Earl Blumenauer

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, and I appreciate his words. Mr. Speaker, for years, we have danced around this. It is complex with the Turks, in terms of the relationship that we have tried to deal with. But denying genocide has not helped resolve those issues. It hasn't changed the behavior of the Turks. Look at what is happening with the Kurds today. Failure to acknowledge this horrific episode is a burden for us all--standing up for human rights, acknowledging the truth, giving a sense of closure and solace to the people who endured this horrific activity, and making sure that we are united in our opposition to those genocidal activities. Sadly, unless and until the Turks own their history, acknowledge it, they are not going to be able to move past it. This is a chapter that needs a spotlight shone on it. I appreciate this formal acknowledgment by the House of Representatives. I think it is a first step toward healing, and it is an important step toward preventing tragedies like this in the future. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support it, and I look forward to its passage on the floor of the House.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Vision Zero Act of 2019. This bipartisan legislation makes the development and implementation of Vision Zero plans eligible for federal transportation funding under the Surface Transportation Block Grant program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Traffic fatalities in the United States claim more than 36,000 lives every year, that is one life approximately every 14 minutes. Fatal crashes are especially common for the most vulnerable road users, that is, pedestrians, cyclists, older Americans, and children. Just yesterday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their annual traffic fatalities report which found a decrease in total traffic fatalities but an increase for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. We need a new approach. The only acceptable number of traffic fatalities is zero. In more than 40 urban, rural, and suburban communities across America, residents, activists, and elected officials have come together to adopt and implement Vision Zero plans. The goal of Vision Zero is the elimination of all transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. This includes pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and passengers. Vision Zero is an innovative, multifaceted approach to improve transportation safety across all transportation modes by using data, new partnerships, safe planning, and community- focused solutions toward zero traffic fatalities. The Vision Zero Act of 2019 integrates Vision Zero into federal transportation policy so that safety, equity, and proper planning are finally prioritized.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy and his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, it is a breath of fresh air for us in these sort of, shall we say, troubled times in our Nation's Capital, when there is so much discord and disagreement, and it seems we can't really agree on fundamental facts: Is today Tuesday or Wednesday? Animal welfare is one of those issues that brings people together on a bipartisan basis. I am pleased that the bipartisan Congressional Animal Welfare Caucus has been involved in advancing this. Animal cruelty has been an area in which I have been involved since the beginning of my tenure in Congress. We fought, in farm bills, for years to try to advance protections against animal cruelty. I am pleased that we are here today dealing with something where Congress has already acted to make these provisions illegal. But what we haven't done is make it illegal to depict these horrific crush videos. It was horrifying, when we brought that legislation to the floor, for people to understand what some sick, sadistic people do in portraying these horrific acts of cruelty. What we find is that it is linked to larger issues. People who abuse animals are often linked to horrific instances of violence against their family and community. It is dehumanizing to us all, as well as, of course, the cruelty that is involved there. We need to enact this legislation to make the actual creation of the depiction of the animals being abused illegal. For example, the PACT Act would allow for charges to be brought against a puppy mill operator who is drowning unwanted animals if he is engaged in interstate activity. It would take strides to protect our overall communities from violent crime. I would hope that this would also signal more activity on the floor of this House because we have a range of legislation that is teed up and ready to go that has broad, bipartisan support. I appreciate the fact that we are getting 290, or whatever the number is, but life is short. We ought to be able to move these items with broad, bipartisan support to the floor. We shouldn't necessarily be here just renaming post offices on a Monday. I mean, these are substantive issues that matter to people. We ought to be moving them through. I think this is an important first step, and I am pleased to add my support to it.