Dina Titus

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also support H.R. 7318. This bill that is under consideration this morning addresses an outstanding issue that has emerged since Congress originally passed the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act, known as FASTA, back in 2016. FASTA authorized an independent Board to make recommendations on real estate actions designed to dispose of unneeded Federal real estate and redevelop underutilized property. This bill amends FASTA and aligns the dates of the termination of the Public Buildings Reform Board created by FASTA with the appointment of those Board members. I have worked closely with Chairman Barletta during his tenure as chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, and I appreciate his leadership in making the management of real estate more efficient. I also look forward to continuing his work to help the General Services Administration scrutinize the real estate decisions of the Federal Government in order to find savings, promote energy efficiency, and ensure transparency. Towards that end, I look forward to conducting vigorous oversight of the GSA in the next Congress to ensure that the American taxpayers are receiving full value for their dollars that are being invested in Federal real estate. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise also in support of this noncontroversial legislation that makes technical changes to the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act, which was just recently signed into law. I agree that it makes sense to enact these technical corrections at this time to ensure that the amendments contained in Public Law 115-282 are enacted and codified as accurately as possible. I commend the sponsor for his initiative in introducing this legislation, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 7319. This bill addresses an issue which has come up since the enactment of FASTA in the last Congress. The change allows the Federal Government to temporarily lease back a piece of Federal property in order to facilitate the sale of that property. Ultimately, the goal of this provision is to allow the government to more readily dispose of underutilized property. I look forward to working with the Public Buildings Reform Board, as I mentioned, once all of its members are appointed, and I urge Members of this body to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill makes changes to reporting requirements for the Department of Transportation, requiring various agencies to be more transparent to the public by making some of these reports available on DOT's website. Those would include the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee report and some Federal environmental reviews. The bill also requires that any changes in fees or charges for attending the Merchant Marine Academy be posted publicly online as well. The bill makes the results of State performance targets set in the State highway safety plans publicly available and directs GAO to review States' progress in achieving these performance targets, including how States are utilizing grants and problems that may be encountered in achieving their targets. The review will be important to Congress when considering the next reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. Finally, this bill sunsets the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee and the National Rail Cooperative Research Program Oversight Committee upon full completion of positive train control along the Northeast Corridor, and it makes technical changes in reorganizing the rail improvement grant section under title 49. It does a lot of good things to improve transparency, both for the public and for Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, this week we mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which left 26 dead, including 20 children ages 6 and 7. In the years since, there have been 1,917 mass shootings, killing 2,175 men, women, and children and wounding more than 6,000. The worst of these shootings occurred in the heart of my district at the Route 91 music festival when a gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing 58 and injuring more than 800. The list of victims grows every day, and yet on this floor there is only silence. This past November, voters sent a strong message by rejecting those who stand in the way of commonsense gun violence prevention. We can never bring back those who are lost to gun violence, but from universal background checks to a ban on bump stocks, come January, we can and will take action.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize that October marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Sri Lanka. I am proud to serve as Co-Chair of the Sri Lanka Caucus. U.S. development and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, totaling roughly $2 billion, has improved livelihoods and living conditions across Sri Lanka through substantial investments in agriculture, economic development, education, health care, energy, and humanitarian activities. The 2015 presidential election in Sri Lanka paved the way for renewed engagement in support of Sri Lanka's commitments to reform and reconciliation. In December 2016, Sri Lanka was selected to develop a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact. In August 2017, we celebrated the creation of the Sri Lanka America Association of Las Vegas to foster solidarity within the Sri Lankan community in Southern Nevada. In February 2018, Sri Lanka and the United States signed a bilateral agreement to have the Peace Corps re-establish programs in Sri Lanka. The United States is Sri Lanka's largest export market; and as a partner legislature of the House Democracy Partnership, Sri Lanka's Parliament has engaged in training and exchange programs with the United States. It is my hope that the U.S. will continue to support Sri Lanka on a path of reform and development and continue to reinforce our shared goals of regional security and stability, good governance, and commitment to democratic values. In doing so, our relationship will continue to flourish.