Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. Hou

CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House Of Representatives February 7, 2018

Government. May their efforts to find a workable solution to difficult issues result in legislation that will redown to the benefit of our nation. May all that is done this day be for your greater honor and glory. Amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Ms. Roslehtinen mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule 1, i demand a vote on agreeing to the speakers approval of the journal. The speaker the question is on agreeing to the speakers approval of the journal. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The aye vs. It. The journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Ms. Roslehtinen mr. Speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and make a point of order a quorum is not present. The speaker pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question are postponed. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentlewoman from florida, mrs. Murphy. Miss fur if i i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america mrs. Murphy i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair will entertain up to five requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lance mr. Speaker, i rise today to thank and recognize the heroism of a constituent of new jerseys seventh congressional district. This past december the Port Authority of new york and new jersey came under attack by a terrorist set on the destruction of american lives. One of the officers responsible for thwarting the terrorists plot was Port Authority officer sean gallagher. Many lives were saved that day as a direct result of the quick and decisive actions of officer gallagher. Those who know sean personally were not surprised when they learned he had played a decisive role in foiling the attack and apprehending the Port Authority bomber. In the aftermath of the attack, many of officer gallaghers friends and acquaintances were asked what character trathes he possessed. Traits he possessed. A common theme emerge. A strong work ethic and strong patriotic desire to protect his community and nation. He will receive the Port Authoritys p. B. A. s cop of the year award this friday. I cannot think of an officer more desoiling than officer sean gallon ber and i congratulate him for his heroism. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for ne minute. Mrs. Murphy madam speaker, as a member of the class of 2000, i rise to celebrate the 325th anniversary of the college of william and mary. William and mary may be the second Oldest College in america but first in the hearts of its students and alumni. The College Educated many of our nations Founding Fathers and continues to take pride in producing graduates who enter public service, including four current members of congress. Like it has for so many others, william and mary changed my life. As a daughter of refugees from vietnam who became residents of virginia, i was the first woman in my family to attend college. I arrived on campus feeling a little alone and more than a little nervous. Yet from the moment i walked through wren port could he as a freshman to the moments i rang the bell as my last class as a senior, they made me feel i was part after close knit community, a tribe, pound together by pride and tradition. I created friendships and made memories that last add lifetime. To william and mary the institution and to those whose efforts have made it such a special place, i say thank you and happy birthday. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. For what purpose does the ntleman from utah seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i realize recognition . Are more olicy topics tenuous and challenging than Immigration Reform. But i believe before us now is a unique window of opportunity that will allow us to solve some of these complex problems. We can make this an historic time for our country. Are more tenuous and challenging than immigration as we come together to find solutions for more than 800,000 dreamers, we need to take advantage of this moment to also address additional aspects of our broken immigration system. My hope is that congress will pass a bill that provides certainty for dreamers while also bringing meaningful improvements to our visa programs for Seasonal Workers and our highly skilled immigrants. Along with providing resources for an enhanced border security. We know that not every special Interest Group will get everything they want. But i believe if we Work Together we can give the American People exactly what they expect. An improved immigration system that we desperately need. Thank you. I yield my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Sanchez madam speaker, i rise to recognize the tireless work of School Counselors across the country and in the 38th district of california that im honored to represent. These Public Servants guide students through academic, social, and personal development. Dana, a counselor at a high school in my district is exactly the type of champion that students need. Dana, a 12year counseling veteran, has been instrumental in the development of our teachers career Technical Education program. She also coordinates numerous events including a. P. Student night and college fairs. Thanks in part to her unwavering commitment to students, the Graduation Rate is nearly 99 . Despite the important contributions counselors like dana make every day, counseling positions are not always protected when local budgets are cut. The average student to counselor ratio in our nations Public School is almost double the ratio recommended by the American School counselor association. Students deserve to have the support of School Counselors like dana. That is why im proud to introduce a resolution to designate this week as National School counseling week. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these selfless professionals. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from alabama seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, republicans won the house in 2010 in part posed by e danger americas fouryear string of trillion dollar deficits. House republicans sliced americas deficit to posed by americas 438 billion in 2015. But then our finances took a dramatic turn for the worse. Americas deficit surged to 585 billion in 2016. And 666 billion in 2017. Congress is expected to soon vote on a debt junky spending bill that blows americas deficit skyhigh by hundreds of billions of dollars in 2018 alone. Mr. Brooks mr. Speaker, there is a narrow path between adequate National Security funding and avoiding a National Insolvency that decimates our military and risks american lives. That path is as narrow as Zion National parks angel landing trail, one misstep left or right and you fall hundreds of feet to your death. The Senate Spending bill is a debt junkys dream, a nightmare, and a misstep that plunges america into disaster. It must not pass. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Madam speaker, i come to the house floor today to speak about a husband, a father, and avid environmentalist. Mr. Issa with over 55 Years Experience in just one profession. Madam speaker, i come here to speak about and to honor the life of mike love. A Founding Member of the beach boys and one of the most popular music groups of all time. A group that has entertained us on the mall of the capitol more than any other band in history. A Patriotic Group that speaks in lyrics that are timeless. Love has spent an extraordinary 55 years and counting as the groups lead singer and one of the principal lyricists with 13 gold albums, 55 top 100 hits, and four tingles alone. He wrote himself singles alone. He wrote himself the lyrics to e great pop classics good vibrations, california girls. The beach boys from their california roots have, in fact, been a global ambassador for california and for america. But more importantly at a time in which words are sometimes vulgar or unintelligible, thats never the case with the beach boys. They sing of the greatness of our country, of our lands, and particularly of california. So with the unprecedented success and continuation of this band under mike loves leadership, i ask that we honor him again as a father, husband, and environmentalist, and, yes, a man who has given us the most beautiful layered music of american modern history as it continues 55 years on. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from maine seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Mr. Poliquin down east maine along the Canadian Border is one of the most stunning beautiful parts of the world, sadly its also one of the poorest. During the past 30 years, madam speaker, most of our paper mills in maine have closed because of high taxes, harmful regulations, unfair trade, and a declining demand for paper. However, madam speaker, the Woodland Pulp and tissue mill is doing quite well. 500 wellpaying jobs with benefits, the largest private sector employer in Washington County in down east maine. Today, madam speaker, the federal government has a chance to help. Since 1836, the woodland mill has managed an upriver forest city water storage dam to make sure the river and the lake levels in the area are properly maintained. In this makes sure that the fragile and world class salmon bass fisheries are protected. But now, madam speaker, the federal Energy Regulation commission is demanding that the Woodland Mills spend 6 million on a fish ladder and other requirements in order to renew its license. But the dam already has a fish license that works fine. It does not generate any for the mill. And it cannot afford the for th and it cannot afford the 6 million price tag for these unnecessary requirements. The main legislature, madam speaker, has maine legislature, madam speaker, has already voted to allow maine inland fisheries and wildlife to assume control of the dam to make sure the habitat and Property Owners are protected, and the mill can continue to prosper without these undo and unnecessary regulations. Madam speaker, i ask today, right now, that ferc do whats right and allow the transfer of the ownership of this dam from the mill to the state of maine which solves this critically important problem in one of the poorest areas in the country. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Madam speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 725, i call up h. R. 1153 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk union called number 387, h. R. 1153, a bill to amend the truth in lending act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 725, the gentleman from texas, mr. Hensarling, and the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Velazquez, each will control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Hensarling madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and submit remarks extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hensarling madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hensarling i do rise today in support of h. R. 1153, the Mortgage Choice act of 2017. Id like to start out thanking my colleague, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Huizenga, for his tireless leadership on this issue having ushered this very same legislation through our committee in three different congresses. The purpose of h. R. 1153 is simple. To provide much needed regulatory, red tape relief to our Community Financial institutions so they can serve their customers. So they can provide them more mortgages. This is a straightforward piece of legislation, it is practical, it is necessary, and, madam speaker, it is bipartisan. You may hear from some of our democratic colleagues that its a bipartisan bill. We heard claims earlier this week but i do find it necessary that, no, no amendments were offered during committee markup. Nor were any amendments offered at the rules committee and i remind all on the house floor, madam speaker, that the Financial Services committee favorably reported this bill to the house with a strong bipartisan vote of 4613 which means almost half, almost half of the democrats on our committee supported this bill, and in the 113th congress, madam speaker, this bill passed by voice vote. Not a single objection. Madam speaker, this bill would help make homeownership more affordable for working americans, will promote access for credit for low and moderate income families and firsttime homebuyers and it does this while continuing to protect consumers. The Mortgage Choice act is needed because the cfpb wrote a flawed and problematic definition that grossly miscalculates points and fees and the result is that many Mortgage Loans, particularly those for low and moderate income borrowers, would not meet the standards of a qualified mortgage and thus not get made. Currently cfpb rules include affiliated title charges under a 3 cap when determining whether a mortgage is a qualified mortgage but it doesnt include unaffiliated. This does not make sense. The cfpb rules are detrimental, again, to low and moderate income borrowers and first time homebuyers since they are more likely to have smaller loan amounts and thus, therefore, more easily trigger the 3 cap. That means under the current definition many mortgage applicants will be denied homeownership opportunities simply because they do not fit into the government box or the only mortgages and the alternative available to them might be at far higher interest rates, making them unaffordable for many. In other words, the cfpbs defective definition has ended up protecting many consumers right out of their opportunity to buy a home. H. R. 1153 from the gentleman from michigan, mr. Huizenga, will change the way points and fees are calculated by excluding fees paid for affiliated title charges and escrow charges for insurance and taxes. That would, therefore, madam speaker, increase homeownership opportunities for borrowers by allowing more loans to meet the q. M. Standard. Lets not just listen to me, madam speaker. Lets listen to our Community Financial institutions that we expect to help our constituents. A credit union from washington explained how this was affecting everyday americans. They wrote, quote, a member at our credit union wanted to buy down his rate on his mortgage with cash out of pocket at closing in order to lower the payments for his retirement. However, doing so would have made his total points and fees igher than allowed under the atrqm and there was no allowable way around the roblem, unquote. Community banker from texas wrote in, quote, the greatest frustration our customers have is our banks inability to now make home loans. For years we made loans to people for the purchase of their homes. We would do about one every other week. So it was not a large volume. It was a good service. We always made these loans to keep in our loan portfolio. We never sold any home loans. But with the new requirements for home loans, it has driven us out of this kind of business. Its also taken us out of the construction lending on homes because we cannot risk the risk of a takeout commitment failing. The consumer is the loser. Indeed, that is true, madam speaker. As i mentioned earlier, mr. Huizenga has worked on this bill for the past two congresses. Again, in the 113th congress it passed by voice vote. It passed by an overwhelming majority of 286140 in the 114th congress. I trust third time will be the

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