Ron Kind

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, America's trade laws only work as well as they are enforced--which is why the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act is of such vital importance. Both versions of the bill include vital provisions to modernize our customs process and increase enforcement of our trade laws--including my bill to finally end the importation of goods made by child, slave and forced labor after 75 years. It has been five months since H.R. 644 passed both the House and Senate and it is long past time the two versions of the bill be conferenced. In addition to the provision of the Senate bill which was used in the Democratic Motion to Instruct; there exists another, noncontroversial provision to combat currency manipulation in the legislation. Senator Bennet's amendment, which passed the Senate Finance Committee unanimously, has real teeth. The amendment creates enhanced oversight of international exchange rate policy, authorizes specific remedial actions for the U.S. government to pursue against trading partners that fail to adopt appropriate exchange rate policies, and provides the U.S. government with additional tools for strengthening trade enforcement. The language referenced in the Democratic Motion to Instruct is considered a poison pill by many and could threaten the underlying legislation which is vital to updating our trade enforcement laws for the 21st century. There are a number of vital differences between the House and Senate versions which will meaningfully impact the United States' ability to enforce our trade laws that must be a priority as we move into the conference process. Differences such as the ENFORCE Act, which helps to enforce duty evasion; creating an enforcement and capacity building fund using a portion of penalties paid by foreign trade cheats; holding our trading partners accountable for this uneven enforcement of environmental regulations; and codifying the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center are issues vital and cannot be bogged down. In light of the existence of the Bennet language which I believe substantively moves the ball forward on currency manipulation, while I support the spirit of the Motion to Instruct I believe it is more important that the customs bill not be bogged down by a controversial provision which could potentially lead to retaliation which would hurt Wisconsin's farmers, workers and businesses. Many of these other provisions will ultimately determine my support for the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act and I hope rather than falling into partisan foxholes we can help move this vital piece of legislation forward in a bipartisan manner.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, this unquestionably is one of the most dangerous bills that we will be considering in this session of Congress because this gives this body permission, for the very first time in our Nation's history, to default on our financial obligations. They claim that they are splitting the baby here by paying bondholders only. One of the largest bondholders we have, of course, is China, so this is a pay China first bill. I have a feeling that the financial markets, the investors, and the credit rating agencies will view this for what it is however: a default is a default is a default. A great nation like the United States of America should pay our bills. We should pay our bills. Now, no one can stand here or sit here today with complete certainty and tell us what the market reaction would be if we start defaulting on any financial obligations we have as a nation, and that is really the point. Why would we even take that chance? Why would we take a chance of a downgrade to our credit, of an increase in interest rates which would impact everyone, from small businesses to families to farmers? It would drive up borrowing costs, which would act as a brake on economic activity and the job growth we have right now because we have never done this before. That is the danger that this legislation sets up. If my friends on the other side are so concerned about debt and overspending, then perhaps they ought not have supported legislation this year alone--bills that they have passed--that would increase our national debt by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years because you refused to pay for the tax cuts or the spending increases that were in that legislation through offsets in the budget. That may come as news or surprise to the other side, but the Congressional Budget Office score is $1.5 trillion of new debt over 10 years based on legislation you supported: repealing SGR, $141 billion; permanent expensing, $380 billion; get rid of the estate tax, another $180 billion, and others. It adds up to 1.5. So if there is so much concern about excess spending and debt and what it is doing to our economy, then maybe we ought to look at ourselves first and the action that is being taken on this House floor. We should not go down this path. We should stop creating the uncertainty and dysfunction coming out of Washington and give the economy a chance to recover. I encourage my colleagues to reject this legislation.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to have my votes recorded on the House floor on Friday, October 9, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted against H.R. 702 (Roll no. 549) because I believe the crude oil export ban should only be lifted if it includes opportunities for increased alternative renewable energy tax credits.