Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in our effort to raise awareness for the growing opioid epidemic in America, particularly in the State of California.

In 2016, nearly 5,000 Californians died of opioid overdoses. Astonishingly, the year before, 122 million prescription opioid pills were dispensed in Orange County.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow this cycle of opioid abuse and death to continue, which is why Congress must work together to end the epidemic.

I proudly supported recently enacted legislation that provides $4 billion of prevention, treatment, and law enforcement programs that help address this growing crisis.

Ending the opioid epidemic starts at home. On April 28, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives Americans the opportunity to safely dispose of their excess prescription drugs, including opioids. This effort can reduce the possibility that these pills will find their way onto our streets.

There is still work to be done, but I am confident that together we can end the opioid crisis in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the topic of my Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, in February, Congressman Paul Mitchell of Michigan and I established the Tax Reform Truth Tellers series to combat the misinformation being spread about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Today I had the distinct honor of joining my colleagues from the great States of California and New York to talk about the benefits this historic tax reform bill is having on our communities and local economies.

When it comes to taxes, our two States have something in common: some of the highest State tax rates in the country.

My district in Orange County, California, is home to great people, beautiful weather, and a rich history, but it is also located in the highest taxed State in the Nation.

It is my duty to find ways to help my constituents build and achieve their American Dream, whether it is opening a small business, sending their children to college, or saving for retirement. Unfortunately, high taxes can prevent these dreams from becoming a reality.

While the State legislatures in Sacramento and Albany keep placing

crushing tax burdens on their residents, congressional Republicans take action to lower the Federal tax burden on hardworking Americans and job creators in our districts.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did just that by lowering rates and restoring the ability of American companies to compete globally.

For too long, our Tax Code was broken. It imposed high tax rates on families, individuals, and small businesses; it was full of special interest loopholes; it contained a tax structure that encouraged companies to ship jobs overseas; and individuals, families, and job creators spent nearly 9 billion hours each year preparing their taxes, which cost the economy $400 billion in lost productivity.

Last December, we addressed those issues and fixed our outdated Tax Code when we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This legislation lowers rates for nearly every taxpayer, doubles the standard deduction for individual and joint filers, and maintains popular deductions that will help working families in cities like Irvine, Mission Viejo, and Tustin.

When the new withholding rates took effect in February, Orange County residents saw their take-home pay increase. Now, families and individuals are rightfully keeping more of their hard-earned paychecks.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has also encouraged economic growth and job creation. Since the tax reform package was signed into law, our economy has experienced its most robust growth rate since 2005, consumer and manufacturing confidence are near record highs, and just last month, the U.S. economy experienced its strongest month of job growth in nearly 2 years.

Over 500 companies have given their employees new benefits, like pay raises, bonuses, and increased matching 401(k) contributions. In the last 3 months, 4 million American workers have received bonuses.

Furthermore, the National Association for Business Economics has increased its 2018 economic growth projections to nearly 3 percent. This positive economic news is a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Mr. Speaker, the results of tax reform are exceeding our expectations, especially in my district. Some were concerned about the potential ramifications this bill would have on Orange County, but in the last few months, our community and local economy has flourished. Orange County residents are keeping more of their paychecks, allowing them to spend and invest their own money as they see fit; after all, it is their money, not the government's.

Local businesses are benefiting, allowing them to create jobs and provide higher wages for their employees. One example is the Walt Disney Company, Orange County's largest employer and the place where I held my first job as a senior in high school. With their savings under the new Tax Code, Disney gave each of its 125,000 employees a $1,000 cash bonus. Disney also established a new higher education initiative that will cover tuition costs for hourly employees.

STERIS, a medical device company, has several facilities throughout the State of California, including one in Tustin. Following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, STERIS gave its employees a $1,000 bonus. Throughout the country, millions of Americans are benefiting from tax reform, and STERIS is an example of a company making those benefits a reality for my constituents in Tustin, California.

These Orange County companies reflect just a small sampling of the success the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is having across the Nation.

