John Carney

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I submit this statement regarding House passage of Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. With many reservations and a sense of frustration, I will vote for this bill. I believe in the bill's core goals--investing in our infrastructure and providing stability to our transportation system. The legislation raises funding levels to meet the needs of our crumbling roads and bridges and avoids the short-term patches that have plagued the bill for years. I'm also glad it's the result of a bipartisan effort, and supports infrastructure projects and programs like the High Density Transit Program and the Export-Import Bank. That said, once again, Congress missed an opportunity. We had the chance to responsibly and sustainably fund our transportation system with real revenue sources. Instead, we cobbled together one-time funding sources that will put us right back where we are today when the bill expires: in the midst of a funding shortfall and a crisis. I had long advocated for funding our transportation bill by collecting taxes on corporate profits trapped overseas. This would be a step towards fixing our broken tax system and would discourage American companies from moving overseas. Doing so also would have provided a significant source of funding for the bill, and created the momentum to reform our international tax code. Instead, our tax code is still broken, and we no longer have the leverage of a must-pass transportation bill to fix it. Passage of this bill means we're better off than we were before. States and local transportation agencies have the certainty they need to map out the infrastructure improvement projects our nation sorely needs. And our public transit system will be strengthened. I remain committed to finding a more responsible way to fund these programs and to fixing our tax system.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to bring responsible budgeting to our Nation's Capitol. First of all, this means funding the government every year without a shutdown, but also it means balancing the budget. Since I have served in Congress, we have been consumed by fights over deficit reduction and budget priorities. We have gone from crisis to crisis, never coming up with a long-term plan. After the crisis is over, nothing happens. Recently, I introduced a balanced budget amendment that would add discipline to the budget process and require the government to spend within its means. Balanced budget proposals are not new. But unlike most proposals, my amendment protects Social Security, enables long- term capital investments, and ensures that we can respond to emergencies. In Delaware, like most States, the law requires the State to have a balanced budget. As Delaware Secretary of Finance, I helped make that happen. We should hold the Federal Government to the same standard. If the United States is going to continue to be the strongest economy in the world, we need to address our budget deficits now. I urge my colleagues to bring order and responsibility to our budget process by passing my amendment.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Mark Isaacs and his work on behalf of Delaware farmers. This weekend, Mr. Isaacs' work was acknowledged by the Sussex County Farm Bureau with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. Mr. Isaacs is a lifelong resident of Delaware-- born and raised in Sussex County. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Clemson University, and a Doctorate from Virginia Tech. In 1986, Mr. Isaacs began his career at the University of Delaware. Since then, he has contributed to UD, and Delaware's agriculture community, in innumerable ways. Mr. Isaacs now serves as the Director of the Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center. He oversees, directs, and supports research in addition to teaching students in several subject areas. Mr. Isaacs not only plays an active role at UD, he also has given back to our community in many other ways. He has worked with high school students on special projects and with local high schools to improve their agriculture and environmental programs. He has also served on boards of education, agriculture task forces, and policy and scholarship committees. I want to thank Mr. Isaacs for his dedicated service to the Delaware farm community, and commend him on his well-deserved Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and work of Mr. Jim Gilliam, Sr. Mr. Gilliam was one of Delaware's most prominent leaders. He fought tirelessly for social justice, gave voice to the voiceless, and created opportunities for generations of Delawareans. We are unquestionably better off because of the work to which Mr. Gilliam devoted his life. Mr. Gilliam served our country as a Buffalo Soldier in the U.S. Army. Afterwards, he served Delaware in many capacities, from being a peacemaker after the assassination of Martin Luther King to the director of New Castle County's Department of Community Development and Housing. I was privileged to work with Mr. Gilliam in New Castle County, and since then, I have often sought and respected Mr. Gilliam's counsel. He never minced words or pulled punches when giving you his opinion. I joined Mr. Gilliam for lunch recently, and he was as engaged as ever in challenging me to do the right thing and take on those in Congress who are getting in the way of progress. Mr. Gilliam was a real leader and great Delawarean whose legacy will live on through those who continue to fight for fairness and equal opportunity for all Americans.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, on July 29th 2015, I missed seven recorded votes. I would like to indicate how I would have voted had I been present. On Roll Call No. 483, I would have voted ``no.'' On Roll Call No. 484, I would have voted ``no.'' On Roll Call 485, I would have voted ``yes.'' On Roll Call 486, I would have voted ``no.'' Although I support full VA funding, I cannot support another short term transportation bill that fails to address the long term transportation funding needs in our country. I was disappointed that the VA funding was tied to this vote. On Roll Call 487, I would have voted ``yes.'' On Roll Call 488, I would have voted ``yes.'' On Roll Call 489, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my many colleagues in highlighting the urgency of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. On Monday, I visited a steel company in New Castle, Delaware, called V&S Delaware Galvanizing. This small business employees 60 hard-working Delawareans. Their jobs depend on the financing provided by the Export- Import Bank. The failure to authorize the Bank would be a failure to support and protect these and many other jobs in Delaware. If we are serious about making things here in America, if we are serious about providing good middle class jobs to people who need them, if we are serious about creating an economy that is built to last, we will reauthorize the Export-Import Bank before it expires next week. The Ex-Im Bank creates jobs across the country. It sustains those jobs, and it also reduces the deficit. Last year alone, the Bank returned $700 million to the United States Treasury, and it supports 160,000 U.S. jobs. This shouldn't be a partisan issue, and it never has been in the past. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to come together and take action today to ensure that the Export-Import Bank can continue to grow our economy and create jobs across our country.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on the vote cast for H. Con. Res. 55 (Roll no. 371). On June 17, 2015 I voted against Representative McGovern's Resolution which would have directed the President to remove United States Armed Forces deployed to Iraq or Syria on or after August 7, 2015. I appreciate the Congressman's sustained work on this issue. I continue to believe Congress should vote on a new Authorization for Use of Military Force and have previously voted in favor of revoking the existing AUMF. However, I am not comfortable requiring that the President remove troops in the short time frame provided in this legislation, especially given the difficult job those troops face in combating ISIL and training our allies in Iraq and the region.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I rise in support of this resolution that celebrates the life of Beau Biden, the son of our Vice President, my State's former attorney general, and my good friend. This past weekend, Beau Biden left this world far too young, at the age of 46. My home State of Delaware and this country suffered a loss that is deeply painful and deeply personal. Beau won our hearts when, as a young boy, he and his brother survived a car accident that killed his baby sister and his mother. His father, Joe, was sworn in to the United States Senate at Beau's hospital bedside. After the accident, Joe held his children tight because he knew how fragile life was. And the rest of Delaware did the same with the entire Biden family. We watched Beau grow into a young lawyer and then elected him twice to be our attorney general, where he became a champion of protecting the most vulnerable among us. We were filled with pride as we watched him join the National Guard and deploy to Iraq. We were inspired by his example as a loving husband to Hallie, a doting father to Natalie and Hunter, and, as always, a devoted son and brother. Family for Beau, like Joe, was everything. Beau was a truly giving person. He appreciated the good in others in a way that we all should. He leaves a legacy that calls on each of us to be more gentle in our judgments and more gracious with our thanks. Beau was one of the best of the good guys. Back in my home State of Delaware, people are hurting. It feels like every person you meet has been wounded by this loss, and just wishes there were something we could do to support our friends, the Bidens. It is they who are comforting us. They have shown us the courage to believe that there is something more enduring than grief. Love endures. Beau and his family, through their love for each other, have shown us that. So as we say good-bye to this distinguished American, this genuinely good man, we say to him: Until we meet again, Beau. May God hold you in the palm of his hand. I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to pass the bipartisan Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. Next to me is a beautiful photograph of the University of Delaware crew team rowing along the Christina River, a tributary within the Delaware River Basin. This site is just outside the city of Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, just south of the thriving riverfront development and the Amtrak station. It was taken by one of my constituents, Mark Atkins. Along with Mark, more than 200 Delawareans over the past 3 weeks sent my offices photographs that demonstrate the importance of the Delaware River Basin to each of them. We received lots of beautiful photographs all along the river and bay, from upstate New York along the Pennsylvania and New Jersey side down to the bottom of the basin in the Delaware on both sides of the Delaware River and Bay. These photographs tell the story of the basin as a home to wildlife-- thriving wildlife--in a very well populated area, as a spot for recreation like these rowers here in the photograph, and as a place to enjoy natural beauty. It is truly a beautiful part of our great country. This photo contest we have used to draw support, interest, and attention to our effort. I even did a little dance step which was caught on YouTube by my staff to promote this initiative. The Delaware River Basin covers over 12,500 square miles from Delaware to upstate New York. It is home to more than 8 million people, and the basin provides drinking water to over 15 million people inside and outside the basin. This watershed is not only culturally and ecologically important, but it drives the economy of this important region in our country. Mr. Speaker, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act would encourage restoration and protection of the basin through competitive grants and public-private partnerships. We expect lots of partnerships among local governments up and down all those States and nongovernmental agencies like Ducks Unlimited, the Delaware Nature Society, and many others. This legislation has cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and every State in the basin--eight Democrats and nine Republicans. When you consider the difficulties we have had in this Congress getting bipartisan support of any bill, that speaks to the importance of the basin and to this bill. I want to thank each of those cosponsors for their support. I look forward to working with them. So today, Mr. Speaker, I am asking Congress to pass this legislation and protect and preserve the Delaware River Basin so Americans from New York State to the great State of Delaware can continue enjoying it for many generations to come.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on rollcall votes cast on March 16, 2015. On Rollcall Vote Number 113, on consideration of H.R. 647 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On Rollcall Vote Number 114, on consideration of H.R. 648 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On Rollcall Vote Number 115, on consideration of H.R. 876 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.''

