Gregg Harper

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Harper/Brady Amendment, which is included in this en block package of amendments. Our amendment while simple is critical to the security of the House of Representatives and its information technology systems. This amendment allows the Speaker, with the concurrence of the Minority Leader, to request assistance from the Executive Branch, within the confines of current law, in the event there is a successful cybersecurity attack on the House of Representatives. Three scenarios readily come to mind in which Executive Branch assistance would be critical. The first scenario addresses a situation in which the House of Representatives has a suspicion that a nation-state sponsored actor has successfully infiltrated the House network. The House of Representatives would need assistance from the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, or possibly even the Department of Defense's Cyber Command to help identify, eliminate and remove the nation-state sponsored actor from our network systems. The House of Representatives would also need additional assistance from the intelligence community to identify and validate the nation-state sponsored actor and their associated tactics, techniques, and procedures. The second scenario involves assistance from the appropriate law enforcement agency in the event the House of Representatives and its network systems are victims of criminal activity conducted by a malicious actor or actors. Finally, the House of Representatives would need assistance from the Executive Branch if a catastrophic event occurred and compromised a significant amount of the House of Representatives' enterprise system, and could not guarantee the integrity of the legislative process. The House of Representatives would seek assistance from the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence community, or the Department of Defense's Cyber Command to identify the root cause of the compromise; protect existing House information systems; detect any collateral damage resulting from the incident; respond, resolve, and remove the incident from the House systems; and finally, restore the House of Representatives to an acceptable operational state. The attempts to attack the House of Representatives are real. Every month, the House successfully defends against the three to four million cyber attacks against our networks. Before the July 4th recess, the House of Representatives successfully fought off a ``brute force attack'' in which more than 44,000 attempts to breach the networks occurred in just one day. We are not dealing with hypotheticals. It may be just a matter of time before one of the millions of attempts is successful. The House of Representatives must be prepared. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution, and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 350, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Matthew McClanahan. Matthew was a loving and devoted family man, a friend to so many, a respected employee who worked among our congressional community for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Matthew made his home in Glen Burnie, Maryland. As part of the maintenance division team of the Capitol Grounds, he was only 30 years young when he passed away. Respected by his colleagues and exemplifying hard work and dedication to his trade, he was known as being good-humored and someone always ready to lend a helping hand. Our entire congressional community mourns the loss of one of our own, following the terrible accident that took place last month on April 18. Later today, I will stand with my House colleagues in a moment of silence to honor and remember Matthew McClanahan. My entire staff and I join with the Architect of the Capitol team in offering his family, especially his wife, Lauren, and children, Evie and Matthew, our prayers and deepest sympathies.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 30) providing for the reappointment of Steve Case as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 35) providing for the appointment of Michael Govan as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 36) providing for the appointment of Roger W. Ferguson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare has failed. Contrary to what was promised, premiums have gone up and there are fewer health insurance options. This bill addresses a crisis that before now had no end in sight. Not only does this bill work to solve the problems we see in the private insurance market, it addresses one of our Nation's most vital programs--Medicaid. This program is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians. Medicaid is a safety net program that was designed for children, the elderly, pregnant mothers, and the disabled. This bill will refocus attention back on the program's initial goals, but will modernize it to better serve these patients. We should move decisionmaking authority down to those who are best positioned to address these problems. A program run primarily by the States with assistance from the Federal Government will best be able to help those who need it most. By giving States more tools to address costs, this bill will allow States to explore ways to make accepting Medicaid more attractive to providers, leading to better health outcomes. Without addressing the current problems facing the Medicaid program, it will not survive. This bill puts Medicaid on a path to sustainability. An insolvent safety net will harm those it intends to help. This is our moment. We have a historic opportunity to enact the biggest entitlement reform in our lifetime. We have a chance to save Medicaid. I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on House Administration, I call up House Resolution 173 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady), the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 173.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 173, a resolution which authorizes House Committee budget levels for the 115th Congress. Each Congress, the House looks to the Committee on House Administration to carry out the responsibility of determining the amount needed to fund standing House committees for this year and next. Our committee began this process by holding a hearing to receive input from the chairmen and ranking members of the various standing committees. I thank each of them and their staffs for providing us and our colleagues with the information needed to help our committee determine the appropriate funding levels. I also want to extend my sincere thanks for the collaborative manner in which the chairmen and ranking members worked together to create a budget request that is really targeted to meet their legislative and important oversight responsibilities. My colleagues and I took the priorities laid out in the hearing we held into account; and together, our committee passed, by unanimous voice vote, the bipartisan funding resolution that is before us today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to express my appreciation to the ranking member of the committee, Mr. Brady. The cooperation that we have had, I think, is a good model to follow. I thank him for that support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1228) to provide for the appointment of members of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to replace members whose terms expire during 2017, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, it is with considerable gratitude that I rise today in order to recognize Maria Lohmeyer and the staff she assembled to host a historic and successful 58th Presidential Inauguration. Through her role with the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Maria led the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies which was charged with the responsibility of planning and executing the swearing-in ceremonies for the President and Vice President of the United States. Additionally, the Joint Congressional Committee was responsible for planning the Inaugural Luncheon where Congress came together to welcome the new administration following the inaugural swearing-in ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. The Presidential Inauguration has been the hallmark of American democracy since 1789. During this ceremony, individuals elected by the people stand before God and the country and swear an oath to uphold the sacred duties to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. On Friday, January 20, 2017, America again came together as we have so many times before to witness this peaceful transition of power from one Administration to the next. As Americans, we celebrated both an honorable ending and a hopeful new beginning. The success of the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies is due to so many individuals, from staff to our law enforcement and first responders. However, none of the ceremonies would be possible if not for the careful planning and implementation by superb and patriotic individuals. Maria is one of those special individuals who rose to the challenge of planning the 58th Presidential Inauguration. I thank her for her stewardship over the inaugural ceremonies, which has played such an important and impactful role in our shared history.