Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7327 in Springfield, Virginia and the winners of its 2017 Americanism Awards.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces its beginnings to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War established local organizations to bring awareness to their service and to advocate for veterans retirement benefits and improved medical care. Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.

With approximately 600 Comrades and 150 Ladies Auxiliary members, the Springfield VFW Post 7327 stands out for the depth of its commitment to our community. Often called ``The Friendliest VFW Post in Virginia,'' Post 7327 has one of the most aggressive Adopt-a-Unit programs in the entire VFW organization to support our service members stationed overseas. VFW Post 7327 visits the VA hospital at least quarterly, bringing along goodie bags for our Wounded Warriors. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, VFW Post 7327 adopts military families in need through the USO and provides them with meal baskets for each holiday, gifts for children, commissary cards for the parents, and a Christmas party where the children can meet Santa and receive a gift-filled stocking. The Ladies Auxiliary members collect, sort, and distribute more than 2,000 pieces of clothing each month to various charitable organizations.

VFW Post 7327 is a strong supporter of local youth organizations, including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Little League Baseball, that contribute greatly to the education and well-being of our children.

Each year, VFW Post 7327 bestows awards to local students who have submitted outstanding essays on a theme and to local teachers and public safety officers in recognition of their extraordinary actions and dedication. I am honored to include in the Record the names of this year's honorees:

Patriot's Pen

1st Place: Alexia M. de Costa

2nd Place: Austin Matthew Lathrop

3rd Place: Serina Ahmed

Voice of Democracy

1st Place: Timothy A. Withington

2nd Place: Jenna L. C. Huber

3rd Place: Sean M. Franklin

Teachers of the Year

Elementary: Joash Chung

Middle School: Cindy Downing

Public Safety Awards

Assistant Chief Gary E. Gaal

Police Officer First Class Christopher Cosgriff

Lieutenant Justin Palenscar

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking VFW Post 7327 for its continued efforts on behalf of our community and in congratulating the honorees of the 2017 Americanism Awards

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2017 Northern Virginia District PTA Annual Award recipients. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs) in Northern Virginia serve a critical role in helping to provide the best possible educational environment for our students.

The Northern Virginia District PTA represents a region with more than 220 schools. Maintaining a healthy and strong organization is an important part of allowing these groups to have the greatest possible impact on the students they serve. To encourage such strength, it is important to note the individual PTAs and PTSAs that excel in this mission as well as the individual Volunteers of the Year.

I am pleased to congratulate the following PTAs, PTSAs, and individuals on being recognized by the Northern Virginia District PTA for their immeasurable contributions to the education of our children:

NOVA District PTA Elementary School Volunteer of the Year Finalists: Laura Allen, Camelot ES PTA; Eileen Gorman, Hollin Meadows ES PTA; Julie Shepard, Springfield Estates ES PTA;

NOVA District Secondary School Volunteer of the Year Finalists: Phyllis Lovett, Fairfax High School PTSA; Monique Roberts, Franklin Middle School PTA; Michele Buschman, Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA; Martha Coleman, Mount Vernon High School PTSA;

NOVA District PTA Outstanding Administrators of the Year Finalists: Principal David Jagels, Centreville High School PTSA; Principal Chuck Miller, Mark Twain Middle School PTA; Assistant Principal Michelle Taylor, Oakton High School PTSA; Principal Evan Glazer, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology PTSA; and Principal Larry Aiello, Parklawn Elementary School PTA;

Outstanding Elementary PTA of the Year: Annandale Terrace Elementary School PTA;

Outstanding Secondary PTSA of the Year: Annandale High School PTSA;

Outstanding Educator of the Year: Leslie Smith, Weyanoke Elementary School PTA;

Outstanding School Staff Member of the Year: Judith Edwards, Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA;

Virginia PTA 100 percent Membership Award Recipients: McKinley Elementary School PTA; Nottingham Elementary School PTA; and

Virginia PTA Advanced Dues Membership Award: Reston Montessori School

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 39th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 125 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medal of Valor.

