Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, here we are again. For 4 months, the Federal Government has been operating under a series of short-term continuing resolutions. And as we approach yet another deadline to fund the government next week, the Republican majority is spending time on the floor today voting a third time on a Defense Appropriations bill that they know will not pass in the Senate. The most basic, fundamental responsibility of Congress is to provide adequate and timely funding for the entire Federal Government, both our national defense and our domestic priorities, for a full fiscal year. The fact that this bill is on the floor for a third time highlights the absolute failure of the Republican majority to advance a responsible budget process. Mr. Speaker, voting on the same bill three times is the very definition of playing political games. The American people deserve better than this continuing Republican chaos. Democrats and Republicans agree. We agree that defense spending is vitally important, but so is funding education, transportation, healthcare, and all the other Federal programs that all Americans and our military--their families, included--depend upon. If anyone doubts the harmful impacts of the endless stopgap spending bills, perhaps they should listen to our Secretary of Defense: ``For too long, we have asked our military to stoically carry a `success at any cost' attitude as they work tirelessly to accomplish the mission with now inadequate and misaligned resources, simply because the Congress could not maintain regular order.'' If Republicans are serious about supporting our military, they should heed the Secretary's warning and work with Democrats on a bipartisan budget agreement to fund the entire government for the rest of the year. I have been ready. Democrats have been ready for months to work across the aisle to advance this process. It is long past time that Republicans join us.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I co-sponsored H. Res. 621, Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors. After I co-sponsored this legislation, I sent the following letter to the people of Minnesota's Fourth District: For my constituents and for history, I want to be on the record supporting an open, transparent process of Congressional investigations, subpoenas, and impeachment proceedings to hold President Trump accountable for actions that are corrupting the Presidency and damaging our nation. To that end, I am co-sponsoring H. Res. 621, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald Trump. Congress has the Constitutional obligation to examine the mounting evidence that President Trump has repeatedly obstructed the criminal investigation into Russia's state- sponsored effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. The recent revelation that the president attempted to fire the lead investigator, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, further underscores the President's obstruction of justice. The investigation into acts of collusion or conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia is legitimate and has resulted in two campaign officials, including President Trump's former National Security Advisor, pleading guilty to federal crimes. President Trump's numerous attempts to prevent, obstruct, or impede justice demand action by Congress to hold him accountable. In addition to his obstruction of justice, President Trump's use of his office to profit personally from outside business interests should be unacceptable to all Americans. President Trump continues to own and influence a global empire of properties and brands for personal profit in direct violation of the Constitution's Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses. The scope and scale of President Trump's family business dealings and foreign entanglements is unknown, demanding a thorough examination. Unlike other recent presidents, President Trump has refused to publically release his tax returns or place his business holdings in blind trust. Never before in the history of our nation has a President created a potential for such profound and rampant corruption. It is obvious that Congress must investigate a president who repeatedly obstructs a criminal investigation and appears to be personally profiting from the Presidency. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled Congress is more interested in covering up for President Trump and protecting itself politically than in conducting a meaningful investigation that provides real accountability for the American people. As a Member of Congress, I must uphold the Constitution. My support for impeachment is rooted in a belief that no president is above the law. Impeachment is the appropriate Constitutional mechanism available to Congress in the event of extreme actions by the President that violate the Constitution, flout our laws, and undermine the trust of Americans. President Trump is the only person responsible for the predicament that he has brought on himself and our country. But it will take action on the part of Congress and the American people to stop the damage that he is causing and to begin to heal our country. My co-sponsorship of H. Res. 621 is a critical step in that effort.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the failure of President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress to do their work on time and in good faith has serious consequences for our country and for our national security. The Republican approach of governing by short-term continuing resolution deprives our military of long-term budget certainty that they need to keep our country safe. President Trump's Secretary of Defense has warned of the severe harm operating under continuing resolutions and the harm that it has done to our military readiness. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the President and for Republicans to end this chaos and to work with us on a long-term budget deal that reopens our government, adequately funds our military, and upholds our commitments here at home. Sadly, the government shutdown that began at midnight means that hundreds of thousands of government employees who serve in critical roles keeping us safe will now be forced to work without pay. We all thank them for their service. As the President himself has acknowledged, the Republican-inflicted shutdown means that our active military will not get paid, causing serious repercussions for their families. I grew up in a military family and I understand the sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make. And I know all of us, as Democrats and Republicans, agree that it is just plain wrong to ask our servicemen and -women in uniform to put their lives on the line without pay. That is why we have introduced the Pay Our Military Act of 2018. This bill provides for both pay and death benefits for our servicemen and - women during this government shutdown. It includes pay and support for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. This bill ensures that our military is able to perform their duties during any shutdown this fiscal year without worrying about the financial security of their families. Should one of our servicemen or -women take and make the ultimate sacrifice, this bill ensures that their family will be taken care of by our country. That is the least we can do. There is a strong precedent for this bill. This House passed similar legislation unanimously--unanimously--during the last government shutdown in 2013. This morning, President Trump tweeted that our country needs to do even better by our military. The Pay Our Military Act fulfills this mission. I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question so we can bring up this bill and pay our troops.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4712, the latest attempt by House Republicans to come between physicians and their patients. H.R. 4712 amends the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 (P.L. No: 107-207) which I voted for because it codified current law. Unfortunately, H.R. 4712 amends the bipartisan Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, injecting partisan politics into the healthcare decisions of women and their physicians. H.R. 4712 would overrule medical professionals by forcing that a newborn infant be transported to a hospital regardless of whether that would be best for the infant's health. Not only is this a dangerous intrusion into the medical decision-making of doctors, but it also may endanger infant health. Even if it is in the best interest of the infant's health, if a doctor violates this law's mandate, automatic criminal penalties of prison time, crippling fines, or both would be applied to that medical professional. Although supporters of this bill claim that their intentions are only to protect newborn infants from medical negligence, the true objectives of this legislation are clear: spread misinformation about women's reproductive health and to dissuade medical professionals from entering the practice of abortion services. This legislation is unnecessary. Today, abortion practice is safe, legal, and highly regulated to ensure that the best possible care is provided to a woman. Existing law ensures that medical professionals meet these standards. Let me be clear, an individual who performs illegal abortion services should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I join all Members of Congress and all Americans in opposition to the horrific actions of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. There is no dispute that Dr. Gosnell deserved to be prosecuted, found guilty, and face the multiple life sentences that he is now serving due to the laws already in place in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. Unfortunately, H.R. 4712 is yet another assault by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans on women's reproductive health. Congress' most basic responsibility is funding the government and today we are facing a government shutdown. I urge my Republican colleagues to stop playing politics with women's health and get back to addressing the urgent needs of the American people like keeping the government open. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 4712.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I missed a vote on January 17, 2018 to approve the Journal. Had I been present, I would have voted to approve the previous day's Journal.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation, which ignores the urgent need of the American people. The Federal Government's fiscal year started October 1 of last year. But instead of fulfilling their responsibility to fund our government in a timely manner, President Trump and the Republicans spent months working to pass their tax scam. Now, because they didn't do their jobs, Mr. Speaker, Republicans are asking us to vote to kick the can down the road again. This is no way to run a government. The American people deserve immediate action on the critical issues that matter to our country. We need a budget agreement in order to do that. We need to keep our government open. We need to protect our national security, and we need to meet the needs of our community and these hardworking families. We need to protect workers' pensions by enacting responsible reforms that will save struggling pension plans. We need to provide disaster relief to our fellow Americans who were hit hard by hurricanes and wildfires last year. We need to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, which funds treatment and prevention programs for Native Americans. And, yes, we need to pass a Dream Act, which protects children from President Trump's cruel termination of DACA. The American people overwhelmingly support these priorities, but you won't find them in this bill. Instead, Republicans have turned this CR into a tax bill that has provisions that didn't make it in their original tax plan. While this legislation does finally reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, it abandons our community health centers, where parents take their children to get the care that they need. Make no mistake, this bill will cause layoffs at clinics, which means fewer people in my district throughout Minnesota will get the care that they need. Mr. Speaker, the Republican Party has total control in Washington, but instead of working for the American people, President Trump and his allies in Congress are ignoring them. Minnesotans and Americans deserve a better deal than the one that they are getting from this Republican Congress. It is time for President Trump and the Republicans to end the chaos, to truly work across the aisle to find ways that we can fund this government responsibly, and to address our national priorities.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Republican Party has total control of Washington. Yet, instead of fulfilling their responsibilities to fund the government, President Trump and the Republicans wasted the last 4 months on their tax scam. Because they haven't done their jobs, Republicans now tell us we need to kick the can down the road again. Minnesotans and Americans deserve better. We need a budget deal that keeps our government open, protects our national security, meets our commitments to hardworking families. We need to reauthorize community health centers which will otherwise be forced to lay off healthcare workers. We need to protect workers' retirements by enacting responsible pension reform. And, yes, we must pass the Dream Act. There is bipartisan support for these priorities. The only thing standing in the way is Republican's failure to govern responsibly. Mr. Speaker, it is time for President Trump and the Republicans to end the chaos and to work across the aisle to meet the urgent needs of the American people.