Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Mr. Polis, for his leadership on the Rules Committee. I respect the chairman of the Rules Committee, but I respectfully disagree. He has presided over a Rules Committee that has the most closed rules in the history of the Congress of the United States. Competing ideas, opposing views were not allowed to be considered in either of the two bills the Republicans are going to put before the Congress. One we have dispensed with already. I oppose the rule and I oppose the underlying legislation. We are facing multiple immigration crises of the President's own making, and we must not be fooled by plans designed to cover that up. This is not the fix we need for migrant families separated at the border. President Trump's inhumane and morally repugnant policy to forcibly separate children from their parents as they seek refuge in America is beyond the pale. We cannot rely on the President's sudden change of heart. We must forbid this barbaric policy by passing the Keep Families Together Act, not this bill. This is not the fix we need for Dreamers, despite what Mr. Sessions, my good friend from Texas, just said. There are nearly 800,000 Dreamers, including 2,400 in my district. They need an opportunity to work, to attend school, to contribute to our communities, and to become the Americans they, in fact, are. I had a Dreamer as my guest at the State of the Union address. She came to this country at the age of 1. She has never been back to her country of birth. She thought she was an American until she applied for a driver's permit at the age of 16. She is a proud American, and we would be proud to have her. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the rule, and to oppose the underlying bill.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate my constituent and friend, Andrew (Andy) M. Sherman who is retiring from his position as Acting Deputy Director of the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) following 38 years of dedicated federal service. Andy began his career at the GPO in 1980 as a budget analyst. In 1985 he began working as a staff assistant reporting to the Office of the Director (formerly the Office of the Public Printer), gaining extensive experience with the agency's budget, appropriations, legislation, strategic planning, and congressional and public affairs operations. The skills learned in this position would serve him well during his career and advancement at the GPO. He was named Director of Congressional and Public Affairs in 1997, a position he held for 14 years. In 2011, he was promoted to Chief Communications Officer and in 2013 was again promoted to Chief of Staff. Following the retirement of Deputy Director Jim Bradley in March 2018, Andy became Acting Deputy Director and the head of the agency. During his 38-year career, Andy was directly involved in GPO's transformation from a print-centric to a digital-centric agency. His efforts were instrumental in reshaping GPO's operations and staff to reduce costs and expand digital operations. For over 30 years he authored GPO's Annual Reports to Congress and for more than 2 decades, Andy was the GPO's principal liaison to the congressional Joint Committee on Printing, which oversees GPO. In this role, he ensured the approval of the GPO's annual spending plans and the wage agreements signed by GPO's management and GPO union employees. In addition, Andy served for 25 years as GPO's representative to the National Government Publishing Association, holding the offices of Eastern regional director, treasurer, and president. With GPO Historian George Barnum, Andy contributed to the writing of an official history of the GPO, Keeping America Informed, published in 2011 and revised in 2016, as well as Picturing the Big Shop, a book of more than 200 of GPO's historical photographs, which was released in 2016. He also participated in the revision and issuance of three editions of GPO's popular Style Manual, for 2000, 2008, and 2016. In recognition of his service and expertise, Andy has received two Distinguished Service Awards, 2 Meritorious Service Awards, and one Public Printer award. Andy holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Government from The University of Virginia. Prior to joining the GPO he was a graduate teaching assistant in American history at Old Dominion University. Andy and his wife, Deborah, are the parents of three grown children, Benjamin, Sarah, and David, and for more than 30 years have resided in North Springfield, VA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Andrew M. Sherman for his service to our nation and in congratulating him on the occasion of his retirement. I believe that public service is among the highest of callings and Andy is the epitome of a dedicated civil servant. I thank him for his contributions, and extend to him my very best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This is the 40th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present ninety-one awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories, including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medal of Valor. Sixty-nine awards will be bestowed upon first responders who serve with the Fairfax County Police Department in recognition of their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record following Valor Award Recipients: Silver Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Michael D. Gubesch, MPO Douglas E. Middlebrooks, PFC Ali Sepehri, Ofc. Isa L. Martin, Pilot Garret G. Wymer. Bronze Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Scott F. Moskowitz, 2nd Lt. Peter J. Massaro, MPO Brian E. Plaugher, PFC Robert A. Wardrop, PFC Jose R. Morillo, PFC Gary