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Judge Richard D. Cudahy. A Wisconsin native and member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Judge Cudahy passed away on September 22, 2015. Judge Cudahy was born in Milwaukee in 1926 and spent his childhood in Cudahy, Wisconsin. He attended college at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, earning his degree in 1948. He served in the military until 1951 before attending Yale Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1955. In 1956, Judge Cudahy went to work for the U.S. State Department Office of Legal Adviser in Washington, DC, and then moved into private practice in Chicago in 1957. After serving as the head of his family's meat packing company, he ran for Attorney General of Wisconsin. He served as the Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman from 1967 to 1968. In 1979, under the recommendation of Senators William Proxmire and Gaylord Nelson, President Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Cudahy to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. During Judge Cudahy's long legal career he was also a professor at many prominent law schools, including DePaul University College of Law, George Washington University Law School, Marquette University School of Law, and University of Wisconsin Law School. Judge Cudahy was well known for his writings on environmental law and public energy law, two issues about which he was extremely passionate. From being the head of a large meat packing company that provided many jobs to the citizens of Wisconsin, to teaching future lawyers at Wisconsin and Marquette, to being a highly respected judge that presided over many cases involving citizens of Wisconsin, Judge Cudahy was a model Wisconsinite. Judge Cudahy was exceptionally well regarded by his peers for being knowledgeable, kind-hearted, and humane. The state of Wisconsin will miss him and all of the wonderful things he did to benefit its citizens.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak out in favor of reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund. As you know, the Land and Water Conservation Fund was established fifty years ago and has since become our nation's most successful conservation program--all without spending a single dime of taxpayer dollars. I wish to show my strong support for reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a crucial component of our nation's conservation initiatives. As an avid hunter and outdoorsman, I believe that preserving our nation's natural treasures for future generations is a responsibility that we must take seriously. Not only is stewardship of our lands the right thing to do, but it's also a sound investment. We know that every dollar spent acquiring LWCF land creates a return of four dollars to local communities. Outdoor recreation activities contribute significantly to our national and state economies. In my home state of Wisconsin, outdoor recreational activities contribute over $9.7 billion to our state economy each year. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped to create outdoor recreation opportunities for each and every state. Wisconsin has received $211 million to fund such projects as the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Lower St. Croix National Scenic River, and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, where the Land and Water Conservation Fund participated in a highly successful public-private partnership to preserve additional sections of the trail. LWCF's grant programs have also allowed state and local governments to decide which conservation programs work best for them. The Land and Water Conservation Fund's highly successful grant program matches federal dollars with state and local contributions to ensure a cooperative approach to conserving our nation's environment. In Wisconsin, the LWCF has contributed $3,675,681 to match state and local conservation projects and to help us preserve Wisconsin's beautiful outdoors. For the past fifty years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has played an integral role in achieving our nation's conservation goals. I urge my colleagues to support reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund so that we can continue to protect our wildlife, create opportunities and access to public lands for sportsmen and women, and provide economic benefits to our state and local communities.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's Step It Up! call to action to promote walking and walkable communities. Walking is a simple and effective way to increase physical activity in the lives of everyday Americans, and it can help significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. An average of just 22 minutes a day of physical activity can significantly mitigate many potential long term health issues. Fewer than half of all U.S. adults, and only a quarter of high school students, get enough physical activity to reduce their risk of chronic diseases associated with an inactive lifestyle. The U.S. Department of Transportation has found that three out of every ten Americans do not have access to sidewalks along streets in their neighborhood. I am here today to support the Surgeon General's call on local leaders, law enforcement, and public health managers to create safe sidewalks, curbs, and crosswalks within local communities. We need to step up as a country to ensure that citizens can walk within their own communities and feel safe when they do. This call to action both encourages a shared sense of community among residents and is an effective way to mitigate many of our nation's health care concerns and costs. As the co-chair of the Fitness Caucus, the Youth Sports Caucus, and the Taskforce on Childhood Obesity, I am proud to support the Surgeon General in his call to action for walking and walkable communities.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Al and Linda Fournier for their combined 80 years of distinguished service at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The Fourniers, who met at Fort McCoy and were married in 1991, will be retiring from federal service on October 3, 2015. Together, the Fourniers helped Fort McCoy become one of the most capable and desirable training installations in the Army. Al Fournier began his tenure of dedicated service at Fort McCoy in 1971. Since 2002 he has served as Deputy to the Garrison Commander. Thanks to Al's outstanding leadership and strategic contributions, Fort McCoy has been transformed into one of the nation's premier training centers and a preferred Army force projection site. Some of Al's major accomplishments at Fort McCoy include: the writing and publication of the Fort McCoy Installation Management System Handbook, the Fort McCoy Strategic Planning Handbook, and the Fort McCoy Acquisition Management- Financial Management Planning Handbook. Al's other achievements and awards are too numerous to note here, but suffice it to say that he is a visionary whose legacy will have a lasting impact on Fort McCoy and its mission as a Total Force Training Center of unparalleled excellence. Linda Fournier began working at Fort McCoy in 1978 and has served as Public Affairs Officer since 2000. She has