Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I am in its current form.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, since the House won't take up legislation to prevent the senseless deaths of 30 people killed today by someone using a gun, I move that the House be adjourned.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor Belinda Espinosa, the City Manager of Pinole, California. After more than thirty years, Ms. Espinosa is retiring from public service. Ms. Espinosa's city management career has spanned over four cities and two states. Beginning in the cities of San Antonio and Grand Prairie, Texas, Ms. Espinosa worked on budget and financial issues, managed infrastructure projects, and oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in bond funds. In 1994, Ms. Espinosa moved to California to become City Manager for the City of Soledad, where she supervised critical water and wastewater projects, the construction of new affordable housing, and the completion of the Soledad Community Library. In 2000, Ms. Espinosa moved to the City of Pinole, California. Initially hired as the Assistant City Manager, she was promoted four years later to City Manager and Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the police and fire departments, public works planning, wastewater services, recreation and redevelopment. Ms. Espinosa spearheaded several efforts to revitalize Pinole, including the construction of the Pinole Shores Industrial Business Park, the Pinole Valley Shopping Center and the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office. Under her leadership, Pinole voters approved two half-cent sales tax measures, which generate $3.6 million for public safety and other supplemental services. Ms. Espinosa also successfully negotiated Pinole's first Project Labor Agreement, for the $48 million Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Ms. Espinosa has received numerous accolades for her years of public service, including the 1996 Monterey County Public Administrator Award, the 2007 Contra Costa College Woman of the Year Award, and the 2009 Distinguished Project Award. Ms. Espinosa has also served as President of the Pinole Rotary Club and the International Hispanic Network, and was the first female President of the Grand Prairie Kiwanis Club. Ms. Espinosa has long worked under a philosophy of approaching problems with collaboration, honesty and understanding. She is well-known for being forthright in her dealings, and has always maintained the highest integrity in serving her constituencies. Mr. Speaker, Belinda Espinosa has had a long and remarkable career in public service. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today, and wish her the best in retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor George H. Ryder, of the Lake County Board of Education, who is retiring after 39 years of dedicated public service. In 1974, Mr. Ryder joined the Konocti Unified School Board of Trustees, a post he held until 1979. Subsequently, on December 10, 1981, he assumed office as a member of the Lake County Board of Education. In his 34 years on the Board, Mr. Ryder served numerous times as both President and Vice-President, and consistently provided the board with tremendous leadership, unshakeable poise and thoughtful recommendations. In total, Mr. Ryder has dedicated 39 years of service to the children of Lake County and the surrounding areas. He has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to education, children, and community service, and has touched the lives of countless young people. Mr. Ryder's community has benefitted enormously from his efforts. Mr. Speaker, George H. Ryder has had a long and uncommonly distinguished career in public service. December 9, 2015 marks his final day as a member of the Lake County Board of Education, and it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today. We wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, terrorists shouldn't be able to legally buy guns. However, right now, someone on the FBI's terrorist watch list can go into a gun store and buy a firearm of their choosing--legally. Since 2004, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapons in the United States. Last week, House Republicans voted three times to protect the ability of suspected terrorists to continue buying guns. This made our country less safe. Mr. Speaker, that is why I just filed a discharge petition that would allow us to vote on a bipartisan bill to close the terror list loophole. The bill makes sure those on the FBI's terrorist watch list can't walk into a gun store, pass a background check, and buy a gun. If House Republicans are concerned about the accuracy of the list, let's scrub the list. If you agree that terrorists shouldn't be able to have guns, then put your name down in writing, and let's have a vote.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose Hurtado, a faculty member at Napa Valley College, who is retiring this month after 38 years of service. Mr. Hurtado's family immigrated to the United States in 1958. I had the pleasure of growing up with Jose, who went on to earn degrees from Napa Valley College, UC Davis, and Sacramento State College. He was the first in his family to earn college degrees, and his younger siblings quickly followed his lead. In 1977, Mr. Hurtado began work as a counseling assistant at Napa Valley College. In 1980, he became the first Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) Counselor hired to a tenure-track position. Nine years later, in 1989, Mr. Hurtado moved to the Counseling Department. He subsequently served as Division Chair of Napa Valley College's Counseling Department, before working temporarily as the school's Coordinator of the non-Credit Matriculation Program. In 2003, Mr. Hurtado moved back to General Counseling