Paul Mitchell

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4407) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3s101 Rockwell Street in Warrenville, Illinois, as the ``Corporal Jeffery Allen Williams Post Office Building'', with the Senate amendments thereto, and concur in the Senate amendments.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5205) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701 6th Street in Hawthorne, Nevada, as the ``Sergeant Kenneth Eric Bostic Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5475) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 North Macon Street in Bevier, Missouri, as the ``SO2 Navy SEAL Adam Olin Smith Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1850) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 907 Fourth Avenue in Lake Odessa, Michigan, as the ``Donna Sauers Besko Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6167) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5707 South Cass Avenue in Westmont, Illinois, as the ``James William Robinson Jr. Memorial Post Office Building'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6335) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 322 Main Street in Oakville, Connecticut, as the ``Veterans Memorial Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6930) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Miller Street in Plattsburgh, New York, as the ``Ross Bouyea Post Office Building'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 3209) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 413 Washington Avenue in Belleville, New Jersey, as the ``Private Henry Svehla Post Office Building'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6059) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 51 Willow Street in Lynn, Massachusetts, as the ``Thomas P. Costin, Jr. Post Office Building'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7230) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 226 West Main Street in Lake City, South Carolina, as the ``Postmaster Frazier B. Baker Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7243) to amend Public Law 115-217 to change the address of the postal facility designated by such Public Law in honor of Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 1172, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 3237) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 12th Street Lobby in Columbus, Georgia, as the ``Richard W. Williams, Jr., Chapter of the Triple Nickles (555th P.I.A.) Post Office'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, my district, the 10th Congressional District of Michigan, is the proud home to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, one of our Nation's premier National Guard bases, home to more than 40 national defense and homeland security tenants, including all branches of the military, the Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection. I rise today to commemorate the groundbreaking ceremony for Selfridge's newest tenant organization, the Eisenhower Veteran Care Transition Center. When completed, the facility will provide residential rehabilitation and reintegration programs for up to 42 veterans at a time who are suffering from service-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and more. This new veteran care transition center ensures that our wounded warriors receive the essential care they earned, allowing them to continue to live independently in our community. I am thankful to the leadership of Selfridge, including General John Slocum, the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base commander, for working hard to bring this resource to southeast Michigan and Selfridge, and ensuring that veterans in this area get the best possible care.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vietnam veteran, Private First Class Joseph Palazzolo of Imlay City, Michigan. I recently had the honor of presenting Mr. Palazzolo with his long overdue Bronze Star with Valor Device for his heroic actions 52 years ago. On November 16, 1966, while serving near Pleiku in Vietnam, Joe's unit came under heavy enemy fire. Joe dropped his pack and set a line of fire to protect others when he was shot in the shoulder. Even after being wounded himself, Joe refused to be evacuated, and instead stayed inside the line of fire to help others. By the end of the firefight, Joe carried a half-dozen wounded soldiers to safety. His selflessness and bravery were evident in his actions that day. Mr. Palazzolo's devotion to his fellow soldiers and his duty reflects distinction upon him, the 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army. It was an honor to meet Private First Class Palazzolo to present him with a Bronze Star, and I wish him the best of luck in the future.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6 as did my colleagues. The opioid crisis has impacted nearly every community across this country, and in order to most effectively combat this crisis, we must establish a comprehensive response plan. I am pleased this bill includes a version of my amendment offered in committee to establish a system to track Federal funding for drug control efforts, ensuring the government knows exactly where the money is being spent, how it is being used, and if it is working. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I ask my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I am changing my comments because I was offended by the last speaker. I grew up in a family where dad built trucks on the line and mom worked at the Salvation Army. In my district alone, people get to keep $2,700 of the money they earn in their pocket rather than being sent to the Federal Government so our colleagues on the other side of the aisle can find a way to spend it. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was the first major reforms and major tax cuts in 31 years. I was young the last time Congress was actually able to do something about taxing people, taxing money that they earned so we could figure out how to spend it here--and, frankly, some days, I am convinced not well. Since that tax cut jobs have grown. As is noted, unemployment is down record levels across all demographics. The class warfare kind of amazes me, frankly. This week, we are building on those achievements by advancing three critical pieces legislation. First, the bill now, the American Innovation Act, will allow startup businesses to double the write-off amount of startup costs to encourage new business, exactly the type of people we want to grow businesses and create jobs in this country. It will bring in new investors and doesn't trigger limits on their tax benefits. Today, we will also consider the Family Savings Act, which gives broader options for retirement savings for people that go to work and want to know what happens when they get older. Tomorrow, we will be debating the Protecting Families and Small Business Tax Cuts, which makes permanent the individual and small business tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, tax benefits that were denied in the Senate because it was determined they needed 60 votes. I will tell you where the 60 votes did not come in. It did not come in from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. So when we were criticized that they are not permanent at this time, it is because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle decided they would use it as a political talking point rather than make permanent the benefits that would have helped my family, my parents, when they worked. Mr. Speaker, I am a cosponsor of all three bills, and I ask my colleagues to support them.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the America's Water Infrastructure Act, a critical piece of legislation that authorizes water infrastructure projects across our Nation. One particular project is near and dear to my heart, critical to the State of Michigan and our national economy and security: the Soo Locks. This lock is the only waterway, the only connection between Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Right now, that one lock accommodates almost all of the shipping of iron ore and many other goods from Minnesota through the Great Lakes. If that lock fails, the damage is instantaneous: economic damage--11 million people would lose their jobs within the first 90 days--and risks our national security. That is why construction of a second lock is so vital. This upgrade was authorized over 30 years ago. I guess it shouldn't surprise us that it has languished a bit. We now have bipartisan support, both sides of the aisle supporting the need to get this lock, a second large lock, built. We have recognition by the administration that this lock is critical for our economy and our national security. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill as the next step in building the 1,200-foot lock at the Soo Locks so we can ensure that our national security and our economy is not devastated by the failure of one lock.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sugrue of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for completing his tour of duty as the Commanding Officer for the Detroit District. Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue received his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999, and during his career he completed two deployments in Afghanistan and one in Kosovo. He served as the Brigade Engineer and Executive Officer for the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division before becoming the Deputy District Commander of the Los Angeles District for the Army Corps of Engineers. After successfully serving and leading in these positions, Sugrue assumed command of the Detroit District for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for 4,000 miles of coast line along four of the Great Lakes and processing nearly 2,000 regulatory permits a year. I have had the pleasure of working with Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue on several projects, most notably on upgrading the Soo Locks; critical infrastructure essential to our nation's defense and economy. He is an articulate, consummate professional; always receptive to concerns and understanding of the complexities of the issues at hand. I am thankful to have worked with Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue in his current posting and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that, for too long, many countries have taken advantage of our country's patience and open trade practices. Our country must achieve fair trade. I understand and support going after bad actors like China, who engage in notoriously unfair trade practices and steal intellectual property. It appears progress is being made with the European Union with yesterday's announcement. While achieving this, we need to protect our domestic industries and producers. I have heard concerns from farmers and manufacturers back home in Michigan who are being threatened by retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners. Growth for American agriculture lies in export markets. Domestic manufacturers often have complex supply chains, and sometimes imported materials are their only option. My constituents support holding unfair trading partners accountable. They just ask for support and protection while we achieve fair trade for all Americans.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 82-year-old United States Navy veteran Monroe Murphy of Dryden, who recently graduated with his high school diploma, 68 years after he put his education on hold and bravely enlisted in the Navy at the age of 16. Monroe served in Korea as an engineman. He received an honorable discharge, returned home, and married his high school sweetheart, Ann, and raised their seven children on the family farm in Michigan. Monroe worked at Selfridge Air Field, General Motors, and at his own service station in Romeo. With the help of his daughter, he enrolled in adult education and began a 3-year journey of attending classes to receive his high school diploma. He graduated in June of this year, at the top of his class, and gave the commencement address to his family and friends present. Monroe's impressive journey will continue, as he plans on enrolling in college classes. Congratulations, Monroe, and keep up the great work.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, ``Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'' For those who are not familiar with the insights of Dr. Seuss, that quote concludes ``The Lorax.'' You see, when I got home on Friday night, my 8-year-old wanted to watch a move with dad. We watched ``The Lorax'' with him belly laughing at some of the scenes and me just enjoying him curled up beside me, happy to be together at home. Playing through my mind also--as it has for some time--was our collective struggle with legal immigration and our Nation's struggle with addressing this problem. For anyone wondering if I did not see or feel the real painful events of separating children from their parents at the border last week, as I curled up with my little guy, know that I did. I felt it to my soul. You see, my 8-year-old son is also an immigrant. My wife and I adopted him from Russia just before Vladimir Putin slammed the door shut for other children who could desperately use a loving home in America. We had to come home after adoption was granted and wait out an appeal period. We had to leave our son behind and then go back and get him weeks later. So I understand the problem well and what is at stake. America has struggled with this issue since our creation. We are a Nation of immigrants. My ancestors arrived in America during the Irish potato famine. We can't ignore immigration, both illegal and legal, any longer. The issue surrounds us every day, especially if you live in border communities, areas of large immigrant populations--legal and illegal--or resort communities or agriculture communities who depend upon guest workers to even function. In 1986, Congress passed the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, which was signed into law by President Reagan, the last major immigration legislation. This granted legal status to about 4 million illegal immigrants with a commitment to fund what was necessary to secure our borders. However, clearly, we did not secure our borders, and that failure is why we struggle right now with this problem. Our Nation's border agents stop about 2,000 people deemed to be high risk, attempting to enter the United States from Africa and the Middle East at our southern border every year. Does anybody care to estimate the number of people we do not apprehend and the risks they pose to our security? A group of young people, often called the DACA population, are estimated at 1.6 to 1.8 million people and they are here, young people brought here by their parents--yes, illegally, I grant that--but the question remains: What do we do? Leave them in limbo? Leave them in fear on the edge of society? America has an immigration system that is old-fashioned at best. Rather than doing what is necessary, like other nations have, a merit- based immigration system, we have visa lottery, family chain migration, and a refugee and asylum system that does not work--all backed up by illegal immigration that we can't address solely through deportations and hearings. We must secure our borders now. Not some day. Not maybe. We must end the political circus of the DACA program and fix the limbo status for the DACA population now. We must move to merit-based immigration, end the visa lottery, and end family chain migration. There is no answer to these issues that is perfect, in the view of myself and many, because we are in a representative democracy. I don't believe perfect exists in the world. I spent 35 years in a private business. I don't think I ever saw perfect. My spouse and children will tell you I am far from their definition of perfect. I came here to address our Nation's challenges and take those tough votes gladly because I want to make a difference. I chatted with a more senior member at the airport Friday who commented that only 100 or 150 Members of this body are prepared to truly work on solving this problem, to compromise, and take a tough vote on immigration. Some believe their idea is the only approach. Some have election fears. Some want to message on this issue at elections. Less than 12,000 individuals have ever served in the House of Representatives. To all with the honor and responsibility of being in this Chamber, I say, now is the time to step up, work on this issue, compromise, tackle the dilemma, and then take a vote to move it forward to a better place. Because, again: ``Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.''

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5925) to codify provisions relating to the Office of National Drug Control, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.