Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise for a parliamentary inquiry based upon the resolution before us and the most somber responsibility of impeachment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the inquiry is the underlying premise as to whether or not an impeachment should go forward when there are questions that are not documented of malfeasance or malice or the interpretation of the Madison Papers or the impeachment articles under the Constitution. Obviously, we are now preparing to refer. My question, Mr. Speaker, is whether or not we have made the appropriate documentation in the resolutions of the Articles of Impeachment that we should even refer this at all? I raise the question on a parliamentary inquiry.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say that the substance of the Articles of Impeachment do not meet the standards that are evidenced in the articles in the Constitution or interpretive works, such as the Madison Papers. I believe it is without substance, and I would hope that we would not refer this at this time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1555, the ``Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015.'' S. 1555 honors the brave Filipino soldiers who courageously fought for freedom in World War II by awarding the highest honor that this Congress can bestow. More than 260,000 Filipino veterans, 18,000 of who are still alive today, who for decades had to fight for benefits and recognition, will now receive the recognition they have earned and deserve. These Filipino soldiers were instrumental to the United States efforts in the Pacific. After the invasion of the Philippines by Japanese forces they retired to the Bataan Peninsula and continued to fight valiantly. Among these brave soldiers is Dominador Soriano, a resident of San Antonio, Texas, who fought as a member of both the Philippine and United States Armies. He was drafted into the Philippine Army in 1938 and then inducted into the U.S. Army in the Far East on September 1, 1941. Under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, Soriano commanded the Echo Company of the 83rd Infantry Regiment, keeping watch on Japanese ships moving through the Tanon Strait. During the Japanese invasion he was shot and in July of 1944 was captured, beaten and then released, but could barely walk. Soriano continued working with the resistance until the surrender of the Japanese on August 15, 1945. Recently, the city of San Antonio honored Soriano and other Filipino veterans with a resolution that recognized their efforts during World War II and supported legislation to award these courageous men the Congressional Gold Medal. The resolution is the first of its kind by any city in the United States, and I believe that it is time for Congress to follow suit. These brave Filipino soldiers answered President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call to serve in World War II and they deserve the highest award that we can give, for there is no higher duty than putting one's life on the line for freedom and country. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1555 the ``Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the bipartisan H.R. 2992, the ``Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act,'' introduced by my colleague, Congresswoman Susan Brooks of Indiana. I stand to recognize every service member who has dedicated his or her life to the protection of this nation and the world. The Merchant Marines of World War II were vital in the collective effort to defeat the Axis powers. Serving our military as a distributor, Merchant Marine fleets carry imports and exports during peacetime and become a naval auxiliary during wartime, delivering troops and needed war supplies and materials. Many Merchant Marines have sacrificed their lives, perishing at the highest rate of casualties of any service members, sometimes as high as 1 in 24 in any given mission. During World War II, a total of 1,554 ships were sunk by German U- boats, including 733 ships weighing over 1,000 gross tons. One hundred forty Merchant Marines have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Merchant Marine's highest honor, seven of whom were cadet graduates from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2992 which honors those civilians who answered the call to serve our nation in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, World AIDS Day affords us an opportunity to reflect on our progress in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic and to rededicate ourselves to ending the disease once and for all. We have come a long way since the first World AIDS Day in 1988 by dramatically expanding investments in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and research. Strong advocacy has paved the way for the Ryan White Act, the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS Initiative, growing investments in NIH research, and an end to the ban on federal funds for syringe exchange. Beyond our borders, our efforts have extended care to millions in the developing world, through increased resources for PEPFAR and the Global Fund. Our investments have saved lives--preventing millions of new HIV cases, expanding access to improved treatments, and enabling medical advances that help HIV/AIDS patients live longer and healthier. Here and across the globe, AIDS deaths are on the decline, and studies are pointing the way to new approaches to limit the spread of the disease, with treatment as prevention. While our efforts have grown, we still only reach half of all people eligible for HIV treatment; and more must be done. Working together, we must continue to strengthen--not weaken--our national and international efforts to combat AIDS and other infectious diseases. We must work to achieve the Obama Administration's goal of an AIDS- free generation. We must honor the memory of those we have lost and act on our hope, optimism, and determination to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We must continue to work with programs and clinics, like the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD), who are treating and caring for patients with HIV/AIDS. In 1989, HCHD opened Thomas Street Health Center, the first free- standing facility dedicated to outpatient HIV/AIDS care in the nation. The center has become the cornerstone of all HIV/AIDS care available to Harris County residents. The Thomas Street Health Center has dedicated their services to about 25 percent of Harris County's HIV/AIDS. Annually, the health center, along with HCHD, serves 4,463 unique patients for about 37,000 patients' visits. We will continue to fight a tough fight against HIV and AIDS. We will continue to strengthen and support centers like Thomas Street Health Center that work diligently with HIV/AIDS patients. Our focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness will be to ensure all of our friends, relatives and children live healthy and full lives. There is a pressing need to raise awareness and engage in education within the African American community where HIV infections have been and continue to rise. The incidence of HIV has decreased for the majority population, while it has grown nearly unchecked among African Americans. This must change--decisions regarding funding for agencies charged with infectious disease education and minority health must be supported.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6302, ``The Overtime Pay For Secret Service Agents Act''. This important legislation will provide an increase in premium pay for United States Secret Service agents performing protective services. H.R. 6302 will raise the cap on overtime compensation for U.S. Secret Service agents tasked with the responsibility for protecting the president, vice president and major presidential and vice presidential candidates during campaigns. Under current law, an executive branch employee's premium pay, including overtime combined with basic pay cannot exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for a GS-15 or Level V executive schedule, whichever is greater. The maximum rate for a GS-15 employee in the Washington, D.C., area is set at $160,300 in 2016, while the pay rate for Level V is set at $150,200 adjusted for the current cost of living. H.R. 6302 will increase the pay rate cap by nearly $35,000. The H.R. 6302 will also apply to agents responsible for protecting candidates' spouses, former presidents, their spouses and children, high profile foreign visitors, as well as other government officials. More than 1,000 agents have exceeded the overtime pay limit this year and can greatly benefit from the prospective adjustments. Some by as much as $60,000, according to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. For these reasons I support H.R. 6302.