Bob Goodlatte

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on S. 665, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on April 10, 2015 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will recognize the 225th anniversary of the first U.S. Patent Act. When President Washington signed the bill that laid the foundation for our patent system, even he could not have foreseen the revolution in technology that was yet to come. During these past two centuries America has been at the forefront of innovation, from the industrial revolution to the telegraph and telephone, to modern computers and the Internet, to a whole new era of mobile computing and personal devices. American inventors have led the world for centuries in new innovations, from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison to the Wright brothers and Henry Ford. But if we want to continue as leaders in the global economy, we must continue to encourage the innovators of today to develop the technologies of tomorrow. The fuel that powers the innovative engine that is America is its people. But the rules of the road require regular adjustment, and during the last two hundred years we have seen our patent laws updated and modernized. The most significant reforms took place in 1836, 1952 and most recently in 2011 with the America Invents Act. Currently, we are continuing these efforts by addressing specific issues concerning abusive patent litigation with the Innovation Act (H.R. 9). This bill puts forward reasonable policies that allow for more transparency and brings fundamental fairness into the patent system and the courts. This bill holds true to the Constitution, our Founders and our promise to future generations that America will continue to lead the world as a fountain for discovery, innovation and economic growth. So, on this 225th anniversary of the first U.S. Patent Act, America continues to be committed to lead the world in innovation and creativity.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, like many Members of Congress, I continually hear from folks in my district about the need for more local control of education. Mandates from Washington do not always translate well to the school boards, administrators, and teachers who are closest to our Nation's students and are ultimately responsible for providing education in our schools. While the underlying bill provides flexibility to States and localities in many beneficial ways, the need for additional flexibility for school districts--specifically, in regards to testing--has come to my attention. The amendment I have offered would provide this additional flexibility to localities by giving States new authority to allow local educational agencies to administer their own locally designed academic assessment system in place of the State-designed academic system. While the same requirements as laid out by the underlying bill for State-designed academic assessments would also apply to any locally designed academic assessment, this would provide an opportunity for localities to create their own assessment tests if they have determined their respective statewide test does not meet their individual school's needs. They also have to have the approval of the State to do this. Having this choice can only benefit our Nation's schools as they seek to provide quality education in a transparent manner. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just want to say that this would be a new authority given to localities that the State would have to approve. The school district or locality could exercise that authority ongoing. Practically speaking, if a school district in Virginia, for example, felt that the standards of learning were not suitable for their needs, they would have the opportunity to create and administer their own Rockingham County assessment test. But since the State is still ultimately responsible for this and has the authority to determine to do this, I think this is going to occur in limited circumstances because the State still has that ultimate power and responsibility. The same requirements as laid out by the underlying bill for State- designed academic assessments would apply to any locally designed academic assessment: reading and math assessments in each of grades three through eight and once in high school; and in science, once in elementary, middle, and high school; reasonable adaptations and accommodations for students with disabilities; inclusion of English learners and so on. This will encourage creativity and innovation that may help to better inform how we do this testing process. Let's open this up to more ideas from more communities, and I think this will be very well received by school systems around the country and by the States, for that matter. The amendment will not decrease transparency. Parents and the community will still be able to have access to the information they need about their schools. Under my amendment, any locally derived assessment would still be required to provide data that is comparable among all local education agencies in the State. Chairman Alexander of the Senate HELP Committee released a discussion draft of his ESEA reauthorization bill in January, and it includes a similar provision to this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the chairman and the members of his staff working with me and my staff on this amendment, and I, again, urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I am the only speaker, and I would urge my colleagues to support the amendment for the reasons I have already elaborated. It is important to give States, local governments, and school divisions more flexibility. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained during the last vote of the second series on February 11, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on H.R. 431, legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965, which served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Personal Explanation