been instrumental in conducting programs designed to inform both the military community and the general public regarding Army and Fort McCoy activities, events, missions and policies. She has been the force behind numerous Fort McCoy books and publications, the installation newspaper (The Real McCoy) and community outreach to ensure that Fort McCoy remains a great community partner and neighbor. Probably her most lasting impact at Fort McCoy is her role in the creation of the installation's Commemorative Area, History Center and Equipment Park. Under Linda's supervision, the Fort McCoy Commemorative Area was recognized with a Department of the Army Award of Excellence in the 2009 Major General Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Communications Competition and specifically cited for its Community Relations outreach. It has been an honor for me to serve as U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's Third Congressional District during the Fournier's tenure at Fort McCoy. I know their leadership will be greatly missed at the base and surrounding communities, but I am thankful for their dedication and contributions to ensuring that Fort McCoy remains a shining star in the nation's military training infrastructure. On behalf of my constituents in Wisconsin and a grateful nation, I would like to thank and commend Al and Linda Fournier for their decades of dedicated service with the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort McCoy and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia have been negotiating with Iran in order to stop Iran's nuclear weapons capability. On July 14, the international coalition announced that an agreement had been reached. This week Congress will get a chance to vote on the agreement. I have carefully studied the text of the agreement, attended classified briefings, reviewed classified documents compiled by intelligence agencies, listened to the thoughts and concerns of Wisconsinites, and met with experts on both sides of the issue, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent trip to Israel. Although the agreement is not a perfect solution to a complex problem, I believe the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the best option to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Before negotiations began, Iran was steadily improving its nuclear weapon capability. It was estimated by our intelligence community that Iran was only a few months away from developing a bomb, which is unacceptable. Under terms of the agreement, Iran must significantly dismantle its nuclear program. Iran's uranium stockpile will be greatly reduced, its number of nuclear enrichment centrifuges cut by two thirds, and its advanced centrifuge research and development severely limited. A group of our nation's top nuclear scientists praised the technical terms of the agreement and argued that it provides assurance that Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon in the next decade. Iran's history of cheating on agreements, such as the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty, has fostered an environment of distrust, which is why this agreement is based on ``distrust and verify.'' The agreement will be enforced and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with our help and resources. The inspection regimen is unprecedented, and most experts believe that it would be very difficult for Iran to cheat without detection. Should Iran fail to comply with the agreement, the sanctions that forced Iran to the negotiating table will ``snap back'' into place. The president has made clear that no options are taken off the table under this agreement. The JCPOA is not perfect. I have serious concerns with some aspects of the agreement, especially the prospect of Iran receiving billions in sanctions relief that may be used for nefarious purposes. We must continue to enhance the security of Israel and other allies in the region. It is important to make it clear to Iran and the international community that Israel's security is our security. Given the rhetoric coming from some in Iran and its behavior in the region, Israel is understandably skeptical of any agreement with Iranian leaders. But after speaking to opponents of the agreement, including Netanyahu, I have yet to hear a viable alternative that will maintain an international coalition to continue economic sanctions or support preemptive military action if needed. It is easier to deal with an Iran without a nuclear weapon than trying to work backwards once Iran has manufactured a weapon. This agreement gives us the best opportunity to avoid military action and may accomplish our ultimate objective: to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, protecting the security of our allies in the region, and avoiding a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we recognize the sesquicentennial celebration of Sand Creek, Wisconsin. On this historic occasion, it is only fitting that we reflect on and celebrate the rich history of this town, whose agricultural heritage is a reflection of western and central Wisconsin values. Since the town's founding in 1865, the agricultural fertility of the land and the beautiful Red Cedar River have driven the development of the community. Norwegian settlers who decided to homestead in the area were the first to recognize the potential of the land in the Sand Creek region. Despite the wild land that these settlers first encountered, they were able to see through the wilderness and envision the future success that the land and water in the area could provide. With a population of about 600 residents today, the Township of Sand Creek should be proud of its countless close-knit community connections. Those connections--and the people of Sand Creek who form them--are what make this community so special and what will lead the community to continued success. Throughout this weekend's celebration, Sand Creek residents will come together for a full slate of exciting activities, all put on by their fellow community members. While they enjoy the weekend activities that commemorate Sand Creek's 150 years, we remember the past, reflect on the present, and look to the future. Congratulations on 150 proud and prosperous years. Best wishes and many more to come.