Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is almost Father's Day, a good time to think about the fathers in our lives and in the families we are honored to represent. I think about the families in Northwest Oregon, and I know that too many are still facing challenges. Too many are still struggling to make ends meet. Their paycheck, if they are fortunate to have one, just isn't enough to pay the bills, and it is hard for them to even think of saving for the future.

One policy that can make a big difference in the lives of families is paid leave. It is an economic issue for working families; and we need to recognize that both women and men need to be able to take paid time off when a child is born, or to care for their children or other family members when they need them.

In Oregon, our parental and family medical leave laws cover more people and have stronger protections than current Federal law, and I applaud those efforts; but there are still far too many workers across the country who are not able to care for a sick child or aging parents because they cannot pay their rent or buy groceries if they lose a day of work.

According to the Department of Labor, only 15 percent of workers in the United States have access to paid family leave through their employers. And although some employers recognize the importance of providing paid leave for all working people, most still do not.

Outdated gender norms in too many workplaces often pressure men, especially those in jobs without paid leave, to limit their time away from work for caregiving. We need to see a cultural shift in our societal expectations about men as caregivers, and we need to dismantle the stigma that being a caregiver is incompatible with success in the workforce.

Congress should get serious about supporting families and enact a meaningful paid family leave law. We should pass the FAMILY Act, legislation that will provide much-needed financial security to working people and their families and provide certainty for businesses.

A national paid family and medical leave program would help to foster a healthier and more equitable society. It would help to bring our Nation's policies more in line with the needs of our families and our workforce, and it would be a very meaningful way to say Happy Father's Day.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5889, which would help reduce childhood trauma by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and technical assistance to early childhood professionals about the best ways to help treat children struggling with trauma related to substance abuse exposure. Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are more likely to suffer from substance use disorder later in life. We can save money and lives by better supporting these children.

I recently held a listening tour throughout northwest Oregon to better understand how opioids are devastating our communities and to identify and discuss the tools we need to combat this epidemic. I heard from healthcare professionals, families who lost loved ones, individuals in recovery, and community leaders, who all called for greater Federal investment to fight back against opioids. One of the discussions I convened focuses specifically on the needs of children and how we can better support them to succeed both in the classroom and in life.

Busy educators and other early childhood professionals now often find themselves serving as first responders to a growing crisis. Some schools in my home State of Oregon are adopting a trauma-informed care approach to better support affected students.

For instance, Warrenton Grade School, which I recently visited, is a shining example. They are deliberately building a ``culture of care'' that focuses on meeting the emotional needs of children hand-in-hand with their academic growth.

Schools and especially school-based health centers are already facing budget shortages and urgently need additional resources for prevention programs and for screening.

I encourage my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation, but this bill will not be effective if we don't invest in comprehensive supports for young children and their parents.

Traumatic events during childhood often trigger substance abuse later in

life. It is vital that we support early learning initiatives to provide children the comprehensive support they need, including programs like Head Start and home visiting programs.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Brat and Congressman O'Halleran for their work on this legislation. I know they care a lot about this issue.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran), a cosponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to thank Congressman Brat and Congressman O'Halleran for their work on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5890. The most recent omnibus legislation increased funding for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, or CAPTA, by $60 million, and this bill would help States improve their support for infants, children, and families suffering from the opioid epidemic by requiring Health and Human Services to provide guidance to States on how to implement effective plans of safe care.

Pregnant women and young mothers can face seemingly insurmountable challenges when struggling with addiction. I think about Tiffany, whom I met in Oregon. She is from Happy Valley, Oregon, and her struggle with addiction began after she was prescribed medication following a C- section for her third child's birth.

After having to send her kids to live with her mom, she was finally able to access treatment and other support services. She is now clean, in recovery, able to care for her kids again, and, importantly, help others.

We must do everything we can to support moms like Tiffany and provide the necessary resources and care to parents and their children so they can have the opportunity to be reunited.

Although I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, it is important to note that CAPTA, even with the $60 million increase, is not fully funded. Only when CAPTA receives the full amount authorized under law will States be able to meet all requirements and adequately address the needs of children exposed to substance abuse.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Garrett and Congresswoman Murphy, for their work on this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy), who is a cosponsor of this legislation.

