Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 635, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015 (H.R. 1694). H.R. 1694 as drafted would undermine the Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program to promote women- and minority-owned small businesses and provide them with the opportunity to compete for federal highway construction contracts in an equitable manner. H.R. 1694 would force women- and minority-owned small businesses into the same pool of competition with veteran-owned small businesses to the detriment of everyone the DBE program was intended to help. The best way to help our veteran-owned small businesses is to establish a separate and specific program to achieve the aim of ensuring veteran-owned businesses receive fair consideration for federal highway contracts. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3997, which would create a Veteran-owned Business Enterprise program within the Department of Transportation. This program would guarantee that at least 10 percent of federal highway contracts go to veteran-owned small businesses. It would maximize assistance to both veteran-owned and women- and minority-owned small businesses, and would not force competition between them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015 (H.R. 1694).

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356). The agreement reached in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 was an important step towards adjusting the caps on defense and non-defense discretionary spending. It provided for more stable investments in both national security and domestic programs, and I commend President Obama and Congressional leaders for their bipartisan efforts to provide a more appropriate level of funding. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 mitigated some of the funding concerns surrounding the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356) and made this an improved bill. However, the revisions in the bill did nothing to alleviate my concerns regarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay or excess military facilities. S. 1356 still prevents the responsible transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and the closure of the detention center. Instead, Guantanamo Bay will remain an extremist propaganda tool that undermines our national security. The closure of this facility is long overdue. S. 1356 also continues to ignore testimony from senior leaders in the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and Department of the Army regarding the closure of surplus military facilities. An authorization of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is the best way to address this problem and would save money that could be invested in other national security priorities. While I recognize that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 provided a measure of funding stability for our Defense leaders, S. 1356 continues to include provisions that are detrimental to our national security and undermines the safety of the women and men who put themselves at risk to defend our nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356).

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, illegal poaching has hit a crisis point for many of the world's most iconic species. Nearly 100 elephants are being slaughtered each day by ivory poachers. The black market sale of rhino horn and trafficking in infant gorillas is driving these species to the brink of extinction. H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-Poaching Act, takes critical steps to strengthen the punishments for poaching and wildlife tracking. The United States is a leader in the fight to protect endangered and threatened species around the world, and this legislation continues that legacy. This bill will ensure that the full strength of the U.S. criminal justice system can be brought to bear against those who seek to kill, trade, or otherwise profit from the furs, pelts, skins, or other body parts of protected species. The profits from this illegal trade are often used to fund terrorist or criminal activities, making the tougher enforcements in this bill an issue of national security as well. Additionally, this bill creates important partnerships with nations around the world to lend our country's expertise in countering wildlife trafficking to local law enforcement officials on the ground. By engaging partners across national boundaries, coordinating resources, and sharing intelligence, this legislation would make anti-poaching efforts around the world more efficient and more effective. Poaching is a big business in the criminal world that threatens species across the globe. This legislation steps up America's efforts to ensure the protection of endangered species and crack down on this black market industry. I thank Mr. Royce, as the author of this bill and our founding co-chair on the International Conservation Caucus, for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2494.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Twin Cities Public Television's efforts through the American Graduate initiative to provide Minnesota's African American youth with a platform to share their educational journeys, challenges, and success stories with our community. American Graduate is a multi-year public media initiative through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that aids local communities across America in finding solutions to the high school dropout crisis that plagues our nation. I am proud that in Minnesota, Twin Cities Public Television's contribution to this national effort has been to explore not only the state's achievement gap in our African American community, but also the belief gap that fuels it There is often a significant division in belief between what children and families of traditionally marginalized groups believe they can accomplish and what others in positions of power believe these youth are capable of. TPT's effort is aimed at exposing these barriers to success and providing youth with an opportunity