Bryan Steil

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the resolution (H. Res. 197) providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 194, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 67, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from the great State of Illinois for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I support the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access Program Inclusion Act, which makes a simple technical fix. It would now include, as noted, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the American Indian consortium as eligible recipients of funding that would help improve voting access for people with disabilities. Originally, this bill was to be paired with the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access Act on the suspension calendar, and I must note that I am pretty disappointed we are not also moving forward with the Congressional Observer Access Act. I introduced this bill with the support of Ranking Member Davis in July, and I believe that it is a missed opportunity to increase Americans' public trust in our elections. The Congressional Observer Access Act would simply have clarified that designated congressional election observers--that is, individuals who have been designated in writing by Congress--would have the access they need to observe the administration of Federal elections. This is not a partisan bill. In fact, Congress already has this authorization under the Constitution. This straightforward bill would have provided clarity, which our State and local election officials requested in order to provide observer access more readily. I am disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle walked away from doing these bills on suspension, and I encourage them to work with Ranking Member Davis and myself to get this passed as soon as possible. We must work together to take commonsense steps that promote election integrity.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I simply close by urging my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the Chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for bringing the bill to the floor today. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2710, the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act. This bill that I authored represents an important step forward for oversight of the Treasury Department's sanctions program. Under current law, Treasury may issue licenses through its Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorizing U.S. financial institutions to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited. These licenses typically allow for the facilitation of trade in humanitarian and agricultural goods such as medicines and food. H.R. 2710 requires the administration to inform Congress that certain financial services-related licenses have been improved when they involve state sponsors of terrorism or others sanctioned for human rights abuses. While OFAC may have good reasons to issue a license, it is essential for Congress to be aware of bad actors' access to our financial system. Though some OFAC licenses are made public, others are not disclosed or even their existence may be unknown to Congress. By requiring a semiannual report on these licenses, my bill would make the disclosure of OFAC's actions more consistent with congressional notification procedures for other sanctions waivers. Without this knowledge, Congress is limited in its ability to oversee the implementation of sanctions. I am pleased to note that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have long supported this oversight, and they have provided helpful input as we have developed this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by noting that our majority support for this measure is reflective of a strong spirit of bipartisanship on the Committee on Financial Services when it comes to safeguarding our national security. While we may not agree on everything, our Members have been extremely productive in advancing our national security interests while maintaining a vibrant financial system. It is important to have a government that is accountable, and this bill brings needed accountability to our sanctions enforcement efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2710, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 6889, the Credit Union Board Modernization Act. I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Vargas) for introducing this legislation, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gonzalez) for cosponsoring. The commonsense bill will modernize credit union practices while ensuring the safety and soundness of Federal credit unions. H.R. 6889 would amend the Federal Credit Union Act to revise the frequency of meetings that a Federal credit union's board of directors is required to hold. Specifically, the bill requires monthly meetings for de novo Federal credit unions during the first 5 years of existence. Highly rated credit unions, 1 or 2 CAMELS rating, with high management ratings, must hold at least six meetings annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter. Lower rated credit unions, 3, 4 or 5 CAMELS, must continue meeting once a month. This is a change from current law, which requires all Federal credit union boards to meet at least once a month. This meeting requirement can be burdensome for credit union staff and their volunteer board members. This is especially true for smaller credit unions and for those with few employees or those located in rural areas. The resources needed to run monthly board meetings shift valuable employee and board member time and focus away from services that credit unions provide to their consumers. Commonsense, regulatory right-sizing bills like this one help American families by reducing costs and the challenges associated with accessing financial services. H.R. 6889 is a strong, bipartisan bill that protects the safety and soundness of credit unions. It also illustrates how Members can come together to create nonpartisan legislation, modernizing outdated practices and policies. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle to meaningfully support our community financial institutions. Mr. Speaker, I reiterate to my colleagues that H.R. 6889 is commonsense legislation that will modernize credit unions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, pursue legislation that respects the Constitution and Federalism, such as legislation like the American Confidence in Elections Act that Ranking Member Davis introduced back in July to enhance the integrity in our elections. We heard earlier the majority leader mention that there is ambiguity in our election system and that is what this is about. If that is what this is about--if we are actually trying to remove the ambiguity in our election system, which is a very worthy cause, why not have a hearing on this bill? I haven't yet heard one person from the majority's side explain why this bill is being rushed to the floor 51 hours after the text was introduced without using the consideration of the Senate bill as the basis of this legislative text. I think that question needs to be answered today. We need to actually dive into what this bill does to actually allow the American people to have confidence in our election system. I remain disappointed the House did not take the thoughtful approach that the Senate takes, and I urge my colleagues to vote against the bill.

