Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment by my good friend and colleague from California. I do that respectfully. H.R. 2 includes a substantive, enforceable, and supportive work requirement for work-capable adults 18 to 59. That is 20 percent of the population, 6 million individuals. Waivers and exemptions were modified and even tightened to ensure that only the most vulnerable work-capable adults were waived from the requirement. Waivers take into consideration those areas with excessively high rates of unemployment, while exemptions assist those who need short-term reprieve because of temporary hardship. Allowing for married couples to fulfill one requirement disengages recipients from the workforce. Work is more than just a paycheck. It provides dignity, social impact, opportunity, and creates the only path to self-sufficiency. One spouse fulfilling a 20-hour-per-week requirement does not lead to self-sufficiency. It does the exact opposite; it creates a lifetime dependency trap. H.R. 2 provides equitable treatment to all households when promoting work, including those that house cohabiting adults or married adults. Currently, 42 States choose not to use education and training funds to invest in childcare, which is an allowable investment. Reducing the age of the child from 6 to 3 is an undeniable barrier that disincentivizes employment more so than the current programming. Requiring education and training providers to use E-Verify on all participants who depend on them for services is just plain cruel. SNAP has eligibility standards in place, and illegal immigrants are not eligible for benefits. This is simply a means to shut out the very organizations and entities that provide these necessary supports for individuals in need. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I ask support in opposing this amendment from my friend and colleague from California. To my friends across the aisle who keep asking for bipartisan opportunity, you blew the first one. That was in subcommittee, where we could have amendments, and we are not seeing amendments from Members here. So there has been plenty of opportunity for bipartisan work. I do appreciate the recommendations that my Democratic friends made in writing to both the ranking member and the chairman. All of those points and all the titles, I believe, were--I know in the nutrition title they were all incorporated into the base bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Gosar for offering this commonsense amendment. Good Neighbor Authority was one of the hard-fought achievements in the 2014 farm bill that has proven useful in improving our national forests and our rural communities. I was pleased to expand the Good Neighbor Authority to Indian Tribes in the base text of this bill, and I am happy that my colleague continues to improve the forestry title with this amendment authorizing counties to be eligible.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Mr. Gianforte for offering this important amendment for Montana and, quite frankly, for our National Forest System as a whole. Over the past several years, fires have had a devastating impact on our forest system lands, resulting in deteriorated landscapes. I have witnessed this firsthand across the country as the former chairman of the Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. It is vital that the Forest Service has the right tools, the ability to restore these landscapes as quickly as possible to preserve habitat, clean air, and the significant impact that these incidents can have on clean water. Unfortunately, litigation stalls many of these projects. As Madison County, Montana, Commissioner Dave Schulz noted before the House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee in May of 2015, due to the threat of litigation from outside groups refusing to meet or collaborate with the community, what started out as a consensus proposal for 100,000 acres of fire salvage and reforestation was reduced to less than 2,000 acres of salvage. ``Fear of litigation prevents the Forest Service from thinking big.'' In another quote, he offered, a ``significant factor in preventing responsible management of our Nation's forests.'' Mr. Chair, I certainly support this amendment. It has already passed the House. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Chairman, we have heard about broad-based categorical eligibility. If this was a SNAP brochure, Mr. Chairman, and I hand this to you, regardless of what your income is, if you accept this SNAP brochure, you are now eligible for SNAP. That is broad-based categorical eligibility. Mr. Chairman, if somebody offers you an 800 number to call regarding SNAP, which is a good thing, as is the brochure, and you use that number, under broad-based categorical eligibility, you are now eligible for SNAP, no matter what your income is. So, if it has been found that some families will come off, it is because it has been found that there are families who already exceed the income. Now, here is the thing. If they just go and fill out the application, they can be eligible for SNAP if they meet those financial and asset requirements.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, I was absent for the evening vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 181; YEA on Roll Call No. 182; and YEA on Roll Call No. 183.