Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Subcommittee Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Larson for their hard work on this legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 4547, the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I had the opportunity to engage in this issue during hearings the committee held last year. I recognize the need for reform of the representative payee program in order to improve its integrity and ensure that beneficiaries are getting the assistance they need.

The representative payee program helps around 8 million Social Security beneficiaries manage their benefits. H.R. 4547 offers several reforms that will improve the program. These include provisions that will help better protect vulnerable beneficiaries, particularly those who are in foster care, by allowing for enhanced information sharing with State foster care programs. This will ensure that children in foster care have the appropriate representative payee if there is a change in placement. The bill also improves

oversight of representative payees by requiring State protection and advocacy programs to conduct reviews of payee performance.

Mr. Speaker, many Social Security beneficiaries require assistance in managing their benefits. I appreciate the work that the Ways and Means' Subcommittee on Social Security has done to improve the Social Security representative payee program, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4547.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 045, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 046, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 047.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague Mr. Gaetz for this special hour to shine a light on this issue, on the Federal Government's overreach and unjust treatment of legally operating businesses all across our country.

Businesses that operate legally and in compliance with their State's laws and regulations deserve a Federal Government that respects the 10th Amendment of the Constitution.

Like my colleagues, I have been disappointed that, when it comes to the treatment of these legal marijuana businesses, the current administration, which supposedly respects the federalist model of our government, continues to take such drastic steps to ignore States' rights and the decisions of voters and State legislatures across the country.

In the 2016 elections, over 70 percent of Florida citizens voted to legalize the use of medical marijuana. The two counties that make up my own congressional district in south Florida, Monroe and Miami-Dade, voted in favor of the measure 80.3 percent and 68.3 percent, respectively. The voices and the votes of my constituents, Mr. Speaker, matter.

The 10th Amendment of the Constitution matters, and for those who like to call themselves constitutionalists, the entire Constitution has to matter, not just the parts that are convenient at a given time.

In addition to the witch hunt opened up by the Attorney General's actions last week, current Federal law also prohibits these businesses from deducting the common expenses associated with running a small business when they file their taxes, expenses necessary to running a business like rent, most utilities, and payroll. Simply put, this rule places legitimate enterprises which have been established under State law at a major competitive disadvantage where legal employers are paying exorbitantly higher effective tax rates.

That is why I introduced H.R. 1810, the Small Business Tax Equity Act, last year. This bipartisan bill amends the Tax Code to allow legally operating marijuana businesses to utilize common tax deductions and credits, thus providing them with tax parity.

The Federal Government should not be ignoring States' rights and the decisions of voters and State legislatures across the country. We must work to afford all businesses selling legal products the opportunity to make appropriate deductions and contribute to our economy and create jobs.

Another important point, Mr. Speaker--and again I thank my colleague for taking this time and bringing us together to talk about this issue in a bipartisan manner--the best ally of those who are operating illegally, the drug cartels, the drug traffickers who do not pay any taxes, who target children, the best ally they have are the policies that the Attorney General has embraced. Because what happens, Mr. Speaker, is that these legally operating businesses can no longer compete and people turn to the black market.

So, hopefully inadvertently--I hope inadvertently--the Attorney General has actually done a great favor to those who operate outside the law and is punishing those who are actually trying to control this substance, to keep it away from young people, to make sure that only those who have permission from their States, prescriptions from their doctors, can access this substance.

I am, again, so grateful to join my colleagues tonight to call on the Attorney General, on this administration, on this President, who, when he campaigned said, ``I will defer to the States; I will respect the States,'' and, in this case, a State like Florida, which voted for the President, also voted 71 percent to allow medical marijuana in our State, all the way from Key West to the panhandle.

The residents of Florida deserve to be respected. I will continue working with my colleagues on this side of the aisle, across the aisle, to make sure that our government respects States' rights, to make sure that our government is on the side of those who want to operate within the law, those who want to pay taxes, those who want to be compliant, not the gangs and the illegal drug traffickers who are celebrating today as a result of this dangerous policy change.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1661, a bill originally introduced by Representative Tiberi of Ohio, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Department of the Interior announced a newly proposed plan to expand offshore drilling off our country's coasts, including Florida's. Shortly after making the announcement, Secretary Zinke guaranteed that States will have a voice in this process.

