Michael M. Honda

Mr. Speaker, because I was attending the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 636, the America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015.

I support many of the goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, but I am concerned that H.R. 636 does not pay for them. I am a strong supporter of helping small businesses succeed. Small businesses power the American economy, and some of the provisions in this bill will help these small companies remain healthy, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable.

H.R. 636 will add $79.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years and puts further pressure on the United States' domestic discretionary priorities. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor or votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, because I was traveling to attend the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015.

While I support goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, I am concerned that H.R. 644 does not pay for them. I have long been a supporter of improving and streamlining charitable donations to make it easier for individuals to donate food, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable.

H.R. 644 will add $14.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor for votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In fact, Santa Clara County of my Silicon Valley district also proclaimed this month as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

In the fight against this modern-day slavery, I am proud to introduce the vital bipartisan legislation--Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act--alongside my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe, Karen Bass, and Rodney Davis.

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a disease upon our humanity, and it remains the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise. According to the International Labor Organization, trafficking is an estimated $150 billion industry worldwide, which exploits nearly 21 million victims around the world.

Sadly, my home state of California is near the top in reported trafficking cases. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40 percent of the human trafficking activity on the West Coast comes through the three Bay Area airports of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

My legislation will turn back the tide of human trafficking, as it allows those survivors who were impacted by this cruel system to

voice their experiences and educate policymakers. Specifically, this bill will create a survivors-led U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to review federal government policy and programs on human trafficking. This council will advise, formulate assessments and recommendations, and submit reports to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President's Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking Persons.

Directly hearing and learning from those who fell victim to this heinous crime is the best tool to eliminate human trafficking. Ultimately, this legislation values survivors, beyond just their stories. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this crucial bill, so that we may finally rid of human trafficking--once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, be it labor or sex trafficking, human trafficking is the worst kind of atrocity. Each day, this scourge continues to endanger, exploit, and enslave lives. Even as we bring further awareness to this crime this month of January, we must sustain the fight each and every day.