Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Erie County Family Court Judge Lisa Bloch Rod win as she retires from the bench after over thirty years of public service. Throughout her career as a judge, and previously as a prosecutor, Judge Bloch Rodwin's dedication and ingenuity helped secure the promise of equal justice before the law more fully for victims of domestic violence and others to whom it had previously too often been denied. As an assistant district attorney, Judge Bloch Rodwin was the founder of one of the first domestic violence bureaus in a prosecutor's office nationally. Her work helped change the culture of the criminal justice system in Western New York; in important ways Judge Bloch Rodwin's efforts led the re-shaping of that system to more comprehensively address the scourge of domestic violence and related crimes with the vigor and the tenacity that justice requires. After her appointment to the bench in 2007, and subsequent re- elections, Judge Bloch Rodwin continued this important work, developing and expanding programs to aid victims of domestic abuse and other crimes in under-served communities. She was the founding board chair of the Erie County Family Justice Center, as well as a founder of the Alexa Foundation, which serves child abuse and sexual assault survivors. We in Western New York have not been the only beneficiaries of Judge Bloch Rodwin's good work; she has been generous in providing the benefit of her widely sought-after expertise nation-wide to professionals in the criminal justice system, to national media outlets and to academics. It is appropriate that as a result of her work, Judge Bloch Rodwin has been the recipient of numerous national, regional and local awards and honors. I ask my honorable colleagues to join me in thanking Judge Bloch Rodwin for her exemplary and courageous efforts, and in recognizing her extraordinary career and accomplishments. In specific, tangible ways, Western New York and the United States have become more just because of the Judge's good work, and we are all in her debt.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, natural disasters ripping through the Nation today are urgent reminders that we must be better stewards of the natural environment, including the Great Lakes. Yet, recent actions of the Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency do just the opposite. In August, the EPA issued a rule allowing the release of toxic metals, like arsenic and mercury, into lakes, rivers, and streams near power plants that use them. This is the wrong strategy and is bad for America and bad for Americans. For decades, communities across western New York have been working together to bring back waterways, like the Buffalo River, that were once declared ecologically dead due to toxic industrial pollution. Successful efforts like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative solidified the Federal role to improve water quality in the Great Lakes, restore aquatic habitat, and provide new recreational opportunities for all. Madam Speaker, I strongly oppose the EPA's destructive policies, and I urge my colleagues to recommit themselves to prioritizing long-term sustainability of the natural environment.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Buffalo Black Achievers, who will soon celebrate virtually its 48th annual Black Achievers Awards ceremony. I have been honored to speak at several past ceremonies, and I am certain this year's event will be very memorable. The Buffalo Black Achievers honor the character and accomplishments of outstanding citizens of Buffalo and western New York and the substantial contributions they make every day. In 2020, 36 Black Achievers Awards will be bestowed upon recipients in a variety of walks of life. A particular emphasis is placed upon community service, a fact underscored by the existence of the Black Achievers Scholarship, which has funded awards to local high school students for more than 15 years. My congratulations go out to all of those earning the Buffalo Black Achievers Awards for 2020, and I offer my best wishes to my friend, Chief Executive Officer Herb Bellamy, Jr., and in the memory of his great father, Herb Bellamy, Sr., and to the other members of his board of directors for a successful virtual ceremony in 2020. We look forward to celebrating together once again in 2021.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year between September 15 through October 15. This month provides our Nation the opportunity to recount the rich cultural legacy the Hispanic community has made for our country. Due to the pandemic, the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York is holding a series of events virtually to chronicle the critical contributions the Hispanic community has made to Buffalo and western New York. This year, the Hispanic Heritage Council is also celebrating 10 years of work raising community awareness of the contributions our Hispanic friends and neighbors have made towards strengthening our community's future. America is stronger because of its diversity. Our lives are enriched through a greater appreciation of other experiences and cultures. We are thankful for the opportunity to spotlight the contributions of the Hispanic community this month and grateful to have the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York committed to this mission this year and every year.