Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4 - Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 for April 18, 2016

[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Issue]
[Pages 4451-4518]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

[[Page 4451]]

SENATE--Monday, April 18, 2016

The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was called to order by the Honorable
James Lankford, a Senator from the State of Oklahoma.

____________________

PRAYER

The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Eternal God, we praise You for the privilege of prayer. We confess
that we often neglect this opportunity to find power in Your presence.
Guide our lawmakers with Your wisdom, liberating them from doubts and
uncertainties, as they remember that their times are in Your hands. May
they seek directions from You as they strive to honor Your Name. Lord,
undergird them with Your enabling might and help them to remember that
without You their striving would be losing. Give them a steady faith, a
firm hope, and a fervent charity so that they will stay within the
circle of Your will.
We pray in Your mighty Name. Amen.

____________________

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

____________________

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to
the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch).
The legislative clerk read the following letter:

U.S. Senate,

President pro tempore,

Washington, DC, April 18, 2016.
To the Senate:
Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable
James Lankford, a Senator from the State of Oklahoma, to
perform the duties of the Chair.
Orrin G. Hatch,
President pro tempore.

Mr. LANKFORD thereupon assumed the Chair as Acting President pro
tempore.

____________________

RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.

____________________

FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Americans continue to see the
difference a Republican-led Senate can make on behalf of our country.
We have passed legislation to combat the prescription opioid and heroin
epidemic, to provide a long-term highway funding solution, and to
advance many other important issues.
Today I am hopeful we will be able to add to that record of
achievement with the FAA reauthorization and airport security bill,
which aims to keep Americans safe in our airports and in the skies.
Recent terror attacks across the world emphasize the importance of
ensuring our airports are secure, and I am pleased the bill includes a
number of provisions that will help to do so. From increasing security
in prescreening areas to securing international flights arriving in the
United States, to ramping up measures aimed at deterring cyber security
attacks, this legislation contains the most comprehensive aviation
security reforms in years.
It also includes a number of passenger-friendly provisions such as
refunds for lost or delayed bags and efforts to improve travel for
those with disabilities. The bill accomplishes all this without raising
fees or taxes on passengers and without imposing heavy-handed
regulations that threaten consumer choice.
The FAA reauthorization bill is the product of hard work and
deliberation from Members on both sides of the aisle. It wouldn't have
been possible without the leadership of Senator Thune, our Commerce
Committee chair, and Senator Ayotte, the Aviation Subcommittee chair.
They worked to consider amendments from both Republicans and Democrats
that Members thought would make this good bill an even better one. I
also thank their ranking member counterparts, Senator Nelson and
Senator Cantwell, for their efforts to advance this legislation.
Let's continue that bipartisan progress today and move the FAA
reauthorization and airport security bill across the finish line. It is
a win for passengers. It is a win for national security. It is another
example of commonsense legislating under Republican leadership that is
getting the Senate back to work.

____________________

RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority leader is recognized.

____________________

THE REPUBLICAN SENATE

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I really have to smile when I hear the
Republican leader with his ``Senate is Back to Work'' speeches. The
Senate Republicans are like the guy who shows up only half the time for
work and then asks for a raise. They go through the motions, but they
fail to do their job.
They failed to fund opioid legislation. They failed to do anything
about the water in Flint, MI. They failed to fix what everyone agrees
was an error on the renewable tax credits. They have failed to address
the Zika virus and on and on.
Republicans used to complain all the time about meeting deadlines for
doing the budget resolution, but this year they just aren't doing one.
Even district court nominations supported by Republicans seem too hard
for this group to accomplish. It appears the Senate will fail even to
have a hearing on the President's Supreme Court nomination. It seems
that Senate Republicans still need to learn how to do their job.

____________________

MERRICK GARLAND NOMINATION

Mr. REID. Mr. President, the Senate Republicans are making history
but for all the wrong reasons. The Republicans' obstruction of
President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, is the first
of its kind in Senate history. Never before has the Senate
categorically refused to consider a Supreme Court nominee solely
because the vacancy occurred during an election year. As each day
passes, the Republicans set some new mark for gridlock.
For example, in the post-World War II era, the average time between a
Supreme Court nomination and the nominee's first hearing was 29 days.
Today is the 33rd day since Merrick Garland's name was put forward by
President Obama. Already we are 5 days past the average.
The longest a nominee has been forced to wait for a hearing was 82
days. That was President Eisenhower's nominee, Potter Stewart, who was
confirmed at a later time. Republicans vow every day that there will be
no hearing. So they are well on their way to eclipsing the 82-day mark.
While that achievement may earn the Republicans a slap on the back
from the Koch brothers and Senator McConnell--who, by the way, is the
proud ``guardian of gridlock,'' as he says--Americans take no pleasure
in this record-setting obstruction. Instead, Americans want Republicans
in

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the Senate to do their job and give Merrick Garland a hearing.

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IMMIGRATION

Mr. REID. Mr. President, it has been almost 3 years since the Senate
passed comprehensive immigration reform. Senate Democrats worked with a
handful of Republicans to craft a good, fair, comprehensive immigration
reform bill that passed with strong bipartisan support. Then we watched
as Speaker Boehner capitulated to the tea party radicals and refused to
allow a vote on the floor. It would have passed overwhelmingly.
To his credit, President Obama saw Republicans' inertia on
immigration reform and decided to act. He told us in his State of the
Union Address that he was tired of waiting around for Republicans to do
things, so he had to do it himself, and that is what he has done.
Using his Executive authority under existing law, he worked to fix
the system to prioritize enforcement resources on those who actually
pose a threat to our national security and public safety. On November
20, 2014, President Obama ordered a series of Executive actions that
increased border security and ensured greater accountability throughout
our immigration system.
One aspect of President Obama's Executive actions was the Deferred
Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents Program.
The program provided temporary deportation relief for parents of U.S.
citizens and lawful permanent residents, if they meet three basic
requirements. No. 1, they have to be in the country for at least 5
years; No. 2, they must register with the government; and No. 3, they
must pass a criminal background check. Today, there are over 5 million
children--all U.S. citizens--who are eligible for this program.
President Obama also expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrival Program, helping to protect DREAMers, the undocumented children
who were brought to the United States at a very young age. To date,
over 700,000 DREAMers have been protected--12,000 in Nevada alone. Not
only were these Executive actions the right thing to do, they were also
smart investments. Nevada will benefit from about a $3.5 million-a-year
increase in State and local tax revenues. Nevadans will see an increase
in earnings of more than $1 billion over 10 years. Together these
programs will help grow America by $230 billion over the next 10 years,
but now this progress is being threatened.
Shortly after President Obama's announcement, a politically motivated
lawsuit was filed by the Texas attorney general and joined by
Republican Governors and attorneys--not all of them but a lot of them.
The Texas attorney general won a preliminary injunction temporarily
blocking both programs. This came from a single judge.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider the case and today it heard
oral arguments. They were good. I thought it was an extremely sound,
deliberate argument. I think the Justices--most of them--had questions
that went to the heart of what the issues are, standing and other
things. A decision to overturn the President's actions would put many
families with U.S. citizen children at risk of deportation and prevent
the Department of Homeland Security from doing its job of focusing on
criminals and other threats to national security and public safety.
In Nevada alone, President Obama's Executive actions stand to help
50,000 people. Those are 50,000 Nevadans who should not be separated
from their families.
The U.S. Supreme Court must do the right thing and recognize
President Obama's authority. That is why I joined 38 other Senate
Democrats and 186 House Democrats in filing an amicus brief with the
Supreme Court, making clear that Congress granted the Department of
Homeland Security broad discretion in enforcing our country's
immigration laws. What the President did was both lawful and it was
necessary. He helped target limited enforcement resources. It is also
what every other President since Eisenhower has done, including Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Instead of litigating the President's
lawful actions, Republicans should work to fix the immigration system
in Congress. By working with Democrats to pass immigration reform, they
would render the President's Executive actions unnecessary.
I hope the Supreme Court decides in the administration's favor. I
think they will, even though the Court is short a member. I hope these
Executive orders are implemented to bring hard-working families out of
the shadows, but our Nation would be far better off with a permanent
solution. Our Nation would be far better off with a bipartisan,
comprehensive overhaul of our Nation's immigration laws.
My friend the assistant minority leader has been at the forefront of
these immigration issues. The DREAM Act is something he put forward 15
years ago. I admire the work he has done on this. I think he has kept
this issue alive, when a lot of Republicans wanted it to go away. He
has been helpful to the people of Nevada--people who don't know his
name and will never ever see him, but we have 12,000 DREAMers whose
lives have been changed forever, and we hope the same will happen to
their parents.
Mr. President, would the Chair announce the business of the day.

____________________

RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the
leadership time is reserved.

____________________

AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2015

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the
Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 636, which the clerk will
report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:

A bill (H.R. 636) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to permanently extend increased expensing limitations,
and for other purposes.

Pending:

McConnell (for Thune/Nelson) amendment No. 3679, in the
nature of a substitute.
Thune amendment No. 3680 (to amendment No. 3679), of a
perfecting nature.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The minority whip.

Immigration

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, let me first thank the minority leader,
Senator Reid, for his kind words about the DREAM Act, which I
introduced 15 years ago.
This was a piece of legislation that came about because a mother
called my office in Chicago. Here was her family story.
She brought her two kids to America from Brazil. They actually
started off in Korea, but they came through Brazil and came to
Chicago--mother, father, and two kids. The father had the ambition of
starting a church. There are a lot of Korean churches around Chicago
and around the country, and his dream was to start a Korean-American
Church. His dream never came true. He continued to pray and read the
Bible, but he didn't work much. It was up to mom to go to work.
She went to work in a dry-cleaning establishment in Chicago. If you
have been around the great city I am honored to represent and go into a
dry cleaners, most of the time Korean families are running them. They
are working around-the-clock, and are the hardest working people
imaginable.
Mom went to work in the dry cleaners and the kids struggled because
there wasn't much money coming in. One of their girls, Tereza, heard
about a program in Chicago called the MERIT Music Program. It is a
program that is available for low-income families of kids in public
schools. The lady who left the money for it said to give them
instruction in musical instruments and help them buy the instruments.
Tereza Lee heard about this when she was a little girl and decided to
sign up for it and to practice the piano. Well, guess what. She turned
out to be a prodigy. She was amazing. For her the MERIT Music Program
was like an opening to another part of the world

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she had never seen. She participated in recitals. Sometimes they told
me they had to give her a key to the Merit music offices because she
wanted to stay and practice until late at night. It was tough for her
getting through high school. She tells the story, when she was
interviewed in the local press, that sometimes she didn't have a lunch
to take to school or any money to buy food. She would wait until the
other kids left, and she would go through the wastebasket and look for
food they had left behind. That is how tough it was. But because of her
skill at playing the piano, she was given an opportunity. She was
accepted into the Juilliard School for music in New York and at the
Manhattan School of Music conservatory to pursue the piano. She was
that good.
When she and her mom started filling out the application, they
reached that point where it said this: What is your nationality? What
is your citizenship?
Her mom said: Tereza, I don't know. We came here on a visitor's visa
way back when you were 2 years old, but I never filed any papers for
you.
She said: Mom, what are we going to do?
Her mom said: We are going to call Durbin's office.
So they called the Senate office. We looked into it. The law in the
United States was very clear for 17-year-old Tereza Lee. She had to
leave the United States for 10 years and apply to come back in--leave
for 10 years. She came here at the age of 2. She did not do anything
wrong.
She did everything right. She finished high school, against the odds.
She developed a talent, against the odds. She was accepted at one of
the best music schools in America, and our law very clearly said:
Leave; we don't want you. If you want to try to come back in 10 years,
that is your business.
I don't think that is right. That is why 15 years ago I introduced
the DREAM Act. It said: If you are one of those kids brought here under
the age of 16, have finished high school, and have no serious criminal
issues, we are going to give you a chance. Go to college or join the
military and we will give you a path to ultimately getting to the back
of the line but becoming a citizen of the United States--the DREAM Act.
When I introduced this bill to solve Tereza Lee's problem, I used to
give speeches about it all around Chicago. A funny thing would happen.
When I would finish the speech and go back to my car, sometimes at
night, there would be somebody waiting by my car. As I got closer, it
turned out to be a very young girl, usually, maybe with her friend.
They would wait to make sure no one was around. The young girl would
say to me: Senator, I am one of those DREAMers. I am undocumented. My
mom and dad are scared to death that they are going to be deported, and
then I will be deported. I hope you can pass this.
Well, time passed. We called the bill on the floor and called it in
the House. We have never been able to make it the law of the land.
Sadly, the reality is that there are probably 2.5 million young people
living in America who would qualify under the DREAM Act to be given a
chance to become legal--2.5 million.
What happened to Tereza Lee? I have to finish that story. She ended
up going to the Manhattan School of Music. Two families stepped
forward--families that had befriended the Merit music program in
Chicago. I know one of them well. They said: This girl is too good. We
can't waste her talent. We will pay for her education.
They did so out of pocket. She did not qualify for any Federal
assistance because she is undocumented. So Tereza finished school and
played in Carnegie Hall. Now she is about to complete her Ph.D. in
music. She is living in Brooklyn, NY. She is a mom with a little girl.
She married an American musician so she is legal--finally. That is her
story. Thank goodness this determined young girl stuck with it. We have
to stick with it too.
The people who want to turn away these 2.5 million DREAMers ought to
take a minute to meet them--just to meet them and to understand what it
is to be a young person in America going through all the challenges of
adolescence and all of the challenges that might be brought to you in
your community or by our family and knowing in the back of your mind
that at any moment, someone can knock on the door and tell you that you
have to leave this country and that you are not here legally.
They do it, and they fight every single day for a chance and a dream
so that someday they will become part of the only country they have
ever known. These are kids who, just like the Senate a few minutes ago,
got up every day in the classroom and pledged allegiance to that flag,
the only flag they have ever known. They do not view themselves as
Mexican or Korean. They view themselves as Americans.
The question is this: How do we view them? Do we view them as an
asset to America or do we view them as a problem--a problem that should
be thrown away and deported? You are listening to the Presidential
campaign. We all are. I am not going to go into detail about some of
the terrible things that have been said, but I just wish some of the
haters, some of the people who want to turn on these young people,
would meet them. Come and meet them. Hear their stories.
I think even the hardest, coldest heart would be moved by them.
Across the street--you can see it through the window--is the Supreme
Court building. It was about 12 years ago that we decided to do
something in the Senate that I thought was a great idea. Every 2 years,
when there is a new class of Senators, we have a dinner with the
Justices of the Supreme Court. We do it at their place. It is right
across the street. We line up in the entryway there--the beautiful
marble entryway. There are tables set up, each of us sits at a table
with one of the Justices.
I can remember one of the early times I went over there. I shared the
table with another Senator, Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, a
legendary Member of the Senate and former President pro tempore of the
Senate. He served here for decades and carried the Constitution around
in his breast pocket. In his great days he could recite poetry nonstop.
He was a real believer in the Senate. He wrote the history of the
Senate, one that probably will never be matched. I shared a table with
him in the Supreme Court for one of these dinners.
I said: Isn't this a beautiful building?
He said: It sure is.
I said: How often do you get over here, Senator Byrd?
He said: This is my first time.
I said: You have been in the Senate for 40-plus years, and this is
your first time? Why?
He said: Well, it is a separate branch of government. We must respect
them. They had never asked me to come over.
Well, I see it a little differently. I go across that street because,
yes, it is a separate branch of government, but it is one that we
should understand and respect, as I hope they understand and respect
Congress on this side of the street. So this morning I did. I went over
for an argument before the Supreme Court. There was a huge mob out in
front of the Supreme Court because the case that was being considered
is one that affects millions of lives in America--Texas v. United
States.
The question is this: What are we going to do with people like Tereza
Lee, whom I just described earlier. You see, what happened 6 years ago
is that I joined with Republican Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana and
wrote a letter to President Obama saying: If the Congress is not going
to change the law to make it possible for these young people to stay in
this country, would you issue an Executive order that allows them, at
least on a temporary basis, to stay in the United States?
Within a year or two, the President agreed to do it. He created what
is known as the DACA Program. It basically says that young people like
Tereza Lee, whom I described earlier, can step forward, identify
themselves to our government, submit themselves for criminal
investigation, and pay a filing fee of around $500, I believe it is. If
they do, they will be given the right to stay in the United States on a
temporary renewable basis for 2 years or 3 years.

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That is what DACA is all about--so that young people can pursue their
lives at least with the understanding that for a few years, they don't
have to worry about that knock on the door. Oh, if they get a job, they
have to pay their taxes. If they go to college, they are not going to
get a penny from this government. We don't help them pay for their
college education.
The President did it. I applauded him for doing it. So far, 700,000
young people just like Tereza Lee have signed up for protection under
DACA. We estimate that the total universe of young people eligible is
about 2.5 million. So the President attempted to extend the DACA
Program. He said: We need to address the problem with their parents.
Many of these parents have children who are U.S. citizens and legally
in the United States, but they are undocumented and subject to
deportation.
So the President said, in what is known as DAPA: The parents of these
kids can come forward, submit themselves to a criminal background check
with fingerprints and all, pay a filing fee of around $500, and then
they will be allowed, on a temporary, renewable basis, if they keep
their noses clean, to work in this country.
If they are going to work in this country, they have to pay their
taxes. Well, that is what the President suggested. As soon as he made
these two proposals to extend DACA and to create this other program for
the parents, a lawsuit was filed. It was led by the State of Texas, and
25 other States, I believe, joined. That is the case before the Supreme
Court today.
Before I get into the details of that case--and I want to say a word
about it on the floor this afternoon--let me say one other thing. What
Senator Byrd told me about not going across the street was not only
respect for that institution of the Supreme Court, but as a Senator he
was basically saying that we need to respect their right to be above
politics. We want to make certain that that branch of government is
above politics, that they apply the law and interpret the Constitution
in a nonpolitical way.
Sometimes I read their decisions and think they have gone political
on us. But the goal is to make sure they are preserved from becoming
political. This morning, when I went before the Supreme Court, I did
not face nine Justices, only eight. Antonin Scalia, who passed away a
few weeks ago, created a vacancy that has not been filled. Why has the
Senate failed to fill this vacancy on the Supreme Court? Because within
hours of the untimely death of Justice Scalia, the Republican leader,
Senator McConnell, who was here a few moments ago, announced publicly:
We will not fill this vacancy on the Supreme Court.
That is important to remember. It is the first time in the history of
the United States of America--the first time in the history of the
Senate--that the Senate is refusing a hearing for a Presidential
nominee to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court. It has never happened
before--never.
Oh, the Republicans argue: Well, if the shoe were on the other foot,
I am sure you Democrats would do exactly the same thing. I call their
attention to the year 1988. Republican President Ronald Reagan, with a
vacancy on the Supreme Court, submitted the name of Anthony Kennedy to
the Senate. A Republican President was filling a vacancy on the Supreme
Court, and he submitted the name of his nominee.
The Senate, then controlled by the Democrats, gave Anthony Kennedy a
hearing, a strong vote, and sent him over to the Supreme Court. So when
the shoe was on the other foot, we did not play politics. But now we
are. So I faced eight Justices over there as that argument was made
this morning. I thought to myself: If they end up in a 4-to-4 tie--and
that can happen--it will be chaos and confusion across America, with
different courts and different districts having different
interpretations of the same law.
How did we get into this mess? Because the Republican majority in the
Senate has decided: We are not going to appoint anyone to fill this
vacancy. Their argument is this: Let the American people speak to
filling this vacancy in the Presidential election. Let them decide
whether it will be a Democrat or a Republican President filling this
vacancy.
There might be some value to that argument if President Obama, in the
last election, when he was running for reelection in 2012, had been
running for a term of 3 years. You can argue then that this fourth year
he was not entitled to be President. But you know what. It turns out
that he was running for a 4-year term. It turns out he won by 5 million
votes. It turns out that when it comes to being Commander in Chief and
President of the United States, he has all the powers vested in him by
the Constitution, even in the fourth year. Isn't that amazing--4 years
as the President? That is what the American people decided, but only to
be overruled by the Republican majority in the Senate.
Sorry, Mr. President, they say, you only get 3 years. Maybe we give
you 3 years and 2 months, but you sure don't have the right to try and
fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, even though the Constitution
explicitly says in article II, section 2: The President shall appoint a
nominee to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Their argument is that
you may think you are President when it comes to the Supreme Court, but
the Senate Republican majority thinks otherwise.
I sat down with Merrick Garland. He is the proposed nominee to fill
this vacancy. He is chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court, which is a
high position in the judiciary. He was born in Illinois, so I come to
his nomination with some prejudice, but he is an extraordinary person.
People have said: Well, why didn't the President choose a woman? Why
didn't the President choose an African American? Why didn't he choose a
Hispanic? Why didn't he choose someone from India? Why did he choose
this man?
I think he chose him for an obvious reason: He is clearly qualified.
Even Republican Senators have said nice things about him publicly. Many
of them have said they refuse to even meet with him, will not even sit
in the same room with him. Some have agreed to, but many have said no.
Senator McConnell said: I won't meet with him because he is not going
to get a hearing and he is not going to get a vote.
It is time for us to fill that vacancy. It is time for us to accept
our constitutional responsibility and show respect for the document we
all swore to uphold and defend when we took the oath of office. It is
time to fill that vacancy and put nine Justices on the Supreme Court to
avoid the uncertainty, confusion, and chaos which might otherwise
emerge.
I wish to say a word about the case before the Court this morning.
This was a case--United States v. Texas--a legal challenge, as I
mentioned earlier, to the President's immigration policy, filed by 26
Republican Governors. I believe this lawsuit has no legal merit. It is
driven by political hostility toward President Obama and his
immigration policy.
I was proud to join an amicus brief signed by 39 Senators on our side
of the aisle and 186 House Democrats in support of the administration's
decision on immigration. The President is on very solid ground in this
case. I am hoping and confident that the Supreme Court will rule in his
favor.
As an initial matter before the case proceeds, the States that filed
this lawsuit have to show they will be harmed by the President's
immigration policy. Otherwise, they really don't have any standing to
sue. It turns out that exactly the opposite is true. The President's
policy allowing people to work here on a temporary basis under his
Executive orders will create a huge benefit to the American economy.
Over the next 10 years, in the State of Texas alone--and they brought
the lawsuit; at least started it--the President's immigration action
would increase that State's gross domestic product by more than $38
billion and increase the earnings of all Texas residents by $17.5
billion. They argue that the President's immigration policy would cost
the State of Texas money. It turns out that exactly the opposite is
true.

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Even if the States have standing to sue, the Supreme Court repeatedly
has held that the Federal Government has broad authority to decide
questions of immigration. Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed earlier,
wrote the opinion for the Court striking down Arizona's controversial
immigration law. Listen to what he said:

A principal feature of the removal system--

Removal of people who are not eligible to be in the United States--

is the broad discretion exercised by immigration officials. .
. . Discretion in the enforcement of immigration law embraces
immediate human concerns. Unauthorized workers trying to
support their families, for example, likely pose less danger
than alien smugglers or aliens who commit a serious crime.

This administration's immigration policy is not just legal, it is
smart and realistic. The President has said simply: We should
prioritize. We have limited resources. We can't deport all those who
are here undocumented. If we are only going to deport some, let's pick
those who are a danger to the United States.
The President has focused on those who have been convicted of serious
crimes or pose a threat to our security. And shouldn't he? As Commander
in Chief, shouldn't that be his highest priority, to make sure anyone
who is a danger to the United States is gone? He knows he can't deport
all even if he wished to, so he focuses on those who may be a danger to
the United States--prosecutorial discretion. The Department of Homeland
Security only has enough funding to deport a small fraction of
undocumented, so the President wants to focus the limited resources on
those who could do us harm. That is just common sense.
At the same time, the President said that we should not waste our
resources on deporting young immigrant students who grow up in this
country, such as Tereza Lee, whom I mentioned earlier, or tear apart
families by deporting the parents of U.S. citizens. The President's
policy is focused on deporting felons, not families--criminals, not
children.
In November of 2014, President Obama established this program, DAPA,
Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent
Residents. Under DAPA, undocumented immigrants who have lived in the
United States for more than 5 years and have American children would be
required to come forward, register with the government, pay a fee, go
through a criminal background check and a national security background
check, and pay their taxes.
If the government determines these parents have not committed any
serious crimes and don't pose any threat, this Executive order says: On
a temporary, renewable basis, they will not be targeted for
deportation.
President Obama also expanded the DACA Program for children, as I
mentioned earlier, at the same time. Why did he do that? Because for
years Republicans in Congress have refused to consider legislation to
fix our broken immigration system.
On the floor of the Senate on June 27, 2013, I joined a group of
seven other Senators--four Democrats and four Republicans in total. We
had worked for months to construct a bipartisan, comprehensive
immigration bill. We had to give a lot. There were things in that bill
which I didn't like at all and things which some of the Republican
Senators didn't like, but it is the nature of legislation and
compromise that that happens.
We brought the bill to the floor for a vote after a lengthy markup in
the Senate Judiciary Committee, and dozens of amendments had been
offered. The Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation
on June 27, 2013, 68 to 32--more than 2 to 1. That bill would have
strengthened border security, protected American workers, and
established a tough but fair path to citizenship for 11 million
undocumented immigrants who were then currently living in our country.
What happened to the bill after it passed the Senate? I take you back
to how laws are made and your civics course. It went across the Rotunda
to the House of Representatives, which was under Republican control.
The majority in the House of Representatives refused to call the bill,
refused to even bring it to the floor for a debate, and refused to
offer any substitute. They did nothing--nothing, despite our broken
immigration system. In the face of this, the President was left with no
choice.
For the good of the American people, he used the authority given him
as President to try to make some reforms to our immigration system. The
Center for American Progress has studied what the President proposed,
and they say that over the next 10 years, if these two programs--DACA
and DAPA--were passed, the gross domestic product for my home State of
Illinois would increase by $15 billion and the earnings of Illinois
residents would increase by almost $8 billion. Could your State use
that--more economic activity, more people paying taxes to the Federal
Government and to your State? Virtually every State could use that.
It is unfortunate that these bills have been blocked by the Senate,
and now they are trying to block them in the Supreme Court.
I see Senator Cornyn is on the floor, and I will close by telling a
story about another DREAMer. I have done this quite a few times. My
staff has done a lot of work on it. I thank them all for it. These
stories really say a lot more than I ever could in a speech. They tell
us what was at stake before the Supreme Court of the United States this
morning.
This attractive young woman is Vasthy Lamadrid. Her family came to
the United States from Mexico. She was 5 years old. They came here with
nothing. They moved into a home with four other families, so a lot of
the kids slept in the same room.
Despite their poverty, Vasthy felt safe and excelled in school. Math
was her best subject. She had nearly perfect scores on standardized
tests. English was tough, but then she discovered a series of books
called ``Goosebumps.'' If you have kids or grandkids, I bet you have
heard of that one. She became an avid reader and mastered the English
language.
By middle school, Vasthy was placed in the gifted program. That is
where she discovered her love of engineering. She was a student in the
Engineering Pathway at Bioscience High School, where she received the
Young Entrepreneurs Award, made the principal's list every semester,
and played tennis. She was an active volunteer, working with such
groups as Girls For Change, CompuGirls, E-Tech, Hospice of the Valley,
and St. Joseph's Hospital. Vasthy also helped younger kids in her
neighborhood by tutoring them in math and tennis.
Vasthy went on to attend Arizona State University. Because she is
undocumented, she didn't qualify for a penny of government assistance,
and she had to pay out-of-State tuition despite the fact that she had
lived her entire life in the United States, in Arizona.
Then something extraordinary happened. Counting on the generosity of
the American people, Vasthy decided to crowdfund her college education.
She shared her life story online and asked people to contribute to help
her pay her tuition. Well, it worked. She is currently in her second
year of college. In the first semester, she made the dean's list with a
3.79 GPA in the Ira Fulton School of Engineering.
Thanks to DACA--the Presidential Executive order--she is able to
support herself. She has also made time to continue to volunteer for a
club called STEM Academy mentoring young children. She volunteers with
the Arizona Immigration Refugee Service as an English teacher. As a
result of her volunteer work, she has decided she wants to become a
science teacher. Can we use more science teachers in America? You bet.
This is what she said in a letter she wrote:

DACA signifies to me a chance to show that I belong here--
that inside I am an American. It represents an opportunity to
show that my parents' sacrifice was worth it. I love this
country and want to one day become a citizen and continue to
give back to the community. I don't need that journey to
become a citizen to be easily given to me, but I'd hope that
the journey is fair.

[[Page 4456]]

Vasthy and other DREAMers have so much they can give to America.
I don't understand the Republican Party when it comes to the issue of
immigration. We are a nation of immigrants. My mother was an immigrant
to this country. I am a first-generation American and proud of it. It
is my honor to serve and represent a great State like Illinois. I know
what her journey was like. She was brought here at the age of 2 from
Lithuania. I know what her early life was like as she struggled to try
to make sure there was food on the table, first for her mom, sister,
and brother, and then ultimately for her own family. That is my
family's story, but it is a story that is repeated over and over again.
There is something in the DNA of immigrants who are willing to risk
everything in this world to go to a country where they don't even speak
the language because they know they will have an opportunity here, and
they bring something with them. That is why they light up the
scoreboard in Silicon Valley with all of these new inventions and new
corporations with thousands of employees that make us an economic
success in many fields. That is why we should think twice about those
who condemn immigrants in this Nation of immigrants.
I am confident the Supreme Court will uphold the President's
immigration actions. Then I hope, after they have done this, that the
Republicans in Congress will finally decide to return to the table and
work on a bipartisan basis for comprehensive immigration reform.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority whip is recognized.
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I am always impressed with the
distinguished Democratic whip and his eloquence, but he is telling the
American people that we have to choose between being a nation of
immigrants or a nation of laws. The fact is, we don't have to make that
choice; we can be both. But we can't do it when we have a President who
simply believes he can do an end run around the U.S. Constitution.
In fact, according to Pew, about 3.5 million people could claim the
benefits of the President's unlawful Executive action, receiving work
permits, driver's licenses, and Social Security numbers. While we are a
compassionate country, we are a nation of immigrants, that is not the
kind of decision the Constitution gives to a single political actor,
even if he is the President of the United States.
So there is a right way and a wrong way. And I realize the
distinguished Democratic whip believes that just because they can't get
what they want when they want it, the President can then resort to this
end run, but thankfully that is not the view of the courts. The U.S.
Federal district court in Brownsville, TX, issued an injunction against
the President's Executive action. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
affirmed that injunction, and now the Supreme Court of the United
States heard arguments in the case this afternoon.
This is really more than just about immigration. This is whether,
under the doctrine of separation of powers, the Constitution we have
lived under for lo these many years gives the President unilateral
authority without the approval of Congress, the elected representatives
of the people, and in flagrant disregard for the laws that are already
on the books.
The heart of the case the Court heard today is about stopping a
President who said: I have a pen and I have a phone. And even though
the American people have given Republicans a majority in both Houses
and obviously forced the President to deal with a Republican conference
to come up with consensus legislation, the President said: Forget that.
I am not about trying to achieve bipartisan consensus on anything. If I
don't get what I want, I am going to jam it through the system and hope
the courts don't stop me. So it is not just about immigration, it is
about the Constitution itself.
There are perhaps 22 different times, by my count, where the
President of the United States acknowledged he didn't even have this
authority. I remember in a speech he gave to La Raza, an interview he
gave on Univision, the President denied he had the authority, which
now, miraculously, our Democratic friends think is clear-cut under the
law. How can that be? It cannot be.
I remember specifically being at a meeting where the President
invited the leadership of both the House and the Senate to the White
House after the 2014 election. Many may recall that leading up to that
point, there had been a lot of rumors about the President issuing an
Executive action, but he had not done so. I remember specifically
sitting there in the White House with some of my colleagues from the
House and the Senate, where then-Speaker Boehner said to the President:
Please, Mr. President, don't do this. Don't poison the well. Don't make
it impossible, by such a polarizing action, for us to build consensus
on the building blocks of immigration reform where we could actually
agree.
I remember Majority Leader McCarthy making the same comment. I joined
in and reiterated the same point. The President, defiant, told us he
was going to go ahead and do it.
There are a lot of conversations people are having today across the
United States. I had some of those earlier today during some visits
with people who were just wondering how to explain the political
environment in America today. What I tell them is that this seems
unprecedented in my experience. People are so angry. People are so
scared. People are frightened and worried about the next generation.
And for the first time in my memory, parents are doubting whether their
children will enjoy the same sorts of freedom and prosperity that we
enjoy today. That is a tragedy.
My parents were part of the ``greatest generation.'' My dad was a B-
17 pilot in the Army Air Corps, even before the Air Force came into
being. On his 26th bombing mission over Nazi Germany, while he was
flying in the 8th Air Force out of Molesworth, England, he was shot
down and captured as a prisoner of war for 4 months. Fortunately, that
was toward the tail end of the war. Even though he was injured in his
parachute jump--not seriously, as it turned out, although he had some
disability associated with that later in life--he managed to survive
that and even survived an appendectomy by a fellow prisoner of war when
he had appendicitis in a POW camp. It is amazing.
I always thought my dad had nine lives. Even though he passed away at
the very young age of 67, he survived countless occasions when surely
he could have lost his life, including those occasions of jumping out
of a burning B-17 plane over Germany and an appendectomy in a POW camp
at the hands of a fellow prisoner of war.
The reason my parents and all of our parents sacrificed so much and
risked so much and worked so hard is that they believed in the promise
of America--the promise that exists only when the law is respected,
when people in high office are bound by and obligated to and held
accountable to the same laws that govern the most humble among us. That
is what America is all about--a country where people, if they work hard
and play by the rules, can achieve their dreams. I think that is the
reason America seems so polarized today. People have sort of jumped
outside the usual paradigm of political calculation where you are a
liberal or you are a conservative or you are somewhere in the middle.
People have sort of jumped that track, and we are seeing something
entirely different on the left and on the right. I think the reason is,
in part, because of a President who believes he is not bound by the
Constitution and laws of the United States.
People are frightened because they have seen over the last 7 years--
even though the President was stopped legislatively after the
Affordable Care Act was passed and after Dodd-Frank was passed and then
stopped by the electorate giving the Republicans a majority in the
House and in 2014 a majority in Senate--that this President will not be
stopped by the voters. That is the determination he made, and this
Executive order is exhibit 1 because he said:

[[Page 4457]]

I don't care what the voters think. I don't care what the American
people think. I don't care what the Constitution says. I don't care
that what Congress says should be the law of the land. I am going to do
it the way I want to do it. Frankly, that is scary stuff when you are
talking about the Commander in Chief, the leader of the free world, and
the sort of power that goes along with that.
Rather than heed the warning--or I would really call it the plea of
leaders in the House and the Senate after the 2014 election--the
President decided to go around Congress and try to essentially change
the law, giving work permits to people who were illegally present in
the country, giving them driver's licenses, even giving Social Security
numbers to an estimated 3.5 million people. How can the President do
this when Congress is deadlocked? Well, he did it. And that is a
question the Supreme Court is going to have to decide.
At the time, the President called it a middle-ground approach. He is
a master of rhetoric. The problem is the facts belie his words. The
fact of the matter is this was a constitutional scorched-earth tactic.
And more than anything else, it eroded public confidence in Congress's
ability, working with the White House, to get anything constructive
done in the area of immigration.
The Acting President pro tempore is, of course, from the great State
of Oklahoma, and he went to school in Texas. He understands what I
understand: We have a large Hispanic population in Texas--about 38
percent. But we are a very diverse State. Many people are surprised
when I tell them the third most commonly spoken language in Texas today
is Vietnamese--Vietnamese. Can you believe that? We also have a large
Indian American population.
We are a very diverse State, and the main reason for that is we still
represent that land of opportunity that America used to be, where
people can come, work hard--those of modest means, with little on their
backs and maybe nothing in their pockets--and achieve something and
live the American dream. So I resent, I really do resent, the
distinguished Senator from Illinois trying to tell us the President was
only trying to do something that was good for Texas. He doesn't have a
clue. In fact, if we were to follow the policy choices of the
leadership in Texas, the country would be a heck of a lot better off
when it comes to taking advantage of our energy resources, when it
comes to taxes, reasonable regulation, and a willingness to try to
accommodate those who invest capital and create jobs. To me, that is
the single biggest difference between where I live in Texas and what I
see across our country and what is coming out of Washington, DC. There
seems to be an attitude here in Washington of how many more obstacles,
how many larger impediments can we place in the way of those who invest
the capital and those who are creating the jobs and still expect the
American dream to be alive.
Believe me, we have tested it. The Obama administration has tested
it, and what it has produced is disaster. It has produced a health care
system that, rather than making health care more affordable, has made
it more expensive, has caused people who liked their coverage to give
up their coverage only to buy something that had a deductible that has,
in essence, made them self-insured. It has created stagnant wages. It
has created stagnant economic growth.
There are not a lot of problems we have in this country that couldn't
be mitigated, made better, if we just saw our economy growing again,
instead of the sort of anemic and flatlined growth we have seen since
2008.
My predecessor in the Senate, Mr. Phil Gramm, has a Ph.D. in
economics from Texas A&M University. He has made the point that,
historically, what you see after a recession like the one we saw
following the fiscal crisis in 2008 is a V-shape recovery. In other
words, you hit the bottom and you bounce up and you grow quickly
because basically you have worked the problems out of the system. But
what we have seen since 2008 is a U-shaped recovery, if you could even
call it that. It is pretty close to flat, where the economy is growing
at less than 2 percent, which is not fast enough to keep people fully
employed. And we still have--although the unemployment rate has dropped
down, we still have the smallest percentage of people participating in
the workforce that we have had in the last 30 years. Many people have
simply given up, retired early, or made other arrangements. This is a
serious matter.
The Supreme Court heard arguments today. We know there are currently
eight members of the Supreme Court. I heard the distinguished
Democratic whip complain about the fact that we have decided to allow
the voters to choose in November the President who will make the choice
to fill the Scalia vacancy. Well, the fact of the matter is, it is
simply too important to allow President Obama, given his penchant for
lawlessness and usurpation of constitutional authority--to give him the
chance to stack the Supreme Court in favor of a Court that would likely
rubberstamp his actions and those of future Presidents for the next 25
years.
The hypocrisy is rich, listening to our Democratic colleagues. These
are the folks who invented the judicial filibuster. They invented the
judicial filibuster. They did that when President George W. Bush was
President. As controversial as the nomination of Clarence Thomas was, I
believe he was confirmed with 52 votes--not 60 votes but 52 because
nobody dreamed back then that Senate rules would allow the minority
party to insist on 60 votes to confirm a President's appointee.
We know that after the election where the Democratic majority lost
that majority, in a lameduck session they jammed a number of appointees
onto the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in an effort to pack that court
to match the ideological picture they wanted. Again, this is the second
most important court in the Nation, which they believed would be more
inclined to rubberstamp the overreaching by the Obama administration.
We are all familiar with the Biden speech in 1992 when, as chairman
of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he suggested it would be perhaps
inappropriate to confirm a Presidential nominee in the waning days of
that President's term.
We saw the Harry Reid speech in 2005, where he said it is the
President's prerogative to appoint, but the Senate is not obligated to
grant consent to that nomination. Actually, I agree with Senator Reid
back then, but not today, when he has taken the exact opposite
approach.
Then there is Senator Schumer, the heir apparent to the Democratic
leadership in the Senate, who said, in 2007, 18 months before George W.
Bush left office: I think there ought to be a presumption against
confirmation.
To listen to my Democratic colleagues complain about the decision we
have made to let the voters vote for the President who is going to fill
that vacancy and to watch them--well, it looks like crocodile tears to
me, and it smells like hypocrisy.
As we have said, the Supreme Court of the United States heard
arguments today in a case brought by the State of Texas and other
States that would otherwise be compelled to grant work permits, issue
driver's licenses and Social Security numbers to people illegally
present in the United States who did not comply with our laws. I am
confident the Court will find that the States have suffered real harm
from the standpoint of the constitutional notion of standing; in other
words, you have to have standing before you can sue. Basically, it
means you have to show real or potential harm if the Court doesn't act.
I am confident the Court will find standing.
But the Court will do one of two things. Either the Court will affirm
by being split 4 to 4 or all eight Justices could write in favor of the
Fifth Circuit decision to let the injunction stand or, if the Court
deems that this issue needs to be held over until the Court has all
nine members, after the first of the year, that is a decision the Court
can make.

[[Page 4458]]

This is a very important issue, and I am glad the Court is taking it
up. We need to know--we need to know whether we remain a nation of laws
as well as a nation of immigrants. The whole idea our Democratic
colleagues have foisted on us that somehow we have to choose between
those two is a false choice. It is a false choice. We are both. We
aren't one or the other. America has always been made better by people
who have risked coming to the United States because they weren't
satisfied with what they had or where they lived, but the day we begin
rewarding people who do this in disregard of the laws is the day we
begin to no longer be a nation of laws, and that is a legacy and a
treasure we should not squander.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Ernst). The Senator from Nebraska.

