Susan Wild

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 76, which was introduced by my good friend and colleague from Nevada, Susie Lee, and of which I am a proud cosponsor. Students defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges can be left with crushing debt, useless degrees, and none of the job opportunities they were promised. When Secretary DeVos has testified before the Education and Labor Committee over the past year, on two separate occasions she has claimed that students are her number one priority, as they should be. Yet, as Secretary, she has acted at all times as though students are the enemy and as though a quality and affordable education is her last priority. Secretary DeVos has the ability to provide immediate relief to students who were defrauded. Instead, she has halted loan relief for borrowers and changed the rules to deprive them of relief. Under the new rule from Secretary DeVos, defrauded borrowers can be denied debt relief, even in cases where predatory schools clearly violated the law. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are suffering while their applications for financial relief are sitting in limbo at the Department of Education. We must protect students and taxpayers by passing this resolution, which blocks the DeVos rule from going into effect. Students are my number one priority. Unfortunately, I don't believe that the Secretary can say the same. I am proud to stand up for students and to be an original cosponsor of this resolution. I am also proud that the Education and Labor Committee recently passed the College Affordability Act out of committee, which would provide more protections for students and taxpayers.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this bill, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Older workers who bring suit for age discrimination are often ostracized at their workplace. They open their lives to invasive probes by defense counsel through written discovery, by deposition, and, ultimately, testifying at a trial. These probes are often meant to embarrass rather than seek the truth. When our older workers finally reach the courthouse door, it is often almost closed before they even get to the courtroom. As a former civil litigator, I have brought and defended multiple age discrimination cases. These are very emotional and difficult claims. No one likes getting older, but when one has to put one's age in full view of all because of perceived discrimination at work, an older worker then has to experience the scrutiny of lawyers, judges, and juries to prove that he or she was discriminated against because of age. But worse, our older workers are, again, discriminated against when they seek redress from the courts. That is because the Supreme Court, in the 2009 case of Gross v. FBL Financial Services, ruled that an older worker bringing an ADEA claim must prove that age was the ``but for'' cause, the sole determining cause of an adverse employment decision. That Supreme Court decision sent a message of impunity to employers looking to discriminate on the basis of age, and it set a precedent for denying justice to older workers across our country. That is not the standard used in other discrimination claims. We must condemn employment discrimination in every form it takes. Yet, our employment laws treat age discrimination claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act differently, more harshly, than other employment discrimination claims. We have an opportunity to restore fairness in our legal system.

Ms. WILD. Mr. Chair, H.R. 1230, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, will ensure equal access to justice for those who have suffered age discrimination. It will create uniformity in our laws that a worker need prove only that age discrimination was one of any number of motivating factors for an employer's action. Older workers like Mr. Gross, the victim of workplace discrimination and a misguided Supreme Court decision, deserve this bill. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this motion to recommit.

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that my colleague and friend from Pennsylvania has read the same bill that I did that we are voting on tonight. This bill, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, has nothing to do with truck drivers, and it has nothing to do with independent contractors. This motion to recommit is nothing more than a distraction from the very important legislation that is embodied in this bill. This MTR has nothing to do with discrimination against older workers, which is what we are seeking to protect against. Why do my friends and colleagues across the aisle want to hurt older working Americans? This legislation, H.R. 1230, was drawn up to fix the damage that has been done by the Supreme Court decision in Gross v. FBL in 2009, which severely weakened age discrimination protections. Since that decision was made, both the Supreme Court and the lower courts have relied on it and applied the Gross reasoning to the other civil rights laws so that it doesn't just hurt older working Americans who are the focus of this legislation, but other people who suffer from employment discrimination. The bill we are considering today is the bare bones of what is needed to rectify the damage caused by that decision. This bill represents a bipartisan, bicameral effort that has been 10 years in the making. H.R. 1230 amends the Nation's core civil rights laws to expressly allow for mixed-motive claims, meaning, when an employer claims multiple motives for terminating an employee, one of which is age discrimination, that that will not be permitted. Since the Gross decision in 2009, age discrimination continues to be a significant barrier to job opportunities. When older workers lose their jobs, they are far more likely than other workers to join the ranks of the long-term or permanent unemployed. Significantly, approximately 61 percent of older workers have either seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. In 2018, the EEOC received nearly 17,000 age discrimination complaints, accounting for more than 20 percent of all discrimination charges filed. While most older workers say they have seen or experienced age discrimination, only 3 percent report having made a formal complaint. These trends have a profound impact on the economic security of older workers and their families. This law has nothing to do with truckers and nothing to do with independent contractors. This motion to recommit is a mockery of this important legislation that is designed to protect older working Americans. I urge my colleagues to stand up for older workers and the protections that they need and deserve. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the chairman of the committee.

