Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent Matt Williams of Gothenburg, Nebraska. Matt is the President of Gothenburg State Bank and has served as Chairman of the American Bankers Association for the last year.

Matt brought to the position the perspective of a rural banker serving farmers, ranchers, and small businesses in rural America. It was a point of pride for Nebraska and the Third District for one of our own to serve in this position.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Matt Williams and his service to his community, Nebraska, and the American Bankers Association.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture as they celebrate a Century of Ag Education.

Established in 1913 as the Nebraska Agriculture School, high school age students from across the state lived and learned in Curtis, Nebraska. By 1968, the school had transitioned to a post-secondary agriculture technical school.

Despite years of uncertainty and state funding cuts, the NCTA has emerged as a one of the state's most valued resources, serving not only the students and people of Nebraska, but also the nation and the world.

Today the campus is located on 72-acres, in addition to a 562-acre farm which serves as a field laboratory, complete with grain storage facilities, cattle production facilities, and a completely diversified Maryland and irrigated farming operation.

The ``ag school at Curtis'' fortifies students with an appreciation of Nebraska's agriculture industry and its role in the global economy,

and imparts on its students the value of the applied of agriculture science and technology, entrepreneurship, and rural communities.

I am proud to honor their dedication to education, innovation, and preservation in Nebraska's dynamic agriculture industry.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. I certainly understand all Federal programs should be prepared and subjected to cost-saving measures, and Essential Air Service is actually no different. That is why we passed reforms during the FAA reauthorization last year to improve efficiency and save taxpayer dollars.

Additionally, the underlying bill today already includes a reduction in funding for the EAS program. While there is room for savings in all programs, totally eliminating EAS outright would be counterproductive.

The Essential Air Service program serves an important purpose in rural and remote areas. Businesses in rural America actually compete more effectively with even the limited air service that might be available.

Last year, the House rejected this amendment, and I encourage my colleagues to do so once again.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Jack Hoffman of Atkinson, Nebraska, and the Team Jack Foundation.

At only seven years old, Jack has inspired millions of people from around the world, while raising awareness and funding to fight pediatric brain cancer through the Team Jack Foundation.

Many of us remember when Jack, after surviving brain cancer, made his now-legendary touchdown run during the University of Nebraska's spring football game. The video of that play was voted the top play on ESPN.

Last week, Jack's touchdown was honored during ESPN's ESPY awards as Sports Moment of the Year for 2013. This award was well deserved. But more importantly, Jack has used his newfound fame to further the Team Jack Foundation, which is committed to helping find a cure for pediatric brain cancer.

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in honoring Jack not only for his award, but also for his continued efforts to fight cancer.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1947, the 2013 FARRM Bill. Agriculture is an inherently risky venture. But even in tough times, agriculture remains a bright spot in our economy, and we cannot afford to undermine this success. We should not use the notion of ag producers growing more and wasting less as an excuse to chip away at crop insurance. Thanks to crop insurance design, last year's losses, a result of the worst drought in decades, were not completely borne by taxpayers. Further cuts to this program could mean increased costs to consumers.

This farm bill also provides disaster assistance to livestock producers impacted by severe drought; continues investment into agriculture research, a crucial component of food safety; and builds upon conservation efforts already undertaken by landowners across America.

While this is not a perfect bill, we are here to allow the legislative process to work. I'm hopeful we can pass this bill, go to conference with the Senate, and ensure producers have the opportunity they need to continue to feed the world.

Mr. Speaker, on April 23 and 24, 2013, I was out of town due to a family situation. Unfortunately, I was not present for rollcall votes 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, and 123.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all six.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 678, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act, of which I am a cosponsor, and I want to thank Mr. Tipton for his efforts.

Expanding access to clean, affordable, reliable energy is one challenge facing our Nation today. And while visionaries are looking for solutions, outdated bureaucracy is stifling innovation.

Though its environmental impacts are negligible, small hydropower development remains a financial challenge.

By exempting small hydropower from NEPA requirements, this bill substantially reduces administrative costs and could help stimulate the economy of rural America at no cost to taxpayers.

Let me be clear, Mr. Chair, this bill, like hydropower legislation I introduced last Congress, is limited in scope.

We're not talking about waiving environmental regulations for large, new infrastructure projects; we're talking about streamlining the process of developing clean, renewable energy on existing conduits.

According to a Bureau of Reclamation's March 2012 report on conduit hydropower development, more than 30 irrigation sites in my home State of Nebraska contain more than 5,000 kilowatts of potential hydropower development.

This bill empowers local irrigation districts to produce emissions- free energy which could be used by producers or sold to help pay for aging infrastructure costs.

There are no government mandates and no hidden costs, Mr. Chair.

Sustainable, affordable energy is critical to growing our economy and this is commonsense policymaking.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Dr. Zeke Pipher, who will serve as our guest chaplain today. Zeke earned his Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology and his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the senior pastor at Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City, Nebraska.

In addition to his work in the ministry, he is an avid outdoorsman and author. His first book, ``Man on the Run: Helping Hyper-Hobbied Men Recognize the Best Things,'' was released last year; and he is a regular contributor to several national outdoor magazines. He and his wife, Jamie, have three children and live in central Nebraska.

And, importantly, his favorite football team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It is my honor to welcome Dr. Pipher.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 325. The bill is an important step toward getting our fiscal house in order because it requires the Senate to finally pass a budget, something American families and businesses do each and every day.

The Federal Government is currently in the process of accumulating its fifth consecutive trillion-dollar deficit. We need a serious, forward-looking plan to

address the deficit. However, the Senate has gone nearly 4 years without even passing an annual budget.

