Frank Guinta

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. I thank Chairman Hensarling. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong support of H.R. 1090, the Retail Investor Protection Act. This isn't about the Koch Brothers. This is about low- and middle- income families, seniors, people who try to take a little bit of their life savings and put it away over time. You heard speakers earlier talking about 98 percent of the people who have IRAs have under $25,000 in them. They are who we are aiming to protect. They are the people who are coming to us, asking--begging--for assistance, and they are who we stand with because this is America. This is not a place where Washington, D.C., is supposed to stand firm and dictate policy for everyone. We are supposed to be about limited government. We are supposed to be in this Nation about putting our trust and our faith in individuals. This proposed legislation by the DOL does the exact opposite. It takes power away from the individual. It takes power away from the individual to talk to their financial adviser and gain educational opportunities to make informed decisions about their long-term investments. My wife and I have two kids, 10 and 12. We are thinking about their financial stability. We want to encourage them to have long-term investments, like my folks suggested to me, so they can make informed decisions. But, no, Washington is going to decide that they can't, that I can't, that my folks can't, that the people I represent can't, all in the name of ensuring that Washington knows better. Well, Mr. Speaker, I put my faith in the people. I do not put my faith in bureaucrats who think they know better. I think that Representative Wagner's leadership is tremendous on this particular issue because she feels just as passionately as the rest of us. We are not only talking about the lack of ability, but the compliance cost, which is going to get pushed onto that same individual. So I encourage my colleagues, I implore my colleagues, to vote for this bill and support H.R. 1090.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Sue Goodnow in celebration of her reaching her 100th birthday. As she reflects on the great memories and milestones that have highlighted the past hundred years, I know she will think fondly on all that she's accomplished and the positive impact she's had on New Hampshire. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Ms. Goodnow on achieving this wonderful milestone, and wish her the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. As I introduced the repeal of the Cadillac tax in its entirety, I am pleased to see that repeal language included in the bill we are debating today. On top of all the burdens ObamaCare has already placed on hardworking Americans and all the rules and regulations American businesses are faced with, this tax will just make it that much more difficult for employers to provide affordable healthcare benefits to their employees. So I urge my colleagues, please join the bipartisan fight to support middle-class families and support the repeal of this tax.

Mr. GUINTA. I thank Chairman Brady and Chairman Price very much for putting this piece of legislation together. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, which includes the repeal of components of the most harmful provisions of ObamaCare and, at the same time, sharing bipartisan support for each component of this legislation, bipartisan support. I have worked hard with Members across the aisle on provisions that have been hurting families in Manchester, Portsmouth, Conway, and all parts of New Hampshire to ensure their voices are heard. One of the important provisions in this bill is the full repeal of ObamaCare's 40 percent tax on healthcare benefits, commonly referred to as the Cadillac tax. While this tax is set to take effect in 2018, employers of all sizes are already restructuring plans and cutting benefits to avoid the costly tax. This excise tax will impact an estimated 12 million middle-class Americans who will pay an additional $1,000 annually as a result of this tax. They work for big businesses, small businesses, nonprofits, colleges, small municipalities. They need help. They need our support.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to George and Agnes Franklin on celebrating their 77th anniversary and in celebration of their 100th birthdays. This is a great milestone in a marriage and speaks highly to the love and commitment they have shown to one another and their family over the years. As they reflect on the great memories and milestones that have highlighted the past fifty years, I know they will think fondly on all they have shared together, and I wish them all the best for the future.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Donald Shumway on his retirement as the CEO and President of the Crotched Mountain Foundation, and thank him for the outstanding work he did during his career. Mr. Shumway's continuous progression within various health services agencies such as becoming the Commissioner of the NH Department of Health and Human Services and head of the Division of Mental Health exemplifies his intelligence, positive attitude, and commitment to protecting and serving his community with the utmost professionalism. Although Mr. Shumway will now shift his focus from serving his community to his family, it's clear he leaves behind an example of strong leadership and compassion for others to emulate in his absence. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Donald Shumway on his retirement, and wish him the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce the introduction of the Honor Our Fallen Heroes Act, which came about thanks to the hard work of one of my constituents, Pam Rogers of Exeter, New Hampshire. Pam contacted me through my We the People initiative, which is a platform for concerned citizens to offer legislative ideas. Pam sought to bury, with the full recognition he deserves, an ancestor who fought in the Civil War. Pam discovered that Private Samuel Zortman died at the age of 21 in a Confederate prison camp. Conditions were brutal. He died of starvation. His captors buried him in a mass grave and has since been moved to a national cemetery in South Carolina. An empty tomb near his hometown in Pennsylvania memorializes Private Zortman; but despite ample evidence of his service and death as a POW, the Veterans Health Administration cannot award him a headstone at a U.S. military cemetery. My bill clears up this technicality so that Pam and her family can finally lay to rest one of their own with full honors. The bill she helped produce would bring comfort to more like her. Our commitment to those who have bravely served our Nation should never end.