Niki Tsongas

Ms. TSONGAS

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

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), the sponsor of this legislation.

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

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 1\1/2\ million victims of the Armenian genocide, which began 100 years ago on April 24. I join with the Armenian National Committee of the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts and Armenian communities across the country and throughout the world in mourning those lost and honoring the survivors and their descendants as we recognize this centennial commemoration. As a member of the Armenian Congressional Caucus, I strongly support H. Res. 154, the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The systematic, premeditated mass murder committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians was genocide. Other countries have formally acknowledged dark and painful chapters in their past, and it is time for Turkey to do the same. The Armenians and the descendants of those who were victimized deserve justice. On this somber anniversary, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the truth about this horrific event. It is a necessary step to building a more just future for all Armenians.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 143, I voted ``no'' and I intended to vote ``yes.''

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on Roll Call 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 on February 2, 2015 and February 3, 2015. I was in Massachusetts during the severe weather that struck New England and was unable travel to Washington. Had I been present for these votes, I would have voted Yes on Roll Call 51 (H.R. 361), Roll Call 52 (H.R. 615); H.R. 623 (Roll Call 53) and Roll Call 56 (approving the Journal). I would have voted No on Roll Call 54 (previous question on H. Res. 70), and Roll Call 55 (H. Res. 70). I would have voted in favor of H.R. 361 in order to enhance the medical preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security. I would have voted in favor of H.R. 615 in order to increase the ability of agencies within the Department of Homeland Security to communicate more effectively with each other. Finally, I would have voted in favor of H.R. 623 in order to determine possible ways to use social media to effectively prepare for and respond to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. I would have voted against Roll Call 54, a previous question. Had Roll Call 54 failed, Democrats would have been allowed to bring the American Manufacturing Jobs for Students Act to the floor. I would have voted against H. Res. 70, a resolution that allowed the majority to bring a bill to the floor that would repeal the Affordable Care Act. Should the repeal bill become law, funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program would be ended and 3 million young Americans would be kicked of their parents' health plans. Further, an estimated 10 million people would lose their insurance coverage.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement in the Record that the House should vote for bigger paychecks and better infrastructure instead of attacking women's access to health care.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 161, the so-called Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act. My home State of Massachusetts, like many areas around the country, faces serious energy challenges. We need careful and strategic long- term planning in order to lower energy prices and increase reliability. Increasing access to additional sources of natural gas could help address some of New England's energy challenges, including energy prices, which have historically been above the national average. However, this legislation would move us in the wrong direction. This bill would force FERC to rush decisionmaking, including environmental reviews and assessments of the need for natural gas, while also hobbling decisions regarding the appropriate size of the proposed pipeline. It would turn FERC into a superpermitting agency, an authority that FERC neither wants nor has the expertise to carry out. In my home district, we are currently navigating the FERC process that this bill purports to improve. The company is proposing to build a new 250-mile natural gas pipeline that crosses three States, including seven communities that I represent. I have heard from hundreds of my constituents expressing their concerns with this project. Construction of the pipeline could jeopardize local wildlife and will impact both State and federally designated conservation lands, as well as Massachusetts' scarce farmland. Thanks to extensive public review and input, the pipeline route has already been adjusted to minimize some of the environmental impacts, but there are still many outstanding concerns that deserve careful scrutiny. The proposed route still passes through local farmland, parks, wildlife management areas, wetlands, near schools, and across drinking water supplies. My constituents have been grateful for a process that has given them the time to provide input. This bill would short-circuit that process and shortchange my constituents' right to be heard. I proposed an amendment to this legislation with my colleague Mr. McGovern that would exempt any pipeline from the arbitrary timelines established in the bill if the proposed route crosses Federal, State, or local land designated for conservation or recreation. However, the majority blocked this simple amendment from coming to the floor and receiving an up-or-down vote. In Massachusetts, we have a longstanding history of preserving national habitats and protecting open spaces for the public benefit, and we have invested significant public resources towards these goals. Members should have been given the opportunity to vote on whether or not we should allow for a thorough review process to protect State investments. On behalf of my constituents, I ask my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. ``. . . a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two- thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.''

