Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, any budget requires an examination of how and who pays for it and how that budget impacts the economy.

We were told by President Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin that there would be no new tax cuts for the wealthy; and that this budget, and its blueprint, is a middle class miracle. That was last Wednesday.

One week later, this Wednesday, the facts are in. If you make $730,000 in America, next year your income will rise by 8.5 percent, or $129,000, or $10,750 a month.

If you make $67,000, your income will rise by 1.2 percent, or $670 next year, or a whopping $56 a month. This is no miracle. This is fraud being perpetrated against the middle class.

We are told that tax cuts pay for themselves through the magic of dynamic scoring. Their budget will increase the deficit by $2.5 trillion over 10 years. Where are all the deficit hawks? Where are any of the deficit hawks?

Goldman alumnus Mnuchin and Gary Cohn, the National Economic Adviser, said that this bill will grow the economy. Goldman economists said that their budget will have no good impact in terms of growth in the Federal budget over the next several years.

Finally, infrastructure. The infrastructure budget for America, a nation of 300 million people, for the next 10 years is about the same as we spent rebuilding the roads and bridges of Iraq and Afghanistan over the last 10 years. This is unacceptable. We can do much better.

Mr. Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, 3 days ago-- 59 people dead, 527 injured, one shooter. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. modern history.

Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida, 2016--49 people dead, 58 injured, one shooter.

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut, 2012--20 kids aged 6 and 7 and 6 adults, all dead, one shooter. The one shooter killed his mother and then killed himself.

I have heard it said that the best gun control is a steady hand. Perhaps, but a steady hand requires a healthy and sound mind. Assault weapons are designed to kill people, and to kill lots of people quickly. Their availability made massacres in Las Vegas, Newtown, and Orlando possible.

In the days ahead, we will learn much more about the shooter and his guns than about his victims--once again. My hope is that this Congress will use this information wisely and find the courage to respond appropriately. In this way, and only in this way, do we actually honor the victims.

Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to recognize the millions that fight each day against dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a group of debilitating medical conditions that result in a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This system is responsible for ``automatic'' bodily functions such as respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control, things that many of us have the luxury of taking for granted. Dysautonomia continues to significantly impact people of any age, gender, race or background across our nation, including many individuals living in Western New York.

As is, dysautonomia can be extremely debilitating and often accompanied by the unseen symptom of social isolation. Some forms result in death, causing tremendous pain and suffering for those impacted and their loved ones. The stress on the families extends as well to the financial hardships that deserve recognition and better solutions. I am proud to affirm that the outstanding character and strong moral fiber of those in the Western New York community who have provided the much needed support for the victims suffering from dysautonomia. It remains especially crucial for the community to recognize, rally around and support those so affected as they continue their hard fought battle against this disease.

Dysautonomia awareness is monumental in the early detection of the disease due to the fact that most patients take years to be properly diagnosed. Dysautonomia International, a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of patients living with dysautonomia, encourages communities to deepen their understanding and be mindful of this challenging condition especially during Dysautonomia Awareness Month each October.

The tireless efforts of the dysautonomia community to increase research and accessible services will be recognized on Sunday, October 1 in my Congressional District as the color turquoise will bathe Niagara Falls and the Peace Bridge in the light of care, concern and continuing the fight to improve the lives of individuals living with this chronic condition.

Currently, Dysautonomia International is funding research to develop more substantial treatments to help patients get diagnosed and treated earlier, save lives, foster support for individuals and families and hopefully find a cure for all forms of this condition in the future.

It is imperative that we also recognize the contributions of the professional medical community, patients, family members and advocates who are working to educate our citizenly about dysautonomia throughout Western New York. They are deserving of our gratitude, recognition, respect and greater understanding.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to recognize Dysautonomia Awareness Month. I ask that my colleagues join me in support for those suffering from the devastating medical condition and encourage them to spread awareness across our nation throughout and beyond the month of October.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and welcome the USS The Sullivans DD-537/DDG-68 Association to my hometown of Buffalo, New York on September 20th, 2017 as they celebrate their 27th reunion at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.