on the Napa campus, and began working with the school's student-athletes in 2010. In 2013, Mr. Hurtado became Coordinator of the combined Career and Transfer Programs at Napa Valley College. Over the course of his 38-year career, Mr. Hurtado earned numerous awards and accolades. He was elected to the Napa Valley Unified School District Governing Board in 2004, and in 2011, he joined Community Action Napa Valley, an organization of which he is currently Chairman. Last year, Mr. Hurtado was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to the Napa Valley Expo Board of Directors, and in 2015, he became a member of the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Looking back, Mr. Hurtado is especially proud of his children and grandchildren, his U.S. citizenship, and his election to the school board. His children's weddings remain among Mr. Hurtado's happiest moments. He remains lovably quirky to the community, reading four newspapers every Sunday and cheerfully interacting with Napa Valley students on a daily basis. Next year, Mr. Hurtado plans to complete a 500-mile trek on Spain's ancient Camino de Santiago trail. Mr. Speaker, Jose Hurtado has devoted nearly 40 years to his community and to the education of our young people. He has demonstrated exceptional character, confidence, and compassion, and his community has benefitted enormously from his efforts. For these reasons and others, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Len Klay for his leadership, commitment, and determination over a decade to update the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) system in California and abolish the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Medicare's GPCI system pays physicians based on the cost of providing care in their geographic region. However, since 1997, the Medicare geographic payment localities have not been updated, leading many Sonoma County physicians to be underpaid. This problem was exacerbated by concurrent flaws in the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Since 2000, Dr. Klay has been a tireless advocate for GPCI and SGR reforms. His proposed changes would have updated payment localities for physicians, and improved access to high-quality care for all Sonoma County residents. Dr. Klay led a nationwide letter campaign, encouraging Congress to consider funding the proposed changes while writing articles to keep peers informed of his efforts. Those efforts ultimately paid off, as the geographic payment system has been updated and the SGR has been eliminated. Dr. Klay was essential to that progress. Leading by example, Dr. Klay continues to assist in surgery and volunteers his services for many local medical organizations. He has worked in the Santa Rosa, California area since 1971, and has been a member of the Sonoma County Medical Association (SCMA) and the California Medical Association (CMA) for 44 years. He has twice served as President of the SCMA and CMA, elected in 1987 and again in 2007, and previously served at the U.S. Army hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. As a civic role model, philanthropist, political activist, and medical professional, Dr. Klay's work has placed health care for all Sonoma County residents in safe hands. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge Dr. Len Klay for his extraordinary work.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jan Sonander for his leadership, commitment, and determination over a decade to update the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) system in California and abolish the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Medicare's GPCI system pays physicians based on the cost of providing care in their geographic region. However, since 1997, the Medicare geographic payment localities have not been updated, leading many Sonoma County physicians to be underpaid. This problem was exacerbated by concurrent flaws in Medicare's SGR. Since 2000, Dr. Sonander has been a tireless advocate for GPCI and SGR reforms. His proposed changes would have updated payment localities for physicians, and improved access to high-quality care for all Sonoma County residents. Dr. Sonander led a nationwide letter campaign, encouraging Congress to consider funding the proposed changes while writing articles to keep peers informed of his efforts. Those efforts ultimately paid off, as the geographic payment system has been updated and the SGR has been eliminated. Dr. Sonander was essential to that progress. Leading by example, Dr. Sonander focuses a significant portion of his practice caring for the disabled, working as a hospitalist at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital while also serving as Chief of Staff. He has been active in the Sonoma County Medical Association (SCMA) and the California Medical Association for 26 years. He has served on several committees, including a stint as President of the SCMA Board of Directors in 2003. As a civic role model, philanthropist, medical professional, and political activist, Dr. Sonander's work has placed health care for all Sonoma County residents in safe hands. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge Dr. Jan Sonander for his extraordinary work.