Ken Buck

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chairman, this manager's amendment simply makes a few technical changes to the bill; namely, striking references to multiple defendants and replacing them with references to single defendants to make clear that even if one instate defendant has a legitimate connection to the case, the case can remain in State court. I urge my colleagues to support this technical and clarifying amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BUCK. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, in many cases a trial lawyer's main target is a national business, but if the only defendant in the case is an out-of- State business, the case can be heard in Federal court rather than in a local State court, which trial lawyers often prefer. By also suing a local defendant in addition to the national defendant, who are the true targets of the lawsuits, trial lawyers can keep their cases in the preferred State courts. Trial lawyers who sue innocent local people and small businesses simply to keep the lawsuits in their preferred State courts usually drop their cases against these innocent local parties but only after their cases are safely back in State courts and only after the innocent local parties have had to spend time and money in dealing with the lawsuits. That is not right. Trial lawyers shouldn't be able to subject innocent local people and small businesses to costly and time-consuming lawsuits just to rig the places in which their lawsuits will be heard. This unfairness led respected Federal appeals court Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to publicly support congressional action to change the standards for joinder to allow judges greater flexibility in making the right decisions on questions of removal to Federal court and to give Federal judges greater discretion to determine earlier in the case whether a local party joined to the lawsuit is there for a good reason or for fraudulent reasons. H.R. 3624 is precisely the kind of remedy urged by Judge Wilkinson, who has said: That is exactly the kind of approach . . . that I like because it is targeted; and there is a problem with fraudulent jurisdiction laws as it exists today, I think, and that is that you have to establish that the joinder of a non- diverse local defendant is totally ridiculous and that there is no possibility of ever recovering. . . . That is very hard to do. So I think making the fraudulent joinder law a little bit more realistic . . . appeals to me because it seems to me the kind of intermediate step that addresses some real problems. H.R. 3624 would protect innocent local defendants in two main ways. First, the bill allows Federal judges greater discretion to release local defendants from a case where it is not plausible to conclude, as a legal matter, that applicable State law would impose liability on the local defendant. The term ``plausible'' is taken from the Supreme Court's jurisprudence that interprets rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Court's decisions provide substantial guidance as to the meaning of the term. Initially, in Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, the Court distinguished between plausible claims and claims that are speculative: Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level. Later, in Ashcroft v. Iqbal, the Court stated: The plausibility standard . . . asks for more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully. This standard demands more than an unadorned, `the defendant unlawfully harmed me' accusation or threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements. Professor Martin H. Redish, one of the Nation's foremost scholars of Federal court jurisdiction, has written: The Twombly/Iqbal plausibility standard represents the fairest and most efficient resolution of the conflicting interests in the context of pleading. It will similarly provide a fair and efficient approach in the context of fraudulent joinder. Second, the bill codifies a proposition that the Supreme Court has long recognized: that in deciding whether joinder is fraudulent, courts may consider whether the plaintiff has a good faith intention of seeking a judgment against the local defendant. Consistent with Supreme Court precedent, courts continue to find fraudulent joinder when objective evidence clearly demonstrates there is no good faith intention to prosecute the action against all defendants. As the Federal court in Faulk v. Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products N.A., Inc., said: Where the plaintiff's collective litigation actions, viewed objectively, clearly demonstrate a lack of good faith intention to pursue a claim to judgment against a nondiverse local defendant, the court should dismiss the nondiverse defendant and retain jurisdiction over the case. The language of this provision is taken almost verbatim from an often-cited decision in the Third Circuit, In re Briscoe: ``The court said that joinder is fraudulent if `there is . . . no real intention in good faith to prosecute the action against the defendant or seek a joint judgment.' '' I urge all my colleagues to support this simple, commonsense bill that will protect innocent local parties from being dragged into expensive and time-consuming lawsuits for the sole reason of furthering a trial lawyer's forum shopping strategy.

