Mark Pocan

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, President Trump had Andrew McCabe, the Deputy Director of the FBI, fired. His offense? Well, he is about to be a witness in the Mueller investigation and had copious notes about his conversations with the President. What better way to nullify damning testimony than to fire the person about to give it, all while signaling to anyone else the consequences of crossing the President. But it is worse than just that. The President fired Andrew McCabe in a way completely devoid of human decency: 2 days before his full retirement. The message to McCabe and anyone else who would cross him was: I won't just go after you, but your family and your future, too. I will destroy you. Like a thug in a mafia movie, Trump made his move. Fortunately, the Founders of this country made sure we had checks and balances in the system to avoid this dangerous style of governing. I and others have offered Andrew McCabe, a 21-year law enforcement professional in the FBI, a job to ensure he will be able to get his hard-earned pension. No one should fear harm to their family, their pension, their future by a petulant man-child or a ruthless demagogue, depending on the mood of the day. I stand with you, Andrew McCabe, and so do the American people.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, on February 8, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first domestic production of Moly99 by North Star Nuclear Medicine, which is located in Beloit, Wisconsin. Moly99 is the key substance used in 50,000 daily procedures using nuclear medicine to diagnose a variety of illness. For many years, the United States has been dependent on foreign sources using nuclear fission offshore. These reactors, located in Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia, are old and have been the subject of many disruptions of supply causing shortages. Working with help from the U.S. Department of Energy and the cooperation of the FDA, North Star has developed a system to produce Moly99 without any use of uranium, resulting in little waste and no nuclear waste. I want to congratulate George Messina, North Star's CEO, and his 130 employees, located in the cities of Beloit and Madison, on their achievement. Nuclear medicine is vital to the diagnosis and cure of many diseases. Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of this Wisconsin company, consumers will have access to the first domestic supply of this much needed medicine.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, public education is the foundation of our 21st Century democracy. Our public schools are where our students come to be educated in the fullest sense of the word as citizens of this great country. We strive every day to make every public school a place where we prepare the nation's young people to contribute to our society, economy, and citizenry. Ninety percent of American children attend public schools. We call on local, state, and federal lawmakers to prioritize support for strengthening our nation's public schools and empowering local education leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders and learning communities. This support would also provide for counseling, extra/co-curricular activities and mental health supports that are critical to help students engage in learning. We support and value inclusive and safe high-quality public schools where children learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships. We support an environment where all students can succeed beginning in the earliest years, regardless of their zip code, the color of their skin, native language, disability, gender/gender identity, immigration status, religion, or social standing. We promote advancing equity and excellence in public education, and implementing continuous improvement and evidence-based practices. Every child has the right to an education that helps them reach their full potential and to attend schools that offer a high quality educational experience. We support stable, equitable, predictable, and adequate funding for great public schools for every student in America so that students have inviting classrooms and school libraries with up-to-date resources as well as well-prepared and supported educators. These educators include teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals who provide a well-rounded and complete curriculum and create joy in learning. Our school buildings should have class sizes small enough to allow one-on-one attention and have access to support services such as health care, nutrition, and after-school programs for students who need them. We believe that public tax dollars should only support public schools that are publicly governed and accountable to parents, educators, and communities. In no way should local, state, or federal funding be taken away from public schools and given to private schools that are unaccountable to the public. We reiterate our love for public education and pride in our public schools. We will continue to promote the promise and purpose of public education, to elevate the great things happening every day in our public schools, and to engage communities about strategies that help students succeed. We affirm our commitment to fight for resources for public schools, and will be steadfast in our efforts to protect students and their families, public schools, and our communities from any policies that would undermine these values.