Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your and the committee's hard work on crafting the agriculture appropriations bill on the floor today. It is a bill that supports American farmers, protects the safety of our food, keeps rural America vibrant, and ensures that our taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively.

I also want to thank you and the committee's continued support for an issue that is very important to my constituents of the Second District of Ohio, the Asian long-horned beetle. This pest, also known as ALB, is one of the most destructive, invasive species that has entered the United States.

These beetles have been discovered in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois, and they were first seen in my district in 2012. Mr. Chairman, ALB is devastating our trees. These insects burrow themselves into the heartwood of our trees, where they lay larvae and feast off the wood.

As a result, trees in my community are dying or becoming so structurally weak that they are unsafe to even be near them. This doesn't just affect one type of tree, unfortunately, but over a dozen different species.

Eradicating this infestation is extremely important to me and my constituents. Unfortunately, the infestation has already come at a very high cost. To date, roughly 43,000 trees have been removed in Clermont County of Ohio, due to the Asian long-horned beetle, including over 30,000 trees that have not even yet been infested.

This is 43,000 less trees that can no longer provide shade on a sunny day or protect against erosion; not to mention, this infestation and tree removal is directly impacting the property values of homeowners.

Currently, cutting down and removing trees is the most common method used to eradicate these beetles. My constituents are having their trees removed from their own private properties, turning front yards into lumber yards.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that you insert language into the conference report that would encourage the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to support alternative methods to tree removal to combat the Asian long-horned beetle.

Thank you, and I appreciate your past and continued efforts to eradicate this destructive pest.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

I yield myself 2 minutes at this time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The Guantanamo facility is safe and the most appropriate location for detainees to be held. Detainees at Guantanamo are held there because they were engaged in dangerous acts threatening the United States of America and its allies. Some orchestrated and celebrated the murders of thousands of innocent Americans.

As in previous conflicts, it is entirely appropriate to hold detainees until enemy forces are defeated. In this case, it is al Qaeda and their associates.

The Guantanamo facility is ideal for this purpose. It is secure. It is relatively distant from the United States. It is difficult to attack. I can promise you that the Cubans have no interest in freeing the prisoners there, but there are people in this world that want to do that. We saw it at Abu Ghraib prison last year where many members of al Qaeda were freed. That prison was attacked, and they were freed.

So the Guantanamo facility is ideal for this purpose. It is secure and it is safe. It also provides humane conditions for the detainees. They have access to health care, recreational activities, cultural and religious materials. Also, Members of the House of Representatives routinely visit Guantanamo, and they have seen the humane conditions in which dangerous detainees are held.

Based upon these facts and the nature of the character of those held at Guantanamo, the cost already incurred in accommodating them, there is no reason to move the Guantanamo detainees to facilities in the United States.

At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).

Mr. Chairman, I have heard Members from both sides of the aisle speak out against this very notion that they do not want these types of detainees coming to their State or territory.

I will remind them that, as in previous conflicts, it is entirely appropriate and lawful to hold detainees until our enemy forces are defeated. I have not seen that. If al Qaeda is on the run, I think it is toward us, as we have seen so many actions taken by them in recent times.

I ask for your support in defeating this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I join with Ohioans in the Second District in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1914 Smith-Lever Act.

As we entered the 20th Century, America's scientists and researchers were at the forefront of scientific and technological developments that helped pave the way for unprecedented economic growth and prosperity.

Many of these innovations were developed at our nation's great land- grant universities, and Smith-Lever was able to connect these collegiate discoveries to hard working farmers and families across rural America through extension programs.

As the law sets forth, extension programs would be established to diffuse and distribute the ``useful and practical'' information for agriculture, home economics, and rural energy, and have adopted an expanded mission over the last century to include 4-H, farmers, Master Gardeners, and Consumer Sciences.

In Ohio, our extension offices and staff continue this one hundred year-tradition. Our counties and families continue to benefit from educators bringing the latest best practices to local communities in a practical and meaningful manner.