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Brad Drexler for his leadership, commitment and determination over a decade to update the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) system in California and abolish the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Medicare's GPCI system pays physicians based on the cost of providing care in their geographic region. However, since 1997, the Medicare geographic payment localities have not been updated, leading many Sonoma County physicians to be underpaid. This problem was exacerbated by concurrent flaws in the SGR. Since 2000, Dr. Drexler has been a tireless advocate for GPCI and SGR reforms. His proposed changes would update payment localities for physicians, and improve access to high-quality care for all Sonoma County residents. Dr. Drexler led a nationwide letter campaign, encouraging Congress to consider funding the proposed changes while writing articles to keep peers informed of his efforts. Those efforts ultimately paid off, as the geographic payment system has been updated and the SGR has been eliminated. Dr. Drexler was essential to that progress. Leading by example, Dr. Drexler has been active in the Sonoma County Medical Association (SCMA) and the California Medical Association (CMA) for 29 years. He has served as chair of the government relations committee, as a member of the board of directors at the SCMA, and as a delegate to the CMA. As a civic role model, philanthropist, political activist, and medical professional, Dr. Drexler's work has placed health care for all Sonoma County residents in safe hands. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge Dr. Brad Drexler for his extraordinary work.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I am, in its current form.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker and Members, the bill on the floor before us is a rotten deal for all consumers, but it is especially bad for our servicemembers. When you are a servicemember, you are often forced to relocate with little notice. That puts our men and women in uniform under tremendous pressure to obtain housing for themselves and for their families, all the while managing the enormous duties that military service requires. It is a lot to handle. We know this and so do the financial predators. That is why we often see them setting up shop around our military bases. If a servicemember is targeted and sold a bad mortgage, why don't the authors of this bill want to allow them some recourse to make things right? As a combat veteran, I understand the pressures placed on our military. Our men and women in uniform often don't have the time to investigate mortgages in detail. They have to trust that no one is taking advantage of them. The problem is people often do take advantage of them. It is a despicable practice that is matched only by the majority's bill, which denies them the opportunity to sue the predatory lender to make things right. My amendment would change this. It would allow any servicemember or veteran to sue a predatory lender regardless of who holds the loan. The mere fact that a predatory lender holds a bad mortgage shouldn't prevent servicemembers from being able to take action to make things right. I know my colleagues on the other side are going to vote to deny protections to your average, hard-working American family who had the bad fortune of being sold a bad mortgage; but at the very least, let's exempt servicemembers from this bill. We ask enough of them already. Reports from the Department of Defense have noted that financial stress can affect a servicemember's performance and combat readiness. And a DOD report specifically states: ``Forty-eight percent of enlisted servicemembers are less than 25 years old, have little experience managing their finances, and have little in savings to help them through emergencies.'' Yet, on the heels of Veterans Day, when Member after Member came to the floor to praise our veterans, this majority wants to return 7 days later and put predatory lenders ahead of our men and women in uniform. Their bill limits consumer protections for servicemembers. It hurts our Armed Forces, and it hurts their families. It increases strain on people who already volunteer for a stressful, dangerous job; and it reduces combat readiness. Let's not forget all we pledged just a week ago on Veterans Day. Let's put our policy in line with our rhetoric. Let's protect our troops. Let's protect their families. Let's protect our country. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this piece of legislation and strong opposition to the fact that we are back here again rehashing the same old issues that aren't going anyplace. It has been pointed out they are probably not even going to be taken up in the Senate; and, if by some chance they were, they are certainly not going to be signed into law by the President. We are not going anywhere if we keep wasting the time, as we have been wasting the time trying to repeal ObamaCare and defund Planned Parenthood. It is a terrible situation because we have some real important things that we need to do. Next year a third of our Nation's Medicare beneficiaries--that is people in every one of our congressional districts--will face the steepest premium hikes in the history of the program if this Congress doesn't act. We have got a transportation bill that has been long due to be passed. We keep kicking the can down the road, and it is a very bumpy road because we don't pass a transportation bill. If we pass that bill, we put people to work. About 14 million jobs hinge on the passage of a long-term transportation bill. This is for improving roads and highways, making our overpasses and our businesses safe. Fourteen million jobs will help the economy; but, instead, we are dillydallying on the floor today with this piece of go-nowhere legislation. It is long past time that we put the American people ahead of the political gamesmanship and address the real issues facing our Nation. Majority party, let's get to work. Let's fix the issues that are hurting the American people and stop doing this partisan nonsense.