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Daughters of Penelope, one of our nation's preeminent international women's organizations. Since its founding in 1929, these committed women of Hellenic descent and admirers of Greek culture have worked tirelessly to promote the ideals of ancient Greece in the fields of education, philanthropy and civic duty. Today, the Daughters of Penelope and its 250 chapters around the world strive to strengthen the status of women in society, help the victims of domestic violence both in the United States and in Greece, and raise funding for some of today's most important medical research-- among other philanthropic causes. In 2009, this body along with our colleagues in the Senate recognized the work of the Daughters of Penelope and passed resolutions commemorating its many achievements. After five more years of exceptional work and dedication, I rise to acknowledge these truly outstanding women and their many accomplishments.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to encourage my colleagues to vote to fully fund the National Institutes of Health as we consider appropriations for FY2015. Restoring the agency to its pre-sequestration spending level is critical to American health and medical innovation. The consequences of insufficient funding for the agency's work are not always immediately apparent but are significant. Serious investments in research are required if we hope to develop new cures, treatments, and vaccines for complex diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Without this type of significant commitment, the costs of Alzheimer's to Americans in 2050 will be a predicted $1.2 trillion dollars. As recent events have demonstrated, global health is also becoming a national security issue. We have seen how research conducted at the National Institutes of Health can be key to protecting American health and playing our part as a global health leader. Restrictions on research based on funding limitations can also hinder our efforts to combat such health crises. Mr. Speaker, as a world leader in research and innovation we must dedicate the appropriate level of funding to the National Institutes of Health.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15, a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill to properly address the humanitarian crisis at the border.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall votes 451, 452, 453, and 454 on July 25, 2014. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: I would have opposed final passage of H.R. 4935, the Child Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2014. As with the tax bills that have preceded it this year, I have strong concerns that this bill violates the pay-as-you-go law, enacted with my support in 2010, by failing to offset the cost of permanent tax policy changes with an equivalent amount of deficit reduction. Furthermore, I am concerned that the bill would permanently expand eligibility for the child tax credit to families at the upper income limit while simultaneously failing to continue eligibility for families at the lower end. Finally, I am concerned that provisions added to the bill would prevent legal permanent residents who pay taxes from being eligible for the credits. I would have voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 105, which--pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution--would prevent the President from deploying or maintaining United States Armed Forces in a sustained combat role in Iraq without specific statutory authorization for such use. The United States must ensure that it has the security personnel necessary to protect U.S. embassy and consulate personnel and I support the administration's decision to send additional forces for this purpose. The President also took an important step toward de-escalating the violence in Iraq when he sent 300 additional personnel to advise and train Iraqi forces in their battle with the Islamic State. However, I am concerned about the potential for escalation in this conflict and believe that any further deployment of U.S. personnel to be employed in a sustained combat role should require specific authorization from Congress. I would have voted in favor of the Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 3230. I was proud to speak on behalf of this motion on the House floor, noting the important steps included in the Senate- passed amendment supporting victims of sexual assault. I would have voted in favor of H.R. 5081, Representative Karen Bass's important bill that will help combat human trafficking.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall votes 433, 434, 435, and 436 on July 22, 2014. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on all four votes. I would have voted in favor of H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014, because the legislation ensures our continued ability to promote the United States as an international travel destination. I would have voted in favor of H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014, because it reinforces the United States' position against terrorist organizations. Imposing these sanctions will deter financial institutions and other entities from facilitating financial transactions with Hezbollah. I would have voted in favor of H.R. 1022, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act of 2014, because I support permanently authorizing the Department of Energy's Critical Minerals Institute so that the United States can ensure a reliable supply of elements required for a broad range of advanced technologies and better promote research and development in the public and private sectors. I would have voted in favor of the Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 3230, because I agree with the Senate's broad-based approach to addressing issues in the Department of Veterans Affairs. At this crucial junction, the Department requires both considerable oversight and support from Congress so that changes are put in place to ensure veterans are receiving the care they have earned and deserve.