So I have come to the floor today as the elected Representative of the Florida Keys and southern Miami-Dade, a district that includes ecological treasures and economic drivers like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne National Park, to be that voice.

I can say this with confidence: the people of Florida and its leaders, including myself, have made it clear over and over again how we feel about offshore drilling near Florida. We don't want it.

We don't want to put our beautiful beaches and environmental treasures at risk. We don't want to risk the livelihoods of millions of hardworking American men, women, and families when there is no need. Florida simply has too much to lose.

Mr. Speaker, I, along with many of my colleagues in this Chamber, both Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, and our Governor Rick Scott, are going to make sure Florida's voice is heard loud and clear on this issue: we don't want drilling near Florida's shores, we don't need drilling near Florida's shores, and we will not allow this or any administration to put our economy or our environment at risk.

Honoring Milken Educator Award Recipient Dale Adamson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dale Adamson, a dedicated teacher of mathematics at Howard D. McMillan Middle School in my district and a recent recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Central to Mr. Adamson's selection was his classroom rapport with students, ability to explain complicated concepts through real-world applications, and a daily commitment to his craft. Not satisfied with simply lecturing on abstract theories at the chalkboard, Mr. Adamson gained well-deserved renown for exciting his students with real-world problems like how algebra was used by NASA recently to land a probe on an asteroid or the multitude of mathematical principles one might observe launching objects off the school's roof.

The Milken Family Foundation's motto states that ``the future belongs to the educated.''

As a past member of the Miami-Dade School Board and the proud father of two daughters in the public school system, I am glad to have teachers like Mr. Adamson in our community. I sincerely believe that educators with the heart and imagination displayed by Mr. Adamson are the key to unlocking the next generation's potential.

Immigration Policy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues how critical it is that Republicans and Democrats work in good faith to find a compromise on immigration policy in the coming days.

Congress first began trying to pass legislation for the benefit of young immigrants who were brought to our country as children through no fault of their own some 17 years ago. All attempts have failed, but this time failure is not an option.

800,000 DREAMers who came forward and registered with the government in recent years would be at risk. These are young people who are working, paying taxes, getting educated, and contributing to our country. They speak English. Some of them want to serve in our military to defend our freedoms. They sat in the same classrooms and grew up with our own children. Many have no memories of their countries of origin.

Mr. Speaker, these are America's children. That is why we all need to work together in the coming days and find a compromise that can secure the future for these young immigrants and, at the same time, make our country safer and more prosperous by securing our borders and reforming our immigration laws.

Americans have been expecting results from Congress on immigration policy for years. Enough is enough. The time for action is now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

This crucial legislation before us today marks the first time in 31 years that Congress has considered a major overhaul to the current Tax Code that

is overly cumbersome, wildly outdated, and riddled with special- interest loopholes.

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious there is a great deal of frustration and anxiety in our country. I truly believe it is due to the fact that the economic recovery has not reached every household. Throughout south Florida, I hear from families and small businesses who are worried about saving for their kids' college or making payroll.

While the stock market is humming and unemployment is low, wages have been stagnant, and the so-called recovery has left way too many people behind.

That is why this bill is so important.

This legislation will collapse and lower current tax rates to ensure a typical middle-income family in south Florida will receive about $1,500 in tax relief. For married couples, it doubles the standard deduction from $12,000 to $24,000, drastically simplifying the process of filing taxes each year for over 90 percent of Americans while allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money.

The bill also expands the child tax credit from $1,000 to $1,600 per child, a benefit that will be seen by 43,768 taxpayers in Florida's 26th District, while we are also making it easier to save for college by expanding 529 plans to cover more expenses, including apprenticeship programs. All these benefits will directly help alleviate the increasing cost of raising a family.

On the business side, this bill gives American companies of all sizes, especially our smaller enterprises and entrepreneurs, a chance to compete and win in the new globalized economy. By providing businesses with lower tax rates, we will make it easier for job creators to invest here at home and increase paychecks for American workers.

