Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor beloved community leader, Florida State Representative Betty Reed. She was raised in Thomasville, Georgia, in a close-knit family of hardworking sharecroppers and with 12 other siblings Representative Reed and her husband, James, moved to Tampa after he was discharged from the military to raise a family of their own. Representative Reed was an active parent while her children attended school, and her involvement grew over time in the Parent Teacher Student Association, then the Hillsborough County Council of PTSA and all the way to the Florida State PTA. As her children became older, she was prompted to complete her own high school diploma by attending night and weekend classes. Her pursuits only grew over time--she earned an associate's degree from Hillsborough Community College, then her bachelor's degree in behavioral science from National Louis University. Representative Reed's commitment to access to education grew as a financial aid assistant for Education America (which eventually became Remington College) and then as its director of financial aid. All the while, she was active in her own community, becoming president of the Lucy Dell Civic Association. But advocating for her community didn't stop there. She was elected as a Florida State Representative for the 59th District, a seat she held until she was elected to represent the 61th District in 2012. During her tenure as a Florida State Representative, she passed meaningful legislation, including the Black Health Practice Initiative (BIHPI, pronounced ``Bippy''), which passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature without a single dissenting vote. With stark disparities between the infant mortality rates of different races--in some areas, the rate of black infant mortality was more than four times the rate for whites--the legislation funded state grants to local Healthy Start coalitions that served counties with significant disparities: Hillsborough, Gadsden, Palm Beach, Orange, Broward, Duval, Putnam and Miami-Dade. The University of South Florida and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University were selected to provide technical assistance and scientific guidance. BIHPI produced positive outcomes and was particularly meaningful due to the relationships built in communities with the greatest needs. She also championed and helped to secure state funding to help open numerous Tampa Family Health Centers and expand the robust safety net of comprehensive health services to medically underserved communities. Representative Reed passed legislation to end shackling incarcerated pregnant women during labor, delivery as well as postpartum, and legislation to provide additional funds to combat homelessness throughout the state of Florida. In her final two years, she served as the Democratic Ranking member of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Representative Reed is a compassionate leader, who immersed herself in the challenges of her neighbors, and that allowed her to serve as a strong advocate. Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize Representative Betty Reed for her drive for meaningful progress on behalf of our children, students, women, families and communities across the State of Florida.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the living legacy of Dr. Juel Smith. Her story starts in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where she was born and graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1960. She married and became a mother of five children. Tragedy struck her and her family when her husband suddenly passed away, and Dr. Smith became a widow. She realized that pursuing higher education was her best shot for her to secure a better future for her family. Dr. Smith persevered and earned her degree in elementary education in 1972 from Langston University, Oklahoma's only historically Black college. Dr. Smith relocated to Tampa and received her master's degree and education specialist degree with a thesis on ``Women Who Combine Career and Family,'' a field of study in which she was personally invested. In 1987, she received her doctorate in counselor education from the University of South Florida (USF). Always fueled by her faith and perseverance, Dr. Smith has been driven to serve others and find solutions. As a counselor at USF, she started her life's work helping and guiding students, particularly African American students who could not afford to continue their education. She engaged Tampa's African American community to ``give more, do more and help more'' to recruit and retain students. She created the Institute on Black Life in 1986 and the Center for Africa and the Diaspora, with a mission to bridge USF's resources with the needs of the Black community and Africa as well as provide support for Black students and faculty. The Institute on Black Life produced an annual Black family conference, the campus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebrations each year and a weekly television show titled ``The Bridge.'' The Institute also sponsored nationally renowned guest speakers and artists. As a partner with the Urban League, they established an African American advisory board and inner-city office to plan strategies and share problems. Student enrichment programs, scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty research, community service and fundraising activities resulted. The African center sponsored international faculty research travel to Gabon that resulted in a USF and International Center for Bantu Civilization collaboration. Dr. Smith's effectiveness in community relations, organizing special campus initiatives and philanthropic fundraising were unmatched at other Florida colleges and universities. In the early 2000s, motivated by research regarding the desire of professional women to support female students, Dr. Smith and USF leaders launched a vision and plan to establish the USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy program. Dr. Smith served as WLP's founding executive director. The initiative raised an extraordinary amount of money in the first 18 months to create scholarships and programmatic initiatives for women faculty and students. In addition, Dr. Smith became the first African American woman to serve as president of the Tampa Athena Society. She is a trustee of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc. and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. In addition to her local involvement, she served as international director of The LINKS, Inc., building more than 50 schools in South Africa and Nigeria, and served with President Jimmy Carter on the International Habitat for Humanity Board. Her beloved husband, Professor John Smith, ensured her living legacy by establishing the Dr. Juel Hickman Shannon Smith Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to support full-time undergraduate students pursuing a major in Africana studies or elementary education. Dr. Smith's legacy of enhancing student, faculty and community opportunities, passionate endeavors that are now part of USF's fabric, will live on through the students and educators who have more opportunities due to her leadership. Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize Dr. Juel Smith for her lifelong exemplary service to education, students, women and leaders in education everywhere.