Lloyd Smucker

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The HBCU PARTNERS Act is a culmination of leadership from both Republican and Democrat administrations. This bill has been crafted with bipartisan, bicameral input and, more importantly, with input from HBCU groups themselves. HBCUs are a critical part of America's postsecondary education system. Today's legislation will renew our commitment to these institutions and empower HBCUs to continue providing countless men and women opportunities to pursue their dreams. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1153, the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act. I was proud to have introduced the companion bill to this, H.R. 2888, with Representative Stevens. We cointroduced this bill, and I want to thank the gentlewoman for her leadership on this bill and for her work on this important issue. This is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will crack down on third-party debt collection scammers who exploit vulnerable students. Over 40 million Americans today, Mr. Speaker, owe a collective $1.5 trillion in Federal student loan debt. Students are working hard to pay off their loans, but many are struggling to make ends meet. To that end, Congress offers borrowers an array of options to relieve the financial pressure of their debt. The Department of Education hires Federal student loan servicers to assist borrowers in repaying their loans by helping the borrower select the best option for their specific situation. These services are all provided at no cost to borrowers. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of malicious third-party debt collection companies that are seizing on students' vulnerability and engaging in predatory schemes by selling students on the notion that their company will reduce or make the student loan debt disappear. These are scammers who trick borrowers into paying an exorbitant fee for a service that is already available for free through the Federal student loan servicer. Even worse, the victims of the scheme usually become delinquent and enter default because their payments are no longer going to reduce their loan balance but are, instead, lining the pockets of these debt relief scammers. This bill and the House companion bill would help Federal and State officials take action against these scammers. Specifically, the bill clarifies that it is a Federal crime to access the Department of Education information technology systems for fraud, commercial advantage, or for private financial gain. The bill also penalizes scammers with a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment of up to a 5-year sentence, or some combination of both. These measures ensure that there are strong deterrents set in place to prevent widespread abuse from debt scammers. Our bill also improves student loan exit counseling by warning Federal loan borrowers about debt relief scams and informing them that these third-party companies charge money for services that are already provided to borrowers for free by the Department of Education. Creating awareness will significantly aid students' ability to spot a scam. Importantly, this legislation requires the Department of Education to maintain commonsense reporting, detection, and prevention activities to stop potential or known debt relief scams. Student loan borrowers face many obstacles in our generous yet complicated student loan system. Congress must see to it that the malicious actors who seek to con students and line their own pockets are stopped. Mr. Speaker, the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act is bipartisan legislation that holds third-party debt collection scammers accountable for their predatory schemes to line their pockets at the expense of hardworking families. At a time when Americans are feeling the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, this legislation is even more important and is a commonsense measure to prevent borrowers from falling victim to these scams. Today's legislation will help strengthen the tools Federal and State officials need to combat these bad actors while also educating student loan borrowers. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, since March, America's workers have faced unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Even before that, even before the pandemic when unemployment rates were at record lows, there was still a significant skills gap to close. We have a responsibility here in Congress to create real solutions for Americans, pathways and programs that will jump-start and enhance their careers and allow them to provide for themselves and for their families. Knowing all this, I am dismayed that we would squander such an opportunity as we have today to help Americans in need. We have a real opportunity with this bill. There is strong bipartisan support for apprenticeships in this body, and Republicans and Democrats both are claiming they want to increase the number of apprenticeships available in this country and expand apprenticeships into new industries. Unfortunately, this bill falls woefully short in both of these categories, but I have an amendment that would fix that. This amendment would fix that. This amendment makes necessary improvements to achieve the goals of modernization and reinvigoration of the national apprenticeship system, changes that will increase opportunities for workers and help bolster the Nation's economic recovery. Unlike the many hollow claims put forward by my colleagues about their proposal, this amendment expands the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the registered model rather than permanently limiting them by locking in the problems of a decade's-old system. My amendment provides program sponsors with the necessary resources and freedom to effectively instruct apprentices on the job. While the underlying legislation piles on requirements that obstruct first-time sponsors and small businesses from participating, this substitute makes room for them so that the registered apprenticeship program is ripe with opportunities for prospective apprentices from a variety of employers. This amendment allows for innovation beyond the traditional registered system, as well, to ensure that apprenticeship offerings will be able to grow and change as quickly as our employment market demands. Work-based learning is one of the most promising paths forward for workers seeking to find or enhance their careers. Such opportunities meet workers where they are, place them in dynamic learning environments, and develop their skills and competencies. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that would transform the registered apprenticeship program into a modern program generating opportunities for American workers without the red tape and roadblocks found in the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. And I agree. I wish we could have come here with a bill that we all can agree upon. Unfortunately, instead, I have to say I oppose the bill that we are discussing today. This is particularly important because, over the past few months, we see the impact that the pandemic has had on our workforce. All of us standing here today are fortunate to be in positions where we can learn to do our jobs differently. We can do them differently whether it is remotely, or we can implement new safety measures, or some combination of the two. But there are millions of Americans who don't get that opportunity to work remotely. Instead, they have lost their jobs. We all know that the workforce will not look the same once this public health emergency is over. So it is more imperative than ever that we take actions to help job-displaced individuals learn new skill sets to be competitive and to fit these new jobs that will be available. Expanding apprenticeships is one tool to help accomplish that goal. The bill before us today presented a real opportunity for Congress to make smart reforms to our apprenticeship system when it is needed most, but unfortunately, H.R. 8294 comes up short in achieving this. Now, I will say as well that throughout my past 2 years serving as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment, I have enjoyed working alongside Chairwoman Davis. As we looked at other models, we studied both U.S. models and international models of apprenticeship as well. We held hearings and received testimony from officials from countries like Switzerland, Australia, Germany, and Belgium. What struck us most was that each of those nations has apprenticeships in nearly every single industry, not just a few like we have here in the U.S. From banking to positions in the healthcare industry, these nations have managed to find a structure, a system that can respond to labor market demands while preparing the next generation with valuable skill sets. While we do agree in a bipartisan fashion that these are models that we could learn from as we reauthorize our own system, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have chosen to steamroll over proposals for flexibility and double down on a registered system that places much of the decisionmaking authority into the hands of labor unions. The majority leader was correct when he said just a little while ago on the floor that that is the fundamental difference of the two sides on this bill. This bill as written strips the Department of Labor's authority to pursue more flexible partnerships for work-based learning models. This legislation would prevent the Department from moving forward with the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs, or IRAPs.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, even though IRAPs are in the early stages, we are already seeing many new stakeholders getting involved. The program is showing tremendous promise, and we are finally starting to grow apprenticeship programs in industries that have never used them before. We believe in allowing businesses to make the decisions they believe are best for their employees to learn the skills that they need. That is the fundamental difference in the approach to apprenticeship. I will be offering an amendment that will allow the law to reach the full potential of apprenticeships to help fill in-demand jobs by addressing some of these issues.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to keep millions of employees on the payrolls of America's small businesses.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the faculty, staff, and students of Dallastown Elementary School in the Dallastown Area School District on being recognized as a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was founded nearly 40 years ago to recognize outstanding public and private schools that are making a difference and exemplify excellence. Dallastown Elementary was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School. I thank Dallastown Area Superintendent Dr. Joshua Doll, the school board, and the leadership and teachers at Dallastown Elementary for working so hard for this achievement. In their application, school principal Charles Patterson noted that one of the distinguishing characteristics he sees about Dallastown Elementary is that they have built a school family. The quality education these students receive prepares them for success throughout the rest of their lives. Congratulations, again, to Dallastown Elementary School for being named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a World War II veteran and hero from my district, Mr. Edward Carvell. Born in November 1926 in Caernarvon Township in eastern Lancaster County as the 10th of 16 children, Mr. Carvell served as a sergeant in the United States Army, serving in the 24th Division in both the Philippines and Japan. He was the second member of his family drafted into service. He followed the path of an older brother. I learned of Mr. Carvell's exemplary service when my office assisted with submitting his story to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. I am so thankful that we could be involved in making sure his experience serving in the United States Armed Forces and the stories of many other brave servicemen and -women are preserved. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, I am deeply appreciative of Mr. Carvell's sharing his story, and I am thankful for the service of so many uniformed men and women from Lancaster and Southern York Counties. I would encourage all of my colleagues to participate in the Veterans History Project so our brave veterans' experiences can be preserved and honored in the Library of Congress.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, a day that the farmers of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District have been looking forward to is finally here. Today marks the day the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, goes into effect. Over a year ago, I stood here in the Chamber and said one thing I can tell you about the farmers of the 11th District is that they adapt and hold on to hope that better times are yet to come. With the USMCA now in effect, better times are indeed on the way. I am very proud to represent Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. It is the number one district for agricultural production in Pennsylvania. The USMCA is a win for farmers, with a number of provisions included that will give the farmers in my district a level playing field and open new markets as well. These reforms were critical for the district, which, by the way, is the number two producer of eggs in the Nation and also a top dairy producer. So, again, I would like to thank the President and his administration for their willingness to listen to the farmers in my district and to ensure that USMCA is a win not only for farmers, but for manufacturers and employees in my district as well.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this partisan infrastructure bill. This House can work together and can accomplish things for the American people. It wasn't long ago that Members from both parties came together in the face of an unprecedented pandemic to pass the CARES Act. That act of bipartisanship saved thousands and thousands of jobs-- millions of jobs--and preserved the livelihoods of small business owners all across this country. Now, in the face of a new challenge, repairing our infrastructure, Democrats have chosen a different path. They have chosen to go it alone with a messaging bill that is not a serious effort to improve our roads, bridges, and railroads. I offered a number of amendments to improve the underlying bill, including some bipartisan proposals, which I offered with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. While I appreciate that one of those was adopted, the fact is this legislation was drafted with no consultation with Republicans. This bill will cost taxpayers an astounding $1.5 trillion, disproportionately favoring urban centers at the expense of rural America. But the real cost of this bill is the missed opportunity. What better time to address our infrastructure needs, when interest rates are as low as they are now and when we want to see the economy begin to boom again. Mr. Speaker, I remain committed to supporting legislation which would effectively invest in improving our transportation infrastructure in a way that would provide States additional flexibility to meet their unique needs without onerous mandates. Yet this bill doesn't do that. This bill kicks the can down the road rather than advancing those badly needed priorities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I start by wishing the ranking member of the committee a very happy birthday and a wonderful day. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1425. I do agree with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that we need to enact reforms that will make health insurance and access to care more affordable. I also agree that we need to protect individuals with preexisting conditions. But the approach under the legislation being debated today will not bring us closer to a better-functioning marketplace. It is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken system. To truly lower the costs of insurance and care, we need to address the underlying cost drivers of healthcare. Yet, the legislation before us today ignores what is driving prices higher. Instead, it broadens government subsidies to more individuals, including the wealthy, so that, on its face, the price of insurance looks cheaper. But don't be fooled by generous tax credits. These credits will be paid for by all taxpayers when they are passed along to hardworking families in the form of higher taxes. Madam Speaker, I would welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on real reforms that will increase choices for insurance and care options; that will cut through healthcare monopolies to increase competition in the marketplace; that will allow for more personalized plans that will better target taxpayer-funded subsidies to the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable, not high-earning individuals; and that would enable a system that fosters innovation in patient care, not stifle it through burdensome government mandate. Before I close, I want to touch on my colleagues' decision to include the same government-controlled drug-pricing scheme in this patchwork of stale proposals that was passed a few months ago. At a time when the world is fighting to emerge from a global pandemic, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle believe it is an appropriate time to raise taxes on lifesaving cures by 95 percent. We have already worked, in a bipartisan manner, on policy ideas that we all agree will help lower drug prices. Each of those policies was included in H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. Madam Speaker, I hope, one day, we can set the shenanigans aside and bring real reforms, like those included in H.R. 19, up for consideration.