Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 47 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 48.

Mr. Speaker, today, thousands from across the country will descend on our Nation's Capital for the 45th annual March for Life, the largest pro-life rally in the world.

The March for Life is held annually in response to the ruling in Roe v. Wade, a decision that altered the course of our American culture. On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in a 7-2 opinion to roll back restrictions on abortion in the U.S. Since that ruling, over 58 million human lives have been lost to abortion nationwide.

While a number of States have enacted regulations preventing late- term abortions, the United States is one of only seven countries, which includes the dictatorships of North Korea and China, that allows abortions after 20 weeks from the date of gestation. Earlier this year, the House passed the

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to end this egregious practice.

One of the most important struggles we face as a compassionate society, as legislators, and as citizens is to protect the sanctity of life and defend future generations. As a mother, it is among my top priorities to advance pro-life and pro-women policies in Congress, and I will continue to promote a culture that respects the most precious gift of all, the gift of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League, the team that has been selected to host the AHL All-Star game on Sunday, January 28, through Monday, January 29, at the Adirondack Bank Center in our own home city at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Central New York has a strong hockey tradition, from the AHL's Comets and Binghamton Devils to the classic powerhouse teams of the past, the legendary Clinton Comets.

Many other collegiate hockey teams hail from our region: the Hamilton College Continentals; my own home alma mater, the Colgate Raiders; and the Utica College Pioneers.

Fans are passionate for hockey in the Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier, which the AHL recognized by awarding the Utica Comets with the 2015 All-Star game. The success of this event was, in large part, due to the Comets organization, including former National Hockey League goalie Rob Esche; the amazing Comets fans; and the greater Utica community, whose hospitality showcased the enthusiasm and warmth of our region.

Our entire community is thrilled that AHL has again awarded the 2018 All-Star game to the Utica Comets, and it is my hope that fans across the United States and Canada will come to Utica to see great hockey and to enjoy the great spirit of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the first vote cast by a woman in the State of New York. 100 years ago, the residents of Lisle, New York, and Broome County held a special election to decide if liquor could be served in the town of Lisle. This was the first vote held in the State of New York after women had just recently gained the right to vote just 2 months prior, thanks to the efforts of other famous New Yorkers who are memorialized in our historic Capitol rotunda: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott.

On January 25, 1918, shortly after 6 a.m., right before the polls opened, on a cold, snowy day in the southern tier, the Ladies of Lisle lined up outside to cast their first vote. When the doors opened, a woman named Florence B. Chauncey was the first to step forward and place her ballot in the box at the Lisle Village Hall.

This year, on January 5, a historic marker was unveiled at the old Lisle Village Hall to commemorate this momentous occasion. This extraordinary act will now be memorialized forever on the Main Street in Lisle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the JavaScouts, a youth robotics team from my hometown of New Hartford, New York.

In December, the JavaScouts competed in the regional qualifier for the FIRST Tech Challenge at Sauquoit High School, where they qualified for the regional championship in New York.

The JavaScouts also received the FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award, which is presented to the team that judges feel acted as a positive role model to other teams and embraced the challenge of this program.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the JavaScouts team personally: Keegan Birt, Liam Evans, Kyle Grover, Ari Sprague, Kyle Tuttle, Jimi Wadnola, and Leon Zong.

I wish the JavaScouts continued success as they move forward to the regional championship. I take great pride and it is a great honor in representing these young constituents who place such an emphasis on determination, ingenuity, and education in achieving these many worthy goals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the dramatic struggle for freedom and human rights that we are witnessing in the country of Iran.

The oppressive, theocratic regime in Iran has a bloody track record of abuses and has long neglected its citizens' most basic rights and needs.

The Government of Iran has squandered the precious resources of its people by supporting proxy armies throughout the Middle East and wreaking havoc across the globe instead of providing for the basic needs of its citizens. Courageous Iranians are proving each day that they are no longer willing to accept the indignities and repression from the ruling elite.

It is tragic, but not shocking, to see the regime in Iran respond to the recent wave of protests with violence, cutting off communications, media, and, predictably, blaming the United States of America.

I am a cosponsor of H. Res. 676, a resolution passed by the House of Representatives yesterday in support of the rights of the people of Iran to express themselves freely, and condemning the oppressive Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate protests.

I stand with the brave Iranians who are facing down the violent and brutal regime for the sake of liberty.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 6 o'clock and 55 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, January 11, 2018, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Law enforcement officers courageously put their lives on the line to protect our homes, our businesses, and our schools. They are truly the unsung heroes of our communities. We are grateful to the men and women in blue who service the front line of defense here at home.

Today and every day, we must stand with our members of law enforcement and their families to honor the sacrifices and the contributions they make to ensure that our families remain safe.

