John Lewis

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. LEWIS. I yield the gentleman another 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the bill, H.R. 1206, preventing the IRS from hiring anyone--not one person, not one individual--until the IRS proves that there is not a single employee in the entire agency with a serious tax debt. Mr. Speaker, I ask: How can a hiring freeze possibly help taxpayers? Every person in this body knows that the IRS already has the authority to fire anyone--any employee--for serious Federal tax issues. Congress gave the IRS this power in section 1203 of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act. It was signed into law in 1998, and it is working. Last year, Mr. Speaker, the Department of the Treasury had a lower tax delinquency rate than any Federal agency and lower than the American public. It was lower than the Congress. This is a mean piece of legislation and it is not right. It is not fair. It is mean-spirited. So, I ask you: Why do we want to punish these Federal employees? Why do we want to go after the majority of IRS workers who are just hardworking, dedicated public servants? More importantly, Mr. Speaker, what good does this bill do? Every year--not one year, but every year--the IRS is expected to do more with less. We cannot get blood from a turnip. This legislation does nothing to help taxpayers get the service they need and deserve. It does nothing--not one thing--to fight identity theft. This does nothing to stop stolen returns. It does nothing to help the taxpayers speak to a live IRS staff person in a timely manner. Mr. Speaker, this bill is all about a message. It is a talking point. It is so sad that we have come to this point. As a Congress, we can do better. Mr. Speaker, some of us here are ready to do the people's work. This is purely a waste of time. As Mr. Levin stated, this piece of legislation is not going anywhere. Last week, I introduced the Taxpayer Protection Act. My bill responds to the real needs of American taxpayers. There are many other good ideas to help taxpayers, but these bills are not being considered by this body this week. Instead, Mr. Speaker, we are considering a bill, as I said before, that is mean, downright mean, a bill that is unnecessary, a bill that would do more harm than good. We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to the American people, to the American taxpayer, to do better. We can do better. Mr. Speaker, I urge each and every one of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this pointless and harmful piece of legislation. It is the right thing to do, to vote ``no.'' This is not good for the Congress. It is not good for the Ways and Means Committee. Why do we want to point? It is pointless to punish one IRS worker. More than 80,000 employees, and for one person, just one person, one individual, for tax debt, then they cannot hire an employee. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. LEWIS. I yield the gentleman another 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan)

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, we owe it to ourselves and we owe it to the American taxpayers to do better. As a body, we can do better, much better. Mr. Speaker, I encourage each and every one of my colleagues to vote ``no,'' to vote ``no'' on this pointless and harmful piece of legislation. This bill is not worthy of the paper that it is written on. Vote ``no'' on this mean-spirited bill. It is not the way to go. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today and introduce the Environmental Justice Act of 2016. Twenty-four years ago, I first introduced the Environmental Justice Act of 1992, with my good friend and former colleague Senator Al Gore. After introducing our bill, we worked tirelessly to advance many of the policies proposed in our legislation. On February 11, 1994, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations''. This historic Executive Order established the federal infrastructure to identify and address environmental risks--especially in minority and low-income communities that were often overlooked and underserved. At that time, Senator Gore and I believed that every person has the right to safe water and clean air. We believed children and parents in every community deserve access to green public spaces. Since then many of the ideas that we proposed in our 1992 bill have been adopted by the EPA. For example, resources like EJSCREEN, help anyone in the country find a report on the quality of their neighborhood's water and air. Mr. Speaker, there is still much work to be done. The threats and needs are changing, but the urgency of and my commitment to this important and evolving challenge remain the same. In Georgia's 5th Congressional District and across the country, many people find that even when a serious environmental problem is discovered, it is difficult for them to take action. This bill responds to this grave reality and makes progress in the fight for every person to have equal access to a healthy environment. The Environmental Justice Act of 2016 will create a tax incentive for 501(c)(3) organizations, like colleges and universities, to devote staff and resources to the hard work of environmental justice. This bill is intended to encourage scientists, activists, and organizers to invest their talents into ensuring that existing environmental protections are improved and enforced in every community. People must know their rights and the tools that are available to them. This bill will not only advance the conversation but also invest in the effort. Mr. Speaker, I know that we can come together to address this important national issue. We cannot ignore the public health and safety of our communities. We cannot cut corners at the expense of our friends and neighbors. We must fully respect the life and dignity of each and every person, and uphold their right to live, learn, and work in a clean and safe environment. We must cherish this Earth; for it is the only home we will likely ever know. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this common-sense legislation.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the proud sponsor of this legislation. First, let me thank Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, and all the staff of the Natural Resources Committee for their hard work and support of this act. Mr. Speaker, my bipartisan bill will create the first National Historic Park in the State of Georgia. This technical change from a ``Site'' to a ``Park'' will make it easier for the National Park Service to share the history of the American civil rights movement with national and international visitors to Atlanta. These historic spaces are located in my congressional district in downtown Atlanta, on and around Auburn Avenue. This is where Dr. King was born and raised, where he was nurtured and taught, where he preached and loved. I was a teenager when I first met Dr. King in 1958, at the age of 18. This conversation forever changed my life, but I was not the only one. Many, many people were touched by this man's genius and compassion for all humankind. Dr. King's mission was to create the beloved community, a community of justice, a community at peace with itself. Dr. King had the power to bring people together to do good. His message was love, his weapon was truth, and the method was the way of nonviolence and passive resistance. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led a nonviolent movement that changed the face of our Nation. He inspired people from all over our country and from all over the world. My simple act will improve the services and educational opportunities for visitors to this wonderful space and this wonderful piece of history. It will preserve this important part of our history for generations yet unborn. Again, I would like to thank the chair and ranking member for their support, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this simple, commonsense legislation.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast roll call votes on Monday, February 1, 2016. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 46; and I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 47. In addition, on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, I would like to clarify for the record that I strongly opposed the amendment under consideration and intended to vote Nay on roll call vote 50 during consideration of H.R. 3700.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast roll call votes on a few days in the First Session of the 114th Congress. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 116; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 179; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 180; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 181; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 182; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 183; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 184; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 185; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 186; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 187; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 188; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 189; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 190; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 191; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 192; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 193; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 194; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 195; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 196; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 197; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 198; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 199; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 200; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 201; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 202; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 203; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 204; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 205; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 206; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 207; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 208; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 209; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 210; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 211; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 212; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 213; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 214; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 215; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 261; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 264; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 265; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 266; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 267; I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 500; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 674; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 675; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 677; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 678; I would have voted Nay on roll call vote 679 and I would have voted Aye on roll call vote 680.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Lucy McBath from metro Atlanta stood behind the President when he announced his actions to reduce gun violence. In 2012, her son, Jordan Davis, was killed simply for playing loud music. I could see the pain of her loss and the anguish on her face. It broke my heart. Jordan Davis is one of the 100,000 Americans killed in the last decade who are no longer with us due to gun violence. It is our duty to do all we can to protect all Americans. Every year mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, families and friends beg their government to act. Mr. Speaker, are we deaf to their cries? Are we blind to their suffering? President Obama is listening, and he is leading. A leader must be a headlight and not a taillight. Members of this House, we are not leading. His proposal is common sense and constitutional. Now, as Members, we must do our part. We must do what is right and what is just. It is long overdue.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Captain Rhonda Powell, a daughter of Metro Atlanta, for her extraordinary service to the nation while serving in the United States Army for the past 23 years. Since the beginning of her career, Captain Powell exhibited a steadfast commitment and dedication to serving her country. A graduate of the University of Memphis and George Washington University, Captain Powell has been stationed in Fort Gillem, Fort Bragg, and is currently a congressional legislative liaison to the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve for the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon. While deployed in Doha, Qatar from 2006-2007, Captain Powell served as the detachment commander of the 312th Adjutant General Company in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Camp As Sayliyah. Captain Powell exhibited strong operational planning and intelligence analysis, and assumed duties as the officer in charge (OIC) of the Quick Reaction Force element on Camp As Sayliyah. She not only supported the health, welfare, morale, and development of her assigned soldiers, but also led her team in rapid responses to threats and other developments on or near the base. In her current role interfacing with the U.S. Congress, Captain Powell used her experience in military relations to establish the Soldiers and Leaders United Through Engagements (SALUTE) Program. This unique and timely initiative helps connect Members of Congress with issues and experiences facing American soldiers. Upon her retirement next month, Captain Powell plans to return to her roots in Atlanta, where her parents still reside near Howell Mill Road, and to begin a new chapter of her life. Mr. Speaker, I join others in congratulating and thanking Captain Powell, for her service, perseverance, hard work, and contributions to our nation. I and the other residents of Georgia's 5th Congressional District are happy and proud to welcome her home.

