Antonio Delgado

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Chair, I would like to note, to bring the discussion back full circle, when my friend says that the FEC is dysfunctional but began this conversation saying that it has the responsibility to enforce election laws, those two points don't really go hand in hand. I think it is important that if we are going to make the FEC able and capable of enforcing the laws that we know are critical to protecting our democracy, then we should operate on the assumption of how we could make the FEC as functional as possible and give the FEC data and information to achieve its stated purpose. I thank Chairwoman Lofgren for her leadership on this issue and urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put the protection of our democracy over partisan division and pass both my amendment and the underlying bill. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Chair, I would be more than happy to work with my colleague to do whatever we can to deal with protecting our elections and ensuring that they remain free and fair. As I am sure the gentleman understands, representing a rural district, too many folks in our communities are being left behind, and they should not be left behind in the least bit when it comes to the sanctity of our elections. While we might be in a position where, unfortunately, partisanship gets in the way of these issues, I will note that to simply say these things won't become law is part of the problem. I think it is also important to deconstruct why these things are not making their way into law in the first place. When people become overly partisan in this environment, we are at an impasse, unfortunately. I am here to work beyond that. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Chair, I would note to my friend that in order for the FEC to enforce the law as you suggest, which I certainly believe they ought to, it would help if they would have the data and the information to do so and to be able to track down attempts to break the law. This would be exactly what we are trying to do with this amendment. To speculate on who might--when, where, and how--be able to do this is a waste of time when we know at this point that we are under siege. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I rise in support of my amendment to the SHIELD Act, which is meant to keep foreign influences from depressing voter turnout in rural communities. Protecting our democracy and upholding the sanctity of our elections is of critical importance. Madam Chair, the SHIELD Act is urgently needed legislation. Americans will go to the polls in a matter of weeks, and every day, we are presented with more data that our foreign adversaries are working to influence our elections and undermine our democracy. These destructive tactics, as we have seen in previous election cycles, continue to get more sophisticated, with outside parties now manipulating our elections through the ballot box, social media, and spreading misinformation. My amendment fights against these tactics and requires an analysis, following each Federal election, into whether or not illicit foreign money was used to carry out disinformation or propaganda campaigns focused on depressing turnout among rural communities. The amendment also requires a breakdown of the successes or failures of these efforts and recommendations for how we can address these tactics in future elections. Americans in rural communities face many hurdles to exercising the right to vote, including the distance to the nearest poll. We cannot add additional hurdles of foreign disinformation and its influence on voter turnout. There is nothing more important than protecting our democracy and ensuring every American has the ability to vote and the opportunity to make their voices heard. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of seniors in upstate New York. This August, I joined a forum with AARP in New Paltz on the need to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in our communities. I heard harrowing stories from seniors, many of whom are on fixed income, who have seen the medication they rely on triple in price. The system is working against our seniors. Right now, qualified covered retirement accounts are included in determining income and eligibility under the Medicare part D low-income subsidy program, and this means seniors must choose between saving for retirement and lifesaving medication. Saving for retirement shouldn't jeopardize how low-income subsidies for Medicare part D beneficiaries are distributed. That is why I joined my colleagues in introducing H.R. 4655, the Enhancing Retirement Security for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019, to remove retirement accounts from that determination and lower out-of-pocket costs for our seniors. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4655.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an urgent crisis in our communities: access to rural broadband. Over the district work period, I held a field hearing on rural broadband with FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, where New York's 19th Congressional District residents shared their stories about the need to improve rural broadband internet in upstate New York. The commissioner heard from educators, healthcare providers, and small business owners all impacted by this issue. Following that hearing, I have introduced the Broadband Speed Act and the Community Broadband Mapping Act. This legislative package will address flawed broadband mapping practices that result in the FCC overcounting rural communities and require that projects funded with FCC money are future-proof, or built to withstand changes in technology. This legislation would also allow local governments, co-ops, community groups, and small providers to access funding that would allow them to collect information on local broadband service in order to challenge a finding that they are, in fact, served. