Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my fellow colleagues to join me in commending the 2016-2017 Congressional Youth Advisory Council. This year, 47 Collin County students from public and private schools in grades 9 through 12 made a significant impact in their community, their country, and their Congress by participating in CYAC. Through the CYAC program, these students volunteered their talent, expertise, and time to engage on issues that are important to their generation. I continue to be inspired by the high-caliber students who partake in my CYAC program, and this year was no exception. We had a diverse group of students who already participate in a multitude of activities including student government, community service, honor societies, athletics, fine arts, and language clubs. It was exciting to see them apply their experiences and interests to CYAC. They were always excited to share their ideas about how to create a lasting and sustainable future for our country, and it was encouraging to see their determination, knowledge, and willingness to help those around them. Throughout the past school year, the students met to discuss issues that affect our everyday lives. They then applied their knowledge to various homework assignments and group activities. Our first meeting focused on Homeland Security--a hot topic of great interest for many CYAC students. They heard from special guests District Attorney Greg Willis, new Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Tom Petrowski. The students learned about national security at the local level and how Americans' security is a team effort between local, state, and federal leaders. The meeting concluded with a tour of the Collin County Detention Center. Their second meeting began with the Congressional Veterans Commendation Ceremony. At this event, they learned about local veterans' inspiring stories and helped honor these veterans' unique legacies of service. Following the ceremony, students met with my Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for an insider's view on what it's like to work in the halls of Congress. The students' first semester closed with Captain Sam Brown sharing his testimony of military and civilian service. He also encouraged them to tackle obstacles and embrace taking on leadership roles. The CYAC students kicked off the spring semester with a Mock Congress. During this event, students learned firsthand the legislative process and how Congress operates. Each student was assigned to a committee with jurisdiction over bills that they were able to amend, debate, and ultimately vote on. Lastly, the students gave back to their hometowns by completing CYAC in the Community--service projects where they volunteered their time to community service work. Altogether, our CYAC students donated over 185 community service hours to Collin County. I thank each member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council for making this year a success. They are the voices of the future, and I'm proud of them for all that they've achieved. God bless them and God bless America. I salute them. Kayla Adams, Shambhavi Badi, Shree Balaji, Brooklyn Baum, Joshua Brock, Reagan Cantrell, Allison Chang, Brandon Chen, Catherine Chen, Zachary Clonch, Emily Crone, Matthew Daley, Niruti Dhoble, Austin Dwiggins, Sam Fanatico, Nicholas Garcia, Sreeragini Ghantasala, Emma Guerra, Luke Harrell, Alice Hou, Timothy Interrante, Austin Katzer, Ruxton Kelly, Abby Kistner, Tatiana Laporte, Olivia Larson, Nicholas Le. I-Jung Lin, David Lorenz, Jonathan Lu, Rahul Naik, Swetha Pamidimukkala, Padmashree Pandy, Purvee Patel, Jackson Pierce, David Qian, Ben Randoing, Elizabeth Reed, Emiko Rinkliff, Jakob Shackleton, Cameron Stapleton, Parker Stevens, Nicolas Teachenor, Sai Vogirala, Scott Walker, Emily Ward, Trent Yarbrough.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brian Loughmiller, Mayor of the City of McKinney, Texas. Brian and his wife, Donna, have lived in McKinney for almost 30 years. In his professional career, Brian is the managing partner at the law firm of Loughmiller Higgins P.C., which is based in McKinney. He holds a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Despite a busy professional career, Brian has been very active in serving the McKinney community. He is a past president of the Collin County Bar Association and has served on the McKinney Board of Adjustment, the McKinney Independent School District Community Redistricting Committee, and the McKinney Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Brian has also devoted his time to the Sunrise Rotary Club, Relay for Life, and the American Cancer Society. Brian was first elected to the McKinney City Council in 2002, and he served as a Council Member for six years. In 2009, Brian was elected Mayor of McKinney, and he was re-elected in 2013. During his tenure, McKinney has been one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Today, it boasts a thriving population of 168,000. Most importantly, McKinney has achieved and managed its growth in a way that has earned the City national recognition for its exceptional quality of life. In 2014, Money Magazine ranked McKinney as the #1 Best Place to Live, and the City has received numerous accolades that recognize it as an outstanding community, including being one of the best places in the nation to start a family and to buy a home. Brian has also overseen the revitalization of the City's Historic Downtown, which has become a beautiful, thriving center for the community. Having served on the City Council for 14 years, including eight years as Mayor, Brian will be stepping down in May due to term limits. While this role ends for him, he has positioned McKinney for a bright future. It has been a pleasure to work with Brian to help make McKinney such a wonderful place to live, and his leadership in this capacity will be missed. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Brian for his tireless commitment to public service and his many distinguished accomplishments as Mayor of McKinney. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in thanking Brian and his wife, Donna, for devoting so much of their time to the McKinney community and in wishing them happiness and continued success in the future

