Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Dr. Stephen R. Holt for his service to the veterans of the Tenth District as director of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center for the past three years. Since 2014, Dr. Holt has led the only Federal Health Care Center in the country, operating as an integrated medical facility for both the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, with the end goal of better serving our current and former service members. Dr. Holt and the extraordinary team at the Lovell FHCC in North Chicago are responsible for the care of nearly 20,000 Veterans, 60,000 Active Duty and their dependents and 10,000 other Tricare beneficiaries within our communities. This includes overseeing the medical readiness of more than 40,000 naval recruits who pass through Naval Station Great Lakes annually. Under his leadership, Lovell FHCC advanced from a three to a four- star rating by the Veterans Administration, and his integrity and dedication has fostered an enhanced atmosphere of caring and service between staff and patients. Prior to his time at Lovell FHCC, Dr. Holt was responsible for oversight and delivery of quality medical care across 10 hospitals in the VA Southeast Network. Dr. Holt is a Veteran of the Air Force, where he spent 21 years as a Medical Officer in field and central command locations, retiring at the rank of Colonel. I thank Dr. Holt for his service to our nation and to the veterans and servicemembers in our community, and I offer him and his family best wishes for their future endeavors.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share some of the feedback I have heard from my constituents about the tax bill that has already passed this House and is now under consideration in the Senate. More than 2,000 of my constituents have taken the time to reach out to me and share their overwhelming opposition to this bill. I have heard from people like the 83-year-old man in Lake Forest who will face financial hardship when he is no longer able to deduct his medical expenses; or the professor at Rosalind Franklin University in north Chicago who emailed that she is worried about what the elimination of the tuition waivers will mean for her medical students; or the man in Libertyville who fears that, with the elimination of the State and local tax deduction for property taxes, he will face both a higher annual tax bill and more than a 10 percent hit on the value of his home. Mr. Speaker, we need tax reform. I remain committed to working across the aisle to achieve it, but this partisan proposal is not the way. I urge my colleagues to listen to their own constituents, abandon this fatally flawed bill, and work in a bipartisan way to accomplish fair, responsible tax reform.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, we absolutely must reform our outdated and overly complex Tax Code, but the current bill this House is considering is not the way to do it. I have heard from constituents and local elected officials about how this plan will hurt them and their communities. Rather than lifting our economy and making our local communities stronger, this bill before us is an unfair and fiscally reckless step backwards. My constituents are deeply concerned with the restrictions placed on the State and local tax, or SALT, deduction. This puts a real burden on the residents of States like Illinois. One in three Illinois taxpayers uses the SALT deduction. Let's be clear. The SALT deduction is not a tax break for the very wealthy. It is used by the hardworking families we need to be helping with tax reform, not hurting. I am also profoundly concerned about what this reform means for our growing debt. An additional $2.3 trillion in debt is irresponsible in the extreme, burdening our children and our grandchildren with the consequences. Now, with the most recent Senate version, the GOP is taking aim at the Affordable Care Act, repealing the individual mandate without a workable replacement to further reduce enrollment in the individual health insurance markets, making coverage more expensive for millions of Americans and their families. There are things we can do to improve the ACA. For example, delaying the looming taxes on medical devices and health insurance premiums has broad bipartisan support. We should be focused on solutions like these that improve, not dismantle, the ACA. Despite our willingness to work across the aisle, there was virtually no bipartisan engagement on the plan this House is rushing to vote on. It is not too late to change course. I urge my colleagues to take the time for full deliberation in a complete and bipartisan process. Together, we can produce real tax reform that is fiscally responsible, prioritizes the middle class, and grows our economy for the next generation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, here we are again, mourning the senseless loss of life from yet another terrible mass shooting. Last Sunday, at their church in Texas, 26 more Americans were cut down by a gunman. The oldest was 77 years old. The youngest was 17 months old. This is just a few weeks after Las Vegas endured the deadliest shooting in our country's history and in the backdrop of ongoing violence in cities, towns, and homes across the country that claims an average of 93 lives each and every day. The response from this Chamber is deafening silence. Mr. Speaker, how can we face this epidemic without even a debate? I am open to any commonsense idea to make progress on this issue, from universal background checks to limiting access to high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons. I have introduced legislation to help prevent theft from the Federal Firearm Licensees, expand background checks, and close purchase monitoring loopholes. I know there is no one single solution, but we cannot allow this epidemic to continue without even a discussion on what we can do. Together, we have the opportunity to save lives. I urge my colleagues to act.