Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I am opposed to the bill in its current form.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, now that the technical correction was made to the amendment, my argument stands as to the previous amendment. As I said, the goal of the amendment is to allow R&D to take place using LEU, low-enriched uranium, for naval reactor fuel that would meet military requirements for aircraft carriers and submarines. As I said, this is already done by France in their nuclear navy, which has already converted from using HEU to LEU fuel. This is a much more secure and stable fuel than using HEU. Again, the Navy will exhaust its fuel at some point in the coming decades, and unless we have an alternative fuel that would power our nuclear aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, we would have to start producing weapons-grade uranium, once again, for fuel in powering our aircraft carriers and submarines. By switching over to LEU, it would, ultimately, reduce costs, be more secure, and provide a long- term fuel for powering our Navy. This is a commonsense approach, as I said with regard to the previous amendment before the technical correction was made. Last year, the Congress, on a bipartisan basis, authorized and appropriated first-year funding for FY16 for Navy LEU fuel in R&D. Already, this year, the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee have again supported LEU R&D efforts. I believe now the time is critical that the full House provide funding for this critical research that is paramount to our national security interests. It supports R&D, and it gives our Navy options for powering our nuclear carriers and submarines. I would ask that my colleagues support the amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I offer this amendment with my good friend and colleague, Congressman Larsen of Washington, to support the continued assessment of the feasibility of using low-enriched uranium, or LEU, in naval reactor fuel that would meet military requirements for aircraft carriers and submarines. Using low-enriched uranium in naval reactor fuel brings significant national security benefits related to nuclear nonproliferation; it could lower security costs and support naval reactor research and development at the cutting edge of nuclear science. As we continue to face the threat of nuclear terrorism and as countries continue to develop naval fuel for military purposes, the imperative to reduce the use of highly enriched uranium, or HEU, will become increasingly important over the next several decades. Using LEU for naval reactors is not an impossible task. France's nuclear navy already has converted from HEU to LEU fuel. We must evaluate the feasibility for the U.S. Navy as well and take into account the potential benefits to U.S. and international security of setting a norm for using LEU instead of nuclear bomb-grade material. Furthermore, the U.S. Navy will eventually exhaust its supply of highly enriched uranium. Unless an alternative to using low-enriched uranium fuel is developed in the coming decades, the United States would have to resume its production of bomb-grade uranium for the first time since 1992, ultimately undermining U.S. nonproliferation efforts. Last year, on a bipartisan basis, Congress authorized and appropriated first-year funding in FY16 for naval LEU fuel R&D. Already, this year, the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee have again supported LEU R&D efforts. It is now critical that the full House provide funding for this critical research that is paramount to our national security interests. This $5 million in funding would support the early testing and manufacturing development that is required to advance the LEU technology for use in naval fuel, yielding significant benefits for nuclear nonproliferation as well as security cost savings. The time has come to invest in new technologies to address this threat and to reduce the reliance on highly enriched uranium. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I hope that the majority will join with me in supporting this. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I want to, first of all, thank my HASC colleague across the aisle, ETC Chairman Wilson from the great State of South Carolina, for working with me on this bipartisan amendment to expand talent exchange authorities within the DOD. This amendment addresses a key challenge facing the Department, which is competition with the private sector to recruit and retain highly skilled talent. As we understand right now, it is exceptionally competitive in, for example, the IT and cybersecurity fields. We need to be able to retain, attract, and recruit the best and the brightest in this field, particularly because salaries are very high and it is very difficult in many ways for the DOD to compete in this space. While we are very grateful, of course, for those who devote their lives to a military career, not everyone will give 20 or 30 years of their lives to the U.S. military. But there is certainly no shortage of patriotism across the private sector, and dedicating several months or years of their lives to our national security is certainly a worthy endeavor. This also gives DOD employees exposure to cutting-edge operational techniques and best practices across a wide array of disciplines, while giving private sector employees insight into how the Department operates. Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that we are recruiting the best and the brightest in order to uphold our national defenses. This amendment has been sought after by the DOD. Again, there is bipartisan support on this amendment. It gives great flexibility to the Department to be able to work to bring in people of great talent from the private sector for a period of time. Again, it also allows the DOD to have our men and women in uniform go to the private sector for a time and learn best practices and what cutting-edge techniques and capabilities are happening in the private sector. So this is a good, commonsense amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. Having previously served as the chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee for several years, I am intimately familiar with our intercontinental ballistic missile forces and the important role ICBM deterrence plays when it comes to our national defense. While I understand the intent of this amendment, it is fundamentally unnecessary, dramatically overreaching, and lacks meaningful policy reform. The budget request for FY 2017 contains no funding for reducing the alert level or reducing the number of deployed ICBMs below 400, and there are no plans to do so in the future. Furthermore, the statement of policy with regard to ICBMs, which is legally binding, significantly overreaches. It states that modernization of the ICBMs and retaining an alert ICBM force is necessary to ensure robust nuclear deterrence by preventing any adversary from believing it can carry out a small, surprise, first-strike attack which disarms the strategic forces of the United States. However, this disregards the crucial and fundamental role of submarines that provide assured, survivable second-strike capability, which would dissuade an adversary from even thinking they could launch a disarming attack against the United States. If we include any legislation on ICBMs, Mr. Chairman, it should be that we increase accountability and ensure that we are improving the morale and culture inside the Air Force with regard to nuclear weapons. Some of the serious and embarrassing problems that have plagued the ICBM missileers and security forces in recent years unfortunately continues, such as the Air Force base in Wyoming where 14 enlisted airmen in the security forces were being investigated for drug use just several weeks ago. I see nothing in this amendment that addresses that problem, nor do I see anything in the bill that addresses that issue. If we are going to talk about keeping ICBMs, it should be in a meaningful way, instead of yet another annual amendment driven by what seems like parochial interests in highlighting their role, particularly at the exclusion of other legs of the nuclear triad. While the committee tried to work with Ms. Lummis, Mr. Chairman, to avail the amendment of some of these concerns, bipartisan negotiations was seemingly rejected. So, Mr. Chairman, I hope that we are able to make some of these adjustments as we conference with the Senate, but I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment as offered. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, as I previously stated--and with all due respect to my colleague--this bill contains no funding for reducing the alert level or reducing the number of deployed ICBMs below 400, and there are no plans to do so in the future. Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and my fellow colleagues on the committee this year for many important issues within the committee's jurisdiction which we found in this bill, on which I have been proud to work with my colleagues. As ranking member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, I especially want to thank my subcommittee colleagues, particularly my colleague Joe Wilson, the chairman of the subcommittee. It has been a pleasure to work with him. I also want to take this opportunity to recognize members of the staff who worked so hard on this bill, without whom we wouldn't be able to move legislation of this magnitude forward. The legislation, Mr. Chairman, before us today continues to address critical priorities and programs at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels when it comes to emerging threats and capabilities. In particular, I am pleased with many provisions relating to game- changing technologies, such as language addressing how to properly operationalize directed energy technologies, electromagnetic rail gun mount funding, electronic warfare capabilities, strategy requirements, and a point person within DOD for directed energy systems. This legislation goes on also to prioritize the readiness of the Cyber Mission Force and fully supports U.S. Cyber Command while elevating this critical entity to its own combatant command. This effort enhances our superiority in the cyber domain, and I am glad the committee recognized the need to take this vital step. I am also pleased with the approach we took toward enhancing capabilities and extending authorities to defeat nonstate actors like ISIL and al Qaeda. I am also pleased with the continued support of our Special Operations Forces and their families who are under the responsibility of the subcommittee, and those forces which are always at the pointy tip of the spear. Although this bill moves the ball forward on policies vital to our national defense, of course, it is far from perfect. We must continue to address funding issues in other areas of concern as we move forward in the process. In closing, I want to thank all the members of our subcommittee, as well as the members of the full Armed Services Committee, for their support during this markup. I again commend Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership. I look forward to our continuing to work together to craft a final product with the Senate that provides further support for our men and women in uniform, our military families, and further strengthens our national security.