Tax Reform

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I rise to discuss an issue of
importance for Nebraskans and Americans all across this country; that
is, the need for comprehensive tax reform.
It is no secret the current Tax Code is overly complex and outdated.
Any American can tell you how frustrating it is to file a tax return.
Our Tax Code is riddled with deductions, exemptions, credits,
exclusions, preferences, and loopholes that make it nearly impossible
for anyone without a degree in tax law to understand.
At the same time, we should recognize that some progress has been
made. Thanks to the work of Chairman Hatch and members of the Senate
Finance Committee, many important updates to the Tax Code were made
permanent at the end of last year. In particular, increasing the
deduction limit and making permanent section 179 of the Tax Code was an
important step. This section allows small businesses to deduct from
their taxes certain depreciable business assets. My constituents told
me annual uncertainty about whether section 179 would be renewed made
it very difficult for them to plan, to invest, and to grow their
businesses. Making this provision permanent reduced the ambiguity that
had plagued Nebraska's small business owners and operators.
Although we have made some progress in reforming the Tax Code, there
is more work to do for the American people. I believe tax reform should
focus on several principles, including competitiveness, simplicity, and
economic growth. At nearly 40 percent, the United States has the
highest combined corporate tax rate in the developed world. This is
stifling job growth, hurting families, and compelling businesses to
move overseas. Any comprehensive plan should seek to lower this rate to
a competitive level, one that will not only encourage current
businesses to stay but also incentivize new businesses to set up shop.
Another goal of comprehensive tax reform should be to simplify the
Tax Code. Families and businesses spend billions of hours every year in
completing their taxes. A disproportionate share of this burden is
shouldered by many small businesses. Many of these are family
businesses, and they don't have the resources to easily comply.
Creating a tax system that is simple and efficient will reduce
administrative and compliance costs. A simple tax system will also
increase transparency, allowing Americans to fill out their taxes
accurately while preventing fraud and lost revenue. Perhaps most
importantly, any plan to reform the Tax Code--well, it must spur
economic growth. Inaction on reforming the Tax Code is delaying needed
growth in GDP, jobs, and investment.
When I was first elected to the Senate, I thought my colleagues and I
would immediately take up two issues to restart our economy, grow jobs,
and help all American families: tax reform and reducing the overburden
of government regulations. After all, it is pretty obvious these are
two issues we can reform that would have a positive impact on our
economy. We see regulations become ever more burdensome, and they
continue to depress our economy, stifle innovation, and hurt our
families.
Major tax reform has not happened. We continue to chip away, but I
believe now is the time we step up and be bolder. We must make the
necessary reforms to our tax system to give Americans confidence in our
future. We need to help put more money back in the pockets of
hardworking Americans and allow them to spend money on the goods and
services they choose and that they need.
It is my hope my colleagues will join me in continuing this
discussion and that this dialogue then will eventually result in
action, in comprehensive tax reform that truly benefits Nebraskans and
the American people.
Madam President, I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

China's Aluminum Industry

Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, over the last few decades, China has used
market-distorting subsidies and industrial policies to repeatedly prop
up their own industries and rip off American jobs. Steel, tires, solar
panels--the story plays out again and again. Too often China's economy
is not run by the markets; it is run by government committee. So even
though its own State Council has called out the problem of severe
excess capacities, China clings to the same old tired and destructive
policies. Today I want to address what is happening now with China's
huge overcapacity of aluminum.
The amount of aluminum Chinese smelters are churning out has gone up
by more than 1,200 percent in a decade and a half. In 2000, they
produced 2.5 million metric tons. In 2015 China produced 32 million
metric tons. When you create a glut of aluminum production the way
China has, you send the markets into turmoil and you do enormous harm
to American workers.
I spoke last week at a public hearing held by the U.S. Trade
Representative and the International Trade Commission about how the
overproduction of steel in China is an urgent and immediate threat to
steel jobs here in our country. While China's steel mills are churning
out more steel than ever, American steel towns are suffering or worse.
Thousands of jobs nationwide have been lost just in the last year. Even
though one-third of all steel produced today has no buyer, China keeps
adding and adding to the glut by producing more steel.
The same story is played out in the case of primary aluminum. There
is a huge overcapacity in China that, once again, is driven by market-
distorting government policies. It has unleashed a chain of events that
can end in economic devastation across this country. Global aluminum
prices have already plummeted, undercutting our American companies.
Between the start of 2011 and this upcoming June, the lights will have
gone out at nearly two-thirds of the aluminum smelters in the United
States. More than 6,500 jobs--good American jobs--will have been lost.
You can bet that sooner or later the damage will ripple downstream
through the entire aluminum industry, which employs three-quarters of a
million Americans either directly or indirectly.
In my judgment, the United States is badly in need of a safeguard
against this economic tidal wave. That is why I have chosen to stand
with my friend Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers, and
the steelworkers. They filed a petition for relief under section 201 of
the Trade Act of 1974 today. Without an immediate economic bulwark, the
United States is in danger of losing thousands of good family-wage jobs
across our country.
It is my view that the administration should act in this case as soon
as possible to defend our workers and our businesses from economic
ruin. The United States and our trading partners must ramp up the
pressure on China to stop overproduction, and our trade enforcers have
to take on the trade cheats and use every single trade tool in the
toolbox, including the ENFORCE Act, the Leveling the Playing Field

[[Page 4459]]

Act, and the other measures my colleagues and I on the Finance
Committee fought to get signed into law over the last year.
I firmly believe workers in Oregon and across this country can
compete with anybody in the world, but the United States cannot afford
to sit idly by and watch China's destructive policies cause our
aluminum industry to be wiped out. As the steelworkers have pointed out
repeatedly, enough is enough. Leo Gerard and those steelworkers are
standing up and fighting back, and I am honored to stand with them.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, in a few moments, we will be voting on
ending debate on H.R. 636, and that will allow us to proceed to a vote
on the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act
of 2016. I wish to urge my colleagues to support that motion to end
debate.
The legislation we are considering is not just any FAA
reauthorization. This bill is the most pro-passenger and pro-security
FAA reauthorization in recent history. Travelers are frustrated, and
this bill contains commonsense reforms to make travel safe and secure
and more passenger-friendly.
For over 2 weeks on the Senate floor now and before that in the
Commerce Committee, where I serve as chairman, we have been working
hard to thoughtfully develop this bill and to allow for robust debate.
For instance, there are drone safety provisions in the bill, including
a pilot program to deploy technology to intercept drones near airports.
These provisions are obviously intended to prevent accidents like the
one that happened outside the Heathrow Airport this weekend, where a
drone hit an approaching plane.
We developed this provision and others in the bill through an open
process that allowed every member of the committee to contribute and
help write the bill. Last year, we held six hearings on topics that
helped inform our bill, and at the committee markup last month alone,
we accepted 57 amendments, 34 of which were sponsored by Democrats and
23 by Republicans. On the Senate floor, when it was reported out and
taken up, we added 19 amendments, 10 from Democrats and 9 from
Republican Senators. The resulting bill is one we can be proud of, and
both sides of the aisle have commended us for our inclusive process.
When there have been differences, we have been able to find ways to
address or set those aside for later so the progress on the legislation
could move forward.
Even at this late hour, we have worked constructively to assemble a
possible managers' package of more than two dozen additional amendments
that we would like to adopt by voice vote prior to final passage. Yet,
even if that is not possible, I commit to those Senators whose
amendments we stand prepared to accept that I will work to address
their concerns as we engage with our colleagues in the House of
Representatives.
Now it is time to conclude our work on the bipartisan FAA bill that I
introduced a long ways back, along with my friend and ranking member,
Senator Bill Nelson, and our Aviation Subcommittee leaders, Senators
Kelly Ayotte and Maria Cantwell.
The bill includes reforms benefiting the traveling public, and we
shouldn't let them down. Let's vote yes on the motion to end debate and
start moving these historic reforms forward.
As I mentioned, I have a list of 26 amendments that we would like to
clear--amendments offered by both sides. It is a package we could
adopt. We have a couple of objections to doing that. If the Members who
have put forward those objections would be willing to release those
objections, we would be able to get another 26 amendments adopted, many
of which have been offered by colleagues, as I said, on both sides and
many of which contain measures that I think will make the bill even
stronger and make it a product we can all be proud of as it moves over
to the House of Representatives. There, I hope it will receive
consideration and action and ultimately end up on the President's desk.
The FAA bill is legislation we have to do on a fairly routine basis
around here. This authorization will stand for about 18 months. There
are a number of important considerations that need to be addressed that
this bill not only acknowledges but addresses. As I mentioned, those
considerations have to do with drone safety, which is an increasingly
important issue in our economy and one where we need to make sure we
have the right rules of the air, if you will, in place so that we
preserve and ensure that safety is the No. 1 factor as we continue to
see the increased research, development, and deployment of drone
technologies in ways that have tremendous commercial application. As I
said, it also includes a lot of passenger protections which are very
consumer-friendly in terms of passengers who travel on a regular basis
with the airlines. So those are things as well that we need to address
in this legislation.
We enhanced the bill by amendment when it came to the floor with a
couple of safety provisions that we think are critically important,
particularly in light of what has happened of late with the attack in
Brussels and a number of other attacks we have seen, where we have had
aviation insiders involved, if you will--particularly the Metrojet
airliner that crashed not that long ago and killed 224 people. There
are a number of safety provisions that help address some of those
concerns. As I said, we expand the TSA precheck program to limit the
number of people who are in areas outside secure areas--outside the
perimeter, so to speak--where they are more vulnerable to these types
of attacks.
These are all included in this legislation. So from an aviation
security standpoint, this bill includes the most comprehensive security
measures we will have adopted in nearly a decade. As I said before,
from a passenger-friendly standpoint, according to a columnist at the
Washington Post, this is one of the most passenger-friendly FAA
reauthorization bills we have seen literally in a generation. So these
are reasons why this bill needs to move forward.
I hope my colleagues here in the Senate, when the vote comes here in
a few minutes, will cast a vote in support of ending debate and allow
us to move forward to a vote on final passage, which will enable this
legislation to move forward to the House of Representatives and I hope
ultimately to the President so he can sign it into law and put many of
these provisions in place that would be good for our country.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Immigration Enforcement

Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today, I wish to pay tribute to Sarah
Root, a young woman from Iowa who just graduated from college with
perfect grades. She was devoted to her family and friends and had a
bright future, but she was taken from this earth too soon.
I want to express my sympathies to Sarah's parents and acknowledge
Michelle Root, Sarah's mother, who is watching today. She will be
testifying tomorrow before the House Committee on the Judiciary at a
hearing titled, ``The Real Victims of a Reckless and Lawless
Immigration Policy: Families and Survivors Speak Out on the Real Cost
of This Administration's Policies.''
The hearing will focus on how the Obama administration's failed
immigration policies allow thousands of criminal aliens to roam free.

[[Page 4460]]

Michelle Root will share her personal story about the loss of her
daughter and how someone in the country illegally was able to walk free
and abscond from authorities after fatally hitting her daughter's
vehicle on graduation night.
Sarah was 21 years old and had just graduated from Bellevue
University with an interest in pursuing a career in criminal justice.
In the words of her family, ``she was full of life and ready to take on
the world.'' According to a close friend of hers, Sarah was smart,
outgoing, and dedicated to her friends and family. She embodied the
words: ``live, laugh, love.''
The day Sarah graduated, she was struck by a drunk driver in the
country illegally. The alleged drunk driver was Edwin Mejia, who had a
blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit.
The driver was charged with felony motor vehicle homicide and
operating a vehicle while intoxicated on February 3.
Bail was set at $50,000, but he was only required to put up 10
percent. So, for a mere $5,000, the drunk driver walked out of jail and
into the shadows.
This case has shed light on the breakdown between the Federal
Government and State and locals. It has also been a terrible example of
why the President's policies don't work, and how they are having a dire
effect on American families like the Root family.
Under President Obama's Priority Enforcement Program, a person in the
country illegally will only be detained or removed in a few limited
circumstances. The administration hides behind these so-called
``priorities'' to ensure that a vast majority of people in the country
are not removed. Some say that nearly 90,000 illegal immigrant
criminals were released in 2015 because of this policy.
The administration's polices result in tragedies like Sarah's.
A smart young lady who had a bright future was struck by a drunk
driver who entered the country illegally, and was turned over to a
brother who was also in the country illegally, while awaiting his
immigration court date.
After the accident, local law enforcement apparently asked the
Federal government--specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement--to take custody of the driver, but the Federal government
declined. ICE refused to place a detainer on him. An ICE spokesman
stated that the agency did not lodge a detainer on the man because his
arrest for felony motor vehicle homicide ``did not meet ICE's
enforcement priorities.''
The driver made bond and absconded, never showing up for his hearings
and required drug tests. It is difficult for the family to have closure
since the man is nowhere to be found. It is unknown if he is still in
the United States or if he has fled to his home country of Honduras.
Sarah Root is one of many victims who have been harmed or killed
because of lax immigration enforcement and the notion that drunk
driving isn't always a public safety threat.
Even though this tragic accident happened in the heartland of
America, this is a border security problem. The driver of the vehicle
that killed Sarah entered the country illegally.
Every day, people are illegally entering the country, being removed,
entering again, and committing more crimes. Illegal re-entries are
happening because there are no consequences. That is what happened in
Kate Steinle's death. And, that is why we need to move on Kate's law.
That bill would deter people from illegally re-entering by enhancing
penalties and establishing new mandatory minimum sentences for certain
individuals with previous felony convictions.
The Obama administration cannot continue to turn a blind eye to drunk
drivers, sanctuary communities, and people who ignore our laws,
overstay their visas, or cross the border time and again.
I am still waiting for answers from the Obama administration on this
case, and many more. There are many unanswered questions.
How many more people have to die? How many more women and young
people are going to be taken from their family and friends?
Things have got to change. The President must rethink his policies
and must find a way to ensure that criminal immigrants are taken off
the streets. The Obama administration should try enforcing the law,
instead of its priorities, for the sake of the American people.
I want to wish Michelle Root the best of luck while she is in
Washington this week, and send my thoughts to her father who is trying
to find justice back home.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coats). The Senator from Ohio.
Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, I rise today to echo the sentiments shared
by our senior Senator from Iowa, Chuck Grassley. Tomorrow morning, one
of my constituents, Michelle Root, will be testifying before the House
Judiciary Committee about the loss of her beautiful young daughter,
Sarah Root. As a mother of three daughters myself, I cannot begin to
fathom the pain and anguish Mrs. Root is experiencing.
Earlier this year, 21-year-old Sarah Root was killed by a drunk
driver. That driver, Edwin Mejia, was allegedly drag racing with a
blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit when he
crashed into the back of Sarah's vehicle.
Edwin Mejia is also an illegal immigrant. After causing the death of
an American citizen and being charged with motor vehicle homicide, one
would think he would clearly meet U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's so-called enforcement priorities. But no, citing the
administration's November 2014 memo on immigration enforcement
priorities, ICE declined to lodge a detainer and take custody of Mejia.
During a recent Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
hearing, ICE Director Sarah Saldana actually suggested that ICE
neglected to issue a detainer because at the time they were contacted,
Sarah Root was seriously injured, not dead.
How twisted and convoluted has our immigration system become that an
illegal immigrant who, while driving drunk and drag racing, hits and
either seriously injures or kills an American citizen is not considered
a priority for deportation?
In fact, only after a floor speech, multiple letters, and hearing
questions from Senators from Nebraska and Iowa, as well as media
attention and concerns raised by the Root family, did ICE finally
acknowledge that they should have taken Mejia into custody. It should
not take all of those actions for ICE to determine that an illegal
immigrant who kills an American citizen should be removed from our
country.
Tragically, after ICE declined to file a detainer against Mejia, he
posted a $5,000 bond, was released, and has since disappeared. This is
so despite the fact that he had a history of skipping court dates
related to prior driving offenses.
A few weeks ago, I spoke with Sarah's dad, who told me that before
they could even lay their daughter to rest, Mejia was released. This is
truly an injustice, and we must do everything we can to ensure that we
get answers in this case and prevent a similar tragedy from being
replicated elsewhere.
While America has been and always will be a nation of immigrants, we
are also a nation of laws. It is a privilege to live in this country,
and anyone who comes here illegally and harms our citizens should
without question constitute a priority for removal. For ICE to decide
otherwise is baffling.
In recognition of their clear mistake, they have since listed Mejia
on their ``most wanted'' list and acknowledged they should have taken
him into custody.
The photograph of Sarah behind me was taken as she celebrated her
graduation from Bellevue University with a 4.0 GPA and a bachelor's
degree in criminal investigations and prepared to begin a bright
future. The next day, she was killed.
While nothing can bring Sarah back, her family and friends deserve
clear answers as to why Mejia was allowed to

[[Page 4461]]

flee. This tragedy further underscores the administration's failed
immigration enforcement priorities and should serve to spur renewed
discussion about their so-called priorities.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana.

Filling the Supreme Court Vacancy

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, there are a lot of people in this country
who work very, very hard. We are known in this country as a people who
work hard.
Montanans are no exception. We have some of the hardest working folks
I know who live in that great State. Whether it is a farmer preparing
the spring crop or a fishing guide preparing for the upcoming tourist
season, my constituents know what a long day's work looks like. In
fact, many of my constituents work two jobs so they can put food on the
table and a roof over their head and can save for their kid's college
education. These folks don't wake up in the morning and say: Hey, I
think I will take the year off and just sit it out.
That is why it is no surprise that when I went home for the March
recess, Montanans were overwhelmingly disgusted with the majority's
decision to refuse to do their job. Constituent after constituent asked
me what the heck we were doing back here. Local editorial boards even
chimed in.
The Billings Gazette, my State's largest newspaper, tore the majority
to shreds, saying that those who crow about making Washington work
better are intentionally sabotaging the system, making it work worse.
The Montana Standard, in ``Butte, America,'' accused Senators of
``shirking their constitutional responsibilities'' and denounced their
tactics as ``a pretty shoddy way to do business.''
If that wasn't enough, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle described the
crusade as ``nothing but an abdication of responsibility and another
example of the kind of playground-level obstruction that has soured so
many Americans on Congress and contributed to the divisive meltdown in
the race to the GOP nomination for President.''
Now here we are. It has been 33 days since Judge Garland was
nominated to the Supreme Court--33 days and counting. Yet there are no
hearings in sight, no chance for the American people to have their
voices heard through their elected representatives, no chance to ask
tough questions of the nominee.
This week we will hear the majority leader talk about regular order
with respect to appropriations bills. But if regular order is good
enough for appropriations bills, it is good enough for a Supreme Court
nomination.
The bottom line is this. The American people are as frustrated as I
am. They are fed up with the obstructionism, and they want Congress to
do its job.
So let's have a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and then
let's have a vote in the Senate. As the Montana Standard says, anything
less than that is ``a pretty shoddy way to do business.''
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, in about 8 minutes we are going to start
the vote on a motion for cloture, moving forward on the FAA bill. We
have had a lot of debate about this. It passed with very little
objection in the Commerce Committee. We have a package of 26
amendments, all of which have been cleared. We hope that can go as a
separate amendment, almost like a managers' package. They are all
noncontroversial.
I am quite encouraged that we are making a number of reforms in the
FAA that I have spoken about at length and that the chairman of the
committee, Senator Thune, has spoken about at length. It is a good
bill. Its previous adoption on a motion for cloture was something like
94 to 4. So you see where we are going.
Then we will get into conference with the House, although it is my
understanding they have not passed their bill. They passed it out of
committee, but they have some controversial things. Hopefully, they
will get it out, and we will be able to come to terms and get this
reauthorization of the FAA, which we had to extend in a short-term
reauthorization, because the clock is ticking. So I just wanted to
share that with the Senate.

Protecting the Manatee

Now, Mr. President, since we have some time and no Senator is seeking
recognition, I want to tell the Presiding Officer about a creature we
have in Florida. We have lots of interesting creatures. There are
things that come in that are like alien species, such as the Burmese
python that they estimate--the Superintendent of Everglades National
Park has estimated that there may be as many as 150,000. They got one
15-foot female, and she had 54 eggs in her. So you see how prolific
they are.
You cannot find them. The only way you can really find them is if
there is a cold snap, because they will come out of the water, out of
the river of grass where they are so exquisitely camouflaged. In a cold
snap, they will come out of the water and up to the tree islands. Of
course, you have seen some of those monsters--18 footers.
Well, they had another critter that we have, because in Florida we do
have alligators. Lo and behold, you may have seen this alligator. This
alligator was 800 pounds and 15 feet long. He had been in a lake that
was created in a cattle pasture, and he had been eating cows, so he had
plenty of food. Well, this alligator, of course, is a critter that is
native to Florida. It is the crocodile that is imported.
You can tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile
because the alligator has a rounded snout and the crocodile has a
pointed one. All of this is to tell you we have another critter that is
the most loveable critter, and we have had it on the endangered list.
This is the animal called the manatee; some people call it a sea cow.
These adorable creatures breathe air but live in the water. They have
little flippers and a big body. Of course, they have these lovable
faces. They have been endangered primarily because of boat propellers
cutting them up. So we have had a serious effort at reducing the speeds
of boats to a slow idle in manatee areas to protect them.
They also get bothered by cold water. When there is a cold snap, they
will migrate to warmer water. Pollution is another cause of the manatee
being endangered.
There has been a comeback. Around 20 years ago, there were only 1,200
of them in the world. That population has grown upward to 6,000.
Here is the point: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to take
them off the endangered list and put them into a lesser category. Those
of us who want to protect these critters don't want them to come off
the endangered list. If I had thought enough in advance, I would have
brought a picture of a manatee. They are the most loveable critters.
You can get in the water, you can swim with them, and you can feed
them. When you feed them a pellet of food, they nibble like a horse
nibbles sugar out of your hand--all of this under water.
They are the most adorable critters. They love to be rubbed on their
tummies. They love fresh water. In a brackish water system, where you
can take a fresh water hose, they will come up and just drink the
water, and then they will roll over so you can spray them underneath
their flippers.
Thank goodness they have rebounded, but there is a lot more to
rebound. So, I wanted to share our crusade--our efforts to try to keep
the manatee on the endangered list and to protect them.
I yield the floor.

Amendment No. 3680

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, amendment No. 3680
is agreed to.

Amendment No. 3679, as Amended

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, amendment No. 3679,
as amended, is agreed to.

[[Page 4462]]

Cloture Motion

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before
the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.
The bill clerk read as follows:

Cloture Motion

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
do hereby move to bring to a close debate on Calendar No. 55,
H.R. 636, an act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and
for other purposes.
Mitch McConnell, Daniel Coats, Lamar Alexander, Bob
Corker, Roger F. Wicker, Orrin G. Hatch, Thom Tillis,
John Hoeven, Kelly Ayotte, John Thune, Mike Rounds, Roy
Blunt, John Cornyn, Pat Roberts, John Barrasso, Johnny
Isakson, James M. Inhofe.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum
call has been waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on H.R.
636, as amended, an act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other
purposes, shall be brought to a close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the
Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo),
the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Arizona (Mr.
Flake), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey).
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) is
necessarily absent.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Are there any other Senators in the
Chamber desiring to vote?
The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 89, nays 5, as follows:

[Rollcall Vote No. 46 Leg.]

YEAS--89

Alexander
Ayotte
Baldwin
Barrasso
Bennet
Blumenthal
Booker
Boozman
Brown
Burr
Cantwell
Capito
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Cassidy
Coats
Cochran
Collins
Coons
Corker
Cornyn
Cotton
Daines
Donnelly
Durbin
Enzi
Ernst
Feinstein
Fischer
Franken
Gardner
Gillibrand
Graham
Grassley
Hatch
Heinrich
Heitkamp
Heller
Hirono
Hoeven
Inhofe
Isakson
Johnson
Kaine
King
Kirk
Klobuchar
Lankford
Leahy
Manchin
Markey
McCain
McCaskill
McConnell
Menendez
Merkley
Mikulski
Moran
Murkowski
Murphy
Murray
Nelson
Paul
Perdue
Peters
Reed
Reid
Roberts
Rounds
Sasse
Schatz
Schumer
Scott
Sessions
Shaheen
Shelby
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Thune
Tillis
Udall
Vitter
Warner
Warren
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden

NAYS--5

Boxer
Lee
Portman
Risch
Rubio

NOT VOTING--6

Blunt
Crapo
Cruz
Flake
Sanders
Toomey
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. On this vote, the yeas are 89, the
nays are 5.
Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in
the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.
The Senator from Hawaii.

United States v. Texas

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, today the Supreme Court heard oral
arguments in United States v. Texas. This case is a challenge to
President Obama's Executive actions to prioritize U.S. immigration
enforcement.
In 2012, the President used his legal authority to establish the
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or DACA. DACA has given
nearly 700,000 undocumented young people the opportunity to come out of
the shadows to pursue their dreams through education and jobs.
In 2014, again acting within existing legal authority, the President
announced an expansion of the successful DACA Program. He also created
a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent
Residents Program, or DAPA. DAPA allows the undocumented parents of
U.S.-born and legal permanent resident children, the majority of whom
are U.S. citizens, to stay in this country with their families.
Together, the expanded DACA and DAPA were expected to enable nearly 5
million people to come out of the shadows without fear of deportation.
Unfortunately, Texas and 25 other States have challenged the
President's authority to issue these Executive orders, resulting in the
Supreme Court hearing today.
Hundreds of DREAMers, Muslim students, and activists from California,
New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere rallied on the Supreme Court steps
this morning. I spoke with them and heard their stories and their hopes
that the Supreme Court would make the right decision in support of the
President and the millions of DACA and DAPA families. Many carried
signs and stickers that read ``Keep families together.'' Keeping
families together is at the crux of the President's Executive orders--
families like that of Gabriela Andrade, who, as a teenager, fled
violence in Brazil and settled in Texas before coming to Hawaii. While
Gabriela's sister and parents were granted visas through a lottery
system, Gabriela fell through the cracks. Until President Obama
announced the DACA Program, she lived in fear of being separated from
her entire family. She said:

DACA pulled me out of limbo and gave me a life again. It
allowed me to go back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree
in political science, to volunteer with several local
organizations.

Today, Gabriela is an advocate for DREAMers like herself. President
Obama's DAPA and expanded DACA Programs would help thousands of
families like Gabriela's who want to stay together and be contributing
members of our communities without the daily fear of deportation. To
tear undocumented parents away from their children and put these U.S.-
born children in foster care is unconscionable. To deport people who
were brought here when they were very young--to essentially tear them
away from the United States, the only home and country they have
known--is also unconscionable.
These young people would be facing insurmountable odds, and I can
certainly relate to some of the challenges they face. When I was almost
8 years old, my mother, brothers, and I legally immigrated to the
United States. When we first arrived in Hawaii, we certainly struggled.
I had to navigate the public school system without speaking a word of
English. My mother worked low-paying jobs with no job security, and we
struggled to make ends meet. But we took strength in being together as
a family.
However, in addition to facing the kind of challenges my whole family
faced when we first arrived in this country, DACA and DAPA families
live in constant fear that they will be ripped apart through
deportation. These families and children have been living in limbo for
over a year while the legal challenges work their way through the
system, through the courts.
In addition, United States v. Texas is also pushing DREAMers who are
eligible for the original DACA Program, which is not being challenged,
further into the shadows.
Singai Masiya, who heads the Aloha DREAM Team in my home State and is
a DREAMer himself, told my office that DACA-eligible people in Hawaii
stopped applying for DACA. Why? They are afraid that if the Court rules
against President Obama's Executive actions, their application
information will be used to deport them. This is a real fear in our
communities.
United States v. Texas not only affects the lives of the more than
7,000 DACA- and DAPA-eligible Hawaii residents, it affects our economy.
Over 10 years, DACA, DAPA, and expanded DACA are projected to provide a
$276 million cumulative increase in Hawaii's State gross domestic
product. The Center for American Progress also projects that, over 10
years, DACA, DAPA, and DACA expansion would provide a $136 million
increase in the combined earnings of Hawaii's residents.

[[Page 4463]]

However, in order to see these economic benefits, the Justices of the
Supreme Court must rule on the side of DREAMers and the DAPA families.
My hope is that the Supreme Court rules that the President is well
within his legal authority in expanding DACA and DAPA and allows these
Executive actions to be implemented.
I note, however, that Executive actions, important as they are, are
not enough. The President himself has called on Congress to fix our
broken immigration system so that 11 million undocumented people in our
country can come out of the shadows and live and work openly.
It has been almost 3 years since the Senate passed bipartisan,
comprehensive immigration reform. I call upon Congress to do our jobs
and enact fair, humane, and sensible immigration reform--recognizing
that we are, indeed, a country of immigrants. That fact is at the very
root of our strength as a nation.
Mr. President, I yield back.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.

Order of Procedure

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
notwithstanding rule XXII, at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 19, the Senate
vote on passage of H.R. 636, as amended; further, that following the
disposition of H.R. 636, as amended, the Senate resume consideration of
S. 2012, the Energy Modernization Act, as under the previous order;
that following disposition of S. 2012, as amended, if amended, but not
prior to Wednesday, April 20, the cloture motion with respect to the
motion to proceed to H.R. 2028 be withdrawn and the Senate proceed to
the consideration of H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water appropriations
bill.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.

____________________

MORNING BUSINESS

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak
therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.

____________________

BUDGET ACT ENFORCEMENT DETAILS

Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Public
Law 114-74, included an instruction to the chairman of the Senate
Committee on the Budget to file allocations, aggregates, and budgetary
levels in the Senate after April 15, 2016. Today, I wish to submit the
required filing found in that act.
Specifically, section 102 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015
requires the chairman to file: No. 1, an allocation for fiscal year
2017 for the Committee on Appropriations; No. 2, an allocation for
fiscal years 2017, 2017 through 2021, and 2017 through 2026 for
committees other than the Committee on Appropriations; No. 3, aggregate
spending levels for fiscal year 2017; No. 4, aggregate revenue levels
for fiscal years 2017, 2017 through 2021, and 2017 through 2026; and
No. 5, aggregate levels of outlays and revenue for fiscal years 2017,
2017 through 2021, and 2017 through 2026 for Social Security.
The figures included in this filing are consistent with the
discretionary spending limits set forth in the Bipartisan Budget Act of
2015 and the most recent baseline from the Congressional Budget Office,
CBO. CBO's last baseline was released on March 24, 2016.
In addition to the update for enforceable limits above, section
102(c) of the act allows for the matter contained in subtitles A and B
of title IV of S. Con. Res. 11, the fiscal year 2016 congressional
budget resolution, to be updated by 1 fiscal year. Pursuant to this
authority, all reserve funds available to the Senate in title IV of
last year's budget resolution are updated and available for use.
For purposes of enforcing the Senate's pay-as-you-go rule, which is
found in section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, the fiscal year 2008
congressional budget resolution, I am resetting the Senate's scorecard
to zero for all fiscal years.
All years in the accompanying tables are fiscal years.
I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying tables detailing
enforcement in the Senate be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:

ALLOCATION OF SPENDING AUTHORITY TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017--PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET ACT OF 1974 AND SECTION 102 OF THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 1974
[$ Billions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations:
Revised Security Category 551.068 n/a
Discretionary Budget Authority1
Revised Nonsecurity Category 518.531 n/a
Discretionary Budget Authority1
General Purpose Outlays1........ n/a 1,181.800
Memo:
Subtotal........................ 1,069.599 1,181,800
on-budget................... 1,064.120 1,176.252
off-budget.................. 5.479 5.548
Mandatory....................... 1,018.836 1,006.323
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The allocation will be adjusted following the reporting of bills,
offering of amendments, or submission of conference reports that
qualify for adjustments to the discretionary spending limits as
outlined in section 251(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.

ALLOCATION OF SPENDING AUTHORITY TO SENATE COMMITTEES OTHER THAN APPROPRIATIONS--PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974 AND SECTION 102 OF THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2015
[$ Billions]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 2017-2021 2017-2026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Budget Authority............................................. 133.326 654.992 1,326.950
Outlays...................................................... 121.522 602.813 1,227.781
Armed Services
Budget Authority............................................. 162.573 866.345 1,881.840
Outlays...................................................... 162.554 862.324 1,878.407
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Budget Authority............................................. 23.973 114.120 214.810
Outlays...................................................... 1.767 -6.607 -44.043
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Budget Authority............................................. 19.605 97.564 200.873
Outlays...................................................... 14.226 78.209 153.228
Energy and Natural Resources
Budget Authority............................................. 4.033 22.689 45.474
Outlays...................................................... 3.875 23.019 46.064
Environment and Public Works
Budget Authority............................................. 45.086 220.077 424.157
Outlays...................................................... 2.593 12.994 25.832
Finance
Budget Authority............................................. 2,276.978 13,076.286 31,139.783
Outlays...................................................... 2,261.358 13,047.872 31,097.877
Foreign Relations
Budget Authority............................................. 36.313 163.870 312.459
Outlays...................................................... 30.758 149.512 296.865
Homeland Security and Government Affairs
Budget Authority............................................. 139.899 743.132 1,605.694
Outlays...................................................... 138.184 730.863 1,571.460
Judiciary
Budget Authority............................................. 30.054 90.554 164.524
Outlays...................................................... 16.069 94.016 171.897
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Budget Authority............................................. 17.155 91.885 180.246
Outlays...................................................... 15.792 90.782 186.736
Rules and Administration
Budget Authority............................................. 0.065 0.332 0.664
Outlays...................................................... 0.036 0.200 0.429
Intelligence
Budget Authority............................................. 0.514 2.570 5.140
Outlays...................................................... 0.514 2.570 5.140
Veterans' Affairs
Budget Authority............................................. 102.652 550.283 1,227.001
Outlays...................................................... 108.093 557.484 1,233.278
Indian Affairs
Budget Authority............................................. 0.469 2.053 4.484
Outlays...................................................... 0.829 3.038 5.263
Small Business
Budget Authority............................................. 0.000 0.000 0.000
Outlays...................................................... 0.000 0.000 0.000
Unassigned to Committee
Budget Authority............................................. -844.465 -4,648.714 -10,722.295
Outlays...................................................... -835.231 -4,607.534 -10,646.215
TOTAL....................................................
Budget Authority............................................. 2,148.230 12,048.038 28,011.804
Outlays...................................................... 2,042.939 11,641.555 27,209.999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Includes entitlements funded in annual appropriations acts.

BUDGET AGGREGATES--PURSUANT TO SECTION 311 OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
ACT OF 1974 AND SECTION 102 OF THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2015
[$ Billions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 2017-2021 2017-2026
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spending:
Budget Authority............. 3,212.350 N.A. N.A.
Outlays...................... 3,219.191 N.A. N.A.
Revenue:......................... 2,681.976 14,498.308 32,350.752
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.A.= Not Applicable.

SOCIAL SECURITY LEVELS--PURSUANT TO SECTION 311 OF THE CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET ACT OF 1974 AND SECTION 102 OF THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2015
[$ Billions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 2017-2021 2017-2026
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outlays.......................... 805.365 4,609.710 11,047.979
Revenue.......................... 826.094 4,438.985 9,738.619
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 4464]]

PAY-AS-YOU-GO SCORECARD FOR THE SENATE
[$ Billions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Years 2016 through 2021................. 0
Fiscal Years 2016 through 2026................. 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

____________________

CALLING FOR RENEWED ATTENTION TO BOKO HARAM

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I wish to bring renewed attention
to the continued violence perpetrated by Boko Haram against women and
children.
It has now been 2 years since the horrific kidnapping of 279 school
girls in Nigeria. In the aftermath of this brazen attack, Senator
Mikulski and I, joined by the other women in the Senate, strongly
advocated for the imposition of sanctions on Boko Haram, and the
international community responded by doing just that. We were grateful
for Secretary Kerry's swift action to get this done at the United
Nations, and Boko Haram is now subject to a complete asset freeze,
travel ban, and arms embargo.
In addition, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that I
authored to require a comprehensive, 5-year strategy to combat Boko
Haram at the end of last year. Next week, I am sending a letter signed
by many of the cosponsors of this legislation to our colleagues in the
House of Representatives, urging them to take up this important
measure.
Nevertheless, Boko Haram has continued to wage its relentless war on
innocent civilians in Nigeria and throughout the Lake Chad Basin since
it declared its allegiance to ISIS last year. More women and more girls
have been kidnapped. Although some of the captives have escaped, most
are still lost, likely subjected to forced marriages, religious
conversions, sexual trafficking, slavery, and possibly forced to carry
out suicide bombings on behalf of Boko Haram.
According to UNICEF, 39 out of 89 Boko Haram suicide bombings in 2015
were carried out by women, and the number of children involved in
suicide bombings increased tenfold in just one year. The fact that
children are being used as weapons in Boko Haram's terror campaign
speaks to the inhumanity and total disregard for life that is at the
core of this terrorist group's perverse ideology. As Boko Haram
increasingly relies upon women and children to carry out its attacks,
survivors who have lived through such unimaginable ordeals are often
met with suspicion when they return to their communities. Such
marginalization extends their suffering.
In a letter to Nigeria's bishops, Pope Francis wrote: ``Do not grow
tired of doing what is right.'' He urged: ``Go forward on the way of
peace. Accompany the victims! Come to the aid of the poor! Teach the
youth!'' I could not agree more. We must keep fighting to ensure that
all Nigerians can live in peace and that young girls everywhere can
pursue an education without fear of violence or intimidation.

____________________

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize that Saturday,
April 16, 2016, was National Healthcare Decisions Day. National
Healthcare Decisions Day exists to inspire, educate, and empower the
public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.
Started by a Richmond attorney as a local grassroots initiative in
Virginia, NHDD became an annual event in 2008, and today it is
recognized across all 50 States. Faith-based groups, doctors and
nurses, hospitals, patients, and caregivers alike are engaged in these
efforts. NHDD is an opportunity for all Americans to discuss their
preferences and goals with family and friends--and this starts with
filling out an advance directive.
In the last year, we have made real progress in giving Americans
access to the clear, consistent, and concise information they need to
make critical health care decisions, and there is a growing awareness
of the need to transform advanced care, both among providers and
families.
In my own State of Virginia, the general assembly recently designated
April as Advance Care Planning Month. Around the Commonwealth,
Virginians are innovating and creating new models of care to provide
patients with the tools and support to make their own advanced care
decisions. For example, the Richmond Academy of Medicine's Honoring
Choices Initiative is a partnership with three major health care
systems working to adopt nationally recognized best practices and
adapting them to the needs of patients, families, doctors, and
hospitals in central Virginia. On the ground, Virginians are holding
dozens of events this month to encourage individuals to fill out an
advance directive.
This year has been a significant one at the national level as well.
For the first time, Medicare providers are being compensated for
spending time with their patients to discuss their health care
decisions. And I am pleased that the bipartisan Care Planning Act,
which I introduced again this last year with Senator Isakson, has
gained more support than ever, including from nearly 90 health and
senior advocacy groups. The purpose of the Care Planning Act is to
align the care people want with the level of care they get. It doesn't
limit choices; it works to make sure people are made fully aware of the
broad range of choices they have. The growing support for this
legislation demonstrates just how far the conversation around advance
care planning has come. While physician reimbursement is an important
first step, the Care Planning Act provides a strong, bipartisan
foundation for Congress as we consider how to further empower patients
to make informed choices about their own care.
I am working to advance this conversation wherever I can. For
example, Senator Isakson and I are cochairs of the Finance Committee's
bipartisan chronic care working group, and we are looking at a broad
range of policies so that chronically ill patients receive the highest
quality care at all stages of illness, especially towards the end of
life. We are not going to pass the Care Planning Act in full as a part
of that process, but I see this process as a real way to move the ball
forward. While this process remains a work in progress, I am hopeful
that we will be able to get some of these bipartisan provisions done.
I know how important this is not just from my time serving as a
Governor and as a Senator but through the eyes of a loved one who
struggled with these issues. My own mother suffered from Alzheimer's
disease for 10 years, and for 9 of those years, she couldn't speak. My
father, sister, and I found grappling with the challenges of caring for
her difficult. The difficulty was greater because, when she was first
diagnosed, my family didn't take the opportunity to talk in an honest
and fully informed way with her and her health care providers about the
full array of health care options available or about what her
priorities would be during the final years of her life.
Care planning is a subject that most people do their best to avoid,
but on National Healthcare Decisions Day, I urge all Americans to fill
out an advance directive and to have these conversations. I also urge
my fellow policymakers to continue engaging in this dialogue to improve
advanced care planning at all levels--Federal, State, local--so that at
the end of the day, we are empowering Americans and their loved ones.

____________________

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

______

TRIBUTE TO JAMES WAGNER

Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I am honored to recognize in
the Record James W. Wagner, a leader at the helm of one of Georgia's
great institutions of higher education, Emory University.
After 13 years as president of Emory University, Mr. Wagner will soon
be stepping down from his position. I feel I would be remiss if I did
not mark some of his achievements at Emory here in the Record, as the
success of Emory University and its students has made a difference to
our Nation.

[[Page 4465]]

Emory University's reputation as a private research university that
has led in academic, research, and health care eminence extends far
beyond its beautiful campus, which is headquartered in the beautiful
Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, GA. President Wagner has enhanced
the school's reputation, recruiting a world-class and diverse community
of scholars and researchers who have secured an increased number of
appointments to national academies and an increased amount of external
research funding that added up to more than $570 million in 2015.
President Wagner guided the Emory community in developing the
university's first vision statement, which established the foundation
for a 10-year strategic plan focused on strengthening faculty
distinction, ensuring the highest student quality, enhancing the
student experience, and exploring new frontiers in science and
technology.
President Wagner also led a fundraising campaign that resulted in the
investment of $1.7 billion in support of the university's initiatives
in teaching, research, scholarship, patient care, and social action.
In short, President Wagner has advanced all aspects of the
university's mission through the innovative design and construction of
a number of new facilities to support health sciences research, science
education, residential life, library resources, and patient care.
I hope that President Wagner and I will remain in touch wherever his
next step takes him, and I wish him and his wife, Debbie, the very
best.

____________________

MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to
the Senate by Mr. Williams, one of his secretaries.

____________________

EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED

As in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate
messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry
nominations which were referred to the appropriate committees.
(The messages received today are printed at the end of the Senate
proceedings.)

____________________

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE

Enrolled Bill Signed

At 3:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker
has signed the following enrolled bill:

H.R. 1670. An act to direct the Architect of the Capitol to
place in the United States Capitol a chair honoring American
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.

The enrolled bill was subsequently signed by the President pro
tempore (Mr. Hatch).
____

At 3:04 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has
passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the
Senate:

H.R. 2666. An act to prohibit the Federal Communications
Commission from regulating the rates charged for broadband
Internet access service.
H.R. 3340. An act to place the Financial Stability
Oversight Council and the Office of Financial Research under
the regular appropriations process, to provide for certain
quarterly reporting and public notice and comment
requirements for the Office of Financial Research, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 3791. An act to raise the consolidated assets
threshold under the small bank holding company policy
statement, and for other purposes.

____________________

MEASURES REFERRED

The following bills were read the first and the second times by
unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:

H.R. 3340. An act to place the Financial Stability
Oversight Council and the Office of Financial Research under
the regular appropriations process, to provide for certain
quarterly reporting and public notice and comment
requirements for the Office of Financial Research, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
H.R. 3791. An act to raise the consolidated assets
threshold under the small bank holding company policy
statement, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

____________________

EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

The following communications were laid before the Senate, together
with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as
indicated:

EC-5111. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Acequinocyl; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 9944-
34) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-5112. A communication from the Chief of the Planning and
Regulatory Affairs Branch, Food and Nutrition Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant
Program'' (RIN0584-AE07) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 6, 2016; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-5113. A communication from the Associate General
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative
to a vacancy in the position of Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture, received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 6, 2016; to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-5114. A communication from the Secretary of Defense,
transmitting a report on the approved retirement of
Lieutenant General David D. Halverson, United States Army,
and his advancement to the grade of lieutenant general on the
retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-5115. A communication from the Secretary of Defense,
transmitting a report on the approved retirement of
Lieutenant General Mark S. Bowman, United States Army, and
his advancement to the grade of lieutenant general on the
retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-5116. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Revisions to the Export
Administration Regulations Based on the 2015 Missile
Technology Control Regime Plenary Agreements'' (RIN0694-AG77)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 6, 2016; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-5117. A communication from the President and Chief
Executive Officer, Securities Investor Protection
Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Order Approving the Determination of the
Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection
Corporation not to Adjust for Inflation the Standard Maximum
Cash Advance Amount and Notice of the Standard Maximum Cash
Advance Amount'' received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on April 6 , 2016; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-5118. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation
Plans Required for Attainment of the 2010 1-Hour Primary
Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS)'' (FRL No. 9944-88-OAR) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works.
EC-5119. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection
Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; New York; Update to Materials
Incorporated by Reference'' (FRL No. 9935-51-Region 2)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
EC-5120. A communication from the Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, Department of
Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;
Final Rule to List the Tanzanian DPS of African Coelacanth
(Latimeria chalumnae) as Threatened Under the Endangered
Species Act'' (RIN0648-XD681) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works.
EC-5121. A communication from the Director of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Applications
of Bioassay for Radioiodine'' (Regulatory Guide 8.20,
Revision 2) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April

[[Page 4466]]

13, 2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-5122. A communication from the Director of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Bioassay at
Uranium Mills'' (Regulatory Guide 8.22, Revision 2) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on April 13,
2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-5123. A communication from the Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, Department of
Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;
Final Rule to List Eleven Distinct Population Segments of the
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) as Endangered or Threatened
and Revision of Current Listings Under the Endangered Species
Act'' (RIN0648-XB089) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-5124. A communication from the Director of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Applications
of Bioassay for Uranium'' (Regulatory Guide 8.11, Revision 1)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
EC-5125. A communication from the Director, Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the annual report of the Fish and Wildlife
Service on reasonably identifiable expenditures for the
conservation of endangered and threatened species for fiscal
year 2014; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-5126. A communication from the Acting Commissioner of
the Social Security Administration, transmitting, pursuant to
law, a report on the Administration's fiscal year 2015
Competitive Sourcing efforts; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-5127. A communication from the Director, Office of
Regulations and Reports Clearance, Social Security
Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Extension of the Workers' Compensation
Offset from Age 65 to Full Retirement Age--Achieving a Better
Life Experience (ABLE) Act.'' (RIN0960-AH65) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 6, 2016; to
the Committee on Finance.
EC-5128. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser
for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting,
pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended,
the report of the texts and background statements of
international agreements, other than treaties (List 2016-0032
- 2016-0054); to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-5129. A communication from the Executive Analyst
(Political), Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a vacancy
in the position of Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services,
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions.
EC-5130. A communication from the Secretary of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department
of Transportation's fiscal year 2015 annual report relative
to the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination
and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act); to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-5131. A communication from the District of Columbia
Auditor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``District of Columbia Agencies' Compliance with Fiscal Year
2015 Small Business Enterprise Expenditure Goals''; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-5132. A communication from the District of Columbia
Auditor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``Management Alert to the Department of Housing and Community
Development Regarding the Housing Production Trust Fund''; to
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-5133. A communication from the Chief Judge, Superior
Court of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to
law, a report relative to the District of Columbia Family
Court Act; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-5134. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Special
Diabetes Program for Indians 2014 Report to Congress,
Changing the Course of Diabetes: Turning Hope into Reality'';
to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
EC-5135. A communication from the Supervisory Human
Resources Specialist, Department of Justice, transmitting,
pursuant to law, six (6) reports relative to vacancies in the
Department of Justice, received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
EC-5136. A communication from the Deputy Assistant
Administrator of the Office of Diversion Control, Drug
Enforcement Agency, Department of Justice, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schedules of
Controlled Substances: Placement of AH-7921 into Schedule I''
(Docket No. DEA-432) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
EC-5137. A communication from the Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of
Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan''
(RIN0648-BF75) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 6, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-5138. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2015-6537))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5139. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2014-1047))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5140. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2012-
0187)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5141. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2016-
5036)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5142. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2015-
3983)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5143. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2016-
5038)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5144. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No.
FAA-2015-4212)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-5145. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Weatherly
Aircraft Company Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-
2016-5422)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-5146. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell
International Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by
AlliedSignal Inc., Garrett Turbine Engine Company) Turbofan
Engines'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2015-2208))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5147. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation (Sikorsky) Helicopters'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket
No. FAA-2015-3942)) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

[[Page 4467]]

EC-5148. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class D Airspace; Bartow, FL''
((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2016-4239)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-5149. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Establishment of Class D and Class E
Airspace, and Amendment of Class E Airspace; Lake City, FL''
((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2015-4010)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-5150. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace;
Wilmington, OH'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2015-7486))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 13, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5151. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class E Airspace; Rapid City,
SD'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2015-7492)) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-5152. A communication from the Management and Program
Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class E Airspace for the
following Michigan Towns; Alpena, MI; and Muskegon, MI''
((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2015-7483)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-5153. A communication from the Assistant General
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Consumer Product
Safety Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Safety Standard for Architectural
Glazing Materials'' (CPSC Docket No. CPSC-2012-0049) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on April 6,
2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5154. A communication from the Chairman of the Office of
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Revised Procedural Schedule in Stand-Alone
Cases'' (RIN2140-AB26) received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on April
6, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-5155. A communication from the Staff Attorney, Federal
Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Safety Glazing Standards'' (RIN2130-AC43) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation .
EC-5156. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Office
of the Secretary, Department of Transportation, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report relative to a vacancy for the
position of Assistant Secretary for Aviation and
International Affairs, received in the office of the
President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-5157. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Office
of General Counsel, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a vacancy
in the position of Administrator, Federal Transit
Administration, Department of Transportation, received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on April 13, 2016; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

____________________

PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

POM-147. A resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives of the State of Kansas urging the federal
government to require the use of sound science in evaluating
crop protection chemistries and nutrients; to the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

House Resolution No. 6045

Whereas, Agriculture is crucial to the continued production
of food, feed, fiber and energy to meet both domestic and
global demand; and
Whereas, In the United States, the agriculture and value-
added industries and businesses utilize precision farming
equipment, crop protection chemistries, genetic engineering
or enhancement, agricultural nutrients and other modern
technologies. Such advanced practices protect the safety of
the public and reduce environmental and natural resource
impacts, while increasing yields, improving profitability and
ensuring an abundant, affordable and wholesome food supply;
and
Whereas, Agricultural production systems and crop
protection are among the most studied and highly regulated of
all industries, at both the state and federal levels. The use
of sound science should be the bedrock of our nation's
regulatory scheme for the agriculture and food production
industries, as these industries are critical to the economic
vitality of Kansas and the United States: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the State of
Kansas: That we support the use of sound science to study and
regulate modern agricultural technologies such as crop
protection chemistries and genetically engineered or enhanced
traits and nutrients; and be it further
Resolved, That we oppose legislative or regulatory action
at any level that may result in unnecessary restrictions on
the use of modern agricultural technologies.
____

POM-148. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature
of the State of Kansas urging the President of the United
States to obey the United States Constitution and declare
that the detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
will remain; to the Committee on Armed Services.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 5024

Whereas, The President of the United States, Barack Obama,
has threatened to move the terrorist detainees currently held
at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Fort Leavenworth without
regard to the wishes or the safety of the people of Kansas;
and
Whereas, The President has threatened to close the
detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay; and
Whereas, The threat of the transfer has been underscored by
visits to Fort Leavenworth by officials of his
Administration, preparing for the threatened transfer; and
Whereas, Many detainees that have been released have
continued to fight against this country and its allies; and
Whereas, This President and others have insisted that the
mere existence of the detention facility at Guantanamo has
inflamed terrorists around the world and aided in their
recruitments; and
Whereas, Transferring the detainees to Fort Leavenworth
will only transfer the ire of terrorists worldwide from
Guantanamo to Fort Leavenworth; and
Whereas, This President has a demonstrated willingness to
violate American law; and
Whereas, This President has said that he will go around the
Congress to accomplish his agenda; and
Whereas, Closing the Naval Station at Guantanamo has been
high on this President's agenda since before he was first
elected; and
Whereas, The President has continually sought to weaken our
standing in the world; and
Whereas, The terrorists have demonstrated an ability and
willingness to conduct attacks in America, in furtherance of
their savage war against America; and
Whereas, Detonating large bombs in civilian communities in
the vicinity of Fort Leavenworth would be exactly the sort of
demonstration that the terrorists would try; and
Whereas, Fort Leavenworth does not have the necessary
facilities to hold and care for the detainees and would, for
example, be forced to transport them through the city of
Leavenworth to access medical care, thereby presenting
additional soft, tempting targets for attacks; and
Whereas, The surrounding community does not have the law
enforcement, emergency response resources or the physical
capability to harden potential civilian targets in the
surrounding area. Transferring detainees to Fort Leavenworth
represents a predictable, direct and unnecessarily high risk
to American citizens in the vicinity of Fort Leavenworth; and
Whereas, The Naval Station at Guantanamo is a high security
facility designed to both house high risk detainees and be
secure from attack by external forces. This facility has not
been the object of an external terrorist attack and, if it
had been attacked, it would not have represented a threat to
American civilians or communities; and
Whereas, The intentional placement of detainees on American
soil, physically within an American community, would
unnecessarily and intentionally put American citizens at much
greater risk. It follows that any move by the President or
other members of the Federal, State or local government to
move the detainees to Fort Leavenworth would mean
intentionally and knowingly placing American citizens at
greater risk, in violation of the government's sworn oath to
support and defend them against enemies, foreign or domestic;
and
Whereas, Officers from over one hundred countries attend
classes at Fort Leavenworth; and
Whereas, Many of these officers would not bring their
families nor be permitted by

[[Page 4468]]

their countries to attend, if the detainees were transferred
to Fort Leavenworth, thereby hurting the local economy; and
Whereas, These officers and their families represent an
important bond and link among our nations. Their loss will
not just affect the local economy, but would potentially have
grave impacts on our future ability to effectively and
successfully find peaceful solutions to international
problems: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
Kansas, the Senate concurring therein, That the Legislature
of the State of Kansas urges the President of the United
States to obey the Constitution of the United States and the
laws of this country, the people of which have placed him in
a position of great trust and responsibility and depend upon
him to ensure that the laws be upheld and that their security
be maintained; and be it further
Resolved, That the President must declare that the
detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay will
remain, and that the detainees will continue to be held
there, until said detainees are given proper, lawful
disposition, in accordance with the Laws of War and the best
interests of the safety of the people of the United States
and their allies.
____

POM-149. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging the United States
Congress to modernize the federal cap on the locally set
Passenger Facility Charges user fee by setting it at $8.50
and adjusting it periodically to offset the impacts of
inflation; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.

