Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial anniversary of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, our State's leading and largest farm organization.

Since 1917, Nebraska Farm Bureau has been a grassroots, statewide organization led by farmers and ranchers who work to enhance and strengthen the lives of all Nebraskans. This Federation of 85 county farm bureaus has more than 61,000 member families in all 93 Nebraska counties.

For 100 years, Nebraska Farm Bureau has united our State's farm and ranch families under a common banner, doing together what they cannot do alone. Through the power of their grassroots policy development process, Nebraska Farm Bureau remains the trusted voice for Nebraska farm and ranch families.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Farm Bureau's existence, and we congratulate the organization and all of its members on reaching this important milestone. We are excited for what the next 100 years have in store.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gering High School, one of three national winners of the 2017 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. The team of 19 Gering students took top honors out of thousands of entries and 10 national finalists.

It is exciting to see young innovators from western Nebraska, especially my alma mater, recognized nationally for their ideas on how to advance agriculture. The students designed a drone-powered system to reduce herbicide quantity by allowing farmers to directly target specific areas rather than spraying entire fields. I applaud each of them for their hard work and the dedication they put into their winning project.

Congratulations go to Curtis Anderson, Jonathan Blanco, Dakota Boles, Blake Brunner, Gabriele Castro, Cody Catron, Eric Crane, Jeremy Forella, Michael Haworth, Xavier Horst, Elexus Johnson, Kaiden Reinmuth, Trevor Satur, Tyler Smith, Joel Torres, Carson Wallace, Skylier Ward, Payton Welfl, Joshua Wilson, and their teacher, Mr. Justin Reinmuth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Ambassador Clayton Yeutter, a native of Eustis, Nebraska, who recently passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mr. Yeutter was a true statesman, who generously shared his time and expertise throughout his very remarkable career. On top of his numerous professional accomplishments, Mr. Yeutter was known as a humble, kind, and respected leader who never lost sight of his commitment to rural America.

No one understood the importance of trade to American agriculture better than he did, and his work has benefited generations of, incidentally, Nebraska agriculture producers as well as others across the country.

Mr. Yeutter grew up on a cattle and corn operation in central Nebraska during the Great Depression. He attended the University of Nebraska, where he earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and, later, a juris doctorate and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics.

After serving in the Air Force in the 1950s and returning home to work on his farm, he got his start in politics as chief of staff for Nebraska Governor Norbert Tiemann in the mid-1960s. Soon he was named director of the Nebraska Mission to Colombia, which led him to the USDA and decades of distinguished public service.

His extensive resume included serving as U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan and Agriculture Secretary under President George H.W. Bush. He also ran the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for 8 years and served as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

As we mourn the loss of this influential Nebraskan, I extend my condolences to Mr. Yeutter's wife, Cristena, and his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter as well.

I yield to my colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Mr. Speaker, I can't say enough to honor such a true giant in public service as Secretary Yeutter, Ambassador Yeutter. The list goes on of his many titles, an incredible man, but his humility did so much for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017. This legislation is the first step in a process to unravel ObamaCare's taxes and mandates and provide relief to the American people.

To understand the extent of ObamaCare's failures and their impact on hardworking Americans and their families, just look at the rapid collapse of ObamaCare's Consumer-Operated and Oriented Plans, or CO- OPs.

The story of these failed ObamaCare CO-OPs began in my home State of Nebraska, with the abrupt collapse of CoOportunity Health, which left 120,000 Nebraskans and Iowans without health insurance. I repeat: It left 120,000 Nebraskans and Iowans without health insurance.

CoOportunity Health was the first ObamaCare CO-OP to collapse, but it wasn't long before 18 more followed suit, closing their doors and leaving hundreds of thousands more without health insurance. Only 4 of the 23 CO-OPs created under ObamaCare actually remain, and these remaining 4 will likely face the same fate as they continue to struggle with dire financial challenges.

Americans were falsely promised, if they liked their insurance, they could keep it. After complying with ObamaCare's mandates, many Nebraskans could not even keep the insurance this law created.

One of my constituents in western Nebraska, Pam, who is self- employed, lost her insurance four times under ObamaCare. Prior to ObamaCare's implementation, she had a plan she liked and that actually covered her preexisting condition. She was forced off of that original plan when ObamaCare began and then lost her coverage three more times through no fault of her own.

For Pam and millions of others across the country, ObamaCare has severely limited options for affordable care. This is simply unsustainable. Constituents in rural districts like mine are being hit the hardest by ObamaCare's dwindling insurance markets. Because of ObamaCare, Nebraskans are down to only two insurers from which to choose, and other rural areas are down to only one or even zero providers on their exchanges.

Adding insult to injury, according to the Obama administration's own report on the individual market, 2017 premiums in Nebraska increased by 51 percent.

