Paul Mitchell

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as I noted, I am new here in Congress, and I was astonished to find that we had no routine reporting on security clearances. I was astonished to find how much of a backlog we face and the damage it is doing to national security inefficiency. I support this bill because it pursues a commonsense goal: transparency and efficient operation of the government. I support the amendment on transparency on oversight of the clearances in the White House because I think it is something that should have happened a long time ago. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MITCHELL

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

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my fiscally responsible amendment that is one step in securing America's future. My amendment is a simple 10 percent cut to administrative expenses of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, Department of the Interior, and Department of Energy. These savings would be used to reduce the deficit. Our national debt stands at $20 trillion, and growing. Our unfunded liabilities add another $100 trillion to $200 trillion to the Federal debt, and that is only a guess. Our deficit last year was over $500 billion. That is not sustainable. It jeopardizes our future and must be taken seriously. Paying lip service to the problem will not solve it. Talk is cheap. We must now be responsible, before it is too late. I come from the world of private business and know the importance of having our fiscal house in order. I also know that being fiscally responsible starts with small steps, which, when added together, make a big impact. Early in my career, I worked at Chrysler at the time when Lee Iacocca was CEO and went through the first loan guarantee. His famous fiscal savvy and focus helped save Chrysler, which was destined for bankruptcy. If not for Iacocca taking strong but necessary measures, a great Michigan company would have been lost. Lee Iacocca understood that fiscal responsibility starts on a small scale. He once said if he had a manager who couldn't cut administrative costs by 10 percent, he needed a new manager. Mr. Chair, that is what I propose today, a 10 percent cut to administrative costs of government agencies, which is a small step that, when combined with others like it, could yield back results and big savings for taxpayers. Moreover, these cuts would restrain an overactive government bureaucracy. The Republican-led Congress has worked hard to undo years of copious overregulation, but another solution is to have fewer regulators and fewer bureaucrats passing on regulations that make it hard for businesses to survive and taxpayers to live their lives. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to choose fiscal responsibility, choose a secure American future, make a modest cut in the administrations costs of our government, and support my amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chair, I certainly did not intend the adverse impacts that are outlined by the chairman or the ranking member, nor do I believe they will arise. My experience in years of management is that, rather than detail item-by-item the cuts to be made, allow the leadership of agencies to determine where they can be more efficient. I honestly have to say, I can't imagine that we cannot be more efficient than we are in the Federal Government. I admit, my experience is somewhat more brief than many, but I am, frankly, shocked some days. I urge support of my amendment. I realize it may not be popular, but, at some point in time, we need to start to cut the incredible costs of this government. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MITCHELL

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

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today as an advocate of the Great Lakes. It is with that spirit I propose my amendment to prevent funds to be used to further delay the release of the Brandon Road Study. Anyone who has spent time in my home State of Michigan or any of the Great Lakes States knows the beauty and importance of the lakes. In addition to their majesty, the Great Lakes supply 90 percent of the United States freshwater supply. Thirty million people live at the Great Lakes Basin, and they are all impacted by the quality of our lakes, whether as a water source, source of business, recreational opportunity, or the lakes' inherent value as a natural wonder. Any risk to the Great Lakes is a significant problem, no matter how you measure that risk. One of the threats facing our lakes is the potential entry of invasive species, the most pressing of which, at this time, is the threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes. Asian carp have no natural predators in the lakes, meaning once they enter the Great Lakes, there is no way to stop their spread. Their unrestrained growth would disrupt the entire ecosystem. In addition to the damage to native wildlife in the lakes, the introduction of Asian carp would damage several multibillion-dollar industries, including the fishing and boating industries which support countless jobs in my home State of Michigan and the Great Lakes. Given the threat imposed by invasive species, the Army Corps of Engineers has been studying the best way to prevent introduction of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes Basin. Their study, the Brandon Road Study, was initially slated to be released on February 28 but has been delayed until further notice. Delaying this study impedes the