Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, this horrific tragedy, unfortunately, happened in my district about half a mile from where I live. When a tragedy like this happens, senseless tragedy, we as Americans all pull together wherever tragedies occur. That is what we are doing here this afternoon. We are pulling together in the face of a terrible, terrible tragedy. I know that an investigation is going on from the National Transportation Safety Board. I hope that in a short time we will know what happened and, perhaps, we will be able to take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again, whether it be by legislation or other types of ways we can ensure that this doesn't happen again. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families of this senseless, senseless tragedy. We as New Yorkers and as Americans in times of tragedy always pull together. New York pulled together after 9/11, and we are pulling together after this horrific tragedy as well.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in my district and very near to my home, there was a horrific derailment on the Metro-North Railroad, which cost the lives of four people and injured another 63. My heart goes out to the victims: the people who died, the people who were injured, and their families, as well. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and hopefully very soon we will know exactly what happened and have their recommendations, as well. Right now, all preliminary accounts say that the train was going 83 miles an hour in a 70-mile-an-hour zone that was soon by a curve going down to what should have been a 30-mile-an-hour zone. Again, I hope when the NTSB comes out with recommendations for safety on our rail in the United States, that the Congress will act accordingly and perhaps pass legislation to make our trains safer. In the meantime, again, my heart and our hearts go out to all the victims of this horrific tragedy.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 599 I was at a meeting in the Rayburn Room and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``yea.''

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Himes).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, let me just, again, say what I said at the outset. I want to thank Chairman Royce. I am really proud of this legislation. It is truly a bipartisan product. We are doing something really, really good here today. We are doing something that we can be proud of today. We are saving lives, and we are showing once again that the United States is the most compassionate Nation on Earth. When all is said and done, isn't this really one of the greatest things that we can do? So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Dr. Donna Christensen.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), a classmate of mine. (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a very valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor now to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our Democratic leader who has, I think, done more than anyone else to fight for these things from almost the time that she came to Congress.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who has been so instrumental in fighting for this legislation and other AIDS legislation for so many years in the Congress.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1545, the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I echo the words of my friend, the chairman. This important legislation, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent, reauthorizes key authorities that have helped the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, called PEPFAR, change the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic around the world. Before President Bush announced PEPFAR in his 2003 State of the Union address, and Congress passed authorizing legislation in May of that year, HIV and AIDS were ravaging the continent of Africa. By then, more than 25 million people had died from HIV/AIDS, and 14 million children had been left as orphans. Another 42 million people were infected and, though lifesaving treatments had been developed, far too many people had no access to the medications necessary to save their lives. Therefore, PEPFAR became and remains the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally. Today, nearly 6 million people are receiving life-sustaining anti- retroviral treatment. Last year, more than 46 million people received HIV testing and counseling. Of these, more than 11 million were pregnant women, and, as a result of treatment, the one-millionth baby was born HIV-free this year. HIV/AIDS is no longer threatening to wipe out an entire generation on the continent of Africa. In fact, a sustained commitment by the United States to fighting this epidemic has made it possible for experts and researchers to talk about achieving an AIDS-free generation. PEPFAR is in the midst of an important transition as countries take on greater ownership of their HIV/AIDS programs. At this critical juncture, the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act is an important demonstration of our ongoing, bipartisan support for the fight against HIV/AIDS. This legislation also contains critical provisions that will enable Congress to provide the oversight necessary to ensure PEPFAR continues to save millions of lives, while protecting our taxpayers' hard-earned money. The bill calls for continued coordination by the inspectors general for the State Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Agency for International Development in conducting audits and oversight of the PEPFAR program. It also requires a more robust annual report from the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, which will ensure better accountability. This legislation also extends key funding requirements for the treatment and care portion of the program, as well as funding for orphans and vulnerable children. Historically, the United States contribution to the Global Fund has been capped at 33 percent of total contributions. This cap has been an effective tool to leverage contributions from other countries, as well as to push for reforms, if necessary, within the Global Fund. However, when PEPFAR's authorization ended at the end of September, this 33 percent cap lapsed as well. I believe it is crucial that this 33 percent cap be reinstated going into the Global Fund replenishment conference, which will be held the first week of December here in Washington, and this legislation would