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I would like to start off by thanking Chairwoman Foxx and Chairman Walberg for their strong support of my bill, the Small Business Health Fairness Act. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today is on an issue that has long been near and dear to my heart: association health plans. Association health plans would allow small businesses to join together and provide healthcare coverage just like large corporations and unions do today. Association health plans are also a central part of replacing ObamaCare with commonsense solutions. You know, ObamaCare has been an absolute disaster. My constituents in Collin County, Texas, have shared with me their negative experiences with it since it became law nearly 7 years ago. One of the groups hardest hit by ObamaCare is small businesses, the backbone of our economy. Since 2008, over one-third of businesses with fewer than 10 employees offering health insurance have dropped insurance; and, you know, that is just wrong. Because ObamaCare is failing, we need to repeal it and replace it with better solutions for the American people. One of these solutions is my association health plan bill. What my bill does is simply allow small businesses to join together through trade or professional organizations. As we all know, the basic rule of insurance is the bigger the risk pool, the lower the cost. Furthermore, my bill allows small businesses to join together across State lines. My bill would also free small businesses from costly and burdensome State and Federal requirements. This isn't anything different from what large employers and unions already do. My bill is simply about leveling the playing field for small businesses and their hardworking employees. This bill also has wide support from the business community, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Retail Federation, and the International Franchise Association. Not everyone knows this, but I was a small-business owner myself between my time in the Air Force and coming to Congress. In fact, I established a home building business in north Texas from scratch, so I can understand where small businesses are coming from. For example, Bob Gibbons and his wife own a commercial real estate business in my hometown of Plano, Texas. They have had a tough time obtaining good, affordable health insurance, a problem that has gotten worse since ObamaCare. Bob sums up this entire issue pretty well in two sentences: ``Why should someone's status as an employee give them preferential right to decent group health coverage? Entrepreneurs are penalized when they start a small business because they can't get comparable coverage.'' Bob's experience underscores the entire point behind the Small Business Health Fairness Act. Mr. Speaker, I include Bob's letter in the Record, along with letters from the cities of Frisco, Richardson, and Anna in my district. REATA Commercial Realty, Inc., Plano, TX, March 2, 2017. Re Association Health Plans. Hon. Sam Johnson, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Johnson: I would like to register my support of your recently introduced bill, H.R. 1101, which would provide for association health plans. I am a small business owner in your district in Plano, Texas. My wife and I have been on a roller coaster of health coverage over the years. We were covered by employer plans when I was an employee (pre-ACA). Then we had to negotiate for an individual plan when I started my own business (pre-ACA). Then we were again covered by an employer plan when my wife went to work (post-ACA). And now that she works with me, we must navigate the purchase of an individual plan again, but in the post-ACA failure environment. I have always thought it was ridiculous that the only decent health coverage was available to employees of companies that provided it. Why should someone's status as an employee give them a preferential right to decent group health coverage? Entrepreneurs are penalized when they start a small business because they can't get comparable coverage. I was thrilled when I ran into Gabi Pate at a Plano Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee meeting yesterday and heard you were trying to help. Association health plans would be a step in the right direction. At least then I could get in on a group plan through trade associations, a chamber of commerce or another qualified group. I truly hope that the bill will allow for portability of that health coverage, however, so I can leave the association if I choose and still have coverage. Thank you for your leadership in this area. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Bob Gibbons.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, by allowing small businesses to band together, they can collectively purchase more affordable health insurance for their employees. Let's get this commonsense plan passed. Let's help those who power our economy be able to get the health care they want, need, and deserve for themselves and their workers. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1101.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Former President Obama was never a champion of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. He fought to deny Americans their constitutional rights throughout his whole 8 years in office. In fact, on his way out the door, former President Obama finalized a rule that discriminates against individuals with disabilities and that deprives law-abiding Americans of their Second Amendment rights. Under this rule, certain Social Security disability beneficiaries, who also need help, would be stripped of their Second Amendment rights. More specifically, their names would be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Mr. Speaker, just because someone has a disability does not mean he is a threat to society. Furthermore, needing help to manage your benefit does not make you dangerous; but you don't have to take my word for it as the disability community has also raised serious concerns with regard to this rule. The National Council on Disability, which is the independent agency that is charged with advising Congress and the President on disability policy, said: ``There is, simply put, no nexus between the inability to manage money and the ability to safely and responsibly own, possess or use a firearm.'' In addition, Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record many letters of support I have received for my bill from one of the disability community's Second Amendment groups and civil rights groups and others. National Council on Disability, Washington, DC, January 24, 2017. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan: I write on behalf of the National Council on Disability (NCD) regarding the final rule the Social Security Administration (SSA) released on December 19th, 2016, implementing provisions of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, 81 FR 91702. In accordance with our mandate to advise the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities, NCD submitted comments to SSA on the proposed rule on June 30th, 2016. In our comments, we cautioned against implementation of the proposed rule because: ``[t]here is, simply put, no nexus between the inability to manage money and the ability to safely and responsibly own, possess or use a firearm. This arbitrary linkage not only unnecessarily and unreasonably deprives individuals with disabilities of a constitutional right, it increases the stigma for those who, due to their disabilities, may need a representative payee[.]'' Despite our objections and that of many other individuals and organizations received by SSA regarding the proposed rule, the final rule released in late December was largely unchanged. Because of the importance of the constitutional right at stake and the very real stigma that this rule legitimizes, NCD recommends that Congress consider utilizing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal this rule. NCD is a nonpartisan, independent federal agency with no stated position with respect to gun-ownership or gun-control other than our long-held position that restrictions on gun possession or ownership based on psychiatric or intellectual disability must be based on a verifiable concern as to whether the individual poses a heightened risk of danger to themselves or others if they are in possession of a weapon. Additionally, it is critically important that any restriction on gun possession or ownership on this basis is imposed only after the individual has been afforded due process and given an opportunity to respond to allegations that they are not able to safely possess or own a firearm due to his or her disability. NCD believes that SSA's final rule falls far short of meeting these criteria. Additionally, as NCD also cautioned SSA in our comments on the proposed rule, we have concerns regarding the ability of SSA to fairly and effectively implement this rule--assuming it would be possible to do so--given the long-standing issues SSA already has regarding long delays in adjudication and difficulty in providing consistent, prompt service to beneficiaries with respect to its core mission. This rule creates an entirely new function for an agency that has long noted that it has not been given sufficient resources to do the important work it is already charged with doing. With all due respect to SSA, our federal partner, this rule is simply a bridge too far. In fact, it is conceivable that attempts to implement this rule may strain the already scarce administrative resources available to the agency, further impairing its ability to carry out its core mission. The CRA is a powerful mechanism for controlling regulatory overreach, and NCD urges its use advisedly and cautiously. In this particular case, the potential for real harm to the constitutional rights of people with psychiatric and intellectual disabilities is grave as is the potential to undermine the essential mission of an agency that millions of people with and without disabilities rely upon to meet their basic needs. Therefore, in this instance, NCD feels that utilizing the CRA to repeal the final rule is not only warranted, but necessary. Regards, Clyde E. Terry, Chair.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we need to put a stop to this rule now. That is why I introduced H.J. Res. 40, along with Congressman Abraham, to overturn this rule and make sure the constitutional rights of individuals with disabilities are protected. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Renacci).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, having no other speakers, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. This is about constitutional rights of individuals with disabilities. Just because someone has a disability does not mean they are a threat to society. Furthermore, needing help to manage your benefits does not make you dangerous. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record additional letters of support. American Association of People with Disabilities, Washington, DC, January 26, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Office of the Democratic Leader, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan and Democratic Leader Pelosi: The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) urges you to support a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to disapprove the Final Rule issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) on December 19, 2016, ``Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.'' This rule would require the Social Security Administration to forward the names of all Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit recipients who use a representative payee to help manage their benefits due to a mental impairment to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). AAPD is a national disability rights organization that works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by acting as a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the economic and political power of people with disabilities. Prior to the issuance of the Final Rule, AAPD conveyed its opposition to the rule to the Obama Administration. We, and many other disability rights organizations, opposed the rule for a number of reasons, including: 1) The damaging message that may be sent by a SSA policy change, which focused on reporting individuals who receive assistance from representative payees in managing their benefits to the NICS gun database. The current public dialogue is replete with inaccurate stereotyping of people with mental disabilities as violent and dangerous, and there is a real concern that the kind of policy change encompassed by this rule will reinforce those unfounded assumptions. 