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, here we go again. We are only weeks from defaulting on our debt, and this bill does nothing to deal with that. The bill before us today is, essentially, a plan for defaulting on our obligations. As my friend said, the Republican gentleman from Louisiana, all this does is prioritize our debt. If you are prioritizing your debt, by definition, you are defaulting. You are not paying your bills. This would prioritize our repayment, putting our veterans, small businesses, and our first responders behind foreign governments in regard to receiving the payment that is due to them. We have to pay our bills. We cannot go down this road again. We have seen this movie before, and it is not going to change. The last time we came close to defaulting on our debt, the results were terrible. In 1 month, job growth dropped by more than 130,000 jobs. The S&P 500 tanked by nearly 20 percent, and our credit rating was downgraded for the first time in history. No one knows for sure what the full extent of the damage to the economy would be if we were to default on our debt. But, as Chairman Ryan said earlier, we know that it would ``freeze up our economy''-- higher interest rates for mortgages on auto loans, student loans, and credit cards; higher interest rates and less access to business loans needed to finance payrolls, building inventories, or to invest in equipment and construction; families' retirement savings in 401(k)'s dropping as the stock market tanks; almost 4 million veterans not receiving disability benefits; and doctors, medical providers, and hospitals not getting their pay. The debt limit is not something to play around with. We simply need to pay our bills. Vote a resounding ``no'' on this bill, and let's pay our bills.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule today and in support of bringing the bipartisan King-Thompson background check bill to the floor for a vote. Let me give you some numbers: 278, the number of mass shootings in our country since Newtown; 275, the number of days this Congress has been in session; 16, the number of gun-related moments of silence Congress has held since the start of last year; and 0, the number of votes this body has taken to help prevent or lessen gun violence. Just a week ago we endured another mass shooting. This time it was nine people at a community college in Oregon. Six weeks ago it was a news reporter and cameraman in Virginia. Five weeks before that it was two people at the movies in Lafayette. Five weeks before that it was a prayer group in Charleston. Every single time a mass shooting happens we go through the same routine--thoughts and prayers are sent; statements are made; stories are written; moments of silence are held--and nothing changes. No action is taken. No votes are cast. It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The majority leadership has done nothing over and over again. Predictably, the results have been the same: more innocent lives lost, more families forever changed, and more mass gun violence. The five Republican coauthors of our background check bill notwithstanding, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have done nothing as mass gun violence has become commonplace. No bills have been brought to the floor. No ideas have been brought to the table. No proposals have even been considered. You have the majority in the House and in the Senate. You have a White House and a Democratic Caucus willing to work with you. You are presumably here to govern and lead. A big part of that means stepping up when children, students, and families are routinely put in danger. Gun violence takes the lives of 30-plus Americans every single day. It constitutes a public health emergency that demands action from the public's leaders. We have it in our power to do something. Let's not waste that. We don't know what laws could have prevented the shooting in Oregon or Virginia or Charleston, but we do know that every day background checks stop more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun. We know they help keep guns from dangerous people, and that saves lives. This isn't about the Second Amendment. I am a hunter and I am a gun owner. I support the Second Amendment. If the King-Thompson background check bill undermined the rights of gun owners, my name wouldn't be on it. This is about keeping guns from criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill. It is about taking a simple, commonsense step to keep spouses, kids, and communities safe. All this bill does is require a background check for people buying a gun online or at a gun show. Why would anyone not want to make sure the people buying guns on the Internet or at a gun show are sane, law- abiding citizens? We do it at licensed dealers, why not for all commercial sales? Why do we want to give criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill a huge loophole through which they can buy guns? It makes no sense. We can do one of two things here today. We can wait out the new cycle, allow the horror of Oregon to fade into our minds, do nothing, wait for the next tragedy, and then offer thoughts and prayers. That would be nothing new. It is what the majority did with Newtown. It is what they did with Navy Yard. It is what they did with Isla Vista, Charleston, and Virginia. This time could be different. We could actually pull together and do something to make our country safer. No legislation will stop every shooting. But passing commonsense gun laws like background checks will at least stop some, and that makes it worth doing. Don't sit here and let America's new normal become mass gun violence followed by thoughts and prayers, but no action. We are here to govern. This is happening on our watch, and it is within our power to save some lives. Let's do it.