of Repub- child’s welfare in this country. None of people for becoming wealthy. We ap- licans, has said this bill is not accept- them were able to testify before the plaud their success. But we should not able. The gentleman from North Caro- committee, before the committee subsidize health care for those of us lina (Mr. MEADOWS), the head of the marks it up on Wednesday. None of who can afford our health care while Freedom Caucus, has said this bill does them were able to come to that com- those who cannot are left to fend for not repeal the Affordable Care Act, mittee and say how it will affect them themselves. In other words, the Repub- which is his objective and the objective or their families or their fellow citi- licans are once again saying you are on of the Freedom Caucus. Senator CRUZ zens. None of them were able to testify your own. has said that as well. Senator PAUL has as to the benefits of the Affordable Their bill also raids the Medicare said that as well. Senator LEE has said Care Act for them, their families, their trust fund, threatening its long-term that as well. children, and their neighbors. None of solvency. In fact, the affordable care One thing is clear, however, Mr. them will have been able to read and added to the life expectancy of Medi- Speaker, House Republicans are going digest the bill. care. The bill that the Republicans to have to find the votes on their own Mr. Speaker, last night, after locking have put forward imposes severe cuts to dismantle the protections incor- it away in a basement for days, and to Medicaid as well. It forces States porated in the Affordable Care Act that just as reporters were leaving to go and healthcare providers to carry the the American people now have. home, Republicans released the text of burden of the uninsured while taking Is the Affordable Care Act perfect? It their legislation to repeal the Afford- away funding for expanded Medicaid. is not. Should we have spent the last 6

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.008 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 years trying to make it work as well as O God, You, who have looked upon Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, last it possibly can? Yes, we should have. this grand American experiment with night our Republican colleagues finally Were we able to do that? No. The only such favor from its beginning and who revealed their secret healthcare bill, alternative the Republican Party of- have preserved it by Your providence, and it is clear that TrumpCare doesn’t fered to the American people and to graciously hear our prayers for our Na- care. Here are the top five reasons why: this House was to repeal. Not to re- tion, that it may be a bastion of lib- Number one, TrumpCare cuts Med- place, not to repair, not to fix, not to erty, of justice, of true freedom. icaid. It creates block grants to States make sure it was more affordable and Bless this governing assembly with that will lead to less care, including more available to the American people the spirit of Your wisdom, that its forcing seniors out of nursing homes so that we would be a healthier and Members may decide everything for and reducing health care for the poor. stronger nation. Their only option was the well-being and peace of all. May Number two, TrumpCare eliminates to repeal. these servants never turn aside from healthcare subsidies. In its place, it b 1245 just and noble purposes, as You give creates substandard tax cuts that will them the light to discern these pur- ensure millions of Americans can no Mr. Speaker, I urge Republican lead- poses. longer afford health insurance. ers to withdraw this bill. Let us work Dear Lord, grant each House Mem- Number three, TrumpCare favors the together to ensure what almost every ber, their families, and their staffs rich. It provides a tax giveaway for the Member says they want, and that is a strength, comfort, and always the rich, while leaving the middle class healthcare program in America that is peace of the kingdom where You reign with less access to care. affordable by all, available to all, and today and forever. Number four, TrumpCare hurts our enjoyed by all. That is what President Amen. hospitals. It kicks people off of insur- Trump said at that rostrum just days ance, guaranteeing hospitals, employer ago. f plans, and taxpayers will ultimately This bill that the Republicans are THE JOURNAL going to mark up on Wednesday does foot the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Number five, TrumpCare defunds not do what they say or what President Chair has examined the Journal of the Trump said. The American people will Planned Parenthood. This will leave last day’s proceedings and announces millions of women without health care. oppose it, and we will reflect their op- to the House her approval thereof. position in this House. But we are In summary, TrumpCare doesn’t Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- care, and it won’t work. available to our Republican colleagues nal stands approved. in good faith to work together to en- f f sure that what the President said— CONGRATULATIONS TO THE available to all, at a lower price, with PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN’S BAS- everybody having access—we will sup- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the KETBALL TEAM port that bill, if it exists, and we will gentleman from Florida (Mr. SOTO) (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina work with our Republican colleagues come forward and lead the House in the asked and was given permission to ad- to pass it and give that protection and Pledge of Allegiance. dress the House for 1 minute and to re- security to the American people. Mr. SOTO led the Pledge of Alle- Mr. Speaker, I note that there have vise and extend his remarks.) giance as follows: Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. not been many Republicans to speak I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the this morning. I understand that one Madam Speaker, Sunday afternoon, the United States of America, and to the Repub- University of South Carolina’s wom- Republican spoke about this bill. I am lic for which it stands, one nation under God, amazed if they think this is a better indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. en’s basketball team clenched their third consecutive Southeastern Con- way. I am amazed if they think this f will do a better job than the Affordable ference championship. Care Act. I am amazed if they think HONORING MADILYN GAWRYCH- The Gamecocks beat Mississippi they are going to bring costs down and TURNER State 59–49 in the SEC’s women’s bas- care up, and that we don’t have a lot of (Mr. BOST asked and was given per- ketball tournament title game in Republicans, Mr. Speaker, coming to mission to address the House for 1 Greenville, South Carolina. this floor and claiming victory. They minute and to revise and extend his re- Juniors Kaela Davis of Suwanee, are not here because they can’t claim marks.) Georgia, and A’ja Wilson of Irmo, that victory. Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I rise South Carolina, an extraordinary con- Let’s reject this bill, Mr. Speaker. today to honor a bright young con- stituent, led the team with an impres- Let’s work together. We can do better. stituent from my district in southern sive 38 combined points. This all-star The American people expect us to do Illinois on winning a scholarship in the team will likely hold the number one better. VFW Patriot’s Pen essay competition. seed in the NCAA tournament that will begin on March 17. f Enacted in 1995, the Patriot’s Pen program is designed to foster patriot- Head coach Dawn Staley joined the RECESS ism by allowing students the oppor- University of South Carolina in 2008, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tunity to express their opinion on pa- building a team based on teamwork ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair triotic themes. This year’s theme was and determination. In the eight sea- declares the House in recess until 2 ‘‘The America I Believe In.’’ sons that Coach Staley has been with p.m. today. Madilyn Gawrych-Turner of the program, the South Carolina Wom- Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 48 Jonesboro Elementary School in en’s Basketball Team has also seen minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- Jonesboro, Illinois, was sponsored by three SEC regular season champion- cess. the VFW post in Anna, Illinois. I would ships, three Sweet 16 seasons, and the f like to congratulate Madilyn, and I program’s first number one national ranking, with an average home attend- b 1400 know she will have a very bright fu- ture. ance of over 14,000 Gamecock fans. AFTER RECESS Also, Madam Speaker, I would like to As March marks Women’s History The recess having expired, the House take just a second, if I may, to wish my Month, it is especially fitting to con- was called to order by the Speaker pro wife a happy anniversary for the 37 gratulate Coach Dawn Staley and the tempore (Ms. FOXX) at 2 p.m. years that we have been together. historic Gamecock women’s basketball f f team. Best wishes for continued success in PRAYER AFFORDABLE CARE ACT REPEAL the NCAA playoffs. Go Gamecocks. Reverend Gary Studniewski, St. (Mr. SOTO asked and was given per- In conclusion, God bless our troops, Peter’s Catholic Church, Washington, mission to address the House for 1 and we will never forget September the D.C., offered the following prayer: minute.) 11th in the global war on terrorism.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.009 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1545 AFFORDABLE CARE ACT REPEAL about health care in my district. Hun- lowing communication from the Clerk AND REPLACE dreds of constituents attended, and al- of the House of Representatives: (Mr. EVANS asked and was given together I spent more than 10 hours lis- OFFICE OF THE CLERK, permission to address the House for 1 tening to our folks. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, minute.) The best ideas come from the people, Washington, DC, March 7, 2017. Madam Speaker. I know you know Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, last The Speaker, House of Representatives, night House Republicans released their that, and I feel it is my duty as a Rep- resentative to hear my constituents’ Washington, DC. plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- House Republicans and the Trump ad- input. mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of ministration say that they want a The American Health Care Act re- the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- healthcare plan that cuts costs and flects what I have heard from patients, tives, the Clerk received the following mes- covers more Americans; yet they intro- families, doctors, and many others over sage from the Secretary of the Senate on duced a plan that takes away from mil- the past 8 years. Our bill will lower March 7, 2017, at 9:29 a.m.: costs, increase choices, and give pa- That the Senate agreed to without amend- lions of Americans and puts the poor- ment H.J. Res. 37. est Americans, our seniors, our people tients greater control of their health care. We are helping middle-income Appointment: with preexisting conditions, and work- Members of the Commission on Security ing class families at greater risk of Americans gain access to affordable and Cooperation in Europe. getting sick. coverage. It also protects those with With best wishes, I am According to the Philadelphia De- preexisting conditions and allows Sincerely, partment of Public Health, approxi- young adults to stay on their parents’ KAREN L. HAAS. mately 220,000 Philadelphians would insurance until age 26. f Most importantly, this legislation is lose their health insurance if the Af- RECESS fordable Care Act is repealed without moving through the Congress in an adequate replacement. open and transparent manner. I invite The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- We cannot take this risk. The new the people of Florida’s 12th Congres- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair plan is an insult to the millions of sional District and everyone to read declares the House in recess until ap- Americans who have fought hard to try and share the American Health Care proximately 5 p.m. today. to get ahead. Now is the time to resist. Act at readthebill.gop. Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 13 min- f utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. f FORSYTH ACADEMY f THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S PEEPING TOMCRATS (Ms. FOXX asked and was given per- b 1700 mission to address the House for 1 AFTER RECESS (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was minute.) given permission to address the House Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, March is Na- The recess having expired, the House for 1 minute.) tional Reading Month, and students was called to order by the Speaker pro Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, across the country often kick off this tempore (Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky) at 5 the census counts the population every observance by celebrating the birthday p.m. 10 years, but the Census Bureau also of treasured children’s author Dr. f sends out a mandatory, intrusive per- Suess. Last week I visited Forsyth sonal and more time-consuming, 28- Academy in Winston-Salem, North ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER page document called the American Carolina, where I read ‘‘There’s a PRO TEMPORE Community Survey. Wocket in My Pocket!’’ to first grade The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The survey asks intrusive questions students. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair like how many toilets does a person Forsyth Academy is a charter school will postpone further proceedings have in their house; what time does a serving students from kindergarten today on motions to suspend the rules person leave and come home from through eighth grade. The school was on which a recorded vote or the yeas work; does any person in the house founded on the principles of academic and nays are ordered, or on which the have poor eyesight, difficulty dressing, excellence, moral focus, parental part- vote incurs objection under clause 6 of or mental issues. nership, and student responsibility. Its rule XX. If this Orwellian survey is ignored, leadership believes in setting high Record votes on postponed questions the government may come after the standards, making expectations clear, will be taken later. citizen. First, the telephone calls start: providing meaningful instruction, and f weekly, then daily. Then Uncle Sam watching children surpass expectations sends his peeping tomcrats to lurk as a result. FALEOMAVAEGA ENI FA’AUA’A around homes, forcing citizens to com- It is always a pleasure to visit local HUNKIN VA CLINIC ply. If a person still refuses to hand schools and witness the great things Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I over private information to the intru- happening in classrooms across the move to suspend the rules and pass the sive eyes of the government, the gov- Fifth District. Every student in every bill (H.R. 1362) to name the Department ernment may assess fines up to $5,000. school deserves an excellent education, of Veterans Affairs community-based My bill, H.R. 1305, makes the Amer- but, unfortunately, we are falling far outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, Amer- ican Community Survey voluntary and short of that goal. Thankfully, innova- ican Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni also removes the associated criminal tive charter schools like Forsyth Acad- Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic. penalties. The ACS is a violation of pri- emy are providing thousands of fami- The Clerk read the title of the bill. vacy and a costly abuse of government lies new hope and opportunity. The text of the bill is as follows: power. School choice is a powerful tool to H.R. 1362 And that is just the way it is. help children succeed, and I am encour- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- f aged by the momentum that is build- resentatives of the United States of America in ing. I look forward to the work ahead THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE Congress assembled, and exploring additional opportunities ACT SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VET- to provide parents more choices for ERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given their children’s education. OUTPATIENT CLINIC, PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA. permission to address the House for 1 f minute and to revise and extend his re- The Department of Veterans Affairs com- munity-based outpatient clinic in Pago marks.) COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE Pago, American Samoa, shall after the date Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, in of the enactment of this Act be known and recent weeks, I held three townhall The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. POE designated as the ‘‘Faleomavaega Eni meetings and a roundtable discussion of Texas) laid before the House the fol- Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic’’. Any reference

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.012 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 to such community-based outpatient clinic Given that I challenged him for his 1982 to 1989. He served honorably in the in any law, regulation, map, document, seat from 1994 until 2014, when I won Vietnam war and left the military with record, or other paper of the United States my first term, Eni and I had a long and the rank of captain. shall be considered to be a reference to the He and his wife were also active Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clin- complicated relationship. Though we ic. were often at odds politically, we al- members of their church, The Church The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ways treated one another with the ut- of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a Vietnam veteran and Army Re- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from most respect and grace, allowing us to serve captain, congressional aide, lieu- American Samoa (Mrs. RADEWAGEN) form a shared bond that I am very and the gentleman from Minnesota thankful for and will never forget. tenant governor, and Member of Con- Ours was a true friendship that dem- gress, there simply could be no better (Mr. WALZ) each will control 20 min- utes. onstrated that, despite whatever polit- example of what it means to be a rep- The Chair recognizes the gentle- ical differences we may have, we can resentative of his people and a citizen woman from American Samoa. all come together for the good of those of this great Nation. I fully support the naming of this GENERAL LEAVE we serve. While we may have had dis- Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I agreements on national issues, we were outpatient clinic at Pago Pago in his ask unanimous consent that all Mem- very much in sync when it came to honor and urge my colleagues to do the bers have 5 legislative days in which to Federal policy and funding for Amer- same. revise and extend their remarks and ican Samoa. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of add extraneous materials. As a veteran whose long-term health my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there suffered due to his service in Vietnam, Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I objection to the request of the gentle- Eni dedicated his life to improving con- continue to reserve the balance of my woman from American Samoa? ditions for veterans in American time until all Members have had an op- There was no objection. Samoa and took great pride in securing portunity to speak on each side. Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I funds to build the local VA clinic Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 yield myself as much time as I may which has served our veterans well. minutes to the gentleman from the consume. Therefore, I can think of no better Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support way to memorialize his dedication to SABLAN), another true champion of our of H.R. 1362, a bill to name the Depart- the people of American Samoa and his veterans and a member of the Vet- ment of Veterans Affairs community- service to our country in uniform than erans’ Affairs Committee. based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, having the local VA clinic in Pago Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise American Samoa, the Faleomavaega Pago, which he worked so hard for, today in support of H.R. 1362, a bill Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic. named in his honor. that honors the late former Delegate I have sponsored this bill in order to I want to encourage my colleagues in from American Samoa, Eni honor my predecessor and a true public the House and Senate to salute my Faleomavaega, by naming the veterans servant, the Honorable Faleomavaega predecessor by supporting this measure community-based outpatient clinic in Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin. so that we may honor this good man Pago Pago, American Samoa, the Born on August 15, 1943, in Vailoatai for his lifelong service and dedication Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Village, American Samoa, Mr. to the people of American Samoa and Clinic. Faleomavaega graduated from to veterans everywhere. A Vietnam veteran himself, Eni Brigham Young University in 1966 and This legislation satisfies all of the worked tirelessly to secure this clinic subsequently joined the United States committee’s naming criteria and is for veterans in American Samoa. His Army and served in Vietnam. supported by the Veterans of Foreign efforts to ensure all veterans in his dis- However, his career in the Army was Wars Post Number 3391. trict enrolled in VA health care, to se- just the beginning of his public service. Once again, I urge all of my col- cure rent-free space for the clinic Mr. Faleomavaega served as a staff leagues to join me in supporting this through an agreement with the United member to A.U. Fuimaono, American bill. States Army Reserve, and his testi- Samoa’s first Delegate at-large to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of mony to the VA’s CARES Commission Washington, D.C., from 1973 to 1975. my time. resulted in a recommendation that a Having earned his law degree from Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- clinic be established and eventually led the University of Houston, he next self as much time as I may consume. to the approval of the clinic by the served as staff counsel to the Com- I rise today in strong support of H.R. Veterans Administration. mittee on the Interior and Insular Af- 1362. This tribute to our fellow col- Eni was relentless in his pursuit of fairs. league, a fellow veteran, our friend Eni, this goal so his fellow veterans in In 1981, Mr. Faleomavaega returned who passed last month, is truly well American Samoa would no longer have to American Samoa to serve as our deserved. to travel more than 2,000 miles to Hon- deputy attorney general until 1984, I would also like to thank the gentle- olulu to seek care at a VA facility. It then as our lieutenant governor until woman from American Samoa for is fitting that it now be named after 1989. During this period, Mr. bringing this bill to the floor. And just him. Faleomavaega reentered military serv- as importantly, in her time here, she Eni was someone I looked to as a ice in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 leader. He was the dean of the Terri- to 1989. has proven to be the staunchest advo- In 1989, Mr. Faleomavaega began his cate of this Nation’s veterans, a true tories Caucus when I first came to Con- tenure as the congressional Delegate friend to veterans, and a colleague who gress in 2009. He had served here for from American Samoa. He went on to carries on Eni’s commitment to this some 20 years by that point; but his ex- win 13 consecutive terms, making him unwaveringly. perience was even more longstanding, the longest serving Delegate to date Eni devoted his public life to service, having worked on the staff of Rep- from American Samoa. it was clear, ensuring that the unique resentative Philip Burton, a champion While in Congress, he diligently needs and interests of the people of of the territories and all of the people served the interests of his constituents American Samoa were met in every in America who are often overlooked as a member of both the House Com- bill that came through this body. For and forgotten. mittee on Foreign Relations and the any of us who worked alongside him There were two things in particular I Committee on Natural Resources. during those 13 terms, his unfailing saw in Eni. First, he had absolutely no Sadly, my friend Eni Faleomavaega commitment to his people and his ever- hesitation in representing the people of passed away on February 22. He is sur- present smile will never be forgotten. American Samoa and providing glimps- vived by his wife, 5 children, and 10 In addition to his work here and the es of the culture with the rest of us. He grandchildren. things you heard the gentlewoman say, relished the opportunity to wear his I would now like to say a few per- Eni served in the United States Army lavalava, one of the traditional pieces sonal words about the man whom I from 1966 to 1969 and as an officer in of clothing. He took pride in his tradi- came to call a true friend. the United States Army Reserve from tional tattooing. He never hesitated to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.003 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1547 sing the songs of his people 8,000 miles in the Pacific. His focus on access to health United States to the Federal building and away. care and veteran services in remote areas of United States courthouse referred to in sec- Though a Delegate in this House, Eni the Pacific ensured that veterans had access tion 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and Faleomavaega never presented himself to the critical resources and services they United States Courthouse’’. as anything less than a Member of Con- needed and deserved after serving their coun- gress. In doing so, he never diminished try. His efforts directly contributed to increas- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the standing of his constituents and ing the quality of life of veterans throughout ant to the rule, the gentleman from their right, like all Americans, to have the Pacific region. Naming the VA facility in Pennsylvania (Mr. BARLETTA) and the their voice heard here in the people’s Pago Pago in his honor is a tribute to his serv- gentleman from Georgia (Mr. JOHNSON) House. ice and commitment to the veterans in the Pa- each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman The second lesson I learned from our cific region. from Pennsylvania. departed friend was that the respon- Congressman Faleomavaega’s compassion sibilities of a Member of Congress go for veterans can be attributed to his own serv- b 1715 beyond the parochial concerns of our ice as an Army officer during the Vietnam con- GENERAL LEAVE district. Of course, we are here to be flict. Serving in this capacity gave him first- Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask sure that the people and place we rep- hand knowledge of the sacrifices servicemen unanimous consent that all Members resent are treated fairly and that our make to protect our way of life. may have 5 legislative days in which to special circumstances are taken well I deeply miss Eni’s advice, friendship and compassion for veterans. His passing has cre- revise and extend their remarks and in- into account in the formulation of Fed- clude extraneous material on H.R. 375. eral law and policy; but beyond that ated a void for all that have known him. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there local responsibility, we all have a larg- objection to the request of the gen- condolences to his family and the people of er responsibility to act and speak on tleman from Pennsylvania? American Samoa. Our lives are richer for behalf of our Nation as a whole. There was no objection. knowing Eni. I also extend my appreciation to Eni certainly demonstrated that Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield Congresswoman RADEWAGEN in putting for- larger role we must all accept by his myself such time as I may consume. ward this legislation. It is a very appropriate advocacy for Native Americans and by Mr. Speaker, H.R. 375 would des- way to memorialize an important part of Eni’s taking leadership in the foreign affairs ignate the Federal building and United work on behalf of the people of American of our Nation, especially in Asia and States courthouse located in Nashville, Samoa. the island nations of the South Pacific. Tennessee, as the Fred D. Thompson Un dangkulo na si Yu’os ma’ase (with deep- A good Member of Congress takes care Federal Building and United States est gratitude), Eni. You are deeply missed. of their own people, just as Eni did. A Courthouse. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The great Member of Congress understands I would like to thank the gentle- question is on the motion offered by that their people can only thrive when woman from Tennessee (Mrs. BLACK- the gentlewoman from American the Nation as a whole is a place of jus- BURN) for her leadership on this legisla- Samoa (Mrs. RADEWAGEN) that the tice and peace. tion. House suspend the rules and pass the Those are the lessons I learned from Senator Thompson was respected for knowing Eni Faleomavaega, and for bill, H.R. 1362. his work as a lawyer, an actor, and as The question was taken. what he taught me, I will forever be a United States Senator. This legisla- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the grateful. tion is a fitting tribute that I am hon- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ored to bring to the floor today. continue to reserve the balance of my in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Fred Thompson first made a name for time. Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- himself as an assistant U.S. attorney Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my mand the yeas and nays. from 1969 to 1972. That experience colleagues to join us in passing this im- The yeas and nays were ordered. brought him to the national stage in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- portant piece of legislation. When his subsequent position as special those veterans in American Samoa see ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- counsel on a number of Senate commit- Eni’s name, it will strike them about ceedings on this motion will be post- tees, most notably as minority counsel what he has done and the work that he poned. with the Senate Select Committee on did here in Congress. f Presidential Campaign Activities, bet- I would also like to give a heartfelt ter known as the Watergate Com- FRED D. THOMPSON FEDERAL thanks again to the gentlewoman for mittee. BUILDING AND UNITED STATES bringing this bill forward and for hon- It was then-Counsel Thompson who COURTHOUSE oring her friend the way she has. helped frame Senator Howard Baker’s I encourage Members to support this Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I move now famous question, ‘‘What did the bill. to suspend the rules and pass the bill President know, and when did he know Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back (H.R. 375) to designate the Federal it?’’ in regards to the Watergate con- the balance of my time. building and United States courthouse troversy. Thompson himself asked an Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I located at 719 Church Street in Nash- even more important question related have no other speakers at this time. ville, Tennessee, as the ‘‘Fred D. to the existence of taped conversations Once again, I urge all of my colleagues Thompson Federal Building and United in the Oval Office—tapes that led to to join me in supporting this bill. States Courthouse’’. President Nixon’s eventual resignation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance The Clerk read the title of the bill. After returning to the private prac- of my time. The text of the bill is as follows: tice of law in Nashville, Thompson rep- Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in H.R. 375 resented the chairperson of the State strong support of H.R. 1362 a bill to name the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Parole Board who unearthed a cash-for- Department of Veterans Affairs community- resentatives of the United States of America in clemency scheme involving the then- based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, Amer- Congress assembled, Governor of Tennessee. This case was ican Samoa the Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. eventually made into a book and into Hunkin VA Clinic. This is a fitting way to honor The Federal building and United States the film ‘‘Marie.’’ Fred Thompson was the life and service of my good friend and col- courthouse located at 719 Church Street in cast to play himself, which launched Nashville, Tennessee, shall be known and league former Congressman Eni designated as the ‘‘Fred D. Thompson Fed- his acting career. Throughout the Faleomavaega of American Samoa. During his eral Building and United States Court- 1990s, Fred Thompson appeared in sup- 26 years of service in the House of Rep- house’’. porting roles in some of the decade’s resentatives, Congressman Faleomavaega SEC. 2. REFERENCES. biggest movies, including ‘‘Days of displayed unwavering commitment to address- Any reference in a law, map, regulation, Thunder,’’ ‘‘The Hunt for Red Octo- ing a wide range of issues affecting veterans document, paper, or other record of the ber,’’ and ‘‘Die Hard 2.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:08 Jun 16, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\MARCH\H07MR7.REC H07MR7 H1548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 In 1994, Fred Thompson ran for polit- I will tell you, President Trump Yes, they are, with this new law that ical office for the first time and was stood right there at the rostrum of the has been half-baked introduced and elected to fill the remaining 2 years of House last week and said that the Re- fast-tracked to become law without Vice President Al Gore’s Senate term. publican health insurance plan would people really knowing about it. This is He was re-elected in 1996 to a full 6- have insurance for everybody, the in- something that people need to know year term and served as chairman of surance would be far less expensive and about, people need to get out and ex- the Senate Committee on Govern- far better than what we have today. claim their opposition to because it is mental Affairs until his retirement in But we see now that that was incor- going to hurt a lot of people. 2002. rect, as the Republicans have, on a The way that this bill changes the That didn’t slow Senator Thompson Monday, I guess at some point before Affordable Care Act is it makes it down. He returned to acting and won the day ended, introduced their repeal unaffordable for most Americans to be the role of New York District Attorney bill of the Affordable Care Act. able to afford the insurance that they Arthur Branch on the hit NBC show We are here talking about Senator have gained as a result of passage of ‘‘Law & Order’’ between 2002 and 2007. Thompson today, but I just can’t help the Affordable Care Act. The premium It was in 2007 that Senator Thompson asking: When did President Trump subsidies are recalculated. Instead of returned to politics by announcing his know that the Republican plan was based on a sliding scale which is an in- candidacy for the United States Presi- going to throw 20 million people off of dication of need, this Republican plan dency. Although his return to the po- the Affordable Care Act depriving them is going to replace that and calculate litical realm was unsuccessful, Senator of insurance? When did he know that? the amount of the premium subsidy Thompson’s popularity did not wane. What did he know about this plan? Be- based on age. He returned to acting on screen and on cause not a whole lot of people around Now, what does that do, especially TV, wrote a memoir, and appeared here knew of the plan until it was re- when you consider that some elderly often to comment on politics. Trag- leased because it was shrouded in se- people are more well-heeled than oth- ically, in 2015, Senator Thompson died crecy, and it was released and a hear- ers? They can afford insurance, and from a recurrence of lymphoma. ing scheduled to mark it up, to mark they can afford to front the policy cost Senator Thompson was a man of up the legislation with no hearings in return for the tax subsidy that they many talents. Through it all, he never taking place on the underlying legisla- get. But what does that do to the lost his roots as a Tennessean. Given tion. younger people? So it is good news for Senator Thompson’s dedication to the So no CBO score, no congressional some older people who are well-heeled. law and public service, I believe it is hearings about it, introducing it in a They will be helped by this Republican more than fitting to name this court- cloud shrouded in secrecy, and, boom, plan. But the average wage earner is house and Federal building in Nashville it is dropped on the American people at going to be hurt—the younger people— after him. a time when you are trying to distract because it is going to be more expen- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of attention from other questions about sive for them. my time. what President Trump knew about But then I have some bad news for Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- Russia, Russian hacking, and those the elderly people, also. Insurance er, I yield myself such time as I may kinds of questions. What did he know consume. companies under this new plan will be I rise in support of this legislation, about the GSA hotel that the tax- able to charge the elderly five times H.R. 375, which names the Federal payers own that he is leasing and now more than they will charge a younger building and U.S. courthouse in Nash- he is the lessor and the lessee of that person. That differential had been abol- ville, Tennessee, after the late Senator hotel that belongs to the American ished in the Affordable Care Act, but Fred Thompson. people? What did he know and when did the Republicans are bringing it back. Senator Thompson had a long and ex- he know it? Those are questions that Who is going to pay? It is going to be traordinary career in many roles that the American people have. We intend those same elderly people. You put it included actor, lobbyist, private attor- to get down to the bottom of it on this in one hand, and you take it out of the ney, and radio show host. But he is best side. I hope that we will have some other. All of the elderly people in known and respected not for his hawk- help on the other side. America, regardless of how much ing of reverse mortgages but for being I do want to say that I support this money you earn, should be concerned an assistant U.S. attorney, a congres- legislation. about that. sional staffer, and, lastly, a U.S. Sen- Mr. Speaker, I think the American Prioritizing health savings accounts ator representing the State of Ten- people would be horrified to learn that over these premium subsidies is going nessee. Senator Thompson was a grad- of the 30 million people who were able to provide a great big tax cut to the uate of Memphis State University and to attain health insurance coverage wealthy. You can’t get away from that. Vanderbilt Law School. Senator and access to the healthcare system as It is going to hurt the working people Thompson got his start in public life in a result of passage of the Affordable of this country. It is going to be a tax 1967, when he served as an assistant Care Act, many of those, a substantial giveaway to the wealthy. I am sad to U.S. attorney in Nashville, Tennessee. number of those, will be thrown off of hear and to see this plan, and all of you During his time in that office, he met the rolls and deprived of the ability to should be, also. U.S. Senator Howard Baker from Ten- have access to the healthcare system Mr. Speaker, how much time do I nessee who became a lifelong mentor because of this new replacement bill have remaining? to Senator Thompson. After managing that has been filed, which, as I said be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Senator Baker’s successful U.S. Senate fore, has not been scored. tleman has 11 minutes remaining. campaign in 1972, Senator Thompson We don’t know how much the Medi- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- moved to Washington, D.C., where he care solvency issue is going to cost. We er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman was appointed counsel to the U.S. Sen- don’t know how much it is going to from New York (Mr. ESPAILLAT). ate Committee investigating the Wa- cost. We don’t know how much it is Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I tergate break-in and famously helped going to cost the taxpayers. We don’t stand today in strong opposition to the shape the direction and tone of those know how many people will lose their Republican proposal to repeal the Af- hearings. jobs because, after all, it stands to rea- fordable Care Act. I think that he will be known as one son if you are serving 30 million more This is a rushed bill, Mr. Speaker, who helped Senator Baker in formu- people, that means you have brought a that was written behind closed doors in lating that age-old, timeless question: whole lot of people into the healthcare total secrecy with no daylight and with ‘‘What did President Nixon know, and delivery business, people who are work- no access to the important content of when did he know it?’’ It is ironic that ing, people who have jobs, people who this bill that all of us should have today, Mr. Speaker, people are asking have husbands, wives, parents, and ample time to be able to digest the de- about our current President, President children who are depending on them for tails of it and be able to make a good Trump: What did he know, and when support, and you are going to tell them decision that is consistent with the did he know it? that their jobs are at risk. will of our constituents. This is a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.021 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1549 rushed bill that was written behind But don’t worry, there is good news. markups for them without even put- closed doors, again, in total secrecy. If you are a CEO of a healthcare com- ting them in front of the committee for Mr. Speaker, procedurally, we have pany and you make, on average, as a hearing. No airing out of the bill and not seen a CBO score of this bill. There they do, somewhere between $13 mil- what it does. have been no hearings on this bill. lion and $14 million, the tax increases Why are they holding this and hiding There has been no expert testimony on that were leveled on you 6 years ago it from the American people? the impact of this bill, and the effect to will now be repealed. So, congratula- It is because they are trying to get healthcare costs for families or the tions. Those folks benefit, but 20 mil- away with something that is going to quality of coverage all of those fami- lion Americans lose their health insur- be bad for the people. That is why. lies will receive is completely un- ance. They knew that their changes, their known. Please join me in saying ‘‘no’’ to repeal and replacement bill, if properly Substantively, this bill is an absolute TrumpCare. vetted, if the American people had an nightmare. It guts Federal require- Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I re- opportunity to learn what is in it, they ments for essential health benefits like serve the balance of my time. knew it would not be popular. That is maternity care. It shatters working Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- why they hid it from the public. That Americans’ access to insurance cov- er, I yield myself such time as I may is why they are not having any hear- ering abortions. It creates age-based consume. ings on it. They just want to proceed subsidies, repeals all the ACA taxes, I just can’t get out of my mind, Mr. straight to a markup; pass it out of the and completely destroys the Medicaid Speaker, those words of President committee; put it on the floor of the expansion program which so much Trump that everybody would have in- House; pass it out of the House with helped many of our States. surance and that it would be far less little debate; send it over to the Senate expensive and far better than what we for a rubber stamp, they hope; and then b 1730 have today. on to President Trump, who, as I said, In our country, at least 11 million The Republicans have campaigned in- when did he know that this bill that he people will lose their healthcare insur- cessantly for the last 7 years on repeal was going to be presented with perhaps ance coverage as a result of this reck- and replace of the Affordable Care Act, did not provide coverage for everybody less dismantlement of Medicaid. In my which they derisively referred to as and was not far better in coverage than district alone, over 156,000 individuals ObamaCare. We are going to repeal it the Affordable Care Act? When was it are going to lose their coverage with and we are going to replace it on day that he learned that? the repeal of the Medicaid expansion. one is what they all said. The American people want to know a Over 156,000 people, Mr. Speaker, will And here we are at day 45, something whole lot. There is a whole lot to inves- lose their coverage. like that, and we have had nothing but tigate about President Trump and his This bill kicks the elderly, the poor, one scandal after another; but we have campaign. There is a whole lot to in- and the sick to the curb and benefits finally now gotten to the House Repub- vestigate about this repeal and replace- only the young, healthy, and incredibly licans revealing what they have ment of the Affordable Care Act with wealthy. shrouded in secrecy for so long over the an inferior product, one that is slanted I urge my colleagues to stand with last 7 years. It sputters out without to the rich and hurts the working peo- me in opposition. This bill is a serious much ado, trying to sneak it in, trying ple of this country. Then it guts the Medicaid program, heart attack to the American people. It to keep it undercover so that the which millions and millions of people is a blatantly partisan action to dis- American people won’t realize what is depend on to keep grandma and grand- mantle President Obama’s successful being done to them. daddy and momma and daddy at the signature project: ObamaCare. Again, I can tell you that what is being done nursing home. Medicaid helps to make the 1 percent get their way. under those covers is not worthy of my Mr. Speaker, as we move forward, nursing home care affordable. comment descriptively at this time, But under this healthcare repeal leg- decades to come, we will be able to go but I will say that it is an illicit, ille- islation that the Republicans have back and think of health care within gitimate situation that is taking place filed, they are going to cut Medicaid. the context of three major programs: because you are taking from a group of They are going to use the expansion of Medicaid, Medicare, and ObamaCare. people who are in need and you are giv- the Medicaid program which enabled 10 Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I re- ing more to individuals who have and million people to gain coverage that serve the balance of my time. who don’t need. they could not afford, and they are Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- In this country we are all in the same going to cut that. At the same time, er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman boat together. That is what the Afford- they are going to cut the other part of from Pennsylvania (Mr. BRENDAN F. able Care Act did. It was an aspiration the Medicaid program which provides BOYLE), my friend. for health care for everyone. It wasn’t for people to be able to have their loved Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsyl- perfect. It is not a perfect bill. It needs ones properly cared for at the nursing vania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gen- some repairs done, if you will, some en- home, instead of down in the basement tleman for yielding. hancements. We have never had the co- or upstairs in the spare bedroom. Mr. Speaker, with exactly zero hear- operation from the other side of the So, get ready, ladies and gentlemen, ings on the topic, our Republican aisle to do anything to enhance that for that inevitability if this legislation friends have now revealed their foundation that was already laid. passes. Get ready for your loved ones TrumpCare plan. Nobody can argue with the fact that to have no place to go, no nursing Just to remind everyone what Presi- 30 million people who did not have home facility to take care of them, be- dent Trump said during the campaign health care access and now having it is cause they will not be able to afford it and promised, he said that his Repub- a bad thing. Nobody can argue that. and you will not be able to afford it. lican plan would ‘‘have insurance for They could argue that: Well, the way Who will suffer most? everybody,’’ and that it would be ‘‘far that it was done was bad. They say Momma and daddy and granddaddy less expensive and far better’’ than that we rushed it through without any and grandma. They are the ones that what we have today. input from them, but there were lit- get the care that is so needed for the Well, now we actually have the plan erally dozens of public hearings and elderly. out. What does it do? markups. The bill, all 1,000 pages, was So in this bill, where they are going It kicks 20 million Americans off available for everyone to be able to to cut 20 million people off the their health insurance. It sharply in- read. healthcare rolls, they are going to cut creases out-of-pocket costs for millions They talk about reading the bill. momma and daddy from the nursing of American families. It rations care Well, there are so many bills coming home by cutting the Medicaid program for millions of Americans on Medicaid. through right now that they don’t and turning it into a block grant pro- It includes massive cuts to Medicaid. It want people to take the time to read gram and turning it over to the States. would make maternity care much more them. That is why they introduce them Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance expensive. late in the day and then they schedule of my time.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.022 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield ‘‘(2) new construction would be required to Mr. JOHNSON, and BARBARA COMSTOCK back the balance of my time. create a lactation room in the public build- have all joined me as cosponsors. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ing and the cost of such construction is H.R. 1174 requires locations that are question is on the motion offered by unfeasible. either federally owned or leased to pro- ‘‘(d) NO UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY.—Nothing in the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. this section shall be construed to authorize vide designated private and hygenic BARLETTA) that the House suspend the an individual to enter a public building or lactation space for nursing mothers. As rules and pass the bill, H.R. 375. portion thereof that the individual is not I will indicate, no new space in build- The question was taken. otherwise authorized to enter.’’. ings or expenditures is contemplated. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of Last Congress, I offered this bill as opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being sections at the beginning of chapter 33 of an amendment to the Public Buildings in the affirmative, the ayes have it. title 40, United States Code, is amended by Reform and Savings Act of 2016, and I Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- inserting after the item related to section was pleased to have it pass the House. 3316 the following new item: er, I object to the vote on the ground Space for lactating women is already that a quorum is not present and make ‘‘3318. Lactation room in public buildings.’’. required for Federal employees. We are the point of order that a quorum is not (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments really not talking about a new kind of present. made by this section shall take effect one benefit. Certainly, there is no new The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- year after the date of the enactment of this money. The reason that this is not new ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Act. is because Federal employees already ceedings on this question will be post- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- have lactating space under the Afford- poned. ant to the rule, the gentleman from able Care Act. The point of no quorum is considered Pennsylvania (Mr. BARLETTA) and the So I have to ask my good friends on withdrawn. gentleman from Georgia (Mr. JOHNSON) the other side: As you try to repeal the each will control 20 minutes. f Affordable Care Act, do you propose to The Chair recognizes the gentleman erase this motherhood provision as FAIRNESS FOR BREASTFEEDING from Pennsylvania. well? Will you preserve it? MOTHERS ACT OF 2017 GENERAL LEAVE b 1745 Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I move Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask to suspend the rules and pass the bill unanimous consent that all Members My bill extends the lactating space (H.R. 1174) to provide a lactation room may have 5 legislative days in which to requirement to include not just em- in public buildings, as amended. revise and extend their remarks and in- ployees, but visitors and guests of Fed- The Clerk read the title of the bill. clude extraneous material on H.R. 1174, eral facilities across the Nation. H.R. The text of the bill is as follows: as amended. 1174 also does not require additional H.R. 1174 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Federal funds or space to be mandated Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- objection to the request of the gen- at all. Since Federal employees already resentatives of the United States of America in tleman from Pennsylvania? have this space, I look forward to visi- Congress assembled, There was no objection. tors to Federal buildings also making SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield use of this space. In our country, new This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fairness For myself such time as I may consume. mothers often come to visit Federal Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2017’’. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my col- buildings, not only those who work in SEC. 2. LACTATION ROOM IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. leagues for their work on bringing this Federal buildings. (a) LACTATION ROOM IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.— bill to the floor today. The reason this is such an important Chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is H.R. 1174 is a straightforward bill bill is that the benefits of breast milk amended by adding at the end the following that would make nursing rooms avail- are so well documented: antibodies and new section: able to new mothers in public build- hormones that boost babies’ immune ‘‘§ 3318. Lactation room in public buildings ings. The bill would apply to buildings systems, lower risks of asthma, diabe- ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: already open to the public and which tes, respiratory infections, and other ‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY.—The term already have nursing rooms for em- diseases among breastfed babies. ‘appropriate authority’ means the head of a ployees. The requirements would not There are benefits also for nursing Federal agency, the Architect of the Capitol, apply if existing space cannot feasibly mothers. Research has shown that or other official authority responsible for the there are lower risks of diabetes and operation of a public building. be repurposed. ‘‘(2) COVERED PUBLIC BUILDING.—The term This is a good bill that will make the even cancer as a result of ‘covered public building’ means a public lives of nursing mothers easier and will breastfeeding. Speaking of mother- building (as defined in section 3301) that is improve the accessibility of public hood, the Republican healthcare plan open to the public and contains a public rest- buildings. would even make maternity care sig- room, and includes a building listed in sec- Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this nificantly more expensive. tion 6301 or 5101. legislation, and I reserve the balance of Now, this, of course, is a bill that is ‘‘(3) LACTATION ROOM.—The term ‘lactation my time. very easy to support, but when we room’ means a hygienic place, other than a think of its links to other important bathroom, that— Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- ‘‘(A) is shielded from view; er, I rise in support of H.R. 1174, the legislation, I ask that there be sincere ‘‘(B) is free from intrusion; and Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act consideration given to whether or not ‘‘(C) contains a chair, a working surface, of 2017, introduced by my good friend, at this moment in time my good and, if the public building is otherwise sup- ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON. I am pleased friends across the aisle want their leg- plied with electricity, an electrical outlet. to be an original cosponsor of this leg- acy to be: We actually repealed your ‘‘(b) LACTATION ROOM REQUIRED.—Except islation. health care. as provided in subsection (c), the appropriate Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she I don’t think they are going to be authority of a covered public building shall able to do it. ensure that the building contains a lactation may consume to the gentlewoman from room that is made available for use by mem- the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON). My Republican friends have no expe- bers of the public to express breast milk. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank rience with structural reform. If you ‘‘(c) EXCEPTIONS.—A covered public build- my good friend from Georgia for yield- look at all the structural reform in our ing may be excluded from the requirement in ing. I certainly thank him for being a country, beginning with the New Deal, subsection (b) at the discretion of the appro- cosponsor of my bill. none of it was done by Republicans. priate authority if— I should start, however, by thanking Whether you are talking about the ad- ‘‘(1) the public building— Chairman SHUSTER, and Ranking Mem- ministrative agencies that are so im- ‘‘(A) does not contain a lactation room for ber DEFAZIO, who have moved this bill portant to all that we do in this coun- employees who work in the building; and ‘‘(B) does not have a room that could be so quickly. try, Medicare, Medicaid, the Elemen- repurposed as a lactation room or a space The bill is called the Fairness for tary and Secondary Education Act, that could be made private using portable Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2017. This whatever you have in mind, these are materials, at a reasonable cost; or is a real motherhood bill. Mr. DEFAZIO, structural reforms that Republicans

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.024 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1551 have, if anything, opposed, as they op- wit who believed in and lived the What happened 43, 44 years ago dur- posed Social Security, for example. American Dream in starring roles on ing the Watergate hearings with that So here what they are trying to do is stage, screen, and national politics. He seminal question that everyone keeps to unravel, take away health care, and served as a Senator for 8 years, and asking, ‘‘What did the President know, then put something in its place. They then later he ran for President. Origi- and when did he know it?’’ and in the have no experience doing anything like nally he was here in Congress serving words of Yogi Berra: ‘‘It’s deja vu all it. Anybody who has looked closely at as a counsel where, of course, we had over again.’’ it has to doubt, as I do, that they can that famous line: ‘‘What did the Presi- People are asking that question do it. dent know, and when did he know it?’’ today, and it rings more loudly today Look what they will be doing. In my That was a line that he was well known than it did back then in 1973, 1974, own district, the District of Columbia, for. ‘‘What did the President know, and we have cut in half the rate of unin- What he was also often not given when did he know it?’’ about a lot of sured. credit for was what a profoundly good issues. Are Republicans going to give me a lawyer he was. He had come to the at- But this issue of the Affordable Care guarantee that that cut will remain if tention of people in Tennessee by Act and whether or not you are going they replace the bill with the markup LAMAR ALEXANDER when Howard Baker to repeal it and replace it with some- that is going on as we speak? came and asked now-Senator LAMAR thing better or you are going to repeal Ninety-six percent of District of Co- ALEXANDER to take a role in the Water- and replace it with something worse, lumbia residents have health coverage gate hearings, he said: No; you want to what did the President know, and when today. That is comparable to other ad- have Fred Thompson there. He asked did he know it? vanced countries in the world. As we his friend Fred Thompson to come and Because it is clear now to everybody know, most countries in the world al- serve in that role. who has had the opportunity to look at ready afford this kind of coverage. Fred then became an actor because this offering that the Republicans have That makes the District, according to when they went to write a movie about put forward, you are going to be worse whoever is doing the counting, number a woman who had been dealing with off today than you were when the Af- one, number two, or number three in corruption in Tennessee politics, and fordable Care Act was implemented be- the Nation in health care provided to Fred had been her lawyer, they cause 20 million of the 30 million peo- our residents. I am very proud of that. couldn’t find someone to play Fred, ple who are on coverage now will be off I am going to fight like mad to keep it. and they came and asked him: Could coverage if this thing passes. Mr. Speaker, many of us had you play yourself? He said: Well, I This Fairness for Breastfeeding healthcare townhalls over the recess. guess I could. That is how he became a Mothers Act of 2017, which was intro- We saw what happened at the town- character actor and a larger-than-life duced by my colleague and friend, Con- halls on affordable care that my good character there. Some of his famous gresswoman NORTON, which I am so friends on the other side also had. They lines there: ‘‘Stack ‘em, pack ‘em, and pleased to be a cosponsor of, is a bill met a revolution from their own con- rack ‘em.’’ In ‘‘Die Hard’’ I believe that from a mother herself who knows the stituents. We didn’t have that problem one was. needs of other mothers. This is bipar- In movies, he starred with Paul New- in our townhalls. Some of the stories tisan. I am so happy that this bill is man, Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood, that residents brought forward are passing today, but I will tell you, I Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Bruce truly heartbreaking, so I want to leave can’t help but think of the 20 million Willis, Sissy Spacek, and so many oth- you with one. people who are going to lose their cov- ers. After he came here to the Senate, A woman who came to testify at my erage. A lot of those people are women he humorously said: ‘‘I often long for healthcare townhall, her name is the realism and sincerity of Holly- and children, even some babies. They Markita. Markita’s grandmother was a wood.’’ So this is somebody who took are going to lose coverage because the D.C. Public Schools cafeteria worker his job very seriously but never took Republicans are kicking them off for most of her career. She retired himself seriously and continued to under their plan. They will be a early. She retired before she had Social have that great wit. healthy part of that 20 million people Security or Medicare. She was suf- My husband and I were very privi- who lose their coverage. It is unfair. It fering from diabetes and a stroke, but leged to know him and learn from him is not right. It is un-American. she was so prideful that she never let and spend many a good day and de- Mr. Speaker, how much time is re- anyone know that she had to slice her lightful time and evening with him and maining on my side? pills in half just to get by. Now she is his wife, Jeri, his family, his children, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- 1 under the protection of the Affordable and his many friends and admirers. We tleman from Georgia has 8 ⁄2 minutes Care Act. Markita’s grandmother is are so grateful for and appreciate his remaining. healthier and can afford her medica- celebrated service and justly cele- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- tion. She is no longer splitting her pills brated service to our country. This er, I reserve the balance of my time. in half. building will be a great memorial in a Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield State that still very much reveres him. 2 minutes to the gentleman from South 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from I was privileged to be able to attend Carolina (Mr. SANFORD). Virginia (Mrs. COMSTOCK). his service where hundreds and hun- Mr. SANFORD. I thank the chairman Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise dreds of people from Tennessee came to for yielding to me. to support H.R. 1174, the Fairness for honor him, from country singers to Mr. Speaker, I rise with the greatest Breastfeeding Mothers Act. I thank my people who stood by the side of the respect for my colleague from the Dis- colleague for introducing it. It was road as we drove to his funeral service, trict of Columbia and her passion on unanimously supported—thank you, saluting him and thanking him for his this subject and the bill that she has Mr. Chairman—in committee and in service. This is somebody who in to- introduced. I rise with equal respect for full committee. As expected, it is going day’s politics is sorely missed by all of my colleague, Chairman BARLETTA, through because people understand this us, and certainly most by his many and the way in which he has walked is a commonsense bill, so I am happy friends, his family, and his scores of this bill through the process, but I am to support this once again. fans. God bless the Honorable Fred going to oppose this bill. I am going to I know you were discussing H.R. 375 Thompson. do so on the basis of process. I thought earlier. I did want to return to the bill I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this it important to explain why, given, I to designate the Federal building and opportunity to be able to have this think, the amount of energy that has courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee, to building now be a legacy to his great gone into the bill and the fact that I my good friend, Fred D. Thompson. service and being a great attorney and wasn’t able to voice a vote against it That building will now be named after lawyer for this country. when it was voice voted at the com- him appropriately. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- mittee level. Fred Thompson was a larger-than-life er, I yield myself such time as I may I do so because I think that blank character, a true patriot, and a great consume. checks rarely work out well for the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.040 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 taxpayer. In fairness to the bill, it is Americans stand to lose coverage, out- It would radically change the Med- not a blank check. The bill is actually of-pocket costs will skyrocket, and the icaid program, slashing funding, and prescribed in three different ways—the quality of care will plummet. covering fewer people. way in which it will impact Federal But today, hours after that bill was The Republican repeal bill will force buildings. My problem, though, is on introduced, Mr. Speaker, our President Governors and State legislators to ra- methodology in that the General Serv- referenced a to-be-announced second tion care. My Republican Governor ices Administration that ultimately and third phase of his healthcare roll- weighed in now and said that it would gave the numbers to the CBO on which out that Secretary Price referred to as be trouble for Illinois if Medicaid is cut they base their score did not get in ‘‘a work in progress,’’ once again in- back. final form how many Federal buildings jecting our healthcare system with Who do they want to cut out? Chil- we are talking about. I think that crippling uncertainty that is hurting dren, the elderly, people with disabil- leaves, therefore, something of an open our patients, hospitals, behavioral ities. Thousands of hardworking indi- end as to what this bill will ultimately health providers, and local economies. viduals in Illinois will lose access to cost; and that then goes to impact the If you are so proud of this bill, why health coverage. As I said, in fact, Re- very children for whom the has it been locked in dark rooms? Why publican Governor Bruce Rauner said breastfeeding will take place. not have an open debate? What are we that our State ‘‘won’t do very well’’ if so afraid of to have a debate on this the Republican repeal bill becomes law. b 1800 floor? The Republican repeal bill breaks the A child born in America today is That is why I urge my colleagues, promise made by President Trump to going to inherit a giant liability from Democrats and Republicans alike, to cover more Americans at lower cost. the Federal Government in terms of support my resolution of inquiry to- I oppose this bill. I am going to fight the cost of our Federal Government. morrow, to try to make sure that the tooth and nail to protect our care. And, By accountants from both the left and details that have been discussed by this frankly, I think this bill, as my mother the right, they have said what we have White House and by the Republicans would say, is deader than a door nail. in place is not sustainable. Therefore, I behind closed doors are open for Amer- Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I con- think it is very important, from a proc- ica to understand before we cram a tinue to reserve the balance of my ess standpoint, that we look at a final healthcare overhaul down our throats. time. form number on any of these bills that Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I re- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- we throw out and we prescribe, regard- serve the balance of my time. er, I yield an additional 1 minute to the less of, again, how well-meaning they Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- gentlewoman from the District of Co- are and how measured they are, which er, I was looking at my congressional lumbia (Ms. NORTON). is certainly the case with this bill. calendar, and I noticed that this year Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I wanted I wanted to stand to give a quick ex- we are working in Washington, D.C., to correct the gentleman from South planation. I thank the gentleman for more than we have under the past 5 Carolina (Mr. SANFORD), who opined the time. years of the rein of the Republicans. that this bill was not scored correctly. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- We have been the most do-nothingest We are talking about space already er, the gentleman from South Carolina Congresses on record for many years, designated for Federal employees. The (Mr. SANFORD), my friend, opposes the and so this year we will be working. intent of the bill, and I am the author bill because the CBO scoring process, But I am baffled as to whether or not it of the bill, which could never have got- which came up with a no-cost estimate is because the Republicans don’t want ten through committee if it involved for this bill, the contention is that that to go home and face their constituents the expenditure of funds. Yes, some- CBO study was insufficient. Well, I am in a townhall meeting about the Af- times these lactation rooms will be sure that my colleague and friend from fordable Care Act repeal bill that they dedicated to lactation, but that doesn’t South Carolina will agree with me that have filed. We will be here in session mean they are exclusively designated with no CBO scoring for this congres- now for another 4 weeks before the to lactation. sional Republican healthcare repeal public has a chance to hear from their And the whole notion that some Fed- bill that they have put forward, then Representative when they return home eral buildings don’t have such space we are certainly not in a position to for an extended time. But on the flip means they are in violation of the Af- proceed further with a fast-track legis- side, that gives everybody time to pre- fordable Care Act, which requires that lating process, as this bill seems to be pare for those upcoming townhall they have such space, even if it is not on. They are going to mark it up with meetings which need to be held to ex- space that is exclusively used for the no hearings. plain what they are trying to do to the few women who are lactating or nurs- When we were dealing with the Af- American people. ing. fordable Care Act, we held 79 hearings Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I con- over 2 years, heard from 181 witnesses gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. SCHA- tinue to reserve the balance of my from both sides of the aisle, and posted KOWSKY), my friend. time. the bill online for 30 days. The CBO Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- scoring actually showed that this bill thank the gentleman for yielding. er, I have one more point that I needed was going to save money, as opposed to Last Thursday, I was wandering the to make about this abolition, this abol- cost. Capitol searching for the Republican’s ishment of the Affordable Care Act Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleague from secret repeal bill. We went from room plan that has been submitted. A foun- South Carolina to be in opposition to to room, and it wasn’t there. But now dation of their plan is the demise of the his own party’s healthcare repeal bill. that I have seen it, I understand why individual mandate that requires peo- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the they would want to hide it. ple to purchase insurance, so they are kind gentleman from Massachusetts Even if we can all agree that we need claiming that that is a matter of free- (Mr. KENNEDY), my friend. to make health care more affordable dom. Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I want and more accessible, this bill is not the Well, the fact is that when everyone to thank my colleague for his work on solution. In fact, this bill will only is required to have insurance, it re- this. make things worse. duces the cost for everyone else. So it Mr. Speaker, after weeks of empty The Republican repeal bill gives tax was a cost-saving measure that has promises that he had a secret plan to breaks to the rich. We are talking worked with the rise in premiums insure every American at lower costs about over $600 billion overall, while being at the lowest level in decades. with higher quality care, President taking away health coverage from mil- The affordable care has worked to cut Trump is now standing behind a House lions of Americans. The Republican re- the cost of health care. GOP repeal plan that was introduced peal bill will drastically increase the But what they are doing when they last night that fails every single one of cost of health insurance for millions of abolish that individual mandate is they those promises. Based on estimates Americans, with the biggest increase are also going to penalize people who that we have seen so far, millions of for seniors and for working families. decide to drop their coverage and pick

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.027 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1553 it up later. Or if you miss one payment Subtitle C—Journey to Mars Sec. 835. NASA Advisory Council. because you missed work, missed a Sec. 431. Findings on human space explo- Sec. 836. Cost estimation. ration. Sec. 837. Facilities and infrastructure. paycheck or something like that, you Sec. 838. Human space flight accident inves- Sec. 432. Human exploration roadmap. missed 1 month and have to reinstate, tigations. Sec. 433. Advanced space suit capability. then you are going to pay a 30 percent Sec. 839. Orbital debris. penalty on your insurance. That is Sec. 434. Asteroid robotic redirect mission. Sec. 840. Review of orbital debris removal Sec. 435. Mars 2033 report. highway robbery. concepts. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Subtitle D—TREAT Astronauts Act Sec. 841. Space Act Agreements. of my time. Sec. 441. Short title. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield Sec. 442. Findings; sense of Congress. In this Act: back the balance of my time. Sec. 443. Medical monitoring and research (1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Adminis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The relating to human space flight. tration’’ means the National Aeronautics TITLE V—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE and Space Administration. question is on the motion offered by (2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis- Sec. 501. Maintaining a balanced space the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. trator’’ means the Administrator of the Na- science portfolio. BARLETTA) that the House suspend the tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- Sec. 502. Planetary science. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1174, as tion. Sec. 503. James Webb Space Telescope. (3) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CON- amended. Sec. 504. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Tele- GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees The question was taken; and (two- scope. of Congress’’ means— thirds being in the affirmative) the Sec. 505. Mars 2020 rover. (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, rules were suspended and the bill, as Sec. 506. Europa. and Transportation of the Senate; and amended, was passed. Sec. 507. Congressional declaration of policy (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and A motion to reconsider was laid on and purpose. Technology of the House of Representatives. Sec. 508. Extrasolar planet exploration the table. (4) CIS-LUNAR SPACE.—The term ‘‘cis-lunar strategy. f space’’ means the region of space from the Sec. 509. Astrobiology strategy. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND Sec. 510. Astrobiology public-private part- Earth out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon. SPACE ADMINISTRATION TRAN- nerships. Sec. 511. Near-Earth objects. (5) DEEP SPACE.—The term ‘‘deep space’’ SITION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF means the region of space beyond low-Earth 2017 Sec. 512. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships. orbit, to include cis-lunar space. Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to Sec. 513. Assessment of science mission ex- (6) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. tensions. ‘‘government astronaut’’ has the meaning 442) to authorize the programs of the Sec. 514. Stratospheric observatory for in- given the term in section 50902 of title 51, United States Code. National Aeronautics and Space Ad- frared astronomy. Sec. 515. Radioisotope power systems. (7) ISS.—The term ‘‘ISS’’ means the Inter- ministration, and for other purposes. national Space Station. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Sec. 516. Assessment of Mars architecture. Sec. 517. Collaboration. (8) ISS MANAGEMENT ENTITY.—The term The text of the bill is as follows: ‘‘ISS management entity’’ means the organi- S. 442 TITLE VI—AERONAUTICS zation with which the Administrator has a Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Sec. 601. Sense of Congress on aeronautics. cooperative agreement under section 504(a) resentatives of the United States of America in Sec. 602. Transformative aeronautics re- of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad- Congress assembled, search. ministration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. Sec. 603. Hypersonic research. U.S.C. 18354(a)). (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as Sec. 604. Supersonic research. (9) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the the ‘‘National Aeronautics and Space Admin- Sec. 605. Rotorcraft research. National Aeronautics and Space Administra- istration Transition Authorization Act of TITLE VII—SPACE TECHNOLOGY tion. 2017’’. Sec. 701. Space technology infusion. (10) ORION.—The term ‘‘Orion’’ means the (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- Sec. 702. Space technology program. multipurpose crew vehicle described under tents of this Act is as follows: section 303 of the National Aeronautics and TITLE VIII—MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Space Administration Authorization Act of Sec. 2. Definitions. Subtitle A—Agency Information Technology 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323). TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF and Cybersecurity (11) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term APPROPRIATIONS Sec. 811. Information technology govern- ‘‘Space Launch System’’ has the meaning Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2017. ance. given the term in section 3 of the National Sec. 812. Information technology strategic Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- TITLE II—SUSTAINING NATIONAL SPACE thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18302). COMMITMENTS plan. Sec. 813. Cybersecurity. (12) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ASTRO- Sec. 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining na- Sec. 814. Security management of foreign NAUT.—The term ‘‘United States government tional space commitments. national access. astronaut’’ has the meaning given the term Sec. 202. Findings. Sec. 815. Cybersecurity of web applications. ‘‘government astronaut’’ in section 50902 of TITLE III—MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION OF title 51, United States Code, except it does THE ISS AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT Subtitle B—Collaboration Among Mission Directorates and Other Matters not include an individual who is an inter- Sec. 301. Operation of the ISS. national partner astronaut. Sec. 821. Collaboration among mission direc- Sec. 302. Transportation to ISS. TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF Sec. 303. ISS transition plan. torates. APPROPRIATIONS Sec. 304. Space communications. Sec. 822. NASA launch capabilities collabo- Sec. 305. Indemnification; NASA launch ration. SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2017. services and reentry services. Sec. 823. Detection and avoidance of coun- There are authorized to be appropriated to TITLE IV—ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP terfeit parts. NASA for fiscal year 2017, $19,508,000,000, as SPACE EXPLORATION Sec. 824. Education and outreach. follows: Subtitle A—Human Space Flight and Sec. 825. Leveraging commercial satellite (1) For Exploration, $4,330,000,000. Exploration Goals and Objectives servicing capabilities across (2) For Space Operations, $5,023,000,000. (3) For Science, $5,500,000,000. Sec. 411. Human space flight and exploration mission directorates. Sec. 826. Flight opportunities. (4) For Aeronautics, $640,000,000. long-term goals. (5) For Space Technology, $686,000,000. Sec. 412. Key objectives. Sec. 827. Sense of Congress on small class Sec. 413. Vision for space exploration. launch missions. (6) For Education, $115,000,000. Sec. 414. Stepping stone approach to explo- Sec. 828. Baseline and cost controls. (7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Serv- ration. Sec. 829. Commercial technology transfer ices, $2,788,600,000. Sec. 415. Update of exploration plan and pro- program. (8) For Construction and Environmental grams. Sec. 830. Avoiding organizational conflicts Compliance and Restoration, $388,000,000. Sec. 416. Repeals. of interest in major administra- (9) For Inspector General, $37,400,000. Sec. 417. Assured access to space. tion acquisition programs. TITLE II—SUSTAINING NATIONAL SPACE Subtitle B—Assuring Core Capabilities for Sec. 831. Protection of Apollo landing sites. COMMITMENTS Exploration Sec. 832. NASA lease of non-excess property. SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUSTAINING Sec. 421. Space Launch System, Orion, and Sec. 833. Termination liability. NATIONAL SPACE COMMITMENTS. Exploration Ground Systems. Sec. 834. Independent reviews. It is the sense of Congress that—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.029 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 (1) honoring current national space com- (4) Sufficient investment and maximum (2) to pursue a research program that ad- mitments and building upon investments in utilization of the ISS and ISS National Lab- vances knowledge and provides other bene- space across successive Administrations oratory with our international and industry fits to the Nation. demonstrates clear continuity of purpose by partners is— (c) CONTINUATION OF THE ISS.—Section 501 the United States, in collaboration with its (A) consistent with the goals and objec- of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad- international, academic, and industry part- tives of the United States space program; ministration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 ners, to extend humanity’s reach into deep and U.S.C. 18351) is amended to read as follows: space, including cis-lunar space, the Moon, (B) imperative to continuing United States ‘‘SEC. 501. CONTINUATION OF THE INTER- the surface and moons of Mars, and beyond; global leadership in human space explo- NATIONAL SPACE STATION. (2) NASA leaders can best leverage invest- ration, science, research, technology devel- ‘‘(a) POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.—It ments in the United States space program by opment, and education opportunities that shall be the policy of the United States, in continuing to develop a balanced portfolio contribute to development of the next gen- consultation with its international partners for space exploration and space science, in- eration of American scientists, engineers, in the ISS program, to support full and com- cluding continued development of the Space and leaders, and to creating the opportunity plete utilization of the ISS through at least Launch System, Orion, Commercial Crew for economic development of low-Earth 2024. Program, space and planetary science mis- orbit. ‘‘(b) NASA ACTION.—In furtherance of the sions such as the James Webb Space Tele- (5) NASA has made measurable progress in policy set forth in subsection (a), NASA scope, Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope, the development and testing of the Space shall— and Europa mission, and ongoing operations Launch System and Orion exploration sys- ‘‘(1) pursue international, commercial, and of the ISS and Commercial Resupply Serv- tems with the near-term objectives of the intragovernmental means to maximize ISS ices Program; initial integrated test flight and launch in logistics supply, maintenance, and oper- (3) a national, government-led space pro- 2018, a human mission in 2021, and continued ational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS sys- gram that builds on current science and ex- missions with an annual cadence in cis-lunar tems sustainability, and offset and minimize ploration programs, advances human knowl- space and eventually to the surface of Mars. United States operations costs relating to edge and capabilities, and opens the frontier (6) The Commercial Crew Program has the ISS; beyond Earth for ourselves, commercial en- made measurable progress toward reestab- ‘‘(2) utilize, to the extent practicable, the terprise, and science, and with our inter- lishing the capability to launch United ISS for the development of capabilities and national partners, is of critical importance States government astronauts from United technologies needed for the future of human to our national destiny and to a future guid- States soil into low-Earth orbit by the end of space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; ed by United States values and freedoms; 2018. and (4) continuity of purpose and effective exe- (7) The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, ‘‘(3) utilize, if practical and cost effective, cution of core NASA programs are essential in its 2015 Annual Report, urged continuity the ISS for Science Mission Directorate mis- for efficient use of resources in pursuit of of purpose noting concerns over the poten- sions in low-Earth orbit.’’. timely and tangible accomplishments; tial for cost overruns and schedule slips that SEC. 302. TRANSPORTATION TO ISS. (5) NASA could improve its efficiency and could accompany significant changes to core (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that reliance effectiveness by working with industry to NASA programs. on foreign carriers for United States crew streamline existing programs and require- TITLE III—MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION OF transfer is unacceptable, and the Nation’s ments, procurement practices, institutional THE ISS AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT human space flight program must acquire footprint, and bureaucracy while preserving the capability to launch United States gov- effective program oversight, accountability, SEC. 301. OPERATION OF THE ISS. ernment astronauts on vehicles using United and safety; (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of States rockets from United States soil as (6) it is imperative that the United States Congress that— soon as is safe, reliable, and affordable to do maintain and enhance its leadership in space (1) after 15 years of continuous human so. exploration and space science, and continue presence in low-Earth orbit, the ISS con- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMMERCIAL to expand freedom and economic opportuni- tinues to overcome challenges and operate CREW PROGRAM AND COMMERCIAL RESUPPLY ties in space for all Americans that are con- safely; SERVICES PROGRAM.—It is the sense of Con- sistent with the Constitution of the United (2) the ISS is a unique testbed for future gress that— States; and space exploration systems development, in- (1) once developed and certified to meet (7) NASA should be a multi-mission space cluding long-duration space travel; the Administration’s safety and reliability agency, and should have a balanced and ro- (3) the expansion of partnerships, scientific requirements, United States commercially bust set of core missions in space science, research, and commercial applications of the provided crew transportation systems can space technology, aeronautics, human space ISS is essential to ensuring the greatest re- serve as the primary means of transporting flight and exploration, and education. turn on investments made by the United United States government astronauts and SEC. 202. FINDINGS. States and its international space partners international partner astronauts to and from Congress makes the following findings: in the development, assembly, and oper- the ISS and serving as ISS crew rescue vehi- (1) Returns on the Nation’s investments in ations of that unique facility; cles; science, technology, and exploration accrue (4) utilization of the ISS will sustain (2) previous budgetary assumptions used by over decades-long timeframes, and a disrup- United States leadership and progress in the Administration in its planning for the tion of such investments could prevent re- human space exploration by— Commercial Crew Program assumed signifi- turns from being fully realized. (A) facilitating the commercialization and cantly higher funding levels than were au- (2) Past challenges to the continuity of economic development of low-Earth orbit; thorized and appropriated by Congress; such investments, particularly threats re- (B) serving as a testbed for technologies (3) credibility in the Administration’s garding the cancellation of authorized pro- and a platform for scientific research and de- budgetary estimates for the Commercial grams with bipartisan and bicameral sup- velopment; and Crew Program can be enhanced by an inde- port, have disrupted completion of major (C) serving as an orbital facility enabling pendently developed cost estimate; space systems thereby— research upon— (4) such credibility in budgetary estimates (A) impeding planning and pursuit of na- (i) the health, well-being, and performance is an important factor in understanding pro- tional objectives in space science and human of humans in space; and gram risk; space exploration; (ii) the development of in-space systems (5) United States access to low-Earth orbit (B) placing such investments in space enabling human space exploration beyond is paramount to the continued success of the science and space exploration at risk; and low-Earth orbit; and ISS and ISS National Laboratory; (C) degrading the aerospace industrial (5) the ISS provides a platform for funda- (6) a stable and successful Commercial Re- base. mental, microgravity, discovery-based space supply Services Program and Commercial (3) The National Aeronautics and Space life and physical sciences research that is Crew Program are critical to ensuring time- Administration Authorization Act of 2005 critical for enabling space exploration, pro- ly provisioning of the ISS and to reestab- (Public Law 109–155; 119 Stat. 2895), National tecting humans in space, increasing path- lishing the capability to launch United Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- ways for commercial space development that States government astronauts from United thorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–422; depend on advances in basic research, and States soil into orbit, ending reliance upon 122 Stat. 4779), and National Aeronautics and contributes to advancing science, tech- Russian transport of United States govern- Space Administration Authorization Act of nology, engineering, and mathematics re- ment astronauts to the ISS which has not 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq.) reflect a broad, search. been possible since the retirement of the bipartisan agreement on the path forward for (b) OBJECTIVES.—The primary objectives of Space Shuttle program in 2011; NASA’s core missions in science, space tech- the ISS program shall be— (7) NASA should build upon the success of nology, aeronautics, human space flight and (1) to achieve the long term goal and objec- the Commercial Orbital Transportation exploration, and education, that serves as tives under section 202 of the National Aero- Services Program and Commercial Resupply the foundation for the policy updates by this nautics and Space Administration Author- Services Program that have allowed private Act. ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312); and sector companies to partner with NASA to

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deliver cargo and scientific experiments to (2) PRIMARY CONSIDERATION.—The objective (2) according to the National Research the ISS since 2012; described in paragraph (1) shall be the pri- Council report ‘‘Pathways to Exploration: (8) the 21st Century Launch Complex Pro- mary consideration in the acquisition strat- Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Pro- gram has enabled significant modernization egy for the Commercial Crew Program. gram of Human Space Exploration’’ extend- and infrastructure improvements at launch (3) SAFETY.— ing ISS beyond 2020 to 2024 or 2028 will have sites across the United States to support (A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall significant negative impacts on the schedule NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services Pro- protect the safety of government astronauts of crewed missions to Mars, without signifi- gram and other civil and commercial space by ensuring that each commercially pro- cant increases in funding. flight missions; and vided transportation system under this sub- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (9) the 21st Century Launch Complex Pro- section meets all applicable human rating Congress that— gram should be continued in a manner that requirements in accordance with section (1) an orderly transition for United States leverages State and private investments to 403(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and human space flight activities in low-Earth achieve the goals of that program. Space Administration Authorization Act of orbit from the current regime, that relies (c) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms— 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18342(b)(1)). heavily on NASA sponsorship, to a regime (1) its commitment to the use of a commer- (B) LESSONS LEARNED.—Consistent with the where NASA is one of many customers of a cially developed, private sector launch and findings and recommendations of the Colum- low-Earth orbit commercial human space delivery system to the ISS for crew missions bia Accident Investigation Board, the Ad- flight enterprise may be necessary; and as expressed in the National Aeronautics and ministration shall ensure that safety and the (2) decisions about the long-term future of Space Administration Authorization Act of minimization of the probability of loss of the ISS impact the ability to conduct future 2005 (Public Law 109–155; 119 Stat. 2895), the crew are the critical priorities of the Com- deep space exploration activities, and that National Aeronautics and Space Administra- mercial Crew Program. such decisions regarding the ISS should be tion Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law (4) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Administrator considered in the context of the human ex- 110–422; 122 Stat. 4779), and the National Aer- shall strive through the competitive selec- ploration roadmap under section 432 of this onautics and Space Administration Author- tion process to minimize the life cycle cost Act. (c) REPORTS.—Section 50111 of title 51, ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq.); to the Administration through the planned United States Code, is amended by adding at and period of commercially provided crew trans- (2) the requirement under section the end the following: portation services. ‘‘(c) ISS TRANSITION PLAN.— 50111(b)(1)(A) of title 51, United States Code, (f) COMMERCIAL CARGO PROGRAM.—Section that the Administration shall make use of ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in 401 of the National Aeronautics and Space coordination with the ISS management enti- United States commercially provided ISS Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 crew transfer and crew rescue services to the ty (as defined in section 2 of the National U.S.C. 18341) is amended by striking ‘‘Com- Aeronautics and Space Administration Tran- maximum extent practicable. mercial Orbital Transportation Services’’ (d) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN sition Authorization Act of 2017), ISS part- and inserting ‘‘Commercial Resupply Serv- ners, the scientific user community, and the SPACE FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION CAPABILI- ices’’. TIES.—Section 201(a) of the National Aero- commercial space sector, shall develop a (g) COMPETITION.—It is the policy of the nautics and Space Administration Author- plan to transition in a step-wise approach United States that, to foster the competitive ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is from the current regime that relies heavily development, operation, improvement, and amended to read as follows: on NASA sponsorship to a regime where commercial availability of space transpor- ‘‘(a) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN NASA could be one of many customers of a SPACE FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.— tation services, and to minimize the life low-Earth orbit non-governmental human ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government cycle cost to the Administration, the Admin- space flight enterprise. may not acquire human space flight trans- istrator shall procure services for Federal ‘‘(2) REPORTS.—Not later than December 1, portation services from a foreign entity un- Government access to and return from the 2017, and biennially thereafter until 2023, the less— ISS, whenever practicable, via fair and open Administrator shall submit to the Com- ‘‘(A) no United States Government-oper- competition for well-defined, milestone- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ated human space flight capability is avail- based, Federal Acquisition Regulation-based tation of the Senate and the Committee on able; contracts under section 201(a) of the Na- Science, Space, and Technology of the House ‘‘(B) no United States commercial provider tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- of Representatives a report that includes— is available; and tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. ‘‘(A) a description of the progress in ‘‘(C) it is a qualified foreign entity. 18311(a)). achieving the Administration’s deep space ‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: (h) TRANSPARENCY.— human exploration objectives on ISS and ‘‘(A) COMMERCIAL PROVIDER.—The term (1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of prospects for accomplishing future mission ‘commercial provider’ means any person pro- Congress that cost transparency and sched- requirements, space exploration objectives, viding human space flight transportation ule transparency aid in effective program and other research objectives on future com- services, primary control of which is held by management and risk assessment. mercially supplied low-Earth orbit platforms persons other than the Federal Government, (2) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, or migration of those objectives to cis-lunar a State or local government, or a foreign to the greatest extent practicable and in a space; government. manner that does not add costs or schedule ‘‘(B) the steps NASA is taking and will ‘‘(B) QUALIFIED FOREIGN ENTITY.—The term delays to the program, ensure all Commer- take, including demonstrations that could be ‘qualified foreign entity’ means a foreign en- cial Crew Program and Commercial Resup- conducted on the ISS, to stimulate and fa- tity that is in compliance with all applicable ply Services Program providers provide evi- cilitate commercial demand and supply of safety standards and is not prohibited from dence-based support for their costs and products and services in low-Earth orbit; providing space transportation services schedules. ‘‘(C) an identification of barriers pre- under other law. (i) ISS CARGO RESUPPLY SERVICES LESSONS venting the commercialization of low-Earth ‘‘(C) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL PRO- LEARNED.—Not later than 120 days after the orbit, including issues relating to policy, VIDER.—The term ‘United States commercial date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis- regulations, commercial intellectual prop- provider’ means a commercial provider, or- trator shall submit to the appropriate com- erty, data, and confidentiality, that could in- ganized under the laws of the United States mittees of Congress a report that— hibit the use of the ISS as a commercial in- or of a State, that is more than 50 percent (1) identifies the lessons learned to date cubator; owned by United States nationals. from previous and existing Commercial Re- ‘‘(D) the criteria for defining the ISS as a ‘‘(3) ARRANGEMENTS WITH FOREIGN ENTI- supply Services contracts; research success; TIES.—Nothing in this subsection shall pre- (2) indicates whether changes are needed to ‘‘(E) the criteria used to determine wheth- vent the Administrator from negotiating or the manner in which the Administration pro- er the ISS is meeting the objective under entering into human space flight transpor- cures and manages similar services prior to section 301(b)(2) of the National Aeronautics tation arrangements with foreign entities to the issuance of future Commercial Resupply and Space Administration Transition Au- ensure safety of flight and continued ISS op- Services procurement opportunities; and thorization Act of 2017; erations.’’. (3) identifies any lessons learned from the ‘‘(F) an assessment of whether the criteria (e) COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM.— Commercial Resupply Services contracts under subparagraphs (D) and (E) are con- (1) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Com- that should be applied to the procurement sistent with the research areas defined in, mercial Crew Program shall be to assist in and management of commercially provided and recommendations and schedules under, the development and certification of com- crew transfer services to and from the ISS or the current National Academies of Sciences, mercially provided transportation that— to other future procurements. Engineering, and Medicine Decadal Survey (A) can carry United States government SEC. 303. ISS TRANSITION PLAN. on Biological and Physical Sciences in astronauts safely, reliably, and affordably to (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— Space; and from the ISS; (1) NASA has been both the primary sup- ‘‘(G) any necessary contributions that ISS (B) can serve as a crew rescue vehicle; and plier and consumer of human space flight ca- extension would make to enabling execution (C) can accomplish subparagraphs (A) and pabilities and services of the ISS and in low- of the human exploration roadmap under (B) as soon as practicable. Earth orbit; and section 432 of the National Aeronautics and

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Space Administration Transition Authoriza- agencies, to meet the Administration’s pro- ‘‘(b) TERMS OF INDEMNIFICATION.—A con- tion Act of 2017; jected space communication and navigation tract made under subsection (a) that pro- ‘‘(H) the cost estimates for operating the needs for low-Earth orbit and deep space op- vides indemnification shall provide for— ISS to achieve the criteria required under erations in the 20-year period following the ‘‘(1) notice to the United States of any subparagraphs (D) and (E) and the contribu- date of enactment of this Act. claim or suit against the provider for death, tions identified under subparagraph (G); (b) CONTENTS.—The plan shall include— bodily injury, or loss of or damage to prop- ‘‘(I) the cost estimates for extending oper- (1) the lifecycle cost estimates and a 5-year erty; and ations of the ISS to 2024, 2028, and 2030; funding profile; ‘‘(2) control of or assistance in the defense ‘‘(J) an evaluation of the feasible and pre- (2) the performance capabilities required to by the United States, at its election, of that ferred service life of the ISS beyond the pe- meet the Administration’s projected space claim or suit and approval of any settlement. riod described in section 503 of the National communication and navigation needs; ‘‘(c) LIABILITY INSURANCE OF THE PRO- Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- (3) the measures the Administration will VIDER.— thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18353), take to sustain the existing space commu- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provider under sub- through at least 2028, as a unique scientific, nications and navigation architecture; section (a) shall obtain liability insurance or commercial, and space exploration-related (4) an identification of the projected space demonstrate financial responsibility in facility, including— communications and navigation network and amounts to compensate for the maximum ‘‘(i) a general discussion of international infrastructure needs; probable loss from claims by— partner capabilities and prospects for ex- (5) a description of the necessary upgrades ‘‘(A) a third party for death, bodily injury, tending the partnership; to meet the needs identified in paragraph (4), or property damage or loss resulting from a ‘‘(ii) the cost associated with extending the including— launch service or reentry service carried out service life; (A) an estimate of the cost of the upgrades; under the contract; and ‘‘(iii) an assessment on the technical lim- (B) a schedule for implementing the up- ‘‘(B) the United States Government for iting factors of the service life of the ISS, in- grades; and damage or loss to Government property re- cluding a list of critical components and (C) an assessment of whether and how any sulting from a launch service or reentry their expected service life and availability; related missions will be impacted if re- service carried out under the contract. and sources are not secured at the level needed; ‘‘(2) MAXIMUM PROBABLE LOSSES.— ‘‘(iv) such other information as may be (6) the cost estimates for the maintenance ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall necessary to fully describe the justification of existing space communications network determine the maximum probable losses for and feasibility of extending the service capabilities necessary to meet the needs under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of para- life of the ISS, including the potential sci- identified in paragraph (4); graph (1) not later than 90 days after the entific or technological benefits to the Fed- (7) the criteria for prioritizing resources date that the provider requests such a deter- eral Government, public, or to academic or for the upgrades described in paragraph (5) mination and submits all information the commercial entities; and the maintenance described in paragraph Administrator requires. ‘‘(K) an identification of the necessary ac- (6); ‘‘(B) REVISIONS.—The Administrator may tions and an estimate of the costs to deorbit (8) an estimate of any reimbursement revise a determination under subparagraph the ISS once it has reached the end of its amounts the Administration may receive (A) of this paragraph if the Administrator service life; from other Federal agencies; determines the revision is warranted based ‘‘(L) the impact on deep space exploration (9) an identification of the projected on new information. capabilities, including a crewed mission to Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System ‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF INSURANCE.—For the total Mars in the 2030s, if the preferred service life needs in the 20-year period following the date claims related to one launch or reentry, a of the ISS is extended beyond 2024 and NASA of enactment of this Act, including in sup- provider shall not be required to obtain in- maintains a flat budget profile; and port of relevant Federal agencies, and cost surance or demonstrate financial responsi- ‘‘(M) an evaluation of the functions, roles, and schedule estimates to maintain and up- bility of more than— and responsibilities for management and op- grade the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite ‘‘(A)(i) $500,000,000 under paragraph (1)(A); eration of the ISS and a determination of— System to meet the projected needs; or ‘‘(i) those functions, roles, and responsibil- (10) the measures the Administration is ‘‘(ii) $100,000,000 under paragraph (1)(B); or ities the Federal Government should retain taking to meet space communications needs ‘‘(B) the maximum liability insurance during the lifecycle of the ISS; after all Tracking and Data Relay Satellite available on the world market at reasonable ‘‘(ii) those functions, roles, and responsibil- System third-generation communications cost. ities that could be transferred to the com- satellites are operational; and ‘‘(4) COVERAGE.—An insurance policy or mercial space sector; (11) the measures the Administration is demonstration of financial responsibility ‘‘(iii) the metrics that would indicate the taking to mitigate threats to electro- under this subsection shall protect the fol- commercial space sector’s readiness and magnetic spectrum use. lowing, to the extent of their potential li- ability for involvement in launch services or ability to assume the functions, roles, and (c) SCHEDULE.—Not later than 1 year after reentry services: responsibilities described in clause (ii); and the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- ‘‘(A) The Government. ‘‘(iv) any necessary changes to any agree- ministrator shall submit the plan to the ap- ‘‘(B) Personnel of the Government. ments or other documents and the law to en- propriate committees of Congress. able the activities described in subpara- ‘‘(C) Related entities of the Government. SEC. 305. INDEMNIFICATION; NASA LAUNCH ‘‘(D) Related entities of the provider. graphs (A) and (B). SERVICES AND REENTRY SERVICES. ‘‘(3) DEMONSTRATIONS.—If additional Gov- ‘‘(E) Government astronauts. (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter ernment crew, power, and transportation re- ‘‘(d) NO INDEMNIFICATION WITHOUT CROSS- 201 of title 51, United States Code, is amend- sources are available after meeting the Ad- WAIVER.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), ed by adding at the end the following: ministration’s requirements for ISS activi- the Administrator may not indemnify a pro- vider under this section unless there is a ties defined in the human exploration road- ‘‘§ 20148. Indemnification; NASA launch serv- cross-waiver between the Administration map and related research, demonstrations ices and reentry services and the provider as described in subsection identified under paragraph (2) may— ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Under such regulations (e). ‘‘(A) test the capabilities needed to meet in conformity with this section as the Ad- ‘‘(e) CROSS-WAIVERS.— future mission requirements, space explo- ministrator shall prescribe taking into ac- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, on ration objectives, and other research objec- count the availability, cost, and terms of li- behalf of the United States and its depart- tives described in paragraph (2)(A); and ability insurance, any contract between the ments, agencies, and instrumentalities, shall ‘‘(B) demonstrate or test capabilities, in- Administration and a provider may provide reciprocally waive claims with a provider cluding commercial modules or deep space that the United States will indemnify the under which each party to the waiver agrees habitats, Environmental Control and Life provider against successful claims (including to be responsible, and agrees to ensure that Support Systems, orbital satellite assembly, reasonable expenses of litigation or settle- its related entities are responsible, for dam- exploration space suits, a node that enables ment) by third parties for death, bodily in- age or loss to its property, or for losses re- a wide variety of activity, including multiple jury, or loss of or damage to property result- sulting from any injury or death sustained commercial modules and airlocks, additional ing from launch services and reentry services by its employees or agents, as a result of ac- docking or berthing ports for commercial carried out under the contract that the con- tivities arising out of the performance of the crew and cargo, opportunities for the com- tract defines as unusually hazardous or nu- contract. mercial space sector to cost share for trans- clear in nature, but only to the extent the ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The waiver made by the portation and other services on the ISS, total amount of successful claims related to Government under paragraph (1) shall apply other commercial activities, or services ob- the activities under the contract— only to the extent that the claims are more tained through alternate acquisition ap- ‘‘(1) is more than the amount of insurance than the amount of insurance or demonstra- proaches.’’. or demonstration of financial responsibility tion of financial responsibility required SEC. 304. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. described in subsection (c)(3); and under subsection (c)(1)(B). (a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop ‘‘(2) is not more than the amount specified ‘‘(f) WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.—Indemnifica- a plan, in consultation with relevant Federal in section 50915(a)(1)(B). tion under subsection (a) may exclude claims

