Niki Tsongas

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 204 held on May 7, 2014, I intended to vote ``no.'' I oppose H. Res. 565, ``Calling on Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., to appoint a special counsel to investigate the targeting of conservative nonprofit groups by the Internal Revenue Service,'' and support the ongoing efforts of the Justice Department to investigate the alleged targeting of both conservative and liberal groups.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, the underlying bill presented before us today is problematic for many reasons, as my Democratic colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee have very clearly outlined on the floor this afternoon. The Antiquities Act has served our country for well over 100 years and has been used by 16 Presidents to designate over 140 national monuments, many of them protecting American military heritage. To date, Presidents and Congress have designated 22 military sites as national monuments. One of the many unintended consequences of this legislation is that it would prevent the President from protecting important military cultural and historical sites under the Antiquities Act. As someone who grew up on military bases both across the country and overseas, I know firsthand the tremendous sacrifices that our servicemembers and their families make on behalf of our Nation. My father was a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument is just one example of a monument that was designated by Presidential authority under the Antiquities Act. My amendment preserves the ability of the President to declare as national monuments those that provide for the ``protection or conservation of historic or cultural resources related to American military history,'' regardless of their size. I urge adoption of this amendment to maintain the President's ability to honor our military and military families and fix one small piece of this misguided legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for his remarks, but I respectfully disagree. As we know, yet again to reiterate, the Antiquities Act has served our country well for over 100 years, has been used by Presidents, both Democratic and Republican, to designate over 150 national monuments. It was created to allow swift action to conserve high priority public lands when Congress is unable to act. It was not the intention of the Antiquities Act to let Congress dictate which national monuments the President can and cannot create. We have heard from our colleagues from Delaware and New Mexico the robust public input around designating the Antiquities Act. Presidential actions taken under the Antiquities Act are, like all other Presidential actions, exempt from the NEPA process. It would be a radical departure from long practice to subject Presidential action to NEPA. A significant change like this should not be considered on the fly in a manager's amendment without prior debate in the House. Again, the underlying intent of this amendment was to protect military monuments. I respectfully disagree with my colleague across the aisle. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3189 because it could have severe unintended consequences for the Third District of Massachusetts, which I represent. A hearing on the bill was held in a most untimely manner, during a government shutdown, thus preventing the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service or any other administration official from answering questions on this legislation. Given the harsh statements about these very important agencies coming from the other side of the aisle, it seems only fair to have given them a chance to address these charges. According to ``Views'' of this legislation submitted by the Department of Interior after the fact, this bill ``could significantly impact the Department's ability to manage water-related resources within public lands.'' It also goes on to say that ``the legislation is overly broad and could have numerous unintended consequences that would affect existing law and voluntarily agreements.'' My constituents echo this statement. From a local organization that works tirelessly to protect our rivers and watershed in Massachusetts, they say: ``The bill is so very broad it is fairly impossible to assess its true impact. On those very grounds it should not be passed.'' I will be supporting the Polis amendment to narrow the scope of this legislation to its original purpose and to address the legitimate concerns of the ski industry. If this amendment is not adopted, I urge my colleagues to heed the advice of my constituents and to reject this bill.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition to talk about a significant issue for Massachusetts and our nation: the wind production tax credit. In the past 2 years, clean energy jobs in Massachusetts have grown by 24 percent and are projected to grow another 11 percent in 2014. Thanks to the wind industry, the Commonwealth has seen an influx of over $200 million in capital investment and is home to nine wind-related manufacturing facilities. Massachusetts is also home to the Wind Technology Testing Center, which at the time of its opening was the first facility in the country capable of testing large-scale wind turbine blades up to 300 feet in length. This testing center has created high-skilled jobs and has helped spur the development of next-generation blades made here in the United States. We must act now to make sure that these innovative American businesses can continue to create new manufacturing opportunities here in the United States. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting an extension of the wind production tax credit.