Today, my colleagues from California and New York will share their stories from their districts about how their communities and local economies are thriving due to the new tax law.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), a United States Army veteran, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and a representative of California's 25th District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), my friend and a member of the Committee on Agriculture and the representative of California's 21st District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney), a member of the House Financial Services Committee and the Representative of New York's 22nd District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Collins), a fellow member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Representative of the 27th District of New York.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham), my friend and colleague, and a member of the House Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, who represents the 10th District of California.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock), a fellow Californian and a member of the House Budget Committee, who represents the Fourth District of California.

Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of Americans will see an increase in take-home pay because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Under this new law, a typical middle-income family of four will see an average tax cut of over $2,000. Those cuts will vary from State to State. In California, a family of four will see a cut of $2,840, and in New York, $3,129.

Individuals and families will take this money and put it toward their retirements, mortgage payments, or college savings.

There are over 400 Chipotle locations in California. In fact, California has the most Chipotle restaurants in the country. Since the Tax Cuts and Job Act passed, Chipotle is providing hourly and salaried workers with bonuses up to $1,000 or a stock grant. The company is also improving employee benefits and has announced plans to provide additional paid parental leave. These bonuses and increased benefits make a big difference in people's lives.

Chipotle also plans to spend $50 million to renovate its stores. This means opportunities for construction companies and numerous small subcontractors, which will invigorate local economies, including my home of Orange County.

Tax reform is spurring the free market economy to provide opportunity and an increased standard of living for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, according to a recent survey, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has significantly improved the economic outlook for small businesses. The survey recorded historic highs in the small business confidence index, showing that support for tax reform is growing within the small business community.

In fact, small businesses have rallied around the new tax policy, with over half of the country's small-business owners viewing the law as having a positive effect on their business. Nearly half of small businesses expect to see immediate tax benefits this year. Small businesses are the leading job creators in our country and are the engines of economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, McDonald's is one of the largest employers in California, with over 1,000 locations. Following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, McDonald's announced plans to contribute $150 million to cover tuition costs, expanding its current Archways to Opportunity education program.

Nearly 400,000 employees are eligible for benefits that can be used toward college or trade school. McDonald's now offers $2,500 per year in tuition benefits for crew members, and $3,000 per year in tuition benefits for store managers.

Thousands of McDonald's employees will benefit from this enhanced program, and it is thanks to tax reform that companies like McDonald's are able to do more to empower their employees.

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

Mr. Speaker, It is my honor to rise today in recognition of the 130th Anniversary of the City of Orange, California.

Incorporated on April 6, 1888, Orange was once home to a population of less than 1,000 people.

Since then, it has become home to world-class institutions and award- winning schools.

The Children's Hospital of Orange County and UC Irvine Medical Center are located in Orange, where they serve the local community and families throughout Southern California.

It also boasts 25 Gold Ribbon schools with a nearly 98 percent graduation rate.

Much has changed over the last 130 years, yet Old Towne Orange remains a living time capsule of this community's humble beginnings.

As the antique capital of Southern California, thousands of visitors come each year to see the plaza's traditional architecture and enjoy one of the best Main Streets in the Nation.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the community members who live there, the City of Orange has preserved its unique charm and has rightfully earned its place in the National Register of Historic Places.

Mr. Speaker, Orange is an invaluable cornerstone of Orange County and an important economic driver for our region.

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the City of Orange on its 130th anniversary.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act.

I also want to thank my colleague, Ann Wagner, for her dedication to this issue and her efforts to bring this bill to the floor.

The underlying bill will help crack down on online facilitators of human sex trafficking to end this modern-day slavery. My amendment will allow enforcement of criminal and civil sex trafficking laws against websites that knowingly facilitate online sex trafficking activities.

Mr. Chairman, this issue is of significant local concern in the heart of my district in Orange County. Last year, a major international sex trafficking ring was uncovered in a quiet Irvine, California, neighborhood. Young women from overseas were sold repeatedly through the website Backpage.com.

Websites like Backpage, which are essentially storefronts for the facilitation of sex trafficking, have been able to operate with impunity. My amendment, in conjunction with the underlying bill, will help prosecutors crack down on websites that knowingly facilitate or promote sex trafficking, while keeping in place safeguards for those who responsibly publish third-party content. This legislation will empower sex trafficking survivors to come forward and seek justice.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and putting an end to the human sex trafficking industry in America, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim the time I yielded back.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding and for his efforts to share the stories of Americans who are seeing the positive impacts of tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to set the record straight on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. From day one, misinformation about the benefits of this historic tax reform plan have circulated. The truth is that Americans across the country are receiving bonuses, pay increases, and other benefits that are helping them support their families and save for their futures.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Michigan and I started the Truth Tellers Initiative on Tax Reform to highlight the many ways this bill helps the American people.

