Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to RADM David Hahn, U.S. Navy, as he completes a 35-year naval career and retires from serving as the Chief of Naval Research. RADM Hahn was responsible for the operations of the Naval Research Enterprise, which comprises more than 4,000 people in 23 locations and more than 1,000 partners. Over the course of his career, RADM Hahn excelled in all facets of being a Naval Officer. He served as the commanding officer of the USS Pittsburgh and served at sea aboard the USS Casimir Pulaski, USS William H. Bates, and USS Springfield. Ashore, he served as flag lieutenant to Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy; squadron engineer, Submarine Development Squadron 12; action officer, Joint Staff in the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Directorate; and as a legislative fellow on the staff of U.S. Senator John Warner. His vision to create a truly unified Naval Research Enterprise helped align, allocate, and accelerate the advancement of knowledge and improve the delivery of new capabilities to Sailors and Marines. His vision of a dominant fighting force now and in the future served as an inspiration to the thousands of members of the Naval Research Enterprise who directly support the warfighter. Reminding all stakeholders that the Naval Research Enterprise mission is ``Future Naval Power,'' RADM Hahn reinvigorated the structure of the Office of Naval Research and brought a cohesive vision with three key messages: Invest in the right scientists to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps are always linked to scientific discovery. Provide a steady infusion of relevant technology into existing programs of record, and Disrupt an adversary's calculus through innovative capabilities. Among his many achievements, Rear Adm. Hahn revamped the Future Naval Capabilities and Innovative Prototypes processes to more effectively and more quickly field new capabilities. Through these efforts, Rear Adm. Hahn successfully deployed 20 Future Naval Capabilities and one Innovative Naval Prototype to the Navy and Marine Corps, including the Navy's first directed energy weapon system onboard the USS Portland (LPD-27). His selfless commitment to serving our nation has left us safer and better prepared to respond to threats around the world. We wish him the very best in retirement after an impressive and impactful career. Fair winds and following seas, Admiral Hahn.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of this resolution and commend Chairman McGovern for overseeing this deliberative and well thought-out process. The proposed changes to the House rules are absolutely necessary to ensure that Members of Congress can continue our vital legislative and oversight functions while protecting public health. Now, I strongly believe that we need a more comprehensive, full e- Congress capability to be developed for conducting congressional business in the future only in times of emergency if we are unable to meet in Washington, D.C. However, I also believe that there are very real cybersecurity concerns that must be addressed before such a system will go live. In the meantime, this resolution appropriately allows for in-person proxy voting during the duration of this public health emergency, and it holds open the possibility of remote voting if a secure system can be developed and verified for full House floor proceedings. In the meantime, this step, of course, cannot be the end of our conversations on continuity of Congress. We do need a permanent framework that will account for remote congressional operations in the event or possibility of death or incapacitation of a significant number of representatives. This is the 21st century. We should be able to do this in the future. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman McGovern to address this issue going forward.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 70th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF). As the world responds to the novel coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to invest in science and the next generation of scientists who will lead us through future global challenges. My state is proud to be home to one of the eight NSF-funded Mathematical Sciences Institutes--the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM). In early 2019, scientists gathered at the Institute to study mathematical models related to treatment and prevention of infectious disease, research that has become glaringly necessary in light of the COVlD-19 pandemic. Investments like this are vital to prepare us for future challenges to Americans' health and welfare and are why I continue to champion America's research enterprise. I hope you will join with me in celebrating the many accomplishments of NSF over the last 70 years, as well as the crucial work it continues to do.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. COVID-19 is a crisis with few parallels in world history. Yet I have been amazed by the resilience of my fellow Rhode Islanders: the tenacity of our small businesses and the dedication and bravery of our frontline healthcare workers. This bill is for them. It refills the coffers of the Paycheck Protection Program, which is a vital lifeline for so many small businesses. Thanks to House Democrats' efforts, it backstops our hospitals, community health centers, and nursing homes and funds the nationwide testing strategy. This cannot be the end of the work of Congress to help Americans weather the storm, but it is another vital step as we confront this crisis.