John Yarmuth

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the NDAA conference report, which includes the phaseout of the offset provision known as the widow's tax. Ending this egregious offset is a momentous victory for the more than 60,000 surviving spouses and families of our Nation's fallen heroes and the families who, unfortunately, may come after them. It is not every day that Congress comes together and fixes a problem that has been on the books for more than four decades, but that day is here. I got involved in this issue years ago when I heard from my constituent Ellen, a woman in Louisville whose husband tragically passed away during training exercises. When I became the Democratic lead on legislation to repeal this offset, along with Congressman Wilson of South Carolina, I was told it would never pass, that people had tried for years and had failed every time. Well, here we are. We got it done. Chairman Smith and I, with the help of Chairman McGovern and Speaker Pelosi, came up with a plan to add the offset repeal to the must-pass NDAA bill and then worked our tails off to keep it there. We knew if it passed the House as a freestanding piece of legislation, it would land in the stack of bills of more than 270 bipartisan bills languishing on Mitch McConnell's desk and would never be seen again. So I thank Chairman Smith for his dedication on behalf of families whose loved once made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf our Nation. I would also like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for his long-time passionate leadership on this issue. But most of all, I want to thank my constituent Ellen and all the surviving spouses who fought for this moment for years, who lit up phone lines, flooded email inboxes, walked the Halls of Congress, and demanded we act. Your fallen loved ones would be so proud of what you have accomplished in their honor. Now it is time for Congress to honor them as well by passing this legislation.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career and retirement of Tom Bradley after 24 years of service at the Congressional Budget Office. Tom has been Chief of the Medicare Cost Estimates Unit for 21 of those years. He also spent almost 6 years at the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services, for a total of nearly 30 years in federal service. It is hard to overstate Tom's role in analyzing the budgetary impacts of health legislation over the past two decades. Notable examples include the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. In all of those interactions, Tom has been instrumental in providing insightful and objective estimates of the effects of every piece of important health care legislation that the Congress has considered, debated, and enacted since 1995. Tom has worked tirelessly with Members of Congress and our staff on both sides of the aisle throughout the years. During many hours of discussion and explanation, he was never less than methodically forthright and fair, embodying CBO's commitment to nonpartisan analysis. He helped us understand the key levers to move an estimate and the need to focus on making the language match the intent. Tom also trained numerous CBO analysts to think harder, dig deeper, and consider all the possible outcomes of a bill. The high standards that he set for himself and for the Medicare Unit will continue to be a benchmark for CBO's health analysis going forward. Tom can look forward to a well-earned retirement with his wife, Judith, in Florida. He leaves CBO and Washington with the thanks and appreciation of the Congress.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nancy Lacewell on her retirement. Since 1999, Nancy has served as the Director of Government and Community Affairs at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been a tremendous asset both to the American Printing House for the Blind and the United States Congress. Nancy has been a fixture on Capitol Hill for more than two decades, serving as a valuable resource for members and staff on both sides of the aisle. A tireless advocate, Nancy has educated Members of the House and Senate on the unique needs of people who are blind and visually impaired, informing us on the latest technological advances available to that population. She was instrumental in establishing and coordinating the National Prison Braille Network, a partnership with the Printing House and more than 35 U.S. prisons offering offenders an opportunity to learn braille. Through Nancy's hard work the program has been a major success, to the point where many of the textbooks for blind school students are now transcribed through the prison braille program. Nancy received her Masters of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of Louisville. In her retirement, I hope that she will be able to capitalize on those skills to travel to France and other destinations, as well as enjoy life with her husband Rick; her children Jeff, Corrine, and JP; loved ones; and friends. I thank Nancy for being an advocate, an ally, and source of inspiration for me and for all who will follow in your footsteps. I wish them all the best in a much deserved retirement.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 519, I call up the bill (H.R. 3877) to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, to establish a congressional budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, to temporarily suspend the debt limit, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 3877.