Jan Schakowsky

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore) who is my friend.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just want to say a few things before yielding to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady). We have heard a lot of accusations against certain businesses, et cetera, and institutions, and the Republicans have selectively and repeatedly released documents and letters, including a so-called criminal referral to the New Mexico attorney general, to the press before sending them or sharing them with Democrats. This is clearly a political move. They have also manufactured their own misleading so-called exhibits and withheld documents and information from Democrats in violation of the House rules. They have abused their power throughout the whole time and should now not be allowed to continue to get any more money for this panel. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question. If we defeat the previous question, I would offer an amendment to the resolution that would abolish the select panel instead of funding it. Let's be done with this once and for all. Madam Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol, celebrated on December 1st and to honor its all-volunteer members. Since 1941, volunteers have lent their talents in dedicated service to protect Americans and our nation. Their work is deeply appreciated. The Civil Air Patrol came into existence just six days before the events of Pearl Harbor and was comprised of many civilian aviators, including women and African Americans who were not allowed to fly for the military at that time. Members flew in support of defense forces and provided the military with professional and cost-efficient assistance, which they have continued to provide ever since--chartered by Congress as non-combative, humanitarian force in 1946, becoming the official Auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force in 1948, and most recently becoming part of the U.S. Air Force's Total Force in 2015. The Search and Rescue efforts of the Civil Air Patrol are credited with saving an average of 75 lives every year and their Disaster Relief efforts and ability to work closely with partner organizations have been vital to our nation's security and wellbeing. Their service was particularly notable following the terrible events of September 11th, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Sandy. I am proud to call myself a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Earlier this week, I was presented with the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and membership in the Patrol's Congressional. Squadron. The distinction was presented to me by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Damron and two wonderful young members of the Civil Air Patrol from my district, Cadet Second Lieutenant Laivi Grossman and Cadet Airman Basic Nancy Kahdeman. I thank them and the entire Civil Air Patrol for this opportunity. The organization's Cadet Program has been a tremendous resource to this nation, providing leadership training to youth, ages twelve through twenty-one. The Program promotes education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, both for participants within the program and their local communities. This is done with a focus on Aerospace and Aviation, developing a passion for them in our younger citizens and ensuring our preeminence in these areas as well as Cyberspace. I believe this effort to be especially important now, as our nation's future and security depend upon the ability of the next generation to lead global progress in these areas. Civil Air Patrol volunteer professionals serve in every state of the nation and as nonprofit resources within thousands of communities. I am proud to support the work that these men and women continue to do, and I am very pleased to be celebrating this milestone anniversary with them.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5332, the Women, Peace, and Security Act. First, I thank my partner in this effort, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, for all of her work in making this day come, as well as to thank Chairman Royce, who not only spoke so eloquently about the importance of this legislation, but who helped to make it happen today. I thank Ranking Member Engel for his leadership in moving this legislation forward. I am so appreciative. This is a bipartisan, budget-neutral bill to encourage the participation of women in creating peace. As Congressman Royce said, when women are involved in the peace process, negotiations are more likely to end in lasting agreements. He is right in that the International Peace Institute found that a peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to last for at least 15 years if women participate in drafting the agreement. The study also found that, with a 5 percent increase in women's political participation, a nation is five times less likely to use violence when faced with international crisis or conflict. Promoting the participation of women abroad is in our country's strategic interest as it increases stability and economic prosperity. However, women remain underrepresented in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict peace-building efforts around the world. The Women, Peace, and Security Act is a step toward fixing that imbalance and promoting a more peaceful future. The Women, Peace, and Security Act would, for the very first time, establish women's participation as a permanent element of U.S. foreign policy under congressional oversight. It would also promote greater transparency and accountability in efforts at the Department of Defense and the Department of State. Under the Women, Peace, and Security Act, those departments would report annually to Congress on efforts to actively recruit women and to promote women's participation in conflict prevention and resolution. The bill would encourage the United States to assist women mediators and negotiators by eliminating barriers to their equal and secure participation in peace processes. In addition, it would institute comprehensive training modules on the protection, rights, and specific needs of women in conflict and would require the administration to evaluate the impact of U.S. foreign assistance on women's meaningful political participation. The United States plays such a crucial role in promoting peace all over the world. By making women's participation in the peace process a national priority, we will improve national and global security. I am proud to join Congresswoman Noem in championing this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support its passage.