Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, over 68 million women participate in elections. This would not be possible without the brave and brilliant suffragettes who never gave up the fight for equal rights.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of House passage of an Amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing women the right to vote. This historic centennial offers an unparalleled opportunity to commemorate this victorious milestone of the women's suffrage movement.

A vibrant democracy requires that all voices are heard, and when all voices are heard, we have a stronger and better America.

These women fought to be heard and to make our Nation a better place, and, for that, we are forever grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate being allowed to speak to the Members of the House.

On May 8, 2015, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft proclaimed Cape May County a Coast Guard Community, an honor claimed by only 18 cities and only one other county in the entire Nation.

The designation, which is confirmed by the United States Coast Guard and the United States Congress, is in recognition of a strong and special relationship between the people of Cape May County and the local Coast Guard personnel, making Coast Guard men and women and their families feel a sense of community in their home away from home. It is an invaluable contribution to morale and service excellence.

South Jersey is honored to have Cape May and the Coast Guard as part of its community.

Most of all, we should remember all that they went through during the recent shutdown. Our Coast Guard should never have to suffer through that set of circumstances ever again. That is why we have sponsored legislation to protect our Coast Guard in the future.

Madam Speaker, right now, we are in the season where folks are deciding where to go to college. A big factor in that decision is their financial aid package.

The skyrocketing cost of college is saddling many with outrageous student loan debt. The crippling debt of student loans is reaching $1.56 trillion among 45 million borrowers. It is causing people to delay homeownership, raising a family, and moving comfortably into the middle class.

I have introduced the Understanding the True Cost of College Act. It is to help students and families make informed decisions about financing their education and their future by requiring the standardization of communications and the definitions of financial aid terms.

It is in the best interest of our country to start addressing this issue in a bipartisan way.

Madam Speaker, from the moment of their founding in 1882, the Knights of Columbus have made charity their first principle.

Their Liberty Council 1910, based at the parish of the Holy Cross in Bridgeton, New Jersey, is made up of a diverse group of men of the Catholic faith who are guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, but particularly, by charity.

A short list of the good works they do includes: blood drives, planning and implementing youth activities, painting the parking lines in their churches, helping the homeless, advocating for the most vulnerable in our society, leading a diaper drive for new mothers in need of assistance, and helping with various fundraisers in the parish.

The Knights are committed to serving their parish, their community, and their country, and they do it without fanfare and without expecting thanks.

I want to thank the men of Liberty Council 1910 and all the local councils for their service to South Jersey, and the National Organization for its service to our great country, the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to the Members of the House.

As a dentist, I have a firsthand understanding of the American healthcare system and the need to make it both accessible and affordable.

I have seen the high costs of healthcare and how they can be devastating to those who suffer a health emergency.

Additionally, those with preexisting conditions should not feel under the constant threat of losing or not being able to obtain coverage.

We must protect our families and our small businesses, including those with preexisting conditions, and work to

lower the high cost of healthcare and prescription drugs. Individuals and families lose their homes and their vehicles--literally, their entire way of life--due to the high cost of healthcare and prescription drugs.

This week, we voted to lower prescription prices and to protect those with preexisting conditions. We must continue to work together right here in the House in a bipartisan way to do what is right and to make healthcare more accessible for all of the American people.

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

Mr. Chair, my amendment would add to the findings of the importance of averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events.

It is well known that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, are some of the most devastating and costly consequences of a warming world, displacing thousands of people at a time and costing government billions of dollars to recover.

The good people of south Jersey know that climate change is occurring because our streets flood almost every time it rains in the coastal areas. Unfortunately, we also have the painful reminder of Superstorm Sandy.

On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy first struck the mainland near Brigantine, New Jersey, in my district, pounding our coast with winds of over 70 miles per hour and 13-foot storm surges, ultimately killing 147 people.

Superstorm Sandy was the most destructive natural disaster ever to strike the State of New Jersey and ranks among the five costliest natural disasters in our Nation's history.

Here is some of the damage caused by Sandy: Almost 350,000 homes were damaged. 1,400 vessels were sunk or abandoned. Seventy drinking water systems were affected. Eighty wastewater treatment plants suffered power loss or damage. The entire coastline experienced erosion. And untold billions were sucked out of our economy.

We need to recognize that climate change is exacerbating the intensity and the frequency of extreme weather events that often cause the loss of life, property, and security.

Staying in the Paris Agreement is good for jobs and good for the economy.

