David McKinley

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, formed in 1993, the Youth ChalleNGe is a 17-month program run by individual State National Guards. Its mission is to give troubled youth a second chance and addresses our Nation's dropout rate by providing them the opportunity to obtain a high school diploma. Youth ChalleNGe has transformed the lives of over 120,000 young people since 1993 and has expanded to 35 sites in 27 States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico--young people like Tatiana Zambrano, a 2011 Puerto Rico ChalleNGe Academy graduate, who with the help of Youth ChalleNGe overcame much adversity to gain admission to Valparaiso University from which she graduated last month. Society may have given up on these young people, but Youth ChalleNGe hasn't. Along with my colleague, Congresswoman Napolitano, we have written letters and offered amendments in support of Youth ChalleNGe and have been buoyed by its successful intervention over the last number of years, the program seeks now to expand its help into California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, but that requires $25 million above the funding level. Our amendment doesn't go to that level. Instead, we hope that we can ask for just a modest $5 million amount for Youth ChalleNGe to carry out its modest expansion of this program to reach at-risk children. It has proven to be a cost-effective investment. We thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and his staff for their efforts and their interest in this issue, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), my co-chair of the Youth ChalleNGe Caucus.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, it is all about just trying to help these young kids get a second chance. By expanding this program as we are doing, which is a modest expansion to reach into some other States, we know we are going to reach some other lives that society has given up on. I don't want to give up on them, and I don't think our Nation wants to give up on them. This is a chance to do it, and I thank the committee for its support. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, many small businesses around the country are struggling, struggling to compete against low-priced foreign imports benefiting from unfair trade practices. They are constantly intimidated by the cost of the legal challenges that they face. The intent of this amendment is simple. It transfers $2 million to the International Trade Commission to provide legal and technical assistance to small businesses seeking a remedy. I offered this amendment last year to the bill and it was approved. Time and time again small companies are losing business against unfair, low-cost imports which flood our country. Something needs to be done. Small businesses need help. They don't have access to the same legal resources as larger companies. They can't afford the cost to file a claim against large state-supported industries like we see coming from China. These small businesses in America deserve to be treated better. In West Virginia, Mr. Chairman, we have one particular company which manufactures glass, lead-free marbles. The company has less than 50 employees. They, among other firms like that, have asked our office a simple question: When an average cost to file an antidumping claim is $1 million or more, how can small manufacturers afford access to justice? The Federal Government provides pro bono attorneys in criminal cases for those who can't afford representation. Mr. Chairman, why not offer something similar to our small businesses across America who are facing unfair competition? A recent contract was for 300 million marbles per year. Currently, this company manufactures 1 million per day. This contract would have guaranteed 300 days of manufacturing production for hard-working West Virginians. The Chinese company undercut their bid. Unfortunately, we have seen this story far too often where the Chinese currency manipulation and state subsidies have cut our tin, steel, and hot-rolled steel industries, among others. The ITC must have the tools to protect our small businesses, and this amendment is a step in the right direction. Let's be clear, Mr. Chairman: Do we want to keep talking about jobs, or do we want to offer a solution? Supporting this amendment will be an immense help for small business employers who are trying to fight back against unfair trade. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mr. Anthony Brutto, a 94-year-old West Virginia University Class of 2015 graduate. A passionate designer and craftsman from a young age, Mr. Brutto began his collegiate career in 1939 seeking an engineering degree. In 1942, his studies came to an abrupt halt when he was drafted into the Army Air Corps, where he served for three and a half years. He was primarily stationed in Venice, Florida and worked on the P39 and P49 bombers. After the war, family demands and changing careers kept him from completing his degree. Mr. Brutto never lost his passion for education, however, and he received his bachelor's degree this past weekend during WVU's Commencement. At a time when more young people are questioning the value of a college degree, it is encouraging to witness his perseverance in attaining a degree. Young West Virginians should follow in his footsteps and equip themselves for a lifetime of prosperity, no matter what setbacks come their way. As Mr. Brutto eloquently said, ``The great thing about education is they can't take it away from you.''

