Ryan Costello

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this is a bad deal. Even many of those who have found a way to justify voting for this deal can see that it is a bad deal. This deal enables Iran more money to fund terror, accumulate more power, and it will lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East--and those points aren't disputable. This deal authorizes Iran so much control over the inspection process that it is not possible to say that this deal provides the level of verification that even the administration demanded up until a few months ago. Why do I say that? Because we can't even see what the inspection procedures are other than that Iran gets to inspect itself. There is not accountability to Iran in this deal. Mr. Speaker, I am perplexed how one can vote for this deal without knowing what the actual inspection and verification procedures are. We are sacrificing our strength and leverage to the unknown. What is known is that the statements coming out of Tehran over the past week reinforce that they cannot be trusted, that they will play games, and that their motives are evil and their terrorist activities will continue. Vote ``no'' to this deal.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, there is no higher priority for this government than of guaranteeing the safety and security of the American people. Allowing Iran--the chief sponsor of global terror--to obtain nuclear capabilities, which Iran is guaranteed to have through this deal, means freedom everywhere is threatened. A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to every country everywhere. Mr. Speaker, any deal must be verifiable, enforceable, and accountable, and there is nothing verifiable about this deal. The secret deals between Iran and the U.N. mean Iranians get to certify whether they are complying, and Iran actually provides the testing samples to the U.N. for testing. If the U.S. demands the right to inspect facilities, Iran can delay for more than 3 weeks. Our ``anytime, anywhere'' threshold demand has been watered down during negotiations to what Iran calls ``managed access.'' It is not an enforceable deal. Sanctions will have been lifted, and it is the sanctions that have forced them to the bargaining table in the first instance. Once lifted, Iran will have billions to complete their nuclear program and expand their funding of terror. Even if we can prove a violation, a slow bureaucratic process gives them time to delay, deceive, and deter effective enforcement. There are no snapback provisions here, Mr. Speaker, and it is not an accountable deal. Iran is permitted to keep thousands of nuclear centrifuges to enrich uranium. As for the $150 billion in unfrozen assets, does anyone think that Iran is going to use that to build schools or hospitals or to teach tolerance of other faiths? Instead, how about using it to wipe Israel off the map? How about the chants of ``death to America''? Why are we paving the path to weapons that can accomplish these atrocities? Why should we trust Iran? What is it about their history of deceit, destruction, and killings that warrants our bestowing trust that they will be peaceful? Here is a question for those who say this is a good deal: How many people can Iran kill with this money for this to remain a good deal? What is the under-over death toll threshold for this deal to no longer be a good deal? I ask these questions because, very simply, this money is going to be used to kill people, and this deal provides the funding for it. Millions of Americans, throughout the history of this country, have fought and died. Families have sacrificed in the name of freedom. Generations of Americans have brought about American strength and exceptionalism, and this has engendered a belief in our allies that we will have their backs, and it has kept many of our enemies in check given our military capability. This strength has always been at the very core of our leverage when dealing with other countries. As for negotiating, the administration simply says we have negotiated the best deal we can, and we are supposed to, as Congress, accept that at face value with zero input. Here is a little bit of recent history. We were assured by this administration that al Qaeda had been broken, but it hasn't. Our strategy in Yemen was called a model for combating terrorism, but, at this point, it looks very much like an Iran proxy state. ISIS was mocked as a JV team, and now they are murdering thousands. Our relationship with Russia was supposed to be reset, but I don't think anyone let Vladimir Putin know that as he invades sovereign countries and faces no consequences. How about the bright red line in Syria that said we won't allow Assad to kill his own people with chemical weapons? This administration decided to ignore that, and we now have a Syrian refugee crisis. This is the recent backdrop from which our leverage, our American strength and exceptionalism, earned through the blood, sweat, and tears of generations of Americans, has been brokered by this administration in this deal. The U.N. voting on this deal before the United States Congress and the United States Senate, the minority of which is actually considering filibustering a vote on this deal, is an outrage, Mr. Speaker. What does a good deal consist of? Real simple: A complete dismantling of their entire nuclear program. Once we have a demonstrated proof of that, then sanctions get lifted. No nonnuclear concessions. Any other outcome is not acceptable. Let's use our leverage to the maximum. We fought for it. Let's be strong and let's be proud of our strength and let's use it to our advantage. Diplomacy isn't compromising to the preferred position of a terrorist country. Diplomacy must always begin and end with protecting American security. This is not about politics, and it is not just about America. A nuclear Iran is a global threat to everyone everywhere. All Iranian terror must be stopped. We need to reject this deal and go back to the negotiating table.