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Salvation Army Week, and it is a time to recognize the good that this organization does, but also a time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by more than 40 million Americans who are living in poverty, many who are stuck in poverty, quite frankly, because of programs and regulations put forth by Washington, D.C., for decades that serve as a spiderweb and makes people feel more comfortable living in poverty, which is nothing we should ever do. We should always be working to provide our friends, our neighbors, our neighbors in need with a pathway to opportunity. The Salvation Army is a great organization, actually, that accomplishes that. With the help of 3.2 million volunteers, the Salvation Army serves nearly 25 million Americans through a range of social services, including food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. National Salvation Army Week began in 1954 when Congress approved the joint resolution for President Dwight D. Eisenhower to proclaim a week to recognize the humanitarian efforts of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is one of the Nation's largest and oldest faith- based health and human services providers. With a presence in every ZIP Code across the country, the Salvation Army uniquely understands the demands facing Americans in need. Last year, the Salvation Army served more than 56 million meals and provided more than 10 million nights of shelter. The Salvation Army is on the front lines of the opioid crisis, serving more than 173,000 Americans in 139 rehab centers across the United States. Since the 1900 Galveston hurricane, the Salvation Army has served survivors and first responders of every major natural disaster and numerous man-made disasters. In any given year, it helps more than 275,000 survivors receive hope, healing, and comfort. Through a wide variety of job training programs, including culinary, hospitality, and landscaping training, the Salvation Army helps Americans build the skills they need to acquire gainful employment and lift themselves out of poverty, help them achieve food security. The Salvation Army takes a holistic approach in addressing people's needs. It supports the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of those that they serve. Data shows that those who utilize the Salvation Army's spiritual and emotional care programs are more likely to reclaim their lives and get back on their feet. Mr. Speaker, the Salvation Army was established in London in 1865, and for more than 135 years, it has been supporting those in need without discrimination. Together, we can all join the fight for good. I am proud to honor this outstanding organization that for more than a century has given scores of Americans the help they need during trying times.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the International Association of Lions Club, Multiple District 14, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lions Multiple District 14 will host its 95th annual convention at the Penn Stater Conference Center today through Sunday. They will proudly welcome the Lions Club International president, Dr. Naresh Aggarwal, of Batala, Punjab, India. Mr. Speaker, this group is near and dear to my heart, as I am a member of my local Lions Club, having served also as a Scoutmaster of that Lions Scout troop. The Lions are the world's largest service club, with more than 18,900 Lions in Pennsylvania and nearly 1.45 million Lions worldwide. The Lions focus on five areas of service: diabetes; environment; hunger relief; pediatric cancer; and probably the most well-known area of service, vision. Thanks to the 692 Lions Clubs in Pennsylvania, residents benefit from services like chartering units of the Boy Scouts of America, operating a year-round camp for people with vision challenges, supporting a camp for children with health challenges, and offering scholarships for students. Mr. Speaker, the Lions do so much for so many in need. I wish them the best of luck as they host their 95th convention and live out their motto: We serve.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Yes.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. All farm deer must be CWD certified, meaning testing for over 5 years, to be eligible for interstate shipment and commerce, and there is a USDA Federal rule, all farm deer in the Federal herd certification program must test 100 percent of their death loss for CWD, and State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies test a low percentage of wild deer for CWD. So the focus on this is the wild deer. If a farm deer is determined to be CWD positive, in almost all cases, the entire herd is put down, as you had mentioned in your experience, leaving the farmer without a source of income or business. The goal of the amendment, however, I think would help in that situation because the goal of the amendment is to find a live test or a cure for CWD since scientists believe it is naturally occurring in the wild. If we had a vaccine, we could then increase the number of sportsmen and -women in the field to help with the Pittman-Robertson funds that go to conservation. The total economic impact of the farmed cervid industry is $7.9 billion a year in the U.S. and employs almost 57,000 people who contribute greatly to rural American, State, and certainly Federal economies as well. The outcome of this would benefit both farm but also wild CWD instances and cases, and prevent them.