John Joyce

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate the 2019 Bishop Guilfoyle Football Team on an outstanding season. After a successful playoff bid, the team traveled to Hershey to compete in 2019 1 A State Championship game. Finishing the year with a 12-3 record, these student athletes should take pride in their hard- fought season. The 2019 team includes Andrew Yanoshak, Konner Kiesewetter, Keegan Myrick, Dylan Conrad, Noah Ritchey, Dominic Yanoshak, Adam Chadbourn, Casey Smith, Deven Wyandt, Michael Lamb, Branden Wasser, Ryan Donoughe, Cooper Rother, Karson Kiesewetter, Anthony Cioffari, Vincent Cioffari, AJ Kilmartin, Ryan Negola, JT Johnston, Adrian Johnson, Collin Campbell, Sam Homan, Drew Abraham, Lucas Steinbugl, Patrick Reilly, Zach McCloskey, Dylan McNelly, Jorden McClure, Anthony Edwards, Ian Bennett, Connor Ebersole, Connor Stayer, Sante Bambocci, Cameron Maloney, Joe Meintel, Evan Himes, Colin Butler, Brendan Shaffer, Aidan Bender, Tyler Conigy, Jack Donoughe, Caleb Stevens, Brady Bithell, Reed Edwards, and Hayden Fox. These students were coached by Justin Wheeler, Darren Elvey, Evan Imgrund, Patrick Irwin, Patrick Leamer, Joseph Thomas, and Gabe Walters. The 2019 team joins a long legacy of Bishop Guilfoyle Football excellence. During the past six seasons, the Marauders have reached the State Championship game four times. As a former captain of the Bishop Guilfoyle Football Team and a proud alumnus, I congratulate these students and their coaches on a successful season, and I wish them every continued success both on and off the field.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today on this dark day in the United States House of Representatives to voice my opposition to the shameful impeachment process that has occurred in the people's House. Some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle do not like President Trump. We know this because they proudly boasted about their intention to impeach our President before he was even sworn into office. Out of disdain for the President and for those of us who elected him, the House of Representatives is considering two Articles of Impeachment that are so very weak that they even fail to include specific crimes. The people that I represent in south-central and southwestern Pennsylvania know the truth. The American people know the truth. This impeachment circus has never been about the facts. This process has always been about seeking revenge for the President's election in 2016 and attempting to prevent him from winning again in 2020. Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly oppose this partisan and shameful effort to impeach our democratically and duly elected President. Madam Speaker, for the sake of our Nation, I urge my colleagues to join with me and vote ``no'' on the Articles of Impeachment.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute the many accomplishments of Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Santay, who has served our nation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania admirably for more than 30 years, including 16 years in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. After enlisting in the Army Reserves in September 1987, Senior Master Sergeant Santay completed basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. For over three decades, he has dedicated his time and talents to serving our nation. Senior Master Sergeant Santay completed deployments in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2019. In recognition of his longstanding service, Senior Master Sergeant Santay has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the USAF Commendation Medal, the USAF Achievement Medal, the USA Achievement Medal, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. It is my sincere honor to congratulate Senior Master Sergeant Santay on his remarkable accomplishments and to thank him for his tireless devotion to Pennsylvania and our nation.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 669.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia, a pharmacist, leading this discussion. It is so important the leadership that Representative Carter has taken in this role in addressing this. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition of H.R. 3. This would severely constrain biomedical innovation, limit the access to future cures, and ultimately harm so many patients across America. While all of us agree that we must act as a Congress to lower the cost of prescription medicine, this bill takes a fundamentally incorrect approach that would jeopardize Americans' access to new medicines and have a negative impact on patient outcomes. As a physician, as a legislator, I have witnessed new cures that offer hope to patients facing devastating diagnoses. As recently as 10 years ago, when I would see a patient presenting with metastatic melanoma, the prognosis often would be fatal. Now, thanks to the advent of new biologic therapies, patients diagnosed with widespread metastatic melanoma have a chance to live, a chance to embrace life. Let me be clear about this issue. Passing H.R. 3 would deprive patients and their loved ones of a chance for a cure. Fortunately, we have the alternative in H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. This bill is a package of more than 40 bipartisan provisions that would actually become law and have real impact on our patients, on our constituents. And in addition, would ultimately lower drug prices. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to Mr. Carter for leading this discussion and for hosting this Special Order on this crucial topic.