Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership here managing this rule debate and for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, as vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and a conferee, I rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying bill, the farm bill of 2018.

Over the past 3 years, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees comprehensively reviewed the 2014 farm bill through a variety of hearings to gain feedback from hundreds of farmers, ranchers, landowners, and stakeholders. This conference report is the

final product of this process and months of bipartisan, bicameral compromise.

While there are many important provisions within the bill to highlight, at its core, the farm bill is about supporting American agriculture and access to food. It is about supporting our domestic food supply and our ability to feed, clothe, and provide energy and fiber for all Americans.

One portion of this bill I am particularly pleased with is the dairy reforms contained in title 1. These reforms build on the positive changes made to the dairy margin insurance program in this year's bipartisan budget agreement.

Our dairy farmers have continued to face difficult times over the past decade, and I am hopeful that the 2018 farm bill will help to provide some stability in this sector.

Also of note is a strong conservation title and support for active land management. This includes reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Finally, I would like to mention the positive reforms that we made to SNAP included in this conference report. These changes will help with program integrity. It will encourage work for able-bodied adults without dependents and better ensure that SNAP funding and resources are going to our most vulnerable and those truly in need.

I would like to thank Chairman Conaway, Ranking Member Peterson, and all the committee staff for their hard work on this conference report and dedication to agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this rule and the underlying farm bill and ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on both.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I proudly signed the farm bill conference committee report because, after years of hard work, we are set to deliver a win for rural America. Quite frankly, it is a win for all Americans who count daily on access to affordable, high-quality, safe food.

We know that farm country is hurting. USDA recently announced that net farm income for this year is dropping by 12 percent to levels we have not seen since 2002. There is hope though. By passing the farm bill conference report, we can give producers and their lenders certainty. They will know what farm policy will be in place for the next 5 years.

We also made modest adjustments to the Marketing Assistance Loan program to help with cash flow after harvest and to providing marketing for U.S. commodities.

There are also important enhancements to dairy policy included in the conference report. Building upon investments made to the dairy safety net as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, we are offering new coverage levels for the first 5 million pounds of production, which drastically reduces premiums on certain levels for larger producers.

These are just some of the many updates in the 2018 farm bill that will set our American farmers on a better path for the next 5 years.

The 2018 farm bill strengthens the farm safety net, protects crop insurance, maintains and preserves conservation funding, improves SNAP program integrity and incentivizes work, and, importantly, provides certainty to rural America.

This agreement reached between the House and the Senate strengthens and maintains important programs like the Price Loss Coverage, the Agriculture Risk Coverage, marketing loans, dairy margin coverage, livestock disaster programs, and crop insurance.

As vice chairman of the committee, I know that a lot of work went into building and negotiating a great bill for our farm families. I would like to thank Chairman Mike Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson for their commitment to passing this bill in 2018.

This Congress, I proudly chaired the Nutrition Subcommittee. The House bill included provisions to give many Americans the skills needed to obtain a family-sustaining job.

While this conference report is a compromise, it does include significant incremental victories that will improve the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, so it will be more effective for those who truly need it. The Nutrition Subcommittee hosted 21 hearings on SNAP and heard from more than 80 witnesses on how to improve the program and work toward the ultimate goal of ending hunger in America.

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake. The 2018 farm bill makes real improvements to our Nation's largest antihunger program. These provisions will only further enhance the program so it will be there for the most vulnerable among us, the truly needy.

Now, I am hopeful that we can continue this conversation and soon revisit numerous provisions from the House farm bill's nutrition title. Specifically, there is so much more that can be done through SNAP to help more Americans find good-paying, family-sustaining jobs--an ultimate food security. That is the American way.

The farm bill conference report also helps improve our response to natural disasters, including catastrophic wildfires that have ravaged parts of the Nation. To help encourage new markets for domestic forest products, the conference report invests in research

and development specifically for these new wood-based materials.

We put emphasis on connecting rural America through significant improvements to broadband delivery. We are dedicating funding to rural health projects to help Americans struggling with opioid addictions and other substance abuse disorders.

This is just some of what is included in the conference report. There is much more policy included that provides key wins for producers, rural communities, and American consumers.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this conference report and deliver much-needed certainty to rural America and all Americans who are in need of affordable, high-quality, and safe food.

Mr. Speaker, one of our finest holiday traditions will take place this Saturday: Wreaths Across America.

Many Americans can recall the iconic photograph of wreaths on the tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery. Snow blankets the ground, red ribbons adorn the wreaths that lay on the rows of tombstones as far as the eye can see.

This annual tribute began in 1992 by a Maine wreath maker named Morrill Worcester, who donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in honor of our fallen heroes.

Today, Wreaths Across America has grown into a national organization. A total of 1.2 million wreaths were placed on markers across the country last year in more than 1,400 locations, with more than 200,000 at Arlington alone.

The mission is to remember, honor, and teach.

As we celebrate with our loved ones, let us remember all of our military men and women, especially those we have lost in service to this Nation.