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, Chairman Conaway, and Ranking Member Peterson, I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today and speak on this amendment. Chronic wasting disease is a wildlife health disorder impacting the cervid populations in 24 States, including Pennsylvania. The disease attacks the brain and nervous system of these animals, which include deer, elk, and mule and moose species, and always results in death. Currently, we don't have a way to live test, and there is no cure or vaccine for the disease. First identified in Colorado in the 1960s, CWD, as it is known, wasn't detected in Pennsylvania until 2012. However, the problem continues to grow as the State Game Commission has found a doubling of instances between 2016 and 2017. If this trend continues, we will see devastating impacts on our cervid populations as well as related ecological consequences. Title VII, the research portion of the farm bill, provides important support for innovation, research, and development at our Nation's land grant universities and agricultural colleges. To help wildlife managers and States combat the problem of CWD, my amendment simply adds chronic wasting disease to section 7208, high- priority research and extension initiatives. According to the CBO, this amendment would have no change in direct spending or revenue. However, this amendment would help focus some resources toward chronic wasting disease research. A number of organizations have endorsed this amendment, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Wildlife Management Institute, The Quality Deer Management Association, National Deer Alliance, National Wildlife Federation, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. I appreciate the opportunity today to offer this amendment and request the support of my colleagues. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for that question. It is an important part of this discussion. Actually, first of all, it is important for people to understand that, let me just say upfront, chronic wasting disease is not transmitted to humans. There is no case of that. I know that wasn't your question, but I think that is important. It is not transmitted to humans. I think it is important for those who might be listening to understand that. I don't want to create a fear factor here. The research of the USDA so far shows there has never been a documented case of a farm deer transferring CWD to wild population.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I was detained in my Congressional District due to the Primary Election. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 181; YEA on Roll Call No. 182; and YEA on Roll Call No. 183.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Police Week. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country are in Washington in honor of National Police Week. Established by joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and the protection of others. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community. It is also a time where we pause to remember officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty protecting and serving others. This week honors the men and women in blue who gave everything to protect their country and their communities. Our officers put on their uniform each day knowing that they can be in harm's way at any moment. Mr. Speaker, I say thank you to all of our officers who answer the call to serve, and I wish each and every officer a happy National Police Week.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the Agriculture Committee so much for yielding, and for his tireless work on this important legislation in order to support rural America and our most vulnerable. Over the past 3 years, the Agriculture Committee has spent countless hours talking with constituents, performing outreach, and holding hearings with stakeholders to see how we can improve upon the 2014 farm bill. Contrary to the claims of some, this legislation was not created in the dead of night or without input from my friends across the aisle. Mr. Chairman, I have before me a letter that was sent to Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson with priorities identified by the Democratic Members that I am proud to serve with on the Agriculture Committee. I am proud to see--under nutrition specifically--all of these, and I believe all of these titles, these priorities were incorporated into the farm bill. Over this 3-year period, we held 21 hearings and heard from 81 witnesses at the Nutrition Subcommittee alone. Members of the Agriculture Committee traveled to every corner of the country to participate in listening sessions and obtain vital input from our farmers, our ranchers, and our growers. As the farm bill was in development at the committee, every Member had the opportunity to provide input and that input was considered during this process. Yet, even with an open process, no amendments were offered during the committee markup by my friends across the aisle. That is an opportunity for refinement, as is being on the House floor an opportunity for refinement. From voluntary insurance programs, to conservation in rural development programs, to agriculture research, H.R. 2 contains critical supports for our Nation's farmers, ranchers, and rural America. On the farm side, I am especially pleased with the continued reforms to the Margin Protection Program for Dairy, as well as the forestry provisions in title VIII. Now, while I could go on about all of these good policies contained in H.R. 2, this legislation ultimately is about supporting American food--both on the farm, and on the consumer side. Food is a national security issue. And whether we realize it or not, every American shakes hands with a farmer at least three times a day. As chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I am proud that we maintain nutrition assistance for our most vulnerable through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Approximately 65 percent of these dollars directly provide food to children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities who rely on benefits of SNAP when times get tough. H.R. 2 also does make historic changes to SNAP by providing new job opportunities for work-capable adults. This bill does this by reinvesting significant dollars within our budget into education and training programs. By providing the States the increased resources to do this, every work-capable SNAP recipient will be guaranteed a slot in a job-training program, leading to ultimate food security. By doing this, we can help folks elect a pathway to long-term employment, self-sufficiency, and a way out of poverty. Mr. Chair, I ask that Members support H.R. 2.