Seventy-eight awards will be bestowed upon first responders who serve with the Fairfax County Police Department in recognition of their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

silver Medal of Valor

Sgt. Joseph L. Furman, MPO Gene M. Taitano, PFC Stephen K. Carter, PFC Lane M. Leisey (2), PFC Matthew R. Long, PFC Gershon L. Ramirez, Det. Michelle M. Warren.

Bronze Medal of Valor

2Lt. Camille S. Neville, 2Lt. Charles H. Riddle, Sgt. Matthew A. Guzzetta, Sgt. Ari D. Morin, MPO Mary Hulse, MPO Michael D. Riccio, MPO Mark S. Yawornicky, PFC Michael H. Burgoyne Jr., PFC Silvana B. Masood, PFC Kenyatta L. Momon, PFC Christopher W. Munson, PFC Amanda B. Paris, PFC Steven L. Randazzo, PFC Nicholas A. Shivley, PFC Todd B. Sweeney, PFC Kurt T. Woodward, Det. David J. Faulk, Animal Caretaker II John W. Good, Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia E. Sbrocco.

Certificate of Valor

1Lt. M. Pirnat, 2Lt. Marc H. Mitchell, 2Lt. Edward S. Rediske, Sgt. Michael A. Comer, Physician's Assistant Craig DeAtley, MPO Jason E. Reichel, MPO Adrian K. Steiding, PFC Brandy L. Andres, PFC James A. Burleson, PFC Jason E. Chandler, PFC Christopher B. Hutchison, PFC Richard A. Juchnewicz, PFC Jonathan L. Kaminski (2), PFC Jonathan D. Keitz, PFC John P. Kolcun, PFC Russ E. Lephart, PFC David A. Neil, Jr., PFC Matthew W. Stanfield, PFC Dustin D. Tewilliager, PFC Stephen T. Vaughn, Det. Anthony N. Taormina, Ofc. Kenneth D. Baxter, Ofc. Andrew K. Kuremsky.

Lifesaving Award

2Lt. Edward S. Rediske, Sgt. John H. Kim (2), Sgt. David Kroll, PFC Kyle R. Bryant, PFC Arthur Y. Cho, PFC Gregory S. Cox, PFC Timothy S. Evans, PFC John E. Matusiak, PFC Katherine A. Montwill, PFC William M. Mulhern (2), PFC Nathan L. Musser, PFC Marian I. Nedeltchev, PFC Edwin M. Pastora,

PFC Kyle M. Proffitt, PFC Scott H. Reever, PFC Justin P. Robinson (2), PFC Nicholas A. Shivley, PFC Jonathan K. Steier, PFC Matthew E. Weaver, PFC Frederick R. Yap, PFC Sung B. Yoon, Ofc. Kenneth J. McNulty, Ofc. Matthew F. Schafer, Ofc. Stacey L. Wells.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2017 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 39th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 125 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medals of Valor.

Five members of the Town of Herndon Police Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Certificate of Valor

Corporal Damien Austin

Senior Police Officer Ronald Eicke

Lifesaving Award

Corporal Andrew Perry

Private First Class Chad Findley

Private First Class Davin Royal

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2017 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Town of Herndon Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 39th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 125 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medals of Valor.

Five members of the Town of Vienna Police Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Bronze Medal of Valor

Master Police Officer Neil Patrick Shaw

Police Officer Andrew Slebonick

Lifesaving Award

Sergeant Michael Reeves

Master Police Officer Matthew Lyons

Police Officer Gregory Hylinski

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2017 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Town of Vienna Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Virginia State Police Trooper Kress Adamson, for his recognition by the Rotary Club of West Springfield as an Outstanding Virginia State Trooper of the Year for 2016.