ability of all interested parties to develop a long-term strategy to thwart this threat. The continued delays create a great risk, yet no reason for delaying that release has been provided. In late June, a live Asian carp was caught in the Illinois waterway about 2 miles below the T.J. O'Brien Lock and Dam, 9 miles from Lake Michigan. This is the first time an Asian carp has been discovered in such close proximity to our lakes. Though further study is necessary to determine how this carp entered the area, it is an alarming warning that the window is quickly closing to prevent large-scale devastation to the Great Lakes' ecosystem. The best way to mitigate the damage of Asian carp in our lakes is to stop it from happening altogether. For several months, members of the Great Lakes Task Force have requested the release of the Brandon Road Study, to no avail. I stand here today to again call on the Army Corps to release the study, which we have already paid for and they have conducted. My amendment would prevent the Corps from using any more money--our money--to delay the release of the study. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment for the sake of the Great Lakes and for the well-being of our entire region. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chair, in deference to Mr. Simpson, I will work with him and others in the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus to see if we can't move forward on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the spirit of Made in America Week. Since taking office in January, I have had the privilege and honor of meeting with American workers and small-business owners in my district, from manufacturers to the farmers who feed our community and our world. Unfortunately, we have seen far too many of our jobs leave this country. I am focused on addressing the problems in our economy that are destroying jobs and stalling growth. We have already made significant progress in reducing the regulatory burdens that make it hard for businesses large and small to survive. Congress has passed and the President has signed 14 Congressional Review Acts overturning excessive and ridiculous regulations. I look forward to passing comprehensive tax reform that is simpler and fairer for all Americans so individuals can keep more of their paycheck and for jobs to stay in America. I will continue to advance solutions to help Americans gain skills needed to compete in our changing workforce. Mr. Speaker, let's remain focused on keeping jobs in America and products made in America.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Kelmendi, a member of the Albanian-American Community of Michigan. In 2002, Professor John P. Kelmendi was elevated to Knighthood by his Majesty King Leka I of Albania. This honor represents his leadership and courage in bringing freedom, liberty, and democracy to citizens of Albania. Dedicating his life to service, Dr. Kelmendi was also presented with the Mother Theresa Humanitarian Award by the President of Albania and now resides in Michigan. Dr. Kelmendi's efforts continue to influence the lives of high school students as an educator and scholar in Michigan. On March 31, 2017, the Albanian-American Community of the USA awarded Dr. Kelmendi the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. His contribution to education and culture in America has been extraordinary. I join the Albanian-American Community of Michigan, in Shelby Township, in congratulating and thanking Dr. John P. Kelmendi for his service.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act. I devoted 35 years to workforce education so I know the career and economic opportunities possible through technical education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 90 distinct career paths in my home state--Michigan--offering an average salary of $50 thousand or more that do not require a 4 year college degree. That salary is well above the state median annual wage of $45 thousand. Yet we lack effective technical training opportunities to reach those paths. Too often young people are unaware of those opportunities and far too often access to career and technical education is lacking. CTE programs give students the opportunities to experience those careers and build skills needed for careers. This bipartisan legislation updates federal law to support CTE programs and to improve access. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. I thank Mr. Smucker for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about education and workforce preparedness. Prior to serving in Congress, I dedicated my 35-year career to workforce education, helping people develop skills necessary to get a job and start a career path. There is something about the pride that comes when someone builds the skills necessary to start a career. Their whole world changes when they see what they can achieve and the difference that makes for their family. I ran for Congress with the desire to make that opportunity possible for all Americans; to help all Americans succeed, as I and so many others in this Chamber have. For some people, pursuing their desired career means a 4-year college degree. I have also seen that that is not the right path for many others. Yet, too often, those that wish to pursue careers in technical areas lack the skills to gain the employment and access the skills training necessary to move forward. This leads to a problem we have all heard of, the skills gap. People, young and mature, are unable to find jobs because they lack the necessary skills, and