Janice Hahn

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to stand with the millions of victims who have suffered in silent fear in their own homes. Approximately three women are killed each day as a result of domestic violence, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. While our country has made enormous strides in combating domestic violence, gaps in Federal law leave millions vulnerable. In this Nation, one in six women will find themselves a victim of stalking in their lifetime. Many of these encounters turn violent and, tragically, women are hurt or killed by their stalkers because of a glaring loophole in Federal law. Under current law, convicted stalkers of ``intimate partners'' are prohibited from possessing firearms, but women who have had no romantic relationship with their stalker are left unprotected. I have introduced the Protecting Victims of Stalking Act, legislation that would address this glaring loophole and prevent stalkers under restraining orders from purchasing firearms. I hope you will join me in this effort to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the victims of domestic violence.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the underlying bill, and as my colleague said, as a founder and cochair, along with my friend, Ted Poe, of the Congressional PORTS Caucus, I am happy that today the House has this opportunity to pass a water resources bill that will provide long-needed investment to our Nation's ports and create jobs. Our ports and waterways have been waiting for over 6 years for a new water bill. It is time to end their wait. One of the things I came to Congress to do was to fight for the full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and to ensure that we address the expanded use needs of ports like the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach that see so much commerce but so little of this harbor maintenance funding. Do I wish that we would have been able to be more aggressive in this bill? Of course--but the bill we have before us is a huge step in the right direction. Congress, I think, is finally recognizing that our ports aren't just gateways; they are engines of growth, of prosperity, and of jobs. Passing this legislation would be a big victory for our ports, a strong signal that this House recognizes the critical importance of our ports to our economic health. I am going to be voting for this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 15th day of the government shutdown. I am finally encouraged that we are seeing a bipartisan agreement in our Senate that will reopen the government and avert a credit default. There is a lot of bashing of both sides going on down here, but I want to take this time to actually applaud our leaders in the United States Senate, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, for their coming together to turn this ship around for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I also want to give a shout-out to Senator Collins and Senator Manchin for breaking the logjam. This past Friday, the shutdown became a harsh reality for many American families as tens of thousands of workers did not receive a paycheck. These are hardships everyday working families can't afford. This shutdown is deeply unfair to the American people. The clock is ticking, but we are seeing the framework of a commonsense solution to put an end to the recklessness and irresponsibility of this shutdown. I hope that this House has an opportunity to vote on the Senate proposal soon and put this whole mess behind us for the sake of the country and the American people.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 59, to open this government and go to conference on a budget so that we can end this Republican government shutdown that is hurting so many American people.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today we find our Nation in the midst of a government shutdown and in the shadows of a debt default. A week into the shutdown, the partisan gridlock in Congress is as bad as ever; but across the country, millions of Americans are finding new hope in the affordable health coverage on the online exchanges. Despite the more than 40 Republican attempts to repeal, defund, or derail this law, the Affordable Care Act is finally fulfilling the promise of dependable, affordable health coverage for millions of our fellow Americans. On opening day, the exchanges were inundated with millions of users-- Americans excited to learn more about their new coverage options. It was a little bumpy, as expected, but no fleeting Web page glitches can distract us from the fact that for the first time millions of uninsured Americans who have lived in dread that an illness or an accident could plunge them into financial ruin will finally have access to good coverage that they can afford. Today is a dark day here in D.C., but for the thousands of people I represent, a long night is ending. And that's worth celebrating.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, here we are on day 4 of a government shutdown that should never have happened. I'm deeply disappointed that my Republican colleagues have decided that their obsession with repealing the Affordable Care Act is more important than the rest of the country, more important than 800,000 government workers going without a paycheck, more important than children and families of less means going without the nutritional support they rely on, more important than providing cancer victims and survivors with the reassurance that this government is continuing with critical research to find a cure for cancer. Why are they letting this shutdown drag on when it could be over today? How much longer do the American people have to suffer? I urge my colleagues to turn this ship around right now and give us a bill that will fund all of the government without any strings attached, that restores critical services to our seniors, to our veterans, and to our families. Enough already.