Lloyd Smucker

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 76. I do agree with my colleagues across the aisle that as Members of Congress it is our job to ensure accountability over how taxpayer dollars are spent, and that is a very important aspect of our job here. And when tax dollars flow to an institution of higher education that has not lived up to its promises made to students, then defrauded individuals do deserve a transparent process to seek relief and have their student loans discharged. Under Secretary DeVos' leadership, the U.S. Department of Education's new borrower defense rule replaces a flawed process with one that is fair for taxpayers and is fair for students. The new rule establishes a defined standard for borrower defense to repayment, clearing up years of confusion that has left students in financial hardship and schools exposed to increased risk of closure despite no intentional misrepresentation. The Trump administration's rule also strengthens opportunities for relief for students who were misled by a school by expanding the window of time that students have to discharge their loans. But most importantly, this process, which was developed over many months and with stakeholder engagement through every step of the way, strengthened accountability on all institutions of higher education by ensuring that each and every school is held to the same standard, not just the taxpaying for-profit institutions. Despite all of these commonsense measures, today's CRA seeks to move us backwards simply to undermine the Trump administration while preventing students from making educational choices that best meet their needs. H.J. Res. 76 will repeal the Trump administration's rule to reinstate the flawed, confusing standards that were implemented in 2016. That rule, the Obama-era borrower defense rule, ignored due process, lowered the standard of proof, and left taxpayers on the hook for forgiving student loans to the tune of $42 billion regardless of an individual claim's merit. The Trump administration's thorough methodology for borrower defense claims ensures any and every student will have a pathway to have their student loans discharged if they have been defrauded while protecting taxpayer dollars from massive loan forgiveness schemes. In fact, this new rule is estimated to save taxpayers $11 billion. It is critical that we leave this rule in place to protect students and taxpayers alike. I urge my colleagues to place commonsense policy above politics and oppose this misguided CRA that ultimately will harm all Americans.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I am in its current form.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit ensures that nothing in H.R. 1230 shall be construed to alter the status of a truck driver who is an independent contractor if the truck driver is currently considered to be an independent contractor under Federal law. Mr. Speaker, Democrats in Congress and in State legislatures across the country are currently working to enact an unnecessary, backward- looking, and confusing legal standard for determining employee status. Their standard would deprive millions of Americans of the opportunity to work independently and to start their own businesses. It seems like bad ideas like this often start off in California, and the Democrats' desire to all but eliminate independent contracting is no exception. A California law, known as Assembly Bill 5, is wreaking havoc on workers in industries ranging from freelance journalism to ride-sharing and many more. The result is heart-wrenching stories from workers whose livelihoods have been turned upside down because Democrats have pushed through a radical leftwing policy. Interestingly, California Democrats carved out some of their favorite friends, but truck drivers were not exempted, despite their opposition, despite their rally at the State Capitol, which included blaring their truck horns and all. Fortunately for truck drivers, a district court has recently issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the law against independent truck drivers in the State. But it doesn't end there. Democrats right here in Congress continue this assault on independent contractors. Mr. Speaker, 215 House Democrats have cosponsored the PRO Act, legislation that would take the text of California's anti-independent contractor law and make it Federal law, with no exemptions for truck drivers, or anyone else, for that matter. Let me say this again. The Democrats' legislation pending in the House, on which, by the way, the majority leader promised a vote by President's Day, would impose California's anti-independent contractor law on every business in America. Independent contracting today allows millions of American families the opportunity to live their own American Dream. I started my own career as an independent contractor operating my own drywall company at the age of 17. The flexibility this status offered allowed me to grow the business, building a team of hundreds of employees with family-sustaining jobs over the course of 25 years. Independent truck drivers specifically are able to invest in their own careers and work for themselves on their own schedules while powering the American economy across the country. Mr. Speaker, according to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, there are over 350,000 owner-operator independent truck drivers in the United States. Their average net income in 2018 was well over $50,000, more than their professional employee-driver counterparts. Last August, I participated in a ride with my constituent Randy Martin, who is owner-operator of Peachey Transport in Denver, Pennsylvania. Randy has grown a successful business hauling premier Lancaster County farm products. He has been driving trucks since 1984 and shared with me that this career has allowed him to provide for his family while becoming a successful entrepreneur. It has allowed him and his family to achieve their own American Dream. Randy isn't the only one. In 2017, a company collected stories from drivers on why they love trucking. One driver, Susan Couch, said: I never knew a trucking job would become a passion and how much this career would change my life. It has allowed me to be independent and support my son alone. It has given me strength I never knew I had. Tu Ngo told the San Francisco Chronicle that owning his own truck allows him to pursue the American Dream he was seeking when he fled Vietnam in 1982. Eduardo Rangel values the flexibility he has to attend his young son's soccer games. The stories are endless. Independent truck driving provides a steady, stable, rewarding, and prosperous livelihood for thousands of American workers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these American workers. I urge them to support this motion to recommit. A ``yes'' vote is a vote to support prosperity and to support free enterprise. Don't let hardworking Americans become victims of a misguided labor scheme cooked up by socialist Democrats in California and right here in the U.S. Congress. Rather, vote ``yes'' to allow workers all across the country to prosper and to live their own American Dream. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank a business and community leader from the congressional district that I represent. Elizabeth Silbaugh Johnides of Hanover tirelessly gives back to her community and is always looking for ways to lift up and empower women in business. Liz works professionally as a financial adviser and continues to work with her family business, a fixture of southern York County, The Markets at Hanover and Shrewsbury. Liz has worked to transform The Markets at Hanover into a space that welcomes events from nonprofits and community organizations. She also gives of her time, serving on the boards of a number of area nonprofit organizations, including Sweet Charities of Hanover, which has raised over $2 million to support community organizations. Liz was recently recognized as the recipient of the 2019 Community Leader Award by Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce for her many years of service to the Hanover community. Madam Speaker, I thank Liz for her tireless efforts to improve the Hanover community.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 9, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 10, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 11, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 12, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 13. personal explanation