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement into the Record in support of extending unemployment insurance for 1.6 million Americans instead of this radical Republican assault on women's health care rights. Madam Speaker, I want to share emails from just three of the many people I hear from each week who have been personally affected by House Republicans' decision to block a vote on extending unemployment insurance. Katie from Chelmsford: ``I was laid off in April and have looked for a job since then--with no luck--In spite of the news reports about the economy and how great the job market is, we all know that is not true. I know so many folks still looking for jobs in MA--all well educated, well qualified good people! . . . I truly hope unemployment benefits are extended.'' Clark from Westford: ``I am writing you regarding the stopping of the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. I am a married father of 2 children in local area colleges living in Westford, MA and rely on this emergency money to survive. I have been able to work 8 months this year over 3 jobs but all were temporary positions that did not lead to full-time employment. The economy is not yet hot enough to create enough full-time jobs and without this money our family will not make it. Please find the money to pay for extending this program as it is saving our lives . . . literally!'' Doreen from Lowell: ``I'm a single mom of a great 14 year old daughter who is an honor student! (Very proud.) In May of 2013 I was laid off after 23 wonderful years of employment with the same company. This has been a life changing time for [my daughter] and myself, however we have taken the change with nothing less than a positive attitude. We have made sacrifices such as canceling our cable and Internet as well as making cuts from cell phone service to more frugal grocery shopping. ``I found out today that after 6 months of unemployment it has ended! I received a letter just two months ago that I would be extended until May of 2014, however because of Federal budget cuts this is not happening. I've been looking and applying for jobs faithfully on a weekly basis with no luck. Nothing comes close to what I was making before, I have a mortgage by myself as a single mom . . . ``I've been proud of myself for this accomplishment and being a positive strong role model has always been important to me for my daughter. I don't understand how an extension can just be cancelled like that! My daughter and I are now just our small savings account away from being homeless and that's a shame. I can only hope that someone in Congress is listening to us hard working people and will step up and do something about this. It upsets me to think after 23 years of service I can't lean on my government for support. I don't expect to be on unemployment for long but unfortunately 6 months wasn't enough, it's still tough out there! I really appreciate you taking the time to read this email and please, please, please be my voice and make them hear me.'' I urge my colleagues to pass an extension now and help hardworking people throughout our nation avoid economic disaster.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, Congress has come together every year for half a century to pass the NDAA and support our servicemembers. This NDAA includes the BE SAFE Act, which it was my honor to work on with Representative Mike Turner. It takes significant steps towards combating military sexual assault, an egregious crime that exists across the services. The bill makes historic changes to commander authority, removing the ability to overturn a jury verdict. It mandates a dishonorable discharge for those convicted of sexual assault and makes sure that every victim of military sexual assault gets an attorney. This NDAA is necessary to require the Pentagon to continue important sexual assault prevention measures, such as the successful Special Victims Counsel program that could fall by the wayside if not mandated by law. It also includes many other reforms advanced on a bipartisan basis by many other members of the committee. While we have more work to do, I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their dedication in getting an NDAA done, and Representatives Turner, Davis, Wilson, and the many others who worked on a bipartisan basis to address the great challenge of sexual assault in the military. I urge the House and Senate to pass this important bill.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. One of my constituents, Alan Holbrook of Groton, Massachusetts, lost his wife this year after their family endured her 8-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bernadette Holbrook was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 57. Alan left his job to lovingly take care of her. He is not alone. For every person with Alzheimer's, there are approximately two to three others that generously give unpaid care. Alzheimer's is a disease that disproportionately impacts women. Nearly two-thirds of those with the disease are women, and that number is growing. Today, 5 million people in this country suffer from the disease, and it will likely be an estimated 15 million by 2025. This disease not only exacts a tremendous physical and emotional toll, but a financial one as well. In 2013, the estimated direct costs just to take care of those with Alzheimer's were $203 billion. Mr. Speaker, for the Holbrooks and the millions of those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, we must dedicate ourselves towards curing and preventing this disease.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall 586 and 587 on November 15, 2013. I was in Massachusetts to meet with Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno at Natick Soldier Systems Center, the only active duty Army installation in New England. Since I encouraged him to come, and helped organize a portion of his visit, I felt it was necessary to be present. Had I been present for this vote, I would have voted ``yes'' on the Motion to Recommit (rollcall 586) and ``no'' on the final passage of H.R. 3350 (rollcall 587). I would have voted against H.R. 3350 because it would have opened up health insurance plans that do not meet the basic requirements of the Affordable Care Act to new enrollees. I would have voted for the Democratic Motion to Recommit. This motion would have given insurance companies the option to continue offering plans that were in existence as of October 1, 2013 to current enrollees, but would not have opened up these plans that do not meet basic requirements to new consumers.