Investing in clean, low-carbon technologies will help us expand and develop the industries of the future and help us compete globally against other countries that are already making significant investments in these fields.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, which simply acknowledges the need to reduce and avoid the human and economic toll brought on by the changing climate and that we need to develop our economy in a sustainable fashion.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

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

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

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, in light of the recent terror attacks throughout the world and in our country, many people are very, very fearful.

The Nation and the Jewish community mourn another senseless attack after the shooting in California during the Passover celebration, while still grieving those lost in the attack at the Pittsburgh synagogue last year.

We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters against the face of terror. These despicable attacks of hate have no place in our world. We all have a place in America. Hate, however, does not.

The American people have the right to pray together; they have the right to love together; and they have the right to worship together without fear.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1222) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to facilitate the establishment of additional or expanded public target ranges in certain States.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to authorize a State to pay up to 90 percent of the costs of acquiring land for constructing a public target range. Under the current law, the State is authorized to pay up to only 75 percent of the cost.

This bill also allows the State to allocate 10 percent of its Federal wildlife restoration funding to building public target ranges.

This bill was part of the negotiated historic lands package that was signed into law in March of this year, but this specific section had to be pulled from the final package because language in the bill is required to originate in the House.

I would like to commend Congressman Kind for his continued support of sportsmen and sportswomen and his work to send this last piece of the negotiated package to the Senate.

This is, again, a good opportunity to celebrate the rightfully named lands package, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which was a product of many months of negotiations and many years of committee process.

The lands package benefits all Americans by protecting ecosystems, preserving our cultural heritage, and connecting people to their lands. By protecting ecosystems, preserving our cultural heritage, and connecting people to their lands, we demonstrate this Congress' commitment to public lands that serve all Americans.

Not only did the package permanently authorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but it also added over 1 million acres of wilderness, designated four new national monuments, and expanded three national parks, just to name a few of the over 100 provisions. H.R. 1222 is simply the last to get over the finish line, and I am proud to support it.

I urge my colleagues to continue to support the lands package and support this bipartisan bill.

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

Conress of the United States,

House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, April 29, 2019.

Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing with respect to H.R.

1222, ``Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support

Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on

provisions on which the Committee on Ways and Means has

jurisdictional interest, I will not request sequential

referral on this measure.

The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the

mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction

over the subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately

consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation

moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues

within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or

similar legislation, and request your support for such a

request.

Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter

confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of

our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the

Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1222.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Neal,

Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 91) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to assess sanitation and safety conditions at Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities that were constructed to provide affected Columbia River Treaty tribes access to traditional fishing grounds and expend funds on construction of facilities and structures to improve those conditions, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 91 authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs to assess sanitation and safety conditions on land set aside to provide Columbia River Treaty Tribes access to traditional fishing grounds, and to enter into contracts with Tribes or Tribal organizations to improve the identified conditions.

The Columbia River Treaty Tribes, through a series of treaties in 1855, established access to ``usual and accustomed fishing areas'' and ancillary fishing facilities on the Columbia River.

Starting in the 1930s, construction of the dams of the Columbia River Power System resulted in flooding and destruction of Tribal villages, homes, and traditional fishing sites, severely impacting the Tribal members' ability to exercise these treaty rights. The tribes and their citizens have never been fully compensated for their losses.

In a series of agreements and laws starting in 1939, the Federal Government acquired and developed small parcels of land to serve as ``in-lieu'' and treaty fishing access sites, providing members of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes access to exercise their rights to fish in the Columbia and reside at their traditional fishing places and fishing stations.

Additionally, Congress enacted the Columbia River Treaty Fishing Access Sites project in 1988, which authorized improvements for the existing ancillary fishing facilities and directed the Army Corps of Engineers to acquire new lands to provide unencumbered river access for Tribal members.

Today, there are 31 Tribal fishing sites located along the Columbia River, 27 of which are managed by the BIA. The sites were intended to be used primarily for in-season fishing and some temporary camping.

However, out of both a need for housing and a desire to be closer to traditional fishing areas, many Tribal members now use these areas as permanent residences.

These sites were not designed for and cannot sustain this accommodated use. In fact, many people at these sites are living in extremely distressed, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions as a direct result of decades of unmet obligations by the BIA.

Passage of H.R. 91 will result in vast improvements to the conditions of these sites. As such, I urge the quick adoption of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 317) to reaffirm the action of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the benefit of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 317 will reaffirm the action of the Secretary of the Interior to take certain lands into trust for the benefit of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians in California.

The current Chumash reservation is just under 100 acres, but only 40 of those acres are able to be utilized for government offices, economic development, and a few Tribal homes.