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Brownley for allowing me to speak on this very worthwhile motion, and I rise in support. Statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that as many as one in five women are sexually assaulted while serving in the military. But receiving benefits from the VA remains a challenge. Last year, the Service Women's Action Network, the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic, the ACLU, and the ACLU of Connecticut released a report showing that veterans who experience sexual assaults have their benefits claims denied more than veterans with other types of PTSD. The report also found the rate of granting these claims varied greatly depending on the particular VA regional office. The St. Paul, Minnesota, office granted only 26 percent of the military sexual trauma claims they received, while the office in Los Angeles granted more than 88 percent of the claims they received. Anyone who has seen the powerful documentary ``The Invisible War'' has anguished along with Kori Cioca. Kori survived a horrific sexual assault while serving, and suffered severe injuries to her face and jaw incident to the assault. She waited for years for an answer from the VA on the jaw surgery she needed, but her claim was ultimately and shockingly denied. The VA has a long way to go when it comes to granting benefits for survivors of military sexual trauma. The Senate provisions in section 503 of the Senate bill would make sure that Congress is better informed on how the VA is treating military sexual trauma. Section 503 would also address what the VA is doing for male victims of sexual assault. According to the Defense Department, by the numbers, men in the military are more often victims of sexual assault than women. Yesterday, Senator Gillibrand of New York screened a documentary on Capitol Hill called ``Justice Denied.'' In it, male victims tell the heart-wrenching stories of being sexually assaulted, and too often being ignored by their commands after they reported an attack and isolated by their fellow servicemembers for doing so. We must do a better job--a much better job--of protecting these men and taking care of them after these incidents. The Senate bill allows us to start to do that. Finally, section 501 expands eligibility for counseling services which are so important to people healing. About 2 years ago, a woman veteran came to my office to talk to me about being sexually assaulted while she was in the military. She hadn't spoken to many people about what had happened to her before, and it was difficult to do so. But she had just come from a summit where she had met a number of survivors just like her who had had similar experiences. This opportunity to meet people with similar stories and share their experiences strengthened her. She was similarly strengthened through counseling and group therapy. She has become more and more comfortable speaking about her story because of the treatment she has received. I have now seen her bravely telling her story to a rapt audience after a screening of ``The Invisible War.'' I urge a ``yes'' vote on this very important motion that will help to improve care to so many servicemembers.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 40th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces. While there has been some progress made regarding a resolution, thousands of Greek Cypriots continue to be denied their fundamental right to return to their homes. Turkey must live up to its international responsibilities and return all of Cyprus' territory to the Cypriots. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have supported a variety of initiatives in support of this outcome, including sending letters to President Obama applauding the administration's commitment to exercise U.S. leadership in the negotiation for a just solution on Cyprus. This solution should result in a single, sovereign country within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. Forty years of discord is long enough; Cypriots deserve a government for them and by them. I applaud President Anastasiades' proposal from early 2013 that, if adopted, would significantly contribute to creating an atmosphere that would facilitate the negotiating process. Unfortunately, the Turkish side has continued to reject proposals that would enhance cooperation and move the two sides toward a resolution. Despite continued pressure from the United States, Turkey continues to obstruct Cyprus from exercising its basic sovereign rights including accessing its own natural resources. With the situation in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean growing more volatile each day, it is paramount that Turkey and Cyprus come back to the negotiating table, and that Turkey return occupied territory back to the people of Cyprus.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As Chairman Hastings has said, S. 1044 directs the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque or an inscription in the area of the World War II Memorial with the 500-word prayer that President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed to the Nation shortly after the D-day invasion began. This bill authorizes the use of private contributions for the completion of this work and prohibits the use of Federal funds. I have several concerns with this legislation, including the fact that the addition of the prayer could take away from the original intent of the existing memorial, which is to honor the brave members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II, including my father, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, I would like to thank the sponsors of the bill for their willingness to work with the administration to allow for flexibility in determining the design and location of the plaque and inscription. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. TSONGAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, at the request of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, H.R. 4002 simply revokes a corporate charter issued to it by the Federal Government. Under the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act and the Indian Reorganization Act, many tribes were issued corporate charters in the 1930s and 1940s that were aimed at enabling them to better manage their own affairs and pursue business relationships with private entities. For some tribes, these corporate charters have proven unnecessary and end up hindering their business opportunities as they inevitably come up in negotiations with private entities and are looked upon with suspicion. The charter must be revoked by an act of Congress, and Mr. Mullin, on behalf of his constituent, is simply complying with the tribe's request through this bill. Similar bills have passed over the years without event. I ask my colleagues to stand with me in support of this noncontroversial bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 412, the Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study Act. First, I want to thank Chairman Hastings for bringing this legislation to the floor. As we all know, Chairman Hastings will be retiring at the end of this year, so I want to especially thank him for his service on the Natural Resources Committee, and I wish him all the best. I also want to thank Ranking Member DeFazio, Subcommittee Chairman Bishop, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Grijalva for their support of this legislation. The history and development of the towns and cities in the Third District of Massachusetts have been defined by the many rivers that course through these unique communities. From the mighty Merrimack River that supported the birth of the industrial revolution in Lowell to the Concord River where a famous shot was heard around the world, our rivers continue