Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by expressing my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed in last Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris. My prayers go out to them, the French people, and all those lovers of freedom and peace who have been shaken by this very savage attack. As Americans, we are too familiar with the specter of terrorism. Fourteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our homeland. 9/11 was a call to action for tens of thousands of men and women who enlisted and served in our Nation's Armed Forces in defense of the American ideals that we all hold so dear. Now, each year, more than 250,000 of these post-9/11 veterans are returning home and transitioning into civilian life after service and continue to serve as leaders in our communities and in our economy. In fact, one quarter of these veterans say they are interested in starting or buying their own businesses. This is exactly, Mr. Speaker, the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that makes America work. To support these heroic individuals and to put their unique skills and commitment to best use, the Federal Government has a role to play in empowering them to succeed in the private sector, especially in terms of Federal contracting. A number of agencies do. For example, Mr. Speaker, the Veterans Administration has been a leader in engaging the veteran-owned small-business community within their agency, working on contracting and procurement and seeing the benefits of increased veteran involvement. In fact, this week, in my own State of Pennsylvania, the VA, in collaboration with other Federal agencies and partners, will host its fifth national veterans small- business engagement event. This event is expected to attract nearly 3,000 veteran businessowners and focus on promoting and supporting veteran-owned small businesses' access to economic opportunities. VA Secretary Robert McDonald said the event highlights the agency's ``commitment by offering veteran businessowners the tools they need to thrive in the Federal marketplace. We want to do all that we can to help our veterans be successful,'' he said. However, while these veteran businessowners will be making valuable inroads into working within the Federal contracting and procurement programs, they won't be talking about rebuilding our Nation's infrastructure through competing for Federal contracts. That is because even with the immense amount of work facing the Department of Transportation, its small-business contracting program doesn't put veteran small businesses on a level playing field when competing for contracts. That is a real problem, not only for missed opportunities for veteran-owned businesses but missed opportunities to put veteran-owned firms on the front lines of our battle to rebuild our infrastructure. While I am a supporter of having a completely level playing field throughout Federal contracting for every small business, the fact is that today, some get a preference when doing business with the Federal Government where veterans do not. While 10 percent of federally funded infrastructure projects are set aside for small businesses, our veterans are excluded from competing equally. That is not fair, and that is why I rise today to offer bipartisan legislation to address it. My bipartisan Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act is a simple, yet powerful update to current law. It would allow veteran-owned small businesses to compete in an existing infrastructure small-business program known as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program or DBE. This simple legislation is critical to both the shared goal of creating and sustaining jobs for our veterans and rebuilding our Nation's infrastructure. This bill is an idea that my constituents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, know as fairness to veterans and they support it. When I visit veteran-owned small businesses across my district which have received their veteran-owned small-business certification, it is easy to see its impact on their outlook. Connecting veteran-owned businesses to the contracting power of the Federal Government opens the door for increased production, the hiring of additional staff-- oftentimes veterans themselves--and opens doors to national opportunities. But it is not just Pennsylvania veterans who would benefit from this measure. Fairness to Veterans would level the playing field for more than 380,000 veteran-owned construction firms across the Nation. And it is not just construction firms that will benefit. There are, in fact, a variety of industries involved, such as personnel, administrative, engineering, landscaping, utilities, and information technology. So this is an issue that affects all veteran-owned small businesses. With this obviously positive impact, it is easy to see why the American Legion--one of the foremost organizations advocating for veterans in the workforce--backs this bill. Its 2.3 million members support providing parity for veterans in all small-business government contracting programs. Here is what they just said in a message to all of our offices: ``The Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015 is a bipartisan, commonsense, and `no cost to the taxpayer' update of existing legislation that redresses the exclusion of veteran small businesses when the framework of the DBE program was originally drafted. ``Currently, only half of the States meet their DBE goals. Adding veteran small businesses to this program would increase the pool of eligible firms at the States' disposal. For States that already meet their goals, this bill does not affect them or the small-business contractors that they employ. ``We cannot in good conscience stand idle while our veterans are precluded from this Federal program.'' Members of this body from both sides of the aisle should see the positive impact that can be made by putting the most trained workforce in history on the job of rebuilding our Nation's roads and bridges. That is what the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act is all about. As a member of