Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unavoidably detained from the floor on Monday, May 20, 2019. I missed roll call vote No. 219.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 219, I would have voted `YEA'.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Rutherford, my good friend, and Congresswoman Hill of California for co-hosting this bipartisan Special Order hour in honor of our law enforcement officers. I am proud to serve with you both as a member of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, co-chaired by our friend, Congressman Bill Pascrell.

Madam Speaker, we are here today to commemorate Police Week and to honor all the brave law enforcement officers in New Jersey and across the country who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. They get our backs, and we should always get theirs. There is nothing partisan about that.

In 1962 President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 to be Police Officers Memorial Day and this week to be Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Already this year, 43 police officers have died in the line of duty across the United States. We will never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice. May God bless them and their families.

Madam Speaker, police officers are America's heroes, and I am so deeply grateful to all law enforcement officers, Federal, State, and local, for what they do day in and day out, especially those in New Jersey's Fifth District, my district, and across our State.

That is why, in Congress, I am committed to fighting for all our sworn officers and first responders by making sure that our municipalities and police departments have the resources, equipment, and training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. That includes critical programs like the COPS and JAG grants, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program, and the Law Enforcement Support Office excess equipment program.

We should also support the Thin Blue Line Act, which was referenced, because our officers rely on us to get their backs and to make sure we give them the resources they need to protect our families from violent crimes, drug trafficking, domestic violence, homegrown terrorism, and countless other threats.

I especially want to recognize all the men and women who took part in the annual Police Unity Tour, riding some 300 miles to Washington in honor of our fallen officers, and all of New Jersey's finest who are here in Washington this week, including friends from the New Jersey PBA, the New Jersey State Troopers, the Port Authority PBA, and many, many others.

Just yesterday I was glad to spend some time with my friends, the Port Authority Police and members of the Fair Lawn Police Department Honor Guard who came to remember those whose names are forever inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial here on the Mall. Others from the State PBA and PBA police officers were here this week as well. Together we are all fighting to fully fund and reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund in memory of the 37 Port Authority police officers and countless others whom we lost that day and for all the injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors whom we must do right by today.

Madam Speaker, I thank, again, my colleagues across the aisle who have the backs of our first responders. But most of all, I am grateful for every law enforcement officer for their solemn commitment to protect and serve. We live in the greatest country in the world. With our brave law enforcement protecting our communities, we are ensuring always that our best days are ahead of us.

God bless our law enforcement officers and first responders, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for allowing me to speak on behalf of this bipartisan legislation. I also want to thank my good friend, Congressman Trey Hollingsworth, for being a great partner on this important legislation.

Since I took office, I have been committed to helping seniors save their hard-earned money for retirement, to helping them cut their taxes and afford their prescription drugs, and to protecting Social Security and Medicare so that, at the end of the day, they can afford to stay in New Jersey and enjoy their lives with their kids and their grandkids.

Unfortunately, there are millions of seniors across the country who have been the victims of financial scams and abuses that have cheated them out of their rightful retirement and are now putting that all at risk. Here are a few disturbing facts.

According to a report from the Senate Special Committee on Aging, older Americans lose approximately $3 billion each year to financial scams and abuse.

Scammers claim to be a child or a grandchild on the phone. Thousands pose as IRS agents, others as tech support people and representatives; and then, in the end, they are just going after personal data and bank information.

A separate survey from the Investor Protection Trust found that approximately 7 million Americans have reported being victims of exploitation. They scare and intimidate seniors, and many seniors don't even report it. Only 1 in every 24 cases of elder exploitation actually gets reported.

My mom was even a victim of one of these scammers.

It is appalling. It is offensive. It is unacceptable. Thankfully, we are here today to do something about it.

Today, the House of Representatives is considering our bipartisan legislation, the Senior Security Act, to help

protect vulnerable seniors from predatory scams and financial abuse.

The bipartisan Senior Security Act will help stop financial predators from scamming seniors out of their savings by finding ways to strengthen protections and safeguards for seniors and by creating a senior investor task force at the Securities and Exchange Commission to focus on how seniors are being targeted by fraudsters and to help stop those who seek to take financial advantage of our seniors.

New Jersey's seniors have given us so much. We should always have their backs and help protect them from those who would seek to do them harm and take advantage of them.

Madam Speaker, again, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Hollingsworth, for his commitment to protecting seniors, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because there is a lot we need to do to fix healthcare here in the United States.