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3318, the Emerging Transportation Security Threats Act of 2019. This legislation will ensure that Homeland Security is forward- looking in regard to threats facing America's transportation systems. My district, Pennsylvania's 13th, is home to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, which serves as a stark reminder of the heroism of ordinary Americans and why, as a Congress, we must act to protect our Nation against threats to the homeland. Oftentimes, the Transportation Security Administration faces criticism from Congress, stakeholders, and the traveling public that the agency is too reactionary to evolving threats and not proactive enough in mitigating emerging threats to transportation. H.R. 3318 seeks to improve collaboration among the TSA, the intelligence community, other Federal agencies, and transportation security stakeholders by creating a task force to conduct an analysis of emerging threats to transportation security. Once established, this task force will examine threats posed by evolving terrorist tactics, explosive devices, chemical and biological agents, cyber actors, unmanned aerial systems, and inadequate information sharing, among other security challenges. For each threat examined by the task force established in this legislation, the TSA is directed to develop a mitigation strategy to protect the traveling public and identify needed security enhancements. This bill ensures that each of these efforts will include close collaboration with transportation stakeholders on the development of security strategies, improved information sharing practices, and regular interactions with senior TSA leadership on security matters. Finally, this legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review ensuring that the TSA effectively implements the bill's requirements. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana, Clay Higgins, for his support of this bill and for working to bring it to the floor today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Shippensburg Fire Department's Robert ``Bobby'' Van Scyoc, who recently marked 50 years of service to the Shippensburg community. Mr. Van Scyoc first joined the Shippensburg Vigilant Hose Company on July 14, 1969. For half a century, he has kept a watchful eye over his neighbors as a first responder and community leader. In addition to his service as a firefighter, Mr. Van Scyoc also is an EMT and a retired Police Sergeant and Dispatcher. Today, he continues to drive fire apparatus to calls and works part-time at Shippensburg Area EMS. It is my privilege to recognize Mr. Van Scyoc upon this remarkable milestone for his dedication to the Shippensburg community, and I wish him every continued success.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize Tom Caulfield, the Founder and Director/President of Veteran Community Initiatives, for his commitment to our region's veterans. A U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, Mr. Caulfield has dedicated his life to serving others. As founder of Veteran Community Initiatives, he and his team have touched the lives of thousands of veterans in our region. Since its inception in 1993, Veteran Community Initiatives has helped nearly 9,000 veterans and their family members in the PA Laurel Highlands and the Southern Alleghenies. In addition to his work with VCI, Mr. Caulfield is active with many veteran service organizations, including his current work on the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center's Veterans Advisory Council, the former Defense Veterans Brain Injury Center--Johnstown as Board Chairman, the Penn Highlands Community College/John P. Murtha Scholarship Committee as Chairman, and the Cambria County Business and Education Consortia. By caring and advocating for Pennsylvania veterans, Mr. Caulfield has established an indelible legacy. It is my privilege to recognize this community leader for his lifelong dedication to our nation and to his fellow veterans.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember President Lincoln's famous remarks in Gettysburg, 156 years ago today. In the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln expressed some of the most important American values in just 272 words. At the time, President Lincoln said: ``The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' Over the past 150 years, the world still remembers the service of those who fought in Gettysburg, including my great-grandfather. We continue to remember and to cherish what President Lincoln said there, and we remain resolved ``that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.'' It is my privilege to represent Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States House of Representatives and to highlight our region's significant role in American history.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Altoona Curve Owner, Bob Lozinak, on being named the 2019 King of Baseball by Minor League Baseball. Mr. Lozinak of Blair County, Pennsylvania, will receive this honor during the league's winter meetings in San Diego on December 8. In 1999, Mr. Lozinak brought baseball to Altoona. Since then, he has grown the Curve's fanbase and garnered national recognition for his work not only with the Curve, but throughout his 40-year history in Minor League Baseball. Mr. Lozinak's passion both for the sport of baseball and for our community is an immense asset to Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. This recognition is well-deserved, and I congratulate our ``King of Baseball'' on this outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the Waynesboro Lions Club of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania on its 90th anniversary. Chartered on November 6, 1929, the Waynesboro Lions Club has faithfully executed its mission to serve the residents of the Waynesboro community by providing support to charitable organizations such as the Waynesboro Fire Department, the Alexander Hamilton Free Library, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, and the YMCA. In addition to serving its local community, Waynesboro Lions Club has supported the Lion Club network in neighboring communities by sponsoring the Chambersburg Evening Lions Club, Penn National Lions Club, Waynesboro Area Lioness Lions Club, and Waynesboro Area Middle School LEO Club. Please join me in congratulating the Waynesboro Lions Club as it celebrates nine decades of dedication to our region.