employers are unable to find qualified staff to fill their jobs. We are seeing this repeatedly in my home State of Michigan. Several companies that have been awarded incentives to grow and expand through the Michigan Strategic Fund have had to dial back planned expansions due to hiring challenges. The Pure Michigan Talent Connect website lists nearly 100,000 open jobs and positions across a range of industries. Businesses simply cannot find qualified individuals to fill their open jobs. It threatens our Nation, and we must address it. In efforts to assess the needs of our education system over the last 5 months, I have met with students, administrators, teachers, and employers throughout my congressional district. Every single employer I have met since I started office have told me the same thing, believe it or not. They need more employees with the skills necessary, the core technical skills necessary, to contribute in the workforce. Despite expensive and extensive recruitment efforts, they can't find them. It is creating a real problem. They are turning down work and turning down opportunity and growth across this Nation and in my district because they cannot find skilled employees. Schools in my community recognize this problem, but too often their hands are tied, needing to ensure that students meet arbitrary standards and testing metrics. Here is the irony: rather than ensuring that they are prepared for employment in the community, we worry about test scores. School leaders throughout my district have asked for one thing: more flexibility to offer choices to students and families to develop skills to meet the needs of employers and, frankly, the needs of the 21st century. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act would give additional flexibility to the community that education leaders are asking for. It will also allow States to better accommodate the local workforce needs. Schools, parents, employers, and teachers have made it clear: career and technical education can be improved by making it more relevant to students and employers, ensuring programs are accountable, involving all stakeholders, and granting more flexibility. The bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act achieves those goals. I am proud to support it as one step to expand the educational opportunities in choice in this country.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about some incredible young people back home in Michigan. Meet Emily and Michael Broadbridge. Emily is a sixth grader and Michael is a first grader in Macomb County. This is no ordinary lemonade stand. Instead of simply making money for themselves, Emily and Michael are donating all the money they earn to the Homeless Education Project, which provides school supplies and clothes for homeless students in Macomb County. Emily held her first lemonade stand on National Lemonade Day in 2011--yes, there is one--when she was just 5. Her parents thought it would be a good lesson in entrepreneurship, but it became so much more when she decided on her own to donate her proceeds to charity. Since then, Emily and her brother, Michael, have raised over $13,000 for the Homeless Education Project. They expect to raise $7,000 this year. Emily and Michael have selflessly put others' needs before their own. I am proud to recognize them and their example today as role models for our community.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017. Mr. Speaker, I believe in opportunity. I believe that, given tools, anyone can change their situation for the better. Too often at-risk youth end up in the school-to-prison pipeline. When designed effectively, juvenile justice programs can help reset a troubled youth's path to successful adulthood. That is why I support the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017. This legislation will help youth in the juvenile justice system get on the right path by focusing programs on approaches that work using evidence-based strategies and proven track records. It strengthens accountability and oversight to deliver positive outcomes. It also provides communities with greater flexibility to deliver services that meet the specific needs of youth in their communities. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to help youth break from their troubled pasts and turn their lives around and become an asset in their communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act. My wife and I have six children. Our youngest is just 7 years old. We would do anything to protect them. I can't even imagine the pain of having a child go missing, or to learn that they have been hurt or abused in any manner. Tragically, this is a reality for far too many children and too many families in America. Last year, there were more than 465,000 reports of missing children in the United States. To put that number in perspective, about 700,000 people live in Michigan's 10th Congressional District, my home. Even one child going missing or being abused is too many. We must recognize the seriousness of this problem and we must do everything we can to protect our children. This important bill will assist NCMEC in locating missing children and in identifying abductors. It will help prevent children from becoming the victims of exploitation online and increase awareness about how to recover missing children. Mr. Speaker, today we come together to support America's children. I am proud to be a sponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Police Week, an opportunity to recognize the brave men and women in blue. This week is meaningful to me and my family, for my oldest son is a police officer in Michigan, and I could not be more proud of him and his service. Too often, we take for granted those who every day put on a badge and a vest to protect us and our communities. Events across this country have been politicized and stretch the relationship between law enforcement and their community. Let us not have politics overwhelm the dedication and commitment of our men and women in blue. Our lives, and indeed our freedoms, are safeguarded by the thin blue line. We owe the men and women in uniform, those who put themselves at risk every day, a simple thank you and simply our respect. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give the police officers at our doors here, the officers throughout our communities, and my son, a simple thank you.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, my question today is: How long will the opposition try to hold on to the failing Affordable Care Act? How long will they desperately try to hold on with their fingernails, screaming and thrashing at something that is failing so miserably? Just this week, it was announced that 94 of 99 counties of Iowa will not have a carrier at all. In Michigan this year, individual policy premiums went up 20 percent, never mind deductibles and copays. While currently 26 million Americans do not have coverage, 19.2 million either claim a waiver or pay a penalty that last year was $3 billion. Yet somehow the other side claims the Affordable Care Act is some form of nirvana. The American Health Care Act guarantees issuance of coverage and targets assistance to those who have health challenges, in contrast to the Affordable Care Act that just thinks we should throw money at it. What amazes me, in my first few months here in Congress, if there is a problem, we will just throw money. The opposition wants a blank check, which will not work in this country. It is going to kill this country. Let me suggest to my colleague from Michigan, my neighbor, that if he wants to schedule to go around the State and talk about the benefits of this program, the Affordable Care Act, I will go with him. We will go anywhere he would like to go.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment that, yet again, Congress needs to resort to another omnibus spending bill. We are in a bind right now, finishing fiscal business that should have been completed last year, long before I came to Congress. At this moment, the choice is stark and binary: We can vote to shut the government down, or we can vote for this massive funding bill. Neither is a good option, but shutting down the government is reckless. It would stall military pay and send a sign of weakness to the world. At a time when North Korea is becoming increasingly aggressive, Europe is unstable, and Russia is posturing, we cannot afford to shut down. I have always said, and I believe, that effective leadership needs to say what you mean and do what you say. If I voted ``no'' on this legislation, it would be disingenuous because I know a shutdown would be disastrous. This is a hard vote to take, but it is unavoidable at this point. We must continue to pay our troops and other uniformed personnel. We must fund critical programs included in this omnibus. Certainly, the legislation is not perfect and doesn't accomplish everything I want as a conservative, but it does achieve some objectives. It cuts 150 Federal programs. It reduces the EPA bureaucracy to the lowest level since 1989. The legislation also funds critical programs Republicans have been fighting for: It strengthens our military with an increase in defense spending, enabling the purchase of new warships, aircraft, and weapons. It provides a meaningful increase in salary to our uniform personnel. It provides additional funds to thwart the global war on terror and fight ISIS. It is part of an overall $1.52 billion increase in resources for border security, meaning more agents, enhanced technology, updated infrastructure to stem the flow of illegal aliens and drug activity across our border. It includes funds to fight the opioid epidemic, funding grants, treatment, and prevention efforts. It also provides increased funds for the National Institutes of Health to continue disease research that impacts every family. For Michigan, important programs such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are fully funded. It appropriates $5.6 million to study the potential invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. While there are beneficial components in this omnibus, I want to underscore that using an omnibus is not how this body should function. We should be passing targeted, individual spending measures that address each agency, rather than a take-it-or-leave-it massive spending bill. Going forward, we must change what has become business as usual in Washington. That is why I ran for Congress. There is no doubt, that won't be easy. I am learning every day how much our system needs significant reform. Only four times since 1977 were all appropriations enacted by the start of the fiscal year. That is four times in the last 40 years that the appropriations process has been effectively completed. Given that, it is unsurprising we find ourselves making this unfortunate choice yet again. Madam Speaker, I stand here to say we can do better; we must do better. I urge this body to come together to address the shortcomings in our appropriations process and develop better solutions for the future. Given today's options, I am voting to keep our government open, but we must end this series of short-term funding measures. We can do better. Our constituents deserve better.