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, the leadership, and you have heard from a number of the champions in this House fighting for a more rational policy regarding cannabis. We are in this fix today because Congress has refused to provide the partnership and the leadership that the States demand. The States aren't waiting for us. As you have heard, 47 States have taken steps to legalize some form of State legal cannabis. One of the most insidious aspects of our being out of sync is what we have seen in terms of access to banking services. Congressman Heck elaborated I think very emotionally and effectively about the dangers that this presents. We have an opportunity to fix that problem. This is an $11 billion industry and growing, and it is growing because the people and the States have demanded it. We need to step up and solve one of the biggest problems, and that is simply they don't have access to banking services. I have worked on this issue for decades. I have never met a human being who feels that there is any good purpose served by forcing them to pay their bills with duffle bags full of $20 bills--not one person. It is an invitation to theft, it is an invitation to money laundering already, it is an invitation to tax evasion, and it stifles the opportunities of this business. I strongly urge our colleagues to vote for this as the next step. This is an important foundational, but it is not the last step. We have important legislation that is keyed up and ready to go. This approval today will provide momentum that we need for further reform that we all want and will make America safer and stronger.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, every day, thousands of Americans unwittingly sign contracts for nursing homes, credit cards, and employment contracts that surrender their rights to their day in court before an impartial judge and jury. Instead, buried in the fine print of the contract, they agree to rely on an arbitrator who doesn't have to follow the law or facts and will have every incentive to favor the special interests that could give them repeat business. Typically, arbitration is not public. The Wells Fargo practice of opening unauthorized bank accounts would have undoubtedly been exposed and ended sooner if Wells Fargo hadn't enforced mandatory arbitration. This is our chance to stand up for consumers, justice, and fairness. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1423, the FAIR Act.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, we have a crisis in housing, in homelessness, growing wealth inequality, and it is all not an accident. It is the result of deliberate discrimination and policy failure. The Federal Government, for years, intervened in housing for White veterans, for middle-class homeowners, for developers and property owners, but shut out poor and, especially, people of color--African Americans, most notably. Trump is making it worse. Tonight, 550,000 people will go to sleep homeless. We have a gap of 7 million affordable rental units, and income inequality grows. We need a reset. Last week, I released this report, ``Locked Out: Reversing Federal Housing Failures and Unlocking Opportunity,'' which details solutions for our most vexing housing policy challenges. It is available on blumenauer.house.gov website. We must be bold, transformative, and ambitious in solving these challenges. We can't afford another generation of small-scale thinking and large-scale failure.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding and allowing me to speak on this. I was on the Ways and Means Committee that passed the grotesque Republican tax cut. This provision was never debated on a bill that never had a hearing wedged in. The math doesn't work out. It portends that we are going to have hundreds of millions, a billion or more in savings. It is not going to happen. We are talking about a relatively small amount of money, which I am convinced, despite my good friend from Alaska's assertion, this is going to move forward. The American public opposed it. It is the wrong thing to do. We need to be moving in the other direction in terms of keeping the oil up there in the ground for climate, but also, for the environment there. I had a chance to visit that area with Governor Inslee and other colleagues and am really impressed with the nature of that. I saw that caribou herd. This is a treasure. It is much more fragile than one would think, and we are bound and determined to work to support the environmental values, the desire of the American people, our challenges for climate, and to unwind this egregious provision in the Republican tax bill, which, mark my words, will, in fact, be substantially adjusted, if not in this Congress in a subsequent Congress. I appreciate my friend's forthright approach here. I appreciate the fact that we are focusing the American public on the outrageous provision, that we are fighting to protect the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and dismissing this egregious provision in the Republican tax scam.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, had I been present for the vote to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1420, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act (Roll no. 515), I would have voted ``aye.'' Additionally, had I been present for the vote to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1768, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 (Roll call no. 516), I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Malcolm S. Morris as he ends his long chairmanship of the Millennium Water Alliance, which he helped to found seventeen years ago. His career is marked by his astounding work for this country and for millions of the world's poorest people as a longtime advocate for safe drinking water and sanitation. The Alliance is unique in the global water sector--it includes as members fifteen leading U.S. charities that help international governments and other organizations bring safe drinking water and sanitation systems to millions in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. It forges new relationships to accelerate this effort, and works with USAID to help advance America's interest in reducing poverty and increasing stability and opportunity for millions. Malcolm advocated for water as the foundation of