Raja Krishnamoorthi

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross).

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I would like to thank my staff and committee staff for all their work on this bill. I especially want to thank Alex Payne, the lead committee staffer on career and technical education from our side, who, unfortunately, couldn't be here with us today, due to the death of his father. I want to thank Congressman Thompson for his incredible leadership on this bill for all these years. I also want to say that the main purpose of this bill is to coordinate what is taught in CTE classes with workforce demands. H.R. 2353 requires State plans to show how CTE curricula aligns with in- demand careers. School districts must consult business leaders, educators, parents, community leaders, representatives of special populations, and others to determine the most promising career fields. This bipartisan bill gives everyone a seat at the table and makes sure no one is left behind. I also want to thank Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott for their incredible leadership on this bill. I want to take note of the fact that this is a bipartisan bill, at a time when bipartisanship is so needed in this town. I urge the Senate to take up our bill, and I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, the healthcare bill the Senate leadership is writing has not been subjected to any public hearings or debate and, to this day, the contents of the bill remain a secret. This bill is being written by 13 men--Republican men. And because it is being written in secret, only those in the room have a say. Under normal circumstances, every Senator would have the chance to read and debate a bill, just as we had in the House. But these are not normal circumstances. As that secret committee reshapes our healthcare system behind closed doors, no woman has a seat at the table, no Democrat has a seat at the table, and 77 percent of Americans do not have a Senator at the table. The Senate leadership has deprived nearly 250 million Americans of representation in the writing of this healthcare bill because they thought no one would notice. They will be proven wrong.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, last month, House Republicans passed the AHCA, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act, and now Republican Senators are working on their own version. So far, we know the plan they are developing will be a disaster for our economy and for countless Americans who will either pay more for their healthcare or struggle to afford coverage at all. The Senate plan would force working families to pay higher premiums, end Medicaid as we know it, and could make health insurance nearly unaffordable for people with preexisting conditions and older Americans. At this point, we don't know more details of the Senate plan because the Republican leadership is attempting to deny the American people a voice in their own healthcare system. We need a healthcare reform that lowers cost, expands coverage, and strengthens our economy. We need legislation written in the light of day that can survive public debate. We do not need this.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Smucker for yielding. I really appreciate his leadership. I thank Congressman G.T. Thompson from Pennsylvania as well for his leadership. It is an honor to be here. Madam Speaker, in recent years, global economic trends have led to an ever-growing skills gap. While unemployment has fallen to 4.4 percent in my home State of Illinois, there is still a widening gap between the jobs that are open and the skills workers need. This has become apparent as I have traveled throughout my district listening to community representatives, businesses, parents, students, and higher education officials discuss the local state of the economy. I have been particularly concerned with the feedback I have received from businesses, who continue to report that there is a gap between the talent and skills they need in employees and what they can actually find. Shortages in skilled fields like machinists, technicians, operators, cybersecurity, and healthcare are impairing their ability to grow their businesses. There is much Congress can do to improve the skills of our labor force, which is why I was proud to partner with my good friend and fellow member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Congressman G.T. Thompson, in introducing H.R. 2353. Our bill reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins grant program through fiscal year 2023 and gives States and local governments the tools to better equip workers for higher paying middle class jobs in the 21st century. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act addresses one of the underlying causes of the skills gap: what is being taught in classes does not necessarily sync up with what is needed to get a job. H.R. 2353 requires a strong buy-in from local businesses in developing State plans. With more local stakeholders involved in the process, it will better equip students with the technical skills they need to find success in local in-demand careers. Finally, I believe it is important that we start to shift the culture surrounding career and technical education. Every student, no matter his or her career goals, should participate in some form of career education. I believe that every student needs to graduate, not just with a diploma but with another piece of paper, namely an offer letter. Some students will find success in a traditional 4-year college program; others, however, will learn the skills they need through a 2- year community college or on-the-job training. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to ensure its passage, and I look forward to sending this bill to the President later this year for signing.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, abandoning the commitments we made in the Paris climate accord is a massive self-inflicted wound to our environment, our global influence, and our economy. The damage caused to our economy and environment by leaving the Paris Agreement is undeniable, but it was also completely foreseeable. That is why the first piece of legislation I wrote as a member of Congress called for our country to keep the pledges we made in this agreement, the promises we made to the world, and to ourselves. Through his decision, the President is ceding American leadership in the green economy to China, and kneecapping the global effort to counter the effects of climate change. While the President has made his choice, the rest of us can make ours. We must continue to resist global climate change by expanding our commitments to green technology and sustainable practices. If we do so, we will not only address the challenges of our time, but also embrace its opportunities.