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: How much is the trust of the American people worth? When the American people are dissatisfied with their government, the primary tool that the Constitution gives them to make a change is their vote. On November 8, 2016, Americans from every part of this Nation packed the polls to elect Donald J. Trump to be the President of the United States. The country wanted a disruptor, a fighter, a dealmaker, a President who would put America first. Sadly, on that very same day, Democrats had no plan or interest in honoring the vote of the American people. They were going to attempt, from day one, to delegitimize this President and, ultimately, remove him from office. Right after the President was sworn in, The Washington Post wrote: ``The campaign to impeach President Trump has begun.'' Even before he took office, a Politico article headline read: ``Could Trump Be Impeached Shortly After He Takes Office?'' House Democrats have been planning for this day since January 2017. It is clear that facts have never mattered to the House Democrats. They never planned to work with the President. Instead, they intended only to fulfill their divisive partisan agenda. Again, I ask, how much is the trust of the American people worth? Because after the vote today, for what you think is a short-term partisan gain, you can be sure that the American people will have lost their trust in our institution; they will have lost their trust in Congress; and most importantly, they will have lost trust that their vote counts.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, had I been present, (would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 660; NAY on Roll Call No. 661; NAY on Roll Call No. 662; YEA on Roll Call No. 663; NAY on Roll Call No. 664; YEA on Roll Call No. 665; YEA on Roll Call No. 666; and NAY on Roll Call No. 667.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize November as National Adoption Awareness Month. According to the Adoption Network, one out of every 25 families in the United States has an adopted child. That means adoption has directly touched the lives of one-third of the U.S. population. Yet, despite the widespread impact of adoption, many more children still need a loving home. The average child waits for an adoptive family for more than 3 years, and nearly 115,000 children are waiting to find their forever home. We can do better. Many barriers prevent these children from being placed in loving homes. They include the high and often unpredictable cost of adoption, and families and birth mothers simply not having enough information about the option of adoption. To reduce these barriers and help support increased adoption placement, I recently introduced the Improving Adoption Outcomes and Affordability Act. My legislation provides assistance to State or local governments, public and private adoption agencies, faith-based organizations, and eligible nonprofits for the purpose of improving adoption education, providing prebirth counseling assistance to birth mothers choosing adoption, and helping to cover mental health or substance abuse treatments to mothers struggling with addiction and other personal challenges during pregnancy. Not only will this increased education and counseling improve the outcome of the adoption for both birth mothers and adopting families, but it will also provide more pricing stability to the overall fees that families pay during an adoption. Adoptions often cost tens of thousands of dollars, which is a financial impediment to families making this life-affirming choice. Injecting more price predictability into the adoption system may be the help that families need when making the decision to adopt. Last Congress, bipartisan legislation that I introduced to reduce known barriers for foster placement was signed into law. This bill builds on that effort to improve adoption outcomes, and we all will remain committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and loving home. Recognizing Ann LeTort Elementary School