Mr. Speaker, as a proud Member of the Ways and Means Committee, I commend Chairman Brady, his staff, and the Members of this House who will soon support this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure we provide all Americans, especially the most vulnerable, the opportunity to find their economic success.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Brady for working with me to begin addressing the important issue of helping our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico. After the devastating effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, our committee delivered immediate results for the island through a disaster tax relief package targeted to help people get back on their feet.

While it will take at least months for the island to fully recover, we are providing even more assistance to Puerto Rico with the legislation being considered today.

I want to thank Chairman Brady for helping us extend the rum cover- over to $13.25 per proof gallon to be paid back to the treasuries of both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through 2023. I am also grateful that under this bill, companies operating in Puerto Rico can deduct income attributable to domestic production activities retroactively for the year 2017.

Moving forward, I am hopeful we can work together to find creative solutions to better target the child tax credit to serve more Puerto Rico families and study the expanded use of the earned income tax credit for the Commonwealth. In addition, I look forward to continuing to work on solutions to ensure the businesses operating on the island have the certainty they need in terms of tax planning to hire more workers and strengthen Puerto Rico's economy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brady for that.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to my colleague from Illinois for leading this special discussion tonight. I am grateful to have the opportunity to come here for a few minutes. And more than anything, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats, who have stepped up and said: Enough of the demagoguery, enough of the fact-less conversation. Let's focus on what is happening in the world, on how human beings are contributing to it, and let's try to make the situation better.

I oftentimes say that, on this climate issue, neither the deniers nor the alarmists have much to offer. It is the men and women who are willing to sit at the table and have a sober conversation that can really help solve this problem. There are a lot of people who are counting on us to solve this problem.

Sea level rise is a reality. It is happening all over the world. Mr. Speaker, you might understand why this might be important to me. I represent a community where most people live near sea level and near the sea. This is a real concern, especially in the Florida Keys, one of the most attractive and dynamic parts of the country, an area that is recovering. We hope our fellow Americans will help us continue recovering after Hurricane Irma.

The Florida Keys and most of south Florida are significantly exposed to this sea level rise challenge, and we know that human activity is at least, in part, responsible for this dynamic. The Climate Solutions Caucus is not about blaming people. It is not about pointing the finger. It is about coming up with solutions.

I think there are really three phases to our caucus and our work. The first phase was to bring Republicans and Democrats together, sit at the table, have a discussion about our different perspectives on this issue, invite in some key witnesses to help inform us. We have done that. We have done a good job. Caucus members have a very good relationship, a good rapport.

The next phase has been to block anti-climate legislation. We have done that successfully here with some appropriations amendment where the caucus has come together and said: No. We are not going to prohibit the Defense Department from assessing the risks associated with climate change.

Again, this is critical in my district. I happen to represent Naval Air Station Key West, where the men and women of the Navy work hard to train and prepare to defend our country overseas. That is a facility that is exposed to this threat.

We came together and we defeated an amendment that would have prohibited the Defense Department from assessing these risks.

I am really excited for the next phase of the caucus, which I hope we can reach during this Congress, which is to find legislation that we can all get behind and say that these are reasonable solutions that not only help the environment and help guarantee that we are going to hand off to our children and grandchildren the same beautiful Earth that we inherited, but also that we are going to provide opportunities for American innovation and growth, and new good jobs, high-paying jobs, for young men and women from all over this country. That is going to be very exciting, and we are all working together to get to that day where we can promote an agenda in this Congress that will bring Republicans and Democrats together behind a pro-environment, pro-growth policy that will save this planet and keep our country on the cutting edge of innovation, leading the world.

This is a not an issue that we should shy away from. We should rise to this occasion. This is the country that has led the entire world through a host of different challenges over the last couple centuries. We can also do it on this climate issue, but I think we can only do it if we do it together.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues, but especially my Democratic colleagues tonight who have led this Special Order, organized this Special Order. I think we all would like to invite our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join the caucus, especially on my side. We are up to 30 Republicans, 30 Democrats. That is very exciting. When I arrived here a couple years ago, I probably had only two or three Republican colleagues who were even willing to discuss this issue, and now there are 30 on the record. Let's keep the caucus growing, let's keep it strong, let's work together, and let's change the world for the better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I believe in bipartisanship, which means that oftentimes I am disappointed in this institution, but today I am not disappointed, I am shocked. I am shocked that some would politicize such a sensitive, desperate situation that so many Americans, from Texas to Puerto Rico, are facing at this hour.