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Rules Committee for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the For the People Act, H.R. 1, and the rule. We promised the American people, and our neighbors back home have urged us on, to strengthen America's ethics laws, to fix our broken campaign finance system, and to empower American voters. I represent the State of Florida, and you better believe that we have to protect access to the ballot box, ensure the voting rights of everyone, and count every vote. I thank the Rules Committee for including a bipartisan amendment that I have worked on to address the abuse of zombie campaigns. Many folks don't understand this, but sometimes Members who retire from Congress keep their campaign accounts, and they live on for decades, hence the title ``zombie campaigns.'' Oftentimes, they will misuse the unspent campaign funds. It is wrong for campaign accounts to live on forever, and we are going to address that abuse as well. This bill has important reforms that strengthen American democracy, root out corruption, and ensure that our government here in the United States of America works for the people. Mr. Speaker, I urge a strong bipartisan vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Raskin of the Rules Committee for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. I am proud to be a cosponsor, and I thank Congressman Thompson for his leadership. Our bill is intended to ensure that individuals who are prohibited from owning a firearm are not able to possess one. Representative Raskin is right. America is in the midst of a gun violence emergency. Each year, 120,000 Americans are injured by a firearm; 35,000 Americans die; and of those, 17,000 who are injured and killed are children. No other country in the world suffers the ravages of gun violence, and I am afraid we have become numb to it. But we don't have to accept it, and we are not, because we are going to finally pass legislation here today. Mass shootings are on the rise. Military-style assault weapons are deadlier than ever. People are being gunned down in churches, schools, movie theaters, nightclubs, and synagogues. For so many years, the Republican-led Congress blocked action on commonsense gun safety laws. But, finally, to the American people: We heard you; to the students who marched for their lives: We are finally going to act. It is time now. I urge adoption of this bipartisan bill, the rule. It is a vote for the safety of our communities and our families.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, the House will vote again today to immediately reopen the U.S. government and end President Trump's government shutdown. It is unwananted and wrong to force our Coast Guard, our Customs and Border, TSA officers, air traffic controllers and others to work without getting paid. I have heard from many Tampa area government public servants, contractors and their family members who have shared with me how the shutdown is affecting them. One of my Tampa neighbors who runs a small business in her retirement years to help support her son with mental disabilities advised me that ``[As a] tax preparer--I cannot get responses from the IRS that affect [my] clients.'' Another neighbor who hoped to retire by years end is also running out of hope says, ``We are told there is no more funding after January 18 for the courts, and our colleagues in the U.S. Attorney's office failed to be paid [today], although they stay on the job prosecuting criminals.'' Another wrote to me after learning about what his own customers are going through: ``I was touched by [the story of] a young woman who I gave an estimate to. She is engaged to a young man who works for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As she explained it, he is required to work without being paid, as they try to begin their lives together.'' Another neighbor is not a government employee, but is still affected by the shutdown: ``My wife and I are in the process of starting a new business and are dependent on an SBA loan,'' he wrote me. ``We've spent months looking for a location in this very tight commercial real estate market and finally found one. We don't want to lose the opportunity to secure the location, start our new business and begin hiring employees just because the president makes demands that our representative legislature and our voters do not agree with.'' Still another: ``I am extremely upset about this government shutdown. I am a private contractor working on a government contract. I have been unemployed for weeks because of this. I can't pay my bills.'' Our TSA officers, Customs officers and air traffic controllers at Tampa International Airport are outstanding. TSA Officer Luis Mendoza advised me that ``I've been with TSA for 12 years. I have experienced previous shutdowns and close calls, but I really feel that this one is going to be a tough one to get through. The officers in Tampa are trying to hang in there because as they shared, `We do believe in the Oath we took to protect the flying public and guard against threats.' But many are trying to figure out how to pay for gas, child care services, and groceries before rent, bills and medical care.'' I also spoke with Admiral Karl Schultz who leads the Coast Guard this morning regarding our shared deep concern that our frontline Coast Guard service members are not being paid. In fact, one Coast Guard mother wrote me, ``I have a son in the Coast Guard in Tampa, Florida that due to the government shut down will not be paid . . . I first hand know how this affects an individual and it take(s) several if not a life time to recover from this. These people should not have to suffer for others just trying to make a vote.'' I urge the White House and GOP Senators to take up the bills to reopen America's government along with the detailed plan we have negotiated for modern border security--and do it today. Otherwise there will be more headlines like the one on the front page of my hometown newspaper that says ``Federal workers' new need: food assistance''. Thanks to Tampa International Airport, Feeding Tampa Bay, United Way Suncoast, USAA, the Crisis Center and others who are supporting our neighbors caught in Pres. Trump's government shutdown, but this is no substitute for the government of the United States of America to function and provide the services all of our constituents need, for public servants to get paid and to fulfill the oath to protect and defend America.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, the House will vote again today to reopen the United States Government and end President Trump's government shutdown. It is unwarranted and wrong to force our Coast Guard, TSA, Customs and Border officers, air traffic controllers, and others to work without pay. One of my neighbors who runs a small business in Tampa in her retirement years to support her son with mental disabilities advised me that: As a tax preparer, I cannot get responses from the IRS that affect my clients. Another neighbor, who hoped to retire by year's end and is also running out of hope, says: We are told there is no more funding after January 18 for the courts, and our colleagues in the U.S. Attorney's Office were not paid today, although they stay on the job prosecuting criminals. Our TSA officers, Customs and Border officers, and air traffic controllers at Tampa International Airport are outstanding. Twelve-year Officer Luis Mendoza advised me that: I have experienced previous shutdowns and close calls, but I really feel that this one is going to be a tough one to get through. The officers in Tampa are trying to hang in there because we do believe in the oath we took to protect the flying public and guard against threats. But many are trying to figure out how to get through this. Madam Speaker, I urge our Senate colleagues and President Trump to take up our bipartisan bill and reopen this government.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Green for being an outspoken advocate for his constituents, but especially for affordable healthcare for all Americans, especially children. It has been a privilege serving with him. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the families with children with complex medical needs all across America, I rise to urge approval of the IMPROVE Act, which includes a bill that I have been working on for a number of years with Representative Joe Barton called the ACE Kids Act. We drafted the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act a few years ago with the simple but important goal of putting families and children first. The bill authorizes the creation of cost-saving and time-saving health homes where specialized care is coordinated in a high-quality setting. Mr. Speaker, the children with complex medical conditions and their families are heroic. Caroline West in Tampa, Florida, has a rare genetic condition, also cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder. She can't walk. It is very difficult for her to speak, but she is able to attend school part-time and enjoys the life of a typical teenager, in many respects. Lucy Ferlita is the only living person in the United States with early onset myopathy with areflexia, respiratory distress, and dysphagia. Very little is known about this disease, but what we know is that it is very difficult for her to eat. She has to have a feeding tube, a ventilator to breath, and nursing care 24 hours a day, and yet she is a bright and social 6-year-old. Jaden Velasquez has a congenital heart defect. He was born with it. The left side of his heart is severely underdeveloped. He has undergone numerous surgeries, yet he is a loving and happy 10-year-old, loves swimming, and is enjoying life. Lakota Lockhart, with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, a central