Moore, Jr., PFC Lindsey M. Memenza, PFC Eric L. Harte, PFC William W. Daugherty, Ofc. Andrew H. Snow. Certificate of Valor: 2nd Lt. Edward S. Rediske, MPO John E. Alford, PFC Nicholas D. Taormina, PFC Timothy B. Schilling, PFC Michael D. Scatchard, PFC Ryan M. Saupp, PFC James F. Sadler, PFC Todd C. Owens, PFC Michael W. Greene, PFC Edward K. George, PFC Colby B. Cooman, PFC Stephen P. Cicinato, PFC Aaron M. Ciarrochi, PFC Morgan N. Blumer, PFC Kenneth D. Baxter, Det. Paul H. Cable, Ofc. Michael A. Stirling, Ofc. Frank J. Kopeski, Ofc. Joseph S. Hensley, Ofc. Alicia A. Adkins, Pilot Andrew J. Wiseman, APO Dennis M. Staten, Dispatcher Jill Velez, K9 Bolt. Lifesaving Award: 2nd Lt. Daniel B. Spital, MPO Erik S. Stallings, MPO Bryan V. Smith, MPO Brian A. Ritter, PFC Cameron York, PFC Kurt T. Woodward, PFC David M. Winter, PFC Jon David F. Tiedemann, PFC Philip C. Stone, PFC Shannon L. Sams, PFC Gregory J. Salino, PFC Kevin L. Reynolds, PFC Steven L. Randazzo, PFC Gershon L. Ramirez, PFC Kory A. Pfeiffer, PFC Paul J. Notarianni, PFC Christopher W. Munson, PFC Katherine A. Montwill, PFC Kelly E. McElligott, PFC Young H. Lee, PFC Matthew R. Kourt, PFC Casey C. Johnson, PFC Nicole A. Hunt, PFC Timothy M. Henderson, PFC Kyle R. Bryant, PFC Kurt A. Bowers, PFC Morgan N. Blumer, Det. Brian C. Christian, Ofc. Devin T. White, Ofc. Matthew D. Erd. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2018 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the recipients of the thirty-fourth annual Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards & Scholarship Banquet hosted by the Dale City Christian Church. The 2018 banquet theme is, ``This is your Season for Favor and Increase,'' highlights the continued emphasis placed on educational advancement in fostering personal autonomy and success. Under the leadership of Bishop Patrick O. Thomas and Mrs. Rhonda Pittman, the Dale City Multicultural Achievement Foundation has provided more than $320,000 in scholarship funds. In addition to providing financial resources, the foundation celebrates the achievements of community activists for their efforts to improve the lives of area residents while serving as positive role models leading by example and encouraging students to seek out educational enrichment opportunities under the core mission of educating the youth of today to become engaged citizens of tomorrow. It is my honor to include in the Record, the following names of the recipients of the 2018 Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards & Scholarship Fund: Pastoral Leadership Award: Pastors Sam & Valena Metacalfe Religious Leadership Award: Rev. Naomi Gibson Educational Leadership Award: Mrs. Dorothy Passawe Mrs. LaVonda Wortham Professional Leadership Award: Mr. Corey Holeman Community Service Award: Mrs. Vielka Gary Ms. Ashley Johnson Business Achievement Award: Jewelry by Design, Mrs. Jenny Caro Mr. Adrian Vaughn Youth Christian Service Award: Mr. Carlos Chavez Mr. Andrew Reese Mrs. Beverly Scott Christian Service Award: Mr. Carlos Chavez Mr. Andrew Reese Mrs. Beverly Scott Faithfulness Award: Mr. Errol & Mrs. Maudine Graham Mrs. Astrid Inabinet Mrs. Athena Powell Dedicated Christian Family Award: Mr. & Mrs. Maverick Powell & Family Distinguished Senior Leadership Award: Miss Troi Stubblefield 2018 High School Scholarship Recipient: Mr. Joshua Curtis Mr. Cameron Harris Miss Karina Jackson Miss Troi Stubblefield Mr. Riley Mitchell Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 2018 Dale City Multicultural Achievement Awards & Scholarship recipients, and in thanking them for their individual efforts to ensure we each maintain a quality life and live a better tomorrow.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This is the 40th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present ninety-one awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories, including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medal of Valor. Fourteen awards will be bestowed upon first responders who serve with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, in recognition of their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients: Gold Medal of Valor: Virginia Task Force 1 Silver Medal of Valor: Chief (Ret.) Tyrone Harrington Lieutenant Jay Smith Bronze Medal of Valor: Cpt. Barry J. Rathbone Lieutenant Scott Kraut Master Technician Daniel Thompson Firefighter Jeffrey W. Cockey Certificate of Valor: Master Technician David J. Higgins Acting Fire Technician James A. Wellig Firefighter David P. Eimers Firefighter Jacob C. Brendel Investigator Timothy Nicholson Fire Inspector LaTycia Tanks Fire Inspector Raymond Figueroa Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2018 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2018 installation of officers ceremony for Elks Lodge No. 2355 located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Elks have a long history of public service in our nation. Since the founding of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in 1868, it has maintained an active membership of more than one million members nationally, and has provided more than $3 billion in goods and services to our nation's youth, our veterans, and the disadvantaged. In accordance with the Elks' founding tenets of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity, Elks Lodge No. 2355 has proven to be an indispensable asset to our community for its lasting commitment to serving others in times of need. It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the 2018 officers and committee chairmen of Elks Lodge No. 2355: Exalted Ruler--Lillian Garland Leading Knight--Robert Kane Loyal Knight--Stephanie Dabbe Lecturing Knight--Sherri Stramel Treasurer--Robert Geipel Secretary--Kenneth Catterton Tiler--Susan Mc Daniel Inner Guard--Mike Soler Esquire--Mike Haman Chaplain--Nancy Waltz Brown 4 Year Trustee--Zulma Santos 3 Year Trustee--Carl Dabbe 2 Year Trustee--Claude Mcain 1 Year Trustee--Frances M. Frank Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Elks Lodge No. 2355 and the newly installed officers for their efforts to ensure we each maintain a quality life and live a better tomorrow.