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding. Madam Speaker, when I saw that there was going to be a bill rushed to the House floor with 5 days remaining in a legislative calendar without a committee hearing, I thought maybe the Democratic majority would be rushing to the floor a bill to address inflation that is clobbering the American people. No. I thought maybe they would be rushing to the floor a bill to address the crime crisis that is plaguing cities across the United States. But no. I thought maybe there would be a bill rushed to the House floor without a committee hearing 51 hours after the text was introduced to address the crisis taking place at our border and the millions of immigrants coming into the United States illegally and the fentanyl that is coming across our U.S.-Mexico border and killing thousands of Americans. But no. So what is so important that a bill needs to be rushed to the House floor without any committee hearing to review and analyze the bill? And it is the Presidential Election Reform Act. As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Elections of the House Administration Committee, I have to admit I am disappointed we didn't have the opportunity to thoughtfully review the legislation before us. In fact, we haven't had a hearing in the Subcommittee on Elections since July. So I think now is our moment, unfortunately, with only 30 minutes on the minority's side, to actually dive in and analyze the legislation before us. With any important piece of legislation, in particular, one like this that impacts our national elections and the elections of our President, the first question I ask myself is: Will the bill before us boost people's confidence in our election process? The bill fails the test. I would highlight, in particular, section 4 of this bill that gives candidates a loophole to define what a catastrophic event is, which might include a natural disaster or national health emergency like COVID. Why is this so important? The candidate for President could--up to a full day following the election--request an extension for the election by up to 5 days if they feel there is a ``catastrophic event'' that was sufficient to prevent a substantial portion of a State's electorate from casting a ballot on election day. The bill doesn't properly define catastrophic event. Often in this body, we take the time in committee in regular order to understand what the terms of the bill mean, to give an opportunity to improve the text to provide certainty and clarity to the American people going forward. We are let down by the fact that we are not following regular process in this case. Instead of continuing to undermine faith in the elections process, we should instead pursue commonsense legislation that supports election integrity and respects the Constitution.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so we can immediately consider H.R. 8589. We heard earlier our friends across the aisle say that understand this rule, which they could pretty much bring up any bill they so desire, they are going to address inflation. Well, count me excited that my colleagues across the aisle are finally ready to address inflation; inflation brought upon all Americans by the reckless policies of Democratic one-party control; reckless policies of--starting--this administration by spending $1.9 trillion; reckless policies by refusing to unleash American energy. And Americans are paying the price for the reckless policies of Democrats here in Washington. It is early in the morning. People are making their way here, up to the House floor, following a great victory by my Republicans in the Congressional baseball game last night--10-0, I may note. But what is really playing out across America right now is people can't afford the things that their family needs. I was speaking to a woman the other day in south Milwaukee at a gas station, and I asked her how much it costs her to now fill up her car with gas. And she looked at me and she said, Bryan, I don't know because I have 40 bucks, and 40 bucks doesn't fill up my tank with gas. I spoke to another woman who said, Bryan, I can't take my daughter out to dinner on Friday night for pizza because I can't afford it because costs keep going up. Americans are suffering from runaway inflation from the reckless policies from one-party Democratic control. We have an open rule. The Democrats could bring up any bill today. They could bring up any bill. Americans are getting clobbered, clobbered with runaway inflation; energy costs going through the roof. This woman in South Milwaukee can't afford to fill up her car with gas. And what will we see in the bills brought up today? They will intend to distract, to change the subject. They want to talk about bills that already passed the House. They want to talk about bills that have nothing to do with inflation because they don't care about the woman in South Milwaukee who can't afford to fill up her car with gas. They don't care about the woman who can't afford to take her kids out to pizza on Friday nights. And count me as darn surprised if we see legislation brought by the Democratic majority today that addresses the inflation crisis; that addresses the energy crisis.