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the occasion of its 100th annual meeting. In September of 1918, Gettysburg businessman Roy Funkhouser organized a group of local businessmen to support economic development in Gettysburg, commencing the service of the Chamber of Commerce. In the past century, the chamber has expanded its reach to serve the entirety of Adams County. Throughout its history, the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce has led and supported important projects. From helping to establish a county library in 1931 to supporting the victims of Hurricane Andrew and commencing Adams County's Small Business Appreciation week tradition, the membership of the chamber has made a lasting legacy in our region. With more than 600 members, the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce is a strong advocate for entrepreneurs and the workforce of Adams County. It is my privilege to represent the chamber in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I congratulate the leaders and members of the chamber upon this outstanding achievement.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize American Legion Post 946, located in Ursina Borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1919, the American Legion is one of nation's oldest veterans service organization. For a century, the American Legion has served American communities with services ranging from offering youth mentoring and educational programs to promoting patriotism and our national security. Most importantly, the American Legion serves as a resource for veterans, oftentimes helping veterans and service members in need of support and assistance. It is a privilege to represent American Legion Post 946 in the House of Representatives, and I thank its members for their work to serve the Ursina Borough community and Americans around the country.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and the sacrifice of our Nation's first responders. In Pennsylvania and around the entire country, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel are willing to put their lives on the line each and every day that they report to duty. On today, National First Responders Day, we thank these men and women and their families for serving our communities. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to ensuring that first responders are well-equipped to do the job that we have entrusted them to do. This month it was my privilege to announce that FEMA, through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, has awarded nearly $3 million to local fire companies and first responders in the 13th District of Pennsylvania. These funds will help them to acquire much-needed equipment and training. When there is an emergency, we know that our first responders will be there, and Congress needs to be there for them too.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate Hollidaysburg native, Hugh Halpern, on his appointment to be the Director of the Government Publishing Office. Mr. Halpern previously served as the Director of Floor Operations in the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and spent more than 30 years in the House before retiring in January of this year. During his tenure, he served as the Staff Director of the powerful House Rules Committee among other committee roles. Throughout his career in Congress, Mr. Halpern was dedicated to working in a bipartisan manner, garnering the support and respect of House leadership, Members of Congress, and their staff. In recognition of his many achievements, he received the McCormack Award of Excellence for Congressional Employees. Mr. Halpern has dedicated his life of service to our country, and I am confident that he will continue his outstanding work at the Government Publishing Office. There is no one better to fill this position, and I wish him the best of luck as he commences this new chapter.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Congressman Steve Chabot on the birth of his granddaughter, Keira Noelle Bischof, on October 21, 2019. As a proud grandfather, I understand firsthand how exciting this joyous occasion is for Congressman Chabot and his wife, Donna. Kiera will be welcomed home by her big brother, Reed. My wife Alice and I extend our best wishes to the Chabot family as they celebrate their new addition. We wish them continued health and happiness.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the sham impeachment process being run out of this esteemed House. As House Democrats continue to pursue politically motivated attacks on President Trump, it is alarming that their leaders are withholding evidence and facts from elected Members of our Congress. Last week, I sent letters to the chairs of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs to inform them of my intent as an elected Member of the 116th Congress to review documents and records in possession of their committees. We must be allowed to do our jobs. The fair choice is clear. We cannot allow House Democrats to continue issuing political attacks behind the safety of clandestine, closed doors. Madam Speaker, I stand for transparency and I stand for accountability. I stand for fairness. It is time for this body to restore its integrity.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on House Democrats' impeachment inquiry, a scheme that has been devised in the dark. From day one of this Congress, my colleagues have sought to use their new majority to undermine President Trump every step of the way. The majority has chosen to break precedent and deprive Republicans of the ability to do our job. Today, I went down to the SCIF to read the classified Volker testimony for myself, and, sadly, I was turned away. It is remarkable that elected officials have been blocked from reading material, parts of which have already been leaked to the press in selective and incomplete pieces. Simply, this is wrong. The House of Representatives has been reduced to obsessing over a perpetual Ground Hog Day cycle of relitigating the 2016 election. For the sake of our Nation, it is time to remove what the obstacles we face are and return to our constitutional duty of being legislators.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a concerning issue. The chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, whom House Democrats have chosen to lead their sham impeachment inquiry process, has brazenly misled the American people and has hidden the truth. Chairman Schiff must be held accountable for his actions, and this body must take a vote on H. Res. 630. As House Democrats pursue their partisan impeachment inquiry and clandestine Soviet-style hearings, this majority has proven that they cannot be trusted to act with integrity. If House Democrats want to impeach President Trump, they should do so in a transparent, nonpartisan process. The American people won't be fooled by these cheap tricks. It is time to restore order and decorum to this House.