Mike Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 122, the PROTECT Patrimony Resolution, which expresses support for efforts to stop the theft, illegal sale, and trafficking of Native American tribal cultural items. I commend my colleague from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) for introducing this important resolution. The United States is home to 567 federally recognized tribes. Tribal cultural items and sacred artifacts of these tribes are central to Native American culture and religion. As we study and learn from these items, it is imperative that we also protect them from theft and commercialization for personal gain. The extent and nature of this illegal activity is largely understudied. While the exact numbers have yet to be determined, the Bureau of Indian Affairs reports in its most recent statistics that more than 8,000 objects of cultural patrimony have been repatriated since 1990. It remains unclear, however, how many items have been stolen or illegally sold. We must obtain more comprehensive data to better understand the nature of this issue. For that reason, I joined Congressman Pearce and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner in requesting a study by the Government Accountability Office to determine how the Federal Government can help prevent the illegal excavation and removal of cultural items from Federal and tribal land, the status of Federal agency efforts to repatriate Native American cultural items, and information about the international market for trafficking these cultural items. Several auctions around the world have been criticized for routinely selling Native American goods. Earlier this year, the planned sale of an Acoma shield used in religious ceremonies was halted after the Federal Government and the Acoma Tribe advocated for its repatriation, claiming that there was reason to believe that this object was stolen. H. Con. Res. 122 condemns the theft, illegal possession, or sale and export of tribal cultural items; supports the development of explicit restrictions on the export of tribal cultural items; calls upon the secretaries of various Federal agencies and the Attorney General to take affirmative steps to secure the repatriation of these items to their respective tribes, and encourages cooperation between governmental and tribal entities in these efforts. Protection of tribal cultural items is critical to maintaining our Nation's cultural heritage. I look forward to obtaining more information through the GAO's research, and I urge passage of the resolution sponsored by my colleague, Congressman Pearce. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce), the sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 122) supporting efforts to stop the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of tribal cultural items of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the United States and internationally, as amended.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H. Con. Res. 122, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address my colleagues regarding my bipartisan, bicameral, H.R. 2315, the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act. Mr. Speaker, according to the 10th Amendment, States are generally free to set their own public policy. It is important, however, that they do so in a way that does not place a substantial burden upon the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. As the American workforce becomes increasingly more mobile, Congress has the constitutional duty to ensure that State public policy does not interfere with interstate economic activity. As an attorney and businessowner, I have seen firsthand how complicated all these different State income tax laws are for those who travel and work. These burdens affect small businesses in particular, as well as their employees, because they simply do not have the resources to comply with all the varying State income tax requirements that exist today. Employees are currently being punished with complex reporting standards and the expense that results from filing all of this paperwork simply because they must travel outside their home State for work. And rather than expanding payroll or reducing prices for consumer goods, businesses are being forced to spend their hard-earned and scarce resources on complying with convoluted State income tax laws. This certainly fits the definition, in my opinion, of government red tape. During the subcommittee hearing on my bill last year, one witness testified that his employer had filed 10,500 W-2s on behalf of their numerous employees, primarily because they had crossed State lines for work. He went on to tell us that one of his coworkers had to file 50 W- 2s just for himself. Imagine an individual making less than $50,000 a year having to file 50, 20, or even 10 W-2s. It is simply unacceptable to place that burden on our workforce today, and, moreover, it is unacceptable for us to let it go unresolved any longer. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact laws to protect the free flow of commerce among the States. It is imperative that Congress respects the 10th Amendment, but States must not use that power to prey upon workers from different States simply to raise revenues. That said, the complex array of State income tax laws in this Nation deserve a serious overhaul, and that is why conservative states' rights legislative groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council agree and support this legislation, specifically identifying H.R. 2315 as the type of interstate commerce regulation Congress should enact. In fact, that is why more than 300 outside organizations, to date, have pledged their support for this bill. With the help of my colleague, Representative Hank Johnson, on the other side of the aisle, our Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act is a carefully crafted, bipartisan, bicameral measure that streamlines income tax laws across the Nation. It creates a uniform 30-day threshold before which a nonresident cannot be exposed to another State's income tax liability. This ensures employees will have a clear understanding of their tax liability, and it gives employers a clear and consistent rule so that they can plan and accurately withhold taxes, knowing that the same rule applies for all States with an income tax. And best of all, it means much less paperwork and reduced compliance costs for everyone involved-- businessowners and employees. The goal of H.R. 2315 is to protect our mobile workforce, and that includes traveling emergency workers, first responders, trade union workers, nonprofit staff, teachers, and Federal, State, and local government employees. Any organization that has employees that cross State lines for temporary periods will benefit from this law. I would also note that great care was taken with this bill to diminish the impact on State revenues. My colleague across the aisle suggested concerns with this, and I would point out that a 2015 study the chairman raised earlier, conducted by Ernst & Young, found that H.R. 2315 would actually raise tax revenues in some States, while other States would only see a de minimis change. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 308 members of the Mobile Workforce Coalition who support the bill. I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte for all of his time and effort, all 180 of my colleagues who have cosponsored this House bill, as well as Senator Thune, Senator Brown, and nearly half of the United States Senate that have cosponsored our companion bill so far. The Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act is a simple way to reduce obvious administrative burdens with so much red tape interwoven in today's Tax Code. This bill is just a plain commonsense way to cut through the clutter and simplify part of the filing process moving forward. Together, we can make our workforce a priority and help our small businesses grow and save. I strongly urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 2315. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in response to the previous speaker, my colleague from across the aisle, I would respectfully respond to his concerns about states' rights. This bill does not violate federalism principles. On the contrary, it is an exercise of Congress' Commerce Clause authority in precisely the situation for which it was intended. The Supreme Court has explained that the Commerce Clause was informed by structural concerns about the effects of State regulation on the national economy. Under the Articles of Confederation, State taxes and duties hindered and suppressed interstate commerce. The Framers intended the interstate Commerce Clause as a cure for these structural ills. This bill fits squarely within the authority by bringing uniformity to cases of de minimis presence by interstate workers in order to reduce compliance costs. I might also say, Mr. Speaker, in regard to this bill, this bill enjoys broad bipartisan support. It has 180 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. This bill will minimize compliance burdens on both workers and employers so that they can get back to being productive, creating and performing jobs. We have received letters of support from hundreds of entities across the employment spectrum. But this bill is not just about business; it is about individuals. One businessowner told the Judiciary Committee that the compliance burdens from the patchwork of State laws falls on the employees who ``make less than $50,000 per year and have limited resources to seek professional advice.'' It may not seem like a lot to those who oppose this bill, but for folks that make that kind of money, it is a great burden. It has been questioned whether there will be revenue loss to these States. Analysis shows that the impact is minimal, affecting mainly the allocation of revenues, not the overall size of the tax revenue pot. This legislation is a great example of Congress working in a bipartisan way to relieve burdens on hardworking Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I came to the United States Congress, I served as general counsel and chief legal officer for a small business. One of my primary functions was to ensure compliance on the patchwork of government requirements and issues that presented itself every day. It was a huge burden for our company. It was a huge burden for the employees of our company. This is exactly what we are talking about today. This is the exact kind of compliance that is choking out small business and really, really falling on the shoulders of those who can least afford it. Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense solution to a real problem. We live in a global economy. It is something we can't deny. Our mobile workforce is there, and it is going to continue to grow. We cannot continue to penalize companies and individuals for that fact. We have 180 cosponsors for this that accede the exact basis for what we are trying to accomplish here. These are bipartisan folks-- Republicans and Democrats. The same is true with a companion bill in the Senate. There are lots and lots of outside groups that support it, not just specific legislative groups, but businesses that deal with this every day. So I am very proud of this bill. I am grateful to Representative Johnson of Georgia for his work on the bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4712) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which a person to whom a document is sent under that initiative may require that the United States Postal Service obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 4712, currently under consideration.