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the Republican majority has utterly failed to govern responsibly and has neglected the needs of the American people. The federal government's fiscal year started three months ago, and since then House Republicans have accomplished nothing except to pass their deficit busting tax-scam for big corporations and billionaires. In the meantime, they have held hostage a full year of funding for our government and failed to extend critical healthcare programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). So here we are debating H.R. 1370, a third continuing resolution that attempts to paper over the failures of this Republican Congress. Mr. Speaker, this is simply intolerable to my constituents. H.R. 1370 contains billions in defense ``anomalies'' that are not subject to the discretionary spending caps and have not had a single hearing in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Democrats have been ready for months to strike a bipartisan agreement to raise the caps for defense and nondefense spending with parity. Bypassing the defense cap with new spending in H.R. 1370 is unacceptable. H.R. 1370 fails to include a bipartisan reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program, continuing the uncertainty and fear that 9 million children and their families who depend on the program face. The funding provided for CHIP in this bill would only fund the program through March, 2018, and would be offset with cuts to other critical healthcare programs like the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Every American should be offended that Republicans have spent their time passing tax cuts for the rich while the medical needs of children are cast aside. H.R. 1370 also temporarily extends surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including FISA Section 702. In 2012, I did not vote to extend these authorities when they were reauthorized out of a concern for how the privacy of the American people would be impacted. Since 2012, there has been no effort to address my concerns, so I cannot support an extension of FISA in the current form. Finally, while I am glad to see that a serious conversation has begun on separate legislation that would provide additional emergency disaster relief for areas impacted by this year's hurricane season (H.R. 4667), I am deeply concerned that the bill fails to fix a Medicaid funding shortfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If this is not addressed early in the next session of Congress, thousands of Americans will be at risk of losing access to critical healthcare programs in 2018. The federal government has a responsibility to provide the same standard of federal assistance to the American citizens living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as it does to states. As we debate this today, the Senate has already indicated they will not take up H.R. 4667 due to these same concerns. Mr. Speaker, Republicans need to stop lurching from crisis to crisis. These problems require bipartisan solutions, and we know from history that the only way appropriations bills are enacted into law is when Republicans and Democrats reach an agreement on funding levels. So I urge my Republican colleagues to put forward appropriate funding levels for all twelve appropriations bills and finally work with Democrats to meet the challenges our nation faces.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include into the Record the following article: Tax Bill Would Trigger Cuts to Vital Programs [Nov. 14, 2017] The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (SPAYGO) created a budgetary enforcement regime to offset net deficit increases that would otherwise result from new laws affecting direct spending or revenues. SPAYGO in essence keeps a running tab of the deficit effects of all such laws, including laws enacted through the budget reconciliation process. If, at the end of a session of Congress, the SPAYGO scorecard shows a net debit for the upcoming year, numerous direct spending programs will get hit with an across-the-board cut to ``pay for'' that debit. The Republican tax bill released last week would increase deficits by $1.5 trillion over ten years. If Congress does not enact offsetting budgetary savings or provide some other remedy, enactment of this bill will trigger massive automatic program cuts every year for the next ten years. The tax bill's deficit effects would trigger SPAYGO cuts that would lead to outright elimination of many programs and still would not be enough to offset the tax bill's costs in full. Damaging SPAYGO cuts resulting from the tax bill would include: A 4 percent reduction in Medicare payments. Over ten years, this would add up to hundreds of billions of dollars. (SPAYGO caps the Medicare cut at 4 percent.) A doubling of loan origination fees for federal student loans, making college more expensive for millions of students. Elimination of funding for programs subject to uncapped SPAYGO across-the-board reductions. Some of the largest programs that would be zeroed out include: Social Services Block Grants, which are flexible grants to states. They support a variety of initiatives serving low- income and vulnerable individuals such as adult protective services, special services to persons with disabilities, adoption services, case management, health-related services, transportation support, foster care, substance abuse services, home-delivered meals, independent and transitional living, and employment-related services. Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants, which help states assist individuals with physical or mental impairments in developing new work skills and finding employment. Commodity Credit Corporation farm price supports, which help stabilize and support farmer's incomes. Crime Victims Fund, which provides compensation to victims of crime and supports victims' services. Prevention and Public Health Fund, which expands investments in programs to improve health, primarily through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trade Adjustment Assistance, which helps workers who have lost their jobs due to trade-related circumstances, such as an increase in imports.