My colleagues say they want to help the people of Puerto Rico, the people of the Florida Keys in my district, and others throughout the country. A lot of them have come here boasting about the fact that they have never opposed a disaster relief package, yet they are willing to do so today. Why? To try to attempt to score political points.

I think that is wrong, and I can't help but take it personally, because my constituents really need this help.

The people of Puerto Rico, by the way, the person they elected to this chamber, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, supports this legislation; Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands, our colleague, put her name to this legislation as well; Chairman Brady, whose constituents are trying to recover in the Houston area, is asking for passage of this legislation, yet people from other parts of the country are coming to this floor saying: No, that is not good enough for your constituents.

So if my constituents get nothing, I should tell them: That is right. Someone from elsewhere said that because this wasn't good enough, you get nothing.

That is just wrong. This is an important first step that we have to take to help people in all of these jurisdictions, especially the people of Puerto Rico, because we know that the situation there is in no way comparable to anything that has happened on the mainland.

It is personal for me in that sense as well, because guess what? When my wife's family was exiled from Cuba, they went to Puerto Rico and they were welcomed there. My wife's two elder brothers were born in Puerto Rico. My wife still has family in Puerto Rico, and I know that this legislation would improve their situation.

Can we do more? Should we do more? Should we work together to do more in the future? Yes, we should and we will, but that is no excuse to vote against this legislation, that is no excuse to leverage the suffering of these people to try to achieve a political objective or even to advance different legislation.

I respectfully ask all my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, and I thank the 26 Democrats who stood with us on Monday, and I ask them to do it again today and for more to join us, to send a strong message of national unity for the people of Florida, Texas, Louisiana, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and, yes, Puerto Rico.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 538, I call up the bill (H.R. 3823) to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to provide disaster tax relief, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

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 currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Irma's direct hit to the lower and middle Keys was devastating to my district. Many lost everything to the storm's 130-mile-an-hour winds and significant storm surge. Some lost their lives.

But fortunately, the Keys' recovery is well underway, and the resiliency and generosity of Conchs and other south Florida residents have been on display before, during, and after the storm.

While facing the prospects of receiving the full force of the storm, Key West police and fire departments decided to remain on the ground, risking their personal safety. They wanted to be there for their neighbors when the storm had passed.

Navy personnel, under the leadership of Captain Bobby Baker, who sacrifice for our country every day, once again answered the call to serve and stayed behind to ensure they would be there to get the runways open and ready to receive aid. Coast Guard Captain Jeff Janszen also stayed to make sure the Port of Key West could open.

Two days after the storm had passed, I visited with both of these leaders. They were working tirelessly to stand up their bases and had not yet checked on the interior of their own homes.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay rode out the storm at the Marathon shelter because he felt it was his responsibility to be there to protect his community. Officials from local municipalities from the city of Key West

to Ocean Reef have been working around the clock with their teams to get utilities up and running, roads cleared, and government offices operational.

I am grateful to our first responders and all the public officials and employees who have been working hard to serve the people of the Florida Keys.

I also want to thank my office's Florida Keys director, Nicole Rapanos, who has dedicated long hours to assist our constituents and our neighbors in the Keys so that they can get the resources they need. I am grateful for her dedication to her neighbors and proud to have her on my staff.

Community organizations are also playing an instrumental role in the Keys' recovery. Nonprofit groups like Star of the Sea Outreach, Rotary Club of Key West, and the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, just to name a few, have been volunteering their time, coordinating donations, and serving direct relief to the community.

Private companies and small businesses have also stepped up to help. Robert Spottswood, whose family owns the Marriott Beachside, opened up the hotel to first responders, Navy personnel, and others who chose to ride out the storm.

Baby's Coffee, which was left with its own damage from the storm, was providing their entire stock to residents of Key West, along with hot meals and coffee.

