Erik Paulsen

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Minnesota Rabbi Harold Kravitz for his national leadership as chair of the board for MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. As Rabbi Kravitz's term as chair comes to an end, I want to thank him for the work he has done both in Minnesota and across the country in the fight against poverty and for his work on child advocacy. He has received numerous awards for his efforts and for his leadership, including being named one of America's Most Inspiring Rabbis by Jewish Daily Forward. However, it is more than awards, Madam Speaker, because anyone who has met Rabbi Kravitz will tell you, it is a passion that he has for the causes that he advocates for that brings his success. I wish Rabbi Kravitz success in moving forward and the best as he moves on to new endeavors, which I am sure will include many continued projects to make the world a better and safer and just place. His service and commitment to helping our community and the causes that he champions have made a significant difference, and we thank him for his tireless efforts.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on an issue that I hear more and more about each and every day, that is, how regulations are actually crushing and harming our small community banks. Just a week ago, I met with a group of small independent and community bankers who shared some pretty striking stories. A set of regulations issued as a result of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law have now led to a more than 100 percent increase in the length of the quarterly financial status report that they must file each quarter. One banker said that it took his CFO 4 full working days just to finish the report this year, and this is a CPA with multiple advanced degrees. Another said he has to pay the accountant now $25,000 just to review the reports for its accuracy. Mr. Speaker, these crushing Dodd-Frank regulations are having the direct opposite effect of their intention. They are hurting small community banks that are vital to providing capital to the small businesses that keep our economy healthy.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, with one in four seniors in America afflicted with obesity at a price of $50 billion a year to Medicare, it is apparent that any attempts to put Medicare on a sound financial path must deal with this disease. That is why I am introducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. The bill removes the exclusion for Medicare part D for covering drugs that treat and reduce obesity and makes more treatment options available for our seniors. When Medicare part D was created in 2006, there were no widely accepted FDA-approved obesity drugs on the market, so they were declared exempt from coverage. However, with significant medical advances, a number of FDA-approved weight loss drugs are now available, and our Medicare rules should reflect that. Mr. Speaker, obesity is responsible for nearly 20 percent of the increase in our health care spending over the last two decades, and it is time we take action to target, treat, and reduce obesity.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in support of this very commonsense bill, as Mr. Pascrell just laid out, to correct an inequity that exists within the retirement system for Federal law enforcement officers. Public safety employees are often subject to mandatory retirement upon reaching a certain age. Unfortunately, for many Federal law enforcement officers, this forced retirement occurs a couple of years before they are able to legally access their retirement accounts without a penalty. It makes no sense to force these officers who protect us and who serve our communities to then retire without being able to access their own money that they have earned and diligently saved. The Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act corrects this inequity and gives these public safety officers the certainty they deserve after years of service. I want to thank Sheriff Reichert for his leadership on this issue and look forward to its passage.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman from Washington, Chairman Reichert, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, for the past 54 years, we have celebrated National Police Week during the third week of May; and once again, thousands of officers and the families of law enforcement are here in Washington this week to remember and honor the sacrifices of our officers who serve and protect our homes, our small businesses, and our families every day. That is because, Mr. Speaker, every day, our Nation's police officers--900,000 officers across this country--wear their uniforms with pride. They go about their jobs without a second thought to the dangers that come with protecting others and in securing our community. Sadly, though, we are reminded too often of the dangers that these heroes face. Just 3 days ago, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate were shot and killed while making a routine traffic stop. They were just 34 and 24 years old. Last July in Minnesota, Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick tragically lost his life in the line of duty. A 19-year veteran, Officer Patrick is remembered as a loving father of two children and somebody who was friendly, helpful, and was always looking to serve others. This year, he would have celebrated his 48th birthday. Instead of a party, his family spent the day in court for the murder trial of his killer. It is not only law enforcement that put their lives on the line to protect and serve our community. Just last week, 44-year-old Kevin McRae, a 24-year veteran of the Washington, D.C., fire department, tragically lost his life when a high-rise building where he had been fighting a fire for nearly an hour collapsed. He leaves behind a wife and three young children. For these public safety officers and these first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we have a responsibility to ensure that their families are taken care of. In fact, that is why the Federal Government and many State governments provide that public safety officer benefit to the dependents of those heroes that are killed in the line of duty. However, because current law is silent on whether State or Federal survivor benefits are subject to Federal income tax, there is a question of whether the IRS can collect tax on these benefits. And the last thing these families need after losing a loved one is for the IRS