Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, exactly 7 years after the Affordable Care Act became law, we now anticipate a vote this week on a Republican plan to gut it. Mr. Speaker, the ACA expanded health coverage to 20 million people and expanded Medicaid to help our most vulnerable populations, changes that resulted in coverage for more than 100,000 Rhode Islanders. Last week, I joined Democratic colleagues at a hearing to discuss the Republican plan, a hearing Republicans should have organized to assess the impact of their bill, which CBO estimates will result in 14 million additional uninsured by 2018 and 24 million people losing their health insurance by 2026. Mr. Speaker, the Republican plan is not the solution to strengthen our health system. It ignores the sick, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. Mr. Speaker, Americans cannot benefit from the systemic changes in care delivery, the breakthrough treatments of tomorrow, or improved access to today's therapies if the Republican plan is passed. Mr. Speaker, we should be working in a bipartisan way to improve the Affordable Care Act, not gutting it.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the mission of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, now under attack by the Trump administration. An assault on NOAA, Mr. Speaker, is an assault on science. NOAA is a data-driven organization with proven research in the public interest. NOAA defends our coasts from the surges we have seen from Sandy, Irene, and other storms. NOAA's satellites keep watch day and night, providing up-to-the-second data to farmers, forecasters, and fishermen. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the Trump administration's denial of climate damage, but I do not understand it. Defunding NOAA, as the President's budget purportedly does, does not make our climate problems simply go away. The mission of NOAA isn't just about our environment. American businesses rely on its data every day to give them an economic advantage. After all, there is a reason NOAA is in the Department of Commerce to begin with.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 153, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye.'' Stated against:

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply troubled and disappointed that Republicans have chosen to move forward with their plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act rather than working in a bipartisan fashion to improve this landmark legislation. Republicans have had 7 years to work across the aisle to find solutions. Instead, they have chosen to ignore the ACA's success in pursuit of their single-minded focus on gutting the law. They have voted over 60 times to repeal the ACA. Could not even one of those votes have been to try to improve it if they saw these shortcomings? Mr. Speaker, the ACA expanded healthcare access to over 100,000 Rhode Islanders and 20 million people nationwide who otherwise did not have health insurance. Unfortunately, the Republican proposal jeopardizes the comprehensive, affordable, quality coverage Americans received under the ACA. Mr. Speaker, the Republican plan will lead to higher costs and less accessible coverage, and it will strain, not strengthen, our healthcare system. Their plan disproportionately harms seniors, people with disabilities, and those who rely on Medicaid. I have long said, Mr. Speaker, that the ACA isn't perfect, but it is an important first step toward fulfilling our Nation's promise of compassion and opportunity because health care is a necessity. It is something that is a right, not a privilege. Unfortunately, the Republicans' American Health Care Act will break this fundamental promise by undermining the healthcare coverage of millions.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on February 14, 1917, the Diocese of Providence, the Dominican Friars of the Providence of St. Joseph, and the State of Rhode Island established Providence College. Like our great Nation, Providence College was founded on principles of tolerance and acceptance. Its charter states that no student shall be denied admission or honors due to religious opinion. One hundred years later, Americans would do well to follow this example. Led by Reverend Brian Shanley, the president of this outstanding academic institution, Providence College continues to enrich the lives of its students and the State of Rhode Island. It is a leader in research and academic excellence, and its scholars encourage young people to question the world around them and serve their communities. The Ocean State is fortunate to be home to such a venerable institution. As a lifelong Rhode Islander, I am so proud to celebrate its centennial and recognize its continued success today. Happy 100th anniversary, Providence College.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to join the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), my friend and co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, to recognize February as Career and Technical Education Month. In Rhode Island and across the country right now, employers are struggling to find workers with the skills that they need to fill jobs in STEM, in manufacturing, in IT, and so many other skilled trades. Hundreds of thousands of high-skilled, high-paying jobs are open right now, going unfilled, and this number is growing. To close the skills gap, we must better align education and industry to make sure that what we are teaching in classrooms is better meeting the needs of real-world companies right now. We must increase work- based learning and build education pathways to help students become career and college-ready. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support investment in CTE in the 115th Congress, including by reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to adapt our workforce to the 21st century economy. Mr. Speaker, this act passed with strong, bipartisan support in the last Congress, and I hope we can quickly bring it up again to pass it with strong bipartisan support in this Congress as well. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for his leadership.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National School Counseling Week and in honor of the many dedicated school counselors in Rhode Island and across the Nation, every day, school counselors are out on the front lines helping our students navigate their educational and career pathways. They provided advice and support during the most formative years of students' lives, helping them develop the skills to succeed in school, in the workforce, and in life. Unfortunately, in too many schools across the country, students do not have access to school counselors and counselors do not have the resources they need to do their jobs. Mr. Speaker, it is Congress' responsibility to provide schools and counselors with the funding that they need to properly educate and guide our Nation's youth. In recognition of National School Counseling Week, I ask my colleagues to join me in renewing our promise to fulfill that responsibility. Our students, Mr. Speaker, are depending on us.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, ``Never stop believing.'' Those words are going to be on the front page of The Providence Journal tomorrow morning. Like all true tests of faith, last night's Super Bowl wasn't easy going, and there were times, I have to say, when I was tempted to throw up my hands and just go to bed, but I followed the words of our quarterback and--oh, boy--was I rewarded. What a game. If there were any doubts, Mr. Speaker, about who the greatest quarterback of all time is, Tom Brady answered them last night; if there were any who questioned whether Bill Belichick was the best coach on the planet, this morning, they are silent; and I am sure they would all admonish me if I didn't say that football is a team sport. So, for those who had not yet been satisfied that the amazing string of successes my New England Patriots put together makes them the NFL's finest team, Super Bowl LI speaks for itself. Mr. Speaker, it was truly a team effort, and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Bob Kraft and to the entire Patriots franchise. Congratulations, Patriots and Patriots Nation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 40, disapproving of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) rulemaking on the Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. While I have reservations about the rule, I do not believe the Congressional Review Act is the way to fix it. Under the rule, individuals with a severe, long-term mental disorder who SSA determines are unable to manage their benefits would be placed on the NICS list and prohibited from purchasing a firearm. That tens of thousands of Americans die each year due to gun violence is unconscionable, and I do believe that the government has a role to play in alleviating this public health crisis. However, as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I understand the concerns of many mental health and disability rights advocates that this rule also has the potential to perpetuate the stigma that people with psychiatric or intellectual disabilities are more prone to violence, when they are often more likely to be the victims of violence. I also believe the due process procedures in this rule can and should be strengthened. Nonetheless, I believe these concerns can be addressed without resorting to the Congressional Review Act, and I cannot support this resolution of disapproval. This is particularly true as passage of the resolution of disapproval could limit SSA's future regulatory activity in this area and could discourage other ongoing efforts to improve gun safety laws. I look forward to working with both the disability community and the Administration to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities while maintaining the integrity of the rulemaking process.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, there are so many ways to describe Mr. Milton Bronstein. He is a kind and generous person, who is always willing to lend a hand when he sees a friend in need. He is a committed and hardworking public servant who puts service above self. He is a capable and respected labor leader who dedicated much of his life to improving conditions for Rhode Island workers. He was a devoted husband to his late wife, Claire. He is a wonderful father to Harvey, Andrew, and Cindy. And to me and to so many other Rhode Islanders, Milton--who today turns 100 years old--is a steadfast and dependable friend. Milton's career started in the Department of Treasury, where he would remain for three decades. He is perhaps best known, however, for his work as a labor organizer, serving as the first president of Rhode Island's AFSCME Chapter, Council 94. Countless laborers in my home state of Rhode Island are better off thanks to his tireless work, and when you speak to labor organizers today, it is clear that Milton has set the gold standard of how to effectively lead. After stepping down as Council 94 president, Milton jumped right back into action, serving as the retiree chapter's vice president until he retired just last year at the age of 99. Even today, at 100 years old, Milton remains a trusted mentor and adviser to many in the labor movement and in public service. I want to wish a very happy birthday to Milton as he celebrates 100 years of a life well lived. Milton, has been a changemaker in our state and in the lives of those of us who have been lucky enough to know him and work with him. I cannot thank him enough for his service and for his support through the years. Rhode Island owes him a debt of gratitude. Happy birthday.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 612, the United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2017. Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking Chairman Ratcliffe for his leadership on the subcommittee and, in particular, on the issue of cybersecurity. I have greatly enjoyed our partnership on this and many issues. I appreciate his due diligence and his hard work on many national security issues. Let me also start by expressing my deep gratitude to Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson in acting so quickly to bring this bill to the floor. Both the chairman and ranking member led a very productive committee last Congress, and I am very pleased that their commitment to protect our national security has extended to swift action this year as well. That urgency is particularly relevant to this bill, the United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act. As Chairman Ratcliffe mentioned, last May, he and I traveled to Israel to meet with public and private cybersecurity officials. I think I can speak for my friend when I say that we were very impressed by the Israeli's efforts in this space. Israel was one of the first countries to recognize the potential threat posed by interconnected computer systems, and they have been leaders in cybersecurity now for decades. For instance, the first stateful firewall technology was first developed by an Israeli firm. Today, these firewalls are ubiquitous across the information security landscape. In fact, despite its size, Israel is the second largest exporter of cybersecurity goods and services, behind only the United States. U.S. companies have certainly taken notice. Mr. Ratcliffe and I, as he mentioned, met with some of their representatives during our trip. Just last week, Reuters reported that one of the components of Microsoft's $1 billion per year cybersecurity strategy is acquisition of three Israeli corporations. Collaboration with our closest Middle East ally only makes sense from a national security perspective. Preserving Israeli security is essential to stability in the region. We clearly have a lot to learn from each other as well, which is why I have championed government-to-government interaction on cybersecurity, such as the recent letter of intent for more information-sharing between DHS and Israel that was championed by former Deputy Secretary Mayorkas. Beyond our governments working together, Chairman Ratcliffe and I also believe the government can do more to encourage collaboration between our private sector and nonprofit entities on issues directly relevant to homeland security. That is why, upon our return, we worked in close collaboration to develop two bills to enhance these cooperative relationships. I could not have asked for a better partnership in this effort. I was thrilled that our first bill, the United States-Israel Advanced Research Partnership Act, was signed into law last month. It is our second bill, which passed the House in November, but failed to make it through the Senate before Congress adjourned last year, that we are discussing today. Specifically, this bill creates a cybersecurity grant program for joint research and development ventures between Israeli and American entities. Projects would be selected after a merit review process and would have to address requirements in cybersecurity determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The grants would also be subject to a cost-sharing requirement, with at least 50 percent of project funds coming from a non-Federal source. Importantly, H.R. 612 leverages existing United States-Israel R&D infrastructure, specifically the Binational Industrial Research and Development, or BIRD Foundation, and the Binational Science Foundation, or BSF. Both organizations have a proven track record of encouraging joint research ventures. BIRD, for instance, has financed R&D and commercialization projects that have led to a cumulative $8 billion in commercial sales since its founding, while BSF regularly funds collaborations between the top scientists in our respective countries as 45 Nobel laureates have received support from the Foundation. Now, using the existing infrastructure, as was done in 2007 when Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act that led to the creation of BIRD Energy, also allows us to capitalize on both foundations' robust networks of United States and Israeli entities to help seed these joint ventures. All of these factors are particularly critical in the fast-moving cybersecurity domain where offensive and defensive tactics and techniques change on a monthly or even weekly basis. As such, advances in the discipline require a near constant reexamining of assumptions, and having people from different backgrounds and security cultures working together engenders an environment where such reexamination is encouraged. While both the U.S. and Israel have robust cybersecurity communities, further collaboration will spur more advances to combat the threats that we face. Although some of these advances are technological in nature, basic cybersecurity research, such as investigations into the psychology of secure interface design and social engineering, is also supported by the bill. All told, the programs authorized in H.R. 612 will both address urgent homeland security needs and build capacity for further transnational collaboration on cybersecurity, all while matching Federal investment with private sector dollars and funds from the Israeli Government. Mr. Speaker, I normally preface my remarks on cybersecurity with an explanation of the threat our country faces. I would hope that, given recent events, I don't have to remind my colleagues of the dangers that we face in this sphere which, as I see it, is one of the key national security challenges of the 21st century. I would hope that incidents like the recent attack on the Ukrainian power grid demonstrate the power of a computer keyboard to affect our critical infrastructure. I would hope that the breach of hundreds of millions of accounts at Yahoo, which affected around 10 percent of the world's population, demonstrates how pervasive data collection is and its vulnerabilities. I would certainly hope that the Russian information warfare operations targeting the very foundations of our democracy, our elections, demonstrate the stakes that we face. In the face of these threats, we must join together with our allies to protect a free and open internet and ensure that the amazing benefits of technology are not overshadowed by the new vulnerabilities that they open up. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 612 is an important step to driving the innovation we need in the security space to meet these two goals. As with any bills that make it to the floor, this bill owes much to the dedicated staff on both sides of the aisle who spent countless hours behind the scenes reviewing this legislation. I thank them for their extraordinary and exceptional work. I am also very grateful, again, to Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Richmond for their continued leadership on cybersecurity and, in particular, Chairman Ratcliffe for his work and for their assistance in quickly actualizing the lessons that we have learned on our trip to Israel. Finally, in closing, I owe, once again, a debt of gratitude to my friend across the aisle, Chairman Ratcliffe, who, in his first term, immediately had a substantial impact on our Nation's cybersecurity and with whom it has been a great pleasure to work. I look forward to our continued work in this Congress and beyond. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 612 does three things: it encourages innovative approaches to address top priorities in homeland security R&D; it strengthens ties with Israel, one of our closest allies; and it does so in a public-private partnership that matches Federal investment. Mr. Speaker, if you indulge me for a moment, I would like to read something the Saudi Arabian Computer Emergency Response Team put out last week: ``Following a recent cyberattack which targeted several national organizations, this is an urgent call for your cybersecurity team to be on the alert for Shamoon 2 and ransomware attacks that could possibly cripple your organization's systems.'' For those of my colleagues who are not aware, the Shamoon attacks of 2012 took down tens of thousands of computers at the Saudi state oil company, Saudi Aramco. The Shamoon 2 variant has been targeting Saudi Government agencies and private industry since November. I bring this up, Mr. Speaker, because open source intelligence reports point to Iran as being responsible for the original Shamoon attack. I believe there is a good chance that Iranian-aligned actors are behind the recent incidents as well. Our Israeli partners live under this threat every day, and, to be frank, so do we. Last year, the Justice Department indicted seven Iranian hackers for attacks on the U.S. financial sector and for probing the networks of a New York dam. The same threats that leave me unable to sleep keep my friend Dr. Matania, head of the Israel National Cyber Bureau, up at night as well. Closing our aperture of vulnerability will be difficult, Mr. Speaker, but it is possible if we work together to bring our countries' unique perspectives to bear on the problem. I know my colleagues in the Senate share these sentiments, and I hope they will move quickly to take this bill up and start fostering further collaboration as soon as possible. Let me again thank Chairman Ratcliffe for his leadership and his outstanding work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 612. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 66, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I believe that we live in the greatest country on Earth, and I am proud to say so. But I have to say that last week's executive order by President Trump on refugee resettlement is shaking that faith. How can we hold ourselves as a beacon of hope when we turn away tens of thousands of the most desperate and vulnerable of our men, women, and children of this planet? How can we be the light of the world when our policies are driven by darkness and fear? I am going to keep that light alive. I am going to fight to keep it that way because that is what we are, that is what we represent. I am going to fight because I still believe that we are that shining city on the hill. And I am going to fight for my State of Rhode Island, which was founded on the principle of free religious practice, not fear of the other. I am going to fight against injustice with my amazing constituents who joined together for the second weekend in a row of rallying at our State House to keep that light alive. Mr. Speaker, we are a strong country, but we are strong because of our values and our principles embodied in our Constitution. Let's continue to build that shining city on the hill for the world. I am going to continue this fight, and I hope my colleagues will, too.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, 7,000 in Rhode Island, over 500,000 in Washington, and millions across the country, the Women's March was democracy in action this past Saturday, and it filled me with hope, hope for a better future and hope that we can withstand whatever challenges lie ahead as a nation. The scene in Rhode Island was incredible, replicated around the world. I joined millions who gathered and marched to remind us that women's rights are human rights and to support inclusion and equality for all--immigrants, the LGBT community, people of color, people with disabilities, and people of differing faiths and backgrounds. This is the diversity that makes us stronger as a nation, and this is the diversity that President Trump must now represent in a way that is befitting of the honor and dignity of his office. Together, Mr. Speaker, we must hold him accountable to protect opportunity for all Americans, not just a select few, because it is by working together, treating people with dignity and respect that we move America forward. A rising tide lifts all boats, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the rising tide of engagement and passion that we saw on Saturday will lift all Americans.