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad and shameful day for our Nation. For the first time in 17 years, our government has been forced into a shutdown. This morning, many of our veterans, seniors, and over 800,000 hardworking government workers, including as many as 170,000 from California, woke up to a new day of great uncertainty. I'm saddened and terribly disappointed that the Republicans have chosen this irresponsible path. We get it: you hate the Affordable Care Act. But we should not shut down the people's government to sabotage a law that provides millions of Americans with affordable health care for the first time. It's also a good day because I'm already hearing reports from people back in California that our State's health care exchange is off to a great start. And as a mother, I'm happy and relieved that my own 32- year-old, uninsured son finally has access to the health care he needs. Keeping the government running is our most basic responsibility as lawmakers. Let's end this embarrassment today and get back to the business of the American people, and vote on a clean bill that will fund the government and end this shutdown.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, once again, the clock is ticking. And with another deadline looming before Congress, Republicans are bullying this Nation with the threat of a government shutdown unless we get rid of the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans have tried over 40 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and it hasn't gotten them anywhere. Now they've found themselves a hostage and they're saying, Give us what we want, or we're going to blow up the economy and shut down this government. That will cause critical services to be stopped for the American people, which could mean that over 3 million veterans will not receive their disability benefits, 10 million Americans may not receive their Social Security checks on time, and the SEC and EPA will be closed for business. Careening from one fiscal crisis to the next is no way to run this country. That's not how we're supposed to do business. There are enough problems in this Nation without Congress manufacturing new ones. Let's end this man-made crisis and get to the business of not hurting the American people.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the recent diplomatic proposal to address this terrible crisis in Syria. Peace takes courage, and I am proud we have a President who is willing to embrace this diplomatic option. The proposals by Russia and Syria have raised the possibility of a real diplomatic solution to the crisis--with Syria possibly agreeing to accept international control of its chemical weapons stockpile. I hope that this proposal bears fruit, and that the President will do everything he can to make it a reality. But we cannot pretend that military action is a good alternative. Violence must not be mistaken for strength, and our limited strike risks igniting a dangerously unlimited conflict. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., knew what he was talking about when he said: Returning violence for violence only multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Let us give peace a chance to solve the problems that military strikes could not begin to address.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, as we see ObamaCare go into effect, we see that it is making affordable health insurance a reality for hardworking families. Thanks to ObamaCare, 360,000 small businesses have the right to receive tax credits to help with the cost of providing coverage to their employees. Thanks to ObamaCare, senior citizens have the right to affordable prescription drugs and free preventative benefits. Thanks to ObamaCare, millions of young adults have the right to stay on their parents' health insurance until they're 26. And thanks to ObamaCare, women have the right to no longer be denied coverage because they are sick or have preexisting conditions; and thanks to ObamaCare, women no longer have to pay higher premiums for health insurance just because we're women. We are finally making great progress in fixing an outdated health care system that has been broken for far too long. Let's not vote to take away the American people's rights.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, after over a decade abroad, the Special Olympics World Games are returning to the United States. Two years from today, thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters will descend on Los Angeles to see and cheer the skills and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics were started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated, and how many children with intellectual disabilities didn't even have a place to play. Her vision grew into the Special Olympics, and in 1968 the first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Chicago. For 45 years, the Special Olympics has harnessed the power of sport to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. I could not be prouder that my city and my country are hosting these games. And I want the athletes, their loved ones, and those with intellectual disabilities across the world to know that the United States House of Representatives is with them. So today, two years before the 2015 Special Olympics World Games open, I am introducing a celebratory resolution with Representative Kennedy--who is continuing his family's commitment to the Special Olympics--Representative Hoyer, and the full bipartisan Los Angeles delegation. I hope our colleagues will join us in supporting these games, and the achievements of those with intellectual disabilities everywhere.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the life and legacy of Lillian Kawasaki, a veteran public servant and tireless environmental advocate who passed away, sadly, at the age of 62 last week. I had the honor of working with Lillian during my time on the Los Angeles City Council on our Nation's port, ensuring that it grew green and helped to prove that we can have clean air and good jobs at the same time. An environmental scientist by training, she was the first Asian American to head the Los Angeles Department of Environmental Affairs and successfully led the Water Replenishment District of Southern California in its efforts to protect our air and water quality from pollution and contamination. Her devoted leadership and unyielding commitment to public service and the people who live and work in Los Angeles were simply remarkable and will be sorely missed. We have lost a dear friend. She was my colleague. She was a gracious, tireless woman who was a role model to all of us who truly strive to make a difference in this Earth as long as we live. We'll miss you, Lillian.