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

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation. I want to thank Congressman Garrett and Congresswoman Murphy for their work on the legislation. I also want to thank Chairwoman Foxx for reminding us that we are not just talking about abstract policy. We are talking about real people: men, women, and especially children who are affected by this crisis.

So, again, thank you to the cosponsors of the legislation. I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5891, which would establish an interagency task force to identify, evaluate, and recommend ways in which Federal agencies can better coordinate responses to the opioid epidemic and carry out their authorized duties.

Many factors have contributed to this crisis, and it will take significant efforts to overcome it. Throughout my listening tour around northwest Oregon to discuss the opioid crisis, it became abundantly clear that local, State, and Federal officials must work together to address this epidemic and stem the loss of lives.

As I previously mentioned, I heard from numerous providers, individuals in recovery, families who lost loved ones, teachers, community leaders, all who called for greater Federal investment to fight back against opioids and more assistance for State and local entities that are working on the front lines.

Because of the breadth of programs required to assist families, any government effort to address substance use disorder and the opioid crisis must be a coordinated and collaborative approach across agencies. I am hopeful that this interagency task force will result in a more collaborative plan of action to address the many issues facing my constituents and the other people across this country.

I am, however, concerned that a plan of action without the necessary funding to carry out the recommendations will remain just a plan. So I urge my colleagues to support providing sufficient resources to implement these solutions.

I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Grothman and Congressman Lamb, for their work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Lamb), who I know is very concerned about this issue as well.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, want to thank Congressman Grothman and Congressman Lamb on this important legislation and emphasize again, that once we get the report from this task force, we need to have the funding--the resources, the money--to implement its recommendations to make sure that it really helps the people we are serving. So, again, I thank them for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5892.

In addition to the severe health consequences of substance use disorders, the opioid epidemic has taken a serious toll on the workplace. More than 10 million full-time workers have a substance use disorder. A 2017 survey from the National Safety Council found that 70 percent of employers have seen some effect of prescription drug usage, including absenteeism, impaired or decreased job performance, injuries or near misses, and arrests on or off the job.

When I traveled across northwest Oregon to talk to community members about the opioid crisis, I heard from many employers and employees whose work had been affected by addiction. Oregon's low unemployment rate is resulting in local employers struggling to find qualified personnel. The opioid crisis has weakened our workforce at a time when our economy needs more workers. For instance, a timber company on the coast of Oregon reported that only one applicant passed a drug test during a recent hiring process.

When I hear from people in recovery, many say that they could not continue working while they were struggling with addiction. We must acknowledge that our work and our personal lives are intertwined, that an employer's interest in the health of its employees should not end at the door, and that investing in employees through proactive prevention or flexible support policies can be good for employees and for the bottom line.

An estimated 20 percent of the decline in men's labor force participation over the last 20 years can be attributed to the increase in opioid prescriptions. For women, that number is 25 percent. Sadly, the disease of addiction is affecting people far beyond their homes. If we are going to make any progress in addressing the opioid epidemic, our workplaces must have policies that support affected workers.

This legislation would establish a council to advise the Secretary of Labor on actions the Department of Labor can take to provide informational resources and guidance to address the effects of substance use disorders on the workplace. The advisory council will be comprised of a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including substance use disorder experts, unions, and employers. This includes supporting workers with substance use disorders, as well as those in recovery.

The advisory council would be charged with assessing a range of workplace policies best practices. These identified best practices will benefit employers and employees alike by keeping workers safe, healthy, productive, and on the job.

I also urge my colleagues to support legislation for other workplace policies and protections that are vital for people struggling with substance use disorder, such as paid leave. There is certainly more that we, as policymakers, can do to make sure that workers can access and seek treatment when they need it, and be able to return to their jobs as soon as possible.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Lewis and Congressman Cartwright for their work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Cartwright), the cosponsor of this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.

Madam Speaker, once again, I thank Congressman Lewis and Congressman Cartwright for their work on H.R. 5892. As we continue with this work, we must recognize that it is much harder for people to be successful in their recovery if they do not have a job. Let's work with our employers and look at the results of this bill that the advisory council will advise us. Let's follow their recommendations.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1091, as amended, the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act.

This bill will provide support to the millions of grandparents and other older caregivers across the country who are raising children. As my colleague, Mr. Lewis, mentioned, more than 2.5 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren across the Nation today.