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 182, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I rise today in recognition of May as National Foster Care Month. Growing up, my parents welcomed many foster children into our family, providing them with a stable and nurturing environment. One of the biggest challenges for youth in foster care is finding their forever family. Even youth who age out of foster care still need a place to call home after they turn 18, and whether through reunification, adoption, or an individual plan, every foster youth deserves a permanent home. Mr. Speaker, these children belong to all of us, and we are all responsible for their well-being. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing May as National Foster Care Month.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 180, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of April as National Autism Awareness Month. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the proud uncle of a young man with autism, I understand many of the unique challenges that this condition presents. I am also aware of the opportunities we can create with a strong commitment to research, education, and the right treatments and interventions. This past Sunday, in my home State of Rhode Island, the Autism Project held its 14th Annual Imagine Walk and Family Fun Day. Each year, this event keeps getting bigger and bigger, both because the awareness continues to grow, but also because autism continues to grow as a challenge. Thanks to the executive director, Joanne Quinn, and the entire team of the Autism Project, thousands of Rhode Islanders joined together for a fun-filled day to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder. Every year, they inspire me to fight for programs and resources that will lead to a better future for families living with autism, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in this fight by supporting Autism Awareness not just in April, but every month of the year.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the Department of Defense kicked off the first bug bounty program in the history of the Federal Government. Like similar programs used in industry, Hack the Pentagon is based on a coordinated vulnerability disclosure process. If a security researcher finds a security problem in public-facing Web sites that are operated by the DOD, he or she can submit it for review. Should the bug represent a security risk, the Department will then pay the researcher a bounty for his or her work. Coordinated vulnerability programs allow us to crowdsource security, encouraging curious minds to share their discoveries responsibly while providing accountability for institutions that operate or develop software. I congratulate Secretary Carter for his leadership in creating this program, and I hope other agencies consider adopting programs like this of their own. Mr. Speaker, I encourage any hackers out there to check out Hack the Pentagon site and help make the pilot program a success.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I would like to spend a few minutes this morning discussing the recent report of the Commission to End Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. Chartered by Congress under the Protect our Kids Act of 2013, the Commission's goal is to provide a framework for ending child maltreatment fatalities in the United States. For 2 years they have studied and examined this problem, and now we have the results. The death of any child is a tragedy. While the data on child deaths related to abuse and neglect is incomplete, the Commission estimates that there were over 1,500 such cases in 2014. The majority of the children in these heartbreaking cases were younger than a year old, and many of them only days and weeks into their young lives. Three-quarters of the deaths occurred in children under age 3. Madam Speaker, these are shocking figures, but we are talking about much more than just numbers. These stories of lives cut short, of senseless deaths, are a rallying cry for action, and no community or State is immune. In my home State of Rhode Island, at least four children have died in State care since October, two of them infants. In neighboring Massachusetts, Bella Bond's story is a heartbreaking reminder of our moral obligation to act in defense of all children. Bella only ever knew abuse and neglect. She died before her third birthday, allegedly beaten to death by her drug-addicted parents. Despite two neglect complaints against Bella's mother, there was never any recognition that this toddler's life was in danger. The State never sent anybody to check on her safety, and her death remained hidden until her body was discovered. The problems in the Bella Bond murder, though, sadly, are not unique. The Commission's report highlights a lack of communication between State child welfare agencies and law enforcement in every State. Noting the high correlation between domestic violence and child deaths, the Commission recommends that States treat this as a broad public health issue and call for better coordination between child welfare agencies and law enforcement. Cross-agency collaboration will allow social workers to use law enforcement data to find the most at-risk children and intervene when necessary to protect