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the career of Dr. Duane M. Ford, President of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. He served as the fifth president of the College for the past four years. Dr. Ford grew up on a family farm outside of Tonica, Illinois. He spent much of his childhood doing chores and helping out with the farm work. He eventually went on to University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy with Highest and University Honors in 1977. After farming with his father and brother for two years, he studied at Iowa State University, where he received an M.S. and a Ph.D. He then served as a Post-Doctorate Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 1986, he began his career in teaching and academic leadership at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where he first discovered his passion for teaching. While at Truman State, he served as Convener of the Agricultural Science Discipline, as Associate Division Head for the Division of Science, received a fellowship in the W.K. Kellogg National Leadership Program (1991-1994), and studied for a sabbatical year at the Center for Biotechnology Policy and Ethics at Texas A&M University (1993-1994). In 1996, Dr. Ford became the Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. From 1999-2011 he was Dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he also served as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor before becoming President of Southwest Tech in 2011. Under President Ford's leadership, Southwest Tech has become a premiere place for high-quality, affordable education and training. Dr. Ford has a strong relationship with businesses in the area, and he has adapted the curriculum to reflect the needs of the nearly 12,000 students per year attending Southwest Tech. Throughout his career, he has stayed true to his Midwest roots. He was a creative thinker and tireless advocate for education. I personally have enjoyed working with Duane, first at UW-Platteville, then as President of Southwest Tech, where his pursuit of quality educational opportunities for his students was inspirational. He will be missed. Duane and his wife Sheri currently live in Platteville, Wisconsin. They have two adult children, Hollie and Simon, a grandson, Matt, and a cat named Dusty. In his retirement, Duane looks forward to pursuing his hobbies of running, bicycling, baking and disc golf. Dr. Ford will continue to serve on the Board of Directors for Southwest Health Center.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this trade preferences bill and the Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation that is before us today. As the previous speaker pointed out, for us to be in this situation did require a little leap of faith. We weren't sure how we were going to be able to get back after the procedural snafu earlier to have a chance to reconsider Trade Adjustment Assistance, but I give credit, and I thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle, especially my good friend and colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Ryan from Wisconsin; the Speaker; and Senator McConnell. They promised, as we did move forward trying to give the President trade promotion authority, that they wouldn't pull any punches, that they would allow Trade Adjustment Assistance to come back for consideration, and that is exactly what is happening today. This has not been an easy process, but this week, the President will get trade promotion authority on his desk so this administration can go forward and try to negotiate the best agreement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership--and even with our European allies--that we can obtain in order to elevate standards and begin to level the playing field so that our workers, our farmers, our businesses have a better chance of competing in that global environment, especially the fastest growing region in the Pacific Rim right now. That is what TPP is all about. It is also important to recognize the significant work done with the African Growth and Opportunity Act. That is all about our relationship with the countries in Africa and Haiti and where we go here in the 21st century together. It is important that we get this accomplished today, along with the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill. That is the help we are able to provide displaced workers who are impacted by globalization the job training and education funds so they can reintegrate as quickly as possible in the economy and be full participants of this 21st century global economy. That would not have happened if the political stars had not aligned. There are areas of common agreement here in this country, as represented in this Congress. Today is proof of that, being able to move forward on a trade agenda that is important for U.S. global leadership, important for our workers, growing the economy and our competitiveness as a Nation. Again, I commend the leadership shown on both sides of the aisle. We are looking forward to more opportunity to work together in the future. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, last week, in a bipartisan majority, this House granted this administration trade promotion authority so that it can begin to elevate standards and level the playing field for our workers, our farmers, and our businesses so we can effectively compete in one of the fastest growing regions of the global economy. It is time for us to move forward. I feel confident that, with the assurances that we received from the Republican leadership, this body will have another opportunity to also pass Trade Adjustment Assistance so that the training programs and education for the workers who need it will be in place. Out of consideration for some of our colleagues who are trying to get home to their communities today after last night's terrible shootings, I end by encouraging my colleagues to support this legislation. It is time for America to move on.