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery and to urge my colleagues to pass voting rights legislation in this Congress. In 1960, there were only 66,000 African Americans registered to vote in Alabama. In 1965, there were 15,000 Black residents of Dallas County, Alabama, where Selma is located, but fewer than 200 were registered to vote. African Americans who attempted to vote faced intimidation, discrimination, and worse. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the unrelenting efforts of heroes like our colleague from Georgia, John Lewis, helped correct these injustices. But the fight isn't over. State legislation, ballot initiatives, and court cases across the country in recent years have jeopardized the voter registration protections that John Lewis and others fought so hard for. We need to stay vigilant, and we need new legislation today. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's recognize how far we have come. Let's pass voting rights legislation in this Congress for the good of the country.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to pass legislation that limits the role of money in politics. Since the Citizens United decision in 2010, the role of fundraising and spending in political campaigns has gotten even more out of control than it was before. That is why I introduced a constitutional amendment, H.J. Res. 24, which allows Congress and the States to rein in campaign contributions. It is also why I cosponsored the DISCLOSE Act, the Government By the People Act, and the democracy for all amendment--all designed to limit the influence of money in our political system. The American people need to know that their elected officials are here to serve them and not big campaign contributors. The overwhelming amount of money spent on campaigns weakens people's faith in our political system. Mr. Speaker, I urge House leadership to take up legislation to address this issue. We need to change our laws to get money out of politics and to keep our focus where it belongs--doing the right thing for the American people.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Amendment V: ``No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; . . . ''

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish to clarify my position on rollcall votes cast between July 9, 2014 and July 17, 2014. On rollcall vote No. 371, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. McAllister I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 372, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Hahn I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 373, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Gosar I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 374, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Wenstrup I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 375, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Swalwell I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 376, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Byrne I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 377, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. McClintock I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 378, on consideration of H.R. 803 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 379, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. McClintock I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 380, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Bonamici I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 381, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Speier I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 382, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Titus I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 383, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Schiff I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 384, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Quigley I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 385, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Chabot I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 386, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Titus I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 387, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. DeLauro I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 388, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. King I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 389, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Lankford I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 390, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Cassidy I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 391, on ordering the previous question for H. Res. 661 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 392, on consideration of H. Res. 661 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 393, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Burgess I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 394, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. LaMalfa I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 395, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Stockman I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 396, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Stockman I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 397, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. McKinley I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 398, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Ms. Blackburn I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 399, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Gosar I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 400, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 4923 by Mr. Hudson I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 401, on the motion to recommit for H.R. 4923 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 402, on final passage of H.R. 4923 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 403, on the motion to recommit to H.R. 4718 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 404, on final passage of H.R. 4718 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 405, on consideration of H.R. 4195 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 406, on consideration of H.R. 5029 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 407, on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 669 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 408, on passage of H. Res. 669 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 409, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 5016 by Ms. Jackson Lee I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 410, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 5016 by Ms. Moore I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 412, on consideration of an amendment offered to H.R. 5016 by Ms. Waters I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 