to play an important role in connecting our communities, but time and development have not always been kind to these rivers. Beginning in the 1700s and continuing to just a few decades ago, paper, shoe, and textile factories were constructed along the Nashua River and many other rivers in the area. The strong currents of the rivers powered the factories and made their success possible; but at the same time, the factories were releasing industrial waste right back into the rivers, polluting the very source of their success. By the mid-1960s, the Nashua River was one of the most polluted rivers in the Nation. In fact, the river would change color almost daily because of the inks and dyes released into the river by the paper factories; but in 1965, one Third District resident, Marion Stoddart, realized that something had to be done. Ms. Stoddart formed the Nashua River Clean-up Committee to work toward cleaning up the river and protecting the land along its banks. Thanks to her work and to the continued work of the Nashua River Watershed Association, the Nashua River has come a long way since the 1960s. Pollution from the mills has been cleaned up; new sewage treatment plants now keep sewage out of the river; and more than 8,000 acres of land and 85 miles of greenway along the riverbanks have been permanently conserved. I can't praise Marion enough and all of the dedicated residents, volunteers, and association staff who have spent countless hours working to make sure that the Nashua River can once again be an asset and resource to the communities through which it passes. There is still much work to be done, and that is why I partnered with the Nashua River Watershed Association to introduce H.R. 412, a bill that will initiate a 3-year study to determine whether, roughly, 28 miles of the Nashua River and its tributaries can be designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers. This study will allow the National Park Service, the Watershed Association, and local governments and stakeholders to work together in forming a plan to protect the Nashua River. Every town through which the Nashua River passes, in addition to several local environmental organizations, supports the adoption of this legislation. Additionally, my office just received the results of a reconnaissance survey conducted by the National Park Service. The Park Service found: The elements for a successful Wild and Scenic River Study process for the Nashua River and its tributaries in Massachusetts are in place. In 1999, 29 miles of the nearby Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers were designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Since then, we have seen how this designation can help protect not only the quality of the rivers but the quality of the recreational activities they support. It is my hope that the Wild and Scenic designation can be expanded to the Nashua River so that we can see the same successes there. The study that H.R. 412 will initiate is essential to starting this process. In closing, I would like to again thank Chairman Hastings and Chairman Bishop for bringing this bill to the floor. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 273 held on June 9, 2014, I intended to vote ``no.'' I oppose Amendment 783 offered by Representative Broun to H.R. 4745. Nearly 32 million passengers rely on Amtrak for business and recreational travel annually. The Northeast Corridor, which runs between Washington, DC and my home State of Massachusetts, is one of the busiest and most technically advanced tracks in the world. We ought to be investing more in our nation's passenger rail system, not less.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in advance of Memorial Day weekend, to recognize the brave men and women of the U.S. Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society, or AFEES, whose bravery and ingenuity in the face of danger is surpassed only by their dedication to this country. Formed in 1964, AFEES is an organization created by aircrew members who evaded capture by enemy forces during foreign wars, with the assistance of resistance organizations and patriotic nationals of foreign countries. This organization includes downed aircrew members and people who directly aided them in escape and evasion. In recognition of these heroic efforts, I introduced the U.S. Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society Recognition Act of 2014 this week to award this deserving organization the Congressional Gold Medal. Awarding this medal will serve to recognize a group of veterans whose names are synonymous with service, selflessness, and fortitude. I invite every Member of this Chamber to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 4435. I want to begin by thanking Chairman McKeon for his decades of service in the House and for his evenhanded tenure leading the Armed Services Committee. I also want to thank Ranking Member Smith for his leadership and his willingness to address the tough issues that face the United States military. This year's NDAA takes further necessary steps toward eliminating sexual assault in our military ranks. I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Wilson and Congresswoman Davis to ensure the inclusion of the FAIR Military Act into this bill. I would also like to thank my cochair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus and coauthor of the FAIR Military Act, Congressman Mike Turner. The fiscal year '15 NDAA ensures servicemembers at all levels are held to the highest standard, and no more will the so-called ``good soldier defense'' allow criminal behavior to go unpunished and prevent justice from prevailing. This NDAA also makes strides toward addressing the epidemic of suicide surrounding our military. It requires the Department of Defense to establish a system to track all suicides and attempted suicides for Active Duty, Reserves, and Guard servicemembers, as well as military family members, so that we can better understand the full scope of this tragedy. I would also like to highlight the important work that his bill does with regard to research and development. In this era of increasingly capable enemies and constrained budgets, the DOD must rapidly take advantage of technological advancements and deliver these capabilities to the field. Key provisions in the NDAA will enhance the DOD's ability to recruit and retain the Nation's best talent, talent needed to develop the resources that are key to keeping servicemembers safe and successful around the globe. Similarly, I was encouraged that this bill incorporates language creating opportunities for investment in critical R&D programs like the Combat Feeding program at Natick Soldier Systems. This center finds ways to make sure our servicemembers are fed and fed well in some of the world's most unforgiving climates. Finally, I would like to thank the committee staff who worked closely with all of our staffs to include these important provisions in the bill.