Mr. BUCK. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment should be roundly opposed for the simple reason that not only does it not protect any victims, but it also victimizes innocent local parties in the types of cases covered by the amendment. The purpose of this bill is to allow judges greater discretion to free innocent local parties--that is, innocent people and innocent small businesses--from lawsuits when those innocent local parties are dragged into a case for no other reason than to further a trial lawyer's forum-shopping strategy. These innocent local parties have, at most, an attenuated connection to the claims by the trial lawyer against some national company a thousand miles away, and these innocent local parties shouldn't have to suffer the time, expense, and emotional drain of a lawsuit when the plaintiff cannot even come up with a plausible claim against it. The base bill protects those innocent local parties from being dragged into a lawsuit brought against some other party for no other reason than to keep the case in a State court the trial lawyer prefers. Now, enter this amendment, which denies the bill's protections to innocent local parties joined to a lawsuit simply because the legal allegations in the case fall into one arbitrary category rather than another. That is terribly unfair. If this were any other kind of bill designed to protect innocent people, no one would argue that it shouldn't apply when the lawsuit relates to a bad faith suit against an insurance company. Innocent people are innocent people, and they should be protected from being dragged into lawsuits, regardless of the nature of the case. Now, let me say a little something about this amendment based on my career as a prosecutor. As a prosecutor, I deeply respected all the rules we have developed in this country to protect the innocent. These are rules of general application, such as rules protecting people's rights to have their side of the story told and rules protecting people from biased or inaccurate testimony. I would have been appalled if anyone ever suggested that these general protections designed to protect innocent people from criminal liability should be suspended because the case was one of assault or battery or murder or somehow related to insurance. Our country is rightfully proud of its principles providing due process and equal protection, but those concepts are meaningless if they are only selectively applied to some cases but not others. For the same reason, we should all be outraged at the suggestion that rules of fairness designed to protect the innocent should be suspended in civil law because the case involves one particular subject or another. But that is exactly what this misguided amendment does. Further, courts could read this amendment as not even allowing them to consider the fraudulent joinder argument for cases within its coverage, no matter how clear it was that there was no valid claim against the local defendant under State law. This bill defines and limits fraudulent joinder. It does not license courts to make up their own fraudulent joinder doctrines for cases not within its coverage. Under that reading, claims could be made against local insurance agents with no factual basis supporting the lawsuit. The amendment would also allow a plaintiff's lawyer to drag an individual insurance adjuster into a lawsuit even when the applicable State law makes absolutely clear that only insurers, not individual people, are subject to bad faith claims. How does a sponsor explain to a person like Jack Stout why a lawyer pulled him into a bad faith lawsuit targeting State Farm? Mr. Stout was a local insurance agent who merely sold a policy to the plaintiff, met and spoke with the plaintiff once, and had nothing to do with processing the plaintiff's homeowner insurance claim. A Federal district court in Oklahoma found he was fraudulently joined and dismissed the claim against him. But under this amendment, this innocent person could be struck back into the lawsuit. How does the sponsor explain to a person like Douglas Bradley why a plaintiff's lawyer named him as a defendant in a bad faith lawsuit against an insurer? In that case, the complaint included Mr. Bradley, an insurance agent, as a defendant in the caption referred to as defendant, singular, not defendants throughout, and did not even mention Mr. Bradley in the body of the complaint. A Federal district court in Indiana dismissed the claim against him as fraudulently joined, but under this amendment, this innocent person could be sucked back into the lawsuit, and that is not fair. For all these reasons, this amendment should be soundly rejected. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Brad Cooley for winning the 2016 Congressional App Challenge for the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado. This competition receives app submissions from high school students around the country, and seeks to recognize the nation's best programming talent. Mr. Cooley designed Crunch Time, an app which allows the user to view wait times for restaurants in their area. It also allows the user to submit their wait time for restaurants they have visited. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy and communities. It is the ingenuity and hard work Mr. Cooley embodied during this competition that makes America exceptional. He has shown true leadership in his school and community. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Cooley as he pursues his future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Brad Cooley for winning the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado's Congressional App Challenge.