Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5094) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve suspicious activity reporting to prevent acts of terrorism, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Scleroderma Awareness Month. Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The disease is also known as ``systemic sclerosis,'' a subset of the disease in which internal organ systems (such as kidneys, lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal track) and skin, or internal organ systems only, are affected. It is estimated that about 300,000 Americans have scleroderma with one-third of those having the systemic form of the disease. Scleroderma varies from patient to patient and often presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, making diagnosis and treatment extremely complicated. There may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases. Currently, there is no cure for scleroderma. On behalf of the scleroderma community, I am proud to be the lead sponsor of H.R. 4638, the National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrotic Diseases Act. This bill would establish a National Commission on Fibrotic Diseases within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate and make recommendations regarding improvements to the coordination and advancement of NIH-supported research activities related to fibrosis and fibrotic diseases. I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation by becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 4638, which will increase research and treatments for the fibrotic community.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act. I am proud to be a lead cosponsor of this legislation. Grandparents play a crucial and increasingly significant role in the lives of their grandchildren. There are approximately 2.6 million grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in the United States. Unlike parents or foster parents who plan for months or years to care for a child, grandparents often step in to raise the children unexpectedly with little to no support. This has become more prevalent in the wake of the opioid crisis. As a result, many grandparents are left without adequate information on available resources to help them with their caregiving duties. This legislation will enable the federal government to provide much needed support to grandparents. Specifically, this bill will establish a federal advisory council to identify, promote, coordinate, and disseminate information and resources in order to help grandparents meet the health, educational, nutritional, and other needs of the children in their care. The task force will also help identify resources to help grandparents meet their own physical and mental health needs. I thank Senator Collins, Senator Casey, and Congressman McGovern for working with me on this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Holocaust Remembrance Week and the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The Holocaust was the systematic persecution of six million Jews by the Nazi regime. This week, we remember the millions of people who suffered from these crimes. This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, when the remaining imprisoned Jews rose up against the Nazi SS. I am dedicated to honoring the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. That is why funding of the Holocaust Memorial Museum is essential. It is also imperative to provide assistance to those who survived the Holocaust, which is why I support funding for the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program. I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to join me in remembering the six million people who died in the Holocaust. With our continued efforts to fund the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program, we may continue to honor the legacy of those who perished.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a longtime constituent and World War II veteran Edward G. Sacco, who passed away peacefully on February 25, 2018 at the age of 97. For the past 25 years Mr. Sacco was a resident of Bayport New York and the loving husband of Patricia Sacco. Mr. Sacco was also an employee of Hewlett-Packard for over 40 years. During World War II, Mr. Sacco enlisted into the Army and after basic training was deployed to Northern Africa where his troop fought numerous battles. After serving his country with honor, Mr. Sacco returned home and joined the Patchogue NY VFW post, where he proudly marched in Memorial and Veterans Day parades. During the Iraq War Mr. Sacco again showed his strong patriotism and commitment to his country by organizing his VFW post's efforts of gathering and shipping supplies to our troops overseas. Those who knew Mr. Sacco have said he was a working man of great strength that never took life for granted. An avid runner who showed great commitment for health and exercise, including running marathons. He was a man that honored his country, his family and the company he worked for. A life well lived and a great example to his fellow citizens.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I appreciate her courtesy. I did ask my side for time. Unfortunately, they had no time available, so I thank the gentlewoman for coming to my rescue on this. I feel very strongly about this, and I echo the comments of Mr. LoBiondo. The premium increase here can have a devastating impact on my constituents. Without grandfathering, we would see premiums skyrocket. And when Mr. LoBiondo and I tried to ameliorate this by suggesting a compromise by putting a $5,000 cap on premiums, we were rejected. When Mr. LoBiondo talked about a bias against the Northeast, that bias continues today from Sandy. Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico all received tax relief following their storms. To this day, voters in my district have not received that tax relief; and Mr. LoBiondo's district is the same. So I am also tired of this regional bias. We, in the Northeast, get treated--whether it is on taxes, or whatever it is, we do not get a fair shake. Maybe they don't need our votes. Well, you are not getting my vote today. I urge Members to vote in opposition.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of longtime New York City Firefighter Robert ``Skippy'' Tilearcio, who passed away last Wednesday from a malignant tumor resulting from his months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero. Skip was a tireless advocate for the Zadroga 9/11 Healthcare Act. He came to Washington about six times to fight for its extension in 2014 and 2015, even before he was diagnosed with a fatal tumor. I had the privilege of meeting Skip Tilearcio when he would make these painful trips to Congress. On his final visit Skip was confined to a wheelchair but his spirit was as strong as ever. Skip truly personified the courage of New York's Bravest. Skip Tilearcio was the 15th firefighter to die this year alone from a 9/11 related illness. Many more are sick and suffering from these dreaded 9/11 illnesses. But because of Skip Tilearcio's heroic and successful effort to extend the Zadroga Act, these brave first responders will receive the very best medical care and treatment. My sincerest condolences go out to his wife Tina and his two children Tatiana and Robert. R.I.P. Firefighter Robert ``Skip'' Tilearcio.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month and to draw attention to the continuing fight against veteran suicide. Sadly, approximately 20 veterans take their own lives every day. In August 2016 the Veterans Administration released a comprehensive report on veteran suicide. Among the disturbing statistics in this report, it was revealed that though veterans make up 8.5 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 18 percent of suicides in 2014. This report also showed that we lost more veterans to suicide in 2014 than soldiers to the battlefield during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom combined. It is clear that for many veterans a more arduous battle with PTSD and mental illness arises after they return from combat. That is why I am a proud sponsor of H.R. 411, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act. This bill would require the VA to complete a publicly available review of the deaths of veterans who died by suicide during the preceding five-year period. The review would include key facts, such as the total number of veterans who have died by suicide, a comprehensive list of the medications prescribed to and found in the systems of such veterans, the percentage of such veterans with combat experience or trauma, Veterans Health Administration facilities with disproportionately high rates of psychiatric drug prescriptions and suicide among veterans, and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans. This review would provide vital information for identifying risk factors for suicide and improving mental healthcare for veterans. It is through gaining this understanding of the needs of veterans that we can work to stop this terrible epidemic.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Idaho for yielding. I certainly commend Mrs. Comstock for the outstanding job she has done on this. I stand here in strong support of this bill. It is absolutely essential that this Congress does everything it can to eradicate and destroy MS-13. It would be shameful not to. MS-13 has turned my district into killing fields. In the last year and a half, 17 innocent young people have been slaughtered with machetes and knives by MS-13. These are all young people, and these are children of legal and illegal immigrants documented and undocumented. It is the immigrant community that is being turned into a chamber of horrors by MS-13. Children are afraid to go to school; their parents are afraid to allow their kids to go out at night. There have been 270 arrests in the last year alone. MS-13 is terrorizing communities in my district within 15 to 20 minutes of my home. I am proud that this bill has been endorsed by the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD. Also, when I talk about 17 murders, it is exactly 1 year ago this week that two young teenage girls, Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, both constituents of mine, were found slaughtered, their bodies desecrated, mutilated, and torn apart by MS-13 because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time--no gang connections, nothing whatsoever. So this is something which has required extensive coordination between the Suffolk County Police Department, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Homeland Security, FBI task forces, and the U.S. Attorney's Office all working around the clock to try to eradicate this evil. But more has to be done, and that is what this bill is about. We cannot allow gang members to be taking advantage of loopholes in the immigration laws. To me, nothing could be more shameful than for us not to do our job. Nothing would be more violative of our role under the Constitution to protect people from all enemies foreign and domestic than for us not to pass legislation such as this. This is absolutely essential. This isn't theoretical, and this is not hypothetical. For those who are concerned about immigrants and those who are concerned about DACA--and I support DACA--and those who are supportive of the helpless in our society, how can you take any action which would prevent us from going after MS-13? MS-13 is a violent and vicious gang, and if we don't stand together as one, if we continue to make hypothetical arguments or a parade of horribles, we are subjecting and putting more young people--innocent young people--documented and undocumented, in the line of fire and putting them into the killing fields. I applaud the President, I applaud the Attorney General, and I also support the Democratic leaders in Suffolk County, all of whom have come together in a bipartisan effort to stamp out MS-13. But we must do more. This bill is a major step in that direction. I am proud to support it. I am proud to stand with Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Labrador, and Mrs. Comstock in doing this. This is reality. This isn't make-believe. This isn't something we can dream about, something that may go bad. This is going bad day after day after day in my district and districts throughout the country. These are animals. They need to be eradicated from our society, and this bill is a major step in that direction. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of the bill and urge its adoption.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September and the estimated 26,000 men who will die from this disease by year's end. Prostate cancer is a disease that develops in the male reproductive system located in the prostate. Among American males, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and has the second highest cancer-related cause of death. My own father died of prostate cancer. However, like many other forms of cancer, early detection is vital to successful treatment. As a nation, we have a duty and responsibility to serve and save the American public. Federal funding for prostate cancer research has accounted for, on average, only 5 percent of our nation's annual cancer research budget even though it is responsible for about 26 percent of all cancer cases and about 9 percent of cancer deaths in men. I encourage my fellow Members of Congress in joining me to make prostate cancer awareness, research, and early detection a national health care priority by ensuring adequate resources are readily available to save American lives. When it comes to saving Americans, we must see to that everyone has a clean bill of health. Our efforts to bring awareness to prostate cancer must continue beyond the month of September. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help raise and maintain awareness for this humane cause and invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in this fight. Though the number of American men diagnosed with prostate cancer has fallen by nearly 6 percent each year over the past decade, we still have a long ways until a cure can be found.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the sixteenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent victims killed that day in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. While September 11th is a day shrouded in unspeakable tragedy, it was also a time of unsurpassed courage. Many of the first responders, who heroically rushed to rescue victims, continue to die from exposure to Ground Zero toxins. These firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers, rely on the Federal government to provide medical care they so desperately need and will require support for years to come. I am grateful to the men and women of law enforcement, the Armed Forces and our Intelligence Community who work tirelessly every day to keep our country safe. As we celebrate their efforts, we must remain vigilant against terrorists who seek to destroy our country and way of life. We must never forget the catastrophic events and lives lost on that tragic day in our Nation's history.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, the Gateway program will create the new infrastructure essential to greater resiliency against future potential storms and disasters, while enabling repairs to damage and achieve capacity and reliability-related investments for the needs of the Northeast Corridor's operators for the next 30 to 50 years. Without extensive repairs and rebuilding of the existing tunnel, service reliability is likely to continue to deteriorate due to ongoing damage from saltwater incursion during Superstorm Sandy, from which we are still suffering 5 years later, eventually forcing a shutdown of one or both tubes of the Hudson River Tunnel. Mr. Lance pointed out and Mr. Nadler pointed out the Northeast Corridor is not just the Northeast. It services the entire Nation. It serves a massive economic purpose. It is essential we stand behind this. This is absolutely essential infrastructure spending. I support Chairman Frelinghuysen, and I support the ranking member and the chairman of the subcommittee for their work. Again, it is truly a bipartisan effort and something that is absolutely essential. Mr. Chairman, I urge defeat of the amendment.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Scleroderma Awareness Month. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that not only affects thousands of individuals within my own constituency and the state of New York, but also thousands of individuals living in the United States. Due to the lack of research on the unpredictable progression of Scleroderma, many physicians find it difficult to diagnose their patients and find it even more difficult to provide adequate treatment since a cure has not been discovered. As we recognize the need for awareness of this troublesome disease, we must do more for the thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with this condition each year. In the past, I have championed legislation aimed toward galvanizing many federal agencies to fund research for Scleroderma with former Congresswoman Lois Capps of California. As a representative, I consider myself responsible for the health and safety of my constituents. This is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting federal investment for research as well as recognizing June as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for recorded votes on the evening of March 16, 2017. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 165, NAY on Roll Call No. 166, NAY on Roll Call No. 167, YEA on Roll Call No. 168, and NAY on Roll Call No. 169.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of the gentleman's bill. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 642 in order to bolster the information sharing environment within the Department of Homeland Security and between the Department and State and local stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 642) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Network of Fusion Centers, and for other purposes.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall).