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1557 resulting from the willful misconduct of the TITLE IV—ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP jective of human exploration of Mars speci- provider or its related entities. SPACE EXPLORATION fied in section 202(b)(5) of the National Aero- nautics and Space Administration Author- ‘‘(g) CERTIFICATION OF JUST AND REASON- Subtitle A—Human Space Flight and ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)(5)); and ABLE AMOUNT.—No payment may be made Exploration Goals and Objectives ‘‘(2) shall incorporate any such missions under subsection (a) unless the Adminis- SEC. 411. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT AND EXPLO- into the human exploration roadmap under trator or the Administrator’s designee cer- RATION LONG-TERM GOALS. section 432 of the National Aeronautics and tifies that the amount is just and reasonable. Section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act Space Administration Transition Authoriza- ‘‘(h) PAYMENTS.— of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(a)) is amended to read tion Act of 2017. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the approval by the as follows: ‘‘(b) COST-EFFECTIVENESS.—In order to Administrator, payments under subsection maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long- ‘‘(a) LONG-TERM GOALS.—The long-term (a) may be made from funds appropriated for goals of the human space flight and explo- term space exploration and utilization ac- such payments. ration efforts of NASA shall be— tivities of the United States, the Adminis- ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Administrator shall ‘‘(1) to expand permanent human presence trator shall take all necessary steps, includ- not approve payments under paragraph (1), beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where ing engaging international, academic, and except to the extent provided in an appro- practical, in a manner involving inter- industry partners, to ensure that activities priation law or to the extent additional leg- national, academic, and industry partners; in the Administration’s human space explo- islative authority is enacted providing for ‘‘(2) crewed missions and progress toward ration program balance how those activities such payments. achieving the goal in paragraph (1) to enable might also help meet the requirements of fu- ‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS.—If the the potential for subsequent human explo- ture exploration and utilization activities Administrator requests additional appropria- ration and the extension of human presence leading to human habitation on the surface tions to make payments under this sub- throughout the solar system; and of Mars. section, then the request for those appropria- ‘‘(c) COMPLETION.—Within budgetary con- ‘‘(3) to enable a capability to extend tions shall be made in accordance with the siderations, once an exploration-related human presence, including potential human procedures established under section 50915. project enters its development phase, the Ad- habitation on another celestial body and a ministrator shall seek, to the maximum ex- ‘‘(i) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— thriving space economy in the 21st Cen- tent practicable, to complete that project ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The authority to indem- tury.’’. without undue delays. nify under this section shall not create any SEC. 412. KEY OBJECTIVES. ‘‘(d) INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.—In rights in third persons that would not other- Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics wise exist by law. order to achieve the goal of successfully con- and Space Administration Authorization Act ducting a crewed mission to the surface of ‘‘(2) OTHER AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)) is amended— Mars, the President may invite the United section may be construed as prohibiting the (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and Administrator from indemnifying a provider States partners in the ISS program and inserting a semicolon; other nations, as appropriate, to participate or any other NASA contractor under other (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period law, including under Public Law 85–804 (50 in an international initiative under the lead- at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and ership of the United States.’’. U.S.C. 1431 et seq.). (3) by adding at the end the following: SEC. 415. UPDATE OF EXPLORATION PLAN AND ‘‘(3) ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT.—Notwith- ‘‘(5) to achieve human exploration of Mars standing any other provision of this sec- PROGRAMS. and beyond through the prioritization of Section 70502(2) of title 51, United States tion— those technologies and capabilities best suit- ‘‘(A) all obligations under this section are Code, is amended to read as follows: ed for such a mission in accordance with the ‘‘(2) implement an exploration research subject to the availability of funds; and stepping stone approach to exploration under ‘‘(B) nothing in this section may be con- and technology development program to en- section 70504 of title 51, United States able human and robotic operations con- strued to require obligation or payment of Code.’’. funds in violation of sections 1341, 1342, 1349 sistent with section 20302(b) of this title;’’. SEC. 413. VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION. through 1351, and 1511 through 1519 of title SEC. 416. REPEALS. Section 20302 of title 51, United States 31, United States Code (commonly referred (a) SPACE SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ASSUR- Code, is amended— to as the ‘Anti-Deficiency Act’). ANCE.—Section 203 of the National Aero- (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘in cis- nautics and Space Administration Author- ‘‘(j) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.—The lunar space or’’ after ‘‘sustained human pres- ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18313) is amend- Administrator may not provide indemnifica- ence’’; ed— tion under this section for an activity that (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as (1) by striking subsection (b); requires a license or permit under chapter follows: (2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘sub- 509. ‘‘(b) FUTURE EXPLORATION OF MARS.—The section (c)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; Administrator shall manage human space ‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: and flight programs, including the Space Launch ‘‘(1) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) ‘government astronaut’ has the meaning System and Orion, to enable humans to ex- as subsections (b) and (c), respectively. plore Mars and other destinations by defin- given the term in section 50902. (b) SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMER- ing a series of sustainable steps and con- ‘‘(2) LAUNCH SERVICES.—The term ‘launch CIAL AND FOREIGN USERS.—Chapter 703 of services’ has the meaning given the term in ducting mission planning, research, and title 51, United States Code, and the item re- section 50902. technology development on a timetable that lating to that chapter in the table of chap- is technically and fiscally possible, con- ‘‘(3) PROVIDER.—The term ‘provider’ means ters for that title, are repealed. a person that provides domestic launch serv- sistent with section 70504.’’; and (c) SHUTTLE PRIVATIZATION.—Section 50133 ices or domestic reentry services to the Gov- (3) by adding at the end the following: of title 51, United States Code, and the item ernment. ‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: relating to that section in the table of sec- ‘‘(1) ORION.—The term ‘Orion’ means the ‘‘(4) REENTRY SERVICES.—The term ‘reentry tions for chapter 501 of that title, are re- services’ has the meaning given the term in multipurpose crew vehicle described under pealed. section 303 of the National Aeronautics and section 50902. SEC. 417. ASSURED ACCESS TO SPACE. Space Administration Authorization Act of ‘‘(5) RELATED ENTITY.—The term ‘related Section 70501 of title 51, United States 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323). entity’ means a contractor or subcontractor. Code, is amended— ‘‘(2) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘(6) THIRD PARTY.—The term ‘third party’ (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as ‘Space Launch System’ means has the mean- means a person except— follows: ing given the term in section 3 of the Na- ‘‘(A) the United States Government; ‘‘(a) POLICY STATEMENT.—In order to en- tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- ‘‘(B) related entities of the Government in- sure continuous United States participation tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. volved in launch services or reentry services; and leadership in the exploration and utiliza- 18302).’’. ‘‘(C) a provider; tion of space and as an essential instrument ‘‘(D) related entities of the provider in- SEC. 414. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EX- of national security, it is the policy of the PLORATION. volved in launch services or reentry services; United States to maintain an uninterrupted Section 70504 of title 51, United States or capability for human space flight and oper- Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(E) a government astronaut.’’. ations— ‘‘§ 70504. Stepping stone approach to explo- (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(1) in low-Earth orbit; and ration contents for subchapter III of chapter 201 of ‘‘(2) beyond low-Earth orbit once the capa- title 51, United States Code, is amended by ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration— bilities described in section 421(f) of the Na- inserting after the item relating to section ‘‘(1) may conduct missions to intermediate tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- 20147 the following: destinations in sustainable steps in accord- tion Transition Authorization Act of 2017 be- ance with section 20302(b) of this title, and come available.’’; and ‘‘20148. Indemnification; NASA launch serv- on a timetable determined by the avail- (2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘Com- ices and reentry services.’’. ability of funding, in order to achieve the ob- mittee on Science and Technology of the

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House of Representatives and the Committee uncrewed and crewed flight test and dem- (2) CONTENTS.—In preparing the report, the on Commerce, Science, and Transportation onstration program for the Space Launch Administrator shall— of the Senate describing the progress being System and Orion in order to promote safety (A) consider the technical requirements of made toward developing the Crew Explo- and reduce programmatic risk. the scientific and national security commu- ration Vehicle and the Crew Launch Vehi- (d) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall nities related to a cargo variant of the Space cle’’ and inserting ‘‘Committee on Com- continue the development of the fully inte- Launch System; and merce, Science, and Transportation of the grated Space Launch System, including an (B) directly assess the utility and esti- Senate and the Committee on Science, upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth mated cost savings obtained by using a cargo Space, and Technology of the House of Rep- orbit, in order to safely enable human space variant of the Space Launch System for na- resentatives describing the progress being exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond tional security and space science missions. made toward developing the Space Launch over the course of the next century as re- (3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later System and Orion’’. quired in section 302(c) of the National Aero- than 180 days after the date of enactment of Subtitle B—Assuring Core Capabilities for nautics and Space Administration Author- this Act, the Administrator shall submit the Exploration ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). report to the appropriate committees of Con- (e) REPORT.— SEC. 421. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, AND gress. N GENERAL EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS. (1) I .—Not later than 60 days Subtitle C—Journey to Mars after the date of enactment of this Act, the (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- SEC. 431. FINDINGS ON HUMAN SPACE EXPLO- lowing findings: Administrator shall submit to the appro- RATION. (1) NASA has made steady progress in de- priate committees of Congress a report ad- Congress makes the following findings: veloping and testing the Space Launch Sys- dressing the ability of Orion to meet the (1) In accordance with section 204 of the tem and Orion exploration systems with the needs and the minimum capability require- National Aeronautics and Space Administra- successful Exploration Flight Test of Orion ments described in section 303(b)(3) of the tion Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. in December of 2014, the final qualification National Aeronautics and Space Administra- 2813), the National Academies of Sciences, test firing of the 5-segment Space Launch tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. Engineering, and Medicine, through its Com- System boosters in June 2016, and a full 18323(b)(3)). mittee on Human Spaceflight, conducted a thrust, full duration test firing of the RS–25 (2) CONTENTS.—The report shall detail— review of the goals, core capabilities, and di- Space Launch System core stage engine in (A) those components and systems of Orion rection of human space flight, and published August 2016. that ensure it is in compliance with section the findings and recommendations in a 2014 (2) Through the 21st Century Launch Com- 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)); report entitled, ‘‘Pathways to Exploration: plex program and Exploration Ground Sys- (B) the expected date that Orion, inte- Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Pro- tems programs, NASA has made significant grated with a vehicle other than the Space gram of Human Space Exploration’’. progress in transforming exploration ground Launch System, could be available to trans- (2) The Committee on Human Spaceflight systems infrastructure to meet NASA’s mis- port crew and cargo to the ISS; included leaders from the aerospace, sci- sion requirements for the Space Launch Sys- (C) any impacts to the deep space explo- entific, security, and policy communities. tem and Orion and to modernize NASA’s ration missions under subsection (f) of this (3) With input from the public, the Com- launch complexes to the benefit of the civil, section due to enabling Orion to meet the mittee on Human Spaceflight concluded that defense, and commercial space sectors. minimum capability requirements described many practical and aspirational rationales (b) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.— in section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. for human space flight together constitute a (1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 18323(b)(3)) and conducting the mission de- compelling case for continued national in- Congress that use of the Space Launch Sys- scribed in subparagraph (B) of this para- vestment and pursuit of human space explo- tem and Orion, with contributions from part- graph; and ration toward the horizon goal of Mars. nerships with the private sector, academia, (D) the overall cost and schedule impacts (4) According to the Committee on Human and the international community, is the associated with enabling Orion to meet the Spaceflight, the rationales include economic most practical approach to reaching the minimum capability requirements described benefits, national security, national pres- Moon, Mars, and beyond. in section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. tige, inspiring students and other citizens, (2) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms 18323(b)(3)) and conducting the mission de- scientific discovery, human survival, and a the policy and minimum capability require- scribed in subparagraph (B) of this para- sense of shared destiny. ments for the Space Launch System under graph. (5) The Committee on Human Spaceflight section 302 of the National Aeronautics and (f) EXPLORATION MISSIONS.—The Adminis- affirmed that Mars is the appropriate long- Space Administration Authorization Act of trator shall continue development of— term goal for the human space flight pro- 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322). (1) an uncrewed exploration mission to gram. (c) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SPACE LAUNCH demonstrate the capability of both the Space (6) The Committee on Human Spaceflight SYSTEM, ORION, AND EXPLORATION GROUND Launch System and Orion as an integrated recommended that NASA define a series of SYSTEMS.—It is the sense of Congress that— system by 2018; sustainable steps and conduct mission plan- (1) as the United States works to send hu- (2) subject to applicable human rating ning and technology development as needed mans on a series of missions to Mars in the processes and requirements, a crewed explo- to achieve the long-term goal of placing hu- 2030s, the United States national space pro- ration mission to demonstrate the Space mans on the surface of Mars. gram should continue to make progress on Launch System, including the Core Stage (7) Expanding human presence beyond low- its commitment by fully developing the and Exploration Upper Stages, by 2021; Earth orbit and advancing toward human Space Launch System, Orion, and related (3) subsequent missions beginning with missions to Mars requires early planning and Exploration Ground Systems; EM–3 at operational flight rate sufficient to timely decisions to be made in the near-term (2) using the Space Launch System and maintain safety and operational readiness on the necessary courses of action for com- Orion for a wide range of contemplated mis- using the Space Launch System and Orion to mitments to achieve short-term and long- sions will facilitate the national defense, extend into cis-lunar space and eventually to term goals and objectives. science, and exploration objectives of the Mars; and (8) In addition to the 2014 report described United States; (4) a deep space habitat as a key element in in paragraph (1), there are several independ- (3) the United States should have con- a deep space exploration architecture along ently developed reports or concepts that de- tinuity of purpose for the Space Launch Sys- with the Space Launch System and Orion. scribe potential Mars architectures or con- tem and Orion in deep space exploration mis- (g) OTHER USES.—The Administrator shall cepts and identify Mars as the long-term sions, using them beginning with the assess the utility of the Space Launch Sys- goal for human space exploration, including uncrewed mission, EM–1, planned for 2018, tem for use by the science community and NASA’s ‘‘The Global Exploration Roadmap’’ followed by the crewed mission, EM–2, in cis- for other Federal Government launch needs, of 2013, ‘‘NASA’s Journey to Mars–Pio- lunar space planned for 2021, and for subse- including consideration of overall cost and neering Next Steps in Space Exploration’’ of quent missions beginning with EM–3 extend- schedule savings from reduced transit times 2015, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s ing into cis-lunar space and eventually to and increased science returns enabled by the ‘‘Minimal Architecture for Human Journeys Mars; unique capabilities of the Space Launch Sys- to Mars’’ of 2015, and Explore Mars’ ‘‘The Hu- (4) the President’s annual budget requests tem. mans to Mars Report 2016’’. for the Space Launch System and Orion de- (h) UTILIZATION REPORT.— SEC. 432. HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP. velopment, test, and operational phases (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of should strive to accurately reflect the re- consultation with the Secretary of Defense Congress that— source requirements of each of those phases; and the Director of National Intelligence, (1) expanding human presence beyond low- (5) the fully integrated Space Launch Sys- shall prepare a report that addresses the ef- Earth orbit and advancing toward human tem, including an upper stage needed to go fort and budget required to enable and uti- missions to Mars in the 2030s requires early beyond low-Earth orbit, will safely enable lize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space strategic planning and timely decisions to be human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, Launch System configuration described in made in the near-term on the necessary and beyond; and section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics courses of action for commitments to (6) the Administrator should budget for and Space Administration Authorization Act achieve short-term and long-term goals and and undertake a robust ground test and of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). objectives;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1559 (2) for strong and sustained United States posed by relying on international partners (C) identifying and defining timelines and leadership, a need exists to advance a human for capabilities and technologies on the crit- milestones for a sustainable cadence of mis- exploration roadmap, addressing exploration ical path of development; sions beginning with EM–3 for the Space objectives in collaboration with inter- (L) a process for partnering with non- Launch System and Orion to extend human national, academic, and industry partners; governmental entities using Space Act exploration from cis-lunar space to the sur- (3) an approach that incrementally ad- Agreements or other acquisition instruments face of Mars. vances toward a long-term goal is one in for future human space exploration; and (5) REPORTS.— which nearer-term developments and imple- (M) include information on the phasing of (A) INITIAL HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.— mentation would influence future develop- planned intermediate destinations, Mars The Administrator shall submit to the ap- ment and implementation; and mission risk areas and potential risk mitiga- propriate committees of Congress— (4) a human exploration roadmap should tion approaches, technology requirements (i) an initial human exploration roadmap, begin with low-Earth orbit, then address in and phasing of required technology develop- including a critical decision plan, before De- greater detail progress beyond low-Earth ment activities, the management strategy to cember 1, 2017; and orbit to cis-lunar space, and then address fu- be followed, related ISS activities, planned (ii) an updated human exploration roadmap ture missions aimed at human arrival and international collaborative activities, poten- periodically as the Administrator considers activities near and then on the surface of tial commercial contributions, and other ac- necessary but not less than biennially. Mars. tivities relevant to the achievement of the (B) CONTENTS.—Each human exploration (b) HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.— goal established in this section. roadmap under this paragraph shall include (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall (3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the a description of— develop a human exploration roadmap, in- human exploration roadmap, the Adminis- (i) the achievements and goals accom- cluding a critical decision plan, to expand trator shall consider— plished in the process of developing such ca- human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to (A) using key exploration capabilities, pabilities and technologies during the 2-year the surface of Mars and beyond, considering namely the Space Launch System and Orion; period prior to the submission of the human potential interim destinations such as cis- (B) using existing commercially available exploration roadmap; and lunar space and the moons of Mars. technologies and capabilities or those tech- (ii) the expected goals and achievements in (2) SCOPE.—The human exploration road- nologies and capabilities being developed by the following 2- year period. map shall include— industry for commercial purposes; (C) SUBMISSION WITH BUDGET.—Each human (A) an integrated set of exploration, (C) establishing an organizational ap- exploration roadmap under this section shall science, and other goals and objectives of a proach to ensure collaboration and coordina- be included in the budget for that fiscal year United States human space exploration pro- tion among NASA’s Mission Directorates transmitted to Congress under section gram to achieve the long-term goal of human under section 821, when appropriate, includ- 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code. missions near or on the surface of Mars in ing to collect and return to Earth a sample the 2030s; from the Martian surface; SEC. 433. ADVANCED SPACE SUIT CAPABILITY. (B) opportunities for international, aca- (D) building upon the initial uncrewed mis- Not later than 90 days after the date of en- demic, and industry partnerships for explo- sion, EM–1, and first crewed mission, EM–2, actment of this Act, the Administrator shall ration-related systems, services, research, of the Space Launch System and Orion to es- submit to the appropriate committees of and technology if those opportunities pro- tablish a sustainable cadence of missions ex- Congress a detailed plan for achieving an ad- vide cost-savings, accelerate program sched- tending human exploration missions into cis- vanced space suit capability that aligns with ules, or otherwise benefit the goals and ob- lunar space, including anticipated timelines the crew needs for exploration enabled by jectives developed under subparagraph (A); and milestones; the Space Launch System and Orion, includ- (C) sets and sequences of precursor mis- (E) developing the robotic and precursor ing an evaluation of the merit of delivering sions in cis-lunar space and other missions missions and activities that will dem- the planned suit system for use on the ISS. or activities necessary— onstrate, test, and develop key technologies SEC. 434. ASTEROID ROBOTIC REDIRECT MIS- (i) to demonstrate the proficiency of the and capabilities essential for achieving SION. capabilities and technologies identified human missions to Mars, including long-du- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- under subparagraph (D); and ration human operations beyond low-Earth lowing findings: (ii) to meet the goals and objectives devel- orbit, space suits, solar electric propulsion, (1) NASA initially estimated that the As- oped under subparagraph (A), including an- deep space habitats, environmental control teroid Robotic Redirect Mission would ticipated timelines and missions for the life support systems, Mars lander and ascent launch in December 2020 and cost no more Space Launch System and Orion; vehicle, entry, descent, landing, ascent, Mars than $1,250,000,000, excluding launch and op- (D) an identification of the specific capa- surface systems, and in-situ resource utiliza- erations. bilities and technologies, including the tion; (2) On July 15, 2016, NASA conducted its Space Launch System, Orion, a deep space (F) demonstrating and testing 1 or more Key Decision Point-B review of the Asteroid habitat, and other capabilities, that facili- habitat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare Robotic Redirect Mission or approval for tate the goals and objectives developed for Mars missions; Phase B in mission formulation. under subparagraph (A); (G) using public-private, firm fixed-price (3) During the Key Decision Point-B re- (E) a description of how cis-lunar elements, partnerships, where practicable; view, NASA estimated that costs have grown objectives, and activities advance the human (H) collaborating with international, aca- to $1,400,000,000 excluding launch and oper- exploration of Mars; demic, and industry partners, when appro- ations for a launch in December 2021 and the (F) an assessment of potential human priate; agency must evaluate whether to accept the health and other risks, including radiation (I) any risks to human health and sensitive increase or reduce the Asteroid Robotic Re- exposure; onboard technologies, including radiation direct Mission’s scope to stay within the cost (G) mitigation plans, whenever possible, to exposure; cap set by the Administrator. address the risks identified in subparagraph (J) any risks identified through research (4) In April 2015, the NASA Advisory Coun- (F); outcomes under the NASA Human Research cil— (H) a description of those technologies al- Program’s Behavioral Health Element; and (A) issued a finding that— ready under development across the Federal (K) the recommendations and ideas of sev- (i) high-performance solar electric propul- Government or by other entities that facili- eral independently developed reports or con- sion will likely be an important part of an tate the goals and objectives developed cepts that describe potential Mars architec- architecture to send humans to Mars; and under subparagraph (A); tures or concepts and identify Mars as the (ii) maneuvering a large test mass is not (I) a specific process for the evolution of long-term goal for human space exploration, necessary to provide a valid in-space test of the capabilities of the fully integrated Orion including the reports described under section a new solar electric propulsion stage; with the Space Launch System and a de- 431. (B) determined that a solar electric propul- scription of how these systems facilitate the (4) CRITICAL DECISION PLAN ON HUMAN SPACE sion mission will contribute more directly to goals and objectives developed under sub- EXPLORATION.—As part of the human explo- the goal of sending humans to Mars if the paragraph (A) and demonstrate the capabili- ration roadmap, the Administrator shall in- mission is focused entirely on development ties and technologies described in subpara- clude a critical decision plan— and validation of the solar electric propul- graph (D); (A) identifying and defining key decisions sion stage; and (J) a description of the capabilities and guiding human space exploration priorities (C) determined that other possible motiva- technologies that need to be demonstrated or and plans that need to be made before June tions for acquiring and maneuvering a boul- research data that could be gained through 30, 2020, including decisions that may guide der, such as asteroid science and planetary the utilization of the ISS and the status of human space exploration capability develop- defense, do not have value commensurate the development of such capabilities and ment, precursor missions, long-term mis- with their probable cost. technologies; sions, and activities; (5) The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission (K) a framework for international coopera- (B) defining decisions needed to maximize is competing for resources with other crit- tion in the development of all capabilities efficiencies and resources for reaching the ical exploration development programs, in- and technologies identified under this sec- near, intermediate, and long-term goals and cluding the Space Launch System, Orion, tion, including an assessment of the risks objectives of human space exploration; and commercial crew, and a habitation module.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 (6) In 2014, the NASA Advisory Council rec- tions regarding the Mars 2033 human space States government astronaut’s private ommended that NASA conduct an inde- flight mission described in subsection (a). health insurance; pendent cost and technical assessment of the (d) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 60 days (5) expanded data acquired from such moni- Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. after the date the report is submitted under toring, diagnosis, and treatment should be (7) In 2015, the NASA Advisory Council rec- subsection (c), the Administrator shall sub- used to tailor treatment, inform the require- ommended that NASA preserve the following mit to the appropriate committees of Con- ments for new space flight medical hard- key objectives if the program needed to be gress an assessment by the NASA Advisory ware, and develop controls in order to pre- descoped: Council of whether the proposal for a Mars vent disease occurrence in the astronaut (A) Development of high power solar elec- human space flight mission to be launched in corps; and tric propulsion. 2033 is in the strategic interests of the (6) the 340-day space mission of Scott Kelly (B) Ability to maneuver in a low gravity United States in space exploration. aboard the ISS— environment in deep space. Subtitle D—TREAT Astronauts Act (A) was pivotal for the goal of the United (8) In January 2015 and July 2015, the SEC. 441. SHORT TITLE. States for humans to explore deep space and NASA Advisory Council expressed its con- This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘To Re- Mars as the mission generated new insight cern to NASA about the potential for grow- search, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astro- into how the human body adjusts to ing costs for the program and highlighted nauts Act’’ or the ‘‘TREAT Astronauts Act’’. weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the that choices would need to be made about SEC. 442. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. stress of long-duration space flight; and the program’s content. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- (B) will help support the physical and men- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of lowing findings: tal well-being of astronauts during longer Congress that— (1) Human space exploration can pose sig- space exploration missions in the future. (1) the technological and scientific goals of nificant challenges and is full of substantial SEC. 443. MEDICAL MONITORING AND RESEARCH the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission have risk, which has ultimately claimed the lives RELATING TO HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT. not been demonstrated to Congress to be of 24 NASA astronauts serving in the line of (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter commensurate with the cost; and duty. 201 of title 51, United States Code, as amend- (2) alternative missions may provide a (2) As United States government astro- ed by section 305 of this Act, is further more cost effective and scientifically bene- nauts participate in long-duration and explo- amended by adding at the end the following: ficial means to demonstrate the technologies ration space flight missions they may experi- needed for a human mission to Mars that ence increased health risks, such as vision ‘‘§ 20149. Medical monitoring and research re- would otherwise be demonstrated by the As- impairment, bone demineralization, and be- lating to human space flight teroid Robotic Redirect Mission. havioral health and performance risks, and ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any (c) EVALUATION AND REPORT.—Not later may be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. other provision of law, the Administrator than 180 days after the date of enactment of Exposure to high levels of radiation and may provide for— this Act, the Administrator shall— microgravity can result in acute and long- ‘‘(1) the medical monitoring and diagnosis (1) conduct an evaluation of— term health consequences that can increase of a former United States government astro- (A) alternative approaches to the Asteroid the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration naut or a former payload specialist for condi- Robotic Redirect Mission for demonstrating and have potential effects on the musculo- tions that the Administrator considers po- the technologies and capabilities needed for skeletal system, central nervous system, tentially associated with human space flight; a human mission to Mars that would other- cardiovascular system, immune function, and wise be demonstrated by the Asteroid and vision. ‘‘(2) the treatment of a former United Robotic Redirect Mission; (3) To advance the goal of long-duration States government astronaut or a former (B) the scientific and technical benefits of and exploration space flight missions, United payload specialist for conditions that the the alternative approaches under subpara- States government astronaut Scott Kelly Administrator considers associated with graph (A) to future human space exploration participated in a 1-year twins study in space human space flight, including scientific and compared to scientific and technical benefits while his identical twin brother, former medical tests for psychological and medical of the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission; United States government astronaut Mark conditions. (C) the commercial benefits of the alter- Kelly, acted as a human control specimen on ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— native approaches identified in subparagraph Earth, providing an understanding of the ‘‘(1) NO COST SHARING.—The medical moni- (A), including the impact on the develop- physical, behavioral, microbiological, and toring, diagnosis, or treatment described in ment of domestic solar electric propulsion molecular reaction of the human body to an subsection (a) shall be provided without any technology to bolster United States competi- extended period of time in space. deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing tiveness in the global marketplace; and (4) Since the Administration currently pro- obligation. (D) a comparison of the estimated costs of vides medical monitoring, diagnosis, and ‘‘(2) ACCESS TO LOCAL SERVICES.—The med- the alternative approaches identified in sub- treatment for United States government as- ical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment paragraph (A); and tronauts during their active employment, described in subsection (a) may be provided (2) submit to the appropriate committees given the unknown long-term health con- by a local health care provider if it is of Congress a report on the evaluation under sequences of long-duration space explo- unadvisable due to the health of the applica- paragraph (1), including any recommenda- ration, the Administration has requested ble former United States government astro- tions. statutory authority from Congress to pro- naut or former payload specialist for that SEC. 435. MARS 2033 REPORT. vide medical monitoring, diagnosis, and former United States government astronaut (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days treatment to former United States govern- or former payload specialist to travel to the after the date of enactment of this Act, the ment astronauts for psychological and med- Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, as deter- Administrator shall contract with an inde- ical conditions associated with human space mined by the Administrator. pendent, non-governmental systems engi- flight. ‘‘(3) SECONDARY PAYMENT.—Payment or re- neering and technical assistance organiza- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of imbursement for the medical monitoring, di- tion to study a Mars human space flight mis- Congress that— agnosis, or treatment described in subsection sion to be launched in 2033. (1) the United States should continue to (a) shall be secondary to any obligation of (b) CONTENTS.—The study shall include— seek the unknown and lead the world in the United States Government or any third (1) a technical development, test, fielding, space exploration and scientific discovery as party under any other provision of law or and operations plan using the Space Launch the Administration prepares for long-dura- contractual agreement to pay for or provide System, Orion, and other systems to success- tion and exploration space flight in deep such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treat- fully launch such a Mars human space flight space and an eventual mission to Mars; ment. Any costs for items and services that mission by 2033; (2) data relating to the health of astro- may be provided by the Administrator for (2) an annual budget profile, including cost nauts will become increasingly valuable to medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment estimates, for the technical development, improving our understanding of many dis- under subsection (a) that are not paid for or test, fielding, and operations plan to carry eases humans face on Earth; provided under such other provision of law or out a Mars human space flight mission by (3) the Administration should provide the contractual agreement, due to the applica- 2033; and type of monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment tion of deductibles, copayments, coinsur- (3) a comparison of the annual budget pro- described in subsection (a) only for condi- ance, other cost sharing, or otherwise, are file to the 5-year budget profile contained in tions the Administration considers unique to reimbursable by the Administrator on behalf the President’s budget request for fiscal year the training or exposure to the space flight of the former United States government as- 2017 under section 1105 of title 31, United environment of United States government tronaut or former payload specialist in- States Code. astronauts and should not require any volved to the extent such items or services (c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after former United States Government astro- are authorized to be provided by the Admin- the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- nauts to participate in the Administration’s istrator for such medical monitoring, diag- ministrator shall submit to the appropriate monitoring; nosis, or treatment under subsection (a). committees of Congress a report on the (4) such monitoring, diagnosis, and treat- ‘‘(4) CONDITIONAL PAYMENT.—The Adminis- study, including findings and recommenda- ment should not replace a former United trator may provide for conditional payments

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1561 for or provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, under section 20149 of title 51, United States (4) robotic planetary exploration is a key or treatment described in subsection (a) that Code, and a 5-year budget estimate. component of preparing for future human ex- is obligated to be paid for or provided by the (3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Admin- ploration. United States or any third party under any istrator shall submit to the appropriate com- (b) MISSION PRIORITIES.— other provision of law or contractual agree- mittees of Congress each report under para- (1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the ment to pay for or provide such medical graph (1) not later than the date of submis- priorities established in the most recent monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment if— sion of the President’s annual budget request Planetary Science Decadal Survey, the Ad- ‘‘(A) payment for (or the provision of) such for that fiscal year under section 1105 of title ministrator shall ensure, to the greatest ex- medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment 31, United States Code. tent practicable, the completion of a bal- services has not been made (or provided) or (d) COST ESTIMATE.— anced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and cannot reasonably be expected to be made (1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days Flagship missions at the cadence rec- (or provided) promptly by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act, the ommended by the most recent Planetary or such third party, respectively; and Administrator shall enter into an arrange- Science Decadal Survey. ‘‘(B) such payment (or such provision of ment with an independent external organiza- (2) MISSION PRIORITY ADJUSTMENTS.—Con- services) by the Administrator is conditioned tion to undertake an independent cost esti- sistent with the set of missions described in on reimbursement by the United States or mate of the cost to the Administration and paragraph (1), and while maintaining the such third party, respectively, for such med- the Federal Government to implement and continuity of scientific data and steady de- ical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. administer the activities of the Administra- velopment of capabilities and technologies, ‘‘(c) EXCLUSIONS.—The Administrator may tion under section 20149 of title 51, United the Administrator may seek, if necessary, not— States Code. The independent external orga- adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, ‘‘(1) provide for medical monitoring or di- nization may not be a NASA entity, such as and scope in light of changing budget projec- agnosis of a former United States govern- the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. tions. ment astronaut or former payload specialist (2) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later SEC. 503. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE. under subsection (a) for any psychological or than 1 year after the date of the enactment It is the sense of Congress that— medical condition that is not potentially as- of this Act, the Administrator shall submit (1) the James Webb Space Telescope will— sociated with human space flight; to the appropriate committees of Congress (A) significantly advance our under- ‘‘(2) provide for treatment of a former the independent cost estimate under para- standing of star and planet formation, and United States government astronaut or graph (1). improve our knowledge of the early universe; and former payload specialist under subsection (e) PRIVACY STUDY.— (B) support United States leadership in as- (a) for any psychological or medical condi- (1) STUDY.—The Administrator shall carry trophysics; tion that is not associated with human space out a study on any potential privacy or legal (2) consistent with annual Government Ac- flight; or issues related to the possible sharing beyond countability Office reviews of the James ‘‘(3) require a former United States govern- the Federal Government of data acquired Webb Space Telescope program, the Admin- ment astronaut or former payload specialist under the activities of the Administration to participate in the medical monitoring, di- istrator should continue robust surveillance under section 20149 of title 51, United States of the performance of the James Webb Space agnosis, or treatment authorized under sub- Code. section (a). Telescope project and continue to improve (2) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the reliability of cost estimates and con- ‘‘(d) PRIVACY.—Consistent with applicable the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- provisions of Federal law relating to privacy, tractor performance data and other major ministrator shall submit to the appropriate space flight projects in order to enhance the Administrator shall protect the privacy committees of Congress a report containing of all medical records generated under sub- NASA’s ability to successfully deliver the the results of the study carried out under James Webb Space Telescope on-time and section (a) and accessible to the Administra- paragraph (1). tion. within budget; (f) INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT.—The Inspec- (3) the on-time and on-budget delivery of ‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator tor General of NASA shall periodically audit shall promulgate such regulations as are the James Webb Space Telescope is a high or review, as the Inspector General considers congressional priority; and necessary to carry out this section. necessary to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, ‘‘(f) DEFINITION OF UNITED STATES GOVERN- (4) the Administrator should ensure that the activities of the Administration under integrated testing is appropriately timed and MENT ASTRONAUT.—In this section, the term section 20149 of title 51, United States Code. ‘United States government astronaut’ has sufficiently comprehensive to enable poten- the meaning given the term ‘government as- TITLE V—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE tial issues to be identified and addressed tronaut’ in section 50902, except it does not SEC. 501. MAINTAINING A BALANCED SPACE early enough to be handled within the James include an individual who is an international SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. Webb Space Telescope’s development sched- partner astronaut. (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SCIENCE PORT- ule and prior to its launch. ‘‘(g) DATA USE AND DISCLOSURE.—The Ad- FOLIO.—Congress reaffirms the sense of Con- SEC. 504. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELE- ministrator may use or disclose data ac- gress that— SCOPE. quired in the course of medical monitoring, (1) a balanced and adequately funded set of (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of diagnosis, or treatment of a former United activities, consisting of research and anal- Congress that— States government astronaut or a former ysis grant programs, technology develop- (1) the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Tele- payload specialist under subsection (a), in ment, suborbital research activities, and scope (referred to in this section as accordance with subsection (d). Former small, medium, and large space missions, ‘‘WFIRST’’) mission has the potential to en- United States government astronaut or contributes to a robust and productive able scientific discoveries that will trans- former payload specialist participation in science program and serves as a catalyst for form our understanding of the universe; and medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment innovation and discovery; and (2) the Administrator, to the extent prac- under subsection (a) shall constitute consent (2) the Administrator should set science ticable, should make progress on the tech- for the Administrator to use or disclose such priorities by following the guidance provided nologies and capabilities needed to position data.’’. by the scientific community through the Na- the Administration to meet the objectives, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies’ (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- tional Academies of Sciences, Engineering, tents for chapter 201 of title 51, United and Medicine’s decadal surveys. Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Sur- vey, in a way that maximizes the scientific States Code, as amended by section 305 of (b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United productivity of meeting those objectives for this Act, is further amended by inserting States to ensure, to the extent practicable, a the resources invested. after the item relating to section 20148 the steady cadence of large, medium, and small (b) CONTINUITY OF DEVELOPMENT.—The Ad- following: science missions. ministrator shall ensure that the concept ‘‘20149. Medical monitoring and research re- SEC. 502. PLANETARY SCIENCE. definition and pre-formulation activities of lating to human space flight.’’. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— the WFIRST mission continue while the (c) ANNUAL REPORTS.— (1) Administration support for planetary James Webb Space Telescope is being com- (1) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, not later science is critical to enabling greater under- pleted. than the date of submission of the Presi- standing of the solar system and the origin SEC. 505. MARS 2020 ROVER. dent’s annual budget request for that fiscal of the Earth; It is the sense of Congress that— year under section 1105 of title 31, United (2) the United States leads the world in (1) the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a States Code, the Administrator shall publish planetary science and can augment its suc- Mars rover and to enable the return of sam- a report, in accordance with applicable Fed- cess in that area with appropriate inter- ples to Earth, should remain a priority for eral privacy laws, on the activities of the Ad- national, academic, and industry partner- NASA; and ministration under section 20149 of title 51, ships; (2) the Mars 2020 mission— United States Code. (3) a mix of small, medium, and large plan- (A) should significantly increase our un- (2) CONTENTS.—Each report under para- etary science missions is required to sustain derstanding of Mars; graph (1) shall include a detailed cost ac- a steady cadence of planetary exploration; (B) should help determine whether life pre- counting of the Administration’s activities and viously existed on that planet; and

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(C) should provide opportunities to gather (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall ‘‘(1) to accelerate the survey described in knowledge and demonstrate technologies enter into an arrangement with the National subsection (d); and that address the challenges of future human Academies to develop a science strategy for ‘‘(2) to expand the Administration’s Near- expeditions to Mars. astrobiology that would outline key sci- Earth Object Program to include the detec- SEC. 506. EUROPA. entific questions, identify the most prom- tion, tracking, cataloguing, and character- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- ising research in the field, and indicate the ization of potentially hazardous near-Earth lowing findings: extent to which the mission priorities in ex- objects less than 140 meters in diameter. (1) Studies of Europa, Jupiter’s moon, indi- isting decadal surveys address the search for ‘‘(h) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 270 cate that Europa may provide a habitable life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and fu- days after the date of enactment of the Na- environment, as it contains key ingredients ture in the Universe. tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- known to support life. (2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The strategy shall tion Transition Authorization Act of 2017, (2) In 2012, using the Hubble Space Tele- include recommendations for coordination the Administrator shall transmit the results scope, NASA scientists observed water vapor with international partners. of the assessment under subsection (g) to the around the south polar region of Europa, (b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator Committee on Commerce, Science, and which provides potential evidence of water shall use the strategy developed under sub- Transportation of the Senate and the Com- plumes in that region. section (a) in planning and funding research mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of (3) For decades, the Europa mission has and other activities and initiatives in the the House of Representatives.’’. consistently ranked as a high priority mis- field of astrobiology. SEC. 512. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRI- sion for the scientific community. (c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than VATE PARTNERSHIPS. (4) The Europa mission was ranked as the 18 months after the date of enactment of this (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of top priority mission in the previous Plan- Act, the National Academies shall submit to Congress that the Administration should etary Science Decadal Survey and ranked as the Administrator and to the appropriate seek to leverage the capabilities of the pri- the second-highest priority in the current committees of Congress a report containing vate sector and philanthropic organizations Planetary Science Decadal Survey. the strategy developed under subsection (a). to the maximum extent practicable in car- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of SEC. 510. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PART- rying out the Near-Earth Object Survey Pro- Congress that— NERSHIPS. gram in order to meet the goal of that pro- (1) the Europa mission could provide an- Not later than 180 days after the date of gram under section 321(d)(1) of the National other avenue in which to capitalize on our enactment of this Act, the Administrator Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- Nation’s current investment in the Space shall submit to the appropriate committees thorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. Launch System that would significantly re- of Congress a report describing how the Ad- 71101(d)(1)). duce the transit time for such a deep space ministration can expand collaborative part- (b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after mission; and nerships to study life’s origin, evolution, dis- the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- (2) a scientific, robotic exploration mission tribution, and future in the universe. ministrator shall submit to the appropriate to Europa, as prioritized in both Planetary SEC. 511. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS. committees of Congress a report describing Science Decadal Surveys, should be sup- Section 321 of the National Aeronautics how the Administration can expand collabo- ported. and Space Administration Authorization Act rative partnerships to detect, track, cata- SEC. 507. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. 71101) is amended logue, and categorize near-Earth objects. POLICY AND PURPOSE. by adding at the end the following: SEC. 513. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EX- TENSIONS. Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States ‘‘(e) PROGRAM REPORT.—The Director of Code, is amended by adding at the end the the Office of Science and Technology Policy Section 30504 of title 51, United States following: and the Administrator shall submit to the Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(10) The search for life’s origin, evolution, Committee on Commerce, Science, and ‘‘§ 30504. Assessment of science mission exten- distribution, and future in the universe.’’. Transportation of the Senate and the Com- sions SEC. 508. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of ‘‘(a) ASSESSMENTS.— STRATEGY. the House of Representatives, not later than ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall (a) STRATEGY.— 1 year after the date of enactment of the Na- carry out triennial reviews within each of (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- the Science divisions to assess the cost and enter into an arrangement with the National tion Transition Authorization Act of 2017, an benefits of extending the date of the termi- Academies to develop a science strategy for initial report that provides— nation of data collection for those missions the study and exploration of extrasolar plan- ‘‘(1) recommendations for carrying out the that exceed their planned missions’ lifetime. ets, including the use of the Transiting Survey program and an associated proposed ‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting an as- Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb budget; sessment under paragraph (1), the Adminis- Space Telescope, a potential Wide-Field In- ‘‘(2) an analysis of possible options that trator shall consider whether and how ex- frared Survey Telescope mission, or any the Administration could employ to divert tending missions impacts the start of future other telescope, spacecraft, or instrument, as an object on a likely collision course with missions. appropriate. Earth; and ‘‘(b) CONSULTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy shall— ‘‘(3) a description of the status of efforts to POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF INSTRUMENTS ON MIS- (A) outline key scientific questions; coordinate and cooperate with other coun- SIONS.—When deciding whether to extend a (B) identify the most promising research in tries to discover hazardous asteroids and mission that has an operational component, the field; comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and im- the Administrator shall— (C) indicate the extent to which the mis- plement that strategy in the event of the ‘‘(1) consult with any affected Federal sion priorities in existing decadal surveys discovery of an object on a likely collision agency; and address the key extrasolar planet research course with Earth. ‘‘(2) take into account the potential bene- and exploration goals; ‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—After the initial re- fits of instruments on missions that are be- (D) identify opportunities for coordination port under subsection (e), the Administrator yond their planned mission lifetime. with international partners, commercial shall annually transmit to the Committee on ‘‘(c) REPORTS.—The Administrator shall partners, and not-for-profit partners; and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of submit to the Committee on Commerce, (E) make recommendations regarding the the Senate and the Committee on Science, Science, and Transportation of the Senate activities under subparagraphs (A) through Space, and Technology of the House of Rep- and the Committee on Science, Space, and (D), as appropriate. resentatives a report that includes— Technology of the House of Representatives, (b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator ‘‘(1) a summary of all activities carried out at the same time as the submission to Con- shall use the strategy— under subsection (d) since the date of enact- gress of the Administration’s annual budget (1) to inform roadmaps, strategic plans, ment of the National Aeronautics and Space request for each fiscal year, a report detail- and other activities of the Administration as Administration Transition Authorization ing any assessment under subsection (a) that they relate to extrasolar planet research and Act of 2017, including the progress toward was carried out during the previous year.’’. exploration; and achieving 90 percent completion of the sur- SEC. 514. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR (2) to provide a foundation for future ac- vey described in subsection (d); and INFRARED ASTRONOMY. tivities and initiatives related to extrasolar ‘‘(2) a summary of expenditures for all ac- The Administrator may not terminate planet research and exploration. tivities carried out under subsection (d) science operations of the Stratospheric Ob- (c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than since the date of enactment of the National servatory for Infrared Astronomy before De- 18 months after the date of enactment of this Aeronautics and Space Administration Tran- cember 31, 2017. Act, the National Academies shall submit to sition Authorization Act of 2017. SEC. 515. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS. the Administrator and to the appropriate ‘‘(g) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator, in (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of committees of Congress a report containing collaboration with other relevant Federal Congress that— the strategy developed under subsection (a). agencies, shall carry out a technical and sci- (1) exploration of the outer reaches of the SEC. 509. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY. entific assessment of the capabilities and re- solar system is enabled by radioisotope (a) STRATEGY.— sources— power systems;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1563 (2) establishing continuity in the produc- Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and tributions, coordination efforts, and tech- tion of the material needed for radioisotope Medicine to assess— nology milestones. power systems is essential to maintaining (1) the Administration’s Mars exploration SEC. 604. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH. the availability of such systems for future architecture and its responsiveness to the (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— deep space exploration missions; and strategies, priorities, and guidelines put for- (1) the ability to fly commercial aircraft (3) Federal agencies supporting the Admin- ward by the National Academies’ planetary over land at supersonic speeds without ad- istration through the production of such ma- science decadal surveys and other relevant verse impacts on the environment or on local terial should do so in a cost effective manner National Academies Mars-related reports; communities could open new global markets so as not to impose excessive reimbursement (2) the long-term goals of the Administra- and enable new transportation capabilities; requirements on the Administration. tion’s Mars Exploration Program and such and (b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND program’s ability to optimize the science re- (2) continuing the Administration’s re- RISKS.—The Director of the Office of Science turn, given the current fiscal posture of the search program is necessary to assess the and Technology Policy and the Adminis- program; impact in a relevant environment of com- trator, in consultation with the heads of (3) the Mars exploration architecture’s re- mercial supersonic flight operations and pro- other Federal agencies, shall conduct an lationship to Mars-related activities to be vide the basis for establishing appropriate analysis of— undertaken by foreign agencies and organi- sonic boom standards for such flight oper- (1) the requirements of the Administration zations; and ations. for radioisotope power system material that (4) the extent to which the Mars explo- (b) ROADMAP FOR SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.— is needed to carry out planned, high priority ration architecture represents a reasonably (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after robotic missions in the solar system and balanced mission portfolio. the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- other surface exploration activities beyond (b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than ministrator shall develop and submit to the low-Earth orbit; and 18 months after the date of enactment of this appropriate committees of Congress a road- (2) the risks to missions of the Administra- Act, the Administrator shall submit the re- map that allows for flexible funding profiles tion in meeting those requirements, or any sults of the assessment to the appropriate for supersonic aeronautics research and de- additional requirements, due to a lack of committees of Congress. velopment. adequate radioisotope power system mate- SEC. 517. COLLABORATION. (2) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the road- rial. The Administration shall continue to de- map is to develop and demonstrate, in a rel- (c) CONTENTS OF ANALYSIS.—The analysis velop first-of-a-kind instruments that, once evant environment, airframe and propulsion conducted under subsection (b) shall— proved, can be transitioned to other agencies technologies to minimize the environmental (1) detail the Administration’s current pro- for operations. Whenever responsibilities for impact, including noise, of supersonic over- jected mission requirements and associated the development of sensors or for measure- land flight in an efficient and economical timeframes for radioisotope power system ments are transferred to the Administration manner. material; from another agency, the Administration (3) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall in- (2) explain the assumptions used to deter- shall seek, to the extent possible, to be reim- clude— mine the Administration’s requirements for bursed for the assumption of such respon- (A) the baseline research as embodied by the material, including— sibilities. the Administration’s existing research on su- (A) the planned use of advanced thermal TITLE VI—AERONAUTICS personic flight; conversion technology such as advanced (B) a list of specific technological, environ- SEC. 601. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON AERO- thermocouples and Stirling generators and NAUTICS. mental, and other challenges that must be converters; and It is the sense of Congress that— overcome to minimize the environmental (B) the risks and implications of, and con- (1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio impact, including noise, of supersonic over- tingencies for, any delays or unanticipated will help maintain the United States status land flight; technical challenges affecting or related to as a leader in aviation, enhance the competi- (C) a research plan to address the chal- the Administration’s mission plans for the tiveness of the United States in the world lenges under subparagraph (B), including a anticipated use of advanced thermal conver- economy, and improve the quality of life of project timeline for accomplishing relevant sion technology; all citizens; research goals; (3) assess the risk to the Administration’s (2) aeronautics research is essential to the (D) a plan for coordination with stake- programs of any potential delays in achiev- Administration’s mission, continues to be an holders, including relevant government ing the schedule and milestones for planned important core element of the Administra- agencies and industry; and domestic production of radioisotope power tion’s mission, and should be supported; (E) a plan for how the Administration will system material; (3) the Administrator should coordinate ensure that sonic boom research is coordi- (4) outline a process for meeting any addi- and consult with relevant Federal agencies nated as appropriate with relevant Federal tional Administration requirements for the and the private sector to minimize duplica- agencies. material; tion of efforts and leverage resources; and SEC. 605. ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH. (5) estimate the incremental costs required (4) carrying aeronautics research to a level (a) ROADMAP FOR ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH.— to increase the amount of material produced of maturity that allows the Administration’s Not later than 1 year after the date of enact- each year, if such an increase is needed to research results to be transferred to the ment of this Act, the Administrator, in con- support additional Administration require- users, whether private or public sector, is sultation with the heads of other relevant ments for the material; critical to their eventual adoption. Federal agencies, shall prepare and submit (6) detail how the Administration and SEC. 602. TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS RE- to the appropriate committees of Congress a other Federal agencies will manage, operate, SEARCH. roadmap for research relating to rotorcraft and fund production facilities and the design It is the sense of Congress that the Admin- and other runway-independent air vehicles. and development of all radioisotope power istrator should look strategically into the (b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the road- systems used by the Administration and future and ensure that the Administration’s map is to develop and demonstrate improved other Federal agencies as necessary; Center personnel are at the leading edge of safety, noise, and environmental impact in a (7) specify the steps the Administration aeronautics research by encouraging inves- relevant environment. will take, in consultation with the Depart- tigations into the early-stage advancement (c) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall include ment of Energy, to preserve the infrastruc- of new processes, novel concepts, and innova- specific goals for the research, a timeline for ture and workforce necessary for production tive technologies that have the potential to implementation, metrics for success, and of radioisotope power systems and ensure meet national aeronautics needs. guidelines for collaboration and coordination with industry and other Federal agencies. that its reimbursements to the Department SEC. 603. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH. of Energy associated with such preservation (a) ROADMAP FOR HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.— TITLE VII—SPACE TECHNOLOGY are equitable and justified; and Not later than 1 year after the date of enact- SEC. 701. SPACE TECHNOLOGY INFUSION. (8) detail how the Administration has im- ment of this Act, the Administrator, in con- (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SPACE TECH- plemented or rejected the recommendations sultation with the heads of other relevant NOLOGY.—It is the sense of Congress that from the National Research Council’s 2009 re- Federal agencies, shall develop and submit space technology is critical— port titled ‘‘Radioisotope Power Systems: An to the appropriate committees of Congress a (1) to developing technologies and capabili- Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership research and development roadmap for ties that will make the Administration’s in Space Exploration.’’ hypersonic aircraft research. core missions more affordable and more reli- (d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than (b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the road- able; 180 days after the date of enactment of this map is to explore hypersonic science and (2) to enabling a new class of Administra- Act, the Administrator shall submit the re- technology using air-breathing propulsion tion missions beyond low-Earth orbit; and sults of the analysis to the appropriate com- concepts, through a mix of theoretical work, (3) to improving technological capabilities mittees of Congress. basic and applied research, and development and promote innovation for the Administra- SEC. 516. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE. of flight research demonstration vehicles. tion and the Nation. (a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall (c) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall rec- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PROPULSION enter into an arrangement with the National ommend appropriate Federal agency con- TECHNOLOGY.—It is the sense of Congress

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(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall include an (c) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United (g) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after assessment of— States that the Administrator shall develop the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- (A) the resources available for overseeing technologies to support the Administration’s ministrator shall provide to the appropriate Administration-wide information technology core missions, as described in section 2(3) of committees of Congress a report— operations, investments, and security meas- the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- (1) comparing the Administration’s space ures and the NASA Chief Information Offi- istration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. technology investments with the high-pri- cer’s visibility and involvement into infor- 18301(3)), and support sustained investments ority technology areas identified by the Na- mation technology oversight and access to in early stage innovation, fundamental re- tional Academies in the National Research those resources; search, and technologies to expand the Council’s report on the Administration’s (B) the effectiveness and challenges of the boundaries of the national aerospace enter- Space Technology Roadmaps; and Administration’s information technology prise. (2) including— structure, decision making processes and au- (d) PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES.—A goal of (A) identification of how the Administra- thorities, including impacts on its ability to propulsion technologies developed under sub- tion will address any gaps between the agen- implement information security; and section (c) shall be to significantly reduce cy’s investments and the recommended tech- (C) the impact of NASA Chief Information human travel time to Mars. nology areas, including a projection of fund- Officer approval authority over information SEC. 702. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. ing requirements; and technology investments that exceed a de- (a) SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AUTHOR- (B) identification of the rationale de- fined monetary threshold, including any po- IZED.—The Administrator shall conduct a scribed in subsection (f)(1)(C). tential impacts of such authority on the Ad- space technology program (referred to in this (h) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator ministration’s missions, flights programs section as the ‘‘Program’’) to research and shall include in the Administration’s annual and projects, research activities, and Center develop advanced space technologies that budget request for each fiscal year the ra- operations. could deliver innovative solutions across the tionale for assigning organizational respon- (3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after Administration’s space exploration and sibility for, in the year prior to the budget the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp- science missions. fiscal year, each initiated project, program, troller General shall submit to the appro- and mission focused on research and develop- (b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the priate committees of Congress a report de- Program, the Administrator shall consider— ment of advanced technologies for human tailing the results of the study under para- (1) the recommendations of the National space exploration. graph (1), including any recommendations. Academies’ review of the Administration’s TITLE VIII—MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY SEC. 812. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRA- Space Technology roadmaps and priorities; Subtitle A—Agency Information Technology TEGIC PLAN. and and Cybersecurity (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), (2) the applicable enabling aspects of the the Administrator shall develop an informa- SEC. 811. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOVERN- tion technology strategic plan to guide stepping stone approach to exploration under ANCE. NASA information technology management section 70504 of title 51, United States Code. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, and strategic objectives. (c) REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the Pro- in a manner that reflects the unique nature (b) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the stra- gram, the Administrator shall— of NASA’s mission and expertise— tegic plan, the Administrator shall ensure (1) to the extent practicable, use a com- (1) ensure the NASA Chief Information Of- that the strategic plan addresses— petitive process to select research and devel- ficer, Mission Directorates, and Centers have (1) the deadline under section 306(a) of title opment projects; appropriate roles in the management, gov- 5, United States Code; and (2) to the extent practicable and appro- ernance, and oversight processes related to (2) the requirements under section 3506 of priate, use small satellites and the Adminis- information technology operations and in- title 44, United States Code. tration’s suborbital and ground-based plat- vestments and information security pro- (c) CONTENTS.—The strategic plan shall ad- forms to demonstrate space technology con- grams for the protection of NASA systems; dress, in a manner that reflects the unique cepts and developments; and (2) ensure the NASA Chief Information Of- nature of NASA’s mission and expertise— (3) as appropriate, partner with other Fed- ficer has the appropriate resources and in- (1) near and long-term goals and objectives eral agencies, universities, private industry, sight to oversee NASA information tech- for leveraging information technology; and foreign countries. nology and information security operations (2) a plan for how NASA will submit to (d) SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS.—The Ad- and investments; Congress of a list of information technology ministrator shall organize and manage the (3) provide an information technology pro- projects, including completion dates and risk Administration’s Small Business Innovation gram management framework to increase level in accordance with guidance from the Research Program and Small Business Tech- the efficiency and effectiveness of informa- Office of Management and Budget; nology Transfer Program within the Pro- tion technology investments, including rely- (3) an implementation overview for an gram. ing on metrics for identifying and reducing agency-wide approach to information tech- (e) NONDUPLICATION CERTIFICATION.—The potential duplication, waste, and cost; nology investments and operations, includ- Administrator shall submit a budget for each (4) improve the operational linkage be- ing reducing barriers to cross-center collabo- fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress under tween the NASA Chief Information Officer ration; section 1105(a) of title 31, United States and each NASA mission directorate, center, (4) coordination by the NASA Chief Infor- Code, that avoids duplication of projects, and mission support office to ensure both mation Officer with centers and mission di- programs, or missions conducted by Program agency and mission needs are considered in rectorates to ensure that information tech- with other projects, programs, or missions agency-wide information technology and in- nology policies are effectively and efficiently conducted by another office or directorate of formation security management and over- implemented across the agency; the Administration. sight; (5) a plan to increase the efficiency and ef- (f) COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND (5) review the portfolio of information fectiveness of information technology in- ALIGNMENT.— technology investments and spending, in- vestments, including a description of how (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— cluding information technology-related in- unnecessarily duplicative, wasteful, legacy, (A) ensure that the Administration’s vestments included as part of activities or outdated information technology across projects, programs, and activities in support within NASA mission directorates that may NASA will be identified and eliminated, and of technology research and development of not be considered information technology, to a schedule for the identification and elimi- advanced space technologies are fully coordi- ensure investments are recognized and re- nation of such information technology; nated and aligned; ported appropriately based on guidance from (6) a plan for improving the information se- (B) ensure that the results the projects, the Office of Management and Budget; curity of agency information and agency in- programs, and activities under subparagraph (6) consider appropriate revisions to the formation systems, including improving se- (A) are shared and leveraged within the Ad- charters of information technology boards curity control assessments and role-based se- ministration; and and councils that inform information tech- curity training of employees; and (C) ensure that the organizational respon- nology investment and operation decisions; (7) submission by NASA to Congress of in- sibility for research and development activi- and formation regarding high risk projects and ties in support of human space exploration (7) consider whether the NASA Chief Infor- cybersecurity risks. not initiated as of the date of enactment of mation Officer should have a seat on any (d) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—The Ad- this Act is established on the basis of a boards or councils described in paragraph (6). ministrator shall submit to the appropriate sound rationale. (b) GAO STUDY.— committees of Congress the strategic plan (2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (1) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the under subsection (a) and any updates there- Congress that projects, programs, and mis- United States shall conduct a study of the to.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1565 SEC. 813. CYBERSECURITY. Subtitle B—Collaboration Among Mission poses a danger to United States government (a) FINDING.—Congress finds that the secu- Directorates and Other Matters astronauts, crew, and other personnel and a rity of NASA information and information SEC. 821. COLLABORATION AMONG MISSION DI- risk to the agency overall. systems is vital to the success of the mission RECTORATES. (c) REGULATIONS.— of the agency. The Administrator shall encourage an (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days (b) INFORMATION SECURITY PLAN.— interdisciplinary approach among all NASA after the date of enactment of this Act, the (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after mission directorates and divisions, whenever Administrator shall revise the NASA Supple- the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- appropriate, for projects or missions— ment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation ministrator shall implement the information (1) to improve coordination, and encourage to improve the detection and avoidance of security plan developed under paragraph (2) collaboration and early planning on scope; counterfeit electronic parts in the supply and take such further actions as the Admin- (2) to determine areas of overlap or align- chain. istrator considers necessary to improve the ment; (2) CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES.—In re- information security system in accordance (3) to find ways to leverage across divi- vising the regulations under paragraph (1), with this section. sional perspectives to maximize outcomes; the Administrator shall— (2) INFORMATION SECURITY PLAN.—Subject and (A) require each covered contractor— to paragraphs (3) and (4), the Administrator (4) to be more efficient with resources and (i) to detect and avoid the use or inclusion shall develop an agency-wide information se- funds. of any counterfeit parts in electronic parts curity plan to enhance information security SEC. 822. NASA LAUNCH CAPABILITIES COLLABO- or products that contain electronic parts; for NASA information and information infra- RATION. (ii) to take such corrective actions as the structure. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- Administrator considers necessary to rem- (3) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the plan lowing findings: edy the use or inclusion described in clause under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall (1) The Launch Services Program is re- (i); and ensure that the plan— sponsible for the acquisition, management, (iii) including a subcontractor, to notify (A) reflects the unique nature of NASA’s and technical oversight of commercial the applicable NASA contracting officer not mission and expertise; launch services for NASA’s science and later than 30 calendar days after the date the (B) is informed by policies, standards, robotic missions. covered contractor becomes aware, or has guidelines, and directives on information se- (2) The Commercial Crew Program is re- reason to suspect, that any end item, compo- curity required for Federal agencies; sponsible for the acquisition, management, nent, part or material contained in supplies (C) is consistent with the standards and and technical oversight of commercial crew purchased by NASA, or purchased by a cov- guidelines under section 11331 of title 40, transportation systems. ered contractor or subcontractor for delivery United States Code; and (3) The Launch Services Program and Com- to, or on behalf of, NASA, contains a coun- (D) meets applicable National Institute of mercial Crew Program have worked together terfeit electronic part or suspect counterfeit Standards and Technology information secu- to gain exceptional technical insight into electronic part; and rity standards and guidelines. the contracted launch service providers that (B) prohibit the cost of counterfeit elec- (4) CONTENTS.—The plan shall address— are common to both programs. tronic parts, suspect counterfeit electronic (A) an overview of the requirements of the (4) The Launch Services Program has a parts, and any corrective action described information security system; long history of oversight of 12 different under subparagraph (A)(ii) from being in- (B) an agency-wide risk management launch vehicles and over 80 launches. cluded as allowable costs under agency con- framework for information security; (5) Co-location of the Launch Services Pro- tracts, unless— (C) a description of the information secu- gram and Commercial Crew Program has en- (i)(I) the covered contractor has an oper- rity system management controls and com- abled the Commercial Crew Program to effi- ational system to detect and avoid counter- mon controls that are necessary to ensure ciently obtain the launch vehicle technical feit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit compliance with information security-re- expertise of and provide engineering and an- electronic parts that has been reviewed and lated requirements; alytical support to the Commercial Crew approved by NASA or the Department of De- (D) an identification and assignment of Program. fense; and roles, responsibilities, and management com- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (II) the covered contractor has provided mitment for information security at the Congress that— the notice under subparagraph (A)(iii); or agency; (1) the Launch Services Program and Com- (ii) the counterfeit electronic parts or sus- (E) coordination among organizational en- mercial Crew Program each benefit from pect counterfeit electronic parts were pro- tities, including between each center, facil- communication and coordination of launch vided to the covered contractor as Govern- ity, mission directorate, and mission support manifests, technical information, and com- ment property in accordance with part 45 of office, and among agency entities respon- mon launch vehicle insight between the pro- the Federal Acquisition Regulation. sible for different aspects of information se- grams; and (3) SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRONIC PARTS.—In re- curity; (2) such communication and coordination vising the regulations under paragraph (1), (F) the need to protect the information se- is enabled by the co-location of the pro- the Administrator shall— curity of mission-critical systems and activi- grams. (A) require NASA and covered contractors, ties and high-impact and moderate-impact (c) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall including subcontractors, at all tiers— information systems; and pursue a strategy for acquisition of crewed (i) to obtain electronic parts that are in (G) a schedule of frequent reviews and up- transportation services and non-crewed production or currently available in stock dates, as necessary, of the plan. launch services that continues to enhance from— SEC. 814. SECURITY MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGN communication, collaboration, and coordina- (I) the original manufacturers of the parts NATIONAL ACCESS. tion between the Launch Services Program or their authorized dealers; or The Administrator shall notify the appro- and the Commercial Crew Program. (II) suppliers who obtain such parts exclu- priate committees of Congress when the SEC. 823. DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE OF COUN- sively from the original manufacturers of agency has implemented the information TERFEIT PARTS. the parts or their authorized dealers; and technology security recommendations from (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- (ii) to obtain electronic parts that are not the National Academy of Public Administra- lowing findings: in production or currently available in stock tion on foreign national access management, (1) A 2012 investigation by the Committee from suppliers that meet qualification re- based on reports from January 2014 and on Armed Services of the Senate of counter- quirements established under subparagraph March 2016. feit electronic parts in the Department of (C); SEC. 815. CYBERSECURITY OF WEB APPLICA- Defense supply chain from 2009 through 2010 (B) establish documented requirements TIONS. uncovered 1,800 cases and over 1,000,000 coun- consistent with published industry standards Not later than 180 days after the date of terfeit parts and exposed the threat such or Government contract requirements for— enactment of this Act, the Administrator counterfeit parts pose to service members (i) notification of the agency; and shall, in a manner that reflects the unique and national security. (ii) inspection, testing, and authentication nature of NASA’s mission and expertise— (2) Since 2010, the Comptroller General of of electronic parts that NASA or a covered (1) develop a plan, including such actions the United States has identified in 3 separate contractor, including a subcontractor, ob- and milestones as are necessary, to fully re- reports the risks and challenges associated tains from any source other than a source mediate security vulnerabilities of NASA with counterfeit parts and counterfeit pre- described in subparagraph (A); web applications within a timely fashion vention at both the Department of Defense (C) establish qualification requirements, after discovery; and and NASA, including inconsistent definitions consistent with the requirements of section (2) provide an update on its plan to imple- of counterfeit parts, poorly targeted quality 2319 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant ment the recommendation from the NASA control practices, and potential barriers to to which NASA may identify suppliers that Inspector General in the audit report dated improvements to these practices. have appropriate policies and procedures in July 10, 2014, (IG–14–023) to remove from the (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of place to detect and avoid counterfeit elec- Internet or otherwise secure all NASA web Congress that the presence of counterfeit tronic parts and suspect counterfeit elec- applications in development or testing mode. electronic parts in the NASA supply chain tronic parts; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 (D) authorize a covered contractor, includ- propellant transfer systems, and solar elec- tecting national security’’ after ‘‘research ing a subcontractor, to identify and use addi- tric propulsion, are all critical capabilities community’’. tional suppliers beyond those identified to support a human exploration mission to SEC. 830. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CON- under subparagraph (C) if— Mars. FLICTS OF INTEREST IN MAJOR AD- (i) the standards and processes for identi- (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of MINISTRATION ACQUISITION PRO- fying such suppliers comply with established Congress that— GRAMS. industry standards; (1) satellite servicing is a vital capability (a) REVISED REGULATIONS REQUIRED.—Not (ii) the covered contractor assumes respon- that will bolster the capacity and afford- later than 270 days after the date of enact- ment of this Act, the Administrator shall re- sibility for the authenticity of parts pro- ability of NASA’s ongoing scientific and vise the Administration Supplement to the vided by such suppliers under paragraph (2); human exploration operations while simulta- Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide and neously enhancing the ability of domestic uniform guidance and recommend revised re- (iii) the selection of such suppliers is sub- companies to compete in the global market- quirements for organizational conflicts of in- place; and ject to review and audit by NASA. terest by contractors in major acquisition (2) future NASA satellites and spacecraft (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: programs in order to address the elements (1) COVERED CONTRACTOR.—The term ‘‘cov- across mission directorates should be con- identified in subsection (b). ered contractor’’ means a contractor that structed in a manner that allows for serv- (b) ELEMENTS.—The revised regulations supplies an electronic part, or a product that icing in order to maximize operational lon- under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum— contains an electronic part, to NASA. gevity and affordability. (1) address organizational conflicts of in- (2) ELECTRONIC PART.—The term ‘‘elec- (c) LEVERAGING OF CAPABILITIES.—The Ad- terest that could potentially arise as a result tronic part’’ means a discrete electronic ministrator shall— of— component, including a microcircuit, tran- (1) identify orbital assets in both the (A) lead system integrator contracts on sistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode, that is Science Mission Directorate and the Human major acquisition programs and contracts intended for use in a safety or mission crit- Exploration and Operations Mission Direc- that follow lead system integrator contracts ical application. torate that could benefit from satellite serv- on such programs, particularly contracts for SEC. 824. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. icing-related technologies; and production; (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (2) work across all NASA mission direc- (B) the ownership of business units per- Congress that— torates to evaluate opportunities for the pri- forming systems engineering and technical (1) United States competitiveness in the vate sector to perform such services or ad- assistance functions, professional services, 21st century requires engaging the science, vance technical capabilities by leveraging or management support services in relation technology, engineering, and mathematics the technologies and techniques developed to major acquisition programs by contrac- (referred to in this section as ‘‘STEM’’) tal- by NASA programs and other industry pro- tors who simultaneously own business units ent in all States; grams. competing to perform as either the prime (2) the Administration is uniquely posi- SEC. 826. FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES. contractor or the supplier of a major sub- tioned to educate and inspire students and (a) DEVELOPMENT OF PAYLOADS.— system or component for such programs; the broader public on STEM subjects and ca- (1) IN GENERAL.—In order to conduct nec- (C) the award of major subsystem con- reers; essary research, the Administrator shall con- tracts by a prime contractor for a major ac- (3) the Administration’s Education and tinue and, as the Administrator considers quisition program to business units or other Communication Offices, Mission Direc- appropriate, expand the development of tech- affiliates of the same parent corporate enti- torates, and Centers have been effective in nology payloads for— ty, and particularly the award of sub- delivering educational content because of (A) scientific research; and contracts for software integration or the de- the strong engagement of Administration (B) investigating new or improved capabili- velopment of a proprietary software system scientists and engineers in the Administra- ties. architecture; or tion’s education and outreach activities; (2) FUNDS.—For the purpose of carrying out (D) the performance by, or assistance of, (4) the Administration’s education and out- paragraph (1), the Administrator shall make contractors in technical evaluations on reach programs, including the Experimental funds available for— major acquisition programs; Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (A) flight testing; (2) require the Administration to request (EPSCoR) and the Space Grant College and (B) payload development; and advice on systems architecture and systems Fellowship Program, reflect the Administra- (C) hardware related to subparagraphs (A) engineering matters with respect to major tion’s successful commitment to growing and (B). acquisition programs from objective sources and diversifying the national science and en- (b) REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.—Congress independent of the prime contractor; gineering workforce; and reaffirms that the Administrator should pro- (3) require that a contract for the perform- (5) in order to grow and diversify the Na- vide flight opportunities for payloads to ance of systems engineering and technical assistance functions for a major acquisition tion’s engineering workforce, it is vital for microgravity environments and suborbital program contains a provision prohibiting the the Administration to bolster programs, altitudes as authorized by section 907 of the contractor or any affiliate of the contractor such as High Schools United with NASA to National Aeronautics and Space Administra- from participating as a prime contractor or Create Hardware (HUNCH) program, that tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. a major subcontractor in the development of conduct outreach activities to underserved 18405). a system under the program; and rural communities, vocational schools, and SEC. 827. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SMALL CLASS (4) establish such limited exceptions to the tribal colleges and universities and encour- LAUNCH MISSIONS. requirement in paragraphs (2) and (3) as the age new participation in the STEM work- It is the sense of Congress that— Administrator considers necessary to ensure force. (1) Venture Class Launch Services con- that the Administration has continued ac- (b) CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION AND OUT- tracts awarded under the Launch Services Program will expand opportunities for future cess to advice on systems architecture and REACH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS.— systems engineering matters from highly (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall dedicated launches of CubeSats and other small satellites and small orbital science qualified contractors with domain experi- continue engagement with the public and ence and expertise, while ensuring that such education opportunities for students via all missions; and (2) principal investigator-led small orbital advice comes from sources that are objective the Administration’s mission directorates to and unbiased. the maximum extent practicable. science missions, including CubeSat class, SEC. 831. PROTECTION OF APOLLO LANDING (2) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after Small Explorer (SMEX) class, and Venture class, offer valuable opportunities to ad- SITES. the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad- (a) ASSESSMENT.—The Director of the Of- vance science at low cost, train the next gen- ministrator shall submit to the appropriate fice of Science and Technology Policy, in eration of scientists and engineers, and en- committees of Congress a report on the Ad- consultation with relevant Federal agencies able participants to acquire skills in systems ministration’s near-term outreach plans for and stakeholders, shall assess the issues re- engineering and systems integration that are advancing space law education. lating to protecting and preserving histori- critical to maintaining the Nation’s leader- SEC. 825. LEVERAGING COMMERCIAL SATELLITE cally important Apollo Program lunar land- SERVICING CAPABILITIES ACROSS ship in space and to enhancing United States ing sites and Apollo program artifacts resid- MISSION DIRECTORATES. innovation and competitiveness abroad. ing on the lunar surface, including those per- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- SEC. 828. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS. taining to Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. lowing findings: Section 30104(a)(1) of title 51, United States (b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the assess- (1) Refueling and relocating aging sat- Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Procedural ment, the Director shall include— ellites to extend their operational lifetimes Requirements 7120.5c, dated March 22, 2005’’ (1) a determination of what risks to the is a capacity that NASA will substantially and inserting ‘‘Procedural Requirements protection and preservation of those sites benefit from and is important for lowering 7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012’’. and artifacts exist or may exist in the fu- the costs of ongoing scientific, national se- SEC. 829. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ture; curity, and commercial satellite operations. PROGRAM. (2) a determination of what measures are (2) The technologies involved in satellite Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States required to ensure such protection and pres- servicing, such as dexterous robotic arms, Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘, while pro- ervation;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1567 (3) a determination of the extent to which (4) the duration of terms of office for mem- ministration and other needs, including additional domestic legislation or inter- bers of the Council; those required to meet the activities sup- national treaties or agreements will be re- (5) the frequency of meetings of the Coun- porting the human exploration roadmap quired; and cil; under section 432 of this Act, considering (4) specific recommendations for pro- (6) the structure of leadership and Commit- other national laboratory needs as the Ad- tecting and preserving those lunar landing tees of the Council; and ministrator deems appropriate. sites and artifacts. (7) the levels of professional staffing for (b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United (c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the Council. States that the Administration maintain re- the date of enactment of this Act, the Direc- (b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the liable and efficient facilities and infrastruc- tor shall submit to the appropriate commit- assessment under subsection (a), the Na- ture and that decisions on whether to dis- tees of Congress the results of the assess- tional Academy of Public Administration pose of, maintain, or modernize existing fa- ment. shall— cilities or infrastructure be made in the con- SEC. 832. NASA LEASE OF NON-EXCESS PROP- (1) consider the impacts of broadening the text of meeting future Administration needs. ERTY. Council’s role to include providing consulta- (c) PLAN.— Section 20145(g) of title 51, United States tion and advice to Congress under section (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall Code, is amended by striking ‘‘10 years after 20113(g) of title 51, United States Code; develop a facilities and infrastructure plan. December 26, 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘December (2) consider the past activities of the Coun- (2) GOAL.—The goal of the plan is to posi- 31, 2018’’. cil and the activities of other analogous Fed- tion the Administration to have the facili- ties and infrastructure, including labora- SEC. 833. TERMINATION LIABILITY. eral advisory bodies; and tories, tools, and approaches, necessary to It is the sense of Congress that— (3) any other issues that the National meet future Administration and other Fed- (1) the ISS, the Space Launch System, and Academy of Public Administration deter- eral agencies’ laboratory needs. the Orion will enable the Nation to continue mines could potentially impact the effective- (3) CONTENTS.—The plan shall identify— operations in low-Earth orbit and to send its ness of the Council. (A) current Administration and other Fed- astronauts to deep space; (c) REPORT.—The National Academy of eral agency laboratory needs; (2) the James Webb Space Telescope will Public Administration shall submit to the (B) future Administration research and de- revolutionize our understanding of star and appropriate committees of Congress the re- velopment and testing needs; planet formation and how galaxies evolved, sults of the assessment, including any rec- (C) a strategy for identifying facilities and and will advance the search for the origins of ommendations. infrastructure that are candidates for dis- our universe; (d) CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.— posal, that is consistent with the national (3) as a result of their unique capabilities (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 20113(g) of title 51, strategic direction set forth in— and their critical contribution to the future United States Code, is amended by inserting (i) the National Space Policy; of space exploration, these systems have ‘‘and Congress’’ after ‘‘advice to the Admin- (ii) the National Aeronautics Research, De- been designated by Congress and the Admin- istration’’. velopment, Test, and Evaluation Infrastruc- istration as priority investments; (2) SUNSET.—Effective September 30, 2017, ture Plan; (4) contractors are currently holding pro- section 20113(g) of title 51, United States (iii) the National Aeronautics and Space gram funding, estimated to be in the hun- Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and Con- Administration Authorization Act of 2005 dreds of millions of dollars, to cover the po- gress’’. (Public Law 109–155; 119 Stat. 2895), National tential termination liability should the Gov- SEC. 836. COST ESTIMATION. Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- ernment choose to terminate a program for (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of thorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–422; convenience; Congress that— 122 Stat. 4779), and National Aeronautics and (5) as a result, hundreds of millions of tax- (1) realistic cost estimating is critically Space Administration Authorization Act of payer dollars are unavailable for meaningful important to the ultimate success of major 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq.); and work on these programs; space development projects; and (iv) the human exploration roadmap under (6) according to the Government Account- (2) the Administration has devoted signifi- section 432 of this Act; ability Office, the Administration procures cant efforts over the past 5 years to improv- (D) a strategy for the maintenance, repair, most of its goods and services through con- ing its cost estimating capabilities, but it is upgrading, and modernization of Administra- tracts, and it terminates very few of them; important that the Administration continue tion facilities and infrastructure, including (7) in fiscal year 2010, the Administration its efforts to develop and implement guid- laboratories and equipment; terminated 28 of 16,343 active contracts and ance in establishing realistic cost estimates. (E) criteria for— orders, a termination rate of about 0.17 per- (b) GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA.—The Adminis- (i) prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks; cent; and trator shall provide to its acquisition pro- (ii) maintaining, repairing, upgrading, or (8) the Administration should vigorously grams and projects, in a manner consistent modernizing Administration facilities and pursue a policy on termination liability that with the Administration’s Space Flight Pro- infrastructure; and maximizes the utilization of its appropriated gram and Project Management Require- (iii) implementing processes, plans, and funds to make maximum progress in meeting ments— policies for guiding the Administration’s established technical goals and schedule (1) guidance on when to use an Independent Centers on whether to maintain, repair, up- milestones on these high-priority programs. Cost Estimate and Independent Cost Assess- grade, or modernize a facility or infrastruc- ment; and SEC. 834. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS. ture and for determining the type of instru- (2) criteria to use to make a determination Not later than 270 days after the date of ment to be used; under paragraph (1). enactment of this Act, the Administrator (F) an assessment of modifications needed shall submit to the appropriate committees SEC. 837. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. to maximize usage of facilities that offer of Congress a report describing— (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of unique and highly specialized benefits to the (1) the Administration’s procedures for Congress that— aerospace industry and the American public; conducting independent reviews of projects (1) the Administration must address, miti- and and programs at lifecycle milestones; gate, and reverse, where possible, the dete- (G) implementation steps, including a (2) how the Administration ensures the rioration of its facilities and infrastructure, timeline, milestones, and an estimate of re- independence of the individuals who conduct as their condition is hampering the effective- sources required for carrying out the plan. those reviews prior to their assignment; ness and efficiency of research performed by (d) REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH POLICY.— (3) the internal and external entities inde- both the Administration and industry par- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days pendent of project and program management ticipants making use of Administration fa- after the date of enactment of this Act, the that conduct reviews of projects and pro- cilities, thus harming the competitiveness of Administrator shall establish and make pub- grams at life cycle milestones; and the United States aerospace industry; licly available a policy that guides the Ad- (4) how the Administration ensures the (2) the Administration has a role in pro- ministration’s use of existing authorities to independence of such entities and their viding laboratory capabilities to industry out-grant, lease, excess to the General Serv- members. participants that are not economically via- ices Administration, sell, decommission, de- SEC. 835. NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL. ble as commercial entities and thus are not molish, or otherwise transfer property, fa- (a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall available elsewhere; cilities, or infrastructure. enter into an arrangement with the National (3) to ensure continued access to reliable (2) CRITERIA.—The policy shall include cri- Academy of Public Administration to assess and efficient world-class facilities by re- teria for the use of authorities, best prac- the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory searchers, the Administration should estab- tices, standardized procedures, and guide- Council and to make recommendations to lish strategic partnerships with other Fed- lines for how to appropriately manage prop- Congress for any change to— eral agencies, State agencies, FAA-licensed erty, facilities, and infrastructure. (1) the functions of the Council; spaceports, institutions of higher education, (e) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later (2) the appointment of members to the and industry, as appropriate; and than 1 year after the date of enactment of Council; (4) decisions on whether to dispose of, this Act, the Administrator shall submit to (3) the qualifications for members of the maintain, or modernize existing facilities the appropriate committees of Congress the Council; must be made in the context of meeting Ad- plan developed under subsection (c).