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 795, a bill to enhance whistleblower protection for contractor and grantee employees. The Government Accountability Project, a leading U.S. organization in support of Federal whistleblower laws, supports without qualifications S. 795, legislation to make permanent a pilot program that provides whistleblower rights for employees of government contractors. The ``Pilot program for enhancement of contractor protection from reprisal for disclosure of certain information'' (pilot program) was established under 41 U.S.C. Sec. 4712, as an amendment to the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Federal whistleblower protection laws are not new; they provide a means for government employees to report waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer resources. I support this bill because the bill extends federal contractor whistleblower protections to employees of: (1) personal services contractors working on defense contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of defense contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or sub-grantees); and (2) personal services contractors or sub-grantees working on federal civilian contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of civilian contractors, subcontractors, or grantees). This bill would codify a pilot program that is already in place that allows employees of civilian contractors to report waste, fraud, and abuse and make permanent the civilian contractor protections. S. 795 extends whistleblower protections to employees of subcontractors to report waste, fraud and abuse of federal taxpayer dollars. Whistleblower disclosures by Federal contract employees can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. For example, Section 1553 of the Obama Administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) established whistleblower protections for all recipients of stimulus funds, including all state and local government employees and all contractors, including within the IC. That provision was credited with the low rate of fraud reported around stimulus funds. During the Congressional oversight hearings, the Chair of the Legislation Committee of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) testified that: OIGs indicated that their investigations and reviews of the whistleblower complaints had resulted in recovery of approximately $1.85 million as of April of the first year it was in force. One of the key provisions of ARRA is Section 1553 that gives the authority of OIGs to investigate reprisal complaints from non-Federal employee whistleblowers. Federal whistleblower protection laws play a critical role in keeping our Government honest, efficient, and accountable by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse as well as protecting public health and safety. Whistleblowers can be some of the most powerful tools in the federal government arsenal to protect taxpayer dollars. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission finds of great assistance information from whistleblowers who know of possible securities law violations that could be among the most powerful weapons in the law enforcement arsenal of the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to USASpending.gov, in Fiscal Year 2015, the Federal government spent over $1 trillion in contracts and grants--$438 billion in contracts and $614 billion in grants. If this bill does not pass, contractors and grantees are in danger of losing hard-fought whistleblower protections if current protections are not extended. This bill makes those protections permanent, ensuring that contractors and grantees continue to have the security they need to report waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. Much of this funding flows through the prime contractors and grantees to subcontractors and sub-grantees. The bill applies to subcontractors' existing prohibitions on reimbursable costs for contractors, including in their defense against retaliation claims by whistleblowers. Federal taxpayers should not foot the legal bills for contractors who retaliate against employees that report waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5015, Combat- Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016, because the legislation directs the Defense Department (DoD) to restore improperly withheld for taxes from severance payments to individuals who retired or separated from service in the Armed Forces for combat-related injuries. The bill also requires the DoD to notify combat-injured veterans if it had improperly withheld tax on their severance pay any time after January 17, 1991 and provide the veterans with information on how to seek a refund from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). H.R. 5015 works to remedy the egregious action of withholding more than $78 million in taxes from almost 14,000 combat-injured veterans. This legislation additionally ensures that further tax amounts will not be taken from combat-injured veterans in the future. As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security since its establishment, and current Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security this bill is of importance to me. The DoD held an average of over $5,500 from each of the veterans since 1991. That amount of money could help combat-injured veterans with hospital bills and the difficult transition back into civilian life. I am pleased that the DoD will also have to submit a report on the number of times it had withheld pay to combat-injured veterans, the amount of each severance payment it withheld, and its actions to prevent future improper withholding to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment for Congress to assess the situation. Our veterans deserve to be treated with respect. It is only through the efforts and sacrifice of our veterans that America has the freedoms and privileges we do today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5015.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, and I rise in support of the conference report to S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. This act is designed to meet the threats we face today as well as in the future, and I thank the chairman of the committee from Texas, as well as the ranking member from Washington, both having worked together in this enormous task to be able to defend our Nation. The results of our work here today will reflect our strong commitment to ensure the men and women of our armed services receive the benefits and support that they deserve for their faithful service. Building on these efforts, this bill contains initiatives designed to provide resources and support for these men and women. This legislation recognizes the reality that we live in a dangerous world where threats are not always easily identifiable and our enemies are not bound by borders. Confronting this type of enemy deserves a well-prepared, ready military, which I strongly support. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted and very pleased that the work that we did together with the chairman and the ranking member, amendments that I offered, are in this legislation: The Jackson Lee amendment expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of increasing the effectiveness of NORTHCOM in fulfilling its critical mission of protecting the U.S. homeland in the event of war, and to provide support to local, State, and Federal authorities that we work with all the time in times of national emergency. The Jackson Lee amendment calling for a report on American efforts to combat Boko Haram in Nigeria and the countries in the Lake Chad region by way of provision of technical training and evidence-gathering strategies, to name a few. Having gone to the region, having been dealing with the missing Chibok girls for, now, some 4 years plus, we know devastation there. The Jackson Lee amendment requiring the Department of Defense to conduct outreach programs to assist small-business concerns owned and controlled by women, veterans, and social and economic minorities. And the Jackson Lee amendment requiring annual report to Congress listing the most common grounds for sustaining protests including and relating to bids. This is important to pass this legislation, Mr. Speaker. And let me just personally thank the gentleman from Washington for always welcoming Members and the ideas and needs that they have for their districts, but also for this Nation. We are better for it, and we are better that we are preparing the men and women of the United States military to keep them safe. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report to S. 2943, the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.'' The National Defense Authorization Act is designed to meet the threats we face today as well as into the future. The results of our work here today will reflect our strong commitment to ensure that the men and women of our Armed Services receive the benefits and support that they deserve for their faithful service. Building on our efforts from previous years, this bill contains a number of initiatives designed to provide the resources and support needed for the men and women who keep our nation safe. This legislation recognizes the reality that we live in a dangerous world, where threats are not always easily identifiable, and our enemies are not bound by borders. Confronting this unique type of enemy requires unique capabilities. As we have seen time and time again, our military has the ability to track down violent extremists who wish to do our country harm, regardless of where they reside. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that four of my amendments adopted during House consideration of the NDAA are included in the final legislation or in language in the accompanying report: 1. Jackson Lee Amendment expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of increasing the effectiveness of the Northern Command (``NORTHCOM'') in fulfilling its critical mission of protecting the U.S. homeland in the event of war and to provide support to local, state, and federal authorities in limes of national emergency or in the event of an invasion. 2. Jackson Lee Amendment calling for a report on American efforts to combat Boko Haram in Nigeria and the countries in the Lake Chad Basin, by way of provision of technical training and evidence gathering strategies to name a few. 3. Jackson Lee Amendment requiring the Department of Defense to conduct outreach program to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically minorities. 4. Jackson Lee Amendment requiring annual report to Congress listing the most common grounds for sustaining protests relating to bids for contracts. The passing of this bill today brings us one step closer to enacting the 54th consecutive National Defense Authorization Act. This particular bill is seen as the gold standard for Congressional bipartisanship and transparency. Despite disagreements on key issues, Members have not failed to reach consensus on behalf of our fighting men and women. I am proud of the work we have done here today.