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) for organizing this Special Order for 1 hour to talk about the blight that we face here in America, and I am sure in many other countries around the world, known as Alzheimer's. I note the flyer that the gentleman sent around, a beautiful picture of him and his wife, Patti Garamendi, and some other family members, one of whom I am sure has had this difficulty themselves. So again, from the bottom of my heart and my constituents, I thank you for taking the time to organize this Special Order. Alzheimer's robs an individual of a most valued possession--their memory. But we will not forget the them. I have met with many families across the Sixth District of Virginia who have been impacted by Alzheimer's, and it has been my honor to represent them by being a member of the bipartisan Congressional Alzheimer's Task Force. Tonight I would like to take a moment to thank the men and women who care for those suffering from Alzheimer's--the spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, doctors, and nurses who assure them who they are, where they are, and affirm for them their dignity as an individual. Though their memories and clarity may fade, who they are is not truly gone. And we will not forget those suffering from Alzheimer's. I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote bipartisan policies that will benefit the fight against this dreaded disease of Alzheimer's. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time to participate.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues Representatives Peter Welch, Steve Womack and Jim Costa as we introduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Reform Act, a common sense solution to ensure that renewable fuels compete fairly in the marketplace and avoid causing unintended and negative consequences for American consumers. The federal government's creation of an artificial market for the ethanol industry has quite frankly triggered a domino effect that is hurting our nation's consumers, energy users, livestock producers, food manufacturers, retailers, and natural resources. Renewable fuels play an important role in our all-of-the-above energy policy, but should compete fairly in the marketplace and not be the beneficiary of an anti-competitive government mandate. American families and businesses should not have to shoulder the high cost of an unworkable federal ethanol mandate through the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the heightened 2017 RFS requirements would increase the amount of total U.S. food expenditures by $3.5 billion. At the same time, the Department of Energy shows a decrease in fuel mileage--triggering increasing energy costs and lasting impacts on the environment. The RFS mandates that 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be part of our nation's fuel supply by 2022. However, in 2014 nearly 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop was used for ethanol production. This is more than the amount of corn used to feed livestock and poultry in the United States. This is a kitchen table issue--this unworkable policy impacts every American family trying to make financial decisions. From food costs to wear and tear on the family car and other equipment many families use, the RFS means added costs and less money for other purchases. The RFS debate is no longer just a debate about fuel or food. It is also a debate about jobs, small business, economic growth, and freedom. The RFS is also hurting--not helping--to preserve our natural resources. The EPA has provided evidence that shows ethanol produced 33 percent more emissions in 2012 than gasoline. The RFS is impacting the quality of life for all Americans. The nation has hit the ``blend wall'' or the point at which we can no longer blend ethanol into gasoline at levels safe for all engines. This Congress is the time for RFS reform. The momentum around this issue continues to grow. Last year, we found that more than 218 Members of Congress were on record--either by cosponsoring legislation or signing letters--expressing concerns about the current policy. The support from various stakeholders also continues to expand as the RFS Reform Act is endorsed by a broad spectrum of groups representing livestock, small engines, taxpayers, restaurants, boats, food manufacturing, environmental issues, and food aid. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act to address the increasing costs of this broken federal policy impacting our nation's citizens.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, the character of a community is often defined by the individuals who call it home and the actions of those individuals in service to others. Dr. John ``Rob'' Marsh of Middlebrook, Virginia, who practices medicine in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, exemplifies this type of service that is truly for the betterment of his community. It is my honor to congratulate Dr. Marsh on being named the 2014 Country Doctor of the Year by StaffCare. The Country Doctor of the Year Award recognizes ``the spirit, skill, and dedication of America's rural medical practitioners.'' This is indeed a well-deserved recognition. In times of great change, especially in the field of health care, it is encouraging to know that someone like Dr. Marsh is still engaged in the practice of medicine. He is dedicated to serving those in his community and not always in conventional settings. He drops by for regular house calls, makes rounds at the hospital, and presides over a long-term care facility. Dr. Marsh also serves others who are just passing through at his clinic located alongside a truck stop by the interstate in Raphine, Virginia. Dr. Marsh's service in the United States Army as a military physician is well known. He cared for the wounded members of Delta Force in war zones and nearly lost his own life in a mortar attack in Somalia; despite his own wounds, Dr. Marsh continued to tend to others who had been injured. Dr. Marsh is a decorated military physician, having received the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal. With his wife, Barbara, and their children, Dr. Marsh has deep roots in Virginia, and for that I am grateful. It has been an honor to know Dr. Marsh over the years as well as his father, former Virginia U.S. Representative and Secretary of the Army, John Marsh. For many in the Shenandoah Valley, Dr. Marsh is much more than a doctor. He is a friend, a fellow farmer, and a pillar of the community. Dr. Marsh's contributions are immeasurable, and this award is only the smallest token of gratitude he is owed. I wish him and his family the best.