On November 13, 1943, following the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal during the Second World War, five brothers tragically lost their lives at sea when a Japanese torpedo struck and sunk the USS Juneau while sailing the Solomon Sea. Upon learning that George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan had all perished, President Roosevelt honored their memory by renaming DD-537 in their namesake as USS The Sullivans.

Since the Second World War, two ships, DD-537 and DDG-68 have proudly shared the name USS The Sullivans and the motto of ``We Stick Together'' in order to exemplify the courageous and enduring spirit of the Sullivan brothers. For over 70 years a USS The Sullivans has patrolled the world's waterways, thus preserving the peace and promoting international stability.

In the years since it was decommissioned, DD-537 has called the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park home. Located in Buffalo's Canalside district, USS The Sullivans DD-537 has served as a floating monument to the Sullivan brothers' enduring legacy as well as to the countless men and women who have served aboard a USS The Sullivans since 1943.

Mr. Speaker, it is again with great pride that I welcome the 27th reunion of the USS The Sullivans DD-537/DDG-68 Association to Buffalo, New York as they celebrate the storied legacy of their vessels in the company of fellow veterans and current service members

Mr. Speaker, with POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 15, I rise to honor Corporal Frank Louis Garguiolo, a veteran of, and prisoner of war during, the Second World War. He embodies the best of the Greatest Generation.

The son of immigrants, Frank was born in 1923, the youngest of seven siblings. He grew up in Cheektowaga and attended Buffalo schools. Tragedy struck young, and Frank's father passed away when he was just 12. Frank then went to work to support his mother and family.

At 19, Frank enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 3rd Infantry Division. His tour saw him through many major battles in North Africa and Europe. Corporal Garguiolo was captured by Axis forces and subjected to brutal forced labor for over half a year. Eventually, he was rescued by his brothers in arms from the 3rd Infantry Division.

Today, at age 94, Frank is a fixture in his community and happily lives in the same house his father built.

Mr. Speaker, we must do everything we can to bring our heroes home so they can live out their lives like Corporal Garguiolo has.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th wedding anniversary of Joseph and Elaine Giallanza, which will be celebrated on September 21, 2017.

Born in the 1930s Depression-era times, Joe and Elaine were married on September 21, 1957. Once married, Joe and Elaine employed a tremendous professional and personal work ethic, eventually founding the Giallanza Corporation, which developed and built residential housing throughout Western New York.

But from their home in Elma, Joe and Elaine enjoyed their most prized possessions--the members of the large family they were proud to call their own. Joe and Elaine raised six children: Michael, Theresa, Thomas, Mary, Peterson and the late Joseph Giallanza. Theirs was a warm home full of laughter and affection, bound together by the examples of love, faith and hard work that Joe and Elaine set for their children. Today, Joe and Elaine are the proud grandparents of 13 grandchildren who will help them celebrate their anniversary on September 21.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me and all of our colleagues to wish Joe and Elaine Giallanza a very happy and healthy 60th wedding anniversary, and to extend to the Giallanza family the very best of health and happiness in the days, months and years to come.

Mr. Speaker, on September 5, 2017, I was not present for the recorded votes on roll call no. 439 and 440. Had I been present, I would have voted:

On Roll Call vote no. 439, the motion to suspend the rules and pass, the Financial Stability Oversight Council Insurance Continuity Act, I would have voted YEA.

On Roll Call vote no. 440, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, to direct the securities and Exchange Commission to allow certain issuers to be exempt from registration requirements, and for other purposes, I would have voted YEA.

Mr. Speaker, on September 6, 2017, I was not present for the recorded votes on roll call no 442, 443, and 444. Had I been present, I would have voted:

On Roll Call vote no. 442, H. Res. 500, on ordering the previous question, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3354) making appropriations for the Dept. of the Interior; providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, I would have voted NAY.