Ikon Builders and UDT have brought supplies to the food banks and donation distribution centers. The Marathon EOC, which has been operating 24/7 and where approximately one-third of employees had lost their homes, these people continued working to help in recovery and rebuilding, and the list goes on.

On the individual level, people have gone above and beyond to show their true Conch spirit. They have shared their own supplies and taken time to go help neighbors. The outpouring of support from local heroes in the Florida Keys has been so extraordinary, I could be here all day telling the stories of thousands upon thousands of acts of kindness. This powerful sense of community and humanity is one of the many reasons I am proud to represent these local heroes.

Mr. Speaker, clearly the Keys' recovery is well underway. Tourism will be opening up again next week, nearly 3 weeks earlier than anticipated. I have no doubt continued recovery efforts will make the Florida Keys an even greater one-of-its-kind paradise Americans from across the country and people from all over the world have come to love.

But the truth is, the Keys' tourism-based economy has been stalled, and perhaps the greatest devastation is the financial strain on individuals, families, and small entrepreneurs. Many of those facing hardship are themselves working to assist their fellow survivors, putting their personal interests aside. This community is doing its part to help their own, Mr. Speaker.

Now it is time for Congress to do our part to help our fellow Americans in my district and in similar communities throughout my home State of Florida, in Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

When we debated this bill on Monday, I told my colleagues about how the tax credit for wages would allow small business owners like Owen, a crab and lobster fisherman whose traps were destroyed in the storm, to claim a tax credit for 40 percent of employee wages, up to $6,000 per employee, helping him get his team back to work as soon as possible.

This legislation would also allow up to 415,000 hurricane survivors in Miami-Dade and nearly 7,500 in Monroe County keep more of their paycheck by referring to earned income from the immediately preceding year for purposes of determining the earned income tax credit.

We are also making it easier for taxpayers to deduct more of the costs from the extensive property damage these storms left behind and allowing anyone struggling with initial recovery efforts to have immediate access to their retirement savings without penalty.

Lastly, this legislation will encourage more American businesses and individuals to continue generously supporting qualified hurricane relief organizations by lifting caps on charitable giving to these groups.

Mr. Speaker, hardworking Americans in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico need Congress to act. On Monday, this bill was derailed by political games, posturing, and name calling. I hope that will not be the case today because my constituents and those in other communities like my district don't have time to wait. This tax relief package deserves bipartisan support from my colleagues.

I want to thank Chairman Brady and the Ways and Means Committee staff for allowing me to shape this legislation for the benefit of south Florida residents, especially those in Monroe County who were hardest hit by Hurricane Irma. I want to thank Chairman Sessions and the Rules Committee for making in order my amendment that will provide additional benefits that are critical for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, they are facing a terribly difficult uphill battle to rebuild their communities. I stand in complete solidarity with my friends Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico, and will work to get them everything they need to rebuild their communities. I hope for their sake we can finally get this done today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the distinguished chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers), the distinguished chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I truly deplore the way some colleagues have decided to politicize such a sensitive, urgent, and important issue.

There are people in my community who are suffering, who lost their homes, yet they are still working hard to help their neighbors rebuild. For them to find out that this institution would oppose a measure to help them because some colleagues think it is just not good enough-- now, you heard them. They recognize there is a lot of good in this package, but it is not enough.

I am the Representative of the district that was hit the hardest by Hurricane Irma. Chairman Brady was here. He has been working hard back home to help his community recover while managing his responsibilities here as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He is calling for passage of this legislation that he sponsored.

Also putting their names on this legislation, Jenniffer Gonzalez- Colon, the Resident Commissioner elected by Puerto Ricans on the island to this Chamber, she has added her name to this legislation.

Also, Stacey Plaskett, a member of the minority who represents the Virgin Islands, she has added her name to the amendment we filed to make this legislation even stronger.

So the Members representing the districts that were hit the hardest, where people are suffering--and the gentlewoman from New York is absolutely correct; the suffering in Puerto Rico cannot be compared to anything else that we are seeing here on the mainland--their representatives want to see this legislation pass, but some of our colleagues say it is just not good enough. So because this is not good enough for them, people should get nothing.