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Urban League of Greater Madison as the organization celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Since its founding on February 20, 1968, the Urban League of Greater Madison has championed the educational and professional advancement of the city's African-American population. In the earliest years of its operation, the organization excelled at developing programs to provide skills training and job placement, more than tripling the number of employees of color working for the City of Madison. Over the last fifty years, the Urban League of Greater Madison has maintained exceptional programming, despite a number of challenges. Through the development of partnerships with community leaders and local businesses, the Urban League of Greater Madison has continued to enhance its operations and has expanded its outreach in minority and immigrant communities. In recent years, the Urban League of Greater Madison has been at the forefront of fighting for equality in our community with its vision to make Greater Madison the ``Best in the Midwest'' for everyone to live, learn, and work by 2020. Last year, the organization launched a campaign to place 1,500 low-income job seekers into career pathway employment by 2020, continuing its long legacy of advocating for economic justice and opportunity. Through its efforts to pursue education, employment, and empowerment, the Urban League of Greater Madison has remained committed to fighting for progress and our future. It is my honor to now recognize the Urban League of Greater Madison in celebration of its 50th Anniversary and I wish them many more years of success.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 29, 2018 a flight delay prevented me from participating in the 6:30 p.m. vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 45, and YEA on Roll Call No. 46.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of rhetoric out there about why there is a government shutdown and who is to blame. Well, let's look at the facts. The GOP is, indeed, in charge at all levels of Federal Government yet has not been able to do much of anything since then. They can't fund the government, and now they are asking for their fourth continuing resolution of only a few weeks yet again. The only major, concrete thing they have really done is give tax breaks to their wealthy donors, and now they are in full spin mode trying to say the government is shut down because we want to let certain people into our country. Please. Look, we are fighting for parity on non-defense funding for things like schools, Head Start, and programs like Meals on Wheels and homeless veterans' assistance. We want to get funding for community health centers and CHIP. And, yes, repairing the DACA agreement that has allowed a lot of good, talented young people to stay in this country is important to many of us as well. Let's remember, the only thing the Republicans have to show for their last year is a giant, wet, sloppy tax break for their donors and a way too extended honeymoon with the President. It is time to step up and put our country before our party, and we need to do that now. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 4872, the End the Shutdown Act of 2018, a continuing resolution that would immediately reopen the government through Tuesday while negotiations continue on a budget agreement that adheres to parity and on other critical issues.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, in bizarre Washington news of the last week, the raging controversy is whether the President of the United States referred to other countries and a continent as s---holes or s---houses. As if either word means a drop of difference, especially when you insult other nations in the world as our President did. Equally worrisome is that the leadership of this branch of government, the U.S. House of Representatives, a coequal branch of government, has been complicit or silent about how to respond to the comments made by our President. In fact, Speaker Paul Ryan took 19 hours and 53 minutes to respond. And with all of that time, enough time to have driven from Washington, D.C., to Dallas, Texas, or to watch the movie ``Jaws'' nine times, what was his stinging and necessary rebuke after that much time and thought? ``Unfortunate.'' The Speaker said the President's comments were unfortunate and unhelpful. Look, it is unfortunate when you walk outside and step in a puddle of water. This was more like walking into a global-sized pile of S. We are not on the staff of the White House. We are a coequal branch of government, and it is about time we acted like it. Saying nothing, or basically nothing, is unacceptable. We need to put our country before our political party. Calling other countries, and even a continent, names like s---holes or s---houses puts our servicemembers and our Americans overseas at greater risk. Weak words or silence makes Congress complicit with the President's racist rhetoric. And, by the way, people outside the beltway just think Congress is full of S. Everyone else had the proper response to the President's comments, that they were pure BS.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, during my medical recovery, I missed the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: December 13, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 676 No on Roll Call No. 677 No on Roll Call No. 678 No on Roll Call No. 679 No on Roll Call No. 680 December 14, 2017 Yea on Roll Call No. 681 No on Roll Call No. 682 Yea on Roll Call No. 683 No on Roll Call No. 684 December 18, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 685 Yea on Roll Call No. 686 Yea on Roll Call No. 687 December 19, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 688 No on Roll Call No. 689 Yea on Roll Call No. 690 Yea on Roll Call No. 691 No on Roll Call No. 692 Yea on Roll Call No. 693 No on Roll Call No. 694 Yea on Roll Call No. 695 December 20, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 697 No on Roll Call No. 698 No on Roll Call No. 699 Yea on Roll Call No. 700 Yea on Roll Call No. 701 No on Roll Call No. 702 Yea on Roll Call No. 703 December 21, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 704 No on Roll Call No. 705 Yea on Roll Call No. 706 Yea on Roll Call No. 707

