Ben McAdams

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say farewell to this institution that I have been so lucky and honored to serve. I want to first thank my wife, Julie, for supporting my career in public service for the past 12 years and for these last 2 years while I have been a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. It is an understatement to say that I could not have done this job without her, both in terms of her unconditional love and support, for taking care of our family while I have traveled back and forth to Washington, and as a thought partner, sounding board, strategic adviser, moral conscience, and North Star. Any time that I was faced with a politically difficult dilemma, she would tell me to follow my conscience and stand for what I believe in. I want to also thank my four children: James, Kate, Robert, and Isaac: Your humor, love, and support have kept me going even when things get tough. Thank you for allowing me to pursue this great adventure, and I am looking forward to more evenings at home with the four of you. I also want to thank my staff. I know that I have had one of the best staffs on Capitol Hill, and it is a testament to their hard work and their perseverance that we were able to accomplish as much as we did. So to Nichole, Tiffany, Alyson, Eric, Michelle, Andrea, Chris, Brennen, Julianne, Katie, Christian, Marcus, Hannah, and Stephanie, thank you. To the people of Utah who granted to me this opportunity, thank you. I also thank my House colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, for your ideas, for our constructive disagreements. For those who shared my desire to work together to find solutions to our challenges, I am grateful. Mr. Speaker, I packed up my Washington, D.C., office this week with mixed emotions: pride in the work that I accomplished to support Utah's hardworking families, but frustrated at what did not get done. Nothing captures it quite like the failure to deliver to date much-needed emergency relief due to the coronavirus. We see this catastrophe happening in Utah and around the country. People are dying; people are sick; people are hurting economically; small businesses are on the brink of failure, and many have already failed. It is time for each and every one of us to step forward and to do our part. It is long past time for Congress to put the partisanship and politics aside and to do its job, to get it done and to show results. A bill that does not pass the House and Senate and get signed by the President means nothing to struggling businesses or to a struggling family. The partisan divide has taken a toll on public confidence in government's ability to meet the challenges we were elected to solve. Americans recognize their distrust of the Federal Government and each other is a problem that gets in the way of solving tough issues. A new type of polarization is gripping the country. As one researcher noted: ``This level of political divisiveness on both sides creates a feedback loop of hatred and leaves the U.S. open to manipulation by foreign powers that wish to further these internal rifts.'' I have tried to counter that in my public service by walking a centrist path: to heal and to listen where I can, to hear from all sides, and to find common ground. I believe it is important to elect people willing to work across the aisle, people like me who build bridges rather than fan the flames. I have seen this work, whether it is working with Republicans to counter the alarming rise in the rate of suicide or traveling to our southern border to get agreement for emergency food, housing, and medical aid for refugees fleeing violence and danger in their home countries. Once you learn that people in both parties agree on both humanitarian treatment and securing the border, efforts can focus on ironing out the details. I was proud to represent Utah's Fourth Congressional District during the 116th Congress, serving my community, my State, and my country as an elected Representative in the people's House. This was a great honor and a privilege. I am glad to have carried out their good ideas across the finish line, including four bills expected to be signed into law. I have built relationships with Republicans and Democrats that led to success on clean air, stopping child trafficking, preventing suicide, and recovering investment savings for hardworking seniors cheated by fraudsters. My wish this holiday season for those who serve next year in Congress is to be less partisan and more like Utahns who see the best in each other, who work together, roll up their sleeves, and solve problems together for the good of everyone. Godspeed, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 4902, which is legislation renaming Utah's Federal courthouse in honor of Senator Orrin G. Hatch. Madam Speaker, I met Senator Hatch many years ago and have worked with him since my time in the Utah State Senate and subsequently as the mayor of Salt Lake County. I have always admired the service he provided for his constituents and colleagues in the Senate alike. Senator Hatch's accomplishments on behalf of Utah and our country are a remarkable reminder of the bipartisanship we need to return to. Senator Hatch worked with his longtime friend, Senator Ted Kennedy, to pass the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. He also worked across the aisle to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which compensated Utahans who suffered radiation exposure because of their proximity to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. Madam Speaker, Senator Hatch has been an exemplary public figure. For over 40 years, Senator Hatch showed what it is like to work with folks from all walks of life and all ends of the political spectrum. He respected a difference of opinion. He welcomed a healthy debate, and he knew that at the end of the day we are all trying to make our State and our country a better place. Senator Hatch cared deeply about the rule of law and the integrity of the courts. Putting his name on the Federal courthouse in Utah is a well-deserved and hard-earned honor marking his many contributions to the judiciary, to his State, and to our country. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Filipino American History Month which commemorates the arrival of the first Filipinos, or ``Luzones Indios,'' landing in what is now known as Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587. For over 400 years, Filipino Americans have been key participants in the American experiment, striving towards equality and justice for all. This continues today. As our nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino American healthcare workers have been essential in our response to the virus. Nearly 150,000 healthcare workers across the country are second or third-generation Filipino American. I deeply appreciate the hard work and sacrifice of these heroes who fight every day to protect and heal their fellow Americans. Since 1900, Filipino Americans have enriched the fabric of Utah as artists, farmers, educators, healthcare workers, and activists. Over 15,000 Filipino Americans call Utah home and are one of our state's fastest growing communities. As we commemorate Filipino American History Month, I am so grateful for the contributions that have been made to our great state and Nation by Filipino Americans.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the VA High Altitude and Suicide Research Act. I introduced this bipartisan bill to combat a very serious threat to our veteran population. After serving and protecting our country, our veterans return home only to face new threats. Studies show that veteran suicide is one-and- a-half times higher than nonveteran suicides. We must do everything we can to understand why our Nation's heroes are taking their own lives, and we must do more to prevent more tragic deaths. In talking with suicide prevention experts in my home State of Utah, I am told that we need to better understand the possible connection between high altitude and suicide. That is what my bill does. The VA High Altitude and Suicide Research Act compels the VA to study the link between veteran suicide and high altitude. It also requires the VA to establish effective treatment plans that respond to the threats and to save lives. As a nation, we have a responsibility to prevent future tragedies and provide these servicemembers with the care that they so desperately deserve. I thank the House for taking up this important legislation, and I urge adoption. Support for a Sustainable, Clean Energy Economy

