Jim Langevin

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 164. Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. McAdams

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I would also like to thank her, Chairman Thompson, Congressman Sarbanes, and the many Democratic Members who helped craft this important legislation. H.R. 1, Mr. Chairman, among many things, will make our elections more ethical and will make them more secure. As a former Rhode Island secretary of state and member of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, I absolutely believe that we must actively address our elections systems' vulnerabilities, or our enemies certainly will. H.R. 1 provides States with funding, guidance, and threat intelligence to secure election systems by purchasing voting machines that provide auditable paper ballots, securing voter registration databases, and training election officials. Now, these suggestions came from the task force, and they reflect guidance we heard from leaders like Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who is implementing one of the Nation's first risk- limiting audits. They also reflect the wisdom of the cybersecurity researchers who have so much to offer in identifying vulnerabilities and helping us to close them. Mr. Chairman, with the 2020 elections around the corner, I am proud to support this legislation, because we must act now to protect our democracy. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank Ms. Lofgren, Chairman Thompson, Congressman Sarbanes, and the many House Democratic members who helped craft this vital legislation. The For the People Act will not only make our elections more ethical and accessible, it will also help secure them from outside interference. As a former Secretary of State of Rhode Island and member of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, I believe we must actively address the vulnerabilities in our election systems. We know that Russia interfered with our 2016 elections, targeting political organizations and the election infrastructure of at least 21 states. They sought to undermine public confidence in our elections, and despite no evidence of ballot tampering, millions of Americans now question whether their votes are counted properly. While state and local governments must retain control of elections, they cannot be expected to confront a nation state like Russia on their own. We owe it to our state partners to provide the resources they need to protect these vital systems at the heart of our democracy. H.R. 1 ensures states have the funding, guidance, and threat intelligence they need to address the risks and vulnerabilities in their systems, whether by purchasing voting machines that provide auditable paper ballots, securing voter registration databases, or training election officials in cybersecurity best practices. These are all suggestions that came from the Task Force, and they reflect guidance we heard from local election leaders like Rhode Island's current Secretary of State, Nellie Gorbea, who is implementing one of the first risk-limiting audits in the nation. They also reflect the wisdom of the cybersecurity research community that has so much to offer when it comes to shoring up our systems and networks. With the 2020 elections right around the corner, I'm proud to support this legislation--it's more important than ever that we act swiftly to protect the integrity of our democracy.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, we often hear about the immunotherapy revolution, medicine's next frontier, which is right now, for extending or even saving lives. Dr. Sadhak Sengupta and his wife, Sudarshana, two talented scientists from Rhode Island, are on the cutting edge of this research. Dr. Sengupta is the director of brain tumor immunotherapy research at Rhode Island Hospital and an assistant professor at Brown University. He has been working as a scientist in the United States since 2002, and he holds numerous patents. Despite these achievements, Dr. Sengupta has been unable to get a green card simply due to the country of his birth, India. For years, we have reached the per-country cap on employment-based green cards for India, and the current backlog is, right now, measured in decades. Sadhak and Sudarshana dream of launching a startup, but 17 years after moving to this country, they still live in uncertainty. Madam Speaker, that is why I support the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, a bill to remove per-country green card caps and treat all immigrants equally. It is the right thing to do for the Senguptas and for all Americans and their families who will benefit from their research and their greatness of spirit.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus to recognize February as National CTE Month. Today, my good friend and caucus co- chair, Representative Thompson, and I introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of CTE Month. This resolution is particularly important because many Americans still hold an outdated view of CTE as a plan B. In fact, today it is quite the opposite. The CTE programs are academic pathways that allow students to explore careers in high demand, high-paying industries that are relevant in today's society from healthcare to advanced manufacturing to IT. CTE Month is a time not only to celebrate the achievements of CTE students, like the bright and motivated SkillsUSA students from Rhode Island who visit my office each year, but to spread awareness of today's CTE and its potential to help students and businesses succeed. Mr. Speaker, society needs workers with these skills that are in demand today, and I want to thank Representative Thompson for his partnership and urge my colleagues to join us in supporting CTE programs across the country.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me time. I hope I won't use all 5 minutes. I first want to say I support the bill under debate right now and certainly support criminal justice reform. One of the best ways, of course, we can prevent people from hopefully going down the path of crimes is to make sure they have a good education, so hence I am here to speak on H.R. 439. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am pleased to rise with my good friend and fellow co-chair, Representative G.T. Thompson, in support of H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act. I would like to thank my friend from Pennsylvania for his partnership on this bill which modernizes the FFA congressional charter to better serve the organization's 669,000 student members across the country. Since 1928 the FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, has been an integral part of our Nation's agricultural education system. Its mission is to prepare the next generation of farmers who form the backbone of our Nation's food supply system. Congress recognized the FFA's importance in 1950 when it granted the organization a Federal charter. But today, nearly 70 years later, that charter is overdue for an update. Of the 100 nonprofit organizations that have charters with the Federal Government, from the Girl Scouts of America to the National Academy of Sciences, only six require government agencies to appoint members to the NGO's board of directors. Of those six, the FFA is the only federally chartered organization that requires a majority of its board members to be chosen by its partner agency, the Department of Education. The bill that had been considered this afternoon and that passed brings the role of the Department of Education in line with other congressionally chartered organizations while maintaining the long relationship between the department and the FFA. In doing so, it gives the FFA more autonomy to deliver its integrated system of agricultural career and technical education, or CTE, to the 8,000 chapters located across all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. H.R. 439 allows the FFA to be more independent, but it retains its ability to collaborate with the Department of Education in agriculture. It also allows the FFA to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C. and provide online publications for its chapters around the country. The FFA needs to adapt to the 21st century economy, and modernizing this charter is a necessary step in that process. Today the FFA helps train more than future farmers. It prepares the next generation of scientists, veterinarians, and business owners through classroom and work-based learning. As a strong advocate for CTE, I am thrilled to support the skills-based education model on behalf of the FFA and its many teachers and students. Our bill aligns the FFA's charter with this focus on CTE, specifically the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster which gives students the opportunity to explore exciting careers and be prepared for future challenges. Our country faces daunting tasks in agricultural policy, from addressing food shortages to containing animal-borne diseases and stopping the pollution of our waterways. Mr. Speaker, we can count on our Nation's FFA students to not only grow our economy but to become the next community of world leaders, ready to tackle these 21st century challenges. In my home State of Rhode Island, I am continually impressed by the hardworking, motivated, bright FFA students and the dedicated teachers who instruct them. Through the FFA, these students are developing the academic and technical skills to succeed in agricultural fields and the leadership skills to make a real difference. This bill, the National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act, will allow the FFA to continue its mission with more autonomy. Mr. Speaker, I thank, again, my colleague G.T. Thompson from the great State of Pennsylvania, along with Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Collins, for their support, as well as my esteemed colleague Senator Todd Young of Indiana for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for supporting this bill, and I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Stephen McCartney, Chief of Police of the City of Warwick, Rhode Island, my hometown. Chief McCartney retired on December 21, 2018, concluding decades of unwavering dedication to his community and to his country. In 1969, the same year that he graduated from Providence College with a degree in history, Chief McCartney joined the United States Marine Corps. Over his thirty years of service in the armed forces, he fought in Vietnam and in the Gulf War, and he even assisted in training Rwandan law enforcement as the country rebuilt from unspeakable tragedy. He held every infantry position from the platoon up to the regimental level before transitioning to reserve service, and he received numerous military distinctions, including the Naval and Marine Corps Medal for heroism. Soon after his return from Vietnam, Chief McCartney joined the Providence Police Department, serving for nearly 26 years in many roles. He directed the department's first mounted unit, spent several years as the director of training, and commanded the Neighborhood Response Unit. After 15 years with the patrol bureau, he moved to the detective bureau--eventually overseeing more than 150 major investigations as its director. Chief McCartney transitioned to the Warwick Police Department in 1999, where he served nearly 20 years as the Chief of Police with distinction, honor, and dedication. His tenure was marked by his humility, his professionalism, and his commitment not only to the safety of the community, but also to each officer under his command. Countless individuals within the department have considered him a mentor, and countless others both inside and outside of the department have considered him a true friend, myself included. Warwick has been tremendously fortunate to have had such an exemplary public servant. Although his leadership will certainly be missed at the department, I am sure he will continue to find ways to make a difference, and I wish him well.