On Roll Call vote no. 443, on agreeing to the resolution, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3354) making appropriations for the Dept of the Interior; providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, I would have voted NAY.

On Roll Call vote no. 444, on approving the Journal, I would have voted YEA.

Mr Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and heroism of Lt. Thomas J. Crotty of the United States Coast Guard. A decorated veteran of the Second World War, Lt. Crotty will finally be laid to rest in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, 75 years after going missing in action in the Pacific Theater.

Lt. Crotty was born in Buffalo, New York in the year 1912, and grew up on the city's South Side. The youngest of seven siblings, Crotty stood out as a natural athlete and leader. In 1929, he coached his American Legion baseball team to a national championship.

After graduating high school, Crotty applied to the United States Coast Guard Academy. A standout cadet, Crotty excelled at basketball, football, and served as class president during his tenure. In 2014, the United States Coast Guard Academy honored Lt. Crotty's legacy by dedicating their football season to his memory.

Upon graduation in 1934, Lt. Crotty went into active duty with the United States Coast Guard, quickly demonstrating his leadership capabilities and skills. He became the Coast Guard's leading expert on demolition, explosives, and mines. In 1941, his unique skillset earned him orders to report to the Philippines to assist with defensive efforts, a decision that would put Lt. Crotty on a crash course with history.

On December 10th, Japanese forces overran the Philippines just days after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Under brutal assault from air and land, Lt. Crotty helped assemble a resistance with his fellow servicemen. Together, they launched daring raids in broad daylight against Japanese forces in order to secure supplies, ammunition, and fuel. His rag-tag band of heroes was instrumental in the defense of Manilla, Corregidor, and American supply lines.

At the Battle of Bataan, Lt. Crotty served with distinction. Manning the artillery against oncoming forces, he fought until American forces were eventually surrounded on April 9th, 1942. From there, Lt. Crotty was made a prisoner of war in the infamous Cambatuan prison camp. It was there, after so many months of sacrifice, that he tragically fell ill to disease. On July 19, 1942, his brothers-in-arms administered last rites. He was then buried outside the camp; it was there in an unmarked grave that his remains laid for three-quarters of a century.

In coordination with the United States Coast Guard, we were able to locate Lt. Crotty and bring him back home to the United States. Lt. Crotty exemplified the qualities and virtues of heroism and service. His service need not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to honor Lt. Thomas J. Crotty and help bring his family some amount of closure. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring and remembering the countless American men and women who answered the call to duty. We must do whatever we can to support families who have loved ones missing in action by assisting in efforts to bring our heroes home.

Mr. Speaker, Wells Fargo is the Nation's third largest bank, with nearly $2 trillion in assets. In the past several

months, Wells Fargo has engaged in blatant and systemic fraud perpetrated against millions of its own customers by opening fee- generating accounts without customer authorization, changing mortgage terms without customer knowledge, and forcing Wells Fargo auto loan customers into costly insurance products they did not need or want.

Mr. Speaker, Wells Fargo has demonstrated a blatant, egregious culture of corruption, costing their customers tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized fees and financial hardship.

Today I am calling on the Federal Housing Administration to ban, to immediately declare ineligible, Wells Fargo from participation in the Federal mortgage guarantee program. Wells Fargo has violated its public trust and that of millions of its own customers and clients.

Madam Speaker, according to the national environmental officials, for the first time this year, toxic algal blooms have formed on the shores of Lake Erie.

This toxic accumulation of algae represents a direct threat to the people of western New York, but they also threaten the surrounding Great Lakes communities, representing 20 percent of the world's freshwater drinking supply.

This past year, toxic blooms have been so extreme that they have infiltrated clean drinking water sources, turning once clean waters into toxic swamps. These hazardous blooms threaten the local economy, which is dependent on fishing, recreation, and tourism. Furthermore, they represent a critical danger to wildlife present on Lake Erie.