Since December, we have witnessed the positive impacts of tax reform. Small businesses are expanding, jobs are being created, retirement and benefit packages are increasing in value, and the American people are keeping more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Over the coming months, Representatives from each State will have the opportunity to share how tax reform has helped their constituents.

Mr. Speaker, 2\1/2\ days ago, Democrats shut down the Federal Government in an attempt to score political points at the expense of the American people.

Democrats chose to ignore the impact that this has on our Nation. Over 2 million troops go unpaid as they bravely continue to serve and protect us. Nine million American children--16,000 of whom reside in Orange County--don't have the long-term assurance of healthcare coverage.

Mr. Speaker, this is no way to run a government. The vast majority of Democrats do not disagree with any part of the House-passed continuing resolution, yet they chose to shutter the Government over unrelated issues.

Democrat leadership chose this reckless course of action at the expense of the American people.

Open the government. Stop this reckless political ploy, and let us get on with serving the American people.

Mr. Speaker, It is my honor to rise today in recognition of Orange Park Acres, a beautiful rural community located in my district in Orange County, California.

This community has stood the test of time, and stands today as a living reminder of our county's humble beginnings of horse drawn buggies, dirt roads, and miles of pristine natural landscape.

Orange Park Acres serves many Orange County residents as a retreat from the noise and congestion of city life, offering miles of quiet trails to enjoy with family and friends in our own backyard.

This year, Mr. Speaker, Orange Park Acres will celebrate 90 years since its establishment.

Through the dedication of the community members who call this hidden gem home, I am confident that Orange Park Acres will enjoy many more years of prosperity to come.

Once again, I would like to wish the community of Orange Park Acres a Happy New Year filled with celebrations and pride over the many accomplishments of the past 90 years.

Mr. Speaker, California is experiencing the worst fire season in its history. Tragically, these fires have taken 46 lives, including one of our brave Cal Fire firefighters, Cory Iverson.

California has lost nearly 10,000 homes and structures since the start of the October wildfires. The need for relief and assistance is immediate.

Mr. Speaker, I support the swift passage of the Emergency Disaster Aid Package, which includes legislation I introduced, the California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2017.

These specific provisions will allow victims to deduct property damages and access retirement funds without penalty, as well as encourage charitable giving.

Passage of this bill will help mitigate the burden of these devastating wildfires and allow people to begin rebuilding their lives.

Mr. Speaker, California faces a long road to recovery and rebuild from this devastating fire season. I urge my colleagues to aid in that recovery by voting for the Emergency Disaster Aid Package.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4661, the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017.

Mr. Speaker, 2017 has been the most devastating year in California wildfire history. Thousands of California residents were displaced, over 1 million

acres burned, and thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed by this year's fires.

Now, more than ever, it is critical that California's fire departments are fully staffed. SAFER grants provide resources for fire departments that struggle to meet their staffing needs, including Orange County Fire Authority in my district.

SAFER grants will undoubtedly help fire departments across the country meet the needs of their communities, while ensuring firefighters are ready and able to assist with wildfire suppression efforts.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to offer my sincerest condolences to CAL FIRE and the family of Cory Iverson, who tragically lost his life this past week battling the Thomas fire.

Madam Speaker, I rise to engage the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) in a colloquy.

Madam Speaker, tax reform will result in economic growth across the country, especially in my home State of California. I thank the gentleman for his dedication to this important effort.

Madam Speaker, my home State is uniquely positioned in this tax debate. Due to the liberal tax-and-spend policies enacted by the California State Legislature, my district in Orange County is one of the most expensive places to live in this country. California has the highest personal income tax rate in the country, reaching a crushing 12.3 percent. The median home price in my district is almost $800,000. California also has the highest gas tax in the country.

While this bill makes important reforms that will grow our economy, I have serious concerns that some of my constituents may be worse off. As Sacramento continues to confiscate more and more of California's hard- earned paychecks, we must ensure that Washington does not put similar tax burdens on our constituents.