to come knocking. That is why I worked with Senator Ayotte to introduce the Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act. It will ensure that families of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty receive the benefits they were promised without a tax grab from the IRS. While the IRS ruled back in 1977 that Federal PSOB benefits should be treated just like workers compensation and not be subject to taxation, the IRS has refused to make a similar rule for State-based payments and instead has forced families to go through a burdensome private letter ruling. Clarifying current law will provide relief. It will provide certainty to surviving dependents, and it will guarantee they are not forced to pay Federal income tax on survivor benefits after their loved ones have given the ultimate sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Sheriff Reichert, my colleague, and I want to thank Congressman Pascrell for their bipartisan leadership of the Law Enforcement Caucus and standing up for this legislation and the other bills we have heard today on the floor. I also want to thank Senator Ayotte for her leadership in the Senate. It was this legislation that was a passion project of hers ever since the IRS went after one of her constituents' survivor benefits. The bill is endorsed by many different law enforcement organizations: The Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems, the National Troopers Coalition, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the International Union of Police Associations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Major County Sheriffs' Association. So, Mr. Speaker, I will close by just asking my colleagues to support this legislation for the families of those police officers, firefighters, and first responders who help keep us safe.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, students from around the world come to the United States to access our high-quality education and universities and colleges. And many of these students obtain doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and math, and have job offers from numerous employers that need their expertise and their skills. However, too often, our immigration rules send these graduates, some of the best and brightest minds who will be highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs, back to their home countries to become our competitors rather than helping grow and create jobs right here. Today, I am introducing bipartisan legislation, the STAPLE Act, with my colleague, Congressman Mike Quigley, to help fix this problem and keep America on the forefront of innovation. The STAPLE Act will exempt recent STEM graduates with a Ph.D. with pending job offers from H-1B visa quotas. Mr. Speaker, our immigration system is broken, and we must take action to ensure that the system is fair and that it keeps America competitive, and passing the STAPLE Act is a good step in the right direction.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 637, a bill originally introduced by Representative Schock of Illinois, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support legislation that will benefit American manufacturers, farmers, and workers. By passing Trade Promotion Authority, we can establish fair and strong rules that hold other nations accountable for their unfair trade practices, and we can tear down the barriers that block our goods from foreign markets. Passing TPA is critical to ensuring that we can get the best deal available from our trading partners that will benefit hard-working Americans. Studies have shown that jobs supported by trade earn, on average, more than 18 percent more than other jobs. In Minnesota, 775,000 jobs are connected to trade. We can build and improve on that by lowering regulatory barriers and allowing access to emerging markets. Today, with over 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside of the United States, we need to create a system of fair rules and enforcement so that American products and services are able to compete on a level playing field. Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity to enact meaningful trade deals that will build a stronger and a healthier economy, and it begins with TPA.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, we all love hearing about American success stories. It might be that startup that begins with an idea, a couple of dollars, and a lot of hard work that grows into a business that can support a family, that serves a community, and provides for the future. Many family-businessowners, ranchers, and farmers do hope to keep that success going by passing it on to the next generation. However, for too many, the dream of taking over the family business can quickly turn into a nightmare. While having to cope with the loss of a loved one, relatives are often forced to make tough decisions in order just to meet the estate tax obligations under law. It can mean taking on large amounts of debt. It can mean selling off critical assets. It can mean even closing down the business and being forced to sell the entire family farm or business just to pay the taxes alone. The truth is that average Americans can be negatively affected by this tax. Not only are businesses not being passed down to the next generation, but they are also being forced to lay off other employees that are currently employed. When a small business shuts its doors and then lets those employees go, it can have a very profound affect on the community. Farmers can be impacted by the Federal estate tax simply based on the value of the farmland alone. That doesn't even take into account, Mr. Speaker, the buildings, the equipment, the livestock, and other nonliquid assets that are present. I spoke to a Minnesota family business who was forced to be spending 20 percent of their net income on an expensive life insurance just to fund their future death tax obligations. That is money that is not being used to expand and grow the current business. We have to ask ourselves, Mr. Speaker, for a country that prides itself on the American Dream that we all agree on and the idea that our children will be better off than we were: Does it make sense to penalize success? I ask for support for this legislation, and I commend the gentleman, Mr. Brady, for his leadership.