Trooper Adamson is a credit to his unit and uniform and the long tradition of our Commonwealth's State Police Force. In August of 2015 he was dispatched to a vehicle crash on the Capital Beltway. Upon arriving at the scene, he found two citizens who were trying to aid an individual lying near the wreckage on a very busy and dangerous stretch of I-495 and his fellow Trooper Steven Muller had begun special rescue breathing and CPR. A Fairfax County Rescue team then arrived and asked the two troopers to continue their life-saving efforts until the Rescue team was could apply an automated external defibrillator. After several minutes of these combined advanced lifesaving techniques, they were able to regain a pulse in the victim. The victim was then transported to INOVA Alexandria Hospital where he remained in critical condition until his recovery. Due to the initial valiant efforts of both civilians and these two troopers, the victim had a better chance of recovery from this life-threatening accident.

Trooper Adamson has served the Virginia State Police for seven years. Upon graduating from the State Police Academy, he was initially assigned to Arlington (Area 45). He is currently with the Springfield office (Area 48). Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, he served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years and deployed to Iraq in 2007. His MOS was medical support, and he currently is working on completing a bachelor's degree at Thomas Edison University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Trooper Adamson and in thanking him for his years of service to Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has demonstrated exceptional dedication to public safety and the mission of law enforcement, and for that, we owe him a special debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 39th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 125 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medals of Valor.

Fourteen members of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Certificate of Valor

Second Lieutenant Michael T. Withrow, Sergeant Nathan Cable, Sergeant Oliver Yard Master Deputy Sheriff Clifton Cooley, Master Deputy Sheriff Patrick McPartlin, Master Deputy Sheriff Jeffery Waple, Private First Class Jonathan Perryman, Private First Class Joshua Silver.

Lifesaving Award

Master Deputy Sheriff Edward S. Fircetz, Master Deputy Sheriff Daniel Fyock, Master Deputy Sheriff Robert Knapp, Private First Class Daniel Boring, Private First Class Heather Trijo, Deputy James Grosser.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2017 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Virginia State Police Trooper Steven Muller, for his recognition by the Rotary Club of West Springfield as an Outstanding Virginia State Trooper of the Year for 2016.

Trooper Muller is a credit to his unit and uniform and the long tradition of our Commonwealth's State Police Force. Trooper Muller has been nominated for this Rotary award by his superiors, who note that in August of 2015 he was dispatched to a vehicle crash on the Capital Beltway. Upon arriving at the scene he found two citizens who were trying to aid an individual lying near the wreckage on a very busy and dangerous stretch of I-495. Trooper Muller checked the victim for signs of breathing and a pulse and found the victim unresponsive. Immediately after, he began special rescue breathing and CPR. Trooper Kress Adamson arrived a few minutes later to aid Trooper Muller. A Fairfax County Rescue team then arrived and asked the two troopers to continue their life-saving efforts until the Rescue team could apply an automated extemal defibrillator. After several minutes of these combined advanced lifesaving techniques, they were able to regain a pulse in the victim. The victim was then transported to INOVA Alexandria Hospital where he remained in critical condition until his recovery. Due to the initial valiant efforts of both civilians and these two troopers, the victim has a better chance of recovery from this life-threatening accident.

Trooper Muller has served with the Virginia State Police for five years. After graduating from the State Police Academy, he was assigned to Springfield (Area 48), where he currently serves. Originally from Brocton, New York, he holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Fredonia State University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Trooper Muller and in thanking him for his years of service to Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has demonstrated exceptional dedication to public safety and the mission of law enforcement, and for that, we owe him a special debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent Deputy Sheriff PFC Kevin Davis for being named Outstanding Deputy Sheriff of the Year by the Rotary Club of West Springfield. PFC Davis joined the Sheriff's Office in 2009 after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps as a gunnery sergeant. PFC Davis works in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Civil Enforcement Branch, where he is responsible for the processing and service of civil documents on behalf of the courts and is assigned to West Springfield and Burke in Fairfax County.