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on August 26th, an armed man, who we later learned posed a security threat when he jumped the fence at the White House earlier this year, charged past the metal detectors at the Chester County Courthouse in my district and threatened those going about their daily schedules. The intruder used a knife to attack and wound a deputy sheriff before being shot dead. Just a few years earlier I had served as a Chester County Commissioner and regularly went into that building. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank those security officers, especially those serving in the Chester County Sheriff's Department who put their lives on the line each day to protect our communities, for their hard work. Unspoken and often unknown to many is the countless amount of time spent training and preparing for such an incident if it ever does come about. We owe a special thanks to Sheriff Bunny Welsh and those in her department for the service they provide every single day. Mr. Speaker, it is because of their heroic efforts that for those who enter the Chester County Courthouse day in and day out can feel safe.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the summer months provided us with an excellent opportunity to get outside and take advantage of the natural resources, great parks, and public lands in our communities. In southeastern Pennsylvania, we are fortunate that we do not have to go much further than our own backyard to enjoy a wide variety of landscapes and public lands. In an effort to prioritize the conservation of our public lands, waterways, natural resources, and public policies related to the same, I recently established the bipartisan Congressional Land Conservation Caucus with Representatives Joe Pitts, Earl Blumenauer, and Mike Thompson of California. I appreciate their willingness to support this effort, and I urge my colleagues to join our caucus. It is my hope this group of Members will focus on issues related to land conservation, the protection of natural resources, and the preservation of open space across the country. I also want to thank Michael Rellahan and the Daily Local News for their in-depth observations on the past, present, and future of the Chester County government-led efforts to protect open space. It has been a remarkably successful program over the past 30 years. And, indeed, another county in my district, Montgomery County, has followed in their lead, as have many other counties in Pennsylvania and across the country.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday was a special and historic day. It marked 25 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The ADA has had a profound impact on our country and its citizens. It speaks to the best about our country; toward forming a more perfect union, it aims to provide equal opportunity for those who have a disability. This anniversary, I feel, allows us to reflect on something that unites us; that is it is estimated that one in five Americans is living with a disability. Disabilities affect individuals in every congressional district in this country, in every State, in every neighborhood. It touches the lives of everyone--race, gender, income. No demographic is exempt from disability. This law provides hope for those who have a disability and offers promise that opportunities exist for self-fulfillment. On both a philosophical and practical level, it stands for the proposition that providing reasonable accommodations to those with a disability is how a civil society addresses an imbalance borne through no fault of the individual. The law and its legislative, regulatory, and judicial progeny enables us to address issues such as public transportation, housing, education, and social services in a more thoughtful, proactive, effective, and humane way. While there is no doubt that substantial progress has been made, I am not here on the House floor to say that our work is done-- because it isn't. Thanks to the law, about 50 million Americans have been helped, and that doesn't include their families and loved ones who can point to how laws do matter and can make a positive impact. Let's focus on the challenges that we still confront that relate to access and opportunity on holding up the standard of self-sufficiency for individuals with a disability and looking at how public policy can be shaped to help achieve this standard for disabled Americans. The crux is often that time between ending in the classroom and looking for employment opportunity. Just yesterday, I met with Abilities in Motion, a Berks County organization in my district that provides outstanding services to individuals and families in Berks County. During our discussion, I heard from individuals and parents who, through grit and determination, were able--and are able--to navigate the complex maze of programs and services and funding streams to coordinate caregivers, transportation, and employment in the postacademic world. Let's focus on streamlining and better integrating these programs and funding streams, and let's focus on encouraging job opportunities for disabled individuals who want to work and build a meaningful career. Let's also focus on improving transportation options so that individuals who want to work are able to get to work without difficulty. Let's continue to set forth and advance good policy, like the ABLE Act from the last Congress, which will encourage individuals and families to save tax-free dollars to help finance the costs associated with disabilities. I am grateful for the tireless work of Abilities in Motion and other organizations that serve families and individuals in my district, such as the National Federation of the Blind, The Arc Alliance, the Disability Rights Network, and the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council. These organizations, their employees, and their volunteers work day in and day out to improve everyday lives. Last, let's also thank the families who sacrifice for their loved ones who have disabilities, and let's recognize the courage and the hard work of those who have disabilities as they endure every day to become self-sufficient. It really speaks to what is great about this country. Everyone out there who suffers from a disability and who wakes up every day with optimism and purpose, you are to be commended. You are the American success story. Mr. Speaker, over the past 25 years, the ADA has increased accessibility and has empowered millions of Americans with disabilities. It is important to acknowledge the progress, but it is also important to recognize that there are still challenges that we should address from a public policy perspective. We must continue our efforts, in a bipartisan manner, to advance policy that keeps us a step ahead and that meets the needs of disabled Americans today and tomorrow.