[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E701-E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING THE TAXPAYERS REQUIRE URGENT MANDATORY PROTECTION FROM 
                       EGREGIOUS DEBT ACT OF 2017

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Taxpayers 
Require Urgent Mandatory Protection from Egregious Debt Act of 2017, 
also known as the TRUMPED Act.
  Those of us representing south Florida have received numerous calls 
and letters since the election of Mr. Trump noting the burden on the 
budgets of local governments and small business owners as he has used 
his Mar-a-lago property as an almost weekly retreat--I am sure my 
friends from New York have fielded similar complaints.
  Mr. Speaker, our primary law enforcement agencies are proud to 
provide protection for any number of dignitaries who visit our great 
state. However, their budgets have not, and cannot, sustain the weight 
of Mr. Trump's weekly in season trips to Mar-a-lago--nor should they 
have to as Mr. Trump is provided very nice accommodations here in 
Washington, D.C. and Camp David in Maryland, at the taxpayer's 
considerable expense.
  Over just one holiday alone, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office was 
forced to absorb $250,000 in unforeseen expenses--this is an untenable 
budgetary posture for our local Sheriff's Office as that number 
represents a $60,000 per day bill. They must cover overtime for their 
officers and deploy multiple units including their Motor Unit, 
Strategic Intelligence Unit, Marine Unit, Aviation Unit, as well as 
numerous other teams that provide the fabric for a secure trip to South 
Florida for Mr. Trump.
  Mr. Speaker, the TRUMPED Act is based on a simple premise--if Mr. 
Trump wants to make continual use of his properties then he may do so, 
but he may not do so at the taxpayer's expense. And let us be clear 
about something else: Mr. Trump, while burning through taxpayer dollars 
during these trips, actually makes financial gains when he visits his 
properties as the U.S. Government must rent space from him during such 
visits.
  Mr. Speaker, it is offensive that Mr. Trump insists on a budget that 
unequivocally, and without mercy, attacks hardworking Americans, and 
then has the audacity to turn around and insist that our local police 
officers, first responders and small businesses suffer under his 
insistence that he be allowed to enjoy a lavish lifestyle at taxpayer 
expense. I look forward to the support of my colleagues on this 
important bill.

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