Continue beyond 11 50 a. M. Each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. Friday, the Trump Administration declared war on state legalization of marijuana. As they come out on the wrong side of history and the american public. The Obama Administration recognized that the vast voterdriven movement to legalize marijuana at the state level was something that couldnt be stopped and, in fact, that the federal government shouldnt interfere. Their Justice Department issued guidance known as the cole amendment. That as long as these voterapproved, state legalization efforts were enforced, rigorously and thoughtfully, the federal government wouldnt interfere with what the voters wanted. Friday, sessions and the Trump Administration overruled that guidance and declared open war on the part of 93 u. S. Attorneys who are feel free to interfere with what local voters have decided. This is strongly opposed by the american public. Ver 60 in poll after poll shows that americans favor full legalization of marijuana when it deals with medical marijuana, that percentage is over 90 . We have seen state after state, including florida, a 71 yes vote in november of 2016. And if the question is, regardless of how you feel about marijuana, should the federal government interfere with what the voters have decided . Three out of four voters say, the federal government should keep their hands off it. Luckily, at least as far as medical marijuana is concerned, they are protected from interference by the Justice Department because of the amendment that i have authored with my friend, dana rohrabacher. Its in the continuing resolution. It needs to be in any longterm funding bill. In fact, we should embrace an amendment by our friend, Tom Mcclintock from california, hat would expend those protections to any state Legal Marijuana activity. The Justice Department is not just on the wrong side of history and the american public, they are missing a chance to cure the damage caused by selected and cruel enforcement of marijuana. Were still arresting tens of thousands, mostly young men of color, especially africanamerican men, for something the majority of americans now think should be legal. We miss a chance to win the war against opioid death and addiction. In states that have medical marijuana with, surprise, there are fewer pills prescribed. And the longer the states have had medical marijuana, the lower the overdose death. In california, which has had medical marijuana the longest, there is a third fewer opioid deaths. Were missing an opportunity to build on that. Were missing the opportunity to increase the hundreds of millions of dollars that is now going to the state tax coffers to deal with education and addiction and Law Enforcement through state legal efforts and away from the cartels. Indeed, if we clean up this mess, well have billions of dollars to devote for Public Purposes and further undermine the strength of drug cartels that use the black market to fuel their efforts. Its past time that Congress Steps up and fixes this mess. The good news is that this reckless action by the Trump Administration and Jeff Sessions will accelerate the state tween support what and local governments should do, rationalize our canny bass cannibas stop this policy and stop this infect prohibition. Soint chair recognizes the the gentlewoman from North Carolina, ms. Foxx, for five minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on national Law EnforcementAppreciation Day, we salute and thank the brave men and women who make up our Law Enforcement community. Officers on the local, state, and federal level dedicate their efforts to keep us safe. They serve to protect the vulnerable and to defend us from harm. They patrol the neighborhood beat, walk our streets, and willingly put their lives on the line to do the work that makes our society safe. These men and women preserve our way of life by steadfastly safeguarding us from crime. To ensure the safety and protection of others, many have lost their lives in the line of duty. Their sacrifice must not be forgotten and their families should always remain in our prayers. Though todays Law EnforcementAppreciation Day, i believe members of our Law Enforcement community deserve our gratitude every day. Mr. Speaker, its a new year and i am thankful that my republican colleagues and i made good on our promise to bring about a new tax code. Due to the historic passage of he tax cuts and jobs act, most citizens, couples and companies will finally receive the tax relief they so desperately needed. The list of Companies Nationwide that have announced pay raises, bonuses, and 401k contributions is growing. Companies that werent able to invest more in their employees in the past have found renewed confidence in this nations economic future. My colleagues on the other side f the aisle proclaim that this bill was a tax scam that would only profit the rich. These baseless claims are the very epitome of fake news and nothing could be further from the truth. More than a million americans have received bonuses because of our efforts to reform the tax code. 900 billion is being distributed to hardworking american taxpayers by job creators as of today. Thanks to the tax cuts and jobs act, we have more than witnesse companies begin to reinvest in the future of employees. In fact, aflac