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Mentoring Month and in honor of the youth mentors across Rhode Island and the Nation. Every day, mentors enrich the lives of young people. They are powerful role models who provide essential support for at-risk youth. Just some of examples of the powerful impact that mentors have in the life of young people are that vulnerable young people with mentors are more likely to enroll in college and volunteer more regularly than their peers. They are 46 percent less likely to start using drugs and 52 percent less likely to skip school. They are also more likely to develop self-confidence, form healthy relationships, and cultivate productive habits. Organizations like the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership and Big Brothers Big Sisters lead the way in the Ocean State. Organizations like this and mentors across the country are improving our communities one child at a time, and I am proud to honor them as we recognize National Mentoring Month this January 2017. I encourage more people to step forward and serve as mentors and make a difference in the lives of young people.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LANGEVIN. I am opposed.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to a vote on final passage as amended. Mr. Speaker, the amendment I am offering this afternoon is simple. It would prevent any jurisdiction's swap laws from automatically being considered comparable to the United States if it is found to have engaged in cyber attacks targeting U.S. elections. As someone who has been involved in cybersecurity policy for the better part of a decade, it could not be more relevant, it could not be more timely. During the past year, Mr. Speaker, the core of our democracy came under attack. The Russian Government, acting under the orders of authoritarian President Vladimir Putin, conducted a sustained information warfare campaign designed to undermine the American people's faith in our electoral system. The influence operation involved traditional tradecraft, including Russian state-owned media broadcasters. It also, notably and notoriously, involved the hacking of Democratic Party organizations, including the Democratic National Committee. These are facts, Mr. Speaker. They are the findings of independent security researchers that have been recently confirmed by the brave men and women serving their country as part of the intelligence community for whom I have great respect. The contours of what happened are indisputable, and they should be undisputed. Yet, our response to this unprecedented attack has been anything but unified. Putin and his henchmen acted with an intent to sow discord, to make us question each other's motives, and to raise doubt about the validity of our election results. We know this was Putin's intent, and yet, rather than acting with solidarity to address the problem, we bicker. Mr. Speaker, next Friday, I will be here at the Capitol for one of the greatest American traditions, the peaceful transition of power. Mr. Trump may not have been my choice for President, but, come next week, he will nonetheless be my President. I will join with my colleagues here, and we will congratulate him on his inauguration. We will do so because there is no evidence that any vote tallies were altered and, like it or not, Mr. Trump clearly prevailed in the electoral college. But if we can join together on the election of the President, something many of my colleagues have severe disagreements about, why can we not do so to decry Putin's attempted interference? Why do we not speak today as a body with one voice to say: you've failed, Mr. Putin; our faith in our democracy is as strong as ever? I will not pretend that my amendment to this bill is sufficient punishment for the brazen attack on our democracy. But it will send a powerful message that this House is unified. It will send a powerful message to Putin that American democracy is resilient. It will send a powerful message to our allies that we will not stand idly by as Russians attempt to affect their democratic institutions. And it will send a powerful message to our constituents that our commitment to free and fair elections rises above partisan politics. President Obama spoke very eloquently on Tuesday about the challenges faced by our democracy. ``Our democracy is threatened,'' he said, ``whenever we take it for granted.'' Passing this amendment makes it abundantly clear that we very much understand how lucky we are to live in this country and how attacks on it will not be tolerated. I will reiterate that this amendment will not kill the bill in any way. Rather, we will move immediately to vote on final passage following its adoption. I urge my colleagues to join me in this display of solidarity and resilience. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, we are less than 2 weeks into the start of the new Congress and Republicans are already trying to make good on their central campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Regrettably, it is a promise that will cause more than 30 million Americans and at least 86,000 Rhode Islanders to lose their health coverage. It will increase prescription drug costs for almost 16,000 Ocean State seniors, and it will cost Rhode Island an estimated 12,000 jobs in 2019, according to a recent report by The Commonwealth Fund and George Washington University. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans' promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act will have devastating consequences for healthcare providers, patients, families, and even employers. I have long said that ObamaCare isn't perfect, and I am willing to work in a bipartisan manner to improve it--a task we have tried to accomplish for years without Republican cooperation. Mr. Speaker, the budget resolution the Republicans are jamming through Congress now is anything but bipartisan. I pledge to do everything in my power to fight their cynical attempts to revoke the health coverage of thousands of Rhode Islanders and of millions of Americans who need it and who depend on it.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is always difficult saying good-bye to a Member of our Hill family. When I was first elected to Congress, I sought a chief of staff who could work with me to help lead my team and shape my policy portfolio: someone who knew the Hill as well as the legislative process in Congress; someone who was smart, strong, and compassionate; someone with sharp instincts; and, most importantly, someone I could trust. I found all of those qualities and so much more in Kristin Nicholson. As my chief of staff, Kristin has been a trusted confidant, adviser, and a true friend. So it is with both sadness and pride that after 16 years in my office I say good-bye to Kristin as she leaves the Hill to become director of the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Kristin's leadership has been essential to me and my entire staff; and although we will miss her tremendously, she leaves behind a team that has benefited from her professionalism, passion, humor, and grace under fire. Kristin, I cannot thank you enough for your service to me and the people of Rhode Island. Congratulations and best wishes.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I begin by thanking Ranking Member Smith, Chairman Thornberry, and Chairman Wilson for their tireless work on this bill, as well as all the work on behalf of the staff of the full Armed Services Committee and my personal staff, Kathryn Mitchell and Amanda Donegan. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot to be proud of in the conference report before us today. This legislation both provides for the needs of our warfighters and ultimately takes strong steps towards strengthening our national security. The Emerging Threats and Capabilities portion of the NDAA, which I serve as ranking member of, first and foremost recognizes the importance of the cyber domain. After careful consideration, my colleagues and I came to the conclusion that the execution of cyberspace operations and the readiness of the Cyber Mission Forces warrants a new unified combatant command, now currently a sub-unified command under STRATCOM. The bill reiterates the importance of transparency and regular updates to Congress on cyber operations, internal policies and authorities, and other relevant issues and activities. This sets the stage for creating a formalized framework for oversight of U.S. Cyber Command next year. The legislation also formalizes the relationship between the principal cyber adviser to the Secretary of Defense and Cyber Command, aiding the successful execution of their respective roles and responsibilities. We have come to realize how important these distinctions are to both parties. Thus, the bill clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. Now, on research and development, my ETC colleagues and I strive to champion innovation wherever possible, so this bill authorizes a demonstration pilot program that allows select DOD laboratory directors more flexibility in the day-to-day operations of their labs. This will ensure they can use best management practices to advance science and technology breakthroughs with greater levels of agility. As directed energy technologies continue to mature and may be ready to be fielded in the near future, the bill designates a senior official within the DOD for coordination of directed energy efforts to reduce redundancy, leverage lessons learned, and advance key policy considerations for uses of such technology. Earlier this year, the Global Engagement Center was created by executive order within the State Department and tasked with coordinating U.S. counterterrorism messaging with our allies around the world. This year, the ETC portion of the bill formally authorizes the Global Engagement Center and expands the scope of its mission to include countering propaganda of state actors by permitting the DOD to transfer funds to the organization. Mr. Speaker, it is time we counter the dangerous rhetoric both ISIL and Russia are using to influence populations across the world and here at home. Finally, Mr. Speaker, this legislation continues to address the critical policies and programs within the scope of emerging threats and capabilities. Beyond that, I am also particularly pleased that this bill makes the necessary investments in our Navy's nuclear submarine force, the most survivable leg of the triad. The Virginia class submarine and the Ohio Replacement class submarine are critical to our Nation's defense, and I am very pleased that they are prioritized and properly resourced in this legislation. I want to again thank the leadership of Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and Chairman Wilson, and I thank my colleagues for their work on this bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5843, the United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2016. Much like the previous bill, H.R. 5843 is about enhancing cooperation with our allies in Israel to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions that are directly responsive to the needs of our national security. Specifically, the bill creates a cybersecurity grant program for joint research and development ventures between Israeli and American entities. Projects would be selected after a merit-review--peer- review--process and would have to address requirements in cybersecurity that are determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The grants would also be subject to a cost-sharing requirement, with at