PFC Davis and the other deputies have spearheaded efforts, both on and off the job, to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This past summer they partnered with 17 Starbucks stores to collect toiletries and baby care items for Artemis House, Fairfax County's only 24-hour domestic violence shelter. PFC Davis volunteers for many other Sheriff's Office activities beyond his regular job assignment. He is a member of the award-winning Honor Guard team. He also participates in Project Lifesaver, which assists families and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's, and related conditions and disabilities. During National Night Out he visited several community gatherings in West Springfield and Burke and made an especially positive impression on young children and their families. Upon graduating from the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, he was elected Class President by his peers and received the Instructor's Award for his outstanding leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating PFC Davis and in thanking him for his years of service to Fairfax County. He has demonstrated exceptional dedication to public safety and the mission of law enforcement, and for that, we owe him a special debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department on the occasion of its 69th Annual Installation of Officers Banquet, and to thank its volunteers for filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.

The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 1948, and for more than six decades it has provided lifesaving fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical and rescue services to the residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also provides, houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical equipment, provides opportunities for professional growth and development for the membership, and maintains and fosters a strong viable organization.

As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve the community. I am honored to recognize the dedicated men and women of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department who have volunteered for extra duty as Officers or as members of the Board of Directors and include in the Record.

Board of Directors

President Tonya McCreary

Vice-President Joe Shields

Secretary Matt Bryant

Treasurer Ian Dickinson

Larry Bockneck

Becky Dobbs

Rich Guarrasi

Officers

Chief Tom Warnock

Deputy Chief Tina Godfrey

Deputy Chief John Hudak

Administrative Member Manager Cathy Owens

Captain II Melissa Ashby

Captain II Larry Bockneck

Captain II Keith O'Connor

Lieutenant Emily Fincher

Lieutenant Kevin Grottle

Sergeant Shaun Kurry

Sergeant Jennifer Babic

Sergeant Peter Hamilton

Team Leader Paul Stracke

Team Leader and Chaplain Harry Chelpon

In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary service during the last year:

Founder's Award: Patrick Owens

Rookie of the Year: Earl Roberts

Firefighter of the Year: Ian Dickinson

EMS Provider of the Year: Barry Brown

Officer of the Year: CPT II Keith O'Connor

Administrative Member of the Year: Chuck Fry

Career Member of the Year: MT George Hahn

Chief's Award: SGT Shaun Kurry

President's Award: Becky Dobbs

Special Recognition: Harry Chelpon/Kevin Grottle

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the department for 69 years of service and in thanking all of the brave volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the community calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay safe.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished friend from Massachusetts, and I also thank his able staff for the incredible work they are doing.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the bill before us, the EPA Science Advisory Board, but also I want to talk about Mr. McGovern's amendment on Russia.

They actually are linked because the last time a great power decided to deny science-based policy and to actually dictate politically what was science and what wasn't was Stalin's Soviet Russia. A famous scientist named Lysenko turned out to be a fraud and a con artist. But for 30 years, his thinking dominated Soviet science to the detriment of the Soviet people. It actually led to a famine in Ukraine, killing millions of people because he insisted on his political brand of agricultural science, which wasn't science at all.

My friend from Massachusetts I think is wrong when he asks: What is the emergency? I don't think he understands that, from the Republican point of view, science mixed with public policy is an emergency. We have to do something about it.

The world was created 4,273 years ago and carbon dating is a fraud. As your coastal areas are under water, think about the comfort of Republican philosophy: it is just a theory, and disputable at that. By the way, let's defund any research on it. Let's back out of our commitments. Let's be the only major nation in the world that denies that climate change is real and is going to affect us in almost every aspect of our lives moving forward, including our children and their children.

We owe them better. That is the emergency. God forbid the Environmental Protection Agency have policies and regulations that are science-based. God forbid we look at empirical research to guide us in making thoughtful policies to protect the public. God forbid we look at the science of lead and other toxins in water supplies, let's save $7 million in Flint, Michigan. Just today they announced a $100 million settlement. That anti-scientific decision, that political decision, put the people of Flint, Michigan, at risk, and it is now going to cost $100 million to fix.