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SEC. 838. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT ACCIDENT IN- (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The solicitation and (B) the extent to which the use of that VESTIGATIONS. review under paragraph (1) shall address the agreement— Section 70702 of title 51, United States requirements for and feasibility of devel- (i) has contributed to a broadening of the Code, is amended— oping and implementing each of the options. technology and industrial base available for (1) by amending subsection (a)(3) to read as SEC. 841. SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS. meeting Administration needs; and follows: (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (ii) has fostered within the technology and ‘‘(3) any other orbital or suborbital space Congress that, when used appropriately, industrial base new relationships and prac- vehicle carrying humans that is— Space Act Agreements can provide signifi- tices that support the United States; and ‘‘(A) owned by the Federal Government; or cant value in furtherance of NASA’s mission. (C) the total amount of value received by ‘‘(B) being used pursuant to a contract or (b) FUNDED SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS.—To the Federal Government during the fiscal Space Act Agreement with the Federal Gov- the extent appropriate, the Administrator year under that agreement. ernment for carrying a government astro- shall seek to maximize the value of contribu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- naut or a researcher funded by the Federal tions provided by other parties under a fund- Government; or’’; and ant to the rule, the gentleman from ed Space Act Agreement in order to advance Texas (Mr. BABIN) and the gentle- (2) by adding at the end the following: NASA’s mission. ‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: woman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE (c) NON-EXCLUSIVITY.— ‘‘(1) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term JOHNSON) each will control 20 minutes. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, ‘government astronaut’ has the meaning to the greatest extent practicable, issue each The Chair recognizes the gentleman given the term in section 50902. Space Act Agreement— from Texas. ‘‘(2) SPACE ACT AGREEMENT.—The term (A) except as provided in paragraph (2), on GENERAL LEAVE ‘Space Act Agreement’ means an agreement a nonexclusive basis; Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- entered into by the Administration pursuant (B) in a manner that ensures all non-gov- imous consent that all Members may to its other transactions authority under ernment parties have equal access to NASA section 20113(e).’’. have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- resources; and tend their remarks and to include ex- SEC. 839. ORBITAL DEBRIS. (C) exercising reasonable care not to reveal (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— unique or proprietary information. traneous material on S. 442, the bill (1) orbital debris poses serious risks to the (2) EXCLUSIVITY.—If the Administrator de- now under consideration. operational space capabilities of the United termines an exclusive arrangement is nec- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there States; essary, the Administrator shall, to the great- objection to the request of the gen- (2) an international commitment and inte- est extent practicable, issue the Space Act tleman from Texas? grated strategic plan are needed to mitigate Agreement— There was no objection. the growth of orbital debris wherever pos- (A) utilizing a competitive selection proc- Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- sible; and ess when exclusive arrangements are nec- self such time as I may consume. (3) the delay in the Office of Science and essary; and Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Technology Policy’s submission of a report (B) pursuant to public announcements of the National Aeronautics and Space on the status of international coordination when exclusive arrangements are necessary. and development of orbital debris mitigation (d) TRANSPARENCY.—The Administrator Administration Transition Authoriza- strategies is inconsistent with such risks. shall publicly disclose on the Administra- tion Act of 2017. This bipartisan and bi- (b) REPORTS.— tion’s website and make available in a cameral bill grew to maturity through (1) COORDINATION.—Not later than 90 days searchable format each Space Act Agree- many long and serious discussions after the date of enactment of this Act, the ment, including an estimate of committed about the future of our Nation’s space Administrator shall submit to the appro- NASA resources and the expected benefits to program. priate committees of Congress a report on agency objectives for each agreement, with I am encouraged by the bill’s per- the status of efforts to coordinate with for- appropriate redactions for proprietary, sen- sistent emphasis on the continuity of eign countries within the Inter-Agency sitive, or classified information, not later Space Debris Coordination Committee to than 60 days after such agreement is signed purpose and stability. It is crucial that mitigate the effects and growth of orbital de- by the parties. we continue to support NASA’s ongo- bris under section 1202(b)(1) of the National (e) ANNUAL REPORTS.— ing human exploration efforts. Aeronautics and Space Administration Au- (1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days I am proud to note the inclusion of thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(1)). after the end of each fiscal year, the Admin- the To Research Evaluate, Assess, and (2) MITIGATION STRATEGY.—Not later than istrator shall submit to the appropriate com- Treat Astronauts Act, better known as 90 days after the date of enactment of this mittees of Congress a report on the use of the TREAT Astronauts Act, which will Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Space Act Agreement authority by the Ad- ensure that our Nation’s astronauts re- Technology Policy shall submit to the appro- ministration during the previous fiscal year. ceive support for medical issues associ- priate committees of Congress a report on (2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include for the status of the orbital debris mitigation each Space Act Agreement in effect at the ated with their service. The language strategy required under section 1202(b)(2) of time of the report— of this bill is exactly the same as the the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- (A) an indication of whether the agreement TREAT Astronauts Act that was istration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. is a reimbursable, non-reimbursable, or fund- passed in the House on December 7, 18441(b)(2)). ed Space Act Agreement; 2016. SEC. 840. REVIEW OF ORBITAL DEBRIS REMOVAL (B) a description of— As a medical professional myself, I CONCEPTS. (i) the subject and terms; care deeply about this issue. I am hon- (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (ii) the parties; ored to have sponsored the original leg- Congress that— (iii) the responsible— (1) orbital debris in low-Earth orbit poses (I) Mission Directorate; islation, and am proud to contribute to significant risks to spacecraft; (II) Center; or an important program that will sup- (2) such orbital debris may increase due to (III) headquarters element; port the brave men and women of our collisions between existing debris objects; (iv) the value; astronaut corps. Outer space poses and (v) the extent of the cost sharing among many medical challenges. The human (3) understanding options to address and Federal Government and non-Federal body simply is not designed to thrive remove orbital debris is important for ensur- sources; in microgravity, or weightlessness. We ing safe and effective spacecraft operations (vi) the time period or schedule; and know that spending time in space is in low-Earth orbit. (vii) all milestones; and risky. We want to understand the rea- (b) REVIEW.— (C) an indication of whether the agreement (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days was renewed during the previous fiscal year. sons why the TREAT Astronauts Act after the date of enactment of this Act, the (3) ANTICIPATED AGREEMENTS.—The report will ensure the retention of our astro- Administrator— shall include a list of all anticipated reim- nauts’ medical data and help to con- (A) in collaboration with the heads of bursable, non-reimbursable, and funded tinue our research in aerospace medi- other relevant Federal agencies, shall solicit Space Act Agreements for the upcoming fis- cine, while also providing our astro- and review concepts and options for remov- cal year. nauts with the medical care that they ing orbital debris from low-Earth orbit; and (4) CUMULATIVE PROGRAM BENEFITS.—The need and deserve after risking so much (B) shall submit to the appropriate com- report shall include, with respect to each mittees of Congress a report on the solicita- Space Act Agreement covered by the report, in service to our country. tion and review under subparagraph (A), in- a summary of— This bill continues support for the cluding recommendations on the best op- (A) the technology areas in which research important work on the Space Launch tions for decreasing the risks associated with projects were conducted under that agree- System, the Orion crew vehicle, and orbital debris. ment; commercial cargo and crew programs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.004 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1569 b 1815 I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, that the Member Donna Edwards for their work The future of the International Space Senate-passed bill that is before us on H.R. 810, a significant portion of Station is another key topic addressed today reflects significant content from which is included in this Senate bill. in this legislation. We are committed H.R. 810. Sending humans to deep space Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to to operating the ISS until 2024. Beyond destinations and eventually to Mars is vote ‘‘yes’’ on this Senate bill, the that date, however, maintaining a challenge and goal that I know will NASA Transition Authorization Act of NASA’s current level of support for the bring out the best of our U.S. industry 2017, and I reserve the balance of my ISS will dramatically affect the rest of and universities, and it will inspire our time. NASA’s portfolio, particularly in young people to seek the education and Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 human spaceflight. develop the skills needed to help the minutes to the gentleman from Texas This bill opens the debate about how United States send first astronauts to (Mr. SMITH), the chairman of the full and under what circumstances NASA’s the martian surface. committee. presence in low-Earth orbit can and Of course, keeping our focus on that Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I should be continued beyond 2024. Bal- goal over multiple Congresses and ad- thank the chairman of the Sub- ancing NASA’s presence and low Earth ministrations will really not be easy. committee on Space for yielding me orbit and beyond low Earth orbit will That is why this bill, S. 442, comes at time. require thoughtful and informed deci- a critical time. Witnesses at a recent The National Aeronautics and Space sionmaking. My hope is that NASA hearing of the Committee on Science, Administration Transition Authoriza- will explore unique partnerships that Space, and Technology emphasized the tion Act of 2017 provides bipartisan and will maintain NASA’s ability to utilize need for stability for NASA if it is to bicameral guidance for NASA as we low Earth orbit in an efficient manner carry out the challenging tasks that usher in a new era of space exploration. by leveraging private sector invest- our Nation has given it. I support this bill and the direction it ment. This bill will help inform and While S. 442 is a 1-year reauthoriza- establishes for America’s space pro- frame that imminent debate. tion, it enables NASA to continue gram. S. 442, which passed the Senate This bill also addresses NASA’s fa- making effective progress on its pro- by unanimous consent on February 17, cilities and infrastructure here on grams, including on the key systems includes almost all of the policy provi- Earth. NASA must develop a plan so that will enable us to send NASA as- sions from the House authorization that its labs, tools, facilities, and infra- tronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on bills that passed the House in the last structure can support a robust explo- to Mars. Congress with broad bipartisan sup- ration agenda. Right-sizing NASA’s The bill also provides policy direc- port. In fact, it authorizes the House’s footprint is a longstanding challenge. tion in a number of important areas, proposed fiscal year 2017 funding level We must maintain critical capabilities including astronaut health care, of $19.5 billion. but also find efficiencies where they human spaceflight safety, protection of This bill provides a balanced NASA may exist. Apollo lunar landing sites, orbital de- portfolio across all of the mission di- The bill before us would call on bris mitigation, and facilities and in- rectorates. It maintains congressional NASA to develop a policy to ensure frastructure planning. direction for priority near-term pro- that NASA maintains infrastructure to Mr. Speaker, while I support S. 442, it grams, such as the James Webb Space support bold exploration. If NASA de- is not a perfect bill. It does not directly Telescope, the Space Launch System, termines that facilities are not nec- address all of NASA’s science pro- the Orion crew vehicle, the Inter- essary or could be transferred to the grams, namely, earth science and national Space Station, and the Com- private sector, the bill calls on NASA heliophysics. Those programs provide mercial Crew and Cargo Programs. to do so in accordance with a trans- the space-based measurements to help NASA’s exploration projects are vul- parent and equitable process. scientists understand the Earth’s sys- nerable to changes in the political The bill also urges the administra- tems and changing climate to predict landscape. We must have a flexible tion to pursue a sensible policy on ter- space weather events, which can have space program, but not one that is mination liability so that NASA makes devastating impacts on our terrestrial knocked off course. Successfully com- the best possible use of taxpayer dol- infrastructure. At the same time, I be- bining flexibility with constancy of lars rather than the inefficient policy lieve that section 501 of the bill reaf- purpose requires thoughtful planning. implemented by the previous adminis- firms the importance of maintaining a This bill directs NASA to create a tration. balance and adequately funded science roadmap for human exploration. An ex- This bill sets out clear intentions for program, which includes astrophysics, ploration roadmap will help NASA in- NASA as we move forward into the planetary science, earth science, and form Congress and the President, as next chapter of American space explo- heliophysics. well as direct the future path and ration. I invite my colleagues to join In addition, while the bill reflects the tempo of exploration for decades to me in supporting this very important House Appropriations Subcommittee come. bill, and I reserve the balance of my on Commerce, Justice, Science, and This legislation also looks to the fu- time. Related Agencies’ top-line mark of ture of scientific exploration. It pro- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of $19.5 billion for NASA for fiscal year vides support for NASA’s Mars 2020 Texas. Mr. Speaker, yield myself such 2017, I am disappointed that it author- rover, the Wide Field Infrared Survey time as I may consume. izes lower levels than the proposals of Telescope, and a mission to Europa, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. the House Appropriations Sub- Jupiter’s icy moon that possibly har- 442, the NASA Transition Authoriza- committee on Commerce, Justice, bors the building blocks of life. It es- tion Act of 2017. Science, and Related Agencies for tablishes that one of NASA’s funda- NASA is a catalyst for scientific dis- NASA’s science, aeronautics, and space mental objectives is ‘‘the search for covery, innovation, inspiration, and technology accounts. We should be in- life’s origin, evolution, distribution, economic growth. This bill helps to en- vesting more, not less, in these impor- and future in the universe.’’ sure that NASA continues to make sig- tant R&D areas. Toward that end, this legislation di- nificant advances in science, aero- Mr. Speaker, we need a strong NASA, rects the NASA Administrator to de- nautics, human exploration, and space and we need to provide it with a sus- velop both an exoplanet exploration technology. tained commitment of vision, re- strategy and an astrobiology strategy During the last Congress, the House sources, and support to carry out the within 18 months after the bill is passed the NASA Authorization Act of challenging tasks our Nation has given signed into law. It also directs the 2015, H.R. 810. H.R. 810 was a bipartisan it. NASA Administrator to report on how effort and, in particular, it set the Before I close, I want to recognize the Administration can expand col- long-term goal of sending humans to the efforts of committee leadership, in- laborative partnerships for these sci- the surface of Mars and directed NASA cluding Chairman LAMAR SMITH, Space entific endeavors. to prepare a human exploration road- Subcommittee Chairman BRIAN BABIN, Just 2 weeks ago, NASA announced map for what is needed to get there. and the former Subcommittee Ranking that it had confirmed the existence of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:00 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.032 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 seven planets around a nearby star, nautics programs require and deserve. leadership about our deep space explo- three of which are in the ‘‘habitable Notably, the bill sets the long-term ration missions. I asked them to pro- zone.’’ This bill builds upon these awe- course of sending humans to the sur- vide us a date: When can we get to inspiring discoveries and will help face of Mars and directs NASA to pro- Mars? As it turns out, the planets’ ‘‘unlock the mysteries of space,’’ as vide a human exploration roadmap out- orbit and alignment in 2033 is optimal. President Trump said in his inaugural lining the capabilities and milestones So as my colleagues on the committee address. needed to achieve the goal. know, I have prepared a bumper stick- Part of achieving success in space ex- In closing, Mr. Speaker, NASA’s er, Mr. Speaker, just for you, showing ploration is making sure that NASA is space and aeronautics programs help 2033 as the time we are going to get our not burdened with funding other agen- maintain our competitiveness, stimu- astronauts to Mars. cy missions. For example, there are 17 late innovation and economic growth, I thank Chairman SMITH, Representa- agencies with responsibility for study- and inspire the next generation to tive BABIN, Representative EDDIE BER- ing climate change, but only 1 agency, dream big and garner the skills to turn NICE JOHNSON of Texas, as well as Rep- NASA, is responsible for space explo- those dreams into action. resentative BERA for allowing me to ration. This bill directs the NASA Ad- NASA and our space program have a work and to help put section 435 into ministrator to seek reimbursement long history of bipartisan support. I the bill. whenever responsibilities are trans- urge Members of the House to pass S. ferred to NASA from another agency or 442, the NASA Transition Authoriza- I know we can do this. This is a mis- when NASA funds another agency’s ac- tion Act of 2017. sion that all Americans will be proud tivities. Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I continue of. They are so proud of our space pro- Finally, I would like to thank my to reserve the balance of my time. gram, the scientists and engineers at colleague and Texas friend Dr. BRIAN Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of NASA. This will give us a real goal and BABIN, the chairman of the Space Sub- Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes a real project to get our astronauts to committee, for his work on the TREAT to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Mars by 2033. Astronauts Act, which is included in PERLMUTTER.) Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of this authorization. Chairman BABIN’s Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further legislation gives NASA the ability to thank the gentlewoman, and I hope I requests for time on the bill. care for our astronauts and enhance don’t take 5 minutes. our understanding of the effects of I rise today in support of S. 442, the I ask my colleagues to support this spaceflight on the human body. NASA Transition Authorization Act of bill, and I yield back the balance of my I would also like to thank the 2017. time. Science, Space, and Technology Com- I have long been a supporter of our Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- mittee staff for their years of effort on Nation’s space program. I have seen self the balance of my time to close. this bill, especially the Space Sub- what we can accomplish when we put I thank all of my colleagues on both committee director, Tom Hammond, our best and brightest in a room to- sides of the aisle for their work: our who has worked diligently to ensure gether and give them the resources chairman, the gentleman from Texas that this bill became a reality. I also they need to solve tough scientific, en- (Mr. SMITH); and also the ranking gen- recognize the minority staff who were gineering, and mathematical problems tlewoman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BER- essential to the process as well. to better our society and our under- NICE JOHNSON); my counterpart on the Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- standing of the solar system and be- subcommittee, Representative BERA; leagues to support this bill. yond. and also Representative PERLMUTTER, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of The bill before us today ensures the the gentleman from Colorado; and all Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes hardworking people at NASA and the of my fellow members on the sub- to the gentleman from California, (Mr. thousands of private aerospace workers committee and our entire committee. BERA), the current ranking member of in Colorado and across the country the Space Subcommittee. have a constant sea of purpose and the I take a moment to also thank our Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I want to backing of Congress to continue ad- hardworking staff, and that includes thank the ranking member and the vancing our quest to understand our Tom Hammond, Mike Mineiro, Jona- chairman for this bill. planet and explore other celestial bod- than Charlton, Ryan Faith, Molly This bicameral and bipartisan bill ies. Fromm, and Chris Wydler from the ma- that we are considering today, the Mr. Speaker, I enjoy serving on the jority staff. I also thank Steve NASA Transition Authorization Act of Science, Space, and Technology Com- Janushkowsky, Jeannie Kranz, Stuart 2017, authorizes NASA’s appropriations mittee. While we may not agree on Burns from my congressional staff, and for the fiscal year 2017. every issue, when it comes to our space Allen Li and Pamela Whitney from the If enacted, the bill’s provisions will programs, we come together and find minority staff. provide important stability and fund- the best solutions to the problems we Mr. Speaker, it is because of their ing and consistent vision that we need face, and this bill does exactly that. countless hours of hard work, negotia- for NASA to succeed as they continue tion, and finding common ground that to make progress across disciplines of b 1830 we will now send this bill from the space and earth science, in human ex- As my colleagues on this committee floor of this House of Representatives ploration and spaceflight, innovative know, I am very passionate about get- to the resolute desk of the Oval Office technologies, biomedical research, and ting our astronauts to the surface of to be signed into law. in aeronautics. Mars. This bill will require detailed Mr. Speaker, NASA truly is a symbol plans from NASA on how to do that Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this of American excellence and ingenuity. and, more importantly, on the bill, and I yield back the balance of my For NASA to continue doing the great timelines so that we can get to Mars time. things that it does, including prepara- through the development of a human The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tion for flying SLS and Orion, launch- exploration roadmap. question is on the motion offered by ing the James Webb Space Telescope, In addition to this roadmap, section the gentleman from Texas (Mr. BABIN) and landing humans on Mars, it is crit- 435 of the bill also requires NASA to re- that the House suspend the rules and ical that S. 442 be enacted. port back on the feasibility of a human pass the bill, S. 442. And while I would have preferred a mission to Mars by the year 2033. Six- more comprehensive outlook of teen years from now, Earth and Mars The question was taken; and (two- NASA’s science discipline—namely, in will be aligned for what could be the thirds being in the affirmative) the earth science, planetary science, astro- most significant and inspirational rules were suspended and the bill was physics, and heliophysics—I am pleased journey in history. passed. the bill provides the consistent policy About 18 months ago, our committee A motion to reconsider was laid on direction our Nation’s space and aero- heard testimony from former NASA the table.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.033 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1571 REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- bill (H.R. 1362) to name the Department Lofgren Pelosi Sinema VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF of Veterans Affairs community-based Long Perlmutter Sires Love Perry Slaughter H.R. 1301, DEPARTMENT OF DE- outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, Amer- Lowenthal Peters Smith (MO) FENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, ican Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni Lowey Peterson Smith (NJ) 2017 Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic, on which Lucas Pingree Smith (TX) Luetkemeyer Pittenger the yeas and nays were ordered. Smith (WA) Ms. CHENEY, from the Committee Lujan Grisham, Pocan Smucker The Clerk read the title of the bill. M. Poe (TX) Soto on Rules, submitted a privileged report ´ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Lujan, Ben Ray Poliquin Stefanik (Rept. No. 115–26) on the resolution (H. Lynch Polis Stewart Res. 174) providing for consideration of question is on the motion offered by MacArthur Posey Stivers the gentlewoman from America Samoa Maloney, Price (NC) the bill (H.R. 1301) making appropria- Suozzi Carolyn B. Quigley tions for the Department of Defense for (Mrs. RADEWAGEN) that the House sus- Swalwell (CA) pend the rules and pass the bill. Maloney, Sean Raskin the fiscal year ending September 30, Marchant Ratcliffe Takano 2017, and for other purposes, which was The vote was taken by electronic de- Marino Reed Taylor Tenney referred to the House Calendar and or- vice, and there were—yeas 411, nays 2, Marshall Reichert not voting 16, as follows: Mast Renacci Thompson (CA) dered to be printed. Matsui Rice (NY) Thompson (MS) [Roll No. 127] Thompson (PA) f McCarthy Rice (SC) YEAS—411 McCaul Richmond Thornberry REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- McClintock Roby Tiberi Abraham Conyers Green, Al McCollum Roe (TN) Tonko VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF Adams Cook Green, Gene McEachin Rogers (AL) Torres H.R. 725, INNOCENT PARTY PRO- Aderholt Cooper Griffith McGovern Rogers (KY) Trott TECTION ACT Aguilar Correa Grijalva McHenry Rokita Tsongas Allen Costa Grothman McKinley Rooney, Francis Turner Ms. CHENEY, from the Committee Amash Costello (PA) Guthrie McMorris Rooney, Thomas Upton Amodei Courtney Hanabusa Rodgers J. Vargas on Rules, submitted a privileged report Arrington Cramer Harper McNerney Ros-Lehtinen Veasey (Rept. No. 115–27) on the resolution (H. Babin Crawford Harris McSally Rosen Vela Bacon Crist Hartzler Res. 175) providing for consideration of Meadows Roskam Vela´ zquez Banks (IN) Crowley Hastings the bill (H.R. 725) to amend title 28, Meehan Ross Visclosky Barletta Cuellar Heck Meeks Rothfus Wagner United States Code, to prevent fraudu- Barr Cummings Hensarling Meng Rouzer Walberg lent joinder, which was referred to the Barraga´ n Curbelo (FL) Herrera Beutler Messer Roybal-Allard Barton Davidson Hice, Jody B. Walden House Calendar and ordered to be Mitchell Royce (CA) Walker Bass Davis (CA) Higgins (LA) Moolenaar Ruiz printed. Beatty Davis, Danny Higgins (NY) Walorski Mooney (WV) Ruppersberger Walters, Mimi Bera Davis, Rodney Holding Moore Russell f Walz Bergman DeFazio Hollingsworth Moulton Rutherford Wasserman Beyer DeGette Hoyer Mullin Ryan (OH) COMMUNICATION FROM THE Schultz Biggs Delaney Hudson Murphy (FL) Sa´ nchez CLERK OF THE HOUSE Waters, Maxine Bilirakis DeLauro Huffman Murphy (PA) Sarbanes Watson Coleman The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Bishop (GA) DelBene Huizenga Nadler Scalise Weber (TX) fore the House the following commu- Bishop (MI) Demings Hultgren Napolitano Schakowsky Bishop (UT) Denham Hunter Neal Schiff Webster (FL) nication from the Clerk of the House of Black Dent Hurd Newhouse Schneider Welch Representatives: Blackburn DeSantis Issa Noem Schrader Wenstrup Blum DeSaulnier Jackson Lee Westerman OFFICE OF THE CLERK, Norcross Schweikert Blunt Rochester DesJarlais Jayapal Nunes Scott (VA) Williams HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Bonamici Deutch Jeffries O’Halleran Scott, Austin Wilson (FL) Washington, DC, March 7, 2017. Bost Diaz-Balart Jenkins (WV) O’Rourke Scott, David Wilson (SC) Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, Boyle, Brendan Dingell Johnson (GA) Olson Sensenbrenner Wittman The Speaker, House of Representatives, F. Doggett Johnson (LA) Palazzo Serrano Womack Washington, DC. Brady (PA) Donovan Johnson (OH) Pallone Sessions Woodall Brady (TX) Doyle, Michael Johnson, E. B. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- Palmer Sewell (AL) Yarmuth Brat F. Johnson, Sam Panetta Shea-Porter Yoder mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of Bridenstine Duffy Jones the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- Pascrell Sherman Yoho Brooks (AL) Duncan (SC) Jordan Paulsen Shimkus Young (AK) tives, the Clerk received the following mes- Brooks (IN) Duncan (TN) Joyce (OH) Payne Shuster Young (IA) sage from the Secretary of the Senate on Brown (MD) Dunn Kaptur Pearce Simpson Zeldin March 7, 2017, at 4:48 p.m.: Brownley (CA) Ellison Katko That the Senate agreed to without amend- Buchanan Emmer Keating NAYS—2 ment H.J. Res. 44. Buck Engel Kelly (IL) Massie Sanford Bucshon Eshoo Kelly (MS) With best wishes, I am, Budd Espaillat Kelly (PA) NOT VOTING—16 Sincerely, Burgess Esty Kennedy Blumenauer Jenkins (KS) Speier KAREN L. HAAS. Bustos Evans Khanna Cleaver Loudermilk Tipton Butterfield Farenthold Kihuen Culberson Nolan Titus f Byrne Faso Kildee Gutie´rrez Rohrabacher Valadao ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Calvert Ferguson Kilmer Hill Rush Capuano Fitzpatrick Kind Himes Smith (NE) PRO TEMPORE Carbajal Fleischmann King (IA) Ca´ rdenas Flores King (NY) b 1856 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Carson (IN) Fortenberry Kinzinger ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Carter (GA) Foster Knight Mr. GROTHMAN changed his vote will resume on motions to suspend the Carter (TX) Foxx Krishnamoorthi from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ rules previously postponed. Cartwright Frankel (FL) Kuster (NH) So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Castor (FL) Franks (AZ) Kustoff (TN) tive) the rules were suspended and the Votes will be taken in the following Castro (TX) Frelinghuysen Labrador order: Chabot Fudge LaHood bill was passed. H.R. 1362, by the yeas and nays; Chaffetz Gabbard LaMalfa The result of the vote was announced H.R. 375, de novo. Cheney Gaetz Lamborn as above recorded. Chu, Judy Gallagher Lance A motion to reconsider was laid on The first electronic vote will be con- Cicilline Gallego Langevin the table. ducted as a 15-minute vote. The second Clark (MA) Garamendi Larsen (WA) electronic vote will be conducted as a Clarke (NY) Garrett Larson (CT) f Clay Gibbs Latta 5-minute vote. Clyburn Gohmert Lawrence NOTICE OF INTENTION TO OFFER f Coffman Gonzalez (TX) Lawson (FL) RESOLUTION RAISING A QUES- Cohen Goodlatte Lee TION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF FALEOMAVAEGA ENI FA’AUA’A Cole Gosar Levin Collins (GA) Gottheimer Lewis (GA) THE HOUSE HUNKIN VA CLINIC Collins (NY) Gowdy Lewis (MN) Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Comer Granger Lieu, Ted to clause (2)(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to Comstock Graves (GA) Lipinski finished business is the vote on the mo- Conaway Graves (LA) LoBiondo give notice of my intent to raise a tion to suspend the rules and pass the Connolly Graves (MO) Loebsack question of the privileges of the House.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:28 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.036 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- $60,000 from the Kuwaiti government for a tures or licensing agreements with Russia or sent that the form of the resolution ap- party it held at the Hotel on February 22, Russians; Whereas, the New York Times has reported pear in the RECORD at this point. 2017. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whereas, according to the New York that President Trump’s close senior advisers, Times, the President used a legally dubious including Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Roger WOMACK). Is there objection to the re- tax maneuver in 1995 that could have allowed Stone, and General Michael Flynn, have been quest of the gentlewoman from Cali- him to avoid paying federal taxes for 18 under investigation by the Federal Bureau of fornia? years; Investigation for their ties to the Russian There was no objection. Whereas, the most signed petition on the Federation; The form of the resolution is as fol- White House website calls for the release of Whereas, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister lows: the President’s tax return information to Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax, a Russian verify compliance with the Emoluments media outlet, on November 10, 2016 that Expressing the sense of the House of Rep- Clause, with 1 million, 78 thousand signa- ‘‘there were contacts’’ with Donald Trump’s resentatives that the President shall imme- tures as of the date of this resolution; 2016 campaign, and it has been reported that diately disclose his tax return information Whereas, the Chairmen of the Ways and members of President Trump’s inner circle to Congress and the American people. Means Committee, Joint Committee on Tax- were in contact with senior Russian officials Whereas, in the United States’ system of ation, and Senate Finance Committee have throughout the 2016 campaign; checks and balances, Congress has a respon- the authority to request the President’s tax Whereas, according to his 2016 candidate sibility to hold the Executive Branch of gov- returns under Section 6103 of the tax code; filing with the Federal Election Commission, ernment to the highest standard of trans- Whereas, the Joint Committee on Taxation the President has 564 financial positions in parency to ensure the public interest is reviewed the tax returns of President Rich- companies located in the United States and placed first; ard Nixon in 1974 and made the information around the world; Whereas, according to the Tax History public; Whereas, against the advice of ethics at- Project, every President since Gerald Ford Whereas, the Ways and Means Committee torneys and the Office of Government Ethics, has disclosed their tax return information to used IRC 6103 authority in 2014 to make pub- the President has refused to divest his own- the public; lic the confidential tax information of 51 ership stake in his businesses; Whereas, tax returns provide an important taxpayers; Whereas, the director of the nonpartisan baseline disclosure because they contain Whereas, the American people have the Office of Government Ethics said that the highly instructive information including right to know whether or not their President President’s plan to transfer his business whether the candidate paid taxes, what they is operating under conflicts of interest re- holdings to a trust managed by family mem- own, what they have borrowed and from lated to international affairs, tax reform, bers is ‘‘meaningless’’ and ‘‘does not meet whom, whether they have made any chari- government contracts, or otherwise: Now, the standards that . . . every president in table donations, and whether they have therefore, be it: the past four decades has met’’; taken advantage of tax loopholes; Resolved. That the House of Representa- Whereas, the Emoluments Clause was in- Whereas, disclosure of the President’s tax tives shall— cluded in the U.S. Constitution for the ex- returns could help those investigating Rus- 1. Immediately request the tax return in- press purpose of preventing federal officials sian influence in the 2016 election understand formation of Donald J. Trump for tax years from accepting any ‘‘present, Emolument, the President’s financial ties to the Russian 2006 through 2015 for review in closed execu- Office, or Title . . . from any King, Prince, Federation and Russian citizens, including tive session by the Committee on Ways and or foreign state’’; debts owed and whether he shares any part- Means, as provided under Section 6103 of the Whereas, according to the Washington nership interests, equity interests, joint ven- Internal Revenue Code, and vote to report Post, the Trump International Hotel in tures or licensing agreements with Russia or the information therein to the full House of Washington, D.C. has hired a ‘‘director of Russians; Representatives. diplomatic sales’’ to generate high-priced Whereas, the New York Times has reported 2. Support transparency in government and business among foreign leaders and diplo- that President Trump’s close senior advisers, the longstanding tradition of Presidents and matic delegations; including Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Roger Presidential candidates disclosing their tax Whereas, according to Reuters, the Trump Stone, and General Michael Flynn, have been returns. International Hotel could receive up to under investigation by the Federal Bureau of $60,000 from the Kuwaiti government for a Investigation for their ties to the Russian The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will now recognize the gentle- party it held at the Hotel on February 22, Federation; 2017. Whereas, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister woman from California to offer the res- Whereas, according to the New York Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax, a Russian olution just noticed. Does the gentle- Times, the President used a legally dubious media outlet, on November 10, 2016 that woman offer the resolution? tax maneuver in 1995 that could have allowed ‘‘there were contacts’’ with Donald Trump’s Ms. ESHOO. I do, Mr. Speaker. him to avoid paying federal taxes for 18 2016 campaign, and it has been reported that The SPEAKER pro tempore. The years; members of President Trump’s inner circle Clerk will report the resolution. Whereas, the most signed petition on the were in contact with senior Russian officials The Clerk read as follows: White House website calls for the release of throughout the 2016 campaign; the President’s tax return information to Whereas, according to his 2016 candidate RESOLUTION verify compliance with the Emoluments filing with the Federal Election Commission, Expressing the sense of the House of Rep- Clause, with 1 million, 78 thousand signa- the President has 564 financial positions in resentatives that the President shall imme- tures as of the date of this resolution; companies located in the United States and diately disclose his tax return information Whereas, the Chairmen of the Ways and around the world; to Congress and the American people. Means Committee, Joint Committee on Tax- Whereas, against the advice of ethics at- Whereas, in the United States’ system of ation, and Senate Finance Committee have torneys and the Office of Government Ethics, checks and balances, Congress has a respon- the authority to request the President’s tax the President has refused to divest his own- sibility to hold the Executive Branch of gov- returns under Section 6103 of the tax code; ership stake in his businesses; ernment to the highest standard of trans- Whereas, the Joint Committee on Taxation Whereas, the director of the nonpartisan parency to ensure the public interest is reviewed the tax returns of President Rich- Office of Government Ethics said that the placed first; ard Nixon in 1974 and made the information President’s plan to transfer his business Whereas, according to the Tax History public; holdings to a trust managed by family mem- Project, every President since Gerald Ford Whereas, the Ways and Means Committee bers is ‘‘meaningless’’ and ‘‘does not meet has disclosed their tax return information to used IRC 6103 authority in 2014 to make pub- the standards that . . . every president in the public; lic the confidential tax information of 51 the past four decades has met’’; Whereas, tax returns provide an important taxpayers; Whereas, the Emoluments Clause was in- baseline disclosure because they contain Whereas, the American people have the cluded in the U.S. Constitution for the ex- highly instructive information including right to know whether or not their President press purpose of preventing federal officials whether the candidate paid taxes, what they is operating under conflicts of interest re- from accepting any ‘‘present, Emolument, own, what they have borrowed and from lated to international affairs, tax reform, Office, or Title . . . from any King, Prince, whom, whether they have made any chari- government contracts, or otherwise: Now, or foreign state’’; table donations, and whether they have therefore, be it: Whereas, according to the Washington taken advantage of tax loopholes; Resolved, That the House of Representa- Post, the Trump International Hotel in Whereas, disclosure of the President’s tax tives shall— Washington, D.C. has hired a ‘‘director of returns could help those investigating Rus- 1. Immediately request the tax return in- diplomatic sales’’ to generate high-priced sian influence in the 2016 election understand formation of Donald J. Trump for tax years business among foreign leaders and diplo- the President’s financial ties to the Russian 2006 through 2015 for review in closed execu- matic delegations; Federation and Russian citizens, including tive session by the Committee on Ways and Whereas, according to Reuters, the Trump debts owed and whether he shares any part- Means, as provided under Section 6103 of the International Hotel could receive up to nership interests, equity interests, joint ven- Internal Revenue Code, and vote to report

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:41 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.042 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1573 the information therein to the full House of interest suggest that the House should RECORDED VOTE Representatives exercise its oversight authority imme- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I demand a 2. Support transparency in government and diately, including massive foreign pay- recorded vote. the longstanding tradition of Presidents and ments to the President’s hotels and Presidential candidates disclosing their tax A recorded vote was ordered. returns. prior business deals with foreign oligarchs around the world. The only The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the way to determine whether these deal- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- gentlewoman from California wish to ings represent—— minute vote on tabling the appeal will present argument on the parliamen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- be followed by a 5-minute vote on sus- tary question whether the resolution tlewoman will suspend. pending the rules and passing H.R. 375, presents a question of the privileges of Does the gentlewoman wish to if ordered. the House? present an argument as to whether the The vote was taken by electronic de- Ms. ESHOO. I do, Mr. Speaker. resolution qualifies under rule IX? vice, and there were—ayes 227, noes 186, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- The Chair has been patient. The gen- answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 15, as tlewoman from California is recog- tlewoman must confine her remarks to follows: nized. make that argument. If not, the Chair Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, under is prepared to rule. [Roll No. 128] clause 1 of rule IX, questions of the The gentlewoman from California is AYES—227 privilege of the House are ‘‘those af- recognized. Abraham Goodlatte Olson fecting the rights of the House collec- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I am at- Aderholt Gosar Palazzo tively, its safety, dignity, and the in- tempting to set forward the question of Allen Gowdy Palmer tegrity of its proceedings.’’ the privileges of the House on a privi- Amash Granger Paulsen Amodei Graves (GA) Pearce I believe the dignity and the integ- leged resolution, and this is a part of Arrington Graves (LA) Perry rity of the House are put at risk when it. Babin Graves (MO) Pittenger this body refuses to exercise its statu- I believe the only way to determine Bacon Griffith Poe (TX) whether these dealings represent viola- Banks (IN) Grothman Poliquin tory authority and constitutional obli- Barletta Guthrie tions of the Emoluments Clause of the Posey gation to operate as a check on the ex- Barr Harper Ratcliffe ecutive branch. Constitution is by fully examining the Barton Harris Reed Under section 6103 of the Internal President’s tax records. Bergman Hartzler Reichert Biggs Hensarling Revenue Code, three congressional Contrary to the Chair’s ruling last Renacci Bilirakis Herrera Beutler Rice (SC) Monday, there is no direct precedent in Bishop (MI) Hice, Jody B. committees have jurisdiction to re- Roby section 706 of the House Practice man- Bishop (UT) Higgins (LA) quest tax returns: House Ways and Roe (TN) Black Holding ual for the situation because the cur- Rogers (AL) Means, Senate Finance, and the Joint Blackburn Hollingsworth rent situation is unprecedented. The Rogers (KY) Committee on Taxation. Blum Hudson Rokita This authority was placed in the Tax President’s business empire makes him Bost Huizenga Rooney, Francis Code by Congress in 1924 to allow for more susceptible to conflicts of inter- Brady (TX) Hultgren Brat Hunter Rooney, Thomas full investigations of several scandals est than any President in our history. J. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Bridenstine Hurd in the Harding administration, includ- Brooks (AL) Issa Ros-Lehtinen ing the Teapot Dome bribery scandal. tlewoman is no longer recognized. Brooks (IN) Jenkins (WV) Roskam The Chair is prepared to rule on the Ross Section 6103 was the subject of consid- Buchanan Johnson (LA) question. Buck Johnson (OH) Rothfus erable debate in this Chamber, but, ul- The gentlewoman from California Bucshon Johnson, Sam Rouzer Royce (CA) timately, Congress passed it in order to seeks to offer a resolution as a ques- Budd Jordan provide an important investigatory Burgess Joyce (OH) Russell tion of the privileges of the House Byrne Katko Rutherford check on the executive branch. under rule IX. Calvert Kelly (MS) Scalise In 1974, section 6103 authority was As the Chair ruled on February 27, Carter (GA) Kelly (PA) Schweikert used by the members of the Joint Com- 2017, and as demonstrated by section Carter (TX) King (IA) Scott, Austin mittee on Taxation to publish a staff Chabot King (NY) Sensenbrenner 706 of the House Rules and Manual, a Chaffetz Kinzinger Sessions report on President Nixon’s tax returns resolution directing a committee to Cheney Knight Shimkus revealing that he owed nearly a half a meet and conduct certain business does Coffman Kustoff (TN) Shuster million dollars in back taxes. Today, I not qualify as a question of the privi- Cole Labrador Simpson worry that we are rapidly approaching Collins (GA) LaHood Sinema leges of the House. Collins (NY) LaMalfa Smith (MO) a scandal of a similar magnitude to The resolution offered by the gentle- Comer Lamborn Smith (NJ) these previous events. woman from California directs the Comstock Lance Smith (TX) Since we voted on a similar resolu- Committee on Ways and Means to meet Conaway Latta Smucker tion last week, the Attorney General Cook Lewis (MN) Stefanik and consider an item of business under Costello (PA) LoBiondo Stewart and other senior administration offi- the procedures set forth in 26 U.S. Code Cramer Long Stivers cials have admitted that they met with 6103. Accordingly, the resolution does Crawford Loudermilk Taylor Russian officials during the campaign Curbelo (FL) Love Tenney not qualify as a question of the privi- Davidson Lucas and the transition period. This comes leges of the House. Thompson (PA) Davis, Rodney Luetkemeyer Thornberry Denham MacArthur after the campaign and unequivocally Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I appeal Tiberi Dent Marchant last year saying that there was ‘‘no the ruling of the Chair. Trott DeSantis Marino The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Turner communications between the campaign DesJarlais Marshall Upton and any foreign entity during the cam- question is: Shall the decision of the Diaz-Balart Massie Wagner Chair stand as the judgment of the Donovan Mast paign.’’ Walberg The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- House? Duffy McCarthy Duncan (SC) McCaul Walden tlewoman will suspend. MOTION TO TABLE Duncan (TN) McClintock Walker The gentlewoman is reminded that Mr. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I have Dunn McHenry Walorski she must confine her remarks to the a motion at the desk. Emmer McKinley Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) parliamentary question of whether the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Farenthold McMorris Faso Rodgers Webster (FL) resolution qualifies under rule IX. Clerk will report the motion. Ferguson McSally Wenstrup Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I under- The Clerk read as follows: Fitzpatrick Meadows Westerman stand, and I am working to establish Mr. McCarthy moves that the appeal be Fleischmann Meehan Williams that case. laid on the table. Flores Messer Wilson (SC) Fortenberry Mitchell Wittman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Foxx Moolenaar Womack tlewoman will confine her remarks to question is on the motion to lay the Franks (AZ) Mooney (WV) Woodall that question or the Chair will be pre- appeal on the table. Frelinghuysen Mullin Yoder pared to rule. The question was taken; and the Gaetz Murphy (PA) Yoho Gallagher Newhouse Young (AK) Ms. ESHOO. Further reports about Speaker pro tempore announced that Gibbs Noem Young (IA) the President’s potential conflicts of the ayes appeared to have it. Gohmert Nunes Zeldin

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:41 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.027 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 NOES—186 and passing the bill (H.R. 375) to des- haven’t been convicted; and 53 percent Adams Gabbard Neal ignate the Federal building and United back Trump’s call to withhold federal Aguilar Gallego Nolan States courthouse located at 719 aid to ‘sanctuary cities.’’’ ´ Barragan Garamendi Norcross Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, ‘‘Meanwhile, 42 percent say Trump is Bass Gonzalez (TX) O’Halleran Beatty Gottheimer O’Rourke as the ‘‘Fred D. Thompson Federal providing strong leadership for the Bera Green, Al Pallone Building and United States Court- country, which is higher than the 40 Beyer Green, Gene Panetta house’’. percent Obama got last October.’’ Bishop (GA) Grijalva Pascrell The Clerk read the title of the bill. f Blunt Rochester Hanabusa Payne Bonamici Hastings Pelosi The SPEAKER pro tempore. The HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ BILL TO RE- Boyle, Brendan Heck Perlmutter question is on the motion offered by PEAL THE AFFORDABLE CARE F. Higgins (NY) Peters the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady (PA) Hoyer ACT Peterson BARLETTA) that the House suspend the Brown (MD) Huffman Pingree Brownley (CA) Jackson Lee rules and pass the bill. (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given Pocan permission to address the House for 1 Bustos Jayapal Polis The question was taken; and (two- Butterfield Jeffries Price (NC) thirds being in the affirmative) the minute.) Capuano Johnson (GA) Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it took 7 Quigley rules were suspended and the bill was Carbajal Johnson, E. B. Raskin years, but it is finally here: the House Ca´ rdenas Jones passed. Rice (NY) Republican plan to make America sick Carson (IN) Kaptur Richmond A motion to reconsider was laid on Cartwright Keating Rosen again. Castor (FL) Kelly (IL) the table. Roybal-Allard Under this plan, millions of Ameri- Castro (TX) Kennedy Ruiz f cans will lose their health insurance, Chu, Judy Khanna Ruppersberger Cicilline Kihuen MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR and millions of other families will pay Ryan (OH) Clark (MA) Kildee more for worse coverage. At the same Sa´ nchez ANTHONY ‘‘TONY’’ BEILENSON Clarke (NY) Kilmer Sarbanes time, the Republicans’ bill rolls back Clay Kind (Mr. SHERMAN asked and was given Schakowsky Medicaid expansion and allows insurers Clyburn Krishnamoorthi Schiff permission to address the House for 1 Cohen Kuster (NH) to charge older enrollees more. Schneider Connolly Langevin minute and to revise and extend his re- We always knew that the House Re- Conyers Larsen (WA) Schrader marks.) publican plan would harm the most Cooper Larson (CT) Scott (VA) Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret Scott, David vulnerable Americans, but we still do Correa Lawrence to inform the House that my prede- Costa Lawson (FL) Serrano not know how much this bill will cost Courtney Lee Sewell (AL) cessor, Anthony ‘‘Tony’’ C. Beilenson, and how many Americans it will cover. Crist Levin Shea-Porter died over the weekend. Now, House Republicans prefer it this Sherman Crowley Lewis (GA) Anthony Beilenson was known for in- way. They know that their bill will Cuellar Lieu, Ted Sires Cummings Lipinski Slaughter tegrity, civility, intelligence, courage, cover far fewer people than the Afford- Davis (CA) Loebsack Smith (WA) and a willingness to work across the able Care Act does. They want to hide Davis, Danny Lofgren Soto aisle, even when that caused him to this fact from the American people and Suozzi DeFazio Lowenthal differ from the orthodoxy of his own rush this bill through committee. DeGette Lowey Swalwell (CA) Delaney Lujan Grisham, Takano party. Mr. Speaker, this is an obvious and DeLauro M. Thompson (CA) He served in this House for 20 years, embarrassing display of cowardice DelBene Luja´ n, Ben Ray Thompson (MS) from 1977 through 1997, and served for 2 from the House Republicans. The Tonko Demings Lynch years as chair of the House Permanent American people deserve to know the DeSaulnier Maloney, Torres Deutch Carolyn B. Tsongas Select Committee on Intelligence. He consequences of this bill just as they Dingell Maloney, Sean Vargas passed on Sunday, and I ask that Mem- deserve quality and affordable access Doggett Matsui Veasey bers rise and that the House observe a to health care. With the Republican Doyle, Michael McCollum Vela plan, it looks like the American people F. McEachin Vela´ zquez moment of silence. Ellison McGovern Visclosky f will get neither. Engel McNerney Walz f Eshoo Meeks Wasserman PUBLIC TIRED OF BIASED MEDIA Espaillat Meng Schultz HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILLIAN COX Esty Moore Waters, Maxine (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was Evans Moulton Watson Coleman given permission to address the House (Mr. OLSON asked and was given per- Foster Murphy (FL) Welch for 1 minute and to revise and extend mission to address the House for 1 Frankel (FL) Nadler Wilson (FL) his remarks.) minute and to revise and extend his re- Fudge Napolitano Yarmuth Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, marks.) ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 from Investor’s Business Daily: ‘‘The Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I work for Sanford mainstream media’s open hostility to the Texans in Meadows Place. They are President Trump may be starting to led by Mayor Charles Jessup. The NOT VOTING—15 locals call Meadows Place the best Blumenauer Hill Smith (NE) backfire, according to the latest IBD/ TIPP poll. The poll found that 55 per- square mile of small-town America. Cleaver Himes Speier Meadows Place has a secret. Shhhhh. Culberson Jenkins (KS) Tipton cent of the public says they have grown Every man who lives there is in love Garrett Rohrabacher Titus ‘weary from the media’s persistently Gutie´rrez Rush Valadao with the same woman. We all love Lil- negative coverage of President Trump.’ b 1929 lian Cox. A roughly equal share, 54 percent, also Lillian turned 110 on February 22. In Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas changed his believe that the news media ‘has as- 352 days, I am taking Lillian out for vote from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ sumed the role of the opposition party, her 111th birthday. She will put on a Messrs. ROKITA and LAHOOD constantly opposing the president and nice dress, a necklace, and earrings. I changed their vote from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ his policies at every turn.’’’ will take her to the Live Oak Grill, So the motion to table was agreed to. ‘‘The results are understandable, where she will have the fried catfish The result of the vote was announced given the unusually hostile relation- she loves so much. I will have the as above recorded. ship the press has with Trump. chicken fried steak. And we may go A motion to reconsider was laid on ‘‘A study by the nonpartisan group dancing, if I can keep up with her. the table. Media Tenor found that only 3 percent Lillian, happy 110th birthday. I will f of network news stories in the first pick you up at 5 p.m. on February 22, month of the Trump administration FRED D. THOMPSON FEDERAL 2018. could be described as positive.’’ f BUILDING AND UNITED STATES ‘‘The poll found that 57 percent back COURTHOUSE Trump’s plan to hire 10,000 more immi- THREE BRANCHES OF The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. gration agents; 58 percent support the GOVERNMENT FERGUSON). The unfinished business is deportation of illegal immigrants (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was the question on suspending the rules charged with a crime, even if they given permission to address the House

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.024 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1575 for 1 minute and to revise and extend HONORING DR. NEHEMIAH DAVIS [From The Washington Post, Mar. 4, 2017] her remarks.) (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given TRUMP SONS, PLANNING EXPANSION OF FAMILY Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I permission to address the House for 1 BUSINESS, LOOK TO LEVERAGE CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE am glad to be an adherent of the Con- minute.) stitution, as I know that my colleagues Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise (By Jonathan O’Connell, David A. Fahrenthold and Matea Gold) are. We believe in the separation of the today with a heavy heart to honor the three branches of government. life of a dedicated civil rights leader NEW YORK.—Donald Trump’s adult sons, who are overseeing a nationwide expansion That is why it was so noteworthy and and pastor, Dr. Nehemiah Davis. so outrageous that the leader of the of the family business during their father’s Pastor Davis faithfully served the presidency, are envisioning ways that their free world and Commander in Chief Mount Pisgah Baptist Church on Evans experiences from the campaign trail can help issued a patently irrational email or Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas, on the them establish a footing in dozens of new Twitter on Saturday morning this past south side, for over 50 years. Along markets. Saturday regarding a personal and di- with serving as a spiritual leader in my The idea is to move beyond a focus on lux- rect attack on the past President of hometown, Mr. Davis served as the ury hotels in big metropolises and build bou- the United States of America regarding president of the National Missionary tique properties in a broader mix of cities, including some the Trump brothers came to that President having wiretapped this Baptist Convention of America, where individual in an outrageous manner. know well during more than a year of inten- he supported churches nationwide. sive travel, fundraising and grass-roots net- Let me cite for you headlines in the Pastor Davis’ dedication to the com- working on the road to The White House. Houston Chronicle: FBI chief seeks munity eventually led to his induction ‘‘I got to see a lot of those markets on the Trump rebuke of that horrible state- into the Religious Hall of Fame and campaign,’’ Donald Trump Jr., the presi- ment. the recognition by the Boy Scouts of dent’s eldest son, told The Washington Post I ask the Department of Justice to America with a Distinguished Service in a recent interview from his office on the immediately respond to Director Award. 25th floor of Trump Tower. ‘‘I think I’ve Comey’s request that you rebuke this Dr. Davis not only believed in nur- probably been in all of them over the last 18 months.’’ outrageous statement that would ac- turing spiritual growth, but fought for The initial plan is tied to the Trumps’ pre- cuse the President of any wiretapping the equality of all Americans. He viously announced new chain, Scion, which that require either a Title III court, fought fearlessly on behalf of the Afri- is being designed as a less-corporate feeling DEA, FBI, or require a FISA court. can-American community and led the brand of high-end hotels with a more afford- Mr. President, explain yourself. local NAACP chapter for over 20 years. able per-room price point than the Trumps’ Justice Department, respond to this I ask my colleagues to join me in five-star properties. untruth now. honoring Dr. Nehemiah Davis’ life of As with many existing Trump-branded The Constitution requires it, and the service. property deals, the developers would own the hotels while the Trumps would be paid li- separation of the three branches of f censing and management fees. government, out of respect, requires it. PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FAMILY The company says it has signed at least 17 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The BUSINESS letters of intent with potential developers. It Chair would remind Members to direct is targeting an array of cities such as Austin, their remarks to the Chair. (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given Dallas, St. Louis, Nashville and Seattle—and permission to address the House for 1 Trump Jr. said the campaign proved useful f minute and to revise and extend her re- in forging relationships with potential new connections. CONGRATULATING SPECIALIST marks.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, President ‘‘I met people along the way that would be SUSAN TANUI awesome partners,’’ he said. Trump is a master at diverting atten- (Mr. MARSHALL asked and was The expansion plan illustrates how Presi- tion, even the media’s. His diversions dent Trump’s political rise has the potential given permission to address the House are a perfect foil from the constitu- to affect his business even as he and his sons for 1 minute.) tional questions that his and his fam- promise to adhere to a strict ethical bound- Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I am ily’s behavior have raised since he took ary between the company’s moves and the proud to rise today to recognize and the oath of office. Trump administration. And it shows the in- congratulate Specialist Susan Tanui, With hotels and property develop- herent challenge in separating the family’s the 2016 Army Soldier-Athlete of the ments all over America and the world, political work from its corporate interests, with upsides and potential problems. Year. the Trump empire is dramatically ex- Specialist Tanui currently serves the Extending the Trump business into a panding its domestic business, raising greater cluster of American cities could soldiers at Fort Riley, Kansas, as a vital questions as to the Trumps’ prof- bring political benefits for a president who dental assistant. iting from public service, including has vowed to bring jobs and economic pros- During her time in service, she has from foreign entanglements that vio- perity to struggling communities. But it also exemplified the Army’s seven core val- late the Constitution. comes as Trump has faced criticism from ues—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless Outlined in Article II of the Constitu- Democrats and ethics officials for his deci- service, honor, integrity, and personal tion, the clause prohibits the President sion to retain his ownership stake in the courage—through her dedicated serv- company, a decision that means he stands to from receiving, other than his salary, personally benefit from its growth. ice, which is exemplified by her numer- any compensation, gift, or other form Building new hotels, for example, could ous decorations and awards. of profit from the United States, a create issues—tax disputes, allegations of In addition to serving the U.S. Army, State government, or their instrumen- labor violations or environmental viola- Specialist Tanui is currently pursuing talities. tions—that require federal departments to a degree at Liberty University, rep- Congress reserves its ability to con- consider cases that could directly impact the resents the Fort Riley Division run- sent to foreign emoluments but not to president’s finances. And while the Trumps ning team, the All Army team, and the domestic emoluments. Our Founding have vowed to sign no new foreign deals, pur- U.S. Armed Forces as an Army athlete. suing a raft of new domestic contracts from Fathers were clear—no exceptions. coast to coast means the Trumps are likely She has also represented the U.S. It has been heavily reported in the to engage in negotiations with private devel- Army in the U.S. Track and Field Na- papers that the Trump sons have now opers, banks and investors who see addi- tional Cross Country Championships in signed at least 17 new letters of intent tional benefits in doing business with the 2015 and 2016 and hopes, one day, to with potential developers, even listing president’s company. compete in the Olympics. specific cities. They don’t have to tell ‘‘It’s just going to add fuel to the fire that I commend Specialist Tanui’s accom- their father about all this. The news- is already burning . . . with him having still plishments, her outstanding character, papers cover it in abundance. And the a foot in both the boardroom and one in the and look forward to witnessing what American people should never have to Oval Office,’’ said Scott Amey, the general counsel of the nonpartisan watchdog group she will do in the near future. wonder whose interests the President Project on Government Oversight. Mr. Speaker, we are so proud of Spe- serves. The White House did not respond to a re- cialist Tanui, the soldiers of Fort Today those doubts abound. America, quest for comment. The president in January Riley, the home of the Big Red One. the scales of justice need tending. added a team of ethics lawyers to the White

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.048 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 House Counsel’s Office, while the company focusing on New York to including the man- to avoid potential domestic conflicts related hired a longtime Republican attorney tasked agement of luxury hotels in top U.S. cities to the hotel expansion. He said they could with ensuring the Trump Organization mini- and seven countries, plus more than a dozen put the hotel business under another cor- mizes conflicts of interest. golf courses. porate structure, which does not involve a In interviews, the Trump sons waved off The fruits of that work are still coming, as trust directly owned by the president him- the idea that their plans created any poten- last month the company opened a new golf self. tial ethical problems. club in Dubai and, last week held a grand ‘‘There are solutions to solving this, [hut] ‘‘There are lines that we would never cross, opening for a new hotel-condominium tower there doesn’t seem to be a will and a desire and that’s mixing business with anything in Vancouver, B.C. to do that within the White House,’’ Amey government,’’ Eric Trump said. A major transition for the sons is taking said. Donald Trump Jr. said that since the inau- over a company in which the force behind The Trump brothers say they are taking guration, he has spoken with his father twice every Trump company offering—whether it ethics concerns seriously and are doing ev- on the phone and once in person—when he was selling hotel rooms, office buildings, golf erything necessary to avoid distracting from and his brother attended the announcement outings, ties or raw steaks—was Donald their father’s work as president. of their father’s Supreme Court nominee, Trump himself. ‘‘Have I used him as a sounding board in Neil Gorsuch. Eric Trump said he may ask In interviews, Trump Jr. and Eric Trump the past? One hundred percent,’’ Trump Jr. his father how things are in the White House said they consider themselves protectors of said. ‘‘Have I learned a lot from him? but would never discuss government or busi- the Trump brand, an effort they said is Couldn’t have had a better mentor. But he’s ness affairs. sometimes misunderstood. Critics viewed the got real stuff he’s got to deal with. These are ‘‘Will we ever talk about tax policy? Will I announcement of Scion during the campaign real people’s lives .... So this notion that ever ask for anything that could otherwise as a move away from the Trump name. The he is still running the business from the benefit the business? Absolutely, emphati- family’s intent was the opposite; since they White House is just insane.’’ cally not,’’ Eric Trump said. ‘‘He has no need view the name Trump has a standard for lux- Trump Jr. scoffed at the idea that his fa- to know what we’re doing, and I certainly ury that ought to be insulated, they will use ther might have somehow viewed running for don’t need to know what they’re doing, and other brands for less pricey products. president—spending millions of dollars of his I don’t want to.’’ ‘‘We would never want to dilute the real own money to run against more than a dozen The Trumps’ point man on the expansion is estate brand by going into tertiary markets Republican challengers and Democratic Eric Danziger, an experienced executive who that can’t sustain the [luxury] properties as nominee Hillary Clinton when few pundits was hired in 2015 after previously overseeing we build them,’’ Eric Trump said, ‘‘A lot of gave him a chance to win—as a money- expansions at Carlson Hotels Worldwide, hotel companies have gotten this wrong.’’ making endeavor. Starwood Hotels and the former Wyndham Both sons worked for their father starting ‘‘That’s not a get-rich-quick scheme,’’ he International. at young ages, doing landscaping and other said. ‘‘That doesn’t make any sense whatso- One of the first Scion projects is slated to labor on his projects. ever.’’ open in Dallas, where a Turkish-born devel- A University of Pennsylvania graduate, oper aims to open a sleek glass six-story Trump Jr.’s first assignment at the company f hotel as part of a $50 million mixed-use was to work with executives at New York downtown development. The Austin, Cin- City real estate projects. FLOOR SPEECH ON ANTI-SEMITISM cinnati, Denver, Detroit, Nashville, Seattle Eric Trump joined after graduating from (Mr. GOTTHEIMER asked and was and St. Louis areas are also possible targets, Georgetown in 2006. He has overseen the given permission to address the House according to reports by Bloomberg News and Trump Winery near Charlottesville and for 1 minute.) business trade publications. worked on the Trump hotel in Las Vegas, Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I The Trumps declined to say what other cit- where he developed a reputation as a hands- ies they were exploring for projects but said on executive. rise today to speak out against the ris- they were actively seeking contracts in ‘‘If there’s a property tax issue or any liti- ing wave of desecration, threats, and many places. Danziger, speaking last month gation, he flies into Las Vegas and takes harassment targeting Jewish ceme- to Skift, an industry publication, called care of it,’’ said Phil Ruffin, a casino mogul teries, Jewish community centers, and Scion a ‘‘four-star lifestyle brand’’ with wide who is the Trumps’ partner in the Las Vegas religious institutions in northern New geographic appeal. project. ‘‘He hires the lawyer. If there are Jersey and across our country. ‘‘That kind of brand can be in every city— any capital improvements, he approves JCCs and synagogues are bedrocks of tertiary, secondary,’’ he said. ‘‘So, how many them. He is very energetic like his father— religious and civic life for Jewish com- is that? The opportunity is for hundreds.’’ he will just work night and day.’’ Because of the prohibition on foreign deals, With their father in charge, there was an munities, housing preschools for chil- Danziger said the company is ‘‘going to have informal division of labor among his three dren and a range of religious, edu- full focus—instead of some focus—on growth eldest children, governing which projects cational, and social programs for fami- domestically of both Trump and Scion.’’ each swooped in to help. lies and seniors. Yet the safety and The expansion will not be easy, according Ivanka Trump created her own brands of well-being of these communal spaces to analysts. The Trumps will be entering a shoes, jewelry, handbags and coats. She took are the scope of extremism and anti- crowded marketplace of new hotel lines from the lead on some of the Trump Organiza- Semitism. Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt designed to ap- tion’s mast prominent recent projects, such peal to a broad cross-section of customers, as the $212 million D.C. hotel, which had its Recently, there have been eight bomb said Michael J. Bellisario, a senior research soft opening in September. threats targeting six Jewish commu- analyst with the firm Robert W. Baird & Co. ‘‘I’m probably the most obviously like nity centers in New Jersey and more ‘‘There are so many more competitors out [Trump Sr.],’’ Ivanka Trump said in a 2011 than 100 across our country. Parents there today,’’ Bellisario said. company video titled ‘‘Trump: The Next are pulling their children from reli- For the Trumps to distinguish their Generation.’’ gious schools. Others are afraid to at- projects from their competitors, they will ‘‘In certain ways,’’ she added, ‘‘Eric is very tend religious services. It is unaccept- need to be choosy about locations, Bellisario similar to him in terms of his love of con- said. ‘‘You’ve got to be on the right street struction and building. And Don has his able. comer in the right market. You can’t open sense of humor.’’ In the last 24 hours alone, officials in these hotels in Topeka, Kansas,’’ he said. The Trumps’ planned corporate expansion my district have uncovered multiple ‘‘So when you think about that, how big can comes as the president has faced intense swastikas defacing our public spaces. the new line get?’’ criticism from Democrats and ethics experts These are not cases of random hatred. The plan is a big test for the younger for his continued ownership interest. They are part of a deeply disturbing Trumps. A liberal watchdog organization, Citizens national trend that requires immediate Just as Donald Trump stepped out from his for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington father’s shadow in the 1970s to build the fam- (CREW), has sued Trump, arguing that his and decisive action from law enforce- ily real estate business into today’s world- hotel operations violate a constitutional pro- ment and community leaders at all lev- wide collection of golf courses, hotels, condo vision barring the president from accepting els. towers, branded merchandise and other com- gifts or payments from a foreign govern- As Elie Wiesel said: ‘‘Indifference, mercial holdings, now Donald Trump Jr., 39, ment. Some Democrats have argued that after all, is more dangerous than anger and Eric Trump, 33, have a chance to make Trump’s international trademarks, including or hatred.’’ Leaders must stand up now their mark. one long-sought registration granted in Feb- against the rising trend of hate-driven Along with their sister, Ivanka, who de- ruary by China, also violate the Constitu- terrorism against any ethnic or reli- parted the company when their father en- tion’s emoluments clause. tered office, the brothers have long served as Trump has called the CREW lawsuit ‘‘to- gious group, including Jews, Chris- executive vice presidents. tally without merit.’’ tians, Muslims, and others. Before their father ran for president, the Amey, of the Project on Government Over- Hate and intolerance have no place in three siblings helped expand the firm from sight, said there were ways for the Trumps the greatest democracy in the world.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR7.025 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1577 b 1945 things we do know. I would like to prove it? Undoubtably, there are, and REMEMBERING DOUGLAS SELPH start off with what we do know about we could sit down and talk about ways HENRY, JR. the Affordable Care Act so that when to improve it. we come to debate on the floor in the But yesterday, our Republican col- (Mr. COHEN asked and was given per- days ahead the Republican repeal and leagues introduced legislation that is mission to address the House for 1 replacement of the existing Affordable going to have a profound negative im- minute and to revise and extend his re- Care Act, we have a foundation. pact on men and women all across this marks.) If you will indulge me, I will try to Nation. We will spend time in the days Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this lay out some facts, not alternative ahead to talk about the details, but we week, Tennessee lost one of its most facts, but facts. For example, 20 mil- do know that, in general terms, there outstanding citizens, a person who lion Americans have gained coverage will be less coverage at a higher cost loved Tennessee as deeply, if not more as a result of the Affordable Care Act. for literally everybody, except for a deeply, than anyone. Douglas Selph The percentage of uninsured in Amer- few special folks. And I would like to Henry, Jr., who served in the Ten- ica is the lowest it has ever been. Mr. just put up a chart about that. Let’s nessee State Senate in the Tennessee Speaker, 6.1 million young adults be- start with this one. State House, served longer than any tween the age of 19 and 25 have gained You see, in the repeal bill that was person ever did in the Tennessee Gen- insurance coverage by being able to introduced, there are very serious tax eral Assembly—44 years. stay on their parents’ insurance pro- cuts. We are talking about hundreds of Senator Douglas Henry served 24 of gram—6.1 million. Of the Americans billions of dollars of tax cuts over the those years with me. He was a gen- who have preexisting conditions, and next 2 years. Well, we all want a tax tleman, a scholar, a man who said he that is 27 percent of us who have some cut. But under the repeal, there are was a State man, as distinguished from sort of preexisting condition—heart some very special people who are going a Federal man, and he was a public issues, diabetes, broken legs, bad to get a really big tax cut. Take a look man, going to more events in Nashville backs, whatever—27 percent of those at this. in his district and for his community Americans are guaranteed coverage The top 20 percent of taxpayers will than anybody ever has. There was not even though they have a preexisting receive 74.2 percent of the multihun- an event that Douglas Henry wasn’t condition. dred-billion-dollar tax cut, which is es- there and helping to fund. I was insurance commissioner in timated to be somewhere in the range He was a conservative Senator. We California for 8 years, and I must tell of $700 billion to maybe as much as $1 had differences on issues many times. you the battles—well, it would take trillion, depending upon the final cal- But Senator Henry was a man who you several days to talk about the battles culations. could disagree with, and he was never that I had with the insurance compa- By the way, the Congressional Budg- disagreeable. He was truly a gentleman nies who were denying coverage be- et Office has not had time to score, at all times and a credit to his State cause of preexisting conditions. No that is to tell us what the cost, what and a credit to politics and a credit to longer the case in America. The Afford- the benefits are, of the Republican pro- his family. able Care Act said no. And by the way, posal. But we do know from earlier He loved his wife, Lolly, who pre- the lifetime limits, they are gone, also. studies of this, 75 percent of the multi- deceased him, his five children, and his California, which I have had the hundred-billion-dollar tax cuts go to the wealthy. Wow. And where does the grandchildren. And though we differed pleasure of being a citizen of, 3.7 mil- money come from? It comes from the on issues and he was pro-life, he cared lion Californians are now insured under poor, it comes from the working fami- about children after they were born, the Medi-Cal program, and 1.4 million lies, the men and women who are passed the mandatory child seatbelt have gained coverage through the ex- struggling here in America. Maybe law, and supported all types of edu- change, called Covered California. they are making a good living—$50,000 cation endeavors and endeavors to sup- About 1.2 million of those have re- to $60,000 a year. They are going to see port mothers and young children. He ceived subsidies, averaging over $300 a month. Over 5 million Californians will their benefit package reduced. was just a gentleman’s gentleman. I One more way to look at this is the was honored to spend time with him. It be directly affected by a direct repeal. And in the expansion of Medicaid, or famous pie chart. So who gets the tax is a great loss to Tennessee. My Medi-Cal as we call it in California, if breaks? Not the top 20 percent. Let’s thoughts go out to his family. that is eliminated, that is a $16 billion just focus more clearly here on the top f hit to the State of California, and, ob- one-tenth of 1 percent. What do they REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE viously, an enormous hit to those 3.7 get? They are not a percentage. This is CARE ACT million Californians who have been not the top 1 percent. This is the top covered under the Medi-Cal expansion. one-tenth of a percent. What do they The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Secondary impacts: employment. get? Well, they get nearly $200,000 a the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Maybe 200,000 jobs would be lost in year in tax reductions. That is not bad. uary 3, 2017, the gentleman from Cali- California. So the top 1 percent gets 57 percent of fornia (Mr. GARAMENDI) is recognized Individual stories: boy, they abound. that 6-, 7-, $800-billion tax cut, and ev- for 60 minutes as the designee of the Just this evening, I got a call from my eryone else will get 43 percent. minority leader. wife, and she said: You really ought to So what we have here is a massive Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise talk about that young family in Wood- shift of wealth from the working men this evening to cover several very, very land, California, whose 2-year-old son and women of America, from American important points. was diagnosed with some sort of a med- families, to the very top—you know, Tomorrow is International Women’s ical illness. They were able to get cov- the 1 percenters. That is who is getting Day, and I was going to talk about the erage before that under the covered the benefit in this massive tax cut that role of women in our society, talk California program. They went back a has been proposed. I don’t know if that about my five daughters and what they year later, and the kid had a brain is good policy. It is not in my district. have been doing in their life of service, tumor. I don’t think it is good policy for and my wife, but events intervened. Fortunately, it was resolved because America. And yesterday, our good friends on the they had insurance. They were able to We spent a lot of this last year in the Republican side introduced a piece of get the early diagnosis. And under the Presidential campaign talking about legislation that will dramatically af- current law, the Affordable Care Act, the shift of wealth to the superwealthy fect women, young and old; children. they will be able to keep their cov- and away from the great majority of They introduced a repeal of the Afford- erage, even though previous to the Af- Americans. But, here we go. In the able Care Act. fordable Care Act, this young child very first big legislation of this year, We are still trying to figure out all of and, quite probably, the family would we see the Republicans in a massive ef- the details involved in it. It is going to be uninsurable. fort to increase the wealth of the be a little hard, since it was changed It is working. The Affordable Care superwealthy at the expense of the rest late in the night. But there are some Act is working. Are there ways to im- of Americans.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.051 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 There are many, many more things ple to wait until they get sick before discussion a very important perspec- to talk about here. But I want to just they buy insurance, people will wait tive as the ranking member of the Edu- take a deep breath, which I need, be- until they get sick before they buy in- cation and the Workforce Committee. cause I guess I am getting rather ex- surance. The average insurance pool is You have that perspective of under- cited about what is happening—or sicker, more expensive. Healthy people standing the effect of this legislation maybe angry is a better word—and drop out, and the thing spirals out of on the working men and women and turn to my colleague from the great control. We don’t have to speculate families of the United States. State of Virginia to carry on while I how this works because we know. I was just looking at some of the take a deep breath and cool off a bit. New York State tried it, and the cost early comments that have come out Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman went up so much that when the Afford- about the bill, which is less than—well, from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT). able Care Act came in with a mandate, it is almost 24 hours old now. Families Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the cost for individual insurance USA said: ‘‘The GOP healthcare pro- I don’t blame the gentleman. I appre- dropped more than 50 percent. Wash- posal would be laughable if its con- ciate the opportunity to discuss the Af- ington State tried it. It got so bad that sequences weren’t so devastating. This fordable Care Act. As we discuss this, by the time it got going a couple of bill will strip coverage for millions of as he has indicated, it helps a little bit years, nobody could buy insurance. No- people and drive up consumer costs.’’ to talk about what the situation was body could buy insurance in the indi- The Catholic Health Association of before the Affordable Care Act passed. vidual market. So we know what hap- the United States said: ‘‘This proposal We knew that costs were going pens when you try to cover people with would also take many backward steps through the roof. We knew that those preexisting conditions without a man- in the continual effort to improve our with preexisting conditions, if they date. healthcare system. . . .’’ could get insurance, would have to pay It goes on and on, and as more and b 2000 a lot more for that insurance. We knew more people come to understand the that women were paying more for in- So this plan, when it starts off with issues that the gentleman was dis- surance than men. We knew that mil- that policy, we know it is bound to fail. cussing, I think they are going to find lions of people every year were losing We also noticed another flaw: that it that, no, we will take the Affordable insurance. That is what was going on saves money by allowing people to pur- Care Act as it presently exists, and we before. chase insurance that doesn’t cover ev- will make some modifications to it to People talk about small businesses. erything. We have people buying insur- improve it. Well, small businesses had trouble get- ance now that have to buy the basic es- The gentleman raised a very inter- ting insurance because if they had a sential benefits package. When you can esting point. It reminds me of another person with a chronic illness, it would start picking and choosing, you might conversation I had earlier this week with my wife. She had gone to her be unlikely that they could afford save a little money, but things like hairstylist, who is about 29 years old, small-business insurance. But now, the maternity care, if that becomes an op- has run her own business for the last 7, costs have continued to go up, but they tional coverage, then anybody that 8 years, and she told me wife: It can’t have gone up at half the rate they were wants that will not be able to afford it. be true. They can’t do it, can they? going up before. It will cost whatever it costs to have They can’t kill the Affordable Care Those with preexisting conditions a baby. They just have to pay the bill. They might as well not have insurance. Act, the ObamaCare? can now get insurance at the average She said: For the first time in my So that is because, if anybody pur- rate. Women are no longer paying more life, I was able to get insurance; and chases maternity insurance, it is be- than men. And 20 million more people now that I have insurance, there is this cause they expect to have a baby in the have insurance, not millions of people maternity benefit that is in my pack- coming year, and it becomes losing insurance every year, 20 million age, and now my husband and I, we can unaffordable. If everybody pays the av- more people have insurance. afford to have a child. Now, the full name of the Affordable erage, everybody pays everything, then It was directly to the point the gen- Care Act is the Patient Protection and everybody can afford the maternity tleman was making. If there is an op- Affordable Care Act. There are certain coverage. tion here on maternity coverage or any protections, like insurance companies So allowing people to pick and coverage for women’s health, then we can’t cut you off after they have paid a choose what they want, that might are going to find a situation where peo- certain amount. There are no more help a few, but those that need that ple will pick and choose; they will wait caps. They can’t rescind your policy. coverage won’t be able to afford it. to get their insurance, and then the in- After you get sick, they can’t just de- A final flaw, as the gentleman point- surance pool is left with very expensive cide not to renew your policy. There is ed out, is massive tax cuts. Well, when cases and the cost is not spread out. no copay or deductible for prevention you reduce the revenue available, two The gentleman may have some other and cancer screening. We are closing things happen: there is less support for examples that may have come along or the doughnut hole. The average senior Medicaid, and there is less support for some other comments that he would has saved already about $1,000 because people in paying their premiums. So in like to make. I would be delighted to of the Affordable Care Act support for the fullness of time, fewer people will have the gentleman share those on the closing the doughnut hole. Those under be insured; and so you have a plan with floor, and I will yield to the gentleman. age 26 can stay on their parents’ poli- fewer people insured, watered-down Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Shortly after cies. Those are some of the benefits of benefits, and a plan that is ultimately the Affordable Care Act passed and the Affordable Care Act. going to fail. went into effect, a young lady ap- Now, we didn’t solve all of the prob- That is not an improvement. If we proached me in a store—she was a lems. There are still problems. But if are going to deal with the Affordable clerk in a store—and said: Bobby, don’t we are going to change the Affordable Care Act, we ought to have an improve- let them repeal ObamaCare because my Care Act, we ought to improve the Af- ment; and until we have an actual im- son is alive today because of fordable Care Act. Unfortunately, the provement, we ought to leave the Af- ObamaCare. bill that was introduced in the middle fordable Care Act alone. I said: Well, what do you mean? of the night fails on a number of areas. I am delighted to be here discussing She said: Late last year, he was diag- Now, we would know precisely how the Affordable Care Act with the gen- nosed with a fatal disease for which bad a bill it is if they would wait a cou- tleman, warning people that, if they go there is a cure, but we couldn’t afford ple of days for the CBO to score the forward without a Congressional Budg- the cure. Thankfully, he lived to Janu- bill. It would point out all of the flaws. et Office evaluation so they know what ary 1, when ObamaCare kicked in, and But there are just a couple. is going on, we may have a plan that is we can afford the cure. My son is alive One is just a fundamental principle a lot worse than even before the Af- today because of the Affordable Care that it purports to cover preexisting fordable Care Act. Act. conditions without a mandate for cov- Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. SCOTT, thank If it is repealed, what happens in that erage. We know that if you allow peo- you so very much. You bring to this case? What happens in all of the other

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.052 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1579 cases when people don’t have insur- We don’t have all of the answers to cost is spread across the entire popu- ance? We have heard it represented this, but we do know that a 60-year-old lation. that, well, anybody can get health presently getting an insurance policy What we may be ceding here in this care. All they have got to do is show up from the Affordable Care Act, from particular proposal is the unravelling at the emergency room. ObamaCare, and making somewhere of that fundamental insurance concept Well, yeah, that is fine. You can show around $40,000 a year—perhaps working with young people, healthy, not both- up at the emergency room with a at Walmart—they are going to see a 57 ering to buy insurance, staying out of stroke, but you can’t get blood pres- percent reduction in the tax credit that the market; and then, eventually, when sure pills that could have avoided the is currently available versus what the they become ill, they will get back into stroke to begin with. They can sta- Republican bill has. the market, leaving everybody else to bilize you and send you home, but in So a 60-year-old making $40,000 a pay for it. terms of a cure or a surgery that may year under the ACA, ObamaCare, will There is another piece of this shifting cure the problem, you don’t get that. receive somewhere around a $9,000 tax of cost that did occur prior to the Af- You just get stabilized in the emer- credit to support the purchase of insur- fordable Care Act—significantly re- gency room, and that is not health ance. Under the Republican bill, they duced, as a result of it—and that is the care. We need people with insurance so are looking at $4,000—not $9,000, but uninsured still get sick. they can obtain the preventive care $4,000—so 57 percent reduction in the The gentleman mentioned the emer- and the corrective care that will get support that they receive, probably gency room a while ago, and for the them off on the right track. leading to them not being able to af- most part, in America, a person can get The gentleman talked about strip- ford insurance and winding up in your to an emergency room with or without ping coverage. When you take that emergency room example. insurance; but if they don’t have insur- kind of money out of the system, less Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. To add insult ance, there is still a cost associated support for Medicaid, fewer people get- to injury, part of the scheme is to with the visit to the emergency room ting Medicaid, less support for pre- allow insurance companies to charge and any other thing they may need. mium support so that people can actu- senior citizens even more. Right now They may need to have their leg re- ally afford it—if you look at the pro- they are limited to three times what paired, a broken leg, or maybe they posal, a lot of people can’t use the tax they charge everybody else. Their bill need an appendectomy or whatever. cut because it is insufficient to pay the allows up to five times. That is a two- That is still a cost. The question is: premium and they don’t have the rest thirds increase in the cost. So if the Who picks up that cost? That is called of the money. tax credit wasn’t enough to begin with, uncompensated care, and it was a huge So we need to make sure that CBO it is going to get worse. problem prior to the Affordable Care scores this. They will highlight all of Mr. GARAMENDI. Well, let me make Act. these problems. They will show that sure I understand. I was 60 a while ago, I had hospitals throughout my dis- many fewer people will be insured and but let’s say I am 60 and I am getting trict and throughout California coming that it is not an improvement. We a health insurance policy under to me and saying: We can’t afford this shouldn’t do anything unless we are ac- ObamaCare, the Affordable Care Act. I because we are not able to cover that tually improving the Affordable Care may have to pay three times what a 25- uncompensated care for people that Act. year-old pays, but under the proposal didn’t have insurance that showed up Mr. GARAMENDI. The gentleman is that has been brought to us by the Re- at the emergency room. correct on that. I was just looking at Now, we know that from the early some statistics here a moment ago publicans, I would pay five times? Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. That is right. analysis done of the proposed legisla- about the shifting of cost. When everybody pays an average, if Under the Affordable Care Act, there tion by our Republican friends that the are many, many benefits for Medicare. you allow some people to pay more, number of uninsured is likely to in- Leaving aside the Medicaid population some people are going to pay less, but crease, perhaps as much as 11 million for a moment, the Medicare popu- it is a zero-sum game. Every time they people—maybe more, maybe somewhat lation, available to every individual 65 show somebody can pay less, then less. Those people will still get sick. and older, there have been significant know that somebody will pay more. They may have money of their own to improvements. They have a scheme, for example—they cover their costs, but the chances are You mentioned the doughnut hole call it association plans—where you they don’t. That uncompensated cost earlier, the drug benefit. If you run up get a group of healthy people, they will then be borne by the people who do heavy expenditures on your drugs, you come from out of the insurance pool buy insurance. It is a cost shift to would come to a point where you had and get a better rate because the insur- those who have insurance. to pay 100 percent. Medicare didn’t ance company will look at the associa- Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. In fact, when cover it. Well, that doughnut hole is tion and say: Those are the young, we passed the Affordable Care Act, the collapsing, and in another 2 years, the healthy people, I can give them a bet- estimated cost on a family policy was Medicare program will cover all of the ter rate. They can save money. about $1,000 a year on the family policy drug costs without limitation. What happens to everybody else? for uncompensated costs shifted on to Also, there is the free annual check- They have to pay more. the insured public. In fact, in Virginia, up that is available to everybody that Last time they came up with this it is estimated that approximately $15 is on Medicare. The result of these idea, the research showed that 80 per- a month is paid on everybody with in- kinds of things, where drugs are avail- cent of the people will pay higher pre- surance, $15 a month to go to the able, blood pressure drugs, diabetes and miums if you allowed people to with- 400,000 people that would have had in- the like, has led to—together with the draw from the pool, a healthy group. surance if we had expanded Medicaid. additional taxes that the superwealthy Now, actually, it will always work, be- So if you have 100 employees, you can are paying—has increased the solvency cause the group you pull out, if the just figure you are paying about $1,500 of Medicare by 11 years. bids come in higher than average, no- a month extra because we did not ex- Now, the fiddling that is going on body is going to buy the insurance. pand Medicaid. 400,000 people will go to with the proposal that our Republicans They are going to go right back into the hospital, won’t pay, and when peo- have put through, it is not clear ex- the regular pool. So any time you have ple with insurance go, they just have actly what the result would be; but we one of these things, it will only work if to pay a little extra, about $15 a month do know that one of the major tax cuts you are pulling out young, healthy peo- per person in the Commonwealth of is the elimination of this Medicare tax ple, and that leaves behind, for every- Virginia because of that. that the superwealthy have been pay- body else, higher rates. Mr. GARAMENDI. There are so many ing, and that is over—together with Mr. GARAMENDI. The fundamental pieces to this healthcare system. one other tax is almost $340 billion. So nature of insurance is you gather a One thing that I want to put on the the support for Medicare and the sol- large population of healthy, not-so- table here from my experience as in- vency of Medicare becomes a question healthy, and perhaps some very sick surance commissioner in California is mark as a result of the proposals. people into a large population, and the that there are two fundamental parts

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.053 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 to the healthcare system in the United single-payer plan in Canada, which in breaks for the wealthy, and cost in- States, and really around the world. many areas is a rural area. So you creases for everybody else. That we One of those two parts is how we col- don’t have the critical mass of popu- know. lect the money and then pay for the lation to support a high-tech medical We also know that there are certain services. We call that insurance. It is system. So if you are going to have a elements of support for individuals also Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ pro- baby, it is probably going to be deliv- that will be removed. As we go about grams, and the like. These are the way ered by a family doctor, not an obste- debating this and understanding the in which we collect money and pay for trician. In some areas, you have to go full import and get the Congressional the services. 200 miles to find a neurosurgeon. That Budget Office information, I think we are going to find that Americans are b 2015 doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that they can pay for the services. going to say: Well, wait. Wait, wait, The other part of the healthcare sys- It is just that the services aren’t there. wait. You are doing what to me? What tem is the delivery of services; these So when people talk about the health are you doing to me? You are taking are the doctors, the clinics, the hos- delivery system, as you pointed out, away my health insurance? pitals, and other providers, mental that is different. The fact that you can I suspect that will lead to a rebellion health providers, and the like. We often actually pay for services doesn’t dimin- of some sort. Certainly it has agitated get confused by putting these two ish the opportunity to have those serv- a lot of people in my communities things together. ices there; it actually increases the about the justifiable fear of what may There has been a lot of talk about possibility that those services will be be coming to Americans. what we are doing with the Affordable there. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman Care Act. It is essentially a mechanism Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, that from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT). to pay for services. It is an insurance is exactly right, and I see that in my Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, mechanism. Using the private insur- district. I have a large rural district in the gentleman indicated, in rural ance system, these various exchanges California. And, even today, there are areas, one of the things that we have done is funded community health cen- are set up to pool the population of areas where it is difficult to find a phy- ters, which provides, where there are people who do not have insurance from sician to get medical services. their employer, the individual people, This is one of the things, as you so no professionals, a community health individual coverage. It pools them so correctly pointed out, the Affordable center where you can actually go to that you have that large population so Care Act had a part of that. One of the get comprehensive primary health care that the cost is spread out across that titles dealt with the education of med- and then referred to a specialist some- where if that is needed. That funding large pool and the insurance becomes ical personnel. And so what we have would be obviously in jeopardy. affordable. That is an insurance mecha- seen, at least in California—and I sus- nism. That is a pooling. It has nothing As you pointed out, when you have pect across America—with the Afford- tax cuts in terms of resources, that to do directly with the provision of able Care Act in place, we are seeing medical services. will translate into fewer people actu- that one of the fastest growing areas ally insured. They will have watered The medical services are then pro- for new jobs is the healthcare sector vided out of that pooling arrangement down benefits. And because there is no because we are adding a lot of people— mandate to ensure that everybody is in by the individual doctors, maybe clin- we need more—and then the edu- the pool and they are trying to cover ics, maybe hospitals, maybe group cational programs that you talked preexisting conditions, you have a pre- practices. Some of that will be about, which comes under the jurisdic- scription for disaster. That is not an capitated pay, and others will be a fee- tion, I believe, of your committee. improvement of the Affordable Care for-service. That is an important part. Act. We haven’t changed directly the way One of the things that I hope the We need to insist that CBO score the in which services are provided, that is, American public comes to understand legislation before we start taking votes the delivery of services. And this is is this is not just a sound bite that was so that people know exactly what they found in hospitals. In the Affordable used in a political campaign. We are are getting into. Care Act, there was a penalty for hos- going to repeal the ObamaCare and we Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, the pitals that had readmissions for infec- are going to replace it is a nice sound gentleman from Virginia is absolutely tions. What we have seen, as a result of bite. But we are talking about the lives correct about that. Unfortunately, my that provision dealing directly with of Americans, we are talking about understanding is that as early as to- the way in which services are delivered their health, their ability to stay morrow—that would be Wednesday— in hospitals, is a dramatic decline in healthy, their ability to get medical that the committees intend to mark up readmissions for hospital-acquired in- services. the legislation. Normally, that means fections. What that means is some When you start tinkering with some- the version of the legislation that will 60,000 people are still alive today be- thing that is so personal—that is what pass out of committee is completed. cause they didn’t get a hospital-ac- people say in my district: This is about And, I suspect, usually it is associated quired infection. my ability to stay healthy, my ability with a vote that takes place in com- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman to get medical care. That is what I mittee. We don’t know for sure if it is from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT). hear. tomorrow or the next day, but we do Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, They are saying they are frightened. know that if it is this week, we will not well, that part of the Affordable Care They are concerned that the legislation have the Congressional Budget Office Act has actually improved the quality and all of the discussion in the polit- information. of service. ical campaigns has been so heated that The gentleman mentioned something There are other things in the Afford- they are afraid they are going to lose that I probably should have jumped on able Care Act, such as funding for edu- what they presently have. immediately because of my rural dis- cation of more providers, more doctors A quick look at what has been pre- trict, and those are the clinics. As a re- and nurses, and other providers be- sented to Congress just in the last 24 sult of the Affordable Care Act, there cause we have a lack of professionals. hours indicates that a couple of facts are now seven significant clinic organi- One area, for example, is psychiatry. If are clear. First of all, there is an enor- zations that provide services to about the Veterans Administration hired all mous tax break for the very, very 23 specific sites around my district. the psychiatrists they need, there wealthy, probably to the tune of 3- to They are providing, really for the first wouldn’t be any for anybody else. We $400 billion over 10 years. That is an in- time in many of the communities that are so far behind. And the Affordable credible tax break for the superwealthy I represent, immediately available Care Act provides for that service. and for the health insurance industry. healthcare services to a variety of peo- As you pointed out, there is a dif- That, we are pretty sure, is in this leg- ple, some of whom have had an em- ference between the ability to pay for islation. We don’t know the exact num- ployer-sponsored health plan and oth- the services and the services that are bers; but we do know that early indica- ers of whom are on Medi-Cal in Cali- there. People frequently compare the tions are that there is a shift, tax fornia.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.055 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1581 The apparent reduction in the Med- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman The second most sovereign thing we icaid, Medi-Cal for California, support from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT). have and are is our skin and everything from the Federal Government that will Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, inside it. It is our health. It is the man- occur over the next 21⁄2 to 3 years will I thank the gentleman from California agement of our health. And if Ameri- eliminate one of the principal ways in for organizing the Special Order so cans are not capable of managing their which those clinics have been able to that we could actually discuss some of own health and making their own continue to operate and, that is, the the problems with going forward with- health decisions and pressing the mar- expansion of the Medicaid population out a CBO score, without knowing ketplace to produce the health insur- in California. what we are doing. Certainly, it is not ance policies that they desire, if Amer- It appears that the legislation that is an improvement in the Affordable Care icans can’t make those decisions, then proposed will shrink the Medicaid pro- Act. it would just stand to reason, if that is gram across the Nation and severely Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I true—and that is what Democrats seem curtail in California the support avail- thank the gentleman from Virginia to think—then there aren’t any people able for people who are currently on (Mr. SCOTT) for expressing Virginia’s on the planet who can manage their Medi-Cal. That will be devastating to view. From California, it is, whoa, wait own health. these clinics in these rural areas. a minute, let’s be careful. What I am pretty sure of is that if we We have had discussions about this. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance don’t think that regular, red-blooded They say: Watch carefully. If this is of my time. Americans—especially those who are what happens, we are going to be out of f out there punching the time clock, business. We are going to shut down running their business, starting a busi- TOPICS OF THE DAY our doors. ness, or working on commission, what- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ever they might be doing, the salt-of- from Virginia. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- the-Earth Americans—if they can’t Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, uary 3, 2017, the gentleman from Iowa manage it, I am really sure that a the clinics will shut down. Insurance (Mr. KING) is recognized for 60 minutes bunch of leftists who are elected to of- companies will stop writing insurance as the designee of the majority leader. if people can wait until they get sick fice out of the inner cities of America Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I ap- aren’t going to be able to do it. before they buy insurance. The insur- preciate the privilege to address you ance companies reacted to that system here on the floor of the House of Rep- b 2030 in Washington State by selling nobody resentatives, and I have a number of And we have seen the success of that, any insurance. So we know what is topics I would like to bring up this the leftist agenda of ObamaCare, im- going to happen. evening. posed upon America, commanding that The CBO, when they score this, will First, I would comment that I heard we buy policies that are approved by point that out, and we will know ex- the words ‘‘Affordable Care Act’’ mul- the Federal Government. They would actly what the problems are. tiple times in the previous hour, and it have liked to have established the Fed- Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I just caught me each time I heard that. eral Government as being the single- thank the gentleman from Virginia Abraham Lincoln would have had a dif- payer plan and abolished all insurance (Mr. SCOTT) for joining us this evening. whatsoever and simply taken care of This is a fundamental part of American ficult time saying such a thing being everybody’s healthcare needs so that life, that is, our health care. It is about Honest Abe, and George Washington 18 percent of the total GDP, gross do- probably couldn’t have said it at all. one size fits all, and we could drift mestic product. It is extremely impor- As we know this, it is not affordable down into the mediocrity that most tant in terms of the total well-being of care and that is the reason that we the rest of the world has exhibited for our society and our economy. have to address it. We knew this was a long time. Changes to the Affordable Care Act going to happen. Of all the horrible sto- This all started back in Germany in that are being proposed will have a dra- ries we have heard about ObamaCare— the latter part of the 19th century, matic effect. And what we do know this thing they call the Affordable Care when Otto von Bismarck decided that about it is that there will be a massive Act—many of them were predicted here if he was going to get reelected, he had shift of wealth from working men, on the floor of the House of Represent- to make the Germans dependent upon women, and families to the super- atives, Mr. Speaker. I predicted quite a him. And so he devised this plan called wealthy. We know that from the tax lot of them myself, as did many of the socialized medicine and he, more or proposals that have been made in the Members who fought against that piece less, trained the Germans to expect the analysis of the tax. of legislation that was jammed down federal government to make those de- We also know that there is a very, on us by hook, by crook, by legislative cisions for them, pick up the costs for very high probability that perhaps 11 shenanigans. them; and, in doing so, that sense of million people will lose their insurance We could see what was going to hap- dependency got Bismarck reelected in coverage, either in the private insur- pen with this. It was slammed together Germany. ance market through the exchanges or by trying to circumvent the majorities, Well, it is not that old a country in through the Medicaid programs across by pushing some things through on rec- Germany, but this idea of Marxism the Nation. And the effect on the pro- onciliation. And we ended up with a comes right out of there. By the way, viders, the hospitals, the clinics will be piece of legislation that was the big- there is a bench in Berlin that honors profound. gest bite they could get to create so- Karl Marx, and a number of other stat- So when we have something as im- cialized medicine. utes and monuments as well. That is portant as this, it is just wrong. It is The worst part of ObamaCare, Mr. where this came from, and we watched wrong for the majority in this House to Speaker, was this: That it is an uncon- as other countries adopted it. put this legislation before the commit- stitutional taking of God-given, Amer- I once picked up—Mr. Speaker, I had tees without a full hearing on what the ican liberty. We are—and at least used a World War II veteran who came over effect will be. But it appears that to- to be and believe we are to be again— to an event that I was doing in morrow, Wednesday, we will have the the freest people on the planet; and Hospers, Iowa, and he had gone up to first markup in this process. that our rights come from God; and his attic and he brought down these What I want—and I think the gen- that government can’t take them Collier’s magazines. They were original tleman from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT) does, away. Collier’s magazines that started right too—is for the American public to hear Many times here on the floor, I have at the end of the Second World War and the debate, to understand the implica- said, Mr. Speaker, that the Federal went on through those years, for 2 or 3 tions where we are today with the Af- Government hasn’t figured out how to or 4 years, and they were yellow and, of fordable Care Act and what it has nationalize or take over our soul. That course, they were dated, and he pre- brought to us in terms of quality and is our business, and we manage that. sented them all to me. accessibility to health care and what it Our souls are the most sovereign thing He said: I want you to have these. I would mean with the proposed changes. that we have and are. want you to read down through these

