Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work of the students and coaches from two schools in New Jersey's 12th District, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and Princeton Charter School, as they advance to compete in the 2018 National Science Bowl.

Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students' knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Since its inception in 1991, it has hosted more than 275,000 competitors. These talented young minds from my district will join those ranks, competing for a chance to win funding for their respective schools' science departments.

I wish the coaches and the teams the best of luck as they show off their knowledge, their talent, and their preparation against the country's future science stars.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, in December, Republicans rushed, and I do mean rushed, sped to pass with little thought, debate, or consideration for the long-term impact, a tax overhaul that has since been exposed over and over again for its structural and fiscal flaws.

Contrary to the false bill of goods that they are still marketing to the American people, this scam would shower wealthy households and big corporations with the dollars shaved off of the incomes of working Americans nationwide. It further widens the already gaping divide between the ultra rich and the middle class.

In New Jersey, my constituents will be among those hardest hit as it guts the Federal deduction for State and local taxes, the exact opposite of the cuts and breaks Republicans have given so much lip service to.

Now, months after patting themselves on the back, Republicans are backtracking. It seems that, on second thought, lining the pockets of millionaires and corporations to the tune of $1.5 trillion isn't a sound fiscal decision, and to fix it, they decided to revive the so- called balanced budget amendment.

To be very clear, this isn't about fiscal responsibility. This is just another scam, hoodwinking working Americans as they cut, slash, and burn away the programs and services that keep families going, that help keep food on the table during rough spells, and that maintain basic living standards and help people find jobs.

To save the cuts they made for millionaires, they will use this amendment to slash healthcare access and the retirement security of our seniors through cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

To save the cuts they made for millionaires, they will use this amendment to cut employment insurance, early childhood education, and nutrition programs.

To save the cuts they made for millionaires, they will use this amendment to wreak havoc for working families.

Instead of more cuts, we should be focused on investments that will produce jobs and economic growth, building new roads and bridges, ensuring workers make decent wages, and giving our young people the best chance at a good education and a bright future.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this so-called balanced budget amendment and the harm it represents.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5079, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act.

H.R. 5079 would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a fusion center engagement strategy. One of the tragic lessons of the September 11 attacks was what can happen when information is not shared at all levels of law enforcement.

Since 2006, the committee has supported the Department's efforts to deploy intelligence analysts to many of the 79 fusion centers across the country. These fusion centers are charged with connecting the dots at the State or local level to prevent terrorist or extremist violence. H.R. 5079 continues in this vein by directing DHS to focus on strengthening its relationship with the fusion centers.

At a time when violent attacks in Florida, New York, Las Vegas, and Charlottesville are tragically all too much a part of our new normal, we need this improved relationship between the Department and fusion centers more than ever.

In addition to requiring an engagement strategy, the bill requires DHS to have metrics in place to hold the personnel it deploys to fusion centers accountable for their performance.

Finally, this legislation seeks to encourage use of the Department's intelligence and document-sharing systems to promote greater engagement among the Department and fusion centers across the country.

Specifically, H.R. 5079 would create policies for information sharing via Department networks that are developed and updated in consultation with the Department's experts on privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

In closing, with the emergence of lone wolves and small terrorist cells, the decentralized terrorist threat in the United States poses serious threats to local communities across our country from big cities to small towns. Whether the target is a church in South Carolina, a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, a mosque in Illinois, a synagogue in New York, a concert venue in Las Vegas, or a school in Florida, State and local law enforcement need a clear line of communication with Federal agencies. As such, DHS must ensure that fusion centers throughout the country have access to the resources--including personnel, training, and access to information--necessary to keep the U.S. homeland safe and secure.

H.R. 5079 directs DHS to do just that by requiring the Department to have a strategy to enhance engagement with fusion centers and provide fusion center personnel. Additionally, H.R. 5079 would ensure that DHS' information-sharing policies include strong privacy and civil liberty safeguards. I, therefore, encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5079.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5131, the Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, the Nation's surface transportation systems are central to Americans' daily life. Subways, buses, trains, and pipelines move millions of people and goods every day. Given their criticality, it is no surprise that terrorists have targeted these systems for attack. In recent years, attacks overseas have proven lethal, even more so, on average, than attacks against aviation. In December 2017, the threat against these systems hit home when a would-be attacker detonated a bomb within New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal subway station.