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. In his name, the days of putting profits over people must come to an end. Madam Chair, to my colleagues across the aisle, why do they consider this to be a partisan idea? Drug companies owe a fiduciary duty to make profits for their shareholders, but as Members of Congress, we have a much more important shareholder: the American people. When we try to pass good bills to drive down drug prices, Big Pharma throws the weight of its lobby to kill them. They talk about innovation and research and development without disclosing that they spend more on marketing than they do on innovation, without disclosing that they could lose $1 trillion in sales and still be the most profitable industry. One vial of insulin in America should not cost 10 times what it costs in Canada. People like my constituents Danielle Thrapp and her son Brandon should not have to worry about the price of insulin. People like my constituent Mitchell Lenett shouldn't have to worry whether his 14-year-old daughter Carly, who has type 1 diabetes, will be able to afford her insulin when she is no longer on his health insurance plan. That is why this bill is so important. The Secretary of HHS must be able to negotiate lower drug prices for the highest cost prescription drugs, something other countries with far lower drug prices have long been able to do. The Congressional Budget Office tells us that H.R. 3 will lower prices and increase the availability of prescription drugs. The CBO score says that this bill will reduce Federal spending for Medicare by at least $345 billion. This will free up funding for some of our other priorities, like my bill to increase funding for child abuse prevention and treatment services and for expanding trauma-informed education practices in our schools and for mental health services. Madam Chair, I call on my colleagues to put people over profits, finally, and pass this bill.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, September 22, a fire broke out and punctured the calm of an assisted living facility in my community, Pennsylvania Seven, at Heather Glen Senior Living in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Firefighters answered the call, rushing into the building as flames gained force and tore through the roof. With extraordinary skill, they got to work saving the 82 elderly residents as the fire raged, carrying these men and women on their shoulders out of windows on to ladders. They brought all of the residents, as well as the five staff members working that night, to safety swiftly, while containing and ultimately defeating the fire. In total, 45 agencies across four counties participated in this operation, coming together as a single unit in complete dedication to the mission at hand. In their example we see the best of the Greater Lehigh Valley and of our Nation. Today, I ask my colleagues from across our country to join me in recognizing and honoring the service, sacrifices, and everyday heroism of these first responders. Mr. Speaker, before our Nation, I want to thank them for everything they have done. They are the pride of our community.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill. Today, in my community and across our country, far too many Americans lack adequate access to fair housing, quality healthcare, and simple legal services, and too many of those Americans are veterans. Today, women continue to take on new roles and responsibilities in every branch of our armed services. According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, more than 345,000 women have deployed since 9/11. When these women return home, they face different challenges than their male counterparts, and they are disproportionately affected by crises that affect veterans of both genders, like homelessness, with women veterans making up the fastest growing portion of the homeless vet population. Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with women veterans in my district about these issues and other issues, and I heard how critical these problems are for them.