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, we have an opportunity to advance bipartisan legislation that will help secure a stronger future for American families and our Nation's economy. The 2-year budget caps deal we are now debating raises the debt ceiling and increases the budget caps for 2020 and 2021. It stops extreme sequestration cuts of $125 billion from being implemented, helps us avoid another devastating government shutdown, and establishes a realistic budgetary framework so that we can make critical investments in our Nation's people and prosperity. This budget agreement represents a vast improvement over the harmful cuts contained in the President's 2020 budget proposal. It rejects the Trump budget's 9 percent cut to nondefense discretionary spending that would have weakened national and economic security, endangered public health, and crippled critical programs that support American families. Instead, this bill will allow us to make strong investments in everything from K-12 education and infrastructure to research and development, clean energy, and veterans' healthcare. This is about finally moving us past the threat of sequestration. It is about upholding the full faith and credit of the United States. And it is about providing much-needed certainty to our communities and for our economy. This bipartisan agreement is a victory for the American people. In the most divisive and polarizing environment in our lifetimes, it is a much-needed example of Congress coming together to prioritize the American people over self-serving politics. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to fulfill our obligations to govern and ensure we meet the needs and priorities of the American people by passing this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moulton), the vice chair of the Budget Committee.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), a distinguished member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader of the House of Representatives.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), a distinguished member of the Budget Committee. (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I think anyone watching this debate today, and certainly those of us who are here in the House, would say this is a very unusual moment. We have a lot of debates in this body in which there is a great deal of unanimity and agreement, and usually that is over naming a post office or doing something that is totally noncontroversial. But today is very different, because today we have truly, I think, respected the highest legacies of this body, that this body is supposed to be a Chamber where you bring very diverse opinions and perspectives to try and find common solutions to this country's needs. I think the compromise that we are hopefully going to approve today will serve as a model for what is possible in this body and in this Congress, because it truly is, in my 13 years, I think, a watershed moment. We are in a very, very divisive, polarized environment. We have come together to move this country forward. I want to thank and commend the ranking member and my friend, Mr. Womack. I can't imagine having a better relationship than I have with the ranking member, and I hope that he feels that, when he was chairman and I was ranking member, it was exactly the same way. Mr. Womack is a total class act and a distinguished Member, and it is an honor to work with him.

Mr. YARMUTH. I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those comments. Mr. Speaker, I also compliment and thank the Budget Committee staff, both majority and minority, for the work done on this very important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, our country is facing an infrastructure deficit; we face a skills and education deficit; and we face a growing income inequality crisis. A failure by Congress to make the necessary investments to promote growth and opportunity will leave our communities and country vulnerable. Instead of the extreme cuts outlined in the President's 2020 budget proposal, we need to be making bold investments in research and development, educating and training a strong workforce, improving public health, caring for our veterans, ensuring an accurate 2020 Census, and protecting our homeland. The United States did not become an economic powerhouse and world leader by accident. Throughout our history, we made strong investments in our people, our economy, and our security that have allowed us to innovate and grow, while promoting broad-based economic opportunity. This agreement will build on that legacy by raising the caps and lifting the debt ceiling, allowing Congress to move our Nation forward without leaving our communities behind. I look forward to passing this bill in the House, and I encourage both the Senate and the White House to join us in ensuring that we meet our obligations to our Nation and to the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 476, the rule allowing for consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act, including my amendment to, once and for all, repeal the SBP-DIC offset, commonly known as the widow's tax. I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman McGovern for their work to include my amendment in this bill. I also want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for his continued stalwart leadership on the issue. I got involved in this issue several years ago when I was contacted by a constituent of mine named Ellen. She emailed me to tell me about the unfair burden being placed on an estimated 64,000 surviving spouses and