to share their stories. TPT's American Graduate supported programming is called ``Believe in Black Youth,'' which includes segments on ``Almanac'', TPT's weekly public affairs program, online spots and much more. The cornerstone of TPT's efforts is a thirty minute documentary titled ``Black Brilliance'' which chronicles the journeys of five African American high school students to graduation and their dreams for the future. It is through stories like those told in ``Black Brilliance'' that TPT seeks to help change the narrative of a belief system about Minnesota's marginalized African American youth from one of inadequacy and disadvantage to one of value and worth. Every student in America deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education, and ensuring that all of our nation's children have the best chance for success in life is the most important job we have as leaders, teachers, parents, and Americans. I am truly pleased to see Twin Cities Public Television address these critical issues and advancing the voices of those in our community who have found it so difficult to have their voices heard.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I take issue with the irresponsible manner in which this authorization approaches funding of our National Defense. This bill uses the Overseas Contingency Operations fund to avoid congressionally mandated budget caps for fiscal year 2016--an approach that fails to provide the appropriate budget and funding structure that enables the Department of Defense to operate in the most effective and efficient manner over both the short-term and long-term planning horizons. This is Congress' most important role. We need to do this right. In addition, this Conference Report prevents the responsible transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and continues the existence of a detention facility which serves as propaganda for extremists and undermines our moral standing in the world. Many of the detainees who remain were cleared for transfer nearly six years ago by the Guantanamo Review Task Force--an interagency effort that included the Departments of Defense, Justice, State, and Homeland Security, as well as the Director of National Intelligence. The transfer restrictions interfere with the administration's executive role in responsibly closing this facility, wasting valuable resources, and making us less safe. This facility needs to be closed. H.R. 1735 fails to heed the expert advice and request of numerous senior leaders in the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and Department of the Army, who all repeatedly testified regarding the problem of sustaining excess facilities. I understand that many of my colleagues are concerned about potentially losing a military base in their district; however, we should not force the Defense Department to hold onto excess infrastructure and assets that are of diminishing military value. The best way to address this problem is to authorize a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and ensure our military bases are operating in the smartest, most efficient and effective manner. This bill prevents that from happening. I recognize that passing the NDAA is described as a tradition, but tradition is an inadequate reason to support legislation that undermines the ability of our Defense leaders to properly manage the largest portion of our federal budget--the portion responsible for National Security--and effectively undermines the health and safety of the women and men who carry out that mission. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, last week I attended my son's wedding in Japan causing me to miss the Pope's historic address to Congress as well as votes on September 24 and 25, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted in support of the following bills and amendments. 1. H.R. 322 2. Lowenthal Amendment to H.R. 348 3. Grijalva Amendment to H.R. 348 4. Gallego Amendment to H.R. 348 5. Jackson Lee Amendment #1 to H.R. 348 6. Dingell Amendment to H.R. 348 7. Jackson Lee Amendment #2 to H.R. 348 8. Peters/Polis/Lowenthal/Lieu Amendment to H.R. 348 9. Johnson (GA) Amendment to H.R. 348 10. Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 348 Had I been present I would have voted in opposition to the following bills and amendments. 1. Gosar Amendment to H.R. 348 2. Final Passage of H.R. 348

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, this Republican majority has driven the expectations of the American people so low that the very act of funding government operations has become a significant achievement. Unfortunately, the cost extraction by the Republican extremists for this 3-month clean CR was the resignation of Speaker Boehner, a good man who has served this House honorably. Passing this CR, however, will keep the government working, which is critical to American families, their economy, and the safety and security of our Nation, and it continues to protect by providing healthcare coverage for women. In 2013, when the Republicans shut down the government for 16 days, the U.S. economy lost $24 billion, and more than 100,000 Americans lost their jobs. The American people cannot afford another Republican shutdown. Passing this 3-month CR is the first step toward responsibly meeting the needs of the American people. As a ranking Democrat on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I am pleased that this bill includes $700 million in emergency funds for Forest Service to fight wildland fires in Western States. This is critical funding. The CR will keep our national parks open to the public, keep Native American healthcare and education programs operating, and prevent the furloughing of tens of thousands of Federal employees in the Department of the Interior and EPA. I am going to vote to pass this continuing resolution, and I applaud all the Democrats and Republicans who will vote to pass the CR, but we need to work to find a bipartisan path forward to fund the government for the coming year. Our job is to serve the American people. The American people expect Congress to do their job. Today, I hope all Members will do their job and vote to pass this CR.