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation before us today, trade promotion authority as well as Trade Adjustment Assistance. What we are debating and what we have to decide today is whether to grant this President, this administration, the same type of trade negotiating authority that every President since FDR, minus Richard Nixon, has enjoyed. As a Democrat who has supported this administration, I wonder why we would not at least have a modicum of trust in this President going out and trying to get the best trade deal that he can. We will have an opportunity later to analyze any agreement that is reached to make sure it makes sense for our constituents, for our States, and, ultimately, for our country. Let's be clear here. We are already trading with these nations: Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia. The question moving forward now is what the rules of trade are going to be. That is why we need to be at the table, negotiating those rules, elevating standards. Now, we are going to be negotiating core labor, environmental, and human rights standards in the body of the agreement, fully enforceable like any other provision in it, which is something that we have lacked in past trade agreements. When President Obama first ran for election, he was hoping for an opportunity to go back and amend NAFTA because he felt, as I did, that there were deficiencies in that agreement. This is the opportunity to go back and amend the problems that NAFTA created, the lack of core labor or environmental standards, especially as it related to Mexico. We need to be clear that this is an opportunity to move forward, getting the rules of trade and the standards elevated up to where we are so that we have a level playing field for our workers, our farmers, our businesses to compete. Otherwise, the alternative is a race to the bottom with no rules at all or, possibly, with China's rules. That, ultimately, is the choice we face here today: to move forward with this authority, to move forward with these trade agreements, elevating standards to where we are, or to end up in a global trading system with no rules or with China's rules. That would be a race to the bottom, and we will not be able to compete very effectively in it. I encourage my colleagues to support the passage today so we can start leveling the playing field for our workers at home.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the coaching career of Faye Perkins, UW-River Falls Falcon softball coach. After 22 seasons, Coach Perkins retired at the end of the 2015 spring season. During her tenure at UW-River Falls, Coach Perkins received numerous awards and accolades. She won more games than any other head coach in the history of UW-River Falls. Under her leadership, the UW-River Falls Falcons won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships in 1993, 1994 and a Playoff Championship in 1993, 1994 and 2012. The 2012 team had a school record 34 wins and finished just one win away from reaching the NCAA Division III final eight Championship series. She was named the WIAC Coach of the Year in 1996 and had over 500 total career wins. Faye was raised in Cresco, Iowa. She is a proponent of Title IX and has spoken on the benefits she experienced from this landmark legislation. While in high school, she petitioned to have a girls' basketball team for the first time. She went to Iowa State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. While in college, she earned nine athletic letters as a member of the softball, basketball and track & field programs. In 2004, Faye was inducted into the Iowa State University Athletic Hall of Fame. She completed her Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Utah. While she is proud of the records established by the UW-River Falls Softball program, she is most proud of working with the students. Dedicated, passionate and supportive are just three of many adjectives used to describe Coach Perkins. In addition to coaching, Faye Perkins was the interim dean from 2007-2011 for the UW-River Falls College of Education and Professional Studies. She has a passion not only for coaching and teaching, but also of traveling. Faye, her husband Joe, and their sons, Paul and Bobby, have enjoyed traveling the world. She has had the opportunity to teach in China and Scotland. She will continue teaching at UW-River Falls where she will remain the chair of the Health and Human Performance Department.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. It is a bill that came out of the Senate 99-1, with wide bipartisan support; and why not? It has worked well for us in the past. It will work well for us in the future. This is our opportunity to meaningfully engage the African nations when it comes to trade preferences to make sure that we maintain a healthy and strong relationship with a vibrant and growing area of the world, along with some other developing nations, and Haiti, for instance, that Mr. Rangel has been particularly focused on, too. I would encourage my colleagues to support it. This also fixes a problem that we have had in regard to the trade agenda that we are trying to move forward on this week. There was some concern about how the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill was going to be paid for, what offsets were being used. That now is being fixed in this bill as well through a bipartisan agreement. I commend the chair of the Ways and Means committee and the Republican leadership for their willingness to compromise on this issue, to make sure that this does not become a hurdle or a roadblock to advancing our trade agenda as a nation. So that is in the bill. I think Members of Congress need confidence that that offset has been fixed and paid for. It is my understanding that the Senate plans on moving quickly, expeditiously, in order to take up this amended version and pass it on their side, so no Member should be under any illusion that there is a problem for the pay-for right now with Trade Adjustment Assistance. Overall, the basis of this bill is something that has worked and benefited us in the past. It is the reason why there was overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate. We should have overwhelming bipartisan support on the floor of the House today. I commend the leadership of the committee, Ranking Member Rangel and the work that he has put in, and I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this underlying legislation.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to have my votes recorded on the House floor on Monday, June 1, 2015. Weather across the Midwest and eastern seaboard delayed my flight to Washington, DC until after votes had been called. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of the Dingell Amendment (Roll no. 264) and the Lowenthal Amendment (Roll no. 265). I would have voted against H.R. 1335 (Roll no. 267).