I also especially thank the United States Capitol Police force, who work each day to ensure that Members, staff, and visitors to the Nation's Capital are safe and secure.

Let us not forget to honor the service and sacrifice of all who serve in law enforcement, especially in New York State: our New York State Police, the New York State Park Police, county, city, and village police forces, and, of course, corrections officers throughout the great State of New York.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a new record in Oswego County, New York. The town of Redfield now has the record for the most snowfall in 48 hours. An astonishing 62 inches of snow fell in this idyllic town along the Salmon River with only 550 people near Lake Ontario.

While subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions keep most people inside our homes, National Weather Service observer and constituent Carolyn Yerdon braved the elements to announce the record shattering news standing atop a 5-foot snow bank.

The total snowfall breaks the world record of 57 inches in a 48-hour period set in 2008 by Bennetts Bridge in Oswego County.

Home to some of the harshest winter conditions in the country, upstate New York experiences heavy lake-effect snow, high winds, and bitter temperatures all season long.

As snow blankets our region this winter, we are grateful to our first responders, who continue to go above and beyond and keep our roadsides safe, to protect and rescue some stranded vulnerable citizens--yes, in 5 feet of snow, you can lose people--and providing assistance to all our communities.

A special thank you to Carolyn Yerdon, our special National Weather Service employee. May I just say her favorite words: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express deep disappointment in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/ES-10/L.22 and state my serious concern over the anti-American and anti-Semitic behaviors of the United Nations.

Today, the United Nations continues its ugly legacy of singling out Israel for condemnation. According to the NGO, UN Watch, 86 percent of the U.N. General Assembly resolutions criticizing countries between 2012 and 2015 have targeted Israel.

It is a sad and confounding sight to watch Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and other human rights abusers degrade our ally, Israel, and attempt to nullify a decision made by the United States regarding our own Embassy.

I applaud Ambassador Haley for her resolute remarks and strength of spirit as she stood against rogue regimes for democratic values and American interests.

I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to reassess our foreign aid commitments and realign them with our values and our strategic interests.

Mr. Speaker, the passage of today's bill is the first step to providing desperately needed once-in-a-generation relief from the failed status quo, especially in New York State.

Under this bill, the typical American family making $73,000 a year will see a tax cut of $2,059, and low- and middle-income New Yorkers can finally see an immediate raise in their January and February paychecks.

As a single working mom and a person who cared for my elderly and aging parents, I and my New York colleagues fought an uphill battle to include provisions facing elimination that are vital to seniors, single parents, struggling families, and overburdened job creators, many of whom have left New York State in vast numbers.

Despite the fact that these provisions faced the very real threat of elimination, our efforts were successful in securing the historic tax credit for a State like New York, with many of our Nation's most historic and most important national landmarks, expanding the SALT deduction--the State and local tax deduction--childcare and dependent care credits, and continuing the deductibility of medical expenses, to assist our most vulnerable seniors in defraying high medical costs.

In New York's 22nd District, 99 percent of itemizers deduct less than $10,000 in property tax, the cap which represents the new deduction.

Due to Albany's mismanagement, all the counties I represent are in the top 36 highest property tax rates compared with home value nationwide. This bill will provide relief on the Federal level, while, finally, finally, incentivizing Albany to respect taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Wreaths Across America Day, a tribute held annually to honor and remember those servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great Nation.

Since Congress designated Wreaths Across America a national day of remembrance in 2007, Americans have joined together at Arlington National Cemetery and in their local communities to honor our veterans who have passed on.

This year, more than 1 million wreaths were laid at over 1,300 cemeteries throughout the country. 245,000 wreaths were placed by thousands of volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery.

On Saturday, in a virtual blizzard, I had the distinct honor of joining the Rome-Utica Chapter of the Military Officers Association; the Navy ROTC students from Proctor High School in Utica, New York; and members of the Marine Corps League at Saint Peter's Church in Rome, New York.

As we laid wreaths on the graves of our fallen servicemen and -women, we took a moment to say each veteran's name, to remember each individual's life of service, sacrifice, and the families they left behind.

Divided by distance but not by spirit, on Saturday, millions of Americans came together in a common mission to honor and remember our fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 647, I call up the bill (H.R. 3971) to amend the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to modify the requirements for community financial institutions with respect to certain rules relating to mortgage loans, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to submit extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, over the last 10 years, the community financial institution industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. Since 2006, more than 1,500 banks have failed, been acquired, or merged, due to economic factors and the overwhelmingly expensive regulation brought forth by the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.

During this same period, there has been a drought in de novo banks. In fact, only five new banks charters and 16 new credit union charters have been granted.