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, for 228 years the United States Postal Service has delivered for the American people. It is an institution built on trust, trust that the United States military veterans will receive their prescriptions each and every month, trust that Social Security recipients will receive their checks each and every month, and trust that small businesses can manage and grow with the assistance of the United States Postal Service. Today, the trust and confidence of the United States Postal Service is under attack by the very administration and Postmaster General who should be protecting the time-honored tradition of that institution. Yesterday we stood outside the mail processing facility in Buffalo where five sorting machines were removed without explanation. This House will approve today the Delivering for America Act, an act to protect the United States Postal Service from the destructive acts of the President and his postmaster disaster.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, August 1 marks the 10th anniversary of Congress passing landmark legislation to ensure one level of safety for the American flying public. The success of this legislation belongs to the courageous advocacy of the families of flight 3407, who lost their loved ones in a tragic plane crash in Clarence, New York, in 2009. These families lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones. No one would have blamed them had they gone on to live their lives in quiet solitude. They did not do that. They turned their personal tragedy into a life-giving force, a citizen army to fight for change so that what happened to them would not happen to others. These families were relentless, pushing Congress to strengthen pilot training standards, as the National Transportation Safety Board found pilot error was responsible for the crash. The families did not blame the pilots, for they, too, were victims. They attacked the system that allowed pilots who were ill-trained to fly planes. There is still much work to be done, but today we honor and express our graduate to the good and courageous families of flight 3407.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, illegally obtained guns are pouring over the streets of communities across the country, including in my community of Buffalo, New York. These illegal guns are responsible for tragic deaths. Last year, 30,000 Americans, including 262 children, were killed by gun violence. The number of slain Americans are more than just statistics; they are real people: fathers, mothers, grandparents, sons, daughters, and grandkids. They had dreams, they had aspirations, and they had their whole lives ahead of them. This is an urgent call to action against gun violence. Members of my community are coming together and they are calling on Congress to repeal provisions that prohibit our government from knowing if firearms have been lost or stolen. Mr. Speaker, I support this call to action and urge this body to continue to work to make our communities safer for all. Those whose lives were lost would still be with us today if legislation this House passed, commonsense gun reforms, universal background checks, and a ban on assault weapons, were enacted into law. We must do better. Repeal the Tiahrt amendment now.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, as has been said, John Lewis grew up on a chicken farm to sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama. During that time, there was great pain and suffering for our African-American brothers and sisters in the segregated South. John Lewis's mother, in the summer of 1951, when John was 11, wanted to get him out of the heat of the segregated South, and she sent him to a place called Buffalo, New York, my hometown. Mrs. Lewis had baked for 3 days, because stopping in a diner along the way was not an option for the Lewis family. John Lewis, when he got to Buffalo, he saw young kids, Black and White, playing together in Olmsted Park, now appropriately called Martin Luther King Jr. Park. He saw White women and Black women drinking from the same water fountain. He saw his uncles, Black men, working aside White men in the steel and flour mills of Buffalo, New York. It was from that experience in Buffalo, in the summer of 1951, at age 11, that John said that he believed the desegregation of the South was possible, and he committed his lifework to that cause. On March 7, 1965, as we know, John led a peaceful civil rights march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The idea was to march from Selma to Montgomery, the State's capital, a distance of about 55 miles. There were 148 State troopers waiting at the foot of the bridge for John and the peaceful demonstrators. The State troopers said to cease and disperse. John led his fellow marchers, and they kneeled and prayed. Then, they were attacked. They broke John's skull. But before John went to the hospital to be administered to, he insisted on waiting till the news media got there. With blood pouring down his face, he admonished the President of the United States to take up the civil rights cause. On August 6 of that year, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Johnson. John said, oddly, one time that he was grateful for the police beating because had that event not occurred, had that not become Bloody Sunday, it would have just passed as a local news story. Nobody would have witnessed it, and nothing would have changed. John always said, you sometimes have to give a little blood to redeem the soul of a nation. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a testament to the vision of John Lewis, a man of goodness and a man of grace, who at the age of 11, in the summer of 1951, was inspired by what he saw in Buffalo and had the presence of mind and the courage to act on that inspiration.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Pedro Salas, a Vietnam War Veteran and active member of his community in Buffalo, New York. Salas, also known as Pete or Pello, was born in Moca, Puerto Rico in 1949 to Ignacio Salas-Lorenzo and Maria Gonzalez-Soto de Salas, and moved to Buffalo's West Side in the early 1950s with his family. Salas' family was deeply involved in the flourishing Puerto Rican businesses within the growing Latino neighborhoods. Salas graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1968 and earned his degree at the University at Buffalo, where he was also a member of the University's Latino Student Organization, PODER. Salas was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he courageously served in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and received an honorable discharge as a ranking Specialist. Salas' extensive career also included working for General Motors and Westinghouse, as well as serving as an academic counselor at the University at Buffalo, and as a counselor at the New York State Division for Youth. Salas' dedication to civil service is also reflected in his active membership in the American Legion, where he served as an active contributor to the Francis A. Lombardo American Legion Post. Salas was also one of several veterans who worked to found the Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928, and he served as the organization's First Commander, in which he recognized the contributions of Latino veterans in Western New York. In addition to Salas' dedication to his community, he was also a loving husband to his wife Ana Lopez, and a loving father to his three children: Mariana, nicknamed Mimi, Pedro Jose, nicknamed P.J, and Michael. Salas is also survived by his three grandchildren: Nick, Mari, and A.J, as well as his brother, Arturo. He was a dedicated sports fan, who was actively involved in local Puerto Rican softball leagues and was known to have never missed a Bills game. I wish to thank and honor Pedro Salas today, and his dedication to the United States Army, as well as his active participation in civil service organizations that aided in expanding the ways in which Latino Veterans are honored and remembered. His family, local community, and the United States as a whole are better for having known Salas and we stand here today to recognize his impactful leadership and heartfelt commitment. I thank Pete Salas, for his life-long service and dedication to this country.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of Lorna C. Hill, who is the founder of Ujima Theatre Co. in Buffalo, NY and has been a leader in the Western New York community for many decades. Ms. Hill has broken all types of barriers throughout her life. She was the first woman accepted into Dartmouth College, graduating in 1973. For this accomplishment, Ms. Hill has been honored by the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association and the Office of the Dean of the College with a celebration in her name. After earning her bachelor's degree, Hill pursued her M.A. in Theatre at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1978. In 1978, Ms. Hill founded the Ujima Theatre Company currently located on the West Side of Buffalo. Through the years, Ujima has been a center for cultural acceptance, justice, and racial equality, as well as a hub for artistic vision, especially within the African American community. Ms. Hill continued her career in theatre and the arts as a poet, playwright, and performing on stage, in commercials, and in television. While operating Ujima Theatre Co., Ms. Hill continued to share her artistic and theatrical talents at the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. As a dedicated public school teacher from 2008 to 2015, Ms. Hill touched the lives of her many students. Her passion for the art of storytelling fused perfectly with her role as an educator. For her entire adult life, Ms. Hill fought for the rights of women and people of color. Ms. Hill is looked up to by many for her entrepreneurial spirit, service to Western New York, and dedication to cultural theatre and the arts. As such, she has been honored and awarded for her work by a multitude of local organizations including Buffalo Business First, Community Action Organization of Erie County, Erie County Chapter of the Links, YWCA, YMCA, Grass Roots, Inc., Zonta Club, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Artvoice, Arts Council, National Organization for Women, National Conference for Community and Justice, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Buffalo Urban League, Inc., The Women for Human Rights and Dignity Inc., and Langston Hughes Institute. Ms. Hill's most cherished accomplishment is raising two children, Amilcar Cabral and Zoe Viola, as a single head of household. Madam Speaker, I take this moment to recognize Lorna C. Hill, a dedicated performer, director, artist, community servant and educator. Her work and presence created an irreplaceable legacy that is felt deeply throughout Western New York and beyond.