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, in our increasingly competitive world, the importance of education beyond our K-12 system has only grown. As we address this reality, it is vital that we recognize the importance of career and technical education, in addition to colleges and universities. That is why I am proud to be the lead Democrat on the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bill, which passed the Education and the Workforce Committee last week unanimously, will increase funding for career and technical education by 9 percent over the next 6 years to modernize these initiatives and to ensure students have the skills employers are looking for. Through investing in our citizens and our economy, this bill will help hardworking families across the country join and stay in the middle class. I am proud to work with my colleagues from both parties, including Congressman Thompson from Pennsylvania, to build a more promising future for millions of Americans, and I hope this bill will soon receive consideration on the House floor.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today we learned that former FBI Director James Comey documented his conversations with President Trump in a series of memos. In one memo, Mr. Comey claims that, after clearing the room, President Trump asked him to end the investigation of General Michael Flynn. If true, this assault on the rule of law would be a violation of our democracy unseen since Watergate. What comes next is uncertain, but investigations into this matter must begin, as those into the President's Russia ties must continue. All the Comey memos should be turned over to Congress. Any unclassified memos should be released to the public, and President Trump should submit to investigators any tapes with which he threatened Mr. Comey. Lastly, Congress and the American public must hear Mr. Comey testify publicly and under oath. The time has come when silence is no longer denial, it becomes complicity. Now is the time to act, and to do otherwise is only to delay the truth.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. I include in the Record a letter from the American Medical Association that states: ``Not only would the AHCA eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, the legislation would, in many cases, eliminate the ban against charging those with underlying medical conditions vastly more for their coverage.'' [From the American Medical Association, May 3, 2017] AMA Warns that Proposed Changes to the American Health Care Act Do Not Remedy Bill's Shortcomings Despite Amendments to bill, millions of Americans would still lose health insurance coverage Chicago--American Medical Association (AMA) President Andrew W. Gurman, M.D., issued the following statement today about proposed changes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA): ``None of the legislative tweaks under consideration changes the serious harm to patients and the health care delivery system if AHCA passes. Proposed changes to the bill tinker at the edges without remedying the fundamental failing of the bill--that millions of Americans will lose their health insurance as a direct result of this proposal. ``High-risk pools are not a new idea. Prior to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, 35 states operated high-risk pools, and they were not a panacea for Americans with pre-existing medical conditions. The history of high- risk pools demonstrates that Americans with pre-existing conditions will be stuck in second-class health care coverage--if they are able to obtain coverage at all. ``Not only would the AHCA eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, the legislation would, in many cases, eliminate the ban against charging those with underlying medical conditions vastly more for their coverage.'' ``America should not go backward to the time when our fellow citizens with pre-existing health conditions faced high costs for limited coverage, if they were able to obtain coverage at all. The AMA urges congressional leaders and the Administration to pursue a bipartisan dialogue on alternative policies that provide patients with access and coverage to high quality care and preserve the safety net for vulnerable populations.'' Background on high-risk pools A January report from the American Academy of Actuaries notes that ``enrollment has generally been low, coverage has been limited and expensive, they require external funding, and they have typically operated at a loss . . . Removing high-risk individuals from the insured risk pools reduces costs in the private market only temporarily. Over time, even lower-cost individuals in the individual market can incur high health care costs, which would put upward pressure on premiums.'' According to the Kaiser Family Foundation: State high-risk pools featured premiums above standard non-group market rates--with most states capping them at 150%-200% of standard rates. Many also featured high deductibles, some $5,000 or more. Despite the fact that many individuals were forced into high-risk pools because of a pre-existing condition, nearly all states excluded coverage for these conditions for 6-12 months. Almost all high-risk pools imposed lifetime limits on covered services, and some imposed annual limits. Some states capped or closed enrollment. Combined net losses for the state high-risk pools totaled more than $1.2 billion for 2011, or $5,510 per enrollee, on average. Furthermore, a 2010 paper by James Capretta and Tom Miller that appeared in National Affairs estimated that the cost of adequately funded high risk pools would be $15 billion to $20 billion per year.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, the country will not remember what we say here today, but it will never forget what we do today, especially if we make the wrong choice and adopt this bill. The 159 million Americans whose employer-sponsored health care could be cut would never forget. Neither would the 24 million Americans who would lose their coverage or the 52 million people with preexisting conditions who would struggle to find health insurance again. If this bill passes, Mr. Speaker, no cancer survivor denied coverage will forget, no survivor of sexual assault charged more for her ordeal will forget, and no parent struggling to afford emergency surgery for a newborn child could ever forget. They would not have that choice. But today, we have one. We can choose to vote no and prevent millions of Americans from losing their health care. We can choose the right path rooted in morality, decency, and reason. I implore you, vote ``no.''

