Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2190) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to make certain improvements in managing the Department's real property portfolio, and for other purposes, 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 any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2190, the Streamlining DHS Overhead Act.

Despite being the Nation's third largest Federal department, the Department of Homeland Security continues to struggle with challenges from its integration of 22 different Federal departments and agencies.

One example of these challenges is the Department's management of its real estate portfolio. DHS pays $2 billion a year to occupy more than 100 million square feet of space. Weak internal oversight and a lack of property management processes have further intensified the problem.

Collaboration and coordination is important in these instances, and doing nothing has led to a footprint larger than what DHS needs to carry out its mission.

This legislation directly addresses these challenges by mandating the development of regional real property strategies that focus on consolidating leases, where appropriate, to the mission. It also gives the Under Secretary for Management oversight tools to ensure DHS property is being managed efficiently.

Another important part of this legislation is its outlining of responsibilities for the Chief Facilities and Logistics Officer to achieve cost savings.

As we have seen from the 2-year majority staff investigation, increased accountability and promoting efficiency is needed so DHS can more effectively use its resources to focus on its mission of securing the homeland while also saving taxpayer funds.

Improving the Department's operation and promoting efficiencies within its real property portfolio is an issue that both sides of the aisle and the Department should be able to work together on.

H.R. 2190 is commonsense legislation. I urge my colleagues' support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2190, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, ``As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder. . . .''

Mr. Speaker, that is the first paragraph of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics that every law enforcement officer across this country swears to upon their becoming a law enforcement officer and accepting that badge.

I can tell you, yesterday, during the horrible event that took place, Officers Bailey and Griner with the Capitol Hill Police performed their duties above and beyond the expected.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity on behalf of law enforcement officers across America to thank them for doing their job with such outstanding bravery and courage.

I also want to let the Scalise family and the Mika family know that they are in our prayers. We pray for their speedy recovery.

God bless.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

As we have all seen from various reports and news stories, increased accountability at the VA is long, long overdue. For far too long, the leadership in the Department of Veterans Affairs has been unable to make firing decisions that would be common sense in any other setting.

The VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act gives the Secretary the authority to fire the bad actors and creates a removal process that is more in line with the private sector. It also gives the Secretary the ability to punish poor performers by recouping bonuses and relocation expenses. We must ensure that employees who fail to do their jobs are not rewarded but are, instead, held accountable.

Another part of this legislation is the enhanced protection for whistleblowers. These are employees who are doing the right thing and advocating for our veterans. They should not be faced with retribution by their leadership.

One of the most important jobs of this Congress is working to improve the lives of our Nation's veterans. When our fellow Americans bravely put on the uniform and serve, we must ensure that that sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

In my time serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have seen how Congress and the leadership of the VA, in partnership with veterans service organizations, are working to create the culture of service and accountability that our veterans truly deserve.

As Secretary Shulkin has often said, the VA needs changing, and I believe this bill is a huge step in that direction.

I would like to thank Chairman Roe for his leadership, and Senator Rubio. This issue is crucial to the 150,000 veteran men and women of northeast Florida, and I thank them for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2213, the Anti-Border Corruption and Reauthorization Act of 2017.

As someone who has spent their entire career and adult life in law enforcement, I know full well the importance of being able to hire quality men and women to provide for the security of our communities and our Nation at large.

H.R. 2213 simply provides the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs a tool in their

hiring toolkit to expedite the hiring of those who have already held some of our Nation's highest positions of public trust and who have already undergone the most thorough vetting available.

It allows Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who have served in good standing for more than 3 years and who have undergone a polygraph exam to be eligible to have their CBP preemployment polygraph waived in order to expedite their hiring.

As a former sheriff who mandated--I mandated preemployment polygraphs in my own department. I have full confidence in thoroughness of the vetting conducted by State and local law enforcement agencies prior to hiring an officer. Those exams do not need to be duplicated by CBP in order to hire a prospective officer or agent who has already been vetted by their local department and has a proven track record of performance.

If CBP finds derogatory information on an applicant whose polygraph has been waived, then they still have the authority to conduct their standard CBP polygraph to determine whether that applicant should, in fact, be hired.

This bill does not lower standards. I want to say that again. This bill does not lower standards. It merely takes a commonsense approach to hiring by giving CBP the option not to duplicate a polygraph exam already completed by a highly qualified applicant's previous law enforcement agency.