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to take up this legislation and close the digital divide.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, a fallen soldier, Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent of Pine Plains, New York, who was killed at the age of 35 on January 16 of this year by a suicide bombing in Syria during her fifth combat tour in the Middle East. Senior Chief Kent, a Dutchess County native and Stissing Mountain High School graduate, was a wife, the mother of two beautiful children, and a cancer survivor. She spoke five languages, including six dialects of Arabic, and deployed with the Navy SEALs to Iraq and Afghanistan on four different occasions. Senior Chief Kent gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and will be remembered for her courage and determination. She was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal, to name a few. In 2016, Senior Chief Kent survived thyroid cancer and, in 2018, commissioned for a special officer program to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Because of a flawed DOD policy, she was found medically unfit to pursue this degree and, yet, somehow fit enough to be deployed to Syria. Following this decision, Senior Chief Kent sought a waiver from the Navy to override DOD's finding and, again, was denied. Prior to her death, Senior Chief Kent worked tirelessly to change the Navy and DOD policies that resulted in her fifth deployment. Due to her work, the Navy has made positive changes to its waiver policy, in Senior Chief Kent's honor. I remain hopeful the DOD will follow in the Navy's footsteps. Today, I urge the House to pass H.R. 2151 to create a memorial for Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent in Dutchess County and name the post office at 7722 South Main Street in Pine Plains, New York, the Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon M. Kent Post Office. Senior Chief Kent's memory will live on because she defined what true service means. Honoring Senior Chief Kent in this permanent way will serve as a daily reminder of her heroism and sacrifice. Senior Chief Kent is survived by her husband, retired Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Kent, and their two young sons. My thoughts remain with her children, husband, and the rest of her family and friends. I urge my colleagues to make this bill law to honor her life and legacy.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight National Recovery Month. The opioid crisis is deeply prevalent in upstate New York, and my district is home to some of the highest overdose rates in the State. Overdose deaths have increased by 83 percent from 2016 in my home county, Dutchess. Combating this crisis must include addressing the prevalence of opioids, holding Big Pharma accountable, and treating addiction like the disease that it is. Earlier this year, I introduced the bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act. This act does away with seeking special waivers as a requirement for providers to prescribe buprenorphine, a proven treatment for addiction. Making this medication more accessible will save lives and destigmatize addiction so folks will see it for what it is: a disease that requires treatment. As we recognize National Recovery Month, let us honor those we have lost with action on bipartisan legislation to help those suffering with this disease. Inaction costs us lives every day. Let's pass H.R. 2482.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of thousands of families in my district that have been exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. Last week, my friend Michael Hickey testified before the House on the prevalence of PFAS contamination in Hoosick Falls and in Petersburgh, two communities in my district. Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh are not alone. Hundreds of communities across the country are dealing with PFAS contamination. Here is what we know about these forever chemicals. PFAS contamination can cause autoimmune disorders, thyroid conditions or disorders, and cancer. It is time for action. As a named conferee for the National Defense Authorization Act, I will forcefully advocate for pretreatment standards and that PFAS be designated a hazardous substance. Too many families are living with the consequences of PFAS contamination in our Nation, and it is due in large part to our inaction.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shine a light on one of my constituents, Mr. Dan Shultes. Dan, who lives in Schoharie County, is a wonderful family man with a wife, two young children, and a community that loves him dearly. At 42 years of age, he has, in just a matter of months, gone from being completely healthy to being diagnosed with ALS. This devastating disease has stolen his ability to complete basic tasks such as brushing his teeth, feeding himself, or signing his name. When I saw him last month at a barbecue, he was confined to a wheelchair, surrounded by loved ones. Stories like Dan's should remind us how important it is to continue to raise awareness about ALS and motivate Congress to take every action possible to help the 30,000 Americans struggling with ALS. Congress must provide robust funding for disease research and create expedient pathways to market for new treatments and medications that could save or drastically improve the quality of life for those living with this disease. We should work tirelessly to provide guidance or therapeutic solutions as soon as possible. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend and colleague, Paul Tonko, a true ally in this fight, as we are working closely with the Shultes family. May God bless Dan Shultes and his family.