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker I rise today to congratulate the faculty, staff, and students of Ann LeTort Elementary School in the Penn Manor School District on being recognized as the 2019-2020 National Blue Ribbon School. Mr. Speaker, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program was founded nearly 40 years ago to recognize outstanding public and private schools, who are making a difference and exemplify excellence. LeTort Elementary was recognized as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School. I would like to thank Penn Manor superintendent Dr. Michael Leichliter, the Penn Manor School Board, and the leadership and teachers at Ann LeTort Elementary for working very hard for this achievement. We know how a quality education prepares students for success throughout the rest of their lives. Mr. Speaker, in their application for recognition, school principal Mrs. Carly McPherson notes that, ``it is evident how individuals throughout the community are vested in the education of every LeTort student.'' Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate that community for making a difference in the lives of their students and for being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 610, and YEA on Roll Call No. 611.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 579; Nay on Roll Call No. 580; YEA on Roll Call No. 581; YEA on Roll Call No. 582; NAY on Roll Call No. 583; and YEA on Roll Call No. 584.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give voice to my constituents on the destructive partisan and secret impeachment inquiry, which really is a slap in the face to the overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania's 11th District who voted for and continue to support President Trump. Judith from Ephrata writes: Congressman, my husband and I are furious about this constant push to impeach President Trump. We don't care how many Members of Congress don't like him. It is not their choice; it is ours. Rebecca from Lititz writes: I am alarmed at the political climate and attempts to impeach our President. The House has done nothing to solve the issues facing our country and continues to spend their time trying to stop the progress that our President has made. Jody from Windsor writes: Can you please tell Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats that the overwhelming majority of people I interact with in my daily life want them to stop these unfounded impeachment proceedings into President Trump and get back to work fixing the issues we elected Congress to fix? Madam Speaker, I share my constituents' anger and frustration toward the show trial. This process isn't honest or fair.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and thank an educator from my district who recently received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching from the National Science Foundation. Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth Brown of Brogue in southern York County was a chemistry, physics, and forensic science teacher at North Harford High School in Maryland. As a teacher, Beth started a Women in Science luncheon to support young women interested in careers in science. Beth currently has left teaching but is working to help other science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, teachers by writing Next Generation Science Standards curriculum. Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly thankful for the passion that Beth shared with her students, instilling in them an appetite for learning that they will carry for the rest of their lives. Congratulations to Ms. Brown on receiving the Presidential award. Mr. Speaker, I thank Elizabeth Brown for her hard work, and I thank all the teachers across southern York and Lancaster Counties who do great work educating our students every day.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former York City School District Superintendent Eric Holmes, who retired earlier this year after over thirty years of exceptional service with the district. Beginning as a high school social studies teacher, Dr. Holmes served in a number of leadership capacities for the York City School District, before being named the district's 14th superintendent on July 1, 2013. Dr. Holmes led the district to success during challenging times, including seeing the district through a state-mandated financial recovery plan. The district added a STEAM-science, technology, engineering, arts and math-academy through 10th grade and improved its benchmarks for student achievement. Following the announcement of his retirement, Dr. Holmes said during an interview that: ``It's a team effort, and that's the only way we would be able to accomplish our goals.'' We know that good teams have great leaders and that is true of Dr. Holmes and his leadership with the York City School District. I thank him for his many years of service improving the lives of countless students in York County.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the York County Economic Alliance for their work to promote opportunity zones in York County. Madam Speaker, we know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is working for the American people, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their paychecks. Businesses are expanding and creating jobs across York and Lancaster Counties, creating an economy with more opportunity for everyone. One of the strongest tools created by the TCJA is opportunity zones, a way to spur development and job creation in economically distressed communities. In fact, I look forward to hosting the Small Business Administration for an opportunity zone roundtable in the near future to share with our community the potential advantages of investments in their neighborhoods. The YCEA, led by President and CEO Kevin Schreiber and Silas Chamberlin, the Vice President of Economic and Community Development, has done an incredible job through its website, ``opportunityyork.org,'' sharing how opportunity zones can positively transform our communities. This is a great example of a local chamber helping businesses build and invest for the benefit of our shared community. Madam Speaker, York County is open for business with the help of the YCEA. I thank them for being a reliable and hardworking partner for York County's economic growth and prosperity.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. When I was a teenager, at 14 years old, one of my first jobs was serving as a dishwasher at Smoketown family restaurant. I had no previous work experience, but the owner took a chance on me. I certainly didn't receive a great wage, but it was a starting point, and the lessons that I learned in that job were lessons that I used during my entire career. I went on after high school to buy a small construction company, operated it for 25 years, creating family-sustaining jobs for hundreds of individuals. Today, my 16-year-old son serves food in a skilled nursing center after school at a wage of $9 an hour. He is very thrilled with that; again, learning the skills, the people skills, needed, learning to show up for work on time, learning to work hard. In fact, one of the best indicators of success in a career is whether or not you had a job during high school. This bill, unfortunately, would rob many of the opportunity to hold that first job. CBO specifically said 3.7 million jobs will be lost as a result of this bill. Our friends on the other side of the aisle are not talking about that aspect of the bill. There is no question here about the desire to see every individual that we represent have the opportunity to live the American Dream: the idea the previous speaker just said, the idea that you can work hard, play by the rules, and you can live your dream. The question is the prescription, and it is a fundamental choice. It is a choice of believing in our free enterprise system, believing in our economic system that has created more opportunity than ever before in the history of the world, or believing in more government control. Today, someone can apply at the construction company that I operated for many years----