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and thank Mr. Bernard E. Beidel for his dedicated and unwavering support to the United States House of Representatives. This month, Bern celebrates his twenty-sixth year of service to this great legislative body. For his entire time with this institution Bern has served as the Director of the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA). Through his leadership and direction, Bern's office delivers comprehensive confidential assistance covering an array of personal and work-related issues that have the potential to impact an employee's performance, productivity and well-being. The idea to create the Office of Employee Assistance in the House of Representatives was rooted in the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This monumental legislation authorized Employee Assistance grant programs in the U.S. Department of Labor. In February 1991, the Clerk of the House, Donnald K. Anderson, hired Bern to serve as the Director of OEA. Immediately upon assuming this mantle, Bern began to build one of the most recognized and respected employee assistance programs in our Nation. In 1995, OEA was transferred to the Chief Administrative Officer, where it resides today. Over the course of his tenure with the House, Bern and his team have had a lasting impact on individual employees within Member offices and Committees. In addition, his team serves employees who work for the House Officers, the Congressional Budget Office, and the USCP. The confidential nature of OEA's services demand an individual who possesses integrity, character, and trust. Bern exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of his profession. But it is truly Bern's personality that serves as a beacon for all who know him. Mr. Speaker, based on the kindness, compassion and love that Bern has for his work and the House of Representatives, it is no surprise that I am not the first Member of Congress to honor him with a statement for the Congressional Record. First, on December 18, 2001, Bern and OEA were recognized when they received the EAP Excellence award which is jointly offered by the EAP Digest and Employee Assistance Professionals Association. Then, on December 11, 2013, my friend and former colleague Congresswoman Candice Miller also had the distinct pleasure of recognizing Bern as the recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award issued by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). This illustrious award is given to an EAPA member who has made significant contributions to the employee assistance profession. In addition to this accolade, Bern was also the recipient of the EAPA Member of the Year in 2002. Prior to his time in the House of Representatives, Bern served as a drug specialist in the United States Coast Guard, where he had the opportunity to hone his acute understanding of employee assistance. He continued his career in public service with the New Jersey State Police where he established the organization's employee assistance program. Based on his background with the New Jersey State Police, it is no surprise that Bern was instrumental in establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Capitol Police in 2000. Because of this important agreement, the men and women who guard our campus have access to the outstanding services provided by the CAO's Office of Employee Assistance. Mr. Speaker, I am honored and humbled to stand before you and recognize Bern for his outstanding contributions and overall impact to the House of Representatives. I also want to thank his current staff Lisbeth McBride, Jennifer Lavan, Paul Tewksbury, Margot Hawkins-Green and all of the other staff members who have served under Bern's tutelage during the past quarter century. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Bern's family. As you know, public service is an honorable and noble calling requiring great sacrifices to our time. Therefore, I would like to thank Bern's family, including his wife Donna, their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren Jessica and Mather Hinders (Lily and Emmett) and Cynthia and Jonn Aitken (Alexander) for their generous devotion, unwavering support, and unconditional love. Mr. Speaker, this legislative body and our grateful Nation owe Bern and his entire family a debt of gratitude.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the Deputy Librarian of Congress, David Mao, who is leaving the Library of Congress after 11 years of distinguished service to accept a position with the Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Mao, who holds a law degree from Georgetown University and a library degree from Catholic University, began his tenure at the Library in 2005, serving for five years in the Congressional Research Service, before working in and later leading the Law Library. In 2015 Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington appointed Mr. Mao to become Deputy Librarian of Congress. Later that year he succeeded Dr. Billington, serving as Acting Librarian of Congress for nearly a year until Dr. Carla Hayden was nominated, confirmed, and sworn-in as the current Librarian of Congress last year. As Deputy Librarian under Dr. Hayden, Mr. Mao oversaw the U.S. Copyright Office, CRS, Library Services, and the Law Library within the Library of Congress. During Mr. Mao's tenure as acting Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian, he has distinguished himself by his steady leadership during a time of transition for the Library of Congress. Among many achievements he led efforts to improve the Library's information technology operations, including hiring a new permanent Chief Information Officer, strengthened the institution's overall operations, and created a new department focusing on national and international outreach. In my positions as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress in previous terms, I have always been impressed by David's self-effacing and gracious manner, and his exceptional leadership of the world's premier library. He is a wonderful example of a public servant. I thank him for his service to the Library of Congress, to the U.S. Congress, and, more broadly, to the American people. He will be missed on Capitol Hill. I wish him well.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 82, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. HARPER

Mr. HARPER. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Alaska seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of New York received 3 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 3 votes for Vice President. Senator KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Arizona seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of New York received 11 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 11 votes for Vice President.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Colorado seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Hillary Clinton of the State of New York received 9 votes for President and Tim Kaine of the Commonwealth of Virginia received 9 votes for Vice President. Senator KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Connecticut seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Hillary Clinton of the State of New York received 7 votes for President and Tim Kaine of the Commonwealth of Virginia received 7 votes for Vice President.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Florida seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of New York received 29 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 29 votes for Vice President.

Mr. HARPER. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Illinois seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Hillary Clinton of the State of New York received 20 votes for President and Tim Kaine of the Commonwealth of Virginia received 20 votes for Vice President. Senator KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Indiana seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of New York received 11 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 11 votes for Vice President.