And as America remains at the forefront of discovery, the extension program will continues to diffuse new knowledge throughout our communities.

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Adams County for being awarded the Healthy Ohio Healthy Community GOLD award from the Ohio Department of Health!

As a physician, I know the importance of preventative care and the impact of lifestyle choices in creating healthy communities. The leaders in Adams County are to be commended for their efforts.

As we empower residents and families to make healthier choices, we all thrive as a community. Promoting healthy options at home and in the workplace is a positive mission for everyone.

Specifically, the Adams Brown Creating Healthy Communities Program and the Adams County Health & Wellness Coalition deserve recognition. These programs, in collaboration with the Adams County Regional Medical Center Diabetes team, Adams County Court of Common Pleas, and local employers like General Electric, have made effective progress in working towards a healthy and effective workforce and county.

I am excited to watch Adams County's continued success and thank their leaders for working to improve the well-being of all their residents.

Mr. Speaker, The United States Army, the U.S. Military medical community, and a grateful nation, are united in their support of LTC Denis Descarreaux attaining the rank of Colonel.

Colonel Descarreaux exemplifies the values that are near and dear to the Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage.

Denis Descarreaux has always displayed an enduring work ethic and a commitment to serve others. His time in uniform is marked by distinguished service on behalf of the American people.

Dr. Denis Descarreaux exemplifies one seeking and obtaining the American Dream and presents as a model Soldier, citizen, husband, and father. Colonel Descarreaux has brought virtue to himself, his family, his uniform and his nation. We are assured that he will continue to be an invaluable asset to the United States Army.

Congratulations on your lifetime accomplishments and your promotion to Colonel in the United States Army.

With God's blessings.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chairman, I rise in support today of amendment No. 7.

My amendment is simple. It would eliminate the daily delivery of printed copies of the House Calendar to Member offices.

This multipage paper booklet is currently delivered each legislative day to 441 Representatives' offices. The document in my hand is about 100 pages, meaning that about 44,000 pages are wasted each legislative day, over 5 million pages a year.

The information in these pages is readily available online, and, as required, paper copies will be kept on record. Previously, the House took similar action by ending paper deliveries of the Congressional Record a few years ago with no adverse effects.

Let's be honest, Madam Chairman, no one sits and peruses the calendar every day. Most offices accept the delivery, turn 90 degrees, and place it in the recycling bin. Hardly a good use of time or precious paper.

Ending this outdated practice also saves money. We can save hardworking taxpayers nearly $200,000 a year, according to the Government Printing Office.

Madam Chairman, I want to note that this idea came from one of my staff members, Kate Raulin, who repeatedly recycles these Calendars and grew frustrated at the waste she saw every day. Imagine if every staff member of this body had an idea or an amendment that would save the taxpayers about $200,000 a year. By my back-of-the-napkin calculations, those savings would easily top over a billion dollars a year.

When I worked in the private sector, we had to be mindful of excess costs and waste. The government must be held to the same standard and should reform outdated policies. We should not remain stuck in the past. If the daily cost of delivery came out of each Member's personal office budget, how many of us would actually pay to get this delivered every day?

I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and vote ``yea.''

I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I stand before you today to honor the life of Dr. Jerry Umanos, the father-in- law of my former staff member, Krista Umanos, and the father of her husband, Ben.

Dr. Umanos was killed at the CURE International Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 24. He was a pediatrician, a man dedicated to his Christian faith, who felt called to serve those in need. Since 2005, this calling led him to Afghanistan to treat patients and to train Afghan medical personnel. Dr. Umanos had a love of and a dedication to the people of Afghanistan--a love that transcended the typical call to serve.

His wife, Jan, asked that we honor her husband's memory by opening our hearts to the Afghan people and to everyone around the world who needs to see Christ's love for all.

Dr. Umanos' caring for all mankind, regardless of country or creed or religion, is inspiring. His death is a loss for his family and friends, as it is a loss for all of those touched by his selfless service. While Dr. Umanos' earthly mission is complete, the positive effects of his works in this world shall never perish.