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, today, there are over 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. These patients encounter countless obstacles as they learn to live and cope with a condition that dramatically impacts their lives. When a doctor gives the news to a patient that they have Alzheimer's, it is often difficult for those who are afflicted, as well as their loved ones, to plan the next steps. That is why I am cosponsoring the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act that would provide Medicare beneficiaries with a care planning session to offer information about treatment options for those diagnosed with this disease and their caretakers. By giving patients and their caretakers an opportunity to plan for the future, we can improve outcomes and quality of life for those that are afflicted with Alzheimer's. Mr. Speaker, for millions of Americans and their families that are affected by Alzheimer's, the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will help give them the information and support that they need to take this disease head on.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, today is the fifth anniversary of the President's new health care law, and it is apparent that the law has made it much more difficult for hardworking Americans to have flexibility with their own health care choices. For instance, health care savings accounts and flexible savings accounts put power in the hands of patients by letting them make their own decisions when it comes to their own care. But the new health care law actually prohibits someone from using their own money in their own health care savings account or flexible spending account to purchase simple over-the-counter medications like Advil or Claritin unless they first get a doctor's prescription. This makes absolutely no sense. Today, I am introducing the Family Health Care Flexibility Act that will restore the ability of parents to take control of their own decisions when it comes to the care of their children in purchasing over-the-counter medications without a doctor's prescription. Mr. Speaker, instead of a top-down, one-size-fits-all centralized health care system, we need solutions that provide patients with greater value, more choices, and lower costs.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the robotics team at Bloomington's Oak Grove Middle School, the Typhoons, for taking first place in the Minnesota First Tech Challenge State Championships last month. This is the first year that the Oak Grove team had the opportunity to compete in State competition, but they still managed to beat out 47 other teams for first place. The team is now qualified to compete in the upcoming North Super Regional Championships coming up in Des Moines. Mr. Speaker, as our economy continues to be driven by advancements in new technologies, it is important that our youth and young people have the opportunity to learn and explore in the science, math, technology, and engineering fields. Robotics clubs and competitions bring out the best of students' imagination, ingenuity, and skill. They inspire students to pursue educational opportunities that will help them compete for the jobs of tomorrow. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the teachers, the staff, and the mentors that have made STEM a priority at Oak Grove, and also congratulations to all the students on a job well done.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, it is a question that families all across the country are asking themselves: How can we afford to send our children to college? The President's plan to tax 529 college savings plans would have punished people who are saving for their children's higher education. Instead of punishing families who are diligently saving for their children's education, we should reward them, we should give them more certainty, and we should strengthen and improve these plans. 529 college savings plans are a very valuable asset for millions of families who put aside money to help ensure that their children or their child will not be burdened with mountains of debt after they graduate from college. This week, I will be supporting legislation taken up in the House that will strengthen, that will expand, and that will modernize 529 college savings accounts so that more families have the opportunity to send their children to the higher education institution of their choice.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 77, I was attending the Clay Hunt SAV bill signing at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 78 I was attending the Clay Hunt SAV bill signing at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' personal explanation

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the chairman for his leadership on leading the effort to simplify the Tax Code and give some confidence and certainty to those who use it. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, the America Gives More Act. This legislation is absolutely about helping those who are most in need. Those are our charities and our foundations across the country, which are working day in and day out to help those who are most in need. There are a number of important tax rules that we have already discussed that are governing charitable donations and charitable organizations, but they have always been temporary. We have already had these provisions in law, and they have already expired, so here we are, acting under retroactivity already. It is time to get rid of these short-term fixes and embrace long-term solutions. This legislation simply makes the provisions permanent. It encourages companies to donate food to help feed the hungry. It makes it easier for individuals who might want to use their money in their IRA retirement funds and give that money to charitable organizations to help others of all varieties. It incentivizes landowners to help protect and preserve our environment for future generations through conservation easements. I want to just address one other provision that is in this bill, which I actually authored with my colleague, Mr. Davis of Illinois, to help simplify the Tax Code for private foundations. He has been a very strong advocate in leading this effort. I think we would all agree that private foundations make a world of difference in our communities. We all have them in our States. I know, in Minnesota, we have 1,400 different foundations that donate about $1 billion annually to all of those who are in need. Across the country, there is something like 86,000 foundations that give tens and tens and tens of billions of dollars. Now, these are really impressive figures, but the truth is those figures could actually be