Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, when a member of this body was incarcerated for something that John Adams felt was injurious to him under the Sedition Act, it was retroactive. He had written it before the act was passed and the act was, in fact, not in keeping with our free speech.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 335 because there is a consistency 4 years ago when I rose in support of a previous general. But when I look at General Lloyd Austin, I see a qualified individual, in my opinion, and I see somebody worthy of the Senate considering. But I also see that, in fact, we are setting a precedent. Sixty-seven years, we didn't. Two administrations in a row, we have. I strongly recommend today that the Armed Services Committees in both bodies begin the process of looking at what the true length of time should be and what exceptions and exemptions need to be there. Although General Austin is a very qualified individual, he still will have subordinates whom he helped promote. He still will have people whom he is extremely close to. And that creates a question of civilian leadership. So although I am not here today to speak in any way against the general or any way against his predecessor, General Mattis, I am saying that it is time for this body, after this vote, to move to a deliberative process and regular order and begin asking: Is 10 years right? Is 7 years right? If 1 year is right, what will be the requirements for that individual before we again face that with some future highly qualified former military person?

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, the last speaker said that for 4 years the President did all these terrible, inciteful things, including anti- Semitism. I take exception with that. But I think it is important that we embrace one thing that was said. Yes, the President has been consistent for the last 4 years. During his campaign, I even, while representing another candidate, said that the President had political Tourette's; he said what was on his mind without a filter. I don't think that is being debated here today. We all know that is true. What is being debated is whether, with 167 hours left until he leaves office, he is a clear and present danger. He clearly isn't. The President has acted substantially the same for 4 years. He has rallied his base, and he has, in fact, called for peaceful protest, as he did just a few days ago. The fact is, today, we are trying to punish the President--at least some are--for 4 years of what he did, not for what happened last week. What happened last week was the result of anarchists who came loaded, prepared, and with weapons.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee for giving me an opportunity to, one, speak in support of this bill; and, two, take just a couple of minutes to say what is wrong with this body on one bill that you won't see here today. Back in January, 2 years ago, H.R. 170, one of the first bills to be dropped, was put into the hopper. It was a bipartisan bill that came from the previous Congress and was dropped on the first day. H.R. 170 would reform, after more than two decades, the H1B immigration system, which is broken. Today, more people come in under H1B who are not necessary, not qualified, and not, in fact, in short supply any more than any other nanny, housekeeper, or person just to do basic work. The system has been hijacked because it has not been reformed. More than two decades ago, exemptions were placed in if you paid $60,000. Mr. Speaker, $60,000 was a lot of money in the 1990s, probably not enough for the highest high-tech worker, but pretty good for a brand- new graduate with a master's degree in the STEM field. Today, we find ourselves, again and again and again, seeing stories about organizations like the University of California-San Francisco, Abbott Labs, and Southern California Edison that hire people who come from other countries, almost exclusively from India, and take away American jobs. We see time and time again the Americans having to train them, because they don't actually know how to do the jobs. And, yes, they are making $60,001. This needed to be fixed, and I commend the members of the Judiciary Committee, both majority and minority, because we worked together on a bipartisan bill and passed it unanimously nearly a year ago. And for a year, we asked for a suspension vote. In these last days, perhaps the last day that I will stand on the floor, I have watched more than 20 bills come across. Some of them are pretty important and noncontroversial; some of them are postal namings and room namings. The fact is that House leadership on my side of the aisle is responsible for holding back a bill that was needed, that the President would have gladly signed, that he even spoke about to the tech community while he was running for office, that was worked out in a situation in which many companies weren't thrilled with the reform, but they knew it was needed. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to vote for the bill that is before us, but H.R. 170 will not see the light of day from my Republican colleagues. Rather, I will call on the new Democratic majority to do what Republicans were not allowed to do. Let there be no doubt: It would have passed overwhelmingly, perhaps unanimously, on the floor. But if it is not brought up by a new Member and brought to the floor in the first few days, we as a body will be further diminished for having something we know is needed, having something we know was desired and worked out, and, because of some silent force, my own House majority, some Member or Members of the leadership, managed to spike it. I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, as my last words on the House floor, to be told by each and every member of the leadership, including the whip, the leader, and the Speaker, that they have no problem with this bill, and they know of no reason not to bring it up, to watch it not be brought up and each week be told maybe it will be there next week under suspension, I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, this is what I will remember as our least fine hour, an example of why Americans don't trust Congress. Because, even when we agree on something, virtually unanimously, often a silent force manages to keep something that is noncontroversial from happening. Mr. Speaker, as I yield back for the last time in my time on the Hill, I want to tell you that it has been a great honor to serve here. It has been the greatest honor of my life. I wish I could go out not saying to my Democratic colleagues, the new majority: Do in the next Congress H1-B reform, that which you agreed to and which my side failed to do. Mr. Speaker, with that, I thank the leadership.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alexander Gus Spanos, who passed away at the age of 95 this week. A native Californian, Alex was well known for his skillful business acumen and his generous philanthropy. He is perhaps best known for founding one of the largest apartment developers in the United States, A.G. Spanos Companies, as well as serving as the owner of the Chargers NFL Franchise. Born the son of Greek immigrants in Stockton, California in 1923, Alex's tireless work ethic and boldness was instilled in him at a very young age, when he began working in his father's bakery at the age of eight. A tough upbringing coupled with the unshakeable belief that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to continuously drove Alex to succeed and overcome countless obstacles. Alex was a proud American who truly lived the American Dream and loved the country that enabled him to live it. When World War II broke out, Alex left college to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a B-29 tail gunner. After the war, Alex returned to school and earned varsity letters in both swimming and diving at the College of the Pacific in Stockton. In 1951, Alex started a small business selling sandwiches to migrant workers in the San Joaquin Valley. Four years after starting this business, Alex made his first million dollars and began investing his earnings in real estate and started to build apartments. In 1960, he founded A.G. Spanos Companies that, within the following two decades, became the largest apartment builder in the United States. Always an enthusiast for sports and athletic activity, Alex fulfilled one of his lifelong goals in 1984, when he purchased the San Diego Chargers. One his most memorable moments as the owner of the Chargers was watching them defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Super Bowl XXIX in 1995. Being equally passionate about the Chargers franchise's impact off the field, Alex created and funded community outreach programs like the Chargers Community Foundation, that continues to exist, supporting numerous critical causes, individuals in need, and organizations that benefit the Southern California community. Alex was a creative entrepreneur, who also knew how to conduct business the right way, firmly establishing an honest and forthright reputation in both his personal and professional relationships. For many years, I had the honor and privilege of knowing Alex and his beloved wife Faye, who also passed away earlier this year. He was always the consummate gentleman, who consistently worked to give back to the country that had given him so much and I was always grateful for his counsel and friendship. Alex Spanos was a beloved pillar of our California community and will be greatly missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on for many generations to come. With his passing, Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the legacy of this exemplary citizen and proud patriot, who lived a life that should serve as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Asahel ``Ash'' E. Hayes, who passed away in California on July 10, 2018. Ash dedicated 60 years of his abundant life to the fitness industry and inspired many others to develop a love and appreciation for exercise. He was appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Ash served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Exercise since its inception, and continued on the Board serving as emeritus historian. For decades, Ash served in leadership roles on local boards and committees, including the U.S. Olympics Committee, the San Diego Unified School District, the IDEA Foundation, and at his alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles. His lifelong advocacy of physical fitness and health continued to be recognized throughout his life. In 2007, Ash was honored with the San Diego State Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Service Award. And in 2009, he received the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Lifetime Achievement Award. These accolades reflect Ash's strong dedication to the bettering of our community. He was a wise mentor, a supportive teacher, and most importantly, he instilled others with passion. My deepest sympathies and prayers go to his wife Juanita and their family. While we mourn the loss of a great husband, father, mentor, and much more, we can find joy in the fact that Ash's legacy will continue to enrich the lives of generations to come.