families of the men and women of our military, forcing them to forfeit all or part of an annuity purchased by their beloved fallen heroes. In the final paragraph of Ellen's email, she mentioned a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army who suffered a heart attack during his required physical training in 2002. That First Sergeant was her husband. It became clear to me that Congress' mistake more than 4 decades ago was now negatively impacting one of my constituents, a constituent who was already grieving the loss of her husband. And while I am heartbroken by the reason Ellen was forced to become an advocate on this issue, to this day I am very thankful she contacted me. Including this provision to ax the widow's tax in must-pass NDAA legislation is likely our only shot in this Congress to end the unfair offset once and for all. I want to urge my colleagues to support this rule and final passage of this bill. We have tried for years to get this right and now we finally can. Stand up for Gold Star families and support this rule and the underlying legislation. The spouses and children of our fallen heroes have sacrificed enough.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, today, I would like to recognize and honor the outstanding service of Kim Kowalewski, who retires this week after nearly 40 years as a public servant, the past 30 of them at the Congressional Budget Office. Kim Kowalewski joined CBO in 1989. After serving briefly as a principal analyst in what was then known as the Fiscal Analysis Division, he was promoted to be the Chief of the Financial and General Macroeconomics Modeling Unit, which analyzed developments in financial markets and contributed to the forecast of consumer spending. He next headed the Financial Markets Unit, which, in addition to analyzing and forecasting financial market indicators, prepared cost estimates for various federal financial programs and developed policy options for the housing and financial markets. In 2008, he was promoted to Deputy Assistant Director of the Macroeconomic Analysis Division. In that capacity, he played an essential role in developing CBO's economic projections, which underlie the agency's budget projections, and he directed numerous studies on developments in the economy, including the operation of automatic stabilizers, changes in trade policy, and the effects of federal tax and spending policies. In 2016, he became a senior adviser at CBO. In that role, he led cross-divisional efforts to improve CBO's graphics and written presentations and mentored and trained colleagues. Throughout, he has been a leader in making CBO's analysis accessible. Kim Kowalewski's public service did not begin with his work at CBO. He came to the agency after eight years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, where he led the preparation of the bank's forecast of the U.S. economy and provided analysis related to monetary policy, financial markets, personal bankruptcy, and consumer spending. By all accounts, Kim's colleagues at CBO and on the Hill appreciate his dedication, ability, skillful work, and breadth of experience. They will miss his generosity with his time and knowledge and, especially, his kindness. I know my colleagues join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to Kim for his service to our country. We wish him well in his future undertakings and hope that the nation will continue to benefit from his expertise and commitment.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the outstanding service of T.J. McGrath on her retirement after nearly 27 years of distinguished public service, the past 10 years at the Congressional Budget Office, most recently as its General Counsel. T.J. was promoted to that position in late 2016, in recognition of her dedication, ability, skillful work, and breadth of experience. In that capacity, she has served as CBO's principal legal officer and an integral part of the agency's leadership team. She has overseen CBO's legal staff and their work, skillfully leading them in interpreting legislative proposals and providing high-level analysis regarding significant judicial decisions, scorekeeping guidelines, and relevant budget laws. She has been a leader in making CBO's analysis more transparent. Moreover, since becoming CBO's General Counsel, she has worked tirelessly, building professional relationships across the legislative branch, focusing on creating a positive work environment at CBO, and providing training so that employees have the skills they need to interact more effectively. One example that encapsulates all three of those efforts is bystander training. T.J. worked closely with the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to develop training to prevent harassment in the workplace. The training provided participants with practical tools for taking ownership of their work environment and encouraged bystanders not to remain silent if they witness an incident that might make someone feel uncomfortable. As a result of T.J.'s efforts, CBO was the first agency in the legislative branch to receive bystander training. From 2009 to 2016, T.J. served as CBO's Deputy General Counsel. In that position, she dealt with many operational matters and quickly demonstrated her ability to develop practical solutions. She instituted CBO's successful legal intern program, updated and refined CBO's internal policies, served as lead attorney in cases involving the Congressional Accountability Act, and worked closely with a Justice Department attorney in a case brought in