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, every family should have access to the information they need to make informed choices about the food they consume. For many consumers, understanding what products are considered genetically modified organisms (GMO) is important when buying food for their families. Unfortunately, right now there is no standard federal definition for GMO. Instead, a patchwork of different definitions exists, leading to confusion and misinformation. Consumers have the right to know how their food was produced and that begins with establishing a consistent, standard federal definition of GMO. I voted in favor of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) to provide families in Minnesota and across our country with the information they want. H.R. 1599 is not perfect, but it is an important first step to ensure families have safe and accurate labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For years, I fought for a standard definition of ``gluten-free'' products. Additionally, last year I reaffirmed my support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national voluntary certified ``organic'' labeling system when Congress passed the 2014 Farm Bill. This voluntary system ensures a mother buying bread for her family can be confident that it is ``organic'' whether she sees this label in Minnesota or Vermont. Similarly, H.R. 1599 calls on USDA to establish a national voluntary labeling system for ``GMO-free'' products. I hope this federal definition and voluntary labeling system can ultimately help us move towards nationwide mandatory labeling for GMOs. Finally, H.R. 1599 instructs the Food and Drug Administration to create a definition for the word ``natural''. This rulemaking process, which will be fully transparent and open to the public, will help clarify one of the most confusing terms used in food marketing today. The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act marks the beginning, not the endpoint, of much-needed policy discussion on the reliable consumer information we all deserve. The current status quo--which does not provide consumers any information about GMO products--is unacceptable for Minnesota families and farmers. Instead of settling for no standard definition for GMO, I voted to continue this conversation and ensure families have access to the information they want about their food. Mr. Speaker, we all deserve accurate and safe food labels. As a nation, it is important that we continue this discussion and work to ensure that consumers have the information they need to make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Iran nuclear agreement is fundamental to the national security of the United States. I applaud the tremendous efforts of Secretary Kerry and Secretary Moniz, who worked in concert with the world's most powerful military and economic nations to reach a verifiable agreement that will deny the ability of Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. In a past era, when politics was civil and foreign policy was bipartisan, this diplomatic agreement would have been championed by Republicans and Democrats as a nonproliferation triumph, as it is today in Great Britain, our greatest ally. This agreement will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. As an Israeli intelligence analyst has said, ``This is not about trust and goodwill between sides. It is the strict inspection and verification regimes that will ensure the success of the agreement.'' And if Iran violates the agreement, sanctions will ``snap back'' and the international community together will take action. I strongly support this agreement, and I am grateful for President Obama's unwavering leadership in the face of hostile and unprecedented attacks from Republicans and Israel's Prime Minister. The New York Times calls the Republican efforts a ``vicious battle against Mr. Obama'' and an ``unseemly spectacle of lawmakers siding with a foreign leader against their own Commander in Chief.'' I want to be crystal clear: I support our Commander in Chief. The Republicans and Israeli opponents of this agreement are the same neocons who sold the war in Iraq to America based on lies, distortions, and misinformation. And now what do the Republicans offer as an alternative? Nothing. They have no plan, no plan other than to kill this agreement, which means that Iran will either obtain a nuclear weapon or the U.S. goes to war to stop them. Well, let me tell you: I am not interested in another Republican war in the Middle East. Now is the time to put the national security of the American people first. Let's reject this Republican game playing and support a tough diplomatic agreement that will stop Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I attended a visitation for St. Paul firefighter and paramedic Shane Clifton. Mr. Clifton passed away while on duty at Fire Station 14 in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to his duties as firefighter and paramedic, Shane served in Afghanistan and Iraq as a member of the United States Navy and participated in humanitarian missions in Haiti. Shane and firefighters around Minnesota and our Nation sacrifice time away from their families, work long hours, and put their lives at risk to keep our communities safe. We owe all of our first responders an incredible debt of gratitude for ensuring our public safety. Shane served the city of St. Paul bravely and his death is a tragedy. The city of St. Paul, Fire Station 14, and his family will all miss his presence dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his children, his family, and his brothers and sisters in the St. Paul Fire Department. Rest in peace, Shane.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I attended a visitation for Shane Clifton, a St. Paul firefighter who died while on duty, and missed votes on September 8, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted in support of the E-Warranty Act of 2015 (S. 1359).