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important parts of President Obama's legacy is the recognition that Americans should not be discriminated against based on preexisting conditions. This principle was enshrined in law by the Affordable Care Act, and now millions of Americans across the political spectrum support these vital protections. Even yesterday, President Trump, an avowed opponent of the Affordable Care Act, stated unequivocally that he was opposed to discrimination based on preexisting conditions. The bill under consideration by this House, the American Health Care Act, does not represent that same bipartisan principle. My colleagues are advancing a measure that would let States turn back the clock for millions of Americans and begin that discrimination again. Today, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill for the sake of all those it would harm. For the sake of anyone who has survived cancer, battled diabetes, or was simply born a woman, I urge you, vote ``no.''

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today, as a member of the House Oversight Committee, I had the opportunity to view classified documents related to General Michael Flynn's disturbing foreign financial relationships. I am very proud that Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings worked together in a bipartisan fashion to bring those documents before our committee. The issue of Russian interference in our democracy is an issue that affects everyone. I hope that all Members will have the chance to review these critical materials. While the information in these documents is classified, I remain profoundly disturbed by the additional questions they raised. Unfortunately, I also remain very concerned about how they are being portrayed by the White House. This growing credibility gap between the administration and the American people only underscores the need for an independent commission to uncover all the facts. I am heartened, however, that today, Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings came together in a bipartisan fashion regarding this issue.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a family-owned and operated company celebrating its 50th anniversary on April 21, 2017. When it comes to trends that will keep America competitive in the global economy for generations to come, we think of innovation, entrepreneurship, environmentally friendly businesses, and manufacturing. I was sent to Congress by my constituents to look for innovative ways to bring these trends together, and today I am reminded that a shining example resides right here in my district in Addison, Illinois. The founding of Earth Friendly Products (ECOS) is a story that rivals any other. The founder, Van Vlahakis, immigrated from Greece to the United States with $22 in his pocket in 1953 to escape poverty after World War II. First living in homeless shelters and speaking little English, he went on to study chemistry at Roosevelt University while working the night shift at a cleaning products company. During his work, he was exposed to harsh chemicals that gave him headaches and caused co-workers to suffer from rashes and other irritations. Remembering that his mother in Greece used natural substances such as water, vinegar and olive oil for cleaning, Vlahakis decided to start his own business to make better cleaning products. In 1967, he created in his home's garage what would become Earth Friendly Products. ECOS now sells more than 200 environmentally friendly cleaning products in more than 60 countries and has been recognized with safety awards by the Environmental Protection Agency. We all know we need to make more things in America again. ECOS is a great example of using clean technology to do that while still creating jobs for Illinois working families. Transforming Illinois into a center for science, technology, and innovation is the kind of opportunity that many of us envision for our state. This 50th anniversary for ECOS is an opportunity to remind the country that we can continue to use clean products that protect the environment while creating good-paying jobs at the same time. For ECOS, that means a $17 per hour companywide minimum wage started by the company in 2014. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have Earth Friendly Products in my district, and I look forward to the company continuing to create jobs for my constituents for the next 50 years. I celebrate the 50th anniversary of ECOS and the impact the company has had throughout the country.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the life of Philip Kalayil who passed away on March 13 this year of natural causes. It seems like everybody who's anybody in the city of Chicago has a story about Philip Kalayil. Philip came to Chicago from India in the mid-1950s and became an early leader and organizer of the Indian-American community in the Chicago area. Before his untimely death, Philip had been recognized by the Association for Asian American Studies, which honored him with its Heart of Asian American Community Award. Philip's legacy of leadership and bridge-building between all racial and ethnic groups are needed now more than ever. While Philip left this world far too early, we should all take comfort in knowing that his memory and selfless service have left a mark on Chicago and our nation. The civic contributions and dedication to the Indian-American community by Philip Kalayil have helped Indian Americans in the Chicago area such as myself to pursue professional achievements to further the development of our community. On behalf of all of Philip's countless friends and associates, I just want to say thank you for all that you did for the people of Illinois. You're leaving some big shoes to fill in the city of Chicago. Mr. Speaker, I hope we might all keep in our thoughts and prayers the Kalayil family as they mourn their loss. In that spirit, I celebrate Philip's life and think about what an impact that life made on so many people.