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4712, the Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act of 2016. The bill is short, but it will have a great impact in the lives of many aliens seeking to play by the rules and legally live and work in the United States. H.R. 4712 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to allow immigration benefits recipients to elect to pay a fee and have their immigration documents sent to them via U.S. mail, signature required. Currently, immigration documents are delivered via priority mail through the U.S. Postal Service. And while delivery can be monitored through use of a tracking number, there are numerous incidents of individuals not, in fact, receiving the documents that the U.S. Postal Service notes as delivered. One obvious concern in such a case is that the document was intercepted by an unscrupulous individual who will fraudulently use it. Another concern is the cost and time it takes for the individual to reapply for the document, which, at this point, is the only recourse if a document has gone missing. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ombudsman discussed this problem in its FY16 report, noting that delays in receipt of immigration documents can adversely affect the ability of aliens to work or prove lawful immigration status. H.R. 4712 imposes no cost to the United States taxpayer, since if an alien elects for their document to be delivered via signature required, the immigrant must first pay a fee set by USCIS that covers the cost of such delivery, as well as any administrative costs for the agency. H.R. 4712 is a needed antifraud and good government measure. I urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall).

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

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Walberg for all his hard work on this issue. It is a very important issue for this country and the people that we represent. Every year, unelected bureaucrats create thousands of onerous rules that have the full effect of a law without any input from the people that they will impact--rules like the EPA's waters of the United States rule or the Department of Labor's overtime rule--which I hear about often in my office. These rules are able to be crafted and adopted behind closed doors without ever being voted on by a single elected official with absolutely no transparency and no public debate. Nevertheless, this administration continues to churn out these rules without regard for the negative consequences or the fact that this rulemaking process is contrary to the express terms of the United States Constitution, Article I, section 1, which gives exclusive lawmaking power to the legislative branch. These rules have so many negative consequences like fewer jobs and less workplace flexibility, and they impact virtually everyone in some way or another. That is why I support Mr. Walberg's bill, H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act. It provides much-needed transparency into the rulemaking process by requiring agencies to post all public comments in a central location. It also prohibits Federal agencies from actively soliciting support for any and all proposed rules during the public comment period. Mr. Chairman, I have worked here for 2 years, and I am still shocked by the brazen disregard this administration has shown for the rule of law and the United States Constitution. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on this measure.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating what makes our Nation the greatest country in the world by recognizing Patriot Week, currently going on this week. My resolution, H. Con. Res. 58, does just that. This is a cause that is very close to my heart, as I have always been in awe of the work of our Founding Fathers. In fact, when I was the Senate majority leader of Michigan in 2009, we became the first legislative body to recognize Patriot Week. Since then, events have spread to at least 10 States, where people of all ages have reflected on the work of great Americans who furthered the cause of liberty and our founding principles. Patriot Week formally begins on September 11, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and ends on September 17, by celebrating Constitution Day. Each day focuses on a different set of American values, people, and our most precious founding documents. Mr. Speaker, in this time when our Nation has become so divided, we must renew our American spirit and let it endure for generations to come. We are blessed to live in the greatest Nation on Earth, and we owe it to all of the brave men and women who paved the way for us to get here. I urge my colleagues to join me in participating in Patriot Week and supporting my resolution, H. Con. Res. 58.