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, they are going to send everybody in this institution home for more than a month with runaway inflation; interest rates going up so people can't afford to buy a house; an energy policy that refuses to unleash American energy so that this woman in South Milwaukee can't afford to fill up her car. Republicans have answers to the challenges of the day. And I thank my colleague from Arkansas for his thoughtful bill that would be brought up if we defeat this previous question; that would actually put a check on the runaway bureaucratic process that we see. This one attacks the runaway process at the Securities and Exchange Commission, that should properly be named securities and environmental commission. And my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Madam Speaker, really like renaming things, so I suggest, while we redefine recession, we throw in redefining the SEC today. People are getting clobbered. The bill by my colleague from Arkansas is a pretty thoughtful approach. It says, hey, instead of all this additional regulation, these costs that get passed on to consumers at the end of the day, maybe what we do is we focus on getting some economic growth back; bringing inflation down. And so count me as excited if, under this rule--and again, the Democrats could bring any bill to the floor on the last day. Is that bill going to be something that substantively and meaningfully addresses inflation, addresses energy costs? Or are they going to bring up another topic to distract the American people from the crisis that is playing out across our country? Count me as shocked if we see a bill that addresses inflation today.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 10-year anniversary of the horrific attack at the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara on August 5, 2012. I rise to honor the memory of those we lost in that attack. On August 5, 2012, a shooting took place at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, killing seven worshippers. I also rise to honor Lieutenant Brian Murphy, who responded to the scene and was shot at 15 times at close range. This senseless act of violence should have never occurred and, in particular, in a house of worship. Nonetheless, the Oak Creek community came together. The Sikh community responded with compassion and stayed true to the Sikh principle of Chardi Kala, translating to relentless optimism. I join the Oak Creek community to remember and honor the victims of this tragedy. Impact of Rising Prices

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I will discuss an issue impacting veterans in my district. I am continuing to hear stories from families in Wisconsin about the quality of care at the State-run Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in May that the State-run veterans home ranks among one of the worst State-run veterans homes in the entire country. This is unacceptable. The substandard care veterans have suffered at the Union Grove facility is abhorrent and must be addressed immediately. Two months ago, I asked for a Federal review of the State-run facility. Our veterans and their families should be receiving the highest-quality care at any facility in Wisconsin. The quality of care at that facility has long been a concern of mine. It is abundantly clear that the veterans home at Union Grove has much larger issues than many imagined. We need to ensure our veterans are receiving the care they deserve. I continue to call on the Department of Veterans Affairs and CMS to provide a Federal review of the Union Grove Veterans Home.

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 shutdowns exacerbated a worsening crisis in our country. What I am talking about is our children's mental health. I recently sent a letter to the CDC regarding our youth's mental health. The CDC has not released data on suicide rates among children. Why? The data on suicide rates in children is an important tool needed to strengthen our mental health infrastructure across our country. As we approach the coming school year, this critical data will help us make informed decisions to support our children and improve their mental health. I urge the CDC to release this important data regarding our children's mental health. Quality Healthcare for Veterans

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, illicit fentanyl is devastating our communities. In Racine County last year, 68 people died from an illicit fentanyl overdose. In Kenosha County, 48 people died of an illicit fentanyl overdose death. Illicit fentanyl is the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18 to 45. We must keep working to keep these drugs off our streets. I am pleased to announce two of my amendments passed the House last week. The first amendment will support funding to combat fentanyl from entering the country and strengthening border security. The second amendment will support funding for high intensity drug trafficking areas. This will be used to combat the increase in overdose deaths from fentanyl and related substances. These amendments are an important step in keeping these dangerous substances off our streets. In order to stop the illicit fentanyl flow, we need to secure the border, fund law enforcement, and make fentanyl-related substances a permanent schedule I drug. I encourage Congress to take the steps necessary to protect our communities from this illicit substance. Children's Mental Health

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, every day I am home in Wisconsin, I hear about the impact of rising prices and the impact that they are having on families' budgets. Wisconsin's families and seniors have continued to share their concerns with me about rising costs. A 79-year-old woman in Janesville, Wisconsin, told me: Bryan, I drive less and am more careful about what I buy in the grocery store because I am on a fixed income. A woman in Oak Creek said: Bryan, I am on a fixed income and with the increased cost of medication, groceries, and gas, it is difficult to stretch money until the next month's payment. A 68-year-old woman from Kenosha, Wisconsin, said: Bryan, I am delaying my retirement. Food costs and energy costs are out of control. Madam Speaker, we need to change course. It is time we unleash American energy, get spending under control, and address the issues American families are facing every day. Protect Our Communities from Illicit Fentanyl