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of two of my bills included in the Clean Economy and Jobs Innovation Act. This legislative package takes bold and important steps toward a sustainable, clean energy economy. It is not only good for our health and for our environment, but it is good for our economy. I am particularly pleased to see my legislation included in the package, the Solar Energy Research and Development Act. This bill authorizes solar energy research, development, and deployment within the Department of Energy. Utah is a national leader in solar technology and is projected to produce over 1,000 megawatts of solar power in the next 5 years. My bill addresses the very serious threat of climate change, while supporting clean energy jobs. I am also pleased to see my air quality bill included. The Background Ozone Research Study Act directs the EPA and the National Academies of Science to study the sources of background ozone pollution and to provide actionable steps for cleaning our air. Mr. Speaker, this bill supports our clean energy economy and addresses our very serious need to address the climate crisis. In Support of the FAITH in Congress Act

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FAITH in Congress Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by my colleague Stephanie Murphy, seeks to restore trust and faith in Congress as an institution. As I travel throughout my district and talk with Utahns, there is a common theme that I hear from people of all political walks. That is that our political system is broken, and we need to change the way Washington does business. So this bill takes commonsense, concrete steps to restore that faith through five central pillars: No automatic pay increases for Members of Congress, which I have fought against since I was first sworn in; No budget, no pay; No first-class Member travel at taxpayer expense; A lifetime ban on lobbying by former Members of Congress; and Prioritizing bipartisan bills over partisan bills. That is it. Five simple steps that we should all be able to rally behind. Mr. Speaker, this is common sense, and I urge the House to take up and pass this legislation without delay.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Stopping Trafficking, Illicit Flows, Laundering and Exploitation Act of 2020, or the STIFLE Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation that I introduced with my colleague, Representative Anthony Gonzalez, from Ohio. Trafficking is a scourge on society, leaving millions of victims in its wake. Recent reports show that the global business of transnational crime is valued at between $1.6 to $2.2 trillion annually, resulting in crime, violence, terrorism, corruption, and human suffering. Illicit actors engaged in trafficking--whether in drugs, arms, wildlife, organs, or humans--use dark markets to finance and hide their horrific activities and their profits. We need to identify, disrupt, and prosecute these financial networks to stop these abhorrent crimes. And that is what the STIFLE Act does. The STIFLE Act activates tools, partnerships, and guidance of a number of Federal agencies to help financial institutions identify techniques and patterns of transactions that may involve the proceeds of trafficking. The legislation requires a report to Congress with recommended actions necessary to combat trafficking or money laundering of the proceeds. We must attack trafficking networks from all sides, using any effective approach. Targeting the finances of these networks is a key way that we can crack down on these illicit activities. The STIFLE Act is just one component of the bipartisan Counter- Trafficking Initiative that the Financial Services Committee launched earlier this year. The long-term committee effort is designed to explore and expose the breadth and reach of international transnational trafficking networks and their illicit finances. I thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry for focusing our committee on this important work. Mr. Speaker, we must do more to protect innocent victims of trafficking and take down the trafficking networks that prey upon our most vulnerable. This bipartisan bill is a step in that direction. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bipartisan bill with Representative Lucas, the Rural STEM Education Act. More than 9 million students nationwide attend a rural school. And in my home State of Utah, 15 percent of our students live in rural communities. Unfortunately, there are many barriers to receiving quality STEM education for rural community students. There is a shortage of math and science teachers and a high rate of teacher turnover. Plus, access to high-speed and reliable internet is more limited in these areas. Today, as we live through this pandemic, we know how important reliable internet is for kids and teachers. This bill would provide effective online teaching tools that educators can use in our rural areas. It will also increase teacher recruitment and improve internet access. It will task several government agencies to work together to advance research and provide teachers with what they need to effectively teach STEM to more students in rural communities. When bright young minds have the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math, you never know where their intelligence and their curiosity might lead them or what new discoveries we will be able to trace back to the education they received starting in their hometown. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I thank my friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) for championing this.