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 446.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, too many students are being overlooked by our education system. These students are emergent bilinguals, a group that makes up 10 percent of the K-12 student population. In the law, we refer to them as English learners, students whose native language is one other than English and who are not yet English proficient. But when we call students ELs day to day, we ignore the important fact that they are already proficient in another language, whether it is Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic. As these students learn English, they become bilingual, and bilingualism is an incredible asset in our global society. We benefit, and we need to shift our view of emergent bilinguals and recognize their great potential. We must recognize that by investing in their success, we all benefit. Sarah Hesson, a Rhode Island educator, introduced me to the term ``emergent bilinguals,'' and I encourage my colleagues to use it as well and to celebrate students' emerging bilingualism. After all, it is a gift that will empower students to become more successful later in life.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my good friend and fellow co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, Mr. Thompson, to introduce the Cybersecurity Education Integration Act, a bill to develop CTE programs that include cybersecurity education. Whether in our hospitals or our power grid, systems that make up our critical infrastructure are increasingly internet-enabled. These connections undoubtedly increase efficiency and service quality but, unfortunately, they also provide pathways for cyber intruders to wreak havoc. Mr. Speaker, we need to provide training for workers who deal with these systems on a day-to-day basis, whether it is in the transportation, energy, or health sectors, so that they can keep us safe, so they can identify these cybersecurity vulnerabilities early on and prevent them, hopefully, from happening in the first place. Many CTE programs already have strong physical safety elements; however, cybersecurity is rarely included. We can't think of this as an afterthought. It needs to be a forethought. By funding the creation of CTE programs that fully integrate cybersecurity into their coursework, we can ensure workers have the skills to protect our Nation's infrastructure. I thank Representative Thompson for his partnership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support our bipartisan effort.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, as cochair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I rise to recognize November as National Adoption Month. All children deserve the love and security of a forever family. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for too many children across the country. More than 123,000 children are waiting right now to be adopted from foster care in the United States. Those who reach adulthood and exit care without a family are far more likely to experience bouts of homelessness and unemployment, among other negative outcomes. Madam Speaker, who among us would have succeeded without the love and support of our families to be there for us, whether it was the family we were born into or the family we make. Madam Speaker, we must ensure that every child has the family they need to thrive. Adoption provides this pathway. On November 17, 19 Rhode Island families celebrated National Adoption Day by finalizing the adoptions of 23 children. I would like to honor these families and others who open their hearts to children in need. There is no greater gift than the gift of a forever home.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I rise to recognize National Apprenticeship Week. In recent years, we have heard too often about the tremendous skills gap that we have in our country, where too many jobs at companies in our districts go unfilled because workers don't have the skills to do those jobs that are available. Well, apprenticeships provide valuable on-the-job training for students of all ages. By combining practical and theoretical instruction, they allow students to earn while they learn, preparing them for high-skilled, high-paying jobs. I have seen the promise of these programs back home. In Rhode Island, Electric Boat has partnered with the Community College of Rhode Island to offer an apprenticeship program at Quonset Point in maritime pipe and structural trades. Apprentices will finish the program with a certificate and an associate's degree, ready for rewarding careers in high-demand industries. Apprenticeships offer affordable education for students, powerful productivity enhancements for businesses, and big economic returns for our communities. As the number of skilled job openings continues to grow and the workforce continues to age, apprenticeship programs will become even more critical.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed into law on October 2, 1968. This landmark conservation bill launched a movement. It helped us recognize and protect the free-flowing rivers with ``outstandingly remarkable'' characteristics. In Rhode Island and Connecticut, we have just such waterways, including the branches of the Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers. Just this week, in cooperation with Senator Jack Reed, I introduced legislation to designate the 110 miles of this river system as a Wild and Scenic River. After 3 years of intense study, the National Park Service has found it to have areas of pristine beauty, recreational importance, and untouched wilderness. I applaud the work of Denise Poyer, the study coordinator at the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, and all of those who have volunteered their time to protect this river. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee to complete this designation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which begins October 1. As the cofounder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus with my good friend Chairman Mike McCaul, I firmly believe that cybersecurity is the national and economic security challenge of the 21st century. I also believe that each of us has a role to play in staying safe online. During each of the 4 themed weeks of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Department of Homeland Security and its partners across the government and the private sector will highlight different aspects of cybersecurity, from the challenges faced by our critical infrastructure to the steps individuals can take to make their homes a safe haven for online safety. I encourage all my colleagues to take the opportunity to bring these messages back to their home districts. From senior centers to local chambers of commerce, the cybersecurity awareness events that I hold with our State cybersecurity officer, Mike Steinmetz, and the great team at the Rhode Island Joint Cyber Task Force have helped people across the Ocean State better protect themselves online. I look forward to another successful Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, last week, the Justice Department unveiled the latest in a string of criminal complaints against America's cyber adversaries. The extremely detailed document lays out a damning case against Park Jin Hyok, a North Korean hacker, and the regime that supports him. From the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack to WannaCry to attempts to undermine the global financial system, the North Korean regime is a destabilizing presence in cyberspace. I commend the members of the law enforcement community who are working this case. Mr. Speaker, cyberspace is often thought of as a domain where bad actors can act with impunity. This indictment shows that this is not the case. America is getting more and more sophisticated at being able to track down and unveil and unmask these cyber bad actors. To those who would attempt to target our networks and systems, I have a message for you: We will find you. Malign activity in cyberspace that targets critical infrastructure or causes immense property damage is not the behavior of responsible nations, and we will not tolerate it.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would like to begin by thanking my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), for his leadership on this very important issue. I am very proud to have helped shape this strong bill, and I appreciate the gentleman's bipartisan collaboration. Mr. Speaker, the international community has reached consensus on many norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace. One key agreement reached by the joint 2015 Group of Governmental Experts is that responsible states do not use cyber means to damage or impair the operation of critical infrastructure that provides services to the public. Yet states regularly flaunt these international rules of the road. The North Koreans spread the WannaCry pseudo-ransomware last May. The Russians have targeted the electric grid in Ukraine and were behind NotPetya, the most devastating cyber incident in history. Closest to home, Russia launched an assault on our elections with the goal of undermining citizens' faith in our democracy. President Obama recognized that protecting the Nation's cyberspace has three components: improving our defenses to prevent hackers from getting in; increasing resilience to minimize the damage when they do get in; and imposing costs on states that act against our national interest. His executive orders, particularly 13694 and 13757, focused on this last point, holding nations accountable through sanctions when they or their agents target our critical infrastructure. Mr. Yoho's bill codifies large portions of these executive orders, and it goes further by requiring the President to both designate critical cyber threats and to sanction them. I strongly support the underlying policy and the enhancements made by my friend from Florida. Mr. Speaker, I think we also need to go further. The September 2015 Obama-Xi accord on Chinese economic espionage, which remains one of the most successful examples of cyber deterrence, relied on the threat of sanctions targeting the beneficiaries of China's spying, not just PLA members. We must continue to work together in a bipartisan fashion to maximize the efficacy of sanctions, which are intended not to punish but to shape behavior. Most importantly, though, I hope the President takes more aggressive actions to protect American interests in cyberspace. I criticized President Obama's response to Russia's election interference as too little, too late, and, unfortunately, President Trump has been reticent to act against Russia. The norms we talk about are norms of behavior, and I remain deeply concerned that our absence of action in response to malign state activity is developing into a norm in and of itself. Actions, as they say, speak louder than words. However, all told, Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important first step in recognizing that cyber threats are the new weapon of choice for states that seek to sow discord and engage in conflict below the level of the threshold of war. I again thank Congressman Yoho for introducing the bill and Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for supporting it. I strongly support H.R. 5576, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, last month, President Trump stripped former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance. That was not done because Director Brennan posed a threat to national security. No, it was done to silence a political opponent. Mr. Speaker, all Americans agree that the President should not be able to order the IRS to initiate an audit against a rival, and we should all be able to agree that he may not use his authority to revoke a security clearance. Yet the President has announced that he intends to invalidate the clearances of other current and former officials who disagree with his policies. That is why I introduced H.R. 6680 with my colleagues, Mr. Lieu and Ranking Member Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, that will prevent the administration from revoking security clearances for political reasons. My bill would give agency officials the basis to push back on White House demands that more clearances be revoked outside of judicial processes and protocols. Mr. Speaker, granting, denying, or revoking security clearances for political retribution or the stifling of political dissent is un- American, and it should never be tolerated or allowed. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to recognize and thank the gentleman from Texas for his leadership on this issue as well as for his leadership as chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. As the cofounder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, which I have co-led for a decade with my good friend Chairman McCaul, I firmly believe that cybersecurity is the national and economic security issue of the 21st century. I believe it is, therefore, incumbent upon us as Members of Congress to enable the government to take the steps needed to protect our systems and to provide some course correction when necessary. This bill does both, authorizing the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation, or CDM, program and requiring a strategy from the Department of Homeland Security to guide its future growth. CDM represents a core component of the Department's efforts to better secure the dot-gov domain. In particular, by giving agencies a better view into their networks, systems, and data, it helps provide an understanding of cybersecurity status in real time. It also feeds back data to DHS, so that cybersecurity specialists at the National Protection and Programs Directorate can better assist agencies in closing vulnerabilities and responding to incidents. Conceptually, CDM makes a lot of sense, but it has not been without challenges in implementation. Originally designed with a phased model that focused on incorporating new sets of tools at each milestone, it has fallen behind schedule, and many agencies have expressed skepticism about the program's utility. I believe in CDM, and I believe that the congressional direction provided by Mr. Ratcliffe's bill will help dispel some of these doubts. I also believe that the strategy can further help refocus the program on the present and future needs of Federal networks. So I am pleased that, during the committee consideration, my amendment requiring a re-examination of the phasing plan was adopted. While I appreciate the thought underlying the original phasing approach, I believe that we make more progress if the planned phase 3 and phase 4 are constructed in parallel rather than serially. This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage. However, I must take this opportunity to mention this bill's major omission. It does not address the incentive structure at other agencies to actually adopt CDM offerings. During hearings and roundtables on the program, we often heard from government stakeholders that internal dynamics at DHS' sister agencies were actually the biggest obstacle to the program's success.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. This is, to be sure, outside the purview of the Committee on Homeland Security, and I believe the bill before us will materially improve the program. One other thing, I urge my colleagues to consider the wisdom of having so many committees involved with cybersecurity jurisdiction, often to the detriment of making real progress. Right now, there are some 30 committees and subcommittees that have jurisdiction over cyber, and it is very difficult to get things done. So I also urge my colleagues to look at the Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act, which would put a Senate-confirmed director of cybersecurity at the White House to help better coordinate interagency processes. Dealing with these jurisdictional problems would substantially improve our cybersecurity posture and would allow CDM to fully live up to its potential. With that, I would like to again thank Ranking Member Thompson and Chairmen McCaul and Ratcliffe for continuing their focus on cybersecurity. I strongly urge support for H.R. 6443. I commend Chairman Ratcliffe for introducing the bill, and I certainly hope all Members will support it and DHS' ongoing cybersecurity efforts.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Michael Gary Ehrlich. An accomplished orthopedic surgeon, husband, father, and grandfather, Dr. Ehrlich will be sorely missed by his loved ones and the many patients whose lives were forever improved by his skilled practice of medicine. He paved the way to advances and innovation in skeletal health after graduating from Dartmouth College and Columbia University. And throughout a distinguished career at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brown University, and Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals, Dr. Ehrlich demonstrated a genuine affinity for improving the human condition through his service as a practitioner. The people of Rhode Island have lost more than a surgeon--we have lost a friend. Yet, I know that his work ethic and positive contribution to the community will live on through the students he mentored, the research he poured countless hours into, and the thousands of patients he helped.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 366, and YEA on Roll Call No. 367.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Marlene McCarthy, founder of the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition, who sadly passed away after a courageous fight against breast cancer. Throughout her life, Marlene displayed strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Her personal experience battling cancer and reaching for life beyond a diagnosis became the foundation by which she inspired others. She received many accolades for her work in Rhode Island and across the nation, including the National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocate of the Year Award, the Rhode Island Woman of the Year award, and the Freedom Torch Award. In addition to her inspiring advocacy, Marlene was beloved by her community for her kindness and integrity. Although she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on. Marlene will be missed, but she will never be forgotten.