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, we are here at a point in time when prices are out of control. The American people are getting punched in the face by higher prices every day. Gas is over $5 a gallon. The American people are paying hundreds of dollars more per month because prices are out of control. The Federal Reserve has a mandate to maintain price stability. The Federal Reserve is failing in that mandate. My colleagues across the aisle--the outgoing majority--continue to try to add another mandate to the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve is failing on step one--price stability. Let's address price stability so people aren't getting clobbered every day by higher prices; so people aren't getting clobbered when they go to fill up their car with gas; clobbered when they go to the gas station; clobbered when they go to the grocery store to get groceries. The outgoing majority wants to add another mandate to the Federal Reserve at a period of time when the Federal Reserve is failing in their current mandate. Nothing could be more illogical. We need to get prices under control. We can do that by unleashing American energy and we can do that by controlling wasteful spending in Washington, D.C. This bill is misplaced. This bill moves us in another direction. Instead, we should be focusing on actually controlling costs.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to thank and honor the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. On April 11, UW-Parkside hosted the Select Committee on the Economy for a hearing on education pathways to opportunity. I am grateful to UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford and the students and faculty who made this hearing possible. It was truly an honor to host my Congressional colleagues in Southeast Wisconsin to discuss policies that help workers enter, re- enter and remain in the workforce. As we in Wisconsin all know, UW- Parkside, along with our other state and private trade schools, offer unlimited opportunities. UW-Parkside has worked with community stakeholders, including local businesses, to create innovative professional programs. These programs enable folks in our community to develop new skills and enter the careers of the future. I am grateful to my colleagues, Chairman Himes and Congresswoman Moore, for joining me to learn and visit UW-Parkside to learn about the opportunities this university has to offer our community. Again, I thank UW-Parkside for their role in our very informative hearing.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Carthage College men's volleyball team. On April 23, the Carthage Firebirds won the NCAA Division III National Championship. The Firebirds played in a tough 16-team tournament to reach the top. They dominated their competition, beating Mount Union College, Dominican University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology all without losing a single set. In the final, Carthage faced #1 ranked Springfield College and won, 3 sets to 1. The Firebirds succeeded in the regular season and the tournament. They earned a well-deserved championship--a remarkable accomplishment in its own right--but this is Carthage's second championship in as many years. The Firebirds defended their title and beat the top-ranked team in the country to do it. They played the championship at their home arena, where Carthage students and fans helped cheer the Firebirds to victory. Congratulations to Coach JW Kieckhefer, the Firebirds team, and the entire Carthage College community on this achievement. Best of luck to the Firebirds' men's volleyball team on their future endeavors.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the men and women of the Salem Lakes Fire Department. As war has ravaged Ukraine, the firefighters in Salem Lakes, Wisconsin, took action. Led by volunteer firefighter Art Stypula, the Salem Lakes Fire Department organized a massive equipment drive. The effort involved fire departments throughout southeast Wisconsin and even the Chicago area. Turnout gear and other locally collected lifesaving equipment was shipped to Poland to help Ukrainian firefighters do their job and keep people safe. I am extremely proud of the Salem Lakes Fire Department and the firefighters for organizing desperately needed aid to the Ukrainian people. I know that Wisconsinites and Americans across our country will join me in thanking them for their efforts. They came up with a creative way to help Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Ukraine's firefighters and its people will be given important resources because of their charity and their compassion. Thank you again to the men and women of the Salem Lakes Fire Department for their lifesaving work each and every day.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Danielle Bishop, a Burlington, Wisconsin, native serving our nation in the United States Army. Danielle enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from Burlington High School in 2001. Since joining the Armed Forces, she has served our nation proudly for over 20 years. Danielle began her career of service as a military police officer, protecting her fellow soldiers. She joined the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division in 2007, where she furthered her experience and expertise in both law enforcement and military service. When Danielle first joined the Army, she was unsure where her career path would lead. But she found something she excelled at, where she could serve and protect the country while doing the same for her fellow soldiers. Danielle has devoted her life to service for over two decades. Now, she will assume responsibility as the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division. This is a tremendous honor, and one which demonstrates Danielle's accomplishments and dedication. On, March 25, 2022, Danielle will be honored at Quantico for her outstanding achievements and commitment to service. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I want to thank Danielle for her leadership and service to our nation. We are safer because of Danielle's service.