announced it will increase 401k matching om 50 to 100 for the first 4 of employee contribution. On top of issuing onetime bonuses to employees. Oiler job creators are so inspired by the reforms we worked hard for and those who are working toward retirement will enjoy these benefits for years to come. While some in this chamber stated that tax reform would lead to armageddon, id like to point out that for many tax reform has brought about what reagan called, morning in america again. Proponents of the status quo and naysayers claim that the tax cuts and jobs act would cost taxpayers. Thats simply not the truth. Even modest increases in g. D. P. Growth caused by the tax cuts and jobs act will substantially contribute to a leveling off of the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office stated for every. 1 increase in g. D. P. , nearly 270 billion in revenue is added over 10 years. Most importantly, hardworking american taxpayers will now keep more of their hardearned cash. Estimates show that married couples taking advantage of the new standard deduction in the Fifth District of North Carolina may receive a tax cut to the tune of 1,834. Thats no small sum. Mr. Speaker, im pleased that House Republicans kept our promise to bring about more and bigger xes, 2017. Cks in and i look forward to this continued success in 2018. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair 2017. And i look forward recognizes t from connecticut, mr. Courtney, for five minutes. Mr. Courtney thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last october President Trump loudly proclaimed that the Affordable Care act, obamacare, was quoteunquote, virtually dead. He said it was finished. It was gone. This was after the pummeling this law had been taking over the 2017 in the unsuccessful effort by the republicans to repeal the Affordable Care act. But again last october was the critical moment because enrollment was about to commence for 2018s policy year. And the Trump Administration announced that they were going to cut in half the time that people would have an opportunity to go out and learn about rates, to talk to enrollment help, and also to sign up for different plans. They also cut the Marketing Budget by 80 and eliminating funding for folks at the state level to actually provide facetoface assistance. So it all looked pretty grim october in terms of what that would result in in terms of enrollment for 2018. Well, as the famous resident oc from the state of connecticut, mark twain, once said, rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Yesterday the connecticut exchange, Access Health exchange, announced their enrollment numbers for 2018. Rather than going down, even though they were only able to enroll people in half the time as 2016, even though they had no budget in terms of trying to actually promote and advertise, their enrollment went up. It went up by 3 . In terms of the number of people that signed up for them blue cross plans, for conniticare plans and medicaid plans. It was done because of this amazing grassroots, organic effort by libraries, Community Health certainties, Human Service agencies, by hospitals you health centers, Human Service agencies, by hospitals that took on the task to get the word out that the Affordable Care act was still alive and people would have access to Affordable Health plans. Sure enough, it resulted in an increase in health plans. Interestingly, the young invincible, the young enrollees everybody predicted was going to abandon the program because of enforcement of the mandate wasing to going to be relaxed by the i. R. S. , actually had a very Strong Healthy number come interesting a state thats known for its insurance history, it was the insurance capital of the world, the fact of the matter is is getting those young enrollees, young members to sign up for these plans portends well for 2019 and beyond. This morning the hill newspaper reported that obamacare insurers, their financial prospects, are looking much better for 2019 because the system is stabilized. Again, theres still work that could be done. Theres a bill, h. R. 3748, a medicare buyin which would allow people 50 and up to voluntarily sign up for medicare. Again using subsidies they qualify for paying the full cost which would still be 40 less than the plans on exchanges throughout the country for people 50 and up. It would not affect the deficit. In fact, arguably it would strengthen the Medicare Trust fund because you would get a younger population into the medicare program. So there is work that we can do that is optional, voluntarily in terms of trying to provide more choices for individuals out there, but clearly what happened yesterday in connecticut and throughout the country in terms of enrollment figures that despite the active efforts by the Trump Administration to undercut and sabotage this law, in fact, shows that the law has a life of its own. That, in fact, people are voting with their feet in terms of still trying to get access to critical needs of every human being and every american which is access to health care. I want to particularly congratulate the Lieutenant Governor who spearheaded this effort in connecticut and who yesterday stated, this just shows how valuable the Affordable Care act is to thousands of residents in connecticut. The director of the