We wonder. We wonder why so many Americans don't trust this institution, why so many Americans are frustrated with the politics in this country: because if it isn't perfect, if it isn't exactly what I want, then I am against it.

Now, fortunately, not all of the Members of the minority agree with this. When we first had this vote on Monday, 26 Democrats voted in favor of the legislation. And I thank them--not just for me, but on behalf of all of my constituents, the people of the Florida Keys, south Florida, and, of course, the people of Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. I thank my Democratic colleagues and all of my Republican colleagues that supported this package. I invite more Members from both parties to support this package today because this is not the time to play political games.

Now, I understand some people here are frustrated about what may have happened in the past. I wasn't here, and I belong to a new generation of Members of this institution. Quite frankly, I think none of us on either side is interested in relitigating the old fights and the old debates. We want to see the solutions for today and tomorrow.

The people of Florida--Monroe County, the Florida Keys, and Miami- Dade--the people of Texas, Louisiana, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, they need us now. They need this solution now.

Can we do more later?

Absolutely. Everyone knows that this Chamber and the other will soon consider additional funding for FEMA--much-needed funding. I will support a robust package for FEMA because the agency is strained and it is working hard to help people all over this country and out in the Atlantic.

But to say that this is not good enough, so instead we will do nothing is just unacceptable.

I urge my colleagues to reconsider because I think it is important that we send a message of national unity to help those who are hurting. If we can do more in the future, we will and we should.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just thank all of my colleagues that understand how urgent this situation is, how much pain and suffering are being experienced in these communities, and I ask them respectfully to please support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3823) to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to provide disaster tax relief, and for other purposes.

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 currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, since Hurricane Irma hit south Florida earlier this month, my staff and I have been on the ground in the Florida Keys and South Dade helping our district with immediate recovery efforts and listening to what our constituents need going forward.

In the lower and middle Florida Keys, it is hard to find someone who hasn't been affected financially by this storm's devastation. From restaurant workers who have been without a paycheck to fishermen whose boats or traps were damaged, small businesses and the families that depend on them are really struggling.

In South Dade, crops and agricultural structures critical to daily operations were devastated by wind. Some small farms that were already struggling to make ends meet have now exhausted their cash on hand to pay for cleanup, leaving them little to pay workers or keep up with their planting schedule.

Mr. Speaker, my district and similar communities throughout Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands need relief, and this bill is a great start.

Through the business tax credit for wages, small-business owners like Owen, a lobster and crab fisherman whose traps in the middle Keys were destroyed by Hurricane Irma, will be able to claim a tax credit for 40 percent of employee wages. That is money Owen can use to get his employees back to work as soon as possible.

The bill will also allow taxpayers to refer to earned income from the immediately preceding year for purposes of determining the earned income tax credit. That is over 415,000 hurricane survivors in Miami- Dade, and nearly 7,500 in Monroe County, who will be able to keep more of their paycheck when the time comes to pay taxes next year.

We are also going to make it easier for individuals and businesses, like farmers struggling in South Dade and fishermen in the Keys, to deduct more of the costs from the extensive property damage these storms left behind.

This legislation would also give anyone struggling with initial recovery immediate access to their retirement savings, without penalties, so they can make ends meet and take care of their families.

Lastly, this legislation will lift caps on charitable giving to qualified hurricane relief organizations, encouraging more American businesses and individuals to continue generously supporting their fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, Americans in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico need Congress to act. My constituents and those in other communities like my district don't have time to wait. They certainly don't have time to play political games. The Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 will give them the means to recover faster and rebuild their communities better and stronger than before. This tax relief package we are considering deserves bipartisan support from my colleagues.

I thank Chairman Brady and the Ways and Means Committee for allowing me to shape this legislation for the benefit of south Florida residents, especially those in Monroe County who were hardest hit by Hurricane Irma. I hope we can get this done today.

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

Mr. Speaker, briefly, I want to first convey my gratitude to the gentleman from Massachusetts because, indeed, the first day I returned after being back home helping my community recover, the gentleman expressed his disposition to work together. That really meant a lot to me, and I know it meant a lot to all of our colleagues who represent areas that were hit hard by the storm. We should work more closely together. We can always do better. However, let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

The bottom line is that there are a lot of provisions in this legislation that are supported by Members of both parties, and there are millions of Americans who are suffering, especially in south Florida and especially in Puerto Rico that was hit hard by Maria just a few days ago, and they are counting on us to deliver something. We can always do more later, but this is a good package that will help people get back up on their feet.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, no one was laughing at anything that the gentleman said. We were listening intently.

