Jahana Hayes

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Courtney for yielding. Connecticut farmers are in dire need of this amendment. Connecticut's agricultural industry encompasses everything from greenhouses to dairy farms. The greenhouse and nursery industry are the largest agricultural production sectors in the State, and they account for about $4.7 billion in Connecticut's economy. But these are family farms, not large corporate farms. When they have to pay more to transport products due to unfair truck weight limits, there is a meaningful impact on their ability to stay afloat. For this reason, the Connecticut Legislature passed a law in 2013 to allow for the increase in truck weights within the State. However, this change, as my colleague Mr. Courtney says, requires a Federal fix to truly take effect. Putting Federal policy in line with State policy would be a lifeline for my local farmers. We are not talking about a hypothetical benefit. We are talking about real, tangible benefits. This amendment would achieve parity with neighboring States where weight limits are much higher. As you heard, in Connecticut, you can only carry up to 80,000 pounds, unlike our neighbors, Massachusetts, which is up to 127,000 pounds, and New York, which is up to 143,000 pounds. In order to do business with those States, it requires multiple, inefficient trips. This amendment is not just about fairness. It is about doing what makes sense for most of Connecticut's agricultural sector. This would be a vital lifeline for the industry that is the backbone of my State's economy, and they are already struggling. I urge my colleagues to at least recognize the importance of this amendment, and I thank my friend, Mr. Courtney, for his partnership in this effort.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, the novel coronavirus, has become a global pandemic that has brought us to the brink. Connecticut has been hit particularly hard by this virus, with more than 1,000 confirmed cases to date. Nonessential businesses in my state have been shuttered, crippling our local economy, squeezing small businesses, and causing painful layoffs. Our hospitals, frontline health workers, and first responders are overwhelmed working without enough resources, personal protective equipment, and tests to combat the rapid spread of this unrelenting disease. There is no more time to waste. Congress must act now to combat this virus and get the states and the American people the support and resources they need. I applaud House leadership for their hard work on this bill and for getting a deal for the American people. I was indeed frustrated that big business seemingly stepped to the front of the line in earlier proposals, but I commend my colleagues for pushing back against toxic provisions that would bail out those corporations, no strings attached, without providing the requisite support to hospitals and everyday Americans. This bill is not perfect, and does not include everything I advocated for, but it does include critical funding that will save lives and help my constituents in Connecticut's 5th District recover from the economic fallout of this public health crisis. It includes $150 billion for our health care system, nearly $16 billion for veteran health care, over $20 billion for SNAP, WIC, and other nutrition programs, direct payments to Americans to help with the financial burden this virus has caused, over $350 billion in funding for small businesses and nonprofits, $150 billion in grants for states and local municipalities, the expansion of unemployment benefits to make sure workers everywhere can land on their feet after losing their job. Finally, it provides over $35 billion for early childhood education programs, K through 12 schools, and higher education institutions in response to the severe disruptions caused by the pandemic--including funds that will help students and teachers with distance learning. This third relief package is a monumental step forward, but more work needs to be done to respond to this public health and economic emergency. When future legislation is being discussed, I hope to include more relief for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel, who are the first responders in many of the communities in my district. Their work is so vitally important, now more than ever, and we must ensure they have the proper equipment and protections in place to do their jobs. I hope more funding will be made available for rural health providers in the Northwestern Corner of Connecticut. We must help the Postal Service and its employees, which have been hit hard by the effects of the virus. I want to see more support for teachers as they adapt to a new reality of distance learning, and more relief for student loan borrowers. I hope that we will see an expansion in funding for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is particularly important as we look to combat the alarmingly high rates of infection in nursing homes. The impact that this virus is having on my district, Connecticut, and our nation, cannot be understated, and we must do everything to help Americans overcome the challenges we are facing. Now is the time for unity, cooperation and immediate action. For these reasons I support this bill and look forward to it being signed into law.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 87.