exchange, who again was not distracted or demoralized by the comments coming out of the white house, still plunged forward and still persistently went out and made sure that people got the real information, the real facts, the real news so that they could take an opportunity to protect themselves and their families from the inevitable problems of sickness and accident that every american and every member of congress enjoys through their Health Benefits for every resident in the state of connecticut. It is time for to us stop the attack in terms of a program that has provided millions of americans coverage and opportunity to health care. We should Work Together with bills like h. R. 3748. Voluntary deficit neutral attempt to try and strengthen and provide cheaper alternatives for people 50 and up, and small businesses, thats the way forward. Not this persistent, nonstop, hyper political, hyper partisan attack on a bill thats made a huge difference to millions of americans. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend the commonwealth of pennsylvania kicked off one of my favorite events, Pennsylvania Farm Show. For more than a century, farmers had gathered each january at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in harrisburg, pennsylvania. This week were having the 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show. This weeklong event is the largest indoor agriculture expo significance in the nation showcasing over 6,000 animals and featuring merely 12,000 exhibits and nearly half a million visitors. Each year i host lastening session at the farm show and we coverage i hoe a listening session at the farm show and we coverage i host a listening session at the farm show and we coverage many things. As we embark on crafting the farm bill, the listening session was extremely important. I want to thank the following members who were able to join this years farm show. Agriculture Committee Ranking member colin peterson, congressman evans, congressman marino, congressman marshall and large conn smucker and also thanks to usda jend secretary from coming up undersecretary for coming up to join us and Pennsylvania Department of agriculture secretary. The Pennsylvania Farm Show truly does bring together so many different people in the ag community and its an event like none other. As vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee i am proud of this fine event that takes place in the pennsylvania. It houses 24 acres under one roof spreading throughout 11 buildings including three arenas. There is no admission fee and its a great event for the entire family and numerous educational shows that are all free of charge. Pennsylvania farm show provides an atmosphere for everyone to walk through, observe and educate themselves about different areas of agriculture. The commonwealths largest industry, which brings in nearly 6. 9 billion annually in agricultural cash receipts. Almost half a million jobs are tied to the industry which positively impacts all pennsylvanians. Undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions at the Pennsylvania Farm Show is the food court located in the expo hall of the complex. The food court offers a variety of pennsylvania products, p. A. Preferred products and generates income to support the nonprofit pennsylvania commodity organization. The first Pennsylvania Farm Show was a threeday exhibit. Today the event is a weeklong, eightday celebration of how the agriculture industry touches our everyday lives. Proudly this event draws visitors from across the country to highlight everything our state has to offer when it comes to ag. Numerous students participate in the event as well as clubs and f. A. A. Organizations. The Pennsylvania Farm Show truly showcases our farmers and landowners and i was thrilled to take part in the best agriculture expo in the country. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Costa, for five minutes. Mr. Costa i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute address the house for five ominutes and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today to talk about the National Debt and our shared future. Our country has been on an unsustainable fiscal path regardless which party has been in power and we all know this. As a result our National Debt is the largest its ever been. As of this week the National Debt is in excess of 20 trillion. Thats with a t. This works out to be an average man, woman or every and child in the United States. Its outrageous, its completely unacceptable amount of debt, and we have it because of irresponsible governing and a lack of political courage here in our nations capital. Sadly, this congress has chosen to continue this irresponsible and unsustainable fiscal course. The tax cut legislation that our republicans rammed through the Congress Last month will billion to our deficit over 10 years estimated and over 2 trillion to our National Debt. We are going in the wrong direction. This is something i learned about this tax legislation last month and that it seems that deficits matter. Under democratic administrations. But under republican administrations, deficits dont matter at all. So when it comes to lifting our debt ceiling later this year, i would expect or hope to see every republican who voted for the tax bill that adds 2. 2 trillion to our deficit or debt