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.057 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 magazines and see what it was like in cent, rip-it-out-by-the-roots-as-if-it- might want covered by your health in- those days shortly at the end of World had-never-been-enacted repeal out of surance policy. War II and in the Reconstruction era the House and over to the Senate and There is no freedom to go out there afterwards. set it on MITCH MCCONNELL’s desk and in the marketplace, and there is no So I actually accepted all of those let MITCH MCCONNELL figure out—Ma- marketplace that actually exists be- magazines, copied them, and gave him jority Leader MCCONNELL, Senator cause the consumers are not making back the originals. I didn’t feel right MCCONNELL figure out then how to get the demands for the kind of policies having them in my possession. But I the votes put together in the United that they would like. Instead, it is the read through them; and there were pic- States Senate for a full, 100 percent re- Federal Government dictating by man- tures there of doctors and nurses and peal of ObamaCare. date what the policy shall cover. And healthcare providers in Great Britain The House will pass such a bill. It when that happens, the premiums go that were haggard and tired and worn, won’t be hard to put those votes to- up—which anybody could figure out— and stories about how, because of the gether. I wouldn’t be surprised if there and the coverage goes down. socialized medicine they passed in the was a Democrat or two that was wor- Now we have people that—I would United Kingdom, they had to see so ried about their seat that would join us just look back to shortly before the many patients a day in order to make in such an endeavor. election. The Thursday before the elec- a living, and they couldn’t pay atten- Then, once that bill is over through tion we had an event south of Des tion to the patients so much as they the Rotunda and over on the desk of Moines on a farm, and there, soon-to-be had to pay attention to their schedule Senator MCCONNELL, then we should Vice President-elect MIKE PENCE ar- and turn them through quickly start down through with the individual rived, as did Senator TED CRUZ, back to through the turnstiles in the repairs to the healthcare system that Iowa. I’m grateful to both of those gen- healthcare system in Great Britain be- we need to do, that we all know we tlemen and friends. cause health care was rationed in that need to do and that we have talked As I gave my speech, I pointed out way. about for a long time. that I have seen people’s health insur- I have a friend who is a radio talk Some of these have been out here de- ance premiums go from $8,000 a year to show host—and, actually, it is WHO bated for 10 years in this Congress, Mr. $10,000 a year. And then as I saw people Radio, one of Ronald Reagan’s original Speaker, and, instead, we have got a in the crowd started waving their arm, radio programs where Ronald Reagan different configuration that has been and I say $12,000 a year, $14,000 a year, got his start—who comes originally served up to us. But I submit that it is we had an auction going on, Mr. Speak- from Great Britain; proud American. not too late to do it right. Send the full er, and it came up to $20,000 a year. But both of his parents are gone, and repeal over. That repeal can have an Looked to me like these were ‘‘Ma and both of his parents deaths can be at- enactment clause of, say, a year from Pa’’ family farm operations that were tributed to the failed national now. That is enough time for people to facing $20,000 in health insurance pre- healthcare system, socialized medicine make their adjustments for their own miums, where not that long ago they that the United Kingdom has. He had health insurance and get it taken care would have been looking at 6 or 7 or told me several years ago: Once social- of, especially under the provisions that $8,000 in health insurance premiums. ized medicine is established, you will I propose. That has swept across this country- not be able to undo it. I would point out that my side. I talked to a gentleman here on So, Mr. Speaker, I bring this up this ObamaCare—and, yes, we Members of the floor tonight whose health insur- way because this is our last best Congress are obligated to own our own ance premiums were $24,000. That is chance to turn this country in the ObamaCare policies and pay a substan- just not sustainable. You have to fi- right direction. It is our last best tial portion of the premium. By the nally decide: I am going to take a risk chance to throw off this mandate of so- way, mine went up when ObamaCare and go without health insurance with cialized medicine that was established was imposed upon me by not quite those kind of costs. by hook, crook, and legislative she- $4,300 a year additional. That was my That is driven by ObamaCare. It is nanigan by the Democrats, and passed privilege to own an ObamaCare policy, driven by the mandates in ObamaCare. through in the final component in this but we are compelled to own that pol- It is driven by the guaranteed issue, no Congress March 23, 2010. That event icy. consideration for preexisting condi- that took place, as I recall, I believe it For me, I got the letter, dated last tions, and it is driven by a mandate was dated March 23, but it actually September 28, that said, as of Decem- such as you stay on your parents’ rolled over past midnight, but the ber 31, at midnight, my ObamaCare health insurance until you are 26. RECORD showed March 23. policy was canceled. And it turned out It goes on and on and on. OB care, I went home that night worn out that I would have been without insur- maternity coverage, contraceptive cov- from days of fighting ObamaCare and ance from New Years, from the stroke erage, you can name it, and also, no ad- doing all that I could do to put an end of midnight, auld lang syne, until ditional cost for your medical check- to it, to kill it off before it did what it whatever time it would take me to get ups. All of these things cost money, has already done to the American peo- that put together. So we went to work, and they are built into the premium, ple. And I laid down, thinking I would and there was only one policy that ac- and every time you add another bell or sleep the sleep of the dead, but I woke tually qualified under ObamaCare, only whistle or accessory to your health in- up in about an hour and a half and I one. surance policy, the premium goes up got up and I wrote the repeal of Of all the counties in America, and up and up. ObamaCare, and it turned out to be the roughly a third of the counties there is When the insurers find out that they first repeal draft that emerged after only one choice available to the Amer- are losing money, they start to drop ObamaCare had passed. ican people; compelled by law to buy a out of the marketplace. They drop out I certainly wrote it well before policy or be penalized by the Federal of the marketplace, and when they do, Barack Obama had signed the bill, al- Government. And your options are not there is less competition. though they hustled it out to him, I that you get to keep the policy that When there is less competition, think, the next day, and that is when you like or that you get to keep the prices go up, Mr. Speaker. This is what he signed it. doctor that you like. You don’t even we have seen happen over the years The repeal bill that I have introduced get to choose from a menu of what since the implementation of here—and it has passed the floor of this kind of health insurance policy you ObamaCare. It is a calamity. It will House a number of times; I have lost want. sink ObamaCare. If we don’t touch it, track of how many times, Mr. Speak- Instead, for a third of the counties in it will sink and it will be gone. It will er—it is only 40 words. And the last America, you only have one choice, and implode upon itself. It cannot be sus- words in that bill are: ‘‘As if such act that is buy the policy that is the only tained. We know that on this side of had never been enacted.’’ option that is available to you. So the aisle from about here on over. They That is, Mr. Speaker, what we need there is no shopping for prices. There is know it intuitively over on this side of to do. We need to send the full, 100 per- no looking at the kind of options you the aisle from about there on over. But

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.059 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1583 the difficulty is that politically they send the full repeal over to the Senate, premiums. Today there is something have embraced ObamaCare and they and then pick up the repairs, the re- like 160 million Americans that get have decided they are going to hold placements, and the reform, those their health insurance from their em- onto it and protect it. things that we know we need to do, and ployer. When the employer sets up a Why? they can stand alone with or without group plan as a rule and they negotiate I think part of it is they want to hold the full repeal of ObamaCare. those premiums, whatever that pre- on and protect the legacy of President For example, we need to send PAUL mium might be, let’s just say it is Obama, who, if all had gone well, would GOSAR’s bill that repeals components $10,000 a year per employee, they lay have ridden off into the sunset. He of the McCarran-Ferguson Act that al- that $10,000 on the barrel head, pay doesn’t seem to be doing that, Mr. lows for insurance to be bought and that insurance premium, and that goes Speaker. sold across State lines. PAUL GOSAR into the books as a business expense, But now we are at this place where has done a lot of work on that bill, and and it shows up on the schedule C as a we have the votes in the House to do a his predecessor out of Arizona, John health insurance premium. full, 100 percent repeal of ObamaCare, Shadegg, pushed that bill for about 16 But if you are a sole proprietor, if and that is what we should do. years here in the House of Representa- you are a partnership, if you are a ma- Tomorrow, I understand that the tives. In his last week or so here in the and-pa operation and you have one gentleman from Ohio, and perhaps oth- House, he said: I have one regret, and part-time employee, that makes you an ers, will introduce legislation that will that regret is I should have pushed employer. If you are an employer, you be described as a full repeal of harder for the repeal of McCarran-Fer- can deduct the premiums to your em- ObamaCare. I wish it were so, but it is guson so that we could be selling and ployees, but you can’t deduct your own designed to fit within the reconcili- buying insurance across State lines. premium. There are 20.9 million Americans ation standards. It is a legislation that b 2045 once made it to President Obama’s similarly situated in that scenario, Mr. He should have pushed harder. I re- desk and received a veto. This time, Speaker, where that 20.9 million Amer- call John Shadegg pushing very hard presumably, it could go to President icans are compelled under ObamaCare on that, and he just couldn’t get it Trump’s desk and receive a signature. to pay for health insurance premiums there. We all couldn’t get it there. Now and meeting those standards, and That is good. I favor that as an im- PAUL GOSAR has that bill out of the Ju- maybe they have only got one choice provement in the right direction. But diciary Committee. We passed it out a like one-third of America’s counties; the full right thing we need to do is the week and a half ago, and it is hanging maybe they only have two choices like 100 percent repeal. on the calendar now, and it should another third of America’s counties; or We shouldn’t be sustaining any kind come to this floor. The votes would be maybe they have more than two of mandate whatsoever. Let the States here to pass PAUL GOSAR’s repeal of choices like the other third. But at determine what the mandates might McCarran-Ferguson, and we should least 1,022 counties in America have be, but don’t let them lock people into send that over to the Senate. Passing only choice: buy the insurance policy— their States and refuse to let them buy that piece of legislation would enable that is your only choice—or be in vio- health insurance from outside of those insurance to be sold across State lines, lation of the law and be fined and be State lines. And it looks to me that the and that would set the competition up punished, but do it with after-tax dol- bill, as introduced by leadership, between the 50 States. lars instead of before-tax dollars. That doesn’t really allow for the facilitation I recall the debate here on the floor is the burden that they are carrying of buying insurance across State lanes. of the House in 2009 and 2010 when the right now. So here is what I suggest we do, Mr. data came out that a typical young Mr. Speaker, 20.9 million Americans Speaker. Send the full, 100 percent re- man in New Jersey at the time, a are disenfranchised in that way. Yet peal over to the Senate. Pick up the healthy 23-year-old, would pay an aver- they would be employers and they bill that was a repeal just about a year age of about $6,000 for his health insur- would be in the effort of trying to pro- ago, send it over to the Senate, too. ance premium for the year—$500 a vide health insurance for themselves, Then, what we have is MITCH MCCON- month, $6,000. A similarly situated trying to start up a business perhaps NELL can choose from the menu on healthy young man in Kentucky would with maybe one part-time employee, what he can get done, but the pressure be paying $1,000 a year. with now this big disadvantage that for the full repeal will build if the Now, what is the difference between they don’t get to deduct their health House sends it to the Senate, and the those two States? insurance premiums. odds of the full repeal get greater and The cost of providing that care and Maybe they are that couple that is greater. the far fewer mandates in the State of $20,000 or even $24,000 for a premium Then the House, doing its job—and Kentucky and a lot of mandates in the after-tax dollars, and by the time the we are not obligated to negotiate a State of New Jersey. Federal Government steps in and taxes deal out of the House and the Senate So why wouldn’t we let a young man the first, say, 36 percent, and the State and the White House. It is the judg- in New Jersey buy a health insurance steps in and taxes another 9 percent, ment of the House that needs to be re- policy in Kentucky? What are the odds now we are at 45. You can add a few flected here in this Chamber. that he is going to be insured if he can more various and sundry taxes in This most deliberative body that we get a policy for $1,000 as opposed to there, but a round number is half. So have, the voice for the American peo- $6,000? your $20,000 premium takes $40,000 of ple, we should never be trapped into We know that far more Americans earnings in order to break even with thinking that we can’t pass anything would be insured if they had the op- that premium. But the employer gets out of the House if we don’t first have tions and didn’t have to buy all the to write off the $20,000 as a business ex- a handshake with the President and bells and whistles. He probably doesn’t pense, so they have that advantage, the majority in the Senate. That has need maternity. He probably doesn’t and you are seeking to compete with handcuffed us for the last 8 or more need contraceptive. Maybe he is not an established larger employer. This is years. too concerned about the preexisting wrong. So the second bill we should The strategic thinking has been that condition component of this. If he is 23 pass out of this House is the full de- we don’t even try to move anything out years old and on his own, he is not wor- ductibility of everybody’s health insur- of the House unless we know they can ried about a 26-year slacker mandate. ance premiums. take it up in the Senate and unless we So that is the comparison of what The McCarran-Ferguson repeal under know that we can get a signature from could happen if we passed GOSAR’s bill PAUL GOSAR, then the full deductibility the President, because anything else is and repealed McCarran-Ferguson and of everybody’s health insurance pre- a waste of time. allowed people to purchase insurance miums—oh, that is the King bill, by Well, it is not necessarily a waste of across State lines. That should be num- the way, Mr. Speaker, and I am hopeful time, Mr. Speaker, not necessary at ber one. that that can be passed through and be- all. In fact, we need to send out of here Number two would be full deduct- come law. It is a superior approach to our highest aspirations. So I say this: ibility of everyone’s health insurance providing refundable tax credits.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.060 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 We need to learn some things. For ex- Is there an effort to repeal the tort sitting there with $950,000 in their ample, when we hear tax credits, it reform legislation that has been part of health savings account. I have well really means in this discussion refund- California’s law for 40 years? No. over doubled this. In fact, take it up to able tax credits. In fact, Texas has borrowed from $10,000, $20,000 for a couple where 5,150 What is a refundable tax credit? those ideas and implemented that into was the opening bid in 2003. So we are That is when the Federal Govern- law, and they are finding that they not quite four times that amount, yet ment sends you money whether you have got doctors and medical practi- healthcare costs have gone up. So I am have a tax liability or not. So that tioners moving to Texas now because not proposing that we end up with $4 would be that if—and the range in this they are not subjected to the out- million in the account, but maybe proposal that emerged yesterday is be- rageous medical malpractice claims some number that is 2.5 or so million. tween $2,000, $4,000, up to $14,000 in re- that they have been in multiple States Arriving at Medicare eligibility with fundable tax credits to help people pay across the country. six—well, seven figures times some for their insurance premiums. So this tort reform legislation that number in their health savings account Well, that makes me feel good, the just passed out of the Judiciary Com- leaves these couples in a position idea of trying to help people that can’t mittee a week and a half or so ago is where they could go out on the open afford it, but in the process of doing another prime piece of legislation that market and purchase a paid-up Medi- that, we are also helping a lot of people should come to the floor for debate and care replacement policy for life, pay that can afford it. Nonetheless, when vote, and I am confident it would pass for that up front, and then the Federal you are paying people’s health insur- the House and send it over to the Sen- Government wants to tax anything ance premium, that becomes an enti- ate, and then give MITCH MCCONNELL that comes out of the health savings tlement. If everybody is entitled to some tools to work with. account as ordinary income. But my having a health insurance policy, and if That is not the end of it, Mr. Speak- answer to that is no, don’t do that. If you don’t have the money to do so— er. I know that under the legislation they will take themselves off the enti- and I think they use the standard of that has been proposed by leadership tlement roll by buying a Medicare re- $75,000 or less—then the Federal Gov- and just rolled out yesterday, they ex- placement policy, then let them keep ernment will subsidize your policy and pand health savings accounts. I think the change tax-free. conceivably buy your policy. Now we they nearly doubled them, as I under- Now this becomes a life management have another new entitlement that stand, $6,000-some for an individual, account. Not only is it a health savings grows the Federal Government, raises maybe $12,000-some for a couple. That account, it is a pension plan, and it is taxes, and spends hundreds of billions is close, but I know that it is not pre- incentive to manage your health insur- of dollars because we don’t want to say cise, Mr. Speaker. ance premiums and your healthcare no to people. They had a policy handed I agree that we need to expand health costs to get your checkups, to get your to them by ObamaCare, which the tax- savings accounts. I think we need to tests, to watch your weight, get your payers cannot afford. expand them more. My legislation ex- exercise, and manage your life because We have $20 trillion in national debt pands them to $10,000 for the indi- right now, Mr. Speaker, and we have a you are going to have a nest egg at the vidual; $20,000 for the couple. But debt ceiling crisis coming at us within end of your working life that you want health savings accounts need to be ex- just a matter of days or, at a max- to be able to spend doing enjoyable panded, and they need to be expanded imum, weeks. This Federal Govern- things. If your health is a bad experi- so that people can use them and man- ment needs to get a handle on its ence, then you have got the money age them. They can put money in tax spending and it needs to get back to there to cover it to make sure that you free, take money out to pay their pre- balance. We will never get there if we are taken care of. miums, take money out to pay their This is where we need to get people keep growing entitlements here on the healthcare costs, and grow the health in this country. We are just awfully floor of the House of Representatives. So that is two items that need to be savings account so that when it grows short of people willing to think outside brought through. The first is the full to a point where it becomes $50,000, the box and to think about what we repeal. Item number one, the repeal of $100,000, $400,000, $500,000, double that should do here in America. We are not the McCarran-Ferguson Act, sell insur- by the time of retirement or more. just some regular, ordinary, humdrum, ance across State lines. Item number With that kind of money sitting in a run-of-the-mill country, Mr. Speaker. two, pass the King bill for full deduct- health savings account, then there will We are the United States of America. ibility of everybody’s health insurance be people that will negotiate a health We are the unchallenged greatest na- premiums so that everybody paying for insurance policy, but as a catastrophic tion in the world. We didn’t become health insurance is on the same stand- policy. They will conclude that they this way because we are dependent ard as employers are. want a policy that has got a high de- upon government. We became this way Then the third thing is the medical ductible, a fairly high copayment, and because we have a robust appetite for malpractice reform, and that is the that they will take care of their own freedom. People have gone out and tort reform legislation that passed out incidental healthcare costs out of blazed their own trails. In a lot of of the Judiciary Committee on the pocket and try to grow their health cases, settling this country, they lit- same day with PAUL GOSAR’s bill, Mr. savings account. erally did that, blazed a trail through Speaker. That legislation puts a cap on In the process of doing that, if you the timber and went out and settled medical malpractice settlements of have got the capital in your HSA, then the West. $250,000 in noneconomic damages—a lot you can negotiate the premium or your When our original Founding Fathers of us would call that pain and suf- monthly health insurance premium arrived here on our shores, they ar- fering—and pay for pain and suffering. down by negotiating for a catastrophic rived in a land that had, as far as they That is a component of it, but it is not plan, taking care of the incidental knew, unlimited natural resources. the whole picture. So we adopt lan- costs yourself out of your health sav- They had unlimited freedom because guage that is actually borrowed from ings account. To some degree, you be- they were a long ways away from King California which passed this medical come your own insured for the lower George. They came for their religious malpractice reform 40 years ago and dollar items while you still have cata- freedom as well. They were farmers, capped it at $250,000. strophic insurance for the big things. they were shopkeepers, they were indi- By the way, that is still the law in We have done the numbers on this. vidual entrepreneurs with a dream, and California today. The individual that Even when it was down to the cap in they forged the American Dream. They signed it into law, his name is—at that 2003 that rolled out of here that was did it on religious faith, on free enter- time he was the Governor of California, capped, the HSAs were capped at $5,150 prise capitalism, and on God-given lib- Mr. Speaker. Maybe people don’t re- for a couple. We did the math on that. erty. That created this robust country member who the Governor of California If a couple started out at, say, age 20, in this giant petri dish that was the was 40 years ago: Jerry Brown. The worked for 45 years, round numbers, only huge experiment that the world Governor of California today: Jerry worked out to be age 65, Medicare eligi- has ever seen: a nation that is formed Brown. bility, then they would conceivably be on ideas and ideals.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.062 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1585 Here we are, the descendants, the re- Republicans can hammer out a solu- TOM PRICE is head of HHS. He is a good cipients, the beneficiaries of their risk tion that can be signed off on by, hope- man whom I first met here on the floor and of their dream, beneficiaries of fully, all of us. of the House of Representatives when their ideals. All we have to do is pre- I am hopeful there will be some he came in as a freshman a number of serve them. Our Founding Fathers had Democrats that understand you don’t years ago. I watched as he paid atten- to hammer them out. want to go back home again and tell tion to the healthcare issues then. And your constituents that you fought to b 2100 the constitutional issues, I might add. defend ObamaCare, this thing that my My first encounter with TOM PRICE was They had to conceive of these ideas colleagues, scores of times—in fact, on constitutional issues, and it was a about God-given rights, and then they thousands of times here on the floor— positive one. had to articulate it. They had to write called the Affordable Care Act. We So we are at this place with a new these ideas over and over again in know, Mr. Speaker, it is not affordable President that has, halfway into his many different configurations so that and that the premiums are way out of first 100 days, a number of campaign the populace began to understand what sight; the coverage can’t be used, in promises that he has yet to live up to, it really meant when you have rights many cases, because the deductibles but a great many that he has lived up that come from God. Then they had to are too high for most people; and that to. It looks to me like Donald Trump sell this to the colonists. And then the insurance companies are bailing has at least somebody in an office they had to defy King George and fight out one after another. And perhaps a somewhere in the White House that has for that freedom. year from now, if we don’t do some- a list of all the campaign promises, and All of that took place with the desks thing, there will be great chunks of the they are checking those off one by one that were there and those who gave American people who will have no op- as he accomplishes the promises that their lives for our freedom and our lib- tions whatsoever. he has made as a candidate. erty. And what is our job, Mr. Speaker? So I suggest we do this the prudent That is a laudable thing, Mr. Speak- Hang on to it, maintain it. Now, in this way: do the full repeal and send single er. Yet, he is being bogged down by a case, with ObamaCare, we have got to components of the reform rifle shot out series of stories that have, to some de- restore it. That is what we are faced of the House over to the Senate. Let gree—I don’t want to quite say hand- with. the Senate take them up. Or, if they cuffed his administration—but it has In my view, it is not that hard, if we think it is prudent, package them up made it difficult to operate in a flexi- just come together here and do that and send them back to us as a package. ble and a fluid way. which we know is right, send the full If the House has once passed it, and it This has to do with, I think, it is repeal of ObamaCare across the ro- comes back to us in a package, I think leakers within; people who should be tunda to the Senate, pass PAUL we will pass it again, Mr. Speaker. loyal to the United States and, hope- GOSAR’s bill selling insurance across So these are intense times, and fully, loyal to the President of the State lines, the repeal of McCarran- America’s destiny is being determined. United States, who have been leaking Ferguson, make our health insurance It is being determined because we have information out. premiums fully deductible, and expand elected Donald Trump as President of When The New York Times is pub- our health savings accounts. Do those the United States. lishing that they have got inside infor- things and pass the tort reform legisla- I think about what it would have mation that has been leaked to them tion which will diminish the mal- been like if I had woken up on the from the intelligence community, no- practice premiums that our doctors morning of November 9 and we had body seems to be troubled that The and practitioners are paying. If we do someone other than Donald Trump New York Times is going to people in that much and eliminate the mandates elected to be President, and how the the intelligence community or receiv- that tie us down in such a way that we optimism that just poured forth since ing messages from them and taking in- don’t have the latitude to work any that day has been terrific. formation that is about classified ac- longer, we don’t need a mandate that You can recognize, right after the tivities of our Federal Government and requires every insurance policy to keep election, that people had a spring in printing the stories about that classi- your kids on until age 26. There are a their step, and they are more opti- fied information in their paper. lot of other ways to manage that. If mistic and more outgoing. If you would It is not only The New York Times. I you as a family want to buy such a pol- walk into the grocery store, people see Heat Street here, The Guardian, icy, the insurance companies will pro- would come over and start a conversa- The Washington Post. That all comes vide it. You don’t need to have the law. tion. If you walked into a restaurant, to mind. McClatchy. The preexisting condition component they would do the same thing. Here is a series of things that have of this, yes, we have compassion for They were just more outgoing and taken place that bring into question people who are uninsurable. In fact, 37 more friendly and they wanted to en- the integrity of some people that work of the States, by my recollection, had gage with each other. They still want within government and some of them policies before ObamaCare, Iowa in- to engage with each other. The stock that work within our intelligence com- cluded—and I helped manage that as market has soared up over 21,000, and munity. Here are just a string of former chairman of the Iowa Senate there has been over $3 trillion in events, Mr. Speaker, that bring us to a State Government Committee—37 wealth created just in the stock mar- conclusion about what is going on in States, by my recollection, had estab- ket alone, Mr. Speaker. our Federal Government. lished high-risk pools. So this high level of optimism that It was in the summer that Heat These high-risk pools used tax dol- we have brings with it a high level of Street reported that the FBI applied— lars to buy the premium down so that responsibility. It is not only to the in June it is reported—applied for a those who had preexisting conditions ObamaCare change, but the pledge that FISA warrant wiretap to survey people and could not be insured could have was made by Donald Trump many in the Trump campaign who had ties to their health insurance premiums sub- times throughout the campaign was a Russia. Roughly late June, this report sidized by the taxpayers. full, 100 percent repeal of ObamaCare. I came out. FISA is the Foreign Intel- Now, some States are more generous always say 100 percent repeal will rip it ligence Surveillance Act. Special war- than others. That is how it will be. But out by the roots as if it had never been rants have to be achieved in a FISA it is a far better solution than the Fed- enacted. The language is a little dif- court. These warrant requests are clas- eral Government being involved in pre- ferent, but the meaning is identical. sified. The activity around them are existing conditions just because they The meaning is identical, Mr. Speaker: classified. So, if it is classified, how is think that is the right political an- a full repeal of ObamaCare. it that Heat Street reported that the swer, Mr. Speaker. President Trump has said many FBI applied for FISA warrants to wire- We will see how this unfolds as the times we need to be able to sell and tap people in the Trump campaign last days and few short weeks come forward buy insurance across State lines. That June? here. I am hopeful that we will be able is another Trump promise. Of course, Well, that is because classified leak- to get together in conference and the he has got people he is working with. age went into the ears of the Heat

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.064 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 Street reporters, or I suppose we could mation to media showing Russian in- I think so. I think the evidence, at say they made it up. And if it were the volvement to help Trump and his elec- least, of the telephone conversation be- only story out there, that might be the tion. That is a story that was pushed tween General Flynn and the Russian most likely, but we have a number of out and perpetuated. It was pushed out Ambassador is pretty strong. Since it other stories. by, of course, the Hillary campaign and has not been denied by General Flynn The Guardian reported that a FISA others. or by Vice President PENCE, I am going warrant request was made to monitor So the weight of this cumulative ef- to assert here in this CONGRESSIONAL four Trump campaign staffers for con- fect of these stories is adding up. RECORD that that took place, that it flicts or for communications with Rus- I would add, also, that on October 31 was surveilled, and that the informa- sia and Russians. That story in The of last year, just a little over a week tion in the exchange, which they claim Guardian matches up with the story in before the election, Hillary Clinton there is a transcript of the conversa- Heat Street roughly last June that sent out a tweet that said—I am trying tion, was leaked out to the press. The there was a FISA warrant request to to remember the words that she used— press didn’t release the specific lan- monitor four of Trump’s campaign it was communication specialists or in- guage that had been used but wrote the staffers for their communications with telligence officials. It was a reference general narrative about it in much the Russia. to experts in communications and com- same way that a Member of Congress So there is story number one and puters and that they had identified might if they walked into a classified two. Heat Street writes one; The that there were investigations going on briefing, listen to the briefing, and Guardian writes another. Both of them and there were communications be- come back and talk about their general are writing about what, if we had the tween the Russians and the Trump understanding of what they saw in real information in front of us, would campaign. there rather than the specific language It looked to me like that was an ef- be classified: the application for FISA that was used and uttered. and the results of that. fort on the part of the Clinton cam- I submit, Mr. Speaker, that we have The report comes back and says paign to spread these rumors that had at least one Federal felony that has those applications were denied. They been planted all the way along taken place, that it likely is because of were not based upon a reasonable sus- throughout the summer by Heat leak or leaks that came from the intel- picion that there was, I will say, collu- Street’s report that there was a FISA ligence community. It is pretty clear sion with Russians. wiretap warrant that was turned down, that President Obama granted the au- So here is item number three. and by The Guardian’s report of pre- thority—I don’t know if I can quite say McClatchy reported that the FBI and sumably the same event of a FISA war- ordered—granted the authority that all five other agencies were investigating rant turned down because they didn’t of our intelligence community, all 17 of Russian influence on the U.S. Presi- show that there was any activity there them, could exchange classified infor- dential election. So we have two sto- that was worthy of a warrant; the mation freely, and that vastly multi- ries—one from Heat Street, one from McClatchy report that said the FBI plied the number of people who had ac- The Guardian—that says that there and other agencies are investigating cess to this information and dramati- was an application for a FISA warrant. Russian influence. Then you have got cally increased the odds that there That FISA warrant was presumably the two Times’ reports. turned down, by reports, but then there Here is the third New York Times re- would be leakage about these commu- is a report that there is the FBI and port. They reported that General Flynn nications that appear to be surveil- five other agencies that are inves- talked to Russian officials about how lance of—perhaps it looks like the tigating the Russian influence on the Trump would handle Russian sanc- Trump team, at least people who were U.S. Presidential election. That is a tions. This is presumably from a wire- on the Trump team, the Trump cam- McClatchy report. tap of the Russian Ambassador to the paign perhaps, and that there was an Now, this is starting to add up. I am United States, Mr. Speaker. effort that goes back as far as last starting to see here is a sign there is Now, if that surveillance is taking June. something going on and there is a leak- place of a Russian official, a Russian This team of the FBI and the five age of classified information—a sign Ambassador in the United States, if other intelligence organizations, agen- something is going on and leakage of those activities are typical surveil- cies that are there, did they form that classified information. Then, the re- lance activities that would go on in team in June? port of the investigation of the FBI and most any country that had the capa- It looks likely. five other agencies. bility, then that information is still Did they get any real information Now, here is the next story. The New classified. And if the conversation took due to lack of a FISA warrant from York Times reports that the FBI is in- place between General Flynn and the that point on? We don’t know, but we have got a vestigating Russian Government com- Russian Ambassador—and we all, I pretty good idea that there was a FISA munications with Trump campaign, think, believe that it did—that con- warrant that was approved in October but there is no evidence of those com- versation and the contents of it would and that information came out of that munications resulting in any kind of be classified. collusion, at least. That is a New York So how did this leakage come out to and maybe other sources that was Times report. The New York Times about the phone leaked for the purpose of hurting this So these stories have been dropped call or calls that General Flynn may Presidency and hurting the effective- in: Heat Street, McClatchy, The New have had with the Russian Ambas- ness of then-President-elect Trump and York Times. sador? now President Trump. Here is another New York Times re- I submit that President Trump port. The Obama administration al- b 2115 should purge from the executive branch lowed the NSA to share globally inter- The leakage of that information all of the political appointees for whom cepted personal communications with would be a Federal felony because it is there is any question about their loy- 16 other Federal agencies without a classified information, facing 10 years alty. Any of those whose loyalty is be- warrant. That, I believe, refers to a in a Federal penitentiary as a penalty. holden to Barack Obama, any of those January directive that came from Yet America is hyperventilating about who can’t embrace a conservative gov- Barack Obama that opened up the abil- a tweet that Donald Trump sent out ernment that is bringing us back to ity to communicate between the intel- that said that Trump and Trump Tower constitutional principles, they should ligence agencies so that they could had been hacked or wiretapped by the all be gone. And those civil servants share classified information among Obama administration. I know he said whose jobs are protected, there have them, rather than compartmentalize President Obama. He put the responsi- been a good number of Obama people and share that information on a need- bility on President Obama. It is pretty who have burrowed themselves into to-know basis. That is item number easy to conclude he may have also just civil service jobs in order to handcuff five. meant the Obama administration. President Trump. I say for them, when Item number six, the Obama adminis- Do we think that this wiretapping is you can identify them, get a room tration officials tried to spread infor- taking place? somewhere, put them in it, pay them

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.066 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1587 their wages. They will get tired of their C–SPAN, and their staff who were mon- dom that has been delivered to it, job over time, but the damage they will itoring those hearings all understood much of it by the pen of our new Presi- do if you let them have a desk will be that you have people from multiple dent, Donald Trump. far greater than what we get out of countries come into your office on an I am optimistic about our future, al- them for the paycheck we are giving irregular basis, and in a matter of though we have our challenges in front them. I say purge as many as possible, months one might meet with the of us, Mr. Speaker, and I urge that my Mr. President. Put those people in Greeks, the Russians, the French, the colleagues step up to this task, keep it place who are loyal to you, who want Germans, pick your country in South constitutional, keep it free market. to carry out your agenda. America or Asia. There is a constant Remember the individual freedom, the Here is another news report. The flow of people coming through my of- God-given liberty, and the legacy that Washington Post reports that U.S. in- fice, and I know there is a constant we are leaving for succeeding genera- vestigators examined Jeff Sessions’ flow of people from other countries tions. Let’s get this job done and make contacts with Russian officials while coming through the offices of probably America great again. he was a campaign adviser to Trump. every United States Senator. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance This report from The Washington Post So when Jeff Sessions said that he of my time. says that U.S. investigators examined hadn’t met with the Russians within f Jeff Sessions’ contacts with Russia. So the context of discussing the campaign, CONCERNS OF THE DAY he was under surveillance. He was at which was the heart of the question least under investigation, it sounds asked by Senator FRANKEN, no Senator The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. like, if this story is right. Here we have was concerned about his answer that BACON). Under the Speaker’s an- a seated United States Senator, a stel- he hadn’t met with the Russians be- nounced policy of January 3, 2017, the lar individual. cause they understood the context Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from If I were going to try to compare the within which he was answering that Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 17 min- character that I know Jeff Sessions is, question. Had that not been the case, utes. and I look around this town, I ask: Who some Senator, like CHUCK SCHUMER, Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, matches the character of Jeff Sessions? would have woken up the first day in- thank you for your courtesies. Not many. I would say Vice Presi- stead of after they were able to gin it Mr. Speaker, there are a number of dent PENCE, and then the list gets pret- up and turn it into a media story, Mr. topics that I choose to debate this ty short after that. Jeff Sessions has a Speaker. evening, but before I do that, I would very high degree of character, and he is We have a country to save. We have like to first raise a very important con- imminently a constitutionalist, an ad- an ObamaCare to repeal. We have a cern. I will soon draft a letter that my herent to the rule of law, a dedicated healthcare policy in this country that colleagues will join in signing to the patriot, and one who makes his deci- needs to be rebuilt logically by pre- President of the United States on the sions within the bounds of the Con- serving our doctor-patient relation- extensive crisis of starvation in Soma- stitution, of the law, of the rules that ship, encouraging competition between lia and South Sudan. exist. He is a great respecter of the insurance companies, letting people be Just recently, we met with leader- order of a civilized society and a ter- in charge of the policy they want to ship—with my colleague KAREN BASS rific Attorney General. buy, providing full deductibility, fixing and a number of other colleagues—of There was no better choice that the lawsuit abuse, being able to sell in- South Sudan speaking about the exten- could have been reached by Donald surance across State lines and expand sive starvation in sub-Saharan Africa. Trump than Jeff Sessions. But here he health savings accounts. All that needs I am looking forward to a response is, subject to this kind of—at least a to happen. I am hopeful that it can from this White House upon receipt of report that there is an investigation, happen within the next couple of the letter that they will engage with Mr. Speaker. I think if I wanted to months, Mr. Speaker. the world community on providing im- know about Jeff Sessions’ activities, if While that is going on, we need to mediate food aid and other resources to I thought that it was my business, I look over at the White House and en- the people of sub-Saharan Africa, par- would just ask him. When he answered courage this President: Purge those ticularly Somalia and South Sudan. the question from Senator FRANKEN, people from your midst who owe their It is something that I am well aware the question was in the context of did loyalty to Barack Obama. They are un- of because my colleague, the late Mick- you have any discussions with Russians dermining your Presidency. You have ey Leland, Congressman from the 18th with regard to any campaign activities to fight the moles from within, the Congressional District in 1989, and that you might have cooperated or media from without, the George Soros- years before that as the co-chair of the colluded with? organized protesters who are on the Select Committee on Hunger, was very If AL FRANKEN had asked that ques- streets of America every weekend with concerned about starvation in that tion precisely, then the answer would a different cause. They will continue very same area because of the drought have been precise as well. this until the public gets tired of it. and terrible climatic conditions, huge I can understand why Jeff Sessions’ Mr. Speaker, the President needs to loss of life. Congressman Leland was answer came back no, that he hadn’t understand that he has a lot of enemies constantly responding with his own dealt with the Russians. I do a lot of in this country and a great big job. His personal sacrifice of taking food over meetings, and if I am asked a question ability to take on the mainstream to that area as well as seeking to en- about the context of a subject matter, media has been demonstrated. Now it courage others in the world family, I will answer within the context of that is a little bigger hurdle that needs to United Nations to do so. In 1989, he, in subject matter. I think that is what happen, too. The intelligence commu- actuality, lost his life in a plane crash Jeff Sessions did. Most of the Sen- nity from within, there are a lot of in Ethiopia delivering resources to ators—I will say all of the Senators sit- good, dedicated patriots there. They those individuals caught in a terrible ting there on that committee who need to purge those people from their condition, a valley, a desert-like at- heard those questions asked and saw midst as well who are not loyal to the mosphere attempting to save their the answers of Jeff Sessions, and then United States of America and those lives or to bring grain in. I know full they and their staff and the public, who are working against the foreign well that his spirit reigns as he might weeks went by, not a peep about any- policy agenda of this President. have been engaged in this if he were body being concerned about the answer We need to rebuild America. We need alive in 2017 to see this terrible disaster that Jeff Sessions gave. to make America great again. We need occurring right in front of us. Why? to restore our economy. We need to get We need the United States to be very Because all of those Senators sitting our tax cuts done. We need to get some active in the world community. The on that committee listening to his tes- more regulatory reform. Let’s have U.N. Secretary-General has now pro- timony and the other Senators who this robust, growing economy kicked nounced this to be a horrific disaster were watching that testimony either off and see that 3, 31⁄2, 4 percent growth needing the attention of world leaders from in the room or around the Hill on that this country can do with the free- and the world community. I want to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.067 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 put that on the record because I want We know that it is almost certain ductions to lower out-of-pocket costs, to offer to the people of Somalia and that Americans will lose coverage such as deductibles, copays, and coin- South Sudan my deepest sympathy. under this new document. We also surance, are now simply at risk. We are There are other issues in South Sudan know that jobs will be lost. We also all at risk. We are all, frankly, at risk. that we must address, but we also need know that in my State of Texas, very So I would have to ask the question: to be concerned in the area of food much is dependent or concerned, if you What does this plan really do to help starvation, loss of lives of hundreds of will, with rural hospitals, that rural America? thousands of women and children who hospitals will suffer greatly by the loss We know that 10,278,005 individuals in are now suffering, and it needs to be if it happens—and we hope not—of the the State of Texas who now have pri- addressed. Affordable Care Act, because rural hos- vate health insurance that covers pre- b 2130 pitals and the rural communities ventative services without copays, co- throughout Texas will be devastated. insurance, or deductibles may lose But I really came to the floor in the We also know that, with the mandate these benefits if the Affordable Care backdrop of the introduction of a docu- going away, the tax subsidies will be Act goes. Women in the State who can ment that is represented to be an an- going not to people where they should now purchase insurance for the same swer to the need of Americans for be so that you can provide for your in- price as men, eliminating the dispari- health care. Certainly the document is surance as we understand it—this docu- ties that occurred before 2009 and 2010, one that is being proposed by those ment is still a mystery—but it will be may be at risk again for having to pay who believe that there is a need. going to insurance companies. And we more money for their insurance—the I might offer to say that there may also know that, if you are 50 and older, be a need to improve some aspects of actual disparity in health care being it will cost some five times more than totally eliminated—and insurance existing coverage, which has worked so if you are younger. A heavy burden on well under the Affordable Care Act. companies being able to charge women working Americans, with no expla- more than their male counterparts. And, yes, to those opponents of the Af- nation. We know that the cost is going fordable Care Act, I would be pleased to Roughly, 4 million individuals in the up and that you may be paying an State with preexisting diseases may, in debate you that, in fact, it has worked amount that continues to go up every well. fact, not have that because what is the month. basis of the financial structure that It has worked well because 30 million Let me be very clear. We are trying Americans have insurance. It has can pay to ensure that those with pre- to get the answers, but it makes for a existing diseases in this new document worked well because 150 million Ameri- very difficult process of getting the an- cans have guaranteed health benefits. called health care, whether there will swers for a bill that has just been re- be any money to cover those individ- It has worked well because low-income leased in the last 24 hours, and, in ac- Americans have access if they are able uals with preexisting diseases, we don’t tuality, no one knows really what is in even know that. I think that is some- to come under the expanded Medicare it, and it will then go to committee to to health care. It has worked well be- thing important to note. be marked up. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, because cause of young people being on the in- In my State of Texas, almost 2 mil- surance of their families to the age of this is a mysterious bill, we know that lion—1,874,000—individuals in the State it will mostly benefit the rich. House- 26. That was first on the Affordable who have gained coverage since the Af- holds at the top of the U.S. income lad- Care Act. It has worked well because fordable Care Act was implemented der would see taxes on their wages and we can provide for the preexisting con- would lose their coverage if the Afford- investments drop under this bill. No dition, for you to be able to have insur- able Care Act is entirely or partially one has anything against our friends ance. We can provide for no caps on repealed. your insurance, and also payments to Mr. Speaker, 1,092,650 individuals that are doing quite well, but it will be hospitals for uncompensated care. We stand to lose their coverage if we dis- on the backs of working Americans. The Republican plan to replace can provide for that because of the mantle the exchanges which allow peo- ObamaCare includes a tax break for in- mandate and the tax subsidies that go ple to access insurance companies all to the people to allow them to secure over the Nation. surance company executives making the insurance that they would desire. Mr. Speaker, 913,177 individuals in over half a million dollars a year. What There are certainly ways that we the State of Texas who received finan- a great gift. We are about to approach look to improve, and it would be nice if cial assistance to purchase health in- Easter, a time of sacrifice, and Pass- we had bipartisan cooperation to do surance in 2016 and received an average over, and isn’t it interesting that what that. But now we have a document that of $271 per person would risk having we would be facing is a gift in this tax it is important for the American people coverage become unaffordable because season of a great tax break of our to know that the question of how many they would not get that money any- friends making over $500,000 a year. people will lose coverage has not been more. That money would go to insur- Meanwhile, working Americans would answered. How many people will be ance companies. lose coverage and be forced to pay covered has not been answered by this Let me also say that 1,107,000 individ- more for less. new document that pretends to respond uals in the State could have insurance According to CNN, most healthcare to the healthcare needs of Americans. if the State of Texas additionally experts agree that millions of Ameri- There is no documentation as to what would have accepted the Affordable cans are likely to lose their coverage the quality of the coverage will be. And Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. I can under this new document that is to re- to those listening who are concerned tell you that States like Kentucky un- flect health care. Mothers: likely to about the financial fiscal responsibility derstand the full impact of the Med- make maternity coverage, among other of this country and this Congress, no icaid expansion, and they do not want services, immensely expensive, if avail- one knows the cost of this insurance. to see it go away. able at all. So I would make the argument that Mr. Speaker, 508,000 children have re- In fact, I recall certainly as a young we have a real problem and that there gained coverage since the ACA has mother that one of the most fright- is a document that is supposed to be been implemented, and they will lose ening things is to not have insurance marked up as a healthcare bill for their insurance. or the kind of complete coverage that which the Republicans have not re- Mr. Speaker, 205,000 young adults, as one needs with expectancy of the birth ceived any response from CBO. Let me I have indicated, in the State would be of a child. Not knowing what may hap- indicate that when Democrats were able to stay on their parents’ insur- pen to the mother during birth, what seeking to work with Republicans in ance. We don’t know if that is clear be- challenges the new baby may face, and 2009, we had a CBO estimate before our cause we really don’t know the funding to face the uncertainty of not having markup began. Certainly, a request structure of this new document that full maternity coverage is devastating. was made by Republicans about the has now been thrown to the American Seniors, pregnant women, and chil- bill; and, interestingly enough, they people. dren on Medicaid, under the Medicaid asked about coverage, and they asked We know that 646,415 individuals in expansion, which has been adopted in about quality and cost. the State who received cost share re- 31 States and Washington, D.C., more

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.068 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1589 than half of the 50 States would shut gentleman from Texas (Mr. GOHMERT) And why is she having to do it? Be- down at the end of 2019. So you would until 10 p.m. cause people right here in this House get a few more years, and then hard- Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I was and the other body, without one Re- working Americans would be thrown handed a letter by a lady when I was at publican vote in this body, told Amer- off into the street in 31 States, includ- one of the many events that I attended ica: Too bad. You are not working ing Washington, D.C. Women, seniors, in my district. It is how I stay in touch enough at McDonald’s. We want to children, in particular pregnant with what is going on. This lady says: make your life miserable. We are going women, would see their health care ‘‘U.S. Congressman LOUIE GOHMERT: I to make you work at two places part thrown to the wind, extinguished, am a 52-year-old widow. ObamaCare is time just like this widow that we con- burned up. a major financial problem for me. demned to start scrubbing tables and The bill also proposes a major over- Someone needs to fix the healthcare floors because the Democrats in this haul of Medicaid, a Federal State pro- system. One-third of the money I get body, without a single Republican vote, gram covering more than 70 million from my deceased husband’s retire- decided we know better what you need low-income and disabled Americans. I ment fund is given to health care. My to do with your time and your money believe that the proposal is to block deductible alone is $7,000.’’ than you do. grant Medicaid dollars under the pre- She has an exclamation point. So it is a problem of arrogance when tense of letting States be creative. ‘‘I am angry with the government de- Washington thinks it knows so much I want Americans and my colleagues ciding how I should spend what little better than people across the country. to understand what creativity means. money I have. I had to get a part-time And yes, I know, I represent the 26 per- job just to put gas in my car. So I clean Creativity simply means that they will cent that didn’t vote for me. I under- tables and I mop floors. I am physically do everything they can to shorten and stand that. And I have heard from unable to work full time. I am frus- cheapen the health benefits that you them, and I don’t need a townhall to trated with the fact I had to move back will get. And it will be made through know they are for keeping this alba- in with my parents just to make ends deals, how little money can we spend, tross of a healthcare system. The ACA meet. Would you like that? Fulfilling. whether we can use the Medicaid block is not affordable, though. It is ridicu- Could or would you do something to re- grant dollars for some other things, a lous to call it affordable care. lieve this burden?’’ One of the problems is, when you wish list that we may want in the That is from a 52-year-old widow in have to take precious healthcare dol- State that we come from, the 31 States, my district. That is what we have done lars that used to go to providing care plus Washington, D.C. with the burden, ObamaCare. We here in a hospital, in a clinic, for a patient, Instead of the current open-ended in Congress decided: You know what? now it goes to government navigators. Federal entitlement, States would get We are going to tell people like this Why? Because there were union offi- capped payment block grants based on widow how she has to spend what little cials that decided: We have lost too the number of Medicaid enrollees. money she has left. We are going to many union members. The unions that Block grants, basically. And when it force this woman to go clean tables and are growing are the government runs out, you are in a whole world of mop floors when she is physically un- unions, the very ones that Franklin trouble. Or, as we say, you are up the able to work full time because we here river without a paddle—you are up the in Washington have decided we know Roosevelt said you should never have a river without a paddle. No one comes better than she does. So we have every union composed of government work- to your rescue when you are up the right in Congress to force people like ers. Think about it. You are working for river without a paddle. this dear widow to get on her hands the people of the United States of Seniors who have worked so hard and knees to work for the United America. Why would you need a union who are on Medicare will have fiscal States Congress. Pay your taxes and to organize against the people? Sounds problems themselves. It will exacer- now, that is not enough. We are going bate the fiscal problems of Medicare by to tell you that you are being forced to un-American. But those are the ones hastening the exhaustion of the pro- spend your money on health care that that are growing. And union leaders, gram’s trust fund by 4 years. Our com- will never help you a dime because you without concern for their members, de- mitment is to ensure that the Medicare have a $7,000 deductible. cided: Let’s embrace as many aliens as trust fund clearly is strong, solid, and Or how about hearing, 2 weeks ago, we can get into the country, legally or solvent. Whenever I meet with my sen- from a friend, one of those who was cut otherwise, because they will join the iors, I tell them my commitment— because of financial troubles. They had union and that will grow our ranks; strong, solid, and solvent. But with 100 employees. They can’t afford the and we as union leaders will be better this document called health care, we ObamaCare, so they have cut their 100 off, but our members’ wages will con- are in jeopardy. to 70, and they are continuing to work tinue to go down, our members will So it is clearly a problem, and it cer- to get down to 49. Why? Because of continue to lose jobs. But, gee, we may tainly is not gathering support in una- ObamaCare. So we have already had 30 have more people in our union. nimity on the other side. Mr. Speaker, breadwinners, men and women, lose We know that there was supposed to someone is complaining about it. It their jobs because of one thing: be thousands of new IRS agents hired happens to be Republicans, so it looks ObamaCare. so that they could help enforce like it is going to be a rough road. And now there are going to be 21 ObamaCare. It is a travesty. The bill But my concluding remark, Mr. more who lose their jobs because of one that has been filed is not going to do it, Speaker, is that this document that thing: ObamaCare. They have got to but, hopefully, our Republican leader- represents itself as a healthcare answer get it under 50 so they don’t have to ship will be willing to work things out has so many problems, so many people keep paying such ridiculous prices for and not prevent good amendments that will suffer, so much loss, that I ask my health insurance that has such high will make it palatable so enough of us colleagues to reject this legislation as deductibles nobody will ever benefit. can vote for it. it is presently constructed, and I look Who is benefiting? Well, it can’t be I have gotten to know President forward to working to better health all of the health insurance companies Trump a bit, and I feel like he wants care for all Americans. because they have dropped out. They the best deal he can get for America. If Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance can’t make money. So it has to be the this bill were the best he could get, he of my time. government that is making all the would probably have to live with that, money from this ObamaCare program. but we can do a whole lot better. Some f A single mom told me she had been of us are determined we are not going b 2145 working at McDonald’s making ends to vote for one that doesn’t. meet, but because of ObamaCare, they In the meantime, there is so much TOPICS OF THE DAY cut her hours back. Now she has to talk by President Obama and all of his The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under work at both McDonald’s and Burger minions that are still out there trying the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- King, and she was in tears because it is to undermine the Trump administra- uary 3, 2017, the Chair recognizes the just too much. tion. We have a crisis here in Congress

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.070 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 that people are not talking about. I serious enough to become criminal EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, keep bringing it up. Doesn’t seem to be misdemeanors, used an illegal radar de- ETC. a lot of folks who want to talk about tector, drove an unregistered vehicle; Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive it. some say, after masterminding the communications were taken from the There was a time when we had main- family’s finances, was running the Speaker’s table and referred as follows: stream media that actually did re- business completely by 2010 and in- 718. A letter from the Director, Regula- search, asked questions, dug to the bot- structed Abid not to even speak to any- tions Policy and Management Staff, FDA, tom of things. But there are IT—infor- one. Department of Health and Human Services, mation technology, mainly working The wives of Imran and Abid also transmitting the Department’s final rule — with computers—employees, shared began receiving paychecks from the Gastroenterology-Urology Devices; Manual employees for several Democrats that House of Representatives. They pur- Gastroenterology-Urology Surgical Instru- are under investigation. Imran Awan ments and Accessories [Docket No.: FDA- chased two homes in Lorton in 2008, 2016-N-4661] received March 3, 2017, pursuant was the company owner. Abid Awan, one of which was associated with all to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Jamal Awan, Hina Alvi—the wife of three brothers at one time. Alvi sold Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Imran Awan—and Natalia Sova, wife of that home in 2016 to the younger broth- Energy and Commerce. Abid Awan, each made $160,000 a year er Jamal for $620,000. 719. A letter from the Assistant Adminis- as IT-shared employees working on Imran owned a home and put it in his trator, Diversion Control Division, DEA, De- computers for various Democrats in father’s name in 2008 in Springfield. partment of Justice, transmitting the De- partment’s final rule — Schedules of Con- the House of Representatives. Abid later claimed, in bankruptcy, that The Awan brothers are of Pakistani trolled Substances: Placement of 10 Syn- the house was his. thetic Cathinones Into Schedule I [Docket descent, but their immigration status Jamal Awan was placed on the House No.: DEA-436] received March 3, 2017, pursu- is unclear. There are a lot of things payroll at age 20, making $160,000. ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- that are unknown about the Awan Imran is also a real estate agent. De- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee brothers. But they worked for our spite making $160,000 in congressional on Energy and Commerce. former DNC chair, DEBBIE WASSERMAN salaries, debts went unpaid by the 720. A letter from the Regulations Coordi- nator, Health Resources and Services Admin- SCHULTZ—that is Imran Awan. These Awan brothers, including debts to the people are under investigation for istration, Department of Health and Human Congressional Federal Credit Union. Services, transmitting the Department’s stealing material, potentially access- $100,000 was taken from a known final rule — 340B Drug Pricing Program Ceil- ing material they shouldn’t have, for Hezbollah-connected fugitive, a fugi- ing Price and Manufacturer Civil Monetary taking material off of Capitol Hill and tive from the FBI; and they are associ- Penalties; Delay of Effective Date (RIN: 0906- stealing it, using it in other places. ated with this Hezbollah-connected AA89) received March 2, 2017, pursuant to 5 We are told, oh, not to worry, they agent, and there is no press out there U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. didn’t access classified intelligence in- getting to the bottom of it? What hap- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- ergy and Commerce. formation in the SCIF; but other IT pened to the Washington press, the people tell me, once someone is in the 721. A letter from the Assistant Secretary proud press of Washington of the 1970s? for Legislative Affairs, Bureau of Legislative congressional system, the calendar, Well, they are in the bag for one party. Affairs, Department of State, transmitting email for one Member of Congress, if They are not interested in getting to certification that no United Nations agency they are good, it is not that hard to the bottom of the news. They are all or United Nations affiliated agency grants break into lots of other Members of about advocating. any official status, accreditation, or recogni- Congress’ email and calendars. God not just bless America, God help tion to any organization which promotes and What country that hates America— condones or seeks the legalization of America. We have got to have people pedophilia, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 287e note; some that like America—wouldn’t love wake up before we do much more dam- to know who people are meeting, espe- Public Law 103-236, Sec. 102(g) (as amended age to ourselves. It is time to turn this by Public Law 103-415, Sec. 1(o)); (108 Stat. cially on the Intelligence Committee country around, and one of the things 4301); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. like some of the people that have em- we should start with is getting to the 722. A letter from the Assistant Legal Ad- ployed these? bottom of this investigation; find out viser, Office of Treaty Affairs, Department of Some of them, very fine members of how much damage these alleged crimi- State, transmitting a report concerning things like the Ethics Committee, Ju- international agreements other than treaties nals did from Pakistan to our Con- diciary, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence entered into by the United States to be gress, and also start undoing the dam- Committee. Let’s see, ANDRE´ CARSON, transmitted to the Congress within the age ObamaCare has done so people can sixty-day period specified in the Case-Za- SANDY LEVIN, JACKIE SPEIER—a lot of get jobs again they have lost, so people blocki Act, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. 112b(a); Pub- people, good people—TIM RYAN. A lot of can have health care that has lic Law 92-403, Sec. 1(a) (as amended by Pub- these folks, they employed these folks. deductibles they can afford. It is time lic Law 108-458, Sec. 7121(b)); (118 Stat. 3807); They were very trusting, kind people. to make America great again. to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. And these people didn’t have a back- 723. A letter from the Director, Defense Se- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance ground check, and now they are under curity Cooperation Agency, Department of of my time. investigation. I heard some have been Defense, transmitting notification that on told that Imran Awan, the lead guy, December 20, 2016, under Sec. 36(b)(1) of the f Arms Export Control Act, for the Govern- went back to Pakistan. ment of Kuwait, Transmittal No. 16-40 will Well, if this guy set up and was work- be changed to Transmittal No. 16-41, as of ing on computer systems, is it possible LEAVE OF ABSENCE the above date, and will be referred to as he could have—and this is what a nor- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- such in all future documentation, to include mal mainstream reporter, 30, 40 years sence was granted to: publishing in the Federal Register; to the ago back in the seventies would have Mr. CULBERSON (at the request of Mr. Committee on Foreign Affairs. 724. A letter from the Acting Assistant asked: Well, did he set up the DNC MCCARTHY) for today on account of ill- computer system that got hacked, that Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Bureau of ness. Legislative Affairs, Department of State, was supposedly hacked by Russians or transmitting a report on the programs or others, did he set that up so it could be f projects of the International Atomic Energy hacked? I mean, there is a lot here Agency; to the Committee on Foreign Af- going on that we don’t know the an- fairs. swers to, and we deserve to know the ADJOURNMENT 725. A letter from the Acting Assistant At- answers. Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move torney General, Department of Justice, There were mortgage transfers, debt that the House do now adjourn. transmitting the Department’s Freedom of evading bankruptcies. Imran Awan, The motion was agreed to; accord- Information Act 2016 Litigation and Compli- ance Report, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Jamal Awan were known to be the ingly (at 10 p.m.), under its previous 552(a)(4)(F)(ii)(II); Public Law 89-554, Sec. ringleaders of the group, had been pro- order, the House adjourned until to- 5(ii)(II) (as added by Public Law 110-175, Sec. viding services since 2005; has convic- morrow, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at 5); (121 Stat. 2526); to the Committee on tions for driving offenses which were 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate. Oversight and Government Reform.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:41 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.071 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1591 726. A letter from the Associate General 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2016-NM-004-AD; Amendment 39-18783; AD Counsel, Department of Agriculture, trans- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Natural Re- 2017-02-04] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, mitting twelve notices of vacancies, designa- sources. 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public tion of acting officer, or discontinuation of 734. A letter from the Director, Office of Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the service in acting role, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oce- Committee on Transportation and Infra- 3349(a); Public Law 105-277, 151(b); (112 Stat. anic and Atmospheric Administration, trans- structure. 2681-614); to the Committee on Oversight and mitting the Administration’s temporary rule 742. A letter from the Management and Government Reform. — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 727. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in the Cen- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- tral Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- [Docket No.: 150818742-6210-02] (RIN: 0648- tives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes [Docket tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- XE897) received March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 No.: FAA-2017-0045; Directorate Identifier porary rule — Pacific Island Pelagic Fish- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 2017-CE-002-AD; Amendment 39-18785; AD eries; 2016 Commonwealth of the Northern 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Nat- 2017-02-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, Mariana Islands Bigeye Tuna Fishery; Clo- ural Resources. 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public sure [Docket No.: 151023986-6763-02] (RIN: 735. A letter from the Director, Office of Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the 0648-XE284) received March 3, 2017, pursuant Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Committee on Transportation and Infra- to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the structure. Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Interior, transmitting the Department’s 743. A letter from the Management and Natural Resources. final rule — Civil Penalties Inflation Adjust- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 728. A letter from the Director, Office of ments; Annual Adjustments (RIN: 1076-AF35) Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oce- received March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- anic and Atmospheric Administration, trans- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- mitting the Administration’s temporary rule Stat. 868); to the Committee on the Judici- et No.: FAA-2016-8186; Directorate Identifier — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone ary. 2016-NM-074-AD; Amendment 39-18784; AD Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in 736. A letter from the Management and 2017-02-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Manage- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public ment Area [Docket No.: 150916863-6211-02] Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the (RIN: 0648-XF109) received March 3, 2017, pur- ment’s final rule — IFR Altitudes; Miscella- Committee on Transportation and Infra- suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- neous Amendments; Part 95 Instrument structure. 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee Flight Rules [Docket No.: 31120; Amdt. No.: 744. A letter from the Management and on Natural Resources. 531] received March 2, 2017, pursuant to 5 Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 729. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- Transportation and Infrastructure. tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- 737. A letter from the Management and et No.: FAA-2016-9050; Directorate Identifier porary rule — Fisheries of the Exclusive Eco- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2016-NM-086-AD; Amendment 39-18788; AD nomic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2017-02-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Apportionments [Docket No.: 150818742-6210- tives; Alexander Schleicher, GmbH & Co. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the 02] (RIN: 0648-XE958) received March 3, 2017, Gliders [Docket No.: FAA-2016-9382; Direc- Committee on Transportation and Infra- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law torate Identifier 2016-CE-032-AD; Amendment structure. 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- 39-18790; AD 2017-02-11] (RIN: 2120-AA64) re- 745. A letter from the Management and mittee on Natural Resources. ceived March 2, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 730. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tation and Infrastructure. tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- 738. A letter from the Management and et No.: FAA-2016-6670; Directorate Identifier porary rule — Fisheries of the Exclusive Eco- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2016-NM-006-AD; Amendment 39-18789; AD nomic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish by Ves- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2017-02-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, sels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public [Docket No.: 150818742-6210-02] (RIN: 0648- tives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the XF007) received March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-2016-7415; Di- Committee on Transportation and Infra- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. rectorate Identifier 2015-SW-076-AD; Amend- structure. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Nat- ment 39-18786; AD 2017-02-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) 746. A letter from the Management and ural Resources. received March 2, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 731. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tation and Infrastructure. tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- 739. A letter from the Management and et No.: FAA-2014-0571; Directorate Identifier porary rule — Atlantic Highly Migratory Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2014-NM-059-AD; Amendment 39-18782; AD Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2017-02-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, [Docket No.: 150121066-5717-02] (RIN: 0648- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public XE930) received March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 tives; Airbus Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 2016-5040; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-192- Committee on Transportation and Infra- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Nat- AD; Amendment 39-18787; AD 2017-02-08] (RIN: structure. ural Resources. 2120-AA64) received March 2, 2017, pursuant 747. A letter from the Management and 732. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Program Analyst, FAA, Department of fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- Transportation and Infrastructure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- 740. A letter from the Management and tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- porary rule — Fisheries of the Exclusive Eco- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of et No.: FAA-2016-6430; Directorate Identifier nomic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2015-NM-176-AD; Amendment 39-18781; AD in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Man- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2017-02-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, agement Area [Docket No.: 150916863-6211-02] tives; The Boeing Company [Docket No.: 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public (RIN: 0648-XE935) received March 3, 2017, pur- FAA-2016-6427; Directorate Identifier 2015- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- NM-200-AD; Amendment 39-18770; AD 2017-01- Committee on Transportation and Infra- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee 03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received March 2, 2017, structure. on Natural Resources. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 748. A letter from the Management and 733. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of fice of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, Na- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- ture. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tion, transmitting the Administration’s tem- 741. A letter from the Management and tives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes porary rule — Atlantic Highly Migratory Program Analyst, FAA, Department of [Docket No.: FAA-2016-7003; Directorate Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Identifier 2016-CE-015-AD; Amendment 39- 2016 General Category Fishery [Docket No.: ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 18766; AD 2016-26-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received 150121066-5717-02] (RIN: 0648-XF011) received tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- March 2, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. et No.: FAA-2016-7261; Directorate Identifier 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110

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Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- LEE, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. By Mr. GRIFFITH: tation and Infrastructure. DEGETTE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. H.R. 1381. A bill to amend title XIX of the 749. A letter from the Attorney, Office of POCAN, Mr. DELANEY, Mr. RICHMOND, Social Security Act to permit States to im- the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. NORTON, pose an individual responsibility require- Compliance, International Trade Adminis- Mr. EVANS, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHN- ment for nondisabled, nonelderly, nonpreg- tration, Department of Commerce, transmit- SON of Texas, Ms. MAXINE WATERS of nant individuals made eligible for medical ting the Department’s final rule — Steel Im- California, Ms. LEE, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. assistance; to the Committee on Energy and port Monitoring and Analysis System (RIN: CUMMINGS, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. Commerce. 0625-AB09) received March 3, 2017, pursuant JAYAPAL, Mr. COHEN, Mr. DEUTCH, By Mr. WEBER of Texas (for himself, to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Mr. BEYER, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. SOTO, Mr. Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia, and Mr. Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on HIGGINS of New York, Mr. KILDEE, BYRNE): Ways and Means. Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. TED H.R. 1382. A bill to establish requirements 750. A letter from the Chief, Publications LIEU of California, Ms. FRANKEL of and restrictions for the commercial, charter, and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Florida, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. RASKIN, and recreational red snapper fishing seasons Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only Ms. SPEIER, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. HAS- in the Gulf of Mexico for the 2017 and 2018 rule — 2017 Calendar Year Resident Popu- TINGS, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. fishing seasons, and for other purposes; to lation Figures [Notice 2017-19] received MCEACHIN, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. NAD- the Committee on Natural Resources. March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. LER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. TONKO, and By Mr. BACON (for himself, Mr. DUNN, 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Mr. SHERMAN): Mr. MARSHALL, and Mr. TAYLOR): Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and H.R. 1374. A bill to amend title 9 of the H.R. 1383. A bill to direct certain actions of Means. United States Code with respect to arbitra- the United States Government with respect 751. A letter from the Chief, Publications tion; to the Committee on the Judiciary. to recognizing the service and sacrifice of and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue By Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts (for veterans of the Korean Constabulary, and for Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only herself and Mr. JENKINS of West Vir- other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign rule — Safe Harbor for Service Agreements ginia): Affairs, and in addition to the Committees providing electricity to Federal Government H.R. 1375. A bill to amend the Public on Veterans’ Affairs, and Armed Services, for generated by solar equipment (Rev. Proc. Health Service Act to authorize the Sec- a period to be subsequently determined by 2017-19) received March 3, 2017, pursuant to 5 retary of Health of Human Services to award the Speaker, in each case for consideration U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. grants to States (or collaborations of States) of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on to establish, expand, or maintain a com- tion of the committee concerned. Ways and Means. prehensive regional, State, or municipal sys- By Mr. PALAZZO (for himself, Mr. tem to provide training, education, consulta- WALZ, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, and Mr. f tion, and other resources to prescribers re- FRANKS of Arizona): REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON lating to patient pain, substance misuse, and H.R. 1384. A bill to amend titles 5, 10, 37, PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS substance abuse disorders, and for other pur- and 38 of the United States Code to ensure poses; to the Committee on Energy and Com- that an order to serve on active duty under Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of merce. section 12304a and 12304b of title 10, United committees were delivered to the Clerk By Mr. CUMMINGS: States Code, is treated the same as other or- for printing and reference to the proper H.R. 1376. A bill to amend title 44, United ders to serve on active duty for determining calendar, as follows: States Code, to require preservation of cer- the eligibility of members of the uniformed tain electronic records by Federal agencies, services and veterans for certain benefits and Mr. SHUSTER: Committee on Transpor- to require a certification and reports relat- for calculating the deadlines for certain ben- tation and Infrastructure. H.R. 375. A bill to ing to Presidential records, and for other efits; to the Committee on Armed Services, designate the Federal building and United purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and and in addition to the Committees on Vet- States courthouse located at 719 Church Government Reform. erans’ Affairs, and Oversight and Govern- Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the ‘‘Fred By Mr. HARPER: ment Reform, for a period to be subsequently D. Thompson Federal Building and United H.R. 1377. A bill to amend the Fair Labor determined by the Speaker, in each case for States Courthouse’’ (Rept. 115–23). Referred Standards Act of 1938 to better align certain consideration of such provisions as fall with- to the House Calendar. provisions of such Act with Federal dis- in the jurisdiction of the committee con- Mr. SHUSTER: Committee on Transpor- ability laws and policies intended to remove cerned. tation and Infrastructure. H.R. 1174. A bill to societal and institutional barriers to em- By Ms. FOXX: provide a lactation room in public buildings ployment opportunities for people with dis- H.R. 1385. A bill to amend title 5, United (Rept. 115–24). Referred to the Committee of abilities; to the Committee on Education and States Code, to limit recruitment and reten- the Whole House on the state of the Union. the Workforce. tion bonuses for employees who spend cer- Mr. GOODLATTE: Committee on the Judi- By Mr. HARPER: tain durations of time on official time, and ciary. H.R. 985. A bill to amend the proce- H.R. 1378. A bill to amend the Public for other purposes; to the Committee on dures used in Federal court class actions and Health Service Act to provide for the partici- Oversight and Government Reform. multidistrict litigation proceedings to as- pation of doctors of chiropractic in the Na- By Mr. KATKO (for himself, Mr. LIPIN- sure fairer, more efficient outcomes for tional Health Service Corps scholarship and SKI, and Mrs. COMSTOCK): claimants and defendants, and for other pur- loan repayment programs, and for other pur- H.R. 1386. A bill to direct the Secretary of poses (Rept. 115–25). Referred to the Com- poses; to the Committee on Energy and Com- Transportation to establish a pilot program mittee of the Whole House on the state of merce. to assess the operational benefits of remote the Union. By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. air traffic control towers, and for other pur- Ms. CHENEY: Committee on Rules. House WALZ, Mr. MAST, and Mr. BERGMAN): poses; to the Committee on Transportation Resolution 174. Resolution providing for con- H.R. 1379. A bill to amend title 38, United and Infrastructure. sideration of the bill (H.R. 1301) making ap- States Code, to provide for the entitlement By Mr. CHAFFETZ (for himself, Mr. propriations for the Department of Defense to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 MEADOWS, Ms. FOXX, Mr. MESSER, Mr. for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, Educational Assistance Program of the De- FRELINGHUYSEN, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. and for other purposes (Rept. 115–26). Re- partment of Veterans Affairs for members of ROKITA, Mr. HARRIS, and Mr. ferred to the House Calendar. the Armed Forces awarded the Purple Heart; DESANTIS): Mr. BUCK: Committee on Rules. House to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 1387. A bill to reauthorize the Schol- Resolution 175. Resolution providing for con- By Ms. DELBENE (for herself, Mrs. arships for Opportunity and Results Act, and sideration of the bill (H.R. 725) to amend MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. KILMER, Mr. for other purposes; to the Committee on title 28, United States Code, to prevent THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Ms. Oversight and Government Reform. fraudulent joinder (Rept. 115–27). Referred to KUSTER of New Hampshire, Mr. By Mr. O’HALLERAN: the House Calendar. WESTERMAN, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. ABRA- H.R. 1388. A bill to enact House Resolution f HAM, Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. SCHRADER, 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, (estab- Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. WELCH, Mr. LAR- lishing the Office of Congressional Ethics) PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS SEN of Washington, and Mr. HARPER): into permanent law; to the Committee on Under clause 2 of rule XII, public H.R. 1380. A bill to clarify research and de- House Administration, and in addition to the bills and resolutions of the following velopment for wood products, and for other Committee on Rules, for a period to be sub- purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, sequently determined by the Speaker, in titles were introduced and severally re- and in addition to the Committee on each case for consideration of such provi- ferred, as follows: Science, Space, and Technology, for a period sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia (for him- to be subsequently determined by the Speak- committee concerned. self, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. er, in each case for consideration of such pro- By Mr. BILIRAKIS: CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the H.R. 1389. A bill to amend title XIX of the SWALWELL of California, Ms. JACKSON committee concerned. Social Security Act to provide States with

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L07MR7.000 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1593 flexibility to provide care coordination for other purposes; to the Committee on Nat- addition to the Committees on Armed Serv- under Medicaid for the most vulnerable ural Resources, and in addition to the Com- ices, and Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be through managed care; to the Committee on mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in Energy and Commerce. ture, for a period to be subsequently deter- each case for consideration of such provi- By Mr. BANKS of Indiana (for himself, mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the Mr. MESSER, Mr. BUDD, and Mrs. sideration of such provisions as fall within committee concerned. RADEWAGEN): the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS (for himself, Mr. H.R. 1390. A bill to amend title 38, United By Mr. CONNOLLY (for himself and BUCHANAN, Mr. TROTT, and Mr. States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Mr. LANGEVIN): BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania): Veterans Affairs to pay costs relating to the H.R. 1398. A bill to provide funds to give H.R. 1406. A bill to amend the Animal Wel- transportation of certain deceased veterans States incentives to invest in practices and fare Act to prohibit the slaughter of dogs to veterans’ cemeteries owned by a State or technology designed to expedite voting at and cats for human consumption; to the tribal organization; to the Committee on the polls and simplify voter registration, im- Committee on Agriculture. Veterans’ Affairs. prove voting system security, and promote By Mr. HUNTER: By Mr. BANKS of Indiana: automatic voter registration, and for other H.R. 1407. A bill to establish a strategic H.R. 1391. A bill to amend title 38, United purposes; to the Committee on House Admin- materials investment fund, and for other States Code, to direct the Secretary of Vet- istration. purposes; to the Committee on Armed Serv- erans Affairs to provide educational and vo- By Mr. COOK (for himself, Ms. ices, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and En- cational counseling for veterans on campuses BONAMICI, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. KNIGHT, ergy and Commerce, for a period to be subse- of institutions of higher learning, and for Mr. CRAMER, Mr. TIPTON, Mr. HIMES, quently determined by the Speaker, in each other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- Mr. VALADAO, Ms. CHENEY, Mr. case for consideration of such provisions as erans’ Affairs. YODER, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. CUL- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee By Mr. BERA (for himself, Mr. KILMER, BERSON, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. concerned. Mr. SOTO, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Mr. MCKINLEY, Mr. COSTA, Mrs. MIMI By Mr. ISSA: MCNERNEY, Mrs. MURPHY of Florida, WALTERS of California, Mr. LAMALFA, H.R. 1408. A bill to repeal the Patient Pro- Mr. HIMES, and Ms. SINEMA): Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, and tection and Affordable Care Act and the H.R. 1392. A bill to establish a National Mr. KELLY of Mississippi): health care-related provisions in the Health TechCorps program, and for other purposes; H.R. 1399. A bill to reduce temporarily the Care and Education Reconciliation Act of to the Committee on Education and the royalty required to be paid for sodium pro- 2010 and to amend title 5, United States Workforce, and in addition to the Commit- duced on Federal lands, and for other pur- Code, to offer Federal employee health bene- tees on Oversight and Government Reform, poses; to the Committee on Natural Re- fits plans to individuals who are not Federal and Ways and Means, for a period to be sub- sources. employees, and for other purposes; to the sequently determined by the Speaker, in By Mr. CRAWFORD (for himself, Mr. Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in each case for consideration of such provi- ABRAHAM, Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. addition to the Committees on Ways and sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the WESTERMAN, and Mr. HILL): Means, Oversight and Government Reform, committee concerned. H.R. 1400. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Education and the Workforce, Natural Re- By Mr. BISHOP of Michigan (for him- enue Code of 1986 to authorize agricultural sources, the Judiciary, Appropriations, self, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. producers to establish and contribute to tax- House Administration, and Rules, for a pe- SMITH of Missouri, Mr. WALKER, Mr. exempt farm risk management accounts; to riod to be subsequently determined by the DUNCAN of South Carolina, Mr. the Committee on Ways and Means. Speaker, in each case for consideration of MESSER, Mr. HURD, Mr. RICE of South By Mr. CURBELO of Florida (for him- such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Carolina, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. self and Mr. CRIST): tion of the committee concerned. BUCSHON, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. H.R. 1401. A bill to ensure fairness in pre- By Mr. LANCE (for himself, Mr. HIG- MCCAUL, Mrs. COMSTOCK, Mrs. WAT- mium rates for coverage under the National GINS of New York, Mr. HARPER, Mr. SON COLEMAN, Mr. COOPER, Mr. Flood Insurance Program for residences and FOSTER, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr. business properties, and for other purposes; GARAMENDI, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. WITT- HASTINGS, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. to the Committee on Financial Services. MAN, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. POE of SWALWELL of California, Mr. THOMAS By Ms. GABBARD (for herself and Ms. Texas, Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, J. ROONEY of Florida, Mr. MARINO, HANABUSA): Ms. PINGREE, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. Mrs. WALORSKI, and Mr. CRIST): H.R. 1402. A bill to amend the Food, Agri- KING of New York, Mrs. COMSTOCK, H.R. 1393. A bill to limit the authority of culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 Mr. KILDEE, Mr. DONOVAN, Mr. CAR- States to tax certain income of employees to provide for a macadamia tree health ini- TER of Georgia, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. for employment duties performed in other tiative, and for other purposes; to the Com- GUTHRIE, Mr. POCAN, Mr. LONG, Mr. States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. mittee on Agriculture. ´ ´ SWALWELL of California, Mr. FLORES, By Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana (for her- By Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New URBELO self, Mr. COLLINS of New York, and Rico (for herself, Mr. C of York, Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, EWIS Mr. GUTHRIE): Florida, Mr. L of Georgia, and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. LATTA, ERRANO H.R. 1394. A bill to amend title XIX of the Mr. S ): Mr. MACARTHUR, and Mr. KILMER): Social Security Act to provide States with H.R. 1403. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- H.R. 1409. A bill to amend the Public flexibility with respect to providing coverage enue Code of 1986 to make permanent the de- Health Service Act to require group and indi- for nonemergency transportation under Med- duction for income attributable to domestic vidual health insurance coverage and group icaid; to the Committee on Energy and Com- production activities in Puerto Rico; to the health plans to provide for cost sharing for merce. Committee on Ways and Means. oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favor- By Mr. BURGESS (for himself, Mr. By Mr. GRIJALVA: able than the cost sharing provided for COLLINS of New York, Mrs. BLACK- H.R. 1404. A bill to provide for the convey- anticancer medications administered by a BURN, and Mr. MULLIN): ance of certain land inholdings owned by the health care provider; to the Committee on H.R. 1395. A bill to amend title XIX of the United States to the Tucson Unified School Energy and Commerce. Social Security Act to improve the Medicaid District and to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of By Ms. MCSALLY (for herself and Mr. and CHIP Payment and Access Commission Arizona; to the Committee on Natural Re- GRIJALVA): (MACPAC); to the Committee on Energy and sources. H.R. 1410. A bill to establish responsibility Commerce. By Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Mr. for the International Outfall Interceptor; to By Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. JOHNSON the Committee on Transportation and Infra- CONYERS, Ms. MAXINE WATERS of of Georgia, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. structure. California, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, CA´ RDENAS, Ms. NORTON, Mr. RYAN of By Mr. PALLONE (for himself and Mr. Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ohio, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. LOBIONDO): Mr. COHEN, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. RASKIN, VELA, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, H.R. 1411. A bill to continue in effect for Mr. TED LIEU of California, Ms. Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mr. the 2017 and 2018 fishing seasons certain fish- HANABUSA, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. SEAN CICILLINE, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. MCGOV- ing specifications for the summer flounder PATRICK MALONEY of New York, and ERN, Mr. AGUILAR, Mr. DESAULNIER, fishery, and for other purposes; to the Com- Mr. GRIJALVA): Mr. TAKANO, Mr. GALLEGO, Ms. JUDY mittee on Natural Resources. H.R. 1396. A bill to restore statutory rights CHU of California, and Mr. BLU- By Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD: to the people of the United States from MENAUER): H.R. 1412. A bill to establish a commission forced arbitration; to the Committee on the H.R. 1405. A bill to require the Secretary of to study the removal of Mexican-Americans Judiciary. Homeland Security to establish a veterans to Mexico during 1929-1941, and for other pur- By Mrs. COMSTOCK: visa program to permit veterans who have poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 1397. A bill to authorize, direct, facili- been removed from the United States to re- By Mr. RYAN of Ohio (for himself, Mr. tate, and expedite the transfer of administra- turn as immigrants, and for other purposes; TIBERI, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. BLU- tive jurisdiction of certain Federal land, and to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in MENAUER, and Ms. PINGREE):

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:49 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L07MR7.100 H07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2017 H.R. 1413. A bill to provide for a grants pro- tives, the following statements are sub- By Mr. KATKO: gram to develop and enhance integrated nu- mitted regarding the specific powers H.R. 1386. trition and physical activity curricula in granted to Congress in the Constitu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- medical schools; to the Committee on En- lation pursuant to the following: ergy and Commerce. tion to enact the accompanying bill or Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United By Mr. SHERMAN (for himself, Ms. joint resolution. States Constitution MAXINE WATERS of California, Mr. By Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia: By Mr. CHAFFETZ: CONYERS, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, H.R. 1374. H.R. 1387. Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CART- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- WRIGHT, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: HANABUSA, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. Article I, section 8, clause 18 allows con- Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the United JAYAPAL, Mr. TED LIEU of California, gress to make all laws ‘‘which shall be nec- States Constitution. Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. SEAN essary and proper for carrying into execu- By Mr. O’HALLERAN: PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Ms. tion’’ H.R. 1388. NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RASKIN, and By Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Ms. SCHAKOWSKY): H.R. 1375. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1414. A bill to amend the Truth in Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 Lending Act and the Electronic Fund Trans- lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. BILIRAKIS: fer Act to provide justice to victims of fraud; Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the H.R. 1389. to the Committee on Financial Services. United States Constitution Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for him- By Mr. CUMMINGS: lation pursuant to the following: self and Mr. MEEKS): H.R. 1376. Article I, Section 8 H.R. 1415. A bill to facilitate effective re- Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. BANKS of Indiana: search on and treatment of neglected trop- lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1390. ical diseases, including Ebola, through co- Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Con- Congress has the power to enact this legis- ordinated domestic and international efforts; stitution of the United States grants the lation pursuant to the following: to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congress the power to enact this law. Article I, Section 8 of the United States and in addition to the Committees on For- By Mr. HARPER: Constitution eign Affairs, and Financial Services, for a pe- H.R. 1377. By Mr. BANKS of Indiana: riod to be subsequently determined by the Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1391. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Speaker, in each case for consideration of lation pursuant to the following: such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Article I, Section 8, clause 18 lation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the United States tion of the committee concerned. By Mr. HARPER: Constitution By Mr. TIBERI (for himself, Mr. DANNY H.R. 1378. K. DAVIS of Illinois, and Mr. SMITH of Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. BERA: H.R. 1392. Missouri): lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1416. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Congress has the power to enact this legis- The Congress enacts this bill pursuant to enue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross in- lation pursuant to the following: Clause 1 of Section 8 of Article I of the come contributions to the capital of a part- Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Con- United States Constitution. nership, and for other purposes; to the Com- stitution By Mr. PETERS: mittee on Ways and Means. By Mr. BISHOP of Michigan: H.R. 1379. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself H.R. 1393. Congress has the power to enact this legis- and Mr. MCCLINTOCK): Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1417. A bill to amend the National lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Law Enforcement Museum Act to allow the Article I, Section 8. The Commerce Clause, Article 1, Section 8, Museum to acquire, receive, possess, collect, By Ms. DELBENE: Clause 3 ship, transport, import, and display firearms, H.R. 1380. By Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana: and for other purposes; to the Committee on Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1394. Natural Resources. lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1418. A bill to amend the Alaska Na- tion. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 tive Claims Settlement Act to provide that By Mr. GRIFFITH: By Mr. BURGESS: Alexander Creek, Alaska, is and shall be rec- H.R. 1381. H.R. 1395. ognized as an eligible Native village under Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- that Act, and for other purposes; to the Com- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: mittee on Natural Resources. This bill is enacted pursuant to the power Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United By Mr. YOUNG of Iowa (for himself, granted to Congress under Article I, Section States Constitution, which grants Congress Ms. PINGREE, Mr. JONES, Miss RICE of 8 of the United States Constitution. the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, New York, Mr. MASSIE, Mr. CURBELO By Mr. WEBER of Texas: imposts and excises, to pay the debts and of Florida, and Mr. RYAN of Ohio): H.R. 1382. provide for the common defense and general H.R. 1419. A bill to amend title 10, United Congress has the power to enact this legis- welfare of the United States. States Code, to provide for the award of a lation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United military service medal to members of the Commerce clause under Article I, Section States Constitution, which grants Congress Armed Forces who served honorably during 8, Clause 3. the power to regulate commerce with foreign the Cold War, and for other purposes; to the ‘‘To regulate commerce with foreign na- nations, and among the several states, and Committee on Armed Services. tions, and among the several states, and with with the Indian tribes. By Mr. HARPER: the Indian tribes.’’ By Mr. CICILLINE: H. Res. 173. A resolution providing for the By Mr. BACON: H.R. 1396. expenses of certain committees of the House H.R. 1383. Congress has the power to enact this legis- of Representatives in the One Hundred Fif- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: teenth Congress; to the Committee on House lation pursuant to the following: Article I, section 8, clause 3. Administration. Article One, Section 8 By Mrs. COMSTOCK: By Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. PRICE of By Mr. PALAZZO: H.R. 1397. North Carolina, and Mr. CHABOT): H.R. 1384. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H. Res. 176. A resolution supporting the Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Aware- lation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Con- ness Week; to the Committee on Energy and Section 8 of Article I of the United States stitution of the United States provides that Commerce. Constitution. ‘‘The Congress shall have Power to dispose of By Mr. RICHMOND: By Ms. FOXX: and make all needful Rules and Regulations H. Res. 177. A resolution expressing support H.R. 1385. for the designation of Clergy Spouse Appre- respecting the Territory or other Property Congress has the power to enact this legis- ciation Day; to the Committee on Oversight belonging to the United States . . .’’ lation pursuant to the following: and Government Reform. By Mr. CONNOLLY: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18— H.R. 1398. f ‘‘To make all Laws which shall be nec- Congress has the power to enact this legis- CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY essary and proper for carrying into Execu- lation pursuant to the following: STATEMENT tion the foregoing Powers, and all other Article 1, Section 4 of the United States Powers vested by the Constitution in the Constitution. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of Government of the United States, or in any By Mr. COOK: the Rules of the House of Representa- Department or Officer thereof.’’ H.R. 1399.

