Floor Statements

``The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.''

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment makes an important exemption to the REINS Act to ensure that policies that protect children from cancer, premature death, asthma attacks, or respiratory disease are not delayed or denied.

For example, the Clean Air Act, which has been in place for over 40 years, and has improved our health and protected all Americans from harmful toxic air pollution, such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particle pollution, often requires updates based upon the best science, especially when it comes to our kids.

Toxic pollutants, such as ozone, which is a major component of smog, are linked to asthma, lung, and heart disease and result in thousands of deaths every year and up to 1 million missed days of school. Our kids are particularly susceptible to this type of pollution because their lungs are still developing. On average, they take deeper breaths and are more likely to spend long periods outdoors, placing them at higher risk.

The American Lung Association states that inhaling smog pollution is like getting a sunburn on your lungs, and often results in immediate breathing trouble.

I remember very well back in the early seventies, when I was a little girl, what the air was like in my hometown in Tampa. We had a lot of industrial users at the port of Tampa, a lot of industrial plants. I have seen the progress over time that the Clean Air Act has brought to this country. We are not like other countries in the world. We are stronger, and we are better, and we are healthier because of the Clean Air Act.

So let's not go backwards. Let's not throw a roadblock like the REINS Act into the mix here. But we do have to be careful because there still are many communities in America that continue to suffer, and they are often the underserved, economically distressed communities.

Studies have shown that working class communities often bear the brunt of environmental pollution because the only homes they can afford are often located near industrial sites. According to the NAACP, 78 percent of African Americans live within 30 miles of an industrial power plant, and 71 percent of African Americans live in counties that violate Federal air pollution standards.

In addition to that, a study by the Environmental Defense Fund found that our Latino neighbors are three times more likely to die from asthma, often for those same reasons.

Let's not go backwards. Because here, what the REINS Act does is it really complicates the American system of checks and balances. Let's not go backwards. Because it is not only our families and neighbors that would suffer. It is also our economy that would suffer as well.

This type of regulatory scheme of mirrors and false promises would create great uncertainty for many of our businesses. The Clean Air Act is one example. These clean air protections in the United States have a great track record. We have grown as a country. The economic growth has tripled. Our economic base has more than tripled. Clean air protections and environmental protections go hand-in-hand with economic growth.

Since 1970, we have cut harmful air pollution by 70 percent, while our economy has grown like gang busters. I know many of you are probably going to have your eyes on the Tampa Bay area Monday night when we have the college football championship in Tampa with Alabama versus Clemson. I

want you to take a look at our clean skies, the clean air. I wish we could all be there, but I think we are going to be back here in Washington, D.C. But just know, it hasn't always been that way. When you see the beautiful sunset across Tampa Bay with clear skies, that has been because of the Clean Air Act.

But if you bring a regulatory scheme, like the REINS Act, that says you have to come back to Congress for every single little new policy that is based on updates and new science, that is going to complicate everyone's lives. I worry at the outset of this new Congress, because the first bill passed yesterday was one that short-circuited public participation, and now this bill today appears to be a late Christmas gift to corporate polluters who put profits over people. We are better than that. You can prove me wrong, though, by supporting this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, of course, this legislative body has all the power to go back to policymaking after an administrative agency makes a determination, but we are not micromanagers. We are legislators. And I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Castor amendment to protect children's health.

If you won't create an exception for children's health, I wonder, you are not willing to really recognize the fundamental constitutional basis of this government. It is one that relies on checks and balances as the basis of our government.

I urge my colleagues then to also support the Castor amendment but oppose the REINS Act in the end.

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

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republicans' Midnight Rules Relief Act.

The bill is an unnecessary abdication of legislative responsibility by the Republican-led Congress, and it is very poor public policy. The bill short-circuits open debate and public participation. It is also very wasteful because it jettisons carefully and long-crafted policies that protect American families from threats to their economic security, their health, and their safety.

Under the U.S. Constitution, after Congress passes a law, agencies craft rules to implement that legislation. If Members of Congress want to clarify or change executive branch regulations, they have a responsibility to address the matter in a transparent way and through open, regular order. Republicans don't want to do that, however,

because the public might find out what they are doing.

This Republican scheme sets a dangerous precedent by expanding the ability of the Congress to use the Congressional Review Act to disapprove hundreds of carefully crafted policies at one time and with very little notice or debate. Republicans want to reach back to last May and cherry-pick policies that they do not agree with.

But how will the public know?

That will be difficult; and, in many instances, Republicans do not want the public to know.

