Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Mental Health Services for All Veterans Act.

Last week, on May 18, just before noon, a man in his car did a U-turn in Times Square, New York, and mowed down 23 people, killing a young woman. This man is obviously mentally ill. This man is also a Navy veteran.

He is not alone. Every day in America, roughly 22 veterans commit suicide. In fact, according to a study by the GAO, 60 percent of troops that have been discharged for misconduct in recent years suffered from a mental illness.

It is simply too difficult for many veterans in this country to receive mental health counseling, and we need to make mental health counseling available for every single veteran in this country, regardless of whether they were in the National Guard, in the Reserves, or in Active Duty.

It is obvious when someone loses a limb or is injured tragically in war to identify that their injury is service related. But for veterans who go home at night and are alone by themselves suffering with a mental illness, too many are suffering alone, and it is not easy to identify these problems--especially when they are in crisis--to show up at a counseling center or to show up at a VA and demonstrate that their injury, their mental illness, is service related.

We need to change this in this country. We need to make mental health services available for every single veteran in this country, regardless of their status and regardless of their income, in every single circumstance.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 265.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the dedication of the Washington Spy Ring along Route 25A of Long Island's North Shore, in my and Congressman Zeldin's district.

This group of American heroes is often overlooked because knowledge

that George Washington's Culper Spy Ring existed was not disclosed until 1930.

Nathan Hale of the often noted ``I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country'' is claimed by Huntington to have been captured there and gave rise to the spy ring.

One of Culper's top spies was Robert Townsend of Raynham Hall, Oyster Bay, also known as Culper, Jr.

Townsend posed as a Tory merchant in New York City. He relayed intelligence concerning troop movements, supplies, and British plots, using an expensive spy ring, coded messages, invisible ink, and elaborate signal system using everything from drying laundry to buttons on clothing.

Their efforts turned the tide of the war by assisting Washington to outfox the British, even saving him from capture.

As Washington said, and as is recounted to members of today's CIA:

``There is nothing more necessary than good intelligence to frustrate a designing enemy, and nothing requires greater pains to obtain.''

I would like to thank the North Shore Promotional Alliance, Raynham Hall, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, and the producers of the AMC television show ``Turn'' for promoting the legacy of these unsung American patriots.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce bipartisan H. Res. 328 with my colleague from Florida, Francis Rooney, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.

For centuries, the Jewish people yearned to pray at the Western Wall, the only remaining connection to the Great Temple destroyed in 70 A.D., a cry that infused their daily prayers.

Fifty years ago, in 1967, this mere hope became a reality when Jerusalem was finally reunified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War.

Of that precious moment, Yitzhak Rabin recounted: ``We stood among a tangle of rugged, battle-weary men who were unable to believe their eyes or restrain their emotions. Their eyes were moist with tears, their speech incoherent. The overwhelming desire was to cling to the Wall, to hold on to that great moment as long as possible.''

The reunification of Jerusalem restored the city as a beacon of religious freedom for all of the Abrahamic religions and the rights of Jews, Muslims, and Christians to pray at their respective holy sites.

We share the joy of our brothers and sisters as we celebrate this special milestone and as we continue to strive for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. In a world of increasing instability, our enduring relationship with Israel was never more

vital, and I am honored to stand with our close friend and ally.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in commemoration of Yom HaShoah, to solemnly remember the six million Jews and the millions of others murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. We reaffirm our commitment to stand up and take action when we encounter persecution or an assault on human dignity. As Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Professor Elie Wiesel counseled, ``the opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.''

As we mourn those who perished, we must honor the more than 100,000 survivors of the Holocaust who live here in our United States of America, an estimated one third of whom live in poverty. It is through our understanding of history that we ``never forget'' their plight and act to ensure that they live their lives in comfort and dignity.

I would like to commend the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program, an innovative public-private partnership that has improved the lives of this most vulnerable population. In under two years, this program has provided critical, pro bono dental care to more than 600 Holocaust survivors in 18 cities across North America. The program serves as a model for what we can accomplish when we work together to help those in need.