2) The absence of any data suggesting that there is any connection between the need for a representative payee to manage one's Social Security disability benefits and a propensity toward gun violence. 3) The absence of any meaningful due process protections prior to the SSA's transmittal of names to the NICS database. Although the NICS Improvements Act of 2007 allows agencies to transmit the names of individuals who have been ``adjudicated'' to lack the capacity to manage their own affairs, SSA's process does not constitute an adjudication and does not include a finding that individuals are broadly unable to manage their own affairs. AAPD urges Congress to act, through the CRA process, to disapprove this new rule to prevent the damage that it inflicts on the disability community and the extraordinarily damaging message it sends to society that people with mental impairments could should be feared and shunned. Thank you for taking our position into consideration. Yours truly, Helena R. Berger, President & CEO.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the ACLU said: ``We oppose this rule because it advances and reinforces the harmful stereotype that people with mental disabilities, a vast and diverse group of citizens, are violent. There is no data to support a connection between the need for a representative payee to manage one's Social Security disability benefits and a propensity toward gun violence.'' Mr. Speaker, we must act today to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of H.J. Res. 40, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Nell Payne for her more than 16 years of service to our nation as the Director of Government Relations at the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution that we all love and admire just wouldn't be the same had it not been for all of the hard work that Nell has put in. Nell began her formal education with a Bachelor of Art in French Language and Literature from the University of Iowa and graduated in 1978. After finishing her Bachelor Degree, she went on to pursue a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from George Washington University, which she finished in 1982. Nell began her professional career working as the Staff Attorney, Counsel, and then Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee from May 1982--September 1987. Nell then spent October 1987--January 1990 as the Director of Government Affairs for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. As Nell continued in her career she went on to become a Special Assistant to the President, Legislative Affairs for the White House from February 1990 through December 1991. After Nell had served alongside the President, she was able to move to Paris, France and serve as a Corporate Relations Manager for the American University of Paris. From 1994-2000 Nell served as Counsel for Verner Liipfert Bernhard McPherson & Hand. Furthermore, Nell went on to serve as Director, Office of Government Relations for the Smithsonian Institution from August 2000-present. There are three kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen; those who sit around and watch things happen; and finally those who sit and wonder what just happened. Time and time again Nell has proven that she is of the first category of people who go out and strive to make the world a better place and I am honored to be able to recognize her for that greatness here today. As I previously mentioned, throughout Nell's career she has continued to shine and serve the American people graciously. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all that Nell has accomplished for the Smithsonian Institution over the past 16 years or how grateful the American people should be for her diligence and excellence as the Director of Government Relations at the Smithsonian Institution. Once again, I would like to sincerely thank Nell for her vigor in service to the American people as the Director of Government Relations at the Smithsonian Institution. God bless you Nell. I salute you.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today, along with my fellow Texans, Pete Sessions, John Ratcliffe, and Eddie Bernice Johnson, with an amendment that is absolutely vital for north Texas. Mr. Chairman, north Texas is no stranger to drought. And with our area booming, the need for water is as great as ever. That is why for years the North Texas Municipal Water District has been working hard to get State and Federal approval to construct the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir in Fannin County. In fact, they have been working at it for 10 years. The good news is that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has already issued the State permit for this locally funded project. But here is the bad news: Federal bureaucrats have been holding up the permit for the project, specifically the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. There is no end in sight to the delay which will lead to a manmade water crisis. The bottom line is there won't be enough water to meet demand in north Texas without this new reservoir in as few as 4 years. This isn't simply water for our lawns. It is about having the water to support our fast growing regional economy. Earlier this summer, The Dallas Morning News ran an editorial with the title: ``EPA's delay of Fannin County reservoir could threaten North Texas