I will work with anyone, regardless of political party, who has ideas to improve healthcare and get costs down, but I find it unacceptable that the Department of Justice wants to gut the Affordable Care Act with no plan.

We need to stabilize the volatile healthcare marketplace, increase competition so that affordable prescription drugs are within reach for everyone, cover preexisting conditions, and make sure that we always protect the Social Security and Medicare that our seniors rely on.

Last Congress, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus introduced such a proposal, and we need to get it done now.

In New Jersey, we are very lucky to have some of the best healthcare providers, innovators, and hospitals in the world. We are America's medicine cabinet.

Our people deserve a bipartisan approach to fix our healthcare system so that we can look out for everyone in New Jersey and everyone across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank Chairwoman Waters and Congressman Lucas for working together on the Federal Reserve Supervision Testimony Clarification Act, which the House passed earlier today.

Transparency is critical, and my bipartisan bill requires that Congress receives regular testimony regarding supervisory matters at the Federal Reserve Board. Congress has a clear responsibility to ensure that the Federal Reserve is operating in the best interests of the American taxpayer, and this bill will do just that.

New Jerseyans deserve to know how the Fed is regulating our financial institutions, and Congress needs to know how it can cut red tape and grow our economy. But we can't do that if the Fed doesn't come to testify on its supervisory work.

My bill will help boost government transparency and accountability for the benefit of north Jersey and the rest of the country.

Mr. Speaker, as a Jewish Member of Congress who lost family in the Holocaust and whose grandfather fought the Nazis, I need no reminder about our responsibility to confront bigotry, hatred, and intolerance wherever it is found.

No matter how hard one tries, the allegation of dual loyalty simply does not constitute legitimate opinion about foreign policy. It is a slur against Jews. It is indefensible, and it is deserving of condemnation by everyone every time. More than anything, it is offensive to question my loyalty or anyone's loyalty to the United States of America here simply because I am Jewish, the same way it was appalling to question President John Kennedy's loyalty to the United States because he was Catholic.

I am glad that Congress is voicing its opposition to anti-Semitism and made it clear that a dual loyalty smear is unacceptable.

Unfortunately, it was also clear from the discussions this week and the ultimate resolution that anti-Semitism is being treated differently than other forms of bigotry and hatred. There shouldn't be an asterisk next to anti-Semitism, and I will continue to fight it.

Madam Speaker, I am thankful to be able to speak on behalf of this important bipartisan legislation.

Madam Speaker, I ask that Mrs. Maloney keep that jacket on, so we can remember the importance of our firefighters who ran into those buildings. That is excellent. I thank Mr. Zeldin for his leadership and his friendship, and I am really grateful. I thank Mr. Rose for his leadership as well.

On 9/11, as we all know, our first responders ran directly into danger when others ran out. Just like we should always stand by our veterans and Active Duty, we are here today because we must continue to get the backs of all first responders and others who get our backs every day, especially those who stood up to the terrorists that morning and ran into the burning buildings on 9/11 and in the weeks that followed.

They are heroes and need our help. On 9/11, our world changed in an instant. Hundreds of Jersey cops and New York law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and others from around the country answered the call of duty and rushed toward the pile, some staying there for weeks.

If you ask how they were able to summon the courage that day, they will tell you that they were simply doing their job. Our Nation has an obligation to do everything in our power to take care of our first responders and survivors of those horrific attacks by terrorists on American soil.

Now, too many first responders are suffering from serious illnesses and cancers from exposure to harmful toxins, smoke, and debris from the pile. We lost thousands that day and have lost thousands since because of those effects. In fact, during those first few days, many didn't even wear a mask or an appropriate mask. They were told that they would be fine.

Congress set up the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to help cover and compensate for 9/11 injuries, lost earnings, benefits, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Many of those who were exposed back in 2001 are, sadly, first developing symptoms now, and still are. There just aren't enough allocated resources to cover all those who have suffered.

As a result, the special master of the fund recently announced that injured

and ill 9/11 first responders and survivors would receive cuts of 50 or 70 percent of their benefits that they were promised, that their families could count on, that their children could count on.

That is absolutely unacceptable. We can't leave law enforcement and first responders with brain tumors and end-stage lung disease by the wayside.

It is heartbreaking to hear their stories, and I heard so many earlier this week in New Jersey when we got together. They talked about how there are hundreds of first responders and volunteers still going through the Mount Sinai monitoring program, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. It is in the back of the minds of all those who were there that day: When will I be diagnosed? Will it be too late? What will happen to my children and my family?