413, on consideration of the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 5021 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 414, on passage of H.R. 5021 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 428, on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 670 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 429, on passage of H. Res. 670 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 430, on the motion to instruct for H.R. 3230 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 431, on the motion to recommit for H.R. 4719 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 432, on passage of H.R. 4719 I did not vote. It was my intention to vote ``nay.'' I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify my vote on final passage of H.R. 4923 and H.R. 5021. On H.R. 4923 I would have voted for the bill despite concerns about the increase in funding for fossil fuel research at the expense of decreases in funding for renewable energy technologies. Furthermore, I was concerned by a policy rider that would prevent the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from moving forward with rulemaking to clarify the definition of Waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act. On H.R. 5021 I voted yes because it is critically important that we keep our Highway Trust Fund solvent and transportation projects moving forward. However, I am frustrated that we have not yet been able to achieve a longer-term fix for the Highway Trust Fund. In crafting a new highway reauthorization I urge my colleagues to work on a bipartisan basis to ensure a reliable, dedicated funding source for our highway projects.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, if you drive down Interstate 95 in my home State of Delaware right now, you will see license plates from up and down the Northeast corridor that are crawling at a snail's pace. As a result of structural damage, a bridge that carries 90,000 cars a day is closed until after Labor Day. In Delaware, we are feeling the importance of investing in our Nation's infrastructure firsthand. It is critical for public safety, but it is also important for commerce, tourism, and our quality of life. Just as important, building roads and bridges creates jobs for workers right here in America. If Congress does nothing, the highway trust fund won't have enough money to pay its bills come the end of the summer. That is the source of money that pays for building and repairing roads and bridges all throughout the country. Finding the funds to fix our Nation's crumbling infrastructure will not be easy, but putting it off is not an option. I urge my colleagues to find the political will to fund the highway trust fund and ensure that our Nation's infrastructure reflects our 21st century needs.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Madam Chair, let me be clear that I do not support giving any funding to terrorist organizations, including Hamas and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). However, I voted against Mr. Gosar's amendment because it would have prevented funding for the Palestinian Authority, which is a vital source of humanitarian aid and aid to help resolve the Iraeli-Palestinian conflict. This money also goes toward providing security within the Palestinian territory, which remains in the best interest of our national security. The amendment also would have barred the use of funds for the ongoing dismantling of chemical weapons in Syria. This effort remains a top priority for American national security and it would have been irresponsible to vote in favor of an amendment that would jeopardize this mission. While on its surface this amendment may have appeared to implement policy goals I support, I ultimately opposed it because I believe its consequences would have negatively impacted American national security interests.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Chair, with numerous and significant reservations, I will vote for final passage of H.R. 4870, the FY2015 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. I supported this bill because it provides the means to support the brave men and women of our armed services who put their lives on the line to protect ours. The bill provides a pay raise for our troops and includes important provisions that support the missions of the Delaware National Guard and Dover Air Force Base. That said, I disagreed with numerous policy provisions included in the bill, most notably the lack of guidance for how the Administration can use funds provided in the Overseas Contingency Operation accounts. I also remain concerned that the bill prevents the Department of Defense from taking responsible measures to cut defense spending and continues to maintain the Authorization for Use of Military Force, despite the fact that our military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq have drawn to a close. I was also concerned that the bill prevents the transfer of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay Facility and fails to provide a comprehensive plan to close the facility. I am hopeful these deficiencies in the bill will be addressed when the House and Senate meet in conference to work out their differences.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Men's Health Caucus I am pleased to celebrate National Men's Health Week. This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Men's Health Week, which was started by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. National Men's Health Week was legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Richardson and is celebrated each year during the week that ends on Father's Day. Recognizing that many health problems that affect men can be prevented, the week was designed to encourage men, boys and their families to develop positive health habits, engage in preventive behaviors, lead healthy lifestyles, and seek timely medical advice and care. As co-chair of the Congressional Men's Health Caucus, I am proud to celebrate this week and help raise awareness of health issues that affect men, boys, and their families. I've seen first-hand the importance of health education and awareness for men in particular. As a member of the Delaware Cancer Consortium, a statewide organization dedicated to reducing the impact of cancer in my state, I helped to implement a successful colorectal cancer screening program that dramatically increased screening rates for Delaware men. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer affecting men; however, Delaware's screening program has helped reduce the rate of colorectal cancer by 41 percent among Delawareans and allowed Delaware to become the first state to eliminate disparities in colorectal cancer screening between Caucasian and African American men. But there is still progress to be made. We need to do a better job addressing the disparity in mortality rates of African American men with prostate cancer, providing early screening for lung cancer, and continuing our commitment to research. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Men's Health Week, we are reminded of how far our country has come in improving the health and well-being of men and boys, but there is still a lot of work left to be done. We also recognize the importance of these efforts as a way of reducing overall health care costs as part of a plan to address the country's fiscal challenges. Mr. Speaker, this week, along with the entire month of June, Men's Health Month, provides an excellent opportunity to focus on ways that we and our loved ones can live healthier, longer lives.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. CARNEY. Madam Chair, in lieu of offering my amendment at the desk, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise to discuss with you the importance of our Nation's fisheries and, in particular, the survey of horseshoe crab populations along the Atlantic coast. The Delaware Bay supports the largest population of horseshoe crabs in the world. This unique and ancient species is critical to not only the ecology of the Atlantic coast region, but to my State's economy as well. Horseshoe crab eggs are a critical food source for migrating shore birds. An estimated 450,000 to 1 million of these shore birds visit Delaware Bay each year, along with them come birdwatchers who contribute to Delaware's tourism economy. Horseshoe crabs also provide bait for commercial American eel and conch fisheries along the coast. Less well known is that horseshoe crabs are used for biomedical applications. Extract of horseshoe crab blood is used to ensure that injectable medications like intravenous drugs, vaccines, and medical devices are free of bacterial contamination. While there are some indications that horseshoe crabs are thriving in the Delaware Bay, we need additional research about their migratory patterns and prevalence in other parts of the mid-Atlantic region. Congress has, in the past, provided funding for comprehensive surveys of horseshoe crab populations. The data collected through these surveys allows the Atlantic coastal States to set annual quotas for the Delaware Bay region to protect both horseshoe crabs and migratory shore birds. For a very small investment, we can generate the research necessary to ensure this critical species remains on a sustainable path. Although I am withdrawing my amendment, I look forward to continuing to work with the Appropriations Committee on ways to improve funding for the science and data collection needed for surveys of horseshoe crab populations along the Atlantic coast.

Mr. CARNEY. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. CARNEY. I thank the gentleman and look forward to working more with the committee on this issue. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, last week, when I was back home in my district in Delaware getting a workout at the YMCA in my hometown of Wilmington, a man came up to me as I was on the exercise bike and said: Excuse me, do you mind if I interrupt? I said: Of course not, I work for you. He said: I wanted to see if you know about the status of H.R. 4414 because I write expatriate health insurance plans for Cigna, and I don't want to lose my job. Losing even one job like this in my State keeps me up at night. The prospect of losing 500 jobs is a punch to the gut. That is how many jobs we will lose in my home State of Delaware if we don't pass this bill on the floor today. I am a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act, so are a lot of people in my State; but no law is perfect, and in a law as important, as complicated, and as technical as the Affordable Care Act, there are bound to be a few things that needed to be fixed. The ACA was unintentionally written in a way that subjects U.S. expatriate health insurance plans to all the provisions of the ACA, which places a unique burden on these types of plans. Expatriate health insurance plans offer a high-end, robust coverage to people working outside their home country, giving them access to a global network of health care providers. Individuals on the plan could be foreign employees working here in America, Americans working abroad, or, say, a German working in France. Expatriate plans ensure that these employees have worldwide access to quality health care while working outside their home country. Several U.S. health insurance companies--Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and United Health--offer expatriate health insurance plans. These insurance companies compete with foreign insurance companies that also sell the same kind of plan. The issue is these foreign plans don't have to comply with the ACA. Forcing U.S. expatriate insurance plans to comply with the ACA thereby gives their foreign competitors a distinct advantage. As a result, to stay competitive, a U.S. expatriate insurer will move their business overseas, taking the jobs with them; and that is why I am here on the floor today. The good news is that we have bipartisan legislation here today that will level the playing field. In fact, the administration has already provided temporary relief for expatriate plans from nearly every Affordable Care Act provision that has gone into effect so far. The problem is this relief is only partial and only temporary. The administration can't make this relief without this legislative fix. Our legislation ensures that American expatriate insurance carriers are on a level playing field with their foreign competitors, so that American jobs stay here in America. Many of you know that this is our second go-round at this legislation. Over the past few weeks, we have worked painstakingly to improve our bill, and we have. We are confident that our original version of the bill wouldn't have negatively impacted green card holders or create loopholes in the ACA, but we have worked hard over the past few weeks to address the concerns we heard. We heard concerns the bill would let insurance companies create low- quality plans. Our bill now requires expat plans to meet the same value standard as any other employer-based plan under the ACA, and if the plan doesn't meet that standard, the expat can use subsidies to buy coverage on the exchange, just like any other American. We heard concerns that the definition of an expat was too broad, that it could be taken advantage of. We changed that definition, tightened it up, and it is identical to the HHS regulations today. We now make explicit that expat plans must follow all ERISA and Public Health Service Act requirements that were in place before the ACA. We have been working on this issue for 3 years. The crafting of this bill has been a more collaborative bipartisan process than I think this Chamber has seen in quite a while, and I want to thank my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for that effort. This bill isn't perfect. The Affordable Care Act wasn't perfect. No bill is perfect, but if there was ever a case where the perfect was being made the enemy of the good, we are hearing it from my colleagues today.