Mr. Speaker, places like Oklahoma are experiencing premium increases of 69 percent, and it is only projected to get worse if we do not act.

Doing nothing is certainly not an option. We must come together to rescue this rapidly collapsing healthcare system. Let's come together to do right by the American people.

I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Agriculture Week and the farmers and ranchers who have made Nebraska's Third District the top producing agriculture district in the country.

One in four Nebraska jobs is tied to agriculture. The hard work and innovative practices of our producers have made our State a leader in feeding the world.

For too long the heavy hand of the Federal Government has threatened agriculture's future. Thankfully, we have seen important victories under the Trump administration, including the beginning of the end for the EPA's dangerous waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS.

Nebraska's farmers and ranchers are committed stewards of our natural resources and take many steps to keep our water resources clean. President Trump ordered a reset on WOTUS, agreeing farmers and ranchers deserve better than to have Washington bureaucrats controlling the water puddles and irrigation ditches on their land.

As founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, I will continue to promote policies designed to get the government out of the way and

open more markets around the world for Nebraska producers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my home State of Nebraska on 150 years of Statehood.

On March 1, 1867, Nebraska became the 37th State admitted to the Union. Today, as we celebrate this milestone 150 years later, we honor the legacies of the pioneers who took great risks and overcame countless obstacles in pursuit of opportunity.

Our State's pioneer heritage has always inspired me. I am proud to be a fifth-generation resident of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. My family was part of the Homestead Movement, settling in western Nebraska and working as sugar beet laborers to build a bright future for generations to come.

The pioneer spirit is still alive and well today, which is one of the many reasons the ``Good Life'' is such a great place to live. Nebraskans' work ethic is second to none. From the producers who have made the Third District the top-producing agriculture district in the country, to the small businesses which employ nearly half of Nebraska's workforce, productivity is a hallmark of our State.

In addition to our pioneer spirit, Nebraskans are known for their kindness. I am proud of our State's reputation as ``Nebraska Nice'' and enjoy introducing my colleagues in Washington, D.C., to Nebraska visitors any chance I get.

From Huskers football to world-class research facilities, from Runza to

Dorothy Lynch, and from the Oregon Trail to the Homestead National Monument, there is an endless list of unique reasons for Nebraskans to be proud.

I am honored to represent some 65,000 square miles of the Cornhusker State in Congress, and I will continue working every day to uphold our legacy of opportunity.

In celebration of Nebraska's 150th birthday, it is only fitting to close in true Nebraska fashion: Go Big Red.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained because I was attending a meeting at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 103 and ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 104.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 42 disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants.

The goal of the 2012 bipartisan law signed by President Obama in February 2012 is to reassure employers who fund the unemployment compensation system that unemployment compensation claimants reentering the workforce are truly able and available for work.

When I speak with employers in Nebraska's Third District, they express a strong desire to hire individuals in a way that is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.

According to UWC, the national association representing businesses in the areas of unemployment compensation

and workers' compensation: ``The regulations adopted in final form not only severely limited the circumstances under which a state may conduct a drug test, but also unduly limited the types of tests that a state would be permitted to conduct. . . .''

States, which are responsible for administration of the unemployment compensation program, are also concerned.

Back in 2014, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wrote to the Secretary of Labor saying: ``Providing States more flexibility in defining occupations that regularly conduct drug testing not only better serves the public interest, but recognizes the unique labor force and diversity in industry in each State.''

In recognition of the support we have received from employers who fund the system and States which administer it, I include in the Record their letters of support.

February 10, 2017.

Hon. Kevin Brady,

Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Brady: We write to you today in support of

H.J. Res. 42, your legislation that would disapprove of the

United States Department of Labor's recent regulation

regarding states' ability to drug test individuals who apply

for unemployment insurance (UI).

Congress authorized the Labor Department to craft a rule

that would provide states the option to drug test

unemployment insurance applicants. Unfortunately, the Obama

Administration drafted the rule too narrowly, undermining the

intent of Congress and permitting drug testing in too few

instances.

Drug testing UI applicants can help individuals suffering

from substance abuse to access necessary care and treatment

so they may re-enter the workforce as healthy and productive

members of society. We believe this rule should be replaced

with a new rule that allows increased flexibility for states

to implement UI drug testing that best fits the needs of each

state.

Thank you for introducing this important legislation and we

look forward to working with Congress on this issue going

forward.

Sincerely,

Scott Walker,

Governor of Wisconsin.

Gary R. Herbert,

Governor of Utah.

Greg Abbott,

Governor of Texas.

Phil Bryant,

Governor of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman Brady highlighted earlier, Members of this body have clearly stated their intent time and time again over the last few years through letters, hearings, public comments, and meetings. Yet, the Department of Labor has continued to push Congress' concerns to the side and legislate from the executive branch.

