Bruce Poliquin

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, Maine is home to the most skilled woodworkers on Earth, but ObamaCare's medical device tax is killing our jobs. Hardwood Products and Puritan companies in Guilford have been family- run businesses for nearly 100 years. 450 hard-working Mainers produce 3.5 million popsicle sticks per day. The company also manufactures more tongue depressors and medical swabs than any other business in the Western Hemisphere. Its only competitor is located in China. Puritan Company pays nearly $250,000 per year in medical device tax. As a result, they can't afford to buy new equipment to manufacture new medical products or hire more workers. It is not right for this ObamaCare tax to export our manufacturing jobs to China. It is not right for this punitive tax to smother innovation that helps Americans enjoy longer and healthier lives. Today, let's all band together, Republicans and Democrats here in the House, to deep-six this horrible tax.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. POLIQUIN. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate it very much. Although I do believe, sir, that jobs are more important than counting people, we will use the full authority of our office to help our workers at the Madison Mill to make sure that we do everything to have a level playing field. I will withdraw this amendment, and I accept your pledge to do everything within your power and authority to please help our paper workers, the most skilled in the world, in central Maine.

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, families in northern, central, western, and downeast Maine are some of the hardest working, most honest people you can find in the country. They expect and they want a more effective and a more accountable government that works for them, sir, and not against them. Now, one of the most important jobs of the Federal Government is to make sure that we protect American workers against unfair and unlawful trade practices. This is very clear in our Constitution, and the Founding Fathers made this clear to us all. Today, here in Washington, the International Trade Administration is responsible for enforcing these trade rules. Last year, three of our major paper mills in our district, the Second District of Maine, in Bucksport, Old Town, and Millinocket, closed. Mr. Chairman, 1,000 of the most skilled paper makers in the world are no longer working, and those 1,000 paychecks are no longer flowing to their families to help them care for their kids. This year in central Maine, in Madison, Maine, a fourth paper mill is now facing difficulty and has temporarily shut down a couple of times and furloughed another 200 workers. Now, if you talk to the folks that own the mill and work on the floor in Madison, they cite two reasons: number one is the high cost of energy to run their machinery; secondly, a provincial government in Canada has provided about $125 million of unfair subsidies to a competing paper mill across the border. These subsidies, which are unlawful and unfair, have allowed this competing paper mill to buy new equipment and to subsidize the cost of energy to run their machinery. As a result, the price of supercalendered paper that is made across the border and also in Madison, Maine, has plummeted, causing our mill in Madison to temporarily shut down and furlough its workers. Now this, Mr. Chairman, is not right, and this is not fair. American workers are the best in the world. We can compete with anybody in any industry in the global marketplace as long as it is a level playing field. As our office, Mr. Chair, got involved in this issue, the ITA made it very clear to us that they did not have the staff able to fully address this issue in what we believe to be a full, thorough, and comprehensive investigation, including a number of different paper mills, when it comes to these unfair subsidies. Up in our district, we are very frugal. We are fiscal conservatives. The folks in Maine can stretch a dollar, Mr. Chair, wider than anybody else in the country. So I am not suggesting that we increase the size of government and we increase spending. Quite the opposite. I believe our government is too big and too intrusive. However, I do have a solution to this problem. My amendment, Mr. Chair, asks that we transfer less than 5 percent of the funding this year going to the Census Bureau to the ITA such that they have the resources to thoroughly and effectively conduct an investigation dealing with these unfair provincial subsidies in Canada. Now, not only will a thorough and fair investigation help our workers at the Madison mill in central Maine, but it will also help the backlog of cases at the ITA that affect tens of thousands of workers in various industries all throughout America. We all know in this room, on both sides of the aisle, that fair trade results in more jobs. All of us here in this Chamber want to make sure we do everything humanly possible to help our companies grow, be more competitive, more successful, and hire more workers. When that happens, Mr. Chairman, our workers have better lives with more opportunities, more freedom, and less government dependence. This is about jobs, Mr. Chair, and it is all about national security. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats, to please support this amendment to make sure that we have fair trade in this country. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleague Mr. Moulton of Massachusetts to commemorate Thomas A. Beaton, Phillips Academy Andover Class of 1973, as he completes his service as the President of the Phillips Academy Alumni Council. I want to celebrate Tom as a role model that embodies our school's ``non sibi'' motto, which translates to ``not for self.'' An energetic volunteer and philanthropic supporter of Andover, Tom has served as a member of the Alumni Council since 2004, during which time he twice co-chaired the Non Sibi Committee and the Mentoring Committee. Mr. Beaton also cofounded the Andover and the Military Committee, among other activities. Today, we want to celebrate the fact that, in 2007, Tom pioneered Non Sibi Day, Andover's worldwide service effort in which alumni, parents, faculty and students participate. Under Tom's leadership and steadfast support, Non Sibi Day has evolved into what is now known as the Non Sibi 365 initiative, which is the name given to the Non Sibi Committee's efforts to serve as a catalyst for year-round expressions of the Non Sibi spirit of the alumni of Phillips Academy and Abbot Academy. The initiative includes all public service acts done in the spirit of Non Sibi, from individual acts of kindness to group projects that bring the Andover alumni community together, with the express purpose of helping others. Over the years, Tom has led Non Sibi projects at the Pine Street Inn to help end homelessness and cycled in the Pan-Mass Challenge to support cancer research, to name just two of the countless manifestations of Non Sibi in Tom's life. Tom's efforts have inspired thousands of alums to participate in hundreds of projects around the world. Thank you, Tom. for your inspiring and transformative leadership. Semper Non Sibi.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 154, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to congratulate the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department on earning the 2015 Congressional Fire Services Institute/Masimo Excellence in Fire Service-Based Emergency Medical Services Award. This brave team of volunteer Mainers represents sound practice and dedication to protecting others day in and day out. This top-tier department is tasked with covering 348 square miles, amounting to nine towns and 14,000 residents. The fire and medical units handle first response services for a vast rural district that houses sporting activities such as boating, hunting, ATV trails, and winter sledding. Furthermore, the department conducts emergency transfers by land and air from a local hospital to a trauma center 175 miles away. Under Chief Scott Susi, the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department boasts three five-person crews, along with 15 full time paramedics--a crowning achievement for a department hoping to expand without a corresponding financial burden on the communities it serves. Community engagement directly corresponds to the success of this department. Sensitivity to the taxable impact of its operations and attendance at local council meetings are just two of the multitude of ways in which this department actively and uniquely works together with the region in which it serves. The Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department serves as a model of efficient success for fellow Maine fire and Ambulance departments and for service men and women across our country.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Job Corps program on 50 years of dedicated support of our young Americans. Furthermore, 2015 marks five decades of ambition and hope for our young Mainers in Bangor and Limestone, and throughout the United States of America. Maine's Job Corps programs are vital for preparing young people in the Great State of Maine for employment and further education. It is an honor to strongly support their mission to better the lives of Mainers through technical and academic training. Since its first class of students in 1997, the Loring Job Corps program has helped Maine students earn high school diplomas, construct careers, and obtain great jobs. The Penobscot Job Corps has maintained the same mission for 35 years. Education and community service alike are two cornerstones of the Penobscot program, which prides itself on staff and students giving back to the community around them. The program's accreditation with the New England Association of Schools & Colleges in 2007 only enhanced its ability to reach out and enrich the lives of young Mainers. The Job Corps Program encourages the vital education and creativity of bright young students throughout the county. It is with great pride and appreciation that I congratulate the Job Corps Program for half a century of critical work.