the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus and an advocate for tens of thousands of veterans in my district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, only in the Nation's Capital, only in Washington, D.C., would somebody ever make the argument that adding veterans to any Federal program would make it weaker, but that is the argument we just heard. The fact is, of the hundreds of thousands of veteran-owned small businesses in the United States of America, the owners of many of them are women veterans, the owners are minority veterans. I just want to address some of the arguments that my colleague from the District of Columbia has made, two in particular. First, the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act does not presume that veterans are socially and economically disadvantaged for purposes of the DBE program. Instead, the veteran- owned small businesses are given the exact same definition that they have in other contracting programs through the Small Business Act. The DBE program was set up to assist certain classes of small businesses, and this bill does not affect those businesses, number one. Number two, the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act uses existing Small Business Act definitions requiring that businesses be 51 percent owned or controlled by veterans. The certification process and the screening was put in place by the Department of Transportation regulations, a similar process that would apply to veteran-owned small businesses. Additionally, any business participating in the DBE program could also be publicly owned. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of my colleagues. I would just indicate that this is not a bill that was just recently filed. This was filed and has been pending in the House since 2012, when I first filed the Fairness to Veterans Act, seeking to put our veterans to work as they are coming off the battlefield and coming back into a difficult economy, many of them starting businesses because they are entrepreneurial, because they are hard workers, and because they have those skills that they achieved while defending our Nation with our training. They want to put it back in the economy and help get their country's economy moving again. Many of them found that, as they were competing for contracts, they were not on a level playing field. I indicated that for 5 years this policy has been pending and there have been too few meetings to try to forward the idea of helping our Nation's veterans compete. For 5 years our Federal Government has been measuring the DBE program. On the 10 percent contracting goal that is set forth in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, for 5 years in a row, 25 of the 50 States--half of the States--never met their 10 percent goal. So when we hear that we don't want our Nation's veterans competing against others within the 10 percent set-aside, first of all, half the 10 percent set-aside is not being met. Number two, I think we do want competition. I think we do want our Nation's veterans competing. It will not only be good for our Nation's veterans, it will be good for all enterprises, all businesses, in this country. Competition is what built this country. Competition will help put our Nation's veterans back to work and get our roads and bridges rebuilt, which is a big and important job. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, with respect to that big and important job that our Nation's veterans are prepared for, I would say that we know that they are up to the challenge, and the statistics prove it. There are 250,000 veterans transitioning each year from military to civilian life, and they are looking for their next mission. A quarter of them say they want to start or buy their own business in the future. That is something that we should celebrate, encourage, and support. They join the nearly one in seven veterans who are self-employed or are small-business owners right now. The impact of veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs with a veteran background on our economy is impressive. There are currently 3.7 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, accounting for more than $1.6 trillion in receipts and employing 8.2 million people. Of them, there are more than 380,000 veteran-owned construction firms, 414,519 veteran-owned firms in the professional, scientific, and technical services, and over 10 percent of all manufacturing firms are veteran owned. These are the people that would stand to benefit from this commonsense bill. Unfortunately, the numbers also show that 75 percent of current veteran business owners are over the age of 55. That means we need to support the next generation of veteran small-business owners. The Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Act lays that groundwork. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing to hear the motives behind my interest in putting our Nation's veterans back to work being mischaracterized on the floor, the 5-year effort from 2011 to 2015 where I patiently worked on both sides of the aisle, where I patiently introduced bills, where I patiently signed up sponsors and cosponsors on both sides of the aisle. Only in Washington, D.C., would you say that, after 5 years' worth of legislative work on an issue to help our veterans, we are rushing something to the floor. That is what is being suggested here today. In fact, this bill is the product of years of work, much of that work hand in hand with The American Legion. And, Mr. Speaker, this is what The American Legion has to say: On behalf of the 2.3 million members of The American Legion, I would like to express my support for H.R. 1694, the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act. This bill passed as a resolution at the National Convention of The American Legion. They supported the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act. It was Resolution 339. It passed The American Legion's 2014 national convention. It states that The American Legion ``supports legislation to ensure equal parity for all veterans in all small-business government contracting