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act began delivering important benefits and protections to millions of American families and small businesses almost immediately after it was signed into law 3 years ago. Just yesterday, we learned that the cost of health plans in New York are set to drop 50 percent. And starting in 2014, California's small businesses will be able to access competitive, affordable, quality health plans on the Covered California Small Business Exchange, finally putting them on more equal footing with the rates that have been enjoyed by the big guys. And last week, I invited the Small Business Administration to come to my district and meet with my local small businesses. They walked them through key pieces of the law so they could understand the facts and be able to make good decisions about health insurance for their employees. Many were pleasantly surprised. We need to move forward on affordable health care for Americans, not backwards.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Madam Chair, I rise to express my concern about the amendment accepted into the Energy & Water Appropriations bill last night that prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from using any of the funds appropriated in that act for even suggesting expanded uses of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. I represent the Port of Los Angeles, a Port which, combined with the adjacent Port of Long Beach, constitutes the busiest port complex in the United States. Forty percent of the cargo that comes into this country flows through the Ports of LA and Long Beach. The Ports of LA and Long Beach contribute more to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund than any other port--over $263 million last year. That's money that comes out of the pockets of American businesses, an added cost borne by American consumers who rely on the Ports of LA and Long Beach being efficient and strong. But because this port complex--arguably the most important port in the Nation--is blessed by geology, we have little need for dredging to remain deep and wide. And so my port sees less than a penny return for every dollar it contributes to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. And that means that all those American businesses and consumers who are forking over $263 million every year are seeing practically no benefit. The port they rely on is cut out of the narrow uses set for the HMTF. I don't think that's fair, and I don't think that's smart. Why have we structured the use of the HMTF in such a way that 40 percent of the Nation's imports are not seeing any benefit? Every port, big and small, deserves to be completely and promptly dredged. That's why achieving full utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is so critical. But we also need to address the donor equity issue faced by deep draft commercial ports like mine, who handle so much cargo and see so little investment in return. And so yes, I think we need to examine some expanded uses--including maintenance berth dredging and some landside uses closely tied to the port--so that the HMTF does in fact contribute to the strength of all ports in this great country.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a remarkable and hardworking man from my district Robert James Gow. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 7, 2013 in his home in Carson, California. Born on April 16, 1931 to Peter and Regina Gow in Gary, Indiana, Robert, known to many as Bob, was the youngest of seven siblings. An adventurous and fearless spirit, Bob's greatest legacy lives on through his dedication to family and service to others in his community. As a young man, Bob courageously served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, Bob expanded his interest in airplanes, flying, and space exploration while working at McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, North American Aviation, Rockwell, Aero-Jet, Autonetics and Boeing. In addition to being a hard worker, Bob was known as a family man. He married the love of his life, Judith Vanderpool Gow, with whom he had three sons, James, Kenneth, and William. Bob was also the grandfather of five girls, Lauren, Bryahn, Gina, Alice and Michaela, as well as a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Bob loved his community and was deeply involved in the St. Philomena Catholic Church for over 54 years. He was active with the Parent Teacher Association, Little League Baseball, and Boy Scout Troop 950 in Carson. Helping others and improving his community were his life passions. He will be remembered as a man of dedication and a pillar of our community. I was honored to have met such a remarkable man. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the House to join me in a moment of silence to commemorate the memory of the late Robert James Gow.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of our Nation's busiest port complex and the cofounder and cochair of the Ports Caucus, I understand the unique security challenges that ports pose to our economic and national security. Ports are a crucial piece of our economy, and a potential attack or disruption to trade operations could have a disastrous impact on the American economy. Last week, the Brookings Institution released a study highlighting troubling cybersecurity weaknesses at our Nation's ports, an all too often overlooked area of infrastructure vulnerability. We need to do better and finally take a comprehensive examination of the security of our Nation's ports facilities and develop a plan to address any gaps or vulnerabilities. This is why I urge my colleagues to support the GAPS Act, my legislation that directs the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive classified study of potential gaps in port security and prepare a plan to address them. After all, think tanks aren't the only ones looking for security weaknesses at our ports.