Bryan Steil

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act. In southeast Wisconsin, the Great Lakes are vital to our environment, our economy, our health, and our way of life. Let me put it this way: If the Great Lakes region were a country, it would have the third largest economy in the world. We must pass WRDA to protect the Great Lakes, invest in America's water infrastructure, and generate economic growth. Earlier this year, I urged the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to include the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study and the Brandon Road project in WRDA. Both programs are included in today's bill. These programs detect vulnerabilities along the Great Lakes shoreline and prevent invasive species in the Great Lakes. Mr. Speaker, I ask Congress to pass WRDA and support the Great Lakes for generations to come.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address one of the greatest threats to American safety--Iran. Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and from past actions, we know the regime cannot be trusted. However, over the past 4 years, progress has been made: Our maximum pressure campaign and sanctions have reined in Iran's power; Normalization agreements between Israel and numerous nations in the region continue to isolate Iran; The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan have embraced peace and cooperation. At this moment of success, the United States cannot back down. We cannot return to one-sided deals that strengthen Iran. There is little doubt that without our efforts, Iran will continue its pursuit for a nuclear weapon and regional dominance. We must maintain pressure on the regime. Just last month, the IAEA confirmed what we suspected all along: that the Iranian regime continues to ramp up its nuclear program. In fact, it is accelerating its efforts. This is not the time to appease the Iranian regime. We must stand strong. Under the Obama-Biden administration, we saw years of failed foreign policy. We saw years of policy that allowed Iran to continue developing a nuclear weapon, years of policy that sent pallets of cash to Iran, years of policy that neglected our alliance with Israel, and years of policy that allowed Iranian terrorism to thrive across the region. After the failed Obama-Biden Iran deal was implemented, Iran continued perpetuating violence, terrorism, and proxy wars across the Middle East. Iran came closer and closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon. President Trump has shown there is another way. We do not need to appease terrorist states and turn our backs on Israel. Instead, the Trump administration's strength has helped set the conditions for regional peace. Cooperation between Israel and other Middle Eastern states is continuing to grow. This change of policy has brought hope. Peace is possible. But peace does not happen through capitulation, and it will not happen if we go backwards. It is clear the U.S. sanctions targeting Iran are working. We need to maintain our sanctions against Iran and take decisive steps to prevent evasion. Sanctions have cut off vital resources that Iran's leaders use to enrich themselves and spread terrorism. U.S. financial sanctions make it harder for Iran to fund its ambitions to become a nuclear power. Unfortunately, bad actors work hard to get around United States' sanctions. That is why I co-introduced the Preventing Illicit Finance Act. This bill supports our maximum pressure campaign and creates a public-private group to limit the abuse of the financial system by bad actors like Iran. My bill strengthens the United States' ability to enforce financial sanctions against Iran, Russia, and other adversaries. Our maximum pressure campaign is working. We cannot turn a blind eye to Iran's aggressions and pursuit of terrorism. Iran must be held accountable. By strengthening our sanctions enforcement and maintaining our tough approach, we can prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life, service, and sacrifice of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dallas Garza. Chief Warrant Officer Garza grew up in Janesville and attended Parker High School before moving out of state. It was Garza's dream to fly Black Hawks for the U.S. Army. In 2005, Garza joined the Army, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Garza served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was most recently assigned to a peacekeeping mission. Chief Warrant Officer Garza lost his life when his helicopter crashed off the coast of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on November 12, 2020. Garza was a true patriot who humbly served our country. On Garza's flight helmet, he wore Wisconsin and Texas state flags to represent his family. A fellow soldier said that Garza made everyone around him better. Garza is remembered by those who knew him as being smart, motivated, charismatic, and someone who loved our country. Our nation will be forever grateful for Chief Warrant Officer Garza's sacrifice. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I thank Chief Warrant Officer Garza for his service. We will never forget Chief Warrant Officer Garza's sacrifice. My prayers are with his family, his children, and friends.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 194 and YEA on Roll Call No. 195.