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Volunteer Fairfax and express my sincere appreciation to recipients of the 26th Annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards. Established more than 40 years ago, Volunteer Fairfax matches the skills and interests of thousands of volunteers with the needs of local non-profit organizations. The success of this model and its impact on delivery of needed services is beyond question, as Volunteer Fairfax has been rated as one of the most effective community service organizations in the nation. Last year alone, over 6,000 individuals contributed more 328,000 volunteer hours, totaling almost $8,000,000. These staggering numbers are a testament to the strong ethos of public service and of volunteerism that exists in Fairfax County, and is one of the many reasons why this community is such a wonderful place to live. Each year, Volunteer Fairfax selects a few exceptional individuals, groups, or organizations to receive special recognition. It is my great pleasure to include in the Record the following names of the 2018 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards honorees: Community Champions: Braddock District: Joanne Walton Dranesville District: William Pickens Hunter Mill District: May Bernhardt Lee District: Ed Joseph Mason District: Community Labor Force Mount Vernon District: Shirley Steenstra Providence District: Tysons Partnership Springfield District: Tom Bash Sully District: Glynda Mayo Hall At-Large: Charles Fegan Competitive Award Winners: Adult 250 Hours and Over: Marco Johnson Adult 250 Hours and Under: Jerry Dykstra Adult Volunteer Group: PRS CareRing Volunteers Corporate Volunteer Group: Fannie Mae Fairfax County Volunteer: Walter Jackson Fairfax County Volunteer Program: CERT Family Volunteer: Rev. Morris and Polley Hargrove Lifetime Achievement: Richard Alderson Rising Star: Josh Stillman RSVP Northern Virginia: Ken Kozloff Senior Volunteer: Jim Dillon Volunteer Program: ECHO Youth Volunteer: Racheal Appiah Youth Volunteer Group: Stony Brook Jr. Volunteers In addition, Benchmark Honors will be awarded in four different categories to commend those who have contributed 100, 250, 500, or 1,000 hours of volunteer time to our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Volunteer Fairfax for its decades of outstanding community service. I congratulate the recipients of the 2018 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards, and thank them and the thousands of other local volunteers for their incredible contributions to our community. Their selfless dedication is worthy of our highest praise, and is one of the main reasons that our community is often ranked as one of the best places in the country to live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This is the 40th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present ninety-one awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories, including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medal of Valor. Seven members of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients: Bronze Medal of Valor: Second Lieutenant Georgi Hovhannisyan Sergeant Brandon Pitts Private First Class Andrew Foxwell Correctional Health Nurse Deborah Kurylo Certificate of Valor: First Lieutenant Jonathan Ortiz Master Deputy Sheriff Jeffery Waple Private First Class Laurence Kim Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2018 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2017-2018 Prince William County Public Schools nominees for the Principal of the Year Award. Principals who meet the criteria for the award are those who effectively manage, demonstrate, and encourage creativity and innovation, foster cooperation between the school and community by maintaining an open dialogue with students, parents, faculty, and staff, and exemplify commitment to providing a quality education for all students to learn and develop. The selected winner will be named the Prince William County Principal of the Year. As the second largest school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County Public Schools educates 90,000 students in ninety-eight schools, including sixty elementary schools, sixteen middle schools, twelve high schools, one Governor's school, three special education schools, one nontraditional school, two traditional schools, two special site schools, and one K-8 school. I extend my personal congratulations to the following 2017-2018 Prince William County nominees for Principal of the Year Award: Andrew Buchheit, T. Clay Wood Elementary School Robert Eichorn, New Directions (Independence Nontraditional School) Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the nominees for 2017-2018 Principal of the Year Award in Prince William County, and in thanking them for their dedication and leadership to the students, teachers, and faculty to ensure a bright future for all who pass through the doors of their schools. Their continued service is truly commendable and worthy of the highest praise. I thank them for ensuring our Prince William County students are provided a world-class education in a vibrant learning community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Joyce-Gillespie- Harrington Charitable and Educational Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of