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of nearly 3,000 Americans who were killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on our homeland. Eighteen years ago today, vile acts of terror were committed in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In the moments following these tragedies, as thousands of people streamed out of the towers for safety, thousands of first responders ran into harm's way to save lives. These first responders came from all across the State of New York, including my district, the 19th Congressional District. Today is a solemn day of quiet remembrance. We bow our heads as a nation in a moment of silence, as we cannot carry the weight of these memories of loved ones alone. The pain is too hard for one family to bear, for one city to bear alone, for one State to bear alone. Today I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and from every corner of the country to never forget--to never forget the lives we lost, to never forget the sacrifices made of our men and women in uniform, and know that we will stand with you and your families in the years ahead. May we also never forget the national unity we all felt in the days, weeks, and months following 9/11 where all that mattered was putting country first. God bless America.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Chairman Cicilline for those kind words. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Family Farmer Relief Act. I rise to urge bipartisan support for a bipartisan priority, relief for family farmers. Passing H.R. 2336 will make our Nation's bankruptcy laws for farmers reflective of today's economy and better represent the experiences of our Nation's farmers. I am proud to represent New York's 19th Congressional District, which stretches nearly 8,000 square miles, is made up of 11 counties, and includes the beautiful Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. New York 19 is the eighth most rural district in the country, and the third most rural represented by a Democrat. It is also home to nearly 5,000 farms and over 8,000 farm operators. The last USDA Ag Census found that 96 percent of the farms in my district are family owned. These family-owned farms, both in New York 19, and across the country, are facing alarming rates of foreclosure during this down farm economy. This is the fifth year on record of declining net farm income. Prices are low, inputs are high, and current trade policies make the future for farms unknown. 2018 marked the fourth consecutive year of rising bankruptcy rates as a proportion of the farm population. This farm economy is exacerbated by an outdated bankruptcy filing cap that leaves farmers without options to restructure or repay their debt. Chapter 12 was created specifically to provide repayment flexibility and reorganizational advantages for family farms during poor economic times. Unfortunately, this outdated debt cap has rendered chapter 12 an inaccessible tool for thousands of farm families. Mr. Speaker, the numbers tell the story here. According to the National Farm Bureau, last year just 498 farms filed for chapter 12 bankruptcy. By comparison, 766,000 consumers filed under chapters 7 and 13. Over the last 10 years, chapter 7 and chapter 13 have seen 10 million total filings, compared to just 5,000 Chapter 12 filings. Mr. Speaker, we must do more. The Family Farmer Relief Act solution is simple. My one-sentence bill would adjust the debt cap to align with today's land values and the cost of doing business for today's farmers. Our legislation modifies chapter 12 bankruptcy rules to raise the debt cap for eligibility to $10 million. This adjustment will provide farmers additional options to manage the current farm economy and allows farmers to retain assets and remain operational. Allowing farmers increased flexibility is critical to the health and wellness of our family farmers and the Upstate economy at large. I thank House leadership for bringing this important bill to the floor, and also Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline for his support and leadership on the Judiciary Committee. In addition, I want to thank Senator Grassley for his ongoing leadership on this issue in the Senate. And lastly, I want to thank my bipartisan House colead, Judiciary Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim Sensenbrenner, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, and Representatives TJ Cox, Kelly Armstrong, and Dusty Johnson. I look forward to seeing this bill move forward so we can give our farmers and growers the support and flexibility they need in these hard times.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 277) to adjust collateral requirements under the Small Business Act for disaster loans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 277, the Access to Sufficient Capital for Everyone in Natural Disaster Areas Act, also called the ASCEND Act. However, before we get to the substance of the bill, I want to thank the ranking member, Ranking Member Chabot, and his staff, for working in a bipartisan way on this package of bills. I also would like to thank all our Members, both Republican and Democrat, for their hard work and continued bipartisan commitment to putting small businesses first. It is, once again, a reminder of the importance of working across the aisle and getting things done for the American people. Being the only committee dedicated solely to the needs of small firms, we remain committed on working to promote policies that will encourage economic prosperity on Main Street. Access to capital is essential for business success, and it is particularly true after a natural disaster. That is why I rise in support of H.R. 277, the ASCEND Act, which will permanently set the unsecured credit threshold for SBA's disaster loans at $25,000. The SBA's Disaster Assistance program was implemented to provide timely financial assistance in the form of low-interest loans and working capital for