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Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18—To make all H.R. 233: Mrs. BEATTY. lation pursuant to the following: Laws which shall be necessary and proper for H.R. 291: Mr. COSTA. Article I, Section 8 carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- H.R. 299: Mr. RUTHERFORD, Mr. NOLAN, Mrs. By Mr. CRAWFORD: ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- ROBY, Ms. ADAMS, Mr. YOHO, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. H.R. 1400. stitution in the Government of the United GOTTHEIMER, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Congress has the power to enact this legis- States, or in any Department or Officer Mrs. HARTZLER, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. TIBERI, lation pursuant to the following: thereof. Mr. TIPTON, Mrs. MURPHY of Florida, and Mr. GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE. Article I, By Mr. PALLONE: HARPER. Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants H.R. 1411. H.R. 303: Mr. RUTHERFORD, Mr. HUDSON, Congress the power to ‘‘lay and collect Congress has the power to enact this legis- Mr. LOEBSACK, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay lation pursuant to the following: NOLAN, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mrs. BEATTY. the Debts and provide for the common de- Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 H.R. 305: Mr. SARBANES, Mr. NADLER, and fense and general Welfare of the United By Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD: Mr. KENNEDY. States.’’ H.R. 1412. H.R. 351: Mr. FERGUSON. By Mr. CURBELO of Florida: Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 367: Mr. ARRINGTON. H.R. 1401. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 369: Mr. TIPTON. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article 1, Clause 4, Section 4 H.R. 371: Mr. COURTNEY. lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. RYAN of Ohio: H.R. 389: Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. Claus 1, Section 8, Article 1 H.R. 1413. LANGEVIN, Mr. LAMALFA, and Mr. JONES. By Ms. GABBARD: Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 392: Mr. EMMER, Mr. FLORES, Mr. H.R. 1402. lation pursuant to the following: DENT, Mr. LANCE, Ms. CLARK of Massachu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8: To make all Laws setts, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. EVANS, and Ms. lation pursuant to the following: which shall be necessary and proper for car- HERRERA BEUTLER. U.S. Constitution including Article 1, Sec- rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, H.R. 448: Mr. SHERMAN and Mr. GRIJALVA. tion 8, Clause 1 (General Welfare Clause) and and all other Powers vested by this Constitu- H.R. 477: Mr. ROSS. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and tion in the Government of the United States, H.R. 484: Ms. NORTON and Ms. SHEA-POR- Proper Clause) or in any Department or Officer thereof. TER. ´ ´ By Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto By Mr. SHERMAN: H.R. 502: Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Ms. Rico: H.R. 1414. MATSUI, Mr. DELANEY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. H.R. 1403. Congress has the power to enact this legis- NOLAN, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mex- lation pursuant to the following: Article I , Section 8, Clause 3 ico, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. ZELDIN, Mr. HIGGINS of Article IV Section III of the U.S. Constitu- By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey: New York, Mr. KIND, Ms. CLARK of Massachu- tion: The Congress shall have power to dis- H.R. 1415. setts, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, pose of and make all needful rules and regu- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Mr. FITZPATRICK, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. lations respecting the territory or other lation pursuant to the following: SABLAN, Mr. SANFORD, Mr. LARSON of Con- property belonging to the United States Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 necticut, Mr. MOULTON, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. By Mr. GRIJALVA: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 SUOZZI, Mr. EVANS, Mr. RUIZ, Ms. DELAURO, H.R. 1404. By Mr. TIBERI: Mr. RUSH, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. COSTA, and Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1416. GARRETT. lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 510: Mr. GARAMENDI. ´ U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 3. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 530: Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. GUTIERREZ, By Mr. GRIJALVA: Clause 1 of Section 8 of Article I Mr. THOMPSON of California, and Mr. POLIS. H.R. 1405. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 544: Mrs. BEATTY. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 553: Mrs. BLACK and Mrs. WALORSKI. H.R. 1417. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 564: Mr. MASSIE. Congress has the power to enact this legis- U.S. Const. art. I, §§ l and 8. H.R. 625: Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. HASTINGS: KEATING, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. SCHWEIKERT, Mr. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 & Article 4, H.R. 1406. MOONEY of West Virginia, and Mr. GRAVES of Section 3, Clause 2 Congress has the power to enact this legis- Louisiana. ‘‘The Congress shall have power To make lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 630: Ms. JAYAPAL. all Laws which shall be necessary and proper Article I, Section 8. H.R. 664: Mr. EVANS. for carrying into Execution the foregoing By Mr. HUNTER: H.R. 721: Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. HECK, Mr. Powers, and all other Powers vested by this H.R. 1407. ROSS, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. DESJARLAIS, Mr. Car- Constitution in the Government of the Congress has the power to enact this legis- ter of Georgia, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, United States, or in any Department or Offi- lation pursuant to the following: Mr. BARR, Mr. COLE, Mr. PERRY, and Mr. cer thereof.’’ Article 8 Section 18: To make all laws LUCAS. ‘‘The Congress shall have Power to dispose which shall be necessary and proper for car- H.R. 747: Mr. PALLONE, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. of and make all needful Rules and Regula- rying into execution the foregoing powers, GALLAGHER, Ms. CHENEY, Mr. MICHAEL F. tions respecting the Territory or other Prop- and all other powers vested by this Constitu- DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. erty belonging to the United States; and tion in the Government of the United States, SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. NORCROSS, and Mr. nothing in this Constitution shall be so con- or in any Department or officer thereof. POLIS. strued as to Prejudice any Claims of the By Mr. ISSA: H.R. 749: Mr. CRIST. United States, or of any particular State.’’ H.R. 1408. H.R. 757: Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. MENG, Mr. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: Congress has the power to enact this legis- BLUMENAUER, Mr. KHANNA, and Mr. NOLAN. H.R. 1418. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 781: Mr. DUNN. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3: To regulate H.R. 785: Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. CULBERSON, lation pursuant to the following: commerce with foreign nations, and among Mr. COFFMAN, Mr. TIPTON, and Mr. LUCAS. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 the several states, and with the Indian H.R. 810: Ms. NORTON, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. tribes. By Mr. YOUNG of Iowa: RASKIN, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. DEUTCH, and Mr. H.R. 1419. By Mr. LANCE: JOHNSON of Georgia. H.R. 1409. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 816: Mr. MAST, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Ms. Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: JUDY CHU of California, and Mr. POLIS. lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the United States H.R. 821: Mr. EVANS. Pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Clause 1, Constitution. H.R. 830: Mrs. TORRES, Mr. SHERMAN, and of the United States Constitution, Congress f Mr. QUIGLEY. shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, H.R. 846: Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts ADDITIONAL SPONSORS PEARCE, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. POE of Texas, and and provide for the common defense and gen- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors Mr. NEAL. eral welfare of the United States. H.R. 849: Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. were added to public bills and resolu- By Ms. McSALLY: H.R. 878: Mr. ARRINGTON. H.R. 1410. tions, as follows: H.R. 909: Mr. LANCE. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 38: Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. BISHOP of H.R. 914: Ms. BONAMICI and Mr. lation pursuant to the following: Georgia, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. STEWART, DESAULNIER. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3—To regulate and Mr. LUCAS. H.R. 919: Mr. GARAMENDI and Mr. MCGOV- commerce with foreign nations, and among H.R. 82: Mr. BURGESS. ERN. the several states, and with the Indian H.R. 203: Mr. LOEBSACK. H.R. 931: Mr. LYNCH, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, tribes. H.R. 227: Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania, Mr.

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FITZPATRICK, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. MURPHY of H.R. 1242: Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SCHNEIDER, Pennsylvania, Ms. DELBENE, and Mr. RASKIN. SLAUGHTER, and Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. CALVERT, Ms. GABBARD, Ms. SEWELL of H.R. 942: Ms. JACKSON LEE. H.R. 1243: Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. SWALWELL of Alabama, Mr. MACARTHUR, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. H.R. 947: Ms. DEGETTE. California, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. MOORE, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mr. H.R. 949: Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ, Ms. SOTO, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. THOMPSON of California, and Ms. JUDY CHU of MCCOLLUM, and Ms. PINGREE. DEGETTE, and Ms. ESHOO. California. H.R. 1245: Mr. ELLISON, Mr. O’ROURKE, and H. Res. 30: Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. PAS- H.R. 959: Ms. ESHOO, Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Ms. GABBARD. CRELL, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsyl- and Mr. DEFAZIO. H.R. 1251: Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. YARMUTH, vania, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. BACON, and Mr. H.R. 970: Ms. LEE and Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. CUMMINGS, and Mr. MI- PRICE of North Carolina. H.R. 976: Mr. DELANEY. CHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. H. Res. 92: Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. COLLINS of H.R. 989: Mr. MARINO. H.R. 1257: Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. H.R. 990: Mr. MARINO. New York, and Mr. FOSTER. KNIGHT, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, H.R. 1001: Mr. ENGEL. H.R. 1267: Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. HASTINGS, Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puer- H.R. 1005: Mr. KING of New York. H.R. 1281: Mr. LANCE, Mr. COSTELLO of to Rico, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mrs. H.R. 1027: Mr. KHANNA, Mrs. BEATTY, and Pennsylvania, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. BLACKBURN, Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia, Mr. Mr. TONKO. TONKO, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. SEAN PATRICK BROWN of Maryland, Mr. RUSH, Mr. KEATING, H.R. 1031: Ms. JENKINS of Kansas and Mr. MALONEY of New York, and Mr. CARTWRIGHT. and Mr. GALLAGHER. FRANCIS ROONEY of Florida. H.R. 1287: Mr. PAYNE. H. Res. 104: Mr. SWALWELL of California. H.R. 1049: Mr. GARAMENDI. H.R. 1291: Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. H. Res. 124: Mr. WESTERMAN. H.R. 1057: Mr. FASO, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Ms. H.R. 1296: Mr. STIVERS. H. Res. 128: Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. DEGETTE, JENKINS of Kansas, Mr. DONOVAN, Mr. YODER, H.R. 1302: Mr. GARRETT and Mr. KEATING. Mr. NOLAN, and Mr. EMMER. Mr. ROSS, and Mr. DESAULNIER. H.R. 1304: Mr. MITCHELL. H. Res. 132: Ms. LEE. H.R. 1072: Mr. MASSIE. H.R. 1310: Mrs. NAPOLITANO. H. Res. 135: Mr. COLLINS of New York and H.R. 1090: Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. LANCE, H.R. 1313: Ms. STEFANIK and Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. LIPINSKI. and Ms. SLAUGHTER. H.R. 1318: Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. H. Res. 143: Ms. MAXINE WATERS of Cali- H.R. 1094: Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. H.R. 1328: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. fornia. VELA´ ZQUEZ, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. WASSERMAN H.R. 1329: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. H. Res. 154: Mr. BUTTERFIELD and Ms. SCHULTZ, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. COHEN, H.R. 1339: Mr. CRAMER. TSONGAS. Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. EVANS, Ms. KAP- H.R. 1341: Ms. SLAUGHTER and Mr. RENACCI. H. Res. 162: Mr. SCOTT of Virginia and Mr. TUR, and Mr. BUTTERFIELD. H.R. 1361: Ms. ESTY, Mr. KEATING, and Mr. BARR. H.R. 1098: Mr. SMUCKER, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. POCAN. H. Res. 164: Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mrs. LAW- YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. ELLISON, and Ms. H.R. 1362: Mr. SABLAN, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. RENCE, Mr. COFFMAN, Mrs. DAVIS of Cali- DELBENE. CHABOT, Ms. GABBARD, and Mr. GRIJALVA. fornia, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. HASTINGS, and H.R. 1109: Mr. OLSON and Mr. MCKINLEY. H.R. 1368: Mr. POLIS and Ms. JUDY CHU of Mr. KEATING. H.R. 1121: Mr. BUCHANAN and Mr. BACON. California. H. Res. 165: Mr. GRIJALVA. H.R. 1136: Mr. STIVERS, Mr. THORNBERRY, H.R. 1372: Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. MULLIN, and Mr. HUIZENGA. H.J. Res. 6: Mr. MARSHALL. H.R. 1148: Mr. HARPER, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, H.J. Res. 9: Mr. DUNN. f Mr. BARR, Mr. COLE, and Mr. POLIS. H.J. Res. 17: Mr. ROTHFUS and Mrs. H.R. 1160: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. WALORSKI. CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIM- H.R. 1163: Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of H.J. Res. 59: Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. TIBERI, and ITED TAX BENEFITS, OR LIM- New Mexico and Mr. O’HALLERAN. Mr. LUCAS. ITED TARIFF BENEFITS H.R. 1164: Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, H.J. Res. 72: Mr. BANKS of Indiana and Mr. Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. GROTHMAN, Mrs. BRAT. Under clause 9 of rule XXI, lists or WALORSKI, Mr. COFFMAN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. H.J. Res. 73: Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. DESANTIS, statements on congressional earmarks, FRANKS of Arizona, and Mr. MCKINLEY. Mr. CARTER of Georgia, and Mr. COLE. limited tax benefits, or limited tariff H.R. 1179: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. HOL- H.J. Res. 75: Ms. LEE and Mr. CLEAVER. benefits were submitted as follows: LINGSWORTH, Mr. NUNES, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of H. Con. Res. 10: Mrs. WALORSKI. Texas, Mr. COOK, Mr. CARTER of Texas, Mr. H. Con. Res. 13: Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. GRAVES OFFERED BY MRS. BLACK LOUDERMILK, Mr. KNIGHT, Mr. BLUM, Mr. of Missouri, and Mr. MITCHELL. The provisions that warranted a referral to HARRIS, Mr. CHABOT, and Mr. ROGERS of Ken- H. Con. Res. 20: Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. SUOZZI, the Committee on the Budget in H.R. 1301, tucky. and Mr. CICILLINE. the Department of Defense Appropriations H.R. 1206: Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Mr. ALLEN, H. Res. 15: Mr. CORREA, Mr. SMITH of New Act, 2017, do not contain any congressional and Mr. SWALWELL of California. Jersey, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. SCHRADER, Ms. earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited H.R. 1227: Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. YOUNG of LEE, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule Alaska, and Mr. AMASH. CARBAJAL, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. COURTNEY, Ms. XXI.

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Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017 No. 39 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was U.S. SENATE, The legislation the House introduced called to order by the Honorable BEN PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, last night represents the next step SASSE, a Senator from the State of Ne- Washington, DC, March 7, 2017. along that path. It is the result of a braska. To the Senate: long conversation with many voices, Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby and it is supported by the one person f appoint the Honorable BEN SASSE, a Senator who can actually sign a bill into law— from the State of Nebraska, to perform the the President of the United States. PRAYER duties of the Chair. I want to recognize everyone for The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- ORRIN G. HATCH, their contributions and hard work. President pro tempore. fered the following prayer: Given last night’s announcement, I es- Let us pray. Mr. SASSE thereupon assumed the pecially want to commend our col- O Lord, in whose hands is the life of Chair as Acting President pro tempore. leagues in the House. The policy con- every living thing, we depend upon f versation that led to what we saw last Your strength and might. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY night continues. The policy process Manifest Yourself to our Senators, LEADER moves forward today. directing their steps and bringing them We have come a long way. We have a to Your chosen destination. Without The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- lot further to go, but we are making Your leading, they will be like ships pore. The majority leader is recog- significant progress. Working arm in without rudders, but with You direct- nized. arm with the House and the new ad- ing, they cannot fail to fulfill Your f ministration, we are going to keep our purposes. Take them in the direction REPEALING AND REPLACING promise to the American people be- that will enable them to positively af- OBAMACARE cause ObamaCare is a direct attack on fect the lives of the heavy laden, the the middle class. We all know it. We all sorrowful, and the suffering. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, last get letters and phone calls. We hear the Fill their hearts with the deep com- night, the committees of jurisdiction heartbreak and the frustration nearly passion needed to enable Your King- in the House released a proposal to re- every day. dom to come and Your will to be done peal ObamaCare and begin the process on Earth as it is in Heaven. Lord, use of replacing it with commonsense re- Consider this letter from one of my them to hasten the coming of Your forms to preserve access and lower constituents in Goshen, who wrote Kingdom of justice and truth. costs. The plan builds upon the 2015 re- about the ObamaCare plan available to We pray in Your sacred Name. Amen. peal bill, which was vetoed by Presi- his family: dent Obama. I am happy to hear the I am extremely displeased with the limited f committees will begin consideration choices available. While 16 plans are listed this week. I encourage every Member for me at the Healthcare.gov website, they PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to review it because I hope to call it up are all inferior to my 2016 plan. Neither our The Presiding Officer led the Pledge when we receive it from the House. primary care physician nor my of Allegiance, as follows: It is clear to just about everyone rheumatologist is in network of any offered 2017 plan. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the that ObamaCare is failing. Costs are United States of America, and to the Repub- soaring. Choices are diminishing. In- The cost is another problem. The 2017 plan lic for which it stands, one nation under God, surance markets are teetering. that I will probably choose will have a 20% indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. It would be easy to sit back and higher premium than my 2016 plan with a lower level of benefits. watch this partisan law collapse under f its own weight. Pass the buck to the Pay more; pay more for less. That is next guy. That seems to be the Demo- ObamaCare for you right there. Look, APPOINTMENT OF ACTING crats’ strategy. in so many different ways, we have PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Republicans think the middle class seen the evidence for years that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The actually deserves better. In election ObamaCare simply isn’t working. This clerk will please read a communication after election, Americans have called isn’t a law that can be fixed. This isn’t to the Senate from the President pro for relief. In election after election, a law that can be saved. It has to be re- tempore (Mr. HATCH). Americans have called for an end to pealed and replaced. We promised the The senior assistant legislative clerk this partisan law. We promised to do American people we would do that. We read the following letter: both things. We are. are going to keep our promise.

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

S1607

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It lation of a special prosecutor, go for- omy that failed to live up to its poten- is another important step in our efforts ward. tial, a job market that left too many to return power to the States and So if Mr. Rosenstein is unwilling to behind, and a future that didn’t seem knock down barriers that keep our commit to naming a special prosecutor to be as bright as it once had. economy from growing. or says he needs to be confirmed, and For too long, the previous adminis- f in his position he can make an assess- tration pursued an agenda that put ment, that is insufficient. The need for Washington’s interests above the peo- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME a special prosecutor is clear enough ples’ interests and regulations that too The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- today to make that call. often followed ideology rather than pore. Under the previous order, the Of course, we don’t need to wait for facts. In fact, as we recently saw cited leadership time is reserved. Mr. Rosenstein. Mr. Boente, the Acting Deputy Attorney General, can make in a national paper, one study ‘‘esti- f mates that the costs of complying with the call today, but if neither will com- federal rules and regulations totaled CONCLUSION OF MORNING mit to a special prosecutor, Congress nearly $1.9 trillion in 2015.’’ BUSINESS will have to consider bringing back a Let me say that again. The costs of The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- narrower independent counsel law to complying with regulations in America pore. Morning business is closed. see that this investigation is conducted totaled nearly $1.9 trillion in 2015, Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- properly. equal to about half the Federal budget. sence of a quorum. f Yet another study ‘‘estimates that The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- TRUMPCARE regulation has shaved 0.8 percent off pore. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on an- the U.S. annual growth rate’’—a The senior assistant legislative clerk other matter, last night we saw the growth rate that was already too low proceeded to call the roll. House Republicans plan to repeal and to begin with. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask replace the Affordable Care Act. After You can see the effect that heavy- unanimous consent that the order for 70 years of talking about the same handed regulations can have on our Na- the quorum call be rescinded. thing over and over again, you would tion’s economy. There is no question The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- think the Republicans would have been that some regulations are necessary pore. Without objection, it is so or- able to come up with a better plan than and even beneficial to our country, but dered. Washington should assess the real im- this. This plan is a mess. pact regulations will have before im- f First, it will cost average Americans plementing them. RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY more money for their healthcare, while Undoing the damage of the past sev- LEADER providing fewer benefits; second, it will eral years is going to take some time, cut taxes for the very wealthy, making but fortunately there are meaningful The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- average Americans pay more for their steps we have already begun taking to pore. The Democratic leader is recog- healthcare; third, it will raise pre- bring relief. Just last night we took an- nized. miums and costs for older Americans; other step by blocking a sweeping labor f and, fourth, it will remove the guar- antee that ensures Americans with pre- regulation that would have threatened CALLING FOR THE APPOINTMENT existing conditions can get coverage. American businesses, workers, and tax- OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR payers at large. TrumpCare will make health insur- Today we will keep working to dial Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, this ance in America measurably worse in back even more harmful regulations, morning the Judiciary Committee will just about every way and leave more like the one before us now—the so- have a hearing on the nomination of Americans uninsured. It does, however, called BLM planning 2.0 rule. Don’t let Mr. Rod Rosenstein to serve as the greatly benefit the very wealthy and the name fool you. This regulation has Deputy Attorney General. During the special interests. Let’s quickly look at little to do with improving current pol- hearing, Mr. Rosenstein should commit each of the items I just mentioned. icy. Instead, it really represents an- to naming a special prosecutor to look First, TrumpCare will cost more and other power grab pushed through by into the Trump campaign’s ties to Rus- you will get less. By eliminating min- the Obama administration on its way sia. imum coverage for healthcare plans out the door. There is a strong legal rationale for a and decreasing the availability of tax Like several other regulations we are special prosecutor. A special pros- credits, the cost for average Americans working to address, this one adopts a ecutor, by the Department of Justice will increase by at least $1,000 annu- top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. It rules, would be free of day-to-day su- ally. That is a huge increase, like a tax shifts power away from State and local pervision by anyone at the Department increase for average Americans who governments toward Washington bu- of Justice, would be free to follow the need healthcare. It cuts and caps Med- reaucrats, and it targets Western investigation where it leads, and would icaid, which has expanded health insur- States specifically, jeopardizing their be subject to an increased level of con- ance to over 20 million Americans, and ability to manage the lands and re- gressional oversight. Moreover, it is affects poor people, as well as many el- sources that their local economies the right thing to do to ensure that derly who are in nursing homes, as well count on. this investigation remains impartial, as their children who might have to As Senator MURKOWSKI, chair of the nonpartisan, and truly gets to the bot- pay for their care with the kinds of Energy Committee, has pointed out, tom of the matter. The bottom line is cuts we are seeing. this regulation could negatively im- very simple. The special prosecutor can The bill would greatly decrease cov- pact a range of activities like grazing, only be fired for cause, but a line per- erage for maternity care, preventive timber, energy, and mineral develop- son in the Justice Department could be screenings, mental health, opioid treat- ment and other important uses of pub- fired at will. We saw that happen when ment, and more. With respect to lic land that States like hers rely on. President Trump didn’t like what Sally women, TrumpCare would send us back And, perhaps even more troubling, it Yates said about his Executive order. to the Dark Ages. Gone are the protec- would also limit input from local He simply fired her. tions for maternity care, mammo- stakeholders who are the most familiar Mr. Rosenstein is a very fine man, an grams, and more. Gone is all the fund- with these issues. That is why Senator excellent, longtime prosecutor in the ing next year for Planned Parenthood, MURKOWSKI has been fighting the BLM Justice Department, but this is when where 2.5 million women a year get 2.0 regulation from the start and has we call for a special prosecutor. It is healthcare. The ACA finally made it

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The bill is a win- this mess of a replacement bill would it is now in front of the Senate. ning lottery ticket for wealthy Ameri- rip treatment away from hundreds of As the sponsor of the Senate version, cans. It removes an investment tax and thousands of Americans dealing with I have come to the floor now to explain a surcharge on the wealthiest Ameri- opioid addiction. President Trump said to colleagues why this BLM Planning cans, folks with incomes of above he would ensure Americans with pre- 2.0 Rule is such a bad rule and to urge $250,000 a year, saving them an average existing conditions would continue to its nullification. of $200,000 a year, and it allows a tax have access to coverage, but this bill There are probably a lot of folks that break for insurance executives making makes that harder in several ways. are asking the question: BLM Planning over $500,000 a year. President Trump, in his campaign, 2.0, what is it? It is not just folks that Third, TrumpCare will raise pre- said: are listening, it is colleagues here. miums and costs for older Americans. Everybody’s got to be covered. . . . I am What exactly is Planning 2.0 and what It would repeal the Affordable Care going to take care of everybody. I don’t care exactly does Planning 2.0 do? A lot of Act’s premium subsidies and replace if it’s going to cost me votes or not. people are saying: I never heard of this them with refundable tax credits that Everybody’s going to be taken care of, much one. Where did it come from? Based on could be worth thousands of dollars better than they’re being taken care of now. that, I think a lot of context is in order less than what was provided under the . . . They can have their doctors. They can as we begin this debate. have their plans, they can have everything. ACA. Under this plan, a senior without The Bureau of Land Management is a Medicare might receive only $4,000 a ‘‘They can have everything.’’ Federal agency that manages 245 mil- year in tax credits, an inadequate sum Well, if you read the bill the way it lion acres of land in 12 Western States, for someone of that age. One illness or reduces funding for Medicaid and re- along with 700 million acres of Federal a bad break, and the value of their tax places the Affordable Care Act sub- and non-Federal subsurface estate. credit would evaporate. It also allows sidies with much smaller tax credits, Congress has directed the BLM to insurers to charge older Americans there is just no way this bill meets the manage those lands according to the more simply because of their age. President’s standard. Federal Land Policy and Management Finally, TrumpCare would remove Was the Affordable Care Act perfect? Act. That is too long to say. So we just the guarantee of coverage for Ameri- No. It could use some improvements, refer to it as FLPMA. It serves as the cans with preexisting conditions. but Democrats spent a long time agency’s organic act. It mandates a TrumpCare is breathtakingly irrespon- thinking about it and crafting the pol- multiple-use mission for BLM lands. I sible. It shifts the costs and the bur- icy to achieve two very real and spe- think it is important to always remem- dens from the rich to the poor and mid- cific goals, expand coverage, lower ber that. BLM is required to manage dle class, from the government to the costs. under the concept of multiple use. It people, and raises premiums on older TrumpCare will do the very opposite. lays out a planning process for its mis- Americans. It seems designed to cover If it has any one coherent positive sion. It establishes a special status re- fewer Americans and make that cov- goal, it is to limit the tax burdens on lationship between the Federal Govern- erage less affordable and less generous. the very wealthy, and in the process it ment and the States and the local gov- It seems designed to make America will badly hurt millions of Americans ernments that are affected by the agen- sick again. and throw our healthcare system back cy’s resource management plans. We don’t even know how large a neg- into chaos. I think it is important, as we are fo- ative impact this bill will have because If the final product out of the House cusing on the BLM right now, that we Republicans are irresponsibly rushing looks anything like this draft, the Sen- remember that BLM lands are not na- forward before this bill even receives a ate should consider it a moral duty to tional parks or wildlife refuges. They score from the Congressional Budget reject it. are not wild and scenic rivers or wil- Office. I yield the floor. derness. BLM lands are working lands. After years of howling at the Moon, f They are valuable—not because they at Democrats for rushing through the DISAPPROVING A RULE SUB- might contain a Mount Denali, like up Affordable Care Act, the mantra they MITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT north, or the Grand Canyon—but rath- said over and over again on the floor OF THE INTERIOR er because these lands contain energy here and in the House was ‘‘read the and minerals and they can be used. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- bill.’’ Republicans are having com- Again, this is the multiple-use concept. pore. Under the previous order, the mittee votes 2 days after the bill is re- They can be used for grazing. They can Senate will resume consideration of leased. be used for recreation and many other H.J. Res. 44, which the clerk will re- No wonder they don’t want anyone to purposes. port. know what is in the bill. They are They are valuable in this way and as The senior assistant legislative clerk rushing it through because it is very such are a leading source of good jobs read as follows: hard to defend what they have done, for families and communities all across and the longer it is out there, the hard- A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 44) dis- the West. BLM’s management of west- approving the rule submitted by the Depart- er it is going to be for their colleagues, ment of the Interior relating to Bureau of ern lands has never been without con- Republicans, to vote for it. Lawmakers Land Management regulations that establish troversy. That is part of the reason will be voting blind, without a final the procedures used to prepare, revise, or that the last administration decided to analysis of how this bill will affect amend land use plans pursuant to the Fed- overhaul the regulations that guide the overall coverage and affordability. I eral Land Policy and Management Act of planning process. The stated goals know this affects a lot of my col- 1976. from the administration were to create leagues on the other side. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- a better process that would increase We have no knowledge of how this af- pore. Under the previous order, there transparency, increase public involve- fects the deficit. It is removing a lot of will now be 8 hours of debate equally ment, and reduce the amount of time it the revenues for healthcare without re- divided in the usual form. takes to develop a resource manage- placing them. In all likelihood—we will The Senator from Alaska. ment plan. see what CBO says—the deficit is going Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I So those clearly all sound like good to go way up. am pleased the Senate is at the point ideas, good goals. Unfortunately, the The President is already throwing his we are this morning. Last night, we reason we are here today seeking to arms around this plan, and ultimately agreed to proceed to consideration of overturn this planning 2.0 rule is that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.003 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1610 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 the BLM absolutely failed to achieve have that same local understanding, cattle grazer in Nevada be relegated to any of those three goals. Instead of who might not really have any under- the same status as a lawyer in, say, greater transparency, BLM delivered a standing as to the areas and why this is Vermont who has never visited either new process that ensures less trans- so important. Chicken, Alaska, or rural Nevada? My parency. Instead of expanding public So centralizing power at BLM head- answer to this is pretty easy. It is a participation, Western States are look- quarters, in my view, is never the right simple no. But that is what awaits us ing at fewer and weaker opportunities direction. I am not suggesting that this under Planning 2.0. to influence the management of local is going to happen every time with So here is a real world example of lands. every decision. However it could hap- what Planning 2.0 will mean on the Planning 2.0 also turns the relation- pen at any time, whenever a future ad- ground. Last year, the BLM finalized a ship between federal, state, and the ministration decides that a decision resource management plan for 6.5 mil- local governments on its head. It just needs to be made at the headquarters lion acres of eastern Interior Alaska. really turns it upside down. What actu- level rather than locally. So now, at a Much of that plan was developed in ac- ally happens then is that it has effec- moment’s notice—perhaps without cordance with the principles of Plan- tively subverted FLPMA, shattering even any notice at all—decisionmaking ning 2.0. So what does it actually look the special status arrangement that authority can be taken away from a like for us up there in Alaska, in the the West is supposed to have under the Western State with expertise and effec- eastern Interior area? Federal law. tively siloed here in Washington, DC. The plan closes nearly three-quarters As a Senator for the State of Alaska That is not the direction to be taken. of the 40-mile district, where the only when this rule came out, I looked criti- The third area of concern I have is economic activity, really, is placer cally at it and I have problems with that Planning 2.0 reduces the ability of mining—small placer mining. They many aspects of the rule. I know I am western stakeholders to provide input closed it to mineral entry. More than 1 joined by nearly all of my western col- into the land management process, as million acres are withdrawn into what leagues and many who are not from the well as their stature within it. So, they call ‘‘areas of critical environ- West but who have taken the time to again, it compounds the fact that you mental concern’’. This is a land man- understand how our land management are shifting decisionmaking authority agement tool that BLM has used more laws are supposed to work and who back here to the East. By further lim- and more in recent years to sidestep have looked critically at this rule. iting stakeholders’ input, that is very Congress’s sole authority to designate The more my staff and I have un- problematic. Federal wilderness. packed the Planning 2.0 Rule, the less Now, the agency has talked a good So the agency sought public com- we like it and the greater is our convic- game about public participation. But if ment, but it was limited public com- tion that this rule should be over- you read the rule, what it effectively ment. Then it effectively ignored the turned through the Congressional Re- does is just kind of front-load public comments that it did receive. Ulti- view Act. That is why we are here. I input while cutting later opportunities mately, very few Alaskans were able to could go on for quite some time, but for feedback. If left in place, Planning participate in the development of the for purposes of this statement, I will 2.0 would ensure BLM would be able to plan, and even fewer Alaskans are list this morning my four main criti- maximize its decisionmaking power happy with the final outcome of the cisms, all of which compound each while at the same time effectively side- plan. As we expected and as we feared, other and show why this rule must be lining input from Western States. the Planning 2.0 process was used to We previously were in a situation repealed. shut down a reasonable use of Federal where western stakeholders had a seat First of all, Planning 2.0 seeks to land that the last administration just on the stage before this rule, but under transition to a landscape-level ap- did not like. This was done even it they are really demoted. They are ef- proach for land management planning. though it enjoys overwhelming support fectively demoted to a middle row in It is not a bad concept on its own, real- the mezzanine as part of a bigger among local residents who really de- ly. I don’t have any problem with BLM crowd, but with no special status. I pend on it for their livelihood. determining, for instance, where our The Planning 2.0 process was also think it is important to keep that in solar resources are located, but to used to close off Federal lands to the context. make that a defining measure and to The fourth area of concern is that public in violation of the ‘‘no more’’ make that a defining feature of a re- BLM 2.0 weakens and eliminates the clauses within ANILCA, or the Alaska source management plan is a bad idea. requirements in FLPMA that require National Interest Lands Conservation It all but assures that new and re- BLM to coordinate planning and re- Act, even though there was no immi- vised plans will not have the level of source uses with our States and local nent threat or reason to do so. So, as detail or specificity that is needed to governments. Under this rule, BLM colleagues are considering how they properly manage our local resources. It shifts the burden for making sure that will cast their vote on this resolution allows for planning areas to cross State resource management plans are con- of disapproval, I am sure, again, that lines without regard to the competing sistent with State and local govern- many had not really focused on this priorities of neighboring Governors. It ments plans away from itself and onto Planning 2.0 before. Most of them does not ensure that existing State and the States and onto the local govern- would never be able to find Chicken, local plans will be consistent. It is very ments. That is not right. Alaska, on a map, and they are think- obvious that BLM will deploy it as a The agency is also limiting the op- ing: This is not going to impact me. I mechanism to reduce or perhaps to portunities that those government am not from the West. eliminate many reasonable uses of Fed- have to identify and remedy defi- But for those of us in the West, if you eral land that provide jobs and support ciencies within and across plans wher- live in one of the 12 Western States communities all across the West. ever they may be found. that have BLM land, believe me, you The second criticism I have is that So here are a couple of examples this are impacted. I would suggest that Planning 2.0 allows BLM officials to re- morning for the Senate, just to illus- what we are seeing, starting in Alaska, move the decisionmaking authority trate why so many of us are concerned is something that simply won’t stay up from our field offices and our State di- about this and are opposed to Planning there. If this rule is allowed to remain rectors, and it tends to centralize that 2.0. You have to ask yourself: Is it fair in place, you will see that move power at BLM headquarters. So for and is it really what Congress in- through all of our Western States. those of us in the West, we are looking tended, for a western stakeholder to BLM maintains and periodically re- at a situation where effectively the have the same voice and influence over vises dozens of resource management management decisions of our land are the management of their local lands as plans in its 12 Western states. So if being taken from those who are on the any other member of the general public Planning 2.0 stays on the books, I ground, people who really understand from anywhere else, with no connec- think what it will do is it will harm the conditions and are those who are tion, no relationship to these areas? our Nation’s energy producers. I think most impacted by it. It shifts it back To be more specific, should a small it will harm our mineral developers. I East to be decided by those who don’t placer miner in Chicken, Alaska, or a think it will harm those who rely on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.005 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1611 Federal lands for grazing. It will most Review Act resolution on an issue so 1983. That was the last time—over 30 certainly cost us jobs. It will cost us important as our public lands and ne- years ago. I guarantee you, in those 30 economic opportunity, and it will hurt gating the hard work that the execu- years, we can come up with a better the communities and the people of our tive branch did over a long period of process for input from our constituents Western States. time is something that my colleagues on important land use issues. I would ask that you don’t just take and I just have to say no to. I know the new Interior Secretary my word for this. Six counties from six When it comes to public lands, we likes to talk about Teddy Roosevelt, different States have challenged this want transparency; we want sunshine. who once said: ‘‘The Nation behaves rule as impairing the informational We want a bottom-up approach when it well if it treats the natural resources and coordination rights of local gov- comes to land management, and we as assets which it must turn over to ernments. They believe that it violates certainly want collaboration. the next generation increased, and not FLPMA and that BLM has failed to As was said earlier, the Bureau of impaired, in value.’’ properly evaluate the impact that it Land Management manages about 245 Ensuring we are preserving and in- will have. I think they have a very million acres of public land. That is creasing the value of our public lands strong case. This is a fatally flawed about 10 percent of the Nation and 30 is exactly what is meant by this plan- rule. Our best option is to overturn it percent of our Nation’s minerals. So ning rule that the Bureau of Land Man- while we have the ability to do so when it comes to this management, it agement put out. This rule wants to under the Congressional Review Act is very important that they continue make sure that we have input from the and to hold BLM accountable to the to follow a very good bottom-up proc- local community. underlying statute and its multiple-use ess for land management. I think it is important to note that mission. If we can agree to do that I will read now from the actual re- this is not a rule that regulates any today, we can then work with our new quirements from the law that oversees specific use on public lands. It does not Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, them, the Federal Land Policy and restrict any particular activity. It sim- to make genuine improvements to the Management Act. They have to use and ply updates the current law in saying that it is better to have input from BLM land management planning proc- observe the principles of multiple use local officials and to use that input ess. I know that Secretary Zinke cares and sustained yield; consider present from local officials to update the proc- about our public lands. He understands and potential uses of the public lands; weigh long-term benefits to the public ess in an earlier way. these issues, and I think he is dedi- I said to my staff: It is like us hud- cated to ensuring that we get this against short-term benefits; consider the relative scarcity of the values; give dling and saying that we should write right. legislation and then me not coming I would like to close by thanking the priority to areas of critical environ- back for 7 years and then letting them mental concern; provide for compliance roughly 80 stakeholder groups that are know I am on my way to the Senate with applicable pollution control laws, supporting our disapproval resolution. floor to drop a bill. We would never do including State and Federal air, water, I also thank the 17 Senators who are that, and the land plans in these com- noise, or other pollution standards or cosponsoring the Senate version of it. I munities shouldn’t be done that way implementation plans; and coordinate thank the new administration, which either. has released a statement of policy in with Federal Departments and Agen- Once a local Bureau of Land Manage- support of it. I also acknowledge and cies, State and local governments, and ment official starts to discuss a plan, thank Representative CHENEY and Indian Tribes. there should be transparency. The local Chairman BISHOP in the House, who led So all of these things are part of community should know exactly what the resolution through the House with what is already in existing law. The that plan looks like before it is going good bipartisan support a couple of concept here is to make sure that we to be finalized. It needs to encourage weeks back. continue to have a transparent and collaboration of the stakeholders or It is now the Senate’s turn to act on open process that is bottom-up. And I else—as the example I just gave in this. It is our turn to recognize why certainly believe in a bottom-up proc- Utah—you are going to end up in liti- this rule deserves to be overturned. For ess because our public lands must not gation or an elongated process before the good of our Western States, let’s be territories owned and operated, for such management plans can take place. send this disapproval resolution to the example, for the sole benefit of the oil, It seems to me that these are pretty President’s desk. gas, and mining industries, and we reasonable goals: Have a bottom-up With that, I again urge the Senate to can’t have polluters polluting in these process that encourages discussion support House Joint Resolution 44. areas and not have input from the var- throughout the plan so that local com- I yield the floor. ious communities about their concerns munities are not caught off guard, and The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. MUR- on those issues. continue to emphasize the roles of KOWSKI). The Senator from Wash- For example, in 2001, the Bush ad- State, local, and Tribal governments ington. ministration proposed revisions to six and cooperating agencies so that they Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, I land use plans in eastern Utah, and can have input in the process as well. come to the floor to speak in opposi- these plans were finalized in 2008 at the Finally, I know that there are some tion to this resolution. Many of my end of the Bush administration, with who would like to claim that the BLM colleagues know that we have had dis- only limited opportunity for public in- State director oversees the planning cussions in the Senate on several Con- volvement. All six plans were chal- process in their specific State and that gressional Review Act resolutions. In lenged in Federal court by several mo- somehow that might change, but that principle, Congressional Review Act torized recreation and conservation or- is not the case. resolutions—besides repealing these ex- ganizations. Many organizations understand that isting Executive regulations—also have It is now 2017, and these plans still there will continue to be a bottom-up the unfortunate aspect to them that remain tied up in litigation. That is process under the new rule. That is they negate an agency’s ability to why those in the off-road vehicle indus- why so many sportsmen and outdoors make new rules anytime soon in the try did not feel as though they had groups—like the Outdoor Industry As- same area. For example, if you like input at the very beginning stages of sociation, the National Wildlife Fed- some of this rule but not all of it, by the process. In January the Obama ad- eration, Trout Unlimited, the Theodore using the CRA, you are literally pre- ministration negotiated a settlement, Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, venting the agency from moving for- which is still pending in court, but this the Nature Conservancy, the Wilder- ward on any improvements to the rule. shows how, if there isn’t meaningful ness Society, and the National Parks I always believe in the legislative public involvement, we are just going Conservation Association—all say: Do process. Working with my colleague to hit a logjam. This is why I think it not overturn the rule that was imple- from Alaska or working with my col- is so important for us to update this mented. These groups know that 30 leagues from other areas, I think we rule. years is too long of a period of time to have proved that we can resolve key It has been a long time since the have to wait to encourage public in- issues. But passing this Congressional agency updated this rule; I think since volvement and collaboration, that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.006 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1612 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 these issues are too important to try to lowering the commercial insurance ings we need to take care of and to pro- turn back the clock and to try to ex- premiums because of less uncompen- vide health insurance coverage to so clude sportsmen and various interests sated care. And I heard a safety net many Americans. of public access from the planning and hospital in Spokane tell me that the With that, I yield the floor. use of our public lands. population is already 70 percent Med- I suggest the absence of a quorum. I hope my colleagues will turn down icaid and Medicare and that there is no The PRESIDING OFFICER. The this override of a very important way they can absorb this kind of a cut clerk will call the roll. project that has guaranteed public ac- to the Medicaid program and it would The senior assistant legislative clerk cess, transparency, and sunshine in just mean healthcare costs would rise proceeded to call the roll. planning for our public lands. in the future. I heard a hospital in Se- Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask MEDICAID attle tell me that this kind of attempt unanimous consent that the order for Madam President, I would like to is nothing but a budget trigger. It is the quorum call be rescinded. come to the floor to discuss the pro- not a reform of the system. It is simply The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. posed Medicaid changes that are part a way to cut the budget. FLAKE). Without objection, it is so or- of what the House is proposing to the What we believe is that Medicaid is a dered. Affordable Care Act. This is so impor- key part of our healthcare delivery sys- NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION AND tant because, as many people know, tem. The expansion has worked well MODERNIZATION ACT Medicaid has been a bedrock of how in- and we should continue to move to Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise dividuals get access to healthcare in ways to innovate Medicaid as a way to today to speak about bipartisan legis- our country. And in many parts of our save costs. lation designed to strengthen our Na- States—at least the State of Wash- Unfortunately, right now, many peo- tion’s nuclear energy capacity. It is ington—Medicaid has been a lifeline in ple misunderstand how important Med- called the Nuclear Energy Innovation both rural communities and in urban icaid is in the mental health and addic- and Modernization Act. I am a strong areas and we have heard much from tion area. Basically, when you take supporter of American nuclear energy. various people that it is actually help- what we have tried to do to address the It is a vital component of our ‘‘all of ing to stabilize healthcare costs, so opioid epidemic, those individuals who the above’’ American energy plan. My costs are not rising as fast and giving are working through the bills that we home State of Wyoming plays a key people access to care in the most seri- just recently passed to try to help pa- role in American nuclear energy sup- ous situations where we are trying to tients in the emergency room or who ply. In Wyoming, we produce more ura- fight opioids or are trying to find more are in psychiatric care or who are try- nium than any other State. efficiency in our healthcare system. ing to deal with this grave problem we Nuclear energy is clean, safe, reli- First of all, I think the House bill is have in the United States, getting rid able, and affordable. It also provides a literally a war on Medicaid. I say that of Medicaid for those individuals, you major boost to the economy. American because it is a capitation of healthcare might as well roll back all the assist- nuclear plants provide thousands of costs. ance we just provided as part of the jobs and millions of dollars in benefits The federal government, according to CURES and other legislation. Why? Be- to local communities. U.S. nuclear one budget analyst at the Center on cause these individuals will not be able powerplants have run safely for dec- Budget and Policy Priorities, would to access the type of care they need ades, and many of them will serve our shift the cost to the States by more country for years and decades to come. than $500 billion over the next 10 years. without the support. I do believe that what we need to do But after decades of reliable power That would mean that millions of peo- is innovate instead. There are many ex- from our traditional nuclear power- ple would lose coverage and be affected amples of innovation in our healthcare plants, these nuclear powerplants are by this kind of repeal. experiencing innovation with opportu- Now, many people have talked about delivery system. One example, as I nities that are now taking shape in the how they might block-grant Medicaid. have mentioned on the floor several nuclear industry. Increased private in- I also thought that was a horrible idea times, is going from nursing home care vestment is occurring in nuclear en- because, really, it just becomes noth- to community-based care. ergy, and it has led to improvements in ing but a budget mechanism to reduce Medicaid is going to equal long-term safety, security, and in cost. the Federal partnership that exists be- care. So many Americans are not going This is no longer a traditional nu- tween the Federal Government and the to be ready to deal with their long- clear industry. There are nuclear States on Medicaid. But the House term healthcare issues, and when they startups which are being backed by chose not to do exactly block-granting. are not, they are going to use Medicaid American entrepreneurs. Research and They said, instead, that we are just for their long-term care. work are being done by Bill Gates, of going to have a budget cap at the Fed- We showed in the State of Wash- all people. These folks envision fun- eral level on how much money they are ington over more than a decade’s pe- going to spend on Medicaid and then riod of time that we could save $2.7 bil- damentally transforming nuclear en- work toward the repeal of Medicaid ex- lion by shifting our Medicaid popu- ergy technology. I believe the advances pansion. This is a very bad idea. lation to community-based care in- are exciting. The biggest challenges The actual per capita cut—I know stead of nursing home care. If we would these innovators face, however, are the my colleagues like to come out here do that same kind of innovation at the costs and delays from regulatory red- and talk about a patient-centered rela- Federal level, we could achieve sub- tape. Many of these delays come from tionship, which is exactly what getting stantial savings instead of saving trying to navigate a regulatory system off fee-for-service and going to man- money by cutting. that was developed around one specific aged care does. But a per capita cost is The issue here is that innovation in technology, which is water-cooled reac- nothing but a budget mechanism to cap our delivery system—innovation, not a tors. The traditional water-cooled reac- the Federal responsibility to Medicaid budget cap—is what is going to help us tors have powered our Navy and our and cut costs and basically shift the with our healthcare needs for the fu- electricity grid and have done it suc- pain onto the States. ture when it comes to the Medicaid cessfully for decades, but today’s entre- I have been on various meeting tours population. preneurs are pursuing very different in the State of Washington, talking to So I urge my colleagues to speak designs. They are using high-tempera- my constituents about this. In Seattle, loudly against this proposal to try to ture gases, molten salts, and other Spokane, and Olympia. I met with hos- cap Medicaid, to try to shift the burden high-tech materials to advance the pitals, community clinics, women’s to States and local providers, to coun- safety, efficiency, and reliability of nu- health groups, local and State govern- ty governments, to jails, to all of those clear energy. ment officials, civic leaders, civil individuals who are going to see that The nuclear regulatory system needs rights organizations, and I heard many population when and if they don’t have to be updated to enable this innova- things. Medicaid coverage and instead work tion. That is why I join with my col- I basically heard hospitals say there together on expanding the innovation leagues in introducing the Nuclear En- is evidence that Medicaid is actually in Medicaid and coming up with sav- ergy Innovation and Modernization

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.008 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1613 Act. Cosponsors include Senators Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I commissioner is just absurd. So mov- WHITEHOUSE, INHOFE, BOOKER, FISCHER, know the Presiding Officer is a fellow ing the BLM headquarters to a place CAPITO, and MANCHIN. We come to- westerner, from a State that is im- like Colorado or Arizona would abso- gether having introduced S. 512. Our bi- pacted by decisions made by our public lutely result in better policies that partisan bill seeks to modernize the lands management agencies, whether work on the ground for our Governors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission by that is the Bureau of Land Manage- landowners, county commissioners, providing a flexible regulatory frame- ment or the Forest Service. Both Colo- farmers, ranchers, cattlemen, energy work for licensing advanced nuclear re- rado and Arizona, as well as Wyoming producers, sportsmen, and actors. The NRC needs a modern regu- and Utah—all of our Western States— recreationalists because they would be latory framework that is predictable are greatly affected by decisions that nearest to the lands that the decisions and efficient. Reactor operators for are made in Washington, DC. In a con- being made are affecting. both traditional and advanced reactors versation I had with the Presiding Offi- I hope we can move this country need timely decisionmaking from the cer from Arizona, we discussed the fact away from this ‘‘Washington knows Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At that 85 percent of the State of Arizona best’’ mentality. That is why this reso- the same time, the Commission needs is managed by the Federal Govern- lution of disapproval is so important, to maintain its ability to assess a vari- ment. Whether it is the State or a because that is exactly what it would ety of technologies and meet its mis- Tribal entity or the Federal Govern- do, which is to remove ‘‘Washington sion of administering safety and secu- ment, about 47 percent is being feder- knows best’’ by stopping the BLM plan- rity to the American people. Addition- ally managed. In the State of Colorado, ning 2.0 rule. ally, our legislation will update the about half of our State is managed by As it stands, I don’t believe this rule Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s fee a public entity. Whether that is the should move forward. I have committed recovery rules. State or a Tribal entity or the Forest to Coloradans, to county commis- This measure is going to bring in- Service, BLM land, the Department of sioners, and to the people of my State creased transparency and account- the Interior, roughly half of the State that I will always have the goal to put ability to the NRC, while also improv- is managed by the Federal Govern- more Colorado in Washington and less ing the Commission’s efficiency and ment, the State government or others. Washington in Colorado. A county timeliness. In other words, it is not in private commissioner in western Colorado, This bill will also help to preserve landownership. So that means that the from Dolores, Garfield, Grand, Gunni- the uranium producers who are essen- decisions made by these public land son, Hinsdale, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, tial to powering the technology. The management agencies have a signifi- Montezuma, Montrose, or Rio Blanco Energy Information Administration re- cantly outsized impact on our States County should have more say in deci- ports that uranium production in 2016 than it does on States say east of the sions that are impacting their back- was at its lowest level since way back Mississippi. yard on BLM lands than someone sit- in 2005. It is crucial that we restore our So today I come to the floor to talk ting behind a desk in New York City. American uranium sector and preserve about one of those decisions made by They tell me that their ability to have these important jobs. the Bureau of Land Management’s an impact on their backyard lessens as Our bipartisan legislation is going to planning 2.0 rule. The discussion we are a result of the BLM planning 2.0 rule. enable the development of innovative having today is about whether we They believe they actually have less reactors with bold, new technologies. should approve a resolution of dis- say under the new rule than somebody As a nation, we can either lead this approval under the Congressional Re- who doesn’t live anywhere near their technology revolution or we can defer view Act to stop the BLM 2.0 rule from land or their State or their county or to our competitors. China and Russia going forward. those BLM lands. are already developing advanced tech- The Bureau of Land Management has I believe that Colorado State and nologies regardless of what we do here over 245 million acres of public land. local leaders and local users should in the United States. America needs to Almost all of those acres are west of have a strong voice on local land man- be a leader of nuclear development. We the Mississippi River, predominantly in agement decisions. It is their back- need to create an environment where 12 States. The final BLM 2.0 rule is an yard. Yes, it is public land, but the fact entrepreneurs can flourish. This is the example of how little Washington bu- is they are the ones trying to make a way to create jobs here at home and re- reaucrats understand about the West living, trying to govern, trying to vitalize our nuclear energy sector at and how little they understand about make decisions that are best for their the same time. how the Federal Government and how constituents, and they should have a One way to enable innovation for ad- Federal policymaking doesn’t work voice in those decisions. vanced reactors is to provide a regu- when you try to take something they I also firmly believe in managing our latory framework that is predictable think of in Washington and put it on public lands under the multiple-use and cost-effective and that maintains the people of the West. philosophy, which promotes recreation, the NRC’s safety and security mission. It is the promulgation of this rule grazing, and energy development with The bill we haved introduced, the Nu- that actually led to my call for relo- a balanced approach. clear Energy Innovation and Mod- cating the headquarters of the Bureau If the Congressional Review Act’s ernization Act, does all of this. of Land Management out of Wash- resolution of disapproval on the BLM This broadly bipartisan bill will ington, DC, and to put it in a place like planning 2.0 rule is approved and signed strengthen American energy independ- Grand Junction, CO, because I believe into law, there will still be an oppor- ence and foster innovation and job cre- it is important that we have public tunity to improve management and up- ation. I thank Senators WHITEHOUSE, land managers and decisions about our date policies at the Bureau of Land INHOFE, BOOKER, CRAPO, FISCHER, CAP- public lands being made by those who Management. ITO, and MANCHIN for cosponsoring this are directly affected by that public I think that is one of the areas of legislation, and I urge its support. land being in their backyard. If you misinformation that we see about reso- I yield the floor. live in the State of Colorado or if you lutions of disapproval. There are some I suggest the absence of a quorum. are a county commissioner on the who support the BLM planning 2.0 rule, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Western Slope, some of those counties and there are some who have supported clerk will call the roll. have over 90 percent of their county other rules that this Chamber has The legislative clerk proceeded to managed by the Federal Government. voted to disapprove through the Con- call the roll. A decision made by that public land gressional Review Act. Those people Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask agency directly impacts them, not in a who support it sometimes get their unanimous consent that the order for couple of weeks or months or next year facts wrong when they say things like: the quorum call be rescinded. but that very same day. To have some- Well, if you repeal this rule, if you ap- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without body from Washington, DC, deciding a prove the resolution of disapproval, objection, it is so ordered. one-size-fits-all approach that is going then there is no way that you can actu- The Senator from Colorado. to apply to a Western Slope county ally rule in this area again or make a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.009 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1614 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 regulation that impacts this area of address the deeply harmful bill House thing I can to fight back against it. I law again. That is simply not true. The Republicans announced yesterday to be know Senate Democrats are ready to truth is, when you use a resolution of put in place, TrumpCare. Since the do so as well, and I urge any Repub- disapproval, it simply says that we election, I have had constituent after lican who is truly concerned about think this is the wrong rule that went constituent come up to me with tears their constituent’s health, their well- forward through the executive branch in their eyes wondering what the fu- being, and their financial security, agencies and we ought to use Con- ture holds for their healthcare. They rather than just partisan politics, to do gress—those people who understand the are worried about losing coverage, the right thing and join us. needs of their States better than a wondering how they are going to make I yield the floor. rulemaker in Washington, DC—to go ends meet if their premiums spike, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- forward with a new piece of legislation, they are worried that without protec- jority whip. a new authorization for a different tions laid out in the Affordable Care REPEALING AND REPLACING OBAMACARE rule. If we do that, then, we are going Act, insurance companies will once Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, yester- to have better policies because we have again have more power to decide what day the House of Representatives re- been able to account for every voice in kinds of care are and are not covered. leased a way forward to dismantle and the process, instead of leaving voices My constituents and people across replace ObamaCare, which will be to like those county commissioners, the country were listening when Presi- deliver on one of our biggest campaign whom I talked about, out to dry. dent Trump said he would provide ‘‘in- promises made to the American people, I have told many recreationalists and surance for everybody’’ that would be not just in 2016 but in essentially every sportsmen in Colorado that I am work- higher quality and lower cost. They election since 2010. ing with our Democratic colleagues heard Senate Republicans say it is im- We know ObamaCare has been an un- and Secretary Zinke at the Depart- portant any new healthcare plan ‘‘do mitigated disaster. Premiums on the ment of the Interior on how we can no harm.’’ They even saw House Repub- ObamaCare exchanges are up by 25 per- move forward with the land manage- licans reassure them that they cent. Millions of Americans have been ment decisions and land use plans that wouldn’t ‘‘pull the rug out’’ from under kicked off their healthcare plans, and take into account some of their con- anyone on ObamaCare. the economy has been saddled with bil- cerns with this resolution of dis- This legislation that has now been lions of dollars in new regulations. approval. There are updates and modi- rolled out represents a broken promise The fact is, ObamaCare has been one fications that can be achieved, but to patients and families. It will leave broken promise after another. Presi- they should all have stakeholder input. them sicker, more vulnerable to the dent Obama and advocates of this law I don’t believe that this planning rule chaos Republicans are creating within said if you wanted to keep your plan, 2.0 actually took into account all of our healthcare system, and less finan- you could keep it, but that didn’t pan the different stakeholders’ views. cially secure. Millions of people who out. They said if you liked your doctor, Working with some landowners can- only just gained Medicaid coverage will you didn’t have to find another one. not be at the expense of others. Right lose it. Premiums could increase as That didn’t turn out to be true either. now, our cattlemen, farmers, ranchers, much as 30 percent for people who lose They promised people across the coun- and county commissioners have severe coverage because they are too sick to try would have more coverage, more concerns with BLM planning 2.0, and work or become unemployed. People options, and better healthcare, all at a they feel as though they did not have a struggling with mental illness and sub- more affordable price. Well, that ended voice in the development of this rule. stance abuse disorders, including up not being true either. I believe we can do better as elected opioid addiction, which is ravaging The truth is, ObamaCare hasn’t made officials and that we can give these States nationwide, may find their in- healthcare more affordable for a lot of local users’ and landowners’ interests a surance no longer has to cover the Americans. In fact, in Texas, if you stronger voice in moving forward and treatment they need. Key public health have a gross income of $24,000, you can that we can move forward together. So programs that families across the end up spending up to 30 percent of let’s approve this resolution of dis- country rely on would be slashed. your gross income just on healthcare approval that would claw back the TrumpCare would be a disaster for costs. That is not affordable BLM 2.0 rule. Let’s make sure that our workers and our families, but let’s healthcare. That is unaffordable local voices are given a place at the be clear about whom it does work for: healthcare. table. Let’s make sure that county those at the top. TrumpCare not only Clearly, ObamaCare is no gold stand- commissioners have influence over harms the same workers and families ard. It is a failed piece of legislation, their area that is greater than some- Republicans promised to help, it does one that is full of empty promises and body in New York City who doesn’t live so in order to reduce the tax burden for one we have to scrap and start over there. Let’s make sure that we can pro- the wealthiest and for the insurance again. Now we have an opportunity to tect the multiple-use philosophy of our companies. In fact, this bill even in- do better for the people we represent, public lands. Whether it is energy, cludes a payout for insurance company who are counting on us to deliver, to recreation, or renewable energy, we executives. This is the definition of repeal ObamaCare and replace it with have incredible opportunities on our taking our healthcare system back- options that work. public lands. But we can do better by ward. I believe the plan released last night working with Congress and taking into I also want to make it clear what is a major step in the right direction. account every voice and making sure TrumpCare will mean specifically for Patients need better tools like health that we have a rule that is broadly sup- women. As someone who has fought savings accounts. That way they have ported instead of narrowly supported. time after time to protect women’s more control over their healthcare de- That is why I intend to support the ability to make their own healthcare cisions, and we can keep the bureauc- Congressional Review Act resolution of decisions, I can tell you, this bill is a racy out of it. We need to break down disapproval today, and I hope that my wish list by and for the extreme politi- the barriers that restrict choice and colleagues will do the same, as we cians who insist on telling women what keep Americans choosing an insurance truly find a bipartisan solution to give to do with their own bodies. It will plan that works for them and their the people of our States a greater say defund Planned Parenthood. It will un- families, and we need to empower em- over policies that affect their own dermine key protections for women’s ployers, particularly small business backyard. healthcare that were included in the owners, to provide their employees Mr. President, thank you. Affordable Care Act. By slashing Med- with the kind of affordable coverage I yield the floor. icaid, this bill will take coverage away that meets their needs. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. from low-income women and women of To sum it up, we need to move CRUZ). The Senator from Washington. color who disproportionately rely on healthcare decisions out of Washington TRUMPCARE Medicaid to get the care they need. and send them back to the States and Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come I cannot oppose this bill more strong- back to patients and families and their to the floor to take a few minutes to ly, and I am going to be doing every- doctors. That will only happen once we

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.011 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1615 repeal ObamaCare and replace it with it as a platform to disparage Attorney types of leaders you want to handle the options that work for more affordable General Sessions. The Attorney Gen- big issues facing the Department of healthcare coverage that patients eral made a decision to recuse himself Justice. choose, not that the government man- from a further official role in looking I hope soon our colleagues on the dates and punishes you if you don’t buy into the allegations of Russian involve- other side of the aisle will turn their it but freedom of choice at a better ment in our election in 2016. I respect attention to doing what the American cost and meeting the needs of indi- his decision. The fact is, we don’t need people sent them to do; that is, to con- vidual patients. another commission to study Russian sider legislation rather than dragging I am glad our colleagues in the House involvement in the last election be- their feet and blocking the Trump ad- and our friends in the White House cause we have a bipartisan Senate In- ministration from getting the team he fully understand why this is such a pri- telligence Committee, chaired by Sen- has chosen to work with in various ority and why we need to keep the ator RICHARD BURR and the Vice Chair Cabinet positions and sub-Cabinet posi- promise we made. As soon as we can do is MARK WARNER—a bipartisan Senate tions. that and deliver on that major promise Select Committee that is doing a deep Hopefully, soon they will decide not to the American people—the sooner we dive into the allegations, including to obstruct progress and grind this do that, a whole lot of American fami- gaining access to classified informa- Chamber’s business to a halt but rather lies across the country will feel relief. tion which would be important to con- will be partners with us, working to- NOMINATIONS sider in reaching a conclusion. gether to try to build consensus where Mr. President, this morning, the Sen- Yesterday I was out at CIA Head- we can and move the country forward. ate Judiciary Committee considered quarters and saw four large binders’ Mr. President, I yield the floor. the nominations of Rod Rosenstein and worth of classified material, which ob- I suggest the absence of a quorum. Rachel Brand as Deputy Attorney Gen- viously I am not going to discuss, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. The eral and Associate Attorney General, it demonstrates that this investigation clerk will call the roll. respectively. Both of them are long- is already well underway. Members of The bill clerk proceeded to call the time, well-respected public servants. the committee and our staff are al- roll. Mr. Rosenstein has spent his career ready working with the intelligence Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask serving the Justice Department and community to get the information we unanimous consent that the order for Presidents of both political parties. In need in order to reach an impartial and the quorum call be rescinded. fact, Mr. Rosenstein started in the bipartisan conclusion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without George H.W. Bush Justice Department The fact is, our Democratic friends objection, it is so ordered. back in 1990, and he served every Presi- have a short memory when it comes to The Senator from North Dakota. dent since that time. He is a career the Obama Justice Department, one of Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I ask public servant who has served in a bi- the most politicalized Justice Depart- unanimous consent to speak as in partisan manner and has also been con- ments in American history. Loretta morning business. firmed by the Senate. President Bush Lynch, who privately met with Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without appointed him to be U.S. attorney and dent Bill Clinton while her Department objection, it is so ordered. so did President Obama. was investigating his wife’s email scan- Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, the Bu- When the Obama administration dal, never recused herself from the reau of Land Management has a mis- needed a prosecutor of the utmost in- matter. sion set by Congress; that is, to man- tegrity to investigate national security Then there was Attorney General age the Nation’s public lands under the leaks that looked highly political, they Holder. To my knowledge, he was the principles of multiple use and sus- turned—you guessed it—to Rod Rosen- first Attorney General ever held in tained yield, which means that public stein. Put another way, if Rod Rosen- contempt of Congress because he re- land should be open to everything, stein is not an acceptable nominee, fused to cooperate with our legitimate from hunting and grazing to energy de- who is? oversight responsibilities when it came velopment and other reasonable uses. This morning in the Senate Judiciary to Operation Fast and Furious. Well, The BLM currently manages more Committee, I heard some of our col- he never recused himself and never ap- than 246 million acres of land and 700 leagues suggest that Mr. Rosenstein pointed a special counsel, even though million acres of Federal and non-Fed- needed to make a pledge to appoint a I believe he should have. Compare At- eral subsurface estate. Much of these special counsel if he was confirmed as torney General Sessions, who did what lands are in the West, where Federal Deputy Attorney General. We had two he believed was the right thing to do. acres coexist with private and State- of our Maryland colleagues extoll his He recused himself when there was owned land. In order to manage its re- credentials, and rightly so, and call even a suggestion he might not be able sources effectively, BLM is required to him a person of the utmost integrity to be impartial. He made that commit- provide resource management plans. and professionalism. Yet they, in es- ment from the beginning, well before This planning has typically been led by sence, wanted him to fire himself once he was confirmed. He stood by that BLM’s field offices, in coordination he became Deputy Attorney General promise last week. Attorney General with State, local, and Tribal govern- and appoint a special counsel to do the Sessions’ integrity is intact, and he did ments that provide local input on how job he would be confirmed and nomi- the right thing, but Loretta Lynch best to manage the land and its unique nated to do. He wisely declined to didn’t. Eric Holder didn’t. resources. However, in the final make that judgment, certainly before For our colleagues now to suggest months of the last administration, the he has had access to the facts and the that Attorney General Sessions not BLM sought to apply a top-down ap- information needed. only should recuse himself but he proach, essentially a one-size-fits-all, I believe he will make a formidable should resign is beyond outrageous. To top-down approach to this resource Deputy Attorney General, but instead suggest that the incoming Deputy At- management process. They termed it of actually vetting the candidates on torney General, Rod Rosenstein, should the planning 2.0 final rule. the merits of their impressive back- somehow abdicate the role he has been The rule which was finalized in De- grounds and strong credentials, some nominated for, and to which he will be cember changed how this planning is used the hearing as an opportunity to confirmed, is to ask him to prejudge done and undermined the well-estab- air their various grievances on the cur- the case before he has even had a lished process by limiting the ability of rent Attorney General, our former col- chance to look at the evidence. local input, public comment, and league Jeff Sessions. Over the weekend, All I am asking for is our colleagues meaningful State consultation. some went so far as to threaten to to have a little perspective. These The final rule also pulled decision- block Mr. Rosenstein’s nomination if nominees are the right caliber of peo- making away from the regional BLM he wouldn’t agree to appoint a special ple with the exact expertise we need to field offices and centralized it at BLM’s counsel. make sure our Justice Department headquarters in Washington, under the I hope my colleagues in this Chamber runs effectively and impartially fol- concept of ‘‘landscape-level planning,’’ don’t stonewall his nomination or use lows the law of the land. These are the which lets Washington define new

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:29 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.013 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 areas covering multiple States. The $157 billion, including this rule shift cess until 2:15 p.m. and that the time rule takes important decision-making which was issued on December 12, 2016, during the recess be charged equally to away from local officials who know the which fundamentally changes the land both sides on the joint resolution. land and understand the needs of their planning process. The rule shifts the There being no objection, the Senate, communities. planning and decisionmaking away at 12:35 p.m., recessed until 2:15 p.m. The BLM rule sought to ignore the from those who know the land best, and reassembled when called to order multiple-use requirements established away from BLM regional field offices, by the Presiding Officer (Mr. FLAKE). by Congress and diminishes the impor- and back to BLM Headquarters in f tance of energy development. The rule Washington, DC. That is the exact op- DISAPPROVING A RULE SUB- tilts the balance in favor of conserva- posite direction that land management MITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT tion and non-development and away should be going, and that is why this OF THE INTERIOR—Continued from responsible energy development, rule must go also. as well as other uses, like grazing. This rule limits the voice of our local The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. In a State like North Dakota, with a and State governments, and it PORTMAN). The Senator from Utah, the distinctive patchwork of underground strengthens the voice of folks who are President pro tempore. Federal minerals and private or State living far away from the lands that are COMMEMORATING RARE DISEASE DAY surface ownership, this creates more impacted. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask uncertainty for energy producers and Montana farmers, Montana ranchers, unanimous consent to engage Senator more difficulty for our ranchers. By re- Montana miners, the Montana electric KLOBUCHAR in a colloquy to commemo- pealing this rule, we are preserving our co-ops, Montana conservation districts, rate Rare Disease Day in order to dis- longstanding tradition of allowing mul- and Montana county commissioners cuss issues facing patients and the fam- tiple uses on Federal lands, while pro- have all expressed a concern for this ilies of those who have been diagnosed tecting the livelihoods of our ranchers, rule and have urged congressional ac- with these types of conditions. energy producers, and many others. tion. And there can’t be a more com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without That is why this resolution is sup- monsense list of Montanans than that objection, it is so ordered. ported by the North Dakota Stock- list I just mentioned. In fact, even the Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, as co- men’s Association, along with the Na- western Governors are concerned. As chairs of the Rare Disease Caucus, Sen- tional Association of Counties, the Na- recently as February 10, 2017, our own ator KLOBUCHAR and I have worked tional Association of State Depart- Governor of Montana, Steve Bullock, hard to bring more hope to patients ments of Agriculture, the Farm Bu- and Governor Daugaard from South and their families who are coping with reau, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Dakota urged Congress to direct BLM rare diseases on a daily basis. Association, the Public Lands Council, to reexamine the rule. ‘‘Governors are Today 1 in 20 individuals worldwide is and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, concerned that BLM’s emphasis on living with one or more of the more just to name a few. landscape-scale planning may lead to a than 7,000 rare diseases, 95 percent of I am proud to be an original cospon- resulting emphasis on national objec- which do not have an effective treat- sor of the CRA on the BLM planning 2.0 tives over state and local objectives.’’ ment. While the incentives provided by rule. I thank Chairman MURKOWSKI, ‘‘Collectively, these changes severely the Orphan Drug Act, first championed the chairman of our Energy Com- limit the deference Governors were by me in 1983, has led to the approval mittee, for her leadership on this im- previously afforded with respect to of nearly 600 orphan drugs, much more portant issue. RMP development.’’ That is what our needs to be done. The House passed this CRA on Feb- Governors are saying. I am quoting our Many patients living with rare dis- ruary 7 in a bipartisan manner. I am Governors from the West. eases rely on the FDA to evaluate and hopeful the Senate will do so as well There needs to be more balance in approve treatment options for their and send this bill to the President’s Federal land management. For the last conditions. That is why it is so impor- desk this week. 8 years, we have been out of balance. tant for the FDA to use its authority Today’s CRA ensures that State, Oil and natural gas development on to accelerate the evaluation and ap- local, and Tribal input and expertise Federal lands dropped significantly proval of drugs for treating rare dis- should guide the management of our under President Obama. In fact, for eases and for Congress to ensure that public lands. Let’s stop the BLM’s natural gas, we have seen an 18-percent proper incentives exist for research to planning 2.0 rule and give the people decrease, while oil production on pri- discover and make affordable treat- who live and work in these commu- vate and State lands doubled, versus ments and cures available for this com- nities a say on what happens in their the same on Federal land. munity. hometowns. We can do that by voting Montana has nearly 2 million acres of To address this issue, Congress for this CRA. I urge my colleagues to public land that are inaccessible to the passed the FDA Safety and Innovation do so. public. Our farmers and ranchers in Act of 2012, which refined and strength- With that, I yield the floor. Montana need a more balanced part- ened the tools available to FDA to ac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nership with the Federal land man- celerate the evaluation and approval of ator from Montana. agers. They deserve more input in the new drugs targeting unmet medical Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, the peo- development of land management poli- needs for rare conditions. I have been ple spoke loudly last fall. For too long, cies, not less. By the way, our Federal paying close attention to how this new the Obama administration ignored the forests in Montana are in dire need of authority translates into advances for common sense of those who managed more active management. patients suffering from conditions such the lands and our natural resources. So where do we go next? There is no as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Now is the time for that power to be disagreement that revisions need to be atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, put back into the hands of the folks made. Let’s take this rule back to the Bertrand-N-glycanase deficiency, and who know it best; that is, the people of drawing board and do it right. Let’s other rare diseases. Montana, not Washington, DC. And the work with our new Secretary of the De- In light of these changes over the Bureau of Land Management’s Plan- partment of the Interior, RYAN ZINKE, past few years, I ask my friend from ning 2.0 rule is no different. a Montanan, and President Trump to Minnesota whether the current ap- The resolution we are debating restore more western commonsense to proval process is achieving its goals of today, H.J. Res. 44, would block the im- land management. safety and efficacy without hampering plementation of a rule that would fun- I urge my colleagues to support H.J. the development of new therapies. damentally change the land planning Res. 44. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. I thank Senator process at the BLM. It would be for the f HATCH for beginning this colloquy. I worst. am so proud to be a cochair of the Rare During the Obama administration’s RECESS Disease Caucus with him, and I share final days in office, they put through Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask my colleague’s concerns. I think there many midnight rules costing a total of unanimous consent that the Senate re- must be improvements that are made. I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.014 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1617 continue to be inspired by the families Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Well, that is going they are going to be able to get the across my State, your State, and our to be very important and really an op- healthcare they need. country who work so hard to make it portunity to make sure that this works Healthcare is very personal. Despite easier for kids to have access to drugs for patients with rare diseases and the politics here in Congress and in the to treat their illnesses. Unfortunately, their families. We know that afford- White House, healthcare is not polit- we haven’t yet achieved all we can do ability and accessibility remain para- ical; it is very personal. Can you go to for these families, and I have heard mount. We should also think about the a doctor? Can you take your child to a time and again about the emotional burden that these conditions play and doctor? Can your parents or grand- roller coaster that many of them have the critical role of the voice of the pa- parents get the nursing home care they experienced when they interact with tient. need? Are you going to be able to find the Federal Government on new ap- As you stated, Senator HATCH, more insurance after you have had a heart proaches for these rare disease condi- than 7,000 rare diseases exist, and the attack or cancer or if your child has ju- tions. Too often they are unaware vast majority have no treatment. This venile diabetes and, therefore, has a when drugs are under review or con- is an extraordinary burden borne every preexisting condition? fused about why experts or patients are day by Americans in every single State I am deeply concerned after the ini- not even consulted. The individuals across the country. As we seek to con- tial look I have had, and we will con- suffering from these conditions and tinue making progress, including moni- tinue to look at more and more of the their families need greater clarity toring implementation of the advances details as they come out. This proposal about the process for evaluating and in the bipartisan 21st Century Cures is going to create chaos in the approving these drugs, and they ought Act, we must ensure that rare disease healthcare system. Frankly, I would to be included and informed every step treatments receive sufficient atten- say this is a mess. It is going to create of the way. tion. a big mess as it relates to the families It is critical that treatments that do We also must encourage Federal whom I represent and whom we all rep- exist for those with rare conditions be agencies to better incorporate the pa- resent in our home States. accessible and affordable. We must con- tient’s voice in their decisionmaking This was written in secret. We have tinue to protect the individuals from process. As I mentioned earlier, all too all seen the stories of the Senator from discrimination in insurance coverage often as we rightly focus on evidence- the other side of the aisle who was run- and work to bring down costs. We have based medicine, we can lose sight of ning around trying to get a copy of to ensure that incentives designed to the human experience of these and dif- what was going on. Everything was spur the development and accessibility ferent therapies. What may seem sim- done in secret, and now that it is out, of treatments that the rare disease ple in a lab may be overwhelming or we find out that there is no cost at- community desperately needs are not difficult when applied to patients in tached to it. We do not know what the abused. real life situations—all the more so overall cost will be to taxpayers. We I ask Senator HATCH, as one with when children are involved. The FDA also do not know how many people are longstanding leadership on the bill and all agencies should ensure that going to be able to get healthcare, who that you passed that has helped so they have appropriate processes to is going to be able to be covered. many people and saved lives, how can seek and incorporate this vital input. What I have seen really falls in the we focus on sharing this message with The user fee agreement will be an op- category of creating a mess for fami- our colleagues and our constituents? portunity for us to make this case. lies—higher costs for middle-class fam- Mr. HATCH. I appreciate that ques- I would like to thank Senator HATCH ilies, higher costs for poor families, but tion. again for his time to discuss these less coverage—such a deal. This is not We must continue to urge the FDA to issues that are very important to both the kind of deal that the people of fully implement its relatively new au- of us. We look forward to engaging Michigan want to have for themselves thority. Every one of us in this body with our colleagues on these issues as and their families. represents constituents who are bat- we move forward to the implementa- To add insult to injury, it cuts taxes tling rare diseases, and I urge the FDA tion of the Cures Act, as well as the for the wealthiest Americans, while it to consider this flexibility as applied in work on the Orphan Drugs Act, and as makes most Americans pay more. It reviewing all candidates’ therapies. well as the user fee agreement. makes seniors pay more, and we have I will continue to work closely with Mr. HATCH. I thank my dear friend, heard people calling it the ‘‘age tax’’ or my Senate colleagues to ensure that the senior Senator from Minnesota, for the ‘‘senior tax.’’ The reality is, in a the FDA uses the tools, authorities, her time with me today. It is very number of different ways, in how we and resources required to provide pa- meaningful to me and, I think, to ev- rate, which is based on age and other tients and physicians with new treat- erybody who is concerned about this costs, seniors will pay more. It is my ment options. I have also contacted the rare disease situation in our country. understanding that, in the middle of FDA frequently during the past year to This is just the start of our conversa- this, there is actually a sweetheart encourage the agency to listen to the tion for this Congress. There is so deal for the CEOs of big insurance com- voices of patients during the agency’s much left for us to do, and I am certain panies that will give them pay raises. evaluation process. we will succeed as long as we stay to- This whole thing is stunning to me, When the Senate considers the nomi- gether and work in a bipartisan way. which is being put forward with a nee for FDA Commissioner, I will con- So I thank my dear colleague for her straight face. tinue to stress the importance of incor- words and support and the good leader- On top of everything else, it removes porating a balanced and flexible ap- ship she provides in the Senate. the guarantee for preexisting condi- proach when weighing risks, benefits, I yield the floor. tions. It is very unclear what will hap- and outcomes, especially when dealing The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- pen to someone who has had a heart at- with small patient populations with ator from Michigan. tack. I have a new, little, baby grand- such rapidly progressing prognoses. REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL niece who has had two heart surgeries Patients with limited or no treat- Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I already, and there is another one that ment options are depending on FDA to want to speak about the healthcare bill she will have to have in another year. utilize the flexibility outlined in that has been laid out in the House While she is doing great—and my niece FDASIA. This law, which provides full now—introduced in the House of Rep- and nephew deserve incredible admira- and fair review of new drug therapies resentatives. I have great concern tion for taking care of little Leighton— in a timely manner, gives hope to pa- about the proposal as it relates to the she is going to have a preexisting con- tients suffering from life threatening people of Michigan, whom I represent, dition her whole life. She is going to diseases and, of course, their families as well as to the people across the have a reconstructed heart that is as well. country. This proposal—or whatever going to cause her various challenges. I ask Senator KLOBUCHAR, how can passes—will be judged based on wheth- Without the current guarantees that we move forward into the next user fee er or not people pay more for their cov- we have that she gets with her insur- agreement? erage, if they can find it, and whether ance, her folks are going to have a hard