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Educational Talent Search (ETS) in Durham, New Hampshire. I am pleased to join with the University of New Hampshire in recognizing this great milestone for ETS and its supporters. This is a great achievement for both ETS and the University that supports it, and speaks highly to the outstanding services and guidance the program has offered to first-generation college students of the communities they serve. For the past 50 years, Educational Talent Search has been a leader in helping students with academic advising, postsecondary placement, academic preparation and career exploration. Through the leadership of ETS, thirty-one middle schools and high schools throughout New Hampshire are being provided academic advising, career planning, and financial aid and financial literacy information, to better increase educational opportunities for those youth it supports. ETS has an impressive record of having 100% of the students it works with graduate from high school, and helping 86% of those students go on to attend college. I am proud to join with my fellow Granite Staters in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Educational Talent Search, and wish them all the best in their future years.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Mr. Thomas Goulette on his retirement after 39 years with Lakes Region Community College, and thank him for the outstanding work he did during his career. Mr. Goulette's broad expertise in education has been instrumental to the growth of Lakes Region Community College, and his continuous progression from teacher to vice president exemplifies his commitment to excellence. Over the last 39 years, Mr. Goulette has been an integral part of the education community and his leadership will be greatly missed. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Mr. Goulette on his retirement, and wish him the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Ray Garon on his retirement after 20 plus years with the Manchester Radio Group, and thank him for the outstanding work he did during his career. Mr. Garon's broad expertise in the radio business has been instrumental to the growth of local stations such as WZID-AM, WFEA-AM, The Mill and Hot Hits. Over the last twenty years with the Manchester Radio Group he has been an integral part of the community and his leadership will be greatly missed. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Ray Garon on his retirement, and wish him the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire. I am pleased to join with the Eastern Diocese and Polish National Catholic Church in recognizing this great milestone for Holy Trinity Cathedral and its parishioners. This is a great achievement for both the church and community of Manchester, and speaks highly to the outstanding services and spiritual guidance the parish has offered to residents of the Queen City and surrounding communities. For the past 100 years, Holy Trinity Cathedral has been a landmark in the City of Manchester, and the recent restoration of the church, which included the awarding of a Restoration of a City Landmark Award from the Manchester Historic Association demonstrates the deep impact this church has had on the community and the significance of its presence in downtown Manchester. Under the leadership of Bishop Paul Sobiechowski the church and its parish community continue to flourish today by spreading the work and word of our savior Jesus Christ, and focusing their efforts on the Polish American community in the city and Southern New Hampshire. I am proud to join with my fellow Granite Staters in recognizing the 100th anniversary of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and wish them all the best in their future years.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the new members of the bipartisan task force to combat the heroin epidemic. We introduced our first piece of legislation, the Stop Abuse Act, this month. Heroin abuse in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, increasing 63 percent over the last decade. This addictive and dangerous drug has torn a path through every community, destroying families and ruining lives. In my home State of New Hampshire, the number of patients admitted to the State-funded treatment programs reached over 1,500 in 2013, doubling the number from 2004. Nationwide, in 2014, heroin abuse was responsible for nearly 8,200 deaths. In just 10 years, the number of addicts has doubled to over 500,000. To address this health crisis, we must expand coordination between local, State, and Federal governments, law enforcement agencies, and medical professionals. We must assemble the best ideas from experts around the country, which is why Congresswoman Ann Kuster and I formed the bipartisan task force. We are doing everything possible to raise awareness, increase education, and hear from families and individuals affected by the spread of heroin. I urge my colleagues to join our effort so we can stop this epidemic.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Hensarling. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for introducing this very important and significant piece of legislation. H.R. 3192 acknowledges the learning curve that accompanies implementation of any new Federal regulation. The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule has been in effect now for 4 days. At this early stage, agencies are unable to protect the industry from liability risk that will follow during the early days of compliance, and Director Cordray has acknowledged that compliance would be difficult during these days of implementation. The loss should take into account Director Cordray's statement and protect home buyers, sellers, and the industry from regulatory and civil liability as they make good faith efforts to comply with the latest CFPB requirements. I met with New Hampshire bankers, credit unions, and Realtors in September. They shared their concerns about what could happen if, misinterpreting the new rules, they made an unfortunate or unintentional error. Compliance costs from other CFPB rules currently in effect have hobbled New Hampshire's financial institutions. The risks of this new rule could even lead some to quit the residential lending business, and that has already happened in one circumstance in my district. That means less consumer choice and fewer options for home buyers in a shrinking real estate market, inevitably raising the price for the very consumer we try to protect. Madam Speaker, I want to remind everyone that the private right of action is preserved in this piece of legislation and that this bill passed the House Financial Services Committee on a strong bipartisan vote of 45-13. I want to thank Mr. Hill and Mr. Sherman for this legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it to prevent frustrating and costly delays for the American consumer.