businesses and homeowners devastated by a disaster. Continual improvement and modernization of the program has been a priority of our committee for many years. And as we continue to experience increased disasters, both in frequency and strength, it is imperative Congress provides the necessary policies to get communities back on their feet. One of those policies originated in the 114th Congress as part of a bill introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, H.R. 208, the Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of 2015, the RISE Act. That law raised the collateralization threshold on disaster loans to make it easier for victims to obtain capital to rebuild their homes and businesses. Unfortunately, this provision will expire this year, so Congress must act. H.R. 277 permanently raises the minimum disaster loan amount that the SBA may require collateral from $14,000 to $25,000. This means that a disaster victim can continue to receive a $25,000 loan, rather than just $14,000, within 5 days of closing to speed up the reconstruction project. Raising the unsecured loan amount provides support for Americans when they need it most. And for smaller businesses, time and again, we have seen that in the aftermath of a disaster, access to affordable credit can make the difference between remaining in business or closing their doors and putting Americans out of work. Without this legislation, the unsecured loan limit for agency declarations will revert to the lower limits and create an unfair discrepancy for disaster survivors in areas of an SBA declaration and that of a major disaster declaration. I thank Ranking Member Chabot for cosponsoring this legislation, which allows more borrowers to access loans without having to put up collateral. I urge Members to support this bipartisan piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. There is little doubt that natural disasters result in economic hardship for the people living in those communities. And no matter the scope or the cause of a disaster, the first few weeks are critical to a small firm's recovery. H.R. 277 seeks to provide that lifeline by permanently increasing the collateralization threshold to $25,000 and giving peace of mind to disaster victims. This legislation is a much-needed response to the record-breaking disasters of the past 2 years, the impacts of which are still being felt in various parts of the country. It is a commonsense move, and one supported by the Small Business Administration. In a report assessing the SBA Disaster Loan Program, the SBA recommended that an increase in the unsecured loan limit for disaster loans should be made permanent. The agency, again, stated as much in congressional testimony at a hearing held last September before our committee and in its fiscal year 2020 budget and legislative proposals. Again, I thank Ranking Member Chabot for his support, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2142) to amend the Small Business Act to require the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to create a centralized website for compliance guides, and for other purposes.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2142, which eases regulatory compliance for small businesses. Agencies are required by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act to publish small entity compliance guides for each rule requiring a regulatory flexibility analysis. That guide is supposed to be posted and accessible to the public no later than the day a rulemaking becomes effective. Yet, our committee continually hears from small business owners that they have great difficulty locating the guides. In our own investigation, we found that Federal agencies are inconsistent in their compliance with this rule. Small businesses don't always have the resources to navigate multiple agency websites to understand their responsibilities under new laws. Instead, they are worried about meeting payroll, hiring talented workers, and running day-to-day operations of their small firms. This bill provides a centralized location at the SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman to make it easier for business owners to find agency regulatory compliance guides and contact information. The SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman was created to help the small business community overcome regulatory barriers and ensure that agency actions are fair and reasonable. Centralizing various agency compliance guides in this office is a logical step to provide transparency and clarity for small businesses. I want to thank Dr. Joyce for working with me to identify this issue and find a bipartisan solution to ensure America's small firms have a one-stop shop for regulatory assistance. I ask my fellow Members to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, we know that small business owners don't necessarily have the resources and time to navigate multiple websites to fully understand their responsibilities with Federal laws. My bill is an important step toward reversing these problems. H.R. 2142 will make it easier, not harder, to comply with Federal regulations by providing them one location for compliance assistance. The ombudsman already maintains a site for guidance, but this bill goes one step further by requiring that they not just provide agency contacts, but also keep a regular, updated page of compliance guides readily accessible to the public. My legislation renews our commitment towards small business growth and success by creating transparency and accountability of Federal agencies. Again, I want to thank Dr. Joyce for cosponsoring this bill and putting our small businesses first. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DELGADO

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2331) to require an annual report on the cybersecurity of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.