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge House leaders to let us vote on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. In 1979, my late husband, Paul, was the first U.S. Senator to introduce legislation to ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation. I agreed with him then and feel just as strongly about ENDA today. Employees should be judged solely by their ability to do their jobs. After I was elected in 2007, I was proud to cast one of my first votes in support of the passage of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, an effort spearheaded by the relentless Barney Frank. While ENDA passed in the House of Representatives in 2007, it did not move in the Senate; but on November 7, the U.S. Senate made history by passing ENDA. It is now time for the House to act--to pass ENDA and to finally expand protections in order to prevent employment discrimination. Mr. Speaker, for the sake of dignity, justice, and equality, let us vote.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had a heart-wrenching conversation with a nurse employed at a military installation in my district. She has been furloughed because of the Republican government shutdown. As a Federal contract employee, she is terrified that she won't be able to recover her lost pay, putting her family at financial risk. ``We are the ones suffering,'' she told me. ``We are hardworking Americans working paycheck to paycheck. Something like this can destroy us.'' No piecemeal approach, no temporary fix here or there is going to put an end to this reckless shutdown. Only one bill is guaranteed to reopen all of the government--or even any part of it today--and put this nurse and hundreds of thousands of Americans like her back to work. It is time for the House to vote on the straightforward, Senate- passed funding bill. Mr. Speaker, let us vote.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, despite the GOP's best efforts, health care exchanges across this country opened. In the first 24 hours, healthcare.gov was visited by 4.7 million visitors. In Massachusetts, where we've had an exchange for years, thousands began the process of signing up for expanded care. Yesterday, in one of the local papers in my district, the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, a reader wrote about the benefits that people are already enjoying under the Affordable Care Act. This grateful parent stated: I have been happy with ObamaCare. For the past 2 years, my two recent college grads have been on my insurance. We have saved over $4,000. Originally, one was kicked off our plan at age 22. Republicans say young and healthy kids do not need insurance. They are wrong. One of our children was hit by a car walking, and the other had gallbladder surgery. The hospital bills were over $50,000. It is evident that families all over this country are grateful that their loved ones will have access to affordable health coverage. To my colleagues across the aisle, please listen to them.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government is shut down today for one reason: we in the House have been denied any chance of voting on the clean funding bill passed by the Senate. Four times now, House leaders have demanded that we dismantle a democratically enacted and Supreme Court-upheld law as their ransom, but not once have they allowed us to vote on the Senate's bill. This recklessness has real consequences. At military installations in my home State of Massachusetts, thousands of civilian employees who support our Nation's servicemembers have already weathered furloughs. Now they and their families are being punished yet again. The path forward is clear: vote on the Senate-passed CR and send it to the President today, put the government back to work, negotiate on a long-term budget, and work together to fine-tune the Affordable Care Act. With yesterday's opening of the exchanges, we saw the tremendous need and response. I urge the Speaker to do the responsible thing: bring us a vote on a clean funding bill.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National Small Business Week, honoring the businessmen and -women whose sacrifices and hard work have helped build our economy from the ground up. I want to take a moment to honor one such entrepreneur, Leslie John Bowen of Concord, Massachusetts, who passed away last November following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Les was a remarkable individual on so many levels. As an expert in the fields of materials, science and business, he held numerous U.S. and foreign patents and he coauthored over 30 publications. Earning his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Ceramics in 1977, Les went on to do postdoctoral research at the Materials Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University, contributing to the development of piezocomposite materials and other acoustic transducer technologies. Following a move to Massachusetts in 1980, Les worked at GTE Laboratories in Waltham, MA, where his research focused on electronic ceramics and devices. In 1984, he became Manager of Ceramics R&D, overseeing research into structural and optical ceramics. In 1991, Les left GTE to found Material Systems Inc. (MSI). Today MSI employs 40 people in my district in Littleton, Massachusetts, and serves as a powerful example of the kind of high-tech research, development and manufacturing that we must continue to foster here at home. I first met Les as a newly-elected member of Congress. With my