The reason that we are all here is because the people of Florida, the people of Texas, the people of Louisiana, the people of Puerto Rico, and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands need our help. They were hit in the last few weeks, and they need our help. There are people struggling in all of these communities.

Is this bill perfect?

No. I have never seen one.

Can we do more?

Yes. We must do more, but this is an important first step.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling), the distinguished chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham).

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Brady and the Ways and Means Committee staff for their work on this legislation. It has been a tough couple weeks in the State of Florida, especially down in my community. Again, I want to thank my colleague from Massachusetts, Mr. Neal. As I said earlier, when I came back here, the first conversation we had was about helping south Florida, and he said he was willing and certainly able to do it.

Here today, we are trying to take that first step to help the people of Florida, to help the people of Texas, of Louisiana, of the Virgin Islands, of Puerto Rico. But as often happens in the House, if something isn't perfect, then we get nothing. That is wrong. That is wrong, because there are people out there who need the help, people who don't have a roof, people who don't have a home, people who have been without power.

I visited the Marathon Emergency Operations Center, Mr. Speaker. It was replete with people buzzing, everyone working hard, full of energy, even though they hadn't slept in days. The emergency operations manager there told me that a third of the employees there who were helping their fellow residents, conchs in the Florida Keys, had lost their homes.

This is about them, and we can help improve their lives today, and we can work together to do more later, and we should. But why should the perfect be the enemy of the good? Why, when we have the opportunity to help people, because some think we should be doing even more, we are going to give them absolutely nothing? I think that is a major mistake, and it sends the wrong message.

Throughout this debate, we have seen everything from posturing to name calling, and we wonder why so many Americans reject this institution and are disappointed by it. We have to do better, and we can do better. It would send a strong message if we all voted for this legislation to take this first step to helping the people of the Florida Keys, of south Florida, of Texas, of Louisiana, of the U.S. Virgin Islands, of Puerto Rico, help them get back up on their feet.

Mr. Speaker, this is very important, and on behalf of my community and a lot of people who have, quite frankly, lost their lives, I ask all of my colleagues to join together and to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I left Washington last week to be with my family and community as Hurricane Irma headed straight toward south Florida.

Some in the lower and middle Keys lost everything to the storm's 130- mile-per-hour winds and 10-foot storm surge. Some lost their lives. But with the Keys' tourism-based economy currently at a standstill, perhaps the greatest devastation will be the financial strain on individuals, families, and small entrepreneurs.

But there is hope. Conchs are resilient and generous people. It will be a long road, but coordinated local, State, and Federal resources have ensured the Keys recovery is already underway.

I have returned to Washington briefly to urge my colleagues to support two critical needs here in Congress: long-term, robust funding of FEMA, and a tax relief package for those trying to rebuild and recover after disasters like Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.

Mr. Speaker, this can happen to any district or community. Whether it is a hurricane, wildfire, or earthquake, we have a responsibility to come together when large groups of Americans are in desperate need. I look forward to working with my colleagues to do just that.

Mr. Chair, on August 26, 2015, several Oriental Fruit Flies were found in South Miami-Dade County, Florida. The discovery of this pest was cause for serious concern, as the very destructive Oriental Fruit Fly has been known to infest over 430 kinds of fruits and vegetables, including main crops grown in Florida like avocado, mango, tomato, squash, and peppers. Unlike other states, Florida's farm production provides essential produce during, and immediately following, each winter season, and the spread of this pest can have a devastating impact on our nation's food supply.

In coordination with state and federal officials, a quarantine was implemented in October 2015 to cover 98 square-miles in South Miami- Dade County. Through the dedicated work of officials at USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture, there have been no new discoveries of flies. The quarantine was lifted in February 2016.

While the quarantine was absolutely necessary to ensure complete eradication of the Fly, it had a devastating effect on the farmers located in the designated area. We cannot let an outbreak like this happen again.