My bill, H.R. 5131, would require the Department of Homeland Security to take meaningful steps to address this emerging threat. First, it would require TSA to take a more comprehensive approach to transportation threats when it comes to assessing risk and setting strategies and priorities. Second, it would require TSA to take a hard look at integrating new technologies and security measures into mass transit and other surface transportation systems.

Importantly, H.R. 5131 also would require DHS to assess cyber threats posed by foreign technologies and to disseminate best practices for securing transportation systems against vehicle-based attacks, such as the truck attack we witnessed in New York City last October.

Finally, it would require TSA to develop a risk-based strategy for its surface inspectors and answer to Congress for its failure to issue long overdue regulations that are required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

Consideration of H.R. 5131 today is timely, given the cuts to surface transportation security programs proposed by the President in both the fiscal year 2018 and 2019 budgets.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure to improve surface transportation security.

In closing, as we have seen around the world, the threats to surface transportation systems are real and evolving. A major attack on any one system could be devastating and result in significant loss of life. My bill will push TSA to increase and enhance its efforts to secure these critical systems.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this. I appreciate the support from my colleague and the support from Mr. Katko.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4467, the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, it has been over 16 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Since that time, our transportation security systems have evolved in a number of ways, from the creation of the TSA to the hardening of cockpit doors. An important change to security has been the evolution of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Federal air marshals are armed law enforcement officers who are deployed on domestic and international passenger flights to protect passengers and crew against terrorist attacks.

On 9/11, the FAA employed a small number of Federal air marshals to serve as in-flight security on a small percentage of flights. After 9/ 11, the Federal Air Marshal Service expanded rapidly; and, in 2005, it was transferred to the TSA, where it operates today.

Today, air marshals contribute to aviation security by deploying on many domestic and international flights. They also help secure surface transportation systems and public airport areas as major participants in the TSA's Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response--or VIPR-- teams.

To ensure the continued effectiveness of the air marshals, H.R. 4467 requires the TSA to ensure that officers are deployed in a risk-based manner that is focused on maximizing effectiveness. As amended, the bill also ensures risk-based seating of air marshals on passenger aircraft to enable officers to respond effectively to security threats.

This is a sensible bill to improve aviation security, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the threats to aviation continue to require constant vigilance and effective security solutions.

The Federal Air Marshal Service does not have unlimited budgetary resources to deploy marshals on every passenger flight. As such, resources must be allocated based on risk. H.R. 4467 will help ensure that the TSA does just that, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, there are so many important issues and such little time, but today I want to stand in solidarity with my colleagues, with parents, with students, and with Americans across the country who are calling for action to address the crisis of gun control.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to connect with nearly 150 students and their parents in my district at a townhall meeting. I listened to their personal worries and worst fears. I heard their thoughts and the solutions they want decisionmakers here in Washington to consider. I felt the emotional strain of wondering if their own classrooms were safe.

Above all else, I heard the question: Why? Why can't we limit access to military-style weapons specifically built to maximize damage? Why can't we improve the background check process? Why won't Congress act? Why? Why?

The President recently set forth a series of empty proposals that continue our practice of shrinking away from these questions. Arming teachers, school personnel, and volunteers is dangerous, ill-conceived, and does nothing to solve the problems we have with gun violence. To keep our children safe, we need fewer guns, not more.

And in backing away from his initial pledge to limit access, the President again prioritized the interests of the National Rifle Association over the pleas of countless students, teachers, and parents. In fact, he is the one who has demonstrated that he is afraid of the NRA.

The wish for safe spaces to learn was clear in the comments I heard from my constituents on Saturday: young people who want to walk through the hallways of their schools feeling nurtured instead of afraid. Stashing pistols in their teachers' desks will not bring them that feeling.

If the administration or the leaders controlling what we debate here on the floor of Congress were actually interested in protecting our schools, we would be debating legislation to strengthen background checks, we would be working on increasing the firearms purchasing act to the age of 21, we would be banning assault rifles, we would be limiting and tracking excessive ammunition purchases, and much, much more.

There are bills in our hopper to do all of these things. They are ready, and they are waiting for debate, including my own bill. All we need is for the Speaker of this House to show the will, determination, and courage to put young lives ahead of the gun lobby.

While much of my townhall meeting was centered on anxiety and fear, I left the event filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and hope, pride in a generation of future leaders who have endured an endless and unbearable stream of school shootings and are stepping up to the plate to hold their leaders accountable. Some of these students were born at a time when that is all they have seen in their lifetime are these mass killings at schools.

