Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Residence Inn Fair Lakes on its 20th anniversary. Each year, the Residence Inn provides exemplary service to those living in and visiting the Northern Virginia region. Countless numbers of great reviews and ratings have ensured its reputation as one of the premier hotels in the region. It is an honor to recognize the Residence Inn on its 20th anniversary and celebrate this extraordinary accomplishment.

Opening their doors in 1997, the Residence Inn Fair Lakes filled a need in the community for high quality yet affordable accommodations. Being located in a prime location, the Residence Inn attracts a wide variety of travelers from short stay tourists to longer-term business professionals. Its proximity to Dulles and National Airports, the thriving high-tech region of the Dulles corridor, Fair Oaks Mall, George Mason University, countless restaurants, and of course Washington, D.C., has made the Residence Inn Fair Lakes a premier destination.

In 20 years, the Fair Lakes region of our county has witnessed explosive growth and expansion in residential as well as corporate development. Residence Inn Fair Lakes has positioned itself to give business travelers, both domestic and international, a place to stay that is like a home away from home.

In addition to providing exceptional accommodations to business and leisure travelers, Residence Inn Fair Lakes also offers extensive event planning services. Corporate meetings, conferences and training sessions are frequently scheduled at the Residence Inn Fair Lakes. Social events including engagement parties, showers, and family reunions are made even more special through the outstanding customer service provided by the facility and its staff. And of course, the wedding services and receptions held at the Residence Inn are meticulously planned. No detail is overlooked and the beautiful setting makes the event even more memorable.

The motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia is: ``Virginia is for Lovers.'' The management and staff of the Residence Inn embodies that motto through its hospitality, generosity, kindness, exemplary customer service, and reliability. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Residence Inn Fair Lakes on its 20th anniversary and in wishing it continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the anniversary of Catholics for Housing, Incorporated and to congratulate the Father Gerard Creedon Housing Award recipients.

Catholics for Housing, Incorporated was established in 1979 by Father Gerard Creedon and a dedicated group of community members. Together they began working to expand affordable housing options and prevent homelessness in response to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter entitled, ``The Right to a Decent Home.'' Now in its 38th year, Catholics for Housing has grown substantially in both breadth of mission and clientele. Since its inception, the organization has expanded to provide assistance in 21 counties within the vicinity of the Arlington Catholic Diocese.

The organization has adapted over the years with new goals and a renewed vision while remaining true to its core mission of collaborating with others to support the development, construction, and rehabilitation of affordable housing, as well as to provide senior citizen rental assistance, security deposit assistance, and collaborative education and advocacy efforts. Catholics for Housing provides a continuum of housing through life skills training, senior rental assistance in Fairfax County, down payment assistance in Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun Counties, security deposit assistance, rental homes in Vienna, Arlington, Fairfax and Fredericksburg and homeownership opportunities.

Catholics for Housing is sustained through the dedication and generosity of its board, staff, volunteers, and many community partners. It is my honor to include in the Record the following Catholics for Housing partners for sustaining the vision established by Father Creedon and our dedicated community members. The 2017 Father Gerard Creedon Housing Award honorees are St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church and Ms. Alice G. Haase.

St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church and its parishioners are a Catholic community committed to nourishing through education and to proclaiming and promoting social justice. Through the St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church Tithing Fund Allocation, the church has generously provided grants to Catholics for Housing. For the last twelve years, St. Mary of Sorrows has provided funding to ensure the sustainment of the Virginia Ely Senior Rental Assistance Program and the Edie Streett Security Deposit Assistance Program. Due to their continued support, the annual funding provided by St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church covers the expenses so that two seniors may live independently for a year and covers the security deposit for 10 rental homes.

Alice G. Haase, Esquire is the co-founder of CastroHaase PLLC, a commercial real estate law firm located in Washington, D.C. She dedicates much of her spare time to the betterment of the community. Alice has extended her services to Catholics for Housing to increase access to affordable housing throughout Northern Virginia and further the reach of programs in the community.