Thank you to Morrill and to all the volunteers who honor their memory.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of our troops serving at home and overseas and wish them a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7214, the Cybersecurity Education Integration Act.

As co-chair of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud that we continue to provide the resources necessary to have a dominant and prosperous workforce. For instance, this past June, we reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Act to advance career and technical Education.

We must continue developing a 21st century workforce to meet the technical demands our country is facing now and in the future. That is why, together with my friend, Congressman Langevin, we introduced a bill to help protect sensitive data and our critical infrastructure from bad actors.

Our legislation directs the Department of Education to create a competitive grant program to integrate cybersecurity education into new and established CTE programs. With over 16 critical infrastructure sectors in our country, we must prepare our next generation of learners to have the most sophisticated and comprehensive educational programs to protect our Nation's most dire assets, systems, and networks.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill and thank Mr. Langevin for his work and leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Grace Learning Center in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for 20 years of service to the community.

Grace Learning Center is an after-school program dedicated to providing children with a safe, fun, and educational environment each school day.

In the late 1990s, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church began exploring the possibility of offering a free after-school program for families in need. They were licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and opened their doors in 1999.

At Grace, children have the opportunity to expand their intellectual and creative abilities, while gaining an appreciation for their families and community.

Grace Learning Center maintains close ties with the local schools in order to encourage scholastic achievement in all areas. Grace welcomes children of all socioeconomic levels and gives special regard to children in need.

Grace provides a loving, caring, and secure environment where children are taught to make wise and responsible choices.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Grace Learning Center on 20 years of providing a safe after-school environment for elementary school students and helping them reach their full potential.

On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania delegation, Susan, we are just pleased to welcome you to the 115th Congress. Congratulations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on ``Giving Tuesday'' to recognize the importance of charitable giving, especially during this time of year.

With the Christmas and holiday season upon us, we recognize and celebrate many blessings. As we reflect on all that we have achieved and accomplished, we must also remember the less fortunate among us.

``Giving Tuesday'' began in 2012 as a day to encourage charitable giving on the heels of shopping-focused days like ``Black Friday'' and ``Cyber Monday.'' It is a dedicated day to give back.

Americans are compassionate people who care about their neighbors on ``Giving Tuesday'' and all year long. Through monetary donations or gifts of time through volunteering, we are always finding ways to give back to our communities.

But today, on ``Giving Tuesday,'' we find ways to lift up our fellow citizens. These acts of kindness and generosity highlight our American values. The best way to celebrate your blessings is to share them with others. No gift is too small and no gesture too insignificant to someone in need.

It is the American way.

Mr. Speaker, next week, we will kick off the holiday season with Thanksgiving and reflect on all that we are thankful for in our lives. It also marks the start of the very busy holiday shopping season.

In an effort to support local shops that make our communities strong, Small Business Saturday takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses. On this day, we celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for our local communities.

There are more than 30 million small businesses in the United States that have created 8.4 million jobs in the last two decades.

Mr. Speaker, small, locally owned businesses employ our neighbors and contribute to the fabric of our local communities.

The Shop Small movement truly is about supporting our mom-and-pop shops. Whether it is a cup of coffee from a local spot or a unique gift for a loved one, everyone has an opportunity to join in and support independent business owners on Small Business Saturday.

Mr. Speaker, this week is Rural Health Week in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and today is National Rural Health Day.

It is a time to promote awareness of the full range of issues that impact approximately 60 million rural Americans. Pennsylvania ranks as one of the States with the highest number of rural residents, with 23 percent of Pennsylvanians residing in rural areas.

Rural communities face unique healthcare concerns, such as a lack of providers; accessibility issues, particularly in terms of transportation and technology; affordability issues as a result of larger percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens; and greater out-of-pocket health costs.

Mr. Speaker, before I was elected to the House of Representatives, I spent nearly 30 years in the nonprofit healthcare field assisting those facing life-changing diseases and disabilities. I am acutely aware of the challenges many face when it comes to obtaining reasonably priced healthcare. It is especially critical for rural America, like much of my congressional district.

We are facing a healthcare crisis in our Nation's rural areas. These often disadvantaged populations are still struggling to access affordable quality care. Many remain uninsured; most are underinsured. However, access to quality care remains the largest challenge.

Even when people gain access to health insurance, it does not equal access to care. Rural hospitals across the country are closing, leaving patients without access to their emergency rooms and their long-term care facilities.

Mr. Speaker, 90 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, and nearly 700 are at risk. One in three rural hospitals is financially vulnerable. At the current closure rate, more than 25 percent of rural hospitals will close in less than a decade.

Continued cuts in hospital payments have taken their toll, forcing hospitals to operate in the red until they finally make the painful decision to stop providing care. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of rural hospitals operating at a loss rose from 40 to 44 percent.

In addition to hospital closures, a workforce shortage plagues rural America. Mr. Speaker, 77 percent of

more than 2,000 rural communities in the United States are designated as having a shortage of healthcare professionals. Recruitment and retention of experienced professionals, including primary care physicians, is an ongoing challenge.