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Judiciary, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 933, which would increase funding by $800,000 for the Select Investigative Panel of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which more accurately should be called the ``Planned Parenthood Witchunt.'' The ostensible purpose of this Select Investigative Panel is to investigate and report on all issues related to medical procedures and practices involving fetal tissue donation and procurement; federal funding and support for abortion providers; and late-term abortions. But make no mistake, the Republican majority's real purpose in establishing this panel is (1) to open another front in their ongoing War Against Women, (2) impede women in the exercise of their right to make their own choices when it comes to their reproductive health, and (3) to persecute, smear, and demonize Planned Parenthood. We know this from our experience with the so-called ``Benghazi Committee,'' which the Republican leadership claimed was a nonpartisan inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding the 2012 tragedy in Libya which claimed the lives of four brave and heroic Americans. We know now, as confirmed by the Majority Leader and the Speaker- apparent, that the Benghazi Committee was in reality part of politically-motivated strategy to disparage and damage the former Secretary of State and leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination that wasted $4.5 million of the taxpayers' money. Madam Speaker, with so many pressing challenges facing our nation, wasting time and taxpayer money on another partisan witch hunt is a luxury we simply cannot afford. The structure and powers to be given the Select Investigative Panel does not inspire any confidence that it will operate in a fair and impartial manner. For example, the composition of the committee is lopsided in favor of the majority (8 Republican; 5 Democrat), instead of more equally divided as select committees are comprised. Second, the chairman of the select panel is given subpoena power and deposition authority, including the authority to order the taking of depositions by a member of the select panel or the panel's counsel. Third, the the chairman of the select committee is authorized to recognize members to question witness for periods longer than the traditional five minutes and to recognize staff to question witnesses. Taken together, these unusual powers are susceptible to abuse and are valued tools to any party wishing to conduct a fishing expedition as opposed to a dispassionate search for facts. Madam Speaker, let me save our Republican colleagues some time by pointing out the facts that an objective, fair-minded inquiry would reveal. In 2011, approximately 1.06 million abortions took place in the U.S., down from an estimated 1.21 million abortions in 2008, 1.29 million in 2002, 1.31 million in 2000 and 1.36 million in 1996. Based on available state-level data, an estimated 984,000 abortions took place in 2013--down from an estimated 1.02 million abortions in 2012. Fetal tissue research has been scientifically accepted since the Regan Administration. In 1988 the Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation Research Panel (or the Blue Ribbon Commission) sought to separate the question of ethics of abortion from the question ethics of using fetal tissue from legal elective abortions for medical research. The report of this commission laid the foundation for the NIH Health Revitalization Act of 1993 (which passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support), prohibits the payment or receipt of money or any other form of valuable consideration for fetal tissue, regardless of whether the program to which the tissue is being provided is funded or not. The law contains a limited exception that permits reimbursement for actual expenses (e.g. storage, processing, transportation, etc.) of the tissue. These fees generally amount to less than $100. Less than 1 percent of Planned Parenthood chapters participate in this area of research. Planned Parenthood reports revenue by source (either government or non-government) rather than the manner of disbursement (income versus grants and contracts). Payments from Medicaid managed care plans are listed as ``Government Health Services Grants and Reimbursements'' to reflect the ultimate source of the funds. Planned Parenthood spends about $1.1 billion annually on 11.4 million services, 83 percent of which is spent on research, client services and education. Client services are divided into six categories: Cancer Prevention and Screenings, STI Testing, Contraception, Abortion Services, Other Women's Health Services & Other Services. According to Planned Parenthood financial statements from 2009 through 2014, 86 percent of Planned Parenthood's Services fall under the categories of Cancer Prevention and Screenings (12-16 percent), STI Testing for men and women (35-41 percent), and Contraception (32-35 percent). Only about about 3 percent of its services fall under the Abortion category nationally. Additionally, Planned Parenthood is already prohibited from spending federal funds on abortion services anyway. Finally, Madam Speaker, H. Res. 933 is an irresponsible diversion from tackling and addressing the following critical challenges facing this Congress and the American people. Funding to keep the government open expires on December 9 and Congress must find a way to keep the government open in the face of irresponsible opposition from 151 Republicans who previously voted to shut down the government rather than allow women access to affordable family planning and life-saving preventive health care. Madam Speaker, we have far more important things to do than waste more time and taxpayer money on another partisan attempt to deprive women of their right to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health that has been recognized as constitutionally guaranteed since 1973 by the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. I oppose H. Res. 933 and urge all Members to join me in voting against this wasteful and irresponsible measure. Health Impact of Planned Parenthood Affiliates by the numbers 378,692--Pap tests performed. 487,029--breast exams performed. 87,988--women whose cancer was detected early or whose abnormalities were identified. 865,721--Total Pap tests and breast exams performed. 1,440,495--emergency contraception kits provided. 516,000--unintended pregnancies averted by contraceptive services. 3,577,348--Birth control information and services provided. 704,079--HIV tests conducted. 169,008--STIs diagnosed, enabling people to get treatment and to learn how to prevent the further spread of STIs. 4,470,597--Tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections provided. Planned Parenthood health centers saw 2.7 million patients, who collectively received 10.6 million services during 4.6 million clinical visits. Parenthood Clients Receiving Contraceptive Services in 2013 42 percent--STI/STD Testing & Treatment. 11 percent--Other Women's Health Services. 3 percent--Abortion Services. 1 percent--Other Services. 9 percent--Cancer Screening and Prevention. 34 percent--Contraception. medical services provided by affiliates (2013) STI/STD Testing & Treatment Total: 4,470,597. STI Tests, Women and Men: 3,727,359. Genital Warts (HPV) Treatments: 38,612. HIV Tests, Women and Men: 704,079. Other Treatments: 547. Contraception Total: 3,577,348. Reversible Contraception Clients, Women 2,131,865. Emergency Contraception Kits 1,440,495. Female Sterilization Procedures 822. Vasectomy Clients 4,166. Cancer Screening and Prevention Total: 935,573. Pap Tests 378,692. HPV Vaccinations 34,739. Breast Exams/Breast Care 487,029. Colposcopy Procedures 32,334. LEEP Procedures 2,095. Cryotherapy Procedures 684. Other Women's Health Services Total: 1,147,467. Pregnancy Tests 1,128,783. Prenatal Services 18,684. Abortion Services Total: Abortion Procedures 327,653. Other Services Total: 131,795. Family Practice Services, Women and Men 65,464. Adoption Referrals to Other Agencies 1,880. Urinary Tract Infections Treatments 47,264. Other Procedures, Women and Men 517,187. Total of All Services Provided: 10,590,433. government funding for planned parenthood National and Affiliate Chapters (FY2004-FY2014) $4,529,900,000: Amount that Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received in government funding over the last ten years, according to the organization's annual reports. This represents less than half, approximately 45 percent, of the organization total revenues. There are 38 Planned Parenthood locations in Texas. Planned Parenthood reports revenue by source (either government or non-government) rather than the manner of disbursement (income versus grants and contracts). Payments from Medicaid managed care plans are listed as ``Government Health Services Grants and Reimbursements'' to reflect the ultimate source of the funds. The government funding comes from both federal and state governments. Government Health Service Grants and Reimbursements: FY 2014: $528.5 million. FY 2013: $540.6 million. FY 2012: $542.4 million. FY 2011: $538.5 million. FY 2010: $487.4 million. FY 2009: $363 million. FY 2008: $349.6 million. FY 2007: $336.7 million. FY 2006: $305.3 million. FY 2005: $272.7 million. FY 2004: $265.2 million.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to acknowledge that this is World AIDS Day, and much of the success has come because of public funding. That is why I rise today, to talk about the public good and the responsibility of the President and his Cabinet members to do the public good. I remember when President Clinton was in and generated a major surplus in our budget, 22 million jobs, pursuant to the 1997 budget. We also recognized that the next administration generated enormous tax cuts, low job creation, and a seismic debt that was created because of those tax cuts to the 1 percent. Now, today, we have the toxicity of two billionaires who head the Treasury Department: the ``King of Foreclosures,'' forced foreclosures, and the other who will head the no-job-creating Commerce Department by this individual. Rather than supporting full employment or creating jobs, everything will be for the big pockets of the big corporations, not the pockets of the working families, like my constituents. So I raise the question to Mr. Trump: Where are the appointees that are going to work for the public good? Where are the individuals that are going to have the sufficient wisdom to provide the funding that will support continued work on stifling out and snuffing out HIV/AIDS? Where are those that are going to listen to the people? This toxic brand has to stop.