Steve Israel

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent, physician and researcher, Dr. Shetal I. Shah, MD, FAAP for his vigorous advocacy efforts in support of child and newborn health. For over 10 years, Dr. Shah has been an engaged physician-advocate in his roles as Legislative Chairman and Executive Committee member of the Long Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A lifelong member of New York's Third Congressional District, Dr. Shah's medical expertise-- coupled with his policy insights and practical, first-hand knowledge of how pediatric and neonatal medicine are practiced in the region--have been a vital resource for my office in interpreting child health legislation. His work has provided practice insights into how national policy will directly affect newborns, children, pediatricians and health-care systems across my congressional district and across Long Island. Throughout my tenure in the United States Congress, Dr. Shah has volunteered his time to work with my office to increase pediatric medication safety, support pediatric stem cell research, improve rates of life-saving immunizations, expand access for children to pediatricians, and reduce the effects of gun violence and tobacco on children. His work to promote increased funding for pediatric research, international vaccination funding and healthcare for children has also been helpful to my work in Congress. I was particularly grateful to receive Dr. Shah's assistance during the debate regarding passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He was a vocal proponent of how Medicaid Expansion, partnered with Health Insurance Exchanges and the State Child Health Insurance Program--would significantly increase health care access and preventive care for children on Long Island and across the nation. These meetings helped me to critically evaluate this signature legislative achievement. Dr. Shah has been well recognized for his advocacy efforts over the past decade and I am thankful to be able to extend my appreciation to him for his work. Dr. Shah is co-chairman of the Advocacy Committee of the Society for Pediatric Research, a selective organization consisting of the leading pediatric scientists, policy analysts and researchers in the nation. He is also an appointed member of the Pediatric Policy Council, a consortium of pediatric advocates from the leading medical organizations dedicated to child health. His work in health policy on behalf of children has been honored by the American Medical Association, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute for Medicine as a Professor at Columbia University. A former Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Shah is well prepared for his work. A 1996 graduate of Princeton University, Dr. Shah subsequently earned his medical degree--with honors in research--from Cornell University Medical College. He completed a three-year residency in pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine followed by a three-year fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at New York University School of Medicine before returning to Long Island. Currently he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine at New York Medical College and a neonatologist at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to leave the United States Congress, I wish to thank impactful and engaged citizens such as Dr. Shah for his work with my office on behalf of children. His expert child health care policy analysis has helped elevate and focus debate on our most important constituents--our children. On behalf of New York's third congressional district, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Dr. Shetal Shah, MD FAAP and extend to him thanks on behalf of a grateful United States Congress.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my very good friend from Florida (Mr. Deutch), who was an original cosponsor of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for her leadership and her support of this resolution, as well as the chairman of the committee, Mr. Royce, for holding a markup on this and ensuring that it received a vote on the floor of the House. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan) for being the lead original cosponsor of this bipartisan resolution. Mr. Speaker, I introduced this resolution shortly after Elie Wiesel's passing because I wanted to ensure that my colleagues, my constituents, and citizens around the world would never forget the horrors of the Holocaust and the very special and unique legacy of Elie Wiesel. Mr. Wiesel's tremendous impact has reached millions across the globe, and I believe he truly is one of the most influential and important figures of our time, perhaps of all time. After surviving one of the darkest moments in history, he spoke up and offered a voice to the voiceless. He offered hope to people without hope. He spoke for the millions that we lost in the Holocaust, but also those who survived. He helped educate the entire world on the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, and he ensured, Mr. Speaker, that we would never forget. He was born on September 30, 1928, and in 1944 was deported, along with his family, to Auschwitz. In 1945, he was moved to Buchenwald, where he was eventually liberated. Unfortunately, tragically, many members of his family did not survive. His mother and younger sister died in the gas chamber in Auschwitz. His father passed away in Buchenwald. Only Wiesel and his two older sisters survived. He went on to become a journalist. He published his first book, ``Night,'' in 1958. I have read it many times. Through the book, he tells the story of his family's deportation to the concentration camps, and he illuminated the unthinkable atrocities committed by the Nazis. He wrote the book not to reflect on the past, but to warn us about the future, to call out violations of human rights wherever and whenever they occur. And he didn't stop there. He published so many more books and plays and essays, and he helped all of us have a better understanding and learn from history. Mr. Speaker, he also helped found the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and, along with his wife, Marion, created the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. Elie Wiesel was a true humanitarian, fighting against intolerance and injustice and leaving behind a legacy like no other. I met him personally several years ago. I will never forget that meeting. None of us should ever forget his meaning in the world. I am honored to have introduced this resolution in the House, and I know that my colleagues will support this measure in order to honor the life, work, and legacy of Elie Wiesel.