Ted Deutch

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today is the product of a real bipartisan commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship. I would like to thank Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for making this bill a priority of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and ensuring its consideration on the floor here today. I would especially like to thank and recognize my colleague, my friend, my fellow Floridian, chairman emeritus of the full committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this legislation, but not just for that, for her ongoing commitment to the strength of the U.S.- Israel relationship and for standing up, as she always does, in support of people in need in every part of the world. We are so grateful for your work. The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act aims to strengthen the ties that bind our two nations and enhance cooperation in multiple ways. The legislation reflects the simple truth--a very simple truth that the U.S. relationship with Israel is bound not only by mutual interests, but it is bound by deeply shared values. Indeed, the provisions of this bill, H.R. 938, mirror the broad cooperation between the United States and Israel when it comes not only to security, but to trade, research, energy, and so much more. This bill is, of course, crafted with the heightened security risks that Israel faces every day--with those heightened security risks in mind. The Middle East region is as volatile as ever, and the world must know that our commitment to Israel's security has never been stronger than it is at this moment. From the threat of daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups that send rockets at Israel citizens indiscriminately, to the risk of spillover from the Syrian conflict, the growing humanitarian crisis there, and to the existential threat of a nuclear- armed Iran, Israel faces an array of very complex security challenges. Recognizing these threats, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act includes measures to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge in a tough and all too often hostile neighborhood. H.R. 938 extends authority for the United States to expand our own forward-deployed weapons stockpile in Israel. This stockpile is critical to maintaining U.S. military readiness in the region and ensuring that our Armed Forces have access to the equipment they need to defend our interests at a moment's notice. This legislation also reaffirms Congress' support for Israel's right to self-defense by authorizing continued cooperation between the United States and the state of Israel on innovative missile defense programs, like the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling. These systems have proven remarkably successful at intercepting rockets and protecting the safety of the Israeli people. Yet, even as this bill advances the security of Israel, it ultimately serves as a reminder to the world and as a reminder to America of the depth of the United States-Israel relationship. H.R. 938 highlights Israel's enormous contributions to water and irrigation, agriculture, homeland security, and cybersecurity by authorizing further cooperation with the United States in these fields. It significantly expands the breadth of U.S.-Israel cooperation on energy and alternative energy forms, and I would like to thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman for their work on this critical language. The bill also strengthens our trade ties to Israel by initiating a process to include Israel in export license exemptions programs and, lastly, by affirming Congress' support for Israel's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Approximately 30 million Americans battle eating disorders at some point in their lives. Eating disorders affect both women and men and span nearly every socioeconomic and racial demographic. Yet, due to widespread stigma, those who struggle often struggle alone. Eating disorders are the most deadly form of mental illness. Between 10 and 20 percent of those suffering from anorexia do not survive their disease. Indeed anorexia, binge eating, bulimia, and other eating disorders often lead to serious medical complications, including organ failure and heart disease. Despite this grave threat to public health, our research, prevention, and treatment efforts remain shamefully underfunded. This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I urge my colleagues to take action and to join me, cosponsor H.R. 2101, the Federal Response to Eliminating Eating Disorders Act. We can and we must do better.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend for yielding. Madam Speaker, last week, the President called on Congress to embark on a year of action--one in which we all work together to put opportunity and financial security within the grasp of America's families. Just a few days later, the Senate took bipartisan action to protect thousands of homeowners in my home State of Florida and across the country from massive premium hikes on their flood insurance. These hikes are breaking the backs of America's families. They are bringing down home values at a time when our housing market is just starting to pick up again. There is no question that the financial health of the thousands of families who could lose their homes as a result of these premium rate increases has to be an urgent priority of this House. Rather than gutting environmental protections, let's focus on the concerns of real homeowners. Let's pass the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act so that FEMA can reform the flood insurance program and protect America's families at the same time. It is urgent that we move forward. I thank the gentleman for making this an urgent priority. The way to do this is to proceed with this today.