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, there is no question we need to reform our outdated, overly complex Tax Code. That is something we all agree on. We need to encourage growth and support our middle class. But the Republican decision to approach taxes in an exclusively partisan and fiscally irresponsible way is not the way to go. I am deeply concerned about the partisan plan rolled out by the Republican leadership, in no small part because it saddles future generations with trillions more in debt just to pay for tax cuts for the most fortunate Americans. Furthermore, restricting provisions relied upon by countless middle class families, including the State and local tax--SALT--deductions and property tax deductions hurts working families. This is particularly true in States like Illinois, where one in every three filers depends on the SALT deduction. In the days ahead, I hope my Republican colleagues will open the tax reform discussion to bipartisan engagement. I remain ready and willing to sit down and work across the aisle to achieve responsible tax reform that will grow our economy, protect our seniors, truly help middle class families, and secure our future.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, just a month after the U.S. national debt surpassed $20 trillion for the very first time, today this House passed an irresponsible budget that will add a shocking additional $1.5 trillion to that sum. This additional debt threatens our future prosperity and constricts our ability to respond to the challenges we face today. The cynical purpose of today's budget is to pave the way so partisan tax reform can be fast tracked through the Senate, but financing tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit those at the very top by ballooning our Nation's budget deficits is exactly the wrong approach. We all agree our Tax Code is broken and needs reform, but true tax reform needs to be fiscally responsible. Rather than crafting plans behind closed doors, I urge my colleagues to reach across the aisle. Together, we can pursue reform of our Tax Code that focuses on the middle class, promotes entrepreneurship, job creation, and private investment, and supports public investment in our infrastructure. Let's bring this tax reform debate into the open and get this done for the American people.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3329, the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act. This important legislation builds on the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015. I was pleased to have originally introduced this bill in 2014 with my colleague Mark Meadows. Hizballah at the behest and assistance of Iran is active in Syria and has helped Assad maintain regime control. Hizballah fighters are returning to Lebanon more battle-tested and more capable than ever before. In Lebanon, again with assistance from Iran, Hizballah has been able to amass more than 150,000 rockets--a ten-fold increase compared to 15,000 in 2006. Iran uses several means to transfer weapons to Hizballah, including by land, sea, and air and is now reportedly building missile production facilities in Lebanon to enable an indigenous rocket-producing capability for Hizballah. Hizballah is not only a grave threat to our ally Israel, they are a threat to regional security and America's national security interests. Hizballah will be far more dangerous than ever before with an indigenous rocket-producing capability. That is why I am pleased that an amendment I offered during the full committee markup of H.R. 3329 was included in the bill to ensure the U.S. Government is focused on this urgent threat. My amendment would require the President to report to Congress on the foreign and domestic supply chain that advances Hizballah's domestic missile capabilities. This includes how Iran is able to transfer goods and technology, a list of those who facilitate missile transfers, and the steps being taken to disrupt the supply chain that advances Hizballah's missile capabilities. The United States cannot stand by while Israel faces such a grave threat on its northern border. We must decisively act and we deserve to know what exactly the U.S. Government is doing to combat this threat. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3329.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 359, which I am proud to co-lead and cosponsor with my colleagues. This important resolution urges the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization. There is no distinction between the military and political wings of Hizballah. They are part and parcel of the same entity, that is a terrorist organization that threatens the United States and our allies, and contributes to instability and violence in the Middle East. The EU designated Hizballah's military wing as a terrorist organization in 2013, and has made notable progress in countering Hizballah activities, but more must be done. This resolution urges the EU to take practical and tangible steps to reduce the terrorist threat posed to the United States, Europe, Israel, and our other allies in the Middle East by Hizballah. For example, increasing cross-border intelligence sharing, freezing Hizballah assets, prohibiting Hizballah fundraising activities, and issuing arrest warrants for Hizballah members and supporters in Europe would not only send a strong message, but would have a concrete impact inhibiting the ability of Hizballah to operate with impunity. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 359.