I urge my colleagues to reject this power grab by the new Republican Congress. It is just like what they tried to do yesterday with the Office of Congressional Ethics. These policies don't just come out of thin air. There is a long, painstaking process with extensive public comment. Public participation doesn't appear to be a priority in this new Congress, so reject this dark bill. Side, instead, with our democratic principles in America, which include open debate, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the security of our neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

My amendment provides an important safeguard for the economic security of American families by maintaining the consumer-friendly protections in the Affordable Care Act for, one, the cost-saving provisions in Medicare of lower prescription drugs for our parents and our grandparents; and, two, the vital consumer protection that prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage because someone has a preexisting condition like cancer, asthma, or diabetes.

The Affordable Care Act, which Republicans say they want to repeal without a replacement bill in sight, provided these very important consumer protections for all Americans not just for the 20 million Americans who gained health insurance through the marketplace or HealthCare.gov, but for the vast majority of Americans who are covered through Medicare, which is about 43 million Americans, and for the folks who have health insurance through their jobs, which is about 155 million Americans.

Here is what the Affordable Care Act has done for those folks: One, Medicare is stronger. The Affordable Care Act strengthened the Medicare fund, extending its life by over a decade. In addition, Medicare enrollees have benefited from huge savings in prescription drug costs. They have also saved through preventative screenings for breast and colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes; that when they go to the doctor's office now, there is no cost, there is no charge. That is the Affordable Care Act.

So if Republicans aren't careful in their zeal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, they, in essence, will be asking our parents and grandparents to pay more, a whole lot more for their prescription drugs.

Let me get a little local here. I represent the State of Florida where about 18 percent of Floridians rely on Medicare for their health care. Because of the Affordable Care Act, it has started to close the doughnut hole. Repeal it now and that stops. That goes away. Just in 2015 alone, 350,000 Florida seniors saved $351 million on their prescription drugs. That is an average of about $1,000 per beneficiary. So my amendment makes the point that Democrats are going to fight for our older neighbors to keep those savings intact, brought to you by the Affordable Care Act.

Second, we also want to put everyone on notice that Democrats intend to fight tooth and nail to keep the vital consumer protection, one of the bedrocks of the Affordable Care Act, that bars health insurance companies from refusing to cover you or charge you more because you have a preexisting condition or charge women more than men.

Whether you know it or not, all Americans have benefited from the bar on discrimination from preexisting conditions since January 1, 2014. So if you have health insurance through your employer, you have benefited from the Affordable Care Act. If you have gone to healthcare.gov because you are a student, part-time worker, or you don't have it through your job, you have benefited. If you have health insurance for your children through the Children's Health Insurance Program or Medicaid, you are no longer subject to discrimination.

Remember a few years ago when insurance companies maintained a long list of conditions where they said, if you have cancer or diabetes or something, you are automatically excluded, that is the way things worked. A congressional investigation into this practice during the healthcare reform debate uncovered more than 400 medical diagnoses or conditions that insurance used to justify coverage denial. At the top of the list were cancer, heart disease, pregnancy, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.

You know what? Generally, States with the highest rates of denial were in the South and the Midwest where the overall health status of residents has consistently been worse than in other parts of the country. The incidence of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes is higher in those States.

Well, now you cannot be discriminated against for those preexisting conditions. That kind of discrimination wasn't right. It had no place in America, so we outlawed it in the Affordable Care Act. Like one of my neighbors, Christine Roper in Tampa--Christine is 26. She recently aged off her father's insurance and was unsure how to find coverage because she has a heart condition and asthma. Before, she would have been prohibited from getting health insurance, but not today. And we are not going backwards. That is because millions of Americans who can now buy coverage would be forced back into the ranks of the uninsured.

We are going to start this Congress off by standing up for our families and rejecting any attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on my motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Well, according to the Midnight Rules Relief Act, the public really won't know, and that is the point.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

In fact, there are extensive regulations listed as major rules relating to Medicare because part of what we did in the Affordable Care Act was to begin to change Medicare from a volume-based system to a value-based system.

Major Rules Issued by the Obama Administration That Are Potentially

Eligible for Disapproval Under the Congressional Review Act in the

115th Congress

Major Rules Listed on GAO's Website As of January 3, 2017

Title of Rule (As Published in Federal Register) and RIN

Number are as follows:

Exemptions To Facilitate Intrastate and Regional Securities

Offerings 3235-AL80; Investment Company Liquidity Risk

Management Programs, 3235-AL61; Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and

EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting

High Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers, 1615-ACO5; Walking-Working

Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection

Systems), 1216-AB80; Waste Prevention, Production Subject to

Royalties, and Resource Conservation, 1004-AE14; Investment

Company Swing Pricing, 3235-AL61; Establishing a More

Effective Fair Market Rent System; Using Small Area Fair

Market Rents in the Housing Choice Voucher Program Instead of

the Current 50th Percentile FMRs, 2501-AD74; Medicare

Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician

Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2017;

Medicare Advantage Bid Pricing Data Release; Medicare

Advantage and Part D Medical Loss Ratio Data Release;

Medicare Advantage Provider Network Requirements; Expansion

of Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Model; Medicare

Shared Savings Program Requirements, 0938-AS81.