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA), the largest association representing Minnesota's rank-and-file police officers, recently met for its annual conference in Alexandria, Minnesota. During that conference, MPPOA recognized several outstanding police officers, including Sergeant Mark Ficcadenti of the St. Paul Police Department who was named Police Officer of the Year. In addition, Officer Mark Ross of the St. Paul Police Department received an Honorable Mention Award. Both Sergeant Ficcadenti and Officer Ross are constituents of mine and both serve with brave women and men in the St. Paul Police Department. Sergeant Ficcadenti received this distinguished honor because of his steadfast efforts in forging a relationship between police and the local community. During his more than 30 years of service with the St. Paul Police Department, Sergeant Ficcadenti has helped organized community events that provide an opportunity for people to meet and socialize with local police officers. Some of these events include the ``Safe and Sound'' program and a Ramadan celebration with the local Somali community. Last year, Sergeant Ficcadenti was responsible for organizing the First Annual East African Junior Police Academy in 2014, which involved East African women and men between the ages of 14 and 22 who were interested in pursuing law enforcement careers. Officer Ross is a former school resource officer who subsequently became a St. Paul patrol officer. Last year, Officer Ross noticed a young female high school student who was frequently absent from school. After some investigation, Officer Ross discovered that the student's father had been abusing and neglecting her for years. Today, the young woman has graduated from high school and plans on attending college in the fall. Her father is currently serving a 25 year prison sentence. I join MPPOA and all of my fellow Minnesotans in applauding these two distinguished public servants. I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only these two outstanding police officers, but all of MPPOA's brave women and men who keep our communities safe.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for the time. I rise to honor the late Jim Oberstar, the Congressman from Minnesota's Eighth District. For 36 years, Jim Oberstar proudly served the residents of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District. During his decades of service on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Representative Oberstar made investing in the future prosperity of this country a top priority. His commitment to laying the foundation for a 21st century transportation system helped make travel safer and kept millions of Americans working on the job and strengthened our economy. He worked and accomplished all of that. On August 1, 2007, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota. Thirteen people lost their lives, including some of my constituents, and many more were injured. Chairman Oberstar moved with incredible speed to draft legislation to respond to the tragedy, and within 48 hours, he had passed a bill on the floor. On August 6, less than 1 week after the disaster, funding for construction of a new bridge was signed into law. But he didn't stop there. Chairman Oberstar worked to call attention to the epidemic of weak bridges all across our country. He fought to make bridge repair and replacement the focus of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Because of his commitment, thousands of bridges were thoroughly inspected, repaired, or, in fact, replaced. Not that Jim's response was anything out of the ordinary, throughout his career, Jim remained committed to fighting for the people he served and the causes he believed in. It is fitting that the post office in Chisholm, Minnesota, will be named the James L. Oberstar Memorial Post Office, because we know the success of a post office, after all, is inextricably linked with interstate highways, runways, docks, railways, and roads, because that is how the mail gets delivered and that is how we are connected throughout this world. The imprint left by Congressman Jim Oberstar on every mode of transportation throughout our country cannot be overstated. And if I may, on a personal note, Jim, both professionally and personally, helped give the new Congresswoman from Minnesota a lot of thanks. So, with that, I want to just say, again, it is more than appropriate that the post office in his hometown of Chisholm, Minnesota, be known as the James L. Oberstar Memorial Post Office Building, a testament to his life's work. Jim, we thank you.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, as you pointed out, I am from Minnesota. Minnesota's Governor Ramsey was in Washington, D.C., shortly after the attack at Fort Sumter, and he was the first to offer up our support-- 1,000 Minnesotans--to keep our Union together. Minnesota was at the Battle of Gettysburg. Our regiment suffered 82 percent in casualties, the greatest loss of any unit at Gettysburg on a single day. So last night, when the Republican leadership put forward a last- minute amendment that would allow for the display and sale of the Confederate flag in our national parks, an amendment which we will vote on today that would allow this hateful symbol which evokes memories of racism and a painful period in our country's past to be displayed on public lands, I found myself shocked, outraged, and disappointed because the people in Minnesota sent me here to strive for what they strive for every day: to build a better, stronger America, an America in which we strive to give everyone hope and opportunity, that they too can pursue life, liberty, happiness, and justice. So the flag that we are talking about is a symbol of a time when African Americans were enslaved, sold as human commodities. It had been used as a rallying cry throughout our history for those who wish to keep our country segregated. And we saw again last month in Charleston