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Neal for yielding. This disaster relief bill includes $360 billion for paycheck protection for American workers; $75 billion for our courageous healthcare workers and the institutions that they work at; and $25 billion for virus testing to bend, break, and crush the disease curve. Sadly, New York's State, county, and local governments were kicked out of this disaster relief bill, and the Senate majority leader's arrogant advice for them to include bankruptcy is insulting and arrogant. What we need at the time of national crisis, a national emergency, is we need leaders who possess goodness, humility, courage, and a sense that we are all in this together, a sense of national solidarity.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, the coronavirus is a public health crisis in need of a strong, clear, and consistent response from Washington. The only way to stop the economic damage is to stop the spread of the virus and to keep people from getting sick and dying. Paid sick leave should be extended to 32 million Americans who currently do not have it. A onetime Federal tax credit could offset the cost of universal paid leave to help stop the spread of the virus. Public health costs for testing and treatment at the local and State level should be assumed by the Federal Government for spending on the crisis response. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute and Erie County Health Department in my community are doing that today at enormous expense and dwindling resources. Every dollar spent on public health provides an economic boost. The time to stimulate the economy is after the virus has been controlled. Once that occurs, we need to go big on infrastructure to inject both growth and confidence in the American economy again.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, for 11 years now, the families of Continental Flight 3407 have come to Capitol Hill with the heart-driven goal of improving airline safety. Thanks to their efforts, and with bipartisan support from Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill of 2010 included measures to improve transparency and safety for the flying public. At long last, the Pilot Records Database, one of the final elements to be implemented, is moving forward. The captain of Flight 3407 had only 600 hours of flight experience and failed three practical tests known as check rides. Still, Continental and its regional carrier, Colgan Air, hired him. The National Transportation Safety Board found that pilot error had caused the crash. Led by the courageous family and friends of the victims of Flight 3407 and their tragic yet awe-inspiring public advocacy to protect the flying public, this success, in a deeply personal way, belongs to them and those they loved and lost.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, this week, the House should consider legislation responding to the threat of COVID-19, called the coronavirus, that poses a significant threat to our Nation. Since the end of December, over 3,000 people worldwide have died from the virus, and there are over 91,000 confirmed cases. Without a specific treatment protocol or vaccine, the virus is dangerous and will likely reach the level of a pandemic. We need to fund scientific research that can quickly diagnose and provide therapies to prevent and treat the virus. We need to give our first responders, doctors, nurses, and public health workers who are on the front lines fighting this virus the resources and support that they need. We need to all look after each other. Madam Speaker, I hope to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today as we celebrate Black History Month and adopt antilynching legislation to recognize civil rights trailblazer Reverend J. Edward Nash. The son of slaves, Reverend Nash served as pastor of the Michigan Street Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, which opened its doors up as a meeting place for abolitionists and antilynching activists and as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Last week, I visited the Nash House, a site on the National Register of Historic Places and a testament to his work as part of our national story. Our gracious hosts, former Buffalo Council President George K. Arthur and Sharon Jordan Holley, shared with me their vision, enthusiasm, and dedication to Nash, his home, and his legacy. Among his papers are notes from the 1939 Urban League meeting benediction in which he applauds those working to ``free us from the shackles that hold us in the bondage of narrowness, selfishness, and prejudice.'' Let us heed the advice of Reverend Nash.