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1698, and am proud to cosponsor the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enhancement Act because we must do everything in our power to curb, and ultimately put an end to Iran's malign behavior in the Middle East region and across the globe. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which governs implementation of the JCPOA, contains travel restrictions for certain Iranian individuals. One such individual is Commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani. There are troubling reports that General Soleimani has traveled to Russia, and other countries, in violation of UNSCR 2231, yet, the United States and the United Nations have failed to act. I am pleased my amendment to require a report on any credible information regarding violations of the UN travel restrictions and any exemptions that have been approved by the Security Council is included in this bill. These travel restrictions were put in place for good reason and we deserve to know whether in fact violations have occurred and what the U.S. and UN plan to do in response. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1698.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize Shiloh Baptist Church on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. For the last century, Shiloh Baptist Church has been an integral part of the community in Waukegan, Illinois. This extraordinary anniversary is a moment of celebration for the entire Shiloh family, and I wish them well as they mark the occasion this weekend. Shiloh is known for its work to put faith into action through community-based programs of outreach to neighbors. During the harsh, cold weather months, the church runs an emergency shelter for families and individuals experiencing homelessness through the PADS Lake County program. This critical service offers some of our neediest people the immediate shelter they need to stay safe and warm, as well as the more comprehensive resources needed to get out of homelessness and back into permanent housing. In addition, the church organizes a weekly soup kitchen and offers a food pantry available for those in need. Shiloh also takes seriously the spiritual development of all its members, through Christian education and young adult ministry, as well as outreach to those who cannot attend services, including the sick, elderly, and those incarcerated at the Lake County Jail. For the last 25 years, Shiloh has been ably led by Pastor Wallstone E. Francis, a dedicated minister to his congregation, scholar of the Scripture, and active leader in the conununity. This l00th Anniversary is themed ``Embracing Our Past. Enriching Our Present. Envisioning Our Future.'' I congratulate the entire Shiloh family on this anniversary and look forward to working with them to enrich our neighborhoods and envision a better future for the communities we love.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in defense of every woman's access to healthcare and right to make her own personal healthcare decisions in private consultation with her physician and her family. Last week, President Trump issued a shameful executive order that will allow employers to deny women insurance coverage for contraception. This rolls back progress under the Affordable Care Act that required insurance companies to cover birth control without a copay. This is outrageous. Employers have no role dictating what healthcare women can and cannot have. That is a decision between a woman and her doctor. Nearly 9 in 10 women will use birth control at some point in their lives. This order is a direct attack on their healthcare. President Trump tried to sneak this change through, announcing it on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend. Well, we noticed and so did millions of other women that this order will adversely impact. We are paying attention and we are not about to stop speaking out and working to protect women's access to healthcare.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Waukegan to College (W2C) Program for its recent selection as an exemplary organization for promoting Latino success in higher education by Excelencia in Education. This is a true honor, and the staff, volunteers, students, and families of Waukegan to College should be very proud. Waukegan to College demonstrates how community support, resources, and encouragement can help students achieve their dreams of attending and graduating college. Through services such as tutoring, mentoring, college and scholarship application coaching, and advising sessions that include parents, Waukegan to College equips students with the tools they need to succeed not just in higher education, but in life. This prestigious award is a testament to their commitment to the youth of Waukegan. The time, effort and energy that they invest in this program do not go unnoticed--and sets a national example of the impact that a community-based organization can make. I congratulate the team at Waukegan to College on this impressive accomplishment, and thank them for all they do to make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public servant, terrific mentor, and good friend, Elaine Nekritz, who retired this week as State representative for Illinois' 57th District. For more than 14 years, Elaine has ably represented the communities of Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Northbrook, Wheeling, Palatine, Mount Prospect, and Prospect Heights in the Illinois House of Representatives. During this time, she has been an outspoken advocate for her constituents, a passionate defender of the environment, and a champion for women's rights. Future generations in Illinois will benefit from Elaine's work to invest in infrastructure, including a high-speed rail link between Chicago and St. Louis. Her smart backing of criminal justice reform ensures more young offenders have an opportunity to reform their lives through juvenile court. The residents of the 57th District will miss her energy, dedication, and tireless communication with her constituents. I am personally grateful for Elaine's service and wish her the best and her husband, Barry, the very best in whatever comes next.