I represent the Port of Jacksonville, which moved 82 tons of cargo last year and is one of only 16 ports of call authorized to move military cargo through our national security operations.

It is absolutely vital that U.S. Customs and Border Protection are able to hire enough quality officers to maintain the flow of commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here this evening with my friend, Sheriff Dave Reichert, and all of my colleagues who stand with our law enforcement officers, their families, and their communities for this National Police Week.

It is a time where we come together as a country to recognize the sacrifices our police officers make for us every time they put on that uniform.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Nassau County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Florida, where we recognized those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. And in a very special way, we honored the life of Officer Eric James Oliver, who was killed in the line of duty on November 22, 2016.

Officer Oliver died doing what he loved, protecting and serving his community. Before he joined the sheriff's office, Officer Oliver served our Nation in the United States Navy. But his most important job, Mr. Speaker, was being the loving father to his 6-year-old daughter, Shelby.

Tonight I commend the many sacrifices made by each and every law enforcement officer in Florida's Fourth District, but this year we give special recognition to Officer Eric Oliver and the great loss felt by his family, his Nassau County Sheriff's Office colleagues, and our entire northeast Florida community.

Tonight I also want to honor in a special way two Department of Homeland Security officers who lost their lives in service to their country.

First, I rise to honor Special Agent Jeremy Scott McGuire. Scott served with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, assigned to the National Security Investigations Division at the Homeland Security Investigations office in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On January 25, 2016, Special Agent Scott McGuire lost his life while on special assignment in Miami, Florida. In his final assignment, he was conducting investigations to identify, disrupt, and dismantle transnational criminal enterprises and terrorist organizations that threatened the security of the United States.

He is survived by his wife, Suzy, and son, Finn. Special Agent McGuire earned an extensive list of awards and accolades in recognition of his academic accomplishments, and his investigative successes. In fact, posthumously, Scott received the HIS national award for top illicit drug trade investigator of 2016.

Special Agent McGuire left behind the greatest legacy a man can live. He was truly a man of distinction and a man of devotion to not only his work, but also to his family and friends, and he lives on as a hero.

Second, I rise to honor fallen Officer Brian Beliso, a U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement officer assigned to the Fugitive Operations Unit at the Enforcement and Removal Operations office in San Francisco. Officer Beliso began his work with ICE in 2007. Very early in his career, Brian distinguished himself as a charismatic leader and a dedicated employee who always went above and beyond in all of his duties.

In his final assignment, Officer Beliso conducted field operations to locate at-large criminal and fugitive aliens who are in violation of our Nation's immigration laws. He was directly responsible for prosecutions of numerous criminal aliens who illegally reentered the country following their deportation.

On June 8, 2016, Officer Beliso died in the line of duty. Not only was Brian greatly respected by his colleagues and superiors, he was also known for his selfless service to his family and community. He was a beloved husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Christina, and their three children, Noah, Sophia, and Bella.

Mr. Speaker, law enforcement is a noble profession, and it is a noble profession not only because these men and women serve, but because they serve with self-sacrifice. Officer Oliver, Officer Beliso, and Special Agent McGuire laid their lives on the altar of freedom, and we must never forget them and the many other men and women who have

lost their lives so that we may experience the safety and freedoms that we enjoy today.

On behalf of a very grateful nation, we thank them for their noble service and we honor them for their duty and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't mention two other officers. I had the great honor for 12 years of being sheriff of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Jacksonville, Florida.

During my tenure, I was deeply saddened to bury two of my officers who died in the line of duty. They were Officer Scott Bell, who gave his life in service in 2007, and Officer Christopher Kane in 2008.

I say again, on behalf of a very grateful nation, we thank them for their noble service, and we honor them for their duty and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing an extraordinary leader, Mr. Henri Landwirth, for the incredible impact he has had on countless individuals not only in Jacksonville but also across the country.

Born March 7, 1927, in Belgium, Henri Landwirth, along with his family, was arrested for being Jewish. He spent five years in a concentration camp and survived the Holocaust. At 18, Henri immigrated to the United States with only a Torah and a little money. Soon after his arrival, he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War.

Following his military service, Landwirth used his G.I. benefits to take a course in hotel management and began work in a New York City hotel. He used every opportunity to work hard and advance through every job in the business and eventually moved to Florida to own his own hotel.