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, should the Secretary of the VA be allowed to remove or demote an employee of the Department for poor performance or misconduct? That is the question, as I see it. Common sense to me dictates that, if an employee is poorly performing or has demonstrated incompetence or dishonesty, as we have seen at VAs in Philadelphia and across the country, we need to be able to get rid of them--common sense. I hear those who are speaking about due process violations implicit or explicit in this legislation, and I simply just don't see it. For one, there was a law passed last Congress; I wasn't here then, but it was part of a larger, broader bill that brought more money to the VA, and with more money, there should be more accountability. I think that is common sense. Here is the example: Poorly performing employee, employee who misbehaves, demoted or terminated? Under this bill, that employee, within 7 days, gets to file an expedited appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board, and then the MSPB would have to make a final decision within 45 days. If you get fired, if you get demoted, if you think that that was wrong, there is a process that is in place to address that. This comes on the heels of a lot of problems in the VA. We need more accountability, and we need more transparency, and we hear that all the time. This bill addresses that. This bill also provides more protections to whistleblowers. It is the courageous whistleblowers, through their tenacity, that have brought a lot of the problems forward. This bill seeks to protect them. I want to thank the chairman for his leadership.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, this measure has significant applicability to the ``right here, right now'' problems associated with the VA. Specifically, I am going to cite the oversight efforts involving the Philadelphia VA Regional Office. It has been nearly a year since the Philadelphia VA problems were first reported. We have an IG report; we have an AIB report; and we have egregious allegations that have been proven true. Yet, as a Member of Congress who represents tens of thousands of veterans who rely on the Philadelphia VA for benefits and services, I still don't have answers. I still don't know who is responsible or know of all of the specific misconduct and behaviors or know of the repercussions for the employees who are responsible. Our tools for providing oversight over the VA need updating to reflect that there must be transparency when investigating and disciplining bad employees. This amendment and this bill move us in the right direction towards accountability and transparency.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very valued member of my staff and the staff of my predecessor, Congressman Jim Gerlach, as she embarks on a new adventure in the private sector. Since 2010, Julia Lake has served the constituents of Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District. By the time I was elected to serve in January, I knew well of her reputation as a tireless, impactful, and caring worker; and I was very grateful when she decided to continue her role in my office. It is very common for me to meet constituents across my district and hear high praise for her work. Just recently, I received an email from Sandra in Glenmoore, who had this to say: Julia was very diligent in responding to me. I believe she went above and beyond normal responsibilities to resolve this issue for our family. Thanks to her and your office. My predecessor, Congressman Gerlach, had this to say: Julia was an extremely hard-working staff member who worked diligently every day to solve constituents' difficult problems with the Federal bureaucracy. Her high level of skill, combined with her warm and cheerful personality, made her an indispensable part of our team. Julz, while we are saddened in one respect by your departure, given your exemplary and effective constituent service, we deeply appreciate your service and are excited that an opportunity arose that will benefit you and your two children. Best wishes to you.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2015. I applaud Chairman Miller, subcommittee Chairman Abraham, and our committee staff for bringing this commonsense legislation to the floor today. First, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take a commonsense step to ensure that veterans disability benefits are eligible for cost-of-living adjustments, much like our seniors are eligible for Social Security benefit adjustments. Next, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take steps towards ensuring that our veterans are able to receive more timely and prompt review of their benefit appeals. This legislation contains my legislation that I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act. This measure is a proactive step to ensure that the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, known as the CAVC, is able to meet the growing demand for review of veterans' claims benefits. Not only would H.R. 675 ensure that we have an adequate number of appellate judges to handle current and future demand, but it would also ensure that we