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.017 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1618 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 time, and little Leighton is going to money—while people will pay more if verely impacted by this voucher that have a hard time her whole life. they work or are poor or middle class. caps how much care they will be able When we look a little bit more into There are tax cuts for prescription to receive. the details of all of this, we see, in fact, drug companies of $30 billion, but the Finally, for over half of the popu- that this bill provides tax increases for bill does nothing to lower the cost of lation—for those of us who are millions of families. It repeals the tax prescription drugs. This, certainly, is women—we will see a return, essen- credits in 2020 that help working fami- not healthcare for the majority of tially, to a woman being a preexisting lies afford insurance. By the way, even Americans. This, certainly, is not condition. Essential services for though things do not happen imme- healthcare for those who need to have women—maternity care, which I was at diately, in their knowing it is coming, access to affordable healthcare. the front of the line in fighting for, and the insurance companies are certainly Then it is back to our seniors, who prenatal care—are not available in the going to find themselves making dif- will pay more because of the changes in majority of private plans a woman ferent kinds of decisions, and, cer- how healthcare costs will be rated. We tries to buy without her paying more. tainly, families will make different will, essentially, see older people hav- You can get maternity care, but it is kinds of decisions. I would expect the ing twice the tax credit but five times not viewed as basic. It may be basic to insurance system to be destabilized im- more the cost. I am not sure exactly you, as a woman, but insurance compa- mediately. We are already seeing prob- how it is being proposed for preexisting nies say: Sure, we will cover maternity lems with insurance companies pulling conditions. We are still working care, but you have to pay more. For- out just based on the debate about re- through that. I do know that the bill ever, women have been paying more for pealing healthcare. has a penalty. If you have health insur- their basic healthcare. Under the Af- When we look at the tax credits—or ance and, for some reason, there is a fordable Care Act, that changed when help—for buying healthcare, it goes crisis in your family and, for some rea- we said: Do you know what? As a from helping those from low-, mod- son, you cannot continue it and you woman, you should not have to pay erate-, and middle-income families drop that insurance and then you re- more for the basic care you need. Now all of that goes away under the being able to afford insurance to enroll again, there is a 30-percent late House proposal. Just to make sure that changing the whole thing. It is based enrollment surcharge. You will be pay- we see women’s healthcare taken away, on your age and your income. So the ing 30 percent more for your health in- Planned Parenthood is defunded. Yet 97 higher the age and the higher the in- surance if you have a preexisting con- percent of what they do is basic care— come, the more taxpayer dollars you dition. mammograms, getting to see your doc- get, which makes no sense. A 55-year- There are just two other items that tor, OB/GYN, prenatal care, and all of old with a higher income will get more are very important. I know that the the things you need for annual visits taxpayer funding than will a 30-year- distinguished Presiding Officer shares and so on. That is completely defunded. old who is working a minimum wage the concern about this as well, which is I congratulate everyone who has been job and has the toughest time in trying the fact that we have been able to cre- involved in the effort to make sure to find insurance that he can afford. ate more access to healthcare by ex- that birth control is affordable for This is not the set of values or perspec- panding Medicaid, which is critically women, and under the Affordable Care tives that make sense for people in important. Act, we have done that. This is an eco- Michigan, as well as for people across One of the great success stories in nomic issue; this is not a frill for the country. Michigan today is that 97 percent of women or for men or for families or for While that 30-year-old who is work- our children in Michigan can now see a those who have worked hard to make ing a minimum wage job is going to be doctor—97 percent. We do not want to sure we can lower unintended preg- paying more and hoping that he does go backward. Every child should have nancies in this country. not have a preexisting condition be- the ability to see a doctor—every mom, The good news is that we are at a 30- cause he may not be able to find insur- every dad, every grandpa, every grand- year low in unintended pregnancies, a ance at all, we see that there is a $300 ma. Right now, in Michigan, 97 percent historic low in teen pregnancies, and at billion—with a ‘‘b’’—tax cut for the of children can see a doctor because of the lowest rate of abortions since wealthiest Americans. Picture this: the work that we did on the Affordable 1973—1973. Why is that? That is because Somebody in a minimum wage job who Care Act, including in the expansion of women have been able to get the could very well see his health insur- Medicaid. This goes away. It takes a healthcare they need. They have been ance go completely away will have that couple of years, but that goes away. able to get affordable birth control to happen, while someone who makes Instead, what is proposed, essen- be able to manage their healthcare, as more than $3.7 million a year will save tially, is a voucher, but it has been well as seeing the economy improve. over $200,000 a year. So $200,000 a year called a lot of names. There used to be But we are seeing more and more is what he will get back now in the folks talking about a block grant to where more information is being made form of a tax cut, which is more than the States. Now they call it ‘‘per cap- available, costs for basic preventive what most people make. Certainly, the ita.’’ Yet it is really simple. Just like care is down, and women having access majority of people in Michigan make there have been proposals by Repub- to what they need in healthcare allows less. They work very, very hard, but licans for years to have a voucher for them to be in a situation where we are they make less than $200,000. Medicare, now this is, essentially, a seeing these historic lows on unin- Just to underscore, this is the first voucher for Medicaid of X number of tended pregnancies, teen pregnancies, bill out of the gate here in which we dollars. If you need more for your nurs- and abortions. are talking about any kind of tax cuts. ing home care, then you are on your I know in Michigan we have a num- We are already seeing Republicans cut- own. There are X number of dollars for ber of counties across Michigan, par- ting taxes for the wealthy while raising your child, for a family. If you have ticularly in rural communities, where taxes on the middle class and raising something happen and you get sick and the Planned Parenthood clinic is the their healthcare costs if they can find you need surgery or if you have cancer only provider of basic healthcare. It is healthcare. These tax cuts are just the and it goes above that voucher, you are the only provider for family planning start. Wait until we get to tax reform, on your own. and for cancer screenings and basic when we are going to see this whole de- It completely changes Medicaid from healthcare for women and for many bate happen again. My guess is that an insurance system to a system of, es- men. It may be the only provider in the middle-income people are going to end sentially, a voucher. Millions and mil- community. More than half of Planned up paying the bill—paying more—and lions and millions of children, of fami- Parenthood health centers are in rural the wealthy people are going to get an- lies, of seniors—the majority of seniors and underserved communities. About other round of tax cuts. in nursing homes get their coverage one-third of all of the women living in To add insult to injury again, there through Medicaid—and our moms, those communities where Planned Par- are the sweetheart deals so that the dads, grandpas, and grandmas, who enthood is available find that this is CEOs of the biggest insurance compa- right now get quality nursing home the only healthcare provider available nies can get pay raises—can get more care because of Medicaid, will be se- to them.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.018 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1619 So support for women, preventive families. I talked to a lady in Sioux sink and your head is going to be below healthcare, and Planned Parenthood Falls recently, and she told me they water before long. funding are cut completely in this bill. are now paying $22,000 a year for health Good jobs and opportunities for Access to maternity care, prenatal insurance. That is not working. That is workers have been too few and too far care, and other basic essential services why what we had was an abysmal fail- between. Millions of Americans are is eliminated. If you want that, you ure. working part time because they can’t can pay more as a woman. In terms of choices, the whole idea find full-time employment. Even as On top of that, we are seeing essen- was that people were going to have op- some economic markers have im- tial services like mental health and tions out there. In a third of the coun- proved, our economy has stayed firmly substance abuse services and other ties in America today—one-third of the stuck in the doldrums. Economic basic comprehensive services that we counties in America today—people growth for 2016 averaged a dismal 1.6 said for the last several years should be have one option, one insurer. It is pret- percent, and there are few signs that available—healthcare above the neck ty hard to get a competitive rate when things are improving. as well as healthcare below the neck you only have one option. There is a By the way, the historical average should be viewed as essential services virtual monopoly in a third of the going back to World War II is about 3.2 for people across America. All of that counties in America today. percent average growth in the econ- goes away with this proposal. So we have markets collapsing, in- omy. So last year we were at one-half So, in my judgment, this is a mess. It surers pulling out, and we saw that last of what the average had been going is going to create a mess, with more fall Blue Cross Blue Shield pulled out back all the way to World War II. costs, less service, shifting taxpayer of the individual market in South Da- The nonpartisan Congressional Budg- dollars to the wealthy, while asking kota and left 8,000 people wondering et Office is projecting average growth the middle-class and low-income fami- how they are going to continue to for the next 10 years at just 2 percent— lies to pay more. This is simply not a cover themselves with health insur- in other words, long-term economic good deal. ance. The markets are collapsing, stagnation. I would welcome the opportunity to choices are dwindling, and costs are The good news, though, is that we work with colleagues on something skyrocketing. don’t have to resign ourselves to the that makes sense. Let’s put aside this The Senator from Michigan was just status quo. We can get our economy going again. Republicans are com- whole effort of repeal. Let’s focus on on the floor talking about how terrible mitted to doing just that. To get our how we can bring costs down, including things are going to be under the pro- economy going again, we need to iden- prescription drugs, and continue to posal that is being considered and dis- tify the reasons for the long-term stag- move forward, but let’s not go back. cussed in the House of Representatives, but the fact is, things are terrible nation we are experiencing. When 97 percent of the children in my A recent report from the Economic State can see a doctor today, that is today, and that is why we are having this conversation. Eight in ten Ameri- Innovation Group identified one impor- worth keeping. That represents the tant problem: a lack of what the orga- best of our values. We can’t go back- cans think ObamaCare either ought to be repealed entirely or dramatically nization calls ‘‘economic dynamism.’’ ward. The proposal we are seeing in the Economic dynamism, as the Economic House would take us back to a place changed, significantly changed. By any estimation, by any objective measure- Innovation Group defines it, refers to that would hurt the majority of Ameri- the rate at which new businesses are cans, and I strongly oppose it. ment or metric, it has been a failure, and that is why we are having this con- born and die. Thank you, Mr. President. In a dynamic economy, the rate of versation, and that conversation would The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- new business creation is high and sig- have occurred irrespective of what hap- ator from South Dakota. nificantly outstrips the rate of busi- pened in the Presidential election last Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, irrespec- ness deaths. But that hasn’t been the tive of how the Presidential election fall. case in the United State lately. New So let’s be clear about why we are came out last November, we would be business creation has significantly here and why we are having this con- having a conversation about how to fix dropped over the past several years. versation and why we are coming up ObamaCare. There are many reasons Between 2009 and 2011, business death with a better solution for the American for that, but most importantly is that outstripped business birth. it has just skyrocketed costs for people people that will drive down their costs, While the numbers have since im- in this country. Premiums have gone give them more choices, create more proved slightly, the recovery has been through the roof, deductibles have in- competition in the marketplace, and poor and far, as I mentioned before, creased, copays have increased, and give them a higher and better quality from historical norms. The Economic out-of-pocket costs have become so ex- of care because it restores the doctor- Innovation Group notes that in 2012— tensive for people that even if they patient relationship, which is so impor- the economy’s best year for business have coverage, they can’t use their tant, not having the government inter- creation since the recession—it fell far plans in many cases. So when our col- vening and being in the middle of all of short of its worst year prior to 2008. leagues across the aisle talk about the that. This is deeply concerning because new recently rolled out proposal coming THE ECONOMY AND REGULATORY REFORM businesses have historically been re- from the House—which they will be Mr. President, we have a recovery sponsible for a substantial part of the discussing and we eventually will be that technically began almost 8 years job creation in this country, not to discussing—to try to drive down the ago, but for too many Americans, it mention a key source of innovation. costs for people in this country, that is still feels as if we are in a recession. When new businesses aren’t being cre- what this debate is really all about. Americans basically have not had a ated at a strong rate, workers face a You can say what you want, but the pay raise in 8 years. Since the recovery whole host of problems. fact is that this year, 2017, premium in- began in 2009, wage growth has aver- ‘‘A less dynamic economy,’’ the Eco- creases are 25 percent in the ex- aged a paltry 0.25 percent a year—one nomic Innovation Group notes, ‘‘is one changes—25 percent. In six States, the quarter of 1 percent increase in pay per likely to feature fewer jobs, lower labor premium increases were 50 percent in year since 2009. Well, imagine if you force participation, slack wage growth, the exchanges. I don’t know how any- are a family and you are looking at ev- and rising inequality—exactly what we body—any family in this country—can erything that is going up in your lives, see today.’’ keep up with those kinds of sky- whether it is healthcare, which I just Well, American workers clearly need rocketing premiums. If you are buying talked about, or the cost of education relief, and restoring economic dyna- your insurance on the individual mar- or the cost of energy or the cost of mism is a key to providing it. We need ket, the roof is blown off. food, all of these things that continue to pave the way for new businesses and I talk to people in my State of South to go up, and you are getting a 0.25-per- the jobs they create, and we need to en- Dakota all the time who share with me cent—one quarter of 1 percent—pay sure that current businesses, particu- the excessive amount that it now costs raise on an annual basis. It is pretty larly small businesses, are able to for them to cover themselves and their hard not to feel like you are starting to thrive.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.020 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 There are a number of ways we can The American economy has always Congress in a Feb. 10 letter to ‘‘direct the do this. One big thing we can do is re- been known for being dynamic and in- BLM to re-examine the final Planning 2.0 lieve the burden of excessive govern- novative, and we need to make sure it rule. Any revisions . . . should be crafted ment regulations. Obviously some gov- stays that way. We need to free up the collaboratively with western states.’’ ernment regulations are important and But there can be no revisions if the rule is innovators and the job creators so that repealed under the CRA, which is a ‘‘nuclear necessary, but too many others are un- the next big idea isn’t buried by gov- bomb’’ of a legislative tool. The CRA would necessary and doing nothing but load- ernment regulations before it has a not only overturn the rule, but block future ing businesses down with compliance chance to see the light of day. rulemakings that are ‘‘substantially the costs and paperwork hours. The more Sluggish economic growth doesn’t same’’ without prior approval from Congress. resources businesses spend complying have to be the new normal. By remov- That means the BLM would be stuck with with regulations, the less they have ing burdensome government regula- an antiquated planning process, hobbling the available for growth and innovation. tions and reforming our Tax Code, we agency in a way that reinforces all the nega- Excessive regulations also prevent can spur business creation and innova- tive perceptions that already exist regarding the way it manages public lands. many new businesses from ever getting tion. We can increase wages and oppor- off the ground. Small startups simply Sportsmen’s groups, the Pew Charitable tunities for American workers, and we Trusts, conservation groups and the Outdoor don’t have the resources to hire indi- can put our economy on the path to Industry Association all support Planning viduals, let alone the consultants and long-term health, where that growth 2.0. The WGA wants to keep it alive to im- lawyers to do the costly work of com- rate gets back to that more historic prove it. plying with the scores of government level that allows for better paying jobs Public lands are the backbone of the out- regulations. and higher wages for American fami- door industry, which contributes $646 billion Unfortunately, over the past 8 years, lies. to the economy annually. Gardner sponsored the Outdoor Recreation the Obama administration spent a lot I look forward to working with my of time imposing burdensome regula- and Jobs Economic Impact Act, which was colleagues in both Houses of Congress signed into law by the president last year. It tions on American businesses. Accord- to achieve these goals, and I am anx- ing to the American Action Forum, the requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis to ious for us to start passing bills that calculate the economic impact of the out- Obama administration was responsible will put policies in place that are fa- door recreation industry and requires the for implementing more than 675 major vorable to higher economic growth, Commerce Department to provide Congress regulations that cost the economy better jobs, and better wages for the with a full evaluation of the outdoor recre- more than $800 billion. Given those American people and their families. ation industry. numbers, it is no surprise that the I yield the floor. He obviously recognizes the importance of Obama economy left businesses with Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, as we the outdoor recreation industry as a jobs fewer resources to dedicate to growing creator and an economic engine. He should continue to debate H.J. Res. 44, a reso- also understand that the industry equates and creating jobs or that new business lution of disproval to nullify the BLM creation seriously dropped off during killing the rule with hampering growth. planning 2.0 rule, I would like to bring The Senate vote may have not any bearing those years in the Obama administra- to the attention of my colleagues an on whether the Outdoor Retailer Show relo- tion. editorial published last week in the cates to Colorado. But supporting 2.0 is a Since the new Congress began in Jan- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. It out- show of good faith that our senators get uary, Republicans have been focused on lines many of the reasons we should op- what’s at stake. repealing burdensome ObamaCare reg- pose the repeal of the BLM planning 2.0 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I ulations using the Congressional Re- rule. oppose today’s resolution to overturn view Act. We have already used this I ask unanimous consent that the ar- the Bureau of Land Management plan- law to repeal three Obama regulations, ticle be printed in the RECORD. ning 2.0 rule. and this week we will use it to repeal There being no objection, the mate- The Bureau of Land Management is at least two more, including the rial was ordered to be printed in the charged with ensuring responsible use ‘‘blacklisting’’ rule, which imposes du- RECORD, as follows: of public lands, which requires exten- plicative and unnecessary require- [From The Daily Sentinel, Mar. 1, 2017] sive land use planning to balance prior- ments for businesses bidding on Fed- ities like recreation, conservation, and eral Government contracts, and the ALIGNING VALUES Colorado’s biggest political guns are energy development. Planning 2.0 sim- Bureau of Land Management methane ply updates outdated planning proc- rule, which curbs energy production on marching to the beat of the same drum, pro- claiming the Centennial State is the perfect esses that date back 30 years to provide Federal lands by restricting drilling. new location for the massive Outdoor Re- greater community input and trans- This methane rule would cost jobs and tailer Show which is leaving Salt Lake City parency. This is intended to create deprive State and local governments of over the extreme stance Utah’s political plans that work better for all users, in- tax and royalty payments that they leaders have taken on public lands. cluding local communities. It is also can use to address local priorities. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and Another area of regulatory reform we U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner, a Republican, and meant to reduce the time it takes to need to address is ObamaCare, as I Democrat Michael Bennet sent a joint letter complete the planning process. mentioned. Repealing the burdensome Monday to the Outdoor Retailer Show hail- Under the new rule, the public is in- ing Colorado’s bipartisan commitment to volved in the planning process early to mandates and regulations this law has maintaining and protecting public lands. imposed on businesses will go a long avoid costly and time-consuming dis- Considering that Utah is ground-zero for a putes later. The rule allows for the use way toward removing barriers to new movement to transfer management of public businesses and spurring growth at ex- lands from the federal government to the of current technology like geospatial isting businesses. states, it’s not hard for Colorado to claim data to allow for more science-based Another important thing we can do is that its values are more closely aligned with decisionmaking. remove unnecessary barriers that re- the outdoor industry, which relies on public Developing planning 2.0 took 2 years strict access to capital. Both new and lands for its livelihood. and included consideration of more Colorado could enhance that claim if Gard- existing businesses rely on capital to than 6,000 public comments. With to- ner and Bennet refuse to overturn the first day’s resolution, we would abandon help them innovate, expand, and create major revision of the Bureau of Land Man- jobs. agement’s land-use planning process in three modernization that makes it easier for In addition to removing burdensome decades. the public and State and local govern- regulations, tax reform needs to be a Congress is seeking to overturn BLM’s ments to be involved in the Federal priority. Measures like allowing new Planning 2.0 initiative under the Congres- planning process and revert to rules businesses to deduct their startup costs sional Review Act. The House has already that were written in 1983. and reducing rates for small businesses voted to eliminate the rule. If the Senate fol- A wide range of sportsmen groups, in- would spur new business creation and lows suit, it will undo an effort to increase cluding the Izaak Walton League of public involvement, improve transparency America, the Theodore Roosevelt Con- help small businesses thrive. Repub- and promote science-based decision-making licans plan to take up comprehensive in public-lands planning. servation Partnership, and Trout Un- tax reform later this year, and I look Planning 2.0 is not without its critics. The limited have asked us to preserve Plan- forward to that debate. Western Governors’ Association has asked ning 2.0. They write: ‘‘Stakeholders

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.021 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1621 from across the multiple-use spectrum crease the cap to five times the cost. If provider that offers healthcare to mil- agreed that the previous BLM planning a young person’s health insurance lions of women across the country, but process could be improved. Under the costs $250, the maximum under the cur- this bill will stop low-income women outdated process, opportunities for rent law is $750. Now you are talking from getting critical health services public involvement were too few, and five times $250—$1,250 per month. like breast cancer screenings from the public didn’t learn about agency This is an age tax. If there is any local clinics. Oftentimes, this would plans until they were already pro- doubt about how difficult this is going happen in communities where women posed.’’ to be for senior citizens, ask the AARP. have nowhere else to turn. Many com- If we pass this resolution today, BLM They are a bipartisan, well-respected munity health centers don’t have the will have to go back to that outdated organization that works in every services women need or they have process and would be prohibited from State. Seniors across the country need twice the wait times that a Planned proposing a rule that is substantially to understand what this age tax is. You Parenthood would have. For women similar to planning 2.0. I urge my col- will pay more for health insurance if waiting to find out if they have cancer, leagues to vote against this resolution. the law passes as it is. that is simply not an option. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Fourth, and this is a very important Finally, this bill is too partisan. I ator from Hawaii. point. This is basically not a think we can all agree that our ap- TRUMPCARE healthcare bill because if it were a proach to healthcare could use some Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, last healthcare bill, everybody knows it improvements, and I am more than night the Republicans in the House re- would require 60 votes. It would be en- ready to work with my Republican col- vealed their plan to scrap the ACA and acting new legislation. This is a budget leagues to make healthcare better. replace it with something much bill. All they can do, really, is cut That is not just a rhetorical flourish. I worse—TrumpCare. There are so many taxes related to healthcare. This is a have tried to back that up with my leg- things that are wrong with this bill. A bill that cuts taxes for rich people. islative actions. I have worked with lot of us are still going through the 184 How does it finance it? First of all, it Senator HATCH on legislation to in- pages and all of its implications, so it finances—probably a lot of it by bor- crease access to high-quality care in is impossible to encapsulate all the dif- rowing. The other portion of it is by hard-to-reach regions. I have worked ficulties in this legislation in one cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. with Senator CASSIDY and many others speech. TrumpCare has special tax cuts that on a bill to create a public health I am going to highlight eight prob- only benefit the highest earning house- emergency fund. I have worked with lems with this bill to start. First of all, holds and another one that will go to Senators WICKER, COCHRAN, and THUNE this bill is a complicated and rushed insurance company executives who on a telehealth bill. mess. Despite the fact that they had 7 make more than half a million dollars We can work together on healthcare, years to work on their own plan, the a year. but it requires three things: No. 1, good Republicans cobbled together a bill You cannot make this stuff up. They faith, and there is no good faith in this that makes no sense. In an effort to are cutting taxes for insurance com- piece of legislation. No. 2, bipartisan- make everyone in their caucus happy, pany executives who make more than ship. This bill, I am quite sure, will get they have made no one in their caucus half a million dollars each year, and zero Democratic votes in the House or happy. That is why we have seen con- they are financing it by cutting the Senate. No. 3, we need legislative servative groups—from AEI to AFP, healthcare for the people we all rep- hearings. We need to have a conversa- the Heritage Foundation, the Koch resent. tion in the light of day and let the brothers—come out and express opposi- Fifth, this bill will blow up the debt American people weigh in. We need to figure out what it is that they are tion to the legislation. and the deficit. The crazy thing is, we Second, this bill cuts Medicaid. They don’t actually know how much our doing to the American healthcare sys- are going to use a phrase called block debt and deficit will increase because tem. If they are so proud of their plan, grants, but I want everyone to under- Republicans are in such a hurry to rush why no hearings? If they are so proud stand that is cutting Medicaid. That is this through without a formal CBO of their plan, why not get at least a a euphemism for cutting the resources analysis. We have no idea how much score from the Congressional Budget for Medicaid. This cuts a program that this is going to cost—probably tril- Office? If they are so proud of their helps more than 70 million Americans lions, but they haven’t even asked for a plan, why do they lack the confidence across the country get the healthcare CBO score. They don’t want to know how much this is going to blow up the that any Democrat will support it? they need. It means less care for preg- Look, we do have the opportunity to debt and the deficit because all of the nant moms, less care for families with work together to improve healthcare, fiscal hawks will be found to be hypo- loved ones in nursing homes. Nursing but this bill is basically a mess. It is crites who have been railing about defi- home benefits will be totally trashed, worse than I thought. I think it is cits for all of their career. Yet this and all of these changes will reduce worse than a lot of people thought, es- might be the biggest budget-busting Medicaid to a level not seen before. pecially given that they have been By the way, Medicare doesn’t escape piece of legislation in many, many talking about this for 7 years. So one the ax. It is also in trouble if we enact years, and they don’t want to know might think they would have had a the House legislation. TrumpCare will how much it costs because they have really well-thought-through plan. This actually move up the date of insol- made a promise. They are going to go has all of the characteristics of some- vency of the Medicare trust fund by 3 ahead and fulfill that promise no mat- thing that was rushed out the door in years, to the year 2025. That is not 20, ter how ridiculous it is. Sixth, this bill will trash mental about a 48-hour period. 30 years from now when they talk I hope my colleagues will join me in health coverage. The ACA was a huge about the Social Security trust fund. opposing this very bad piece of legisla- step forward for the mental health That is quite soon to have Medicare be tion and give us some space and time community because it required insur- insolvent, and they are accelerating to do this right and to do this in a bi- ance companies to cover mental health the date in which Medicare becomes in- partisan fashion. solvent. and substance abuse disorders. We are I yield the floor. Third, this bill hits the elderly with in a moment when every State is strug- I suggest the absence of a quorum. an age tax. Here is how the law cur- gling with an addiction crisis. What I The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. rently works. It is basically a cap on don’t know is why we would rip away HOEVEN). The clerk will call the roll. the amount that an insurance company these services when so many people are The legislative clerk proceeded to can charge a senior for healthcare. It counting on it to break their addic- call the roll. says you cannot charge more than tions. Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask three times the amount you charge a Seventh, this bill will defund Planned unanimous request that the order for young person for a senior citizen. Parenthood because they can’t help the quorum call be rescinded. It is capped at three times what you themselves in the U.S. House of Rep- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without charge for young people. This would in- resentatives. Planned Parenthood is a objection, it is so ordered.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.003 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, will eventually wither on the vine and That is a $9,000 increase in healthcare TrumpCare is here, and you are going will become a State responsibility. No costs for a 60-year-old resident in Con- to hate it. This replacement for the Af- longer will the Federal Government necticut. That is unaffordable. There is fordable Care Act has been 7 years in help States pick up the costs for insur- just no way for anybody to say that for the making. On a cursory overview, it ing the most vulnerable citizens. that 60-year-old living in Connecticut appears that when you ask the ques- Remember who Medicaid covers. or living in Nebraska or living in Cali- tion as to who gets hurt under the re- Medicaid covers 60 percent of children fornia, that is better healthcare. Nine placement plan, the answer is every- with disabilities in this country. Of the thousand more dollars out of pocket one, with the exception of insurance tens of millions of kids living with dis- for a 60-year-old is not better companies, drug companies, and the abilities, 6 out of 10 of them get their healthcare. very wealthy. insurance from Medicaid. If Medicaid is The claim is that this bill will cover I hope we are able to step back and turned into a block grant, let me just people with preexisting conditions, but take our time to analyze what this re- tell you, let me guarantee you that because there is no minimum benefit placement plan is going to do to Amer- healthcare will end for millions of requirement, the plans don’t have to icans who badly need healthcare, who those kids. If it does not end, it will be cover anything that you need for your believed Republicans when they told dramatically scaled back because preexisting condition. So, yes, they them that they were going to repeal States cannot afford to pick up 60, 70, can’t technically charge someone with the bill and replace it with something 80 percent eventually of the cost. cancer more, but they don’t have to better, and who believed President Thirty percent of non-elderly adults cover chemotherapy. The Affordable Trump when he said that he was going with disabilities are covered by Med- Care Act says insurance has to be in- to repeal the Affordable Care Act and icaid. Sixty-four percent of nursing surance. There has to be some min- replace it with something that was home residents are covered by Med- imum, basic level of benefits so that wonderful, that insured everybody who icaid. Two out of every three of our everybody knows that when they buy was insured under the Affordable Care senior citizens who are living in nurs- an insurance plan, they are basically Act and did it at lower costs. ing homes are covered by Medicaid. If getting coverage for maternity care, I know that my colleagues who are you block-grant Medicaid, all of a sud- for cancer treatment, for mental ill- well meaning in this Chamber cannot den States will not be able to pick up ness. Because this legislation strips read this replacement plan and under- those costs and will not be able to de- away any requirement that insurance stand it to do anything but strip cov- liver healthcare to people in nursing be insurance, maybe you get insurance erage away from millions of Americans homes. That is just the truth. if you have cancer, but it may not and to drive up costs for millions of The Republican bill effectively ends cover anything you have. Americans. There is no credible way to coverage for 11 million people all Of course the cruelest piece of this look at this replacement plan without across this country who are covered by bill says that if you lose insurance, you seeing the devastation that will be the Medicaid expansion after 2 years, then get charged more. Republicans are wrought. and then it jeopardizes care for tens of right that in the Affordable Care Act I want to spend just a few minutes, millions more by dramatically cutting as it exists today, there is a penalty if now that we have had this plan to look the Medicaid Program and the Med- you don’t buy insurance. Republicans at for 24 hours, talking about how dan- icaid reimbursement to States. This is just do their penalty differently. What gerous it is and pleading with my Re- not a game; this is 11 million people. this replacement plan says is that if publican colleagues to take their time Remember, it is not a guess because you lose insurance and you try to get it and, hopefully, decide instead to work in 2020 you will be reverting back to later on, you will pay 30 percent more. with Democrats to try to strengthen the rules before the Affordable Care I admit that there is a penalty in the the Affordable Care Act, fix what is not Act. Before the Affordable Care Act, 11 underlying Affordable Care Act and working as well, but preserve the parts million fewer people were covered there is a penalty in the Republican that are working. under Medicaid. Even if States maybe bill, but the problem is that under the Here is what I mean when I say that hang around and decide to front the existing Affordable Care Act, the help everyone, with the exception of insur- billions of dollars necessary to cover a you get to buy insurance allows you to ance companies, drug companies, and few million of those, you are still talk- buy insurance. That is why 20 million the superrich, is hurt by the GOP re- ing about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 million people who people have insurance today. But be- placement plan. First, this idea that will lose insurance—again, people who cause the tax credits are basically cut we are going to end the Medicaid ex- can’t buy it anywhere else. This is peo- in half under this proposal, it will pansion—that is what this replacement ple’s lives we are playing with—as I render healthcare unaffordable; thus, plan does. It says that in 2 years, effec- mentioned, 200,000 in Connecticut more people will have gaps in coverage; tively 2020, the Medicaid expansion will alone. thus, more people will pay the penalty. go away. That means in my State, Do you know who else gets hurt by So in the end, this bill really does 200,000 people will lose healthcare. Mil- this replacement plan? Older Ameri- not provide protection for people with lions across the country will lose cans. It seems that older Americans preexisting conditions because they are healthcare. They are, by and large, the are really targeted in this plan because not going to be able to buy insurance poor and the lower middle class—large- although the underlying Affordable in the first place. They are going to fall ly women and children who can’t get Care Act says that you can’t charge into that gap, and then they are going insurance other than through the Med- older Americans more than three times to have to pay more. Even if they do icaid expansion—who will no longer be that of younger Americans, this re- have insurance, it may not even cover able to get it. Medicaid has been ex- placement plan changes the rules. It al- what they need. panded in Democratic States, Repub- lows insurance companies to jack up All of this is made harder to under- lican States, blue States, red States. prices on older Americans. So a 60- stand because it seems to be one big ex- Letting Medicaid expansion hang year-old would have their premium go cuse to deliver a giant tax cut to the around for 2 years is no solace to peo- up by about one-quarter. That is rough- wealthy. The Joint Committee on Tax- ple who will jam into those years as ly $3,000, according to an AARP study. ation estimates that this bill would cut much healthcare as they can get, but I don’t know about the Presiding Offi- taxes by $600 billion for the wealthiest then be without it afterwards. cer, but a lot of adults getting ready to Americans. The Affordable Care Act Even more insidious is the part of the qualify for Medicare in Connecticut was financed in part by a tax on un- GOP healthcare replacement plan that don’t have $3,000 sitting around. earned income for people making over would turn Medicaid into a block grant But it gets worse. Because the pre- $250,000 a year. I live in a pretty after 2020. This has been talked about mium support is so skimpy, under this wealthy State—Connecticut—but peo- in conservative circles for a long time, plan, that same 60-year-old in Con- ple who are making $250,000 and a but has been resisted, again, by Demo- necticut would have their premium whole lot of unearned income are not crats and Republicans who understand support—their tax credit—cut in half, amongst the most needy in our society. what that means. It means Medicaid from $8,000 down to $4,000. Do the math. The average tax cut under this bill

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.024 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1623 would be $200,000. Why? Because we are for doctors, for patients to be able to Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we taxing so few people who are making consider the chaos that will be wrought are coming to the end of debate on the such big amounts of money, the aver- if this healthcare plan goes through. disapproval resolution for the BLM age tax cut would be $200,000. So I am on the floor today to plead Planning 2.0 Rule. I would like to take It is so hard to understand because with my Republican colleagues to step just a few minutes to highlight the when you do the sum total of parts back from this potential debacle. This very broad support it has drawn here that are moving under this replace- seems like it was written on the back on Capitol Hill but really across the ment plan, it seems as if the biggest of a napkin in order to rush something country. parts that are moving are care away out into the public so that Republicans Here in the Senate, I mentioned ear- from millions of poor people and the el- can claim they are fulfilling the prom- lier that there is a total of 17 Members derly and money going to the wealthi- ise they made, without thinking who have joined me in sponsoring our est 1 percent of Americans. That is not through the consequences. version of this resolution. That is near- hyperbole; that is just how this bill Over and over again, I heard my Re- ly one-fifth of this Chamber. It in- works out. publican friends and President Trump cludes every Republican from a West- The biggest net result of this bill say they are going to repeal the Afford- ern State with BLM lands within its from the status quo is that millions of able Care Act and replace it with some- borders. These are Alaska, Arizona, people who are on Medicaid today in a thing better. I heard the new Secretary Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming, Colo- few years won’t have it—those are of Health and Human Services say that rado, Nevada, Montana, even Ken- kids; those are the disabled; those are no one was going to lose insurance, tucky, and the State of the occupant of the elderly—and a handful of very that costs were not going to go up, and the Chair, North Dakota, and Okla- wealthy Americans will make out with that the insurance protections were homa, so a very strong contingent of enormous tax cuts under this legisla- going to be preserved. None of that will Members who are in support of this dis- tion. be true under the current plan under approval resolution. I guess it is no secret that this bill consideration. Everybody knows it, Across the Capitol, the House of Rep- was crafted behind closed doors. Seven which is why it is being hidden from resentatives passed this resolution years in the making, and this bill was public view. with bipartisan support a couple of hidden from public view until yester- Politicians love praise. We love good weeks ago through the leadership of day. Now House Republicans are saying press. So if Republicans thought this Representative CHENEY of Wyoming. they are going to give the American was a praiseworthy plan, they would This resolution wound up with 234 public 1 week to look at this. No esti- not be hiding it. They would not be votes in the House. That is a pretty mate of the cost—they are going to trying to rush it through. They would strong vote. ram it through as quickly as they can. be celebrating an achievement they The reason why so many Members of I held half a dozen townhalls in the have been crowing about for years—re- the House and the Senate want to over- summer of 2009, when the tea party placing the Affordable Care Act with turn BLM’s planning 2.0 Rule is pretty tempest was at its highest, where peo- something that is better. simple. We know what it means for our ple really wanted to talk to me about This is worse for everyone except for Western States. We don’t like the im- how upset they were with the way the insurance companies, drug companies, pacts that it will have and neither do a healthcare debate was going. One of and the superrich. The superrich get a wide variety of elected officials and the refrains that I heard in those town- big tax cut, and all of the fees that stakeholders back home. halls was that Democrats were ram- were levied on the insurance companies In my State of Alaska, I have heard ming through the Affordable Care Act. and drug companies that were used to from the Alaska Municipal League, the Everybody heard it. Ramming through pay for additional expansion go away. Alaska Farm Bureau, and the Associ- the Affordable Care Act. It was on FOX Tucked inside here, there is even a ated General Contractors of Alaska. News every night. It was part of our very specific tax cut for insurance The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of townhalls regularly. company CEOs. I mean, think about Commerce wrote to ask us to overturn Well, let me tell you what happened that. Tucked into this bill is a specific the rule. The Alaska Chamber wrote in in 2009. The House process spanned tax cut for a select group of individ- support of our resolution because they three committees: the Energy and uals—insurance company CEOs. I rep- said BLM’s planning process ‘‘has Commerce Committee, the Ways and resent a lot of those CEOs, but it does grown to be substantially lengthier, Means Committee, and the Education not make it right. more confusing, and burdensome for and Labor Committee. The House had I hope we will find a way to work to- stakeholders to engage in.’’ 79 bipartisan hearings and markups on gether to try to strengthen the Afford- We have heard from our leaders in the health reform bill—79 bipartisan able Care Act and fix what is wrong. the Alaska State Legislature, State hearings and markups. House Members The plan that was unveiled yesterday— Senators Pete Kelly and John Coghill, spent nearly 100 hours in hearings, I understand not by the Senate but by who have asked for this rule to be nul- heard from 181 witnesses, and consid- the House—hurts everybody except for lified, as have several of our Alaska ered 239 amendments and accepted 121. a select few. I think most of my col- Native corporations, including CIRI, The HELP Committee had 14 bipar- leagues know we can do better. Olgoonik, and Calista Corporation. The tisan roundtables, 13 bipartisan hear- I yield the floor. Alaska chapter of the Safari Club op- ings, and 20 bipartisan walkthroughs The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- poses it because its landscape-level ap- on health reform. The HELP Com- ator from Alaska. proach to land management planning mittee considered nearly 300 amend- Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I has the potential to withdraw and lock ments and accepted 160 Republican ask unanimous consent that at 3:45 up even more land in Alaska. amendments. The Finance Committee p.m. today, there be 15 minutes of de- Alaska’s energy, mineral, and timber held a similar process. When the bill bate remaining on H.J. Res. 44, equally producers are united in their opposi- came to the floor, the Senate spent 25 divided in the usual form. tion to this rule and in their support of consecutive days in session on health The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without our disapproval resolution. We have reform—the second longest consecutive objection, it is so ordered. heard from the Resource Development session in history. DISCHARGE AND REFERRAL—S. 416 Council, the Alaska Oil and Gas Asso- So don’t tell me that the Affordable Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ciation, the Alaska Forest Association, Care Act was rushed through when dur- ask unanimous consent that the Com- the Council of Alaska Producers, the ing that time the HELP Committee mittee on Small Business and Entre- Alaska Support Industry Alliance, the considered 300 amendments, held doz- preneurship be discharged from further Fortymile Mining District, and the ens of hearings, and in 2017 there are consideration of S. 416 and the bill be Alaska Miners Association, and they going to be no committee meetings, no referred to the Committee on Banking, all oppose BLM’s planning 2.0 Rule be- committee markups, no committee Housing, and Urban Affairs. cause it reduces economic opportuni- amendments, and barely a week for the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ties for Alaskans—those who actually public, for think tanks, for hospitals, objection, it is so ordered. live near these BLM lands, who know

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Mar 07, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.025 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1624 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 the most about them, and who depend servation Districts, Utah Association of will negatively impact our Western on them to provide for their families. Counties, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, States. It subverts the special status It is the same story in many other Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Wool relationship between the Federal Gov- Western States, from Arizona and New Growers Association, Washington Cattle- men’s Association, Washington Farm Bureau ernment and the States and local gov- Mexico to Washington and Oregon, to Federation, Western Interstate Region of ernments. It limits local involvement Montana and South Dakota. This rule NACo, Governor Mead of Wyoming, Petro- and local input. It opens the door for affects all 12 BLM States, and those leum Association of Wyoming, Wyoming As- decisionmaking authority to be cen- States just are not happy about it. sociation of Conservation Districts, Wyo- tralized at BLM’s headquarters here in We have heard from about 80 groups ming County Commissioners Association, Washington, DC. It upends BLM’s mul- so far that oppose that rule, and I ask Wyoming Farm Bureau, Wyoming Stock tiple-use mission by allowing the agen- unanimous consent that a copy of the Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Grow- cy to pick and choose among preferred ers Association. list of supporters be printed in the uses, while sidelining industries that Ms. MURKOWSKI. This list includes RECORD. provide good-paying jobs in our west- our Nation’s energy and mineral pro- There being no objection, the mate- ern communities. ducers, the people who keep our lights rial was ordered to be printed in the I think there is broad agreement that on, who provide fuel for our vehicles, RECORD, as follows: planning 2.0 should be overturned. That and who construct everything from ES ES is what we are here to do, and we will S.J. R . 15/H.J. R . 44 semiconductors to skyscrapers. The have that opportunity in just a few mo- STRONG SUPPORT FROM WESTERN American Petroleum Institute, the STAKEHOLDERS ments. Independent Petroleum Association of So I ask all Members of the Senate, NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS America, the Western Energy Alliance, including those who do not have BLM American Energy Alliance, American Ex- the National Mining Association, and ploration and Mining Association, American the American Exploration & Mining lands in their States, to consider the Farm Bureau Federation, American Petro- Association are all opposed to this strong support this resolution of dis- leum Institute, Americans for Prosperity, approval has drawn and to join us in American Sheep Industry Association, Asso- rule, and so are many State groups, like the Arizona Mining Association, passing it at 4 o’clock. ciation of National Grasslands, Independent With that, I yield the floor. Petroleum Association of America, National the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ As- Association of Conservation Districts, Na- sociation, and the Petroleum Associa- I suggest the absence of a quorum. tional Association of Counties, National As- tion of Wyoming. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sociation of State Departments of Agri- Joining them are many of our Na- clerk will call the roll. culture, National Cattlemen’s Beef Associa- tion’s farmers and ranchers, the indi- The legislative clerk proceeded to tion, National Mining Association, National viduals who provide so much of our Na- call the roll. Water Resources Association, Public Lands tion’s food supply, whether that is Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, West- unanimous consent that the order for ern Energy Alliance. steak or whether that is milk or some- thing else. The National Cattlemen’s the quorum call be rescinded. STATE STAKEHOLDERS Beef Association and the American The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Associated General Contractors of Alaska, Sheep Industry Association have reg- objection, it is so ordered. Alaska Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Chap- istered their opposition. The American Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, we ter, Safari Club International, Alaska Farm had a chance earlier today to talk Bureau, Inc., Alaska Forest Association, Farm Bureau Federation opposes the Alaska Miners Association, Alaska Munic- rule and so do many of its State part- about this Congressional Review Act ipal League, Alaska Oil and Gas Association, ners, including the Colorado Farm Bu- resolution before us that I urge my col- Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Alaska reau, the New Mexico Farm & Live- leagues to turn down. This resolution Trucking Association, Calista Corporation, stock Bureau, the Oregon Farm Bu- basically would negate a very impor- Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Council of Alaska reau, and the Washington Farm Bu- tant aspect of a rule that was put in Producers, Fortymile Mining District, reau. place to help the public have more Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Perhaps most critically, planning 2.0 input on public lands. Members of the Alaska State Senate, has drawn strong opposition from local The rule was pretty straight- Olgoonik Corporation, Resource Develop- ment Council. and State governments, the entities forward—common sense—to make sure Arizona Association of Counties, Arizona that are elected to represent all of the that there was a lot of increased public Cattle Growers Association, Arizona County people, not just one specific interest. input to bolster the decisionmaking Supervisors Association, Arizona Farm Bu- The National Association of Counties, process and to ensure that there are reau Federation, Arizona Mining Associa- the voice of county governments all 21st century management policies in tion, California Cattlemen’s Association, across the country, sent a letter out- place. California Farm Bureau Federation, Cali- lining their support for the disapproval There is nothing in this rule that was fornia Wool Growers Association, Rural resolution. Another group, the Na- implemented in the last administra- County Representatives of California, Colo- tional Association of Conservation Dis- rado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado tion that erodes or takes away from Farm Bureau, Colorado Wool Growers Asso- tricts, wrote that planning 2.0 should the States’ and local governments’ ciation, Idaho Cattle Association, Idaho be repealed because it ‘‘skirts the Fed- planning processes and the decision- Farm Bureau Federation, Idaho Wool Grow- eral Land Policy and Management Act making they do. ers Association, Montana Association of and reduces the ability of local govern- So it is very important to me that we Counties, Montana Association of State ment involvement’’ while seeming continue to have the transparency and Grazing Districts, Montana Electric Co- ‘‘forced and blind to the many issues openness and sunshine in our public operatives’ Association. raised in the public comment period.’’ planning. I think one editorial from Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Mon- Again, this disapproval resolution the Post-Register from Idaho said it tana Mining Association, Montana Petro- has drawn strong support from a wide leum Association, Montana Public Lands best. So I will read from it. Council, Montana Stockgrowers Association, range of stakeholder groups—energy, Resource management planning. Sound Montana Wool Growers Association, Eureka mining, and grazing, America’s farmers boring? Maybe. But if you are a Westerner, it County, Nevada, Nevada Association of Con- and ranchers, State officials, local definitely shouldn’t be. servation Districts, Nevada Association of counties, and conservation districts. Resource management planning (RMP) af- Counties, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Everything from the Alaska Trucking fects how you can or can’t use the vast Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, New Mex- Association to the Public Lands Coun- swaths of public lands outside your back ico Cattle Growers’ Association, New Mexico cil and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce door for things like hunting, camping, four- Farm and Livestock Bureau, New Mexico have all weighed in. At last count, wheeling, hiking, fishing, and rock climb- Wool Grower, Inc, North Dakota Stockmen’s more than 80 groups had asked us to re- ing—a lot of the things you probably love Association, Association of Oregon Counties, about being a Westerner. Oregon Association of Conservation Dis- peal BLM’s planning 2.0 Rule, and I am With a new Republican presidential admin- tricts, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. sure there are many others that are istration in power and the GOP-controlled Oregon Farm Bureau, South Dakota not included in that count. Congress rubbing its hands together in de- Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Pub- We have heard such strong support light, ready to implement part one of its lic Lands Council, Utah Association of Con- because this is a misguided rule that grand scheme for public lands—cashing in on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.027 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1625 those resources—RMPs should get a whole [Rollcall Vote No. 82 Leg.] Mike Rounds, Bill Cassidy, Thom lot more interesting to Westerners. YEAS—51 Tillis. Since 2014, BLM officials have been toiling Alexander Fischer Paul Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I away, rebuilding the current rules for land Barrasso Flake Perdue ask unanimous consent that the man- use planning in a significant way for the Blunt Gardner Portman datory quorum call with respect to the first time since 1983. . . . Boozman Graham Risch nomination be waived. One important change is that Planning 2.0 Burr Grassley Roberts Capito Hatch Rounds The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without would let the BLM take into account local Cassidy Heller Rubio objection, it is so ordered. impacts from the beginning. Cochran Hoeven Sasse Going on to read from the editorial: Collins Inhofe Scott f Corker Johnson Shelby The Republican-controlled House has al- Cornyn Kennedy Strange LEGISLATIVE SESSION ready passed a resolution to strike Planning Cotton Lankford Sullivan Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I 2.0 from the books once and for all. The Sen- Crapo Lee Thune move to proceed to legislative session. ate will vote within days on whether or not Cruz McCain Tillis Daines McConnell Toomey The PRESIDING OFFICER. The they’ll use the same sledgehammer—the Enzi Moran Wicker question is on agreeing to the motion. Congressional Review Act (CRA). It’s an es- Ernst Murkowski Young pecially diabolical weapon. The motion was agreed to. NAYS—48 Once the CRA is used on Planning 2.0, it f Baldwin Gillibrand Murray will be gone forever. It prevents future BLM PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL rules for planning land use from being intro- Bennet Harris Nelson duced if they are ‘‘substantially the same.’’ Blumenthal Hassan Peters DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUB- Booker Heinrich Reed MITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT The utterly confounding part is why this Brown Heitkamp Sanders rule is being picked on in the first place. . . . Cantwell Hirono Schatz OF EDUCATION—MOTION TO PRO- Planning 2.0 actually mandates more local Cardin Kaine Schumer CEED control, gives it more often and is a smarter, Carper King Shaheen Casey Klobuchar Stabenow Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I more elegant solution to sharing use of our Coons Leahy Tester move to proceed to H.J. Res. 58. public lands. Cortez Masto Manchin Udall The PRESIDING OFFICER. The I couldn’t say it better than that edi- Donnelly Markey Van Hollen clerk will report the motion. Duckworth McCaskill Warner torial. Local communities are watch- Durbin Menendez Warren The bill clerk read as follows: ing. They want more sunshine. They Feinstein Merkley Whitehouse Motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 58, pro- want more input. They want a smooth- Franken Murphy Wyden viding for congressional disapproval under er process. They don’t want lawsuits NOT VOTING—1 chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of that take forever. They want us to Isakson work in a collaborative fashion, guar- Education relating to teacher preparation The joint resolution (H.J. Res. 44) issues. anteeing the public input of local gov- was passed. ernments, States, and our citizens in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The how we manage our Federal lands. f question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. I urge my colleagues to turn down EXECUTIVE SESSION this resolution. f I suggest the absence of a quorum. PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. EXECUTIVE CALENDAR DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUB- STRANGE). The clerk will call the roll. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I MITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT The bill clerk proceeded to call the move to proceed to executive session to OF EDUCATION roll. consider Calendar No. 18, Seema The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask Verma, to be Administrator of the Cen- clerk will report the joint resolution. unanimous consent that the order for ters for Medicare and Medicaid Serv- The bill clerk read as follows: the quorum call be rescinded. ices. A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 58) providing The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. The for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 objection, it is so ordered. question is on agreeing to the motion. of title 5, United States Code, of the rule The motion was agreed to. submitted by the Department of Education Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I relating to teacher preparation issues. yield back the remaining time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time The bill clerk read the nomination of JOHNSON). The Senator from Nebraska. is yielded back. Seema Verma, of Indiana, to be Admin- Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I rise in The joint resolution was ordered to a istrator of the Centers for Medicare support of S.J. Res. 26, a resolution to third reading and was read the third and Medicaid Services. disapprove the Obama administration time. CLOTURE MOTION Department of Education’s regulation The PRESIDING OFFICER. The joint Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I on teacher preparation issues. This res- resolution having been read the third send a cloture motion to the desk. olution is simple. It overturns the last time, the question is, Shall the joint The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- administration’s overreach into scores resolution pass? ture motion having been presented of States and territories, into thou- Mr. WICKER. I ask for the yeas and under rule XXII, the Chair directs the sands of college and university teacher nays. clerk to read the motion. preparation programs, and into mil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a The bill clerk read as follows: lions of American classrooms. sufficient second? CLOTURE MOTION Last night, I drafted a fairly detailed statement on some of the problems There appears to be a sufficient sec- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- ond. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the deep inside this regulation, but I have The clerk will call the roll. Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby decided to skip past most of that. Why? Because the problem with this regula- The bill clerk called the roll. move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- nation of Seema Verma, of Indiana, to be Ad- tion is actually much more basic than Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator ministrator of the Centers for Medicare and all of the substantive problems in the is necessarily absent: the Senator from Medicaid Services, Department of Health regulation. This regulation actually Georgia (Mr. ISAKSON). and Human Services. makes the assumption that bureau- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there Mitch McConnell, Steve Daines, John crats in Washington, DC, are com- any other Senators in the Chamber de- Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Bob Corker, John Boozman, John Hoeven, James petent to micromanage teacher train- siring to vote? Lankford, Roger F. Wicker, John Bar- ing programs in America. That is what The result was announced—yeas 51, rasso, Lamar Alexander, Orrin G. this regulation ultimately does, and nays 48, as follows: Hatch, David Perdue, James M. Inhofe, that is absurd.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.028 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1626 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 So I would like to ask three ques- actually having accomplished some- ance used by a State to assess teacher tions of folks who plan to vote to de- thing that will make them better. training programs ‘‘shall be deter- fend this regulation. First, do you real- Good intentions are not enough. For us mined solely by the State.’’ ly think that bureaucrats in this city in this body to act because we have This rule overrides State authority know better how to run teacher train- compulsory governmental powers, we over literally tens of thousands of dis- ing programs than people who have would need not merely good intentions, cipline-specific teacher preparation spent most of their lives inside actual we would also need competence and au- programs across the Nation, burdening classrooms with actual future teachers thority. We have neither of those about States with a federally defined and ex- and with students? How many of you teacher training programs. pensive mandate. Under this regula- have ever run a teacher training pro- Everyone in this body agrees that tion, States would be required to cre- gram? Has anyone in this body ever run education is darn near the center of the ate elaborate new data systems that a teacher training program? Because I future of our country. We all want and would link K–12 teacher data to data have—almost. I have spent a lot of my we need good teachers. Most of us can on evaluations of teachers and admin- life around these programs. As a kid, remember specific teachers who stood istrators in particular schools and then with my dad, who was a lifelong public out because of her or his creative pres- on to the data back into the teacher schoolteacher and coach, and I have entation, because of their unexpected preparation programs. This regula- been in many of these classrooms with humor, because of their charm and tion’s goal would be to measure the him when he was getting master’s and their compassion, because of their tire- success of teacher preparation based continuing education programs; then less drive, because of their inspired largely on teachers’ students’ subse- with my wife who is also a public high mentorship. None of us in this Cham- quent test scores, and it would all need school teacher; and then I was a college ber who has the privilege of serving our to be backlinked in the data. This is president at a university that had mul- fellow country men and women regret data that is not currently gathered. tiple teacher training programs. I or are unaware of the fact that the Rube Goldberg is smiling somewhere know Keith Rohwer, and I know the skills and the guidance and the abili- because this sounds like a bureaucrat’s other deans of education that have ties that we have are the function of dream, a paperwork trail monitoring been at Midland University and at the mentorship and the pedagogy of all the strengths and weaknesses of many other colleges and universities life-changing teachers early in our some vast machine spitting out layers across Nebraska. Yet, even though I lives. We have benefited from and we and layers of new data over which have been around a lot of these pro- need good, prepared teachers. Washington’s experts could then postu- grams in some detail, I wouldn’t pos- If we all agree teachers are critically late and tinker. Again, I have no doubt sibly think I am ready to decree all the important to our future, and since we the bureaucrats who wrote these 700 details inside those programs from all agree teacher training programs are eye-glazing pages—pages about rules, thousands and thousands of miles important and we also agree that some about data to be gathered that States away. of them aren’t very good, the question are not currently gathering—I have no Question No. 2, has anyone actually would be, What would we do about doubt the people who wrote this mean read this regulation that folks are that? What kind of debate should we well. I also have no doubt the people going to say they want to defend on have about why much education in who are going to defend this rule as this floor? Because I have been reading America isn’t good enough? Does any- somehow commonsensical—then why is in it. I will not claim I have read it, one in this body sincerely believe that it 700 pages—also mean well, but those but I have read in it. This is the 695 the big, pressing problem in American good intentions don’t change the fact pages of the regulation itself. There is education is that there aren’t enough that what they have actually done in actually a lot of guidance material as rules like this coming out of bureauc- this rule—what they have actually well, but I didn’t bring that because I racies in Washington, DC? done—is build a much larger require- didn’t want to have both of my hands Because if you believe that, I would ment set of paper trails, demanding occupied. This is the 695 pages of the humbly suggest that you should go and further burdens on our teachers, on our regulation we are talking about today, meet with some of the ed school fac- principals, and on the professors who and it is actually really silly. If you ulties back in your State and ask them are teaching teachers, and then require read inside it, it is filled with enough if you can read them these 695 pages so all of them to report back through new specificity that if you tried to explain you can tell them that we have the an- or expanded bureaucracies at the State it to thoughtful, generally educated swers. Read it to them, and then please level, though the States have not cho- Americans, I submit to you that you come back and tell us in this body that sen to gather this data, and then pass would blush. There is a level of detail they agree with you, that what we real- this data on to a bureaucracy a couple and a level of specificity in this that ly need is more 700-page regulations of blocks from here. we are not possibly competent to de- from Washington, DC, micromanaging These Rubik’s Cubes of rules and fend at the micro level. things as specific and local as teacher data collection are not being done Question No. 3, can the folks who preparation programs. today, and supposedly we are going to think this is what Washington, DC, Oh, and one more thing, which is ac- make teacher preparation programs ought to be doing right now—please tually kind of big. This regulation ex- better by all of the specificity that show me somewhere in this document, plicitly violates the plain language and comes from this rule. the Senate version of the Constitu- the congressional intent of the Federal The fact that these regulations will tion—show me somewhere in this docu- education law that was passed in this likely cost States millions of dollars to ment where we are given the specific body last year. You will all recall that implement simply adds insult to in- authority to micromanage local pro- the Elementary and Secondary Edu- jury. Let’s be honest. Education is not grams like this from here. Because, cation Act was passed in this Chamber some vast complex machine that just honestly—I mean this sincerely to my with overwhelming bipartisan support needs a little bit more tinkering from colleagues who plan to vote to defend last year. I think it got 83 votes. The Washington-level intervention before it this rule—I don’t see how you can de- act prohibits the Secretary of Edu- will be at utopia. It isn’t true, and this fend this document and think that this cation from prescribing ‘‘any aspect or rule is not an effective way to actually is conceivably our job from here. We parameter of a teacher, a principal, or help the teachers who care so much are not competent to do this. other school leader evaluation system that they are investing their lives in Now, a couple of qualifications are in within a State or local education agen- our kids. order. Am I suggesting that all teacher cy’’ or ‘‘indicators or specific measures Nebraska’s parents and educators training programs in America work of teacher, principal, or other school and locally elected school boards are well? Heavens, no. There are some that leader effectiveness or quality.’’ There better equipped and better positioned are fairly strong, and there are actu- is nothing ambiguous about this lan- to tackle the most important edu- ally a lot that are really, really poor guage. cational challenges. They are better and weak, but having a good intention In addition, the Higher Education equipped and they are better inten- to make them better is not the same as Act is clear that the levels of perform- tioned, even than the smartest, the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.033 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1627 nicest, and the most well-meaning ex- ing to make this sacrifice. They don’t make sure teaching students have full perts in Washington, DC. If you dis- complain. The very least we can do for access to information and options. This agree, again, I humbly challenge you to those who want to become teachers is rule would give them less. go and try and read this rule to ele- to make sure they are actually getting For all the future teachers out there, mentary and secondary school teachers their money’s worth when they make I urge my fellow Senators to vote in your State and to those who are run- an investment in themselves. against this CRA because every young ning the programs that train them. That is what this rule does. It helps adult deserves to know that the pro- Read the 695 pages to them and then make sure students can make informed gram they enroll in is actually pre- report back to us that they actually decisions about the quality and pre- paring them to be a successful teacher share your view that the really big paredness of their education. in the classroom, and every student de- problem in American education is not Here are a few of the ways this rule serves to have an amazing teacher in enough 700-page rules from educational does that—and I am hoping my col- every classroom. bureaucrats from DC. leagues will see that this shouldn’t be EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS BILL Good intentions are not enough. Fed- controversial. This rule strengthens Finally, Mr. President, I wish to eral intervention and reforms should and streamlines reporting require- bring up one more thing that is very never make problems worse, and that ments of teacher prep programs to important to me—the bipartisan Every is what this rule would do. focus on employment placement and Student Succeeds Act—and a potential I urge my colleagues to reject this retention of graduates. It provides in- serious threat to it. It seems that Re- rule and to rededicate ourselves to the formation from employers to future publicans are thinking about bringing duties that really and fundamentally teacher candidates so they can make to the floor another CRA that would are ours, to the duties the Federal Gov- an informed decision about their edu- eliminate the rule that provides States ernment is exclusively and monopo- cation by choosing a school that im- with flexibility and guidelines to cre- listically empowered to carry out be- proves the likelihood they will find em- ate their State plans. I want to be very cause it isn’t this. We are not com- ployment after graduation. It makes clear. I hope Republicans reconsider petent to displace the expertise of the sure that prospective teachers can ac- that approach. district and the State level, and we cess this information they need before The Every Student Succeeds Act is a should not be trying to regulate teach- they take out massive amounts of stu- critical part of our bipartisan edu- er training programs from Washington, dent debt. cation law. It is an important part of DC. We are not competent to do this. When teacher programs are strug- the civil rights protections it offers, as Thank you for your consideration. gling, this rule helps States identify well as the assurances it made that I yield the floor. at-risk and low-performing programs every student would have an oppor- Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come so States can provide them the support tunity to succeed, no matter where to the floor actually on behalf of stu- they need to adapt or adjust their pro- they live or how they learn or how dents across the country, and for those grams and help their teaching students much money parents make. Jamming who are so passionate about their edu- succeed. through that resolution would weaken cation that they want to dedicate There is one more reason I would it, and it would be a major step toward themselves to teaching, and to urge my urge my colleagues to oppose this reso- turning our bipartisan law into an- colleagues to oppose this resolution lution today. Simply put, it would put other partisan fight. and support strong and accountable more power into the hands of Secretary Rolling back the Every Student Suc- teacher preparation in America today. DeVos, and many of us don’t yet have ceeds Act rule less than a month before While this rule may not be the rule the trust that she would use that power States have to submit their plans to that any of us would have written on to promote the best interests of stu- the Department of Education will our own, it is important. dents in higher education. Secretary cause chaos and confusion in the Let me say at the outset that there DeVos does not come from a higher States, and it will hurt our students, are many great teacher prep programs education background. We don’t know our teachers, and our schools. It will that exist around our country, and whether she supports providing infor- also give Secretary DeVos greater con- they are doing a great job preparing mation on teacher placement rates and trol over that bipartisan Every Stu- our teachers to succeed in the class- retention rates before prospective dent Succeeds Act and give her the room, but there are also teacher prepa- teachers take out student loans. We tools to implement her anti-public edu- ration programs out there that are have no idea what she would do if this cation agenda. struggling and need support to help rule went away, and I believe it would Secretary DeVos’s lack of experience make sure they produce great teachers be too risky to find out. and expertise, as well as her damaging for our schools. By investing in our teachers, we are track record on school privatization, Now, as a former preschool teacher investing in our future generations. leaves her unqualified to implement and as a mom, I know how important it Our future teachers have the right to this bipartisan law that governs public is to have great teachers in our class- know whether they are receiving a education and public schools without rooms, and I understand how a good quality education, and they deserve to the important guardrails that rule en- education, with an amazing teacher, know that before they take out mas- sures. Given her record and her com- can change a child’s life. I am sure all sive amounts of student debt. ments, she would almost certainly of our colleagues think back on that It helps to improve teacher prep pro- push for measures that disregard key one special teacher they had who gram accountability and gives prospec- civil rights protections in the Every shaped their mind and changed their tive teachers the information they Student Succeeds Act and could allow life. They teach us not only how to need to make an accurate decision on unequal, unfair, and unreliable ac- read and write and do arithmetic, but which program is most likely to make countability for schools across the good teachers teach us how to think them a successful teacher in the class- country. critically, how to be creative, how to room. The Every Student Succeeds Act rule form an argument. I know I am not It ensures that Secretary DeVos does is supported by Democrats and Repub- alone in saying that I owe much of not have more power to implement un- licans, by teachers and businesses, and what I have to the quality of the public known policies that could hurt stu- by parents and communities. We education I received growing up, and I dents and reduce the number of quali- should not go backward. have spent my career fighting to make fied great teachers in our public I urge my colleagues to reconsider sure every child in America has the schools. moving forward with that resolution, same opportunity I did. Without this rule and the informa- which I understand they want to bring Unfortunately, too many teaching tion that it ensures, students will have up later this week, and work with us to students today are forced to take out a hard time finding a quality teacher continue building on that bipartisan huge amounts of student loans to af- prep program that will help them get a progress that we all worked toward for ford continuing their education so they job after they graduate. I think that is our students. can realize their dream. They are will- simply wrong. We should be working to Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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It is a scheme, One of the basic debates we will have objection, it is so ordered. but it is also not a serious process that here is what happens to Medicaid itself, REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL the House seems to be focused on right and we will have a lot of debates about Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise now. This process means the House will other aspects of the implications for today to offer a few comments about mark up this bill within I guess about the Affordable Care Act. the House Republican bill that was just 48 hours of it being unveiled, maybe Here is what it means. It means that unveiled yesterday. Those who have less than 48 hours. That means there 70 million Americans who rely upon been promoting it or those who have will not be a single hearing on the bill Medicaid—again, they are children in been working on this issue for a couple or getting the bill scored, which is a urban areas, children in rural areas, of weeks are claiming it is a new fancy Washington word for having children in small towns who get their healthcare from Medicaid. It is a lot of healthcare plan or a new comprehen- someone tell us what it costs. There individuals with disabilities, a lot of sive healthcare proposal—in essence, will be no thorough review, no serious children with disabilities who benefit by their argument, a replacement if review on such a monumental issue from Medicaid. It is also, of course, the Affordable Care Act were repealed. called healthcare and what happens to pregnant women, as well as seniors try- I disagree. I don’t believe in any way it hundreds of millions of Americans. ing to get into nursing homes, because is a plan. It might be a bill, but I think At the same time, the markup will we know that a lot of seniors can’t get a better description of it in terms of its proceed with lightning speed, and there into a nursing home unless they have impact would be that it is a scheme, will not be any information on the the benefits of Medicaid. The idea in not a plan. It is a scheme that will roll record about an analysis of the bill the bill on Medicaid that is objection- back coverage gains from the Afford- that is thorough and serious, and of able, among other objections I have, is able Care Act, which is better known course we will not know how to pay for a so-called per capita cap. This idea by a longer name: the Patient Protec- it and we will not have the score that limits Federal contributions to a fixed tion and Affordable Care Act. will tell us how it will be paid for and amount. If the caps are not tied to Kaiser—one of the great institutions what the cost will be. overall increases in healthcare spend- that track healthcare data and It is hard to come up with the words, ing, the net effect is fewer healthcare healthcare policy—told us that there but the impact of this bill would be a dollars over time so they can afford the are 156 million Americans with em- disaster. If you are a millionaire and tax cuts they want to have as part of ployer-sponsored coverage. Those up, you are doing quite well under this this scheme. Americans didn’t have much protection bill. You are going to get a bonanza from this bill. You are going to have a We have heard a lot around here before the Patient Protection and Af- about flexibility, that States want fordable Care Act with regard to pre- great payday. If you are a child or you happen to be a senior or if you are a more flexibility when it comes to Med- existing conditions or annual lifetime icaid. I will tell you what they don’t limits—a whole series of protections woman or if you are an individual with a disability or a chronic disease, you want. They don’t want a flexibility ar- for people that were not there before gument to be a scheme that results in that. are out of luck. You are in big trouble. I would hope that those Americans cuts to those States, where the Federal This scheme, as I am calling it, will Government says: Here is a block grant would have the benefit of a serious re- not only roll back coverage gains in that may increase or may not, but view of a serious issue. If the bill is not the Patient Protection and Affordable good luck, States, as you balance your serious, I guess they are going to ram Care Act, in the process it will also budgets. devastate the Medicaid Program, leav- it through. We will see what happens in Of course, Governors and State legis- ing many of the most vulnerable Amer- the next couple of days. lators balance their budgets, and they There is one analysis that should be icans behind. have very difficult choices to make— on the record. There are some that are Another impact of this scheme will sometimes choices the Federal Govern- hot off the presses. This is a report re- be to increase costs for middle-class ment never makes. That is why some leased today that I am looking at. It is families while cutting taxes for mil- Republican Governors took advantage about 21⁄2 pages. They know the vote lionaires or multimillionaires as well of the Medicaid expansion and ex- as big corporations. It will raise the will take place soon in the com- panded healthcare to a lot of people in cost of care for older Americans and mittee—two committees, maybe in the their States. That is one of the reasons substantially cut funding for hospitals House. This report by the Center on they are worried about—and some will in rural communities. Budget and Policy Priorities is moving oppose this idea of so-called per capita How did we get there, and where are quickly to keep up with the fast pace caps or block-granting of Medicaid or we going based upon the House Repub- at which the bill is proceeding. I won’t the like. lican proposal? Last night the Repub- read the whole report, and I won’t If we have a proposal to cut $370 bil- licans released their bill to ‘‘replace’’ enter the whole report into the lion from the House, what does that the Affordable Care Act, and the House RECORD; I am sure people can go online mean for some of those groups that I Energy and Commerce Committee and and look at it. Here is the title of the just mentioned earlier? Well, we know the House Ways and Means Committee report: ‘‘House GOP Medicaid Provi- that more than 45 percent of all the will be marking up the bill tomorrow. sions Would Shift $370 billion in costs births in the United States of America I guess it doesn’t require much reading to states over a decade.’’ It is written are paid for by Medicaid, so that is a to get to a markup tomorrow. by Edwin Park, who has been writing consequence for pregnant women and Usually when you introduce a bill, about Medicaid for a long time. Few their children. One in five seniors re- the bill is reviewed by Members of Con- Americans know more about Medicaid ceives Medicaid assistance by way of gress. There is some public debate on than Edwin Park and people like him the benefit to someone trying to get it. There is some back-and-forth. And who study it. I will read the first sen- into a nursing home. Medicaid also then a period of time later, maybe tence, which gives you the basics of it: pays for home-based care for seniors weeks, there is a markup. The com- ‘‘The new House Republican health and, of course, long-term care as well. mittee engages in a thorough review of plan would shift an estimated $370 bil- What if you have a disability? Over the bill, and the markup means they lion in Medicaid costs to states over one-third of the Nation’s adults with make changes. They add amendments the next ten years, effectively ending disabilities who require extensive serv- or try to alter the bill in one way or the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Med- ices and support are covered by Med- another. That is a serious approach icaid expansion for 11 million people icaid. when you do this work of legislating on while also harming tens of millions of We know that in a State like mine— a serious issue. additional seniors, people with disabil- because we had a Republican Governor

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.037 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1629 embrace the Medicaid expansion, and of years ago that many parents get in been slapped together—in my judg- then we had a Democratic Governor the course of the lives of their children. ment, too quickly—that Pam’s con- embrace it and really develop it and She got news in March of 2015 that her cerns would be an uppermost priority bring it to where it is today—we have son Rowan was diagnosed with autism in the minds of those who are working expansion of Medicaid that resulted in spectrum disorder. The diagnosis was on this legislation. some 700,000—that is not an exact num- made by a psychologist who worked for I yield the floor. ber, but it is approaching 700,000 Penn- the Intermediate Unit—meaning the I suggest the absence of a quorum. sylvanians gaining coverage through institution that works for the school The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the Medicaid expansion. And 62 percent districts and helps to provide special clerk will call the roll. of Americans who gained coverage education. Rowan continued in the pre- The senior assistant legislative clerk through the Medicaid expansion are school program and daycare program proceeded to call the roll. working. So we are talking about a lot before and after school, but then Pam Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I of families and a lot of individuals who goes on to say: ask unanimous consent that the order are working and getting their I was never able to find a daycare suitable for the quorum call be rescinded. healthcare through Medicaid. That op- for all of Rowan’s needs. In late January of The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. portunity presented itself because, in 2016, I applied for [Medical Assistance]. RUBIO). Without objection, it is so or- the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid was I will stop there for a moment to ex- dered expanded. plain. Medical Assistance is the State Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I There are lots of numbers we could share of the State end of the Medicare ask unanimous consent that I be al- talk about. I will give maybe two more. Program. We call it Medical Assist- lowed to speak for up to 15 minutes as Medicaid is the primary payer for men- ance. Other States have a different in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tal health and substance abuse treat- name for it. objection, it is so ordered. ment. Medicaid expansion enabled Pam said she applied for Medical As- 180,000 Pennsylvanians to receive these sistance: CLIMATE CHANGE lifesaving services. If you are a Mem- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, After Rowan was awarded this assistance ber of Congress and you have been we were able to obtain wrap-around services, this is my ‘‘Time to Wake Up’’ speech going home and talking about the which included a Behavioral Specialist Con- No. 159. In giving these speeches, I have opioid crisis—and to say it is a crisis is sultant . . . and a Therapeutic Staff Support come to realize that some of my col- a terrible understatement. It has dev- worker. leagues seem to have a hard time wrap- astated small towns and rural areas. It Pam goes on to say, and I am quoting ping their heads around the basic un- has devastated cities. It has destroyed her again: derstanding of climate change. Some of families. We know how bad it is. Some Without Medical Assistance, I am con- President Trump’s Cabinet nominees of the numbers indicate it is getting fident that I could not work full time to sup- seem to have the same problem. worse, not leveling off. If you say you port our family. . . . [We] would be bankrupt They say the scientific community is care about that and you supported the and my son would go without the therapies split on the issue. It is not. Comprehensive Addiction and Recov- he needs. They say the climate has always ery Act as a Member of Congress and These are the therapies I just men- been changing. Not like this, it hasn’t. you supported the funding that was in tioned. Then Pam goes on to say, urg- They say we can’t trust projections the 21st Century Cures Act at the end ing me as one of her two Senators to and complex computer models. But of the year, and you say you are work- focus on her son, focus on her family overall, they have actually been right. ing toward help for communities dev- when we are casting votes and having And, of course, they have the noto- astated by the opioid crisis, it is OK to debates about policies that relate to rious ‘‘I’m not a scientist’’ dodge. Well, say that, but you can’t then say: But I healthcare and Medicaid. Here is what if a colleague doesn’t understand this, want to support the House Republican Pam asked me to do as her Senator: then perhaps he ought to trust the sci- proposal on Medicaid, when Medicaid is Please think of Rowan. . . . My 9-month- entists at NOAA and at NASA, at our the primary payer for these substance old Luna, who smiles and laughs at her National Labs, and at universities in abuse treatment programs. brother, she will have to care for Rowan late Rhode Island and across the country— I mentioned before adults and chil- in her life after we are gone. We are des- the scientists whose job it is to under- dren with disabilities. Medicaid covers perately in need of Rowan’s Medical Assist- stand this. 60 percent of children with disabilities. ance and would be devastated if we lost these I must say, in addition to trusting We know the range of that—ranging benefits. the scientists, I also trust Rhode Island from autism to Down syndrome, to So said Pam about her son and about fishermen who see the changes in their traumatic brain injury, and many the importance of the Medical Assist- traps and nets and our shoreline home- other disabilities or circumstances ance Program, which is known on the owners watching the sea steadily rising that I have not mentioned. For a lot of national level as Medicaid. I would toward their homes. You don’t need people, this is real life. It is not some hope that those in the House, as they fancy computer models to see the theory that gets kicked around Wash- are quickly marking up legislation ocean changes already taking place; ington, often by people who have good that would have a huge impact on fam- you just need a thermometer to meas- healthcare coverage as they are talk- ilies like Pam’s and many more—I ure rising temperatures, basically a ing about cutting healthcare for oth- would hope they would think of Rowan, yardstick to measure sea level rise or a ers. We have a lot of testimony from think of his little sister Luna and what simple pH kit to measure the acidifica- what we might want to call the real her challenges might be years from tion of our oceans. world. now when she would likely have to care Let’s look at ocean acidification. The One of the most compelling pieces of for Rowan and answer some of Pam’s oceans have absorbed about one-third correspondence I received in my time questions. of all the excess carbon dioxide pro- in the Senate was from a mom about There are a lot of questions that we duced by humans since the industrial her son. Her name is Pam. She is from have about policy and numbers and revolution, around 600 gigatons’ worth. Coatesville, PA. That is in South- budget impacts, and they are all appro- When that carbon dioxide dissolves eastern Pennsylvania, within the range priate. But some of the most important into the ocean, chemistry happens, and of suburban Philadelphia. She wrote to questions we have to answer for those it makes the oceans more acidic. tell me how important Medicaid is to who are asking them are questions Carbon dioxide reacts with water to her family and to tell me about her 5- that our constituents are asking. And form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid isn’t year-old son Rowan. She sent me a pic- one of those is Pam. We have to be re- stable in ocean water, so it breaks ture of Rowan with a firefighter’s hat sponsive to her concerns about her son down into bicarbonate ions, a base, and on. Of course, he is fascinated, as we all and the challenges her son faces. hydrogen ions, an acid. The increase in are, by the heroic work of firefighters. I hope, in the midst of debate, in the acidic hydrogen ions is the crux of the Her story—I will not go through her midst of very rapid consideration of a chemistry of ocean acidification. More whole letter, but she got news a couple complicated subject on a bill that has hydrogen ions lower the water’s pH,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.038 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 and the lower the pH, the higher the the west coast have already seen dev- reefs are to the tourism industry in his acidity. astating losses of larval oysters due to State. Regular viewers of my ‘‘Time to acidic waters. When ocean pH fell too Coral depends on a symbiotic rela- Wake Up’’ speeches or people who spent low, baby oysters couldn’t form their tionship with tiny photosynthetic the night up with us while we objected shells, and they quickly died off. Dr. algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in to Administrator Pruitt’s nomination Julia Ekstrom, the lead researcher for the surface tissue of the coral. There is may remember that I demonstrated Nature Climate Change’s 2015 study on a range of pH, as well as temperature, this in a simple experiment on the Sen- ocean acidification, told PBS that it salinity, and water clarity, within ate floor just a few weeks ago. I took has cost the Pacific Northwest oyster which this symbiosis between the coral the glass of water on my desk, and I industry more than $100 million and and the zooxanthellae thrives. Outside used the carbon dioxide in my own jeopardized thousands of jobs. Her re- that comfort range, the corals get breath. Blowing through an aquarium search flagged 15 States where the stressed, and they begin to evict the stone, I was able to show, with the help shellfish industry would be hardest hit, algae. This is called coral bleaching be- of a little pH dye, how easy it is to ac- from Alaska to Florida, to my home cause corals shed their colorful algae. Without these algae, corals soon die. tually measure the effect of CO2 on the State of Rhode Island. acidity of water. With just a few Toward the bottom of the oceanic The effects of acidification on sea life breaths into the water, I was able to food web is the humble pteropod. are far-reaching. Studies have found visibly make this glass of drinking Pteropods are sometimes called sea ocean acidification disrupts everything water more acidic. butterflies because their tiny snail foot from the sensory systems of That little experiment is a micro- has evolved into an oceanic wing. In clownfish—those are little Nemos, for cosm of what is happening in our 2014 NOAA found that more than half those who have seen the movie—to oceans right now, except, instead of of pteropods sampled off the west coast phytoplankton populations, to sea ur- chin reproduction, to the Dungeness bubbles blown through a straw, it is a were suffering from severely dissolved crab, another valuable west coast spe- transfer of excess CO2 from the atmos- shells due to ocean acidification, and it phere into the surface waters of the cialty. is worsening. I asked Scott Pruitt, our ethically ocean all around the globe. This is a pteropod shell degrading challenged Administrator of the Envi- Scientific observations confirm that over time in acidified water. ronmental Protection Agency, about what the laws of chemistry tell us Of course, we are here in ‘‘Mammon ocean acidification. He gave these an- should happen is actually happening. Hall,’’ where it feels laughable to care swers: ‘‘The oceans are alkaline and Massive carbon pollution resulting about anything that can’t be mone- are projected to remain so,’’ and two, from burning fossil fuels is changing tized. We talk a good game here in the ‘‘The degree of alkalinity in the ocean ocean acidity faster than ever in the Senate about God’s Earth and God’s is highly variable and therefore it is past 50 million years. creation and God’s creatures, but what difficult to attribute that variability Now, you start talking in big num- we really care about is the money. So bers, and it all goes into a blur—50 mil- to any single cause.’’ let’s monetize this. Let’s look at those answers. lion years, compared to how long the Who cares about this humble species? The first answer is plain and simple human species has been on the planet, Salmon do. As the west coast loses its nonsense because the harm to ocean which is about 200,000 years. So 50 mil- pteropods, that collapse reverberates creatures from acidification comes lion years is, what, 250 times the up the food chain, and the salmon care from the dramatic shift in ocean acid- length of time that our species has in- because many of them feed on the ity, not from where along the acid- habited the Earth. pteropods. The west coast salmon fish- based spectrum the shift takes place. This chart shows measurements of ery is a big deal, so salmon fishermen The observation he made is irrelevant carbon dioxide in the atmosphere care about this. to the question. taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory Another foundational marine species, His second answer is no better. It ex- in Hawaii. That is the redline of climb- krill, is also affected by ocean acidifi- hibits purposeful ignorance of the role ing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. cation. In the Southern Ocean, nearly humans’ carbon pollution plays in And it shows carbon dioxide in the all marine animals can thank krill for damaging the ocean, because the chem- ocean, which is the green measure, their survival. From penguin diets to ical principles at issue here are indis- which is also climbing in tandem with whale diets, krill is king. putable. You can replicate them in a the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmos- A 2013 study in Nature Climate middle school laboratory in any Flor- phere. Finally, it shows the pH of Change found ocean acidification in- ida school. As I showed in my little ocean water in the sea. Of course, as hibiting the hatching of krill eggs and demonstration, you can replicate them the chemistry would tell us, as the car- the normal development of larvae. The even here on the Senate floor. Like its bon dioxide goes up, the pH comes researchers note that unless we cut carbon cousin, climate change, ocean down, and the acidity rises; the water emissions, collapse of the krill popu- acidification doesn’t care whether you becomes more acidic. lation in the Southern Ocean portends believe in chemistry. It doesn’t matter We measure that surface seawater on ‘‘dire consequences for the entire eco- to chemistry if you swallow the propa- the Earth’s oceans has, since the indus- system.’’ ganda pumped out by the fossil fuel trial revolution, become roughly 30 Closer to home, the University of lobby. The principles of science operate percent more acidic. NOAA predicts Alaska’s Ocean Acidification Research notwithstanding. The chemical inter- that oceans will be 150 percent more Center—yes, ocean acidification is seri- actions take place by law of nature acidic than now by the end of the cen- ous enough that the University of Alas- whether you believe them or not. If tury. Coastal States, like Rhode Island ka has an Ocean Acidification Research you believe in God, then you have to and Florida, will feel the hit. Center, and it warns that ocean acidifi- acknowledge that these laws of nature Ocean acidification disrupts life in cation ‘‘has the potential to disrupt are God’s laws, the basic operating the sea when those loose hydrogen ions [Alaska’s fishing] industry from top to principles He established in His cre- we talked about latch onto free car- bottom.’’ ation. But, of course, here at Mammon bonate ions. Usually that carbonate is Turning to warmer waters, coral Hall, it is always about the money. plentiful in ocean water. Shell-forming reefs are also highly susceptible to Any decent EPA Administrator is marine creatures, like oysters and ocean acidification. A healthy coral obliged to trust in real science and to clams, use this loose carbonate to help reef is one of the most productive and take action to protect human health form their shells. But if the carbonate diverse ecosystems on Earth, home to and the environment. I am deeply un- they need is bound up by hydrogen 25 percent of the world’s fish biodiver- convinced that Administrator Pruitt ions, they can’t get enough carbonate sity. Those reef-building corals rely on will live up in any respect to those ob- to build their shells. calcium carbonate to build their skele- ligations, but I would welcome being We have even seen acidification sce- tons. proven wrong. Likewise, I similarly narios in which shells start to dissolve Since the Presiding Officer is from challenge my colleagues here in the in the water. Shellfish hatcheries on Florida, I know how important coral Senate.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:25 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.039 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1631 This Chamber and our Nation will be who are currently receiving mental godsend’’ for her and her family. Before judged harshly by our descendants, health and addiction services. She her son received a waiver under the both for our pigheaded disregard for writes: Medicaid Program, her family was the basic truths, the basic operating As a constituent concerned about pre- spending $100 a month in copays for systems of the world we live in, and for serving access to lifesaving mental health psychiatric medications alone. That is the shameful reason why we disregard and addiction services, I am writing today to in addition to all the extra medical them. Mammon Hall indeed. urge and request your support in protecting costs in caring for a severely chal- Mr. President, it is time for the Sen- the Affordable Care Act and preserving Med- lenged child. They couldn’t afford the ate to wake up before it is too late. icaid expansion. I work as a substance abuse counselor in physical therapy he needs, despite hav- I yield the floor. Knox County and work with adolescents and ing insurance coverage through her The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- women with co-occurring disorders. Without husband’s employer. She wrote that ator from Ohio. the Medicaid expansion, many of our clients Medicaid ‘‘more than anything else, REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL would not be able to get the help they need. improved the quality of my son’s life, Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, the Without ObamaCare, without the Af- and by extension, the life of our whole House’s plan to repeal the Affordable fordable Care Act. family.’’ Care Act is dangerous and irrespon- Without the Medicaid expansion, many of Understand that health challenges— sible. Just listen to Governor John Ka- our clients would not be able to get the help especially mental health challenges sich, Republican Governor of my State, they need. but health challenges overall—in one who says we should not be throwing Today in Ohio, 200,000 people are in member of a family afflict the whole 500, 600, 700,000 Medicaid beneficiaries— the midst of opioid addiction treat- family. That is something we should mostly people who have jobs and work ment, and 200,000 of them have insur- remember as this Congress seems to in low-income jobs—we shouldn’t ance so they could get that treatment rush pell-mell into trying to repeal throw them off their insurance. In fact, delivered in the right way and have in- Medicare, trying to repeal the Afford- in Ohio there are 900,000 people—700,000 surance because of the Affordable Care able Care Act. on Medicaid, 100,000 on their parents’ Act. This House proposal would just rip These three letters are three of hun- healthcare plan, and another 100,000 on it away from them. dreds of thousands that we received— the exchanges—who would lose their She goes on to write: hundreds of thousands of letters and insurance if the House succeeds and the Knowing that they can receive help and calls that Members of the Senate are Senate goes along in changing dramati- healthcare often is one of the motivating receiving. I don’t understand how, cally or repealing the Affordable Care factors for our clients to begin to make when 20 million people will lose their Act. change. Their ability to access medications My office is flooded with letters and such as Vivitrol through Medicaid has been a insurance, so many Members of Con- calls from Ohioans begging us not to strengthening point in the recovery process gress, who themselves have govern- take away their care. Let me share of many. With our teens, I have seen them be ment-financed health insurance—we some of those letters. able to change substance use with the re- have health insurance in this body paid sources that Medicaid provides. A woman from Beachwood, OH, in for by taxpayers, most of us. Yet we Northeast Ohio wrote to me on Janu- In other words, some of them are think it is appropriate to pass legisla- ary 11 terrified of possible changes to breaking their addiction and some of tion in part giving tax cuts to the rich- the Medicaid system that helps fund them are being cured because of the Af- est Americans and at the same time nursing homes like the one where she fordable Care Act, because they have stripping away Medicare benefits, tak- lives. She writes: Medicaid. ing 22 million people who now have in- I strongly believe changes would dras- Medicaid allows our rural and low-income surance off of that insurance and pro- tically diminish my quality of life and many teens— posing minor insurance for some of other residents’ in the nursing home setting. And of the 88 counties in Ohio, 70 or them but not nearly all of them. If we My care needs are currently well managed by so are classified as small town or rural, are people of God, if we are people who qualified and caring staff members. I am a 2- like the county I grew up in, Richland care about our constituents, how we person assist with dressing, bathing, and get- County— can do that is just beyond me. ting to the bathroom. I also require two peo- many of whom otherwise would not be able ple with getting dressed every morning. I go back to the quote from one of Medicaid cuts would decrease the number to attend treatment due to transportation the people I read about today from of staff members.... Without adequate barriers—to attend treatment through public Beachwood. She writes: ‘‘Please con- staff, I am afraid of extensive wait periods transportation. Working with these clients, sider the people who will be affected you learn their stories. So many have been and frequent bathing accidents.... It would the most.’’ be very difficult to endure, cause embarrass- through unimaginable trauma, losses, and ment, while destroying my dignity in the emotional/physical pain. Many have never CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU had the support to help them begin to work process. Mr. President, President Trump de- I am not as strong as I used to be. I have through these issues underlying the sub- stance use. clared this week Consumer Protection children who love and care for me and placed Week, but his proclamation has gaping me in a safe environment. Living in the She is worried. The lady in Mount holes. It ignores the many ways large nursing home has allowed me to live a little Vernon, OH, is worried, with very good corporations cheat consumers and the better, smile a little longer, and enjoy my reason, that these repeal plans would biggest tool Americans have to fight days with family members. ‘‘leave millions of Americans without back. ‘‘Please consider,’’ she writes, ‘‘the access to needed mental health and ad- people who will be affected the most.’’ dictions treatment in our state and Not once did the proclamation men- Understand that most Medicaid dol- communities.’’ tion the Consumer Financial Protec- lars—dollars that unfortunately Re- Most recently, a woman in Butler tion Bureau, which has returned $12 publicans want to block-grant or County—the congressional district of billion to 29 million consumers. The capitate in some way, whatever terms former Speaker John Boehner and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau they want to use here, send to the some members of my staff, past and was created under Dodd-Frank 8 or 9 States, shrink those dollars, and people present—writes: years ago. Not once does it talk about like this lady from Beachwood will be I am extremely concerned about the cuts the unscrupulous lenders who targeted the losers as a result. Understand again President Trump and the Republican-led Americans with predatory mortgages that most Medicaid dollars—two-thirds Congress propose to make in the Medicaid before blowing up the economy in 2007 of them—go to nursing home care. program and services for the develop- and 2008. Not once does the President’s ‘‘Please consider the people who will be mentally disabled. Consumer Protection Week proclama- affected the most,’’ she writes. Her son is 14 years old. He was diag- tion mention the millions of fake ac- Another woman from Mount Vernon, nosed with a specific type of autism. counts opened by Wells Fargo. Not OH, a part of the State where I grew up He is nonverbal, with severe cognitive once does it mention the shady outfits in Mansfield, wrote to urge us not to and physical challenges. She wrote to that set up shop outside the gates of rip coverage away from individuals my office how Medicaid has been ‘‘a our military bases and the payday