God bless Dr. Jerry Umanos and his family.

You have made the world a better place.

Mr. Chair, in this House, we take the constitutional power of the purse very seriously. We also take the future of young Americans very seriously, and we take the notion of leaving something better for the next generation very seriously.

Again, this year, the majority has proposed a budget that responsibly balances our budget within 10 years. It secures our social safety net for the most

needy and for seniors. It repeals the uncertainty forced on Ohioans and all Americans by ObamaCare.

The budget begins to unburden future generations from the tyranny of the debt being left to them by today's decisionmakers. The CBO estimates it will pay $223 billion in interest payments this year--$223 billion in interest. That is enough to build 100 new Brent Spence bridges, which is an aging bridge that spans the Ohio River in Cincinnati, a critical artery for our Nation's highways reaching from Michigan to Florida.

Going back to those payments, left unchecked, they will balloon to $880 billion within 10 years. That is about how much we are spending on Social Security every year right now. American prosperity cannot afford to throw our money away to interest payments.

Vice President Joe Biden is fond of saying, ``Don't tell me what you value; show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.'' It is a revealing quote, Mr. Chair, especially since Senate Democrats yet again refuse to even consider a budget. I guess according to the Vice President, Senate Democrats don't really value anything at all.

It is disrespectful to the American people and to hardworking Americans that this budget debate isn't happening in the Senate. As we have seen in recent years, the Senate Majority Leader has decided not to introduce a budget. In fact, the only time the Senate has introduced a budget recently was when the Senators knew that they wouldn't be paid unless they did so.

I know that Ohio families and Ohio businesses budget and plan for the future. They should be able to expect at least as much from their government, and the House is meeting our obligation with this budget.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent on March 27, due to a death in the family. If I were present, I would have voted on the following:

Thursday, March 27, 2014: rollcall No. 148: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 4278, ``yea.''

Thank you very much. I appreciate that, Mr. Kelly.

Mr. Speaker, we have a problem. We have an inactive Senate with Harry Reid at the helm as the majority leader. Someone on the Senate side seems to have hit the pause button, and it has been stuck there for a while, and we are having to deal with that. But here in the House of Representatives, the people's House, we have passed over 200 bills since I came to Congress that just seem to be gathering dust over in the Senate.

We have hardly been inactive on this side of Congress taking up important energy, education, health care reforms, and numerous jobs bills--some Republican bills, some Democratic bills--and most passed with bipartisan support. Yet Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has thrown them on the ground.

Ohioans ask me what we are doing here in Washington, D.C. I am at my wit's end trying to explain that every reform-minded bill that I have supported that we passed on behalf of the American people is stuck in the Senate. It is a legislative purgatory. It just sits. And I don't wish that on my fellow Ohioans or my fellow Americans. I am not asking the Senate to agree with every bill that we pass, Mr. Speaker, but at least allow a vote and at least allow a discussion.

One example is the Keystone XL pipeline. The energy security legislation passed the House with bipartisan support nearly a year ago; 241 Members of Congress voted for the Northern Route Approval Act. More than that, a filibuster-proof majority of Senators, Republicans and Democrats, are on the record as supporting this project.

A recent Washington Post-ABC poll demonstrates that the American people also support the goals of this legislation of building the pipeline by nearly a three-to-one margin. But the Senate has thrown the bill on the floor blocking any vote. Does the Senate have a solution? Not really. They just seem to want to stand in the way.

Another example is the SKILLS Act. I hear from Ohioans frustrated that Washington isn't working, especially in year 6 of this Obama economy with disappointing job growth. And as we continue to face unacceptable unemployment levels, the Senate refuses to take commonsense steps to get Americans back to work.

Over a year ago, I was proud to support the SKILLS Act, legislation that would have helped job seekers, helped employers, reformed government, and cut bureaucratic costs so that more money can go directly to help people getting back to work. This legislation offers a long-term solution to help those looking for work, combined with smart government reforms. And what do we hear from Senate leadership? Nothing.