Senate Resolution No. 261

Whereas, In 2010, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's public
use airports supported approximately 304,000 jobs, generated
$9.2 billion in annual payroll and produced $23.6 billion in
annual economic activities; and
Whereas, In 1990, the Congress of the United States
authorized Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), local user fees
collected for every boarded passenger, to help airports of
all sizes meet their capital needs to finance Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) approved projects such as
terminals, parking and multimodal projects that enhance
safety, security, capacity, noise reduction or increase air
carrier competition; and
Whereas, PFCs are locally determined fees collected at the
point of sale, which do not affect Federal expenditures; and
Whereas, The PFC cap was last raised in 2000 when Congress
set it at $4.50; and
Whereas, Inflation has eroded the buying power of PFCs by
approximately one-half since then due to rising construction
costs; and
Whereas, There is a growing recognition of the need for
infrastructure finance and funding to keep pace with
inflation and action for doing so such as the act of November
25, 2014 (P.L. 974, No. 89) in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, Modernizing the PFC cap to $8.50 now and indexing
it for inflation would restore its original purchasing power
and provide local communities with the ability to set their
individual PFC user fees based on locally determined needs
for ensuring the safety and security of their airports; and
Whereas, Over the next five years, airports will require
more than $75 billion to improve infrastructure to prevent
passenger delays and congestion; and
Whereas, Direct Federal funding through the FAA Airport
Improvement Program has declined 10% over the past six years
and covers only a fraction of the total infrastructure
projects required to upgrade and maintain the world-class
aviation system: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United States to
modernize the Federal cap on the locally set PFC user fee by
setting it at $8.50 and adjusting it periodically to offset
the impacts of inflation; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution to be sent to the
President of the United States, the presiding officers of
each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
____

POM-150. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the
State of Idaho urging the United States Congress to ensure
the continued appropriation of watercraft inspection station
funding in the fiscal year 2017 budget to significantly
enhance aquatic invasive species prevention efforts and to
implement the intent of the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.

Senate Joint Memorial No. 104

Whereas, maintaining a healthy suite of economic,
environmental and social ecosystem services in aquatic
systems is integral to the quality of life in the State of
Idaho; and
Whereas, healthy aquatic habitats provide clean drinking
water, flood control, transportation, recreation,
purification of human and industrial wastes, power
generation, habitat for native plants and animals, production
of fish and other foods, marketable goods and cultural
benefits; and
Whereas, Dreissenid mussels, specifically quagga mussels
(Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and zebra mussels
(Dreissena polymorpha), are aquatic invasive species that
cause irreparable ecological damage to many waters in the
United States; and
Whereas, Dreissenids have not yet been detected in the
Pacific Northwest. The estimated annual cost to address
established populations of Dreissenids in the Pacific
Northwest Economic Region is almost $0.5 billion annually;
and
Whereas, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act was
signed in June 2014. Section 1039 of the act authorizes $20
million for Columbia River Basin watercraft inspection
stations to prevent introduction of Dreissenid mussels and
other aquatic invasive species through the Secretary of the
Army; and
Whereas, the fiscal year 2016 budget for the United States
Army Corps of Engineers includes $4 million in funding for
watercraft inspection stations as authorized by the Water
Resources Reform and Development Act, and the State of Idaho
and Pacific Northwest Economic Region are grateful for the
Corps' recognition of the severity of the threat of aquatic
invasive species to the region and dedication to assist the
region in enhancing prevention efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the members of the Second Regular Session of
the Sixty-third Idaho Legislature, the Senate and the House
of Representatives concurring therein, that we respectfully
request that Congress ensure the continued appropriation of
these funds in the fiscal year 2017 budget to significantly
enhance aquatic invasive species prevention efforts and to
implement the intent of the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is
hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this
Memorial to the President of the United States, the Secretary
of the Army, the Secretary of the Interior, the President of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of
Congress, and the congressional delegation representing the
State of Idaho in the Congress of the United States.
____

POM-151. A resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives of the State of Ohio encouraging the
President of the United States, the United States Congress,
and the United States Office of Management and Budget to
support plans to upgrade the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie,
Michigan, and encourage the United States Army Corps of
Engineers to take expeditious action in preparing an Economic
Reevaluation Report; to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works.

House Resolution Number 263

Whereas, The Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, are
of the utmost importance to Ohio and play a critical role in
the nation's economy and security. Each year, approximately
10,000 Great Lakes vessels, carrying 80 million tons of iron
ore, coal, grain, and other cargo, safely and efficiently
traverse the locks; and
Whereas, Nearly 80% of all domestic iron ore, the primary
material used to manufacture steel, travels from mines in
Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula through the Soo
Locks to steel producers in Ohio; and
Whereas, Only one of the four Soo Locks, the Poe Lock, is
large enough to accommodate the modem vessels that commonly
traverse the Great Lakes. 70% of cargo is carried on these
large ships that can only pass through the Poe Lock, and the
remaining cargo must pass through the smaller MacArthur Lock.
The 100-year-old Davis and Sabin Locks are rarely used as
they are the smallest locks and cannot accommodate large
modem vessels; and
Whereas, The continued reliance on only the Poe Lock poses
a serious risk to national security and the economies of not
only the State of Ohio, but also the entire country. A long-
term outage of the Poe Lock due to lock failure or a
terrorist attack could cripple the economy and disrupt steel
production in the United States. It is estimated that a 30-
day outage of the Poe Lock would result in economic losses of
$160 million; and
Whereas, Upgrades to the Soo Locks are needed to ensure
national security and unfettered commerce through the Great
Lakes. The United States Army Corps of Engineers acknowledges
that the Soo Locks are a single point of failure for the
Great Lakes Navigation System; and
Whereas, The United States Congress has authorized the
construction of a second Poe-sized lock, but a study that
contains crucial errors is preventing the construction from
proceeding: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, the members of the House of
Representatives of the 131st General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, encourage the President and the Congress of the United
States and the United States Office of Management and Budget
to support plans to upgrade the Soo Locks at Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the United States Army Corps of
Engineers to take expeditious action in acknowledging the
national security need for maintaining the Great Lakes
Navigation System in addition to properly accounting for the
limitation of transportation resources if a lock outage
occurs in the preparation of an Economic Reevaluation Report;
and be it further

[[Page 4469]]

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the
President of the United States, the President Pro Tempore and
Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk
of the United States House of Representatives, the members of
the Ohio congressional delegation, the Director of the United
States Office of Management and Budget, and the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
____

POM-152. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of
the State of Wyoming urging the United States Congress to
seek removal of the gray wolf and grizzly bear populations
from listing under the Endangered Species Act and to assist
in funding programs and services for gray wolf and grizzly
bear management; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.

House Joint Resolution 4

Whereas, gray wolf and grizzly bear predation on livestock
and big game species is resulting in economic losses in the
state of Wyoming; and
Whereas, the cost to manage gray wolves and grizzly bears
and to compensate individuals and entities for damage caused
by these species is significantly greater than can be
sustained through existing budgets of the responsible state
and federal agencies; and
Whereas, gray wolf and grizzly bear populations are
recovered and these species should therefore be removed from
the list of experimental nonessential population, endangered
species or threatened species in Wyoming in order for the
state to effectively manage these species; and
Whereas, federal funding is essential to assist the state
in compensating individuals and entities for losses caused by
gray wolves and grizzly bears now and after the date these
species are removed from the list of experimental
nonessential population, endangered species or threatened
species in Wyoming; and
Whereas, such federal support in compensating individuals
and entities for losses will increase acceptance of these
wildlife species in Wyoming and continue the healthy and
self-sustaining populations of gray wolves and grizzly bears
in the state: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Members of the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming:
Section 1. That the Wyoming legislature calls on Congress
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services to speedily
seek removal of the gray wolf and grizzly bear populations
from the list of experimental nonessential population,
endangered species or threatened species in Wyoming, by all
means available.
Section 2. That the Wyoming legislature calls on Congress
to immediately and fully fund all necessary programs and
services for gray wolf and grizzly bear management,
particularly programs and services to compensate individuals
and entities for losses caused by these wildlife species.
Section 3. That the Wyoming legislature calls on Congress
to assist in funding the necessary programs and services
indicated in section 2 of this resolution after the date the
gray wolf and grizzly bear populations are removed from the
list of experimental nonessential population, endangered
species of threatened species in Wyoming.
Section 4. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit
copies of this resolution to the President of the United
States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to
the Wyoming Congressional Delegation and to the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
____

POM-153. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of
Michigan supporting the recommendations of the Chicago Area
Waterway System Advisory Committee to prevent Asian carp from
entering the Great Lakes; to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works.

Senate Resolution No. 12

Whereas, The Chicago Area Waterway System serves as a
pathway for aquatic invasive species to move between the
Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. Zebra mussels and
other species spread from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi
River and its tributaries through this man-made connection.
Now, Asian carp are on the brink of using this same route to
invade the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River basin; and
Whereas, Asian carp continue to migrate upstream and are
now within a day's swim of Lake Michigan. In the last year,
juvenile Asian carp have moved 66 miles closer to Lake
Michigan, leaving them only 76 miles from the Great Lakes.
While electrical barriers currently stand in their way, new
research indicates that those barriers may not be effective
at stopping small fish; and
Whereas, The impacts of Asian carp to the ecosystems and
economies of the Great Lakes states and local communities
will be catastrophic. Invasive species established in the
Great Lakes already cost the region more than $100 million
per year. Asian carp could add dramatically to this cost if
they move through the Chicago area into the Great Lakes.
These carp are voracious filter feeders and could out-compete
the native fish of the Great Lakes, threatening a $7 billion
sport and commercial fishery. History has demonstrated that,
once established, aquatic invasive species like Asian carp
are nearly impossible to eradicate; and
Whereas, The Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory
Committee was formed in May 2014 with the goal of reaching
consensus on a set of recommendations for elected and
appointed local, state, and federal officials and the public
on short- and long-term measures to prevent Asian carp and
other aquatic invasive species from moving between the Great
Lakes and Mississippi River basins through the Chicago Area
Waterway System; and
Whereas, The diverse, 32-member advisory committee reached
consensus in a letter to the President of the United States
on a specific system of control points to prevent the two-way
interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species. It also
reached consensus on supporting immediate actions at the
Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois, to prevent the
risk of Asian carp from migrating upstream while the system
of control points is evaluated as a long-term solution for
all aquatic invasive species; and
Whereas, The best long-term solution will prevent Asian
carp from entering the Great Lakes while preserving as much
as possible the current uses of the Chicago area waterways.
Options that would change shipping on these waterways should
only be pursued after all other options have been exhausted;
and
Whereas, The costs of preventing Asian carp from entering
the Great Lakes are substantially lower than the costs to the
ecosystems and economies of the Great Lakes states if Asian
carp were to become established: now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we support the Chicago Area
Waterway System Advisory Committee recommendations to
implement immediate control technologies at Brandon Road Lock
and Dam in Joliet, Illinois, and to further investigate the
specific system of control points for long-term movement of
aquatic invasive species into and out of the Great Lakes; and
be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, President of the United
States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional
delegation, and the Commanding General and Chief of Engineers
of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
____

POM-154. A resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives of the State of Michigan memorializing the
United States Congress to take actions necessary to help
families enduring mental health crisis; to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

House Resolution No. 169

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, mental illness is defined as ``health conditions
that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or
behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with
distress and/or impaired function.'' The National Institute
of Mental Health states, ``while mental disorders are common
in the United States, the burden of illness is particularly
concentrated among those who experience disability due to
serious mental illness (SMI)''; and
Whereas, Laws, regulations, and misinterpretations
frequently shut out families attempting to get effective and
appropriate treatment for their loved ones in a mental health
crisis. In a given year, approximately ten million Americans
endure serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major
depression, or bipolar disorder. Approximately four million
Americans battle with serious mental illness do not receive
treatment in a given year; and
Whereas, Families struggling with mental illness must also
grapple with the likelihood that their loved one will end up
in jail or prison where there is virtually no mental health
treatment. There are ten times more individuals with serious
mental illness in jails and prisons than in state psychiatric
hospitals. Moreover, federal laws and billing policies
restrict the ability of persons on Medicaid to receive high-
quality inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment; and
Whereas, Current spending needs to be more focused on the
most effective services and most severe mental illnesses.
Passage of federal legislation like the Helping Families in
Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 (H.R. 2646), sponsored by
United States Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, would
be a positive first step. The bill would create a new
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
Disorders to coordinate funding between agencies, collect
increased data on treatment outcomes, and drive evidence-
based care: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the House of Representatives, That we
memorialize the Congress of the United States to take actions
necessary to help families enduring mental health crisis; and
be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the
United States House of Representatives, and the members of
the Michigan congressional delegation.
____

POM-155. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the
State of Idaho urging the

[[Page 4470]]

United States Congress to restructure the United States
Postal Service in a way that would reopen shuttered mail
processing plants throughout the nation and provide
acceptable delivery times; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.

Senate Joint Memorial No. 105

Whereas, the mail processing function of the post office in
Pocatello, Idaho, was closed on or about April 19, 2015; and
Whereas, Brian Sperry, the regional spokesman for the
United States Postal Service (USPS) stated that the impacts
would be that stamped ``First-Class Mail'' would take between
two and three days to reach its destination; and
Whereas, mail delivery in eastern Idaho is now
significantly delayed, with delays ranging from a few days up
to a few weeks; and
Whereas, USPS has already closed or suspended services in
many locations nationwide, including in Twin Falls, Idaho,
and is considering closing more; and
Whereas, USPS can provide better delivery times while still
cutting substantive costs by restructuring its pre-funding
for retirement benefits: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the members of the Second Regular Session of
the Sixty-third Idaho Legislature, the Senate and the House
of Representatives concurring therein, that Congress should
pass legislation that would direct USPS to restructure their
budget priorities, rethink their administrative model, make
appropriate budget cuts if necessary, focus on customer
service and acceptable delivery times, and reopen shuttered
mail processing plants throughout the United States; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is
hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this
Memorial to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives of this Congress, and the
congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho in
the Congress of the United States.

____________________

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

The following reports of committees were submitted:

By Mr. KIRK, from the Committee on Appropriations, without
amendment:
S. 2806. An original bill making appropriations for
military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2017, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-237).
By Mr. COCHRAN, from the Committee on Appropriations:
Special Report entitled ``Allocation to Subcommittees of
Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2017'' (Rept. No. 114-238).
By Mr. ALEXANDER, from the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute:
S. 185. A bill to create a limited population pathway for
approval of certain antibacterial drugs.
S. 1622. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act with respect to devices.
S. 2700. A bill to update the authorizing provisions
relating to the workforces of the National Institutes of
Health and the Food and Drug Administration, and for other
purposes.
S. 2713. A bill to provide for the implementation of a
Precision Medicine Initiative.
S. 2742. A bill to amend title IV of the Public Health
Service Act regarding the national research institutes, and
for other purposes.
S. 2745. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
promote the inclusion of minorities in clinical research, and
for other purposes.

____________________

EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

The following executive reports of nominations were submitted:

By Mr. HATCH for the Committee on Finance.
*Andrew LaMont Eanes, of Kansas, to be Deputy Commissioner
of Social Security for the term expiring January 19, 2019.
*Vik Edwin Stoll, of Missouri, to be a Judge of the United
States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
*Elizabeth Ann Copeland, of Texas, to be a Judge of the
United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.

*Nomination was reported with recommendation that it be confirmed
subject to the nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear
and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.

____________________

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the
first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:

By Mr. KIRK:
S. 2806. An original bill making appropriations for
military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2017, and for other purposes; from the Committee on
Appropriations; placed on the calendar.
By Mr. CASSIDY (for himself and Mr. Rubio):
S. 2807. A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to
require State approval before the Secretary of the Interior
restricts access to waters under the jurisdiction of the
National Park Service for recreational or commercial fishing;
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
By Mr. INHOFE (for himself and Mrs. Boxer):
S. 2808. A bill to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to
authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts; to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works.
By Mr. PORTMAN:
S. 2809. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to preserve taxpayers' rights to administrative appeal of
deficiency determinations, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Finance.
By Mr. MURPHY:
S. 2810. A bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to
assist small cheese producers; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. CASSIDY:
S. 2811. A bill to authorize the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to Chaplain (First Lieutenant) Joseph Verbis
LaFleur for acts of valor during World War II; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Markey,
and Ms. Ayotte):
S. 2812. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to
reauthorize and improve the Small Business Innovation
Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer
Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship.
By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Murphy):
S. 2813. A bill to amend title 4 of the United States Code
to limit the extent to which States may tax the compensation
earned by nonresident telecommuters and other multi-State
workers; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Enzi,
Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Boozman,
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Coats, Mr. Cochran, Mr.
Crapo, Mr. Daines, Mrs. Ernst, Mrs. Fischer, Mr.
Hatch, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kirk, Mr.
Lankford, Mr. Lee, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Moran, Ms.
Murkowski, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Roberts, Mr.
Rubio, Mr. Thune, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Wicker,
Mr. Scott, and Mr. Sasse):
S.J. Res. 33. A joint resolution providing for
congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United
States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor
relating to the definition of the term ``fiduciary'' and the
conflict of interest rule with respect to retirement
investment advice; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.

____________________

ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS

S. 134

At the request of Mr. Wyden, the name of the Senator from Connecticut
(Mr. Murphy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 134, a bill to amend the
Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the
definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.

S. 256

At the request of Mrs. Feinstein, the name of the Senator from Alaska
(Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 256, a bill to amend the
definition of ``homeless person'' under the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act to include certain homeless children and youth, and for
other purposes.

S. 849

At the request of Mr. Isakson, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mr. Schumer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 849, a bill to amend the
Public Health Service Act to provide for systematic data collection and
analysis and epidemiological research regarding Multiple Sclerosis
(MS), Parkinson's disease, and other neurological diseases.

S. 901

At the request of Mr. Moran, the name of the Senator from New Jersey
(Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 901, a bill to establish in
the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for research on
the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of
veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the Armed Forces
that are related to that exposure, to establish an

[[Page 4471]]

advisory board on such health conditions, and for other purposes.

S. 979

At the request of Mr. Nelson, the names of the Senator from Rhode
Island (Mr. Whitehouse) and the Senator from California (Mrs.
Feinstein) were added as cosponsors of S. 979, a bill to amend title
10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for reduction of
survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans'
dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes.

S. 996

At the request of Mr. Brown, the name of the Senator from Minnesota
(Ms. Klobuchar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 996, a bill to
facilitate nationwide availability of volunteer income tax assistance
for low-income and underserved populations, and for other purposes.

S. 1059

At the request of Ms. Hirono, the name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1059, a bill to provide
Dreamer students with access to student financial aid.

S. 1060

At the request of Ms. Hirono, the name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1060, a bill to improve
the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.

S. 1062

At the request of Ms. Hirono, the name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1062, a bill to improve
the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.

S. 1559

At the request of Ms. Ayotte, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mr. Schumer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1559, a bill to protect
victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating
violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts of
violence or threats of violence against their pets.

S. 1661

At the request of Mr. Isakson, the name of the Senator from Kentucky
(Mr. Paul) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1661, a bill to amend title
XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to preserve consumer and
employer access to licensed independent insurance producers.

S. 1760

At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the name of the Senator from
Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1760, a bill to
prevent gun trafficking.

S. 2147

At the request of Mr. Portman, the name of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Kirk) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2147, a bill to amend the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to participant votes on the
suspension of benefits under multiemployer plans in critical and
declining status.

S. 2242

At the request of Mr. Wyden, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
2242, a bill to repeal section 3003 of the Carl Levin and Howard P.
``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2015.

S. 2292

At the request of Mr. Tester, the name of the Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2292, a bill to
reform laws relating to small public housing agencies, and for other
purposes.

S. 2332

At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from Montana
(Mr. Tester) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2332, a bill to amend the
National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a permanent
background check system.

S. 2348

At the request of Mr. Hatch, the names of the Senator from Alabama
(Mr. Sessions) and the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn) were added as
cosponsors of S. 2348, a bill to implement the use of Rapid DNA
instruments to inform decisions about pretrial release or detention and
their conditions, to solve and prevent violent crimes and other crimes,
to exonerate the innocent, to prevent DNA analysis backlogs, and for
other purposes.

S. 2427

At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from
Massachusetts (Ms. Warren) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2427, a bill
to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who
need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes.

S. 2473

At the request of Mr. Sullivan, the name of the Senator from South
Dakota (Mr. Rounds) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2473, a bill to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program
to provide veterans the option of using an alternative appeals process
to more quickly determine claims for disability compensation, and for
other purposes.

S. 2478

At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from Maryland
(Ms. Mikulski) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2478, a bill to amend
title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to provide for the purchase of paper United States savings bonds with
tax refunds.

S. 2502

At the request of Mr. Isakson, the name of the Senator from New
Hampshire (Ms. Ayotte) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2502, a bill to
amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure
that retirement investors receive advice in their best interests, and
for other purposes.

S. 2577

At the request of Mr. Cornyn, the names of the Senator from Utah (Mr.
Hatch) and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) were added as
cosponsors of S. 2577, a bill to protect crime victims' rights, to
eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA and other forensic evidence
samples to improve and expand the forensic science testing capacity of
Federal, State, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and
development of new testing technologies, to develop new training
programs regarding the collection and use of forensic evidence, to
provide post-conviction testing of DNA evidence to exonerate the
innocent, to support accreditation efforts of forensic science
laboratories and medical examiner offices, to address training and
equipment needs, to improve the performance of counsel in State capital
cases, and for other purposes.

S. 2659

At the request of Mr. Burr, the name of the Senator from Montana (Mr.
Tester) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2659, a bill to reaffirm that
the Environmental Protection Agency cannot regulate vehicles used
solely for competition, and for other purposes.

S. 2675

At the request of Mr. Nelson, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
2675, a bill to provide for the adjustment of the debts of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

S. 2676

At the request of Mr. Nelson, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
2676, a bill to provide for the adjustment of the debts of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

S. 2707

At the request of Mr. Scott, the names of the Senator from Wyoming
(Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), the Senator
from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), the
Senator from Kansas (Mr. Roberts), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch)
and the Senator from Arizona (Mr. McCain) were added as cosponsors of
S. 2707, a bill to require the Secretary of Labor to nullify the
proposed rule regarding defining and delimiting the exemptions for
executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer
employees, to require the Secretary of Labor to conduct a full and
complete economic analysis with improved economic data on small
businesses, nonprofit employers, Medicare or Medicaid dependent health
care providers, and

[[Page 4472]]

small governmental jurisdictions, and all other employers, and minimize
the impact on such employers, before promulgating any substantially
similar rule, and to provide a rule of construction regarding the
salary threshold exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938,
and for other purposes.

S. 2708

At the request of Mr. Cotton, the name of the Senator from North
Carolina (Mr. Tillis) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2708, a bill to
provide for the admission to the United States of up to 10,000 Syrian
religious minorities as refugees of special humanitarian concern in
each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

S. 2712

At the request of Mr. Boozman, the names of the Senator from Colorado
(Mr. Bennet) and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr) were added
as cosponsors of S. 2712, a bill to restore amounts improperly withheld
for tax purposes from severance payments to individuals who retired or
separated from service in the Armed Forces for combat-related injuries,
and for other purposes.

S. 2724

At the request of Mr. Hatch, the name of the Senator from Kentucky
(Mr. Paul) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2724, a bill to amend title
5, United States Code, with respect to the judicial review of agency
interpretations of statutory and regulatory provisions.

S. 2740

At the request of Mr. Kirk, the names of the Senator from Texas (Mr.
Cruz) and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey) were added as
cosponsors of S. 2740, a bill to prohibit the transfer or release of
individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, to state sponsors of terrorism.

S. 2750

At the request of Mr. Thune, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr.
Roberts) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2750, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code to extend and modify certain charitable tax
provisions.

S. 2780

At the request of Mr. Moran, the name of the Senator from Arkansas
(Mr. Boozman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2780, a bill to amend
section 1034 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2016 to strengthen the certification requirements relating to the
transfer or release of detainees at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

S.J. RES. 28

At the request of Ms. Ayotte, the name of the Senator from New
Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 28, a
joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter
8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the
Secretary of Agriculture relating to inspection of fish of the order
Siluriformes.

S. RES. 426

At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from
California (Mrs. Feinstein) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 426, a
resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States
should support and protect the right of women working in developing
countries to safe workplaces, free from gender-based violence,
reprisals, and intimidation.

AMENDMENT NO. 3265

At the request of Mr. Vitter, the name of the Senator from Oregon
(Mr. Wyden) was added as a cosponsor of amendment No. 3265 intended to
be proposed to S. 2012, an original bill to provide for the
modernization of the energy policy of the United States, and for other
purposes.

____________________

AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED

SA 3798. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted
an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3679
proposed by Mr. McConnell (for Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr.
Nelson)) to the bill H.R. 636, to amend the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing
limitations, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie
on the table.

____________________

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 3798. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3679 proposed by Mr.
McConnell (for Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Nelson)) to the bill H.R.
636, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend
increased expensing limitations, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in subtitle A of title II, insert
the following:

SEC. ____. COLLABORATION BETWEEN FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

(a) Collaboration Between Federal Aviation Administration
in Department of Defense Required.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Secretary of Defense shall collaborate
on developing ground-based sense and avoid (GBSAA) and
airborne sense and avoid (ABSAA) capabilities for unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS).
(2) Elements.--The collaboration required by paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) Sharing information and technology on safely
integrating unmanned aircraft systems and manned aircraft in
the national airspace system.
(B) Building upon Air Force and Department of Defense
experience to inform the Federal Aviation Administration's
development of civil standards, policies, and procedures for
integrating unmanned aircraft systems in the national
airspace system.
(C) Assisting in the development of best practices for
unmanned aircraft airworthiness certification, development of
airborne and ground-based sense and avoid capabilities for
unmanned aircraft systems, and research and development on
unmanned aircraft systems, especially with respect to matters
involving human factors, information assurance, and security.
(b) Participation by Federal Aviation Administration in
Department of Defense Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may participate and
provide assistance for participation in test and evaluation
efforts of the Department of Defense, including the Air
Force, relating to ground-based sense and avoid and airborne
sense and avoid capabilities for unmanned aircraft systems.
(2) Participation through centers of excellence and test
sites.--Participation under paragraph (1) may include
provision of assistance through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Center of Excellence and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test
Sites.

____________________

AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET

Committee on Finance

Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the
Senate on April 18, 2016, following the first vote at 5:30 p.m., in
room S-216 of the Capitol.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

NOTICE: REGISTRATION OF MASS MAILINGS

The filing date for the 2016 first quarter Mass Mailing report is
Monday, April 25, 2016. An electronic option is available on Webster
that will allow forms to be submitted via a fillable pdf document. If
your office did no mass mailings during this period, please submit a
form that states ``none.''
Mass mailing registrations or negative reports can be submitted
electronically or delivered to the Senate Office of Public Records, 232
Hart Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-7116.
The Senate Office of Public Records is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. For further information, please contact the Senate Office of
Public Records at (202) 224-0322.

____________________

APPOINTMENTS

The Acting President pro tempore. The Chair announces, on behalf of
the Democratic leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 114-
140, the appointment of the following individuals to serve as members
of the Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission: Robert Groves of the
District of Columbia (data privacy), Jeffrey Liebman of Massachusetts
(researcher), and Kim Wallin of Nevada (experienced program
administrator).

[[Page 4473]]

____________________

ORDERS FOR TUESDAY,
APRIL 19, 2016

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the
Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on
Tuesday, April 19; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning
hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date,
and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the
day; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate be in a period
of morning business for 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak
therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, that following morning
business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 636; finally, that
the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the
weekly conference meetings.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.

____________________

ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come
before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned
under the previous order.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:36 p.m., adjourned until
Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 10 a.m.

____________________

NOMINATIONS

Executive nominations received by the Senate:

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SUSAN FAYE BEARD, OF MARYLAND, TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, VICE GREGORY H. FRIEDMAN, RESIGNED.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MARY BETH LEONARD, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE AFRICAN UNION, WITH
THE RANK AND STATUS OF AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND
PLENIPOTENTIARY.
LAWRENCE ROBERT SILVERMAN, OF MASSACHUSETTS, A CAREER
MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF MINISTER-
COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE STATE OF KUWAIT.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

SUSAN S. GIBSON, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF
THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE. (NEW POSITION)

IN THE ARMY

THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE
OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 12203:

To be major general

BRIG. GEN. KENNETH D. JONES
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE
OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 12203:

To be major general

BRIG. GEN. ARLAN M. DEBLIECK
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE
OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 12203:

To be brigadier general

COL. RODNEY L. FAULK
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE
INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 624:

To be major

NILSON OROZCOOVIEDO
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE
INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 12203:

To be colonel

PIERRE E. SAINTFLEUR

IN THE COAST GUARD

THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO A POSITION
OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE UNITED STATES COAST
GUARD TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 14, U.S.C., SECTION
50:

To be vice admiral

VICE ADM. FRED M. MIDGETTE

[[Page 4474]]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Monday, April 18, 2016

The House met at noon and was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. Brooks of Alabama).

____________________

DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Speaker:

Washington, DC,

April 18, 2016.
I hereby appoint the Honorable Mo Brooks to act as Speaker
pro tempore on this day.
Paul D. Ryan,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.

____________________

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of
January 5, 2016, the Chair would now recognize Members from lists
submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.

____________________

RECESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the
Chair declares the House in recess until 2 p.m. today.
Accordingly (at 12 o'clock and 1 minute p.m.), the House stood in
recess.

____________________

{time} 1400
AFTER RECESS

The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Womack) at 2 o'clock p.m.

____________________

PRAYER

The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following
prayer:
Lord God of mercy, we give You thanks for giving us another day.
Our Nation is singular and powerful by the very fact that Congress
begins its workday with prayer, setting an example for all students and
workers of this great land. It has done so from the very beginnings of
Congress itself.
By seeking Your presence and wisdom in moments of prayer each day, we
humbly lay before You our limitations and our hopes. We display our
openness to Your creative light to guide us in the decisions that must
be made to stay the course of government of Your free people.
Hear the prayers of this people's House, and call each Member to
moral integrity and charitable, bipartisan political effort, that the
course of government might roll forward toward advancements of the
common good of our Nation.
May all that is done this day be for Your greater honor and glory.
Amen.

____________________

THE JOURNAL

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has examined the Journal of the
last day's proceedings and announces to the House his approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

____________________

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Thompson) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

____________________

HIGH TAXES DESTROY JOBS

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today marks tax day, a day
when Americans must file their taxes.
The broken Tax Code is nearly 75,000 pages and has excessive
regulations, destroys jobs, and lacks certainty. The tax bill is too
high for hardworking American families. This year Americans will
collectively spend more on taxes than basic necessities like food,
clothing, and housing combined.
New ObamaCare taxes destroy jobs. We must make the Tax Code fair and
simple to allow hardworking American families and small businesses to
keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars.
That is why I am grateful to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 27, Tax
Code Termination Act, which would retire the old, burdensome Tax Code
and replace it with a system that provides tax relief for working
Americans, protects the rights of taxpayers, eliminates bias against
saving, and creates jobs.
I will continue to work in Congress toward a commonsense solution
that creates a fair and simple Tax Code for American families.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President, by his
actions, never forget September 11th in the global war on terrorism.

____________________

PARDON RAIF BADAWI

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I stand today on behalf of Saudi Arabian
blogger Raif Badawi.
In 2014, Saudi Arabian authorities sentenced Raif to 10 years in
prison and 1,000 lashes for his liberal writings and support for
secularism. Today is Raif's 1,425th day in prison. He has been publicly
flogged 50 times, and his wife and children, fearful for their safety,
have had to abandon their country for Canada.
But Raif is not a criminal. He is a champion of freedom of thought
and expression in a kingdom whose rulers fear both.
This week President Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with
leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. When the President sees King
Salman, he should urge him to pardon Raif and allow him to join his
wife and three children in Canada.
I seek the full support of Congress and the Obama administration in
urging the Saudi Arabian Government to free Raif and all other
prisoners of conscience like him, as befits any government with a seat
on the U.N. Human Rights Council.

____________________

CONGRATULATING STATE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER MELANIE LYNCH

(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
congratulate State College High School health education teacher Melanie
Lynch, who was recently named one of six winners of the National Health
Education Teacher of the Year Award by the Society of Health and
Physical Educators.
Specifically, Melanie was recognized for designing and putting in
place lesson plans which educate, motivate, and inspire high school
students and their communities to take personal responsibility for
improving their health habits.
Melanie's classes involve not only the academic knowledge of which
nutrients are best for their diets, but also

[[Page 4475]]

about topics such as peer pressure, bullying, eating disorders, and how
to eat right once they graduate high school. Lynch is assisted in those
efforts by the textbook she co-wrote entitled ``Comprehensive Health.''
Physical and health education is key to students across the Nation
receiving a well-rounded school experience. I appreciate the efforts of
teachers such as Melanie Lynch in bringing real-world lessons into the
classroom.

____________________

HONORING SILVER STAR HERO FIRST LIEUTENANT ELMER JEBO

(Ms. STEFANIK asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an extraordinary hero from
Tupper Lake in my district.
First Lieutenant Elmer Jebo was drafted into the Army in 1940 where
he would participate in military campaigns across Italy.
On February 21, 1944, during the Anzio invasion, his position was
attacked by six enemy tanks. For his bravery under siege and his
courageous conduct to repel these attacks, he was awarded the Silver
Star and the Purple Heart by the U.S. Army.
Unfortunately, because of significant wounds sustained in combat,
Lieutenant Jebo spent many months recovering at Walter Reed Medical
Center and never received his medal. He has since passed.
After his family reached out to our office, I am honored that we were
able to play a small part in preserving the legacy of this north
country hero.
This Thursday my office will host his family at a ceremony in
Washington to present them with Lieutenant Jebo's much-deserved Silver
Star.
Today I am honored to recognize Lieutenant Jebo's heroic service on
the House floor.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 639, the Chair
announces that an amicus brief was filed on April 4, 2016, in the
United States Supreme Court in the matter of United States v. Texas.

____________________

RECESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the
Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 4 p.m. today.
Accordingly (at 2 o'clock and 7 minutes p.m.), the House stood in
recess.

____________________

{time} 1600
AFTER RECESS

The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Byrne) at 4 p.m.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules
on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or on which
the vote incurs objection under clause 6 of rule XX.
Record votes on postponed questions will be taken later.

____________________

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (S. 1638) to direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to submit to Congress information on the Department of
Homeland Security headquarters consolidation project in the National
Capital Region, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

S. 1638

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Homeland
Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION PROJECT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with
the Administrator, shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress information on the implementation of the enhanced
plan for the Department headquarters consolidation project
within the National Capital Region, approved by the Office of
Management and Budget and included in the budget of the
President for fiscal year 2016 (as submitted to Congress
under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), that
includes the following:
(1) A proposed occupancy plan for the consolidation project
that includes specific information about which Department-
wide operations, component operations, and support offices
will be located at the site, the aggregate number of full
time equivalent employees projected to occupy the site, the
seat-to-staff ratio at the site, and schedule estimates for
migrating operations to the site.
(2) A comprehensive assessment of the difference between
the current real property and facilities needed by the
Department in the National Capital Region in order to carry
out the mission of the Department and the future needs of the
Department.
(3) A current plan for construction of the headquarters
consolidation at the St. Elizabeths campus that includes--
(A) the estimated costs and schedule for the current plan,
which shall conform to relevant Federal guidance for cost and
schedule estimates, consistent with the recommendation of the
Government Accountability Office in the September 2014 report
entitled ``Federal Real Property: DHS and GSA Need to
Strengthen the Management of DHS Headquarters Consolidation''
(GAO-14-648); and
(B) any estimated cost savings associated with reducing the
scope of the consolidation project and increasing the use of
existing capacity developed under the project.
(4) A current plan for the leased portfolio of the
Department in the National Capital Region that includes--
(A) an end-state vision that identifies which Department-
wide operations, component operations, and support offices do
not migrate to the St. Elizabeths campus and continue to
operate at a property in the leased portfolio;
(B) for each year until the consolidation project is
completed, the number of full-time equivalent employees who
are expected to operate at each property, component, or
office;
(C) the anticipated total rentable square feet leased per
year during the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and ending on the date on which the consolidation
project is completed; and
(D) timing and anticipated lease terms for leased space
under the plan referred to in paragraph (3).
(5) An analysis that identifies the costs and benefits of
leasing and construction alternatives for the remainder of
the consolidation project that includes--
(A) a comparison of the long-term cost that would result
from leasing as compared to consolidating functions on
Government-owned space; and
(B) the identification of any cost impacts in terms of
premiums for short-term lease extensions or holdovers due to
the uncertainty of funding for, or delays in, completing
construction required for the consolidation.
(b) Comptroller General Review.--
(1) Review required.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall review the cost and schedule estimates submitted
under subsection (a) to evaluate the quality and reliability
of the estimates.
(2) Assessment.--Not later than 90 days after the submittal
of the cost and schedule estimates under subsection (a), the
Comptroller General shall report to the appropriate
committees of Congress on the results of the review required
under paragraph (1).
(c) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
General Services.
(2) The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means
the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(3) The term ``Department'' means the Department of
Homeland Security.
(4) The term ``National Capital Region'' has the meaning
given the term under section 2674(f)(2) of title 10, United
States Code.
(5) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland
Security.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs.
Watson Coleman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.

General Leave

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that

[[Page 4476]]

all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from South Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1638.
Mr. Speaker, since construction began in 2006, the Department of
Homeland Security's consolidated headquarters on St. Elizabeth's
historic Washington, D.C. campus has been riddled with cost overruns
and construction delays, at times estimated to be more than $1 billion
over budget and 12 years behind schedule.
As the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency, I conducted rigorous oversight of the project,
including holding a hearing in September 2014. Having visited the site,
I saw firsthand the immense challenges that lie ahead. While we are
encouraged by the recently updated DHS St. Elizabeth's plan, we still
believe that increased oversight of the consolidation project will help
ensure accountability and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,
especially considering this project was fully funded through the fiscal
year 2016 appropriations, and DHS alone has requested $225 million for
fiscal year 2017.
This bill that we are talking about today, the Department of Homeland
Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act, a companion to
H.R. 1640, which was passed by the House unanimously in June of last
year and of which I was a cosponsor, will require the Secretary of
Homeland Security, in coordination with the administrator of General
Services, to submit a report on the implementation of the updated plan
for the headquarters consolidation, including estimated costs and
occupancy plans of the project. With a project of this magnitude,
improved oversight and increased transparency is paramount.
Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson once said that an educated citizenry is
``the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.'' Our
constituents expect their representatives to hold government
accountable. S. 1638 does just that.
I wish to thank Senators Johnson and Carper for their hard work
passing this bill through the Senate. I urge all Members to join me in
supporting this important bipartisan legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of S. 1638, the Department of Homeland Security
Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015.
Mr. Speaker, since the 2006 decision to establish the Department of
Homeland Security's headquarters at the former site of St. Elizabeth's
Hospital in Washington, the project has experienced significant
shortfalls in cost and schedule performance.
The Government Accountability Office reported that between the start
of construction at St. Elizabeth's in fiscal year 2009 through the
fiscal year 2014 appropriation, the project received $1.6 billion less
than the funding amendments requested over this period. The impact of
this funding gap is far-reaching. In fact, GAO has found this gap
resulted in cost escalations exceeding $1 billion and schedule delays
exceeding 10 years for the project.
Mr. Speaker, the Senate bill we consider today is the companion to
H.R. 1640, a bill that the House approved by voice vote last June.
S. 1638 directs DHS and GSA to provide information to Congress within
120 days of enactment of this bill to establish that the data has been
collected and analyzed to support the current direction for this high-
profile investment.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, S. 1638 specifies that the information
provided to Congress by DHS and GSA include updated cost and schedule
estimates for the project.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, S. 1638 directs GAO to report to Congress on
the quality and reliability of these estimates, not later than 90 days
after they have been submitted to Congress.
Mr. Speaker, DHS headquarters operations currently are dispersed
around the national capital region, in facilities that, in many cases,
are inadequate--as is the case with the Nebraska Avenue Complex.
To support the government's effective stewardship of public resources
and to deliver a headquarters that DHS desperately needs, I would urge
my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
S. 1638 is virtually identical to the House-passed legislation that
my subcommittee advanced last year.
The bill's provisions acknowledge the need for GSA to be engaged at a
high level, as the construction manager for the Department's
headquarters consolidation project, and to help DHS develop realistic
and achievable outcomes.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that up to 69 percent of
the Department's commercial leases in the national capital region are
slated to expire between fiscal years 2016 and 2020. As such, the
Department will be forced to engage in the expensive process of
recompeting and possibly relocating its operation and personnel.
It would behoove the Department and the GSA to move more of DHS'
headquarters activities to St. Elizabeth's as soon as possible and,
thus, avoid the costs associated with executing additional leasing in
the expensive D.C. market.
Mr. Speaker, I do again urge the adoption of S. 1638.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
I, once again, urge my colleagues to support S. 1638.
I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for her words of support.
This is the right thing to do--being good stewards of taxpayer dollars
and fulfilling our oversight role.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland
Security Committee, I rise in strong support of S. 1638, the
``Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation
Accountability Act.''
I support this bipartisan legislation because it would move DHS
forward in accomplishing the important objective of establishing a home
for the Department's many components and agencies.
Eleven days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was appointed as the first Director of
the Office of Homeland Security in the White House.
In November 2002, I was proud to join my colleagues in voting to
create a Department of Homeland Security.
On March 1, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security official became
a Cabinet-level department charged with the responsibility of unifying
national homeland security efforts.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created through the
integration of all or part of 22 different Federal departments and
agencies into a unified, integrated Department.
S. 1638, directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in
coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA), to submit
information on the implementation of the enhanced plan for the DHS
headquarters consolidation project within the National Capital Region,
approved by the Office of Management and Budget and included in the
budget of the President for FY2016, that includes:
a proposed occupancy plan with specific information about which DHS-
wide operations, component operations, and support offices will be
located at the site, the aggregate number of full time equivalent
employees projected to occupy the site, the seat-to-staff ratio at the
site, and schedule estimates for migrating operations to the site;
a comprehensive assessment of the difference between the current real
property and facilities needed by DHS in the Region to carry out its
mission and its future needs;

[[Page 4477]]

an analysis of the difference between the current and needed capital
assets and facilities of DHS;
a current plan for construction of the headquarters consolidation at
the St. Elizabeths campus that includes the estimated costs and
schedule for the current plan and any estimated cost savings associated
with reducing the scope of the project and increasing the use of
existing capacity developed under the project;
An important goal of S. 1638, is an evaluation of the current plan to
determine the leased portfolio of DHS throughout the Region that
includes an end-state vision that identifies which DHS-wide operations,
component operations, and support offices do not migrate to the St.
Elizabeths campus and continue to operate at a property in the leased
portfolio.
The bill will result in real numbers regarding the total compliment
of full-time equivalent employees who are expected to operate at each
property, component, or office for each year until the consolidation
project is completed.
S. 1638, identifies the costs and benefits of leasing and
construction alternatives for the remainder of the consolidation
project, including a comparison of the long-term cost that would result
from leasing to the cost of consolidating functions on government-owned
space and the identification of any cost impacts in terms of premiums
for short-term lease extensions or holdovers due to the uncertainty of
funding for, or delays in, completing construction required for the
consolidation.
Mr. Speaker, since DHS initiated its headquarters consolidation in
2006, it has progressed despite changes in senior leadership and waning
funding support from Congress.
As a result, in April 2015, DHS and GSA announced that the
construction sequence and timetable for the headquarters consolidation
would be adjusted to reflect reduced funding by Congress.
DHS must now re-compete up to 69 percent of its commercial leases in
the National Capital Region as they are scheduled to expire between
2016 and 2020.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in strong support of the
suspension bill, S. 1638, the ``Department of Homeland Security
Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 1638.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

SIDNEY OSLIN SMITH, JR. FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 4618) to designate the Federal building and United
States courthouse located at 121 Spring Street SE in Gainesville,
Georgia, as the ``Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United
States Courthouse''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 4618

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SIDNEY OSLIN SMITH, JR. FEDERAL BUILDING AND
UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE.