background in law and higher education, I was not well-versed in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Les made a compelling case for the need to enact a long-term reauthorization to provide stability to the innovative companies in Massachusetts and nationwide that use the program to create jobs and provide the Federal Government with the best possible technology. It took multiple years, many short-term extensions, and a number of hard-fought battles, but with Les's diligent engagement of the SBIR community, we were able to enact such a reauthorization in late 2011. Throughout our friendship, I knew Les as a forceful and thoughtful advocate for small business, one willing to give his time in service to the boards of the Smaller Business Association of New England, SBANE, and the National Small Business Association, and to the President's Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration, PECSEA. Les took seriously his role in advocating for American small businesses and in mentoring others. For his work, he was recognized by his peers with multiple awards, including being named the NSBA's Champion of Small Business Innovation in February 2012 for his tireless efforts on SBIR. Although he hailed originally from England, he was deeply committed to advancing our nation's competitiveness by encouraging innovation in the small growth companies that are the backbone of our economy. Les was a beloved husband to his wife Carol, and father to his daughters, Stephanie and Kimberly. Today Carol leads MSI and has continued Les's legacy of service and advocacy. I am grateful to have the privilege of knowing Les and Carol, and Les continues to serve as an inspiration. It is with great appreciation that we honor him today on the Floor of the House of Representatives during National Small Business Week.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, since assuming control of the House of Representatives, Republicans have brought 10 bills to the floor to limit a woman's constitutionally protected right to make choices regarding her own health. In January, we were told that the Republican majority was going to ``rebrand'' and refocus on the economy. Yet, this week, my Republican colleagues once again ignored the pressing problems of many American families and brought a bill to the floor that would reverse decades of progress for women's health. H.R. 1797, muscled through by an all-male Republican panel, would upend Roe v. Wade and contains only the narrowest of exceptions for women who are victims of rape or incest. I received an email Monday from a constituent that I think best sums up the problems in the bill. In this email, the constituent, who is an abuse victim and incest survivor, urged me to stop this dangerous bill from becoming law and threatening the health of women who, like her, are in the most desperate and tragic of circumstances. While the bill passed the House yesterday, I am happy to say that it will not be acted upon in the Senate. I urge my colleagues to stop these dangerous games with women's health and confront the true problems that are facing the country.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I value my partnership with Congressman Turner as cochairs of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus and with the legislation we have crafted on combating the horrific crime of sexual assault in the military. This year, our work together on the Better Enforcement for Sexual Assault Free Environments Act, otherwise known as BE SAFE, led to its incorporation into the NDAA before us today. However, I must take exception to the amendment before us. I do agree that we must make sure that all individuals who are convicted of sexual assault in the military are punished with confinement--absolutely--but there are many different ideas about the best way to do that. Some argue that a better approach would be a system similar to Federal sentencing guidelines, and that's why Mr. Turner and I wrote a provision in the defense authorization before us that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide Congress with a report on sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimum sentencing provisions under the UCMJ. Before we make additional changes to the UCMJ, we need to see this report. Since we've introduced the BE SAFE Act, we have heard from many groups. One letter from the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence says: Long mandatory minimum sentences can have a chilling effect on reporting and prosecuting sexual assault in the civilian system, and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence does not recommend them. We have to listen to these various voices. We cannot afford to take this risk in the military. Reporting of sexual assault in the military already happens at abysmal rates. We need more reporting, not less. Less reporting equals fewer prosecutions, which ultimately will fail to deter the perpetrators from carrying out this heinous crime. I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, this year's NDAA takes unprecedented steps to address a disturbing prevalence of sexual assault in the military, and I want to thank Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, Congressman Wilson, and Congresswoman Davis for including these provisions in the bill. I'd also like to thank my cochair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, Congressman Mike Turner. In recent months, we have seen reports rise, military commanders and supervisors abuse their authority, and officers in charge of sexual assault prevention efforts allegedly commit the crimes they were sworn to stop. This is a systemic problem, and the NDAA takes real consequential actions in response. This NDAA begins to reform the power of a military commander, the first major bipartisan effort in decades to make such a significant change on the command structure. Commanders will no longer have the authority to dismiss