programs, thus ensuring no veteran procurement program is at a disadvantage in competing with any other government procurement program established by law.'' The American Legion supports the passage of this legislation. It also goes on to applaud the leadership in addressing this critical issue facing our Nation's servicemembers and veterans. Mr. Speaker, that is from Michael Helm, National Commander of The American Legion. Let me add that we are not just talking about construction firms, as I said earlier. We are talking about a wide swath of veteran businesses that will be impacted. This is what The American Legion pointed out at their national meeting. They pointed out that: This bipartisan, commonsense, and no cost to taxpayer update of existing legislation redresses the exclusion of veteran-owned small businesses when the framework of the DBE program was originally drafted, such as personnel, administrative, engineering, landscaping, utilities and information technology. So, again, this is an issue that affects all veteran-owned small businesses. That is from Joe Sharpe, Director of The American Legion's Veterans Employment and Education Division. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia indicated that there has not been a hearing in the House of Representatives in the relevant subcommittees or committees on the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act. The fact is, for 5 years, this bill has been pending. Anybody on the committee, including Ms. Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia, could have asked for and had a hearing. It is a shame that, after 5 years, there was no hearing. But we have a hearing now on the floor here on this bill. In addition to the Transportation Committee, the bill was also referred to the Small Business Committee. The American Legion testified on the bill within one of their subcommittees. So there was a hearing. There was testimony. There was an opportunity for all Members to question and to follow up on those questions and to submit material after the hearing was over. So, after 5 years of debate, after 5 years of negotiation, after 5 years of working with committees and subcommittees, this bill was prepared to be voted on here today. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the letter from The American Legion dated April 22, 2015, signed by National Commander Michael D. Helm, in support of the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act. The American Legion, Washington, DC, April 22, 2015. Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the 2.3 million members of The American Legion I would like to express support for H.R. 1694, the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act. Resolution 339, passed at The American Legion's 2014 National Convention states that The American Legion ``. . . supports legislation to ensure equal parity for all veterans in all small business government contracting programs, thus ensuring no veteran procurement program is at a disadvantage in competing with any other government procurement program established by law.'' This bill would work to achieve this end, by making veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) eligible for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs of the Department of Transportation (DoT). Veterans are not presumed to be socially or economically disadvantaged for purposes of DBE programs; instead the proposed legislation would make VOSBs independently eligible by establishing VOSBs as a separate entity who count for the purposes of the 10 percent goal as set by DoT. Again, The American Legion supports passage of this legislation, and applauds your leadership in addressing this critical issue facing our nation's service members and veterans. Respectfully, Michael D. Helm, National Commander.

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

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, we know that we must rebuild our crumbling infrastructure in this country. That is not a question. In fact, in my home State of Pennsylvania, 15 percent of roads are in poor condition, and there are over 5,200 structurally deficient bridges. There is plenty of work to do, work which will be supported by the bipartisan passage of the other week's 6-year surface transportation bill. What we can decide today, with my Fairness to Veterans Act, is if it will be in our Nation's interest that our veterans will help to lead that work. Let's salute our veteran small-business owners by empowering them to rebuild America and passing the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act, a bipartisan, commonsense, no-cost-to-the-taxpayer update of existing legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this simple bipartisan proposal and pass this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, tuberous sclerosis complex, or TSC, is a genetic disease which causes tumors to form in organs throughout the body, impacting the health and abilities of those born with it. Nearly 50,000 Americans are affected by this condition, and many more cases remain undiagnosed because of lack of awareness or observable symptoms. For these individuals and their families, the fight against TSC is constant. But in the face of this adversity, those with TSC show us strength and determination, not only to survive, but to thrive; individuals like Evan Moss from Virginia. Evan was just 2 years old when he was diagnosed with TSC and, by age 4, was suffering up to 400 seizures a month because of his condition. But like so many with TSC, Evan's story is not defined by this impact. Now 11 years old, Evan is an accomplished author and a passionate advocate for those living with TSC. As a member of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus and honorary chair of the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, I am focused on shedding light on conditions like TSC and highlighting exceptional individuals like Evan. The fight against TSC extends far beyond this Chamber, but each of us can play an important role in understanding and, ultimately, defeating tuberous sclerosis.