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. I'm disappointed that, once again, we're shortchanging American ports, businesses, and consumers by failing to fully utilize the receipts and surplus of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund on our ports. When our ports aren't well maintained, when we fail to support their infrastructure and their dredging, we threaten more than $3 trillion of economic output and over 13 million jobs. American consumers face higher costs and American businesses have a harder time competing globally. Decades ago, Congress created a tax on the value of the goods imported through our ports to ensure that no American port would suffer underdredging. Yet, for years, Congress has failed to fully use the receipts of this tax on keeping our ports in good order. It has gotten so bad that the American Association of Port Authorities estimates that the full channel dimensions of our Nation's ports and harbors are available less than 35 percent of the time. Ships are constantly forced to light load or wait for high tide to enter U.S. harbors. Those inefficiencies and added costs ripple all the way back to the wallets of average Americans. I don't think it's right to make Americans pay for a tax and pay again for our failure to use that tax that we promised. We may be increasing the amount of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund we are spending on ports in this bill, but it still $700 million less than what our ports are owed. By the start of FY 2015, we will owe our ports nearly $9 billion that should have gone to investments in our ports that would create jobs and keep us globally competitive. We can't wait anymore. We need to fully utilize the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund as soon as possible.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, whenever we get to go back to our districts, I always try to make time to meet some more small businesses--to hear direct from them, what is standing in their way, what the need to hire and grow. And over and over again, I hear that the difficulty accessing capital is holding back the businesses of my district, and across the nation. Interest rates are low, but the upfront costs of capital can push away many small businesses that would otherwise be able to seize an opportunity in the market that would strengthen and even expand their business. The Small Business Administration has worked to make it easier and less costly for small businesses to access capital with the 7(a) loans. However, the SBA charges an upfront fee for its loan guarantee that can deter small businesses from pursuing small loans to take advantage of fleeting opportunities that require a quick influx of capital. By targeting the small loans that are so critical to the entrepreneurs and small businesses in my district, we can make it easier for these job creators to succeed and grow. That's why I am introducing legislation that would eliminate the upfront guarantee fee for SBA 7(a) loans of $150,000 or less. As we continue to work to strengthen the small businesses that are the backbone of our nation's economy, and to combat the many obstacles to their accessing the capital they need to succeed, I hope my colleagues will support this legislation.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, in my time in Congress, I have met with over 200 small businesses in my district, touring their businesses, sitting down with them in round tables. And one of the biggest things that they tell me is standing in the way of their success and growth is the difficulty they have in accessing capital. That's why the work of the Small Business Administration's loan guaranty programs is so important. But often, the paperwork it takes to apply to these programs discourages small businesses from seeking this assistance. Over and over again, small businesses tell me that their biggest obstacle in working with the Small Business Administration is the arduous amounts of paperwork needed to access SBA loans. If we are going to get our economy back on track, we need to make sure our small business owners and entrepreneurs have access to capital. That is why I am re-introducing the SBA Loan Paperwork Reduction Act, which will make permanent the SBA's pilot Small Loan Advantage Program which features streamlined paperwork, with a two-page application for borrowers and a faster approval time .I have updated this bill to allow the SBA further flexibility to expand the program in future. Small business owners are having a hard enough time in this economy without having to spend their valuable time and resources wading through a mountain of paperwork. By passing this bill, we will ensure that our entrepreneurs are given the chance to succeed and our small business owners can access the capital they need to grow and hire more workers.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, our nation's ports are more than gateways of trade--they are economic engines in their own right. Ports support 13.3 million American jobs and generate $3.15 trillion in economic activity. That is why I founded the PORTS Caucus to educate Members of Congress on the importance of ports to our national economy. As a member of the Small Businesses Committee, I also understand that economic recovery is going to be fueled by the job-creating power of our small businesses. That is why I am re-introducing the ``Ports as Small Business Incubators Act,'' which will join these two economic forces and further strengthen our economy. In 2005 alone, North American incubation programs assisted more than 27,000 companies that provided employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenues of $17 billion. My bill creates a grant program available to Port Authorities interested in creating their own small business incubators. The Ports as Small Business Incubators Act will allow port authorities to apply for a grant to create a small business incubator. This program will encourage port authorities to give opportunities to entrepreneurs who need them most. These newly-created small business incubators will be designed to foster small businesses owned by women, veterans, and minorities. Finally, this program will also encourage businesses that ,,arks develop a crucial part of our economy: green jobs. Port authorities can work with small business that focus on clean energy and improved air and water quality. By passing this bill, we will ensure that our entrepreneurs are given the chance to succeed. This program will nurture our new businesses and provide a much-needed boost to our recovering economy.