Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, last week, as I traveled throughout my district, I heard time and time and time again from people worried about one issue: healthcare. I heard stories like Diane's in Mundelein, who was able to get affordable coverage through ACA after losing her job of 30 years to outsourcing, and Claire's, from Vernon Hills, who was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis just a month before her 26th birthday. Yet, because of ACA, she has insurance today, despite her preexisting condition. I was thrilled to learn that Claire recently got married, and is looking forward to pursuing her dreams: raising a family and living a long and productive life. Mr. Speaker, across the country, there are millions of stories just like these. The ACA is far from perfect and it needs work. I heard that from my constituents as well. I urge my colleagues here in Congress to listen to the people who share their stories with me and others and end this ill-considered repeal effort. Instead, let's get to work together to deliver quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in welcoming President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea on the occasion of his visit to Washington this week. This visit is an important opportunity to further the strong bonds of cooperation and friendship between our two countries. As North Korea continues to threat our allies and pursue its destabilizing missile program, including tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles, this meeting comes at a pivotal time. The United States and the Republic of Korea must continue to stand together to contain this threat and ensure the security and safety of this strategically important region. Earlier I sent a letter urging Speaker Ryan to invite President Moon Jae-in to speak before a joint meeting of Congress so all Members can hear firsthand his perspective of these shared challenges. If not possible during this brief visit, I hope he will address this body in the future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt welcome to President Moon Jae-in, and I express my commitment to furthering the vital economic, security, and cultural relationships between our two countries.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republicans' ongoing plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Senate leadership unveiled their plan this morning and plans a vote as soon as next week. This bill was drafted in secrecy and will have massive consequences for the healthcare of every American. It will affect more than one- sixth of our economy. Yet for all its impact, it was written behind closed doors, with absolutely zero bipartisan input. I have heard from more constituents on this issue than any other-- more than 5,000 letters, emails, and telephone calls: people like the cancer survivor in Lake Bluff who is worried whether she will be unable to find affordable insurance without the ACA's preexisting condition protections; or my constituent in Grayslake, who says he could only start his business because of the individual coverage he bought on the exchange. I urge my colleagues to listen to the great majority of the American people. It is time to end this ill-considered charade to repeal ObamaCare and work together in a bipartisan way to improve our healthcare system for every American.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rafael Aguilera, Guadalupe Bueno, Ezau Calderon, Elisa Flores, Juan Carlos Flores, Elijah Glaze, Jared Herrera-Sanchez, Estrella Limon, Anjelica Linares, Ivan Martinez, Veronica Martinez, Sebastian Salgado-Gonzalez, Tamara Sanchez, and Emily Sostre for their admittance into the Waukegan to College (W2C) program. A year-round college readiness service, W2C launched in 2009 and seeks to advance local students' intellectual and emotional development, cultivating a strong commitment to community and a profound belief that they can build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities. By establishing high academic expectations and counseling students and their families on the college application process, W2C helps students realize their full potential by making the dream of college a reality. All of these students will be the first in their families to attend college, and were selected for the W2C program due to both their impressive academic achievements as well as their contributions to their communities. As leaders inside and outside the classroom, these students show tremendous dedication and potential. Strengthening our communities requires rebuilding the ladders of opportunity so that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. This begins with providing each and every child, regardless of zip code, access to a high quality, affordable education, continues by ensuring all families can afford to send their sons and daughters to college. When our nation's talented young people pursue their passions and follow their dreams, they accomplish far more than personal growth. They serve as role models in their communities and their achievements inspire and motivate other young people to equally strive and achieve. These students truly are Champions of Change. I wish them the very best of luck in their higher education and in all their future endeavors.