It is obvious that there is not enough Tribal land for housing needs. Only 17 percent of Tribal members and lineal descendants are able to live in Tribal housing.

In 2010, the Tribe purchased approximately 1,400 acres of ancestral land in an effort to provide suitable housing for the Tribe's members and their descendants. Even though this land was taken into trust administratively, a number of parties continue to file lawsuits appealing the decision.

The Chumash leadership has been forthcoming in their desire to acquire this land only for additional Tribal housing, and they have attempted to be a good neighbor by engaging local elected officials and groups to mitigate any concerns.

It is a shame that it has taken almost a decade for this issue to be resolved, but now we are at the point where we can finally put an end to this process.

Passage of H.R. 317 will reaffirm the Secretarial decision that put the land

in trust, clearing the way for the Chumash to finally provide additional Tribal housing for their members. The bill will also incorporate a memorandum of agreement between the Chumash Tribe and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in relation to the land.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Chumash leadership for their work and for their persistence on this issue, and I encourage adoption of this legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about an outstanding member of south Jersey.

Ceil Smith of Salem County has served south Jersey's community for many years as the editor of the South Jersey Times south edition, founder of The Partners of Salem County program, and most recently as executive director of the Salem County College Foundation. The Partners of Salem County program contributes to numerous local community and educational programs and has raised more than $1 million in scholarship funds.

Mrs. Smith has also served on several boards for local organizations that serve and help our entire community. Her many achievements were recently recognized at the 18th Annual Educational Foundation Leadership Recognition and Scholarship Dinner.

Her community involvement over the years has benefited many, and for this south Jersey is honored to call Ceil Smith a very special member of our community.

Madam Speaker, I am here today to honor an outstanding member of south Jersey.

Recently in Vineland, New Jersey, we celebrated the naming of Sergeant Dominick Pilla Middle School. Sergeant Pilla was a brave soul who loved this country enough to enlist in the Army to serve to protect it.

Tragically, he was killed while saving a fellow soldier in Somalia during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

The naming of this school is to honor Sergeant Pilla's love and sacrifice for

his country. Now he will be remembered by every student who walks through those halls. He will be honored by these students as they grow and learn to dedicate themselves to do what they do and love the way that Sergeant Pilla did.

I thank Sergeant Dominick Pilla for his service.

To all of the men and all of the women in the Armed Forces who serve our country so bravely and so selflessly, may God bless them.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to honor an outstanding member of south Jersey. Over the weekend, Michael Bryan of Dennis Township, New Jersey, achieved the great honor of being raised to Eagle Scout. Michael is a member of the National Honor Society and, for his Eagle Scout project, acquired the skills to weld a stand for an American World War II plane propeller that was pulled out of the Atlantic Ocean. It honors the 42 servicemembers who perished during training at NAS Wildwood.

Michael plans to follow in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather and enroll in the Coast Guard to bravely serve and defend our country.

We are all looking for heroes. Some look to celebrities. Some look to Washington, God help them. But I look to men like Michael Bryan who make a difference in their community. He is south Jersey's hero. He is an American hero.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to honor an outstanding member of south Jersey. Rev. Dr. Robin Weinstein is a true believer in human potential and harnesses that power through extensive work and his community involvement.

In addition to being an associate professor at Wilmington University, he started the M25 Initiative to find ways to alleviate suffering, feed the hungry, end poverty, reduce crime, and revitalize the community.

Dr. Weinstein is also a cofounder of the Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition, which provides emergency winter shelter to those who are very much in need.

On top of all of these things, Dr. Weinstein serves as the founding pastor of Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Under his leadership, the church has started a weekly soup kitchen, monthly food pantry and clothing closet, showers for the homeless, and many other programs that provide for the people of south Jersey who so desperately need them.

His tireless efforts make an impact on the community that is felt far and wide.

The people of south Jersey appreciate all you do, Dr. Weinstein.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to the importance of honoring our government handshake agreements.

Medicare and Social Security are cornerstones of America's safety net. Social Security enables millions of Americans to retire with invaluable peace of mind, and Medicare is an effective tool that provides greater healthcare to millions and millions of Americans.

These programs are a golden handshake agreement between the Federal Government and the people of the United States that must be honored, and I will not stand for any attempts to undermine our commitment.

Our seniors rely on Social Security and Medicare, and it is our responsibility to ensure that these programs are always there for them.

Our word is our bond. Keeping the promises made to the people is essential to the success of our Nation and to the success of our government.