U.S. District Court. T.J. also made valuable contributions to numerous reports, testimonies, and cost estimates in just about every subject area covered by CBO, including the economy, national security, and health care. T.J.'s service to the nation did not begin with her work at CBO. She came to CBO from the Defense Department's TRICARE Management Activity (now the Defense Health Agency), where she was an Associate General Counsel, providing guidance to the Director and staff on policy and legal issues involved in delivering quality health care to military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Although T.J. is retiring from civilian service, she will continue her exemplary military career. For nearly 27 years, she has served as a member of the Air Force's Judge Advocate General Corps. She first served on active duty in various locations, including Alaska, Korea, Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During that time, T.J. defended the Air Force against tort claims, prosecuted criminal offenses, taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, commanded a cadet squadron, and was a military assistant to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Since transferring to the reserves more than 14 years ago, she has served in the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, the Air Force Space Command, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and the Pacific Air Forces. She remains active as a colonel in the selected reserves today. Her colleagues in CBO and on the Hill appreciate her hard work, keen insights, sense of humor, and steady hand. They will especially miss her generosity with her time and knowledge, her patience, and especially her kindness. I know my colleagues join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to T.J. for her service to our country. We wish her well in her future undertakings and hope that the nation will continue to benefit from her expertise and commitment.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the outstanding service of T.J. McGrath on her retirement after nearly 27 years of distinguished public service, the past 10 years at the Congressional Budget Office, most recently as its General Counsel. T.J. was promoted to that position in late 2016, in recognition of her dedication, ability, skillful work, and breadth of experience. In that capacity, she has served as CBO's principal legal officer and an integral part of the agency's leadership team. She has overseen CBO's legal staff and their work, skillfully leading them in interpreting legislative proposals and providing high-level analysis regarding significant judicial decisions, scorekeeping guidelines, and relevant budget laws. She has been a leader in making CBO's analysis more transparent. Moreover, since becoming CBO's General Counsel, she has worked tirelessly, building professional relationships across the legislative branch, focusing on creating a positive work environment at CBO, and providing training so that employees have the skills they need to interact more effectively. One example that encapsulates all three of those efforts is bystander training. T.J. worked closely with the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to develop training to prevent harassment in the workplace. The training provided participants with practical tools for taking ownership of their work environment and encouraged bystanders not to remain silent if they witness an incident that might make someone feel uncomfortable. As a result of T.J.'s efforts, CBO was the first agency in the legislative branch to receive bystander training. From 2009 to 2016, T.J. served as CBO's Deputy General Counsel. In that position, she dealt with many operational matters and quickly demonstrated her ability to develop practical solutions. She instituted CBO's successful legal intern program, updated and refined CBO's internal policies, served as lead attorney in cases involving the Congressional Accountability Act, and worked closely with a Justice Department attorney in a case brought in U.S. District Court. T.J. also made valuable contributions to numerous reports, testimonies, and cost estimates in just about every subject area covered by CBO, including the economy, national security, and health care. T.J.'s service to the nation did not begin with her work at CBO. She came to CBO from the Defense Department's TRICARE Management Activity (now the Defense Health Agency), where she was an Associate General Counsel, providing guidance to the Director and staff on policy and legal issues involved in delivering quality health care to military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Although T.J. is retiring from civilian service, she will continue her exemplary military career. For nearly 27 years, she has served as a member of the Air Force's Judge Advocate General Corps. She first served on active duty with assignments across the world, including in Alaska, Korea, Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During that time, T.J. defended the Air Force against tort claims, prosecuted criminal offenses, taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, commanded a cadet squadron, and was a military assistant to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Since transferring to the reserves more than 14 years ago, she has served in the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, the Air Force Space Command, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and the Pacific Air Forces. She remains active as a colonel in the selected reserves today. Her colleagues in CBO and on the Hill appreciate her hard work, keen insights, sense of humor, and steady hand. They will especially miss her generosity with her time and knowledge, her patience, and especially her kindness. I know my colleagues join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to T.J. for her service to our country. We wish her well in her future undertakings and hope that the nation will continue to benefit from her expertise and commitment.