Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the inspiring life of Dennis John Benigno. A resident of the City of Clifton, Dennis John was debilitated by a traumatic brain injury when he was fifteen years old. The injury that befell Dennis John would have crushed weaker spirits. But instead of shrinking, Dennis John and his family used it to change the world.

Back in 1984 when Dennis John suffered his injury, few people anywhere knew about Traumatic Brain Injury. Information was sparse, even among doctors. The knowledge gap was enormous. Dennis John helped change all of that. The Benigno family drive was tireless, the founding of the Coalition for Brain Injury Research a watershed.

I first met Dennis John when I was running for Congress in 1996. His story inspired me to learn more about the issue and advocate for people with brain injuries. It is thanks to Dennis John's inspiration that I founded, alongside my friend Former Representative Jim Greenwood (R- PA), the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force in 2001. At first, you could fit our caucus members into a phone book. Now, there are dozens of members on our task force.

For 23 years, the task force has brought together thousands of families, advocates, and doctors. We have enacted laws, created policies, won hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, made important connections and told countless stories. These are people who would have never met and laws that would have never passed had it not been for Dennis John Benigno. Other accident victims, military servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, those participating in youth sports, and millions of people across the spectrum helped because the Congress was aware and ready to support our TBI victims.

Regrettably, Dennis John passed away on January 24, 2024. It is true that we have yet to find the TBI cure we have prayed for, and I have deep regret for that. But when people cynically say no one person can make any difference in our world, they are wrong. They did not know Dennis John Benigno. So, while we mourn a life lost, we celebrate something even bigger a life that lifted up so many others by sheer power and love.

Today, we are hosting Brain Injury Day on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of brain injury victims, advocates, and caregivers from across the nation have come to Washington to educate Congress on the steps we can take to fund and support care for brain injury victims as we fight for a cure. This year's Brain Injury Day is in honor of Dennis John Benigno's life. I do not know if I would be here fighting for this worthy cause if not for Dennis John's inspiration.

The House sends its condolences to Dennis John's parents, Dennis and Rosalind Benigno, his sister Kim Lyons, her husband William, as well as his aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins. May God bless Dennis John Benigno. God bless his entire family. And God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, today I unintentionally missed one rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``nay'' on rollcall No. 62--H. Res. 1052, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2799) the Expanding Access to Capital Act, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7511) the Laken Riley Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle for this reauthorization act. The time flies. When we put this together 5 years ago, it was bipartisan, as well.

Our fire heroes run into burning buildings while we run away, and they make harrowing rescues every single day, saving lives and protecting property. Nonetheless, there are dangerous carcinogens lurking in the air that they breathe and in the equipment that they use. The effects of these toxins are not fully known and may take years to determine.

In 2022, the International Association for Research on Cancer found that the very occupation of firefighting causes cancer. We are talking about thousands of volunteers and thousands of career firefighters.

Cancer is the leading cause, Mr. Speaker, as you just heard, of line- of-duty deaths for firefighters, but behind each statistic is a beloved public servant.

Eduardo Diaz, a firefighter in North Bergen, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 53. Firefighter Diaz was a beloved resident of Hasbrouck Heights and a member of the Professional Firefighters of New Jersey, who are in town and who are supporting Federal aid for firefighters.

In my hometown of Paterson, my close friend, FMBA firefighter Jerry Behnke, tragically died from brain cancer.

These are but two of too many firefighters lost to cancer.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it is reported on the cancer registry in their State--Democrats and Republicans saw the significance of this 5 years ago when there was no registry--but specific details about their work are not collected.

To focus attention on this issue that can yield results, in 2018, the Congress rightfully created the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. It is the largest effort in history to understand and reduce cancer among firefighters.

Because of this, the CDC has made a database of firefighters with cancer to monitor and study the ties between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of firefighter cancer. Since its opening year, more than 10,000 firefighters have voluntarily enrolled in the registry.

My bill would reauthorize the registry for another 5 years at a very modest funding level for what we hope can be lifesaving work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of this measure so we can get it onto the President's desk as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I unintentionally missed one rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 57, H.R. 7102, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, let me remind everyone how we got here. State and local taxes were always deductible--State and local taxes-- since the Civil War, before we even had a tax code, until the House Republicans and Mr. Trump stole the deduction in the 2017 Republican tax scam.