Today, for the first time in over 125 years, there are fewer than 6,000 banks and, roughly, 6,000 credit unions serving all consumers in the United States. This is proof that the community financial institutions need smart, commonsense regulatory relief so they can properly serve local communities by assisting with small business startups and consumer credit.

My bill, H.R. 3971, the Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act, would alleviate harmful burdens on small institutions across the Nation while saving money for low-income borrowers. This bipartisan measure would exempt small community-based institutions from mandatory escrow requirements.

My bill will also provide relief from new regulations that have nearly doubled the cost of servicing loans, specifically to low-income borrowers. I know that certain institutions will wish to continue to provide the same escrow services to their consumers, and they are welcome to do that.

By offering these real changes, smaller institutions--like the GOP Federal Credit Union, for example, in my district--can once again focus their full attention on relationship lending in the community without worry of government overregulation.

Once again, the current law mandates that all institutions follow escrow requirements, which raises the cost of credit for those borrowers who can least afford it, while harming small local institutions.

Mr. Speaker, I specifically thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) for working with me on this bill, and I appreciate his support throughout the process.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling), the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, control the remainder of the time.

Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hensarling, and I thank the gentleman from California for his amendment and work on this bill.

I think this amendment is acceptable, and adopting it will still allow the bill to provide some regulatory relief to our small community banks and credit unions, and it will also assist in helping our low- income borrowers in districts like mine, NY-22, where we have lost so many community banks. I think that this will help encourage lending and allow small community banks to again lend to people who are in lower income levels.

I urge my colleagues to adopt the amendment, and I thank the gentleman again from California (Mr. Sherman), for his hard work on the bill and for this bipartisan effort.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Vincent Scalise, the founder of the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center in Utica, New York.

Sergeant Scalise has served our Nation in the Army National Guard for over 19 years and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry. Sergeant Scalise has also responded to multiple natural disasters and homeland security missions, and was awarded the New York National Guard's Colonel Gouverneur Morris Citizen/Soldier Award.

In 2008, Sergeant Scalise saw an opportunity in the vacant YMCA building in downtown Utica for a veterans outreach center to serve veterans and their families in times of need. His vision and hard work has created a safe and welcoming refuge for veterans and their families.

Currently, the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center administers a Federal grant to aid veterans in danger of becoming homeless, and it has a food pantry onsite for veterans and their families, among a variety of other services. Work has begun to construct 18 onsite housing units, and the center has been awarded its fourth consecutive Federal veteran homeless prevention grant.

I commend Sergeant Scalise for his dedicated service to our country, community, and fellow veterans, and I wish the center many more years of growth and success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Georgia, Mr. Woodall, for yielding and for his great comments about bipartisanship.

Mr. Speaker, over the last 10 years, the community financial institution industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. Since 2006, more than 1,500 banks have failed, have been acquired, or have merged due to economic factors and the overwhelmingly expensive regulation brought forth by the passage of Dodd-Frank.

During that same period, there has been a drought in de novo banks. In fact, only five new bank charters and 16 new credit unions have chartered since that time.

Today, for the first time in 125 years, there are fewer than 6,000 banks and roughly 6,000 credit unions serving all consumers in the United States. This is proof that community financial institutions need smart, commonsense, regulatory relief so they can properly serve local communities by assisting them with small business startups and consumer credit, particularly in a region like mine in upstate New York.

It is important that we pass this rule today to consider my bill, H.R. 3971, the Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act.

This bipartisan measure would offer real relief for institutions that are barely surviving in an excessive regulatory environment.

I thank my colleague, Mr. Sherman, for assisting us in a bipartisan way to bring this bill forward and to make it even better than we originally conceived it.

H.R. 3971 would exempt small community institutions from mandatory escrow requirements and would provide relief from new regulations that have nearly doubled the cost of servicing, with direct impact on the consumer for the cost of mortgage credit.

I know that certain institutions wish to continue to provide escrow services to their consumers, and under current law and under this provision, they are welcome to do that. However, for the smaller institutions, like the ones in my district, like GPO Federal Credit Union, for example, that rely on relationship banking, customers that walk in the door and know who your neighbors are and know who your friends are and whose children serve on the same sports teams and go to the same schools, this bill will greatly help them and help our consumers continue with that relationship.

By mandating that all institutions follow escrow requirements, it raises the cost of credit for those borrowers who can least afford it, and harms our small local institutions who can barely afford to stay alive.

This is a great commonsense bill. It is bipartisan, as every bill I have ever proposed in this Chamber has been since my first year as a freshman, and I will continue to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill. I again thank my colleague from Georgia for his work. I urge everyone to support this commonsense bill that will help our small community banks and our credit unions.