It is bipartisan frustration, I think, on some parts because these aren't just Republican bills that are being blocked. Nearly three dozen Democratic-sponsored bills have passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle--no action in the Senate. These are noncontroversial bills. But some in the Senate are more concerned with demonizing individual Americans than helping every American.

The legislative branch is the most direct representation of the American people, yet the Senate leader is content to hand over his constitutional responsibilities to President Obama and the executive branch rather than do his job and to legislate. It is a myth that this is a do-nothing Congress, but we are witnessing a do-nothing Senate.

I ask Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: relieve this legislative backlog; hundreds of bills and millions of Americans are waiting.

Here in the House, we have taken action. We are active. We have taken the vote. We have taken the action as far as we can take it, and America waits for a further response. Most of these bills that we pass usually involve having less government involvement, not more, not more involvement. The table is set. Our Founders set it up in such a way that we are to represent the people and we are to act, and the Senate is to act, and we are all supposed to come together at the table. I have been here just over a year, and I have been waiting at that table. I have been waiting for the Senate to engage with us. I have been waiting for the President to engage with us. But that hasn't happened.

I left a medical practice to serve here, and I am proud and honored to be here. People often ask me, well, what is the difference between a doctor and being here? Well, as a doctor, I can make a diagnosis. I can get together with a patient and their family and provide a treatment, and together we go to work on that. It takes both of us to do that. Sometimes when you make the suggestion of a treatment, you even suggest that there be a second opinion. And I can tell you right now on all of these things that we have passed, all these treatments that we have recommended, we are still waiting for our second opinion from the Senate.

The House is active. We are waiting for the Senate to take up the arm and do their job, as well.

The gentleman mentioned the Affordable Care Act, and you mentioned a phone and a pen. I would encourage all Americans to use their phone and to use their pen to let the other parts of our government know where you stand and know that you do want to see some action taking place.

We are a Nation of laws, and we should live by the rule of law. It is very difficult for the American people to understand when certain laws are passed and signed by the President and then just changed as though it is a menu, you can just select which laws you want to enforce.

That makes it very difficult for the American people to understand, and it makes our job more difficult, too, as we go ahead and pass laws.

While we are talking about some of the things that we have done here in the House, both in the 112th and in the 113th Congress, we passed the REINS Act. For those who aren't familiar with the REINS Act, basically what it does is it brings more power back into Congress and into those who represent you. It gives you a voice.

We have established, over the years, many agencies where we have empowered those agencies, and we have empowered the people within the agencies to make the decisions, and often, it is punitive, regulatory decisions that they are making, so this makes it very difficult for our businesses.

What the REINS Act does is it says that, if a regulation has a negative economic impact of over $100 million, then it has to be approved by Congress. That gives you, the people, a chance to reach out to your Representative and let them know how you feel about these regulations, rather than just having a bureaucracy deciding that this is what is going to take place.

As I said, I think, over the years, this body has given up some of that power to these agencies, and that takes it away from the American people, and we want to get that back.

Now, we talk about if it is over $100 million of negative economic impact. Well, I tell you I rarely see a regulation that has a positive economic impact in America, and so this is an opportunity for us to get that back.

Again, it is something that we passed in the last two Congresses here in the House of Representatives, and it has not been taken up in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Colonel Wayne T. Frye of Manchester, Ohio. Colonel Frye was beloved in his community, and is remembered not only for his extraordinary achievements but also for his humble character.

In 1948, Wayne Frye joined the United States Marines, and went on to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis. While a student, he competed with the 1952 Olympic rowing team, known as the ``Great Eight,'' winning a gold medal for Team USA.

After graduating from Annapolis, he joined the newly established Air Force and later served in Vietnam, where he was a commander with the 555th ``Triple Nickel'' Fighter Squadron, flying 266 combat missions. For his service, he received two Silver Stars for valor, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 15 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart.