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, it is cold outside, and for too many Americans who have been unemployed for too long because this Congress has failed to act, it is now a little bit harder for those Americans who are actively seeking work to get the emergency unemployment benefits that they need so that they can keep their homes warm for them and their families as they continue to seek employment. For the 1.3 million Americans that we left behind by failing to extend emergency unemployment benefits before we left, this is the week when the check stops. This is the week when it becomes more difficult for them to keep a roof over their heads, to keep a warm environment for their families as they continue to seek employment. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to move forward and make sure that those benefits are continued. It is the right thing to do. It is time for this Congress to act.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, the list of issues that the 113th Congress has failed to address is long: immigration reform, gun violence, long- term joblessness. Yet on this list of opportunities squandered by Republican obstructionism and indifference is also the threat of global climate change. As a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, I want to emphasize that this threat is real, and it needs real solutions. In south Florida, we know that unchecked carbon pollution poses an existential threat to our communities. Rising sea levels endanger the safety of our residents and the viability of our economy. That is why Palm Beach, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties have formed a climate compact dedicated to mitigating climate change. Local task forces cannot replace national leadership. We need a nationwide effort to limit carbon pollution, speed the adoption of clean energy, and protect our people from unprecedented natural disasters. Every Member of this House belongs on the Safe Climate Caucus. Don't we all agree that, as Americans, it is our responsibility to pass on a healthier and safer environment to the next generation? Mr. Speaker, addressing global climate change will take courage. Anything less, I am afraid, is cowardice.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, Speaker Boehner says that the Hastert rule demands that he only allow votes on bills that are supported by a majority of his own party instead of a majority of the whole House. Last weekend, a constituent asked me where the Hastert rule came from. I did a little research. It doesn't exist. Not a single page of this book--the House manual of rules and procedures--contains the Hastert rule. That is because bills in the House need votes from a majority of all Members, not by a majority of any party. The Speaker, himself, knows that the Hastert rule is no rule at all. That is why, whenever extremists bring us to the brink of default or insist on a costly government shutdown, the Speaker brushes it aside and relies on support from reasonable Republicans and Democrats. The Hastert rule is only used to prevent votes Americans actually want. They want us to pass reasonable gun laws, to pass ENDA, to protect LGBT Americans from discrimination. They want us to pass commonsense immigration reform, and they want us to pass a minimum-wage increase. This week, the GOP reminded us that it has no agenda. Don't use the nonexistent Hastert rule to block the agenda of the American people.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my good friend from Michigan (Mr. Conyers). Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act is little more than a GOP effort to turn back the clock on civil rights, on consumer protections, and on justice in America. I urge my colleagues to vote against it. To most people, what this bill is sounds harmless. It reinstates the 1983 version of rule 11 in our Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Indeed, this legislation is full of legal jargon and obscure technical language. But the American people still need to know why it is that the majority wants to go back to 1983 so badly. They want to reinstate the 1983 rule for the very reason it was taken away in the first place: it unfairly disadvantaged consumers, employees, and other ordinary Americans that tried to take on big corporations in our court system. The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act doesn't stop frivolous lawsuits; it only makes it easier for corporations to file frivolous lawsuits for the sole purpose of delaying the legal process and driving up the cost of litigation. These tactics aim to make the price of justice too expensive for ordinary Americans, especially in cases involving consumer and civil rights. You don't have to take my word for it. Studies have shown that civil rights and discrimination cases made up just 11.4 percent of the Federal court docket but 22 percent of the cases derailed by this rule. History has shown us that the 1983 version of rule 11 will further disadvantage everyday people with legitimate claims against corporations with deep pockets. Mr. Speaker, the current rule was developed by a judicial panel and embraced by judges across the country. They are the ones who hear the cases. They are the ones who receive and consider the unique facts of each case. They are the ones who are in the position to make the decision whether the landmark civil rights and consumer rights cases of our time should go forward in our legal process, not the United States House of Representatives. I ask my colleagues to stand up for everyday Americans' access to justice. Vote ``no'' on this bad bill.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. What we can do is ensure that we have a justice system that protects the rights of victims and puts the constitutional rights of our citizens ahead of special interests. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the FACT Act.