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.042 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 lenders and other unscrupulous lenders the Armed Services Committee with totalitarian mob violence on college who set up shop outside the gates of the senior enlisted advisers of military campuses. the military bases because they aren’t services—the Army, Air Force, Navy, I was not in Burlington, VT, last allowed on the military bases as they Marines. Their job is to make sure our Thursday to witness what happened at try to exploit our service men and servicemembers and their families are Middlebury College, but I would like to women and their families. getting the support they need. Every read from accounts that have been pro- Not only did the President ignore one of them had great things to say vided by two people who were, in fact, some of the most pressing consumer about the CFPB’s Office of Service- there and who saw these things unfold. protection issues, his administration is member Affairs—of the value it pro- They were the targets of the mob’s vio- attacking the most important con- vides and the support it provides to the lence. Their names are Allison Stanger, sumer advocate indeed—the Consumer men and women who sacrifice so much professor of political science at Financial Protection Bureau. for our country. Middlebury College, and Charles Mur- Last week, President Trump’s De- Senator REED brought up an alarm- ray, the author of several partment of Justice filed papers in ing figure. A recent report estimated groundbreaking books, including the Federal court signaling that it will that thousands of servicemembers are work ‘‘The Bell Curve’’ and a scholar argue that the CFPB shouldn’t be inde- forced out of service every year be- at the American Enterprise Institute. pendent. The President and White cause of financial hardships—problems America deserves and needs to hear House want the CFPB under their con- with their mortgages, with payday their stories. trol so they can weaken it, so they can loans, with credit card debt. One will On Saturday, 2 days after the inci- help Wall Street, so they can take remember earlier in the presentation away some of its power. They think the dent, Professor Stanger wrote on her that I talked about how many of these Facebook page as follows: President should have the power to fire financial groups set up right outside the head of the agency for any reason. military bases. That causes a tragedy I agreed to participate in the event with Charles Murray because several of my stu- The whole reason we wrote it to be for these men and women who want to independent was to protect it from a dents asked me to do so. They are smart and serve their country, and it causes trag- good people—all of them—and this was their President who chose Wall Street over edy for their families. It costs tax- Main Street. It was Presidential Can- big event of the year. payers $57,000 every time someone is didate Trump who sounded pretty good I, actually, welcomed the opportunity to forced out of service. Many other serv- be involved because, while my students may standing up to Wall Street and helping icemembers lose their security clear- know I am a Democrat, all of my courses are Main Street. If you look at the nomi- ances because of financial trouble, nonpartisan, and this was a chance to dem- nees, his appointments, and his actions which directly affects the mission onstrate publicly my commitment to a free so far, it has been exactly the opposite. readiness that is brought on by shady and fair exchange of views in my classroom. He has been the president of Wall business practices. As the campus uproar about his visit built, Street and at the same time exploiting I was genuinely surprised and troubled to The CFPB is stepping in to protect Main Street. It means that what the learn that some of my faculty colleagues had these heroes who are often taken ad- President has proposed is that the rendered judgment on Dr. Murray’s work and vantage of. The CFPB’s Office of Serv- President can fire his director for doing character while openly admitting that they icemember Affairs is led by men and his job: stepping on the toes of special had not read anything he had written. With women who have served in the military the best of intentions, they offered their interests. and know what kind of help service- leadership to enraged students, and we all The CFPB works in part because it know what the results were. has an independent Director. The cur- members need. They visit 145 military facilities across the country in order to I want you to know what it feels like to rent Director of the CFPB, Richard look out at a sea of students yelling obsceni- Cordray from Ohio, has protected con- help servicemembers get their finances straightened out and to hear about ties at other members of my beloved commu- sumers, has returned billions to Ameri- nity.... I saw some of my faculty col- cans who were cheated and who were their concerns. They have handled leagues, who had publicly acknowledged that taken advantage of by big companies. 70,000 complaints from servicemembers they had not read anything Dr. Murray had The CFPB has an independent budg- and veterans about abusive practices written, join the effort to shut down the lec- et. Banks can’t kill it by lobbying it by financial institutions. They have re- ture. All of this was deeply unsettling to me. and cutting off its budget. That is the turned $130 million back to service- What alarmed me most, however, was what point. People whom he has in many members and their families simply by I saw in student eyes from up on that stage. cases recovered money from because he enforcing the law and protecting those Those who wanted the event to take place consumers. made eye contact with me. Those intent on represents consumers—those banks, disrupting it steadfastly refused to do so. It those large Wall Street banks and The CFPB protects the men and women who protect our country. It pro- was clear to me that they had effectively de- other financial institutions, because of humanized me. They couldn’t look me in the the way it is set up, can’t lobby Con- tects all of us. The best way to cele- eye because, if they had, they would have gress to take money away from it and brate Consumer Protection Week is not seen another human being. There is a lot to put it out of business. Special interests through words and proclamations, it is be angry about in America today, but noth- have relentlessly attacked the CFPB through actions. ing good ever comes from demonizing our since the day we created it. We need to combat cyber crimes and brothers and sisters. President Trump ran on the promise identity theft, as the President men- When the event ended and it was time to of protecting the little guy, but he tioned, but we also need to combat all leave the building, I breathed a sigh of relief. hasn’t followed through on the promise kinds of tricks and traps—loans with We had made it. I was ready for dinner and outrageous interest rates, for-profit conversation with faculty and students in a of protecting ordinary Americans from tranquil setting. What transpired instead some of the wealthiest, most privileged colleges that promise far more than felt like a scene from [the TV show] ‘‘Home- special interests in this town. they deliver, lenders who discriminate land’’ rather than an evening at an institu- If you are one of the 29 million Amer- based on race. The list goes on and on. tion of higher learning. We confronted an icans who received help from CFPB, I urge my colleagues to join me in angry mob as we tried to exit the building. you might know how important saving working to ensure that the CFPB re- Most of the hatred was focused on Dr. Mur- it is, but you might not know how im- mains a strong, active ally in the cause ray, but when I took his right arm both to portant it is to especially protecting of consumer protection this week, next shield him from the attack and to make sure one group of people, and that is pro- week, every week. we stayed together so I could reach the car, tecting our veterans and our service- I yield the floor. too, that’s when the hatred turned on me. members. The CFPB has an entire of- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- One thug grabbed me by the hair, and an- fice that is dedicated to helping men ator from Utah. other shoved me in a different direction. I noticed signs with expletives and my name SILENCING OF POLITICAL DEBATE and women who have served in uni- on them. . . . For those of you who marched form—the Office of Servicemember Af- Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I am truly in Washington the day after the inaugura- fairs. saddened that I must address what I tion, imagine being in a crowd like that, A couple of weeks ago, my Rhode Is- fear is a growing threat to our Repub- only being surrounded by hatred rather than land Senator friend, JACK REED, was in lic—the silencing of political debate by love. I feared for my life.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.044 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1633 The next day, on Sunday, the Amer- States Senate—my Democratic col- Born in Webster Groves, MO, Charles ican Enterprise Institute’s website pub- leagues would eagerly join in an open grew up in the St. Louis area and grad- lished this account from Dr. Charles and respectful debate that would ensue uated from the University of Missouri- Murray. as a result of that visit. I am confident Columbia School of Journalism. Short- Dr. Murray wrote: they would reject any effort to silence ly after graduation, Charles began his If it hadn’t been for Allison and Bill Burger or to do harm to those with whom they career as a radio reporter at KCMO in [Middlebury’s Vice President for Commu- might disagree. In fact, I am confident Kansas City. He has also worked in nications] keeping hold of me and the secu- that if any outburst like that hap- news stations in San Francisco and rity guards pulling people off me, I would pened, whoever was chairing that com- Philadelphia before becoming the ABC have been pushed to the ground. That much mittee and the ranking personnel asso- is sure. What would have happened after that News bureau Midwest correspondent in I don’t know, but I do recall thinking that ciated with that committee would im- St. Louis. In 1991, Charles was hired as being on the ground was a really bad idea, mediately bring the disruption to a a general assignment reporter at ABC 7 and I should try really hard to avoid that. close so an open, honest, respectful dis- Chicago and later named to the coveted Unlike Allison, I wasn’t actually hurt at cussion could occur within that meet- position of political reporter in 2009. all. . . . ing. In the 23 years since ‘‘The Bell Curve’’ was I know tensions are high in America Since joining ABC 7’s ‘‘Eyewitness published, I have had considerable experi- today, and I know what it is like to be News’’ in 1991, its newscast was and re- ence with campus protests. Until last Thurs- on the losing side of a bitterly fought mains the most watched TV news in day, all of the ones involving me have been Presidential election as we, as Repub- Chicago. On Charles’s 25th anniversary as carefully scripted as kabuki: The college administration meets with the organizers of licans, found ourselves in just a few at the station, he said: ‘‘I am very the protest, and ground rules are agreed years ago in the wake of the 2012 elec- blessed to have worked here and like to upon. The protesters have so many minutes tion cycle and in the wake of the pre- think that my efforts have had some- to do such and such. It is agreed that, after vious Presidential election cycle before thing to do with that success.’’ As an the allotted time, they will leave or desist. that in 2008, but that does not and can- avid viewer, I am here to say it has. These negotiated agreements have always not give anyone the license to shout His unique perspective and keen ability worked. At least a couple of dozen times, I down a fellow American, let alone to to tell stories make him invaluable to have been able to give my lecture to an at- physically assault him just because he any newsroom. Let me tell you, tentive or, at least, quiet audience despite an holds a different opinion. organized protest. Charles asks the tough questions and Middlebury tried to negotiate such an Democracy and freedom—the repub- holds us all accountable. As the politi- agreement with the protesters, but for the lican form of government—depend on cian often in the crosshairs, I can tell open, tolerant, and civil political dis- first time in my experience, the protesters you I knew Charles was always pre- course, and sustaining our democratic would not accept any time limits. If this be- pared and ready to challenge any weak comes the new normal, the number of col- freedoms is, perhaps, the sole reason response. I speak for all of Chicago leges willing to let themselves in for an ex- the government subsidizes institutions perience like Middlebury’s will plunge to of higher education in this country. when I say Charles Thomas will be near zero. Academia is already largely se- It is embarrassing that teachers and missed. questered in an ideological bubble, but at students at an elite college like For more than a quarter century, least it’s translucent. That bubble will be- come opaque. Middlebury should need reminding, but Charles has covered the biggest stories Worse yet, the intellectual thugs will take speech is not violence, and violence is in the country—the OJ Simpson Trial, over many campuses. In the mid-1990s, I not speech. Totalitarians who fail to Oklahoma City bombing, Rodney King could count on students who had wanted to recognize this core fact of decency and trials, Great Chicago Flood, and the listen to start yelling at the protesters after tolerance are goose-stepping into some election of the first African-American a certain point, ‘‘Sit down and shut up. We of the darkest corners of the human President, to name just a few. He truly want to hear what he has to say.’’ That kind heart. had a front row seat to history. He of pushback had an effect. It reminded the If there is anything that should unite protesters that they were a minority. even joined then-Senator Barack I am assured [he continues] by people at us in these polarized times, it is that Obama on a trip to Africa in 2006. His Middlebury that their protesters are a mi- the kind of violence we saw on remarkable career has taken him to nority as well, but they are a minority that Middlebury’s campus last week must every State in America and five con- has intimidated the majority. The people in not be tolerated. That is why I com- tinents, and he leaves with no regrets. the audience who wanted to hear me speak mend the 44 Middlebury College profes- Reflecting on his years covering na- were completely cowed. That cannot be al- sors who have signed a ‘‘Statement of lowed to stand. A campus where a majority tional, State, and local politics, he Principles’’ on ‘‘Free Inquiry on Cam- said: ‘‘Without a moment’s hesitation, of students are fearful to speak openly be- pus.’’ I hope more Middlebury profes- cause they know a minority will jump on I can look back and say I had the best them is no longer an intellectually free cam- sors will join them. In any event, I TV reporting job in America.’’ pus in any meaningful sense. hope all Americans will join them in standing up for free, open, honest, re- Charles Thomas has had an amazing I suspect that most of my colleagues career. His work earned him two on the other side of the aisle may not spectful debate. Thank you, Mr. President. Emmy awards for reporting in 1983 and necessarily be fans of Dr. Charles Mur- I yield the floor. 1992. Although he is retiring, Charles is ray. There is nothing wrong with that, f not done telling stories. He plans to ex- but I am confident they at least would plore digital storytelling focusing on be honest enough and self-respecting MORNING BUSINESS the African-American community, enough not to condemn any scholar’s Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- celebrating positive stories often miss- work without ever having read it, like mous consent that the Senate be in a ing in local and national broadcasts— many of Middlebury’s faculty members period of morning business, with Sen- what a noble and necessary endeavor. I apparently did. More importantly, I am ators permitted to speak therein for up am heartened that Charles will remain confident my Democratic colleagues to 10 minutes each. an inspirational voice in the commu- would join me in denouncing the vio- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nity. lence of the Middlebury campus pro- objection, it is so ordered. I want to congratulate Charles testers who sought to silence Dr. Mur- f ray. On countless occasions, I have Thomas on his distinguished career and heard my Democratic colleagues come TRIBUTE TO CHARLES THOMAS thank him for his outstanding service to the Senate floor to condemn vio- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to the people of Chicago. I especially lence in all of its forms. Why would to take a few moments to acknowledge want to thank Charles’s wife, Maria, this time be any different? Charles Thomas, a veteran broadcast and their three children for sharing so We do not agree on everything, but I journalist and political reporter. Last much of their husband and father with am confident that if Dr. Murray were week, after a career spanning four dec- our community. I wish him and his invited to testify here on Capitol Hill— ades, Charles Thomas appeared in his family all the best in their next chap- perhaps at a committee of the United final newscast at ABC 7 Chicago. ter.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.046 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 PROTECTING YOUNG VICTIMS women was Jamie Dantzscher, a re- utation of a coach’’ should not be tar- FROM SEXUAL ABUSE ACT tired gymnast who won the bronze nished by an allegation raised by a vic- Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, yes- medal competing in the 2000 Olympics tim. terday I introduced the Protecting in Sydney. Jamie told me how she This shocked me, and as I dug deeper Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, trained as a young girl in California. into the USA Gymnastics institution, a bill to protect young athletes who When she was 13 years old, she was which is considered a ‘‘national gov- participate in the U.S. amateur ranks thrilled to be invited to train with the erning body’’ under Federal law and from sexual abuse. national USA Gymnastics team. It was oversees over 3,000 gymnasiums nation- Before last summer’s Olympic Games with the national team that Nassar wide, I saw that their policies made it in Rio de Janeiro, the Indianapolis gained her trust. Nassar became her harder for victims, rather than easier, Star published an investigative piece ‘‘buddy,’’ in the midst of an intense to report incidents of abuse. Their by- that revealed that amateur gymnasts training environment. With USA Gym- laws stated, for example, that the only were sexually abused in gyms all across nastics backing him as a famous doctor way for a member athlete to ‘‘effec- the country. No one knew how wide- and trainer, Jamie felt that there was tively’’ make a complaint about a spread the problem was in that sport. absolutely no reason to believe Nassar coach was through a signed, written But throughout the investigation, was not trustworthy. complaint. the Indianapolis Star tallied—after re- So when Jamie went to see Nassar Furthermore, USA Gymnastics’ pol- viewing police files and court cases for back pain, she was confused when icy indicated that the organization across the country—368 gymnasts who Nassar began to touch her in inappro- ‘‘may’’ report sexual abuse to law en- alleged they were sexually abused over priate places. She was 13 and 14 years forcement authorities if a child’s safe- a 20-year time period. old. As she described the abuse to me ty was at risk, but it was not manda- Kids as young as 6 were secretly pho- in graphic detail, the other women tory. It further stated that it complied tographed in the nude by coaches. around the room began to sob quietly. with State mandatory reporting laws, Young athletes were molested by The tactics that Nassar used were too but if a State law didn’t require any- coaches during ‘‘therapy’’ sessions. familiar to them. thing more, there was no other obliga- Sexual predators spent countless hours And for the longest time, each of the tion to do anything else. with children one-on-one and abused victims believed that their horrific ex- It is my strong belief that these ar- them for years before anything was periences were one-off events, that cane policies left children vulnerable done. These accounts were devastating. they were isolated in their own subjec- to the advances of sexual predators and And they were just the tip of the ice- tive memories. But the sharing of their failed to protect them even when inci- berg. stories—together in that room with me dents came to light. For example, in After reviewing this report, I, along and the others—affirmed to them that reviewing USA Gymnastics’ history in with my colleagues Senator LEAHY, what they had experienced was wrong. public accounts, there were multiple Senator BLUMENTHAL, and Senator One of the other gymnasts who instances where gymnastics coaches DONNELLY, wrote to USA Gymnastics bravely shared her story with me was were convicted of heinous child sex to urge the organization to do more to Jeanette Antolin, who competed on the crimes, years after USA Gymnastics protect their young athletes. national team in the late nineties. had received complaints about those Specifically, we urged the organiza- Hailing from southern California, Jea- coaches. In other words, USA Gym- tion to update its policies and require nette shared how she was incredibly nastics appears to have sat on reports that all members—including coaches, fearful of ever saying anything about of sexual abuse for years, while preda- athletes, and others—immediately re- the abuse committed against her be- tors continued to prey on children. port to law enforcement when there is cause she believed she was being treat- At the end of my meeting with the an incident of sexual abuse committed ed by a world-class doctor with USA survivors, I looked at each of them and against an athlete. Gymnastics’ approval. As an aspiring told them that I would work on legisla- After we sent the letter, several sex- Olympian, she feared that if she com- tion to protect other kids and amateur ual abuse victims from California plained about anything, it would affect athletes like them from sexual preda- reached out to my staff. They revealed her career. tors. that they were abused by individuals The same fears had overcome Jessica The legislation we have introduced affiliated with USA Gymnastics. I told Howard, a rhythmic gymnast who was does three main things to help child my staff that I had to meet them. 15 years old when Nassar began abusing sex abuse survivors. It is a strong bi- Six brave women, who were each her. She was sent to Nassar for hip partisan bill, and I want to extend my abused as young gymnasts at various problems, and he told her that she deepest thanks to those Members who points in their careers, then travelled should not wear any underwear for her have worked with me on it, including across the country to share their testi- treatment. At the time, she was con- Senators COLLINS, GRASSLEY, DON- monies with me. Two athletes from an- fused and afraid to say anything to NELLY, NELSON, BLUMENTHAL, FLAKE, other sport who were sexually abused anyone. She believed she would be pre- MCCASKILL, ERNST, KLOBUCHAR, SHA- also joined us. I will never forget their vented from pursuing her dreams if she HEEN, WARREN, HARRIS, CORTEZ-MASTO, faces that day. When I walked into the said anything. RUBIO, and YOUNG. room, I could sense the overwhelming I also met Doe Yamashiro from The first thing the bill does is to devastation wrought on their lives. southern California. Doe was sexually mandate that any person affiliated One by one, they shared their hopes abused by a 1984 Olympic Coach named with USA Gymnastics or other na- and dreams as young athletes. The Don Peters. In the mid-1980s, Coach tional governing bodies immediately gymnasts talked about how, while pur- Peters began fondling Doe and then report child abuse, including sexual suing future Olympic glory, they put had sex with her. Doe told me and the abuse, to local or Federal law enforce- their complete faith in the USA Gym- group of the pain and anguish she still ment. This requirement would apply nastics infrastructure. They fully suffers from many years later. The not only to USA Gymnastics, but to trusted the coaches and doctors who same pain and devastation was felt by each of the other 47 national governing had the USA Gymnastics seal of ap- all of the young victims who were in bodies that oversee various Olympic proval. And it was in this environment the room. sports, including USA Taekwondo, that they were sexually exploited by One of the common themes I heard USA Speed Skating, USA Swimming, those whom they trusted. from their stories was not just the and USA Cycling. It is absolutely im- Several of the women had been predatory behavior of the perpetrators, perative that a bright line be drawn for abused repeatedly—over the course of but also how the USA Gymnastics in- all those working with national gov- months and years—by a USA Gym- stitution failed to protect them. One of erning bodies that, once there are facts nastics team doctor named Larry the women told me how she heard USA giving rise to suspect child or sex Nassar. Nassar is currently being pros- Gymnastics officials say at one point abuse, a report must be made as soon ecuted for a number of horrific crimes that it was their top priority to obtain as possible to proper authorities. This against children. One of those brave ‘‘medals and money’’ and that a ‘‘rep- bill mandates that.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.041 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1635 Second, this bill strengthens Masha’s of their sports, through various over- Protecting Young Victims from Sexual law, which was named after a 5-year- sight mechanisms, to make sure that Assault Act would require amateur old Russian orphan who was adopted by all members of such organizations ad- athletic governing bodies, such as USA an American man only to be raped and here to the strictest standards when it Gymnastics and other U.S. Olympic or- sexually abused by him for 6 years comes to sexual abuse prevention. ganizations, to promptly report every until he was finally caught by the FBI Finally, I would like to close with allegation of sexual abuse to the proper in 2003. Her adoptive father had not this. All over the country, victims of authorities. This legislation would help only abused her, but he had also pro- sexual abuse are coming forward to dis- survivors receive justice and protect duced over 200 sexually explicit images close how they were abused and ex- more people from becoming victims. of that abuse. Masha’s law allows civil ploited at the height of their innocence In addition, the Protecting Young suits by minors against sex abuse per- when they were children. Multiple vic- Victims from Sexual Assault Act would petrators who violate a variety of tims from California and throughout require these national governing bodies crimes against children, including sex the country have, for example, con- to develop robust policies and proce- trafficking, sexual exploitation, and tacted my office and described with dures for mandatory reporting to law child pornography crimes. great courage their pain and anguish. enforcement and to develop training This law is significant for victims to Rather than list statistics, I want you and oversight practices to prevent obtain justice because there are times to know that each of these individual abuse. This bill would also bolster when criminal cases against perpetra- stories represents an untold amount of Masha’s Law, the law that lets minors tors are declined due to difficulties in pain and suffering that reverberates bring civil suits against sexual preda- proving a criminal case. Therefore, for throughout generations, leaving devas- tors and extends the statute of limita- many traumatized victims, the only tation in its path. I urge my colleagues tions for such cases. avenue for them to ever seek justice in this body to work with me and the The young athletes who train to rep- against their perpetrators is through sponsors of this bill to pass this impor- resent our country at the top levels of Masha’s law or other civil remedies. tant legislation to protect victims. competition and those at all levels who The bill, therefore, updates Masha’s I would also like to acknowledge the aspire to compete should not have to law to help victims. It clarifies, for ex- support for this bill from the National fear victimization by trusted coaches ample, that victims of child sex crimes Center for Missing and Exploited Chil- and sports officials. I want to again are entitled to statutory damages of dren, National Children’s Alliance, thank Senator FEINSTEIN for her lead- $150,000 and possible punitive damages, Rights4Girls, University of Utah Law ership on this issue. I urge my col- due to the particularly severe nature of Professor Paul Cassell, Child Sex leagues to support the legislation. the crimes. Crime Victims’ Lawyer James Marsh, The bill also extends the statute of f Crime Victims Expert Steve Twist, Na- limitations for Masha’s law. The stat- tional Crime Victims Center, Child MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT ute of limitations extension is part of USA, National Association of VOCA Messages from the President of the legislation that Senator CORNYN and I Administrators, National Organization United States were communicated to have worked on over the past couple of for Victim Assistance, ToPrevail, the Senate by Ms. Ridgway, one of his years, called the Extending Justice for ChampionWomen, National Children’s secretaries. Sex Crime Victims Act. Finally, the bill makes reforms to Advocacy Center, National Alliance to f End Sexual Violence, the National As- the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED Sports Act, which establishes ‘‘na- sociation to Protect Children, and the As in executive session the Presiding tional governing bodies’’ like USA Rape Abuse & Incest National Net- Officer laid before the Senate messages Gymnastics. The Stevens Act specifi- work. from the President of the United cally lists the authorities and duties of They are on the front lines of this States submitting sundry nominations national governing bodies. work, and I greatly appreciate their When I first wrote to USA Gym- support. which were referred to the appropriate nastics about its poor handling of sex- Thank you very much. committees. ual abuse allegations, they replied that Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I (The messages received today are the Stevens Act limits their abilities wish to support the Protecting Young printed at the end of the Senate pro- to fully protect athletes from sexual Victims from Sexual Abuse Act of 2017. ceedings.) abuse, so this bill fixes that. It requires I commend Senator FEINSTEIN for her f leadership on this bill and for shining a national governing bodies like USA MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE Gymnastics to develop for each of its spotlight on the atrocious crimes per- members: specific policies and proce- petrated against young American ath- At 10:02 a.m., a message from the dures for the mandatory reporting of letes. House of Representatives, delivered by sex abuse to law enforcement, policies Sexual abuse is a heinous crime that Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, and procedures to keep track of coach- must be eradicated in every corner of announced that pursuant to 46 U.S.C. es who leave one gym due to com- our society. I have long worked to pre- 51312(b), and the order of the House of plaints and then go to another gym and vent sexual assault and ensure that January 3, 2017, the Speaker appoints repeat cycles of abuse, policies to en- survivors have access to the resources the following Member on the part of sure that minors and amateur athletes and support they need. Last year, the the House of Representatives to the are not in one-on-one situations with Indianapolis Star reported on allega- Board of Visitors to the United States adults, policies to facilitate reporting tions of sexual abuse and misconduct Merchant Marine Academy: Mr. SUOZZI of sex abuse allegations to national made against coaches, gym owners, and of New York. governing bodies and other authorities, other adults affiliated with USA Gym- f nastics over several decades. These and stronger oversight and enforce- MEASURES REFERRED ment policies so that the national gov- very serious allegations included sex- erning bodies take a greater role in ual abuse against young athletes. Pred- The following bills were read the first making sure that the policies are actu- atory coaches were allowed to move and the second times by unanimous ally being implemented and enforced from gym to gym, undetected by a lax consent, and referred as indicated: throughout the country. system of oversight. The investigation H.R. 46. An act to authorize the Secretary These provisions give national gov- also revealed that officials at USA of the Interior to conduct a special resource erning bodies like USA Gymnastics ab- Gymnastics, one of America’s most study of Fort Ontario in the State of New solutely no excuse to make sure that prominent Olympic organizations, York; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- ural Resources. all members are subjected to the failed to alert police to many incidents H.R. 428. An act to survey the gradient strongest training and procedures to of sexual abuse that occurred on their boundary along the Red River in the States prevent sexual abuse. watch. of Oklahoma and Texas, and for other pur- It further forces organizations like These crimes have hurt hundreds of poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- USA Gymnastics to impact the culture victims across various sports. This ural Resources.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07MR6.041 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 H.R. 560. An act to amend the Delaware 2015–N–1355)) received in the Office of the EC–942. A communication from the Sec- Water Gap National Recreation Area Im- President of the Senate on March 2, 2017; to retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- provement Act to provide access to certain the Committee on Environment and Public ant to law, a six-month periodic report on vehicles serving residents of municipalities Works. the national emergency with respect to adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap Na- EC–933. A communication from the Senior South Sudan that was declared in Executive tional Recreation Area, and for other pur- Official performing the duties of the Assist- Order 13664 of April 3, 2014; to the Committee poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- ant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ural Resources. transmitting, pursuant to law, a report rel- EC–943. A communication from the Chair- ative to the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan man of the Council of the District of Colum- f Area Flood Risk Management project; to the bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report MEASURES DISCHARGED Committee on Environment and Public on D.C. Act 21–645, ‘‘Four-unit Rental Hous- Works. ing Tenant Grandfathering Amendment Act The following bill was discharged EC–934. A communication from the Direc- of 2016’’; to the Committee on Homeland Se- from the Committee on Small Business tor of Congressional Affairs, Office of New curity and Governmental Affairs. and Entrepreneurship and referred as Reactors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, EC–944. A communication from the Chair- indicated: transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of man of the Council of the District of Colum- a rule entitled ‘‘Operator Licensing Exam- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report S. 416. A bill to amend the Small Business on D.C. Act 21–646, ‘‘At-Risk Tenant Protec- Investment Incentive Act of 1980 to require ination Standards for Power Reactors’’ (NUREG–1021, Rev. 11) received in the Office tion Clarifying Temporary Amendment Act an annual review by the Securities and Ex- of the President of the Senate on March 6, of 2016’’; to the Committee on Homeland Se- change Commission of the annual govern- 2017; to the Committee on Environment and curity and Governmental Affairs. ment-business forum on capital formation; Public Works. EC–945. A communication from the Chair- to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and EC–935. A communication from the Acting man of the Council of the District of Colum- Urban Affairs. United States Trade Representative, Execu- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report f tive Office of the President, transmitting, on D.C. Act 21–647, ‘‘Professional Engineers pursuant to law, the 2017 Trade Policy Agen- Licensure and Regulation Clarification EXECUTIVE AND OTHER da and 2016 Annual Report of the President Amendment Act of 2016’’; to the Committee COMMUNICATIONS of the United States on the Trade Agree- on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- ments Program; to the Committee on Fi- fairs. The following communications were EC–946. A communication from the Chair- laid before the Senate, together with nance. EC–936. A communication from the Bureau man of the Council of the District of Colum- accompanying papers, reports, and doc- of Legislative Affairs, Department of State, bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report uments, and were referred as indicated: transmitting, pursuant to law, a report cer- on D.C. Act 21–648, ‘‘Active Duty Pay Dif- EC–926. A communication from the Asso- tifying for fiscal year 2017 that no United Na- ferential Amendment Act of 2016’’; to the ciate General Counsel, Department of Agri- tions agency or United Nations affiliated Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- culture, transmitting, pursuant to law, agency grants any official status, accredita- ernmental Affairs. EC–947. A communication from the Chair- twelve (12) reports relative to vacancies in tion, or recognition to any organization man of the Council of the District of Colum- which promotes and condones or seeks the the Department of Agriculture, received in bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report legalization of pedophilia, or which includes the Office of the President of the Senate on on D.C. Act 21–649, ‘‘Continuing Care Retire- as a subsidiary or member any such organi- March 7, 2017; to the Committee on Agri- ment Community Exemption Amendment zation; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Act of 2016’’; to the Committee on Homeland tions. EC–927. A communication from the Acting Security and Governmental Affairs. EC–937. A communication from the Assist- Secretary of the Army, transmitting, pursu- EC–948. A communication from the Chair- ant to law, a report on gifts made for the ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- man of the Council of the District of Colum- benefit of military musical units; to the ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report Committee on Armed Services. Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, on D.C. Act 21–650, ‘‘UDC DREAM Amend- EC–928. A communication from the Deputy the report of the texts and background state- ment Act of 2016’’; to the Committee on Assistant Secretary of Defense, performing ments of international agreements, other Homeland Security and Governmental Af- the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense than treaties (List 2017–0013 - 2017–0031); to fairs. (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC–949. A communication from the Chair- transmitting, pursuant to law, the National EC–938. A communication from the Sec- man of the Council of the District of Colum- Defense Stockpile (NDS) Annual Materials retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report Plan (AMP) for fiscal year 2018 and the suc- ant to Executive Order 13313 of July 31, 2003, on D.C. Act 21–651, ‘‘Accountancy Practice ceeding four years, fiscal years 2019 - 2022; to a semiannual report detailing telecommuni- Amendment Act of 2016’’; to the Committee cations-related payments made to Cuba pur- the Committee on Armed Services. on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- suant to Department of the Treasury li- EC–929. A communication from the Sec- fairs. censes; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- retary, Securities and Exchange Commis- EC–950. A communication from the Chair- tions. man of the Council of the District of Colum- sion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- EC–939. A communication from the Bureau port of a rule entitled ‘‘Exhibit Hyperlinks bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of Legislative Affairs, Department of State, on D.C. Act 21–652, ‘‘Pesticide Education and and HTML Format’’ (RIN3235–AL95) received transmitting, pursuant to law, a report pre- in the Office of the President of the Senate Control Amendment Act of 2016’’; to the pared by the Department of State on Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- on March 6, 2017; to the Committee on Bank- progress toward a negotiated solution of the ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ernmental Affairs. Cyprus question covering the period October EC–951. A communication from the Chair- EC–930. A communication from the Deputy 1, 2016, through November 30, 2016; to the Assistant Secretary for Export Administra- man of the Council of the District of Colum- Committee on Foreign Relations. bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report tion, Bureau of Industry and Security, De- EC–940. A communication from the Direc- on D.C. Act 21–653, ‘‘Risk-Based Capital partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- tor of Regulations and Policy Management Amendment Act of 2016’’; to the Committee ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Staff, Food and Drug Administration, De- on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- ‘‘Temporary General License: Extension of partment of Health and Human Services, fairs. Validity’’ (RIN0694–AG82) received in the Of- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of EC–952. A communication from the Chair- fice of the President of the Senate on March a rule entitled ‘‘Gastroenterology-Urology man of the Council of the District of Colum- 6, 2017; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- Devices; Manual Gastroenterology-Urology bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report ing, and Urban Affairs. Surgical Instruments and Accessories’’ on D.C. Act 21–654, ‘‘End Taxation Without EC–931. A communication from the Sec- (Docket No. FDA–2016–N–4661) received in the Representation Amendment Act of 2016’’; to retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- Office of the President of the Senate on the Committee on Homeland Security and ant to law, a six-month periodic report on March 6, 2017; to the Committee on Health, Governmental Affairs. the national emergency that was declared in Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC–953. A communication from the Acting Executive Order 13694 of April 1, 2015, with EC–941. A communication from the Regula- Chairman, Federal Mine Safety and Health respect to significant malicious cyber-en- tions Coordinator, Health Resources and Review Commission, transmitting, pursuant abled activities; to the Committee on Bank- Services Administration, Department of to law, the Commission’s fiscal year 2016 re- ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Health and Human Services, transmitting, port relative to the Notification and Federal EC–932. A communication from the Direc- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Employee Antidiscrimination and Retalia- tor of Regulations and Policy Management ‘‘340B Drug Pricing Program Ceiling Price tion Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act); to the Com- Staff, Food and Drug Administration, De- and Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties; mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- partment of Health and Human Services, Delay of Effective Date’’ (RIN0906–AA89) re- mental Affairs. transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of ceived in the Office of the President of the EC–954. A communication from the Dis- a rule entitled ‘‘Use of Ozone Depleting Sub- Senate on March 6, 2017; to the Committee trict of Columbia Auditor, transmitting, pur- stances’’ ((RIN0910–AH36) (Docket No. FDA– on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. suant to law, a report entitled, ‘‘Planning,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.007 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1637 Buying, and Implementing New Information mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Aviation Administration, Department of Technology: A Case Study of the D.C. Busi- tation. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ness Center’’; to the Committee on Home- EC–963. A communication from the Man- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- land Security and Governmental Affairs. agement and Program Analyst, Federal ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- EC–955. A communication from the Direc- Aviation Administration, Department of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– tor of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to 2016–6426)) received during adjournment of Collaborative Action, Bureau of Indian Af- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard the Senate in the Office of the President of fairs, Department of the Interior, transmit- Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- titled ‘‘Civil Penalties Inflation Adjust- dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (101); tation. ments; Annual Adjustments’’ (RIN1076–AF35) Amdt. No. 3733’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received dur- EC–971. A communication from the Man- received in the Office of the President of the ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office agement and Program Analyst, Federal Senate on March 6, 2017; to the Committee of the President of the Senate on March 3, Aviation Administration, Department of on Indian Affairs. 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to EC–956. A communication from the Acting Science, and Transportation. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legis- EC–964. A communication from the Man- ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters’’ lative Affairs, Department of Justice, trans- agement and Program Analyst, Federal ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–5040)) mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled Aviation Administration, Department of received during adjournment of the Senate ‘‘The Department of Justice 2016 Freedom of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to in the Office of the President of the Senate Information Act Litigation and Compliance law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Report’’, the Uniform Resource Locator ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- merce, Science, and Transportation. (URL) for all federal agencies’ Freedom of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– EC–972. A communication from the Man- Information Act reports; to the Committee 2016–9050)) received during adjournment of agement and Program Analyst, Federal on the Judiciary. the Senate in the Office of the President of Aviation Administration, Department of EC–957. A communication from the Assist- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ant Administrator of the Office of Diversion mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Control, Drug Enforcement Agency, Depart- tation. ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters’’ ment of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to EC–965. A communication from the Man- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9066)) law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Schedules agement and Program Analyst, Federal received during adjournment of the Senate of Controlled Substances: Placement of 10 Aviation Administration, Department of in the Office of the President of the Senate Synthetic Cathinones Into Schedule I’’ Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- (Docket No. DEA–436) received during ad- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- merce, Science, and Transportation. journment of the Senate in the Office of the ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- EC–973. A communication from the Man- President of the Senate on March 3, 2017; to planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– agement and Program Analyst, Federal the Committee on the Judiciary. 2014–0571)) received during adjournment of Aviation Administration, Department of EC–958. A communication from the Assist- the Senate in the Office of the President of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Affairs, Department of Justice, transmit- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters’’ ting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Re- tation. ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9305)) EC–966. A communication from the Man- port of the Attorney General to Congress received during adjournment of the Senate agement and Program Analyst, Federal Pursuant to the Death in Custody Reporting in the Office of the President of the Senate Aviation Administration, Department of Act’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to EC–959. A communication from the Man- merce, Science, and Transportation. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- agement and Program Analyst, Federal EC–974. A communication from the Man- ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- Aviation Administration, Department of agement and Program Analyst, Federal planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Aviation Administration, Department of 2013–0797)) received during adjournment of law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to the Senate in the Office of the President of ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– ness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Cor- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- 2016–8186)) received during adjournment of poration Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket tation. the Senate in the Office of the President of EC–967. A communication from the Man- No. FAA–2016–9191)) received during adjourn- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Aviation Administration, Department of dent of the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the tation. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Committee on Commerce, Science, and EC–960. A communication from the Man- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Transportation. agement and Program Analyst, Federal ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- EC–975. A communication from the Man- Aviation Administration, Department of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to 2016–9111)) received during adjournment of Aviation Administration, Department of law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- the Senate in the Office of the President of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de 2016–6427)) received during adjournment of tation. Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Airplanes’’ the Senate in the Office of the President of EC–968. A communication from the Man- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9049)) the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal received during adjournment of the Senate mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Aviation Administration, Department of in the Office of the President of the Senate tation. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- EC–961. A communication from the Man- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- merce, Science, and Transportation. agement and Program Analyst, Federal ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- EC–976. A communication from the Man- Aviation Administration, Department of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– agement and Program Analyst, Federal Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to 2016–6664)) received during adjournment of Aviation Administration, Department of law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- the Senate in the Office of the President of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. (Type 2016–7261)) received during adjournment of tation. Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Air- the Senate in the Office of the President of EC–969. A communication from the Man- craft Company) Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal (Docket No. FAA–2017–0122)) received during mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Aviation Administration, Department of adjournment of the Senate in the Office of tation. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to the President of the Senate on March 3, 2017; EC–962. A communication from the Man- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- to the Committee on Commerce, Science, agement and Program Analyst, Federal ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- and Transportation. Aviation Administration, Department of planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– EC–977. A communication from the Man- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to 2016–5468)) received during adjournment of agement and Program Analyst, Federal law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- the Senate in the Office of the President of Aviation Administration, Department of ness Directives; The Boeing Company Air- the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- 2016–6430)) received during adjournment of tation. ness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes’’ the Senate in the Office of the President of EC–970. A communication from the Man- ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA–2016–9190)) the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- agement and Program Analyst, Federal received during adjournment of the Senate

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.012 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 in the Office of the President of the Senate Aviation Administration, Department of Senate on March 1, 2017; to the Committee on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. merce, Science, and Transportation. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- EC–993. A communication from the Acting EC–978. A communication from the Man- ment of Class E Airspace, Salem, OR’’ Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- agement and Program Analyst, Federal ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2016–6984)) partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- Aviation Administration, Department of received during adjournment of the Senate ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to in the Office of the President of the Senate ‘‘Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- on March 3, 2017; to the Committee on Com- and South Atlantic; 2016 Accountability ness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) merce, Science, and Transportation. Measure-Based Closures for Commercial and Limited’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– EC–986. A communication from the Direc- Recreational Species in the U.S. Caribbean 2016–9186)) received during adjournment of tor, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Depart- Off Puerto Rico’’ (RIN0648–XE491) received in the Senate in the Office of the President of ment of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant the Office of the President of the Senate on the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Reel March 1, 2017; to the Committee on Com- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2016 Rec- merce, Science, and Transportation. tation. reational Accountability Measures and Clo- EC–994. A communication from the Assist- EC–979. A communication from the Man- sure for Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack’’ ant General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, agement and Program Analyst, Federal (RIN0648–XE757) received in the Office of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Aviation Administration, Department of President of the Senate on March 1, 2017; to transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and a rule entitled ‘‘Revisions to Safety Stand- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- Transportation. ard for Toddler Beds’’ (Docket No. CSPC– ness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH EC–987. A communication from the Acting 2017–0012) received in the Office of the Presi- and Company Gliders’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- dent of the Senate on March 6, 2017; to the (Docket No. FAA–2016–9049)) received during partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- Committee on Commerce, Science, and adjournment of the Senate in the Office of ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Transportation. the President of the Senate on March 3, 2017; ‘‘Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, EC–995. A communication from the Chief of to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Ac- Staff, Media Bureau, Federal Communica- and Transportation. countability Measure and Closure for South tions Commission, transmitting, pursuant to EC–980. A communication from the Man- Atlantic Vermilion Snapper’’ (RIN0648– law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Revitaliza- agement and Program Analyst, Federal XE910) received in the Office of the President tion of the AM Radio Service’’ ((MB Docket Aviation Administration, Department of of the Senate on March 2, 2017; to the Com- No. 13–249) (FCC 17–14)) received in the Office Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- of the President of the Senate on March 6, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- tation. 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, ness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. EC–988. A communication from the Acting Science, and Transportation. Airplanes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- f FAA–2016–7003)) received during adjournment partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- of the Senate in the Office of the President ant to law, the report of a rule entitled EXECUTIVE REPORT OF of the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- ‘‘Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone COMMITTEE mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Ber- tation. ing Sea and Aleutian Islands Management The following executive report of a EC–981. A communication from the Man- Area’’ (RIN0648–XE878) received in the Office nomination was submitted: agement and Program Analyst, Federal of the President of the Senate on March 2, By Mr. MCCAIN for the Committee on Aviation Administration, Department of 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, Armed Services. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Science, and Transportation. Army nomination of Lt. Gen. Herbert R. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- EC–989. A communication from the Acting McMaster, Jr., to be Lieutenant General. ness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutsch- Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- land GmbH Helicopters’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Nominations without an asterisk partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- (Docket No. FAA–2016–7415)) received during ant to law, the report of a rule entitled were reported with the recommenda- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of ‘‘Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, tion that they be confirmed.) the President of the Senate on March 3, 2017; and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Ac- f to the Committee on Commerce, Science, countability Measure and Closure for South and Transportation. Atlantic Greater Amberjack’’ (RIN0648– INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND EC–982. A communication from the Man- JOINT RESOLUTIONS agement and Program Analyst, Federal XE896) received in the Office of the President Aviation Administration, Department of of the Senate on March 2, 2017; to the Com- The following bills and joint resolu- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- tions were introduced, read the first law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Airworthi- tation. and second times by unanimous con- EC–990. A communication from the Acting ness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Air- sent, and referred as indicated: planes’’ ((RIN2120–AA64) (Docket No. FAA– Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. COL- 2017–0045)) received during adjournment of partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- LINS, and Mr. WARNER): the Senate in the Office of the President of ant to law, the report of a rule entitled S. 536. A bill to promote transparency in the Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Com- ‘‘Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone the oversight of cybersecurity risks at pub- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Ber- licly traded companies; to the Committee on tation. ing Sea and Aleutian Islands Management EC–983. A communication from the Man- Area’’ (RIN0648–XE009) received in the Office Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. agement and Program Analyst, Federal of the President of the Senate on March 2, By Mr. FRANKEN (for himself, Ms. Aviation Administration, Department of 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, BALDWIN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to Science, and Transportation. BOOKER, Mr. BROWN, Mr. CASEY, Mr. law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standard EC–991. A communication from the Acting COONS, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Instrument Approach Procedures, and Take- Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- Ms. HIRONO, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MARKEY, off Minimums and Obstacle Departure Proce- partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MERKLEY, Mrs. dures; Miscellaneous Amendments (57); ant to law, the report of a rule entitled MURRAY, Mr. REED, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. Amdt. No. 3731’’ (RIN2120–AA65) received dur- ‘‘Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone SCHATZ, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. UDALL, ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Proc- Ms. WARREN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and of the President of the Senate on March 3, essors Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regu- Mr. WYDEN): 2017; to the Committee on Commerce, latory Area of the Gulf of Alaska’’ (RIN0648– S. 537. A bill to amend title 9 of the United Science, and Transportation. XE854) received in the Office of the President States Code with respect to arbitration; to EC–984. A communication from the Man- of the Senate on March 1, 2017; to the Com- the Committee on the Judiciary. agement and Program Analyst, Federal mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- By Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Aviation Administration, Department of tation. CRAPO, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. RISCH, Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to EC–992. A communication from the Acting Mr. WYDEN, Mr. WICKER, Ms. CANT- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Part 95 In- Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, De- WELL, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. strument Flight Rules; Miscellaneous partment of Commerce, transmitting, pursu- DAINES, Mr. KING, Mr. PETERS, and Amendments; Amendment No. 531’’ (RIN2120– ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Mr. TESTER): AA63) received during adjournment of the ‘‘Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South At- S. 538. A bill to clarify research and devel- Senate in the Office of the President of the lantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability opment for wood products, and for other pur- Senate on March 3, 2017; to the Committee Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic poses; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded trition, and Forestry. EC–985. A communication from the Man- Rudderfish Complex’’ (RIN0648–XE754) re- By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. RUBIO, agement and Program Analyst, Federal ceived in the Office of the President of the and Mr. MENENDEZ):

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.013 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1639 S. 539. A bill to designate the area between net fraud have on seniors, to educate the By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: the intersections of 16th Street, Northwest public, seniors, their families, and their S. 557. A bill for the relief of Jose Alberto and Fuller Street, Northwest and 16th caregivers about how to identify and combat Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, Street, Northwest and Euclid Street, North- fraudulent activity, and for other purposes; and Adilene Martinez; to the Committee on west in Washington, District of Columbia, as to the Committee on Commerce, Science, the Judiciary. ‘‘Oswaldo Paya Way’’; to the Committee on and Transportation. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: Homeland Security and Governmental Af- By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. S. 558. A bill for the relief of Esidronio fairs. HATCH, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. Arreola-Saucedo, Maria Elena Cobian By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. HELLER, Mr. Arreola, Nayely Arreola Carlos, and Cindy BROWN, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. MUR- Jael Arreola; to the Committee on the Judi- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. BOOK- KOWSKI, Mr. YOUNG, Ms. COLLINS, and ciary. ER, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. REED, Mr. Mr. BENNET): By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: HOEVEN, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BAR- S. 548. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- S. 559. A bill for the relief of Alfredo RASSO, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. HELLER, enue Code of 1986 to reform the low-income Plascencia Lopez; to the Committee on the Mrs. ERNST, Mr. DONNELLY, Mr. ISAK- housing credit, and for other purposes; to the Judiciary. SON, Ms. HASSAN, and Mr. BOOZMAN): Committee on Finance. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: S. 540. A bill to limit the authority of By Mr. MURPHY (for himself, Mr. S. 560. A bill for the relief of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez and Oliva Gonzalez; to the Com- States to tax certain income of employees LEAHY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. CARPER, mittee on the Judiciary. for employment duties performed in other Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. SANDERS, Mrs. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: States; to the Committee on Finance. SHAHEEN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mrs. GILLI- S. 561. A bill for the relief of Alicia Aranda By Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. BRAND, Mr. COONS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, De Buendia; to the Committee on the Judici- SCHATZ): Mr. SCHATZ, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. MAR- ary. S. 541. A bill to amend the Food, Agri- KEY, Mr. BOOKER, and Mr. VAN HOL- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 LEN): S. 562. A bill for the relief of Ruben to provide for a macadamia tree health ini- S. 549. A bill to block implementation of tiative, and for other purposes; to the Com- Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur the Executive Order that restricts individ- Mkoian; to the Committee on the Judiciary. mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- uals from certain countries from entering By Mr. FLAKE (for himself, Mr. JOHN- estry. the United States; to the Committee on the SON, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Judiciary. BOOZMAN, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. COCHRAN, LEAHY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. DURBIN, By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COTTON, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. FRANKEN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. MAR- FRANKEN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. DUR- Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. HATCH, Mr. HELL- KEY, and Mr. MERKLEY): BIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. MARKEY, S. 542. A bill to amend title 9, United ER, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LEE, Mr. PAUL, Ms. WARREN, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. States Code, with respect to arbitration; to Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. SHELBY, BALDWIN, Ms. HEITKAMP, Ms. HIRONO, the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. Mr. BROWN, Mr. BOOKER, and Mrs. By Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mrs. WICKER, and Mr. MORAN): SHAHEEN): S.J. Res. 34. A joint resolution providing MCCASKILL, and Mr. BENNET): S. 550. A bill to restore statutory rights to S. 543. A bill to amend title 38, United for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 the people of the United States from forced States Code, to require the Secretary of Vet- of title 5, United States Code, of the rule arbitration; to the Committee on the Judici- erans Affairs to include in each contract into submitted by the Federal Communications ary. which the Secretary enters for necessary Commission relating to ‘‘Protecting the Pri- By Mr. MCCAIN (for himself and Mr. services authorities and mechanism for ap- vacy of Customers of Broadband and Other FLAKE): propriate oversight, and for other purposes; Telecommunications Services’’; to the Com- S. 551. A bill to establish responsibility for to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- the International Outfall Interceptor; to the By Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. tation. Committee on Foreign Relations. MCCAIN, Mr. MORAN, Mr. ISAKSON, By Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mr. f Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. LEAHY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. WYDEN, BENNET, Mr. BOOZMAN, Ms. HEITKAMP, SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND Mr. DURBIN, Mr. REED, Mr. MENEN- and Mr. ROUNDS): SENATE RESOLUTIONS DEZ, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. CASEY, Mr. S. 544. A bill to amend Veterans Access, The following concurrent resolutions Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to WHITEHOUSE, Mr. WARNER, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. and Senate resolutions were read, and modify the termination date for the Vet- referred (or acted upon), as indicated: erans Choice Program, and for other pur- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. SCHATZ, Ms. poses; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- HIRONO, Ms. WARREN, Ms. HEITKAMP, By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. fairs. and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): MCCAIN, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. BAR- S. 552. A bill to amend the Truth in Lend- S. Res. 82. A resolution congratulating the RASSO, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. ing Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics COTTON, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. ENZI, Mrs. Act to provide justice to victims of fraud; to Laboratory on the 75th anniversary of the ERNST, Mr. HATCH, Mr. HELLER, Mr. the Committee on Banking, Housing, and founding of the Laboratory; considered and INHOFE, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. LEE, Mr. Urban Affairs. agreed to. MORAN, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. ROBERTS, By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. f RANKEN HITEHOUSE AR Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. SCOTT, F , Mr. W , Ms. W - REN EED ROWN ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS Mr. TILLIS, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. GRA- , Mr. R , Mr. B , Mr. LUMENTHAL IRONO HAM): B , and Ms. H ): S. 14 S. 553. A bill to provide that chapter 1 of S. 545. A bill to preserve and protect the At the request of Mr. HELLER, the title 9 of the United States Code, relating to free choice of individual employees to form, names of the Senator from North Caro- join, or assist labor organizations, or to re- the enforcement of arbitration agreements, lina (Mr. BURR) and the Senator from frain from such activities; to the Committee shall not apply to enrollment agreements on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. made between students and certain institu- West Virginia (Mrs. CAPITO) were added By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself, Mr. tions of higher education, and to prohibit as cosponsors of S. 14, a bill to provide WYDEN, Mr. ENZI, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. limitations on the ability of students to pur- that Members of Congress may not re- WICKER, Mr. ALEXANDER, Ms. STABE- sue claims against certain institutions of ceive pay after October 1 of any fiscal NOW, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. GARDNER, higher education; to the Committee on year in which Congress has not ap- Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. ROB- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. proved a concurrent resolution on the By Mr. PAUL (for himself and Mr. ERTS, Mr. MORAN, Mr. CASEY, Mr. budget and passed the regular appro- CORNYN, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): LEE): S. 546. A bill to reduce temporarily the S. 554. A bill to provide for reconciliation priations bills. royalty required to be paid for sodium pro- pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent S. 58 duced on Federal lands, and for other pur- resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017; At the request of Mr. HELLER, the poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- to the Committee on Finance. names of the Senator from Missouri ural Resources. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: (Mr. BLUNT), the Senator from Alaska By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself and S. 555. A bill for the relief of Shirley (Ms. MURKOWSKI) and the Senator from Ms. COLLINS): Constantino Tan; to the Committee on the Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH) were added as S. 547. A bill to prevent mail, tele- Judiciary. marketing, and Internet fraud targeting sen- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: cosponsors of S. 58, a bill to amend the iors in the United States, to promote efforts S. 556. A bill for the relief of Joseph Gabra Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal to increase public awareness of the enormous and Sharon Kamel; to the Committee on the the excise tax on high cost employer- impact that mail, telemarketing, and Inter- Judiciary. sponsored health coverage.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.017 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 S. 92 (Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cospon- requirement for reduction of survivor At the request of Mr. MCCAIN, the sor of S. 260, a bill to repeal the provi- annuities under the Survivor Benefit name of the Senator from New Hamp- sions of the Patient Protection and Af- Plan by veterans’ dependency and in- shire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as a co- fordable Care Act providing for the demnity compensation, and for other sponsor of S. 92, a bill to amend the Independent Payment Advisory Board. purposes. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act S. 272 S. 370 to allow for the personal importation At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the At the request of Mr. CRUZ, the name of safe and affordable drugs from ap- name of the Senator from New Jersey of the Senator from Florida (Mr. proved pharmacies in Canada. (Mr. MENENDEZ) was added as a cospon- RUBIO) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 96 sor of S. 272, a bill to enhance the secu- 370, a bill to eliminate the Bureau of At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the rity operations of the Transportation Consumer Financial Protection by re- name of the Senator from South Da- Security Administration and the sta- pealing title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- bility of the transportation security Street Reform and Consumer Protec- sponsor of S. 96, a bill to amend the workforce by applying a unified per- tion Act, commonly known as the Con- Communications Act of 1934 to ensure sonnel system under title 5, United sumer Financial Protection Act of 2010. the integrity of voice communications States Code, to employees of the S. 394 and to prevent unjust or unreasonable Transportation Security Administra- At the request of Mr. ROUNDS, the discrimination among areas of the tion who are responsible for screening name of the Senator from Wyoming United States in the delivery of such passengers and property, and for other (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of communications. purposes. S. 394, a bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide S. 104 S. 301 that a member of the Armed Forces At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, At the request of Mr. LANKFORD, the and the spouse of that member shall the name of the Senator from Min- name of the Senator from Louisiana have the same rights regarding the re- nesota (Mr. FRANKEN) was added as a (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a cospon- ceipt of firearms at the location of any cosponsor of S. 104, a bill to provide for sor of S. 301, a bill to amend the Public duty station of the member. the vacating of certain convictions and Health Service Act to prohibit govern- S. 407 expungement of certain arrests of vic- mental discrimination against pro- At the request of Mr. CRAPO, the tims of human trafficking. viders of health services that are not names of the Senator from North Da- S. 170 involved in abortion. kota (Mr. HOEVEN), the Senator from At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the S. 303 Idaho (Mr. RISCH), the Senator from name of the Senator from Iowa (Mr. At the request of Mr. BOOKER, the Delaware (Mr. COONS), the Senator GRASSLEY) was added as a cosponsor of name of the Senator from Massachu- from Alaska (Mr. SULLIVAN), the Sen- S. 170, a bill to provide for nonpreemp- setts (Mr. MARKEY) was added as a co- ator from Vermont (Mr. LEAHY) and tion of measures by State and local sponsor of S. 303, a bill to discontinue the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. governments to divest from entities a Federal program that authorizes FRANKEN) were added as cosponsors of that engage in commerce-related or in- State and local law enforcement offi- S. 407, a bill to amend the Internal vestment-related boycott, divestment, cers to investigate, apprehend, and de- Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently or sanctions activities targeting Israel, tain aliens in accordance with a writ- extend the railroad track maintenance and for other purposes. ten agreement with the Director of credit. S. 203 U.S. Immigration and Customs En- S. 431 At the request of Mr. BURR, the name forcement and to clarify that immigra- At the request of Mr. THUNE, the of the Senator from Missouri (Mrs. tion enforcement is solely a function of name of the Senator from Arkansas MCCASKILL) was added as a cosponsor the Federal Government. (Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cospon- of S. 203, a bill to reaffirm that the En- S. 315 sor of S. 431, a bill to amend title XVIII vironmental Protection Agency may At the request of Mr. SULLIVAN, the of the Social Security Act to expand not regulate vehicles used solely for name of the Senator from Wisconsin the use of telehealth for individuals competition, and for other purposes. (Mr. JOHNSON) was added as a cosponsor with stroke. S. 241 of S. 315, a bill to direct the Secretary S. 438 At the request of Mrs. ERNST, the of the Army to place in Arlington Na- At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the name of the Senator from South Da- tional Cemetery a monument honoring name of the Senator from Montana kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- the helicopter pilots and crewmembers (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor sponsor of S. 241, a bill to prohibit Fed- who were killed while serving on active of S. 438, a bill to encourage effective, eral funding of Planned Parenthood duty in the Armed Forces during the voluntary investments to recruit, em- Federation of America. Vietnam era, and for other purposes. ploy, and retain men and women who have served in the United States mili- S. 252 S. 324 tary with annual Federal awards to At the request of Mr. NELSON, the At the request of Mr. HATCH, the employers recognizing such efforts, and name of the Senator from New Hamp- name of the Senator from North Caro- for other purposes. shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- lina (Mr. TILLIS) was added as a co- S. 482 sponsor of S. 252, a bill to amend title sponsor of S. 324, a bill to amend title At the request of Mr. THUNE, the XVIII of the Social Security Act to re- 38, United States Code, to improve the name of the Senator from South Da- quire drug manufacturers to provide provision of adult day health care serv- kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- drug rebates for drugs dispensed to ices for veterans. sponsor of S. 482, a bill to amend the low-income individuals under the Medi- S. 333 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat care prescription drug benefit program. At the request of Mr. LANKFORD, the certain amounts paid for physical ac- S. 253 name of the Senator from Louisiana tivity, fitness, and exercise as amounts At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a cospon- paid for medical care. names of the Senator from Colorado sor of S. 333, a bill to limit donations S. 487 (Mr. GARDNER) and the Senator from made pursuant to settlement agree- At the request of Mr. CRAPO, the Oregon (Mr. MERKLEY) were added as ments to which the United States is a name of the Senator from Arkansas cosponsors of S. 253, a bill to amend party, and for other purposes. (Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cospon- title XVIII of the Social Security Act S. 339 sor of S. 487, a bill to amend the Inter- to repeal the Medicare outpatient reha- At the request of Mr. NELSON, the nal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for bilitation therapy caps. name of the Senator from Minnesota an exclusion for assistance provided to S. 260 (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) was added as a co- participants in certain veterinary stu- At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the sponsor of S. 339, a bill to amend title dent loan repayment or forgiveness name of the Senator from Arkansas 10, United States Code, to repeal the programs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.020 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1641 S. 489 ator from South Carolina (Mr. SCOTT) porting contributed to the lack of prop- At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the were added as cosponsors of S.J. Res. er comprehension and handling of the name of the Senator from North Da- 28, a joint resolution providing for con- 2014 Security Incident. The Inde- kota (Mr. HOEVEN) was added as a co- gressional disapproval under chapter 8 pendent Committee also found that the sponsor of S. 489, a bill to amend the of title 5, United States Code, of the Audit and Finance Committee and the Employee Retirement Income Security rule submitted by the Administrator of full board were not adequately in- Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue the Environmental Protection Agency formed of the full severity, risks, and Code of 1986 with respect to participant relating to accidental release preven- potential impacts of the 2014 Security votes on the suspension of benefits tion requirements of risk management Incident and related matters.’’ The 2014 under multiemployer plans in critical programs under the Clean Air Act. Security Incident here refers to the and declining status. S. RES. 23 fact that ‘‘a copy of certain user ac- S. 505 At the request of Mr. GARDNER, the count information for approximately At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. 500 million user accounts was stolen name of the Senator from Pennsyl- MCCAIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. from Yahoo’s network in late 2014.’’ vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- Res. 23, a resolution establishing the This is particularly troubling given sponsor of S. 505, a bill to amend the Select Committee on Cybersecurity. that data breaches are on the rise. In- deed, 2016 was a recordbreaking year Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to pro- f vide for an energy equivalent of a gal- for data breaches, which increased 40 STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED lon of diesel in the case of liquefied percent from the prior year to 1,093 BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS natural gas for purposes of the Inland breaches according to the Identity Waterways Trust Fund financing rate. By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Theft Resource Center. Investors and customers deserve a S. 512 COLLINS, and Mr. WARNER): S. 536. A bill to promote trans- clear understanding of whether pub- At the request of Mr. BARRASSO, the licly traded companies are prioritizing name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. parency in the oversight of cybersecu- rity risks at publicly traded compa- cyber security and have the capacity to DUCKWORTH) was added as a cosponsor nies; to the Committee on Banking, protect investors and customers from of S. 512, a bill to modernize the regula- cyber-related attacks. Our legislation tion of nuclear energy. Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am aims to provide a better understanding S. 518 reintroducing the Cybersecurity Dis- of these issues through improved SEC At the request of Mr. WICKER, the closure Act of 2017 along with two disclosure. name of the Senator from Wyoming members of the Select Committee on While this legislation is a matter for (Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of Intelligence, Senator Collins, and the consideration by the Banking Com- S. 518, a bill to amend the Federal ranking member, Senator Warner. In mittee, of which I am a member, this Water Pollution Control Act to provide response to data breaches of various bill is also informed by my service on for technical assistance for small companies that exposed the personal the Armed Services Committee and the treatment works. information of millions of customers, Select Committee on Intelligence. It is S.J. RES. 1 our legislation asks each publicly trad- through this Banking-Armed Services- At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the ed company to include—in Securities Intelligence perspective that I see that names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. and Exchange Commission, SEC, dis- our economic security is indeed a mat- CRAPO), the Senator from Florida (Mr. closures to investors—information on ter of our national security, and this is NELSON), the Senator from Montana whether any member of the board of di- particularly the case as our economy becomes increasingly reliant on tech- (Mr. DAINES), the Senator from Penn- rectors is a cybersecurity expert, and if nology and the Internet. sylvania (Mr. CASEY), the Senator from why having this expertise on the board For example, when he was Director of Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH), the Senator of directors is not necessary because of from West Virginia (Mr. MANCHIN) and National Intelligence, James Clapper, other cyber security steps taken by the appeared before the Armed Services the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. publicly traded company. To be clear, MENENDEZ) were added as cosponsors of Committee in 2015 and testified that the legislation does not require compa- ‘‘cyber threats to the U.S. national and S.J. Res. 1, a joint resolution approving nies to take any actions other than to the location of a memorial to com- economic security are increasing in provide this disclosure to its investors. frequency, scale, sophistication and se- memorate and honor the members of Many investors may be surprised to verity of impact.’’ He further said that the Armed Forces who served on active learn that board directors who partici- ‘‘[b]ecause of our heavy dependence on duty in support of Operation Desert pated in the National Association of Storm or Operation Desert Shield. the Internet, nearly all information Corporate Directors, NACD, roundtable communication technologies and I.T. S.J. RES. 27 discussions on cyber security late in networks and systems will be perpet- At the request of Mr. CASSIDY, the 2013 admitted that ‘‘the lack of ade- ually at risk.’’ names of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. quate knowledge of information tech- Indeed, retired Army GEN Keith ROBERTS), the Senator from Louisiana nology risk has made it challenging for Alexander, who is the former com- (Mr. KENNEDY), the Senator from Mis- them to ‘effectively oversee manage- mander of the United States Cyber souri (Mr. BLUNT), the Senator from ment’s cybersecurity activities.’ ’’ Command and former Director of the South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS), the Sen- More recently, in Deloitte’s 10th Global National Security Agency, appeared ator from North Carolina (Mr. TILLIS), Risk Management Survey of Financial before the Armed Services Committee the Senator from Idaho (Mr. RISCH), Services Institutions, published this this month and stated that ‘‘while the the Senator from Alabama (Mr. month, 42 percent of respondents con- primary responsibility of government STRANGE), the Senator from Arizona sidered their institution to be less ef- is to defend the nation, the private sec- (Mr. FLAKE) and the Senator from Indi- fective in managing cybersecurity. And tor also shares responsibility in cre- ana (Mr. YOUNG) were added as cospon- according to the 2016–2017 NACD Public ating the partnership necessary to sors of S.J. Res. 27, a joint resolution Company Governance Survey, ‘‘fifty- make the defense of our nation pos- disapproving the rule submitted by the nine percent of respondents reported sible. Neither the government nor the Department of Labor relating to ‘‘Clar- that they find it challenging to oversee private sector can capably protect ification of Employer’s Continuing Ob- cyber risk, and only 19 percent of re- their systems and networks without ligation to Make and Maintain an Ac- spondents said that their boards pos- extensive and close cooperation.’’ curate Record of Each Recordable In- sess a high level of knowledge about With mounting cyber threats and jury and Illness’’. cybersecurity.’’ Indeed, Yahoo in its concerns over the capabilities of cor- S.J. RES. 28 most recent annual report, which was porate directors, we all need to be more At the request of Mr. INHOFE, the filed with the SEC last week, disclosed proactive in ensuring our Nation’s names of the Senator from West Vir- that ‘‘the Independent Committee cyber security before there are addi- ginia (Mrs. CAPITO), the Senator from found that failures in communication, tional serious breaches. This legisla- Louisiana (Mr. KENNEDY) and the Sen- management, inquiry and internal re- tion seeks to take one step toward that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:34 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.022 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 goal by encouraging publicly traded one knew about it. That is because ally circumvent the statutes that this companies to be more transparent to their claims were hidden behind closed body writes, debates, and enacts into their investors and customers on doors because of private arbitration. law. Senators should also care about whether and how their boards of direc- To this day, we still do not know the the ability of the States to protect con- tors are prioritizing cyber security. full details. sumers from unconscionable contracts. I thank Harvard Law School pro- The press has helped to bring atten- I urge Members to support this bill. fessor John Coates, MIT professor tion to other instances of forced arbi- Simon Johnson, Columbia Law School tration in recent years. In 2015, the Los By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. professor John Coffee, and the Con- Angeles Times revealed that Wells FRANKEN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. sumer Federation of America for their Fargo used arbitration clauses to deny WARREN, Mr. REED, Mr. BROWN, support, and I urge my colleagues to customers whose names were used to Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and Ms. join Senator Collins, Senator Warner, open fraudulent accounts an oppor- HIRONO): and me in supporting this legislation. tunity to seek justice in court. In fact, S. 553. A bill to provide that chapter Wells Fargo asked a Federal court in 1 of title 9 of the United States Code, By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Utah to move a number of sham ac- relating to the enforcement of arbitra- FRANKEN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. count allegations to arbitration. The tion agreements, shall not apply to en- DURBIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. New York Times dedicated a three-part rollment agreements made between MARKEY, Ms. WARREN, Mrs. investigative series to highlighting the students and certain institutions of MURRAY, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. impact on consumers and workers of higher education, and to prohibit limi- HEITKAMP, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. forced arbitration clauses. And becom- tations on the ability of students to BROWN, Mr. BOOKER, and Mrs. ing the story herself, television jour- pursue claims against certain institu- SHAHEEN): nalist Gretchen Carlson was barred tions of higher education; to the Com- S. 550. A bill to restore statutory from speaking publicly about her alle- mittee on Health, Education, Labor, rights to the people of the United gations of sexual harassment against and Pensions. States from forced arbitration; to the former FOX News chairman Roger Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- Committee on the Judiciary. Ailes. sent that the text of the bill be printed Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, I I have long raised concerns about the in the RECORD. have reintroduced legislation to pro- practice of forced arbitration, and as There being no objection, the text of tect Americans from being stripped of chairman led hearings of the Senate the bill was ordered to be printed in their legal rights by little known Judiciary Committee in 2007, 2008, 2011, the RECORD, as follows: clauses that are now hidden in an and 2013. This should not be a partisan S. 553 alarming number of contracts. When issue. Both Republican and Democratic Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- we enter into agreements to obtain cell attorneys general have repeatedly spo- resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, phone service, rent an apartment, or ken out against the Federal Arbitra- accept a new job, most are not made SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tion Act’s intrusion on State sov- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Court Legal aware of the forced arbitration clauses ereignty and a State’s compelling in- Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of that are tucked away in the legal fine terest in protecting the health and wel- 2017’’. print. But these dangerous provision fare of its citizens. In Vermont, law- SEC. 2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 1 OF force us to abandon our constitutional makers enacted commonsense legisla- TITLE 9, UNITED STATES CODE, TO right to protect ourselves in court and ENROLLMENT AGREEMENTS MADE tion to limit the abuse of forced arbi- BETWEEN STUDENTS AND CERTAIN instead send hard-working Americans tration clauses and raise consumer INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDU- to face wealthy corporations behind awareness, but but this law was invali- CATION. closed doors in private arbitration. dated because it conflicted with Fed- (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 9 of the This must change. eral law. Companies have effectively United States Code (relating to the enforce- ment of arbitration agreements) shall not When Congress passed the Federal created a ‘‘get out of jail free’’ card Arbitration Act in 1925, it was intended apply to an enrollment agreement made be- that guts our laws and shields bad ac- tween a student and an institution of higher to help businesses resolve legal dis- tors from any type of public account- education. putes with each other. But over the ability. This is an unconscionable situ- (b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term past two decades, private arbitration ation, and Congress must act. ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the has been abused by large companies to The Restoring Statutory Rights Act meaning given such term in section 102 of push Americans out of court. In doing that I am reintroducing today/will pro- the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. so, these companies have effectively tect Americans’ right to seek justice in 1002). opted out of critical labor, consumer, SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON LIMITATIONS ON ABIL- our courts. It will ensure that our Fed- ITY OF STUDENTS TO PURSUE and civil rights laws that give Ameri- eral laws will actually be effective by CLAIMS AGAINST CERTAIN INSTITU- cans the ability to assert their claims ensuring that Americans cannot be TIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. before our independent judiciary. stripped of their ability to enforce Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act Forced arbitration clauses now ap- their rights before our independent of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by add- pear in nearly every contract we sign. court system. This bill also ensures ing at the end the following: Unfortunately, examples of the injus- ‘‘(30) The institution will not require any that when States act to address forced student to agree to, and will not enforce, any tice caused by these clauses are equally arbitration, as my home State of limitation or restriction (including a limita- ubiquitous and can be found all across Vermont has, they are not preempted tion or restriction on any available choice of the country. They affect consumers, by an overbroad reading of our Federal applicable law, a jury trial, or venue) on the workers, seniors, veterans, and families arbitration laws. ability of a student to pursue a claim, indi- in Vermont and every other State, and This effort is supported by the Lead- vidually or with others, against an institu- the cases are heart-wrenching. ership Conference for Civil and Human tion in court.’’. Just last week, the Washington Post Rights, the National Employment Law- SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. reported that hundreds of current and yers’ Association, and consumer groups This Act and the amendments made by former employees of Sterling Jewel- this Act shall take effect 1 year after the such as National Association of Con- date of enactment of this Act. ers—a company that earns $6 billion in sumer Advocates, Consumers Union, annual revenue—have for years alleged Public Citizen, the National Consumer By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: that the company is engaged in perva- Law Center, and Consumers for Auto S. 555. A bill for the relief of Shirley sive gender discrimination and has fos- Reliability and Safety. For years, these Constantino Tan; to the Committee on tered a culture that condones sexual groups and many others have worked the Judiciary. harassment. The stories now being re- tirelessly to highlight the injustice of Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, ported are shocking and date back to forced arbitration and the full scope of today I am reintroducing a bill for the the early 1990s. Yet, despite the fact the number of people it affects. private relief of Shirley Constantino that women at the company have been All Senators should care about ensur- Tan. Ms. Tan is a Filipina national liv- alleging misconduct for decades, no ing that corporations cannot unilater- ing in Pacifica, CA. She is the proud

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.024 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1643 mother of 20-year-old U.S. citizen twin human biology. In addition to his stud- in November 1998. Due to their fears of boys, Joriene and Jashley, and the ies, Joriene is involved in Stanford’s persecution in Egypt based on their re- spouse of Jay Mercado, a naturalized Pilipino-American Student Union. ligious beliefs, they filed for asylum in U.S. citizen. Jashley is a junior at Chapman Uni- the United States in May 1999. I believe Ms. Tan merits Congress’s versity, majoring in business adminis- However, Joseph, who has a speech special consideration for this extraor- tration. Ms. Tan no longer runs her in- impediment, had difficulty commu- dinary form of relief because her re- home daycare and is a homemaker. nicating why he was afraid to return to moval from the United States would If Ms. Tan were forced to leave the Egypt, and 1 year later their asylum cause undue hardship for her and her United States, her family has expressed application was denied. Considering family. She faces deportation to the that they would go with her to the that Sharon’s brother, who also applied Philippines, which would separate her Philippines or try to find a third coun- for asylum for similar reasons, was from her family and jeopardize her try where the entire family could relo- granted asylum in the United States, safety. cate. This would mean that Joriene Joseph and Sharon appealed the denial Ms. Tan experienced horrific violence and Jashley would have to leave behind of their asylum applications, to no in the Philippines before she left to their education and the only home avail. come to the United States. When she they know in the United States. While Sharon’s brother, who is now a was only 14 years old, her cousin mur- I do not believe it is in our Nation’s U.S. citizen, has filed a family-based dered her mother and her sister and best interest to force this family, with immigrant petition on Sharon’s behalf, shot Shirley in the head. While the two U.S. citizen children, to make the it will be at least 4 years until she will cousin who committed the murders was choice between being separated and re- even be eligible for a visa number due eventually prosecuted, he received a locating to a country where they may to visa backlogs. short jail sentence. Fearing for her face safety concerns or other serious If Sharon and Joseph are deported be- safety, Ms. Tan fled the Philippines hardships. fore then, they will not only be sepa- just before her cousin was due to be re- Ms. Tan and her family are involved rated from their family but will be leased from jail. She entered the in their community in Pacifica and forced to return to a country where United States legally on a visitor’s visa own their own home. The family at- persecution of Coptic Christians con- in 1989. tends Good Shepherd Catholic Church, tinues. Ms. Tan’s current deportation order volunteering at the church and the Due to their fear of returning to is the result of negligent counsel. She Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s Daughters Egypt, Joseph and Sharon have there- applied for asylum in 1995. While her of Charity. Ms. Tan has the support of fore tried to build a life for themselves case appeal was pending at the Board dozens of members of her community here in the United States, working of Immigration Appeals, her attorney who have shared with me the family’s hard while building their beautiful failed to submit a brief to support her spirit of commitment to their commu- family. With the protection of past pri- case. As a result, the case was dis- nity. vate bills I filed on their behalf, Joseph missed, and the Board of Immigration Enactment of the legislation I am in- was able to get his certified public ac- Appeals granted Shirley voluntary de- troducing on behalf of Ms. Tan today countant license and opened his own parture from the United States. Ms. Tan never received notice that will enable this entire family to con- accounting firm, where Sharon works the Board of Immigration Appeals tinue their lives in California and by his side. granted her voluntary departure. Her make positive contributions to their Joseph and Sharon make sure that attorney moved offices, did not receive community. their four U.S. citizen children—Jes- the order, and ultimately never in- Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to sica, age 18, Rebecca, age 17, Rafael, formed her of the order. As a result, support this private bill. age 16, and Veronica, age 11—all attend Ms. Tan did not depart the United school in California and maintain good By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: grades. States and the grant of voluntary de- S. 556. A bill for the relief of Joseph parture automatically led to a removal Joseph and Sharon carry strong sup- Gabra and Sharon Kamel; to the Com- order. She learned about the deporta- port from friends, members of their mittee on the Judiciary. tion order for the first time on January local church, and other Californians Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, 28, 2009, when Immigration and Cus- who attest to their good character and today I am reintroducing private relief toms Enforcement agents took her into community contributions. legislation on behalf of Joseph Gabra immigration custody. I am concerned that the entire fam- Because of her attorney’s negligent and Sharon Kamel, a couple living with ily would face serious and unwarranted actions, Ms. Tan was denied the oppor- their four U.S. citizen children in hardships if Joseph and Sharon were tunity to present her case in immigra- Camarillo, CA. forced to return to Egypt. For Jessica, tion proceedings. She later filed a com- Joseph and Sharon are nationals of Rebecca, Rafael, and Veronica, the plaint with the State Bar of California Egypt who fled their home country only home they know is in the United against her former attorney. She is not over 19 years ago after being targeted States. Separation of this family would the first person to file such a com- for their religious membership in the be devastating and the alternative—re- plaint against this attorney. Christian Coptic Church in Egypt. locating the family to Egypt—could be On February 4, 2015, Ms. Tan’s They became involved with this church dire, as it is quite possible that these spouse, Jay, a U.S. citizen, filed an ap- during the 1990s, Joseph as an account- four American children would face dis- proved spousal petition on her behalf. ant and project coordinator helping to crimination or worse on account of On August 20, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and build community facilities and Sharon their religion, as was the experience of Immigration Services denied her appli- as the church’s training director in many of their family members. cation due to the fact that she still had human resources. Joseph and Sharon have made a com- a final order of removal. Ms. Tan must Unfortunately, Joseph and Sharon pelling plea to remain in the United go back to the immigration court and were also subjected to threats and States. These parents emphasize their ask for the court to terminate her case abuse. Joseph was jailed repeatedly be- commitment to supporting their chil- and then reapply for her green card. cause of his involvement with the dren and creating a healthy and pro- Ms. Tan is now again facing the threat church. Sharon’s family members were ductive place for them to grow up in of deportation while she seeks to close violently targeted, including her cous- California. I believe this family de- her case before an immigration court. in who was murdered and her brother serves that opportunity. In addition to the hardship that Ms. whose business was firebombed. When I respectfully ask my colleagues to Tan would endure if she is deported, Sharon became pregnant with her first support this private relief bill on behalf her deportation would cause serious child, she was threatened by a member of Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel. hardship to her two U.S. citizen chil- of a different religious organization for dren, Joriene and Jashley. raising her child in a non-Muslim faith. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: Joriene is a junior at Stanford Uni- Joseph and Sharon came to the S. 557. A bill for the relief of Jose versity and is premed, majoring in United States legally on visitor visas Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.032 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE S1644 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2017 Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez; California. They are active in their Because of the length of time that to the Committee on the Judiciary. faith community. They volunteer with the Arreolas were in the United States, Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, community-based organizations and it is likely that they would have quali- today I am reintroducing private im- are, in turn, supported by their com- fied for suspension of deportation, migration relief legislation to provide munity. When I first introduced this which would have allowed them to re- lawful permanent resident status to bill, I received dozens of letters of sup- main in the United States legally. Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela port from their fellow parishioners, However, the poor legal representation Lopez Martinez, and their daughter, teachers, and members of their com- they received foreclosed this oppor- Adilene Martinez. This family is origi- munity. tunity. nally from Mexico but has been living The Martinez family truly exempli- One of the most compelling reasons in California for over 20 years. I believe fies the American dream. Jose worked for my introduction of this private bill they merit Congress’s special consider- his way through the restaurant indus- is the devastating impact the deporta- ation for this extraordinary form of re- try to become a chef and an indispen- tion of Esidronio and Maria Elena lief. sable employee at a renowned res- would have on their children—three of When Jose came to the United States taurant. With great dedication, whom are American citizens—and the from Mexico, he began working as a Micaela has worked hard to raise three other two who have lived in the United busboy in restaurants in San Fran- daughters who are advancing their edu- States since they were toddlers. Amer- cisco, CA. In 1990, he started working cation and look forward to continuing ica is the only country the Arreola as a cook at Palio D’Asti, an award- the pursuit of their goals. children have ever known. winning Italian restaurant in San I believe the Martinez family’s con- Nayely, the oldest, was the first in Francisco. tinued presence in the United States her family to graduate from high Jose worked his way through the would allow them to continue making school and the first to graduate col- ranks, eventuall becoming Palio’s sous significant contributions to their com- lege. She recently received her Masters chef. His colleagues describe him as a munity in California. in Business Administration from Fres- reliable and cool-headed coworker and I ask my colleagues to support this no Pacific University, a regionally as ‘‘an exemplary employee’’ who not private bill. ranked university, and now works in only is ‘‘good at his job but is also a the admissions office. Nayely is mar- great boss to his subordinates.’’ By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: ried and has a young son named Elijah He and his wife Micaela call San S. 558. A bill for the relief of Ace Carlos. Francisco home. Micaela is a home- Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, Maria At a young age, Nayely demonstrated maker and part-time housekeeper. Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Arreola a strong commitment to the ideals of They have three daughters, two of Carlos, and Cindy Jael Arreola; to the citizenship in her adopted country. She whom are U.S. citizens. Their oldest Committee on the Judiciary. worked hard to achieve her full poten- daughter, Adilene, age 28, is undocu- Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, tial both through her academic endeav- mented. She currently works fulltime today I offer private immigration relief ors and community service. As the As- at a cinema and hopes to continue pur- legislation to provide lawful perma- sociate Dean of Enrollment Services at suing her studies in the future. nent resident status to Esidronio The Martinez’s second daughter, Fresno Pacific University states in a Arreola-Saucedo, Maria Elena Cobian Jazmin, age 24, is a U.S. citizen. She letter of support, ‘‘[T]he leaders of Arreola, Nayely Arreola Carlos, and graduated from Leadership High Fresno Pacific University saw in Cindy Jael Arreola. The Arreolas are School and is now studying at Cali- Nayely, a young person who will be- Mexican nationals living in the Fresno fornia State University, San Francisco. come exemplary of all that is good in area of California. Jazmin has been diagnosed with asth- the American dream.’’ Esidronio and Maria Elena have lived ma, which requires constant treat- In high school, Nayely was a member in the United States for over 20 years. ment. According to her doctor, if of the Advancement Via Individual De- Two of their five children—Nayely, age Jazmin were to return to Mexico with termination (AVID) college pre- 30, and Cindy, age 28—also stand to her family, the high altitude and air paratory program in which students benefit from this legislation. The other pollution in Mexico City could be fatal commit to determining their own fu- three Arreola children—Robert, age 25, to her. The Martinez’s other U.S. cit- tures through attaining a college de- izen daughter, Karla, is 19 years old Daniel, age 22, and Saray, age 20—are gree. Nayely was also President of the and attends San Francisco City Col- U.S. citizens. The story of the Arreola Key Club, a community service organi- lege. family is compelling, and I believe they zation. Perhaps the greatest hardship The Martinez family attempted to le- merit Congress’s special consideration to Nayely’s U.S. citizen husband and galize their status through several for such an extraordinary form of relief child, if she were forced to return to channels. as a private bill. Mexico, would be her lost opportunity In 2001, Jose’s sister, who has legal The Arreolas are facing deportation to realize her dreams and contribute status, petitioned for Jose to get a in part because of grievous errors com- further to her community and to this green card. However, the current green mitted by their previous counsel, who country. card backlog for siblings from Mexico has since been disbarred. In fact, the Nayely’s sister, Cindy, is also mar- is very long, and it will be many years attorney’s conduct was so egregious ried and has a 7-year-old daughter and before Jose will be eligible to legalize that it compelled an immigration a 5-year-old son. Neither Nayely nor his status though his sister. judge to write to the Executive Office Cindy is eligible to automatically ad- In 2002, the Martinez family applied of Immigration Review seeking the at- just their status based on their mar- for political asylum. Their application torney’s disbarment for his actions in riages because of their initial unlawful was denied. An immigration judge de- his clients’ immigration cases. entry. nied their subsequent application for Esidronio came to the United States The Arreolas also have other family cancellation of removal. in 1986 and was an agricultural migrant who are U.S. citizens or lawful perma- Finally, Daniel Scherotter, the exec- worker in the fields of California for nent residents of this country. Maria utive chef and owner of Palio D’Asti, several years. As a migrant worker at Elena has three brothers who are petitioned for an employment-based that time, he would have been eligible American citizens, and Esidronio has a green card for Jose based upon his for permanent residence through the sister who is an American citizen. They unique skills as a chef. Jose’s petition Seasonal Agricultural Workers, SWA, have no immediate family in Mexico. was approved by U.S. Citizenship and Program, had he known about it. According to immigration authori- Immigration Services. However, before Maria Elena was living in the United ties, this family has never had any he will be eligible for a green card, he States at the time she became preg- problems with law enforcement. I am must apply for a hardship waiver, nant with her daughter Cindy. She re- told that they have filed their taxes which cannot be guaranteed. turned to Mexico to give birth because every year from 1990 to the present. The Martinez family has become an she wanted to avoid any immigration They have always worked hard to sup- integral part of their community in issues. port themselves.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:36 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR6.033 S07MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1645 As I mentioned, Esidronio was pre- College. Her teachers have praised her as Valley Crest Landscape Mainte- viously employed as a farm worker but abilities and have referred to her as a nance, in San Jose, CA, for the past 20 now has his own business in California ‘‘bright spot’’ in the classroom. Danny, years. Currently, he works on commer- repairing electronics. His business has age 20, currently attends the Univer- cial landscaping projects. Jorge is well- been successful enough to enable him sity of California and volunteers at his respected by his supervisor and his to purchase a home for his family. He local homeless shelter in the soup peers. and his wife are active in their church kitchen. Daisy, age 15, and Juan Pablo, In addition to supporting his family, community and in their children’s edu- age 10, are in school and plan on at- Jorge has volunteered his time to pro- cation. tending college. vide modern green landscaping and It is clear to me that this family has Allowing Alfredo to remain in the building projects at his children’s embraced the American dream. Enact- United States is necessary to enable school in California. He is active in his ment of the legislation I have reintro- his family to continue thriving in the neighborhood association, through duced today will enable the Arreolas to United States. His children are dedi- which he worked with his neighbors to continue to make significant contribu- cated to pursuing their education and open a library and community center tions to their community as well as the being productive members of their in their community. United States. community. Oliva, in addition to raising her three I ask my colleagues to support this I do not believe that Alfredo should children, has also been very active in private bill. be separated from his family. I am re- the local community. She volunteers introducing this legislation to protect with the People Acting in Community By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: the best interest of Alfredo’s U.S. cit- Together, PACT, organization, where S. 559. A bill for the relief of Alfredo izen children and his wife, who is a law- she works to prevent crime, gangs, and Plascencia Lopez; to the Committee on ful permanent resident. I believe that drug dealing in San Jose neighborhoods the Judiciary. Alfredo will continue to make positive and schools. Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I contributions to his community in Jorge Rojas, Jr., who entered the rise today to offer legislation to pro- California and this country. I respect- United States as an infant with his vide lawful permanent residence status fully ask my colleagues to support this parents, is now the father of 6-year-old to Alfredo Plascencia Lopez, a Mexican bill. Meena. He is 28 years old and working national who lives in the San Bruno at a job that allows him to support his area of California. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: daughter. Jorge graduated from Del I offer legislation on his behalf be- S. 560. A bill for the relief of Jorge Mar High School in 2007. He has ob- cause I believe that, without it, this Rojas Gutierrez and Oliva Gonzalez; to tained temporary protection from de- hard-working man, wife who is a lawful the Committee on the Judiciary. portation through the 2012 Deferred Ac- permanent resident, and children Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, tion for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, would face extreme hardship. His chil- today I am reintroducing a private re- Program. dren would either face separation from lief bill on behalf of Jorge Rojas Alexis, age 24, graduated from West their father or be forced to leave the Gutierrez and his wife, Oliva Gonzalez. Valley College in Saratoga, CA, and is only country they know and give up The Rojas family, originally from Mex- interested in continuing his linguistics the education they are pursuing in the ico, is living in the San Jose area of studies at San Jose State University. United States. California. Tanya, age 22, is now in her second se- Alfredo and his wife Maria have been The story of the Rojas family is com- mester at San Jose State University. in the United States for over 20 years. pelling, and I believe they merit Their teachers have described them as They worked for years to adjust their Congress’s special consideration for ‘‘fantastic, wonderful and gifted’’ stu- status through appropriate legal chan- such an extraordinary form of relief as dents. nels, but poor legal representation ru- a private bill. Perhaps one of the most compelling ined their opportunities. Jorge and Oliva originally came to reasons for permitting the Rojas fam- The Plascencias’ lawyer refused to the United States in 1990 when their ily to remain in the United States is return their calls or otherwise commu- son Jorge Rojas, Jr., was just 2 years the impact that their deportation nicate with them in any way. He also old. In 1995, they left the country to at- would have on their four children. failed to forward crucial immigration tend a funeral and then reentered the Three of the Rojas children—Alexis, documents. Because of the poor rep- United States on visitors’ visas. Tanya, and Matias—American citizens. resentation they received, Alfredo only The family has grown to include Additionally, Jorge Rojas, Jr., has became aware that they had been or- three U.S. citizen children: Alexis, now lived in the United States since he was dered to leave the United States 15 24 years old, Tanya, 22 years old, and a toddler. America is the only country days prior to his scheduled deporta- Matias, now 7 years old. Jorge and these children have called home. It tion. Oliva are also the grandparents of seems so clear to me that this family Alfredo was shocked to learn of his Meena Rojas. has embraced the American dream, and attorney’s malfeasance, but he acted The Rojas family first attempted to their continued presence in our coun- quickly to secure legitimate counsel legalize their status in the United try would do so much to promote the and filed the appropriate paperwork to States when an unscrupulous immigra- values we hold dear, delay his deportation and determine if tion consultant, who was not an attor- When I first introduced this bill, I re- any other legal action could be taken. ney, advised them to apply for asylum. ceived dozens of letters from the com- Together, Alfredo and Maria have Unfortunately, without proper legal munity in Northern California in sup- used their professional successes, with guidance, the family did not realize at port of this family. Enactment of the the assistance of private bills, to real- the time that they lacked a valid basis legislation I have reintroduced today ize many of the goals dreamed of by all for asylum. Their asylum claim was de- will keep this great family together Americans. They have worked hard and nied in 2008, leaving the Rojas family and enable each of them to continue saved up to buy their home. with no further options to legalize making significant contributions to They have good health care benefits, their status. their community as well as the United and they each have begun saving for re- Since their arrival in the United States. tirement. They are sending their chil- States more than 20 years ago, the I ask my colleagues to support this dren Christina, Erika, and Danny, to Rojas family has demonstrated a ro- private bill. college and plan to send the rest of bust work ethic and a strong commit- their children to college, as well. ment to their community in California. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: Their oldest child, Christina, is 26 They have paid their taxes and worked S. 561. A bill for the relief of Alicia years old, and takes classes at Heald hard to contribute to this country. Aranda De Buendia; to the Committee College to become a paralegal. Erika, Jorge is a hard-working individual on the Judiciary. age 22, graduated from high school and who has been employed by BrightView Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I is currently taking classes at Skyline Landscaping Services, formerly known am reintroducing a private relief bill