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to today's attempt to override the President's veto. I think all of us agree that it is important to offer borrowers a process to discharge loans when they have been defrauded by a school, and that is what the rule, crafted with significant stakeholder input, offers. That was the original intent of the borrower defense process when it was enacted in 1995. However, in 2016, as we have heard, the Obama administration used this process to advance an ideological loan forgiveness scheme, and it worked as they intended. We went from fewer than 60 claims over 20 years to nearly 330,000 claims in 4 years, which would cost the hardworking taxpayers, if you had to pay this price, $40 billion. And they will have to pay that price. Now, I don't need to go into reasons why that 2016 Obama rule was flawed. Instead, I will highlight some of the improvements made under the new rule. This rule strengthens protections for borrowers from fraud and applies the same accountability metrics to all institutions across the board. The rule provides due process for students and institutions but, rightfully, gives students the last word. The rule keeps the standard of evidence the same as the one used by the Obama administration, by the way, and thanks to stakeholder feedback, the rule does not require borrowers to prove intent. Another point, this new rule will only apply to new claims for loans taken out after July 1. I do want to thank Secretary DeVos and all of the hardworking individuals at the Department of Education for working through the caseload under the Obama standard. Your hard work of processing more than 5,000 cases per week for borrowers seeking relief has not gone unnoticed. A vote against this veto override is a vote in favor of creating a system that is fairer for students and taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for answers from Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Wolf and his administration, answers as to why his administration allowed COVID-19 to spread like wildfire in Pennsylvania's nursing homes, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and answers as to why he required these facilities to admit patients who tested positive for COVID-19 but couldn't be quarantined from healthy residents. Far too many Pennsylvania seniors have died, tragically, to date, 4,476 from COVID-19. Sixty-eight percent of all deaths in Pennsylvania have occurred in these facilities. It didn't need to be this way. Forty-five States took a far different approach. To make matters worse, at the same time as the Pennsylvania Department of Health was enforcing this order, the Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, had her mother removed from a personal care home and had her checked into a hotel. Now Governor Wolf and his administration are choosing to ignore my colleagues who are members of the House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. The committee sent a letter asking for answers to these questions. I ask the Governor to address this letter. It is important for the residents of Pennsylvania, who deserve an answer.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Mrs. Susie Schlomann of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, who suddenly passed away unexpectedly last week. Mr. Speaker, after Pennsylvania's Congressional District boundaries changed, I had the privilege to represent southern York County. I quickly came to know Susie. Susie was passionate and proud of her conservative, political beliefs, volunteering much of her time furthering the causes which she supported, and she was never shy to share her thoughts about what was happening here in Washington. Susie came to Shrewsbury from Long Island, where she raised her family, including her three children, Tristan, Ted, and Rebecca, and where, in 1978, she married the love of her life, her late husband, Rick. In addition to her three children, Susie is survived by five grandchildren, her brother Andrew, and her sister, Amanda. Mr. Speaker, we wish all those who are grieving, comfort. And we give thanks for having had the opportunity to know Susie, who filled so many people's lives with happiness.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank COBYS Family Services for their 40th Anniversary in service to our community. Originally founded as Church of the Brethren Youth Services (COBYS) by the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren in 1980 as a teen foster care program, their organization has grown to offer a number of services including: foster care, adoption, counseling and family life education services to children, adults and families throughout the region. Last year alone, COBYS assisted 300 families with adoption services, provided 6,000 hours of therapy to clients, and educated over 1,500 children, youth and adults in their Family Life workshops and programs. These programs fulfill their mission, which is: Motivated by Christian faith, COBYS Family Services educates, supports, and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential. The staff of COBYS Family Services have made and continue to make an incredible positive impact on the communities which I represent. I thank and congratulate them on their 40th Anniversary and look forward to seeing their great work continue in the next 40 years and beyond.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate, to honor, and to give thanks to Dr. William Griscom, the President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, who retired recently at the end of January. Dr. Griscom, across his 23 years at the helm of Thaddeus Stevens, transformed the institution into one of the most successful 2-year- degree granting institutions in the Nation, boasting an over 96 percent placement rate for its graduates. In fact, last year, there were 1,400 employers seeking to fill 4,000 jobs all looking to hire Thaddeus Stevens' 365 graduates. Dr. Griscom increased enrollment at the school from nearly 500 students when he started in 1996 to over 1,200 students enrolled today, completing capital projects worth tens of millions of dollars to increase the school's capacity, and led the school through accreditation with the Commission of Higher Education Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Mr. Speaker, the lives of thousands of individuals across south central Pennsylvania and across Lancaster County have been put on the path to success because of Dr. Griscom's leadership. It has been an honor to work with him over the past decade during my time in the State senate chairing the education committee, and now as a Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Bill Griscom for his years of committed and thoughtful leadership of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and wish him continued success and happiness in retirement.