continue to attract qualified and capable individuals to serve our veterans on this critical panel. Mr. Speaker, as you know, particularly from my vantage point, the Philadelphia VA regional office has been plagued with claims backlogs, data manipulation, and excessive wait times. It is not only happening at this VA facility. As we continue to fix this mess, we need to make sure that we do all we can to promote and support efficiency within the VA and to ensure that there is no additional interruption in the benefits review process and service provided to our veterans. To provide a little background, in November 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Veterans' Judicial Review Act into law, which established the CAVC as a court of record within the Federal judiciary. The court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and it plays a critical role in ensuring the timely and accurate review of veterans' claims. Currently, the court is authorized to have seven permanent judges and two temporary additional judges; but absent legislative action, the court is expected to revert back to its permanent seven judges without the two additional temporary judges. In order to handle the increase in claims, this legislation would enable the court to maintain nine judges through 2020. As we continue to see reports of mismanagement, data manipulation, excessive wait times, and lost claims, it is imperative that this measure, as included in H.R. 675, is passed to proactively address potential complications that could hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of the CAVC to review and process veterans' claims. I encourage my colleagues to pass H.R. 675. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for introducing the legislation and for working with members of the committee to get this well-rounded, commonsense legislation to the floor.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on July 16, 2015, I missed five recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call 443, YEA on Roll Call 444, NAY on Roll Call 445, NAY on Roll Call 446, and YEA on Roll Call 447.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as students across Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the country enjoy the summer months, many are looking for activities to participate in to occupy their days. I wanted to highlight the value of public libraries and, specifically, an exceptional program in my district that empowers, inspires, and supports performance arts. The Tredyffrin Public Library is offering a series of camps that seek to ``cultivate performance arts skills and instill confidence in students in rising fifth through rising ninth grades.'' The vocal and musical theater camps are led by Conestoga High School graduates and serve as a wonderful resource for area students to improve theatrical and music skills over the summer vacation. It has long been proven that students that participate in the arts have improved academic performance and a strong sense of community. I applaud the Tredyffrin and Paoli Public Libraries across Pennsylvania's Sixth District in their efforts to promote lifelong learning, entertainment, and enrichment. Our public libraries are local treasures that add value and promote learning in our communities. I encourage everyone to share this support this summer and year-round by attending our libraries, by supporting those who work there and offering our thanks to those who volunteer there.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a community leader who has worked tirelessly to transform the Schuylkill River Heritage Area into a prime destination for outdoor recreation as well as a definitive source of historical information about the significance of this scenic waterway, which flows from the heart of Pennsylvania's anthracite coal region to the City of Philadelphia. Kurt Zwikl has spent the past 12 years as executive director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. He retired from the Pottstown-based non-profit organization on June 30th. Thanks to his ability to foster community partnerships and his tireless advocacy, Kurt has expanded the number of miles available to bikers and walkers along the Schuylkill River Trail. Eventually, families and residents will be able to enjoy a unified, 130-mile trail system stretching from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia. A partnership with neighboring Montgomery County Community College enabled the Schuylkill River Heritage Area to open the River of Revolutions Interpretive Center in Pottstown in 2012. Students from local schools and tourists from around the world can view exhibits and discover how the Schuylkill River has helped secure our independence, fueled our prosperity and inspired stewardship and a deep appreciation for preserving irreplaceable natural resources. And earlier this month, nearly 200 outdoor enthusiasts paddled 112 miles from Schuylkill Haven Island to Philadelphia during the ``Schuylkill River Soujourn.'' This is an event that has grown each year under Kurt's leadership. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude for Kurt Zwikl's tremendous accomplishments as executive director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area--all of which have improved the public's access to and appreciation of the river and reinvigorated community pride in this amazing natural resource.