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today in support of this bill, which is the result of a lot of hard work over many years and includes a number of important wins for my constituents in Nevada and for users of our aviation system all around the world. As chair of the House Travel and Tourism Caucus, I am happy to see provisions to improve our airport infrastructure; protect air travelers; and support our pilots, flight attendants, and aviation professionals. In addition, I am glad the bill includes an important extension of the work being done at the Nevada UAS Test Site, which will allow critical research being carried out with NASA and FAA to advance low-altitude air traffic management vital to the success of the commercial drone industry. As ranking member of the Economic Development Subcommittee, I am also pleased to report that the bill includes the Bipartisan Disaster Recovery and Reform Act. These critical reforms will help communities become more resilient and better prepared to deal with the impacts of global climate change. With our neighbors in the Carolinas reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Florence, our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands still rebuilding from last year's devastating hurricanes, and numerous communities in the West facing wildfires, this can't come soon enough.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Kalle Konkkola, an international disability rights advocate and former member of the Finnish Parliament. Mr. Konkkola passed away on September 11, 2018. He served from 1983 to 1987 as the first member of the Finnish Parliament with a disability, developing key pieces of legislation on disability inclusion and independent living. Konkkola was a fervent advocate for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Finland. Konkkola also helped to strengthen relationships between Finland and the U.S. in the area of disability policy. This relationship resulted in collaborative activities with the State Department's Special Advisor on International Disability Rights and our Embassy in Finland, including training on our Americans with Disabilities Act, joint efforts with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to advance the inclusion of disability, and discussions on conditions of disabled people in refugee camps. Konkkola worked tirelessly for disability inclusion worldwide. He was active in global partnerships for disability and development, and his work emphasized the need for a robust human rights framework in disability policy. Konkkola was instrumental in the negotiations that led to the creation of the European Disability Forum in 1996, and he founded the Abilis Foundation, an organization that promotes human rights, equal opportunities, and independent living through grantmaking to disabled people's organizations in low income countries, in 1998. Konkkola was a member of the Expert Group on Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. He brought a unique perspective to the working group, having firsthand experience of many aspects of political life, including running as a candidate, serving in elected office, and advocating with policymakers. Here in the U.S. Congress, we can honor Konkkola's life by continuing his work to empower the one billion people in the world who have a disability, especially in political and public life. In partnership with the diverse disability community, we must remove barriers that prohibit the full participation of persons with disabilities as voters and candidates. When barriers are removed, voters with disabilities are afforded their full rights as citizens. Today, in memory of Mr. Konkkola, I reaffirm my commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in their pursuit of equal rights. I stand with you today, and for all the days to come.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, and also to my friend from Florida who sponsored this legislation. I too rise in support of H. Res. 401. It is a resolution urging countries around the world to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade, and to recommit to enforcing existing laws against this horrible practice. As you have heard, approximately 30 million dogs and tens of millions of cats are killed annually for human consumption; and many suffer from abuse and cruelty during their lifetime, facing painful deaths at the hands of these horrible meat dealers. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the extreme torment that they have to endure. In the United States, we cherish dogs and cats, recognizing their many contributions as service and therapy animals, search and rescue assistants, and police dogs that aid with drug and bomb searches. They provide airport security, are companions to our veterans, and are cherished family pets. As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation, which enjoyed the support of 150 bipartisan cosponsors and passed the committee by a voice vote. I have worked hard in Congress to end the dog and cat meat trade, eliminate the use of dog leather, and protect our furry and feathered friends from undue harm and abuse. Hundreds of constituents have written us about this issue, and they want the United States to speak up and set an example. Mr. Speaker, I believe this resolution does just that. I thank those who are responsible for bringing it, those who have lent their voice in support of it, and I look forward to seeing it pass today.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and I thank Ranking Member Engel for his leadership in this. I, too, rise in support of H.R. 6197. It is a bill that will combat the illegal wildlife trade by authorizing rewards for information on wildlife traffickers through the State Department's Rewards for Justice program. First, I want to thank the cosponsors, Representatives Donovan and Castro, for their work on this bipartisan legislation, along with Chairman Royce, who has dedicated his career to helping animals in faraway places. Wildlife trafficking generates over $10 billion, annually, for transnational criminal networks. As such, it not only decimates endangered wildlife species, but it also threatens security and fuels corruption. H.R. 6197 gives the State Department another tool to go after wildlife traffickers, and it positively complements the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, which recognizes wildlife trafficking as a serious crime. Together, these two efforts will fuel a multipronged, coordinated approach to combating the illegal wildlife trade and will help to bring the perpetrators to justice. As an advocate for wildlife protections, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it today and end this wildlife trafficking practice.