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They decided to leave Arme- Arthur’s brother, Arsen currently at- She is married to Jose Buendia, and nia for the United States in the early tends Fresno State University, is ma- together they have raised two out- 1990s, following several incidents in joring in Computer Science, and main- standing children, Ana Laura, age 28, which the family experienced harass- tains a 3.8 GPA. These two young men and Alex, age 26, a U.S. citizen. Both ment, vandalism and threats to their have already accomplished so much children have excelled in school. Ana well-being. and clearly aspire to do great things Laura graduated from University of In Armenia, Ruben worked as a po- here in the United States. California, Irvine, and Alex is cur- lice sergeant on vehicle licensing. At Reflecting their contributions to rently attending the University of Cali- one point, he was offered a bribe to reg- their community, Representatives fornia, Merced. ister stolen vehicles, which he refused George Radanovich and JIM COSTA I previously introduced bills for and reported to his superior, the police strongly supported this family’s ability Alicia, her husband, and Ana Laura. chief. He later learned that a coworker to remain in the United States. When I Thankfully, Jose has successfully se- had registered the vehicles at the re- first introduced a private bill for the cured lawful permanent residency for quest of the same chief. Mkoian family, I received more than himself through cancellation of re- After Ruben reported the bribe offer 200 letters of support and dozens of moval. This followed 7 unfortunate to illegally register vehicles and said calls of support from friends and com- years of delay in the immigration he would call the police, his family munity members, attesting to the posi- courts to determine his eligibility store was vandalized and he received tive impact that this family has had in under the Immigration Reform and threatening phone calls telling him to Fresno, California. Control Act of 1986 for permanent resi- keep quiet. A bottle of gasoline was I believe that this case warrants our dence. Ana Laura has obtained tem- thrown into his family’s residence, compassion. I respectfully ask my col- porary protection from deportation burning it to the ground. In April 1992, leagues to support this private legisla- through the 2012 Deferred Action for several men entered the family store tion on behalf of the Mkoian family. Childhood Arrivals, DACA, Program. and assaulted Ruben, hospitalizing him f However, Alicia, who is eligible to for 22 days. adjust status, is still awaiting a deter- Ruben, Asmik, and their son Arthur, SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS mination on a family-based immigra- who was 3 years old at the time, left Armenia and entered the United States tion petition filed by her U.S. citizen SENATE RESOLUTION 82—CON- on visitor visas. They applied for polit- son. Additionally, she would be re- GRATULATING THE JOHNS HOP- ical asylum that same year on the quired to file a waiver application, KINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED grounds that they would be subject to which could result in separation from PHYSICS LABORATORY ON THE physical attacks if returned to Arme- her family 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE nia. It took 16 years for their case to be Alicia warrants private relief and a FOUNDING OF THE LABORATORY chance to start fresh in America. She finalized, with the Ninth Circuit Court goes to work season after season in of Appeals denying their asylum case Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. California’s labor-intensive agriculture in January 2008. MCCAIN, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) sub- industry in Reedley, CA, where she cur- At this time, Ruben, Asmik, and Ar- mitted the following resolution; which rently works for a fruit packing com- thur have exhausted every option to was considered and agreed to: pany. obtain immigration relief in the United S. RES. 82 In the more than 20 years of living in States. While Ruben and Asmik’s other Whereas, on March 10, 2017, the Johns Hop- California, Alicia has dedicated herself son, Arsen, is a U.S. citizen, he is too kins University Applied Physics Laboratory to her family and community. She and young to file a green card petition on (in this preamble referred to as ‘‘APL’’), lo- Jose have worked hard to honestly feed their behalf. cated in Laurel, Maryland, celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of APL on their family and have raised two excep- It would be a terrible shame to re- move this family from the United March 10, 1942; tional children who have both pursued Whereas, less than 4 months after the at- and excelled in higher education. States and to separate them from tack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Alicia has a strong connection to her Arsen, who is 20 years old and a U.S. Pearl Harbor, APL was established to perfect local community, serving as an active citizen. The Mkoians have worked hard and help field the radio proximity fuze, one member of her church. She and Jose to build a place for their family in of the most closely guarded wartime secrets pay their taxes every year, have suc- California and are an integral part of of the United States; cessfully paid off their mortgage, and their community. Whereas historians have ranked the devel- opment of the radio proximity fuze as one of remain free of debt. They have shown The family attends St. Paul Arme- nian Apostolic Church in Fresno. They the 3 most important technological develop- that they are responsible, maintaining ments of World War II, along with the devel- health insurance, savings accounts, do charity work to send medical equip- opment of radar and the atomic bomb; and retirement accounts. Without this ment to Armenia. Whereas, during and after World War II, private bill, Alicia would be separated Ruben works as a driver for Uber. He APL developed the first generation of Navy from her lawful permanent resident previously worked as a manager at a surface-to-air missiles and associated propul- husband, two children who rely on her car wash in Fresno and as a truck- sion, guidance, control, and targeting tech- for love, support, and guidance. driver for a California trucking com- nologies; I ask my colleagues to support this pany that described him as ‘‘trust- Whereas APL developed the initial ‘‘phased worthy,’’ ‘‘knowledgeable,’’ and an array’’ radar system, called AMFAR, for the private bill. Navy that provided the scanning, tracking, asset to the company. Asmik has and targeting necessary to defend the ships By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: worked as a medical assistant the past of the United States against simultaneous S. 562. A bill for the relief of Ruben 6 years at the Fresno Shields Medical aircraft and missile raids; Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Center. Whereas APL created the first satellite- Mkoian; to the Committee on the Judi- Arthur has proven to be a hard-work- based global navigation system, called Tran- ciary. ing, smart young man who applies him- sit, the forerunner of modern GPS, to serve Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I self. He was recognized nationally for the ballistic missile submarine force of the am reintroducing private relief legisla- his scholastic achievement, having United States and provide essential capabili- tion in the 115th Congress on behalf of maintained a 4.0 grade point average in ties to the Navy from 1964 until the 1990s; Whereas APL developed prototypes, experi- Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and high school and serving as his class ments, ocean physics research, and engineer- their son, Arthur Mkoian. The Mkoian valedictorian. After graduating on the ing models that unlocked the potential of family has been living in Fresno, CA, Dean’s Merit List from the University towed sonar arrays, groundbreaking develop- for over 20 years. I continue to believe of California, Davis with a major in ments that revolutionized anti-submarine

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The Whereas APL led development of the Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability ate Hart Office Building to hold a clerk will report the resolution by that revolutionized air defenses by enabling closed hearing. title. ships to engage aircraft and missiles not SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE The senior assistant legislative clerk seen by the radars of the ships by using com- The Senate Select Committee on In- read as follows: posite radar tracks created from the radars telligence be authorized to meet during A resolution (S. Res. 82) congratulating the of ships within the battle group; the session of the 115th Congress of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Whereas APL developed a system called U.S. Senate on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 SATRACK to ensure the accuracy of the Tri- Laboratory on the 75th anniversary of the dent II submarine-launched ballistic missiles from 2:20 p.m.–2:30 p.m., in room SH–219 founding of the Laboratory. and confidently estimate missile accuracy of the Senate Hart Office Building to There being no objection, the Senate anywhere in the world; hold a closed busines meeting. proceeded to consider the resolution. Whereas APL proposed, developed, built, f Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- and operated a number of the most innova- tive low-cost planetary science missions of PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR mous consent that the resolution be the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, istration, including— unanimous consent that privileges of and the motions to reconsider be con- (1) the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous the floor be granted to the following sidered made and laid upon the table (commonly known as ‘‘NEAR’’) mission in with no intervening action or debate. 2001, the first mission to orbit an asteroid; individuals with the Committee on En- (2) the MESSENGER Mercury orbiter, ergy and Natural Resources: Frances The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without launched in 2004; and Brie Van Cleve, a Democratic fellow, objection, it is so ordered. (3) New Horizons, which launched in 2006 through December 31, 2017; Stephanie The resolution (S. Res. 82) was agreed and completed a historic flyby of Pluto in Teich-McGoldrick, a Democratic fel- to. 2015; The preamble was agreed to. Whereas APL has been responsible for hun- low, through December 31, 2017; dreds of significant contributions to the Patricio Portillo, a Democratic fellow, (The resolution, with its preamble, is most critical challenges faced by the United through December 31, 2017; and Devinn printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- States with respect to national security and Lambert, a Democratic detailee, mitted Resolutions.’’) space exploration; and through December 31, 2017. Whereas the sustained commitment by The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without f APL to the United States and the Federal objection, it is so ordered. Government sponsors of APL allowed APL— (1) to continuously provide significant con- f ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH tributions to critical challenges with respect RAISING AWARENESS OF MODERN 8, 2017 to systems engineering and integration, SLAVERY technology research and development, and Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- analysis; and Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- mous consent that when the Senate (2) to serve as the most comprehensive mous consent that the Foreign Rela- completes its business today, it ad- University Affiliated Research Center in the tions Committee be discharged from journ until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, United States: Now, therefore, be it further consideration of and the Senate Resolved, That the Senate— March 8; that following the prayer and (1) congratulates the Johns Hopkins Uni- proceed to the consideration of S. Res. pledge, the morning hour be deemed versity Applied Physics Laboratory on the 68. expired, the Journal of proceedings be 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lab- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without approved to date, the time for the two oratory; objection, it is so ordered. leaders be reserved for their use later (2) recognizes the scientific, engineering, The clerk will report the resolution in the day, and morning business be and analytical expertise that the Johns Hop- by title. closed; finally, that following leader kins University Applied Physics Laboratory The senior assistant legislative clerk remarks, the Senate resume consider- has applied to solve many of the most crit- read as follows: ical challenges faced by the United States in ation of H.J. Res. 58. A resolution (S. Res. 68) raising awareness the areas of national security and space ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of modern slavery. ploration; and objection, it is so ordered. (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of f this resolution to the director of the Johns Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I know of no Hopkins University Applied Physics Labora- further debate on the resolution. tory. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Hearing ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9:30 A.M. f no further debate, the question is on TOMORROW AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO agreeing to the resolution. Mr. LEE. Mr. President, if there is no The resolution (S. Res. 68) was agreed MEET further business to come before the to. Senate, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I have 3 Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- requests for committees to meet during it stand adjourned under the previous mous consent that the preamble be order. today’s session of the Senate. They agreed to and the motions to recon- There being no objection, the Senate, have the approval of the Majority and sider be considered made and laid upon at 6:16 p.m., adjourned until Wednes- Minority leaders. the table. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without day, March 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- objection, it is so ordered. ate, the following committees are au- The preamble was agreed to. f thorized to meet during today’s session (The resolution, with its preamble, is of the Senate: printed in the RECORD of February 27, NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 2017, under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’) Executive nominations received by The Committee on the Judiciary be f authorized to meet during the session the Senate: of the Senate, on March 7, 2017, at l0 CONGRATULATING THE JOHNS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR a.m., in room SD–226 of the Dirksen HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA, OF FLORIDA, TO BE SEC- Senate Office Building, to conduct a PHYSICS LABORATORY ON THE RETARY OF LABOR. hearing entitled ‘‘Nominations.’’ 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE FOUNDING OF THE LABORATORY AJIT VARADARAJ PAI, OF KANSAS, TO BE A MEMBER Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unani- OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FOR A The Senate Select Committee on In- TERM OF FIVE YEARS FROM JULY 1, 2016. (REAPPOINT- telligence be authorized to meet during mous consent that the Senate proceed MENT)

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PERSONAL EXPLANATION as we’ve worked for the betterment of the Hawkey, William Hellyer, Thomas James, Nor- Southwest Florida community. I am lucky to man Kegerries, Michael Krier, LeRoy Lawson, HON. BOBBY L. RUSH be able to collaborate with such a hard work- Harold Lif, Peter Lister, Jimmy Lofink, William OF ILLINOIS ing woman who cares so deeply about her Margheim, Dallas Maurer, Kevin McGrath, community. Richard Miller Jr., David Naylor, Wesley Nel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to know Com- son, Richard Norris, Larry Perkins, Robert Tuesday, March 7, 2017 missioner Fiala and I greatly admire her serv- Randall, Danny Robinett, Robert Rutz, Robert Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on March 7 ice to Collier County. Donna is an exemplary Schrader, Billy Schwindt, Jackie Scott, David through March 10, 2017, circumstances be- example of a private citizen who has chosen Sellers, David Shigley, Tommy Silva, Kenneth yond my control necessitated my absence to use her many talents in service of those Skoglund, Darrell Smith, John Smith, Farrell from the House and I, therefore, am request- around her. I ask my colleagues to join me in Spencer, Edward Stephens, Stanley Suichta, ing a leave of absence. recognizing this remarkable individual. Martin Treml, Kerry Tyler, Linda Tyler, Daryl f f Vande Hoef, Thomas White, Terry Willert, John Young. RECOGNIZING DONNA FIALA IN RECOGNIZING THE HONOR FLIGHT It is my distinct pleasure as the U.S. Rep- HONOR OF WOMEN’S HISTORY ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 resentative of the 4th District of Colorado to MONTH recognize the honor, courage, and sacrifice of HON. KEN BUCK these heroes, along with all members of HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART OF COLORADO America’s Armed Forces. I thank them for OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their dedication and service to this nation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, March 7, 2017 f Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Amer- RECOGNIZING MALI GARDNER IN Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in honor of ica’s heroic veterans, the Honor Flight Net- HONOR OF WOMEN’S HISTORY Women’s History Month, I rise today to honor work conducts two annual Honor Flight cere- MONTH Donna Fiala. Her service as Collier County monies to Washington, D.C. to give our na- Commissioner has had major impact in South- tion’s heroes a day to visit and reflect at their HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART west Florida. war memorials. On September 11th of last OF FLORIDA Upon moving to Collier County, Ms. Fiala year, Honor Flight Northern Colorado held its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES got involved in her community right away. She 17th Honor Flight that gave many of our cou- joined the Naples Junior Woman’s Club, the rageous veterans this extraordinary oppor- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Marco Island Kiwanis Club, the Marco Island tunity. I am pleased to recognize the Honor Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recogni- Chamber of Commerce, the Naples Press Flight on September 11, 2016, honoring World tion of Women’s History Month, I rise today to Club, and the Marco Island Historical Society. War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War vet- honor Mali Gardner, a remarkable individual She now holds leadership positions in many of erans of Northern Colorado. and public servant in Florida. these organizations, and several others. Mr. Speaker, those who participated in this Ms. Gardner was first elected to the Ms. Fiala decided to run for the office of flight are as follows: Clewiston City Commission in October of 1999 President of the East Naples Civic Associa- World War II: Fredric Arnold, Gene Bennett, and was reelected in 2003, 2008, and 2012. tion, where she worked to improve her com- C.H. Clark, Lillian Crosley, Raymond Dickey, Ms. Gardner’s work extends far beyond her munity by adding picnic benches, a play- Darwin Dixon James Edmisten, Jimmie important role on the Clewiston City Commis- ground, a ball field, and outdoor lighting. Her Godsey, Louis Hamman, Delbert Haynes, sion. In 2001, Ms. Gardner was appointed experiences as President influenced her deci- John Hess, Robert Horton, Dolores Mayor of Clewiston, where she served until sion to run for Collier County Commissioner. Kochheiser, Harry Maroncelli, Elmer McGinty, 2010, and was elected Mayor once again in As Commissioner, Ms. Fiala has rep- Frank Occhiuto, Robert Schueneman, Ray- December 2016. Her tireless efforts on behalf resented Collier County and the State of Flor- mond Valadez, William VanBeber, William of the public led her to become part of Gov- ida for issues pertaining to the environment Way. ernor Rick Scott’s Economic Development and safety in discussions with the National As- Korean War: Richard Bernhardt, Harold Transition Team, where she worked to extend sociation of Counties, and has served as chair Bohm, Lee Boylan, George Brandt, Casper economic opportunities to Floridians across of the Local Coordinating Board for the Trans- Brixius, James Comer Jr., Russell Daniels, the state. portation Disadvantaged, which works to in- Ralph Darrough, Ross DeBey, Garold Fox, S. Ms. Gardner’s public service extends be- crease access to transportation for those who Gilbert Garcia, Ronald Gillman, William Har- yond her work on the Clewiston City Commis- are unable to drive. rison, Virgil Hecker, Allan Hedberg, Dennis sion or her mayoral activities. Ms. Gardner is In May of 2015, the Donna Fiala Community Lance, Gordon Leben, Albert Lowe, Jimmy a Paul Harrison Fellow in the Clewiston Rotary Center at Eagle Lakes Community Park Martin, Francis McKenna Jr., Ernest Club. As a graduate of Clewiston High School, opened in East Naples. This community center Medialdea, James Montgomery, Delmer Moss, her commitment to the Clewiston community serves as a safe place for children and fami- James Petrie, William Pool, Carroll Quick, runs deep. Whether it is fighting for better lies to gather for events and various activities. Robert Ray, Kennedy Roode, Al Schott, Wil- schools or more economic opportunities for Commissioner Fiala’s commitment to helping liam Sherman, James Shuey, Donald residents of Clewiston, it’s a safe bet that Ms. children and adults live healthy lives has con- Trettenero, Herbert Wenger, Eugene Ziehm. Gardner is standing up for her constituents tinued. She is currently working to expand the Vietnam War: Roy Armstrong, Wilbur Boegli, and neighbors. facilities at the park to include a swimming Cary Bott, Thurman Bradley, Claude Buehrle, I have been privileged to work with Mali in pool complex. This facility reflects her longtime Robert Bullard, John Carpenter, Terrence Car- her capacity as mayor, and been impressed interests in healthy living and improving the roll, Robert Cofone, Larry Coldren, Paul time and again with her work ethic and devo- appearance of her community. Conley, Byron Daniels, Robert Davis, Mark tion to her community. Commissioner Fiala’s work has improved DeDecker, Michael Doherty, Gary Dorsey, Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to know Ms. the lives of many in Collier County. The depth Mark Drake, Dale Eggleston, Jerry Eldred, Gardner and I greatly admire her service to and breadth of her service is nothing short of Gary Ellerman, Daniel Ferguson, William Fish- the community. I have known Mali for many remarkable. Throughout my time in Congress er, Roy Friesen, Glenn Fulcher, Glenn Gaines, years, and she has consistently been among representing Collier County, I’ve always found Jerry Graham, Paul Graves, Dwight Gutsche, the most active, positive, and fore thinking in- Commissioner Fiala to be a dedicated partner Percey Hamilton II, Christopher Harris, Robert dividuals I have been privileged to work with.

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

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.001 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2017 I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing of State, and her advocacy has allowed some his amazing family. Terry and his loving wife her and her achievements. cases to be presented to the Inter-American of forty-seven years, Denise, have one son, f Commission for Human Rights and the Inter- Jason, and one grandson, Connor. American Court of Human Rights in Costa I am proud that Terry Lynch is my friend, INTRODUCTION OF THE DOG AND Rica. My office trusts her information and re- and I cannot thank him enough for all that he CAT MEAT TRADE PROHIBITION lies on her to keep us abreast of grave human has done for me over the years. I am even ACT OF 2017 rights violations under the Chavez and Maduro more grateful for what he has done for so regimes. many for so long, strangers and friends alike. HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS Mr. Speaker, I am honored to know Ms. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distin- OF FLORIDA Andrade and to recognize her remarkable guished colleagues to join me in honoring IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES work for Venezuelan exiles and for the State Terry Lynch for his outstanding contributions of Florida. Her tireless advocacy on behalf of to Local 17 and the Heat and Frost Insulators Tuesday, March 7, 2017 those without many resources is admirable International, and to wish him well upon his re- Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and has made a real impact on many. I ask tirement. For many years, Terry has displayed introduce the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition my colleagues to join me in recognizing this his unwavering loyalty to members of the insu- Act of 2017, legislation that will prohibit the remarkable woman. lator trades, and his numerous positions have slaughter and trade of dogs and cats for f provided him the opportunity to touch the lives human consumption in the United States. It of countless individuals. might surprise you to learn that consumption HONORING TERRY LYNCH f of dogs and cats is still legal in 44 states in our nation, where there are no laws prohibiting HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY IN HONOR OF DR. ANN K. SNYDER the purchasing, shipping, transporting, selling, OF INDIANA or donating of dogs or cats to be slaughtered IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. KEVIN BRADY for human consumption. This bill will prohibit OF TEXAS Tuesday, March 7, 2017 these actions and impose penalties to ensure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that individuals involved in the dog or cat meat Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with Tuesday, March 7, 2017 trade are held accountable. great pleasure that I take this time to honor Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I The United States’ position on this cruel and my friend, Terry Lynch, and to wish him well rise to honor the life of a dedicated community brutal practice should be unequivocal: dogs upon his retirement from his position as Vice leader and a dear friend, Dr. Ann Snyder. and cats should not be killed in this country for President of the Heat and Frost Insulators Ann’s knowledge, faith, and understanding the consumption of their meat. It is with ut- International. Mr. Lynch retired from his post have always been her guide, which may ex- most importance that the United States unifies at the end of 2016, and for his many years of plain her numerous accolades. A committed animal cruelty laws in all 50 states and explic- service and expertise in the field, he is to be public servant, Ann served as President and itly bans the killing of dogs and cats for human commended. Terry has devoted his life to the CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands and the consumption. interests of men and women in the trades, and Interfaith Community Clinic for over a decade. Mr. Speaker, I hope this body will expedi- for his unwavering dedication, he is worthy of Today, she serves on The Woodlands Town- tiously pass this measure. Doing so will reaf- the highest praise. ship and Convention and Visitors Center firm America’s commitment to the humane Terry Lynch has served in numerous leader- boards, as well as numerous others. treatment of our most beloved companions. ship roles throughout his illustrious career. In Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree f 1970, he began his apprenticeship with As- in Education from Colorado State University, bestos Workers Local 17 in Chicago, Illinois, her Master of Education degree from the Uni- RECOGNIZING PATRICIA ANDRADE before receiving his journeyman card in 1974. versity of Missouri at Columbia, and her Doc- IN HONOR OF WOMEN’S HISTORY In 1980, Terry was elected Vice President of torate in Curriculum and Instruction from MONTH Local 17, before being selected to serve as Baylor University. the union’s Corresponding, Recording, and Fi- Her past service as Chair of The Woodlands HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART nancial Secretary in 1984. Terry served in this Area Chamber of Commerce, President of The OF FLORIDA capacity until 1986 when he was elected Woodlands Rotary Board, and President of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Trustee for Local 17’s health, welfare, pen- National Charity League Board, in addition to sion, and annuity funds. He also served as Tuesday, March 7, 2017 her work on the boards of the YMCA, Friends chairman of those jointly trusted funds and for of the Library, Junior League, and The Wood- Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recogni- the joint apprenticeship training committee. In lands Junior Golf Association, perfectly illus- tion of Women’s History Month, I rise today to 1996, Mr. Lynch was chosen to serve as Busi- trates why she was named one of Houston’s honor Patricia Andrade, an activist and advo- ness Manager of the Heat and Frost Insulators Most Influential Women in 2015. cate for victims of Venezuela’s oppressive re- and Asbestos Workers Local 17. He was Our future leaders hold a special place in gime. elected to the position from which he retired, Ann’s heart. Whether they were students in Ms. Andrade has been recognized as a tire- International Vice President at Large, in Sep- her classes at the University of Houston, bud- less advocate for Venezuelan exiles arriving in tember 2002. Moreover, Terry served the ding scientists participating in the Education South Florida. After witnessing waves of Ven- international union as Legislative and Political for Tomorrow Alliance ’science fairs, students ezuelans fleeing persecution, Ms. Andrade Director and Health Hazard Administrator. in the Conroe Independent School District founded the non-profit organization Venezuela Each and every day, Terry has cherished where she served on the Board of Trustees, Awareness. This organization has identified the honor and responsibility that comes with and students at Lone Star College where she the needs of families fleeing persecution and being an elected union leader. He has worked served on the facilities review committee. It is worked to address them. This includes finding tirelessly to end the scourge of asbestos and too numerous to name all the organizations living arrangements, arranging for daily needs, to promote health initiatives to protect families Ann has helped faithfully guide. and securing legal assistance. impacted by mesothelioma and other asbes- A devoted member of The Woodlands One of the initiatives of Venezuela Aware- tos-related health conditions. Terry has sup- United Methodist Church, Ann’s many commu- ness is called Raı´ces Venezolanas, Ven- ported mechanical insulation, creating addi- nity honors include: Hometown Hero, Mont- ezuelan Roots. This program gives donated tional work opportunities for his fellow union gomery County Woman of Distinction, South goods to displaced Venezuelan families. By in- members. Mr. Lynch is also a member and Montgomery County Person of the Year, Cit- volving other families, whether of Venezuelan past admiral of the Pirates, a group comprised izen of the Year, Rotary International’s Serv- origin or not, this initiative creates a sense of of individuals from union labor and manage- ice-Above-Self Award, The Woodlands Paul community involvement in these families’ lives. ment in Northwest Indiana dedicated to help- Harris Award, Rotary Hall of Fame, and many Currently, Ms. Andrade serves as Human ing children with Down syndrome. Terry is more. Rights Director for Venezuela Awareness and truly an asset to the industry and to the com- In 2013, the Conroe Independent School issues annual reports detailing the human munity, and his passion and steadfast dedica- District ensured that future generations would rights violations of the Venezuelan govern- tion serve as an inspiration to us all. know of her service by dedicating the Ann K. ment. Her work on human rights abuses in Terry’s commitment to the community and Snyder Elementary School. I am proud to rec- Venezuela has been used by the Department his career is exceeded only by his devotion to ognize my friend and community hero, Ann

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.003 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E281 Snyder, who continues to show us exactly and the critical ports that were required for hu- RECOGNIZING NORTHWEST INDI- what servant leadership should look like by manitarian supplies to reach these countries. ANA’S NEWLY NATURALIZED striving to make our community a better place In many of these instances, without the skilled CITIZENS to call home. and dedicated efforts of the Seabees, the out- f comes would have been much worse for many more people. HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEABEES Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask that you and OF INDIANA my other distinguished colleagues join me in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY honoring the many dedicated Seabees who have served our nation for the past 75 years. Tuesday, March 7, 2017 OF INDIANA They represent an important part of the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES States Military, and are a true example of un- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with Tuesday, March 7, 2017 wavering patriotism. Let us never forget the great pleasure and sincerity that I take this Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with sin- service, sacrifice, and contributions they made time to congratulate twenty-five individuals cere appreciation and deep respect that I rec- and continue to make on behalf of our nation, who will take their oaths of citizenship on Fri- ognize the 75th Anniversary of the United their fellow service members, and those in day, March 10, 2017. This memorable occa- States Navy’s military construction force, the need throughout the world. sion, presided over by Judge Philip P. Simon, Seabees. For their contributions to our military will be held at the United States Courthouse and to countless individuals throughout the f and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana. world, as well as their courage while facing America is a country founded by immi- RECOGNIZING ANTHONY FERRERI danger head on, these brave and skilled serv- grants. From its beginning, settlers have come ice members are to be commended. from countries around the world to the United In December 1941, following the tragic HON. DANIEL M. DONOVAN, JR. States in search of better lives for their fami- events at Pearl Harbor, the United States lies. Oath ceremonies are a shining example Navy recognized the need for the presence of OF NEW YORK of what is so great about the United States of construction battalions on our nation’s coasts. America, that people from all over the world It was from this realization that the Seabees IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES can come together and unite as members of came to be. The earliest Seabees, who served Tuesday, March 7, 2017 a free, democratic nation. These individuals under the Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps, were realize that nowhere else in the world offers a recruited with an emphasis on their skills in Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to better opportunity for success than here in the construction trades, but due to the dan- thank Anthony Ferreri for his enduring devo- America. gerous situations they would encounter, these tion to serving others in need. men, who averaged 37 years of age, also On March 10, 2017, the following people, A lifelong Staten Islander, Anthony has needed to be ready and able to fight. representing many nations throughout the been at the forefront of providing quality hos- Since World War II, the Seabees have put world, will take their oaths of citizenship in pital care. President and CEO of Staten Island themselves in harm’s way while performing Hammond, Indiana: Arturo Abel Diaz Pena, University Hospital since 2003, he has over- construction projects to aid their fellow service Lakshmi Sowmya Koppineedi, Abel Ruiz Ro- seen the hospital’s growth with the addition of members, as well as civilians affected by both mero, Pierre Remon Halteh, Dayanara Calix, war and natural disasters. In World War II the Elizabeth A. Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center in 2009 and the Regina M. Vanessa Yalen Cardenas, Carlos Alberto alone, more than 325,000 Seabees served on Uribe Schiaffino, Mohammad Abdelqader, six continents and were tasked with everything McGinn, MD Education Center in 2011. This dedication led Modem HealthCare Magazine Anna Broda-Stephens, Alicia Castaneda, from the construction of airstrips, bridges, and Amilcar Chavez, Lupita Cortes, Nancy Nasilele roads to the building of hospitals, warehouses, to award Anthony its Community Leadership Award. Imasiku, Paulina Landeros Salazar, Mi Young and an incredible number of huts to house Youn, Jay Joohyoung Lee, Xinyu Kevin Liu, more than 1.5 million military members. During In 2013, after being named as Executive Di- Roberto Martinez, Ishaq Mohammed, Mercy the Korean War, the Seabees were called rector of the North Shore—LIJ Health Sys- Dickson Mtika-Nyirenda, Maria Pacheco, Anto- upon to address a problem that was thought tem’s Western Region, Anthony Ferreri was nia Roman, Luis Alberto Salas, Maria de to be impossible. These skilled men managed then appointed the Executive Vice President Lourdes Sanchez de Flores, and Jacob James to cut a mountain in half to make a runway at just two years later. With his new position Yang. Cubi Point, located in the Philippines, while came additional duties, as he also became the constructing a much-needed naval air station System’s Chief Affiliation Officer and Regional Although each individual has sought to be- in the region. Throughout the war in Vietnam, Executive Director for Westchester County. come a citizen of the United States for his or the Seabees remained active in the construc- His established track record of effective part- her own reasons, be it for education, occupa- tion of bridges, roads, and aircraft facilities nerships with area hospitals and medical cen- tion, or to offer their loved ones better lives, while also providing much support to the peo- ters made him an ideal choice for this position, each is inspired by the fact that the United ple of Vietnam through the building of wells, at which he excelled. States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln de- schools, hospitals, and utilities. They also Anthony has also proven himself a steadfast scribed it, a country ‘‘. . . of the people, by the shared their expert knowledge and skills to servant to his community. He has served nu- people, and for the people.’’ They realize that train the Vietnamese people toward self-suffi- merous nonprofit boards, among them the the United States is truly a free nation. By ciency. Efforts to support construction needs Friends of May Chang Foundation, New York seeking American citizenship, they have made for the military and in supporting those af- Organ Donor Network, and the Snug Harbor the decision that they want to live in a place fected by war have continued throughout the where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment Persian Gulf War as well as in Iraq and Af- Cultural Center. Furthermore, he is the Chair- man of the Board of Staten Island’s Moore of the Constitution, they can practice religion ghanistan. as they choose, speak their minds without fear The Seabees have also been called upon Catholic High School. He has been recognized on multiple occasions for his community serv- of punishment, and assemble in peaceful pro- time and time again to provide much needed test should they choose to do so. assistance, both within our borders and be- ice. One such example is that he was only the yond, during times of crisis and devastation. 12th graduate of New Dorp High School to be Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my From Hurricane Camille in 1969, to Hurricane inducted into its Hall of Fame. Moreover, he other distinguished colleagues to join me in Katrina in 2005, to the 2010 and 2011 disas- was also awarded the Ellis Island Medal of congratulating these individuals who will be- trous earthquakes and tsunami that rocked Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Or- come citizens of the United States of America Haiti and Japan, and many times in between, ganizations. on March 10, 2017. They, too, will be Amer- the Seabees have courageously put them- Mr. Speaker, Anthony Ferreri has spent his ican citizens, and they, too, are guaranteed selves in danger while working on rescue and life serving his community and providing qual- the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the cleanup efforts, as well as the vast rebuilding ity care to hospital patients. I thank him for his pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and demo- needed in these dire situations. They have lifetime of work and I wish him the best in re- cratic nation, congratulate them and welcome been instrumental in rebuilding roads, housing, tirement. them.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07MR8.003 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2017 HONORING THE CAREER OF MR. M. HONORING JUSTICE ROBERT PERSONAL EXPLANATION WAYNE HUTTON RUCKER HON. RYAN A. COSTELLO HON. JIM COSTA HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY OF PENNSYLVANIA OF INDIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, March 7, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on March 1, 2017, I Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with Tuesday, March 7, 2017 missed one recorded vote on the House floor. great respect and admiration that I take this Had I been present, I would have voted YEA Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to time to honor a dear friend and one of Indi- on Roll Call 121. honor the career of Mr. M. Wayne Hutton. ana’s finest citizens, Indiana Supreme Court After more than 30 years of serving in law en- Justice Robert Rucker, and to wish him well f forcement, Mr. Hutton is retiring as Super- upon his retirement. Throughout his many RECOGNIZING PURDUE vising District Attorney Investigator in Merced. years of public service, Justice Rucker has UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST Mr. Hutton’s service to the community has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his earned him recognition among law enforce- fellow Hoosiers. After nearly two decades on HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY ment officials throughout the San Joaquin Val- the Indiana Supreme Court, Justice Rucker OF INDIANA ley and California. He has undoubtedly paved will be retiring this spring. He has left an indel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a legacy in public service within our commu- ible mark as an outstanding public servant, nity. and for this, he is worthy of the highest praise. Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Mr. Hutton’s career is characterized by a Justice Rucker grew up in Gary, Indiana, Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with strong work ethic and a passion for justice. and graduated from Gary Roosevelt High great pleasure that I take this time to recog- Mr. Hutton began his law enforcement career School. Before embarking on his legal career, nize Purdue University Northwest as the col- as a Special Agent in the United States Air Justice Rucker, a decorated veteran of the lege celebrates the first anniversary of Found- Force Office of Special Investigations. During United States Army, honorably served his ers Day, which took place on March 6, 2017. his time as a Special Agent, Mr. Hutton was country during the Vietnam War. He went on The successful unification of two college cam- honored and awarded the Air Force Com- to receive a bachelor’s degree from Indiana puses into a single university led to the cre- mendation Medal, four Achievement Medals, University in 1974 before completing the Juris ation of Purdue University Northwest, which is and the National Defense Medal. He then Doctor at the Valparaiso University School of one of the first educational mergers in Indiana. went on to serve as a Deputy Sheriff in the Law in 1976. A devoted legal scholar, Justice The merger creates more choices for stu- Merced County Sheriff’s Department. He re- Rucker has also earned a Master of Laws de- dents, promotes a regional identity, and con- ceived a Sheriff’s Commendation for imple- gree in the judicial process from the University tributes to economic development in North- menting the first Citizen’s Law Enforcement of Virginia School of Law. west Indiana. Academy as well as his display of tactical ac- In 1991, following many remarkable years of In recognition of this day, we honor and tion during a suicide attempt by a citizen. Mr. service to the Northwest Indiana community, commend the outstanding contributions Pur- Hutton also received recognition for his work Justice Rucker was appointed to the Indiana due University Northwest has made to the Court of Appeals by Governor Evan Bayh, be- in the area of domestic violence and was community of Northwest Indiana and beyond. coming the first African American to serve on praised by the Senate of the State of Cali- A comprehensive regional university, Purdue an Indiana appellate court. In 1999, he was fornia. Northwest offers award winning undergraduate appointed by Governor Frank O’Bannon to the and master’s degree programs, a nursing Mr. Hutton later served as an Investigator Indiana Supreme Court. Throughout his illus- practice doctorate, a full athletic program, stu- for the District Attorney in Merced County. trious judicial career, he has authored more dent housing, international student programs, During his tenure, Mr. Hutton has conducted than 1,200 civil and criminal opinions. He has and innovative research centers and institutes. numerous felony investigations and other high served on numerous boards and committees These programs have been a tremendous profile major white collar fraud cases. Due to including the Indiana Commission for Con- benefit to the local community through the fos- his outstanding work, he was then promoted tinuing Legal Education, Indiana Trial Lawyers tering of a culture of innovation, which is so to Supervising Investigator. Mr. Hutton wrote Association, Northwest Indiana Legal Services crucial in today’s ever-changing economy. the Policy and Procedures Manual for the Bu- Organization, and the Judicial Council of the During World War II, technical classes were reau of Investigation and conducted numerous National Bar Association. offered to region plant workers, which was embezzlement and white collar crime inves- Justice Rucker’s colleagues could not hold part of a national defense training program. tigations, which included a case that involved him in higher esteem, stating that ‘‘His work Purdue decided to continue to offer courses in a record $1.4 million loss. stands as a powerful illustration of the guid- Northwest Indiana after the war ended, and in Mr. Hutton’s decision to become an adjunct ance courts provide for the peaceful resolution 1946, classes were held at various locations instructor at Merced College is another exam- of disputes encompassing nearly every facet throughout the area. Over time, two campuses ple of his devoted service to the community. of Hoosier life.’’ They have said that what is emerged, with some 77,000 degrees earned Mr. Hutton taught the next generation of law most admirable about him is his commitment by graduates. enforcement the skills necessary to write re- to seek equality for all people. ‘‘He always had Currently, Purdue Northwest offers more ports and do complete criminal investigations. the courage and fortitude to protect the rights than seventy state-of-the-art programs to ap- He has instructed over 300 cadets in the State of all, regardless of their state in life. He has proximately 13,350 students. Additionally, in- of California’s Peace Officer Standards and the ability to stand in the shoes of any person novative and passionate staff, faculty, depart- Training approved Reserve Peace Officer and understand their plight.’’ For his lifetime of ment heads, and leadership, including former Training Courses. leadership and his truly inspiring career in chancellors and the current chancellor, Dr. public service, Justice Rucker is to be com- Thomas L. Keon, are held in the highest es- Many are saddened by Mr. Hutton’s retire- mended. teem for their unwavering dedication, which ment, but his achievements and years of serv- Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other has contributed to the success of Purdue Uni- ice will not be forgotten. He has been a part distinguished colleagues join me in honoring versity Northwest. Their expertise in the field of the law enforcement community for 31 an outstanding servant of the public for his of education has been a remarkable asset to years, and it is my hope that his career will in- lifetime of service to the people of Indiana and the region, and their tireless efforts have en- spire others to follow in his footsteps. to wish him well upon his retirement. His con- hanced the lives of Purdue University North- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join tinuous effort to improve the quality of life for west’s many students and alumni. me in recognizing the career and achievement all Hoosiers is truly admirable, and we have Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other of Mr. M. Wayne Hutton. Mr. Hutton has prov- been blessed to have had his presence in the distinguished colleagues join me in honoring en to be an inspiring and hardworking indi- judiciary for so long. Justice Rucker’s legacy and congratulating Purdue University North- vidual for Merced County, and I am confident will endure as a source of pride for the First west on the first anniversary of Founders Day. he will continue to demonstrate his passion for Congressional District, and his selfless service The merger has improved educational oppor- public service in the next chapter of his life. is to be emulated and admired. tunities for the institution’s current students

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07MR8.005 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E283 and will positively impact the lives of countless Mr. Miller touched thousands of lives in Miller went back to the University of Ten- scholars for years to come. good and positive ways during his career as a nessee at night for a master’s degree in ad- teacher, coach, principal, administrator, and ministration and became assistant principal f of Rule High School for four years, and then school board member. CELEBRATING MARIACHI AZUL Y principal from 1965 through 1975. It was a This country is in a better place today be- time of racial integration of the schools. PLATA’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP cause of the life and service of D.M. Miller. WIN ‘‘We had on one side of us Lonsdale Homes, I include in the RECORD, the story about Mr. and on the other side was College Homes. Miller in the Knoxville News-Sentinel from And in between there was Western Heights, HON. FILEMON VELA March 2, 2017. the largest low-income housing project in OF TEXAS [From The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mar. 2, the area. So we started integrating in 1970. I 2017] enrolled 1,625 kids in a school that would IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (By Rebecca D. Williams) hold 1,000. Eight hundred were black. We had Tuesday, March 7, 2017 You might say D.M. Miller of Knoxville, 91, the Black Panthers on campus; we had to a longtime educator and coach, was in school run them out. It was not easy. I broke up the Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- first fight,’’ he said. ognize Mariachi Azul Y Plata of the Ben Bolt most of his life. ‘‘I remember seeing my first basketball Discipline back then involved a ‘‘long pad- Palito Blanco Independent School District for game, at South Harriman School, where my dle,’’ Miller said. ‘‘Our kids were used to it. recently winning its second consecutive state aunt was playing. I was 6 or 7 years old,’’ he Mamas would call me and say, ‘Handle it.’ mariachi championship in Class 2A. said. You have to be fair and firm and consistent. Ben Bolt High School and the people of ‘‘I was born in Roane County on Oct. 22, There’s no in-between,’’ he said. South Texas are proud of the musicians of 1925. My parents were Ben and Stella Schu- After being principal, Miller was asked to Mariachi Azul Y Plata for their hard work and bert Miller. My dad had a fourth-grade edu- work in the Knoxville City Schools adminis- tration building as the administrative assist- impressive talent. This accomplishment is a cation and my mom had a fifth,’’ he said. By the time he was 10, the family moved to ant to the superintendent. He also served on testament to the dedication of these young Knoxville and lived in Lonsdale. ‘‘This was the control board of the Tennessee Sec- men and women. Through their state title, Ben during the (Great) Depression, and every- ondary School Athletic Association for nine Bolt has set the bar for generations of high body was poor. My dad was a machinist, a years, during which time he helped TSSAA school mariachi musicians to come. motor mechanic, an electrician and a car- build an office in Hermitage, reclassify The mariachi band is composed of 23 stu- penter. He was without work at times,’’ Mil- schools, and implement Title IX. He was in- dents, who jointly participated in auditions ler said. ducted into its Hall of Fame as an adminis- against other schools to attend the competi- When he was a student at Lonsdale Ele- trator in 1994. mentary School, Miller remembers the Miller retired after almost 35 years in the tion. Azul Y Plata excelled in their division and marching band from Rule High School going city school system, and was elected to the they continue to embrace the Mariachi culture on ‘‘strike,’’ and marching around Lonsdale, Knoxville City School Board in 1986. The city and keep our Hispanic heritage alive. to protest the fact that Rule only had 10 and county schools merged in 1987, and Mil- Congratulations again to the Palito Blanco grades. The kids wanted 12 grades so they ler was elected to the consolidated board for High School Mariachi band in Ben Bolt for wouldn’t have to walk to Knox High School, his second term. ‘‘I’m the only man to have their tremendous achievement. Miller said. served on both,’’ he said. Rule High School had 12 grades by the time The Millers had three children, a daughter f Miller got there. He lettered in basketball, in 1952, and two sons. Even though he was an HONORING CONNERSVILLE HIGH track and baseball, and was captain of the educator, Miller’s daughter could not go to SCHOOL SPARTANS BOYS VAR- football team and vice president of his senior public schools. class in 1944. Shortly after graduation, Miller SITY BASKETBALL TEAM ‘‘Our daughter, Elizabeth, we call her joined the U.S. Navy, during World War II. Libby, was born handicapped. They told us ‘‘Everybody wanted to join up,’’ he said. we should put her in an institution. We just HON. LUKE MESSER ‘‘My mom wouldn’t let me drop out of high couldn’t bear to let her go, so we raised her. school to go in. I graduated from Rule High OF INDIANA ‘‘The (Individuals with Disabilities Edu- School on a Friday and went right in the cation Act) hadn’t come into effect yet. So IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Navy, a boatswain’s mate.’’ she never had any education. We couldn’t get Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Miller served on the U.S.S. Gosper, an am- her in a regular school. Her speech was a phibious invasion and casualty evacuation problem. We had her at every speech clinic, Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ship in the Pacific. The ship was part of the and we had her to doctor after doctor, but honor Connersville High School on its 2017 Okinawa invasion. ‘‘There were four of us she never went to school,’’ he said. IHSAA Class 4A Sectional 9 championship in boys from Rule High School over there, and Libby Miller is 64 today. She lives with the boys’ basketball. two of them got killed at Okinawa. We Millers and attends the Sertoma Center each The Spartans faced off against the New thought we were going to invade Japan, but day for adults with intellectual disabilities. Castle Trojans, with a standing room only thank goodness (the U.S. dropped the atomic In retirement, Miller has been very active bomb) and the war ended,’’ he said. in his church, New Hope Presbyterian. And crowd watching, at historic New Castle Field- ‘‘Then, they sent us to Corregidor (Phil- house, the world’s largest high school gym- Miller still keeps in touch with other stu- ippines), and we picked up 2,700 American, dents from Rule High School, which closed in nasium. Canadian and British prisoners of war. None 1991. In 2015, the Rule Alumni honored Miller I am proud of these young men for not only of them weighed a hundred pounds. They with a ‘‘Greatest Among Us’’ Award. their remarkable win, but also for the Hoosier were skeletons,’’ he remembered. ‘‘I counted it up one time, and I’ve been in After the war, Miller returned to Ten- sportsmanship that they displayed throughout education about 48 years,’’ he said. ‘‘Given nessee and enrolled in Maryville College on my mom and dad’s education, it’s a miracle. this exciting season. I want to commend the G.I. Bill, where he played football and Coach Kerry Brown as well as all of the as- majored in education. ‘‘All the veterans had f sistant coaches who led these young men to come back from the war, and we had a pretty victory. good ball club,’’ he said. ‘‘I played on an HONORING 2016 ‘‘MR. AMIGO’’ Congrats, Spartans. undefeated team and in the Tangerine Bowl, FERNANDO LANDEROS VERDUGO f a forerunner of the Citrus Bowl, in 1946.’’ As a senior, he met Viola ‘‘Vi’’ Marshall, HON. FILEMON VELA TRIBUTE TO D.M. MILLER at a dance. ‘‘I saw her dancing and cut in,’’ he said. ‘‘We started going together and got OF TEXAS married June 2, 1952.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. In 1950, Miller was hired back at his alma Tuesday, March 7, 2017 OF TENNESSEE mater, Rule High School, as an assistant IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES coach of several sports and teacher of math, Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- science and health. He eventually became ognize the Charro Days Fiesta and commend Tuesday, March 7, 2017 the head football coach of the ‘‘Golden the 2016 ‘‘Mr. Amigo,’’ chosen by the Mr. Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, Bears.’’ Amigo Association of Brownsville, Texas, and When the drafting teacher died unexpect- one of the finest men I have ever known, Mr. edly on a Friday, Miller was asked to take Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. D.M. Miller, was the subject of a lengthy arti- over his class. He had only had one class in Fernando Landeros Verdugo is a caring phi- cle in the Knoxville News-Sentinel. drafting in high school. ‘‘I studied all week- lanthropist and founder of the Fundacio´n The article told of his 48 years in education end to get ready,’’ he said. ‘‘I taught on Mon- Teleto´n. His institution’s efforts have united in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. day.’’ both Latin America and the U.S. over the last

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.010 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2017 20 years with the purpose of providing oppor- TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVER- tunities to children with disabilities and their BALISTRIERE SARY OF OLMITO WATER SUP- families. His hard work has gained him the ad- PLY CORPORATION, INC. miration of many, and he is an excellent choice to represent the spirit of friendship. HON. GWEN MOORE HON. FILEMON VELA OF WISCONSIN First awarded in 1964, the title of ‘‘Mr. OF TEXAS Amigo’’ is an annual tribute to an outstanding IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mexican citizen who has made a lasting con- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Tuesday, March 7, 2017 tribution during the previous year to inter- Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to national solidarity and goodwill. ‘‘Mr. Amigo’’ Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Olmito Water Supply Corporation, Inc. acts as an ambassador between the United recognize Michael ‘‘Mike’’ Balistriere who is re- on their 50th year of service. States and Mexico and presides over the an- tiring from Milwaukee Area Labor Council on Olmito Water Supply Corporation (WSC) nual Charro Days Fiesta. March 17, 2017. Mike is a labor leader, vet- eran, father and advocate. was certified as a non-profit in 1967 and is lo- Charro Days dates back to 1937, when the cated in Cameron County. For 50 years, the citizens of Brownsville organized the event in Mike Balistriere has been a proud union leadership of its Board of Directors and dedi- the midst of the Great Depression to celebrate member since 1969 when he began his career cation of its employees has brought vital serv- the cultural heritage shared between Browns- at Evinrude Motors. Mike served in Vietnam ices to the region. Since its foundation, the ville and its sister city across the Rio Grande, as a United States Marine from 1969–1971 corporation has provided safe tap water and Matamoros. The first Charro Days celebration and returned to Evinrude after his service. He sanitary sewer service to the rural community featured a parade with horse-drawn floats and became an active member with the United of Olmito, Texas. participants dressed in traditional Mexican Steelworkers (USW) Local 1302, while at Today, Olmito WSC has established 2,175 costumes reminiscent of charros, or Mexican Evinrude and was elected Chief Steward in water connections that serve over 8,000 cowboys. 1974 and served on the bargaining committee ‘colonia’ residents. Colonias are unincor- for 15 years. As a member of USW Local porated settlements along the U.S.-Mexico From these humble beginnings, Charro 1302, Mike served on a variety of committees Days has evolved into a multi-day event, border that lack living necessities such as po- at the behest of his union. table water, sewer systems, electricity, paved which includes dances, fiestas, a children’s Mr. Balistriere was called upon by his Inter- parade, and the Grand International Parade. roads, and sanitary housing. The corporation’s national Union to help with the Firestone/ ability to provide clean water and sanitary Thousands of participants from both sides of Bridgestone strike as part of a statewide com- the border celebrate these traditions each sewer service has raised the quality of life for mittee. The United Steelworkers won that hard residents, and has laid the infrastructure for year. fought fight benefiting the workers which led to the creation of new subdivisions and commer- The 80th annual Charro Days celebration the merger of the United Steelworkers and cial establishments in the area. commenced on February 19th, with a grito, or Rubber Workers. In 1997, Mike left Evinrude The Olmito Water Supply Corporation has celebratory yell, and on February 25th, the to assume the position of Community Service made a lasting, positive impact on our com- Mayor of Brownsville and the Mayor of Mata- Liaison at the United Way of Greater Mil- munity, and it will continue to play a critical moros met at the Gateway International Bridge waukee and later for the Milwaukee Area role in the improvement of South Texas. I rise to extend their hands across the border, sym- Labor Council. today to congratulate the Olmito Water Supply bolizing the friendship between the two cities. In his position as Community Service Liai- Corporation as it celebrates 50 years of suc- Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity son, Mr. Balistriere has served as a member cess. to honor the Charro Days Fiesta and for join- of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council, Co- f Founder of the Veterans Community Relations ing me in recognizing the importance of this HONORING DR. LESTER TENNEY annual celebration, which continues to Team, and Treasurer for the War Memorial strengthen the relationship between Browns- Board. Further, he worked closely with the ville and Matamoros, and the bonds between HIRE Center, Wisconsin Election Protection, HON. DARRELL E. ISSA the United States and Mexico. and chaired the St. Bens Annual Cook Out for OF CALIFORNIA the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha Tuesday, March 7, 2017 County for the past 10 years. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor HONORING GREENSBURG COMMU- Some of Mike’s notable achievements in- Dr. Lester Irwin Tenney of Carlsbad, Cali- NITY HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES clude preventing the hostile takeover of the fornia, who recently passed away on February BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL Milwaukee County War Memorial, moving the 24, 2017 at the age of 96. I am proud to rec- TEAM statue of General MacArthur to the lakefront, ognize his memory as his Congressman and meeting with the Japanese, Korean, Aus- admire his life’s work to strengthen ties with tralian, and the Philippines consulates in Chi- our allies in Japan. HON. LUKE MESSER cago about the Gen. MacArthur Memorial Dr. Tenney served our nation during World Lakefront Event. One of Mike Balistriere’s OF INDIANA War II on the 192nd Tank Battalion in the Phil- proudest moments was to lead the recitation ippines. Immediately following the attack on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the Pledge of Allegiance before President Pearl Harbor, his battalion continuously fought Barack Obama speeches at both the Bradley Tuesday, March 7, 2017 against the Japanese assault until his com- Center and Laborfest. manders surrendered on April 9, 1942. He be- Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to I am grateful to have had the opportunity to came a Prisoner of War and survived the infa- honor Greensburg Community High School on know Mike Balistriere and work with him for mous Bataan Death March, while thousands its 2017 IHSAA Class 3A Sectional 29 cham- many years on labor issues, veterans’ issues of his American and Filipino counterparts per- pionship in boys’ basketball. and voting rights. I join with friends and his ished. He was then forced to work in a Japa- wife, Cindy and children Rebecca, Michael Jr., The Pirates faced off against the Lawrence- nese coal mine until the conclusion of the war. Sarah, and Nathan to congratulate him as he burg Tigers on their home court and defeated Upon returning to the U.S., Dr. Tenney studied transitions into a different phase of his life. them 55–41. business at San Diego State University, taught Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Mike finance at Arizona State University, and start- I am proud of these young men for not only Balistriere and to call him friend. The citizens ed his own financial planning firm. their remarkable win, but also for the Hoosier of the Fourth Congressional District and the After publishing his memoirs documenting sportsmanship that they displayed throughout State of Wisconsin are privileged to have the atrocities he experienced as a POW, Dr. this exciting season. I want to commend someone of ability and dedicated service Tenney made it his mission to forgive his cap- Coach Stacy Meyer as well as all of the as- working on their behalf for so many years. I tors and establish friendships with Japanese sistant coaches who led these young men to thank him for all that he has done. I am hon- citizens. As national commander of the De- victory. ored for these reasons to pay tribute to Mike fenders of Bataan and Corregidor, he met the Congrats, Pirates. Balistriere. Japanese Ambassador to the United States,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.012 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS March 7, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E285 Ichiro Fujisaki, and arranged for a public apol- Araxie Deuvletian. They immigrated to the HONORING SOUTH RIPLEY RAID- ogy on behalf of Japan to the surviving POWs. United States and were blessed with twins: a ERS BOYS VARSITY BASKET- He also worked with the Japanese govern- son Harold and a daughter Susie, making BALL TEAM ment to establish the U.S.-Japan POW Friend- Fresno, California their permanent home, the ship Program, which allows former POWs and birthplace of his childhood hero William Sa- their families to visit Japan annually. Finally, royan. HON. LUKE MESSER Dr. Tenney received a personal apology from In 1972, Paul opened his second studio, OF INDIANA Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015 Paul’s Photography Studio, in Fresno, Cali- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and just last month received a letter of apol- fornia. Throughout the years, he photographed ogy from Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, one Tuesday, March 7, 2017 countless people from all walks of life, from of the companies that profited from POW labor politicians and generals, to models, musicians Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to at the time. I have been fortunate enough to and clergy leaders. His works have been pub- honor South Ripley High School on its 2017 know Dr. Tenney. His courage and tenacity lished in over a dozen books, and numerous IHSAA Class 2A Sectional 45 championship in are an inspiration to all, and his moving story newspapers and magazines, and have been boys’ basketball. demonstrates how much impact one person displayed in over a dozen different locations The Raiders faced off against the Milan Indi- can have on world affairs. such as government buildings, museums, ans, defeating them 47–42. Dr. Tenney’s legacy is admirable and his schools and libraries. impressive achievements in U.S.-Japan rela- I am proud of these young men for not only tions will be remembered for years to come. Aside from having a passion for photog- their remarkable win, but also for the Hoosier He is survived by his wife, Betty, and his son, raphy, Paul had a dream of one day being sportsmanship that they displayed throughout two stepsons, seven grandchildren, and two able to photograph internationally renowned this exciting season. I want to commend great-grandchildren. I extend my condolences Armenian-American Pulitzer Prize and Oscar Coach Travis Wrightsman as well as all of the to his family in this difficult time. winner, William Saroyan. After 12 years of assistant coaches who led these young men f chasing this dream, Paul was finally able to to victory. capture portraits of the famous writer and Congrats, Raiders. HONORING NORTHEASTERN HIGH playwright on March 26, 1976. One such char- SCHOOL KNIGHTS BOYS VARSITY acteristic portrait was selected by the United f BASKETBALL TEAM States and Soviet Union Postal Services, among 400 other photographs, to be used for COMMEMORATING THE TENTH AN- HON. LUKE MESSER their Commemorative Postal Stamps. This NIVERSARY OF PUB- OF INDIANA was the first time in history that an individual LIC.RESOURCE.ORG IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was selected as a humanitarian symbol of peace and friendship between two superpower Tuesday, March 7, 2017 nations. First-day-issue ceremonies took place HON. DARRELL E. ISSA Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to simultaneously on May 22, 1991 in Fresno, OF CALIFORNIA honor Northeastern High School on its 2017 California and in Yerevan, Armenia. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IHSAA Class 2A Sectional 41 championship in After William Saroyan’s death in 1981, Paul Tuesday, March 7, 2017 boys’ basketball. created a 22 minute presentation of Saroyan’s The Knights faced off against the Union portraits, along with his narration ‘‘How I shot Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in rec- County Patriots, defeating them 54–41. Saroyan,’’ which was shown over 100 times in ognition of the tenth anniversary of Pub- I am proud of these young men for not only various cities, and televised on public stations. lic.Resource.Org, a nonprofit organization pro- their remarkable win, but also for the Hoosier In light of the positive response, Paul and his moting openness and transparency in all three sportsmanship that they displayed throughout daughter, Dr. Susie Kalinian, decided to col- branches of the federal government. this exciting season. I want to commend laborate and create a documentary film about In the past decade, organizations like Public Coach Brent Ross as well as all of the assist- Saroyan’s life and works, narrated by another Resource have been instrumental in utilizing ant coaches who led these young men to vic- famous Fresnan whom Kalinian admires and modern technology and the Internet as vehi- tory. respects, television and motion picture star, cles to make the proceedings and reports of Congrats, Knights. actor Mike Connors. Entitled William Saroyan; the House of Representatives readily available f The Man The Writer, the film was written and to the general public. While I served as Chair- HONORING THE LIFELONG CON- directed by Paul and produced by his daugh- man of the Committee on Oversight and Gov- TRIBUTIONS OF PAUL KALINIAN ter. It is a symbol of Paul’s admiration for Sa- ernment Reform, our staff worked with Public royan as one of the greatest writers of our Resource to upload a video archive of all its time. The film was created to preserve and proceedings to the Internet and used official HON. JIM COSTA present Saroyan’s works, recognize his dual transcripts to add closed captioning to our OF CALIFORNIA cultural heritage, and spread his message of hearings. In addition to the Oversight Com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES peace and hope around the world. The film, a mittee, their team uploaded over 3,000 hear- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 labor of love, won numerous awards of rec- ings from all committees to the Internet Ar- Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ognition, including six international film festival chive, particularly documenting activity in the honor and pay tribute to Fresnan Paul awards and a Gold Award for Best Documen- House from 2005 through 2011. Kalinian, a philanthropic and award winning tary Film among 12 competing nations. The In the Judicial Branch, Public Resource pub- filmmaker known especially for his documen- film premiered on April 9, 1991 in Fresno at lished all the historical opinions of the U.S. tary on Armenian-American William Saroyan. the William Saroyan Theatre. Today, over one Court of Appeals and millions of pages of Paul Kalinian was born in Beirut, Lebanon million people have seen the film in more than briefs from significant judicial opinions. They on February 14, 1932, but spent the majority 60 cities in 19 countries around the world. also worked with numerous executive agen- of his childhood in Damascus, Syria. At age This film not only pays tribute to Saroyan, but cies, including the Department of Defense, the 14, he discovered his passion for photography pays tribute to Armenians and Fresno, Cali- Archivist of the United States, the National and began learning the skill at the Photo fornia. Technical Information Service, and the Internal Gulbenk Studio in Damascus. Four years Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to Revenue Service to post thousands of govern- later, he returned to Beirut, opening his first join me in celebrating a man who has dedi- ment videos and upload over 9 million tax photography studio, Photo Paul in 1961. In cated his life to preserving American and Ar- documents of nonprofit organizations for the 1964, he moved to Canada, then to the United menian culture through the art of photography public record. States to further pursue a future in photog- and film. It is both fitting and appropriate that As the organization celebrates this mile- raphy and filmmaking. Attending the New York we recognize Paul Kalinian for his educational stone, I would like to congratulate Public Re- Institute of Photography, Paul received de- and philanthropic contributions to his commu- source for its service to Congress and the on- grees in Photography and Motion Picture Pro- nity, his country, and our world. I join Paul’s going effort to provide American citizens with duction in 1967. That same year, he returned family in wishing him health and happiness for the tools they need to scrutinize the activities to Beirut to marry his longtime sweetheart, years to come. of the federal government.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.014 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2017 FINDLAY NAMED TOP HONORING HAUSER HIGH SCHOOL later loaned in order to purchase a truck from MICROPOLITAN COMMUNITY IN JETS BOYS VARSITY BASKET- a nearby fire company in Mountain View, New THE UNITED STATES BALL TEAM Jersey. Over the years two more trucks were added; increasing the capabilities of the fire HON. LUKE MESSER company. In 1946, the state of New Jersey HON. ROBERT E. LATTA OF INDIANA passed legislation that officially recognized the Packanack Lake Fire and Emergency Squad OF OHIO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as a fire company, and allowed Wayne Town- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ship to allocate extra funds to the emergency Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to squad. After several expansions of the emer- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 honor Hauser High School on its 2017 IHSAA gency squad, the need for a fire house Class 1A Sectional 60 championship in boys’ Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rec- emerged. Property was donated by Packanack basketball. Homes and a two story fire house was built by ognize the City of Findlay, Ohio for being The Jets faced off against the Oldenburg the volunteer firefighters themselves. Materials named a 2016 Top Micropolitan Community in Academy Twisters, defeating them 64–61. were gathered from nearby demolished build- the United States. This is the third year in a I am proud of these young men for not only ings and construction was complete by 1948. row that Findlay has been selected by Site their remarkable win, but also for the Hoosier While construction was nearing completion the Selection magazine for this honor. sportsmanship that they displayed throughout spouses of the volunteers formed the Site Selection ranks micropolitan areas, this exciting season. I want to commend Packanack Lake Ladies Auxiliary who dedi- Coach Bob Nobbe as well as all of the assist- which have populations ranging between cated their time raising funds and supporting ant coaches who led these young men to vic- 10,000 and 50,000, by evaluating different the fire company. And, the Auxiliary remains tory. very active today! sets of criteria for opportunities to provide Congrats, Jets. Today, the fire company is a prominent enti- proven sustainable success. Findlay, once f ty in Packanack Lake. Membership has never again, ranked highest out of these cities with been higher and they are now equipped with 22 projects that secure and grow the local HONORING PACKANACK LAKE FIRE COMPANY four trucks and one heavy rescue truck. With economic growth of the community. over 700 calls a year the fire company is al- Findlay has made quite a name for itself by ways utilizing these resources to the best of HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN their abilities. From six residents who saw the focusing their efforts on steady economic de- OF NEW JERSEY necessity to protect their community, grew a velopment. Site Selection has deemed this the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘‘Findlay Formula,’’ the building of strong, reli- fine fire company who still supports and pro- Tuesday, March 7, 2017 able partnerships from the local government tects their community. Like all fire companies, the Packanack Lake arena to both business and nonprofit organiza- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise Company is more than fighting fires. From tions. today to honor the 75th Anniversary of the Packanack Lake Fire Company No. 5, located serving as a safe haven during natural disas- Mr. Speaker, the success in Findlay is a in Wayne, New Jersey. ters, floods in particular, the first to respond to testament to the strong leadership and tight- Beginning in 1942, during the midst of home emergencies, and to functioning as a knit community that exists in Hancock County. World War II, the Packanack Lake community social hub for the community to connect with I’m excited about potential future development of 500 homes at the time was very concerned one another, I commend Company #5 for its and the benefits it will bring to residents and about the threat of attacks from the Axis pow- distinguished 75 years and its support of the businesses that are proud to call Findlay ers. Six residents found the need for a local four other Wayne companies and their mutual home. Congratulations once again to the City fire department in order to provide protection aid to neighboring towns. to the community. The residents applied for Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our col- of Findlay for being named a top Micropolitan use of Civil Defense equipment. With great ef- leagues join me in congratulating Packanack community. fort, they were organized as a civil defense Lake Fire and Emergency Squad No. 5 on the unit and equipment was allocated. Funds were occasion of its 75th Anniversary.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K07MR8.016 E07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Daily Digest Senate and Exchange Commission of the annual govern- Chamber Action ment-business forum on capital formation, and the Routine Proceedings, pages S1607–S1647 bill be referred to the Committee on Banking, Hous- Measures Introduced: Twenty-seven bills and two ing, and Urban Affairs. Page S1623 resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 536–562, Verma Nomination—Cloture: Senate began con- S.J. Res. 34, and S. Res. 82. Pages S1638–39 sideration of the nomination of Seema Verma, of In- Measures Passed: diana, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medi- Federal Land Policy and Management Act Rule: care and Medicaid Services, Department of Health By 51 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 82), Senate passed and Human Services. Page S1625 H.J. Res. 44, disapproving the rule submitted by A motion was entered to close further debate on the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of the nomination, and, in accordance with the provi- Land Management regulations that establish the pro- sions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Sen- cedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use ate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, March plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Man- 9, 2017. Page S1625 agement Act of 1976. Pages S1609–25 Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Sen- Modern Slavery: Committee on Foreign Relations ate took the following action: was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Execu- 68, raising awareness of modern slavery, and the res- tive Session to consider the nomination. Page S1625 olution was then agreed to. Page S1647 Nominations Received: Senate received the fol- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab- lowing nominations: oratory 75th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. R. Alexander Acosta, of Florida, to be Secretary of 82, congratulating the Johns Hopkins University Labor. Applied Physics Laboratory on the 75th anniversary Ajit Varadaraj Pai, of Kansas, to be a Member of of the founding of the Laboratory. Page S1647 the Federal Communications Commission for a term Measures Considered: of five years from July 1, 2016. Page S1647 Department of Education Rule–Agreement: Sen- Messages from the House: Page S1635 ate began consideration of H.J. Res. 58, providing Measures Referred: Pages S1635–36 for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title Executive Communications: Pages S1636–38 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to teacher prepara- Executive Reports of Committees: Page S1638 tion issues, after agreeing to the motion to proceed. Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1639–41 Pages S1625–33 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- viding for further consideration of the joint resolu- Pages S1641–47 tion at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Additional Statements: March 8, 2017. Pages S1625, S1647 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S1647 Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Privileges of the Floor: Page S1647 Act Referral—Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Com- Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. mittee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be (Total—82) Page S1625 discharged from further consideration of S. 416, to Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad- amend the Small Business Investment Incentive Act journed at 6:16 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednes- of 1980 to require an annual review by the Securities day, March 8, 2017. (For Senate’s program, see the D229

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:30 Mar 08, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D07MR7.REC D07MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with DIGEST D230 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST March 7, 2017 remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today’s BUSINESS MEETING Record on page S1647.) Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favor- ably reported the nomination of Lt. Gen. Herbert R. McMaster Jr., USA, for reappointment to be Lieu- Committee Meetings tenant General. (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a RUSSIA’S POLICIES AND INTENTIONS hearing to examine the nominations of Rod J. Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Rosenstein, of Maryland, to be Deputy Attorney Foreign Operations, and Related Programs concluded General, who was introduced by Senators Cardin and a hearing to examine a broader understanding of Van Hollen, and Rachel L. Brand, of Iowa, to be As- Russia’s policies and intentions toward specific coun- sociate Attorney General, who was introduced by tries in Europe, after receiving testimony from Pavlo Senators Grassley and Ernst, both of the Department Klimkin, Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs; Piotr of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered Wilczek, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to questions in their own behalf. the United States; Andris Teikmanis, Ambassador of Latvia to the United States; David Bakradze, Ambas- INTELLIGENCE sador of Georgia to the United States; Rolandas Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed Krisciunas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony to the United States; and Eerik Marmei, Ambassador from officials of the intelligence community. of the Republic of Estonia to the United States. Committee recessed subject to the call. h House of Representatives Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder (H. Rept. Chamber Action 115–27). Page H1592 Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 46 pub- Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he lic bills, H.R. 1374–1419; and 3 resolutions, H. appointed Representative Simpson to act as Speaker Pages H1592–94 Res. 173, 176–177 were introduced. pro tempore for today. Page H1539 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1595–96 Recess: The House recessed at 12:48 p.m. and re- Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: convened at 2 p.m. Page H1544 H.R. 375, to designate the Federal building and Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the United States courthouse located at 719 Church Guest Chaplain, Rev. Gary Studniewski, St. Peter’s Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the ‘‘Fred D. Catholic Church, Washington, DC. Page H1544 Thompson Federal Building and United States Recess: The House recessed at 2:13 p.m. and recon- Courthouse’’ (H. Rept. 115–23); vened at 5 p.m. Page H1545 H.R. 1174, to provide a lactation room in public buildings (H. Rept. 115–24); Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules H.R. 985, to amend the procedures used in Fed- and pass the following measures: eral court class actions and multidistrict litigation Naming the Department of Veterans Affairs proceedings to assure fairer, more efficient outcomes community-based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, for claimants and defendants, and for other purposes American Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a (H. Rept. 115–25); Hunkin VA Clinic: H.R. 1362, to name the De- H. Res. 174, providing for consideration of the partment of Veterans Affairs community-based out- bill (H.R. 1301) making appropriations for the De- patient clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa, the partment of Defense for the fiscal year ending Sep- Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic, by a tember 30, 2017, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 2⁄3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 115–26); and 127; Pages H1545–47, H1571 H. Res. 175, providing for consideration of the Designating the Federal building and United bill (H.R. 725) to amend title 28, United States States courthouse located at 719 Church Street in

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Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Cyberse- Committee on Homeland Security, March 8, Full Com- curity, to receive a closed briefing on cybersecurity from mittee, markup on H.R. 876, the ‘‘Aviation Employee the Defense Science Board, 2:30 p.m., SVC–217. Screening and Security Enhancement Act of 2017’’; H.R. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to 1238, the ‘‘Securing our Agriculture and Food Act’’; examine the global nuclear weapons environment, 2:30 H.R. 1249, the ‘‘DHS Multiyear Acquisition Strategy p.m., SR–222. Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1252, the ‘‘DHS Acquisition Au- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to thorities Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1258, the ‘‘HSA Technical hold an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Com- Corrections Act’’; H.R. 1282, the ‘‘DHS Acquisition Re- munications Commission, 10 a.m., SH–216. view Board Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1294, the ‘‘Reducing Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hear- DHS Acquisition Cost Growth Act’’; H.R. 1297, the ings to examine an original bill entitled, ‘‘Nuclear Energy ‘‘Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Cor- Innovation and Modernization Act’’, 10 a.m., SD–406. rections Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1302, the ‘‘Terrorist and Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2017’’; H.R. to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Elaine C. 1309, the ‘‘TSA Administrator Modernization Act of Duke, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland 2017’’; H.R. 1353, the ‘‘Transparency in Technological Security, 9:30 a.m., SD–342. Acquisitions Act of 2017’’; the ‘‘Department of Home- Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hear- land Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of ing to examine Indian affairs priorities for the Trump 2017’’; a bill to be introduced prior to consideration by Administration, 2:15 p.m., SD–628. Chairman McCaul; the ‘‘Homeland Security for Children Act’’; and the ‘‘Department of Homeland Security Acqui- House sition Innovation Act’’, 10 a.m., HVC–210. Committee on House Administration, Full Committee, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy markup on a committee funding resolution, 10:45 a.m., and Water Development, and Related Agencies, hearing 1310 Longworth. entitled ‘‘Members’ Day’’, 10 a.m., 2362–B Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Full Committee, hearing en- Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Gov- titled ‘‘The Department of Homeland Security’s Proposed ernment, hearing entitled ‘‘Members’ Day’’, 2 p.m., 2359 Regulations Reforming the Investor Visa Program’’, 10 Rayburn. a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Full Com- Education, and Related Agencies, hearing for public wit- mittee, markup on H.R. 1293, to amend title 5, United nesses, 10 a.m., 2358–B Rayburn. States Code, to require that the Office of Personnel Man- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Af- agement submit an annual report to Congress relating to fairs, and Related Agencies, hearing on quality of life in the use of official time by Federal employees; the ‘‘Offi- the military, 10 a.m., 2362–A Rayburn. cial Time Reform Act of 2017’’; H.R. 653, the ‘‘Federal Committee on Armed Services, Full Committee, hearing Intern Protection Act of 2017’’; H.R. 680, the ‘‘Elimi- entitled ‘‘Military Assessment of Nuclear Deterrence Re- nating Pornography from Agencies Act’’; H. Res. 38, ex- quirements’’, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. pressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Subcommittee on Readiness, hearing entitled ‘‘The offices attached to the seat of Government should not be Current State of U.S. Army Readiness’’, 2 p.m., 2212 required to exercise their offices in the District of Colum- Rayburn. bia; the ‘‘SOAR Reauthorization Act’’; H.R. 745, the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, ‘‘Federal Records Modernization Act of 2017’’; and the hearing entitled ‘‘An Independent Fleet Assessment of the ‘‘Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2017’’, 10 a.m., U.S. Navy’’, 3:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, Full Com- Subcommittee on Government Operations; and Sub- mittee, markup on H.R. 1304, the ‘‘Self-Insurance Pro- committee on Healthcare, Benefits, and Administrative tection Act’’; H.R. 1101, the ‘‘Small Business Health Rules, joint hearing entitled ‘‘Examining IRS Customer Fairness Act of 2017’’; and H.R. 1313, the ‘‘Preserving Service Challenges’’, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Employee Wellness Programs Act’’, 10 a.m., 2175 Ray- Committee on Rules, Full Committee, hearing on H.R. burn. 720, the ‘‘Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017’’; H.R. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Full Committee, 985, the ‘‘Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of markup on a committee print of Budget Reconciliation 2017’’, 3 p.m., H–313 Capitol. Legislative Recommendations Relating to Repeal and Re- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee place of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; on Space, hearing entitled ‘‘Regulating Space: Innovation, and H. Res. 154, of inquiry requesting the President of Liberty, and International Obligations’’, 10 a.m., 2318 the United States and directing the Secretary of Health Rayburn. and Human Services to transmit certain information to Committee on Small Business, Full Committee, hearing the House of Representatives relating to plans to repeal entitled ‘‘Small Business Cybersecurity: Federal Resources or replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Coordination’’, 11 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. and the health-related measures of the Health Care and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sub- Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, 10:30 a.m., 2123 committee on Aviation, hearing entitled ‘‘Building a 21st Rayburn. Century Infrastructure for America: Air Transportation in

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the United States in the 21st Century’’, 10 a.m., 2167 erans Affairs for members of the Armed Forces awarded Rayburn. the Purple Heart, 11 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Full Committee, markup Committee on Ways and Means, Full Committee, markup on H.R. 369, to eliminate the sunset of the Veterans on Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Choice Program, and for other purposes; H.R. 1181, the Relating to Remuneration from Certain Insurers; Budget ‘‘Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act’’; H.R. 1259, Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations Relating to the ‘‘VA Accountability First Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1367, Repeal of Tanning Tax; Budget Reconciliation Legislative to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Af- Recommendations Relating to Repeal of Certain Con- fairs to hire and retain physician and other employees of sumer Taxes; Budget Reconciliation Legislative Rec- the Department of Veterans Affairs; and a bill to amend ommendations Relating to Repeal of Net Investment In- title 38, United States Code, to provide for the entitle- come Tax; and Budget Reconciliation Legislative Rec- ment to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Edu- ommendations Relating to Repeal and Replace of Health- cational Assistance Program of the Department of Vet- Related Tax Policy, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 8 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 8

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consider- Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. ation of H.J. Res. 58, Department of Education Rule. 1301—Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of measures under sus- pension of the Rules.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E279, E279, E280 Latta, Robert E., Ohio, E286 Donovan, Daniel M., Jr, N.Y., E281 Messer, Luke, Ind., E283, E284, E285, E285, E286 Brady, Kevin, Tex., E280 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E283 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E284 Buck, Ken, Colo., E279 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E286 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E279 Costa, Jim, Calif., E282, E285 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E280 Vela, Filemon, Tex., E283, E283, E284 Costello, Ryan A., Pa., E282 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E284, E285 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E280, E281, E281, E282, E282

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