Medicare Program; CY 2017 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and

Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts,

0938-AS70; Medicare Program; Medicare Part B Monthly

Actuarial Rates, Premium Rate, and Annual Deductible

Beginning January 1, 2017, 0938-AS72; Hospital Outpatient

Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment

Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Organ Procurement

Organization Reporting and Communication; Transplant Outcome

Measures and Documentation Requirements; Electronic Health

Record (EHR) Incentive Programs; Payment to Nonexcepted Off-

Campus Provider-Based Department of a Hospital; Hospital

Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program; Establishment of

Payment Rates Under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for

Nonexcepted Items and Services Furnished by an Off-Campus

Provider-Based Department of a Hospital, 0938-AS82; Medicare

Program; Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and

Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Under the Physician

Fee Schedule, and Criteria for Physician-Focused Payment

Models, 0938-AS69; Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2017

Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update; Home

Health Value-Based Purchasing Model; and Home Health Quality

Reporting Requirements, 0938-AS80; Student Assistance General

Provisions, Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Family

Education Loan Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan

Program, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and

Higher Education Grant Program, 1840-AD19; Energy

Conservation Program, Energy Conservation Standards for

Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products, 1904-AC51.

Medicaid Program; Final FY 2014 and Preliminary FY 2016

Disproportionate Share Hospital, Allotments, and Final FY

2014 and Preliminary FY 2016 Institutions for Mental

Diseases, Disproportionate Share Hospital Limits, 0938-ZB30;

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update For The 2008 Ozone

NAAQS, 2060-AS05; Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel

Efficiency Standards for Medium-and Heavy-Duty Engines and

vehicles--Phase 2, 2060-AS16; U.S. Citizenship and

Immigration Services Fee Schedule, 1615-AC09; Treatment of

Certain Interests in Corporations as Stock or Indebtedness,

1545-BN40; Establishment of the Electronic Visa Update System

(EVUS), 1651-AB08; ONC Health IT Certification Program:

Enhanced Oversight and Accountability, 0955-AA00; Cleaning

Requirement Determination Under Section 2(H) Of The Commodity

Exchange Act For Interest Rate Swaps, 3038-AE20; Standards

For Covered Clearing Agencies, 3235-AL48.

Medicare And Medicaid Programs; Reform Of Requirements For

Long-Term Care Facilities, 0938-AR61; Child Care And

Development Fund (CCDF) Program, 0970-AC67; Establishing Paid

Sick Leave For Federal Contractors, 1235-AAI3; OCC Guidelines

Establishing Standards For Recovery Planning By Certain Large

Insured National Banks, Insured Federal Savings Associations,

And Insured Federal Branches; Technical Amendments, 1557-

AD96; Emergency Preparedness Requirements For Medicare And

Medicaid Participating Providers And Suppliers, 0938-A091;

Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations On Certain Federal Indian

Reservations And Ceded Lands For The 2016-17 Season, 1018-

BA70; Safety And Effectiveness Of Consumer Antiseptics;

Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products For Over-The-Counter-

Human Use, 0910-AF69; Head Start Performance Standards, 0970-

AC63; Standards Of Performance For Municipal Solid Waste

Landfills, 2060-AM08; Emission Guidelines And Compliance

Times For Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, 2060-AS23.

Federal Acquisition Regulation; Fair Pay And Safe

Workplaces, 9000-AM81; Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient

Prospective Payment Systems For Acute Care Hospitals And The

Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System & Policy

Changes & Fiscal Year 2017 Rates; Quality Reporting

Requirements For Specific Providers; Graduate Medical

Education; Hospital Notification Procedures Applicable To

Beneficiaries Receiving Observation Services; Technical

Changes Relating To Costs To Organizations & Medicare Cost

Reports; Finalization Of Interim Final Rules With Comment

Period On LTCH PPS Payments For Severe Wounds, Modifications

Of Limitations On Redesignation By The Medicare Geographic

Classification Review Board, & Extensions Of Payments To MDHS

And Low-Volume Hospitals, 0938-AS77; 0938-AS88; 0938-AS41;

Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act; Joint Rule For

Unified And Combined State Plans, Performance Accountability,

And The One-Stop System Joint Provisions; Final Rule, 1205-

AB74; Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act, 1205-AB73;

Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System And Consolidated

Billing For Skilled Nursing Facilities For FY 2017, SNF

Value-Based Purchasing Program, SNF Quality Reporting

Program, And SNF Payment Models Research, 0938-AS75.

Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility

Prospective Payment System For Federal Fiscal Year 2017,

0938-AS78; Medicare Program; FF 2017 Hospice Wage Index And

Payment Rate Update And Hospice Quality Reporting

Requirements, 0938-AS79; Margin And Capital Requirements For

Covered Swap Entities, 3052-AC69; Medicare Program; FY 2017

Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System--

Rate Update, 0938-AS76; National School Lunch Program And

School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards For All Foods

Sold In School As Required By The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids

Act Of 2010, 0584-AE09; Revised Critical Infrastructure

Protection Reliability Standards, No RIN provided; Amendments

To The Commission's Rules Of Practice, 3235-AL87; Disclosure

Of Payments By Resource Extraction Issuers, 3235-AL53;

Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons And Bag And Possession Limits

For Certain Migratory Game Birds, 1018-BA70; Oil and Gas And

Sulfur Operations On The Outer Continental Shelf--

Requirements For Exploratory Drilling On The Arctic Outer

Continental Shelf, 1082-AA00.

Medication Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorders,

0930-AA22; Department Of Labor Federal Civil Penalties

Inflation Adjustment Act Catch-Up Adjustments, 1290-AA31;

General Administrative Regulations; Catastrophic Risk

Protection Endorsement; Area Risk Protection Insurance

Regulations; And The Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Basic

Provisions, 0563-AC49; Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

For Military Personnel, 0790-AJ17; Operation And

Certification Of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 2120-AJ60;

Transit Asset Management; National Transit Database; FTA-

2014-0020, 2132-AB07; Revision Of Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery

For Fiscal Year 2016, 3150-AJ66; Medicare Program; Medicare

Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests Payment System, 0938-

AS33; Jams Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Reauthorization Act, 1105-AB49; Energy Conservation Program:

Energy Conservation Standards For Battery Chargers, Energy

Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards For

Dehumidifiers, 1904-AC81; Removal Of Mandatory Country Of

Origin Labeling Requirements For Beef And Pork Muscle Cuts,

Ground Beef, And Ground Pork, 0581-AD29.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and patriotic service.

I rise today to pay tribute to a truly gifted leader of the Tampa Bay community, Evangeline Best. Her boundless energy and unending civic engagement are an inspiration to all. Today, I am grateful to recognize her innumerable contributions to Hillsborough County.

Evangeline Best is a native Floridian who was raised in Tampa. She earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina and a Masters in Education at Florida A&M University. Ms. Best has been a tireless advocate for community development and education as a means of ending poverty. Ms. Best's impressive career in education began in Tampa where she worked for over 27 years as a Family Services Worker for Hillsborough County Schools and completed the last 5 years as the Family Services Coordinator.

Beyond Ms. Best's professional career, she also committed her personal life to the betterment of her neighbors in Hillsborough County. She served as Chairman of the East Tampa School Community Partnership as well as Vice Chairwoman of the Heart of East Tamp-Front Porch, Inc. Both are organizations critical to the success of East Tampa and Hillsborough County. Currently she serves on a number of vital committees including Vice Chair of the Corporation to Develop Communities in Tampa, Inc., and as a member of the Board of Directors with the West Central Florida Area Aging Advisory Committee, as well as a member of the Florida State Fair Diversity Committee. She also volunteers weekly with the Abe Brown Ministries Family Reunification Video Visitation Program and is a consultant for REACH UP, Inc.

Given her outstanding efforts, Ms. Best has received a number of honors and awards including the 2010 Bank of America ``Volunteer Hero Award'', the 2005 National Head Start Association ``Lifetime Achievement Award'', and the 2005 Neighborhood Works New Horizons ``Dorothy Richardson Award'' for Community Leadership and Commitment Revitalization America's Neighborhoods. Her accomplishments include 50 years of community involvement as a member of the First Baptist Church of College Hill, the Tampa Urban League, as well as the Hillsborough Educators Association.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Best's diligent and unrelenting service has made my Tampa Bay community a better place to live--one filled with more hope and opportunities because of her attention and love for others. She has set an example of how to be a devoted public servant, mother, and friend. Please join me in celebrating her outstanding efforts to make this world a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and patriotic service.

I rise today to honor the life of a true champion of education, Lew Williams. His 36-year career in public service and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of children will be remembered forever. Born in Baker County, Georgia, Mr. Williams grew up in poverty and knew education was his ticket to a better life. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina and his Masters Degree from South Carolina State University. He married his beloved wife, Arthurene Sims and they had two children: Brandi, a literacy specialist at Melrose Elementary, and Brandon, a student at Stetson University College of Law.

In 1970, Mr. Williams began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Dunedin Middle. He soon rose to be principal of Fairmount Park, South Ward, Dunedin Elementary, and Seminole Middle as well as Pinellas Park High. He became the Director of School Operations in 1987 and was promoted to Associate Superintendent for Pupil Assignment and Area II Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools before his retirement in 2005. Mr. Williams was elected to Pinellas County School Board in 2010.