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) for his long dedication to addressing this very serious problem and for yielding me this time. Few nightmares equal the terrible reality that thousands of American children awake to each day. Held against their will, before the day is out, they will be forced to share perhaps a dozen strangers' beds and be subjected to arbitrary violence for any real or imagined infraction. Child sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in our country, and we must update our laws to combat it. H.R. 181, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, is a targeted effort to deploy our law enforcement and social resources against the worst offenders: those who sexually exploit children and other vulnerable victims. Rather than simply increasing penalties, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act directly aids the survivors of this crime. The bill creates a comprehensive, victim-centered grant program to train law enforcement, rescue exploited children, prosecute traffickers, and restore the lives of victims. The bill also streamlines existing law enforcement tools by providing that child advocacy centers can and should use their resources to help victims of trafficking and other types of child exploitation. H.R. 181 clarifies that State prosecutors may obtain wiretaps, pursuant to a showing of probable cause, for trafficking and other child sex crimes. Additionally, the bill adds several of the Federal antislavery statutes as Federal wiretap predicates--something that should have been done a long time ago. These important tools simply give police the same investigatory tools they would have if these criminal gangs sold drugs or stolen property instead of sex with children and other victims. The bill makes the law clear that the men who purchase these children's innocence will be held to the same standard as those who make it available for sale, and hold sex traffickers accountable by increasing the standard for claiming an affirmative defense by requiring defendants to show by clear and convincing evidence that they believed the victim to be 18 years of age or older. We in Congress have no higher duty than to protect the innocent children of this Nation. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, introduced by my friend and colleague Judge Poe, is a critical step toward banishing human trafficking to where it belongs--the realm of nightmares. Please join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Crime Subcommittee for his hard work on this issue, and I appreciate the time. While it goes without saying that the growth of the Internet and smartphones have proven to be of great value in many aspects of our lives, these tools can also be used by criminals to facilitate the commercial sexual exploitation of children and other victims by providing an easy way for pimps or traffickers to market child sex trafficking victims to those who seek to do them harm. With just a click of a button, individuals can now use Web sites to advertise, schedule, and purchase sexual encounters with minors, just like they would use these services to hire a ride home. The SAVE Act, introduced by Mrs. Wagner from Missouri, makes a technical clarification to an existing Federal sex trafficking statute to make clear that the law extends to traffickers who knowingly sell sex with minors and victims of force, fraud, or coercion through advertising, as well as to people or entities that knowingly benefit from the sale or distribution of such advertising. While much of the growth of this terrible crime is on the Internet, this bill is technology neutral and applies to all advertising of children for sex, regardless of the medium. It is important to note that these advertisements, as with all ads and other speech promoting illegal activity, are not protected speech under the First Amendment. H.R. 285 was the subject of robust committee process both last Congress and this, and the bill was reported out of the Judiciary Committee last week by voice vote. The legislation that is on the floor today strikes the right balance by protecting victims from commercial sexual exploitation, while also ensuring that constitutional rights are respected and innocent third parties are not wrongly prosecuted. This legislation simply clarifies and modernizes Federal criminal law to keep pace with the evolving trend of exploiting the Internet for criminal gains. The bill passed the House floor last Congress with wide bipartisan support but was not enacted into law. I commend my colleague from Missouri, Congresswoman Wagner, for sponsoring this important legislation again. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I urge the United States Senate to take up this bill. Let's get it signed into law by the President of the United States. It would help save our children from the horrors that people understand but do not want to see. It is good legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. I want to thank Congressman Reichert not only for yielding me the time, but also for his service as a law enforcement officer because when he speaks on the floor of the House on behalf of our Nation's law enforcement officers--the men and women who put their lives on the line every day--he speaks from personal experience. I have heard those experiences a number of times, and I thank you for that. There are others here in the Congress, Mr. Speaker, who have served in law enforcement, and we thank them as well. I am particularly pleased that Dave is hosting this Special Order tonight to show our respect and deep gratitude for the thousands of law enforcement officers across the country who serve our communities and the American people daily. Mr. Speaker, our Nation was founded on the rule of law, and every day, law enforcement officers carry out this legacy. They protect our neighborhoods from criminals, fight crime, ensure justice, and keep the peace. They patrol neighborhoods late at night and early in the morning while we sleep in the comforts of our homes. Since 9/11, our Nation's law enforcement officers are now the first to respond to terrorist attacks. On that tragic day nearly 14 years ago, NYPD officers and other first responders were running into the crumbling towers to save people as everyone else was running out. In 2010, an NYPD officer was the first one on the scene when a terrorist attempted to ignite a car bomb in Times Square. The same was true during the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013. The Boston police responded immediately to aid the wounded and implement emergency plans. Sadly, many law enforcement have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Last year alone, 120 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, including three from the Commonwealth of Virginia. These are sober reminders that our Nation's law enforcement professionals face danger every day as they carry out their duty to protect the American people. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I have the privilege to work with Federal law enforcement agencies. All too often, we fail to recognize how the dedicated men and women of law enforcement make sacrifices--some sacrificing their lives--to preserve law and order and keep our communities, our States, and our Nation safe. These brave men and women are heroes and deserve to be recognized and honored for their service to our country. Again, I thank our law enforcement officer, Congressman Reichert, for taking this time to have this law enforcement Special Order.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, however stark Americans' difference of opinion can be on the matter of abortion generally, there has been long, bipartisan agreement that Federal taxpayer funds should not be used to destroy innocent life. The Hyde amendment, named for its chief sponsor, former House Judiciary Committee chairman Henry Hyde, has prohibited the Federal funding of abortions since 1976 when it passed a House and Senate that were composed overwhelmingly of Democrat Members. It has been renewed each appropriations cycle with few changes for over 37 years, supported by Congresses, supported by both parties and Presidents from both parties. It is probably the most bipartisan pro- life proposal sustained over a longer period of time than any other. It is time the Hyde amendment was codified in the United States Code. H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, would do just that. It would codify the two core principles of the Hyde amendment throughout the operations of the Federal Government: namely, a ban on Federal funding for abortions and a ban on the use of Federal funds for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. As hundreds of thousands of people from across the country come to Washington to express their love of unborn children at the annual March for Life, it is a marvelous time to reflect on what could be accomplished if the bill we consider today were enacted into law. During the time the Hyde amendment has been in place, probably millions and millions of innocent children and their mothers have been spared the horrors of abortion. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the Hyde amendment has led to as many as 675,000 fewer abortions each year. Let that sink in for a few precious moments. The policy we will be discussing today has likely given America the gift of millions more children and, consequently, millions more mothers, millions more fathers, millions more lifetimes, and trillions more loving gestures and other human gifts in all their diverse forms-- what a stunningly wondrous legacy and the bill before us today would continue that legacy permanently. I encourage all my colleagues to support this vitally important legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I strongly support her amendment to H.R. 240, which prohibits Federal funding or resources from being used to adjudicate any new, renewal, or previously denied application for the President's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. It is that simple. The President's DACA program, announced by the President and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012, violates the laws Congress has written and is a usurpation of the plenary authority over immigration law that article I, section 8, clause 4 of the United States Constitution confers upon the legislative branch. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the gentlewoman's amendment to defund DACA.

Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the work he and Mrs. Roby did on this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Madam Chair, this amendment simply requires the Department of Homeland Security to treat any alien convicted of any offense involving domestic violence, sexual abuse, child molestation, or child abuse or exploitation as a top priority for immigration enforcement. Unfortunately, the current priorities created by the Obama administration on November 20, 2014, treat certain aliens convicted of domestic violence, convicted of sexual abuse, or convicted of exploitation as a secondary priority. While aliens convicted of a ``significant misdemeanor,'' such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, or exploitation, are deemed a secondary priority for removal, they can stay in the United States in contravention of duly enacted law if they simply show ``factors'' warranting release. The amendment corrects these irresponsible policies of the Obama administration and ensures that criminal aliens convicted of domestic violence and sexual abuse are treated as top priorities for removal. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment by Representatives Salmon and Thompson. The amendment expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. workers should not be harmed by President Obama's unilateral executive action programs. These programs absurdly give American employers a financial incentive to hire unlawful aliens over American citizens and legal immigrants. The fact is, in many cases, a business now has a $3,000 incentive to hire an unlawful immigrant who benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. This is because, under ObamaCare, many businesses face a $3,000 per employee penalty if they do not provide health insurance to their workers. However, unlawful immigrants granted DACA relief and, most likely, those benefiting from President Obama's new deferred action program are not eligible for ObamaCare. Thus, in many cases, employers will not have to pay this penalty if they hire deferred action recipients rather than legal workers. It is simply indefensible public policy for the Obama administration to give unlawful aliens a leg up over legal workers. Yet, that is the result of the President's unilateral actions. I urge my colleagues to support this good amendment.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield an additional minute to the gentlewoman from Washington.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Marino), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, at this time I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Trott), a new member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, at this time it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler).

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold), the vice chairman of the Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law Subcommittee.