Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes to make a statement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 139, the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act. As a former United States attorney, I know firsthand the enormous value that programs like section 702 provide in protecting our country.

The worst threats have been thwarted due to our intelligence and law enforcement communities having tools like section 702. Chairman Goodlatte, along with the members of the Judiciary Committee, worked diligently on legislation to implement meaningful reforms while ensuring the law enforcement and Intelligence Committee still had the necessary tools available. This bill includes many other reforms from the USA Liberty Act, enhances section 702 protections, and maintains law enforcement abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask all Members to join me in voting ``yes'' on this legislation to implement real reforms, while ensuring that we still provide the tools necessary to keep American citizens safe.

In conclusion, as a U.S. attorney, I have used this section. My office used this section. We followed the law to the letter. There were no complaints, and I want the American people to realize something: we in law enforcement, law enforcement throughout the U.S., we have to be right and on spot every second of every day. It only takes a terrorist a moment to get lucky and set off a bomb killing Americans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Congressman Joseph McDade, who passed away on September 24, 2017, at the age of 85.

Mr. McDade, a Republican, represented Pennsylvania's 10th district from January 3, 1963 to January 3, 1999, the same district that I have the honor of representing.

Mr. McDade served on the House Appropriations Committee, where he served as the vice chairman of the full committee, and chairman of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee.

He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame and received his LLB from the University of Pennsylvania. He founded his own law practice in 1957 and was elected Scranton City Solicitor in 1962.

Mr. McDade worked tirelessly to bring federal resources to northeast Pennsylvania, create jobs, improve the environment, and to improve education. Most notably, Mr. McDade was pivotal in establishing the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as well as the creation of the Steamtown National Historic Site.

Mr. McDade was a tremendous public servant and advocate who had a positive impact on thousands of people. He dedicated 36

years of his life to represent Pennsylvanians in this chamber and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring our former colleague, Joseph McDade, for his service and accomplishments. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation to rename the Liberty, Pennsylvania, post office after Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom.

Ryan was born on September 23, 1979, in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, where he attended Liberty High School. While in high school, Ryan excelled in soccer, basketball, and baseball--serving as the captain for the soccer and basketball teams.

After graduating from high school, he attended Mansfield University and pursued a degree in education science. Ryan planned to become a teacher and a coach to help young people become successful students, athletes, and leaders within the community.

However, just months before Ryan was set to graduate from college, his National Guard unit was deployed to Iraq. While serving his country in Iraq, Ryan made the ultimate sacrifice, as he was killed in action on August 9, 2005.

Ryan enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1997, serving with Company B, First Battalion 109th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Ryan was an accomplished soldier with a bevy of previous accomplishments and commendations.

During his time enlisted, Ryan earned a Purple Heart, Combat Information Badge, Gold Star, Armed Service Ribbon, and numerous other awards that gave Ryan the recognition he deserved for his heroic years of service.

Beyond these awards, Ryan also took advantage of what the military had to offer, graduating from the U.S. Army Europe Primary Leadership Development Course, which furthered his ability to lead both on deployment and in the communities about which he cared so deeply.

While Ryan will always be remembered for his valor and his years of military service, he will also be remembered for what he brought to the communities of which he was a part.

In his free time, Ryan could be found playing Monday night basketball with his friends at home and was an active member of the Eagle Base basketball team during his deployment.

Staff Sergeant Ryan Ostrom prioritized the world around him--his country, his community, his family--all over himself. His years of service and his record speak for themselves, but beyond that, Ryan made a positive impact as a friend and a role model wherever he was.

He was a soldier and leader on his deployments and an active member of the community back home in Wellsboro. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members support this legislation to honor Ryan by renaming the Liberty Post Office as the Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom Post Office.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on July 17, 2017 due to travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

YEA for rollcall vote 379.

YEA for rollcall vote 380.

YEA for rollcall vote 381.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome South Korean President Moon Jae-in on his first trip to the United States.

South Korea is one of our staunchest allies and has been an excellent friend to the United States. I recently had the awesome opportunity to visit South Korea and was able to meet with many different government officials to hear more about the issues and concerns that are confronting the region. While there are several pressing concerns facing South Korea, and the region, if we remain committed as allies and friends we will continue to see peace and stability.