Ms. WILD. That is why I am so proud to have introduced the Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Act, which is included in the Deborah Sampson Act. The very least that our men and women in uniform should be able to expect once they come home is that they won't have to fight for basic dignity, support, and opportunity after they put their lives on the line for our country.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, back in 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Older Americans Act, Congress codified into law an essential and universal truth, that each generation has a responsibility to protect and support those who raised and have cared for us. These bonds of solidarity tie our society together. We are stronger both as individuals and as a Nation when we hold each other up. The objectives of the Older Americans Act were to secure adequate income in retirement, the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status, suitable housing and transportation, restorative services, and employment opportunities free of discrimination. The programs funded through the OAA remain immensely popular, but funding has not kept pace. In 2010, OAA funding was approximately $42.95 per senior in today's dollars. Today, it is just $27.25 per senior. Every time funding fails to meet demand, the foundation of our Great Society is chipped away. Every time funding fails to meet demand, we run the risk of malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, and social isolation for our seniors. Fortunately, there is a solution, and that solution is the legislation we are voting on today. The Dignity in Aging Act of 2019 is a bipartisan reauthorization of the OAA, which gives all OAA programs an immediate 7 percent increase in fiscal year 2020 and a 6 percent increase every year thereafter. Reflecting the fact that this is a national priority, transcending differences of party and politics, three of my Republican colleagues-- Representative Dusty Johnson, Representative Stefanik, and Representative Comer--worked alongside me as original cosponsors of this legislation, which was introduced by my colleague Representative Bonamici. Critically, this legislation includes provisions that will guide OAA's nutrition programs, like Meals on Wheels, programs that meet an urgent need across our country, and it includes language that will benefit our seniors by ensuring access to nutritional services that are culturally sensitive and reflect the diverse needs of our communities. I am particularly proud that this bill updates the OAA by putting a greater focus on countering social isolation, empowering local organizations to develop solutions that incorporate social isolation screening into mental health and supportive services that seniors receive. That is why I proposed an amendment unanimously adopted by the Education and Labor Committee as part of the underlying legislation to add screening for suicide risk to the disease prevention and health promotion services offered under the OAA. Older Americans are among the most at-risk members of our population when it comes to the suicide epidemic across our Nation. We must stand with these fellow Americans and offer them our support as we all work to break the stigma around suicide and mental health, and as we all work to build a society in which we prioritize mental health just as much as physical health.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, 2 days ago, I received an email from a constituent, a professor at a community college in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Many of her students depend on SNAP benefits, and she reached out to me, deeply worried after hearing reports of the administration's plans to further undermine SNAP through extreme new executive actions. These changes would cut assistance to over 3 million people across our country, including children, veterans, disabled Americans, and seniors. I wish I could send her a reassuring response. It is truly a shameful time in America when we give tax cuts to billionaires and huge corporations, but we can't help folks falling on hard times put food on their tables. Around 44 percent of SNAP beneficiaries, nationally, are children, and research shows that SNAP not only reduces hunger and malnutrition, but also improves American people's lives in a whole range of other ways, including improving children's education outcomes. We cannot turn our backs on those we were sent here to serve. Let's stand together, Democrats and Republicans, alike, just as when we worked together to protect SNAP benefits in the farm bill, and reject these deeply immoral attacks on our most vulnerable fellow citizens.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, the crisis facing multiemployer pensions is not some faraway event, and it is not about politics or ideology. It is about people's lives and whether they will be able to retire in dignity after a lifetime of hard work--American people. By 2025, the Central States Pension Fund and the PBGC will be insolvent. That means over a million American employees' and retirees' earned benefits could disappear if we don't act right now. This crisis doesn't just affect those enrolled in multiemployer pension plans. If we don't act, the consequences will be detrimental for our local businesses, economies, and residents, ultimately affecting everyone, including millions of American families. Participants nationwide, including thousands in my district, could lose everything they have earned if we don't act. These folks who came to watch the proceedings today never wanted a bailout, as my colleague across the aisle termed it. They just want and deserve what they have earned. They deserve it. We need to pass this bill. We must pass this bill for them and for our country.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, there should not be anybody in this room arguing that $7.25 an hour is sufficient for a worker's well-being. When adjusted for inflation, $7.25 is less than the Federal minimum wage of 50 years ago. I support this bill because 98,000 workers in my district in Pennsylvania deserve a long-overdue raise. We are now in the midst of the longest period of time without an increase to the Federal minimum wage. I support this bill because, while corporations are making record profits off the backs of workers, wage stagnation and increased cost of living have bankrupted hardworking families across my district. This bill would increase the minimum wage gradually. This is not a ``bad for business'' piece of legislation, as my colleagues across the aisle allege. It is a ``good for everyone'' bill that puts more money into our workers' pockets. Our colleagues of the past would be baffled by the opposition to this bill.