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, this week marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental flight 3407. On February 12, 2009, flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center, New York, killing all passengers and crew members on board and one person on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the crash was due to pilot error and inexperience. Thanks to tireless advocacy of the families of flight 3407 who lost loved ones in the crash, reforms like 1500 hours of flight training for first officers have been enacted. However, more than a decade later, we still anxiously await implementation of the pilot records database to allow airlines to access records of pilots applying for jobs. Madam Speaker, western New York will never forget flight 3407 and neither should Congress. I urge my colleagues to continue to strive for One Level of Safety and remain vigilant about aviation and safety standards.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, the Erie County Democratic Committee will gather on Friday, February 7th to honor Janice Dunne with the Joseph F. Crangle Legacy Award. The award is named for our legendary former county and state chairman and is the gold standard for local Democrats; it rightfully raises Janice's name among the great leaders of our party and commemorates her service both to her community and to the Democratic Party. Janice has played an integral role in her hometown Democratic committee for the last forty years, as a member of its Nominating Committee, Executive Committee, and Vice Chair. Never afraid to get her hands dirty, Janice engages in all aspects of grassroots political work from campaigning and canvassing, to fundraising and recruiting new members to the party. Ms. Dunne has been on the frontlines of local, state, and national campaigns since she became involved in politics in 1980. Throughout her career, she has singlehandedly collected thousands of signatures door- to-door, planted hundreds of yard signs, raised thousands of dollars for local candidates, and labored tirelessly on the issues central to the Democratic Party platform. In 1992, Janice made her way to public office as Town of Amherst Deputy Clerk, a title she would hold for the next five years. From there, she worked in the Amherst Town Supervisor's office until she ultimately retired from town government in 1999. Even though she was no longer working directly in local government, Janice's passion for public service did not wane. Janice went on to serve as a delegate in multiple National Democratic Conventions. Janice was elected to travel to New York City in 1992 to be a delegate for Jerry Brown. Eight years later, she ran again and was elected to attend the convention in Los Angeles as a delegate for Bill Bradley. She was reelected once more in 2008 to be a delegate for then Senator Obama at the National Democratic Convention in Denver. Although she has officially retired, Janice still spends her time serving the community as one of the founding members of the Eggertsville Community Organization. As a member of the ECO Steering Committee, Janice works to reinvigorate Eggertsville by enforcing often ignored building codes and partnering with the Town of Amherst to begin the construction of a community center in Eggertsville. Beyond these efforts, she is a clerk at the local Board of Elections and serves as a member of the Amherst Democratic Committee and the Erie County Executive Committee. Janice accumulated a lifetime's worth of accomplishments while simultaneously raising two beautiful daughters: Valerie, an accomplished local photographer, and Tricia, who works in the Erie County Probation Office. Janice's dedication to her country, her community, her family, and her party represents all that is great about Western New York, and I am thankful for the opportunity to honor her and to have the House take note of the many positive contributions she has made throughout our community.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support this bill, which would increase funding to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to $475 million by the year 2026. This funding is essential to the health of the Great Lakes. We have made incredible progress to restore plant and animal habitats, control invasive species, combat harmful algal blooms, improve water quality, and clean up the environment of this region. The revitalization of the Buffalo River in my district, which was once declared ecologically dead, environmentally destroyed, it is now a destination for nature and recreation and is one of the great success stories of this program. It has yielded impressive economic benefits. Every $1 in funding generates $3.35 in economic activity. In Buffalo, the number is greater than $4. Attacks on clean water now threaten the progress that we have already made, and there is still much work left to be done. I urge my colleagues to join me in enthusiastically supporting this bill.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, 80 years ago this week, Americans began receiving Social Security benefits. Social Security is a highly popular and successful program with a trust fund exceeding $1.9 trillion. With rising life expectancy since the program's inception, adjustments need to be made to improve and strengthen Social Security for future generations. The Social Security 2100 Act, sponsored by Congressman John Larson of Connecticut, will increase benefits for all current and future beneficiaries; will improve cost-of-living-adjustments to keep up with real inflation; will cut taxes for millions of beneficiaries; and improve and strengthen Social Security through the 21st century and beyond. I urge passage of the Social Security 2100 Act.