the child. Just as we would take action to stop disease before it kills the patient, we can and we must intervene when a child's life is at risk. However, the Commission also notes that the most successful interventions are the ones that prevent a crisis from happening in the first place. Not all of these interventions involve foster care or removing a child. Early intervention of the most at-risk families will allow social workers to tailor and deliver the most effective interventions for each family, and even sometimes small interventions early on can make the biggest difference. The report makes clear that crisis breeds crisis. It is the self-perpetuating, repetitive cycle. Parents suffering from mental health issues or drug addiction are much more likely to harm or kill their child. The stresses of unemployment and poverty are also linked with child abuse, neglect, and death. Madam Speaker, States need to engage in an all-of-the-above approach to child safety. We must also ensure that funding is in place to allow for meaningful interventions. Child welfare agencies need to be held accountable for results, and empowered to deliver services and interventions to at-risk children and families when they are required. Despite these challenges, I would like to close on a hopeful note, embodied in the title of the report itself: Within Our Reach. Madam Speaker, we can put a stop to these tragic deaths. Law enforcement, child welfare, and community groups have to work together to provide a network of support and intervention for families and children at risk of abuse. We in Congress have to fully fund these agencies and empower them to deliver meaningful change. Madam Speaker, the time to act is now.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today we mark Equal Pay Day, the day when women's wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that in the United States today, women earn on average 79 cents for every dollar that a man makes. For women of color, this gap is even wider, 61 cents for African American women and 55 cents for Latinas. This pay gap is harming working families in every State, particularly harmful to the two-thirds of families where women are the primary breadwinners. Lower paychecks mean less money for groceries, less money for rent, less money for child care or other necessities. Mr. Speaker, this has to change. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would make it easier for women to win pay discrimination cases and harder for companies to justify unequal salaries. I urge Republican leaders to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 111, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I am truly honored and pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 3601, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7715 Post Road, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, as the Melvoid J. Benson Post Office Building. As my colleague stated, for more than 50 years Mel Benson has been a consummate public servant, dedicating her time to educating our youth, fighting for social justice, building up our communities, and giving back to her friends and neighbors. Born Melvoid Estes on February 13, 1930, in Jackson, Tennessee, Mel grew up in the segregated South, but that did not stop her from pursuing an education and becoming active in politics. Her father worked for the railroad, and her mother was a teacher. According to Mel, they both instilled in her the importance of education. ``Every generation,'' they said, ``must do better than the last.'' Mel took their advice to heart and made education a priority. She graduated from high school in 1947 and went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Lane College in social science with a minor in education. Two years later she married her high school sweetheart, Arnathia ``Ben'' Benson, who joined the Navy after college. Mel taught her first class at an all-Black school in Madison County. However, as a Navy wife, she wouldn't stay in Tennessee for long. She and her husband were eventually stationed at Quonset Naval Base in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, which would become Mel's new home and a community she would forever change for the better. After moving to Rhode Island in the 1960s, Mel taught in the North Kingstown school system for 25 years. She educated students at Hamilton Elementary, the former Quonset Elementary; Davisville Middle School; and Wickford Middle School. Every student she taught was touched by her wisdom and guidance. According to Matthew Leonard, chairman of the North Kingstown Democratic Town Committee, who had Mel as a teacher in the eighth grade, she possessed a wonderful gift. Her whole focus was education and children,'' Matthew recounted. ``She believed the future is in children, and our greatest goal is to continue on to the next generation.'' She carried that belief all the way to the State house of representatives, where she became the first Black woman elected to the Rhode Island Legislature from the Second Congressional District and the second Black woman elected to the legislature from the entire State. According to Mel, she never thought of herself as a Black woman in the statehouse. She was there to do the work of the people. That is exactly what she did, proudly representing the town of North Kingstown for 14 years. I was fortunate enough to serve with Mel in the statehouse and she made a wonderful teammate and friend. She always spoke her mind and knew how to get things done. As State Senator James Sheehan put it, ``Mel could be tough