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on World Refugee Day to share the remarkable story of one of my younger constituents, 8-year- old Raul Ortiz. Raul was born amidst the gang-driven violence in Honduras. When he was 5, Raul was kidnapped and held for ransom by a crime cartel. Following his release, he and his mother later fled to the safety and the security offered by the United States. Raul and his mom rightly worried for their security if they were forced to return to Honduras, and are seeking asylum in our country. Raul is visiting Washington today to share a letter he wrote to President Trump to remember and protect refugee children like himself. Writing of what the United States means to him, Raul writes: ``Here we are safe, and we have hope to see another tomorrow.'' Mr. Speaker, we are a country that was founded and built by immigrants and refugees, many fleeing oppression and violence. Raul's story is our story. We cannot allow the door of opportunity and safety to close on the next generation of Americans like Raul seeking refuge here.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from my constituent Raul Ortiz, age 8, to President Trump on World Refugee Day. Dear President Donald Trump. Please receive a respectful greeting in my name and all the children and families that are part of LULAC's Child Refugees United for Freedom group. My name is Raul Ortiz and I come from Honduras. I want to express to you my fear for the situation of many refugees that have arrived to the United States of America seeking refuge. I must share with you our sad reality that we live in because our countries of origin are full of crime and violence. This is why our parents risked our lives to bring us to safety in the USA. Here we are safe and have hope to see another tomorrow. Mr. President, we respectfully ask for your help, we ask you, a great man that is a responsible person dedicated to the USA, to please meet with us and listen to our stories and consider granting us protection. Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president. He ran as president under the National Union Party which was the name used by the Republican party for the 1864 presidential election, during the Civil War. The Republican party at this time under President Lincoln was successful in abolishing slavery. My favorite president Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves so I believe and have faith you President Trump can do the same thing with granting freedom to the Central American refugees just like me. God Bless You President Trump and God Bless The USA! Respectfully, Raul Ortiz, 8 yrs old.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to rise today to honor two remarkable constituents and their extraordinary achievement that should stand as a model for us all. Last month, Beatrice and Fred Sorkin of Lincolnshire, Illinois, celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary--77 years of love, family, and commitment. Bea and Fred met as teenagers in Brooklyn, New York. Fred was a sheet metal worker by trade and in 1950 started his own business that he ran for over 40 years. Bea worked in a bank. She began selling savings bonds and rose to become a bank teller and eventually assistant vice president. Their family has been blessed with two children, Rae and Herbert; their spouses, Michael and Gloria; four grandchildren: Jeffrey, Andrew, Alyse, and Sharon; and, now, seven great-grandchildren. According to the data collected by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Organization, Bea and Fred are the longest married couple in all of Illinois. Bea and Fred Sorkin's enduring lifelong connection is an inspiring example for us all. On behalf of Illinois' 10th District, it is my privilege to congratulate Bea and Fred on their 77th wedding anniversary. I wish them and their family many more years of health and happiness together.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico for yielding. I appreciate her leadership on this issue, and, as a cosponsor, I rise in strong support of this amendment. Our Customs and Border Patrol officers face a difficult mission in an extremely challenging environment. Polygraph testing is an important tool to ensure those charged with patrolling our border are not corruptible by drug traffickers or other criminal elements. I am sympathetic to the hiring and staffing challenges facing this agency, but we cannot cut corners or jeopardize the security of our border. This amendment delays the implementation of this legislation until CBP can complete its ongoing test of an alternative, more efficient polygraph test. This amendment also requires DHS determine these changes in the underlying bill to our polygraph procedures do not endanger our national security. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment to ensure we do not create unnecessary risks to the security of our border.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong disapproval of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the international Paris Agreement on global climate change. The world is watching us, and history will judge this ill-considered decision harshly. Withdrawing from the accord weakens America's global leadership, will slow our transition to renewable sources of energy, and make it more likely the clean energy jobs of tomorrow will be created overseas rather than here at home. Let me be clear: Climate change is real and a present threat. America can and should be the global leader in developing innovative solutions, but this decision leaves us as an international outlier. I am proud my hometown, Chicago, joins cities and States across the country that have pledged to continue honoring the emission reductions that are part of the Paris Agreement. That is why I am introducing a resolution to commend these States and localities and to urge the administration to reverse its position. I invite my colleagues to join me. Irrespective of President Trump's shortsighted policies, we must continue to seek solutions to protect our planet for future generations.