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the distinguished ranking member. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. Mr. Speaker, 15 years ago, my Congressional District lost 200 men and women--families named Downey, families named Murphy, families named Uggiano, and so many other families. In the years since, those who responded to that act of terror have been getting sicker and sicker and sicker. They all deserve justice, Mr. Speaker. You get justice on the battlefield. You can get justice in the courtroom. This bill ensures that they have the right to justice in the courtroom. For that simple and very profound reason, I support this bill. I was pleased to cosponsor the bill with my friend from New York (Mr. King). Mr. Speaker, I urge the President not to veto this bill. I thank my friend from Michigan.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss our national security. Our first obligation as Members of Congress is to keep the American people safe. That responsibility ultimately rests with our Commander in Chief. We need a Commander in Chief who will support our troops and their families. We need a Commander in Chief who is going to build robust alliances. We need a Commander in Chief who is going to be tough with adversaries. We need a Commander in Chief who is going to be smart on foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Republican nominee for President said that he would ask China to handle the problem of a nuclear North Korea. Now, I know that the Republican nominee for President has outsourced jobs to China. Now he is outsourcing national security to China. He has insulted Gold Star families, Mr. Speaker. That is not supporting our troops and their families. He has announced that he would weaken our commitment to NATO. That is not building robust alliances. He has said that he has asked Russia to commit cyber espionage against the United States of America. That is not being tough with our adversaries. Outsourcing a nuclear-equipped North Korea to China is not being smart on foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, the Republican nominee for President is dangerously unfit for command. I understand that some don't have all the facts and may not be well- read. That is one thing. Not having the facts and not being well-read and being dangerous is a threat to the United States of America.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I share the gentleman's legitimate concern for the condition of BIA roads, but reluctantly must oppose this amendment because it takes even more money from an already starved EPA. EPA's main operating account is already cut by $92 million in the bill. Amendments have cut an additional $116 million. Again, while I share the concern that the gentleman has, the fact is that the bill already provides $30 million for BIA road maintenance. This is $3.2 million more than the budget request. So although road maintenance is critically important, I cannot support the offset. I oppose the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the distinguished ranking member.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, again, I fully respect the gentleman's concern. Although he says this is a modest offset, that may be true, but we have one modest offset on top of another modest offset on top of another modest offset. Before you know it, the EPA is just starving and cannot do its mission. I oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I thank my distinguished friend from Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise in very strong support of the Lowey amendment. This amendment would strike a provision of the bill that waives part of the EPA's lead renovation, repair, and painting rule. Mr. Chairman, after Flint, we have become more aware of the growing need to protect our communities from the devastating impacts of lead exposure. According to the CDC, at least 4 million households have children who are exposed to high levels of lead, especially in low- income communities. EPA's rule has been in effect since 2008, so why now, 8 years later, is the majority trying to undermine these protections? Why now? Why after Flint? Mr. Chairman, lead paint is still present in millions of homes. Now is not the time, it is absolutely the wrong time, to give industry a pass at the expense of America's children. I urge adoption of the amendment to protect the health and well-being of the American people.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. The effects of climate change are real, and they are being felt by Americans every day. NASA says that climate change is causing drought and increased forest fire frequency in the West, flooding in the Midwest, declining water supplies in the Southeast. Ninety-seven percent of all climate experts agree that human activity, specifically the combustion of fossil fuels and the release of carbon into the atmosphere, is changing our climate; yet this Congress continues to deny that there is a crisis, and it refuses to take the action that is necessary to protect the safety, the health, and the well-being of our constituents. Mr. Chair, the standards that the administration has proposed are just about protecting the health of our children and putting this Nation on a path to a 30 percent reduction in carbon pollution from the power sector by 2030. We cannot continue to deny that there is something happening with our weather. We cannot continue to deny that there is something happening with our climate nor can we continue to deny that, if we do this right, we will create a new generation of jobs and careers in new technologies. For those reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, last year, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued proposed fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act. This amendment would prohibit EPA from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing this proposed rule or any rule of the same substance with respect to glider vehicles. These new standards are designed to improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impact of climate change. To be specific, Mr. Chair, these standards are expected to lower CO2 emissions by roughly 1 billion metric tons, cut fuel costs by $170 million, and reduce oil consumption by up to 1.8 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the program. Now, heavy-duty trucks account for 5 percent of the vehicles on the road, and yet they create 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions created by all transportation sectors. I would note for my colleagues that this amendment doesn't actually suspend all aspects of the new rule; it simply carves out an exemption for one particular industry, the industry that produces what are known as glider vehicles. Glider vehicles are heavy-duty vehicles that place an older or remanufactured engine on a new truck chassis. These are engines that date back to 2001 or older. They have emissions that are 20 to 40 times higher than today's clean diesel engines. In essence, Mr. Chair, this amendment would allow an entire segment of the truck manufacturing industry to avoid compliance with the new criteria pollutant standards that are in the rule. These are engines that will continue to emit greenhouse gases and slow down our progress in reducing the impacts of climate change. In short, Mr. Chair, this amendment creates a loophole that you could drive a truck through by allowing dirty engines to continue to pollute our environment. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I would just restate that this amendment creates a loophole. It creates a loophole for one industry. It picks winners and losers. The winners would be one segment of the truck industry. The losers would be jobs, our health, and our environment. Mr. Chair, I ask for opposition to this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I believe that our colleagues will be treated to a rare display of bipartisan harmony on this amendment. Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose the amendment. Look, this is not a perfect bill, and there are clear differences on this amendment, but we should not be underfunding what, in my view, is already underfunded. If this amendment were to pass, we are looking at fewer patients that would be seen at the Indian Health Service, fewer safety inspectors ensuring that accidents do not occur, and deferred maintenance on our Nation's drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. More generally, Mr. Chairman, investments in our environmental infrastructure and our public lands will be halted, and jobs will be lost. The bill is already underfunded in my view, and this amendment would not encourage the agencies to do more with less. Simply put, it would force agencies and our constituents to do less with less. I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. ISRAEL. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, may I ask how much time I have remaining?

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman notes that it is the taxpayers' money. She is right, it is the taxpayers' money. Taxpayers expect that their money will be spent safeguarding their infrastructure. They expect that their money will be spent on maintenance, maintaining their infrastructure. They expect that their money will be spent making sure that when they turn on the faucets in Flint, Michigan, toxic water doesn't come out. They expect that if they have health problems, they will be able to get some monitoring and that their health will be taken care of. They expect us to spend their dollars wisely. As I said before, Mr. Chairman, this is not a perfect bill. But the chairman is correct, this bill adheres to the law. While we would say we are not investing enough, and while the chairman would say we are investing about what we have, the gentlewoman's amendment would actually force us to do much less with even less. Those are not priorities we can support, Mr. Chairman, which is why I urge my colleagues to join the chairman and our ranking member in opposing this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, again, I would urge opposition to this amendment. There are opportunities for the gentleman to work with the authorizing committee. The Appropriations Committee should not be used as a vehicle to wall off sections of specific areas. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment,

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, this amendment nullifies the terms of the Land and Water Conservation Fund contracts that are more than 20 years old. When States, counties, and other municipal governments receive funds from the LWCF State assistance grant program, they do so with the understanding that the land acquired with these funds will be used for public recreation purposes in perpetuity. If they no longer need the land for this purpose, there is an established administrative process that allows for a simple conversion. Since LWCF's establishment over 50 years ago, this conversion process has been successfully executed thousands of times. Under this amendment, however, any parcel acquired more than 20 years ago could be converted to private use or even sold on the open market without any compensation to the American taxpayer. This is a misguided outcome, Mr. Chairman. Our constituents deserve a fair return on their investment, and we shouldn't allow one town's unwillingness to play by the rules to upend 50 years of success. I urge my colleagues to defend the integrity of the LWCF and reject this amendment. I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, the distinguished leader of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Idaho, and the ranking member from Minnesota agree that this amendment would have a misguided outcome. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.