Steve Stivers

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. I thank Chairman Crenshaw for his great work on this bill. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the underlying bill, which provides $21.7 billion in funding and targets resources to programs across multiple agencies that will boost economic growth and opportunity. It will protect consumers, protect investors, promote an efficient Federal court system, and stop financial crime. My colleagues will be pleased to know that the bill includes language that prohibits the IRS from targeting specific individuals who are exercising their First Amendment right. I support that language as well. The legislation also includes provisions that increase the oversight of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the CFPB. It puts the agency in the normal, annual appropriations process, like we are doing here today; and it replaces the single Director at the head of the agency with a five-person commission that is similar to those of other agencies that are charged with regulating our financial markets. I also want to take a moment to speak in support of bipartisan language in the bill that would pause the CFPB's proposed rule on short-term lending. The Independent Community Bankers of America and the Credit Union National Association recently wrote the CFPB to voice their strong opposition to this rule. They fear that this rule will force them out of the short-term credit market and stop them from serving millions of consumers across our country. In fact, the CFPB's own analysis says that 84 percent of current loan volumes will disappear as a result of this rule. The CFPB claims that community banks will make up for this shortfall, but the community banks, themselves, refute this. That is why, I think, we must keep the bipartisan language in the bill that pauses this short-term rule that could force millions of Americans to have nowhere to turn for their financial needs. Mr. Chair, the CFPB's proposed rule would put lenders out of business and leave these constituents with nowhere to turn. Millions of hardworking Americans would not be able to deal with unexpected emergencies. That is why I urge Members to support the underlying bill.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the chairman for yielding me time and for his great work on the underlying bill, including the provisions that are in the bill as we stand. I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. While I have great respect for my colleague from Alabama, the language that is proposed would strip bipartisan language that was inserted into the bill that merely puts a pause on the CFPB short-term lending rule, and the result of passing this amendment would hurt millions of consumers having any access to capital. In fact, the Independent Community Bankers of America and the National Credit Union Association--who don't agree on much--recently wrote a letter to the CFPB voicing their strong opposition to the current rule that is being proposed because they believe that it will drive them out of the short-term credit making market and stop them from serving consumers in their local communities. In fact, even the CFPB admits that 84 percent of short-term loan volumes will disappear as a result of this rule. That will leave millions of Americans without access to money that they might need to get emergency medical assistance, to pay for unexpected automobile repairs, or to heat or cool their home. This amendment is a problem. We need to allow the language in the bill to last. All it does is require the CFPB to provide documentation for what they are doing and show where consumers will be able to turn to meet their financial needs. This is a bipartisan amendment that is in the bill now. We should reject the Sewell-Waters amendment. I urge members to vote ``no'' on the amendment and urge them to vote ``yes'' on the underlying bill.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fairfield Medical Center, located in Lancaster, Ohio, as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The Fairfield Medical Center has followed its historic mission to provide the best care to all, while serving as a foundation for year- round community efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles. The Fairfield Medical Center's commitment to promoting the well-being of all of southeastern Ohio can be seen in the useful health information it provides to members of the community, its all-inclusive appeal, and its strong advocacy for members of the community who have mental or physical disabilities. On October 10, 1916, The Lancaster Municipal Hospital opened its doors for the first time on 10 acres just outside of the city's limits. At the time of the hospital's opening, there were 36 beds and 10 bassinets to serve the city of approximately 15,000 people. As the hospital grew, it changed its name to the Fairfield Medical Center to reflect its role as the leading medical institution both in the county and throughout southeastern Ohio, a role it still serves as the county's largest employer. Today, the Fairfield Medical Center has gained increased recognition for its excellence in healthcare and treatment. Now with over 200 beds and multiple affiliate locations in Fairfield County, the Fairfield Medical Center offers a variety of premier services to the people of southeastern Ohio, including oncology care, cardiovascular surgery, obstetrics, orthopedics, therapy, and emergency services. Throughout its history, the Fairfield Medical Center has been unwavering in the promotion of the health of the community. I would like to thank the Fairfield Medical Center for its dedication to serving the community for 100 years.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard (Dick) L. Royer, who passed away on May 27, 2016 at the age of 77. Royer was an MAI appraiser and realtor who also served as President of the Columbus Realtors, The Ohio Association of Realtors, and the Columbus Rotary Club for significant portions of his lifetime. Royer was born in 1938 in Canton, Ohio, where he attended Canton Lehman High School. He earned his degree from The Ohio State University College of Business in 1962, and soon after, joined the real estate company Kohr and Kohr where he would spend his entire business career. Over 50 years later, the firm still operates today as Kohr, Royer, Griffith Inc. (KRG). Royer's service to the real estate industry in Columbus was fueled by his love for the city. Outside of KRG, Royer held many offices and board positions over the years. He served as President of the local Appraisal Institute Chapter and was an active member at the King Avenue United Methodist Church in Columbus. Royer was a resident of the suburb Upper Arlington, which he cherished as his home and held as high in his heart as he did the City of Columbus. There is no doubt of the enormous legacy Dick Royer has left behind on the real estate industry and the greater Columbus community. I'm extremely grateful for his service to our city and state.