I ask the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee to assure me that we will ensure that individuals and families in my district are protected from such unintended outcomes.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, on March 24, 1999, Laguna Woods, California officially became Orange County's 32nd city.

A great deal has changed in the last 18 years, but Laguna Woods Councilman Bert Hack has remained a constant in our community.

Since taking office in 1999, Bert served as Mayor five times and sat on numerous boards throughout Southern California.

Bert's deep knowledge of local history and passion for service to others has made him a beloved fixture in Laguna Woods.

Bert's presence on the City Council will surely be missed, but he will undoubtedly continue to serve as an inspiration for all who follow in his footsteps.

I wish Bert well in retirement, and thank him for his many years of service to Laguna Woods and Orange County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3388, the SELF DRIVE Act, which will help advance the deployment of self-driving vehicles by allowing testing of this life- changing technology.

Back home in Orange County, long commutes and congestion are a way of life. Sadly, traffic accidents, often fatal, are also a daily occurrence in my district and across the country.

Some predict self-driving vehicles could save 300,000 lives each decade. In Orange County alone, the deployment of this technology could save the lives of 150 people every year.

I am especially proud that a piece of legislation I drafted, the MORE Act, is included in the SELF DRIVE Act. The MORE Act will help advance self-driving vehicle technology because it allows new entrants to the automobile industry, such as tech and ride-hailing companies, to test this lifesaving technology on public roads.

The SELF-DRIVE Act has the potential to make our roads safer, alleviate congestion, and improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 2430, the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. I note that H.R. 2430 would provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with new statutory authority to require the sponsor of an orphan- designated drug, which has certain similarities to an already approved drug, to demonstrate ``clinical superiority'' compared to the already approved drug as a condition of receiving seven years of market exclusivity.

This authority will limit the number of drugs that are automatically entitled to seven years of exclusivity, while maintaining incentives for the development of innovative treatments for rare diseases.

I also note that the bill would improve transparency of the FDA's execution of the Orphan Drug Act. Specifically, the bill directs the FDA to notify a sponsor in writing of any clinical superiority rationale on which the FDA relied in designating the sponsor's drug as an orphan drug. Further, it would require the FDA to publish its clinical superiority findings summaries for all drugs granted exclusivity based on a demonstration of clinical superiority.

I urge my colleagues to support the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 23, the GROW Act, which makes important and necessary regulatory reforms to allow for better management of water resources throughout the West.

My home State of California recently suffered its worst drought on record, which significantly affected the entire State. Families, communities, workers, and businesses all made significant sacrifices to conserve water and mitigate the drought's impact.

I applaud the water agencies and residents in my home district of Orange County for taking the necessary steps to adapt to the severe drought conditions. While substantial rainfall this winter effectively ended California's drought, the recent crisis was not just from a lack of rain. It is also the result of failed State and Federal policies that have mismanaged critical water resources throughout the West.

The GROW Act is a crucial step toward addressing these failed policies. H.R. 23 will help California recover from this devastating drought and ensure the State is better equipped to handle future water deficiencies.

In addition to addressing water delivery and water rights issues, the bill also facilitates the development of new water storage projects, which is a key water management tool for southern California water agencies. These projects are critical to a number of California communities, like Orange County, that lack the access to water even during nondrought conditions. The GROW Act removes regulatory barriers from streamlining the permitting and approval process for new infrastructure projects.

Under current law, new water storage construction projects require approval from a number of Federal, State, and local agencies. This bill provides for a consolidated permitting process that would require Federal agencies to conduct coordinated reviews of non-Federal storage projects.

The GROW Act will also expedite feasibility studies for much-needed Federal storage projects, some of which have been unnecessarily delayed for years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the South Korean President's upcoming trip to the United States. This marks the first official visit to the United States by President Moon Jae-in since his election on May 9, 2017.

The United States and the Republic of Korea share a close friendship based on shared values of freedom and democracy. Our Nations' cooperation has enriched our cultures, grown our economies, and strengthened our security against mutual threats.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest welcome to President Moon Jae-in and hope that his visit is productive and serves to strengthen the important partnership between our Nations.