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, heavy new fines the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is proposing could destroy New Hampshire's remaining fishermen who are carrying on a proud New England tradition. That is why I recently introduced legislation to stop the Federal agency from shifting its funding responsibility to our struggling Granite State fishermen. NOAA mandates that at-sea contractors monitor their daily catch, but will cease to pay for this government mandate in December, forcing fishermen to pick up the more than $700 per day tab. These small family businesses will be on the hook for thousands of dollars in new fees each month. That is a figure that would simply eradicate the industry in my home State. This is not a partisan issue. The New England Fisherman Preservation Act simply asks the Federal agency to continue paying for a program it has funded for years rather than forcing hardworking, middle-class families to pay for it. I am asking colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in support of this bill, so important to hardworking fishermen who put food on our tables so that they can continue with their task.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of New Hampshire's leading citizens, Cheryl Thibodeau of Portsmouth Regional Hospital. The hospital, serving the seacoast region of my State, awarded Cheryl its 2015 Frist Humanitarian Award for her service to the local community. A nurse in the emergency ward, Cheryl is a consummate teammate to her coworkers, frequently going above and beyond the call of duty. Outside work, she donates her time as part of the Pease Greeters organization to welcome home returning troops at Portsmouth airport. She is an active participant in Sarah's Ride, a charity that raises money for the Portsmouth Firefighters Charitable Association. Also in her spare time, Cheryl lends her medical expertise and friendly bedside manner to others in need of home care and she teaches New Hampshire's young about the valuable profession she is engaged in. It seems that everyone has something positive to say about Cheryl and her efforts to make our State a better place. I have seen up close what she and the fantastic doctors and nurses at Portsmouth Regional Hospital do and could not be prouder of her work.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Sarvai of Manchester, New Hampshire for recently celebrating their 50th anniversary. After 50 years of marriage and two children, I applaud their dedication and commitment to one another. It's clear they have both been exemplary members of our community, and I wish them the best in all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Chief Joseph Collins on his retirement after 25 years with various law enforcement agencies throughout New Hampshire, and thank him for the outstanding work he did during his career. Chief Collins' continuous progression within the law enforcement ranks during his time exemplifies his intelligence, positive attitude, and commitment to protecting and serving his community with the utmost professionalism. Although Chief Collins will now shift his focus from serving his community to his family and faith, it's clear he leaves behind an example of strong leadership and compassion for others to emulate in his absence. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Chief Collins on his retirement, and wish him the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my congratulations to Jeff Pattison on his retirement after 32 years in the Office of the Legislative Budget Assistant at the New Hampshire State House, and thank him for the outstanding work he did during his career. Mr. Pattison's continuous progression within the Legislative Budget Assistant's Office during his time as a public servant exemplifies his intelligence, positive attitude, and commitment to providing lawmakers with the necessary resources for crafting a budget. The hours he spent volunteering his time as a member of the Laconia Parks and Recreation Commission have also been invaluable, and his leadership will be sorely missed within the Laconia community. It is with great admiration that I congratulate Mr. Pattison on his retirement, and wish him the best on all future endeavors.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am outraged that government agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have denied public participation to allow consumers and businessowners to comment on regulations that directly impact them. In 2013, the CFPB implemented guidance that would prevent families and individuals from obtaining auto financing discounts. This guidance not only affects the American auto industry and the hundreds of hard working auto dealers in the Granite State, but it also affects Granite State families and individuals--for example, the young couple in Manchester who is struggling to afford a new minivan to accommodate a growing family or, for example, the startup logistics company in Conway that is wishing to add another truck to its fleet to grow its business. Congress created the CFPB to protect consumers, not to hurt them. If the CFPB really cares about developing policies that are truly in the best interests of consumers, it should amend its guidance and be more transparent. That is why I introduced H.R. 1737, a bipartisan bill to rein in the CFPB's overreach and to merely bring more transparency, accountability, and clarity to the formal rulemaking process. H.R. 1737 will reverse this misguided CFPB indirect auto financing guidance and will allow the public's voice to be heard.