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Thomas Edison Middle School of Meriden, Connecticut, for being named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America. Thomas Edison is one of 12 schools in Connecticut and one of only 142 schools in the country to be given this prestigious distinction. Its challenging curriculum, full engineering program, innovative technical supports, and strong family and community partnerships have resulted in high student achievement at the school. Thomas Edison started an innovative program that provided every student with a laptop to take home. This kind of investment in all students and commitment to reducing disparity pays dividends in student success. Even with plentiful resources, success takes staff buy-in, strong leadership, and tireless work. I commend the staff at Thomas Edison for their commitment to their craft and dedication to students. But it also takes a community, parents devoted to their children's learning, and students empowered and motivated to go the extra mile. Thomas Edison has implemented a family and community partnership. It has also partnered with the Community Health Center to provide behavioral health and dental health to all students. This comprehensive approach to supporting students with wrap-around service makes a difference. Every school in America has the potential to be a school of distinction; we just need to prioritize education. Again, I congratulate the Thomas Edison Middle School community for this award and honor.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rosella Purcell, of Southbury, Connecticut, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on March 27, 2020. Ms. Purcell is the third youngest of four children born to Rose and Jeffrey Donahue. While her older brothers, John and Joseph, have passed away, her ``kid brother'' Jeff is just as healthy as his older sister at the youthful age of 96. The two of them still enjoy their conversations on the phone talking about their memories of growing up in Danbury, Connecticut, and raising their families that now spread across four generations. During World War II, Ms. Purcell was a first lieutenant in United States Army, serving as a nurse at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In 1951, she married James Purcell, a veteran who served in the Atlantic Theater in General George S. Patton's Third Army. Together they raised three children: Jay, Rosemary, and John. In addition to her children, Ms. Purcell has four grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Memories abound for the Purcell family of family gatherings, most notably at Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, Rhode Island, where they have vacationed regularly for the past 60 years. There, her children and grandchildren would spend hours on their bikes or in the ocean riding waves, playing endless games in the backyard of the family beach cottage, and riding the merry-go-round at Watch Hill hoping to capture the elusive gold ring. When asked what makes Ms. Purcell such a special lady, family members will say her faith, sense of humor, and sincerity. While she has dealt with hardships in recent years, she remains steadfast to her faith--a faith that continues to guide her through each day and passing night. To this day, Ms. Purcell remains in good health and her mind is as sharp as ever. It is amazing to think about the history that Ms. Purcell has witnessed in her 100 years, from the Great Depression and World War II, to Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon and so many other events that have shaped the 20th and 21st centuries. However, what means the most to Ms. Purcell are the family members who will gather together to celebrate her 100th birthday and her family members who are no longer with us. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending warmest wishes to Ms. Purcell for a happy birthday and continued good health. I would also like to thank her for her service to our country.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Thomas Edison Middle School of Meriden, Connecticut for being named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America. Thomas Edison is one of 12 schools in Connecticut and one of 142 in the country to be given this prestigious distinction. Its challenging curriculum, full engineering program, innovative technical supports, and strong family and community partnerships have resulted in high student achievement at the school. Thomas Edison started an initiative that has provided every student with a laptop to help with their studies. That kind of investment in students and commitment to reducing disparity pays dividends--in student success. Even with plentiful resources, success takes staff buy-in, strong leadership and tireless work. I commend the staff at Thomas Edison for their commitment to their craft and dedication to students. But it also takes a community--parents devoted to their children's learning, and students empowered and motivated to go the extra mile. Thomas Edison has implemented a Families as Partners program to foster mutual respect and effective collaboration between families and school staff. It has also partnered with Community Health Center Inc. to provide behavioral health services and dental services at school. This comprehensive approach to supporting students with wraparound services makes a difference. Students learn best when their physical, mental and emotional needs are met. This week also happens to be National Public Schools week--a week when we celebrate the significant contributions and accomplishments of students, parents, educators and education advocates in our public schools. The achievements of Thomas Edison underscore the importance of supporting robust federal investment in public education, including the Magnet Schools Assistance Program. I am committed to continuing to fight for strong supports and funding for public schools and programs with a track record of success, so that every school in my district and around the country has resources needed to mirror the accomplishments achieved at Thomas Edison Middle School. Every school in America has the potential to be a school of distinction--we just need to prioritize education. Again, I congratulate the Thomas Edison Middle School community for this award and honor.