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 642, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2017, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my good friend, Congressman Lou Barletta. The bill before us today, Mr. Speaker, is focused on improving the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Network of Fusion Centers. The bill amends section 210A of the Homeland Security Act to clarify and enhance partnership between DHS and fusion centers. As the United States is facing the highest threat environment since 9/11, it is vital that State and local agencies are receiving realtime threat information and have access to Federal intelligence and support. This was a key lesson learned from the 9/11 terror attacks, and, unfortunately, reinforced after the 2012 Boston Marathon bombing. DHS has a legal mandate to assist fusion centers in this effort, and H.R. 642 helps move the ball forward. The threat of lone wolves inspired by ISIS and other radical Islamist terrorist groups are not deteriorating, and it is critical that there are strong partnerships between the Federal Government and State and local law enforcement agencies. This bill will help the Department and the national network maintain and improve their current partnership. This bill passed the House last Congress by voice vote, and I am pleased the House is willing to move it again this year. I want to thank Congressman Barletta for leading the committee's efforts in developing this responsible and commonsense legislation. Congressman Barletta's background as a businessman, city councilman, mayor, and Congressman has left him with a strong commitment to public safety and security. It has been a pleasure to work with Lou on the Homeland Security Committee, where he was a vocal advocate for information sharing. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure that the partnership between DHS and the national network is strong and agile to protect the United States against the ever-changing terrorism threat. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, January 31, 2017. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 642, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2017. This legislation includes matters that I believe fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 642, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference committee named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Bill Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I, once again, thank the gentleman and commend him for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 697, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 697, the Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act, and I commend the gentleman from Mississippi for sponsoring it. A security clearance is a privilege granted to individuals who have pledged to protect the American people from threats domestically and abroad. DHS has approximately 115,000 employees with varying access to classified materials. One important element of H.R. 697 is the requirement for the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an inventory of the Department's positions that require security clearances and assess what positions may be duplicative or are no longer necessary. It is just good government to ensure that individuals still have a need to know. In 2013, then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called the number of individuals with clearances ``too high.'' In a memo to government agencies, Director Clapper expressed his concern with the growing number of individuals with access to classified information, particularly TS and SCI clearances. Security clearances are costly to investigate, adjudicate, and maintain. This bill would ensure that DHS conducts a thorough accounting of its workforce needs and reduces the number of positions if determined appropriate. The bill also includes requirements for additional transparency on how security clearances are adjudicated, including when there are reasons to suspend or deny a security clearance. H.R. 697, introduced by Ranking Member Thompson, is an example of the accounting that each Federal department should be conducting today and will lead to a more effective and lean Department of Homeland Security in the future. The bill is identical to the version the House passed last Congress by voice vote. I urge support for the gentleman's bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 697) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the management and administration of the security clearance processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, at the outset, let me thank the ranking member for his support and for his kind words, and let me fully agree with him on the outstanding job General Taylor did during his time at DHS and throughout his career in public service. Mr. Speaker, on a daily basis, adversaries are targeting DHS and other Federal agencies seeking to acquire sensitive information. U.S. citizens with trusted access to government facilities and electronic networks have been responsible for some of the most damaging attacks to the U.S. Government. This bill provides the framework for DHS to implement an insider threat program that identifies and disrupts malicious insiders who seek to do the Department and its employees harm. It also seeks to protect the Department's workforce by conducting a transparent process to reinforce cyber hygiene, data security, and an awareness of malicious activity through a robust training program. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.