(a) Designation.--The Federal building and United States
courthouse located at 121 Spring Street SE in Gainesville,
Georgia, shall be known and designated as the ``Sidney Oslin
Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
Federal building and United States courthouse referred to in
subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the
``Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States
Courthouse''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Curbelo) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Carson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.

General Leave

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4618.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4618 would designate the Federal building and
United States Courthouse located at 121 Spring Street SE in
Gainesville, Georgia, as the Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building
and United States Courthouse.
Following his service in the United States Army during World War II,
Judge Smith received his law degree and went into the private practice
of law. In 1965, he was appointed to the Federal bench as a judge for
the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by
President Johnson, and he served until his retirement in 1974.
Given his commitment and dedication to our Nation and the law, I
think it is fitting to recognize his service by naming this courthouse
after him.
I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for his
leadership on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I also support H.R. 4618, which designates the United States
Courthouse in Gainesville, Georgia, as the Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr.
Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
Judge Smith served as a Federal district court judge in the Northern
District of Georgia and was a World War II veteran. Judge Smith
graduated from Harvard University and the University of Georgia Law
School. After graduating from law school, Judge Smith went into private
practice, as was noted, and he practiced until 1962, and was later
elected as a superior court judge in Georgia.
In 1965, Mr. Speaker, Judge Smith was appointed as a district court
judge and was later elevated to chief judge. Judge Smith stepped down
from the Federal bench in 1974, as was noted, and returned to private
practice as a partner at an Atlanta law firm.
In addition to his very long and distinguished career, Judge Smith
was an active member of the educational community in Georgia, serving
as chairman of the Gainesville Board of Education, the chairman of the
State Board of Regents, and as a trustee of Brenau University for 35
years.
Judge Smith was well respected in his community. It is very
appropriate to name the building in Gainesville, Georgia, the Sidney
Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
I also support this bill, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to
join me in voting for this important piece of legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my friend from
Florida for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4618, legislation that I
introduced to name the Federal building and United States Courthouse in
Gainesville, Georgia, after Judge Sidney Oslin Smith, or Sidney Smith
as we knew him.
Judge Smith passed away, but his influence in my hometown of
Gainesville is still felt. He was born and raised in Gainesville, and
committed to the law and furthering education.
Judge Smith dedicated his life to serving the public. He joined the
Army during World War II to serve his country. He later went on to have
a distinguished legal career after receiving his law degree from the
University of Florida. He was in private practice in Gainesville for
many years, and served as a superior court judge prior to being
appointed to the Federal bench by President Lyndon Johnson.
Judge Smith's appointment to the U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia included time as chief judge from 1968 to 1974.

[[Page 4478]]

{time} 1615

After leaving the bench, Judge Smith served the community in many
other ways. He served on the board of Brenau College--now Brenau
University--and played a pivotal role in helping the school to obtain
university status and become a doctoral granting institution.
Judge Smith's legacy is one that deserves to be honored. As the
judge's son said, ``serving others was his vocational calling.''
The Federal building and courthouse in Gainesville is a symbol of
public service and civic duty. Judge Smith dedicated his life to the
high ideals of justice, honor, and family, and naming the courthouse
after him will keep his legacy alive for years to come. It will serve
as a reminder of the judge's commitment to his community, and I believe
it will help inspire others to public service.
Mr. Speaker, as we have just heard from my two friends and colleagues
here about this man, Judge Smith, it goes beyond the resume, and it
starts to talk, really, about the law degree and the private practice
and the superior court judge. In fact, my father, who was a Georgia
State trooper, remembers Judge Smith before he was on the Federal
bench.
I think what is most special for me in doing this and in working with
my friends and fellow Senators from Georgia to name this building is
not only did he do his service, but then he came back to the community.
It was out of a duty that he served on the Federal bench. He then came
back, once out of Federal practice, and he served in a law firm and
helped in our educational community. Brenau University is known
worldwide as a former women's college, but it has now expanded its
program and reach to, literally, all across the world. It has recently
expanded into China and has had an influence there and all over
Georgia.
It is also that commitment to business and that commitment to his
hometown. You see, when we name buildings--and I don't take that
lightly--it should be in honor of someone who touches all aspects, not
just one's Federal service, not just, maybe, one's private service, but
a combination of the two.
When we go into high schools--and, Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues
do as well. We speak in high schools and elementary schools all the
time--we talk about pride; we talk about public service. Judge Smith is
one of those in my community to whom we can point and say: Here is
someone who served his country, who served his fellow members of
Georgia as a member of the bar, but who was also known at home. They
knew him in the restaurants; they knew him in the town square. He is
someone we can look to and take pride in saying: There is someone who
identifies with the very ideals of American life.
For that reason, it is really easy for me to say this is something
that we do in honor of someone who earned his honor while he was
living. He earned it through his hard work, his dedication, and his
commitment to his fellow man and to our beloved community in
Gainesville.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to
recognize Judge Smith by naming this building in Gainesville the Sidney
Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I thank my colleagues for coming to the floor today in support of
this legislation. Clearly, we are taking the opportunity--and the House
has the opportunity before it--to honor a man who inspired his
community, who served with honor, and who, quite frankly, was a role
model to so many in the State of Georgia. I would respectfully ask all
of my colleagues to support this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Curbelo) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4618.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX
DERBY

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 119) authorizing the
use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

H. Con. Res. 119

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),

SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SOAP BOX DERBY RACES.

(a) In General.--The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
Association (in this resolution referred to as the
``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public event,
soap box derby races (in this resolution referred to as the
``event''), on the Capitol Grounds.
(b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on June 18,
2016, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate jointly designate.

SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

(a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the
Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the
event shall be--
(1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
(2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
(b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume
full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident
to all activities associated with the event.

SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol,
the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds
such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related
structures and equipment as may be required for the event.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.

The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board
are authorized to make such additional arrangements as may be
required to carry out the event.

SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of
the restrictions contained in section 5104(c) of title 40,
United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements,
displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well
as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, with
respect to the event.

General Leave

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 119.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
H. Con. Res. 119 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 18.
I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for introducing this
resolution and for his long-time support of this event.
This annual event is designed to encourage children to show off their
work, ingenuity, and creativity as they compete for trophies. These
races have been run nationally since 1934. Today, they are held
throughout the country, and a few are held throughout the world. The
winners of each division are then qualified to compete in the All-
American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, in July.
I support the passage of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.

[[Page 4479]]

I thank my good friend from Maryland, Representative Hoyer, for
introducing this resolution on behalf of the Washington regional
delegation.
This annual competitive event, Mr. Speaker, encourages boys and
girls, ages 9 through 16, to construct and operate their own soap box
vehicles. The event has become a great tradition in the Washington,
D.C., metropolitan area over the last 20 years. It provides a terrific
opportunity for children to appreciate the workmanship that is
necessary to build vehicles and to enjoy the thrill of competition.
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the
Architect of the Capitol and with the Capitol Police to ensure that the
appropriate rules and regulations are in place and that the event
remains free to the public.
I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this
legislation, because it is critically important for the future of our
children.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. I thank both Mr. Curbelo, the chairman of the
subcommittee, and the ranking member for moving this resolution
forward. I think this is the 25th year that I have sponsored this
resolution, and I have had great support throughout. I thank them both.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of this resolution, which
I sponsor each year on behalf of the Washington metropolitan
delegation, to permit the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association
to hold its annual race on the grounds of the Capitol Building.
This is a very special year for the soap box derby as it celebrates
its 75th anniversary. For three-quarters of a century now, young people
from across the Greater Washington, D.C., area have assembled at the
Capitol for a fun, educational, and exciting event.
First run in 1938, when Norman Rocca sped past 223 of his fellow
young racers on New Hampshire Avenue to capture the first soap box
derby victory, the race brings together those between ages 8 and 17 to
compete in three divisions. Those divisions are Stock, Super Stock, and
Masters. The winner of each division will qualify to race against the
regional champions from across the country later this year at the All-
American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. This year's race here in
Washington will take place on June 18.
There is a reason, of course, the soap box derby has been called the
``greatest amateur racing event in the world.'' It is not only because
it is a thrill to watch on race day, but because of everything that
happens before race day as well. For weeks in advance, the young
drivers and their parents--and, yes, sometimes grandparents--gather in
garages and basements to build, test, and improve their soap box racers
together. It is a process that brings the generations together and
teaches valuable lessons about hard work, science and engineering,
sportsmanship, leadership, and pride of achievement. Many of the skills
learned in building these soap box racers are the same ones that help
students succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math--or the
STEM subjects as we refer to them--which will prepare them for success
in college and careers.
In addition to bringing families together, the soap box derby brings
entire communities together with civic groups, police and fire
departments, and service organizations that sponsor participants in
whom they see the future leaders of their communities and of our
country.
Mr. Speaker, I said before that this is the 75th anniversary of the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. It also marks, as I said, the 25th
year that I have had the honor of sponsoring this resolution. I have
done so because I am incredibly proud of this tradition and of all of
the young people from Maryland's Fifth District who have participated
year after year. In fact, I say with some degree of pride that the
Fifth District has been home to many soap box derby champions,
including the winners of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014, which
is to say, recently, we have done pretty well, Mr. Speaker. Our racers
even brought home national championship victories in 2007 and in 2008.
I thank all of those who worked to make the Greater Washington Soap
Box Derby possible. I also thank the cosponsors of this resolution:
Representatives Chris Van Hollen, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, John
Delaney, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Donna Edwards, and Barbara Comstock.
I hope the House will offer its strong support once again for this
great American pastime and for all of those young people and their
families who participate.
I thank the two gentlemen for their leadership.
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I congratulate the gentleman from Maryland on the 25th anniversary of
his bringing forward this resolution. The gentleman from Maryland is
someone who respects the traditions of this House and who, through his
example, teaches younger and newer Members to also respect the
traditions of this House. I am proud to support this resolution today,
and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Curbelo) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 119.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

{time} 1630
100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN CONGRESS ACT

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4570) to amend the Department of
Agriculture program for research and extension grants to increase
participation by women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to redesignate the
program as the ``Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields
Program''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 4570

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``100 Years of Women in
Congress Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The first woman elected to Congress, Representative
Jeannette Rankin from Montana, was elected on November 7,
1916, almost four years prior to ratification of the 19th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to
vote.
(2) Jeannette Rankin was not only a pioneer in national
electoral politics, she was also a pioneer as a woman in
science, graduating from the University of Montana in 1902
with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
(3) 100 years after the election of Jeannette Rankin, 108
women serve in the 114th Congress, more than at any other
time in our Nation's history. While this improvement is
commendable, women hold only 20 percent of the seats in
Congress, far below their relative share of the American
electorate.
(4) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women
make up 47 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Gains have
been made in the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) fields over time, but women still comprise
only 39 percent of chemists and material scientists, 28
percent of environmental scientists and geoscientists, 16
percent of chemical engineers, and 12 percent of civil
engineers.
(5) More must be done to encourage women to run for elected
office and to enter STEM fields.

SEC. 3. JEANNETTE RANKIN WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN STEM FIELDS
PROGRAM.

Paragraph (7) of section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade

[[Page 4480]]

Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)(7)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(7) Jeannette rankin women and minorities in stem fields
program.--Research and extension grants may be made under
this section to increase participation by women and
underrepresented minorities from rural areas in the fields of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with
priority given to eligible institutions that carry out
continuing programs funded by the Secretary. Any grant made
under this paragraph shall be known and designated as a
`Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program
Grant'.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms.
DelBene) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.

General Leave

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4570, the 100 Years of Women
in Congress Act. This legislation would honor a true pioneer of
American politics by naming an important agricultural research program
as the Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program.
This competitive research grants program is designed to increase
participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas
in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
I can think of no better person to identify with this important
program than former Representative Rankin, who was the first woman to
serve in the United States House of Representatives, an achievement
made even more significant by the fact that Ms. Rankin was elected to
Congress several years prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment
granting women the right to vote.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DelBENE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 4570, the 100 Years of
Women in Congress Act. This is bipartisan legislation on a topic that
is critical for our country and personally important to me.
This legislation would honor the first woman elected to Congress in
1916, Jeannette Rankin, by renaming USDA's Women and Minorities in STEM
Fields Program as the Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM
Fields Grant Program.
Jeannette Rankin graduated with a degree in biology long before it
was common for women to be scientists, and she was elected to Congress
before women had the right to vote. As a fellow Pacific northwesterner,
she continues to be an inspiration today.
There is no doubt that we need more women, especially more women
leaders, in STEM fields. The year I graduated from college, women
received 37 percent of the computer sciences degrees. Today it is below
20 percent.
One explanation for this is that, in the early days of PCs, computers
were seen as toys and were marketed heavily to boys, not girls.
Eventually, young women considered computer science and showed up on
college campuses and found themselves alone in computer science
classrooms dominated by men.
Before Congress, I had a long career in the technology sector and
worked with a lot of developers in the early days of email, so I know
what it is like to be the only woman in the room.
Thankfully, I had a strong female role model, my mother, who showed
my sisters and me that we could do anything we wanted in our careers.
So I know firsthand how important it is that our kids develop the
skills they need to have bright futures and help make sure the United
States remains a leader in technology and innovation. Children,
especially young women, need more role models like Jeannette Rankin so
they can see themselves in STEM fields.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a
brief moment to thank my colleague, Ms. DelBene, for her kind comments
and for helping to ensure that this great bill is going to make it
through with a very bipartisan majority.
I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great
State of Montana (Mr. Zinke), my colleague who is one of the most
courageous Members of Congress, somebody who served our Nation in our
U.S. military for many years and deserves our thanks.
Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the women of Montana to
advocate for renaming the Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Grant
Program to honor former Montana Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin. Yes, I
do hold her seat and, yes, she held the first seat in Montana before
women could vote.
I would like to also say that she was a true Montanan. She embodied
the pioneer spirit that we know and love. She led the way in so many
different areas to include:
She was one of the first to graduate from the University of Montana
with a degree in biology. She voted against both wars because she could
not fight. Her spirit blazoned the trails and gave us leadership. She
was also a gifted scientific mind and an early pioneer.
The grant program is an important tool for young women today to
continue their education in STEM and possibly break new ground, like
Jeannette Rankin, and blaze new trails for young women of tomorrow,
today, and our future.
I would like to add that my own staffer, Ms. Jocelyn Galt, is a
relative of Jeannette Rankin. She, too, demonstrates the tenacity and
determination that made Jeannette Rankin successful and feared among
her peers.
Renaming this program in Representative Rankin's honor is the right
thing to do because it a reminder of those who had courage to break
down the barriers, had the tenacity to not let go of their dreams, and
the courage to be a mentor and an inspiration to us all.
I am happy to partner with Representative Grace Meng on this
important endeavor. I thank her for her leadership.
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng), the sponsor of this legislation.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to be here today to celebrate
the 100th anniversary of women serving in Congress. Thank you for
allowing this legislation to come to the floor.
I also thank my friend and colleague, Representative Zinke, for
authoring this legislation with me. His support has been instrumental
in ensuring the consideration of this bill, and I am deeply grateful to
him.
A hundred years ago this November, the people of Montana elected
Jeannette Rankin to the United States House of Representatives. She was
the first woman elected to Congress and was elected before passage of
the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Jeannette Rankin was a trailblazer her entire life. In 1902, she
graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in biology.
Afterward, she would become active in the women's suffrage movement,
moving to New York City and assisting in the founding of the New York
Woman Suffrage Party and working for the National American Woman
Suffrage Party.
She would return to Montana and was elected to office in the
congressional election of 1916. Upon winning, she declared: ``I may be
the first woman Member of Congress, but I won't be the last.''
I am happy to say she was right.

[[Page 4481]]

In recognition of Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin's many
accomplishments and in celebration of the centennial anniversary of her
election to Congress, Representative Zinke and I introduced the 100
Years of Women in Congress Act.
Because Jeannette Rankin was a woman of science more than 100 years
before our current push to have more women enter STEM fields, we felt
it appropriate to rename the Department of Agriculture's Women and
Minorities in STEM Fields Grant Program after her.
This program currently supports collaborative research projects at
institutions of higher education, which seek to increase the
participation of women and minorities from rural areas in STEM fields.
It will continue to do so into the future, but now it will also
recognize the many contributions Jeannette Rankin made to American
life.
Mr. Speaker, thank you again for allowing this legislation to come to
the floor today, and I thank Congressman Zinke for partnering with me
on it.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me and all of us
here in support of this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it has been 100 years
since the first woman was elected to serve in this great institution,
and now I am blessed to serve with so many great women on both sides of
the aisle.
This is a recognition that is long overdue.
I urge all of my colleagues, along with those you have already heard
today, to support this important piece of legislation to give Ms.
Rankin the respect and the honor that she deserves when she walked here
100 years ago.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4570,
the ``100 Years of Women in Congress Act,'' which renames the existing
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program, or WAMS program, through
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as the ``Jeannette Rankin Women and
Minorities in STEM Fields Program.''
I commend Congresswoman Meng and Congressman Zinke for introducing
this bipartisan legislation which:
Highlights the importance and contributions of women Members in
Congress;
Recognizes the importance of the Suffragette Movement in achieving
opportunities for women;
Emphasizes the imperative of promoting education for women in STEM;
and
Affirms our nation's commitment to expanding opportunities for rural
women in my home state of Texas and across the country.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first woman being
elected to Congress, Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana.
This bill is a fitting way to honor Representative Rankin's legacy,
and to celebrate the many contributions of the female lawmakers who
have succeeded her in this institution.
Jeannette Rankin was a trailblazer who broke barriers throughout her
lifetime and whose example continues to inspire women the world over.
She graduated from the University of Montana with a biology degree in
1902.
She later became active in the women's suffrage movement, organizing
the New York Women's Suffrage Party and working for the National
American Woman Suffrage Association.
In 1916, Representative Rankin became the first woman elected to
Congress, even before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which
guaranteed the right to vote to women.
For all of her contributions to women's rights, to political
activism, and to this institution, it is only fitting to pay tribute to
her achievements.
The USDA WAMS program was created specifically to encourage women and
minorities from rural areas to participate in research and projects in
the sciences.
Women and minorities have been and continue to be underrepresented in
STEM fields.
Although women make up 47 percent of the total U.S. labor force, they
comprise only 36 percent of the computing workforce, 24 percent of the
engineering workforce, and 18 percent of the advanced manufacturing
workforce.
Indeed, minority representation in STEM fields is even lower, with
African-American and Latino workers comprising 29 percent of the
general workforce, but only 15 percent of the computing workforce, 12
percent of the engineering workforce, and 6 percent of the advanced
manufacturing workforce.
The WAMS program is one way that we can address these glaring
disparities.
WAMS grants are awarded to universities and institutions of higher
learning to distribute to eligible applicants, and they prioritize
projects and programs of particular relevance to USDA.
Recipient institutions have used WAMS grants for worthy endeavors,
such as: establishing a WAMS fellowship program for women and minority
high school students in rural areas; providing mentorship and hands-on,
service-based learning to high school students and undergraduates in
particular STEM fields; and offering mentoring services to current
undergraduates to help them successfully complete STEM-based degrees.
Because Representative Rankin is a graduate of the sciences from a
rural area, renaming the WAMS program as the Jeannette Rankin Women and
Minorities in STEM Fields Program is the perfect way to honor her
legacy as a woman of the sciences and the first woman elected to
Congress, and to encourage the next generation of women and minorities
from rural areas to take up STEM fields.
I join my colleagues in support of this important measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4570.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas
and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

____________________

CAPTAIN JOHN E. MORAN AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM WYLIE GALT ARMED FORCES
RESERVE CENTER

Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 719) to rename the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls,
Montana, the Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed
Forces Reserve Center.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

S. 719

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. RENAMING OF THE ARMED FORCES RESERVE CENTER IN
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA, AS THE CAPTAIN JOHN E.
MORAN AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM WYLIE GALT ARMED
FORCES RESERVE CENTER.

(a) Renaming.--The Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great
Falls, Montana, shall hereafter be known and designated as
the ``Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt
Armed Forces Reserve Center''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, map, regulation,
map, document, paper, other record of the United States to
the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be
considered to be a reference to the Captain John E. Moran and
Captain William Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Montana (Mr. Zinke) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Montana.

General Leave

Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Montana?
There was no objection.
Mr. ZINKE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 719 and my companion bill,
H.R. 1521, to honor Montana Medal of Honor recipients Captain John E.
Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt and rename the Armed Forces
Reserve Center in Great Falls, Montana, in their honor.

[[Page 4482]]

Captain John E. Moran served in the Philippine-American war and was
awarded the Medal of Honor in 1910 for fearlessly leading a small body
of troops under severe fire and through waist-deep water in the attack
against the enemy.
Captain William Wylie Galt served in World War II and was awarded the
Medal of Honor in 1945 for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.
Galt manned a machinegun on a tank destroyer at the front of the
assault force, staying at his post in the vehicle's turret and
continuing to lead his men despite intense hostile fire.
He was killed while manning his machinegun and, on February 1, 1945,
was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was just 24 years old.
I am proud to have a member of the Galt family on my staff.
Captain Galt and Captain Moran are an inspiration to every Montanan
who was ever and will ever put on the uniform, myself included.
Montana has a strong heritage of military service, with more veterans
per capita than almost any other state in the Nation, to include our
Indian nations.
Both Captain Moran and Captain Galt received the Medal of Honor, this
Nation's most distinguished honor, for displaying such personal bravery
that went well beyond the call of duty.
As leaders, they deserve our respect and honor. Memorializing these
two heroes by renaming the Armed Forces Reserve Center will provide a
daily reminder to us all of the service and sacrifice these Montanans
made to our country.
I thank my friends, Senator Steve Daines and Senator Jon Tester, for
seeing this important bill through the Senate. I am proud to see this
issue to completion.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of the Montana
congressional delegation's legislation to rename the Armed Forces
Reserve Center in Great Falls, Montana, to the Captain John E. Moran
and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Captain Moran and Captain Galt were both awarded the Medal of Honor,
the Nation's highest honor, for their bravery in combat during the
Philippine-American war and World War II, respectively.
The recognition they earned through the sacrifices that they and
their families made will be memorialized appropriately at the facility.
As the Congresswoman representing Guam here in Congress, I have a
special appreciation for the service of our men and our women in
uniform and their families.
Having welcomed the Marines in 1944 after 3 years of brutal Japanese
occupation during World War II, our island has a history of service and
one that demonstrates an understanding of our role in the American
community.

{time} 1645

Guam, like Montana, ranks in the top percentile for the
servicemembers and veterans per capita, and our National Guard
consistently maintains a force that is among the largest per capita in
the Nation, a fact I am always proud to highlight.
I commend Congressman Zinke and Senators Tester and Daines for their
work in recognizing the contributions of two of Montana's own. I am
pleased to support this bill and look forward to continuing to work to
ensure that our brave servicemembers get the recognitions they deserve
and have earned.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I encourage passage of this
bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Montana (Mr. Zinke) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 719.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader:

April 18, 2016.
Hon. Paul D. Ryan,
Speaker of the House, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Ryan: Pursuant to section 803(a) of the
Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education
Act (2 U.S.C. 803 (a)), I am pleased to appoint the Honorable
Debbie Dingell of Michigan to the Congressional Award Board.
Thank you for your consideration of this appointment.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi,
Democratic Leader.

____________________

FIRST LIEUTENANT SALVATORE S. CORMA II POST OFFICE BUILDING

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3866) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1265 Hurffville Road in Deptford Township, New
Jersey, as the ''First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office
Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 3866

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FIRST LIEUTENANT SALVATORE S. CORMA II POST OFFICE
BUILDING.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located 1265 Hurffville Road in Deptford Township,
New Jersey, shall be known and designated as the ``First
Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II
Post Office Building''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Blum) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms.
Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.

General Leave

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. BLUM. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3866 introduced by
Congressman Donald Norcross of New Jersey. H.R. 3866 designates the
post office located at 1265 Hurffville Road in Deptford Township, New
Jersey, as the First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office
Building.
First Lieutenant Corma was an officer in the United States Army who
gave his life while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Lieutenant Corma died on April 29, 2010, of wounds sustained from an
improvised explosive device. This came only weeks after returning to
Afghanistan from visiting his home on leave.
Lieutenant Corma was a dedicated soldier, a dedication that was
evident throughout his life. He began martial arts at just 3 years old
and continued with it throughout high school and college, even winning
the silver medal for tae kwon do at the Junior National Olympics.
Lieutenant Corma was also an excellent student. He was on the honor
roll from kindergarten through his senior year of high school. He was a
2008 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point,
where he was captain of the tae kwon do karate team.
Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Corma was a dedicated friend and fellow
soldier.

[[Page 4483]]

According to his mother, he would call and check on his men every day
while he was on leave. Once he even mailed them 300 energy drinks. His
dedication continued through his death, a death that came far too soon.
We will be forever grateful for the sacrifices First Lieutenant
Salvatore Corma II made for his country.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill to name a post
office to honor his life and his sacrifice.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of
H.R. 3866 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 1265 Hurffville Road in Deptford Township, New Jersey, as
the First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office Building.
Following his graduation from West Point in 2008, Salvatore Corma
attained his Ranger badge, serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S.
Army's 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
First Lieutenant Corma was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served
as a platoon leader. On April 29, 2010, First Lieutenant Corma
tragically lost his life while marking an IED in Zabul, Afghanistan.
As his company commander noted when recommending First Lieutenant
Corma for a valor award, marking IEDs is usually a soldier task, yet
Salvatore Corma displayed not only his bravery, but also his leadership
in knowingly putting himself in danger rather than his men. As he once
told his mother: ``You have to lead from the front. You can never lead
from the back.''
First Lieutenant Corma's selfless leadership should be commended. His
military awards include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Mr. Speaker, we all should be pleased to pass this bill to honor the
valiant actions and steadfast leadership of First Lieutenant Salvatore
Corma, who put the lives of others before his own.
I urge passage of H.R. 3866.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross). This is his
bill.
Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Norton for
yielding. I also thank Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings
for leadership and support for bringing this bill to the floor.
I take this opportunity to introduce you to a name that no one in
this Chamber had likely ever known, but it is a name and a legacy you
should know and you need to know. It is my honor to be the one to share
it with you. It is one of the reasons why we stand here today enjoying
the many freedoms that we sometimes take for granted.
The name is Army First Lieutenant Salvatore Corma II of Deptford
Township, New Jersey. Sal grew up in south Jersey and even attended
karate class with my own children before receiving a nomination to
attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He graduated from West Point in 2008, and then it was on to Active
Duty in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant in the Alpha
Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Sal only stood 5 foot 6, but his leadership made him a towering
figure among his fellow soldiers. It was that very leadership on that
very dark day that stands out--far from the safety and security of his
home in the south Jersey suburbs--in one of those most volatile places
on the planet, Afghanistan. That day was April 29, 2010.
Sal was leading his company when they spotted an IED, an improvised
explosive device. Sal ordered his soldiers to back off. As they
retreated, the IED detonated. It would take the life of Salvatore
Corma. He was just 24 years old.
Sal Corma is credited with saving as many as 17 of his fellow
soldiers in that one heroic, selfless act. Many will tell you that Sal
made history that day. We know he did, but it happens in ways that you
will never know. Because of his heroism, those who survived that day
will go on to protect the United States from threats and eliminate
dangers around the world. Those soldiers will live on and continue to
protect us. They continued the fight, carrying in their hearts the
spirit of Sal Corma. They are all living tributes and a living history
to his actions.
Many of those soldiers will come home after service and start the
American Dream of a family. That is something that was denied Sal. He
will never get to marry or have kids, but his actions ensured that
others will get that opportunity, all because of his valor. Sal Corma
II is undeniably an American hero.
What better way to pay tribute to his valor than with this
legislation I present today, to rename the Deptford, New Jersey, post
office as the First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office
Building.
Like all of our Active Duty servicemembers and veterans, Sal deserved
this honor in life, not just in death. It is our duty to preserve his
legacy to remind our fellow citizens and the world of his bravery. So
every person that crosses that threshold in Deptford will see the name.
If they don't know it, I hope they will take a moment to read about his
life and his legacy and what he did for us as a country.
I respectfully ask for your unanimous support in my legislation to
rename the Deptford post office the First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma
II Post Office Building.

{time} 1700

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Blum) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3866.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

HAROLD GEORGE BENNETT POST OFFICE

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2928) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the
``Harold George Bennett Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 2928

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. HAROLD GEORGE BENNETT POST OFFICE.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas,
shall be known and designated as the ``Harold George Bennett
Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Harold George Bennett Post Office''.

General Leave

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2928, introduced by
Congressman French Hill of Arkansas. H.R.

[[Page 4484]]

2928 designates the post office located at 201 B Street in Perryville,
Arkansas, as the Harold George Bennett Post Office.
Sergeant Harold George Bennett enlisted in the United States Army in
1957, and he served heroically in Vietnam. He was taken prisoner in
that country, and on June 25, 1965, he became one of the first
prisoners of war killed in Vietnam. Sergeant Bennett fought
courageously, thinking not of himself, but thinking first and foremost
of his colleagues.
I will ask my colleague and the sponsor of this bill, Representative
French Hill, to share the incredible story of Sergeant Bennett; but for
now, I urge Members to support this bill to name a post office after
Sergeant Harold George Bennett.
Mr. Speaker, hearing his story inspires bravery in all of us, and I
am hopeful that permanently naming a post office in remembrance of his
sacrifice will serve to inspire generations to come.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration
of H.R. 2928, a bill to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the
Harold George Bennett Post Office.
Born in Perryville, Arkansas, in 1940, Harold George Bennett followed
in his father's footsteps by joining the Army. Sergeant Bennett served
with the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions and volunteered to serve
in Vietnam in 1964. During his deployment, Sergeant Bennett acted as
infantry adviser to South Vietnam's 33rd Ranger Battalion.
On December 29, 1964, Sergeant Bennet's unit was airlifted to Binh
Gia, a village overrun by the Viet Cong. Upon landing, they were met by
enemy forces and a firefight ensued. A selfless man, Sergeant Bennett
called off two separate helicopter pilots who attempted to rescue him,
refusing to put their lives in danger to save his.
With his unit overrun by Viet Cong, Sergeant Bennett was captured. He
demonstrated courage and tenacity by participating in hunger strikes
and attempting three times to escape captivity. Tragically, following
his third attempt, Sergeant Bennett was executed, becoming the first
American POW to be put to death during the Vietnam war.
Sergeant Bennett was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his
heroic actions, in addition to receiving a Prisoner of War Medal, Army
Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart.
Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to commemorate the great
sacrifices Sergeant Harold George Bennett made for his country, as he
selflessly and repeatedly put the lives of others before his own. I
urge the passage of H.R. 2928.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Hill).
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going
to the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam war in Little Rock
and to see all the hugs and emotion at that event. Truly, it was a
tumultuous time in our world. It was so good to see the healing that
those men and women experienced at that 50th anniversary. I looked at
that table set for the POW/MIA ceremony, and, of course, I was thinking
about Sergeant Harold George Bennett from Perryville, Arkansas.
Sergeant Bennett was born on October 16, 1940, in Thornburg,
Arkansas, a very small town outside the beautiful Ouachita National
Forest. A graduate of Perryville High School, he enlisted in the U.S.
Army in 1957. He served as an airborne infantryman with the 82nd and
101st Airborne Divisions--no finer units. He completed Special Forces
training in 1963. From there, Sergeant Bennett volunteered to go to
South Vietnam as a Special Forces adviser with the Military Assistance
Command.
On December 29, 1964, his unit was airlifted to a small village after
it had been overrun by the Viet Cong. Upon landing, Sergeant Bennett's
unit was confronted by enemy forces. Twice, he refused extraction by
military helicopters, as he was concerned for the pilots' safety and
wanted to continue the fight against the enemy. After a furious and
courageous battle, Sergeant Bennett was taken prisoner by the Viet
Cong. Like so many of his colleagues, he spent 179 days as a POW and
attempted to escape three times at great risk. His captors executed him
on June 25, 1965.
Only 24 years old, Sergeant Bennett was the first American POW killed
in Vietnam. And like so many other servicemen who lost their lives
there, his remains have never returned home.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Smith of Nebraska). The time of the
gentleman has expired.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman such time as he may
consume.
Mr. HILL. After four decades, in 2004, Sergeant Bennett was inducted
into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning. In 2006, his family was
presented with his Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct
Medal, and the Purple Heart. In 2010, Sergeant Bennett's family was
presented with his Silver Star.
Today, we honor Sergeant Bennett's heroism, bravery, and service by
installing a permanent marker of his lasting contribution to his native
State and to our Nation, both that he loved and served so ably.
Duty, honor, and country--his example is one all Americans and
Arkansans can admire, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting
this bill.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Blum) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 2928.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

SGT. 1ST CLASS TERRYL L. PASKER POST OFFICE BUILDING

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 4605) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 615 6th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the
``Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H. R. 4605

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SGT. 1ST CLASS TERRYL L. PASKER POST OFFICE
BUILDING.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 615 6th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
shall be known and designated as the ``Sgt. 1st Class Terryl
L. Pasker Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker Post
Office Building''.

General Leave

Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of mine who paid the
ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
The bill before us would designate the post office located at 615 6th
Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the

[[Page 4485]]

Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker Post Office Building. This bill pays
tribute to the life of Sergeant First Class Pasker, who was,
unfortunately, killed in Afghanistan in 2011.
Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Pasker was born February 26, 1972, in Anamosa,
Iowa, the son of David and Mary Pasker. He joined the Army in 1990,
after graduating from Lisbon High School, transitioning to the National
Guard in 1995.
Sergeant Pasker served in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005, deploying
again in 2011 with the 334th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. He served in Panjshir province,
where he was responsible for maintaining electronic equipment and
mentoring Afghan police and military leaders.
Mr. Speaker, on July 9, 2011, Sergeant First Class Terryl L. Pasker
gave his last full measure of devotion to his country when he was
killed at the age of 39 at a checkpoint, only days before the end of
his combat tour.
He is survived by his wife, Erica; his parents, Mary and David; his
brother, Andrew; and his two sisters, Christine and Rebecca. His family
told me that he always said he would rather be a sermon than preach
one, a belief that I believe he exemplified throughout his life.
Admired by his fellow soldiers, Pasker was known for his humility,
his sense of humor, and his willingness to selflessly serve others.
Away from service, Terryl was a homebuilder, taught karate, and was
active in his local church. During his life, he would remind others
that freedom is not free.
So, Mr. Speaker, as we honor the sacrifice of Sergeant First Class
Pasker, I ask us to also remember the thousands of servicemembers who
sacrifice their time, their relationships, and even their lives to
protect the freedom of this great Nation. I urge Members to support
this bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration
of H.R. 4605, a bill to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 615 6th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as
the Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker Post Office Building.
Born in Anamosa, Iowa, Terryl Pasker joined the Army in 1990,
following his high school graduation. In 1995, he joined the Iowa
National Guard, deploying to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005. Six years
later, Sergeant First Class Pasker decided to return for a second
deployment with the 34th Infantry Division. During this tour, he
mentored Afghan police forces and military leadership.

{time} 1715

Tragically, Sergeant First Class Pasker was killed at a checkpoint in
Panjshir province on July 9, 2011, just days before he was to return
home from his combat duty. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple
Heart for his sacrifice.
Sergeant First Class Pasker is remembered as an active member of his
church, who taught karate and served as a mentor to many in his
community. A diligent, hardworking carpenter and owner of a contracting
business, Terryl Pasker had intended to return to his trade and start a
family with his wife, Erica, whom he married in 2006.
Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize Sergeant First
Class Terryl Pasker for the bravery, courage, and selflessness that he
exhibited in his 20 years of honorable military service. I urge the
passage of H.R. 4605.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Blum) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 4605.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

RECESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the
Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. today.
Accordingly (at 5 o'clock and 16 minutes p.m.), the House stood in
recess.

____________________

{time} 1830
AFTER RECESS

The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Holding) at 6 o'clock and 30 minutes p.m.

____________________

REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1206, NO HIRES
FOR THE DELINQUENT IRS ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
4885, IRS OVERSIGHT WHILE ELIMINATING SPENDING (OWES) ACT OF 2016

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, from the Committee on Rules, submitted a
privileged report (Rept. No. 114-502) on the resolution (H. Res. 687)
providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1206) to prohibit the
hiring of additional Internal Revenue Service employees until the
Secretary of the Treasury certifies that no employee of the Internal
Revenue Service has a seriously delinquent tax debt, and providing for
consideration of the bill (H.R. 4885) to require that user fees
collected by the Internal Revenue Service be deposited into the general
fund of the Treasury, which was referred to the House Calendar and
ordered to be printed.

____________________

REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4890, BAN ON
IRS BONUSES UNTIL SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY DEVELOPS COMPREHENSIVE
CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGY, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
3724, ENSURING INTEGRITY IN THE IRS WORKFORCE ACT OF 2015

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, from the Committee on Rules, submitted a
privileged report (Rept. No. 114-503) on the Resolution (H. Res. 688)
providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4890) to impose a ban on
the payment of bonuses to employees of the Internal Revenue Service
until the Secretary of the Treasury develops and implements a
comprehensive customer service strategy, and providing for
consideration of the bill (H.R. 3724) to amend the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 to prohibit the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue
Service from rehiring any employee of the Internal Revenue Service who
was involuntarily separated from service for misconduct, which was
referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings
will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed.
Votes will be taken in the following order:
H.R. 4570, by the yeas and nays;
S. 719, by the yeas and nays.
The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote. The
second electronic vote will be conducted as a 5-minute vote.

____________________

100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN CONGRESS ACT

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4570) to amend the
Department of Agriculture program for research and extension grants to
increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities in the
fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to
redesignate the program as the ``Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities
in STEM Fields Program'', on which the yeas and nays were ordered.

[[Page 4486]]

The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 377,
nays 6, answered ``present'' 2, not voting 48, as follows:

[Roll No. 153]

YEAS--377

Abraham
Adams
Aguilar
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Ashford
Barletta
Barr
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Bridenstine
Brooks (IN)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Burgess
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Capps
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clawson (FL)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coffman
Cohen
Cole
Collins (GA)
Comstock
Conaway
Connolly
Conyers
Cook
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Donovan
Duckworth
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farenthold
Farr
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Garrett
Gibbs
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gowdy
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Guinta
Guthrie
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Holding
Honda
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huffman
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Israel
Issa
Jeffries
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jones
Jordan
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Kuster
Labrador
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Levin
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Massie
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Meng
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
Nugent
Nunes
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Palmer
Pascrell
Paulsen
Pearce
Perlmutter
Perry
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pittenger
Pitts
Pocan
Poliquin
Polis
Pompeo
Posey
Price (NC)
Price, Tom
Quigley
Rangel
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Salmon
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Watson Coleman
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yarmuth
Yoder
Yoho
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke

NAYS--6

Babin
Brat
Brooks (AL)
Gosar
Griffith
Grothman

ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--2

Rice (SC)
Sanford

NOT VOTING--48

Aderholt
Barton
Beyer
Bishop (UT)
Blumenauer
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Capuano
Collins (NY)
Doyle, Michael F.
Edwards
Fattah
Fincher
Flores
Grijalva
Hastings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Hoyer
Jackson Lee
Kirkpatrick
Lee
Lipinski
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Maloney, Carolyn
Marino
Meeks
Olson
Payne
Pelosi
Poe (TX)
Rohrabacher
Rush
Sanchez, Loretta
Scott, David
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Stutzman
Tiberi
Tipton
Van Hollen
Walker
Waters, Maxine
Wilson (FL)
Young (IN)

{time} 1850

Messrs. BROOKS of Alabama and GOSAR changed their vote from ``yea''
to ``nay.''
Mr. CARSON of Indiana changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and
the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 153, I was
unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

____________________

CAPTAIN JOHN E. MORAN AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM WYLIE GALT ARMED FORCES
RESERVE CENTER

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 719) to rename the
Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls, Montana, the Captain John
E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center, on
which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Montana (Mr. Zinke) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill.
This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 387,
nays 0, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 45, as follows:

[Roll No. 154]

YEAS--387

Abraham
Adams
Aguilar
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Burgess
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Capps
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clawson (FL)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coffman
Cohen
Cole
Collins (GA)
Comstock
Conaway
Connolly
Conyers
Cook
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Donovan
Duckworth
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farenthold
Farr
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Garrett
Gibbs
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graham
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Hensarling
Herrera Beutler
Hice, Jody B.
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Holding
Honda
Hoyer
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huffman
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter

[[Page 4487]]

Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Israel
Issa
Jeffries
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jones
Jordan
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Kuster
Labrador
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Massie
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Meng
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
Nugent
Nunes
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Palmer
Pascrell
Paulsen
Payne
Pearce
Perlmutter
Perry
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pittenger
Pitts
Pocan
Poliquin
Polis
Pompeo
Posey
Price (NC)
Price, Tom
Quigley
Rangel
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Salmon
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanford
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vargas
Veasey
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Watson Coleman
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yarmuth
Yoder
Yoho
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke

ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--1

Rice (SC)

NOT VOTING--45

Aderholt
Barton
Beyer
Blumenauer
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Calvert
Capuano
Collins (NY)
Doyle, Michael F.
Edwards
Fattah
Fincher
Flores
Granger
Grijalva
Hinojosa
Jackson Lee
Kelly (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Lipinski
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Maloney, Carolyn
Marino
Meeks
Olson
Pelosi
Poe (TX)
Rohrabacher
Rush
Sanchez, Loretta
Scott, David
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Stutzman
Tiberi
Van Hollen
Vela
Walker
Waters, Maxine
Whitfield
Young (IN)

{time} 1858

So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and
the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed
rollcall vote Nos. 153 and 154. Had I been present, I would have voted
``aye'' on both.

____________________

{time} 1900
HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN RAY THORNTON

(Mr. HILL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues to honor the
life of Congressman Ray Thornton, who was a pillar in Arkansas politics
and a stalwart advocate and voice for the improvement of education in
our great State of Arkansas.
Serving six terms in Congress, for over 23 years, Congressman
Thornton served in two different congressional districts, the fourth
and the second. Ray was committed to the people of Arkansas and
supporting Arkansas ideals on the political stage.
His distinguished career included service in the United States Navy
during the Korean war, leadership as president of both Arkansas State
University and the University of Arkansas, an 8-year term on the
Arkansas Supreme Court, and appointment as the first chairman of the
Arkansas Lottery.
In 2013, Congressman Thornton donated his personal and professional
papers to the University of Arkansas.
Though he will be greatly missed by many throughout our State, his
countless contributions and legacy will live on and serve as an example
of statesmanship and public service for all Arkansans.