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, local businesses are the engines that drive economic growth and jobs in Utah. The support Utah small businesses receive from local Chambers of Commerce is important in good times. During this pandemic, the 20 Chambers in Utah's 4th Congressional District have been a critical source for information and shared resources. Chamber leaders and Chamber members are integral to their customers and their communities. They know each other's history, challenges, wins, and losses. They share a common goal of serving the needs of hard-working Utah families and providing those families with an income, benefits and an economic ladder to climb. During this COVID-19 crisis, these Chambers have had to be innovative, and to find new platforms from which to communicate with their members. They've taken on the assignment of learning about business loans, relief programs and unemployment information from local, state and federal agencies. Not only do they worry about their own businesses and family member, they've shouldered the responsibility of looking out for their membership as well. I would like to highlight and thank the American Fork Chamber, Chamber West, Holladay Chamber, Mount Pleasant Area Chamber, Murray Chamber, Nephi Chamber, Pacific Islander Chamber, Salt Lake Chamber, South Jordan Chamber, South Salt Lake Chamber, South Valley Chamber, South West Valley Chamber, Utah Asian Chamber, Utah Black Chamber, Utah Hispanic Chamber, Utah Gay and Lesbian Chamber, West Jordan Chamber, Payson-Santaquin Chamber, Point of the Mountain Chamber, and the Utah Valley Chamber. Our fight against the coronavirus goes on. The economic recovery, when it happens, may be much slower than any of us want. We have never needed small business champions more than we do now. I thank the leaders of the Utah Chambers of Commerce for ensuring that the evolving needs of their members--our vital small businesses, employees and hard- working families--are met.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, Utah's hot, dry summers bring with them risks to lives and property due to wildfires. Our first and last line of defense against this risk is the skill, dedication, and courage of firefighters from across our State. Sometimes we may take their efforts for granted until we hear about a particular act of valor, as in Utah's firefighters' recent battle against the Knolls fire in Saratoga Springs. So far this season, Utah communities have seen 650 fires, which have forced evacuations across the State. The city of Saratoga Springs and other surrounding communities faced some of the worst of it so far, with 13,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes due to the Knolls fire. For 7 days and nights, in extreme temperatures and erratic winds, 200 firefighters worked tirelessly to protect the community and our residents. The fire consumed over 13,000 acres of land, but due to their extraordinary efforts, only one home was lost to the flames. Wildfire season continues, but what we have shown with the Knolls fire is that local, State, and Federal resources in coordination can minimize damage and save lives. I am grateful to the brave men and women who suit up for these dangerous scenarios and never quit until the job is done.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, all of us have fond memories of a favorite teacher--someone who became a mentor that inspired us to reach for our dreams. In ordinary times, classrooms are where we discover-- with help from our teachers--the doors an education will open for us as we pursue our passions. These are far from ordinary times. Just a few short months ago, kids left school on a Friday and then started the following Monday in an entirely new learning environment. They learned lessons from teachers talking to them on a computer screen, as teachers quickly shifted their lesson plans to online learning. Parents got a crash course in what it's like to keep children engaged with assignments and learning over a seven-hour day. We have always asked a lot of our teachers and school principals in Utah. They juggle resources that are stretched thin. They must be prepared to teach children with a range of learning styles and abilities. They wear many hats beside that of teachers--counselor, referee, nurse, bookkeeper, fundraiser and organizational expert. This fall, they are being tested by a dramatically more difficult circumstance--preparing to go back to school in the face of a highly- contagious virus, about which not much is known, except that sometimes it can be lethal. I'm a father of four school-age children and the son of a teacher. I like to think that I value and appreciate the teaching profession and unique ability teachers have, to connect a curious child's mind with knowledge, aspiration, and discipline. As this unprecedented fall 2020 school year approaches, as we all struggle to make sense of what classrooms this fall will look like, I would like to salute all Utah teachers and staff and thank them for their extraordinary dedication to their work and to our children.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize some incredible things that have happened in my State. In Utah, COVID-19 has hit families and the food-buying public very hard. Many supply chain elements have closed, leaving farmers unable to sell their Utah-grown products. But Utah farmers are passionate about feeding people, so the Utah Farm Bureau launched ``Farmers Feeding Utah.'' Donations to the nonprofit campaign went to farmers to purchase their products, and the Utah Farm Bureau handled processing costs and partnered with hunger relief organizations to get the food directly to needy families. Since May, they have received more than $300,000 in donations that allow them to purchase 20,000 pounds of beef, 10,000 pounds of flour, 200,000 eggs, and $100,000 worth of dairy products. They have delivered 600 live sheep to the Navajo Nation and donated to numerous food pantries throughout Northern Utah. Utah routinely leads the Nation in volunteering. Farmers Feeding Utah is the latest example of how Utahns come together to protect lives and livelihood and to overcome adversity. Honoring the City of South Jordan's Public Safety Personnel