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the bill before us that takes away National Labor Relations Act protections for hundreds of thousands of workers. I support Tribal sovereignty. In my home State of Wisconsin, I am proud the Ho-Chunk Nation is in my district. Potawatomi, Oneida, Menominee, St. Croix, Stockbridge-Munsee, Lac du Flambeau, Lac Corte Oreilles, Red Cliff, Bad River, and other Tribes all reside in my home State, and I am glad to support the autonomy of those Tribal nations. But this bill isn't about Tribal sovereignty. It is about going after workers' rights. Look at the track record of the majority in this Congress. The Republicans have continued to go after workers' rights, as they have so far. They have repealed the rule that required companies seeking large Federal contracts to disclose violations of labor law. They made it harder for people whose jobs are shipped overseas to get unemployment insurance. They have made it harder for workers whose employers don't offer retirement plans to save for retirement. They have repealed an OSHA rule requiring employers to maintain accurate records of serious workplace injuries for 5 years, while the administration drastically reduces the number of OSHA inspectors. This bill isn't about meaningful sovereignty. It is about selective sovereignty, because it only goes after labor rights. If this were a bill about sovereignty, it would include a number of other areas that Tribes are compelled to follow in addition to the National Labor Relations Act: the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, ERISA; the Family and Medical Leave Act; and the public accommodations of Americans with Disabilities Act, just to start. If this bill was about sovereignty, it would exempt OSHA and ERISA and the FMLA and the ADA, for starters. But it doesn't do that. This bill only exempts labor protections for hundreds of thousands of workers, Tribal members and nonmembers, because the majority in this Congress isn't really worried about sovereignty. It is concerned about taking away the rights of workers, and that is what this bill is really about. Mr. Speaker, if this body wants to help Tribes, I am here to help. Bring a bill to the floor that covers all exempted areas, and that is a bill that I could support. But that is not what is in front of us today. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of opposition from the International Union of Operating Engineers, the United Auto Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers, and Unite Here. International Union of Operating Engineers, Washington, DC, January 8, 2018. Hon. Paul D. Ryan, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: The International Union of Operating Engineers opposes the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, legislation contained in S. 140 (115-54) that would eliminate the labor protections currently guaranteed to hundreds of thousands of American workers. Indeed, if enacted into law, this bill would constitute the biggest rollback in labor law since the passage of the Taft- Hartley Act in 1947. The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) represents nearly 400,000 men and women across North America. Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers maintain and operate Native American and non-Native American gaming facilities around the United States, from Connecticut to California, and this legislation would have a dramatic effect on their lives and livelihoods. The IUOE is the second-biggest union in the hospitality sector. But this legislation extends beyond casinos and gaming. IUOE members work in mining and energy facilities on Native American lands in a number of locations, and those workers eventually could lose their rights as a result of this legislation. In a few short words, this bill changes current law by exempting the National Labor Relations Act from tribal enterprises on tribal lands. Today, the National Labor Relations Board (Board) implements a case-by-case review of whether labor law applies to tribal enterprises. The precedent-setting case that comes from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is instructive. The Tribe operated a 92,000-sq.ft. casino (over two acres), with 1,400 employees. Only five of the workers were Native American. The Board determined that this large commercial establishment should not receive the exemption from labor law provided to states and local government because its operations were fundamentally different than a government. The San Manuels were not providing a public good to members of the tribe. They were not behaving like a government. Instead, the Board determined that when the tribal operation in question is commercial in nature, employs significant numbers of non- Indians, and caters to a non-Native American clientele, ``the special attributes of sovereignty are not implicated.'' The Board determined that private labor law applies to the San Manuel casino, just as it would with any other commercial operation. Federal courts have supported this interpretation. Sovereignty does, however, apply to governmental functions of the tribe, just as they would with any state government. If passed, the exemption from labor law would unfairly advantage commercial tribal operations at the expense