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, on January 27, 2020, I was unable to be present for the recorded votes on roll call no. 23 and 24. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act, and YEA on the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 4704, the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, today, on the birthday of Martin Luther King, I rise to recognize a Buffalo, New York, resident born the same year as Dr. King, who continues to serve as a local church, community, and business leader, my good friend, Clifford Bell. Brother Bell, as he is known in western New York for the love he brings to all of those around him, has served as a senior business advisor to Buffalo State's Small Business Development Center. He was a colleague of mine in the city of Buffalo Common Council and he has led the Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration in Buffalo for three decades. As a council member Brother Bell was known for the line: ``For whom the bell tolls. This Bell tolls for you,'' a quote that historically references the interconnectedness of humanity and his commitment to service. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his ``Where Do We Go From Here?'' address said: ``Hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love.'' Brother Bell has lived a life of love, representing the best of our community and our country. We, as a Nation, can learn from his example.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, last month Buffalo's oldest resident, Mamie Kirkland, passed away at the age of 111. Mamie made Buffalo her home in 1923 after spending a lifetime outsmarting racism in Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio. She fled rioting, burning of homes, and the shooting of residents by an angry racist mob. She witnessed the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross on the lawn of her family home. Through these memories she inspired the creation of both the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Four years ago Ms. Kirkland was honored at a gala by the Equal Justice Initiative. When asked to speak on her journey, she said: ``I left Mississippi a scared little girl of 7 years old. Now I am 107--and I am not afraid anymore.'' I rise to honor the fearless legacy of Ms. Kirkland for the citizens of Buffalo, a city honored to be Mamie's home.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, 4,559 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the 2003 invasion and occupation. Despite their sacrifices, 17 years later, Iran now owns and controls Iraq today. 2,430 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, and today we are negotiating for peace with the Taliban, the terror organization that is most responsible for the killing of our soldiers. These wars have cost nearly $5 trillion and have taken nearly 7,000 lives of U.S. soldiers. Before going after Qasem Soleimani, the 5,200 U.S. soldiers still stuck in Iraq should have been evacuated and out of harm's way. But they weren't. They were put in harm's way by our Commander-in-Chief during Iran's highly predictable retaliatory attack last night on U.S. military installations in Iraq.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, the economic future of Buffalo and western New York is tied strategically to southern Ontario, which is one-third of the entire population of the country of Canada. I am pleased that this agreement strengthens the U.S.-Canadian economic and life quality relations. I am concerned, however, that the U.S.-Mexican economic relationship is more challenging. The United States has lost 6 million manufacturing jobs in the past 20 years, and 53,000 manufacturing businesses have closed. NAFTA's promise of wage convergence, bringing Mexican wages to Canadian and U.S. standards, has failed. The Mexican wage is $5.10 a day, less than $0.64 an hour. We have good reason to be skeptical of Mexico's commitment to do better. The USMCA, however, because of Chairman Richard Neal's leadership and emphasis on rigorous enforcement, does have the potential for improved Mexican compliance on wages, the environment, and labor standards.

Mr. HIGGINS of New York

Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, there are many issues with the Republican tax scheme, but the $10,000 State and local tax deduction cap is one of the most egregious. The SALT deduction has been a fixture of the United States tax code since the introduction of the Federal income tax in 1913 to acknowledge that State and local taxes are paid for services that the Federal Government does not provide. When State and local governments lost part of that deduction, they were taxed twice, so this is an issue, which has been said many times in the committee, of tax fairness. While this legislation was a team effort under the direction of Mike Thompson, head of the working group, the persistence of Members Bill Pascrell and Tom Suozzi, who made their persistence with clarity and insistence on fairness for their constituents, inspired all of us to fight to defend that same fairness for ours. This is a good bill. I urge its support.