Supporting this resolution means supporting the role of Congress to write laws and for them to be implemented as intended.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to hopefully draw some attention to the fact that we have a problem on our hands. We have a problem with the Federal Government going too far, and we have a problem with the State governments coming to us as policymakers at the Federal level wanting to help their own constituents, their own citizens in need. Right now the Federal Government stands in the way.

It is time for us as policymakers hopefully to act in a responsible fashion to assist States in their need and their desire to help their own citizens. States are better at that than is the Federal Government, and I hope that we can empower the States to help their own constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, since the law was enacted some 5 years ago, Members of this body have clearly stated their intent time and time again through letters, hearings, public comments, and meetings, and yet the previous Department of Labor continued to push Congress' concerns to the side and legislate from the executive branch.

Again, supporting this resolution means supporting the role of Congress

to write laws and for the laws to be implemented as intended.

I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 42, disapproving of the Department of Labor's regulation of the drug testing on unemployment insurance applicants.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution to repeal a rule which would arbitrarily revoke the Second Amendment rights of certain Social Security beneficiaries. The inability to manage one's Social Security benefits does not correlate with the capacity to judiciously use firearms.

By adding Social Security beneficiaries to the NICS list with no judicial review and forcing them to go through an appeals process to be removed, this rule would also violate the due process rights of these Americans.

I would also like to focus on the component of this rule which would inhibit the ability of Social Security disability beneficiaries to be approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to work with or around certain materials.

Mr. Speaker, there is bipartisan agreement we should be investing in and rebuilding our infrastructure. There is also bipartisan agreement we should be empowering people receiving benefits, like disability insurance, to return to work if they are able to do so.

However, this rule will create a new barrier for beneficiaries seeking to return to work in industries like construction by forcing them to navigate a complex appeals process before they can be reemployed.

Let me say again, if we do nothing about this rule, it will prevent law-

abiding Americans who are able to do so from getting off the disability rolls and returning to work.

We can work together on constructive ways to prevent those who would do us harm from having access to firearms and explosives. This rule is not the way to do so.

I urge support for the resolution.

``The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw your attention to CoOpportunity Health, one of 23 insurance co-ops created by ObamaCare. These plans have been awarded approximately $2 billion in taxpayer dollars. CoOpportunity specifically received $146 million in Federal loans.

On December 23, 2014, the Iowa insurance commissioner submitted a petition for an order of rehabilitation of CoOpportunity Health. The company now faces liquidation.

Approximately 120,000 of CoOpportunity's customers, most of whom live in Nebraska, have been told they need to find a new insurance carrier. I am extremely concerned about this situation for Nebraskans needing health coverage and for the taxpayers who have seen millions of dollars lost and millions more put at risk. This is one more example of ObamaCare's failure.

Last month, I sent a letter to HHS Secretary Burwell seeking more information about these concerns. Americans were promised they could keep the insurance they had and liked, and now we are seeing they cannot even keep the insurance this very law created.

This is one more reason I look forward to voting tomorrow to repeal this harmful law.

``. . . and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.''

Section 9:

``The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.''

I thank the chairman for the time.

Mr. Speaker, as you all know, a major portion of the Keystone XL pipeline will run through Nebraska's Third District. Nebraskans overwhelmingly support this project to improve access to North American energy and decrease the strain on our overwhelmed infrastructure system.

As we all now know, the Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld the process as established by the elected Nebraska officials.

I urge my colleagues to support approval of this project, and I urge the President to sign off on the pipeline as a needed step to encourage private investment in infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor my constituents Arne and Esther Larsen of Hebron, Nebraska, who will celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary on December 23 of this year. Fifty years of marriage is referred to as the golden anniversary, and 60 years as the diamond anniversary. However, there is no such reference for an 80-year anniversary because this accomplishment is so rare and unique.

Much has changed since 1934. A stamp cost 3 cents, and Franklin Roosevelt was in his first term as President when Arne and Esther were married. In all this time, the Larsens' marriage has endured, a testament to their love, faith, and commitment to each other.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Arne and Esther Larsen on this remarkable occasion and congratulate them on 80 years of marriage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the public service of Dave Heineman, Nebraska's longest-serving Governor. More important than his time in office is what he has accomplished.

He has kept our State prosperous by supporting agriculture, opening new trade opportunities, reforming economic development incentives, and improving education through greater local control. He has also been an ally of taxpayers by keeping our budget balanced and also advocating for tax reform. Under his watch, Nebraska consistently ranks among the best States to live, work, do business, and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful and grateful for Governor Heineman's leadership and service. I join all Nebraskans in wishing him and his wife, Sally Ganem, Godspeed as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.