their 38th annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball. Since 1980, these two organizations have made tremendous contributions to promoting academic opportunities for youth in Northern Virginia and in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. The programs offered by the foundation are vital to the success of our students. This year's Black and Gold Scholarship Ball will support scholarships for ten college-bound high school students. During the last nineteen years, one-hundred students have received scholarships awarded by the foundation, and have attended some of the top colleges and universities in the country. With the typical college graduate's debt averaging about $30,000, the foundation's continued support of these students is absolutely crucial. I am pleased to include in the Record the following names of the 2018 scholarship winners: Abderraouf Deghdegh (Lee HS) Adriana Jones (Heritage HS) Alyse Johnson (Herndon HS) Barrington Taylor (McNamara HS) Clarence Brown III (Colgan Sr. HS) Colin Dickens (Edison HS) Dean James (Broad Run HS) Kelcey Parks Jr. (Marshall HS) Kyle Gatesman (TJHSST) Reina Hudspeth (Centreville HS) Mr. Speaker, these students represent our country's next generation of gifted leaders who will have great impact on our society and future. I thank the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Charitable and Education Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for their dedicated commitment to fostering success in our youth and commend all of the scholarship winners for their academic excellence. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these talented students and in wishing them great success in all their future endeavors.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 27th Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service. These awards are the result of collaboration between Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place. I have been proud to represent this community since my days as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The level of civic engagement celebrated by these awards is a testament to the community spirit of Reston. I have often said that civic engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community, and tonight's event proves that Reston continues to be one of the healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia. This is due in no small part to the actions of those honored here this evening, and I extend my congratulations to all of tonight's honorees. I also wish to thank Sara Leonard and Kerrie Wilson of Cornerstones, and Charles Kapur and Mark Ingrao of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for their tireless efforts on behalf of others and in making our community one of the best places in the country in which to live, work, and raise a family. It is my honor to include in the Record the following recipients of the 2018 Best of Reston Awards: Marybeth Haneline--Engineering Inclusion and Making an Impact Leslie Kane--Revealing the Beauty of Kindness Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation--Launching Young Lives Terry Redican--Reston's Coach for all Seasons Andy Sigle--Support that Sings SOSi--Serving Those Who Serve The 2018 Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Legacy Award--Entrusting Our Community's Future Recipient: South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry--Food from Heart to Heart Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2018 Best of Reston honorees for their tremendous contributions. I thank Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for continuing this wonderful tradition, and I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, businesses, and organizations for lending their time and energy to the betterment of our community.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell) and my good friend from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows) for their leadership. But I particularly want to thank my good friend from Maryland (Mr. Cummings). Mr. Cummings is not only a legislative expert, but he is also a moral voice. He speaks with clarity and eloquence, as he did yesterday, about innocent children being detained at the southern border as an un- American activity, something that does not reflect our values. And today, he is lending that same moral voice to the crisis that afflicts so many communities in America: the opioid addiction crisis. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Coordinated Response through Interagency Strategy and Information Sharing Act, or the CRISIS Act, to reauthorize and revamp the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The chairman and ranking member of our full committee worked closely together and with committee members to produce a bipartisan bill that was reported out of the committee unanimously. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the CRISIS Act, which not only reauthorizes ONDCP, but also strengthens that office so that it has the resources it needs to coordinate an effective response to the opioid crisis. And that is something Mr. Cummings stressed. It is not good enough to do something symbolic. We have to ensure it is effective. ONDCP's responsibilities are to produce a national drug control strategy. Congress created it in 1988 at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic to oversee Federal drug control efforts and to advise the President and the administration on drug control policies and strategies. It was designed to oversee the National Drug Control Budget to carry out the goals and policies of that strategy, and to evaluate the effectiveness of programs across the Federal Government in implementing the strategy, and to oversee the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and Drug Free Communities initiatives. Congress last authorized the ONDCP in 2006. The authorization expired in 2010. That is 8 years ago. Since then, we have developed an opioid crisis the magnitude of which we have never seen in America. While ONDCP has continued to receive annual appropriations, it is important that Congress reauthorize this program and reflect the crisis we are in. The opioid epidemic that is currently ravaging communities has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and shows no signs of abating. Every day, 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose. The epidemic is destroying families, overwhelming first responders, straining public health, criminal justice, and child welfare resources. This epidemic doesn't care where you live or what political party you belong to. The crisis has touched every community and every corner of our country. In my State, the Commonwealth of Virginia, opioid overdose deaths spiked by 40 percent to 1,133 from 2015 to 2016, and deaths from synthetic opioids rose from 263 to 692 during that time period. Northern Virginia, where I represent the good people of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Fairfax County, for example, reported an increase from 67 to 97 opioid-related deaths from 2015 to 2016. And Prince William County, the other county I represent, increased from 26 to 59 deaths in this time period. Last month, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, testified before our committee, and he said that the crisis will get worse before it gets better. That was not welcome news. Yet despite the President's pledges and his own Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis recommendation that he declare an opioid crisis national emergency, the President, President Trump, took the lesser step of declaring a public health emergency last October. Seventeen months into this administration, ONDCP is still without a confirmed director and the administration has failed to produce a National Drug Control Strategy. Instead, the President, President Trump, proposed cutting ONDCP's budget by more than 90 percent. Thank goodness Congress, on a bipartisan basis, did not heed that recommendation. Just earlier this week, the acting head of the Drug Enforcement Agency announced he is going to be retiring at the end of the month, stating that running that agency in an acting capacity for so long had become increasingly challenging. As this administration continues to fail to address the opioid epidemic, it is imperative that we take immediate and decisive action on a bipartisan basis. Reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy with enhanced authorities will improve the coordination and effectiveness of Federal Government drug control efforts. It is one of the many steps we can take to address the opioid epidemic. It won't solve everything, but it is a very important first step. I hope the administration will join us in fighting this crisis with real solutions and not empty rhetoric. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting this important bill.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, with fourteen legislative weeks left in 2018, it is imperative the Congress take up legislation to provide the United States Postal Service with the legislative relief that it needs to stabilize its finances, modernize its business model, and return to solvency in order to continue to provide dependable service to millions of Americans across this country who rely on it. Last year, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 756) by voice vote. Throughout the process, the Committee worked with the United States Postal Service, private sector stakeholders, and the postal unions in order to report a bill that has near unanimous support. Unfortunately, shortly after the Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved H.R. 756, then-Chairman Chaffetz retired from the House of Representatives, leaving the bill without a primary sponsor. That is why I am pleased to join my friend Representative Mark Meadows to re-introduce the Postal Service. Reform Act (H.R. 6076) with the language that the Oversight and Government Reform reported out last year. Like last year's bill, H.R. 6076 would sustain six-day delivery, which provides vital services to millions of Americans and thousands of businesses across the nation. The bill would require the Postal Service to establish and follow a rigorous, empirical, and transparent process when evaluating whether to close postal retail or processing facilities, while empowering the Postal Regulatory Commission with the authority to review and overturn closure decisions. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Postal Service to modernize its business model through innovative service enhancements, such as co-locating retail and government services with postal facilities. This reform would not only boost revenue, but increase convenience to everyday Americans who would benefit from being able to simultaneously renew their drivers licenses while mailing a package. Most importantly, the bill would fix a problem Congress created by providing the Postal Service with relief from the onerous and unnecessarily high prepayment requirements for the Postal Retirement Health Benefit. The Postal Service plays an important role in the lives of every American and a critical role for our country's economy. Unlike private companies who pick and choose their customers, set their own rates, and can decide to deliver mail and packages only where it is financially beneficial, the Postal Service has a universal service obligation to deliver