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, can you imagine such debilitating pain, fatigue, and depression that you feel as if your children have lost you as a parent? For women impacted by the medical device Essure and its documented damaging side effects, this unimaginable situation is a stark reality. Since it appeared on the market in 2002, Essure, a permanent sterilization device for women, has triggered over 5,000 formal complaints to the FDA, including reported symptoms of pelvic and abdominal pain, internal bleeding, autoimmune reactions, loss of teeth and hair, and even metal breaking and migrating throughout the body. On top of that, Essure has been proven responsible for the deaths of four women and five unborn children. Yet, in the face of all these facts, today Essure remains on the market, certified with FDA's stamp of approval. That is unacceptable to me and the tens of thousands of women who are living with this device's effects. That is why this week I will introduce the E-Free Act, legislation to remove this device from the market before it can hurt any other women. This is a women's issue, a safety issue, a regulatory issue, an issue with faces and names. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me and the thousands of women across the Nation in this fight.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and today I wish to honor those fighters, survivors, and families it impacts, such as the Edwards family of Washington Crossing, Bucks County. Tracy Edwards was just 47 years old, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and a courageous fighter to the end. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. It is critical that we understand that the battle against this disease does not end when the pink ribbons go away. I fully understand the vital role leaders play here in Washington every day in supporting groundbreaking research and that we must fight for better treatments, finding a cure, and ultimately defeating breast cancer. Let's work together to end it once and for all.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, from presidents to popes to princesses, Nelson Shanks painted them all. An internationally renowned portrait artist, he called my district of Bucks County home--painting some of his most iconic works in his studio in Andalusia, Bensalem. Throughout his decades-long career, Shanks served on the faculty of several prominent art organizations, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the National Academy of Design before founding Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. Celebrated for his adherence to Realism, he was a recipient of the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement by the Portrait Society of America. While Shanks once remarked that ``If you can see it, and if you know your color, you can paint it,'' there is no doubt that his masterpieces far exceeded the simplicity he stated. Nelson Shanks passed away at the end of August, but his legacy lives on in the timeless works of art around the globe.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday the people of Taiwan will celebrate the National Day of the Republic of China. For millions of Taiwanese and Taiwanese-Americans, Double Ten Day recognizes the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911 which ultimately led to the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912. Throughout the nation, this day marks an important moment of its history and a celebration of a free, democratic Taiwan. In the 104 years since its establishment, the Republic of China has become a strong economic and strategic partner of the United States. Their advancements in scientific development and environmental protection are commendable, and their steadfast commitment to human rights remains an example for nations around the globe. Certainly, there is much to celebrate. From the Presidential Building in Taipei, to this Capitol in Washington, D.C., let us join together in celebrating this important day and recognizing the bonds shared between the United States and the Republic of China. I wish the people of Taiwan, and all those celebrating abroad, a happy Double Ten Day and many more years of an independent Republic of China.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sunday, October 11 as the International Day of the Girl. This day celebrates the accomplishments of young women throughout the country and throughout the world and empowers future generations of young leaders. This day also promotes discussion on issues that affect girls and women everywhere. From Sojourner Truth who fought for the abolishment of slavery and the importance of women's rights to Elizabeth Cady Staton who fought for women's right to vote, throughout our history, women have led and empowered change in our country and around the world. As husband to a loving wife and father of three girls, I believe that we must foster a climate filled with freedom and opportunity for young women everywhere to learn, lead, and achieve their dreams. Therefore, let us join in the celebration of the International Day of the Girl.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the numbers never lie--unless they do. Each month we all react to the release of the employment report as the supposed indicator of economic health around our country. The most recent jobs numbers show an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent, but that headline number paints a picture that simply doesn't exist. It distorts the economic outlook and distracts this Chamber from working toward the creation of better jobs and more opportunities for millions of Americans. Economists of all persuasions have criticized this method as overstating job market strength, noting that the Bureau of Labor Statistics only considers limited factors when reporting the unemployment rate and ignoring things like underemployment or the number of workers who have left the labor force. What we are left with is a flawed view of labor market strength. With that in mind, I have joined with colleagues in introducing the Labor Statistics Improvement Act, which would clear the way for changes in methodology that could help the unemployment rate more accurately reflect the strength of the labor market. If the jobs report dictates how this Congress addresses real economic challenges, we can't afford to get it wrong.