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I rise to recognize National CTE Month. CTE programs, like those at the Genesis Center in my home State of Rhode Island, show the promise of economic opportunities for CTE students of all ages. Cindy's story is a great example. She was unemployed when she enrolled in the Genesis Center's Pharmacy Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Program at CVS, and before she completed her training, Cindy was offered a job. She then went on to get her Pharmacy 2 certificate, and she currently holds a full-time position in the Lifespan Health System. Cindy's story is just one of many CTE successes, and I am so proud to honor her and the millions of other students and educators this month. Madam Speaker, I am also pleased to recognize my good friend and CTE Caucus co-chair, GT Thompson, for his leadership in advancing CTE policy in Congress. GT's partnership has been absolutely invaluable, and I look forward to continuing our work together this month and beyond.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Gun Violence Survivors Week and the countless Americans whose lives have been impacted by gun violence across the country. This issue is personal to me, as it is for so many others. When I was 16 years old, as a young police cadet, an accidental gunshot left me paralyzed. Last week, I had the honor of spending time with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, our colleague, in my home State of Rhode Island. Gabby's life was forever changed by a gunman in 2011, but she never stopped fighting. She spoke of the courage it takes to stop gun violence, courage that she embodies every single day. So, to the parents, children, students, teachers, and countless others who have lost loved ones to gun violence or faced gun violence themselves, I encourage you to keep fighting. Together, we can reform our gun laws and keep guns out of the wrong hands and save others from tragedy.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, this week we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and honor Holocaust survivors and those who lost their lives during this terrible period of history. Horrible atrocities were visited upon millions of innocent souls, driven by fear, hatred and oppression. Seventy-five years later, as anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of bigotry continue to plague our society, we are reminded that we cannot be silent in the face of intolerance or discrimination. Earlier this week, I was proud to support the Never Again Education Act, which will help educate the next generation about the genocide that occurred during the Holocaust and the dangers of allowing hatred to go unchallenged. As we reflect on this moment in history, let us set an example by condemning senseless acts of aggression and intolerance and, instead, encouraging equality and inclusion and honoring our enduring pledge: ``Never Again.''

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Comprehensive CREDIT Act, which we will be considering very soon. It will help bring much-needed accountability to credit reporting agencies and protect consumers from fraud and abusive lending. Far too often, I hear of Rhode Islanders who have suffered as a result of credit reports with inaccurate or adverse information. The impacts are serious. They can prevent an individual from getting a job, taking out a mortgage, or acquiring student loans that they need to go to college. Yet, when they need to dispute an error, credit reporting agencies make it near impossible. Mr. Speaker, the system is broken, and the Comprehensive CREDIT Act will provide long-overdue reforms to address these systemic issues. This bill will ensure Americans have the information they need to protect themselves from fraud; opportunities and a mechanism to dispute any errors, and to get them fixed; and protection from predatory lenders. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I thank Congresswoman Pressley and Chairwoman Waters for bringing it to the floor later today.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his exceptional leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Age is just a number. We hear that all the time, and there is so much truth to it. Yet, each year, too many Americans over the age of 40 face discrimination at the office. In fact, AARP reports that over half of older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination. Congress outlawed workplace discrimination against older Americans over 50 years ago in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. However, due to a misguided 2009 Supreme Court ruling, older Americans still face negative employment actions. As the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission acknowledged in 2018, ``Age discrimination remains a significant and costly problem for workers, their families, and our economy.'' This is simply unacceptable, and it is wrong. Employees over the age of 40 bring talent, experience, and wisdom to an office. Additionally, these workers are more likely to stay at their companies. On average, Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 stick with their employers three times as long as employees aged 25 to 34. Even more disheartening is the effect age discrimination has on disabled workers. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record a letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities in support of the bill. Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities, Jan. 15, 2020. Dear Member of Congress: As co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Rights Task Force, we write to urge you to support passage of H.R. 1230, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. We attach our letter of June 10, 2019 in support of the bill. CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self- determination, independence, integration, and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. Sincerely, Jennifer Mathis, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Samantha Crane, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. Co-Chairs, CCD Rights Task Force. Heather Ansley, Paralyzed Veterans of America. Kelly Buckland, National Council on Independent Living.