In recognition of the efficacy of the unique programs offered, Catholics for Housing has received numerous awards and honors. Catholics for Housing has been recognized by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development for ``Best Practices'' and received the Best New Project in Northern Virginia Award and an Arlington Community Award. In addition, the organization was named ``One of the Best'' by the Catalogue of Philanthropy in 2005-06 and again in 2011-12.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 2017 Father Gerard Creedon Housing Award recipients and in commending the efforts of Catholics for Housing, Incorporated, its board, staff, and dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to provide needed support and assistance to many in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations on the occasion of its 67th Annual Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet. The Federation is a coalition of civic and homeowners associations who work together to promote and support initiatives that will benefit all. Each year, the Federation honors a few select individuals for their extraordinary contributions to our community. As a former two-term President of the Federation, I understand that those who volunteer their time, energies, and talents to civic activities play a vital role in making Fairfax County one of the best places in the nation in which to live, work, and raise a family. I am honored to recognize the following individuals for their service to our community:

2017 Citizen of the Year: Joseph Chudzik: ``A model citizen with a passion for serving his community.'' A more apt description could not be found. Joe's contributions to his community are many and varied, from Boy Scouts to the Mason Neck Lions Club to serving as a volunteer at polling stations on Election Day. Joe's passion for service also extends far beyond the borders of Fairfax County. He has served in the Peace Corps, as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State and in the U.S. Air Force. One would not think it was possible to find so many different ways to serve, but Joe has shown that it is. We should all strive to mirror his example.

Citation of Merit: Cheryl Ellsworth: Cheryl is receiving this citation for an issue that is close to my heart, namely affordable housing. During my time on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I worked to address this important issue in conjunction with combatting homelessness. Cheryl has shown similar dedication to these causes through her work with Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services. Her work has received numerous accolades, including the Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management and the Fairfax County Nonprofit of the Year Award.

Citation of Merit: Emily McCoy: Emily is currently serving her 35th year on the Fairfax County Commission for Women and has spent her entire career fighting for the rights of women and girls. Emily has also been a leader in Fairfax County's efforts to combat the scourge of domestic violence and served as the representative for the Commission for Women to the County's Domestic Violence Prevention, Policy and Coordinating Council for five years.

Citation of Merit: Ken Balbuena: Ken has distinguished himself as a tireless and effective advocate for his community. As President of the North Springfield Civic Association, he has worked to revive County ordinances regarding the upkeep of lawns in neighborhoods, established traffic calming measures to combat speeding and successfully lobbied for the local crossing guard to receive traffic control training. In each of these instances, as well as many others, Ken has kept the community informed on his progress and successfully solicited their input to guide the process according to the will of the neighborhood. He is truly a testament to effective volunteer leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these incredible individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations. Civic engagement is the foundation of a healthy conununity, and Fairfax County residents enjoy an exceptional quality of life due in part to the efforts of these individuals. The contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on the graduation of the 141st Recruit Class. As they prepare to join the ranks of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, I encourage the 42 graduates to reflect on the history of the department and the contributions and dedication of the brave men and women who have served before them to protect our community.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Recruit School consists of an extensive and demanding 30-week program. In addition to two weeks of orientation, recruits completed eight weeks of EMT training and twenty weeks of fire suppression training. Upon graduation, these recruits will be certified at the level of Firefighter I/II by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

These recruits have the distinct honor of joining one of the best Fire and Rescue Departments in the United States. The efforts of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department have been recognized across this country. Members from the Department serve on the elite VA Task Force I, which is among the first units called to disaster zones to provide search and rescue support. Members of that Task Force were recognized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs with the Benjamin Franklin Award for Valor as a result of their efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015.

As the newest members of the Fire and Rescue Department, the 141st Recruit Class graduates join the department as integral parts of our community's emergency response and public safety team. I am confident that this graduating class will serve the residents of Fairfax County with honor and distinction.

It is my great honor to include in the Record the names of the 141st Recruit Class:

Allen E. Bizzell, Calvin W. Branch, Matthew N. Bui, Laura E. Calkins, James T. Campbell, Melissa M. Cary, Che-Shien Chu, Mari A. Christenson, Antonio J. Clavijo, Ashley N. Coleman, Elliott S. Ferrence, Christopher J. George, Jonathan D. Groves.

Adam T. Hall, Walter D. Hanson, Darrell D. Hayes, Quentin J. Hayes, Kyle D. Hihn, Jonathan Hughes, Garrett B. Irving, Robyn A. Kane, Michael T. Lattimer, Gregory S. Leake, Jaeman Lee, Linda Lee, Tyrone L. Lewis, John M. McCollom, Kendrix R. Merritt, Thomas M. Nevin.

John J. Nowadly, Myron J. Parker, Ryan D. Powell, Ian C. Richards, Raymond R. Sanez, Joshua M. Schuchman, Sammone E. Smith, Tyler F. Thaler, Jessica Vukmanic, Zachary J. Walton, Lauren A. Wertz, Lauren A. Wickson, Jinson Wong.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the newest members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. I thank them for their service to their community and to all members of the Fire and Rescue Department, past and present, I say: ``Stay safe.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Excellence (ACE) Awards. These awards are presented by the Chamber to individuals and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place.