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, a huge congratulations to the New England Patriots for winning Super Bowl XLIX--surgical passes from quarterback Tom Brady, a thunderous spike by tight end Rob Gronkowski, and a crucial goal line interception by rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler. Although our Patriots earned a thrilling fourth Super Bowl title, I also congratulate the Seattle Seahawks and their fans for battling until the very end of their terrific season. Maine is Patriots nation. We appreciate hard work and results. In this Chamber, Republicans and Democrats engage in passionate debate on issues critically important to American families. We have been sent here to move the ball down the field together, to put points on the board for hardworking taxpayers. Patriots fans, Seahawks fans, and families coast to coast deserve an effective government that solves our Nation's problems. Then we will have a healthy, growing economy with more jobs, fatter paychecks, and more freedom. Here in this Chamber, we are all Patriots, we are all Americans, and we work for the people.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, those of us who have been blessed with children in the back of our minds always fear for their health and their safety. Maine is one of the safest States in America. Even so, our families have not been immune to the horror of child kidnapping, rape, and sex trafficking. Two years ago, Maine State legislator Amy Volk had the courage to lead a very painful public discussion about the risk of human trafficking in Maine. Her persistence resulted in the awareness of this horrific violence waged against our children living in Maine and those being brought to our State. Yesterday, I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my Republican and Democrat colleagues in the House to unanimously pass the first of a dozen bills to fight the scourge of human trafficking in America. As parents and as public officials, we owe it to our families to help our States and our local communities with stronger law enforcement and tougher criminal penalties for those who prey upon our children. I ask our colleagues in the Senate to now do the same and to help rid this land of the unthinkable horrors of human trafficking.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and, most importantly, of the underlying bill, H.R. 161, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act. I encourage all of my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to support this important job creation bill. The great State of Maine is home to the most skilled papermakers in the world. Even so, last year, mills in Bucksport, Old Town, and Millinocket closed, laying off 1,000 of our workers. Soon, a fourth mill, which is in Madison, will temporarily shut down, furloughing another 215 workers. For each mill, the high cost of electricity to run its machinery was a primary reason for closure. Almost half the power plants in New England burn natural gas to generate electricity. We must allow the increased production and transportation of natural gas to drive down the cost of electric power and save our mills, our factories, and save our jobs. Today, I am proud to cosponsor this new legislation in order to expedite the permitting to construct more and larger capacity natural gas pipelines throughout America. I ask my Republican and Democrat colleagues to band together in supporting this critically important jobs bill. It is the fair and the right thing to do. Hardworking American taxpayers deserve a more effective government that works together to solve our serious problems. We have the responsibility and the authority to help our families live better lives, with fatter paychecks and more financial security. Let's get this done.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, compared to last summer, hardworking Maine families are saving $20 with every fill-up of their vehicles. The $1,000 annual savings is buying almost 2 months of groceries for a family of four. This winter, many of our families are saving an additional $1,000 because the cost of heating oil has plummeted. That is another 2 months of groceries. Last week, I was proud to join House Republicans and Democrats to finally approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Our families will have more money, have more jobs, and enjoy more freedom when America increases the production and transportation of all forms of domestic energy and do it in an environmentally sensitive way. Increase production, and drive down price. Now, the House has done its job to approve the Keystone pipeline. I respectfully ask the Senate to do the same; then together, we must ask the President to do his part. It is the right thing to do for more jobs, fatter paychecks, and more security.

Mr. POLIQUIN

Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, for generations, the hardworking families of Maine's Second District have balanced their checkbooks at the kitchen table. It is time our Federal Government does the same. A balanced budget amendment to our Constitution will finally force Washington to live within its means. This discipline will help end wasteful spending and enable our government to start paying down our $18 trillion national debt. That will give job creators the confidence to expand their companies and to start new ones. More jobs, more freedom, less government dependency, that is what we all want for our kids. Amending our Constitution will not be easy or quick, but we can start the process right now. With every Member of Congress supporting this crucial jobs bill, an institutional discipline to spend no more than we collect in taxes from American families is the commonsense, right thing to do. It will help ensure the financial security for our kids and our grandkids, and it will create jobs.