Taking a year-by-year approach and addressing only discretionary spending will not solve our long-term spending problem. We must take a comprehensive, long-term approach to the Federal budget. A comprehensive approach to spending must also address the long-term solvency issues of entitlements such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Without reform, spending will remain on an unsustainable path while the Medicare and Social Security trust funds are emptied before the majority of Americans who currently are paying in even qualify to become beneficiaries of those programs.

Today's legislation will allow us to work with the Senate in achieving this long-term deficit solution we know would meet the needs of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Beth Tielke and the many volunteers working with her to improve the lives of Nebraskans and our servicemen and women. Beth is a well known small businesswoman from O'Neill, Nebraska. She has owned a store, several restaurants, and a sandwich business. Her children now run these businesses, but Beth continues to work

and devotes a significant amount of her time running Nebraska Troop Support and Share Our Dream.

Through Nebraska Troop Support, Beth assembles care packages for our soldiers, veterans and their families. She solicits small donations and gifts which are sent in about 40 care packages each month to let all of our servicemembers know how much their sacrifice is appreciated.

Share Our Dream, also run by Beth, has benefitted more than 1600 Nebraskans with small gifts such as cookies, flowers, and short notes to lift the spirit of someone in need. While most of the costs have been paid by Beth, the organization has made it possible for local businesses and citizens to donate small items to help their neighbors. These small gestures not only bring smiles, but also renew the spirit of giving in our State.

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in honoring Beth Tielke and her selfless work to bring joy to our troops, veterans, military families and all Nebraskans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Summit Road at the Scotts Bluff National Monument. The road opened on September 19, 1937 after four years of work. Efforts to design and build the road continue to allow Nebraskans and Americans from across the country to enjoy one of the most spectacular views in our nation.

Today we celebrate not only the achievement of building the Summit Road, but also the beauty and historic significance of this National Monument.

Scotts Bluff served as an important landmark for Americans as they moved West during the Nineteenth Century. Pioneers often faced extreme hardship travelling to and settling new lands. They risked everything to give their families a better life, and laid the foundation for the Good Life Nebraskans cherish.

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in celebrating the Scotts Bluff National Monument on this important anniversary.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support of the underlying bill. And I think that the American people expect us to have a debate here in Washington that is about better policy and not one-upmanship and various 30-second sound bites.

But we know that there are many barriers in our economy. There are barriers to moving our economy again and going forward, and we know that comprehensive tax reform is one of the most important issues we need to face. It isn't always the most popular issue. It is not always the most tangible issue. But we know, whether it's farmers or ranchers--incidentally, from my district, small businesses everywhere, or anything relating to the economy--we know we have work to do.

We know that our current Tax Code, as we have heard most recently, is very costly, confusing, and complicated. The current Tax Code is comprised of more than 10,000 pages of ever-changing laws and regulations. It is a patchwork of various credits, deductions, exemptions, tax hikes, and expiring provisions. This makes responsible business and financial planning next to impossible.

The cost of compliance is obviously a burden. Compliance costs with the current Tax Code falls disproportionately on small businesses, which spend an average of $74 per hour on tax-related compliance, making it the most expensive paperwork burden they will encounter.

Additionally, our onerous, excessive system is a system with an out- of-control spending addiction that has dominated Washington for far too long under both parties, I would add. It is time for a system which lowers the rate, broadens the base, and addresses global competitiveness.

The Ways and Means Committee has held a series of hearings soliciting input on tax reform, and we will continue in that direction toward fundamental tax reform. The bill before us today provides an important path forward to ensure Congress acts in a timely manner to reform this convoluted Tax Code, and it outlines a framework for comprehensive reform. I urge my colleagues to support the Pathway to Job Creation Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of the bill that we are facing here today. It's been an interesting debate that we've had now for some time.

I learn a lot traveling around my district, but it was especially compelling when I was at a manufacturing plant, less than 40 employees, and they told me--unprovoked--they said the estate tax going up to 55 percent would devastate their business. Those were their words, ``devastate their business.'' It's not just farmers and ranchers that would pay the estate tax, it would also be small businesses--and very thriving small businesses who put people to work, who provide benefits, health care, and otherwise.

Truly, the 35 percent rate is a compromise. I would prefer to see no estate tax, given the fact that it is double taxation--and certainly 55 percent is what many folks would consider confiscatory in nature. So I rise in favor of the bill that we are debating here today. I think that it is better policy--certainly better for our economy that we would not raise taxes on the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Weldon Sleight as he retires as Dean of the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA).

Dean Sleight has led NCTA since 2006 and played a vital role in supporting the college legacy and our rural agriculture economy along the way.

Under his watch NCTA constructed a new residence hall, expanded the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and built a state-of-the-art education center.

In addition, Dean Sleight has established innovative programs combining entrepreneurship and agriculture such as the ``Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots'' initiative, designed to assist military personnel, their families and veterans in becoming farmers and ranchers; and the ``100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage'' program which assists students, parents, employers, and agencies in creating successful businesses and ranch transfer plans.

When Dean Sleight retires in December of this year, we wish him the best of luck and thank him for his contribution to agriculture, education and Nebraska.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill today to repeal the health care law.

In speaking with employers in the Third District of Nebraska, it's been very interesting to hear their perspective, certainly, when they tell me that they are holding off on hiring because they simply do not know how much a new employee will cost due to these government mandates. In fact, they're paying overtime to very willing employees because the employees currently are so concerned about the economy they're certainly eager to work that overtime so they can achieve some financial security. And so we've got an imbalance here in the employment sector, and we need to fix that.

I'm also concerned that the very bureaucratic approach, for example, with the small business tax credit, when I hear from an accountant who tells me it takes longer to calculate the tax credit than it does for the remainder of the small business's tax return.

We can do better. We owe the American people better and certainly we need to repeal this bill.