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this continuing resolution. The Federal Government's fiscal year started 3 months ago. The Republican Congress still hasn't passed a full year of Federal spending. Rather than protecting our Nation and meeting the needs of the American people, we are now debating a third continuing resolution to kick the can into January. Republicans control this House, the Senate, and the White House, but, clearly, they do not take their responsibility to fund the Federal Government seriously. Frankly, they should be embarrassed. For the past 3 months, Democrats have sought to work with Republicans to secure a budget agreement and responsibly pass appropriations bills, but Republicans have been too busy to meet this basic responsibility. Instead, they have spent months working in secret on their deficit- busting tax scam. Let's be clear: the Republican tax scam is part of this CR as well. The CR contains language to exempt the Republican's lavish tax cuts for big corporations and billionaires from the statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act. Republicans passed their tax scam knowing it was fiscally irresponsible and that it would trigger cuts to Medicare, the Crime Victims Fund, and other vital programs, and trigger an increase in Federal student loans. Now they are asking Democrats to help bail them out. While I didn't vote for the Republican tax scam and I am not going to paper over their mistakes so that President Trump can sign it into law, here is what I will do, Mr. Speaker. As the ranking member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I know Republican appropriators are as frustrated I am. I want to work with them to find common ground and to responsibly fund our government. It is time for appropriators to do our jobs and for Republicans and Democrats to work together. It is time for us to get back to work and fund the Federal Government responsibly.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on December 18, 2017, I was in my district conducting official business and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted in support of H.R. 4375, STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act, and H.R. 3979, Keep America's Refuges Operational Act. Had I been present, I would have voted in opposition to the Republican motion to fix the convening times.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare of Saint Paul, Minnesota on its 120th anniversary of providing world class, compassionate care for children and their families. Before the turn of the 20th Century, two pioneering leaders, Jessie Haskins and Dr. Arthur Gillette, recognized the acute need to provide a place where children with disabilities could receive state-of-the-art care that was tailor-made to fit their needs. At their urging, in 1897 the Minnesota legislature created what would later be named Gillette Children's Hospital, the first such institution in the country to focus exclusively on treating children with disabilities. Today, not far from its first location on the shores of Lake Phalen, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is celebrating 120 years of outstanding service to the public and groundbreaking treatment of children in our community and from around the globe. Gillette Children's serves an incredibly important calling in our state and country. By staying focused on what a child can do, rather than what they cannot, Gillette Children's helps to make the difference in how a child will recover and grow after receiving care. Caring for children and families from all across the United States and around the world, Gillette Children's has improved the lives of countless children and their families since day one. It is often said, that Gillette Children's has soul. This is because it not just a hospital, but a special place that connects entire families. By providing lifelong care to individuals who were first treated there as children and now are adults, Gillette Children's creates deep and meaningful bonds between the children, staff and volunteers. This unique practice is one of many reasons why Gillette Children's stands out as an extraordinary example of excellence in care and community stewardship. As medical technology has improved, so too has Gillette Children's capacity to treat young patients who experience some of the most complex, traumatic and rare conditions. Home to the James R. Gage Center for Gait and Motion Analysis, the hospital is one of only seven such accredited centers in the country that helps to improve mobility and walking among children who have walking and movement disorders. Since its founding in 1897, staff devotion to compassionate and supportive care for children undergoing treatment and recovery has remained steadfast. Today, each child's emotional well-being remains at the core of Gillette Children's approach to medical care. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the 120th anniversary of Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for all that it does to improve the lives of children in Minnesota and beyond.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, and I thank the chairman, as well as the authors of this piece of legislation, Mr. Chabot and Mr. Crowley, for their work on this important issue. Last month, I visited Burma and Bangladesh on a congressional factfinding mission. Our visits to refugee camps, our conversations with survivors, made it clear that the persecution of the Rohingya people in Burma's Rakhine State is a severe humanitarian crisis and demands robust American leadership. This resolution is an important first step in demonstrating that Congress will not tolerate human rights abuses against the Rohingyas. Our delegation saw, however, there is a path forward. The Burmese Government and the military must fully implement the recommendations of the former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's advisory commission. Burma must work with Bangladesh, and the U.N. must fully work to return voluntarily the Rohingya refugees with guarantee of a safe return and a fair process to allow the Rohingyas to apply for and secure citizenship. That must be established. Finally, there must be an independent investigation to ensure accountability for the atrocities and the abuses that have taken place. Mr. Speaker, I saw people suffering in both Burma and in Bangladesh, and the suffering must come to an end. They are crying out for action, and the United States and the international community must help them secure justice. This resolution, this vote today, is just the beginning. I encourage people to support this.