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend, Mr. Conyers. Mr. Chairman, it is deeply troubling to see that today the House of Representatives might vote to pass the so-called FACT Act, or Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill because it is not about transparency. It is not about accountability. It is absolutely not about justice. The FACT Act is nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on the rights of cancer victims and their families. That is the only way I can describe a piece of legislation that undermines the constitutional rights of asbestos victims and even threatens the privacy of victims and their families. The FACT Act does nothing to protect the rights of victims like Genevieve Bosilevac, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma just a few days before her 48th birthday in 2009, and widows like Judy Van Ness, who lost her husband to asbestos-caused disease. Victims of mesothelioma do not have the luxury of time. This brutal form of cancer is hard to detect until it has progressed significantly and all too often already compromised vital internal organs. Despite the dire implications of this diagnosis, the FACT Act would place additional burdens on victims and even delay court proceedings to the point that a victim would die before receiving any financial assistance through the asbestos trust fund. If anything, this body should be looking at ways to make it easier to identify legitimate asbestos victims and fast-track their cases. Instead, we are doing the opposite. This legislation might as well have been written by the asbestos industry because it only provides these companies with new tools to evade justice and their responsibility to victims. Even more incomprehensibly, the FACT Act would require the asbestos trust fund to turn over personally identifying information about victims and even their children. For the families whose lives have already been torn apart by disease from asbestos exposure, this legislation would create an online Web site that lists victims' sensitive information, including financial histories and even partial Social Security numbers. I implore my colleagues to recognize that these families have been through enough. There is nothing we in this Chamber can do to fill the void that has been left in the hearts of so many Americans who have lost loved ones due to exposure.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. At the beginning of this Congress, Members read aloud the Constitution of the United States from the floor of this very Chamber. That reading, of course, included the Bill of Rights, those first 10 amendments so vital to protecting the individual freedoms of all Americans. Today, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H. Res. 196, a bipartisan resolution affirming our support for the Sixth Amendment to our Constitution. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of all Americans to a fair trial. It also reads, ``In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall . . . have the assistance of counsel for his defence.'' We all agree that the right to counsel for anyone accused of a crime is the foundation of individual liberty. It is essential to the rule of law and the basic principle that, in America, the government cannot take away any citizen's freedom without a fair trial. H. Res. 196 is a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the support of this Congress for the Sixth Amendment right to counsel at a time when this right is too often trampled in our modern-day justice system. Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized, in the landmark case, Gideon v. Wainwright that access to quality legal representation is essential to a fair trial, and that even Americans too poor to afford an attorney have a right to counsel. This landmark opinion held that States and localities have a Sixth Amendment constitutional obligation to provide counsel to indigent defendants. Yet, a half century later, the reality is that we continue to struggle to honor the right to counsel upheld in Gideon. Reports by the Department of Justice, the American Bar Association, the Constitution Project, as well as innumerable law review articles by top experts in criminal law, have revealed how legal representation for indigent defendants often has been undermined by crushing caseloads, inadequate funding, and other obstacles. It has been estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all persons charged with a criminal offense qualify as being indigent and cannot afford an attorney. The American Bar Association, in its comprehensive report, ``Gideon's Broken Promise,'' concluded that ``thousands of persons are processed through America's courts every year either with no lawyer at all or with a lawyer that does not have the time, the resources or, in some instances, the inclination to provide effective representation.'' All too often, defendants plead guilty, even if they are innocent, without really understanding their legal rights or what is occurring. In this time of limited resources, the right to counsel has also been undermined by cuts to funding for indigent defense. These cuts have eliminated training programs to keep lawyers informed of criminal justice best practices and have limited the ability of lawyers for indigent defendants to access investigators or experts essential to adequately representing their clients. We pay a hefty price when we fail to uphold the Sixth Amendment of our Constitution. It is not uncommon for indigent people without an attorney to sit in jail for weeks or months, causing the loss of a job, a home and, in some instances, the loss of a family. Failing to provide adequate counsel to indigent defendants can also lead to costly extended pretrial detentions, costs associated with appellate litigation, costs for appellate defense counsel, prosecutors and appellate courts, incarceration costs of indigent people during the appeals process, and other unnecessary costs. From our unsustainably high rates of incarceration to the lives of families torn apart by unnecessary jail time and wrongful convictions, Congress can't afford to ignore