Newsletter: How Should the U.S. Respond to Cyber Attacks?

Statement

Rep. Schiff Continues to Press for Congressional Debate and Vote on War Authorization Against ISIS

Last week, the House of Representatives narrowly rejected an amendment to the annual Defense Appropriations bill by Rep. Schiff (D-CA) in a vote of 196-231. Schiff's amendment would have required Congress to debate and vote on a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF) by March 31st, 2016. The amendment would accomplish this by prohibiting funds in the defense appropriations bill from being used for Operation Inherent Resolve after March of next year -- which is currently targeting ISIS through airstrikes in Iraq and Syria -- unless Congress passes a new AUMF that authorizes the ongoing military action.

"Ten months into an undeclared war against ISIS, Congress yet again dodged its responsibility to authorize the use of force," said Schiff in a speech on the House Floor. "While our pilots and Special Forces risk it all, Congress refuses to do its job. Congressional abdication of our responsibility to declare war, or to deny authorization for war, sets a terrible precedent and shifts war-making powers substantially and inexorably towards the Executive. While this is another setback for a Congress long derelict in its duty, I will keep pushing for a debate and vote on a new AUMF."

Rep. Schiff Meets with Students in Washington

This month, Rep. Schiff welcomed two student groups from local schools in the 28th Congressional District to his Washington, D.C. office. He met with students in the Close Up program from Lycee International de Los Angeles in Los Feliz, where they discussed many topical issues including cyber-security. As a French preparatory school, the students had a particular interest in foreign affairs. Rep. Schiff also met with students from the Maimonides Academy in West Hollywood, a Jewish day school. Rep. Schiff spoke to them on the importance of Holocaust Remembrance as well as his own work on gaining U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Both school groups traveled to Washington in order to give students greater insight into the work of the federal government.

"This past month I had the opportunity to meet with groups of students visiting from Los Angeles. These are among my favorite meetings." Rep. Schiff said, "It's always heartening to see the interest and involvement in government of younger generations. It was great to hear from both these engaging and bright groups of young people and I am confident in their ability to serve as future leaders in whatever field they choose to enter."

Rep. Schiff Celebrates L.A. Pride Week in West Hollywood

On Sunday, Rep. Schiff joined Pride Week celebrations in Los Angeles at the 45th annual L.A. PRIDE Parade. Pride Week promotes awareness about and acceptance of the LGBT community both among non-LGBT and within the community as well. The Rev. Troy Perry, the

first openly gay member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights, and 13-year-old transgender activist Zoey were the grand marshals of the parade this year. Thousands of people attended the events in West Hollywood.

"I was delighted to once again have the opportunity to participate in this year's PRIDE festivities," said Rep. Schiff. "This is an important time in the fight for equality within the LGBT communities, and a time to celebrate the unique diversity in our country and our community. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the West Hollywood community in Congress and it was a privilege to celebrate with my constituents today."

Rep. Schiff Discusses the Death of al Qaeda Leadership

This week, the White House announced that it had eliminated the leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and second in command in Al Qaeda, Nasir al-Wuhayshi. Schiff discussed the announcement with Briana Keilar on CNN's The Situation Room, saying, "As the Al Qaeda affiliate most focused on attacking the United States with plots directed against our aircraft and bombs that can get past metal detectors, any loss of high-level commanders has a disruptive impact. In the case of top leadership like al-Wuhayshi, that interruption in organizational planning is all the more profound."

Rep. Schiff Votes Against Fast Tracking the Trans Pacific Partnership in House

Last week, Congress voted to block the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), part of a legislative package to consider the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). As a result the consideration of TPA, or fast track, was initially stalled. This fast track would provide for expedited approval of a potential Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal without the opportunity for amendment by Congress. If approved, the TPP would potentially be the largest trade agreement in history. Rep. Schiff voted against both the TPA and the TAA.

After the vote, Schiff shared his reasons for voting against both pieces of legislation on his Facebook page:

I just voted NO on both the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), or fast track, legislation and the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill. I do not believe that either the fast track or TAA bills will lead to trade agreements whose benefits flow to all Americans or do enough to help Americans who are affected by wrenching economic shifts due to globalization.

While negotiations of fast track were underway, I withheld judgment -- I have not supported fast track authorities in the past, believing that Congress should preserve a role in shaping trade agreements, but was willing to hold off in light of representations that this would be a new type of authority. However, once the legislation was finalized and I had time to fully review the bill, it became clear that this fast track bill was little different from past authorities. It does not include enforceable mechanisms to ensure adherence to fair labor standards, to enhance environmental protections and human rights, or to stop illegal currency manipulation. Consequently, I voted no.

I also voted no on the TAA bill. Unlike fast track, I have consistently supported TAA as a lifeline for workers who lose their jobs due to trade. However, this bill is fundamentally flawed and because of the way it was presented to the House, there was no way to separate the vote on TAA from the vote on TPA. Among other concerns, the TAA bill would exclude public sector workers who meet all other criteria and it doesn't include enough funding to help all the workers who need assistance. In addition, although last minute efforts were made to change this, the bill included language that would have cut Medicare, which I simply could not support.

Any trade deal must not risk aggravating the already historic and growing disparity between rich and poor in America. Our nation has always prided itself on its upward mobility, and a strong middle class. While trade deals may increase overall GDP, if that increase is confined to those who have largely already prospered and results in even greater downward pressure on the wages of middle income and working class families, the agreements have the potential of making a bad problem, worse. That will continue to be the bottom line as I evaluate trade votes.

In a subsequent vote later that week, which Rep. Schiff also opposed, the House passed the TPA legislation.

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