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join them and to join me in opposing this bill, and I thank the gentleman from California for the time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I brought this poster to the floor earlier. I bring it again up here. This is the proposed area in which the Twin Metals mine has been looking at doing the sulfide-copper ore mining, which, as I pointed out, 92 percent of the mines have polluted water quality. All of them have had leakage or seepage. This is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area up here. We keep hearing about how it is just adjacent. Mr. Speaker, this is an underground corridor, and this is an underground corridor. This is a deposit. This is where all of the mining activity would take place. Mr. Speaker, I don't see how open water creates a physical boundary to stop pollution. The pollution will go up north of the Laurentian Divide, and it will seep and go into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, 1,000 lakes, rivers, and streams. This is mining adjacent to a wilderness that will become forever polluted if this mine is to be built.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this destructive bill. This bill undermines bedrock environmental and public land management laws in order to create a perpetual lease for a foreign-owned toxic mine. This mine will be on the doorstep of one of our country's last truly wild places, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Boundary Waters contains 1.1 million acres of unspoiled woodlands and more than 1,000 pristine lakes. The water wilderness is beloved by adventurers, canoers, sportsmen, and sportswomen from all across the United States and around the world. To safeguard this natural treasure, Congress has prohibited logging, mining, and even the use of most motorized vehicles on this Federal land. It has made the Boundary Waters a haven for birds and other wildlife and the most visited wilderness area in the United States of America. These visitors, over 250,000 annually, have helped the economy and created jobs in northern Minnesota, but the bill we are debating today puts this all at risk. It paves the way for a massive sulfide-ore copper mine just a few miles from the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Sulfide-ore mining is the most toxic industry in the United States. Sulfide mines pollute waterways with acid drainage, which contain arsenic, lead, and mercury. This type of mining is particularly risky in the vast, interconnected watershed that flows throughout the Boundary Waters into Voyageurs National Park and across the border into the Canadian provincial park. The supporters of H.R. 3905 claim that the bill still protects the Boundary Waters because the mines will be located outside the wilderness area. Mr. Speaker, this is simply not the case. Let me show you where the mining would take place here. This is the site of the proposed mine on the edge of the wilderness area. The river that you see flows through the Boundary Waters. The area contains popular Forest Service campgrounds and entry points to the wilderness. It is a base for scouting and veterans' outdoor recreation trips. Some of the Superior National Forest's most popular fishing lakes and hunting grounds are in this area. They are home to hundreds of people and businesses. If this bill passes, it will create an industrial wasteland. This bill poses an unacceptable risk of irreparable damage to a pristine wilderness. A 2012 study of American sulfide-ore mines found that all mines have leaked, and 92 percent of them had experienced failures that negatively affected the local water quality. Even state-of-the-art sulfide-ore copper mines consistently pollute their surrounding environments. For example, in August 2014, a copper mine in British Columbia released a toxic slurry--10 billion liters of wastewater and 5 billion liters of tailings--that created a polluted dystopia of dead trees and contaminated salmon spawning areas. Because of the risks involved with these mines, the Forest Service has begun a 2-year environmental review that will determine if the Boundary Waters is an appropriate place for dangerous sulfide-ore copper mining or if a 20-year withdrawal of mining rights in the watershed is appropriate. This review is the process that Congress established, under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, for considering mineral withdrawal. The review is supported by Minnesota's Governor, tribal governments, and 79 percent of all Minnesotans. It also has been supported by both the current and the former administration. Just this morning, again, I spoke with the chief of the U.S. Forest Service and thanked him for the administration's commitment to allow the study to go forward. But the bill we are considering today stops this established scientific review process from going forward. Instead, it creates a loophole for the benefit of a foreign mining interest. It automatically reinstates two expired and denied leasings dating back to 1966, before modern environmental laws like the Clean Water Act. It allows permanent mining leases on national forestland, our Nation's public land, removing scientific safeguards, environmental considerations, and public input from the renewal process. It exempts Federal forests in Minnesota from the protections of the landmark Antiquities Act. It sets a dangerous precedent and will have consequences all across our country. There is simply no justification for Congress to rewrite the rules for our Federal forests in Minnesota, and that is exactly what this piece of legislation does. In short, this proposal is a giveaway of public resources to private interests. One of our Nation's last wild places becomes collateral damage. Good people of both parties all across Minnesota and throughout this country know the importance of protecting this pristine wilderness, and that is why so many of them have submitted letters to Congress in opposition to H.R. 3905. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record these letters of opposition from Minnesota's Governor, Mark Dayton; three Tribal nations: Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, and White Earth Bands of the Minnesota Chippewa; the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation, and other sporting groups; the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin; Veterans for the Boundary Waters; and a coalition of dozens of national organizations that advocate for clean water and public lands and conservation. State of Minnesota, Office of Governor Mark Dayton, Saint Paul, MN, November 27, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan: I write in strong opposition to H.R. 3905, which I understand has passed out of Committee and is being reviewed by House Majority Leadership for a floor vote. I implore you not to schedule a vote on this bill without a full vetting of the serious risks to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from adjacent copper-nickel mining, the status of the two-year federal study currently underway, and the wishes of the majority of Minnesotans, who oppose copper- nickel mining in the immediate vicinity of the Boundary Waters. H.R. 3905 is a bill, ``To require congressional approval of any mineral withdrawal or monument designation involving the National Forest System lands in the State of Minnesota, to provide for the renewal of certain mineral leases in such lands, and for other purposes.'' H.R. 3905 was introduced in response to the desires of a foreign mining company to use Congress to circumvent the deliberations of the U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture and their agencies, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), to determine whether copper-nickel mining can be conducted safely in this ecologically sensitive part of Minnesota. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BCWAW) is America's most popular national Wilderness Area, drawing visitors from all over the world to Northeastern Minnesota to fish, hunt, and experience its interconnected pristine lakes, rivers and streams. Additionally, the BWCAW contributes enormously to Minnesota's social and economic wellbeing. In January, 2017, the BLM and the USFS began a comprehensive two-year study to determine whether copper- nickel mining, with its toxic by-product, sulfide ore, is appropriate within the watershed and immediate vicinity of the BWCA. Specifically, this environmental review will determine whether the Superior National Forest lands next to the BWCAW should be removed from the federal mining program to protect the Wilderness from pollution and other environmental degradation caused by the resulting sulfide ore. The study considers a wide variety of factors, including scientific evidence, public input, economic considerations, ecological characteristics, and recreational value, among others. I respectfully ask that you allow the completion of this important review process. Over 126,000 Americans have submitted public comments as part of it. Many attended three public meetings conducted earlier this year by the BLM and USFS. Moving H.R. 3905 forward at this time would disregard the input of all Americans, who have participated in the process, as well as the views of the 79 percent of Minnesotans, who favor the two-year pause and environmental review of potential impacts to the BWCAW. The BWCAW is crucially important to our state, and I believe strongly that future federal and state decisions about its future should be made only after the most careful and objective scientific review. I urge you to reject the attempts by a foreign mining corporation to short-circuit the review process underway, and to affirm the importance of a careful, objective analysis under the existing federal legal framework. Continuing this review process is the best way to allow for well-informed federal and state decisions, which will affect many future generations of Americans. Industry should not dictate the stewardship of taxpayer-owned public lands, nor use Congress to short-circuit sound decision-making--especially regarding pristine Wilderness Areas like the BWCAW. Sincerely, Mark Dayton, Governor.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3115, the Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017. This bill mandates an exchange of more than 6,600 acres in the Superior National Forest for the construction of a massive open pit sulfide-ore copper and nickel mine. This project is controversial with the majority of Minnesotans who oppose the toxic sulfide-ore mining because it is a threat to our water quality, public lands, and outdoor recreation in our State. This legislation also raises serious due process concerns. There are four pending lawsuits challenging the land exchange based on existing environmental laws and concerns about the appropriate appraisal values. Federal courts are still considering these suits, but this legislation undermines the proper judicial review to expedite the construction of the PolyMet mine. Finally, this bill ignores the treaty rights of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized Tribal nation. The Fond du Lac Reservation is downstream from the proposed mine site, and the Tribal chairman has told Congress this mine will, and I quote the Tribal chairman, ``pose a direct threat to the water and the fish, the game, and the wild rice on which the Tribe depends.'' The National Congress of American Indians also strongly opposes this legislation. H.R. 3115 undermines legal due process, environmental safeguards, and the treaty rights of our Native American brothers and sisters, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 3115.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join Minnesota Muslims in recognizing the 10th anniversary on the founding of the Council on American-Islamic Relations--Minnesota Chapter (CAIR-MN). CAIR-MN is among the 35 Regional Offices and chapters across the United States that are working to enhance reinforce core American values by encouraging dialogue, promoting social justice, protecting civil liberties and fostering freedom of religion. CAIR-MN is to be commended for their advocacy work to advance civil rights and ensure that America remains a beacon of hope, freedom, opportunity and respect for people of all backgrounds. At a time when Muslim Americans and Muslim immigrants face unprecedented levels of intolerance and abject bigotry, the work of CAIR-MN is vital. Minnesotans treasure our diversity and the desire for open and meaningful dialogue as we work together to strengthen our communities. Our growing and vibrant Muslim community in Minnesota is an important part of the fabric of this country, and I am pleased that CAIR-MN is actively engaged with our local communities across our state. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent Minnesota families of many cultures, ethnicities and faiths. CAIR-MN plays an important role in protecting our state's culture and tradition of respect for all. Please join me in recognizing CAIR-MN for 10 years of advocacy and dialogue on behalf of Minnesota Muslims.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republicans' tax scam. The middle class receives virtually no benefit from this bill. This bill hits middle class Minnesotans especially hard by dismantling the State and local tax deduction. It increases costs for college students and their families. It abandons adoptive parents, and it punishes people with high medical bills. So why does this bill hurt hardworking families? So President Trump and the Republicans can pay for giveaways to the wealthiest Americans? Big corporations and billionaires will see their taxes slashed. Wealthy heirs and heiresses will be allowed to dodge taxes entirely. While the top 1 percent of Americans receive nearly half the tax cuts, 99 percent of us will be stuck with a Federal debt that will explode by trillions of dollars. Mr. Speaker, this Republican bill is not tax reform. It is not a good deal for the middle class. It is a scam, plain and simple. I oppose it, and we must defeat it.