nervous system disorder, causes him to not be able to breathe every time he tries to sleep. I met these children in Tampa, Florida, at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. They have the world-renowned Chronic-Complex Clinic that was started 16 years ago by a passionate pediatric doctor named Dr. Daniel Plasencia. The ACE Kids Act is modeled after the work being done at St. Joe's by the professionals at the Chronic-Complex Clinic and the 700 kids and families they currently serve and other children's hospitals all across the country. The families have shared with us how difficult it is to get quality healthcare. It is oftentimes so fragmented and uncoordinated that they have to go from one office to another, and maybe the specialist is in another State. That is why we put together the ACE Kids Act, to help coordinate care in a single setting to help give these kids a better quality of life, and the ACE Kids Act will do just that. The bill provides an incentive to States to establish health homes to better coordinate care for kids with medical complexities. It also directs HHS to provide guidance to States on best practices relating to providing care across State lines. As so many of these families know all too well, coordinating care across State lines can be burdensome, so that is the aim of the ACE Kids Act: to lift that burden. In addition to Congressman Joe Barton, who has worked diligently for so many years to get this over the finish line, I thank all of the families with children with complex medical challenges. They deserve credit for moving this bill forward, coming to Congress, and helping to explain the importance of coordinating care. I also thank Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Burgess, and Ranking Member Green for their support, and our stalwart partners: Representatives Herrera Beutler, Eshoo, and Reichert. Thank you to America's children's hospitals, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and thanks to the professional staff at the committee for your dedication to these families, especially Rachel Pryor, Samantha Satchell, Tiffany Guarascio, and Josh Trent and Caleb Graff on the Republican side. Additionally, this bill would not be where it is without the stellar work of Representative Barton's staffers: Krista Rosenthall, Gable Brady, Sophie Trainor, and Jeannine Bender, and my LD, Elizabeth Brown. Passage of this bill will be a gift to so many families during this holiday season and beyond, so I urge my colleagues here in the House and then over in the Senate to pass the ACE Kids Act contained within the IMPROVE Act.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a true champion for justice, Barry Cohen. His remarkable work fighting passionately for all the people of the Tampa Bay community is worthy of recognition. Mr. Cohen graduated from Tampa's own Plant High School, earned his bachelor's from Florida State University, served in the U.S. Coast Guard and earned his law degree from one of America's oldest and distinguished institutions, the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Mr. Cohen served his entire legal career on behalf of communities and individuals he felt were not treated fairly. His desire to help balance the scales and serve those that some would describe as in the lowliest stations stemmed from a childhood experience where he witnessed his father being mistreated by a cook at work. He successfully waged countless civil and criminal battles on behalf of those he felt needed help confronting the powerful. He never hesitated to go up against anyone if he believed a larger principle was at stake. He fought passionately for what he believed in, regularly taking a large number of cases pro bono, and sometimes putting his own money into cases he was defending, simply because he believed that an injustice had been done. Mr. Cohen was one of the pioneers in fighting his clients' cases outside the courtroom, especially when odds seemed stacked against them. For example, when Steven and Marlene Aisenberg were the only suspects in the disappearance of their 5-month-old baby, Mr. Cohen's defense included an appearance on Larry King Live. Charges were later dropped, and Mr. Cohen won the couple $3 million in legal fees. Mr. Cohen dedicated his expertise and resources to make a difference in the lives of so many in our community and by doing so enlightened our community and challenged us all to do better. It is no wonder so many put themselves in his hands to defend their life, liberty or protect the financial future of their family. He was a man who would work tirelessly--weekends, nights and holidays--whatever it took, to provide a voice to the voiceless. He believed that no one, regardless of position or wealth, was more entitled to justice than anyone else. His selfless service earned him a special place in our community and he will be greatly missed. Mr. Cohen is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their son, Barry Alexander Cohen, children, Geena Zaslavsky, Steven Cohen, Kevin Cohen; and his sister, Cynthia Cohen Wright, his brothers by marriage, Stanley Wright and Les Barnett. He was recently predeceased by his sister, Hope Barnett. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, we thank Barry Cohen for his lifelong respect and dignity leveling the playing field. He will always be remembered as a true champion for justice and the working people of Tampa Bay.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a fellow Tampanian, Bruce Weiner, on his tenure as the national president of the prestigious American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and honor his commitment to safe, quality anesthesia care for my neighbors and patients nationwide. Bruce received his bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Delaware, a master's degree in Nurse Anesthesiology from the Medical College of Virginia and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of South Florida in our hometown of Tampa. He has long been an active advocate for nurse anesthetists and the patients they serve. He has shared his expertise and passion by serving on professional associations in many capacities at the state and national levels, while continuing to provide clinical anesthesia services in Tampa Bay. Bruce participated as a guest lecturer at the University of South Florida, and as a clinical instructor at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and served on AANA's Board of Directors. During his AANA presidency, Bruce has been a prominent advocate for patients and the practice of nurse anesthesia before federal agencies and members of Congress. He has worked efficiently to promote anesthesia patient safety and the value of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to our health care system, especially when it comes to dealing with chronic pain and the opioid crisis. Bruce has worked to have CRNAs recognized as full practice providers in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to maintain provider non- discrimination and to achieve full scope of practice for CRNAs. On behalf of the citizens of Florida, my neighbors across Tampa Bay and CRNAs everywhere, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruce Weiner for 34 years of service facilitating access to care to all patients.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for personal reasons, I cannot be present for the vote on H. Res. 990. If present I would point out that if Republicans were really serious about assessing the efficiency of ICE, they would have heeded the multiple calls from me and my Democratic colleagues to hold hearings on President Trump's dreadful family separation policy that has resulted in thousands of families being ripped apart, including the isolation of children and babies. As to the resolution's language that states ``supports the efforts of all Federal agencies, State law enforcement, and military personnel who bring law and order . . .'', I strongly support that and the important agency missions including of money laundering, narcotics investigations, cyber crimes, terrorism prevention, and customs enforcement. If present, I would have inquired of my Republican colleagues if they could get the same statement of support of Federal law enforcement agencies from President Trump, given his behavior and statements in Helsinki and the same disdain he has expressed for Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding time, because I was compelled to come to the floor this morning to protest this cruel Trump GOP policy of family separation. This is a new policy. Under past Presidents, when people come to this country legally asking for asylum because they are fleeing violence, domestic violence and gang violence in other countries, it is legal to request asylum in the United States of America. But under this new Trump policy that is so cruel and so horrible, he is trying to send a message to the world that this is an anti-immigrant country. We are not. He is trying to send a message to this world that children can be used for pawns. We are not going to let that happen. President Trump and the GOP now want to use children as bargaining chips to try to exact concessions from Democrats on a very anti- immigrant, very cruel, very wasteful policy, and we need people across America to stand up and speak out. The calls to my office are overwhelming. People think this family separation policy that rips children away from their families is horrible and cruel, and it is. And we need you to keep the calls coming. We are not going to let this happen. We are not going to let children continue to be ripped away from their families, but we need backup. We are here to say we stand with the families. We love these children. Everyone should love these children, and we are not going to put up with Trump's anti-immigrant, hateful policy any longer.