Do you remember that? It wasn't advertised as a tax increase. It was, furthermore, buried. Mr. Speaker, over $600 billion was buried. Where did that money go? You know where it went.

Despite pervasive half-truths and outright lies, SALT has always been about the middle class. The $10,000 cap Republicans imposed has been a heavy burden for middle-class families across this Nation, and our public services relied on SALT absolutely.

All told, firefighters, police officers, first responders, teachers, mayors, county officials, and Governors have begged us to fix this.

Democrats passed a full repeal through this Chamber. We passed SALT relief numerous times. Over and over, we have been blocked. We have never given up, and we won't.

Multiple times this term, Ways and Means Republicans voted down an amendment which I put forth to raise the deduction and fix the marriage penalty. This is double taxation. I thought this was what we were trying to get rid of. Instead, they had a tax cut in 2017 where they hid getting rid of the deduction. Now, it is a $10,000 minimum.

My amendment is the same as legislation put forth by Mr. LaLota of New York, a Republican. When we tried a few weeks ago, every committee Republican voted ``no.''

This badly flawed measure is a far cry from middle-class tax relief, and it is really the bare minimum we could do.

This certainly is no way to enact tax policy. This is no way to treat tens of millions of Americans and communities.

What we have before us is a fig leaf to paper over that Republicans opposed middle-class tax relief. I believe, in the election of 2018, this was one of the issues.

Mr. Speaker, that fact should surprise no one, since it was Republicans that stole away that middle-class tax help in the first place.

This is a very critical issue, Mr. Speaker. I hope we address it sooner rather than later.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize hero, leader, and lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Brian McDermott. Brian is retiring from his position as Fire Chief of the great City of Paterson, bringing his two decades of service as a first responder to a close. It is a pleasure and a privilege to honor Brian and highlight his impressive career.

Brian's story begins in 1994. After deciding that college wasn't for him, Brian was looking for a way to combine his passion for helping others with his love of being on a team. Brian's brothers encouraged him to take the New Jersey Firefighter Exam and he scored exceptionally well. Within a year he was hired by the Paterson Fire Department.

It did not take long for Brian to display exceptional heroism. On March 10, 1997, he and his colleagues in Ladder Company 3 responded to a call, arriving to a building engulfed in flames and smoke. Despite the dangerous conditions, Brian and his fellow firefighter Matthew Ganci entered the building and were able to locate and rescue the people inside. On this call and on countless others, Brian proved his steadfast commitment to serving his community.

Over the years Brian rose through the ranks from Captain, to Deputy Chief and finally to Chief of the Department in 2018. Some of Brian's notable achievements as Chief include the implementation of a free smoke detector program for residents, the procurement of a fleet of electric vehicles for the Department, and the transition of the City's 9-1-1 network from an analog to a digital system.

Brian was able to achieve so much as Chief because, no matter the position, he led with humility. Always focusing on his team's achievements and never his own, Brian's reputation as a leader is well known across New Jersey. His work lead to numerous regional leadership positions, including Deputy Fire Coordinator for Passaic County and Chairman of the Metro Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team.

The people of Paterson were lucky to have a dependable leader like Brian when we faced one of our biggest challenges in recent history: The COVID-19 Pandemic. Leading the Department while protecting his staff from a deadly and rapidly changing disease was no small feat. Yet, Brian valiantly rose to the occasion in protecting over 150,000 residents of Paterson.

Now, Brian will rise to the occasion once again. Retirement holds a lot for Brian: furthering his education, contributing to the fire service profession, and traveling with his wife Shannon. It is with great sincerity and appreciation that I wish Brian a long and happy retirement.

So, from the bottom of my heart, and from the heart of our communities in Paterson and Passaic County, New Jersey, I take this opportunity from the People's House to thank Chief McDermott, and may God bless him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride and joy to recognize the Borough of Hawthorne as we celebrate its 125th anniversary. Since the city's incorporation in 1898, Hawthorne has evolved from a humble settlement into a vibrant and diverse suburban community that stands as a beacon of progress. This historic achievement is a testament to the resilience, growth, and unity that have defined the Borough of Hawthorne over the past century and a quarter.

The Lenni-Lenape Native Americans are the earliest recorded inhabitants of the area situated in the Borough of Hawthorne. By the 1700s, Dutch immigrants settled in the area as pioneers in agriculture. The history of the Dutch settlers and the Native Americans remains an active part of the shared fabric in the Borough of Hawthorne with roads and landmarks named after them.