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I was absent September 4, 2018 through September 7, 2018. If I were present, I would have voted on the following: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 Roll no. 380--H.R. 6157--On Motion to Instruct Conferees: Yea Roll no. 381--H.R. 6439--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: Nay Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Roll no. 382--H. Res. 1049--On Ordering the Previous Question: Nay Roll no. 383--H. Res. 1049--On Agreeing to the Resolution: Nay Roll no. 384--H.R. 1635--On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: Yea Roll no. 385--H.R. 1635--On Passage: Yea Thursday, September 6, 2018 Roll no. 386--H. Res. 1051--On Ordering the Previous Question: Nay Roll no. 387--H. Res. 1051--On Agreeing to the Resolution: Nay Roll no. 388--H.R. 6147--On Motion to Instruct Conferees: Yea Roll no. 389--H.R. 4606--On Agreeing to the Amendment: Yea Roll no. 390--H.R. 4606--On Agreeing to the Amendment: Yea Roll no. 391--H.R. 4606--On motion to Recommit with Instructions: Yea Roll no. 392--H.R. 4606--On passage: Nay Friday, September 7, 2018 Roll no. 393--H.R. 6691--On passage: Nay

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for bringing this legislation, but especially my colleague, Congresswoman Frankel, for being such a champion for women's rights and issues not only in this country, but around the globe. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, which, as you have heard by those more eloquent than I, will help to ensure that women's economic development is a fundamental tenet of U.S. development policy. Women tend to spend more of their money on family costs like education and healthcare than men do. Unfortunately, they lack access to financial services and must rely on riskier and less reliable means of borrowing and saving. If global gender parity in economic activity were achieved, we could add as much as $28 trillion to the annual global GDP. That should be incentive enough for us to work to ensure that our government understands and has the capabilities to meet the unique economic needs of women, particularly since women represent more than half the world's population and a majority of the world's poor. Now, in addition to serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am proud to be the co-chair of the Congressional Mongolian Caucus. We are working with the Mongolian Government to support the cashmere production industry to diversify its mining-dependent economy. Notably, an average of 90 percent of the workers in the Mongolian textile sector are female. So if we work to ensure that these women in the cashmere industry have the support, resources, and financial literacy to prosper, we will not only be boosting individual women, we will be boosting an entire economy and will be boosting Mongolia overall. This is just one example where uplifting women can benefit an entire industry, a society, and a national prosperity, which, in turn, fosters democratic stability. As Lois has said, when women succeed, the world succeeds, so I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join the chairman in supporting H.R. 5772, which designates the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Courthouse in Amarillo, Texas, as the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse. The new designation is a well-deserved honor for Judge Mary Lou Robinson. You have heard some description of her outstanding career. Let me add a few more points. She has served as a judge in Amarillo, Texas, for more than 63 years, with 35 years on the Federal judiciary. When she took senior status as a Federal judge in 2016, she became the longest serving Federal judge in both the Northern District of Texas and the entire Fifth Circuit. Judge Robinson received numerous awards throughout her career for both her legal and her public service to the community. She was named one of the 100 Legal Legends by Texas Lawyer, the 2016 Jurist of the Year by the Texas Chapters of American Board of Trial Advocates, and the 1973 Texas Woman of the Year by the Texas Federation of Business and Professional Women, among other awards. Her colleagues reported that she had a reputation for running an orderly and efficient courtroom, and she treated celebrity trials the same way she treated mundane 2-day civil cases. Judge Robinson certainly served with distinction during her time on the Federal bench. She was deeply respected by the Amarillo legal community, and I am pleased to support this legislation which aptly names the facility in her honor. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I say again that we are most impressed by the two people whose names are on this Federal building, and I urge my colleagues to support the designation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 3460. This is the bill, as you heard, that would name the United States Federal courthouse located in downtown Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse. Mr. Wheeler was a prominent community leader. He was a bank president and he was a civil rights lawyer who helped transform the city of Durham over his long and impressive career. Clearly, it is appropriate to name this courthouse after him. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) who brought us this legislation and can speak more personally about the qualities of Mr. Wheeler.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Butterfield, for sharing with us that amazing life story. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of S. 2734 which designates the Federal building and United States courthouse located in Laredo, Texas, as the George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse. I would like to commend Congressman Cuellar, our colleague from Texas, who introduced the House companion to this bill, H.R. 5280, that also has bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar), to share with us the impressive story of Judge Kazen's legal and public career.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague Mr. Cuellar for helping explain why it is even more important for us to name this building for Judge Kazen. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5846, the Promoting Flood Risk Mitigation Act, as amended. This bill was brought to us by my colleague from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer). The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the efficacy of buyouts of flood-prone property acquired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and examine ways to streamline funding to provide more timely assistance to a larger number of State and local governments. One only needs to look at last year's hurricane season to see the devastating impacts of these intense storms that were caused by climate change and what they did to our communities. Unfortunately for many residents, the damage and destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria were not occurring for the first time but for a second or third time. These homes have been flooded and then had to be repaired with Federal assistance. In order to stop this endless repairing and rebuilding of homes in floodplain areas, we must find ways to encourage more homeowners to agree to having their homes bought out, as well as ways to encourage State and local governments to purchase more of these properties. The bill before you requires the GAO to assess the feasibility of a pilot program that, in exchange for a credit on their flood insurance premiums, property owners would be able to agree, before a flood occurs, to have their residence bought out if their residence is later substantially damaged by flood. The study would also examine the role that nonprofit organizations could play in making buyouts more readily available and more efficient. We must stop the cycle of destroy, rebuild, destroy, rebuild. This study is a good first step to assess the benefits of buyouts and the feasibility of potential solutions. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), who is the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to further discuss this.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I, once again, urge passage of this legislation and all the bills that we have brought before you today from this subcommittee. I want to thank our chairman, Mr. Barletta, for working with us across the aisle on these bipartisan bills. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I was absent June 12, 2018 due to unforeseen circumstances. If I were present, I would have voted on the following: Roll no. 258--H.R. 5327--On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended: YEA; Roll no. 259--H.R. 5041--On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended: YEA; and Roll no. 260--On approving the Journal: YEA.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I thank Congressman Kihuen for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. Earlier this evening, we heard from the distinguished Member from Illinois, who continues to push the ``Yucca or bust'' policy of the last 36 years. He claimed that the Nevada delegation is trying to circumvent the adjudication process to determine if Nevada should be the dumping ground for the Nation's highly radioactive nuclear waste. He said Congress should reject another amendment to save $190 million from being thrown away on this failed proposal because we should let the licensing process play out without some preconceived outcome. Well, I am sorry, but that is just more BS. If he really believed that, he would be joining us in support of amendment No. 32, which strips the unnecessary policy rider that prohibits closing down the already-shuttered Yucca Mountain. It predetermines that Yucca Mountain will be the Nation's nuclear waste dump and handcuffs the administration from choosing another site regardless of what any studies show. If we are serious about solving this problem, we should change direction and allow consent-based siting. We could start that process today and right now by supporting this amendment.

Ms. TITUS

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I share the enthusiasm of the chairman for the Soap Box Derby. I speak in favor of this resolution. I also want to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for introducing this resolution every Congress on behalf of the Washington regional delegation. This annual competitive event encourages boys and girls, ages 7 through 20, to construct, operate, and then race their very own soap box vehicles. It has become a great tradition here in the Nation's Capital, and it has been going on for over 20 years. It provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the workmanship, the craftsmanship, the time, the effort that goes into the construction of these vehicles, and then they get to enjoy the thrill of the race and competition. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and with the Capitol Police to ensure that the appropriate rules and regulations are in place and that the event remains free to the public. I want to encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and then to come out on June 16 to participate in this exciting event. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my colleague and leader.

Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, as you know, I represent Las Vegas. I am not sure we can take bets on the Soap Box Derby in Las Vegas, but I would say the odds are in favor of somebody from your district winning if it does occur. We have no other speakers, and so I just urge my colleagues to vote in favor. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.