economy,'' which I include in the Record. [The Dallas Morning News, June 10, 2016] EPA's Delay of Fannin County Reservoir Could Threaten North Texas Economy For nearly a decade, the North Texas Municipal Water District has tried to build the Lower Bois d'Arc Reservoir in Fannin County to support the rapid growth in cities like Frisco, Plano and other municipalities north and east of Dallas. The project was moving forward until last year, when the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency abruptly shifted course at the last minute to require a more detailed analysis of the environmental impact to forested wetlands near the proposed reservoir. Completion of the $1 billion, 16,526-acre project has been delayed from 2020 to possibly 2022. Federal environmental reviews are complicated matters, but what makes this particularly disturbing is that the EPA appears to be changing the rules in the middle of the process without much regard to real-world consequences for North Texas. The project received its state water rights approval last summer and had expected to secure the necessary federal permits by the end of last year. Those permits would have kept the project on schedule, allowing the reservoir to open in 2020 with enough capacity to provide the region with water through at least 2040. EPA and Army Corp officials say they are only following the law, but they're also making a high-stakes gamble with the region's economic well-being. Even with normal North Texas temperatures and rainfall, Collin County is on pace to face water supply issues by 2020 unless this reservoir is constructed. A major drought would be even more problematic. Rest assured, this issue is more serious than brown lawns and restrictive watering schedules. Water rates would soar. Construction would slow, and there could be tense moments for sanitation and fire fighting, too. Emergency water supplies would be difficult to obtain. Dallas and other neighboring water districts would have their own challenges, and water from outside Texas couldn't be tapped without more regulatory battles and technical complications that would make supplies prohibitively expensive. Dozens of mayors and members of Congress have pressed for faster action only to be told the review will be completed on the regulators' schedule. Frustrated, U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson recently introduced a bill to exempt the project from the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and speed up construction. We don't back this bill, but, like the congressman and various other elected officials, we agree that it is time for this project to move forward at a faster pace. North Texas' population is expected to mushroom in the next quarter-century. The Army Corps and EPA need to find a way to allow this vital water project to be completed without further delay.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. That is why I am offering this amendment which would require the EPA and Army Corps to issue a final permit for the construction of the reservoir no later than September 30, 2017. North Texans want, need, and deserve this reservoir, a reservoir already approved by the State. I am absolutely committed to getting this done, and I ask all the Members to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Texas, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. She and I have been friends forever. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), my good friend.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank both of you all and all our Dallas delegation, the Texas delegation really, for this interest. My commonsense amendment is intended to prevent a real water crisis-- which we are getting close to--by getting the Federal Government to finally issue the needed permit for this vital local reservoir project. I ask all my colleagues to support this amendment. Please pass this amendment. Let's get the water north Texas needs. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5320) to restrict the inclusion of social security account numbers on documents sent by mail by the Social Security Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to review and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5320, currently under consideration.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I rise as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security in support of the Social Security Must Avert Identity Loss Act of 2016, also known as the Social Security MAIL Act legislation. It is legislation that I introduced along with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Renacci). Mr. Speaker, Social Security makes a point of telling Americans how important it is to protect their Social Security numbers. Time and time again, Americans are warned to protect their Social Security cards in order to avoid identity theft. For years I have been calling for ending the use of Social Security numbers unless it is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, while some progress has been made, the Social Security Administration still includes Social Security numbers on some documents it mails. Just last year, Social Security sent out more than 233 million letters that included full Social Security numbers. This needs to stop and now. The bill requires Social Security to either remove Social Security numbers from mailings or explain why including a Social Security number is necessary. This commonsense legislation is supported by AARP and the Association of Mature American Citizens. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record their letters of support.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans rightly expect that the Social Security Administration keeps their personal information safe. This bill makes sure Social Security doesn't include a Social Security number in documents it mails unless it is absolutely necessary. It is a commonsense solution to a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members in the House to vote ``yes'' and pass the Social Security MAIL Act today. I reserve the balance of my time.