Ms. WILD. The Federal Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938 for the explicit purpose of protecting workers from substandard wages. That landmark bill passed the House by a vote of 291-89. By the letter of that law, the minimum standard of living necessary for a worker's well-being is in Congress' hands. Members of both parties chose not to leave it up to market forces because poverty-level wages, sweatshops, and poor working conditions should not happen in the United States of America in 1938 or in 2019.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote yes on a bipartisan amendment to address the opioid crisis that affects our servicemembers so severely. And I thank my fellow Pennsylvanian and friend, Brian Fitzpatrick, for joining me in tackling this issue. This amendment would establish a partnership between the Department of Defense and academic health centers to work on three key areas: One, focused research on reducing our servicemembers' dependency on opioids; Two, the development of new methods of pain management and mental health strategies; and Three, partnerships with industry that would advance technologies for wounded servicemembers that will improve their day-to-day lives. The opioid epidemic is not and cannot be a bipartisan issue. It hits communities all across the country, regardless of ethnicity, race, or socioeconomic status. But the epidemic is spreading to our servicemembers at an alarming rate. Our servicemembers have unique challenges. Studies show that 15 percent of servicemembers use opioids following injuries while deployed, which is almost four times the civilian average of 4 percent. As a result, addiction is higher among servicemembers than in the civilian population and is rising. Over a 3-year period, the percentage of misuse nearly tripled. That is why this amendment is so critical. Our servicemembers protect all of us and we can protect them by passing this amendment and curtailing the devastating addictions of our American heroes. Mr. Chairman, I urge passage of this amendment.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, as some are aware, today marks the 1-month anniversary of the death of my beloved life partner, Kerry Acker. What most people don't know is that Kerry's death was a suicide. Kerry was 63 years old. He shouldn't have had a care in the world. He was financially secure and had a warm, loving family and dozens of friends. He loved them all. And yet, incomprehensibly, he seemingly did not grasp the toll his absence would have on those who loved him. Why am I sharing this very personal story? Because we all need to recognize that mental health issues know no boundaries. I do not want anyone else to suffer as he suffered, nor for any family to suffer as mine has over the past month. This is a national emergency. In 2017, there were more than 47,000 suicides in this country and more than 1.4 million suicide attempts. Across our country, suicides rose by 30 percent between 1999 and 2018. Behind these numbers are grieving partners and spouses, parents and children, siblings, friends, and relatives. Every community in our country has been touched in some way by major mental health challenges. Removing the stigma cannot just be a slogan. We need to make it real through our actions. That means building a future where people truly understand that they should feel no more shame over seeking treatment for this disease than they would seeking treatment for any other disease or medical condition. To anyone out there who is struggling, I am urging you to reach out. There are people who love you and who will suffer more than you know if they lose you. Help is available 24/7 through 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK. To anyone who is concerned about someone in their life, please pick up the phone or take that drive to go see them. Don't wait.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, under President Obama, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created and tasked with implementing critical protections for the American people. That work continues to be important today, and I urge the CFPB to maintain the safeguards that were put in place to ensure that Americans get a fair opportunity to succeed. Protecting military families and others from predatory lending is not a partisan issue. Making sure that banks are not targeting students from working and middle-class backgrounds with excessive fees is not a partisan issue. Looking out for senior citizens, who are disproportionately vulnerable to scams is not a partisan issue. Countering fraud and abuse isn't just morally right, it is also an economic imperative. We cannot forget the lessons of the Great Recession about what happens when we let fraudulent and predatory practices run rampant across our economy. We all lose. The House recently passed H.R. 1500, which would reverse recent changes that have weakened the agency's ability to carry out its work. Now the Senate needs to hold its vote on this bill.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in proud support of the Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, a bill that will help protect children from abuse and neglect. Across our country, more than 670,000 children were reported to be victims of child abuse or neglect. In 2016, almost 1,500 children in the United States died as a result of abuse or neglect. It is past time for us to act to prevent child abuse and neglect. That is why, earlier this month, I introduced the Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act. I am proud that portions of the Speak Up Act are included in the Stronger CAPTA Act. The Speak Up Act would take commonsense steps to increase reporting of child abuse or neglect by requiring States to implement a consistent standard for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. The Speak Up Act would require individuals with professional responsibilities over children to report suspected child abuse and neglect directly to State authorities. We have heard too many stories of children being abused or neglected and not getting the help they need because adults do not report it to the proper authorities. I was proud to support the Stronger CAPTA Act in the Education and Labor Committee, and I am proud to vote for it on the floor today. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this important bill.