I have been proud to represent this community since my days as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The level of civic engagement celebrated by these awards is a testament to the community spirit of Reston. I have often said that civic engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community and this event is further proof that Reston is one of the healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia. That is due in no small part to the actions of those honored here today and I extend my congratulations to all of today's honorees. I also wish to thank Charles Kapur, Mark Ingrao and the entire staff of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for their tireless efforts on behalf of others and in making our community one of the best places in the country in which to live, work, raise a family and start a business.

It is my honor to include in the Record the following recipients of the 2017 ACE Awards:

Chamber Committee of the Year: Ambassadors Committee, Janel Giambrone and Tom Madden

Small Business of the Year: Pinot's Palette-Dulles

Medium Business of the Year: Not Your Average Joe's

Large Business of the Year: Leidos

Member of the Year: Kevin Taylor, Communicate by Design

New Member of the Year: Jennifer Rhodes, Tagence

Volunteer of the Year: Dave and JoAnne Adams, The Dave and JoAnne Adams Group, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Young Professional of the Year: Savannah Guernsey, Guernsey Inc.

Pinnacle Award: Angela Inzerillo, Impact Business Solutions, LLC

Presidential Award: Michael Delpierre, Conversion Pipeline

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2017 ACE Award honorees for their tremendous contributions. I thank the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for continuing this wonderful tradition, and I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, businesses, and organizations for lending their time and energy to the betterment of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2nd Annual Distinguished Service Awards. I applaud the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring these awards. Celebrating the achievements of our veterans is important because our veterans in Northern Virginia have sacrificed so much for our community and our nation. It is critical that we all take the steps to honor and uphold the sacred agreement between our society and our veterans. I am honored to recognize the following individuals for their service to our community:

Veteran Business Mentorship Award: Community Business Partnership: Community Business Partnership has been an incredible tool for veterans considering starting a small business and veteran business owners in Virginia. Their Veteran Business Outreach Centers demonstrate their dedication to our community by setting up veterans with training, counseling, and necessary resources for success. These centers also offer regular opportunities for veteran business owners to network and collaborate. The mentorship provided at these centers has been exceptional and critical to supporting those who have dedicated their lives to our country.

Meritorious Veteran Owned Business (Emerging): Semper K9: After six oversea deployments, founder Christopher Baity has sought to provide trained service dogs to physically and emotionally support veterans and their families. His nonprofit gives veterans with physical impairments or PTSD dogs who can assist them. This service is so important because our veterans deserve all the support they can get when dealing with physical and emotional hardship after service.

Meritorious Veteran Owned Business (Established): Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS): SAMS is an exceptionally charitable and active organization in our Northern Virginia community that produces sustainable careers and annual community service programs. SAMS promotes social awareness and volunteerism through a variety of volunteer programs, which raise money, collect donations, and provide food services for Virginians who need it most. This organization is so important to our community for its support and for providing the opportunity for Virginians to volunteer and give back to the greater community.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr. Jerry D. Norris, Battlespace, Inc.: As president of Battlespace, Inc., Mr. Norris is responsible for negotiating, overseeing, managing and directing all aspects of corporate business. Prior to his career in the private sector, Mr. Norris served in the United States Navy for 28 years, retiring in 1992 as a Captain. After his retirement from the Navy, he focused his energies on improving the business landscape in Northern Virginia, serving as Chairman of both the Arlington Economic Development Commission and the Crystal City Business Improvement District. Mr. Norris also served as a member of the Arlington BRAC Transition Working Group, helping the community respond and re-orient itself to the new realities of BRAC.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these incredible individuals and in congratulating them on their awards. Civic engagement is the foundation of a healthy community, and Fairfax County residents enjoy an exceptional quality of life due in part to the efforts of these individuals. The contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community he served. Delegate James M. ``Jim'' Scott was a tireless advocate for all and his life and deeds have left an indelible mark on the people of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sadly, Jim passed away on April 13, 2017. However, his legacy lives on through the numerous community initiatives he started and programs he helped create as well as in the hearts and minds of so many whose lives he touched.