He enjoyed a successful career in the hotel industry and became a philanthropist starting the Fanny Landwirth Foundation in 1985 in memory of his mother. The mission of the Fanny Landwirth Foundation is ``to enrich, educate and empower underserved children and families'' by supporting basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and education.

A trip to Jacksonville's Sulzbacher Center for the homeless and his memory of having no clothes when he was incarcerated at Auschwitz led him to found Dignity U Wear, which to date has provided over 9 million pieces of clothing valued at over $160 million to those in need.

Henri once said, ``From the darkness of concentration camps grew many compassionate courageous and generous souls.'' Henri Landwirth's vision to become a courageous and generous soul has been proven true in the thousands of people he's helped over the years. His unwavering commitment and dedication to his community is immeasurable.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Henri Landwirth for his strong leadership and unyielding commitment to philanthropy and our community.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1353) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require certain additional information to be submitted to Congress regarding the strategic 5-year technology investment plan of the Transportation Security Administration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.

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

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1353, the Transparency in Technological Acquisitions Act of 2017. I commend the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) for introducing this very important bill.

Over the course of the last Congress, the Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee conducted rigorous oversight of TSA's technology and equipment acquisition process, and they found it fraught with waste and inefficiencies. The committee also found that TSA fails to effectively communicate its procurement needs with the private sector.

Our government relies upon private sector innovation to develop security technologies. However, that innovation comes with a price tag, and we cannot reasonably expect the private sector to spend millions of dollars in research and development of new emerging technologies without greater transparency and communication, both with the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security, as to exactly what their future needs and technology investments will be in the future.

This bill will provide greater transparency into TSA's acquisition plan, allowing for industry to better meet emerging needs, and enable better congressional oversight.

I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I first want to congratulate my colleague, Miss Rice, for what I think is a great bill that is going to bring some accountability to TSA.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, 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. 1294) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for congressional notification regarding major acquisition program breaches, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1294, the Reducing DHS Acquisition Cost Growth Act.

The Department of Homeland Security, DHS, spends over $7 billion, annually, on major acquisition programs. These programs secure our borders, protect our shores, safeguard our airports, and defend our cyber networks, among other critical missions. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office has reported that DHS acquisition management is on its high-risk list, since 2003, of areas most susceptible to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. Recent watchdog reports have revealed alarming findings regarding DHS' acquisition efforts.

For example, in just 2016 alone, 8 out of 25 major acquisition programs experienced cost growth, schedule slips, or both. These program cost estimates increased by $1.7 billion, and their schedules slipped by an average of 11 months. Given the enormous threats that are facing our homeland, it is unacceptable to make our frontline operators wait for the tools that they need to secure the homeland.

My bill will require much-needed oversight of DHS' acquisition programs to safeguard tax dollars and hold program managers accountable. When programs incur significant cost, schedule, or requirement problems, my bill requires that DHS leadership be informed. These programs will be required to put a remediation plan in place that corrects the problem and also analyzes the root causes of why the problems occurred in the first place.

The Homeland Security Committee in Congress must also be informed of such significant problems. No longer will the people's representatives in Congress be kept in the dark. These requirements are similar to those used in the Department of Defense and will help DHS better safeguard tax dollars and more effectively secure our homeland.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I just urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1294.

Mr. Speaker, 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. 1297) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make technical corrections to the requirement that the Secretary of Homeland Security submit quadrennial homeland security reviews, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1297, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2017.

Congress mandated through the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/ 11 Commission Act of 2007 that the Department of Homeland Security conduct a quadrennial Homeland Security review every 4 years. This review is intended to outline DHS' vision and strategy to effectively implement its mission to protect the homeland. Given the threats that we face from terrorists, it is vital that DHS has a sound strategy to help keep the American public safe.

Last year, the Government Accountability Office reported on opportunities for DHS to improve the QHSR process, and the GAO made four recommendations for executive action. This legislation leverages GAO's findings to enhance the QHSR and make it better.

Specifically, this legislation requires DHS to conduct a risk assessment to

better inform the QHSR, and the bill also mandates that the DHS maintain a paper trail of communications related to the QHSR. This should allow Congress and watchdogs to conduct more effective oversight of DHS.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for introducing this legislation, and I urge all Members to join me in supporting this commonsense legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mrs. Watson Coleman on a very commonsensical bill here that is really going to help protect tax dollars and help keep our country safe.