Child welfare experts agree that substance use disorders, especially addiction to opioids, are behind much of the growing number of grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Raising grandchildren can dramatically alter the lives of these grandparents, who can sometimes be overwhelmed by the unique challenges they face as they adapt to their new roles and responsibilities.

The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act would create an advisory council charged with identifying best practices, resources, and other tools to help grandparents and other older caregivers address common challenges when raising children. This might include how to navigate a school system or access healthcare.

This information is vital and will prove to be lifesaving to grandparents striving to care both for themselves and for their families.

Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Susan Collins and Senator Bob Casey for their work on this bill, and I thank Congressman McGovern, Congressman King, and Congressman Lewis for their leadership in the House.

This bipartisan, bicameral effort is a testament to the importance of this growing and important issue. I urge my colleagues to support S. 1091.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the cosponsor of this House legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I support this legislation, the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, and other efforts of my colleagues to address the opioid crisis, but these policies will only be a drop in the bucket if the administration continues undermining access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare that includes robust Affordable Care Act protections for preexisting conditions like substance use disorder.

If we are to stem the tide of this epidemic, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers must fully cover addiction treatment and safer alternatives to opioids for pain.

One thing is clear: Changing policy alone won't stop this crisis. We also need more resources for prevention, treatment, and innovative solutions.

The urgent need for more funding is wide and varied. Prevention programs need to be able to reach more people. Researchers need additional funding to gather data that will drive effective solutions. Overstretched public health departments need to be able to coordinate a comprehensive response. Treatment facilities need more beds and more staff. Healthcare providers need further education and training.

We must increase the resources to match the scale of this problem, this crisis, and focus on making smart investments to adequately address the opioid crisis.

Madam Speaker, once again, I thank Senators Collins and Casey, as well as Congressmen McGovern and King, for their work on this legislation, and I urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, in the time I make these remarks, 1 minute,

and every minute after, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck full of plastic will be dumped into the oceans. That is about 8 million metric tons a year, endangering marine life.

Today is World Oceans Day, a good time to recommit to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our oceans and our ocean resources.

The health of our oceans reflects the health of our planet. We have work to do. Oceans absorb CO2 produced by human activities, and increasing carbon emissions are stressing the oceans and threatening the livelihood of coastal communities.

As oceans become more acidic, shellfish struggle to build shells. Oysters and clams are especially vulnerable. Harmful algal blooms produce acid that accumulates in shellfish, like Dungeness crab, and can be poisonous to humans.

We must invest in research to better understand the challenges to ocean health, like ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, marine debris, and overfishing.

The ocean is resilient, but we cannot afford to wait. On World Oceans Day, I invite all of my colleagues to join the bipartisan Oceans Caucus. The time to take action is now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 2155 because it will undermine critical safeguards that protect consumers, communities, and the country from another financial crisis. In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, comprehensive legislation aimed at curbing the risky behavior of big banks and predatory lenders. Many communities in Oregon and around the country are still recovering from the Great Recession, and we should not roll back the regulatory safeguards that are allowing our economy to rebound.

As a former consumer protection attorney, I am deeply troubled by the data breaches that have affected people across the country. Just last year, the credit-reporting agency Equifax allowed the sensitive information of 148 million Americans to be exposed in a data breach. Individuals were urged to enroll in free credit monitoring, and to consider placing a freeze on their credit. Instead of providing further protections to the millions of people who were affected, this bill will harm them by preempting state credit freeze laws. We should be strengthening consumer rights, not weakening them.

The bill also undermines the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), which requires lenders to report on key data regarding home-mortgage lending in underserved communities. In 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule that requires lenders provide detailed HMDA data about their loan practices to better understand the gaps in access to credit that exist. This bill expands the existing reporting requirement exemption for certain financial institutions, and would exempt nearly 5,400 banks from reporting that data. As long as underserved communities continue to struggle to access home loans, we should continue to collect the data necessary to shed light on the gaps in accessibility.

S. 2155 does include certain provisions to help consumers, including a provision making it easier for financial professionals to identify and report instances of financial fraud against seniors, and a provision to require the Social Security Administration to combat identity fraud. The bill also provides much-needed regulatory relief to our credit unions and community banks. These institutions were not engaging in the risky and speculative behavior that led to the recession, and they have always served an important role in our cities and towns. The bill also provides tools for community banks and credit unions to work with customers who are victims of data breaches. Although I support these commonsense reforms, the bill ultimately will undermine consumer protections, not bolster them. I urge my colleagues to oppose the legislation.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer a bipartisan amendment to increase investments in research and development that support marine energy, hydropower, and pump storage.