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of South Jordan, Utah, its public safety personnel, and also its residents for showing tremendous leadership and courage during a recent public safety crisis. On Pioneer Day, July 24, 2020, approximately 600 people were quickly evacuated from their homes and their businesses after public safety officials discovered explosive material in a nearby home. Officials determined that the substance had to be neutralized through controlled detonations. Our State's official holiday, Pioneer Day, is usually reserved for festivities and gatherings with family to remember a legacy of overcoming hardship. Instead, South Jordan city officials and residents had their holiday interrupted and were called to react quickly, work together and demonstrate courage and leadership. They did so valiantly, and they did so bravely. The detonations were completed with very minimal damage caused to nearby homes and no injuries whatsoever. Given the circumstances, the outcome could hardly have been better. I applaud these Utahns who came together in the face of adversity to support one another. South Jordan has much to be proud of on this Pioneer Day.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Mr. Robert Young, for his heroic efforts to protect his neighborhood from a threatening wildfire. Mr. Young lives in Saratoga Springs, where nearby flames recently forced 13,000 people to evacuate their homes. In a show of great courage, Mr. Young sent his family off in their car while he stayed behind, working to protect his neighborhood despite the back pain that recently forced him out of work. He placed the safety of his community over his own. As the fire raged, he spent hours in a CAT plowing away at the fields behind the homes of Heppler Lane, creating a firebreak in the hope that, if needed, it would slow the progress of blaze. Thankfully, all homes on Heppler Lane were spared. In a show of humility, Mr. Young downplays the bravery it took to do what he did. He attributes all credit to the valiant firefighters who battled the flames day and night for a full week. Communities are built by individuals coming together to sacrifice for the greater good. It is my hope that the story of Mr. Young's heroic actions can be an example to us all.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, in March, I was infected with COVID-19 and spent 8 days in the hospital struggling to breathe and too exhausted to get out of bed. The dedicated doctors, nurses, and hospital staff were my allies in the fight against the virus, putting their own health at risk to care for me. It gave me an up-close and personal perspective of what our healthcare workers have been up against since the start of this pandemic. So dedicated are Utah's healthcare heroes that, when the call went out from New York for help, 100 volunteers responded, giving the exhausted doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists much-needed backup. They spent 14 days assisting New York area hospitals, working day and night to care for desperately sick people, people who were not even allowed to have family members at their bedside. Utah healthcare heroes are not just found at hospitals; they are in our long-term care facilities, our veterans' homes, and in parking lots, standing in the heat to collect test samples for hours at a time. They are found in blood banks and laboratories, searching for the treatments and working on drug trials to offer relief and hope to patients now and in the future. No summer vacations or even holiday weekends for these extraordinary caregivers, their own families must take a backseat. The fight against the virus and the demand on their skill continues for the months ahead. They gave me my health back and returned me safely to loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I thank them for their help.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of my amendments to H.R. 7617. My amendment would provide additional resources to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The CDC reports that from 2001 to 2017, the Nation saw a 31 percent increase in the suicide rate. It is now the second leading cause of death among Americans ages 15 to 24 and the leading cause of death for Utahns in this age group. The lifeline is a nationally accessible service that supports people in crisis and connects them to the help that they need. The lifeline has had great success, but it is also under strain as its funding has not kept pace with its caseload, particularly amid the pandemic's effects. I want my amendment to speak clearly to Americans in crisis: There is help; there is hope; and we are fighting for you. Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in support of two amendments to protect children's safety and well-being. First, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has reported staggering increases in online child sex abuse material, commonly called child pornography. The Federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program supports task forces in every State to investigate such online exploitation and abuse of children and bring perpetrators to justice. My amendment enhances this grant program to support State and locally driven efforts to protect our children. Second, child advocacy centers are an incredible tool to support child survivors of abuse. These centers bring together specialized child welfare and law enforcement professionals to provide holistic services to children and to seek justice against abusers. COVID-19 has put many kids at risk, and my amendment provides additional resources for centers to meet this demand. I urge my colleagues to support these amendments to protect, heal, and give hope to Americans.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the treasured life and significant contributions of Judge Michael W. Kwan, a pillar of our community, who passed away on July 21, 2020. Judge Kwan was a trailblazer in my State, known for leading on innovative judicial programs that respect the rights of the accused and improve public safety for Utahns. A pioneer in his field through offering a drug court, Judge Kwan's forward-thinking approach emphasized rehabilitation. This has served as a model for other courts across the United States. Judge Kwan stood as an example to many of those dedicated to public service, holding fast to our common ideal of justice for all. Judge Kwan was a stalwart voice in Utah's Asian-American community, fighting for the full story and to recognize the significant contribution of Chinese workers to the completion of the transcontinental railroad over 150 years ago. As the great-grandson of one of those workers, Judge Kwan helped found the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association. I was privileged to have known Judge Kwan. I mourn the loss of this extraordinary public servant together with his family, loved ones, and our entire community. I am certain that his impact will be felt for decades to come.