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight two important pieces of legislation that address the care of our nation's veterans. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks, or VA MISSION Act, into law, enacting key reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill will help us fulfill our nation's promise to veterans by increasing access to quality, timely care and benefits, while increasing accountability and transparency at the agency. Today, the House passed an appropriations package that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs for Fiscal Year 2019, including the new VA MISSION Act. Specifically, I would like to highlight a provision included in the bill that ensures the newly created Center for Innovation for Care and Payment has the resources it needs to improve quality and access to care for our vets, while finding cost savings at the VA by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and establishing common-sense partnerships with sister agencies in the federal government. One such partnership I hope the Center will consider exploring is the opportunity for VA Medical Centers to integrate care with Federal Qualified Health Centers, or FQHCs. Many veterans, especially those who live in rural communities, face challenges accessing care through the traditional VA system, and partnering with FQHCs that already provide quality care in local communities could be the most effective alternative for veterans facing transportation, mobility, or additional concerns with traveling to the nearest VA hospital. With over 10,000 FQHC service sites located across the U.S., a pilot program examining the opportunity for FQHCs to work with VA Medical Centers could demonstrate the viability of this program on a larger scale. Under the VA MISSION Act, FQHCs are already designated as eligible providers, just as they have been under current law for years. The Innovation Center has the authority to conduct pilot programs studying the best way to connect veterans to the high-quality care they deserve, and measuring the impact of a potential VA-FQHC partnership will generate the critical data necessary to determine how to achieve the missions of Veterans' Choice while cutting costs at the VA.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jack Rountree, a veteran of the United States Army, a builder, and an all-around great American. Jack has been a builder from a young age. He was born into a middle- class family who owned a thriving trucking business. The Great Depression was a difficult period for their household as it was for so many across our country. It was at that time that Jack completed his first construction project: an overhang for the shed so he would not have to milk cows in the rain. He was thirteen when he completed that project. After graduating from High School Jack enlisted in the United States Army where he was assigned to the Army's Special Guard Military Police stationed at the Los Alamos Project in New Mexico. There he guarded the atomic bomb testing site at White Sands. There were a number of hazards associated with this position not least of which was regular exposure to dangerous radiation. Jack rose through the ranks quickly and was honorably discharged in 1948 as a sergeant. Following his service Jack returned home to Oregon to tend to his sick mother. After training to become a diesel mechanic he quickly realized his true passion was building. He began his construction career in 1952. Over the years he has received numerous awards for his work including the 1988 Craftsmanship Award of the Southwestern Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Though he retired from his business Jack is still a builder at age 90 with the same spirit and drive he had as a teenager. Jack recently built a 28-foot-high prototype border wall on his property in Roseburg. His continued dedication to his craft and his country are commendable. I wish him all the best and trust the whole House will join me in thanking him for his service to our country.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4463) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6 Doyers Street in New York, New York, as the ``Mabel Lee Memorial Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 2040) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 621 Kansas Avenue in Atchison, Kansas, as the ``Amelia Earhart Post Office Building'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow for morning-hour debate and 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Thomas J. Rooney), who is the author of the bill.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 506) to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 506, currently under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2017 closes a small but significant loophole in Federal law and, in so doing, gives Federal prosecutors an additional mechanism to protect veterans from criminals who seek to defraud them. In recent years, we have heard distressing and infuriating stories about particularly elderly veterans being swindled out of their veterans' benefits. Some of these veterans, including those in low- income housing, have been deceived by fraudsters who, in fact, have preyed on their age and infirmity. Helping veterans in this case certainly should be a priority in this Congress. This is particularly insidious in that, in some cases, the criminal will claim to get a veteran's benefits approved in record time, will charge outrageous fees to file, and, ultimately, will provide the veteran with little or no assistance. They will just pocket the money that rightfully belongs to the elderly veteran. Mr. Speaker, this change in the law is critical. I want to thank Mr. Tom Rooney, the author of the bill. I want to urge that we consider it quickly, close this loophole, and provide prosecutors with the kind of ability to protect our aging veterans in a way that is currently not available. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's veterans have sacrificed. They have given us so much. They have protected us. In his second inaugural address, President Lincoln reminded us of our solemn duty ``to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.'' By doing this today, we keep that promise of so long ago: the promise to give back, as appropriate, and to protect that by giving back to the widows, the orphans, and the veterans themselves, because our values don't just say we write a check. We also protect to make sure that check gets to the true beneficiary. This enforcement will do just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to, on a bipartisan basis, which this bill has been from day one, support it and to move it to the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3996) to amend title 28, United States Code, to permit other courts to transfer certain cases to United States Tax Court.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3996, currently under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, American taxpayers fighting the Internal Revenue Service deserve their day in court. Not every taxpayer who thinks the IRS is wrong is right, but not every time the IRS brings a case are they right. The Tax Court is a unique creation of Congress. It is, in fact, an article 1 court specifically created and dedicated to tax issues. The Tax Court has the expertise necessary to hear complex or, in some cases, simple tax cases. Any situation in which a taxpayer is unable to contest an IRS action, therefore, would be simply unacceptable. Unfortunately, the problem today is that, due to an oversight in the Federal law, you can find yourself in a situation, by filing in good faith, not to be able to use a Tax Court. Unlike the IRS, not all taxpayers know about the requirement to file tax disputes in the Tax Court. Some taxpayers, in good faith, file in their local district court, which is wrong, and by the time it is discovered, their opportunity to file in Tax Court has expired. Today, when a Federal Tax Court judge recognizes the improper venue, under current law he is prevented from simply transferring the case to Tax Court, where it rightfully belongs. By the time this happens, the taxpayer usually has lost their day in court since they only have a short time in which to ask for the Tax Court. Because of this oversight in the Federal law, I, along with the ranking member of the full Judiciary Committee, introduced the Protecting Access to the Courts for Taxpayers Act. The legislation, quite simply, fixes this error that impacts dozens and dozens of Americans repeatedly every year. It is supported by advocates in the Judicial Conference and the Tax Courts. It just makes sense, Mr. Speaker, that, in fact, getting your day in court should not be nullified by an actual petition to a court erroneously not recognized in time. In any other case in which you file in Federal court, if the court determines it is not an appropriate venue, the case is transferred. This is a lone exception. I want to thank my colleague from Georgia for his support in this legislation and for his help in making sure it was drafted accurately. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I am with my friend, and would like to associate all of my further comments with his. So, again, I urge support for this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3249) to authorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3249, currently under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock), the author of the bill.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Texas is quite right. This bill's pay-for comes through consolidation of similar programs, and I think it is important to briefly go over that. Working with the Attorney General's Office, the author, Mrs. Comstock, went to great lengths to find programs that are essentially doing much the same thing in which, by consolidating, you pick up efficiencies. I particularly note that item two in the bill, the pay- for, the Edward Byrne Memorial criminal justice innovation program, is but a small part of the overall so-called Byrne program. Many of the things the gentlewoman from Texas cited are good and are not being consolidated but, rather, a small amount. This targeted approach with our limited funds allows those funds to go further; and particularly as we look at community outreach, these funds, by being consolidated, are part of a community outreach and will be used in similar ways to the programs that they are taking from, but taking from it, in this case, in a consolidated way. So I want to thank a former staff member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the committee that deals with efficiency in government, for looking through the details of these appropriated funds and finding a way to bring them together to give both flexibility and efficiency that I believe this will adhere to. It is the reason that this is a bipartisan bill. The reason that it is so widely accepted is that it has been narrowly targeted. And although I share with the gentlewoman from Texas, my friend from Houston, that in a perfect world we would be plussing-up funds, if we are not able to do that at this time, I would support and work with the gentlewoman any time to try to do something similar for some of the areas of her concern. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.