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, for years, our Nation has limped along from debt crisis to debt crisis. Every time, we say to ourselves ``just a little more spending today, and we will fix this mess tomorrow,'' but tomorrow never seems to come, and the ocean of red ink gets deeper and deeper with each passing day. Thanks to this ``spend now'' and ``save never'' mentality, the national debt has soared to $19 trillion, and there is no end in sight. The Federal Government has been overspending for so long that we are financially bankrupt. If we continue to pass this debt on to our children and grandchildren, we are also morally bankrupt. We need a solution to our constant budget busting. H.R. 3442 will help our Nation address this fiscal crisis. By requiring the administration to testify before Congress, we are requiring them to bring realistic, serious solutions to the table. We are calling on them to offer a plan for actually reducing our debt, and--this is key--we are requiring these solutions before we reach the point of no return. What we have wrought in debt and deficit isn't merely a fiscal challenge or an economic problem--it is poisonous to our human potential. It is time for the Federal Government to start making the same tough choices that small businesses and folks in Colorado are making every day, and this bill is a good start.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Riley Holcomb for being selected as one of Colorado's Distinguished Finalists in the 21st Annual National Awards Program by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She was selected for this honor due to her exceptional acts of volunteerism. Ms. Holcomb is a seventh-grade student at Altona Middle School in Longmont, Colorado. She was originally inspired to make a difference when her aunt passed away from kidney cancer. Over the past four years, Ms. Holcomb founded a Relay for Life team which has raised over $18,000 for the American Cancer Society. It is the ingenuity and hard work Ms. Holcomb embodies daily that makes America exceptional. She has shown true leadership in her community. As the recipient of this award, she will receive an engraved bronze medallion. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Ms. Holcomb. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ms. Riley Holcomb for her accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nicole Steiner for being selected as one of Colorado's top two youth volunteers in the 21st Annual National Awards Program by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She was selected for this honor because of her exceptional acts of volunteerism. Ms. Steiner is a senior at Legend High School in Parker, Colorado. To date, she has raised over $40,000 worth of games, puzzles, and books for a variety of organizations and individuals. In 2014 she founded ``A Game for You'', which collects games, puzzles, and books that are donated to various organizations. Over 5,500 individuals have received a gift because of her efforts. It is the ingenuity and hard work Ms. Steiner embodies daily that makes America exceptional. She has shown true leadership in her community. As the recipient of this award, Ms. Steiner will receive a $1,000 stipend, engraved medallions, and a trip to Washington, D.C. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Ms. Steiner. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ms. Nicole Steiner for her accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Isabel Oport Neidig. On February 5, Mrs. Neidig will celebrate her 100th birthday. Born in Morelia, Mrs. Neidig saw the height of the Mexican Revolution. Her parents chose to leave Mexico shortly after her birth and moved to the United States. At the age of 15, Mrs. Neidig moved back to Mexico where she pursued her passion for education. She taught elementary and middle school students, and played a critical role in having a high school built in Jojutla. She was the only bilingual teacher and referred to, by both students and parents, as ``La Teacher''. It is the hard work Mrs. Neidig embodies daily that makes America exceptional. She has shown true leadership in her profession and community. Mrs. Neidig went on to marry Edward William Neidig and had two sons, Andres and David. She left Jojutla in 1962 for Colorado, where she still lives. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mrs. Neidig as she celebrates her birthday. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mrs. Neidig.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Ronna Rice, Chief Executive Officer of Rice's Lucky Clover Honey. Rice's Lucky Clover Honey is a family operated 4th and 5th generation business that produces unfiltered and raw honey in Greeley, Colorado. Since 1924, they have produced high quality honey, created jobs, and expanded to foreign markets. Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and communities. It's the ingenuity and hard work Mrs. Rice embodies daily that makes America exceptional. She has shown true leadership in her industry and community. Recently, Mrs. Rice was selected as a leader in small business by the White House and invited by First Lady, Michelle Obama, to the State of the Union on January 12, 2016. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mrs. Rice and hope she enjoys her visit to our nation's Capital. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mrs. Ronna Rice for her accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Tim Gordon for his service to our country in the United States Army. I believe that America's brave men and women in uniform are the nation's greatest assets. They have made incredible sacrifices for our country and deserve our utmost support and aid for their service. Mr. Gordon was in the Army from June 1966 through April 1972. During this time, he fought in Vietnam from February 1969 through February 1970, no soldiers were lost under his command. Ultimately, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than the one we owe our veterans. They and their families should be commended. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Tim Gordon. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Tim Gordon for his accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Harold Griffith on being selected for induction into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to the agricultural industry of Colorado and the United States. Currently, Mr. Griffith resides in Fort Morgan where he has been a leader in the dairy industry. He has been a pioneer by developing programs through the Dairy Catch It Program, which helps youth pursue careers in agriculture. Mr. Griffith clearly understands the importance of giving back to his community. In addition, Mr. Griffith has extensive knowledge of Colorado water rights. This ultimately led to him being asked to serve on Governor Ritter's Water Task Force. Griffith has shown true leadership in his industry and community. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes as Mr. Griffith pursues his future endeavors. His passion and dedication to the agricultural industry makes him more than worthy of this distinct recognition. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Harold Griffith for his accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Kelcey Swyers on being selected as the 2016 Rising Star in Colorado Agriculture. This honor is reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to the agricultural industry of Colorado and the United States. Dr. Swyers has an extensive background in Colorado agriculture. She received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Agricultural Business from Colorado State University, where she also worked two internships that taught her about the feed and nutrition industry. She later went on to receive a Master of Science in Equine/Monogastric nutrition at the University of Maryland. She then returned to Colorado where she received her Doctorate in Ruminant Nutrition. In addition, Dr. Swyers started Grassland Nutrition Consulting where she offers nutritional work for cow-calf, feed yard, and equine among other services. Dr. Swyers has shown true leadership in her industry and community. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes as Dr. Swyers pursues her future endeavors. Her passion and dedication to the agricultural industry makes her more than worthy of this distinct recognition. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Dr. Kelcey Swyers for her accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Thomas Bradbury on being selected for induction into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to the agricultural industry of Colorado and the United States. Currently, Mr. Bradbury resides in Byers where he has been a leader in the Colorado livestock industry. He is currently a member of the National Western Stock Show Association, an organization that created a scholarship trust which helps over 80 students attend college annually for agriculture and rural medicine. In addition, he has served as President of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association and the American Hereford Association Mr. Bradbury also understands the importance of giving back to his community. He is a founder of his local rural telephone cooperative and shares his expertise about livestock with resident 4-H members. Mr. Bradbury has shown true leadership in his industry and community. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes as Mr. Bradbury pursues his future endeavors. His passion and dedication to the agricultural industry makes him more than worthy of this distinct recognition. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Thomas Bradbury for his accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Steve Gabel on being selected for induction into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to the agricultural industry of Colorado and the United States. Currently, Mr. Gabel owns Magnum Feedyard, a 22,500-head feedlot in Wiggins, Colorado. He also manages Gabel Cattle, his family-owned cow- calf business. In addition, he is currently a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and president of the Colorado Livestock Association. He previously served for fifteen years as chairman of the Colorado Beef Council. Mr. Gabel also understands the importance of giving back to his community. He prides himself on volunteering as a Weld County Livestock volunteer judging coach, where he mentors youth on the importance of agriculture. Mr. Gabel has shown true leadership in his industry and community. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes as Mr. Gabel pursues his future endeavors. His passion and dedication to the agricultural industry makes him more than worthy of this distinct recognition. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Steve Gabel for his accomplishments.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Calvin Frauenfelder and Dusty Johnson for their hard work and dedication to the people of Colorado's Fourth District as interns in my Washington, DC office for the Fall 2015 session of Congress. The work of this young man and woman has been exemplary and I know they both have bright futures. They served as tour guides, interacted with constituents, and learned a great deal about our nation's legislative process. I was glad to be able to offer this educational opportunity to these two and look forward to seeing them build their careers in public service. Our interns have made plans to continue their work with various organizations in Washington and Colorado. I am certain they will succeed in their new roles and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Calvin Frauenfelder and Dusty Johnson for their service this Fall.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jeff Hunt on being selected to serve as the new leader of Colorado Christian University's Centennial Institute. I commend his hard work and dedication to the community. Mr. Hunt's impressive career in public service has enriched the lives of so many. Mr. Hunt's work in the public and private sector, coupled with his principled values, has proven to be invaluable. I am confident that his great spiritual and intellectual strength will make him an exceptional Director at the Centennial Institute. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes as he takes on this well-deserved position. It is truly an honor to celebrate his many accomplishments. Mr. Hunt's dedication to public service and the religious community represents the essence of the Centennial Institute's mission. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Jeff Hunt for his service.