I first want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their leadership in supporting the Water Power Technologies Office. Robust funding for the Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office will support investments in innovative hydropower, marine, and hydrokinetic energy technologies.

This bipartisan amendment would increase funding for the Office of Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy by $10 million for water power and decrease funding for departmental administrative spending to result in no additional cost.

Harnessing energy from waves, currents, and tides is an exciting frontier in the renewable energy sector. Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks are partnering to support marine renewable energy research and development at the Pacific Marine Energy Center.

The center relies on Federal investments from the Department of Energy to establish the Nation's fully energetic on-grid wave energy test facility off the Oregon coast. This facility will be able to test wave energy converters that capture the energy of ocean waves, current, tides, and in-river resources and turn it into electricity.

Hydropower has tremendous potential to become the major source of electricity for the United States and the world, but other countries are ahead of us here. We must continue to develop clean and sustainable energy sources, and that means supporting new solutions like marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy.

We should be doing more to harness the power of water to meet our Nation's clean energy needs, create good-paying jobs, and spur economic growth in our communities.

Mr. Chair, I again thank the chairman and ranking member for their work on this issue and also Representatives Perry and Pingree for their bipartisan leadership on water power.

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

Mr. Chair, I appreciate that offer of the gentleman to work together on this important issue with a lot of promise for additional renewable energy jobs and sources.

So, Mr. Chairman, we do need to be making stronger investments in clean and sustainable energy sources like water power. With that offer to work together, I will withdraw this amendment but do hope that we will work together going forward to increase funding for this very important program.

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

Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, too many working families still struggle to pay their bills, to take care of their families, and to save for their kids to go to college or to take care of aging parents.

The middle class--households with an income between 67 and 200 percent of median income--is shrinking and income inequality is growing. Wage stagnation means more families will need safety net services like SNAP--food stamps--and housing assistance at a time when the majority in Congress is trying to cut those programs.

What should we be doing?

Consider this. Unions helped build the middle class. Unionized teachers, nurses, and firefighters have better access to paid holidays, paid sick leave, and retirement benefits, and less need for safety net services.

When workers have the right to join together and have a voice in the workplace, it is also good for nonunion workers who benefit from those higher standards.

Unfortunately, here in Congress and across the street at the Supreme Court, with the Janus v. AFSCME case, working families and organized labor are under attack.

To grow our economy and reduce the need for safety net programs, we should make it easier, not harder, for workers to form unions and collectively bargain. Until we do, we will continue to see a shrinking middle class.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 2372, the VA MISSION Act because the bill falls short in fulfilling our commitment to veterans. Though this legislation contains many positive provisions to support our veterans and their caregivers, on balance it is a short- sighted approach that does not adequately provide for the long-term needs of those who have honorably served our country. The bill subjects funding for VA programming to the nondefense discretionary caps, which leaves it vulnerable to being underfunded or being funded at the expense of other critical programs in the future. Our veterans and the VA need certainty; this bill does not provide it.

Additionally, I am concerned that this bill represents a concerted effort to shift resources away from VA care and instead rely disproportionately on private providers. I support veterans having the flexibility to receive expedited treatment for acute health issues outside the VA if timely care is not available at a VA facility, but veterans often have unique care needs that are best served by dedicated VA providers. Instead of making critical, lasting investments to make sure veterans receive the best possible care, this bill puts future services at risk of significant cuts by relying on funding that may fall captive to political agendas.

I am glad this bill expands benefits to all caregivers, and I appreciate the effort to ensure veterans do not have difficulty accessing care. But I cannot support a bill that brings uncertainty because it fails to provide for the needs of our nation's veterans in the future. I urge my colleagues to advance legislation that would provide long-term stable funding and support for the Veterans Administration and our veterans.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, known as the Farm Bill. This bill weakens our ability to fight hunger, undermines conservation efforts, and fails to address the needs of small and family farms.

The Farm Bill should provide a safety net for both the hard-working farmers who produce food and those who consume it. In the past, bipartisan Farm Bills have met the needs of both rural and urban communities and have found a balance in the policies that support farmers and those facing food insecurity. Unfortunately, this year Republican leaders on the House Agriculture Committee halted a bipartisan effort and brought a very partisan bill to the floor. The proposal is the result of an ideologically-driven process that was rushed and inadequate, leaving farm and food programs in jeopardy.