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 778 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule for H.R. 5053, the Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act, and H.R. 5293, the fiscal year 2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. House Resolution 778 provides a closed rule for consideration of H.R. 5053 and a general debate rule for H.R. 5293. The resolution provides 1 hour of debate equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means for H.R. 5053, and 1 hour equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations for H.R. 5293. The resolution also provides for a motion to recommit for H.R. 5053, with or without instructions. In addition, the rule includes provisions related to budget enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution and the underlying legislation. Under current law, 501(c) nonprofit organizations are required to collect personally identifiable information on what are known as substantial donors and report that information to the IRS. Substantial donors are defined as individuals who donate $5,000 or more to an organization during the course of the calendar year. Normally, that information is reported by 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. However, the IRS expanded the substantial reporting requirement to all tax-exempt organizations through the use of Form 990. The security of personal information of American taxpayers is vital. The IRS doesn't normally make this information public, yet there have been instances involving IRS employees improperly accessing this information and even releasing it to the public. One particular instance saw the National Organization for Marriage have its donor list information publicly disclosed in 2012. In California, Mr. Speaker, the State attorney general wanted to require that the information reported is made public, which prompted a lawsuit. In April of this year, the U.S. district court ruled that requiring an organization to disclose its donor list is unconstitutional. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle may make the accusation that this bill will allow for a flood of foreign money into our elections. Mr. Speaker, this argument rings hollow for two reasons. First, we have laws on the books to specifically protect against that very thing. It is called the Bank Secrecy Act. Federal regulations under that law require every bank to file information with the Treasury Department and report any suspicious transactions relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation. H.R. 5053 does not change the Bank Secrecy Act or those regulations in any way. Second, and more importantly, the IRS doesn't even have authority to share this information with the two organizations that enforce campaign finance laws: the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice. So only in limited circumstances in which there is already evidence of a criminal act can these tax privacy laws allow the IRS to share this information. The problem is the IRS doesn't share this information anyway. It is up to the Federal Election Commission and the Justice Department to enforce those laws, and they do so already. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the district court ruling because American citizens have a right under the First Amendment to free speech and free association. The IRS has demonstrated in the past that many of their employees do not adequately protect personally identifiable information of American taxpayers. Individuals should not be forced to disclose how much of their hard-earned money and to whom they donate to charity. Even the Director of Exempt Organizations at the Internal Revenue Service has publicly stated that the IRS is considering removing Schedule B themselves. Let me repeat that. This is a democratically appointed Director of Exempt Organizations at the Internal Revenue Service. This individual said that the IRS is considering removing Schedule B themselves. That is exactly what this bill does. That makes this a bipartisan bill. I hope my colleagues will support this measure. It makes sense. The second underlying bill is the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017. The legislation includes $517 billion for our national security, a slight increase over last year's enacted level. The legislation includes $58.6 billion in funding to fight the global war on terror, which includes funding for our forces in the field as well as support to key allies to resist aggression from nation-states and terrorist groups. The bill includes a small 2.1 percent pay raise for our military, which is more than the 1.6 percent requested by the administration, and it includes $34 billion for the Defense Health Program to provide care for our troops, their families, and retired members of the armed services. Important investments in cancer research, traumatic brain injury, psychological health research, and suicide prevention outreach as well as sexual assault prevention programs are also included in this bill. A well-equipped, well-trained, effective military providing for the common defense of our Nation is our most basic constitutional responsibility. This bill helps preserve our military as the most capable and superior armed force in the world, while providing funds necessary to fight America's enemies abroad. While there will be amendments offered by colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days to come, Mr. Speaker, the rule here today is only for general debate of the overall bill. I look forward to continuing the debate on these policies with our House colleagues, and I urge support for the underlying bills. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Really quickly, on the IRS bill, it is already the interpretation of the Federal district court that these contributions should not be made public; that donor lists should not be made public because people have a right to free association and free speech. These are constitutional rights. So to argue that this information that is not allowed to be made public is somehow going to lead to a flood of foreign money, is nonsense. Also, again, I will reiterate that the Bank Secrecy Act is in place to make sure that that does not happen. So I just wanted to quickly dispel with that. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is a distinguished member of the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gibson). The gentleman was a colonel in the United States Army, a member of the Armed Services Committee, and a great American.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, 1 yield the gentleman from New York an additional 1 minute.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I advise the gentleman from Massachusetts that I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The gentleman makes an impassioned argument, but today's rule is about two bills. It is about a bill that will prevent IRS abuse and make sure that our citizens have a right to free speech and free association that they are guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution. I thought it was really interesting that he read a portion of The New York Times editorial that is very clear to say that reform groups claim that this bill does X. The editorial writer did not make the claim that it happened or that it will happen; he made the claim that reform groups claim it will happen because the editorial writer can't verify the validity of it, and it is simply not true. The Bank Secrecy Act will make sure, as it does today, that foreign money is kept out of our elections. The Federal Election Commission, which is responsible for enforcing our election laws, will continue to enforce our election laws. In fact, no one knows what Schedule B is used for. Today it has no real purpose. The IRS' Director of Exempt Organizations has publicly stated that they are considering doing away with Schedule B themselves. That is all the first bill does. The second bill we are talking about is providing for funding for our troops. It is the DOD authorization for funding for 2017. The gentleman talks about some other issues, but if we don't fund it, we are the ones doing nothing. If we don't fund our troops, we are the ones doing nothing. We have an obligation to fund our troops to provide for the common defense. We need to make sure we do that. That is what this bill does, and I want to make sure we do that. I do want to make a quick comment on process because the gentleman is apparently outraged about process. In this session of Congress, the 114th Congress, Mr. Speaker, the majority has allowed 1,269 amendments on the House floor in this Congress. That is as of May--halfway through this year. In the 113th Congress, the majority allowed 1,545 amendments to be considered. When the gentleman from Massachusetts was in the majority in the 111th Congress, his party only allowed 778 amendments during the entire 111th Congress. The gentleman's claims ring a little hollow. Maybe where you stand depends on where you sit. I will say that these are important bills. The rule will make sure that we can fully fund our national defense and make sure that we look out for the constitutional rights of our citizens. Those are two very important things. I don't argue with the gentleman that there may be other things we want to talk about, but those things are important, and that is what today is about, that is what this 1 hour of debate is about, and that is what the 2 hours the rule provides are about. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bills.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Hilliard, Ohio Police Officer Sean R. Johnson who passed away last week in a tragic training accident. Officer Johnson's dedication to public service was evident as he made the decision to join the Air Force after graduating high school in 1988. After serving in the military and earning the rank of Senior Airman, Officer Johnson was Honorably Discharged and soon brought on at the Fairfield County Sheriffs Department in 1995. At the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department, he graduated from the Police Academy and worked as a Special Deputy until 1997. After working in court security and as a liquor control agent, Officer Johnson joined the Hilliard Division of Police in October 1999, and would stay with the department for the next 16 years. Throughout his time with the Hilliard Division of Police, he was distinguished as one of the most valuable members of the department, earning numerous Achievement Citations for his service above the normal call of duty in dangerous circumstances. He was also active in the community as a Crisis Intervention Team Officer, where he was well known for calming and talking to people during difficult times in their lives. While serving, Officer Johnson earned an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Columbus State Community College. All of this, he did while also being a father to two children. I'm extremely thankful for the service of Officer Sean Johnson and all first responders.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Hilliard, Ohio, Police Officer Sean R. Johnson, who passed away last week in a tragic training accident. Officer Johnson's dedication to public service was evident when he made the decision to join the Air Force right out of high school in 1988. After serving in the military and earning the rank of senior airman, he was hired at the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department, where he served until 1997. Officer Johnson joined the Hilliard Division of Police in October 1999 and would stay with the department for the next 16 years. Throughout his 16 years with the Hilliard Division of Police, he was distinguished as one of the most valuable members of the police department. He was awarded multiple achievement citations during his time for his service above the normal call of duty in dangerous circumstances. He earned his associates degree in law enforcement from Columbus State Community College and was a father of two children, all while working to keep our community safe. I want to recognize Officer Sean Johnson for his incredible service to our community in Hilliard. I also want to offer my deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Mr. STIVERS

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