The settlement emancipated itself from Manchester Township and incorporated as the Borough of Hawthorne following an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1898.

Hawthorne attracted residents by promoting and establishing the municipal water system, electric grid with lit streets, and five public schools.

As one of the current 16 municipalities of Passaic County, the Borough of Hawthorne successfully voted for the mayor/council form of government. The borough is organized in four wards, providing a representative in each area of the community as well as giving residents the right to directly elect their mayor. The first election held under this new form was in 1989.

Today, there are nearly 20,000 residents that call the Borough of Hawthorne their home. The borough has a large immigrant population and is a melting pot evident through the array of multi-cultural businesses, restaurants, and community events. Throughout Hawthorne's history, community leaders and residents played a key role in shaping Hawthorne into the exceptional borough we celebrate today. One of Hawthorne's most notable figures is Mayor John V. Lane. His leadership and wisdom continue to guide the Borough of Hawthorne through all challenges, always emerging stronger.

The industrious spirit of Hawthorne's residents is the driving force behind its success. From the early days of farming to the present, the people of Hawthorne have worked together to build a borough that fosters innovation, economic prosperity, and cultural diversity. Let us reflect on the rich history as we commemorate the quasquicentennial anniversary of the Borough of Hawthorne.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of New Jersey in recognizing the 125th anniversary of the Borough of Hawthorne. I take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Hawthorne on this historic milestone. May this celebration serve as a moment to honor the past, revel in the present, and look forward to a future filled with continued growth and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a remarkable individual who dedicated his life to shaping our community and advancing our nation's energy sector. Joseph L. Fiordaliso, a true visionary and champion for renewable energy, passed away on September 6, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and progress that will continue to inspire generations to come. As President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities since 2005, Joseph was a fierce advocate for affordable and reliable utility service. In May 2023, President Fiordaliso was appointed to the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Joseph Fiordaliso's passion for service has never wavered throughout his storied career of public service to the people of New Jersey. Beginning with his role as Student Council President at Newark's East Side High School, Joseph carried an innate passion for education and leadership. He served more than 18 years as an educator for the Bloomfield and Valisburg communities. As a teacher, Joseph enjoyed cultivating the talents of countless students and the thrill of catapulting his students towards true academic achievement.

Shortly thereafter, Fiordaliso began serving his community of Livingston, New Jersey as Councilman for the Township. As a local leader, Joseph advocated for greater resources for seniors and revitalized the Livingston Arts Council. For 12 years as Mayor of Livingston, he formed long-lasting state and federal relationships by hosting Members of Congress, U.S. Senators, Governors, and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992.

Through his steadfast advocacy for Livingston, Joseph Fiordaliso was able to coordinate and host an official stop of the Olympic Torch of the 1996 Summer Olympic games.

Joseph Fiordaliso held leadership positions as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way, the Board of Directors of the Livingston YMCA, the Board of Directors of the First Occupational Center of New Jersey, and was a proud member of UNICO, the largest Italian American service organization in the United States. Later, Joseph was honored as UNICO's Citizen of the Year in 2003.

Now, as we honor Joseph Fiordaliso's memory as a prominent leader and public servant for New Jersey, we will always appreciate the tremendous progress in the transition to cleaner forms of energy. Joseph's signature windmill lapel pin served as a reminder for his vision of making New Jersey an offshore wind industry hub. His extensive work and legacy earned Fiordaliso due recognition as a national leader on utility and energy issues.

Mr. Speaker, from the bottom of my heart, I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of New Jersey in recognizing Joseph Fiordaliso for his outstanding work. I thank Joseph Fiordaliso. May God bless his soul and may his wife Marilyn, two children Joe and Dana stand proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a remarkable public servant who dedicated his life to law enforcement, Sheriff Richard Berdnik. Sheriff Berdnik served twenty-eight years with the Clifton Police Department. After his time with the City of Clifton, he joined the County of Passaic as the Commander of the Juvenile Division and the SWAT Team. On January 1, 2011, Richard was elected to the role of Passaic County Sheriff. A prominent leader among law enforcement, Sheriff Berdnik was also a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, the New Jersey Honor Legion of Decorated Officers, and the International Chiefs of Police Association.