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Phil LaRue for his many contributions to the New Democrat Coalition. Next month, Phil will be leaving the New Democrat Coalition to move back to Pennsylvania. The New Democrat Coalition, which I have the honor to Chair, is a group of 46 pro-growth, innovation focused Members of the House Democratic Caucus. New Dems support policies to expand economic growth and foster the new economy; a fiscally responsible and efficient government; and a robust foreign policy that includes a pro-growth trade agenda. Phil joined the New Dem staff as Communications Director in June 2013. Since then, he has been a trusted advisor to me and many Members of the Coalition. Over his tenure, the New Democrat Coalition has been at the forefront of many issues important to our country including working to reopen government during the shutdown in the fall of 2013, introducing and advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, advancing a competitiveness agenda, building support for regulatory reform, and working to pass a pro-growth, pro-worker trade agenda. Phil's work sharpening our message, interacting with the press, identifying opportunities, and coordinating key stakeholders has been critical to the Coalition's success. In addition, Phil was a key architect in the New Democrat Coalition's American Prosperity Agenda released in March 2015; the first comprehensive policy agenda in the Coalition's 18 year history. The American Prosperity Agenda lays out a vision for policies Congress should prioritize in three key areas: 1. Grow the Economy in Every Town and City, 2. Give Everyone a Shot at the American Dream, and 3. Make Government Work Better for the Middle Class. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Members of the New Democrat Coalition, thank you Phil.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Diana Maas for her many contributions to the House of Representatives and specifically to my office. Diana will be leaving my office to pursue opportunities back in her home state of Wisconsin. Diana first came to Capitol Hill as a Staff Assistant for Congressman Dave Obey. She joined the staff of Senator Herb Kohl in 2011. In 2011, she joined my staff as Legislative Correspondent. From day one in my office, Diana worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of western and central Wisconsin. As Diana moved up in my office, she became an integral part of the legislative team. She was particularly successful in working on awarding the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing. One hundred and fifty years after his death at the Battle of Gettysburg. Lieutenant Cushing now has received his due recognition, in part because of Diana's commitment to navigating legislation down the often complicated path of awarding the Medal of Honor. While working to honor Lt. Cushing, Diana simultaneously worked tirelessly on behalf of our veterans and students. Diana has returned to the great state of Wisconsin and has joined the Spooner School District as their Communications Specialist. While I am sorry to see her leave my staff after three years, I wish her the best of luck in her new role. Diana embodies the term public service and has worked tirelessly to make our nation a better place, which has not been easy given the current toxic environment. It is unfortunate that we are losing such a competent and dedicated public servant. Mr. Speaker, on my behalf; thank you to Diana for her service and dedication to not only the constituents of the Third District of Wisconsin, but to all Americans.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation, and perhaps for no better reason than it is a $270 billion cost that the Congressional Budget Office showed with no pay-fors, no offsets in the Federal budget. If my Republican colleagues want to move forward on this policy proposal, at least they should show courage to the American people and tell them how they are going to pay for this $270 billion bill or to admit that it is just going to be added to the annual structural budget deficits, a completely fiscally irresponsible approach to trying to reform our Tax Code. Lord knows we need to get to work on that. But there is a larger point--and to speak to the last speaker's point that he just made on the floor--what is somewhat problematic and troublesome for me, it seems many of our Republican colleagues seem very comfortable with the idea of income inequality in this Nation, which is only growing worse. But here is the main point: this income inequality in our society, absent opportunity, absent hope, absent mobility, is just a caste system. It is just a caste system where birth determines outcome. That is why one of the richest people in the world, Warren Buffett, who opposes repealing the estate tax, says that our fate in life should not depend on whether we win the birth lottery or not. It is no longer good enough for the other side to continue to deliver tax relief to the wealthiest 1 percent; now it has got to be the wealthiest two-tenths of 1 percent, because that is what this legislation affects is two-tenths of 1 percent of the wealthiest households in America. But they keep saying: Don't worry. We will address the deficit later. They say we have a spending problem in Washington. But what we have seen from their budgets, where they go for offsets in spending: it is in Pell grants; it is in workstudy; it is in GEAR UP and TRIO programs; it is the broadband expansion that we need in this Nation; it is the basic research funding that has to take place; it is the infrastructure modernization that we need. It is those things that we need to be investing in to keep America competitive, and those are the type of programs that help with mobility, that help with opportunity for many Americans.