as bricks. When she was after something, she'd let you know it.'' It was that passion that led to some of her proudest accomplishments as a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, including her early involvement with the planning and development of Quonset Business Park and particularly the rehabilitation of the old Kiefer Park into modern housing. After a distinguished career in the statehouse, Mel was elected to the North Kingstown School Committee, where she served for 8 years, until 2014. At the age of 84, Mel decided not to seek reelection. But 2 years later, she still hasn't lost her spark. Well known for her perseverance, wit, and unmistakable candor, Mel has touched the lives of countless Rhode Islanders--my own included-- and people still love to regale in stories of the great Mama Mel. State Representative Robert Craven, who has known Mel since 1974, described her as someone who just relished the opportunity to be involved in people's lives and make a difference in every capacity, as a wife, a mother, a schoolteacher, a State representative, and a School Committee member. Beth Cullen, who considers Mel like a mother, characterized Mel's impact upon our community perfectly: ``She really taught North Kingstown a lesson that it doesn't matter what you look like. It's what you do; and she lived it every day.'' Madam Speaker, I couldn't agree more. Mel has truly dedicated her life to public service. Whether it was at the statehouse, in the School Committee chambers, or in the classroom, she has always put the best interests of Rhode Island and its young people first. I would like to thank Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for their work in bringing this legislation to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Mel Benson for a lifetime of distinguished service and achievement by supporting H.R. 3601, designating the North Kingstown Post Office as the Melvoid J. Benson Post Office Building.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today we learned of the Obama administration's decision to renegotiate a set of export controls that could have been hugely detrimental to our national security. I want to thank President Obama for his leadership on cybersecurity generally and specifically on this issue. In 2013, Wassenaar member states added intrusion software to the list of export-controlled products. While the addition was well-intentioned, since we certainly do not want companies making a profit selling hacking tools to repressive regimes, the language used was simply too broad and encompassed vital cybersecurity tools and even fundamental vulnerability research. The plan to renegotiate is the culmination of a months-long process involving industry, a number of agencies, and 124 of my colleagues in this Chamber. Mr. Speaker, I deeply appreciate the work of the Bureau of Industry and Security in shepherding this process and the National Security Council for pushing for its resolution. Now, we still have work to do with our international partners, but today is a validation of our ability to come together, government and industry, to address difficult challenges in cybersecurity policy. This is a good news story.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to correct the Record regarding my vote during yesterday's consideration of the Democratic motion to recommit on H.R. 3293, rollcall 69. While my vote was recorded as ``no,'' it was my intention to vote ``aye,'' as I strongly support scientific research into causes and the prevention of gun violence.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am pleased to join the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), my good friend, in recognition of CTE Month. Across the country, students are using CTE programs to seek out career pathways, hone 21st century skills, and find good jobs. Unfortunately, while demand has increased for CTE, Federal funding has been reduced from its high level in 2010 of $1.3 billion. It is time, Madam Speaker, that we reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to deliver student-centered education that provides the right skills for successful careers. We have the opportunity to remake Perkins in a way that works for the new economy in the 21st century. I urge my colleagues to seize this chance. As Rhode Island's Governor, Gina Raimondo, has put it aptly, it is time to invest in skills that matter and work that pays.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the President announced his Cybersecurity National Action Plan in conjunction with his 2017 budget proposal. This proposal starts with a much-needed investment in Federal cybersecurity: a 35 percent increase in spending anchored by a $3.1 billion revolving fund designed to kick-start the modernization of outdated government IT systems--something that is sorely needed. The Action Plan is notable for its emphasis on centralizing Federal cybersecurity, something I have long called for. While the CISO created under the plan does not have all authorities I think the position requires, it is certainly a step in the right direction. The plan also makes needed investments in workforce development, including the very successful CyberCorps program, and charters a Presidential commission to do more long-range planning in the domain. I commend the President's effort, which reflects an appropriately strategic adjustment to the breach of Office of Personnel Management systems last year; however, I hope we will leverage this increased attention to address the challenges of tomorrow, not just those of yesterday.