A native of Clifton, New Jersey, Richard Berdnik graduated from Clifton High School, the New Jersey State Police Academy, FBI National Academy, and FBI National Executive Institute. Sheriff Berdnik took criminal justice courses at Seton Hall University, the University of Virginia, and Caldwell College. Sheriff

Berdnik's legacy embodies the principle of service over self. His impact is woven into the fabric of the Ninth Congressional District, exemplified by the officers he mentored, and the countless individuals he helped.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sheriff Berdnik was a beloved figure in our community. He was a Parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at Saint Andrew's Church in Clifton, New Jersey. As a proud member of the Polish community, Sheriff Berdnik served as the Marshal for the Passaic-Clifton & Vicinity Contingent in the Pulaski Day Parade in 2011 and was the Grand Marshal of the Pulaski Day Parade in New York City in 2014.

Known for his unwavering commitment to justice and the well-being of the public, Sheriff Berdnik served as a beacon of bravery and compassion. Under his leadership, Richard emphasized the importance of community engagement and proactive policing in order to build trust with the residents of Passaic County. His innovative approach undertook a complete top to bottom review of the department effectively streamlining operations within the Patrol, Corrections and Courthouse Divisions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of New Jersey in recognizing Sheriff Richard Berdnik for his outstanding contributions to law enforcement and beyond. I thank Sheriff Berdnik. He was a mentor, a friend, and a pillar in our community. God bless his soul and may his wife Monica, and four children Ashley, Ryan, Alyssa, and Kevin stand proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride and joy to recognize a significant milestone as the City of Passaic celebrates its 150th anniversary. Since the city's incorporation in 1873, Passaic has evolved from a humble settlement into a vibrant and diverse urban center that stands as a beacon of progress. This historic achievement is a testament to the resilience, growth, and community spirit that have defined the City of Passaic over the past century and a half.

The industrious spirit of Passaic's residents has been the driving force behind its success. From the early days of fabric mills to the present, the people of Passaic have worked together to build a city that fosters innovation, economic prosperity, and cultural diversity. Let us reflect on the rich history, enduring spirit, and remarkable growth as we commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the City of Passaic.

The Lenni-Lenape Native Americans are the earliest recorded inhabitants of the area situated in the City of Passaic. The Lenni- Lenape were met by Hartman Michielsen Vreeland, a Dutch settler and trader, who purchased Dundee Island and Pulaski Park along the Passaic River on April 4, 1678. The Dutch settlement expanded its land through further deeds and purchases over the next decade. In 1693, the Dutch settlement incorporated as the Township of Acquackanonk as part of northern Essex County.

The Township of Acquackanonk was later moved to Passaic County after being formed in 1837 by combining parts of northern Essex County and western Bergen County. In 1869 the Township of Acquackanonk officially changed its name to the City of Passaic. As the area experienced population and commercial growth, community members voted to incorporate as the City of Passaic in 1873.

Following the incorporation, the City of Passaic experienced an industrial boom fueled by immigration from European countries. By the late 19th century, critical developments such as the construction of the Erie Railroad helped Passaic become an economic hub with flourishing manufacturing and commerce. The city established a diverse economy with a thriving textile industry producing silk and cotton.

Today, there are nearly 70,000 residents that call the City of Passaic their home. The city has a large immigrant population and is a melting pot evident through the array of multi-cultural businesses, restaurants, and community events. Throughout Passaic's history, community leaders and residents played a key role in shaping Passaic into the exceptional city we celebrate today. One of Passaic's most notable figures is Mayor Hector C. Lora. His leadership and wisdom continue to guide the City of Passaic through all challenges, always emerging stronger.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of New Jersey in recognizing the 150th anniversary of the City of Passaic. I take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Passaic on this historic milestone. May this celebration serve as a moment to honor the past, revel in the present, and look forward to a future filled with continued growth, prosperity, and fortitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an esteemed and invaluable member of New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District, Mr. Huseyin Bayram. His contributions to our community distinguish him as a prominent figure, serving as the proud owner of Toro's Restaurant and the New Corral. Today I join the City of Paterson as they honor his contributions by awarding him with the Key to the City. Huseyin is an outstanding community leader, philanthropist, and entrepreneur who continuously demonstrates an unwavering commitment to make a positive impact extending beyond the State of New Jersey.