Mr. McADAMS

Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, Utah is blessed with many treasured national areas, from parks and trails to red rock canyons. Conserving these places is more important than ever, and today, we take landmark action by passing full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This successful conservation program has given us, at no cost to the taxpayer, decades of vital funding for national and State parks, wildlife refuges, and recreational areas. State and local officials rely on the money to improve local parks and trails, which see increased demand along the rapidly growing Wasatch Front. Utah has five of the country's most beloved national parks, including Zion National Park, which has quite literally been loved to death and has a $67 million backlog in deferred maintenance. This bill provides some desperately needed funding to fill that backlog. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to be voting for this legislation and the promise it holds for our economy and an excellent quality of life in Utah for my children and for future generations.

Mr. McADAMS

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

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, when Utahns learned about recent high-level meetings on resuming nuclear weapons testing, it rang alarm bells. Thousands of Utahns are still dealing with trauma inflicted by bombs exploded from decades past leaving a legacy of illness, suffering, and death. Why would we ever go down that path again? For 24 straight years, the Department of Energy and DOD continue to certify the safety, security, and effectiveness of our nuclear weapons stockpile without the use of nuclear explosive testing. That was confirmed to still be the case at the end of June. My amendment prohibits the use of funds to prepare for or conduct any explosive nuclear weapons test that produces any yield. My amendment does nothing to interfere with our stockpile program. It allows for national security preparedness consistent with zero-yield standards. Nuclear clouds must never again threaten the health and safety of those living downwind. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard).

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the distinguished chair of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 20 seconds.

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus), the congresswoman who has written the book on nuclear testing.

Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, explosive nuclear testing is not necessary to ensure that our stockpile remains safe, and nothing in this amendment would change that. Explosive nuclear testing causes irreparable harm to human health and our environment and jeopardizes the U.S. leadership role on nuclear nonproliferation. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.