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Howard ``Red'' McCarrick, a World War II veteran from Lake Orion, Michigan. On a whim, Mr. McCarrick signed up for the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. He had to wait until his 18th birthday in 1943 before officially joining. Initially, Mr. McCarrick trained to be a pilot, but he changed his focus and volunteered to be a ball turret gunner. After graduating gunner training as a corporal, he flew B-24s on national security missions until the end of World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. After his time in the Army Air Corps, Mr. McCarrick continued down the path of public service, working for the Rochester Community Schools for 31 years. Mr. McCarrick is an American hero--a patriot, a father, and a proud member of the Lake Orion community. He was recently honored by Chief Jerry Narsh and the Lake Orion Police Department as the 2016 Lake Orion Honored Veteran. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have such an outstanding American hero in my district. Thank you, Mr. McCarrick, for your service to our country and your commitment to our community.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise--very proudly so--to pay tribute to an inspiring man, and I am proud to call him a mentor and a friend, Pastor Kent Clark. Pastor Clark is the senior pastor of Grace Gospel Fellowship Church in Pontiac, Michigan, and he is the chief executive officer of Grace Centers of Hope. Grace Centers of Hope is one of Michigan's leading faith-based organizations that provides care for the homeless and for individuals who are fighting addiction. Grace Centers of Hope provides comprehensive programs for men, women, and children, including group and individual counseling, GED classes and testing, financial education, addiction and abuse classes, and child care. It also has a self-funded homeownership program and offers graduates of its program the opportunity to own their own homes. It does all of this without accepting government funding. Pastor Clark, truly, has a servant's heart, and he and his wife, Dr. Pam Clark, and their family have dedicated their lives to helping those in need--with unparalleled commitment and devotion. Pastor Clark is a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a renowned author. He was also named ``Michiganian of the Year'' by the Detroit News in 2012. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome my friend, Pastor Kent Clark, to the United States House of Representatives as our guest chaplain today. I would like to personally recognize and thank him for his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to our community.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a charitable organization in my district, the LACASA Center. Located in Howell, Michigan, LACASA is celebrating its 35th year of empowering and supporting victims of abuse, assault, and violence. LACASA's goal is to advocate for and to provide services to victims of violent crimes. It also works to educate the community on issues of domestic abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault. The services LACASA provides are instrumental in assisting members of our community, whether that comes in the form of shelter, meals, counseling, or education. I have seen the amazing work that LACASA does firsthand, and I had the opportunity to tour the facility earlier this year. LACASA's President and CEO is Bobette Schrandt. She is a tireless advocate for those whom she serves and is an incredible asset to our community. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to such a charitable organization in my district. Congratulations, LACASA, on your 35th anniversary, and thank you for your dedication to our great community.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a public health atrocity that is being ignored by the current administration and the current administration's continued failure to ensure justice for American citizens. As many Members in this body will recall, in 2012, the New England Compounding Center manufactured and distributed nonsterilized injections to clinics and hospitals around the Nation. After receiving those injections, more than 750 people nationwide developed fungal meningitis. To date, 76 people have died as a result. As you can see by the illustration to my left, this is a nationwide issue. The epicenter, however, of the outbreak was in Michigan's Eighth District, which I proudly represent. More than 200 people became sick, and 15 people died after receiving the tainted injection from a clinic in our district. Because of the reckless disregard for the health and safety of the recipients of these drugs, the Department of Justice secured 131 convictions against 14 individuals, including 25 counts of second degree murder against the two main defendants for the deaths occurring in seven States. Although this outbreak happened almost 4 years ago, the consequences are still very real today. Just the other week I was approached by a gentleman whose wife had died as a result of a lethal injection she received. It was, of course, heart-wrenching to hear the agony he went through and continues to deal with after losing his best friend and wife to this terrible tragedy. Whether it is someone who has lost a loved one or a victim now living with chronic pain and sickness or a family member caring for an ill victim, this is a national tragedy, and the people need to be heard. Not only have the day-to-day lives of these victims been irretrievably altered, they have also been financially ruined. Just to give you an idea, copays on some of the drugs for the treatments required for this illness are up to $5,000 per month, and despite multiple bipartisan requests from Members of both this body and the Senate, the Department of Health and Human Services has rejected all requests to waive rights to collect on Medicare liens they have placed on the settlement issued last year. That means that victims will get very little from their compensation