I hope that we can finally agree on a path of action and their voices will be heard. I will continue to lift these voices here with my colleagues and fight with them for action and change because that is what a better deal is for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous service of Councilman Lance Liverman as he prepares to retire from Princeton's Town Council this year.

Born at Princeton Hospital in 1962, Lance Liverman has been a lifelong resident of the town he loves. He was educated in Princeton public schools before attending college at Fairleigh Dickinson University and then transferring to Trenton State College, now known as the College of New Jersey so that he could be closer to home to help his ailing stepfather. After graduating college, Lance went into his stepfather's business before working for himself--first as a special courier and then in real estate.

A native son of Princeton, Lance has given 30 years of public service to his community. For the last 15 years, Lance Liverman has served as a member of the Princeton Town Council where he has been hands on in addressing the issues facing residents.

With his deep understanding of how Princeton works and with his charitable nature, Councilman Liverman has been a great asset on his council assignments. On the Affordable Housing Board, the Councilman uses his real estate knowledge to benefit the community, while he provides counseling for youth and their families dealing with alcohol and drug addiction on the Princeton Alcohol & Drug Alliance.

All of Councilman Liverman's colleagues have called him, ``a truly unique Princeton citizen and a great human being.'' Another member of the council has called him ``Princeton's Hero,'' as he not only serves on the council, but also through his church, working with youth, and through his constant presence around town. This is why the local paper has described him as the ``Son of the Community.''

Though Councilman Liverman will be stepping down from his seat at the end of this year, this does not end his service to his community. He has pledged that he will continue to serve the community and help make Princeton a model for social justice. He will also use his time away from the council to spend more of it with his wife LaTonya and his three daughters, Kelsey, Ashlyn, and Savannah.

I urge my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the tremendous work of Councilman Lance Liverman and to wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, due to an excused absence on February 14, 2018, I was unable to vote on Roll Call Vote Nos. 72 through 78. Had I been present I would have voted in the following matter:

On Roll Call Vote No. 72 on ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 736 I intended to vote NAY.

On Roll Call Vote No. 73 on Agreeing to the Resolution for H. Res. 736 I intended to vote NAY.

On Roll Call Vote No. 74 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 3542, Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act, as amended, I intended to vote YEA.

On Roll Call Vote No. 75 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 129, Calling on the Department of Defense, other elements of the Federal Government, and foreign governments to intensify efforts to investigate, recover, and identify all missing and unaccounted-for personnel of the United States, I intended to vote YEA.

On Roll Call Vote No. 76 on Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 3978, TRID Improvement Act, I intended to vote YEA.

On Roll Call Vote No. 77 on Passage of H.R. 3978, TRID Improvement Act, I intended to vote NAY.

On Roll Call Vote No. 78 on Passage of H.R. 3299, Protecting Consumers Access to Credit Act of 2017, I intended to vote NAY.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 66 on H.R. 4771, the Small Bank Holding Company Relief Act of 2018, I mistakenly recorded my vote as YEA when I intended to vote NAY.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, the Speaker of the House is supposed to be the Speaker of this entire House. And the entire will of this House on the Democratic side and Republican side is to pass a DACA bill but we are running out of time.

Instead of following the bipartisan consensus of the majority in this House, this Speaker is yielding to the will of the majority party's anti-immigration fringe unilaterally, and that fringe is led by this President. If we continue to bend to this fringe, this body, this shiny beacon on a hill, this hopefulness in this country will go dark.

The Senate was able to pass the bipartisan agreement due to the hard promise of Leader McConnell and the good work of our Democratic leadership as well to allow--simply allow--the body to vote on a DACA bill. We, however, have no such commitment on this side.

22,000 dreamers in the State of New Jersey: they are doctors, they are lawyers, they are connected to their churches, they are parents, they are teachers, they are business owners. I spent time in a church where a Christian, tithe-paying immigrant was taken from his family and put in detention. He was not a threat to anyone.

My constituents did not send me here to deport young people who are American and know no other country.

I ask you, I beg you, I implore you: Do your job. Save these DREAMers, and until we do, I urge a ``no'' on this vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mr. A. Robert Tindall on his 91st birthday that was celebrated on January 5, 2018.

A. Robert Tindall, or known by his friends as Bob, was born in Trenton on January 5, 1927. Bob is one of a few remaining American veterans who has served our country during World War II.

Bob served as a Radioman in the United States Navy, where he was stationed on a minesweeper. During the war, Bob served his country by helping to detect underwater mines that could have done great harm to our fleets. Because of his invaluable service, Bob's work helped countless ships from being destroyed and in time saved thousands of lives.