Born in Galax, Va. in 1938, Jim came to Fairfax County as a teacher at Thomas A. Edison High School. Shortly afterwards, he began to work with local non-profits providing assistance with anti-poverty and fair housing initiatives. Jim's quest to help others eventually led him to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where he was elected Providence District Representative in 1971. He continued his work on the issues he had dealt with in the non-profit community, introducing resolutions on affordable housing and human and civil rights. A constant champion for quality-of-life issues in the County, Jim used his voice to advocate for the most vulnerable among us and ensured that their needs were not forgotten.

After serving 14 years on the Board of Supervisors, Jim was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991. His one-vote victory after a six-week recount earned him the nickname ``Landslide Jim'', but his effect on the House of Delegates was truly earth-shaking. In 1995, he was the lead sponsor of the bill that would become the ``Motor Voter'' law in Virginia. This bill dramatically expanded access to voter registration in Virginia, allowing individuals to register to vote at locations such as Department of Motor Vehicles, employment and other state offices, as well as by mail. The primary beneficiaries of this legislation were the traditionally under-served and under-represented whose causes Jim had made his life's work. Once again, he had improved the lives of countless individuals for the better. That this was done over the objections of Virginia's sitting Governor at the time gives credence to the tenacity with which Jim pursued his life's mission.

While some would have expected a life mission such as Jim's to be rooted in a political orthodoxy, they would have been surprised to learn the extent of his pragmatic side. He was a constant disciple of the saying ``Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good,'' a piece of wisdom that he shared with his colleagues on both the Board of Supervisors and in the House of Delegates on numerous occasions.

Mr. Speaker, Virginia has lost a quiet, gentle but forceful advocate for all who feel powerless. Jim Scott was a voice for civil rights, women's rights, and LGBT rights because he believed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States meant what they said. Unusual for a politician, Jim was self-effacing. A natural mentor, he promoted talent and sought to bestow credit on others. He advanced the careers of myriad public officials. His generosity of spirit benefited causes throughout our Virginia Commonwealth. Most of that generosity was unheralded. Jim was a loving and devoted husband to his beloved wife Nancy and a proud dad to two extraordinary and accomplished daughters, Casey and Mary. He was a devout Methodist, and passionate sports fan for North Carolina and the Washington Nationals. It will be difficult to re-imagine the NOVA community without his towering presence and wise guidance. His absence will be a void for those of us privileged to know him. His was a life well-lived, and he will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Darrell Issa, the cosponsor of this bill and the cosponsor of the original FITARA; and my good friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Russell) for his able management today.

The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, or FITARA, was enacted 3 years ago. It represented the first major reform of the laws governing the procurement and management of Federal IT since the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996.

FITARA is the framework for IT procurement and ensures the Federal Government is making smart and effective investments to modernize its IT, which is badly needed.

It has seven pillars:

First, it enhances CIO authorities, responsibilities, and accountability.

Second, it enhances transparency and improves risk management by requiring detailed information on investments to be published on the IT dashboard.

Third, we increased the frequency of portfolio reviews from annual to quarterly and included key decisionmakers from the agency and OMB to not only look for ways to increase efficiency, but to eliminate duplication.

Fourth, we built on the Federal data center consolidation effort to push agencies to realize big savings from this low-hanging fruit.

Fifth, people. Recognizing that Federal IT success is only as good as the people behind it, FITARA calls for expanding the training and use of IT professionals.

Sixth, FITARA seeks to maximize new tools like the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative, taking a page from the private sector to reduce duplicative spending on common purchases and off-the-shelf items.

Finally, FITARA advances a government software purchasing program to allow for purchasing licensing agreements that can be made available for use by all Federal agencies.

FITARA is a rubric for IT procurement that, hopefully, someday enables initiatives like the Modernizing Government Technology Act to build on our success of improving how the government acquires and modernizes IT.

When the stakeholders met on Federal IT from government agencies and industry, both Mr. Issa and I constantly were reminded of why previous major IT reform efforts had fallen short of their potential: the lack of robust implementation plan and congressional oversight.

As Mr. Russell indicated quite clearly, in that latter regard, we have robust oversight, and it will continue.

One of the things we had in FITARA were some sunset provisions, in the hope and expectation that, by having that, we would encourage cooperation and implementation. That cooperation and implementation is uneven throughout the Federal Government.

The GAO, or Government Accountability Office, recommended that we have this bill to extend those sunset provisions to buy a little bit more time to get with the program for those Federal agencies.

So that is what this bill does, but it builds on FITARA, which is the framework for IT procurement and modernization.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. Chairman, ugly is ugly.

This is an ugly budget, and it exists primarily to be a vehicle for tax cuts for the already fortunate, the top 1 or 2 percent in America, at the expense of everybody else. It will hemorrhage red ink for as far as the eye can see.