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today heartbroken and bone weary from the gun violence that continues to wrack our country. Just this year alone there have been 273 mass shootings, shootings with four or more victims. Every day we read of another child tragically lost. Our Nation awoke yesterday to the horrifying news of yet another mass shooting, this time in Las Vegas. It is once more now the worst shooting in our Nation's history. This violence sears our hearts and leaves countless families forever tragically changed. I extend my sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones and send prayers of recovery to those wounded. Please know that the American people are grieving with you. I am incredibly grateful for the extraordinary professionalism and bravery of law enforcement and first responders during this attack. But our words and prayers are not sufficient for the people of Las Vegas or the other victims of daily gun violence across our country. We owe them more. We must come together to tackle this epidemic with action. Enough is enough. There is no one single solution to the gun violence now, nor are there any easy answers, but that must not stop us from making progress where we can. Incredibly, however, this body is set to consider rolling back some of the commonsense regulations we already have in place for gun safety. It is inconceivable to me that this House is preparing to vote on legislation to weaken restrictions on the sale of silencers. Such sound suppressors make it more difficult for law enforcement officers to identify the point source of a weapon and to react to protect our public. Why are we considering a bill that makes firearms more deadly and makes it more difficult for police to respond? But that is not all. There is also a proposal to weaken State concealed carry laws with national reciprocity. This dangerous legislation would undermine local safety laws and deny States their right to establish their own concealed carry safety standards. Requiring States to accept the concealed standards of every other State will effectively create a dangerous race to the bottom and leave the least restrictive State law as the effective national standard. Mr. Speaker, we should be debating and voting on proposals that can reduce gun violence in our communities. We must not allow the difficulty of the path ahead prevent us from embracing solutions that move us in the right direction. Earlier this year, I introduced the Ghost Guns Are Guns bill with my colleague, Congressman Espaillat of New York. This bill will address the glaring loophole that allows gun buyers to bypass a background check by purchasing their weapons as unassembled kits online. These kits can be delivered to anyone's doorstep with all the parts needed to assemble a fully functioning, totally untraceable firearm. The Ghost Guns Are Guns Act simply says that these weapons should be regulated like other firearms and require a background check like other firearms. More than 9 out of 10 Americans support background checks. This bill is a commonsense step forward, and I urge my colleagues to join me in seeking its passage. We also face the problem of stolen guns. Last year alone, more than 18,000 guns were lost or stolen from Federal firearm dealers. Many of these stolen weapons were later used in violent crimes. That is why I introduced the SECURE Firearm Storage Act, to require all Federal firearm licensees to securely store their inventory when not open for business. The Chicago Sun-Times said this bill was, ``so obviously right, it's hard to believe it is even necessary.'' I agree, and I invite my colleagues to join me in passing this bill as well. These are but two commonsense ideas. I am open to any and all ideas to make progress in reducing gun violence in our communities and helping make our communities safe--from universal background checks to making gun trafficking a Federal crime, to limiting access to high- capacity magazines and military assault weapons. Enough is enough. We cannot allow this epidemic to continue. Together, we have the opportunity to save lives. I urge my colleagues to join me, and let's take this time to act.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise for Jessica. This is her story. Jessica's second pregnancy was difficult. At about 12 weeks, she discovered she was bleeding. After weeks of calls with midwives, visits to specialists, and numerous tests, it wasn't until 22 weeks, 5 days into her pregnancy when she was told the tragic news that her baby had a rare birth defect and would likely not survive through the two surgeries she would have needed. Jessica made the difficult, heartbreaking decision to end her pregnancy. Under this bill, there would be nowhere for Jessica to turn. Jessica wants lawmakers to know, in her own words: ``I am so incredibly thankful that my daughter never had to suffer. . . . I am still grieving and I think I always will be. Having an abortion was the most compassionate choice I had available to me. My daughter deserved compassion.'' A decision like Jessica's should be between the woman and her doctor, no one else. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 36. We must stop the bans.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of bipartisan, commonsense legislation to help protect our seniors from elder abuse, fraud, and neglect. The Senior Citizen Protection Act would create a national registry of convicted elder abusers that accredited healthcare providers, and the public could check before hiring employees who will work with seniors. While some States already have created elder abuse registries, there is currently no nationally searchable database of the State-level data. As our population ages, the problem of those who seek to take advantage of vulnerable seniors continues to grow. Families deserve the peace of mind that their parents and loved ones will receive the best possible care at senior facilities and nursing homes from qualified staff. I urge my colleagues to join me and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) on this senior protection legislation; and I urge them to continue to support Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs that millions of seniors depend on to live out their retirement years with dignity and security.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the 800,000 DREAMers and in strong opposition to the administration's decision to end DACA. The President's decision neither reflects the values nor protects the interests of our Nation. Rather, termination of the DACA program will needlessly disrupt lives, separate families, harm communities, and hurt employers. These fine people came to this country as children with their families from around the world, from Mexico, South America, South Korea, and India. They grew up in our neighborhoods, attended our schools, and, with their friends, drafted extraordinary dreams and aspirations for their future. This is the only country they know. Their faces are the face of America. Their dreams are the American Dream. President Trump's decision to repeal DACA is wrong and un-American. Mr. Speaker, these young men and women want nothing more than to make a positive contribution to our Nation's future, and they trusted our government to do right by them. It is now up to Congress to do just that. It is long past time for this body to pass the DREAM Act and empower these DREAMers to live their lives and achieve their aspirations in confidence.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to commend the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation (LCVFSF) and the important work they do throughout the Tenth District to support veterans and their families. LCVFSF plays a critical role in our community by connecting veterans with each other and the resources they need, as well as educating and counseling families to support veterans and service members. LCVFSF offers peer support and nurturing connections for veterans through programs such as the Cup-A-Joe coffee meetup, as well as close collaboration with the Dryhootch Drop-in Center and Catholic Charities to help find jobs for veterans. This year, LCVFSF and its innovative approach to wellness were recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for their work, Fostering Healing and Recovery through Connection. During this National Suicide Prevention Week, LCFSF deserves particular acknowledgement. Every day in the United States, an average of 20 veterans die by suicide. Each of their deaths is a tragedy. We owe it to the fine men and women who served us, and who may still bear the physical and often invisible mental scars of that service, to support them after they retire the uniform. Later this month, LCVFSF is partnering with the Student Veterans Club of College of Lake County to lead a Ruck March to raise awareness of the epidemic of veteran suicide. Participants will march more than 20 kilometers from North Chicago to Grayslake in memory of the veterans lost every day to suicide. Many will walk with ruck sacks representing the symbolic weight carried by those who have fallen due to suicide and those who suffer from their loss. For all their efforts to improve the lives of our veteran community and address the tragedy of veteran suicide, I thank the staff, volunteers, and supporters of the Lake County Veterans and Family Services. I wish them much success on the upcoming Ruck March and look forward to continuing to work with the Foundation in the days ahead.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment which is included in this en bloc package. This amendment would increase funding for the Small Business Administration Entrepreneurial Development programs by $4 million, with the increase intended to support entrepreneurship education. Our entrepreneurs and small-business owners form the foundation of the American economy. Entrepreneurs with inspired ideas benefit from the educational resources and information that help them convert those ideas into thriving businesses. Entrepreneurship education within the SBA provides resources such as growth assistance, financial literacy education, and basic information for aspiring entrepreneurs. We in Congress have a responsibility to ensure that Americans, young and old, with the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to succeed have access to lessons and resources that will help them succeed. This amendment will help our small businesses to prosper and, ultimately, create jobs. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to continue to ensure that the United States remains the best place in the world to start and grow a business.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which is included in this en bloc package. My amendment would protect the Office of the Special Envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism and ensure its continued operation. Anti-Semitism not only still exists today, but it is on the rise in many places around the world. Just last month, a motorist in France yelled, ``Kill the Jew,'' as he advanced with a knife toward a Jewish male who was wearing a Star of David necklace. Keeping this office intact, appointing a special envoy, and providing adequate staff is incredibly important as we continue to fight anti- Semitism around the world. I would like to thank my colleagues for including my amendment in the en bloc package, and I ask them all to join me in voting for it.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of this amendment. This amendment is significant not only to our oceans, but to our Great Lakes. The Great Lakes contain a fifth of the world's freshwater and are a magnificent natural wonder. They are critical to our economy and the quality of life in my district and in many States. The National Ocean Policy helps protect the integrity of the Great Lakes' ecosystem. However, this bill would undermine the National Ocean Policy and the ability of agencies to coordinate with States, local governments, and other agencies to protect these beautiful waters. If we are to sustain our national, ecological, and environmental health, and its natural beauty and precious resources, we must protect the National Ocean Policy. That is why I support this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support and as a proud cosponsor of this amendment. I do so in defense of one of our most magnificent natural resources: the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes contain a fifth of the world's and 95 percent of our Nation's surface water. The Lakes are an important asset to our economy and the quality of life of our Nation, and in my district in particular. The National Ocean Policy also helps protect the vitality of our Great Lakes ecosystem. However, section 505 of this bill will undermine our National Ocean Policy and the ability of agencies to coordinate with States, local governments, and other agencies to protect these beautiful waters. That is why I support striking section 505. We have a profound obligation to be responsible stewards of the environment and to pass on a clean, healthy, and dynamic environment for future generations. Mr. Chair, I support the Pingree amendment.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, communities throughout our country are suffering from an epidemic of gun violence. In far too many cases, stolen guns represent a growing source of the weapons used in these crimes. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, last year alone, nearly 18,000 firearms were reported stolen or lost just from Federal firearm licensees, or FFLs. That is Federally licensed dealers, manufacturers, and importers. Today I introduced the SECURE Firearms Storage Act to help address the stolen-gun problem by requiring all FFLs to securely store their inventory when not open for business. Additionally, this bill would require the Attorney General to review and put forth further commonsense security measures to reduce the risk of theft, and require new applicants to detail their security plans before a new license is issued. There are simply too many innocent lives being destroyed by these stolen guns. I invite my colleagues to join me on this bill to make commonsense improvements for gun safety.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this week, torrential rains caused record flooding in many parts of Illinois, and, in particular, in my district. I had the chance to visit some of the affected areas over the weekend, joined by my colleagues from Illinois, Mr. Hultgren and Mr. Roskam, as well as Senator Durbin, Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit, and Lake County Chair Aaron Lawlor. We spoke with residents and saw firsthand some of the many challenges these communities are facing. I rise today, however, to recognize the many unsung heroes who have stepped up to help their neighbors, and often helped total strangers, in the wake of this disaster. This includes our first responders, dedicated government workers, and volunteers, many coming from towns far away and unaffected by the floods. As the rains fell and then in the days after, these people worked tirelessly around the clock to lend a hand and try to hold off the rising waters. We are not out of the woods yet, and the people who serve our communities day in and day out in our local governments, our police and fire departments, and our emergency agencies are continuing to work with professionalism and quick coordination. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to use my time today to say ``thank you'' to these people working behind the scenes without due recognition. They represent the very best of our communities and our Nation and make us all very proud.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Washington for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice my support for my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Our men and women in uniform are not immune from the epidemic of opioid addiction, an abuse that is ravaging our country. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports opioid misuse are higher among servicemembers than among civilians, due to the use of these drugs to treat the symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain. Our brave servicemembers have earned our gratitude and deserve our highest quality of care. We need to do all we can to ensure our military doctors are equipped with the most up-to- date, best practices to help fight back against this disease. This amendment requires medical professionals in the Department of Defense that prescribe opioids for pain management to undertake 12 hours of training every 3 years in order to prevent overprescribing and better identify and treat abuse. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense amendment to ensure that our Active-Duty military get the medical care they truly deserve.