For over three decades, Huseyin Bayram has been active in the City of Paterson. His entrepreneurial spirit is embodied in the success of the New Corral in Clifton and the Toro's Restaurants, located in Paterson, Clifton, and Montclair. The Toro's Restaurant of Paterson is an iconic dining establishment that opened its doors in 1972.

Mr. Bayram's compassionate philanthropy created numerous local initiatives, including his donation of over 10,000 meals to community members during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Huseyin wanted to show his appreciation for frontline healthcare workers by providing free meals to doctors and nurses at three hospitals in New York. Huseyin played a critical role in spearheading and organizing relief efforts for the earthquake of Turkey in 2023. Huseyin's efforts have not only enhanced our community's well-being but also fostered a spirit of unity and cooperation among its members.

Mr. Bayram led 150,000 members as the President of the Turkish American Giresun Organization, representing the largest Turkish population in the United States. In 2017, the City of Paterson appointed Huseyin as Deputy Mayor under Mayor Jane Williams-Warren establishing his role in local governance. Furthermore, he holds the position of Vice-President with the Turkish-American Federation of New York and the Paterson Mevlana Mosque, showcasing how the Turkish community places their trust in his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of the City of Paterson in recognizing Mr. Bayram. I take this opportunity to honor the great work Huseyin Bayram has accomplished. May his work continue to be a guiding light in our community and inspire others to strive for excellence in service.

Mr. Speaker, on January 30, 2024, I missed four roll call votes. Had I been present I would have voted:

No on Roll Call No. 22--On ordering the previous question;

No on Roll Call Vote 23--On agreeing to H. Res. 980 Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 5585) Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act; (H.R. 6678) Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act; (H.R. 6679) No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act; and (H.R. 6976) Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act;

Yes on Roll Call No. 24--On Agreeing to Crockett Amendment to H.R. 5585; and

No on Roll Call No. 25--On Final Passage of H.R. 5585.

Mr. Speaker, the enhanced Child Tax Credit enacted by Democrats in 2021 slashed childhood poverty in half. I repeat: in half. It is not hyperbole to call it one of the most successful policies ever passed by this Congress. And it is a tragedy its extension was blocked by the other side.

Restoring some of our policy, as this bill does, will be a lifeline for millions of families. And that is vital progress. I do not love every element in this package. In committee, Republicans unanimously voted to defeat my amendment to add real SALT relief for middle class families.

But this is a start, and we will keep pushing to bring back the full enhanced Child Tax Credit and enshrine it for good.

Mr. Speaker, on January 29, 2024, I missed two roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: Yes on Roll Call No. 20, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5528; and Yes on Roll Call No. 21, On motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 3427.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1568, the bipartisan Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act.

I believe that privacy is something we are going to be discussing on this floor for the next 10 years. We are trying to catch up to the electronics that exist in our lives, and we want to make sure that people are all respected.

We know protecting privacy is a difficult and constantly evolving challenge. This is especially true in our modern world. Privacy is deeply important for all Americans, particularly our servicemembers abroad. Unfortunately, our troops are often victims of identity theft.

For security purposes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires manifest sheets to document the cargo of incoming vessels. The Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act will ensure that personal data on cargo manifests cannot be abused.

I am proud to co-lead this crucial and commonsense measure with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz).

In recent years, manifest data has been mistakenly exposed, enabling identity theft, credit card fraud, and unwanted solicitations. Our plan will protect Americans from having their personal information compromised.

We must make sure information like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and passport numbers can be removed from cargo manifests before they are disclosed. This is a no-brainer. We are talking about protecting people's privacy, including servicemembers and their families serving abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record two letters of support for the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act: the first is from the New Jersey Warehouse and Movers Association; the second is from the American Trucking Associations and a coalition of supportive organizations.

New Jersey Warehouse &

Movers Association

September 11, 2023.

Hon. Bill Pascrell,

Washington, DC.

Representative Pascrell: As the leader of the New Jersey

Warehouse & Movers Association, I have the privilege of

representing moving and storage companies located across the

Garden State. Thank you for your continued leadership,

especially as a member of the US House Ways & Means

Committee.

Our members especially thank you for introducing, along

with Representative Mike Walz, the bipartisan Moving

Americans Privacy Protection Act (``MAPPA'' / HR 1568). As

you know, this legislation would help protect the privacy and

personally identifiable information (PII) of American

servicemembers, federal employees, private sector workers,

and their families who are returning to the United States

after living abroad.