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which would prohibit the Department of Energy funding from being used for the Cape Wind offshore wind generation project in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I offered this amendment in last year's appropriation, and it was adopted by a voice vote, so I believe it should be fairly noncontroversial. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Nearly 2 years ago, the Department of Energy offered conditional commitments for the Cape Wind project of a $150 million loan guarantee. Since that time, the project has been plagued by setbacks amid concerns about its impact on the environment, disruptions of safety for passenger aircraft, or just the high cost of electricity produced by the proposed facility. Last year, two of the State's utilities terminated contracts to purchase power from the wind farm, jeopardizing the viability of the project. I believe we should encourage the development of all forms of energy. Renewable sources like wind power are important for our Nation's energy portfolio. But this project, in particular, has a troubled history. This amendment seeks to ensure that the American taxpayers do not have to foot the bill if the project fails. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time, and I thank him for all of the work that he has done as the chair of the subcommittee. It is work that is making a difference as it allows people to get access to their own versions of the American Dream. This is a piece of that, as the Representative told you. I thank Representative Sewell and Representative Beatty for all of their hard work. Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill. This is a commonsense bill. This is a jobs bill. This was a unanimous bill in the Financial Services Committee. It passed 56-0 on March 2, and I am so proud of that. The S.A.F.E. Act passed in 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, and it created two different sets of requirements for qualifications on mortgage loan originators, depending on whether they worked for a State-licensed nondepository or a federally regulated depository. The problem with that is it kept people captive working for the same kind of company that they worked for yesterday. If they try to change between the two, they don't have a license and they can't help people achieve their versions of the American Dream, of owning a home. This will allow people to be more mobile in moving between depository and nondepository institutions. It is a jobs issue for that very reason. It will help make sure that the workforce can go where the jobs are and that they can help people get loans to own a home. We all believe in homeownership, and this is a small way we can be for it today. Representatives Sewell and Beatty worked very hard with me with industry stakeholders and with State regulators in getting the bill that we have today, which, as I said, passed unanimously out of the Financial Services Committee. H.R. 2121, as amended, would foster an efficient marketplace of competition between banks and nonbanks and allow mortgage loan originators to help all Americans achieve homeownership. It would provide them with a transitional authority if you move from a depository to a nondepository or the other way around. Under the proposal, an individual who is employed by a financial institution that has been a registered loan originator under the S.A.F.E. Act for the preceding 12 months can originate loans after submitting a background check and credit information to his State regulator until the application is either approved, denied, withdrawn, or even if it is just deemed incomplete. At that point, the transitional authority ceases, so he has to submit a full application. Once he does that, he gets a chance to continue to work under this transitional period. Again, this is a jobs issue. It will help people move between the two types of institutions, which most Americans don't think about. They just want to make sure they get a mortgage. That is what we need to make sure we facilitate here with commonsense rules. Sadly, some States have had transitional license authority, but the CFPB does not allow them now to exercise that authority. That is why this bill is necessary. I am really glad that we can allow for that now to make sure that all Americans can get access to homeownership. I thank Representative Sewell, Representative Beatty, all of the members of the House Financial Services Committee, the gentleman from Missouri for his leadership, the gentleman from Texas--the chair of the full committee--for his leadership, and the ranking member of the committee, the gentlewoman from California. This is indeed a unanimous bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tim Doran for his retirement from the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA) after nearly 40 years with the association. Tim graduated from Ohio University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Soon after graduation in 1976, Tim joined OADA as the Director of Services. He quickly rose through the ranks at OADA and eventually took the role of President. The OADA works to support and increase the values of the Ohio automobile dealerships to make them the strongest in the nation. In his role as President, he has overseen all OADA Services and business activities, including implementing dealer programs, delegating staff projects, and monitoring all administrative and operations functions. Beyond managing the OADA, Tim is instrumental in his role as a liaison between the Ohio legislature and the over 800 OADA members. He ensures all of the automobile dealerships, large or small, receive effective representation and support. Tim Doran has shown incredible dedication to serving the automobile businesses in Ohio. I would like to thank him for his great service to these companies over the years and wish him all the best in his well- deserved retirement.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Kiwanis Club of Columbus for celebrating its 100th year of serving the community. Kiwanis International is a global volunteer organization with more than 8,000 clubs worldwide in over 80 countries. With a focus on serving children, members collectively organize nearly 150,000 service projects and raise nearly $100 million every year in their communities. As the fifth oldest club in the organization, The Kiwanis Club of Columbus was founded in 1916 and has been steadfast in its service for a century. The Club has been involved in a variety of projects in downtown Columbus, ranging from helping the homeless to providing scholarships to area students. While many of the members of The Kiwanis Club of Columbus are busy professionals, they commit to making time in their schedules to participate in these and other service projects, and to give back to our great community. I would like to thank members of The Kiwanis Club of Columbus, past and present, for all they have done, especially for our kids. I also would like to congratulate them for reaching their Centennial Year.

Mr. STIVERS

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 687 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.