Wayne Frye's legacy also lies in his deep-rooted commitment to his community, and his inspiration to future generations through his character, faith, and humility.

Colonel Wayne T. Frye, thank you for your service. A grateful Nation salutes you. Rest in peace. Rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, on February 28, another member of America's Greatest Generation will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. William T. Magee--``Tom,'' as he is known--was an American and Cincinnatian we can all be proud of.

Tom was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, and two Presidential Unit Citations during his service in World War II.

Serving aboard a B-24 Liberator, Tom's plane was shot down over enemy territory, and he survived 10 days in enemy territory before returning to the fight.

Later, with a different crew, Tom safely landed a bomber after the pilot and copilot were killed by enemy fire.

Tom came home to Cincinnati, where he lived the rest of his life, devoted to his family, work, and community. Tom's legacy of serving his Nation inspired three children and two grandchildren to serve our nation in conflicts ranging from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thank you, Lieutenant Magee. A grateful nation salutes you. Rest in peace. Rest in peace.

In 1788, over 225 years ago, James Madison wrote these words:

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are

made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous

that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot

be understood. If they be repealed or revised before they are

promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes, that no man

who knows what the law is today, can guess what it will be

tomorrow.

Oh, how relevant these remarks are today. Off-the-cuff changes and delays to the Affordable Care Act without proper legislative authority confuse and confound American individuals and businesses alike.

We are formed as a Nation of laws, laws crafted by Representatives of the people. America achieved great things by adhering to the principles of our legal framework. The fundamental genius of the American Republic came from the simple, yet absolute, affirmation that we, as a Nation, operate by the rule of law, law crafted by the many, not the one.

Mr. Speaker, from 1942 to 1949, the African American marines who trained at Montford Point Camp, North Carolina, fought intolerance and segregation, yet they continued to serve their Nation proudly.

I am honored to have one of these men, World War II veteran Corporal G. Robert Smith, amongst the ranks of constituents in Ohio's Second District.

I am personally grateful for Corporal Smith's service and dedication to our Nation, and I would like to offer my sincere congratulations for being recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal. Corporal Smith lives up to the high standards that characterize the United States Marine Corps. The statement ``once a marine, always a marine'' is a reminder that these standards carry on long after the uniform has been put away.

Corporal Smith, your fellow Americans take pride in your military service and your contributions to your community after that service.

The freedom and liberty that we enjoy today is due, in large part, to the sacrifices made by individuals like Corporal G. Robert Smith.

Corporal Smith, Semper Fi.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 272) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the ``General William H. Gourley Federal Outpatient Clinic: A Joint VA-DOD Health Care Facility'', as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 272, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the General William H. Gourley VA-DOD Outpatient Clinic.

I want to commend Representative Sam Farr of California for sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the late Major General William H. Gourley gave this Nation 36 years of committed and distinguished service in the United States Army. That service took him to far off places such as Vietnam, Korea, Turkey, and Germany, where he had an immediate and positive impact on the soldiers and officers with whom he served.

When General Gourley's service to the Nation was done, he returned to his beloved Monterey, California, to retire. He became actively involved in the Monterey community, helping to oversee the restructuring of Fort Ord for civilian reuse following the Base Realignment and Closure decision to shut down that Army post.

Mr. Speaker, General Gourley was also instrumental in paving the way for the joint VA-DOD outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, which is why it is fitting that that clinic, which when completed will serve our Active Duty and retired military, their families and veterans, be named the General William H. Gourley VA-DOD Outpatient Clinic.

General Gourley dedicated his life to serving the military. The VA- DOD clinic will stand as a reminder of his service to all those who will benefit from the health care provided by the clinic in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close after my colleague has yielded back her time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, health care is a morale staple of our military, both in Active Duty and when we become veterans, whether it is in theatre or at home, as those who have served or who are serving know that, on the health care side, we have their backs. General Gourley understood that.

I urge all to vote in favor of this bill in order to give him the recognition that is due.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.