Tim Walberg

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. I thank the chairman. I appreciate the concern that my colleague has on this issue. I know it is sincere. I think there is every one in this Chamber that has concerns that our laborers, our employees, and individual citizens be treated fairly and treated with respect, safety, and all of the rest by their employers. Mr. Chairman, we all agree that bad actors who deny workers basic protections, including wage and overtime pay, shouldn't be rewarded with government contracts funded by taxpayer dollars. That is a given. There is a suspension and disbarment process already in place under current law. If an employer has a history of bad behavior, Federal agencies know about it and have the authority to deny that employer Federal contracts. My question is: Has anyone suggested the current process isn't working? I don't believe so, Mr. Chairman. Earlier this year, we held a joint subcommittee hearing, in fact, on this issue in relation to the President's executive order that functions to blacklist Federal contractors for alleged Federal and State labor law violations, including the FLSA. The committee received a substantial load of evidence regarding the inherent flaws of the President's executive order, which, like this amendment, supersedes agencies' current authority to exclude problematic contractors, causing significant delays and disruption to the Federal procurement system. There is agreement on both sides of the aisle that the FLSA is the cornerstone of workers' wage and hour protections, but in many ways, the regulations implementing the law are flawed and outdated. For that reason, we have asked for consideration with the President, with the administration, the Department of Labor, both sides of the aisle, to look at reforming and fixing the Fair Labor Standards Act that has been in place an awful long time before present practices and doesn't fit with the 21st century workplace. A report by the Government Accountability Office found that litigation stemming from FLSA claims continues to be a significant problem. These aren't all from bad actors, but in many cases, it comes--if not most cases--from an employer trying to keep up with present law, present functions, and present regulations that don't even fit with FLSA. Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues to reject this amendment. We have in place opportunities now that can and should be used. We even have instances where the Labor Department has violated, and, under this amendment that is being offered, they would be held at risk as well. It is not an amendment that is needed; it is an amendment that will disrupt the process, and it is an amendment that will not move us forward and really make changes with FLSA that can and should be made. I urge rejection.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, I would like to start by thanking subcommittee Chairman Dent and Chairman Rogers for their work in developing this legislation to address the current and future needs of our Nation's veterans. I rise today to offer an amendment that highlights the need for veterans job training as part of this appropriations bill. Simply, my amendment would designate $5 million within the general operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits Administration account to support programs that help our veterans transition to the workforce. Michigan is home to more than 660,000 veterans who contribute every day to the vitality of our communities. These men and women have developed marketable skills, from technical training in mechanics, IT, and health care, to leadership qualities, ethics, and problem-solving abilities, yet too many of them struggle to find employment after they have completed their service. Those veterans recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan face unique challenges to finding employment, as those who served in Active Duty since September 20, 2001, face a jobless rate that is 1.7 percentage points higher--7.2 percent veterans versus 5.5 percent national--than the general population. The House has taken a number of good steps toward helping veterans transition to the civilian sector, from passing the Hire More Heroes Act to remove costly ObamaCare mandates that discourage the hiring of veterans, to working with employers to help them understand the benefits of hiring veterans. We can certainly do more to ensure these brave men and women have the opportunity for gainful employment when they return to our communities. The VA should use these designated funds to focus on difficulties veterans face translating their valuable skills to suitable employment in the civilian sector. For example, as the committee rightly highlights in their report, the VA should refine and upgrade its Military Skills Translator tool to more accurately reflect the transferable skills of transitioning military veterans. The VA should also increase public awareness and access to this tool for our Nation's employers. If we are to develop the 21st century workforce, our Nation cannot afford to leave our veterans behind; and if we are to meet our obligation to those who have put their lives on the line in service to our country, we must work to improve the transition from military service to the career field. I hope my colleagues will support this commonsense amendment to help our veterans get back to work.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 23, 2015, I was unable to be present for recorded votes due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 130, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the rich tradition of libraries serving Jackson, Michigan. Libraries in our community date back to March 15, 1864 when the Young Men's Association (YMA) established a reading room. In late 1865, it turned into a subscription library for YMA members. In 1885, the Jackson Public Library was formed following a new law allowing cities to use tax revenue to support a free public library. In 1929, the Jackson County Library was created for residents living outside the city of Jackson. The two separate entities merged together in 1978 to form the Jackson District Library. Today, the Jackson District Library is a vital anchor of the Jackson community where residents of all ages come to learn, research, and discover. From story-time for children to researching family histories to taking an online course, the library provides a wide range of services. A hub for community activity, the library will coordinate a festival in May 2015 for nationally recognized storytellers where over eleven thousand children will attend. The Jackson District Library is a place where residents gather freely to learn and discuss the important issues of the day and where they are continually inspired to acquire more knowledge and skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 150 years of libraries in Jackson County, thank these institutions for all they contribute to the community, and wish them another 150 years of success.