As a Member of Congress who represents constituents of the Jewish faith I am compelled to remember today the millions of Jews as well as individuals of other faiths who were murdered during the Holocaust and pay tribute to a partnership committed to enhance Holocaust survivors' quality of life. May their efforts serve as an inspiration to us all to always choose action over indifference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 187, sponsored by my colleagues, Ranking Member Bass and Chairman Smith, and I applaud their and Chairman Royce's and Ranking Member Engel's continued bipartisan attention to this oft-neglected part of the world.

South Sudan faces a famine of Biblical proportions which compels us to act. As the world's newest country, South Sudan's entry on the world stage has been fraught with disaster. A drought caused by climate change, which has become all too familiar in this part of the world, has, since December 2013, been coupled with politically and ethnically fueled violence which has destroyed the infrastructure as well as the economy. This has escalated drought into famine.

Across the African Continent and the globe, climate change and extreme weather result in drought and the loss of farmland. Families are forced to leave their homes in the countryside to seek work in the cities. The work is not there. Incompetent and/or corrupt governments fail to address the needs, and civil unrest devolves into violence. Countries are destabilized.

Here in South Sudan, the newness of the nation, the government's efforts to stamp out civil unrest--especially from nonruling tribes-- and military forces let loose upon their fellow countrymen has resulted in death, destruction, and destabilization.

With nearly 3.5 million people displaced and at least 50,000 dead, the international community, including the United States, has responded with humanitarian aid to try and address the potential for 5.5 million humans at risk for starvation by midyear.

However, last month the U.N. reported 79 incidents of aid being either stolen or otherwise blocked. Eighty-two aid workers have been killed since the start of the conflict, and around half of those deaths have occurred in the last 2 years alone. Additionally, the upcoming rainy season will further impede delivery of humanitarian aid.

For too many reasons, the hunger exists.

USAID is a leading provider of humanitarian aid, including more than 620,000 tons of food assistance since 2013.

This resolution calls on the government of South Sudan to cease hostilities and allow aid to flow unrestricted.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches: ``I was hungry, and you fed me. Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me.''

In an effort to both stabilize the region and to feed those dying of hunger, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 187.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 215.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Republicans' American Health Care Act and specifically the provision that purports to shift billions of Medicaid costs from New York's counties to the State.

In addition to the AHCA's age tax, increasing premiums, and millions losing their insurance, this provision will compound the devastating cuts and leave countless New Yorkers without access to health care while decimating New York State's finances.

This amendment requires the State to shoulder an additional $2.3 billion on top of the $1 billion cut proposed in the AHCA. Meanwhile, this proposal excludes New York City and only gives New York State 2 years to assume this burden.

As a former mayor, county executive, and former chairman of the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, I understand that New York counties shoulder a larger share of the Medicaid burden than in any other State. Asking the State to relieve some of this burden from the counties that they bear from the Medicaid cost is a worthwhile idea that should be further explored, but in conjunction with State officials.

The short turnaround time in the current proposal would cripple the State's budget, resulting in catastrophic cuts, and leaves countless New Yorkers without access to health care.

Additionally, marrying this proposal to the misguided Republican AHCA plan and excluding New York City prevents bipartisan cooperation. Rushing this amendment without debate or full consideration of the consequences and without a plan for implementation will negate any positives.

I call upon my Republican colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner on this critical issue.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote 173 H.R. 1294, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote 174 H.R. 1249 (as amended), had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote 175 H.R. 1252 (as amended), had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Republican healthcare plan and its devastating impact. When it comes to the Affordable Care Act, I have always said: mend it, don't end it.

I came to Congress wanting to work together on a bipartisan plan that would build and improve upon the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, the plan the Republicans have offered and that is supported by the President was written in secret, kept under wraps, and is now being rushed through marathon subcommittee sessions so the American people don't have a chance to actually see what is in this bill.

Republicans refuse to wait for the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan group, to tell us how much their plan will cost and how many people will get thrown off their health care plans. Maybe that is because their plan offers tax breaks to the wealthy while the rest of us get stuck paying the bill.