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 34, the ``21st Century Cures Act,'' a bipartisan piece of legislation that is vital to the future and health of our Nation's citizens and ecosystem. This thoughtful legislation is the culmination of the hard work of my dedicated colleagues who have sought out and engaged in public conversations with patients, innovators, providers, regulators and researchers about how to move advances in science and medicine into new therapies. This outreach has garnered the critical input and support of more than 370 patient and physician groups, state and local organizations, cancer centers, and research and life sciences. I am proud to be one of the cosponsors of 21st Century Cures Act, which represents a new national effort to find treatment and cures for thousands of unknown and rare diseases. Looking to the various policies this legislation aims to address, it is important to highlight the commendable objectives and that will not only accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of new treatments and cures for thousands of serious and rare diseases, but it will also open the doors of innovation and the growth of health care system by enhancing and enriching the medical field for all Americans. The most ambitious action calls for $6.3 billion in mandatory funding to be delivered over the next ten years to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is part of our nation's top ranked educational research institutions in the world. In order to maintain our global competitiveness in the biomedical field, we must invest in the industries that guarantee economic prosperity for our current and future economies. It has been estimated that every $1 of NIH funding generates about $2.21 in local economic growth, and, in 2012, NIH-funded research supported an estimated 402,000 jobs all across the U.S. The bill's funding for NIH would provide for an annual 3 percent increase in the NIH budget, which has been stagnant for the past few years and which desperately needs more funding to capitalize on emerging scientific insights. This increased funding not only aims to continue the sustainability of our economy but it also supports our President's initiative to provide more resources to the biomedical field. The 21st Century Cures Act supports the President's Precision Medicine Initiative, which would advance a new model of participant- centered research to accelerate biomedical discoveries and provide clinicians with new tools and therapies tailored to individual patients' needs. The Obama Administration believes we can build on the progress in improving the drug development and approval process made to date by: Incorporating patients' voices into the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision-making; encouraging the development and qualification of reliable biomarkers to accelerate work on important new therapies; and reducing barriers to initiating medical device trials. In furtherance of this initiative, the legislation before us allows, for the creation of an ``Innovation Fund'' through the National Institute of Health. This ``Innovation Fund'' is a welcome effort because it promotes the maintenance of the best biomedical workforce in the world and help to increase the diversity of the biomedical workforce. In particular, the $4.8 billion provided for the Innovation Fund, will not only increase the number of the research projects it supports but it also increases the cap for NIH's loan repayment programs. This would include a repayment program for clinical scientists who do research in health disparities and for clinical scientist from disadvantaged backgrounds, from $35,000 per year to $50,000 per year plus a yearly inflation for adjustment. With the support of H.R. 34, underrepresented communities and those with disadvantaged backgrounds from across the country can undoubtedly provide the future researchers and workers of the biomedical workforce. The Journal on STEM Education reported in 2011 that only 8.34 percent of the STEM doctorates awarded in 2006 were given to underrepresented minorities, despite making up approximately 28 percent of the U.S. population. Furthermore, GAO found noted that while the percentage of underrepresented minorities nationwide increased from 13 percent to 19 percent from 1994 to 2003, the total number of STEM doctorates awarded to the same group dropped during this period from 8,335 to 7,310. In response, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) created the Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE) Division and similar academic intervention programs. The MORE programs are comprised of four primary components: research experience, mentoring and advisement, supplemental instruction and workshops, and financial support. In 2007, NIGMS' annual budget was $1.9 billion, of which nearly $126 million was spent on its MORE programs. This amount includes the Minority Biomedical Research Support- Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE) program, the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), and the Bridges to the Baccalaureate and Bridges to the PhD programs. The amount of funds dedicated to these programs reflects the commitment by the science and research community to the goals of the MORE Division in addressing this problem. Increased funding set forth in H.R. 34 will only strengthen NIH's focus on diversifying the biomedical workforce by requiring NIH to focus on ensuring participation from scientists from underrepresented communities. In addition to addressing the needs of underrepresented communities, H.R. 34 also calls for specific action to increase representation of racial minorities. The 21st Century Cures Act acknowledges that there are disturbing statistics on the low numbers of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans pursuing academic qualification and participating in scientific research. Under H.R. 34, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities will necessarily include strategies for increasing representation of minority communities in its strategic plan. I am proud that H.R. 34 incorporates the Jackson Lee Amendment which I offered during the initial consideration of the 21st Century Cures Act by the House which will help ensure that the national goals of finding and bringing more cures and treatments to patients and strengthening the biomedical innovation ecosystem in the United States is aided by an expanding pool of diverse and talented medical researchers. Specifically, the Jackson Lee Amendment instructed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Native American colleges, and rural colleges to ensure that health professionals from underrepresented populations are aware of research opportunities under this Act. Many racial health disparities stem from lack of access to effective test, treatments and cures for illnesses that have devastating consequences for African American, Hispanic and Native American populations. For example: 1. African-Americans (represent 12 percent of the U.S. population but only 5 percent of clinical trial participants. 2. Hispanics make up 16 percent of the population but only 1 percent of clinical trial participants. 3. Women are under-represented in cardiovascular device trials, which have 67 percent male participation. The most significant barriers limiting clinical participation are race, age, and sex of participants: 1. Women and minority patients are more difficult to recruit. 2. Women and minority physicians have less experience and are relatively more costly to engage. 3. Minority patients with limited English proficiency can require costly translation services. Physicians are the gateway to the patient. Increasing diversity of those conducting research will have implications on the types of conditions that are researched and the participants in clinical trials that are seeking answers to illnesses like lupus, triple negative breast cancer, and sickle cell disease that can be difficult to detect, treat and cure. Certain medical illnesses have been known to have higher prevalence in certain demographic groups, including type II diabetes, lupus, sickle cell anemia, and Triple Negative Breast Cancer for which African Americans are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed on average. Lupus, triple negative breast cancer and sickle cell disease are of particular concern because they are often difficult to diagnose and disproportionately impact persons of color and especially women. In particular, Lupus is a chronic, complex and prevalent autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans. Yet, Lupus is one of America's least recognized major diseases. More than 90 percent of lupus sufferers are women, mostly young women between the ages of 15 to 44, and women of color are two to three times more at risk for lupus than Caucasians. Triple negative breast cancer also disproportionately impacts younger women, African American women, Hispanic/Latina women, and women with a ``BRCA1'' genetic mutation, which is prevalent in Jewish women. More than 30 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses in African American are of the triple negative variety, and African American women are far more susceptible to this dangerous subtype than white or Hispanic women. Additionally, there are about 2 million people who carry the sickle cell trait and with about 100,000 having the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell trait is common among African Americans and occurs in about 1 in 12, and sickle cell disease occurs in about 1 out of every 500 African-American births, compared to about 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic-American births. Treatments for Lupus, triple negative breast cancer and sickle cell disease are not progressing as quickly as desired by patients, researchers, and policy makers. We must support the advancement of legislation that will allow for the remediation and end of health care disparities and the promotion of research parity for diseases such as lupus, triple negative breast cancer, sickle cell disease, and countless other rare and serious diseases. Race and ethnicity have also been shown to affect the effectiveness of and response to certain drugs, such as anti-hypertensive therapies in the treatment of hypertension in African Americans and anti- depressants in Hispanics. Increased diversity in research trials could help researchers find better, more precise