With multiple defense and government installations, more

than a dozen Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, globally

recognized colleges and universities, and its status as a

center for international trade, New Jersey residents

frequently move overseas and then return to the US. This

exchange plays an important role in our state's continued

economic growth, and the moving industry is proud to support

these individuals and their families. Unfortunately, current

government policy regarding the security of their PII

unwittingly places them at risk of identity theft, financiat

fraud, and other crimes. The MAPPA would change this policy

and require US Customs to remove the PII contained in vessel

manifests from trade data that is provided to sale.

Passage of legislation accomplishing the goal of the MAPPA

has been a long-standing priority of the moving industry. We

are thankful for introducing identical legislation in the

House (HR 1568) and the Senate (S 758). The Senate passed S

758 in March 2023, making House approval the only step

necessary before the legislation goes to the White House for

the President's signature.

As such, the New Jersey moving industry asks you to contact

House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal

and urge him to support the Committee, including S 758 as

passed by the Senate in the next available markup, to approve

the legislation without amendment, and for the House to

consider the legislation under suspension of the rules. We

also understand that Rep. Waltz is testifying in support of

MAPPA during the Ways and Means Committee's ``Member Day''

hearing on September 14, 2023--joint testimony in support of

the legislation or a letter of support for the legislation

submitted for the hearing's record would be appreciated as we

all work to enact this necessary and commonsense legislation.

Thank you again for your leadership on this important

issue.

May 24, 2023.

Hon. Jason Smith,

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Adrian Smith,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade, Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Richard Neal,

Ranking Member, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC.

Hon. Earl Blumenauer,

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Trade, Committee on Ways and

Means, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman J. Smith, Ranking Member Neal, Chairman A.

Smith, and Ranking Member Blumenauer: Our organizations

respectfully request Committee sign off for House

consideration--under suspension of the rules as a stand-alone

bill--the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act (S. 758),

as passed by the Senate on March 9, 2023.

The legislation addresses a specific and unique issue and

helps protect the sensitive personal data of servicemembers,

federal employees, private sector workers. and families who

are returning to the United States after living abroad. S.

758 was introduced on a bipartisan basis by Senators Daines,

Peters, Stabenow, and Marshall and passed the Senate by voice

vote. It has a bipartisan House companion (H.R. 1568)

introduced by Representatives Waltz and Pascrell. The

legislation is identical to the Moving Americans Privacy

Protection Act (115th--H.R. 4403), which in 2018 the Ways &

Means Committee reported out by voice vote, followed by House

passage under the suspension calendar. The Congressional

Budget Office and Joint Tax Committee have determined a

``zero'' score for the legislation.

Each year, the U.S. military, federal departments, and

private sector organizations relocate tens of thousands of

Americans back home to the U.S. after posting overseas. Other

Americans return home after time abroad for personal reasons.

When shipping their personal household goods to the U.S.,

these individuals must include elements of Personally

Identifiable Information

(PII) on shipping forms which are made part of vessel

manifests. The PII often contains Social Security numbers,

Passport numbers, home addresses, and other sensitive data.

Currently U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is

required to make all commercial information from vessel

manifests--often capturing the sensitive PII of returning

American citizens--available to data brokers who package and

resell this data throughout their subscriber network. Without

concrete action to protect the PII, normally held under

strict security by the U.S. Government, these elements can be

exposed, placing Americans at risk of identity theft,

financial fraud, and other abuses of their data.

The Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act helps protect

Americans from this risk by ensuring PII is removed from

manifests prior to CBP providing and selling the commercial

manifest information to data brokers. While it does not amend

other provisions of the Tariff Act or in any other way modify

Customs, authorities or trade policy, it does remove the U.S.

Government from making sensitive PII of servicemembers and

other Americans available to potential criminals as citizens

move back home to the United States.

Given the focused nature of this legislation and increase

in identity theft crimes in recent years, we urge the

Committee to agree to direct House consideration of the

Senate-passed version of the Moving Americans Privacy

Protection Act (S. 758) as a stand-alone bill under

suspension of the rules.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

American Trucking Associations,

International Association of Movers,

Military Officers Association of America,

Senior Executives Association,

Worldwide ERC.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this commonsense measure today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, protecting the privacy of the American people must be our priority. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.