mail six days a week to every part of America--rural or urban-- for the same price. In fact, companies such as FedEx and UPS use the Postal Service to do ``last mile'' delivery for many packages in rural areas. And for many Americans, the Postal Service is the only option for them to pay their bills or receive communication and packages, including medicine and goods that they may not otherwise have access to. Postal Service operations are solely funded by sales revenue from postal products and services. However, the Postal Service faces two obstacles as it attempts to find financial stability and even become profitable. First, with the rise of electronic communications, the Postal Service has experienced a drastic decline in mail volume. In 2008, the USPS delivered 202.7 billion pieces of mail. In each year since 2008, mail volume has declined and in 2017, that number had fallen to 149.5 billion pieces of mail. Unfortunately, the Postal Service mail volume is likely to continue to decline and it is difficult to imagine a scenario where mail volume will go back to the same levels as last decade. The main driver of the Postal Service's dire financial situation is the requirement that it, unlike any other federal entity, is required to prepay all employee health care benefits, 75 years into the future. The Postal Service first raised concerns about the aggressive payment plan mandated under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (P.L. 109-435) in 2010. That problem was not created by the U.S. Postal Service, the Postmaster General, or its hardworking men and women. Rather, it was Congress that imposed this short-sighted policy decision. For that reason, the responsibility falls on Congress to restore financial stability to the Postal Service. Without Congressional action to relieve the Postal Service of the pre-funding requirement or a drastic change in mail volume, the Postal Service has reported a financial loss for 11 straight years. In fiscal year 2017, the Postal Service posted a loss of $2.7 billion. More recently, the Postal Service reported a net loss of $1.3 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 alone, more than doubling its losses in the same period a year ago. With declining revenues and increasing unfunded liabilities, the Postal Service is being forced into a downward spiral of cutting services, losing revenue, further downsizing, and eventual bankruptcy. However, there is room for hope. While mail volume is declining, the Postal Service's package delivery service has been one of the few areas of growth in Postal Service revenues, experiencing double-digit increases in recent years and accounting for nearly 30 percent of its operating revenue in fiscal year 2017. In fact, the demand for the Postal Service to deliver packages for Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other retailers is so great, that package delivery has expanded to seven days--a competitive edge for the Postal Service. The Postal Service's package delivery services not only help mitigate losses in other areas, but provide the American people with low-cost services for retail purchases. After more than 9 years and many stalled efforts, leaders in Congress have arrived at a bipartisan framework for postal reform. The effort enjoys support from industry, labor, Democrats, and Republicans--not an insignificant feat. Is it perfect? Did every stakeholder get exactly what they wanted? Of course not. But tackling big issues demands collaboration and compromise. While it is easy to identify the many challenges that ail the Postal Service, missing from almost any serious diagnosis is the fundamental albatross around the Service's. neck. Some would advocate that there is a simple, easy, and perfect solution to restore the Postal Service. They offer their own purity test, impervious to new information, pragmatic considerations, and all context, for what must be included in a reform bill. It would be foolish to let perfect be the enemy of the good. Rather than re- litigate the discrete disagreements that guarantee its demise, our coalition has a worthy proposal that can save the Service. That should be the focus.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California for his leadership. I rise in support of the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018 requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire 50 Veterans Justice Outreach specialists to support veteran treatment courts. We have a sacred obligation to serve the needs of our Nation's veterans, including those struggling with addiction and the invisible wounds of war. Twenty percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. One in six battle with substance abuse. Left undiagnosed or untreated, these illnesses can lead to an encounter with the justice system. Worse yet, they can also lead to suicide, which veterans commit at more than twice the rate of the civilian population. Fortunately, specialized veteran treatment courts are being developed across the country to help veterans who suffer from substance addiction or mental health disorders, and they receive the assistance they deserve. The first such court was established in Buffalo, New York, in 2008. Since then, more than 300 have opened across the country, including one in Fairfax County and another in Prince William County, both counties I represent. I was glad to help establish the first docket in Fairfax County, and have been a proud supporter ever since. By bringing these service organizations, State Veterans Services Departments and volunteer mentors into the courtroom, veteran treatment courts promote community collaboration and can connect veterans with the programs and benefits they have earned and they need. Having a veteran-only court docket ensures that everyone, from the judge to the volunteers, specialize in veteran care; and the involvement of fellow veterans allows the defendant to experience the camaraderie to which he or she has become accustomed in the military. We know this model works. It is our hope that the additional Veterans Justice Outreach specialists provided for in this bill will help promote veteran treatment courts as an alternative to detention for our Nation's returning heroes, and help them with the transition to civilian life.