ways to fight diseases that disproportionately impact certain populations, and may be important for the safe and effective use of new therapies. As one of the most diverse cities in the country, Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States and the 5th most populated metropolitan area in the nation. Houston is home to the largest medical complex in the world--the Texas Medical Center, which provides clinical health care, research and education at its 54 institutions. The University of Houston, ranked number three out of all other colleges and universities in Texas, is an example of a premier institution that can produce students with advanced STEM degrees who would be able to join a progressing biomedical field. Another important requirement of H.R. 34 is that it would require National Institute of Health to publically report the number of children by race and gender who participate in NIH funded clinical trials. This legislation would help ensure that children of all races are adequately represented in clinical trials and that we can determine the safety and effectiveness of drugs on children of all demographic backgrounds. With 10,000 known diseases, 7,000 of which are rare, and treatments for only 500 of them--clear there is much work to do. Medical research saves lives and improves the quality of life for millions of Americans because the government provides a steady and reliable commitment to basic research into cures for debilitating and deadly diseases. Given the array of commendable initiatives, H.R. 34 is a necessary piece of legislation that will accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of promising new treatments and cures for all patients while investing in our nation's ability to maintain the best and most diverse biomedical workforce in the world. Madam Speaker, I call for the support of all of my colleagues in ensuring the passage of the important legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebratory support of H.R. 34, the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the 21st Century Cures Act. As a breast cancer survivor, I am celebrating. As a Representative from the City of Houston, I am celebrating. Because of the Texas Medical Center, this plan will provide an ambitious action that called for $6.3 billion in mandatory funding to be delivered over the next 10 years to the National Institutes of Health. It also provides and estimated that every $1 of NIH funding generates about $2.21 in local economic growth and 402,000 jobs. But most of all, it will deal with the curing of diseases and developing research that will help save lives. In furtherance of this initiative, this legislation before us allows for the creation of an innovation fund through the National Institutes of Health so that we can design the most innovative ways of curing disease, of helping children, of helping seniors, of helping people who are dealing with incurable disease. The Cures Act is an act of the 21st century. It moves forward on the President's Precision Medicine Initiative. I thank Mr. Upton, Ms. DeGette, and all the Members. I serve as an original cosponsor. I am excited about the legislation, for it will save lives.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the Honorable Al Green of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we are like family in this House, Republicans and Democrats, as we work together and work with our staff. I am very clear in the fact that Ms. Ellis was the only chief of staff that Congressman Al Green of Texas had, and that he made an A-plus choice, and she, likewise, in accepting his offer to be his chief of staff. She was a 30-year veteran, and she brought to his office and brought to this House a sense of affection and love for the institution, for democracy, and for America. Not only did she have the privilege of working for Congressman Al Green of Texas and he the privilege of having her as his chief of staff, she worked previously for Congressman Major Owens of New York, and the late former Alabama Senator Howard Heflin. It means that she understood the institutions that helped to lay down the pillars of democracy. She was a spiritual mother to the tens upon thousands of young people who came to this place with starry eyes to make a difference--spiritual mother, sister, mentor, and friend to many people, including elected and people of high ranking status. She was a graduate of a historically Black college, and, as well, she had a background in government affairs. But, more importantly, she had a big heart. And she was eager, as I am told by the staff, to be able to help all the new and young staff. They knew they could go to Jacqui Ellis. She was a Christian woman as well, and she served on many important organizations. In particular, I worked for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She was a national board member, the organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, and Ralph David Abernathy, and where Andrew Young worked, and Josea Williams, and so many others. James Orange, and those of us young people who believed that we could overcome. She was a recipient of the Ella Baker Award from the SCLC and Martin Luther King, III. But where I got to see Jacqui really making it and doing it was in her leadership with C. Delores Tucker, and her work with the National Congress of Black Women. As a board member, I remember coming as a young Member of Congress, and we would go to that very famous breakfast, Congressman Green, the Sunday after the Congressional Black Caucus, and there was Jacqui. She was the orchestrator, the guider. She respected C. Delores Tucker. She honored the women who came. She was at their beck and call--we need this. She was the person that the likes of Malcolm X's wife, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King, because they used to come during their lifetime every year, and those of us who were young Members of Congress, she welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to sit in the royal place at the feet of these great women who she had come to know, and they had come to know and love her, as we held this wonderful program about the empowerment of women and, in particular, African American women. She was, as well, the co-chair of the Bethune DuBois Institute, Inc. Leadership Forum and, as well, she has received awards from the Congressional Black Caucus. So I close by simply saying, yes, she has a litany of accolades and honors. We wish that she could have lived on and on and on. Some say that the young die young. We certainly believe that Jacqui Ellis, our friend, our lover of this institution, this great staff person, was taken way too young. As I told my friend and colleague, earlier this year, I experienced an enormous tragedy in losing a dear staff person, who, though a short time, had become so much a part of our extended family. And so, Congressman Green, I know it hurts. It hurts many of her fellow staffers and friends. Certainly we know her family suffered great pain. But I can say, as we salute great Americans, and each have done something in their way to move this country forward, I want to say that Jacqui Ellis lived in the greatest country in the world. It was already a great country. But she was so much a part of making this country a country that welcomed all of the young talent and those new faces that desired to be part of the greatness of this country. She did it with open arms and a big heart. We will miss her greatly, but she has left a legacy of service. As you have noted, she stopped along the highway of life and gave what she had to someone who looked like they needed it more. So to Jacqui I say: farewell our dear friend, farewell, for you are certainly one who is a good and faithful servant. May you rest in peace.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), who is an original cosponsor of this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2577, the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016, and the complementary House bill that was authored by my good friend and colleague from Texas (Mr. Poe), and my good friend and colleague from California (Mr. Costa)--this is an important bill--and, of course, my Senator from the State of Texas, Senator Cornyn. This bill now comes to the floor of the House as S. 2577. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation advances this Congress' efforts to enhance and improve our Nation's criminal justice system for victims, law enforcement, the courts, and innocent persons, while also fostering public trust and confidence in our criminal justice system. It also reinforces the important work that the House Judiciary Committee has been doing under Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers. My greatest hope, as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, is that we can finish our work with the enormity of bills, sentencing reduction, prison reform, juvenile justice reform. I would like to optimistically think we might get these for the holiday season. S. 2577 would reauthorize and improve upon various programs that began with the initial passage of the appropriately named Justice for All Act. I was proud to support this groundbreaking legislation in 2004, legislation intended to protect all persons who find themselves involved with the criminal justice system, and instill accountability throughout that system. The programs we enacted in 2004 increased resources to boost the testing capabilities of forensic crime laboratories and eliminate the backlog of DNA samples from sexual assaults, crime scenes, and convicted offenders. I know this firsthand because Harris County--a very large county; fifth in the Nation--experienced this calamity, along with the city of Houston, the fact that these kits and other DNA evidence just couldn't seem to be tested expeditiously. It also enhanced protections for victims of crimes, and established measures to prevent and overturn wrongful convictions. The time has come to build upon the foundation we laid in 2004. Fairness and equal treatment under the law are two fundamental values of our Nation's system of justice. When the innocent are jailed for decades for crimes they did not commit, when victims watch their attackers go free because the physical evidence was misplaced