At a time when the House is considering defunding environmental efforts, I would remind my colleagues of the tremendous progress that we have made to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up our Nation's lakes and rivers. This is no time to turn back.

Mr. Speaker, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill, has since provided tens of millions of returning Active-Duty veterans with help buying a home, starting a business, and going to college. Also, in addition to doing the right thing, the GI Bill fundamentally transformed the American economy from an industrial-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

I was proud to support H.R. 3218 this week that would renew this commitment. The bill provides expanded educational benefits for servicemembers and their families, including the elimination of time restrictions on education credits for veterans who reenter civilian life in 2013 or after.

GI benefits should not come with an expiration date. Our veterans deserve our respect unexpired for their service to our country. This bill affirms that obligation.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican House bill is a disaster for the American people. The process by which the bill was voted on, Members had very little time to review the text. As a result, we were forced to vote on legislation without the benefit of facts, on a bill that affects a $3 trillion annual industry.

That is why I have joined Congresswoman Jayapal in introducing H. Res. 441, to require a review by the Congressional Budget Office before a bill comes to the floor.

Members of Congress should have as much information as possible to make a smart decision on major legislation affecting 18 percent of the American economy. This resolution would simply affirm the time-honored principle that facts do matter and that a fair, honest, and transparent policymaking process is essential to a healthy and thriving democracy.

Mr. Speaker, The Buffalo News, in a feature story this week, highlighted the impressive development of the once dormant urban streets in Buffalo, New York; streets like Niagara Street, Main Street, and Ohio Street.

What these road projects have in common in their resurgence is a smart and targeted Federal commitment to infrastructure that has been successfully leveraged to yield significant private investment and achieve the maximum benefit for our community and for the Nation.

Buffalo--long ago humbled by economic devastation--is now a national model for communities nationwide in showing how infrastructure investments can create jobs and improve the life quality of communities.

Infrastructure investment creates jobs in the construction trades and supply and materials industry immediately and unleashes the investment of the private sector in a cause-and-effect economic response.

Buffalo has come a long way, and we still have a long way to go. The lessons of our success can and should be shared with the Nation through this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Maralynn Sciarrino as she steps down from her position as Director of the Mercy Speech Center after 49 years of extraordinary service. Sister Maralynn's skill as a speech pathologist and her caring presence provided countless children from Western New York with the skills and confidence necessary to be articulate and successful in school and in life.

Founded in 1956 by Sister Maureen Kelly, Mercy Speech Center provides professional evaluation and speech therapy to children with speech and language disorders. The Center puts the needs of children first as it provides services to families who may not have been able to afford such personal attention.

Sister Maralynn has devoted her life to helping and serving others since joining the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 18. She taught elementary school for several years before beginning her career at The Mercy Speech Center in 1962. Focused on helping children overcome speech and language disorders, Sister studied speech pathology and audiology at the Catholic University of America, eventually earning a masters degree.

Sister Maralynn put that degree to work as she helped children with speech and auditory processing challenges when no one else could, earning the love, respect and gratitude of all those lives she so positively impacted. Sister Maralynn founded the Magic Penny Program at the Center which combines basic speech therapy with a literacy program, enabling students to develop their speaking abilities as well as their reading abilities. Her innate ability to connect and communicate with children contributed to her success as a speech pathologist and the invaluable impact of the Mercy Speech Center.

Known for her laughing eyes, bright smile and the kindest of hearts, Sister Maralynn remains a gift to education and a valued member of her community. She changed lives and her own life serves as an example of how one person truly can make a difference.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me a few moments to recognize Sister Maralynn Sciarrino and her impactful career at the Mercy Speech Center. Sister Maralynn's life of service to the youth of Western New York is inspirational, impressive and worthy of recognition. I am proud to honor Sister Maralynn and wish her continued health and happiness as she begins the next chapter of her remarkable life.