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, there have been efforts to privatize and consolidate the National Energy Technology Laboratory, also known to us as NETL. This amendment is offered to eliminate that uncertainty of privatization and to continue the present public-private partnership. NETL is our Nation's premier energy laboratory for fossil energy, using 600 government scientists, technicians, and employees, but they couple that with nearly 1,200 private sector contractors. Through this partnership, NETL has developed breakthrough research, carbon capture, enhanced natural gas exploration and production, emission control for our power plants, and steam and gas turbine efficiency. Having NETL government owned and operated also maintains that the research that they produce will not be proprietary and is available to all utility companies. Small utility companies in rural America where I come from would potentially suffer the most from a move towards privatization, and they would no longer be able to perform this research and be forced to buy the new technologies at very high costs. Mr. Chairman, who would end up paying these high costs? The limited customers of these small companies through higher electric bills. People looking to privatize and consolidate these laboratories seem to be searching for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is simple. It ensures that members of the Science Advisory Board do not receive grants from the EPA or enter into contracts with the EPA. Additionally, this amendment prohibits Science Advisory Board members from receiving EPA funds for 3 years after the individual is no longer a Board member. This amendment--and this bill--is about fairness and transparency. Members of the Science Advisory Board should be independent and impartial. They should not be swayed by the possibility of receiving funds from the EPA for their work. Just as Members of Congress are banned from lobbying for a period of time after leaving office, members of the Science Advisory Board should be barred from receiving grants after they leave the board. Board members should not make a decision based on a promise from the EPA that he or she will benefit financially after they leave the Board. The role of the Science Advisory Board should be to provide independent scientific advice to the Agency. This amendment will ensure the Board is truly independent. American families who bear the impact of the EPA's regulations deserve to know that the regulations are based on sound science, not on any other agenda. I encourage all my colleagues to support fairness and transparency by supporting this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman. Paraprofessionals play an important role in our schools. They are teacher's aides, instructional assistants, and often work closest with special-needs students. They also provide support to teachers by working with students in direct instructional roles. As a grandfather of student with special needs, I clearly understand the importance of ensuring that he has the proper support he needs at school. This amendment does not create any new standards or requirements. It simply maintains the qualification requirements already in place. Without these requirements, we risk having underqualified people in charge of special education students. It is critical to student success that we have qualified, trained paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators. Remember, every schoolteacher in the country is already compliant with this requirement. This is common sense, and I urge support of this amendment.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is quite simple. It requires States to identify ``workforce critical subjects'' for their schools. A workforce critical subject is one that matches the needs of employers to the courses being taught. Too often, we graduate students with skills that don't match the needs of our employers. In West Virginia, we have needs for jobs in oil and gas, health care, information technology, and clean coal research. But each State is different. Currently, 60 percent of U.S. employers are experiencing difficulties finding qualified workers to fill vacancies, and 58 percent of HR professionals reported that workers lack competencies needed to perform their jobs. Today's workforce is ever changing. This amendment will help States identify areas where to focus on developing skills and competencies needed in the workforce. This could involve an increased focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. Identifying workforce- critical subjects will help us do just that. I want to thank the STEM Education Coalition and Chairman Kline for their support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, on January 28, the White House refused to recognize the Taliban as a terrorist group, calling them an ``armed insurgency'' instead. What part of terrorism don't they understand? Under Federal law, a ``terrorist organization'' must meet three criteria: be foreign, be engaged in terrorist activity and intimidation, and threaten the security of the United States of America. The Department of the Treasury and the National Counterterrorism Center define the Taliban as a ``terrorist organization,'' but the White House refuses to do so. Common sense says, if we can't call our enemy what they are, then how can we fight them? Mr. Speaker, my resolution is simple. It urges the administration to publicly recognize the Taliban as a terrorist organization. We could use a little straight talk around here. I ask for your support of House Concurrent Resolution 13.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is simple. It ensures that agencies must take into consideration the impacts on low-income communities when they develop regulations. This amendment is based on a 1994 executive order from President Clinton that was intended to protect low-income populations from the negative effects of regulations. Burdensome regulations have a real impact on families, regardless of their race or ethnicity. What makes sense on a bureaucrat's desk in Washington does not always work in the real world. In fact, these regulations are hurting people, especially in economically depressed communities. People have lost jobs and are facing increasing prices for energy, food, health care, and more. The families who bear the brunt are not just statistics. They are fellow Americans. We need to show compassion towards them, especially those most vulnerable. Regulations, as you have heard, are costing our economy $1.8 trillion each year, costing the average family $15,000. So what does that mean for the farmer in San Joaquin Valley, California, or the coal miner in Hazard, Kentucky, or the widow on a fixed income in Marietta, Ohio? They are worried about providing for their families. What happens if they lose their livelihood because of a new regulation? The bureaucrats in Washington who are writing these excessive regulations are seemingly focused on saving the world but are forgetting what is happening to American families. I want them to understand the impact they are having on people's lives. The costs of these regulations are born by people who can least afford it, not by the agencies writing the regulations. These bureaucrats should get out from behind their desks and come to communities in West Virginia and Georgia and Montana and across the Nation that are still struggling economically. This is not just about coal miners and the energy industry. Excessive regulations are hurting farmers, manufacturers, health care workers, and small businesses of every kind. Rather than blindly issuing regulations in pursuit of an ideological goal, agencies should stop and consider what they are doing, be more empathetic, take into account what would happen to a family that is living paycheck to paycheck or a senior on fixed income. Too often, Americans all across this country believe that no one in Washington really cares about them. This amendment will help change that perception. Let's show some compassion to people and families that are struggling. Plain and simple: we must ensure that the Federal agencies truly, truly take into consideration those that bear the burden of these regulations. I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Goodlatte, for his support of this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. McKINLEY. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Goodlatte.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, in closing, we just heard the chairman talk about, this is an executive order. And I have heard from folks on the other side that this is an executive order. Perhaps it is time to codify this executive order. If it had merit back in 1994, let's make it the rule; make it a law. This amendment will accomplish that. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Madam Speaker, after more than 40 years in the construction trade, my friend John Clarke of Wheeling has retired. John is a lifelong West Virginian, the former president of Local 141 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and served on the International Executive Committee of IBEW. After serving in Vietnam with the Marine Corps, John returned home and gave back to his community, serving on over 25 local charitable and professional organizations. IBEW International President Ed Hill has said, ``Working families in West Virginia have never had a better friend than John Clarke.'' And more importantly, in a world conflicted with partisanship, John proudly put his country first, not his political affiliation. He made a difference. His decades of devotion to his country and his community can only be matched by his commitment to his wife of 43 years, Margaret, and his two sons, Justin and Lucas. I extend my congratulations to John and wish him well in his retirement.