or never tested, or when overworked forensic lab technicians provide false reports, the people's trust and belief in the system is diminished. The bill we are considering today would strengthen crime victims' rights, programs, and services. In addition, it would further reduce the rape kit backlog, provide additional resources to forensic labs, improve access to post-conviction DNA testing, ensure implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and improve the overall administration of criminal justice systems nationwide, including increasing accountability, transparency, effectiveness and fiscal efficiency. I hate having to give anecdotal stories, but, unfortunately, again, in Harris County, thousands of pieces of evidence were lost when they were in the possession of one of our local law enforcement structures. We have a lot of law enforcement layers. This happened to be a constable's office. Mr. Speaker, you know how damaging and dangerous that is to victims' rights, to criminal justice, to the Constitution. That is why this bill is so very important. Being the victim of a crime is a harrowing, disorienting experience. We must do our best to erase or ease the suffering of victims and assist them as they work to rebuild their lives. Under S. 2577, housing rights for victims of domestic violence would be expanded, and Violence Against Women Act funding would be protected from reductions due to Federal penalties. Other victim-centered programs would be reauthorized by this bill, including programs used to notify victims of their right to be heard in court, to offer victims legal assistance, and to provide interpreters for Federal crime victims who wish to participate in court proceedings. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office will be required to determine the potential benefits to crime victims, if any, by broadening the authority of Federal courts to award restitution. Our crime victims need relief. We need to give them hope and a sense that we care about them. The Attorney General will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of the Justice Department components and U.S. Attorney Offices in pursuing and obtaining restitution for crime victims. We all know DNA is a crucial element of many criminal cases, helping to identify suspects, perpetrators of crimes, and to exclude the innocent. This bill would ensure that victims of sexual assault receive essential services and are able to see their attackers brought to justice by renewing the DNA Backlog grant program and by expanding grants for forensic nurse examiners, giving priority to hiring full- time forensic nurses, establishing programs in rural and underserved areas, and training forensic nurses. Agencies across the country would realize further reductions in their rape kit backlogs because the Justice Department would be required, under this legislation, to use at least 75 percent of the funds made available for forensic testing for direct testing of crime scene evidence, including rape kits. Under this measure, Debbie Smith grant recipients would have to report on the achievement of activities conducted using grant funds. S. 2577 would require the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on how Debbie Smith grant funds are being used to improve DNA testing and reduce the backlogs. I know that my good friend Carolyn Maloney has been involved in these issues as well. S. 2577 would reauthorize funding for several other DNA grant programs, including the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program, which helps States and local governments that need it greatly speak to the loss of thousands of pieces of evidence in a local law enforcement office. In that same vein, the Attorney General would be required to conduct a needs assessment for State and local forensic science labs to better utilize Federal funding. This bill would also enhance protections for the innocent by improving access to postconviction DNA testing, encouraging States to test DNA evidence in criminal cases for which there is untested DNA evidence, expanding State access to postconviction DNA testing funds by narrowing the evidence preservation requirement, and authorizing Federal postconviction DNA testing for individuals who can show exculpatory DNA evidence exists in their case despite having pled guilty. We have a responsibility to make this criminal justice system fit in the four corners of the Constitution. That includes due process as one of the elements and certainly the response and caring of those individuals who have been victims. We have a responsibility to ensure the safe and humane treatment of individuals, even if they are convicted of crimes and in prison. Compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act would be an all-but- certain result of the incentive structure set in S. 2577, which would require State and local governments to focus more resources on implementation of this legislation's directives, which we really need, while allowing the flexibility necessary to reach full compliance. For example, States that receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants would be required to develop a strategic plan setting out how the grant money will be used. Finally, this bill includes various provisions to ensure Federal funds are used efficiently and effectively. I believe that this bill answers our concerns on the question of criminal justice reform and constitutional protection for all. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2577, the ``Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016,'' as amended. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation advances this Congress's efforts to enhance and improve our Nation's criminal justice system for victims, law enforcement, the courts, and innocent persons, while also fostering public trust and confidence in our criminal justice system. S. 2577 would reauthorize and improve upon various programs that began with the initial passage of the appropriately-named Justice for All Act. I was proud to support this groundbreaking legislation in 2004-- legislation intended to protect all persons who find themselves involved with the criminal justice system and instill accountability throughout that system. The programs we enacted in 2004 increased resources to boost the testing capabilities of forensic crime laboratories and eliminate the backlog of DNA samples from sexual assaults, crime scenes, and convicted offenders. It also enhanced protections for victims of crimes and established measures to prevent and overturn wrongful convictions. The time has come to build upon the foundation we laid in 2004. Fairness and equal treatment under the law are two fundamental values of our Nation's system of justice. When the innocent are jailed for decades for crimes they did not commit, when victims watch their attackers go free because the physical evidence was misplaced or never tested, or when overworked forensic lab technicians provide false reports, the people's trust and belief in the system is diminished. The bill we are considering today would strengthen crime victims' rights, programs, and services. In addition, it would-- further reduce the rape kit backlog; provide additional resources to forensic labs; improve access to post-conviction DNA testing; ensure implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act; and improve the overall administration of criminal justice systems nationwide by increasing accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and fiscal efficiency. Being the victim of a crime is a harrowing, disorienting experience. We must do our best to ease the suffering of victims and assist them as they work to rebuild their lives. Under S. 2577, housing rights for victims of domestic violence would be expanded and Violence Against Women Act funding would be protected from reductions due to federal penalties. Other victim-centered programs would be reauthorized by this bill, including programs used to notify victims of their right to be heard in court, to offer victims legal assistance, and to provide interpreters for federal crime victims who wish to participate in court proceedings. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office would be required to determine the potential benefits to crime victims, if any, by broadening the authority of federal courts to award restitution. And, the Attorney General would be required to evaluate the effectiveness of Justice Department components and U.S. Attorney Offices in pursuing and obtaining restitution for crime victims. We all know DNA is a crucial element of many criminal cases, helping to identify suspects and perpetrators of crimes and exclude the innocent. This bill would ensure that victims of sexual assault receive essential services and are able to see their attackers brought to justice by renewing the DNA Backlog Grant Program and expanding grants for forensic nurse examiners, giving priority to hiring full-time forensic nurses, establishing programs in rural and underserved areas, and training forensic nurses. Agencies across the country would realize further reductions in their rape kit backlogs because the Justice Department would be required under this legislation to use at least 75 percent of funds made available for forensic testing for direct testing of crime scene evidence, including rape kits. Under this measure, Debbie Smith Grant recipients would have to report on the achievement of activities conducted using grant funds. S. 2577 would require the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on how Debbie Smith Grant funds are being used to improve DNA testing and reduce the backlogs. Further, S. 2577 would reauthorize funding for several other DNA grant programs, including the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program, which helps states and local governments improve the quality of forensic science services provided. In that same vein, the Attorney General would be required to conduct a needs assessment for state and local forensic science labs to better utilize federal funding. This bill would also enhance protections for the innocent by-- improving access to post-conviction DNA testing; encouraging states to test DNA evidence in criminal cases for which there is untested DNA evidence; expanding state access to post-conviction DNA testing funds by narrowing the evidence preservation requirement; and authorizing federal post-conviction DNA testing for individuals who can show exculpatory DNA evidence exists in their case despite having pled guilty. We have a responsibility to ensure the safe and humane treatment of individuals even if they are convicted of crimes and sentenced to prison. Compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act would be an all but certain result of the incentive structure set forth in S. 2577, which would require state and local governments to focus more resources on implementation of this legislation's directives, while allowing the flexibility necessary to reach full compliance. For example, states that receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant grants would be required to develop a strategic plan setting out how the grant money will be used to improve their criminal systems. Finally, this bill includes various provisions to ensure federal funds are used efficiently and effectively. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation and I reserve the balance of my time. The Justice for All Reauthorization Act is supported by a broad spectrum of organizations involved in, or affected by, our criminal justice system. These organizations include-- the National Sheriffs Association and the National District Attorneys Association; the Council of State Governments; the U.S. Conference of Mayors; the National Center for Victims of Crime; the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights; the Human Rights Campaign; and the Innocence Project. In closing, I want to commend my colleagues in the House, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Crime Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, and Congressman Ted Poe, sponsor of the House companion. And, I also want to acknowledge Senator Patrick Leahy for his authorship of the underlying statute and for his leadership in the reauthorization of these critical programs. For the foregoing reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will close my remarks by thanking Mr. Costa for his leadership. We know that our good friend Congressman Ted Poe wanted to be here. We thank him for his leadership and the many Members who engaged in this important legislation. The Justice for All Reauthorization Act is supported by a broad spectrum of organizations involved in or affected by our criminal justice system. Let me share a few: the National Sheriffs' Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the Council of State Governments, the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Innocence Project. In closing, I would like to commend my colleagues in the House, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte; Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner; and Congressman Ted Poe, the sponsor of the House companion; and the work that we have done on the Judiciary Committee, as I started out my remarks, in dealing with the enormity of sentencing, passing legislation that will reduce the impact of mandatory minimums, prison reform that we have passed, and certainly looking to reform juvenile justice. I, too, hope that the legislation that we are speaking of will move and be passed before this session of Congress ends. I would like to think optimistically that we may get some very important bills that we have dealt with in the Judiciary Committee passed as well. I also want to acknowledge Senator Patrick Leahy for his authorship of the underlying statute and for his leadership of the reauthorization of these critical programs, and as I indicated, my senior Senator, John Cornyn, of Texas. I want to conclude by saying that I left Texas in the backdrop of a Federal court hearing that dealt with the broken bail system, another aspect of criminal justice reform, where 40 percent of individuals on misdemeanors who cannot pay $150 or cannot pay $100 remain incarcerated. What we are doing today is we are joining in a bipartisan manner to begin to approach some of those inequities by this legislation, and I know that we can move forward on many others. So I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this legislation today, which is an important bill, S. 2577, and the House companion. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5422, a bill that I have cosponsored in order to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a crucial component in the fight against human trafficking, and also to pay tribute to my neighbor, Congressman Ted Poe, and join in wishing him a strong recovery. We look forward to continuing to work against the scourge of human trafficking. We have been told, of course, of Houston being the epicenter of such. As I have said many times before, trafficking in human beings has no place in a civilized society. Congress decided 150 years ago that no individual deserves to be bought, owned, or sold. Our country is now faced with a modern-day version of slavery that denies victims of their humanity and violates the most basic American ideals of liberty and individual autonomy. Human trafficking is the second fastest growing criminal enterprise: 4,177 sex trafficking cases and 824 trafficking cases were reported in the first 9 months of this year in the United States and its territories. Traffickers use trickery and, most often, coercion and violence to force victims to provide labor or perform sexual acts. My home city of Houston has been identified as a hub for human trafficking, as I have said. I am proud to say that Houston and the entire State of Texas are working hard to stave off this growing threat. In an effort to understand the problem and find real solutions, we held several hearings in 2014, including the first-ever field hearing on human trafficking held by the Committee on Homeland Security that I serve on. During that hearing, we heard from victims and survivors of human trafficking. They recounted indignities they suffered as well as the physical and psychological damage done while they were young children but still felt as adults. I am very gratified that Congressman Ted Poe participated in that hearing, and it was very constructive and instructive as we try to continue working on a solution. I traveled to a stash house and witnessed the atrocious conditions under which these people are held and forced to engage. We now know that a comprehensive, collaborative approach that includes lawmakers, law enforcement, victim advocates, community organizations, and social service providers is necessary to identify victims and lead them to safety, restore them, and bring their captors to justice. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center plays a critical role in the effort to save, protect, and restore victims of human trafficking. The NHTRC is a national anti-trafficking hotline and resource center created and overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services and funded through grant money appropriated to HHS. It is very important. In 2015, the NHTRC received more than 24,000 signals regarding human trafficking cases or issues related to human trafficking, which includes phone calls, online tips, and emails. The NHTRC is invaluable to victims, survivors, and stakeholders involving the fight against human trafficking--connecting human trafficking victims and survivors to local, victim-centered support services that provide crisis intervention, urgent or nonurgent care, or lead them to safety; providing tools to fight against human trafficking; and reporting potential trafficking tips to law enforcement. This is a very valuable service and lifeline. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), who has a long history of working with children, of arguing and advocating against the mistreatment of foster care children who find themselves disproportionately involved and subjected to the potential of human trafficking. I thank her for her leadership, for being a cosponsor of this legislation, and a Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from California an additional 1 minute.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me give my closing remarks and indicate that I am grateful in determining that the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which, unfortunately, was enacted last year, mistakenly directed that funding for the NHTRC be given to the Justice Department instead of HHS, which would still be responsible for administering it. Therefore, we need to change the law to ensure that funding be directed to HHS so that it will continue to fund and oversee NHTRC in the same manner and efficiently as it has in the past. For that reason, this is an important initiative. I commend again the actions and efforts and commitment of my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe. I wish him good health and thank him for continuing to work on behalf of human trafficking victims. This bill is evidence that we have the ability to work together as a unified body to address issues that affect our country and, more importantly, that those victims of this dastardly human trafficking, when they feel so alone and cannot reach out, have a body of Members, House and Senate, who recognize the urgency and importance of this effort to help them restore their lives, but, more importantly, to stand in the way of this terrible and heinous act. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5422, a bill I have cosponsored in order to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a crucial component in the fight against human trafficking. As I have said many times before, trafficking in human beings has no place in a civilized society. Congress decided 150 years ago that no individual deserves to be bought, owned, or sold. Our country is now faced with a modern-day version of slavery that denies victims of their humanity and violates the most basic American ideals of liberty and individual autonomy. Human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal enterprise. 