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Self-Insurance Protection Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor. Restoring health care is more than one bill--our plan has always included a series of efforts to directly address the challenges facing our healthcare system. The challenges resulted from ObamaCare. This legislation is one such effort, part of a series of measures to increase choice and access. This bill would make it easier for families to get health insurance from their employers. As my colleagues have noted, more than 160 million Americans get their insurance from an employer. Of that, 60 percent of employers offering healthcare coverage are self-insured, meaning employers directly reimburse healthcare providers and employees for medical expenses. These self-insured plans provide more flexibility than traditional healthcare plans, as they can be designed and operated to meet the unique needs of workers and families. For many years, the company I led, in fact, was self-insured, and we bought stop-loss coverage. For most self-insured employers, choosing to buy stop-loss insurance simply assists them in avoiding catastrophic losses. It is a business insurance policy. Regulating it like a traditional healthcare insurance would restrict access to self-insured plans dramatically. We should be making it easier, not harder, for employers to offer their employees comprehensive health packages, and it certainly should not be left to an unelected bureaucrat to decide which types of plans or which benefits work for American families. This legislation is a simple, straightforward approach to protect self-insured healthcare plans. It offers clarity, reaffirming longstanding policies recognizing that stop-loss insurance is a distinct business insurance and prevents bureaucrats from--one more time--tinkering with our economy and damaging health care. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, as it is an important measure to promote and to increase access to health care.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the selfless actions of farmers in my district and across Michigan. In early March, wildfires spread through Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado, devastating families and destroying crops and livestock--farmers' income for next year. Hearing of the devastation, Michigan farmers and truckers mobilized quickly to bring aid to the farmers in need of immediate assistance. Selfless individuals have donated their resources, including over 250 bales of hay, fencing, cattle feed, financial support, and more. Convoys of volunteers, farmers, and truckers have volunteered their time and their vehicles to drive these resources hundreds of miles to affected areas. Farmers in 68 of 83 Michigan counties have donated supplies or driven to deliver aid, and their efforts are expanding. This weekend, 50 students from Sanilac County 4-H are delivering aid to Ashland. These selfless acts are truly inspiring and humbling. I am proud to recognize their efforts and was happy to be able to aid some of these efforts by getting permits issued for their travel.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Small Business Health Fairness Act. We have all talked a lot about our plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare. This legislation is a key component of our rescue mission for health care in America. Small businesses have been hit particularly hard by ObamaCare's mandates, skyrocketing costs, and limited choices. Small-business owners, many of whom want to provide health care for their employees, have told me that they are struggling to do so because of ObamaCare. This legislation would level the playing field for small businesses by allowing them to band together to increase bargaining power to lower costs. It would expand affordable care for families trying to secure health insurance through their employer and lower costs for small businesses with limited resources. In addition, this bill includes strong protections for patients with preexisting conditions, a top priority of mine and many of my colleagues as we work for healthcare reform in America. Today we are acting on our promises to deliver relief from ObamaCare. We are returning power where it belongs, choice where it belongs: to patients and doctors, not Washington. I urge you to support the Small Business Health Fairness Act.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an act of bravery from police officers in an incident occurring just miles from my district office in Shelby Township, Michigan. In mid-February, Sergeant Troy Titchenell and Officer Paul Fox responded to a call that a boy had fallen through the ice on Iroquois Lake. Sergeant Titchenell, without concern for himself, first on the scene, immediately got a life ring from a local resident and walked onto the ice. Officer Fox then arrived and walked onto the ice to take the rope attached to the life ring. While towing the young man to safety, the ice broke and Sergeant Titchenell was submerged in the water up to his chest. With Officer Fox pulling on the rope and Sergeant Titchenell supporting the boy in the water, both were able to rescue the young man. I believe they saved a life that day. This incident exemplifies the risks police officers will take to protect all of us. Their daily acts of bravery must be recognized. I am proud to highlight the actions of these courageous officers, and I am grateful to recognize their service to our community.