Mr. CARNEY. So if we don't pass this legislation today, people who have expatriate plans and the companies that offer them will continue to do so. The question is whether they will do so here in the United States and keeping those workers here or whether they will move those operations overseas. I understand, as well as anyone, that the ACA is a political weapon in a larger political war on both sides of the aisle. All I am asking today is that we take actions so that 500 hard-working Americans in my district don't become collateral damage in that partisan political fight. Let's call a temporary truce in that battle today to protect those jobs. Finally, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Nunes, and the Ways and Means staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this issue, and I want to thank leadership on both sides of the aisle for recognizing this is a very serious problem that needs fixing. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support us and vote ``yes'' on this legislation today. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4414.

Mr. CARNEY

Mr. CARNEY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and thank him for his hard work on this very serious issue that affects both our States, Delaware and California. Madam Speaker, in a State of 900,000 people, losing 500 jobs is a serious blow. That is how many jobs we will lose in my home State of Delaware if we don't pass this legislation on the floor today. I am a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act. So are a lot of people in my State. But no law is perfect, and in a law as important, as complicated, and as technical as the Affordable Care Act, there are bound to be a few things that needed to be fixed. The Affordable Care Act was unintentionally written in a way that subjects U.S. expatriate health insurance plans to all the provisions of the ACA, which places a unique burden on these types of plans. Expatriate health insurance plans offer high-end, robust coverage to people working outside their home country, giving them access to global networks of health care providers. Individuals on the plan could be foreign employees working here in America, Americans working abroad, or, for instance, a German working in France. These employees can be NGO and foreign aid workers, pilots, cruise ship workers, and contractors sent to support our troops on deployment around the globe. Expatriate plans ensure that these employees have worldwide access to quality health care while working outside their home country. Several U.S. health insurance companies, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and United Health, offer expatriate health insurance plans. The employees who write those policies generally work here in the United States and make up several thousand U.S. jobs, including 500 in my State. These insurance companies compete with foreign insurance companies that also sell expatriate health insurance plans. The issue is, these foreign plans don't have to comply with the Affordable Care Act. Forcing U.S. expatriate insurance plans to comply with the Affordable Care Act gives their foreign competitors a distinct advantage. It makes plans written in the U.S. more expensive, which gives companies an incentive to purchase foreign-based plans instead. As a result, it makes more sense for U.S. expatriate insurers to move their business overseas, resulting in a potential loss of a few thousand jobs. In Delaware, that is going to mean 500 jobs. In California, it is 700. The good news is that we have bipartisan legislation here today that will level the playing field. The Obama administration has already recognized that it is burdensome and unnecessary to require expatriate insurance plans to comply with the Affordable Care Act. In fact, the administration has provided temporary regulatory relief for expat plans from nearly every Affordable Care Act provision that has gone into effect so far. The problem is this relief is only partial and only temporary. The administration can't make this relief permanent without a legislative fix. Our legislation clarifies that the Affordable Care Act does not apply to expatriate health insurance plans. It ensures that American expatriate insurance carriers are on a level playing field with their foreign competitors, so that American jobs stay here in America. You may hear on the floor today that this bill is about destroying the ACA, or changing our immigration laws, or giving a handout to insurance companies. But let me assure you, that is not what it is about. It is about jobs, pure and simple. If we don't pass this legislation today, people who have the expatriate plans, and their companies that offer them, will continue to do so, the same as they are today. The only difference is that the companies will buy these plans from insurance carriers that write the plans from abroad. That means those insurance jobs will go to foreign workers instead of workers in America. They will go to workers based in Singapore instead of those based in Delaware. I understand as well as anyone that the Affordable Care Act is a political weapon in a larger political war on both sides of the aisle. But that is not what this bill is about today. All I am asking today is that we take action so 500 hardworking Americans in my district don't become collateral damage in this partisan political fight. Let's call a temporary truce in that battle today to protect these jobs. I thank Congressman Nunes and Ways and Means staff for their hard work on these issues, and I want to thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle for recognizing this as a serious problem that needs to be fixed. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4414.