development and for peace building at a time when the U.S. Government was paying little attention to this issue. In particular, Malcolm has been a strong voice among his fellow conservative Republicans, urging more of them to join in this effort, and to seek common ground with those of us across the aisle in supporting foreign assistance to truly help advance our common goals in the world. His first step was to set up an international faith-based NGO in his home state of Texas, and to recruit colleagues and friends who were equally passionate. Under his leadership, some gave up well-paying jobs to do ``God's work''. To this day that NGO, Living Water, organizes mission trips to introduce people firsthand to the potential and challenges of development work--work that increases the reputation and soft power of the United States, community by community. Realizing that the private sector was a relatively untapped source of funding for water work, Malcolm organized a ``Millennium Water Challenge'' in 2002. As a CEO active in the national business community, he invited his fellow CEOs to join him at an event in Houston. A number of CEOs turned up and many more sent representatives, setting an early example in involving major corporations in water, sanitation, and hygiene issues. Because of his leadership, several well-known U.S. corporations and brands are now involved in global efforts to address water, sanitation, and hygiene. Perhaps, Malcolm's greatest contribution has been his insistence that USAID should play a bigger role in increasing access to water in the developing world. He believed that the U.S. Government, U.S. corporations, and U.S. civil society together could make a significant contribution to addressing the challenges facing millions of the world poorest people. In 2002 he founded the Millennium Water Alliance, with the objective of transforming people's lives through improving access to safe water, improved sanitation, and good hygiene practices. Malcolm then played a major role with others in the helping to pass the 2005 Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and devoted much of his time to encouraging members of Congress to fund this legislation. He also worked with the Alliance and used his political connections both in the U.S. and overseas to set up innovative water, sanitation, and hygiene programming in Kenya, Ethiopia and Central America. His enduring legacy is someone who built up political capital as an innovative business leader and used a significant part of that capital for the benefit of poor and marginalized people in the developing world. It is, as he would say, ``God's work''.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, America is in the middle of a micromobility revolution, with bikeshare and scooters changing the way that people get around. First introduced in the United States in 2010, more than 100 communities now have bikeshare systems, supporting a network of more than 100,000 bikes. Since bikeshare's launch in the United States, riders have taken more than 100 million trips, with the number of trips and systems increasing each year. My community recently celebrated the third anniversary of its BIKETOWN bikeshare launch. Since then, Portlanders and visitors have taken nearly 900,000 trips, covering more than one million miles and removing untold numbers of automobiles from city streets. The system's success has already led to its expansion, giving more communities access to efficient, carbon-free transportation. The increased commercial investment around bikeshare stations and networks is driving economic development across the country. Systems are opening in communities of all sizes from Los Angeles and Cleveland to Topeka and Birmingham. While some existing bikeshare programs received federal dollars to develop their systems, the lack of an established funding source has proved an impediment to many other projects. Since the term ``bikeshare'' is not defined in U.S. code or described by law as a form of transit, existing bikeshare systems and departments of transportation are forced to operate in a gray area, creating challenges for funding, maintaining, and administering these programs. Today, I am reintroducing the Bikeshare Transit Act of 2019, legislation that will eliminate this gray area by defining bikeshare in statute and making bikeshare systems eligible to receive funding to enhance related public transportation service or transit facilities. The bill allows federal funding to be used for acquiring or replacing bikeshare-related equipment and constructing bikeshare facilities. Bikeshare systems will also be listed as eligible projects under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program. The Bikeshare Transit Act will remove significant barriers facing new and existing bikeshare projects applying for federal funding while underscoring that bikeshare programs drive economic development and add value to America's transportation system.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), and I appreciate his laser-like focus on this issue. We are hearing people in an alternative universe. The problems that we are facing financially are not an issue of mismanagement. It is the near collapse of the economy that plunged it into a downward spiral and the fact that the deregulation by the Congress in the trucking industry meant that there were many, many jobs that disappeared. Many plans were no longer sustainable. But I find it rich to hear my friends on the other side of the aisle talk about fiscal conservatism and protecting the taxpayer's money. These are the folks who passed a tax bill, without the benefit of a hearing, that added $2.3 trillion to the deficit. And they are ignoring the fact that, if we allow these plans to go over the edge, it will cost five, six, eight times as much money. Let's get real here. I appreciate the commitment that we have, Mr. Chairman, to a bipartisan solution. There are people on the other side of the aisle who want to work on that. This isn't the last word. We have things to do, but this is, however, the first step to get us there.