the economic and moral costs of this crisis in our criminal justice system. Our Nation's failure to uphold the Sixth Amendment has resulted in bloated prison and jail populations at the State and county levels, which hold more than 2.2 million people at a cost of $75 billion per year. An additional 5 million people are on probation, parole, or supervised release. Yet, Mr. Speaker, despite all the comprehensive reports, all the law review articles, and all the stories reported by the media, the fundamental right of an indigent defendant to adequate counsel remains at risk. The situation is dire. Look no further than a recent determination made by the Florida Supreme Court allowing the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office to withdraw from 21 criminal cases because of excessive workload and underfunding. In fact, it was found that approximately 400 felony cases were being assigned to the average public defender, and public defenders in third-degree felonies had as many as 50 cases set for trial in a week. These facts provide us with just a glimpse into a growing crisis within our criminal justice system. There is no question that States and localities are struggling to provide adequate and well-resourced lawyers to indigent defendants. Ensuring that all Americans, regardless of their financial resources, have access to a lawyer is essential to our system of justice. Our failure to uphold the Sixth Amendment undermines the premise that, in America, every person has the right to a fair trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. H. Res. 196 is a product of bipartisanship. I would like to thank the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte for his support of this legislation and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. I would also like to thank Congressman Steve Chabot for all of his hard work on this resolution and for working to ensure that indigent people in the criminal justice system are adequately represented by counsel. I also want to recognize Ranking Member John Conyers and Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Scott for their support of this resolution. For my colleagues who are as concerned as I am about the state of indigent defense in America, I invite you not just to support today's resolution but to join me as a cosponsor of H.R. 3407, the National Center for the Right to Counsel Act. This legislation aims to improve financial and training resources for State and local public defense systems and encourage the adoption of best practices for the delivery of legal services to indigent defendants. The bill would equip States and localities with more tools to implement their own indigent defense systems and meet their constitutional obligations as defined by the Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, the first step toward solving any problem is confronting it, and that is why I am so pleased to have H. Res. 196 on the floor today. The Supreme Court recognized in Gideon that ``the right of one charged with crime to counsel may not be deemed fundamental and essential to fair trials in some countries, but it is in ours.'' It is long past time that the House of Representatives engage, debate, and develop strategies to assist the States with improving the delivery of indigent defense services. I urge my colleagues to support the right to counsel enshrined in the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution and to join me in supporting H. Res. 196. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend, the gentlelady from Guam. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3304. I was pleased to work with my colleagues, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Bridenstine of Oklahoma, and Mr. Rooney of Florida, on this bill; and I appreciate the work that they do on behalf of our veterans and the men and women who serve our country today. This legislation will waive the time limitation to allow the award of the Medal of Honor to two brave men, Bennie G. Adkins, a constituent of Mr. Rogers', and Donald P. Sloat, a constituent of Mr. Bridenstine's. I sincerely appreciate my colleagues' support and the support of the House Armed Services Committee in the effort to bring this legislation to the floor today. This legislation will also allow the award of the Medal of Honor to several other deserving veterans. This bill represents the culmination of a long fight to remedy discrimination against Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans of our Armed Forces who, in spite of their acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty, may have been overlooked as being deserving of the Medal of Honor. Over 12 years ago, this important effort began because Mitch Libman, a close friend of Leonard Kravitz', made it known that then-Private First Class Kravitz may have been improperly bypassed for the Medal of Honor. After sacrificing his life in combat in Korea, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with the following citation: Upon order to withdraw, Private Kravitz voluntarily remained to provide protective fire for the retiring elements. Traversing the gun to the left to cover the infiltrating enemy and ignoring the pleadings of his comrades to fall back, he fearlessly maintained his position. Detecting a column of Communist troops moving toward friendly positions, he swept the hostile soldiers with deadly accurate fire, killing the entire group. His destructive retaliation caused the enemy to concentrate vicious fire on his position and enabled the friendly elements to effect a withdrawal. Leonard Kravitz bravely gave his life for the men fighting at his side and for his country. In spite of his acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty, Kravitz was not awarded the Medal of Honor. In fact, when Mr. Libman came forward to share Mr. Kravitz' story, no Jewish American veteran had been recommended to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Korea. To ensure that this disparity was not the result of discrimination, Congress required each military department to conduct a review of veteran files to identify any deserving veteran who may have been