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, the 21st Century Cures initiative has a lot of positive measures to help medical innovation reach its full potential. I would like to focus on just one of the many reasons to support this legislation. I had the pleasure of meeting with the family of Garrett Coyne, staunch advocates for cures for rare diseases. Garrett is a 5-year-old resident of Gilbertsville, who 10 months ago was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disorder often called Batten disease. Garrett was born and developed normally, but since September the disease has left him legally blind and has greatly weakened his physical and mental abilities. Unfortunately, Batten disease presently has no treatment, no cure, and is not preventable. While the road ahead for Garrett and his family is daunting, there is hope. It is because of provisions in the 21st Century bill that researchers will have the tools to work toward developing medical advancement for Batten disease. By modernizing medical innovation and increasing NIH funding, a more promising future for patients, families, and innovators is in front of us. I am supporting the 21st Century Cures bill for many reasons, but the main one is this effort to help children, like 5-year-old Garrett and other constituents in my district who are challenged daily with the struggles of a rare disease. I encourage my colleagues to join me.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week the House will be considering the appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior for the upcoming fiscal year. I rise today to express my support for a robust and continued funding for and the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Over this past Independence Day weekend, I was particularly reminded of how so many of us enjoy the natural wonders of our hometowns and communities, from picnics at playgrounds, baseball games on municipal recreational fields, honoring our heritage and celebrating our independence with fireworks, music and parades at local historic sites and parks. That is part of why the Land and Water Conservation Fund is so important. It helps our communities protect critical lands by providing State and local governments with necessary funding and flexibility to develop and improve lands for public access and recreational enjoyment. It is part of highlighting the heritage and character in my district in southeastern Pennsylvania. My home State of Pennsylvania has received approximately $295 million in the past five decades from the Land and Conservation Water Fund. It has protected places with national significance, such as Gettysburg National Military Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. In addition, in my congressional district, we can thank the Land and Water Conservation Fund for helping fund the building of the Birdsboro Waters Forest Legacy project, protecting critical woodlands at the East Coventry Wineberry Estates, expanding Shaw's Bridge in East Bradford Township, and enhancing Pottstown Borough Memorial Park with a new dog park, pavilions, restrooms, ball fields, and walking trails. Mr. Speaker, one thing that was apparent this past weekend was just how integral our public lands and outdoor recreation areas are to our heritage, civic identity, and local community. I believe the Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of our most important conservation programs and an excellent example of a bipartisan commitment to safeguarding natural resources, promoting our cultural heritage, and expanding recreational opportunities not just for a moment in time, but for future generations as well. I also believe it is a program that allows our local communities to dream big about how to best go about enhancing their communities for their residents. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 1814, which would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in an effort to help communities across this country create lasting legacies of public access to the cultural and recreational opportunities identified by officials in their local communities as being worthy of funding for future projects.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Alzheimer's Awareness Month. In 2014, approximately 270,000 Pennsylvania seniors were diagnosed and living with Alzheimer's disease. Just a little over a decade from now, in 2025, this number is expected to jump by nearly 18 percent to 320,000. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. As someone who watched his grandmother suffer and ultimately pass away from this horrible disease, I can say that is a startling trend that needs to be reversed starting now. That is why I am proud to have joined the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and committed to support greater coordination and cooperation among patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Together, we can improve the long-term health of those diagnosed, and increase our efforts on combating Alzheimer's, preventing it, curing it, and slowing the disease.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the cost of health care continues to increase in this country. As a philosophical matter, I do not believe inserting more government between a patient and their doctor will reduce costs. In fact, to the contrary. But there are things government can do. That is why we in the House of Representatives are putting more money into NIH funding. It is why 21st Century Cures has been introduced--to streamline approval processes at the FDA and make sure that various stakeholders involved in finding cures are all working together. Yet what remains as a contradiction at the heart of ObamaCare is the policy that taxes those who seek to innovate and improve public health outcomes through pioneering medical device equipment. We are taxing those who are trying to help improve, and who have improved, public health outcomes. It just doesn't make sense. Simply put, it is a disincentive to invest capital in precisely the industry that has proven itself to be the single most important in the history of civilization to improve public health--our life sciences industry here in this country.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, across my congressional district, elementary and secondary school students are packing up their lockers, taking final exams, and saying good-bye to their classmates and homeroom desks for the summer. While our students head into a well-deserved summer recess, our teachers have already started thinking ahead to the next academic year, setting up lesson plans and figuring out what their course curriculums will be. Unfortunately, many of our teachers will be faced with yet another year of stifling one-size-fits-all testing requirements and deadlines. Instead of enabling our teachers to do what they love and inspiring our children to learn and succeed, they are forced to waste classroom time by preparing and administering redundant and often low-quality tests. Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly 15 weeks since I last spoke on the House floor about the need to provide relief from burdensome testing requirements for our teachers, students, and parents. At the time, the House was actively considering H.R. 5, legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as an amendment I was pleased to offer with my Democratic colleague, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon. Our bipartisan amendment, which was adopted and included as part of H.R. 5, offers a solution to the overtesting problem that is taxing our schools and teachers. Our amendment empowers teachers and parents by giving existing Federal funding to State and local education agencies to develop curriculum plans to make better use of tests for the students, with the ability to reduce testing. It would also allow for quicker delivery of assessment data to educators and parents and a more qualitative analysis of how to shape curriculum for that student from the local school district and parent, not the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, we need to continue our work on this bill and reauthorize the ESEA. We owe it to our colleagues who have worked for months on this bill and underlying policy. We owe it to our teachers who have dedicated their livelihood and careers to the betterment of our children. Most of all, we owe it to our children, who deserve the best possible education that we can provide, an education that encourages them to think, learn, and succeed and not that simply tells them how to fill in the blanks on a generic test. For those of my colleagues who may be undecided on advancing this bill and reauthorizing the ESEA, I ask you to consider: Are you happy with the status quo? Are you content to sit on the sidelines while Common Core standards and a myriad of tests are imposed on our students? I would like to read into the Record a letter I received from the superintendent of my home school district. Let me preface this by saying it was not written to me as a Member of Congress, but rather as a taxpayer in the West Chester Area School District. I read this because there is no better example of a need and an opportunity for us to help our families back home do our job and govern here in Congress. It reads: Dear Parents, many of us are quick to fault the U.S. public education system, comparing it to other smaller European countries and finding deficits and gaps. The system and the way it is funded are far from perfect. However, we manage to educate generations of children who go on to do incredible things. Now, we are asking our students to do something that is entirely unfair: to spend weeks and weeks filling in bubbles, taking standardized tests, and having their entire educational ambition directed toward passing them. This is not what public education was intended to do, nor should do. As the superintendent of the West Chester Area School District, I believe in very high standards for our students. I believe in accountability. I do believe that tests can be a good thing, but not the way we are being forced by the government to give them. We officially began the PSSA testing window on April 13, and we will continue to test through May 27, when we finish with the high school Keystone Exams, a new graduation requirement. Beginning with the class of 2017, even a straight-A student who doesn't do well on these tests won't receive a diploma under State law. State and federally mandated testing has been around for a long time, and is certainly here to stay, but it has become a massive burden that is stifling creativity and love of teaching and learning. While our district has embraced high standards and accountability, we now spend the first 7 months of the school year preparing to take three standardized tests; then we spend approximately 6 weeks giving tests to students. Unlike private and parochial schools, public schools are mandated to use these tests to determine graduation for students and for teacher and administrator evaluations. It is positively stressing us--and our system--to the max. Our teachers, students, and parents all say the extreme amount of time focused on testing is causing ridiculous amounts of stress in the classroom, faculty room, and at home. The angst is palpable as you walk through our hallways. Where is there time for creativity in teaching? Where is there time for exploration and collaboration? Our talented staff do their very best to find ways to incorporate what needs to be tested into their dynamic lesson plans, but it is difficult, given the time constraints and enormous amount of material being covered. Ultimately, that negativity is going to drive down our test scores. Learning should be challenging, but also enjoyable and exciting. Teaching should be dynamic and creative. We are missing that because of these tests. I am not advocating a system without any testing, rigor, or accountability, but what we are doing right now isn't working. Teachers have literally sent me hundreds of examples of how students are worried, anxious, and depressed. The rules for taking these exams are crazy as well. Springtime in a school should be full of excitement and learning--not anymore. The last 3 weeks, our schools have looked more like prisons than educational institutions. The rules allow students to take as much time as they need, but once they close the booklet, the session is over, and they can't return to it. Let's reauthorize the ESEA. Let's reduce the Federal footprint over public education. It is the right thing to do.