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Claude Gordon ``PeeWee'' Shaffer's 90th birthday which will take place Saturday, October 3rd of 2015. Claude served his country from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. He was drafted into the Army and completed Gunnery School in Arizona. He was then sent to Rapid City Army Air Base in South Dakota for training and crew assignment as a ball turret gunner. Claude then became a Staff Sargeant and member of the 545th Bomb Squadron, the Dark Angel Crew. As a part of this distinguished squadron, he was ordered to carry out a bombing mission on Leipzig, Germany on March 17, 1945. On this mission, his B17 was shot down behind enemy lines near Naundorf, Germany. Claude was captured and became a prisoner of war. After being captured, Claude and his squad mates were prisoners to both the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe and were transported around Germany. They went to Oschatz, Weimar, Nuremberg, and Moosburg until finally arriving at the Stalag VII, a prisoner of war camp. It wasn't until April 29, 1945 that Stalag VII was liberated and he was released. Claude was discharged the following year. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Claude for his service to our country with a flag flown over the United States Capitol in his honor. He is a true patriot for his actions and I wish him a very happy birthday.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, President Obama negotiated with a band of villains. The President believed Iran would change their ways because of his kind and forgiving nature, but we have seen Iranian hypocrisy far too long to believe they can change. It is time to face reality and prevent them, at all costs, from acquiring nuclear capability. Iran's leaders promised to wipe Israel off the map. They deny the Holocaust and refer to our country as the Great Satan. The Ayatollah even takes to Twitter to call for Israel's annihilation. Iran's actions are as dishonorable as their rhetoric. The administration has negotiated with Iran on nuclear nonproliferation as if they were an honorable country with honorable intentions, but it is certainly not honorable when our Department of State lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, and no honorable country would occupy that unworthy distinction for the past 30 years, nor would an honorable country supply terrorists around the world with weapons to kill Americans and Israeli. In fact, Iran supplied IEDs that killed and maimed American soldiers and marines in the Iraq war. On the day we remember the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, we are going to vote on whether or not to allow billions of dollars of funding to the world's largest state sponsor of terror. This deal is, at best, delusional and, at worst, despicable. Iran is in pursuit of a nuclear weapon, and their intention for the United States is death. Mr. Speaker, I urge a vote in favor of this rule.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colin Thomas, Sam Laffey, and Moses Weisberg for their hard work and dedication to the people of Colorado's Fourth District as interns in my Washington, DC office for the Summer 2015 session of Congress. The work of these young men has been exemplary and I know they all have bright futures. They served as tour guides, interacted with constituents, and learned a great deal about our nation's legislative process. I was glad to be able to offer this educational opportunity to these three and look forward to seeing them build their careers in public service. Our interns have made plans to continue their work with various organizations in Washington, Colorado, and Kansas. I am certain they will succeed in their new roles and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Colin Thomas, Sam Laffey, and Moses Weisberg for their service this summer.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2722.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leslie Velez and Daniel Henry for their hard work and dedication to the people of Colorado's Fourth District as interns in my Washington, DC office for the Spring 2015 session of Congress. The work of this young man and woman has been exemplary and I know they both have bright futures. They served as tour guides, interacted with constituents, and learned a great deal about our nation's legislative process. I was glad to be able to offer this educational opportunity to these two and look forward to seeing them build their careers in public service. Both of our interns have made plans to continue their work next year with various organizations in Washington. I am certain they will succeed in their new roles and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Leslie Velez and Daniel Henry for their service this spring.

Mr. BUCK

Mr. BUCK. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chair, my amendment bars the EPA and the Department of the Interior and any of its agencies from requiring mandatory donations to third-party groups as part of any settlement agreements the agencies enter into. In agencies across the government, settlement funds are being funneled to third-party groups, contravening congressional budget authority. A recent investigation by the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees found as much as half a billion dollars had been diverted by the Department of Justice to third parties as a result of these settlements in the past year. This is inexcusable, and it is not unique to the Department of Justice. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service routinely sue and then enter into settlements with businesses and individuals who are then forced to make donations to third-party groups. This is all made possible because community service is expressly allowed as a condition of probation by the United States Criminal Code. In addition, the United States sentencing guidelines allow community service where it is reasonably designed to repair the harm caused by the offense. This results in settlement funds being directed to supposed ``community service'' groups. This is a practice that must be brought to an end. As Thomas Jefferson once wrote: To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. In this case, businesses and individuals are being sued by the government for violating environmental regulations, and then as part of the settlement, they have to make payments to the environmental organizations that engage in advocacy supporting the regulations. This power grab is abhorrent. Please support my amendment and stop these agencies from funneling court settlement funds to radical environmentalists. I reserve the balance of my time.