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes on February 10 due to unavoidable travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 55 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 56.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer an amendment to preserve the ability for new, voluntarily recognized unions to collectively bargain for a reasonable period of time without the threat of an invited decertification campaign. I include in the Record a letter from the National Education Association in support of the PRO Act. National Education Association, Washington, DC, February 6, 2020. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: On behalf of the 3 million members of the National Education Association who work in schools and on college campuses in 14,000 communities, we urge you to vote YES on the Protect the Right to Organize Act (H.R. 2474). Votes associated with this issue may be included in NEA's Report Card for the 116th Congress. Collective bargaining is crucial in providing working people with a voice in the workplace and a means for improving their families' financial circumstances. The freedom to collectively bargain, in both the public and the private sectors, helps reduce income inequality and assists low- and middle-income workers in sharing in economic growth. However, according to Bureau of Labor statistics, only 6.2 percent of workers in the private sector were union members in 2019. Employers' hostility to union organizing is largely to blame for the declining number of private-sector union members. This negatively affects working families and our nation's economic viability. The PRO Act will take several steps to reduce the barriers to private-sector union organizing, including: Revising the definition of ``employee'' and ``supervisor'' to prevent employers from classifying employees as exempt from labor law protections; Expanding unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of or discrimination against workers who participate in strikes; Making it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership an unfair labor practice; and Allowing injunctions against employers engaging in unfair labor practices involving discharge or serious economic harm to an employee. All working families deserve financial stability and the ability to negotiate to improve their circumstances. The right to organize is essential to these, and to our nation's overall economic health. We urge you to vote YES on the PRO Act to help remove barriers to organizing in the private sector. Sincerely, Marc Egan, Director of Government Relations, National Education Association.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, as a union member, I have had the benefits of the organizing and collective bargaining power of WTA, CEA, NEA, and SEIU 1199. But not all people work in fields with a history of unionization. New unions need a chance to bargain with employers and prove they are productive and skilled advocates on behalf of their members. For over 40 years, the National Labor Relations Board protected the voluntary recognition process by affording a reasonable amount of time for employers and unions to collectively bargain without fear of decertification challenges. That rule balanced the need for stability in labor relations with the right to have an election, while giving the unions a chance to demonstrate effectiveness to its members. In 2007, the Bush administration's NLRB scrapped that policy by requiring employers to post a notice inviting a decertification election within a 45-day window, fostering uncertainty among employees, undermining stability in collective bargaining, and encouraging employers to stall at the bargaining table. Although the NLRB rejected this policy in 2011, this administration has proposed to revive it. Unions need our support now more than ever. In 2018, Connecticut saw a 3.5 percent decline in union membership from the previous year. Due to this administration's attacks following the Janus Supreme Court decision, national union membership is at 10.3 percent, down from 20.1 percent from the first year data was collected in 1983. We should not be proposing new rules meant to antagonize and intimidate newly formed unions or new workers advocating for their constitutional right to organize. We should be giving new unions the tools they need to succeed. A nonunionized workforce means lower wages, poorer working conditions, and reduced benefits. It means working at risk of exploitation. It means a workforce left with no tools to advocate for themselves in the workplace. The PRO Act will strengthen unions formed over a century ago and those formed today. It will bolster the power of workers and the middle class by giving labor law teeth to prevent intimidation and retaliation. It will strengthen Connecticut workers' rights to collectively bargain on behalf of their members. And it will put a stop to the blatant attacks from employers and State legislatures. Mr. Chair, I stand with my union brothers and sisters at all stages of the unionization process. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment ensuring new unions are given the chance to organize without a rushed threat of decertification. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, first, the PRO Act does not require employees to recognize unions without first having an election. Rather, the right of an employer to voluntarily recognize a union has been the law of this land since 1935, when the National Labor Relations Act was enacted. Voluntary recognition happens with demonstrated majority support from members by petition or union authorization cards. Again, voluntary recognition happens with demonstrated majority support from members by petition or union authorization cards. The PRO Act simply strengthens employees' right to a free and fair election by establishing more effective remedies when an employer unlawfully interferes with an election. Second, my amendment does not undermine the right to have an election. It codifies a period of time during which a union and an employer can focus on bargaining an agreement and allows workers to exercise their constitutional right to collectively bargain. It prevents wasteful delay tactics so both parties can get to the negotiating table. If we are going to protect the practice of collective bargaining, we need to ensure there is a reasonable time period for the union to represent employees and bargain on their behalf without fighting over other challenges. This time period only begins after the employees have demonstrated a majority want to have a union. It does not stop employees from seeking an election after a reasonable time of 1 year, provided it does not interfere with other existing NLRB policies. The reality is union membership is declining because of the continued attacks on working-class Americans. Our workers are losing a seat at the table in their own workplaces. They need us to defend their rights and ensure they have a fair shot at negotiation. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to stand up for unions and support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 76, a resolution of disapproval of the Secretary of Education's new borrower defense rule. This rule guts consumer protections for students and taxpayers and makes it more difficult for students to access relief for loans obtained for degrees that have no value. Over 1,200 students in Connecticut have been defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges like Corinthian and ITT Tech and still await relief. The Department has made the approval process more difficult, leaving hundreds of thousands of students desperately waiting for answers. Too many first-generation, low-income students, student veterans, and students of color are lured into these fraudulent schools that prioritize profits over helping students advance their education. The DeVos rule eliminates automatic closed school discharges and weakens the early warning system that forces institutions to invest in the potential debt relief. It puts a greater burden of proof on students, barring them from relief if they cannot file their claims fast enough. As a career educator who truly understands the equalizing power of education, I say it is unconscionable that the Department of Education and the Secretary do not feel a moral imperative to protect students. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, my commitment has always been to be honest and transparent with the people of Connecticut's 5th District on my thinking and the decisions I make. Impeachment is not a course I wanted to pursue. I came to Congress to make a difference, not to impeach a President. After extensive review of the articles of impeachment and the available evidence, I will vote in favor of impeaching the President of the United States. I do not take this action lightly and understand the gravity of the moment. As the impeachment discussion progressed, I remained committed to not weighing in publicly, believing it was important that everyone had the chance to examine the case for themselves. As the investigation proceeded, I deliberately chose not to comment without having had a chance to review all the evidence and study the full articles as drafted. I have now had the chance to thoroughly consider all the evidence and the articles of impeachment being considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is clear to me that the President attempted to use the Office of the President to demand a foreign leader investigate an American citizen for political gain. As I listened to the testimony, I became more concerned about the actions of the President. While some may argue these actions do not merit impeachment, to do nothing and normalize this behavior would be a dereliction of my oath of office. This is a moment where I must lead, and I will vote yes when the articles of impeachment are brought to the floor of the House.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a bill that would take power wielded and weaponized by massive drug companies and put it back in the hands of the American people. It is beyond unacceptable that families in my district and around the country are price gouged at the pharmacy counter and forced to make the impossible decision to either pay for their medication or put food on their table. H.R. 3 will save my constituents in Connecticut's Fifth suffering from diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, hundreds--even thousands--of dollars per year. But perhaps the thing I am most proud of in H.R. 3 is that it includes a bill that I sponsored, the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act. This bill will put drug companies who share responsibility for the opioid crisis on the hook for part of the solution. My bill would direct $100 million of the savings from drug pricing negotiations to grants that would improve trauma support services and mental healthcare for children and schools. As a Member of Congress who has spent a career in the classroom, I have seen the painful reality of too many schools having too few counselors and psychologists to tackle the complex needs of students suffering from abuse, neglect, and trauma. We need to commit to investing and implementing ongoing supports and wraparound services for every student who is affected, for every student who has faced loss or has been separated from their parents as a result of the opioid crisis. Drug companies are prioritizing profits over human lives in their cruel business calculus. Communities like Waterbury, Litchfield, and New Britain in my district desperately need help to fight this opioid crisis, which mirrors the crisis that consumers are currently facing with rising drug costs. I am proud that this bill also includes legislation I cosponsored that would lower drug costs for some of the most vulnerable members of the population.