a lot higher, and here is why. The foundation community has come to us, and they are telling us that the Tax Code is discouraging them from actually giving large donations. Today, these institutions face a really complex, cumbersome, two-tiered system of taxation that requires them to pay either a 1 percent or a 2 percent excise tax on their investment income, but in order to qualify for the low rate in any given year, they have got to go and donate an amount greater than the average of their 5-year rolling average from the previous 5 years. This, actually, creates a very perverse disincentive for these foundations to not make any donations of large amounts in times when we might have a natural disaster, when there are economic tough times. Absolutely now, this is because a large donation in these times would significantly increase a private foundation's 5-year average and make it difficult for them to actually qualify for the lower rate. It also makes sure that they are not going to get the low rate for the next 4 years. We are eliminating this disincentive by replacing a very complicated, two-tiered system with a simple, flat, 1 percent excise tax on all private foundation investment income. It is important to simplify the tax planning process especially for smaller foundations, because they are the ones who are spending money on accountants and lawyers to navigate the Tax Code when those are valuable resources that could actually be used to help give grants to others who need those resources. This bill simply makes sure that charitable giving decisions are going to be based not on the Tax Code but on the needs of our communities. The bottom line is: every dollar that these organizations are paying in taxes is one less dollar that they are giving to those who truly need it. I ask my colleagues to join in supporting this legislation.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an important issue for millions of Americans, and that is protecting access to speech-generating devices. For those living with ALS and other neurological and degenerative disabilities, these life-improving devices give them the ability to communicate with their friends and their loved ones, something that we all take for granted. Unfortunately, a government agency is now threatening to limit access to speech-generating devices, causing unnecessary hardship for those who are living with ALS or other disabilities. That is why I have helped author H.R. 628, the Steve Gleason Act, to ensure that Medicare's most vulnerable patients have access to the communication technology that they deserve during the most challenging points in their lives. The bill is named after NFL pro Steve Gleason, who has championed the needs of the ALS community. Mr. Speaker, passage of this important legislation will make a world of difference for those that are suffering from degenerative disabilities and their families.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, those who sign up to serve and defend our country deserve our respect and support when they return home. Sadly, there is a crisis in our country when it comes to our veterans' health care. With an average of 22 veterans a day taking their own lives, we are failing them. That is why Congress took action to pass the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act so as to improve mental health care services and suicide prevention programs at the VA and at the Department of Defense. By establishing pilot programs to recruit and keep psychiatrists and to establish support networks for veterans, the Clay Hunt SAV Act will help servicemembers transition to life after the military. The bill is named after Clay Hunt, a brave soldier who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Tragically, Clay took his own life when he returned home. I want to thank my Minnesota colleague, Tim Walz, for his leadership on this issue, and I encourage the President to quickly sign this legislation into law and get our veterans the support that they deserve.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, last week, the House passed 12 different bills combating the growing crime of sex trafficking by protecting victims and bringing traffickers to justice. In addition to the action that Congress is taking, however, it takes people on the ground, in our communities, stepping up to deal with this issue. I would like to highlight some of the efforts that are being done by some students in Chaska, Minnesota, who are making efforts to put an end to this horrible problem. The Chaska High School Student Council, led by senior Luke Standbrook, is helping fight sex trafficking by organizing assemblies to help fellow students know the signs of trafficking in their community. They are also organizing fundraisers to help raise money for organizations that help victims of human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, it is rewarding and energizing to know that there are young leaders like Luke in the senior student council who are working to have such a strong impact in putting an end to this horrific crime, and I am proud of their efforts.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, in the State of the Union Address, the President outlined some areas where common ground can be found to work with Congress. One important area is trade. I agree with the President that we should move forward on trade agreements to create jobs for our workers as we expand exports to help our manufacturers, our ranchers, and our farmers. With the Trans- Pacific Partnership agreement, we will allow American companies to sell our goods and services in the emerging markets of Asia and create jobs here at home. A new trade agreement with Europe to help streamline and modernize standards and regulations will level the playing field for American companies. Mr. Speaker, 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside of the United States, and these trade agreements will give us the opportunity to build on the success that we already enjoy. In Minnesota, 750,000 jobs are directly connected to international trade. It is time for the President and the Congress to move forward on a robust trade agenda to help create a healthier economy.