Ted Lieu

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, this amendment takes $9 million out of the DEA's $2 billion salaries and expense budget and redirects it toward deficit reduction, as well as underfunded State and local programs to help children who suffer through child abuse, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. This amendment has been scored by the CBO as reducing budget authority by $2 million and reducing outlays by $6 million in fiscal year 2016. In the face of overwhelming support for lessening restrictions on marijuana, the DEA still spends over $18 million a year on domestic marijuana eradication programs. This simply takes some of that money away because some States have legalized it, making some of these eradication programs no longer necessary, and it redirects the money-- $2 million to lowering the deficit, $3 million to the Victims of Child Abuse Act, which supports justice and support for victims of child abuse, and $4 million to the Consolidated Youth Oriented program, which helps victims and the services they need to pursue safe and healthy lives. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to oppose the America COMPETES Act in part because it cuts over $62 million of funding to the hard science of studying the effects of climate change. The effects of climate change are not a partisan issue. We know that our sea levels have risen by over 6.7 inches in the last century, and they have accelerated in the last decade. Rising sea levels affect not just Democratic districts; it also affects Republican districts. We can measure with precision that we have had, over 20 years, the hottest records in terms of temperatures in recorded history having occurred since 1980. We know that, in 2012, over 19 States broke the hottest records in their States. More extreme weather events and more weather uncertainty affect not just red States and blue States and purple States, it affects all of America. And that is why, last month, former Reagan Secretary of State George Shultz wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post saying: Climate change is happening. We need to take action on it, and we need to ensure our future against climate change. He called it the Reagan way. He said that is what President Reagan would have done. As you know, this America COMPETES Act, the funding for the hard science of the effects of climate change, was put in place under President Bush in 2007. Just today, our President announced what the U.S. military is saying about climate change. I served on Active Duty in the United States Air Force. I am now 19 years in with the Reserves. One of the amazing strengths of America is that our military is nonpartisan, nonideological; and our military takes the world as it is, not as they hope it to be. Our military does not live in a fantasy world, and they understand that climate change is happening. They know it is a national security threat. They are telling the American public we need to act on climate change now because we can't have flooding of our bases; we can't have droughts and more severe weather events that cause conflicts in all the parts of the world. So I ask the American public to trust former Reagan Secretary of State George Shultz, trust President Bush, trust our United States military who are saying climate change is a problem. Keep in mind, our military relies on hard science and technology and all that makes this world possible. So trust our military, and trust everyone who has looked at it. Please reject the America COMPETES Act because we need to deal with climate change. We need to deal with it now.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act. This harmful legislation undermines the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers' ability to regulate and protect our wetlands and streams, and it is an assault on the Clean Water Act. H.R. 1732 would block the EPA's current Clean Water rulemaking, forcing the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to go back to the drawing board and start over with the process, undermining years of work undertaken by agencies, businesses, and numerous other stakeholders. Every American deserves to have access to clean water, and the proposed Clean Water rules, under the Clean Water Act, would safeguard the drinking water of more than 117 million people who currently rely on streams lacking clear protection. The EPA has acted to protect America's waters under the Act before, and it is an outrage that House Republicans are blocking the EPA and Army Corps from doing the same now. Americans and businesses deserve certainty and understanding regarding which waterways are covered by the Clean Water Act, and H.R. 1732 would only lead to more confusion. The EPA engaged in extensive public outreach and received hundreds of thousands of public comments on the proposed Rule, and the Rule is built upon peer-reviewed science. At the very least, the public deserves to see the final rule before Congress decides to block it. Congress should let the EPA and the Army Corps do their jobs and protect America's small streams and wetlands from pollution. I oppose this legislation.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeffrey Bujer. Jeffrey Bujer is the current Chief Executive Officer of Saban Community Clinic. He began working for Saban Community Clinic in 1998, when it was known as the Los Angeles Free Clinic. He joined the organization as its Chief Financial Officer and moved into a co-CEO role before becoming the sole Chief Executive Officer in 2012. Under his leadership, Saban Community Clinic has greatly evolved in its structure and brand. It has moved from a free clinic structure to a Federally Qualified Health Center and has grown from a staff of 62 serving 9,000 patients each year to a staff of over 200 serving 20,000 patients each year. The Clinic has expanded its services to include both primary care and mental health treatment. Jeffrey led the Clinic in expanding to three locations in Los Angeles and implementing an electronic health record system. In 2007, Jeffrey oversaw the capital campaign that raised $17 million in honor of Saban Community Clinic's 40th anniversary. Jeffrey has touched countless lives in his leadership role and will be missed by all when he leaves his position this year. His passion for serving others and commitment to health care for all is an inspiration. Our community owes a debt of gratitude to Jeffrey Bujer for his hard work and dedication. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jeffrey Bujer and wishing him well for the future.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Daily Breeze newspaper, which won a Pulitzer Prize for local reporting for their investigation into the corruption at Centinela Valley Union High School District. I want to commend the Daily Breeze for their exceptional journalism and congratulate them on this honor. I was overjoyed to hear that they had received the award. All of the Daily Breeze's editors, journalists, and staff should be enormously proud, and they do great credit to the 33rd Congressional District. The Daily Breeze excels in many areas, including political journalism, acting as a vital watchdog to address problems in government. Their investigation into the Centinela School District exposed the culture of corruption within the district's administration. Despite the excessive salaries given to the administration's leadership, the district was cutting important academic programs, scoring poorly on student performance evaluations, and hurting the educations of students whose job it was for them to help. The Daily Breeze's investigation resulted in the removal of the school superintendent and led the FBI and Los Angeles District Attorney to open investigations into the district's shady dealings. Without the Daily Breeze's fine reporting, this waste of taxpayer money and abuse of the public's trust might never have been brought to light. The paper has served as the voice of Torrance and the entire South Bay area since 1894. For more than a hundred years, the Daily Breeze combines comprehensive national reporting with innovative and hard- hitting local coverage. As a Torrance resident, I have been reading the Daily Breeze for nearly two decades. Whether reporting on government, local entertainment or criminal investigations, the Daily Breeze exemplifies the best ideals of journalism: creativity, civic service, and integrity. I am proud to honor the Daily Breeze leadership, reporters, and employees as they celebrate their first Pulitzer Prize.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 67th anniversary of Israeli Independence, Yom Ha'atzmaut. The story of Israel is one of a country that for 67 years has defied all odds and a long list of existential threats not only to exist but to thrive as a powerhouse of innovation and national resilience. Every year, the celebration of the birth of the Jewish state comes on the heels of Israel's Memorial Day, Yom Ha'zikaron. The sirens that ring throughout the country to mark the day of remembrance serve as a stark reminder of the ultimate price its citizens have paid to make the State of Israel possible. The special relationship between our two countries spans all of Israel's 67 years, beginning the moment that President Harry Truman famously recognized the State of Israel only 11 minutes after its declaration of statehood on May 14. 1948. Since that time, Israel has served as a bright beacon of democracy and human rights in a region scarce with both. As terrorist groups like ISIS spread their brutality, a civil war rages in Syria that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians, and a regime in Iran calls for the annihilation of Israel as it pursues a nuclear program, we are reminded of the importance of our alliance and shared values. On this day, we must reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the State of Israel and our shared goals of democracy, peace, security, and prosperity. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the people and leaders of Israel chag sameach and a happy 67th Independence Day.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Erwin Gaines--father, husband, grandfather, businessman and inventor--who passed away on April 12, 2015, at the age of 79. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Erwin was a graduate of Von Steuben High School where he was a star soccer player. He went on to serve in the United States Army in Europe and after receiving an Honorable Discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, California. He was a businessman and inventor who received numerous patents for medical supply products. During his business career he worked internationally in Mexico, China and throughout Europe. Erwin volunteered in the community serving as a coach and as President of the Victory National Little League. Erwin was an avid fisherman and a Los Angeles Rod & Reel Club Knot Tying Champion. He was a devoted fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and longtime season ticket holder. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arlene, his sons, Calabasas City Councilmember Fred Gaines and Jeffrey Gaines, his daughters-in-law, Las Virgenes Unified School District Board Member Jill Gaines and Vivian Gaines, and his five granddaughters. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Erwin Gaines.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, in a modern society, all of us deal with a thousand issues, but there is only one issue that can kill humanity as a species, and that is climate change. Rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and hotter temperatures are not partisan issues. Last month, President Reagan's former Secretary of State George Shultz wrote a column in The Washington Post asking for action on climate change. Today, on Earth Day, I am introducing the Climate Solutions Act, which will tackle climate change by focusing on three areas: slashing carbon pollution, implementing bold renewable portfolio standards, and setting high energy efficiency standards. In the future, our history books will write that America led the world on climate change and saved the planet--or there will be no more history books.