Jefferson Van Drew

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to the importance of honoring our government handshake agreements. Medicare and Social Security are cornerstones of America's safety net. Social Security enables millions of Americans to retire with invaluable peace of mind, and Medicare is an effective tool that provides greater healthcare to millions and millions of Americans. These programs are a golden handshake agreement between the Federal Government and the people of the United States that must be honored, and I will not stand for any attempts to undermine our commitment. Our seniors rely on Social Security and Medicare, and it is our responsibility to ensure that these programs are always there for them. Our word is our bond. Keeping the promises made to the people is essential to the success of our Nation and to the success of our government.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an outstanding member of New Jersey. John Lynch has made it his life's work to give to the youth of South Jersey, including creating learning experiences in schools and helping children with life-threatening illnesses. He established the Lunch With Lynch Foundation to help facilitate educational opportunities and learning experiences for the children of Wildwoods, New Jersey. As well, he established a ThumbsUp4Kindness organization to change the world one random act of kindness at a time. For his outstanding community service, Lynch received the Presidential Community Service Lifetime Achievement Award after 30 years and 4,000 hours of serving his community. Thank you, Mr. Lynch. Thank you for what you do for our community. South Jersey is honored to have you. Let's all take a page out of John's book and try to be a little kinder to each other in this House, in this country, and in this world.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to the Members of the House. We are all here because the American people made it so. The diversity of our Nation's political ideals is boundless. That is what made our country what it is today. We are here to represent these vast ideals. The definition of bipartisanship is of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies. It is about cooperation, it is about compromise, and it is about working together with those who don't have the same exact ideals as you. I am asking for the membership of this House to think on the idea of bipartisanship. It is my belief that we owe it to the American people to work together.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to honor some outstanding members of south Jersey. The Mainland Regional High School Girls Basketball team has recently won the New Jersey Group 3 State championship. This is the first time the Mainland Regional High School girls basketball team has achieved this amazing accomplishment. These girls are the embodiment of teamwork. This win, and the hard work that they have put in to achieve it, is about all of them, not any one individual. I have been told that some of them have been best friends since they were 7 years old. This friendship and teamwork have led them to reach an amazing goal. We could all learn a little bit about teamwork, especially in this great House of ours, and we could learn it from these amazing young ladies. Congratulations to the Mainland Regional High School girls basketball team. Keep up the good work. We are really proud of you.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak against robocall telemarketing and spoofing. Our constituents, whether Republican, Democratic, or independent, are tired of being harassed by telemarketers and spoofers. People deserve to have their privacy and to be left alone. However, robocall scams are at an all-time high. That is why I have introduced H.R. 1575, to crack down on abusive, annoying, and illegal robocalls. Data shows that, in 2017, the FCC reported more than 4.5 million robocall complaints, an increase of more than 1 million from the previous year. More than 300,000 complaints were registered in the State of New Jersey alone. This act helps protect consumers by ensuring that robocallers and scammers are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That is why I ask for support of H.R. 1575.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 116. Stated against:

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am profoundly concerned with the possible permitting of seismic airgun blasting off the Atlantic Coast, from Jacksonville, Florida, to Cape May, New Jersey, to Portland, Maine. This is an extremely serious issue. Late last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as NOAA, issued five Incidental Harassment Authorizations which advanced permit applications for seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean. This action essentially sets the stage for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to approve these permits at any day now. Seismic airgun blasting is not only the first step toward offshore oil and gas exploration and development, but it is harmful to marine mammal life and to marine life in general, and it encroaches on vital military operations. At a time when we are attempting to limit the dangers of climate change, such as extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy, it is unthinkable to further harm the environment and endanger our coastal economy in South Jersey and along the coast, which is largely based on fishing and based on tourism. Our public policy goal is to create a cleaner and healthier environment, an environment that we can pass on to our children and on to our grandchildren so that they may enjoy it. I am proud that broad arrays of organizations in New Jersey have supported my legislation. These organizations include the Chambers of Commerce of Cape May County, Ocean City, Vineland, Greater Wildwood, Greater Atlantic City, the Garden State Seafood Association, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Jersey Shore Partnership, Clean Ocean Action, Surfers Environmental Alliance, the American Littoral Society, Oceana, and the New Jersey chapters of the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, Audubon Society, and Environment America. Mr. Speaker, it was a pleasure to have worked with Congressman Rutherford of Florida on H.R. 1149. I am also grateful that several of our elite colleagues joined us on important efforts, including Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Donna Shalala of Florida, and Brian Mast of Florida, as well. Our bipartisan bill, the Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act, would prevent the five seismic airgun blasting permits that are now under consideration from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from being issued. It would stop them. I urge my colleagues to protect our precious coastline and to protect the livelihoods of those that depend upon it by supporting H.R. 1149. It is a bipartisan bill. It is the Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act. Mr. Speaker, I include three letters of support for the Record. [From the Greater Atlantic City Chamber] Resolution Opposing BOEM 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program Whereas, on January 8, 2018, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced in the Federal Register notice the release of their Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. BOEM is requesting public comment on the DPP as well as formal scoping for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the 2019-2024 Program; and Whereas, this new plan includes the entire Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida, including the waters off New Jersey within 3 miles of beaches, as well as including other ocean areas totaling some 90% of US ocean waters; and Whereas, New Jersey boasts over 127 miles of beautiful ocean coastline and hundreds of miles of back-bays, estuaries, and other waterways connected to the Atlantic Ocean; and Whereas, the Jersey Shore is essential to the health of the our communities, environment and the thriving economy of New Jersey; and Whereas, the physical, hydrodynamic, and biological characteristics of the ocean off the Jersey Shore are unique in the world, as more than 300 species of fish, nearly 350 species of birds, 5 species of sea turtles, and many marine mammals such as 20 species of whales and dolphins, 1 species of porpoise, and 4 species of seals, frequent this region. Nine endangered species, four of which are whales, can be found in these ocean waters, including the Atlantic Right Whale, one of the world's most endangered marine mammals. The region also serves as an essential migratory pathway for many of these species; and Whereas, the Jersey Shore sustains the economy of the region with its bounty of natural resources and intrinsic values for millions of people through tourism. Tourism brings more than $44 billion to NJ's economy each year and provides jobs to more than 500,000 people with $6.2 billion generated in Cape May County alone; and Whereas, recreational and commercial fisheries in NJ provide enormous economic benefits, including revenue, food production, and recreational activities with the port of Cape May and Wildwood ranking as the second largest seaport on the east coast. In 2014, recreational fishing supported nearly 20,000 jobs and resulted in $2 billion of retail sales. Commercial fishing supports nearly 7,300 jobs and provides $152 million in landings, not including restaurant and retail sales; and Whereas, current estimates of the amount of technically recoverable oil off the entire Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida would only last the nation approximately 229 days, and the amount of technically recoverable gas would only last approximately 562 days; and Whereas, offshore oil and gas development, causes substantial environmental impacts, including: (a) onshore damage due to infrastructure, (b) water pollution from drilling muds and the water brought-up from a well with oil and gas (called ``produced waters''), (c) noise from seismic surveys, (d) air pollution, and (e) oil spills; and Whereas, the harmful environmental consequences of offshore oil and gas exploration and development are serious and threatens the environmental and economic assets of New Jersey; and Whereas, The BP Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico (2010) is clear evidence of the dangers associated with offshore drilling, including costing the lives of 11 people, devastating coastal economies and countless livelihoods, and killing countless marine animals, as well as continuing to cause harm to marine life as documented by a steady flow of studies; and Whereas, Federal Administration officials are also weakening protections of ocean resources by undermining rules and regulations, cutting funding sources for spill response; and Whereas, oil spills travel vast distances, and the Gulf Stream and Labrador Ocean Current all flow toward New Jersey making the region vulnerable to impacts from spills anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean; and Whereas, Within 5 days of the release of the DPP Governor Scott from Florida was able to convince Department of Interior Secretary Zinke to remove Florida from further consideration for drilling due to the importance of coastal tourism to that state and NJ shares this same economic dependence on tourism and clean ocean economies; Whereas, bi-partisan opposition against drilling off the New Jersey coast has included every Governor since 1985, and a majority of the congressional delegation and most coastal towns; and Whereas, in the January 8, 2018, BOEM Federal Register to requests comments on the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) and scoping comments for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Study Whereas, energy conservation and efficiency measures can significantly reduce the nation's need to explore and drill for nonrenewable resources, such as oil and natural gas; and Whereas, coastal municipalities have a profound interest in maintaining strong federal protections for our nation's coastal environment, as well as the economic and social benefits it supports; Now, therefore, be it resolved on March 5, 2018, that the Greater Atlantic City Chamber hereby opposes offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling activities that would affect the coast of New Jersey, and calls upon Secretary of the Interior Ryan K. Zinke who oversees the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to withdraw New Jersey and the entire Atlantic Ocean from consideration for the offshore oil and gas exploration, development, or drilling. Joseph D. Kelly, President.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman, and just as a couple of other points, on a personal level, I have always been a supporter of Second Amendment rights and continue to be. The purpose of this amendment is to, obviously, do so, support Second Amendment rights. Secondly, I know that there is language in another part of the bill that many people have asked me about which is not something that I am amending or had to do with, but I know that there is a commitment from leadership that that language is going to be completely redone and that language will be totally appropriate and actually will be a major improvement. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment will ensure that from the date a firearm purchase is legally authorized under the bill, the firearm purchaser has 25 calendar days to pick up their gun, regardless of how much time has elapsed since the background check was first initiated. This would prevent a situation under the bill as it is written that, although rare, would still be possible, where the maximum allowable number of business days, 20 business days, that a purchaser would have to wait for an approval could actually run longer, hypothetically, than the 30 days. That would be problematic because under a current ATF, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulation, a gun cannot be transferred after 30 days once a background check begins. Where more than 30 calendar days have passed since the licensee first contacted NICS, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the licensee must initiate a new NICS check prior to transferring the firearm. My amendment would prevent an unnecessary background check do- over. For those who get approved by the FBI after 3 business days, my amendment would essentially nullify the 30 days ATF regulation, allowing prospective firearm owners the peace of mind that they do deserve. After this bill went through the Judiciary Committee, the point was raised that an existing ATF regulation, if left unchanged, could result in a situation where even after a background check was approved or a petition process was followed, the lawful gun buyer would still not be able to get the gun without doing a second background check because too much time had elapsed since the first background check began. This is clearly not the intent of the bill, and while I believe that ATF would amend the regulation if this bill is passed, this amendment removes all doubt. Anyone who is legally authorized to obtain a firearm under the new process will have ample time, 25 days, to return to the dealer and retrieve the gun. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Chairwoman, I would just again emphasize that this is 25 days after the approval, and also that law supersedes regulation. There is no question that that 25 days would be in place and that would give more than a sufficient amount of time, in fact, a lenient amount of time, just to ensure that there aren't any problems here. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the chairman, to speak in favor of this amendment.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to raise awareness for Children's Dental Health Month. Madam Speaker, I rise today because tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the United States, and the impact of untreated tooth decay goes far beyond oral health. Having been a dentist for over 30 years, this issue is something that I have witnessed firsthand, and it is something I have great concern for. This is why the American Dental Association has dedicated February as National Children's Dental Health Month. This annual celebration allows dentists and volunteers to spread awareness and prevention tips that help parents, teachers, and others. Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health and oral health that lasts throughout life. Ensuring that children and adults get quality and accessible oral health care should remain a priority for everyone throughout the year. Remember, if you ignore your teeth, they will go away.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, my amendment clarifies that the exceptions for gifts and loans of firearms between parents and their children applies to stepparents and stepchildren. The reason I offer this amendment is to recognize that the relationship between stepparents and stepchildren is sometimes stronger than or as strong as that of the biological parent-child relationship. The parents of one of my closest friends are technically stepparents, but you would never know it, because they are all so close and love each other so much. The amendment also clarifies that gifts and loans of firearms among family members are still subject to the existing legal standard for all transfers. Existing law states that no person may deliver a firearm to someone if he or she has a reason to believe that the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Consequently, even gifts and loans among family members are not permissible if the transferor has a reason to believe that the transferee may use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms. Again, the amendment clarifies that while a background check is not required for these transfers, the existing legal standard continues to apply. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I want to thank the body for its support of my amendment, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Van Drew amendment. This is a good amendment, and I believe it will be helpful, and I believe it creates an atmosphere which is a fair atmosphere for everyone to increase safety and yet at the same time to understand the relationships that do exist in stepfamilies. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment at New Jersey Transit. New Jersey Transit promised the public that the Atlantic City project will be finished by early 2019, but recently, it announced that the Atlantic City Rail Line would be closed up to more than 5 months. That is not an inconvenience; that is a disaster. My constituents want service to be restored immediately, and they want, most importantly, the truth. That is why a majority of my New Jersey colleagues and I are sending a letter of admonishment to New Jersey Transit. Mr. Speaker, this is the time for New Jersey Transit to do the right thing for the sake of our commuters, to do the right thing for the sake of our workers, and to do the right thing for the State of New Jersey. People's livelihoods and the quality of their lives depend on the Atlantic City Rail Line.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the future of our Congress. I stand here today at a crossroads: a crossroads of cooperation, a crossroads of bipartisanship, and a crossroads of accomplishment. This is a chance to begin to make Americans proud of our Congress once again, certainly more proud than the 13 percent approval rating that we currently have. Republicans and Democrats can have different opinions. They should have different opinions. But they should never push these opinions to such extremes that we end up hurting our good American people. In the next 2\1/2\ weeks, both sides of the aisle can truly achieve greatness. Mr. Speaker, we came here not to be great Democrats nor to be great Republicans. We came here to become, and to be, great Americans. I pray to God that we will be. God bless our great country of America

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to our Coast Guard. One of my favorite sayings in life is, if you want to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. Politicians like to talk, we like to give speeches, yet we talk about our Coast Guard, how noble they are, how brave they are, how they stand up for us, these strong men and women, but, currently, our Coast Guard men and women are suffering and are without pay. It is also true for our FAA and our Federal corrections officers. I ask everyone to support my bills, H.R. 350 and H.R. 419, so that they can get paid. Whether Democrat or Republican, our duty as Americans is to treat these men and women who serve our great Nation with decency and with honor and respect, and may God always bless them.