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, it is easy and comfortable to think that sex trafficking only happens in countries outside the United States. The truth is that more than 100,000 are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex here in the United States each and every year, here in America. We have a word for a situation when one group of people is dehumanized and has their basic human rights snuffed out for someone else's economic gain. That word is slavery. The problem we have today is not a thing of the past. It is not from some remote corner of the world that you can't find on a map. Slavery in the form of human trafficking is happening right now. It is happening in our cities, suburbs, and rural communities. It is happening in each and every one of our congressional districts. I am sad to say that Minneapolis, Minnesota, my home State, has actually been listed as one of the 13th largest centers for sexual exploitation of children in the entire country. I realize how critical it is to educate our community about what I have learned from talking to victims like Dayanna, who became a 13- year-old trafficking victim. Dayanna didn't get a lot of love and attention from her mother or family. While she took it upon herself to take care of her brothers and sisters, she longed for someone to give her love and attention. She ended up being seduced by a man who promised to be her ``boyfriend.'' Guess what? At age 13, within days after running away with him, she found herself being trafficked in Chicago and Philadelphia, without a home and separated from her family. Only a daring jump from a second- story window actually allowed her to escape. Many might think that if Dayanna had come from a different family situation, she wouldn't have been trafficked; sadly, that is not the case. I will never forget meeting with the mother of a young woman named Brittany. Brittany was a very young girl who was violently raped, murdered, and then found dead in an impound lot last February. Unlike Dayanna, Brittany had a loving family. She worked with children at a local recreation center and taught dance lessons. Despite these circumstances, Brittany was also a victim of sex trafficking but was too embarrassed to speak out until it was too late. As Brittany's mother told me: ``It doesn't matter if victims have a home because if sex trafficking can happen to my daughter, it can happen to any young girl.'' That is exactly what we are talking about: young girls who are only 12, 13, or 14 years old. They are not old enough to have graduated from high school. They are not old enough to have voted in an election. They are not old enough to pass their driver's license exam. In fact, in most States, these girls would be considered criminals that should be incarcerated and charged with prostitution instead of being treated as victims. We found that criminalization only traumatizes these girls and actually isolates them from the community and the services that they need and deserve. That is why, Madam Speaker, we need this legislation, H.R. 159, the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, which focuses on incentivizing States to have safe harbor laws. Safe harbor laws ensure that these girls are treated as victims. Safe harbor laws will give legal protection for minor victims and provide them with specialized social services. We know that by bringing these victims out of the shadows, we can make sure they get the services they need, including medical and psychological treatment, housing, legal services, educational assistance, job training, and more. Law enforcement can then focus on actually bringing the perpetrators of these awful crimes to justice. This bipartisan legislation incentivizes States to adopt these safe harbor laws, so we can expand on the successes we have seen in States like Minnesota. In 2011, Minnesota became the fifth State to approve safe harbor legislation. After their safe harbor laws went into effect, guess what? Law enforcement in Minnesota began arresting more johns than ever before, and human trafficking convictions more than doubled. Best practices evaluated by law enforcement and victims groups show that removing the fear of prosecution from victims actually works. Today, only a little over a dozen States have full safe harbor laws. We have got to do more to protect these victims and be sure the pimps and johns are brought to justice. This legislation also helps victims by codifying a national human trafficking hotline and making victims eligible for Job Corps services. By giving them an avenue to access for job skill training, they can begin to rebuild their lives. Madam Speaker, the bill also helps law enforcement by allowing the U.S. Marshals Service to support other State, local, or Federal law enforcement agencies that are investigating missing child cases. Finally, the bill increases oversight by requiring additional reporting to Congress on restitution orders in trafficking cases. These provisions are all essentially critically important pieces in the effort to combat sex trafficking. I want to thank my colleague Gwen Moore from Wisconsin for her advocacy, passion, and partnership on this legislation and moving it forward on a bipartisan basis. I also want to thank the leaders of the Judiciary Committee team who have recognized that this is a top priority and moved it quickly early in this session of Congress. I look forward to working with my colleague, Senator Klobuchar from Minnesota, as well, in passing each and every one of these anti- trafficking bills and getting them on the President's desk, so we can continue to save the lives of children.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding, and I want to thank her for her leadership, along with Representative Wagner, in coordinating and drawing attention to what this horrific crime truly is, spending a little bit of time on the House floor. When you hear the words ``sex trafficking'' and ``human trafficking,'' a lot of people just think this is something that happens in faraway countries, that it doesn't happen in the United States. It is very sad to say that it is happening right here in our own backyards, knowing that these traffickers are exploiting young girls for their own financial gain, right in our own communities. We are talking about 12-, 13-, and 14-year-old young girls. It is pretty hard to imagine, but it is true. It is happening in our cities. It is happening in our suburbs. It is happening in rural towns. I will say I realize how critical it is now to educate our community about what I have learned from actually speaking and talking with some of these victims. I remember speaking with Deyanna. Deyanna is age 13. She tells the story about how, within days of meeting this so-called boyfriend, she finds herself in Philadelphia, in Chicago, being