overlooked for the Medal of Honor. This review has ensured that our highest military honor will be awarded based only on the acts of valor and courage displayed in battle and that no veteran will be denied the Medal of Honor as a result of his or her religion, race, or heritage. I am extremely proud of the long, rich history of Jewish Americans and Hispanic Americans serving in our Armed Forces. Over half a million Jewish Americans fought for the United States in World War II, and 11,000 of them perished while fighting for this country. Jewish Americans have served with distinction in Korea, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, and countless other missions around the globe. Hispanic Americans have a proud history of military service stretching back to the Revolutionary War. Over 1 million Latino veterans have served courageously in our Armed Forces. Hispanic Americans and Jewish Americans are among the brave young men and women who have stepped forward to serve our Nation in our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of both of these communities have fought for America's freedom and have had to fight to ensure that they receive the respect and honor they are owed for their service. The review of hundreds of service records resulted in the recommendation of the award of the Medal of Honor to at least seven veterans, including Mr. Kravitz. I want to thank all of those at the Department of Defense who diligently reviewed their records to make certain that we properly recognize all of the brave veterans deserving of the Medal of Honor. The President of the United States, Mr. Speaker, has awarded the Medal of Honor to 3,471 of our finest Americans over the course of our Nation's history. With the passage of this bill, the President will be authorized to add Bennie G. Adkins, Donald P. Sloat, and at least seven other veterans whose heroic acts can at last receive the highest honor that they richly deserve. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, once again the GOP has threatened the full faith and credit of the United States. Rejecting all warnings from top economists and business leaders, some of my Republican colleagues have actually claimed that default would be good for our economy; but the truth is, when you spin the GOP wheel of misfortune, everyone loses. How would a GOP default that deprives seniors of Social Security checks be good for our economy? How would a GOP default that pits foreign investors against America's disabled veterans be good for our country? How could ruining the U.S. Treasury bond status as the world's safest asset and hiking interest rates on American families be good for our economy? How could stopping payments for the doctors and nurses who care for Medicare beneficiaries be good for our economy? Mr. Speaker, the answer is that it can't be. The Treasury can't pick and choose which commitments to honor, nor should it have to. When you spin the GOP wheel of misfortune, there are only losers. Americans are disgusted when reckless games are played with our economic future. Be responsible, finally. Today, vote to reopen the government and prevent a default.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Coconut Creek Commissioner and Vice Mayor, Mikki Belvedere. Mikki's professional achievements and volunteer work have touched countless individuals and organizations throughout our community, and I want to recognize her for her amazing record of service in South Florida. Mikki has been a visible fixture in South Florida business community for over three decades, having served as President of Belvedere Insurance and Financial Services since 1980. She is also a board member for the Saw Grass Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors. In addition to her successful career in finance, Mikki has been actively involved in local government and was elected to the Coconut Creek Commission as Vice Mayor, where she will serve until 2017. Her record of public and political service extends into her Wynmoor Village and Coconut Creek community, where she serves as President and Program Chair of the Wynmoor Democratic Club and is a member of the Wynmoor Hurricane Emergency Network. Mikki is also a member of the Women's Club of Coconut Creek. Adding to her track record, Mikki chairs several boards in the area, including the Environmental Board of Coconut Creek, the Affordable Housing Committee, and the Coconut Creek Planning and Zoning Board. In addition to her private sector career and public service, Mikki has dedicated a generous portion of her time to South Florida's Jewish community. Mikki serves as Board Member and Trustee of the Liberal Jewish Temple, where she has helped 10 women become Bat-Mitzvah. She is the founder of the Hebrew Movie Club, and is currently the President of the Yiddish Club in Township. She currently holds membership with the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, Holocaust Survivors' Club, and the Sisterhood of the Beth Shalom Temple, among many others. I join today with Mikki's family, including her three daughters, five grandchildren and one great grandchild, in honoring Mikki's incredible contributions to our community. I wish her many more years of success in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this week, a Republican colleague spoke of the need to shut down the government. He said: ``We just want to help Americans get past one of the most insidious laws ever created by man.'' He was referring to the Affordable Care Act, but his words sounded eerily familiar to statements from this body's past. A Congressman once said: Never in the history of the world has any measure been brought here so insidiously designed as to prevent business recovery--to enslave workers. Another one said: We cannot stand idly by now as the Nation embarks on an ill-conceived adventure in government medicine, from which the patient will be the ultimate sufferer. These aren't quotes about the Affordable Care Act. The quotes are from Congressman Taber in 1935, opposing Social Security, and from Congressman Hall in 1965, opposing Medicare. What if opponents of Social Security and Medicare shut down the entire government because they didn't get their way? What if the majorities gave into the demands of those on the wrong side of history? This country would be very different today. These may be forgotten, but this reckless shutdown will not be, and the American people will remember who caused it.