____________________

HONORING THE LIFE OF RABBI HERBERT BAUMGUARD

(Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in remembrance of Rabbi
Herbert Baumguard, who passed away this past Friday, at the age of 95.
Rabbi Baumguard founded Temple Beth Am, which is an important
institution in my congressional district that has brought the south
Florida Jewish community together for over 60 years.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Rabbi Baumguard served as an assistant
to a chaplain in World War II. He credited that experience with his
motivation for becoming a rabbi.
One of Rabbi Baumguard's strongest ideals was the continuing
friendship and alliance with the State of Israel. The Rabbi was
committed to not only strengthening our ties with our great ally, but
to seeing that the United States continues to support and defend the
Jewish state, which is an idea that I shared with him.
I am so honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to
represent Temple Beth Am and to experience all that Rabbi Baumguard has
done to improve south Florida. May his memory be a blessing.

____________________

HONORING THE SERVICE OF CHIEF DELL URBAN

(Mr. DOLD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DOLD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dell Urban, the chief
of the North Chicago Fire Department, who is retiring after spending
more than 25 years on the force. Ms. Urban is the first female fire
chief in Lake County, and one of only two female fire chiefs in the
State of Illinois.
As fire chief, Ms. Urban was responsible for saving countless lives
and did her duty protecting the community of North Chicago. We should
all aspire to be as brave as the firemen who lay down their lives each
and every day to ensure our safety.
In addition to performing her duties, Ms. Urban has been a mentor and
a friend to many firefighters throughout her time as chief, and she is
leaving the station far better off than before she was chief.
I want to thank Ms. Urban for her service and wish her all the best
in her future endeavors.

____________________

FIREARMS TRANSFER IMPROVEMENT ACT

(Mr. GUINTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GUINTA. Madam Speaker, the Firearms Transfer Improvement Act,
which I introduced in Congress, would provide a significant boost to
New Hampshire gun dealers, nearly all of them small-business owners, as
well as the Granite State's tourism industry and larger economy.
At its foundation, this bill is meant to protect every American's
right to bear arms, an essential freedom that is as important as it
ever was.
My bill would extend the same Federal law that allows interstate long
gun purchasing to handgun purchases.

[[Page 4488]]

For instance, a Vermonter could purchase a handgun in New Hampshire,
where no sales tax exists, and transport it home, as long as he or she
follows his or her State's gun laws.
This bill would be a boon for States like New Hampshire that, in
addition to enjoying greater Second Amendment freedom, would also enjoy
greater economic freedom. Granite Staters stand to benefit immensely,
as do sporting enthusiasts around the country.
I would like to thank the 18 original cosponsors for their support of
this necessary legislation.

____________________

POTENTIAL DRAWDOWN OF LAND FORCES

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Comstock). Under the Speaker's
announced policy of January 6, 2015, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gibson) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority
leader.

General Leave

Mr. GIBSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include supporting material on the subject of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GIBSON. Madam Speaker, tonight I am speaking to gain support for
H.R. 4534. This is the POSTURE Act. It stops the administration's
drawdown of our land forces, the United States Marine Corps and the
United States Army.
This is a bipartisan bill, myself and 52 others, 52 cosponsors,
including 42 Republicans and 10 Democrats. I am proud to say that we
are coming together to make sure that we keep our land forces strong.
This is also a bicameral bill. The language of this bill has also
been introduced in the United States Senate.
Madam Speaker, the predicate here is a belief in peace through
strength, a belief that what we want to do is deter potential
adversaries; and to do that, we certainly need to restore our
capability in our Armed Forces, deterrence really being capability and
will.
Tonight I am focused in on the POSTURE Act. Of course, Madam Speaker,
the coauthors and I, we certainly share deep concern for the entire
joint force, but today we are particularly focused in on the land
forces.
You will hear, across the evening here, five general points. They
are:
Number one, that the drawdown plan currently from the administration
is planned to continue into 2018, for several more years here; and at
the culmination of that, our land forces will actually be at pre-World
War II levels.
Given the very volatile, uncertain, ambiguous international
environment that we live in, we believe, the authors, that this is very
high risk; and, really, we want to change that and, essentially,
preserve 67,000 troops in end strength in the United States Army and
the United States Marine Corps. That is number one.
The second point is the assumptions that were made, Madam Speaker,
when the administration initially made the decision on the drawdown, we
believe that those assumptions are no longer valid. There has been much
change in the world in the last several years, and you will hear some
of that this evening.
The third point, which is very important, is that, with our land
forces, this is not like a light switch where we can turn it on, turn
it off, turn it back on. If we end up standing down these 67,000
troops, it could take 3 to 4 years to reconstitute that force level;
and given the uncertainty we have in this international environment, we
think that that is too much risk for us to take on.
Madam Speaker, the fourth point, and here I will speak from my
personal experience of 29 years in the military, is that this planned
drawdown also has consequence for our servicemen and -women. It has,
certainly, consequence in terms of the op tempo, the operational tempo,
of how many deployments they will go on and for how long, the duration
of those deployments.
And also, we know the risk. The enemy's weapon of choice in this war
is the improvised explosive device, and we know that that has led to
significant challenge with traumatic brain injuries and also post-
traumatic stress.
Certainly, there is wide bipartisan support in this Chamber to care
for our servicemen and -women and their families, and that is why these
bipartisan authors are also very concerned about end strength. That is
point 4.
The fifth point is this: when we preserve this--because I believe we
are gaining momentum and, ultimately, I like our chances; we are going
to get this into law--it is very important that this end strength come
with the necessary resources so that we do not hollow out this force.
So, Madam Speaker, we are going to have a series of speakers now, my
coauthors on the bill. I want to begin with my original coauthor, and
he is the highest ranking enlisted man to ever serve in this Chamber.
He is a great American hero, Tim Walz. He is a Democrat from Minnesota.
In 1989, he earned the title of Nebraska Citizen Soldier of the Year.
After deployment to Italy with his Guard unit, as part of Operation
Enduring Freedom, Sergeant Major Walz retired from the Army National
Guard and resumed teaching as a geography teacher and a football coach
at Mankato West Senior High School.
He is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and he is also a
member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz), my
good colleague and friend.
Mr. WALZ. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from New York. It is
a phrase we sometimes throw around in here without a lot of
authenticity behind it, but I can tell you, in this case, a gentleman
who served this Nation three decades in uniform and has had a
distinguished career here in Congress, I am proud to stand with you.
I think you heard the gentleman's comments on why we think now is not
the right time to draw down this land force, and I say that with both
of us coming out of that force.
The size of the force this Nation needs should not be predicated by a
plan that is outdated. Since the time this plan was written and put
into effect: the rise of ISIS, China has built a new island in the
South China Sea and is landing aircraft on it now, and a belligerent
Russia.
But more than that, we have seen the use of the military force as a
deterrent, not just to aggression. We have seen it as a peaceful use,
whether it be in Haiti to respond to natural disasters or to respond to
Ebola in West Africa. The best trained, the most efficient and the most
ready force to be able to use our diplomacy and our humanitarian assets
is this land force.
I think for many of us, we were concerned about this, but this is not
ideologically driven. The gentleman and I coauthored a piece of
legislation that created the National Commission on the Future of the
Army.
We said: Let's let the data speak for itself. If the experts can take
this in and assess that this force is enough to do what needs to be
done according to the strategic plan of this Nation by the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the best thinkers, then that is the way it should be.
But they did not come back with that. They came about some alarming
things that they talked about, and one of them, I think it is very
clear we are heading down the wrong path, stripping it of manpower.
There is a belief in this Nation that we can solve all problems,
especially security problems, with the use of technology. Our
technological advantage is a huge positive force, but it will not be on
the ground with Ebola. It will not be there when we have to have that
defending force.

{time} 1915

As everyone in this Chamber knows, 15 years of war puts an incredible
stress on that. The gentleman used a great analogy.
He talked about turning on and off the lights. I use the one that I
think a lot of people think: This is like running the car out of gas.
If we just need more, we will put more gas in it.
That is not true. It is running the car out of oil, which causes all
kinds of

[[Page 4489]]

problems. If we do not keep the force where it is at, keep it trained,
and keep it ready to go, we will not be able to carry out those
missions.
I would like to highlight a couple of other things that the
Commission said about the integration of the National Guard to the
active components and the use of the National Guard as an operational
reserve, not a strategic reserve.
Those of us who lived through the years where the National Guard was
an afterthought and we practiced artillery training with toilet paper
rolls instead of real charges because we didn't have the capacity to
train, that is the surest way to make sure our force is not ready to
go. It is not a good use of taxpayer dollars, and it is simply immoral
to train America's young warriors without the full capacity of what
they need.
So I think, for many of us, this is not only a national security
issue, it is a smart fiscal issue. We have paid dearly with treasure
and blood to have this force. I can tell you, if the force shrinks too
much--and we have seen this happen--the rotations happen very quickly.
All the speakers you are going to hear tonight, Madam Speaker, are
going to tell you about this. It becomes very difficult both from the
personal side for them to manage their relationships, but also the
professional side of soldiering. You can't get to the schools you need.
You can't develop the wider breadth that you need for all
contingencies.
We have become very, very good at small missions that the same people
get rotated into without the ability to look elsewhere. So as we pivot
to the Pacific, those are new skill sets that need to be incorporated
in.
What the gentleman is asking for is let's just pause in the drawdown,
let's keep the force where the Commission and the GAO says it needs to
be, let's give the force the ability to rotate out and to do what needs
to be done to have them get back and ready to get in the fight again in
a way that makes sense. We can do that.
Again, I want to be very clear. Those critics who say that we are
asking to build up the military, we are just asking to stop a drawdown
that we think gets dangerously close to putting this Nation in a
predicament where it cannot carry out the missions that are asked of
it.
We in this Chamber and the American public have a moral
responsibility to never put a warrior in that position and never put
those commanders in that position.
So I want to thank the gentleman for bringing this forward. I want to
thank him for being willing to champion this forward. We know this is
about educating not only our colleagues, but the American public. It is
about having a debate.
I think the gentleman from New York brought up a critical point.
Numbers without the ability to train, equip, and do what is necessary
to get them to the highest level of readiness is probably worse than
nothing, and that is not what we are asking for.
I think, again, to highlight the gentleman's commitment to this, he
is looking at ways to pay for it. He is looking at ways to make it
work: repealing sequestration, pursuing waste, eliminating programs at
the Pentagon, encouraging and assisting our allies and partners to beef
up what they need to do to beef up, and ensure the next President has
the force capable to not only address current, but future threats. That
is our responsibility.
So I am proud to stand with the gentleman on the POSTURE Act. I think
it is smart policy. It is predicated on data. It is predicated on
decades of personal experience from the gentleman from New York and
speakers you are going to hear coming up. It is what the thinkers are
telling us.
Again, I think it does come back to the gentleman's opening comments.
Those adversaries who think that this is the time to do something with
this Nation need to be sent a strong message that we are as strong as
ever, our commitment is as strong as ever, and our force will be as it
always has been: the best trained and the best fighting force the world
has ever seen. We are just asking to give them the numbers to do their
job.
So, Madam Speaker, I would encourage my colleagues to take a look at
this, to get on board, and to talk with the gentleman, myself, and the
other cosponsors of this.
Let's put that next President in a position to be able to secure this
Nation, to be able to forward project American power in the name of
humanitarian or human rights, and continue to give our young warriors
what they need.
Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman.
Madam Speaker, you just heard, I think, in really compelling terms
and you saw witness to why it is that we have the finest fighting force
in the world.
What separates us from the rest of the world is our noncommissioned
officer corps. This is an incredible collection of professionals that
provide advice, analysis, and recommendations. Really, I would put our
noncommissioned officer corps up against any other noncommissioned
officer corps in the world.
I want to say, beyond that, he is a phenomenal Representative here in
the U.S. House. I want to thank the gentleman for that tremendous
testimony and for his great leadership.
I now want to turn to another great warrior, Representative Steve
Russell. Steve Russell is, Madam Speaker, an Airborne Ranger. He has
served in airborne, light, and mechanized infantry assignments. His
deployments include deployment to Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and
Iraq.
Madam Speaker, in 2003, then-Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell
commanded the task force in Iraq that was instrumental in the hunt and
capture of Saddam Hussein.
He is in his first term. He is already off to an amazing start. He is
a member of the Armed Services Committee.
I yield to the gentleman from the State of Oklahoma, Mr. Steve
Russell.
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my brother, combat
infantryman, warrior, and colleague from New York (Mr. Gibson) for his
leadership in this effort.
Madam Speaker, in 1940, our Nation faced tough decisions. Lawmakers
in this Chamber debated over our constitutional requirement to defend
our Republic.
Faced with a decade of depression, declining budgets, and enormous
domestic needs, President Roosevelt recognized that the Nation was
woefully unprepared to defend herself, given the alarming developments
in Asia and Europe the previous 2 years.
Congress acted, and, although assured we could stay out of the war,
this body passed the unprecedented Selective Service Act of 1940 to
increase our defensive posture.
While some would call it prescient or even timely, we were still
woefully unprepared for the horrific attacks on our naval, land, and
air forces in 1941. When the blow fell, we had for the first time a
sizeable forward-deployed force based in the Philippine Islands in
December 1941.
That Allied force of 150,000 soldiers fought bravely for 5 months
until their medical supplies, food, and, finally, ammunition were
exhausted, prompting the largest surrender of U.S. forces in American
history.
Tens of thousands of these Allied soldiers died in brutal captivity,
all simply because our Nation could not get to them. While we had
future capacity, we had forfeited our defensive posture through cost-
cutting policies the previous decade and we had exhausted our time.
As unprepared as we were in 1940, it could have been even worse had
the President and Congress not acted when they did. But here is
something to ponder: our current land forces are actually 30 percent
smaller today than they were in 1940 when you compare them to a
percentage of our per capita population. If we lived today in an
atmosphere of peace, maybe we could take such gambles.
Instead, we see Russians reigniting the cold war, Iranians
destabilizing the Middle East, North Koreans firing nuclear missiles
with the aim to range the United States, and Islamic jihadist death-
cult extremists committing acts

[[Page 4490]]

of barbarity akin to the Middle Ages. We also see tensions rising with
our trading partner, China, and the seeds of potential unrest in the
Pacific.
What does the President and this Congress intend to do if we do not
act to prepare for this dangerous world? This year it would cut the
United States Army by 30,000 more soldiers and our Marines by another
8,000. Instead, our bipartisan answer to these cuts in this Congress is
a resounding no.
Whatever savings we might imagine we safeguard, whatever tension we
may imagine we could trim, whatever goodwill we deceive ourselves of
that would go after, we assuredly would be eroded by an unexpected
attack on our Nation as she has voluntarily chained herself down into a
weakened condition.
Rather than slacken our posture, we must slacken our chains. We stand
together with much work ahead, but this bipartisan effort is a refusal
to see our Nation further diminished.
As we pass this measure into law, let's do it with the echo of these
sobering words from novelist, historian, and Nobel Laureate Aleksandr
Solzhenitsyn, a survivor of torture and tyranny:

I would like to call upon America to be more careful with
its trust and prevent those who because of shortsightedness
and still others out of self-interest from falsely using the
struggle for peace and for social justice to lead you down a
false road. Because they are trying to weaken you. They are
trying to disarm your strong and magnificent country in the
face of this fearful threat. I call upon you ordinary working
men of America. Do not let yourselves become weak.

Pass the POSTURE Act and prevent some horrific blow from berthing in
our future.
Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Gibson for his outstanding leadership on
this issue.
Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Russell).
What we heard, Madam Speaker, just moments ago here is what I
mentioned at the outset. We were talking about the changed assumptions
when the administration first made these decisions.
Of course, they were working based on the 2012 Defense Strategic
Guidance, the 2013 Strategic Choices and Management Review, and also
the 2014 QDR.
Madam Speaker, I think we just heard very persuasive argumentation
how just in the last several years so much has changed and the reason
why this Chamber is coming together in a bipartisan way to move forward
on this POSTURE Act.
Now, Madam Speaker, I want to turn to Representative Renee Ellmers.
Renee is not on the Committee on Armed Services, but this lady works
incredibly hard for our Nation and for our servicemen and -women. She
studies all the time. I have had countless discussions with her.
She is always wanting to know the details to make sure that the
servicemen and -women who serve at Fort Bragg get all the resources
that they need. She takes their combat readiness so very seriously
because she knows that their lives are on the line there.
Fort Bragg could not ask for a stronger advocate. I am very impressed
and am very thankful for her support in going above and beyond, not
being on the committee and jurisdiction, to be here tonight and,
really, to make her voice be heard all throughout this land on why we
need to get behind the POSTURE Act.
So I will just say last before I turn it over to her that part of
what I know that Representative Ellmers is working on is a very
important supporting element for our land forces, the 440th, which is
based out of Fort Bragg and Pope Army Air Base. I know from firsthand
experience this is an incredible outfit. We are concerned about some
decisions that are being taken here.
I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Ellmers).
Mrs. ELLMERS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague,
Mr. Gibson. I just want to start right off by saying, Madam Speaker,
that our colleague, Mr. Gibson, has been a tireless voice for our
military and certainly has been a resource for me and has always been
more than open and honest with me when it comes to decisions that are
facing our military and national security.
Again, I just want to thank the gentleman for his service and, also,
for coming to Washington to serve our country yet again, to be such an
advocate for the military, and to be such a support for the rest of us
who are trying to help in that capacity as well.
I am here tonight to discuss in this Special Order the introduction
of the POSTURE Act, and I thank the gentleman for this great piece of
legislation.
The POSTURE Act is an important piece of legislation that will
prevent further troop reductions and improve military readiness. As the
Representative of Fort Bragg based in North Carolina, I have the unique
perspective to see how this troop drawdown is directly impacting our
national security.
It is my top priority to ensure that we restore our military's end
strength not only to serve as a deterrent, but also so that our
military can appropriately and effectively respond to any threat
represented to our country or our allies. The POSTURE Act will ensure
that our troops are ready and prepared to defend our Nation at a
moment's notice.
I would also like to thank Mr. Gibson for his help raising awareness
about the serious issues facing Fort Bragg, including the deactivation
of the 440th Airlift Wing.
The 440th Airlift Wing provides unparalleled support to Fort Bragg
paratroopers, more specifically, the famed 82nd Airborne's Global
Response Force, a unit Mr. Gibson knows all too well, as he was the
commander of this force just a few years back.
Because of the potential deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing, I
have been having this very discussion about maintaining military
readiness and maintaining sufficient troop levels for the last 2-plus
years.
This certainly is not the first time I have stepped foot onto the
House floor to rail against the Air Force's ill-conceived decision to
deactivate the 440th. In fact, I have stood in this very spot and
stressed my concerns about the threats their decision poses to the
readiness of the Fort Bragg paratroopers.
Unfortunately, what I thought was going to happen is indeed taking
place as we speak. While the Air Force has promised they would continue
to provide necessary airlift support for Fort Bragg, the Air Force is
already falling well short of this promise.

{time} 1930

Fort Bragg aims to complete 10,000 jumps a month to prepare troops
for combat, but the Air Force's decision to prematurely hollow out this
wing has prevented them from meeting this jump goal. Last month, only
6,100 paratroopers jumped from Air Force planes. In fact, the Air Force
has even fallen short on Fort Bragg's 8,000-jump minimum--a number they
consider to be their threshold for proficiency.
This is yet another consequence and, unfortunately, it is a concrete
example of how drawdown can and will affect military readiness and
training. Not only have I met with Fort Bragg leadership, but I have
also met with our Nation's top military officials and still, to this
day, I do not understand why the Air Force insists on making decisions
based on zero strategic merit.
To make matters worse, deactivation of the 440th is happening at a
time when the 18th Airborne Corps was recently called upon to lead the
fight against the Islamic extremist group ISIS. Members of the 18th
Airborne Corps are set to deploy this summer. Meanwhile, we are on the
track to have the smallest size Army since the end of World War II.
Russia has become increasingly aggressive and China's military
presence continues to grow in southeast Asia--all the while our
President insists on drawing down our military and cutting its funding.
This is not the time to be cutting our military. This is the time to
strengthen it.
Mr. Gibson's bill ensures that we will have appropriate end strength
to keep our Nation and our allies safe and secure. I look forward to
continuing to work with Mr. Gibson and standing by him in this
capacity, as I believe that strengthening our military is one of the
most important issues facing Congress to date.

[[Page 4491]]

Mr. GIBSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman. I want to thank
her for her strong voice, and I want to thank her for the attention to
detail that she puts into this. This is so critically important. It is
very instrumental in the momentum that we have had--your great voice,
your staff's hard work, and your hard work.
We are going to continue to push forward with this with the POSTURE
Act, and continue to make sure that the entire installation at Fort
Bragg has the necessary resources to deliver and to get its mission
done and to look after and take care of its servicemen and -women,
those paratroopers, and also the families.
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight).
Representative Knight is also a veteran of our Armed Forces. He was
born at Edwards Air Force Base in Antelope Valley, California. He
served in the United States Army from 1985 to 1987. He was a track
systems mechanic in Freiburg, Germany. When his tour ended, he served
in the United States Army Reserve. His total military service spanned
from 1985 to 1993. He is a member of the House Armed Services
Committee. Also, within his district, he has Air Force Plant 42 and the
Edwards Air Force Base.
Mr. KNIGHT. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Gibson for taking a leadership
role in making sure that the military has a voice, and that is exactly
what he has done in his tenure here in Congress.
I rise in support of H.R. 4534. The POSTURE Act is not just something
that we are asking for. It is basically the bare necessities. We are
getting down to the limits.
I can say, just on personal experience, when I enlisted in 1985 as a
young person graduating high school and enlisting into the Army, I
expected that we had such a great military and we had all of these
things that were going to help me in my endeavors. As I went to
Germany, my job was if something happened, if the Russians were going
to come over, we were supposed to guard what was known as the Fulda
Gap. I know that anyone who has ever served in the Army in the '80s
knows what the Fulda Gap is. It was basically that line where we were
going to stop the Russian Army.
Unfortunately, they told us that we were going to be outrun about 11
to 1 at that time from the Russian Army. That is not something that an
18-year-old wants to know, is that the very first assignment that might
happen in the cold war is you are going to go to a spot and you are
going to be up against an 11-to-1 army. At that time, we had about
781,000 active Army folks.
If we fast forward to today, we are sending people in rotations every
12 months or every 18 months. We are sending these people two, three,
or four different rotations during their 4- or 6-year enlistments, and
we have such a smaller active Army. I know that now folks out there
will be talking about the total Army structure and the total structure.
I think that is great that we have the Reserves and National Guard as
part of the total structure. I believe in that. I think that is
something that absolutely should happen.
But if we are just doing apples to apples from 1986 to today, we go
from about 780,000 to less than 500,000. That is getting down to a
point where, can we fight on two fronts, can we help, can we do all of
the missions that the Army has done for the last 200 years?
I would say that we are getting down to that point where if we don't
pass the POSTURE Act, we will go underneath that level and we will not
be able to send our warriors into combat and into humanitarian
situations with our best effort, with our best foot forward. I would
say that this is the absolute--the absolute--end to where we should
draw down.
Let's look at what we are looking at today. We are not looking at
some of the larger countries, but we are also looking at rogue states.
Russia and China, obviously, are out there and they are, obviously,
doing things that we keep our eye on. Their technology has advanced,
their amount of money that they spend on the military has jumped
dramatically over the last 20 years. Some of the things that they are
bringing forward are as technologically advanced as we have.
I would say that if we went back 20 years, we would never say that.
We would say technologically we are ahead every step of the way. Today
we can't say that. Today we also have rogue nations and rogue leaders
out there that want to do things to us and to our allies.
So I say at a time where we are drawing down and continuing to draw
down, where we have these types of rogue nations, where we have these
types of superpowers out there, and we have these types of groups that
want to do bad things to us and to our allies, is this actually the
time that we should draw down to an unsafe level?
I would like to thank Mr. Gibson for everything that he has done in
his tenure here in Congress and what he has done for the United States
of America because, honestly, he is a true hero. But in this regard, he
is trying to unite all of Congress behind what he has believed and what
he has done for his entire life.
I think that Congress should listen, I think that Congress should
say, yes, we absolutely have these levels, and we can't go below them.
In fact, as we are watching everything that is happening on the news on
a daily basis, we would say that maybe those levels are too low, too.
So I would like to thank Mr. Gibson for his leadership.
Mr. GIBSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I thank him for his
service to our Nation, and also thank him for his great work on the
House Armed Services Committee. He is truly making a difference, and
his voice here tonight is very compelling and very significant.
Madam Speaker, I am now going to recap and move to close. I
appreciate very much the time in a busy schedule and colleagues here
tonight. We are here tonight, again, for H.R. 4534, the POSTURE Act,
which stops the Obama administration's drawdown of our land forces--our
Army and our Marine Corps.
As I mentioned, this is a bipartisan bill--myself and 52 others here
in this Chamber, including 42 Republicans and 10 Democrats, led so ably
by Sergeant Major Retired Representative Tim Walz, a Democrat from
Minnesota.
I also want to say that Chairman Turner was not able to be here
today, but he has been instrumental in not only help craft this, but
actually help build support for it for these past several months.
As I mentioned, Madam Speaker, tonight you heard five points why it
is so important that we put the POSTURE Act into law and that we stop
this drawdown.
In the first point we gave some historical figures and some context
of where we are today. We know that at present our land forces are
about at the same size that we were on the 11th of September of 2001.
Of course, during the surge, we saw a ramp-up of our land forces, and
now we have seen a resetting of that where we are about at 11th of
September of 2001 levels.
However, the plan now from the administration is to continue that
drawdown all the way down to pre-World War II levels. That would be
done by 2018. That takes an additional 67,000 troops out of the
formations.
Madam Speaker, we heard, I think, some very significant testimony
tonight from some of the speakers. We know that we have senior leaders
in our Armed Forces now that have described this as a very serious
risk, very significant risk. And you also heard from Representative
Walz when he talked about the Commission on the Future of the Army,
which Representative Walz, a humble man, was actually the author for
that, the brain for that. We are here today because of his work on that
score.
The results of that commission, I believe, Madam Speaker, really need
to be paid attention to. It was here that not only were we able to get
a better understanding of this risk, but also we helped bring together
all components of the Army--the regular Army, the National Guard, and
the Army Reserve. The Commission on the Future of the Army helped.
I also want to reinforce how important leadership is--our Chief of
Staff of

[[Page 4492]]

the Army, our Secretary of the Army, our Acting Secretary of the Army
right now. They have put a major priority on really pulling together
everyone that serves in the Army. The same goes for our Secretary of
the Navy and for our Commandant of the Marine Corps because this is
truly a team effort all the way across. That commission helped chart
the way forward.
Madam Speaker, the General Accounting Office, the GAO's report that
came out just last week, documented what our research has also shown
over these several months. That is that there is just too much risk in
continuing this drawdown to pre-World War II levels. That was point
one.
In point two, we talked about the assumptions--we heard from all the
speakers. Particularly, Mr. Russell focused in on that--how much of the
world has changed. We can understand why the administration brought
forward an argument back initially, but so much has changed since that
time. It is clear to all of us that we need to pay attention to that
and to adopt the POSTURE Act.
We also pointed out this evening that this is not like a light
switch. It is not something that we can turn on and turn off. If we
decide to move forward with the 67,000 troops, taking them out of the
formations, we know that we are looking at 3 to 4 years just to get
back to where we are today, Madam Speaker. That would, I think, really
signal to our potential adversaries the wrong message.
The fourth point is--and we heard from a couple of the speakers--how
important it is that we have the right size formations because that
impacts on how often they get sent over into the combat zone and how
long they stay. All of this has impacts on families, it has impacts on
traumatic brain injury potential, and also posttraumatic stress. That
is certainly something that this Chamber is absolutely unified in doing
everything we can to support our servicemen and -women. By enacting the
POSTURE Act, we are also supporting our currently serving members and
our veterans.
The last point--and this has been really made very clear to us by all
the leadership in both the Army and the Marine Corps--is how important
it is that by preserving this end strength, it has to come with the
necessary resources so that they are manned, equipped, and trained, and
that we look towards the modernization of the force and look towards
the future.
We have heard from the Congressional Budget Office, the CBO. The CBO
initially assesses this at $600 million. We understand that there may
be a new assessment coming forward shortly. But as was also mentioned
by Sergeant Major Walz, Representative Walz, our committee is also very
keenly going through the budget, a budget of over $600 billion, when
you look at the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, the
Overseas Contingency Fund. We are looking for ways to make sure we do
this in the best way possible for the taxpayer.
Madam Speaker, I include for the Record a series of letters of
support that we are getting from the Association of the United States
Army, the National Guard Association, and the Reserve Officers
Association. We deeply appreciate their support.

Association of the

United States Army,

Arlington, Virginia, 3 March 2016.
Hon. Chris Gibson,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Gibson: On behalf of the members of the
Association of the United States Army (AUSA), I write to
support your introduction of H.R. 4534, the ``Protecting Our
Security Through Utilizing Right-Sized End- Strength Act of
2016'' or the ``POSTURE Act.'' At a time when our Army is
confronting growing threats and increasing operational
demands, it would be wise to pause the current budget-driven
force reductions and allow the next administration time to
assess land force capabilities and needs before determining
troop levels,
Under current plans, the Regular Army is expected to fall
to 475,000 Soldiers by 1 October 2016, and then further
decrease to 450,000 Soldiers by 1 October 2018. These same
plans will also reduce the end strength of our Army National
Guard and the Army Reserve. Such a reduction in our landpower
capability does not make sense in a time of increased threats
and global instability.
While the POSTURE Act puts the brakes on budget-driven
force reductions, the Army will also face negative
consequences if the additional end strength is not funded.
During a recent hearing on the Army's Fiscal Year 2017
budget, Army Chief of Staff GEN Mark Kinney told the Senate
Appropriations Committee that stopping the drop in Army end
strength without providing funding to cover the additional
costs would undermine readiness and potentially result in a
hollow Army.
AUSA looks forward to working with you to advance the
POSTURE Act, but urges you to consider ways to provide the
additional resources to prepare our Army to face a dangerous
and Increasingly unstable world.
Sincerely,
Gordon R. Sullivan,
General, USA Retired.
____

National Guard Association of

The United States, Inc.

Washington, DC, February 26, 2016.
Hon. Chris Gibson,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
On behalf of the nearly 45,000 members of the National
Guard Association of the United States and the approximately
450,000 soldiers and airmen of the National Guard, please
accept our sincere thanks for your leadership in introducing
the Protecting Our Security Through Utilizing Right-Sized
End-Strength (POSTURE) Act of 2016 (H.R. 4534), a bill that
would stop the drawdown of U.S. Land Forces.
NGAUS strongly supports your legislation.
The National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA)
recommended a minimally sufficient Total Army of 980,000
soldiers; however, it provided no optimal end-strength level.
NGAUS testified before the NCFA that the Total Army was at
the risk of becoming dangerously small given the current
threat environment.
Given the velocity of instability, the demand for U.S. Land
Forces will likely only increase for the foreseeable future.
U.S. Land Forces must be sized to address these threats
without putting undue stress on our soldiers and marines.
We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure
this important legislation becomes law. Thank you, as always,
for your continued support for members of the National Guard.
Sincerely,
Gus Hargett,
Major General (Ret), USA, President.
____

Reserve Officers Association,

1 March 2016.
Hon. Chris Gibson,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Gibson: The Reserve Officers Association
(ROA) supports your bill H.R. 4534, ``Protecting Our Security
Through Utilizing Right-Sized End-Strength Act of 2016'' or
the ``POSTURE Act.'' This bill recognizes the vital
contributions of the Reserve Components and the need to
ensure they have the right Fiscal Year 2016 end strength
authorized.
Since 9/11, more than 900,000 Reserve Component members
have been activated to support Operation Iraqi Freedom,
Operation New Dawn, and other contingencies. Despite
increased use of the Guard and Reserve, the Congressional
Research Service, identified end strength reductions between
FY2001 and FY2015.
``Between FY2001 and FY2015, the largest shifts in
authorized end strength have occurred in the Navy Reserve
(-31,600 or -35.5%), Air Force Reserve (-7,258 or -9.8%), and
Coast Guard Reserve (-1,000 or -12.5%). A smaller change
occurred in the Air National Guard (-3,022 or -2.8%) and Army
Reserve (-3,300 or -1.6%), while the authorized end strength
for the Army National Guard (-326 or -0.1%) and the Marine
Corps Reserve (-358 or -0.9%) have been largely unchanged
during this period, (FY2016 National Defense Authorization
Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues, R44120).''
As stated in the bill, passing this legislation will ensure
Guard and Reserve members are available, ``. . . to deter
threats, shape the international security 15 environment,
respond to emergent situations and crises, and, if necessary,
to fight and win the Nation's war, . . .''
ROA has a membership of 50,000, which represents all the
uniformed services of the United States who would be
favorably affected by your bill. Thank you for your efforts
on this issue, and past support to the Military.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey E. Phillips,
Executive Director.

Mr. GIBSON. Lastly, Madam Speaker, the legislative strategy here is
that we have been building out support. Our hope is that when the mark
for the national security policy bill, which will be unveiled here in
the next couple of weeks, that this bill will be included in the
underlying bill because we think it is just so critically important
that we get this done this year.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to come together with
my

[[Page 4493]]

colleagues to talk about such an important issue for the American
people.
I yield back the balance of my time.

____________________

{time} 1945
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS--ROAD TO RUIN: HOUSE REPUBLICANS FAIL ON THE
BUDGET

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2015, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.

General Leave

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special
Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege, once
again, to come to the House floor on behalf of the Congressional Black
Caucus and join with my distinguished colleague from Ohio,
Representative Joyce Beatty, as we anchor this Congressional Black
Caucus Special Order--the CBC hour of power--where, for 60 minutes, we
get an opportunity to talk to the American people about issues of great
importance to the African American community, to our democracy, and,
certainly, to our country at large.
Today, we are here to discuss, tragically, the House GOP's continued
failure to demonstrate the ability to govern in a basic fashion--that
is to pass a budget, which is required by statutory law, as of April
15. That deadline has come and gone, and we are still waiting for the
House majority to present a budget to this body for our consideration.
We were told for years by people, including by the current Speaker of
this great House, that the most fundamental tenet of governing is the
passage of a budget. Yet, even with Republicans in firm control of both
the House and the Senate, it seems that this Congress is still unable
to get its act together. It is a stunning act of legislative abdication
of basic responsibilities. We are going to explore that tonight, not
just from a procedural standpoint, but from a standpoint of how this is
indicative of this majority's unwillingness and inability to do the
business of the American people.
It is now my honor and my privilege to yield to my distinguished
colleague, my coanchor, my classmate--the always eloquent and
effervescent gentlewoman from the great city of Columbus in the great
State of Ohio, Representative Joyce Beatty.
Mrs. BEATTY. I thank the gentleman.
I always look forward to engaging in our Congressional Black Caucus'
Special Order hour and, tonight, for our dialogue, for our debate, on
the House Republicans' repeated failure to pass a budget.
First, let me say, as your classmate and colleague, being able to be
the voice for your constituents and my constituents and America at
large, it is an honor. I think it is so important, when we think about
how important the work of this Congress is, for us to take on
challenging the House Republicans' road to ruin.
Madam Speaker, tonight, the Congressional Black Caucus is going to
discuss the importance of why we should pass a budget. Not only that, I
am sure Mr. Jeffries and I will have a dialogue about the value and the
importance of having a budget. As Members of Congress and, especially,
as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we know specifically that
a budget creates jobs and that it raises the paychecks of hardworking
American people while reducing the deficit in a balanced and
responsible way.
Madam Speaker, let me just take a moment to point out that this is
not the first time that the Congressional Black Caucus has held a
Special Order hour on the subject of the Republicans' inaction. Earlier
this year, the Congressional Black Caucus came to this House floor and
implored the Republican leadership to do its job--the job America wants
us to do--and that was to enact commonsense gun control legislation. To
date, Madam Speaker, Republicans have continued to fail the American
people by putting forth or by bringing forth commonsense gun control
legislation. It is still hanging out there, waiting for action.
Now, again, here in the House of Representatives, the people's House,
we are faced with another instance of Republican failure. Under law, as
spelled out in title III of the Congressional Budget Act, Congress is
directed to complete actions on the concurrent resolution on the budget
by April 15, as we heard Mr. Jeffries remind us. A concurrent
resolution on the budget means it is supposed to pass both the Senate
and the House, again, by April 15. At this date, neither Chamber has
considered a budget resolution for 2017.
Madam Speaker, I don't know about your constituents, but in my
district, Ohio's Third Congressional District, my constituents expect
Congress to work; so let's take a look at it.
What happens when people refuse to do their jobs?
If postal workers don't deliver, you don't get your mail. If farmers
don't farm, people don't eat. If teachers don't show up, our children
don't learn. People all over America take their jobs seriously, and
they expect us, as their elected officials, to also do that. It is time
for House Republicans to get America off the road to ruin and back on
the path to prosperity.
When Speaker Ryan took office--this is worth repeating, and
Congressman Jeffries mentioned this earlier. When Speaker Ryan took
office, House Republicans stated that passing a budget was a basic
function of government. However, the statutory deadline of passing a
budget resolution by April 15 has come and gone, although House
Republicans made passing a budget a top priority for this year. In the
Republicans' own words, they can't even accomplish the basic functions
of government--their job.
Madam Speaker, why do we care that we don't have a budget? Let me
give you the answer.
The importance of setting a budget is that it lays out the blueprint
for the appropriations process. It outlines government spending for the
year. Without a budget, we have 12 appropriations bills that are
working their way through Congress without there being guiding
principles on overall spending. If we cannot as a Congress perform the
basic functions of governing, how are we going to tackle the much more
complicated issues, such as income inequality, education quality,
tuition affordability, tax reform, and so many others?
Once again, House Republicans have demonstrated the degree to which
the sharp division within their Conference is impeding Congress'
ability to work for the American people. Instead of coming together
with Democrats to pass a budget resolution that will create jobs and
grow the paychecks of hardworking American families, they have just
decided not to pass a budget.
This decision was made despite the fact that President Obama
submitted his budget request to Congress back in February. As you may
remember, Madam Speaker, the Republican majority here in the House of
Representatives and the Republican-controlled Senate took the
unprecedented step of refusing to receive the OMB Director for a formal
hearing so as to present the President's budget.
Madam Speaker, how did that turn out for us? We all know how it
turned out. The Republican Conference failed the American people, and
it set us on a road to ruin by not passing a budget.
Mr. Jeffries, I look forward to our continuing this dialogue tonight
with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank Congresswoman Beatty for a very thorough
presentation and for pointing out that the Speaker, himself, and the
Republican majority have indicated that they should be judged based on
their capacity to complete the basics of their job responsibilities,
which include the passage of a budget resolution. In fact, it was then-
Congressman

[[Page 4494]]

Ryan who, in 2012, stated that failing to enact a budget has serious
consequences for American families.
There are at least three current health crises that we are trying to
deal with in America and throughout the world, but Republicans have
abdicated their responsibility: the Zika virus, the Flint water crisis,
and the opioid addiction that is ravaging communities in the inner
cities, in suburban America, and all throughout the rural parts of this
country; yet House Republicans have failed not just to put forth a
budget that would provide a roadmap to deal with these issues, but they
have chosen to simply ignore these crises in a manner that represents
such a stunning departure of what responsible Members of Congress
should be doing at this particular point in time.
I am thankful that we have been joined by the distinguished
gentlewoman from the great Lone Star State, who has always been
thoughtful and eloquent on issues of importance not just to her
district, which is anchored in Houston, Texas, but through her
membership and leadership on the Homeland Security Committee as well as
on the House Judiciary Committee. She has been so thoughtful and
effective on a great many issues in the context of our safety, of our
well-being, of criminal justice reform, of course, and of the
protection of civil liberties--all issues that are fundamental to our
democracy in the same way that a budgetary roadmap is fundamental to
our democracy.
Let me yield to Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank my colleagues for their eloquence but, more
importantly, for the Congressional Black Caucus in its taking up the
mantle of the moral compass of justice.
One would argue that justice is tied to our committee, the Judiciary
Committee; but as I look at this Congress and as I look at a very small
document called the Constitution, one can anchor the responsibilities
of this body--of both the House and the Senate--Mr. Jeffries, in the
Bill of Rights. I would like to just, very briefly, take us on a
journey that indicates that our moral compass is broken because a
budget that was supposed to be passed on April 15, by midnight, was
not.
To the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, let me thank her. She
will have her own distinctive story, in her eloquence, about the
fairness to the territories.
I listened, as I came in, to the presentation by the gentlewoman from
Ohio, who knows full well that we need a budget to ensure that there is
full employment in America. Then I work extensively with my colleague
on the Judiciary Committee, and we will not pass or fund prison reform
without a budget.
I rise today, however, to weave in and out of my comments about the
moral compass that is broken to indicate that my district--the 18th
Congressional District in Houston, Texas, and Harris County--is under a
terrible emergency disaster. We are underwater. We are again facing an
enormous rainfall that has been listed as historic and, possibly, as
catastrophic.
Let me acknowledge my mayor, Mayor Turner, and county judge, Judge
Emmett, for the work that has been done so far; and let me indicate two
pastors with whom I have just gotten off the phone, Bishop Dixon and
Bishop Bady, who are watching hungry people come to a site, looking for
food.

{time} 2000

As I was speaking to the emergency leadership, they are indicating
they were evacuating babies from apartments and people were being
displaced.
So what does that have to do with where we are today and no budget?
Well, we know that the President introduced his budget a few months
ago.
Because of his responsibility, we know that Homeland Security was
provided funding and FEMA was provided funding to deal with emergency
declarations of a disaster.
My district now needs it more than they have ever needed it. They
need it in terms of providing for those immediate needs of vulnerable
people without the resources to have stocked food, medical care,
clothing, and also those who may be off work now because of the
disaster.
So we don't have a budget. We are not moving along to ensure that
FEMA, which has seen a lot of disasters over the last 2 years, has the
necessary funding to do their job. That is a broken moral compass.
It also reflects the Constitution because we are owed an equal
treatment under the law and due process under the Fifth Amendment.
There is no due process when I hear that one area is under water and we
are not able to get help.
Let me also say that, as I watch a broken moral system, I also look
at the predicament that we will be in with the Zika virus.
Congressman Jeffries has mentioned the opioid crisis, and we cannot
forget the water crisis in Flint, but there is also the water crisis
across the Nation. There is hard work that is being done by the Members
in Michigan and Mr. Kildee.
They need a budget to be able to fund the crisis or to help repair
the crisis, restorative dollars, that a budget does to give a roadmap
to the appropriators.
I also know that we are facing another potential epidemic, if you
will, the Zika virus that is taking control of places like Puerto Rico
and other places in the Caribbean, places that we have not yet fully
documented. I can assure you that the Gulf Coast States of Florida,
Louisiana, and Texas are in the eye of the storm.
The President a couple of months ago dutifully and responsibly
introduced to this Congress a request of $1.9 billion--no, I didn't say
trillions. I didn't say 5 billion. I said 1.9 billion--so that the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can do their job.
Mr. Jeffries, colleagues, if we are not doing our job, we need those
who have the distinctive responsibility for issues of health and
epidemics in this country to be able to do their job.
We have now been told by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention that it is not just in the prestages of pregnancy that the
Zika virus can have a severe impact.
It is throughout the pregnancy. We also know that they have just
determined that it will be severe brain damage that will come about.
So how irresponsible can it be to not put forward the emergency
supplemental of $1.9 billion? I have sent letters to Secretary Burwell.
I have sent letters to, obviously, the President of the United States
in supporting his efforts. I have sent letters to our leader, Nancy
Pelosi, who has been a champion on these issues of Zika funding. And I
have sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan.
Might I speak to the Speaker and certainly ask that a half-baked, if
I might say, contribution to fighting the Zika virus is not going to
work because any taking of monies from other places is going to damage
the funding of malaria, tuberculosis, and a universal flu vaccine. Yes,
it is going to undermine our needed and continued effort of fighting
Ebola.
Let me finish by simply saying this: Along with the idea of the Zika
virus and other crises, when we hear headlines like this that indicate
Americans still don't see a vibrant labor market, then you know what
else is needed under this budget? We need a budget to be able to fully
fund the retraining of Americans.
I have introduced legislation that will train middle-age or middle-
management workers and others and give them a stipend while they are
being retrained for the 21st century jobs. We cannot do that with a
budget not passed and an assessment not being made on how we would fund
job training.
Lastly, the Supreme Court heard a case today dealing with the issues
of executive orders and immigration. I would argue that Texas and the
other States do not have standing because they are not required to give
driver's licenses or anything else, as the President provides a
prioritization of who should be deported.
I will say to you that, over the years, we have said over and over
again to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which could have been a
key element of a budget revenue to be able to help this country move
along.