of non- Native American private-sector companies. Competitors with Native American commercial operations must comply with labor law; Native American operations will not. As mentioned above, the bill's reach extends well beyond the gaming industry. Tribes are engaged in a variety of commercial enterprises, from mining and energy development, to manufacturing and construction. Over time, it is reasonable to expect that tribal enterprises will expand and compete more aggressively with non-Native companies in a wide variety of commercial sectors, without any concern for the rights of workers. Tribal labor law is woefully inadequate--virtually non- existent in most tribes around the country. It is no replacement for the nation's basic legal framework that protects workers' rights. Eliminating the NLRA for tribal enterprises will strip away freedoms guaranteed to Americans today, including hundreds of thousands of workers at tribal casinos who are not Native American. S. 140 (115-54) would immediately eliminate the rights of thousands of Operating Engineers in workplaces all over the United States. The International Union of Operating Engineers opposes S. 140 (115-54), which eliminates nearly one-million workers' individual right to take collective action to improve their working conditions, and respectfully urges you to oppose it when it comes to the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, James T. Callahan, General President.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, during my medical recovery, I missed the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: November 28, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 638; No on Roll Call No. 639. November 29, 2017: No on Roll Call No. 640; No on Roll Call No. 641. November 30, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 642; No on Roll Call No. 643; No on Roll Call No. 644; No on Roll Call No. 645; Yea on Roll Call No. 646; Yea on Roll Call No. 647; No on Roll Call No. 648; and Yea on Roll Call No. 649. December 1, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 650; No on Roll Call No. 651; Yea on Roll Call No. 652. December 4, 2017: No on Roll Call No. 653; Yea on Roll Call No. 654. December 5, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 655; Yea on Roll Call No. 656; Yea on Roll Call No. 657. December 6, 2017: No on Roll Call No. 658; No on Roll Call No. 659; No on Roll Call No. 660; Yea on Roll Call No. 661; Yea on Roll Call No. 662; No on Roll Call No. 663; and Yea on Roll Call No. 664. December 7, 2017: No on Roll Call No. 665; No on Roll Call No. 666; Yea on Roll Call No. 667; Yea on Roll Call No. 668; Yea on Roll Call No. 669; No on Roll Call No. 670; and Yea on Roll Call No. 671. December 11, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 672; Yea on Roll Call No. 673. December 12, 2017: Yea on Roll Call No. 674; No on Roll Call No. 675.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Capital Times on the publication's 100th Anniversary. The Capital Times has been an integral part of our community since its founding on December 13, 1917. In the earliest years of the publication, the Capital Times earned its reputation as a champion of progressive values by fighting for workers, farmers, and small businesses. From its humble beginnings on King Street, the Capital Times has expanded and adapted, yet has remained dedicated to the values upon which it was founded. Over the last one hundred years, the Capital Times has never lost sight of its mission to serve its readers and the people of Wisconsin. Since 1917, the Capital Times has been at the forefront of the most significant stories in Wisconsin and the United States. At a time when freedom of the press is being challenged and many news organizations are facing setbacks, the Capital Times continues its outstanding work. Through its efforts to pursue truth, the Capital Times and its well- respected team of journalists have remained committed to progress and our future. It is my honor to now recognize the Capital Times in celebrating its 100th Anniversary and wish them many more years of success.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, during my medical recovery, I missed the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: October 31, 2017 Yea on Roll Call No. 591 November 1, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 592 No on Roll Call No. 593 Yea on Roll Call No. 594 Yea on Roll Call No. 595 Yea on Roll Call No. 596 Yea on Roll Call No. 597 No on Roll Call No. 598 Yea on Roll Call No. 599 November 2, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 600 No on Roll Call No. 601 No on Roll Call No. 602 No on Roll Call No. 603 Yea on Roll Call No. 604 November 3, 2017 Yea on Roll Call No. 605 No on Roll Call No. 606 November 6, 2017 Yea on Roll Call No. 607 Yea on Roll Call No. 608 Yea on Roll Call No. 609 November 7, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 610 No on Roll Call No. 611 Yea on Roll Call No. 612 Yea on Roll Call No. 613 No on Roll Call No. 614 November 8, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 616 No on Roll Call No. 617 Yea on Roll Call No. 618 Yea on Roll Call No. 619 No on Roll Call No. 620 Yea on Roll Call No. 621 November 9, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 622 November 13, 2017 Yea on Roll Call No. 623 Yea on Roll Call No. 624 Yea on Roll Call No. 625 November 14, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 626 No on Roll Call No. 627 Yea on Roll Call No. 628 Yea on Roll Call No. 629 No on Roll Call No. 630 No on Roll Call No. 631 November 15. 2017 No on Roll Call No. 632 No on Roll Call No. 633 Yea on Roll Call No. 634 Yea on Roll Call No. 635 Yea on Roll Call No. 636 November 16, 2017 No on Roll Call No. 637