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Foxx for yielding and for her leadership in the area of education, workforce development, career and technical education. It is greatly appreciated and a pleasure and honor to work with the gentlewoman. Mr. Speaker, every Member of this Chamber is familiar with the issue surrounding the skills gap. The American workforce currently faces a shortage of 6 million skilled workers. That number continues to grow at a rate faster than anybody could anticipate. We expected not to hit 6 million job openings until the year 2020, and here we are, 6.5 million jobs open and available that need to be filled here in 2018. Employers from numerous different fields have weighed in on the issue, and the majority of employers agree that vacant positions remain unfilled because candidates lack many of the skills that they need for a given job. While soft skills, such as communications, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are important for many jobs requiring daily interaction and working as part of a team, hard skills, which are learned in a classroom or a skills-based course, have significantly contributed to the skills gap. As a senior member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce as well as co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I believe that by modernizing the current Federal law and investing in skills-based education programs, we can begin to narrow the skills gap, put people back to work, and continue to grow this economy. The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has not been updated in more than a decade. The law no longer reflects the realities and challenges facing students and workers today. Current policies restrict the ability of State leaders to invest Federal resources and prioritize economic growth and local needs. It fails them in having the flexibility to be able to react to immediate workforce needs. In an effort to close the skills gap, my colleague Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and I introduced H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. H.R. 2353 makes impactful changes to the law by giving authority back to the State and local leaders, who have a thorough understanding of the regional workforce; aligning career and technical education programs with high-skilled, lucrative, and in-demand jobs; and increasing transparency and accountability, while also assessing the success of skills-based education programs; and limiting the Department of Education's role in the CTE programs, empowering the State and the local leaders. Now, while this bipartisan legislation passed the House unanimously last year and still awaits action in the Senate, in a time when critical industries have vacant jobs but not enough qualified workers to fill them, it is imperative that we work to get this bill signed into law for the prosperity of our economy and for the future of our workforce. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the opportunity to weigh in on this important topic.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today about an excellent event that will take place Saturday in communities throughout the Nation. The 26th annual Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the country's largest single-day food drive. It is the brainchild of the National Association of Letter Carriers in response to the need they saw every day on their routes. Letter carriers go into neighborhoods in every town at least 6 days a week, and they have a keen awareness of their neighbors in need. After receiving input from food banks and pantries, the letter carriers determined that late spring would be the best time for a food drive since by then most food banks in the country start running out of donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods. Known for its distinctive blue plastic bags, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive provides nonperishable food to local food banks, shelters, and meal programs across the United States. One bag of food may seem small, but it goes a long way to stamp out hunger.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H. Res. 774.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during national Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate America's hardworking, dedicated, and passionate teachers. Mr. Speaker, I am sure every Member of this House can think of a teacher who had a positive influence on not only their education, but their life. Teachers push students to achieve their best, and they show students how to realize their full potential. Sometimes it is the interest of just one teacher that can transform the life of a young person. Teachers are often the most underrated, yet powerful professionals in the entire world. They truly do shape young minds and our future. Teachers lend a caring hand and extend a loving heart. They make differences in the lives of our students academically, emotionally, and physically. So, Mr. Speaker, during national Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise to say ``thank you'' to those who educate our children. Thank you for the job you do, for the hours you work, for the patience you show, and for the impact you have on so many lives. Day in and day out, our teachers are there. We are grateful to them.