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act of 2017 (H.R. 3922). While I support reauthorizing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and various other important public health programs, I oppose this bill because it cuts funding for public health, puts families at risk of losing their health insurance, and weakens Medicare. The health of children and expecting and new mothers is something that we can all agree on. In my home state of Minnesota, CHIP funding is essential for providing healthcare to 125,000 low income children and 1,700 expecting and new mothers. Minnesota also depends on FQHC funding with over 190,000 people receiving care from one of the more than 70 community health centers in my state last year. Unfortunately, House Republicans have turned these bipartisan issues into an opportunity to divide us. The offsets included in this legislation are unacceptable to me and to Minnesota families. Once again, Republicans are using this legislation as yet another opportunity to weaken the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by cutting $6.35 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund over the next ten years. This fund, created by the ACA, directly funds our nation's prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. If these Republican cuts become law, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be forced to provide less funding to cities, states, and tribes to rapidly address public health crises. This money includes funding for vaccines, flu prevention, and addressing the opioid epidemic. When my home state of Minnesota had to recently deal with a serious outbreak of measles, our community health officials utilized these federal resources to rapidly contain the spread of disease. Simply put, this irresponsible offset leaves American communities more vulnerable to, and unprepared for, outbreaks of disease. In addition, this bill takes aim at yet another ACA provision by shortening the 90-day grace period for individuals to pay premiums before their insurer can terminate their coverage. The current grace period allows low and moderate income families experiencing temporary financial difficulties to remain covered by their health insurance. Shortening this grace period from 90 days to 30 days would cause nearly 700,000 Americans to lose their health care and bars them from purchasing health insurance until the next season. I am also concerned by the provision that introduces means testing to Medicare. A key strength of Medicare is its universal nature. All Americans pay into Medicare and all Americans should receive at least some benefit from it. This provision breaks that guarantee and sets a dangerous precedent for the future. I am also concerned that it could weaken the Medicare risk pool and increase costs for the taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, even the Majority concedes that this bill is unlikely to pass the Senate due to the partisan nature of its provisions. Republicans need to stop playing games and reauthorize these programs before Minnesota faces a critical December 1 deadline to continue coverage for children and expecting mothers. I urge my colleagues to vote against this measure and instead to work together to fund CHIP and community health centers.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today in opposition to the so- called Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 (H.R. 732). The Department of Justice has long had the authority to enter into and enforce settlement agreements on behalf of the United States government. This includes payments to third parties that help right the wrongs caused by an entity that has broken the law. For instance, the government can negotiate a settlement that allows payments to groups like nonprofits that help aid in the recovery of the individuals and communities hurt by unlawful conduct. These third-party payments are particularly important when it is impossible to quantify all of the harm done, as is often true of environmental cases. When a corporation responsible for dumping waste into a waterway or emitting pollutants into the air agrees to this type of settlements, the non-profits they pay restore coastlines, rebuild ecosystems, and often coordinate cleanup activities. This legislation threatens that critical remediation and recovery work. The Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 ends this common-sense practice by prohibiting the U.S. government from entering into or enforcing settlement agreements that require payments to third parties. It also makes it much more difficult to provide relief for damage that is more generalized and non-quantifiable. When a power plant dirties the air of a community, the number of visits to the doctor or new cases of asthma cannot be precisely measured. That does not mean that they should not be held responsible for the harm they caused. House Republicans have used the first 10 months of this Congress to do little more than push policies that reduce corporate accountability and line the pockets of corporate bad actors. I oppose the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this funding package. This bill is a downpayment on the recovery from the recent fires and hurricanes. I am pleased that it contains $576.5 million to fully repay the funds that the U.S. Forest Service borrowed last fiscal year to pay for wildfire suppression. We have all seen the devastation and the tragic loss of life from large fires burning across our country. Fiscal year 2017 was the most expensive year on record for wildfire suppression, costing $2.4 billion. As the duration and severity of wildfires grows, costs will continue to rise. Unfortunately, once again we have missed the opportunity to fix the way the Federal Government funds wildfire suppression. Let me be clear: the next supplemental must include a legislative fix for wildfire spending, and it must adequately support the Department of the Interior and its vital efforts to help our country rebuild from the recent fires and hurricanes.