Mr. SMUCKER. Today, someone can apply at that company and have no experience and start at $16 an hour. That wasn't a government prescription. That is the free enterprise system at work. I am very, very proud, as the result of the work that we have done over the last 2 years, the tax reform act, for the first time, we are seeing wages rise. Again, it is not as a result of a bill like this, which would have exactly the opposite effect on that ability to achieve upward mobility.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, I urge the Speaker and majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill so we can stand up and protect the sanctity of human life, and I would ask all others to join in that request.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 455. Amendment No. 34 Offered by Ms. Frankel

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, we recognize June as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. I rise today to honor Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District's local advocates with the Alzheimer's Association with the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. ``Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'' Madam Speaker, this quotation, often attributed to anthropologist Margaret Mead is befitting of the local group of advocates with the Alzheimer's Association that my staff and I have come to know during my time in office. Mary Read, Linda & Mary Reheard, Sharon Flory, Sandy Heisey, Joni Schenk, Frances Gibbons, Candy Yingling, John and LuAnn Goldfus--these are all dedicated individuals in the community who advocate effectively on behalf of nearly 50 million people across the globe and 5 million Americans who are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. I'm proud to be a member of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's, a co-sponsor of the legislation supported by the caucus, and was pleased to walk with them to raise awareness in our community and beyond. I thank them for their service on behalf of others and together with these individuals, one day soon, we will hopefully have a world without Alzheimer's Disease.

Mr. SMUCKER

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anthony Cicero IV and Dakota Snyder of Elizabethtown High School in Lancaster County for their remarkable achievement on winning the Student Angler Federation High School Fishing World Championship last month. Their partnership led them to victory over 389 high school teams from around the Nation. Mr. Speaker, these two young gentlemen are no strangers to the water. At their young age, they have been tournament fishing for years and practicing all year round. Dakota said: ``As long as there is no ice, I am out there fishing.'' It is a trait that runs in the family, as Anthony and Dakota's fathers fished together as a team as well. Mr. Speaker, we are blessed with beautiful and great natural resources in York and Lancaster Counties, which will be celebrated and protected through the passage of my legislation to create the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. I am very thankful that these two young men enjoy spending time in nature while using their talents. I wish them both continued success and congratulate them on their championship victory. Honoring Community Leaders Making an Impact Combating the Opioid Epidemic

Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and give thanks to community leaders who are making an impact on the communities I represent in combating the opioid epidemic. York and Lancaster County are leading the Nation in their community- wide, collaborative approach to help neighbors who are struggling with addiction. York County District Attorney David Sunday and coroner Pam Gay are leaders in our community. They have brought together community organizations in York County, creating an organization that is now known as the York Opioid Collaborative, assisting in coordination of services and raising awareness about the opioid crisis in our communities and across the Nation. Similarly, in Lancaster County, Alice Yoder, the director of community health with Penn Medicine, and Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons have led an organization called Joining Forces, another community-wide effort, this one in Lancaster County. Mr. Speaker, while Congress continues to address this critical issue, we are fortunate in Pennsylvania's 11th District to have public servants leading on the effort to address this horrific epidemic. I thank them and many others across our community who are working together to make a difference.