More than 80 percent of the funding in the Farm Bill supports nutrition assistance programs for the nearly 41 million Americans facing food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows low-income families to purchase food, and the program continues to play a critical role in helping these families escape the devastating effects of poverty. This program is vital for families in Oregon and across the country. According to a Census Bureau report, nearly 20 percent of families in Oregon rely on SNAP. Unfortunately, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act would slash more than $23 billion in SNAP benefits, removing food from the tables of tens of thousands of hungry Oregonians, and an estimated one million households nationwide.

Additionally, because SNAP is tied to eligibility for federal school meal programs, this bill would cut access to free school meals for an estimated 265,000 low-income children each year. This cruel and needless policy will result in additional hunger. Children need nutrition to learn and thrive and succeed in school, and hungry children are more likely to stay trapped in poverty.

Under current law, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49, without dependents, are only eligible to receive SNAP benefits for three months every three years, unless they are employed or in training for at least 20 hours per week. This bill would expand these requirements, harming many older low-income Americans and ignoring the caregiving responsibilities and other barriers to employment that many people face. SNAP provides some of our most vulnerable populations with access to affordable food; it is not and should not be a workforce training program.

The bill would also eliminate the ``Heat and Eat'' program, which allows Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) participants to receive a modest standard allowance so families do not need to choose between paying their energy bills and having access to food. These cuts would threaten many families, children, and seniors in Oregon and across the country.

The Farm Bill should provide support for farmers and ranchers who are struggling to make ends meet because of low market prices for goods, high production costs, and significant market uncertainty. This is especially important in light of the trade disruptions and tariff tit- for-tat initiated by the current Administration. Unfortunately, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act would fail to raise reference prices for most traditional crops to address the continued decline in farm income, limiting support for those who need it the most.

Northwest Oregon is home to many organic and specialty crop farmers, and I am disappointed that this bill did not increase funding for Specialty Crop Research Initiative and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, programs that help a wide variety of food producers such as blueberry and hazelnut farms,

as well as vineyards producing world-renowned wines. The bill also neglected to increase funding for research into organic farming practices, an area that has demonstrated tremendous growth and that harbors further potential.

Our state exports a large majority of its agricultural products. Even with market uncertainty as a result of inconsistent messages and a changing narrative from the Administration, this bill failed to increase funding for the Market Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Program, and the Emerging Markets Program. The bill also eliminates the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which supports robust local production and purchasing.

The bill also included troublesome language that would prohibit states from establishing standards and conditions on agricultural products sold within their borders. This could preempt several state laws in Oregon related to labeling malt beverages as beer, prohibiting the sale and possession of shark fins, and prohibiting retaliatory discrimination in farm worker camps. Oregonians should have the right to implement standards around labeling and animal welfare and avoid purchasing out of state products that fail to comply.

Farmers are natural stewards of the land and have direct experience with conserving natural resources. The Farm Bill should support those efforts, but it eliminates the Conservation Stewardship Program, slashing $795 million in conservation funding. The bill would also remove a requirement that the Environmental Protection Agency consult with wildlife services to protect endangered species, fish, and wildlife from harmful pesticides. Further, it would reduce funding needed to maintain the integrity of the National Organic Program and eliminate existing bioenergy and renewable programs that support farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses.

Finally, I am disappointed that my bipartisan amendment to legalize industrial hemp and define it as an agricultural commodity was not allowed to come to the floor for a vote. American farmers have been growing hemp since the country was founded, and hemp products account for more than $680 million in annual domestic sales. Thirty four states have legalized hemp production, and legalizing it at the federal level would bolster our economy and allow farmers and universities to continue researching and cultivating the crop. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance federal policies that support the hemp industry.

This bill fails to support hard-working farmers and takes away food assistance from the most vulnerable. We must do better for our constituents. I am unable to vote in favor of increasing hunger and harming local farmers, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize May 5, 2018 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.

Native women in the U.S. face tragically high rates of violence, sexual assault, and murder. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the third leading cause of death for Native women and girls between the ages of 10 and 24 years old. A study commissioned by the Department of Justice found that, in some tribal communities, Native women face murder rates that are more than ten times the national average. This is unacceptable.