That is not a theory. That is what happened in the previous massive tax cuts, both under Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

Let me give you one example of the ruinous aspects of this budget, and it has to do with Federal employees.

This budget cuts Federal employee compensation and benefits by another $163 billion over the next 10 years, $32 billion of which is included in reconciliation and instructions which I sought to strike with an amendment submitted to the Rules Committee that was not allowed.

The Republican cuts include higher retirement contributions; elimination of the FERS supplement, which law enforcement retirees heavily benefit

from; lower annuities by changing the retirement calculation and reduced healthcare benefits; a 10 percent reduction in the Federal workforce at nonsecurity agencies, even though nearly all of the workforce increases, since 2001, occurred in security-related agencies.

The Federal workforce provides vital services to our Nation. It includes those who patrol and secure our borders, protect us from terrorists, take care of our veterans, help run our airports, counter cybersecurity attacks, find cures for deadly diseases, and keep our food supply safe. Veterans make up 31 percent of those Federal employees.

Federal employee pay and benefits are not the cause of this country's deficit and debt. The Federal workforce has already contributed nearly $200 billion toward reducing the country's deficit in the form of pay freezes, pay raises insufficient to keep pace with inflation, furloughs, and increased retirement contributions.

We should honor and revere the service of our Federal workforce, not denigrate it with the attacks included in this ugly budget.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call upon President Trump to certify that Iran is in full compliance with the JCPOA, otherwise known as the Iran nuclear agreement. To decertify at this time will destabilize the ability of the United States to engage in international agreements, especially those we initiated ourselves.

Our credibility is on the line, especially given the fact that the IAEA and the United Nations and the United States Government have certified that Iran is in compliance. It is in compliance on its centrifuges, enriched uranium, the production of the plutonium reactor itself.

We want to make sure that we don't have a second nuclear front by decertifying Iran. It is important to the United States' interests, to the security of the world, and the security of Israel that this agreement be certified as in compliance.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump shielded Sheriff Joe Arpaio from a prison sentence for criminal contempt, despite Sheriff Arpaio's record of illegal racial profiling and abuse directed at immigrant communities.

The President's latest salvo in his war on immigrants is his tragic decision to end the DACA program, which has given nearly 800,000 innocent DREAMers, who want to be Americans, the opportunity to work and attend school.

In my native State of Virginia, we have more than 12,000 DREAMers, who contribute more than $711 million to our GDP every year--that is contribute.

These young, hardworking DREAMers, who see themselves as Americans, as do I, are contributing to our communities, creating jobs, serving in our military, teaching our children, and caring for our family members. President Trump would learn that if he ever sat down with them, as I have, and so many of my colleagues have, and broken bread with them, and listened to their fascinating, challenging, wonderful stories.

Ending DACA is self-defeating, hurts the American economy, and neglects all that makes America unique. Let's fix this.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan for his remarks. Congressman Steve Knight and I introduced H.R. 3210, the Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act, or SECRET, to enable Congress to monitor the efficiency of the background investigation process. This bipartisan bill was passed unanimously by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

H.R. 3210 imposes a commonsense requirement on the National Background Investigations Bureau to report to Congress on backlogs that develop in the background investigation process.

Backlogs have plagued us in the past, as my friend from Michigan just said. In 2004, when the Department of Defense was the lead agency performing background investigations, the Government Accountability Office determined the backlog was 375 days, more than 1 year. Over 100,000 new investigations or reinvestigations were delayed by that backlog.

In response, Congress transferred responsibility for those investigations to the Office of Personnel Management, and more recently, created the National Background Investigations Bureau within the Office of Personnel Management.

H.R. 3210 will provide Congress with the transparency needed to conduct oversight of the National Background Investigations Bureau and to help prevent backlogs like that in the future.

I am also pleased that the bill includes an amendment I offered in committee to require a report to Congress on duplicative costs to assist us in making decisions that protect taxpayers.

Last year, a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act asked the Department of Defense to develop a separate plan, to transfer responsibility for those background investigations of DOD personnel to the Pentagon instead of the National Background Investigations Bureau.

The Bureau would continue to perform other background investigations for all the other government agencies, except the Pentagon. If that plan were implemented, resources and capabilities that are currently under the direction of the Bureau would have to be duplicated by the Department of Defense.

H.R. 3210 would require a report to Congress on the cost of those duplicative resources and efforts. For Congress

to make an informed choice on who should be responsible for conducting background investigations, we have got to know the costs.