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today relating to the new CFPB rule combining the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Truth in Lending Act disclosure that is scheduled to take effect on August 1. On behalf of home buyers across this country, the real estate industry has requested a grace period or hold harmless period for 90 days. To date, the CFPB will only commit to saying they will have relaxed enforcement for a period similar to that of the qualified mortgage/ability to repay rule. Now, leaving aside whether this rule will provide more clarity or more confusion to the real estate purchaser, leaving aside whether it will provide more protection to buyers or be more problematic for them to close on a real estate transaction, I want to focus on the August 1 deadline. I spent 10 years in the real estate industry working with real estate agents, banks, mortgage professionals, title insurance agents, and it is well known that June, July, and August tend to be the most active months for real estate transactions. Changing disclosure requirements in the middle of the busiest part of the calendar year for real estate deals causes difficulty for those involved in conducting settlements. And changing them without the ability for professionals to test their systems and procedures doesn't make much sense, either. It is also unfair to consumers in that you are compelling their retained professionals to receive the training during the busiest months, implement new procedures, and account for unanticipated disruptions. Any hiccup along the way is actually to the detriment of the consumer. Let's make the rule effective in January or February of 2016, which are historically the slowest months of the year, and when it is most fair to real estate consumers.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to come before you today to speak on behalf of this commonsense effort to ensure greater employee accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We all agree that our veterans deserve the best service and care possible, and it is our responsibility to ensure that that care is provided by responsible employees. My legislation, H.R. 1038, Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act, is a further step in this direction. As you know, the VA carries out their disciplinary actions in a tiered system, and the two most commonly used are the lower-tiered actions, admonishments and reprimands. As the VA continues to review the findings of the recent inspector general's investigations related to data manipulation, backlogs, and excessive wait times, it is apparent that a greater number of admonishments and reprimands are being issued to at-fault employees. However, in the current policy, these disciplinary actions remain in an employee's file for only 3 years and are then deleted. This prevents the keeping of complete employee files and doesn't allow the poor performers within the VA to be tracked or held accountable. Veterans expect the correct disciplinary action to be administered-- indeed, all taxpayers do--and not simply the issuance of a temporary written warning. Therefore, as the VA continues to issue these lower- tier disciplinary actions more heavily than others, it is important that the personnel actions remain in the employee's record while employed at the VA. My bill requires all reprimands and admonishments remain in a VA employee's file as long as they are employed at the VA, ensuring that the VA maintains good, complete employee records and holds those who care for our veterans accountable. There are some concerns that this legislation could negatively impact flexibility in resolving routine personnel disputes, but there is nothing in this bill that imposes new employee penalties or would affect the existing process for a VA employee to appeal a disciplinary action. We are open to working with our Senate counterparts to ensure that nothing in this legislation prevents a VA employee's ability to dispute a disciplinary action before a reprimand or admonishment is placed in their record. It is simply another tool for the Secretary to hold employees accountable during their tenure at the VA. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will support my legislation to promote transparency and accountability where it is needed.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, the Army faces an increasingly complex threat environment and must be prepared to rapidly deploy soldiers with the most advanced and effective vehicle armor critical to the safety and mobility of our soldiers. The tactical wheeled vehicle protection kits program provides our men and women in uniform the adaptable armor protection that minimally impacts performance. The Army needs this proven program in order to improve ballistic protection for the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet. This program enables greater logistical flexibility and allows our soldiers to tailor armor levels based on the threat level and mission requirements. Lastly, the use of these armor kits will allow the Army to greatly extend vehicle service life and reduce maintenance costs. It is important that Congress provide the necessary funding levels for the Army to meet their tactical wheeled vehicle protection kits acquisition objectives. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I also wish to thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their efforts in providing the necessary and critical funding for our Nation's defense.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise today regarding Congressman Dent's fiscally responsible appropriations legislation and the positive impact it will have on the Philadelphia VA Regional Office.