least 50 percent of project funds coming from a non-Federal source. Importantly, H.R. 5843 leverages existing United States-Israel R&D infrastructure, specifically the Binational Industrial Research and Development, or BIRD, Foundation and the Binational Science Foundation, or BSF. Both organizations have a proven track record of encouraging joint research efforts. BIRD, for instance, has financed R&D and commercialization projects that have led to a cumulative $8 billion in commercial sales since its founding while BSF regularly funds collaborations between the top scientists in our respective countries, as 45 Nobel laureates have received support from the foundation. Using the existing infrastructure, as was done in 2007 when Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which led to the creation of BIRD Energy, also allows us to capitalize on both foundations' robust networks of American and Israeli entities to help seed these joint efforts. All of these factors are particularly critical in the fast-moving cybersecurity domain where offensive and defensive tactics and techniques change on a monthly or on even a weekly basis. As such, advances in the discipline require a near constant reexamining of assumptions, and having people from different backgrounds and security cultures working together engenders an environment where such reexamination is encouraged. While both the U.S. and Israel have robust cybersecurity communities, further collaboration is needed to spur more advances to combat the threats that we face. Although some of these advances are technological in nature, basic cybersecurity research, such as investigations into the psychology of secure interface design and social engineering, is also supported by the bill. All told, the programs authorized in H.R. 5843 and H.R. 5877 will both address urgent homeland security needs and build capacity for further transnational collaboration on cybersecurity, all while matching Federal investment with private dollars and funds from the Israeli Government. As with any bill to make it to the floor, both H.R. 5843 and H.R. 5877 owe much to the dedicated staff who spent hours behind the scenes reviewing the legislation. In particular, I would like to thank Brett DeWitt, Christopher Schepis, and Erik Peterson from the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, who joined Representative Ratcliffe and me on the congressional delegation trip that we took to Israel, as well as Emily Leviner on Mr. Ratcliffe's personal staff and Nick Leiserson on my own staff. I am also very grateful, of course, to Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Richmond for their continued leadership on the issue of cybersecurity and for their assistance in quickly actualizing the lessons we learned on our trip to Israel. Finally, once again, I owe a debt of gratitude to the gentleman across the aisle, Mr. Ratcliffe, who, in just in his first term, has immediately had a substantial impact on our Nation's cybersecurity, as I said previously, and with whom it has been a great pleasure to work. Mr. Speaker, taken together, H.R. 5843 and H.R. 5877 do three things: they encourage innovative approaches to address top priorities in homeland security R&D; they strengthen ties with Israel, one of our closest allies; and they do so in a public-private partnership that matches Federal investment. I urge Members to support H.R. 5843. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill is about innovation. It is a bill about bringing together the best minds in the U.S. and in Israel to help manage what has become an intractable problem. It is a bill that is sorely needed. In the past year, just by way of example, we have seen the first cyber attack on a power grid in Ukraine. Many devices that are part of the Internet of Things have been compromised and used to attack Web sites and services. Most disturbingly, the very foundation of our democracy, our voting system, has been targeted in a Russian information warfare campaign that leverages hacked documents. These are the national and Homeland Security threats that keep me up at night, and they are also the same types of threats that motivate the Israel National Cyber Bureau. Working together, I believe that we can make meaningful progress to reduce the nation-state specific risk both countries face and better secure the entire Internet ecosystem. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will move quickly to take up this issue. I would like to particularly thank my dear friend and home State colleague, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, for his efforts in this regard. He has been the leader in so many ways on the Senate side on cybersecurity, among other things, and has been an invaluable partner to me in this effort. Again, let me thank Representative Ratcliffe for his work on this bill and his leadership on the committee. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. This bill will meaningfully improve our homeland security professionals' ability to manage cybersecurity risk. It will do so in a way that also increases the capacity of our Israeli allies to operate securely despite the many and varied threats they face on a daily basis. Again, I thank Mr. Ratcliffe for his leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor. It was a pleasure to travel with him to Israel on this factfinding mission, and we both learned a great deal. I also thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson, as well as Ranking Member Richmond of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, for their assistance in support of this. I also, of course, thank the staffs on both the Homeland Security Committee, Mr. Ratcliffe's personal staff, and my personal staff for their hard work in bringing this to the floor. We could not do what we do without their invaluable assistance and due diligence. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.