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I would conclude simply by thanking my friend from Florida for detailing that horror story. Unfortunately, these aren't isolated incidents. This is a pattern of shoddy care for our veterans at this center, and we need the IG to be doing his work over time to make sure that these deficiencies are corrected, and corrected as soon as possible. That is the intent of this amendment. Again, I thank my friend from Texas, but I especially thank my good friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida for their support on this amendment. I include in the Record two letters from the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general. Department of Veterans Affairs, Inspector General, Washington DC, March 23, 2018. Hon. Phil Roe, M.D., Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Enclosed is a response from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to a question for the record received from Congressman Mike Bost following the February 15th hearing before the Committee on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019. We request that it be added to the hearing record. Thank you for your interest in the OIG. Sincerely, Michael J. Missal. Enclosure. Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Response to Questions for the Record From House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Hearing on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019 65. The budget includes a request for $172 million for the Office of Inspector General to strengthen accountability. Will this level of funding be sufficient to properly enforce accountability throughout the VA? VA Office of Inspector General Response: The budget request for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for fiscal year (FY) 2019 of $172 million will not be sufficient for the OIG to fully meet its mission of effective oversight of the programs and operations of VA. While that amount would represent an increase over the OIG's funding of $164 million for FY 2018, it falls short of even the OIG's actual FY 2018 operating budget of $175.5 million (which includes $15.9 million of carryover due to a late hiring cycle that was out of synch with the budget cycle). There will not be a carryover of that size for FY 2019 as those funds will have been expended led primarily on new hires to conduct our oversight work. In addition, we are now funding our Office of Contract Review approximately $5 million that was previously paid by VA through a reimbursable agreement, and there are other increased costs in FY 2019. Consequently, an FY 2019 appropriation of $172 million would require a decrease of about 28 OIG staff. This would result in a likely curtailment of some of our oversight priorities if OIG staffing and resources decrease at a time when VA is experiencing growth, including large and complex projects such as VA's new electronic health records initiative, improving VA's financial systems, enhancing and consolidating VA's IT systems, and expansion of community care programs. The OIG will need additional funds to not only conduct oversight of these costly programs, but also to expand our investigations of other high-risk VA programs, such as construction, procurement, education benefits, and the delivery of timely and quality healthcare. The VA OIG's staffing is among the smallest ratio of oversight staff to agency staff across the Inspector General community. Moreover, the OIG budget represents less than .1 percent of VA's overall budget, which again is less than a significant number of OIGs at other cabinet level agencies. An FY2019 appropriation of $172 million will undermine progress achieved to ``right size'' the OIG oversight capacity to the growth and demands of VA' new initiatives.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this simple amendment to H.R. 5895 would ensure sufficient funds for the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General to provide rigorous oversight of the Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a center that has been plagued with management problems, many of which have been described in previous amendments here this morning. The inspector general recently concluded a year-long investigation into the critical deficiencies at that center. In its final report, issued on March 7 of this year, the IG highlighted that leadership failures and pervasive understaffing underpinned widespread issues in inventory management, sterile processing, and patient safety itself. These are our veterans we are talking about. The IG found continual mismanagement of protected information and significant government resources, putting them at risk for fraud, waste, and abuse. The report makes clear these failures have persisted for the better part of a decade. Entrenched problems like these will not be resolved overnight. Following the final report's release, officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs briefed House Veterans Affairs' Committee staff that delays in patient care and supply shortages were no longer occurring as of January 2018. Yet recent reports show, contrary to that, that seven procedures