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 50th anniversary of National Small Business Week. Small businesses are a vital part of our Nation's fabric and a big source of opportunity, pride, and good-paying jobs in the communities that I serve. Here's what I'm doing in California for my district and my small businesses: We're connecting our small businesses to the power of the ports to help export their goods to new markets overseas; We're helping to clear away the misinformation and uncertainty about what the Affordable Care Act really means for small businesses; We're providing resources and information to expand their access to capital to help them grow and get more customers coming in their door. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. When our small businesses are strong, our Nation is strong. All Americans should take the opportunity this week to shop at a small business.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. I wasn't able to attend my usual congressional Women's Bible Study this morning, but I am still feeling the command of scripture. So, today, as we begin the consideration of the House FARRM Bill--the FARRM Bill that takes $20 billion from the hungry in cuts to SNAP, $20 billion from the plates of fellow Americans who are struggling to feed themselves even with this meager benefit--I am holding in mind the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew: Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. In my communities alone, 145,000 people rely on this benefit. Over half of them are children. This bill takes food from their mouths. I hope all of my colleagues will remember what that means and will join me in supporting the McGovern amendment, which will reverse these cuts, or else vote down this immoral bill.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, the men and women who serve our country every day have to worry about the fate of losing a limb or losing their life facing the enemy, but they shouldn't have to worry about the insidious sexual assaults from their very own, nor should they have to live in the shadows of fear and intimidation and retaliation by their abuser. According to our Department of Defense, 26,000 servicemen and servicewomen who serve our country were sexually assaulted in the military in 2012. That's more than 70 servicewomen and servicemen sexually assaulted every single day in our military. That's a scary statistic. But what's even scarier is, due to a culture heavy on retaliation and light on prosecution, only 3,374 of those cases were even reported. This is a pervasive crisis that threatens the moral underpinnings of our military. We must take urgent action now. I actually support the underlying changes of the defense bill that we're going to be voting on this week. Congress should create a transparent and fair system that ensures the safety of our men and women in the armed services who have sacrificed enough.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in support of amendment 246, which is a bipartisan amendment that I cosponsored with my good friend and colleague, Congressman Don Young. Despite the vital role they play to our economic strength and national security, our ports, unlike nearly every other mode of transportation, still do not have a dedicated source of Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Ensuring ports have the infrastructure funding they need is not only critical to strengthening our economy, but also to making sure that our ports can handle the sudden needs of rapid deployment in the outbreak of war or during a national emergency. This amendment would allow the Maritime Administration to provide infrastructure grants to our Nation's ports and prioritize funding for our strategic seaports. By finally giving MARAD the tools that they need to successfully mitigate congestion and increase the flow of goods at U.S. ports, we will ensure our ports will be fully prepared to serve our national defense and continue to be the strong economic engine that drives our Nation's prosperity. I want to thank Congressman Young for working with me on this amendment, as well as my colleague from California, Chairman McKeon, and Ranking Member Smith for accepting this amendment en bloc.

Ms. HAHN

Ms. HAHN. Madam Speaker, the pivotal days for immigration reform are before us. I am pleased that a bipartisan group of Senators have come together in a compromise that could finally create a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million people in this Nation who have worked hard and contributed to the success of this Nation. We are a Nation founded by immigrants and working families. It's what makes this country strong. Let us not forget that nearly every American family has its own immigration story. We all pledge allegiance to the same American flag, and we all hope to achieve the same American Dream. Our Nation's immigration system is broken. This is our chance to get it right. Let's get it right for those young DREAMers, let's get it right for the tireless working mothers and fathers, let's get it right for same-sex families stuck on opposite sides of the border. Together we can build an effective, fair, and inclusive system that lives up to our heritage as a Nation of immigrants. Let's get it right this time.