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, as it outlines, people with disabilities already face significant barriers to competitive, integrated employment, and we cannot allow another barrier to remain in their way. Mr. Chair, I am proud to vote in favor of strengthening the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and I thank my good friend, Chairman Scott, for championing this effort. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in restoring justice for American workers and voting in favor of final passage.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, every young person needs a mentor, someone to provide real-life guidance as they navigate the challenging, formative years of youth. Mentoring is closely linked with positive behaviors, including school attendance, regular volunteering, and college enrollment. Unfortunately, one in three young people in America is growing up without a mentor. During National Mentoring Month this January, I rise to honor the organizations, mentors, and others who are working every day to close this gap--organizations like MENTOR Rhode Island and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island. I am proud to represent them as a member of the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus and to push for strong funding for youth mentoring each and every year. Madam Speaker, our young people are our most precious resource, and it is our duty to support them and the mentors who help them thrive.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague Representative Slotkin's resolution regarding war powers. First and foremost, I am extremely grateful that the Iranian ballistic missile attacks on A1 Asad Air Base and Erbil resulted in zero injuries or casualties to our U.S. servicemembers or Iraqi allies. As always, I will continue to prioritize the safety of our deployed government officials, servicemembers, and contractors. Madam Speaker, let me be clear: Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist, and I hope his removal from the battlefield will, in fact, improve U.S. security in the long run. That being said, in the wake of the strike on Soleimani, let us not forget that we invest in our highly capable military to promote stability, not to undermine it. Our Founding Fathers made abundantly clear in the Constitution that only Congress has the power to authorize use of military force. This resolution that we will be voting on later today is a necessary step to ensure deescalation with Iran while we await a clear strategy from the administration on how the President's actions will reduce the chances of Iran becoming a nuclear state. U.S. Forces will always retain the inherent right to self-defense; however, any further military actions that can lead to war will require congressional authorization.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, our Nation was founded on certain principles: that government should be of, by, and for the people; that a system of three coequal branches of government would provide the checks and balances necessary to ensure the people's voices are heard; and that no one is above the law. Today, sadly, we are voting to impeach President Donald John Trump because he has fundamentally broken his covenant with the American people. In doing so, we are using the powers the Founding Fathers enshrined in the Constitution to address a President who has violated his oath of office. The evidence is clear and the facts are not in question: President Trump has consistently engaged in a pattern of behavior inconsistent with the rule of law; He has refused to take responsibility for his actions; He has undermined the checks and balances we rely on by obstructing Congress at every turn; And, most importantly, he has abused his power by using his office to solicit foreign interference in our elections, undermining the will of the people. So, on this sad day for our Nation, I will do what the President has so often failed to do: I will fulfill my oath to support and defend the Constitution, and I will vote in favor of impeachment.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to congratulate and thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on the House Armed Services Committee, as well as Ranking Member Thornberry. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the conference report to accompany the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. I was honored to be a conferree, and I am very proud that we have concluded our work on this defense bill and reached bipartisan consensus in support of our national security and our servicemembers. I am particularly pleased with the provisions that are under the oversight of the Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, which I am honored to chair. I also want to thank my subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Stefanik, for her contributions to this bill and her bipartisan participation and partnership throughout the process, and our wonderful staff for all their work to make this happen. In the IETC portfolio, this bill supports a robust Department of Defense science and technology ecosystem to deliver the best capabilities to the warfighter while protecting critical technologies. It provides for additional investments in emerging technologies like 5G and additive manufacturing and supports educational programs to strengthen the STEM workforce and improve ties with historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions. On the cybersecurity front, we strengthen oversight of military operations, synchronize efforts, and leverage best practices to improve the Department's network, industrial base, and military installation cybersecurity. This bill