Mrs. HAYES. The bill would also save older adults with limited incomes money and improve access to their needed medications. Mr. Chairman, my constituents cannot wait for change. Patients in rural communities cannot wait for change. The 22,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with cancer each year cannot wait for change. The student in Meriden who has suffered as a victim of the opioid crisis cannot wait for change. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize that our constituents need us. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 3.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ivan ``Bud'' Warren Atwood, Jr., of Torrington, Connecticut, who passed away on October 20, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. As a decorated member of the U.S. Army and a longtime advocate for veterans, Mr. Atwood lived a life that was truly emblematic of service to his community. During his time in the U.S. Army, Mr. Atwood proved himself to be a dedicated and brave soldier. As a result, he was awarded a series of medals and decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Marksman (Rifle), the Good Conduct Medal, a Korean War Service Medal, and a Letter of Appreciation. However, work for the Armed Services and his country continued long after he left the Army. After retiring, Mr. Atwood turned his attention to veterans. He became the Director of the Torrington Veterans Service Office, where he had the privilege of providing services and final honors to countless veterans for at least eighteen years. In addition to this, Mr. Atwood served with the Northwest Connecticut Honor Guard and was instrumental in organizing local events for veterans such as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, National Korean War Armistice Day, and many more. Mr. Atwood's work in the military community shows his character and integrity. His legacy lives on through the veterans for whom he advocated tirelessly, the organization which he championed, and his family members who have inherited his commitment to service. It cannot be understated how much he will be missed. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ivan Warren Atwood, Jr. as he rests in peace after such an extraordinary life. He truly made our community a better place.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor for his steadfast leadership of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and introduction of the College Affordability Act. But I cannot do that without further recognizing my colleague and my friend, Chairman Elijah Cummings, whose family was from South Carolina, Clarendon County, to be exact, which is the home of the Briggs v. Elliott case, one of the first cases challenging school segregation. He understood the power of a high-quality education, and I know that he would be so incredibly proud of this remarkable piece of legislation that is being introduced this week. This is an achievement that reflects the priorities of the entire Democratic Caucus to expand opportunities and make college affordable and accessible for all students. I am proud that this bill embraces and reflects my priorities in Congress, including the Pell Grant Restoration Act, the Teacher Debt Relief Act, the Teacher Diversity and Retention Act, and the Jumpstart on College Act. These bills would respectively protect student aid of vulnerable students who have been defrauded; provide educators with much-needed student debt relief so that they can stay in the classroom; reinforce critical programs that help develop a diverse educator workforce; and provide a robust investment in dual-enrollment classes that will lower the cost of a degree for students who need it most. This bill is a year's-long effort to level the playing field for every demographic of students across the country, from veteran students, to working parents; and from small family farmers, to public servants. It is for students hoping to become the first in their family to go to college and afford it. This bill is for families who struggle to put enough in the bank for their children's education. This bill is for students who struggle to fill out the overly complicated FAFSA; who struggle to earn degrees and keep the lights on while working and raising children; who utilize the Pell grant and other Federal aid to make it through, and still find themselves in debt. My own journey reflects the challenges of navigating a system that simply is not built for everyone, of jumping through untenable hurdles to complete a degree. So it is deeply gratifying today to be part of the change that I so desperately needed as a student, to give a new, more diverse generation of students the supports they need to succeed. The College Affordability Act would immediately lower the cost of college for students and families across the country by expanding Pell grants, incentivizing free community colleges, and driving States to substantially reinvest in their public institutions. The bill invests in teachers by fixing a broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and TEACH Grant system, and permanently funding historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions, all proven incubators of diverse educators. The bill raises the quality of higher education by holding accreditors and schools accountable and weeding out bad actors. The bill also improves the completion rate for underserved communities through more robust and flexible student support. This bill tackles the growing student default crisis by making student loans cheaper to take out, simpler to understand, and easier to pay off. With the passage of the College Affordability Act, for-profit colleges will no longer be able to look at students as mere profit centers to swindle out of their Pell or GI dollars. The bill closes loopholes to prevent veterans and low-income students from predatory for-profit institutions and creates more guardrails to ensure that every student can have the peace of mind that the degree they are investing in has value upon graduation. That is all Americans want--the opportunity to get an education that opens the doors to a life of achievement, fulfillment, and economic power, and to be self-sufficient. The College Affordability Act is a downpayment on the success and financial stability of students in my district and across the country. I am proud to have contributed to it and I support it here today.