That is the consequences of an anti-empirical philosophy, and that will be the consequence of polluting this board with corporations and corporate representatives who are guilty of polluting in the first place. Of course, they won't welcome regulation of their own respective industries, and the Republicans are their enablers. That is what is going to happen if this bill passes.

With respect to Russia, each day there are more troubling revelations that make clear that senior-level Trump officials had undisclosed contact with Russian officials about the campaign, perhaps, the transition, and about sanctions. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was fired after only 3 weeks on the job for lying about this very thing to the Vice President of the United States. Attorney General Jeff Sessions had to recuse himself from any Russian probe because of compromised testimony at his nomination hearing. FBI Director James Comey confirmed an investigation into the Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russian officials.

What has been the most visible reaction from my friends on the other side of the aisle in this Congress?

The frenetic behavior of the Intelligence Committee chairman that has seemingly compromised the committee's ability to investigate.

This ought not to be about partisan politics. It ought to be about restoring congressional independence and integrity, one of our most cherished democratic institutions; in fact, the most cherished, a free election without foreign interference.

So I support Mr. McGovern's potential amendment. I will also oppose the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Massachusetts for yielding me this time.

The Hippocratic Oath says ``primum non nocere''; ``first, do no harm.''

This bill violates the Hippocratic Oath in all respects. Twenty-four million people losing their health care, our friend from Wyoming thinks that is a choice?

A string of benefits required to be covered by insurance companies to protect consumers, to protect our loved ones when they get ill, vitiated. Maybe that is popular in some parts of this country, but I don't know where they are. This bill will unravel health care for all Americans. It is the wrong path to take, and I urge defeat of this legislation in its entirety.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, the VA Accountability First Act of 2017 (HR 1259) represents an attack on collective bargaining at federal agencies and an attempt to dismantle the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA, Pub. L. 95-454). The VA Accountability First Act of 2017 would strip Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees of personnel procedures that they developed through collective bargaining with the VA. It would also close the window of notice provided to employees facing adverse personnel actions from 37 to only 10 days. By infringing on activities authorized by the CSRA, this bill would make it easier to fire an employee without good cause.

We should remember that one-third of VA employees are veterans themselves. H.R. 1259, as written, would harm some of the very people we are trying to assist. The elimination of merit-based principles for workers facing adverse action could allow management to target the same whistleblowers who are trying to help us eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse at the VA.

The bill guts the right of VA employees to use union protest mechanisms to effectively address hostile actions. The current grievance procedure is granted by statute and included in the contract negotiations between labor and management. The bill proposes a rushed management-run appeals process that does not allow good employees who are treated unfairly enough time to develop the requisite supporting information to defend their jobs. The reduced timeframe for agency review would be even more severe for medical professionals facing adverse actions related to professional conduct or competence, particularly because their cases typically involve complex medical issues.

H.R. 1259 also strips front-line employees of their rights to appeal to the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) by reducing the adjudication period following their dismissal and removal from the payroll. Employees lose 80 percent of the time at the MSPB and would now only have seven days to prepare their case for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

A thoughtful approach to these issues at the VA would strike a balance of promoting employee accountability and protecting employee rights. Unfortunately, this bill does not strike that balance, and so eviscerates employee protections that it could discourage whistleblowers from exposing waste, fraud, and abuse at the VA. I strongly oppose the VA Accountability First Act because of the destructive effects it would have on the VA workforce and veterans alike.

Mr. Chair, I just want to associate myself with the underlying intent of my friend from North Carolina. He is right. At our hearings, we did discover flaws in OIRA's process. And I think that his amendment is designed to try to address that and to inject some very needed transparency.

Unfortunately, because of the underlying bill, I am not going to oppose my friend's amendment, but I do share the concern of my friend, the Delegate from the Virgin Islands, and will be opposing the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to note I do oppose the underlying bill. This bill would require independent agencies, for the first time, to submit their rules to OIRA for review.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would increase direct spending by $3 million and reduce revenues by $2 million. CBO also estimates that the bill would cost Federal agencies an additional $20 million in administrative costs for compliance.