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank the gentlelady. Mr. Speaker, I have been sitting here listening to the chairman talk about the disastrous effects of ObamaCare--destruction, devastation, chaos. I want to read some Facebook messages that I received from members of the south Florida community this week. One man wrote: Years ago, I finally scraped together enough money to buy health insurance for my family and purchased it. Months later, my wife had irregular bleeding, and we went to see her doctor. He did a pap test, and it came back normal. The bleeding stopped and life went on. Not long after, she began to bleed. Another pap test was done. Later the problem was finally diagnosed as cervical cancer. After that, I was contacted by my insurance company and told it was a preexisting condition. They dropped us, returned my premiums, and paid nothing. I was pauperized trying to pay and keep up with the surgeon for follow-up on my wife. It took years and a willingness to walk away from that debt to recover. The very talented surgeon that saved my wife's life got mostly stiffed, and the taxpayers picked up the hospital tab. We need ObamaCare. Or how about this message from a woman in Broward County: I was never able to be insured except through a group plan at work. When I stopped working due to my health, it was impossible to obtain a policy. I had tried different companies, but was rejected each time due to my congenital heart defect. I went uninsured for about 3 years. Once the Affordable Care Act's preexisting condition plan started, I finally got coverage through the preexisting insurance pool. Unfortunately, I just learned that I need my fifth open- heart surgery again and know ObamaCare will cover me, whereas no other private insurer will. I am willing to explain the struggles of individuals like myself who were born with pediatric problems, but have grown into aging adults who are not poor enough for Medicaid or old enough for Medicare and are always denied private individual insurance. To deny care for those of us who were born with a medical issue that we did not choose to have, it is reckless to exempt us from being insured. Mr. Speaker, what is reckless and destructive and devastating and chaotic is the Republican majority's decision to drive this government to close. There has been enough delay. Too many Americans have been waiting far too long for access to affordable health care.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, it's disheartening to stand here today, once again, to defend the meager nutritional assistance program we provide to families in America. The $40 billion in SNAP cuts put forward by the Republican majority is shameful. It's cruel and unusual punishment to Americans whose soft voices are barely ever heard in the Halls of Congress. Three-quarters of SNAP benefits go to families with children, and every week across this Nation there are parents who have to tell their kids, Nope, there's nothing left to eat in our house tonight. I only wish my colleagues behind these despicable cuts had to deliver that message. I only wish that they had to say, I'm sorry, you've got to go to bed hungry. Unfortunately, my colleagues have it far too easy. They'll never know what it's like to be hungry. Their kids will never go to bed hungry. They can bring this heartless legislation to a vote without ever having to explain themselves to the families that they're hurting. Please don't let them get away with it.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the great City of Coral Spring, Florida. Incorporated on July 10th, 1963, the City of Coral Springs has grown from little more than a patch of marshland in southern Florida into the 13th largest city in the state and the first state-level recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Today I recognize Coral Springs for its remarkable transformation from town with a single covered bridge to a city of more than 120,000 residents. Whether it be its top-rated public schools and city government, large and robust park and recreation system, myriad of shops, delicious restaurants and entertaining nightlife, Coral Springs truly has something for everyone. If you are looking to raise a family or are a young professional looking to enjoy one of the top 100 cities in the Nation for young people, the city's vibrant economy and high quality of living make Coral Springs a wonderful place to call home. I join today with my family in wishing Coral Springs many more years of prosperity. On the 50th Anniversary of its inception, I urge all cities across of this great country to follow Coral Spring's footsteps.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for working so hard to shepherd this bill through the House in a bipartisan way. This legislation before us today takes a significant step forward in our efforts to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities. Sanctions passed by this House have had devastating effects on the Iranian economy, and this legislation will continue our efforts to financially squeeze the regime by dramatically reducing Iran's oil exports and by diminishing Iran's ability to access other currencies, all of this while ensuring that humanitarian aid will continue to flow. Despite claims made earlier, this does not cut off medicine for children. Beyond that, this bill recognizes that despite a somewhat surprising outcome to the June presidential elections, the Iranian people are still living under a regime that too often brutally represses democratic ideals, and it imposes sanctions on those who aid the regime's active violation of human rights. To my friends who argue that this is the wrong time, I'd ask you to consider this: newly elected President Rouhani is scheduled to be sworn in in 4 days. He campaigned on economic sanctions relief. This relief will only come when the Ayatollah, when the supreme leader, decides to relinquish the nuclear weapons program. Now is the time to let President-elect Rouhani's actions speak louder than his words. Let him tell the supreme leader that the United States House of Representatives has passed new, devastating sanctions, and the only way to relief is through a negotiated end to the nuclear weapons program. Our policy on Iran has always been dual track: sanctions and diplomacy. Now is not the time to give up on either.