this flag being used as a symbol for many who carry hatred in their hearts, a man who carried so much hatred that he took the lives of nine parishioners because he viewed this flag as a symbol of his beliefs. This flag should be no point of pride for any American, and we should take this flag down. Just 2 days ago, without opposition, as I had the honor of being ranking member as we were doing the Interior bill, this body voted to adopt amendments which would prevent the sale or display of Confederate flags in national parks. Those amendments were simple, commonsense efforts to place into law standards that the National Park Service had put forward last month. It was a moment of great pride for me. All those new standards would do was bring the Federal Government in line with decisions made by many private sector retailers: Amazon, Wal- Mart, Sears, Disney. And other national retailers have all made the decision to take down this flag because of its racist history. Private businesses are rallying behind a commonsense decision to stop peddling hateful symbols. So why in heaven and Earth is the House of Representatives, the Republican Caucus, working to ensure that the Federal Government allows them to be sold? For House Republicans, it appears perhaps the cost of getting the votes to pass the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which panders to polluters, is to wrap themselves in a banner of racism. I think that is wrong, and I urge my colleagues to stand with people of great courage and great passion to say ``no'' to hate, ``no'' to racism, and ``yes'' to America. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Calvert amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, as we prepare to finish consideration of H.R. 2822, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate my subcommittee chairman, Ken Calvert, for getting this bill to this point. It has not been an easy process, as we just realized a few moments ago. We have had to consider nearly twice as many amendments as any other appropriations bill taken up in the House this year. While I have not agreed with a considerable number of the amendments that have been made to the bill, I do appreciate that the chairman and I have been able to disagree when necessary without ever being disagreeable. My working relationship with Chairman Calvert has been first rate. I appreciate the hard work and effort he has put into the bill. Let me also express my sincere thanks to the committee staff on both sides of the aisle, as well as the personal staff in both of our respective offices for their work on the bill. They put in long hours to smooth a way for consideration of this bill, and I appreciate their efforts. Once again, I want to say that we have had a good working relationship, Mr. Chair, but I cannot hide my surprise and my outrage that we find ourselves here tonight attempting to overturn the National Park Service recent policy change to stop allowing the Confederate flag to be displayed or sold at our national parks.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I am actually quite surprised that we find ourselves here tonight attempting to overturn the National Park Service recent policy changes to stop allowing the Confederate flag to be displayed or sold in national parks. Mr. Chair, just yesterday, this House passed amendment after amendment supporting the removal of the symbol of racism from our national parks, which are visited every day by Americans and foreign visitors of every race. We have read about the divisive tactics happening in the South Carolina statehouse as they debate the removal of the Confederate flag after the murder of nine Black parishioners. I never thought that the U.S. House of Representatives would join those who would want to see this flag flown by passing an amendment to ensure the continuing flying of the Confederate flag. I strongly urge every Member to stand with the citizens of all races and to remove this symbol of hatred from our National Park Service. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I will just be short and sweet. I support the gentleman from California's strong objection to this amendment and would encourage people not to vote for it. Let me conclude with this: an EPA law enforcement official deserves the right to come home to their families safe at night, and so they should have the tools that they need in order to do that.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, this amendment clearly would serve no purpose but to erode collective bargaining rights for civil service employees and may violate collective bargaining agreements negotiated between workers and these agencies. Federal unions are legally required to provide representation to all members of bargaining units, whether or not those workers elect to pay voluntary union dues. Representation for employees working their way through the administrative procedures is a cost-effective process for administrating and adjudicating agency policies. The alternative for official time is for the government agencies to pay for costly third-party attorney and arbitration fees. Eliminating official time would increase costs, and it would increase more time and effort for agencies to work out any conflicts with employees. That drives up the cost for taxpayers. Official time is essential to maintaining workplace safety. Union representation uses official time to set procedures to protect employees from on-the-job hazards. Official time is used to allow employees to participate in work groups with management teams to improve the process and improve performance outcomes. Under current law, official time may not be used to solicit membership, may not be used to conduct internal union meetings, may not be used to elect union officers, may not be used to engage in any partisan activities, and the notion that official time is used for any of these purposes is false. I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.