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the life, service, and sacrifice of Private First Class Evan Bath of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Pfc. Bath grew up wanting to serve our country and become a Marine. Evan's mother, Aleta, said he enjoyed typical hobbies for a teenager: drawing, playing video games, and studying his ancestry. However, unlike most his age, Evan answered a higher call--the call to service. After attending Oak Creek High School and graduating from Connections Academy, Bath joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Pfc. Bath was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California when he lost his life during a naval exercise on an amphibious assault vehicle. At only 19, Private First Class Bath displayed courage, strength, and a sense of duty beyond his years. Those who knew Evan said he was a loyal, loving, and caring man. Pfc. Bath is a hero. His bravery, dedication, and love of country will never be forgotten. Pfc. Bath's mother, Aleta, said her son died doing what he loved-- protecting his country. Evan embodied true selflessness and patriotism. Our nation will be forever grateful for Pfc. Bath's sacrifice. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I thank Private First Class Evan Bath for his service and pray for his family and friends. We will never forget.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment, which is included in this bloc. My amendment strikes language in the underlying bill which would prevent the Securities and Exchange Commission from implementing important reforms to the rules governing shareholder proposals. The current rules, which haven't been updated since the Eisenhower administration, allow activists to repeatedly resubmit divisive proposals that have been rejected by a vast majority of shareholders. In fact, many resubmissions received only a single-digit share of the vote the year before. A 2018 study of almost 2,500 activist shareholder proposals over nearly two decades found that proposals that had been submitted three or more times made up 32 percent of all the failed proposals. This can have a significant negative impact on public companies which continue to decline in number. Responding to each proposal takes time, and companies are forced to deal with multiple resubmissions of failed proposals each year. Importantly, this diverts the limited resources away from growth, job creation, and innovation. Especially in today's challenging economic environment, we should support policies that encourage opportunity. The SEC's efforts to raise the bar for resubmissions are a step forward for workers, investors, and the health of our economy.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan for yielding. I rise today in opposition to the act. The coronavirus pandemic has affected every community in our country. As this disease hit our shores, our economy has contracted dramatically. Businesses were forced to close; workers have been sidelined; and Americans are staying home. While we recognize the public health benefits of this strategy, the serious economic harm is very hard to ignore. Families are still worried about making ends meet, even as States have begun to reopen. With that in mind, I understand my colleagues' desire to do something to keep affected families in their homes. I remain committed to just that, helping families who are directly impacted by the coronavirus to stay in their homes and to stay in their apartments. But this bill fails on multiple fronts. At a time when our national deficits are rising, and our national debt now exceeds $26 trillion, my colleagues are proposing more than $194 billion in new spending. More than half of that, $119 billion, is earmarked for HUD, the Housing and Urban Development Department. This would triple HUD's 2020 budget. Importantly, it does it without implementing meaningful reforms to ensure accountability and transparency. The new spending comes on top of trillions of dollars in relief already provided in the form of expanded unemployment benefits and other types of economic relief. We have seen legislation come before us in the HEROES Act, a grab bag of liberal ideas. We now come back to the table with this. One of those ideas, which I think is important to highlight the impact that this will have in our community, is a resurrection of misguided ideas, long-term eviction moratoriums. Under the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act, the CARES Act eviction moratorium now would be extended until June 25, 1 year from the date of enactment. This moratorium would apply to all renters regardless of whether or not they have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, this moratorium would apply to all renters, not just those negatively impacted, through no fault of their own, due to the coronavirus, not just those living in buildings with mortgages backed by the Federal Government, but to everyone. In other words, if enacted, this bill would impose broad and unprecedented eviction moratoriums that would last for 15 months, without regard to the impact of the coronavirus. This would be very challenging for mom-and-pop landlords and very impactful negatively to our local economies. Property taxes have a higher priority on rent payments than mortgages, and an extension on the eviction moratorium, in particular, would hurt local governments trying to provide critical services that are in need right now. Especially in these challenging times, we should not pursue policies that increase stress for cash-strapped cities and towns. Again, I understand and share our desired goal to keep people in their homes. This bill just falls flat. Mr. Speaker, we have a responsibility to do that thoughtfully and in a targeted manner. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the resolution of disapproval. The Community Reinvestment Act is an important law that encourages investments in places like Racine, Kenosha, and Janesville, and communities in need across this country. But the rulings governing the CRA haven't been updated since 1995. In the last 25 years, the banking industry has undergone significant changes. Small and medium-sized banks have consolidated and closed. Branches have disappeared from some rural and low-income areas. Technology has drastically affected the way millions of Americans are conducting their banking. The CRA needs to be updated to fit the banking system we have today and to meet the needs of the communities in 2020. That is exactly what the OCC is trying to do with the new rule. The new CRA rule provides financial institutions with greater clarity about which activities count for CRA credit and where that activity needs to take place. It also takes into account the reality that many banking activities are conducted online by giving banks that are largely digital credit for investing in areas where they take deposits. By implementing consistent, objective metrics, the new CRA rule also makes it easier for examiners to measure the performance and to compare institutions. This resolution of disapproval would block all that progress, to the detriment of communities in need. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from North Carolina for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the act. Like many of my colleagues, I am committed to ensuring that all consumers can have faith in the validity of their credit score. Unfortunately, the bill fails to achieve that goal. It puts consumers at greater risk of having their information stolen. It threatens to increase the cost of credit by creating more opportunities for trial lawyers and by making scores less protected. Further, it expands the jurisdiction of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is completely unaccountable to Congress. Credit scores are an essential part of our financial system. Both Republicans and Democrats, I believe, agree on that point. We also agree that many Americans have difficulty accessing their credit due to their poor or insufficient credit histories. With that in mind, we should work together to enhance cybersecurity at credit reporting agencies, reduce fraud, and help consumers get the relief they need in times of crisis. Our ranking member has been a leader on this issue, introducing amendments and standalone legislation to move the ball forward. Unfortunately, his ideas and the ideas of those on our side of the aisle and other constructive suggestions have not been included in this bill, making it a flawed bill. I urge my colleagues to oppose the legislation.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, Americans' health and American jobs are being attacked by an invisible virus, and this House is called upon to respond today. Americans need our help. I have heard countless stories of people struggling. I spoke to a young woman from Kenosha worried about losing her job and caring for her young children. I listened to a doctor from Janesville who desperately needs protective masks. America is fighting a war on two fronts: a public health crisis and an economic crisis. While far from perfect, the CARES Act provides needed relief: free testing, supplies for hospitals, protection of workers' paychecks, and assistance to those who have lost their jobs. At times, this bill does leave much to be desired. There is unnecessary spending, including $25 million for a Washington, D.C., theater. However, the Senate did its job. President Trump continues to do his job. Now the House must do ours. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, Americans' health and American jobs are being attacked by an invisible virus. And this House is called to respond. Families and workers across the nation desperately need our help. And they need it now. Every American has to pay rent, pay their mortgage, and buy groceries. Over the past week, I've heard stories of people struggling. A young mother concerned about losing her job while caring for her kids. A small gym owner concerned that she will have to lay off her eight employees. And a doctor concerned about the coming weeks and lack of space, supplies, and ventilators for patients. America is fighting on two fronts--a public health crisis and an economic crisis. On one side, we have a public health crisis. Our nurses, doctors, and health professionals are on the front lines of this pandemic. Their work is keeping thousands of Americans safe, healthy, and alive. And on the other, we have the crippling economic impacts. Businesses are shuttered and record numbers are becoming unemployed. Families need relief now. While far from perfect, the CARES Act provides relief. We are ensuring that coronavirus testing is free and accessible for everyone. We are giving doctors, nurses, and hospitals supplies needed to keep themselves and their patients safe. We are protecting the paychecks of people working at places like restaurants and hotels. We are supporting states' efforts to address the pandemic. We are providing assistance to workers who lose their jobs due to the corona virus crisis. Importantly, this bill continues to fix past mistakes made by this House. The CARES Act includes yet another fix to the poorly drafted Medicaid language included in the original version of the second corona virus emergency response legislation. It is vital that we get this language right so states like Wisconsin have the dollars we need to ensure health care is available to our most vulnerable populations. At times, this bill leaves much to be desired. I remain concerned about unnecessary provisions included in the bill. This exacerbates Congress' unnecessary spending habits, including $25 million for a Washington, D.C. theater. I am disappointed that no amendments were allowed to be added to this bill. However, the Senate did its job. President Trump continues to do his. Now, the House must do ours. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I was traveling on official business with the Vice President to my home state. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 25, Previous Question; NAY on Roll Call No. 26, H. Res. 811 (Rule); and YEA on Roll Call No. 27 H.R. 4331.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague's remarks regarding this amendment. I think this is the commonsense solution that we need to make sure that employers are protected as they are looking for their employees as it relates to this. I appreciate the gentleman's work and Mr. McAdams' work on this amendment, and I urge my colleagues' support. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Chair, I rise to urge support for my amendment to H.R. 3621. Mr. Chair, I want to start by thanking Chairwoman Waters, Ranking Member McHenry, Representative Lawson, and Representative McAdams for working with me to reach this commonsense agreement on this amendment. As my colleagues know, for certain jobs, employers are required by law to review the financial history of prospective employees. For instance, in some States, insurance commissioners require companies to review an agent's financial condition and history prior to granting a license. This is a consumer protection issue. It is important to ensure that the professionals who consumers trust to carry out major financial transactions on their behalf aren't themselves in financial distress. This amendment clarifies that an employer may use a credit report when it is necessary for a financial background check, required by Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. By clarifying this issue, my amendment ensures that the underlying bill does not conflict with important consumer protection laws that are already on the books. Failing to address this conflict will be bad for workers and consumers. I again urge support on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tony Castro of Mukwonago, Wisconsin for his heroic actions. While Tony and his wife were driving in Mukwonago on December 26, 2019, Tony noticed that there was an unattended bicycle on the corner. He then immediately noticed two children screaming for help in the middle of an icy pond. Tony jumped out of the car and ran to the edge of the water. He began to calm the children down. 911 was called and Tony let the children know that help was on the way. The children were struggling in the icy water and Tony continued to coach them through how to stay above water. While his wife, Danielle, ran back to their house to grab a rope, Tony stayed with the children. When Danielle returned, she saw that Tony and a Mukwonago police officer had jumped into the pond to rescue the children. Tony was in water up to his neck and was warning the police officer that the bottom of the pond was slick with a steep drop off. Danielle had found an extension cord at their house and threw it to Tony. He tied the cord around the police officer. Tony held the extension cord tightly while the police officer attempted to break through the ice to save the children. Mukwonago Fire and Rescue arrived while Tony and the police officer were in the icy pond. The Fire and Rescue members began throwing additional rope to Tony, the police officer, and the children. The members of the rescue unit pulled everyone to shore. During this whole situation, Tony was in the icy water for over five minutes trying to reach the children. He showed bravery and risked his life to save the children. Tony's quick thinking and selflessness led to the two children being saved. He is a hero. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I thank Tony for his heroic actions. When faced with a decision to risk his life and save these children, Tony did not think twice.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from Michigan. Our districts touch in the middle of Lake Michigan, so I have never been to that part of my district, and maybe the gentleman has not either, but I appreciate him yielding. I rise today to urge support of the Insider Trading Prohibition Act. I want to thank Chairwoman Waters, Ranking Member McHenry, as well as Mr. Huizenga and Mr. Himes for their work on this important piece of legislation. As we have seen far too often in this Congress, partisanship and poison pills can get in the way of progress and good ideas. I think all of us, at our core, agree on that. Although this took a little bit of time, I am pleased that we came here today reaching agreements from earlier in the week. I spent my time working for a period of time at a publicly traded company. I saw firsthand the importance of having markets that operate efficiently but, also, fairly. Millions of Americans have retirement accounts, 401(k)s, and pensions as it relates to their retirement, and it is critical that those individuals can rely and trust the markets that they are relying on for their end of life. Millions of Americans are invested in these markets and these investments, the integrity of which is critical. They need to know that we are fighting on their behalf to ensure the game is not rigged to help and favor a privileged few. This bill includes, in particular, important clarifications that will improve our ability to police insider trading. It also incorporates changes supported by the ranking member in an amendment that I offered that I think provides important clarifications to allow the government to go after the bad guys. This will ensure the bill is targeted at bad behavior and does not inadvertently prevent people from engaging in legitimate trades. It strikes the balance that I think is crucial if we want to have vibrant and trustworthy public markets. I, again, want to urge my colleagues to support this nonpartisan legislation.