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of our brave veterans of the Korean War on the eve of the 60th Anniversary of the end of combat operations in that region. These heroes fought so valiantly to protect our country and they rightfully deserve our recognition and admiration. I am proud to represent a district that is home to such a large number of veterans, and I feel tremendous gratitude to the heroes of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and to the new generation of veterans from the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. My father, Bernard Deutch, volunteered to fight in World War II as a teenager where he earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge. It was his example of service to our nation that motivated me to serve in Congress. The veterans of the Korean War endured unique hardships in order to ensure the ideals of freedom and democracy lived on, both at home and abroad. Their selfless dedication to these values is a testament to true character of the men and women who fought in this conflict. With the bar set, I am confident their patriotic spirit lives on in those in the armed forces who serve our nation today. In this era of partisan vitriol and gridlock in Washington, our leaders can always look to veterans as an example of how individuals from all walks of life can put their differences aside in order to accomplish great things. So long as I am in Congress, I promise to do everything in my power to ensure the well-being of our Nation's veterans. I join today with my family in wishing the veterans of the Korean War many more years of good health and urge all citizens of this great country to live by their example.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, a new NBC poll says that 83 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing. But that shouldn't be surprising when we are not doing any job at all. House Republican leaders are working off of a ``to don't'' list: don't pass gun violence legislation that could save lives; don't pass equal pay for women that could boost family incomes; don't help homeowners refinance, which could save families money; don't pass immigration reform that could grow our economy; don't create a national infrastructure bank that could create new jobs; and don't pass a green energy bill that could finally tackle climate change. It doesn't have to be this way, but when your agenda is to do nothing, it's easy to get nothing done when you operate off of a ``to don't'' list. Solving problems and reaching compromise may be hard work, but it's the work the American people sent us here to do.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lillian Berkowitz, who is celebrating her 104th birthday on July 23rd, 2013. I would like to take this opportunity to extend to her an extraordinary happy birthday and congratulations on this very special milestone. Lillian is a passionate dancer who began her career as a beautiful stage actress and performer on Vaudeville and Broadway. She debuted at the age of 10 as an acrobatic dancer and later attended a special school for actors that allowed her to further develop her skills. After graduating high school, Lillian went straight to the Broadway stage where she starred in many famous productions featuring big names such as Milton Berle, Jack Benny and Bob Hope, to name a few. She met her late husband Maurice Berkowitz through one of her shows in the Catskills and was married some years later. She and Maurice shared many happy years together, and were blessed with two sons, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A staunch advocate of exercise throughout her life, Lillian possesses the aerobic finesse of someone half her age. A strict exercise routine consisting of 45 minutes of walking, several resistance exercises and a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables are the secret to her longevity. In the meantime, Lillian remains passionately involved with her first love, dancing. I join with Lillian's family and friends in wishing her continued love, happiness, and well-being for many years to come. Again, congratulations!

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend from Massachusetts. I would like to just highlight a point that the gentleman just made that my friend from Texas and everyone understands, which is that, of course, SNAP payments increased during the recession. It is supplemental nutrition, and it's that supplemental nutrition assistance that kept people out of poverty. The majority ruled out of order my amendment to the FARRM Bill, which would ensure families relying on SNAP could skip fewer meals and buy healthier food. Contrary to my colleagues' claims, SNAP is not too generous, and processed food from the dollar store can't replace fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and the protein needed in a healthy diet. So, as the Republican majority prepares to vote to kick 2 million Americans off of SNAP, let's remember what they are not voting for, what they are not voting for today and what they have not voted for on one single day in this Congress: The GOP is not voting for jobs; they are not voting to raise the minimum wage so that full-time workers can actually feed their kids without SNAP; they are not voting to invest in education so that children have a better shot at success; they are not voting to create new jobs by investing in new ports and new bridges and new roads. In short, my friends on the other side of the aisle are not voting to reduce poverty; they are not voting to reduce hunger; they are not voting to build an economy in which working families can get ahead and don't have to scrape by on SNAP benefits.