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call votes No. 542 and No. 543. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 542, and NAY on Roll Call No. 543.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3525. Yet again, I fear that this partisan legislation is a missed opportunity to seriously address the humanitarian and security crisis that exists today on our southern border. All of us here today can agree that every human being is worthy of dignity and respect. As a physician, I understand the importance of efficient and compassionate healthcare. At the same time, I understand firsthand how difficult it would be to achieve the requirements that are outlined in this bill. Establishing an electronic health records system in any medical system takes at least a year, in the best case scenario. In the bureaucratic web of the Federal Government, this tedious task becomes nearly impossible. For years, Members of this House have been working to help the Department of Veterans Affairs implement its electronic health records system, yet the VA won't have this completed for another 9 years. Quite frankly, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to implement an interoperable electronic health records system for illegal immigrants in 90 days--it is simply unrealistic. Adding to the problem, this costly project would distract from other pressing needs on the border. Our Customs and Border Protection law enforcement agents are hardworking Americans who have been tasked with an incredibly difficult job. While protecting our country on the southern border, they are also providing humanitarian aid to an unprecedented number of immigrants. They need our help. They do not need Congress to add unnecessary and unachievable burdens to their duties. It is disappointing, but it is not surprising that House Democrats have chosen this approach. Time and time again, we return to the floor to debate partisan bills that will do nothing to address the underlying cause of this crisis. Rather than continuing to grandstand on the House floor, I encourage my colleagues to, once again, return to the Committee on Homeland Security to work on solutions that will secure the border, end asylum loopholes, and protect our country.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2203, yet another one of the majority's messaging bills that would do nothing to address the crisis on our southern border. At home in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, nearly 2,000 miles away from the southern border, this crisis is taking a tangible toll on our communities. As illicit drugs continue to pour across the southern border and infiltrate into my district, addiction and death are occurring. If we continue to kick the solutions down the road, we are choosing simply not to act. Today, we could be voting to stop the human trafficking, to stop the drug trafficking, to stop the cartels and the violent criminals who permeate into our country. H.R. 2203 does not address the real problems. Instead of passing this do-nothing bill, I ask that we return to the Homeland Security Committee and work on a bipartisan basis to secure our border, to end the asylum loopholes, and to protect this great country.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Robert W. Iuliano as he is installed as the 15th President of Gettysburg College on September 28, 2019. Mr. Iuliano is a tremendous addition to Gettysburg College, which has been educating students in Adams County since 1832. A leader in the academic community, he has two decades of experience in higher education. Before assuming office in July, Mr. Iuliano served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Deputy to the President at Harvard University. In this position, he helped to shape the university's progress in important areas such as admissions, student life, athletics, governance, and finance. Mr. Iuliano is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Virginia School of Law. After clerking for the Honorable Levin H. Campbell of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, he worked in the labor and litigation departments of the Boston law firm Choate, Hall & Stewart. Subsequently, he was a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office in Boston. As this new chapter of Gettysburg College history commences, I welcome Mr. Iuliano and his family to Pennsylvania's 13th District and look forward to working together.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the late Lieutenant, Junior Grade, John Joseph Wiley and the 129 men tragically lost aboard the USS Thresher. This submarine departed its port on April 10, 1963, for a test dive. Unfortunately, it never returned. John Joseph Wiley of Altoona, Pennsylvania, was among the lost. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, he was selected for the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit. The USS Thresher was the first and the last submarine to which he would report. This week, a new memorial honoring those lost aboard the USS Thresher will be dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery. More than half a century after the tragic disaster, our Nation has not forgotten the sacrifice of Lieutenant John Joseph Wiley and those Americans who died with him.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Dick Shaffer, one of the recipients of this year's Encompass Health Personal Achievement Award. Dick's first injury was in 1991 when he fell off a ladder while he got stung by a hornet as he was cleaning his gutters. He shattered his hip as a result of this. Most recently he fell at his home, cutting his head. Throughout the years he has showed up each time for his rehabilitation with the determination to succeed over his injury, working hard to return to his healthy self. Despite the challenges he faced, Dick never let his previous injuries deter him from living his life. He still maintains his positive attitude. strength, and love for his family. Congratulations once again to Dick on this recognition.