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, I hate to say it this way, but the fact of the matter is that the NLRB is creating a solution to a problem that does not exist by wholly changing the union election process through their new ambush election rule. This rule, if left unchecked, restricts the right of employers to speak to their employees during their organizing campaign. It cripples--it cripples--the rights of workers to make an informed decision. It denies all stakeholders access to a fair process. And isn't that what we are about? This change is meant to weaken employers and employees who simply want a fair and just process that gives ample time for a deliberative review, discussion, and decisionmaking. Furthermore, the ambush election rule completely disregards the promise of neutrality that NLRB is mandated to uphold. The NLRB should serve as an impartial arbiter of labor disputes, and I urge my colleagues to join the Senate in passing S.J. Res. 8, which will stop these harmful and unjust actions committed by the NLRB and preserve fair election policies which have been in place for decades.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Thomas Dodson, Music Director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and to thank him for his impact on the musical life of the Adrian community over the past 14 years. Many years ago, I served on the Board of Directors which brought John Dodson to the symphony, which he has energetically overseen since 2001. During that time, he elevated the artistic level of the orchestra while collaborating with artists of the highest quality. His authority at the podium and willingness to engage new formats and audiences will certainly be missed when he steps down from his position next month. His talents have been recognized beyond the walls of the Dawson Auditorium, as Mr. Dodson was awarded the 2008 Lenawee Arts Award from the Croswell Opera House. He also earned the Ross Newsom Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2009 by Adrian College where he taught from 2001-2013. On April 19, 2015, he will direct Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven, and fittingly, Mr. Dodson's final classical concert performance with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. I know the Adrian community looks forward to one last inspiring performance and wishes Mr. Dodson the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pause and remember a heinous attack against the Kurdish people that occurred 27 years ago this week. On March 16, 1988, Saddam Hussein's regime dropped chemical weapons on the city of Halabja, killing 5,000 innocent men, women, and children. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries. This crime against humanity was the worst part of a larger campaign of more than 40 gas attacks aimed at exterminating the Kurds. The Kurdish people, however, have proudly persevered, rebuilt, and now provide stability and an ally in an often unstable region. Today, while we look back on this solemn anniversary, it is important to offer our gratitude to the Kurdish people for their courage and sacrifice in the current fight to defeat our mutual enemy ISIL.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, since No Child Left Behind was put in place, the Federal Government has dictated how States and school districts spend money, gauge student learning and school performance, and hire classroom teachers. Frankly, Mr. Chairman, it isn't working. Washington bureaucrats, no matter how well meaning they are, will never have the personal understanding of the diverse and special and unique needs of students than the teachers, administrators, and parents who spend time with them. Mr. Chairman, I stand here today because I have to speak for Erin and Moses. Erin is my daughter-in-law and the mother of my four grandchildren. Moses was a student who tested her teaching ability and her passion for teaching. Erin came to teach in a fourth and fifth grade classroom for special needs students in Cicero, Illinois. Freshly minted out of her educational training and master's program, she came in with a passion for teaching. She came in because she was sent in that classroom as a full-time, continuing substitute because the teacher of that classroom had gotten up one day, had walked out of the classroom, and had never come back. Erin was given the opportunity of a lifetime of teaching these students, and she began to invest her life into those students, especially in one young student, a fourth grader by the name of Moses. Moses came from a difficult situation. Moses at that time in the fourth grade was not even fully potty-trained, but Erin invested her time and talent and, frankly, her treasure in the life of that student, as well as of the others. She had a wonderful outcome in working with the parent in the home, as well as with Moses in the classroom. The next year, Erin was given the opportunity to be a full-time teacher, not a sub anymore. I will never forget the day when Erin came to me, with tears in her eyes, and said: ``Dad, I'm not sure I'm cut out for teaching.'' I said: ``Erin, why? You had an amazing impact for that 6 months of time you spent in the same classroom last year.'' She said: ``Now, all I'm doing is filling out paperwork for Illinois, for Chicago, and for the Federal Government.'' She ultimately had our twin grandsons and went from the classroom to the home, but there will be a day that comes when those four kids are at the stage when she can go back to the classroom. I want Erin to go back and have the ability to teach, to love on those kids, to direct them, to work with the parents, and not spend time filling out bureaucratic forms. Mr. Chairman, that is why I support the Student Success Act. It replaces Federal control with State and local control.