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to note that on April 10--while Congress was out of session--we celebrated the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). As a Taiwan-born American immigrant, I take pride in this landmark piece of legislation, which has provided Taiwan with a great deal of stability and support as it transformed itself into a vibrant democracy, advanced economy and civil society. The TRA was intended by Congress to endure, continuing the important relationship between close friends and allies. I am heartened by the strengthening of ties that have taken place in recent years, from Taiwan's admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2012, the first visit of a Cabinet-level official since the Clinton Administration in 2014, and Taiwan's shift from our 12th-largest trading partner in 2013 to our 10th-largest in 2014. As Los Angeles County's fourth largest trading partner, Taiwan has a unique relationship with my district. With the largest Taiwanese population in the country, it is no coincidence that Los Angeles County is often seen as the international gateway between the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan has much to offer the international community. It has proven a responsible global citizen by assisting international organizations during humanitarian crises and disasters, from its efforts following the 2011 Toohoku earthquake and tsunami to its contribution of 100,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment to West Africa last year for use in the fight against Ebola. These acts are emblematic of a people with whom we share many values. On this occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our greetings and best wishes to the people and leaders of Taiwan.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, unleashing the full potential of America means fully investing in the American people. Unfortunately, the Republican plan for our country is to slash investments in education, transportation and manufacturing. Rather than help the middle class, the Republican budget hurts ordinary Americans by giving a top 1% tax cut to the ultra-rich, which means the typical American family will end up paying more. In contrast, the Democratic plan for our country invests in the quintessential American propositions of a good education, better infrastructure, and bigger paychecks. For 100 Days, the majority party has engaged in special interest giveaways and shutdown brinksmanship. Over the next 100 days, and every day after that, I will continue to stand--along with my fellow Democrats--for something else entirely: A nation defined--a nation driven--by full investment in the imagination and industry of each and every American family. I want to see Made in America, again.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Yael Hornstein Galperin--mother, wife, grandmother, professional opera singer, and school administrator--who passed away on April 5, 2015, at the age of 87. Yael met every challenge in life head on, with integrity and great intellect. Born in Israel to Russian immigrant parents, she took a job at a salt factory so that she could help support her family. She went on to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces and its elite security service, and later pursued a career as a professional opera singer. In 1949, she married a fellow opera singer, Levi Galperin, a Holocaust survivor and rabbi from Romania. The young couple moved to Philadelphia, where Yael was awarded a full scholarship to the Academy of Vocal Arts, and was a prized performer. Yael embraced motherhood, putting aside her full-time pursuit of opera to raise her children. She continued to sing, but also began to teach and work as a school administrator. Upon her move to California in the 1980s, she began to work with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, where she worked in the Bureau of Jewish Education for over 13 years. Yael was an avid reader, spoke multiple languages, and embraced adventure by traveling the world and constantly taking on new challenges. She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Dr. Levi Galperin, her son, L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin, her daughter Leora Krygeir, her sons-in-law, David Krygier and Rabbi Zachary Shapiro, and her grandchildren, whom I hope take comfort in the way Yael lived her life as an accomplished and astounding woman. May her memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise because the majority is making worse the one issue that can kill humanity as a species-- climate change. The majority's budget exacerbates America's overdependence on foreign oil and reliance on the dirty and unsafe fuels of the 19th century. But there is a better way. We need to produce more energy-saving appliances and machines that are designed, manufactured, and installed by American workers. It is time to invest in new and renewable energies that never go away, such as wind, solar, and biofuels. It is time to do what is best for America, not what is best for coal companies. Mr. Speaker, let me end by saying: Go, UCLA.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, my vote on the Ellison/Grijalva/Lee/Schakowsky/Conyers/McDermott Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, known as the CPC Budget (rollcall vote 136) was recorded as a ``No'' vote when I intended to cast a ``Yes'' vote. I wish to clarify my miscast vote and express my strong support for progressive budgets that invest in everyone, not just the 1%. The Congressional Progressive Caucus' Fiscal Year 2016 Budget-- entitled the ``People's Budget''--is a powerful, profound statement of American values and vision. The CPC fiscal plan recognizes that the middle class is the true engine of our nation's economy by giving working Americans a well-earned and long overdue raise with paid overtime and guaranteed sick and parental leave. The CPC Budget charts a bold course of economic growth for America. It creates 8.4 million jobs, modernizes our nation's sagging infrastructure, makes crucial investments in education and enhances the social safety net. The Budget recognizes that comprehensive immigration reform is both a moral and an economic necessity. It is a roadmap to American success in the 21st century global economy. The CPC Budget is aptly named; it is an economic plan that creates jobs, expands health security and guarantees a dignified retirement for everyone in America. I am proud to support the CPC ``People's Budget.''