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Jackie Collins said she had lived life like Frank Sinatra. ``Looking back, I'm not sorry about anything I did. I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say.'' said the bestselling author, in a magazine interview shortly before she passed away, September 19, 2015, two weeks before her 78th birthday. She had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer more than six years before her death but kept her illness almost entirely to herself. She reportedly only informed her sister, Joan, two weeks before she died. Jackie wrote five books since the initial diagnosis. She continued to travel all over the world and never turned down a book tour. She flew from Los Angeles to London to appear on a TV chat show only nine days before her death. She refused to let her cancer define her. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month--a time to recognize breast cancer as the most common cancer among women and to honor those fighters, survivors and families it impacts. Best-selling author Jackie Collins was among those fighters. While Collins' name might be one we recognize, her story of struggle and perseverance is universal. Women from across our nation and around the globe battle breast cancer every day. In fact, The American Cancer Society's estimates nearly 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year; resulting in over 40,000 deaths. That equates to one woman out of every eight women receiving this dreadful diagnosis. And for them the battle will not end when October ends. As the son and brother of breast cancer survivors, I understand the importance of breast cancer awareness beyond the pink ribbons. We must support doctors and nurses as they provide the care and comfort for those it effects. In Congress, our leaders must prioritize funding for ground breaking research and enact common-sense measures to increase availability of and access to life-saving screenings. Jackie Collins was listed as the UK's fifth richest author and in 2013 she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire. The fight against breast cancer extends to all of us. No one is immune. Jackie was considered an inspiration and a trail blazer for women in fiction. A mother of three daughters and grandmother of six, Collins said her family had always been her greatest love. ``I love being with my family . . . and watching my grandkids play.'' This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we remember those fighters--like Jackie Collins--mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters. We celebrate survivors and we recommit to combatting--and ultimately defeating--this disease.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan) for introducing this good bill. It is a compassionate bill. It is a bill that tells victims of terrorism that they are not forgotten. I chair the task force in the House Committee on Financial Services to investigate terrorism finance, and we had a hearing specifically on the joint plan of action, the so-called P5+1. That was back in July. There was an attorney who testified at the hearing about the $43 billion in judgments and how this deal, then not approved yet, was likely going to sidestep the ability of victims who did all the right things through the legal process, who hired lawyers, who went to court, who got the judgments, legitimate judgments, how these judgments would not be paid. On July 29, I wrote a letter to Secretary Lew--Secretary of the Treasury--and Secretary Kerry of the State Department asking whether or not they had addressed the issue as part of the negotiations. That was July 29. I have yet to receive a response from the Treasury Department, from the Department of State, in any way. Mr. Speaker, the deafening silence of this administration has led me to believe that they completely overlooked the victims of terrorism. What we are going to do is we are going to give the money to the Islamic Republic of Iran and not to American victims, and that is wrong. This bill is right. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the bipartisan Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, I analyzed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) put forward by this Administration at length. After numerous hearings and research, I opposed the deal for a number of reasons--not the least of which is because of its potential impact on terrorism financing by Iran. At hearing after hearing, members heard directly from foreign policy experts about this threat and the danger of the influx of cash provided by this agreement finding its way to terrorist organizations threatening Iran's neighboring states as well as those planning strikes in the United States. At a hearing specifically on this deal and its impact on Tehran's state sponsorship of terror, one witness, a practicing attorney, testified to the fact that American citizens and families who were victims of Iranian sponsored terrorist attacks--including families in my district in Pennsylvania--are owed over $43 billion in compensation as awarded by United States. Following the Task Force's fourth hearing I wrote this letter to both Secretaries John Kerry and Jack Lew asking if this nuclear deal would strip victims of Iranian terrorism the right to this compensation. That was July 29. I have yet to receive any sort of response from either the Treasury or State departments. The deafening silence from the Administration has led me to believe they completely overlooked these families when they rushed to finalize this bad deal with Iran. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable to think that--as a nation--we would allow the world's largest state sponsor of terror access to billions of dollars in sanctions relief and unfreezing of held assets while victims of Iranian terrorism are left with nothing. These victims are Americans from all around the country--from my home and yours. They've lost loved ones and suffered irreparable damages because of Iran's long, sordid history with terrorism. By failing to take this situation into account throughout the negotiation process, the administration has failed these victims and their families. The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act we are considering today rights that wrong. It says simply: Not one cent in sanctions relief for Iran until these families are payed. That's not a partisan demand--that's common sense. I strongly support this legislation and ask for my colleagues to join me in standing up for our constituents impacted by Iranian terror and pass this bill in the bipartisan fashion it deserves.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Elizabeth T. Huf on her retirement from the Centennial School District Board of Directors, with the thanks of a grateful school community for her 22 years of service on the Board including serving as President, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Committee Chair. Throughout her career, Betty, as she is known to her friends and associates, exemplified the true spirit of volunteerism and public service. She actively participated in, and contributed to the betterment of her community of Warminster, Bucks County, where she resided for more than 50 years. Additionally, she is the devoted mother of four children, and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. As she retires, Betty Huf's many contributions will be missed, but she leaves an example of public service for others to follow. Thanks for all you've done, Betty. Best of luck to you in your retirement.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, heartiest congratulations to my friends and neighbors on the 125th anniversary of Langhorne Manor Borough, which is notable for its role in the history of Bucks County, as well as the modern sense of community maintained one generation after another. A small group of investors, called the Langhorne Improvement Company, purchased 800 acres--attracted by the open, country setting and the nearby Boundbrook Railroad. The newly founded borough was named for the area's first landowners, the Langhornes'. Government and community leaders of this thriving, small borough cherish their history and remain dedicated to maintaining a quiet community nestled in the bustle of Lower Bucks County. The borough is home to the former Langhorne Manor School, a one-room schoolhouse listed, in 2008, on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1959, it was sold and converted to the borough hall, which is the present-day seat of government. Again, congratulations on this historic milestone and best wishes for the future.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of an exemplary member of my district in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For decades, Lew Mohr has been a tireless advocate for Scouting in Bucks County and an outstanding leader for countless young men. Both in the Playwicki District and the Washington Crossing Council, there is no doubt that throughout his long career in Scouting Lew has done his best to do his duty to God and country, to obey the Scout law, and to help other people at all times. This evening, Mr. Mohr is again going to be recognized by the local Scouting community for his decades of great work. As a fellow Scouter and a friend, it is my honor to congratulate Lew on another well-deserved recognition and highlight a life of Scouting well lived.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, over the last several weeks we've seen a disturbing rash of violence against law enforcement officers around our nation. Our nation's Blue Line--the first responders, local, state, federal police and law enforcement professionals--often represent the height of both heroism and humility. Each day they leave their families with the possibility that they might not return home--as happened to my great- uncle Philip who was killed in the line of duty in New York City. Today, each of us can understand that events across our nation have brought about a period of great tension. And, while there is a conversation that we can have as Americans about law enforcement in 2015, the shared objective cannot be realized if we allow hate, demagoguery or violence to dehumanize any person--least of all those officers who serve our communities. Together, we can address the challenges our nation faces head on-- without partisanship, division or hate. But that will take leadership-- including leadership from the President who cannot, nor should not, remain silent in the wake of these attacks. I stand with our nation's Blue Line and we can overcome our challenges together.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, ``Love Mom and Dad,'' are the words stenciled on a piece of cardboard, attached to a 36-foot-tall beam known as the ``Last Column.'' Mom and Dad are Arnold and Rosemary Roma of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who lost their son, Keith on September 11, 2001. Serving as a make shift memorial, the column was covered with personal messages from first responders who lost loved ones. Arnold, ``Dad,'' retired NYPD and several Port Authority Police officers spray painted ``KR FP2'' in honor of Keith Roma, son and friend, of Fire Patrol 2. Presently, the ``Last Column'' stands as an exhibit at the 9/11 Museum in New York City. On Christmas Eve 2001 Arnold helped uncover the body of his son from the ruins of the North Tower. The Roma's considered themselves fortunate as they were able to bring their son home for a proper good bye. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, we would say ``good bye'' to 343 New York Firefighters, 72 Law Enforcement Officers, and one New York Fire Patrolman, Keith Roma. As September 11th approaches, we are reminded to express appreciation for the sacrifice paid by these first responders and their families. Today, in the midst of many conversations regarding the state of law enforcement in our country, we still find ourselves saying ``good bye.'' Those conversations must also include, ``Thank you.''