accomplish this important policy objective. Mr. Speaker, by all accounts, PEPFAR has been an incredible success and a program we should all be proud to be a part of. I would like to thank Ambassador Eric Goosby, the recently departed United States Global AIDS Coordinator, for his hard work on behalf of PEPFAR and his lifelong dedication to those living with HIV/AIDS. I commend Chairman Royce, Representative Lee, and Representative Ros- Lehtinen, as well as Senator Menendez and Senator Corker, for their hard work on this legislation. It has been a pleasure working with all of them in such a bipartisan and bicameral manner. I would like to thank the House leadership for allowing this to come to the floor in a timely manner. Again, I think that Chairman Royce and I have shown that bipartisanship does exist in this Congress. It certainly exists on our Foreign Affairs Committee, and this is a product of that bipartisan comity. So I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding leader in the field of aging and long-term services and supports. Audrey Weiner is the outgoing chair of LeadingAge, and I congratulate her on what she and her organization have accomplished during her two-year term. LeadingAge members and affiliates touch the lives of 4 million individuals, families, employees and volunteers every day. The LeadingAge community includes 6,000 not-for-profit organizations in the United States, 39 state partners, hundreds of businesses, research partners, consumer organizations, foundations and a broad global network of aging services organizations that reach over 30 countries. The work of LeadingAge is focused on advocacy, education, and applied research. The organization promotes a full range of aging services, including adult day, home health, hospice, community-based services, PACE, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care communities, and nursing homes as well as technology solutions and person-centered practices that support the overall health and wellbeing of seniors, children, and those with special needs. LeadingAge's leadership imperatives--strengthening not-for-profit leadership, engaging consumers, expanding long-term services and supports, financing options, innovation and technology and developing workforce talent--have shaped the organization's agenda throughout Audrey Weiner's service as LeadingAge's chair. She has overseen LeadingAge member task forces working on policies to advance these goals on behalf of people who need long-term services and supports. In addition to her leadership of LeadingAge, Ms. Weiner has worked extensively with elders and their families facing the need for long- term services and supports. She heads one of the largest and oldest faith-based, not-for-profit long-term services and supports organizations in the country. Jewish Home Lifecare, located in New York City, provides a full array of long-term services and supports to thousands of people every year. These services include skilled nursing, short-stay rehabilitation, home care services, telehealth, geriatric care management, adult day services, informational resources for family caregivers and affordable senior housing. The integration and high quality of long-term services and supports achieved by Jewish Home Lifecare help individuals and families facing the enormous challenges of long-term disability. I hope my colleagues will join me in commending Audrey Weiner for her long-standing service to America's older adults, her advocacy to make long-term services and support affordable and her commitment to ensure all seniors have a place to call home.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, why did our Republican colleagues shut down the government? Why don't our Republican colleagues allow the United States to pay its bills? House Democrats want to open the government and have the country pay its bills. Senate Democrats want the same. Even Senate Republicans want to open the government and pay its bills. But not House Republicans. Do you remember when you were in school, Mr. Speaker, and we learned how a bill becomes law? One of the tenets of this great Nation is that majority rules. Put the Senate CR on the floor, Mr. Speaker. Let a majority of the House make a decision. Why is democracy being thwarted by the Republican majority? Pass the CR. The American people are tired of these political games. We have the votes here to pass a clean CR and open the government again. If the Republican leadership allowed that bill to come to the floor, we could do it today.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, by refusing to advance a resolution that can pass the Senate, the Republican majority has made the reckless and irresponsible choice to shut down the Federal Government. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. It was passed by a majority in this House and the Senate. It was signed into law by the President, and it has been upheld by the Supreme Court. To try to repeal the Affordable Care Act at a time when we are talking about funding the government is like mixing apples with oranges. I've heard so many horror stories about the Affordable Care Act, all of which are irresponsible. Let me say some facts about it. In my State of New York, people who enroll in the highest tiered plans our health insurance exchange will offer can expect to see a 53 percent reduction compared to this year's individual rates. The average approved rates for the individual silver plan in New York are 10 percent lower than previously forecasted by the CBO. These reductions don't even take into account the subsidies that will be available for many New Yorkers who are purchasing coverage on the exchange, which will lead to even lower costs. It is time for Republicans to accept reality and to allow this law to start helping the American people. The government should not be shut down. This is a very, very dangerous course. Would you rather see small business owners struggle as the SBA will be unable to review loan applications or loan guarantees? Republicans should not shut the government down.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Meng), a very valuable member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, whose provision will hold the State Department more accountable, and her provision was incorporated into this bill.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned before Ms. Frankel had worked very hard, and we incorporated some of her work into this bill as well. So I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel).