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jill Johnson upon her retirement from the Napa County Office of Education. Jill has served in this office for 30 years, and she will end her career as Director of General Services this September. Her commitment to our local community is notable and deserving of recognition. Over the past thirty years, Ms. Johnson has led a remarkable career. She began as an aide, and worked her way up to teacher, and eventually head teacher. Her administrative background includes time as purchasing agent and purchasing supervisor. She then moved on to become an Admissions Coordinator for Fairs, and currently serves as the Director of General Services for the Napa County Office of Education. In addition, Ms. Johnson has been awarded several titles and held several offices throughout her professional experience. She served as an Alternate Board Member for the North Bay Schools Insurance Authority. She was part of the California Schools of Business Officials as a Sacramento Section Director, as well as part of the Sacramento Section Research and Professional Development Committee. Jill is a former member of the Sunrise Soroptimist and is currently a Member of the School Nutrition Association and Women of the Moose. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Jill Johnson at this time and thank Jill for her invaluable service and wish her a most enjoyable retirement. Her commitment to serving her community and her level of dedication will not be easily replaced.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, September 16th through September 18th I was absent due to activities in my District related to wildfires and was unable to cast my vote for Roll Calls 495 through 506. Had I been present I would have voted: Roll Call No. 495--YES, H.R. 1214, National Forest Small Tracts Act Amendments Act of 2015 Roll Call No. 496--YES, H.R. 1949, National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015 Roll Call No. 497--NO, Ordering the Previous Question Roll Call No. 498--NO, Collins of GA Amdt Roll Call No. 499--NO, Rule Roll Call No. 500--YES, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Roll Call No. 501--NO, Passage H.R. 758, Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act Roll Call No. 502--NO, Ordering the Previous Question Roll Call No. 503--NO, Rule Roll Call No. 504--YES, Motion to Recommit Roll Call No. 505--NO, H.R. 3134, Defund Planned Parenthood Roll Call No. 506--NO, H.R. 3504, Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rita Scardaci, who has had a distinguished career working in the public health profession in Northern California. She will be retiring from her position as the Director of Health Services in Sonoma County after a decade of service. Ms. Scardaci is a lifelong resident of Northern California, where she has given back to the community as a leader and pioneer in health services. She is a Registered Nurse, and has a degree in Public Health and Nursing, certification as a Health Education Specialist, and a Masters of Public Health. She has used her degrees to better the health of the residents of Santa Cruz County, and most recently Sonoma County through her work with the Health Services Department. Ms. Scardaci is an instructor at both University of California Santa Cruz and San Jose State University. She is a founding member of the California State Rural Health Association and sits on the board of the California Endowment and Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake County United Way, as well as three different health boards in Sonoma County. Ms. Scardaci's additional community involvement includes: member and past President of the County Health Executives Association of California; Commissioner Sonoma First Five, an organization charged with promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage through five years of age; member Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Consortium Board of Directors; Past President and Board Member at the California Telehealth Telemedicine Center, which works to achieve the fully optimized use of telehealth and other technology enabled health care services. Mr. Speaker, Rita Scardaci is a beloved and vitally important member of the community and it is appropriate that we acknowledge her today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, a nuclear-armed Iran is certainly unacceptable, and there are two ways to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon: diplomacy and military force. As someone who served in combat, I believe our Nation's first choice should always be diplomacy. I say ``first choice'' because nothing in this deal takes military action off the table, but before we go down that road, we need to give diplomacy a shot, and this deal is the best way forward. I am not new to the issue. I just finished serving 8 years on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I have reviewed the intelligence; I have read the classified documents, and I have had numerous briefings with experts from every side of this issue. There is no other deal to be had. It is this, or it is the status quo. Make no mistake, the status quo leaves Iran just a short time away from a bomb. All of the intelligence clearly points towards the fact that this agreement is far better than doing nothing, better than the status quo. Iran is already a nuclear threshold state. If we reject this deal, Iran will keep getting closer and closer towards the development of their nuclear weapon. If we accept the deal, we will be able to halt Iran's activities. The IAEA will have enormous access to conduct inspections, and Iran must forever honor the conditions of the nonproliferation treaty or face the consequences. This deal isn't about trust. I don't trust Iran, and I don't like their leadership, but as it has been pointed out, you don't negotiate peace agreements with those you know, like, and trust. This deal is about verification. It is about making Iran prove it is not developing a nuclear weapon. It is about keeping America and our allies safe. It is our best and only peaceful path forward. I urge the House to approve the Iran nuclear deal.