Mr. DEUTCH. What's the Democratic plan for reducing SNAP spending? Create jobs, build the economy, and stop punishing poor people.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. I thank my friend from California. Madam Speaker, today I want to give voice to real women and girls who sought abortions after 20 weeks. The sad truth is that for disenfranchised women, it often takes more than 20 weeks to overcome the roadblocks encountered on the path to what is a constitutionally protected procedure. They may struggle to pay for the procedure, risk losing their jobs if they request time off or lack full information about their bodies, having never received sex education or seen a gynecologist. Each woman facing these decisions is unique. Their voices have gone unheard in this Chamber, but they are Americans who deserve laws that protect them. So before this vote, I wanted to share their stories. Sandra and her husband had no car, no Internet, and no health care. It took them weeks to find an abortion provider. They had to save up for the procedure for time off of work, for child care for their kids, for the 80-mile taxi ride from Clewiston, Florida, to West Palm Beach. By that time, the facility they found could not help her. They had to start over and save up even more, take even more time off to see a Fort Lauderdale doctor who could help them. At 17, Helga was in a witness protection program. She was raped as a child and later bore a daughter who was later taken in by protective services. After leaving drug treatment in Florida, Helga was 20 weeks pregnant, but she wanted a chance to put that path behind her. It was only the compassion and generosity of her abortion provider, her doctor, who gave her that chance. Today she's taking care of herself and reconnecting with her daughter. At 13, Michelle often had irregular periods. Yet when she skipped two, thought she had one and skipped another, she got scared and told her mom. She didn't know she was pregnant. Her disabled mother was barely able to feed Michelle and her four siblings as it was. So Michelle and her mother agreed that Michelle needed to have an abortion. But this whole process took time. Finally at 22 weeks, Michelle and her mom secured an abortion with a provider, a doctor who could assume the costs. I ask my colleagues to please answer these women with compassion and vote down this bill.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would strike the provision in H.R. 2217, which states: Funding made available under this heading shall maintain a level of not less than 34,000 detention beds through September 30, 2014. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has interpreted this provision, which has been in past appropriations bills, to require the maintenance of a daily detention population of 34,000 people. This detention bed mandate ties the hands of ICE and restricts its discretion to make detention decisions even when release could be appropriate. Indeed, this is an unprecedented mandate for law enforcement as no other law enforcement agencies have a quota for the number of people that they must keep in jail. This detention bed mandate is a drain on ICE's limited resources. On March 19 of this year, I participated in a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with ICE Director John Morton that addressed this issue. Director Morton explained that ICE had interpreted language in the previous continuing resolution as requiring the agency to keep ``a yearly average daily population of approximately 34,000 individuals.'' Accordingly, ICE has been maintaining an average daily detention population well over 34,000 people with the numbers fluctuating between 35,000 and 37,000 people. Due to this fiscally unsustainable mandate, ICE released more than 2,000 individuals earlier this year to avoid burning through its detention funds. Detention is extremely costly, and it strains ICE's limited budget in an era of fiscal restraint. Mandating ICE to keep 34,000 detainees in custody each day forces ICE to forgo alternatives to detention that would save taxpayer money. In fact, a single detention bed is approximately $122 per day; and with additional administrative costs, it can rise to $164 a day. Meanwhile, alternatives such as ankle bracelets, parole, telephonic, and in-person reporting, curfews, and home visits can run from 30 cents to $14 per day. By untying ICE's hands by striking this minimum detention population requirement, we can allow ICE to pursue effective alternatives and make budgetary savings. ICE agents could use these savings when focusing on their many additional responsibilities, such as cracking down on drug smuggling, human trafficking and child pornography--all priorities which are shared by Republicans and Democrats alike. I would like to thank my friend, Congressman Bill Foster, for his dedication to this issue. Detention takes an enormous toll on our communities, and mandating ICE detain 34,000 individuals a day does not secure our borders or make us safer. The Deutch-Foster amendment would strike this arbitrary provision from the bill, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster).