Elise Stefanik

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 3894, Talia's law, which would require military and Department of Defense civilian personnel working on a military installation to report instances of child abuse and neglect to State Child Protective Services in addition to their designated Department of Defense point of contact. Our Nation is extremely proud of our military servicemembers and the sacrifices they endure to protect our national security. Members of our military's Active Duty Reserve component and the National Guard knit the blanket of freedom to keep us safe from those who wish to do us harm. Standing beside our Nation's brave servicemembers are the spouses and children who bear constant challenges and maintain resiliency throughout the continuous moves and the strain deployments incur on families. There are approximately 2 million children with one or both parents who serve in the U.S. military, and the support role these children fulfill is beyond significant and should be commended. Our Nation's military dependents face greater academic challenges and emotional stress due to relocation and attending multiple schools. It is difficult enough growing up and enduring adolescence without having to move every couple of years, face new surroundings, make new friends, and all the while having a mother or father serving our Nation in harm's way. Military children must rely on their loved ones, family, friends, and their parents to get through the struggles that only a military household can understand. However, it is when those individuals, those adults who these children trust the most, hurt them in any way. It is inexcusable. Our children are truly our Nation's future, and anyone who abuses or neglects a child is appalling and must be held accountable. That is why I stand here today in support of H.R. 3894, an imperative piece of legislation which would require a childcare provider located on a DOD installation to report any signs of child abuse or neglect directly to Child Protective Services and the provider's chain of command. Not only does this bill enforce the reporting procedure, but it also requires those individuals who work with children on an installation receive the necessary training to recognize child abuse as well as fully understand the reporting requirements. I applaud my Committee on Armed Services colleague and friend, Ms. Gabbard, for her leadership on this issue and encourage the rest of my House colleagues to support this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3036, the 9/11 Memorial Act. I thank my colleague, Mr. MacArthur, for his leadership on this incredibly important issue. Fifteen years ago on September 11th, every American will remember where he was when the horrifying news broke of these terrorist attacks. Mr. Speaker, as the youngest Member currently serving in Congress, I was in my high school English class when the horrible news was shared with my classmates from our teacher. I remember my schoolmates, crying, who couldn't get ahold of their older siblings, of their aunts and uncles, of their cousins who worked in the World Trade Center. On that horrifying day when terrorists attacked our Nation, we also saw true acts of heroism. As the workers of the World Trade Center were running out to escape, our first responders were running up the stairs to save their fellow Americans. Strangers helped fellow strangers escape the buildings. New Yorkers helped others walk miles home to get to their families. New Yorkers will never forget the horrifying attacks. This Nation will never forget these horrifying attacks. The 9/11 memorial is truly hallowed ground. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, from Lake George to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to the pristine waters of Lake Champlain and all of the beautiful mountains and maple trees that run between, my district is home to many ecological treasures. Many of these natural wonders have fallen under siege to invasive species that threaten the health and beauty of these natural habitats. Our environment is our lifeblood in upstate New York, and we must protect it from these predators so as to boost our economy and ensure we protect our environment for future generations. This Friday, I will be proud to join with stakeholders, who have been working tirelessly on this issue across my district and across New York State, at an Invasive Species Summit in Clayton, New York. Together, we will explore best practices and information sharing as well as to work on innovative new solutions to stop this epidemic. By working together at the Federal, State, and local levels, I know we can preserve our natural treasures for generations to come.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, last year my district was the home of a manhunt that captured the attention of the entire Nation. For almost a month, local, State, and Federal law enforcement agents and corrections officers made Franklin County, New York, their home as they searched for two killers who had escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility. Titus Mountain is a family ski area in the Adirondacks that became a part of law enforcement history as the main staging area for this intensive manhunt. I visited this past August and saw firsthand the facilities that were provided to these law enforcement agents by the Monette family. This weekend, Titus Mountain is hosting a special event for the brave men and women who were involved in the search for these killers. It is to say thank you for their help in protecting our community. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank these law enforcement agents and corrections officers who risked their safety to protect the families in our community and to thank Titus Mountain for hosting this event.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two giants of our Adirondack community. George Canon and Fred Monroe have led distinguished careers fighting to protect their constituents over the past quarter century. I had the honor of celebrating their public service at a meeting of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages just this past weekend, a critical organization to our region that they helped create. Fred Monroe has been the supervisor of the town of Chester since 1992, overseeing a cultural, commercial, and environmental revitalization of the town and being one of our foremost leaders on the issue of combating invasive species. George Canon has been serving the town of Newcomb as supervisor for 13 terms, working to preserve the town's history and architectural treasures, including the Santanoni Great Camp. Mr. Speaker, these two men are true godfathers of the Adirondacks, and it is my pleasure to honor them and celebrate their distinguished careers today.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, I inadvertently voted No instead of Aye on roll call vote 661, the Tonko Amendment Number 22 to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015. I would like to change my vote to reflect my intended Aye vote.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 I was inadvertently detained on roll call vote 656, the Manager's Amendment. I was on a very important phone call with my constituents. Had I been present to vote I would have voted `aye.'

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to lead the fight to repeal the medical device tax. This is a tax on revenue rather than profit. It leads to some of the highest corporate tax rates in the world and creates undue harm to an industry that not only creates jobs, but also improves our health and well-being. A company located in my district, NuMed, employs over 80 people and produces stents and other vascular equipment. The medical device tax prevents NuMed from increasing their budget on research and development by 15 percent. AngioDynamics, another company in my district, employs 950 people and creates more than 100 different medical devices, including the AngioVac System used to treat blood clots. Recently, one of their executives said, ``The $1 million that AngioDynamics pays in Federal excise taxes on medical device company revenues could instead be used to employ another 10 to 15 people.'' We must repeal this burdensome tax to help create jobs and improve patient outcomes.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 25th Anniversary of the SUNY Empire State College located at Fort Drum and the 30th Anniversary of the College's participation in the SUNY North Country Consortium on October 21, 2015. Since 1985, SUNY Empire State College has supported our nation's servicemembers, military spouses, dependents and our brave veterans. Soon after the 10th Mountain Division was reactivated at Fort Drum, SUNY partnered with other statewide and community organizations in order to serve those who protect our national security. SUNY College provides our specific North Country student population with access and support to high-quality public education. SUNY Empire State College accepts academic credit for military training recommended by the American Council on Education in order to help reduce costs and accelerate the amount of time it takes to complete a degree for these service members. According to Military Times magazine, SUNY Empire State College is listed among the ``Best for Vets: Colleges'' and ``Best for Vets: Business Schools''. Congratulations SUNY Empire State College on the 25th anniversary of your location at Fort Drum and for your 30 years of service to the veterans, soldiers, military spouses and dependents who serve and work in the North Country. I want to wish SUNY Empire State College continued success in educating this most deserving, nontraditional student population.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael McKinnon, the current Deputy to the Garrison Commander at Fort Drum, New York. Lieutenant Colonel Michael McKinnon has spent his life dedicated to serving and protecting our national security and freedoms, with a combined 37 years of public service. Lt. Col. McKinnon served his nation honorably and with distinction for 23 years of active duty service. After retirement from the U.S. Army, Lt. Col. McKinnon has continued to serve our nation as a civil servant for over 14 years. Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon's first introduction to Fort Drum was with the 2nd Brigade as the Logistics Officer. Lt. Col. McKinnon was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry as the Battalion Executive Officer and served with them in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. In 1995, after a stint in Kansas, Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon returned to the 10th Mountain Division where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy G-3 and Director of Logistics. As an army officer, Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon received the Legion of Merit, six Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, as well as the Expert Infantry, Ranger Tab and Parachutist and Air Assault badges. Following Lieutenant Colonel Mike McKinnon's retirement from the active army, he returned to the North Country and to Fort Drum where he has served our community proudly as the Deputy to the Garrison Commander. As a civil servant, Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon received the Superior Civilian Service Award and the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. It is apparent Mike has led the efforts for our servicemembers within the North Country and over the years has played an instrumental role in supporting soldiers, civilians, families, Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division. The recipient of multiple awards and decorations, Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon embodies all the qualities of a selfless hero, who has answered the call to serve. Lieutenant Colonel McKinnon, congratulations on your years of service to our great nation and your retirement. Your guidance and expertise will truly be missed at Fort Drum and by our North Country community.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. James Corriveau, the Public Works Director, Supervisory General Engineer at Fort Drum, New York. Mr. James Corriveau has dedicated 39 years of public service to our great nation with a combined Active Duty, Reserve Component and Federal Civil Service. Mr. Corriveau first joined the Army as an Engineer in 1974. He began working at Fort Drum in 1978 and has held multiple positions on post, all to betterment of the Army, the installation and our soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division. Mr. Corriveau served our nation proudly as an active duty Army Engineer Officer. Following his active duty and Army Reserve careers he continued his call to serve our brave North Country soldiers and their families as a true civil servant. Throughout his esteemed career at Fort Drum he wore many hats, including Civil Engineer, Chief of Operations and Maintenance, Chief of Business Operations, Deputy Director of Public Works, and the Residential Communities Initiative Program Manager. Mr. Corriveau played an integral role in the internal operations and base expansion at Fort Drum, an essential component for the livelihood for our servicemembers, their loved ones, and also the needs of our U.S. Military training and capabilities. Mr. James Corriveau is the recipient of numerous awards including the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, which is the highest award granted to Army civilian personnel and was most deserved by Mr. Corriveau for his selfless and resolute works. During his time in both military and civilian service, Mr. Corriveau has also been awarded the Special Act Award, the Commander's Award for Civilian Service, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Superior Civilian Service Award. On this day, I want to take a moment to thank Mr. James Corriveau for his years of service to our nation. James, congratulations on your retirement . . . you are a true patriot and the North Country community thanks you for making this your home. Your humble leadership and key knowledge will be missed by many.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize National Farm to School Month. The USDA Farm to School Program fosters lifelong learning and community building, while providing school children with fresh, healthy foods from local food producers. Just this year Watertown City School District and the Saranac Lake Central School District in the North Country were awarded grants for their Farm to School projects. These projects will encourage investment during the academic year on locally sourced foods, which will, in turn, support our North Country farmers. I trust their projects will be a success, like so many others across Upstate New York and the country. We need to empower our Nation's children and their families to make healthy food choices through education that not only introduces fresh produce, but also teaches children about the importance of our agricultural communities.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the reconciliation package. First, I want to thank Chairman Kline and Chairman Price for their instrumental work in putting this package together. Mr. Speaker, for the past 5 years, the President's healthcare law has led to higher costs, less access to doctors, and fewer choices. This is why it is so important to make commonsense fixes to this law. As I travel throughout New York's 21st District, constituents tell me they want Members of Congress to work together to ease the pain this law has created for so many North Country families and businesses. By moving employer-sponsored healthcare coverage away from a voluntary and flexible model, the President's healthcare law has created countless penalties and mandates, including one that requires certain employers to automatically enroll their full-time employees in healthcare coverage. This auto enrollment mandate creates confusion for my constituents, and, by triggering tax penalties, it actually creates duplicative costs for employees who might already have health insurance. For example, if veterans in my district who are eligible for TRICARE or if North Country college students stay on their parents' healthcare plans and then get jobs, they will be automatically enrolled in unnecessary and duplicative plans unless they know about this confusing provision and decline coverage within a set amount of time. It is redundant. It is unnecessary. It is not in line with the patient-centered healthcare system this country deserves. The reconciliation package, which is under consideration today, would eliminate this misguided mandate, and it does not take away an employee's ability to opt in and enroll in their employer's healthcare coverage. This provision accomplishes this by getting rid of the onerous and duplicative mandate known as auto enrollment. This commonsense fix will save Americans hard-earned money. It will protect workers from a one- size-fits-all healthcare system. It saves the Federal Government billions of dollars. I urge my colleagues to stand up for the American taxpayer and support this reconciliation package.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the workers at the Maple Ridge Wind Farm in my district. Many of their employees recently visited Washington, calling on Congress to pass policy that drives more clean energy solutions. Not only does the Maple Ridge Wind Farm supply the electricity needs for 96,000 homes in upstate New York, but since it became a part of the community in 2006, it has also provided $8 million a year in tax revenues to Lewis County. What has this meant for the community? Well, at Lowville Academy and Central School, they have been able to add 11 positions to the payroll, add 10 advanced placement classes and keep other important programs such as art and music, all thanks to the added tax revenue from the wind project. This has been a remarkable advantage for this school district and the surrounding community. I want to thank the 35 employees--all of whom are local to upstate New York--who keep the Maple Ridge Wind Farm operating. I urge my colleagues to support clean energy incentives, like the Production Tax Credit, which has not only helped the U.S. become the leader in wind energy, but at a local level, drives private investments that can have such a positive impact on our rural communities.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report to H.R. 1735, the fiscal year 2016 NDAA. I thank Chairman Thornberry for his leadership, guidance, and tireless efforts on this imperative piece of legislation. Just this past week, the major headline coming out of Afghanistan was the Taliban's seizure of the prominent town of Kunduz. This serves as yet another reminder to us all that this region of the world remains unstable and brings about challenges to our national security. The fiscal year 2016 NDAA provides our Nation's Armed Forces with the resources they need to defend our national security. Since September 11, the Army's 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, which I am honored to represent, has been the most actively forward deployed division to Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet sadly, just this past month, Specialist Kyle Gilbert, a soldier from the 10th Mountain Division, died in Afghanistan while serving our Nation. In New York's North Country, our community and our military families understand what fighting for our Nation's liberties and freedoms truly means. So when I express my support for the NDAA, the tools it provides and how it enables our Armed Forces to defend our Nation from organizations who create volatility and terrorism around the world, I am speaking for my constituents, those servicemen and -women who are overseas right now in highly kinetic combat zones fighting to protect you and me, our families, and our Nation. Colleagues, the fiscal year 2016 NDAA allows for our Armed Forces to plan and operate according to what we as a nation have asked of them. We must support the NDAA to maintain our readiness and provide for our military. As leaders here today, we know we cannot continue to task our troops with doing more with less as defense sequestration cuts remain. The conference report to FY 2016 NDAA provides relief from these harmful defense sequestration cuts, but more must be done. Let me remind my colleagues across the aisle sequestration was proposed by this administration, signed into law by this President, and passed by a previous Congress.

Ms. STEFANIK. When the NDAA comes before the President's desk, I hope he realizes a veto threat could threaten the safety of our Nation's servicemembers and our country's defense. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting and voting for the NDAA.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. First, I want to take a moment to thank Congressman Newhouse and my colleague from New York, Congressman Collins, for spearheading and organizing this Special Order. I also thank Congressman Fincher for all of his work and leadership on H.R. 597. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to express my support for the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank and of H.R. 597, of which I am a proud original cosponsor. H.R. 597 would reform and reauthorize this critical institution. For the last 80 years, the Export-Import Bank has helped facilitate exports on behalf of thousands of businesses and has created jobs in all 50 States. Failing to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank would create a stark disadvantage for our country's businesses and cause significant job loss. In fact, over 40 other nations have an export credit agency. If America's is not reauthorized, our Nation would be the only country in the top 20 economies in terms of GDP not to have one. As I travel throughout my district, I hear from manufacturers who are directly impacted by the Ex-Im Bank. For example, the Plattco Corporation out of Plattsburgh, New York, has been in operation since 1897 and specializes in valve engineering for a wide variety of industrial applications. Through innovation and expertise, this small business has become the industry standard, and their products are sold in over 50 countries around the world. Exports represent 40 percent of Plattco's sales, and over half of these are financed by the Export- Import Bank. In addition to financing the overseas sales, the Ex-Im Bank also provides due diligence by determining which customers are creditworthy enough to receive a loan. Plattco and their 70 employees do not have the infrastructure or the resources to do this on their own. Another example in my district is New York Air Brake in Watertown, which has been serving the rail industry since 1890. Among their many products, New York Air Brake develops train brakes and controls which are among the most reliable in the world today. New York Air Brake's largest customers utilize Ex-Im Bank. These customers use Ex-Im to finance their railcar sales and other manufactured products around the world. Failing to reauthorize Ex-Im Bank would lead to purchases from overseas instead of U.S. manufacturers here. If this were to occur, the loss isn't just felt by the company making the sale, but it is also felt by New York Air Brake and their 575 employees who supply railcar assemblers with exceptional products. New York Air Brake is truly vital to our economy and our local community, and as leaders in Congress, we must continue to support these types of companies that provide high-paying manufacturing jobs. On behalf of Plattco Corporation, New York Air Brake, their employees, and thousands of other small businesses that create jobs in New York's north country and across the U.S., I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, just this past Monday the Iraqi Government declared that it was beginning a major military operation to retake western Anbar province from ISIS. This area of operation, including major cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, is the same region which ISIS seized this past May. Following this announcement, American-led coalition airstrikes permeated Anbar province. I fervently support U.S. and coalition military targeted airstrikes which continue to attack the Islamic State within Syria and Iraq. Along with airstrikes, U.S. troops serve as a part of an advise and assist role in Iraq and continue to do so in Afghanistan. Since September 11, 2001, the Army's 10th Mountain Division has been the most actively deployed division to Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am honored to represent the 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry division comprised of competent, resilient, and skilled warriors. In New York's north country, we understand what fighting for our Nation's liberties and freedoms truly means; and come this winter, during the holidays, when we are at home with our loved ones, these brave soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division will be serving our Nation in highly kinetic combat zones. When I speak against ISIS, their barbaric tactics, and the instability they create around the world, I am speaking for my constituents, the brave servicemen and -women who are overseas right now, fighting to protect our national security. I speak for their loved ones, the military families who are back in the north country at Fort Drum, worrying about their safety, and looking forward to the day they arrive back home. This is why I am extremely frustrated when cuts to our defense budget continue. Sequestration is a real threat to our national security. Sequestration was proposed by this administration, signed into law by this President, and passed by a previous Congress. As ISIS remains a major source of terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East, here, in Congress, we must discuss real solutions related to stabilizing the region, continued threats to our own national security, the readiness for our Armed Forces, and the tools they need to keep our country safe. The National Defense Authorization Act provides our Nation's Armed Forces with the resources they need to defend our national security against ISIS, and soon, this imperative piece of legislation will be on its way to the President for his signature. A veto could threaten the safety of our Nation's servicemembers and our country's defense. Our national security is gravely at risk, as long as ISIS remains intact and our troops are tasked with doing more with less. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our Armed Forces in fighting against defense sequestration, and I implore this President to sign the National Defense Authorization Act.

Ms. STEFANIK. Absolutely.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, as Americans across the country know, my district was the unfortunate home of a recent manhunt that captured the attention of our country. For more than 3 weeks, two killers remained at large in our north country community after escaping from Clinton Correctional Facility. During this time period, hundreds and hundreds of brave law enforcement officers worked diligently to find these escaped convicts and protect our community. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank these brave law enforcement officers who risked their safety to protect the families in our neighborhoods, and I rise to thank our local communities for their patience and support during this difficult time. Going forward, we must find answers as to how this prison break occurred and do what is needed to stop this from ever happening again. But, for now, our north country community can sleep safer, knowing these two killers are no longer at large.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and of the underlying bill. We have a chance today to help put our K-12 education system back on track, helping students all across this country. Over the past 6 months, I have traveled in my district to listen to the concerns of teachers, administrators, parents, and students. One of the most common themes I hear is that there is too much confusion coming from Washington and that those who know what is best--our educators and parents--are not getting a say in our children's futures. Local school districts understand the unique needs of their students far better than any bureaucrat in Washington ever will. From No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and waivers, the Department of Education has sent so many mixed signals that it is impossible for teachers and administrators to focus on what is needed most, flexibility to help students learn and succeed. This is why I am a strong supporter of H.R. 5. I commend Chairman John Kline and Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita for putting forward legislation that ensures that students and schools are put first. Accountability will now be placed where it should have been all along, with States and local school districts. Labeling half of all schools in the United States as failing has caused the Department of Education to become far too overreaching in defining accountability as they continue to shift the metrics on what is considered satisfactory. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5 empowers parents and students by giving them access to information about local schools in order to hold them accountable. In addition, this bill eliminates 65 duplicative and underperforming programs and consolidates the money into a new grant program for local school districts. This money can be spent by districts to meet their unique needs. Funding for title I remains robust in the bill, and students and parents retain the ability to make the best educational decisions for them by providing access to charter schools and magnet schools. Particularly important for my constituents in New York is language in H.R. 5 that prevents the Secretary of Education from forcing States to implement Common Core. I urge all Members to vote ``aye'' on the rule and to support the underlying bill.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act introduced by Mr. Paulsen, and in March I was proud to lead a bipartisan letter by 43 freshman lawmakers to Speaker Boehner calling for a vote to repeal the medical device tax. According to a 2014 industry survey, the tax resulted in employment reductions of 14,000 industry workers in 2013 and years prior to implementation of this tax, with approximately an additional 4,500 jobs lost in 2014. Furthermore, if we don't repeal this tax, the industry will forgo hiring of nearly 20,500 employees over the next 5 years. Mr. Speaker, this important bipartisan legislation will repeal the Affordable Care Act's medical device tax that is limiting access to health care devices that North Country families need and undermining the medical device industry that is so important to our local economy. Repealing the medical device tax will help our small businesses create jobs for North Country families and protect employees who are currently at risk from this job-killing tax. This an extremely important issue for my district, especially in Warren County, home of what is called ``catheter valley'' because of the numerous catheter manufacturers. I commend the House for bringing this important legislation to the floor, and I urge all Members to support this measure.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment to prohibit funding for any transfer of Apaches from the National Guard to the Active Army. In committee, Chairman Wilson and I worked very closely to authorize a congressional review no less than 60 days following the Commission's report release. And on the House floor, as an amendment to the NDAA, Mr. Palazzo and I thoroughly examined and determined a fixed transfer date of Apaches no later than June 30. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is being used as a backdoor scheme and a delay tactic. This ploy places devastating impacts and potential deactivation of the Army's Combat Aviation Brigades in States like New York, Kansas, Hawaii, Arizona, and overall Black Hawk modernization in California. As the Representative of Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, any delay would cause this high operational tempo unit to be left without an Aviation Brigade. Let me be abundantly clear. Any Apache delay will have grave consequences on our Army's readiness, deployment schedule, and our soldiers' dwell time. A delay would severely limit the Army's ability to meet expected operational requirements and place an even greater burden on our Nation's brave servicemembers. So, Mr. Chairman, where I think some may be confused I want to clarify. In exchange for Apaches, the National Guard is set to receive fully modernized Black Hawks, which are essential to lift-and-rescue operations and remain critical to a State's emergency response. Derailing, delaying, or limiting Apache transfers would, therefore, halt this Black Hawk modernization. This is merely a ploy to prevent our soldiers from receiving the equipment they need to protect American lives overseas, and it is unconscionable. I am appalled that this is even being discussed and will continue to fight for an ontime transfer of the Apaches from the National Guard to the Active Army.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, while I will support this en bloc package, I stand in opposition to the provision to delay the transfer of Apaches from the National Guard to the Active Army. In committee, Chairman Wilson of South Carolina and I worked very closely to authorize a congressional review, no less than 60 days, following the Commission's report release. The gentleman from Mississippi's (Mr. Palazzo) provision would scratch this and limit our review time. More importantly, this amendment would have devastating impacts on the Army's combat aviation brigades and on States like New York, Kansas, Hawaii, Arizona, and California. As the Representative of Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, any delay would cause this high operational tempo unit to be left without an aviation brigade. Let me be clear. Any Apache delay will have grave consequences on Army's readiness, deployment schedule, and dwell time. And to clarify, in exchange for the Apaches, the National Guard is set to receive fully modernized Blackhawks. However, derailing, delaying, or limiting Apache transfers would halt Blackhawk modernization and would, consequently, inhibit lift and rescue operations, which are critical to a State's emergency response. Mr. Chairman, while I will not vote against this package, I will continue to fight for an on-time transfer of the Apaches from the National Guard to the Army.