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, this week we recommit ourselves to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We have made progress to prevent infections and enhance treatment, but more work must be done. Supporting the Global Fund and fully funding its programs is an important piece of the puzzle. The Global Fund is a partnership organization that works with governments and private sectors to end the AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics. By developing low-cost, high-impact treatments and technologies, we can save lives. Since the creation of the Global Fund in 2002, deaths caused by these diseases have been reduced by one-third each year in countries where the Global Fund invests. I was proud to cosponsor the bill and see the House support the Global Fund. This is an important issue to many across southeast Wisconsin. Earlier this year, I met with Pastor Bob Griffith and Pastor Lawrence Kirby to discuss the United States' commitment to battling these health epidemics, whether that be at home in southeast Wisconsin or throughout the world. Pastor Griffith's and Pastor Kirby's work in the Racine and Kenosha communities is admirable. They advocate for those in poverty and for our global community dealing with these diseases. We thank Pastor Griffith and Pastor Kirby for their dedication to this cause, for bringing awareness to the fight. We must continue working together and ensure education, treatment, and assistance is available to those who need it.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, in 2018 an estimated 47 billion spam robocalls were placed in the United States. Americans lost $1.5 billion to fraud last year. Weekly, sometimes daily, our phones are flooded with spam calls. Not only are these calls annoying, but these criminals trick people into giving away personal information such as their Social Security number or bank information. Robocalls affect everyone from Janesville to Kenosha to Racine and everywhere in between. Last month I held an identity theft fraud prevention workshop in southeast Wisconsin. More than 200 residents attended and received useful tips from Federal and State agencies on how to protect themselves from fraud. Making communities resilient from scammers is critical. Robocalls are becoming more sophisticated every day. It is becoming easier for Americans to fall victim to scamming. That is why Congress must act. Today the House is voting on a bill I cosponsored, the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, or the TRACED Act. The TRACED Act strengthens penalties for criminals who conduct spam robocalls. This bill also requires telecommunications companies to develop new ways to certify all calls are from legitimate people. Working together with phone companies, consumer groups, and the Federal Government will protect our community--and go after the bad guys. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, nonpartisan bill. We Must Recommit to Ending the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, today, the House is voting on the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act. This is a nonpartisan bill to help families when disaster strikes. In Wisconsin, we have seen our fair share of storms, tornadoes, and flooding. When a storm hits, resources and assistance must be readily available. That is why this bill is so important. We must have a plan in place before the storm to avoid waste, fraud, and abuse. This bill does that. Right now, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, does not have a codified process in place to distribute assistance to communities in need. The bill requires HUD to have a clear process in place before disasters strike. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act. We cannot always know where a storm will strike or when it will hit, but we can take steps to be prepared and respond.

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, families across southeast Wisconsin are concerned about the rising costs of healthcare, especially prescription drug costs. No parent should have to worry that they cannot afford insulin or an EpiPen for their child. We must work together to bring transparency to drug prices, hold drug companies accountable, and empower patients. The Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive Act, or the SPIKE Act, is a nonpartisan bill addressing drug pricing. The SPIKE Act holds drug companies accountable for their pricing of lifesaving drugs. If a drug manufacturer of insulin or EpiPens drastically increases its price, the company must publicly justify its decision to do so. As a cosponsor of the SPIKE Act, I will continue fighting to ensure this bill becomes law. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to bring the SPIKE Act to a vote. Bring USMCA to a Vote

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, November 30 marks 1 year since President Trump agreed with Mexico and Canada to create the United States-Mexico- Canada trade agreement, or USMCA. USMCA is an improved trade agreement with Wisconsin's largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. Mexico passed USMCA. Canada is ready to ratify it. They are waiting on us. Generations of Wisconsinites have dedicated their lives to farming. Our farmers need our help. Our farmers need USMCA now more than ever. Small dairy farms in Wisconsin are closing. Wisconsin farmers are struggling to cope with low milk prices and limited access to markets. USMCA opens dairy markets and allows farmers to sell their milk to Canada. I have addressed this Chamber multiple times on the need to get USMCA across the finish line. Enough is enough. Bring USMCA to a vote. Take Steps to Prepare Before Disaster Strikes

Mr. STEIL

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 100 years of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. For a century, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau has supported farmers in Wisconsin. Agriculture is a Wisconsin tradition. Generations of Wisconsinites have dedicated their life to farming and feeding our State and the world. From milk to cheese, from sweet corn to soybeans, from cranberries to whey, our proud, hardworking Wisconsin farmers are there. I thank the Wisconsin Farm Bureau for helping Wisconsin become and remain America's dairyland. Happy 100 years. Congratulating University of Wisconsin Women's Hockey Team on Fifth National Championship

Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team on winning their fifth national championship in program history. They beat the Minnesota Gophers 2-0 to win their first national championship in 8 years. Kristen Campbell did not give up a goal, and it was her 11th shutout of the season. To make the victory better, we beat our rival, Minnesota. The Badgers' women's hockey team is visiting my office and the White House to celebrate this success. Congrats to the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team for their hard-earned victory. The Badger State is proud of them. On, Wisconsin.