I'm pleased that the Portland City Council recently passed a resolution recognizing the disproportionate effects of human trafficking on people of color in our region, but we must do more to protect Native women. Importantly, we must recognize the institutional racism and systematic inequalities they face, and we must seek justice on behalf of those who are missing or murdered.

For those families who have not received justice, I stand with you. I'm committed to taking action to prevent these crimes in the future, and hope that your missing loved one will return home soon.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my common sense amendment that will protect consumers by creating the position of the Aviation Consumer Advocate at the FAA.

More than nine million flights take off and land in the United States every year. In my home state of Oregon, nearly 20 million people passed through the Portland International Airport last year, and that number will continue to grow.

Unfortunately, many passengers have experienced inconveniences such as lost luggage and delayed flights that result in missed connections. Some passengers have experienced much worse, including being forcibly removed from flights when seats are oversold, or sitting on a tarmac for hours.

With more than two and a half million people flying U.S. skies every day, it is critical that they have somewhere to turn if things go wrong. They deserve to be treated with dignity and to have a reliable advocate who is on their side.

My simple amendment would enhance the FAA's existing Aviation Consumer Protection Division by creating the position of the Aviation Consumer Advocate.

This will provide travelers a dedicated person at the FAA to help navigate the Aviation Consumer Protection Division and try to resolve problems that arise with airlines.

In addition to helping travelers, the Aviation Consumer Advocate would provide the FAA with recommendations on how best to enforce consumer protection rules and improve the flying experience.

The Aviation Consumer Advocate would also evaluate the FAA's response to complaints, and provide a report to Congress about the volume and frequency of complaints, as well as recommendations on how Congress can take action to bolster consumer protections for fliers.

This is a common sense amendment to protect all our constituents.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in strengthening consumer protections and supporting the millions of Americans who fly every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3144, a bill that would require the implementation of a specific Federal Columbia River Power System operation plan. I am committed to increasing consumer access to affordable and reliable electricity, but this must be done without jeopardizing our region's ecosystem. I cannot support this bill because it would undermine longstanding environmental protections, including the Endangered Species Act, harm salmon and steelhead populations, and threaten the recreational and commercial fisheries, tribes, and species that benefit from healthy salmon runs.

The Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act require the federal operators of the Federal Columbia River Power System to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service on how the System's hydroelectric dams could affect several salmon and steelhead stocks that are listed as threatened or endangered. Unfortunately, instead of responding in a systematic manner using the best available science, this bill would disrupt regional salmon and dam management efforts, jeopardize the existence of salmon and steelhead, and damage this vulnerable ecosystem.

In addition to the troubling effects on the region's ecosystem, implementation of this bill could also harm tribal fisheries. Native Americans have lived and fished along the banks of the Columbia River for centuries. Despite signing treaties with the tribes to preserve their rights to fish, hunt, and gather at their accustomed places, the federal government has a long history of failing to protect these tribal fishing rights. Tribes have a right and a deep cultural and historical connection to the fish populations threatened by this bill.

Oregon's economic vitality is dependent on the health of the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. We rely on the natural resources in our region to support a significant portion of our economy, and we are very vulnerable to changes to our ecosystem. This bill could harm the businesses that are dependent on healthy salmon and steelhead runs, including the commercial and recreational fishing industry, guiding and outdoor retail businesses, restaurants, and coastal communities that benefit from tourism.

The Pacific Northwest's social and environmental landscape is changing. We need to find a sustainable path forward that supports renewable power, commerce, and habitat conservation for salmon and steelhead populations. In addition to supporting the responsible use of hydropower that does not put salmon populations at risk, I also support investments in additional renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and wave energy. Through diversifying our investments in renewable resources, we can protect our environment and support new industries, jobs, and innovative businesses.

In short, we can--and should--address the energy needs of our region without furthering policies that will harm our ecosystem. I urge my colleagues to work together to develop a more appropriate solution that will protect salmon and steelhead and provide affordable and reliable electricity to consumers in the Pacific Northwest.

I note for the record that my husband, Judge Michael H. Simon, wrote the judicial opinion that was discussed in the debate about this bill. Before voting, I checked with the House Ethics office and was assured that there is no conflict of interest under the House Rules because the bill does not benefit my spouse's or my personal interest or finances.