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the budget released by President Trump. It is cruel and shortsighted in the extreme: cutting essential investments driving job creation, protecting our environment, funding breakthrough cures, and providing a safety net for the neediest among us. Among the most objectionable are the President's cuts to education. Funds used for college work-study programs, loan forgiveness for those who enter public service, and dollars used by schools for mental health will not just be cut but be eliminated. For example, 21st century community learning centers, which offer learning opportunities during nonschool hours for those from our neediest communities, would be completely eliminated. We know these programs work. An evaluation showed program participation improved math and English grades by 30 to 40 percent. In my district, Waukegan Community School District Number 60 uses these funds to offer an extended day program at seven schools to increase academic achievement and build life skills. Mr. Speaker, this budget irresponsibly mortgages our future by shortchanging our children. I urge my colleagues to reject this budget. Let's work together to chart a path that ensures our Nation's prosperity.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, the Republican healthcare repeal bill is a giant step backwards. It will leave millions of Americans without any insurance and many more paying more money for less coverage. Worse, it will reduce protections requiring insurers to treat fairly those of us with preexisting conditions. Instead of this disastrous plan, we should be working together to improve healthcare, building on the progress of the ACA, and finding solutions to what isn't working. Let me offer one example. I recently introduced the Common Sense Employer Notification of Special Enrollment Act, or Common SENSE Act. This bill would require employers to inform people leaving a job that they not only qualify for COBRA but also qualify for a special enrollment period to purchase insurance on the ACA marketplace or enroll in Medicare, which is often less expensive than COBRA. Mr. Speaker, this bill will help Americans save money and seniors avoid last-minute enrollment penalties. I urge my colleagues to support the Common SENSE Act and join me in finding commonsense ways to improve our healthcare, not to dismantle it.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a dedicated public servant and dear friend, Audrey Nixon, who passed away at the age of 81. Since 1982, Audrey tirelessly served the communities of Waukegan, North Chicago, Park City, and Gurnee with distinction and grace as a member of the Lake County Board. She was known and universally admired as the matriarch of the Lake County Board--not just for her tenure, which was longer than any other member--but for her ability to bridge the divides of partisan politics and bring out the best in her colleagues, working together for the residents of Lake County. Audrey was a fierce advocate for her constituents, determinedly promoting diversity, inclusion, and opportunity. She was the long-time chair of the Law and Judicial Committee, where she exercised her passion and commitment to civil justice for all. She was an energetic supporter of YouthBuild, which has helped countless young adults complete their education, get needed counseling, and learn critical job skills to put them on the path to success. Thanks to Audrey, future generations to come will continue to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Greenbelt Forest Preserve. Audrey is survived by her three children and twenty grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by her many friends, her congregation at Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church in North Chicago, and the myriad constituents whose lives she touched through her decades of service to Lake County.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Small Business Week in recognition of the entrepreneurs and small-business owners that form the foundation of our American economy. More than half of all working Americans either own or are employed by small businesses. In Congress, our job is to promote an environment where small businesses grow and succeed and communities and working families can prosper. To do that, we need to educate our kids to close the skills gap too many businesses face in trying to find the talent they need to grow their companies. We need to reimagine and renew our crumbling infrastructure for the 21st century economy. We can help small businesses invent things here, make things here, and ship them around the world. We need to reform our immigration system to reduce the complexity employers face when trying to legally hire talented, industrious people. I urge my colleagues to consider this week, Small Business Week, what we can do together to support American small businesses--the greatest job creation engines of our economy.