Mr. KIND. I thank my friend. That is what is so onerous behind this legislation. They have become very clever at piling up debt, convincing the American people we have a spending problem; yet the very programs they decide to target in their budget resolutions are those programs that provide upward income mobility for all Americans. I am a product of that. I am a kid who went on to school with Pell grants, with student loans, with the workstudy program. There is no way I want to be a Member of Congress that is going to pull up the ladder behind me and say ``tough luck'' to the lower income classes of this country. That is what this bill leads to, and I encourage my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Nathan Eckert, the recipient of the 2014 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rachel Carson Individual Award. This award is bestowed upon employees of the Service whose outstanding contributions improve the Service's knowledge and management of fish and wildlife resources. Nathan is a mussel biologist at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery in Genoa, Wisconsin, and this recognition--considered one of the highest honorary awards in the Service--is well deserved for his extraordinary work in freshwater mussel conservation. At the Genoa Fish Hatchery, Nathan has been researching and implementing new techniques and rearing systems for imperiled freshwater mussels. As an expert in mussel identification, Nathan has helped the Genoa facility produce nearly 15 million mussels of 17 species, and his endeavors have directly resulted in the release of more than 50,000 threatened or endangered mussels into waterways in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Nathan's work also includes assisting various mitigation efforts involving projects that impact freshwater mussel populations, providing rare mussel species to partners such as the U.S. Geological Survey and many toxicology labs to study the effects of pesticides and contaminants on mussel survival. Nathan's dedication and leadership has proved critical to protecting and sustaining the rich biodiversity of the Mississippi River. It is with great pride today that I rise to congratulate Nathan for receiving the Rachel Carson Individual Award and to sincerely thank him and the Genoa Fish Hatchery for building a legacy of conservation for generations to come.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the first responders who helped to control and contain the fire caused by the recent train derailment in Galena, IL on March 5, 2015. These brave citizens responded to the derailment quickly and performed their duties flawlessly. Thanks to their bravery and hard work, the fire was ultimately contained, and disaster was averted. The state of Wisconsin thanks them for their courage and service. On March 5, 2015, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed in Galena, Illinois, and started a fire in a rural area near the city. Firefighters from Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin responded to help control and contain the fire. Wisconsin fire departments from Cuba City, Darlington, Dickeyville, Hazel Green, Jamestown, Lancaster, and Platteville participated in the incident response. After arriving on the scene, first responders assessed the situation and enacted procedures to control the derailment. Their response was successful, the incident was contained, and crisis was averted. Every day, firefighters and other first responders go to work prepared to confront our most dangerous situations. These brave men and women are on the front lines, protecting our communities from disaster. Today, I recognize these courageous first responders and thank them for their service.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. We ought not also ignore other important financial aid programs that especially speak to the needs of low-income children: the Pell grant program, work-study opportunities on and off campus, the GEAR UP and TRIO programs. This, too, helps many students--including myself, who is the first generation that went on to school--to be able to afford higher education so we are not driving these kids deeper and deeper into debt. The average undergrad in Wisconsin, by the time they graduate, has $28,000 worth of debt. It is the second largest debt in the Nation behind mortgages. At $1.2 trillion, it exceeds all credit card debt. So the 529 is another vehicle to try to alleviate that student indebtedness issue that is affecting more and more kids and families throughout the Nation. We ought to fix it by making a pay-for. This is a good first step, necessary policy changes. I encourage my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for yielding me this time. I want to thank my partner in crafting this legislation, Representative Jenkins. This has been the product of a few years of hard work, of listening to various outside groups and trying to understand the difficulty of saving for higher education that many working families are experiencing today. The legislation before us, H.R. 529, as the chairman of the committee just pointed out, is a commonsense proposal with some reasonable technical corrections to the 529 savings plans that already exist in all 50 States, allowing for the qualification expense for computers and software, which is a new learning tool that sometimes is required in the classroom for higher education. It allows for the refund of tuition and expenses if you had to withdraw from college for some reason, and it also reduces and minimizes the unnecessary bureaucratic and administrative paperwork. In that respect, there are some commonsense steps that we can do to modernize the 529 program and make sure that it is working for more families. I do agree with my colleague from Illinois that we have a challenge of trying to democratize these programs a lot more. We have roughly 3 percent participation rate in 529s throughout the entire Nation. We have got to figure out a way to do a better job of increasing those savings opportunities for more families, but especially lower income families that don't have the disposable income right now in order to participate in these programs, whether it is the tax credit that Representative Davis was talking about, employer matches, by thinking creatively of how we can democratize these so more families can take advantage of them. That is going to be crucial. In Wisconsin alone, we have got roughly 257,000 accounts in the State Edvest program and Tomorrow's Scholar 529 plans. The families have saved about $3.7 billion for college or their technical schools, reducing the need for greater student loans, helping them access college. These programs not only encourage savings for college but help middle class families get in the habit of saving for other important life events, such as retirement, that we have to do a better job at. I also think, given that the Congressional Budget Office has a cost associated with it, which is roughly $5 million a year--not a lot in Federal