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, 64,000 Americans died from fentanyl and its analogs in a recent 12-month period. It is the leading cause of death in the United States for individuals aged 18 to 45. Fentanyl has killed more people aged 18 to 45 than car accidents, than suicide, than COVID. Again, it killed 64,000 Americans in a 12-month period. I recently spoke to two parents who lost a child to fentanyl. Congress must act. What is fentanyl? Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are synthetic opioids that have a real risk of abuse and dependence. It is an unusually dangerous and an unusually deadly drug, and many of the victims are not even aware they are taking it. Where are the drugs coming from? This drug is often manufactured in high quantities in China and is pouring across our southern border. And it is getting worse. Last year, fentanyl seizures across our southern border increased by over 1,000 percent. Border agents captured 588 pounds of this drug. To conceptualize that, that is enough to kill 133 million Americans. I have been to the southern border, and I have spoken firsthand to the men and women of Border Protection about the increased drugs coming across our southern border. We must secure our border. We cannot stand by and watch as Americans are killed by fentanyl and its analogs. We should continue to be focused on limiting the flow of fentanyl coming into our country. We should be raising awareness of the lethal effects of fentanyl. We should be helping local law enforcement and our first responders work to address this crisis. In 11 days, fentanyl analogs and related substances will no longer be a schedule I drug. The fentanyl analogs schedule I status expires on February 18, in 11 days. Congress previously kicked the can down the road and temporarily extended fentanyl analogs as a schedule I drug last May, but that expires in 11 days. If fentanyl analogs are not extended or made permanent soon, law enforcement officers will have a hand tied behind their back from stopping fentanyl from killing Americans. Yet Speaker Pelosi continues to refuse to bring the HALT Act, critical legislation, to this floor to make scheduling permanent. We need to make scheduling fentanyl analogs permanent. I call upon my fellow Members of Congress to help us end the fentanyl crisis.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, it may be a new year, but the Democrats are up to the same tricks, providing text of this legislation last night for a vote in the morning. They want to gut key voter integrity provisions, and they want to bust the Senate's filibuster in the process to do it. But I think it is important the American people understand some of the key and most egregious provisions in this bill. Let me just highlight the top four. This bill guts voter ID laws. And the irony shouldn't be lost that these are the same Democrats that want you to show an ID and a vaccine card to be able to have dinner in cities like Washington, D.C., or New York. This bill puts Federal dollars into politicians' reelection campaigns. I have heard a lot of complaints about elections in my time. I have never had one person tell me our elections don't have enough money. This bill restricts States' ability to maintain their voter rolls, voter rolls that are essential so we know who is eligible to vote. And this bill mandates that ballots can be counted 7 days after the end of the election, delaying the final results. Delaying the final results does not instill confidence in our elections. Instead, by working to remove key voter integrity provisions in our elections, Americans will have less confidence in our elections. My priority is to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat. This bill fails that test, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Absolutely. We see this time and again in southeast Wisconsin. We see businesses that are shrinking hours to try to deal with and navigate through this challenging work environment. I know we will be having a hearing coming up on automation, and I don't think it can be lost on us that many businesses are looking and the struggle to get workers back to work and the impact that may have on automation and future job growth in the United States.

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding. It is great to be joining him here on the House floor to share with our colleagues the important work that lies ahead for the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth. Simply put, we will be exploring, questioning, and hearing potential ways to address economic challenges we are seeing across this country. We are, in fact, on a fact-finding mission as we search for policy solutions that create opportunity for every American. Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans saw progress. In 2019, the median household income grew by 6.8 percent, the largest increase ever recorded. Minority communities saw even greater growth: Blacks Hispanics, Asians, and women. But coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, something has changed, which is why the work of this Select Committee is so timely. Labor force participation, both those seeking work and currently employed, are lows not seen since the Carter administration. Across this country there is a growing disconnect between available jobs and workers ready to work. The government should be supporting and encouraging work and the dignity that comes with it. Families across the country, from Kenosha to New York, San Francisco to Orlando, are being hurt by rising prices. They feel it when they fill up their car's tank. They feel it at the grocery store. And they are scared they are going to feel it when they go Christmas shopping for their kids in a few weeks. Inflation is a tax on every American, but it is devastating to low- income Americans. Chairman Himes, I look forward to working with you to explore what we can do to empower workers to prosper and to expand opportunities for all families to succeed.