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time and for his tireless efforts on this with Mr. Yoho. I have watched as the gentleman has battled this for years. I have worked with him to get cosponsorships. We have had the Animal Protection Caucus having sessions, bringing staff members, having demonstrations of this horrific practice. This is the ninth year that this has been before us. Now, I am pleased that we are here. I am pleased that we are making the case. I am pleased that, tonight, we are going to pass this legislation, although I wish it weren't at 10:30 at night for a few minutes; because there is no guarantee that, even with this case, with the momentum, that we are going to be able to get it through the Senate, where we have seen objection in the past. I hope that this legislation occasions a little bit of soul- searching. The animal protection agenda of this Congress is one of the areas that brings people together, like my two veterinarian friends have shown bipartisan cooperation dealing with the facts, mustering support, being far more patient than I would have. I mean, the last two Congresses, we had 280 cosponsors. We couldn't even get a hearing, let alone get it on the floor. That is outrageous. Now, there is a little bit of political blowback. Some people who are part of that aren't here anymore. I hope that there are some lessons, both in terms of the politics and the basic decency for protection of animal welfare. I agree with the gentleman from Georgia, I wish it went through regular order. I wish that we had an opportunity in committees of jurisdiction to give a little bit of the time that is merited to be able to give the public a view of what is going on; the bureaucracy that, for 49 years, has been unable to take the self-policing mechanism and be able to make it work. I hope that this is the first of a series of items. I plan on talking to our leadership, and I hope we will have leadership on the other side of the aisle who, in the past have held off, despite overwhelming support, to the frustration, I know, of one of the principal sponsors. I hope that we understand that this is something that shouldn't be dealt with in a partisan fashion, and there shouldn't be jurisdictional battles. People ought to be able to take fundamental animal welfare issues and bring them forward on the merits, have the debate, and get them enacted. It will make people in this body feel better, because for a number of days, I think, people don't feel so good watching what happens around here, and we don't have much to show for our efforts. So I want to commend my colleagues for their patience and their perseverance. Vern Buchanan, my co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, has been writing op-eds with me and working on this, so it's a culmination of a lot of work. But I hope it is a first step toward dealing with an area that is supported by the American public. It is important work. It is not particularly controversial, except for a few special interests who, frankly, don't have a leg to stand on, even though they didn't have one of those things on their legs. I hope that we can use this as an opportunity to make more progress in a bipartisan way to solve problems, not just for animal welfare, but other areas that the American people would like us to add

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced a resolution formally condemning the Trump Administration's systematic cruel and inhumane treatment of migrants, particularly children, at the southern border. This resolution was introduced with the support of more than fifty of our Democratic colleagues who agree that the House of Representatives needs to go on the record in their condemnation of the human rights crisis perpetrated by the Trump administration. While Congress has voted to send billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to improve the conditions of detainees, the House of Representatives has yet to reject Trump's inhumane and horrific policies. With thousands of children separated from their families, more being denied asylum at the border, and far more languishing in detention facilities without the basic necessities to sustain a dignified life, this body must take a stand. The first step toward combatting evil is giving it a name. As the branch of government closest to the American public, we must formally condemn Trump's intolerant and hateful policies against some of the world's most vulnerable individuals.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2019, which would open up more access to affordable primary care. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based alternative payment model for primary care in which patients, employers, or health plans pay a DPC physician practice monthly or periodic fees directly for unlimited access to primary care and prevention services. DPC affords the patient more time with the doctor--sometimes an hour per visit--giving the doctor the time to build a true relationship with their patients, so they can better understand and address their health needs. Today, DPC is providing high-quality care at lower cost for individuals of all ages and incomes across America. By partnering with wrap-around insurance plans that cover non-primary care services, DPC practices now serve patients with private insurance, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care. As opposed to ``concierge'' physician practices, DPC practices typically charge a low monthly fee of $50-$100 per month and serve low and moderate-income patients. However, IRS interpretation of the tax code prevents Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) from using this promising alternative payment model. The Primary Care Enhancement Act clarifies two small provisions in the Internal Revenue Code that treat these innovative primary care arrangements for employees and individuals as health plans rather than medical services. More than twenty states have passed laws defining DPC as a medical service and not a health plan regulated by state insurance law. Likewise, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rules on Essential Health Benefits clearly state that DPC arrangements are medical services, not health insurance. However, the current IRS interpretation of the statute prohibits individuals with HSAs from funding their accounts if they have a DPC arrangement. Furthermore, individuals cannot use their existing HSA dollars to pay for the monthly or annual DPC fees as qualified medical expenses, even though the fees are giving them access to their primary care doctor and primary care services that would otherwise be HSA-eligible. As more individuals and employers seek to utilize the DPC delivery model, it is important that an outdated tax barrier not get in the way of patients accessing this successful model of care. While many of us have philosophical differences about HSAs and their role in health care, my legislation is not an expansion of HSAs themselves; rather, it is a narrow clarification providing tax equity for individuals who want to use DPC arrangements. I urge my colleagues support this bipartisan effort to expand access and continue the movement towards better primary care at lower costs.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, which would permit high- deductible health plans to provide chronic disease prevention services to plan enrollees prior to satisfying their plan deductible. According to a 2017 Rand Corporation study, 90 percent of the United States' $3.3 trillion in annual health expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. Approximately 60 percent of the cost is paid by public sources: Medicare, Medicaid, and other U.S. federal and state health programs. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease estimates that by 2030, 83 million people in the U.S. will have three or more chronic health conditions, up from 31 million in 2015. Preventing chronic diseases, or managing symptoms when prevention is not possible, can reduce these costs. Currently, the cost of chronic care services often prevents individuals who have a chronic disease and high deductible health plan from seeking care. Many Americans struggle, particularly at the beginning of the year, when they have to pay out of pocket until they have met their deductible. My legislation would address this problem by allowing health savings account eligible high deductible health plans to provide beneficiary coverage of chronic disease management care before reaching their deductible limit. My bill would lower costs for people living with chronic conditions by providing pre-deductible coverage of services critical in fending off the progression of chronic illness. That is why I am proud to sponsor the Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this important piece of legislation.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

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

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 2 minutes. I would first begin by extending my congratulations to the chair and the committee for taking a hard look at this legislation to better meet the needs of the military and the taxpayer in long-term, stable, careful military policy. I think they have made tremendous strides. I would like to try to make it just a tiny bit better. Mr. Chair, we are looking at a Minuteman III extension on a land- based intercontinental ballistic missile system, and I am proposing that we have a study as to whether or not we could be better served by simply extending the life of the existing system as opposed to new development. Frankly, there needs to be more attention by this Congress, and I appreciate the attention that the committee has given. The ICBM is the leg of the triad that raises the most questions. There has been a RAND study on the future of the ICBM force that found that a new alternative is very likely to cost two or three times more than incremental modernization. We are careening toward a $1.3 trillion or more investment in nuclear weapons that, frankly, do not help us for most of our national security challenges that we face now, weapons that we simply can't afford and can't afford to use. I think by trying to right-size the work that we are doing and by taking a hard look at this element with a study on extending the life, it is a reasonable, responsible, cost-effective effort. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the distinguished chair of the committee.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 20 seconds to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the amount of time remaining.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, my colleague has the right to close?

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 15 seconds to reassure my good friend from Utah that the Minuteman missile doesn't have to remember what it was doing in the past. It simply has to launch. To the notion that it is a Nixon-era weapon, we are flying B-52s, which are not just Lyndon Johnson but those are of the Kennedy era. Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), my good friend.