budget terms--that there is no reason at all why we couldn't have brought this legislation to the floor today with an acceptable pay-for so we are not adding any deficit to future generations. In fact, again, Representative Davis offered, during the committee markup, a responsible amendment that would have done a better job of means testing the 529 contributions and cutting it off to families that earn up to $3 million. Now, to put this in perspective, the top 1 percent of income earners in Wisconsin earn less than $1 million. So it was still a very generous, high threshold, but it was enough money to pay for the $51 million expense over the next 10 years that the Congressional Budget Office scored this at. There is no reason why we can't be making these type of tough decisions as well when it comes to policy changes that make sense for working families and act in a more fiscally responsible manner. I think these 529 accounts have been established. They do work well for those who can participate. And this is especially important for a State like Wisconsin today, whose Governor just submitted a budget proposal calling for a cut of over $300 million out of our university system, a university system that is really the pride and joy of the State of Wisconsin, has given us a competitive advantage, not only in the upper Midwest, but throughout the Nation and the world, where we had some of the top scholars and researchers wanting to come there to do their work, students wanting to stay in the State so they can participate in these UW system colleges and universities that we have. Obviously, the Governor wants to take it in a different direction; $300 million worth of cuts gets into the bone. So, again, we have got to think creatively of how we can make it affordable for families to be able to send their kids on to school. This is one way to do it: savings in 529s.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan for yielding me this time. It is kind of amazing, Mr. Speaker, that today, although it won't be reflected in the final vote count of the legislation before us, there actually is a lot of common ground that exists in this Chamber. I couldn't agree more with my friend and colleague from Wisconsin, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, that our Nation is in desperate need of comprehensive tax reform. We have an a old, antiquated Tax Code that is not fair. It is too complicated. It is leading us in a less competitive position in the global economy, and it is long overdue for a thorough scrubbing and a review so that we can simplify it, lower the rates for businesses--large and small--and for our families back home, and lead us in a more competitive position. I am concerned that the approach that the majority is taking undermines that attempt. This legislation and the legislation that was before us yesterday and the legislation that will be coming up as soon as we get back from the President's Day recess is probably the surest signal that the majority in the Congress, just 6 weeks into this new session, is punting on comprehensive tax reform because this isn't the way to do it. To cherry-pick certain provisions where, policywise, it may make sense and there is great agreement behind the policy of what is being offered, not paying for it undermines the ability for us to comprehensively reform the Code, making the difficult decisions so we don't leave a legacy of debt for future generations. My name is on these bills today. I have teamed up with Representative Tiberi from Ohio when it comes to the expensing 179 allowance. I think it makes sense with small businesses and family farmers in Wisconsin and throughout the country to have that cash flow, to have that certainty built into the Code, to make sure that they can immediately expense the investments that they are putting into their business which can help to grow the economy and create jobs. I have teamed up with my friend from Washington State (Mr. Reichert) on S corp modernization, but between those bills, it is an $80 billion cost, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and no effort to find an offset or a pay-for to deal with it, and that is a missed opportunity because this really does come down to fiscal responsibility. My friend from Wisconsin was once quoted as saying, ``The people deserve a government that works for them, not one that buries them in more debt.'' We couldn't agree more with that sentiment; yet we have got an example of how well Pay-As-You-Go budgeting can work. During the 1990s, when there was a spending increase offered or a tax cut offered, there had to be an offset to pay for it, and it helped lead, along with a growing economy, 4 years of budget surpluses when we were paying down the national debt, rather than adding to it, but somehow, that element of fiscal discipline and responsibility is absent in the legislation that is before us today. We can move forward as Chairman Camp did last year in offering his discussion draft on comprehensive reform by making difficult decisions within the Tax Code, finding expenditures that are inefficient and not necessary to promote growth and job creation, and make those decisions while we reform the entire Code. That is the approach that we should be taking rather than piecemealing very popular proposals, mind you, but doing it in a way that leaves a legacy of more deficits and more debt for future generations to grapple with but also undermines the baseline that we need, the tools that we need to do comprehensive reform the right way. I would encourage my colleagues--maybe they are doing it because they know it is a message piece rather than a real, substantive proposal. Again, we couldn't agree about the need for greater certainty, more predictability in the Tax Code so our businesses can start making longer-term decisions and not worrying about whether Congress is going to get its act together at the end of the year and extend short-term measures like this. But the way to do that is in comprehensive reform and making the difficult decisions that will have to be made, so we don't pile up the debt for future generations. Again, the policy behind this 179 S corp modernization, I think it is in the right place. We have got to find a way to pay for it. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no.'' Let's get back to the real business of reforming a Tax Code that is long overdue.