4,177 sex trafficking cases and 824 labor trafficking cases were reported in the first nine months of this year in the United States and its territories. Traffickers use trickery and, most often, coercion and violence to force victims to provide labor or perform sexual acts. My home city of Houston has been identified as a hub for human trafficking. I am proud to say that Houston and the entire state of Texas are working hard to stave off this growing threat. In an effort to understand the problem and find real solutions, we held several hearings in 2014, including a Field Hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security. During that hearing, we heard from victims and survivors of human trafficking. They recounted indignities they suffered as well as the physical and psychological damage done while they were young children, but still felt as adults. I traveled to a stash house and witnessed the atrocious conditions under which these people are held. We now know that a comprehensive, collaborative approach that includes law makers, law enforcement, victim advocates, community organizations, and social service providers is necessary to identify victims, lead them to safety, restore them, and bring their captors to justice. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center plays a critical role in the effort to save, protect, and restore victims of human trafficking. The NHTRC is a national anti-trafficking hotline and resource center, created and overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, and funded through grant money appropriated to HHS. In 2015, the NHTRC received more than 24,000 alerts regarding human trafficking cases or issues related to human trafficking, which includes phone calls, online tips, and emails. The NHTRC is invaluable to victims, survivors, and stakeholders involved in the fight against human trafficking--connecting human trafficking victims and survivors to local, victim-centered support services that provide crisis intervention, urgent or non-urgent care, or lead them to safety; providing tools to fight against human trafficking; and reporting potential trafficking tips to law enforcement. Unfortunately, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which was enacted last year, mistakenly directed that funding for the NHTRC be given to the Justice Department instead of HHS, which would still be responsible for administering it. Therefore, we need to change the law to ensure that funding be directed to HHS so that it will continue to fund and oversee the NHRTC in the same, efficient manner as it has in the past. Mr. Speaker, I commend the efforts of my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe. I wish him good health and thank him for continuing to work on behalf of human trafficking victims. This bill is evidence that we have the ability to work together as a unified body to address issues that affect our country. I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this bill today.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Langevin for their leadership on this issue, and I rise in support of H.R. 5877, which speaks to the crucialness of cybersecurity as does the following bill by Mr. Langevin. It is interesting that, some years ago, as the chairperson of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, infrastructure was included, and cybersecurity was a part of that. During that tenure, we looked at the vast impact that cyber and security would have on the lives of Americans and on the people around the world. From water systems to sewer systems, an attack on the cyber system could clearly undermine the quality of life of people around the world. Obviously, Israel fully comprehended this in its enhanced level of innovative work when dealing with cybersecurity and particularly, as Mr. Langevin said, in the importance of creating firewalls, which we have been able to see. I congratulate the sponsors of this legislation and will say that we need to have cybersecurity issues clearly in our eyes' view. I acknowledge the bipartisan work of the Committee on Homeland Security under the leadership of Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson, and I acknowledge the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subcommittee that has Mr. Richmond as the ranking member. I also add my support for H.R. 5843, sponsored by Mr. Langevin, which provides a pilot cybersecurity research program that will require the Department of Homeland Security to establish a grant program to support cybersecurity research and development and the demonstration and commercialization of cybersecurity technology in accordance with the agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Israel. I cannot think of two more important steps that are being made. I hope this legislation will pass before this Congress ends because, if there is any threat that is great to this Nation, it is the unintended impact of cybersecurity.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, in the backdrop of seeing technology impact the recent election, I think that we clearly know that we have to be studious, that we have to be thorough, and that we have to make sure that systems work and that systems are protected. I ask my colleagues to support the underlying bill and also H.R. 5843. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5843, United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act, because it will establish a pilot cybersecurity research program between our nation and our strongest friends in the region for the purpose of strengthening cybersecurity. I support this bill because the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a grant program to support cybersecurity research and development, and the demonstration and commercialization of cybersecurity technology, in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland Security Matters. This bill will codifies and makes available funding for an existing mutual cooperation agreement between the United States and Israel on matters related to cybersecurity. Grants provided under this bill may be awarded for social science research and technology intended to identify, protect against, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats. To be eligible for a grant, a project must be a joint venture between: (1) for-profit, nonprofit, or academic entities including U.S. national laboratories in the United States and Israel; or (2) the governments of the United States and Israel. Grants shall be awarded only for projects considered unclassified by both the United States and Israel. Under the terms of this bill DHS must require cost sharing of at least 50% from nonfederal sources for grant activities, but it may reduce the nonfederal percentage if necessary on a case-by-case basis. DHS will also establish an advisory board to monitor the impartial scientific and technical merit method by which grants are awarded and provide periodic reviews of the actions taken to carry out the program. The grant program terminates seven years after this bill's enactment. The Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office will produce a report every five years by the Science and Technology must contain: (1) a status update on the progress of such international cooperative activities identified in the previous reporting period; and (2) a discussion of obstacles encountered in forming, executing, or implementing agreements for such activities. As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security since its establishment, and current Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security this bill is of importance to me. I introduced H.R. 85, the Terrorism Prevention and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015 out of well-founded concerns regarding the security of critical infrastructure of our nation from terrorists attack. H.R. 85, directs the Secretary DHS to: (1) work with critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, tribal, and territorial entities to take proactive steps to manage risk and strengthen the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks; (2) establish terrorism prevention policy to engage with international partners to strengthen the security and resilience of domestic critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure located outside of the United States; (4) establish the Strategic Research Imperatives Program to lead DHS's federal civilian agency approach to strengthen critical infrastructure security and resilience; and (5) make available research findings and guidance to federal civilian agencies for the identification, prioritization, assessment, remediation, and security of their internal critical infrastructure to assist in the prevention, mediation, and recovery from terrorism events. H.R. 85, also directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) appoint a research working group that shall study how best to achieve national unity of effort to protect against terrorism threats and investigate the security and resilience of the nation's information assurance components that provide such protection; and (2) establish a research program to provide strategic guidance, promote a national unity of effort, and coordinate the overall federal effort to promote the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure from terrorist threats. As we have worked to define and support the mission of the Department of Homeland Security we have worked to keep the efforts of the agency focused not only on the threats we have faced, but also the new ones that may come. Collaborative agreements that can bolster the ability of DHS to be able to effectively respond to cyber threats is in the best interest of the United States. It is the responsibility of Congress not only to provide DHS with new guidelines, but also to provide the agency with the funding it needs to do the work of protecting this great nation. For several Congresses DHS has faced a government shutdown and sequestration that has depleted its resources and stranded its efforts to do all of the work members of this body demands. As I urge my colleagues to support this bill, I also remind them that the passage of new laws that require more of the agency should also mean that we should require more of ourselves as members of Congress. We should support the work of the men and women of DHS as they stand to defend this nation from all threats including those that come from cyberspace. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5843.