I know that President Trump and President Moon will have an excellent, friendly, and productive meeting. I look forward to continuing to support South Korea as a Member of Congress and hope that President Moon enjoys his time in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2581, the Verify First Act, which was introduced by my colleague, good friend, and fellow Pennsylvanian Lou Barletta. This is a simple piece of legislation that ensures no American taxpayer dollars are used to fund healthcare for those who are here undocumented.

Congress, the American people, and my constituents were told that, under ObamaCare, illegal immigrants would not be eligible for tax credits. Instead, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee issued a report detailing that, as of June 2015, over half a million people without legal status have received up to $750 million in taxpayer-funded subsidies. No record can be found if any of this was ever recovered.

It is time that we ensure our taxpayers that their dollars are only going to those with legal status. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on June 8, 2017, on account of attending my son's graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: ``Yea'' for rollcall vote 295, ``yea'' for rollcall vote 296, ``yea'' for rollcall vote 297, ``yea'' for rollcall vote 298, and ``yea'' for rollcall vote 299.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on June 6, 2017 on account of attending my son's graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

YEA for rollcall vote 286

YEA for rollcall vote 287

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on June 7, 2017 on account of attending my son's graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 288, ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 289, ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 290, ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 291, ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 292, ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 293, and ``yea'' for rollcall vote No. 294.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on May 16, 2017 due to travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA for rollcall vote 258.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on May 1, 2017 due to a family medical issue. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA for rollcall vote 237, YEA for rollcall vote 238, and YEA for rollcall vote 239.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on April 28, 2017, due to a family medical issue. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 235.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 236.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on April 27, 2017 due to a family medical issue. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 229.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 230.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 231.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 232.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 233.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 234.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on April 25, 2017 and April 26, 2017 due to a family medical issue. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 222.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 223.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 224.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 225.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 226.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 227.

``Yea'' for rollcall vote 228.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Conyers, and my current new ranking member, Mr. Cicilline, for their work on this important legislation. I further thank my colleague across the aisle, Congressman Schneider from Illinois, for helping us manage this.

This is a bipartisan bill that is better for having gone through the regular legislative order. It was a pleasure to work with such knowledgeable and professional colleagues.

In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. That legislation was intended to address, among other things, the potential failure of large financial institutions.

While the Dodd-Frank Act created a regulatory process for such an event, the act states that the preferred method of resolution for a financial institution is through the bankruptcy process.

However, the Dodd-Frank Act did not make any amendments to the Bankruptcy Code to account for the unique characteristics of a financial institution. The legislation before us today fills that void.

The Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act is the product of years of study by industry, legal, and financial regulatory experts. It is also the result of bipartisan review over the course of four separate hearings before the Judiciary Committee.

The legislation includes several provisions that improve the ability of a financial institution to be resolved through the bankruptcy process. It allows for a speedy transfer of a financial firm's assets to a newly formed company. That company would continue the firm's operations for the benefit of its customers, employees, and creditors, and ensure the financial stability of the marketplace.

This quick transfer is overseen by and subject to the approval of an experienced bankruptcy judge, and includes due process protections for parties in interest.

The bill also creates an explicit role in the bankruptcy process for the key financial regulators. In addition, there are provisions that facilitate the transfer of derivative and similarly structured contracts to the newly formed company. This will improve the ability of the company to continue the financial institution's operations.

Finally, the legislation recognizes the factually and legally complicated questions presented by the resolution of a financial institution. To that end, the bill provides that specialized bankruptcy and appellate judges will be designated in advance to preside over these cases.

The bankruptcy process has long been favored as the primary mechanism for dealing with distressed and failing companies. This is due to its impartial nature, adherence to established precedent, judicial oversight, and grounding in the principles of due process and the rule of law. We are here today as part of an effort to structure a bankruptcy process that is better equipped to deal with the specific issues raised by failing financial firms.

I want to stress again the bipartisan support that went through this process--at the subcommittee level and at the full Committee on the Judiciary level chaired by Chairman Goodlatte, my colleague on the other side of the aisle who is helping us manage this and the individuals in this House who realized what had to be done to protect the law abiding citizens of this country from a financial disaster.

As a sponsor of the bill, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important legislation.