That is why I am a proud sponsor of H.R. 5641, the State Offices of Rural Health Reauthorization Bill of 2018. This legislation benefits States by increasing annual funding and reauthorizing vital programs for rural Americans for the first time since the 1990s. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this piece of legislation today.

Another issue that has ravaged our rural communities is the opioid epidemic. It continues to leave even more rural Americans in need of crucial health services.

Adolescents and young adults living in rural areas are more vulnerable to opioid abuse than their urban counterparts. The prevalence of fatal drug overdoses has skyrocketed in rural areas. High unemployment and a greater rate of the types of injuries that result in prescriptions for opioid medications have contributed to this.

There are ways to increase treatment options. As a part of the VA MISSION Act, which was signed into law in June, I included a provision that expands healthcare access for our veterans through telemedicine. We now allow VA-credentialed healthcare providers to practice telemedicine across State lines.

Mr. Speaker, our veterans should receive the best care possible no matter where they are located and where they live. With advances in technology, we see new opportunities for veterans to obtain coverage through telemedicine, especially in some of our most rural areas.

For those in rural regions, the need is great and services are scarce. Let us all recognize and celebrate the power of our vibrant rural communities in the face of these grave challenges.

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day today, it is my hope that we continue to strive for a 21st century healthcare system that works for everyone in America. Thanks to technology, we have the opportunity to expand services, regardless of where one resides, and all Americans deserve no less.

Mr. Speaker, Penn State University recently hosted its Military Appreciation Week, and this year's theme honored 100 years of women who answered the call to duty.

Women have played a role in every major war in United States history, and their contributions have continuously evolved over time; and today, women now serve in nearly every combat role in the United States Armed Forces around the world.

During World War I, nearly 30,000 women enlisted as nurses, clerks, and telephone operators. Dating as far back as the American Revolutionary War, women volunteered as nurses, spies, cooks, ammunition carriers, water bearers, and more.

To kick things off, the Nittany Lions football team defeated Iowa on Saturday, October 27, for the Military Appreciation Game.

Over the course of 2 weeks, Penn State continued to host several numerous events and festivities to recognize servicemembers, veterans, and military families. The celebrations continued through Monday, when we observed Veterans Day.

Mr. Speaker, these annual military appreciation events give all Penn Staters and community members a chance to honor those who bravely served our country, and we are grateful for all of our American heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize November as National Adoption Month.

During this month, we celebrate and reflect on the life-changing act of adoption. Many parents and families across America open up their homes, and their hearts, to children in search of a stable support system; to children in search of a forever home. Unfortunately, there are so many children in the foster care system who are still waiting to find a permanent home.

In 2017, more than 442,000 children and teenage youth were in U.S. foster care. More than 59,000 of these children were adopted through the system, and we must always strive to help more children find a home.

All children deserve a permanent family that can provide them with love, support, and encouragement so they can reach their full potential in life.

Mr. Speaker, during National Adoption Month, we recognize the unconditional love and support adoptive parents provide to their children, and we hope that all children will soon be welcomed into a loving family because they deserve no less.

Mr. Speaker, obviously, on behalf of our entire delegation, Republicans and Democrats both, we welcome our new colleague to this Chamber and look forward to serving with her. We are pleased to have her here.

Mr. Speaker, on Veterans Day, I had the privilege of being in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. The American Legion recognized Colonel Vic Straub for his service, and I was honored to be there.

As part of the celebration, I presented Colonel Straub with a flag that had been flown over our United States Capitol.

Colonel Straub's personal qualities share a lot in common with the colors of our Stars and Stripes. The red symbolizes his courage, dating back to sitting in the cockpit of a range of experimental planes as an airman. The white symbolizes his purity of purpose and being selfless in all his work. The blue symbolizes his loyalty to his family, his community, and to his country.

And the stars, well, what more can I say? Colonel Straub is a talented and proud Air Force guy.

Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges of this job as a U.S. Representative is that we are able to meet, help, and thank many people throughout the congressional district. As we honored our veterans throughout the Nation this weekend, let us all remember that freedom is not free. And for that, we can thank a veteran.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the response to Hurricane Florence, which caused extensive damage in the

Carolinas earlier this month. The mission is far from over, but the Federal response has been swift, and the National Guard units from across the country have been working together to help in the recovery efforts.

Proudly, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are helping to provide shelter support. The level of professionalism and training shown during this recovery by guardsmen from across the country is commendable.

Mr. Speaker, there are many aspects of the recovery effort, including food assistance. I am pleased that USDA acted quickly to announce Disaster SNAP. Households that may not normally be eligible for SNAP or food stamps may qualify for Disaster SNAP.

Providing food assistance to neighbors in need is exactly why the SNAP program exists. Food security is an important step toward bringing back normalcy and stability for families impacted by the disaster.

Mr. Speaker, as our fellow Americans begin putting their lives back together, I am pleased to know that they will have help every step of the way.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and the Workforce be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6014) to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.