As of earlier this year, more than 47,000 claims have been filed with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and more than 11,000 additional claims are expected by 2020 when the fund is set to expire unless Congress acts. We must do the right thing by our first responders once and for all. No excuses.

That is why I am very proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation, the Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund so that no 9/11 survivor has to ever worry.

As Mr. Zeldin said, there is nothing partisan about this. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus just talked about it this morning, how important it is, including Mr. Rose.

This is a fight where we have had many champions, from Jon Stewart to Congresswoman Maloney to Congressman King, and I am grateful to all of them. Representatives Nadler, Zeldin, Rose, Fitzpatrick, Sherrill, and Smith, I thank all these Members for coming together in this bipartisan fight. Again, this was an attack on American soil by terrorists.

I thank all the families and all our first responders for their incredible service to our great country.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Tom Reed, for his leadership.

Mr. Chair, thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of this important bipartisan amendment to H.R. 1. I also want to thank Congresswoman Lofgren and Congressman Sarbanes for their leadership on this legislation. And my colleagues who offered this amendment, my very good friend Congressman Suozzi and Congressman Fitzpatrick, I thank them for their work on this bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus initiative, which I know will further help improve H.R. 1 by stopping the flow of foreign money into our elections.

This amendment was developed with strong support from the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, utilizing the new Break the Gridlock rules reforms that the caucus helped put in place in the new Congress.

This is the first time the 20-20 rule is being utilized for broad, bipartisan support legislation, and an amendment like this sends exactly the right signal to the American people that we can work together to move legislation.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which will help strengthen voting rights in our country, help clean corruption out of our politics, and protect free and fair elections, which is the bedrock of our democracy.

Civil rights means everyone in our great Nation has equal rights and, therefore, equal speech. Dark money in our politics flies in the face of that American ideal, from wherever it comes. Even worse is dark foreign money.

Loopholes in our campaign finance system have left our electoral process vulnerable to unlimited spending by foreign governments, corporations, and foreign nationals in our elections. We have seen that foreign entities are able to spend undisclosed amounts of money to influence U.S. elections by using subsidiaries, shell corporations, or advocacy groups to hide their influence.

In 2016, American Pacific International Capital, a company owned by Chinese nationals, used these loopholes to donate $1.3 million to a super-PAC in the Presidential election.

Even in this most recent election in 2018, Iran, China, and Russia all attempted to influence American voters and policy.

Americans on both sides of the aisle agree this is a critically important issue that we must do something about. The adoption of this amendment will further codify the intent of Congress to end unchecked foreign spending, which is the scourge of our democracy.

Mr. Chair, I look forward to more support for 20-20 legislative amendments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to put on notice every State mooching New Jersey's tax dollars.

Last week, a new Rockefeller report revealed what we have known for too long: Some States, like New Jersey, are paying their own weight and paying their own way. Other States are not. They are mooching off the rest of us.

My district his historically received 33 cents for every dollar it sends to Washington, D.C., while other States, like Mississippi and Alabama, receive 7 to 12 times that amount, depending upon the study.

According to one study, the National Priorities Project report, as you see here, moocher States like Mississippi receive $4.38 for every dollar they send to Washington.

This news is only compounded by the fact that, come tax season, the tax hike bill, which gutted the State and local tax deductions, kicks in and will really start to hurt my district. That was a giveaway to the moocher States and was largely paid for by States like mine.

New Jersey is one of the top tax-paying States in the Nation, which is why we must cut taxes there for residents and businesses of all sizes and work with mayors to continue to do like I have done to claw back more dollars to the State. We are already up 16 percent.

Madam Speaker, as this new Congress begins, I am making it one of my core missions to reinstate the SALT deduction, stop double taxation, and fight back against the moocher States who continue to rob us blind. It is time to fight to get more dollars back to States like ours.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of John J . Russell of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, who was the loving and devoted father of Tricia Russell, my exceptional and incomparable Chief of Staff.

Originally born in County Cork to parents James and Norah, John was a proud son of Ireland through and through. Like many generations of Irish who came to this country before him, he and his loving wife Joanne raised their family in Boston--proudly preserving and celebrating their heritage, faith, and traditions. John was blessed with the gift of the gab and was known for his ability to make friends or engage complete strangers anywhere. For this and the other gifts he was blessed with, including his family, he was thankful--showing a devotion to his faith and his fellow parishioners.

While I did not know John personally, I feel as though I have come to know his many exemplary qualities and his character through his daughter, who embodies his values day-in and day-out: selflessness and dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by others, no matter what.