A better understanding of how this pest spreads in our region would help lessen the impact of this threat. The $1.5 million my amendment provides to the USDA's Agricultural Research Service would go towards studying inspection breakdowns at ports of entry, how weather patterns influence the migration of Oriental Fruit Flies, and other factors are essential in discerning effective mitigation strategies. This is a small, but smart investment to help protect Florida's $120 billion agriculture industry.

I urge all my colleagues to support my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1164, the Taylor Force Act. This legislation conditions financial assistance from the United States on the Palestinian Authority's termination of support for terror committed by individuals under its jurisdictional control. In order for the Palestinian Authority to receive aid, it would also be required to condemn acts of terror and cease providing payments to those who have committed such acts.

The bill is named after Taylor Force, a former U.S. Army officer who was stabbed to death during a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv.

This legislation is a commonsense solution that we must address. The Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, has continued to support efforts that undermine attempts at peace between the Palestinians and our great ally Israel.

The blatant encouragement of terrorist activity by the Palestinian Authority must end. Why should we be rewarding this kind of behavior?

The Palestinian Authority perpetuates terrorism by paying salaries to terrorists who are in prison. To make matters worse, those salaries increase the longer they are in jail, thus encouraging these terrorists to commit more violent acts.

This is unacceptable. The United States must do something to end this conduct because the reality is it is costing innocent lives. I believe the goals of H.R. 1164, the Taylor Force Act, are a step in the right direction, and I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for its consideration and passage in the House.

Low Income Housing

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw much-needed attention to our Nation's rental affordability crisis, from rural America to the suburbs, to the big cities, this problem grows in severity each day, limiting Americans' abilities to provide quality food, medical care, and safety for their families.

My home State of Florida has been particularly hard-hit, ranking third among States with the greatest number of severely cost-burdened renters. In my district, the Florida Keys continue to face an affordable housing crisis that has made it difficult for the workers and entrepreneurs of its ever-growing economy.

That is why, earlier this year, I attended the opening of the first- ever affordable housing project for low-income seniors outside of Key West. I have also been working to ensure Naval Air Station Key West, which currently has 166 units on base that have sat vacant for several years, is put to better use. While the process is slow, I am grateful for the Navy's assistance as we work to explore the possibility of opening these units for more affordable housing in the Keys.

Mr. Speaker, finding solutions to making housing more affordable for our constituents, especially the most vulnerable, is a priority of mine here in Congress. I am proud to stand with Mr. Tiberi of Ohio and over 70 bipartisan Members to support his efforts to reform and strengthen low-income housing tax credits. It is time for Congress to work towards responsible solutions and make the rental affordability crisis a priority.

Passage of Sanctions Package

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of sanctions against the Iranian, Russian, and North Korean regimes. This package of sanctions sends a strong message to these regimes that the United States will not tolerate their rogue actions.

These sanctions will hold accountable those involved in the Iranian regime's ballistic missile program, those who attempt to destabilize the region and threaten Israel, as well as those responsible for Iran's ongoing human rights abuses. The legislation also sets us on a path to deter conventional Iranian activities in the region and imposes sanctions on any individual that contributes to Iran's ballistic missiles or to terrorism.

The sanctions against North Korea will respond to its increasingly hostile threats against the United States and our allies in Asia. By increasing the President's authority to impose sanctions on persons in violation of United National Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea, we are ensuring action can be taken swiftly when necessary.

Last, but certainly not least, we have strengthened sanctions against Russia in response to cyber attacks and interference in Ukraine. Specifically, we are increasing sanctions on human rights abusers, those who supply weapons to the Assad regime in Syria, and those conducting cyber activity on behalf of the Russian Government.

Given the seriousness of Russia's aggression, we are strengthening the existing sanctions contained in executive orders on Russia and mandating a congressional review if any sanctions are relaxed, suspended, or terminated. I strongly encourage the President to sign this bill into law and will continue to impress upon all of my colleagues the need to not treat Russia lightly.

These threats posed to our national security by Iran, Russia, and North Korea cannot be understated. With passage of this sanctions package, Congress is doing its job to ensure they will be held accountable.