[[Page 4495]]

Without a budget and an intelligent discussion about what
comprehensive immigration reform would do as an added revenue for this
country, here we are mumbling along while Houston remains under water,
needing resources from FEMA, while the Zika virus is in distress with
no monies and while a number of other important issues are not
addressed.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Jeffries for allowing me to spend a moment
to at least tie in the Bill of Rights that deal with the very core
values of this country.
We have let down that basic document that guarantees equal
protection, guarantees a certain freedom to be protected, guarantees
that Americans have due process, if you will, and certainly guarantees
the freedom of expression so that Americans can speak and be heard.
They are speaking, but they are not being heard. What a shame that this
budget has not been passed.
I am grateful to the Congressional Black Caucus. Let me acknowledge
the chairman and say: Let us keep our fight going because we have
reason to provide that kind of comfort to the American people.
Madam Speaker, Last week, House Republicans blew past the statutory
deadline for Congress to enact a budget--reflecting apparently the
belief of the Leadership that their already severe budget proposal was
not radical enough to pass through a Republican Majority.
The Do-Nothing Republican Congress is back.
Instead of coming together with Democrats to pass a budget resolution
that will create jobs and grow the paychecks of hard-working American
families, Republicans have decided not to pass a budget at all.
The Republican-led Budget Committee, at the direction of the House
GOP Leadership, put forward the most devastating `Road to Ruin' budget
in history, but the Republican majority has rejected the plan as
insufficiently severe.
Here's what was too weak to satisfy the radical forces that have
seized control of the Republican Party; a budget that would:
1. End the Medicare guarantee for seniors;
2. Make $6.5 trillion in cuts--the sharpest cuts ever proposed by the
House Budget Committee;
3. Devastate investments in good-paying jobs, education, and American
infrastructure;
4. Repeal the Affordable Care Act and dismantle the affordable health
care of 20 million Americans.
Republicans have failed to keep their promise to pass a budget but
their goal is still clear: to take us back to the radical trickle-down
agenda that shattered our economy and hollowed out the wages of middle-
class Americans.
At the same time, House Republicans have done nothing to help the
thousands of Americans struggling to protect their families from the
three public health emergencies of the Zika virus, opioid addiction and
the Flint Water Crisis:
1. As the House Democratic Leadership wrote to Speaker Ryan last
month, these public health crises require swift and decisive
Congressional action.
2. Also last week, Democrats on the Appropriations Committee wrote to
Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), requesting an immediate hearing on the
Administration's $1.9 billion emergency supplemental request for Zika,
pointing out that ``The Zika virus is a true public health emergency
that has the potential to affect millions of Americans this summer,
including more than two million pregnant women.''
3. But House Republicans have responded with nothing but inaction and
indifference.
Instead of taking action to pass a budget or address urgent public
health crises, House Republicans are now wasting a full week
grandstanding on the IRS.
That's just the kind of hollow, meaningless posturing the American
people have come to expect from the Do-Nothing Republican Congress.
As NPR notes:
Under Republican leadership, the 114th Congress has been ``short on
meaty legislation and short on weeks in session . . . But there seems
to be plenty of time to think about other things. Last month, one House
member introduced a measure that would nationally recognized magic as
an art form.''
Hard-working families deserve a Congress that invests in their
future, protects safety, and creates a level-playing field for them and
their children to succeed.
Democrats will continue to press for a budget that creates jobs and
raises the paychecks of the American people, while reducing the deficit
in a balanced and responsible way.
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in its review of the
President's Immigration Executive Actions, which, as a result of
congressional Republicans' inaction, address our Nation's broken
immigration system and set important priorities in enforcing our
immigration laws.
The President's executive actions fall well within both the clear
legal authority provided by Congress and the Constitution, and the
well-established precedents of immigration actions by every Democrat
and Republican President for the last 50 years.
1. Six Republican presidents have used the same clear authority to
make our immigration enforcement priorities better fit our values as a
people and our needs as a nation;
2. Past presidents have routinely acted in the face of Congressional
inaction;
3. Numerous noted legal scholars have found that the President's
actions are well within his legal authority.
The Immigration Executive Actions follow the same constitutional and
legal precedent used by every Administration--Republican and
Democratic--since President Eisenhower.
Just as Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush did before him,
President Obama took executive action to make our immigration system
better meet the needs of our country and better reflect our values as
Americans.
As former Republican Senator Richard Lugar wrote in the New York
Times:
``. . . whether or not you like President Obama's actions, he has
operated under longstanding provisions of law that give the executive
branch discretion in enforcement. This presidential prerogative has
been recognized explicitly by the Supreme Court.''
Democrats stand for restoring sense to our utterly broken immigration
system--so that we stop tearing apart families and separating parents
from their children.
Last month, House and Senate Democrats filed our own amicus brief
with the Supreme Court in support of the President's Immigration
Executive Actions.
We are confident that the Supreme Court will affirm these vital
immigration reforms and allow the President's steps to start fixing our
immigration system to move forward.
While Republicans stand with Donald Trump's incendiary anti-immigrant
agenda, Democrats will continue to champion the comprehensive
immigration reform our nation needs.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from
Texas. She raises several important points.
One of the things that has struck me during my time here in Congress
is that, under Republican reign, we have consistently seen government
by crisis on one issue after the next.
From the group of people that spend so much time messaging the point
to the American people that they believe in fiscal responsibility,
where is the fiscal responsibility in failing to put forth a budget
consistent with the law that you supported?
The other thing that amazes me--and the gentlewoman from Texas raised
the point about the Supreme Court case that was argued earlier today on
the immigration executive order issued by the President--I sit on the
Judiciary Committee along with the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee and we
hear almost every week about how lawless this President allegedly has
been in terms of his time in office.
Now, it is interesting to consistently hear the lectures about how
lawless this President has allegedly been from people who believe that
President Barack Obama exceeded his authority on January 20, 2009, the
moment that he took the oath of office because there are folks who
still cannot believe that this man is the President and leader of the
free world. So I never buy that lawlessness argument.
This is a group now that supports essentially undermining the
Constitution over in the other house of this Congress. The President
has done his job in putting forth the Supreme Court nominee, who is
clearly qualified not according to Members of the Congressional Black
Caucus, but according to Orrin Hatch himself, one of the leading
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, amongst others.
The lawlessness is not taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It
is taking place right here in the United States Congress under the
leadership of House and Senate Republicans.

[[Page 4496]]

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. JEFFRIES. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me just finish my point by saying
that the reason why the budget is not here is because they could not
muster the votes of the majority and they could not muster them even
though their budget ended Medicare, it took $6.5 trillion in cuts from
the overall budget, it devastated good-paying jobs, education, American
infrastructure, and, again, it repealed the Affordable Care Act and
dismantled the Affordable Care Act for 20 million people.
Even with those poison pills to draw in support for some kind of
budget that would fit within the law, their responsibility or the
responsibility of Congress--they are in the majority--they could not
pass or get on the floor a budget.
Clearly, the moral compass is broken. More importantly, it denies
equal protection under the law, in my interpretation, of millions of
Americans depending on this Congress doing its job.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the thoughtful observations
of the gentlewoman from Texas.
I think we want to bring Representative Stacy Plaskett into this
conversation in terms of the stunning inability to present a budget.
As Representative Jackson Lee said, what else is there to do in terms
of satisfying the extreme elements of your party? Privatize Social
Security and throw older people out of their homes across the country?
What else can you do?
We are going to explore some of these draconian cuts that were in a
budget that apparently is not extreme enough.
I yield to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett), my
good friend and colleague by way of Brooklyn, New York, I point out. We
are so thankful for her presence here in the Congress. It is my honor
now to yield to her.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Jeffries and I thank
the Congressional Black Caucus for giving us this opportunity to always
be the conscience of this Congress.
I want to thank the gentleman for his tireless efforts to raise
awareness on not just the Committee on the Judiciary, but all of the
work that he does.
This group has come together this evening to talk about the fact that
once again the Republicans have created a road to ruin in their budget
failure.
We talked about the fact that this Republican Congress has blown past
the statutory deadline to enact a budget last week, reflecting,
apparently, the belief of the leadership that their already severe
budget proposal was not even radical enough to pass through this
Republican majority.
The gentleman talked about some of the draconian measures that were
already in the budget that they had proposed, which seems to have not
been sufficient enough for their caucus.
At the direction of the House GOP leadership, the Budget Committee
put forth one of the most devastating budgets in history and the
majority rejected that plan as insufficient, which can only lead us to
believe that it was not even severe enough for them.
Some of the things that were in that budget were an end to a Medicare
guarantee for seniors, makes $6.5 trillion in cuts--the sharpest cuts
ever proposed by the House Budget Committee--devastates investments in
good-paying jobs, education, and American infrastructure, repeals the
Affordable Care Act and dismantling the affordable health care of 20
million Americans.
Now, as expressed by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty), in
February, the administration, our President, requested support for
Americans through the budget that he submitted to this Congress, which
provided support for education, job training support, bolstering our
obligation to seniors, real tools for growth for the territories in
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and others by inclusion in the
Affordable Care Act and expansion of Medicare.
But it seems that the Republicans have failed their promise to pass a
budget, never mind even listen to or hear the head of OMB on that
budget.
Their goal is still clear, to take us back to radical, trickle-down
agenda that shattered our economy in the past and hollowed out the
wages of middle-class Americans.
At that same time, House Republicans have done nothing to help the
thousands of Americans struggling to protect their families from the
three public health crises the chief spoke of: Zika, the opioid addict
addictions, and the Flint water crisis. In Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico,
Florida, and now even Texas, this is a real crisis concerning the Zika
virus.
Last week, Democrats on the Appropriations Committee wrote to
Chairman Hal Rogers requesting an immediate hearing on the
administration's 1.9 billion emergency supplemental request for Zika,
pointing out that: ``The Zika virus is a true public health emergency
that has the potential to affect millions of Americans this summer,
including more than 2 million pregnant women.''
What did that committee do? Absolutely nothing. Not even the respect
of a hearing. They have not responded to anything but just their
inaction and indifference.

{time} 2015

Instead of taking action to pass a budget or address urgent public
health crises, the House Republicans are now wasting a full week
grandstanding on the IRS. That is just the kind of hollow, meaningless
posturing the American people have come to expect from this Congress.
Hardworking families deserve a Congress that invests in their future,
protects their safety, creates a level playing field for them and their
children to succeed. Democrats will continue to press for a budget that
creates jobs, raises the paychecks, creates opportunities for American
people while reducing the deficit in a balanced and responsible way.
I look forward to hearing, with the rest of my colleagues, their
thoughts on this budget process and even possibly solutions for us as
American people to come away with a clear budget that creates growth
and opportunities for Americans.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Plaskett. She
raised several important points. She noted that our colleagues on the
other side of the aisle continue to embrace this notion of trickle-down
economics, which is sort of the foundation of many of the slash-and-
burn cuts that are contained in at least a budget document that has
been passed in prior years and the document that was put forth by the
Committee on the Budget this year, this belief that if you lower the
tax rate for millionaires and billionaires, that it will result in some
residual benefit to the American people. But there is an irony in the
embrace even of that term, ``trickle-down economics.''
With the leadership of Representative Bobby Scott and others, the CBC
has consistently put forth a budget designed to open the floodgates of
prosperity for working class Americans and middle class folks all
throughout this country, but what the Republicans want to do is
trickle-down economics. The only thing that you get with that
philosophy, you may get a trickle, but you are guaranteed to stay down.
We are thankful that Representative Scott for so many years has
consistently put forth through his leadership a budget from the
Congressional Black Caucus designed to be both fiscally responsible and
consistent with our ideals as a country that looks out for the least of
those amongst us.
Let me now yield to the distinguished representative from the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Bobby Scott.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
getting the title of our State correct. I thank the gentleman from New
York and the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding and organizing
tonight's Special Order.
Last week, the House of Representatives failed to pass a budget by
the statutorily mandated date of April 15. This failure is unfortunate
for our budget process, but perhaps not unfortunate for the American
people because

[[Page 4497]]

no budget is better than the proposed Republican budget that would have
been brought to the floor.
Our Nation's budget reflects priorities, but the Republican budget
only highlights the wrong priorities. The budget the House Republicans
wanted to bring to the floor would be even more devastating to
students, working families, and seniors than their previous proposals.
The Republican budget would end the Medicare guarantee for seniors by
converting Medicare into a voucher payment that would not keep pace
with medical inflation, shifting billions of dollars in medical costs
onto our senior citizens.
The Republican budget would repeal the Affordable Care Act and would
jeopardize the health insurance for millions of Americans, even though
the budget assumes all of the revenue collected by the Affordable Care
Act to pay for the Affordable Care Act, all of those taxes remain in
the budget.
The Republican budget includes a total of $6.5 trillion in spending
cuts, largely unspecified. If this level of cuts were ever made, it
would devastate our investments and jobs, education, research, and
would essentially eliminate any new transportation projects.
On top of these devastating cuts to vital programs that support and
uplift hardworking American families, the Republican budget calls for
trillions of dollars in tax cuts that would primarily benefit
millionaires and billionaires, and then they claim the tax cuts would
be revenue neutral, suggesting that we are to believe that trillions of
dollars in new taxes would be imposed to pay for those tax cuts for the
wealthy. But despite this, the Republican budget is not a credible
plan.
Are we really going to dismantle Medicare? Are we really going to cut
hundreds of billions of dollars out of education and job training and
transportation? Are we really going to raise trillions of dollars in
new taxes to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy?
I don't think so. But the House leadership couldn't even secure
enough votes for this budget proposal because a faction of their
conference wanted even deeper, unrealistic spending cuts. Budgeting is
about making tough choices, and the only choice the Republicans seem to
have made with the budget proposal is that we can only balance the
budget on the backs of students, workers, seniors, the disabled, and
vulnerable communities across the Nation while cutting taxes for the
wealthy.
The Congressional Black Caucus knows that is not the right choice.
That is why, as we have done for the last 30 years, we have diligently
prepared our own budget alternative to the Republican budget, which we
would have offered as an amendment to the Republican budget if they had
brought up their proposal.
The CBC budget chooses to invest in programs that we know will grow
our economy and ensure that every American family is able to prosper.
Our budget proposes a comprehensive jobs program, totaling $500 billion
over 3 years that will accelerate our economic recovery and ensure that
it reaches virtually every community in America while also investing in
what will guarantee America's long-term economic competitiveness.
This jobs plan includes funding for direct jobs creation programs,
school modernization, jobs for teachers and first responders, immediate
investments in our Nation's crumbling infrastructure, assistance for
neighborhoods and families still reeling from the housing crisis, job
training programs, and summer jobs.
Our budget calls for significant and sustained investments--
approximately $300 billion over the next decade--above the President's
request for programs that have been instrumental in lifting millions of
Americans out of poverty. Some of these proposals include restoration
of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, expanding
access to affordable housing, increasing access to quality and
affordable education, increasing funding for job training and Trade
Adjustment Assistance, adjusting the earned income tax credit and child
tax credit to inflation, as well as decreasing the age where you can
benefit for the earned income tax credit down to 21 years of age.
Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Jim Clyburn, our budget also
ensures that Federal resources are targeted more efficiently toward
eradicating poverty by targeting Federal spending toward persistent
areas of poverty through the 10-20-30 formula.
Our budget also includes more than $340 billion above the President's
request for education over the next decade. This additional money will
help make college more affordable by increasing the Pell grant, fully
funding the President's free community college program, reducing
interest rates on student loans, and financing other proposals to
ensure that no student graduates from college saddled with unmanageable
debt.
The CBC budget also provides much-needed funding for families of
Flint, Michigan, to help address the short-term and long-term cognitive
and behavioral development of children exposed to high lead levels.
However, the Congressional Black Caucus appreciates, unfortunately,
that Flint is not the only community in America impacted by lead
exposure. This is why our budget includes funds to help not only Flint,
but also other communities across the Nation deal with the effects of
lead exposure.
Unlike the Republican budget, the CBC budget clearly shows how we pay
for these additional investments. Our budget sets a new revenue target
of $4 trillion over the next 10 years above the current revenue
baseline. To demonstrate how this is achievable and realistic, our
budget suggests several specific alternatives, totaling $7 trillion,
that the House and Senate committees can choose from to reach that
target.
We ask for $4 trillion in new additional and specifically outline at
least $7 trillion to choose from. We do this by specifically talking
about closing specific corporate loopholes, treating capital gains and
dividends as regular income, a reasonable fee for financial
transactions, restoring the estate tax to levels paid over a few years
ago, specific items where you can choose from and, in fact, if we just
cancel the Bush-era tax cuts, we would have almost $4 trillion in new
revenue right there.
At the end of the day, our budget realistically reduces the deficit
by approximately $3.2 trillion over the next decade compared to the
Congressional Budget Office's March 2016 baseline. The CBC budget
chooses investments in America's children and workers, protects our
most vulnerable communities, and changes the wrong choices offered by
the Republican majority.
I hope that we will have an opportunity to debate these issues if the
House Republicans are ever able to bring their road-to-ruin budget to a
full House vote.
Again, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Would the gentleman indulge one question?
It was mentioned during that very thorough presentation of what is
contained in the CBC budget the 10-20-30 program, and of course 10-20-
30, an initiative that has been championed by the CBC through the
leadership of Representative Jim Clyburn, would put forth a formula
where 10 percent of the funding allocation would go to counties where
20 percent of the population has been living below the poverty line for
30 or more years. Is that correct?
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. That is correct. If you look at that, those
counties and areas are spread all over the country, and if we are ever
going to eradicate poverty, we have to target it to the high poverty
areas, and 10-20-30 does exactly that.
Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman. In fact, what
Representative Clyburn has consistently pointed out, which I think is
important in an era where we are trying to find common ground and deal
with the problems confronting the American people, if you look at a
breakdown of persistently poor counties across the country and overlay
that with congressional districts, a majority of those counties are
actually represented by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
This is something that we believe should be embraced by the Speaker
and

[[Page 4498]]

our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, as it would benefit, by
the numbers, the constituents that they represent even more so than
those of us within the CBC or on this side of the aisle.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. That is exactly true. I thank the gentleman
very much for pointing that out.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Scott.
Let me now ask my colleague, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty),
to just react to some of what we have heard.
One of the things that I thought was interesting in the presentation
related to this budget is that if you look at the numbers, they are so
extreme. I was on the Committee on the Budget during my first 2 years
in Congress, but these numbers are even more extreme than what I
remember in the 113th Congress. The budget apparently will cut $157
billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over a 10-
year period.
The Republican budget that came out of the committee would cut
roughly $2 trillion from Medicaid. When I was on the committee, the
number was $700 million. I thought that was out of control, $700
million. Now we are at $2 trillion over a 10-year period apparently.
And then we have got cuts in higher education. The proposal is $185
billion over 10 years.
You have to ask the question: Why would anyone propose such draconian
cuts?
The answer is clear. This is not something that is often talked
about, but the objective is to create a situation where you can
dramatically lower the tax rates for the wealthiest amongst us. The top
tax rate right now is 39.6 percent, but what the budget that has been
put forth by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would do is
that it would create two tax rates, one at 10 and the other at 25
percent. So what you will see is a tax cut that goes from 39.6 percent
to 25 percent.
The way that you balance a budget and pay for it is on the backs of
working families, the middle class, senior citizens, children, the
disabled, the poor, the afflicted, and everybody else who doesn't fall
into the category of millionaire or billionaire.

{time} 2030

Now, you wonder how it could be possible that anyone could think that
they could get away with such a draconian budget. Well, again, the
argument is trickle-down economics.
But what I found fascinating--and maybe you could react to this,
Representative Beatty--is that if you actually look at a side-by-side
comparison of the economy 8 years under President Clinton with a side-
by-side comparison of the economy 8 years under George W. Bush, and
then a side-by-side comparison of the economy 8 years under President
Obama, I think it is pretty clear who actually has been the responsible
fiscal stewards.
There were 20.3 million jobs created under the Clinton Presidency.
America lost 650,000 jobs in 8 years under the Bush Presidency. America
has now gained more than 14 million private sector jobs under 8 years
of the Obama Presidency.
What has been demonstrated is that the argument that if you lower tax
rates, you create economic prosperity, is phony. Because Bill Clinton
raised the top tax rate to 39.6 percent. It didn't seem to adversely
impact the economy. In fact, it was humming between 1992 and 2000.
George Bush comes to office, lowers the tax rate for high-income
earners from 39.6 percent to 35 percent. We had the greatest recession
in the history of modern America; the worst financial crisis since the
Great Depression.
President Obama comes into office and he raises the top tax rate
again from 35 to 39.6, more than 14 million jobs are created, the
unemployment rate has dropped under his tenure from over 10 percent to
5 percent, the deficit has been reduced by more than a trillion
dollars. The stock market has gone from 6,000 to over 16,000. Now it is
up to 18,000. I haven't been in the 401(k) system as long as
Congressman Scott, who clearly is monitoring the situation. So the
prosperity numbers have been phenomenal.
I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for her reaction.
Mrs. BEATTY. I think Mr. Jeffries and our other colleagues have said
it so well, but here is what I am afraid of.
I think the Republicans--the GOP--want to take us down to the radical
trickle-down agenda that shattered our economy and hollowed out the
wages of middle class, hardworking Americans.
You said it all with that comparison from Clinton to Bush to now
President Obama. And I could add to that long list: some 18 million
people with health insurance; women having some of the best healthcare
opportunities, getting mammograms for those who are under- and
uninsured. We are able to have college students stay on their parent's
insurance.
So I think when we look at what is happening, there are billions of
dollars that they want to do away with in programs. And we can add to
that: the $185 billion from Federal college aid for low-income students
or the $150 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
or SNAP. Many of my constituents refer to that as their food stamps.
And certainly, but for the Congressional Black Caucus, those members on
the Agriculture Committee, those Members in leadership fighting for us
to restore those dollars, I think it is quite simple.
I think what we are hearing tonight from our members of the
Congressional Black Caucus is that they are trying to take us back in
history. They are trying to take us back to an era of time, and we are
not going to let them do that. We have too much at stake. We have
gained so much.
Someone may ask us tonight: Why are we here? Why are we the
conscience of the Congress, Mr. Speaker? Why are we here tonight
talking about the road to ruin and destruction by not having a
congressional budget?
I think the facts speak for themselves. I think that the American
public needs to know that this is not something that just affects the
Congressional Black Caucus. I want that to be clear. This affects
America.
You mentioned it with Mr. Clyburn's 10-20-30. The fact is more
individuals who don't look like members of the Congressional Black
Caucus will benefit. And that is the difference between Democrats and
Republicans. We care about all people.
They profess to have hearings on poverty, and then when you look at
the results of their own budget and what they are doing to those
individuals who live in poverty--chuckle we may, clear our voice, Mr.
Speaker, as we may--the facts speak for themselves. They are not
creating programs that will help us eliminate poverty. And it is as
simple as that.
Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank you for laying that out. And I think history
can be judged by objective observers as it relates to fiscal
responsibility. But a few facts that perhaps some in the Chamber may
have had amnesia about, but maybe it bears going through.
Sequestration and painful budget cuts as it relates to the extreme
agenda of some here in the Congress have been brought to us in a manner
that has cost us both jobs and the ability
to experience accelerated financial growth.
We saw in the aftermath of a severe economic shock the approach that
was taken by our friends over in Europe of extreme austerity did not
bear financial fruit. It was the stimulus package that was put forth--
with not a single vote from anyone on the other side of the aisle--that
was actually the financially responsible approach taken to help deal
with the train wreck that President Obama inherited and to get the
economy back on track.
But, of course, the objective from the very beginning--not my words,
but the words of the Senate majority leader on the other side of the
Capitol--was to make the President a one-term President.
I just don't even understand the philosophy of a President who takes
office, inherits the worst economy since the Great Depression, and the
number one agenda is to make sure that he is a one-term President. But
that was an unsuccessful political endeavor. He gets a second term.

[[Page 4499]]

The first thing that some of my good friends on the other side of the
aisle decide to do, as we approach the end of the fiscal year in 2013,
was to shut down the government for 16 days. It cost us $24 billion in
lost economic productivity. That is not hyperbole. Those are facts.
And what was it all for?
Because there is this obsession--perhaps clinical in nature--with the
Affordable Care Act. This is why we voted more than 50 times to destroy
it, defeat it, delay it, and do everything possible to stop it.
What could be possibly wrong with making sure that preexisting
conditions don't prevent someone here in the greatest country in the
history of the world from being able to get adequate medical care? What
is wrong with more than 20 million previously uninsured Americans
actually having health care?
Yet, in the budget that apparently is not extreme enough, we would
take away the Affordable Care Act.
So these are just some of the facts. I wish we had some more time to
explore it. That is not hyperbole. Historians will judge this
Presidency and this Congress. I, of course, am of the belief that many
will conclude that this is a Congress that has majored in obstruction,
minored in dysfunction, and done everything possible to pursue a degree
in legislative malpractice to the detriment of the American people. And
I am hopeful that we can just get back on track and try to find common
ground to do the business of the American people, which is why each and
every one of us was sent here to the people's House.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Republican
controlled House has once again missed a key deadline when it failed to
pass a budget resolution before April 15. Despite promises to the
contrary, House Speaker Paul Ryan has been unable to bring a budget
resolution to the floor in a timely fashion. This is simply
unacceptable.
Completing a budget resolution is an important step in the budget
process that will lay out Congress' spending priorities and create a
unified vision for a more prosperous nation. While Democrats have
endeavored to work cooperatively with Republicans to pass a
comprehensive budget resolution, Speaker Ryan has insisted on pushing a
budget that divides our country while further slashing critical
investments aimed at strengthening our economy. The Republican budget
reflects the needs of only a select few instead of the views and
priorities of every American and places the burden of deficit reduction
squarely on the backs of middle and working class Americans.
It is clear that our most vulnerable segments of the population--the
elderly, minorities, low-income earners, and others--have been most
impacted by the Great Recession. Yet this latest Republican budget
resolution continues to reflect the failed economic worldview that
wealth will trickle down when we give massive tax breaks to the
wealthy. Time and time again, history has demonstrated that this is
simply untrue.
It is unfortunate that the Republican-controlled Congress today is
subjecting millions of hard-working families to even greater pressures
to work longer hours for less pay, while we continue to prop up the
wealthiest earners and biggest corporations with tax breaks and other
loopholes. The Republican budget exemplifies these principles and
drives the wedge deeper between the wealthy and our most vulnerable.
Mr. Speaker, I believe our nation is on a dangerous path under this
Republican leadership. Congress should be working to create jobs and
increase pay for hard-working American families, not giving additional
tax breaks to the wealthy and cutting spending for key social programs.
The Republicans have long abandoned their commitment to pass a budget
resolution that reflects the needs of all Americans. Thus, I am
strongly urging my colleagues to support fiscally sound and morally
responsible budget alternatives that will create a level playing field
and new opportunities for every American.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Loudermilk). The Chair would remind
Members that remarks in debate may not engage in personalities toward
the President, including by repeating remarks made elsewhere that would
be improper if spoken in the Member's own words.

____________________

RESTORING ARTICLE I CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO CONGRESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Yoho) for 30 minutes.

General Leave

Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on this
evening's Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, if Congress does not assert its constitutional
authority, we risk becoming obsolete in the eyes of an Executive that
would prefer to legislate with a phone and a pen as a replacement for
this body.
Thank you to all my colleagues who join me this evening, and may God
bless America.
Every day, before Members of Congress meet to conduct official
business, we gather to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United
States of America. We place our right hand over our hearts and promise
to our colleagues, our constituents, and all Americans that we will
uphold the rule of law.
This very law is the very vehicle that has ensured liberty and
justice for all even being a possibility: the rule of law.
Unfortunately, this administration seems intent on operating outside
the rule of law. It insists upon circumventing Congress by changing
laws and legislating from the Oval Office, not from Capitol Hill.
Time and again, the American people have had to bear witness to the
blatant disrespect this administration has for our Constitution. In my
heart, I believe this disrespect is on full display in the embattled
fight Congress and the American people find themselves in today with
the executive branch at the Supreme Court.
This morning, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the United
States v. Texas case, including 25 other States. To some, this case is
simply an argument over whether or not you are pro-illegal immigration.
Let me repeat that. You are pro-illegal immigration or not. To others,
this case is about keeping families together. To many, like myself, it
is about protecting the dignity of our Constitution and the balance of
powers within the three branches of government.
The United States v. Texas is about the rule of law and defending the
integrity of our great institution of government. We are a
constitutional Republic. And yet, the President's mass deferred action
on deportation of individuals residing within our country illegally
would make it seem more like we are living in a dictatorship.
The Constitution is clear on the issues of legislation. Article I,
section 1 explicitly states: ``All legislative powers herein granted
shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist
of a Senate and a House of Representatives.''
Let that sink in for a moment. ``All legislative powers herein
granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall
consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.''
Article I, section 8, clause 4: ``to establish a uniform rule of
naturalization.'' That is solely the responsibility of this body. Take
notice of the absence of any reference to the executive office,
executive branch, or judicial branch.
Article II, section 3, however, states that the President ``shall
take care that the laws be faithfully executed.'' It is referred to as
the Take Care Clause. That the laws be faithfully executed, not
established, not rewritten, not selectively enforce portions of law,
but to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

{time} 2045

That power is still delegated to Congress just as it was over two
centuries ago.
If the Supreme Court upholds the administrative executive action, I
fear that our Republic--that is the United States--will die. We will
see an end of a Nation that started by fending off tyranny. We will see
the end of a Nation which has withstood a civil war,

[[Page 4500]]

two world wars, and countless terrorist attacks.
Terrorists hate the United States simply because of the manner
through which we have prospered under the freedoms enshrined in the
Constitution.
Again, the success of our Nation is because we are a land and a
Nation of laws. I urge all of my colleagues in the House and the Senate
to not falter in their defense of the founding principles upon which
this great Nation was built.
Interesting, today, at the Supreme Court, I was there to speak on
these very topics. Many pro-illegal immigrants were present, and I
found it very interesting they were shouting, demonstrating, exercising
freedom of speech, freedom of speech and demonstrating in America,
simply because we have a Constitution that protects that.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Brat), my
good friend and colleague.
Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to discuss the case being heard
before the Supreme Court, United States v. Texas, and the President's
unconstitutional executive actions on immigration and the need for the
restoration of the balance of powers between the branches of
government. This case is the challenge to President Obama's executive
actions for illegal immigrants, the so-called Deferred Action for
Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, otherwise known as
DAPA, an expansion of the earlier Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals, otherwise known as DACA. The lawsuit was brought by Governors
and attorneys general from the Texas Supreme Court and 25 other States.
That is significant, in and of itself.
Under these unconstitutional programs, President Obama claims the
right to, by executive fiat, make an illegal immigrant ``lawfully
present.'' Let me say that again real slow. The President claims, by
right, by executive fiat, to make an illegal immigrant ``lawfully
present'' in the United States and eligible to receive a work permit
after an application is reviewed and a fee is paid. This is straight
out of ``1984.''
The language is upside down. The government is handing out work
permits and making illegal immigrants eligible to work in the United
States as well as receive Social Security, unemployment, and disability
benefits. But this only hurts American citizens and taxpayers.
What has Congress done about this? Not enough.
The real issue in this case is not discretion, but whether or not
there is any limit at all on Presidential power.
The Founders recognized these distinctions, and they made Congress
the first branch among equals of the Federal Government and the most
accountable branch to the American people--and thus, Article I, not II.
The Congress is Article I.
The Founders created a system of checks and balances to ensure no
individual could gain absolute power within the government without a
check, not even George Washington, whom they all loved.
Under our Constitution, the Congress is entrusted with ``all
legislative powers''--all, including the power ``to establish a uniform
rule of naturalization.''
The Founders drafted the Constitution to clearly state that it is not
the President who writes the laws; Congress does. Much of the
President's job is to faithfully execute these laws passed by Congress.
In fact, neither any immigration law nor the Constitution empowers the
Executive to authorize, let alone facilitate, the violation of the laws
passed by Congress. The President even acknowledged this 22 times on TV
before using his pen and phone to act alone without Congress.
This imbalance of powers is a threat to self-government itself. Our
inaction, time and again, has expanded the administrative state and
left the American people without a voice in Washington. The
Presidential elections on both sides of the aisle are making this
abundantly clear.
For starters, we can advocate for reforms in four principled areas:
reclaiming Congress' power of the purse, reforming executive-empowering
legislative ``cliffs,'' restoring congressional authority over
regulations and regulators, and reining in executive discretion.
I have sponsored simple legislation to do just that: return power
back to Congress. I introduced a bill to reform this process with the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, the primary agency
for implementing the President's immigration executive order.
USCIS funds itself through application fees, which insulates it from
the will of the American people as expressed through their
Representatives in Congress. Congress cannot effectively exercise its
powers through the appropriations process to perform basic oversight
functions and ensure the agency is executing the laws faithfully.
My proposal, the Use Spending for Congressional Immigration
Supervision, USCIS, Act, will make unaccountable agencies like the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services accountable to Congress and,
therefore, accountable to the American people. Putting USCIS on
appropriations ensures that unelected bureaucrats are held accountable
and provides transparency for how the Federal Government is raising and
spending your money.
Congress needs to reassert its power of the purse by making agency
budgets subject to appropriations, but we cannot stop there. There is
more Congress has to do to restore Congress' power to hold the
executive branch accountable. The Constitution still gives Congress all
its powers. It is up to Congress to step up and start using them.
Mr. YOHO. I thank the gentleman for his comments.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).
Mr. KING of Iowa. I thank the gentleman from Florida for organizing
this Special Order, for his leadership, for his constitutional
convictions, and for the opportunity to address you tonight, Mr.
Speaker, here on the floor of the House of Representatives.
I am listening to this dialogue that is taking place here on the
floor, and this thought occurred to me that, several years ago, our
borders are so open and our borders are so porous, and we have a
President who has refused to enforce the law. In fact, he sends the
message through his executive branch, if you are determined to enforce
the law and you are a member of the Border Patrol, you had better find
another job. I mean, that came out of the President and his leadership
team all the way on down to our Border Patrol agents.
I have been down to the border a good number of times, and I have
watched as people come across the border in broad daylight, float
across there in a raft. They get unloaded, stand there on the grass on
our side of the river, and wait for the Border Patrol to come down with
a welcome wagon and say: Would you like to apply for asylum?
And, by the way, one of them was a pregnant lady, and so I am sure by
now she has her asylum, or at least that baby is an American citizen.
Our borders are so porous that, in order to illustrate how bad they
are, we had James O'Keefe, who went down and put on an Osama bin Laden
mask and walked across the border. Nobody bothered him.
There was another individual that thought: I will make a bigger show
of it. I will hire a mariachi band, and he rode a circus elephant
across the Rio Grande River. That is how bad our border is.
Now, here is how bad our law and our Constitution are. The mariachi
band was serenading the Supreme Court today, Mr. Speaker, to try to
convince them that we ought to see the Supreme Court rewrite law that
Congress has written, that has been signed by a previous President, and
every President since then has taken the oath to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed, to preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution of the United States.
This constitutional balance that we have has seen a Supreme Court
rewrite ObamaCare. So now they have the audacity to rewrite the law,
and they are the ones that are deciding today, with

[[Page 4501]]

eight Justices, sadly--sadly, not 9--as to whether or not the President
of the United States can do what the Supreme Court did, in other words,
rewrite the law.
The President of the United States, 22 times, as the previous
speaker, Mr. Brat, said, told America he doesn't have the
constitutional authority to grant the amnesty, the executive amnesty
that he did, whether it be DACA or whether it be DAPA. But then, after
he deliberated for awhile, he checked his conscience. That didn't
bother him. We shouldn't be amazed at that, Mr. Speaker. He already
knew the Constitution. He lectured it to us. But what he checked was
his politics, and his question was: Can he get away with it? Is there
an enforcement capacity that could stop him?
Well, he hadn't met yet Judge Hanen in Texas who, if these Justices
in the Supreme Court deadlock 4-4, the President's executive amnesty,
at least for DAPA, is going to be stalled for the duration of his
administration.
And so this prosecutorial discretion argument before the Court today
that the Obama administration very well knew was the center of this
case--and that prosecutorial discretion can be conferred on an
individual basis only. That was the testimony of Janet Napolitano; and
in the first Morton memo document, there were multiple references to an
individual basis only. Her testimony was an individual basis only. But
even the first document set out four categories, groups of people, whom
the law would be waived for, and that is what we are talking about
here.
Who writes the law? If the President writes the law, how could we
write one that would restrain this President that is out of line? Let's
preserve our Constitution, and let's look forward to an appointment to
the Supreme Court that actually means it when they take their oath as
we do ours.
Mr. YOHO. I thank my colleague from Iowa for such great remarks and
your passion and your leadership. It was great to see you in front of
the Supreme Court today speaking passionately about this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good friend from the great State of South
Carolina (Mr. Sanford).
Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for doing this. I
think it is such an important issue.
I think that, as has been mentioned by a couple of speakers now, what
is really at play here is a constitutional issue. The Founding Fathers
were so emphatically clear that there were to be three different pieces
of pie. There was to be an executive branch that administered the law,
a legislative branch that created it, and a judicial branch that
interpreted it.
There is this amazing reservoir of common sense that exists out there
with the American public. So what people told me back home is this is
not about being against somebody from some other place. This is not
about being against Hispanics. This is, in fact, about the rule of law
and a system that our Founding Fathers gave us more than 200 years ago
and how we preserve it. And how we preserve it is by actually sticking
to it. Ultimately, the issue has less to do with immigration than it
does to do with this larger notion of common sense and rule of law.
I would also stress the common sense part. I remember back in the
O.J. Simpson trial, there was this whole notion of, if the glove
doesn't fit, you can't acquit. In this case, the glove doesn't fit from
the standpoint of common sense.
I actually had my staff pull up a couple of numbers this afternoon,
and I think that they are fascinating, and here is what I mean by that.
The numbers don't fit with the scale of every other amnesty that has
been done for more than the last 50 years.
Think about this. The amnesties that this President has proposed, in
total, are about 5\1/2\ million people. That is more than all of the
cumulative amnesties for the last 53 years, going back all the way to
the time of Eisenhower. In fact, the average amnesty was about 32,000
people in size.
We have all always been a Nation that has been welcoming; we have
included other people. So if you look back at the El Salvadorans that
Clinton and Bush allowed in, based on civic conflict and real civil war
down that way, if you look at the Persian Gulf evacuees, if you look at
the--my eyesight is getting so bad, I need to get glasses. If you look
at the Chinese, after Tiananmen Square, if you were to look at Soviet
refugees, if you look at the Ethiopians, the Lithuanians, even going
back to the war orphans at the time of Eisenhower, there has been a
remarkable case when amnesties were judged okay by this Congress, okay
by the American people, okay by the President because of scale, 32,000
people, on average, per amnesty, for 53 years.
Again, this President's amnesty dwarfs the total amnesties of all
Presidents over the last 53 years, and, for that reason, the American
public has reacted as it has saying this just doesn't fit.
The other thing that I think is interesting, going back to the notion
of sheer scale and the ways in which this particular amnesty that the
President has proposed is at odds with every other for the last 53
years, is, if you were to add up the cumulative amnesties of this
President, you would be in the top 20 States in the United States of
America--5.5 million people. That is well above the population of South
Carolina; it is well above the population of Alabama. Or go down about
another 30 States, wherein you would have a de facto new State added
that would be more than midway in the graph of all States in this
country. It doesn't fit.
A third point that I would make, and I think this is a fascinating
one that my staff pulled, is that if you look at all those amnesties I
was just talking about over the last 53 years, they have really fallen
into a couple of baskets, the one big amnesty being back in 1986 which,
ultimately, went through this Congress. It was, in fact, as a
consequence of the act of Congress and the will of the American public.
That was a big one. But the other one was the Adjustment Act of 1966,
which goes back to the plight of the Cuban people and trying to do
something about that.
The other one has been a basket of natural disaster, of political
strife, of family reunification. That has been a basket. And then there
has been a basket for refugees. But never before have we had a basket
that was about a political objective as opposed to a reaction to an
external event. We have had a long list of external events over 53
years that is at odds with what we see taking place.
So not only is this important from the standpoint of the Constitution
and the rule of law, as has been so eloquently stated thus far, it is
something that doesn't fit common sense from the standpoint of scale.
And there is one last point. There is a financial cost to this. The
Cato Institute estimated that you are looking at about $14,000 per
household. If you multiply that times the number of refugees that the
President is talking about here, you are looking at about $19 billion
in cost. That is about two-thirds of the dustup we have had over the
budget. You are talking about $30 billion. Is the number 1070 or 1040?
A $30 billion difference. In this case, two-thirds of that total would
be taken care of just with this question of amnesty that is before us
tonight which you, again, have brought, and I very, very much
appreciate you doing so.
Mr. YOHO. I thank my colleague from the great State of South Carolina
for those--I mean, those are great numbers that really illustrate the
significance and the large amount of numbers that we are dealing with.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from the State of Arizona, Dr.
Paul Gosar.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho)
for his leadership on this issue and for organizing this Special Order.
Mr. Speaker, I have spoken many times right here on the House Floor
about upholding the rule of law. Whether it be about a lawless Attorney
General who tried to cover up a gunrunning operation, or a rogue IRS
Director illegally targeting innocent Americans, or a President
attempting

[[Page 4502]]

to enact amnesty by executive action, ensuring that the Federal
Government is held accountable for its lawlessness has been one of my
top priorities as an elected Representative to the people's House. And
while the concept of equal application of the law may not seem like it
needs any explanation, I would like to speak to the heart of why
upholding the rule of law is so fundamental.
Our laws seek to incentivize Americans to behave responsibly and to
impose consequences when they don't. This is the fundamental contract
woven into the fabric of our Republic. It is a concept envisioned by
our Founding Fathers, not only to protect the individual rights of
every man, woman, and child, but also to prohibit executive overreach
from an intrusive Federal Government.
Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis captured these principles
best when he stated: ``In a government of laws, existence of the
government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law
scrupulously. Our Government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher.
For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime
is contagious. If the Government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds
contempt for the law; it invites every man to become a law unto
himself; it invites anarchy.''
Sadly, we are witnessing what happens when the Federal Government
becomes a lawbreaker and breeds contempt for the law--anarchy. The
Obama administration has created an immigration crisis as a result of
its failure to enforce Federal immigration laws on the books.
The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reported just last
week that 2016 could set another record for the number of unaccompanied
alien children crossing our southern border, and that from 2011 to
2014, unaccompanied alien children increased by 1,200 percent. Also
last week, 1,000 Cuban aliens stormed the Costa Rica-Panama border
demanding to pass so they could continue their journey to enter the
United States illegally.
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress clear
jurisdiction on immigration matters, and President Obama's executive
actions on immigration clearly infringe on that authority. The
President even admitted that fact 22 times previously when he stated he
did not have the authority to take the executive actions he ultimately
ended up taking.

{time} 2100

Justice Kennedy rightfully pointed out today that DAPA is a
legislative act, not an administrative act. Thus, its creation is
unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court should uphold the lower court's
ruling that halted Obama's illegal actions.
What incentive do Americans have to follow the rule of law themselves
if they have no faith that their government will do the same? How can
lawmakers ask immigrants seeking to migrate lawfully to our country to
follow these rules when this President so blatantly violates those same
rules?
Unfortunately, if we don't take bold action now to hold the President
accountable for his lawlessness, we risk permanently damaging the
integrity of all our laws beyond all repair.
The good news is there is a solution. The House must utilize our
power of the purse to block any and all funding for the President's
executive amnesty orders.
I am attempting to do just that and recently spearheaded an
appropriations rider supported by 35 of my colleagues to block funding
for all executive actions on immigration dating back to 2011.
Returning to the rule of law begins with the House enforcing its own
constitutional power of the purse. We must fundamentally reject the
President's legacy of lawlessness and renew the faith that we all place
in the rule of law.
Mr. YOHO. I thank my colleague for such wise words of wisdom.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from the State of
Colorado, Mr. Ken Buck.
Mr. BUCK. I thank the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration somehow missed the class in
civics about separation of powers, checks and balances, and so many
other issues from our Constitution. Thankfully, the Supreme Court can
offer some remedial education when it decides the case United States v.
Texas.
The facts of the case are simple. The President's executive action on
immigration is downright illegal. He bypassed Congress, even though the
Constitution explicitly states that the legislative branch has the
power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.
This administration uses the excuse of prosecutorial discretion. As a
prosecutor for 25 years, I can tell you this isn't true. When his
executive order creates a new special class for millions of people in
the United States, this isn't a case-by-case use of discretion. It is a
blanket rulemaking, and it is rulemaking that directly contradicts the
wishes of Congress.
All three branches of government agree that these actions are
illegal. Courts have already issued an injunction against the rule.
Congress submitted a friend-of-the-court brief highlighting its
proper role, and the President himself knows it would be
unconstitutional to bypass Congress and create his own immigration
laws. He said so many times. For some reason, he still went ahead and
issued the executive order.
Real people feel real consequences when we put the Constitution
through the paper shredder. The President's actions will lead to
devastating new costs for States. Our healthcare system, our judicial
and law enforcement systems, and our education system will all be
strained as they try to accommodate the President's unconstitutional
orders.
The judicial branch has a chance to stand up to executive overreach
in this case and reassert congressional power. I hope the Court rules
correctly because the fate of the Republic hangs in the balance.
Mr. YOHO. Words spoken so true, and I appreciate that. The
Constitution and the sovereignty of this Nation is what is at stake
here, along with the institution itself.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good friend, Mr. Jody B. Hice from the
State of Georgia.
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. I am grateful to my colleague from
Florida for yielding this time.
Mr. Speaker, today the United States Supreme Court heard oral
arguments on what certainly has every potential of being one of the
most important cases of our time. Of course, we are talking about a
case involving an unprecedented and inexplicable expansion of powers by
the President.
We all remember in November 2014 when President Obama, fresh from, I
might add, losing midterm elections, announced his executive decision
to grant amnesty to some 5 million illegal immigrants.
Immediately 26 States, my home State of Georgia being one of them,
quickly moved to challenge this President's decision in the courts.
Those States rightly and correctly argued that they were being forced
by the Federal Government to bear the costly burden of this President's
abuse of power.
So after months of legal wrangling in the lower courts, now we watch
United States v. Texas being considered in the High Court.
We watched this being put on in the Supreme Court, and I am hopeful,
as many of my colleagues, all of us here tonight, that the rulings from
the lower courts will stand and that, ultimately, this President's
executive amnesty will be ruled for what it is, a clear violation of
the Constitution.
That is what we are dealing with tonight, a violation of the
Constitution, specifically article II, section 3, the faithful
execution clause.
Many ask: What is that? Basically, that clause requires the President
to enforce the laws of the land. Is it too much to ask for the
President to enforce the laws of the land as written by Congress and
interpreted by the courts?
This President has turned that upside down. He has turned our
Constitution on its head with his own legislative policies from the
executive office and the abuse of executive authority.