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation in honor of the 175th Anniversary of Foley & Lardner LLP: Whereas, Foley & Lardner LLP is celebrating its 175th anniversary and has made a distinct impact in the state of Wisconsin through economic investment and community engagement; and Whereas, Foley & Lardner traces its roots in Wisconsin to 1842 when Asahel Finch and William Pitt Lynde opened the doors to their law firm in Milwaukee six years prior to Wisconsin gaining its statehood; and Whereas, the firm, from its humble beginnings, has grown along with the state of Wisconsin, expanding to the city of Madison, and becoming the state's largest law firm; and Whereas, Foley & Lardner opened an office in Washington, DC, in 1971, becoming the first Wisconsin law firm to open an office outside the state; Whereas, the firm has since expanded to include 19 offices in the United States, Belgium, and Japan; and Whereas, Foley & Lardner attorneys and staff have helped Wisconsin industries grow and thrive locally, nationally, and internationally; and Whereas, the firm's attorneys have served the state and its communities by providing leadership in elected offices and helping shape public policy; and Whereas, Foley & Lardner has played a significant role at critical times in our nation's history, including during the Civil War, the Great Depression, the New Deal; and Whereas, Foley & Lardner attorneys and staff are a pillar in the community, providing many hours of pro bono and volunteer efforts; now, therefore, I, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, do hereby proclaim Foley & Lardner on this special 175th anniversary, a leading Wisconsin business, as well as a keystone to the ongoing growth and development in our congressional district. On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Wisconsin, I wish Foley & Lardner continued growth and success in the years ahead.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation: Whereas, Temple Beth El was founded in 1939 as Madison, Wisconsin's first and only Reform Jewish congregation; and Whereas, Rabbi Jonathan Biatch has been the spiritual leader supporting the vision and mission of Temple Beth El since 2004; and Whereas, boys celebrate Bar Mitzvah when turning 13; and Whereas the Temple Beth El community proclaims Rabbi Jonathan Biatch a ``Bar Mitzvah'' celebrating his 13th year of service, Now, therefore, I congratulate Rabbi Jonathan Biatch on his 13 years of leadership at Temple Beth El.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona, also, for his leadership within the caucus. I am proud to rise in support of the Congressional Progressive Caucus' budget alternative. This is a practical, progressive vision for our country by providing solutions to counter the Republican cuts to vital programs and tax breaks for the wealthy. Let me contrast the House GOP budget with the Progressive Caucus budget. First, in healthcare, the Republican budget embraces TrumpCare by incorporating the House-passed American Health Care Act, which cuts at least 20 million people from their care. This includes up to $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, threatening care for seniors in nursing homes, children, and struggling families. It makes $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, ending the Medicare guarantee and shifting cost risk on to seniors. The Congressional Progressive Caucus budget defends and strengthens the Affordable Care Act. It lowers prescription drug costs and expands access to mental healthcare and addiction treatment. We invest in workers. The GOP plan slashes investments in workers and programs to help more Americans get back to work, programs like apprenticeships and job training. And yet the people's budget would create 2.4 million jobs over its first 3 years and raise wages for American workers. The Republican budget, their $5.4 trillion in spending cuts means less funding for roads and bridges and schools. Our budget puts a $2 trillion investment into strengthening our Nation's infrastructure. The Republican budget drastically cuts Federal funding, which could undermine our ability to respond to disasters. The people's budget provides $200 billion in emergency disaster funds to rebuild communities devastated by hurricanes. The Republican budget guts our public education system with cuts that could devastate schools and further disinvest in public universities. The Progressive Caucus budget makes debt-free college a reality and provides for the refinancing of student loans. It expands access to pre-K education and provides childcare for all families. Let's get real. The reason we are debating the budget this week: Republicans can't wait to get started on their tax breaks for the wealthy. The Republican tax plan should be called the Trump Family Tax Plan because it enriches the wealthy on the backs of the middle class. The Progressive Caucus gets it right. Not one more penny in tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The Progressive Caucus budget ensures that the top 1 percent pay their fair share in taxes, we close corporate loopholes, and we expand the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for working families. We must reject the Trump Family tax cut and invest in our roads and bridges, our schools, our healthcare, and our workers. Progressives are proposing bold policy solutions as clear alternatives to the cruel budget cuts Republicans are proposing. The people's budget is an investment in the American people, and I urge you to support the Progressive Caucus people's budget.