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), who is my colleague and good friend.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1004.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1004 is sponsored by Representative Tim Walberg, my colleague from Michigan. Cosponsors include Representative Farenthold, Representative Meadows, Representative Gosar, and myself. I rise today in support of H.R. 1004, the Regulatory Integrity Act of 2017. Every year, agencies promulgate thousands of new regulations and impose billions of dollars in regulatory costs on the American public. Those rules are conceived of, developed, written, and imposed by unelected agency officials--bureaucrats. In return for the authority to issue regulations, Congress and the American people require two simple things from agencies. First, agencies must inform the public about their intended regulatory actions--early and accurately--to provide ample time for thoughtful feedback and consideration from the public. Second, we want the agencies to listen to what the public has to say about the proposed regulatory action. Making sure the public has an opportunity to participate in this process is key. The public comment period is an essential part of upholding our democratic values. It ensures Americans have a voice heard in the Federal Government's regulatory process. H.R. 1004 helps preserve and strengthen the integrity of the public comment process in several ways. First, the bill defines the parameters of how an agency should communicate when asking for and offering a proposal and asking for public feedback. H.R. 1004 requires the agency to identify itself in communications on the proposal. Imagine that. We ask them to identify themselves. The agency must clearly state whether it is accepting comments or considering alternatives. Most importantly, agency communications during this process must use a neutral, unbiased tone. This bill requires agencies to do only what you would expect them to do if the request for feedback was genuine and sincere. This bill will uphold the purpose and value of the notice and comment process enshrined in the Administrative Procedures Act. When issuing new regulations, agencies must provide notice of the regulation and accept comments from the public before finalizing the regulation. Often, regulated entities, small businesses, and subject- matter experts can provide new insights and perspectives agency officials simply do not have and do not understand. The notice and comment period allows the public to provide valuable insight to the agencies to help them make better regulations, more effective regulations, and minimize the adverse impacts. However, not every agency takes this opportunity to really listen to the public. Often, agencies develop a proposed regulation and assume it is the end of the story. In effect, agencies reduce the notice and comment process to checking the box. A perfect example, unfortunately, is when EPA developed the waters of the United States rule, known as WOTUS, EPA's behavior during the notice and comment period indicated that the EPA had little interest in listening to the public. Quite the contrary. EPA used Thunderclap, an online social media platform, to disseminate government-sourced messages through unaffiliated individuals to encourage the public to provide positive comments. They did not identify themselves and used a third party to source comments that would support their perspective. The goal was clearly to pad the administrative record with positive feedback rather than soliciting genuine input in an effort to measure the rule's effect on the public. In fact, the Government Accountability Office found the EPA undertook a covert propaganda campaign by soliciting social media comments in support of their proposed rule. Let me say that again: a covert propaganda campaign. GAO also told EPA to report this violation to the President and Congress because the agency's appropriations were not available for those prohibited purposes. They spent taxpayer money--our money--on something that was prohibited. H.R. 1004, the Regulatory Integrity Act of 2017, seeks to shine a light on how agencies are communicating about pending regulatory actions. This bill simply tells agencies they need to keep to the facts and avoid soliciting support when they ought to be soliciting comments. H.R. 1004 also establishes transparency requirements for the agency in how it communicates to the public. The bill requires agencies to post on their website some basic information about each communication about a pending regulatory action. For each communication, the public will be able to see a copy of the communication, the intended audience, the method of communication, and the date it was issued--simple transparency expectations. Additionally, H.R. 1004 requires agencies to post information online about each of their regulatory actions. Mr. Chairman, the Regulatory Integrity Act will bring integrity back to the rulemaking process with transparency and simple guidelines for effective and appropriate communication. The Regulatory Integrity Act is a good, bipartisan bill. This bill received support in the previous Congress, and the House of Representatives passed the bill last Congress. On February 14, 2017, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved this bill without amendment. I thank Congressman Walberg for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers on the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.