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I am opposed in its current form.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill. It will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, the House has been debating legislation to combat the opioid epidemic. While many of the bills we heard last week and this week are fine, together they fail to meet the challenge of this very serious public health crisis where in America today, we are losing about 40,000 lives a year due to opioid addiction. Now, in the Energy and Commerce Committee over the past few months, we have had numerous hearings and heard from all sorts of experts and families and the DEA and health providers. And then back home, families have been educating us on the challenges of dealing with opioid addiction. Families and public health experts and the medical community, they have reached a consensus that we need a more comprehensive approach to tackle the opioid epidemic that includes prevention, community-based treatment, and integrated recovery plans. But it is very difficult for us to be proactive in a meaningful way on the opioid crisis when the Republicans and the White House continue to press us backwards when it comes to access to affordable healthcare. Just last week, the Trump administration launched a new attack on Americans with preexisting conditions, and that includes families struggling with opioid addiction. President Trump and the GOP asked a Federal court to strike down the protection that prevents insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more for a preexisting condition. This would be a devastating blow to those suffering from addiction, not to mention cancer or diabetes or a heart condition or more. This would leave more families without insurance and more families without addiction treatment. President Trump and the GOP were not successful last year in ripping health coverage away from families across this country through legislation, so now they are trying to do this through the court system: take away the guarantee of health coverage for millions of Americans with preexisting conditions. This is wrong and it will make the opioid epidemic worse. Instead, we should be working together to develop and fund a comprehensive robust plan to combat and treat addiction. Mr. Speaker, this is why I am proposing an amendment to strengthen the underlying bill. My amendment, most importantly, makes the 5-year limited repeal of the IMD exclusion for individuals with substance use disorders contingent on the State expanding Medicaid. It is based on the most up-to-date research and everything we know about how important Medicaid and Medicaid expansion is to treating opioid addiction. Mr. Speaker, Medicaid is central to treating addiction, because families can get early intervention and treatment, including the important medical-assisted treatment. In fact, Medicaid serves four out of ten of nonelderly adults with opioid addiction. According to a 2016 study by the National Council on Behavioral Health, about 1.6 million people with substance use disorders now have coverage because they live in one of the 31 States at the time that expanded Medicaid. So they are more likely to receive treatment, including access to naloxone and other drugs that help them stay off the opioids. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlighted the importance of Medicaid expansion in increasing insurance coverage among people with opioid use disorders just recently. They found that the share of hospitalizations in which the patient was uninsured fell dramatically in States that had expanded Medicaid, from over 13 percent in 2013 to just 2.9 percent 2 years later after those States expanded Medicaid. The steep decline indicates that many uninsured people coping with opioid addiction gained coverage through Medicaid expansion. Medicaid is part of the solution to the opioid crisis, and Republicans should not irresponsibly press to cut millions of Americans, take away their lifeline as they propose massive cuts again to Medicaid. The Republican budget came out just yesterday. Surprise, surprise. Again, they go after families who rely on Medicaid, not just Medicaid expansion that has been so important to treating folks who suffer from addiction, but families, children, our neighbors with disabilities, folks that rely on skilled nursing care, the Republican budget released yesterday says $1.5 trillion in cuts to those families. That is not going to help solve the opioid epidemic. Republicans in Congress cannot, on one hand, say we are facing up to the addiction crisis, and on the other say we are taking away your healthcare, whether it is Medicaid or preexisting conditions. Mr. Speaker, I urge approval of my motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have the Big Brothers Big Sisters national headquarters in my district, Tampa, Florida. Big Brothers Big Sisters is lead by the former two-term mayor, Pam Iorio who is beloved in Tampa, and we are proud of her and Big Brothers Big Sisters across America. Today in that spirit, I rise to honor the accomplishments of a true advocate for children everywhere, Mr. Rudy Baldoni. His tireless work for Big Brothers Big Sisters has impacted the lives of countless youths. I am grateful to recognize the incredible work he has put into the nation's oldest and most effective mentoring organization. Mr. Baldoni, as the two-year National Board Chairman of Big Brothers Big Sisters, has been instrumental in creating meaningful and positive change within this incredible organization and for young people who need a supportive mentor. Today, he continues to dedicate his time and energy to this important cause--leading the board in a time of progress and change. Mr. Baldoni was born and grew up in California, eventually attending the University of Southern California. He earned his J.D. from Western State's College of Law and attended UC Irvine in 1989 to earn another degree in Commercial and Industrial Development and Management. Following his education, Mr. Baldoni worked in real estate development as President of Arnel Development Company until 2007 and became President and CEO of Newport Investment Associates in 2008, where he continued to manage growth and venture capital investments. Mr. Baldoni got his start with Big Brothers Big Sisters after volunteering to host a dinner for the Orange County, California affiliate. In the fine tradition of volunteer organizations everywhere, after raising more money than any previous dinner, he found himself chairing the board. In 2012, Mr. Baldoni joined the National Board. His passion and drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters caused him to stand out, as he drove to find new ways to improve the organization and both expand and improve its reach. Mr. Baldoni was named National Board Chairman in 2016 and was instrumental in sculpting a five-year plan for the organization, along with the introduction of new modern technology that tracks the match between a Big and a Little. He has also played a huge role in adopting new criteria for all Big Brother Big Sister affiliates to improve standardization between chapters and has worked to rebrand the organization as a whole. Overall, Mr. Baldoni's time working with Big Brothers Big Sisters has been characterized by his unwavering loyalty and dedication to this cause of mentorship. His national perspective combined with a local understanding of issues has made him an incredibly gifted leader who continues to work for change. His unwavering and endless dedication to this cause has made him a true champion for kids. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, proud home of the national headquarters for Big Brothers Big Sisters, I am proud to honor Mr. Baldoni for his formidable efforts and investment in our children all across America. The time and energy he has put into this organization shaped the futures of children from all different backgrounds. By strengthening communities and allowing these positive relationships to grow within Big Brothers Big Sisters, his work empowers children from Tampa Bay and beyond to achieve, succeed and flourish a blessing not just for them but for all of us.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House is considering a number of bills relating to the opioid public health epidemic. I serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and over the past year, our committee has heard from experts. We have had numerous hearings on all facets of the opioid crisis. We have gathered facts, listened to witnesses, including those struggling with addiction; doctors; providers; the Drug Enforcement Agency; and more. Plus, many families and experts back home have informed us and encouraged the Congress to act. Last year, one loving father in my home district in Tampa, Florida, came to meet with me to share his experience. He said: Our son has been an addict for the last 5 years. During that time, our family has discovered how impotent the healthcare system, government system, insurance companies, criminal justice system, and our family have been to combat this disease. Prior to our personal experience, we were like most Americans who believed this was not our problem, but we were saddened by those who experienced the crisis. In addition, we cannot believe how futile and limited our resources and efforts to help our son overcome this illness have been. We still believe, although to a lesser degree, that the people afflicted with this illness still hold the key to unlocking their own happiness to managing this illness. However, what is abundantly clear now is that the resources necessary to provide even a remote chance for addicts to achieve temporary or permanent remission must be substantially increased. We have invested, personally, over $100,000 trying to help our son. His remarks echo what we heard from experts all across the board in our committee, like Dr. Andrew Kolodny, director of Opioid Policy Research at Brandeis University, who emphasized that treatment has to be expanded exponentially, and it must be easy to access. ``We have to build a new system in America that does not exist.'' Democrats have urged our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in truly tackling the crisis. What became apparent in committee and what is apparent through these small-ball bills on the floor this week and next week is that Republicans still are not there. They are not willing to adequately address this public health crisis. We need a robust, long-term solution that truly meets the challenge of the opioid crisis. A consensus has emerged, and it is based upon these devastating facts right now. Over 40,000 people are dying from an opioid overdose every year. In my home State of Florida, we are losing about 5,700 people per year to overdose. That was in 2016. That was a 35 percent increase from the previous year. The CDC says opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999. Only 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffering from opioid addiction are currently receiving treatment. Those numbers cry out for a meaningful, comprehensive approach. But our Republican colleagues have failed to get there with us. We have been through this before. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we were struggling with the HIV/AIDS public health epidemic. For many years, the Congress was criticized for not adequately addressing the crisis. There was a harmful stigma involved, just like there is for opioid addiction. But by the early 1990s, the Congress came together and adopted the Ryan White CARE Act that provided resources all across the country in a consistent fashion and provided funds to local communities and local nonprofits to help us. The death rate from HIV/AIDS is dramatically less. This is what we have to do when it comes to opioids: provide that comprehensive, long-term solution that simply isn't being demonstrated in these small-ball, little bills that are nibbling around the edges. Mr. Speaker, at the same time, it is very difficult to be proactive in a meaningful way on the opioid crisis when Republicans and the White House continue to drag us backward when it comes to affordable healthcare. Just last week, the Trump administration and the GOP launched a new attack on Americans with preexisting conditions like opioid addiction. They asked a Federal court to strike down the Affordable Care Act preexisting condition protection. That is the bedrock protection contained in the Affordable Care Act that says, if you have a cancer diagnosis, Alzheimer's, or heart disease, an insurance company cannot deny you coverage, and they cannot charge you exorbitant rates. The GOP has never really been for that protection. How are we going to adequately address the opioid addiction crisis when they want to tear away affordable healthcare, including the protection on preexisting conditions? We need a robust solution here, a comprehensive solution. Otherwise, this is simply nibbling around the edges.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in April, I filed a resolution, it is H. Res. 834. It is a resolution of no confidence in the EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. We now have over 140 cosponsors to this resolution. This is a resolution that points out that we have high standards for government service and it is unacceptable to have scandal after scandal, the waste of taxpayers' money, coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator's office in Scott Pruitt. What we know now, scandal after scandal that comes to light, is that Administrator Pruitt, he has a penchant for luxury travel at taxpayer expense, he likes to fly first class at taxpayer expense, he likes to stay in luxury hotels at taxpayer expense, and this is unacceptable. Federal ethics laws bar public officials from using their position or using their staff to enrich themselves. In addition to his luxury travel and luxury accommodations, we now know that he installed a secret privacy phone booth in his office to the tune of $43,000, paid for by the taxpayers. He has installed biometric locks on his door at the EPA that cost over $5,000. Due to good journalism, we know that the EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt rented a condo here on Capitol Hill for $50 per night. The Administrator said that the condo owner did not lobby him, but then it was discovered later that, in fact, that was not true, that was a lie. Just in the past week, it has now been discovered that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has ordered very special fountain pens, paid for by the taxpayers, about $1,500 worth of special pens for him to use and give out. We know that he has received gifts, like court-side seats to a basketball game given to him by a coal baron. It was also reported yesterday that he made from his office an official phone call to the CEO of a fast food franchise to try to secure for his wife a fast food franchise business. That is not acceptable. We know, also due to good reporting, that he asked his staff to go out and find a mattress for his home. You are not allowed, as a government official, to use your government staff to do personal tasks. That is against Federal ethics laws. All of that pales in comparison, however, to his standing up for special interests, the cost to our health, to our clean water and clean air, while the EPA Administrator again and again is siding with special interests, many of whom have lobbied him and are implicated in a lot of these sweetheart deals. The interest of the public, the air we breathe, the water we drink, of simply confidence that our Environmental Protection Agency is going to stand up for us: that is what is really at issue. All of these things are awful, they are a violation of Federal ethics laws, and Scott Pruitt should resign. I am very troubled, and a lot of my colleagues are troubled that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, many of them have not called him out, they have not signed on to the resolution. Down at the White House, they continue to say it is acceptable for Scott Pruitt to serve as our EPA Administrator. I am here on the floor today because we simply cannot stand for this any longer. I am asking for all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to sign on to H. Res. 834 and say it is time to stand up for ethics in government. This wasteful spending is undermining the confidence that the American people have in our country and the ability of our government to protect them from air pollution and water pollution and toxic chemicals. But more importantly, this is a time for us to say to our Environmental Protection Agency, we have very high standards, we have high standards for what we believe in: the landmark Clean Water Act, the landmark Clean Air Act, everything that we do to protect the climate and to reduce carbon pollution. It has just gotten that swampy here in Washington, D.C., Mr. Speaker, and it is time for a change at the EPA. The White House needs to take action. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak up, stand up, and say we are not going to stand for these lapses of ethical behavior anymore. Scott Pruitt needs to resign.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his leadership and for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, S. 204 is harmful legislation that offers a false hope of access to investigational therapies and endangers patients who have serious and life-threatening diseases. The bill establishes a dangerous and unnecessary alternative pathway that is void of any FDA review or oversight. It is opposed overwhelmingly by the patient community. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter to the Speaker and minority leader from 104 patient advocacy groups. It includes such groups as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation--all opposed to this bill--the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and about 100 more. May 21, 2018. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. The Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: The undersigned organizations collectively represent millions of patients with serious and life-threatening diseases. We write to express our strong opposition to the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act (S. 204). On March 21st, The House of Representatives passed a version of the Right to Try Act (H.R. 5247), that incorporated important patient safeguards such as more robust informed consent and public reporting requirements, additional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight, and a narrower definition of eligibility for this pathway. The Senate version does not include these safeguards and therefore could greatly increase the likelihood of our patients being harmed by unsafe and ineffective experimental therapies. Therefore, this version is substantially worse for patients. We reiterate our concern with creating a secondary pathway for accessing investigational therapies outside of clinical trials. This pathway removes FDA approval and consultation and would not increase access to promising therapies for our patients because it does not address the primary barriers to access. FDA's expanded access program, though imperfect, facilitates access to investigational therapies for over a thousand patients facing serious and life-threatening conditions each year. FDA repeatedly approves over 99 percent of requests while sometimes making important dosing and safety improvements to proposed expanded use. Conversely, it is often times the pharmaceutical company that denies access to its investigational therapy outside of its clinical trials for any number of reasons. The Senate version of the legislation is less safe than the pathway proposed in the House version and is dangerous compared to the current expanded access process. The Senate's bill would allow unproven therapies to be given to patients without FDA notification for up to a full year and would not establish any standards for informed consent. Additionally, both versions prohibit FDA from halting access to these experimental therapies short of placing a clinical hold on all clinical research on the therapy in question. Both House and Senate versions would also remove FDA's consultation on dosing, route of administration, dosing schedule, and other important safety measures available under FDA's current expanded access program. While we did not support the recent House passed version of this legislation, the House legislation includes improved patient safeguards compared to the Senate version. The Senate version would negatively impact patient safety substantially, and our collective organizations are strongly opposed. We appreciate past efforts in the House to consider stakeholder perspectives and desire to continue the dialogue, but returning to the Senate version is simply not the way forward. Sincerely, A Twist of Fate-ATS; ADNP Kids Research Foundation; Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease Research Foundation; AIDS Action Baltimore; Alliance for Aging Research; Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American Lung Association; American Society of Clinical Oncology; American Syringomyelia and Chiari Alliance Project; Amyloidosis Support Groups; APS Type 1 Foundation; Association for Creatine Deficiencies; Association of American Medical Colleges; Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation; Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation; Bridge the Gap-SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation; CancerCare; Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation to Cure Batten Disease; Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation. Congenital Hyperinsulinism International; cureCADASIL; CurePSP; Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Defeat MSA; The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation; The Disability Rights Legal Center; Dupl5q Alliance; Dysautonomia Foundation; Dyskeratosis Congenita Outreach, Inc.; Equal Access for Rare Disorders; Fight Colorectal Cancer; FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered; Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA); Friends of Cancer Research; The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders; Glutl Deficiency Foundation; The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation; Hemophilia Federation of America. HLRCC Family Alliance; Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas; Hyper IgM Foundation, Inc.; Incontinentia Pigmenti International Foundation; Indian Organization for Rare Disorders; International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Association; International Myeloma Foundation; International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation; International Society for Stem Cell Research; International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF); The Isaac Foundation; Jack McGovern Coats' Disease Foundation; The LAM Foundation; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Association (LFS Association/LFSA); LUNGevity Foundation; Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham's Disease Alliance; M-CM Network; Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation; MitoAction. MLD Foundation; Moebius Syndrome Foundation; The MSA Awareness Shoe; Mucolipidosis Type IV Foundation; The Myelin Project; Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation; National Brain Tumor Society; National Comprehensive Cancer Network; National Consumers League; National Health Council; National MPS Society; National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation; National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD); National Patient Advocate Foundation; National PKU Alliance; National PKU News; Neurofibromatosis Northeast; The Oley Foundation; Operation ASHA; Organic Acidemia Association. PSC Partners Seeking a Cure; Platelet Disorder Support Association; PRP Alliance, Inc.; Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation; Rare and Undiagnosed Network (RUN); Rothmund- Thomson Syndrome Foundation; The Snyder-Robinson Foundation; Sofia Sees Hope; SSADH Association; Susan G. Komen; TargetCancer Foundation; Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation; Team Audrey; Treatment Action Group; The Turner Syndrome Society; United Leukodystrophy Foundation; United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF); Vasculitis Foundation; Veterans Health Council; Vietnam Veterans of America; VHL Alliance; Wilhelm Foundation; Worldwide Syringomyelia & Chiari Task Force; The XLH Network, Inc.