trafficked and has the wherewithal to escape with her life. Then I meet the mother of another young girl who was violently raped and murdered this last February. The only good news I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, is that the Twin Cities, which is home now to Minneapolis, being number 13 in the level of sex trafficking, human trafficking that occurs, is also home to many leaders now in the fight against human trafficking. Over the last 2 years, I have met with great leaders that are inspiring the community to make a difference and pass model legislation that is now being replicated across the country. I think of Vednita Carter at Breaking Free. I think of Grant Snyder who is a Minneapolis police sergeant who was the very first officer in Minneapolis that was dedicated to working with trafficking victims; and now, he leads his department in teaching local law enforcement, both in Minnesota and in other States around the country, about how to build trust and better relationships with at-risk youth. We have also got our county attorneys like John Choi, who has been leading the fight, getting top convictions now for a lot of these abusers. The nonprofit community has been topnotch as well, with Catholic Charities, Brittany's Place, the Harriet Tubman Center, and the Family Partnership all making a difference. It does give you hope, Mr. Speaker, that such a large and passionate group of people now are working together to put an end to this modern- day slavery, so the message is spreading. I will tell you this: we need more safe harbor laws. We need them. Minnesota became the fifth State in the country to approve safe harbor legislation. That means we are essentially treating these children as victims, giving them the services they need and not treating them as criminals. That is really critical. After the safe harbor legislation went into effect in Minnesota, guess what? We started arresting more johns than ever before. Trafficking convictions more than doubled. It is time that we bring what is working in Minnesota to the national level as well. I know tomorrow we are going to be voting on this legislation to have this safe harbor legislation that I have authored pass with bipartisan support. A number of other legislation will pass with bipartisan support. The good news, as the gentlewoman knows, is this is about saving lives, and we are going to make a difference.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Section 2: ``The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.''

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I simply rise to honor the dedication and commitment of the men and women who protect us all as members of the law enforcement community. Every day police officers throughout the country wear the uniform with pride and understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with it, putting the safety of others before the safety of themselves. Unfortunately, over the last few months, we have been reminded of the danger that police officers face every day in keeping our neighborhoods safe. The recent tragic murder of two police officers in New York serves as a stark reminder that officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities. In the coming weeks, I will be reintroducing legislation to make sure that the families of those officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice receive the benefits that they are promised without being subject to the burdens of Federal taxes. Mr. Speaker, all of us should be honoring the work that all of our police officers and law enforcement do, the sacrifices that they make every day to keep us safe.

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, in 1938, it was Franklin Roosevelt who signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, establishing full-time work as 40 hours, so for more than 70 years, that has been the accepted definition for government, for corporations, for small business; but in 2010, the President's health care law threw 70 years of precedent completely out the window. This new 30-hour rule is forcing companies to scale back hours, with more part-time jobs and less full-time jobs, so now, many employees that were working full time--good full-time jobs--have seen their paychecks cut up to 25 percent. One study recently found that regulations in the President's new health care law, like the 30-hour rule, are reducing small business wages to workers every year by $22 billion and that employment in small businesses has been reduced by 350,000 jobs. Mr. Speaker, Americans want more full-time opportunities, and they should get to choose to pursue those opportunities, not have their employers force to reduce them to part-time work. America's workers deserve better. Mr. Speaker, I insert in the Record a letter from The Associated General Contractors of America supporting this legislation by Mr. Young. The Associated General Contractors of America, Arlington, VA, January 7, 2015. Re support H.R 30, The Saving American Workers Act of 2015. Hon. Todd Young, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Young: On behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), I am writing in support of the Saving American Workers Act of 2015, H.R. 30. The bill would repeal the 30-hour definition of ``full-time employment'' in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by replacing it with the more traditional 40-hour definition. The construction industry is typically project-based, transitory and seasonal, which distinguishes it from other professional industries with more predictable hours. As a result, many construction employers rely on part-time, seasonal and variable-hour employees. In addition, the construction industry consists of many smaller employers with limited human resource and administrative staff. These two issues alone add layers of difficulty for a construction firm that is required to use the complex formulas in the ACA to determine whether or not it is considered a large employer under the law. Despite prior delay of the reporting and enforcement provisions of the ACA, the law continues to be an administrative burden for employers. Replacing the definition of a full-time employee to the more commonly accepted 40 hours per week will, at the very least, reduce some of the complexity associated with the ACA. AGC hopes you will support H.R. 30 and provide some relief for construction employers across the country. Sincerely, Jeffrey D. Shoaf, Senior Executive Director, Government Affairs.