Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5439) to provide for a single point of contact at the Internal Revenue Service for the taxpayers who are victims of tax- related identity theft, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5439, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I believe that modernizing the IRS' ability to administer our Tax Code is a critical next step following the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I am pleased that today we are considering H.R. 5439, which creates a single point of contact at the IRS for identity theft victims.

I introduced this legislation with my good friend, Representative John Lewis. He and I have worked tirelessly over the last few years to protect the identity of taxpayers, having introduced legislation that has passed the House and was signed into law in 2015 that took steps to help reduce identity theft.

I was proud to reintroduce with him this Congress the Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Prevention Act that has nearly 20 bipartisan cosponsors and which included the provision that we are considering today.

Identity theft has become a growing concern in Ohio and across the United States. Unfortunately, it seems as if there is now constant news of individuals having their identities stolen due to massive data breaches. It is one of the most costly crimes to consumers and businesses, and it is the fastest growing white-collar crime in America according to the Federal Trade Commission.

As many of my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee have heard, I, myself, was also the victim of identity theft not too long ago. I understand the frustration, fear, and sense of helplessness that many feel when learning that a criminal has stolen their identity.

In 2016, a criminal stole my personal information and filed a return with my name, my wife's name, our Social Security numbers, and other personal information. The thieves even had a W-2 from the U.S. Congress that contained a fake version of my information. I didn't learn about this fraud until I received an IRS notice questioning a return I had filed--even though I had not yet filed.

Each year, thousands of families trying to resolve this same sort of headache have to prove to the Federal Government that they are who they say they are. That included me, right along with everyone else, creating this tremendous call volume the IRS receives on a given day. I had to go through that same process.

People thought: Wow, you had to go through the same process trying to get through to the IRS?

I said: Yes, I did. I had to reexplain my story every time I called.

This commonsense legislation will simply require the IRS to establish a single point of contact at the IRS for taxpayers who have been impacted by identity theft. This will help everyday Americans who have had to deal with the stress and inconvenience of having their identity stolen get the service they deserve from the IRS.

I thank Chairman Brady, Ranking Member Neal, and the Ways and Means Committee staff for moving this legislation forward, and I encourage my colleagues to support its final passage.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this commonsense legislation is a strong step forward in ensuring that the American people receive the customer service that they

deserve from the IRS should they have their identity stolen.

Along with my personal story, I have heard from countless constituents and Ohioans who have been frustrated by the hoops that they often need to jump through to get their identity theft concerns addressed, all the while dealing with the fear and anxiety of having their identity stolen. This bipartisan legislation will provide relief by requiring a single point of contact within the IRS for victims of identity theft.

Again, I want to thank my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for his support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Daphne D. Johnson, mother of Kim and Nakia, and wife of Alex Johnson. As all of her loved ones can attest, Daphne Johnson cared deeply, loved greatly, and lived life to the fullest.

Daphne Johnson was born on August 27, 1949 in the tight knit community of Leaksville, North Carolina. Her family moved to Youngstown, Ohio in 1963 where she attended Rayen High School. As a young adult, she found a profound passion for creating art work from embroidery, porcelain, and fabrics. Daphne attended Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina and completed a degree from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. She carried on her love of learning throughout her life. Daphne had a gift for creating and used her talents to share the stories of the world. For the last two decades, she focused on quilting in celebration of the deep history of quilting by African-American women. She used fabrics from Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, and Senegal to share the traditions of quilting and the stories of enslaved women who used scraps of materials to hand-sew quilts. Daphne described her art as ``works that encompass tradition, beauty, and practicality.'' Daphne's art was shared throughout the United States and undoubtedly inspired others.

Throughout her life, Daphne was bold and brought passion into all of her life's work. She was a lover of all animals and held affection for rescuing dogs. She traveled all over the world, especially to the sunny shores of Punta Cana, Cancun, the Bahamas, Hawaii, and Haiti. Her visit to Israel was especially enlightening as Daphne saw her spiritual teachings embodied at the Sea of Galilee and throughout Jerusalem. Daphne was an accomplished adventurer, even learning how to swim late in life to overcome her fear of water. Throughout her many travels and activities, Daphne spread her joy and love of life with her many friends and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a life so fully lived. Daphne Johnson was a caring mother and wife and active servant of her community. A gifted and talented individual, Daphne truly loved exploring the world and sharing her passions with others. She is survived by her husband, children, numerous grandchildren and a large family who will fondly remember her creative spirit and caring soul. Daphne was a great light to all who knew her. I ask my colleagues of the House to join me in paying tribute to the beloved Daphne D. Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 92, and Yea on Roll Call No. 93.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplished career of Eileen F. Good. For 52 years, Ms. Good served the people of Canton, Ohio at Aultman Hospital and the Aultman Health Foundation. We are grateful for her service and devotion to our community.

Eileen Good began her career with Aultman Hospital in 1965 as a student nurse. After graduating from the Aultman School of Nursing, she attained a Master's Degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Akron and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Ashland University. Good carried her affinity for learning with her throughout her impressive career.

While at Aultman, Good led several initiatives and programs that improved patient safety and earned the hospital national acclaim. She led the development and implementation of that Aultman Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Clinical Information Systems Patient Safety Program, and the care coordination system for MediPlan for the AultCare Health Plan. Additionally, she led the successful completion of numerous Joint Commission on Accreditation Surveys and Ohio Department of Health Clinical Program Certifications. These efforts contributed to the recognition of Aultman Hospital as a Magnet Hospital, earning distinction for excellence in nursing.