Finally, the Oversight Committee also adopted an amendment offered by my friend and colleague, the Congressman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), that would require a report on the process for performing and adjudicating background investigations for personnel in the Executive Office of the President.

This would help Congress ensure that those with access to the most sensitive information in the White House are thoroughly vetted.

And I thank the gentleman for his thoughtful amendment which also passed unanimously in our committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 3210. I am proud to be the original Democratic cosponsor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend, Mr. Knight, for this bill. His leadership is really critical.

In my district, like his, thousands and thousands of jobs are open because of this issue. We simply haven't gotten the security clearances done in an expeditious way. We want them thorough, but we also, frankly, want our national security being addressed at full throttle, and that means full employment in these jobs.

I couldn't agree more with his sentiments, and I thank him again for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), my friend and colleague and one of the up-and-coming stars of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan for those comments, and I again thank him for his leadership. I thank Mr. Knight for his vision for this bill. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor, and I am pleased to make sure this was shepherded through committee on a unanimous vote.

I think we all recognize the criticality of classified background checking to make sure people trusted with our Nation's secrets, in fact, have been properly checked and vetted. But, on the other hand, backlogs hurt our national security, and so expediting it and accelerating reporting on it are really critical, it seems to me, for both intelligence, homeland security, and defense work that protects our citizens.

This is a very important step forward, and I urge its passage.

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

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would increase funding for the Government Accountability Office, offset by a minor decrease in the funding for the MRA accounts here in the House of Representatives.

I am offering the amendment for three reasons:

First, the bill significantly underfunds the GAO.

Second, the administration is actively thwarting congressional oversight, which we need more of, not less of.

Finally, Congress, which struck an aggressive posture in oversight during the previous administration, seems to have lost its way a bit in its constitutional duty to oversee the activities of this executive branch.

The GAO is a vital resource not only for congressional overseers, but also anyone interested in studying or improving the effectiveness of Federal agencies. The GAO is often referred to as the congressional watchdog. I am sure every Member of Congress has supported or requested a GAO report with the purpose of examining broad and discrete issues of executive branch oversight at some point in their career. It is a vital institution that saves taxpayer dollars.

Every dollar we invest in the GAO, Mr. Chairman, generates a $112 return for the Federal Government and for the taxpayer. This oversight dividend amounted to $63 billion in financial benefits for the Federal Government in fiscal year 2016 alone.

Unfortunately, the bill before us provides $46.2 million less than the budget request for fiscal year 2018. This amendment would simply restore a modest $1 million of it.

I know the lack of sufficient funding for the GAO has been a topic of discussion and debate between the majority and minority on the Appropriations Committee. I would note that the ranking member raised the issue in the ``Additional Views'' section of the committee report.

In the report, Ranking Member Lowey and Representative Tim Ryan, who is with us on the floor, stated it is irresponsible to underfund the GAO, especially when administration officials have reportedly been ordered not to comply with Democratic oversight requests.

Which brings me to my second reason for offering the amendment: the indifferent and at times outright adversarial approach the Trump administration has decided to take to normal routine congressional oversight work. The administration has ignored the seven-member rule, for example, an authority enacted into law in 1928, which delegates authority to any seven members of my committee, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to require any executive branch agency to submit any information requested of it relating to any matter within the jurisdiction of our committee.

The Trump administration released an opinion issued by the Office of Legal Counsel, arguing that agencies and departments could ignore requests for documents and other information from Members of the minority party.

On June 7, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who certainly knew the benefit of getting information requests in the minority answered, wrote a scathing letter to President Trump urging him to reject the opinion. The opinion stated that only requests from committees or their chairs are constitutionally authorized. Senator Grassley, Republican chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate, called the opinion nonsense.

In his letter to the President, he stated: ``For OLC to fundamentally misunderstand and misstate such a simple fact exposes its shocking lack of professionalism and objectivity.''

He also wrote: ``Oversight brings transparency, and transparency brings accountability. And the opposite is true. Shutting down oversight requests doesn't drain the swamp.''

Those are the words of Chuck Grassley.

As the vice ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I have witnessed firsthand the committee's volte-face on issues of oversight.

Whereas, during the Obama administration, one would have thought that, like the British Empire, the Sun never set on the jurisdiction of our committee. Now, suddenly, the majority advances a tortured and narrow interpretation of the committee's role as the primary oversight body for the House of Representatives.

If the administration is going to ignore the minority in Congress and the majority is suddenly allergic to congressional oversight, the demands on the GAO are going to grow.