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 35; YEA on Roll Call No. 36; and YEA on Roll Call No. 37.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a true community leader, Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Aichele, of Lancaster, who passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday. Bob was a friend to everyone and would always greet you with a signature warm smile. He spent his life in service to others, in service to the Nation as a seaman first class in the United States Navy, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He also served his community, serving as the president of many boards and associations, and was a Manor Township supervisor for more than 25 years. When he was not serving the community he loved, Bob was with his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Anne, five children, 15 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Madam Speaker, my prayers and condolences are with his family, with those who grieve, and all those who had the opportunity to know Bob. I know I always appreciated his friendship and I will cherish the time that we had together. While we mourn the loss of Bob, we must also give thanks for the life that he lived and the time that we had to spend with him.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the PRO Act. Today's egregious legislation really is mislabeled. It is called the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, but it really should be renamed the Unfair to American Workers, or the UAW, Act. I strongly agree that our constitutionally guaranteed rights, like the freedom of association, should be protected, but this bill doesn't strengthen protections for all Americans. This bill upsets the balance between the right of employees to form a union and the right of individuals to refrain from joining a union. H.R. 2474 deliberately speeds up the union election process so that employees do not have the time to fully vet the pros and cons of joining a union. This bill also strips away critical privacy rights by forcing employers to hand over sensitive private employee information, such as where an employee lives, what work shifts they work, and more. Why do they want this information? So union leaders can stalk and harass employees until they agree to sign up. The PRO Act, in fact, leaves no corner of labor law untouched. This bill will disrupt the franchise model to eliminate a franchisee's ability to operate their business as their own, and it even decimates the sharing economy by codifying California's ABC test. What is worse, this bill repeals every right-to-work law in the Nation, forcing millions of Americans to contribute to a union that they don't need or that they don't want. I offered a commonsense amendment to this bill that would require unions to seek employee consent when using dues for political purposes, but my amendment was blocked by Democrats from being even debated on the House floor. My colleagues on the left will claim that economic inequality has resulted because of declining union membership, but we know this isn't true. The economic success that we are seeing today, particularly for minority groups who have historically faced the most inequality, is changing thanks to policies put in place by a Republican Congress and by President Trump. Wage growth is rising faster today for minorities and individuals most impacted by economic inequality than for any other group. Rather than innovating to become more attractive to employees so they want to join, unions are trying to change Federal law to stack the deck against hardworking Americans. Americans aren't rejecting union membership because current labor law acts as a barrier to forming one. They are declining to join because they are sick of seeing union leaders harass and coerce their colleagues; line their own pockets with dues, as we have seen exhibited in the recent racketeering acts committed by former UAW leaders; and use employee dues to support political platforms that don't align with an individual's views. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful power grab.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, last Friday marked the 47th Annual March for Life, and for the first time in history, the march was attended by a sitting President. Since 2017, the Trump administration has established more conscience protections than ever before, but there is still more work to accomplish. For example, the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, which simply requires healthcare professionals to provide medical care to babies born alive during an attempted abortion, has support from nearly 200 bipartisan cosponsors. Yet, despite numerous calls requesting to bring this legislation to the floor, my colleagues and I have been rejected time after time. It is a sad reality that we have to ask our Democratic colleagues to help us end infanticide, but it is a fight we will continue until innocent lives are protected. Fighting for life also means fighting for individuals who are victims of sexual abuse, rape, incest, and human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, that is why I introduced legislation to codify the new Title X abuse reporting rules, to ensure these victims are protected. I hope to see these commonsense ideas signed into law and the lives of the unborn protected.