[[Page 4503]]

Many of us here have voted multiple times to oppose many of the
President's unconstitutional actions, and I have cosponsored many bills
trying to deal specifically with his planned amnesty program.
Going forward, now we have the Supreme Court case before us, and we
all hope that they will see that what the President has done is a
direct, gross violation of our Constitution.
Again, I want to thank my friend from Florida, Congressman Yoho, for
putting together this Special Order.
Mr. YOHO. I would like to thank my colleague from Georgia for
participating.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, our institution of law is threatened more
today than ever before. All evil or tyranny needs to succeed or for a
constitutional republic to fail is for good men and women to be
complacent and do nothing.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.

____________________

ISSUES OF THE DAY

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Gohmert) for 30 minutes.
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friends, as led by our
friend, Congressman Ted Yoho from Florida, and our friend from Georgia,
Brother Hice. We heard great comments from Dr. Gosar and our friend,
Steve King, from Iowa.
These are deeply troubling times, and the Supreme Court taking up
United States v. Texas really accentuates that issue. Sometimes it is
nice to just pause and pay tribute to folks, for example, a beautiful
couple here.
It is a pastor. His name is Pastor Jesse Estrada Sabillon and his
wife, Maria Sabillon. They are with their granddaughter in this
picture. They are a beautiful couple. You can feel the love emanating
from the picture.
Pastor Jesse Estrada Sabillon was a Baptist minister at Nuevo
Amanecer Baptist Church of Houston in the Cloverleaf area. He was an
excellent carpenter. He owned a home remodeling business, J J & Sons
Remodeling. His wife, Maria,--you can tell she loves her
granddaughter--was a retired home caregiver for children with special
needs. They were a beautiful couple.
Mr. Sabillon never accepted a salary from the church and instead
relied upon his job as a carpenter to feed his family. So it appears
that Pastor Sabillon was working and acting in the vein of the Apostles
Peter and Paul. Particularly Paul didn't want to be a burden to others.
So he made tents, sewed, and did whatever he needed to so that he
wasn't a burden to others.
Instead of being a burden to others, Pastor Sabillon and his wife,
Maria, were a blessing to Texas. They were a blessing to the Houston
area and to so many whom they helped, the special needs kids that Maria
helped with.

{time} 2115

It appears that Jesse, Pastor Sabillon, was doing what Jesus said to
do, to be a light to others, to be salt to the world, to administer to
others' needs, or as Jesus told Peter, ``If you love me, you will tend
my flock.'' Well, Pastor Sabillon did that and, apparently, did that
very well.
This story, April 15: ``Alexis De Larosa Sosa, 21, is a Mexican
national who entered the United States illegally, HCSO''--apparently
Harris County Sheriff's Office--``public information officer Ryan
Sullivan confirmed in a phone interview with Breitbart Texas.
``His intake''--by this he means, Alexis De Larosa Sosa--``form says:
U.S. citizen, no; alien status, illegal . . . De Larosa Sosa was wanted
in connection with a street racing crash where Pastor Jesse Estrada
Sabillon, and his wife, Maria Sabillon, were killed. The couple was
driving home Tuesday night after visiting their niece who had just
given birth to a baby when they were struck by the truck.
``The suspect is reported to have fled the scene following the crash
and did not turn himself in until Friday morning about 10 a.m. local
time.
``He was allegedly driving a 2006 Chevy pickup truck and was said to
be racing with a dark-colored Dodge Challenger or Charger, the Houston
Chronicle reported on Wednesday. The two vehicles were said to be
racing along the Sam Houston Tollway feeder road when De Larosa Sosa is
reported to have run a red light, striking the 2004 BMW 330 driven by
Sabillon. The couple were both pronounced dead at the scene of the
crash. De Larosa Sosa is said to have fled the scene on foot. The
driver of the Dodge fled the scene in his vehicle.
``Officials with the Harris County Sheriff's Office quickly notified
the family of the pastor who expressed relief at the news,'' talking
about the apprehension of the suspect.
``De Larosa Sosa is currently processing into the Harris County jail
and has not yet made a court appearance. He is expected to be charged
in connection with the two homicides and fleeing the scene of the fatal
accident.''
We know there are some wonderful people who have come into this
country illegally. There have been. But there is no question that
criminals have taken advantage of the situation to cross our border,
since it has been porous, and to inflict crime on people of the United
States. There should be little doubt about that.
And then we have this story from the Washington Free Beacon: ``Number
of Children Illegally Crossing Border Up 1,200 Percent Between 2011 and
2014.'' Ironically, it just happens to be, as people were finding out
south of our border and in other parts of the world, that if you make
it into the United States illegally, then you are probably going to
stay. Odds are 97 percent you will stay.
As border patrolmen have told me, drug cartels across our southern
border call our Border Patrol, our Homeland Security, the logistics,
and they laughingly say if they get people illegally into the country,
then Homeland Security is the logistics that ships them wherever they
want them to go in the country.
As I have seen a number of times in the middle of the night as people
are being processed, and like, for example, the one older lady who was
asked how much she paid, some would say $6,000, some would say $7,000,
$5,000, or $8,000.
On a number of occasions, a border patrolman has challenged them:
Where did you get that kind of money? You don't have that kind of
money.
It normally took repeated questioning to elicit an answer: Well, I
paid $1,800 from family in this place, some people sent $2,000 from the
United States, and I am going to pay the rest by working it off in the
United States.
They tell them where they want to go. Amazingly, Homeland Security
has shipped people that have come into the country illegally all over
the country. We have reports about Mexican drug distribution in all of
our major cities. When you know that Homeland Security is shipping
people that still owe the drug cartels money into different cities, it
is not hard to figure out how they are getting some of their less than
happy workers helping them with their drug distribution.
This article from Adam Kredo says in this Washington Free Beacon:
``The number of children apprehended on the U.S. border attempting to
immigrate illegally has surged more than 1,200 percent since 2011, and
the number of these children crossing the border during 2016 could be
another record, according to a newly released government report.
``The number of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) illegally
crossing the U.S. border `has increased sharply' since 2011, with a
surge of more than 1,200 percent just between 2011 and 2014, according
to the Congressional Research Service. The agency also disclosed that
the flow is increasing significantly in the first 5 months of fiscal
2016.
``The illegal immigration of these children hit record-breaking
numbers in 2014, with U.S. officials apprehending more than 52,000
alien children. Nearly 20,000 have been apprehended within the first 5
months of

[[Page 4504]]