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my dear friend, Rabbi Michael Schwab of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, IL, and the celebration of his thirteenth year of service to the congregation and our community. I met Rabbi Schwab when he first came to our community and immediately appreciated his compassion, his spirit and his ability to make all around him feel special. Over the years, I have come to further appreciate his leadership and wisdom, often turning to him, for guidance. Rabbi Schwab leads by example through his keen understanding of Jewish values, strong advocacy for the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and unwavering dedication for his community. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rabbi Schwab began his studies at Rutgers University, and later received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and MA in Jewish Education from the William Davidson Graduate School of Education. Beyond the classroom, he gained additional experience through the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Penn Foundation for Mental Health and time studying in Israel at the Hebrew University, Machon Schechter and the Conservative Yeshiva. As a Chicago Global Justice Fellow for American Jewish World Service, Rabbi Schwab is a tireless protector and promoter of human rights, and he shares his views on ethical issues as a scholar for Jewish Values Online. He is an engaged member of the community, serving on the AIPAC National Council, the Chicago Board of Rabbis Executive Council, as a member of the Board of Directors of Solomon Schechter Day School, among others. Through North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Rabbi Schwab serves over 1,100 families. This synagogue was founded in 1948 as the first Conservative congregation on the North Shore of Chicago. Rabbi Schwab is married to Erica, a behavioral therapist and teacher of children with developmental disabilities, and they are the proud parents of four children: Ari, Liana, Noa and Miri. On behalf of Illinois's Tenth Congressional District, I congratulate Rabbi Schwab for his service and look forward to his continued contributions to the life of our community.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an accomplished individual, a distinguished pillar of our community, and a personal friend, Pastor Wallstone E. Francis, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, Illinois. For 25 years, Pastor Francis has shared his passion, his vision and his dedication to scripture and service, not just with his church but with the entire community. Pastor Francis was born in Nassau, Bahamas, and moved to the United States in 1971. After earning a Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Arts Degrees from American Baptist College of American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Selma University, in Selma, Alabama, Pastor Francis began his ministry in Smyrna, Tennessee and later Franklin, Kentucky. On May 3, 1992, Pastor Francis was installed as pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. In his two and a half decades of service, Pastor Francis has become known as an incisive teacher of the Scripture, a dedicated minister to his congregation, and an upstanding leader in his community. In addition to his Christian ministry, Pastor Francis gives back through his service on the Waukegan Civil Service Commission and as a volunteer Chaplain at Victory Memorial Hospital and the Lake County Jail. Pastor Francis has been blessed with more than forty years of marriage to Mrs. Angelia Rene Otey William. Their loving family includes grown children and grandchildren, including children who came to the family as foster children. I am also honored to celebrate their commitment to foster care. Illinois's Tenth District and the Waukegan community is lucky for Pastor Francis's leadership. On this moment of anniversary, I wish him, his family, and the entire Shiloh Baptist Church community all the best in the years to come.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Conrad 30 Waiver program set to expire at the end of this week. This program helps match medically underserved communities, both rural and urban, with much-needed doctors. Currently, foreign medical students studying here using J-1 visas must return to their home country and wait 2 years before they can apply to work in the United States. This makes no sense. The American medical education system attracts the best and the brightest and produces the best medical graduates in the world. When so many of our communities are struggling to attract medical professionals, we should be creating incentives for these newly trained doctors to stay. Through the Conrad 30 program, a limited number of new physicians can stay if they can commit to work 3 years in underserved communities. Continuing the Conrad 30 Waiver program is a commonsense step towards helping underserved Americans. I am proud to introduce H.R. 2141 with Congressman Issa of California to extend and expand this program. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I am pleased to note that H.R. 1667 is the product, indeed, of a very collaborative, inclusive, and deliberative process, which should be the norm, not the exception, when it comes to drafting legislation. It reflects thoughtful suggestions offered by Federal regulators and the Federal judiciary as well as leading bankruptcy practitioners and academics. I support H.R. 1667, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 1677, Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act of 2017. I commend Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Chairman Tom Marino and Ranking Member David Cicilline, as well as Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, for their leadership on this bill. I support this legislation for several reasons. To begin with, H.R. 1667 addresses a real need recognized by regulatory agencies, bankruptcy experts, and the private sector that the bankruptcy law must be amended so that it can expeditiously restore trust in the financial marketplace as soon as possible after the collapse of a systemically significant financial institution. This need is perhaps best illustrated by the collapse and subsequent bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008. As a result of that firm's failure and the rampant uncertainty it generated, a worldwide freeze on the availability of credit quickly developed. This, in turn, triggered a near collapse of our Nation's economy and clearly revealed that current bankruptcy law is ill-equipped to deal with complex financial institutions in acute economic distress. H.R. 1667 would establish a specialized form of bankruptcy relief specifically designed to facilitate the expeditious resolution of a large, systemically significant financial institution, such as Lehman Brothers, while minimizing its impact on the financial marketplace. Under the bill, the debtor's operating subsidiaries would continue to function outside of bankruptcy, while the debtor's principal assets, such as its secured property, financial contracts, and the stock of its subsidiaries, would be transferred to a temporary ``bridge company.'' The bridge company, under the guidance of a trustee, would then liquidate these assets to pay the claims of the debtor's creditors. The bill would also temporarily prevent parties from exercising their rights in certain qualified financial contracts. Each critical step of this process would be done under the supervision of a bankruptcy judge and subject to appeal. Another reason I support this bill is that it appropriately recognizes the important role the Dodd-Frank Act has in the regulation of large financial institutions. Without doubt, the Great Recession was a direct result of the regulatory environment at the time. Fortunately, the Dodd-Frank Act has done much toward reinvigorating a regulatory system that makes the financial marketplace more accountable and more resilient. In particular, title II of the Dodd-Frank Act establishes a mandatory resolution process to wind down large financial institutions, which is a critical enforcement tool for bank regulators to ensure compliance with the act's heightened regulatory requirement. H.R. 1667 is an excellent complement to the Dodd-Frank Act's resolution process and will help facilitate the rapid administration of a debtor's assets in an orderly fashion that maximizes value and minimizes disruption to the financial marketplace. Accordingly, I support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Nation's dedicated diplomats, the hardworking men and women at the State Department and USAID who are heroically serving our country here and around the world. In his very first budget, President Trump has proposed draconian cuts to these agencies. These reductions threaten not only our leadership in the world, but they put our Nation's people and interests at unnecessary risk. Our global leadership depends on balanced investment in three areas: defense, diplomacy, and development. Undermining any one of these pillars weakens all of them. The State Department and USAID's effectiveness and success is not a function of equipment or technology. Rather, it is the experience, capabilities, and strategic deployment of our people. In a world where our challenges are, every day, more numerous and more complex, we are constantly sending our diplomats to places further afield. They are deserving of our full support and our utmost respect for their bravery, dedication, and service in defense of the United States and our values. I call on my colleagues to join me in protecting our strategically important investments in diplomats, diplomacy, and development, as well as defense.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, addressing climate change is one of the most important long-term challenges for our future. But this week's executive order from President Trump reverses recent progress and will worsen this slow-burning crisis. The order undercuts the Clean Power Plan, weakens restrictions on emissions, and expands Federal coal mining leases. It undermines the success of the Paris Agreement and damages our relations with the signatories, including China and India. At the same time, the order makes it harder for our government and military to plan for the already occurring consequences of climate change--including assessing its impact on national security policy. That is why today I am introducing the CLIMATE Act to prevent the irresponsible executive order from being implemented. Whether the Trump administration recognizes it or not, the international community understands climate change is real and is rapidly embracing a renewable energy future. The administration's decision to move our energy policy backwards only weakens the United States' global leadership role, making it more likely that green energy jobs of tomorrow will be created elsewhere. We must come together to support policies that grow clean energy jobs in the United States and ensure we pass on a healthier planet to the next generation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, across the country, communities are struggling with an epidemic of opioid addiction, abuse, and overdose; and across party lines, we all agree something must be done to address this crisis. But the repeal-and-replace plan proposed by my Republican colleagues adds fuel to the fire. The bill eliminates the Affordable Care Act's requirement that Medicaid cover basic mental health and addiction services. Economists estimate 1.3 million Americans receive treatment for substance abuse and other mental health disorders through the Medicaid extension. Across the States that have expanded Medicaid, like Illinois, the program is used for 27 percent of all addiction treatment. We are not going to arrest our way out of this epidemic; instead, we need to treat addiction like the disease that it is. Removing the mental health coverage requirement pulls the rug out from more than a quarter of all those seeking help from opioid addiction. Mr. Speaker, opioids now kill more Americans than car accidents. The Affordable Care Act offers hope and is saving lives. The Republican efforts to repeal the ACA is a bleak step backwards. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of one of our most magnificent natural wonders: the Great Lakes. They contain a fifth of the world's freshwater and are vitally important to the economy and the quality of life in my district. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has received strong support from both sides of the aisle, works to clean up the Great Lakes, control invasive species, restore habitats, and reduce runoff. Yet we have heard that President Trump may virtually eliminate this critical program with an eye-popping irresponsible 97 percent cut to the budget; $300 million in funding would be reduced to just $10 million. At the same time, his administration may gut EPA funds for climate science, clean air, and safe water. Let me be clear. I am adamantly opposed to these cuts and will do everything in my power to stop them. Tomorrow, on Great Lakes Day, the President is expected to release a budget proposal. I urge him to include robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the EPA programs and ensure we pass on a sustainable, healthy planet to our children.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the repeal and replace bill offered by my Republican colleagues. I have never believed ObamaCare was perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. We will only move our healthcare policy forward by working together to build on the very real successes of ACA and fix the actual problems with the law. But this legislation as proposed does none of that and, in fact, takes us in the opposite direction. Under the proposed legislation, 10 million Americans would lose their health insurance, according to an analysis from Standard and Poor's. Seniors would be charged much more than what others pay for health care, and the 3.2 million Illinoisans who depend on Medicaid will face cuts to their coverage. Mr. Speaker, this House is recklessly and unnecessarily rushing to a vote before we have basic answers. Most importantly, we need to know from the Congressional Budget Office how many people this bill will and will not cover and how much it will cost. We need to set aside the politics and work in a bipartisan way to give all Americans quality, affordable health care. I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today deeply disappointed that the House has again put attacking women's health over the important priorities the American people sent us here to address. More than 4 million individuals across the country, many of them low- income, uninsured, or young, depend on title X for family planning and related preventative care. This is lifesaving care: birth control, HIV and other STI testing, and cancer screenings, to name a few. The resolution that passed today allows States to deny trusted reproductive healthcare providers from receiving title X funds for purely ideological reasons. Already, 14 States have taken official action to exclude Planned Parenthood and other critical reproductive healthcare providers from serving patients through the title X program. This shameful legislation puts politics ahead of women's health and does a disservice to women and families across our Nation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to efforts to undo the Affordable Care Act without offering at least an equal solution for American families. Take, for example, the story of a woman I will call Anne, a constituent who contacted my office. At 62 years old, Anne's husband lost his job of nearly 30 years. Along with a good portion of their income, her family lost the source of their health insurance. Because Anne works 29 hours per week, she does not receive healthcare benefits through her employer. On the ACA marketplace, Anne's family was able to find affordable coverage. She says that when the bottom dropped out of her health care, the ACA was there. She writes: ``My husband, myself, and our daughter in college all work and pay taxes. I cannot fathom why our Federal Government wants to penalize us by undoing a program that is working. Work to improve the ACA. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.'' I could not agree more. Repeal and run is irresponsible and will hurt real people like Anne. We need to build on the foundation of the ACA so more of our families have access to quality, affordable health care.