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in honor of Equal Pay Day, which is tomorrow. Women in our country earn, on average, 78 cents for every dollar that a man makes. For women of color, that gap is larger. Even in my own district, the Eighth Congressional District of Illinois, where the overall disparity is smaller, women still only earn 83 cents on the dollar. The pay gap is not simply a women's issue, but a challenge for all Americans. Gender wage disparities are a fundamental obstacle to millions of families trying to make ends meet. At a time when nearly two-thirds of mothers are primary, sole, or co- breadwinners for their families, the pay gap makes it that much harder to pay for groceries, housing, child care, and all the other necessities of daily life. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act and hope all my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill to address pay discrimination.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, as revelations of Russian interference in our democracy continue to emerge, the need for a full and transparent investigation by an independent commission could not be more clear. The reason is simple: We need badly to restore trust in our government. Though the House and Senate Intelligence Committees have begun related inquiries, neither will have fully investigated the activities of the Kremlin or its agents. Not a single member of the administration has testified under oath about their contacts with Moscow. The inherent politicization of these committees has made it nearly impossible for any congressional body to render the nonpartisan, irrefutable answers the American people deserve. As a member of the House Oversight Committee, I echo Senator John McCain's call that Congress ``no longer has the credibility to handle this alone.'' Now is the time for an independent commission to fully investigate the ties between the Kremlin and the White House, along with Russia's broader interference in our democracy.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, the GOP's American Health Care Act would turn back the clock on health care for the American people while driving States toward bankruptcy and devastating our economy. Under the Affordable Care Act, 1 million people in Illinois gained health insurance. Under this plan, over 1 million would lose it. Millions more across our country currently receiving coverage through their jobs would lose their health care as well. State and local budgets would face cuts in Federal aid, forcing a choice between cutting coverage and raising taxes. My home State of Illinois alone would lose $40 billion over the next decade. And this bill would wreak havoc on the American economy. The American Health Care Act would kill nearly 2 million jobs, while eliminating billions in healthcare funding that would otherwise support hospitals, community health services, and the development of new cures. We need to invest in the health of both our people and our economy. Unfortunately, this plan does neither.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, over the last few months, we have seen a surge of hate-driven violence, vandalism, and threats against numerous communities. As a member of the Oversight Committee, I am calling for hearings to determine the root cause of this wave of hate crimes and how we can combat it. While our government must show its commitment to answering these attacks, the American people already have. Desecrations of Jewish cemeteries were met with waves of volunteers assisting in their restoration. Mosque burnings were met with contributions from Americans of all faiths to help the rebuilding. And when two Indian men in Kansas were shot and one murdered, a Caucasian third man was wounded when he heroically sought to intervene. These actions speak to the resilience of our people, the highest principles of our Nation, and why we are proud to be Americans. America is, indeed, an exceptional nation. I hope Chairman Chaffetz will heed my call and hold hearings on this wave of hate-inspired attacks to help America remain exceptional.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, the Republican healthcare plan would not only fail to improve upon the Affordable Care Act, it would undo the benefits millions of Americans depend on and devastate our economy in the process. This plan would strip millions of working families of their health care, cut benefits for millions more, and increase premiums for older Americans by 25 percent. It would ravage our economy by destabilizing the healthcare sector and pushing State and local governments to the brink of bankruptcy. Four Republican Senators have even rejected this bill because of its economically devastating Medicaid cuts. The Republican plan would force the counties I represent to pay hundreds of millions of dollars more for health care. This bill would force local governments to raise property taxes or deny health care. We need healthcare solutions that improve care and strengthen our economy at the same time. We must not settle for this plan, which accomplishes neither.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, my amendment today is a probusiness, pro-innovation amendment. This would exempt any regulations that affect the safety of our National Airspace System. It is important to note that commercial drone operations are only possible because of FAA rules. Last August, the FAA's small UAS rule-- unmanned aerial systems rule--opened the door for small businesses to use unmanned systems easily and without cumbersome paperwork. The current inaction on the ``flights over people'' rule could limit UAS operations, such as news reporting, disaster relief, and public safety from becoming a reality. As a result, many businesses and the country could lose out on the full societal and economic benefits of UAS. Once UAS are fully integrated into the national airspace, the full benefits of these tools will help businesses to expand and our economy to grow--with a projected 100,000 jobs and over $82 billion in economic impact over the next decade. That is why this particular amendment is supported by the UAV Coalition as well as the Automated Vehicles Symposium. But we need action from regulatory authorities to fully integrate UAS into our airspace. Without my amendment, the SCRUB Act has the potential to stifle a growing industry and prevent the modernization of air traffic. I want to reiterate: UAS operators need guidance and regulations from the FAA so they can operate safely and without unnecessary paperwork. I urge the House to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.