court-martial convictions for serious offenses, including sexual assault, and are prohibited from reducing guilty findings for serious offenses. It makes sure that those who are convicted of sexual assault will, at a minimum, be dishonorably discharged or dismissed. And this bill continues our push to provide victims of sexual assault with access to legal counsel, which is a critical step in the process of creating an environment that encourages victims to report these crimes and in bringing those responsible to justice. These, and others, are significant reforms that offer considerable momentum toward changing the deeply rooted and flawed culture that has allowed these crimes to pervade our Armed Forces. We are making progress, but there is a long way to go. Last year's bill established a nine-member independent review panel to evaluate the systems used to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate sexual assault crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The members of this panel are just getting to work now, and their input, 1 year from now, will be invaluable in making sure that Congress continues its work to make the best reforms possible and end the scourge of sexual assault. I look forward to continuing to work with many Members in both Chambers, the victims who have bravely come forward, and the committed military leaders who are all meaningfully contributing to this debate to ensure that this issue can never again be disregarded or ignored. I also want to take a moment to highlight the important work that this bill advances to develop superior, lightweight body armor for our servicemembers. While the ceramic plates which our servicemembers insert into their tactical vests have always provided the requisite level of protection in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are unfortunately still too heavy and are causing an epidemic of musculoskeletal injuries among servicemembers, which the VA will be paying for over decades to come. Last year, the NDAA contained language requiring the continued development of body armor systems for female servicemembers, as the legacy systems fit poorly.

Ms. TSONGAS. Lightweight body armor that hadn't been designed for female members put female soldiers at greater risk in the field. This year's bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive R&D strategy for lightweight body armor to Congress. I believe this is an important step, and I thank Air and Land Subcommittee Chair Turner and Ranking Member Sanchez for their work on this matter.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and pay tribute to Second Lieutenant Luther McIlwain, of the United States Army Air Corps' famed Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. McIlwain recently passed away at the age of 91 and I seek to honor him for his dedicated service to the United States as an airman escorting bombers during World War II. Lieutenant McIlwain was born in Blaine, South Carolina. His family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts when he was two and he lived there until his graduation from Methuen High School in 1939. He attended college at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. Upon graduation, he sought to join the military in order to serve his country at a momentous time. On his first attempt, military recruiters ridiculed him for his desire to become a pilot. He was repeatedly told that he would not be able to fly because of his race. Undeterred, Luther enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and ultimately became an aviator with the famed Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of soldiers who continuously placed their country's needs above their own, often in the face of extreme adversity. Due to the segregation of the military at the time, the Tuskegee Airmen were routinely subjected to racial discrimination from their fellow service members and civilians alike. This never dissuaded their devotion to their duty or their Nation. They chose to pursue difficult training, knowing it would ultimately place them in direct confrontation with enemy combatants. Luther McIlwain proudly stood as a member of this elite unit. Luther McIlwain fought in the skies above Europe and North Africa with bravery and distinction. He continued to place others first by serving as an instructor during the war, training nearly one thousand aviators in his unit. Shortly after WWII, Mr. McIlwain was honorably discharged. He went on in his great tradition of service after the war by serving 22 years on the New York City Police Department. In 2007 he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bush. The ceremony was held in the U.S. Capitol, and Mr. McIlwain, along with nearly three hundred surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and their families, accepted the award on behalf of their departed colleagues. Today, we honor Second Lieutenant Luther McIlwain for his lifetime of exemplary service, especially during WWII as a member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, who, undeterred by the rampant racism and prejudice of the time, sought to place their country above all else and paved the way for desegregation of our Armed Forces.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement into the Record opposing the GOP's indefensible Mother's Day gift--more work and less pay for working moms. Happy Mother's Day.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from Massachusetts to thank the law enforcement officers, medical professionals, first responders and citizen heroes for their incredible bravery and sacrifice during and after the tragic events last week at the Boston Marathon. Given the time constraints, I'd like to now yield to my colleague from Massachusetts, Bill Keating.

Ms. TSONGAS. I thank the gentleman and appreciate very much his heartfelt comments. At this time, I would like to yield to my colleague from Rhode Island, David Cicilline.