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory and in celebration of the life and legacy of my friend, Suzanne Kling Post, a tremendous force for good in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Suzy passed on January 2, after having spent her entire life in service to others, fighting for school desegregation, civil liberties, fair housing, women's rights, equality for all, and more. There was no challenge too daunting and no issue too controversial for Suzy to take on. As reliable as the sun rising and setting each day, if there was injustice, prejudice, or discrimination, Suzy was right there, organizing and empowering. She helped lift the voices of those wronged, and demanded more from our city and our Commonwealth on behalf of those in need. Born into a white, middle-class, Jewish family in the Highlands of Louisville in 1933, Suzy was quick to put others first. She joined the NAACP as a student at Indiana University. She returned home and helped organize sit-ins and demonstrations of civil disobedience in protest of housing discrimination; and she helped lead efforts for civil rights and against the Vietnam War. She led the ACLU of Kentucky, founded by her uncle, Arthur Kling, and eventually became the founding director of the Metropolitan Housing Commission. After decades of service, she was inducted into the Kentucky Human Rights Commission Hall of Fame in 2007. Though small in stature, she was larger than life. She had a fire in her belly and a passion for her work that was contagious. Her low voice had the power to move you, and she never missed an opportunity to use it and move us forward as a city. In the Louisville Courier-Journal's thoughtful obituary recounting her life, they noted that, once asked why she became an activist, Suzy replied: I guess I just don't like injustice. It ticks me off; it really does. Although she didn't use the word ``ticks.'' She was as uncomplicated as she was powerful; straightforward, straight to the heart and an invaluable source of strength for me, our city, and our Commonwealth. To say we are better off because of her decades of service is an understatement. She expected more, gave more, and got more from all of us because she demanded it of her community and of herself. I will always value her friendship, her leadership, and for never shying away from a fight. To her children and grandchildren, I hope you can take some solace in knowing that your mother and grandmother was the conscience of the city that loved her dearly, and we will all work to carry her legacy forward. May her memory be a blessing.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 30104 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, I hereby submit for printing in the Congressional Record a revised 302(a) allocation for the Committee on Appropriations for fiscal year 2019 that is adjusted to reflect amounts for disaster relief funding. Questions may be directed to Jennifer Wheelock or Raquel Spencer. DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS--APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE 302(a) ALLOCATION (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor and in loving memory of Dr. Thomas Vaughn Walker, who served not only his congregation but the greater community of my hometown of Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and more. Dr. Walker spent his Sundays (and nearly every other day of the week) sharing God's word from a brick building near the comer of Seventh Street and Algonquin Parkway, where First Gethsemane Baptist Church has proudly stood since 1972. From March of 1984 on, Dr. Walker made First ``G'' his home, serving as its Senior Pastor for nearly 35 years. Though he had a quiet and reserved demeanor, his words and his impact--from the pulpit and beyond--were incredibly powerful. When he spoke, you listened, and lives were changed. Because Dr. Walker not only shared the lessons of scripture, he also served as a mentor and teacher for countless more. The first black professor to work full-time at a Southern Baptist Convention school, Dr. Walker retired after 30 years of teaching at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He earned a Ph.D. degree from Oregon State University, a Master of Divinity and Christian Education degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University. Education was an important part of Dr. Walker's faith, and he shared that knowledge far and wide. Dr. Walker's family, including the love of his life and his Hampton University college sweetheart, Dr. Cheryl D. Walker; their three children, David, Mary, and Eryn; and their six grandchildren, Celeste, Celvion, Jai, Joi, Josiah, and Ella; will all remain in my continued thoughts and prayers, along with the entire church family of First Gethsemane Baptist. Though his work on earth is now complete, I am confident that his words and his teachings will remain with so many of us, and will be carried on by all of those who were lucky enough to call him their friend and teacher. I thank Dr. T. Vaughn Walker for a lifetime of service.