The reason the bill costs money is because it does not simply codify an executive order as its proponents suggest. The bill would require independent agencies, for the first time, to submit

their rules to OIRA for review. Independent agencies such as the FCC, SEC, and CFPB do not currently have to get the approval of the White House for regulations they issue.

Congress designed independent agencies to be just that--independent. This bill would enshrine in law the ability for the White House to engage in political interference with those agencies.

The Consumer Federation of America sent a letter to House Members today opposing this bill. The letter said, inter alia:

H.R. 1009 will jeopardize independence of agencies like the

Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Securities and

Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading

Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, as well as

other independent agencies because it will give the Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs the ability to review

significant rules. Authorizing OIRA to conduct its own

analysis would not only add pressure from the executive

branch and add time and expense to that process, but would

also give special interests seeking to quash a safety

measure, for example, yet another avenue to prevent a rule

from ever being promulgated.

Indeed, one suspects that is the intent of the bill.

A 2013 editorial in The New York Times warned of the dangers of subjecting independent agencies to OIRA review. The editorial foresaw what we are now dealing with 4 years later: ``Subjecting independent agencies to executive regulatory review would not improve the rule- making process, but it would ensure that ostensibly regulated industries are as unregulated and deregulated as possible.''

It also said: ``There is no question that making independent agencies less independent is a bad idea.''

My amendment would take care of that by repealing that portion of this bill. I urge all Members to support the amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Utah.

I also enjoy working with him in finding common ground; however, I find it amusing to have myself quoted on the floor by the distinguished chairman because, just a few minutes ago, he was talking about how difficult it was to get compliance from OIRA to provide documents requested on a bipartisan basis by the committee. Just a little bit before that, my friend from North Carolina and I agreed on some real problems in terms of the process OIRA uses in the process of its mission. So it is hardly like our committee found or I found that OIRA is without problem.

I believe the bottom line here, however, is independent means independent. We created these agencies for a reason and to be independent of White House political interference for a reason. I would submit, respectfully, now, more than ever, we want to preserve the independence of those organizations.

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

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Giant Food, LLC, on the grand reopening of its University Mall store following an extensive renovation and expansion. For several years University Mall has been in the midst of a complete make-over to better reflect and serve this vibrant community including the students and staff of George Mason University. With the reopening of the Giant Food store, this $35 million renovation project will be complete.

Giant Food is much more than a grocery store. For years Giant Food has been a true partner and has supported our community in a variety of ways. Giant Food has been an important donor to local food banks, providing the necessary funds and products to ensure that shelves are stocked with healthy options. Giant Food recently strengthened their ties with the community by partnering with the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Wizards and the Verizon Center to promote programs that support hunger relief and building healthier communities. Understanding that holidays can be a difficult time for our most vulnerable neighbors, Giant has donated 28,750 Thanksgiving turkeys since 2011, as well as thousands of Easter hams.

Giant Food's support of our community extends far beyond food and nutrition. Giant Food hosts an annual A+ School Rewards Program that has donated more than $94 million since 1989 to participating schools. Last year, the program donated $2 million to 1,466 public and private schools in the Maryland, Virginia, D.C, and Delaware area. This money allows for investment in schools' technology programs, scholarship opportunities, and other educational benefits including playgrounds and fieldtrips. These examples are just a small sampling of the projects and programs sponsored by Giant Food that directly help our residents.

None of this would be possible without the support of the Giant corporate leadership or the tireless dedication of the men and women of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 400. The UFCW Local 400 represents 35,000 members who work in the retail food, health care, department store, food processing and other industries in our area. Local 400 not only helps to protect the wages and benefits of its members, but also strives to improve the working conditions and futures of all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Giant Food, LLC on the grand re-opening of its University Mall store and in thanking its leadership and Local 400 members for their countless contributions to our local community.