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1209, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act; and I want to thank Dr. Burgess and my dear colleague, Lois Capps from California, for offering this important piece of legislation. It would require the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, to better identify areas with increased need for maternity care services. This will help ensure the placement of maternity care providers within the National Health Service Corps to areas with the most need for their services. While global maternal mortality rates have fallen by more than one- third from 2000 to 2015, the maternal mortality rate in the United States has actually increased. In 2015, 25 women lost their lives during pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 births in the U.S. compared to 23 women who did so in 2000. It is clear that we must do more to reverse this troubling trend. Congress must make it a priority to ensure all women have access to the prenatal and maternity care services needed to prevent maternal mortality. I support H.R. 1209 because it will help expand access to prenatal and maternity care services in the areas where there is the most need. I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), my colleague and friend, who came to Congress the same 106th Congress, I believe, along with me, prior to that being a nurse and is now retiring from that seat, but not before she adds one more thing at least, maybe there will be more, to making our health system better and protecting so many lives.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman has no more speakers, let me just say how pleased I am to be a supporter of this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) for his over 1,000 miles traveled on the trail, so he is clearly an expert on this topic. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4665, the Outdoor REC Act, recognizes the important contributions of outdoor recreation to our economy. Outdoor recreation provides an estimated 6 million direct jobs, including an estimated 200,000 jobs in my home State of Illinois. It promotes travel and tourism. Ultimately, getting Americans outside to enjoy our Nation's natural wonders promotes an appreciation for our environment. This bill would build on efforts at the Department of Commerce to understand the economic impact of outdoor recreation by directing a report to Congress, helping inform policy and industry. I want to thank Representatives Beyer, Reichert, Welch, and McMorris Rodgers for their work to advance this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHAKOWSKY

Mr. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 985, the Concrete Masonry Product Research, Education, and Promotion Act, which establishes a checkoff program to promote concrete masonry products. The bill on the floor today is itself the product of good, bipartisan work in the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee and the full Energy and Commerce Committee. During markup, we adopted changes to make sure the checkoff program runs efficiently, transparently, and accountably. We took into account feedback from the Government Accountability Office based on our experience with previous checkoff programs. We made the program fair for small manufacturers by giving each manufacturer a single vote on the board instead of giving most of the influence to the largest manufacturers. We added a study to explore the feasibility of checkoff programs for other building materials. We have now also ensured that this bill will be budget neutral. Thanks to the bipartisan work of the committee to strengthen this legislation, we were able to advance the bill by voice vote in subcommittee and full committee, and I look forward to passing it on the House floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the author for explaining so clearly what I was not able to explain; that what this bill does is it makes the program fairer for small manufacturers. Each one of them has a single vote on the board instead of giving most of the influence to the largest manufacturers. So that was an important change. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the sponsors of the bill, Congressman Olson and Congressman Loebsack, for introducing this legislation. I am very proud to be one of the many cosponsors of the bill. H.R. 1192 would help to improve Federal efforts to treat and prevent metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and diseases resulting from insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. The most common metabolic disorder in the United States, of course, is diabetes, which affects more than 29 million Americans. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Unfortunately, all too often, diabetes leads, as my colleague said, to avoidable complications such as blindness, limb amputation, and kidney failure, and it costs our healthcare system an avoidable billions of dollars each year. That is why it is important to improve Federal efforts to prevent avoidable cases of these conditions and to ensure that Americans have the treatment and management services necessary to successfully manage them. I am pleased that we were able to work together to pass this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1192. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I am grateful to Lois Capps and David Joyce. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also rise to support H.R. 2566, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016, a bipartisan piece of legislation introduced by Representative David Young and cosponsored by a host of people, including members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Representatives Welch and Loebsack. This bill has a basic goal: ensuring that all Americans' phone calls go through. Several years ago, the Federal Communications Commission found that telephone customers were having significant problems with call completion in rural areas. Consumers were reporting false busy signals, calls not arriving, or long pauses after dialing the number. This matters not just for rural Americans, but also for people like my constituents in the Chicago area who want to reach loved ones across the country. We need reliable telephone service to keep us all connected. Call completions are often related to intermediate providers, the middleman hired to route calls. H.R. 2566 requires intermediate providers to register with the FCC and comply with service quality standards. This is a very important step to make sure that we can stay connected to one another. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that we are considering this today, and I hope the Senate will quickly do that for this important consumer protection legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.