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bob Dorough, a constituent of mine from Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania. Bob's music is universally known: generations of children have learned about the work that happens in this Chamber--along with their earliest lessons in math and science--from Schoolhouse Rock, which he scored. Schoolhouse Rock is just one aspect of Bob's legacy--his legendary seven-decade career as a jazz singer led him to play with many of the greatest musicians in American history, including Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. These performances etched his recordings into our country's soundtrack forever. A few weeks ago, Bob was posthumously honored at the Kennedy Center as a recipient of the 2019 Jazz Master Award--our nation's highest recognition for jazz musicians. Through his family, friends, and each new generation that continues to discover the warmth of his voice and the uniquely American music that he loved, Bob's spirit will endure.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Scott for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 987. I am proud that we are about to follow through on key campaign promises: lowering drug costs by removing barriers to generic drugs coming to market, reversing the sabotage of the ACA, and rescinding the administration's rule to expand junk plans. As we all know, Congress sometimes engages in hyperbole, but this is not hyperbole: These plans are truly junk. They are not required to include essential benefit coverage requirements of the ACA. They can deny consumers coverage or charge more based on age, gender, or health status. They come with no guarantees for basic benefits like maternity care, mental healthcare, prescription drug coverage, and other preventive services. They are not subject to the out-of-pocket limitations of the ACA that are designed specifically to protect consumers. I know a bit about these junk plans because I spent time over Mother's Day weekend desperately helping my 26-year-old son find insurance coverage. In March, he turned 26 and found himself uninsured. He is in a sandwich situation between his 26th birthday and when he will again become eligible for employer-provided healthcare. Only because I have read countless insurance policies over the years of my legal career did my son avoid the trap of paying $6,000 for a policy that would afford him almost no coverage with a $10,000 deductible. That deductible would have applied even to his prescription drugs, of which he needs one. Just as important, my son is exactly the kind of person we need in the marketplace. Let's encourage robust participation in marketplace plans, which was the intent of the Affordable Care Act. These junk plans lure young, healthy people away from the ACA pool of plans, resulting in more expensive premiums for the rest of Americans. Let's pass this bill.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, this week, my community and communities across our Nation are paying tribute to law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifices in our defense. National Police Week is a moment to reflect on those sacrifices and the men and women who put their lives on the line for ours. It is a moment to recognize the families who live with this immeasurable sacrifice, and it is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to working with local and State leaders to support these families. We owe it to the memory of fallen officers and to the majority of men and women in uniform who carry out their responsibilities with skill and professionalism every day to make sure that officers are safe. We all need to do our part to ensure that the communities they serve are safe as well. In this same spirit of progress, let's commit to working to shape a more secure future for officers and for the communities they serve.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, 54 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson launched Head Start as part of the War on Poverty, a historic effort to build a more just, equal America. Today, Head Start serves children across my community, including more than 70 children in SafeStart, a program in my district designed for children of parents who struggle with substance abuse that has been recognized as a national model. Across our country, over 30 million children have participated in Head Start since its founding. We have felt the benefits throughout our society. Study after study has shown how pivotal early childhood education is for positioning children to fulfill their potential later on. Despite its record of success, Head Start is severely underfunded today. In my home State of Pennsylvania, only 27 percent of eligible children are able to get a slot in a Head Start program. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in pledging to fight to get increased funding for Head Start signed into law so that we renew our commitment to its promise of a future where every child in every ZIP Code can live a life of opportunity.

Ms. WILD

Ms. WILD. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. WILD. Madam Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019. My amendment would put an end to the rising cost of premiums. It is an amendment that should be met with overwhelming bipartisan support and without opposition. Specifically, my amendment would prohibit the administration from taking any further action that would result in higher premiums for Americans who need comprehensive coverage. This administration has unilaterally made healthcare more expensive and less accessible for the American people by taking actions that run contrary to the spirit and purpose of the ACA. That has resulted in higher premiums and reduced enrollment. In 2017, the administration stopped cost-sharing payments that helped reduce out-of-pocket costs for low-income Americans. This action alone increased premiums by 20 percent and raised costs for families not receiving subsidies. In 2018, the administration issued new section 1332 guidance that allows States to raise healthcare costs for people with preexisting conditions. This 2018 guidance also gave a green light to insurance companies to expand junk plans that don't cover essential health benefits. We know that pulling people out of the pool only makes insurance premiums more expensive for those with preexisting conditions. Also, in 2018, the administration slashed funding for consumer enrollment assistance and outreach. Their goal: reduced healthcare enrollment; the result: higher premiums. Just last month, the administration finalized a rule that would increase limits on total out-of-pocket costs for millions. The administration moved forward with this even though the rule itself noted that all commenters on this topic expressed opposition to or concerns about the proposed change. This past Monday, the administration released a notice seeking comment on a proposal that would reduce eligibility for Medicaid and cut premium tax credits for millions. It is time to say ``no'' to future attempts to sabotage working Americans' healthcare. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.