Although Mr. Williams was a soft-spoken man, when he spoke people listened. In his tireless dedication to his students, he wanted not only to educate them through books, but to equip them with life skills to succeed. He recognized the challenges that low-income and minority students faced, so he worked tirelessly to build relationships and connect with children and their families. He constantly pushed to create opportunities for those students some may have forgotten.

Mr. Williams always seemed to have the pulse of the district's needs and how to address them. He faced budget crises head-on while closing the achievement gap between races and income levels. He saw the need and spearheaded an effort to implement measures that dealt with chronically disruptive students in ways that integrated rather than alienated. He strived to give parents the tools they need to help their children succeed in academics and life.

After his retirement in 2005, he and his wife ran a preschool and he subsequently won the School Board seat. His slogan was ``Keep the main thing the main thing.'' And that philosophy defined his approach of always putting children first regardless of status or race. Mr. Williams passed away December 3, 2011 but his legacy will live on through the many student's lives he has changed for the better.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and patriotic service.

I rise today to pay tribute to a truly gifted leader of the Tampa Bay community, Mr. Jetie Wilds. Mr. Wilds dedicated his life to educating people about public service, bringing communities together, and inspiring a way forward for all people in Tampa. Today it is a privilege for me to honor his incredible legacy.

Mr. Wilds was born in Tampa, Florida to a family of 12 children. At a young age, Mr. Wilds volunteered on political campaigns and developed a passion for political activism and engagement. This strong commitment to bettering the community led him to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he obtained a Bachelor's degree. He was deeply involved in the civil rights movement by regularly participating in peace marches and sit-ins. During this time, Mr. Wilds married his wife of over 49 years, Ozepher. Mr. Wilds then began his career staying true to his roots as a public servant by becoming a middle school math teacher.

Mr. Wilds' public advocacy was not limited to civil rights; he was an ardent environmentalist who served as a community organizer for greater environmental regulations in Portland, Oregon. While there, he obtained a Master's degree in urban planning at Portland State University. His knowledge of environmental policy later led him to Washington, D.C. where he conducted research on the impact of environmental regulations on the African American community.

Mr. Wilds returned to Tampa in 1996 and spearheaded his now locally renowned radio show, Citizen's Report. During each broadcast, Mr. Wilds brought to light the significant issues facing the Tampa Bay community. He quickly developed a rapport with his audience because of his intellect and candor that kept the show on air for over 15 years. His efforts to educate and inspire action on important political issues continued through his weekly column in Tampa's trilingual newspaper, La Gaceta. This column consistently provided a profound perspective on issues that transcended cultural and racial boundaries.

Mr. Wilds' leadership and tireless work earned him numerous accolades including Man of the Year from the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce, Boss of the Year from the Professional Women's Organization and Distinguished College Alumnus from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.

Mr. Wilds will always be remembered as a leader who united people of all races and ethnicities for the common cause of community betterment. Whether he was running for office, teaching a class or providing an insightful voice for our community on the radio--Jetie Wilds was a true public servant. On September 21, 2014, Mr. Wilds passed away at the age of 74. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Mr. Jetie Wilds, Jr. for his lifelong service to the State of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and patriotic service.

I rise today to honor a dedicated community leader and equal rights champion, Gwen Reese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Ms. Reese was born in St. Petersburg and is a proud graduate of Gibbs High School as well as St. Petersburg Junior College. Ms. Reese has dedicated her career to supporting initiatives that lift families. She began as a counselor for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Services for the YWCA of Tampa Bay. Thanks to her passion and diligent work, she was consistently promoted, rising to become the Director of Administrative Services of the YWCA of Tampa from 1994-1999. Ms. Reese continued to be a voice for Florida families by serving as a Coordinator for both Healthy Start of Pinellas and the Midtown Health Council. In both capacities she focused on reducing infant mortality as well as other initiatives designed to improve the effectiveness of health care delivery and outcomes.

Ms. Reese's unrelenting service has led her to play an important role in numerous service organizations and projects in Tampa Bay. Currently, she serves as the District Manager of Professional Opportunities Program for Students (POPS) Inc. which provides career seminars, college tours, internships, and community service projects to assist area high school students in exploring and experiencing different career goals. Furthermore, Ms. Reese organizes the annual Stand Against Racism event and the Week Without Violence activities. These events bring attention to significant issues facing our community.