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, our Nation has a lot of issues on its plate. We have to stabilize healthcare. We need an infrastructure plan that creates millions of good-paying jobs. We need to deal with the hurricanes and the aftermath not just in Texas and Florida, but also in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We have a huge problem with North Korea and nuclear weapons, and that is just for starters. So what did President Trump spend his weekend doing? Fixing healthcare for tens of millions of people? No. Lobbying for a robust job-creating infrastructure plan? No. Sending aid to Puerto Rico? Not that either. De-escalate the situation in North Korea? Well, actually, quite the opposite. No. President Trump spent his weekend doing one of his favorite things: attacking Americans and various groups on his favorite medium: Twitter. His most recent attack: NFL players who use their constitutional right to freedom of speech to protest. But they are not the only ones and the only group being attacked. Back in July, The New York Times found that President Trump was on track to insult 650 people, places, and things on Twitter by the end of his first term. Well, 2 months later, he is certainly still at it. Instead of attacking our Nation's problems, he is attacking us. Let's take a quick look at some of the people and groups he has attacked both as a candidate and President. On this board we have just a handful of the people, places, and things President Trump has insulted, and if we were going to list them all, we would probably have to have dozens of poster boards. Here is a sampling: John McCain and Jeff Flake; Barack Obama; Hillary Clinton, even though the election happened a year ago; the media from The ``failing'' New York Times and the Amazon Washington Post to individual reporters like Katy Tur and Mika Brzezinski; ObamaCare; Hamilton, the Broadway musical; Jeff Sessions, his own Attorney General; the Emmys; Nordstrom; the Russian investigation; Rosie O'Donnell; the Paris climate agreement; Meryl Streep; Mexicans; protesters; fake news; John Oliver; Mark Cuban; Snoop Dogg; and this weekend, the NFL and its players. The list goes on and on. Well, it is actually easier to name the people and things that President Trump has not attacked than all of the ones that he has. So I came up with a very small list of people or groups that he has not attacked after several extensive Google searches. First, I don't think the President has attacked the barbershop quartet singing organization: the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing, also known as SPEBSQSA. To the best of my knowledge, he has never attacked them, so maybe he is a fan of barbershop crooners. Although it is fairly recent, pumpkin spice lattes. I know they just came out. It is a sign of fall, but so far there is no Twitter traffic from Trump attacking these tasty treats. Finally, these very fine people President Trump hasn't attacked nearly enough: the Klan, neo-Nazis, and other White supremacists. Instead of being the attacker in chief, President Trump is supposed to unify the Nation, but all he does is divide us. His job is to work for the American people, to deliver on the promises and actually help Americans. Here are the issues we need help with: stabilize the Affordable Care Act to ensure tens of millions of people keep their coverage, and don't just sabotage the marketplace. We need good-paying jobs and better wages for the American people. We need a job and infrastructure plan like the President promised, but we have yet to see. We need trade agreements that work for American workers. Again, another promise we have had with no tangible results. And we need aid for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands after last week's devastating hurricanes, much of what has yet to materialize. Mr. President, while you are so busy tweeting about the NFL, you attack a Black man for nonviolence more severely than White supremacists for violence. Look, taking a knee may have started as a protest about racial inequality, about behavior by some in law enforcement discriminating against others in this country, but unarmed people of color are being killed simply for the color of their skin. I think today taking a knee is becoming a broader sign of patriotism and respect for our country, for a country that can be even greater for every one of its citizens. It respects the lives lost for those in this country to fight for its ideals, which include nonviolent protests. It is a sign of love of country, a country with a promise that has to be for everyone regardless of the color of their skin. I join so many now in the NFL and elsewhere in taking a knee for the America that we all aspire it to be.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chairman, I am doing this on behalf of Ms. DeLauro. As we know, her mother passed this weekend, and she is in our thoughts. Mr. Chairman, this also incorporates two other amendments that we would have otherwise taken up separately under my name, but they are all-inclusive in here. So let me talk about what the amendment does. This amendment would restore funding to worker protection programs to keep to the fiscal year 2017 levels. The bill, as it stands, has a cut of $59 million to worker protection agencies, including a cut of $21 million to OSHA, the elimination of the Susan Harwood training grants, and a cut of $14 million to the Mine Safety and Health Administration. This is the lowest budget OSHA has seen since 2009. We need OSHA. It saves lives. Since 1970, occupational deaths have been cut in half, saving over 80 million lives. But there is plenty of work left to do. Last year alone, 4,800 workers were killed on the job, and over 3 