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise today regarding Congressman Dent's fiscally responsible appropriations legislation and the positive impact it will have on the Philadelphia VA Regional Office. As you know, the Philadelphia VA has been plagued with a dysfunctional and toxic work environment, with management purposefully and blatantly displaying managerial wrongdoing. Mr. Chairman, it is our duty to right these wrongdoings and to ensure that the best care is provided to our veterans. This appropriations bill is a great start, and it gives Congress the opportunity to act on behalf of our veterans. Let's talk about this appropriations bill and the specifics of it. It fully funds the Veterans Benefits Management System, which will result in cutting the average processing time of a veteran's filed claim. It fully funds the Veterans Benefits Administration with an additional $163 million to allow for more staffing for the processing of appeals claims. We have already heard about the backlog of the claims. This seeks to address that. It allocates funding for IT to permit the electronic modernization of appeals claims, and it allocates full funding for digital scanning and centralized mail. Lastly, this bill establishes strike force response teams to bring in experienced managers to implement corrective actions at struggling and low- performing VA facilities, like the Philadelphia VA. Mr. Chairman, it is time for change at the Philadelphia VA RO, and I am fully committed to ensuring that there is a course correction of the wrongdoings there and that we effectively and expeditiously resolve the problems. I encourage my colleagues to do the same and support this bill. I will also want to particularly thank Congressman Dent for his hard work on this bill. I look forward to continuing to work with you and with your respective committees to provide the best for the veterans in our Commonwealth and across the Nation.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Dr. Roe's amendment to address the lack of accountability and transparency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. As the gentleman from Tennessee mentioned, OCLA is meant to serve as a bridge between Congress and the VA to help facilitate access to information that we, as a legislative body, request in our oversight role. Since I have been in Congress and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee all of 4 months, it is clear that more transparency is needed. Let me give you a clear example of a pending request, an unusually long unfulfilled request that is still outstanding. Back in December, as part of the committee's continued investigation into malfeasance at the Philadelphia RO, the committee requested copies of all EEO complaints and MSBP files that have been filed at this location since 2008. Late last year, we were told that the files were in boxes and ready to be shipped to Washington, D.C., for our review. It is now 5 months later, and after numerous requests, we have only received a few of the files we requested. The inability of the VA to provide these documents is mind-boggling. I don't know how else to describe it. The bottom line is: ignoring reasonable, relevant requests is unacceptable. There has to be accountability. This amendment does that. It does not impact or diminish in any way the treatment and care of our veterans. I urge adoption of Dr. Roe's amendment to demand accountability.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 471. We have all seen reports in our local newspapers about the fight against prescription drug abuse by our local law enforcement officials and the damaging effect that prescription drug abuse has on families and communities across this country. According to the CDC, since 1999, the amount of prescription painkillers prescribed and sold in the United States has quadrupled. There is, indeed, a trend in the abuse of prescription painkillers, which is, in part, attributed to the changes in how providers prescribe painkillers. The best way to crack down on prescription drug abuse is to have a broad coalition of specialists, including supply chain stakeholders and regulators, to encourage a constructive dialogue to help minimize the impact of this serious public health issue. This legislation does just that. Our Federal agencies will be required to consult with our local pharmacies and stakeholders on how best to prevent prescription drug abuse, while not taking away the access for individuals who rely on these drugs for medicinal needs. I commend the efforts of Congressman Marino and Congresswoman Blackburn to create a more constructive environment between manufacturers, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and enforcement agencies to crack down on this epidemic. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as a Veterans' Affairs Committee member, tomorrow we will have a hearing on the abuses at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Regional Office. We are going to hear a lot about the volume of mismanagement, and I want to talk about one individual constituent just to highlight that we are talking about individual lives, individual veterans, who have sacrificed and who have not been treated fairly by the VA regional office. My constituent has had to file numerous claims for service-connected disabilities. His initial claim was filed in the mid-1990s, and he has gone through five appeals. He has provided additional evidence per the VA's request and has followed their wishes in responding in a timely manner. However, per a court order by the Veterans' Appeals to handle my constituent's case in an expeditious manner, the Philadelphia VA failed to respond until well after 6 months. The Philadelphia VA failed to provide the Lebanon VA medical doctor's copies of his records for his C&P exams, further holding up his claims. On two occasions, once for an asbestos claim and another for his hearing loss claim, he was seen by a doctor who had to rely on his explanation of diagnosis instead of on his actual file. Many times, the VA has miscalculated his disability ratings, and due to the VA's lack of timeliness, his claims have been subjected to denials because of errors made by the Philadelphia VA's intake units concerning the misplacement of documentation, medical records, and ignoring requests by the Court and Veterans' Appeals Boards. It is time for accountability.