Mr. LEWIS

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

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple. It would strike a pilot program that allows teenagers to drive trucks across State lines. Right now this bill mandates that we allow teenagers to become truck drivers. But, Mr. Chairman, it does not ask whether we should give them the keys. The American public has a strong opinion on this issue. After 92 percent of the comments strongly opposed to this idea, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration denied a request for a similar program in 2003. The vast majority thought it was a bad and dangerous proposal. My amendment simply asks the Department of Transportation to take another look, a second look, before starting a national program. We need to examine the safety of places where young drivers are already allowed to drive trucks within their own States. Interstate highways are already dangerous enough. Given the higher and higher accident and fatality rates of younger drivers, it makes no sense to make this change without looking at all of the data. Mr. Chairman, young drivers may not have the experience needed to handle heavy, dangerous vehicles. Some follow too closely. Others go too fast and don't check their mirrors. Young drivers can use their brakes too much, and that is a real danger when handling an 80,000- pound truck. Ask any parent. They know. Young drivers do not always listen, even when an experienced driver is in the front seat. My amendment does not say no. It says just let us do the research first. We should study the safety of teen truck drivers before any experiment that might have dangerous results. I urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that there is a driver shortage, but it is important, very important, to follow the data. We should not put inexperienced drivers on the road before we have all of the facts. In my congressional district, in Metro Atlanta, we have three major interstate highways running through our city: I-75, I-85, and I-20. Even with experienced drivers, there is always some major accident. We need to follow the data. I urge all of my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Chair, I appreciate the chairman and the ranking member's hard work on this bill. I rise to offer an amendment that is very important to the people of metro Atlanta. My amendment would allow Federal funds from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program to be used to construct type II noise barriers. These are barriers built to cut down noise along existing highways. Current Federal law ties the hands of State transportation agencies. It limits their ability to address key quality-of-life concerns in the planning process. Madam Chair, my office has been working with the Georgia Department of Transportation for years to address these concerns. Many communities in metro Atlanta are tired of the noise and just want some peace and quiet. We are ready to move forward, but we need Congress to untie our hands. My amendment does not cost one cent, not one dime. If anything, it improves the effectiveness of the money we already send to the States. It does not require that States build these barriers; instead, it allows them the flexibility they need to minimize Federal funds, to raise property values, and to improve the quality of life in frustrated communities across America. Madam Chair, we have the opportunity to do something that would make our citizens' lives better. Living next to a loud highway can be a headache. When you have a good and quiet neighborhood, when you can get some sleep, you can be happy. I urge the adoption of my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Chair, with the discussion and the words of the chairman and the ranking member, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.