Mr. ENGEL. It is my pleasure now to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), a former member of our committee.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentlelady 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to conclude. I again would like to thank Chairman Royce for his efforts in putting this bill together. I have a copy of the bill in front of me. It is H.R. 2848. It says: In the House of Representatives, July 30, 2013, Mr. Royce, for himself and Mr. Engel, introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I read that because I think, again, it highlights, as so many of our colleagues have said, that this bill is really Congress at its best and the committee at its best. People had concerns; we worked together, and we thrashed them out. We put together a product that those people who were most concerned with this were able to agree. I hope that that will be infectious, and perhaps we can take it out of our committee and move it to the Congress on other things that we're not having so much agreement with these days. But I again want to thank Chairman Royce. The State authorization, an embassy security bill, is a very, very important part of our oversight of the State Department. The bill will bolster the State Department's security efforts, and who really can oppose that. So I urge its passage. I thank the chairman again, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2848, the Department of State Operations and Embassy Security Authorization Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to say once again, it has been a pleasure to work with Chairman Royce once again in a bipartisan fashion. I am very proud of what we have done on the Foreign Affairs Committee this year in a bipartisan fashion, and this is just another example of it. Everybody had input. All sides had corrections. We incorporated many, many different things together, and I think we have a very, very good product. This important legislation authorizes the resources necessary to protect our dedicated diplomats and provides basic authorities to the State Department to advance United States interests and values around the world. The funds authorized in this bill support all of the State Department's global operations for less than 3 percent of the Defense Department's total budget. To me, that's a very, very wise investment in U.S. national security. As all of us know, our diplomats and aid workers face unprecedented threats in the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and other volatile regions of the world. The attack on our consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, 2 weeks ago, is a stark reminder of these very real dangers. The bill before us today fully funds the President's request for diplomatic security. This will allow the State Department to construct six new secure embassies, support 151 new diplomatic security personnel and build facilities for 26 additional Marine Security Guard detachments. This legislation also includes a number of other provisions to better protect our men and women serving abroad, including many that were included in an embassy security bill that I introduced earlier this year. Among other things, H.R. 2848 would enhance the coordination between the State and Defense Departments in times of emergency, require security and language training for State Department employees before they deploy to dangerous locations, and improve the process by which the State Department makes security-related decisions. In addition, this legislation includes elements of a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Radel and Frankel that gives the State Department flexibility to award local guard contracts at high-threat posts on the basis of best value rather than on who had the lowest bid. In the past, having to accept the lowest bids sometimes resulted in poorly trained local security forces that endangered the safety of our diplomats and development experts. Finally, this legislation includes another bipartisan provision, drafted by Representatives Perry and Meng, that provides additional accountability for State Department officials when their job performance is unsatisfactory. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to point out that we haven't had a State Department authorization bill signed into law since 2002. The chairman and I are both convinced that this is something that needs to be changed. That's another reason we're doing this very, very important bill. In order for Congress to properly oversee the State Department's operations and activities, we need to resume the practice of passing our authorization bill on a regular basis and encourage our Senate colleagues to do the same. Again, I want to commend Chairman Royce for his hard work on this legislation, and I look forward to working with him to further improve the bill as it moves through the legislative process, again, in a bipartisan manner. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), a very senior and important member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I rise in support of this compromise legislation before us today. I believe that H.R. 3204 will enable our country to further secure our pharmaceutical distribution chain and help keep patients who depend on compounding pharmacies safe. I am proud of the Energy and Commerce Committee because concerns that many of us had about the previous version of this track-and-trace legislation have been taken care of in this bill. They have been addressed in this bill. The previous bill was H.R. 1919, and we had difficulty with it. So I look forward to supporting this bill. We held hearings, and we are compromising on both sides. I wish Congress would take our lead on other issues and compromise, but I am happy to support this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye.''