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 1.25 million American children and adults with type 1 diabetes. As Members of Congress, we have the privilege of meeting with individuals from our home States advocating on various issues. All come from different backgrounds and different experiences; however, they all have one thing in common: they come to Washington looking to change our Nation. Last week, I had the honor of meeting with 11-year-old Skye Archibald from Exeter, New Hampshire, who was in Washington as part of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress. Skye was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the young age of 9 and, since then, has been vital in changing the stigma attached with diabetes, raising money to help find a cure, and advocating at both the Federal and State level. In fact, her hard work and dedication has resulted in the signing of a bill by New Hampshire's own Governor. It is because of bright and determined advocates like Skye that Washington can begin working better for New Hampshire. And it is because of Skye that I recently signed on to H.R. 1427, a bipartisan bill to help provide increased coverage of a vital tool that monitors sugar levels to help save the lives of those with diabetes.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today with a heavy heart. Recently, videos have been released showing senior employees at Planned Parenthood discussing a horrific topic: the proper way to preserve the heart, liver, and lungs of a child during an abortion in order to harvest those organs for sale. Consider the illogical nature of the conclusion that an infant is not a life, that an infant is not worthy of preservation, but the organs, which give it life, are worthy enough to be kept and sold. Pro-life or not, this should strike at the conscience of every human being, and, in a larger sense, it should strike at the conscience of a nation that this practice is permitted and allowed. Following the release of these videos, House leadership called for an investigation into Planned Parenthood, which I commend and fully support. I am often asked back home if I consider myself pro-life and, if so, why. My answer to them is simple: I will never forget hearing my daughter's heartbeat for the first time. That heartbeat had a name, and its name was Colby.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of New Hampshire's own Major Jeremy Graczyk, a decorated Marine, combat veteran, and American hero. A native of Atkinson, New Hampshire, Major Graczyk graduated as valedictorian from Timberlane Regional High School, attended college at the U.S. Naval Academy, and went on to be commissioned in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed over seven times to Afghanistan and Africa. Due to his bravery and dedication to our Nation, he has been awarded over 20 decorations. To say Major Graczyk embodied the meaning of our State's motto ``Live free or die'' is an understatement. As we honor the anniversary of his death, we continue to remember and celebrate his life. It is because of soldiers like him that our Nation remains the land of the free and the home of the brave. And for that, we are forever grateful.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a Granite State teacher who is a leader in our Nation, with her innovative and engaging approach to teaching. Stephanie Burke, a middle school science teacher at West Running Brook Middle School in Derry, has excelled not just in the classroom, but also in her community. Her work and dedication to educating Granite State youth have earned her the distinct honor of the 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Only 108 teachers nationwide received this honor. A Granite Stater through and through, Stephanie graduated from the University of New Hampshire and obtained her master's degree from New England College. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to engage and mold the young minds in her classroom. Oftentimes, our teachers don't get the thanks or credit they deserve. Stephanie Burke represents the best in teaching, and I applaud this incredible and well-deserved accomplishment. Stephanie, it is because of you that our Nation remains the world leader of innovation, ideas, and excellence.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge participation in my new initiative, ``We the People.'' Imagine a Congress that functions effectively. Imagine a Congress that hears from you daily and, as a result, devises legislation and legislative solutions based on your individual needs and from your own experiences. This is my view of an effective government, and it is why I have launched the ``We the People'' initiative this week. Because of your ideas and your feedback, we have been able to pass two pieces of legislation this year. Let's continue to build on that success and continue to make Washington work for the Granite State. I know we have much left to accomplish. So I want to hear from you. From now on, my office will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can email me directly your legislative solutions and ideas to wethepeople@mail.house.gov or you can call me or text me directly at 603-250-6850. From your suggestions, I will better be able to tailor legislation to meet your needs. My office remains yours. So please spread the word about the ``We the People'' initiative.

Mr. GUINTA

Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that almost 50,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. That means that right now there are roughly 50,000 of our Nation's heroes on the streets, without shelter, struggling to find a place to live. This is not how our country should treat the men and women who have risked their lives to protect our Nation. The issue of homeless veterans needs to be addressed and resolved, and it needs to be done now. It has always been a priority of mine to eliminate veterans homelessness not just in my home State of New Hampshire, but all across this great Nation. I think my colleagues will all agree with me that we must ensure our veterans and their families have access to affordable housing in order to help promote their independence and well-being. When I was mayor of New Hampshire's largest city, Manchester, I launched a homeless veterans initiative by working with leaders at Liberty House, a safe, supportive, and substance-free housing community for those transitioning out of homelessness. Our veterans deserve equal treatment and access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs. We can start now by cutting down the bureaucracy, bureaucratic hurdles, and by ensuring that the highest care is given to our veterans. This bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green) for fighting on behalf of homeless veterans. I am proud to rise in support of our Nation's heroes, and I am proud to support H.R. 251.