After leaving the Navy, Bob attended Rider College in New Jersey and then Drexel University in Philadelphia where he studied mechanical engineering. While attending college, Bob's father owned a real estate business and asked Bob to assist. His work with his dad in real estate eventually led him to start his own career in real estate and insurance. Today, Bob resides in Ewing. He has three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Bob on his birthday, and to thank him for his service to this country. Let us never forget the sacrifice he and others like him made to protect the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3731, the Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017.

The United States Secret Service is operating under tremendous demands with very limited resources. The agency is tasked with protecting a large presidential family that travels frequently around the world. This year, members of the Trump family have traveled to Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, among other destinations. The Secret Service provides protection on all of these trips, in addition to protecting the president himself, and each of these trips requires the Secret Service to incur significant costs, including travel, lodging, and costs associated with coordinating with local security entities, embassies, and other overseas partners. The Trump family does not reimburse the Federal government for costs associated with protecting family members on these trips, even when they are made in pursuit of the Trump Organization's business interests and to promote the Trump brand.

The scope of the Secret Service's protective mission, along with other agency activities such as investigating and preventing counterfeiting, has created a hole in the agency's budget. At a June 8, 2017, hearing before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, Secret Service Director Randolph ``Tex'' Alles testified that the agency's budget is ``$200 million to $300 million a year short of what would be required'' to fulfill its protective and investigative missions more effectively.

This bill will not solve the Secret Service's budget gap, but it will prevent Secret Service agents from having to bear the brunt of challenges they did not create. Many Secret Service agents have hit their overtime pay limits and are unable to receive further compensation despite having to work additional hours given the agency's expanded mission. Such a system is unfair to the agents, who work difficult jobs with long shifts and uncompromising schedules even when they are being fairly compensated.

H.R. 3731 would allow the Secret Service to pay agents for hours they have worked, which is the least we can do. I urge the Senate to pass this bill as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, last week, New Jersey said its final good-bye to a tireless advocate, dedicated leader, and wonderful man who just happened to also have been our Governor. Brendan Byrne, our two-term Governor, never let the weight of his office bog him down. He will be remembered for his wit, his passion, and the force of his will.

Governor Byrne helped inspire and instill honorable characteristics of public service into generations of New Jerseyans. I consider myself blessed to be among them.

It is a bittersweet moment to bid farewell to Governor Byrne. I will long keep Ruthie and Tom and the entire Byrne family in my thoughts and in my prayers as their loved ones and, indeed, New Jersey has suffered a tremendous loss.

Mr. Speaker, education is supposed to be the great equalizer, but instead of investing in our students, Republicans, through their tax scam, are attempting to widen that equality gap.

Young people want to pursue higher education, and Republicans want to punish them with higher taxes so we can give away benefits to millionaires and billionaires.

Students are gaining knowledge that can actually make a difference in this world, but the Republicans' tax plan will only serve to deter them from that goal.

It is right here in black and white. Republicans are trying to eliminate student loan interest deductions. They want to tax college endowments that provide scholarships and student aid. They are taxing graduate tuition benefits that would make graduate school unattainable for low- and middle-income students.

So this Republican attack on college and graduate students says loud and clear: Low income? No rich parents? Good luck. Pay up.

It is an absolute disgrace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Trenton's beloved Harry O. Blackwell, affectionately known as ``Chubby.''

I was saddened to hear of his untimely passing; he was a tireless advocate for youth programming for decades in our capital city.

When we examine the life and passion of Chubby Blackwell, his compassion for the youth cannot be ignored. He dedicated his life to mentoring and teaching young people skills that could transform their future. Countless Trenton youth have memories of participating in sports leagues, golf lessons, and summer camps because of Chubby Blackwell.

Chubby's advocacy for children was effective because he made it his business to know the whole family. For many, Chubby Blackwell was that consistent and strong life force that kept them on the straight and narrow. Chubby had a zero tolerance for foolishness; his love was not always friendly--sometimes tough--but always consistent.

Today as we celebrate Chubby we celebrate a life of service to others whose impact will be felt for generations because his commitment was purposeful and motivated by love.

God Bless Chubby Blackwell and thank you to his beautiful family for having shared him with countless young people and indeed this entire community.

I urge my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of Chubby Blackwell and sending our sincere condolences to his friends, family, and to the families he has helped over the years. May Chubby be blessed and rest in peace.