John's devotion and adoration may not have always been spoken, but his actions and unadulterated love for his family were loud and clear. John undoubtedly was proud of Tricia and loved her dearly, helping her grow into the strong woman she is today. He was the rock on which the family was built and his spirit will continue to live on through Tricia and Joanne.

Mr. Speaker, there is a beautiful old Irish saying for mourning a loved-one: ``Ar dheis De go raibh a h'anam,'' meaning ``May his soul be on the right side of God.'' For us, there is no question: John's love for his family, his love for his home, and his faith have secured for him a new life in God's embrace. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of John J. Russell and his extraordinary legacy.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I was absent from floor votes on September 12, 2018, due to a loss in my immediate family. I was unable to cast my vote on roll call No. 394 through No. 396.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 394, I would have voted `YEA'.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 395, I would have voted `YEA'.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 396, I would have voted `YEA'.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I was absent from floor votes on September 13, 2018, due to a loss in my immediate family. I was unable to cast my vote on roll call No. 397 through No. 399.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 397, I would have voted `YEA'.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 398, I would have voted `YEA'.

Had I been present to vote on roll call No. 399, I would have voted `YEA'.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Mayor Bettina Bieri, a staunch and impassioned advocate for the people of West Milford, lifelong humanitarian, and mother of two incredible children.

Mayor Bieri is a dedicated public servant in North Jersey whose countless accomplishments include restoring the New Jersey Watershed, promoting the new library in West Milford, and holding local officials to the highest standards of accountability. These efforts demonstrate her unshakable commitment to serving her community for thirty-two years. Mayor Bieri has consistently fought for her hometown by dedicating herself to better her community on the boards of many local service groups, including the St. Joseph's Finance Board, the West Milford Animal Shelter, and the West Milford Chamber of Commerce.

As a graduate of Pace University and a Certified Public Accountant, Mayor Bieri successfully utilized her financial expertise and implemented sound fiscal policies to improve West Milford's credit rating and save her constituents tax dollars. Although Mayor Bieri is retiring from public service, I am confident she will continue to make an indelible impact on those around her through her charitable work and unwavering commitment to helping others.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply grateful for the contributions Mayor Bettina Bieri has made to West Milford and our community throughout her career. People like Mayor Bieri are what make northern New Jersey such a great place, and I am proud to call her my constituent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of James Kelly, who celebrated his 90th birthday on July 20, 2018. James is known by his friends and neighbors in Tenafly as a deeply committed member of our community. Always there for others, James is a dedicated father, husband, grandfather, and career police officer, who has devoted his life to keeping his community safe. People like James are what make North Jersey such a special place to live.

Born in 1928 in Philadelphia, James moved to New York City with his family in his teenage years. In New York, James worked in his family's grocery store, until joining the New York Police Department. In 1950, James married his adored wife Lorraine, with whom he enjoyed a loving marriage of fifty-eight years. With Lorraine, James raised three daughters, Pat, Adrienne, and Lisa, and now has seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. A lover of Jazz music and corny jokes, James always makes sure to entertain his entire family during each and every gathering. James continues to be an essential member of his family and community, and is cherished by all who know him.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply grateful for James Kelly's invaluable contributions to our community and our country, and I am confident that he will continue to inspire everyone around him with his quick wit and abiding commitment to service. I congratulate James Kelly on his 90th birthday and wish him many more years of success and happiness

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act. This important bipartisan package includes my Senior Security Act which seeks to protect seniors from financial scammers and help them save for retirement.

I am committed to helping seniors keep their hard-earned money for retirement so they can afford to stay in New Jersey and enjoy their lives and times with their kids and grandkids. We need to protect Social Security and Medicare, cut taxes, and cut costs for our seniors. We need to do so by working with both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and Republicans.

For decades, the Greatest Generation has supported their families and communities, making America the greatest country in the world. Now we need to commit to fighting for them by stopping financial predators from scamming seniors out of their savings.

Older Americans are criminally defrauded of $13 billion annually, in most cases by friends, family members, or caregivers. With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day through 2030, we can't afford this any longer.

The Senior Security Act will identify problems that seniors face while saving, making recommendations to Congress to help seniors save their hard-earned money.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters for their bipartisan work on this package of Financial Services bills. I also want to thank Congressman Hollingsworth and Congresswoman Sinema for helping co-lead the Senior Security Act, working hard to strike a bipartisan compromise. Together we work to protect seniors from malicious scammers and ensure our seniors have the savings they need and deserve in their golden years.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act.