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I was unable to be present for votes on June 13th due to an unavoidable personal conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 295; YEA on Roll Call No. 296; YEA on Roll Call No. 297; YEA on Roll Call No. 298; YEA on Roll Call No. 299; YEA on Roll Call No. 300; YEA on Roll Call No. 301; YEA on Roll Call No. 302; YEA on Roll Call No. 303; NAY on Roll Call No. 304; YEA on Roll Call No. 305; YEA on Roll Call No. 306; YEA on Roll Call No. 307; YEA on Roll Call No. 308; YEA on Roll Call No. 309; YEA on Roll Call No. 310; YEA on Roll Call No. 311; YEA on Roll Call No. 312; YEA on Roll Call No. 313; YEA on Roll Call No. 314; YEA on Roll Call No. 315; YEA on Roll Call No. 316; YEA on Roll Call No. 317; YEA on Roll Call No. 318; YEA on Roll Call No. 319; YEA on Roll Call No. 320; YEA on Roll Call No. 321; and YEA on Roll Call No. 322.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is fitting that H.R. 987, a bill that would protect the progress of the Affordable Care Act, should include language that would reinforce the Federal navigator program, which provides outreach, education and enrollment assistance to consumers looking to buy health insurance. This administration has slashed funding for Federal marketplace navigators in recent years, with some States facing cuts near 96 percent, undermining the exchanges and hindering the ability of consumers to choose the insurance plan that works best for them. My background in education makes it hard for me to understand why we would ever want to eliminate tools to help educate the public about how to access healthcare. It is even harder for me to understand why we would want to limit this critical funding just to States that operate within the Federal marketplace. Residents in States like California, New York, Minnesota, and Connecticut deserve to have the same opportunity as people throughout the rest of the country to learn about their healthcare options, to learn how to sign up for coverage, and to learn how this coverage will work. And so my amendment would open navigator funds to State-run marketplaces, so that my home State of Connecticut, and the 11 other States that operate a State-based exchange, could benefit from this funding. The Affordable Care Act helped more than 20 million Americans sign up for health insurance. People of color experienced some of the largest gains in coverage under the Affordable Care Act, finally reducing longstanding racial disparities. But in recent years, my own State's exchange, Access Health CT Exchange, experienced a marked decrease in enrollment with communities of color; a worrisome sign that the progress that has been made in healthcare coverage with the passage of the Affordable Care Act may be slipping through our fingers. Cutting funding to the navigator and outreach programs represents underhanded attacks on the people that need healthcare the most. It is part of this administration's subtle strategy to roll back the protections of the Affordable Care Act by reducing healthcare access as a last-ditch effort. The simple fact is that brokers do not always serve these communities. There is an urgent need to reinforce and expand outreach programs to make sure that we are reaching people in all zip codes, of all demographics. State-based exchanges are already doing their part to be flexible, to invest in outreach, and to partner with all communities. Access Health CT even expanded their open enrollment period this year after the Texas v. United States decision was unveiled in December. The exchange knew that it had to combat misinformation--that the Affordable Care Act was still intact, despite the Texas decision--and that people could still sign up for coverage. State-based exchanges need all the help they can get to support these efforts. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have?

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chair, I want to point out that an estimated 90 million Americans still have low health literacy. These people are disproportionately lower-income Americans, elderly Americans, and Americans with low English proficiency. There is a clear need and urgency for the Federal Government to help these people in States that operate State-based exchanges, and there is precedent for my amendment. My State exchange has received roughly $3 million for the In-Person Assister program from the Federal Government. The bottom line is that the rules of the road have changed since changing the requirement to provide healthcare coverage to all Americans. There has never been a greater need to shore up programs that make certain working Americans, especially underserved populations, are protected and insured; that people in all communities know what their options are and know when and how to access these benefits. I strongly support H.R. 987. I think that my amendment will make it even better. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the leader of this important bill.

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. HAYES

Mrs. HAYES. ``Further, the Office learned that some of the individuals we interviewed or whose conduct we investigated--including some associated with the Trump campaign--deleted relevant communications or communicated during the relevant period using applications that feature encryption or that do not provide for long- term retention of data or communications records. In such cases, the Office was not able to corroborate witness statements through comparison to contemporaneous communications or fully question witnesses about statements that appeared inconsistent with other known facts.'' Volume I, page 10.

Mrs. HAYES. ``The President and his personal counsel made repeated statements suggesting that a pardon was a possibility for Manafort, while also making it clear that the President did not want Manafort to `flip' and cooperate with the government.'' Volume II, page 131.