million were seriously injured. An average of 15 workers die every day from job injuries, costing U.S. businesses over $170 billion. The proposed budget would further reduce enforcement personnel by 140 investigators. That is 2,318 fewer workplace investigations. In addition, in the bill under consideration, safety training grants to reach workers in the highest risk jobs are eliminated, despite being a core OSHA program through every administration, Republican and Democrat, since 1978. OSHA has only enough funding to inspect every workplace under its jurisdiction every 159 years. Why would this bill eliminate funding for Susan Harwood training grants that protect and educate workers in the most dangerous jobs? This program costs less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the Department of Labor's budget. This cut is irresponsible and reckless. We cannot cut NIOSH occupational health research, the primary Federal agency that conducts research to prevent work-related illness and injury. This research is a critical defense against tragedy. We must fund MSHA to keep our Nation's mines safe. There is too much on the line to neglect this sector. This amendment would restore funding to the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, which is tasked with enforcing labor provisions of free trade agreements that are intended to protect American workers. Finally, this amendment would restore funding to the National Labor Relations Board, which protects the rights of workers under the National Labor Relations Act. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chairman, I will close by saying that I have been an employer for nearly 30 years; and on behalf of the vast majority of employers who have very responsible workplaces and care for their workers and take care of their workers, it is the irresponsible businesses that hurt all of the other businesses. When we don't inspect companies that could have workplace violations, when we can only get around every 159 years to every workplace that is under the jurisdiction, when we don't enforce wage laws, we hurt the responsible businesses in this country, and that is why it is important to do this. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in reluctant opposition to this amendment. I strongly support additional funding for the CDC, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institute on Aging. I have spent my time in Congress fighting for those agencies. In fact, over the past 2 years, Democrats on the Labor-HHS Subcommittee have worked closely with Chairman Tom Cole to increase the NIH budgets by $2 billion annually, and I hope we are able to do it again this year. But this amendment is fundamentally flawed because it slashes $120 million from the CMS Program Management. Keep in mind that the CMS Program Management account is already cut by a $524 million in the underlying bill. That is a 13 percent cut. This amendment would increase that cut to more than 16 percent. According to HHS, over 143 million Americans will rely on programs administered by CMS, including Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Federal health insurance exchanges. Why would my colleagues in the majority support more than $600 million in cuts to the Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs? Slashing their administrative budgets by 16 percent is certain to harm services that impact Americans on a daily basis. These cuts will directly harm America's seniors, the blind, low- and middle-income families, children with disabilities, and Americans with chronic conditions like end-stage renal disease, as well as pregnant mothers and newborns. CMS programs face historic growth in the years to come. A cut of $644 million to its administrative budget would open up the program to mismanagement, fraud, and abuse. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation. Whereas on January 13, 2013, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world; and Whereas the Sorority was founded in 1913 by 22 students at Howard University and these young women wanted to use their collective strength to promote and provide academic excellence; scholarships; support to the underserved; education and participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and Whereas Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated is a sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college-educated women and the Sorority currently has over 1,000 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Republic of Korea, and here in Dane County, Wisconsin; and Whereas the Madison Alumnae Chapter was chartered on August 27, 1977 by twenty-two bold and visionary women who saw the urgent need for a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin to create a collective shift in thinking for African American residents; to cultivate and educate the minority community in political, educational, cultural, economic and social spheres; and has continued to thrive, empower, and lead for forty years using sisterhood, scholarship and service as the guide; and Whereas the Madison Alumnae Chapter has participated in Delta Days in the nation's capital to meet with me and my staff to discuss issues surrounding its social action agenda and initiatives; to share concerns and seek answers to questions regarding policy issues, including incarceration rates, unemployment, housing, economics, and education; to have open and transparent conversations about these concerns that disproportionately affect the African American community with policymakers; and to discuss how we can work together towards solutions, and Whereas the Madison Alumnae Chapter being Determined Strategic and Transcendent has established and maintained a legacy of preeminent programming which has been recognized as exemplary at both regional conferences and national conventions, I, Mark Pocan, Congressman from the great state of Wisconsin recognize and congratulate the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Madison Alumnae Chapter on the significant impact that they have made in the lives of the citizens in their service area and the tireless work that they do to in the name of public service.