Good also made significant contributions to the hospital through executive leadership. She served as the Vice President of Recruitment and Education, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Education, Senior Vice President of Nursing Services, Chief Nursing Officer, CEO of Post Acute Care Services, and Senior Vice President of Clinical Advocacy for the Aultman Health Foundation.

As a life-long resident of Wayne County, Ohio, Eileen Good spent her accomplished career not only serving patients of Aultman Hospital but the greater Northeast Ohio community. Over the span of 52 outstanding years, Good proved herself as a generous servant leader who undoubtedly improved countless lives. She earned a reputation as a mentor for many nurse professionals, a superb educator and administrator, and effective advocate for patient safety. It is my honor to rise in recognition of such a deserving and accomplished professional and offer my sincerest congratulations to Eileen Good upon her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 45 and Yea on Roll Call No. 46.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 555th Honors Detachment. Our nation has a solemn duty to honor those who have served. The last honors of a deceased veteran is one of the most important traditions.

In January 2000, Congress guaranteed Veterans' Funeral Honors. This would include at least two service members who will fold and present the American flag and a bugler to sound Taps.

When planning for the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery's (OWRNC) first burials in June of 2000, the director sought to provide enhanced military services for deceased veterans by tasking Northern Ohio county veterans groups with providing funeral honors.

Three Wayne County brothers, Lloyd, Arden, and Elton Boyer were concerned about the lack of participation in their county.

There was a need for additional support. Elton suggested forming a new Wayne County Veteran Organization just to provide military rites at the National Cemetery.

As a result of this discussion the 555th Honors Detachment was born. It is sometimes referred to as ``The Triple Nickel''. The ``5'' in the name symbolizes the five military services. The 3 fives are symbolic of the three brothers who proposed the concept. By October 2000 there were 16 names on the unit roster and they have grown to contain members from all service branches.

The 555th Honors Detachment has demonstrated itself to be one of the top Veterans' Service Organizations in our Great Nation. The Triple Nickel is heavily involved in veteran and patriotic programs and activities throughout the numerous Wayne County communities and schools.

In 2017, the 555th Honors Detachment performed 375 funeral honors missions and almost 100 private functions. The Triple Nickle has presented itself as a premier veteran service organization worthy of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 2, YEA on Roll Call No. 3, and YEA on Roll Call No. 4

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I rise today to speak on the Congressional intent behind the exemption for aircraft management services (AMS) companies from the federal excise tax (FET) on air transportation included in Section 13822 of H.R. 1. This provision is based on H.R. 896, sponsored by Congressman Tiberi and co-sponsored by myself.

AMS companies are paid to manage and maintain fleets of private aircraft, a service that is non-commercial. The FET on air transportation, on the other hand, is considered an airline ticket tax which commercial airline customers pay when they purchase a commercial airline ticket. Congress is exempting AMS companies from the FET on air transportation because fees paid for the maintenance and management of private aircraft are not analogous to the purchase of a commercial airline ticket. Likewise, Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91 recognizes that AMS companies provide non-commercial aircraft operations and thus are generally only subject to federal fuel taxes, and not the FET on air transportation.

We included Sec. 13822 in H.R. 1 because the IRS has pursued a number of AMS companies for collection of the FET on air transportation. The result has been inconsistent outcomes, creating winners and losers among similarly situated AMS companies. To clarify the law, which has become quite muddled in this area, H.R. 1 seeks to set the record straight regarding the applicability of the FET on air transportation to AMS companies.

In conjunction with prior legislation, H.R. 1 makes clear that the FET on air transportation is not applicable to payments for the management of aircraft that are wholly-owned, fractionally owned, or that belong to a fractional program. As such, with the enactment of H.R. 1, the IRS should cease its efforts to collect the FET on air transportation from AMS companies.

The IRS should not infer that Congress believes the FET on air transportation did apply to management fees paid to AMS companies prior to enactment of H.R. 1. On the contrary, Congress is finally clarifying an area of law that has become muddled, resulted in inconsistent enforcement, and created winners and losers among similarly situated AMS companies.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 702, and NAY on Roll Call No. 703.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 697; YEA on Roll Call No. 698; YEA on Roll Call No. 699; YEA on Roll Call No. 700; and NAY on Roll Call No. 701.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 694, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 695, ``Nay'' on rollcall No. 696, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 697, and ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 698.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Charles Gilbert Slepian. A veteran of the United States Army, Charles dedicated his life to protecting and serving his country.

Charles ``Chic'' Slepian was born and raised in the South Bronx in New York, New York. Charles was a loving husband to his wife Patricia Murray, dedicated father to his children Jon and Keri from his marriage with Nita Koval, and to Jenny and James from his marriage to Jeanette Slepian. He was a caring grandfather to his many grandchildren and proud uncle to Michael and Mark Slepian, and Lori Mulick.

A graduate of the City College of New York and Fordham Law School, Charles had a rich career as an educator and attorney. He served as Deputy Commissioner to New York City Mayor John Lindsay. Additionally, he founded the Foreseeable Risk Analysis Center to consult on various security protocols. As a security consultant, Slepian was frequently called upon by national media outlets to offer his expert analysis on the improvement of security practices.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a life so fully lived. Charles shared his energy with those whom he worked and instilled his values of sacrifice and service in his loved ones. His son, James Slepian, served not only as my chief of staff, but my confidant and friend. I am grateful for the Slepian family's service to our country and ask my colleagues in the House to join me in paying tribute to a valued soldier and citizen, Charles Gilbert Slepian.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 672, and YEA on Roll Call No. 673.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 650, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 651, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 652.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 638, and YEA on Roll Call No. 639