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, Chairman McCain, Ranking Member Reed, Senator Inhofe, and their staff for their tireless work in producing this conference report. I am especially pleased that this conference report is named after Senator John McCain, a true American hero. Thank you for your service, Senator, and Godspeed. It was an honor to serve as a conferee throughout this process and to be a part of this undertaking in support of our Armed Forces. While no bill is perfect, there is much to be proud of in this conference report. We are giving our troops a much-deserved pay raise, taking critical steps to counter Russian aggression and resist Chinese coercive influence, and continuing to ensure the Department of Defense is prepared to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. We are also increasing funding for the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs, which are made in my home State of Rhode Island, and protect our Nation and our allies and create thousands of jobs back home. As ranking member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, it has been a pleasure to work with Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. I am particularly glad we are making strong investments in our cyber personnel and capabilities, providing increased support for our Special Operations Forces and their families, and increasing funding for key programs to maintain our technological superiority, such as railgun development, directed energy prototyping, and unmanned vehicles. The threats we face as a nation are diverse and challenging. There are no easy answers for how the United States will continue to promote stability and the rules-based international order. But I believe that this bipartisan work of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, and this bill in particular, will improve our national security and help keep our country and our servicemembers safe. Lastly, I want to thank Kathryn Mitchell on my personal staff, who serves as my MLA. She is leaving for South Korea to be with her husband, who is serving in the United States Army. Job well done, Kathryn, and thank you. For those reasons and more, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this conference report.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1990, the bipartisan effort to identify disability rights as civil rights became the foundation for reducing discrimination for the disability community. The enactment the ADA was a groundbreaking acknowledgment that people with disabilities deserve the dignity of full participation and integration into daily life. It eliminated countless physical and societal barriers, and it increased access to education, employment, housing, and transportation. Yet, as we remember this historic day and look back on all that we have accomplished, let us recognize that there is so much more to be done. It is up to each and every one of us to promote greater access and inclusion and the opportunity to lead life with dignity so that we can one day realize the full promise of the ADA. Because when we fight for the inclusion and equality of individuals with disabilities, we also fight for a world that is characterized by inclusion and equality for all.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud to rise in strong support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This important bill is long overdue. The Carl D. Perkins CTE Act hasn't been reauthorized in more than a decade, and updating it is a vital step toward supporting students and businesses across the country. In particular, I would like to thank my CTE Caucus co-chair, Representative Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, for his leadership on this bill and partnership in Congress on this issue over the last many years. I also want to recognize my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and Congressman Krishnamoorthi, who have demonstrated great bipartisanship in crafting this legislation. I also thank the many partners from across the country from education and the business community for their work on this important bill, and also the many staffers who worked so hard on this, particularly Kerry McKittrick from my staff, and former staffers Sam Morgante and Kirtley Fisher over the years as well. For the past 10 years, I have heard the same concern from employers in Rhode Island, that they are unable to find skilled workers to fill open jobs in manufacturing, IT, and other skilled trades, and it is hurting their businesses. I know that other Members have heard this from their businesses across the country as well. Mr. Speaker, we need to ensure our workforce is equipped with the tools that they need to meet these demands in order to close the skills gap, especially skills for our young people entering the workforce. By aligning CTE programs with industry needs, we will ensure students are learning the academic, technical, and employability skills to succeed in growing economic sectors. I am proud that the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act does just this, while making other important reforms that I have long championed, including expanding access to apprenticeships to give students valuable, hands-on learning experiences and supporting career counselors to guide students down appropriate academic and career paths. With these components, I am proud to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 2353, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. LANGEVIN

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H.R. 2069.