funds. In fact, to this date, they have received not a dime. Not only that, Mr. Speaker, but now the Obama administration, through the Office of Management and Budget, has blocked the ability of victims to get compensation from the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program, otherwise known as the AEAP for short. The AEAP was created utilizing funds from the Federal crime victims fund, a fund specifically set aside to compensate victims of crimes. The fund gets its resources from not taxpayer dollars, but through a special assessment on convicted criminals. They get it through criminal fines, penalties, and forfeited bail bonds. Without any explanation, a bureaucrat at the Office of Management and Budget has blocked the decision of a Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General to compensate victims of this act which the Department of Justice has recognized as criminal. These are innocent Americans whose lives have been destroyed by criminals who will never meet them, will never feel their pain, hear the pain in their voices, will never see the irreversible damage they have caused. But, Mr. Speaker, I see it, and the 17 other colleagues of mine who have signed this bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget see it, too. Justice must be served. If the Attorney General won't speak up to advocate for justice, as secured by the hardworking Assistant Attorneys General on this case, and the administration won't reverse its decision, then the citizens of this country and the victims and their families deserve to know why they have been denied justice. As a former prosecutor myself for my local community, I understand full well that victims of crimes need an advocate to stand up for them. Nothing--and I mean nothing--will reverse the harm that has been caused by this act. But at the very least, we must ensure justice for the people, and we must hold those responsible accountable for their actions. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. I thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman Goodlatte, and Mr. Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased to be here in the spirit of bipartisanship because, as you all know, this problem affects all Members' districts. It is a problem that sheriffs and local law enforcement in my district deal with on a daily basis. Admittedly, my amendment is not the silver bullet that will end this epidemic, but it is a commonsense step in the right direction, something we can take to address the problem at its roots, which is within the home. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 800,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 try opioids for the first time each year and that 70 percent of the opioids obtained by kids are from their families, friends, and relatives. It also found that 62 percent of kids say prescription medicines are easy to get from their families' medicine cabinets and that one in two kids, alarmingly, thinks pills are available everywhere. In response to these statistics, my amendment would allow the State and local governments to invest in programs that utilize secure containers for prescription drugs. It is important to note that this amendment does not mandate such programs; it merely makes available the opportunity should local governments voluntarily choose to take advantage of the program. While there may not be an easy fix to cure all of the alarming statistics, there are things that we can do and have done. In fact, in the 1960s, children were dying at an alarming rate from ingesting medications that were not meant for them. Congress responded, and it responded by passing the Poisoning Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, which requires child-resistant caps for a number of different medications. That was the last time major changes were made to drug containers. As we all know, technology has advanced significantly in every category since 1970. Today, new technologies exist that make it harder to steal medications out of the family medicine cabinet, but they are not widely used. Secure containers, clearly, will not fix this problem, but they will act as a deterrent to the source of the problem. As a father of three, I know that kids face all sorts of pressures at school and in their daily lives. Oftentimes, they don't respond in the appropriate way, and they sometimes give in to those pressures. That doesn't make them bad kids, but we cannot continue to turn a blind eye in denial while it is happening. My amendment would allow for the implementation and the development of a program that utilizes secure containers for prescription drugs. This is a commonsense solution that addresses a problem at its source. It is a common practice to lock up things that we deem valuable and that could be dangerous to others. We lock up our cars, we lock up our bikes, we lock the doors of our homes; some of us may even lock the drawers of our desks or lock up valuables and weapons in safe places in our homes. Therefore, it only makes sense when it comes to dangerous pills that are being stolen and that are leading us down dangerous paths to addiction, that we lock up these medicines and deter them from being stolen in the first place. This is not a mandate and it is not a directive for anyone to do this. My amendment simply allows States and localities to utilize funds or programs that provide for secure containers. Again, it is not to be considered the be-all and end-all solution, but it is a genuine step in the right direction to thwart this tragic epidemic. I urge all Members to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.