also reflects our IETC priorities that Special Operations Forces remain professional, ethical, agile, and postured for high-end missions and that the Defense Intelligence Enterprise is oriented to provide maximum support to Department requirements. I am especially pleased that this bill continues to support the production of the Virginia-class submarine program and the Virginia Payload Modules as well as the Columbia-class submarine program, which are shining examples of Rhode Island's contributions to our national security. This bill supports our servicemembers with a pay raise and demonstrates a strong commitment, also, to families by providing all Federal workers with paid parental leave. Madam Speaker, there is a lot to be proud of in this bill. I thank Chairman Smith, again, for his leadership and Ranking Member Thornberry, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and a member of the Adoption Caucus, I rise to recognize National Adoption Month. Mr. Speaker, all children deserve the love and security of a family, but for the 125,000 youth waiting to be adopted from foster care, that most basic of human needs can seem so out of reach. Through the Foster Youth Caucus, we try to shine a spotlight on these youth, as well as the adoptive families that open their hearts and homes to children in need. Ted and Teena Sullivan are two such adoptive parents from my home State of Rhode Island. Ted is also the senior director of Mission Advancement for Bethany Christian Services, and I was honored to recognize him as a 2019 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Angel in Adoption last week. Mr. Speaker, adoptive parents like Ted and Teena give children in need the most important gift: a forever family. Let them be our example this National Adoption Month as we recommit to serving our most vulnerable youth.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I'm pleased to recognize the fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week. For over 80 years, the Registered Apprenticeship system has helped train the next generation of skilled workers. By combining paid on-the- job training with related classroom instruction, apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn, preparing them for high-skill, high- paying jobs in in-demand industries. This model has been particularly successful in the building trades, which have used registered apprenticeships to train their skilled workforce for decades. Moving forward, as we make investments to rebuild our nation's infrastructure, it will be even more important to support registered apprenticeships in the building trades and other related industries. I'm a proud cosponsor of Congressman Pocan's legislation, the Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act, which would establish a national apprenticeship advisory council and support the development of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that lead to postsecondary degrees. In my home state of Rhode Island, apprenticeships culminating in postsecondary degrees are very successful. At Quonset Point, Electric Boat operates an apprenticeship program in partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island. Electric Boat apprentices training in the maritime pipe and structural trades will finish the program with both a certificate and an Associate's degree, ready for a high-paying career. Apprenticeships are crucial workforce development tools that yield positive returns for students, workers, and businesses alike, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue supporting these programs.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in schools across my home State of Rhode Island and across the country, career counselors provide students with the guidance they need to navigate their academic and career pathways. It is therefore critical that these counselors have up-to-date information about all the options available to their students, including career and technical education, or CTE. When counselors ensure students are aware of high-quality CTE programs and local workforce trends, they can make informed choices about their futures, whether that means pursuing a bachelor's degree or an apprenticeship. That is why, during National Career Development Week, I am proud to introduce the Counseling for Career Choice Act with my good friend and CTE Caucus co-chair, ``GT'' Thompson. Our bipartisan bill would encourage States to develop career counseling frameworks with the input of educators, businesses, and other community leaders to provide counselors with the resources and training to best support their students. That will ultimately help lead to them reaching their career goals in life. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor our legislation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in Rhode Island and across the country, the manufacturing industry employs Americans in high-paying, high- skilled jobs while driving innovation and bolstering our national defense. Unfortunately, manufacturers in my home State have informed me that they can't find enough qualified candidates to fill job openings, and their current workforce is aging. This is something that is facing manufacturers, I know, across the country. To address this challenge, I have been a strong advocate for career and technical education, and yesterday, I introduced the Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Act. This bill, which is a companion to my good friend Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's bill in the Senate, will help manufacturers train new workers by providing funds to retain retiring employees long enough to train their replacements. Our Nation's manufacturers are a cornerstone of our economy, and I am proud to introduce this bill during Manufacturing Month to build the next generation of skilled workers.