2016, setting the stage for another potentially record-breaking year.
```This unexpected surge of children strained U.S. Government
resources and created a complex crisis of humanitarian implications,'
the report said. `They increased in the first 5 months of FY 2016,
however, and experts warn that significant migration flows will
continue until policymakers in the countries of origin and the
international community address the poor socioeconomic and security
conditions driving Central Americans to leave their homes.'''
That is interesting, but I would submit, Mr. Speaker, that actually
they will continue to surge as long as they are led to believe by the
administration, and the evidence continues to indicate, that they will
be allowed to stay in America, we will send them where they may claim
to have relatives or where the drug cartels tell them to request to be
sent.
Just in the last few weeks, spending some days and nights on our
border, our southern border, it is heartbreaking what you see because
there are people that clearly want a better way of life. They are
leaving the country of origin because their countries do not enforce
the rule of law. There is graft, there is corruption, and the rule of
law, the law is not evenly and fairly supported and enforced across the
board. Therefore, the jobs aren't there.
There are more opportunities here in the United States. Although we
have breakdowns, we do try to enforce the law more evenly than, I would
submit, anywhere in the world, at least until more recently when this
administration makes exceptions of millions of people who are assured
that they can violate the law with impunity and will be awarded for it.
People come from countries where there is no equality under the law
and they come to this country, as soon as they get here, for those of
us that were out in front of the Supreme Court today, being shouted
down by people who are angry, many of them shouting in Spanish--fine--
but we were told that people in their positions were all in the
shadows.
Now, I did see some people lounging around under a few trees, but
most of them were not in the shadows. They were, in fact, on the steps
of the Supreme Court right there in front yelling and screaming and
showing disrespect for the U.S. national anthem and yelling, trying to
prevent freedom of speech.
It is just really interesting, seeing posters like ``Jesus was an
immigrant.'' Well, sort of, but he never violated the law. He never
encouraged anyone else to violate the law. In fact, he urged people to
go forth and do wrong no more, but that is not the case.
The great and really tragic irony of what is taking place is people
coming to America illegally demanding that the laws not be properly
enforced, not be fairly enforced. Sure, there have been millions and
millions and millions and millions of Americans who have come through
our system legally, but we are the millions that did not come legally
and we demand to have the same treatment as if we did come legally.
If we do that, it will not be long before we will be in the same
shape as the countries these people fled from because there is not
adequate opportunities. Since there is not adequate room for the
billion or so that we have been told may want to come to America around
the world, it would be far better to encourage their nations to end
graft and corruption, to treat people fairly across the board.
Here is an article from the Center for Immigration Studies. It says:
``The criminal aliens released by ICE in these years, who had already
been convicted of thousands of crimes, are responsible for a
significant crime spree in American communities, including 124 aliens
charged with 135 new homicides. Inexplicably, ICE is choosing to
release some criminal aliens multiple times.''
These are people that not only came into the country illegally, but
have committed crimes multiple times, many of them, while they are
here. At least they have certainly been charged with them.
``A total of 121 criminal aliens who were freed by ICE over the 5-
year period between 2010 and 2014 were subsequently charged with
homicide-related crimes within that time frame. Three more were charged
in 2015. These 121 accused murderers were associated with 250 different
communities in the United States, with the most clustered in
California, New York, and Texas.
``These aliens were charged with a total of 135 homicide-related
crimes after release. Two of them had homicide-related convictions even
before they were released. These aliens had 464 criminal convictions
prior to release by ICE.
``Another three aliens who were released by ICE during that time were
charged with homicides during the first 10 months of FY 2015 . . . this
tally does not include aliens who were released by sanctuary
jurisdictions, nor those aliens that were released by local law
enforcement agencies after ICE declined to take them into custody due
to Obama administration prioritization policies. This list includes
only those aliens that ICE arrested and then released.''

{time} 2130

``The names of the criminal aliens were redacted by the Judiciary
Committee, but the list presumably includes murderers like Apolinar
Altamirano, an illegal alien who was arrested by ICE in 2013 following
his conviction on local charges involving a burglary and abduction, but
who was released on a $10,000 bond and permitted to remain free and
elect to have deportation proceedings that would take years to
complete. In January 2015, Altamirano shot and killed 21-year-old Grant
Ronnebeck while he was working at a convenience store where Altamirano
had come to buy cigarettes.
``ICE has previously disclosed that 75 percent of the homicidal
criminal aliens were released due to court orders, including the so-
called Zadvydas cases in which the aliens' home countries would not
take them back. The rest were released by ICE's choice.''
The article also points out: ``In 2014, ICE released a total of
30,558 criminal aliens from its custody. These aliens had already been
convicted of 92,347 crimes before they were released by ICE.
``As of July 25, 2015, a total of 1,895 aliens have been charged with
a crime after being freed by ICE.
``In a separate communication, ICE provided a list of countries that
currently are uncooperative in accepting their deported citizens:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Cape Verde, China, Cuba, Eritrea,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya,
Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, and
Zimbabwe.''
We have the power to force these countries to either take back their
citizens who have come illegally into this country or who are illegally
in this country--particularly if they have committed crimes in this
country--or have consequences. Instead, this administration chooses to
provide benefits to countries like Iran and Afghanistan. For goodness
sake. Make sure they are running Christians and Jews out of
Afghanistan, but shouldn't they at least take back their own people?
I was told by one of the leaders in Afghanistan--this is a few years
ago--that their budget was around $12 billion a year. They only
provided about $1.5 billion. All the rest came from other countries,
and most of that was from the United States. If they won't take their
people back, then shut the government down. They will take their people
back. This is ridiculous.
Also, an important point was made in this article.
``As of July 25, 2015, only about 3 percent of the 30,558 criminal
aliens freed by ICE in 2014 have been removed . . . ICE reports that
28,017 still had a pending immigration case as of July 25, 2015,'' but
some of them don't show up for their hearings. Many don't. The largest
percentage do not. They are just given notices to appear.
``Recent National Gang Unit-led operations include--'' and this is
from a different article, from the article: ``ICE

[[Page 4505]]

Arrests More Than 1,100 in Operation Targeting Gangs.'' It talks about
all of the efforts to capture gangs. Let's see. ``Of the 1,133 arrests,
915 were gang members and associates; 1,001 were charged with criminal
offenses; and 132 were arrested . . .'' It is just more and more
numbers of drugs, firearms, currency. Again, about 3 percent,
apparently, is all they are removing of those who are committing crimes
in the country.
Jessica Vaughan, from a year ago, had an article from May 28: ``The
Non-Deported: ICE Still Releasing Criminal Aliens at a Rapid Pace.''
She documents, according to this article: ``The majority of convicted
criminal releases occurred because of Obama administration policies
that require ICE officers to let the offenders go. In some cases,
judges will allow aliens to be released after a bond hearing, but the
conditions are usually set by ICE, and ICE attorneys say that they have
been instructed not to vigorously contest an alien's request for
release,'' which brings us back to the Sabillons. My Christian brother
and my Christian sister are gone; and we don't enforce our immigration
laws as the oath taken by those in this administration require.
I want to finish up by mentioning again about my being on the border.
I was so struck. Texas has utilized and provided massive amounts of
money to try to help us defend our border. The number one area through
which people are coming into the United States moved some years back
from Arizona to the McAllen corridor into Texas. I had occasion to be
on a DPS boat with fantastic DPS officers. They had fantastic equipment
that they were able to utilize to spot people who were clearly getting
ready--behind bushes and whatnot--to cross the Rio Grande, from the
Mexico side, into the U.S. It appeared, clearly, that some of them were
just people who were going to be brought across, and some were carrying
things. Maybe they were drugs. We don't really know.
After we had spotted these folks when we were cruising down the river
on the DPS boat--and there were a couple of Border Patrol boats that
were much smaller, and there were other assets that allowed them to
focus once we identified where these people were so that the Federal
Border Patrol would know--and after we stayed silent for a while, we
finally got a radio message from the Border Patrol that asked us to go
ahead and return back to the dock way on down the river so that they
could try to intercept these folks. Fine, because I know, if the
Department of Public Safety sees a raft coming across, they will stop
them. They do destroy the raft, which, as I understand, gets the coyote
in trouble with the drug lord who sent him with the raft with people
who had paid money to get them across. So the DPS would do that.
They said: Why don't you go ahead. They are waiting for you to leave
the area. Then we can interdict. We can catch them red-handed.
It turns out that is exactly what they did. We spent massive amounts
of money and effort in spotting people before they came across the
river illegally. Whether it was bringing drugs, whether it was people
coming across, we knew where they were. We spotted them, and we
directed the Border Patrol to them. I say ``we.'' It is our Department
of Public Safety people in Texas. We got word: That is exactly what
they were waiting for. They came across after you left the area, and
now we are in-processing them into the United States.
We have the power to secure our border, but this administration has
no will, and that is why unaccompanied children are up 1,200 percent. I
have seen tiny, little girls, who couldn't have been more than 3 or 4,
just in the last trip down, in the days I spent down there. Girls like
them say: Oh, I am unaccompanied.
I guarantee you they did not cross that river unaccompanied. They did
not come 1,000 miles unaccompanied across Mexico. They were
accompanied. Thank God they were not sold into sex trafficking as so
many have been.
When we in the United States, as I have been told by African
friends--some of whom I have seen in the last month--say we are the
hope of the world and when we don't follow the law, when we don't
enforce the law, when we don't enforce our own laws, the world suffers.
As Christians in Africa have told me: We know where we go when we die,
but our only hope of having a peaceful life is if America stays strong.
We haven't done that. Christians are now being persecuted in greater
numbers than ever in history. Jews are being persecuted again as if we
are headed toward a new holocaust.
It is time for American leaders who have taken an oath to the United
States Constitution and to this country to realize: to whom much is
given, from them much will be required. There is going to be a day of
judgment on America if we don't rise to the occasion and use what we
have been blessed with.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

____________________

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to:
Ms. Jackson Lee (at the request of Ms. Pelosi) for today on account
of official business in the district.
Ms. Maxine Waters of California (at the request of Ms. Pelosi) for
today on account of unforeseen circumstances.

____________________

SENATE BILL REFERRED

A bill of the Senate of the following title was taken from the
Speaker's table and, under the rule, referred as follows:

S. 284. An act to impose sanctions with respect to foreign
persons responsible for gross violations of internationally
recognized human rights, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs; in addition to the Committee on
the Judiciary for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.

____________________

ENROLLED BILL SIGNED

Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly enrolled
a bill of the House of the following title, which was thereupon signed
by the Speaker:

H.R. 1670. An act to direct the Architect of the Capitol to
place in the United States Capitol a chair honoring American
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.

____________________

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 41 minutes
p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow,
Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

____________________

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.

Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from
the Speaker's table and referred as follows:

5057. A letter from the Director, Regulations Policy and
Management Staff, FDA, Department of Health and Human
Services, transmitting the Department's Major final rule --
Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food [Docket No.:
FDA-2013-N-0013] (RIN: 0910-AG98) received April 14, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
5058. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration,
Department of Justice, transmitting the Department's final
order -- Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of AH-
7921 into Schedule I [Docket No.: DEA-432] received April 13,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
5059. A letter from the Director, Regulations Policy and
Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's
direct final rule -- Administrative Actions for
Noncompliance; Lesser Administrative Actions [Docket No.:
FDA-2015-N-5052] received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251;
(110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

[[Page 4506]]

5060. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's Revision
0 to Regulatory Guide 3.75 -- Corrective Action Programs for
Fuel Cycle Facilities received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251;
(110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
5061. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's Revision
2 of Regulatory Guide 8.20 -- Applications of Bioassay for
Radioiodine received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
5062. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's Revision
2 of Regulatory Guide 8.22 -- Bioassay at Uranium Mills
received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
5063. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's Revision
3 to Regulatory Guide 4.7 -- General Site Suitability
Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations received April 14, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
5064. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission Revision 2
to Regulatory Guide 3.50 -- Standard Format and Content for a
Specific License Application for an Independent Spent Fuel
Storage Installation or Monitored Retrievable Storage
Facility received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
5065. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Amendment and Class D and Class E
Airspace; Wilmington, OH [Docket No.: FAA-2015-7486; Airspace
Docket No.: 15-AGL-26] received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251;
(110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
5066. A letter from the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the
Administration's final rule -- Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To List Eleven Distinct
Population Segments of the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
as Endangered or Threatened and Revision of Current Listings
Under the Endangered Species Act [Docket No.: 120425024-6232-
06] (RIN: 0648-XB089) received April 14, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251;
(110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
5067. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace;
Rapid City, SD [Docket No.: FAA-2015-7492; Airspace Docket
No.: 15-AGL-27] received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
5068. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class E Airspace for
the following Michigan towns; Alpena, MI; and Muskegon, MI
[Docket No.: FAA-2015-7483; Airspace Docket No.: 15-AGL-23]
received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
5069. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives;
Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate Previously
Held by AlliedSignal Inc., Garrett Turbine Engine Company)
Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2015-2208; Directorate
Identifier 2015-NE-19-AD; Amendment 39-18447; AD 2016-07-02]
received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
5070. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2015-6537; Directorate Identifier
2014-NM-154-AD; Amendment 39-18457; AD 2016-07-12] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
5071. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2014-1047; Directorate Identifier
2014-NM-157-AD; Amendment 39-18449; AD 2016-07-04] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
5072. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The
Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2016-5038;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-029-AD; Amendment 39-18455; AD
2016-07-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5073. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives;
Weatherly Aircraft Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2016-
5422; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-011-AD; Amendment 39-
18456; AD 2016-07-11] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5074. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The
Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2015-3983;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-18448; AD
2016-07-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5075. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The
Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2016-5033;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-118-AD; Amendment 39-18450; AD
2016-07-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5076. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA-
2015-3942; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-064-AD; Amendment
39-18446; AD 2016-07-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5077. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2015-
4212; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-010-AD; Amendment 39-
18451; AD 2016-07-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5078. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Amendment of Class D Airspace for
Bartow, FL [Docket No.: FAA-2016-4239; Airspace Docket No.:
16-ASO-4] received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
5079. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Establishment of Class D and Class
E Airspace, and Amendment of Class E Airspace; Lake City, FL
[Docket No.: FAA-2015-4010; Airspace Docket No.: 15-ASO-11]
received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
5080. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The
Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2012-0187;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-094-AD: Amendment 39-18452; AD
2016-07-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5081. A letter from the Management and Program Analyst,
FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; The
Boeing Company Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2016-5036;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-180-AD; Amendment 39-18453; AD
2016-07-08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received April 13,

[[Page 4507]]

2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
5082. A letter from the Staff Attorney, Federal Railroad
Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting
the Department's final rule -- Safety Glazing Standards
[Docket No.: FRA-2012-0103, Notice No. 2] (RIN: 2130-AC43)
received April 13, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

____________________

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to
the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as
follows:

Mr. BRADY of Texas: Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 4885.
A bill to require that user fees collected by the Internal
Revenue Service be deposited into the general fund of the
Treasury; with an amendment (Rept. 114-498). Referred to the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Mr. BRADY of Texas: Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1206.
A bill to prohibit the hiring of additional Internal Revenue
Service employees until the Secretary of the Treasury
certifies that no employee of the Internal Revenue Service
has a seriously delinquent tax debt; with an amendment (Rept.
114-499). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the
state of the Union.
Mr. BRADY of Texas: Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 3724.
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit
the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service from
rehiring any employee of the Internal Revenue Service who was
involuntarily separated from service for misconduct; with an
amendment (Rept. 114-500). Referred to the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union.
Mr. BRADY of Texas: Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 4890.
A bill to impose a ban on the payment of bonuses to employees
of the Internal Revenue Service until the Secretary of the
Treasury develops and implements a comprehensive customer
service strategy; with an amendment (Rept. 114-501). Referred
to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the
Union.
Mr. STIVERS: Committee on Rules. House Resolution 687. A
Resolution providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.
1206) to prohibit the hiring of additional Internal Revenue
Service employees until the Secretary of the Treasury
certifies that no employee of the Internal Revenue Service
has a seriously delinquent tax debt, and providing for
consideration of the bill (H.R. 4885) to require that user
fees collected by the Internal Revenue Service be deposited
into the general fund of the Treasury (Rept. 114-502).
Referred to the House Calendar.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia: Committee on Rules. House
Resolution 688. A Resolution providing for consideration of
the bill (H.R. 4890) to impose a ban on the payment of
bonuses to employees of the Internal Revenue Service until
the Secretary of the Treasury develops and implements a
comprehensive customer service strategy, and providing for
consideration of the bill (H.R. 3724) to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the Commissioner of the
Internal Revenue Service from rehiring any employee of the
Internal Revenue Service who was involuntarily separated from
service for misconduct (Rept. 114-503). Referred to the House
Calendar.

____________________

PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the
following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:

By Mr. ASHFORD (for himself, Mr. Fortenberry, and Mr.
Smith of Nebraska):
H.R. 4975. A bill to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 5720 South 142nd Street in
Omaha, Nebraska, as the ``Petty Officer 1st Class Caleb A.
Nelson Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
By Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York (for himself
and Mr. Lance):
H.R. 4976. A bill to require the Commissioner of Food and
Drugs to seek recommendations from an advisory committee of
the Food and Drug Administration before approval of certain
new drugs that are opioids without abuse-deterrent
properties, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
By Mrs. WALORSKI:
H.R. 4977. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to ensure that each medical facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs complies with requirements
relating to scheduling veterans for health care appointments,
to improve the uniform application of directives of the
Department, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
By Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia (for himself, Mrs.
Bustos, Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania, Ms. Kuster,
Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Poliquin, and Mr. Womack):
H.R. 4978. A bill to require the Government Accountability
Office to submit to Congress a report on neonatal abstinence
syndrome (NAS) in the United States and its treatment under
Medicaid; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. LATTA (for himself and Mr. McNerney):
H.R. 4979. A bill to foster civilian research and
development of advanced nuclear energy technologies and
enhance the licensing and commercial deployment of such
technologies; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in
addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Mr. EMMER of Minnesota (for himself, Mr. Abraham,
Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Fincher, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Guinta,
Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Kelly of
Pennsylvania, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Cook,
Mr. Westerman, and Mr. Gosar):
H.R. 4980. A bill to require the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System to make a final disposition of
requests to correct its records within 60 days, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. BUCSHON (for himself and Mr. Tonko):
H.R. 4981. A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to
improve access to opioid use disorder treatment; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned.
By Mr. FOSTER (for himself and Mr. Pallone):
H.R. 4982. A bill to direct the Comptroller General of the
United States to evaluate and report on the in-patient and
outpatient treatment capacity, availability, and needs of the
United States; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. GRIFFITH:
H.R. 4983. A bill to provide information to prescribers in
Federally qualified health centers and facilities of the
Indian Health Service on best practices for prescribing
naloxone; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in
addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Mr. GUTHRIE:
H.R. 4984. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
permit the Secretary of the Army to produce, treat, manage,
and use natural gas located under Fort Knox, Kentucky, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. KATKO (for himself and Miss Rice of New York):
H.R. 4985. A bill to amend the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin
Designation Act to protect classified information in Federal
court challenges; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in
addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Ms. McCOLLUM (for herself and Ms. Norton):
H.R. 4986. A bill to establish the Sewall-Belmont House
National Historic Site as a unit of the National Park System,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural
Resources.
By Mr. MILLER of Florida (for himself, Ms. Graham, Mr.
Yoho, Mr. Crenshaw, Ms. Brown of Florida, Mr.
DeSantis, Mr. Mica, Mr. Posey, Mr. Grayson, Mr.
Webster of Florida, Mr. Nugent, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr.
Jolly, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Ross, Mr. Buchanan,
Mr. Rooney of Florida, Mr. Murphy of Florida, Mr.
Clawson of Florida, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Deutch, Ms.
Frankel of Florida, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Wilson
of Florida, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Curbelo of Florida,
and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen):
H.R. 4987. A bill to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 3957 2nd Avenue in Laurel
Hill, Florida, as the ``Sergeant First Class William `Kelly'
Lacey Post Office''; to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
By Mr. MURPHY of Florida:
H.R. 4988. A bill to restore protections for Social
Security, Railroad retirement, and Black Lung benefits from
administrative offset; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Ms. Eshoo, Mr.
LoBiondo, Mr.

[[Page 4508]]

Huffman, Ms. Speier, and Mr. Ellison):
H.R. 4989. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security
Act to require States to provide cranial prostheses under the
Medicaid program when a physician finds such treatment
necessary for individuals affected by diseases and medical
conditions that cause hair loss; to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
By Ms. TITUS:
H.R. 4990. A bill to improve transparency in charity
regulation; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in
addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
By Mr. TURNER (for himself and Ms. Tsongas):
H.R. 4991. A bill to amend the Uniform Code of Military
Justice to establish the offense of retaliation, to improve
military justice case management, data collection, and the
accessibility of such data, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. YARMUTH (for himself, Mr. Price of North
Carolina, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Lee, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Welch,
and Ms. Schakowsky):
H. Res. 686. A resolution expressing support for efforts to
enhance Israeli security and create the conditions for
progress toward a negotiated two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict; to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
By Mr. CROWLEY (for himself and Mr. Donovan):
H. Res. 689. A resolution expressing condolences to and
support for the people of Ecuador following the devastating
earthquake on April 16, 2016; to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
By Mr. HONDA:
H. Res. 690. A resolution recognizing and celebrating April
as ``National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy
Month''; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

____________________

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the
specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the
accompanying bill or joint resolution.

By Mr. ASHFORD:
H.R. 4975.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 7: ``The Congress shall have
power . . . to establish Post Offices and Post Roads.''
By Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York:
H.R. 4976.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8
By Mrs. WALORSKI:
H.R. 4977.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
By Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia:
H.R. 4978.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.
By Mr. LATTA:
H.R. 4979.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the
several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
By Mr. EMMER of Minnesota:
H.R. 4980.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
The Due Process clause of the Fifth Amendment.
Additional authority derives from Article I, Section 8,
Clause 3 (The Congress shall have Power ``To regulate
Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States
and within the Indian Tribes''), Article I, Section 8, Clause
18 (The Congress shall have Power ``to make all Laws which
shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the
foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in
any Department or Officer thereof''), and Article III,
Section 1 (``The judicial Power of the United States, shall
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts
as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall
hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at
stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in
Office.'')
By Mr. BUCSHON:
H.R. 4981.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States
Constitution
By Mr. FOSTER:
H.R. 4982.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to
Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the
United States Constitution.
By Mr. GRIFFITH:
H.R. 4983.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to
Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the United States
Constitution.
By Mr. GUTHRIE:
H.R. 4984.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clauses I and 12: ``The Congress
shall have Power to . . . provide for the common Defence''
and ``To raise and support Armies.''
By Mr. KATKO:
H.R. 4985.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States
Constitution
By Ms. McCOLLUM:
H.R. 4986.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, which gives Congress the
power ``To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper
for carrying into Execution the foregoing powers.''
By Mr. MILLER of Florida:
H.R. 4987.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 7
By Mr. MURPHY of Florida:
H.R. 4988.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
By Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN:
H.R. 4989.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution
By Ms. TITUS:
H.R. 4990.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
The bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to
Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United
States Constitution.
By Mr. TURNER:
H.R. 4991.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clauses 12, 13, 14, and 18 of the
Constitution.

____________________

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and
resolutions, as follows:

H.R. 24: Mr. Bilirakis.
H.R. 140: Mr. Yoho.
H.R. 228: Mrs. Comstock.
H.R. 303: Ms. Kaptur and Mr. Gallego.
H.R. 333: Ms. Brown of Florida.
H.R. 402: Mr. Young of Indiana.
H.R. 428: Mrs. Comstock.
H.R. 556: Mr. Bridenstine.
H.R. 563: Mr. Capuano, Ms. Stefanik, and Mrs. Kirkpatrick.
H.R. 592: Mr. Gutierrez, Miss Rice of New York, Mr.
Sessions, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr.
Hensarling, and Mr. Huelskamp.
H.R. 649: Ms. Clarke of New York and Mr. Hastings.
H.R. 664: Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Takai, and Mr. Hines.
H.R. 793: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 836: Mr. Knight.
H.R. 865: Mr. Hensarling.
H.R. 885: Mrs. Beatty.
H.R. 911: Mr. Gene Green of Texas.
H.R. 921: Mr. Byrne, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Young of Indiana, Mr. Bucshon,
Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Ms.
Schrader, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Joyce.
H.R. 923: Mr. Emmer of Minnesota.
H.R. 953: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 954: Mr. Duncan of South Carolina.
H.R. 969: Mr. Huffman and Mr. Buchanan.
H.R. 1116: Mr. Collins of Georgia.
H.R. 1130: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 1151: Mr. Boustany.
H.R. 1197: Mr. Loudermilk.
H.R. 1200: Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California.
H.R. 1220: Mr. Jones, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Takai,
and Mr. Delaney.
H.R. 1331: Mr. Nugent.
H.R. 1336: Ms. Tsongas.
H.R. 1399: Mr. Thompson of California.
H.R. 1427: Ms. Kuster, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Jeffries, Mr.
Hensarling, Mr. Sarbanes, and Mrs. Napolitano.
H.R. 1488: Mr. King of Iowa.
H.R. 1538: Mr. Massie.
H.R. 1594: Mr. Gallego.
H.R. 1655: Mr. Carson of Indiana and Mr. Blum.

[[Page 4509]]

H.R. 1769: Mr. Hinojosa and Mr. Curbelo of Florida.
H.R. 1859: Mr. Schiff, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Fattah, and Mr. Barr.
H.R. 2189: Mr. McDermott, Mr. LoBiondo, and Mr. Grayson.
H.R. 2197: Ms. Bonamici.
H.R. 2218: Mr. Bishop of Georgia and Mr. Ryan of Ohio.
H.R. 2257: Mr. Capuano.
H.R. 2350: Mrs. Napolitano.
H.R. 2368: Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Kilmer.
H.R. 2404: Mr. Hensarling.
H.R. 2461: Mr. Boustany.
H.R. 2500: Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 2654: Mr. Pallone and Ms. Gabbard.
H.R. 2658: Mr. Poliquin and Mr. McKinley.
H.R. 2694: Mr. Perlmutter.
H.R. 2698: Mr. Byrne.
H.R. 2726: Mr. Schiff, Mr. Takai, and Mr. King of New York.
H.R. 2739: Mr. Graves of Georgia, Mr. Payne, Mr.
DesJarlais, and Mr. Ryan of Ohio.
H.R. 2799: Mr. Yarmuth, Ms. Norton, Mr. McKinley, and Mr.
Keating.
H.R. 2817: Mr. Capuano and Mr. Walz.
H.R. 2848: Mr. Yoho.
H.R. 2894: Mr. Capuano.
H.R. 2903: Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Huelskamp, and
Mr. McCaul.
H.R. 2962: Mr. Huffman.
H.R. 2993: Mr. McNerney and Mr. Huffman.
H.R. 3012: Mr. Boustany
H.R. 3029: Mrs. Dingell.
H.R. 3099: Mr. Lipinski.
H.R. 3117: Ms. Moore and Mr. Conyers.
H.R. 3119: Mr. Delaney, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Meeks, and Mr.
Boustany.
H.R. 3209: Mr. Meehan and Mr. Boustany.
H.R. 3235: Mr. Cohen and Mr. Dent.
H.R. 3280: Mrs. Dingell.
H.R. 3308: Mr. Cardenas, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Neal, Mr.
Schiff, and Mr. Walz.
H.R. 3323: Mr. Pocan.
H.R. 3326: Mr. Himes, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr.
Beyer, Mr. DesJarlais, and Mr. Kilmer.
H.R. 3366: Ms. Slaughter.
H.R. 3423: Mr. Farenthold.
H.R. 3463: Mr. Cohen and Mr. Long.
H.R. 3487: Mr. Vargas and Mr. Conyers.
H.R. 3643: Mr. Rohrabacher.
H.R. 3673: Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 3706: Mr. Curbelo of Florida.
H.R. 3742: Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois.
H.R. 3793: Ms. Moore and Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New
York.
H.R. 3799: Mr. Wenstrup.
H.R. 3815: Mr. Lynch.
H.R. 3817: Mr. McGovern and Mrs. Beatty.
H.R. 3846: Mr. Paulsen and Ms. DelBene.
H.R. 3860: Mr. Allen.
H.R. 3865: Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 3870: Ms. McCollum, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mrs.
Torres.
H.R. 3948: Mr. DeSaulnier.
H.R. 3953: Mr. Posey, Mr. Webster of Florida, Ms. Castor of
Florida, Mr. Ross, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Graham, and Mr.
DeSantis.
H.R. 3978: Mr. Lowenthal.
H.R. 4019: Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California.
H.R. 4065: Mr. Jolly and Mr. Posey.
H.R. 4144: Ms. Esty.
H.R. 4184: Ms. Norton.
H.R. 4262: Mr. Cramer.
H.R. 4278: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms.
McCollum, and Mr. Rush.
H.R. 4320: Miss Rice of New York.
H.R. 4365: Mr. Clawson of Florida and Ms. Frankel of
Florida.
H.R. 4374: Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois.
H.R. 4375: Mr. Massie.
H.R. 4399: Mr. Yarmuth.
H.R. 4456: Mr. Dent.
H.R. 4460: Mr. Nadler, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Capuano, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Norcross,
Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Conyers, and
Mr. Crowley.
H.R. 4469: Mr. Chaffetz.
H.R. 4481: Mr. Crenshaw.
H.R. 4486: Mr. Barr.
H.R. 4498: Mr. Barr, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Delaney, Mr.
Sessions, and Mr. Polis.
H.R. 4499: Mr. Keating and Mr. Sensenbrenner.
H.R. 4514: Mr. Huizenga of Michigan and Mr. Duffy.
H.R. 4519: Ms. Brown of Florida.
H.R. 4543: Ms. Moore.
H.R. 4553: Mr. Farenthold,
H.R. 4555: Mr. Hudson.
H.R. 4570: Mr. Cohen, Ms. Kuster, Ms. Speier, Mr. Kilmer,
Ms. Jackson Lee, Miss Rice of New York, and Mr. Keating.
H.R. 4575: Mr. Messer.
H.R. 4584: Ms. McCollum.
H.R. 4586: Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 4599: Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 4614: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Payne, and Mr.
Hill.
H.R. 4625: Ms. Frankel of Florida, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Peters,
and Mr. Hastings.
H.R. 4640: Mr. Dold.
H.R. 4653: Mr. Honda, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of
Pennsylvania, and Mr. Pocan.
H.R. 4702: Mr. Rigell.
H.R. 4708: Mr. Donovan and Mr. Cicilline.
H.R. 4715: Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Barr, Mr. Amodei,
and Mr. Pittenger.
H.R. 4740: Mr. Ted Lieu of California.
H.R. 4762: Mr. Rohrabacher.
H.R. 4764: Mr. MacArthur, Mr. Hanna, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr.
Collins of Georgia, and Mr. McCaul.
H.R. 4766: Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Lowenthal, and Mrs. Dingell.
H.R. 4773: Mr. Huizenga of Michigan, Mr. Rouzer, Mr.
Bilirakis, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Trott, Mr. Benishek, Mr. Long, Mr.
Buck, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Kelly
of Pennsylvania, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Mulvaney, Mr.
Goodlatte, and Mr. Latta.
H.R. 4775: Mr. Gosar.
H.R. 4776: Ms. McCollum.
H.R. 4790: Mr. Polis.
H.R. 4796: Mrs. Capps and Ms. Moore.
H.R. 4807: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 4820: Mr. Ross.
H.R. 4860: Mr. Swalwell of California and Mr. Lamborn.
H.R. 4879: Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Ellison, Ms.
Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, Ms. Maxine
Waters of California, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Kelly of
Illinois, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Clay, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms.
Brown of Florida, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Bass,
Ms. Fudge, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr.
Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Richmond, and Mrs. Beatty.
H.R. 4893: Ms. Lee.
H.R. 4897: Mr. Murphy of Florida.
H.R. 4904: Ms. Norton, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York,
and Mr. Mulvaney.
H.R. 4907: Mr. Sessions and Mr. Sensenbrenner.
H.R. 4924: Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, and
Mr. Roskam.
H.R. 4932: Ms. Norton.
H.R. 4939: Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Ms. Clarke of New York,
and Ms. Lee.
H.R. 4941: Mr. Goodlatte.
H.R. 4956: Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Olson, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr.
Garrett, and Mr. Mulvaney.
H.R. 4961: Mr. Zeldin.
H.R. 4963: Mr. Ted Lieu of California.
H.R. 4969: Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania.
H. Con. Res. 88: Mr. McCaul, Mr. Cook, Mr. Connolly, Mr.
Engel, Mr. Royce, and Mr. Yoho.
H. Con. Res. 105: Mr. Wenstrup.
H. Res. 290: Mr. Lowenthal.
H. Res. 561: Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York.
H. Res. 567: Mr. King of New York.
H. Res. 591: Mr. Shimkus, Mrs. Noem, Mr. Ellison, and Mr.
Bridenstine.
H. Res. 650: Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr.
Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Farenthold, Mr.
Payne, Mr. Issa, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Smith of
New Jersey, Mr. Garrett, and Mr. Fattah.
H. Res. 660: Mr. Keating, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Ribble,
Mr. Cook, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Roskam, and Mr.
Kinzinger of Illinois.
H. Res. 679: Mr. Cohen and Miss Rice of New York.

____________________

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, OR LIMITED TARIFF
BENEFITS

Under clause 9 of rule XXI, lists or statements on congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits were
submitted as follows:

The amendment to be offered by Representative Brady of
Texas, or a designee, to H.R. 4890, does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule XXI.

[[Page 4510]]

EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
____________________

COMMENDING BETSY FLEMING FOR HER SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF CONVERSE
COLLEGE

______

HON. TREY GOWDY

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. GOWDY. Mr. Speaker, today I commend President Betsy Fleming of
Converse College for her service to higher education and her remarkable
impact on South Carolina.
After growing up in Spartanburg, President Fleming left in 1984 to
embark on her journey to become a renowned art-historian. Throughout
her career, she held curatorial positions at several prominent museums
across the United States as well as overseas in London. Prior to being
named President of Converse College in 2005, Fleming served as the
executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South
Carolina.
Under President Fleming's eleven years of leadership, Converse
College experienced incredible transformation. During her tenure,
Converse reduced its tuition by 43 percent and celebrated its largest
undergraduate enrollment in over 25 years, becoming a national leader
in affordability and value. Furthermore, Converse gained full NCAA
Division II membership in eleven sports programs and raised more than
$76 million in support.
In addition to her impact on the Converse College community,
President Fleming's service extends above and beyond her commitment in
Spartanburg. An Aspen Institute Liberty Fellow, President Fleming
serves on the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing
Boards (AGB), the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Steering
Committee in the Future of Higher Education, and on the Board of
Directors for both the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte
Branch and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.
President Fleming's impact on students, staff, and faculty will
always be remembered, and her legacy will transform the future of
Converse College. I thank President Fleming for her extraordinary
service and congratulate her on her retirement. We look forward to the
next chapter of her remarkable life as she continues to serve our
community, state and country.

____________________

IN MEMORY OF RACHEL HOUSTON

______

HON. SCOTT GARRETT

of new jersey

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to remember and honor the
life, faith, and service of Rachel Margaret Houston. A former
legislative assistant in my office, Rachel passed away on April 10,
2016, at the far-too-young age of 32.
Those of us who had the honor to know Rachel knew her kind heart,
deep faith, and compassion for others. Friends and former co-workers
remembered her as a ``wonderful'' and ``lovely person,'' and a ``soft,
sweet spirit,'' with a ``bright smile, kind words, and warm heart.''
Rachel was that rare person who could reach out to someone new and make
him or her feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged. Her kindness left
a mark on all who knew and worked with her--whether for a short time,
or over the course of years.
In her professional life, Rachel exemplified qualities worth
emulating. In her work for the people of New Jersey's 5th Congressional
District, she demonstrated a commitment to excellence and always strove
to give her best. Her colleagues and friends alike, both on and off
Capitol Hill, recognized her for her sharp mind, loving spirit, and
inner strength.
Rachel was devoted to causes greater than herself and impacted many
lives beyond her work in Congress. In 2006, she participated in the
Family Research Council's Witherspoon Fellowship program to prepare for
leadership and service in the public arena. She was an accomplished
writer, and she also shared her faith, time, and talent through various
mission trips as well as through her church family.
Rachel was a blessing in the lives of all who knew her. She loved her
God, her country, and her fellow man--and she will be missed. My prayer
is that God will comfort her family and friends during this time, and
that they will know that Rachel's life will be remembered.

____________________

THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

______

HON. MIKE COFFMAN

of colorado

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, April 10th marked the 37th anniversary of
the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act. This landmark legislation,
one of Congress' great achievements, has guaranteed and continues to
guarantee ongoing relations with our friend and partner, Taiwan.
Taiwan's President Ma made a speech at the American Chamber of
Commerce in Taipei (AmCham) Hsie Nian Fan celebration on March 30th,
2016. In the speech, President Ma pointed out that in the US-based
Global Finance magazine's ratings of the world's richest countries from
November of last year, Taiwan ranked 19th out of 185 countries
worldwide. That put Taiwan right behind Germany, and far ahead of
countries like France, Great Britain, Japan, and South Korea.
Additionally, in the 2015 global competitiveness ratings published by
the Institute of Management Development (IMD), in Lausanne,
Switzerland, Taiwan ranked No. 11 in the world and No. 3 in the Asia-
Pacific Region. Taiwan has created an enviable and thriving innovative
economy. I give praise to President Ma's leadership. The United States
and Taiwan enjoy a longstanding relationship that stems from our shared
values: democracy, the rule of law, and free enterprise. Taiwan is a
strong economic partner--in fact they are now our 9th-largest trading
partner. In 2014, Colorado's exports to Taiwan reached $191.5 million.
Taiwan is Colorado's 7th largest export market in Asia, and 14th
largest export market in the world. Colorado companies have substantial
opportunities to expand their business and cooperation with Taiwan.
Equally important are the Taiwanese-Americans living in Colorado and
the wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial energy they bring.
I offer my warmest and best wishes to the people of Taiwan on this
37th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. I also extend my
congratulations to Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on her victory in the Taiwanese
Presidential election. I look forward to the continued and growing
friendship and partnership between the United States and Taiwan.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO JOSH CALHOON

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Mr. Josh Calhoon of Minden, Iowa, on his selection to the
Tri-Center High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Josh, a 2010 graduate
of Tri-Center High School, in Avoca, Iowa, is known for being an
outstanding athlete.
The Tri-Center High School Hall of Fame was created in 1991 to honor
those students who excelled in high school basketball. In his career,
Josh led the Tri-Center Trojans to many victories as a two-year
starting varsity team member, a three-year letter winner, first All-
Western Iowa Conference selection and was named to the Southwest Iowa
All-Star Game, Josh epitomizes the word, ``leadership.'' He scored 818
points during his basketball career and is remembered for his work
ethic, especially his willingness to go above and beyond for his
beloved Tri-Center Trojans.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud and congratulate Josh for his induction into
the Tri-Center High School Basketball Hall of Fame. I am proud to
represent him in the United States Congress. I ask that my colleagues
in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating
Josh and wishing him nothing but continued success.

[[Page 4511]]

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE SERVICE OF COLONEL ROCKY McPHERSON, UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS (RET)

______

HON. JEFF MILLER

of florida

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor
Colonel Rocky McPherson, United States Marine Corps (Ret), for his more
than fifty years of dedicated service to the State of Florida and our
great Nation.
A 1966 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Rocky received
his commission in the United States Marine Corps. For more than 30
years, his military career took him around the globe, which began upon
commission with the first of two combat tours and included a myriad of
command and leadership roles. In his first combat assignment, Rocky
deployed to Vietnam and served as an Infantry Officer with A Company,
1st Battalion, 7th Marines. When he returned home, he attended the Air
Force flight school at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. Having
earned his wings, he moved on to his next assignment, mission
qualification in the all-weather attack aircraft A6 Intruder. As a
newly minted pilot, Rocky returned to Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea
(CVA-43) as a Squadron Landing Signal Officer. During this second
combat tour, he recorded numerous sorties over Vietnam and had over 160
carrier landings. His two combat tours earned him the distinction as
the only Marine officer with both ground and aviation combat tours
during the Vietnam war.
For the next several tours, Rocky remained stateside. He served as
the Marine Corps Representative at the United States Air Force Academy
and at Marine Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He then commanded the
Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 121 aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61);
took on the responsibility of training and operations for more than 400
tactical aircraft as Deputy Wings Operations Officer in El Toro,
California; and commanded the Marine Air Training Support Group at
Whidbey Island, Washington, before returning abroad as Chief of Staff
to III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Okinawa, Japan. Rocky made
his final stop at Marine Corps Headquarters as Manpower Division Deputy
Director before retiring as Colonel in 1995.
Colonel McPherson's commitment to public service did not end there,
however. From 1999 to 2007, he continued to serve in support of our
Nation's heroes and in particular the more than 1.5 million veterans
and their families in Florida, as the Executive Director of Florida
Department of Veterans Affairs. During his tenure, he oversaw the most
significant expansion of state veterans' nursing homes and was a
driving force behind the Florida World War II Memorial and monument and
the expansion of Bushnell National Cemetery. Additionally, he helped to
ensure that wounded service members returning home from the Global War
on Terror received the support and care they had earned.
Florida is proud of being home to our Nation's servicemembers and
veterans, and Rocky understands the critical importance that the
military missions based in the state play in providing for our strong
national defense. To that end, he has spent the last decade of his
career in support of Florida's military installations as part of
Enterprise Florida, Inc. He played an integral role in standing up the
Florida Defense Support Task Force, created by Florida Statute, to
preserve, protect, and enhance Florida's military missions and
installations and currently serves as its Vice President of Military
and Defense Programs, Strategic Partnerships. Rocky also assisted in
creating and publishing the Florida Military Friendly Guide, a summary
of all laws and programs in Florida benefitting active duty, Reserve
and National Guard personnel and their families, as well as production
of the Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis. Furthermore,
he played an integral role in establishing the first-ever program for
applying state resources to non-conservation lands transactions in
Florida Statute to protect military missions from non-compatible
development and other encroachment threats to the military value of
Florida installations. He has been an active and valued voice on the
State Advisory Council for the Association of Defense Communities.
Without question, Colonel Rocky McPherson can hang his hat up on a
career he can be proud of. He has proven to be an accomplished leader
who has dedicated his life to serving the State of Florida and the
United States of America, and his unwavering commitment to men and
women in the Armed Forces and veterans' community will be felt for
years to come.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me
great pleasure to honor Colonel Rocky McPherson, United States Marine
Corps (retired). My wife Vicki joins me in thanking Rocky and his wife,
Connie, for their dedicated service. This includes Connie's 12 years in
the United States Marine Corps. We wish them; their three children,
Ashley, Nathan, and Courtney; grandchild; and all of the McPherson
family all the best for continued success. Semper Fi.

____________________

IN RECOGNITION OF MR. ART NICHOLAS

______

HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

of florida

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Art
Nicholas of Englewood, Florida, who was recently awarded France's
highest military decoration, the ``Knight of the Legion of Honor.''
Mr. Nicholas was honored, at a ceremony in Englewood, for his service
to France and its people during World War II. The Knight's Cross award
was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Since World War II
approximately 93,000 of these medals have been presented to American
servicemen who risked their lives fighting on French soil during the
war.
Mr. Nicholas served aboard a landing ship (LCT52) during D-Day, the
Allied assault to free occupied Europe in June of 1944. The invasion
along France's northern coast was the largest amphibious invasion in
history and led to the liberation of France from Nazi forces.
Mr. Nicholas held the rank of boatswain's mate first class and worked
as an underwater demolition man at the Gold Beach landing area.
Nicholas was also at both Juno Beach and Omaha Beach. Earlier in the
war, he participated in the invasion of North Africa in November in
1942 and was also awarded a Purple Heart.
In addition to his combat service, Mr. Nicholas helped build the
Amphibious Warfare School in Fort Pierce, Florida as a member of the
``Scouts and Raiders.'' He trained members of the Underwater Demolition
Team in Fort Pierce, Florida who were the forerunners of today's Navy
SEALs, who conduct quiet forays into enemy territory during conflicts
in which the U.S. is involved.
Mr. Nicholas left the military in 1946. He returned to Michigan and
married his wife, Hazel, whom he met in England and has been married to
for 69 years.
He opened a business named Corrugated Paper Products, which created
shipping containers in Indiana before moving to Florida.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Art Nicholas for his service and
commend him on receiving the highest military commendation the French
government awards an individual.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO NANCY AND
PAT CORKREAN

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Nancy and Pat Corkrean of Winterset for being honored with
a 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Madison County Chamber of
Commerce.
The Corkreans have actively participated in Madison County
organizations for many years. Through their business, Madison County
Realty, they have promoted residential development, housing and a
strong tax base. They launched Corkrean Homes, a construction company
which provides new housing and commercial development. They have been
involved in the world-renowned John Wayne Birthplace Museum, the Quilt
Museum, and were active in enticing the development of a new Winterset
motel. Their commitment to their church, St. Joseph Catholic Church of
Winterset is a model for all Madisonians. Winterset and Madison County
Iowa are blessed to have two people such as these working hard to make
the picturesque region an even greater place to live and work.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Pat and Nancy Corkrean in
the United States Congress. I also invite my colleagues in the United
States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating them on
receiving this award and wishing them nothing but continued success as
they move forward in building a better Madison County.

[[Page 4512]]

____________________

IN RECOGNITION OF DR. BEVERLY W. GLOVER

______

HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and
recognize Dr. Beverly W. Glover for her noteworthy work with the
International Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers Widows,
Inc. Dr. Glover, the wife of Pastor and Moderator Walter L. Glover,
Jr., currently serves as the President of IAMWMW, which will celebrate
its 75th year of training and preparing ministers and pastor's wives
for service in their roles beside their husbands. A celebration will
take place in Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. At this
celebration, IAMWMW will recognize Dr. Glover as an outstanding leader,
retired educator, mother, wife, and faithful follower of Christ.
Dr. Beverly W. Glover is a native of Macon, Georgia. She received her
education from Bibb County Public Schools, Savannah State College, Fort
Valley State College (now University), Georgia College, and Georgia
Southern University. She earned a Doctorate in Administration and
Supervision from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
With a passion for improving the lives of children and young adults,
Dr. Glover began her career as a teacher at Burdell Elementary School
in Macon, Georgia. She taught at Danforth Primary School and Bernd
Elementary School before moving to Miller Middle School, where she
served as Assistant Principal, and then Southwest High School, where
she served as Principal. Dr. Glover concluded her remarkable 37-year
career with the Bibb County School System serving as the Director of
the Joseph N. Neel Alternative School. Here, she worked diligently to
ensure success for all students and staff and under her leadership, the
school received the Excellence in Education Award.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Dr. Glover is an active member of
many religious and civic organizations where she continuously devotes
her time to bettering the community. These organizations include the
Epsilon Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.; Phi Delta
Kappa; Church Women United; The Links Inc.; NAACP; OES Number 82; and
General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc., among others.
Since childhood, the church has always played a vital role in Dr.
Glover's life. She is an active member of the Greater Zion Hill
Missionary Baptist Church where she organized the Deaconess Ministry.
She is a member of the Sunday School, Missionary Society, Mission-in-
Action, and advisor to the Women's Ministry. Dr. Glover also organized
and managed the church's first Vacation Bible School which enrolled and
served 225 children the first year. She also serves as Secretary and
General Manager of Glover Memorial Mortuary in Macon, Georgia.
Dr. Glover has been a member of the ministers' wives organizations
for more than 30 years. She founded the Macon Interdenominational
Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows local organization. On the state
level, Dr. Glover served as Recording Secretary under the leadership of
Dr. Ethel Purvis Stokes. She was then elected President of the Georgia
Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows. Since 2010, Dr.
Glover has served as the eighth President of the International
Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows, Inc.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ``Life's most persistent and
urgent question is, `What are you doing for others?''' Dr. Glover
undoubtedly lives by this philosophy. From her work as an educator to
her involvement in missions, Dr. Glover has made a tremendous impact on
the lives of others. She is a woman of integrity who exudes the genuine
principles and values of Christian discipleship. A charismatic
evangelical leader and pioneer, her spiritual zeal is both infectious
and highly contagious.
Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me, members of the
IAMWMW, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second
Congressional District in extending our sincerest appreciation to Dr.
Beverly W. Glover. A woman of many hats, she is an outstanding educator
and mentor, strong leader, prominent community activist, and devoted
caretaker, but above all, she is a faithful servant of God.

____________________

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MRS. BETTY R. MODRALL

______

HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

of tennessee

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of
Mrs. Betty R. Modrall and ask my colleagues to join with me in
celebrating the legacy that she left in Columbia, Tennessee.
Betty was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She spent her childhood and
adolescent years in the city of Mount Pleasant. After high school she
attended Columbia Business College where she met her husband Mr. Joe
Tom Modrall. On June 11th, 1956, she began her first job working for
the city of Columbia starting as a clerk and bookkeeper. In 1970, she
was appointed as the city recorder and finance director until 1995. She
continued to serve as city recorder until her passing on March 15th,
2016.
Betty was a beloved member of her city. She faithfully served for
almost six decades. Betty looked out for the interests of the people,
especially the retiree community. She went above and beyond for the
city of Columbia and fulfilled her positions with honor. Her love and
support will be remembered by those whom she served.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO MARY DeWITT

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Ms. Mary DeWitt on the occasion of her 100th birthday on
March 27, 2016.
Our world has changed a great deal during the course of Mary's life.
Since her birth, we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the
moon. We have invented the television, cellular phones and the
internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of
Soviet communism and witnessed the birth of new democracies. Mary has
lived through seventeen United States Presidents and twenty-four
Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime, the population of the United States
has more than tripled.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Mary in the United States
Congress and it is my pleasure to wish her a very happy 100th birthday.
I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in
congratulating Mary on reaching this incredible milestone, and wishing
her even more health and happiness in the years to come.

____________________

FRAY GARCES COUNCIL 1830 CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

______

HON. PAUL COOK

of california

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in special recognition of the
Fray Garces Council 1830 of the Knights of Columbus. Established in
Needles, California on March 5, 1906, Council 1830 celebrated its 100th
anniversary at a special ceremony on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
Named in the honor of a martyred Franciscan missionary, Council 1830
has served under the Arch Diocese of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San
Bernardino. In 1950, Council 1830 moved its operations to Barstow,
California and is an integral part of the San Bernardino County
community. Council 1830 is active with the El Carmelo Retreat House in
Redlands, California, has sponsored bingo events since the 1960s, and
founded the Arrowhead-Desert Valley Chapter in 1959.
I would like to congratulate Council 1830 on this momentous occasion.
Their commitment to promoting the Knights of Columbus principles of
unity, charity, fraternity, and charity make our community a special
place to live. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives,
congratulations on 100 years of service.

____________________

HONORING DON ROMINES

______

HON. JASON SMITH

of missouri

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Don Romines
of Houston, Missouri on receiving this year's Lifetime Achievement
Award for his 45 years of service to the community. In addition to
being the city's longest serving alderman, Don has volunteered and
participated in numerous groups and projects dedicated to improving the
community.

[[Page 4513]]

From a young age, Don worked in the family owned and operated
business Romines Motor Company. His parents were active members of the
community, with Don's mother Vera holding office as the first female
mayor of Houston. In 1972, Don married former Houston Middle School
teacher Barbara Bridges, whom he later had two children with, Franklin
and Tyler.
In 1978, Don was first elected to the Houston City Council. In his
thirty-plus year career, Don has spent more than 720 evenings at
council meetings alone, which totals over 1500 cumulative hours of
volunteering for the community. During his tenure as alderman, Don has
worked on projects including airport expansion, park developments,
street and sidewalk additions, and long range planning. In addition to
his service on the City Council, Don has participated in the Houston
Jaycees, volunteered at the fire department, the chamber of commerce,
and the Houston Development Company.
For these many accomplishments and his outstanding career of
community service, it is my pleasure to recognize Don Romines in front
of the U.S. House of Representatives.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO JULIE FEIRER

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Julie Feirer of Winterset for being honored by her peers
as the 2015 Business Person of the Year by the Madison County Chamber
of Commerce.
Julie launched her business, Winterset Citizen Promotions, in late
2013 and by 2015 had achieved a 425 percent increase in her business.
Known for providing a high level of service to fellow Madison County
businesses, Julie devotes volunteer hours throughout the community to
improve and enhance Winterset and the Madison County area. The region
is better served because Julie epitomizes leadership.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Iowans like Julie in the
United States Congress. I also invite my colleagues in the United
States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating her on
receiving this award and wishing her nothing but continued success.

____________________

IN RECOGNITION OF MIDDLESEX AND SOMERSET COUNTIES AFL-CIO LABOR COUNCIL
33RD ANNUAL AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH HONORING KEVIN McCABE AND
VINCENT M. LANE

______

HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

of new jersey

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Middlesex and
Somerset Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council as its members gather for the
33rd annual Awards and Scholarship Brunch on April 24, 2016. I would
also like to congratulate Kevin McCabe and Vincent M. Lane on their
recognition by the Council as the Hubert H. Humphrey Friend of Labor
Award recipient and the Labor Person of the Year recipient,
respectively.
The Middlesex and Somerset Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council, based in
Sayreville, New Jersey, represents workers in Middlesex and Somerset
Counties. The Council supports and advocates for unions and their
members in an effort to advance and protect the standards, rights and
benefits of New Jersey's labor force.
Kevin McCabe and Vincent Lane, truly embody the spirit of the Hubert
H. Humphrey Friend of Labor Award and the Middlesex and Somerset
Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council Labor Person of the Year. As President
of the Carpenter Contractor Trust of New York & New Jersey and former
Commissioner for the New Jersey State Department of Labor, Chairman
McCabe is a dedicated partner in labor and continues to serve New
Jersey's workforce. Mr. Lane is a hardworking labor leader, currently
serving as its Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 711.
I would also like to join with the Council in commemorating Workers
Memorial Day. Workers Memorial Day is an important observance,
highlighting the risks men and women face on the job and the need to
continue our efforts to advance safe work conditions. I commend the
Middlesex and Somerset Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council for remembering
those individuals who have been injured or who have lost their lives in
the workplace.
Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in recognizing the Middlesex
and Somerset Counties AFL-CIO Labor Council and congratulating Kevin
McCabe and Vincent Lane. Their efforts to ensure equal rights and
opportunities for workers is truly deserving of this body's
recognition.

____________________

COMMEMORATING THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

______

HON. JIM COSTA

of california

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 37th
anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is not only our close economic and
security partner but a friend with whom we share many principles and
values. Signed into law in 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act established
the legal basis for our bilateral relations with Taiwan. I am pleased
to say the U.S.-Taiwan bilateral relationship has continued to expand
and grow stronger over the past thirty-seven years. As President Ma
Ying-jeou remarked during The American Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual
Hsieh Nien Fan Gala, this relationship has also reaped benefits for the
peaceful state of the East Asia and Asia-Pacific regions: ``First, the
development of Taiwan-U.S. relations and the trilateral interaction
involving the U.S., Taiwan, and the mainland over the past eight years
have led to the warmest relations in more than 60 years.''
In a recent trip to Taiwan, I had the opportunity to experience
firsthand our shared values and our close economic ties. In 2015,
Taiwan was the United States' 9th largest trading partner and the
bilateral trade between the United States and Taiwan reached $67.4
billion. My home state of California has also benefited from the strong
commercial partnership. For example, in 2014, California's export to
Taiwan reached $7.46 billion, making Taiwan California's 5th largest
export market in Asia and 7th largest export market in the world.
Additionally, as we recently recognized the 70th Anniversary of the
end of World War II, it is appropriate to remember Taiwan's important
contributions to the alliance that defeated fascist militarism. The
United States and Taiwan work closely and that partnership continued as
the United States helped Taiwan to overcome challenges and thrive
following the end of the fighting.
As a friend of Taiwan, I look forward to continuing to promote
policies that reaffirm our mutual commitment to democratic and economic
development. I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 37th
anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.

____________________

OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL DEBT

______

HON. MIKE COFFMAN

of colorado

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President
Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.
Today, it is $19,203,187,186,595.43. We've added
$8,576,310,137,682.35 to our debt in 6 years. This is over $8 trillion
in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided
with a balanced budget amendment.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO BROOKE SUTPHIN

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Brooke Sutphin for being recognized by her peers to
receive the 2015 Customer Service of the Year Award from the Madison
County Chamber of Commerce. Her company, b.Shannon Designs in
Winterset, is known throughout the region for its unique product of
personalized jewelry
Brooke has been designing and creating jewelry since 1995 when she
graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's Degree in
Fine Arts. Her specialty is seeking a unique combination of contrast
and textures

[[Page 4514]]

which catch the eye. It has been said that ``A customer doesn't care
how much you know until they know how much you care.'' (D. Ramon)
Brooke Sutphin lives that motto every day in her dealings with the
public. She cares about her community as much as she cares about her
business and it shows with the recognition they bestowed upon her.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Brooke and all the citizens
of Madison County in the United States Congress. I also invite my
colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in
congratulating her on receiving this award and in wishing her nothing
but continued success.

____________________

RECOGNIZING APRIL 17 AS WORLD HEMOPHILIA DAY

______

HON. EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April
17 as World Hemophilia Day, a day where the international community
speaks as one to honor the hundreds of thousands of people across the
globe suffering from hemophilia. Now, more than ever, we must renew our
commitment to hemophilia patients, ensure that they can receive the
most advanced care known to modern medicine, and redouble our efforts
to discovering new treatments--and ultimately a cure--for this
dangerous condition.
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting
properly, making even seemingly slight injuries a terrifying prospect
for a bleeding episode that can lead to serious injury and even death.
While the disease is rare in statistical terms, an estimated 400
newborns are diagnosed with the disease every year, and approximately
20,000 hemophiliacs live in the United States at this very moment. And
all too often, this vulnerable patient population is put into jeopardy
by the financial hurdles obstructing access to the intensive care
needed for combatting such a pervasive disease.
Too many American families are faced with the daunting challenge of
tackling the financial burden of hemophilia--a burden that can grow to
$250,000 a year or more. This World Hemophilia Day, I stand to speak
out on behalf of the patients battling this complicated disease and
hope that by raising awareness in this body, we move closer to a day
where the treatment of hemophilia is practical, sustainable, and
accessible for all Americans.

____________________

MARY BETH RADIGAN

______

HON. KATHY CASTOR

of florida

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Mary Beth Radigan, an outstanding educator and Hillsborough County's
2016 Teacher of the Year.
After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in Special
Education, Ms. Radigan began her illustrious career in special-
education classrooms, including nine years in Hillsborough County as an
educator for autistic and intellectually delayed students. She
currently serves as special education teacher at Plant High School in
Tampa, Florida. As a proud parent of a Plant High School student, I
know firsthand how invaluable an educator is in developing the
potential in all children. Ms. Radigan's passion for education is so
well established in our community that she was selected from a pool of
hundreds of nominees as the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year.
Accompanying her passion in the classroom, Ms. Radigan serves as a
Special Olympics coach. Students in her classroom learn important life
skills through numerous additional programs that she has spearheaded.
In 2012, Ms. Radigan's class founded Pawbucks coffee, a coffee service,
where her students have the opportunity to improve their job skills,
social skills and independence. They are responsible for managing the
business by making coffee, setting up the carts, selling and delivering
coffee, answering phone orders and counting the total daily sales.
Beyond practical skills, Pawbucks coffee has given students the
opportunity to feel a great pride and a part of the school community.
In addition to the coffee service, she and her students founded an
organic garden that recently received a Florida Agriculture in the
Classroom grant to buy a hydroponic tower. You can also find her
students leading the cheering section at the weekly football games
through the Paw Prints Cheerleading. Hillsborough County Teacher of the
Year Mary Beth Radigan has shown time and time again her unwavering
commitment and compassion to go above and beyond for her students. She
has created a meaningful and enriching experience for all of her
students and will leave a lasting legacy as a teacher with endless
compassion and drive.
It is one of my greatest honors to champion our community's excellent
students and educators in Congress. On behalf of the constituents of
the Fourteenth District of Florida it is our honor to recognize Mary
Beth Radigan for her exemplary career of educating our community's
youth.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO GORDON HENNICK

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Gordon Hennick on the occasion of his 100th birthday on
March 30, 2016.
Our world has changed a great deal during the course of Gordon's
life. Since his birth, we have revolutionized air travel and walked on
the moon. We have invented the television, cellular phones and the
internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of
Soviet communism and witnessed the birth of new democracies. Gordon has
lived through seventeen United States Presidents and twenty-four
Governors of Iowa. In his lifetime, the population of the United States
has more than tripled.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Gordon in the United States
Congress and it is my pleasure to wish him a very happy 100th birthday.
I invite my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in
congratulating Gordon on reaching this incredible milestone and wishing
him even more health and happiness in the years to come.

____________________

HOSTILITIES BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

______

HON. RYAN K. ZINKE

of montana

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deepest concern over the
recent surge in hostilities along the Line of Contact between Armenia
and Azerbaijan which needlessly claimed dozens of lives on both sides.
These skirmishes come just days after a successful visit by
Azerbaijani President Aliyev with Vice President Biden and Secretary
Kerry. Azerbaijan has been a staunch ally to the United States. It is
critical to regional stability and global security that the recent
hostilities are deescalated.
It is no secret that Russia does not support the Southern Gas
Corridor Project. This pipeline has been championed by Azerbaijan and
would provide critical energy security for America's friends and allies
in Europe. Accordingly this latest upsurge in fighting is another sign
of Moscow's meddling in the affairs of states along its borders. As we
have seen in Eastern Ukraine and Georgia, Russia continues to exploit
separatist movements along its periphery to pressure our friends and
allies in the region. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that
Armenia, Russia's key regional ally, has been used as a proxy to
intimidate our partners, including Azerbaijan and Georgia.
These latest hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia remind us of
the urgency to find a peaceful solution to the protracted conflict. I
urge the Administration to step up its efforts towards a peaceful
solution and work with both sides to stabilize the region. Meanwhile,
in the face of increasing Russian interference and aggression against
its neighbors, the United States must remain steadfast in its support
of friends like Azerbaijan.

____________________

HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. SEBASTIAN LUJAN ``BEN'' BENAVIDEZ

______

HON. JIM COSTA

of california

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr.
Sebastian Lujan ``Ben'' Benavidez, a longtime Fresno civil rights
leader, who passed away on April 4, 2016, at the age of 69. Mr.
Benavidez will undoubtedly be remembered by the legacy he created
through serving the community as a positive role model to all of those
he encountered.
Born on November 4, 1946 in Miami, Arizona, Mr. Benavidez was the son
of Arizona

[[Page 4515]]

copper miners. He moved to Fresno, California in 1962. He graduated
from Washington Union High School, and continued on to attend Fresno
City College. After college Ben worked for Parlier Unified School
District. Mr. Benavidez is appreciated by many individuals throughout
California, but he is especially treasured in the San Joaquin Valley,
where he worked tirelessly to improve civil and economic rights for
individuals throughout the region.
Mr. Benavidez was a leader and spent decades advocating and working
to improve the lives of immigrant families in the rural communities of
the San Joaquin Valley and California. He became actively involved in
the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), serving as President
for 13 years. As President of MAPA, Mr. Benavidez fought to expand
opportunities in education, and led an effort to increase minority
participation in local government. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he led
boycotts and walkouts that helped more Latinos win city and school
board positions. His efforts to expand opportunities for minorities in
education decisions led him to take on Dinuba, and Kings Canyon Unified
School districts in a battle to eliminate at-large elections, to ensure
that school boards were reflective of the communities they served.
Mr. Benavidez's unrelenting pursuit for social justice made him known
to be fearless, and he demanded fairness. He fought for equality and
improved educational opportunities for immigrant, migrant and minority
children. He educated parents about their civil rights and their
enormous political potential. Mr. Benavidez's contributions to his
community, his philanthropic endeavors, and his work to expand small
minority owned businesses led him to be honored by Parlier Unified
School District with an elementary school named after him. In 2007, The
Fresno Bee recognized Mr. Benavidez with the Latino Legends of the 20th
Century Award, and in 2011, Mr. Benavidez was honored for his civil
rights work, in advocating for minority civil and economic rights by
the Greenlining Institute.
Without question, Mr. Benavidez's integrity, honor and long-lasting
involvement in the Central Valley made him a reputable man. He was well
known, beloved, and shown enormous appreciation by anyone who had the
pleasure of calling him a friend. Mr. Benavidez leaves behind his
loving family, including his wife of 49 years, Gloria, their two sons
and two daughters, their respective spouses, twelve grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. It is my honor to join his family in celebrating
the life of this amazing man, who will never be forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the
House of Representatives to honor the life of Mr. Ben Benavidez. He
will be remembered for his contributions and service to our country.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO DAN MEHMEN

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Mr. Dan Mehmen of Atlantic, Iowa, for being recognized as
the Ambassador of the Year by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dan is new to the Atlantic area, stepping into the community in 2015.
To be a friendly neighbor and community leader, Dan has taken an active
role in the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. As an Ambassador for the
organization, he visits local businesses to welcome them to the
community, attend grand opening ribbon cuttings, and shares information
beneficial to a new or local business. In presenting the award, his
peers recognized his faithful attendance at Chamber-related events
throughout the year, while showing enthusiastic support for area
businesses and his fellow Ambassadors.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud and congratulate Dan for earning this award
and for taking an active role in his community. I am proud to represent
him in the United States Congress I ask that my colleagues in the
United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Dan
and in wishing him nothing but continued success.

____________________

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

______

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

of texas

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, April 13,
2016, has been designated ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.'' I am pleased to join my
colleagues in recognizing the unique contributions to our civilization
from those of Greece and of Greek American descent.
Democracy was first born in Greece over 2,000 years ago, based on the
fundamental principle of consensual government self-determined by free
citizens. The ideas forged in ancient Greece by brilliant minds of the
day have such clarity and force that 2,000 years later they still hold
more power than a host of armed weapons.
The priceless ideas of democracy and equality born in ancient Greece
have strongly shaped the American national identity, which became a
beacon of freedom and dignity to individuals. They continue to give
hope and inspiration to the millions around the world who yearn to live
in a free society like ours. Greece set the example for us and we, in
turn have set the example for countless others.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the Congress has set aside this
national day of celebration again in 2016. Each year, it seems, we have
a greater appreciation for the tremendous contribution of Greece to our
American values and our priceless democracy.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO THE DEAN ROBINSON FAMILY

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate the Dean Robinson Family for being awarded the Cattlemen
of the Year award from the Madison County Cattlemen's Association. The
Madison County Cattlemen's Association is an organization of beef
producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of
Iowa's beef industry.
Accepting the coveted award were Robinson family members and
producers Dave, Gina, Dean, Kristin and Bradley Robinson. Many Iowans,
as well as the Robinsons, have a long tradition of raising quality beef
for world consumption. Their farming operation is based on pure
dedication to feeding the world while being good stewards of their
product and the land.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud and congratulate the Robinsons for this award
and I share their love and passion of raising cattle to feed the world.
I am proud to represent them in the United States Congress. I ask that
my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in
congratulating the Robinson Family and wishing them nothing but
continued success.

____________________

IN MEMORIAM BRUCE MERRILL MAY 13, 1937-APRIL 9, 2016

______

HON. KYRSTEN SINEMA

of arizona

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of
Bruce Merrill. Bruce was a prominent Arizona political scientist and
pollster who taught and conducted research at Arizona State University
for the past forty years. Bruce was an Arizona native who taught
political science and conducted regular opinion surveys of Arizona
voters and provided political commentary to news outlets.
No elected official in Arizona was elected to office without the
knowledge of Merrill's research. He was a factual, objective voice
focused on finding out what Arizonan's wanted from their leaders. His
perspective and deep knowledge of the Arizona electorate will be deeply
missed.
Bruce was also a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a liaison officer to
members of Congress and other political leaders. He studied political
research at Brigham Young University and joined the faculty at ASU in
1970. He retired from the university in 1998 as a professor emeritus
and served as a fellow for the Morrison Institute, a research center
focused on public policy in Arizona.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Janis, daughter Kathryn Sorensen, son
Christopher and his wife's children, Laura Sonius, Brian Sandler and
Heather Lautt and a host of grandchildren. Please join me in honoring
his memory.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO WALT TITUS

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate Walt Titus

[[Page 4516]]

on his recent retirement from the Gravity, Iowa Fire Department. Walt
served as a firefighter for more than 58 years.
Walt became a volunteer firefighter in the mid-1950s in Kirkman, Iowa
and has worked for the Sharpsburg and Gravity Fire Departments over the
course of the next 58 years. He did anything that needed to be done in
service to the department. He was quoted in the Bedford Times-Press
stating that commitment is the key to a volunteer fire department. ``If
a fire alarm goes off, there is a blizzard and it's 10 below zero, some
want to stay home. When you're committed, you get up and go whether you
feel like it or not.'' It is that attitude which exemplifies the Iowa
spirit of volunteerism and pride.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the United States Congress
join me in commending Walt for his service to Taylor County. I consider
it an honor to represent Walt in United States House of Representatives
and wish him the best in his retirement from his firefighting duties.

____________________

CELEBRATING THE 2016 CONGRESSIONAL ARTS COMPETITION

______

HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

of new jersey

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to
recognize the great success of strong local schools working with
dedicated parents and teachers. I rise today to congratulate and honor
a number of outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional
District of New Jersey. Each of these talented young men and women
participated in the 2016 Congressional Arts Competition, ``An Artistic
Discovery.'' Their works of art are exceptional.
Sixty six participated. That is a wonderful response, and I would
very much like to build on that participation for future competitions.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the winners of our art
competition. First place was awarded to Jane Lee from Wayne Valley High
School for her acrylic painting entitled, ``Chrome Still-Life.'' Second
place was awarded to Emma Jang from West Morris Mendham High School for
her acrylic painting on canvas entitled, ``Tenacity.'' Tyler Harker
received third place for his etching titled ``Opal.''
Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Connor Sokol of Sparta High
School for his photograph titled ``Freedom's Flight,'' Jasmine Shaw for
her photograph entitled ``There's No Place Like Homeland,'' Camila
Rosario for her colored pencil sketch entitled ``Stressed Out,'' and
Leonela Moyoli of Boonton High School for her acrylic painting
entitled, ``Tyran Moore.''
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize each artist for their
participation by indicating their high school, their name and the title
of their contest entries.

Boonton High School:
Alexis Manfredi, ``The Lorax''
Leonela Moyoli,``Tryan Moore''
Theodore Perri, ``Phelps''
Elizabeth Sayles, ``Elizabeth''

Chatham High School:
Jane Ewald, ``Teddy''
Connie Han, ``Like Father Like Son''
Phoebe Nichols, ``Eliza''
Amanda Leyens, Untitled

Delbarton School:
Joseph Gambetta, ``Patriotism''
Santiago Robertson-Lavalle, ``Girl in the Archway''

Hanover Park High School:
Samantha Wingerter, ``Sam I Am''

Jefferson Township High School:
Skylar Lewis, ``Moonlight Serenade''
Melanie Rodriguez, ``Reflections''
Nina Thogulura, ``Hues of Contemplation''

Kinnelon High School:
Samantha Flayderman, ``Miss Believer''
Patrycia Glowiak, ``Shadows''
Ava Lutz, ``Aviary Reflection''
Amanda Pita, ``The Old Man by the Sea''

Livingston High School:
Lanie Esralew, ``July in Manhattan''
Yana Sang, ``Around the World''
Jasmine Shaw, ``There's No Place like Homeland''
Julia Zeman, ``Passionate Polaroid''
Jennifer Zheng, ``Where to Next?''

Mewe Art Academy:
Siyu Cao, ``2011/07/01 Shanghai''

Montville High School:
Kristen DiGiacomo, ``Lost''
Destinee Garrido, ``Style''
Alexander Tullo, ``Back Street Lot''

Morris Catholic High School:
Patrick Green, ``Sunset Over the Marine Corps War Memorial''
Roxana Ponce, ``Reminiscence''
Haoming Zhu, ``Zi Tai [Posture]''

Morris Knolls High School:
Austin Braddock, ``Censored''
Jenna Ford, ``Fractured Self-Portrait''
Adam SanGiovanni, ``Stephanie, the Free Soul''
Ryan Sullivan, ``Hypnotized''

Mountain Lakes High School:
Joy Xie, ``Worn Out''

Nutley High School:
Barbara Benda, ``Relief in the Farm of Nusty Pages''
Jacob Michels, ``Bridge''
Omar Morsi, ``Making the Best of a Rainy Day''
Gregory O'Connell, ``Smooth Criminal''

Parsippany High School:
Christine Li, ``Don't Burst My Bubble''

Parsippany Hills High School:
Karoline Xiong, ``The Joy of Sunrise''

Passaic County Technical Institute:
Christopher Cortez, ``Norma''
Jamie Loverdi, ``Candice Swanepoel''

Passaic Valley High School:
Claudia Barone, ``Piano Keys''
Melanie Capalbo, ``Fall Foliage''
Andrew Fucntet, ``Fear in Clouds''
Santiago Gomez-Vargas, ``All the Dry Peaches''

Randolph High School:
Nicole Gehan, ``Brave''

Sparta High School:
Brandon Ancis, ``Unspoken Wisdom''
Katlyn Connelly, ``Father and Son Bonding''
Mitchell Coyle, ``The Dream Within Us All''
Connor Sokol, ``Freedom's Flight''

Wayne Valley High School:
Jane Lee, ``Chrome Still-Life''
Olivia Lozy, ``Stained Hands''
Chelsea Pitti-Fernandez, ``Hedgeworth''
Camila Rosario, ``Stressed Out''

West Morris Mendham High School:
Tyler Harker, ``Opal''
Emma Jang, ``Tenacity''

West Orange High School:
Victoria Chi, ``Harper''
Genesis Guedes, ``Titans''
Harper McVey, ``Fury''
Vanessa Wapples, ``Still Waiting . . .''

Whippany Park High School:
Nasim Bibi, ``Beyond the Looking Glass''
Michelle Duong, ``Morendo: Diminishing in Time''
Ana Ramil, ``Pride''
Lisa Romano, ``1,000 Words''

Each year the winner of the competition has their art work displayed
with other winners from across the country in a special corridor here
at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of our fellow Americans walk through the
exhibition and are reminded of the vast talents of our young men and
women. Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be
proud of their achievements so early in life.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these
talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

____________________

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

______

HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

of texas

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 18, I missed Roll Call
Votes 153 and 154 due to flight delays in traveling to Washington, D.C.
associated with my need to monitor the emergency response to flash
flooding in my congressional district. Had I been present, I would have
voted as follows:
On Roll Call 153, I would have voted AYE
(H.R. 4570--100 Years of Women in Congress Act (Representative Meng--
Agriculture))
On Roll Call 154, I would have voted AYE
(S. 719--To rename the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls,
Montana, the Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed
Forces Reserve Center (Senator Tester--Armed Services))

____________________

TRIBUTE TO RINGGOLD COUNTY HOSPITAL

______

HON. DAVID YOUNG

of iowa

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the
Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa on their 65th anniversary.
This is an important milestone in their history of service to Ringgold
County and the surrounding communities.
Ringgold County Hospital opened on April 17, 1951 with 25 employees
and 65 years later, employs 125. Ringgold County Hospital offers many
services not even possible in 1951, ranging from same-day and
outpatient surgeries, physical therapy, cardiopulmonary rehab, medical
imaging, infusion therapy and sleep studies to ambulance services.
Ringgold County Hospital also owns the Mount Ayr Medical Clinic and
offer many specialty clinic services for community members.

[[Page 4517]]

Mr. Speaker, throughout its many years of service, Ringgold County
Hospital has successfully met the needs of the community by providing
excellent care and necessary services. I congratulate the Ringgold
County Hospital on this historic anniversary. It is an honor to
represent its employees in the United States Congress. I wish them
nothing but continued success well into the future.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO YOUNG STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE
PEOPLE OF THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED
STATES

______

HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

of texas

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 18, 2016

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we know well,
perhaps better than most, how blessed our nation is to have in reserve
such exceptional young men and women who will go on to become leaders
in their local communities, states, and the nation in the areas of
business, education, government, philanthropy, the arts and culture,
and the military.
We know this because we see them and benefit from their contributions
every day. Many of them work for us in our offices as junior staff
members, congressional fellows, or interns and they do amazing work for
and on behalf of the constituents we are privileged to represent.
Mr. Speaker, I believe there is no higher calling than the call to
serve a cause larger than ourselves. That is why I ran for public
office. I was inspired to serve by President Kennedy who said, ``Ask
not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country,'' and by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said:
``Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. . . . You only need
a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.''
By this measure, there are several other great young men and women
who served as volunteers this year in my offices. They may toil in
obscurity but their contributions to the constituents we serve are
deeply appreciated. That is why today I rise to pay tribute to eight
extraordinary young persons for their service to my constituents in the
18th Congressional District of Texas and to the American people. They
are: Remmington Belford from Texas Southern University; Bianca Remmie
from the University of Texas at Austin; Madelyn Wilson from the
University of Houston; Promise Ukandu from Texas Tech University;
Gabriela Irizarry from the George Washington University; Itzayana Lopez
from the University of Houston-Downtown; Taylor Rainey from Howard
University; and Karis Johnson, Esq. from St. Mary's Law School.
Mr. Speaker, the energy, intelligence, and idealism these wonderful
young people brought to my office and those interning in the offices of
my colleagues help keep our democracy vibrant. The insights, skills,
and knowledge of the governmental process they gain from their
experiences will last a lifetime and prove invaluable to them as they
go about making their mark in this world.
Because of persons like them the future of our country is bright and
its best days lie ahead. I wish them all well.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that such thoughtful committed young men
and women can be found working in my office, those of my colleagues,
and in every community in America. Their good works will keep America
great, good, and forever young.

____________________

SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate of February
4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized
schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees,
subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This
title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate
Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place and
purpose of the meetings, when scheduled and any cancellations or
changes in the meetings as they occur.
As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this
information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this
information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the
Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week.
Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2016 may be found in the
Daily Digest of today's Record.

MEETINGS SCHEDULED

APRIL 20
10 a.m.
Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment,
and Related Agencies
To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and
justification for fiscal year 2017 for the
Environmental Protection Agency.
SD-124
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine
Infrastructure, Safety and Security
To hold hearings to examine the state of the United
States maritime industry, focusing on stakeholder
perspectives.
SR-253
Committee on Environment and Public Works
To hold hearings to examine new approaches and innovative
technologies to improve water supply.
SD-406
Committee on Finance
Business meeting to consider an original bill to prevent
identity theft and tax refund fraud, and an original
bill entitled, ``Taxpayer Protection Act of 2016''.
SD-215
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To hold hearings to examine the administrative state,
focusing on an examination of Federal rulemaking.
SD-342
Committee on the Judiciary
To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Inga S.
Bernstein, to be United States District Judge for the
District of Massachusetts, Stephanie A. Gallagher, to
be United States District Judge for the District of
Maryland, Suzanne Mitchell, and Scott L. Palk, both to
be a United States District Judge for the Western
District of Oklahoma, and Ronald G. Russell, to be
United States District Judge for the District of Utah.
SD-226
10:30 a.m.
Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Department of Defense
To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and
justification for fiscal year 2017 for Defense
innovation and research.
SD-192
Committee on the Budget
To hold hearings to examine restoring stability to
government operations.
SD-608
2 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on SeaPower
To hold hearings to examine Navy and Marine Corps
aviation programs in review of the Defense
Authorization Request for fiscal year 2017 and the
Future Years Defense Program.
SR-232A
2:15 p.m.
Committee on Rules and Administration
To hold hearings to examine the nomination of Carla D.
Hayden, of Maryland, to be Librarian of Congress.
SR-301
2:30 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Personnel
To hold hearings to examine the current state of
research, diagnosis, and treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
SR-222
Joint Economic Committee
To hold hearings to examine our complex tax code and the
economy.
SD-562
5 p.m.
Committee on Foreign Relations
To receive a closed briefing on an Administration update
on the Mosul Dam.
SVC-217

APRIL 21
9:15 a.m.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To hold hearings to examine the nomination of Jeffrey A.
Rosen, of Virginia, to be a Governor of the United
States Postal Service.
SD-342
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
To hold hearings to examine the nominations of General
Curtis M. Scaparrotti, USA, for reappointment to the
grade of general and to be Commander, United States
European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe,
and General Lori J. Robinson, USAF, for reappointment
to the grade of general

[[Page 4518]]

and to be Commander, North American Aerospace Defense
Command.
SH-216
9:45 a.m.
Committee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
To hold hearings to examine enabling advanced reactors,
including S. 2795, to modernize the regulation of
nuclear energy.
SD-406
10:30 a.m.
Committee on Appropriations
Business meeting to markup proposed legislation making
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for commerce,
justice, science, and related agencies, and proposed
legislation making appropriations for fiscal year 2017
for transportation, housing and urban development, and
related agencies.
SD-106
2 p.m.
Committee on Finance
To hold an oversight hearing to examine the Customs and
Border Protection agency.
SD-215
Select Committee on Intelligence
To hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence
matters.
SH-219
2:30 p.m.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
To hold hearings to examine S. 1167, to modify the
boundaries of the Pole Creek Wilderness, the Owyhee
River Wilderness, and the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness
and to authorize the continued use of motorized
vehicles for livestock monitoring, herding, and grazing
in certain wilderness areas in the State of Idaho, S.
1423, to designate certain Federal lands in California
as wilderness, S. 1510, to designate and expand
wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the
State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in
Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as
wild and scenic rivers, S. 1699, to designate certain
land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and
the Forest Service in the State of Oregon as wilderness
and national recreation areas and to make additional
wild and scenic river designations in the State of
Oregon, S. 1777, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to
maintain or replace certain facilities and structures
for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in
Idaho, S. 2018, to convey, without consideration, the
reversionary interests of the United States in and to
certain non-Federal land in Glennallen, Alaska, S.
2223, to transfer administrative jurisdiction over
certain Bureau of Land Management land from the
Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for inclusion in the Black Hills National
Cemetery, S. 2379, to provide for the unencumbering of
title to non-Federal land owned by the city of Tucson,
Arizona, for purposes of economic development by
conveyance of the Federal reversionary interest to the
City, and S. 2383, to withdraw certain Bureau of Land
Management land in the State of Utah from all forms of
public appropriation, to provide for the shared
management of the withdrawn land by the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of the Air Force to
facilitate enhanced weapons testing and pilot training,
enhance public safety, and provide for continued public
access to the withdrawn land, to provide for the
exchange of certain Federal land and State land.
SD-366

APRIL 26
10 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
To hold hearings to examine the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
program in review of the Defense Authorization Request
for fiscal year 2017 and the Future Years Defense
Program.
SD-G50
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To hold an oversight hearing to examine challenges and
opportunities for oil and gas development in different
price environments.
SD-366
Committee on the Judiciary
To hold an oversight hearing to examine the Public Safety
Officers' Benefits Program, focusing on the need for
more timeliness and transparency.
SD-226

APRIL 27
2:15 p.m.
Committee on Indian Affairs
To hold an oversight hearing to examine the Government
Accountability Office report on ``Telecommunications:
Additional Coordination and Performance Measurement
Needed for High-Speed Internet Access Programs on
Tribal Lands.''
SD-628

APRIL 28
2:30 p.m.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
To hold hearings to examine the impacts of invasive
species on the productivity, value, and management of
land and water resources; to conduct oversight on the
National Invasive Species Council's new framework for
early detection and rapid response; to examine improved
cooperative tools for control and management, including
S. 2240, to improve the control and management of
invasive species that threaten and harm Federal land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture
and the Secretary of the Interior.
SD-366

MAY 9
2:30 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Airland
Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which
fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the
proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal
year 2017.
SR-232A

MAY 10
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on SeaPower
Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which
fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the
proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal
year 2017.
SR-232A
11 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Personnel
Business meeting to markup those provisions which fall
under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year
2017.
SD-G50
2 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
Business meeting to markup those provisions which fall
under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year
2017.
SD-G50
3:30 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Business meeting to markup those provisions which fall
under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year
2017.
SD-G50
5:30 p.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Closed business meeting to markup those provisions which
fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the
proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal
year 2017.
SR-232A

MAY 11
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Closed business meeting to markup the proposed National
Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017.
SR-222

MAY 12
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Closed business meeting to continue to markup the
proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal
year 2017.
SR-222

MAY 13
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Armed Services
Closed business meeting to continue to markup the
proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal
year 2017.
SR-222

POSTPONEMENTS

APRIL 21
9:30 a.m.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
To hold hearings to examine the Administration's overtime
rule and the rising costs of doing business.
SR-428A