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, we are now at the 6-month point in President Trump's time in office, and I think it is time we check in and do his review. President Trump has made a lot of campaign promises, and we should take a look at how he is living up to them. First, creating jobs. Let's start with his claims that he would be the ``greatest jobs producer that God ever created.'' We haven't seen any major action on President Trump's jobs plan. His infrastructure week included no concrete details--pardon the pun--and his Made in America week meant nothing because his own products have long been made overseas. Despite bragging that he was saving jobs at Carrier in Indiana, we have learned that Carrier is laying off 600 employees this month and sending those jobs to Mexico. After the Trump administration lobbied hard for Ford to not move to Mexico, Ford announced it was moving the production of its Focus model to China instead. Not exactly a deal closer. As for creating jobs, that is an F. Draining the swamp. How about his promises to drain the swamp? President Trump has stacked his administration with insiders, opened the floodgates to more lobbyists, and is loading his administration with so many Goldman Sachs employees that the CEO of Goldman Sachs called it an ``inconvenience.'' Donald Trump hasn't drained the swamp. He has merely built a high-rise luxury condo on it. That will get him an F as well. Accomplishments. President Trump has yet to sign any major legislative accomplishments into law. From repealing the Affordable Care Act to tax reform, to an infrastructure package, not one of his major initiatives has yet made it through Congress in over 6 months. Now, that may be good news for the working men and women of this country, but, still, as a grade, that gets him an F. Tweeting. Now, we have seen a lot of action on Twitter from this President, from insulting women and threatening journalists to relitigating the election against Secretary Clinton and shouting ``fake news.'' In fact, President Trump tweeted 991 times in his first 6 months in office with ``fake news'' being mentioned almost twice as much as the word ``jobs.'' While he scores high on the volume of tweets, he is low on the content of tweets, so we are going to give him an incomplete in this area. Golfing. President Trump's second favorite activity after tweeting is golfing. According to CNN, in his first 6 months, President Trump spent 21 of his first 26 weekends in office at Trump properties and spent 40 days at Trump branded golf properties. So he is golfing for sure. Let's give him an A. Covfefe. Now, that is not a word in the dictionary or that I know in the universe. I guess only Donald Trump knows what it really means, so I am guessing he would give himself an A because there isn't a grade higher until he invents one of those, too. But for the rest of us, that is not even incomplete. That is just incoherent. Conflicts of interest. American taxpayers have been footing the bill for pricey trips to Trump branded properties and trips benefiting the Trump family business in Canada, Uruguay, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, New York, and many others places. President Trump's failure to separate himself from his conflicts of interest shows special interest groups around the world that influence can be sold to the highest bidder. I will give him an A because apparently he is excelling at selling out potential. Job approval. President Trump has finished first in one area. We all know he likes to be a winner. With a 36 percent approval rating, President Trump is the first President to have that low of a 6-month approval rating of any President in polls dating back 70 years. So from the American people, apparently that is an F. This has not been an impressive first 6 months, Mr. Speaker. If this were a reality show, I think we would be hearing the famous ``you are fired, Mr. President.'' But outside of that 6 months, just this week, Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump embarrassed himself with inappropriate comments before the Boy Scouts and insulted transgender Americans serving in the military. My only question, Mr. Speaker, is: When will the leadership on the other side of the aisle quit enabling him and start standing up for this country? America is not a reality show.

Mr. POCAN

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chair, I have a question for the chairman of the MILCON Committee about the language in his committee report regarding colorectal cancer screening in the VA. Mr. Chairman, in his report, Mr. Dent encourages the VA to increase colorectal cancer screening in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In the other body, they have language that directs the VA to offer each one of the seven approaches for screening that are currently approved by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and are more closely aligned with other Federal health programs. Can I assume that the intention is the same and the efforts are aimed at urging the VA to offer all of the approved methods of screening?

Mr. POCAN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for that clarification.