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard so far during debate on the Iran Joint Plan of Action, there are dozens of shortcomings and concerns when it comes to this administration's nuclear deal--the so- called P5+1. No doubt, we will hear dozens more before all is said and done. The more we study this agreement--Republican or Democrat--the clearer it is to see that it does not measure up to its ultimate goal: to prevent a nuclear Iran. The essential restrictions on Iran's key bomb-making technology sunset in as soon as 10 years, leaving an internationally recognized, industrial-scale nuclear program with breakout times shrinking down to nearly zero--and that is if Iran doesn't cheat--but we will have a tough time knowing because what was ``anytime, anywhere'' inspections of Iranian nuclear sites has now become ``managed access,'' leaving Iran as long as 24 days to scrub sites, enough time to nearly completely remove incriminating evidence of wrongdoing or the option of self-reporting compliance in places like their military base at Parchin. However, what this deal does accomplish is to precipitate a nuclear arms race in the Middle East--a reality we are already seeing as nations like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have already begun building up their nuclear infrastructure in response. Any of those details should be enough to reject this deal, but that would not even mention the most objectionable portion: that this good- faith agreement with the world's largest state sponsor of terror frees up hundreds of billions of dollars in economic sanctions and frozen assets seemingly without any regard for what that money will be used for. Mr. Speaker, for the last 6 months, I have had the opportunity to chair the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, which is a bipartisan group that was established by both parties of the Financial Services Committee, to look into the increasing ability for terror groups to fund and finance their actions and to evaluate the United States' response to these challenges. Specifically, the task force examined the impact of this nuclear agreement on Tehran's state sponsorship of terror proxies across the region. What became abundantly clear was that the influx of hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran that have been authorized in this deal will increase that nation's ability to continue regional destabilization through the support of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, the Houthis in Yemen, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus. This deal goes about rolling back sanctions while expert witnesses have testified before our task force, even as recently as yesterday, advocating for increased sanctions. There is a real disconnect here between what the experts tell us and what the administration is doing. Iran's budget already features a nine-figure line item to support terrorism, and there is no doubt that the activities it funds will expand Iran's radical efforts--a fact even acknowledged by the administration following negotiations. Mr. Speaker, what we have today is a bad deal, one that clears the way for a nuclear Iran, that gravely endangers allies like Israel, and, with our blessing, that makes an already volatile, unstable Middle East less safe by giving Tehran more power to fund its terror syndicates. What is so troubling to me is that a number of my colleagues, after 2 years of negotiations that have been predicated on no deal being better than a bad deal, have begrudgingly accepted a self-admitted bad deal solely because it is better than no deal. A better deal would include, truly, ``anytime, anywhere'' inspections of Iran's entire nuclear program, a plan of action to oversee and manage any funds returning to Iran through sanctions relief or a return to the international banking community, the release of American prisoners improperly held by the regime, and a payment of the $22 billion in compensation owed by Iran to families of September 11 victims, including Bucks County residents. The court judgments should be paid before Iran receives any funds under this agreement. I urge them to reconsider what the reality of this bad deal means for the safety of the world and the future of our Nation's foreign policy. I urge my colleagues to reject this deal because it is one that will have decades-long consequences to our national security.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, a poll of my constituents in Pennsylvania's Eighth District, one of the true swing districts in this House, shows that they disapprove of the administration's nuclear deal with Iran by a 2 to 1 margin. These returns are in line with recent national polls showing Americans, as a whole, overwhelmingly disapprove of the agreement by a similar count, and they have every right to. What we have learned about this deal is that it does not go far enough to achieve its ultimate goal, to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. In fact, it would allow just that when it sunsets. In the meantime, ``anytime, anywhere'' inspections of Iranian nuclear sites were neutralized to provide up to 24 days' notice prior to any inspection. In addition, this deal precipitates a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, a reality we are already seeing, as nations like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have already begun building up their nuclear infrastructure in response. The hundreds of billions of dollars in sanctions relief provided by this deal will no doubt be used to further fund Tehran's state sponsorship of terror. A nation that has a nine-figure line item in the budget to support terrorism, like attacks that devastated our Nation on September 11, 2001, is hard to trust. Unfortunately, what we have is a bad deal, one that makes an already volatile, unstable Middle East less safe, clears the way for a nuclear Iran, and gravely endangers allies like Israel. I urge my colleagues to disapprove it.