Ms. Reese has been an outspoken advocate for preserving the history of African Americans' contributions to the St. Petersburg community. Her passion led to her selection as the President of the African American Heritage Association. Under her leadership, the African American Heritage Association developed a walking trail through historic neighborhoods in St. Petersburg. It captured the oral histories of the great people like those who built tracks for the Orange Belt Railway, laid Augusta blocks in the Historic Old Northeast, and made the prized hex blocks seen on some city sidewalks.

Ms. Reese brought the St. Petersburg community together through this project. She has witnessed great moments in the community created by the project. Her favorite instance was when 25 high school students from Gibbs High School, Pinellas County's first public high school for black students, interviewed the residents who had witnessed immense changes in the community on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

We truly appreciate the outstanding work that Ms. Reese has done to preserve and venerate the history and contributions of African Americans. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Ms. Reese for her wonderful service to Pinellas County and to the State of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is a great help to American families.

Most Americans have health insurance through their employer. The ACA provides important consumer protections for those families. They cannot end your policy if you get sick, your copayments and premiums have to go to health services and not to profits for insurance companies, and kids aged 26 or younger can stay on your own health insurance plan.

For Americans on Medicare, the ACA is saving you money. In fact, since passage of the ACA, more than 7.9 million people who rely on Medicare have saved almost $10 billion on prescription drugs. You have new wellness checkups, and the Affordable Care Act extended the life of the Medicare trust fund for more than a decade.

Finally, before the ACA, many Americans were barred from health insurance because of a previous diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, or something else. The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for them because it ended discrimination and created new marketplaces for Americans to shop for the best plan for their families.

In Florida alone, my home State, 1.5 million Floridians have already signed up for a plan in the marketplace in the upcoming year. That is 1.5 million Floridians.

Please, colleagues, don't take this away. Vote ``no'' on this bill.

I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, this is a terrible time for Republicans in Congress to play political games with America's homeland security. Our country and its citizens must remain safe and secure. International travel, border crossings, and our transportation systems must be protected. In Florida, this is an economic issue as well.

In a recent Gallup Poll, Americans named politicians as their top concern over even the economy and jobs, and this Republican bill is a fine example of why that is: at the heart of the House Republicans' obstruction of homeland security is their inattention to bipartisan solutions and their continued dodging of needed immigration reform.

Remember last session? The Senate passed a bipartisan bill. It was passed overwhelmingly, but it hit a roadblock here in the House, and this roadblock continues to be a drag on the economy. One particularly heartless amendment will be offered by Republicans that directs young DREAM Act students to pack their bags and leave America, even though America is the only country they have ever known.

I am perplexed with the heartless amendments from the Republicans in Congress because, in the State of Florida, our Republican legislature passed a law last year to provide instate tuition to the same DREAM Act students.

Now, the Republican Congress wants to send them packing. This is unnecessarily harsh, and it is inconsistent with our American values. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Section 2:

``The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.

``A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from California for her longstanding leadership, her commitment to human rights and change in a positive way for the relationship between the United States of America and Cuba.

I also would be remiss if I didn't recognize some of my other colleagues who have been in this, have encouraged a change in policy for many, many years, if not decades: Congressman Farr, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman McGovern, Congressman Van Hollen, Congressman Polis, Congressman Meeks, and many others who have taken it upon themselves to visit the island of Cuba, like the average American is not allowed to do, and learn about the real situation on the ground there.

I also commend the Obama administration and the President for his bold move in finally moving this outdated, anachronistic policy towards Cuba into a positive direction. Because just think about this: since the embargo has been in place and our policy of isolation has been in place, we had a war with Vietnam, but we have come to reconcile with the Vietnamese, and now the Vietnamese people have seen great economic reforms because America was engaged. Even after World War II, when we had a world war against Germany, you have to turn the page and move on in human history, and we were able to do that with one of our closest allies now with Germany. So why not Cuba?

In the Tampa Bay area I represent a lot of Cuban-American families. In fact, the bulk of my constituent work often involves family unification. It is not uncommon every week to have a situation where there is a dying grandmother in the United States and her grandchildren in Cuba would like to come and visit. And yet over the past years, they have been subjected to the worst kind of bureaucratic red tape that has not allowed them to travel freely to America, and the same for American citizens.

Did you know that Americans are not allowed to travel freely to Cuba? Many people don't know that Cuba is really one of the only nations in the entire world where our constitutional rights to travel are restricted. And we think now with the Obama administration's move we will begin to open the door to greater travel, in recognition of our own human rights and constitutional rights.

But I think it is really for our families to be able to unify them. It is only a 1-hour flight from Tampa to Havana. It is less than that, and it is a beautiful flight. And yet it has been off limits for so long. So thank you to the Obama administration for beginning to take the steps to open this up.

I want folks to know Cuba is changing. Just like the Congresswoman who has traveled there multiple times, I traveled on a fact-finding mission not too long ago. There are meaningful economic reforms under way. America needs to be there to encourage it, to move it along faster and farther.

People now in Cuba can own some private property. There are new small businesses and entrepreneurs that have the ability to step away from government control and take control of their own lives. There is decentralization of power. But unless America is engaged, we are not going to be able to continue those economic reforms and press for improvements in human rights.

This is also an important time for America to capitalize on the changes in the world economy. Remember for a long time it was the Soviet Union that supported Cuba, or it was Venezuela. Well, now with the energy revolution in America, there has never been a better time for America to use its influence in the world, its economic power, its pressing for human rights, as Venezuela doesn't carry the day anymore. Their economy is in turmoil. The same for Russia. The economic conditions now play to our advantage, and we need to use it to improve human rights on the island, to improve family unification, and begin to establish those all important diplomatic ties.

In my hometown of Tampa, they have led the way. My Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce has traveled a number of times. They would like to reestablish trade ties. There have been enormous numbers of cultural exchanges. The Florida Orchestra had a multiyear exchange with the Orchestra of Cuba. Ybor City businessmen have instituted art celebrations with the Cuban people right in the heart of Tampa. The University of Tampa's baseball team went and played the Cuban national team. Yes, and the University of Tampa did prevail, much to the chagrin of the Cubans.

But these are the ways that you build a relationship, a greater foundation for economic reform and human rights reform. In fact, it is the Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa that is going to fund the first Catholic parish on the island of Cuba in the coming years. If we cannot stand as leaders in the Western Hemisphere for religious freedom, for human rights, for economic engagement and improvement, who will? It is our time. I thank the leaders in this Congress that have pressed for this change, I commend President Obama for taking this bold move, and I encourage all Members of Congress to travel there and listen to the people, listen to their cries for positive change. We have it within our power to lift the embargo and begin to press on these issues, and I hope that we will.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the distinguished career of John Wilson. His remarkable broadcasting accomplishments and his outstanding work in the Tampa Bay community is worthy of recognition by all.

Mr. Wilson grew up in a small coal-mining town in Virginia. When he was 15, Mr. Wilson started his work in broadcasting as a disc jockey and news reporter for his local television station. After graduating from the Virginia Commonwealth University, Mr. Wilson was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served with the Armed Forces Radio in Panama. He was honored with the Army Commendation Medal for Excellence in Broadcasting for his service.

Mr. Wilson's tremendous career has led him across the country and around the world. Before settling in the Tampa Bay area in 1981, he anchored primetime newscasts in Richmond, Norfolk, Charlotte, and St. Louis. His passion for reporting took him abroad several times to conduct special reports about hard-hitting issues in Normandy, Guantanamo Bay, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Moscow. Over his 50 years in broadcasting, Mr. Wilson has been recognized with three Emmy Awards, numerous Associated Press awards, and most recently, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadcasters Club of Florida in 2013.

Not only has Mr. Wilson impacted the Tampa Bay area with his excellent journalistic reporting, he has also strengthened our community through his support of nonprofit organizations. Mr. Wilson and his wife of 48 years, Mary K., regularly volunteer by singing and performing for many civic and charitable organizations including The Boys and Girls Clubs, the National Red Cross, St. Anthony's Hospital, and The Junior League of St. Petersburg. Mr. Wilson is also a gifted and popular emcee, narrator, and speaker.

As Mr. Wilson moves towards retirement, he must be particularly proud to have his son, Mark, continue his legacy as the evening news anchor for WTVT. Mr. Wilson's innumerable achievements are a true reflection of his exceptional success in the broadcasting industry. His insight, professionalism, and support of our community have earned him an unprecedented level of respect that is well deserved. On behalf of the Tampa Bay community that has greatly benefited from his dedicated service, I am honored to congratulate Mr. Wilson on his remarkable career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to honor an extraordinary leader and champion of human rights, Dr. Lydia Medrano. Her remarkable career in public service has had a tremendous impact on the Tampa Bay community.

Dr. Medrano's career has been devoted to healthcare and human rights. Dr. Medrano came to Florida from Puerto Rico. She received her doctorate degree in Sociology and Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida. Her devotion to her community led her to serve as associate director for the international division of Planned Parenthood of America in the Latin American Regional Office. Later she worked as a researcher and evaluator at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, an independent taxing authority that funds dozens of specialized programs geared towards improving the health and well-being of Tampa Bay's children and families. Dr. Medrano joined the Children's Board almost from its inception and, during her tenure, she helped ensure an accessible community system of care and successful outcomes through her array of responsibilities, including evaluation, contract management, research ethics and community engagement activities. After 22 years, she retired this year.