Mr. WALBERG. The bill allows States to establish and implement their own standards and assessments. The bill allows States to develop their own accountability plans for improving underperforming schools by eliminating federally prescribed school improvement and turnaround interventions. The bill provides State and local school districts flexibility. Mr. Chairman, that is what we are speaking for. It is for the Erins and for the Moseses of the world--educational opportunities that should lead us into the future in great ways for this country and to lead the world. This is what we are talking about, Mr. Speaker. The Student Success Act places control back in the hands of education's rightful stewards: the teachers, the administrators, the States, the parents, and, ultimately, the students. Let's pass this bill.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I believe the American people deserve to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent. That is why I introduced the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act. Congress is known for its complex bills, but this one is pretty simple. It requires each Federal agency to provide taxpayers an annual report card of what they are doing with the money they have been given. With a government this large it is no secret we have waste and duplication. By better tracking government spending, we can look back and identify the outdated programs that should be eliminated or streamlined to save money. As the people's representatives, we are here to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars, and this bipartisan bill is a good start to stopping wasteful spending.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 468.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 468) to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to increase knowledge concerning, and improve services for, runaway and homeless youth who are victims of trafficking.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is not just a concern in foreign countries. It is happening right here in the United States and many times in our own backyards. In Michigan, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has referred more than 13,000 CyberTipline reports of suspected child sexual exploitation to law enforcement. Last Congress, I hosted a series of human trafficking forums in my district which brought together county prosecutors, sheriffs, the State police, and members of the southern Michigan Task Force on Human Trafficking to discuss how our community is dealing with these heinous crimes and hear feedback on what additional actions Congress can take to help local law enforcement combat trafficking. One of the things I heard at my district roundtables is the need for improved resources for victims' advocacy and support, especially for youth victims and at-risk youth. Federal and State officials, law enforcement, the courts, all of us have a moral obligation to eradicate trafficking and support its victims. It will take close coordination between all stakeholders to achieve the dual goals of ending the human trafficking epidemic and assisting the victims. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 468, the Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act. This legislation will help better serve our most vulnerable youth who are victims of extreme trafficking. This legislation amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to use existing grant resources to train staff on the effects of human trafficking in runaway and homeless youth victims and for developing statewide strategies to reach such youth. It also allows the Secretary to utilize the existing Street Outreach Program to provide street-based services for runaway and homeless youth who are victims of trafficking. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Joe Heck, for his leadership on this bill, as well as the Education and the Workforce Committee chairman, Mr. Kline, and the ranking member, Mr. Scott, for their work on moving this legislation forward. Our Nation's runaway and homeless youth deserve access to services that will help them escape a life of crime, abuse, and neglect. Passing this simple fix to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act will help ensure that those suffering from the trauma of these deplorable crimes will have access to the care and support they need. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 468, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his statements in support of this legislation, I thank Mr. Heck for sponsoring it, and Mr. Kline as the leader on this committee. This is a privilege of service in this body, when we can come together in a bipartisan fashion to do what is right for our country; but, in this case, to do what is right for our defenseless young people, many of whom have been caught into a web that offers nothing but pain and misfortune for the future. To take a stand on this issue, to stand for opportunity, to push back against the dark clouds of crime that prey on young people is something that we can stand together on. I think we have said significant words in support of this legislation. Now it is time to get to work, and the best way to do that, Mr. Speaker, as you and I both know, is to pass it. So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 468, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time. The passage of this legislation shows the House's commitment to providing the necessary tools and policies to help reduce child sex trafficking and better serve these victims, and on the recommendations and admonition of my colleagues today, again I would say, these victims in the United States. Mr. Speaker, this is good work that we are doing here. I submit, it is probably the type of work that our constituents are calling us to work across the aisle to accomplish. During the human trafficking roundtables I have held in my district, law enforcement officials have consistently raised the need to make community members aware of the real and present threat of human trafficking. We must work to not only educate children, but also families and the general public, about the safety risks. The statistics on sex trafficking and exploitation among young people are startling. Approximately one out of six runaway youth are likely victims of sex trafficking, and roughly one out of three youth are lured into prostitution, victimization, sex-trafficked within 48 hours of running away from home. This is happening all over the country and not just in my home State. Therefore, I urge all Members to lead efforts in their districts to continue the conversation about human trafficking to learn what more we can do in our communities and to curtail this heinous crime. H.R. 246 is another step to educating our communities about human trafficking victims, and it continues our work to ensure that we are doing what we can to help reduce this horrible crime. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 246. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 246, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives continues its commitment to bolstering enforcement efforts against human traffickers in the United States and ensuring that we properly identify and serve victims. I want to thank Congresswoman Joyce Beatty for her leadership on this issue and for introducing H.R. 246, which will improve the ability of law enforcement officials and others to respond to and assist these victims. The House voted 409-0 to pass this legislation last summer, and as previous House efforts have done, the bills being considered today attempt to change for the better how we view victims. For too long, these victims have been seen as willing participants and treated as actors in the criminal scheme; however, we now know that, oftentimes, individuals are trapped as victims by human trafficking organizations and, sadly, many of these victims are children. Congresswoman Beatty's legislation will ensure that we view victims of sex trafficking not as participants, but as victims, and ensure that child sex trafficking crimes are reported. Under current law, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates the CyberTipline to provide online users and electronic service providers a means of reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation in many areas, including child prostitution. H.R. 246 would replace the term ``child prostitution'' with ``child sex trafficking'' in the CyberTipline reporting categories to reinforce that children who are sex-trafficked or sexually exploited are victims whose situation should be taken seriously when reported. It would also ensure the public recognizes that child prostitution is included in how NCMEC uses the term ``child sex trafficking'' and thus should still be reported to the CyberTipline. Again, I want to thank Congresswoman Beatty, along with the Education and the Workforce Committee and House leadership for recognizing the need to steadfastly address this dreadful practice. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 246, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time. I think much has been said today that causes us to understand that what we are dealing with in this bill is the fact that there are entities that are supposed to be protecting children, that are supposed to be providing resources--law enforcement and welfare and human service entities--that are missing the mark. A lot of that comes from inadequate recordkeeping statistics and from the lack of knowledge of how this is having the greatest impact in negative ways on children's lives. We would do very well today to follow the advice and direction from speakers who have already spoken on this issue. Pass this legislation, and provide further hope for children caught in the trap of human trafficking and enslavement that comes from this crime. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 469. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who, in arriving here just this term, has rolled up his sleeves and has already taken aggressive action on issues that make a difference.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri, Congresswoman Wagner, an aggressive and outspoken advocate for children since arriving here in Congress, an opponent of trafficking, and who has much to say but who also has had much evidence of action on this issue.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, one who understands this process from his time in the court of law as a judge.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, domestic child trafficking is a serious problem, sadly, in the United States. Around 300,000 American youth are at risk of sexual commercial exploitation and trafficking each year. That is why the House of Representatives is considering a number of bills this week that seek to ensure that human trafficking victims are treated as victims and have access to the services they desperately need. As a Member of Congress, I have worked on legislation to help address this problem in the past and will continue that important work this year. I have also held local roundtables in Michigan with victims, advocacy, and law enforcement groups to do everything I can to work with my communities to address this heinous crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 68 percent of likely sex trafficking victims were involved in the child welfare system at one time. Instead of properly identifying and assisting trafficked and exploited children, these children are often sent to the juvenile justice system, where they are labeled and treated as criminals. These innocent victims are victimized by the very system that was designed to protect them. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 469. The Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015 will help protect child victims by improving practices within State child welfare systems to identify, assess, and document sex trafficking victims. The House passed this legislation by a voice vote last summer, and I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Karen Bass, for her work on this important legislation again this Congress. H.R. 469 amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to direct States to implement and maintain procedures to identify and assess reports involving children who are victims of sex trafficking. The bill also requires that States train child protective services workers on how to identify these children and the services necessary to meet their needs, and it would improve reporting on the number of children identified as sex trafficking victims. Mr. Speaker, this bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report on the type and prevalence of youth trafficking victims in the welfare system, provide a summary of State practices for serving youth trafficking victims, and report on any barriers in Federal law that prevent identification and assessment of youth victims of trafficking. It is imperative that we continue to pass legislation that helps victims of both labor and sex trafficking, to ensure that victims receive the services they need to escape a life of abuse. Again, I would like to thank Congresswoman Karen Bass and Chairman Kline of the Education and the Workforce Committee for their work on this important bill. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 469, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 469.