Mr. LANGEVIN

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

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, it is quite evident that our democracy is under attack from concerted foreign influence campaigns, and online disinformation is one of our enemies' most potent weapons. Starting in 2013, Russian operatives associated with the Internet Research Agency waged a robust and systematic influence campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter that reached millions of users in the United States. These operatives used political advertisements and falsified news articles and other content in an attempt to deceive social media users, widen our political and social divisions, and weaken our confidence and participation in the democratic process. Their efforts, particularly surrounding the 2016 election, were disturbingly successful. About 60 percent of Americans who prefer getting their news through social media say they have shared false information. Additionally, public confidence in our democracy is low, and we are perhaps more polarized than ever before. With the 2020 elections right around the corner, we must act now to build up our resilience to these efforts and ensure Americans are informed, critical consumers of online content. Voters must view online political advertising with a discerning eye and be able to make educated decisions based on the content that they consume. This amendment, Madam Chair, to the SHIELD Act would direct the FEC to commission a study on Americans' media literacy skills, including the ability to critically evaluate sources and responsibly share information. It would require a report on the impact of media literacy education on how Americans consume and understand online political content, with a focus on political advertisements. The study would also include recommendations to improve voters' resilience to disinformation. A functioning democracy depends on informed citizens who can responsibly participate in the political process, and the unquestioning consumption and sharing of disinformation online undermines the integrity of this system. My amendment will help shed light on the skills Americans need to resist these malicious campaigns. Renee Hobbs, the director of Media Education Lab in Rhode Island and a professor at the University of Rhode Island, puts it plainly: ``Learning to recognize and resist propaganda and disinformation is an essential dimension of education in a digital age. After all, it is the only long-term strategy that embodies our country's vital democratic traditions of robust dialogue and debate in the marketplace of ideas.'' Professor Hobbs is right, and as more and more Americans rely on social media to get their news, media literacy is becoming ever more important. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment so we can explore how best to build up our citizens' resilience to foreign online influence campaigns. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, if only my colleague had actually read and understood the bill, he would know that it is an independent study. I think that would make a difference in how, perhaps, he felt about the bill. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin).

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Chair, to address my colleague's point, again, it is not the FEC that is going to do the study. It is an independent study that will be done, be commissioned to be concluded, and that would be the final product, not the FEC. So, with that, Russia's election interference efforts in 2016 were sweeping and damaging, and we know that social media was one of their greatest weapons. As the 2020 elections approach, and for future elections, we must ensure that our citizens are resilient to foreign influence companies by arming them with the skills to be critical consumers of online political content. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to study media literacy and its impact on American voters--again, an independent study that will be commissioned. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a pillar of New England's law enforcement community. Don Kennedy served with honor in the Rhode Island State Police for 24 years before retiring as a captain in 1998. When he left the force, he did not leave his brethren in blue, though. Rather, for more than two decades, he has guided the work of the New England State Police Information Network, or NESPIN. As deputy director of field services, he helped departments across the Nation with investigations, and he will be retiring as executive director of the program. Don has been a great advocate for the Federal Regional Information Sharing Systems program that helps fund NESPIN. From Don, I have learned the immense value of networking State police resources, and my friend Mr. King from New York and I have helped ensure the program is appropriately funded by Congress. Don's legacy will live on in the RISS programs that he has helped support and the communities made safer by them. As a fellow Rhode Islander, I wish him the best of luck in this exciting, new, and forthcoming chapter of his life as he enters retirement.