In addition to dedicating her career to healthier children and families, her passion for healthcare and human rights has driven her to lead and support numerous local initiatives. She was cochair of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute's Hispanic Advisory Council and the USF ACSSP (Hispanic Health) Research Project. She is also a past member of the Board of the Hispanic Professional Women Association and a member of the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women. Dr. Medrano's outstanding contributions to the community has led to her being recognized with numerous awards including the 2009 Human Rights Award by the Tampa Hillsborough Human Rights Council and the 2004 Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Tampa- Hillsborough Hispanic Heritage.

Dr. Medrano has retired but she has not stopped working for our Hispanic community and civil rights. She continues to serve as Florida State Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers our Hispanic Americans. LULAC was a strong partner in helping Spanish-speaking residents learn about their options under the Affordable Care Act Education and enroll in the marketplace. Moreover, LULAC is educating communities in our state and across the country about the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Dr. Medrano serves on my roundtable for comprehensive immigration reform and has been an invaluable partner in fighting for this crucial cause-- we will not give up. Twenty councils across Florida trust and depend on Dr. Medrano's leadership to build strong Latino communities through advocacy and education. Her enthusiasm is truly an inspiration.

Dr. Medrano's tireless and selfless advocacy efforts have helped to create a better Tampa Bay community. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Medrano for her outstanding service as a researcher, mentor and community leader.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a truly gifted leader of the Tampa Bay community, Mr. Jetie Wilds. Mr. Wilds' dedicated his life to educating people about politics, bringing communities together, and inspiring a way forward for all people in Tampa. Today it is a privilege for me to honor his incredible legacy.

Mr. Wilds was born in Tampa, Florida to a family of 12 children. At a young age, Mr. Wilds volunteered on political campaigns and developed a passion for political activism and engagement. This strong commitment to bettering the community led him to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he obtained a Bachelor's degree. He was deeply involved in the civil rights movement by regularly participating in peace marches and sit-ins. During this time, Mr. Wilds married his wife of over 49 years, Ozepher. Mr. Wilds then began his career staying true to his roots as a public servant by becoming a middle school math teacher.

Mr. Wilds' public advocacy was not limited to civil rights; he was an ardent environmentalist who served as a community organizer for greater environmental regulations in Portland, Oregon. While there, he obtained a Master's degree in urban planning at Portland State University. His knowledge of environmental policy later led him to Washington, D.C. where he conducted research on the impact of environmental regulations on the African American community.

Mr. Wilds returned to Tampa in 1996 and spearheaded his now locally renowned radio show, Citizens Report. During each broadcast, Mr. Wilds brought to light the significant issues facing the Tampa Bay community. He quickly developed a rapport with his audience because of his intellect and candor that kept the show on air for over 15 years. His efforts to educate and inspire action on important political issues continued through his weekly column in Tampa's trilingual newspaper, La Gaceta. This column consistently provided a profound perspective on issues that transcended cultural and racial boundaries.

Mr. Wilds' leadership and tireless work earned him numerous accolades including Man of the Year from the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce, Boss of the Year from the Professional Women's Organization and Distinguished College Alumnus from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.

Mr. Wilds will always be remembered as a leader who united people of all races and ethnicities for the common cause of community betterment. Whether he was running for office, teaching a class or providing an insightful voice for our community on the radio--Jetie Wilds was a true public servant. On September 21, 2014, Mr. Wilds passed away at the age of 74. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Mr. Jetie Wilds, Jr. for his lifelong service to the State of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to recognize the incredible accomplishments of Mr. Carlos Betancourt. Mr. Betancourt's tireless, selfless service to the community has been a remarkable asset to the Tampa Bay area.

Mr. Betancourt is a skilled immigration paralegal who is certified by the Immigration Review Board and is accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to handle cases in Tampa.

Mr. Betancourt's remarkable career began with the Bay Area Legal Services in 1978. He later worked at Gulf Coast Legal Service, a partner agency at the Family Justice Center, as a paralegal in 2003. Due to his talent and passion, he quickly rose to Office Manager at its Tampa location. While there, Mr. Betancourt helped provide free legal aid to immigrant victims of domestic violence and crimes. His work on these important issues continues today as Mr. Betancourt works with the Hispanic Services Council that advocates for immigrant children and battered women.

Mr. Betancourt's leadership and determination to serve others is part of every aspect of his life. He occasionally volunteers at the Hispanic Outreach Program and is an engaged participant in my roundtable discussions on comprehensive immigration reform. His efforts earned him recognition from the Hillsborough County Domestic Violence Task Force who honored him with the ``Achievements Against Domestic Violence Award'' in 2012.

Mr. Betancourt is committed to educating and assisting our most vulnerable neighbors--one family at a time--to live safe, productive lives through compassionate legal aid. His integrity and passion for service sets an example that we should all aspire to. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Mr. Carlos Betancourt for his outstanding service, not only to our district, but to the State of Florida.