With that greater responsibility should come greater resources. First and foremost, the House should join Senator Grassley and demand that this administration not impede congressional oversight activities.

In the absence of the administration acceding to this request, we have got to send a clear message about the importance to the executive branch of accountability by better funding the GAO.

This amendment will not solve the GAO funding created by this bill, but it would send a message to our colleagues in the Senate about the premium we place on the principle of robust oversight of the executive branch.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment which would increase funding for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and offset that increase with a reduction in funding for the salaries and expenses of the House of Representatives.

I am offering this amendment for three reasons.

First, this bill significantly underfunds GAO.

Second, this administration is actively thwarting congressional oversight.

And finally, Congress, which struck an aggressive posture on oversight during the Obama Administration, seems to have forgotten its Constitutional duty to oversee the activities of the Executive Branch.

GAO is a vital resource for not only Congressional overseers, but also anyone interested in studying or improving the effectiveness of federal agencies and the way in which they carry out their vital missions.

GAO is often referred to as the ``congressional watchdog.''

I am sure nearly every Member of Congress has supported or requested a GAO report with the purpose of examining broad and discrete issues of Executive Branch oversight.

It is a vital institution that helps ensure taxpayer dollars are invested wisely.

Every dollar we invest in GAO generates a $112 return for the federal government. This oversight dividend amounted to $63 billion in financial benefits for the federal government in fiscal year 2016.

Unfortunately, the bill before us provides $46.2 million less than the budget request for FY 2018, which would result in the loss of 200 GAO staff by the end of the coming fiscal year.

I know the lack of sufficient funding for GAO has been a topic of discussion and debate between the Majority and the Minority on the Appropriations Committee.

I would note that the Ranking Member raised this issue in the ``Additional Views'' section of the Committee report for the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill.

In the report, Ranking Member Lowey and Representative Tim Ryan stated, ``It is irresponsible to underfund the GAO, especially when Administration officials have reportedly been ordered not to comply with Democratic oversight requests.''

Which brings me to my second reason for offering this amendment--the indifferent and, at times, hostile approach the Trump Administration has decided to take to Congressional oversight work.

The administration has ignored the Seven Member Rule, an authority that was enacted into law in 1928 which delegates authority to any seven members of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to require any Executive Branch agency to ``submit any information requested of it relating to any matter within the jurisdiction of the committee.''

The Trump Administration released an opinion issued by the Office of Legal Counsel on May 1, 2017, arguing that agencies and departments could ignore requests for documents and other information from Members of Congress other than Republican Committee Chairmen.

On June 7, 2017, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley wrote a scathing letter to President Trump urging him to reject the opinion issued by Office of Legal Counsel.

The opinion stated that only requests from committees or their chairs are ``constitutionally authorized.''

Senator Grassley called the opinion ``nonsense.''

In his letter to the president he stated, ``For OLC to so fundamentally misunderstand and misstate such a simple fact exposes its shocking lack of professionalism and objectivity. Indeed, OLC appears to have utterly failed to live up to its own standards. You are being ill-served and ill-advised.''

He also wrote, ``Oversight brings transparency, and transparency brings accountability. And, the opposite is true. Shutting down oversight requests doesn't drain the swamp, Mr. President. It floods the swamp.''

And Congress is not blameless here.

As the Vice Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I have witnessed firsthand that Committee's volte- face on issues of oversight.

Whereas, during the Obama Administration one would have thought that like the British Empire the sun never set on the jurisdiction of the Oversight Committee, now the Majority advances a tortured and narrow interpretation of the Committee's role as the primary oversight body for the House of Representatives.

If the Administration is going to ignore the Minority in Congress, and the Majority is suddenly allergic to Congressional oversight, the demands on GAO are only going to grow.

And with that greater responsibility should come greater resources.

First and foremost, the House should join Senator Grassley and demand that this administration not impede Congressional oversight activities.

In the absence of the administration acceding to this demand, we must send a clear message about the importance of Executive Branch accountability by better funding GAO.

This amendment will not solve the GAO funding difficulties created by this bill, but it would send a message to our colleagues in the Senate about the premium we place on the principle of robust oversight of the Executive Branch.

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

Mr. Chair, I have great respect for gentlemen who offered this amendment.

They are my colleagues, and they are my friends.

Mr. Meadows and I work very closely together on the Government Operations Subcommittee. He is my Chairman, and he knows I value his collaboration.

Mr. Griffith is a fellow Virginian, and I have the pleasure of serving on committees with Mr. Jordan (OGR) and Mr. Perry (HFAC).