were canceled due to supply shortages in February and March of this year, contrary to the Department's own claims. The VA inspector general has played a vital role in covering that crisis at the D.C. VA Medical Center, and we must ensure that the VA IG has adequate resources to carry out its essential mandate. The bill before us today meets the President's 2019 budget request of $172 million. However, the VA inspector general, Michael Missal, recently wrote that $172 million will not be sufficient for the IG to fully meet its mission of effective oversight of the programs and operations of the Veterans Administration. Furthermore, the IG said that an FY19 appropriation of $172 million would actually likely require a decrease of about 28 OIG staff. This could not be a worse time to have that happen, and I know the chairman and the ranking member share in that view. Across the inspector general community, the IG staffing at the VA is among the smallest ratio of oversight staff to agency staff, and the OIG budget represents less than 0.1 percent of the total Veterans Administration budget. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to fund the IG at a level of $192 million for FY 2019, and I hope my colleagues will support that higher funding level when this bill gets to conference. We have a sacred obligation to ensure that the men and women, who sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, receive the highest quality care they can possibly receive. The IG's yearlong investigation revealed that the D.C. VA Medical Center has, at times, fallen far below that standard. We owe it to our veterans not only to address these problems, but also to understand how they were allowed to arise in the first place. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to this bill and to ensure the highest quality for our veterans who fought for their country, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation program by $97 million. To offset this increase, my amendment funds the nuclear weapons activities program at $460 million above its FY 2018 appropriation. That is right, Mr. Chairman. This amendment returns the nonproliferation account to its FY 2018 enacted level of funding, and still provides the nuclear weapons activities program nearly a half a billion-dollar increase. I would say this amendment is a simple trade off: support for nuclear proliferation at the expense of nuclear clear weapons. But the numbers reveal this amendment offers us not so much as a tradeoff as it does a win-win solution by making nonproliferation whole again while sacrificing relatively little in terms of nuclear weapons spending. That is because this underlying bill includes more than $180 million above what the President is requesting for nuclear weapons activities in FY 2019 and $557 million above the FY 2018 appropriation. That makes this a win-win amendment, Mr. Chairman. Both of these accounts fund nonproliferation and stockpile reduction programs that I think we can all support. But I fear we are underfunding nonproliferation in a manner inconsistent with our stated security priorities. In the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, the administration stated: ``Nuclear terrorism remains among the most significant threats to the security of the United States, our allies, and partners.'' The National Nuclear Security Administration's Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation program works globally to prevent state and non-state actors from developing nuclear weapons or acquiring weapons-usable nuclear or radiological materials, equipment, technology, and expertise. This includes programs for nuclear material removal, international nuclear security, nuclear smuggling detection deterrence, international nuclear safeguards, and nuclear detonation detection. It also includes the Nuclear Counterterrorism and Incident Response program. However, the administration's rhetorical concern for nuclear terrorism is, sadly, not matched by its budget request or the funding level provided in this bill. Additionally, I am concerned that the current funding level does not help us lay the groundwork for the immense nonproliferation challenge now posed by a possible denuclearization agreement all of us hope will occur on the Korean Peninsula. The administration's Nuclear Posture Review declared, ``North Korea's illicit nuclear program must be completely, verifiably, and irreversibly eliminated.'' I share that goal. If you want to ensure that inspectors for the International Atomic Energy Agency have the training and expertise they need to implement a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization program for North Korea, then you must support the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation program and you do not want to see it cut by $97 million. Additionally, there are nuclear weapons programs funded in this bill that are unnecessary, such as funding for the development of low-yield nuclear weapons and an uncertain plan for the expansion of plutonium pit production. Eliminating both of these programs would help return the nonproliferation program to its 2018 level. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I do have a list of projects totalling between $100 million and $190 million that could be funded with this $97 million. I would also just add, and then I will yield back, given the fact that the President ripped up the Iran nuclear agreement that was working, we are going to have to spend a lot more money in Iran. And given the fact that we are having a summit with North Korea, hopefully, we are going to have to spend a lot more money in North Korea.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is left on my side.