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a bill in search of a problem. FDA has approved 99 percent of the expanded access requests it receives. FDA's expanded access program approves nearly all requests for investigational drugs or biologics it receives. Physicians at the FDA are available 24 hours a day to approve any emergency expanded access requests that the agency receives, and it typically grants those emergency requests immediately over the phone and nonemergency requests in a median time of 4 days and generally no longer than 30 days. FDA has also taken actions to streamline this entire process. The process of clinical trials at FDA is vital to the protection of the health of all of our neighbors and the folks we represent. In 11 percent of expanded access applications, FDA has raised a red flag and said: Do you know what? You have got to change this. That is who we are trying to protect here: the actual patients. The patient groups across the country agree with us. Many States have tinkered with right-to-try laws, but this is different. Forty States have enacted right-to-try laws, but there is no evidence that anyone has obtained the type of therapy via these laws that couldn't have been obtained through the FDA's expanded access program. Right-to-try laws do not compel companies to provide patient access to these treatments. Therefore, under these laws, patients still do not have a right to try, only the right to request it from the company. Sometimes those insurance companies will say: Do you know what? We are not going to pay for it. So that is going to be another barrier. Mr. Speaker, in the end, these right-to-try laws put patients at higher risk by prohibiting and weakening the FDA oversight, leaving our neighbors on the hook to cover the cost of unproven treatments. For all of these reasons, I urge a ``no'' vote on the bill. Join with the patient advocates across America, who, in this letter, called this a dangerous proposal.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership and for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, we simply must do more for pediatric cancer and the children and families who are impacted by it. That is why I urge adoption of S. 292. It is also H.R. 820. I would like to thank my colleagues--Congressman McCaul, Congresswoman Speier, Congressman Butterfield, and Congressman Kelly--for leading the charge on this. It has broad bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I mostly want to thank the families and the parents across America who have helped educate us--folks like Bonnie Woodworth; her husband, Scott; and kids Joe, Delaney, and Piper--who have educated me and many policymakers across the Tampa Bay area. See, they lost their daughter and sister, Tatum, in 2012 to pediatric cancer. On behalf of so many families who often are held back by the pain of losing a child or dealing with childhood cancer, they channeled their energy into making things better for other families. They have educated me and others, along with Mary Ann Massolio with the 1Voice Foundation, back in the Tampa Bay area. I am so happy that it is paying off today. What they have explained is that, after you suffer this diagnosis, it is very isolating. America doesn't do a lot of research on pediatric cancer. It is not coordinated very well, and the resources just are not there to help bring families together to get through these kinds of varied diagnoses. The STAR Act hopefully will make things better because we are going to ask the Centers for Disease Control to do more with States to track pediatric cancer. We are going to do a little more research on how it is best to care for survivors. We are going to try to endeavor to do better in coordination of care for kids with pediatric cancer, do more on research, and also, help folks in the minority community who often don't have the resources dedicated to them that they need. Hopefully this will bring great relief to the families, and I urge a swift adoption.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Paul Danahy, Jr., a leader of distinction from Tampa, Florida, and part of Florida's Greatest Generation. Judge Danahy is celebrating his 90th birthday this week. Judge Danahy was one of the longest serving members of Florida's Second District Court of Appeals. The judge may also wish to be remembered for working his way through college at the legendary Tampa's Valencia Garden restaurant as the only Anglo member of the Spanish waiters for many, many years. Wherever Judge Danahy worked and served, he earned a reputation for working tirelessly and gaining the respect of all he worked with. Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Judge Danahy was drawn to Tampa to play basketball at the University of Tampa. In Tampa, he found both a new hometown and the love of his life, Georgia Reed. Judge Danahy enlisted in the Army during the Korean war and has a very unique military record, including three honorable discharges from two branches of the military: the Marine Reserves, the U.S. Army Infantry, and finally from service in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps, a precursor to the CIA. Upon return from military service, he found his true calling and earned his law degree from the University of Florida in 1957. Judge Danahy became an influential member of the Florida House of Representatives, serving from 1966 to 1974. True to form, Judge Danahy played a significant role as part of what many believe to be Tampa's greatest State legislative delegations during the 1960s and early 1970s. There, amongst other progressive policies, he drafted and championed the first ethics law in the State of Florida, which continues in force to this day and is now firmly ensconced in Florida's constitution. The Florida we know and love today would not be possible without the contributions of Judge Danahy and his partners in Florida's Greatest Generation. After leaving the legislature, Judge Danahy's service was only beginning. He was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeals in 1977, and sat on the bench a record-shattering 33 years, serving as chief judge from 1986 to 1988. In his 30th year at the court, Judge Danahy received a fitting recognition: the largest conference room at the Tampa branch of the Second District Court of Appeals was named the Judge Paul Danahy, Jr., Conference Room. This recognition not only honored his record-setting time on the bench, but also his legislative accomplishments. He was largely responsible for obtaining the legislative funding to bring the branch to Tampa. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to honor and send many wishes to a great Tampanian, part of Florida's Greatest Generation of leaders, Judge Paul W. Danahy, Jr., on his 90th birthday. His legacy continues as the patriarch of an ever-growing family to whom he imparts his wisdom and through whom his lessons and beliefs will surely echo in the years to come.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America and our North American neighbors of Canada and Mexico have a wonderful opportunity to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. This is a combined North American bid. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative LaHood, and Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support of this resolution, and I also commend my colleagues, Congressman Bacon and Congressman Kihuen, who also co-chair the Congressional Soccer Caucus. The United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. We had nine cities. The attendance was over 3\1/2\ million. We think now for 2026 it is going to be bigger and better than ever because we are going to combine efforts with our North American neighbors of Canada and Mexico, where they will also host many of the tournament matches. Mr. Speaker, I noticed that Mr. Webster was on the floor, along with Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch, and they should be proud to know that Orlando and Miami, from our home State of Florida, will be participating, and we love soccer in the Sunshine State. But I also offer my strong support for this resolution because of the inspiration that the World Cup soccer tournament provides to young people all across this country. It is like the Olympics. It encourages them to be healthy and well, to participate in team supports and athletics. It exposes and encourages children and young people to be good sports and understand what a world competition means in a friendly way. Studies show that team sports lead to healthier lifestyles, increased knowledge about exercise and nutrition, positive gains in reading and math; and that is why the Congressional Soccer Caucus works with the U.S. Soccer Foundation because they really provide the national model for programs about ``the beautiful game,'' and they make so many helpful investments in communities across the country to encourage kids to get out, be active, and learn about great sportsmanship. So here is this resolution. We are coming together in a bipartisan way, to recognize the effort, to support it, to make sure that Americans everywhere know that we expect the men's team to live up to their expectations. The women's team, national team, of course, has been champion after champion after champion. It is time, also, for the men's team and this generation to try to meet their goals. We would like to encourage everyone to pay attention, support the effort. Again, I thank my colleague, Mr. LaHood, Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel; and I urge the House to kick this resolution towards passage so that we can meet our goals.