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend, a committed public servant, and a fierce labor leader from St. Paul, Minnesota--Ms. Robin Madsen. Robin passed away last week at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. Her death is a personal loss for me since I have known her for more than thirty years. Robin was a wonderful woman, a tireless believer in organized labor, a champion for children, and one of the kindest souls you could ever meet. For thirty-six years Robin drove the St. Paul Public Library bookmobile. She was the ``bookmobile lady'' to thousands of children who were able to explore their interests, new ideas, and the world because Robin's bookmobile came to their neighborhood. Robin also became the president of AFSCME 1842 where she served as a committed advocate for workers, public employees, and political candidates who were willing to invest in community services to meet the needs of families and children. From my first campaign for Congress in 2000 I was honored to have Robin as a friend and supporter. She helped organize a Women of Labor effort and was never shy about speaking her mind or helping behind the scenes. Robin was all about getting results without worrying about getting credit. Robin Madsen was a true friend and a strong woman who I admired and respected greatly. My prayers and condolences are with Robin's children, grandchildren and countless friends. Robin will be missed.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Constance Haddeland, a 2017 recipient of the Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Association of the United States, which honors local civic leaders who have distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States and the National Guard. ``Connie'' as we know her is a Constituent Services Representative in my Saint Paul, Minnesota office. She was nominated for this recognition by MG Richard C. Nash, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General, who presented this award to her this week at the 133rd Airlift Wing in Minnesota. For more than 10 years Connie has exemplified a wholehearted commitment to the well-being of Minnesota service members, veterans and their families. Her efforts have resulted in quality of life benefits for National Guard members and Reservists, improved services to veterans and all Armed Forces Service Members serving in Minnesota. First in 2010 and again in 2012, Minnesota National Guard members returned home from deployments and found themselves without Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence Program (PDMRA) benefits and ``bonus pay.'' Connie spearheaded communication between constituents and my office on this issue, providing updates to veteran service organizations and other stakeholders, and working to ensure benefits parity for Guardsmen and Reservists by correcting errors in the way the Department of Defense implemented this program. As coordinator for U.S. Service Academy nominations in the Fourth District, Connie has led an exemplary program, shepherding applications from hundreds of students resulting in the nominations of scores of Minnesota's best and brightest high school students to attend our nation's prestigious service academies. Connie has touched the lives of hundreds of veterans, military personnel and their families in deep and meaningful ways through her thoughtful, patient and tireless advocacy on their behalf. Among the most poignant casework successes include assisting the family of an ailing World War II veteran locate the service records necessary to award him the Bronze Star before he passed away. She also assisted a young soldier correct his military records, which allowed him to access GI Bill benefits to pursue a career in medicine and become a trauma surgeon. The National Guard Association of the United States Patrick Henry Award citation states it best: Connie Haddeland has distinguished herself by providing selfless and dedicated service to the Minnesota National Guard and the United States, by working long and tireless hours representing the members of the National Guard. Her steadfast professionalism, knowledge of Minnesota National Guard priorities, outreach efforts, and casework management have significantly contributed to successful and meaningful legislation advanced by Congresswoman McCollum on behalf of the men and women of the National Guard. Her dedicated service as a Constituent Services Representative and Service Academy Nominations Coordinator are in keeping with the finest traditions of the National Guard Association of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more. Please join me in paying tribute to Ms. Connie Haddeland for her many past and future contributions to our veterans, servicemen and women and their families.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Model Cities, a provider of essential community services for low- income residents in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Born to meet a growing need for high-quality health care for low-income residents in the capital city's historic, predominantly African American Rondo neighborhood, Model Cities has grown and evolved over the past five decades into a dynamic development organization focused on fully integrating human services while working to improve economic conditions for all. Model Cities has led the way adapting as necessary to address changing community challenges. From its beginning in the basement of St. James AME Church, the organization broke through barriers to improve the lives of people coming through its doors. Early leaders like Mary Stokes, an African American nurse, who served as the center's first coordinator of volunteer medical and dental services, helped set the standard of care and outreach to the community. Mrs. Timothy O. Vann, another trailblazing African American woman and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, became the first project director in 1971. Upon her retirement, Dr. Beverley Oliver Hawkins became the new Executive Director in 1984 and continues to lead Model Cities. Today, Model Cities looks a little different than it did at the beginning. As part of its evolution to meet the needs of the community, the health center became a separate organization and in 2003, changed its name to Open Cities Health Center. Model Cities continues to deliver a broad range of critical community services that strengthen our community: culturally competent family support services, youth program services, homebuyer education and community-based development. One of the community development efforts that is currently taking shape, Business Revitalization and Ownership for a Working Neighborhood (BROWNstone), aims to revitalize an area in Saint Paul's Frogtown neighborhood along University Avenue and Metro Green Line Light Rail Transit, while also adding 35 units of affordable rental housing, as well as retail, office, and community space. For 50 years, Model Cities has been a vital partner in our community, lifting up families and individuals in need to access opportunities to improve their lives. As Model Cities commemorates this 50th anniversary year, please join me in recognizing the selfless contributions of the staff and volunteers who have delivered these vital services for our community.