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, my vote on the Butterfield/Scott/Lee/Moore Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, known as the CBC Budget (Roll Call Vote No. 137) was recorded as a ``No'' vote when I intended to cast a ``Yes'' vote as well. I wish to clarify my miscast vote and express my strong support for progressive budgets that invest in everyone. The CBC Budget is a roadmap to American success in the 21st century. The Budget proposes a comprehensive jobs program and makes critical investments in education, infrastructure and rebuilds the social safety net. It reduces the deficit by $1.9 trillion, while investing in American families. The Budget also contains a bold plan to combat poverty in America and keeps faith with the promises we have made to our seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare. The CBC Budget is a powerful statement of values and vision that seeks to guarantee a share of the American dream for everyone.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 136 on H. Con. Res. 27 Ellison Amendment 1, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``yes.'' Amendment No. 2 in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Butterfield

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 137 on H. Con. Res. 27 Butterfield Amendment 2, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``yes.'' Amendment No. 3 in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Stutzman

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Rose Toren--mother, wife, grandmother, successful business woman, author, and Holocaust survivor--who passed away on February 2, 2015, at the age of 91. Rose's favorite saying, ``Never give up,'' which she passed along to her family, dictated the way she lived her life. Born into a traditional Jewish family in Poland as Rosalia Orenstein, she was the sole member of her family to survive the Holocaust. On an otherwise ordinary evening in 1939, Nazi soldiers pounded on her door and ordered the family of seven to gather in a field. Her younger sister, Eda, decided to escape and was never seen again. At her father's urging, Rose also ran, never to see her family again. With the help of classmate Urszula Grande, Rose obtained forged paperwork and assumed the identity of a displaced Christian Pole, Kazimiera Lukashuk. She clung to her new identity but was plagued by feelings of anger and isolation in denying her Jewish heritage. In a moment of despair, she admitted her true identity to someone whom she believed was a friend. Rose quickly found herself in the walls of Auschwitz, where she was spared the gas chamber and worked knitting sweaters. She escaped Auschwitz shortly before the end of the war. Like many Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, Rose fled Europe to Israel, where she met her husband, Jack Toren. The young couple later moved to New York, where their daughter Lili was born. When Lili was 9, the Toren family moved to Beverly Hills to provide the best life possible to their daughter. Rose was quick to laugh and lived a life of defiance, thriving and bringing joy to countless others, against all odds. She is survived by her daughter, Mayor Lili Bosse, her son-in-law, John Bosse, and her grandchildren, whom I hope take comfort in the way Rose lived her life as a resilient and astounding woman. May her memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would keep the Department open so it can carry out its critical mission of keeping the American people safe.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. I am opposed to it in its current form.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, this is a 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 final passage, as amended. Let me start by thanking my Republican colleagues for introducing this bill. It makes changes to 529 plans that many on my side of the aisle have also been calling on for years. I support 529 plans, as do many of my constituents. It helps people plan and pay for college, and my wife and I currently invest in 529 plans. There is one amendment to this bill that, I believe, will make it far better, and that is disclosure. The motion to recommit would put in an amendment that says that there has to be a separate report that talks about the types and numbers of fees and how much these fees are and how they impact the performance of the product over 10 to 20 years. Prior to entering politics, I served as a corporate vice president at a financial services company, and it is clear that the foundation upon which Wall Street rests is disclosure. It is the social compact that Wall Street has with Main Street. It is the compact that they have with investors in that they will describe a product--how it works, the fees on that product, and how it performs. By having a separate report that parents can see, one that talks about the fees on these products and how these fees impact the performance, it will allow middle class families to better gauge for themselves how their investments are doing and which investments to select. Does this makes a difference? Yes, it does. Let me give you an example. Savingforcollege.com offers this scenario: If an annual return for a 529 account is 7 percent and if one account charges 20 basis points and another charges 40 basis points, here is the difference on an investment of $5,000: over the course of 18 years, the 529 plan charging the lower fees will save the investor $542. The underlying bill would change existing law to allow 529 funds to be used to purchase a laptop computer for school, and $542 would allow you to buy a laptop. Right now, every State has different rules for disclosure, and they have different fees. For example, in my State of California, we have relatively low fees that range between $142 to $154 over 10 years, but then you have States like Montana and Arkansas, which have some of the highest low-end fees, which could range between $1,100 to $1,200 over 10 years. That makes a huge difference to middle class families. I urge my colleagues to support this motion to recommit, which merely provides disclosure to middle class families so they can better understand their 529 plans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. That is a great question. Let me just explain a little bit what are some of the professions that the DREAMers do in the military. Because of their language skills, the U.S. military needs some of these language skills, so that the U.S. military knows what these terrorists are doing in other parts of the world. To have the language skills that DREAMers possess, that is one reason that we have them serve in the U.S. military. They have a direct effect on trying to prevent terrorist attacks into our homeland. To say that ``we are not going to fund Homeland Security because we want to deport you'' is ridiculous.