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Paul W. Danahy, Jr.'s 90th birthday, a member of my hometown of Tampa and the state of Florida's Greatest Generation. He may wish to be remembered as much for working his way through college at the legendary Valencia Gardens restaurant as the only Anglo member of the Spanish Waiters than for being one of the longest-serving members on Florida's Second District Court of Appeals. Wherever Judge Danahy served he earned a reputation for working tirelessly and for gaining the respect of all with whom he worked. Born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Judge Danahy was drawn to Tampa to play basketball at the University of Tampa. In Tampa he found both a new hometown and the love of his life, Georgia Reed. Judge Danahy enlisted in the army during the Korean War and has a very unique military record including three honorable discharges from two branches of the military: the Marine Reserves, the U.S, Army Infantry, and finally from service in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps, a precursor to the CIA. Upon return from military service he found his true calling and earned his law degree from the University of Florida in 1957. Judge Danahy became an influential member of the Florida House of Representatives serving from 1966 to 1974. True to form, Judge Danahy played a significant role as part of what many believe to be Tampa's greatest state legislative delegations during the late 60s and early 70s. There, amongst other progressive policies, he drafted and championed the very first enactment of our state's Ethics Law, which continues in force to this day, and is now firmly ensconced within Florida's Constitution. The Florida we know and love today would not be possible without the contributions of Judge Danahy and his partners in Florida's Greatest Generation. After leaving the legislature Judge Danahy's service was only beginning. He was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeals in 1977 and sat on the bench a record shattering thirty-three years, serving as Chief Judge from 1986 to 1988. In his 30th year at the court, Judge Danahy received a fitting recognition--the largest conference room at the Tampa branch of the 2nd DCA was named the Judge Paul W. Danahy, Jr., Conference Room. This recognition not only honored his record setting time on the bench but also his legislative prowess-- he was largely responsible for obtaining legislative funding to bring the branch to Tampa. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to honor and send many wishes to a great Tampanian, Judge Paul W. Danahy, Jr., on his 90th birthday. His legacy continues as the patriarch of an ever-growing family to which he imparts his wisdom, and through whom his lessons and beliefs will surely echo in the years to come.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit is simple and should garner the support of all Members who dislike government waste and abuse of power. My motion goes to the heart of the costly ethical violations by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his penchant for flying first class in violation of Federal regulations and billing it to taxpayers. He has done this at a time when he has supported cuts to EPA clean water and clean air initiatives in the communities we represent back home. So my amendment is simple. It says: ``Nothing in this act may be construed to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to charter a flight, or travel in any class of air accommodation above coach class.'' See, Federal regulations right now require government officials to consider the least expensive class of travel that meets their needs. Now, agencies are allowed to travel first class in very rare instances, such as a flight of 14 hours or more, a medical disability, or for exceptional security circumstances if your life or government property is in danger. Well, Administrator Scott Pruitt has abused these exceptions. This came to light after the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the EPA Administrator to explain his costly travel records, which showed he repeatedly booked first class flights at taxpayer expense, and he hoped no one would notice. There is no adequate justification for this wasteful spending and abuse of power by Scott Pruitt. If he enjoys flying first class and staying in luxury hotels, then he should pay for it himself and not ask the taxpayers to foot the bill. Here is what we know per press reports and committee research: last June 5, Pruitt settled into his $1,641 first class seat for a short flight from D.C. to New York. The ticket cost more than 6 times that of the two media aides who traveled along with him and sat in coach. In Manhattan, Administrator Pruitt made two brief television appearances praising the White House's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. He stayed in an upscale hotel near Times Square and returned to Washington the next day. That Wednesday, after traveling on Air Force One for an infrastructure event in Cincinnati, Pruitt and several staffers raced back to New York on a military jet, at the cost of $36,000, to then catch a plane to Rome. The transatlantic flight was part of a round-trip ticket for the Administrator that cost over $7,000, according to EPA records, several times what was paid for other officials who went. In total, the taxpayer-funded travel for Pruitt and his top aides during that stretch in June cost at least $90,000, thanks to the Environmental Integrity Project, which got the records. His travel practices are quite different from previous EPA Administrators', who very rarely traveled first class and always announced their travel schedule to the public. But Scott Pruitt's travel is different. It is secretive, it is costly, and it is frequent. In fact, we have come to learn that this year he plans to travel to Israel, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and possibly Canada. None of those have been officially announced, but we have been digging. Pruitt rarely discloses where he plans to be. So, at the request of congressional Democrats, the EPA's Office of Inspector General is conducting probes of Pruitt's travel. He has attempted to justify his luxury travel by noting that he has been approached by people in the airport numerous times to talk about his environmental record. However, it is unclear why this justifies purchasing first class tickets. These new justifications also contradict previous explanations of this questionable travel as a way of providing an opportunity to hear directly from people affected by the EPA. The Administrator simply prefers to be wasteful with taxpayer dollars. We have asked about other conflicts of interest. He has continually sided with dirty energy and chemical companies, so it is no matter that members of the public would like to discuss these pressing issues with him. According to the Environmental Integrity Project, new travel records shared with the media show Pruitt and EPA employees spent up to $150,000 on premium commercial and chartered flights just in a 6-month period. So, Mr. Speaker, Administrator Pruitt says he will start flying coach after all the attention it has garnered, but he hasn't promised to do so. Through this motion to recommit, we would like to make it permanent. We would like to hold him accountable. And for anyone who would like to eliminate waste in government and make sure that our officials do not abuse their power, it is time to adopt this amendment, and I urge Congress to do so. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.