Reductions proposed in this bill would result in over $1 billion in cuts for New York State this year. Now the American Association of Retired Persons, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and a growing list of Republican and Democratic Governors throughout the Nation oppose this plan.

So instead of pushing through a bill that we know will result in rising premiums and throw people off their healthcare, let's come together and find a solution that makes sense for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 130.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of February as National Marfan Awareness Month and to pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are living with Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue disorders.

Marfan syndrome is a rare genetic condition. About 1 in 5,000 Americans carries a mutation in a gene called fibrillin-1 which results in an overproduction of a protein called transforming growth factor beta or TGFB. The increased TGFB impacts connective tissue and since connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome features can manifest throughout the body. Patients often have disproportionately long limbs, a protruding or indented chest bone, curved spine, and loose joints. However, it is not the outward signs that concern Marfan syndrome patients, but the effects the condition has on the internal systems of the body. Most notably, in Marfan patients the large artery, known as the aorta, which carries blood away from the heart, is weakened and prone to enlargement and potentially fatal rupture.

An early and accurate diagnosis, regular monitoring, and, in some cases, therapies or medical interventions are necessary to prevent cardiac events. This is why I believe it is important to develop a program to support, assist, and encourage states to incorporate Marfan syndrome testing into their sports screening criteria for at-risk young athletes. Few states include Marfan syndrome testing in their sports screening for high school athletes which leads to Marfan syndrome- related thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection claiming the lives of young athletes across the country each year.

I am proud to have come to know the nation's foremost organization working to support the Marfan community, the Marfan Foundation, through their strong advocacy work on Capitol Hill. The Foundation was founded in 1981 and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals affected by Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue disorders by advancing research, raising awareness, and providing support.

I urge my colleagues to stand with me and reflect on the work that needs to be done to ensure that patients with rare conditions can expect to see sustained and meaningful improvements in their health and healthcare over the next 30 years. I urge my colleagues to stand with me and recognize National Marfan Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the freshman class's effort to encourage civility in this Chamber and in our political discourse generally.

Americans are divided. Hate speech and hate crimes are spiking. Fake news is increasing. Terrorism threatens the world, and 60 million refugees are displaced across the globe.

The public is convinced that elected officials don't seem to get much done regarding the shrinking middle class, immigration reform, climate change, gun violence, and a whole bunch more. What should we do?

Love thy neighbor: That may seem like a simplistic public policy prescription, but love thy neighbor is a concept that can be found across many traditions.

If we are going to get Republicans and Democrats to actually come together as people of goodwill in search of the common good, it is going to require us to rely on some shared principles.

Faith and religious beliefs are the most effective, existing sources of commonality that may be relied upon. If people of different political philosophies actually believed that their opponents were similarly motivated by a common set of values to love thy neighbor, I believe we would get a lot more talking and problem-solving and, yes, less yelling and screaming.

Even nonreligious Americans have a fundamental belief in the religion-based concept of love thy neighbor. Discussing issues civilly and rooted in shared faith and values will result in more good work being accomplished.

The good news is that, during the first 6 weeks, I found that many of my colleagues seemed genuinely inspired by their faith and their values. Maybe if we all agree to be civil and recognize that many of us here are motivated by the same command to love thy neighbor, we might be a little more effective.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner. On vote roll No. 55, I would have voted ``nay.'' On vote roll No. 56, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor of the bipartisan H. Res. 11.

In 2002, during the Second Intifada, after the massacre in Hebron, I had the great, good fortune of meeting in Jerusalem with Shimon Peres, of blessed memory. He explained why a two-state solution is the only path to peace, and I will never abandon his dream of a two-state solution.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, however, pushes the hope of a two-state solution farther away for three reasons:

One, it discourages direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Two, it fails to distinguish between ``long accepted'' and ``more controversial'' settlements. ``Long accepted'' settlements, such as the long established Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, in the Jewish Quarter, places like the Western Wall, and the ``consensus'' settlements versus ``more controversial'' hilltop settlements in the West Bank, such as Amona, settlements that even the Israeli Supreme Court has declared illegal.

Three, it fails to explicitly condemn the number one impediment to a two-state solution: anti-Israel terrorism.