And that is why it especially pains me to say this.

But this amendment, which uses the disgraceful Holman Rule to eviscerate the Congressional Budget Office's Budget Analysis Division, is so transparent and so cynical it makes me want to weep.

This amendment would punish the Congressional Budget Office for exposing the House Republican repeal of the Affordable Care Act as a cruel bill that would deprive 23 million Americans of healthcare.

CBO is being retaliated against for the earnest work it conducted on the Trump Budget,

which demonstrated that the president's budget misrepresents deficit projections by $2.3 trillion.

This amendment says facts don't matter anymore.

And that is something to mourn.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the distinguished ranking member, Mr. Engel.

Mr. Speaker, today, this House comes together on a bipartisan basis to address sanctions and the rules on the girding sanctions for North Korea, Iran, and, most importantly perhaps, Russia. Importantly, because there has been a lot of doubt about whether this Congress would ever again speak eloquently and forcefully about Russian behavior.

Today, we answer that question. Overwhelmingly, we say Russia's behavior is unacceptable in many ways, not least of which is the incursion of sovereign territory of its neighbors, specifically Georgia, Ukraine, including Crimea.

I vote easily and enthusiastically for the resolution today, but it must not be construed, because it references the Minsk agreement, that that means that we don't mean to continue sanctions on the Crimean invasion. We do.

Mr. Chabot and I, and I know the chairman and the ranking member of our committee, will continue to be vigilant on that until that illegal annexation is ended.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I am proud today to be a Member of this body and speaking with one voice about Russian behavior and the need for sanctioning it.

Mr. Speaker, this Congress does not trust the President of the United States to manage U.S.-Russia relations.

Case in point--the first major legislative accomplishment of the Republican-led Congress in the Trump era will be a sanctions package

that limits, in every imaginable way, the president's ability to appease Putin.

President Trump and his administration have given the American public little reason to trust them on all things Russia.

The President obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James Comey, the law enforcement officer tasked with investigating illegal collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions potentially perjured himself by failing to disclose secret meetings with the Russian Ambassador.

Donald Trump, Jr. obscured a meeting he had with the Trump campaign's chairman, the president's son-in-law, and Russian operatives until the New York Times forced his hand and he had to publish emails that confirmed his collusion with individuals associated with Russian intelligence operations.

And now the president is attempting to intimidate his own Attorney General into prosecuting political opponents and upending the Russia investigation.

Today, we will pass this sanctions package, the strongest ever, and send a clear message to President Putin that there are consequences to invading peaceful neighbors and attacking American democratic institutions.

I reserve an important objection to the fact that this bill allows a waiver of Crimea-related sanctions on the condition that the Minsk agreement is being implemented.

Minsk does not mention Crimea, and therefore its implementation should have no bearing on the U.S.-led effort to combat the illegal and forcible annexation of Crimea sovereign Ukrainian territory.

However, I will vote for this bill because it sends a powerful and unified message to Russia, Iran, and North Korea at time when the foreign policy emanating from the White House is unsteady and confused.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend from Colorado for his leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this dirty air legislation. The House majority is, once again, substituting political ideology for sound science. Make no mistake: this is social Darwinism, at its worst, and a blueprint to make America sick again.

The intent of the Clean Air Act and its amendments couldn't be clearer: public health and science should drive public policy. And safe, breathable air must be our paramount goal.

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to review the public health impacts of carbon monoxide, lead, ozone, particulate matter, and sulphur dioxide every 5 years and update national air standards. The bill before us would roll that back and delay new standards for a decade. We cannot wait another decade, nor should we.

We know the health impacts of increased smog: greater incidence of asthma, acute bronchitis in children, and, in some cases, premature death. In Fairfax County, where I live, 23,023 children could be at risk of another asthma attack due to poor air quality, and 136,327 adults over the age of 65 are at risk for a medical emergency.

I come from local government, where we actually had to put into place regional programs to reduce smog. This wasn't a theological or ideological assignment for us. It was practical. And let me show you the progress we made because of this legislation, the Clean Air Act and its amendments.

Mr. Speaker, in 1996, this region--the national capital region--had more than 60 orange ozone days, ozone layers that were hazardous to health, warnings given to people. Last year, we had 6, one-tenth of that number. And that is because of the Clean Air Act and its amendments.

Rather than dismantling these protections, we should provide States and localities the resources to continue on the progress we have made. Instead, the Trump budget would slash EPA funding by a third. That is not a plan for healthy communities. It is not a way to make America great.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this assault on public health and sound science.