Mr. Speaker, I once again urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1297, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Tennessee for this opportunity.

I rise today, Mr. Chairman, in support of H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act, because our veterans deserve to receive the best care possible, and our VA personnel deserve to work alongside only the best qualified and professional caregivers.

Mr. Chairman, I am proud to serve almost 100,000 veterans in northeast Florida, and this important bill will ensure that veterans throughout the Nation get the care and respect that they have earned.

In addition, thousands of good and caring VA employees dedicate their lives to serving our veterans in some of their greatest times of need. But it is unfair--unfair--to these many hardworking VA employees when those working alongside of them engage in misconduct and they are not held accountable.

Mr. Chairman, our veterans deserve better, and our caring, hardworking VA employees deserve better. As has been stated multiple times, this bill does not eliminate employee due process. My colleagues and I in Congress carry a sacred obligation to our veterans, have a sacred obligation to our Nation to improve accountability at our VA.

Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to speak of fairness, to speak of equity, to speak of parity for America's hardworking taxpayers. I want to talk about bringing parity between Americans who get their insurance coverage through their employer and those who are forced to purchase theirs on the individual market.

Currently, over 150 million Americans who have employer-sponsored health insurance enjoy a tax benefit to

purchase that health insurance. However, Americans who purchase their insurance in the individual marketplace, like farmers, small-business owners, plumbers, and mechanics, do not have a similar kind of benefit. Mr. Speaker, simply put, this is just unfair.

However, the American Health Care Plan helps fix this inequity by offering a portable tax credit to help these Americans purchase the health insurance they choose. These credits are also age-adjusted so older Americans who have higher healthcare costs will also see a larger credit to assist them in purchasing that insurance.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you, many individuals and families in Florida's Fourth Congressional District will benefit from this reform and for the first time will be on a more level playing field in purchasing their health insurance. We are fighting for basic fairness. No American, no small-business man or woman, no farmer, plumber, or mechanic should be disadvantaged because of where they work or where they are forced to purchase their insurance.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the medical staff of The George Washington University Hospital who cared for me during my stay in January.

On the evening of January the Eleventh I suffered an allergic reaction and was taken to The George Washington University Hospital for treatment. During my stay, I was cared for by an incredible medical team. I offer my most sincere gratitude to Dr. Mayce Haj-Ali for her insight and swift action to treat the allergic reaction I suffered.

I also wish to commend the incredible nursing staff who cared for me: Andrea Gavurin, Megan Johnson, Alelcunda M'mari, Ophelia Hunter, Mary Synder, Christina Gale, Danielle Sier, Chaquonna Watson, Crystal Nyguyen, Perla Adames-Castillo , Mamta Jazier, and Jaquece Mudd. In particular, I want to acknowledge Andrea, Megan, and Alelcunda for their continued diligence in looking after me to make sure I made a quick and full recovery. I owe this entire group a debt of gratitude. It is because of their care that I was able to recover and return to work representing the people of Florida's Fourth Congressional District.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that more than 2.5 million nurses work in the United States. These women and men provide and coordinate patient care, educate individuals about their health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family. I am grateful, not only for the nurses who recently took care of my needs, but for all nurses across the U.S. who work diligently to ensure the health of their patients. I ask my colleagues to take a moment to remember these individuals who work in the nursing profession and the care they provide to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and I missed the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted:

YEA on Roll Call 36

NAY on Roll Call 37

NAY on Roll Call 38

NAY on Roll Call 39

NAY on Roll Call 40

NAY on Roll Call 41

NAY on Roll Call 42

NAY on Roll Call 43

NAY on Roll Call 44

YEA on Roll Call 45

NAY on Roll Call 46

NAY on Roll Call 47

NAY on Roll Call 48

NAY on Roll Call 49

NAY on Roll Call 50

YEA on Roll Call 51

NAY on Roll Call 52

NAY on Roll Call 53

YEA on Roll Call 54

YEA on Roll Call 55

YEA on Roll Call 56

NAY on Roll Call 57

YEA on Roll Call 58

YEA on Roll Call 59

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for House roll call vote No. 34 on H.R. 39, the Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act. Had I been present, I would have voted `yes'.

``If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a law.''